Missing My Grand-Grand-Ma-Ma

 The kids had dinner with their dad tonight and I sat outside in the calmness reading a book on my Kindle. As I sat there, I looked up and a Robin had landed right in front of me and was slowly walking through the grass. I started to talk to it as if it was my grandmother who I know is a bird somewhere. If you know me, you know that I have a thing for birds. But that's another story for another time.

A quick update on the title of this post. My sister and I always laughed at the mug that Grandma had in her cabinets. It said Grandma on it twice, wrapped around the cup. But because of the way that the spacing of the word laid out, it looked like Grand Grand Ma Ma. Alyssa and I always joked about it. We still chuckle when we talk about that mug.

Anyway, I started talking to this bird as if she was Grandma. If Grandma was still around, she would be near 100 years old. I believe 99 if my math is correct. Here's my letter to her.

Dear Grandma,

I saw you today. I was shocked and surprised you showed up when you did. You always know when a visit is needed. I'm sure that you've been watching my life progress over the past 10 years. I've had some big changes happen. My divorce is not yet finalized, but I know that it was the best decision for me and R and D. Things have been challenging, but a different type of challenge. I only depend on myself anymore, which is not much different than what I did for the past 10 years, anyway. Money is tight, but again, only have me to blame for anything that I'm struggling with. However, I haven't missed any bills in 21 months. Everything has been paid on time. I've asked Mom and Dad for help when I need it, but it's usually not for anything big. The kids are so much happier, although I can see how stressful it is to go back and forth between homes and split their time with us. I'm lonely. Lonelier than I have been; more than I realized was possible. I try to keep myself occupied. I finished my Master's degree! (Go me!) I have an amazing job and work for great folks. My co-workers have turned into family. I have a few close girlfriends that I call my sisters.

R is the sweetest 9-year-old girl you'd ever meet. She is sassy and sweet and kind and respectful and helpful. She is a leader in so many ways. And she is the best big sister to D. Although they do bicker and argue about dumb shit, she loves him more than anything. I know the transition to being big sister from only child was a struggle for her. She still will make comments about missing when it was just me and her. You would love her, Grandma.

I always joke that D is the mayor, but he truly has the most amazing personality a three year old could have. He can talk to you about anything under the sun, but especially anything with wheels and a motor. He can name every construction vehicle there is and collects Hot Wheels cars like it's his job. (I never realized how many cars little boys could have.) D likes to sing and be outside, and snuggle me at the end of the day. He's famous for telling me that I'm his best friend and he always chooses Grandpop to sit with if we go to dinner with Mom and Dad. Watching Dad race is his most favorite thing to do, mostly to ride on the golf cart and scooter, but also to be with Dad. He is shy at first when he meets someone new, but as soon as he feels comfortable, he will talk to them until their ears bleed. He calls his friends at school "his kids" and constantly begs to have "sleepovahs just like Weghan." He'd have your head spinning with his stories. 

I can see R & D sitting in your living room in Wayne asking you tons of questions about the Phillies and telling you about the time that they went to a game with their dad. R would tell you about the stuffed bear that she got and D would tell you about the ice cream that he ate while he was there. 

I can see you sitting in your chair with the volume turned way up, rubbing circles on your knee like you always did. You'd offer to make them anything they want and I'd try to tell them that they should try the buttered egg noodles with sugar on them that you always made me. We would pull out the sleeper sofa and the kids would sleep downstairs while I slept in Nobody's Room. 

I miss you everyday and love to see you when the birds visit. Thank you for sending them my way. You always know when I need you.

I love you forever,

Leanne

Racing and My Favorite Relationship

I'm sitting at home alone on a Tuesday night because my kids are with their dad tonight. I've made myself dinner, had some dessert and am now watching Netflix and literally chilling by myself. I'm still not used to being alone every other day and every other weekend. I like to have something scheduled to keep my mind from spiraling about being lonely and some super fun (sarcasm) depressing thoughts about my life and how it has turned out.

Last weekend, I went racing with my dad. It felt great to finally be back at the track after three weeks off. Seeing my girls and my other friends really made life better, easier, for me, since it wasn't my weekend with R & D. It was so ungodly hot. But racing has always been my happy place, no matter what track, what race, who we are with, as long as we are racing. 

There were years before my marriage that Dad and I were inseparable. Until last year, I had forgotten about how much fun we have together. I constantly tell R & D about all my adventures with Grandpop, but I didn't realize how much I had missed that time that we had together.

This weekend was nothing short of another fun weekend of memories with my dad. He double entered in both Super Gas and Super Pro on Saturday and Sunday. There was a lot of racing taking place and we had finally fallen into a great rythym. On Saturday, he unfortunately lost first round in both classes, losing a great race in SG and going red in SP. On Sunday, another first round loss in SG ended the .90 weekend, but he proceeded to make it to 3rd round, before losing when the 60 foot picked up and he ran out. 

I've been lucky enough to have been all over the east coast with my dad at so many different race tracks. We've met people from all over and no matter who they are, Dad and I can put a smile on their face..especially when people are confusing me as his girlfriend (gross!).

My friendship with my father has helped pull me out of some dark places. I'll admit my mental health hasn't been the best over the past almost two years. I've cried on the phone to my dad, I've yelled at him, I've laughed with him, and I've had to ask for his help, which wasn't an easy task. I've seen more love from my dad than I have in a long time. He doesn't say it, but I can feel it through his actions. When he casually boasts about my Master's degree in everyday conversation, it especailly makes me smile. 

When I'm feeling super lonely, I have to remind myself that I am so lucky to have a best friend in my father. I can only hope that one day, no matter the circumstances, my kids will want to have me as their best friend too. 

Now get off your ass and go take a hike.

Draaaaank!

 Well...Kate and I had another fun weekend together. It was a long week. I told Katie on Monday afternoon at 1 pm that I wanted to get "draaaaaank" on Friday night. And, well, I did. We went to Magerks on Friday night to have dinner. Like always, we split several appetizers and had several drinks; meaning she had 2 and I had 5. HA. We left Magerks, dropped my car off, because clearly I couldn't drive, and ventured into Lansdale. We ended up at Montella's. I continued to drink beers and Katie drank water. I flirted with the bartender and we left. How I left is another story for another time ;).  

On Saturday, of course, Kate and I end up together again. I got up and did some school work and surprised my dad at his shop for lunch. When I left there, I went right to Lansdale, and Katie and I made reservations on Open Table to try a new place (for us) called Bernie's in Hatboro. We were so excited to try somewhere new and have an actual good meal.

Our reservation was for 6:45 pm. We were seated within 10ish minutes. The atmosphere inside was amazing. It was busy but not super busy. It took about 15 minutes for anyone to acknowledge us at our table. The waitress that came over was super cute, very polite, and young. She took our drink orders, offered advice, and left. It took longer than it should have for our drinks, which PS, were the best drinks I think we have ever had. Anyway, she comes back with our drinks, we order appetizers, and then our meals. We drink and wait and wait and wait. She comes back to see how things are going, and we each order another drink, and tell her to that if it is going to take much longer, we don't want our appetizers. We wanted to eat and then eat our meals. She sends a manager over to tell us that the kitchen is really backed up and that our food will be out soon. Meanwhile, she has her face buried in her phone, I assume because she was checking where our order was, and really had a snooty attitude, like we were bothering her for asking for our food. The waitress came back again with our meals, which were gross looking like they had been sitting under a heat lamp for too long. We told her that we would not be eating these and asked her for our bill for the drinks that we had. (Also, we never even got our second drinks.) At this point, we are both fuming because we wanted a good meal. No one came back to give us our bill. So, we got up and left. And no one even noticed!!!!!  It was horrible. We wanted to like it there, we really did.  And then, we ended up back at Miller's. We sat at the bar and drank, even though neither of us wanted to, and then ordered our meal at the bar. (Fajitas for me and shrimp for Katie.) I didn't even finish my beer, mostly because of the night and mostly because I drank too much the night before, ha. We left Miller's and went to Lancer's Diner for coffee and pie, like two old ladies. The coffee was good, my apple pie was just okay, and Kate loved her coconut cream pie. I took her home and came home and passed out.

My time with Kate is always fun, even when we sit on each other's couch and watch TikTok's for hours on end. Until next time, because you know there are plenty more adventures to come...Go take a hike.

xoxo,

Leanne

Go Take a Hike

Heyy!

Welcome to our blog where we explore new places to adventure and review a new restaurant each week.

Our names are Kathleen and Leanne. We have been friends for 14 years and consider ourselves more like family than just friends. Here are our backstories. Kathleen has three children and two grandchildren. She is a kick-ass single mom who is killing it at her new job at a mortgage company. Leanne has two children, works full time, is pursuing her masters, and going through a divorce. 

We spend at least one day each weekend together, if not more. In the past 6 months, through Leanne's separation, we have done a lot of day drinking, and eating, and not always made the best decision. But, they were fun, and we are still safe, so water under the bridge. 

This past weekend, while my (Leanne's) kids were with their father, we decided to make a healthier choice for our time together. Kathleen (I call her Katie) told me about Valley Green park where she spent many a day while growing up. "It feeds my soul" she told me. So, I got up in the morning, finished my homework (I wrote a 6 page paper!) and ventured to her house. We made the quick trip (about 35 minutes) and started our walk. While walking, we conversed about life, choices we have been making, how much we love each other (we are each other's person), and talked about our kids. Katie has a 28 year old daughter, a 22 year daughter, and a 16 year old son. Leanne has a 7 year old daughter and a 2 year old son. 

We ended up hiking 5 miles through Valley Green. We saw a friend and her family and scared the crap out of them when we realized it was them. It was nice to catch up during these weird Covid times.

We proceeded through our hike and back to the car to find a place to eat. I won't lie, my legs were tired. But it was a good tired. Someday, hopefully by the end of the summer, we will be able to do it quicker and venture up the harder trails. 

Katie took me on a tour of Chestnut Hill and Flourtown, pointing out places where she spent time as a child. I love hearing these stories, mostly because she lights up and is so happy to reminisce about simpler times. We decided on a restaurant called Scoogi's that Katie said "has the BEST Italian food you will ever have." Seeing as I'm the Italian in our duo, I was ready to give my feedback. 

We arrived at Scoogi's and walked in through the front bar area and were rudely greeted with "do you have a reservation?" The bartender and waitress were straight up bitches. As my mother always says, it's not what you say, but the way you say it. They easily could have changed their tone and made us feel more welcome, instead of making it that we were intruding on their space. But, I digress.

We walked back to our table and were barely greeted by our waiter, who had the personality of a wet mop. None. It was non existent. He basically acted like we were a bother through our entire meal. But, like I told Katie, the service doesn't mean the food will be bad. She kept apologizing. Like, Bitch, calm down. It's not your restaurant. (Love you Kate.)

K ordered a dirty martini and I ordered a glass of Riesling. We ordered soup, pasta e fagiolle and Italian wedding. My Italian wedding soup was probably the best I have ever had. I wanted to bathe in it. It was flavorful, and had depth even though it was a brothy soup. Katie's soup looked delish and she said the flavor was so good. We both dipped buttered bread and then almost licked the bowl.

BTW, the bread bowl, if you could even call it that, was three half slices of a hard bread. For a table of two of us, it was fine, I guess. But if there were of us at the table, I would have asked for more bread. Who gives three half slices to a table of adults. Whatever. We had to ask for more bread.

I ordered Chicken Francaise and it was super flavorful. I loved the pasta and the chicken was cooked perfectly. K ordered a specialty seafood meal that she said was so delicious. We usually order two meals and share some with each other, but I have a shellfish allergy (boo!) so therefore no sharing took place. 

Despite our server's poor performance, the food was delicious and we plan to go back again when the weather is warmed up and we can eat outside.

Thanks for reading! Now, go take a hike!

xoxo,

Katie & Leanne