Hi BEAUTIFUL MOM!!!

I am posting this post for my mom!!! Just because she keeps checking the page and there's never anything new!!

Isn't she beautiful??

Hasta la proxima

Do you ever look forward to a trip for months and months and when it's finally here, you really can't believe it because you've looked forward to it forever, you can't believe your good luck that that moment is finally here!! But then right as you get on the plane, your mind goes 'in a second, this trip is going to be over and you're going to be sitting right on the plane going home.' And then guess what? In a second, you ARE back on the plane going home and you really can't believe it because you had such a nice time and you can't believe how fast it went.

I'm always shocked at the generosity of my family, particularly that of my mom's. She's amazing. And I always go in with the 'bum' clothes and exit with half her closet plus the cute things she wanted to buy me (and now, the kids). Amazing. I miss them so much, particularly when it's time to go. G once asked me, 'I don't understand how your family ended up living so far.' I know. It just happened over the years. And it sure is nice to get together.

I don't have any pictures to post right now but here's some from my sister's blog. Thank you guys. It was great.

Now, off to Michigan. I look forward to seeing you too, my new family, my loves. xxxoo. See you when I land!

Channeling Julia

When my friend Jess first told me her husband got her a gift certificate for a cooking class, I was like, 'What? For fun?" Then Tim and I went to see 'Julie and Julia.' Then I began reading the book 'My Life in France.' Jess, foodie extraordinaire, found a place for a group of girls to get in touch with Julia Child. Last night, Chef Natalie from "Ann Arbor Cooks!" taught us how to make Coq au Vin, Petit Choux au Fromage, Soupe Savoyarde and Apple Tarte Tatin. This was an intimidating place to start a cooking career! But it was fun and when we divided up the chores, I volunteered for something I could handle -- squeezing cheese puff dough onto a pan! It was fun. Enjoy the repas!

Meet Curly Wags

Conferences

We had parent teacher conferences the other day. I was surprised to find out some things about G. G is probably the smartest kid I've ever come across. She is quick, willing to learn, loves to teach and be in charge. But here she was, being a subpar fifth-grader. She doesn't turn stuff in, she forgets and loses stuff all the time, she has a hard time finishing her work, she's disorganized, her desk is a mess, and her teacher said G's reading comprehension is below what a fifth grader's should be. G reads constantly, so I was surprised. That night, I set out to investigate why she hadn't turned in her book report... She was the only one in her class not to. First, she didn't want to talk about it. Then, a stream of excuses followed, then a huge pouting and then a closed door. Hm. What just happened? The next day, going over her homework, I was confused about the quality of her work. It was written in a crumpled, messy paper -- messy writing over messy erasing over messy writing over messy erasing. I made her re-do it about five times until she was at her wits end and was sent upstairs to take a shower. I swear the kid was bordering on meltdown of volcanic proportions. I drove to work the next day thinking, where am I failing? Why haven't I been paying closer attention? Why does she think she can get away with minimal effort? One of her reasons for not doing her assignment floored me. "It's a stupid assignment," she said. Oh boy. I know that one. Heard it before. Thought it before. That thinking can really get you into trouble.

I've been thinking about myself...what was it like when we did homework as kids? I remember I sat down and did it. I'm pretty sure my parents had a hand in my sitting down to do it even if I don't remember what that was. What was it? How close attention did they pay to our work? Did they let us 'mail it in?' Or was there more supervision? Any moms or dads out there who would like to weigh in on the subject??

DREAM (verb)

My sister recently shared some pictures on her blog about her dream house. This post, which had more photos than words, struck me as the most profound she's written to date. It explained a lot. This strong-willed amazing lady sister of mine that I have struggled to understand over the years.

My sister and I are as different as they come. We are similarly strong willed but that's where the similarities end. While I change my car every so many years, she drives a mini van that is kept together with duct tape. Boots, wardrobes and coats come and go for me. Not for her. I've had a Treo, an iPhone, an iBook and have gone through innumerable, impossibly-priced hair stylists. Gym memberships? I've had more than I have fingers to count on. Amalia? Bah! Not when there's a neighborhood to lap. And up until recently, she was very hard to reach. A cell phone was just not compatible with the dream.

Mind you, it's not a money thing. It's about making a plan and decisions that jive with that plan. Big and little. My sister and her husband, after vacationing at the Grand Canyon years ago, made a plan to move there within a year. They planned it and did it. They sold their belongings, left their jobs for new ones and drove duct-taped minivan from Michigan to Arizona -- me in tow to help drive and unpack. We stopped at numerous national parks along the way, ate from a cooler packed with sandwiches, headed towards the first dream of theirs that I'd been let in on. I watched it go from dream to reality. That is the Bellinos for you. Dream conceived. Dream achieved. Then, this post. I get it.

I'm always one to go by the seat of my pants and influence others to do the same. But I can also appreciate strong visuals. So, I am joining the Bellinos in supporting their dreams -- watching in appreciation and holding back when I might have otherwise been inclined to push in a direction that can derail a dream. I am also inspired to get one or two big dreams of my own.

Share your dreams, people!

Bring it!

I know we're barely out of summer but for the Wags, it's time to look forward to snowy landscapes -- mountains of white powdery stuff to slide, swoosh and cut through.

We went to the ski swap up north this weekend, where we smelled, touched and re-familiarized our hands and feet with the stuff that makes the fun possible -- skis, boots, helmets, yummy furry mittens, soft neck warmers, hats, fleeces...

Ahhh...winter, come. We're ready!