"Mom, there were THREE people in class that I wanted to partner with. I didn't get any of them."
"Did any of those kids end up paired together?"
"No, none of us."
"Well, perhaps the instructor wants you to make new friends and work with a new team."
"Mom."
he says exasperated working his next sentence into a huffing staccato,
"They partnered me with a space cadet and a crazy person!!"
(They're probably thinking they got partnered with a snob.)
I got him to talk about the characters and story they came up with, to try and focus on the positive. He seemed to have calmed down a bit, but he did express his disappointment once more.
"Sometimes you have to work with people you don't want to when you're a grown up. It's good practice."
"Ugh"
(No kidding. At least they pay me.)
Monday, June 4, 2012
Friday, June 1, 2012
It's true I have taken photos of food.
HM often asks me how a meal went. I tell her the truth.
My mother often reminds me when cooking, it's always best to clean as you go, so you can enjoy your handiwork. I tell her the truth. I do.
Sometimes I'm secretly pleased with my success. So pleased, I've been known to document it. Here's a few old favorites.
Cheese plate. Ah HM, thanks for the good influences and ideas. Pat on back to self for buying the sandwich plate on sale at Macy's -- to hell what the household thinks of my "blue and white" problem.
My mother often reminds me when cooking, it's always best to clean as you go, so you can enjoy your handiwork. I tell her the truth. I do.
Cheese plate. Ah HM, thanks for the good influences and ideas. Pat on back to self for buying the sandwich plate on sale at Macy's -- to hell what the household thinks of my "blue and white" problem.
I had another one from Christmas but the flash messed up the chicken in the background. So I refer you to Thanksgiving. The first one with my mother and stepfather and The Kid ever. 
Easter's Herb Slab "Pizza"
The wide shot (is that what you call it little snoops?)
And that my dearies, will have to do for now :)
Tuesday Morning in the Woods
Tuesday morning, the boys brought me coffee in bed from the Continental Breakfast in the lobby. Can I just say, I love coffee in bed.
Since I actually picked up during our stay (for a change), it didn't take us long to pack and we were off to Armstrong Woods by 10:15 am. It's just outside of Guerneville and has hikes of different levels. It was sad though, because the campsite is closed indefinitely due to the bad budget :(
There was a school field trip there, and we couldn't help but tease The Kid that we should just let him join them. We had a pretty nice little walk all on our own though.
* I love when your child blocks your body fat. Good job Kid!
What was that?
Since I actually picked up during our stay (for a change), it didn't take us long to pack and we were off to Armstrong Woods by 10:15 am. It's just outside of Guerneville and has hikes of different levels. It was sad though, because the campsite is closed indefinitely due to the bad budget :(
There was a school field trip there, and we couldn't help but tease The Kid that we should just let him join them. We had a pretty nice little walk all on our own though.
*He's part thespian on his father's side.
I can tell you we were pretty hungry after our easy little walk. So before we could truly enjoy our tacos in Santa Rosa, we ate all the chips on the table first. No pics of our greed sorry.
We took our time coming back to the city. The boys acted as if we had been gone ages and stuck themselves in front of the t.v. and video games while we did 4 hours of laundry. All too soon back to work with sunburns, and neglected knitting.
Memorial Day Weekend Was Memorable
If any weekend doesn't start off chockful of zipping around it's surprising. Friday, the 25th was the last day of school (!!Can you believe it??) and I took the day off to make some snacks for The Kid's pals, and to go laze around on the playground and the park afterwards. Saturday was East Bay family fun with my sister and her son. Somehow it turned into a shopping trip with Dad as well.
Who knew a man was so picky about his cargo pants?
Who knew men were often between sizes as well?
Sunday morning was Zumba-free so I packed as quickly as I could and we were off to the Russian River.
May is not exactly a hot month for the river, even in a dry year like we've been having. It has been windy and partly cloudy quite a bit in Northern California. However, we are lucky to usually get at least a few hours of warm and where we were staying was far enough inland we knew it would be warm enough without rain.
We checked in to the Rio Villa just before 3pm (the proprieters are so nice) and the spot was jumping with families and friends that had already spent 2 nights for the three day weekend and were setting up for their last evening on the River. Many of these people come every year. They were really kind.
After we unpacked, the boys headed off to explore and check out the public beach via the private lane and I went to knit in some sunshine.
And this is where we were sitting...
This picture shows another nice knitting spot just in the front (remember, I am not very good at the photos)
Who knew a man was so picky about his cargo pants?
Who knew men were often between sizes as well?
Sunday morning was Zumba-free so I packed as quickly as I could and we were off to the Russian River.
May is not exactly a hot month for the river, even in a dry year like we've been having. It has been windy and partly cloudy quite a bit in Northern California. However, we are lucky to usually get at least a few hours of warm and where we were staying was far enough inland we knew it would be warm enough without rain.
We checked in to the Rio Villa just before 3pm (the proprieters are so nice) and the spot was jumping with families and friends that had already spent 2 nights for the three day weekend and were setting up for their last evening on the River. Many of these people come every year. They were really kind.
After we unpacked, the boys headed off to explore and check out the public beach via the private lane and I went to knit in some sunshine.
The place was lovely. Even better, a nice woman came by and said, "Oh I wish I brought my knitting!" (She had a book with her) But like all true knitters, she excused herself and came back with this amazing reddish pink hexagonal summer top! I didn't have my camera with me, otherwise I would've asked to take a picture.
This nice lady "A" was very kind and we sat together and chased the sun, moving from chair to chair as we knit and we discussed our favorite projects.
See our lovely view...
This picture shows another nice knitting spot just in the front (remember, I am not very good at the photos)
As people began queueing up the BBQs we made our way into Guerneville and ate at Boon Eat + Drink. Dinner was absolutely tasty pants. I loved the simplicity, but also the lovely use of flavors that balanced and brightened. Yay!
The next morning as everyone packed up to leave, we packed up a picnic lunch and went to rent a canoe at the local public beach. It was windy, but we thought, a few hrs paddle upriver, a little lunch and a few swims, then let the current takes us back.
Well ... the wind was strong, so even the return wasn't as easy as it could've been. Most importantly it was FUN! The Kid wanted to row, so we switched spots on the way down and I had to sit at the bottom of the canoe and occassionally grab the oar to help out Dad. It was awkward, but since I'm short, sitting in the front on the edge of a metal bench was awkward too. Now it was just awkward on the bottom of the boat, with a wet crotch. ugh. ha!
By the time we got back we were ready to turn in the canoe. It was when we went back to our rooms did I realize that I had a 4-hr canoe sunburn. Mom is always the one who is lame about putting on and reapplying. And my burn just shows my girth, where I can't reach ;)
After a shower we had the grounds to ourselves. There were only 3 or 4 other rooms taken. The Manfriend went to market and we made kabobs (Onion, Mushroom, Tomato, Pepper, Meat). The best thing about them is you don't have to buy a bunch of individual seasonings. Olive oil, one mixed grill seasoning, some paper plates and new skewars which we needed anyways, charcoal and TADA! I highly recommend for a BBQ on the fly or unprepared grilling venue.
This is where we prepped, in the cute little kitchenette area:
Cute no? I had to divide the room up in half. But look! natural light!
Well I will save Tuesday for another post. Technically the Memorial Weekend ends with Monday right?
Monday, May 7, 2012
Uncomfortable
There is a good chance my Spanx are a size too small. However I fear if I go up a size the waistband might be at my throat for that "overall" control top effect.
I could hear my stomach during a meeting. (This happens if your meeting is scheduled from 11:00AM - 12:45)
Before you leave the house (but you don't notice it until you've left the house) there is some "grayish" stain on your black dress. What is that? Is it napkin lint? Is it snot? What is it?
Crying in public. But they aren't strangers.
Close talkers. I don't want to move away and offend them, but I am also uncomfortable they are so close.
Hearing my own voice. Ugh, especially when I am impatient, I can't stop the words coming out of my mouth. It doesn't matter if it's with friends, co-workers or my kid. I hate sounding like an a**hole and not being able to take it back. Now the world has proof of my a**holeness, yay.
Touching other people's clothing in the middle of conversation. Often when talking to people, I have a habit of touching an article of their clothing. Usually a cardigan ... especially a knit cardigan -- store bought, handmade, unfortunately I know no boundaries. Except below the waist. I do not touch below the waist.
Ugh, did I mention moving underwear?
I could hear my stomach during a meeting. (This happens if your meeting is scheduled from 11:00AM - 12:45)
Before you leave the house (but you don't notice it until you've left the house) there is some "grayish" stain on your black dress. What is that? Is it napkin lint? Is it snot? What is it?
Crying in public. But they aren't strangers.
Close talkers. I don't want to move away and offend them, but I am also uncomfortable they are so close.
Hearing my own voice. Ugh, especially when I am impatient, I can't stop the words coming out of my mouth. It doesn't matter if it's with friends, co-workers or my kid. I hate sounding like an a**hole and not being able to take it back. Now the world has proof of my a**holeness, yay.
Touching other people's clothing in the middle of conversation. Often when talking to people, I have a habit of touching an article of their clothing. Usually a cardigan ... especially a knit cardigan -- store bought, handmade, unfortunately I know no boundaries. Except below the waist. I do not touch below the waist.
Ugh, did I mention moving underwear?
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Sisters
One word header today. Makes me want to center the paragraphs and breakout in haiku.
Fear not.
I met my sister today for lunch.
It's weird how much I can miss her when I see her. Laughing and eating. That is probably our favorite. And not that we don't love our kids, since we talk about them quite a bit when we are together, it was nice to see her ... alone. Just us, no distractions or interruptions.
We get along really well. Why? Because we genuinely like each other, and also it helps to have 3 decades of familiar with someone else's kind of crazy.
Also for the most part we have found "our rhythms".
She would say I am easily defensive and chatty.
I would say she is sensitive and prone to sulking.
We'd both we be right.
Fear not.
I met my sister today for lunch.
It's weird how much I can miss her when I see her. Laughing and eating. That is probably our favorite. And not that we don't love our kids, since we talk about them quite a bit when we are together, it was nice to see her ... alone. Just us, no distractions or interruptions.
We get along really well. Why? Because we genuinely like each other, and also it helps to have 3 decades of familiar with someone else's kind of crazy.
Also for the most part we have found "our rhythms".
She would say I am easily defensive and chatty.
I would say she is sensitive and prone to sulking.
We'd both we be right.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Envy
Okay follow along the tangent people.
There are many things on my mind everyday of how I can be a better person. Often to figure this out, I have to think about what I do wrong.
Then there are things you stumble across in life (or someone sends you via email) and you realize just how inferior you are.
See BoredPanda's post on Jason Lee the amazing professional father photographer. His pics of families and weddings are great. But he is the professional father photographer. He really captures so much youth and fun in the posed photos of his girls. They are creative and sweet and inspiring. They are also a family project. I love that.
That is where I feel inferior. Quite frankly everyone knows I am not a professional and crap with a camera at that. However you don't have to be a professional to put your effort and love into trying to capture some of the great moments of childhood.
The Kid is a whopping 9 years old. I'm tired of saying, "How did that happen?". Because I still have a picture of him at 3, so sweet and innocent taped to my wall by my bed, to remind me. I have not been taking pictures very much of my own son. Spoiled as he may be, perhaps I should capture that crap as well. Pouting on the couch because he can't play video games (waaah...puh-leeze)
I am always hoping to do fun, different, creative things as a family. The boys are not too big on plans, but they will jump in on a baking day, or go for random city walks if I just scoot them out, but it's fleeting and far between as The Kid gets older.
I feel the squeeze. When talking about maybe a trip down to Monterey to the aquarium with Mom and Dad he was like, "Yeah that would be cool. It would be great if I could bring someone." I winced, but tried to be cool myself.
"What?!? Mom and Dad aren't good enough for you? No, I understand, but maybe this time just us and next time a pal."
"Um, sure Mom."
I am feeling the squeeze.
The fact that Jason Lee is able to bring the fun, capture the growth and personalities of his two children in a "family project" with such consistency is so awesome. I can't be Jason, but maybe I can snap 2 photos a week of my own kid, or maybe do something wholesome and fun and creative as a family.
Don't ask me for both. I am not a professional. But I want my kid's childhood back. Is it too late?
There are many things on my mind everyday of how I can be a better person. Often to figure this out, I have to think about what I do wrong.
Then there are things you stumble across in life (or someone sends you via email) and you realize just how inferior you are.
See BoredPanda's post on Jason Lee the amazing professional father photographer. His pics of families and weddings are great. But he is the professional father photographer. He really captures so much youth and fun in the posed photos of his girls. They are creative and sweet and inspiring. They are also a family project. I love that.
That is where I feel inferior. Quite frankly everyone knows I am not a professional and crap with a camera at that. However you don't have to be a professional to put your effort and love into trying to capture some of the great moments of childhood.
The Kid is a whopping 9 years old. I'm tired of saying, "How did that happen?". Because I still have a picture of him at 3, so sweet and innocent taped to my wall by my bed, to remind me. I have not been taking pictures very much of my own son. Spoiled as he may be, perhaps I should capture that crap as well. Pouting on the couch because he can't play video games (waaah...puh-leeze)
I am always hoping to do fun, different, creative things as a family. The boys are not too big on plans, but they will jump in on a baking day, or go for random city walks if I just scoot them out, but it's fleeting and far between as The Kid gets older.
I feel the squeeze. When talking about maybe a trip down to Monterey to the aquarium with Mom and Dad he was like, "Yeah that would be cool. It would be great if I could bring someone." I winced, but tried to be cool myself.
"What?!? Mom and Dad aren't good enough for you? No, I understand, but maybe this time just us and next time a pal."
"Um, sure Mom."
I am feeling the squeeze.
The fact that Jason Lee is able to bring the fun, capture the growth and personalities of his two children in a "family project" with such consistency is so awesome. I can't be Jason, but maybe I can snap 2 photos a week of my own kid, or maybe do something wholesome and fun and creative as a family.
Don't ask me for both. I am not a professional. But I want my kid's childhood back. Is it too late?
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