Another year has come to an end. I can't say I'm sorry to see it go. A new year always holds so many hopes and dreams. So much better to be looking forward than to look back. The things I'm most looking forward to in 2010...
Amanda finally getting her guitar lessons and really learning to play.
Temera hitting the big 1-0 (double digit birthdays from now on).
Lauryn learning to read (I can hope can't I?).
David and Marlon becoming successful podcasters.
Finally getting a bathroom makeover.
Losing 20 pounds (okay, how about 10?).
Seeing my girls continue to grow and blossom.
Happy New Year and I hope everyone has lots of health and wealth in 2010!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Vacation - Day 2
All in all it wasn't too bad a day. The two older kids were at a friend's house most of the afternoon so it was me and my baby home together.
Got a great birthday gift from my brother Nolan... Julia Child's "The French Chef" cookbook. It was something I've been wanting but haven't gotten around to purchasing. Only problem is that now that I have it, I'm gonna have to use it.
So, tomorrow is my birthday. Yes, I'll be turning 39.... again! My birthday has usually been spent much like my mother's day... with screaming kids and no peace and quiet for Mom. Please, please, please let me just have a quiet day with no fighting and complaining. Oh.... who am I kidding! If I sleep until 7am I'll be lucky.
Got a great birthday gift from my brother Nolan... Julia Child's "The French Chef" cookbook. It was something I've been wanting but haven't gotten around to purchasing. Only problem is that now that I have it, I'm gonna have to use it.
So, tomorrow is my birthday. Yes, I'll be turning 39.... again! My birthday has usually been spent much like my mother's day... with screaming kids and no peace and quiet for Mom. Please, please, please let me just have a quiet day with no fighting and complaining. Oh.... who am I kidding! If I sleep until 7am I'll be lucky.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Vacation - Day 1
So the kids are off of school for two whole weeks. Whatever shall I do with them? Seems they have determined that themselves.
Day 1 - Lauryn has already been sent to her room for the duration of the day. Offense? Talking back to Mom, not listening to Mom, yelling at sisters, hitting sisters, sticking tongue out at Mom and sisters, shall I go on? I didn't think so.
Not that the "sisters" have been doing much better. Temera has given me major attitude, although when you call her on it, it's all "my" fault. Amanda is oblivious to the world around her while she lays on the couch all day watching "iCarly" reruns. Oh yes, TV will be going underground for the next few days.
Me? I've been hooked on reading my new book, "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell. Awesome book. All about how successful people actually became successful (mostly through a series of upbringing, environment and pure luck... as in, being in the right place at the right time). I guess I missed that boat. Anyway... I highly recommend it. (As I already did to my book club as our selection this month.)
So... what will Day 2 bring? I shudder to think. No, I don't have a plan. The weather stinks or else we'd end up at the park. The kids actually did get some outdoors time in this morning when they played with neighbors Sophia and Isabella. (Mom had to go to the doc to check on baby #3). Oh... if she only knew what she was in for. So, I did my good deed for today (watching the neighbor's kids)... and I got some reading in... and I'm doing some writing... so besides the kids driving me crazy... I was at least a little bit productive.
I'm feeling lazy too... frozen lasagna for dinner. Yummmmmm!!!!!!
Day 1 - Lauryn has already been sent to her room for the duration of the day. Offense? Talking back to Mom, not listening to Mom, yelling at sisters, hitting sisters, sticking tongue out at Mom and sisters, shall I go on? I didn't think so.
Not that the "sisters" have been doing much better. Temera has given me major attitude, although when you call her on it, it's all "my" fault. Amanda is oblivious to the world around her while she lays on the couch all day watching "iCarly" reruns. Oh yes, TV will be going underground for the next few days.
Me? I've been hooked on reading my new book, "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell. Awesome book. All about how successful people actually became successful (mostly through a series of upbringing, environment and pure luck... as in, being in the right place at the right time). I guess I missed that boat. Anyway... I highly recommend it. (As I already did to my book club as our selection this month.)
So... what will Day 2 bring? I shudder to think. No, I don't have a plan. The weather stinks or else we'd end up at the park. The kids actually did get some outdoors time in this morning when they played with neighbors Sophia and Isabella. (Mom had to go to the doc to check on baby #3). Oh... if she only knew what she was in for. So, I did my good deed for today (watching the neighbor's kids)... and I got some reading in... and I'm doing some writing... so besides the kids driving me crazy... I was at least a little bit productive.
I'm feeling lazy too... frozen lasagna for dinner. Yummmmmm!!!!!!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Happy Hanukkah!
This is our 2009 Annual Hanukkah Video. We (or should I say, my husband) has been doing these holiday videos for several years. Enjoy!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Leave Him Alone
I'm a little tired of hearing about how Tiger Woods HAS to talk to the media about his accident. No, as a matter of fact, he doesn't HAVE to talk to anyone... not even the police.
The man had a situation one night that he apparently doesn't want to discuss with the public. So what? Haven't we all had situations in our lives that we were glad weren't splashed across the TV and internet? Obviously, if Tiger Woods wanted everyone to know his business, he would let us all in on it. He doesn't. What he had was a minor traffic accident... he didn't hit another car, he didn't hit another person, he wasn't going fast and he wasn't drinking. End of story. Considering the minor issue, all the police are requiring is that he give them a copy of his driver's license. That's it! Although the police tried to question him, the law states that he doesn't need to answer their questions. It's a private matter. Get over it!
So what happens next? The media is all abuzz about how this is going to ruin his career. Really, people... do you have nothing better to do than to ruin a man's lifelong career and image? No, this isn't going to ruin his career... and no, he doesn't owe us any explanation. What happened in his own home that night (whether it be between him and his wife or not) is nobody's business.
I think everyone needs to mind their own business and leave the man alone.
The man had a situation one night that he apparently doesn't want to discuss with the public. So what? Haven't we all had situations in our lives that we were glad weren't splashed across the TV and internet? Obviously, if Tiger Woods wanted everyone to know his business, he would let us all in on it. He doesn't. What he had was a minor traffic accident... he didn't hit another car, he didn't hit another person, he wasn't going fast and he wasn't drinking. End of story. Considering the minor issue, all the police are requiring is that he give them a copy of his driver's license. That's it! Although the police tried to question him, the law states that he doesn't need to answer their questions. It's a private matter. Get over it!
So what happens next? The media is all abuzz about how this is going to ruin his career. Really, people... do you have nothing better to do than to ruin a man's lifelong career and image? No, this isn't going to ruin his career... and no, he doesn't owe us any explanation. What happened in his own home that night (whether it be between him and his wife or not) is nobody's business.
I think everyone needs to mind their own business and leave the man alone.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Family Holidays
Just a few thoughts about our nation's upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. I think some people are forgetting the true meaning of the day. We get together to share a meal and be thankful for each other and the fact that our minds are free and our bodies are full. The Pilgrims came to this land in search of freedom and if it weren't for the Indians that already claimed this land, they would surely have all died off or ended up returning to England.
We all celebrate the holiday, but we all do so in different ways. This is precisely what makes it such a blessing. We CAN celebrate how we want. But, sometimes we don't always remember that we each have different ways of celebrating; different family traditions that we like to remember on Thanksgiving and other holidays as well. We come together as one family, but that family is also comprised of several smaller family units. One family might do mashed potatoes, another family might do sweet potatoes. One family might do stuffing inside the turkey, another family might do stuffing outside the turkey. I believe each person should bring their history and traditions to share with the rest. By dictating to others what they can or can't do, eat, share, think, feel, etc.... we are deflating the exact meaning of the first Thanksgiving when the Pilgrims AND the Indians brought their individual bounty to the table to share with each other. What a shame we can't do that today.
We all celebrate the holiday, but we all do so in different ways. This is precisely what makes it such a blessing. We CAN celebrate how we want. But, sometimes we don't always remember that we each have different ways of celebrating; different family traditions that we like to remember on Thanksgiving and other holidays as well. We come together as one family, but that family is also comprised of several smaller family units. One family might do mashed potatoes, another family might do sweet potatoes. One family might do stuffing inside the turkey, another family might do stuffing outside the turkey. I believe each person should bring their history and traditions to share with the rest. By dictating to others what they can or can't do, eat, share, think, feel, etc.... we are deflating the exact meaning of the first Thanksgiving when the Pilgrims AND the Indians brought their individual bounty to the table to share with each other. What a shame we can't do that today.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Boston Trip... Part II
Okay... so I haven't yet written about the wedding.
The wedding ceremony itself was at the Boston Public Library, which by the way was the first large public library in the country. I've never been to a wedding in a library... it was really lovely... not amidst the stacks of books, but in a wood paneled room. It was interesting, however, that up high on the wall overlooking the beautiful chuppah (Jewish wedding canopy) was a big, red cross. Hmmm... who would be more offended? Jesus or Moses?
Oh... let's get a plug in for the appetizers that were served (as well as the hot spiced cider) prior to the ceremony. The butternut squash soup served in tiny little demitasse cups... Delish!
On to the reception... just caddy corner from the library at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel. A lot of history in that elegant banquet room. Apparently Lena Horne sang there as well as many other well-known entertainers. It was quite the happening supper club in its heyday.
Once again, the appetizers were wonderful. Just not enough baked brie to serve the entire 100 guests. But the roasted peppers and peppered feta cheese was awesome. Yadda...yadda...yadda... typical wedding stuff. Toasts, dancing, wedding cake. I think this was the only wedding I've been to that was completely vegetarian. No meat... no fish... no protein! Yes, you do get hungry an hour after you eat. Unless of course you drink too much and don't feel anything at all.
And yes, what would a wedding be without the wedding crashers. I guess our party was just too much to resist. Suddenly, from behind our table, the door opened (the door that led to the lobby and Oak Room Bar across the hall) and who should glide in but two people who were clearly not dressed for a black tie wedding. Girl in mini skirt, tights and white winter parka... guy in jeans, blazer, button down shirt with no tie. They danced the night away while we watched with awe. Leave it to cousin Laura to make her way through the crowd and ask the uninvited guests if they had anything they would like to say to the happy couple? Hmmmm.... they didn't!
All in all it was a fun wedding considering we didn't even know the bride and groom. The bride's father was David's mother's first cousin.
Going to Boston was supposed to be a nice, autumn trip. Unfortunately it was freezing and while we did hold off on the rain for a few days, that nasty nor'easter came crashing through and we spent Sunday driving through the rain up to Portland, Maine. So why you ask did we drive through the rain to Maine? Ask Tracy, my sister-in-law. She just had to have a Maine lobster. And yes... it was a darn good lobster. Snow on the way back Sunday night... SNOW???? in October???? Crazy weather we're having ain't it?
And what is up with the Dunkin Donuts on every street corner throughout Massachusetts? There are more donut shops there than we have Starbucks here. I do have to say though that Dunkin Donuts makes the best hot chocolate I've had since I was a kid.
So... that's my Boston wedding tale. So happy I live in California. Cold and snow just ain't my thing.
The wedding ceremony itself was at the Boston Public Library, which by the way was the first large public library in the country. I've never been to a wedding in a library... it was really lovely... not amidst the stacks of books, but in a wood paneled room. It was interesting, however, that up high on the wall overlooking the beautiful chuppah (Jewish wedding canopy) was a big, red cross. Hmmm... who would be more offended? Jesus or Moses?
Oh... let's get a plug in for the appetizers that were served (as well as the hot spiced cider) prior to the ceremony. The butternut squash soup served in tiny little demitasse cups... Delish!
On to the reception... just caddy corner from the library at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel. A lot of history in that elegant banquet room. Apparently Lena Horne sang there as well as many other well-known entertainers. It was quite the happening supper club in its heyday.
Once again, the appetizers were wonderful. Just not enough baked brie to serve the entire 100 guests. But the roasted peppers and peppered feta cheese was awesome. Yadda...yadda...yadda... typical wedding stuff. Toasts, dancing, wedding cake. I think this was the only wedding I've been to that was completely vegetarian. No meat... no fish... no protein! Yes, you do get hungry an hour after you eat. Unless of course you drink too much and don't feel anything at all.
And yes, what would a wedding be without the wedding crashers. I guess our party was just too much to resist. Suddenly, from behind our table, the door opened (the door that led to the lobby and Oak Room Bar across the hall) and who should glide in but two people who were clearly not dressed for a black tie wedding. Girl in mini skirt, tights and white winter parka... guy in jeans, blazer, button down shirt with no tie. They danced the night away while we watched with awe. Leave it to cousin Laura to make her way through the crowd and ask the uninvited guests if they had anything they would like to say to the happy couple? Hmmmm.... they didn't!
All in all it was a fun wedding considering we didn't even know the bride and groom. The bride's father was David's mother's first cousin.
Going to Boston was supposed to be a nice, autumn trip. Unfortunately it was freezing and while we did hold off on the rain for a few days, that nasty nor'easter came crashing through and we spent Sunday driving through the rain up to Portland, Maine. So why you ask did we drive through the rain to Maine? Ask Tracy, my sister-in-law. She just had to have a Maine lobster. And yes... it was a darn good lobster. Snow on the way back Sunday night... SNOW???? in October???? Crazy weather we're having ain't it?
And what is up with the Dunkin Donuts on every street corner throughout Massachusetts? There are more donut shops there than we have Starbucks here. I do have to say though that Dunkin Donuts makes the best hot chocolate I've had since I was a kid.
So... that's my Boston wedding tale. So happy I live in California. Cold and snow just ain't my thing.
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