Tuesday, September 30, 2008

On the Lake

More old movies...this one is my Grandmother at the lake.

Very, very cool.

=0)


Monday, September 29, 2008

Wedding

My cousin sent me a few old movie reels that were in my grandparents house...I took them to Costco and had them put onto a DVD.  I had no idea what was on them until I popped the disc in my computer.


Thanks, iMovie.  And thanks to Joe, my genius at the Mac store.


OH, and thanks to my mom for being a beautiful bride.


=0)

Mac Attack

Yesterday afternoon I attended a recital by a Spanish clarinetist and try as I might, all I could think about was cocktail hour.

So shoot me.

=0)

During the remodel I found all sorts of treasures stored away...like this cute little serving set.  Even cuter with prosciutto on it.
Ahhh...and a little prosecco.  Or a lot.  Depends on who you ask.
A guy, a book, and a pretty patio.
Supper last night...sausage, peppers and onions.
Maggie kept diving under the bookcase.  Not sure what she was after, but I am sure that I don't want to know.
This morning was a late start for Alex...10:15am; while we were at home the sky started rumbling and the rain drops began to fall.  
I had an appointment so I dropped them at school, but first...amid snickers from the boys, I strapped my baby in the backseat.  We were going to school...them to high school and my Mac and I to the genius bar at the mall!
First stop was a quick coffee and pedicure with Katharine.  Much needed.
Next stop, the Mac store, where M had signed me up for one on one tutoring.  I didn't want it but he was tired of listening to me ummmm....voice my opinions about my new computer, so off I went.

OK...I am even more in love with Apple than I was before.  Joe grabbed my computer and Joe hooked me up and Joe walked me through my long list of complaints and Joe was positive and Joe was fun and Joe is my new best friend.

An hour after I walked in I was a believer in all things MAC.  So there.

=0)

Strapped my computer back into my car but didn't leave...instead I had lunch with Kath at Pacific Whey and then hit Crate and Barrel for a gift I needed to buy.

sigh.

I am now home and looking at a disgustingly dirty house...wonder if the Apple store offers housecleaning too.

=0)


Sunday, September 28, 2008

A Houseful Of Boys

Jersey Jam was tonight...the 1st dance of the school year and the 1st high school dance for Alex and his friends.

They all showed up in the afternoon and I fed them all...food in exchange for a picture.

Whatever works.

=0)

Matthew came home for dinner and brought his newest toy...a piccolo trumpet.  He drove Alex and his friends to the dance...in exchange for food, of course.

Whatever it takes.

=0)
Brian, who adores his biggest brother and misses him so much...
...got to celebrate his 1st goal this season with lava cake.  

His favorite...and his brothers, too.  He was pretty popular tonight.

=0)
And I had a houseful.

Nothing better.

=0)

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Date Night

Yesterday afternoon I kept smelling something funny, which in my house is nothing unusual...but this was different.  This morning we discovered (after all the windows in the house fogged up and the air felt like a locker room) that my dryer thingy-ma-call-it had come disconnected from the wall.

The smallest shrub to the rescue!  And yes, now everyone can see that I did not paint behind my washer and the walls that I did paint are daffodil yellow.

In my defense, I did it 13 years ago and just have no desire to repaint the ugly walls.

Anyway, while dad made omelets, Brian fixed my dryer.

He's a keeper.

=0)

Speaking of Brian....afterschool I got a call from a mom saying that Brian was inviting tons of kids over and was that ok?

Yep...I'm kinda used to it.
While they were here I hid on my computer until this evil message came up...on our NEW computer.  I have no clue what it means, but figure M will...and I have a feeling he won't be smiling.  Something about the big red exclamation point on a computer that makes grown men weep.

=0(
The ice cream man (drug dealer) came down the street and this is what Brian bought.

OK...I loved these when I was little.  LOVED them, but come on...it was different back then.  Wasn't it?
Earlier this week, M asked me if I wanted to go to dinner and a movie on Friday night.

A date.

A real live, grown-up date.

Ummmm....let me check my calendar and get back to you.  YES!  

Ordered pizza for the boys, hopped into a convertible and drove off with my boyfriend.  We saw Nights in Rodanthe (I liked it) and at 7:30pm walked into PF Changs, where the wait was an hour.

EXCEPT, we had a reservation and had a table waiting.  I mean, we were on a date after all!

=0)

I discovered a new martini...a lucky cat martini, and after becoming best friends with our server, she got us the recipe.

Yum, yum.

Gotta go buy some Smirnoff vanilla.  Today.
So they bring the bill and fortune cookies (and by the way...we tried something new on the recommendation of our new best friend/server.  Lemongrass prawns with garlic noodles.  Oh my.) and this is what M's fortune said:
I am not sure it was supposed to be read before leaving a tip.

=0)

Brian just had a soccer game and scored a goal (M was with him and got to see!) and Alex had a basketball game and was on fire.  FIRE.  He is now at a birthday party and has his 1st high school dance tonight...Brian is outside with the neighbor kids.  I am working my way through Mt Laundry and other than that, we are home for the day.  It's warm and I want to squeeze one more late dinner in on the patio before having to turn on the heat lamp...I am thinking we'll just have pasta and gravy.

OH, and I finished book 3 of the Twilight series...is there a book 4?  I sure hope so...

=0)

Friday, September 26, 2008

Mollie

OK...I have the two prettiest cats.

Ever.

=0)

Maggie

I am pretty sure she is the prettiest cat ever.

=0)

Thursday, September 25, 2008

So Long

And by so long I don't mean goodbye, even though you might wish that after reading this.

I mean...this post is going to be SO LONG.

But, my dear friend Maria sent this to me and asked me to blog it, not that I ever take blogging requests, but I like her and she thinks exercising always needs to be followed by lunch out, so simply for that reason, she is my friend.  

And keeping with the lonnnng  theme...that last sentence was really long, wasn't it?

=0)

A long time ago (aha!) I did something similar  for my 100th post, way back when I only had 100 posts.  So, consider this in honor of my 400th and something post.

The idea is to bold the things you have done.  Oh, and there are 200 of them.  200.  Feel free to yawn.


1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars (on the beach, in a sleeping bag)
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby's diaper (let's see...have I?)
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Swam with wild dolphins
8. Climbed a mountain 
9. Held a tarantula 
10. Said "I love you" and meant it
11. Bungee jumped 
1
2. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise 
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game (mother of sons, thankyouverymuch)
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
2
6. Gone skinny dipping (when I was younger, thinner, braver)
27. Taken an ice cold bath
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar 
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Ridden a roller coaster
31. Hit a home run 
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
33. Adopted an accent for fun
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
49. Sung karaoke
50. Lounged around in bed all day 
51. Gone scuba diving 
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don't
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class (does Tae Bo count?)
59. Been in a movie
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch
62. Won first prize in a costume contest
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone
67. Bounced a check
68. Read - and understood - your credit report
69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
71. Called or written your Congress person
72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
74. Helped an animal give birth
75. Been fired or laid off from a job (not really fired, but let go after Christmas.)
76. Won money
77. Broken a bone
78. Ridden a motorcycle
79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing (from Berlin to Prague in a storm...after traveling for 20 some hours with 3 young kids, one of whom was still nursing.  BUT...this does remind me of my friend Kathy, who boarded a flight...in Italy, I think...fell promptly asleep and woke up thinking it was the quietest, smoothest flight ever.  Took her awhile to realize the plane had yet to leave the tarmac!  Funniest thing I EVER heard!)
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi (I want to like it, but I don't)
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read The Bible cover to cover (I have read Genesis alot, because I always start there)
86. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions
88. Gone back to school
89. Changed your name (married)
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes
92. Read The Iliad
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch 
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language (lived for 7 years in international family housing)
97. Been elected to public office
98. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream (daily)
99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you (just last week sold the necklace I made and was wearing to a woman I was sitting next to at the Dr.)
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair (probably the only woman in OC who dyes her hair brown)
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep
105. Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all four paws
106. Raked your carpet
107. Brought out the best in people
108. Brought out the worst in people
109. Worn a mood ring
110. Ridden a horse
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe.
113. Buried a child
114. Gone to a Broadway (or equivalent to your country) play
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco
118. Played in a band
119. Shot a bird (ok...I didn't think of the right kind of bird.  I have never shot a real live bird, but sadly, I've been known to shoot the bird, if you know what I mean)
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone
122. Ridden a train
123. Brought an old fad back into style
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
127. Published a book
128. Pieced a quilt
129. Lived in a historic place
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage (6th grade...The Girl who Couldn't Cry.)
131. Asked for a raise (I ask my husband for one all the time...he always just smiles.  Hmmm)
132. Made a hole-in-one 
133. Gone deep sea fishing
134. Gone roller skating
135. Ran a marathon (ok...I did run a 5K once and I didn't come in last, but I did come in 2nd to last.  It's fine, I did beat the 92 yr old man AND the guy with no legs.  For reals.)
136. Learned to surf (and it was lovely to watch, too)
137. Invented something
138. Flown first class (sadly, yes)
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite
140. Flown in a helicopter
141. Visited Africa
142. Sang a solo 
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment (not well)
145. Written a love-story
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David (big hands)
147. Had your portrait painted
(at Disneyland)
148. Written a fan letter (Shawn Cassidy.  dreamy)
149. Spent the night in something haunted
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane
151. Ran away
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss (I wasn't very good at it)
154. Sat on a jury
155. Lied about your weight (daily.  It's on my drivers license)
156. Gone on a diet (and I do every time the 1st falls on a Monday)
157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
158. Written a poem
159. Carried your lunch in a lunch box
160. Gotten food poisoning
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
164. Gone to the opera
(have I told you my Vienna opera story?)
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine
168. Attended the Olympics
169. Can hula or waltz
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
171. Been stuck in an elevator
172. Had a revelatory dream
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
175. Saved someone’s life
176. Eaten raw whale
177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint
178. Laughed till your side hurt
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival

182. Sent a message in a bottle
183. Spent the night in a hostel
184. Been a cashier
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma
188. Built a camp fire
189. Kept a blog (shocker!!!)
190. Had hives
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
194. Served at a soup kitchen
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
196. Know CPR
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible
198. Found a long lost friend
199. Helped solve a crime
200. Written a letter to the Editor of a major newspaper 

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Accomplishing Lots...Yep.

I have done absolutely nothing today.

Nothing at all.

Well, I actually think I've done a few things...coffee was made.  Lunches were made. Beds were made. 

I did take a 3 mile walk with a girlfriend.

And since then, I've done nothing.

I did drink a cappuccino.  I also had an apple and three (yes, 3) 100 calorie cookie packs.  They could've saved the environment by just packaging them as one 3oo calorie pack rather than three 100 calorie packs.

Oh well.

I took a shower.  I worked on my jewelry website.  I pat a cat...or is it petted a cat?  Whatever it is...I did that.  I watched the series premiere from a few weeks ago of 90210.  I called AAA to renew my membership.  I transferred $25.89 into Matthew's bank account because he was at -$25.89 after having to buy music for school and then sent him a nag-gy email about not letting it happen again.  I confirmed our dinner reservations for Friday night.  I sang along with 'In Christ Alone' when it came on the radio.  I put water in a pitcher, added 6 mango maui tea bags and set it out in the sun.

Yep.

That's what I've done today.

=0)

In other exciting news, tonight is back to school night #2 out of 2.  I must say, it is so easy this year having only 2 boys in 2 different schools.  I will also say that I miss having all 3 here, under my roof, and I am wondering if that knot in the pit of my stomach will ever go away.

Anyway, tonight is back to school night #5 (out of 12) at the high school.  12 straight years of high school back to school nights.  12 straight years of the same information.

It's almost too much to handle, so we began tailgating...because life is too short to not have fun and the night is sooo long that we need something to lighten it up.  Which the music families politely thought was silly and which the sports families think is the best thing they've ever heard of.  

And yes, we run with both crowds.

=0)

OH, and I borrowed book 3 (of the Twilight series) from my neighbor, so that is also part of why I am accomplishing nothing today...which I personally think is a pretty good reason.

Yep.

=0)




Tuesday, September 23, 2008

A Day Away

Yesterday morning I hopped in my car, hopped out at Peet's to buy a pound of coffee for that guy that I like so much who had to drink decaf because we had run out of regular - GASP!, plus an iced black unsweetened, please, tea for me, hopped back in my car and hit the road.

My destination was some address on my GPS, which turned out to be a train station, where I picked up my sister-in-law.

I drove, she directed (while reciting Shakespeare), and off to Santa Monica we went for a few hours of girlie aloneness.  Parked, settled in at the pier, and walked arm and arm on the beach talking and catching up on all things important, at least to us, then shared a lunch with the only person on this planet who likes greek salad more than me.

=0)

The day sped by and soon I was home doing what I do best. 


Mondays are M's longer than long days, so the boys and I settled into our still as of yet blind-less, drape-less house and finished homework...school work for them, bible study for me.

After bible study this morning, I was going to run in to the grocery store for a few things and ended up coming out with a cart full of food an hour later, but we are pretty well stocked now and that feels good.

OH...and Hershey's chips, all flavors, were on sale for $1.00 a bag.

So I bought a few.


=0)
I finished book 2 of the Twilight series and now I need book 3.  The library is back ordered and it is only out in hard cover, so I am trying to find someone...anyone...who has it.  My only complaint is that I wanted more Edward in the story...and that is all I am going to say.
The rest of my day is going to be spent around here.  It's a warm one...high 80's, so I am thinking we might do the pool after school.  Supper is a toss up...either meatloaf and homemade mac n cheese or grandma's meatballs with noodles.

Unless, and this a BIG unless,  M is able to decipher the text I sent him:

Hey Nicks I mean M hope all Nicks is going ok Nicks miss you Nicks see you tonight Nicks love you Nicks Shell.

=0)

Monday, September 22, 2008

Monday after Sunday

Yesterday morning we had a lazy morning, complete with dad made omelets, because we had yet another afternoon ordination/installation service to attend.

This time...Uncle Seth, who is now the assisstant Pastor at our church.

=0)

The best part?  Cousins!
Even better?  MORE cousins!  Alex is like a magnet.
Sweet Maddie.
Brian and Logan...so cute!
Brian flying Sophie.
It was quite the celebration...after we grabbed a rather quick dinner and came home in time to get ready for school today, which seemed to come awfully early this morning.

I was up late last night...felt moved to finish my bible study, which is good because I am off to see the wizard today!

OK, so not the wizard, but my sister-in-law.  We're spending the day playing and I can't wait...as soon as traffic calms down, I am out the door.

And in case you didn't remember...today is the 1st OFFICIAL day of Fall.

Makes for a happy girl!

=0)


Saturday, September 20, 2008

Weekend


I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love the change in the weather.

Yep, I am an autumn girl.  As much as I love summer skirts and flip flops, I love clean, crisp air...and long cooking suppers and walks on an uncrowded, non-touristy beach.

I cannot wait to decorate for fall, but I.MUST.NOT.UNTIL.OCTOBER.1.

Got that?

=0)

Yesterday was somewhat of a home day...just me with a headache to keep me company.  I did go see a friends new house and she made a wonderful lunch, so that was fun, but other than that I hung out here.

I'd like to say that I accomplished something...oh, I finished reading Twilight and started the 2nd book.  I am majorly hooked and seem to be staring into peoples eyes to make sure they are a normal color.

=0)

I also got a few necklace orders made.
Last night, a really, really happy guy came home.  Let's see...he kind of had a day like mine.  A long sushi lunch with Josh, a long meeting with his section leaders, a long talk with his son in the hallway and a not long enough ride home in his happy car.

Home to share the last of the seasons figs with me.  And a cocktail.  I sure do like him.

=0)

And I had just typed 'I like him' when he brought me this.

sigh.


Back to blogging.  I sat down this morning and noticed this on my desk:

Yep, I'm sharing a dead fly with you.

=0)

Today is a sports day...Brian has a soccer game at the same time that Alex has his first basketball game of pre-season, so Matthew to the rescue.  He's coming to take Brian to soccer and then home to do laundry...I haven't seen him for a few weeks, so I am trying to downplay the excitement I am feeling about seeing him.

It's not working.

=0)

M and I will drive south to see Alex play and then home, where it is a Saturday in September.

Know what that means?

College football, which will be on all day long.  I have a few errands to run since I slacked yesterday, plus I need to clean out my new pantry.  I just cannot seem to get it configured how like...it is deep and narrow and tall.  Right now we just keep stacking stuff and it's not working.

So, that is my plan for today.

Supper tonight is up in the air.  Last night I made a pasta with asparagus, prosciutto, basil, garlic...it was yummy, though my carnivore husband was scrounging for meat an hour later.

=0)

Tonight, I am leaning towards a pot roast...something with gravy and mashed potatoes. I am also still looking at those bananas on the counter, so I need to get those baked into something.  OH, and I have 9lbs...yes, 9lbs of carrots to use up, bought in a moment at Costco where that didn't seem like very many.

Huh?

Yeah, don't ask.

So, it's a good excuse to make a carrot cake.  Or 4.  Hope the neighbors like carrot cake.

=0)



Thursday, September 18, 2008

Dirt!

Early yesterday, the gardeners dumped a large load of mulch in front of our house.

I tried to explain to them that they were putting it in front of the wrong house...that I have a houseful of boys, but they weren't worried.  I kept saying that it wouldn't be a mountain in the morning and that it would be spread all over the street.

So they put up cones to contain it.

Like that'll help.

After school, Brian came down the street with all the other neighborhood kids and they were pretty sure it was Christmas morning.

Come on... a HUGE mountain of dirt!

I told them that no, they couldn't play on it and for 10 minutes they all just sat and stared at it.  Finally, I caved and within a few minutes it was dirty chaos for hours and hours.  Bikes and buckets and shovels and throwing (which I stopped, thankyouverymuch) and rolling.
None of them smelled so good afterwards, but that is why God gave us showers, right?
Supper last night...a pot of gravy and pasta.  Good thing...Alex had friends over after practice and they were HUNGRY.

I like that.

=0)
I got a call after dinner from a friend, so I headed over to her house for a glass of wine and stayed till midnight.  It was so peaceful and quiet...I could've stayed all night.

=0)
This morning is rather quiet, except for the gardeners who are working hard spreading mulch...the boys will be so disappointed that it is gone.  I have Meals on Wheels, but no Josephine today..she's going to the DR, the window people coming at 2:oo, soccer at 4:00, pick up Alex at 4:30, Brian at 5:30 and back to school night at 6:00.

Somewhere in there we'll eat supper...I'm going to make a pot of risotto with asparagus and leftover roast chicken (my family's version of chicken and rice) that can be eaten as we come and go.

I also have a large bowl of lemons that I am hoping to turn into a lemon cake at some point...we'll see if I can fit it in, plus a bunch of overripe bananas that need to be baked into something.  I keep forgetting that Matthew isn't here to eat them...does this get any easier?  I really miss him!



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