I never met someone who loves the world more than her

Today is my mom’s birthday, you guys. And not just any birthday, it’s the big 5-0. She may think she’s getting old, but really, as a 27 year old, having a 50 year old mom is such a blessing! She’s still young (although not always hip, sorry Mom but I’ve heard about your watching the Grammys) and fun, and she cooks, and she tells it like it is, and she’s pretty much 100 percent of the time not only on your side, but will defend you until the death.

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Here is a photo of us at one of my BFFs weddings late last year. My parents were pretty much the life of the party, with my mom running the dance floor (and bossing the DJ around) and my dad out with the boys.

I love that I have a mom that people want to dance with on the dance floor. I love that my mom dances probably later than most 20 year olds. Seeing my mom is more like seeing a really, really good friend that you haven’t seen in a bit – but that doesn’t matter, because you can gab about anything and it’s like you talked yesterday.

I am sad to not be there, although with the technology these days I was able to Facetime in to her ice cream cake singing. But I am glad this is such a big year for us – the year of her 50th, my sister’s 30th, a new baby on the way, and plus, Jeff and I are getting married. I can’t wait for all the fun this year will bring – and I am glad I get to share it with such a sweet family, and such an awesomely cool mom. Happy Day, Mom. xo

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 [Photo by Mary Costa of Mary Costa Photography]

live life at the bottom of the sea.

Mom and Dad came to visit. We toured LA as tourists and as seasoned vets of the city; we wine tasted, hiked, saw the Hollywood sign, sat by the pool, drank jalapeno cocktails, went to the ocean, walked the Santa Monica Pier, smiled in front of the Rose Bowl, played soccer, and laughed, laughed, laughed. My parents are the coolest.

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Thanks to Jeff for snapping so many great photos! There are more here. I can’t wait for them to come back! Thanks Mom and Dad, for such a lovely trip!

 

Camp Waterloo Reunion

I was thinking about the up-and-coming holidays, and how I am going home for a bit, which is very exciting, and I realized that I haven’t been to Camp Waterloo in a year! A year, people! Ridiculous. Because of travels to Connecticut and Chicago, I’ve avoided the mitten for a full twelve months. Terrible! Despicable! Horrendous!

So I reminisced for a while, reminding myself of what I have to look forward to…

Crabs, and other delicious creatures of the sea…

These girls!

Family…

Hometown coffee places, and signs like this…

My home in general…

Family, and good eats.

This guy. 🙂

My momma and sister…

Of course, the whole Palluzzi clan.

I cannot wait. Family, I’m coming home! I am so excited.

Lilith 2010…

3 o’clock. hot. hot hot. sunglasses. so hot you can’t stand in the sun. tampon tent, lily pad. friends, family. picking up where you left off. hugs all around. moist towel, rewetting. water, popcorn, pistachios, snacks. laughing so hard i might pee, corey breen where have you been all my life? collectively not drinking. hot. so many woman, and my father. family. 4 o’clock. rushing past everyone to get the shade, because my dad is a stand up guy. someone buying me a hot dog, because again i’m eleven. water, water, water, and water. 5 o’clock. kate nash, you are peculiar. but i love foundations. 6 o’clock, hey sistas, your project is my new favorite thing. i will always remember Coast is about Texas. going to the men’s bathroom, because it’s Lilith. 7 o’clock, and Heart, oh baby, you’ve stole mine. Nikki, we’re definitely behind on this sister-traveling-act thing, but so are Corey and Ky, so I don’t feel left out. Belting it out. sun going down, behind the pillars, because my dad rocks. Jen being part of the family. Not being the adult. The family being together. Having two moms around to watch out for me. (And later, Maribeth asking me, “Does he have health insurance?”) Sun behind the clouds. Sing it to me, Barracuda. 8 o’clock. “It’s a valid life choice.” 9 o’clock, Mary J Blige, Stairway to Heaven, you’re an angel. 10 o’clock. Sarah, I have missed you so. But, I will remember you. And, alternatively, Loving You is Easy. 2011, here we come.