My Secret Talent

 

I always admire people who can sing or dance... their talents are so visible.  When I was growing up, our family didn't pursue after school activities.   While other kids did sports, dance, or play musical instruments, I hid out in the treehouse spying on the neighborhood.  

I was convinced up until the age of 18 that I was destined to be an Olympic Champion Ice Skater.  I'd never tried it, but I just *knew* it was my destiny.  If only my parents had let me take lessons, I would have gone straight to the top.  Then when I was 18, I tried Ice Skating multiple times.... I was terrible at it.  Maybe it wasn't my destiny.   

My brother hogged all the musical genes and the dimples, so I got stuck with the less obvious talents.  It has always embarrassed me when people ask me what my talents are, because when you say, "I can recall what people ordered at restaurants."  they don't seem all that impressed. 

Last week, we attended the Blue and Gold Banquet for Cub Scouts for Mr. Boy.  The after dinner activity was a paper airplane competition, which just happens to be my secret talent.  I can fold a wicked fast paper airplane.  I helped my children fold their planes and gave them some pointers.  They both placed first in their divisions and my children thought I was amazing.   

Sure, Paper Airplane competitions don't come with the fancy sequined outfits and the grandiose music, but for just one day my kids thought I was the most talented human on the planet.  

What's your secret talent? 

Missing those who have gone before us...

 

Last night while I was sleeping, I had a dream and heard my mom's voice.  The desire to see her was so strong that I sat up in bed and called out, "Mom, wait come back!" Then I realized I had been dreaming.  It's funny how you think you are fine but then have these moments where you miss your loved one so intensely.  

But this last week, I am missing my Mr. Man's Dad, my Father in Law.  He was an accountant like me, and while I spend my days wading through tax returns, I think of him.  He passed away seven years ago this month from ALS (aka Lou Gehrig's Disease). More than anything, I miss his fatherly guidance and wisdom.  He was the wisest man I've ever met and right now I wish I could sit down one more time with him. 

Mr. Man was my age when he lost his dad, and I truly couldn't comprehend the loss that he felt, but now I do. Even better, he understands the loss I feel, which I guess if these are life events you have to go through, it's nice to have someone who understands. 

Mr. Boy's First Crush

You may or may not remember from this post, where Mr. Boy hid behind a trash can, while brave AK went up to talk to the one and only Miss Mary Poppins at Disneyland.  When AK returned, Mr. Boy grilled her for details, including, "Did she smell like Marshmallows?" 

Yesterday, while roaming Disneyland we happened upon Mary Poppins and Bert. AK and her friend happily went up to greet them.  Mr. Boy kept his distance, but kept stealing glances out of the corner of his eye.   Oh yes, he still loves her.   

And apparently she loves him as well.  As we were getting ready to leave Mary Poppins winked at him and blew him a kiss.  Mr. Boy was mortified, but under those embarrassingly red cheeks he was secretly elated. 

 

Last night, as I tucked him into bed he asked, "Is Mary Poppins married to Bert?"  When I replied, "I think they are just dear friends."  He smiled and said, "Good, um... I mean that's nice"  

PS AK answered yes, Mary Poppins really does smell like Marshmallows.  

AK"s Pinkalicious Room

AK is a passionate girl, who is passionate for pink, bananas, and ice cream.  She has wanted a Pink Room forever, and why not grant her wish.  After all, how often do you get to grant someone's wish.  Although AK was less than enthusiastic about the pink surprise, she loves how her room turned out.

AK's room was the office/family room/Renovation Command Center before we moved her in.  Other than some new windows this room was barely touched during the renovation. I could not wait to decorate a girl's room.  The Chalet Renovation swallowed up much of the cash, so I had to do this on a tiny budget.  I was inspired by Serena and Lily's bedding and color combinations. 

Here is the before:

 

And with new bedding and a bookshelf to display her favorite books, and provide easy access to bedtime reading.  She still has a few more throw pillows coming, because every bed needs a hundred throw pillows.

We found this antique dresser at an estate sale, and I just knew it would be perfect if it was made over.  It provides just the right dainty touch to her room. 

The very drab corner before...

 And after, with some snazzy curtains.   I still need to reupholster the chair, but for now Zoey loves to hide underneath the fabric I draped over the chair.  See how AK has those lovely corner windows?  The deer love to rub their necks on the corner of the house and their antlers scratch the windows.   More than once, AK has been woken up by the deer scratching themselves on the corner of the house.  On nights when her evil parents put her to bed before she is sleepy, she likes to sit in her chair and open her window and talk to the neighbors as they come home from their evening outings. 

I fell in love with this crazy fabric and just had to make it into curtains.  It is perfect for the Chalet, with it's mountain and cabin scenes in vibrant pink and greens. 

  

Mr. Man is convinced I bought it for this detail, the hot pink deer!  Maybe I should dye Rupert Hot Pink?

 This dresser was a wedding gift from my mom when I got married.  It's over 100 years old and I love it.  It presented such a challenge, because I didn't think it would work in a pink room. 

But I think it kind of works in the room... Yes?  No?

My very favorite detail of the room is this bright pink chandelier.  My neighbor was actually tossing this ivory and gold chandelier and I happily took it off her hands.   Two coats of spray paint later, it became the pièce de résistance for AK's room.

AK loves her new room, and there is no confusing that this room belongs to AK.  It is absolutely a room filled with her personality.   

 

Now that AK's room is done, I can move on to another room.  I think the living room is next!

Game Changer

Best thing I've done in a really long time was listen to my inner voice when it said to pursue other options for Mr. Boy's Eczema.  It has been a constant battle for the last 4 years, and last fall, I just decided there has to be something better.  This is LA, and vanity is big business here.  Several phone calls and a scheduling fluke where we took a recently cancelled appointment instead of scheduling an appointment 11 months away... we got Mr. Boy into the best Pediatric Dermatologist / Plastic Surgeon in the city.

 

Mr. Boy loved the fancy office, the abundance of lasers, and having his own dressing gown.   He also loved that he got to take home little vials of "Magic Potion Lotion" every visit.  After spending the last 4 years constantly itching and dealing with relentless breakouts, in 4 months Dr. Fancypants has given Mr. Boy gorgeous clear skin.  

I've got to listen to that inner voice more often, this has been a serious game changer for Mr. Boy, boosting his confidence, and relieving an ailment that has bothered him for years.  If only that inner voice of mine would tell me next weeks winning lotto numbers.

Remembering Mom

One year ago, I lost my mom to breast cancer.  In some ways it feels like yesterday and in other ways it feels like a million years ago.  I miss her so incredibly much it physically hurts sometimes, even though some days she made me crazy.   I would give anything to hear her say, “Why don’t you put on some lipstick before we go out?”  She couldn’t stand that I didn’t wear lipstick when I left the house. 

I completely underestimated the ripple effects of my mom’s loss.  Her loss has left a gaping hole in my family.  There are so many times I reach for the phone to call her and feel that pang of, “oh, that’s right she is gone.”

But I am okay… well.. I'm going to be okay.  She promised me that I would be okay one day, and I cling to that promise, after all "Mother knows best."  Those days that I miss her the most, I am incredibly lucky there is a wide support system of people ready to lend an ear.  My neighbors who have raised their own families, have filled in as grandma’s to my kids and given me advice.  My friends and even their mom’s have lent an ear to provide their support. 

This is hard, and I didn’t want to do this… but I am going to be okay.  Today I’m going to celebrate the life that she lived.

Through an artist's eye

It had rained all morning, and then the sun came out while AK and I were running errands.  We  walked by this parking lot of shopping carts and AK gasps, "Mom it's so beautiful! Look!" 

And so we stood there for 10 minutes marveling at the beauty of the silver and red glistening in the sun. 

 

She has the eye of an artist and sees the good and beautiful in the world, which is a gift.  I just hope I can do her creative spirit justice in helping her pursue and develop her talents.

Giving Thanks for Puppy Kisses

Sweet Zoey is no longer puppy sized anymore.  She still behaves like a puppy and destroys whatever might be in her path.  Zoey gave Chelsey Handler's new book 1 star for taste, but 3 stars for holding her interest. 

She still rides in the front seat as if she were only 10 pounds.  She likes to wear a hat, which makes people do double takes because they think it's a human at first. Okay, maybe the kids like for her to wear a hat.

Mr. Man and the kids are begging for a second dog, because "that's all we ever known!"  And when I look in these eyes, I can't help but think... Ok let's get one more. Zoey has been the best thing to happen to this family.  Every single day I give thanks for her sweet and gentle nature, and her ability to love so unconditionally.

She also took good notes from Skoopi on how to be a good dog.  I can't help but smile as I watch her attentively keep an eye on the kids everywhere we go. She knows they are her "job" 

I know she is just a dog, and it may seem silly, but I am totally smitten.   Sometimes I wonder if Sandy and Skoopi are whispering in her ear... "Love the boy, he needs your love.   Be patient with the little girl, and watch over her.  Mr. Man needs to be greeted with enthusiasm when he comes home, work has been hard for him today. Nudge the woman, she needs you to remind her to pause and spread some love."   Am I crazy to think this?

The Garbage Show

Ever since AK was little, she has loved garbage trucks.  When she was little, we would sit outside and watch the garbage trucks haul our trash away.  Now at the Chalet, AK has the perfect viewing spot from the kitchen table.   Even better she can see the truck coming up the street from almost any window.   

 You can hear her screams and whoops, "The Garbage Show is starting!  The Garbage Show!" as she runs to sit on the table.   And the night before garbage day she tells me, "Tomorrow is the Garbage Show, tonight I'll dream of rows of garbage cans."   You know what they say... one man's garbage is another man's show.

Celebrating Another Year of Wisdom

On the morning of my birthday I awoke to notes every where, placed by Mr. Man proclaiming "Happy Birthday!"  They were on my toothbrush, in the refrigerator, in my purse and they were placed in all the places I go during my morning routine with the kids. 

  

For my birthday, I had a very handsome man ask me if I would like to join him at the aquarium for the day and of course, I said, "Yes!"   So I chaperoned Mr. Boy's field trip and spent the day learning all about Whales, Jellyfish, and petting Sting Rays and Sharks. It is always fun to see your kids in their own social environment and watch their interactions.  

 

Ever since I left home, my mom and dad would call at 7:09am (the time I was born) and sing a horrible rendition of Happy Birthday on the phone.   I miss it, but was overjoyed with a ton of messages from Mr. Man's loyal cousins and some friends singing happy birthday or playing a special song.  It made me laugh all day long.  I even got a special delivery from the beloved cousins of the worlds biggest chocolate cupcake.  I am so blessed with a family that has welcomed me in.

 

The Neighbor-steins came over to babysit and Mr. Man whisked me away to a dinner on the town.  This years destination had a nostalgic twist.  When we arrived home, the kids had set up a "party" per Mr. Man's instructions.  

The day could have ended right there, and it would be deemed a successful birthday.  I opened up some gifts and there was this Chef's Knife.....   Not just any Chef's Knife, but a particular Chef's Knife I had been admiring quietly from a distance for years.  As I opened it up, I gasped, how on earth did Mr. Man ever know I wanted it?  He'd never step foot in Williams Sonoma and seen me staring at it in the glass case.   I am constantly baffled by my husband in the very best possible way.   So glad I said Yes to him!

Absolutely my kid...

There is not doubt that this kid, while not flesh of my flesh, shares a giant piece of my heart and soul.  In so many ways he is identical to me, with many of the same quirks. He shares a love for clothes and shoes that potentially surpasses mine. 

Underneath the skinny jeans and the "skater tees" there is a huge heart.  When he learned that TOMS shoes gives one pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair you buy, he says, "Mom, what if we buy 10 pairs, and I just keep one... that's 19 pairs that goes to the kids who need them more than we do."

Mr. Boy shows off his favorite shoes.

And when we have looked online at the petfinder website for the missing dog in our lives, he becomes so concerned for the animals he sees... "Mom, if we don't get that dog, who will take care of it?"  As he lies in bed that night, he frets and worries about the homeless pets.

Relax little one, enjoy your childhood, the time is fleeting and their is ample time to solve the worlds problems.  I have no doubt that this child of mine will grow up to do great things and try to make the world a better place. 

Where does "YES" take you?

My motto for the new year is to to say YES more often when it comes to fun.  Interestingly, after declaring my new motto of "Yes Please!" aka The Yes Project.  I got a phone call from my super fun friend who said, "Would you and Mr. Man like to join us at the Monster Truck Rally?"  I wouldn't exactly say I'm the Monster Truck type, nor would I say that it is something I've ever really desired to do.   

But I said, "Yes, we'd love too!"  And I got my first taste of things I have been missing out on.  First off, it wasn't just any old Monster Truck Rally in nosebleed seats, it was a Monster Truck Rally with seats in a private luxury suite at the stadium! Oh the irony of it all. Thank you Microsemi!  I promise to use you for all my micro semi conductor needs. 

It was unbelievably fun, and I can't even describe how much I laughed, screamed, and cheered.  My voice was hoarse for three days. 

I found myself leaping out of my seat involuntarily to cheer.   I had the time of my life!  

 Now, I can't help but wonder what else I've missed out on...and I'm wondering if I'm too old to become a Monster Truck Driver. 

2012 -Life is Short, Grab it by the horns

I'm sick of the "someday's" and the "maybe one day's".   I don't want to hear them anymore, nor do I want to utter them again.   I still want to dream and hope, believe me I'm a big dreamer, but I'm tired of waiting for the future.  If there is one thing I've learned in 2011 is that "Life is Short", no more waiting around for fun. 

Whenever I told my mom about my hopes and dreams she would always without fail say, "Go for it.  Do it now!"  I would always balk and say, "Uh Mom, I don't have the money or someone to watch the kids or the time."   She would say, "Well there is that, but find a way."   At the same time she always wanted to travel around the world, but my Dad liked to reside stateside.   She always joked that after my dad passed away (he was 10 years her elder, so it was expected he would pass first) that she was going to buy a Mercedes and book a trip around the world the day after the funeral.  "Don't judge me kids.. I'll be grieving... but my grieving will take place in Egypt." 

When my mom was diagnosed in November of 2010 my brother and I said, "Alright mom, let's go to Paris, Egypt, Hong Kong, wherever."  Her body was too broken and too tired to travel at that point and she was at peace.  Traveling isn't everything and and in the end those trips didn't really matter.  Being around those you love is what matters most and enjoying your life now at the present is what matters. 

Unfortunately a fabulous trip to Europe isn't on the agenda for 2012, and that's okay. I've made my peace with it, and it doesn't look like Publisher's Clearing House will be dropping off a giant check at my door this year. And that's okay. 

This year I resolve to say YES more often than No.  I'm going to live a little louder, risk a little more, and take advantage of things that come my way.  

Five years ago if I was called up to do something embarrassingly like riding a stick horse around a crowded restaurant, I would have smiled and done it with my shoulders hunched down and my face red.  In 2009, I had a breakthrough and learned to step out of my tidy little box and have more fun.   But last year in 2011, in the dark rooms of grief I felt like I had been life had beaten me to the ground.  I can see myself lying on the floor of a boxing ring, just beaten down.  My friends, my family, have picked me up, brushed me off, rehydrated me, and said, "Get back in there.. you can do this."  I  feel like when 2011 was coming to a close,  I stood up, brushed myself off and grabbed my life by the horns and said, "This is MY life and I'm the Boss of Good Times around here." 

So now when I'm handing a stick horse and a cowboy hat and told to prance around the restaurant, I grabbed that cowboy hat and galloped and Yee-Haw'd my little heart out. Look out world, I'm all in and ready to make this year memorable.

1st Annual Polar Bear Swim

Zoey decided it was time to open the pool again.  Never mind that the water was a frosty 58 degrees.  

 

The kids decided to jump together, but AK tricked her brother at the last minute.  

Then she gather her courage and jumped in too.  She instantly burst into tears when she hit the water.  "It's COLD!" 

The kids jumped multiple times and were rewarded with hot showers and hot chocolate.  I'm thinking this needs to be an annual event with friends and the hot tub fired up. 

Saying Goodby to 2011

There is no nostalgia for the ending of 2011, other than it is a year I do not want to relive.  Truly, I am blessed with so many things, but this year was challenging in so many ways.  Our family lost my mom and our beloved pets this year, and I underestimated the fallout from those events. There were a host of other annoying challenges, but the year is done and we can start a new in 2012.  We sent 2011 off with a bang and spent the last week of the year with family.   

Such as my awesome rock star brother, who is also an amazing cook.   He is my rock and is so good to me.  When I was sixteen I would lock myself in my bedroom to call him and rant about how crazy things were.  He would always listen and calmly give advice.  Here I am at the age of 34 and I  last week I locked myself in the bathroom at my dad's house and called him to say, "This is crazy... how did we get here?"  I love him, and his loyalty and love are one of the best things in my life.  He has always been my "Big Brother" and to this day he introduces me as "My Baby Sister."

 

My brother is a lucky man, with an amazingly kind wife, and two adorable boys.  I love my nephews so very much and I look forward to hanging out with them.   My kids love them too, and we hit one of our favorite museums while they were in town.

 

After my brother and nephews left, Mr. Man's family arrived in town.   His sister treated us all to Medieval Times.  AK loved every minute of it, from watching the horses getting prepped, to the jousting.  When she grows up she wants to be a jouster.  

 

I have 400 pictures of Mr. Boy like this over the course of his lifetime. He watches things so intensely with his mouth open.  He blocks everything out, especially my voice and gets into the story.   

Sometimes I often wish for a big family, but then I'm reminded... I married into a big family.  Mr. Man has oodles of cousins who we love and are close to.  They are dear friends and my kids love their kids.   We got together for an adult night with the cousins.  We played Chat Roulette because we thought it would be so funny to have people come onto chat and see 10 people staring back at them. We thought it was funny...

Later, confessions were made that we shall never speak of again.

New Year's Eve was at our house, and I could not have been in a better mood.  I was happy to close out 2011, and welcome the New Year with a kiss at midnight. 

 

And the house was full of family and few friends until the wee hours of the morning. I love this house, it is so satisfying to have it full of people who are enjoying themselves by the firepit, playing video games, watching movies, playing Ping Dong, and chowing on good food.   

New Years Day was over at Uncle Mike's House for the annual "Mini Rose Parade" where we watch the Rose Parade Floats line up.  There were oodles of cousins and mini cousins to love on. 

I still don't know how to convey to my children how special it is to see the Rose Parade floats in person, before the actual parade. 

Dear 2012, Please be kind and gentle to us this year.   Thank you, Madamoiselle