What a mountain today.

Today I did battle with a mountain and the mountain won. I was supposed to trek into some ruins, but some riding lessons, backpacking in my youth and gym workouts weren't enough preparation. I should have thoroughly researched the trek. Over 20 years ago I did battle with another mountain and lost. Today I learned as I did then to stop while I was ahead and head back to a bed. Today, I also learned that mountains and I aren't friends and that is all right. In life, it is important to be thoroughly prepared and know your limits. My limit is riding a horse down a winding narrow path. Tonight I will sleep in a bed. My traveling companion, more prepared then I, is still on the trek and I wish him a journey of health and good weather.

Postcard of reality

My daughter and I were talking recently and I said that I would send her a postcard from my upcoming trip that read, "Wish you were here. Opps! You weren't invited." She didn't take kindly to this. However as a single mom, it is important for my daughter and I to have time apart. Time apart is good for any relationship. It allows two or more people to regroup, recreate appreciation for the other(s) and recommit to the relationship. I know that I will miss my daughter when I am away and she will miss me. Also, I know each of us will be glad to be apart from the other since of late we have been on each other's cases a lot. A little peach goes along way!

What gives?

I spent yesterday in bed with a head cold and even made myself chicken soup. Today I had several meetings and worked on my newsletter article in between. With all that has been going on for the last two days, can someone explain why my house can't function with me at the helm? What's going to happen when I travel this summer and leave the house, kid and dog behind with adult supervision? I just hope the plants get watered and don't die.

A beautiful weekend......

My daughter and I had a staycation using my aunt and uncle's apartment as home base. We walked the city, visited a museum, shopped and had high tea. It was an awesome belated Mother's Day gift to have this time my girl. Some days I feel she is growing up fast and it was just yesterday I was changing her diapers. Yet, she heads to middle school next fall. My mom and I had several mother/daughter trips that hold a special place in my heart. I hope this weekend will remain in my daughter's heart.

What's in spirituality?

I have spent this weekend with my best friend and her family experiencing Easter. I went to church for Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The services have been moving and reminded me of the services I attend at Synagogue. It has been wonderful to experience the spirituality of Easter and relate it to my Jewish upbringing and current practice as a Jew. And as always I love being with my friend and her family. It always reminds me of the importance of friendships and maintaining them.

Shop local....

I called car service to go to the bus terminal and got into an Uber (oops!) and the driver said he didn't speak good English which explains why "Port Authority Bus Terminal" wasn't understood, but with his GPS and the address I provided I made my bus and realized that shopping local has its benefits-- drivers that speak good English.

Making new memories

On a girls' weekend with my daughter in a town my ex and I have been to many times and it feels good to share it with her and make new memories here.

Tip: Traveling Sandbox Toys

With the plethora of collapsible kitchen items and travel accessories, you can make a flat pack sand toys kit for that family trip to the beach

1-2 collapsible bowls
1 collapsible colander
2-3 plastic cookie cutters
2 collapsible travel cups
1 set collapsible measuring scoops
1 small plastic shovel (optional)

And you are good to go!

Tuesday's Tip: Don't leave home until.....

When traveling, be sure to prep your home by watering plants, putting a light on a timer and closing all windows.

What's important?

While traveling, I am learning that being there for your family is just as important as having a good time and that you can truly only have a good time when your whole family (those traveling with you) feel at ease.

Tuesday's Tip: When I return...

To this day I remember that my mother's parents always arrived for a visit wearing nice clothes; my grandfather was in a tie and I knew from this that my grandparent's house was left super neat. Here in lies the tip: leave your house neat, when you travel and you will come home to a neat house.

(I am sorry Papa-g that Mama-g made you wear a tie, I would have preferred your coveralls.)

Tuesday's Tip: Wine on the go

If you plan on having wine at the beach or your hotel room, remember to pack a corkscrew and one with a bottle opener works for a six pack too.

Tuesday's Tip: Travel essentials

Whether you are staying at a hotel, a friends house or a on cruise ship, here are a few essentials you should pack—flashlight, small first aid kit and disinfecting wipes.

Tuesday's tip: handy travel helpers

1. a pillowcase packs flat as a laundry bag

2. old prescription pill bottle as a pill box

3. large Altoids tin when packed with bandaids is a"first aid" kit

4. newspaper delivery bags do double duty as shoe bags

5. Have Fun!

Vacation too long?

After being grumpy and testy all day with my mother and daughter on a shopping excursion, I am begining to wonder if my vacation has been too long and I am yearning to return home to deal with the mail, email and other household chorse or if I am just wanting time alone (sans mother and daughter) on my vacation.

In the kitchen on Thursday: Summer ritual

Every summer vacation, my daughter and I make ice cream. This year we made chocolate.

1 Large can sweetened condensed milk
1 pint of cream
3 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

Whisk all ingredients in a bowl until the cocoa poweder is almost all incorporated. Pour into the bowl of an ice cream maker. Follow the maker's directions for churning. When this is done, put the ice cream in the freezer. If the bowl can go in the freezer do so with plastic wrap on top. If it can't, scrape the ice cream into plastic containers with lids. In 3-4 hours, it will be "soft serve" and in 7-8 hours it will be hard.

For Vanilla ice cream, swap out the cocoa powder for 2-3 tsp. Vanilla Extract.

This is similar to the one I have...Ice Cream Maker

 

Tuesday's tip: Vacation

Be sure to put a lamp on a timer, so your house won't look empty.

Time to yourself.....

This morning my daughter was whining because all the adults (we are on vacation with my mom) were busy, so I suggested that she could read, draw or play games on the IPad by herself and she whined more because at 8 years old she doesn't see the value in this and yet I see the teaching of an important life skill-- being able to "play" alone.