for the moms

Dan & I went out on one of the best dates EVER last night.  Here we are before I cried my make-up off.  We got to sit in the front row for the live taping of their 50th anniversary DVD (so maybe we'll be famous someday - ha!)

In honor of a great summer & the beginning of a new fall teaching schedule, I got us tickets at the Ice House here in Pasadena.

There were 8 AMAZING comedians & I swear my ENTIRE head hurt from laughing so hard.  My favorite was Debi Gutierrez.  Mothers . . . please, please, PLEASE click on her link & watch the video at the bottom.  Get out some Excedrin, cuz your head's gonna hurt too!!!

living the dream

Yesterday when I showed a friend this video she told me I was "living the dream." 

I agree.  I am living the dream!

But what exactly is THE dream?  Is it the white picket fence?   Is it enough money every month?  Is it marriage?  Is it kids?  What exactly IS the dream . . . . ???

For me, the dream has always included a few things . . .

• following Jesus with my whole heart
• having meaningful relationships (friends, family, husband)
• doing things that matter to me

In the last few years, my list has grown to include a few more things . . .

• a peaceful heart
• letting go of things & people who create chaos in my life
• taking in each moment - really living the moments & cherishing them

What's your dream?

whose fault is it?

The other day, as I was explaining a situation to a friend, she pointed out that I mentioned something was, "my fault" 4 times in 4 sentences.  She asked why I was so focused on assigning fault to myself . . . and I didn't have a good answer.

Then a few days later (no coincidence, I'm sure) when I was out dancing, I made a mistake while dancing & said, "Oh, I'm sorry . . . that was my fault."  The guy I was dancing with said, "This is just for fun - it's nobody's fault."  I was really touched by his sincere & genuine response.

So what's up with finding fault?  Anyone else do this?  Thoughts?

shades of beautiful

I love living in Los Angeles for many reasons.  One of my favorite reasons is that there is such variety . . . in activities, interests, music, fashion, culture & people. 
When we (Dan, Mahalia, I & two of her best friends) were sitting around the table eating chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast, I was struck by our collective shades of beautiful sitting around the table. 

Our skin tones ranged from mine (Scottish, English & German) to Mahalia's (Blaxicasian: Black, Mexican & Caucasian) to Dan's (Blaxican: African American & Mexican) to Zinash & Mihret (heart sisters adopted from Ethiopia). 

So when I noticed the richness around the table, I said to the girls, "Look at how beautiful each of you are.  What gorgeous skin you have!"  Aren't they fantastic?!

reconsidering

I've been wanting new leather couches for a LONG time.  The one we have is 30 years old - literally (let's hear it for high quality, durable furniture). 

However, after this little incident yesterday, I'm reconsidering :-)

best date

We just had the best date we've had in a long time.  Dan dropped Mahalia off at our friends.  I ordered pizza in.  We sat on the couch & just talked for 3 hours & loved it.  I guess it's official . . . we're old farts :-)

proud to be hers

My folks were in town last week & had the chance to come see me dance.  One of my salsa friends said, "Wow!  Your Mom is really beautiful.  You two look so much alike."  It got me thinking about the ways we are alike . . .

Here are a few things I think my Mom passed on to me that I love:

• genuine love & concern for people
• generosity of heart & resources
• kindness
• love for children & wanting to influence them in positive ways
• desire to learn & grow
• tenacity & inner strength

I'm proud to be hers!

just in time

One of my favorite things about time alone is that I have time to have uninterrupted thoughts.  I don't get distracted by anyone or anything else & can focus on what I need to listen to within and for myself.

I've been wrestling through a few decisions lately - nothing earth shattering, but decisions that need to be made in a timely fashion.  And knowing that this morning was my last few hours of alone time, I was frustrated with the lack of clarity that I still had.

So I call my sister & she listened my way through it.  Let me explain.  Basically, I just blurted out all of my frustrations & fears.  Then she repeated it back to me with a bit of wisdom mixed in & voala!  I got my answer!  I'm so excited . . . and just in time.  They'll be back within the hour :-)

100

Today marks the 100th post on "Park Bench of the Soul."  I remember being encouraged to write & resisting it.  Then after marinating on the idea for awhile, I finally got the inspiration last July & have been happily blogging since then.

There is something cathartic about sharing life as it is . . . the inspirational, the mundane, the funny, the tragic, the normal & the exceptional.  Thanks to those of you who have taken the time to bother to read about my life & have shared the journey with me. 

It has been like medicine for my soul.  Thank you for sitting on the park bench of my soul.

oh the quiet

The last 18 days have been beyond full.  And as an introvert, I've been glad to participate in everything, but I reached my limit.  So my handsome, talented, kind, loving, sweet husband is taking Mahalia on a father-daughter bonding/48 hour "adventure" to the desert so I can have the house to myself.

They left only 3 hours ago, but are already enjoying dinosaurs en route to the desert.

Me . . . I've already managed to squeeze in a nap . . . in a very quiet house. 
Oh, how I love the quiet!!!

it is finished!!!

It's hard to believe the day has finally come!!! 
Dan's book finally arrived in our hands TODAY!!!

Oh how I love good things. 
I'm SOOOOO very proud of Dan (& his book The Soul of Hip Hop).

Now to plan the book signing parties . . . :-)

just like the natives

It's been a real treat to have my folks in town.  When they told me they wanted to come for a visit, they said they wanted to experience our "real" life . . . not come as tourists.  So they've had the chance to see what we really do . . . have friends over, hang out on our new grass (he he :-), ride bikes in the alley, gymnastics, dancing etc.

On Monday, I decided to take them to my favorite shopping spot: the Fashion District.  I was so proud of them.  They took it in like true Angelinos. 

My Mom found two purses!

And we even ate hot dogs from the street vendors. 

Good job Mom & Dad - way to take it in LA style!  I'm glad you're here.