Faux-Prah's 2nd Annual Favorite Things Giveaway

Oprah! That lying fool!  She swore that she was all done doing her "Favorite Things" episode and I positioned myself to become the next Media Cajillion-aire by declaring myself "Faux-prah".  Then Oprah brought back her "Favorite Things" episode as a special.  She is a total liar, but of course, I'm a total sucker, fell under her spell, and I watched the special.  I cried, cheered, and screamed right along with the ladies on the TV.

This lady loves Faux-prah! 

My absolute favorite thing about Oprah's Favorite Thing show was watching the ladies get whipped into a frenzy about everything they were getting.  Then I would call one of my friends who absolutely hates the show but watches anyway and we would go over the details.  I would tell her all the things I just HAD to have and she would tell me how many ladies fainted clutching their free loot. 

Even though Oprah brought back her show, I'm still going to carry on building my "Faux-prah" empire.  Which, lucky for you, includes my annual "Faux-prah's Favorite Things" giveaway.  I pick a handful of my favorite things and you get to win them! Hooray!  You can see what was on last years list here, and details on how Faux-Prah got started.

I had the best time coming up with this list and a hard time narrowing it down.  

#1 - The Our Best Bites Cookbook by Sara Wells and Kate Jones

I've made some terrible meals in my lifetime, I come by it honestly, my mom was a mediocre cook.  She tried and we were always on some crazy diet that the latest medicine man or village healer was prescribing my family.  Oh the stories I could tell just on that subject alone.  I also find that I just don't really have the enthusiasm to plan and cook a meal every night, especially if it's just going to be ho-hum.

Then last year while shopping at Costco in LA, I stumbled upon a cookbook called Our Best Bites:  Two Mormon Moms in the Kitchen.   I picked it up and had to think for a moment, "Wait, am I in Utah?  Idaho? No... what in the world is this book doing in Los Angeles?"  I bought it, just because I was curious to see why these Mormon Moms were in Costco.

I tried the Spicy Honey Chicken (page 119 and on their blog) and my family cheered!  We grilled up the Pineapple-Ginger Flank Steak (page 136) and my family raved about it.  One day I made these ladies homemade breadsticks to go along with their Lemon-Zucchini Fettucine and Mr. Man said, "Wow, this dinner is great!  Where did you order it from?"  He was taken back when I said, "I made it all myself!"

This Thanksgiving, I tired Kate's Thanksgiving Turkey, and it was the best Turkey I've ever tasted.  It was out of this world.  When people asked about our Thanksgiving, my family would chime in with, "The Turkey was my mom's best EVER!"    Mr. Man is probably the "Our Best Bites" ladies #1 fan.   I haven't made anything that my family didn't love and I haven't been slaving in the kitchen for hours.  I love it when I come out looking like a champ and I didn't have to put in much effort. 

Even better, the food tastes fancy, but doesn't require me to hunt to the top of a mountain during a snowstorm to retrieve 2 quail eggs from a white dove like Mrs.Mother-in-Law's cookbook.   (In the off chance you already have this cookbook, I'll happily supply you with their 2nd Cookbook, Our Best Bites: Savoring the Seasons.)

#2 Neutrogena Revitalizing Lip Balm

Lip Balm?  Yes, really.  This is more like a "lip experience" than a lip balm.   It's no secret I've been getting what my dermatologist likes to refer to as a "35,000 mile tune up" on my skin.   I have had some laser treatments done to my face to remove sun damage and erase some fine wrinkles.   People can tell something is going on because every other month I seem to channel Jackie O for a few days while I heal.

One of my favorite compliments I've received was, "Madamoiselle, tell me... did you have your lips done?"  I haven't had my lips "done" but I have switched to this fabulous lip balm.  I don't know what it is about this stuff but it makes your lips look just a bit plumper, smoother, and gives it a subtle hint of color.  I have given this to all my friends and said, "I love this.. try it!"  They all love it and I'm pretty sure you are going to love it too!

#3  $25 Amazon.com Gift Certificate
 

Amazon is a repeat offender on my Faux-Prah giveaway.   I just didn't see how I could do the list without it.  With my prime membership, everything from applesauce to the worlds best screwdriver is delivered to my door.   I rarely have to leave the house, thanks to Amazon and now the Amazon delivery man and I are BFF's.   Amazon has really enabled me to become a crazy recluse who talks to deer as though they were actual friends.   My only beef with Amazon, is the fact that I have unsuccessfully been able to bribe the Amazon delivery man to pick up bread and milk.   If he did that, I swear I'd never leave my house. With the gift certificate, you'll be able to qualify for free delivery and maybe you might use it to pick up some of last years favorites.

 Like Mr. Seven Hands...  who I just can't keep my hands off of.

#4  The Book Thief 

This book was one of those books that once I got past the first 25 pages I just couldn't put down.  Then after I was done with the book, I missed the characters like they were friends.   It is narrated by the Grim Reaper during the Holocaust and gives such an interesting point of view.  I don't really want to say too much about it, other than I loved it.  It was my favorite book I've read this year, and I'm dying to discuss it with someone.

#5  The Snap Leash  

*Dog not included

This leash is my new favorite because of it's versatility.   When I have one of the dogs with me at the park, I usually end up tying them around the bench or a tree while I help a kiddo on the equipment.  This leash is a snap! I can adjust the length of the leash to any length and I can wrap the leash around any size tree or bench.   Miss AK likes to walk Zoey, and I can make the leash super short for her to have a short lead.   It's been super handy and it's the leash I always leave in my car because I can use it anywhere.  

To enter the contest:  All you have to do is leave a comment in this post.  You can tell me your favorite things or favorite holiday activity.  To receive an additional entry, you can share this giveaway on Facebook, just leave me a comment below that says you shared it on Facebook.

The contest runs until Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 11:59pm. The winner will receive all five of the items listed above.   Winner will be picked via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond. The winner will be announced Thursday December 13th, 2012.

*Disclaimer: I received zero compensation for this post or any of the items in the giveaway.  All opinions are my own, and this giveaway is not affiliated with any of the companies listed above or Oprah herself.

I won! I won! A major award!

Flashback: I'm a "whoops" baby in my family... "The Caboose" "The Surprise Baby" aka "The Accident". I came along after my parents were done having babies. My brothers not only hogged the good genes, they used up my parents. They went to the circus, had lavish themed birthday parties, and they have baby books that are  filled in with details of their firsts. I have a post it note with the date and time I was born, and it's not a momento, but more of a reminder of my birthday, which they forgot ... twice. Did they ever forget my brother's birthday?  Of course not.  (Well, in all fairness, my Dad forgot my brother's birthday this year, which is pretty par for the course this year.  My dad is pretty focused on his new life.)

When I was 11, I was looking through the family photo albums and noticed my brothers had learned to ski, chopped down a Christmas tree with my dad, and had their pictures taken with Santa every year. Where was I? My mom said sheepishly, "Oh, you were so much younger so we left you at home with the sitter." I felt like my family had been living a secret life.  While I was watching Sesame Street with my babysitter, my brothers were out with my parents having an All American childhood.

One of my big beefs was that my brothers had a real Christmas Tree that they got to help pick out.  We always had a fake one and my parents would pack away mostly decorated.  My brothers strung popcorn while listening to Christmas Music, and I helped my parents fluff and adjust ornaments in three sections on a fake tree.  

My mom was sympathetic and tried to make it right.   My mom and I went to a cut your own tree farm and brought home a beautiful real tree to the tune of $50 bucks.  We decorated it and I felt like my childhood was more complete.  Until the very next morning, I woke up BLIND!

My eyes had swollen shut and I had hives all over. I was allergic to the tree!  Once we got my allergic reaction under control, we moved the real Christmas Tree on the patio.  The fake tree was brought down and that whole Christmas Season, my dad would see the real tree on the patio and remark, "Well, that's $50 bucks we'll never get back."

Flash Forward to the Present:  While attempting to Black Friday shop, I hit the local mall.  I've mentioned that I'm fearful I'm becoming a hermit, and seeing all those long lines made me literally run for the hills.  I went home and hung out with Rupert, Jane and the rest of the deer instead.  I did, however, take a moment to enter the Mall's Holiday Contest and I got a phone call that I WON!  Not only did I win, I won the Grand Prize!   Visions of vacations in far off lands and closets full of shoes filled my head as I drove to the mall to collect my prize.  No joke, I actually emptied my trunk just to make sure I had room to haul my loot.

I skipped and danced my way to the Mall Security Office and told them I was here to collect my prize. They said, "Oh yes, you won the Grand Prize!  Well, one of the 12 Grand Prizes, it's a real live Christmas Tree, where did you park?"

Bonus Activity... can you spot the kitty?

Moi:  Wait, the Grand Prize is a Christmas Tree? Are you kidding that is a Grand Prize?  I mean, I don't want to be ungrateful, but really the grand prize?  Is it 20 feet tall?
Mall Cop:  No, it's about 5-6 feet tall and we can help load it onto your car.
Moi:  This feels vaguely reminiscent of my first year of college,  "Hey Baby, come here, I'll give you a prize.  Next thing you know I'm stuck with an itchy rash."
*crickets*  (oh come on, that was hilarious! Really? I didn't even get a courtesy laugh. And for the record, that wasn't really reminiscent of my first year of college . )
Mall Cop:  Where are you parked?  We have other things we need to do today ma'am..
Moi: I'm not taking the tree, I'm not kidding, I'm allergic.  Let me see if I can gift it to a friend. Also, just out of curiosity what were the other prizes?
Mall Cop:  Oh, the 2nd prize was $25 gift cards.

Are you kidding?  I'd rather have that!  Oh well! My prize went to Aunt Cinnamon and looks lovely in her place.  Even better, my kids can visit my "Major Award" when they are hanging out with her, and I'll spend the holiday season rash free.

Psst.....Winning was such fun, I want you all to be winners too.
Anyone remember Faux-Prah?  Good news it is coming back for Year 2! Stay tuned!

Happy Birthday Mr. Man, here is your dang cake.

Dear Future Daughter in Law,
For Mr. Boy's birthday, he likes the cake from a box mix, preferably whatever is on sale. I kept the bar really low, you are welcome.
Much Love,
Moi
PS. I want one million grandbabies, s'il vous plaît.

It's Mr. Mans birthday and we adore him so much. I still am not quite sure what he sees in me. He puts up with a lot of crazy being married to me. We are lucky to have him in our lives.

Mr. Man has one glaring flaw, he was spoiled rotten growing up. When I was growing up, my mother, bless her heart, she could not cook nor bake. Even worse my younger years were spent rice free, gluten free, and vegan. Oh did I mention sugar free as well?  Mealtimes were not pleasant and my mothers food tasted like sawdust. It is was the 80's and eating vegan or even gluten free wasn't as popular as it was today.  My family's diet made me a social outcast.  Case in point:  At my birthday parties, my mom would pull out a pan of vegan sugar free jello with candles on it instead of a cake.  No ONE wanted to come to my birthday parties.   This is my 10th birthday "cake." Notice how I'm pretending to blow out the candles, as we weren't allowed to blow out the candles.  My father felt that was the equivalent of spitting on the cake, I mean Jello, so we just had to pretend to blow them out. 

Mr. Man on the other hand was blessed with a mother who was an amazing cook and baker.  When he was growing up dinners would be balanced...protein, carbs, fruits, vegetables and dessert. For special occasions his mom would make lavish deserts from scratch, in other words she spoiled him.   At my bridal shower she gave me a cookbook of all her recipes, and it is one of my most prized possessions and biggest thorns in my side.

The first year we were married for Mr. Man's birthday I asked him what he wanted for dessert on his birthday, he said, "Oh, make my mom's chocolate cake, it's my favorite."   I opened up the family cookbook and looked at the mile long ingredient list.

4 oz bittersweet chocolate from the East side of the Andes Mountains
1 cup goats milk from an unspotted calf
2 quail eggs from a white dove
1 cup fine powdered sugar (so fine, that each granule is the size of an atom)
3 cups pre-fluffed cake flour
1 tsp Madagascar Vanilla (*preferably Northern Madagascar, Southern tends to have a bitter aftertaste)
And this list goes on and on.  You have to fluff and fold things into the batter and the pans have to be airbrushed with fairy dust.

I slaved away for six hours making "Mom's Chocolate Cake" and when it was done it was a lopsided disaster.   Mr. Man ate it with a smile and when I asked him how it tasted he said, "I really love how much effort you put into it."   We will give 10 points to Mr. Man for being polite, but we all know it was a failed attempt.

I have tried since to master the chocolate cake and it's never been a success.   Since my mother in law is a saint and loves me,  she has taken over the duties of baking the "6 hour chocolate cake" which she claims only takes her less then an hour to make. 

Since Mr. Man knows my skills are limited he requests a simple dessert with three ingredients. Only problem, those cookies are like the holy grail of ingredients. 

The Holy Grail of Cookies (not pictured powdered sugar)

I went to seven stores trying to hunt them down and after store number three, I started to get bitter.   "Mr. Man and his fancy family...with their fancy ingredients.  I would just be thrilled to have something that had real sugar in it."  I lamented to a friend how unfair it was that Mr. Man had been raised with fancy taste, and my friend, ever the optimist, said, "Oh, but just think... Mr. Boy's wife won't have this problem.  You set the bar.... real low.  I mean... really looooooow."

Happy Birthday Mr. Man!  I have serious envy of your gourmet upbringing, thanks for tolerating my mediocre food all these years.   You are a trooper and today I will spoil you by taking you out and letting someone who knows what they are doing feed you.

Where does YES take you? Yes makes me a football fan.

Part of an ongoing project called, "The Yes Project", where I resolve to say YES more to opportunities that come my way.  Click here to see the other posts.

 I detest football. I loathe it, and have spent every single Superbowl party in the kitchen trying to avoid talking about football. Mr. Boy has been dying to play football, even pointing out that he could play football in college, because he knows college is my weakness. I'll say yes to almost anything if it motivates Mr. Boy for college.  I have said, "No Football, I love your big beautiful brain too much."

During the summer Mr. Boy's former baseball coach called and said, "We are putting together a flag football team, come join us."  And I said, "No!"  even though it's the year of "Yes."   Here's the thing, Mr. Boy's baseball coach is persistent and wouldn't take no for an answer.  She knew Mr. Boy wanted to do it and that he would love it, and talked me into it. After all it's just flag football, it was only for 10 weeks, the coaches would be amazing, and "his brain will be safe, and you know, it's just for fun."  She said, "Just come to the parent meeting.... "   I went to the parent meeting and next thing you know I'm writing out a check and picking out his jersey number.  I caved, I said, "Yes."  but I still think she used a jedi mind trick on me.


I somehow thought Mr. Boy would hate flag football.   I didn't think Mr. Boy would be good at it and I didn't think he'd like the early morning practices.   I kind of figured, he'd do a season and decide, "Meh, it's not my sport."

Then during the first game, Mr. Boy intercepts the ball, runs the whole field and scores a game winning touchdown.  I knew at that moment, I was wrong. Mr. Boy was going to love flag football. I knew that flag football was the gateway drug to tackle football, and I just had begun a long battle of trying to keep him out of tackle football.  I declared at that moment, "This is fine, but NO TACKLE football EVER."

With every game, I felt my disdain for football starting to wane.  I learned the basics of the game and with every interception, every flag that was pulled, every touchdown by my beautiful boy I could hear a little voice in my head saying, "Oh, maybe just a little tackle football. Maybe just in high school.  Maybe some in college.  Maybe a football scholarship."

Mr. Boy, Zoey the Lion (Team Mascot) and AK

Mr. Boy was into watching every football game on TV, and the boys would break down each play.   Mr. Man confessed one night, that watching football with his son was something he had dreamed about when we were adopting Mr. Boy.   For him it was one of the joyous parts of fatherhood.   

Then there was the football coach... Coach Glenn who was kind, encouraging, commanded respect, but was calm and even tempered. He was encouraging and did wonders for Mr. Boys self esteem.  I would find myself in the middle of a fight with Mr. Boy, taking a deep breath and channeling the zen calmness of Coach Glenn.  

 I wished I'd channeled a little bit more of "Zen Coach Glenn" at this moment, but that is beside the point. 

Mr. Boy loved Flag Football this season and even though I was reluctant and even somewhat defiant in the beginning, it turned out to be something I loved too.  In the beginning I brought a stack of magazines and would hardly look up to watch the game, pretty soon, I started leaving the magazines in the car and found myself cheering on the sidelines. (and maybe yelling at a ref...just that one time)

This became an unintentional "Yes" project for me.  Instead of reminding myself that I am going to say, "Yes" to opportunities that come my way, I got talked into this one after saying no several times.  But this is exactly the reason I'm doing this project this year...  to learn and do all the things I would normally be missing out on, because "No" is the easy answer for me.  I'm so glad I said, "Yes" to Football. 

Worlds Best Weekend

Remember when Saturday's used to be fun?  Before we had kids we loved lazy Saturday mornings, working on house projects, running a leisurely errand and having dinner out.   Now, our Saturday's are running kids around and Mr. Man and I usually divide and conquer.  He runs one kid around, while I take the other, and we meet at the soccer field for games and if we are lucky, we eat out as a family in the evening.   The weekends are full, and the previous Saturday was madness.  We had a weekend where we were at home for 5 minutes at a time, and gone most of the day at six different activities, Sunday was the same.  It was too busy.   Then suddenly football ended, soccer ended, and we found ourselves this past Saturday with a clear day.  I started the day off with a hike with my deer friends. Bon Jour Jane!

I had tackled my "mom closet" the day before and was inspired to get my house in order.  The whole family thoroughly mucked out their rooms, and we cleaned out closets. No one really loved doing that, but it felt so good when it was done.  We laughed and talked while we worked and took several puppy breaks.

Around 5pm, I realized AK never changed out of her pajamas.  There wasn't a reason to, :we never left the house.  As the sun set, AK yawned and requested to watch a movie in her bed.   She was joined by both dogs and thoroughly enjoyed the downtime.   The mood was relaxed and lazy around the house.   

 

After accomplishing so much, I sat and read for a while with zero guilt, then I got ready for a night out with Mr. Man and the Irish's.   A surprise party for our dear friend that was turning the big 4-0.  I had some cheese at the party that made my knees go weak, it was divine. 

 

We had chomped on leftover gumballs while we did our chores during the day.  This was my gift for my friend, complete with a giftcard to her favorite store tucked inside. I love it when Pinterest makes me look good. 

  

When my head hit the pillow at the end of the weekend, I paused for a moment to give thanks, for this house, for my family, for my friends, and for these blissful Saturdays that recharge.   One day I'll look back and reminisce about those chaotic taxi-driving Saturdays with fondness, but for now, I'll just savor the weekends where no one cares that you never got out of your pajamas.  

Two years ago today...

Two years ago my mom sat my brother and I down and told us that her cancer had returned. It had metastasized, it was everywhere, it was terminal. She died three months later.

I still miss her all the time and after her death my dad cleaned out everything of hers. I took many of her things home and stuffed it in a closet and have kept the door closed. Every time I open the door, the tears flow and it is too painful to go through my mothers things. For the past year I have avoided this closet, until today. I'm ready to accept that my moms things are now my things. I am ready to embrace the tears and remember her vibrant spirit. She is gone but her memories still live on.

Introducing Z-Diddy aka Ziggy Boo

It was a little over a year ago, we lost our beloved dogs, Sandy and Skoopi within a few days of each other. 

My poor children have grieved heavily for the loss of their pets and were so traumatized by it.  Zoey has helped immensely and has been the best thing to help our family adjust, but the whole family feels the void of going from two dogs to one.   Add in that Zoey has been miserable since the kids started going to school all day long, because I'm apparently not nearly as fun as the kids.   Zoey also has a terrible secret, she eats the house when she is left alone.  Yes, the same beautiful house that the Juans built.  Muy Malo, Zoey!

The Neighborsteins just adopted two beautiful puppies and since we got puppies with them last time, we were feeling the peer pressure.   I wanted to adopt an older dog this time, but finding the right dog proved to be a challenge.  We fell in love with one, but she was already adopted by the time our adoption application was approved.  Another dog had 10 potential applicants and I started to feel just like I do when we are on a "Baby Chase" trying to adopting babies.  I started to get anxious and felt defeated, just like when we are adopting.  The ever patient and calm Mr. Man said, "La patience mon amour,  the right dog will find us."  And he was right.   

On Saturday we visited an adoption fair put on by our very favorite rescue, Best Friends Animal Shelter.  They are a no kill shelter that goes in to shelters and pulls animals out of high kill shelters when their time is up.  This sweet little thing was put in AK's lap.  This sweet little puppy is from the hood, South Central Los Angeles and comes complete with a tatoo.   She was picked up off the streets and after two weeks at the South Central shelter her time was up.  Best Friends stepped in and rescued her on Halloween, knowing this Labradorish pup would easily find a family.  

 "Oh Mama, Please can we keep her?"   

  

I couldn't resist this little face. 

 

And I couldn't resist those crooked ears either.

 

So she came home with us to start a new life.  

 

We named her Ziggy Boo.

 

And we are smitten.  Can you blame us?

Dressing Up..

My kids are always quick to point out the "other moms".  "Other mom's" pack fruit roll up and lunchables... "Other mom's" don't nag about getting faces washed and putting on a clean shirt.   Sometimes, I'm proud I march to the beat of my own drum, but other times they are spot on in pointing out my shortfalls.

When Mr. Boy was in Kindergarten at the fabulous little Jesus-lovin school, he pointed out... "All the other mom's dress up for Halloween"  and most of them did.   I made a vow that I would dress up, but it took a few years for me to get in the mode to do it.   The first year,  my halloween costume was  held hostage while the floors were being redone and I was in the midst of my remodeling induced emotional breakdown.   Last year I went as a glam witch.... but I knew I wanted to do something original for this year.    

And it was a hit.... I forgot how fun it was to dress up.   It was such an easy costume to make and I think my fabulous new shades give "Flo" a touch of pizazz!

Last year, AK was sweet Madeline and I loved designing her costume.   We spotted a little girl at a halloween carnival wearing an Olivia Costume last year and AK said, "Mom! I want to be Olivia next year!"  

 Of course trying to hunt down a red and white striped shirt or fabric proved to be challenging because whenever you need something it's always scarce.

 

I made her little red jumper and the ears, and AK is thrilled with her costume. I love that she is still little enough that she wants me to make her costumes.   Mr. Boy wants none of that now....  he wants blood, guts, and gore. 

 

I don't have pictures of Mr. Boy in his costume, but I do have a picture of what happens when you eat nothing but candy and soda for an entire day.  Poor guy learned a tough lesson over the weekend, our bodies aren't made for a steady diet of sugar and chocolate.  He proclaimed at one point, "I won't ever eat chocolate again!" 

 

Any bets on how long that will last?  

Does this Fridge make my kitchen look fat?

It doesn't seem that long ago, the Juans were busy working on the house.  I miss them terribly and my favorite thing about the Juans was that I just had to shout, "Ayudeme!" (Help!) and someone would come to help me.  That came in handy as I was often working on house projects while they were here.  I love the house they built and when asked, "Would you remodel again?" my answer is YES, in a heartbeat.  We had a great crew, amazing contractor, and it has changed my life.  I've become this crazy recluse homebody who thinks the deer are my best friends.   

The Chalet has had one nagging problem which has been my very fabulous  Juan-ized Fridge.  It is super old and has been leaving ominous puddles on the floor which have been getting larger.    When I talked to the repairman he had the nerve to laugh at me and say, "Junk it! I can't even get parts for it anymore".  Finally, Mr. Man and I decided a beach towel in front of the fridge isn't really the seasons hottest accessory and to pick out a new fridge.   

Originally, I wanted a Tablet Fridge, but Mr. Man's solution to the tablet fridge made me reevaluate it's functionality.  Once again, Mr. Man and I trolled the aisles of Home Depot and the appliance stores asking the question, does this fridge make me look fat?   Which is our favorite way of asking if you like this fridge.  I never really found anything that made me excited to get a new fridge, I loved my old fridge so very much.   Maybe you aren't supposed to get excited appliances... and I'm supposed to find my excitement elsewhere, like rapelling down a skyscraper.  

Finally, I found a fridge that made me giddy, it had a whole bunch of different accessories, and I swear that is the way to sell me on something every time.  You can switch out the handles for 100 different variations and for whatever reason that is what I love most.  

I bought the fridge and then came home and measured the space.  That is backwards, do not do it this way.  I was a little off in my measurements, but surely, the spec sheet from the manufacturer allowed for some wiggle room.   I'm sure they weren't EXACT measurements...  except that they were precise and accurate exact measurements which I discovered on delivery day.   

 

The deliverymen hauled the fridge in and said, "Oops, doesn't fit, you are a 1/4 inch off.  Well, we can take it back right now and you'll get a full refund. "  To which, I said, "NO!  I can make this work!"  (All that Project Runway is really paying off, I could actually hear Tim Gunn saying in my ear, "Well, make it work!") 

So,  I immediately dialed the Juans and said, "Ayudeme! Por Favor"  but they were on a job and couldn't help until next week.   That wouldn't work because I didn't want to admit to Mr. Man who had asked 3 times, "Will it fit?"  that I was wrong.  Our marriage is built on the illusion that I'm perfect, and a quarter of an inch wasn't going to stand in my way. I went out the garage to assess the tools, grabbed a jigsaw, a hammer, and a crowbar.  I shouted out, "Lo Siento Cabinet Juan!"  as I started cutting into the cabinets to wedge the fridge in. I am shocked that I didn't lose a toe or a finger although I had some close calls.

 

 Huzzah! It fit and Mr. Man is none the wiser, our marriage is saved!  Although I fessed up pretty quickly, because I love bragging about my handiness. 

 

For what it's worth, the fridge is a Viking D3 and I love it.  It's quiet, spacious, and I ordered different handles so I can mix it up.  Mr. Man is a bit nervous, I'm going to bedazzle the handles... but that would be pretty glam.. Oui? 

Yes meets my Bucket List: America's Cup

Part of an ongoing project called, "The Yes Project", where I resolve to say YES more to opportunities that come my way.  Click here to see the other posts.

When I was little my family had a sailboat and my brothers took sailing lessons every summer.  While other kids were enjoying afterschool sports and shopping at the mall, I was on a boat taking sailing lessons. During one sailing lesson, our boat got way off course and when we failed to return to the harbor, the Coast Guard had to come and rescue us.   I still remember my mom on the dock fretting that I could have "been adrift for years". (We were only about two miles offshore, I highly doubt I would have been adrift for years.) 

I distinctly remember watching the America's Cup Boat Races on TV with my brothers while I was growing up and have always wanted to see the races in person.  It's item number 14 on my Bucket List.   My darling nephew asked me earlier this year to please come and visit during his birthday week. I said, "Yes."   Lucky for both of us, he lives in San Francisco, home of America's Cup, and his birthday week coincided with the World Series races.  

The America's Cup Village was super kid friendly and my kids totally caught the America's Cup Fever.  Their favorite was learning to walk on the boat nets and the America's Cup iPad game.  I loved that my Uncle and Aunt came to join us for the day!

 

We opted to watch one of the fleet races from the shoreline and as I sat on the rocks, I looked around and had that sense of community..  These were my people, who came from all over to watch America's Cup.  The lady next to me also had this on her bucket list, and when one of the boats had a spectacular capsize, we all gasped, cheered, and high fived each other.    

Can I also pause and mention how much I love my brother?   My family has changed so much over the last year and really, he is my family.  There is so much of my mom in him, and when I spend time with him, I feel closer to my mom.   I give him a hard time, but he did hog all the good genes.  Just look at those dimples.

 

If it wasn't the year of the YES, I probably would have said no to my nephew.  It took some logistics to pull this trip off, in the middle of school and sports, but Wow,  what a trip!  How often do you get opportunities to love on your nephews AND cross something off your bucket list!?  Grateful for YES! 

Where does Yes take you? Part 5, YES takes me "Over The Edge"

Part of an ongoing project called, "The Yes Project", where I resolve to say YES more to opportunities that come my way.  Click here to see the other posts.

There is a small flaw with this "Yes Project" where in my friends all taunt me with "Oh say yes, you have to!" and suddenly I'm crawling through mud or hanging by a harness 32 stories off the ground. 

  

I was chatting with my friends at school and my friend mentioned she was going to repel down the side of the skyscraper the next day.   We all stopped and said, "Wait... What!?! Why?"  After she explained, my friend Chaton  said, "Sounds like a Yes Project for you... can we do it too?"  

I was familiar with the hotel and I didn't really remember it as being a tall one... maybe 6 or 8 stories. It wouldn't be so bad, I thought... 5 minutes of terror and then I could be on my merry way.  I was wrong, so very wrong.

 I was on the phone with one of the Ya Ya's when I first caught glimpse of people repelling off the 32nd floor of the Westin Bonaventure Hotel. I opened my car door and threw up, right there on Figueroa Avenue in Downtown LA. Did I mention I'm terrified of heights?  

We signed away our lives on a stack of waivers and then Chaton and I went up the penthouse to get harnessed up.  While standing around the plush suite, you aren't really thinking about what is about to take place.   Everyone is in a good mood, and they move you through it all really quickly.  Then there is that moment... where they ask you to stand on the edge to be clipped in and you realize.... You are 32 stories off the ground... what in the world am I doing?

I held on to the rope for dear life and slowly made my way down.   I would look down and see the tiny people on the ground and think, "I'm so very envious of them."  

There was comfort in having my friend, Chaton doing this with me.  Only she knows just how terrified I was. The crazy thing is there is only one way to get down, if you panic, they can't just open a window and pull you inside, you have to finish no matter what.   There is no plan B.  My whole life is all about Plan A and Plan B, this took me way out of my comfort zone in so many ways.   I thought I would lose my mind when a gust of wind sent me swinging sideways.   I just kept uttering, "You can do this, just keep going. You are going to be okay." 

 When I got to the bottom, there was a man who was there to help me out of my harness.  When my feet touched the ground, I grabbed him and hugged him as hard as I could.   My whole body was shaking with adrenaline, and when he started to pull away, I said, "Nope, not done hugging you yet."  I have no idea what his name was, but I held on to him for dear life until I felt my limbs steady enough to stand on my own. 

My daring friend who convinced us to do this, Moi, and Chaton

This was by far my most challenging "YES" project so far, but crazy rewarding.   The adrenaline buzz lasted for at least a day and a half and it is something that reminded me, "I can do anything."   This whole Yes project is all about making me step out of my comfort zone and embrace life.  So often I let my head interfere with opportunities, saying No is the easiest route in many cases, but when you say No, you just don't know what you are missing. Just say Yes!     

 A few links for you:
-The Over the Edge Boy Scouts of America Fundraiser - Join me in 2013

-Interested in doing an Over the Edge Event near you?  They do them all over the nation.

-Local Media Coverage 

-The Over the Edge LA Teaser Video

One of those crazy sports parents...

Oh this blasted football, I have such a love hate relationship with the sport. Mr. Boy loves it, and even worse he is great at it, but flag football, leads to tackle football and I don't know if I can do that. I can barely handle flag football because every time they hitchhike* the ball, they plow into each other. Some of the teams are more physical than others and when a kid gets hurt we (the parents) have strict instructions not to run in the field. The rule is to let the coaches assess first, and it takes all my might and strength not to run on the field when Mr. Boy gets hurt.

One particular game, the other team wasn't playing very nice and were tossing our kids to the ground.   It's flag football so that isn't allowed and the dumb refs weren't even calling it.  After a kid got tackled right at the ref's feet, I felt that low growl of a mama bear rising from within.   Next thing I know, I've ordered AK to hold my earrings and I'm storming out on the field. 

 

Before I really can even register what is happening, I'm out on the field wagging my finger in the ref's face and telling him how to do his job. It was almost like an out of body experience and suddenly I realize... "Oh no.. I'm one of those crazy parents!"   

 

Pretty soon,  I'm being guided off the field by the coach and told to settle down. (All while suddenly becoming aware that everyone has their cell phones aimed in my direction, I'm sure there is a YouTube video of it somewhere.)  I'm mortified and can't figure out how I've become one of those crazy sports parents.  Somehow my car has lawn chairs in the trunk at all times for sitting on the sidelines, Gatorade is a staple in my fridge, and I have a color coded calender for different sports.  Although... now my lawn chairs have a seatbelt, to discourage me from jumping out of my chair to yell at the refs...      

*FYI - I'm aware the technical term is "hike the ball", but up until two weeks ago, I thought the term was "hitchhike the ball". 

It can all wait until tomorrow...

One morning with a stack of papers on my desk and a sink full of dirty dishes, my friend Hillary and I were lamenting about the only terrible fabric store somewhat near us. We both are working on house projects and needed fabric. These are first world problems, I know.

Silly us! We live in LA, home of the garment district.  Then we wondered what would happen if we blew everything off for the morning and hit downtown. And I said, "YES! Let's find out what happens when we blow off our responsibilities." 

Once downtown, Hillary showed off her talent of finding the perfect fabric for her project only to find out it was the priciest fabric in the store.  I showed off my talent of being a really good enabler.

The dishes were still there when I got back, and the stack on my desk got addressed  in due time, but it was totally worth playing hooky from my life for a morning and indulge in a whim.  Thankful for Yes!