Fan Club

The cat and dog were following me around the house this morning like a couple of groupies. There's nothing better, than a little love and adoration, from a fan club...

Not Again....

Vroom, vroom!

Guess who flew over the handle bars of the motorcycle featured above? The same person who I hand fed dinner to, last night.

Give up?

See the picture below. Hint: he's the bigger of the two boys....

We are praying it's just a sprain. Time will tell.

I'm beating myself up for not buying the plastic "keep your child safe from everything" bubbles for the boys. But when the door to door salesman, came by a few years ago, we hadn't really suffered any trauma. I didn't see the need.

I figured I would order the bubbles off the Internet, when we hit the teenage years. But, now, I can't find those bubbles anywhere on the Web.......... ;-0

Big Bro

Gio, looking down on his brother, for once.

Food

All formal requests must be made in writing.

"Mommy can you please, make me a bowl of Cheerios?" asks Gio.

"Mmmmmm hmmm," I mumble, while doing the dishes, laundry, blogging and tweeting.

He didn't bother asking for breakfast, again. He wrote out his request instead. How does a four-year-old know to put his requests, ones he wants me to take seriously, in writing???

Library Ho

I love the library. I'll borrow my books from any library I can get them.

Yes, I'm a library ho.

The words, "Inter-library loan," are music to my ears. Having books delivered to the library of my choice, is so much better than traveling to another city's library. But if that's what it takes to get my free book, there's no library I won't drive to (within a 10 mile radius)!

At times, however, it does get confusing, getting a book back to its proper library home. And after, I drop the book into the drop off slot, it's a little too late to make sure I'm actually at the correct library, or even dropping in the right book. :0

Good thing I'm a triple checker, most of the time.

Heimlich Maneuver

The culprit.

"Hey, Mom look what I have for you!" says Vinny, holding out a peppermint pinwheel, in his hand.

"Ooooooooo, thanks!" I say.

"But I want one," whines Gio.

"Sorry, I only have one," says Vinny.

I really wanted the piece of candy, but those mothering guilt pangs began to hammer me, so I caved.

"You can have it," I say, handing the hard candy to Gio.

"Noooooooooooooo!" shouts Vinny. "He's not allowed to have hard candy. He'll choke."

"He'll be fine," I say. Adding, "make sure you don't swallow it, okay? NO SWALLOWING."

Gio nods his head, feigning compliance.

I was about to buckle myself in, when I hear unusual gurgling noises, coming from the backseat.

"Gio, nooooooooo!" I shriek in horror, only a mother knows.

I hop out of my seat, swing open his door, unbuckle him, and whack him on the back, without any result.

He was still coughing, so I didn't try the Heimlich maneuver, yet.

But after thirty seconds his breathing was decreasing, and I knew I had to try, my CPR skills on my son.

Carp.

There wasn't a lot of time to wonder if I could actually do the Heimlich, but the thought briefly crossed my mind.

I pull Gio out of his car seat, thrust once or twice with my fists, under the rib cage, steering clear of the xiphoid process, and his ribs.

I stopped when I heard a funny, rumbling sound coming from somewhere in Gio's little body.

He began vomiting, then the candy flew out of his mouth, landing three feet away, on the pavement.

"Gio, are you okay?" I ask, assuming the worst is over.

"Yeah," he answers, in a momentary daze.

"Phew," I sigh, adrenaline coursing through my veins.

Then I began wondering, "does the Heimlich normally causes its recipients to vomit?"

I thought I saved my son's life, but I wasn't certain.

I texted an authority on the matter:

"Do people normally vomit when you give them the Heimlich????"

My friend assured me vomiting is exactly what's supposed to happen, "you did it right!"

Not that I needed credit or anything. It's just that parenting is the biggest challenge I've undertaken in my entire life. And sometimes it's nice to know I'm doing something right........

"Gio no more hard candy for you," I say.

"Why?" he asks, trauma already forgotten. "Oh yeah, I almost died."

All hail Lord Heimlich!

Dirty Laundry

"Clean laundry begins with the first load,"
chirps Nadia the Dog.

Well, I coulda been an actor, but I wound up here I just have to look good, I don't have to be clear

Come and whisper in my ear Give us dirty laundry

Kick 'em when they're up Kick 'em when they're down

Kick 'em when they're up Kick 'em when they're down Kick 'em when they're up

Oh well, at least the voices in my head, are in song.......

By the way, I'm not just talking about laundry here, in case, anyone's wondering. I do have a degree in journalism. Not only is my integrity way too high for that career, but the hours weren't suitable for my other job, surfing.......



Always fascinating to observe the parent in the offspring.
Unfortunately, Ms. Presley, knows all about "dirty laundry," I'm sure.

All She Wants To Do Is Dance

Photo by Jessica Gisla

My Mom loves to dance, as much as I love to surf!

She's On Fire by Train

I'm in dry dock this week. Gio is on Spring Break. Meaning Mommy is going cold turkey off her medication. Yes, surfing is my crack.

Surfing is my inspiration, my release, my church, my daily excursion to a watery wonderland.

Riding waves, is how I self-medicate. Otherwise, how else could a slacker Mom of two, deal with a continuously vomiting laundry basket?

Actually, the laundry has nothing to do with my addiction. Surfing saved my life, nearly 25 years ago, way before the laundry became insurmountable.

And there are far worse ways to self medicate, Internet. Food, drugs, alcohol, boy toys...............

I heart Train, so many good songs. One of my twitter bff's, @kellyhunts, a fellow surfer chick, tweeted me "She's On Fire," this morning.

"Thanks Kelly!"

Uh, now that I think about it, Tweeting could be another one of my addictions? But, then, there's nothing twrong with connecting with like-minded, fun inspiring, hilarious tweeps, is there?! Love my twitter friends!

"Tweet, tweet."

Reincarnation

Left over dinner for breakfast.

"Yum, pasta!" squeals Gio.

The meatballs are already in his tummy. I think he is my Nanu, a little old Scillician man, reincarnated.

Compassion

I was cleaning up the kitchen when I accidentally knocked a glass, full of silverware, onto the linoleum floor.

"Crash, clank, clink," went the glass, forks and spoons.

Hearing the commotion, Gio runs into the kitchen to see what's going on.

"Uh, what were you thinking?" inquires Gio, spying the mess on the ground.

"Um, it was an accident," I say sheepishly.

Then he picked up all the silver ware, without being asked.

"Where did all this come from?" Gio asks.

"It's dirty," I say. "You can put it in the dishwasher."

He left the glass lying on the floor. At first, I wondered why he didn't pick up the glass, too. Then I realized he didn't see it.

And I knew he was doing his best to help me out, despite his oversight. Probably just like all the rest us. We do our best, and it's never perfect, but it is the effort that counts.

Half Broke Horses

Uh oh.

I have 100 pages left to read in my bookclub book, and less than three hours to do it.

I wonder if anyone will mind if I attend the meeting in my pajamas?

It's A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood

"Won't you be mine?"

Another Day In Paradise

I just picked Vinny up from school. Since we were in the neighborhood I figured, "hey, let's take the dog to the beach!"

"Okay!" roar the boys.

Yes, it's another day in paradise. Fifty-nine degrees and the sun is shining. No complaints here, though we're probably gonna be late on dinner and, late to bed, again.

Oh well, there are more important things than being on time, sometimes......like having a bit of fun.

My Little Leprechaun

Happy Saint Patrick's Day. Beware of Green Beer.

The Time Change Did It

California Bureau of Investigation.

Normally, I don't like to complain on the blog. I am a firm believer in "where my attention goes, my energy flows."

I don't want to invest my precious life energy in negativity.

But. I. Can't. Take. It. Anymore.

Time Change is out to get me. I just know it. I can feel her eyes watching me, but every time I turn around, no one is there.

"Hello, Time Change, (I know you're listening) you win. Now can I, please, have my hour back?"

I despise losing an hour of sleep, or having to wake up at 5 a.m., instead of 6 a.m. And I've been going to bed early since Saturday, I, er, think.......

Well, Sunday, I went to bed early, but I couldn't sleep because I was stressed about losing an hour of sleep. As a result of useless fretting I lost, oh, I don't know, five hours of rest.

Then Monday night I went to bed AND FELL ASLEEP right away, due to Time Change Exhaustion, so the only explanation for my fatigue, is THE TIME CHANGE.

If I go missing, remember Time Change, did it. And I want all three people, who read this blog, to go directly to the California Bureau of Investigation and alert Patrick Jane, to the prime suspect, Time Change.

If Time Change doesn't do me in, then I'm sure to overdose on one of these 20 gallons of coffee, that apparently has zero levels of caffeine.

Either way, Time Change is the root of all evil, and the Devil herself....

Hooks and All

We all want to be loved for who we are, hooks and all. But sometimes, it's hard to look past people's hooks, perhaps because they remind us too much of our own hooks.

We all have them. After all, we are our own worst critics.

And, maybe, when we accept our own hooks, the hooks of others are easier to swallow....... ;)

Surfing Date

Sunday 8:37 a.m. I received the most amazing text message from my sweet Mom, ever:

"Want to go surfing together????"

"Really? Can you come now?" I text back.

And she did come, right away.

We surfed and we both got fun waves, which doesn't always happen when people surf together. Though, I wouldn't have minded if Hubby had gotten all the good waves, since I do get to surf everyday......

Then we went to lunch.

"How's your sandwich?" asks Hubby. "Mine is so good. This is fun!"

Thanks Mom, we needed this! Hope you like the tri tip sandwich. <3

Feel The Fear, And Do It, Anyways

Surfers live for danger. Well, what regular earth bound humans consider dangerous, anyways.

We live for signs and news reports that warn folks "to stay out of the water." I know to some people (read my Mom) this seems crazy, but for surfers, it's how we have fun.

Besides, we get in our cars and drive everyday, don't we. Honestly, for the risk it entails, driving isn't even all that fun. Yet, we do it, just to get from point A to point B.

Don't get me wrong, I never let myself get too comfortable out in the ocean. I know things can go from bad to worse, fast, out in the water. I know my limits.

But I'm not going to let my fear stop me from having a bit of fun.

Blankets

"Gio, did you bury Nay Nay?" I ask, upon finding the cat fast asleep under some clothing.

"No, I covered her with blankets," answers Gio. "The blankets are my pajamas I wore last night," he says giggling.

Surf Etiquete

Pre-surf self portrait.

In a perfect world, surfers would actually follow these rules. In our world, it seems as if these rules inspire surfers to do exactly the opposite. I'd like to add a rule.

7. Take turns.

Read-A-Thon

March 9, 2010 6:30 AM

I love read-a-thon week at Vinny's school. Reading. Is. So. Quiet.

Frankenstang III

I wonder if Frankenstang I and II were any better off?

Praying for Layla Grace

Layla, face of an angel.

One of the great things about Twitter, is it's a place where anyone can count on prayers from their community, whenever prayers are needed. I found @LaylaGrace through one of my twitter friend's prayer for Layla. And I've been praying for her ever since.

She is only two years old, and stricken with cancer. She is basically only receiving hospice care, to keep her comfortable.

Yes, Layla's story is sad, tragic, but it's also very inspiring, for me.

Every time one of her parents tweets anything regarding Layla, whether it's excitement over a bowel movement or how peaceful she is while she's sleeping, or asking for prayer, I'm reminded of what's important in life.

LOVE.

I am so grateful to her family, for having the courage to share their journey with the world. I'm not sure I could do the same.

Though my kids are healthy, thank goodness, it is easy to forget how precious they are, sometimes. But when I forget, Layla is there to remind me. And we never know how long we have with anybody here on Earth, do we? There are no guarantees in this life......

Anyways, I'm asking you to help however you can. With prayer, reading her blog, or by joining the boutique Layla Grayce's facebook fan page. For every fan that joins the boutique's facebook fan page, one dollar is donated to Layla's medical care. (Customer's of the boutique, which has a similar name to Layla, urged the store to get involved in Layla's cause, and they did!)

Amen and God Bless. 0:-)

Arts and Crafts

Even when he is doing arts and crafts, somehow,
this boy still manages to create a weapon.

Lazy Sunset

Shot this from my backyard, too lazy to go back to the beach.

The Cross

The Cross (right on the groin)

A surfer must have at least two landmarks while surfing. One to line up with on land, so she knows she's not drifting off the peak, north or south.

The second landmark tells her how far out to sea she is. Too far out, and the waves will be impossible to catch for they won't be breaking. Too far in, and she will be taking most waves on her head, instead of under her feet.

The marker on the jetty, is a foghorn and beacon for boaters entering the harbor. For this surfer girl, it's the marker that tells me how far out to sea I am.

On small days, I sit just inside of the what I call The Cross. And on bigger days I sit just outside of The Cross. When, I refer to the marker as "The Cross," to fellow surfers, they often respond with, "huh?"

But, from the angle I see The Cross from, while surfing, it truly does resemble a cross in its pattern. And surfing is my church.

When the world ain't right, I go there, feel my body, become one with nature, and know everything is, as it should be.

Amen and praise the Sandbar.

The Ocean Taketh

Bad things happen to good staircases.

All I'm going to say, is the best Winter surf in years, couldn't have come at a better time. For the first time, in oh I don't 9 YEARS! I can surf everyday, again.

But hey who, besides me and every other California surfer, is counting? ;-)

Though for the record, I feel terrible for this poor staircase. I really do. After all, I know what it's like to be pummeled by the ocean. Though the stair case doesn't really have a choice, I do, yet I keep going back for more........

Dances With Dog

Dancing makes dogs, and people, feel better.

Who Needs Toys

Who needs toys? A few rocks, placed in an empty box, sealed with duct tape and super glue, will keep a child busy for hours.

"I wonder what toy is inside the box?" ponders Gio, tugging at the cardboard flaps.

When he finally got inside, he was just as excited about the contents, as I was.

"Mom, look it's a new case for your droid!" says Gio. "Can you believe it?!"

After all, life is about the journey, not the destination.

And just to be clear, while card board is fine for the kids, that material would never do for my toys, it's not water proof.

Monterey Bay Sea Otters

Even though I know "we" can never be,
I still feel special when one of 'em looks at me.

Happy Birthday Cat Woman!

"You're not leaving me in the car with HIM while you surf, are you?" worries Nadia the Dog.

"Don't worry, I like you," says Briar Kitty.