Sorry I've been...neglectful.

I have been overwhelmed with last days of school, another summer road trip (with an outdated list of things to see on the drive) and just a lot of stuff. Between drop offs for camps and pick ups and just everything I haven't had time to write. And nothing interesting has been happening either! Maybe I'll be able to start having more to say after summer. Thanks for all of the comments. I really appreciate them.

Road trip!

A change of scenery is a good way to get out of a funk (for those suggestions over the past week I have bought 4 pair of shoes and two bottles of perfume and 2 new nail polishes (Trust Fund Baby for my hands and Hot Tamale for the toes); shopping is not my cure, lol).

So a road trip it is! My great auntie is having a party and we are invited, I'm am positive it will be fab.

Right now I have a bit of nerves, here in So Cal Big Bear got snow, Orange got hail and roads are flooding, so do keep happy thoughts that I have an easy six hour drive. Just 6 months from now and the boy can get a permit to help out. Maybe... I just need to get out there and see the road and just do it.

I am now selecting my wardrobe and jewelry. Sheesh, I haven't worn jewelry in a couple years! I think I might be low maintenance. Or neglecting myself.

So hoping you all have a wondertastic long weekend. See you next week (unless something B.I.G. happens and I jump on grandma's laptop).

Grumpiness

Ever have one of those days where you are just grumpy for no reason? I feel prickly like some sort of desert cactus. Everything makes me want to lash out when it comes too close. Every bit of good mood can be wiped out in a second. I feel like a mouse caught on a treadmill.

If anyone has a cure, let me know...

I'd love a martini lunch.

Yipee! The car is finished!

I had a nice lunch out with my girlfriend - we shopped and talked and I Starbucked. Then I got a call from J and it's done!!!!

Here is a tip so you know your car has "issues":

You know the service department. You know all of their names, you know the different shuttle drivers names, you know when someone has transferred and they all know your voice when you call. Your service department is programmed into your cell phone and you know "your guy's" schedule.

I'm not bitter! This experience has made me meet people I wouldn't otherwise have met.

Manic Monday

So as I was dropping the boy off at school, he reached for his i-pod and I remembered - I need it because I was supposed to bring my car into the shop this morning. Ay Carumba!!!! I completely forgot about this appointment and I'm sure J at the dealership would roll his eyes at myairheadedness. So I called work about the delay and dropped the car off.

I like my car. Not love it, just like it. It is one of those first year models, first off the production line and needs a lot of warranty attention. Today is a computer part replacement for the TPMS, a new seal on one of the doors, the circuits checked for the i-pod (a horrible buzzing sounds when you use the i-pod and the headlights), and the new key doesn't work right (they broke one, and replaced it). I know you are wanting my life. :-P This car will hopefully be passed to the boy for his use in a year or so. If he can have a car at college, it may go with him.

TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) is a device I just hate. It constant flashes on my dashboard. Then I get out, check the tires and make any adjustments if necessary (usually none are needed), but this time, the light would not go off. It's a little stressful having your car tell you there is a tire problem when there is not one I can see. My brother said at his friend's business, they disengage the device because it upsets the customers (it's a turn your car into a custom car business). I wish mine would magically disengage. I'm not brave enough to drive knowing it's off. But I hate the warning light. Let's keep our fingers crossed that this is the last repair it needs.

And it's hot this morning. Warm I like, but this is simply, hot.

Another Delightful Day

Church, mall, lunch, groceries and the park. Southern California is at it's perfection, flower scented air, breezes off the water and lovely sunshine.

After church, we dropped the boy off at his study group and the girl and I headed for the shopping mecca of Orange Country for white tennis shoes for a cheer performance later this week. She needed regular shoes for school too, so I got her whatever her heart desired...black Converse that glow in the dark with a space monkey on them. The coolest of the cool!

We bought her a couple bathing suits and swim shirts for camp (which now I'm thinking some will need to be returned and some will need to be exchanged), and finished with lunch at Boudin, and played with the boutique perfumes at Nordstrom. The saleswoman was very nice when I told her we were just fooling around. However, I did find a spicy scent that I will now shop online to find the price (the boutique does not have prices on their items).

Found it! Annick Goutal 'Mandragore' Eau de Toilette - here is the description:
In this rare and subtly vibrant perfume, the freshness of bergamot, black pepper, spearmint and star anis oil gives way to a dizzying host of sensual delights. These top notes create an immediate impression of strength and vitality, enhanced by boxwood, ginger and mandrake.

It had a spicy scent on my skin, that mellowed to a soft warm glow after a few minutes. I think I may put it on my Christmas list.

I could spend all day admiring the bottles, colors and scents. Much more fun than shopping for a handbag.

Emile Hirsch

AKA Speed Racer...

Yum.

In a last second decision, took the kids to see Speed Racer. The boy was unimpressed, something about how it should have all been cgi and how blah blah blah green screen blah blah...

And all could think about was How old could he be? *sigh*

What to do today?

It is going to be hot, hot, hot! I knew the second I woke up and found myself tangled in the sheets that it would be hot. The air was tepid and I had to flip my pillow to get a patch of coolness. After shutting the alarm off at 6am, I finally pulled myself out of bed and tried to wake up the boy. He mumbled incoherently so I laid down next to him. For some reason his room is cooler. After a moment, he finally woke up I went back to my bed for a bit. When he was ready, I got back up, threw on a sweater and drove him to school for a function. He poked my knee and said "goldfish". I realized I was still in my pajamas and yes, they are cartoon goldfish pants. I had not even brushed my hair.

When I got back home, I fed the girl a bowl of fruit and we went BACK to bed to watch cartoons. Eventually I showered and brought her over to ice skating.

I'd like a nap about now...but if I fall asleep, I'll be whiny and get a headache. I wish I had my feet in a kiddie pool on the front lawn and a big Long Island in my hands. I'm not in the mood for dealing with sand in the car...

Just a lazy afternoon.

A Lovely Day in the Neighborhood

After a perfect lunch day for the second day in a row, I'm having a hard time buckling down! Browsing bookstores, iced coffee's, and the scent of jasmine in the air coupled with the sound of water falling from fountains, has made me quite content.

This evening after work, I took the girl to the grocery store and told her "pick whatever you want for dinner that doesn't involve cooking". We came home with a chicken and fresh tropical fruit salad and some how four packs of gum. Girls who are hungry and without a plan shop strangely.

After dinner we abandoned our mess and and strolled over to the park where she played with a variety of children and I laid back with a new magazine. It's the perfect location, with a beautiful view of the ocean.

We got home at 8:30 and I cleaned up the mess and thought to check in. I like the past boyfriend stories, so keep them coming.

Mine feels very personal, it was one of those things where one day you are friends and the next you're making out. There wasn't really an "ending", so it was one of those things that always felt sweet in my heart. One of my most vivid memories is of him teasing me for my terrible singing voice. And before that laughing because I made a Mercedes sign instead of a peace sign on a notebook cover. And how music reminds me of him - hearing anything from that era always brings me back to a younger time. When I see pink high tops, I remember the ones he wrote over and signed. I kept them for about 10 years and in one of the last moves they were lost. I suppose if there had been a tragic series of breakups, cheating and lying, it would all feel different. But it was just "over". He was beautiful - kind of lanky, an inch or so taller than me with amazing dark curly hair. I remember pulling some of the curls and watching them "boing" back up. Definitely one of the smartest boys I've known and I'm think he is one of the smartest men I've communicated with as well. He was one of those cool laid back kids whereas I was a little too loud, silly and obnoxious. I was desperate to be the bad girl and failed miserably. I still try to be the bad girl and am still too loud, silly and obnoxious. I suppose some things never really change.

The night is ending, I've put the girl to bed and I'm waiting for the boy to come home from his night out.

Friends...

I have a fun opportunity to meet my high school sweetheart and his family next month. I'm curious how it will go.

I have a wonderful friend from my childhood who I don't email or talk to enough, but she is in my thoughts often. Whenever fate puts us in the same sport, we have always just picked up where we left off. Will it be the same - easy going and chatty? Or will the shock of seeing someone you knew at 15 turn 35 make us akward?

In any event it is something to look forward to in a month's time.

Who was your high school sweetheart?

The girl pointed out last night

with red hair I have green eyes and with brown hair I have blue eyes. Hummmm....too weird!

Did I tell you I went red?

But it was short lived...it was really, really bright. And I'm not wearing make up - it makes me look very, very pink!

But I'm now back to dark brown. Strange how it came back full circle to brown... this is as unflattering a hairstyle as any I've ever tried.... it's also a little dark for me. And I think I hate the glasses. A new pair is being delivered.

Who smells like a stripper?

Ashamedly, I admit at this moment in time, I do. Oh, if only I had the body to match it! I went to the perfume counter and tried four scents. I figured out three I really liked. So once I decided I realized, I had no idea which scents were on which arm in each spot. So what's a girl to do? Yup, I tried them on again. I had the three and just couldn't choose. So then I tried to knock it down to two. The three runners up were:

Dolce&Gabbana - the one
L, a L.A.M.B. Fragrance by Gwen Stefani
Amariage de Givenchy

I sadly returned Amariage to the shelf and walked out the door with the one and L. Yes, I am not good at ignoring impulses. I know that. Everyone knows that about me! Feeling very spoiled right now.

Hi! I've been around - just not in blog world

Her party theme was ice princess. Eat your heart out Tara Lipinski!

I made the cake! The crown was hard for a first timer, but it's made of icing. The girl is dancing to everyone singing happy birthay.

Chillin' out with some hot chocolate. Yes, by now the hair is a mess. :D

The parties are over! It is strange saying I have a 15 and 6 year old. Makes me feel very old.

The end of the school year is a whirlwind and we are all suffering for it. The girl is finishing her k end of the year project and to be honest - I'm really worried! She is doing such a beautiful job, I'm terrified her teacher will say I helped! She has accused me in the past for doing the girl's work. How weird is that? Like I have nothing better to do than paint diorama's about a mammal in South America...I wish her project looked more immature.

The boy has not been dealing with AP's and finals very well. He gets bad stomach aches and bemoans his grades - A "B"??? How can I live with a B??? My future is over because I have a B!!!!! I tell him it's not the end of the world and sheesh what does it matter if you are doing your best and get a B, but he beats himself up over it. His goal is Berkeley and he feels if he gets a B, he has no chance. Sort of weird to have your teen parent themselves.

I talked to my grandmother and whee!!! We are having an unplanned trip to see her and then see my great auntie for her birthday. She is so special to me that my little girl is named after her. I am not going to think about the price of gas there and back.

I haven't been writing much, mostly because there hasn't been anything news worthy. I go to work, come home and once or twice a week take the kids to ice skating (the girl won 8 events out of 8 events at her first competition - 4 golds and 4 silvers!). The girl started cheer and seems to really love it. It's community cheer so everyone is welcome, not try outs, and a fair price. If she still loves it by the end of soccer season, I'll let her got into competition cheer. I suppose her 3 years of gymnastics should come in handy.

I went to the Getty Malibu last weekend and almost started crying my eyes out at a statue. I think it is funny how I can see 300 statues and be fine and then see one that makes me all emotional. The kids listened to some live music and I took the tour headphones and saw EVERYTHING on my own. It was so nice to be totally absorbed. Later, the boy pointed out in Greek and Roman times that there must not have been penis envy as everything was in normal proportions to the size of the statue. Personally, I thought everything was on the small side, but I didn't want to give anyone a complex. The girl never pointed out that area, but she would get all pretend embarrassed when she saw a butt.

Alright Liz and MJ, I think I have caught you both up to the present. And if anyone else still reads, I apologize for the giant gaps.

For those with kids unexposed to Hannah Montana, just take a moment of silence and be grateful. I have her albums in my head ALL the time.

Happy Birthday!!!

The last few weeks have been very busy between work and home. I am planning two birthdays - yes, both kids have birthdays in the same week. The boy wanted to go to a jazz restaurant, but couldn't really decide. Finally, he chose a local restaurant withamazing food. He is getting a shopping trip on Melrose too.

Because I don't have a house, the girl's birthday is more complicated. It's the whole send out invites, hope you get rsvp's, make a fancy cake, get the extra decorations, food, and party favors to the site and hope that fun is had by all. It's honestly a lot of work!

The girl I fear is dropping gymnastics. She just isn't happy anymore. I worry that she will grow up an regret dropping, but for now, I just want her happy and enthusiastic. She had an injury a couple weeks ago and just hasn't snapped back. It involved smashing her cute little nose on the metal bar underside of a trainer vault while flipping over a bar. I ended up moving her down to a more relaxed class level with a coach that seems to understand dd and her anxiousness. So after April, I'll put her in swim three nights a week and make sure she has two ice times a week. Once the soccer season ends, I'll see if she wants to go back to gym or take up an acrobatic style of martial arts.

For those wondering, after a trip to the hospital for a series of xrays, her nose was not broken, just badly bruised and swollen.

I'm also a little angry with her regular coach. She didn't stay with the girl after she was injured. She dropped her off with the gym manager and yelled up for me that the girl was hurt. She also said she told the girls to not flip off the bar. The girl - told me that she told the girls not to do it AFTER she was hurt. She has an assistant coach who could have kept working with the other girls. I don't know, I guess I had higher expectations after the girl has been in her class for almost three years.

I could please an 80 year old...

Today I went the the nicest early Easter dinner. I brought macaroni salad and for the hostess a box of See's peanut brittle. The two men in the group were pleased as punch. Both are in their 70-80's - you would have thought I was making something complicated.

When we got home I called my grandmother to tell her her salad recipe was a hit (again), I started in with the retired gentlemen and she said interrupted with "I'm not interested in any men." I'm still giggling about it.

My grandmother is a hottie who doesn't need to be fixed up.

She reads this blog so I'm expecting to be in trouble later.

Happy Easter!!!!

Easter Craziness!

Okay I lied, my life is pretty calm (read: boring) right now. I did my Easter basket shopping and just have to find a couple packs of peeps and a chocolate bunny (solid none of that hallow crap) round it out. I was teasing the boy and told him the bunny doesn't come for "old" kids. The Easter bunny will always come for him. I will be 80 and making the kids baskets.

Easter reminds me of my mom. She knew how to make a basket! We always got more candy than we knew what to do with and a bunny of some sort. Sometimes it was a stuffed animal other times a fuzzy bunny bank (I wonder if they still make those???). I just always got the sense that she loved the whole process.

I've been all domestic recently. I'm trying to decide if it not my style to be a domestic goddess. I have fun putting an idea together but hate maintaining it! Cleaning is just so bothersome and I am thinking I'll have to dust more regularly. I need the boy to be home more to pull more weight around.

I would LOVE to have had Frank Lloyd Wright build me a Unsonian house. Make the furniture, art, make it small and force me to never bring crap into the house. Showroom ready at an instant. *sigh*

Tomorrow is Disneyland!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The girl has the day off school so it will just be her and me. The boy has a party to attend so he doesn't want to come. As much as I hate Disney and all it stands for, it will be fun to see the girl light up. She reverently asked me "Maybe we can have lunch there?". Yes, maybe my little chickadee. I don't know if we will stay till midnight but hopefully we can take in the fireworks.

What are your Easter plans? I'll spend Saturday with the kid at a friend's party and Sunday is church and brunch. If it hits 80, we'll head for the beach.

News of the Week

1. boy recieved an award for his flute solo in jazz
2. girl did her first unassisted back hip circle
3. I got lost at the music festival
4. boy broke up with his girl
5. girl got a sort of double promotion in her newest sport
6. boy and his girl get back together *rolling my eyes*
7. girl has been jumping rope so much the rope finally gave out
8. I colored my hair and it's rather...orange
9. I forget what 9 was...
10. I think the kids are better than me in every way (aside from the bf/gf drama-that all sort of just sucks eggs).

I have done some more stuff around the house including something called "window mistreatments" I saw from a blog...http://nestingplacenc.blogspot.com/ It was fun but hard work. I might even throw some new covers for pillows in the living room together tomorrow night. She makes it look so easy. I do own and operate a sewing machine. :)

This is very unlike me...some stuff

that is really just wrong. Bad. Very bad. WHY am I laughing?????
The boy shared this with me this week.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=AE1OUF6Mrdk&feature=user

http://youtube.com/watch?v=z-WMd5rW1fc

Just do a search for Uncle Chin and Uncle Same.

I feel bad posting this so close to a Sunday.

Happy happy Pi Day!

May you enjoy all things that are round on this delightful soon to be a Hallmark holiday. I'm sure for most it ranks right up there with March 14 also being Steak and BJ Day. Is there a card for that?

I'll write more when I have something going on in my life that isn't "kid-centered". :D

just one more...

photo's...

Cupcakes... The round topped ones are covered with fondant. It was really too much! There are 3 trays of them and almost all of the pictures were fuzzy because the flash would bounce off the foil.

The prettiest girl in the world. And I'm not saying that because I'm her mom... behind her is my little patch of ground and tiny sprouts of morning glories. I'm hoping they take off and can crawl up the wall. The vines there would look nicer covered up with flowers. Okay, it's a little blurry, but it was so strange. This is "The Circle of Orange" and these guys were walking around with bottles of milk. First it was about 87 degrees out - who does this????

These were all taken with the girl's cheapie digital camera so the clarity isn't up to par. I also noticed her lense is all fingers. But it's light and easy to carry, not like my monster.

I haven't fallen off the Earth!

Daylight Saving just kills me. I miss AZ - it's sane and refuses all time changes. I'll just run through my week before I see what I've been missing on everyone's blogs.

• got the girl her first ever library card
• went to Orange and decided antiquing smells bad and Watson's Drugstore is a bad restaurant
• there are weird men wearing tiny white shorts in Orange selling milk (I'll put up a pic)
• the boy asked girl advice. :O
• I found a one of a kind book and have been emailing the author's husband (she passed away a couple years ago). It's a pretty amazing find - not super valuable I think, but it's the only one I can find on the internet hardbound.
• I've read a book (This is BIG for me. After my mom died I've had a hard time reading. It makes me miss her so I avoid it, but every once in awhile I'll find a book and not be able to put it down.)
• I grocery shopped. And cooked. It doesn't sound big, but I was down to water and a million condiments.
• did the girl's charity webpage (thank goodness schools use the internet, it makes fundraisers a little less painful.
• planting! I'm checking craigslist and freecycle for more containers. I'd love a big garden and only have a patch of earth on the ground. Containers make it possible.
• work is workfilled. I don't really appreciate being busy. I like quiet time.

Next time remind me...

I just made about 50 mini cupcakes and had to ice over half. What a pain in the ass for a halfway sloppy cupcake! I went on a flower making binge 9 months ago, and had a box full of daffodil and others flowers that when I realized I was stuck, I just topped the cupcakes with them.

I need to remember that it is okay to pick stuff like this up at the store instead of standing for 5 hours trying to make them perfect. I've been waking at 2 and then at 4 for almost 3 weeks. I was about to cave to ambien or Tylenol PM when I remembered the time change. Up at 5 isn't a problem, hopefully I can survive this!

I missed dinner and thought I'd have a cup of miso before bed. I've tried everything else to sleep all night, so I figure it's worth a shot. Wish me luck.

I've been so tired I have been reading as much, and I'm dying to know how Elise is making out, how Ted's bass player works out and how Rod is doing after Disney plus many many more blogs I love to visit. It isn't fair that work is picking up again (and Rod and Ted aren't sfw anyway:P), so I have to carve out time between being Taxi Mom and Cupcake Madwoman.

3.14159265358979323846

It's almost pi day! We are preparing with making tee shirts, yes even the girl thinks pi is fun. I'm also, you guessed it, making pies to celebrate. A couple for the boys math class and one for home and one for dessert at home. Does it get any better?

If I have time I'll make round empanadas for dinner and pancakes for breakfast. The boy has an assignment to write a poem following the "rule" of pi. For those of you belonging to a "cult", you might try this instead of the more common haiku.
It's:
1 word three letters long
1 word 1 letter long
1 word 4 letters long
1 word 1 letter long
1 word 5 letters long, and so on.

The catch is that is has to make sense.

If I can find some evening events at a nearby university, we might have a field trip. So start getting ready, before you know it, pi day will be here!

For your listening pleasure: A Pi(ano)Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhlMHoEx8c4&eurl=http://www.piday.org/videos/the-piano-song

Pi Party Tricks (I'm going to see if the girl will learn it for me)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUNDfyy2f5M

Absolute weirdness:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDu351QNoZE&NR=1

And yeah, this one is a stretch, but the boy thought it funny...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtkDpYlySRM

When terrible things happen to good people...

for those who know me personally, can you just throw a prayer for my daughter's Godmother's family? These are the most wonderful people I have ever been honored to know and things are pretty dark right now. This is the family that showed me how siblings never need to fight or argue, parents are always there for their kids at 1,17,35...well, forever!

I've never known a family that was so close that the kids never tease or fight each other. They don't have an unkind bone in their body. For them to have to go through this is painful for me to even think about. My heart really hurts for them. So please say a prayer for them and keep them in your thoughts.

Two Hours ALONE...

What to do? The smart part of my brain is saying clear out the crappy toys while I can and scrub the floors and get my car washed, the part of me who wants to be spoiled is telling me to have a facial, and the frugal self is calling for a rated R movie I have on the shelf at home.

The girl's friend's mom offered to take the girls for an afternoon and the boy will be with his girlfriend. I am really at a loss! It's been what feels like forever that I haven't had a child within a couple feet of me.

I'm wishing I had a girlfriend to just hang out with at non Starbucks coffee shop. The last time I had unexpected "freedom" I spent it shopping and bought unneeded items so I do not want to go to a mall. I'm really bad about shopping!

I'm feeling seredipitous about this little bit of pleasure. I love love love my kids, but once in a blue moon I like to just be me without attachments.

Were Did the Weekend Go?

FYI - I just reread this drivel and if you have NOTHING better to do, continue. If you have ANYTHING else to do, skip it.

I had to wake really early to get ready to take the girl to her lesson. It's so cold in there, I needed to be dressed and have dry hair. I went once with a wet ponytail and was terribly sorry. After the lesson we went to pick up her new medicine and grab a sandwich at the grocery store.

I suppose I'm a creature of habit because when I went to order the sandwiches, the menu was completely different and I almost walked out. Instead of subs, they had things like brie and roast beef. All very tasty I'm sure, but I had the order already planned in my head. The girls at the counter were confused too - asking each other "Is this the baguette or the french roll?". To make things easier on all of us, I had them use croissants.

We had lunch with the boy at home. Then I brought him over to his girlfriend's house. We did the birthday party thing for a friend and the day was over too quickly.

The next day, I wasn't feeling well so we skipped church. I took her to her other lesson and then the boy called saying he needed a new black dress shirt for concerts. So we ended up at the mall for some returns and shopping. Dinner was there too, it wasn't worth it to end up back at the grocery store.

My gas light went off and I was stuck - do I drive the 405 and pray I can make it to my regular gas station? Or get off and and try to find one that matches my gas card. You will all laugh as I admit, I drove off the freeway and made it to the gas station, but in the end, it didn't matter - I CAN'T FIND my gas card. I hate having to call and report it lost, but I will. It's probably in the seat of my car or a random packet, but I hate using cash at the gas station with kids. Do you drag them out of the car and risk someone running one over? Abandon them in the car for a couple minutes? It's a decision I hate to make. Hopefully it will turn up by much time. And I'll try not to chance the gas gauge at night.

I don't think I'm sick, but my voice is half missing. I was told to sing Marlene Dietrich songs in the office, but I don't know any. It's a raspy and froggy - my guy friend in high school called it my phone sex voice. How a gay teen knew what phone sex was like, I'll never hazard guess...

Enjoy the week!

Self Improvement

So I've been hearing great things about these workout and my only complaint is "ow!". Something is messed up in my elbow and just lifting these a couple times has irritated my shoulder, elbow and wrist. AND it was only about 10lbs... I'm feeling very pathetic.

Off to color my hair. I'm really dumb, but cannot commit 2 hours to a chair so I'm doing it myself. I'll warn you all - I am NEVER happy with the results when I do it myself. But, being my disillusioned self, I'm going to try it again. Cuz' this time will be different.

***update*** If I was born with red hair, this would be my natural color. I'm not quite sure how it happened. My only complaint is that i usually like colors in my hair that aren't found in nature, but as an instant pick me up, this should do well.

While I'm at it...

I'm working out again (hopefully seriously). The girl and I are doing Yoga Booty Ballet. It's painful. But of course I like a little pain, so we will keep at it. Oh - the girl kicks my butt. Sad but true.

Body Double

So we were at Target and I spied an Our Generation doll. It is almost identical to the American Girl dolls at a small fraction of the price. Same size, same buck teeth...here is one of them...

So I showed the girl - I feigned excitement "Look this doll is even better!, She comes with a book, lots of clothes, WOW!".

The girl glanced up and said, "No thank you, she is not cute."

???? How does she know what is cute and what is not cute? Oh well, here is her wish. To be fair, I think part of the allure is that the doll is half white and half Asian and not many dolls (aside from Bratz) feature ethnic dolls. So I will keep hunting.

My Girlie...

The Grove and LA Farmer's Market

What a pleasant surprise! I've never been, but the girl is invited to a party and wanted to get her friend something from the American Girl store. We also needed a new dock for her shuffle and the main reason was: I've heard the food is great at the framer's market.

We arrived to an 8 floor parking garage and then sprawled out in front of us was an adult Disneyland. If you are a serious shopper, you can only leave thrilled (and broke). Between the fountain, live music, free trolley, and the Farmer's Market at the end of the line, even the kids were spellbound.

The boy ditched us with his girlfriend. The girl isn't a doll kid. The two babies she has lay in the bottom of her cradle and on top are dinosaurs and stuffed animals. So I had no trepidation as we strode in the big doors. And then the girl booked it. Hands on everything - shouting out lovely sentiments about these dolls. She walks up to me with two in her hands and starts picking up clothing. I was in shock! My little darling wanting a doll? In the hidden recesses of my mommyness, I wanted to buy them all for her. Common sense and a limited budget kicked in and I had to remind her that we were they to get her friend a little birthday gift not to have a second Christmas. She looked so dejected that I told her if she read several of the books and if she still wanted one, she had to wait for her birthday.

The food at the Farmer's Market is scrumptious. The girl and I split nachos. These were amazing, and then the boy had fish and chips and his girl had crepes. When we were done with lunch, we had ice cream. We popped into the Apple store to get a new dock, Barnes & Noble to get the girl her American Girl books (she picked Jess and Ivy) and we rode the trolley up and down the street.

I got home exhausted but the boy and his girl wanted to go to a party so I dropped them off. So girlie and I snuggled as she read me the first chapters of her new books. As she drifted off to lala land she announced..."I really want the Jess doll..."

For those of you in the know - there are annual dolls that are only out for a year. And then, they are gone forever (okay, I suppose eBay). And Jess is a girl of the year - two years ago. So now I have a month and a half to find the doll. I'm obsessive, so I won't be really content until I have her socked away. It's a weirdness that I suppose they can medicate me for, but part of me thinks feeling the "itchiness" of the search feels good.

The boy is suffering - he skipped a grade so ALL of his friends are driving or getting their permits. He won't be able to drive until his senior year. So this birthday really sucks for him. And now that his ipod dream has come true and his belt made of bullet shells in his closet, he is going to be lost trying to come up with his perfect birthday gift. For the record, the kids are 9 years and 5 days apart do we have "birthday week". Sort of like a spring Christmas.

Anyway for all you California tourists, The Gove is a great spot to visit. And don’t go unless you REALLY want to spend money.

I hate this week.

Sunday night the girl sat up, screamed her feet were hot and promptly threw up all over the bed, herself and me.

Monday's trip to LA was cancelled because even though she seemed better, I wanted her to rest up.

Tuesday night she woke up screaming her ear hurt. She has had earaches in the past, but never felt them so of course I was worried sick.

Today, Wednesday, we find another ear infection and wheezing in her chest. Another antibiotic and now an inhaler. Poor kid. I don't know if I've mentioned it, but she is now almost 6 and still 39lbs. There isn't a lot of her to be sick. I really worry when she has no appetite.

She really wanted to deliver her Valentine's to her activity group so we dropped them off and then left. She fell asleep at 4 and is still asleep. Her brother agreed to drop off her Valentine's in the morning. Hopefully, her teacher will put the girl' received cards in a bag until Tuesday. She is very sad to miss the class party. And to be honest, I'm very sad for the girl.

What does Valentine's Day mean to me? Pretty much nothing except I cook a nicer dinner. I'm making the kids a rack of lamb. They adore lamb and because of the cost, it's a rare treat.

Ah, but what does the 15th mean???? It's my Lie-Day. I'm 29 (again). I love my birthday, but I was a little melancholy this year so I signed up to watch a bunch of preteens at a school dance. I'm not sure what I was thinking aside from I don't really want to be 29 again - I just want to be 29 without the "again" and the easiest way to forget my old age would be to watch a gym full of kids trying to make out. Of course, if she is sick, I'll have to cancel out and stay home with my munchkin. And maybe the boy will stay home for my birthday too, and I'll be perfectly content.

On top of all of this, I'm suffering by having a jury duty week. Everyday I have to call in at 5 to see if I have to show up the next day. It's hard to plan a life (example: having a sick kid) with calling in for jury duty. And I have a sinking suspicion my number will be up Friday. Woohoo! A birthday-jury duty-sick kid day. I'm not bitter. My only hope is that because Monday is a holiday, all of the judges and lawyers will be leaving town early.

A Hundred Dollars Later

My brother is empowering and energizing.

After he left, I hit up Home Depot. I have to repair the drawers in a dresser and the pull out drawers in the kitchen. I brought in the broken pieces and figured out the replacements, bought an electric nail/staple gun, an extension cord, an new antenna for the television, a surge suppressor for the tv/dvd/vhs/wii/and lamp, a hook for hanging up the hairdryer, a collection of screws and nails, and more of those hollow drywall plastic things.

After I reinforce the drawers and put in new guides, I am going to go all crazy Martha Stewart with the 3 in 1 nail gun.

On Thursday on my lunch break I picked up poison for outside, some for the pantry, and those electronic insect repellants. I am tired of little ant invasions and I am really tired of finding spiders all over the place.

I could just be crazy because for the past two nights I have been up till 2am and normally, I'm a 10 o clock lights out girl.

Woohoo! Three day weekend!

Yippee! He showed up!

He arrived in bigness. He has a huge SUV, raised up high, LOUD music and well, he just has a loud presence. It's good though - it's just him.

The girl just stood there with huge eyes not quite believing he was there. But five minutes later she was on his lap and SO proud of her very cool uncle. He would have called, but he lost his phone and didn't have my number. :P He has more phone issues...

We were sad he didn't bring his dog but cheered up with a trip to Costco where the boy received an 8gig nano. Later we walked the downtown area and he got a belt made of empty bullet shells and a couple tee shirts that I had to inspect for school. It's a given that the belt isn't for school - ever. The zero tolerance policy could inconvenience his future.

The girl couldn't find anything she really wanted - she is too big for baby stuff and too little for big girl stuff and even a new pair of uggs couldn't be found. But to be honest she was just thrilled to be with him.

Uncle is VERY stylish. At 33 he is living the unmarried life and does his own thing - snowboarding, scuba diving and managing a nightclub. You can tell he is just one of those busy guys who waits 18 months to he his sister (ha - no guilt trip for him). As quickly as he arrived, he left 18 hours later after a breakfast with his sister (that's me!).

Life feels too quiet with him gone.

Unexpected Guests and Peace & Quiet

I left my cell at home and i'm expecting an important phone call so during lunch I went home and picked it up. I had every intention of going to Home Depot, but ended up sprawled on the couch eating lunch and having some apple juice. I never have 100 percent alone time anymore and it was heavenly to have a hot meal and rest. Today is a typical perfect day, the sun is bright, there is a cool breeze and the air smells like snow while it's about 65 degrees out.

So what was the call about? My brother (whom I have not been able to talk to for a year) decided to take my call. I asked for a fax number so he would sign some documents and he said he would be here today or tomorrow and sign them in person. What a nice surprise! He lives out of state (or maybe technically I live out of state) and he is a big, loud, cocky guy who the kids adore to pieces. The boy already has a shopping list I think...boots and an i pod, ha!

I haven't told the girlie because he is...unreliable... and she would be devastated if he doesn't show, so, instead she will be marjorly surprised. He said he isn't staying with us and then mentioned he was staying with us so we shall see. Anyway, long story short, he is going to call for directions. Maybe.

Everyone needs a crazy younger brother or uncle in their lives!

Making Dreams Come True

I love five year olds. They have many dreams that are easy to make come true. They are still a little young to ask for a pony, car or for the lead in a school play. I love to play the part of the wish granter. Probably because I know soon enough I won't be able to have a hand in it.

There is this silly movie that is out (and advertised as one week only). Yes, roll your eyes - it's the Hannah Montana 3D movie concert. We arrived hours in advance as Fandango advised us that even though we bought tickets we were not guaranteed seats. We checked out the shopping and then got in line. The line had already started two hours before the show started.

The line was filled with girls 4-14. Most were in costume with Hannah Montana hair and clothing. When we were let into the theater, girls started screaming. It got louder once the movie started. Girls were singing and dancing in front of their chairs and in the aisles. For my five year old, it was the most exciting place to be.

I'm not a fan of pop music and I don't have the Disney channel, but for some reason the little girl likes her and as her mom, I feel on occasion I have to bite the bullet and let the girl be starstruck for an evening.

A Tongue Lashing

At work we have a committee. It is meant for bringing staff concerns to the big wig. I think all companies have this sort of thing. Upward Communication, blah blah blah. Only it never quite works out that way and it's really Bitchfest 2008. Or in the case of this history, Bitchfest 2006.

I was appointed secretary because it was leaked out that I was already taking minutes (though, they were secret minutes and never to be given to those not on The A List). I decided to spice it up by writing it in the way the meeting occurred - like a dialog. Everything true and well, maybe not flattering. But fact full with perfect quotations.

Basically, I wrote exactly what happened at the Bitchfest meeting. I didn't realize it, but some never saw it as a Bitchfest and took the whole thing seriously.

After it was distributed, I got called into a minor bigwig’s office for a verbal yet polite tongue lashing. I retired from my secretarial position because I allowed subjectivity to become part of the meetings history and as I told her everything I write is subjective. I have always thought the lashing was polite because it could easily have ended up in print later.

conversations:

With the boy this morning -

I am usually SO careful but we were both being smart asses and I let him out of the car. Because we were so silly, I forgot myself and shouted after him "I love you!". His face was priceless. Here he is, 5'11", in his black jeans that look painted on, his leather jacket and bangs flat ironed to his chin and braces and he smiles and says, "I'm going to kill you for that." Luckily, I'm not almost 15 with a mom who professed her love to her son in the school parking lot.

With the girl (5) last night:

Mom, when are we going to LA again?
Why do you want to go to LA?
LA is like a vacation. I need a vacation.
Me too honey, me too.

With her weekend lesson cancelled I might take her to LA. If the boy and his girl want to tag along, why not? I could take the girl to see Hannah Montanna and the teens can rove Melrose. how much trouble could they possible get into?

Grrrr

The curtains are down. The girl decided to climb up them. This is what happens when your 5 year old climbs ropes at the gym. Their life is not spent on the ground like normal people.

Now I'm contemplating if I should try, try, again.

Making headway...

It was very hard to get the wire bit in the little tube and then put the little bits in to hold it in while balancing on a step stool. After dropping everything several times - and climbing up and down the stool with screws, an electric drill, and other hardware I mounted the second part but could not hold the wire while doing the last part. I grabbed the boy and being almost a man, he figured it out. *phew*

But I don't think I like the way it all looks. Shears are really, well, shear! Even orange ones. Maybe it will be improved once I move her carpet and hang her pictures and put in her puppet theater...? Maybe??? What I would give for 400 more sq feet!

The poor little girl is sick with a head cold and I'm dousing her with hot tea, Dimetapp, and she has her antibiotics and Delsym before bed. I brought her home early and she watched WordGirl while we snuggled and I read. She did some of her homework and then we just talked and curled up like cats. We had a light dinner and then the boy stayed with her while I ran to the store for bread and milk.

I am not sure if I will be able to make it into work tomorrow. I just want her to feel better and her teacher told me almost every kid in the class as well as herself all have the same bad cold.

I'm off for some tea and a good sleep as I refuse to get caught up in an illness right now.

Sweet Dreams.

PS - I am thinking nothing I'm saying makes sense...Here's the Ikea product. Notice there are no screws....

and the orange panels....I used 4.

I am so behind!

My living room is still torn up and because of the new arrangement, I'm going to have to get a power strip thingy so I can turn off the light with the switch instead of climbing behind a chair and pulling the plug in and out of the wall every single time I want the light on or off. Yes, that is exactly what I will call it when I go into Home Depot "power strip thingy" and chances are, they will know exactly what I'm talking about.

I am borrowing wire cutters so I don't need to purchase them too. But with the rain, I now have ants in the pantry (which is now empty and all of the food is in boxes). Home Depot has a poison free spray that intimidates them and I cannot find the entry point so what a mess!!!!

AND the boy said he was going to fall yesterday and grabbed the towel bar in the nice "new" bathroom and it broke. How can you almost fall in a room with less than 2 sq feet of standing room???? I'm not upset, just bewildered.

I get to figure out this other thing that the boy's girlfriend's dad gave me for the screws. It's a white plastic hollow screw. I "think" I somehow drill that into the wall and then drill in the screw. I am guessing it makes the screw in the drywall more secure? I have never dealt with any of this and I am positive he is laughing because I have no idea what I am doing and he is a professional and gave the the white things just to confuse me even more. And how do I get it all out when I move?

I am SO out of my comfort zone. Can you tell?

This weekend, I am starting my garden. This year it is my "random"garden. What is a random garden you ask? Basically, anytime the girl or I see interesting seeds or starter plants, we will prepare them and then plant them. No careful planning this time, lots of crowding. We just want it to be filled with lots of flowers and get butterfly visitors. If I can find some really cheap large pots, we will grown vegetables in them the third week in February. I can't wait to have bouquets of flowers!

Weather Update!!!!

Today on my way to Pinkberry, I walked past HSS (Huntington Surf & Sport). They had a sign on the door.... "We are open, doors closed due to weather." Yup, we had a little rain today. And for an afternoon, the world stopped.

I took a pic with my cell phone, but I'm not sure what the easiest (cheapest) way is to get it off my phone and posted here. :P

The Ikea Whore Strikes Again!

After the girl's lesson this morning, we headed to the land of the free breakfast. Okay, while it's not really free - they off a .99, 1.99, or a 2.99 breakfast with coffee. And what 5 year old doesn't love, love, love coffee?

Alright she had orange juice and I had the java. When all the food was cleared, I grabbed the coffee cup and dropped her off at the kids room and headed back to the cafe with a book and refill. Forty five minutes to sit and read. Alone. And drink. It's really quite perfect. My private utopia. With 15 minutes of free time left, I start planning the living room.

I picked up two packages of orange sheer panels, a wire curtain rod, colored picture frames, and then picked her up and headed through the checked out. My 6 dollar breakfast bill ended up being a 50.00 field trip. There is so much I NEED from Ikea. Okay, okay, I'll call them "wants".

I have an insanely long living room and no playroom so my goal was to move the entertainment center, flip the couch, move a chair, figure out the curtain rod, and hang the new curtains. Then throw her stuff back in her new "room" and hang her pictures in the frames and call it a day.

Of course I'm mostly halfway through this ordeal when I realize my cordless drill is dead. So very, very dead. It's been charging for three hours and it's still mostly dead. So now I have (drum roll please...) a huge mess.

No wait, now I have two giant messes. Without her play area fixed up, I now have half her stuff in the kitchen/dining room/office and the other mess is the unfinished living room.

I could not move the entertainment center by myself with anything in it. I unplugged and removed the dvd player, the vhs player, and the wii. I cannot figure out all of these plugs and cords. The boy is off with friends so I have to wait for him to come home and reset it up. And I guess deep down inside I don't want to!

I'm heading for Pinkberry. I cannot take this do-it-herself project without crying in my frozen crack yogurt.

Do you have any idea how bad network television is on Saturday night?

Rain, Flash Floods, Toronados, Oh My!

Just last week it was in the 70's and now, we have weather. Weather is a novelty to most Southern Californians (and my home state AZ). We appreciate a little rain, a bit of fog, and of course take for granted wearing tee shirts and flip flops year round.

But give more than some sprinkles and we are seriously impaired. Freeways are at a stand still, we hurl curses at idiots that "don't know how to drive in the rain" as we hit storm drains filled with water at 50mph and think "Phew! Didn't see that one coming!". We insist on driving through washes and being rescued by helicopter and insist it was just a little water, I was SURE I could make it .

We are simply weather stupid. Before my fair weather com padres get upset, I mean really, think about it...our weather man is named Dallas Raines. He sports suits made for gangsters (the old fashioned kind - not "gangstas"), a bright orange tan and Da Vinci veneers. And you know he is totally guessing. How hard is it to say, it's going to be sunny and 70 degrees 300 days a year?

This my friends, is Dallas Raines

People on the street are interviewed (weather makes the top news story) "I see it's raining and you are wearing flip flops...are you getting wet?". Uh, ya think?

Don't get me wrong, I own an umbrella, it's just it was broken when I let the kids use it this summer in the sprinklers. I never thought I would actually need it.

Lovingly yours,

Queen of Weather Stupid (who is simply bitter because she dried and styled her hair only to have it get wet and look like shit on her way into the office and she finally remembered what happened to her umbrella.)

last night was uneventful.

Listened to The Rock's newest video release The Game Plan while reading a really awful romance novel. I have a thing for the pirate rogue and this did not have my favorite type of character. It was SOOOOOO bad that I wanted to put it away, put I kept hoping for some nicely written sex scenes. However, they just repeated the same ones over and over. Really? - do I care that the her fingernails were tingly? Four times?????

Instead, I was bored to tears by the man who loves his wife in the bedroom but doesn't acknowledge her during the day. If the author threw in some Bible verses it would make more sense to have that many morals within a pink cover.

Mystery Solved!

I noticed a week or so ago, my pantry had a weird (bad) smell. I pulled it apart thinking a potato must have fallen from its spot or some other item had fallen. To be honest, after we had a mouse over a year ago, I was thinking that one of the traps had caught something. But no, everything was neat and tidy.

Yesterday, the boy was looking for something to snack on from the pantry and I heard him gag. He was holding a baggie with a brownish red liquid in it and asked, "How long ago did you buy roast beef?".

Ack!!!!!!! In my morning haste (and I don't remember how long ago I bought roast beef), I must have made the girl lunch and absentmindedly put the baggie in the cupboard instead of in the fridge.

I am dancing with joy over the fact that the mystery smell has been solved. And I wasn't the one who had to deal with it.

The weekend fun that wasn't....

Saturday:
took the girl to her first new sport lesson and realized I was an hour off - she missed it! She was beyond sad so I asked if I could pay someone to give her a lesson. They were really nice and just put her in a different class that was just starting. Crisis avoided!

After her lesson, we went to get her new skates. it's kind of pathetic, but the shop is adjacent to a huge arena and it was PACKED. I kind of wig out at really loud and busy places so we went into the shop and I had this huge panic and we had to leave. I drove around the block deep breathing a couple times before I could handle returning.

She was over the moon thrilled! She keeps taking them out of the bag just to marvel over their perfectness. She has to 'break them in" and wear them about the house with the guards on them.

We spent the early evening at Downtown Disney. Dinner was nice until the last couple of bites and I found in my salad there were bits of glass. Of course I felt I was going to die at that point. :P Yes, I am a bit dramatic....

We got home and the boy joined us for a movie.

Sunday:
I woke up with the worst migraine I've ever had. I got them ready for church and took her to her class and the boy went to do his bit (he assists with A/V - he insists or he says he would be bored and fall asleep). I went to the cry room and fell asleep. I felt SO bad. Finally, the medicine kicked in I was able to function and I took them to Chuck E Cheese for the girl's friend's birthday.

One of the moms asked me what my girl's goals were for gymnastics. I replied, her goal is to learn new things, have fun and not get hurt. She said No, what track does she want to be on? Is she looking at national competitions, recreational competitions? This year? Next year?

YIKES! Our girls are only 5 (well hers isn't quite 5). Do 5 year olds really have any goals? Do they plan the future at 5? Is it strange to be a good gymnast for a 5 year old and NOT have a goal for the future set yet? I just can't make plans that far down the line. So I said "We'll just have to see what happens when it happens." I probably failed the ambitious mommy test, and won't make it in the exclusive mommy club.

For giggles I asked her last night, "So honey, what are your future goals?" and she replied, "To play soccer." I should add, soccer is one sport she has never played. So her brother piped in, "But you've never played." and she said "I've been practicing. I've been kicking the beach ball against the stairs". You can't argue with that logic. However, it's going to be really hard to fit soccer into the current schedule. And I know nothing about soccer aside from what I saw in Bend it Like Beckham.

I went to Trader Joe's for groceries, saw that Wild Oats is now Whole Foods (depressing how mega corporations take over everything that is lovely). And shopped for casual clothing for the girl at a local shop.

Monday
I cleaned. I ironed two weeks worth of the girl's uniforms, put clean bedding on the beds, and made a lovely dinner. While I was cleaning I came across my mom's journals. I started reading the one from the year she died and came across my birthday. For some reason it makes me miserably sad that she doesn't mention it. And then I'm miserable because I feel guilty for reading her private things. Now, I'm all melancholy.

My Eyes!!!!!!!!!

I don't knock on the bedroom door to the boy's room. My house, my room, he is just borrowing it until college.

Last night he got back from seeing Cloverfield. He was being a little - well a LOT of almost 15. So I went to his room and opened the door to continue to nag him (I as a mom am not above nagging) and he responded, "Mom! I was about to change, can't you knock first?!".

I responded "You're in your boxers and I wasn't finished talking to you!". (Yes, I call nagging "talking".)

So he got smirky said "Okay, fine" and pulled down his boxers.

GOD, I HATE 14!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, now he's grounded and has no phone. It's going to be a LONG weekend.

In the future though...

I'm going to knock.

I was horribly wrong

I had thought my project was complete but after running the numbers found we were about 500 off. I spent a frantic couple of days getting them in. It was such a bad feeling! I have had afternoon headaches for the past couple of days so I have left early. I don't think my eyes can handle so much of the computer anymore.

But once again, I am done (for real this time) and not I just have a massive amount to file.

So as it is I have nothing intereting to add! This is what happens when you live at work: your life becomes stale.

Because of everything taking so much personal time, I'm planning a weekend getaway. I have no idea where yet (hence the beginning planning stage).

But I cannot stay home! I need to have an adventure.

Ha! I am mostly done with my project!

More papers will be crossing my desk over the next six months, but nothing like what I was processing this past month. I felt so badly for my kids. I would work, pick them up, pick up dinner to-go and then go back to work. They would use computers, read and explore while I slaved away. Then, I'd bring them home and decide if I needed to go back to work or stay home and go in extra early the next day. Super awful!

My boss doesn't mind overtime for this project but to be honest, I HATE doing overtime. I'd much prefer to go home and live my simple life.

Today was busy, I took the girl to ice skating lessons and bumped into an old friend. Our kids skated while we chatted so it was nice to exercise our mouths while we froze our asses off. After, I took the girl to breakfast and we shopped at Ikea.

While I was there I found a little kid dresser in the As-Is section. I LOVE the As-Is section. I have no hand or wrist strength so it's serendipitous to find pieces that are already to put together. I should say also that I drive a sub compact.

I got the dresser to the car and realized there is no way I can fit it in the trunk...or the backseat (the girl is under 40 lbs so she needs to be in a regular car seat (and she is almost 6!). So I manage to get it in the front seat but I have to hold it while I drive and drive with the window open. I opted to take a longer route and skip the freeway as I had no vision on the right side of the car. Always an adventure! I am glad though, it is perfectly darling and when she outgrows it, it will be small enough to fit inside a closet. Here it is, isn't it sweet for a little girl? She wanted to use it for her cooking supplies and cooking show. She makes movies of herself as a tiny Julia Child's.

My bathroom is done. I skipped painting and just went with brightly colored accessories colors. All the towels are yellow and the hand towels are bright lime. I added a lime rug too. Under the sink I found some containers and everything is simple, very neat and pleasant.

Next project is the kitchen. I picked up some large boxes and I hope the will fit for my baking supplies, but glancing up just now, I don't think it will work...I hate doing returns.

This whole "simplify your life" and "declutter" thing is a lot of effort. The payoff will be worth it though, a place for everything which means less work down the line for me!

Missing you all...

Work is incredibly work filled and I have been doing 10+ hour days and no days off for so long now so I have been quite neglectful here in blog world. My arm and hand are killing me and once this stupid project is over, I'm getting a massage.

To add in more to my calendar, I am cleaning out my downstairs bath and going to learn how to hang a cabinet. I may paint as it's quite ulgy 'as is'. AND when I am not being "handywoman", I will be sequining my girls' leotard and making hair things for her show this month.

Now if only I was also cooking meals from menus and ironing, I could wear a cape and be called "Super Mom".

So my cape right now just reads, "Super Tired".

Yours,

me

Thanks Ted!

So last night I fall asleep and around 3 I wake up again. So I try out Ted's "get to sleep" trick:

"I'll let you know my secret to insomnia. it sounds weird but it works, lay in bed, close your eyes and envision yourself having to survive in the outdoors after a plane crash or sunken boat or something to that effect. think about how you would build a shelter, make a fire, what you would eat all of that stuff. it gets your mind off what your thinking about and tires you out and then blam you are asleep."

So I decide to think about being on an island and because it was raining outside, I decide to make my fantasy occur during a tropical storm. I tried thinking of ways to make shelter.

I decided digging a hole and covering up with leaves would probably drown me. So then, I consider the fact I don't even have a pocket knife or flashlight and it's dark. I realize I'm cold, wet, alone and in the dark as I'm pretty sure the airline would not have permitted a lighter or matches on the plane.

As for breakfast - I can't fish. I went fishing when I was a kid but had a hook and line. And I caught nothing.

I start to panic. If I was in this scenario, there would be nothing nice and romantic about it. It would be hard and I'd probably slice my hand open banging a coconut upon a rock. I see visions of pneumonia, tetanus, and toothaches.

At this point I FEEL cold. So I tucked myself under my soft fuzzy fur blanket and I am SO grateful I have three pillows and a bed. And I fell asleep, soundly.

Reflecting, I should look up some wilderness survival course. If I should ever be in that situation, or even stranded on the 405 during rush hour, I want to come up with more than a hole covered with leaves.

The hole bed solution doesn't work for them either.

Insomnia Sucks

Up since 3...thinking I should just shower and go to work.

*sigh*

I should be chipper today.

An new guest over for dinner

Spaghetti was delish, rolls were nice, and for dessert we had Girl Scout ice cream. The cookie to ice cream ratio is off and that makes me sad. I love the Samoa ice cream and wait all year for it.

Maybe it's the memory of being a girl scout and selling door cookies in front of the grocery store and knowing the power of the lisp. While I never had a real speech impediment, I could look up from under long braids and ask, "Pleath Mither, would you pleath buy some cookieths for Girl Thcouths?

I use this power of speech inflections to even present day. Sometimes it's completely automatic and other times intentional. I can mimic almost any accent in a conversation and it's even easier over the phone. It amused coworkers when I did phone work back in the day.

Happy New Year!

I awoke with a cotton tasting mouth and remembered my affair with Mr. Myer's. The front lawn is strewn with streamers and confetti. The old year has ended.

And at the early hour in quietness, I reflect on the last year but I am also brimming with anticipation for 2008. I do not set a resolution, but I do consider ways to make this year even better.

I am throwing my nervousness about exploring new places aside so I might be more open to back roads, side trips and simply getting lost. I have spent the past year tramping through Los Angeles and the Bay Area and I just want to ready my mind with the knowledge that nothing goes perfectly and the imperfect things are what you remember most vividly.

I must go on vacation. I know that sounds silly - I often take vacation time. However, I feel drawn to visiting an unfamiliar state with a new horizon. I am a west coast girl and have never crossed the Mississippi or set foot into Canada and I have a strange desire to visit Banff and I think visiting New York would be amazing. So I shall draw up budgets, and see what can be done about those dreams.

Finally, I will try not to look inside myself quite so much and look inside others. I am quite stingy with my affections and often quite blind to what people close to me need out of me. I know these are part of my character traits, but that doesn't require them to be used.

I wish you the best of the New Year - magic and thrills in unexpected places.

Happy New Year!