Cinnamondee

Back in Blogger

2011-01-24T15:26:00.000-08:00

Its a new year and a new start.

Hopefully I will start posting soon!! I will be moving my blog out of Typepad and back in Blogger sometime this month...

movin' out

2007-01-24T15:45:00.000-08:00

I've moved! I haven't got my act together yet but you can reach me now at...

http://www.cinnamondee.typepad.com/

Stop by and say, hey!

Mochi and Cranberries

2007-01-21T11:31:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we went to the park for a picnic. The kids said the had to look for green 'mochi balls'. They came back with these. We spent much of the time rolling them down the slide. Who needs expensive toys when you can play with 'mochi balls'?

This morning we made Mock Cranberry Bliss Bars from Myra's recipe, thanks Myra! They look and smell awesome, baking right now. Can't wait to try them...

Neither can C-boy.

Family Love

2007-01-16T13:26:00.000-08:00

We had an incredible trip this past weekend in Maui. Lovely weather, awesome food and lots of family time.

a trip to I'ao needle

whale watching

can you see the profile of JFK's face?(look at the middle of the picture)

nature center exploring

playing games at maga's house (maui grandma's house)

with interesting conversation...

c-boy 'maga you have two houses?'
maga 'no, I have one here on Maui.'
c-boy 'i will buy you a house'
maga 'you will?'
c-boy 'no, but you can borrow my house. but only borrow it.'
maga 'uh, ok.'

playing poolside

and all weekend hearing some little girl that couldn't wait to get back to her dog.

now that I'm back at work I feel some family withdrawl, I think we had too much fun. Can't wait to get home...

happy happy

2007-01-12T16:07:00.000-08:00

5 happy things...

1. Off to spend the long weekend on Maui with in-laws and meeting up with friends. Quality kid time.

2. C-girl learned to ride without her training wheels yesterday. yay! it took her 15 minutes to figure out the balance thing. She gets her physical abilities from her daddy.

3. New (to me)charcoal colored messenger bag from the thrift store for the trip. Now I can pick up things(or children) from the floor without everything tumbling out of my bag.

4. Wonderful skirt pattern from Susan... she even sent me a sweet necklace she made since it took a bit longer to receive it(c-girl thought it was for her, fat chance girl). Now how pretty is her fabric? I can't wait! I'll post some pics when we get back.

5. Its Friday people, have a good one!

rainy days and sundays

2007-01-10T00:52:00.000-08:00

It was a crazy rainy day here the other day... making the dirt run away.

feeling a bit pink and brown lately so...
thrifted board + free spirit fabric + midori brown satin ribbon = fast and happy new bulletin board. also = happy mommy.

also new(to me)... fabric stash given by my aunt who no longer crafts. There's another layer of fabric underneath.
so much fabric, so little time.

peppermint and mohawks

2007-01-06T20:33:00.000-08:00

I've finally done a few sewing projects -

a bag using a too small a/x sweater, its super furry and black. The lining is made of striped pink, brown and white Robert Kaufman fabric. I love the strap fabric, Michael Miller Damask, it reminds me of a those pink peppermint sticks covered with chocolate... W said it looked Hawaiian-ish. Negative brownie points for him today.

these pillows are made from a green Gap sweater that made me look frumpy, and a red skirt that was too big-

and on a completely new topic that does not involve sewing of any sort, c-boy kept saying he had "applehead" hair...so he got a semi-mohawk, it looks better when its gelled and dry-

it may be an acquired taste...

and a big, big fat 'THANK YOU' to my brother-in-law who made me a new banner...Yay!! I love it!

witchy woman

2007-01-04T10:57:00.000-08:00

I had the worst night last night. Just crazy-grouchy and yelling at everyone the whole time. I don't know what made me so mad but the kids were no more hyper or messy than usual, not sure if it was hormone related but I take full responsibility. When we went to bed I felt so bad for being a monster that I hugged them tight and told them how much I loved them. Now if it were me and someone was being a total witch(put a b in front of that) and gave me a hard time all night I would immediatly adminster the cold shoulder treatment. But they of course, being rational, non-grudge holding troopers, gladly took the kisses and hugs with great happiness. What a wonder children are.

Sorry guys, mommy needed a swift kick in the pants and will be behaving better tonite.

Everything I Learned I Learned from my Kids

2006-12-31T15:44:00.000-08:00

I resolve in 2007...
...to enjoy my meals with loved ones

...to dance like no one is watching

(and pants are so 2006)

...to eat my deserts with complete and utter abandon

May you have a happy and chocolate cupcake filled New Year!

Soon It will be Christmas Day

2006-12-22T09:05:00.000-08:00

The boy is still sick, not as bad, but its so that I want to put the diapers back on. I get worried evertime he starts rubbing his tummy. He'll have none of that 'baby stuff' though.
And so I have mountains of laundry before I sleep...(that was for you W).
But I will keep the Christmas spirit, nothing goin' bring me down. So its delivery of presents today(after work), maybe some city lights tonight and hot cocoa (not for the boy though, Pedialite anyone?).

These are the last Christmas scenes from my home (I promise). Tomorrow I will be working in the morning, then I just want to concentrate on spending precious time with my family.
May you have as much joy in your heart as I do in mine and have a beautiful, wonderous Christmas!

And when you do, you know how it was meant to be, see the signs and know their meaning

2006-12-19T23:40:00.000-08:00

Well, so much for all better. Now C-boy has the stomach flu. Bright side is that at least its not Christmas. The bad side is that it was W and my 7th anniversary tonight. And we spent it doing homework with C-girl - she had a ton of it since she missed ONE day of school, isn't that crazy, she's just in first grade? Okay, I won't even go there. And the other half of the night babying the sick boy, while I did like, 4 loads of germy laundry. Lots of hot water needed, at least we have solar heating. See, silver lining. Or something to that effect.

Anyway, since it is my anniversary I will post a pic of... yikes, the two of us in our 'younger years'. And yikes is right. I put this in because we do not look anything like that anymore - I think.

I tried not to get too close up to the picture as not to scare me(or anyone who looks at it). W looks like he's 12 years old there. How's my circa 1989 perm? Hindsight sure is 20/20(I haven't permed since and I never plan to again). I think we were about 18 in that one, so I chalk it up to experience.

We have such a great relationship, and always have. Even when there was a point that we weren't in each others lives, way before we got together again, I always knew he was there and there was always something special between us. Sounds funny, but W knows. Life's a wild ride, and I wouldn't trade mine for the world.

Anyway, I just need to say that W, you and the kids are my everything. Life is just a box of chocolates, and you are the awesome truffle one with the sweetest-best-filling inside. Happy Anniversary W.

You Take the Good, You Take the Bad...

2006-12-18T11:22:00.000-08:00

We had an awesome / horrible weekend-

The awesome part- Friday nite annual Christmas dinner with friends - my sis, her husband, Nonnahs, her sister and W. Everything was excellent and no kids to scream at the dinner table. Then, Saturday, lunch with high school friends, our annual secret angel exchange, yummy Italian food then some power shopping. Then, that nite, the most incredible Billy Joel concert. And then some clubbing since my sis in law had the kids.

Now the bummer part. We get home at 4:30 am (we tend to milk it when we dont have the kids) and at a very early 6:00 am - which felt like 5 minutes after I fell asleep on the count of too much wine and a sore tummy- my SIL calls and says C-girl has been throwing up ALL nite. Needless to say my Sunday was not that great. And the sore tummy I thought was from the wine, well lets just say I had a touch of the same that C-girl had. Uck. So it was a very unproductive Sunday, and all I could think as I lied there clutching my evil stomach was, that I had a ton of presents still to wrap and that those gingerbread men for C-boys class were NEVER going to be done (I hardly think the parents would want me baking with a flu). Thankfully my husband took care of the kids all afternoon and nite, I hardly heard a peep from my darkened bedroom. Thank you W, you rock.

Well, today is a much better day, although I think I'll be skipping any cabernet for the next few nights, let me tell you. I'll just end with a pic I took last week, it was a slight bit chilly - still shorts weather but a nice cozy hoodie would work too. And I told C-girl to take a pic of her in the pretty pink shawl that Aunty Nonnahs made for her a while back, she decided her demure look was the way to go with this one.

This, I'm not sure what she's doing, but you can see our yard is finally getting some attention. Yay! Not sure how its going to end up, but anything is better than the horrid barren area that it was.

Gingies!!!

2006-12-13T10:44:00.000-08:00

I love making gingerbread men, I'm not being sexist, I would make women too if I had the cutter for it.

One of my favorite friends and blogger Nonnahs came over for a visit and helped us- shes here to spend the week back in her hometown, Yay!

We did only a couple as I my allergies got the best of me today, the rest (when we get around to doing them, will go to C-boys preschool for each child, won't they be impressed by the amount of sugar the kids put on. My goodness, cavity starters if I ever saw one.

Although baking in the kitchen with the monsters is a fun treat(in other words nuts), most times I try to get around doing the prep part (measuring, sifting and mixing) without them by quietly doing it myself and then telling them when its time to decorate, which is what I did this time...the decorating is the fun part anyway. The dog enjoyed the bits that inevitably fell to the floor. And there was LOTS.

I used Martha Stewarts basic gingerbread recipe but cut back on the ginger and eliminated the pepper then added about three tablespoons more sugar, since the last time I made it the kids said it was too spicy. It turned out much better and kid friendly. Sorry Martha(I'm sure she'll get over it).

Aunty Nonnahs also brought these adorable ornaments from Crate and Barrel, one for each of the 12 days of Christmas, so cute! Perfect for our mini tree by the front door.

Thank you! Thank you! Love it!

Crafts by the Kids

2006-12-13T02:35:00.000-08:00

Some first grade crafting...

And some Preschool style crafting...

(Its a reindeer)
I give those Preschool teachers credit for that one, all the painting of the feet and hands then cleaning up those rascal kids. I don't even want to think about it.

But I think the shirt came out pretty cute!

Maybe we'll do it again at home. Just kidding.

Blue Christmas

2006-12-08T00:16:00.000-08:00

Yay! The tree is finally up...

This was taken early in the morning and its very, very dark and with the new LED lights the tree looks a bit blue...not sad just literally, blue. I know, it needs more lights, but its just going to get bluer...

And there was a bit of crafting, here's some garland made with scrapbook paper...

And stockings for the kids made from stripey thrifted sweaters. They are a bit plain, I meant to embellish with buttons but I wanted it up before the tree was decorated-

Happy Friday everyone!!

The Gingerbread Story

2006-12-05T10:43:00.000-08:00

The M family went to the Annual Gingerbread Festival this past weekend to make Gingerbread houses. This is the Daddy doing only the 'construction phase'. Thats all the Gingerbread he wants to do. And Mommy is down with that.

Then Mommmy and children go ape with the frosting and pretty candy. Mommy is instructed to not get upset with messy decorations, because according to the girl, "Daddy said there's no wrong way to decorate it, Mom." Whatever. Although an Aunty gave both children gummy bloodshot EYEBALLS to decorate. That's not going on the house or anywhere near it, Mommy has to put her foot down on disgusting decorations.

Then the wrapped house gets left in the car for hours in the sun while the family goes shopping and the poor peppermint candy (the favorite part according to Mommy, of the decorations) gets runny and melted. Mommy won't cry.

She brought home extra frosting and candy to fix it.

Pats on the back for Mommy.

A Mishmash of Thoughts

2006-11-30T14:26:00.000-08:00

Its finally a little cooler! yay! I wore a jacket outside for the first time yesterday, granted it was just a hoodie but its better than tank top weather. I know it probably won't last but its a welcome change from the hot we've been having...
Case in point, beach this past sunday. sunny and hot.

Anyway, its in the 70's which might not sound like winter to mainlanders but I'll take what I can get. More cool weather please, please.

On a totally unrelated note, I just wanted to show my Edna Eicke prints (purchased via ebay)that I finally framed in some thrift shop finds and hung near the book reading area. I love the way they turned out, I have some more to frame so I'm on the hunt for more vintage frames.

Sorry the framed ones are so glare-y I should have taken the pics before it was framed.

And finally a a crazy huge 'thank you! thank you!' to Nonnahs for this Sarah M. 'Wintersong' CD, I love it and have been listening to it everynite since I got it! Just what the Christmas doctor ordered!

Trying to Stay Green

2006-11-29T14:09:00.000-08:00

If you didn't catch Treehugger's Simran Sethi on Martha Stewart last month here's a clip she has info on recyled and bamboo materials. We just got a bamboo sheet set from Bath and Beyond and it was worth every penny(it was many pennies). You would never think bamboo could be that soft.

Also if you don't already read Danny Seo's Blog I highly recommend it. Very cool and inspiring ideas for every day and the Holidays.

This year I'm going to try to buy as many eco-friendly gifts as possible but it proves to be hard here since most of it has to be mail ordered, which in turn causes CO2 concerns as well. Hmmph. Anyway, I found some nice bamboo items from Crate and Barrel as well as from Vivaterra, maybe I will scope out the local wood vendors here too and see if anything turns up. I'll also be checking out the thrift shops, this is a good way to recycle as most of you know, there are a couple people on my list that would appreciate a really good vintage item (which I love, sometimes the fact that it has a history adds to the charm). Trust me, I am no green saint, so I will be getting what I think people want, I know my brother will never appreciate second hand items no matter how much I nag him!

When it comes to the kids though, I am sorry to say I will be getting the standard stuff, clothes and toys that will hopefully last and/or be handed down, I will try to wrap more consciously and maybe give itunes to the older ones. I am only human and I still want the kids to like to me...

Did you know that over 600 tons of CO2 will be generated in America on SHIPPING alone? More than Canada uses ANNUALLY. Something to think about. I believe those afar might be getting emailed gift cards this year. Just as well, not too many people appreciate recycled can top tote bags like I do...Nonnahs suggested this site, it would actually make a cool gift, the gift of no junk mail, who wouldn't like that?

Here's some other sobering Holiday facts from Treehugger:

1. 25: percent increase in the trash generated during the holiday season.

2. 86: percent of TreeHugger readers who say their kids have too much stuff.

3. 97: percent of restaurant gift certificate receivers who say they would like to receive a restaurant gift certificate again.

4. 83,000,000: square meters of gift wrap which winds up on the UK rubbish heaps after the holiday season.

5. 300 million: dollars spent in the USA on mass market women’s bath gift sets.

If anyone has any green shopping tips to share I would greatly appreciate them...

Now - lets go shopping!

More Christmas

2006-11-26T11:00:00.000-08:00

A couple of Christmas favorites -

I found this at the thrift shop to add to my collection, it was still in its box, and for only $1.50-

This is one of my all time favorites, my great grandmothers Nativity scene. Its a bit chipped on account of her letting us play with it when we were little, the angels took a good beating (I think one has its head glued back on)and baby Jesus has a mean shiner, they were the most loved out of the bunch. Somehow no one wanted to be the animals or the Three Wise Men.

I have it up on top of my hutch, no way my kids could keep their paws away from that.

Obsession

2006-11-25T12:34:00.000-08:00

I do this annoying thing whenever I see something I really like in a magazine. I imagine my house like that, then I obsess about changing things around to make it look like the picture. Its a doomed project from the get go, I know this but I can't seem to stop. My new obsession is in the new Mary Engelbreit Home Companion. Its a Illinois family that decorates in lots of creams, blues and whites and beautiful fabrics, very Dutch inspired. Okay, so I'm not Dutch. Not even close. I have as much Dutch as Jackie Chan. But its so pretty and I do have some Royal Copenhagen lace china so I figure, why not? Maybe 'cause I've redone my kitchen and living room colors about 20 times this year. And apparently blue and white is now what is really needed to make it all perfect. Until I see something else I like.

Anyway, W's friend comes over and says,
"How come every time I come over your house looks different?"
I think,
'Cause I'm Dutch now, duh'
I say,
"I like to move things around"

I really would like to leave things as they are, you know it takes a great deal of time to obsess about stuff that mean nothing to anyone but me but I can't get it out of my head. It also means that I have a lot of stuff I store in our limited closet space. I could be playing with my kids or reading a great novel.

But no. Maybe its a Dutch thing.

Thanksgiving Top Ten

2006-11-22T01:50:00.000-08:00

My Top Ten Reasons to *Heart* Thanksgiving...

10. Mashed potatoes and stuffing, yum. Two favorite starches.

9. No work.

8. Macy's parade.

7. An official start to the Holidays. Yee-haw!

6. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin mochi, pumpkin bread, did I say pumpkin? Love it.

5. After Thanksgiving online sales...I usually work Friday people, online is almost as good without the grouchy, crazy 5 am lines.

4. Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. Popcorn for dinner, how fun was that?

3. After its over I get to play and hear Christmas music! And look for a tree...

2. Turkey, turkey and more turkey.

1. Being with the fams - you know I had to do that, but really thats what its all about. I'm a mushball when it comes to family.

Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy!

Minty

2006-11-20T11:03:00.000-08:00

I have been doing more furniture shopping. Bad, bad. Not supposed to be buying for me, its almost Christmas and I have done about 1/20 th of my shopping so far. Anyway, I bought this side table plus two matching big dressers with mirrors from my mom's friend, known as Lucy, 'the Sunnyside pie lady' in this neck of the woods. Her family's restaurant makes amazing pies that people from all over the island come to take out. Wahiawa is not known for much, but pies we got. Anyway, Lucy also is an avid collector of shabby cottage furniture and collectibles so she had an estate sale of furniture that she collected and refinished. She also has a little shop here, with really cute stuff in it.

I really wasn't sure of this color, hard to tell from the picture but its a really light mint green, kind of the same color as my kitchen, but its starting to grow on me.

So is this little one who just got a haircut...

Cookie Monsters

2006-11-16T15:20:00.000-08:00

W left for Vegas last night for a 'conference'. Whatever. Anyway, its the first time I'm in charge of Oliver and frankly I don't think he's real jazzed about it. W works from home so theres usually company all day, so he's on his own for the next few days. Hopefully I won't go home to eaten baseboards or pee on his bed. That would be ew.

Anyway, we might make some chocolate chip cookies tonight. The dough is made by Wally Amos - the original Famous Amos. He had the company until he sold the rights, now he has a small store here on the Windward side, Chip and Cookie, that sells his cookies as well as dough that you can take home. He also has an area set aside for reading, as he is a big promoter of literacy nationally and in the islands. The cookies are awesome, packed with macadamia nuts and chips, and lowfat too...okay not lowfat but wouldn't that be great?

Low Threshold

2006-11-15T13:28:00.000-08:00

I am a wimp for pain. Especially when it happens to my kids. I will absolutely attest to this. C-boy had a 'procedure' done to him and lets just say its in a delicate place. So last night after when we got home I tried to sponge bath him and get him into new clothes and put the medicine on the affected area as he screamed. So sad. Needless to say he didn't go to school today, when he walks it looks like he just got off a horse. It hurts me to see that. Anyway, of course I make things worse when I get emotional, as W has informed me. I know this in my heart but its hard not to show it. All I know is that in a couple of days he will be all better.

Anyway, on a happier note...

...okay I can't think of one. I tried really. Maybe I'll think of one tomorrow.

Marshmellow World

2006-11-13T19:18:00.000-08:00

I've started Christmas-y things around the house. I can't wait, too bad it doesn't get cold here but no sense grumbling again. Anyway, I've put some stuff up outside.

The neighbors must be confused, since their little Thanksgiving decorations are out...

See someone peeking?

And in this corner...

I'm also so happy about the sb peppermint lattes being available again. Its the little things you know.

yay, for fuzzy snommen and peeking dogs!

Christmas Shopping

2006-11-13T10:16:00.000-08:00

So yesterday we go out to breakfast with our friends and then shopping as they needed to buy some stuff. WE end up buying a whole set of furniture - ahem, there was a sale - and about 200.00 worth of other stuff that we probably didn't need. Whats that about? It was supposed to be pancakes then some harmless window shopping. Maybe its that we are getting older and I feel like I should spend if the mood strikes and live life in the moment. No, probably not. Good sales though.

Hey, isn't Christmas around the corner? Merry Christmas to me.

The next round is for gifts, I promise.

Fun Friday

2006-11-09T10:26:00.000-08:00

Houston?? Another fine outfit courtesy of Costco.

Happiness is a warm pillow, er... puppy. Oliver gets a lot of attention around here, not that he enjoys all of it. But he's well loved.

Happy Friday!

OMG! no more cocktails in the morning... just kidding - HAPPY THURSDAY!

Play Day

2006-11-06T09:50:00.000-08:00

C-girls friend came over yesterday to play. I truly enjoy those times when I get to see her in action with her friends, its like a whole different side to her. When her friend came they went straight to her room and tried to decide what they wanted to do first.

C-girl: "You want to play Barbie?" (very tentatively, not trying to sound enthusiastic)
friend: "No. I don't really play Barbie anymore."
C-girl: (laughing) "Oh, yeah. Me too."
Me: Huh? Little liar.
Me: "How about a craft project, we can make turkeys?"

Okay, I was 'that mom' and had a whole craft thing set up so they could make some turkeys with paper plates, feathers and construction paper. Shut up. It was fun. They even put rhinestone crowns and necklaces on the turkeys, so there.

After the craft stuff, and a long set of playdoh and puzzles they ended up playing with the Disney Cinderella Palace set which to me is just like Barbie but with different dolls so that made me feel better about the Barbie comment.

Anyway, whats up with the Barbie? I remember playing Barbie until I was like ten or eleven years old. And it was actually cool. My niece gave it up when she was about 6 or 7 too and gave all her dolls away. I was so confused. I think maybe girls at a younger age are feeling like they need to do stuff that older kids do, otherwise they feel embarrased and childish. So the Barbies and Tonkas are put away and the X-boxes and Ipods start much sooner. That makes me sad.

I think I'll go home today and play Barbies with her.

My Other Car is a Broom...

2006-10-31T15:21:00.000-08:00

It was Halloween. And a tradition in our household here to gather up the kiddies and their cousins and send them out to forage for candies for us...

We gathered in my (just cleaned at the last moment) garage and ate - and this is what we eat every year - vegetarian chili, hot dogs (my sis shaped them like octopus this year, um yum?)

There was also chicken and whatever chocolate the kids brought back for us.

I also did the Jello mold...

This year me and W got in on the dressing up. Thanks to C-boy's insistance.

Hope you guys had a great one!

Stay Doggie Stay!

2006-10-26T10:54:00.000-07:00

Okay, so Oliver is a sweetie. We got a call last night asking if we want to come see a girl cockapoo that will be available in a couple of weeks. Humph. I think I'm getting attached to the little bugger, and I almost felt offended we got the phone call. As if someone was trying to take my Mr. McPoodles away. Leave him alone, he's a friend of mine.

I think he's staying, what do you think?

In the meantime I'll be doing this...
Pumpkin Carving anyone???

And I may have to make this for Halloween night...

Vampire blood-orange gelatin

Preparation time: 1 minute
Cooking time: 3 minutes
Chilling time: 10 hours
Servings: 12

--Executive chef Heather Terhune of Atwood Cafe and South Water Kitchen developed this recipe. Use one large mold or individual-sized 8-ounce ramekins.

Ingredients:
3 cups water
2 cups sugar
7 envelopes (1/4-ounce each) unflavored gelatin
4 1/2 cups blood orange or regular orange juice
2 Tbsps. orange-flavored liqueur

1. Combine 2 cups of the water and the sugar in a medium saucepan; sprinkle with gelatin. Set aside 1 minute to soften gelatin. Cook, stirring, over medium heat, until sugar and gelatin dissolve, about 3 minutes. Stir in orange juice, liqueur and remaining 1 cup of water. Pour into a lightly oiled 10-cup mold; cover. Refrigerate until firm, at least 10 hours.

2. To unmold, dip mold briefly in hot water; invert a plate over gelatin. Flip gelatin onto the plate. Decorate with plastic spiders or other Halloween-like creatures

Happy Friday!!

Dog Day

2006-10-26T08:27:00.000-07:00

Well I was a bit skeptical of posting this but we did get the new fur baby yesterday.
Alas, it may be short-lived since we had really wanted a girl, if one becomes available soon we may sell this sweet thing and get a female instead. I know that sounds cold and unmotherly but its the facts, people. I wanted a girl. Anyway, whatever the case here is(for now anyway) Mr. Oliver McPoodle.

He's a Malti-poo, I hate that, it sounds like a gross dessert. But he's cute, no? The kids LOVE him, so if there's going to be a switcharoo it better be soon before they get attached to him. I wouldn't mind a boy except I keep hearing that girls are much easier, training wise, and I want to be sure if I'm roped in with a dog for the next 15 or so years it better be something I absolutely want.

Little Doggie Froufrou

2006-10-23T10:54:00.000-07:00

W is on a quest for a dog. Ever since I said 'Okay, but I won't feed it, clean it, clean up after it or train it' he has been on the prowl for a puppy like nobody's business. So there are phone calls, emails and constant checking in the paper.

In Hawaii, there's a demand for little froufrou dogs so its hard to find a really good one, even if you're willing to pay premium for it. Our kids are allergic to most pets so it has to be a hypo-allergenic dog like a poodle or maltese. We saw some maltese and lahsa ahpso(sp?) dogs yesterday at the pet store, only 1699.00, what a bargain. I know we'll keep looking, but all I want is to be able to do is name it and put frilly outfits on it(and maybe paint its toenails. Lets hope its a girl.

We used to have a poodle but when I got pregnant with the boy the smell absolutely made me heave, and since we had only had it for about 6 months we decided we needed to give it to someone who wouldn't despise it. Now I regret it a bit, the couple that took her treat her like a queen and take her wherever they go. She got a better life and now we are looking at buying the same kind of dog - but at double the price since there is such a demand. Go figure.

Regardless, I'm buying the dog(that we will eventually get)one of these...

So there.

48 things you could care less about

2006-10-20T12:41:00.000-07:00

I pinched this meme from Nonnahs...

48 THINGS YOU COULD CARE LESS ABOUT

1. FIRST NAME? Cinnamondee.

2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? no. not that I know of.

3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? I am pretty emotional. Last time was on the airplane coming home from Vegas, I was so excited to see my family.

4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Not really, it actually changes all the time.

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? Okay, no thanks.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I hope so.

7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? Yes, its completely empty. I have trouble remembering things so I hope the blog will help me with this.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? No, they came out at age 7.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Absolutely not. This is why W and I would never last on Amazing race as a couple. That along with my absolutely crazy bad sense of direction and my fear of weird looking food. Plus I'd also never shave my head.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? I love me some granola. If W doesn't eat it all first.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Usually not(what for if you can kick them off?), but my only tie-ups are my running shoes.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Physically, pretty below average. Funny, because my mom is nuts strong.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Chocolate mint. Tiny mint chips though, not the big honking pieces some ice creams have.

14. SHOE SIZE? Usually 6.5 sometimes 7 depending on the brand.

15. RED OR PINK? Pink, definitely.

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Physically, my thighs. And I'm sure W would mention that I have very large big toes in comparison to the rest of my toes. He has nicknamed them the 'hitchhikers'.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My Aunty Yoshi, and my Aunty Linda. And Clinton.

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Whoever would like to.

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Pinstriped brown cropped pants, white tank top, black leather ballet flats.

20. LAST THING YOU ATE? chocolate chip scone and sb mocha.

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Big Apple Trio.

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Carnation pink(cause I'm sweet like that)

23. FAVORITE SMELL? The back of C-boys neck, c-girls freshly washed hair, coffee when you first wake up, cinnamon anything, the smell of cold mornings when you first step outside, vanilla and lavender.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? my sister.

25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Eyes and teeth.
And for W, honestly I noticed his back(when I met him his shirt was off, I promise).

26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON you stole THIS from? Absolutely.

27. FAVORITE DRINK? Hands down, sb mocha. Then a good chardonnay(not in the morning though, :)).

28. FAVORITE SPORT? To watch, none. To do, swimming and running(although since the trip I've been chronically absent from any exercize).

29. EYE COLOR? Dark brown.

30. HAT SIZE? Hmmmm, I guess a medium.

31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No. I got lasik's right before I got pregnant with the boy.

32. FAVORITE FOOD? Italian, Mexican, Thai and Japanese.

33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Definitely happy endings. I can't stand scary movies.

34. SENSE OR SENSIBILITY? Depends on the situation.

35. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter, I love the cold and love, love Christmas.

36. HUGS OR KISSES? both

37. FAVORITE DESSERT? strawberry shortcake, dense chocolate cakes, and pumpkin pie.

38. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?

39. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?

40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? 'The Time Travelers Wife', and 'Conversations with God'.

41. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE Pad? Its one of those Jelly pads, in aqua.

42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? Nothing. Oh wait, about 15 minutes of 'Caillou', C-boys favorite whiney kid.

43. FAVORITE SOUNDS? The giggles of kids.'Mommy I love you'. Rain.

44. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles.

45. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? Japan.

46. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? Don't know if I have one. Drinking an amazing amount of Mocha??

47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Hawaii

48. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Stole it from Nonnahs

If I lay here, if I just lay here, would you lay with me, and just forget the world

2006-10-20T10:43:00.000-07:00

Today is W's birthday. We had turkey bacon, eggs and scones for breakfast. It was nice, we don't usually have breakfast together on weekdays. Its usually just the kids at the table, while W works in his office and I get my breakfast at work. Funny how the really simple things can mean the most to you as you get older.

Anyway, here's to you W. Its been 17 years since that fateful day since we first met, who knew we were going to be where we are now? Every year it seems life couldn't get any better and every year I get proven wrong. You make me laugh when I'm down and make me smile when I can't find anything to smile about. You are my rock.

Happy Birthday W!

Crowns Rock

2006-10-18T18:33:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we made crowns. c-boy wanted brown and plain. c-girl wanted red with decorations - only drawings though. In the end she also wanted to put 'rock on' on it. I was just picturing a long haired guy with his hand up in the air with three fingers up and perhaps a black faded 'AC/DC' shirt on.

Then she wanted to know how to spell 'dude'. Scary.

We did another 'girls nite out' tonight. Some shopping for overdue birthday gifts and sushi then the required Starbucks. It was so nice to get our giggle on. I love this age, she still wants to be with me and hold my hand.

Rock on.

Happy Birthday Boy

2006-10-16T11:37:00.000-07:00

Wow, that was a weird experience yesterday.

It would have been fine too if it weren't for C-boys birthday. Poor little man, no party for you. He kept reminding me that it was his third birthday. And he wanted candles and sprinkles. Sorry baby, your cake is trapped at the closed Safeway and I can't bake you one in the oven that doesn't work.

We spent the day at my sisters, at least the kids had each other to play with. But every once in a while I got a reminder. "Mommy sprinkles and candles, yes?" I evaded the question, and he went on his merry way.

Luckily the power went on at 5 pm and my sister had cake mix, sprinkles and candles. Good thing he wasn't picky about what it looked like.

Love you C-boy, Happy Birthday.

whats up buttercup?

2006-10-13T12:46:00.000-07:00

There are some things that have been happening since we got back.

- I can't get enough Starbucks Grande Pumpkin Latte (2 pumps flavor, non-fat, no whip please - and decaf if its after 2pm), its like yuppie crack, and all that great jazz music and velour comfortable chairs in Fall colors to lure me in. Or maybe because I know its seasonal and I will be sad when its gone. And such is my exciting life.

- My ear is huge and hurting, only the left side. W took me to the doctor yesterday, the poor soul knows how bad I am driving in town and then he had to wait about an hour and a half before I was done. Bless his heart. Anyway, the Dr doesnt know why its swollen and sore, no infection on the inside of my ear. Heh? He said it might have been anything, a blow to the head (wouldn't I have remembered that?)just a swollen gland, or infection somewhere near the lobe. Regardless, it hurts and the antibiotics have not kicked in yet if its an infection. It felt even better after c-boy grabbed my ears when I was dancing with him last night. I saw stars. Maybe it was that kind of blow to the head, I get those frequently.

- My kids have been behaving. Apparently, according to W, if we are calm all the time and firm and I stop saying 'ok?' after every suggestion I make of them the kids will be better behaved(e.g. "c-boy don't grab my ears like that, ok?" or "C-girl stop your whining, ok?"). I have to admit it seems to be working. I thought it was what I was doing all along but I'm surprised at how many times I have to supress my "ok?" There seems to be less whining and negotiating around here and less stress. Lets hope we(or I, anyway) can keep it up. The only thing there seems to be the same amount of is the fighting between the two angels. I'm thinking that will probably last the next 20 or so years anyway.

- C-girl walked from the car to her class by herself for the first time yesterday. W always drops her off and for some reason he asked if she wanted to walk in by herself, and she didn't even look back. Why would you facilitate the growing up process? It all happens so fast, for goodness sake don't help it along. When he told me I was at my desk at work and I started to tear up like a goon. The next customer who walked in to the office would be very uncomfortable, I can tell you that much. Anyway, I don't need my girl getting any older, thank you very much. All I could think about was her locking herself in her room tying up the phone line, rolling her eyes when she talks about her uncool parents and wanting to go to out without the likes of dorky us. Then come boys, and peer pressure, oh crap, I'm getting ahead of myself I know, but, ok I'm tearing again. Shut up.

So thats whats happening around here. This weekend it will be c-boy's 3rd b-day. Yay! Nothing really planned yet! Bad, bad procrastinating mommy.

Ship Hunting

2006-10-11T16:46:00.000-07:00

I finally got around to getting the Halloween costumes for the kids. The boy wanted to be a pirate (pirate ship to be exact, but we knew what he meant anyway) and the girl wanted to be a witch (and she specified not the 'nice' kind). So I get the witch costume and wouldn't you know it there is apparently no such thing as a size 2 year pirate costume. Great.

Anyway, now I have to improvise at the thrift store, which would be fine if I had all the time in the world. I find a big oversize white button down (with little flower buttons, as c-girl quietly pointed out)a black oversize vest (which is wedding apparel, I suppose) and some black running pants which I will zig-zag cut to look torn at the bottom. Then a black pirate hat, eyepatch, required plastic sword (which will be used to torment everyone from now until Halloween) a red sash and black boots. Good grief, that took like an hour. Why can't he be a witch like his sister?

So all this comes home with me and of course they have to try all the clothes on, and play pirates until dinner. And during dinner. And when bathtime comes and goes they want to put it back on and perhaps sleep in it. Halloween is how many days away?

W: You like your Halloween costume c-boy?
C-boy: yes, I like being pirate ship, you be pirate ship with me daddy?
W: okay, and mommy can be witch too.
C-boy: yay, daddy be pirate ship and mommy be witch!

Good luck daddy. Find your own pirate ship costume.
And by the way, thanks for signing me up there.

Vacation Part 2 (or is it 3?)

2006-10-10T22:37:00.000-07:00

Okay, so here are some of the pictures I wanted to add but not all, apparently blogger knows that I will bore everyone to death if I put them all in...

this is c-boy day we left, he had to stay on this 2x a day during the trip, what a trooper-

water play at Seattle Childrens Center-

cafe that 'Sleepless in Seattle' was filmed, love that movie

fleurs at Whidbey Island, Langley WA

walking down to the main town in Langley

more fleurs-

the gazebo and view from the cottage-

chasing the poor, clueless birdies in Granville Island, Vancouver

and this is where blogger had enough of me, so I won't keep trying for another hour like last nite. I won't even put in the cheesy pics of me in the first Starbucks, though I'm tempted. I figure I had to get a picture of the empire that I helped build with my hard earned funds.

Take Me To That Other Place, Reach Me I Know I'm Not A Hopeless Case

2006-10-09T12:14:00.000-07:00

Well, we're back... Good to be home, despite the fact that you could have cut the humidity with a knife as we walked through the airport terminal. Love that. Not.

Yesterday it rained hella hard so it chased some of the yucky air away.

I am having a hellava time posting pics. Blogger seems to be having a day. Or its me.

So I'll just post the couple that I could get through for now and do a part deux tomorrow. Cross fingers.

Space Needle-

Pikes Place (my fave)as long as the fishes don't hit me ...this is the view from the top of our hotel down into the market-

Hopefully tomorrow pics of Stanley Park, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Granville Island(actually just C-boy chasing poor birdies there) and Whidbey Island... please blogger??

I would absolutely recommend Seattle and Vancouver for the kids, so much to do and for foodies it was heaven. We returned beat and happy(and one of us I swear a size bigger, damn that Washington wine is good), hopefully in a few years we can go back and do some of the big kids stuff (hiking in the park, Science Museum, Dinner Theater) but it was action packed all the same.

Wish we could have brought the cool weather back here so it would feel like fall again. Actually from inside my office it looks cool outside, and of course soon as I step outside it feels like a freakin' steamroom. I'll just stay in here and pretend, then run like the dickens to my car and turn on the a/c so I can pretend again. Even I weird myself out.

Vacation, All I Ever Wanted

2006-10-04T22:20:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm not back from vacation yet, we're in Vancouver now to be exact. Its wonderful- and nuts cold. For me, anyway. I love this city, so trendy, urban and clean, the people are from everywhere. Hawaii is known as a 'melting pot' but here, I hear different languages all over the place. Its pretty cool. And the food is good too, as felt in my jeans of course. A Starbucks or Blendz on every corner, complementary wine tasting in the hotel every night, what's not to love.

We went to Capilano Suspension Bridge today and tomorrow to Stanley Park. I have tons of pics to share as soon as I can upload when I get home.

Right now W is in some bar with his friend and I'm here with the munchkins. Hmmm something seems amiss... Well, he watched them (in the bar) earlier when I went shopping with my friend. And we both did pretty damn good with the cc so all is well with me, I go to sleep with a new bag of clothes and he can hang out there all he wants. Love is in the air.

Friday back to Seattle and more coffee and shopping, then home bound. Did I mention this has been an excellent trip?

Do you remember, Once Upon a Time When There Were Open Doors, An Invitation to the World?

2006-09-28T15:00:00.000-07:00

I'll be off to Seattle and Vancouver tomorrow night with W, the kids and some friends- yay! So my posts will be far and few between since we'll be busy - plus I may have to wrestle W for use of his laptop... the original computer hog.

And here's some other things I'm happy about...
Nigella's back on the Food Network - premiering on October 1st, yay!

And how yummy does this sound-
Espresso Chip Poundcake
1 pound butter
3/4 cup sugar
2 cups brown sugar
5 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla
4 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 tablespoon salt
1/8 cup sour cream
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 cup espresso, liquid shots, not grounds
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Cream the butter, sugar and brown sugar together. Start on a slow speed until blended, then turn it up to the highest speed until it is light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla to the mixture and mix on medium speed until the eggs are fully broken up and combined. Do not over mix this part. Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together, add to the mixture and mix until combined. Add the sour cream and buttermilk and mix until combined. Add the espresso, and mix until it is combined. If you are using hot espresso shots, then pour them slowly into the mixture so that it does not begin to cook the eggs. Add the chocolate chips and mix them until combined.
Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F. Grease and flour a bundt cake pan.
Scoop the cake mixture into the prepared pan. Place the cake on a cookie sheet and bake for 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours, or until an inserted knife comes clean from the cake. Placing the cake on a cookie sheet is just a suggestion to keep your oven clean, in case the cake mixture spills over the sides of the pan.
Let the cake cool, then remove it from the pan upside down. Garnish it with powdered sugar.
Yield: Active preparation time: 30 minutes Non-active preparation time: 0 minutes Cooking time: 2 hours

Courtesy of Food Network and Cafe Ladro - Seattle, WA

Okay, I didn't make it but it sounds super good... if I have time when I return it sounds like a keeper...

Do This Don't Do That Can't You Read the Signs?

2006-09-25T16:55:00.000-07:00

I didn't take the digital camera (so W would have it in case of any Kodak moments while I was away, needless to say the camera did not leave the counter the whole week) so I took this with my phone -

This was being held up by a young woman standing in the middle of the Vegas crowd, it looks like the guy is holding the sign but you can just make out the back of her head. She was being confronted by the guy and another beer toting guy next to him. I am not one to poke fun at people with strong religious convictions, everyone has their own ideas and beliefs and I respect them all- as long as they don't tell me what to believe myself. So I'll just say I give her props for effort...

10 things I learned on vacation

2006-09-25T12:46:00.000-07:00

I just got back from Vegas with my mom and sis on Saturday night. Tired. But there are some very important things I have learned from this trip.

1. If you are a Beatles fan it is neccessary, if not required, you go see Cirque Du Soleil - The Beatles, at the Mirage Hotel. If you are not a Beatles fan and you see this, you will become one.

2. Sleep deprivation will not catch up to you until precisely 24 hours to the minute after you have stepped off the plane and children are climbing all over you and you have a 1 year old birthday party to attend.

3. The black cloud that looms over your head as you gamble does not go away just because you think happy positve thoughts. Snide rude remarks to the poker machine don't help either, but it will make you feel better.

4. Although I make fun of them, I am lost without my husband and my monsters.

5. Shopping like a maniac for four days is fun. Period.

6. When someone tells you and your sister that you look like twins be faster and louder to shout out, "I'm YOUNGER!!" before your lying older sister does.

7. My hair is happy and a wonderful friend in Nevada, my hair is nuts and mean and spiteful to me at home.

8. Theres never enough money when you're losing.

9. All the best stores in the country are everywhere but in Hawaii.

10. I really enjoyed hanging out with my sis, its been a while we got to spend time with each other(if your're reading this L, I never said that)

11. Coming home is awesome.

_________________________________________

Ok, apparently I can't count, so I might as well add a 12th one in...

12. If I were to pack up and run away from home, I would hide away in Anthropologie store, seeing as there is none in Hawaii (theres a shocker), I would catch a plane and move right in. This was the first time I got to go to one, I have ordered online but never been to one. I walked in circles to find the one in SF last year but couldn't find it, my sis said 'oh, it was the right around the corner from our hotel- I can't believe you missed it.' Thanks, L, that would have been useful information if we were STILL THERE. Anyway, LOVED it and will visit it again and blow some more money when I go to Seattle next week!

To a Place I Recall, I Was There So Long Ago

2006-09-17T18:42:00.000-07:00

I was cleaning out my closet the other day and found some old stuff in there...

Holy moly, thats scary.

I also found this...

Bought in Japan circa 1984.

If you look closely at the shoe you will see that its not Converse people... its Conperse. Yes, fake ones. Why would I buy fake ones, in Japan no less? Because, back then, in '84, Japan was freaky cheap. You could buy a bunch of clothes and end up paying very little. If G. Stefani could get into a time capsule she could have bought ALL of Harajuku.

Anyway, the most vivid memory I have of those 3 weeks in Japan (it was a class trip with other high school Japanese classes)-besides the nuts haircut I got in Tokyo and the fact that you could buy sake from a vending machine right outside our hotel door, was one of our friends from another high school, my sister, Nonnahs and I in a ticket purchasing kiosk while our gay friend is screaming at the Japanese guy at the counter in English because they wouldn't let us buy sold out tickets to WHAM! who was playing at the Buddakon.

Good times.

Here Kitty Kitty

2006-09-14T23:41:00.000-07:00

We got a great swap package from Melissa and her family yesterday. How fun are those!? C-girl had never really heard of a place called Kentucky. Oh my, I think we'd better get out the World Atlas, before my daughter becomes one of those who absolutely avoids at all costs the geography color (and the sports one too) whilst playing trivia pursuit like her mommy. She wants to bring the whole package to school so she can show them what her new friends in Kentucky have sent.

Melissa also sent a bunch of craft starters to make animals from shapes to stick onto cardstock. And circle stickers with rubberbands to make more crafts! The kids can't wait, they wanted to do it, of course, right away. Since I told them they needed to take baths first they sprinted upstairs and acted like cats the whole time they were in the bath. Even crawling out of the tub afterwards on all fours meowing. Yikes.

Getting Carded

2006-09-14T23:39:00.000-07:00

I worked on some cards last night-

I imagine they are a bit boring and somewhat plain compared to others that I see. I do like them not too busy, and of course I'm lazy too. I think the fun is just deciding on the colors and the ribbon, yes, sadly thats the extent of my excitement last night.

swap fun

2006-09-14T01:37:00.000-07:00

We got the coolest teeny tiny swap package from Ali and her sweet boys, Johnny and Mark ... just look at the wonderfulness! If you can see in the right bottom corner there was even the cutest illustrated book made by her boys just for C-girl. She loved it! They included a painting book(that uses only water, yay!), paint brushes, little goldfish tub toys, beautiful molded crayons, a animal book with internet links, a postcard with their inital, a dino balloon(that c-boy has offically claimed for himself), some yummy gummy bugs and Bob the Builder pencils. We were overwhelmed - what fun!

And these sweet finger puppets were a hit!

Thanks Ali, Mark and Johnny - the kids loved it!

Raisin Apricot (Chocolate Chip) Cookies

2006-09-12T00:33:00.000-07:00

We made Debra Ponzek's Raisin Apricot Cookies for dessert tonight. Featured in the Nick Jr. Family Magazine September issue. This makes 18 big healthy cookies.

Heat oven 350 degrees F and coat two baking sheets with cooking spray

Mix:
2 cups all purpose flour (I used 1 cup whole wheat and 1 cup white)
1 1/4 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1 cup light brown sugar
1 1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. baking powder
3/4 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. salt

Then add:
1/4 cup store bought applesauce (we used unsweetened)
1/4 cup orange juice
3 T unsalted butter, melted
3 large egg whites
1 t. vanilla extract

Mix in:
1/3 cup raisins
1/4 cup chopped apricots (we used a no-nut trail mix instead)
(we added a couple handfuls of chocolate chips too, that's the kid enticer)

For each cookie drop in 2 generous tablespoons of batter onto baking sheet. The batter tends to be very thick but I think that's how its supposed to be.
Then it says to bake 10 to 11 minutes, but for some reason, probably because mine were huge, we added a couple extra minutes to make sure the middle was cooked. It kind of flattened out a bit and looked more like a mini scone.

The picture looked way different from ours, but the kids ate it up anyway.

With a glass of OJ or milk these also make a good option for breakfast, even with the chocolate chips. Yay!

Go Go Goji

2006-09-11T12:23:00.000-07:00

Goji Berries. Not yummy.

But I've been trying to live a more healthy lifestyle, so there they are. Before this our eating habits were pretty good, no meat, pork or chicken (the kids eats some at school). Very little dairy. Whole wheat breads, brown rice, wheatgrass juice. As Organic or local as possible. The kids are used to it, I didn't say they like it. I sometimes include kid staples for them like chicken dinos and the occasional turkey bacon - I'm not that mean.

Lately, I've decided to step it up a notch. Thus a promise to no more dairy (for me) and no white refined flours of any kind (only me again). And tons more fruit and veggies(for everyone- that will eat it without crying). Therefore, more odd foods are added, so goji berries it is. This is just a trial of course, I could break at any time. Especially when I go to Vegas...

But, I'm hoping this will increase energy and help with any illnesses that may come along. Its also, I think, more environmentally friendly. Don't worry, I still pack some of the bad stuff in with the lunches so the kids aren't that deprived. A little bit of chocolate pretzels with their whole wheat apple bars- thats pretty good, no? I don't want to get too deep in granolaville to deprive my kids. What if when they can make their own decisions, they binge on doritos and otter pops until they hurl?

We'll see...

Here Kitty Kitty!

2006-09-11T09:10:00.000-07:00

I finally finished pointy kitty from Wee Wonderfuls. Its not that it was a hard pattern but something about 'blindstitch opening then blindstich head to body...' made that poor kitty sit there headless for a few weeks. When I finally did it, it must have taken about 10 minutes, and this is while catching up with my taped Rockstar-Supernova. Although its not a smashing job, a bit wobbly and I think I could have stuffed the legs a bit better(as you can tell by the bad picture). But I really like the bright colors (another vintage from my great aunt) and the humongous head adds to her charm.

I bought the Kitty, Bunny and Bear pattern hopefully I can get started on a couple for Christmas!

Happy Ants

2006-09-08T01:14:00.000-07:00

I love this. Apparently our house is an ant village. I don't see any ants inside but their houses await them, all over the place. This first one is in the front entrance.

This next one is in the family room.

This last one is in the front living room.

We're not allowed to touch them as they are houses only for the ants. And they will be sad without them. We'd have unhappy ants moping around the house. We can't have that.

If C-girl hears any blocks fall, and she can apparently hear it from upstairs, she shouts down - "I hope thats not from the ant houses". She has superhero hearing for a single falling block but can't hear me right in front of her telling her to pick up her dirty socks from the floor.

Fun and Games

2006-09-05T14:10:00.000-07:00

We had the most fun at the beach yesterday with a bunch of our friends. Besides the kids' scheduled every-ten-minutes fights (of who got the bigger cheetoes, who got more juice, who threw the football at whose head, and getting sand in each others eyes- among other things)we did manage to have a great day.

We bbq'd, and played in the water. Then the guys played football in the sand. Then someone lost their wedding band. Its all fun and games until someone loses their inscribed one-of-kind-now-your-wife-is-going-to-kill-you wedding band. It finally turned up, thank goodness. Although, that would be a forgivable homicide, I think.

All in all a wonderful day.

Zoo & Poo

2006-09-04T01:13:00.000-07:00

We went to the zoo today. Lots of walking. Lots. No, I don't have three kids, the smallest is my friends' son. We had lots of fun though, lions, elephants and goat poo. What's not to love about the zoo? Besides the goat poo.

Happy Morning Senses

2006-09-01T01:35:00.000-07:00

Some things that are making me happy this morning...

Seeing-
my shiny green herbs and little flowers coming out right outside the window
my little munchkins fast asleep cuddled with heads touching

Smelling-
same said herbs, love the basil and rosemary scent
my favorite mocha
with some pumpkin chocolate chip muffins -recipe via justjenn...yummm

Hearing-
dianne krall while sipping on said mocha in the early a.m. before the kiddies awake
W typing away in his office

Happy Friday!

Evil Eye

2006-09-01T00:41:00.000-07:00

This is a very strange toy that W bought for my son. Its Superman(of course) and it shoots these red transparent discs out of him. I don't remember that happening in any of the Superman movies. He also has red eyes. Yes, red. Maybe W accidently bought evil Superman instead. Or maybe Superman was at the beach too long and had some beers. At least Superman doesn't need to drive.

Girls Night

2006-08-31T12:04:00.000-07:00

Last night was 'girls night out' for me and c-girl. We do this about once or twice a month, I take out my daughter and W takes c-boy out on his own. We've been finding a lot of rivalry for my attention and my daughter usually gets the shaft since she's older and can do most things on her own. I, however, was disappointed when I asked her what she wanted to do and her first thought was, "can you buy me something?". Nice. Thats not what these 'girls' nights are for. So I decided to get away from that and just go out to the Town Center Chili's Restaurant and then ice cream afterward.

W thought we were going shopping so he goes to the Town Center... and we end up AT THE SAME PLACE. Okay how much of a girls night out can that be. Because he sees my car - in the parking space he wants - he veers out and ends up at the other end of the Town Center and goes to a different restaurant. How pathetic are we? No, Hawaii is not this small but we are both too lazy to drive out of our tiny town.

All in all we did have fun, eating nachos, talking and giggling and sharing some time. These are the memories I hope to keep in my ever cloudy brain. Why can't they stay this small forever?

Wish Upon a Snowflake

2006-08-29T18:48:00.000-07:00

I should have born in another state I think, I am always thinking about cold weather. Wishing it would be a nice brisk morning. Of course this never happens. It gets a bit cooler in December/January but not necessarily cold, not like it used to. So I like to pretend by rearranging the house to look 'fallish'. Yeah, this works. Anyway, to help me along in this silly charade I decided to make Fall Leaves Pancakes this morning. Much to my dismay I cannot find the molds.

So the next best thing...

Snowflake pancakes! Yes, its like 85 degrees out and insane mommy has made Christmas pancakes. Humor me.
The kids love them though, make anything in a cute shape then drown it in butter and syrup and they'll eat it all(unless its veggies).

If anyone knows how to flip the pancake without it getting smeared and very much not looking like the picture on the William Sonoma box please let me know.

Evil Doings

2006-08-29T01:02:00.001-07:00

I found this beautiful old Italian bowl at the thrift store yesterday, it was really dusty and neglected when I found it but after a good wipedown it looks much happier. I think I may give it to my mom as part of her b-day present, it looks like something she might like. I do this often, I find something I love and that she would love then when it comes time to give it to her I, uh, go out and get something else for her. Evil daughter. This time I will give it to her. I can't say as much for that set of burgundy Emile Henry mixing bowls that look gorgeous above my cabinet...

Helmet Head

2006-08-29T00:41:00.000-07:00

What more can a little boy need. Kickin' it outside with a big ol'power size Jamba (orange dream with immunity boost) and some head protection in case my massive head causes me to fall off the wall.

Just kidding, he was just on his bike...
and look! buried treasure...or an empty can.

I Am Superman, I Can Do Anything

2006-08-28T13:55:00.000-07:00

I finally made a blanket for c-boy out of this great vintage baseball material that my great aunt gave me a while back. He loved it, and then he was sad it doesn't have Superman on it ,good grief the boy has a one track mind. He used to love 'Olive the Other Reindeer',and I heart J. Otto Seibold, so I found some great pictures from the book and was going to make prints for his wall. Now of course he only wants Superman. At least my Halloween will be predictable.

Erasure

2006-08-25T14:52:00.000-07:00

I am so ridiculously tired, last night after finding the elusive elph I tried to download pics that were in there and accidently erased a bunch of them. I was so upset I couldn't sleep.

All I wanted to do was erase one picture and it started eating up all the pics in the folder that I have been taking the past couple months, as it was doing this I tried to escape or stop it and all I got was, 'you will need to wait as zoombrowser is performing an action' Um yeah, its EATING ALL MY PHOTOS. Zoombrowzer. Try Doombrowzer. Of course it didn't nag me like other programs like 'are you sure you want to do this, you will lose your images FOREVER' kind of warning. No, just gone. Sorry. Nada. 'Nothing left loser', is all I could imagine it saying. I think a few of the good ones I printed and sent to my MIL - I hope.

Poor C-boy he already had way less camera time than C-girl, this just made it worse.

So I kept leaving the bedroom looking for photos I may have printed out from that bunch. I found two. Dorkbrowzer I hate you.

Brusha, Brusha, Brusha

2006-08-25T00:36:00.000-07:00

So this is the beautiful Blythe that my cousin sent from Japan. Yes, I found the elph, it was in the car (where all cameras should be) and yes, this is a crappy picture but its 10 p.m. what more can I do?

I will maybe take a better pic as I drink my mocha tomorrow a.m. unless its a mad rush out the door. Then, there will be no blogging, sometimes its a wonder I even remember to brush my hair. Good thing for everyone else I remember to brush my teeth.

While Visions of Gingerbread Men Danced In Their Heads

2006-08-24T11:15:00.000-07:00

Well, the Fuji camera still isn't budging. I think its the USB port so I may try and get another one before trying another camera. I also can't find my elph camera, it seems the world is against me. Meanwhile I am missing all kinds of cute pics of my kids. Not really. But its possible.

I got this wonderful recipe from Anna's Schoolhouse blog and it is so yummy and fallish I wanted to share it with you.
Schoolhouse Gingerbread

Combine and beat until smooth:

1 c. sugar
1 c. molasses
1 c. oil
3 eggs

In another bowl mix:

3/4 t. salt
1 t. cloves
1 t. ginger
1 t. cinnamon
2 c. flour
2 t. baking soda

Add to first bowl, then stir in:

1 c. boiling water.

Bake in greased and floured 8x8 pan at 350 for 45 minutes.
After cooled add some whipped cream (or ice cream even better).

My kids were so excited before it came out, then thoroughly disappointed it wasn't gingerbread men. Oh well, tough noogies is all I say. They liked it with whipped cream anyway.

I know, I need them pictures. I will try and find the elph tonight.

Cookie Monster

2006-08-23T13:06:00.000-07:00

You Are a Black and White Cookie

You're often conflicted in life, and you feel pulled in two opposite directions.
When you're good, you're sweet as sugar. And when you're bad, you're wicked!

What Kind of Cookie Are You?

You Light Up My Life

2006-08-23T11:18:00.000-07:00

Good grief. Got no sleep last night. C-boy woke up at 3:30 am screaming and standing up. Apparently, the boy had peed everywhere. I mean its a lot. Gross. Then after cleaning him up and trying to put him on the other end of the bed I try to take the sheet and padded sheet underneath off the bed.

Apparently, the pad is stuck to the foam pad underneath it (which is never taken off- sorry kind of gross I know, but I do change the top sheet, I promise) and when I try to separate it I see a light. Okay, this is weird for me. It lights as I am taking it off. So excited that I have extraterrestrial sheets on my bed I run down to W's office (he starts work on NY time so he is on the computer already) to make him come and see my alien sheets.

At first he can't see anything (has to adjust to the dark, I guess)then he just says "um, static electricity?"

Me "Okay, yes, but isn't that unusual that its lighting up?"
Him "No"
C-boy "WHAAAAT ARE YOU DOOOOOOING, MOOMMMMYYYY WHERE ARE YOU"
C-girl "Is it morning? Can I have pancakes? Did you sign my field trip form?"
Me "Go to bed!"
Him *snicker snicker*

Okay, Mr. Wizard I am not. And yes, family beds do have a huge drawback, especially when your child has just been potty trained.

So no exciting alien discoveries. Mommy tired, kids grouchy when they woke this a.m. Pee everywhere. Lovely Wednesday everybody.

Getting Picky

2006-08-22T15:18:00.000-07:00

So the camera, not so good. I will have to try and use my elph at home and hopefully download it there. Crossing fingers.

On a better note our stocks are doing well, so Landscapers here we come! We'll probably call them and they won't be able to come for a few months. By then our stocks will dive and we'll have to postpone. Sorry, ugly yard. Why Miss Pessimistic! How do you turn a happy paragraph immediately into a depressed one?
Takes some talent.

My friend used the same landscapers for her yard. She said just to beware of the huge WWF looking ex-con that picks his nose. As far I can say, he can go to town with it whenever he wants. Just keep it in the yard is all I ask.

Found this recipe card from way back, its so easy and potluck friendly
I will try and posts pics of this over the weekend (camera permitting):

Southwestern Salad

6 cups torn romaine lettuce
1 can (15 oz.) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
3/4 cup salsa
1/2 cup Mexican style shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup ranch dressing
1 cup tortilla chips, broken
Arrange lettuce in bottom of glass serving bowl or on serving plate. Layer beans, corn, salsa, and cheese evenly over top. Drizzle with dressing; sprinkle with chips.
Makes 4 servings of 1 and 1/2 cups each.

You can also add avocado and cilantro(cut big for non-cilantro lovers) if desired (i do!)

Doing Little Jig and a Sappy Poem

2006-08-21T16:53:00.000-07:00

Well, I wanted post a bunch of stuff but as it is my camera won't download into my computer. Figures. My cousin in Japan sent me a Blythe doll and the cutest Blythe Calendar. I did the happy dance with my daughter, until she realized the doll wasn't for her. Then it seemed like the record screeched to a halt and the crickets chirped in the silence. eek eek eek eek. She wasn't thrilled 'bout that. I will post the pics of Blythe later, she's a doll (get it?)

I also took my munchkins to W's nieces birthday party at a gymnastics place in town. I have had my hunch that my c-boy has very little coordination skills. Its confirmed. I know he's only 2 but my daughter had more hand-eye coordination at that age. Here's hoping that he'll get it together soon, I'd hate to have to play the "well, you're good at math..." card. Maybe W should start teaching him chess, just in case.

Meanwhile I found this poem and thought it was so sweet. Just wanted to share...
Makes me sad to think one day my boy will be big -

Walk a Little Slower, Daddy

"Walk a little slower, Daddy,"
said a little child so small.
I'm following in your footsteps
and I don't want to fall.

Sometimes your steps are very fast,
sometimes they're hard to see;
So walk a little slower, Daddy,
for you are leading me.

Someday when I'm all grown up,
You're what I want to be.
Then I will have a little child
who'll want to follow me.

And I would want to lead just right,
and know that I was true;
So, walk a little slower, Daddy,
for I must follow you.
-Author Unknown

Talent Is As Talent Does

2006-08-17T14:47:00.000-07:00

My sister, a professional photographer, and a collegue of hers has a photography exhibit tonite featuring children of underprivledged homes. They go into a low income community and give these kids their own cameras and work with them for a number of weeks. In the end, the kids get their own art show in which prominent people guestspeak and make appearances(sometimes known as shmoozing).

I give my sis props for her hard work, its all non-profit and you can tell it makes the kids feel good when there's usually not a lot to feel good about.

My little brother is in Virginia doing an internship for the CIA (Culinary Institute, NOT Central Intelligence) He's going to be a chef. He's somewhat the screw-up but now he's getting it together, I hope. He's got a total genius brain though, no common sense, but he could retain useless information like I retain water.

It all makes me think, okay, what do I do? Where did all my art/smart genes go? I can do crafts to a point. Easy-peasy stuff. Even then there's often swearing and sweating involved. I can cook. Again, the easy stuff. Nothing Julia about it.

Okay I'll make a list of things I CAN do...

1. I can budget my life to death, W hates that. I try not to anymore, but if I had to I could live on virtually nothing but oatmeal and costco buns in bulk. I've done it before, post-college year living on my own. Yum.
2. I can tell what looks good in a room. Then rearrange it 5 minutes later. Then 5 minutes after that I'll do it again. And again.
3. I can drink A LOT of mocha. Sometimes I can get 2 venti cups in one day. Then actually want another. Its a gift. To my thighs. I think if I did get the 3rd, I'd probably not be able to keep it down. ew.
4. I can do the 'Budgie'. Small inside joke. No, I will not do it again. Ever.
5. I can yell at my kids for the entire night, but I'm so not proud of that.
6. I used to be an o.k. swimmer, back in the day. Even made MVP in my senior year. Get me back in the pool now though, and I probably couldn't outswim my grandma.
7. I can match colors well, this wouldn't be that important except that my sis can't match to save her life. She sticks with the neutrals for a reason.
8. I can spell pretty good. But I have grammar problems. Ya think?
9. I can sing. Just kidding.
10. I'm good at math. Kidding again.

And finally I can make a blog long and boring just because I wanted to get up to 10 things.

So there. Maybe someday I'll find my niche. Until then, I'll keep on keeping on. I'm not complaining in any way, I am very happy where I am and that's what counts. Sometimes there's a good feeling being the middle of the road, no pressure to be ultra-wowing anyone. Not exciting, but I enjoy life nontheless. Its just interesting thinking maybe there's something out there that I'm really good at that I haven't tapped into yet.

Oh well, did I mention the 'budgie'?

The Ice Man Cometh

2006-08-16T12:45:00.000-07:00

There was sheer chaos last night. I couldn't find my wallet on my way home from work.

So all these scenarios go through my head, -

-Like I dropped it in my car before I started work and someone from this shady area nabbed it from my car because I didn't lock it.

-Or that weird druggie guy that came in to buy screencloth, the total bill was $6.50. He had to go to the bank machine first to purchase it - how many druggies have money in the bank? He must have seen the wallet on my car seat and took it.

Now I can't find my phone. Iceman took my phone AND my wallet. He can do takeout faster that way I'm sure.

Then the neighbors come over and want to look at our flooring, apparently they are redoing their floors. They bring over their 3 year old and my genius and him are taking out ALL of the toys. Then they leave. Toys...everywhere...help me...

After all this I cook dinner. Its like 8 pm.

Meanwhile my kids are going nuts while I try and put a block on the gazzilion credit cards I have in there. "Excuse me Ma'am can you repeat that 16 digit number for the 3rd time, there's some commotion in the background" Um, yeah, that's my 2 year old screaming, what... the...? Is that ice cream dripping from your head? Genius child put the bowl on his head before finishing his ice cream.

For Pete's sake put it on your head AFTER your done.

By this time W and I are not talking to each other. He has made a stressful situation worse by being grouchy about my irresponsibility. Whatever, that's the least of my problems- SOME METH-HEAD HAS MY PRADA. Irresponsibility be damned.

I find my phone after closer examination of the contents of my purse, its very dark in there. Battery was dead so that would explain it not ringing. Hmmmm. Maybe I should have done that sooner. I'm starting to understand why the genius became that way.

Found the wallet when I came into work this morning.
On my desk.

Laughing at me.

Only this and this made me feel better.

See Me Running Every Night and Day, Spread My Wings and I'll Fly Away

2006-08-15T14:06:00.000-07:00

Its a bird, its a plane!

Its towel man!

Pants? Who needs pants when you got a stylin' cape on!

Speaking of capes, or capers for that matter (that didn't flow like I wanted it to), we made apps last night like the ones at Panya Bistro...

Really easy and yummy, just mix dill and garlic powder(to taste)with light or regular cream cheese. Spread on these garlic chips (from costco) or anything similar - I think sliced baguette is best toasted lightly with olive oil. Sliced toasted bagel works well too.
Then pile on the smoked salmon, capers and maui (or sweet) onion. Couple drops of Tabasco (optional).
Sorry the end picture is so blurry, boy do I need a new camera.

And, um yeah, the wine in the picture is optional too...

10 happy things

2006-08-14T10:40:00.000-07:00

Some things that made me really happy this weekend - 'cause it was my b-day on Saturday....

1. woke up to breakfast in bed - eggos and eggs.
2. portable ipod speakers from my kids (and W) with homemade card.
3. date nite dinner at Panya Bistro with yummy martinis and wine.
4. dinner at Neonabe - shabu shabu with friends and kids.
5. lunch at Curry House - ok, my life has a lot to do with food...
6. birthday dinner at moms with chocolate pie (with glitter candles), more food and pool time.
7. tickets from my sis and BIL for 'A Praire Home Companion' 'cause I'm nerdy like that.
8. lots of sunshine (and rain too, for my plants).
9. not THAT MUCH fighting from the kids.
10. money from my parents for upcoming VEGAS TRIP...yay!

See, I can do a happy post.

I'm not cool like that

2006-08-11T16:44:00.000-07:00

Things went crazy the other night. My daughter was enjoying a soft serve cone from McD and gave a little squeal - of pain. So I immediately drop what I am doing and take a look. There's blood on her ice cream. Gross. So this is where I panic. Something is wrong when you eat ice cream and it makes your mouth bleed. Upon inspection it seems that there's blood all around and coming from her bottom front tooth, is this how it happens? I don't remember this. So of course I call her hygenist(sp?). Like all overly panicked moms do. It helps that she is one of my friends, and of course I'm interrupting dinner for her, but nevermind, its an emergency right?

Okay, not so much.

By this time W is laughing at me. Apparently, sometimes the tooth is loosened quickly and there's lots of blood. This is not in my parent manual.

I am the most not keep your cool mom (in the world according to W).

When my daughter fell and hit her tooth on the tub and it went 90 degrees OUTWARD, I freaked. Seriously freaked. I couldn't calm myself and was holding her crying (yes, I was crying )while my husband read through the kids health book and found he had to snap it back into place. What? I held her and cried until we both fell asleep that night. I, of course just make matters worse when an emergency happens.

When my son fell at ToonTown at Disneyland stepping out of one of those cars and hitting his head I had a cow. This was on W's watch mind you. I was pacing, panicking and on the verge of tears as this huge golfball-cartoon-sized (how appropriate) bulge protruded from his head. The emergency guys took 10 minutes to get to us. This is Disneyland, aren't they supposed to just appear out of nowhere?

Even when my kids were locked in the car with the windows rolled up (yes, bad mommy and daddy) the locksmith was called and in the meantime my husband was trying to get my, at the time, 3 year old daughter to hit the unlock button, talking to her like it was a game so she wouldn't get scared. I was made to stay away from the car because, of course I thought I looked calm, but in fact, had panic-mom all over my face.

I don't think I'm the Rachel Green type mom who calls the Doctor at all hours for a cough, its not like that. I think when my kids have visible pain, blood or fear I go into crazy not-thinking-mommy mode. I can't deal with it.

I'm going to work on that, in the meantime where's my parent manual?

Everything is Beautiful, In Its Own Way

2006-08-10T11:22:00.000-07:00

Well, here it is, the ugly yard. Low and behold, can you believe right after I started bitching about the landscapers my husband got out the weed wacker and trimmed the nasty grass and weeds back? Yes, thats right trimmed those weeds. So that they may grow back even stronger. Despite the lack of sprinklerage.

Anyway, doesn't it make you want to strip and roll around on the lovely ground? Watch out for the prickly sleeping grass though. Do you see the little pile of rocks in front left of the flower pots? It's a pile that c-girl and c-boy have made collected from inside the dirt(gotta earn their keep). Keep going guys, theres about 2 million more where that came from.

And wait! What is this? Something special the mason's left!

I bet if you dig deep enough you can find a leftover styrofoam plate lunch that they might have buried. Its a virtual treasure chest I tell you.

So there you have it, don't hate me because my yard is beautiful.

Feelin' Kind of Beanish

2006-08-09T13:15:00.000-07:00

I have this recipe that I use on some Sundays that is no fail. That is unless you don't like beans, then never mind. I usually use it to take to the Momsters so that I don't feel guilty for not cooking anything because I basically throw it all into a pot and then stick it in the oven there. It literally takes me about 5 minutes to put together and I always keep the ingredients at hand. Here goes-

Super Easy Baked Beans

2 cans pork and beans (I take out that disgusting gob of pork fat), undrained
1 can of kidney beans, drained
1/4" cup of brown sugar (you can add more if you like it really sweet)
3 T dark Molasses
2 T mustard (dijon or yellow)
1/2 cup ketchup (this is up to you how much, I just squirt until my arm is tired)
About 1/2 cup textured veggie protein (found at most health food stores)I don't even bother reconstituting it, it expands with the rest of the liquids in the bowl(this is optional I just like the extra protein and texture - thus the name, duh)

Thats it, mix in a bakable pyrex or pot that can go in the oven and bake on 375 for 45 minutes.
Its no fail because I have tried other measurements 'cause I have a bad memory, and you know what, for some reason it tastes the same. Thats kind of scary actually. But my dad loves it and my son does too (those who don't like beans will not be converted by it, however, ask my sister). It goes well with bbq chicken or ribs (or shrimp in our case since we don't really eat meat or chicken)

You can mix it up and add other stuff before baking if you want and aren't as lazy as me:
- brown some ground turkey or beef and chopped onion
- fry and crumble some bacon

I'll post a picture later on, you know I do most of this crap at work and I sure as hell can't take a picture here. I'm lucky if I do any work here.

I edited, this -its supposed to be brown sugar NOT regular sugar - sorry!

Renovation

2006-08-09T11:13:00.000-07:00

Okay, so Nonnahs suggested I post pics of a recent renovation I've had, (the one that ruined my already ugly yard) so these are some very badly taken pictures from last night(you would never know that my sis is a professional photographer - she got all the photo taking genes)- I hope you can't see that there are dishes in the sink - seriously didn't look before I took these at 11:00 :) - not that I would have rushed over and washed them anyway...

I have no before renovation pics, the only thing I can say is that the old kitchen ended about two feet after the sink. After that it was wall and ugly (but not as ugly as it is now) backyard. The dining area is where the back yard was too. The opposite side of the kitchen is a sitting area and then W's office and the other side of the dining room (which is right past the kitchen) is the t.v. room. We have another living room but thats used mostly for the kids toys and my sewing crap. I have some redecorating and furniture buying to do eventually, it looks quite plain when I look at these pictures, I had big plans, just too lazy and child bogged at the moment...

We did have a big back yard and now its just a small lanai with furniture and grill, and behind the house is a terrace that I can garden. It works out well that way since W is yard challenged and it looked like hell anyway. I can't blame him too much since he did redo the yard 3 times and the masons screwed it over big time. The funny thing is that he refuses to turn on the sprinkler - for fear of watering the weeds. Its true, I kid you not. So what grass that did survive the mason's beating is drying from this lovely summer heat. Those damn landscapers better be here soon. I'll post pics of the ugly yard when I have time during the day.

No news is good news?

2006-08-08T14:48:00.000-07:00

It started innocently enough. I read about a yahoo chat room group called the 'Compact' its a group started in the Bay Area that decided that for a year (this year) they would form a pact that they wouldn't buy anything new for environmental reasons. It does not include any food or beverage items, health related items (shoes too, since having bad shoes or no shoes is bad for your health) or- I think- art related items. I guess that's so if that's your creative outlet or business it was okay.

So I decide to do this. I can do this for a year right? I go thrift shopping very often and secondhand clothes- no prob(just not underwear or swimsuits). My sister thought this was hilarious, she knows my shopping pitfalls. My husband just wanted to be sure he wasn't expected to do the same, he's not a big shopper but enjoys and occasional tech toy, and a bit of a metro if you ask me.

So I made some extra criteria for me because I figured I needed some flexibility or I would never make it. Like gifts, I had to buy some gifts especially baby ones, Also, for my friends, I know most of them would not appreciate a homemade muffin mix for their 36 birthday, not happening.

But now its gotten harder. I'm not sure why, but I feel like buying stuff. Like I've been doing this so long and I am getting antsy to buy new things. Might be from watching LC (the Hills) and all her cool expensive clothes and how long its been since I've tried on a really great outfit at a real store. I know I don't need them but you know there's people out there that shop every week for new stuff. I haven't really bought anything SINCE MARCH, PEOPLE.

And the people in the chat room are really getting to me. I made a comment once about how instead of my kids getting a bunch of new toys for their birthdays I would suggest something they really needed instead to their grandparents, like a swimsuit or maybe tickets to the Discover Center. One lady jumped all over me. Suggesting no consumption at all. I think I do pretty good, my kids are not toy mongers and I'm proud of them. Some of those guys in there are super hardcore and make you think that its them against the world and any consumption at all is bad.

So, I dunno. I buy what I can secondhand, I see nothing wrong there. I won't stop doing that.

But now were going on a trip at the end of September to Seattle and Vancouver. I think I'm done with this pact as soon as the trip starts. It will not make me happy to pass buying up stuff on the trip, I don't get off this rock too often. Plus its SEATTLE peeps, those from the mainland don't understand how many stores we don't have here. Like Urban Outfitters, and Pottery Barn, and Trader Joes, and Victoria Secret, and Anthropologie, and Crate and Barrel and IKEA and like a zillion others ... I could go on and on. I seriously laugh when people come here and tell me they went shopping, you mean like at Hilo Hatties? This is probably why not buying anything new is not that hard here. Anyway, I try my best environmentally to the point that I'm comfortable, after that I think I'd be in jeopardy of being unhappy. It feels like I've failed in some ways but I did try. I've been there, it was cool and I've learned a thing or two, and I'll definitely be a more conscious consumer from now on - its the journey that counts right?

Careful What You Wish For

2006-08-08T10:40:00.000-07:00

I just dropped off the boy at preschool. After giving him a kiss and hug he looks not as happy today, so I steer him near the other kids drawing, he knows one of them, so I think this will be fine. He looks at me, face crumpled and buries his head in my leg. Oh geez. This is where it gets hard. So I talk to him, by this time he's crying softly, my backbone is quickly evaporating. The principle comes over and picks him up (he's only 2 1/2 so he's a very small preschooler)I give him a kiss on the cheek and leave. The tears forming as I walk to the car. I'm in wimpy mommy mode. As I drive out I try to crane my neck to see if he is still being carried.

Oh, goodness. I take it back, what I posted earlier, I don't want a emotionfest.

Damn, where's my Duran CD and a Starbucks, I need a pick-me-up.

E2

2006-08-08T01:35:00.000-07:00

I watched the new PBS series E2, the first in a 6 part series. Very interesting. Although I was skeptical since its about architecture and I am very unknowledgable about architecture - except for what I read in Dwell, I was extremely impressed. The sustainablity part I can get into. It's only a half and hour and Brad Pitt as narrator didn't harm either. Like most PBS series the photography is awesome, and inspiring(definitely makes me want to visit NY again, but then so does any show that features NY in it, good grief, old episodes of 'Friends' will do it for me). I will be watching the rest of the series, I think its on for the next 5 Monday nights.

While I watch I'm sure the two monsters will be jumping all over me and shouting mean things at each other, but its to be expected.

See, you thought I could go without saying anything negative. Its ingrained, can't help myself.

stick a fork in me

2006-08-07T13:12:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how much my kids fight. Its insane. My son LOVES to bug my daughter, he has this twisted grin on his face when he does it. Last night he stood above her in the car threatening her with turning off the overhead light as she was trying to brush her American Girls doll's hair, screaming at him. Its not just a smile, its a wicked happy boy grin. Why they wouldn't get out of the car when we got home I don't know, thats another 'my kids don't listen to me' post.

Anyway, this goes on all the time. They are three years apart, I imagine this is not a phase, its a lifestyle. Stick a fork in me, no more kids. I may have to sell the ones i have.

On a happier note (I do have those sometimes) the boy still is enjoying school, whether he is just ignorant that this will go on for a very long time and ignorance is bliss, I'm not sure. My daughter is much more straightforward, she needs to know when the damn weekend is coming and just how many days she has off. I think she gets that from me.

ugly yard update

2006-08-05T14:00:00.000-07:00

Here's an update on the ugly yard. Still ugly. I did get to Walmart to buy the plants, but when I got home I was told that, again - yard will be redone by landscapers. They've become quite the nuisance these invisible landscapers. I don't ever see them, I don't see any work they have ever done, where are they? All they do is give a false promise of a decent non-ghetto yard. Damn them. Apparently they are going to be CALLED at the end of the month. When we are millionares.

I just wanted to plant some impatients and herbs with my kids.

I guess the plants can go on the back terrace, the area that the invisible "landscapers" are not going to touch anyway. I have my rules.

I will find out at the end of the month IF those buggers ever get here.

Co worker rant

2006-08-04T15:25:00.000-07:00

I have a co-worker that annoys the crap out of me. He is so detailed and its not because he is efficient, I just think its a nervous habit. This is an example of a conversation we just had:
co-worker(cw)'Can you do this invoice?'
me 'ok'
cw 'its for ___, its for 2 screens and 1 rescreen'(this is right in front of me on the work order)
cw 'the first 2 are new and are _____ size and the rescreen is _____size' (again RIGHT in front of me)
cw 'its for my landlords son'(info i don't care about)
cw 'he does real estate' (again i give a rats ass)
cw 'the total without tax is ___ and the total is____' (oh my god - ITS IN FRONT OF ME)
me 'got it'(annoyance in my voice should be apparent by the clenching of my teeth)

See, the normal person would not give a rip about stuff like this, but this goes on ALL DAY.

If he was an easily likable guy, again this would not be a problem. But he bugs me constantly - heres some reasons why:

-He has a weird smell. Combination of a wet blanket, bad aftershave and metal(we work with a lot of aluminum)

-He is a major leach, if he sees any kind of snack on your desk he will immediately ask for some, with his hand already digging into it, and yet I have never seen him bring any snack to share with anyone else(I am very posessive about my snacks, unless you are a generous person, get your damn hands off my food, my husband knows all about my short arms when it comes to food). My parents have always regarded him like he was kind of family since he's been around for so long but he's always eating their food and helping himself to any soda in the fridge without replacing it.

-He constantly tries to throw all his work on everyone else, claiming its 'their customer' when really he is the only guy who is supposed to be helping the walk in customers. I told him as soon as he wants to give me a hand with the pensions, health insurance paperwork, certified payrolls to the government, accounting, payables, taxes, government passes, lien releases and banking I will help him with 'my customers'. That shut him up.

-He's kind of a mixture of the greasy 70's looking guys (he's in his early 50's) and Tobias from Arrested Development.

-The worst is his taste in music, he likes mostly 50's to 70's music which is fine with me I can deal with 70's music. I have my share of Eagles, Bread and Elton John. But once you play one CD thats ALL he wants to hear. I put something else in and he starts up with hey where did the Eagles go? He'll do this EVERYDAY until you just don't play it anymore so he stops bugging you. DON'T FEED THE BEAR. And he makes fun of my music, he has no idea who I'm playing (nothing from the 80's on computes with him)and he'll criticize it no matter what. I hate that. My mom puts up with my music better than him, so thats pretty bad. And if you know our office - the music selection IS MINE. I play nothing offensive or super loud - once I did play 'dance dance' by Fall Out Boy a bit loud and that didn't go over well with mom, but otherwise I keep it pretty tame.

- When you give him an answer to his constant questioning like 'i have no idea' which is what my default answer to him usually is, he always lets out an annoying noise. Its hard to explain, like the sound of a short burst of air forced out of a tire. Its a hugely sarcastic noise, almost like a laugh but with air. He does this ALL THE TIME.

I should be less hard on him but then he turns around and does something totally annoying and then I get irritated all over again.

Ok this was a long boring post but seriously the guy is unreal.

Now You See It

2006-08-04T12:33:00.000-07:00

I can't get into Criss Angel, I just don't get the whole excitement over an illusion. My husband and daughter love him, personally I just watch and think okay, this is just a camera trick right? Like really, if he could do it without the camera trick that would be cool. I can make my car disappear...see, its in the garage, and when I leave its not there anymore. Thats how exciting I find magicians.

If they could all be like Gob from Arrested Development. That I would watch.

Magical Elves

2006-08-03T14:09:00.000-07:00

I NEED to get my front lawn redone. I hate my lawn. The whole thing looks like crap but its the front that makes me shudder. When we did the renovation last year, the mason guys kept running all over the grass with the hopto (sp?) and implanted a ton of rock all over the place, thus the crappy ghetto lawn (that and my husband enjoys lawnwork as much as he enjoys shopping). So I see a picture in one of my magazines of a very cute herb and plant garden in front of a house. Sooo cute. Need this. But the husband tells me the landscapers will take care of the yard. I have been hearing this for a YEAR now. I refuse to believe him, why don't we just count on the elves to redo the yard already.

I'm going to Walmart today and pick up some cute herbs and plants.

To hell with the elves.

t.v. vs. food

2006-08-02T17:44:00.000-07:00

I find it funny that I have all my t.v. shows figured out for tonite and have not given a thought to what I'm going to prepare for dinner. This would be fine if it was just me but family counts on me for nourishment. But now that I'm thinking about it I think the only thing I can "cook" is maybe alphabet soup (educating and high sodium) and mayonaise sandwiches. Um, maybe I should go to the store on the way home. I feel so neglectful at these moments, when pop culture wins out over my children's health.

But you know, dinner happens every nite, Project Runway and the Hills- only once a week.

oh! so soft and cuddly

2006-08-02T13:22:00.000-07:00

I just finished watching the last three episodes of the Hills, so i can be all set for tonites finale. I'm convinced that Jason is a Monchichi. He has to be, all that hair, its all over the place. What does Lauren see in him? Besides hair. When they fight he says the most senseless mean things. He got mad because someone she used to like called her... but its okay that she lied to him about the photo shoot. heh? And the ridiculous fight on New Years, don't talk again... ever? heh? how mean is that? I would not take that kind of talk from my husband. I think the editors are not showing something or he just has strange issues. oh well. Off to find pick up popcorn for tonite. and oh yeah, nair. Wait, maybe I should do some work...

twist the knife

2006-08-02T00:27:00.000-07:00

My son started preschool yesterday. He loves it. Okay, I know that I should be really happy but a part of me is so sad that he doesn't miss me. I know thats terrible and I did get the crummy side with my daughter when they had to peel her sad crying body off of me the first few days of preschool, but come on. This morning on the way he said "I so excited for school". what? Twist the knife, buddy. Then again when I see those other kids crying and reaching for their moms, I feel the sadness. You go boy.

first entry

2006-08-01T17:42:00.000-07:00

Okay, this is my first entry in the blog world... not that hard, i've been procrastinating for a while now. I decided that since my memory has been not the greatest lately I need to start entries at least for my kids sake. I never could do that whole diary thing, just too lazy I guess. So here's my foray into the blogosphere - i will be boring you with my children, my very simple crafts (i do what i know i am able to, which means nothing too difficult ;) and my thoughts on everything from my obsession with 80's music, decorating and redecorating my thriftshop finds home, and of finally the pains and happiness of being a daughter, sister, wife and mother. Warning! I have very bad spelling and grammar habits so if you read this, please don't correct me, I try, I try!