I Love Lushy Lulu? Ricardo Does....

On Thursday nights around these parts, there’s a group of women that meet at the local Mexican Cantina.  Yep.  It’s the Margarita Mamas, of which I am a part.  We’re an unlikely collection of mothers, friends.  We found each other by way of children and organizations.  We seem to keep each other by way of laughter and tequila.  Of course, Ricardo will have it no other way as this means he gets the last laugh, not to mention the tips galore!  And oh how this man can schmooze!  And I don’t think he understands much English so it’s all a fantasy anyway…which falls right into my romance loving soul…the fantasy that is, not Ricardo.  Ha!  He reminds me of Ricky, come to think of it.  Ricky Ricardo…?  Oh…okay...I could be a Lucy-type, maybe…?  I certainly get myself into enough trouble.  RWA 2012, Exhibit One.  

Which brings us to the nicknames.  I am of course, Lushy Lulu.  Why?  Is it the Lucy tie-in?  Perhaps my Evanovichian sense of humor gone south?  I’m not sure.  Southern Belle threw it out there and it stuck.  It’s probably the margaritas.  Sigh.   Southern Belle is obviously so southern that there could be no other name for her.  I mean, geeze!  The woman won’t even pump her own gas!  Yet she can probably cook a batch of cookies and be ready for cocktails in five without batting an eye.  I have no doubt she has a hoop-skirt hidden deep inside her closets somewhere.  Then there’s Twinkle Toes.  She likes to dance, of course.  No.  You don’t seem to understand.  This woman will dance anywhere, anyhow, anyway.  Especially if there are silver thigh high boots involved.  (And no this does NOT mean you can wear them tonight, Twinkle Toes!)  I once saw her dance with a door jamb.  Seriously!  I’m not lying.  And it was the first time I ever met her.  She kinda scared me and put me in awe all at the same time!   And last, there’s Damn Yankee who, try as she might, will never quite get the fact that y’all has a silent "W" in it, and we don’t blurt out the “F” word in public where people can actually hear us!  Okay.  Well Southern Belle doesn’t, anyway.   The rest of us just don’t give a rat’s ass.  

So what do you do with a group of women like this?  Well, I had to ask myself.  Because frankly, I never had a group of girlfriends like this before.  They’re unique and beautiful and wacky and I love each and every one of them dearly.  But I’m gonna warn ya…you pull out a trivia game and these women will turn into vicious competitors that will take down your most innocent high school boys and be proud to do so in public.  Why yes.  We did do that.  The boys called themselves the Tigers.  And we got free margaritas for doing it, too.  Thankfully, we had the foresight to name ourselves the Margarita Mamas and not the Margarita Cougars!  :D  

Do you have any crazy friends like this that fit no predefined mold in your life?  What’s your favorite margarita flavor?  Do you pump your own gas? How do youz guyz feel about silver thigh high boots?

A Little Somethin’ Somethin’

Katherine Bone is off enjoying sun and sand so I’m stepping in for her today.  No worries though.  I’m still blogging on Thursday and Katherine will be back with her pirate-y fun, very soon!

I spent Saturday morning cleaning up the front porch and finally getting around to planting some flowers to sweeten up the entrance; Begonias, Sweet Potato Vines, Lavender, and a pot of Lantana.  It smells lovely!  But I don’t think I would’ve spent the time this year had it not been for the Mother’s Day gift of the begonias from one of my favorite library patrons.  A-man is 10, and he and his momma took to me like bees to honey the first time we laid eyes on each other several years back.  I don’t know why or how, but that boy and I are in tune, made from the same somethin’ somethin’ like there’s a direct line from heart to heart.  We get each other.  So this pot of begonias, I asked, “why these flowers?”  And without a beat (because I knew there was a reason) he came back with “because they match your new office!”  And he grinned that beautiful smile only he has. 

   

There’s nothing more wonderful than having a friend that comprehends your heart.  I’ve been nailed to my computer all spring working, working, working and A-man saw that I needed an office getaway.  He could’ve given me flowers that wilted away and died.  But no.  He knew I’d want to plant them and nurture them all summer long.  He probably even knew I’d rush out to buy some other plants to sidle up to the pretty flowers and make a grand display of the heart he gave me.  And I did, of course!  And he knew I’d enjoy it, too. 

 

I know lots of people, have many friends, good friends.  But there’s something different about that friend that gets you and encourages you on, even when you don’t know you need it.  And often they come from the most unlikely people.  For me it’s a young child and his mother.  How amazing that our paths should cross in life for that connection to take place!  What are the odds?

So I wonder, does everyone have someone like this in their world?  Are there people in your life that get you like no other?  Does it amaze you and fascinate you the things they do with/for you that no one else perceives?

Four Principles of Life

Life is filled with surprises you often least expect.  I grew up a military brat and quickly learned, the friends I made would be the friends I'd have to leave when my dad got orders.  As the years passed, it got harder and harder to leave friends behind.  By High School, military brats hung together because they understood the ostracism given them by the locals.  (Why would anyone invest his/her time in making a friend who won't be around for long?)

Chief lesson learned: The world is a very small place.

I moved 8 times before I turned 16.  2 times in college and 8 times in 20 years of marriage.  I've lived in Germany 3 times (newborn, teen and wife), Japan once (as a kid) and Italy once (as a wife).  Through all these moves, I've been fortunate to experience different cultures and other languages, as well as find a way to fit in wherever I was.  How?  Sometimes you stick your foot in the door, invest yourself, in order to succeed.

Lesson:  Make the most of the time you've got.

Japan: Earthquakes carried our beds all the way across the floor to the other side of the room but I also have memories of catching Pincher Bugs and snails, skating on an outdoor ring behind our quarters, and exploring tunnels carved into the snow by my dad. 

Italy: Though I spent most of my time birthing babies and as a commander's wife, I still had time to see the Alps, Dachau, visit Pompeii, tour villas and museums, explore the Sunday markets downtown and eat pizza and tortolini at Il Dragone, my favorite pizzeria, complete with brick ovens.

Germany: As a teen, I cheered and played softball.  Our competition cheerleading squad won 1st place two years running.  I went to Frankfurt High School, toured castles and took part in a play at Heidelberg Castle.  As an adult, I traveled to Holland, Switzerland, Austria, and Bavaria.  I was also a commander's wife with two little children and a poltergeist in my car.

Lesson:  Good things come to those who wait.

Throughout our travels, there were places I didn't want to be, for one reason or another.  Sometimes it was simply a matter of LTC's job, a job that kept him on the road for 3 weeks at a time, allowing him to be home for 2 weeks before heading out the door again.  In New Jersey, LTC was home only 1 year out of the 3 years we were stationed there.  Tough times!  But as with any hardship, the good follows.  We found a home to plant our roots and were able to give our children the best upbringing they could possibly have.

Lesson:  Be careful what you wish for.

LTC is home more often these days.  The kids are grown.  I have more time to write than I did with four kids underfoot, even while working a part-time job.  I have roots!  Something I've never had the luxury of having before.  I've made great friends who cherish me for who I am.  I've joined writers groups and am surrounded by others who think the way I do and get me.

Be careful what you wish for, because you might get it.  Throughout the years, I've prayed for healthy kids, a loving family, a wonderful home and the ability to write stories that will comfort people who are going down the roads I've traveled.  Sometimes I think the only thing stopping me... is me.

Be careful what you wish for.

The world is a small place- Be professional, kind and compassionate.

Make the most of what you've got- You're the perfecter of your fate. You've got what it takes to make it through!

Good things come to those who wait- If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then try again!

Be careful what you wish for.

What have you been wishing for throughout your life?