fisher sisters

fisher sisters.

that's what they called themselves on the way home from the beach today.

two ballerinas.

spent four blissful hours.

at the beach.

no squabbling.

no whining.

no punches thrown.

just the sun.

the sand.

the ocean.

a net.

a water bottle.

and each other.

warmed this mama's sunburned heart.

Mother's Day

It was another year of BSD being away on Mother's Day. And the ballerinas stepping up to the plate. They served me breakfast in bed. And for the first year ever my toast was actually toasted! *woot*

I spent the afternoon helping at the Big Ballerina's ballet performance at a retirement home. I got a little choked up walking into the building. Thinking how sweet it is for these girls to do this. And how much BB loves dancing for this audience. Made me think of my mom. So I told BB these were all her grandmas today. It made my heart swell when the girls were done. And they rushed out of the dressing room. "To socialize" with the audience.

In the evening we ate sushi on the beach. And BB danced.

 This time....

For her real grandma.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Old Wood, New Art, Happy Campers

I really should be working on my photo class project. But I don't want to go there. Too many missing pieces. And only two weeks of class left. Gives me a pit in my stomach. Need a photo of the Big Ballerina but the girl is never home when the sun is up. And trying to shoot without any source of natural light is worthless. 


Case in point.

Ack. 

So instead I'll share our latest house project. The painting is all done. Larry has moved out. The new bedroom carpet is installed. And most everything is back in place. There is still a long list of things I want to make happen. But it all takes time. And money. So we progress at a snail's pace.

The Big Ballerina's bedroom really needed something on the walls. Something fun. Something large. Something beachy. Nothing I found in the stores appealed to me. And if it did. The price tag sent me running.

Luckily, BSD still has some free time. And some power tools. And some of those old pickets we used this summer to make our fish sticks with.

And earlier this week he turned a few of the pickets into a new piece of art for BB's bedroom.

I love it! BSD loves it. BB loves it. And most importantly, sock monkey loves it too. Oh, and the best part? The whole project cost about $10 for paint and hanging hardware.


Now I'm dreaming of some trim around the window. A cute rug next to the bed. And a fun chandelier to hang in the corner over her nightstand. BSD's not on board with the chandelier idea just yet. What do you think?

Bi-Polar...

I love living at the beach. I really do.

Sitting in our beach chairs, watching the ballerinas play in the ocean, there isn't a beach day that goes by where BSD and I don't turn to each other and say, "How lucky are we?!?!"

It's a lifestyle. An easy-going, laid-back way of living. It fits. And I love it.

But...

every now and then...

I miss the snow.

I know. Shoot me.

I grew up in New York. And went to college in Vermont. I know snow. I know the dirty, slushy mess it leaves inside the front door. I know scraping the windshield in the frigid temperatures. I know about black ice. And sliding off the road. Tapping the brakes gently like I was taught. To no avail.

I know better.

But then I get these damn Sundance catalogs and all that I know. And have. Goes out the window.

 

I want to be that girl. Looking so cozy and chic at the top of a snowy mountain.

 

Romping around in my cute, fur-lined Sorels. 

 

Snowshoeing with a big, slobbery St. Bernard. And dressing like an adult version of Cindy Lou Who.

Yes. I miss the snow. And the mountains.

Damn you, Robert Redford.

Hurry up and send me the summer catalog.

A Fair Trade...

I've mentioned many times that BSD makes surfboards. Old news. But the best thing about this hobby of his is his desire to have nice photos of the boards he makes.

And since his skillz as a photographer are not as mad as his skillz as a shaper. He comes to moi. And when he does. I make him do things like this...

And this...

And this...

When what he really wants is just a photo like this...

or this...

or this...

 

Those last three photos are so much cooler to him than the first three. I, on the other hand, would have rather opened up the lens more. A little more DOF would be my preference. But after a few "vision" difference of opinion "discussions," I've learned to just close down the lens to showcase more of the board's details.

In the end, it's a win-win. He gets to show off his boards. And I get to have a semi-willing model. And I think he makes a pretty darn good model at that. 

The icing on the cake? When I say I need a new lens, he's right on board.

Note: This is not a surfboard. It's called a paipo. It's like a boogie board on steroids. Made just like a surfboard but meant for riding the waves on your knees or your belly. Someone from the west coast contacted BSD to make it for him.

thanks bunches...

Thank you to all of you who have commented on my new header. It kind of freaks me out when I log on and see that giant billboard of "myself." But I think it's tons of fun. One of these days I'm going to get a new layout that includes a less obtrusive header. For now though we're all stuck with the super-size meal deal.

Now I can't take all the credit for the header. Actually I can only take a tiny portion of the credit. I took the self portrait. But then this super cool girl. Who many of you already know. Who just happens to have the same name as me. Had the brilliant idea to turn it into a header.  And then she so graciously created it for me. Sending me lots of samples to choose from. So....Kim...

But it doesn't stop there. Blogging is a really interesting animal. You start a blog. You put yourself out there. You find others who blog.

Some you like. Some you don't.
Some like you. Some don't.
Some like you. Then you use words like bitch or ass. And then. Some don't like you anymore.
Some you connect with. Some you really get to know. Some you wish you could create a community where you all lived close enough to hang with IRL.

Kim is one of those people who'd have a house on my street. She's real. She's raw. She's hilarious. And she totally overshares. But she's also sweet. And generous. And thoughtful. Totally my kind of girl.

Not only did she make my new header, but she noticed that I take too many pictures of my beach cruiser.

So she sent me this...

Is that not the coolest t-shirt ever? I love it! You rock, Kim!

thanks bunches.

Fifteen

Fifteen years. Fifteen years ago BSD and I said, "I do" at sunset on our favorite beach. In Hawaii. 

It was a tiny ceremony. We made all our own food. We even baked the cake. And when we noticed the big gaps between the tiers, we decorated it with poisonous plumeria from our yard. 

Luckily, no one died.

Fifteen years later. We are still hanging around the beach. In Virginia. Minus one uber cool black lab. Plus two ballerinas.

Fifteen years. That's a pretty long time. To spend with one person. 

Definitely a cause for celebration. And we did celebrate. Quietly. Just the two of us. Nothing fancy. A stroll on the boardwalk. And a nice dinner. Simple. Just like our wedding.

Anniversary Highs and Lows

• Bad: The extreme heat and humidity.
• Badder: Fighting over getting change for the parking meter.
• Worst: Feeling your hair take on a life of its own. Hence, the lack of pictures.

• Good: Driving through our favorite neighborhood checking out the homes for sale. Then realizing you're more than happy just where you are.
• Better: Love texts exchanged over dinner.
• Best: Knowing there is no one else in the world you'd rather have sitting across the table from you on your anniversary.

Dance Moms

Getting ready this morning, BB was watching one of the morning news programs. On popped a segment about a new Lifetime series. Dance Moms. I had to stop and watch for a second.

 

Oh, baby. I cannot wait to pop a big bowl of popcorn, grab a diet coke, and prepare to be entertained.

I'm picturing Toddlers and Tiaras in jazz shoes.

 

Now, let's be clear. My girls aren't competitive dancers. They are ballerinas. Big difference.

 But that doesn't mean it can't get ugly. Or competitive.

Oh, yes. I can't wait to watch.

I'm afraid they may have caught me on the show.

If so, I know I'll be among the company of some of the other dance moms from our studio. Cheers!

Ten on Ten: July 2011

I'm still alive. Couldn't let Ten on Ten pass me by. Hoping it will be the kick start I need to restart my blogging motor.
 
Ten on Ten. Ten pictures over ten hours on the tenth of the month. I have to admit. I cheated a wee little bit. The last few pictures were taken during the same hour. I couldn't resist. They were so much more exciting.

Does it seem like Ten on Ten often falls on a Sunday? Maybe I'm crazy. But I'm remembering a bunch of lazy, dazy Sunday Ten on Tens.

In any event, it was a great day. Beautiful weather. BSD finally home. Morning walk with a friend. Projects rebooted. Garden booming. Meals dictated by the day's harvest. All topped with an evening stroll on the beach. We live a charmed life. Indeed.

 (No. I didn't start the morning off with a margarita. Just a reminder of a fun evening with friends from the night before.)