"I'd Like To Thank ..."

... the Blogger Academy, my mom, my dad, my kids, my husband. Sorry I just always wanted to do that.

Seriously, thanks so much to the Just-Spotted ladies and everyone who voted! Peace Love and Momminess won Editor’s Choice for best “Fabulous Lifestyle & Design” web site in OC!

I’m gratefully thrilled—as seen here! It was a great night and so fun to see and meet everyone.

Also pictured here are Suzanne and I goofin’ with our blog gizmos (Flips, phones, cameras) via the on-site photo booth—as well as our Whrrl photo story with Ciaran.

Be sure to visit Kelly and Coleen at Just-Spotted to see the list of winners.

Did I thank my dog? Gasp! Teddy, thanks for your quiet encouragement.

peace and love,
Debbie

Sundown, And I Finally Looked Up

Don’t know if I’ll win the award for best site, but today I win the award for Wicked Witch (rhymes with) of the West. It’s a title I carry sometimes too often and sometimes monthly (down to the calendar). I yelled at everyone, even the Walgreen’s lady (how dare she ask me for my member card that I forgot somewhere at home!).

It was not a good day, and certainly not a Peace, Love and Momminess day. If you think I’m the calm, zen, got-it-all-figured-out mama, you don’t know me. PLM is a mission, a goal, the gold star I aspire for and remind myself to possess.

It wasn’t until the kids went to dinner with their dad, and I had some time with the fun Noel of Bosh Images that I settled and sipped my Lemon Drop (my new fave drink thanks to the swank and swell Suz Broughton) that I started to resemble a normal, sane human being again.

Then upon driving home, I looked up, saw this gorgeous glimpse of sun and realized I missed the whole amazing day and the much bigger picture. I wonder if everyone saw it but me. If only I would have looked up, I might have stood a chance.

My night was topped off by walking in the front door and seeing my sweet yellow Lab’s face, who looked at me like he knew how I acted, he heard me, but still loved me. It was that look that saw The Better versus the Witch (yes, rhymes with).

Thank God for sunsets. For Labs. And for tomorrows. Think I’ll wake up, walk the dog with the kids, and see what is the farthest object away that we can see.

Moonstruck

I’m in awe of the accomplishment 40 years ago. The thrill, the unknown, the race to be first. What a time it must have been: adults with the giddy pride of kids, and every kid wanting to be Neil and Buzz. Feels like those days will never repeat themselves again, in any form. But who knows, in 1949, no one would have thought the moon was possible either.

Maybe our kids will go up to blow the world’s mind like the lucky 3 did on July 20, 1969, or maybe they’ll grow up and take a summer vacation up, up and away on Branson’s shuttle in 2029. Either way, I guess it will take raising our next generation with a spirit of adventure, risk and unwavering determination that some might view as reckless in this era of bubbleproofed kids. Seems we might have to loosen the reigns a bit and let ‘em take a giant leap outside our comfort zone. Or we can just start with a few small steps.

2 Great Getaways

How I spent my birthday. Spoiled at The St. Regis for breakfast; click the photo story below for news of great kids meal deal too. After that, we were off to some secret Encinitas Gardens, click here to see the garden story. Both fun, affordable escapes I’d highly reco.

Happy Father's Day, Pops

This is my Pop. In a quintessential Pop Pose. He does anything for a laugh, is always goofing around, and is extremely young at heart.

Dads are great at getting the laughs and goofing around—kind of balances out us Moms, who can overworrying and get caught up in the details.

The Dads mess up the hair, the Moms go behind and straighten away, right?

Here’s to a little more goofing off and taking life a little less seriously. Thanks, Dad, for always making me smile.

Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads out there! (And moms doing double duty.)

By the way, some great last-minute Dad Gift Card ideas on the PLM Gift section (Nike iD, Excitations, or you could instant e-card some iTunes such as Michael Buble, hear him in the PLM Music Bar).