thinking.

i've been thinking a lot lately. maybe too much.

sometimes i feel like there are so many thoughts, to do lists, remember

this' and remember that's that i can't find one clear thought.

like there are so many strings stuffed up there that it's hard

to pull a single, solitary one out.

on days like these, i need to force myself to pause, unplug, and write.

that always seems to help somehow. 

allowing myself to be undistracted and clear minded.

the jumbled mess of strings just seem to make more sense in those moments.

occupied.

have you seen Disney's Cinderella?

no... not that one. 

the one with Whitney Houston, Brandy, Bernadette Peters, Jason Alexander, Woopi Goldberg, etc.

it was a made for tv movie back in '97.

fabulous.

i loved it then and it's on BET now, so i'm busy for the next 2 hours.

impossible things are happening everyday! 

happy birthday to mrs. child.

happy 100th birthday to you, Mrs. Child!

you led an extraordinary life of adventure and accomplishment

and paved the way for female chefs alike. 

you were an amazing woman with amazing talents 

and today we celebrate YOU!

he's back!

wait. no. she's back. i'm back. yeah, that's it.

that's just one of my all time favorite scenes in one of my all time favorite sagas.

you know, when fudge steps out of the flue in the ministry of magic

at the end of the order of the phoenix and he sees voldemort standing over

harry potter and in that moment he realizes that he-who-must-not-be-named

is really back, as hp has been saying since that night in the graveyard when he 

witnessed cedric's death and the rebirth of the dark lord, but no one had believed him

until that very moment, when fudge says "he's back!"?

no? well then we can't be friends.

just kidding! i'll take what i can get ;)

anywho...

my man friend and i are back from a relaxing, rejuvenating week at the lake.

filled with sleeping in, naps on the dock, movies whenever we want, yummy food,

visiting family, swimming swimming swimming, and lots lots more.

man we love the lake.

our first night and an amazing sunset

more on that later this week.

for now, i have cleaning to do before... dundunduuuun... 

i have to leave for work.

is it sunday yet?

is it sunday yet??

ugh. i feel like i'm 9 and it's december 23rd.

when will i get to open my presents???

in this case, there are no presents. just yummy food,

good drinks, and the cabin all to our lonesome for a whole week.

a whole week! just me and my man friend and our girl and the lake

and NO INTERNET or TV and sunshine and books and card games and 

movies at night and campfires with jumbo marshmallows for s'mores.

is it sunday yet??????

"the DC"... as my dad calls it.

actually he doesn't call it that at all, but apparently

he got a tweet from my great aunt vicki who DOES call it "the DC".

a tweet...

anyways! 

the Dolan Classic is an amazing tradition that my dad's family has had

for the past 42 years. it's kind of amazing if you think about it. 

the family started with my great grandparents who, through struggle and hard times,

raised 13 amazing individuals. out of them came 72 (i think that's the correct number!)

including my dad. and from there we continue to multiply... like good irish catholics :)

during the last full weekend in july, we dolans migrate from where ever

we are in the world to the southwest quadrant of minnesota to spend a weekend

golfing, drinking, and catching up with our beloved extended family.

for us, it starts with the drive through the minnesota river valley:

past a few farms:

   

and down a country road or two:

after that, it's a blur of hugs and laughter and singing

and more laughter... possibly a beer or two... and more hugs.

every year, since i was able to go, we've stayed at the same motel.

it used to be called the cozy grove- not the wilder inn,

 but i guess it's one of the places that will always be the cozy grove, always.

guaranteed top 5 weekend every year. this time included a little

tongue lashing from the hells angels. as if i'm scared of some pansies on bikes.

ok... i may have shit my pants... twice.

next year i plan on being a pro photographer and coming back

with something other than iphone pics.

speaking of... i'm seeing a trend in the filter i've been choosing.

time for a change, tricia. time for a change. 

the other day.

the other day...

the girl had her sassy face on.

so i asked her if she wanted to play... and she said of course!

so she got ready...

i threw the ball high up into the trees...

and she took off.

she caught the ball in midair...

and came running back to me to play again.

winnie, you're my favorite girl <3