Only 177 Days Until Christmas!

Happy Monday and last day of June!

2008 is officially half way over and Christmas is only 177 days away! It seems like some areas of my life are on hyper-speed, while other areas are moving in slow motion! "Like what?" you ask. Mason is starting kindergarten in on August 13th! Dave turned 46 and when I met him, he was a spry 34! I know, I'm getting older too, but I'm still younger, always will be! Laughing! Where did twelve years go? The slow stuff is my retirement and being a millionaire! Is that one moviing slow for you, too? In any case, too fast or too slow, I am very grateful for my happy family, good health, and wonderful friends!

This week was good. Dave and I had a conversation with Kombi, Ltd., and they said they will send a letter of intent to license our gloves and want us to stop negotiating with the other company. That of course means they need to pay us to stop speaking with them, so hopefully that contract will get signed and executed. In the meantime, the other company has promised to have samples to us the week of July 7th. I'm not stopping that forward motion without the check from Kombi. That's the update. I'll keep you posted.

Other than that, we've just been staying home, had some of Mason's friends overnight on Friday, and just did the family thing this weekend. What about you, do you have any special plans this summer?

Today's Motivator:

"I don't think the important parts of life happen when you succeed. I they they come when you falter, or fall off the wagon and manage to get back up and stay the course. Getting back on track and seeing something through is far more rewarding than doing something that was too easy to begin with." - Kathy Partak

Mason's First Sleep Over With Friends

The day started with liquid sidewalk chalk. Looks like not much made it to the actual sidewalk!
After playing outside, we all made ice cream sundaes!

No sleepover is complete without a movie and some popcorn.

After too much fun, too much activity, and not enough sleep,

here's Mason just after his freinds went home!

Back to the Routine!

The Partak family has landed! What a whirlwind couple of weeks it has been. We got home from Poobah on Sunday afternoon, and turned right around and left for Monterey on Monday morning.

Monterey was fun and especially enjoyable since the majority of the cost was on the Army. Dave had to be there for work so Mason and I tagged along. I took Mason to Dennis the Menace Park where he played for hours, we went out for lunch, and of course, went to the beach. The weather was nice but in light of the go-go-go schedule, Dave and I both ended up sick. We managed to make the best of it with lots of Dayquil, Nyquil, Sudaphed, and Kleenex!

We made our way home Friday and for Mason and I it was time to slow down. Other than a quick trip to the grocery store, Mason and I stayed home. We played in the sprinklers, made chalk drawings on the sidewalk, and barbequed hamburgers for lunch. Dave, on the other hand, was still on the go. He had a game tournament all day Saturday, and Sunday was the big race at Infineon Raceway. Dave met Keith at the Race and the two of them managed to wrangle and encounter with Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Pretty cool, huh? What about you, what did you do this weekend? Do you have any plans for vacation this summer?

Today, it’s back to work. I have a list a mile long, but it’s comforting to be back in a routine. Mason at school, Dave at work, and me taking care of the stuff that keeps it all on track. With that, my little thought for today is this quote; it sums up all of my days perfectly!

"I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see." - John Burroughs

It Was Grand Poobah Time Again!

It’s Monday morning, and we survived another Grand Poobah!
Actually, we more than survived it, we had a blast! Dave did a great job as Grand Poobah once he got past the crap you have to wade through when you’re the one in charge.

The funny thing that came out of this weekend was how the dynamic of usually very happily married couples change when they tried to work together to put up a tent. If you’ve been there, you know what I’m referring to, and are likely chuckling to yourself. From my perspective, if I get in and try to lead, Dave will pull away and try to lead “stronger.” If I just stand and wait for him to guide me, his response tends to be “Why are you just standing there? Do something.” These quotes are for illustration only and not what he actually said or did, but you get the point. Couple after couple showed up and when it came time to set up the tent, you could see the energy change and hear the frustrated whispers. Those of us who were back to being happily married, with our tents set up, just sipped from our cocktails and nodded in understanding.

The salsa contest was a big hit. There were 16 salsas for tasting and the winner by a landslide was Hotty Roddy’s Pineapple-Mango salsa. It really was good! I’m working on getting the recipes for all the entries so I can pass them on to those who would like to have them. If you made salsa at Poobah, will you send me your recipe? Send it to Kdpartak@yahoo.com.

We all had a great time, but I came away with something really extra special this year. All weekend I watched my dearest friends and even some brand new ones, taking care of, tending to, holding, hugging, kissing, teaching, and playing with Mason. It occurred to me again and again what an advantage this little boy has in all this love, knowledge, and wisdom outside of his biological family. Those of you who know me know that I think biology counts for very little. It’s the gift of your time, attention, and the true love from your heart that make you family, and I think of all of you as our family! With so much love, Kathy

Poobah Pictures

The Durango loaded to the brink!

Grand Poobah or Bust!
Brad and Kelly

Mike, Lisa, Dave, Keith, Michael and Anthony.

The Breakfast Crew

The Girls of Summer!

Lisa, Diana, and Mary

Tammy and Mo!

Jake and Mason

Our Poobah Cabana!

The Partaks go South of the Boarder!

Backward and on one foot!

Mike and Diana laughing around the fire.

Grandpa's First S'more!

No kidding! Saturday night we learned that Dave's dad had never had a s'more, actually he had never even heard of them!

As you're guessing, we couldn't let this opportunity pass us by. We did the usual family stuff during the day and Dave prepared another awesome meal for dinner. After dinner, we gathered around the fireplace to make s'mores when grandpa asked, "We're making a what?" Once we all got over our surprise, Dave and Mason got right to work perfectly toasting marshmallows, while I set up the crackers with chocolate. 'When grandpa gave us the thumbs up, I commented that he could die in peace now that he'd had a s'more. As the words crossed my lips, I caught myself and laughed out loud saying, "No, no, how wonderful to be at your age and to learn there are s'mores you've yet to eat!" Yes, that is wonderful indeed, there is still so much to look forward to if you will just keep your mind and eyes open.

So this weekend was just another day in paradise. We did some work around the house, Mason got to sleep over with a friend and that meant Dave and I got to go out for dinner and dancing! The date might seem like the high point, but the even better part is, we didn't have to pay a babysitter! Whoo-hoo! Next weekend is The Grand Poobah, so we have lots to do to get ready. We'll see you next week, and remember, keep your mind and your eyes open. You might be surprised what you have never had!

Have a great week!

S'more Fun With Grandpa!

Happy June!

• I went to the Sex and the City matinee.
• We ate cherries from our tree.
• We all took Riley to the Splash Dogs benefit (he never did jump off the dock!).
• We all went out to dinner for pizza – ran into a friend of Mason’s from preschool and had dinner with his parents.
• Mason got to play with Taylor and stay up until 10:30, and Dave and I snuck away to go have a couple of drinks.
• We all went to the farmer’s market.
• All of us went to the local Chili Cook-off at the park.
• Mason got lots of playground time and got and an introductory gymnastics lesson.
• A movie for Mason and a siesta for me.
• Dave outdid himself making a dinner of shrimp shish ka-bobs, grilled asparagus, and a whipped cream, berry parfait!
• Cris and Taylor joined us for dinner out on the front deck.
• After dinner we moved to the backyard where we sat around the fire and made s’mores.
• Mason and Taylor played in the hot tub. With no adults relaxing, jumping, laughing, and splashing were completely allowed!
• Dave, Mason and I camped outside on the deck in the backyard. With the big oak tree acting like an umbrella, we joked that we were sleeping under the “star,” since we could only see one through the trees leaves.
• I made cinnamon waffles, thick-cut bacon, and coffee for Sunday morning breakfast.
• Dave and Mason went to see Indiana Jones.
• I took Mason to the local pool that has a mini water park for the little ones.
• I went to play with the horse.
• We all enjoyed another superb “Dinner A-La-Dave” on the front deck.
• And, my sweet peas that I planted last year and I thought were dead, are in full bloom!

I have to say that I feel so blessed and lucky to have this life; I’m happily married, I have a healthy family, a beautiful home, and such wonderful people everywhere I look! I know some of you are sick with the sap, but as truly authentic as I’ve ever been, I’m over-flowing with gratitude. What about you? Did you do anything fun this weekend? Do tell!

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."~ Melody Beattie ~