Love Ya Babe!

So it wasn't as magical a day as 11 years ago, but I guess eventually wedding anniversaries just become another day - sad but true.

We started off our anniversary dropping off my Dad at the airport (we had to get up at the crack of dawn - his flight left at 8:30 am, it takes an hour to get to the airport from our house - you do the math). On the way home we treated each other to a Starbuck's Chai Latte (that was the only thing we got each other!).

After we got home, Scott went off to play golf all day (yeah - I thought I was being nice, I didn't think it would turn into an all day event) and I watched TV, ran errands and worked a bit.

Not glamorous, but we both had good days - just not together!

Current Music: Always - Ella Fitzgerald (Sappy? Yes, but it's our wedding song!)

Decision Made

I've come to a decision - the bangs will be grown out!

I have burned myself with the curling iron for the LAST TIME! This morning makes the third time in two weeks that I've burned my forehead. Now I have to explain why I have a Dora the Explorer band-aid on my forehead (yep - it was a doosie of a burn).

So it's my skin or the bangs, the bangs are going!

Current Music: Barbie Girl - Aqua

Anniversaries

A year ago today my dad went into the hospital for a test - the doctors then decided that they wanted to keep him an extra day, for a few more tests. By the time the tests were over, the doctors had decided that he would either be going home with a new heart or never going home at all.

Today he's here visiting with us, picking apples in the beautiful fall weather, watching the Grey's Anatomy premier and chatting away - with his new heart ticking.

Life's interesting isn't it?

Current Music: no music, we're just starting the new show after Grey's, "Big Shots"

I have a Dilemma

So it's been almost a month since my frightening hair cut. And I've finally figured out how to deal with these stinking bangs (I've got sort of a Heidi Klum thing happening now - just the hair though). The problem is this, now they're too long!

The dilemma is this: do I just keep growing them out and hopefully get the look that I originally wanted or do I get them trimmed and wear them as they are for a bit? But this gets to the deeper problem of bangs - growing them out! What a pain that is, and I'm already part of the way there, so maybe my answer lies there?

Why does it have to be so hard to be a girl? Scott's out of bed and out the door in 15 minutes (well 20 if there's a second bathroom stop!). I'm at the whole "beauty" thing for at least an hour - jeesh!

Current Music: If Looks Could Kill - Camera Obscura

Planes, Trains, Automobiles and Dad

I love my dad - I really do. And I know I was saying that I was looking forward to his visit, but seriously if I have to look at one more mode of transportation any time soon I'll probably go insane!

We spent Saturday at the Henry Ford Museum looking at EVERY car ever invented, then we moved on to the trains and wrapped up with the planes! We spent so long looking at all of the cars that we almost missed some of the other highlights of the museum (the chair Lincoln was shot in, the Rosa Parks bus, etc.). Then yesterday we spent the afternoon on the beach enjoying a beautiful "last gasp of summer" day - and my dad spent it watching the sail boats and freighters go by!

I really shouldn't be all that surprised - his last vacation out here was spent looking at all manner of boats. There was the Tall Ship Festival followed by "Coast Guard Days" - 24/7 boats, old and new. When my mom was out this spring we went to see a re-creation of the Nina. What is it with my family and transportation!?!

On the up side, TV premier week starts tonight so we'll all be plunked down in front of the boob-tube for "How I Met Your Mother" and "Two and a Half Men". Tomorrow we'll head to the Tiger's game to see if they can manage to get into the play-offs (ah yes the tivo will be in control of the premiers tomorrow!).

I really do enjoy seeing my dad, well, mostly anyway...

Current Music: Bubbly - Colbie Caillat

Tired of being tired

Yep that's me, but I am tired. I'm just plain tired, but I'm also:

tired of whining clients
tired of forgetting to do things
tired of bitchy people
tired of the whining husband
tired of being behind at work
tired of my bosses
tired of work
tired of my wardrobe
tired of my shoes
tired of not feeling great

On the positive side, my Dad arrived in town so we've got a week and a half of visiting to do - though, I'll probably be tired of that soon too...

Current Music: Throw it All Away - Brandi Carlile

Can Barely Wait

Happily, I don't have to wait too long - my Dad will be here on Wednesday. Oh, I know that I complain about my family, but I've really been missing my dad lately.

I was on the phone with my sister the other day - and we were talking about talking with Dad, how silly it can get, all the random things that we are bound to talk about with him. Then she said "that's what I'll miss most", like he's going to die any minute - ack! I realize that given his heart transplant, he will (more than likely) have a reduced life span, but I just hate to look at it that way.

I guess the thing that really got me missing him was when I was at the market today - I saw a little old man picking over the butter case - not that my dad was as old as this old gentleman, but it was something he'd do. I nearly broke down in the dairy isle - I hadn't realized how much I miss him. I'm really looking forward to Wednesday afternoon!

Current Music: just the TV, yep Good Eats (seriously, I love that show!)

It's in the Air

I know Summer isn't over yet, but clearly Fall is on it's way! The weather has been cool and breezy, the evenings have been crisp and clear. I love it! I guess I never really appreciated the changes in the seasons till we moved here, Northern California really has only two seasons, warm and dry or cool and rainy.

I went shopping for coats and sweaters yesterday - found two great coats, a leather and a cute puffy down one (don't even get me started on the super red purse or the zebra striped kitten heels)! I may have to get out the sweaters and the Halloween decorations soon!

It's due to warm up into the low 80s next week, so I guess it's back to the the shorts and flip-flops for a bit. Damn - that means I'm going to have to redo my toes...

Current Music: Autumn in New York - Frank Sinatra

Off the Hook

Whew... No visit from the SIL and her kids this weekend! Not that we weren't looking forward to it, but we were seriously behind on the whole clean up thing, not to mention the impromptu dinner invite from J & M. And then there was the question of what to do, with the change in the weather, it wasn't like we were going to hit the beach!

So we'll reschedule and go through the whole tizzy another time - but at least this weekend we've dodged the bullet!

Current Music: Fall Apart Again - Brandi Carlile

Walk Away

Have you ever been told to just "walk away" from a problem? Just walk away, collect yourself and return another time to figure it out. Like that will help!?

But I'm having a "walk away" day - a day filled with so many problems and things to do that I feel the need to walk away and return another time. And I would walk away from today, but I have a feeling that my urge to walk away couldn't be satisfied with just a day. What if my real urge is to walk away from my entire life?

How do you fix that?

Current Music: 9 Crimes - Damien Rice

Remember

I don't mean to be maudlin, but I can never get through today without taking a few moments to remember that morning six years ago. I think we all need to, it's now part of being an American. We need to think of the senseless violence, the heroism, those that lost their lives and those that had their lives changed forever.

This was sent to me by a friend on the 18th of September, 2001, and it still gets me:

Every U down in Uville liked U.S. a lot,But the Binch, who lived Far East of Uville, did not. The Binch hated U.S.! The whole U.S. way! Now don't ask me why, for nobody can say,

It could be his turban was screwed on too tight. Or the sun from the desert had beaten too bright. But I think that the most likely reason of all may have been that his heart was two sizes too small.

But, whatever the reason, his heart or his turban, he stood facing Uville, the part that was urban. "They're doing their business," he snarled from his perch. "They're raising their families! They're going to church! They're leading the world, and their empire is thriving, I MUST keep the S's and U's from surviving!"

Tomorrow, he knew, all the U's and the S's, would put on their pants and their shirts and their dresses, they'd go to their offices, playgrounds and schools, and abide by their U and S values and rules. And then they'd do something he liked least of all, every U down in U-ville, the tall and the small,would stand all united, each U and each S, and they'd sing Uville's anthem, "God bless us! God bless!"

All around their Twin Towers of Uville, they'd stand, and their voices would drown every sound in the land. "I must stop that singing," Binch said with a smirk, and he had an idea--an idea that might work!

The Binch stole some U planes in U morning hours, and crashed them right into the Uville Twin Towers. "They'll wake to disaster!" he snickered, so sour, "And how can they sing when they can't find a tower?"

The Binch cocked his ear as they woke from their sleeping, all set to enjoy their U-wailing and weeping. Instead he heard something that started quite low, and it built up quite slow, but it started to grow -

And the Binch heard the most unpredictable thing... He couldn't believe it - they started to sing! He stared down at U-ville, not trusting his eyes, what he saw was a shocking, disgusting surprise!

Every U down in U-ville, the tall and the small, was singing! Without any towers at all! He HADN'T stopped U-Ville from singing! It sung! From down deep in the hearts of the old and the young.

Those Twin Towers were standing, called Hope and called Pride, and you can't smash the towers we hold deep inside. So we circle the sites where our heroes did fall, with a hand in each hand of the tall and the small.

And we mourn for our losses while knowing we'll cope, for we still have inside that U-Pride and U-Hope. For America means a bit more than tall towers, it means more than wealth or political powers, it's more than our enemies ever could guess, so may God bless America! Bless us! God bless...

Current Music: Tragedy - Brandi Carlile

Interview Time

As I was doing my daily blog reading I saw Kimmy's interview - being adventurous (read - stupid) I volunteered to be interviewed as well. These questions were different from what I was expecting, but definitely fun!


Have you noticed a change in the way you write and the person you are now vs. the person who started your blog a year and a half ago?
The way I write is still very much the same - a combination of internal monologue, stream of consciousness and catty girl chat. As far as if I'm a different person, yes - I've become more open, it seems easier to pour my heart out to strangers on the Internet - and that has translated to the real world a bit. I love that I can write things down then send them off into the void - somehow a journal just doesn't do it for me.

You have two choices either (a) stand naked on a street corner holding a sign advertising for a new vagasil product or (b) go to the Michigan/OSU game and sit in the Michigan section wearing scarlet and grey. Whatcha gonna do? [baha!!]
This is such an unfair question!!!! Just last year on the day of the big game I was walking around the mall and everyone was giving me the stink-eye and I couldn't figure out why. I figured it out in the dressing room at Macy's - I was wearing a grey long-sleeved tee and a red puffy vest! Needless to say, I cut my shopping trip short.

So my answer will have to be "(a) stand naked on a street corner holding a sign for vagisil" - I'll have to hope for a nice day and a big sign since I no longer have the best naked body (much better looking clothes - have you noticed how that happens sometime after 30?).


One day you are told "tomorrow you will forget everything you know...but one memory" What memory are you keeping safe?
Not having kids makes this easier, but it was still the hardest question. I guess many people would say "wedding day" or "first kiss" or other obvious ones, but I realized long ago that I can live with out my darling hubby - not that I would want to, but I could. So my answer is this: dancing with my grandmother in her living room when I was little. We'd put on the stereo and we'd dance - sometimes I'd stand on her feet if she was trying to show me a particular step (which wasn't that easy - she used to wear flip-flips with big plastic flowers). I realized as I was thinking about this question that I can find a new love, have another wedding, graduate again - but I only ever got one grandmother and I miss her (thanks for making me cry Kimmy!)

Do you believe in Heaven? If so, describe your Heaven.
I don't believe in Heaven. Sometimes I wish I did, it would be nice to know that one day you'd be able to join all your dearly departed.

What did you wanna be when you grew up? How close of a reality is that dream?
I seriously wanted to be a high-powered Stock Broker when I grew up - live in New York, work on Wall Street, the whole nine yards. Please keep in mind that I grew up in the early 80s when it was great to be a yuppie - don't hold it against me.

Reality is a bit different (though I was a techie-yuppie at one point). I love designing kitchens, I love helping people design their dream homes - but sometimes I long for a hip SoHo loft.

So these are the rules. [Because there are always rules]
Interview Rules:
1) Leave me a comment saying "interview me" along with your email address.
2) I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3) You will update your blog with a post containing your answers to the questions.
4) You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5) When others comment asking to be interviewed you will ask them five questions.


Current Music: Read My Mind - The Killers

Big Day

My niece started Pre-School today, but I could swear that she was just learning to walk a month ago (or was that the other one!). I can't even imagine what my sister is going through - her baby is off to school (though she still has one baby at home to keep her busy). When I got the picture message that she was off to school I got all teary-eyed - Mer must be a mess!

I do wish I could have been there today - I miss so much being out here, and it's days like today that really make it hit home. I was there a few moments after she was born, I helped feed her her first cereal, I was the reason she made her first cross-country trip (at the ripe old age of 6 months). She's the first person I want to see when I get off the plane at home and the person I want to kiss last before I put them on a plane when they come to visit - she's just got a special spot in my heart I guess.

She called (well, her mom called and put her on the speaker phone) when she got home from school and she told me about her day and her very cute outfit (she's a little fashonista - which I probably why I love her so). I told her how proud we were of her (Uncle Scott couldn't believe it either), and how we couldn't wait to see all her art projects when we come home for Christmas.

After I hung up I cried a while, realizing that everything grows and goes on - even when you live 3000 miles away.

Current Music: Within You - Ray LaMontagne

Bad Bangs

You know how sometimes you go in to get a new hair cut - and you want to do something different, but you're not sure what? I had one of those days last week, and I'm still paying for it! I went in wanting something like this or this or even this and ended up with something like this! Yikes!

I'm not which part is worse:
1. My stylist saying "I won't cut them too short - I don't want to give you 'mall bangs'" and then I got them anyway.
2. Scott saying - "Wow, your hair isn't going to look like that all the time - is it?".
3. J saying "You look just like when we first met you, when you were 19 - only more tired." (On the upside, M came to my defence saying how cute they were and that J would pay later for the comment.)

So the good news is that your hair grows 1/2 inch per month, and my hair tends to grow really fast in the summer - fingers crossed! The other good news is that "Bold Bangs" are in again - now, keep in mind that I do not look anything like any of these fabulous actresses, but it makes me feel better that someone else's stylist had a bad day too!

Current Music: Lost & Found - Adrienne Pierce

August Round-Up

Wow, another month down the tubes! How does it all go by so fast? Maybe it's just all the fun we're having? Ha! Seriously though, how is it that times just flies faster the older you get? Anyway, on to the round up...

What books and/or magazines did I read this month?
I read a great book, Swan by Frances Mayes. Actually it wasn't a great story, but it was beautifully written - just amazing. The way she describes things is just beautiful (am I gushing?!). I read a couple of crappy mystery novels. And I still haven't managed to get through The Well of Lost Plots, but I'm working on it.

On the magazine front just the usual suspects: Real Simple, Creating Keepsakes, Entertainment Weekly, Elle Decor - there might have been some others, but I don't remember.

What movies and/or TV shows did I watch this month?
We saw the "Break-Up", not nearly as funny as I thought it would be. I saw a very upsetting movie called "Who Killed the Electric Car" - so depressing! And a couple of old classics - "The Women" and "All the King's Men" (the original).

Summer TV is somewhat lacking, mostly just re-runs on the Tivo. Of course, I'm still enjoying some of the summer shows - The Closer, Burn Notice, Mad Men and Damages.

What special days did I celebrate and how?
I was going to go on and on about how we don't have any big events in August - then I remembered that one of our anniversaries is August - d'oh! When I say one of our anniversaries, I mean our dating anniversary. Strange that we celebrate it, but we were dating for so long (five years!) - I figure it should count (think of it as time served).

What gifts did I give and/or receive?
Oddly enough, sixteen years of being together doesn't seem to warrant the giving or receiving of gifts (though if I don't get something for our wedding anniversary someone is going to be in big trouble).

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?
Other than the life-threatening cold that Scott got (please note the sarcasm!) we were fine and dandy!

What fun things did I do with my friends and/or family?
A couple of great days on the beach with J & M and the kids (sadly many of the weekends were spent working)! We also enjoyed a Tiger's game with J & M and JC. And we had a great time with JC at the Woodward Dream Cruise.

What new foods, recipes or restaurants did I try this month?
As before - Summer isn't really a time for cooking. The most I culinarily speaking, was cook with a lot of basil - our basil plant is out of control. So a lot of Bruscetta and Insalata Caprese - the next thing is to start making pesto.

What special or unusual purchases did I make?
Way too much scrapbooking stuff - as usual! Scott bought a used tractor lawn mower - he's happy about that, but I'm not sure that I really get anything out of it (well I get the lawn mowed in one day rather than three)!

What were this month's disappointments?
Yet again no baby. Work has been overly busy, with no sales, Scott still hasn't had much work either. So it's been a bit of a depressing month from the financial and family perspective.

What were my accomplishments this month?
Strange to count this as an accomplishment, but I actually served on a jury. I've never done it before and it was actually kind of interesting.

I also started a new project - Daily Something. The idea is to do something creative everyday - I've really been enjoying it. It's like my blog, with pictures, paper, glue and paint - very fun. I love my scrapbooking and this is a fun excuse to just play.

Anything else noteworthy to record?
I got a really bad hair cut that I'm still struggling with, but that's a whole other post!

Current Music: Home - Barenaked Ladies

Happy Birthday Pearl!

Happy Birthday Sweet One! It's hard to believe that you are two years old - you're still such a tiny thing, and so crazy and playful!


Not that we actually know Pearl's actual birthday, but since Purdy was put down on the first of September in 2005, and the vet estimated that Pearl was born somewhere around there, we decided to make her birthday on the same day. Bitter-sweet I know, but we figuring we're just balancing out the universe.


Pearl spent her birthday playing in the yard, bouncing around and chasing after bugs, birds and squirrels. A perfect kitten day. Later we gave her some new toys, which she promptly ignored in favor of going back outside! In any event, I think it's safe to say that she had a good day!


Current Music: In My Place - Cold Play