Summer's In Full Swing!

Happy Monday! Summer is in full swing, kids are driving us crazy and we parents are already looking at the calendar and longing for the normal routines of school days! Well, maybe not everyday, just the ones that end in "Y." I'm pretty happy with our arrangement this summer, Mason goes to the Boys and Girls Club and he really enjoys it. The people there are just great, they always have fun projects going and the price is right! I can't say enough good things about this organization and the people we have here in Auburn.

This week has been all about getting ready for our Grand Poobah weekend - the final Grand Poobah coming up this weekend. The event started in 1988 so we are going out with an 80s theme. Big hair, Miami Vice pastels, leg warmers and bright colors, this is going to be one wacky camping trip! After 24 years, it's time to let somebody else start something new. I'll post lots of pictures next week.

The other big project that's been on my calendar is my Intentional Winning television show idea. I pitched the idea to a production company who liked what they heard but asked me to show them my vision, basically, what I heard them say is, "Shoot a pilot or episode and show us what you see." Well, I'm certainly not set up with equipment or education to do this, but I have a camera and I certainly have a vision, so okay. I finished shooting on Friday and learned some basic editing over the weekend. I'm submitting the video in three parts today. Wish me good fortune and a great big YES! I'll keep you posted! For now, visit my blog to see a funny little clip with Mason as Director (self appointed), I promise, it will make you smile!

Today I am off to Vacaville to see some friends from high school and let our kids play while we picnic and visit. Facebook has been a great place to reconnect and help arrange little get togethers like the one we are having today, and for that I am grateful. What are you grateful for today? I hope you summer is moving along smoothly and you are enjoying all the long days, warm nights, and fruits & veggies that this time of year brings. I know I am!

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July friends! This has been an absolute joy of a weekend. We had no set plans except we knew we would plant ourselves at the overlook to watch fireworks tonight. Dave played in a game tournament on Saturday while Mason and I ran errands and had ice cream - his first chocolate dipped from Fosters Freeze. Sunday we did some t-shirt making and swimming. The day wrapped up in the most wonderful way, our neighbor Amy popped over to ask a question and that turned into the whole family joining us for dinner on the deck. We've been trying to plan to get together for dinner for months to no avail. Sometimes things just work themselves out beautifully.


Today we all slept in, Mason camped out in the tent on the deck last night and after dipping patriotic themed strawberries for a party later today, we went to see Super 8 - a good film but maybe scary for little ones. It's shaping up to be the perfect mix of taking it easy and participating in the local festivities kind of holiday.


If we are friends on Facebook, you may have noticed a post about difficult decisions and tough times. I wrote, "Stressful times - tasks need confronting and completing but the completion comes with a heavy heart. For every task I complete, there seems to be another (often more than one) unknown lingering. I know we will all be fine, but it doesn't make life's tough times easier. (This post is not just for me, so many of us are dealing with difficult times)" I thought about this last night as we dined on a delicious dinner on our deck overlooking the canyon with dear friends...no matter what issues need your attention, as long as they are things that have to do with things, we're in good shape. Healthy, happy and loved! What more can one ask for, really? That's what I have today for motivation, focus on what's right even when you have to deal with what's wrong, you get to pick what to emphasize in your life. Have a wonderful holiday.

Local Vacations!

Happy Tuesday! I know, it's Tuesday but you've heard me say it before, 'Better late than wait until next week."


Last week we were busy as we were this last weekend, but I just didn't feel like writing about it. That's rare! Dave and I mapped out a weekend each month this summer to take a local vacation. Last weekend was our first adventure to lovely Cordelia, CA. Yep, we visited the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield, had dinner at Texas Roadhouse to celebrate Greg and Heather Garcia's sixth wedding anniversary (Julie and Ray joined us), and then on Sunday, Dave and Greg went to the Nascar race while Heather and I took the boys to Six Flags amusement park. We stayed Sunday night in the hotel and on Monday, we visited local farms and produce stands while we made our way home. We made a final stop to have lunch on the Sacramento river, it was the perfect end to a fun weekend.



We had planned to meet Mike on Monday evening to help our neighbor out with his 16 foot sailboat. Mike was going to help Harry rig it up and make sure all the parts and pieces were there. They were and it all went together so quickly, we took it to Folsom lake and went sailing! After a late dinner, it goes without saying we were pooped! All of that fun was why I didn't get the Monday Motivator out yesterday.


Today was back to work, back to school, and a ton of laundry! I hope you are enjoying summer and making time to spend with your family and friends. With the July 4th holiday coming up this weekend, it's the perfect time to leave work at the office and have some fun!

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!

Well, not literally, but just don't feel like putting pen to paper today. Laughing!

Answer to the Highbrow Question

Where did the term "Highbrow" (higher class or intellectual) originate?

The term originated in the Greek theatres when all performers wore masks. The higher the brow on the mask denoted the hierarchy of their position to the audience. Kings wore the highest brow masks and the poorest people wore masks with nearly no brow - this was dated BC (600 I think). Isn't all this interesting? Thanks for playing along with me and my education! Laughing!

Answer: Theatre or Theater?

I'm so glad so many of you replied and shared your thoughts with me - Roberta, Julie, Lisa, Bettie, and Mary.

Per my professor, this is one of those things where there is a basic right answer in addition to perceptions.

First the difference is based on the difference between the European and American languages Theatre refers to the building or from Greek origin, the Theatron - where plays were performed.

In America we typically refer the the building as a Theater and the art of performing as Theatre. During class, Professor Hunter noted that Americans interchange the spellings and meanings and nobody takes issue with that.


In European countries, it is typically Theatre always with the building and usually with the art of performing.

In the end, either is acceptable for both references.


Here's another tidbit: Where did the term "Highbrow" (higher class or intellectual) originate? Are you having fun yet? Smiles!

Lazy Summertime

Hello Friends,

It's Monday night and apparently I am in lazy summertime mode. I didn't get this written on time because I chose to spend the day with Mason at the pool instead. Well, that's not completely true, I did have a meeting this morning and there were a couple of business calls that needed my attention, and then I went to spend the day with Mason at the pool.

I'm in summer school and it's really fun. I'm taking an introduction to theatre class and it's all about history and the origin of theater. Here's a little tidbit, what is the difference between Theatre and Theater? I'm going to see if anyone answers me and I will post the answer in a separate e-mail. I sort of knew the answer but wasn't confident enough to raise my hand and answer in class.

I had knee surgery on Thursday and all is well. I'm sore and bruised but walking nearly normal at this point. The real high point of my day today is that I found a backup DVD, not labeled, that had over 40 lost Monday Motivators from 2003 and 2004 and the complete list of Dave's journals and e-mails from Iraq. How cool is that? I will be updating my blog with the lost entries, if for no other reason, they will be there for Mason. If only I could locate the posts from 1999 through 2002! Maybe some day they will surface, but for now, I'm going back to lazy summertime mode and I think you should, too!