Thursday, December 31, 2009

Time To Play B Sides

I haven't been inspired to write about anything lately, although I've been doing quite a lot. I have been doing quite a lot for months on end, years on end . . . and frankly I'm sick of it. Literally. My ulcer is burning a hole right through my insides and I feel like dropping everything. Dropping everything and running half naked through a field (not all the way naked because there are stickers - hehe).

But since I can't do that (drop everything that is. I could run half naked through a field if I really wanted to, but riding my bike really, really fast down a hill gives me the same feeling I imagine. All smiles) I will continue to do the best I can at work, be a loving and supportive mother (as many hours of the week as possible), and finish navigating my way through this damn real estate market. I am pretty certain that I feel like the very soul has been sucked out of me is because of that force driving me to 'move on up' in this depressed market before interest rates and home prices begin their inevitable climb. I feel this way for the time being anyway. Once the deals are closed, the moving is done (the bank accounts are drained, but then begin replenishing) and all is settled, I plan on feeling more relaxed and motivated and to see the world as interesting again. sighhh.

Saturday, December 05, 2009

Guess Where I Was ???

I saw girls dressed like angles with big feathery wings whoooing and waving across the street at a line of football players who were following a marching band . . . . .

(I was at the Festival of Lights Parade in Auburn, Ca).

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Accupuncture

What do you do when your knees ache from injuries and just general thrashing? You have someone put needles in them . . . ahhh, that hits the spot.

Monday, September 21, 2009

I'm not sure where this picture came from . . . it just showed up on the desktop of my computer one day, but I love it. (This just in, I asked Hannah and she said she was Googling "underwater photography" and found this photo. It's our new favorite). What do you think is going on in this picture? Is she summoning him inside and he can't believe it, or is she giving him the finger and he is never allowed back in? It might appear the story is -- after a desperate search he finally finds her and she is saying, well here you are, come in. Can you imagine how difficult it would be to hold a pose under water? I am imagining it. I am thinking it would be kind of fun to try.

Friday, September 04, 2009

People Let Me Tell You About My Best Friend . . .

. . . and her husband. They are the cutest, funnest, most loving couple ever. This is them at their annual ice cream social. Jason is dressed as the fastest ice cream scoop in the West.
This weekend Jason is throwing the "Donnacathalon" party in honor of Donna's 40th b-day. He's taking all of her favorite activities (to include b-ball and dancing I'm sure) and creating a sporting event that will be splitting the guests into teams to compete throughout the town of Auburn. We will end the event with the winners carrying a torch back to their house where I have made homemade "Donnola bars" and "Super D-MO Green Smoothies." Corney? Yes! Fun loving? Yes, yes!
Happy B-Day DMO!

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Are You Ready To Rock?

That's what I thought . . .

Monday, August 17, 2009

When I Can't Peddle, I'll Paddle

Brent cruising for shade in the shoreline.
Here fishy, fishy. We saw a couple big ones jump up out of the water. Very cool.
Cole looking for fish. The boy needs a harpoon instead of a paddle.
The view from below: Up in that mountain side is one of the greatest XC trails -- Connector to Foresthill Divide. I'm used to looking down at the water not up from it.
Lime Rock. Auburn, Ca.

Thursday, August 06, 2009

Poolside

Since I am grounded off my bike, I have tried to embrace new activities like one-stiff-legged swimming.  It's not quite the rush of mountain biking.
I have also decided to pick the camera back up.  Action shots today.



I did stop to pose with a ginormous (dead) cockroach I fished out of the pool.  It's good to freak out the kids from time to time.

Sunday, August 02, 2009

There is nothing good about having a knee that won't bend or that is in constant, uncomfortable pain.  There is no leason learned, no silver lining behind being immobile.  I'm coming out of my skin.  :( (A thousand unhappy emoticon faces).

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Things I Am Learning From My Knee Injury


Slow down.  (Not on a bike however.  If anything, I am more determined to perfect the art/sport that I have come so dedicated to and apply even more skill and daring -- in that order.  Skill first, then daring).  With a knee injury (still non-specific, no clear diagnosis yet) everything takes twice as long . . . and surprisingly that is refreshing.  I used to dash around from task to task trying to cram as many activities in one day as I could, usually doing two or three at the same time:  Work, clean house, stock refrigerator, somewhat of a handle on laundry, children's activities, my activities (friends, bike rides, emails), yard work, organizing, planning . . . the list goes on and on and all was to be accomplished in one normal sun up, sun down day.  Why not?  Why not do it all, have it all, and get it all done?  It is possible.

With this lame knee, I hobble from task to task and decide on . . . three.  Three things a day to accomplish is a good number.  I get some work done.  It is enough.  I ask my children to accompany me to the grocery store and make dinner, and they accept.  Instead of it becoming a task to accomplish, it's time we spend together.  So far, in the past two days of hobbling, I can see this as an advantage.  Today while I sat at the river in my folding chair working on my laptop as my friends went on their customary ride together (not wanting to leave me out they escorted me down to the river and set me up in a nice spot) I watched as they took off down the trail . . . I may not tolerate this aspect too much longer.  But the slowing down, I hope I can apply that always.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Sunday Food

Sunday morning waffles.
Sunday afternoon Caprese salad.
Food is beautiful.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Green For Now

I love my lemon tree.  I may have mentioned in a previous post how the lemon tree was uncovered after many years of living in an overgrown back yard.  Now it's the crown jewel of the yard (when the newly planted Dogwood is not in bloom stealing its thunder).  

I noticed this evening as the sun was setting through the yard that the lemon tree boasts promises of a plentiful crop . . . these gems were everywhere!

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Brent's Going to Art School

Tonight my oldest son, Brent, and I are rifling through the immense amount of art supplies he received from open house at his new (pricey) art school that he will be attending for the next few years. We are both so excited about this new chapter in Brent's life that will eventually lead him to an exciting, lucrative career in Game Art & Design (the official title of his major).

Go Brent! I love you!

Sunday, July 05, 2009

In the Running . . .


In a previous post I uncovered that my criteria for a new couch is "comfortable, stylish, and a good deal". This couch and love seat are comfortable and stylish . . . but not so much a deal on the price. Hmmmm?

Saturday, July 04, 2009

Hang on to Your Sides Grammar Fans

Hahahaha.  I just read a sentence that said "It's my participle, I'll dangle it if I want to."  (So classic, the participle 'to' is dangling at the end of that sentence). Hoohaa, for a grammar geek like myself, that's a side splitter.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Eating smoked oysters and salmon and drinking a can of Modelo out of a bag while sitting on the beach looking at the waves in Coos Bay, OR is a nice way to spend a few hours.  Sighhh

Monday, June 29, 2009

Fate?

I was drawn into a Banana Republic store while walking across the street looking for a place to eat while staying the night in Oakland. It was surprisingly chilly outside (and a huge relief from the heat in Auburn) and I talked myself into thinking I needed a sweater. Inside I found a sweater on sale -- and a pair of shoes. When I took the sample shoe to look for a sales person so I could try them on, a rude yet attractive black sales woman begrudgingly helped me. When she unapologetically brought a smaller size shoe than I wear and told me they didn't have my size, I said, Ok, no problem. Flatly she suggested I try them on anyway and walk around the store, they run large and they might fit after all. That was a friendly improvement. Although, as predicted, the shoes were uncomfortably squeezing my feet. When I came back from my trot, she was helping another customer in the same begrudging manner. I did not feel insulted by her treatment after all, it seemed standard.

When I told her the shoes didn't fit, she offered to check to see if they were in stock in another store, I said, That's Ok, no problem. She searched anyways and found there were no more shoes like that in my size (bummer, they were really cool looking) I said, That's Ok, no problem. She then started talking to me in a more relaxed manner joking about the shoes. We laughed. Then she talked about slowing down and enjoying the moment more. I agreed whole heartily. Then she mentioned she was soon taking two weeks vacation and I asked her if she was going anywhere special. She said she was just going here and there with her children because they complained she spends too much time at work. Ohh ya, I agreed again, juggling a job and children is THE hardest thing to do. We nodded and mhhmm'd. She declared that she just needs to finish school so she can get a better job.

I spoke up and told her that I graduated from college about six years ago while my kids were in grade school. I told her it was one of the most trying things I have ever done, but that I have a great job now where I can make my own schedule and work from home when I need to (and afford to shop at Banana Republic). She said she just needed to get on it and do it. She said that she doesn't hardly ever talk to anyone that comes in the store, but that sometimes people say things for a reason. I felt a little overwhelmed by her revelation -- was she implying that I was drawn in to that store to share an experience with her in her time of obvious questionning? I wished her the best of luck and gave her a quick knowing nod good-bye as I rushed out of line to not hold up the people behind me any longer. I turned to see her knowing nod in return. Was it fate? It couldn't be, I don't believe in it. Do I . . . whatever it was, it was nice.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Happiness is a Bike

While I have stalled temporarily on looking for a new couch (for now, this is a process), I have found and bought the mountain bike I now love. I've already had great adventures on my new bike:
Manzanita
Tinker
Clementine
Connector
Stonewall
(all Auburn trails) and . . . Downieville!
Downieville was awesome. A perfect 15 mile DH ride, then lunch and a beer, a cruise to the river where we sat with our feet in the sand and skipped rocks in the river. It was a beautiful day with friends and a bike. Perfect. 
Tina and I hanging out on the bridge in between divides.
I'm obviously telling Marianne about my favorite part of the trail . . . or some nonsense.
Beautiful.  We actually encountered some snow at the top of Sunrise trail. It was great fun!

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Have You Noticed


that the mustache
is the new sparrow?

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Benjamin Franklin In The Making?

Naw, it's Cole donating his hair for childhood cancer research.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

"If you are facing the right direction all you have to do is keep walking." - Buddhist Proverb

Thursday, April 30, 2009

In Rememberance


Tragedy has recently struck our family, my cousin's family specifically. One of my favorite cousins (I know we're not supposed to have "favorites," but we often do) recently lost her son, Seth. Seth was a very sweet kid and very close to his family. He was only 17. He and his family lived in Ojai, mostly known as a sleepy So. Cal town. Seth had admittedly fallen into a rough crowd and was working his way out of it. Last Saturday night, Seth was fatally stabbed by a 14 y/o gang member who had been harassing Seth and his friends for some time. (Story). It is a tragedy beyond comprehension. It is hard to understand that because of a few seconds of violence we will never see Seth again, that he will never grow up, that he will never have a family of his own. I can't even imagine what his mom, dad, grandma (one of my "favorite" aunts), and brothers are going through. We are travelling to Ojai this weekend to go to what will probably be the toughest memorial ever.
Hug your kids, keep them close, and cherish every day you have with your loved ones. Love you guys!

Monday, April 27, 2009


My new favorite restaurant in Oakland . . . La Calaca. I craved a good authentic burrito. I didn't know where to find anything but the Children's Hospital in Oakland (my client). I let fate and desire for the perfect burrito lead the way and five minutes later I ended up here (and there was parking!!) . . . and had the best pescado burrito of my life!

Patience is a . . . bike


Remember how I told you I don't like to shop, but that my new goal is to slow down and put more thought in to a purchase. Well, yesterday I test rode my third bike and it made me want to impulse buy. I told myself to test as many bikes as possible before settling on the right one. Sometimes though, when you meet the right one you just know it. And yesterday I fell in love . . . with a bike. (I actually said in my head as I was riding: I have found the bike I'm going to marry. I mean buy. OMG, I can't believe I just said marry). Now I just have to test my patience and keep testing bikes before tying the knot. But the Santa Cruz Nomad, ahhhhhh. I'm all giddy.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Day Tripping



Hannah and I ended up at the ocean the other day. (She took the picture of me and I took the picture of her. She took the picture of our friend the crab).

Friday, March 20, 2009

I bought my daughter a Toyota 4Runner for her 16th B-Day. She went four-wheeling with it today -- her and a few friends. (I found out about when I looked in iphoto).

Friday, March 06, 2009

Patience is a Couch


I am not a shopper. I don't have the patience for it. When I want/need something, I have an ideal about what that is, and then I spend no more than a minute, hour, day (depending on what it is) finding something close enough and be done with it. Time to move on to the next activity. Right now I want/need a new couch. However, this time I am going to dedicate a year to this search, time to change my evil shopping ways. (Molly, 2009 is, in part, the year of the couch). I am going to find the right couch to meet my tastes, needs, and budget. It's going to be stylish, comfortable, practical -- and a steal, that will make it even more attractive.

The couch pictured above is stylish, but neither looks comfortable nor is a steal (it's a bajillion dollars) . . . but, it is the start of the process.

I am also shopping for a new mountain bike . . . I will post photos once I begin taking bikes out on demos. Until then, no bike will be bought until ridden and compared with others. The journey begins.

What Your Friends Do on Your Computer at a Party That You Find Out About Months Later

I like surprises . . .

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Did you have any ideal?

Did you know that the President's plane the "Air Force One" is stocked with M&Ms that are packaged in a box that has the Presidential seal and a facsimile signature on them?  How important would you feel if your snacks were signed by you first?  Maybe we should try.

Monday, February 02, 2009

I May As Well Rename This Blog: Hannah's Photos

. . . because I don't seem to take any pictures of my own anymore. And I don't seem to have any writing in me either. Snnfff. (It will come back, right?)

Photo shoot by Hannah with her friends as models with pictures of models.


Thursday, January 22, 2009

It's Nice To Hear

It's nice to hear your almost 16 y/o daughter say she'd rather stay home than go out because home is so comfortable.

It's nice to hear your youngest son crack you up daily with witty, insightful jokes, making you laugh like your best friends would.

It's nice to hear your children decline an offer for dessert by saying, "no thank you, I've already eaten something with sugar in it today.  I think I've had enough" without any prompting from yourself.  (Maybe they will make good choices without you one day - whew).

It's nice to hear your 20 y/o son say "love you mom" and give you a hug before he leaves for the day.

It's nice to hear your children have an informed discussion of the merits and downsides to a movie over the dinner table.

It's nice to hear your daughter speak enthusiastically about how she approaches her sport and what she is getting out of it.

These are some of the things I heard in the last few days . . . it's nice to hear, because as we all know with families, as with life, we don't always hear things that put a smile on our face . . . but these things that we hear, these are the things that fill us up. 

Monday, January 19, 2009

Colfax had a strong team showing as Hannah West led the way, taking sixth in 2:44.56.



The season is upon us.  Hannah is in full snow board slalom form.  (Headline taken from the Auburn Journal January 13th, 2009).

She's also had her first close call, but narrowly escaped with a sprain.  Whew!  (This happened after the race while attempting a 180 off a box . . . what did I tell you about that!)

Sunday, January 11, 2009

My friend Molly sent me this photo a few months back . . . she knows how much I like the colors and style of Edward Hopper's paintings . . . she also knows how much I like Legos (actually, I'm not sure she does).  But she does know how much her son Aidan likes Legos.  Did you happen to see the episode of That 70's Show where Red and Kitty go to Phillies for dinner?

Sunday, January 04, 2009

A Complex Carbohydrate


Is corn a vegetable or grain? I wondered this tonight while whisking handfuls of olive-oil-popped popcorn into my mouth. After moving from my position standing in front of the kitchen counter to a seat in front of the computer, I decided to put down the popcorn and do some research for an answer . . . and jeez, what I found is that no one seems to agree on one. In fact, the research only validated me for even pondering this topic, rather than feeling like the only dolt in the world who would want to know. The closest I came to believing one explanation (despite the very many to choose from, such as: "It's a grain. End of story"), is that it is a vegetable, a grain, and a fruit. (And as well, the corn plant sprouts from a seed, which happens to be the dried kernels we eat, so I guess it is a seed too. And it is classified in the grass family. So . . . I guess it's grass. ???!). Maaan. . . talk about your complex carbohydrates . . . (badabum [drum noise]).

If you are dolt enough to want an explanation, here is the link for the vege, grain, fruit trifecta theory: http://www.extension.org/faq/17275. They're all just theories anyway. . . corn is the religion in the food pyramid.