Happy New Year's Eve

This song,"One Night Stand," by the Pipettes pretty much sums up how I feel about 2011. It's nothing personal 2011, I learned a lot, but I don't love you and quite frankly we're through.

"You're just a one night, well one year stand, to meeeeeeeeee," I sing.

Goodbye, and good riddance 2011.

Purrfect

Internet, notice the absence of sibling rivalry in this photo.......

New Phone!

Internet, I got a new cell phone. It. Is. AWESOME!

I loved my old phone. Stuck with it as long as I could, especially the last month or so. Only dropped it a few times. On carpet. In two years. That's basically like not dropping it at all.

The old phone is sooooo slooow compared to the new phone. Oh and the new phone actually works, so that's a major bonus.

I can actually call people, if I want. Though I will probably just text anyways.
Did I mention I love the new phone!?

Camp Out

This morning, after surfing, I check my email and find a message from Hubby saying, "We found Thena!"

"I didn't know she was missing," I say to myself, feeling anxious.

Quickly, I open the email to find a picture of Athena Kitty snuggled in Vinny's sleeping bag.



Phew!

Carmel River Beach

Boxing Day

Boxing is one way to wear out a puppy, er, child.

Happy Boxing Day!

Little Wood Guitar Sugarland

Merry Christmas to you and yours. May your holidays be blessed by angels.

Merry Christmas Eve

"Ho, ho, ho!," says Santa, on his wave.

Wishing everyone a magical Christmas Eve.

Gingerbread Boys and Girl

Today Sucked

Here's how the morning began:

"Mommy will you get up?" asks Gio.

"If you turn on the heater," I bargain.

"Mommy can you bring me the Throw Up Bucket!" squeals Gio from his bed.

I bolt out of my bed, into the bathroom for the empty trash can, thanks Hubby, then to Gio's room just in the nick of time.

"Baaaaaaaarf," says Gio, into the bucket.

It would have been fine if Gio only barfed once. But he barfs two, three, four more times.

I was busy working myself into a lather, when Hubby says, "You Need To Go Surfing. Now."

So I did. But when I got to the beach I feel worried, so I make like E.T. and phone home, "How's Gio?"

"He just threw up, again," says Hubby.

This is all too reminiscent of Vinny's appendicitis for me. Yes, I'm still traumatized, go ahead and judge me.

"Have him jump up and down," I say, wanting an immediate appendicitis test.

"What?" asks Hubby.

Then Hubby slowly says, "He. Just. Threw. Up."

"That's okay, have him jump up and down," I say.

"You need to go surfing," commands Hubby.

"Well, can you at least feel his tummy to see if it's painful?" I ask nicely.

"Okay," says Hubby. "Does that hurt?"

"No," says Gio.

"Did you press really hard?" I ask.

"Yes," says Hubby. "Now go surfing!"

Update: Gio seems to be feeling better. He's keeping down liquids, and he's eaten some toast and oatmeal. Phew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Angels Are Real

The angel on the left really knows how to push my buttons, but I still love him......

Sleigh Ride

I know it's Christmas when I finally go on a sleigh ride....................

Street Hockey

Gio's discovered hockey.......

"Let's play a real game!" says Gio, tired of passing the ball back and forth. "You try to get the ball from me!"

Christmas Card

The thought of ordering Christmas Cards is exhausting enough, let alone actually mailing them out. Which would never happen. This will have to do. Merry Christmas!

Turkey Vultures

The other day, I took Nadia Dog for a walk through the sand dunes, after a quick surf. We'd only been walking five minutes when suddenly I realize we are being watched. I look up and see seven giant Turkey Vultures surrounding us.

I'm used to Turkey Vultures flying overhead, in circles, over dead bodies, but being with them at ground level is unnerving.

The Turkey Vultures were way bigger than my thumb. In fact, I'm almost certain the Buzzards were bigger than me. And those massive birds were definitely bigger than the Nadia Dog.

"Come here my little pretties," caw the Vultures.

For a moment, I worry the Vultures might fly off with me and my little dog, too.

But they were probably more interested in the dead sea lion carcass causing a stench on the beach, than me and my little dog.

Clash of the Catans

Poopy Poetry

Most of the time having a bathroom connected to the bedroom is a wonderful thing. Like when I need to go in the middle of the night.

But when I'm trying to sleep, and others are doing their "business," wrestling me away from my perfect wave filled dreams, I wish the bathroom was in another state.

"That was like a giant canon ball," says Gio from MY bathroom. "My butt is the canon and my poop is the ball."

Barely awake I repeat what I hear as if in a mystical trance, "Your butt is the canon, and your poop the is the ball?"

"Do you even get it?" asks Gio.

What's not to get? It's too early for poopy poetry.

Holiday Program Take 1

The boys with my Mama.

Tonight we went to the first night of the boys' school HOLIDAY Program.

When we arrived in an untimely, but not late, fashion the usher says, "There are no seats down here, you might want to try the balcony."

"Try the balcony?" I repeat confused. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Anyways, Uma Usher was just being negative, or following theater protocol, because there were plenty of seats in the balcony.

"Phew!"

"Hello, down there!"


Despite being far away, I could actually see Gio quite well thanks to my high powered binoculars that I happened to have in my purse. Just kidding, but I wish I wasn't.

I really could see Gio, but I'll be able to see him much better when my $20 professionally recorded DVD arrives in a few months.

Which leads me to my next question. Why do people record the Holiday Program, FROM THE BALCONY, when they can buy a professionally recorded DVD for $20?

Hello iPeople, the iPhone is great, but not as good as a professional video camera.

Anywho, tonight brought tears to my eyes. I was estatic to be at the Holiday Program this year. Remember last year we didn't make it because the Huz and I were with Vinny at UCSF Children's Hospital not having any fun at all, and missing Gio horribly.

A few days ago Gio asks, "Are you guys coming to the Holiday Program this year?"

"Oh, do you think we aren't coming because Vinny was sick and we had to miss last year?" I ask.

"Yeah," answers Gio. "But at least Nana and Aunty Ri were there."

"We'll be there I promise," I say, knowing the odds are in our favor this year.

Life can be traumatic, but we all survived, though we have some scars, both physical and emotional.

"What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger."

Or drives you to prescription drugs, alcohol and cheap. But nobody ever mentions that do they? Wait. I think I just did. Don't worry I'm not going all Amy Winehouse on you, I'm just taking the edge off, so I don't fall off the edge of this thing we call life..............

And on that note, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a Cranking Kwanza to you!

Carmel By The Sea

This is one of my favorite places in the entire world!

Yoga Girl

Here's Hubby's take on yoga class: "Cute girl, cute girl, cute girl, cute girl, cute girl, ugly guy, cute girl, cute girl, cute girl."

That pretty much sums up this video, which I find especially clever and hilarious. The video is by the same folks, Fog and Smog Films, who made, "Whole Foods Parking Lot."

Oh and guys, "You're welcome."

Fix It!

One of my favorite Saturday Night Live skits, "Fix It!" perfectly describes how I feel about my cell phone right now.

"Fix it!"

Please.

Thank you. That is all. Carry on.

Streets of Bethlehem

"Keep it moving people!" shouts the Roman Centurion. "And if you see a guy claiming to be 'the king,' let me know. I'd love to talk to him."

These Romans are so pushy!

"All hail Caesar!" shouts the Roman.

"All hail Jesus," shouts the crowd of believers.

Tonight, we went to the Streets of Bethlehem, a live re-telling of the story of baby Jesus, in Salinas.

And so did EVERYONE else. :0

Pancake Breakfast

"We're going to the pancake breakfast tomorrow," insists Gio.

"I'm not going anywhere," I say. "I'm watching the Pipeline Masters. Or going surfing. Or both."

"I'm not going ANYWHERE tomorrow either," says Vinny.

"Huh?" says the Huz.

And by "huh," he means he's not going anywhere, too.

"Well, if you don't go to the pancake breakfast, then I'm not going to church," threatens Gio.

Miracles

We played in the sand.

We watched the moon rise.

And the sunset.

It. Was. Freezing.

"Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!"

And on the way home, we got stuck in traffic.

BYOB

Bring your own bags!

I can barely remember what I'm picking up at the store, let alone bring the bags into the store. That's if they're in the car in the first place, right?

Normally, I tell myself, "when you get home put the bags back in the car."

But what's the use of putting the bags back in the car, with the groceries still in them?

I'm not sure how many reusable bags filled with cereal, rice cakes, Patron, and sunflower butter are in the garage right now?

Days Later

"I know I bought frozen waffles," I say to myself, rummaging through the freezer. "Where could those gluten free waffles be? Oh where, oh where could they be."

One Week Later

"Honey, I found the waffles," I say. "They're in the garage."

"I think they're okay," says Hubby inspecting the box. "It doesn't say they have to be refrigerated on the package."


"That's because they go in the freezer," I say sadly. "That's why they're called FROZEN waffles."

"Right," says Hubby, seeing my point.

Flannel Christmas Sheets

"I put the Christmas sheets on the boys' beds today," I say to Hubby.

"Wow!" exclaims Hubby. "You're like a real mom!"

"Almost, except I put them on upside down," I say.

Marcel The Shell With Shoes

"We won't fight unless we're provoked." Marcel The Shell

One of the funniest people I know posted this on facebook. I'm still smiling...........

Risotto

Today I made risotto with baked zucchini. Well, I made my portion with zucchini, the guys take it plain.

I never even knew what Risotto was until a few months ago. I thought it was a type of pasta, but it's made from Aborio rice. Internet, do you know what that means?! It means it's gluten free and I can eat it!

Anyways, as I said I was introduced to the makings of Risotto a few months ago, when Gio's first grade class made it during school. Making Risotto is easy peasy when there are 20 kids to do all the stirring.

But when it's just me, well there's way too much stirring.

"How much stirring?" asks the Internet.

Stirring, stirring and, yet, more stirring. And just when I think I'm finished, more stirring, stirring, stirring. At times, it seems the stirring will never end. But after an hour and a half or so the stirring ends.

"Wow that is a lot of stirring," says the Internet.

Tell me about it.

Today was the third time I made Risotto, and it was by far the best. Risotto is a lot of work, but it's worth it. And besides, the two big guys I live with LOVE it.

"Mom, this Risotto is the best ever!" raves Vinny.

Yes, the words of praise keep me stirring, as the Risotto song plays in my head.

"You stir me right round, baby right round, like Risotto baby, right round, round, round."

WTF?

Why the face?

I have a feeling we're going to have a lot more WTF as Vinny inches closer to teenhood. I hope I don't take all of his face making personally.

Couples Therapy

Today, I picked the boys up from school. As soon as they got to the car, they we're screaming at each other. It. Was. Bad.

Then they started hitting each other. More than normal.

I tried to call the Huz to have him pick up Gio, but, of course, he didn't answer his cell.

"That's it!" I say. "We're going to the beach."

"I don't like the beach!" screams Gio.

I ignored him, and drove straight to the Pacific Ocean.

There was some whining, at first, but after five minutes the boys forgot their squabbles and were back in love with each other.

Phew!

Lady Gaga Sugarland

Holy awesome sauce, Internet. Last night, Sugarland performed with Lady Gaga at the Grammy Nominations Concert. Sugarland and Gaga gave a memorable performance of Gaga's, "You and I."

I am freaking out! This is amazing. Two of my favorite performers sharing the stage. How am I ever going to go back to sleep?

Juggling

Yes, Internet I married a juggling man. Wait. That might be a bad thing, now that I think about it. Oh well, his aura is a nice shade of yellow as he juggles fruits of orange and green.

Moves Like Jagger Maroon 5 Ft Christina Aguilera

"Have you seen the video for, "Moves Like Jagger?" asks Hubby, playing the video. "Christina Aguilera is in it."

"Isn't that the song Adam Levine (Maroon 5) sang on Saturday Night Live awhile back?" I ask.

"Oh, I LIKE it," I say. "I like what Adam Levine is wearing. I like the song, too."

Internet, I've never seen a tattoo shirt like Adam Levine's before. That's a shirt, right? It certainly looks like he's wearing a tight shirt.

"Yeah, Christina Aguilera is wearing a really big hat," says Hubby, disappointed.

"The video is only half way through, who knows, maybe she'll take it off," I say.

"No, she doesn't," says Hubby, sadly.

Here's the Saturday Night Live version.

Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Part 1

The other night the Huz and I went to see Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 1!

I loved it!

The Huz not so much.

"The beginning (wedding) was sooooooooooooo slooooooooooow," complains the Huz.

The movie itself teeter totters between a B- and a B+. Sure, the Vampires' make up is over done, especially compared to Bella's au natural look. The acting is anything but great. The romance is over the top and makes me throw up in my mouth a little. Yes, it's ridiculous that Jacob rips off his shirt showing off his hot body just as the movie begins.

But the story of Twilight Breaking Dawn, is awesome for several reasons. One, it's not a typical fairy tale with a happy ending. Bella doesn't get married and live happily ever after. Instead, Bella gets married, has a horrible pregnancy, and in the end she turns into a monster.

There's a lot of truth in that, Internet.

Second, Bella finally claims her power, doing what she wants instead of what Edward and Jacob tell her to do. Amazingly, Jake and Edward continue to love Bella even when she's amazing, powerful, in charge, bossy, grouchy, feeling ill and not looking her best.

In other words, they accept Bella even when she is a real woman.


Go Bella!

Don't worry guys, Edward and Jacob don't sacrifice any of their monsterliness in the process of yielding to Bella's power. Breaking Dawn solidifies the charismatic alliance between Bella, Edward and Jacob, which is built on trust, respect, and love.

Lastly, Jacob finally imprints on SOMEONE, and finds his soul mate. What a relief that is. And who deserves it more than Jacob? Well, we all deserve to find our soul mate, the same amount, but still.


While I adore the Twilight novels, the Twilight movies are campy, and overly dramatic causing the audience to burst out into laughter at the movie's most dramatic moments. And this is where the movie magic begins.

Watching any of the Twilight movies with an audience is like seeing it with hundreds of your best, drunk friends. There are no filters. And there's plenty of witty, indulgent and inappropriate commentary at the movies most serious moments.

Twilight Breaking Dawn, is worth watching because what the movie lacks, the audience more than makes up for in entertainment. The Twilight movies could be this generation's Rocky Horror Picture Show. As soon as viewers start showing up in costume and breaking into song, that is.

The Muppets

Last night we took the boys to see, "The Muppets," movie. Internet, normally, I don't take the boys to see children's movies in the theater, ever since the whole lice debacle, anyways. It's too risky.

But the Muppets are so inspiring, I broke my own rule. Hopefully, I won't itch to regret it.

"Honey, can you check my hair?" I ask scratching my scalp. "My hair feels itchy."

And now back to our regularly scheduled movie review of "The Muppets."

Anywho, "The Muppets," movie was entertaining for both kids and adults. Big people will especially appreciate all the 80s jokes and music. I did, anyways. Though I have to admit I was a bit worried The Muppets was going to be a dud for the first twenty minutes of the film.

The main problem with the beginning of The Muppets is that it had only one Muppet with far too many campy, sappy, singing, dancing humans. That's just the wrong human to Muppet ratio in a film titled, "The Muppets."

Also, normally I love Amy Adams, but neither she nor Jason Segal had any chemistry in this movie. Together or apart, in my opinion. Maybe because they were trying to HARD to be cute and/or funny like Muppets, but they were NOT.

As "The Muppets," progressed the movie picked up all the usual Muppets along the way, including Gonzo, Animal, Fozzie Bear, Kermit the Frog, Ms. Piggy, Beaker and many, many more. There were also cameo appearances by David Grohl (Foo Fighters), Selena Gomez, Jack Black and other Hollywood stars.

The soundtrack to, "The Muppets," was fun, including Muppet classics, "Rainbow Connection," and "Mah Na Mah Na." Though there were a few songs, sung by humans, that made me wish I had packed my earplugs, such as "Am I A Man Or A Muppet," and a few others not worth mentioning.

The boys loved, "The Muppets," though they would have preferred more scenes with the Swedish Chef, and "the torekey."

"My favorite scene was when the Swedish Chef blow torched the refrigerator," says Vinny.

Overall, Vinny and I collectively give the movie a B.

Soundtracks

I am laying in bed, listening to waves pound against the sandy shore, and my Husband snore.

There's a third song playing in the house. It sounds like falling furniture, and pouncing tigers.

"Thud!" bangs something from another room.

"It's probably just the cats," I tell myself underneath the covers.

Arm Rest

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankful for my amazing life and all the wonderful people I share each day with......

Are You Smarter Than A First Grader?

Scene: The Huz, aka The Perpetual Teacher, and Gio, the boy wonder are at the grocery store.

"Daddy, look Star Wars!" says Gio.

"No, I'm not buying it," says The Huz.

"Star Wars Mad Libs," reads Gio out loud. "What's that?"

"I'm not getting it for you until you know what an adjective is," says The Huz.

"I know what an adjective is!" insists Gio.

"No you don't," says The Huz.

"Yes, I do," says Gio. "It's a word that describes something."

"What?!" exclaims The Huz in surprise. "Okay, what's a noun?"

"A person, place or thing.....or an idea," answers Gio.

"What is a verb?" asks the Huz.

"It's an action word," answers Gio.

"How do you know all this?" asks The Huz.

"Mrs. McAdams, of course," answers Gio referring to his AWESOME first grade teacher.

Next up: Are you smarter than a first grader?

Hopkins Marine Station, Pacific Grove, California

Love

Simon Makes Waves

"Mommy, will you go with me to the library to get a book?" asks Gio, before bed.

"Sure," I say.

"Let's read some books back here," says Gio.

"Okay," I say.

"Don't you love it when a child reads to you?" asks Gio.

"Yes, I do," I say.

"Let's read 'Simon Makes Waves,'" says Gio.

"................My mom is a great surfer," reads Gio from the book. "She catches a lot of waves, almost as many as my Dad."

Gio pauses, "that's the other way around for you and Dad."

Monterey Peninsula

Going on a date with the Huz, no time to write. I will say today was awesome. These pictures were taken in Pacific Grove, California. The Huz and Gio just missed getting blasted by the ocean spray.

Rock Climbing

The boys got out of school a few hours early, three days this week, due to parent teacher conference.

To my relief, both conferences went well. But the boys have some things they will be working to improve. Overall, I'm am so proud of them! Good job, guys. I rewarded them, today, with some rock climbing at the beach, which I secretly benefited from, as well.

Children's Jacket

I made the mistake of bringing Gio to the mall. Taking Gio shopping is expensive.

"Mom!" says Gio. "Can I get this jacket? Pleeeeeeeeease"?

"It's ninety-five dollars," I say, showing him the price tag.

I didn't bother mentioning it was 50% off. Or that I had a 30% off coupon.

"But it has a hat!" pleads Gio. "And gloves."

Eventually we came to an agreement and got the jacket.

Bathrobe Jacket.

Surpringly, the jacket doubles as a bathrobe. With so many uses, Gio's going to wear out the jacket, before it actually fits him.

And when Gio grows out of the jacket, Luna will be happy to have it for a bed.

Skater Girl

Belinda Jasmine. Photo by One True Mind.

Great friends are fun AND inspiring!

Surf Art

Internet, this is what happens when the decorating is left up to the Huz. Though in all fairness I did decoupage the skateboard with surfing pictures.