This week Kim asks "We all have our pet peeves that drive us nuts.. give us a few of yours".
Unknowingly, I have been waiting a long time for this question...it gives me the right to just bitch.
1. People who do not use their turn signals - it is not like it is there for decoration!
2. People who do not know how to drive in a roundabout - I realize that they were originally a European thing, so maybe it takes some getting used to, but here is a clue. It is not a stop sign, it is a yield sign...what does that tell you? Also, use your turn signals in the roundabout, that will help everyone out.
3. People who do not understand what respecting opinions mean - disagree with it, argue it, but do not call me stupid for having one and I won't call you an ass for being disrespectful.
4. Stupid Girls - I have mentioned this before, but this means girls that take their little itsy bitsy cutesy wootsy dogs with them everywhere, who care more about fashion or impressing people than they do about what is going on in the world, and all in all give girls a bad name.
5. The View and Oprah Winfrey - I just hate those shows, dislike most of the women on it, and really feel like they could do so much better with the opportunities they have.
6. Women's Clothing Sizes - It is never the same, one brand is this size, one brand another.
7. Professional Athletes Salaries - Is it necessary that they make that much money doing something that they love that brings no value to the world as a whole?
8. Dishes - Specifically when the dishwasher is full, but dirty, their are clean dishes drying on the counter and a sink full of dirty dishes still. And, why is it OK when D does not rinse out his coffee mug, but not ok when I don't? What is up with that?!
9. Clothes left on the floor - Missy G and D are famous for this. I do not understand why she can get the clothes in front of the closed closet door which is hiding her hamper and not open the door to throw them in. D also likes to pile his on a trunk that is in our room or leave them on the floor on his side of the bed. The karma part of that however, is that our cat will pee on clothes left on the floor if her cat box is not clean enough. Serves them right in my opinion!
10. Fox News - enough said!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Quote the Raven
Lately I have been consumed by a dense fog that has surrounded my mind like a cold blanket from which I can draw no warmth. Whether it is a depression of sorts or rather a serious introspection, I am unable to define it. The memories of people who are no longer a part of my life, whether through death or an absence of the heart, are invading my mind like a plague of cicadas in summer. Replete with all the noise and the familiar melancholy song, yet all too soon their empty shells are left to fill the void that their departure brings. I feel the need to write a tribute to them, to pay an homage of sorts, and I hope that perhaps in doing so, the fog will lift.
Mike (Mikey as I called him and Bubba to everyone else). Mikey was killed in a tragic accident 10 years ago this August. At times it is so difficult for me to believe that he is gone, and at others I almost start to feel that maybe he never existed. That it is all part of my imagination or that I created him as some sort of amalgam from various friends in my life. I knew Mikey from the age of 5 on, when he was an adorable chubby kid whose older sisters babysat us. He was the first boy I ever kissed. He was the boy who first dared to wear pink. Between Junior High and High School Mikey transitioned from a chubby kid who was a little bit of an outsider, to a gorgeous man with a half-pipe in his backyard and more friends than anyone I have ever known. Ever girl wanted to date him, ever guy wanted to be him, or at the very least be his friend. Mikey had a gift, not just with people or his skills on the boards, but mainly with cars. It was absolutely unbelievable what he could turn a rusted out VW Bug into. He was an amazing man who had so much potential and the thought of it wasted is unbearable. And yet, what brings me the most pain with Mikey's death is the knowledge that my friend Sharon lost a piece of her soul when he died. She and Mikey were friends of the heart, two halves of the same person and she has never been the same.
Stacy. I met her in Jr. High in my cooking class after I ruined our batch of chocolate chip cookies, a feat I still do to this day, and we became fast friends. Stacy was a full blooded Navajo Indian. She was one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen in my entire life, unfortunately she never believed that about herself. Our friendship grew stronger through high school, through her first miserable marriage, the birth of her son Patrick, and her divorce. We spent countless nights at Grounds for Coffee playing rummy and worrying about the path our lives were on. She could play pool better than most men I have ever seen and had the innate ability to be utterly feminine and a tomboy at the same moment. At some point Stacy decided to move back to Arizona, to the reservation, with her family. She needed a fresh start I feel. We kept in touch through letters for a few years, but the last time I heard from her was when she said she would come to my wedding. She never did. Two years ago my mom found out that she had died. I do not know when, or how. I sent a card to her parents, but never heard back, not that I would expect to. I can not explain the feeling that her death creates in me. At times it still seems like I have not being able to fully grieve for her, that I do not know how, which only makes her death that much more painful.
John. Fortunately John is still very much alive. Unfortunately, our friendship is dead. I wish I knew how, I wish I really understood why. There is a stubbornness that stops us from reconnecting, along with a fear of being hurt again. To me, John is the person I see when I look in the mirror. There is a connection between us that I have never felt with anyone else. It is not romantic and would never turn into that as I know that my husband is my soul mate. However, if there is such a thing as a soul friend, John is mine. He understands me better than anyone else and truly challenged me to become a better person. I miss him every day.
Helen. This Thursday is 2 years to the day since she lost her battle with breast cancer. I feel so very fortunate that she was not only my mother in law, but also a friend. I loved her more than I think I can ever express. I saw in her a kindred spirit, and yet some one that was so much more than I could ever hope to be. She was so loving, loyal, and dedicated. She would do anything for her family and friends, without a thought to herself. She was by far one of the feistiest and sassiest woman I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, yet she had the depth of kindness the likes of which I doubt I will ever see again. She and my father in law, helped raise Missy G for the first few years of her life and it breaks my heart that my daughter barely remembers her and that our new daughter (who is named after her) will never know Helen. I truly hope that my daughters grow to become a woman like her.
Mike (Mikey as I called him and Bubba to everyone else). Mikey was killed in a tragic accident 10 years ago this August. At times it is so difficult for me to believe that he is gone, and at others I almost start to feel that maybe he never existed. That it is all part of my imagination or that I created him as some sort of amalgam from various friends in my life. I knew Mikey from the age of 5 on, when he was an adorable chubby kid whose older sisters babysat us. He was the first boy I ever kissed. He was the boy who first dared to wear pink. Between Junior High and High School Mikey transitioned from a chubby kid who was a little bit of an outsider, to a gorgeous man with a half-pipe in his backyard and more friends than anyone I have ever known. Ever girl wanted to date him, ever guy wanted to be him, or at the very least be his friend. Mikey had a gift, not just with people or his skills on the boards, but mainly with cars. It was absolutely unbelievable what he could turn a rusted out VW Bug into. He was an amazing man who had so much potential and the thought of it wasted is unbearable. And yet, what brings me the most pain with Mikey's death is the knowledge that my friend Sharon lost a piece of her soul when he died. She and Mikey were friends of the heart, two halves of the same person and she has never been the same.
Stacy. I met her in Jr. High in my cooking class after I ruined our batch of chocolate chip cookies, a feat I still do to this day, and we became fast friends. Stacy was a full blooded Navajo Indian. She was one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen in my entire life, unfortunately she never believed that about herself. Our friendship grew stronger through high school, through her first miserable marriage, the birth of her son Patrick, and her divorce. We spent countless nights at Grounds for Coffee playing rummy and worrying about the path our lives were on. She could play pool better than most men I have ever seen and had the innate ability to be utterly feminine and a tomboy at the same moment. At some point Stacy decided to move back to Arizona, to the reservation, with her family. She needed a fresh start I feel. We kept in touch through letters for a few years, but the last time I heard from her was when she said she would come to my wedding. She never did. Two years ago my mom found out that she had died. I do not know when, or how. I sent a card to her parents, but never heard back, not that I would expect to. I can not explain the feeling that her death creates in me. At times it still seems like I have not being able to fully grieve for her, that I do not know how, which only makes her death that much more painful.
John. Fortunately John is still very much alive. Unfortunately, our friendship is dead. I wish I knew how, I wish I really understood why. There is a stubbornness that stops us from reconnecting, along with a fear of being hurt again. To me, John is the person I see when I look in the mirror. There is a connection between us that I have never felt with anyone else. It is not romantic and would never turn into that as I know that my husband is my soul mate. However, if there is such a thing as a soul friend, John is mine. He understands me better than anyone else and truly challenged me to become a better person. I miss him every day.
Helen. This Thursday is 2 years to the day since she lost her battle with breast cancer. I feel so very fortunate that she was not only my mother in law, but also a friend. I loved her more than I think I can ever express. I saw in her a kindred spirit, and yet some one that was so much more than I could ever hope to be. She was so loving, loyal, and dedicated. She would do anything for her family and friends, without a thought to herself. She was by far one of the feistiest and sassiest woman I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, yet she had the depth of kindness the likes of which I doubt I will ever see again. She and my father in law, helped raise Missy G for the first few years of her life and it breaks my heart that my daughter barely remembers her and that our new daughter (who is named after her) will never know Helen. I truly hope that my daughters grow to become a woman like her.
Grandma Fern. What an amazing woman she was, particularly considering the amount of love she gave all of her grandchildren, even though none of us were technically her own. She taught me so much about nature, about the quiet pleasure of conversation, and that any time together was time well spent. She was a professional flower presser and used to make incredible art with the wildflowers from the Tehachapi hills (see above banner for an idea of what the hills look like). She could translate into braille, she made award winning quilts, she could identify almost any bird, she made the best egg salad sandwiches, and she loved me with her whole heart. She was my refuge during our summers spent there when my grandfather would focus on my brother and hardly register my existence. I loved to be with her, no matter what we were doing. I truly regret not spending more time visiting her when she was older or making more of an effort, even though with her Parkinsons it was hard. What I really regret is that I did not do more for her funeral to pay tribute to her and do her memory honor. I am still so disappointed in the way that it was handled and wish I could go back, stand up, and say "Yes, I have something to say about this incredible woman".
Dylan. My brave son, taken from us much too soon. I can not write about his short life and death as I am afraid that once those doors that I spent the past two years forcing closed are open, I will not be able to shut them again. I hope it is enough to say that he is loved and missed every minute of every day.
Derek. My brother, it is 18 years this September that you have been gone, taken from us at barely 20 years of age. You have been gone from my life as many years as you were in it, which is unfathomable to me. You never had a chance to grow into the wonderful man I know you would have become. When you died there were glimpses of that man, visions of his kindness, compassion, patience, dedication, and love of life. I can not help but wonder who you would have married, what your children would have been like. Those are the things I miss the most, memories I was not able to make with you. I can never express to people what our relationship was like. At times it was so typical brother and sister, yet there was so much more. There were countless nights we spent in each others rooms in sleeping bags on the floor as we listened to Dr. Demento on the radio and talked about our dreams, hopes, and fears. There were crazy food concoctions that we created, most were successes, while a few were horrid failures. There was our love for the Beatles and heated debates about which songs were the best. I loved spending time with you, I would have done anything to just get to hang out with you. It was so hard for me when you moved to California, to have you so far away. I looked forward to every Sunday when you would call, and yet that time apart forged a bond between us that few people have. I loved the fact that you were never afraid to tell people you loved them, not your friends, not your family, not anyone. I loved that you could light up a room the minute you walked in, people were immediately drawn to you. I could never do that, we were so opposite in our very nature and the way we approached situations and people. Sometimes I still feel that the wrong child died. That it should have been me. That it would have been easier on our family to have not lost the bright light that was the center of everyone's world. Your death left a void that has never been filled and I feel that emptiness, carry it around with me, all the time. I lost half my mind when you died, not in the sense that I went crazy, even though I felt inside that I did for a long time, I mean I lost half my memories, half of my life experiences. There is no one there now that can share those memories with me and reminisce about the times we spent growing up. When I watch D and his sister interact, or mom and her brother, or any siblings for that matter, I am consumed by jealousy and a pain so raw that it takes all the strength in me to not scream. I wish you could have met D, I wish you could have known your nieces. They, like everyone, would have loved you. The old saying is that time heals, and it does, that much is true. I miss you and I think of you everyday, but the pain is not an open wound any longer. More like a scar that has healed over time, but is still tender to the touch. I feel that it will always be that way. It is interesting to me that I wrote about everyone else, but I wrote to you. Perhaps it is because I always talk to you, so it is second nature, a part of my everyday life. I want you to know that I love you Ringo. And I want to thank you for taking care of my baby boy until we meet again.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Ketchup
I have been remiss in not getting pictures up for everyone, so here are a few from the past few weeks (months?)
Our "hats" for the Kentucky Derby!
Feisty Spice looking quite subdued. This is about 2 months of age.
D went to the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Tour in Las Vegas last month and participated in the Omaha Hi Lo competition. He did great for the first time and we were so proud of him. The picture of the girls is one we did for D before he went and hid it in his backpack so he would find it before he played. The picture of D is of him at the tournament (the WSOP took that, so credit goes to them...which is also why it says "proof" is across his face). Notice the stuffed lamb in the picture with the girls? That is Missy G's lambie, she loves that little thing and it is her oldest stuffed animal, from 6 months of age. She has taken to carrying it around with her everywhere now that the baby is here and I do not know what I will do when the lamb falls apart.
Two months old. 
Ah, the joys of having your stay at home parent be your dad!
The girls on a good day, when Missy G likes her and is not jealous.
'Allo, do you know the muffin man?
Three months old....look at her lift that head up...you go girl!
Our "hats" for the Kentucky Derby!
Feisty Spice looking quite subdued. This is about 2 months of age. 
Missy G performing at church (in the pink dress). I have to just say that she is such a little perfectionist about her performances. She does the bells perfect and concentrates harder than anyone else. For the dancing and singing she always knows the moves and all the words. It is amazing to me, who is this little ham?
D went to the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Tour in Las Vegas last month and participated in the Omaha Hi Lo competition. He did great for the first time and we were so proud of him. The picture of the girls is one we did for D before he went and hid it in his backpack so he would find it before he played. The picture of D is of him at the tournament (the WSOP took that, so credit goes to them...which is also why it says "proof" is across his face). Notice the stuffed lamb in the picture with the girls? That is Missy G's lambie, she loves that little thing and it is her oldest stuffed animal, from 6 months of age. She has taken to carrying it around with her everywhere now that the baby is here and I do not know what I will do when the lamb falls apart.
This is a little out of order, these are from the end of year school program at her charter school. They had each class do a little play (in Spanish) and then play bells. Missy G is in the duck costume and next to her in the first picture is her bestest greatest friend Olivia. In the second picture, the cat is her other bestest friend Brooklyn, and the girl in the pig outfit is her other bestest friend Sophie. Can I just say that little girls and their friendships are the cutest damn thing. I have never seen so much hugging in my life!
Two months old. 
Ah, the joys of having your stay at home parent be your dad!
The girls on a good day, when Missy G likes her and is not jealous. 
'Allo, do you know the muffin man? 
Three months old....look at her lift that head up...you go girl! 
Saying Something Stupid
"Tell us about the last time you did something really stupid."
Shane lobs up the easiest and most fluffy question I think he has ever come up with while he is on vacation this week, NOT picking cherries. I will, for this one time only, come up with just one brief answer.
I honestly try to live a life without regrets as I do not see the point in that. This then means that if I call something I did stupid, I am in a way regretting it, which is not the way I want to live my life. Whether it was stupid or not, it was (or should be) an experience to learn from. That being said, the one really stupid thing that stays with me was running full on (while intoxicated) into a sliding glass door at a party. Not only was it painful, it was humiliating. So what is the lesson I learned from that? Don't drink and run.
Shane lobs up the easiest and most fluffy question I think he has ever come up with while he is on vacation this week, NOT picking cherries. I will, for this one time only, come up with just one brief answer.
I honestly try to live a life without regrets as I do not see the point in that. This then means that if I call something I did stupid, I am in a way regretting it, which is not the way I want to live my life. Whether it was stupid or not, it was (or should be) an experience to learn from. That being said, the one really stupid thing that stays with me was running full on (while intoxicated) into a sliding glass door at a party. Not only was it painful, it was humiliating. So what is the lesson I learned from that? Don't drink and run.
Motherhood...a thankless job
This week I discovered the cold, hard truth of what being a wife and mother is really about. It is about getting up early to make your family breakfast before a road trip and having your 6 year old complain about every bit of it. It is about laying out your child's clothes, only to have them be the wrong ones. It is about freeing up your husband's evenings so that he can accomplish a multitude of tasks or things he wants to do, only to have that become the expectation. It is about doing something special for your family and getting no thanks or recognition for it. It is about feeling guilty for wanting an hour each evening to go for a walk or take quality time for myself. It is about being taken for granted and being neglected. It is about screaming at the top of your lungs "Am I the only one who knows how to change the damn toilet paper in this house?!" So mom, I have finally joined the club. I am so very sorry for taking you for granted all those years and never appreciating all you did for me. I TOTALLY get it now.
(And yes being a mom and wife is also about all the great, wonderful, awesome things that my family does for me and believe me I do feel very blessed for my kids and husband. I just want a fucking thank you and a date with my husband without my asking for it every now and then!)
(And yes being a mom and wife is also about all the great, wonderful, awesome things that my family does for me and believe me I do feel very blessed for my kids and husband. I just want a fucking thank you and a date with my husband without my asking for it every now and then!)
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Material Girl
Objects that I would have if I could...
1. Kermit the Frog
2. Seinfelds puffy shirt (not that there is anything wrong with that)
3. Statue of David by Michaelangelo
4. 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupe
5. Marilyn Monroe's Black Dress from Some Like it Hot
6. Vincent VanGogh's The Cafe Terrace on the Place du Forum
7. These sunglasses
8. A Hurricane or Beignets (on location in NOLA) whenever I want
9. An Arts and Crafts (Craftsman) home like this one
10. The opportunity to walk this road, whenever I like
1. Kermit the Frog
2. Seinfelds puffy shirt (not that there is anything wrong with that)
3. Statue of David by Michaelangelo
4. 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupe
5. Marilyn Monroe's Black Dress from Some Like it Hot
6. Vincent VanGogh's The Cafe Terrace on the Place du Forum
7. These sunglasses
8. A Hurricane or Beignets (on location in NOLA) whenever I want
9. An Arts and Crafts (Craftsman) home like this one
10. The opportunity to walk this road, whenever I like
My, What Big Ears You Have
In light of the FISA bill that just passed, I am posting this as the quote of the year.
'A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have.' - Thomas Jefferson
Our benevolent Emporer had this to say "This law will protect the liberties of our citizens while maintaining the vital flow of intelligence". Yeah, that is what you are all about protecting our liberties. I am disgusted, truly and utterly disgusted. The worst part of all, Obama voted for it.
Is Nader still running? Ron Paul? Anyone?
**Thanks Jason and Craig for the update, outstanding job as always.***
'A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have.' - Thomas Jefferson
Our benevolent Emporer had this to say "This law will protect the liberties of our citizens while maintaining the vital flow of intelligence". Yeah, that is what you are all about protecting our liberties. I am disgusted, truly and utterly disgusted. The worst part of all, Obama voted for it.
Is Nader still running? Ron Paul? Anyone?
**Thanks Jason and Craig for the update, outstanding job as always.***
I Want My MTV!
This week Monica asks "Think back to when MTV actually played music videos. Tell us about 3 of your favorite videos."
I was never that cool kid that had MTV growing up. My dad would not get cable as he did not want to put a "hole in the wall". Whatever. Thank God for friends, namely Devita, whose parents would put holes in walls (but strangely would lock up food and not let their kids make cookies on weekdays??). So because of her I got to experience all the joy that was MTV in those days. My three favorite MTV videos that I remember are:
1. Duran Duran - Save A Prayer My two best friends at the time, Stacy and Devita, and me were all in love with Duran Duran. Fortunately, we all lusted after a different man. The scenery in this video is awesome, the song rocks and oh my hell, did you see John Taylor wearing the fedora and playing the guitar with his shirt off?? (and we all also had fantasies involving that bed and those beaches, let me tell you)
2. Depeche Mode - Personal Jesus. David Gahan; that hat, those clothes, the sunglasses, the bare chest, the boots, the subliminal message with the stallion in the background, the sensual rhythm of the guitar, the heavy breathing. There is also the whole, brothel/confessional thing going for it too. Reaching out and touching faith is not what I have in mind after watching it, but he made me a believer......OMFG! (Stripped was a close second.....more innuendo and David Gahan dances! I dated several boys who had the Martin Gore/David Gahan hairstyles going for them and wore eyeliner on occasion. We had good times listening to their music. Martin and David fueled a lot of fire for me in my formative years and watching David dance is better than standing against the washing machine with an uneven load, if you know what I'm saying.)
****Cold shower interlude****
3. The Police - Every Breath You Take . This song is seriously sexy and seriously possessive psychotic. But Sting, oh Sting ....how you move me. I have never wanted to be a musical instrument more than I do watching his fingers play the bass. There is also no denying that this is an incredible song, and this video is just beautifully filmed. A close second on this one is tie for Wicked Game and Faith by George Michael (check out that ass in those jeans!)
Videos that still make me laugh and at the same time make me so proud I was a "waver" Cruel Summer, Karma Chameleon, Big In Japan, My Heart Goes Bang, Missionary Man, Come On Eileen, London Calling, Motion of Love, She Sells Sanctuary, Love Cats, etc.
Writing this post I come to the realization that music videos were my teenage/Early 20's pornography. I wonder if my mom knew? I mean, she had a fit about the whole Monster in my Pants song and she did not even know what She Bop was about until I told her years later.
I was never that cool kid that had MTV growing up. My dad would not get cable as he did not want to put a "hole in the wall". Whatever. Thank God for friends, namely Devita, whose parents would put holes in walls (but strangely would lock up food and not let their kids make cookies on weekdays??). So because of her I got to experience all the joy that was MTV in those days. My three favorite MTV videos that I remember are:
1. Duran Duran - Save A Prayer My two best friends at the time, Stacy and Devita, and me were all in love with Duran Duran. Fortunately, we all lusted after a different man. The scenery in this video is awesome, the song rocks and oh my hell, did you see John Taylor wearing the fedora and playing the guitar with his shirt off?? (and we all also had fantasies involving that bed and those beaches, let me tell you)
2. Depeche Mode - Personal Jesus. David Gahan; that hat, those clothes, the sunglasses, the bare chest, the boots, the subliminal message with the stallion in the background, the sensual rhythm of the guitar, the heavy breathing. There is also the whole, brothel/confessional thing going for it too. Reaching out and touching faith is not what I have in mind after watching it, but he made me a believer......OMFG! (Stripped was a close second.....more innuendo and David Gahan dances! I dated several boys who had the Martin Gore/David Gahan hairstyles going for them and wore eyeliner on occasion. We had good times listening to their music. Martin and David fueled a lot of fire for me in my formative years and watching David dance is better than standing against the washing machine with an uneven load, if you know what I'm saying.)
****Cold shower interlude****
3. The Police - Every Breath You Take . This song is seriously sexy and seriously possessive psychotic. But Sting, oh Sting ....how you move me. I have never wanted to be a musical instrument more than I do watching his fingers play the bass. There is also no denying that this is an incredible song, and this video is just beautifully filmed. A close second on this one is tie for Wicked Game and Faith by George Michael (check out that ass in those jeans!)
Videos that still make me laugh and at the same time make me so proud I was a "waver" Cruel Summer, Karma Chameleon, Big In Japan, My Heart Goes Bang, Missionary Man, Come On Eileen, London Calling, Motion of Love, She Sells Sanctuary, Love Cats, etc.
Writing this post I come to the realization that music videos were my teenage/Early 20's pornography. I wonder if my mom knew? I mean, she had a fit about the whole Monster in my Pants song and she did not even know what She Bop was about until I told her years later.
Monday, July 7, 2008
She Who Sasses Too Much
Today my dad told me that he had recently discovered that he is 1/8 Sioux Indian, which means that I am 1/16th. To me, this is pretty cool news. We always knew there was an ancestry of Native American Indian on his side, but had no real history on it. One of my very best friends growing up was a full Navajo and I loved her family, loved hearing about her history and life on the reservation in Arizona (even though, part of me felt oh so incredibly guilty. Not like I had any part in it, but I think it is just something that develops in our culture. Like feeling guilty for slavery). Anyway, I have always admired the different nations and appreciated their culture for its uniqueness.
So while I am not saying that I even have any claim to anything or understand at all what the nations or the Native American people have gone through (but now I am driven to learn more about it), I do think it would be cool to have a Native American name. D thinks I should be "She Who Sasses Too Much". I personally think it should be "The Most Incredible Woman on the Face of the Earth", but I will take this one instead NAHIMANA: Sioux name meaning "mystic."
So while I am not saying that I even have any claim to anything or understand at all what the nations or the Native American people have gone through (but now I am driven to learn more about it), I do think it would be cool to have a Native American name. D thinks I should be "She Who Sasses Too Much". I personally think it should be "The Most Incredible Woman on the Face of the Earth", but I will take this one instead NAHIMANA: Sioux name meaning "mystic."
Bad Day
Signs you are having a bad day:
1. You drink wine straight out of the bottle.
2. You sit down on the toilet and do not even notice that the seat is up until after you pee.
3. You are too tired to take a hot bath.
4. You forget your cat's name.
Yeah, having one of those kind of days.
1. You drink wine straight out of the bottle.
2. You sit down on the toilet and do not even notice that the seat is up until after you pee.
3. You are too tired to take a hot bath.
4. You forget your cat's name.
Yeah, having one of those kind of days.
Road Trip!
This week I asked the question everyone to describe their ideal U.S. road trip if we could afford one or describe a favorite one you had. In typical fashion, I have done both. I love road trips and not the kind I grew up taking with my parents when I was young, where it was drive 12 hours straight through from Ogden to Bakersfield, CA either! (Why Bakersfield of all the God forsaken places on this earth you ask? Because my family lives there and really, as a kid, I had some fun summers there). Anyway, I prefer the meandering road trip with a destination in mind, an idea of where you might stop for the night, all the time in the world to see the sites along the way, good music on the radio, yummy snacks in the cooler, and the kind of conversations that only the open road can produce.
That being said, my ideal road trip would be a Civil War/American Revolution tour of the Eastern U.S. My grandfather was a Civil War buff, so I grew up appreciating that war and how it impacted the country. I think it would be awesome to see all the sites that shaped our nation and those that almost tore it apart.
The best road trip I ever took was with my mom (the ultimate and my favorite road-trip companion) to Seattle. We went up through the Eastern side of Washington (bleh!) through Yakima and into the quaint little town of Roslyn . If any of you were fans of Northern Exposure, you will know why we went there. Next to New Orleans, this town has the neatest cemetery ever. From there we drove on to Wenatchee to visit my Great Aunt. While there we visited the lovely Ohme Gardens. After Wenatchee we wandered into Cashmere for some Applets and Cotlets (a personal favorite treat of my moms). Mom and I drove on into the Cascade Mountains to the town of Leavenworth. This is not only a fun town with all the German influence, it is located in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Then on to Seattle to do the usual tourist things, catch fish in the market, shop at Nordstroms, walk around Queen Ann, have steamed clams with my friend Devita. We did see a great Art exhibit of Thomas Moran. We headed down to Oregon from there following the Columbia River. We stopped at Multnomah Falls where we hiked around for a while. Then on along the gorge to the Mary Hill Museum, which is one of the most interesting museums and collections I have ever seen. Finally we headed for home, stopping in Boise for some trout and a walk along the river.
Through the years my mom and I have taken many road trips together (Santa Fe and the Turquoise Trail), Denver and various parts of Colorado, Washington (twice), Canada, Montana, California, Wyoming, Idaho, Ireland (eek!). I always have a wonderful time with her and treasure the memories of those experiences and our conversations. I have learned so much about her as a person, and hopefully she has about me, and through these experiences we moved beyond just mother and daughter, but have become best friends. So thank you mom, from the depths of my heart.
That being said, my ideal road trip would be a Civil War/American Revolution tour of the Eastern U.S. My grandfather was a Civil War buff, so I grew up appreciating that war and how it impacted the country. I think it would be awesome to see all the sites that shaped our nation and those that almost tore it apart.
The best road trip I ever took was with my mom (the ultimate and my favorite road-trip companion) to Seattle. We went up through the Eastern side of Washington (bleh!) through Yakima and into the quaint little town of Roslyn . If any of you were fans of Northern Exposure, you will know why we went there. Next to New Orleans, this town has the neatest cemetery ever. From there we drove on to Wenatchee to visit my Great Aunt. While there we visited the lovely Ohme Gardens. After Wenatchee we wandered into Cashmere for some Applets and Cotlets (a personal favorite treat of my moms). Mom and I drove on into the Cascade Mountains to the town of Leavenworth. This is not only a fun town with all the German influence, it is located in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Then on to Seattle to do the usual tourist things, catch fish in the market, shop at Nordstroms, walk around Queen Ann, have steamed clams with my friend Devita. We did see a great Art exhibit of Thomas Moran. We headed down to Oregon from there following the Columbia River. We stopped at Multnomah Falls where we hiked around for a while. Then on along the gorge to the Mary Hill Museum, which is one of the most interesting museums and collections I have ever seen. Finally we headed for home, stopping in Boise for some trout and a walk along the river.
Through the years my mom and I have taken many road trips together (Santa Fe and the Turquoise Trail), Denver and various parts of Colorado, Washington (twice), Canada, Montana, California, Wyoming, Idaho, Ireland (eek!). I always have a wonderful time with her and treasure the memories of those experiences and our conversations. I have learned so much about her as a person, and hopefully she has about me, and through these experiences we moved beyond just mother and daughter, but have become best friends. So thank you mom, from the depths of my heart.
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