Too Hot

The heat wave continues to burn in KC....so I am inside reading.  Friends, I hope your weekend was cooler than mine.

I have read every single one of Mary Kay Andrews books...and love them all.  This is my number one beach (or AC) read for the summer.  Pour yourself a glass of wine, put your feet up, and escape.

This novel will make you think and feel.  It is about suffering, loss, struggle, courage, triumph.    It is not depressing....it is inspiring...this resilient  human spirit is in all of us! 

Favorite quotes:

"I learned long ago that loss is not only probable but inevitable.  I know what it means to lose everything, to let go of one life and find another."

*****

"So is it just human nature to believe that things happen for a reason--to find some shred of meaning even in the worst experiences?"

This movie has it all...I absolutely loved it.  I laughed.  I cried.  It made me think about how we, as mothers, recreate ourselves over and over with each chapter of our (and our children's) lives.  Susan Sarandon is absolutely phenomenal in this film....her best performance yet.  (And I can NOT believe she is 69...she looks amazing.)

Soul Work

Here in KC it is hotter than Hades in July....no one wants to go outside.

Hanging in the AC has been the perfect time to finish this belt for T.  I will send it to Hilltop Leather for finishing.  

Keep your keys organized...super fast and easy.

Coasters are perfect for 5:00 at the lake.

Binge watching while needlepointing in the AC....interesting and funny, with beautiful views!  I love Netflix.

Even these two won't go outside.

Friends, Lake Michigan is calling our name.  We are heading up next week for the season!

Presenting.....B!

This weekend was all about the girls:  B making her debut and my sisters ( and my darling niece, E) coming to town.

And the debut is all about the curtsy... who can  drop the lowest and who can hold the longest.  Big T is just arm candy.

The tiara hair do was way above my pay grade...

... and so was the makeup.  Good grief.

B's competitive side was showing....she gets that from her father.

It was so fun to see B having fun with her dad...

...but friends, the real fun was after the presentation, with the sisters!

Aloha

I am nursing a severe case of Hawai'ian jet lag....but it was so worth it!  Our fiftieth state is super friendly and beautiful.  Here are my must do's in this polynesian paradise:

On the big island....

Surf

Go to a Luau..

 ...and while you are there, learn to hula.

Go to the Four Seasons to see the Sea Turtles...

(I swear I did not see the sign telling us to stay 20 feet away until after I took this shot.)

... have a mai tai and watch the sun set.

See the volcanoes and the waterfalls from the air...

...then see the volcano from the ground at night.  (Maybe invest in a real camera to get a better shot.)  The stars are pretty amazing too!

Check another one off the list...

...while checking out the shoreline.

*****

On Maui:

Drive the Road to Hana

See the black beaches...

and the seven pools.

*****

On Lanai:

Scuba dive...ours was cancelled due to a southern swell...

...Plan B.

Hike the shoreline.

C will do anything for an instagram shot.

Friends, the long flights were hard, and traveling continues to be one of my biggest challenges.  But I fought hard to still be here, and I don't want to miss a thing.

Packing Survival

Tomorrow we will be on our way to !!Hawaii!! but today I am in packing purgatory.  I subscribe to the idea that packing takes as long as you give it, so I am only giving myself one hour.  I have my list;  I am going in....

These cool e-bags have actually helped me escape the nine circles of hell.  My friend Mary, who travels for her job, sent them to me recently, and this is my first time using them.  They are pretty awesome.

 C and B pressured me into getting this roller bag a few years ago.  I had to break up with Tumi, and buy the Briggs and Riley, because it got such great reviews.  Now I see why everyone is rolling through the airports. It is so much easier.

Just to be clear, I still think Tumi makes the best hang-up bag out there...hands down.

Voila...one hour...done.  

Have a great week.   Aloha!

My Last Debut

We spent the weekend at some Jewel Ball pre-parties and B's final dress fitting.  

 Friends, I know when you hear KC, you think BBQ

or the Royals (named after our world famous American Royal Rodeo)

But we also have one of the best art museums in the country.  The  Jewel Ball has been supporting the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, and the Kansas City Symphony, for over fifty years.

Because we aren't just a cow town...

and we love a good party!

I will let you know how she does on the real day soon....