All Is Well

With shimmering white hair, she sits in her recliner, rocking slowly, each sway moving her closer to Jesus.  My Nana has counted her blessings and thanked her Maker every day, all 38,450 of them. She told me this weekend she doesn't know why God has let her live this long and after living 105 years, she feels tired. These days she prays for strength. "I tell God that I'm grateful to be alive, but if he is going to leave me on this earth he will need to give me the strength to live here," she said to me as I walked her to the kitchen on Saturday morning.

   I know why the good Lord has let her stay: to bless the rest of us.  She loves with intrepid kindness, the kind of honest love that people rarely share anymore. She's funny and insightful.  She's full of wisdom. She's a straight-shooter and she's opinionated, but she respects those whose opinion differs from hers.

   She's political. The last democrat she voted for was Jimmy Carter, and as far as she is concerned, he was the most "honest Christian man to serve our country."  She has repeatedly mentioned that "it's a shame he wasn't reelected for a second term." Reagan turned out to be a "fine president from Hollywood," and Clinton should have "kept his pants on but I guess he did an okay job running the country." She has an autographed picture of George W sitting on her mantle.  She not only remembers most of the presidents from this past century, she also recalls significant historic events.

    She remembers the dust bowl and the New Deal, the roaring twenties and the WPA.  She can recall both World Wars.  She lived in Alamogordo during the Manhattan Project and at one point worked in an artillery plant to support the war.  She was living in Texas when Kennedy was shot, and she mourned the loss of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. when many white southerners did not.  During her lifetime, she watched technology change our world.  She went from living on the farm with no electricity or plumbing to owning a cell phone.  Hers is a flip, but she asks me why my phone is so smart. She understands that I can use my phone as an encyclopedia and she's curious. "How can it know that information? Does it pull it from up there?" she asked me and pointed to the sky.
Honestly, I had never pondered the inner workings of Google.  I gave her the best answer I could, "it's magic, Nana."

   The magic lights the lamp, illuminating Nana's words.  In a phone conversation last week Nana told me she wasn't feeling well but at the risk of complaining, she changed her mind. She said she would say what the woman in the Bible said, "all is well." She asked me if I knew the story and I told her no.  She proceeded to give the account of the woman who proclaimed to the servant on the street that all was well when in truth her son lay dead at home.
     Nana continued on and said, "The woman kept her faith in the midst of turmoil. Once she reached the prophet..." she paused momentarily, searching for the word.  "Oh, you know the prophet...I can't remember his name, but you know who it is."
    "Isaiah?" I answered.
    "No, no.  Well, anyway, the prophet, Mr. What's His Name, brought the boy back to life.  The woman believed God would restore her son, and so I will say the same--all is well."
    "Which book is that story in, Nana?"
    "I don't remember."
 
    This past weekend while I visited her, I told her that I had looked up the details of the woman and read it for myself.
   "I found it in Kings," I explained.
   Astonished she quipped, "You mean you found it on that?" She pointed to my phone.
   "Yes.  It's in second Kings, chapter four."
   "I don't understand how that thing works," she thought for a moment.  Slowly shaking her head sideways she retorted, "I don't belong to this world; it has passed me by."
   I thought for a moment how it might feel to live in her world. A world that was built on the backs of her generation but then to be left behind when sore bones could no longer keep up. I wanted to assure her she was okay and she always had a reservation as long she wanted the room.
  "Nana, don't worry.  I don't understand how it works either. All is well," I said, hoping to believe it.
 

Our sweet Nana.

   
 

REAL Life in October

I arose this gorgeous Sunday morning to crisp cool Autumn air, then poured a steaming cup of rich coffee into my favorite mug and savored a moment of serenity.  Snuggling into my red comfy chair I gazed onto the flowerbeds in the front.  Feeling an artificial sense of proficiency, I zealously planned to plant mums and decorate with pumpkins and hay bales during the afternoon following church.  Yes, after Sunday brunch, after Madilyn's tennis matches, I would cultivate the garden and adorn my home with welcoming Fall decor.  (Yeah, right!)

Real life:  Actually made it to church, but arrived overdressed.  It's like when an invitation says business casual and everyone else takes that to mean casual.  There IS a difference.  Apparently we missed the invitation that read, athletic casual because we rocked Sunday dress; the congregation wore shorts, t-shirts, pearl snaps?  Of course my husband took this opportunity to lean over and whisper indignantly, "I could have worn my jeans."  Anyway, I'd like to pretend that we are stellar Christians who lead life groups and listen to Hillsong in our cars but in truth this was our first time in church since the beginning of the summer!  (I know...heathens!)  You see, since we moved to the FloMo community we haven't found a church...like pastors haven't walked into our home carrying their flock to minister to us!  I suppose it doesn't work like that...something about SEEK and you shall find.  Guess we'd better do a little more seeking and a little less sleeping.

More real life: We practically jogged out of the sanctuary because Madilyn had to be at her tennis tournament at 1:15 and it was 12:20.  Forget brunch, we managed a drive through at Rosa's.  Scarfing it down, Madi quickly changed clothes and we were out the door headed for the courts.  She played two matches, lost them both, but it's totally fine because she really is improving in skill.  She played tough competitors and I'm so proud of her!

Real life continues: At 4:00 Madilyn, aka diva, reminded me that I promised her I would do her hair this afternoon. Fact: my hairdressing skills work as a blessing and a curse. I rejoice that we don't have to pay for our colors and cuts, but the downside is that I have yet another chore to add to the to-do list for the fam. Luckily, it's a chore that I enjoy.  While applying highlights to her hair I noticed the roots on mine, so while hers was processing I slapped on a medium brown.  Not exactly ultra glam, but it'll do.

The rest of the story: So after church when we were hurrying up the steps to the house (because Matt's side of the garage looks like an episode of hoarders thereby impairing our ability to park the truck inside) our neighbor stopped us to invite us to dinner, yet again.  We haven't been able to commit because our schedule is nuts, but I figured since they keep asking we ought to be decent neighbors and have dinner with them! They seem so sweet and we'd enjoy getting to know them. I pulled out my phone to schedule on iCal, and while checking dates, afore mentioned adorable, braided hair, bo-ho chic, perfect figure, neighbor says, "we eat Paleo so we look forward to grilling lean steaks for y'all." I responded appropriately with a "that's wonderful," and Matt looked completely confounded.  We said goodbye and before the front door was closed, he was asking "what the heck does Paleo mean" and I told him it means we suck at life and they don't.  I explained that it means we eat fajita burritos for lunch and they eat vegetables.  We dessert on chips and queso and they eat blueberries.

Naturally, when I begin thinking of one, I obsess over another, and my mind wandered to the working mom I know who runs every morning at five am and still commutes thirty minutes to work! Meanwhile I have a five minute commute and get out of bed about the time her workout is over.  There is no stopping this envy train once it's rolling, and I visit town after town of people who "are doing it right." I stop in at the station long enough to berate myself for not living life better.  Sure, I jog, until I don't.  I eat healthy, until I stop.  I save money, until I buy. I'm totally organized, until I'm not. I crawl back on the train hoping to find my magical godmother on board who will save me from myself and take me to the land of accomplishment. Wishful thinking goes on until I finally depart arriving at Gratefulness.

I'm not perfect, and if I'm honest no-one is...not even Mr. and Mrs. Paleo.  I remind my myself that even though we might not yet be the best versions of ourselves, our family has been blessed beyond measure.  No, I can't do it all (like write this blog as often as I'd like) or BE it all but I can remember to say thank you to the Divine who has lent me the minutes to create the moments.

The purpose:  Living each day better than yesterday and showing love to the travelers along the journey.

Tonight the front porch lacks pumpkins and hay bales, but my heart holds all the happy memories of Autumn's past, the perfect and the not-so perfect.  I'm grateful for the seasons, no matter whether they're decorated or not.

~Truly, Cinderella

The Maddis @ The Lake House-Hilarious!

Bags draped across our shoulders while the dog raced past our feet, bypassing the house to drink from cool lake water; we headed straight for the bedrooms, unloaded our bags and then shucked off clothes replaced by attire more fitting for the day: swimsuits.  The psychedelic wallpaper and green shag carpet catapult visitors through a time warp back into the easygoing sixties, where moms were still housewives, dads took two consecutive weeks vacation, and life generally moved at a slower pace.  Last weekend our crew had a wonderful time at the lake, Possum Kingdom.  The best part of a weekender on the water is that we were able to completely clear our minds and focus simply on spending time together.  No work, no stress.  Our dear friends Harold and Cheryl T., who are like a bonus set of parents to Matt and I, invited us over for our annual lake trip.  We cruised on the pontoon, zipped atop waves on the sea-doos, tubed, skied, and then floated.  At night we played board games and ate ice cream.  Ah, why can't summer last forever? 

Out of all the fun we had, my most memorable moment was a conversation I had with the girls, the Maddis.  Matt and I laugh at their zany antics ALL the time!  They are smart girls, but WOW, they have some blond moments!  Don't believe me? (Well, if you know them you believe me!) Check out this video in which they answer questions over history, geography, and current events.  Get ready to laugh!

                                        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_7daw5lZ2U


~Mother Hubbard [AKA Cinderella (the middle-class, thirty-something, working-mom Cindey)]

Back to School Steals!

Some of you saw my picture on FB titled EPIC buy of the day: 3 pairs of shoes under $35!  Let me tell you how.

Kohls is having a clearance sale on shoes plus I had a 15% off coupon.  First, I lucked out and found an adorable pair of Lauren Conrad ankle boots that were marked down to $7.99.  They were in a box labeled size 6 when the boots were actually larger in size, explaining why they hadn't sold.  I also jumped on a pair of comfortable Naturalizer wedges marked down to 13.99 and Madilyn scored a super cute pair of gladiator sandals for 14.97!  Always shop the clearance aisle, even when you don't spot anything at first glance.  Spending a little time scavenging can save you big bucks, and it's fun, too! 

When Madilyn and I ventured out on our back to school shopping, aka treasure hunt, I told her how much she had to spend.  Deciding on a budget before you ever leave home is so important, and I believe that teenagers should partake in the process. Therefore, Madilyn kept her number in mind and in turn, this made her a smarter shopper.  She actually decided against a blouse she originally liked because she decided that she didn't want to use her allotted money for something so expensive.  So, she ended up spending $100 at Kohls and purchased 5 shirts, 2 pairs of pants, and 1 pair of shoes!  Not too shabby!

Next we went to American Eagle who currently have all their jeans marked down to $30!  We LOVE AE jeans at our house, so I stocked up!  Madilyn bought 2 pairs of jegging jeans that will look fab with one of the oversized shirts she bought yesterday. 


By the way, I haven't made it by JCPenney's yet, but Katie B. just told me that they have men's tees on sale for $5! 


~Truly, Cinderella (the middle-class, thirty-something, working-mom Cinde, of course)

Piaggio BV500 Scooter-Bella's new ride!

Piaggio BV500 Scooter

Bella is ready to join the ranks of other cruising enthusiasts who scoot from coffee shop to class, home to work.  Her gently used Piaggo scooter provides the perfect balance of speedy transportation with environmental conservation.  Her new ride gets 50 miles to the gallon, which means she'll save tons of money on gas leaving her extra cash to buy Ramen.  And what about when she needs to restock those noodles?  Groceries=No prob!  Both sides of her new ride have hard-cased side compartments, plus a storage trunk on the back.     Bella's scooter is Euro-fab and affirmed my desire to get a Can-Am Spyder.  I've wanted the three-wheeled beauty lacquered in crisp white for years.  I'd better start saving my pennies because Matt said he could find no good reason to buy me one.  Since my commute is all of five minutes, I can't use that as an excuse.  I could sell my car, which might bring in enough for me to buy one, but I'd still have that pesky chauffeur problem. Logistically, how will I drive around "the Maddis" and friends around town? Hmmm, I'll have to think on that one....

When (notice I didn't say if but when) I did get one, I'd need to take a motorcycle class first.  Bella took a class last week at Freedom Power Sports in Lewisville and had a great time.  She raved so much about her instructor on the first day,  that I went to meet her the second.  Danielle was friendly and helpful; she possessed a confidence in riding and relayed those skills in such a way that eased any fears Bella might have had.  Bella agreed to let me video her in motion:

Warming up.

Doesn't she look great?  Today she went to the DPS office and got her M license! 

As for me, maybe when my hair is completely grey (although, why would I ever stop coloring it?) and I eat my dinners at Cotton Patch, then maybe I can afford to buy a Can-Am!  Until then, I tried on this one for size. 
"Honey, take my picture?  Don't I look cute?  I think I need one too." I said.  
Matt was not amused.  He was busy trying to mow the lawn and there I stood, jumping up and down, trying to gain his attention.  He turned off the motor and gave me "the look."  The look I've grown quite accustomed to seeing over the past few years.  The look that says, you suffer from dreams of grandeur, you're a lunatic, and why must I always drop everything because you want a picture taken?!  Really?
I responded by doing what I always do--I ignored the look. "Honey, it will only take a minute.  Please??"

~Truly, Cinderella

Lazy Days of Summer?

Rolling into the hot, Texas dog-days of summer, I promise myself to make time to relax.  I mean really relax; my mind, soul, and body.  I'm fortunate to have my summers.  There is a reason educators are given this time off, and it has nothing to do with agrarian tradition! Spend a few days inside the classroom and you'll understand why, which takes me back to my point.  Project RELAXATION.

Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett, Zac Brown Band, and other country artists sing songs for beach picnics and bbq dinners.  Those easy-going greats wrote summertime anthems for the weary to remind us of forgotten warm afternoons from days past.  "Bare feet on the dashboard," "swimmin' holes," a blown out "flip-flop," and "toes in the water;"  Now this group knows how to unwind.  Then again, they are not mothers.




So, where are these long-lost glory days of summer?  

Continually striving to become the perfect mother, wife, hostess, and decorator my days are filled with tinkering and fiddling, always busy.  My mantra, idle hands build an idle life.  My husband likes to watch movies at home, but I can't sit still long enough to enjoy one.  "Besides," I ask him, "why watch someone else's life when you could live your own?" So since June 6th, we have ventured inside the city to visit the JKF Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, the Arboretum, the Dallas Zoo; we've attended concerts and two firework shows, eaten at a variety of new restaurants, and perused the Bishop Arts District. I've read five books, cooked countless meals, baked a myriad of desserts, decorated the reading room, planted flowers, cleaned out the garage and deep cleaned the house.  On the side, I've continued my love affair with hair and coiffed some fabulous dos (pronounced 'doos'-as in hair) for friends.  I've engaged in countless conversations, catching up with old friends.  Madilyn attended tennis camp; Bella worked as well as prepared for her college friends to visit.  The days zipped by with all this busy-ness. My hands build life and I love it!  I eagerly embark on the day's journey.  I am Mrs. Dalloway but like her, sometimes I wonder why?  Woolf in her melancholy way reminds us of the question: what's the purpose in all this movement? When Mr. Walsh compliments her, calling her the perfect hostess she cringes.  She despises the simple classification and thinks it silly.  But later she remembers "...that a woman's gift, of making a world of her own wherever she happened to be" is extraordinary.  I agree. 

However, now is the time to rest. Next week I'm going to Seattle with Matt and I'm going plans-free.  I'll leisurely walk the streets allowing Fate's hand to guide me. I'm leaving space for Serendipity to work her magic.  When the bright sun warms my face, I'll pause to capture the feeling.  I'll enjoy the city without judgement, without agenda.  And though I won't have beach or sand,  I'll have adventure.  Adventure without the to-do list.  

~Truly, Cinderella

Easter @ UF!

   

Spanish moss cascading from a tree at UF. Beautiful.

Blessed.  I spoke the word inside my head, but kept my mouth closed in slight smile.  My daughter sat next to me, both of us relaxing in massage chairs indulging in our foot rub.  Only two chairs were anchored in the private nail spa room, which felt nice compared to those nail factory shops whose sanitation practices are questionable.  In a moment of quiet mediation I drifted back to a time when I was a young single Mama living on a prayer that my girls would have better opportunities than I; that they'd make better choices than their mom.  I glanced over at my Bella and my heart sung out with pride.  
   "Which color would you like?" The "girl-next-door" nail tech with an angelic face said, breaking the silence.  
   "What' trendy right now?" I asked. 
   "Pink is popular for spring.  Do you like any of these?" she handed me a nail color wheel.
    I tilted the colors and held them up for Bella to see, "What do you think?"
    "They're all pretty."  
    "Hmmm. I can't decide. You choose," I told the sweet blonde sitting in front of me. 
    "Okay," and she did and it was perfect. 
   
   Saturday afternoon we left Cloud 9 Spa of Gainesville feeling rested, relaxed, and ready for lunch.  The roomies came to pick us up and we headed to Adams Rib Co.  
    "Have y'all heard of it?  This place has great ratings on Yelp," I asked Bella, Ali, Sarah R., and Sarah B.
    "Isn't that the place with Comic Sans font?" Ali asked.
    "Weird detail to remember.  You should definitely change your major to marketing Ali."
    Arriving, Ali confirmed the Comic Sans font.  The girls then voiced their concerns due to the appearance of the exterior.  Other than small rectangular windows positioned at the top of the square building the place looked devoid of light and all together sketchy.  However, I remained positive. "Look, the parking lot is full.  That's a good sign."

 Ali poses below the unique ceiling mural @Adams Rib Co.

    Circling round to the back we met a dilapidated rusted old car that wouldn't go without comment from within. "But that car is not a good sign," Bella retorted.  
   "Bell, you know better.  Don't judge a book....and look at that nice, cute couple leaving." I said rounding out to the other side. 
   "Who wears pearls to eat BBQ?" remarked Bella noticing the girl's accessories.
   "Uh, your mother.  And that just means she's classy, which means this place is gonna be great!"
   "Classy eats Comic Sans, too," Ali quipped and the group giggled.
    The verdict: BEST ribs I've ever had and that's coming from a Texas girl.  Those folks at Adams know how to make BBQ.  
    That afternoon Sarah B., Bella, and I shopped storage places to house their furniture over the summer.  Once reserving a unit, and upon leaving the facility, we stopped in an adorable boutique, Pink Narcissus, that carried Lilly Pulitzer.  Here's the deal.  If you don't know or haven't figured it out, Bella is not a girly-girl.  So Lilly's bright pastels and busy patterns appeal not to her sensibilities.  Nonetheless, Sarah and I dove in with energized enthusiasm and forced Bell to come with. We could have left her alone sifting through clothes like one might pick for lice, but we wouldn't be so cruel as to leave her isolated on the yuppy island.  Instead we were quite kind, begging her to try on a pair of adorable seersucker scalloped shorts and begrudgingly she obliged her mother.  The moral of the story:  she found a pair she liked!

  Saturday evening we went to the theater to see the Disney film, Bears.  Considering Bell is a Natural Resource Conservation major minoring in Wildlife Ecology, watching these annual DisneyNature movies has become tradition for us. If you've seen one you know that the filmography is amazing and the observation to detail is fascinating, but that the applause stop there.  The storyline is fair, and if you zone out for a scene you can zone back in just as easily.  Ali and I sat next to each other, which made for a bad combination.  We talked loudly and incessantly and remained totally obnoxious throughout.  When the cub was lost and the audience thought he was killed, Ali and I held on to each other.  Sincerely upset I said, "He can't die.  This is rated G.  He can't die," I kept repeating. 
   "Mom, this is nature.  If he died in the wild, then he'll die in the movie," Bella answered.
   "I can't do this," I said and followed with an indignant, "I'll tell you what,  I would not let my four-year old watch this!  It's rated G, but there has been terrible violence!"  
   "Really Mom? You don't have a four year old,"   Bella said rather matter-of-factly.
   "If I did, he wouldn't come to see this movie!"  I have a flair for the dramatic, which irritates Bell; therefore, I amp up my dramatics just for her  :).
  "Mom, it's fine.  Watch the movie," she told me sounding more like the mother than I.
   Well, Ali and I took the role of rater and ran.  When the bears ripped apart the fish and crimson blood spewed from the flailing scales I said, "Horror and gore!  Can't believe it's G!"  
   When another bear missed the fish, smacking him across the jaw, Ali cracked, "He just got fish slapped!" Yep, we lost all composure at that one and the girls shushed us.  
   Moments later Ali whispered, "Nudity too.  Those bears aren't wearing clothes!" and that sent us back into hysterics. 

Ali, Sarah B. and Bella before service.

  Sunday morning I met the girls in front of their dorm to walk to a campus Easter service.  Sarah R. went to mass and Sammy went to Mormon service.  We'd convinced Ali, Bella's Jewish friend to attend service with us.  "Go for the experience," I said,  "gives you a reason to wear a cute dress!  Bella can go to synagogue with you sometime,"  I said without considering the possibility that non Jews may not allowed to attend.  I actually have no idea.  Hmm, I should look into that.
   Sarah B. interjected, "Except Ali never goes.  I think her parents told her she was Jewish, but she doesn't really know what that means!" 
   Mouth opened in protest, Ali argued, "I do know! I went to..." and she told us about a couple of events she had attended this year
   "I don't know Ali.  You said that you eat pulled pork at the BBQ pit in Georgia," I said. 
    "But only in Georgia," Ali rebutted. 
    I carefully replied, "I feel like Jews are supposed to eat Kosher at all times, right?" 
   Ali's face lit up and she chuckled lightly without comment.  

Easter Service 2014

   Walking through the gorgeous University of Florida campus in our Sunday finest, we arrived to a venerable sanctuary on the UF campus to enjoy a service by Greenhouse ministries.  The historic building was packed, and we quickly shuffled behind streams of college students climbing stairs to procure balcony seats.  All seats full, we stood at the back with many others until the minister asked for the gentlemen in the congregation to kindly sit on the balcony stairs so that the ladies could have a seat.  We generously thanked them and quietly moved to the front row balcony chairs.  Chivalry lives on!  Oh, how I do LOVE the South. 
   The pastor's sermon was engaging and his presence dynamic.  He spoke on Christ's love and forgiveness, and I found myself praying prayers of gratitude.  I peered around the large space and saw a handful of parents in attendance but droves of college students were present this glorious Easter morning.  Inevitably during these great times of joy, sorrow creeps in.  It is then that I dwell on past mistakes, and think of all the decisions and moments I would change over the course of my life.  I  will ride the pity train and zip past morose monstrous memories that haunt my present.  I begin with the "why didn't I" move to the "if only's" and usually end up in despairing regret.  But the train came to grinding halt, and the Lord spoke to my spirit.  You are blessed.  You are sitting here at a fine university, next to your beautiful daughter and her remarkable friends.  Your other daughter is thriving in spite of moving to a new city and a new school, and your step-daughter is a sweet girl who just made the high school dance/pom squad.  Your husband is kind and loving and generous and handsome (okay, that part might have belonged to me.)  Above all, know that I have been with you every step of the way, even when you made mistakes; mistakes are part of the journey.  I will always be with you.  You are blessed. 

Ali, Bella, Sarah B., Sarah R waiting for brunch.

   Moved nearly to tears, I thanked Him for revealing his kindness to me yet again, and prayed that my girls would always know His grace and love.  After service we enjoyed a delightful, delicious brunch at Peach Valley. If you go, I recommend the apple fritter appetizers!  Yummy!  That afternoon I said goodbye to the girls and wished them well until July.  (All five are coming to visit!  Can't wait!) And on the drive back to the airport, I basked in blessings, interrupted only once by a wrong turn! 





  
   

  

A Birthday for Bella

A six am flight into Atlanta, a quick layover and sandwich from Jersey Mikes, a rental in Jacksonville, plus an hour and a half car ride, I'd finally arrived in Gainesville, Florida at 3:40 pm to wish my daughter happy birthday.  

    Back in March my Bella called, missing home, and expressed her sincere disappointment that she would spend her nineteenth birthday away from me.  Living a thousand miles away with rare complaint, I felt proud that she had made it seven months without a homesick spell.  If she wanted her mommy there for her birthday, then by George, I'd be there.  After discussing the trip with Matt (after all, I'd miss Easter weekend with him) and gaining his approval, I booked my flight! 
    A solid steady rain greeted me in Jacks and I was sans umbrella. I called Bell to ask if she'd like to go with me to buy one.  "I left mine at home!" I explained when she answered. Then I thought for a moment and asked, "You still have one, right?" 
    "No, mine bent and broke from the wind during the last downpour on campus," she answered.  
    "You could go with me and we'll pick out a new one for you!" I said.
     She paused for a moment and then said, "Mom, the girls (the dorm-mates) really want to see you."
    "I want to see them too, but first why don't you run with me to Target and then go with me to the hotel, so that I can check in?  They are going to eat dinner with us, right?"
    "Yeah, they are." The line went quiet for a moment. "Okay.  Sounds like a plan.  How far away are you?" 
    "Twenty minutes out; I'll call you when I'm close to campus.  Just run down and meet me, k?
    "All right.  I'll get ready.  Love you."
    "Love you more.  See you soon!"

    I circled in front of East Hall, a dull exterior that matched the grey skies, but a little rain couldn't spoil our weekend.  In fact, pelting raindrops had been replaced by a cool mist that felt refreshing.  Bella rushed out to the car.  With car window down I hollered, "Bella-Loo!  Love the glasses!"   
    Bella smiled brightly and popped into the seat.  "Really?  Do you like?" she asked.
   "Love." I said. 
   "I bought them last night--I'm diggin' the whole hipster look."
   "Me too!  You look adorbs."  I told her.  

Hipster Fab!

    We seat hugged, then she gave me directions to Target. 
    She and I had a ball perusing the aisle's and we found a geometric maxi skirt that was just her style.  I held up the skirt to her waist and exclaimed,  "I'm so jealous! You'll need a smaller size, skinny B! You've definitely lost weight"  I joked with her and she giggled and flashed her sweet smile. "You looked great before, but really, you look amazing. 
   "Thanks Mom."
    After trying on a few items, she decided on the skirt and a couple of v-neck tees.  Next we meandered to the umbrellas.  Bella picked out the cutest umbrella hanging on the rack. Ruffled edges framed the black and white polka dot design.  I opened the large umbrella inside the store and knocked on wood to counter the bad luck associated with opening one indoors.  "We're probably going to get dirty looks, but we have to see how it looks when opened.  Poof.  Our little corner had transformed into a scene out of My Fair Lady. Bella twirled and said, "I feel like I belong in Singin' in the Rain. I've never owned one that looked like this." she said.
   "No, you haven't had a parasol before, but you sure do look good standing under it." She closed it and dismissed the Proper English Lady act, quickly returning to her typical tough girl persona.  Pointing the sharp end out she said, "I can also use it as a weapon!"  
    "Absolutely.  If anyone on campus tries to bother you, stick 'em with that thing!" 

   "MARSI! MARSI! The girls ran out to meet us, smiles as big as Texas.  Sarah B., Ali, and Sammi piled into the back seat.  "We've missed you!"
   "I've missed y'all!  I'm so excited about our weekend!  Bella's decided on BJ's for dinner-- Good?"  I said as if Bella wasn't sitting in the car beside me.
   "Pizookie!!  Yes!" Cried Ali.  

Sammi, Bella, Ali, and Sarah B.

   At the restaurant the girls made me laugh, sharing wacky dorm stories, while scarfing down spinach-artichoke dip appetizer.  Seriously, we practically licked the bowl.  We giggled at the half dressed college girl at the table behind us because she seemed to be "advertising," yet she sat with her parents and little brother. Oddly enough, she wouldn't find what she was looking for at B.J.'s.  Also, new to me was the heavenly dessert served in house. Pizookie...ah, sinful Pizookie! (At B.J.'s Brewhouse a Pizookie is a cookie baked in a skillet with ice cream on top.  Delish!)  

Salted Caramel Pizookie

     
The girls tried to get me to order them drinks, but failed in their efforts.  However, Bell did get a sip of my Makers and Diet. "You've got two more birthdays yet." I said taking the glass from her before she drank more.
   "And then you're taking me to Vegas?"  
   "Me too?" chimed in Ali.
   "Yes, of course.  How else would we spend a twenty-first birthday!"  
   And on that note, we sang happy birthday!

  

 
  Back at the dorm the girls doled out presents.  Ali sent her on a scavenger hunt (true to Ali's style she wrote the clues right before the hunt while we all sat in the dorm room and waited! LOL!) Bella discovered a Texas shaped James Avery necklace at the end of the game, and earlier Ali given her the Demi Lovato's inspirational book.  Sarah R. gifted the Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero's record, Sarah B. presented her an adorable miniature Volkswagen Hippy Bus and Sammy gave her a super cute graphic tee.  Ali started this thing where she gives a "mean" gift to the girls on their birthday, so Bella's was a music box that played Yellow Submarine by the Beatles.  (Apparently, she missed the clue from Ali during a game of Taboo and hasn't been able to live it down.)  I gave her a wall hanging, a mosaic Gator head (made by Chad Walker--a talented artist from work), which the girls went crazy for.  

Sammy, Sarah B., Bella, Sarah R., and Ali

  
    Bella put away her gifts, and I could tell she treasured them all as she carefully placed them in sacred places. Next we played a competitive round of Taboo.  Sarah B. Sarah R. and myself vs. Bella and Alli.  (Unbelievably, Sammy snoozed through all of ruckus!) On my turn, I got "blind-date" and used the 2 word tactic.  My clues went something like this:
Me:  First Word:  Um, um...he's an African American singer.  
Sarah and Sarah: Michael Jackson! Drake!
Me: No! NO!  Moves his head like this.... (I begin to swing my head back and forth)
Ali: Stop!  That's cheating!  NO MOTIONS!
S&S: What?
TIME!!
Me:  Blind, and I was trying to think of that guy, you know...
Bella: Ray Charles?
Me:  Yes.  
Sarah: Really?  Really? You could have done--two words. 1st word: blank Side. Or, don't look at the sun or you'll go blank. 
Me: Oh sure. It's easy to think of clues when you aren't under pressure.  

    We played deep into the night, and around twelve-thirty am, I regretfully dismissed myself and the girls moved onto another game. I dragged myself back to the Hilton at the University of Florida and called it a night.  We had a spa day planned for the next morning and I needed by beauty rest. :)  

Visit my blog tomorrow to read about barbeque, bears, and an Easter Jew!

~Truly, Cinderella