A precious moment…Now that Samantha is old enough (and tall enough) to sit in the front seat of the car, I love how we will be driving along (me listening to my favorite talk radio show ~ her listening to her Japanese music on her PSP) and she will reach over and grab my hand and place it on her leg/knee. Who needs two hands on the wheel when a thirteen year old wants a ‘hug’?

I am grateful….for HGTV. Although I am not much of a ‘homemaker’ I absolutely find comfort in watching just about every program they produce. All the hosts keep me company in those wee hours of the morning when I can’t sleep.

I laugh…because I remember…..

I remember…when my father in law went to the golf course around the corner from our home. When he finished a round of golf or went through a bucket of balls on the driving range, he would always stop by to sit outside with us and enjoy a drink of his favorite Scotch ‘Pinch’. On one of these afternoons he was telling my husband and I what he wears when he has to get under his home to ‘tinker’ or repair something. His required ‘attire’ would be a pair of coveralls and a red bicycle helmet. My father in law always dressed immaculately and had impeccable taste and the thought of him in coveralls and a bicycle helmet (so he wouldn’t bruise his head) just sent me into tail spins of laughter. It still does. As my husband goes through the task of clearing out his Dad’s workspace in the garage, I see his red bicycle helmet hanging from a hook. On my next visit over there I will have to take my camera and then we will have to take the bicycle helmet home to our garage. It makes me giggle and I treasure that memory of my father in law.

I love…that ‘school’ begins next week and some order and routine will structure our days. The lazy days of summer are luxurious however the comfort of routine beckons to me like an old friend.

I will celebrate… going to the Cheescake Factory with the $25 gift card I just received from an awesome longtime friend!!! We will most certainly invite her and her family to join us!!!

A joyful picture from this week from 1998: