Friday, May 28, 2010

Be my Guest!

Can you imagine living in your dreamhouse? My very favorite Faux Twin Sister recently moved into her dreamhouse. I drool over the pictures and fantasize about stealing the house and driving it down the 101.

Today I'm doing a guest post over on Mary's Blog. Come and check it out!

Monday, May 24, 2010

My Glamourous Life

For Mother's Day, I went to a spa for what I assumed was a facial. I was pleasantly surprised when I was told that I had been booked for a "Special Event" which included a massage. I didn't hear much after that except for the word, "glamour."

After the facial and a massage, I was whisked off to hair and make up. Then I was told to wait for my "glamour session." At this point, my hair is poofed into a 'do' reminiscent of Dolly Parton and I'm wearing more make-up than I have worn in the last 10 years... combined. I'm still unsure why this is all being done, but I decide to go with the flow, I mean after all, I've been sent for some pampering... if it means I don't have to worry about brushing my hair for the rest of the day, even better.
I was then taken to a room that had been set up with a makeshift studio. There was a big rack of something resembling clothes covered in sequins, leather, and feathers. Then I spied the wind machine and I became terrified. Did they mean "Glamour Shots?'
I was immediately disrobed and wrapped in feathers, velvet, and leather. Meanwhile the photographer's assistant primps my hair, pops on fake jewels clothes, and suggests putting vaseline on my teeth to help my smile appear more natural. The photographer is enthusiastically giving me directions to help get into character. "You spot a handsome man at the bar... beckon him with your eyes... Oooo good... now look away.."

Inside I'm dying of laughter...because... seriously? This is not me... the fur... the feathers... the makeup...

Look, I love clothes, shoes, and looking nice. I'm not a big makeup or hair person, preferring more of a natural look. No one but my mother seem to think I'm an ogre without makeup. This is me on an average day.
And this is me after 90 minutes of hair & makeup along with an insane amount of photoshop.How horrifyingly awesome is that? FEATHERS!! Please promise me that if I die, this is NOT the picture that is blown up and placed next to my coffin. This is not how I want to be remembered, it doesn't even look like me, they photoshopped out my collarbones! I love these pictures for one solitary reason... they make me laugh hysterically.
*Other Glamour Shots will be posted in upcoming posts! I bet you can't wait!

See You Later Suckers....

Last week, Mr. Boy's teacher mentioned that the report cards were finished and awaiting mailing. Big mistake to this summer lovin mama. The next morning as I hiked with the dogs I realized if I moved Mr. Boy appointments at Children's Hospital up by a few hours we could squeeze in a trip to the beach. It would mean leaving school early, but who cares! As we pulled away from the school, I rolled down the window and yelled, "See you later Suckers" to the poor kids on the playground, much to my childrens' delight.
As soon as we parked, the kids jumped out of the car, screaming with joy... running full speed with arms wide open to the water. It was as though they were reuniting with an old friend. One drawback to the Chalet is the maze of freeways to the beach. Our old house was a 17 minute straight shot to the sand, even during rush hour.
We ran and danced in the sea that afternoon. We made sand angels in the warm sand and saw dolphins playing in the water. AK was so proud of her sand "gloves & slippers" just like cinderella! This guy endured some awful and painful procedures with flying colors just a few hours before. He is so brave. We are so lucky to have a stellar docs working with us and Mr. Boy is so lucky to have gotten treatment when he did. Cellulitis is nasty stufff. AK proved fearless and tried to body surf a few times. Mr. Boy screamed, "Mom, go get her, she is going to kill herself with her foolishness!" We played until the sun went down... And I did not feel even just a little bit of guilt for missing school that day.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Chalet du Francais Appreciation Day: Le Salon

I think I start every single one of these post with the phrase: This house is ridiculously small, excuse the horrid pictures, by now it should go without saying. This is what you see when you walk in the door of Chalet du Francais. The living room/family room/dining room/breakfast nook is very plain jane and currently houses all the random pieces of furniture waiting a new space. I love these big old windows, it kills me that they are going to be torn out. Check out the piano which came to us via my pal Laura via the Clean House Garage Sale. It's a Wurlitzer Player Piano, and every day it serenades us. I LOVE it, and love Laura for bringing it to my house. I am forever indebted to her. That piano is hiding a terrible secret, the world's most boring fireplace. Psst.. also check out the lovely hardwood floors... which are not that lovely once you see them in person, that will be fixed in the summer. When I first met the chalet, it was filled with all this amazing mid-century furniture. We actually asked for some of the furniture to stay, and they happily agreed. Behind the couch is an old record cabinet which makes for fantastic toy storage. I fell in love with this table from the moment I laid eyes on it and Mr. Man & Mr. Boy saw the China Cabinet as the perfect Lego Cabinet. There's my old revamped armoire, which looks very out of place in this room now. This table is ridiculously awesome, and in amazing condition. It has these hidden leaves which pull out to transform it into a table for 10 or 12. I've never actually pulled them all the way out. I foresee lots of big meals here with family and friends. This room is the center of activity right now, it's the main gathering space. In a few weeks, this room will be the more formal area and literally in the center of the house. I'm gonna miss those bright and sunny windows.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Quiet Mornings

I awoke to rain this morning. Not a real rain, just a soft drizzle, that cast a silvery sheen all over the hillside. Since the start of construction, I've been getting up before everyone to take the dogs on a hike, take photos of the progress, and prepare for the day before the workmen arrive. I'm not a morning person, but I love these quiet moments.
As I walked with the dogs, I couldn't help but feel disappointed with the rain, construction would be halted for a day or two. Then I watched 18 deer make their way to a patch of trees, their favorite spot to camp out in the rain. I easily spotted Rupert, my favorite baby deer, and I couldn't help but smile. He broke away from the herd to come and see if I left any food out for him. I absolutely have fallen in love with Rupert those big brown eyes and eyelashes just melt my heart and his spunky spirit makes me laugh. I've deemed Rupert the new Prozac, instant mood lifter.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Juggling

This pretty much sums up my life. Mr. Boy & Mr. Nephew playing Legos while some workman in the back pounds away and Skoopi looks stressed.
It's been fun for the most part. I'm juggling a lot of balls in the air... being mom, wife, foreman, designer, budget watcher, dog nurse, accountant... not sure I trade any of them. Well maybe if someone offered me money... one thing about construction, there is never enough money.

Wednesday, May 05, 2010

Humor me

Last year, I was probing Mr. Man about the possibility of a pool. He stated very matter of factly, "That we would never have a pool, and if we did it would be over his dead body." Many friends have approached me and in a very quiet voice asked, "Where'd you stash his body?" I assure you, Mr. Man is alive and well as noted in today's photo. Every evening, we walk the site noting what progress was made and I snap photos from the same location to document the whole process. Thankfully, Mr. Man has had a change of heart and we are currently bidding out the pool and a sports court. *Knock on wood*light a candle*cross your fingers* or whatever you believe in, that it actually happens this year. One of the pool contractors I was referred to sent me a lovely polite email asking for an idea of what I envisioned for the project. He asked if I had a picture from a magazine or website that was serving as my inspiration. I decided to whip out my mad photoshop skillz and show him what I had imagined in my head. These are the pictures I sent. I also copied Mr. Man on the email.... who showed his whole project team.
My favorite is the guy shooting the basketball... it cracks me up. Hopefully the pool guy has a sense of humor....

Tuesday, May 04, 2010

Constructionland

Our house is one giant amusement park right now...with big toys to ride on. *
And a big pit for digging in the dirt. There is a mountain of dirt to climb....and a pile of dirt & debris to explore. There is also cool stuff to watch all day long as things get destroyed. Did I mention the dirt? Oh, the dirt is everywhere, but dirt =progress, so I don't mind.
*Can you believe they left that Bobcat there all weekend long WITHOUT the key? I was so mad, all I wanted to do was take that thing out for a spin. It just sat there all weekend taunting me.

Sunday, May 02, 2010

Going Strong...

Ceci mon papa. This is my dad. At 75, he's plays a mean game of basketball.
He still dives under the house when his darling daughter wishes for an electrical outlet for the mudroom. Even after I insisted that I didn't want him to do that. The Dogs adore him, and he spoils them. Sandy knows she can get away with anything when he is around. My dad is super patriotic, he flies the flag each and every day on his very own flagpole. During the holidays, Mr. Boy's school had a holiday gift shop. Mr. Boy bounded home and pronounced that he needed an exorbitant amount of money for "this awesome eagle for Grandpa." The next day I went with Mr. Boy to the Holiday gift shop, and when I saw it, I knew Mr. Boy was right, it was perfect for my dad. I'm not one to toot my own horn, but I think it was the world's best Christmas gift.