Wee Toes and Noggins

You MUST check out this cute little website. I went to college with Wendy and her husband, and she makes the cutest little booties. They're hand-made, and are really professional and creative.

I think these are my favorites...
I'm just bummed that Lucy is too big for them now! Such a cute idea for a baby shower. Anyway, if you're needing a shower gift, these are just too much fun.

Quiet on the So Cal Front

I spent a week in Selma with my parents--a glorious time of self-indulgence and grandchild worship. Lucy learned to say "Guh-MEEE!" and "Guh-PAAA," and fun was had by all. I came home with literally about 20 pounds of fruit. When you're from the Central Valley, the addage "You don't know what you're missing until it's gone" is definitely true.

I'm thinking my blogging is slowing down. I'm fairly certain my readership has dwindled, and now that my mom's computer is down, I think it might just be me that reads this anyway. I am finding that it's harder to write when I'm not sure who is reading.
But occasionally I'll include something going on in my life, just for fun. So here's for fun:

Lucy's latest capers have surrounded my faithful viewership of "Dancing with the Stars." She loves to spin in circles when she sees it, and she'll point at the computer or TV and say "Dan-SEEENG!" When they hold up the paddles, she says, "Nine!!" I got her to say "Bruno" and "Shimmy," too. It's hilarious! She's also big into body parts, and it's so funny to see her run across the room with her hands on her head, shouting, "Head! Head!" My favorite, of course is, "Hiney!"

This morning we averted a disaster. I was putting applesauce into a bowl when I realized I'd put the yogurt too close to the edge of the counter. Oops. I got to it before she had completely rolled in it, and the only casualties were her hands. She calls it "no-gu." Not exactly a descriptive term.

Well, off to put her down for a nap and grab one myself... unfortunately it was a 4:45 call time this morning.

May Day

Is it really May already? It opened with the typical May Gray, which I actually love. Everyone here complains if it's anything but 75 and sunny. I love cold (L.A. cold) and cool weather, especially before the heat begins to build its fury and dominance. It's like my last little friendly cloud before I feel like I'm in a tanning booth for 5 months.

My little fireball niece turned 4 today. She is the cutest little punkin' and about as sneaky as they get. =) Happy birthday, cutie pants!

Tonight I experimented with some close-up photography. I know next to nothing about photography, and would have loved to have a pro with me for ideas, but it was fun to play around. My back is killing me because the focal points were so delicate, but it was fun to see what is possible. The subject? Ah, but that would spoil it now wouldn't it?

Off to my parents' house next week. I find it funny that I go to Selma to relax, but it really is
relaxing to hang out with my folks, have people to play with Lucy, and visit old friends. I'm going to visit my old piano teacher who has metastatic lung cancer. She was the first teacher that really got me and really talked me into playing good stuff. I don't think I really understand that she's sick. I have a great coach for talking to sick people... my Dad is so experienced. I do look forward to seeing her again, as she was such a special person to me.

Well, signing off for tonight.

Princess Lucy?

So my idea with Lucy is not to have an arranged marriage, but rather an approved list. So far, all the boys on the list are generally the kids of my friends. Micah Watson, Nicholas Geringer, Colin Twisselmann, Aiden Pipher, Timothy Johnson, Noah Sharpe, etc. But there are some exceptions, of course. My favorite exception is Christian Valdemar Henri John, Prince of Denmark. He's not quite two years old, and he is just the cutest little sweetheart. Check him out here. (I don't want to post the pictures... they are copyrighted). His mother is just gorgeous. The prince met her at the Sydney Olympics, I believe through friends. He introduced himself as "Fred." Seriously, what a fairytale! Apparently she now speaks perfect Danish. They just had a daughter on Saturday, though the name has yet to appear.

So, what do you think of my choice for Lucy??

Wiiii (revised)!

Oh, the fun we've had with the Wii around here! We've been making Mii's for anyone who comes by. I don't know what we will do if Eric ever moves out... hee and the Wii will be missed!

Here's my Mii, though I think it's not quite right.


Isn't he cute?? (yes that's Steve)

And my little Gangster/Anime Baby...

Bud, or "Bubbo" as Lucy is calling him. Abby said, "Bud looks woowwwied." (worried)

My father-in-law... an exact likeness!


Steve's mom, or "Mimi" as the kids call her. I think she looks like a librarian!


Now here's the cake. Look who is playing whom. Note the boxing gloves.


Now note who is doing the victory dance... Oh yeah. One of the greatest accomplishments of my life!!

Wiiiiii!

Technical difficulties... re-posting...

Not for men (except Steve, Dad, maybe Bud)

I just realized Lucy has been weaned "for reals" for over a week now, and because of all the Busy, I'm not sure I really had the opportunity to process it. I was caught off guard at how sad I am about it. I mean, I'm the one who wanted to wean this long-overdue 14-month old! Long enough! Time for some freedom! But when I realized that Thursday night's feeding in the nursery at church between choir rehearsals was the last time I will ever nurse that little girl, it made me catch my breath. End of Baby, full-force Beginning of Toddler. Beginning of Growing Up. Wonderful, wonderful paradox. I suppose the beginning of that really was the day she left my body to live and breathe on her own. And I think of my own, dear, dear Mom and how much I still need her. I know Lucy will always need me in some way, and the two of us will always do the little dance to find that balance. I figure I will practice now the letting go that happens a little bit at a time. And what a wonderful thing! I really do celebrate this big step for my big girl! But for now it's okay to grieve the end of the thing I never knew would be so special.

Everybody Eats When They Come To My House

That's a song title from my new John Lithgow CD of cool childrens' songs. I think it is talking about me. I swear I am turning into an Italian Mama.
Me: Are you hungry??
You: Um... "
Me: I make you something!
This week I must say some pretty stinkin' good meals and desserts have come out of my kitchen, thanks also to Mimi (Steve's mom). We had steak one night and salmon another and BBQ'd chicken and pork chops sauteéd with a shallot and white wine sauce. Yum! We've had lots of wonderful visitors to share the food with, and I always feel happy when I can serve a meal people really enjoy--even if it is simple.

In other news, I went to the dentist and got the "5 Star of the Day Award" because my teeth looked so good. Whew!! I'm too scared of the dentist not to floss, so I sort of ramp up before and after the dentist. I slack off in the middle, and then ramp up again toward the next appointment. It's like a little sine curve. But kudos to mom for all those years of those nasty vitamins with fluoride in them!

To come:
Mii's and wood flooring.

Easter, etc.

I thought some of these pics from Easter week might be fun!

This is the Easter egg hunt across the street. They'd filled them with Cheerios and fishies for the little kids, so when Lucy found her first two, she just assumed they were maraccas.


These were from Aunt Cindy. Lucy rarely leaves anything on her head, so this was a lucky moment. =)


Grammie and Lucy playing with the "easter grass." No, not that kind of grass! Goodness, clean up your thinking! Lucy had a great time with Grammie. She has a hard time with the name (though today I got "wah-ree" or something like that out of her. While she was here, Lucy would stop her play once in awhile and just crawl into Grammie's lap. =)


Cropped picture for your viewing pleasure--so you don't have to see my enormous butt! This is how I cook and do dishes most days. Note the cute little outfit that Lucy has on. Thanks, Mimi! (Mimi is the grandkids' name for Steve's mom.)


The sandbox! Whose brilliant idea was this?? I am slowly getting used to the dirt involved in having a toddler. I'm about there with mess and food, but dirt is still unsettling to me. The sand I find in that kid's diaper never ceases to amaze me! Note outfit #2 that just appeared when Mimi showed up!


And the piéce de résistance... (I swear, this was not staged!)

The flowers

Well, the weekend is over. I sang my Friday night service (which was amazing), I spent most of Saturday getting the flowers ready for the sanctuary (which turned out well), I welcomed my in-laws (who are fun!), I got up early and set up flowers for the brunch (which was lovely), and prepared my Easter dinner (which was kick-a@#!). I missed the Easter service because Lucy had a runny nose and we got kicked out of the nursery last Sunday for the same reason. I walked around with her in the stroller, which was actually really nice. There were lots of people around, and we enjoyed it. I did miss the opportunity to worship with my church, but the Good Friday service was really special.

My Easter dinner was fun to make. I bought a leg of lamb, which is a real treat. I marinated it in olive oil and shoved a bunch of garlic into little slits in the side. It turned out reeeeally good. I also made a potato gallette and roasted asparagus. The dessert was the coup de gras... Oreo crust, ice cream, fudge, cool whip, and crushed Cadbury mini eggs. Oh yeah. Now to roll my pudgy body to bed.

The craziness

I just said goodbye to my mom today... a much more hurried goodbye than I would have liked, but L.A. traffic stole my hug. We hit a dead stop in commerce, and heard on KNX that there was a crash across 3 lanes. We were at the dead stop a mile from the incident, so luckily I was able to bug out and slingshot past the clog. We arrived at 1:14 and the bus left at 1:15 with mom on it. We had a great week, and as always when she leaves, it feels like we are missing someone.

Tonight I had a 2+ hour choir rehearsal... fun, but tiring. And in a tiny, hot room. Tomorrow I prepare the house and the food for another round of family as well as my obligations at church. I sing tomorrow night, then Saturday/Sunday I am responsible for decorating the sanctuary and the tables for the Easter brunch. Still not quite sure how I got myself into that! Here's what I think is funny: I generally enjoy hosting, and my sister enjoys decorating. How is it that she's hosting a group of friends for Easter and I'm decorating the sanctuary??

I also have to bake for the Easter brunch and get Easter dinner ready for my family. I'm so glad we are making steaks on Monday... easy for me! Then dinner out on Tuesday. Yay! Tiiiiired... Going to bed....

Personal Best

My legs feel a little like noodles, but I feel great. I ran a whole hour today for the first time ever! We took advantage of a glorious So. Cal day and a newly discovered "super secret parking spot" and ran along the shore with Lucy acting as coxswain. Hard to believe that I used to abhor running, especially as an asthmatic. I thank Doug Geringer, who told me "Run as slow as you think possible for as long as you can." So began my personal challenge to run a 5K, which I did only 7 months later. Now I am thinking of a 10K, but there I will stop. There is a reason the original marathoner died when he crossed the finish line. But to end on a cheerful note, here's to getting a personal best after 30! Pass the Cadbury Mini Eggs!

Huh-larious!

I've always wondered about people who have bad musical skills that make their livings as musicians. Van Morrison is one of those who manages to have a pretty, um, unpolished voice, and yet cranked out some catchy stuff in his career. You must click this link for the best review EVER.

Reoccurring Dreams

I'm sure you all have them. My classic example is the one where I realize I have to go back to school, and I don't mean for further education, I mean because some requirement was left unfinished. Generally it's college, though often it's been high school, and a few times even elementary school. I'm generally either late to school, or I've been goofing around and have forgotten to study. I find myself trying to explain that I've been out of school for years, and that I'm an adult, and they keep treating me like a kid. When I was pregnant I kept dreaming that I was in the choir, but we didn't know what to do about my choir dress, since I was getting big. My sister has the same dream (minus the pregnant stuff), and she told one of our high school teachers about it. He thought it was funny, and sent her a fake letter from the school saying she had neglected to finish history (his class) and she should report to school the next Monday.

In college I almost constantly had a dream that I got up to the altar and was about to marry someone, but immediately I realized that I couldn't marry the guy. He was generally a faceless guy, but you'd think I'd have gotten a clue earlier...

The only wedding dream I had when I was engaged was that I was late and my hair was dirty. I must have been worried about getting everything done in time. =)

Recently I had a similar dream twice in a week, and it's really random. I dreamt Steve's younger sister moved in next door to my parents. Random dream once, but twice?? At least that was a happy dream.

Then last night I had another of my reoccuring dreams, which always takes place at Campus by the Sea, a camp my family went to out at Catalina Island. We went for 25 summers, so in many ways it is a very homey place. Last night, however, I dreamt that I was going to volunteer in the kitchen (something I'd like to do sometime anyway), and as I started to work with my portable KitchenAid standing mixer (ha ha!) Things just started coming out over the sides and turned into a big mess. Luckily I had Steve's other sister, Jen, there to help me, as well as my dad. I was trying to cook in my tent, by the way.

Anyone else have reoccuring/weird dreams?

Home again, home again

We're home in one piece, though the 5+ hour flight home was probably the worst time I've had as a mother since the second night in the hospital. However, we are rested and home and Lucy and I are friends again. =)

Here are a few shots from our trip...

View from our hotel room...



View from our whale tour...


Adventurer or big retard? Zipline tour through the woods.

View from our zipline tour.



Can't see the waterfall or the fish, but this was Lucy's favorite spot. She now says "weeshey" which is "fishy."


Whale watching. This really was amazing, and totally worth doing again. We actually saw a real "breach" where the whale completely jumped full-body out of the water. Sweet!


Lucy commanding the troops. We stayed on the grass a lot, as cleaning up a sandy Lucy was a pretty good ordeal.


Imagine the CHUNKS of sand that fell out of her bathing suit!

This week...

Am I more excited about this....


this...


or this??

Spring Fever List

Here's my list for when I get the Spring bubblies in my soul. Sometimes I can't tell you why it's there, but I just like how it feels, and would play it while driving over the Grapevine with the windows down.

One Little Slip - Barenaked Ladies
Somewhere Over the Rainbow - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
Follow You Down - Gin Blossoms
Something That You Said - Bangles
Love is Stronger Than Justice - Sting
Mrs. Robinson - The Lemonheads
Walk Away Renee - Vonda Shepherd (wish I had Lowen & Navarro's version!)
Lithium Sunset - Sting
Friday I'm In Love - The Cure
1985 - Bowling for Soup (Sewp?)
Hey Jealousy - Gin Blossoms
This Love - Maroon 5 (I know, I know, it's so not like me to like Maroon 5!)
Found OUt About You - Gin Blossoms
A Summer Song - Chad & Jeremy (Chad & Jeremy who??)
Experimental Film - They Might Be Giants (or they might not?)
Once in a Lifetime - Talking Heads
What I am - Edie Brickell
In a Different Light - Bangles
New Slang - The Shinns
I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)
Today - Smashing Pumpkins
Englishman in New York - Sting and the POlice
Better Together - Jack Johnson
It's a Shame About Ray - The Lemonheads
Epilogue (Nothing 'Bout Me) - Sting
A Little Respect - Erasure
Until I Fall Away - Gin Blossoms
The Look-Roxette

I'm realizing this should be called my Nostalgia list, and should then also include some Bon Jovi... It seems much of this is related to things like: The mix tape (yes, tape!) my sister made for me when I went away to college; the song my English teacher played for us to demonstrate a point; a song I learned at camp... etc.

Any Spring additions? I think I"m going to go buy some Bon Jovi...

Six Years!

Today Steve and I celebrate our SIXTH anniversary! I can honestly say that these six years have been the best of my life. How did God know? Why did he give me such an incredible gift when I was so thoughtlessly gadding about for so long? What fun we always have together! This year will be infinitely better than last year, though, as Lucy is a much happier kid than her colicky self last year. We even got the same babysitter (THANKS RACHELLE!) as last year with the promise that she would sleep the whole time. =) I think we took a year off Rachelle's life last year.


Here's our Bible Study, our dearest friends, minus Greg & Kristen and Mandi & Eric. I wish with all my heart that they could have been in this picture. Kristen and Jamie were honorary maid/matron of honor (I should've made that official!) and Mandi and Eric were there, too.


This is on our "Rum Cruise" in Hawaii on our honeymoon ... too bad we discovered we didn't like rum! They let us drive the boat, though, since we were the only sober people there.


At the Getty for our engagement pictures. (Thanks Beca!)


Neither of us knew how to dance, but it was the best dance ever!

We had sooo much fun that day. I was so glad we did pictures before the wedding. We had a moment where we saw each other for the first time, all alone, which was awesome. Then we got to just hang out with our friends, and when I walked down the aisle, it was like the first time we saw each other all over again.


So here's to my love, my friend, companion, co-parent, partner for life. Here's to 6 times 6 more years!

Menu for the last week before Daylight Savings

Monday - Chicken Provençal
Tuesday - Beef and Broccoli with Fried Rice
Wednesday - Nacho Pizzas (way yummier than they sound!)
Thursday - Chicken Cordon Bleu (Sort of)
Friday - Pot Roast

I have to say, I got really lucky with some great recipes this week. I must say, the Earles have been eating well this week. I've used 3 America's Test Kitchen recipes, and generally they are totally foolproof. One is a Rachael Ray meal from the Tivo'd episode of 30 minute meals that my sister brought for me. I love a tasty, healthy, cheap, fast meal! That's the trick... they have to be tasty, healthy, cheap and fast, and it's tough to get all 4 without getting bored.

Homesick

I've lived in L.A. for nearly 13 years, and yet I still get a little homesick at this time of year. Partially because it looks a bit like this at home (Central Valley... this picture doesn't come close):



Partially because sometimes at this time of year I wish I could just go home and be a little girl again. I could wake up late in my pink room and drive my little V.W. and go to Immanuel & Fresno State baseball games and head up to Shaver Lake and walk around at midnight in the snow.
I miss my high school friends because they were the first friends I really felt close with and safe with. My Jr. High friends (as I didn't know then but know now) were changeable and cruel and shallow, but in high school I found some people that were true gems. I still keep in touch with many of them and it's fun to go through life stages with them. But I wish we could just go back once or twice and play "Stealth" out in the vineyard once again. But the vineyard where we used to play is a new housing development now, so I suppose I will be content where I am.

The flattened land to the right is where they leveled the vineyard for houses. The development is a nice one, and the houses have lots of room (not all squished together), and look different from one another, but will always feel like a fake town to me or something.

National Geographics, High School, and Flowered Hats

First, I must clear up a possible problem with the lyrics on one of my workout songs. "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None The Richer says this:

Bring, bring, Bring your flowered (floured?) hat...

Maybe it had these kind of flowers:

Granted, still not the most manly of hats, but maybe it was Hawaiian flower print, which, made in the right way, worn by the right personality, can still be manly.

Okay, moving on to item #2. Some ducks have adopted our backyard for their mating ritual. Two male ducks and a female duck have come 2 mornings this week and just kind of hang out. The smaller male duck spends the whole time getting chased by the bigger male duck, who is protecting his girlfriend. She just kind of stands there and rolls her eyes. So finally the small duck flies off, scared of the possessive boyfriend. Boy duck and girl duck look at each other, like, "Okay, well, what now." I'm terrified at this point that I'm going to witness some "National Geographics" in my own backyard, seeing that it's that time of year. Thankfully they both flew off, presumably because she told him that she didn't believe in sex before marriage. Somehow I wasn't sure if I was watching ducks or high school kids.

Have a lovely day!

Playlists

I think I've touched on this topic before, but since I seem to be boring the heck out of my audience =), I think I will try to turn to mass media.

Here's my workout play list:
Beautiful Day - U2
Piranas Are a Very Tricky Species - Mark Mothersbaugh
All I Want - Toad the Wet Sprocket
Brian Wilson - Barenaked Ladies
Whatever I Fear - Toad the Wet Sprocket
Everyday Is a Winding Road - Sheryl Crow
Pride (In the Name of Love) - U2
Two Steps - Dave Matthews Band
Head Over Feet - Alanis Morriset
I Did It - Dave Matthews' Band
Zoo Station - U2
Kiss Me - Sixpence None The Richer
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic - Sting and the Police
Desert Rose - Sting
Where the Streets Have No Name - u2

What are some songs on your workout lists?

A nagging cold is a constant drip

Well, yet again we are sick. Lucy woke up in the middle of the night late Thursday with a nasty sounding croup. Poor baby! We did the steam treatment, then the cool air, which seemed to help. I got to bed at 2 that night. I got a bit of the cough and then a good, strong nasal congestion by Saturday. I used to hate being sick on the weekend, but now I'm glad because at least I have people to help out during the day. Back to Monday, though. I would have stayed home from work today and watched movies and slept. Ah well. New job, new demands. We will lay low today anyway, and I think I will still treat myself to a movie while I take care of little Pants.

Hello, goodbye

We just waved goodbye to my sister and her family. I always ache a little inside when I say goodbye to them because it is so long until I will see them again. My little nieces are growing up so fast!




Here's a picture of them 2 years ago, which seems like yesterday! They are such big girls now!


Next time we see them is probably in August, then maybe in the Fall sometime. They had a grand time with Lucy! I'm so glad that "the cousins" all enjoy each other.

Fun at the Cube

Lucy went to her first museum this weekend with her cousins. She was pretty unsure about it all. Lots of kids, lots of noise, crazy things to look at. But it did seem like she had a good time, especially with Grammie. There was a really great Sesame Street exhibit at the "Cube Museum" in Santa Ana. Very cute!

What's in a name?

My brother recently posted about his favorite names. I was thinking about how biblical names are often so popular. Eli, Micah, Jonathan. Samuel, David, Jacob. My reading in 2 Samuel prompted me to add some to the pool: Eleazar, Dodo, Ahohi, Shammah, Agee, Josheb-basshebeth, Zeruiah, Abiezer, Mebunnai, Zalmon, Maharai, Heleb, Baanah and Ittai. I wonder why those aren't sweeping the nation?
I especially like Ahohi. Sort of rolls off the tongue... or the back of the throat.

Here's a chuckle in honor of Hallmark Goosh Day.

Menu for Single Awareness Week

I'm told Valentine's Day should be called "Single Awareness Day." It's a bogus holiday anyway, but we like any excuse to eat red meat, so there you go.

Sunday - Sauerbraten with roasted potatoes and carrots
Monday - Stuffed Shells with steamed broccoli
Tuesday - Frickadiller with potato pancakes and peas
Wednesday - Steaks, steamed artichokes with dipping sauces, and twice-baked potatoes
Thursday - Chicken stuffed with ricotta, bacon and spinnach with roasted squash
Friday - Beef Stew

This weekend the family of Northernesse is all here (Fresno and Seattle), so we will indulge in tri-tip and then BBQ chicken. Oh yeah.

If I only had a brain

The biggest thanks to my dearest love for giving me the gift ever girl wants--more hard drive space!! We bought this computer this last year to replace the one I had to give back to Biola when I quit, and I went from an 80 gig hard drive to a 60 gig hard drive. An interesting switch, considering I now have hundreds of pictures and little movies of Lucy. My poor computer kept telling me it was almost full, so I would make room for it and then stuff more things in. Now I am breathing a sigh of relief and contentment as I begin to stuff more things into my roomy machine.

Here's a parting picture... my poster girl for learning to read. =)

Progress!

6:10 this morning! Hooray! Im greedy... I want 7:00... However, 6:10 is waaay better than 4:54.

Pure, untainted happiness

Exactly what I was thinking...