Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Dah

2010-05-18T20:35:00.000-07:00

Hey, guys.....I'm over here now

Free....

2009-11-10T10:49:00.000-08:00

The road less traveled

2009-10-04T19:26:00.000-07:00

Our paperwork has officially expired. No, we are not renewing. Our journey to Operation Tigerlily has officially come to an end. Yes, it sucks.

But, that fork in the road? It is taking us on a different path...... a detour.

It's time.....

2009-10-01T09:48:00.000-07:00

When you come to a fork in the road, take it.

-Yogi Berra

33

2009-09-18T16:45:00.000-07:00

32

2009-08-18T08:56:00.001-07:00

31

2009-07-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

30

2009-06-18T17:42:00.001-07:00

29

2009-05-18T23:26:00.001-07:00

Is there anything else left to say?

Nope.

I am told I am guilty of this...

2009-05-11T11:24:00.000-07:00

(there is a short commercial, so hold on)

2009-04-30T12:25:00.000-07:00

Yes, I'm doing it again - I signed up for the 2009 Breast Cancer 3-Day! I had such an incredible experience doing the 3-Day last year that I'm going back for more. I'm so excited about this event, even though this year I really know what I've gotten myself into.

This year, however, my purpose for walking became even more personal. Just a few months after I signed up for the 3 Day, I got some news I new expected to receive. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. Not in one breast, but both breasts. From what we hear it is very rare to have cancer in both breast at the same time. In February my mother underwent a bilateral mastectomy. I was able to be by her side throughout the whole process. It was truly a scary time, but when her surgeon told us that it had not spread to her lymph nodes, we were so relieved. She is now in the process of her reconstruction and undergoing drug therapy. I can't begin to sing the praises of her doctors and the amazing nurses of the LD Breast Center, where she had her surgery and treatment. Watching my mom go through this process only made my desire to do my part in finding a cure for this disease even stronger.

I need your help. I am planning on surpassing the $2260.00 that you - my friends and family - gave so generously last time around to help fight breast cancer.

Just follow the link above to visit my personal fundraising page and make a donation. I know times are tough right now, but what ever you can give either big or small is appreciated more than you will ever know. Thanks for all of your support. I'm incredibly lucky to have people like you in my life!

Love,
Lisa

ANZAC Biscuits

2009-04-27T09:04:00.000-07:00

In honor of ANZAC Day on Saturday. I made some ANZAC's. When we were in Australia we were there on the 25th of April, ANZAC Day. We were lucky enough to be a part of this celebration (here, this is what it's all about). My friends mother- in-law made these cookies (biscuits) for us. They are by far the best cookie I have ever tasted. They are crunchy on the outside but chewy on the inside and believe it or not they get better with age, they keep forever, but not in my house because they are eaten up within the first two days. They require an imported ingredient called golden syrup. My friend brings me cases of golden syrup from Australia when she comes to visit, but you can check your local british market and you may be able to find it. You can also substitute half dark corn syrup and half molasses, I have never tried it but I hear it's a pretty good alternative. Here is how I make them:

Anzac Biscuits

2 cups Flour
2 cups Oats
1 3/4 cup sugar
2 cups coconut
2 sitcks of butter
4 tablespoons golden syrup
4 tablespoons boiling water
2 teaspoons baking soda

The key players

Mix all of your dry ingredients

Don't be messy like me.....

Sugar, flour and oats

Don't forget the coconut!

Mix it all up

Get your 2 sticks of butter, not that gross margerine or Cri$co butter flavored crap. REAL butter!

Melt your butter

To your butter, add the golden syrup

Give it a good swirl, until fully incorporated

In a separate bowl, nuke your water until boiling lava hot and add the baking soda. Mix thoroughly.

Pour your water/baking soda mixture into the butter and golden syrup

It will get all foamy and bubbly

Pour into your dry ingrdients

Mix well

Drop by rounded spoonfuls (I use a scooper)

Pop in a 325 degree oven for 20-22 minutes

Voila, ANZAC Biscuits!

28

2009-04-19T22:30:00.001-07:00

27

2009-03-18T12:22:00.000-07:00

Reality

2009-02-21T08:48:00.000-08:00

As you may have noticed (the 9 of you who still read this blog), each post for the last year has been merely fluff and rainbow farts. The reason, as most of you know, there is nothing to report. We all know that China is moving along at a snails pace and the prospect of a referral is a BIG UNKNOWN. As for me when I first started writing this blog I had no idea what I was doing and I started it to jot a few things down and to use this as a journal for our trip to China. China....that far off distant land that I used to long to visit. I use the word "used" because it is a pipe dream now. Let me be perfectly honest when I say I have checked out of this adoption. These two years have sucked the life right out of my dream of having a daughter. At first when I would get sad/mad/depressed/hopeless, I would read a travel journal or look at a Y0utube video of a family receiving their beautiful daughter being placed in their arms for the first time and every time it would make me sob with tears of hope that one day that would be me. I would wipe the tears and it would restore my hope for another few months until I had the sad/mad/depressed/hopeless feeling again. The last few months I have put it all out of my mind and concentrated on other thing, because lets face it there alot of things going on that have kept my mind busy. I knew it might be time to do a little adoption reconnaissance, so I pulled up a few China adoption stories on Y0utube and sat down for a cry. Nothing. Not a tear, not a tug at my heart, nothing. I could have been watching a whale beaching himself on the shore. I have checked out. I don't know if this is permanent or just a temporary duck and cover for my heart, but I know that the feeling I had two years ago is different and not in a good way.

Yes, we are considering the SN program but with my agency it is not as easy as the other agencies. We are still looking at a few more years with that. I don't want to switch agencies or countries. I want to do what I set out to do over three years ago and go to China for my daughter.

I am ready to chuck this whole thing. Do you know how hard it was to write that? The reality is that it is true. This process is grueling and no one who just wants to parent should have to endure this type of torture. Torture sounds so extreme but I racked my brain and my thesaurus and could not come up with a word that could describe the feeling I have had for the last two years. How do I really feel?

THIS SUCKS ASS, THE SUCKIEST ASS THERE IS TO SUCK

That's how I really feel and it feels really good to scream it.

26

2009-02-18T20:00:00.000-08:00

Make me wanna

You might be from San Diego if:

2009-02-11T08:11:00.000-08:00

Every street name is either in Spanish or Spanish related, and you're surprised when other areas don't have this.

You can determine the accuracy of someone's "i'm ghetto" claim by knowing their high school. For example, El Camino High School, Hoover High School, or Crawford High School

You see weather forcasts for four different climate zones in the same county, and aren't remotely surprised.

You routinely go or have gone to Pat & Oscar's solely to get breadsticks.

You've ever gone to Downtown San Diego and marveled at the homeless people mingling with the rich young urbanities.

You've gone to Mt. Helix in July and known you still need a jacket.

You've tailgated at Qualcomm Stadium, and for bonus points, also tailgated when it was Jack Murphy Stadium

You've been to the Wild Animal Park but can't remember the last time you went to the Zoo.

You've ever been on a field trip to see an Imax movie at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.

You still call it the Del Mar Fair.

You say "i'm going to the track" and people know what you mean.

You understand what May-Gray and June-Gloom is.

A famous skateboarder/surfer lives in your town.

There's a North County, a South County, and an East County but no Central County.

"Mossy Nissan! Mossy Nissan! Mossy Nissan Moves You!"

You know what it means when two guys are walking in Hillcrest.

You know what it means when a girl in a short skirt is walking on El Cajon Blvd.

You've gotten stuck in the Horton Plaza parking structure traffic after a Padres game.

You know what "The Merge" is, and will plan your entire day around not being on it during rush hour(s).

You've ever been to Belmont Park and rode the Big Dipper.

(For North County) You remember the days before the all the big movie theaters opened. And when they did. First the Edwards in San Marcos, then the Regal in Oceanside, then the Krikorian in Vista, and finally the Regal in Escondido.

You've ever taken the Coaster and laughed at people sitting in traffic on the 5.

You know the difference between Clairemont Mesa, Kearny Mesa, and Mira Mesa.

You can correctly pronounce Tierrasanta, La Jolla, Rancho Penasquitos, Cabrillo, Jamacha, San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, and El Cajon.

You've ever gone to Sea World on a warm day and sat in the first few rows at the Shamu Show to get cooled off.

You've ever been delayed at the Border Checkpoints on the 5 and the 15.

There are more bands than people.

Your house doesn't have air conditioning.

You know it's San Diegan, not San Diegoan, or San Diegoite.

Everyone has their favorite beach.

No matter what the weather is, there is always someone walking around in a t-shirt, shorts, and flip flops.

You live on, near or are surrounded by hills.

You hate tourists and their bad driving. GET OFF THE ROAD NORTH DAKOTA, NOBODY WANTS YOU HERE. SERIOUSLY. GO HOME.

You have family and or friends that have moved to Arizona.

There are four distinct seasons: Nice, Nice, Nice, and A Little Chilly.

Your house is worth more than the GDP of some small countries.

You know what MB, OB, and PB stand for.

You used to, and sometimes still do ride the carousel at Seaport Village.

You know someone who doesn't own pants, and have a neighbor who doesn't seem to own a shirt.

Your high school had a surf team.

You know what Santa Ana's are, and that they have literally nothing to do with the city of Santa Ana.

You know what a California burrito is.

You never, under any circumstances call it anything other than "the Gaslamp."

You never, under any circumstances call it anything other than "L.A."

Julian Pies.

You're shocked when you find out people have never been to the beach, and even more shocked to find out some have never seen the Ocean.

In elementary school you were forced to do countless "duck and cover" earthquake drills.

Your childhood dream was to become a dolphin trainer at Sea World.

You know or have known countless guys under 5'9'' tall that own huge lifted trucks to account for their shortcomings.

You love driving on the 52, just for those crazy bumps that they always try (and fail) to smooth over.

You know someone who knows someone who knows Reggie Bush.

You remember where you were the day of the Santana High School Shootings.

When you were a kid you thought the Mormon Church was a castle, or Disneyland.

You know what this sign means:
http://www.trafficsignstore.com/W54.jpg

You still call it Christmas on the Prado

"Nobody beats, El Cajon Ford!"

You've never had a snow day, but you've had a week off for fires.

Every time there's a major snow storm in the Midwest or the Northeast, the next day's newspaper has a picture of children playing on the beach on the front page.

You remember going to the WB store at UTC as a kid and playing in that tunnel thing they had.

Everytime you watch the weather you expect to hear "and here's the KUUUUUUUUUUUUUSI forecast" and/or "no flipping!" because of John Coleman.

You know the worst traffic in the world is Saturday morning-afternoon going south on the 5 and Sunday afternoon-evening going north on the 5.

You remember when 619 was the only area code in San Diego. And you get a little excited when you see Reggie Bush put 619 on his eye black.

You can surf and snowboard in the same day, but you've never felt like actually doing it.

You know the difference between UCSD and SDSU.

You know all the places where "Bring it On" and "Top Gun" were filmed.

Pretty much every area has a high school with "Rancho" in the name.

You've heard the phrase "Spring comes in Summer, Summer comes in Fall, Fall comes in Winter, and Winter not at all."

You've talked about going to Vegas when you turn 21 for like 5 years.

You've had Carne Asada Fries.

You've watched the Prep Pigskin Report, and most likely know someone on it.

You remember Premium 92/1, Q106.5, Star 100.7, and my 94.1.

You know that Cal Worthington will never die.

You went on a field trip to Cabrillo National Monument on Point Loma.

You know what "The Turko Files" are, and are still a little afraid of his mustache.

You know what Lou's Records is, and that they have EVERYTHING.

Big night......

2009-01-31T19:50:00.000-08:00

.....for a twin engine

First High School dance

WITH. A. GIRL!

Some Bocas for your boca and the unfortunate shoe incident

2009-01-30T17:31:00.000-08:00

Here is a little taste of the tropics.....

As with any vacation I take there will always be a fabulous highlight or a embarassing/horiffic incident. This time it happened to land on horrifically embarrassing. Being on the island there is no such thing as sidewalks or concrete for that matter. Most of the terrain is sandy pathways. So when you enter ones home you automatically remove your shoes before stepping in the door to keep the sand and the chitras out of your house. So I pretty much went without shoes for most of the time I was there. Except for the day we ventured to Caranero where this video was taken. It was a pretty wild trek through a jungle and since it rains off and on there is mud and all sorts of stuff to step in. My flip flops sat out for a good 4 days on the porch of our B & B getting rained on and rinsed off until I slipped them on the morning we left. They were a little wet but we were in a hurry to get to the airport so it didn't bother me. We get to the airport check our bags and surfboards and sit in the terminal. As I sit there I smell this horrible smell. We switch seats thinking that we MUST be sitting next to a trash bin or something. The new seats have the same smell. I start sniffing my homeboy CERTIAN this it is him. I give him a good sniff down and he's clean. NO, this awful smell could NOT be coming from MY person, no way. I sniff my shirt, my pits, my hands, my knees. I pick up my flip flop and OH MY DOG IN HEAVEN . It was ME. My flip flops had formed a smell so vile it would knock a buzzard off a shit wagon. No lie. Our plane was leaving in a mere 15 minutes, my bags are checked with another pair of flips. I got to the bathroom and try to rinse them off. Well, as my luck would have it someone just flushed and in Panama you always wash your hands before you flush due to water pressure issues. So, no water. I had a half bottle of Purell that I dumped in my shoes and on my feet. Now I had swamp ass smelling shoes with a hint of Purell. Not good. There was nothing left to do but put the flip flops back on and hope for the best. We get on our puddle jumper back to Panama City. I sit down, slip off the shoes and put my backpack over them to try to bury the stink, but the flight attendant makes me stow my backpack in the overhead bin. Damn it. An older European man with a fanny pack and too tight pants and his stunningly gorgeous Panamanian trophy wife with a pair of fake boobies that her chin rests upon, sit right in front of me. Homeboy and I look at each other in horror and then laugh. Two minutes later I hear something in Spanish and recognize the words 'dead' and 'awful' and they made their way up the aircraft. A man came and sat in the seat later and either it didn't bother him or he was born without a sense of smell. It was another hour and a half before I could change my shoes and when I did I found the nearest trash bin and properly disposed of all the evidence of the most heinous smell I have ever smelled.

Sailing

Eating

Drinking

Gone Fishin'

2009-01-22T13:53:00.001-08:00

TOOTLES!

(and I DON'T want to come back to news of a two day batch)

Twenty five

2009-01-18T14:08:00.000-08:00

Just because..........

2009-01-15T10:39:00.000-08:00

there hasn't been any pin up action in a while.
And I am gearing up for a trip to Central America, so why not a little Latina pin up?

In unrelated news.......
Gawd, I hope these rumors are true.

Realizations of being forty

2009-01-11T19:21:00.000-08:00

I went to Costco this morning with full blown bed head and I didn't care. Well, I cared but, I could care less that I didn't care. Just threw on a sweatshirt, some shorts and some flip flops and I was in the car and gone.

I am a giant scaredy cat. My Homeboy is gone for a few weeks on a trip and being in this house alone gives me the creeps. My boys are no help either. The other night the wind decided to pick up and the tree was brushing up againts the window. I called a twin in to help me investigate (I was sure it was a potential axe murderer). He walked in heard the sound and walked right out. Thanks Big Guy. Obviously, it wasn't an axe murderer, just silly wind.

Facebook really IS Mysp@ce for old people. But this old person diiiiiiigs it!

I question my ability to have a young baby. I have not been around babies in so long that I feel I might be out of my league. I mean I want a baby REALLY bad, I just am scared at the thought of not knowing what the hell I am doing. The boys were 2 1/2 when we adopted them and were already on sippy cups so they didn't need a bottle and I potty trained them about 6 weeks after coming home to us. I am worried I will be in over my head. Well, I guess I have a while to read up on Baby 101, right?

Eye cream. Don't go to bed without it.

I have the best group of girlfriends a person could ever have. Really, I am one lucky girl.

I will wear my retainers every night to the grave.

I would like to raise my next child like he did. Check out the trailer for this documentary of Doc P@scowitz and his family of nine children. I would not be as extreme (he was really extreme) but I can identify with his philosophy so much when raising children. The older I get the more I think I could actually homeschool my child. Not that I am going to do it.......but, sailing around the world with our kids would be an amazing childhood experience.

Girlfriends are entering the picture and I am so not ready for this.

If I didn't have kids in the house I am pretty sure I wouldn't ever turn on the television. I love quiet. I could just be happy with just my ipod or XM R@dio.

I never thought I would wish for a roof full of solar panels

Well, this solves THAT....and some help.

2009-01-07T16:42:00.000-08:00

I received this as a birthday gag gift. Whats the gag?? I dig this thing! The dog's don't much care for it but, it saves me the anguish of accidentally cutting their nails too short and causing doggie owies.

So, on to a pressing question. My cell phone contract is up in a few weeks and I need a new phone. I have been toying with getting an iphone . My current provider, who prides themselves on being "America's most reliable network". Just doesn't deliver. My cell phone serves as our landline (I have all calls forwarded from our home # to my cell. Blame the Houdini dog), and 9 times out of 10 at home my calls are dropped, sound like I am talking under water or I can hear feedback from myself talking to another. So back to the iphone. I really want one. Do any of you have one? Do you love it? Like it? Hate it? Does the service provider kick ass or suck ass?

School me.

La fiesta de cuarenta

2009-01-05T10:28:00.000-08:00

25 + years strong

The Luge

Luge demonstration

We got my mom in on the action

Having fun

Yikes, WHERE was my wine glass?!

Glowing

How nice of the Charger's to have a playoff game (they won)

Blinky LED lights from the luge make great nose plugs

Yeah, you can see where the night is heading.....

You don't even want to know

Ringing in the new

2009-01-01T21:23:00.000-08:00

Don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya, sucky 2008!

I am so ready for a new year and a new outlook. This year I hope to:

Concentrate on building our business and become a marketing goddess. Paddle boards anyone?
Become more involved with the boys school (I used to be uber involved and then backed off due to time and over scheduling)
Smile more
Spend less
Use cuticle cream daily
Be more organized
Accessorize more
Hit the gym at least once a week (you can stop laughing)
Grow my hair out
Paint every baseboard and piece of moulding in my house
Get the new driveway poured
Grow plumeria
Keep my Hummingbird feeders supplied with nectar
Learn conversational Spanish, not Spanglish
Go to Panama (OK, I already am)
Stress less
Make my bed every day
Send birthday cards to my friends
Not think about China and leave it to the universe of when I will see my daughter
Back up photos (learned the hard way when my computer crapped out)
Talk to my sister more
Win a contest
Learn how to knit socks
Resist the urge to buy a new car (mine will be paid off in a few months)
Make out with my husband more
Trim the dog's nails so I don't get yelled at by the vet
Remember to take my acai everyday
Make the boys pick up the dog poop

----and this is just the short list----

That's me....

2008-12-31T09:21:00.001-08:00

Yes, my friends.....Homegirl is 40 today. I hear it's the new 30. I am banking on that.
40th blowout party on Saturday night. Embarrassing and unflattering photos to follow, I'm sure.

Two. Years.

2008-12-18T13:02:00.000-08:00

So what do you get the waiting parent for their 2 year LID-versary? Silver? Copper? Gold?

I would say a dull, rusty butter knife to the eyeball would suffice.

Seriously, this is brutal. And with no end in sight it makes for not very happy anniversary's. I think we will celebrate with some potstickers and a 55 gallon drum of Sake. Yeah, that'll take the edge off.

100 Things Bucket List

2008-12-16T21:42:00.000-08:00

Copy/Paste and highlight the things on this list you have done.

Here's mine:

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon (a half marathon)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke (unfortunately)
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

I tag anyone who is bored enough to do this.

It's shaping up to resemble Christmas

2008-12-14T21:01:00.000-08:00

Tonight's festivities

Putting on the lights

Peace on Earth
(Yes, it was no makeup day)

Bro's

I have no idea what this is

Bling

My Favorite

Treasured family memories

Happy Holidays!

One down, one to go......

2008-12-03T09:00:00.000-08:00

My Thanksgiving was nice, thanks for asking. All I can say is Road Trip, and Homegirl is no fan of the road trip. Being in a car for hours on end not only makes me squirly and my booty ache, it is a sort of battleground for my Homies and me. Why does the car automatically cause a teenage boy to emit gaseous odors from his bum? Why does the car have to crap out at the Sonic parking lot, because I had to have a Cherry Limeade (a shout out to the dude at AAA for rescuing us). Why is it MY fault a certain 14 year old thinks I am the keeper of his ipod? Why does SoCal have to have the most people in the world traveling at the same time I did? Other than that it was great. Got to spend time with family and had a fantastic dinner, some shopping and a lots of movie watching. Good times. Next time we are flying, so you know. Well, now that Thanksgiving is in the bag, it's on to Christmas. Onward soliders!

Speaking of Christmas. I just am getting around to thinking about shopping. You would think that the army of family members I have to buy for I would be more efficient in planning and shopping. Yeah, NO that would not be me. I did some ordering online last night. 4 down, 22 to go. I need to campaign for the "pick a name out of the hat" kind of Christmas. Nobody will go for it. Happy Christmas, A-holes (said with love).

I have signed up to do the Breast Cancer 3 Day again. I really needed the year off to heal my battlewounds wounds and get through this house project. Now that it is finished I can focus on non-house related things, like trying to shed this Mycontractorisagiantdickhead 15 lbs I gained during this whole thing. I am looking forward to training again, the weekend walks and seeing my teammates regularly again.

I really CANNOT stand that mom from John and Hate plus 8 show. It was on the other night when I was cleaning the kitchen and can I just say that that chick grates on every nerve I have? I mean, if I popped out a litter of kiddies, and got a show out of it where they send me on lavish trips to depict "real life". I would certainly have pulled the stick out of my ass.

Do you see a trend of trend of surliness in this post? I do, and it is scary....

I made homemade bread for the first time in my life yesterday. OK, who ever invented flour and yeast has my undying love and gratitude. Who knew I could bake bread? It was actually simple. I used the recipe from this chick and not only made the rolls but 2 loves of bread. And guess what? I didn't suck! And I wonder where that 15 lbs came from.

Well thats about it, for the mind of me. Nothing too exciting to report other than I must be PMS-ing deluxe by re-reading this post. Off to the drugstore for an economy sized bottle of Extra Srength Mid0l.

ENJOY. I did!

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

Beat Feet for Boobies

2008-11-21T08:12:00.000-08:00

It is hard to believe that a year ago this weekend I was hoofing it 20 miles a day for 3 days to raise money and awareness for my family and friends who have battled cancer. To say that my experience was life changing would be an understatement. It was an incredible journey, meeting the people I did and proving to myself that I could walk 20 miles a day for 3 days and live to tell about it. This weekend I will find myself downtown cheering on the walkers from the sidelines. I think the memory of blisters, pulled muscles and migraines will fade by next year and I will gear up to do it again in 2009.

So this weekend feel yourself up, or better yet have someone else feel you up!

Walk on, walkers!

Twenty three

2008-11-18T07:37:00.001-08:00

Hey, LOOK! I can see two years from here.

And it blows.

A night to remember.......

2008-11-05T09:06:00.000-08:00

Yes we can. And we did.

My election night started off boarding the Disco Limo Bus and heading downtown for the Madonna concert. It was an amazing show. Twin Engine #2 was texting me the numbers on my cell keeping us updated on the election. They called the Obama the winner, and the crowd went wild. It was truly incredible. It was a special night for sure.

My girl M can rock it out.

Fast forward 15 years

2008-11-03T09:04:00.000-08:00

A story of Us....

2008-10-30T10:36:00.000-07:00

Fifteen years.

That is how long my Homeboy and I have been married. Today is our anniversary. Fifteen years.

The story of us began in early 1987. I had 'known' my Homeboy for a while. He was older. He was cool, he had a VW bus, he surfed, he had been to college out of state, he could drink beer. I was none of that, I was a punky 17 year old, fibbing to my parents about spending the night at my best friends house so I could go out and experience real high school parties (my strict father was in Law Enforcement. Yay me.). He had no idea who I was. Fast forward to age 21. My friends and I would go to a club and watch our friends' band play. My Homeboy was there, he said "You look familiar". We did tequila shots. We became friends. Fast forward a year, I had dated this guy I met in Palm Springs during spring break. He had just dumped me, I was heartbroken. Mr. Dumper happened to be in town one Saturday night and wanted to see me. I had already made plans to go out with my girlfriends that night, so I said "Sorry, I have plans". The plans I made were to go to a Going Away party for my friend, my Homeboy who was leaving for a 5 month surf tour through the South Pacific. I am so glad I didn't out with Mr. Dumper and I went to the party. In between tequila shots, I had a chance to talk to my Homeboy that night, really talk. We grabbed our beers, took some beach chairs and headed to a spot overlooking the lagoon. We talked for hours. We talked about life, our families, our friends, our likes, our dislikes and kids. He wanted KIDS. Bonus. I sent him off that night with a hug and he asked for my address. He said he would write. I said, "Yeah right." A few weeks later my mom came into my room (Yes, I still lived at home. Hey! WHO wouldn't like the 6pm dinner time and no cost laundry facility?), with a post card postmarked from Australia. He WROTE me. Every month for 5 months I would get a postcard postmarked from New Zealand, Fiji, Tasmania and Tahiti.

This photo was taken the night he returned 17 years ago and we haven't been apart since.

To my Homeboy,

Thank you for 15 amazing years. Thank you for being the best father two boys could ever ask for. Thank you for always carrying my paddleboard. Thank you for being you.

I love you.

Business Time

2008-10-21T21:45:00.000-07:00

Home sweet home

2008-10-18T12:11:00.000-07:00

Thanks for all of the kudos on the new kitchen. It turned out exactly the way we imagined it. The process however didn't. We (well, M is the 'we', but I DO all the painting and knob installing) are normally do it yourselfer's, but realized quickly that this was going to be out of our league so we decided to hire a contracting company. Big mistake. We went with a company who does alot of homes around here. We talked to some of them and they seemed to be satisfied, and without any major mishaps. The beginning of the project started out smooth. Demo of the kitchen started and everything was ripped out to the studs. YAY. Right after everything was ripped out, the crew didn't show up for three days. On the third day M called our contractor to see what was up. Our contractor acted surprised and said he would see what was up and would call me right back. Two days later he finally me calls back. Supposedly the forman on our crew was ill, and he would resume work the next day. The next day turned into two weeks of no crew (he was not ill afterall we found out). Enter the second crew. They were on the job, however our contractor would not have the materials here for them to get the job done with. They get sick of it and walk off the job. Elapsed time 6 weeks and a demo'd kitchen/living/dining room. It took a very heated, read SCREAMING ARGUMENT BETWEEN M and our contractor for him to get his shit together and get crack-a-lakin on our job. In the end M told him either he stap on his bags and personally get his ass out here to finish our job or he was fired. Miraculously, he was on the job the next day with bags on. Problem after problem incurred and many a heated discussion later we ended up basically finishing the project ourselves by painting and installing the sink fixture, the garbage disposal and air switch, which were going to take weeks for him to finish himself. I JUST WANTED TO COOK IN MY KITCHEN is that too much to ask? In a nutshell our contractor was clueless, hotheaded, incapable, and a straight up DICK. It got to the point where I could not deal with him because he was so rude and condescending towards me, therefore I would dish it back twofold and I hate talking to another person that way. I didn't need that stress so I had to have M deal with him, which wasn't even better.

Anyway, it is done and he is out of our hair. Believe me I have letters drafted to his company, the BBB*, and the state licensing board along with pictures of some of the work that was shotty and unacceptable (that we fixed because we couldn't trust him to fix).

In a nutshell we are staying do it yourselfers, as sometimes you think you are paying for knowledge and you end up with someone CLUELESS.

Oh, and to answer a question about the countertops. I really wanted soapstone, but with the plumbing and electrical being twice as much because of their age and condition had to be completely replaced, the extra cost ended up coming out of my countertop budget. So, I searched for something less expensive but would still give me the look of soapstone. I went with C0rian and I am so glad I did. The dark grey on the island is called "Earth" and it totally gives a similar look of soapstone. The white C0rian around the perimeter of the kitchen cabinets looks like a natural marble (I forget the name of it). I was afraid of it looking fake or plasticky, but I was pleasantly surprised that it looks amazing.

Twenty two

2008-10-18T11:48:00.000-07:00

A pair of twos and pair of waiting parents who think this is never going to happen.

Trying to stay optimistic.

At least there is a new season of ^My Big Redneck Wedding^...........sigh.

The After

2008-10-07T21:59:00.000-07:00

Alright, looks like we have damn near finished this project. I am a lazy bones jones and don't feel like locating and uploading the BEFORE PHOTOS so, just click and have a look see, take your time, I'll wait.

Excuse the crappy photos, they were taken with the worlds WORST camera ever known to mankind. It is an OlymPUS Stylus -aka-a total waste of $289+tax. DON'T buy this camera you will hate every photo you take. I had to use this camera because I can't find the cord to download from my Canon SLR.

Here is the center island, it ended up being over 9 feet. Sometimes I feel like dancing on it.

Another shot of the island

The range hood flange still needs to be fabricated and the pot filler installed

I LOVE my faucet. This thing has super powers. Serious. There will eventually be a glass tile backslpash when the tile guy gets here.

The Beast

Mi casa es su casa

This room used to be the jacked up 'sports den/music room'. Now a formal dining room. Me likey.

My Homeboy and his new toy.

This is the third, yes, THIRD 40 yard dumpster of demo waste. I have no grass left but guess what? I have a killer kitchen!!!

My horoscope for today.....

2008-10-02T14:17:00.000-07:00

The power that you want so badly right now will come to you -- just keep waiting.

Twenty one

2008-09-18T19:38:00.000-07:00

The least you could do is buy me a drink.

Bananas

2008-09-15T13:39:00.000-07:00

Check out the bananas growing on our banana trees

Yeah, my life is pretty much bananas. I am really busy with driving my boys around to all the different places they need to be and getting this house whipped into shape. It's coming along and I should be sharing the finished product soon. The best part is watching my agency go down in a ball of flames. First we get word on being non Hague, then the closing of all branch offices, now info on a contingency plan with another agency "if" they close. This blows, but all I care about is that I see my daughter at the end of all this.

Now do you have
"The shit is bananas, B-A-N-A-N-A-S"
stuck in your head??

I know I do.

I'm a bonafied grown up

2008-08-25T10:05:00.000-07:00

That's right. A GROWN UP. I have high schoolers. Back in the day you were an old hag in polyester pants and a bouffant hairdo if you had kids in high school. Well, bust out the poly's and Aqua Net, 'cause I'm one of them now. They are in high school. I am tripped out in every sense of the word. I think today was even harder than the first day of kindergarten. At least in kindergarten they would let me walk them to class, slap some mom spit on their freshly combed hair, and even let me plant a little kiss on them before sending them into the classroom into the arms of a loving teacher with colorful butterflies on the walls. Sending them off to high school is very different let me tell you. Your kid muster a "I already said good morning, mom. Can I have some lunch money and I need a check for PE clothes".

Then it's off to the car where I had to bribe the kid with his lunch money for a picture of he and his brother together on their first day of high school. This is the best I could get and I wasn't in the mood to get a better shot at 7 am in the morning (and if you will notice Twin engine in the yellow The Clash tee is glasses free. He got fitted for his very first pair of contact lenses on Saturday. The kid is uber stoked) So, we get to the school and the parking lot is gridlock. Seniors in their beat up VW's, Toyota's and pop's cast off Buick Le Sabre's and new 9th grade moms in gigantic SUV's such as myself, effing up the drop off line. Good times. We get up to the head of the line, the boy's jump out and yell "Later, Mom!". Soon they are swept into the sea of mangy high school students. They're gone. It is anticlimactic. They have walked into young manhood in a split second. This is much harder than I expected. I am certain sending them off to college will take me to full breakdown mode complete with me holding on to their ankles as they enter the school.

Now, onto Mi Casa.............. (a GROWN UP'S casa, may I add)

Cabinets are in
(Kinda hard to see but, check out that sunset!)

Another view

Flooring is going in right now as I type. Appliances should go in this week as well and countertop will be going in the week after that (hopefully). Nothing ever goes as planned, so I will see a finished kitchen when I see it. I am SO ready for this to be over. My contractor is a dick. He messed up a cabinet and refused to replace it. That's OK, I am taking it out of my last payment. So there Mr. Dickhead. Other than that we should be on the home stretch with this project. We have another phase to do (the master bedroom) and we have decided to put it off for a while.

Aye Dios Mi.

Twenty

2008-08-18T10:44:00.000-07:00

20 months under our belt.

Argh.

Love, sweet love

2008-08-17T17:27:00.000-07:00

Our cute hotel, The St Lauren. We were on the 6th floor with a HUGE partio (yes, I meant PART-IO). See, up there with the umbrellas. Good times.

Our view

Monkeying around. Literally.

More monkeys. More fun.

My diet for the weekend

Modes of transportation an the island. Only a few cars are allowed, so golf carts, mopeds, vespa's and bikes are the best way to get around.

Darling little row homes

Walking to the site of the wedding

The site of the ceremony

The view was breathtaking

The reason we were all there.......pure love

Tootles

2008-08-13T23:33:00.000-07:00

We're heading out for a few days of R & R. My BFF is getting married here and the wedding party is making a long weekend out of it. Love, friends, a beautiful place........who could ask for anything more?

Sunday, bloody Sunday.

2008-08-10T12:00:00.000-07:00

This made my day. I pulled up to my inbox and found this nugget from no one other than my mother in law. She's good like that. I think I'll keep her (my MIL not, turd girl). This has probably been swimming around the internet for a while now but I just got wind (ha) of it. How funny is THIS??? I have been in a bit of a funk, and this made me hysterically laugh.

What didn't make me laugh was the fact that my dog ate a half order of buffalo hot wings. Last night I went to an engagement party and bought pizza and hot wings for the boys before I left. Since we have no kitchen our outside patio table has become the new dining area. Well, unbeknown to us the twin engines 'forgot' to bring in the leftover food from the outside and Bailey helped herself to hot wings and pepperoni pizza. Fast forward to 7am this morning..........my Homie and I are awakened by the most unusual sound. It sounds like a muzzled cat riding a Moped. This strange sound is coming from somewhere our room. We look around all there is is a sleeping dog. We shrug our shoulders and try to fall back asleep. The sound again, we listen it is getting louder and weirder. Then came a smell that would knock a buzzard off a shit wagon. Ewwwww! I look at Homeboy and he immediately says "That was NOT me". I'm like "Right" and roll my eyes. We follow the smell to the culprit. My 75lb bassett hound processing the 18 tablespoons of cayenne pepper and mozzarella cheese. She drops another bomb and I apologize to my Homie. Poor baby. I know she will be fine because this is not her first attempt at people food. She has eaten in her lifetime: a box of Bi$quick, a giant bag of Halloween candy WITH the wrappers, Victoria $ecret underwear, numerous Lego$, a pair of Charle$ David sandals, 5 Beanie Babie$ and one year a christmas present. She has an iron gut apparently. I am keeping an eye on her but you can tell where she is by the smell of her swamp ass nearby, and nearby is right next to me tootin' away.

Bittersweet Olympics

2008-08-08T20:40:00.000-07:00

I am watching the opening ceremonies and I am in awe. It is an amazing display of the Chinese culture and tradition. Truly AMAZING. I am, however, watching with a big lump in my throat. When we were logged in our agency predicted we would be traveling right around Olympic time (they told us to expect an 18 month wait at most). I remember being panicked because airfares would be sky high and we would most likely have to miss touring Beijing because of the hullabaloo surrounding the games. Well, here I am sitting here watching the opening ceremonies with my best bud, Hank (my dog), not traveling, not getting prepared to travel, not even close to looking at a picture of our daughter. I sit here with my dog, wondering what our future holds. Will I ever see her?

Two days were referred this month. Hence the lump.
Damn, this is hard.

Switched On

2008-08-07T18:03:00.000-07:00

It doesn't take much to turn me on lately. LOOK at my new switches and outlets!!! A Dimmer! Can you flippin' BELIEVE IT?

So here is the progress so far

Insulation

More insulation and where I eat my dinner

Look, even Bailey is sick of construction. Okay, she always looks like that, but still.

Drywall (that corner was my old kitchen, or the cooking closet)

Yay, more drywall

A refrigerator always looks nice in the middle of the room, but it has DRYWALL!

Fireplace drywalled

Are you sick of drywall yet? I'm not.

With paint and electrical done

See all of those boxes? Those are my cabinets. Whose bright idea was it to get them at Ike@?

It was my bright idea. Homegirl wanted to save a buck. Now Homegirl wants to save her marriage (Homeboy is not all stoked on having to putting them together). I kid. Sorta.

The joys of demo. I am getting used to the look of stucco shrapnel and busted up lawn furniture in my ghetto yard with dead grass. We have had two 40 yard dumpsters so far and another one comes next week. Nice.

Do you have any idea what it's like to eat micro'd lasagna from Co$tco for the 8th week in a row? It's not pretty. I found a website for 'no kitchen cooking'. Who knew you could make gumbo in a rice cooker. Too bad it tastes like ass.

Me and my Homies

2008-07-22T10:51:00.000-07:00

My newest obsession of late has been paddle surfing. My Homeboy has been doing this for years, but one day he bribed me with drinks at the J0lly R0ger if I tried it. Martini? I'm in. So we grabbed the boards and headed off. I'm glad I did. I LOVE IT. There is nothing more calming than gliding across the water with the sun on your back and the beauty of the ocean to look at. We took the boys and the dog for a family day over the weekend, The boys like it, a little boring and not as much action for them, but they threw us oldies a bone and paddle boarded too. Here are a few photos of the day:

My Homeboy and I out for a cruise

Twin #1. The kid could stand up on a 2x4, he has THAT much balance

Twin #2. Heading off into the harbor mouth to catch some waves

Even Hank gets in on the action. He LOVES paddle boarding

Summer lovin'

2008-07-18T18:04:00.000-07:00

Been busy. Not much time or desire to blog. I'll rock it bullet style.

I had my cooktop plumbed for a pot filler (this). So I go out to pick out the fixture only to find out that they cost over $1000 for that little ba$tard. Talk about sticker shock. I walk out of the kitchen and bath showroom hanging my head in defeat when I thought about checking out the internet. Well, wouldn't you know it I found a major manufacturer clearinghouse of plumbing fixtures and got a smokin' and I mean SMOKIN' deal on it. Damn, I love the power of the internet.

I find it funny that our employee, who is a drummer in a punk band and has neck tats, dials the XM R@dio to the classical station.

Having teenagers is hard, even the good ones. When do you let out the slack? When do you reel it in? It's hard to get the right balance.

The economy is tanking, I am afraid.

I am tired of tourists with their rental cars driving 20 miles an hour on the coastal route, pointing out waves to Aunt Gladys. Pull over and look at the beautiful ocean, you will appreciate it more, trust me. Oh, and the next time one of them leaves a hibachi grill in the road while getting the rest of their gear out of the car is going to be going hungry because I am going to run it over on purpose, no more swerving.

Nineteen

2008-07-18T17:53:00.000-07:00

Nineteen months. If thats not bad enough I get a wonderful (she says dripping with sarcasm) email from my agency about their H@gue status. Shoot. Me. Now.

3 words and some bullet action

2008-07-06T10:56:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows me knows I have discovered this fine snack called Uncru$tables. It happened out of sheer desperation due to the fact that I have not had a kitchen for the last month. I was forced to dive into the frozen section at the market to scour the aisles for quality frozen nuked food to feed my family. I stumbled across the Uncru$tables one day. I started out with the peanut butter and grape jelly ones. Okay, YUM! Not being a huge fan of white bread, I kept searching for another option. Until I hit the motherlode. Uncru$tables with peanut butter and HONEY (well, honey "spread". You can't have it all) on wheat bread. They are delicious. Off to call 1-8oo-Jenny.

Speaking of house. Tuesday. Or heads are going to roll. Thats all I'm going to say about that.

Why when you get a pedicure the lady doing your toes refuses to actually cut the nail as opposed to just filing it? I had a pedicure a few weeks ago and I am not kidding my toenails are like talons. I am going to have to bust out the belt sander for this job. Sorry foot phobs.

Did you read that since the economy is going down the shitter, that it is actually "In" to be a tightwad? Good, because I'm way "In". I cut back my driving BIG TIME. I leave the house and I go in a circle, if something is not on my circle, it's not getting done. I find myself staying at work later, because if the boys need a ride home I swoop in, like a bald eagle. I'm on on my perch waiting. Since we eat out alot due to the ghost kitchen, I have gotten good at early bird specials. We can eat at the Irish Pub down the street for $40 for the four of us if we eat between 4-7pm and order water. We are talking flat iron steak, people. Old people are on to something.....

I can't believe how hard I am on my laptop. It is just about 2 years old and the hinge from the monitor to the keyboard is broken completley, if you make a false move it will come crashing down. The enter key and the home key have fallen off. Poor thing looks so ghetto. I kind of dig it's worn in look, though. Good thing because I need to squeeze a few more years out of it.

We gave our 4th of July plans to go on a trek to some friends house for a 4th/Housewarming party the flick and instead did mounds of yardwork (construction mess) and garage organizing. We felt naughty for canceling but it seems we have not spent a weekend at home with no plans at all in ages. It has been wonderful. We went to two movies (2 for 1, *ok, really we snuck into the second one, SHHHH don't tell*) and I watched two movies on pay per view. I slept in until almost 8 am each day. I feel I got alot of things accomplished this 3 day weekend.

If you have HB0, check out this documentary Ganja Queen. It just saw it and it is still with me. I never heard about his in the news (I guess that would mean I would have to actually WATCH the news) and I have no idea if she did it or not, but just see it if you have the chance. I will forever lock my suitcase or board bag from now on. Comment if you have seen it.

I can't believe we are over half way through the year. Damn.

Rumor has it, 3 days were referred. January 25th. Triple damn with a side of FUCK.

Super Dud Buster Meme

2008-07-04T13:06:00.000-07:00

For the 2 people who read my blog anymore ('cause dog knows I don't read many blogs anymore either). From my favorite earth mother who I will share a Cheeseburger in Paradise with one of these days.

Only one word answers allowed and can't use the same word twice.

1. Where is your cell phone? Somewhere
2. Your significant other? M
3. Your hair? Brown
4. Your mother? Genuine
5. Your father? Giver
6. Your favorite time of day? Mornings
7. Your dream last night? Trippy
8. Your favorite drink? Chardonnay
9. Your dream goal? Content
10. The room you're in? Bedroom
11. Your ex? History
12. Your fear? Dying
13. Where do you want to be in six years? Here
14. What you are not? Mean
15. Your favorite meal? Food
16. One of your wish list items? China
17. The last thing you did? Lunch
18. Where you grew up? Here
19. What are you wearing? Shorts
20. Your tv is? Dusty
21. Your pets? Important
22. Your computer? Dropped
23. Your life? Evolving
24. Your mood? Crappy
25. Missing someone? Many
26. Your car? Guzzler
27. Something you're not wearing? Makeup
28. Favorite store? Internet
29. Your summer? Typical
30. Your favorite color? Red
31. When is the last time you laughed? Hours
32. When is the last time you cried? Weeks
33. Your health? Excellent
34. Your children? Amazing
35. Your future? Exciting
36. Your beliefs? Personal
37. Young or old? Young
38. Your image? Cheeky
39. Your appearance? Fragrant
40. Would you live your live over again, knowing what you know now? Absofuckinglutley

I tag anyone who needs a dud blog memed.

Screaming Mimi

2008-07-03T12:29:00.001-07:00

*****WARNING*****
Bitch and rant ahead

My homeboy and I say this to each other too often "If we didn't have bad luck, we wouldn't have any luck at all". I don't know if it is so much bad luck or bad mojo or bad timing. What ever it is IT SUCKS ASS. So I sit here waiting. I have become really good at waiting. I'm not even going to touch on the adoption waiting, that gives the vapors, so we will not EVEN go there. I waited almost a year and a half of waiting to get through the bullshit with the county. We finally threw in the towel with them and surrendered, modified our plans for the house to suit them as opposed to them suiting us. So we started construction, right? We get assholes to elbows deep in demo and the first crew decides that working is for losers, so they decide to not show up for three days. I call our GC and he has another crew put on the job, this crew is great however they are spread between 3 different jobsites. They can show up when they can which means one measly day this week. I try to be Ms. Gotitogethercalmhomeowner but the minute I get on the phone with my GC telling him that the crew that was supposed to be here two hours ago has not showed up, I morph into a ball busting hell cat. I hate that side of me but, damn it all to hell if I don't those dudes that showed up the ONE DAY this week wouldn't have shown up at all. I have been PROMISED that on Tuesday my crew will be here on the bright and prepared to work DAILY until our job is finished. PROMISED.

So, as I sit here writing this I am waiting. Waiting for the washing machine repairman. On Monday, in the midst of getting the 12 loads of vacation laundry done my washing machine decides to take a dump on me. Pull knob, no workey. He first came on Tuesday to look at it, but as luck (HA HA) would have it the part he needed was not on his truck. So we had to schedule an appointment for today between 10-12. Guess what, it's 12:50 and he is not here. The office said he is "on his way", codeword for "he's throwing down a Subway $5 footlong, a Budwei$er and will be there after he drops the kids off at the pool".

Aye Dios Mio.

3 Words

2008-06-29T14:55:00.001-07:00

Ah, yes. The boy has officially surpassed me in height. I think his feet and hands were bigger than mine in 5th grade so I knew it was a matter of time before he passed me vertically. The other twin engine has a tiny scoosh to go before he passes me. With the way he powers food that will be like next week.

I'm intrigued....

2008-06-27T22:55:00.001-07:00

Anyone tried any of these yet?
Yay, Nay?

Reno update

2008-06-27T09:47:00.000-07:00

I guess you could call this progress since the last time I posted. We should be further along than we are, but due to Ms. Dickwhipper (me), I had one crew taken off the job due to their lack of showing up and had our Contractor hire a crew that actually wanted to work and since he would like to get paid he decided to put a crew on the job that is actually motivated to work. The new crew is awesome and the foreman actually had some better ideas on how to tackle the Great Ceiling Debacle (you don't want to know, UGH.). Plus he understands when I call stuff, plug thingy's, lightling doo-whoppy's, and chinga's. He gets me.

My BFF's husband is an amazing finish carpenter and we had him replace all of the interior doors, closet doors, all door casings, crown and base mouldings in the entire house. Can I just say how much doing this makes everything look brand new?? I love the look of these new doors.

This is the home of the new fireplace, it will be flush with the wall and supposedly is able to heat the entire house with only a few logs or these post consumer material pellets. Cost effective and environmentally friendly. I'm down with that.

This is the new archway going into the new dining room. My hubby doesn't like it and he says it's a waste of 12 inches. Geez, does he think this is HIS house too or something. The arch is staying. I like it, actually I love it, it will give the space a more formal, intimate feel. Those doors in the corner will house my "office" or built-in desk area. It is a pretty large closet so it will serve a purpose. Finish carpenter is on the job and I know it will look stunning when he is finished.

The new french doors in the dining room that were installed the wrong way. Moving the table and all of the chairs when opening up the doors is out of the question. Foreman on the first crew thought that it would be an okay way to open the doors. I said "Umm, yeah...NO". They will be switched next week. What the EFF was he thinking? Even I with no construction experience knows that they would need to swing out.

I found an old newspaper in the wall dated January 28, 1966. It is interesting to see what was going on at that time. The photos and the cartoons were hilarious.

18 and south o' the border

2008-06-25T21:23:00.000-07:00

I forgot about our LIDaversary on the 18th.
So here's to 18 months kicked to the curb.

This is where I spent the last week, sitting in a lounger, drink in my hand and basking in the sun. I didn't realize how much I really needed some R&R, until our plane landed and all my stress and worries dripped off of me like rain on a tin roof. We had a fun time with our friends, the guys fished their booty's off while the girls got massaged, mani'd and pedi'd (booked without us knowing it by our guys!). We were able to take a boat out to a private island and do some of the best snorkeling ever. It was amazing. It was so good to get away.

Making some progress on the remodel. My garage is packed to the gills with the new appliances. The delivery dude dropped them right in front of my washer and dryer. I have no access to do laundry. My prayers have been answered.
Update photos coming soon.

Dads and Grads

2008-06-17T11:22:00.000-07:00

I am officially a mother of 2 high schoolers. I am not sure whether I want to jump for joy or cry like a baby. Anyway, here are my three favorite boys in my world.

(And yes, apparently it WOULD kill two incoming freshman to smile)

Got Golf?

2008-06-16T13:55:00.000-07:00

You know you are a mother of a golfer when you are watching the live feed of the US open on your computer at work and texting your golfer kid at school who's in the lead.

Tiger won, by the way.

Underwhelmed

2008-06-08T16:03:00.001-07:00

Went and saw the Sex @ the City movie this weekend and I was totally unimpressed. I guess it was one of those movies where you hear all the hype and think it is going to be phenomenal. I mean I liked it, but I kept waiting for something big to happen. I packed tissues in my pocket because from what I heard it was a tear jerker. I never choked up once. Yes, there was some pretty funny parts, but I found it almost boring at times. At least I got to have brunch and some much needed girlfriend time before the movie, so that was fun. We all walked away with the same impression, so it wasn't just me.

Progress

2008-06-06T18:12:00.000-07:00

Demo on the kitchen went down this week. FINALLY some progress in this ongoing remodel mess. It is so cool to come home from work and see my old delapatated kitchen (or the "cooking closet" that I called it) being ripped down to the studs.

This is a before demo photo. Notice the amazing amount of counter space I have had to work with. Goodbye 1950's.

This is what I came home to. HELLS YEAH! Cabinets, gone. Counters, gone. Brick cooktop, gone. I am assuming that in the 1950's they didn't think to put water and electrical BEHIND the walls (or the builder who built this house didn't). Its a joke. The plumber laughed his ass off and I think I saw dollar signs in his eyes.

Buh-bye brick. The funny thing about this brick is when I first looked at this house I LOVED the brick. I loved how the oven was built into the brick and how it was old and rustic looking. Well, if I would have looked closer I would have noticed that the size of the oven was only fit to cook for Hobbits. This is the smallest oven I have ever seen. I had to buy special small cookie sheets to use in it. The other side of the brick is/was our fireplace. When using it you had to pick whether you wanted to be warm or you wanted smoke inhalation. No bueno.

All brick, GONE. Wood floors, soon to be beautiful bamboo flooring, GONE. Look at the dinky hot water heater, soon to be replaced with energy efficient tankless water heaters

That small window will be replaced with an eight foot window to maximize our view and let in tons of light.

As much as I am excited to see stuff happening, living in a construction zone blows. We have a makeshift kitchen with a Rubbermaid container of food and a microwave. The fridge is all the way across the house so eating here takes stamina and a travel guide. We have been eating out since Sunday. I am already sick of eating out of styrofoam container on my lap while sitting in a beach chair.

Help a mama out

2008-06-05T07:03:00.000-07:00

Fellow adoptive mom, Lisa is raising money to offset some of her adoption expenses. She needs our help. If you are interested in getting a blog makeover and can spare 10 bucks this is right up your alley. See, it's a win win.

One Eyed Jack Shih-T(zu)

2008-06-03T17:59:00.000-07:00

It's foxtail season again. This time instead of getting one up his nose, Hank was lucky enough to get one in his eye. My poor little guy. On Saturday night Mark (I was out of town at my nieces graduation) noticed him acting funny and was walking wonky so he checked him out and noticed that he had a goopy eye. He cleaned the eye up he seemed fine. The next morning his eye was all goopy again and uber irritated. He called our vet, but of course it was Sunday and they were closed. I took him to the vet first thing on Monday morning. Dr. L looked at the eye and said there was a foxtail lodged in it. My brave little boy had to have the foxtail removed and sutures to repair his scratched cornea, there was also a pretty serious infection as well. Who knows how long it was trapped in there. Anyway, he had his surgery yesterday and I was able to pick him up today.

On the way to the vet. His right eye is completly swollen shut

Ole' One Eye

His 'sheild' (to protect his eye) and The Cone

"Mom, foxtails suck"

3 Words

2008-06-01T21:20:00.000-07:00

I enjoy being a girl

2008-05-29T14:59:00.000-07:00

One more day. However, it is going to be a week or so before my girlies and I can coordinate our schedules to go see it together. You KNOW there will be smuggled thermos of Chardonnay and our usual tomfoolery will ensue. $5 says we are kicked out before the opening credits.

My BF's and I are going to go see Madonna. Bought our tickets this week. Presale........It pays to know people in high places. We have great seats, no one in front of us, YESSSSSSS. And I didn't have to pawn off a major appliance to buy them. I have heard that tickets are going for $1000's. Why? She's good and all, but.....thousands EACH? No Spanks.

3 Words

2008-05-25T21:28:00.000-07:00

I forgot it was Sunday. I have my fun helmet on and have totally forgotten what day it was. This pretty much sums up my weekend.

Already one of THOSE weeks (and it's only Tuesday)

2008-05-20T18:26:00.000-07:00

I might be needing THIS:

Sung to the Mary Tyler Moore theme song

Who can screw her week up with a smile
Who could take a lovely day and suddenly make it all seem worth shit
Well, it's me, girl and I can do it
With each move and every little move I can screw it

Crap is all around and I can find it
I can't catch a break, and I can't take it
I'm going to eat chocolate covered bacon after all
I'm going to drink pinot grigio after all

3 Words

2008-05-18T13:30:00.000-07:00

3 Words and B-day Recap

2008-05-11T12:38:00.000-07:00

My crew stoked me out for Mothers Day. A basket of my favorite "smelly good goop" (as my son would say) from Twin #2. Some delightful chocolates from that favorite Mrs. See from twin #1. And a cute pair of jammies from my Homeboy. Plus breakfast. Could life get ANY better?

Today is also the boys 14th birthday. Hard to believe that they are 14, it is mind spinning. Yesterday we had a big party for them at the beach. I think total we had about 24 kids for surf, sun, and fun.

The water is a bit cold, but the body surfing is hot

Can you say chafing?

The sand butt cheeks. 14 year olds are SO weird

Opening up pressies

Bonfire and s'mores at dusk.

It was a great day.

Wax on, wax off....

2008-05-10T21:55:00.000-07:00

OK, I'm over it. A day at the beach cures everything. You can't build Rome in a day......

NON-MOM part deux

2008-05-09T23:08:00.000-07:00

I spent a better part of my day contacting NBC, Teleflor@, Marie OSmond, Kraft Food$, Redb0ok, and Mysp@ce. Emailing everyone I know, be it business and personal in my contacts to write an email to these idiots. I could not for one minute stand to be called a NON-MOM. Not only is it demoralizing and degrading, it is moronic and cruel. What I wanted to know was WHY on earth would the "executives" from NBC and their sponsors let something like this get by them? ARE they THAT clueless?. Do they think that the children of these mothers are NON-CHILDREN, really, do they? I don't get it. And that canned response apology from Teleflora was laughable. They claim to be "adopting parents" (yes, they used quotes, detaching the term 'parents'. We are real, people, NOT FLUFF), again demoralizing not only us adoptive mothers, but our children as well. Being grouped in a category with 'neighbors, grandmothers and stepmothers is maddening, in fact it makes me furious. Please don't group me with the likes of Gladys Kravitz. I am a MOM. WE ARE MOMS. We are working moms. We are single moms. We are military moms. WHY can't they see that? We are moms. Plain and simple. Why is that so hard to understand. And, Teleflor@, who to their admission are"adopting parents" should for one, KNOW BETTER than to refer to fellow adoptive mothers as "Non-moms". Shame on you. I can't rest until that entire category is G.O.N.E.

NON-MOM??

2008-05-09T12:21:00.000-07:00

According to NBC I am a non-mom. You see, NBC is hosting a show recognizing mom's in celebration of Mothers Day (you can see the promo for site here). Wonderful, right? Wrong. They have their moms categorized in different groups: Working mom, Single mom, Military mom, etc.... Here is how they categorize the NON-MOM:

The non-mom mom

Grandparent, stepmom, or mom to adopted children, each one raising and loving a child. A priceless gift for everybody.

WHAT THE FUCK?

Now, all of you adoptive mothers, I ask you: Do you think you are any less a mom becasue your children are adopted. To our Pre-adoptive parents: Do you think you will be any less of a mom to your adopted children or that of your bio children?

This is so ridiculous I can't even see straight. If you are as pissed as I am, PLEASE, please contact NBC and share your outrage that the Executives would be so ignorant as to put Adoptive mothers an category of Non-moms. The is the email for NBC. Here is the email for the show.

Now the topper on the NBC shit cake is that fellow adoptive mother Marie Osmond is hosting this show. How in her right mind would she endorse something so OBVIOUSLY WRONG. I dare them to introduce her as "Host and Non-mom Marie Osmond". You can email her here and tell her what you think.

This calls for a revolution.

Calling all fashion goddesses

2008-05-08T08:27:00.000-07:00

My hubby's cousin is getting married in June. His finace owns a vintage clothing store in Beverly Hills and they are totally into 50's retro fashion. The wedding is "Vintage Attire Encouraged". I looked at her store but I don't have a spare $550 to spend on a party dress. So off to the world wide web I go. Here are some dresses I found. I am interested in which ones you like. Odds are I am going to look like Ethel Murtz in all of them so choose away. I made a poll on the far right ------------------------------------------------>

Red Polka dot w/ Rosette

Red polka dot w/ black piping

Brown dress w/ capelet

Green dress w/ polka dots

Black polka dots w/ red piping

(and I plan on sitting like that too ;-P)

3 Words

2008-05-04T14:25:00.001-07:00

This is what I spent a better part of my looking at. My ceiling. Why was I staring at my ceiling all weekend? Because I had a brilliant idea to save some coinage and scrape that sh!t off myself. Bad move. I ended up, cursing the stupid mofo who thought it was a good idea to spray the ugliest, most toxic stuff on ceilings in the 1960's (lucky us our builder was on the cutting edge because our house was built in 1959). The best part of my project was realizing that the previous owner thought it would be a good idea to paint over it. This is what I got accomplished in 5 hours, about half of the room. Tell me again why we wanted an old house?

And now some weekend warrior randomness:

Peanut butter and jelly can be breakfast, lunch AND dinner. WHO knew?

A skateboard can be used to move a refrigerator

You can come to blows with your husband over where to put an outlet

I am apparently the worlds worst parent because I made a 13 (almost 14 year old) miss a sleepover because I needed his help this weekend (all while being given ample notice the beginning of the week)

Tile looks better when someone else does it

10 trips to L0wes isn't all THAT bad

Strap on the feed bag

2008-04-30T20:39:00.000-07:00

(Christie, look the other way)

I decided to clean out the fridge and try to be creative for dinner tonight. I had some asparagus, some frozen haricots verts, a few roma tomatoes, and some parmasan cheese. I had my homeboy pick up some shrimp on the way home tossed it with some olive oil, garlic, and a splash of half and half, nutmeg, S&P and voila, dinner!

Shrimp and Asparagus Pasta

Bon Appetit

Hellspawn Fatal Attraction

2008-04-30T17:40:00.000-07:00

Find out your Roller Derby name HERE

Signs of life

2008-04-29T16:57:00.000-07:00

My first blooms of the season. This is a floribunda called Queen Elizabeth. She smells of soft lemon and honey with a hint of dog poop. I stepped in a lawn sausage while cutting.

3 Words

2008-04-27T17:59:00.000-07:00

Unless you live under a rock, you are probably aware of gas prices. They are ASStronomical. I basically live in my car, so I am uber aware of what it's doing to my wallet. Sad that every week I dump a cute pair of shoes in my tank. The huge bummer is it isn't going to get any better.

YA-effing-HOOOOOOOO

2008-04-24T15:06:00.001-07:00

We are FINALLY out of review.
Now, on to the Matching Room.

I WANT MY BABY.

NOW.

The Green Edition

2008-04-22T20:12:00.001-07:00

It strikes me funny how "in" it is to be 'green'. We have been living this way for a long time. My in-laws are the most enviro-friendly people I know and they raised their son to be the same. In honor of Earth Day I thought I'd share some of my contributions to Mother Earth.

We use cloth napkins

Dishcloths, no paper towels

Washable water bottles

We buy bottled beer and sodas

Save gas, ride a skateboard
This is my Arbor Longboard Skate
(last years Mothers Day present)

And as Jack J0hnson sings

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

"The 3 R's"

Three it's a magic number
Yes it is, it's a magic number
Because two times three is six
And three times six is eighteen
And the eighteenth letter in the alphabet is R
We've got three R's we're going to talk about today
We've got to learn to
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
If you're going to the market to buy some juice
You've got to bring your own bags and you learn to reduce your waste
And if your brother or your sister's got some cool clothes
You could try them on before you buy some more of those
Reuse, we've got to learn to reuse
And if the first two R's don't work out
And if you've got to make some trash
Don't throw it out
Recycle, we've got to learn to recycle,
We've got to learn to
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Because three it's a magic number
Yes it is, it's a magic number
3, 3, 3
3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36
33, 30, 27, 24, 21, 18, 15, 12, 9, 6, and
3, it's a magic number

3 words

2008-04-19T16:53:00.000-07:00

K, A, G, P, Moi and M
2007
This picture was taken at our 20th High School Reunion

The four of us in the center met in second grade, the two on the ends came into the picture in fifth grade. I can still remember the day I met each of them. A, (the beauty in the black skirt holding the camera) and I became best friends the first day I moved into our neighborhood when I was 8. She came over told me we were friends and that was it. I met G, (holding that giant yummy margarita) when I was in line for lunch the first day of second grade. I was wearing a "I am a wild and crazy kid" t-shirt and she had on Mork and Mindy suspenders. We complimented each other on our cool stuff and were instant best friends. P, (In the black top and jeans) and I met on the playground when she was playing with A. She told me she always gets the sniffles at other peoples houses and I said me too and were were best friends right then and there. K, (far left) and M (far right) joined the group when they came to our school in the 5th grade. We have been through alot in our 32 years together. I mean ALOT. Births, deaths, weddings, divorces, sickness, health, fights, feuds, accolades, up's, downs, in's, out's. We have hit them all. I talk to one of them at least once a week, and a month doesn't go by without a call or email from each other. I love these girls with my whole heart. It is silly to call them best friends, we are more sisters than anything.

P, G, Me and A at the Roaring 20's Day dance in 1976

Unsweetened 16

2008-04-18T17:55:00.000-07:00

Sixteen months logged in.
Wish I could say we are half way there.

Bonus Round

2008-04-14T20:05:00.001-07:00

Trying out some settings on my stupid camera

(before)
BBQ chicken Pizza

(after)
Oh, yum.
(OK, for close-ups)

This is the first thing that our Social Worker is going to see when she pulls up to my house for our update visit. Lovely.
(picture sucks)

Yes, Alana we have a banjo. It's the hubby's. When he plays it I make him play Dueling Banjo's and squeal like a pig. We have fun here. Think I should have him play that combo for our social worker?
(Camera still sucks. I'm donating it to the boys)

Out with the red

2008-04-14T13:01:00.001-07:00

Down comes the wall

We have always hated this wall in our house. The previous owners made the formal dining room a "den". They did a crap job on the wall. We named the wall the "tweaker wall" because the quality of the job looked like a dude on a week long bender of cry$tal meth# hung the drywall.

Twin #1 going to town on the wall

Making progress

Twin #2 joins in on the action

Becoming one with sluggo the sledge hammer

Almost broke through

HELLO new dining room! After the boys got the wall opened I got in on the action. How cool is it to take out your frustrations out on a poor defenseless tweaker wall?? It feels glorious. With every slug I took I imagined the face of the County Building Dept, the IR$, the CC@@. Sluggo therapy is just what I needed.

Look mom no wall! The down side to this wall removal means the boys Den/TV/music room will be no longer. They are a bit bummed but they will get over it (eventually....). Grady digs it.

Red is out. Red is one of my favorite colors, but it's time for a change. I found this fabric a uposltry fabric store that was going out of business. It was such a steal that I bought all that they had (which was about 20 yards). I am having the chairs to my dining table and some side chairs re-upolstered in this fabric. Trying to find a blue to paint the room has been hard. I don't want it to necessarily be the exact color, just the same shade but lighter. These color swatches are not it I have about 20 other taped up on another wall. In with the blue......

AND.

Can someone tell me why my camera sucks at taking photos? I bought this 0lympus $tylus a few months ago. It takes the suckiest photos. I normally shoot with my Can0n Rebel SLR, but this one seems to be handier to use for fun stuff. But, I can't get a clear shot out of it to save my life. I used to blame operator error but I am slowly finding that this camera sucks. Anyone else have this stupid camera?

3 Words

2008-04-13T20:39:00.001-07:00

People who steal stuff suck. My Hubby's brand new, worn twice, basically brand new wetsuit was stolen over the weekend. I hope karma bites that MF-er in the ass.

3 Words

2008-04-06T21:41:00.001-07:00

Just because.

2008-03-31T22:16:00.001-07:00

What is that? A butterfly?

That happen to be attached to the beautiful flowers my Homeboy brought home for me 'just because'. Actually, it is because I turned him on to steel cut oatmeal (have you tried this stuff? It's amazingly good). Really, the guy is easy to please.

My laptop cord has finally made it, but I have not been into the computer much. Spring has sprung and it is positively beautiful around here. My wisteria has bloomed and my roses that I pruned the crap out of and pretty much left for dead have begun to sprout these ginormous blooms. I love to go outside just before the sun goes down and drink in the smells of the flowers and fresh grass. My hobby of late has been grabbing my book and pulling up the chaise and read, read, read. I started a book on Saturday and I am almost done. Two books I ordered from @mazon came today and I cannot wait to dive into them. If you need me I will be on the patio.

Lord, I was born a ramblin' (wo) man

2008-03-22T18:21:00.000-07:00

Haven't been into blogging much lately. Twin #2 tripped over my laptop cord and broke off the prong thingy to the charger so my laptop sits dead on my desk. I went to try and buy a new charger but they don't have the right one and I need to order one online. I keep forgetting (well, durrrrr Einstein, you COULD be doing it right now). So I have to use the boys computer and all of my bookmarks and such are not in this computer. I feel handicapped without the conveniences of having all my stuff mapped out for me. Pooh. Forgive me while I randomly ramble about stuff.

Bought all of my new appliances for the kitchen. I Researched many brands and settled on the Kenm0re Pr0 Series. Not only do they have the professional industrial look, they seem to have all of the features of the overpriced popular brands that I have been looking at. We shall see.....

I thought I was going to get through this "winter" unskaved with sickness, but I got a crazy sinus infection. One Z-pack later and I am still snorfulling. Twin #1 got the flu. He has been on the DL for 4 days now.

Since I gave up the 'Buck I have been on the hunt for a comparable sub for my coffee. I busted out the french press and bought a milk frother. LOVE my milk frother. This thing is insane. I have perfected the perfect latte, Tigerlily style.

Getting older sucks major ass. I have had a flare up in my tendonitis (tennis elbow and shoulder) and my Homeboy has developed Illiotibial Band Syndrome in his hip. Both of us reek of Icy Hot and we have been ordered to take glucosamine/condroidin tabs daily. The really sucky part is that we are pretty active as I do yoga and walk regularly and Homeboy surfs daily. PLUS it's not like we are THAT old. I'm in the upper 30's and he is holding at the low 40's. Damn.

Need I say more?

I have been to our Dr's office 5 days out of 5 working days this week. We had to have our homestudy physicals done, so since it was spring break I scheduled them all within days of each other. I guess it was good since we cranked them all out at once, but the way it played out I was there everyday for someones appointment, blood test or ppd reading. THEN I had to go back for my sinus infection. Gaaaahhhh.

I almost lept out of my flip flops when I saw that they now carry refried black beans at my market. I no longer have to go all the way to Tr@der Joe$ to stock up on these bad boys. Refried black bean goodness is at my fingertips. Don't they look like black baby poop? Don't let the look fool you they are wonderful.

It was 79 degrees in the So of Cal today. Gorgeous. Life is good.

Do you ever have these spells where you eat a meal and then it was like you never ate at all and you are starving 5 minutes after you ate? Or, you take two bites of something and you are instantly full and satisfied? I am in the eat like a horse phase. Is it hormonal or do I have a tapeworm? Hmmmmm?

Later.

Fifteen

2008-03-18T21:38:00.000-07:00

No Comment.....sigh.

3 Words

2008-03-16T20:29:00.000-07:00

The Hellcat

2008-03-12T23:20:00.001-07:00

My son Conner is obsessed with growing chest hair, at 13 it it his full time job to sprout some hair on his chest. I have no idea why and I find it hysterical. The other day I was putting some clothes away in Conner's room and he was reading the newest issue of Rolling Stone mag. There is an ad for 0ld $pice bodywash and it lists the many different types and styles of chest hair. Of course my guy immediately claimed The Hellcat as his own.

Ubersize these photos to read the names of the chest hair styles
(sorry the picture quality sucks)

I dated a Paleolith. I didn't know whether I should have dated him or trained him.

3 Words

2008-03-09T20:56:00.000-07:00

But, it was just yesterday!

2008-03-04T23:14:00.000-08:00

YESTERDAY, I say. Yesterday, that I was tying two pairs of red sneakers. Buttoning the straps on the Osh Kosh B' Gogh engineer striped overalls. Dropping off my two little cherubs off at their first day of pre-school. Tear. For tomorrow evening I will sit in the gymatorium for HIGH SCHOOL ORIENTATION. No! It can't be. Tear.

I will be in a fetal position in the corner of my bedroom with a Buzz Lightyear sippy cup full of extra dry dirty martini if you need me.

3 Words Sunday

2008-03-02T19:51:00.001-08:00

Zoinks......

2008-02-26T19:20:00.001-08:00

When reading blogs, is it just ME who gets the SHIT scared out of them when music starts blaring from the blog? I am afraid to blog surf anymore without a diaper.

3 Words

2008-02-24T22:01:00.000-08:00

A Pug Mama is starting up a sweet little bloggy gig. The premise is to sum up your week in three little words.“You can sing it, you can say it, you can write it, you can draw it. It can be funny or sad or poignant as long as it’s honest.”Anyway, I want to start this in blogger world. 3 words to sum up your week - posted in any form you chose. Video, picture, etc....get as creative as you want. We will do it on Sundays, that way you will have had enough time to think about how you want to sum up your week.

Here is mine:

Fits of Rage and Lent

2008-02-20T12:33:00.000-08:00

Let's start with the fun one, shall we? If someone else asks me WHY we don't adopt domestically (the US) I seriously will start ripping lips. First of all, is it YOUR business WHERE my child comes from? Secondly, IF there are SO MANY children that need homes in the United States, then WHY don't you get YOUR ass to the nearest Social Worker/Attorney/Adoption Agency and get your process started to adopt or become a foster parent? I'm not being harsh, people, I HAVE adopted domestically. I am one of the biggest advocates for domestic adoption and foster care. This time around I chose to adopt from China for reasons that only matter to me. It just really gets SO annoying when you are talking about your adoption process and then you are stopped dead in the middle of your adoption story and are asked the same question OVER and OVER. I am tired of 'defending' my decision, tired of defending China and the horrible wait, and tired of people who would rather talk about our children in crisis here in the US, but then do absolutely nothing about it. I am about to embark on a volunteer mission with a child advocacy group for children in the foster care system. I will be a liaison between the child and their social worker and the court system. Yes, there is a ton of children in foster care who need forever families and I am the biggest cheerleader for these children. But how come when a volunteer who has a bio child, they are not asked the question "Why did you decide to HAVE a child when there are so many children who need homes in the US?". Funny, this question never comes up.

**Rant over**

Breathe.
Namaste.

Now on to Lent. What does a good Catholic girl who darkens the doorstep of mass once a decade do for Lent? She gives up $tarbucks. I have, since Fat Tuesday, not had a grande nonfat vanilla latte. Not one. It's been rough. I didn't give it up for the caffeine as I was not an everyday user of the latte. I was in it for the sugary, vanilla goodness. The reason I gave it up was the cost. I would hit 'buck's about every other day and maybe once on the weekend. I figured it out that I was spending quite a wad of cash each week. When I figured it out cost wise, I was spending $15.90 per week on the elixir of the stupid. That is $62.40 per month. That is $748.80 per year. What the EFF was I thinking? So, I have taken that $15.90 and rounded it up to $25.00 per week and I have it automatically deposited each week in my Tigerlily fund. I will admit it. I miss my latte. For me home made coffee and flavored creamers just don't have the same yum factor. I will take one for the team for my little girl.