Still Crazy After All These Years...

My Bag Is (almost) Packed

2012-02-02T17:34:00.000-08:00

Washing done. check

Work day done. check

Camera set aside. check

All 3 pairs of glasses gathered. And extra pair of contact lenses. check

Mini travel size products gathered. check

Both pairs of sunglasses. (I know - for Seattle this makes no sense, but I love them both and couldn't decide) double check

Clothes strewn everywhere, waiting for the selection process. And it is a process...

Boarding pass printed. check

Bag out & open, waiting to be packed. check

It takes me an entire evening to gather my belongings and put them in the suitcase - often pushing and grunting to close it because I usually pack too much. I would hate to get anywhere and find that the very thing I opted not to bring to save space was the most essential item I could have brought. I know - it's a little neurotic. But it's how roll when I leave home: I just take most of it with me. As luck would have it, most of my journeys are just long weekends, so it hasn't been much of an issue. Heaven help me if I ever go on a lengthy vacation... I think it's because I've always gotten a little bit homesick - even if I'm having fun. Even when I was a kid just spending the night at a friend's house. So bringing things = bringing home with me. And then I can rest my crazy little head.
Of course, visiting Marion is pretty much like going home to everything familiar in my life. There are no secrets, and we pretty much go right back to being giggly girls again. Of course, we are much more awesome today than we were at 11- I've learned to cook (Marion already knew how), and now we know STUFF - all kinds of stuff - but in our hearts we are the same two girls we were back in the day. I can't guarantee we'll dance in the living room to the Doors' "Light My Fire (long version)", but it's going to be a great few days, and it even looks as though the sun will be out, making me feel welcome.

Have a great weekend everyone. See you next week!

Eyes on the Prize: Weekend in Seattle!

2012-01-31T17:25:00.000-08:00

January has turned out to be a busier month than I would have thought. Maybe because so many things have to be signed, completed, redone, or otherwise changed or dealt with in a new year - but I feel like I haven't stopped this entire month! Not to mention Republican debate madness that has taken so much of my time. I don't know why, but I am just compelled to watch the craziness develop. Perhaps because it changes daily? I don't know but it has me glued to the radio, internet, and TV. So unlike me.
Today was busy from start to finish. A 7am conference call started me off. I sat through that like a zombie, wrapped in a big blanket to keep warm. Unlike most weeks, though, I actually had an interest in a part of the agenda today. Usually I have no idea (or interest really) in what most people are talking about. I am going off the principle that one day I, too, will have a clue as to what's actually going on beyond my little corner of the Education Department. Right now, all this talk of budgets and GL accounts makes me want to duck and cover. So for now I stay silent, keep the mute button on so no one hears me eating breakfast, and pipe up with a cheery "No!" when asked if I have anything additional to contribute. It's a paycheck, folks.
After the call I worked for a little bit, and then got ready for yoga. It's a good thing that class is at 10am because if it were any earlier, I would have such an easy time talking myself out of it. I was quite sore from yesterday's class, and was dreading what Tannis would do to us today. Her class is the hardest one I have all week (and sadly, she considers it a "soft" class...) and I didn't know how I would be able to do much. But Advil is a wonder drug, and by 10am I was ready to go. WOOT! It was a "wall class" today and we spent most of the hour and a half with our feet up the wall stretching this way and that. But then she/Tannis did manage to slip in the dreaded "Dolphin pose." Just hearing the word "dolphin" makes me break into a sweat now. I'm sure it's easy for some, but I have little or no upper body strength, and it's like doing down dog, but you're holding up your body with your forearms.

Looks easy? Try it. You'll be sweating huge drops like I do and shaking like a leaf. I have to rest my forehead on the ground, but you're really supposed to be up enough that your head "hangs loose." HAH! But you know what? I couldn't even lift my load when I first started, so.... baby steps.
Came home. Jumped in the shower and hosed off. Worked and worked. At 2:00 I had an eye exam for new reading glasses. I'd picked up L's new glasses last week, and while I was waiting I had a little look around and found me the CUTEST pair of Kate Spade frames. Kind of roundish and librarian looking. I love them, so I made my appointment and ordered them today.
Back home, worked some more and finished my day. In 3 days (Friday) I am getting on a plane and spending the weekend with my best and oldest friend Marion, in Seattle. I'm insanely excited to go. I've been watching the weather and it's been almost solid rain. The day I get there and, at least until Saturday, it will be sunny. I had to laugh when I saw that. The last time I was there - a couple of years ago - it was also bright and sunny, and everyone kept saying how weird that was. I have yet to see the daily downpour there. It's not too late to change, though!
I don't know exactly what we're going to do, but Friday night we'll stay in Seattle and have dinner there at a place that specializes in seafood/salmon. Very excited about that. I hope we'll go to the Pike's Marketplace again - I really enjoyed that. The rest of the time we will be in Olympia, where Marion lives. It doesn't matter what we do. We are the kind of friends who never grow apart. We just pick it up again. She has been my ally and best friend since we were 11. We met in 6th grade, and there's been a lot of living for both of us between our 11 year old selves and the wonderful women we are now. And we are wonderful. She told me she has lost her waist in the last year, and I say it's about time. I don't know when mine went, but it's definitely gone, and not likely to return - not in it's original form, anyway. But no matter. We will laugh, we will cook, we will shop, and who knows what else. We will stay up past her bedtime, and when she can't stay up anymore, I will read my Kindle book ("Killing Lincoln" is the latest) until I'm sleepy. It's going to be a glorious weekend where we can just be 2 girls together, catching up on the last two years apart. L was so wise to send me on my own - it's going to be fun, hilarious, and poignant all at once. A weekend to come home and savor.

Pictures will be forthcoming. I'll take the camera, and do my best to document. We are a long way from those girls we used to be (in many cases, THANK GOODNESS!) Here is Marion in all of her 9th grade sophistication sporting new desert boots and cords and velour top:

And then there's me, around the same era, give or take a year. Oh, how I wished for that long, straight blonde hair and the sultry beauty. But no. It was not to be. Here I am feeding Marions duck - Phoebe June. (Yes, that beautiful girl had a duck AND a lamb, Waldo Wigglesworth. And a dog and 2 crazy cats.)

I was, as my mother so unappealingly put it back then "pretty in my own way." Definitely not the way I wanted to be. But we grow and change, and high school looks and confidence don't matter so much anymore. We have come into our own after life's knocks and bruises and successes and triumphs. But underneath it all, we are still like these two little girls (Lexi and Mia) when we get a change to get together and whoop it up. So happy to be there enjoying the heck out of ourselves, and loving every minute. Old friends are the best. They know where all the bodies are buried and they love us anyway.

Politics, Cousins, and Namaste

2012-01-26T21:38:00.000-08:00

I'm up to my neck in Republican debates. I think I need an intervention, because I've become obsessed. I used to listen to Radio Paradise (internet radio) in the background while I worked. The last couple of days I've been horrified to find myself listening to *gasp* Rush Limbaugh and others on the radio, spouting their opinions, while I'm trying to form mine. I've always hated Rush Limbaugh. But all of a sudden I think he knows things I don't, and so I listen. So far, though, he doesn't.
Politics, for the most part, confuses me. It always seems to be one lie, after half truth, after a wink and a nod. Often times, the person with the prettiest speech, or the debater with the most drama and fireworks doesn't really seem to be the best candidate, after the cameras are turned off and you have time to really think about what was said. And it's disheartening to realize how much most of them twist the truth. I think one of the candidates is a cute but crazy little Mister Magoo. Another one I just loathe. Not so much his ideas or policies, as I just don't like him. He's smug and self righteous - at least that's how he comes off to me. A third one is brilliant but scares the crap out of me.
So I think I know who I like, but now its the angst of listening to all of the pundits and critics out there, and the roller coaster of wondering who will come out the winner. It's not like me to be so involved, but I think this time we really have a lot at stake, so I'm trying to be as involved and informed as I can be. And it's driving me a little bit crazy.
My kids all got together recently with their dad in Colorado, and everyone had a great time together. My daughter Katie was able to snap a few pictures while she was there - about 500 of them, to be exact. Now, while I don't expect to see all 500 right away, I was happy when she sent me the first batch of little cousin pictures. Do you remember being a kid, and the fun of playing with your cousins? Well, this was that same joy. I hear Mia cried all the way to the airport and beyond when it was time to leave. So this is what distracts me from politics - thinking about all of these little sweethearts, and planning my next visit to see them.

Cousins in their jammies: Lexi, Mia, and Matthew

After jumping on the bed...

Can't forget about little Skylee - the happiest baby since her daddy!

Matthew, Lexi, and Skylee - the Denver cousins

Miss Lexi

And Matthew - Mr GQ himself

You may notice that Hayden was not represented in this group of pictures. I am told she was taking a nap. Heaven knows that sometimes Mommy needs a little respite from the "Girl Who Says NO" so we will all have to wait for another group of pictures to catch a glimpse of her 2 year old sassy self. I am impatient, but Katie has been down with the flu since returning to Massachusetts (damn you, airplane!), and it wouldn't be nice to badger her for more pictures, I'm thinking.

The diet is going well. The weight isn't budging much, but the diet is going well. I'm feeling a little better, which translates to the yoga isn't kicking my butt as hard as it was the first 3 weeks. I actually had a good class this morning. I felt improvement for the first time. Stronger, like I was actually getting somewhere. I held the Warrior I pose like a champ. My forward bend is as good as anyones (I can place my palms flat on the mat!) And to reward myself, I got a new yoga mat. I tend to work up a sweat in yoga. I haven't yet reached that stage of good yoga where I come out looking fresh as a daisy like on the yoga videos - or like my instructor, for that matter. I look pretty dampish and destroyed, actually. Today my bun came all undone onto my sweaty face. And to do a downward dog on a mat when your palms are sweaty - well, my friends, you just SLIDE. Comedy and danger all at once. So my new mat is sticky on the bottom so it won't slide on the floor, but the top is kind of carpet-y. And I don't slip and slide during downward dog. My arms and shoulders shake, but I do not slide. And THAT is progress. Today we meditated, and let our hands roam freely with the music. I keep my eyes closed. I do not want to see what others are doing, and I definitely don't want to see what I look like, swaying and meditating. It can't be pretty, is all I'm saying. But at least it keeps me from thinking about Republicans and the next debate.

Rainy Days & Soup and Scones

2012-01-24T20:34:00.000-08:00

This week I've gotten back into cooking. The last few weeks have been spent recovering from the holidays, celebrating our anniversary, and simply winding down from all of the excitement. I still have a trip or two up my sleeve, but for at least the next week and a half, I can get down to business and start cooking healthy meals again.
I haven't been doing great harm - it's just that we've either been out of town, or we've plain old eaten out too much. It seems that once you start doing that, it's a hard habit to break. Every night becomes another night where you just don't feel like cooking. Or I'd not get my grocery list done. Or... well, you see what happens at our house.
Yesterday was cold and rainy. All day long the rain came down. Sometimes it was a good downpour, like in the morning when I went out to my yoga class, and at other time it was more of a gentle but steady mist. We don't see a lot of rainy days here in Southern California, and I love them, as long as I don't have to drive around too much. And I didn't have to go anywhere but yoga yesterday, so it was warm and cozy in the house while I sat at the window working and looking out at the rain coming down and splashing in the street. After awhile, when the rain let up a bit, I took the camera outside and took a few practice shots with my 50 mm lens.

The raindrops clinging to fresh green ficus leaves

My last juicy sweet orange on the tree, washed clean from the rain

Raindrops on patio furniture

I love a rainy day

Well, the crisp, damp outdoors led to thoughts of baking, so around 3:30 I went downstairs and mixed up some Lemon Blueberry Scones. I patted the dough into a circle and divided it into 12 triangles. Before baking I brushed each triangle with heavy cream and sprinkled it with sanding sugar for sparkle and crunch. Honestly - I fully intended to have a couple of them ourselves, and then send the rest with L to work. He wasn't having it, and they're still sitting down on the counter, waiting for him to get home and snack on them. And I have to admit, I did have another one with my eggs this morning. *sigh* I love to bake. There's something so satisfying about mixing up dough, throwing in some hand grated lemon zest and fresh lemon juice, and a container of fresh blueberries, and baking the whole thing up. It makes me feel capable and safe, and gives me the illusion of a life rich in abundance. Even if the abundance is in the form of scones bursting with blueberries and lemon flavor.

What they lack in beauty was made up in their Blueberry Lemon flavor...

Tonight, the abundance took on the form of homemade Roasted Tomato Basil Soup. It's still on the stove simmering away, waiting for L to get home. We'll have them with smoked mozzarrella paninis. I got the idea on this blog, and I couldn't get it out of my head. It took almost no time at all to do, and it's filled the house with this incredibly rich aroma of oven roasted tomatoes, onions and fresh basil.
I guess my point is how much beauty and enjoyment good cooking can add to a hard day. I can have the hardest day ever, and as soon as my work laptop turns off, or I take a break to go to the kitchen and get started with the dinner prep, I can feel tension leaving. And as the sights and smells starting layering into another delicious meal, I can't help but feel that I'm living the good life.

An Anniversary and a Funeral

2012-01-17T21:24:00.000-08:00

Back from our whirlwind anniversary trip to Las Vegas - it all went so fast! We arrived late Sunday afternoon and got settled into our SUITE. I love suites. I love feeling like I'm in a small house, and where the bathroom has an area for makeup and hair drying that is separate from the sinks, and all of that is separate from the shower. It was perfect even before you factored in the huge shower with the equally huge shower head that hit you with water pressure that was... ahhhh...well... perfect. And guess what else we had? A great big hot tub! It was right in front of the windows so you could look out at the view while you soaked and let the jets massage your bones - just like in those Viagra commercials, only it was inside instead of in front of a lake. It was awesome. And then there was a big living area outside the bedroom that was also surrounded by windows with a nice view of the strip. I loved every minute we were in it.
We had a nice dinner on Sunday night and then took a Sabbath walk around the place. One thing I discovered, is that the older I get, the more annoying all the noise of the casino is. New York New York is kind of fun because it's very theme-y with lots of fun restaurants and little bistros. But the noise, and crowds and smoke soon drove us outside to look at the view from the bridge that leads across to the MGM. I snapped this picture with my i-Phone looking north up the strip. You can see the Paris Hotel waaaay off in the distance.

L and I both decided that Las Vegas is a city best seen at night. The lights are flashy and even a little beautiful in a tawdry sort of way at night. But in the daylight it all seems a little bit tired and like it's trying too hard. But that's just on the strip. I can honestly say I haven't really had much of a chance to see where the real people live, in real homes - rather than the gorgeously decadent Bellagio or the sleek Wynn and Encore resorts. Anyway, after a short while we'd had enough of the hustle and bustle and sparkly manic tourists. We made our way inside, up the elevator in the New York Tower and down a hall to our room. Our suite. And the rest of that night, my friends, stays in Las Vegas.

**********************************************************************************

The next day - Monday - was kind of special. To back up, a few days earlier I heard from an old friend that their oldest daughter had passed away suddenly. Tahna had been one of my kids' favorite babysitters back in the day. She was fun and sparkly, with a wicked sense of humor. I can't describe the essence of her spirit, but she was the kind of girl who made you laugh and smile just being around her. She was bright and articulate and enthusiastic. Life, as so often happens, had not always been kind, but things were looking up and getting better. And suddenly she was gone, taking her light and her sparkle with her. She lived in Las Vegas with her husband close to another sister, and so her funeral was held there - coincidently on the same weekend we were there. I couldn't stay away from such a momentous occasion, and I was glad I'd taken the time to go. Her family is incredible. Absolutely rock solid, these people, with unshakable faith that they will see their daughter and sister again. It was inspiring to spend time with them, and I left with a good feeling in my soul.
Our next stop that day was the LDS temple in Las Vegas. It was closed, but we wandered the grounds and communed with the spot where L proposed to me so many years ago.

YES - this is the very bench where said proposal was offered!

On that evening 12 1/2 years ago, we wandered the same grounds, and wound our way through the walkways, coming to rest on this bench that sits next to a pool of water. Yep - that's where my sweetheart went down on one knee and asked me to spend our forevers together. So it's kind of a sacred spot to me. It started this whole crazy ball rolling.

The day was a pretty one - blue skies, but with a crisp, cool breeze blowing. I couldn't help thinking of Tahna, and feeling strangely comforted in this spiritual place. Seriously, even the grounds of our temples have a beautiful feeling surrounding them. L and I soaked up the atmosphere of The Bench, reliving our memories, and wandered around taking other pictures. Here are a couple of the better ones:

I always love the Angel Moroni blowing his trumpet - a beautiful sight for miles around.

A side entrance that shows off the unusual architecture

And finally, the last picture that shows the bare branches of the trees set against the bright blue sky, the steeple of the adjoining church off in the distance.

When we returned to the hotel, we were a little tuckered out from all the emotion and communing with spiritual and sacred memories, so we decided to watch a movie. Puss in Boots was just the thing. Lighthearted. Fun. We really are a couple of geeks. But we are a couple of geeks in perfect harmony, at least most of the time.

Later that night we went to visit an elderly aunt and uncle of L's, (a sister of his dad's) along with a couple of cousins. I'd never met them, and so it was a quick, fun visit that will be another good memory. So on our little adventure we had a night of romance and fun that was just for us, and then we had a spiritually fulfilling Friends & Family Day. Both days had more than a little bit of emotion added to the general equation, but I think that the most memorable times in our lives are always tied to great heartfelt emotion.

Our last morning started early with a 7am conference call for me for work. I was able to catch up on some work while listening, and so it wasn't for naught. Afterwards, we jumped into some comfy clothes and had breakfast downstairs at Al Forneio. *contented sigh* It was delicious: Omelette al Fornaggi

(4 cheese omelette), breakfast potatoes, pancakes, and orange juice. We breakfasted like kings, and when satisfied we went back up to Rm 1234 and packed up to go.

It was a good weekend for this boy

and this girl.

Sorry for the sunglasses, but the sun was BRIGHT!

It was a weekend that somewhat mirrored our lives - a little bit of everything thrown together in a bit of a pleasant mishmash. Not your traditional anniversary weekend, you say? Probably not. Not many people celebrate 12 years combining hot tub romance, a funeral, and a visit with the elders in one trip. It wasn't all about us. But I'm finding that the best things in life rarely are.

Celebrating our 12th!

2012-01-13T21:25:00.000-08:00

Tonight we're just kicking back. L had a crazy day at work being on deadline before a big trade show, and everyone wanting their printed material designed. Today. He was a little bit frazzled when he got home. And me? Just a typical Friday the 13th. I'd been registering physicians for a little meeting called the Florida EP Summit. Thinking, you know, that it was a meeting for EPs... in Florida... One of the company faculty called me in a huff today wondering who the idiot was who'd registered 2 docs from Kansas and New York. Um... that would be me. Because I didn't realize it was a meeting for Florida EP's. ONLY EP's from Florida. Not from Kansas or New York.
Well, after I'd stumbled over myself about 15 times, we ended up having a good laugh over it, because he knows I don't know nearly all the ropes yet, and frankly, trying to know all the ropes in this company's education department is like herding cats. It's a constantly moving target. And we both knew it, so all was forgiven. This time. Then, at the end of the day when I was trying to complete my big weekly report, I lost all access to the key website I need. And apparently, it was a problem in Minneapolis at the Mother Ship, so I just turned off my laptop and began my weekend.
L made dinner tonight - chicken tacos! They were so delicious - more so because I didn't snack at all this afternoon. And this is week two with no sweets. Am I awesome or what? Even better: I've dropped 4 pounds!!! And while I realize that by telling you, the Internet, that I've lost four pounds I've effectively shot myself in the foot and jinxed the whole thing, maybe... just maybe I've actually got a handle on this self control thing. That would be very cool indeed. I still fantasize about eating chocolate, but it's getting so it's more fun thinking about doing it than actually doing it. Well, that's what I tell myself, anyway.
This weekend is L's and my 12th anniversary. It's been a great run, just jam packed with living.

I'm not sure if he knew what he was getting himself into. We've seen 3 kids graduate from high school, 3 graduate from college, 4 kids married, and now we have 5 grandkiddies. We've nursed each other through sickness (but I have still not thrown up when he was home to hear it - HA!) and we've had a ton of fun in times of health. We have grown and changed in ways we wouldn't have dreamed of, and we're better people because of it. Through it all we are still each other's best friend. It's great to snuggle each night and wake up each morning with the person who has your back every minute of the day. He gives me confidence and calms me down. He vacuums and dusts.

I do the laundry, and I bring him boldness and teach him that there really are brighter and prettier colors than gray and navy blue AND that they're totally wearable. He taught me how to maneuver through airports by myself, and that it is NOT okay to eat a hunk of cheese or spoonfuls of peanut butter when dining alone. I must make balanced meals, even if it's just for me. Maybe especially if it's just for me. He likes it when I respect myself like that. I like it when he lets me rub his feet and legs, and take care of him for a change. He's always so busy taking care of me, and I am always so busy enjoying it that sometimes he doesn't get his fair share, I think. But I try. We are just two old geezers who have a good time hanging out together, usually making fun of anything and everything. He is very funny - wickedly so - but most people would never know that upon first observation as he likes everyone to think he's very serious and dull. But he didn't fool me, luckily. I would have missed out on 12 years of crazy love.

We are going to have a little weekend in honor of our anniversary. We're returning to the scene of his proposal to me: Las Vegas. I know - it doesn't scream romance, does it? But I'm telling you, 12 1/2 years ago on the grounds of the LDS temple in Las Vegas one summer evening, this incredibly sweet man (who had been as jumpy as a cat all day, I might add) got down on one knee and asked me to be his true companion for all eternity. And it was ROMANTIC. I'll never forget it. So if you want to find us this weekend ( and please don't) we'll be at New York New York in a SUITE! I'm so excited to get away for a couple of days with my sweetheart.
Katie called me yesterday and said it was snowing in Massachusetts. She and the girls were having a snuggle day with movies. One of the movies they rented was Shirley Temple in "Heidi." Does anyone remember that one? Does anyone remember the Shirley Temple movies every Sunday afternoon? I used to love those. And "Heidi" was one of my favorites. I wanted to eat toasted cheese sandwiches and drink my milk out of a bowl just like Heidi. I was such a dork, but I didn't know any better. And I hope that Mia is a dork and wants to drink her milk out of a bowl like Heidi too. Katie snapped a picture of her in the snowfall. There's nothing like a child to capture the look of pure joy, is there?

You all have a lovely weekend. I'll be with my homeboy in Las Vegas. Living it up in our suite. *wink* And hopefully I will keep those 4 pounds off.

Yes, I know... those arms are going to need months and MONTHS of yoga...

But look at the LOVE in our eyes!

Eating Well and Yoga Excess

2012-01-10T20:15:00.000-08:00

Since I'm trying to lose some poundage, and avoid carbs, naturally all I do is think about food, and what I'm going to eat next. *sigh* I'll be glad when this phase is over... But I have some good news for all of you that are in my camp.
To back up, one our sons and his wife sent us a lovely gift from the store in one of Chef Mario Batali's restaurants.

It included 3 types of pasta, and 2 different jars of pasta sauce. Since I'm trying so hard to avoid carbs, this gift has caused me to look in the pantry more than once with a heavy sigh. But here's where the good news comes in. A few days ago I was finishing my breakfast and watching the Today Show. They had a nutritionist on talking about diets, helpful hints, etc. Normally, anything they say during these types of segments I never do. Either they don't work for me, or - well, they just don't work for me. But this time it was different. She talked about a serving of pasta being 1 cup, and she suggested replacing 1/2 cup of that serving with spaghetti squash. In doing this, not only do you eliminate the carb equivalent of 5 slices of bread (in my world that is more than 2 1/2 days worth of carbs!) but you gain all kinds of vitamins and antioxidents from the squash.
Well, tonight was the night. L was home early and he made some killer meatballs.

yeah... they looked just like this. Mmmmmm...

We threw in fresh oregano and fresh thyme, freshly grated Parmesan, Worcestershire sauce, freshly ground breadcrumbs, and anything else we could think of to make them tasty. The jar of sauce we chose was a basil tomato sauce. It contained just that: tomato and basil. It needed some help so we added some seasonings (salt, fresh ground pepper and garlic), some heavy cream (just a touch!) and some diced sauteed onions. The squash finished baking and we served ourselves 1/2 cup of that, and 1/2 cup of pasta (well, I did anyway - I don't monitor L's portions!) We served ourselves some of that new, improved sauce, some meatballs, and threw more freshly grated Parmesan on top. {{HEAVEN}} I have to say that I didn't miss that extra portion of pasta in the least. In fact, I could probably do 100% squash if it were just me - although the pasta gave it a nice texture - a little more full. Now bear in mind that we dumbed down the health factor a little bit by adding the cream to the sauce - but I love me a creamy sauce, and it wasn't more than a couple of tablespoons. And a girl's got to live a little bit, right?
Today I'm feeling a little bit self righteous as I attended a (for me) REALLY DIFFICULT yoga class this morning. So difficult that I had to take a nap at around 2pm. Seriously - it wiped me out that much! And then at 3:00, L moseyed through the door all hot to go bike riding. So off we went. It was nice to have a nice ride with my sweetheart - I got him gabbing like a girl and I enjoyed it thoroughly. But holy cats I am sore tonight!! Not from the bike, but from freaking yoga. I need to go take about a bottle of Advil and collapse.
Anyway - I felt I could have a little bit of pasta after all of that. But do try the squash substitution - just half and half until you see how you like it. I liked having a little bit of pasta mixed in as the texture was better that way, but you may find you like just the squash. Like I said, I think I could do either.

What are some healthy tips and tricks that you've tried? I would really like to know if anyone has a good idea for when you hit the wall and just want something sweet or carby. Today was like that for me - after that class I came home and had a good high protein lunch but about 1:30 I was dying again. My body hurt, and was craving sugar (probably for a pick me up?) I compromised and had a few pieces of dried fruit. Kind of high carb, but better than candy or something starchy. It was the best I could come up with in my addled, achey frame of mind. But I'd love to know how some of you handle that situation.
That's it for today. I'm exhausted - or as a neighbor of my daughter's says: I'm "dishausted." I'm off to wash my face and fall into bed. Tomorrow is another day, and another yoga class - which, unless the Excedrin and Advil really do their jobs and I'm feeling a lot better I think I'll ditch out on. But just for tomorrow. A day of rest, in respect for my body, and I'll be as good as new.

Self Discipline? Yes Please...

2012-01-05T21:39:00.000-08:00

Reporting in on my New Year's goals. Doing well on the eating better part. Ditto on the drink more water part. I've really been conscious of ditching bad carbs (which includes everything I love) and going for more protein. The Christmas treats are all gone - eaten or given away. Except for one thing. A secret thing. There's a 1 pound box of See's Candy - nuts and chews - that never got eaten or gifted. I put it in one of the drawers of my armoire in my office.

Until today I barely even thought about it. But this afternoon it started calling to me. I think it even screamed my name a couple of times. And do you know the only thing that's really stopped me from digging into it? It's still wrapped in the See's Christmas wrap. I know. It makes no sense. I just know that if the box were open, I'd have mowed through it by now. The fact that I'd have to literally break through a seal of sorts just stops me. For now.
I worked all day today not 10 feet away from it's hiding place. It whispered to me of it's chocolate goodness. It's caramel and nutty crunch. When I was fresh back from yoga class, I laughed it off and got to work. I had a high protein lunch of roasted turkey slices. I was satisfied. But about 3:00 I wasn't laughing anymore. And it wasn't whispering anymore. It was taunting me.
So I kept in mind that L and I are having ourselves a weekend in Las Vegas in a couple of weeks for our anniversary. I want to feel good, as in not bloated. A couple of weeks after that, I am flying up to Seattle for a long weekend visit with my friend Marion. She is cute and darling. I want to be cute and darling too - as in smaller belly. A couple of weeks after that, I am flying to Scottsdale, AZ to help with an education program for work. The two ladies I am helping are beautiful blonde Swedes. I can't be that, but I can at least try to be a few to several pounds lighter. My quick wit will have to kick in to compensate for the rest.
I have gone to yoga class every day this week. It made me very sore at first. My quads are still a little whiney, which is a little surprising to me because of all the bike riding. But I guess they've been used in a different way with yoga? Today we did all kinds of ab poses and leg lift poses that also worked abs. My stomach is sore. But I'm excited to see - in a month's time - how much stronger I'll get. And I don't want to think that all of that hard work has gone to waste because I couldn't resist a box of See's candy. Or a box of anything. I've always been able to do the hard work, but I haven't always been able to resist undermining it with sweets and carbs. So that is my goal this year, my friends - to see what happens when hard work and healthy eating and a little bit of self control all combine into one mighty effort. I was watching a bit on losing weight on the Today Show yesterday, and they said you had to have a plan (I do) and it was a good idea to announce your intentions to make it a reality. So I'm doing that now, in front of you, the internet.
I know a lot of you are also trying to do the same thing, or something similar. We'll support each other, cheer each others' successes, and talk each other down from the edge of sugar insanity. I know from going through it before (and not by choice) that it takes only about a week to lose your sugar craving. It happened to me when I had my first baby. I'd had a C-section and at that time they put you completely out. When you got your first meal, it was started slowly with a soft diet, and they brought you along gradually. My room was directly across from the nurses station. I could see that it was filled with doughnuts, pies - all kinds of deliciousness. I kept thinking that if I were very quick, maybe I could just sneak in there and grab something. The cravings were terrible! But with a sore belly, I certainly wasn't quick, and I definitely wasn't brave enough. (Pity my conscience wasn't bothering me about possible thievery, but that's a story for another day.) So I sat in my room and craved sugar for about 4 days. I got to go home on the 5th day, and I found that sweets didn't tempt me the way they had been. It had only taken a few days to get it out of my system. It lasted for a few weeks, and then I caved in and ate some See's candy someone had given me (do you see a pattern here?) and that was that. You can NOT let the devil back in once you've shut the door. He just gets meaner and more manipulative.
So that's my little sugar story. And now, almost 35 years later I am FINALLY serious enough to give it my best effort. When I was younger I could lose weight just by wanting to. These days, if I just look at a piece of bread I gain a pound or two. Carbs - especially yummy sugary ones - are not to be trusted and must be eaten (by me, anyway) only in very limited quantities. It certainly sucks a lot of fun out of life, but at this point, I think I'd rather feel lighter and not so thick. I want to see some results from the workouts. I want to be a goddess. *mulling that over* OK, OK - I just want to feel lighter and not so thick. Let's keep the expectations realistic.
This is day 2 with no treats. I have at least 2 or 3 more to go before it gets a little easier. Wish me luck, send me high fives, give me a virtual WOOT WOOT. And I will certainly do the same for you. Whatever the monkey is on our back, let's all gird our loins, hitch up our britches, and keep our eyes on the prize. Because we are awesome.

Putting In The Miles

2012-01-02T22:28:00.000-08:00

End of the bike trail today in Huntington Beach... ocean directly ahead.

Happy New Year everyone! Did you all have an exciting New Year's Eve? We didn't, but it was nice all the same. L and I got on our bikes and rode 14 miles - all the way to Angel Stadium and back. It was really fun while we were doing it, but I was so tired after we got home - nothing that a nice hot shower didn't cure, however! I took some time after washing my hair to curl it and then we went out and had a little dinner at our favorite little Mexican restaurant - Mi Casa. It's funny - it's not so much my favorite because the food is like no other. The food is good, but not great. What I like is that it's very neighborhood-y - that "come as you are" kind of place where you can look really nice, but you'll be just as comfortable in jeans and no makeup (which is how I usually go there). We had a quiet little dinner and found our way home before all of the idiots got on the road after partying. About 8:30 I caught Katie on Face Time (just before her New Year came!) and was able to visit with her for a few minutes. We watched a little TV and rang in the new year with a Cold Play concert on PBS. Homeboy and I gave each other a kiss at midnight to ring in the new year and went to sleep. For an hour. Then I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep until about 2:30 - after I'd made my next move on Words With Friends and read a little of one of my Kindle books.

And oh, my friends - 9:00 church came early on New Year's Day. But luckily! - I had washed and curled my hair the night before and it still looked good so it was a jump out of bed, 5 minute shower, quick makeup and out the door kind of morning. And when we got back home after church? Why, L and I treated each other to a 2 hour nap! Ooooh that felt good. And then the real fun began.

TAKING DOWN THE CHRISTMAS CRAP. Yes, yes - it was THAT dreaded weekend. Although, in all reality, I was kind of looking forward to it. And now, with the house looking spare and zen, my seashells back up on the mantle. and everything freshly dusted and vacuumed, it feels very, very good. Light and bright, if you will. Moving on into 2012.

Today, again, was yet another day of holiday/no work. I was thinking it WAS a work day, though, and I started in at about 8am - until I realized (by looking at who was available on Instant Messenger and realizing NO ONE WAS WORKING) that I wasn't supposed to be working yet either. So I quietly turned off my laptop and rejoiced. Sang a quiet hallelujah in my heart.
We watched the Rose Parade on TV for a little bit. A Palomino horse in a group of riders got excited, reared up, and actually fell over in the street. I've NEVER seen that happen before! His poor rider didn't seem to be hurt (luckily!) and led him alongside the rest of the group by the reins. We turned the TV off and it didn't go on the rest of the day - not even for football games. I read later online that Oregon won the Rose Bowl game - go Ducks!

L and I went on another good bike ride. This time we started down in Costa Mesa and rode a little more than 5.5 miles to the beach. Right onto the sand. It was about 82 degrees, sunny and gorgeous. We parked the Explorer in a strip mall parking lot and hopped on the trail at Segerstrom Street. It was beautifully maintained and it was so enjoyable to look at different scenery from what we've been used to. The trail led us past neighborhoods, a little greenbelt park, and then ran alongside a canal that led to the ocean. About a mile out we could smell the ocean and salt air. Once we got there, we sat on some rocks and rested, drinking some water while we watched the waves in the distance.

And then we hopped on our bikes and pedaled back the way we came. The way back was a little more difficult, being slightly uphill and against the wind. But we did it! We figured the distance was about 11.5 miles, and on such a beautiful day it was a treat.
On the way home we were starving so we stopped at In 'n Out for a hamburger and fries - and a Diet Coke! I know, I know... that pretty much neutralized any benefit gained from riding the 11 miles. But I don't remember when a hamburger tasted so good! When we got back home, after putting the bikes away L took down the rest of the Christmas lights and I cleaned out the closet in my office. So now everything fits, and it's nice and neat. You can actually find what you're looking for now, and all of my boots fit on the top shelf. I do love a neat closet.
L went for a haircut, and after that we ventured out to our newest fascination: Home Goods. It's like TJ Maxx for furniture and, well... home goods. Besides furniture they have lamps, mirrors, shelving, artwork, throw pillows, decorative items of every sort, shape and size, a bedding department, children's section, and heaven help me, a kitchen section - which I did NOT visit tonight so as to keep my focus. We went in looking for some new sleeping pillows. We found those AND a perfect shelf to put my Hummels on, AND a dress form. I know. That's random. But I saw one in a bedroom in the Restoration Hardware catalog, and it looked so pretty standing in a corner. I have it wearing my 3 long necklaces - you know, the ones that are usually tangled up in a box. This way, they stay nice and straight. And I threw an ivory pashmina scarf around it that I never wear - it's an acquisition from back in the day when I worked for Frette - an Italian luxury linen store - and we were required to wear these scarves for a store event. I've never worn it since. I guess I'm not much of a scarf person - probably because it's rarely cold enough here to wear them. Love the look, but when I get them on, I feel all hot and sweaty. So I keep them for that random day that happens to dip below 60 degrees. Or when I go to the movies, because heaven knows those theaters are FREEZING.
Speaking of movies, on Monday L and I went to see Hugo. I didn't know what to expect - the promo clips don't really tell you much. Again - I loved it! It's a pretty long movie, so I don't know if toddlers or even children under 8 could sit through it, but otherwise it's a movie the whole family can go to. Directed by Martin Scorsese (is that how you spell it?) and the cast ranges from from Ben Kingsley to Jude Law to Sasha Baron Cohen (BORAT!) of all people. Really good. Go see it. I think I might like to read the book as well.
So that's the new year wrap from our house. We are boring old geezers, but we have a good time together. Tomorrow it's back to work (which, luckily, is just down the hall from my bed), and the routine goes back to normal. One new thing - I decided to go back to my yoga studio. I find I'm not able to get a long bike ride in on a daily basis, and I need to move more to offset the 8 hours of sitting at a computer every day. So yay! - yoga and cycling for 2012! We'll see if I can make some of those extra pounds budge. (please, please, please... )
I can hear L in there turning on the TV. Time to settle in and relax. And I think I'm just tired enough tonight to sleep like a log.

Christmas Celebrations and the 2011 Wrap Up

2011-12-29T13:39:00.000-08:00

Holy cats - I feel like I've been under water for weeks! Christmas was one event after another - mostly involving L and I feeding people. It's what we like to do, but the planning, the shopping, the cooking and serving - the plain old time on your feet! - just takes it out of you.
This year Christmas Eve was a throwback to a few years ago,where my whole family all gathered together - only this time it was at our house. Our house is small, to put it mildly, and that's why, in recent years, we've split off from everyone else, as we had children and their young families here for the holidays and that was a big enough crowd to deal with. Plus, we wanted to concentrate on the children and grandchildren we don't get to see very often. This year was different because we had no out of town family here, so we felt we could handle the remaining bunch. Again, my house doesn't have the space for a sit down dinner for 20, so it was open house style. Everyone arrived when they were able to within a loose time frame, and everyone brought a holiday sweet or snack to share with everyone. L and I cooked up a big pot of beef chili (no beans!), and had cheese and sour cream to garnish. A crock pot brewing spiced pear cider and a couple of large trays of cookies completed our offering. I was so surprised - the chili just DISAPPEARED! For some reason, I never thought that everyone would go for it, and I never imagined that people would go back for more! So yay - it was a hit! The cookies were also popular - except for the peanut butter ones dipped in chocolate and crushed peanuts. Hmmmm... I'll have to rethink those, I guess. The surprise hit was the plate of key lime coconut bars. And they were absolutely delicious, but they didn't come out of the pan very neat and pretty, so I had my doubts. Even my diet conscious brother Chris couldn't stay away from them - now THAT is a compliment!
About an hour into it almost everyone had arrived, and the party got going. I think one of the things I enjoyed most was seeing Scott and Ashley and my nieces and nephews visiting and having fun. I'm sorry to say that I didn't get photos of everyone, but I managed to snap these few:

Nephew John and Scott deep in conversation

Nephew John, Scott (who can never resist making a face),

Ashley and nephew Tom (texting on his phone)

My niece Margot (so happy to be home from BYU for the holidays!)

Niece Margot (center) Sister in law Jill (right) and Jill's mother Shirley (left)

So typical, I never got one shot of my other brother Brent and his family, my Aunt Margie, or one of my parents, or any of L - although he's usually hiding in the kitchen behind the scenes. I get so busy making sure everyone is comfortable, or just visiting that I forget to get the camera out. This is where I wish Katie could come to every family gathering to document them with her photography. She does it so well, and so naturally. *sigh* Massachusetts is so far away...

When the party finally broke up about 9:30, I suddenly realized that I'd never made any hot chocolate the way I'd planned to. GAH - I guess I'm going to have to start writing the menus down so I remember. I'd gotten a gallon of milk and Williams Sonoma Salted Caramel Chocolate and was really looking forward to it. L and I have had a couple of cups since, but the two of us will never plow through a gallon of milk. (We don't really drink milk otherwise...) But L and I were able to sit down together in the cozy living room, enjoying the low lights, and reflecting on the meaning of Christmas and the desire to be more present in the lives of our nieces of nephews. They are a special bunch of young adults - some with little ones of their own - and I know from experience that sometimes good parents are just not enough. Good aunts and uncles can be a powerful positive influence in the lives of family members. So maybe that is one of my New Year's resolutions. Oh yes - and L opened up his surprise gift: a little Christmas house to go along with his newly purchased train set. Here is a little snippet of the fun:

Christmas Day dawned as a beautiful morning and resulting day. We headed to church for an hour, met Scott and Ashley there, and then came back for a light lunch of panini sandwiches, salad, and leftover treats. I don't know about you, but by the time Christmas Day comes, I'm tired of cooking so we always make the meal that day very simple. Plus, we always have drop in company, so it's nice to have something quick and easy to fix for whoever comes by. Luckily, we had enough cookies to serve an army, plus cheese and crackers, and a myriad of other treats to choose from.

Before Scott and Ashley left to have some of the remaining day to themselves, I was able to snap these two pictures of them:

*dabbing away tears* Such a beautiful couple! It was so fun to have them here to share the holiday and fun times with. They are both a real joy to us.

Katie sent us some pictures of their family's first Christmas in New England. Mia got the little doggy she was hoping for:

Apparently, you can take it for a walk (with a remote control leash!) as well as fix it's hair, tail and ears with various barrettes and clips. Oh what fun for a little girl!
Mia also enjoyed a new scooter, and Hayden a new little bike that is (almost) her size:

And Katie was able to snap this stunning one of Hayden just playing in her room:

Now, the Denver camp is still undocumented, but I understand that Ronna received a new camera for Christmas, so I'm sure those pictures will start coming in any day now. I did talk to Lexi and Matthew on Christmas morning and Lexi chattered happily about everything that Santa had brought her. Matthew is only three, and he was having trouble finding the words to describe his riches, but Mema understood. Maybe next year we will be able to spend Christmas with one of these precious families, as it was very hard to be so far away this year. Something to start dreaming about...
L and I made history and saw 2 movies in the same week. On Monday we went to see War Horse. It's a gorgeous movie, with a beautiful score. And if you love horses like I do, it also had some magnificent horses in it. You have to let your imagination flow, as it's less realistic than it is sort of Black Beauty-ish - you know, where the horse takes on almost human characteristics. But I don't mind things like that and I enjoyed it very much. The war scenes are horrific - maybe not for teeny tiny kids, but certainly fine for anyone a little older. But war IS horrific, and it portrayed it accurately.
The second movie was the Sherlock Holmes one. 4 THUMBS UP!! (Both L's and mine) This was a treat from start to finish. It moves fast and small children may not understand the story line but it's a movie the whole family can go to. You'll love it.
And that wraps up the Christmas report from our camp. It was busy, complete with good food and many laughs. Oh - AND my nephew Arron got engaged to sweet Ashley! So we had our bit of special family congratulations as well. I hope you are all well and happy, and that your celebrations were similarly joyous. It was good to have that hour of church in the middle of the festivities to remind us of the reason we give gifts, love our fellow man a little more than usual, and strive to keep our families close. I hope you were all able to find that same silent night and holy moment within your own family celebrations.

2011 has been a roller coaster ride for me and my family. A year of stress and angst, as well as a year of triumphs, two beautiful new family members (adult and infant), and dedications to greater joy and better living. I could not love my family more than I do. They are my life and my greatest joy. And I'm doubly blessed to have my greatest friend and partner at my side to weather each storm and celebrate each joyful event with me. Side by side, hand in hand. Here's wishing us all a beautiful 2012, full of many joys, few sorrows, and the strength to live well with love, grace, humility, and charity. Here's to us all, and our limitless possibilities.

Visions of Sugarplums

2011-12-19T21:04:00.000-08:00

I just have 4 things to say:

1. Oatmeal toffee cookies - 5 dozen
2. Cranberry Noels - 5 dozen
3. Molasses Cookies - 5 dozen
4. Peanut Butter Cookies dipped in chocolate and chopped peanuts - 2 dozen

All done. All baked. This has been my life for the past 3 days. Today Ashley came over and helped me bake and we had a good time. I couldn't have done it without her, actually. AND - we even got in a little lunch at Knowlwood's. The food was ok, the company was stellar.
Two more batches of cookies to go: Jam Thumbprints and Key Lime Coconut Bars.

Gifts all wrapped and under the tree with the exception of two: One should be UPS delivered on Thursday (thank goodness for online tracking!) and the second one I am picking up tomorrow. It is a surprise for L. A real surprise and it's going to be fun to give it to him. I will share with pictures tomorrow. I had to buy it on the sly and trick him - I love it when I can do that!

I hear that the Denver grandkiddies, Lexi and Matthew, are wound up tight anticipating Christmas. I can't wait to talk to them on Christmas Day and hear all about Santa's visit. Skylee is still oblivious to the whole thing...
The Massachusetts girlies, Mia and Hayden, are feeling the strain of the anticipation and stimulation all around them and had a tough day today. I think their mother had an even tougher one. I will have to Face Time them tomorrow and see if I can give them a little love. I've been so wrapped up in my own business I've rather neglected them.
But for now, a warm bed, soft jammies and sleep beckon. It's been a long, long baking day combined with work. (I hate going back and forth between real life and work...) I hope you're all starting to wrap up your Christmas labors and have been able to enjoy some of the pleasures of the season. And now, goodnight all!

A Girl and Her Bike (Oh What Fun It Is To Ride...)

2011-12-16T10:04:00.000-08:00

It's raining, and I'm trying to figure out where it came from. Not that I'm complaining, mind you - the forecast was for Santa Ana winds. The kind of winds that dry you completely out, make your yard and patio a mess, blow dust in your house, and cause your husband to have sinus infections. Oh wait - maybe that's just me. But I hate wind - I always have. The rain came as a pleasant surprise.
I went out this afternoon and rode my bike. To properly appreciate this, you'd have to understand that I live on the top of kind of a hill, surrounded by many other hills. It's all populated (in other words, I don't live a atop a hill at the end of a lonely dirt road) - but in order to get anywhere you have to go up and down hills. Normally, to get to the bike trail that is fairly flat I've gone with L or a friend, hauling the bikes in a truck, but a monkey wrench has been thrown in that until the days get a bit longer. So it's up to me, and I'm not the greatest self starter when it comes to exercise. The idea of motorists watching me chug up a long hill in the lowest gear possible is not a pretty one. But I reminded myself that my aches and pains all but disappear when I exercise regularly. Powerful motivation.
So off I went, and it wasn't bad. I set the alarm on my phone for 40 minutes, and was pleasantly surprised when it went off. I went up hills that made me cry when I first started riding. Not that they are easy now, but they're possible to conquer without feeling sick to my stomach if/when I ever get to the top. Some were still hard, some had gotten surprisingly easy. Yay me.
Dogs barked. I hate it when dogs bark at me. But I kept at it, even though the air was chilly. It didn't feel chilly when I got done. When I got home I retrieved the mail and I had to read the Christmas card that was there outside, because I was too over heated to sit inside. I worked hard for 40 minutes and worked up quite a glow! I tried to imagine myself looking fierce and svelte as I pedalled around the 'hood, but I had to laugh: how fierce can a 50+ girl look while riding an aqua bike equipped with a Cape Cod basket? The best I could probably manage was cute, but I'll take it.
Back home I jumped in the shower. The sun was still shining. It was weak, but it was shining. When I got out, it was raining. I like rain, but I worry about L making his way home on the freeways. Yesterday on one of the busiest freeways, a tanker truck blew up under a bridge. Luckily, no one was killed, but that segment of freeway is not passable today. So everyone piles onto other freeways and the commute is an even bigger nightmare than usual. It took L TWO HOURS to get home last night. So I wait tonight, hearing the rain, and I worry until I hear him drive into the garage.
I hope all of your Christmas and holiday plans are on target. My daughter in law Ashley is coming over Monday to help me bake cookies. It's crazy how much I'm looking forward to that. I wish I could have all of my girls here for a big baking day, but I'm so grateful and happy that Ashley is here. Next year she might not be. (She and Scott have plans. Big plans. They involve Texas.) And so I'm trying to savor every minute I can, while I can.
Oooh - this is off topic, but last night L and I walked into a Home Goods store - do you have those where you live? They are part of the TJ Maxx and Marshalls chain. Anyway, they have some crazy good stuff! We walked out with the most beautiful lamp for our bedroom and all of the lamps were only $29.99!!! I'm a fan. If you have one by you, and you haven't been, you really must go. It's my Christmas gift to you. You're welcome.
Lastly, I totally stole this picture off of my friend's Facebook page, but I loved it so much, and I don't think she'll mind. It depicted exactly where I'm trying to keep my thoughts these days. Maybe you've already seen it, and I think there's a figurine of the same thing?

Silent Night, holy night

All is calm, all is bright...

Peaceful days and dreams to all of you. Keep your wits about you, and be sure to take in and enjoy all of the truly important things. Family. Friends. Be kind. Make beautiful memories. And let the silly bothersome things go.

PS: L just drove in. All is calm, all is bright.

Surviving on Peanut Butter

2011-12-13T16:05:00.000-08:00

It's been awhile since we've been grocery shopping - for ourselves rather than for a party, anyway. There is nothing in our refrigerator other than the odd flotsam and jetsam and a small box of coconut shrimp. Tonight is the night we must shop. Why? Because I'm sitting here eating peanut butter with a spoon. I've been reduced to a college student and their lack of available food. And yet it tastes so good!
I've just wound up my work day and I'm heading off downstairs to bake a batch of cookies. Which I must not eat because... because... because I make them for others, that's why. The second I start to think of them as mine is the second I eat them all. And that won't do at all, my dear blogging friends. Must resist the cookies.
On a lighter note, L texted me to say he was bringing home more Christmas Peppermint JoJos. Oh, and some food too. Things are looking up! (He texted that we would eat like kings tonight! To which I replied that I just need to eat like a princess, thank you.) You may wonder why he does the grocery shopping, and I sit here hungry, eating peanut butter from a spoon? Basically because he likes to grocery shop, (and I don't) and I want it to come out of his bank account (and not mine). So I wait for him to come home and go with me, or he does it on his own. But let there be a problem that needs to be dealt with over the phone (insurance snafus, etc.) and I am ALL OVER IT. L doesn't like to deal with anyone on the phone, especially if it may involve being on hold, so that's where I hold up my end of the bargain. That, and laundry day.
Cookie baking time, so off I go. I believe it will be ginger cookies today. Quick and easy. But I haven't forgotten you, my friends. I can't believe that my friend Larainy didn't already pick up on this and post some of these, but for once I've beaten her to the punch. These came off of a website called Awkward Family Photos. And they are. Very awkward, I mean. So in the spirit of Christmas, I offer you my 2 favorites. And you're soooo welcome. I'm a giver like that.

This was titled "Bad Santa" - what on earth has Kris been up to? Best not to ask...

Nothing says Christmas like this family portrait, eh?

I know. There are no words.

But if I hadn't gone blind, I would want to kick that smile right off of dad's face.

I need a double scoop of peanut butter after that last one.

12 Happy Things

2011-12-12T19:03:00.000-08:00

Things That Make Me Happy (other than the obvious things like husband, children and grandchildren)

1. Boots. When you wear boots, no one can see that your right ankle is chronically swollen. Or that you're wearing an ankle brace. Plus, they're supportive!

2. Internet shopping. Seriously - do you know how much time I've saved shopping at home, rather than trudging to the mall? A lot, that's how much. And so much free shipping!

3. Riding my bike. L and I rode 10 miles yesterday. I was tired, but it makes me feel so good. Makes all my aches go away.

4. Going downstairs for a bottle of water, or lunch, or whatever, and seeing the lights on the Christmas tree twinkling. That corner always looks so plain for awhile after the Christmas tree gets put away. For now, the room has such razzle dazzle that turns dreamy when all of the other lights are turned off.

5. The lights strung over the front door and across the porch. Now you can see our beautiful wreath at night. I was wishing on Saturday morning that we had some lights there, and when I came home from my hair appointment, L had strung them all up as a surprise. I love that man.

6. Christmas music 24/7 on Pandora. I've created my own little station and I'm loving it. It ranges from Michael Buble to Glee to Peter, Paul and Mary. For one whole month I never get tired of listening to it.

7. Christmas cards in the mail. Now, mind you, I don't send any - but I just love to get them. It really cheers me up to see them in the mailbox. Maybe I will send them next year.

8. Seeing presents under the tree. There aren't very many, and they are not for me (except one from Tim and Autumn that is for both L and me) but it makes me excited to look at them. And I get even more excited when something else arrives from the Internet that I can wrap and put under there. See #2.

9. Thinking about the week after Christmas - a whole week that I don't have to work! I don't get paid either, but we won't think about that. A whole week that I don't have to work! So far, L and I have planned a movie day for December 26th, and my mom and I have a day planned for December 28th. It will be a good week.

10. See's Candy. Soon it will be time for the annual trip to See's and our yearly box of chocolates. Maybe we'll share it on Christmas Day, maybe we won't. Half the fun is getting it out every night and having a piece. Or two.

11. My red flannel Christmas pajama pants. Katie made them for me last year, and they are so warm and cozy. She made L a pair too! Here we are relaxing in them. Don't mind the Halloween socks.

This year I am hosting Christmas Eve for my family at our house. I'm gathering thoughts and ideas of what I want to do. Our house is very small and so there's no room for a sit down dinner for so many people. We're making it a sort of Open House - people can arrive when they can and leave when they need to. Everyone will bring something and I will make a big pot of chili with all the fixings (sour cream, cheese, green onions, and anything else I can think of) so we'll have something hearty to eat. It won't be fancy, but it will be fun. And we'll have Carmel Apple Cider. Mmmmmm....
What are your Christmas Eve traditions? Where will you be - home? Visiting family?

It's a good time of year, but a busy time. I feel like I'm in a good place, though. I've been able to get the shopping done, the church Christmas dinner is behind me (thank goodness!), and so now I can just enjoy the season. That means a lot. I'm usually crazy up until the last minute, and it's all gone before I can take a breath and enjoy. I hope you're all able to take some time to look around, take in some Christmas spirit, hug your family, kiss that special person under some mistletoe. Sing some carols, read the Christmas story (the REAL one!) and follow it up with The Night Before Christmas. Or the Nightmare Before Christmas - whatever your taste. Look up into the starry night, imagine each one of us doing the special things we love to do this time of year, and send up a quick prayer of thanks and gratitude that we're all able to share in this special time together - each in our own way. All of you, my blogging friends, are like another sparkly gift under my tree, and I feel so fortunate to have received each one. So I guess that makes #12 of Things That Make Me Happy.

Decking the Halls and Other Fa-La-La

2011-12-06T21:36:00.000-08:00

I've been sitting here trying to remember why in the world I haven't had time in the last week to write anything, or even to keep up with what you've been writing. And I've come to the conclusion that I just can't remember. I can recall feeling slightly panicky - you know, like when thoughts wake you up at night and you can't settle back down again. I've had ideas... such ideas! Ideas for gifts, ideas for Christmas Eve, ideas for... well you name it, and I've had the thought at 2am.

This past weekend one of my good friends celebrated her 60th birthday. 60!!! One of my friends!!! Her son invited about 50 friends to meet for dinner as a surprise for her. And it was a surprise - I've never seen anyone more excited and wired to see her party guests. Sandy is one of those rare ones who, once she makes a friend of you, it's for life. She always keeps in touch, and is always concerned with how you're doing. She's one in a million. So there we all were, eating Armenian food (Sandy is Armenian) with kids running around and having a great time together. And Sandy in the middle of all of it enjoying the heck out of herself. I had L snap a quick picture with his phone. If she is 60, then yes, please. That's her ONE grand daughter on her lap - Ella. The other 4 (and one on the way) are all rowdy boys. Sandy loves them all, but Ella is her rose.

That has been the only social thing we've attended so far. We have our church Christmas dinner this Saturday. Different people are hosting groups at their home, and I'm helping a friend who has the big space to host several couples, but hates to cook. L and I have a teensy house but like to cook, so it all works out. But the menu has been stewing in my mind for the last week and wakes me up at night. I'll be glad when it's over.

L and I decked the halls this past Saturday and Sunday. It actually went up faster than I thought it would, and I finally finally found the box out in the garage that had my Hummel figurines in it. They're not Christmas per se, but this year it was like Christmas to find them and bring them out. I nestled them for now in amongst the greenery on the mantle. I've always loved them because they remind me of my kids when they were small and chubby cheeked. They've been hidden out in the garage for about 18 years, so it's high time I found them and brought them in. They're so lovely and old fashioned and sweet.

The first thing I did, though was put up the small tree in the kitchen. This is the tree where I hang all of the old decorations from when my kids were small. All of the decorations made at school, all of the ones received when they were babies, all handmade ones, all of the ones from Grandma over the years. And it's topped with the "Naughty Naked Angel" - this is Scott's ornament and I suppose I'll have to give it to him one of these years.

Next, I set out the Advent Calendar box that we'd bought in the after Christmas sales last year. I still need to find some special things to put in the drawers, but it will come in time. No little ones to open the drawers this year anyway.

Next, out came the Grinch ornament (L's), the Rudolph ornament (mine) and the little bakery shop and snowy trees, for our little Christmas tableau. They all sit next to a wooden plate that I painted many years ago on a credenza in the living room.

Now the tree. L strung the lights. We'd toyed with getting a pre-lit one this year, but decided that this tree could go at least one more year. And really - he puts so many lights on, it always looks beautiful.

First we put on the purple glass bulbs that have snowflakes etched into them.

Next come the gold bulbs, followed by some smaller ones, followed by lots of sparkly garlands and gold netting.

The purple bulbs take on a special glow once everything else is added on. The lights make everything twinkle and shine.

Last, because we won't have any small children here for Christmas, and because most of our gifts are being shipped to family far and wide, we decided to set up L's toy train around the tree.

The tree is beautiful when the lights are off. The room takes on a magical mood that makes me remember Christmases as a child, laying under the tree, basking in the glow of the lights.

I got some new pictures of Mia and Hayden that made me wish for Christmas in Massachusetts. How I wish I could see Hayden wondering what Santa Claus is all about.

I wish I could see Mia throwing Buddy - their Elf on the Shelf - a cautious look to make sure he doesn't report any naughtiness back to the North Pole.

The joy of the season is infectious. As over whelmed as I feel, I still get that tingly little bit of excitement in my toes just thinking about special times with family and friends. But the best times of all are when we view Christmas, with all of it's seasonal wonders and spiritual awe, through the eyes of a child.

Joy To The World...

Pass The Emergen-C

2011-11-29T21:21:00.000-08:00

Getting back into the semblance of a routine after so many days off is hard. I sit in my chair and work and work and work... and all I am really thinking about is getting gifts checked off my Christmas list. Whether or not we'll need more lights for the tree. Which cookies to bake this year. So much so that last night, after a quick 2 hour snooze, I awoke at 12:30am and couldn't go back to sleep. So annoying. I tossed and turned, walked into the other room, checked out the window, walked back, tried to sleep, repeat. All told I probably didn't sleep more than about 4 hours last night. I was surprised that I functioned as well as I did today.
Wendy came over in the morning right on schedule and off we went with the bikes. ELEVEN MILES today, folks! That's a record. We rode all the way down to what used to be the Anaheim Pond (and now I can't remember what it's called other than home of the Anaheim Ducks!) and Angel Stadium and back again. Past all of the homeless people scrubbing up at the restroom, and past the ones still sleeping under the bridge. One gave us a cheery wave. But we were moving, man. No time for pleasantries with hobos. Maybe some morning we can bring them something... maybe...
Got back, showered (yes, I did shower right when I got back - can't let work suck me in first!) and then got busy plowing through the stack of work. Had a couple of weird problems come up, but mostly it all went as it should.
L has had a cold the past few days. He seems to be getting better so that's good, but I think that's part of what has been waking me/keeping me up all night: listening to him cough and try to breathe. Painful. So now today at around 4:30 I noticed my right ear getting a little bit sore. *Please don't let me get sick...*
We had a quick dinner of tomato soup and cornbread and went out to Target to get Lexi the object of her desire: a Lalaloopsy doll. I would never have picked this toy out. Never. But there you are. They want what they want. So with that, all of the grandchildren are shopped for. Major relief! That just leaves the grown up kids, and my parents, and I think I know what direction I'm going there. I can't say here because most of them read this. I'll whisper it to you when I know they're all busy elsewhere. Oh - and I still have L to shop for and he is really hard. He says maybe some clothes, so that means he will point at things and I will buy them. I've never been able to pick his clothes out - he's very fussy about how things fit. I come from a dad who hiked for half a day with a peach pit in his shoe (true story) so you can pretty well deduce that I'm not that choosy. But I did direct his attention to these little beauties that had miraculously gone on sale at Zappos.com, and they are on their way here to my open arms (and feet) as we speak.

I'm easy to shop for - possibly because there are so many things for me to love. I actually saw this picture of Hayden in this impossibly cute hat, and I developed a huge yen for an owl hat, too. It would be so much fun to wear - perhaps not age appropriate, but very very fun.

But we won't dwell on the objects of my lust, because that doesn't say Christmas, does it? I am trying to round up the things on my list that my family will weep in gratitude over - unable to believe that I was able to capture their desires so perfectly. Well, that is my hope. I'll have to let you know how it all turns out, but I really do love buying gifts for people. I know I will love having those new boots, but I love even more handing out everyone else's gifts and playing Santa Claus. The biggest tragedy is that most of them are being shipped out of state, so I won't get to watch them being opened. *SIGH* But I am starting to get the definite glow and glimmer of the Christmas spirit. Bring on the carols (actually I HAVE brought them on - Pandora Christmas Eve station for the past two days!) and let's brew up some wassail. Trim the tree and hang the lights!
But right now, my ear is still hurting. So it's off for some Advil, some Emergen-C and my jammies. Hopefully I'll be able to sleep my 8 hours tonight. Because I really really cannot get sick, and I need to get rid of the bags under my eyes.

Thanksgiving 2011 Wrap-up

2011-11-26T20:52:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Day was a festive table setting and sparkly accessories

Candles glowing softly

And plenty of food and drink.

Add in our special guests Tara (Ashley's friend, and now OUR friend)

Ashley... and

Scott (who insisted on goofy pictures/would NOT be serious, so he gets them both added here)

There was also my camera-shy Aunt Margie. She gets a special pass on the non-photo because

she let me bully her into buying some new clothes online at Chico's - they were/are having

a killer sale and she hasn't bought anything for herself in about a hundred years. So she

had her first fish taco with us last weekend, and now her first online purchase. I am merciless in my pushiness. Tara, Ashley and I herded her upstairs after dinner and wouldn't let her have any pie

until she let us help her place an order. Yay for great sales and shopping from home!

The day after Thanksgiving I got to play with this beautiful dolly, Miss Skylee:

She was patient and mellow while Mema played with the camera

We went through many moods and expressions

But her expression always came back to a reflection of happy, contented mellowness.

Not since her daddy have I seen a baby this easy. She is a joy.

Thanksgiving this year was a day of reflection. It didn't all go how I thought it would. There were moments of angst and we rallied together. I was proud of my family - they are so dear to me. They are everything. And the food was good, the guests at the feast were appreciative, and everyone who wanted them went home with leftovers. (That was pretty much everyone.) A good day overall.

But I didn't put up our Christmas tree yet.
My heart couldn't take anymore holiday excitement.

Next weekend the merriment continues... we will deck the halls.

Happy Thanksgiving - Let The Joy Begin!

2011-11-22T18:41:00.000-08:00

OK, I admit it: I've been listening to Christmas music all day today. It's lifting my mood, and it's also transporting me to that special shiny, tinsel-y, warm, family lovin' place that I so need to be in to be able to break out the boughs of holly and create the Christmas season all over again. It's sparked a bit of good will inside my black heart, is what it's done. A desire to make pumpkin cheesecake, wrap gifts, and read the Christmas story in front of a glowing fireplace.
But first, Thanksgiving. I was not in a Thanksgiving frame of mind. To be honest, it was just making me tired. But last night we had a family time that kind of changed it for me. Charged my mental batteries. Not that I'm not still physically tired - I went to bed last night so tired and achey I was afraid I might have the flu. But an Advil/Excedrin cocktail does not cure the flu in 30 minutes so I think I was just on my feet and running more than I'd been used to. Rheumatoid arthritis sucks. But I digress.
My oldest son Rex and his wife and family are in town this week from Denver - an unexpected surprise. And they came over yesterday to have dinner and spend some time. Scott and Ashley came over after work too. We decided to break out the panini press and make grilled sandwiches, so 5 year old Lexi and I went to the store for provisions. We took the Miata. I don't think Lexi had ever been in such a tiny car before. When I told her we could drive it with the top down in the summer, her brown eyes got big. We picked up roast beef, turkey, ham, cheeses of every kind, and a couple of different loaves of artisan bread. Oh - and a toy for her and a toy for Matthew. I'm a sucker for cute kids, what can I say?
At the height of the evening it was pandemonium in our little house. So much conversation, so many grilled sandwiches, numerous cups of milk to be filled, hungry Skylee to be fed, and freshly baked pumpkin bread to be eaten.
After dinner, the big kids sat and visited while L plied the little ones with leftover Halloween candy (I wish I had a picture of L and Matthew sharing a box of Nerds and conversation... priceless.) Lexi and I broke out the fairy castle and carriage, and got out other toys for Matt. I was just getting Matthew and Lexi settled down watching The Little Mermaid - one on my little couch with his blankie and the other snuggled in the big bean bag chair - when Rex came in to tell them it was time to go. Too soon!
The whole evening was hectic, loud, and in a constant state of movement. It was joyous and lovely. Without going into detail, it was the first evening in a long, long time that brought back memories of how much fun we all used to have together when the kids were younger. Even L was in the thick of it. It was the best Christmas gift I could ever have received. The only thing missing was Katie and her family - and that's a big thing, but some things can't be helped. Maybe one of these years...
I'd purchased a new camera lens from Katie while we were in Massachusetts last month. I broke it out yesterday and gave it a test drive. I've got a lot to learn about using it, but I had some fun.
So in the spirit of the holiday season, may I wish you all a safe, joyous and blessed holiday season.

May your souls be filled with heaven's light

May your days be blessed with life's bounty

And some sparkly things that glitter and shine

Quiet reflection of beauty and blessings received

And a sure knowledge of, and gratitude for,

the love our Heavenly Father has for us that shines in the darkest night.

And may we all witness the true spirit of love and hope shining in the eyes of a child.

Countdown To The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

2011-11-19T18:19:00.000-08:00

This has been one of those Saturdays that has flown by at high speed. L and I had set aside the morning to go pick up a console cabinet we'd ordered for my aunt at Sears, trying to save her the $75 delivery charge. When we ordered it, we pictured it being a complete piece of furniture, save for pushing pegs in and setting the shelves on them, as the description said "No tools needed for assembly." Well, they spoke the truth, but I'm glad we didn't pay anyone to deliver the absolutely flat box of wooden panels that we picked up. Everything either folded or fit together nicely without needing screwdrivers or anything, but we were a little freaked out when we first looked at the box. I have to say, though, that Sears gave us a beautiful product that, once assembled (and it was pretty easy) looked like a piece of fine furniture. My aunt was thrilled. It looked beautiful in the room and cleaned up a spot that had a million cords from the TV, DVR, modem, cable box, etc. all snaking in a big mess on the floor. The cabinet hid all of that and gave it such a clean look. Love it!
Our service project over, we took her across the street to Rubio's for the first fish taco of her 77 years. She opened it up, stared at it, and said "It doesn't look very good." Just eat it, we urged her. I KNOW fish in a taco doesn't sound good, but you will love it. And she did. A big smile went across her face as she took the first bite. Yay - another Rubio's fish taco fan!
The sky was starting to look ominous and a cold wind was picking up. Target or bike ride? We dropped Margie off back home and decided to get in the bike ride before it started to rain. I'm proud to say that we went a hard 10 miles. The wind blew hard against us the entire first five miles. There was a point about a mile short of the goal where I thought I might quit, but I somehow found the fortitude to keep going. It's amazing what a difference a little wind can make. I was a little whiney but L couldn't hear me. At the five mile mark there's a little park of sorts with restrooms and it's become a sort of camp for homeless people. We stopped for a few minutes to catch our breath, and I felt lucky to be there to just have a breather. Those people were going to be there for a long cold night. As we started to pedal off, one man raised his hand to me and gave a cheery wave. I loved that - in spite of everything he still wasn't beaten.
The ride back was much less painful. Wind at our backs, the pace wasn't quite so labored. The air was cold, but we were back at the starting point soon enough. Privately I was so glad to be done, but proud that we'd toughed it out. I need to remember that the wind picks up in the afternoon - morning would be a much better time to go. L isn't one for riding side by side chatting (like Wendy and I like to do) so it really wouldn't matter if the trail was crowded. Next weekend we'll have to roust our derrieres out of the house earlier so we can cycle wind free.
Got home, unloaded the bikes, and it was off to Target for a multitude of random items. I always want to get sidetracked in there, but L pretty much keeps me to task. It's just so hard for me to walk by cute little Santa dishes in home goods and tiny tutus in the baby department. I want to see what DVDs are on sale. It's all hopelessly, endlessly fascinating, but when you're with L there is none of that. He is all business, and the less time spent looking, the less money is spent. That is not my philosophy of choice at all. So I've learned to have a mental list before I go and be very quick because he gets cranky if I start meandering too much.
Back home. L down in the garage crafting a step stool to help my aunt get in and out of bed without falling. The mattress is a little high for her, and her legs are a little on the rickety side. So the little box step will help keep her from falling at night. We hope. When that's complete, he's going to build her a tall bookcase to fit in a corner of her room so she can bring in all of her beloved books. They are still out at the house she shared with my grandmother and having them in her new surroundings will help make it cozy and homey. It's my goal to see her happier and healthier this next year, and I'm so lucky to have a husband who is so sweet and loving. He's been so tender and sweet to my aunt, and seems to be able to reach through her depression and grief at losing her mother in a way the rest of us can't. So a nice back rub and foot rub for him tonight - if I can pry his Precious (iPhone) out of his hand, anyway.
The countdown is on for Thanksgiving. The Denver bunch is down for an unexpected trip. Sadly there was a funeral they had to attend for a member of Ronna's family, but I can't help being excited about seeing them this next week. I hear that Skylee's eyes have become a very clear blue. I will do my best to take some pictures of all of them because we'll probably not see them for Christmas. And then Andrew arrives Wednesday evening for a short Thanksgiving visit. It's all a whirlwind!
I did want to share two new pictures of Hayden and Mia with you. It was Hayden's 2nd birthday recently and here she is wearing her birthday crown:

And then there's Mia. She has been harder to catch these days, but last week she let her mom snap some of her and this one is absolutely frame-worthy:

And lastly, I wanted to give a shout out for a blogging friend I've come to really enjoy: Robert Brault. If you look on my side bar of blog lists, you'll see the link for his. The man is genius at writing clever and/or pithy quotes. The kind that make you smile to yourself, laugh outright, or just get you thinking. Anyway, I adore his work. And luckily, just in time for Christmas gift giving, he's come out with a calendar featuring some gorgeous pictures and his amazing quotes for each month. And who couldn't use a calendar to scribble all of their appointments on? But wait - there's MORE: notecards. Beautiful, quote-y note cards. And we all have someone on our list who would love those. My suggestion is that you give the website a peek here You'll recognize his most famous quote immediately and you can view thumbnails of the notecards and calendar pages. You'll thank me for this - really, you will. I would not steer you wrong.
So that's it from our camp. I have a feeling that weekends from here on out are going to be just like this - crazy busy with all kinds of things on the To Do List that multiply like rabbits. The holidays are here, my friends - like it or not. Mostly I like it, but I have moments of being completely overwhelmed. I'll just have to keep my rhythm going by listening to music I love and yes - that even involves cranking on the Christmas tune-age to get me in the mood for decking the halls and making it a wonderland. *sigh* I'll feel more like it tomorrow after a good night's rest, right? Because I've got to be honest: that 10 miles on the bike today just beat me up. So tonight's Rx is a simple dinner, a hot shower, make sure L gets his rub, and then cuddle up under warm covers! Sweet dreams, all.

Mishmash Ramblings

2011-11-16T10:26:00.000-08:00

I was talking to a friend today and she mentioned something about Thanksgiving. Next week. WHAT??!?? Next WEEK??!? I mean, I knew what the date was, and of course it would follow that Thanksgiving would be next week, but for some reason it kind of snuck up on me.
I didn't have a chance today to pull out recipes and start making that big bad grocery list, but tomorrow I really need to start. Luckily, we are only going to be six people for dinner, so that takes a lot of the complications out of the whole situation.
I feel I've been a bad, bad blogger. Work has stepped up quite a bit this week. Good for my paycheck. Bad for getting anything else done. When the entire day is spent in front of a computer screen, it doesn't make for compelling writing. But I've been keeping up on all of you. Doing my due diligence and reading. Just no writing, so I hope you're in a forgiving frame of mind.
And I've been taking notes on HGTV and Food TV and yes, even the Today Show. The other day they were showing table settings - easy things to do to make your Thanksgiving or holiday table fabulous. Did anyone else see that segment? One idea was to take little pumpkins and spray them white, slice a little slit in the top and VOILA! - place card holders. Well, it got my juices flowing, is what it did. And these days, the juices don't flow quite as... well... juicily, so I was excited at the inspiration. OR - I may take those same little pumpkins and spray them gold and glitter them. I'm excited just thinking about it.
But whatever I ultimately decide to do, I need to start taking stock of what I have, write down some ideas, and make some plans. I haven't had a small crowd for dinner since probably last Thanksgiving so I'm looking forward to it. Starting to stretch my muscles and work up my endurance for the Great Day Of Cooking. The weather has been crisp and cool - perfect for a holiday feast.
I've been riding my bike on a pretty regular basis. I have a friend who is the perfect biking buddy. We've worked our way up to 10 miles already! I came home with sore knees today and was tired afterwards, but - 10 MILES!! I was stoked.
In other news, I sat around in my nasty exercise clothes and worked until 4pm when I finally took a shower. Sadly, now you know, dear friends, what a pig I can be. But no one was home, and the workload kept calling me. Is that too much information? Can we still be friends? Because I can promise you if I'd had somewhere to be I would have cleaned up. Immediately. My standards may be low, but I do have some.
Tomorrow is soon enough to start making lists and sharpening details. Tonight I'm enjoying listening to a little Neil Young - "Cowgirl In The Sand," "Long May You Run," "Cinnamon Girl." Brings back the wayward days of my youth which, come to think of it, weren't all that wayward. And if you know different, just keep it to yourself. Because right now, it's all just a sweet romantic memory and I'd like to keep it that way. Old friends and confidants who will forever be some of the sweetest memories ever in my somewhat selective mind.

"We found things to do in stormy weather. Long may you run." - Neil Young

Wedding Photos By Popular Demand

2011-11-08T20:59:00.000-08:00

OK - for all of you out there who chastised me for not taking pictures at the wedding last week, here are some I've managed to gather up. Or, to be perfectly honest, I stole them off of L's ex-wife's Facebook page. That's right - we're Facebook friends, me and the sister-wife. (Don't tell L that I call her that....) I tend to be somewhat lackadaisical about things like pictures and documenting big days, but she is a force to contend with. Nothing stops her, and so I was happy she didn't let me down in this case either. These pictures came from a variety of cameras and amateur photographers, so be prepared beforehand for a wide range of image quality. But at least you'll have an idea of what things looked like. Here we go:

The dress hanging in the window of the bridal suite

The infamous photo shoot in the freezing rain - but Autumn remained cheerful!

Gettin' married!

More ceremony. But look - there I am on the right in my gold jacket!

I wanted you to see the pretty veil and dress from the back. Autumn's mom made the veil.

At some point during the reception, there was picture taking up on the mezzanine of the bookstore.

All of the handsome groomsmen - don't have a picture of the ladies - sorry...

Tim giving tribute to Autumn. Look at the transformation of the bookstore!

Another shot of the reception setup

Part of the dessert were jars of home baked cookies made by the bridesmaids

Silly pictures up on the mezzanine

So there you have it. That's how they do weddings in the Big Apple. You'll have to be content with grainy amateur shots until we get the real deal. But you can see what a sweet little wedding it was, and isn't her dress GORGEOUS? (It doesn't hurt to be about a size 1, either...) Autumn is so photogenic she even looked good standing in the freezing rain outside. The happy couple is now on their honeymoon in Thailand, and when they return, I'm sure there will be some equally amazing pictures. Thanks to my sister-wife for bailing me out on these pictures - she does come in handy on certain occasions. And believe it or not, we do have a good time when we're together for family occasions. I like her, and she likes me. I just don't want her to move in.

Winter In The City - and Other Tales of Near Disaster

2011-11-04T21:50:00.000-07:00

We are back from our adventure - our foray east to New York City and Worcester, MA. We arrived without incident at La Guardia airport last Thursday evening - October 27th. It was raining hard- an omen of things to come - as we caught the shuttle to our hotel out in the suburb of Astoria. It was nice to be out of the noise and crowds of the city proper, but here's a little advice: it's a pain to get back and forth when you're staying so far out of the city so you have to weigh the good deal you're getting on your hotel with the extra expense of getting back and forth.

View of NYC from our hotel room

I guess in our case it was worth it, but barely. Question: whatever happened to cab and town car drivers who knew the city like the back of their hand? Every driver we engaged expected us to give them cross streets and specific location info. ???? Do I live here? Isn't that what they're supposed to know? In addition, the first cab we got into on Friday afternoon was driven by an angry Indian man. He ranted and raved about rich people and how unfair it all was that they had many cars and luxuries while so many people were suffering. We were afraid to say anything for fear he would toss us out of the cab. We were on our way to the 9/11 Memorial, which is worth reserving a time slot and standing in line for. It's amazing and beautiful and very solemn. We stayed there for quite awhile just taking it all in.

One of the two fountain pools

The names of the fallen are engraved all the way around each pool. Such a beautiful tribute.

It was a beautiful, crisp blue-skied afternoon, and we tried to walk a bit towards the wedding rehearsal location. L's GPS wasn't working very well down in the canyon of tall buildings and it was hard to get a reading on where to go so we gave up and got in a cab. Again, the driver had no idea where to go. What is going on? Between L's GPS and the driver figuring it out we got to the used bookstore where the rehearsal and wedding were going to take place.

It was very used book store-ish and we were wondering how it was all going to come together, but the staff seemed to have it together. We rehearsed our placement in the ceremony and then it was off to dinner! Again - the cab dilemma and at the dinner hour it was about 30 minutes out in the cold before we finally caught one. I don't know how people who live there do it. Well, they do the subway, but in this case, there was no convenient subway location. The city experience that had seemed so fun when we were there before in the early summer months, was starting to lose it's allure in the cold that had the feeling of a storm approaching.
At the restaurant we were a large group with everyone's significant other, and it was loud and noisy and joyful. Tim and Autumn have a really nice bunch of friends, and it was a pleasure to meet them. A couple of Tim's California friends had flown out for the occasion, and it was great to catch up with them also. We ate, stayed warm, and celebrated the upcoming wedding and the happy couple. But then we had to catch another cab back to Astoria - GAH! As we got out of the taxi we could smell the storm coming in on the wind.

We woke up on Saturday morning to a snowstorm with the biggest, fattest snowflakes I'd ever seen. yay... As we got dressed - me in a little eggplant jersey number that was summer weight with the lightweight jacket over it - I was already shivering. I carried the gold sandals and instead wore a pair of black flats that seemed more practical to maneuver snowy sidewalks in. If I'd had half a brain I'd have just thrown on the Ugg boots I'd brought. But no... L had arranged to have a town car pick us up, and when it got there we walked out to it...and I literally had to leap a foot from the curb, over icy slush, and into the car. I'm sure I flashed the driver a great view up my dress as I made the leap (he didn't get out to open the door or help us in. Sweet...) but by that point I didn't even care anymore. We were to meet at the Tribeca Hotel to take pictures (thankfully not at a park which was the original location) and luckily it was not as snowy in the city. But it was raining really hard. Long story short, we all arrived, took pictures inside, and then the photographer herded us outside because she "didn't like the light" inside. What the???!? It was at that point I got grumpy. I didn't want to stand outside freezing. But the bride was so happy and cheerful and lovely that I couldn't stay crabby. She wasn't about to let anything ruin her happy mood on her day and it was infectious. We all caught cabs again (much easier when the hotel doorman is helping out) and arrived at the bookstore. Let the festivities begin!
The ceremony was lovely, the bookstore was absolutely transformed with beautiful lighting and softly lit tables. The place cards were names printed on library cards. It was so cute and clever. I feel bad that we didn't get any good pictures of the reception or ceremony. When/if we get some professional images I'll have to share some then. But it was a lively crowd. Autumn is a stage actress and a lot of their friends are involved in theatre so it was a crowd of some of the best looking people I've ever seen, starting with Autumn and Tim. We caught a couple of shots of them dancing and that's it.

I wish we'd gotten a shot of the dress, but L was manning the camera at this point. It wouldn't have occurred

to him. But it was so beautiful and floaty. A work of art.

And a shot of Andrew gearing up for his best man's toast - he did a great job. It was both funny and sweet.

The reception was lively until the very end - 12 midnight. L and I managed to stumble out and locate a cab - no small feat at that hour. We made it back to our hotel in one piece and fell into bed, ready to pack up and leave the next day to Boston.
We were hoping to get there, and settle into our hotel near where Katie lives by about 7:30 or 8:00 that night. Wishful thinking. There was a huge October storm, remember? Every flight was running late, delayed by the stacked up flights that hadn't been able to make it in the day before. So we had to sit in the wretched Newark airport (avoid it at all costs) waiting and waiting. It was almost 11:00 before we were able to get to our hotel that night. I spoke with Katie, and of course Mia had been up waiting and waiting for us to get there. The storm had knocked out their power Sunday morning and it was cold. I promised to be up bright and early, ready to go to breakfast with them. We were all hoping the power would go back on during the night.
No such luck. Halloween dawned with no power for thousands of people, including Katie and her family. There were trees and wires down everywhere, with crews scrambling to get the power restored. L isn't much for breakfast, so I had him drop me off at the I-Hop we'd seen driving into Worcester and I sat and waited for Katie and crew. So many people there for a Monday, and it was soon apparent that everyone had cold houses and just wanted to go somewhere warm for a hot breakfast. Pumpkin pancakes were just the thing and it was so good to have breakfast with the little girlies and Katie and Zach. Back to Katie's, where she kept apologizing for wet things hanging everywhere - no dryer. L asked Mia what Mema had brought her. "Oh... she didn't bring you anything? Well, Papa did," as he handed her a dollar. Score one for Papa.
We went outside and played a little bit in the snow, throwing snowballs and sending the girls down a hilly slope on a coaster.

Mia heaving a snowball at me

Finding the perfect spot to slide down

Hayden ready to shove off

It was Halloween, and we'd been so excited to take the little girls trick or treating. Mia asked L if he'd brought his costume. L said "What costume?" Mia said, "Mema said you were going to be a grumpy old troll!" Hmmm... I'd forgotten I'd said that in a fit of wittiness a couple of weeks earlier. Mia hadn't forgotten though, and was looking forward to that grumpy old troll costume. L threw me a look. Score one for Mema. And note to self: be more careful what I say to small children.
Because of the damage from the storm, the cold, and the ice, the city of Worcester "cancelled" or postponed Halloween. WHAT? So no neighborhood trick or treating. We'd heard that the mall in Auburn was going to have candy for the kids so we set off for there with the kids. When we arrived, Mia was holding onto L's hand, just bouncing up and down. She looked up at him and said "Papa, I'm just so excited!"

Rapunzel skipping with excitement, and Papa

When we entered the mall there were hundreds of kids. Hundreds. Most of the stores were already out of candy, but Mia and Hayden plugged along, holding out their candy containers where they could.

Our China Doll looking for treats...

...and getting them from Jerry Garcia at Macys...

At one point there was a large group of kids joining in a dance contest and Mia wanted to try. I was impressed that she was so adamant about sticking with it. She followed along as best she could until she was finally eliminated.

Little Rapunzel, shaking her tail feathers...

Time to eat. We grabbed some fast food in the food court. Katie was bitterly disappointed - she had been looking forward to Halloween for weeks, and had pictured a much different night. She was having a hard time so far away from everything familiar, and now everything was in chaos due to the storm. I had to remind her that in Mia's mind, she HAD gone trick or treating. She doesn't have the memories of whole neighborhoods of kids going door to door filling up pillowcases with candy. She had a few pieces, and she was happy and excited. But I know the feeling of having a vision of how things should go, and having it all blow up in your face. Not fun. I think that's what was hardest for me: seeing MY girl having a hard time. The little girls were perfectly happy.

We asked Mia if she'd like to spend the night with Mema and Papa at the hotel. She didn't even hesitate, and was very excited. She thought she would be sleeping on the floor, so it was fun to see her eyes get round like saucers when we unfolded the sleeper sofa in the room. A whole big bed all to herself! And one tired, happy little girl quickly went to sleep. At least one of them was warm as toast that night.

Mia snuggling with her "kiki" - or, as I like to call it "that nasty old blanket." Mia will tell you that she

knows her kiki is gross looking, but that it's "so soft." Fair enough...

On Tuesday, L set out for Boston. He'd planned a walking tour through Boston (he'd never been there before) and the little girls weren't going to be good for that. Katie, the girls, and I set out for Target, and then had lunch at Ruby Tuesday. It was good to see Katie enjoy a good hot lunch of tilapia and veggies after spending another night in a cold house. I inquired at our hotel to see if I could get them a room, but everything was sold out. Everyone else wanted out of their cold houses too. I think that was the worst day for me - knowing she was going to go back to that freezing house, and there wasn't much I could do to help except keep Mia overnight again. I kept hoping that the power would go back on.

Hayden kicking it in the hotel room, wearing her MiaMoo jewels (Katie's line of children's necklaces)

Everyone stayed with us at the hotel until Zach got off of work. We swam in the pool (sooooo nicely warm!), and visited, and let Katie and Hayden have a little nap. When L got back from Boston he'd brought a little Spongebob Squarepants backpack for Mia, but Hayden quickly commandeered it. Finally, sometime between 10:30 and 11:00 Katie, Zach, and Hayden set out for their icy home, hoping the power would be on. And sure enough, a few minutes later, Katie called saying that the power had come back on. As they approached their front door, they saw the lights on, but wait... they also heard the smoke alarms saying "Evacuate! Evacuate!" They got inside, and, after searching frantically through the house, they discovered that a wire in the furnace had sparked a fire. They had gotten home JUST in time to avoid a real tragedy. Lucky, yet unlucky. Another cold night in the house before they got a new furnace the next day, and yet they still had a roof over their heads.

When we left, I had the satisfaction of seeing the new furnace being installed and life getting back to normal. I breathed a sigh of relief. And I cried when I hugged my girl goodbye. I miss being around her so much - and these days when we're together we're dealing with the demands of little girls. No time for "our" time. And that's what I miss the most.

When I was in Denver I snapped so many good pictures. Those little ones loved having their pictures taken. But Mia and Hayden have a mom who is always taking their pictures, and they weren't having it with me and my camera. So I got very few decent ones. So I'll share some that Katie took - she's young and quick, and knows her camera. But they capture the essence of what I was so looking forward to seeing. Enjoy.

Yes, 2 year old Hayden is happy enough. But let me tell you: her favorite word is NO. She says it before

she even knows what you want. But she says it cheerfully.

The cutest little snow fairy ever... brrrrrr!

All in all it was a great trip. Not what we expected or even sort of planned on. But fun in it's own way, and so wonderful to be with people big and small that I love so much. The area they live in, Worcester, is beautiful. It's very cold in the winter, and that will take Katie some getting used to. But it's lovely. L and I scouted around on our way back to Boston and saw beautiful neighborhoods nestled around lakes and surrounded by woods. Beautiful. But in the winter? Oh yeah, baby - it's COLD!

Preparing To Pack

2011-10-24T20:35:00.000-07:00

Counting down the days until our trip east. Over the weekend, L treated me to a little shopping spree and I was able to find the perfect (I hope) jacket to go with my dress for the wedding. The reason I say "I hope" is because the dress is being altered (hem taken up) and I wasn't able to try the two together. So.... as usual I'm flying by the seat of my pants. It definitely keeps things interesting - I'm never quite sure how things are going to work out but I'm reasonably sure everything will go together. Picture this, if you will: a plum colored jersey dress, straight cut sheath with a cowl neckline (my least favorite neckline...) It's sort of snug fitting (not on purpose, I assure you) so this jacket will go over it, and help to camouflage the unpleasant realities of getting older:

ahhh... if only I looked like that in it....

Now - the silly cowl neckline is sort of like it's own necklace, so I'm not going to try and fight with any kind of necklace. Instead, I got these earrings to wear instead:

I think that will be jewelry enough, don't you? Add some little gold sandals with rhinestone buckles and you have the outfit. Now, before the wedding we are supposed to meet at a park for pictures in about 55 degree weather. If I get through that it will be a miracle. I don't have any kind of coat that will work with the dress AND jacket - or even just the dress for that matter. In California we just don't have a lot of call for dressy warm coats. GAH - I'm not sure what to do there, but I won't last long out in the cold. If you think of me at around 4pm on Saturday, send up a little prayer that the sun will come out. Either that, or that it rains, and then the picture taking will HAVE to move indoors.

From there we all hop into taxis and head to the cute little bookstore where the ceremony will be held for more picture taking and then (FINALLY) the ceremony and reception. And hopefully some good food. Tim and Autumn have been sending email after email with updates on the festivities, so their energy is in high gear. I'm excited to share pictures of everything with all of you. New York at this time of year is so much fun.

And then, of course, its on to Boston (or actually Worcester, pronounced "Woos-tah") and trick or treating and tons of fun with Mia and Hayden. Oh, and Katie too. And maybe Zach, if he's around. You never know with young doctors.

So today it was laundry day, and tomorrow I need to start organizing the clothes I'm taking so I'm not up all night on Wednesday packing in a panic. THAT is my usual M.O., throwing things in a suitcase in sheer desperation and exhaustion. And there's always waaaaay too much thrown in.

Another thing I'm excited about is being able to wear boots and sweaters everywhere except the rehearsal dinner and wedding. I love the coziness of crisp fall days paired with comfy warm clothes. It's going to be a quick trip - a total whirlwind - but it's going to be lots of fun. I'm even going to take my work laptop with me to try and fit in a little work here and there. In my case, every hour is billable. So, a little work, a lotta play. It's going to be a great trip, chock full of family time and memories. And, if I'm lucky - maybe someone will share some M&M's with Mema.

Style & Deep Dish Pizza

2011-10-20T22:24:00.000-07:00

Today my daughter in law, Ashley, had made plans to come over and go to lunch with me. Luckily (or unluckily, depending on your viewpoint) it was a slow work day so I was able to finish everything up by about 12:30 - just in time to grab a bite! I was hoping there would be more to do later in the afternoon. We headed down to Newport and Fashion Island. Ashley is the manager of a Sunglass Hut and she'd been staking out some sunglasses for me to try. Four times a year they have a sale for the employees where they can purchase up to 5 pair of sunglasses for 50% off, so this was my big chance to pick out some nice ones. I finally settled on these:

Burberry, with a kind of quilted design on the side pieces. A little edgy, and different than what I have now. I was sorely tempted by a pair of Tiffany & Co ones. They were black with a little flower design in Swarovski crystals at the temple, and the inside and top edge of the frames were in Tiffany blue. So elegant - perfect lady sunglasses. But even at the 50% off they were a little pricey so I opted for the Burberry ones, which were a little more practical. But I'm still thinking about the Tiffany ones. It was hard to walk away from them. To be honest, I just felt so pretty, so ladylike, so classy in them. I looked for a picture of them on the Sunglass Hut website, but I think the style was too new, so you'll just have to imagine them. Or go to a Sunglass Hut store.
Ashley and I had lunch outside on a terrace that had an ocean view. Perfect weather, perfect day. I know I've said it before, but I just love spending time with this girl. She's smart and fun and spunky. In the short time I've known her, she's grown in leaps and bounds (as I hope I have) and I always enjoy her fresh personality. My son Scott is a lucky man. After lunch we went over to the Sunglass Hut in Macy's, where I monopolized the manager's time (my new friend Ryan) while he pulled out pair after pair of sunglasses. He showed me his favorites, and gave me opinions on my favorites. In the end, in the interest of style, every day wearability, and budget, we all decided on the Burberry frames. I'm excited. I don't get them until next week (I have to wait for Ashley to buy them for me), so there's the anticipation. New sunglasses always make me feel like I have a whole new look. I mean, I probably don't, but it feels that way.
After our Fashion Island outing, Ash and I came back to the house. She had about a hundred loads of wash to do that I told her to bring over, rather than wasting money on machines at her apartment complex. I had a little more work to do, she had clothes to fold, and every so often we'd meet in the middle and gab about something.
Finally, at 6:30, my son Scott came over, and L arrived home at almost the same time. Scott invited us to come have some Chicago style deep dish pizza with them. L has had a touchy stomach the past couple of days so he declined. But I didn't. I went, and Scott is right - that pizza was about the best I've ever had. We had good pizza and good conversation, and some good laughs. And an icy Diet Coke.
It was a near perfect day. I had a whole afternoon to spend with one of my favorite girls on a day when I didn't have to feel guilty about ignoring a big work load. I literally ran through an entire store full of sunglasses, and got expert advice from my girl and from my new BFF Ryan. It was like, for an hour, I was their best and favorite customer. Loved it. Ate lunch in the warm sun while being cooled with a sea breeze. Came home, worked some more (made a little more money) and then went out and ate great pizza in the company of my favorite youngest son and his beautiful wife. A slow, easy day. But I am going to have to pedal my bike hard tomorrow to make up for it.

Riding Flat

2011-10-18T10:50:00.000-07:00

I received some good advice over the weekend: always check the pressure in your bike tires before going out to ride. I'd noticed that lately the bike riding was getting much harder. So much so that I was getting discouraged. For me, I naturally blame my chronic condition for every weird little thing that affects me. It just seems to be ever so. My knee is sore? It's the arthritis. Shoulder aching? Arthritis. Ankle akimbo? Ditto - arthritis. So I was discouraged. I was sad. This should be getting EASIER, not harder. I should feel like pushing the envelope - doing more and more all the time! Right? No - it was getting so that I was dreading getting on that bike.
When my friend Wendy and I went out last Thursday morning we both commented on how hard it was to get going that day. It was a total chore and I couldn't wait for it to be over. We talked of many things, Wendy and I - one of which was a tire pump. We didn't have one yet, and I made a note to have L go and get one over the weekend.
Saturday came, and the subject of the dreaded ride came up. I didn't want to go, but knew I had to. I must admit I cried a little bit about how discouraged I was. (I'm not used to being terrible at things and when I am I get whiney...) It was still early in the afternoon and hot outside. We decided to go to Target and get a few things - a bicycle pump among them.
When we got back, L checked the pressure in the tires. It should have been around 60 and every one of them read 30. I began to cheer up. No wonder it had been so hard - we were riding on practically flat tires! Honestly, I'd felt like I was trying to pedal a tractor!
When we finally took the bikes out on the trail later that day -- WHAT A DIFFERENCE! I sailed along - I felt like singing! (But I didn't - that would have been embarrassing.) I was crazy strong and nothing could stop me. Except L, who said he was tired. So - mystery solved. I wasn't going downhill to my slow death - I just had flat tires.
The moral to this story is: when the going gets tough, pump up your tires instead of crying like a baby.

Or -
If your lollipop gets hair on it...

just pick it off...

THE END

Helping Hands & Hearts

2011-10-12T17:31:00.000-07:00

I have nothing urgent or even truly interesting to talk about. Life has been rolling along these past few days in an easy manner. I've hit a good patch, for which I'm grateful. I know this peaceful period is temporary - a breather until the other shoe drops. In talking to friends here and there, however, I can see my current peaceful life isn't a universal condition. It always amazes me how good the plan was to place us here on earth with each other. So simple. I help you, you help me.

When I'm up, I can help you up. And vice versa. Should be simple, anyway. Why then, do we have such a hard time being generous with our time, our patience, our listening ear? In my case (and I can only speak for myself) I think I'm just inherently self-centered. I have to fight that urge to have all topics of conversation lead back to me. To assume ridiculously that I'm the only one who has any worries or tough issues to conquer.
It's been very freeing and eye opening to realize that I'm not the only one with weaknesses and soft spots. Mine are unique to me, but everyone has them. Any many times, the very issues and/or character flaws I've struggled with and have triumphed over have been transferred over to my stash of Things I Can Help Someone Else With. It's a wonderful feeling. I've been through the fire, so when I am talking to someone facing that same fire, I can offer my hand, my help, my support.

I know this is something that we do as parents. We try to help our children avoid the same pitfalls and alligators that we've already wrestled with. Sometimes they listen, sometimes they don't. I've been lucky in that regard - mine have mostly listened and I've actually learned many things from them. It's been a good win/win partnership for me.
But friends? I've not had a lot of experience where I was the one to offer a helping hand. My friends have tended to be further along in competence dealing with life's issues than I have been. But maybe I've progressed. I've had the lovely opportunity of late to be able to listen, and sympathize and, hopefully, offer something that helped. It's felt really good to give back, or pay forward, all of the kindnesses and patience that I needed to accept over the years. Not that I'm pleased to have friends who are struggling with this or that - it just makes me happy to have something to offer them, instead of a blank look. You know - that kind of "OOH, ooh - I've been through that! Let me help you if I can." Bad experiences are just that - bad. But successfully coming out of them makes us stronger. We've bulked up and have some muscle to flex, and better battle strategies.
I guess my point is, unless we're willing to pick our brothers and sisters up, and help them dust themselves off while keeping the alligators at bay, we might as well be in this adventure alone. There's safety in numbers, my friends.

We feed off of each other, gain strength spiritually and sometimes even physically by helping each other through this earthly mine field. All with the help of Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father, of course. They are the Light that shines in the darkest night, the warm quilt of comfort and love. And its a crazy, colorful quilt - stitched and interwoven with pieces of all of us. But it's beautiful. So let's be good to each other. Patient. Generous. Helpful.

Sunday School is over. Amen. Sometimes these thoughts need to find a way out of my head.

My daughter and I each have a Mac. The other day we installed the Face Time app onto our respective computers, and we've been having such fun being able to chat AND see each other. Mia held up her bandaged knee and said she has "hundreds" of boo-boos from falling off the scooter. Poor thing - she takes after her Mema, who has the most scarred up knees in the country. Hayden waggled her bandaged finger in front of the screen. Nothing wrong with the finger. She just wanted a Princess bandaid. I love it - I can be silly and goofy and they appreciate it. It helps me to feel closer to them and keep up with their lightning fast growing up speed. I need to talk the Denver folks into getting a Mac so we can do the same thing. I guess I could do Skype with them? I will look into that.
Three more weeks until we head east for the wedding and Halloween with the little girls in Boston. Katie sent me a picture of this little sugary confection sitting in a cornfield:

Someone had made the dress and sent it to Katie so she could photograph one of the girls wearing it. Mia refused to put it on, but our Hayden loves pretty things. An amazing little creation wearing another amazing creation. And that is what's waiting for us in Boston. I'm getting impatient to go.

Time On My Hands

2011-10-06T21:40:00.000-07:00

Work was a little slow today. Sitting by the window in my office, I could feel the cool fall air - crisp and clean after our rainstorm yesterday. I decided to take my camera downstairs and see what I could learn. I've been listening to my daughter tell me about ISO settings and shutter speeds, but it's hard for me to learn anything until I actually try it.
At first I just went outside. I put the camera on a manual setting and just played around with the ISO and shutter speeds. A few blown out pictures, a few too dark, and then this one:

See the little spider web? I didn't even see that until I downloaded the picture onto my computer. A happy accident! Our patio isn't much to look at right now so I moved inside and just snapped a few of my favorite things inside the house.

This is one of the first things my husband and I bought together. We got the vase at Z Gallerie, filled it with berry branches (just like they did in the store), and it sits on top of our piano in the back corner of the living room. I don't remember where the tassels came from, but I like how they look on the vase.

Next, a little trio of my favorite collection of seashells. I have a lot of them, and I'm always looking for more.

On the mantle I have something I really like - a wasp nest. I got it when I worked at Ralph Lauren. It was one of the props the visual team used in one of the bedroom setups on the fireplace mantle. When they were changing out that room they let me have it, as they were just going to throw it out. And it's been on the mantle in our house ever since. It's a little weird, but I love it.

And finally, up on a little shelf is a blown glass vase I got at the Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach one summer. It sits next to a porcelain vase that was in L's apartment went I met him. It's a little representation of things we each brought into our new life together.

It was fun working with the camera, figuring out the right settings. I'm learning more every time I use it and it's so much fun! I need to learn at warp speed so I can take good pictures at the end of the month when we're in NYC and Boston. I imagine L will commandeer it when we're in NYC, but when we're in Boston I will take control as I'll have two little girls to chase after and photograph - I can't wait!
Yep - it was a quiet day - not as hectic as Monday through Wednesday. I enjoyed having time to sneak away from my work laptop and play with the camera. I even had time to make Pioneer Woman's recipe for Apricot Bars - kind of an oatmeal cookie crust with apricot jam in the middle.
When L got home from work we loaded the bikes on the rack and took off for our bike ride - we got in 5 miles before it got dark! I'm liking this more and more, and I'm feeling a lot more confident on the bike. We got home and had a steak salad with fried onion strings on top - another Pioneer Woman recipe. It was a good-for-you salad with a small bit of naughty in the form of the onion strings. And now it's time to call it a day.

...Did you hear that? The apricot bars are calling to me. I don't think they should be ignored.

A Remarkably Unremarkable Weekend

2011-10-03T19:26:00.001-07:00

There's a change in the air today - a slight hint of distant rain, combined with a cool breeze. Rain is on the horizon, we hear, over the next day or two. Autumn, although here officially, is still making it's grand entrance. The weekend was characteristically warm. After watching our church's conference broadcast from Salt Lake in the morning and early afternoon, we felt a little slow and lethargic. Feeling a need to move, L and I took the bikes out on the bike trail on Saturday around 4pm. It was lovely. Most of the cycling crowds had cycled and gone. There was shade over the trail in spots and it was a really enjoyable ride. We rode 9 miles! I remember feeling surprised at how easy the ride had felt and I was encouraged by the improvement. Once home and cooled off, I felt like I could hop on my bike and do it again. We grocery shopped afterwards and then drove down the hill to our local pizza place and shared a small pizza and some wings. It was one of those unremarkable, yet totally enjoyable evenings shared between two people who are completely comfortable with each other. The kind of evenings great weekends are made of - even though you can barely remember what you did afterwards. I do remember starting to make a Christmas list... I know, I know... ALREADY.

L went to the trouble to snap a little picture of me on the bike trail during our rest stop. Note the glowy complexion. That's what 4 1/2 miles on a warm day does to you, my friends. Pay no attention to the love handles and bulges. I'm planning on them making a slow exit over the next few months. Hope springs eternal...
Sunday was a slight repeat of Saturday, in that we spent the morning and afternoon again watching Conference from Salt Lake. In our church, it's where you get the best spiritual lift, and kick in the pants to improve in this area or that. After listening, you are ready to get out there and Do Good. But being human, we need the pep talk and instruction in another 6 months, so every April and October we enjoy listening and finding spiritual strength in this way.
After conference L and I had planned to take the bikes out again. We went a little earlier than we'd planned (and so it was a little warmer) because Mom and Dad called and wanted to come over. They were probably feeling our lethargy of Saturday and needed to get out of the house. No matter - we were making our skillet quiche thing that feeds an army, and we had a fresh loaf of rosemary sourdough bread to go with it. But before they arrived we wanted to get our ride in, and our goal was to go 10 miles. Piece of cake, we thought. Yesterday's 9 miles was a walk in the park. We chose to go a different direction on the trail, towards the beach.
I could tell by the time we'd gone a couple of miles, that this ride was much harder. Maybe it was that we'd gone on a long (for us) ride the day before. Maybe it was because it was hot. Maybe it was the fact that the wind was blowing harder. Or a combination of everything. Whatever. I thought I was going to die, and that I would never be able to sit down again. But I didn't want to give up - I'd rather pull my eyelashes out than quit. But I'm not above complaining and whining - which I did at the 5 mile mark as we drank our water. And then we saddled up to ride back. Ow. Ow. Ow. I think I need to get those padded cycling pants that L has, because my whole backside hurt. Clearly I have miles to go before I'm really in shape. But we did it! - 10 miles. 19 miles total for the weekend. I'm stoked.
L is on his way home right now and we'll get on our bikes and go out again - but shorter because it'll be dark. I don't know what we'll do when it gets dark at 5:00 - maybe I'll be more brave about riding on the street by that time. But maybe not. All I know is that I'm excited about the workout - it truly is work, and it's so good to feel that I'm finally doing something that gives my heart and muscles a workout without beating me up. (No trashcan run-ins lately...)
And hey - speaking of autumn, Katie just forwarded me the cutest picture of Hayden in a new little hat. Is this not the cutest fall look? If you like Etsy, look for Tanya's Tangles - she is the artist behind this amazing little hat. I'm wondering if she makes them in Skylee's size?

And then, just for pure fun, here is another new one of Hayden. I have no idea where the headpiece or tutu came from, but this picture is the stuff dreams are made of - well, at least THIS grandma's dreams!

Denver Doings

2011-09-28T19:20:00.000-07:00

You guys, I had so much fun in Denver! It was such a short, whirlwind trip - but maybe that's for the best as it left us all wishing for more. I was greeted at the airport by the whole family in their new minivan, and that started my weekend off just right! I had a special seat reserved in the back next to Lexi, 5 years old. She chattered happily to me the whole way back to their house. Matthew, 3 years old, kept peeking back at me from around the edge of his car seat. Little Skylee, 3 weeks old, slept contentedly in her car seat. She wasn't too fazed by Mema's arrival. Turns out she's not too fazed by much - she is a remarkably easy little pocket pal, a perfect attendee at any outing.

So before we go any further, here are the main characters in the weekend:

Alexis/Lexi, 5 years old

She has lost both bottom teeth, and the new ones are just starting to grow in!

Matthew, 3 years old

He loves to mug for the camera

Skylee, 3 weeks old

This is about as excited as she gets during the day.

We arrived home, dragged the suitcase up to the room I would share with Lexi, and then Lexi, Matthew, and I headed around the corner to the park. They wanted to swing, so Lexi showed me how she knew how to pump her legs, and I pushed Matthew. I regaled them with stories of how, when I was their age, I had a swingset in my backyard! Lexi's dark eyes were big as she asked if my backyard had been a park. (She doesn't know that her mother's goal for the coming year is to get a swingset in their own yard - won't that be a wonderful surprise?!?)
Ronna picked us up from the park so we could go out and buy some tea party treats. Nothing Bundt Cakes was the chosen place. We got a dozen assorted little bite sized bundt cakes, and headed home to make dinner. Do you know how hard it is to get little ones to eat dinner and take baths when all they can think about is a tea party? It wasn't easy, but finally we were ready for tea. Lexi gathered her Tinkerbell teapot and spoons, and we got some people sized cups and plates. Lexi was involved in teaching "Maffew" to be a gentleman, and I think she had some success. There's only so much you can do with a 3 year old boy, but I think she did it.
We partied down:

When we were finally sitting around later that evening my son asked me if I'd brought church clothes and I gulped. I hadn't. I was trying to pack as lightly as I could, and I just assumed that with a new baby, they wouldn't be going. I couldn't have been more wrong. It was the Sunday that the Primary children do their program, and it's always a special treat. Even more special, Lexi had a part to say. Ronna told me that they were having a special Visiting Teaching presentation the third hour, and that they'd asked her to say a few words. She was so nervous, she was thinking of using the baby as an excuse, but couldn't get out of her mind a personal experience she'd had with some loving VT sisters when she was having some life struggles. I sent up a little prayer that somehow I'd be able to throw together some kind of outfit so we could all go.

Saturday morning Lexi was picked up by a friend of Ronna's, and off she went to her Primary Program rehearsal. Ronna and I spent the morning feeding the baby, taking care of Matthew, and getting ourselves ready. When Lexi got home a couple of hours later, she was glowing with success - she had delivered her part with confidence and had it completely memorized, due to Rex and Ronna's perseverance. They'd had a pizza party afterwards, and she was one happy little girl.

Rex had read about a Fall Festival taking place in Boulder over the weekend so we packed up the car and took off. Lexi had learned to play Rock Paper Scissors in school, and so for almost the entire hour it took to get to Boulder we played Rock Paper Scissors. Awesome. My fists had a brief respite when a CD she liked was put on and she belted out the song like the best kind of diva. Adorable.

The Fall Festival consisted of some carnival rides, some bounce houses complete with slides, and lots of food and music. And there, with almost a halo around it, was a booth selling the cutest handmade skirts at an affordable price. My little weekend miracle. I bought one without even trying it on, and I was so happy as I mentally matched the clothes I'd brought with it.

Matthew hadn't had a nap for the second day in a row, and it was starting to show, and little Skylee had been asleep for most of the day. It was time to head home after some rides and walking around a bit.

Once Matthew fell asleep in the car, he never did regain consciousness - not even when we arrived home. Ronna put him to bed in his clothes. Skylee was awake and ready to party at that point. Ronna and I made a run for Olive Garden takeout and Rex stayed with Skylee. He must have called us 5 times before we got home. He was trying to watch the UFC fights, and Skylee was fussy. He handled it like the good dad he is, but was getting frustrated and worried because she kept going cross eyed - like every newborn does. At last - Olive Garden to soothe everyone's frazzled nerves and hungry stomachs.

Now, it would be a perfect story if I were able to say that Skylee slept like a champ and we all got up for church rested and refreshed. But she didn't, and Ronna was exhausted. I got ready quickly and tried to help out as much as I could. When Rex, Lexi, and Matthew were ready, I went with them and left Ronna to get herself ready and bring the baby a bit later.

Lexi sat up on the stand with the rest of the children and looked excited. Every so often she would smile at Rex or me and give us a little wave. But she always had one eye on the door. When her mother finally walked in, her little face just lit up, and I was so happy that everyone was there to see her performance. Her part was letter perfect, and she spoke so clearly. She sang her little heart out. And Mema sat down in the congregation and cried like a baby from happiness. I'm not sure why I was so emotional, but these little ones just touch your heart with their sweetness and simple faith in Jesus Christ. My heart was just too full of love and emotion and it spilled out. Loved every minute of it.

We got to the third hour, and Ronna overcame her nerves, and shared her personal experience with everyone there. I won't go into it, but I know what bravery it took for her to do that, and again - I was just SO PROUD of her. And I know she felt a personal triumph herself - especially when so many sisters told her how wonderful it was for her to share her story. This girl has come a long, long way, and has overcome so much. To say I'm proud of her is a huge understatement. I wish I had half of her bravery.

After church we got home, and Matthew wanted to sample one of the chocolate covered cinnamon gummy bears they'd handed out to the ladies in our third hour. I liked them, but I can say with certaintly that its a candy for grownups. Matthew bit the head off and a tragic look came over his face. "That's horrible!" he blurted out. I had a hard time getting myself to stop laughing. Who says "horrible" when they're only 3 years old?

I took out the camera for a little photo shoot. It was a beautiful day - blue skies and warm. Lexi put on her new Halloween skirt and top that I'd gotten her, and decked herself out with the new Halloween necklace that Aunt Katie had sent. She struck pose after pose. I told her she was a wonderful model and she said "Thanks Mema. I've never done this before." So sweet and simple and sincere. I was able to catch some good shots of all 3 kids, and here are the best ones:

Rockin' that necklace!

Couldn't leave this happy boy out!

We got Skylee into the act... two happy little girls!

And another shot of two pretty girls.

Lexi was pretty proud to be sitting outside holding her little sister! Especially in her

new Halloween garb... she knew she looked pretty!

Nothing is more fun than a day with these three cuties!

There were lots more pictures, but I haven't had a chance to go over them yet. I'll share them little by little in other posts. I didn't have the opportunity to give Rex and Ronna a night out, but I did get up early on Monday morning with Skylee and had a quiet morning with her so Ronna could have some uninterrupted sleep. Of course, Skylee chose that night to sleep clear through until 6am, so I didn't suffer too much!
I was sad to leave, but I'm already trying to plan the next time I'll be able to go back and see them. While I was there, I didn't have an ache or a pain. I was rested and ready to play. There must be something magic about sharing a double bed with a 5 year old girl. Your complaints just magically disappear for the duration of the visit. So that's my Rx to everyone - leave your regular routine, and lose yourself in the fun world of small people. The joy is contagious.

Denver Bound

2011-09-22T20:13:00.000-07:00

I'm on my way to Denver in the morning! Lexi called me tonight to say she could hardly wait until I got there. I have the feeling it's going to go all too fast - it's only 4 days. I have a lot of ideas about what to do with them, but we'll see what pans out. New babies sometimes blow all plans out of the water.
I'm strapped for time - I have packing to do, so this will be short. I won't be posting until Tuesday or so of next week, but I'm hoping to have a lot of pictures to share with you. Besides playing games, tea parties, and rocking babies, I'm hoping to give these two a night out alone. I'm sure they could use it!

Photo by TenderShootz

Ya'll be good while I'm gone, and I'll do my best to catch up with all of you when I get back. Have a wonderful weekend!

Saturday Scraps

2011-09-18T21:26:00.000-07:00

My new friend at Knees and Paws has introduced a "Saturday Scraps" meme. We are to write or photograph memories, thoughts, whatever defines us. We are joined in a crazy quilt of sorts through our fellow bloggers' individual squares of memory and experience.

One week of Constant Ankle Brace down. I'm encouraged. The swelling in my right ankle is down so much, and it's feeling very back to normal. Because of this, I need to stay extra disciplined about wearing the brace until I see the doctor again. It's so tempting to go without it - it's hot and uncomfortable - but I don't want the improvement to reverse because I got complacent.
L and I went for our first "real" bike ride on Saturday. We took the bike trail along the Santa Ana Riverbed, starting at around 3:00 in the afternoon. The temperature was perfect, and a light breeze was blowing. The trail can get pretty crowded in the morning - lots of cyclists and walkers. And, with my history of mowing things down, I didn't want to take chances by riding in a lot of cycling traffic. We'd ridden around close to home a few nights during the week, and so I was pleasantly surprised at how I was able to keep up and not get too tired out. Actually, what got tired first was my butt. I am ok for the first little while but by the time we'd ridden a little over 3 miles, I needed to give my seat a rest from the bike seat.

To our right, at this point, was the riverbed, and it was full of ducks, and those beautiful white ibis. (Too bad L didn't get them in this shot.) The ducks quacked happily and the ibis stood on their stork-like legs and watched us pedal past.
To our left was a park, and this is where we stopped to rest, in the shade of a covered bench that was complete with bike racks. We drank our water and watched other cyclists and walkers go by. L had his Precious with him (his i-Phone) and he turned on the i-Pod feature so we could listen to music. Precious also has an app that kept track of our mileage and the time it took to reach said mileage. (I TOLD you L was going to get that app!)
After a short rest we started back. It soon became obvious that this way was more difficult as 1) We were going against the wind, and 2) It was more uphill. No wonder that first half had seemed so pleasant! But I was happy with myself - I was able to keep up the pace, and never once had to get off my bike and walk it up a hill. I thought I might once, but I toughed it out. Next time we go out, we'll have to try to go even farther. I have a friend who, with her husband, has been riding for awhile now, and they rode to the beach and back on Saturday - 25 miles total! She was so nice and encouraging and said we'd be up to that mileage in no time. (Suddenly our 7.3 miles seemed teensy...)
But I'm pleased with myself - pleased that we'd made that much progress in a week. I know I hold L back - he could do a lot more - but it's so kind of him to wait for Wobbly Me to build my strength up. He is the best friend I could ever have.
The week coming up is a busy one. There is work, and somewhere I have to squeeze in a visit to the rheumatologist. Seems that he's unwilling to approve my Enbrel refill since I haven't seen him in a couple of years. My arthritis has been dicey lately so he's right to force me to come in - it'll be good to finally do it, actually.
And THEN - on Friday its off to Denver to spend a long weekend with Rex, Ronna, Lexi, Matthew and Skylee.

We will have a tea party, I will cook all dinners, and I will spend as much time as possible playing with Lexi and Matthew, and perhaps holding and soothing Skylee back to sleep in the wee hours. The weekend will go quickly - too quickly - and I want to enjoy EVERY MINUTE. These little ones are so precious, and I have only short periods of time with them during the year. So I pray for special health and strength to see me through days filled with reading stories, playing games, cooking dinners, rocking babies, and late night girl talk with Ronna. These will be memories that I treasure forever after.

The Girl Who Goes Boom

2011-09-14T22:21:00.000-07:00

L and I went on one of our "romantic" night time bike rides tonight. The one we went on last night took us on a lot of busy streets, and then, for the finale, L led me to the end of a cul de sac that had a little paved path that went up to the bike trail. He said "pedal fast - there's a bump." So I pedaled fast, having perfect faith in my fearless leader. The bump was actually more like a low curb. My bike flew up and rattled. I wobbled and almost fell off. I said lots of bad words. I tend to do that when I get scared.

So tonight, after the craziness of trying to ride on bike trails that were too dark to see on, or trying to stay away from cars on busy streets, we found a quiet neighborhood that had a long stretch of street with several shorter streets intersecting. Perfect for a nighttime ride - not a lot of cars, quiet neighborhood. Safety first. What could possibly happen here?
We started off and we rode up and down the one main street. L soon tired of the straight line and wanted to go off on some side streets. I started to, but they were fairly hilly, and I knew in my present state of unfitness I would just end up walking my bike up hills. I'm trying to be coordinated - I really am - but both inner thighs are black and blue from hopping on and off the bike and inadvertently hitting that damn water bottle holder. Ow. Ow. Ow. I take a lot of Excedrin every day, and that doesn't help - I bruise really easily.
Back to my story: I told L to go off on some of the other streets. I would be fine just doing my minor little street with the gradual slope. I was practicing going up and down the incline without changing to an easier gear to get my muscles stronger and not so wobbly. So off he went. I was continuing up the street, and I turned around to see what street he'd turned off on, and when I turned back around... WHAM - I ran my bike straight into not one, but two big black trash cans. I flew off the bike, scraped my knee, cut my hand, hurt my shoulder, lost an earring, and wrecked the back brake cable. And knocked my seat crooked. It made a big boom, and lots of dogs were barking. It was really really embarrassing, and I was so happy that no one saw me do it. My legs were all shaky - you know how they get? - but I staggered to my feet and picked up the two trashcans. I picked up my bike but I was too shaky to get back on, so I walked it down the street, snuffling quietly to myself. I finally got back on just about the time that L came back around the corner.
My brakes were all messed up and my shoulder hurt so I told him I needed to go home. When I told him what happened I could tell he was thinking that he KNEW I would do something like that when he left me on my own, but he tried to be nice. I think he was a little mad, but he was trying not to be. I felt really bad. I didn't dare ask him to take me back so I could find my earring.
So off we went back home, me a sad little mess, and my frustrated husband wondering why his wife can't stop getting hurt. I didn't used to be this accident prone - I really really didn't and it's a little mysterious to me why this keeps happening. I try to be careful but it doesn't work. And this is just riding a freaking bike. I mean, I used to jump on horses and barrel them around a whole course of jumps. Fearlessly. And I only killed myself a couple of times. But now I can't even ride a bike without running into parked trash cans, or walk without spraining an ankle. So first L said no more night rides for me, but now he is googling the price of more powerful bicycle lights that you can actually see with. His heart is softening. Because in truth, I think I'm just too dang entertaining to leave home. I bring mayhem and excitement to the party. Keeps you alive and jumping, if only a little bruised and battered. Keeps you wondering, "What's next?"
What's next is that from now on I'll keep my eyes on the road ahead, because I'm running out of favorite things to do that don't kill me. The End.

Mother Hubbard Wants Her Flip Flops Back

2011-09-13T18:35:00.000-07:00

I am clumping around in my sweet new ankle brace. Remember my swollen ankle? The one that had been injured time and time again, and now refuses to be un-swollen? I found out why when I went to the podiatrist on Monday. (Incidently, the podiatrist looked like a cheerful little Ron Paul) He popped my X-rays up on the screen and pointed to a broken bone under my big toe (probably broken a good while back), and a big bone spur on the top inside of my ankle, another bone chip floating around on the side, and, because everything is so catawompus, my ankle joint hangs crooked and so the outside bone is starting to slide downward, out of position. Ohhhhh... so THAT's what's going on in there! The good doctor frowned at my flip flops, and told me never go go barefoot. Maybe I should die now, too... And for the next TWO WEEKS I have to wear supportive shoes. As in Nikes or New Balance. Ugh. I never wear those kinds of shoes unless I'm working out. (Hahaha - and if you know me, you know that's never often enough!) I supposed there was no point in asking him when I could wear heels again, so I kept quiet on that. I'm not a total idiot.
So I've got this black brace that laces up the front like Mother Hubbard shoes, and THEN I get to stuff all of that inside a pair of, as it happens, Avias. And I do mean stuff. It's a glamorous sight, I tell ya. But I'm trying to be good, because he said if I don't, my ankle won't un-swell, and it will most likely dislocate, and then it will need to be fused. And that is a party I'd like to avoid. He said when the swelling is all down, we can talk about repair.
On a cheerier note, L and I went out Saturday and bought bicycles. His, of course, is black - because he IS the man in black. Navy blue if he's feeling particularly colorful. But here is mine:

LOVE my little bike! I'm surprised at how wobbly I am, though. Surprised and embarrassed. But we've gone out and done some riding every night (we have lights that flicker like little strobe lights on front and rear) and it has to get easier, right? I just haven't used those muscles in so long I feel like an idiot huffing and puffing along. But it's fun. L is so into this: he bought a rack to carry the bikes down to the beach to ride this weekend, and he ordered me a sweet little basket so I can carry things. Like snacks. Or beach towels. And I know he's going to order the i-Phone bracket for his Precious. Scott was telling him about it last night, and about how i-Phone has free apps that will plot your course and track your mileage. L was hooked, I could tell.
And speaking of Scott and Ashley: they took us to dinner last night for my birthday! (See? A week later, and it still goes on and on like a good birthday should!) We had such a good time, in spite of my ugly ankle brace. Scott enthralled L with tales of I-Phone apps, and Ashley and I planned a pool/lunch day for this Thursday. I will lose the brace for that.
Still no more pictures of little Skylee, but Katie never lets me down. Here are the recent ones of Mia and Hayden.

Could a little girl look any cuter in a hat?

Hayden has that same dreamy look I get on my face when I'm eating M&Ms. She's all decked out for Halloween! I hope she saves some M&Ms for Mema.

Let's Talk About Everything, But Mostly ME

2011-09-08T21:07:00.000-07:00

You probably thought I'd gone AWOL - drunk with birthday bliss or something. Yes dear friends, I turned 58 yesterday. Rather quietly too. First of all, it was a work day for me so that definitely put a damper on any wild partying. To make matters worse (yes, I'm about to complain) I've been suffering for awhile with a very bad ankle.
Let's back up and give a short history of this ankle. I was always a tad clumsy, and this ankle has always been a tad weak. I've sprained it more than once in my formative years. I would be in a hurry, not watching where I was going and UNGH - over it would go. But the piece de resistance was when I was in my 30's. I had a horse - a hunter jumper - that had gone lame. While he was recuperating I was riding a HUGE horse that was in the stable. His name was Chopin. And he was the biggest horse I'd ever been on. My trainer was having us jump a little course, and I got Chopin to the jump in an awkward place. He gave it a huge effort, and in the process I flew up in the air and landed spread eagle on his back. It surprised him. He took off at a dead run. I remember clearly thinking it would be a good idea to push myself off and land on my feet before I was killed. And so I did. But I landed on that weak foot, and I heard things rip. Oh man that hurt. A lot. Some how we got my boot off, and I was on crutches for awhile after that little trick. That ankle was always just a little bit fatter than the left one after that.
Fast forward about 20 years. I develop rheumatoid arthritis. This is a very annoying condition that seems to head right for the places that are weak. Like my ankle. Sometimes it's there, sometimes it likes to go torment other places, like my knees. Or my shoulder. But for the past 2 weeks it has found a home in my right ankle. I've had to stop walking in the evenings with my husband because it's getting worse. I've cried uncle and have made an appointment with a podiatrist to find out what's going on in there. Why not my rheumatologist? Because he's looked at it before and wasn't much interested in doing anything about it. (I'm looking for a new rheumatologist, by the way) ANYWAY - I've been hobbling and limping around here like a woman twice my age and I'm sick of it.
I've decided a bicycle would be a good thing to have. It doesn't bother my ankle to ride one. So that is my birthday present from L. We haven't found the right one yet, but we're going to go out and seriously look this weekend. I'm tempted to get the one designed by Missoni at Target. It's so cute and chic, but I think the real point is to get exercise and not pay extra for Missoni painted fenders. But it's tempting.

So my birthday passed quietly because I didn't feel well enough ankle-wise to do much. L took me out for a delicious, quiet dinner - just the two of us. I looked forward to it all day - just my love and me.
My granddaughter Lexi called to wish me a happy birthday. She asked me what I was doing for my birthday and I told her that Papa was going to take me to dinner. *crickets chirping* Finally she said "That's all?" Yikes - I didn't want to seem boring to her, so I told her I was going to have my party with her when I got there in a couple of weeks. WELL - right away she said we could have a tea party up in her room and that "All my dolls could join us. I have a lot of dolls, Mema." Lexi makes me laugh. I can't wait to get there.
I have some birthday money to spend (combined with the gift certificate from my coworkers) and this is what I'm thinking of getting:

Call me crazy, but I just love that pink. It'll be like a crazy neutral. All of the bags I have now are really big. And heavy. I want one that is a little bit smaller, and that will go with the wallet I bought earlier in the year. This would do it, but I'll have to go to the actual store to see them in person. I'm excited to go shopping, but my ankle isn't so sure.
I haven't seen any new pictures of our new little Skylee. I talked to mama Ronna right after I talked to Lexi, and she sounded a little bit tired - understandably so. I thought it probably wasn't a good time to hound her for pictures, so I'm trying to be patient. If nothing else, I'll take a ton of pictures when I go in a couple of weeks.
This post is turning into a mish mash. Some days are like that. No focus. All over the place. And I'm hungry so I'm not concentrating. I'll end this with a picture that L took on the last time we tried to walk down at the beach. I'm always amazed at what good pictures i-Phones take. It was (another) lovely day and the lighting was beautiful.

Every day after this picture was taken has been stinking hot - around 100 degrees, and humid for California. It has me longing for autumn. Crisp, cool nights, blue skies during the day. Halloween right around the corner. I need to get my ankle fixed so I can enjoy new babies, tea parties with Lexi, and trick or treating with Mia and Hayden later on in Massachusetts!

Boy or Girl? The Hot Debate Resolved Today..

2011-09-04T15:14:00.000-07:00

Hey you guys - my daughter in law Ronna is in the hospital RIGHT NOW having her baby! We don't know what it is. No one knows what it is yet. They have Lexi, who is five.

And they have Matthew, who is three.

And now we'll have a new little surprise to love. We just got a text a couple of hours ago that Ronna was in labor, and at the hospital. I'm guess I should hurry up and shower now so I don't miss that next important call.
I don't think Mommy or Daddy really care whether they get this

Or this:

We don't much care whether the newcomer has big brown eyes

Or big blue ones

Lexi might like a small someone who is more like her

Matthew might wish for a brother who is full of fun to play with

Daddy might wish for a boy to take long walks with

Photo by TenderShootz

But we also know that Daddy has a huge tender spot for girls too

Mommy doesn't care. She loves them all with the best kind of mother's love.

Photos above & below by Tendershootz

Do Mema and Papa care whether the baby is a boy or a girl?

Nah. Not at all. Because we know that whether the surprise comes in pink

Or blue

This little family is in for some changes of the best kind

Photo by Tendershootz

and some unimagined good times.

And Papa and I just can't wait to take a peek at that new little face!

Stay tuned for the big announcement!

ADDENDUM: We are pleased to announce the arrival of *drumroll*

the very beautiful Skylee Mae, who arrived at 11:30-ish (in my excitement I forgot to ask the exact time) this morning and who weighed in at a healthy 7 lbs, 8 oz, and was 20" long. Hot dog! I'm off to buy little girl things!!

In The Minority At Roscoe's

2011-08-28T22:26:00.000-07:00

I'm getting used to these quiet weekends. It was really hot again, and so it was impossible to think about doing much outdoors in the heat. I had a hair appointment Saturday morning paired with a pedicure. Somewhere something got goofed up in the appointment book and what should have taken about 2 1/2 hours got moved and shuffled around until I was there almost 4 hours. I'd told them that I didn't have anything planned and it didn't matter...so good thing that it didn't. All I cared about was getting fresh polish painted on after a foot massage, and getting new color slapped on my gray roots. 2 hours, 4 hours - I don't care. I just want it done. And it was done very well, so we're all happy now.
By the time I got back home I was starving and so was L. We didn't have any groceries and we were too hungry to go shopping. It was too hot to cook anyway so we headed down to the beach and our favorite Mexican restaurant. After we ate, the temperature was so nice down there that we headed more down to the water in Corona Del Mar to walk our bellies back down to a reasonable size. We started our walk a little further back from the bluff above the beach, as it was pretty crowded nearer the water. We started walking the avenues on Goldenrod, then Heliotrope, then Iris, then Jasmine. We'd never walked back from the water that far, and we had fun looking at how beautiful the homes were, whether they were cottages or Mediterranean mansions. And then we discovered something we'd never seen before: a footbridge going over what used to be a gulch back in the day.

It connected the two halves of Goldenrod and it was built in 1928. There were bright pink geraniums hanging down on each side of it, and they looked stunning as you walked across.

Here is my husband walking across, carrying my purse and sweater. Love that man!

You can see how pretty the flowers look hanging down above the little park and the street below. There is a staircase that leads down from the upper street to the park below.

It was one of those small discoveries that become sort of one of your favorites. We were surprised that we'd never noticed the bridge and it's flowers as we'd driven under it on the street below. Funny how that is. The weather was so cool and refreshing as we walked through the streets, across the bridge, and back again. Here's a view of one of the houses as you first walk over the bridge:

Anyway, this is not maybe something that everyone would like to do, but we enjoy our evening strolls just as we love to look at beautiful houses and dream about what it would be like to live in one of them. Perhaps one day we, too, will own a house at the beach. That's the goal, anyway. And whether the house is grand or humble, I think I could think of some way to make it mine. Even this one:

This little hot tamale is one of our kitchy favorites. It sits high above the bay on a bluff - a spectacular piece of property were it not for the fact that this Pepto Bismol pink thing with the twirly shrubs was built on it. It's surrounded by amazing homes on all sides, and I'm sure the neighbors have considered hiring someone to torch it. But what I wouldn't give to own the land it sits on! One day.... one day we will own our beach property. Until then, we will continue to dream and save.

And speaking of dreaming and saving -

After church we realized we still did not have any groceries, and so L asked what I'd like to eat. Lately (don't ask me why) I've been dreaming about trying fried chicken and waffles. I must have seen it on the Food Channel or something. It's certainly not anything you'd find in my neck of the woods. We Googled it, and found Roscoe's Fried Chicken and Waffles in Long Beach - that was the closest one. So we jumped in the car, and off we went on our dining adventure. The part of Long Beach where it was located was pretty old. And very ethnic. L and I were definitely the minority faces here. It's an interesting feeling when it's YOU that's the minority, instead of the other way around. But we figured we could either eat at the same old places we always eat, or we could do something interesting and different, so into Roscoe's we went.

It was big and noisy and had pink neon lights running all around the dining room. We were two of probably only 3 or four white people in the whole place. The rest were either black or Latino. But the smells coming out of that kitchen were delicious. Our waiter was Raymond. Raymond was huge - about 6'5" and built for football. I didn't ask him if he played. He was really friendly though and we each ordered chicken and waffles. I told Raymond it smelled wonderful in there and he smiled really big.

The place started filling up for dinner about the time our food got to the table. The chicken. Oh.My. The CHICKEN. It was THE BEST fried chicken I've ever had. And I'm here to tell you that pairing fried chicken and waffles is the most genius combination I've had in awhile. There something about the crunch of the juicy chicken eaten with the sweetness of the syrupy waffles that is just heaven. If you live in the South, maybe this is something you're used to. So you know. You're in the club. But for the rest of you - seriously. You must try this before you die. It should be on everyone's bucket list. It's comfort food. SERIOUS comfort food. You wouldn't want to eat this way every day. I wouldn't suggest eating this way even once a week. But once in awhile I highly recommend it. Roscoe's rocks. But I imagine you have your own version of Roscoe's wherever you live. Seek it out. Soon.

And that was my weekend. Today is my friend Marion's birthday. I just got off the phone with her from our annual birthday chat. Marion lives in Olympia, Washington.

She is 58 today, and I will be 58 in a little over a week. We are losing our waistlines. We are going gray. We have our health issues. But we are beautiful. I happen to think she is more beautiful than me, but that is my opinion. She has had a great sadness this year that she is recovering from. She is doing it with great dignity and beauty, and I am taking notes. She's always been such an example of class and beauty to me. I hope this next year will be better and happier for her because she deserves it. I hope I can learn to be as nice a person as she is. I try, but then I seem to get this naughty streak and things go south. But I'll keep trying in my 58th year. And now, dear blogging world, I have a mighty thirst, and I am going to stop now and guzzle a Diet Coke. Because it's hot. Because I'm almost 58 and it scares the bejeebers out of me.

Cook Needs A Foot Rub

2011-08-24T22:29:00.000-07:00

The workload this week has been hectic, to say the least. Of course, much of it is self-imposed. I enter registrations for medical programs and I like to get all of the ones submitted each day entered that same day. It's kind of an anal thing with me - I just don't like to open up the program in the morning and see a bunch that were submitted the day before that I have to get done before I can even start on the current day. I'm a little strict with myself that way. They keep asking me if I'm feeling overwhelmed, and I'm just stubborn enough to say no, no - I've got it, no problem. And then I cry a little bit and pound down a Diet Coke.
Today was a little bit better, so I thought that I would cook a dinner that was a little more involved tonight. It's a recipe from Williams Sonoma: Savory Skillet Pie. You can get the recipe right off of their website.

This is not my quiche - this is Williams Sonoma's... the crust should look like this.

But mine was just as tasty and almost as pretty

I'd made it once before, and I remembered that it was a little bit involved. A lot of chopping. A lot of steps. But I'd forgotten that when I made it before, my husband was home and was being my sous chef. Tonight I was on my own. L had texted me that he would be about an hour late - that means he was going to have a 2 hour commute because of bad traffic. So I thought I had plenty of time.
I mixed up the cornmeal pastry dough and chilled it. While that was happening, I diced an onion, and sliced a red pepper. My daughter called so I had a little chat with her. She is doing really well with her little children's necklace business. I will have a couple of her necklaces soon for a giveaway - I'm just trying to decide on which ones. So all of you with little girls or little granddaughters, start to get very excited because these are really REALLY cute. But I digress.
When I'd made the pastry dough, I remembered that last time there was not quite enough because my cast iron skillet is kind of big. So I made about a recipe and a half. Everything seemed fine. It rolled out easily and I had plenty. I was even able to crimp the edges like in the picture. I was so proud. So cocky. I pricked the sides and bottom and put it in to bake.
When I checked on it after about 5 minutes I was horrified. Apparently I'd put in too much butter ( I admit I am not a great pastry chef) and my lovely crimping had collapsed and was kind of melting down the side of the pan. I pulled it out of the oven and tried to use a wooden spoon to push it back up. So not pretty anymore. But it was working, even if it wasn't beautiful.
While that finished baking, I cut the kernels off of two ears of corn. Oh - and before that I fried up some bacon. The crust finished baking, and while that was cooling, I sauteed the onions, pepper strips and corn in the bacon fat. It was supposed to be in 1 T of bacon fat, but I got a little bit lazy and didn't exactly measure. I think there was too much bacon fat because it was a little bit liquidish. Oh well... Added some string beans and sauteed some more. Pour all of that in a bowl. Husband called in the middle of all of that and I answered and kind of yelled "What? I'm a little busy here!" (Phone calls are the devil when you're in the middle of cooking hell)
Grab the chard out of the fridge. Dang - I'd forgotten to wash it, so I started running water over it. No time to dry it. Cut it quickly into strips and threw it in the pan to wilt it. Done. Throw it in with the other veggies.
Beat 3 eggs with 1 1/4 C half and half. Ran out of half and half and had to use some heavy cream instead. Don't be like me. Salt and pepper. Crumble bacon into it. Add 1 C shredded cheddar cheese. Maybe a little bit more - I am a slothful measure-er. Stir into veggie mixture. Dump everything into the crust and bake for 35 minutes.
And this is when my husband walked in the door. The kitchen looked like I'd been cooking non stop for days, and there was a fine film of flour in the air. More than a fine film on my black yoga pants, and a mild dusting on my face. I looked hot, I tell you. You may kiss the cook.
And after baking for 35 minutes...Hmmm... still watery. Bake for 10 more minutes. Long story short, it ended up baking an extra 25 minutes - probably because of the water clinging to the chard and the extra bacon fat I hadn't measured. But no harm done in the end. The cornmeal crust was crunchy and the filling was savory and cheesy and creamy. So. Good. Now that it's all over and the kitchen (which was a total train wreck I might add) is cleaned up, I can feel warm and fuzzy about this recipe again. Plus, we are only two people and it will feed 8. And quiche is like lasagna - it only gets better the second/third time around. Good thing too, because I don't know if I'll be up to making something new tomorrow night. Cook needs a night off.

A Relaxing Weekend To Offset The Weekly Fray

2011-08-22T09:13:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's because I work at home now, but I felt antsy all weekend. Just couldn't wait to get out of the house. Anywhere - let's go anywhere. My poor husband makes the trek from our house to Torrance every single day. For those of you unfamiliar with the geography, it should be about a 35 minute trip one way. But with typical California overcrowding, and accidents, and what have you it turns into about an hour and a half to two hour commute. One way. Every.Single.Day. So believe me, he's not that anxious to get back in the car and drive around some more.
However, I've been blessed with an understanding soul mate. A best friend. He understands the complexities and nuances of me. And so he got in the car on Saturday and took me to the movies (The Help - excellent, excellent! If you haven't seen it, you must!) After the movie we drove home, and I was still hoping to do something else. We walked upstairs and changed our clothes - because I'd spilled the top layer of buttered popcorn on myself in the dark movie, and I had to soak the top I had on to get out the oily stains. AUGH - I hate when I do things like that! Got the soaking going, and suggested that maybe we could take the Miata out, top down, and drive through Carbon Canyon. It was such a beautiful afternoon, and I just needed to be out of the house. L sighed, but off we went through the canyon. We took the curves, looked for the place where the hot springs and the biker bar used to be back in our wasted youth, ( never having gone to either, you understand - our knowledge was all high school hearsay and innuendo) and wound up on the other side of the canyon in Chino Hills. There's a sweet little Italian restaurant there that we wound up having dinner at. We chatted through dinner like the old friends we are, and got in the car to drive home. Now, driving in the daytime with the top down is nice, but top down in the evening air is amazing. The air was cool, the stars were out, and I turned on the heat so our feet would stay warm. There's something a little magical about zooming through a dark canyon, zipping by the totally funky little town that's there, and finally heading home on the city streets with the top down to the night sky. It soothes and exhilarates me all at the same time.

No - this is not a picture of our Southern California night sky. We NEVER see stars like this - too many

people, too many city lights. But driving top down through the canyon at night FELT like this.

Today was our typical Sunday of church. We came home and decided to change and drive down Corona Del Mar and walk the streets all named for flowers for a little exercise. It was the first time I realized that the streets were named in alpha order (Poppy, then Poinsettia, then Orchid, then Narcissus, and so on) I love those beautiful little streets. 1940s original cottages set next to a double lot Mediterranean style home, next to a Leave It To Beaver pure Americana home. I have my favorites, but honestly, I'd take any one of them if I had the chance. Especially if the front door was a Dutch door - you know, where the top half can open while the bottom half can remain closed. I love those.

And all of the houses - cottages or large homes - have the loveliest flowers in their yards.

We walked several blocks, admiring each home in turn. I have an ankle that is suffering right now from an RA flareup so it started to get swollen and sore, and we had to stop for a bit. (I hate turning into an old geezer...) We found a bench on one of the bluffs overlooking the ocean and sat there admiring the view for about an hour.

This is actually a picture taken by my daughter in Puerto Rico - I didn't take my camera today, so I'm cheating.

There was an old sailboat out there that had a black sail like a pirate ship. A couple of guys were out in a little raft fishing. We saw a couple of seals. We admired the seagulls that glided by - they hardly had to flap their wings at all. The simply glided on the air currents for the longest time. A little black pigeon limped nearby. It's left birdie foot was all floppy and he was limping badly. I could sympathize. I wondered how it got hurt - maybe he had RA too - but I was happy he could still fly. Two older ladies asked if they could share our bench, and of course we said yes. They lived in the area and were very well dressed in expensive looking casual clothes. One lady was wearing a pair of yellow Toms. I decided that I would like a pair of Toms, too. They look really comfortable, and these days I'm all about comfort for my poor swollen foot.
L got hungry so we got up and walked/limped back to the car. The sun was getting lower, and the ocean reflected it brightly. "Sparkle light with yellow icing, just a mirror for the sun" - Red Hot Chili Peppers. It wasn't a day that you would normally write about. Nothing spectacular. Nothing of note. Just one of those good afternoons spent in the company of your best friend, yakking about anything and everything. No pressures, no schedules to keep. A relaxed agenda. I know that tomorrow the work madness starts all over again. But for a couple of days it was nice to have no demands on our time. For a couple of days, time was ours to spend in any way we pleased. And now, as the day winds down, I'm here blogging, and L is in the next room playing his guitar. A little Led Zeppelin, a little of this, a little of that. It's a relaxing end to a very mellow weekend.

Fond Goodbyes, In With The New

2011-08-16T21:34:00.000-07:00

I've started my new job... or it's started on me. With a vengeance. I received my laptop last week, but do you think it would connect on my home internet? Of course not. I made a couple of trips in to the local Spinal sales office because I could work there and my laptop liked their internet wireless better than mine. I could also visit my old coworker Teresa, who I miss like anything. The last time I was there I had a heated session with the company IT department, who still wasn't able to figure out the problem. They suggested I cry Uncle and connect with an ethernet cable. It goes against the grain, but that's exactly what I did. And it works like a charm.
I planted my backside in my work chair All. Day. Long. I started wondering in my head about 4:30 this afternoon why I was feeling so sore and stiff, and then I remembered I hadn't gotten up out of the chair since this morning. I was still not showered OR dressed. I figured it was time, so I abandoned my post for a quick 30 minutes. I am refreshed, and I smell so much better. I figured I owed L that much, seeing as how I haven't set foot in the kitchen to even think about dinner. I'm thinking it's an In 'n Out night. My treat.
I can't believe what a learning curve I'm going through - especially since I did part of this job a little bit in my previous work life. But there you go. The brain turns to mush after 2 months off. And, to be fair, things had piled up a bit, and there was a lot to plow through. It's almost caught up, so I'm feeling a little more optimistic than I was this morning.
Have any of you ever worked with a computer program that is full of little glitches, and you swear sometimes it has an evil brain? Either that, or you're going crazy. Maybe both. Well, that's this program. It's like a shape shifter. It will behave one way now, and in 5 minutes it will do something a little bit differently. Really - it's like you're going nuts. And the really nutty part is that you're so used to the dysfunctional relationship you have with it, that you think it's normal. Until you start thinking about it too much - which I try not to do. I try to have a little treat instead. (But since this is ongoing dysfunction, I'm going to have to police those little treats or I won't be able to fit in my chair)

To move on to more pleasant conversation, my old work group gave me a little Goodbye/Send-Off party on Saturday night. I had a hard time getting ready to go it for some reason. I'd hoped to be about 40 pounds lighter, I wanted my hair to be more perfect - you know, because you want them to remember someone that really isn't you. Someone who looks like the movie star that would play you in a movie. I finally was able to blast off with L, and it turned out to be so much fun. My old boss knows how to throw a party. It was at the La Casa del Camino Hotel in Laguna Beach that is old (like maybe about 80-90 years old?) and has a wonderful area on the rooftop where you can sit and look out at the ocean while you have drinks or eat. View the sunset - it's a gorgeous spot. We also had a room just off the rooftop terrace where we came in to have dinner.
It was so much fun to be with my old friends and coworkers again. All of them weren't able to come, but I have to be honest and say, everyone that came was someone I really wanted to see. A couple of girls I like weren't able to come, but for the most part all of my faves were there. No one talked shop, and I loved every minute of it. I got to talk to my old boss in a more relaxed setting, his wife was there too and I like her quite a bit. We are both named Karen, and every once in awhile my boss would slip and call me "Honey." Then he'd get embarrassed and mutter an excuse about too many Karens. I used to love that. It made him like a real person.
I had kind of gotten over my old team and moved on. But for a couple of days after the party I felt a little melancholy and nostalgic - rather like how I've always felt after a high school reunion (which is why I don't like going to those). I was going through the loss all over again. (L is ready to drop kick me...) I'd really like to believe I'd keep in touch with all or most of these people, but I know I won't. Everyone moves on, and that makes me a little sad. There are four coworkers (John, Judy, Teresa, and Olga: I'm looking at you) that I most definitely want to keep doing things with. John is that irresistible, harmless naughty boy who won't behave. But he has a heart of gold, and he's so random he makes me laugh really hard. L always loved my John stories. Judy is absolutely the most unique person I've ever met: one part super nurse (I insist she's at my bedside to advocate for me if I'm ever in the hospital ) and another part earth mother who loves everyone, cares deeply about everything, third part surfer girl. Lovely person. Teresa and Olga are my Partners in Admin Crime. We have had so many huge laughs together. So many funny stories have passed between us, as well as tears. I love these girlies like family.
So these four saw me through some rough days in the last nine years. They always knew when I was having a bad day, and they've always come through for me in a way that made things all right again. Like the two times I almost got creamed in my Miata. Or when I lost my job. And my boss, Carey. There were times when I wanted to shake him, but I know he always meant well, and that he had my best interest at heart. He always tried to do right by me, and I appreciate that. It was hard for him to let his guard down, but every once in awhile he would, and we'd have some great chats. Or he'd call me Honey. I've lived through all my kids' weddings, sickness and sad times, and the births of my grandchildren with him as my boss, so he knows me pretty well. Plus, I have to admit it: Carey is just so nice looking it was a treat to see him in the office. Sorry. But it's true.

The evening ended too soon, and L and I were on our way home with an armful of loot. The group gave me a lovely parting gift (as usual, way way generous: $250 gift certificate to South Coast Plaza. Christmas came early this year...) and I straggled back to the car bearing my gift and lots of flowers - even a lei to wear for the evening! None of my work friends read this, but I wish I could properly tell each one of them how much they've meant to me over the years, but there aren't words deep enough to describe it. So a regular thank you note will have to do, and that won't half do it justice. But in business, there's only so much mushy huggy stuff you can convey before you sound suspect. Pity. This work family could be a little dysfunctional (*fixing John with a stink eye*) but when the chips were down I couldn't have asked for a more loyal bunch. I have loved and fought with them all - but mostly I've loved them. Thanks, guys - for the growth, for the friendship, for the best 9 years ever.

Liebster (Sweetheart) Blog Award

2011-08-14T22:17:00.000-07:00

I was a little late getting to the party, but when I finally checked my blog this afternoon I found out that I'd been gifted with a little blog award:

Given to me by Sush at First Do No Harm, the Liebster Award (I am told Liebster is German for "sweetheart") is meant to connect us even more and spotlight new bloggers who have less than 200 followers. I definitely fall into that category, and was thrilled to receive it from Sush. I encourage everyone to check out her blog. She's a southern gal, and gives the most delicious descriptions of her doings in a gracious, southernly way. I'm addicted.
In addition, as part of receiving the award, we are also to pass it on to our own favorite blogs that we frequent (again, those with under 200 followers). I read so many great blogs it was hard to choose, but of the ones that meet the criteria, here are some of my very favorites:

Life From The Bleachers - she's an involved mom, whose children are fast getting ready to fly the coop. I can relate to this lady, plus she describes her life in a way that makes me alternately laugh and cry - which automatically hooks me. You'll love it, I promise.

Spots and Wrinkles - she had me at the title. Grown kids spread out everywhere, a LOC (loveable old coot) by her side at home. I relate to her love of home and love of family. I relate to the problems of aging, and the wanting to come to the aid of needy family at the same time as wanting to be home taking care of your roses. I relate to always being a wife and mother, as well as an individual. A tricky act at best. It's a satisfying, good-for-your-soul read.

Whispering Pines and Starkey Hollow - I'm cheating a bit here, and giving you a twofer. I came across both of these blogs at virtually the same time. They both live in Ohio, work at the same hospital, and are friends. I like these blogs because: 1. They live in one of the most gorgeous areas of the country you could imagine and their blogs are full of pictures 2. I love reading about their family gatherings, and things they do that are different from my life 3. Nurses, and the knowledge they have, and the work they do, fascinates me. They are sweet, down to earth ladies, and their blogs are full of weather and seasons and raging creeks that my world in Southern California doesn't contain. It's a view into something different and quite beautiful.

Knees and Paws - I've just recently started reading this one, but it's an inspiration. She is organizing a class to teach at the Y - a writer/illustrator class for home schooled children. She describes a love of family and has her eye on what's important in life. Reading her posts make me want to do good, or do more good. Give this one a try.

Sweet Tea - She writes about everyday observations and musings. Things we all might notice or think about, but somehow take for granted. I enjoy her posts, because they help me appreciate all of the little things that make a day wonderful. She puts me in a good mood, starting with the title picture that tops her blog.

So there you have it - my fab five (or six) - depending on how you look at it. We're all in our blog infancy, and we could all use more friends (who couldn't?) Each one of them has inspired me in some small way, and I like that about many of the blogs I read. Life is tough enough - I need the things I surround myself with to help inspire me to be better, to do better, to do more. These little fledglings do just that for me. See if you don't agree with me.

Caught By The Ditz

2011-08-11T07:55:00.000-07:00

My niece Sheri, and her relatively new husband Tom (they got married last year) have spent their first year of marriage in Taiwan teaching English. They're both lovers of travel and adventure, so what a way to start life together with a bang! They've returned home to the Motherland, soon to move to Philadelphia where Sheri will start graduate school. Long story short, they were at my brother's house last night, and the family gathered to have a visit.
Now, in my defense, (read on for the cautionary tale of the behavior I'm weakly defending) I'd had a long and confusing day yesterday, looking out the window every 5 minutes for the UPS or Fed-Ex truck to deliver my new laptop, which I'd BEEN TOLD had been sent the day before. I got some calls and emails throughout the day asking me if it had been received. I was starting to get nervous because it hadn't appeared. I really would like to start working. Earn my keep. Make some dough. Anyway... at 3:30 (5:30 Central) I was finally told that the aforementioned laptop had, in fact, not been sent as they needed my password to give it a final check. Never mind that someone had all day to call me and ask me what my password was... So all the window watching, scheduling my shower at noon because that was, strategically speaking, the most unlikely time for the Fed-Ex man to appear, the fast and furious emails back and forth - they were all for naught. *hanging head* I was discouraged. One more day with no income.
I'd also only seen Tom at their wedding waaay last year, when I'd brought my grandmother and aunt and was concerned with fussing over them, rather than focusing on the featured bridal couple. I don't think I said more than "Nice to meet you." to the groom. (The defense rests.)

See? No pictures of Tom. Just Sheri and my grandma. No memories to go on...

However, I had a family thing to get to. So I got out of my corporate outfit (yoga pants and a tank top) and spruced up, still mentally working overtime on what I needed to accomplish the second that laptop arrives on Thursday. (Too bad that mentally working ~~equal~~ actually making any money...)
L got home, and off we went to my brother's house. All of my nieces, nephews, their babies, my parents, etc. were there. We meeted and greeted, I held baby Cash, gushed over his amazing eyelashes, said hello to my nephew's cute girlfriend. I walked outside, and my dad was sitting next to a young man I didn't recognize. I knew he'd recently gone to Utah for the funeral of one of his sisters. It passed through my mind that he'd brought some random relative back with him? This was someone's friend? No clue. Whatsoever.
Finally, said random stranger said, "Hi, I'm Tom." Blank stare/polite smile from me. My dad introduced me to the stranger - "This is my daughter, Karen." I'm still clueless, so I said "And you are...?" My mother rushed in to say "You met him at the reception last year!" I'm thinking "WHAT reception?!?" Because all I can remember was my son Scott's reception last June, and I certainly didn't remember this person in front of me. (Sadly, at times, all roads lead to me...) So I actually said, "WHAT reception?!?" At which time everyone looked at me like I was nuts, and I was certainly feeling that THEY were all nuts. Tom, ever the gentleman, softly explained "I'm Sherri's husband." As in the Guest Of Honor, The Entire Reason We Were There. THAT Tom.
Yes, my friends, it took that much of a beating over my head to realize who this poor person was. And I hung my head in shame. I am not normally this ditzy - or at least I am usually better at covering for myself. And I would be tempted to explain it away as old age setting in, and everyone would believe that because...well... old age IS kind of setting in. But sadly, things like this have happened to me throughout my entire life. And I don't know why. I'm smart - yes, I really am. I'm usually socially adept. I'm not a hermit in a cave. A hobo, yes, but not a hermit. But I cannot deny that at certain points of my life (and usually very embarrassing ones) I cannot escape The Ditz.
This partially explains why, in school, 99% of the time I'd have the most correct, intelligent answer to a question that anyone could possibly come up with. But I rarely raised my hand to give it up, because 1% of the time it would come out as a WAG (wild ass guess), and I could never see that 1% coming. So I learned to sit back and be quiet. Take no risk.
Now, that's the beautiful thing about getting older. You can laugh these things off - throw caution to the winds. And although I'm still mortified about last night, I know that Tom will just think of me fondly as Sheri's nice but dotty old aunt. (I'm looking at you, Tom... please forgive me?) And I'll redeem myself, hopefully, over the years. But the bottom line is that as I've aged, I've gained the ability to put these momentary lapses into perspective. They're the stuff that family stories are created from, and my idol - my grandmother - had a million of them that she was the star of. And if I become as beloved as she was, I won't be doing half bad. A mixture of good living, good loving, a healthy ability to laugh at myself, and a child's curiosity about everything - it would be a life well lived. As long as I can always throw in that random pinch of silly. And since that doesn't ever seem to be a problem for me, (emphasis on the random) I think I'm good.

Mia has inherited the silly - let's hope she escapes the Ditz...

Minnesota Lakes & Pontoons...Don't'cha Know

2011-08-06T23:30:00.000-07:00

I'm back from Minnesota. I had a hard time getting there. My wished-for weather arrived in the form of lightning storms over Minneapolis... so our plane was diverted to Sioux Falls, SD because we didn't have enough gas to keep circling until the lightning stopped. Sooo... we gassed up in SD and were on our way to Minneapolis again in about 45 minutes. We arrived, but the lightning was still intermittent so the ground crews had all scurried away inside. That meant we sat on the tarmac waiting for the lightning to go away for almost an hour. I was sad that I'd wished for the lightning. At last the ground crews crept outside again, and we were able to hurry off the plane before something else happened.
I had a car waiting for me, and the driver kept calling me to see where I was. There was a luggage snafu and no one could figure out which carousel it was coming in on. When we looked at the boards that post such things, our flight wasn't on there. I guess they couldn't decide whether our flight had come from Orange County or from Sioux Falls. In any case, neither was listed and so we wandered around lost and dejected until we had the bright idea to ask at the Delta service desk. Finally: luggage located and I was off downstairs to meet the car and driver.
I was outside in the ground transportation area for less than 2 minutes and my hair was literally dripping sweat from the heat and extreme humidity. I was literally a hot mess while trying to find my driver. As quickly as I could I jumped in the car and asked him to crank up the air. The heat and damp air were deadly - as bad as anything in Puerto Rico, but no nice sea breezes OR sea. Yuck.
When I got to the hotel I was able to hose off and get comfortable before being picked up for dinner by one of my new coworkers. She came with her husband and they were both so nice. She was blonde and had beautiful blue eyes. When we got to the restaurant, we happened to see some friends of theirs - also all blonde and all with beautiful blue eyes. I suddenly realized I was completely surrounded by Swedes and Vikings, don't'cha know. They are a good looking bunch, I have to say, but it was an odd feeling to be a minority of sorts.
The next day, this same coworker and another one picked me up for the trek north to the resort on Gull Lake. It was a long, long trip - almost 3 hours in the car with people I barely knew. At last we arrived at our destination. And it was stinking hot and humid. And our rooms weren't ready. We got some lunch and waited. And waited. Before our rooms were ready, the others had all arrived, and everyone wanted to get the party started. It started with a happy hour. Lots of drinking. There are only so many Diet Cokes or tonic waters I can drink. I was bored, but everyone else was having a really good time drinking. At dinner time (still hadn't been to the room because my luggage was held hostage in the car of one of the happy drinkers) everyone boarded a pontoon (they pronounce it "pan-tOOn") for a migratory trip around the lake - basically bar hopping and eating our way around it. Yay.
The first bar also provided our appetizers: onion rings, deep fried chicken wings, deep fried coconut shrimp, deep fried jalepeno poppers, and tater tots (Really?? I flew 3 1/2 hours and drove another 3 for TATER TOTS?!?) There were little flies buzzing around that kept biting my ankles. It hurt. We were finally able to leave that hell-hole and get on to the next watering hole - the very same place where we'd had bad pizza for lunch. So - yay - we got to have more bad pizza. And lots of drinks. And apparently the staff was too overwhelmed to serve us our sodas and/or water: we had to get up and get our own. At last we were on our way back on the pontoons to our own hotel for dessert. Everyone thought it was hysterical to throw cherry tomatoes and raw veggies back and forth at the people on the other pontoons. Our driver was racing with the others and water sloshed in and got us all wet. Everyone thought that was hysterical too. The fearless leader of our pontoon grabbed tongs (from the vegetable trays that had been baking on the boats all evening) and attempted to field the veggies flying our way. He got his shoes very wet but made a valiant stand.

The sunset over Gull Lake during our vegetable fight

Finally - AT LAST - we got back and herded up to where the ice cream was. We made our own sundaes, but what's this? - the staff had forgotten to provide spoons. So while our ice cream melted they scurried around trying to find spoons. There were hundreds of dragon flies buzzing all around us. It was kind of cool - they are like bug fairies, and don't bother me. I'd never seen so many all at once, but I'd never been to a lake in Minnesota either. It was almost 9:00pm and still light outside. I was told it doesn't get dark until almost 10 in the height of summer. Crazy.

Oh, people were still not done drinking, but thankfully, THANKFULLY I had roommates in our particular townhouse that were ready to go to bed, since it was 10pm and breakfast was at 7am. We got in the car, luggage in tow, and drove to our rooms. Where I promptly had a very bad night's sleep. I guess I was expecting more of a 4 or 5 star resort. You know - good pillows and good mattresses, nice bed linens. This was nice and clean, but a little rustic. Plus, I knew I had to get up early for the meeting and that automatically jinxed any good sleep I might have had.
Wednesday morning: Breakfast and a morning meeting. Pretty standard, and I learned a lot about the team I'll be working with. We had a working lunch and then - oh joy! - the team building activity: a scavenger hunt. I hate to be negative, I really do. But that was one of the lamest things I've ever done. Grown men and women screaming at each other to run! RUN! in that hot humid heat to find, and take pictures of ridiculous things. Now, if there's a prize at the end that I want, I'm as competitive as anyone. But I am NOT competitive just for the sake of competition. These sales people are like Pavlov's dog when you dangle a contest in front of them. It was just nuts. And stupid. I was thrilled when it was over and I could go back to the room all by myself for some quiet time. The owner of the car had gone golfing and she very kindly let me use her car. I really liked her.
At 3:15 it was time for my massage so off I went. It was OK. The girl who did it told me how tired she was, and that she'd done 6 massages before me and had one after me. (Was I supposed to feel sorry for her?) After she said that, I didn't expect much, and it was a good thing, because I didn't get much. But I didn't really care because it killed time, and I didn't have to pay for it. Plus, it was quiet and peaceful in there.
Back to the room to clean up for dinner as I had massage oil all through my hair. Dinner was at an Italian restaurant on the premises that everyone raved about. Seriously, Olive Garden is better than that restaurant was. Maybe the wine was good - everyone was really enjoying that - but from my perspective the food was lacking. Not a lot of flavor in anything except the flank steak strips with a wine reduction sauce. I liked that, but no one else did as they didn't like rare meat. *sigh* Only one more day to go, however.
Thursday: Breakfast and morning meeting. Results of the scavenger hunt. My team won. Oh, the chest beating and hilarity... and the eye rolling from me. Finally, it was over, and I was assigned to go to the airport with a couple of girls who had room for me and my large, giant suitcase. I liked them. They thought the scavenger hunt was stupid too. And they thought the food was bad. We came to the conclusion that we live in areas where there are A LOT of choices as far as eating out (they were from New York) and that maybe we were spoiled. Probably quite right about that. Not a lot of choices in that part of Minnesota, and they are pretty much a meat and potatoes crowd anyway.
Minnesotans are very proud of their lakes. Rightfully so - they're beautiful. I enjoyed seeing a portion of the country I'd never seen before. It was green, and full of wildlife (one girl almost ran into a little deer family while out running one morning), and gorgeous flowers. We heard loons on the lake. There were spectacular sunsets. I assume the sunrises were equally beautiful, but I was in the shower for those.
But I missed my home. And my husband. I felt like they could have done this meeting in one day in a hotel in Minneapolis and spared us the 2 days of travel to and from the remote resort. It was hot and sticky and even though everyone was really nice to me, they already knew each other really well, so I felt like an outsider. And I WAS an outsider, for heaven's sake - I don't live or work there!
So I was glad to fly home to my husband, my own house, my own bed. Home is always a good place for me to be. But I was glad to have experienced the grandeur of a Minnesota lake at sunset. Even more glad that I'd captured it on my i-Phone.

Minnesotans say there are three good months in each year: the summer months. It's when they go to the lakes, get out on the water in their boats and pontoons, go to their lakeside cabins. They enjoy every minute that summer offers, because they know in a few short months the harsh winter will be upon them again. And unless you just love to ice fish, the lake will be unavailable for awhile. So I was glad to see this seasonal beauty accompanied by my new blonde, blue-eyed friends. And for a little while, when we were on the water at sunset, I was glad I'd come.

Packing Light Seems So Wrong

2011-07-29T16:10:00.000-07:00

I feel like summer is just screaming by. I feel lucky - it's the first one in years that I've been able to take advantage of as if I were a student on summer vacation. I've tried not to be too lazy. I've tried to get out more, I've taken over cooking dinner every night, and getting chores and errands done during the day, instead of scurrying around after work or on precious weekend time. But I can't deny I've had the time to bask in the sun, get a tan, read some good books, and - perhaps best of all - sleep until 7-7:30 every day. What a luxury! I feel good going back to work next week - although it's hardly work yet. Three days at a resort on a lake can't be counted as true work, other than the stress of travel and meeting a whole team of new people, as well as getting up to speed on my new role. And yes, even though I like to travel and meet new people, when I'm traveling alone it's a little stressful for me. I worry that I'll miss a flight, get lost in the airport (Minneapolis is HUGE!), run out of cash, or worst of all, have an arthritis flareup and feel miserable. Now bear in mind that none of these things are likely to happen, but I am inherently a worrier, despite my outward joie de vive.
So because I tend to be worried and sleepless before a trip, I'm spending today washing, making a packing list, and seeing if I can downsize any hair products, etc. into smaller containers. I have a brother who is a world traveler for business, and he told me quite belligerently that no one who travels with him is allowed to check baggage. For any reason. *GULP* I felt guilty. I am the classic over-packer. The thought of being stuck somewhere wishing I had brought this sweater or that pair of shoes wakes me up at night. So I typically arrive at my destination with way too much stuff, but I'm confident that I have everything I could ever need. And I can sleep.

I'm not really this bad... but close...

But I am trying to change. I don't want my new work team to eye my super huge suitcase and think I'm ridiculous. I can't guarantee I'll be able to fit everything into a carry on (my carryon bag is pretty small so I'd need to shop for a suitable size) but at least I'm determined not to show up with a suitcase AND a carry on. Simplify is the new mantra. Which I've been practicing all summer. Simpler hair, simple (or no) makeup. Simple needs. Simple life. But in order to simplify I need to be organized, and that is the task of the day: to organize everything so I'm not throwing things into a suitcase in the usual last minute, over-tired panic.

The next thing I want to talk about is Blogger. Is anyone else having the problem of posts disappearing from the Google Reader? I all of a sudden lost some readers, and while it hurt my feelings a little bit, I thought that ya'll had grown weary of me. One of my friends told me that my posts weren't showing up in the reader. I had a very kind blogger show me how to fix that, but I'm still seeing my posts go back and forth from the Reader. The fix doesn't seem to be permanent. Just wondering if anyone else has had that problem and what you did about it. That is all.

Although this isn't a cooking blog, I've been spending so much time trying new things this summer I like to share the highlights. One of my favorite sites to find recipes is The Pioneer Woman. The other day I was looking for something to do with chicken and came across a recipe for Herbed Chicken - you know, the kind you get already roasted in the market? (I love market chicken!) If you're afraid of roasting whole chickens (you shouldn't be - it's so easy!) I think you could do this just as well with the packages of chicken where it's already cut up for you. If it's a whole chickeh, stuff the cavity (after you take out all of the disgusting guts and dispose of them...yuck... a good case for a pre-cut up chicken) with a quartered whole onion, a lemon cut in half, and 2-3 cloves of garlic, smashed. You're not going to eat this - it's just for flavoring, so no need to take a lot of time chopping it up small.
Make a rub of 2-3 T chopped fresh herbs (I used sage, rosemary, and thyme) and 1T salt and 1 tsp pepper. I also added a little bit of brown sugar, paprika, and cayenne, because I like a little spicy sweet flavor. But the herbs alone would be delicious as well. Mix all of that thoroughly with 3 T olive oil and rub it all over the outside of the little chicken. It will smell so good! But don't eat it yet. Pop it in the oven at 450 (yes, 450 - I had my doubts too) for about an hour for a 3-5 pound chicken. If you use a thermometer, it will register 160 when done.
The chicken will sizzle and pop like you're frying it (which you almost are with the oil and herb rub) but don't be scared. It does make kind of a mess - I had to clean the oven afterwards, but it was worth it. When it's done, it will smell heavenly, the skin will be brown and crispy, and it tastes like the best chicken you've ever had, juicy and savory. Worth the little bit of messy cleanup (unless you have a self cleaning oven - yay for those!) If anyone has an idea of how to solve the problem of spattering oil, I'm open to it. But try this - it's really really good.

I've been checking the Minnesota weather. On Monday when I arrive, there are supposed to be thunderstorms. I remember the first time I ever went there, it rained like a mother. Those folks have weather! Anyway, as long as I can land safely, it would be fun to have a little lightning to look at, or hear some thunder. Makes me feel like I've actually gone somewhere. And then please let the sun come out so we can enjoy the next couple of days at our resort on the lake. Amen.

Pies From Summer Goodness

2011-07-29T10:06:00.000-07:00

Lately I've become obsessed with making pies. Not big full-size pies - little hand pies or mini pies. I've gathered recipes from Williams Sonoma and others, and I've been having pie baking days about once a week. Last week I made blueberry and strawberry pies. The blueberry ones were so delicious, but the strawberry ones - while not as pretty (they leaked a lot while baking) tasted just like the best summer strawberries you ever had. It was hard to stop at just one pie.

This week I wanted to use the blueberries I had, but try something a little different, so I added peaches. I sprinkled the fruit mix with a little sugar and cinnamon to start. The fruit looked so gorgeous in the bowl with the flecks of cinnamon!

I had some really good frozen pie dough from Trader Joe's and I was able to make 13 little blueberry-peach pies with it. (Actually there were 14 - I had to eat one. You know - take the new filling for a test drive.) This is how they looked right out of the oven:

Next up: strawberry. I'd run out of frozen dough, so I got brave and made my own. Surprisingly, it wasn't hard to do at all. I've always been so intimidated by pastry dough that I've just bought the frozen kind, but no more - unless I want to take it easy on myself. While the dough was chillin' in the fridge, I chopped up the strawberries into small pieces so they'd fit in the smaller hand pies. This pie is so easy because all you do after you cut the pastry rounds is put a dollop of strawberry jam (any kind) in the middle of the round and then top it with some strawberry pieces. Brush the dough on the edges with an egg wash, fold it over into a half-round shape, and crimp it with a fork. So easy for something that is sooo good.

Once I got both kinds of pies all baked, I put one of each on a plate and took their picture. Help.

And now they'll have to wait to be eaten until tomorrow. I'm taking them to a friend who is here on vacation with her family - which is why I needed to make so many! They're such a good little treat - they taste like summer with all the fresh berry goodness inside, and they'll be easy to serve and eat. You can just hold them in your hand if you want. Does anyone remember eating those Hostess Pies when you were a kid? These are like those - only a million times more fresh and delicious.

It was a fun day. I love to bake, but I can't bake without having somewhere to send all the deliciousness. So my friend gave me the perfect opportunity to do something fun for her in return for all of the nice things she's done for me, and to enjoy the heck out of myself while I was doing it. Williams Sonoma sells a new cookbook for these mini pies. The description in their catalog even mentioned a s'more one. I've been thinking about how that one would be done. I may have to break down and buy the book.

I did have some blueberries and strawberries left over after making the pies. When I was watching the Today Show, Giada di Laurentis was on and gave a recipe for a Mixed Berry and Thyme jam. I'm here to say it's one of the best things I've ever tasted. Only, instead of jam, I think we'll spoon it over vanilla ice cream. It's beautiful to look at, and the slight undertone of thyme gives it the most interesting flavor. Even better, it keeps for a month in the fridge - plenty of time to use it up!

I love having a baking day. I'm learning a lot about making my little pies, and the biggest problem I'll have is to keep myself from sneaking down to the kitchen in the middle of the night to have a little secret snack. Take my word for it - these little treats are fun to make, and are so good that you really do need to plan on giving them away before you begin to think of them as yours. Otherwise your jeans will get very tight.

Achieving The Dream: Retirement In Paradise

2011-07-26T23:15:00.001-07:00

I've got one more week to go before I start working. I have to admit - I've kind of lost the knack of knowing how to fill my day when not working. I thought it would be so easy. So many projects and ideas swirling around in my head. But I haven't started one of them. I don't really know what my paychecks will be like and it's thrown me for a loop. Made me scared to spend money, and anyone who knows me will not believe that, but it's true. I feel like I'm in some kind of limbo. An alternate universe where I have the same wants and needs, but I'm afraid to act on them. L and I have lately had some serious discussions about retirement, and where we want to be, and how we want to live. And we've realized we need to step things up a little bit in the savings department. Not that we weren't doing OK, but it was just that: OK.

I don't want to retire just OK. That implies a part time job being the greeter at Walmart. I hate Walmart. I want to retire greeting friends and family in a house in Hawaii. At least for part of the year. (L actually found one for sale that had a view of the ocean AND a guest house for less than 1 million. Can you imagine?? That would be the ultimate for me.) I want to spend my nights falling asleep to the sound of the ocean. Weeks at a time breathing thick salt air while beachcombing. And for that we'll need to have lots saved up so we have some ready cash to achieve our impossible dream. So we've been having lots of Serious Talks about budgeting and saving. Not my favorite conversations, but I'm trying to be adult. A responsible adult, for once in my life. So we've discussed not eating out as much (no more that once a week - GAH!), cutting down on the clothing allowance, and other such no nonsense measures. Sooo, my working from home has come at a very opportune time, hasn't it? There's a master plan in the works for each of us, my friends... always a plan. I'm convinced of it. I don't need a corporate wardrobe to sit in my home office during the day. And while it sometimes hurts my heart to realize I'll have to use words like "No" and "Budget" and "NO," I know in the long run it will be a good thing to stifle my/our compulsive purchases. I'll just have to hum hymns loudly when confronted with a shoe sale, the same as others do to overcome evil thoughts. Evil thoughts being a whole other problem, but I can only concentrate on financial planning or evil thoughts at this point - not both.

It'll take some getting used to. Instead of each keeping our own money, we're going to *gulp* POOL IT. It will be hard. I haven't discussed or asked anyone else whether or not I could or should make a purchase in years. My MO has been to do pretty much what I please, within reason. As has L. But no more. We will discuss. We will weigh the fiscal soundness of each expense. And, if we don't kill each other first, we may actually end up with that Hawaiian beach house complete with guest house in our golden years. Trade winds on the lanai... that would turn "sticking to a budget" into the sweetest phrase ever.

The Need To Perfect The Aim... Or Maybe The Catch

2011-07-26T23:15:00.000-07:00

I had to fill out a million pages of information and sign away my rights to privacy so I could have my evil ways investigated in a background check for my new job. You know, just in case I'd decided to go on a wild crime spree in the two weeks I've been unemployed. They asked the names of work supervisors I'd worked with over 11 years ago. And these were the retail jobs. Anyone who's ever worked in retail knows the crazy musical chairs of going from store to store searching for that elusive bigger commission check. So not only could I not remember any of their names, they wouldn't be there anymore anyway. The only names I could remember were my last manager (Non-retail. And good he was memorable since my job with him just barely ended) and also my brother's name dating back to the time when I worked in the family biz, and he was the general manager. But judging how my memory has been lately, it's probably a triumph that I remembered his name, too.
It was a long, boring hour spent in the Volt agency office filling out paperwork, signing forms, calling people to get correct addresses, etc. At last I was finished, and out the door to my next appointment: the drug test.
I parked in a space that was marked "20 minute parking only." Because... that's all it should have taken. I had my order form ready, I'd made an appointment the previous day. I was PREPARED. First I was asked which Volt office had ordered the test. Umm.... Minneapolis? Does that help? They couldn't find me. I supplied the name and phone number of the person who had placed the order and made the appointment, so they called old Darla up. Oh dear... she'd "forgotten" to enter me into the system. This was after I'd been sitting there for 45 minutes amongst all manner of tatooed, skinhead types who were there for some kind of Workman's Comp treatment. I felt a tad out of my element since I'm a middle aged girl (is that an oxymoron?) with no tatts or piercings. I tried to sit there and be invisible. I read my Kindle. I played Angry Birds.
Turns out we were waiting for Darla to fax some info over. And then we had to wait for the drug test nurse to get back from lunch. Finally, after an hour and a half, I was called to the back. I had to stuff my purse into a locker so I couldn't, you know, use someone else's "specimen" to cover up my heavy drug use. I was handed The Cup and told I was not allowed to flush afterwards. ??? For some reason that would invalidate the sample.
So in I went. Relax. Relax.... RELAX. Just let it go.

And then I did. All over my hand. Why is it so hard to judge where that pee is going to hit?? Plus I panic when I start to pee because I'm afraid I won't get the cup there in time to catch it, or I'll miss it or something, and then what'll I do? When I told my husband about it, he had a hard time understanding it too, but then I reminded him that it's easy to hit the cup when you can aim at it with a hose. Try doing it blindfolded like a girl and it's not so easy.
So.... yuck... I'm trying to mop up around the cup and towel off my dripping hand, and all I can think about is getting out of there and washing my hands. Scrubbing my hands. Of course there's no sink in the bathroom - that would encourage cheating of some sort I'm guessing. While the nurse labeled my offering, I was scouring the skin off my hands.
I'm glad I decided to get it all over with in one day. I'd have hated to spread the aggravation over two days. It was all I could do to drive by the Sugar Rush Bakery on my way home without stopping for a chocolate covered Oreo. Today I felt that I was entitled to a treat, but you'll be pleased to know that I persevered and went home and ate tuna instead. Not a fair tradeoff, but life is often unkind, isn't it?
Besides, I have my team building meeting with my new group of work buddies in a couple of weeks and I need to lose about 20 pounds by then because we're going here and I'm not sure if it will involve lake activities. It's either lose 20 or wear Spanx in the Minnesota summer.
Mostly I'm just hoping I won't have to share a room. I'm hoping to keep them ignorant to the fact that I sometimes snore. I didn't believe L when he told me I snore... zzzZZZZZZZzzzzz..., but then I woke myself up doing it a few times, so I can't deny it anymore. Getting older definitely has it's ugly side, but I find I've also gained more confidence and yes, a certain poise and assurance as I've aged (except when I sleep, apparently...) Still, after all these years of living intimately with myself, you'd think I would have been more coordinated at peeing in a cup.

Good Things Come To Those Who Whine... NO - To Those Who WAIT

2011-07-14T13:55:00.000-07:00

It's been a whirlwind week. On Tuesday I was determined to keep myself busy all day. I got out my sketchbook and practiced up, and I got out my new camera, determined to teach myself a thing or two. I spent all morning sketching a few things here and there, and snapping pictures of mundane things in my yard using different settings to see what would happen. It was fun, and it kept me busy for most of the afternoon. I'm constantly amazed at how hard it is to figure out what to do with yourself when you're not used to having free time during the day. I can see that new habits need to be forged. Practice makes perfect.
I haven't sketched anything in the longest time, and I've missed it. And I clearly need the practice. I was reading an acquaintance's blog - she is an amazing artist - and she has started doing what she calls "Postcards From My Walk" where she and other artists from all over the world send each other sketches and quick drawings or paintings from their walks or surroundings. I'm nowhere near on their level, but it inspired me to practice and see what I could do. This is the first thing I did, and I was pleased that I was able to do it quickly without obsessing on the details (which is what I usually do - the opposite goal of a SKETCH...)

I did a couple of others but I won't bore you. It felt good to go through the exercise and realize that I could still make quick pencil drawings. I have a lot to learn - and I would love to take classes - but it was enough for a start.
I'd also decided to get out my camera (which I really have no idea how to work) and fiddle around with it until I'd played with several settings in different ways. The hours flew by and it was so much fun! Here are a few of the images that worked out, and that helped me to learn a little bit more about what to do when with this camera:

I put the camera on the manual setting and just turned dials and pushed buttons to my heart's content.

I changed apertures and adjusted shutter speeds back and forth. I did things that I know not
what they are...

Or what they do...

I waited all day for the fountain to turn on so I could try to catch the water drips. Most of the shots didn't turn out at all. Some were too light, some too dark, some were completely out of focus.

But some didn't turn out half bad. And I had a lot of fun playing around. I'm not ready to
shoot anyone's wedding yet, but it was a good start.

But the best part came next. About 4:30 my cell phone rang and it was someone from one of the companies I'd sent a resume to. They had two positions they thought I'd be good for: one was an Admin position for their Meetings Department, a temp to hire opportunity, but they weren't quite sure if the position had been filled already as they'd been interviewing. The other was for a short term temp project working with both this company (Allergan) and Price Waterhouse - so even though it was short term (about 90 days) it was a chance to be in front of two good companies. I set up an appointment for an interview Thursday afternoon at 1pm.

Now I was in a quandary, as I'd also been going through the interview process with my old company for a new position there. But they hadn't finalized anything yet - things were still going through approval. What was going on?? What to do...? What I did was get up early on Wednesday morning and get on email to contact my old company to find out what was going on. But before I could do that, there was a new email from them telling me I had the job and they would be calling me later that morning. Sweet relief!!

Two months of waiting, watching, applying, chewing my nails, stressing out. And suddenly, in one day, I have not one, not two, but THREE offers in the works! Nothing like going out in a blaze of glory...

Long story short: I have accepted a position as registration coordinator for the Education Department at Medtronic. It's technically a temp position (working through an agency that supplies contract workers to Medtronic), but it's a permanent position, with a possibility of hiring on to Medtronic itself down the road. There are no benefits (medical, 401K, etc) but I'm covered through L's insurance, and I'll just have to take what was being contributed to my 401K before and do it myself. The perk of the whole thing is that I can work from home - and for me, that's a HUGE perk. I start on August 2nd - and I will debut at a team building meeting at a resort somewhere in Minnesota! (yay... Minnesota in August...) But despite muggy, muggy heat and big bugs, I am happy to go and meet my new team. It's an exciting new endeavor.

So we can all stop worrying about me and concentrate on the next person. Thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers over the past few months. I know I've been whiney and unbearable at times, but it was always good to feel your kind support. We did it together. And I can still work all day in my jammies if I want to.

Lost In Free Time

2011-07-09T15:35:00.000-07:00

A Saturday with not a lot to do. Which I feel a little bit guilty about, as my friend Wendy has a daughter getting married today, and I'm sure her day is drama and chaos all rolled into one package. Probably wrapped beautifully with a gorgeous bow, but drama and chaos nonetheless. I have my task to perform: pick up the fruit trays at about 5pm and get them hence to the reception location. My one recurring nightmare is that I'll arrive to pick them up and they won't be there. *stop it, crazy imagination* But until then, there's not a lot to do, so I'm sitting here letting my hair air dry as much as possible. It's so hot I can't stand the thought of blowing heated air on my head for 20 minutes.
I got up and made pancakes today with some blueberries that needed to be used. Lemon blueberry pancakes, because I folded lemon curd into them. They were ok - tasted good - but I'm not a great pancake maker. They were a little soggy. I think the pan has to be really hot to give them that crispy edge? That was L's consensus, anyway. Try, try again.
After breakfast we headed out for a walk. By this time it was about 10:00 and it was heating up outside. We started over by our church at the bridle/hiking trail that starts across the street. Lots of people were out with their dogs and bicycles and kids. It made me wish for a bike (again). The trail winds through homes and then ducks under a big street, coming out and up alongside a large church in our area. Good to feel a little breeze at this point. We'd passed couples, families, and one older man, and we all said a cheery "Good Morning" to each other. On to the Nixon Library, where docents waited to give tours outside one of Nixon's old helicopters. (Can you imagine what an oven that tour would be on a hot day?? No thanks...) Other docents were giving tours through the old homestead and the gardens. It's really a lovely property.
Not too much beyond that, we stopped and turned back. It could feel the sun hitting me pretty strongly at that point, and I kept having to mop off my face with my top layered tank top. (Yes, I am a hot mess when I exercise. I drip in rivulets...) Finally back to the car and we sped off to the gas station for a couple of cold, frosty Diet Cokes. Ahhhhh...that's it...
A cool shower later and here I sit... waiting for my hair to air dry... L has gone off to get a new tire put on the Exploder. It's been an odd few days. My life, my job is changing, and I'm not quite sure how things are going to go. I've felt alternately anxious, depressed, and exhilarated.
I've been home with not much to do for the past week. I'm a little disappointed in myself as I thought I would pull out projects, get busy, be creative. I've done none of that. I fought off a cold. But I was hoping I'd get out and do more. Be more disciplined with my time. Accomplish something wonderful. So that is my goal this next week - to make a list of things that I need or want to do. And do them. I may be searching your blogs for inspiration and a guiding light. But no pressure.

Ladies Who Lunch

2011-07-07T17:13:00.000-07:00

I had the best day today! An acquaintance called out of the blue and invited me to lunch. Do you know how long it's been since I could go have lunch with anyone socially on a school day? (Too long, that's how long.) And if that wasn't enough good stuff, when I was getting ready to go, a prospective employer called and wanted to make an appointment for a conference call interview with her whole team. Would now be a good time? Why yes, I thought - now is as good a time as any. Let's just get it done. So I called my friend and told her I'd be a little late.
The call went great! (At least I hope it did...) When I talked to the team leader yesterday she told me that I was one of the top people on a very short list of applicants that they were considering. So that helped up the confidence factor. I felt like I answered all questions to their satisfaction - although I got a little stumped on that classic question "What are things you feel you could improve on?" Not that I can't improve in dozens of ways, but which one to pick that would be the least harmful to mention? All in all, I thought it went well, the group (which I've worked with in a limited capacity in my former job) was friendly, and when they asked me if it would be a problem to come to Minneapolis to train for a week, I took that as a very positive sign. They will make their decision tomorrow. Prayers please... multiples if possible...
Next on the agenda: lunch with my friend. We went here:

and ate this:

Mmmmmmm... Pork Barbacoa Salad... It's been awhile since I've been to Cafe Rio, and it was like going to an old friend's house for lunch. An old friend who is a really really good cook. I temporarily forgot about my diet. Don't judge me - friends and lunch are an irresistible combination for me. We had a great time talking about everything under the sun. I don't know why it's so satisfying to get out with a friend and feel so comfortable that you can talk about anything, but it is. It's good to connect, understand someone else's trials, and feel that yours are understood as well. I learned some things about her that I didn't know before, and it made me like her even more. We think a lot alike, and it was refreshing and surprising. I think we'll do it again. We may even grab the boys and have dinner.

So I've (almost) secured a job, and I made a new friend out of an old acquaintance. It was a really good day. A friend, a great interview, and Pork Barbacoa Salad all in the same day. Things are looking up, and I'm the first to say that I appreciate that.
It feels kind of like this:

Thanks To The Patriots

2011-07-04T11:25:00.000-07:00

Happy Fourth of July!

Have a safe and happy day with family and friends...

Wave flags, have delicious BBQ's with the ones you love, jump in the pool, watching the little ones through the grilled smokiness.

Light sparklers and make bright, sparky trails through the dark. At least one child will step on a hot one with bare feet. It's a kind of rite of passage. Enjoy the big fireworks lighting up the sky. Listen to patriotic music, loud and clear.

Eat watermelon, make home-made ice cream. Love the community spirit of wherever you live. Celebrate it all in glorious red, white, and blue...

And always remember - never forget - the ones who came before who made our country great, sacrificed all, and made our blessed freedom possible. A land where our children can grow up happy and free, if we but keep our diligence and remember.

End Of An Era

2011-06-30T21:32:00.000-07:00

Last day of work today, guys. I jumped on the day early at 7:30am, as I was worried I wouldn't have enough time to finish everything I wanted to. No extra chances for anything after today - my email and phone line would be shut down right after closing time. I had so much work to do in the first place, (getting PO's collected to earn my bonus!) but I really wanted to have the time to talk to the special friends I wanted to, and to be able to thoughtfully compose and send a goodbye and "thanks for the fun" email to my team. It was hectic, and it literally took me right up to 5pm. I didn't shower or get dressed until the end of my work day (I'm such a pig) but I did have time to finish everything up right. It was a good feeling, albeit bittersweet. I'm going to miss these people, as maddening as they could be. A couple of them - recent hires - who I hadn't gotten to know all that well called and said some really sweet, supportive things, and then I felt bad that I wouldn't have the opportunity to know them better. And my favorites? - I could barely talk to them without getting teary.
Life keeps moving on, doesn't it? It's a good thing it does, so we don't have too much time to wallow in melancholy and memories. I could have rolled around in this for days, but I'm trying hard to just move on. It was tempting to keep my office set up as is, laptop connected, printer plugged in. But when L and I came home from dinner and I could see that my phone line had been shut down and rerouted to the "replacement" by the company, I figured I wouldn't waste any time dismantling everything.
And it looks so nice and clean! I've cleaned out the file cabinet and everything that's not being sent back is in the trash. Love it. And sad at the same time. *sigh* It'll take a few days to get used to it.
I believe I do have a job in the works. Very hopeful. I was able to discuss the possibility of it today, and it looks promising. I'll keep you posted on that one. If it works out, it will be a good thing for me.

My little Mia had her "real" birthday yesterday. (The party she had in Mesa, AZ was way early so she could have her cousins and everyone over before they moved.) I called her in the morning and she was so excited that it was her special day (again). She told me that her cousin Santana told her that birthdays are not lucky or special days, and I told her that Santana was crazy. That should settle it.
Mia's mom has a very clever friend that can crochet miracles. Just look at the darling birthday headband she made for Mia's Special Day!

I don't know how she figured out how to crochet a cupcake (with sprinkles!) complete with flowers and a butterfly, but she did. She has a shop on Etsy called Tanyas Tangles - you really should check it out. Very clever and cute stuff.
Another pic of the birthday girl strutting her stuff:

She got to have lunch at McDonald's and play in the kidspace area as long as she wanted. Her cousins Lexi and Matthew sent her birthday presents. It was a good day for a very happy birthday girl. You'll notice in both pictures Mia is also wearing a cute necklace. Her mom makes those - MiaMoo Designs. If you visit the website (or her Facebook page!) you can see and buy her latest creations (this one is from the Lollipop Collection) and they're such fun to wear! Katie's friend created her this little sign:

Indeed.

Tomorrow I'm going to spend the day with my friend Judy. She lives in Huntington Beach and we're going to walk the pier, and just have a nice relaxing day. It will feel good to decompress and unwind from this crazy last week of work. Time enough next week to figure out my next move and work out details. Stay tuned - I'm not dead yet.

Adorable In Denver

2011-06-27T21:53:00.000-07:00

Nothing in particular has happened lately. I'm still in my holding pattern, but nearing the end of the runway (this Thursday is The End). I'm trying to not think about it too much - just carry on as usual and then quietly wave bye-bye. The next two months will hopefully bring to light my next adventure, and I'm looking forward to discovering what it will be.
I think I did mention that it was Matthew's third birthday this past week. And then I went and posted a few year old pictures of him. I got lucky this week - his mother sent me a whole group of pictures they'd taken on an outing to a local lake. They were scouting some spots to weekend camp and found this lovely lake about an hour and a half from their home. What a great spot! The kids were gathering dandelions and she shot some cute pictures of them. I had some time tonight to retouch a few of them, and so here are some more current pictures of Matthew and big sister Lexi.

Proof that a bouquet of dandelions and wildflowers can be one of the most beautiful armful of flowers ever picked by small hands. Who doesn't remember making a wish before blowing a poof of dandelion seeds to the wind? These are memories inspired by fancy mixed with a bit of magic. Looking at these images I'm seized by an overwhelming desire to hop a plane to Denver. Tonight.
But I've saved my favorite picture for last. Here is Matthew on his birthday - one excited little three year old boy. Birthday cards tucked under his arm and so full of life and enthusiasm for everything a three year old's life includes. I'm quite sure the possibilities are endless.

I think I'm in love.

Life & All It's Randomness

2011-06-22T21:38:00.000-07:00

These weeks are flying by - sometimes a little too fast I think. Maybe it seems too fast because I have no concrete plan for my future. It feels like I'm flying so fast towards....what?? I have several resumes floating around "out there" but so far nothing concrete has happened. And the weird part? I'm not really concerned about it. I don't really know why, but I'm not. Once in awhile I'll get a little twinge in my stomach when I think about giving up my hair appointments or something else equally silly, but still a source of enjoyment. But my overlying mood is not one of concern. Maybe I'm an oblivious fool, but I prefer to think there's a plan out there somewhere, and I'll recognize it when I see it.

Most operations at work have been thrown into a bit of chaos because of our demise and other serious changes. The collection of purchase orders from our customers has taken a hit - it's just been too hard to navigate around all of the crazy program changes. And then I start to think about the fact that I've only got a week and a half left, and it's really hard to care about it at all. But yesterday an offer was thrown out that got my attention. Each district we've supported (I've had two) was given a bottom line amount that they'd like to see pending list shrink to or shrink below. If we're successful in doing this by June 30th (our last day) we can earn ourselves a $250 bonus for each district - that's $500 for me, folks! And - if the region as a whole reaches their goal, there's an additional $250 for us. So potentially we have the ability to earn between $250-$750 as a parting bonus.

I was all over it today. I sent emails to purchasing contacts. I called them on the phone. I worked really really hard all day long. And it felt really good to have something to do again and feel useful. For the last two months it's felt more like we were dying a long, slow death, and the people we'd spent years working with were, for the most part, feeling awkward and avoiding us. You know how people are - they don't know what to say, so they avoid saying anything. It's been hard. But today, I felt like I'd gotten my Mojo back.

In the afternoon I got a nice surprise. I was in the thick of PO chaos - still sending out emails, and trying to input received ones at the same time. I was up to my eyeballs when a new email popped up asking me if I would be interested in a new position that had just become available within my company. I don't know what it all entails - by the time I received the inquiry, everyone in Minneapolis had gone home, so I'll have to wait for tomorrow. All I know is that is is an hourly position, and that, at least at first, it will be just part time - but it was hinted that it could work into full time within a short amount of time. It is officially called a Project Coordinator - translate that to handling registrations for education programs. Menial work, yes - but maybe I can just do it from home? That would be awesome, as I've lost my desire to get up and dress all Corporate every day - although for the right price I could get enthusiastic, I suppose...

So now you know as much as I do. First thing tomorrow you'd better believe I'll be on the phone to find out more about this possibility. It might be a good thing, it might not. But it was a delicious way to end a day that was one of the most satisfying I've had in a few months. Doing your best work in a day just feels good, and a nice surprise at the end of it just adds to the pleasant anticipation of it all.

I want to give a shout out to my little grandson Matthew, who turned 3 this week. I don't get to see him often enough, but whenever I think about him, I think of asking him a yes/no question and then hearing his soft little voice answer "Yep." He's a darling little boy - a little blue eyed pirate among 3 princesses in our family. He will have a new brother or sister in about 2 months, but for now he is still our only boy and we love him so, soooo much. Happy Birthday Matthew!!

Finally (this is a really random post) I wanted to share this U-Tube video. L and I have been laughing over this one for weeks. I can't seem to get tired of it, and it always makes me laugh. I hope it does the same thing for you. Enjoy.