Hot House Momma

The end

2007-04-23T16:13:00.000-07:00

Time-Tested Beauty Tips
For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone ...

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived,
reclaimed and redeemed and redeemed and redeemed. Never throw out anybody. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm. As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands. One for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

Sam Levenson

Note: this is the complete poem Audrey read to hers sons, Sean and Luca on Christmas Eve 1992. The author, Sam Levenson wrote it for his grandchild.

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This is one of my favorite poems. I thought it would be right to end my time here with something I love. Something positive. I always wondered if I would know when to stop blogging. Now I know-that in fact, you will know when the time is right.It has been so much fun sharing all the good and bad in life. Sharing comments and laughs with many of you. It's time for me to focus on my family and business. Simply stated.
Good luck to all of you.
Love,
HHM

Red eye

2007-04-11T11:08:00.000-07:00

Yippee. We leave today for New York. Or I should say tonight. We are taking a red eye. I guess I will finally understand why this flight is named the same. Any recommendations for sleepy time?
HHhubby and I decided to take this flight, so we could fly together. This was the only way he could be where he needed to be Thursday.

drum roll please............................

I have a chance to be interviewed by ABC news for Etsy and my jewelry shop. If you have never been to Etsy you must go, there are so many good finds. I'm so excited. It will require getting off the plane, going to our hotel freshening up and flagging a cab (i'm so new york) across town. But it's worth it. I will keep you posted. I even heard that the camera makes you feel and look thinner then you are.
So exciting.

Easter was fun with the kids. They were collecting snails. Nice. It was also my parents 40th wedding anniversary and my aunt's birthday. So there was a lot of celebrating. A family friend even made a wedding cake. It was a mini replica of my parents wedding cake. What a nice thing to do.

So why do people turn into total "bits" when there is an accident on the freeway. Seriously a fire engine had to get through on the left side of the fast lane and this dumfk chose to use this tragic oppurtunity to get ahead and drove behind him through all the traffic in his sidekick. Nice.

HHboy said he would like to "do london." Uhm ok. I guess one of his buddies in his class is going to London and so now HHboy wwould like to "do" London.

And seriously why is my neck starting to look like a chicken. Do they have neck lifts? All those years of no sun block.

Really necks and shoulders are sexy.

Get your sexy on.

Start spreading the word

2007-03-30T14:35:00.000-07:00

I'm leaving real soon. I want to be a part of it..... New York. Yippee. I can't wait HHhubby has a business trip and I am going to meet him there for a fun weekend. Hopefully we will have time to see a show. I've never seen a real show. Any recommendations? We are also going to meet my friend and her hubby for dinner. I can't wait I haven't seen her in at least two years (the last time I went to NY). Although it will be a quick trip, most likely going via red eye-it will be worth it.

HHhubby will work the first two days and then we can explore. The Hubbs also has family there, so we can hopefully meet up with his cousins. I think they still live in the East Village.

We did manage to go to Monterey last weekend. It was a spontaneous trip which was great. I love doing this. As you have kids you do this less, and we should really do it more. We stayed over Saturday night and then went to the Aquarium Sunday. Really it is pneomnal place-internationally acclaimed and all. The kids had a blast and then we met friends for lunch. Fun beach side with a cold beer.

Things have been busy here lately. Nothing unusual, but the daily grind. We had a bout of pink eye here both HHkids and then a bloody nose yesterday. Not me HHboy.

Today I got my brows waxed and I'm ready for the world.

Not much else to report, I am having my first jewelry show next weekend. So I need to start planning and getting everything in order. I was able to get some other artist to donate some goodies, so each person will leave with a little bag of goodies. Who doesn't like girly freebies.

And I will also be raffling jewelry. Don't you wish you could come. I do.

I had to retire from writing at Fluff. Writing as Vanity Flair was fun, but even though the site has a ton of traffic there as little interaction. At some point you need people making comments. Even if its just to say Britney is a fool. Or Trump wears a toup. You get the idea.

Hope everyone has a good weekend and hopefully there will be more post soon.

What does your DNA say?

2007-03-19T09:39:00.000-07:00

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

K.T

2007-03-18T20:05:00.000-07:00

I absolutely can not wait for the following to return: Entourage, Sopranos and Rescue Me. Someone hook up our TiVo!

Anyone out there like KT Tunstall? She is my new fav. I saw KT (we're on a first name basis now) on Ellen last week and she is so cute. Well in a performer cute kind of way. Her music is just so girl and upbeat.

I can't find my nano. I feel very lost. Do you know that feeling? So I have been lugging around HHHubbys IPOD. It seems mammoth compared to my lil o'nano.

We went to the city Saturday night for dinner with friends to celebrate HHhubby's birthday. It was a lot of fun and the night went by way to fast. The place we ate at was a restaurant and bar. Meditteran food with small plates. So we tried a ton of different plates. I have to say the bathrooms were reminiscent of the most disgusting bar bathroonm ever. It was hard to handle. Specially sober.

I will spare you the details of the business the girl in the stall next to me was handling with a handful of friends in the stall. Gross.

I'm loving this nice weather and feeling more inspired to shed my whale fat. But at the same time I still love chocolate.

My business website is 99 percent running, just a few more things to tweak and I am done. It has been a lot of work but so much fun and I have learned a lot, about myself and the world of business. I actually started my own business. Yay!

Hopefully, I will be posting more often now that this work is behind me! (well you know the non creating part)

Hope you all had the luck of the Irish on your side!

Happy St. Paddys Day!

I think I can

2007-03-07T08:25:00.000-08:00

Last night was the last night of my beginner photography course. It was a long 8 weeks. The class started out really very slow and a little remedial. Because lets face it some of us our savvy with the workings of simple things like memory cards and batteries and some aren't. I see why all of this mentioned need to be explained.

Last night we met by the Train Station and did a night shoot. This was the most fun we had the whole 8 weeks. Actually taking photos and applying what we have learned about light and shutter speed. I have posted some photos for you to see. It is just utterly amazing with the light and inner workings of the camera can produce.

(just worth noting, the first train that came by scared me shitless. Those caltrains have a lot of power)( on a good note, I found a new bakery, with turkey and brie sandwiches and just yummy godness)

I look forward to taking the next course in the summer. This class will be the one where we can actually apply all that we have learned in this class.

After you take a photography class, I don't think you ever look through the lens the same. As well as look at someone else's photography the same.

Here are some photos of our downtown area, the local courthouse and some other landmarks. All of these photos were taken at around 8pm. So it was really dark out.

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This picture is a little fuzzy, but if you can beleive it this photo was taken at night. The sky was black.

This photo is from downtown and give you an idea of what the photo would look like with out the proper adjustments

Here are two photos after proper adjustments.

Housekeeping

2007-03-05T13:03:00.000-08:00

I love the sunshine. Today, I am personally requesting more. Greedy I know.

Does anyone out there know what taking antibiotics for to long causes? Yeah, well without giving you all details. I am experiencing this for the first time in my young life. Gross.

I have been tied up in trying to get my business started. Who knew how much work and time it would require. Don't get me wrong I love it and am very excited about it, but I like not working. The hardest part has been designing the website. There are just some things I just don't understand about aesthetics and functionality. Either way we are almost there.

I've been trying to be dedicated to going to the gym. I think I lost one pound. NO really I don't know because I just don't do the scale thing, but seriously folks. When you go to the gym, you should automatically start glowing or something. Just to keep you going. Wednesday I will try my first spin class. I also need some new butt shrinking songs for my Nano. Whatcha got?

Favorites right now are:
Chris D. It's no over
Fall out Boys Arms Race
Justin T Rock your Body
Jamiroqu
But I need more!!!

If you haven't already go sign up at 5 minutes for mom. Who doesn't like to win cool prizes.

double vanity

2007-02-27T10:07:00.000-08:00

So this post is two fold. One I want to boss you around and send you all over to
Fluff.

To read Vanity Flair and the others. We have lots of hits on the site- but a lot of people are shy about commenting. We would love to hear from you. Any old thing.

On another note. Let's talk about vanity. My vanity. Most of my life I have been unhappy with my smile. Well, my teeth to be exact. I have been playing around with the idea of getting veneers for the last year. No chicklets please. I had an appointment for a consultation and had to back out. So now it's time to reschedule or dismiss the plan.

Yesterday, I went for a teeth cleaning and my hygienist basically was trying to talk me out of veneers. See said that generally veneers are for people with really bad teeth. I.E. discoloration, chipping, problems of that sort.

She said that my teeth are nice and that with a little gum and tooth contouring I would be happy with the results. Which I am all for.

Another recommendation was to try invisalign. I am considering going for the consultation. But the consulation is $100. The thing is you have to wear the aligners about 23 hours a day. The length of months would depend on my case. Now I have never had a retainer. Though as a kid I would pretend I had one, because they seemed cool. We would make the jolly rancher candy's press up against the top of our mouths.

I never had braces.

So I won't say my teeth are f--ked up because they aren't. They just needs some love.

Anyone out there have any information they want to share?

Rainy Day Fun

2007-02-24T16:35:00.000-08:00

Since today was an icky day we decided to take the HHkids to HHHubby's work to see dinosaur bones and a space ship. Here are some photos from the day. The scooter rides with the kids seems totally safe. I wasn't even worried at all. Gulp.

HHgirl was literally being swallowed by all those balls. The last photo was right before she got fingernail deep in mud. The girl might carry a purse but she isn't afraid to get dirty.

Me, I nearly crashed the scooter my first time around.

It's a girl

2007-02-24T16:30:00.000-08:00

Is there nothing sweeter then driving by a complete strangers house and seeing a sign that says "it's a girl." You don't even need to know the couple to understand what they are feeling. What precious memories. The sign paired with pink and white balloons all over. Cars overflowing the driveway.

I saw this on my way home today and was tickled pink. Really I was.

The feeling wasn't so long ago.

I just found out one of my closest friends is pregnant. Yipppeee. I can't wait!

Over the moon.....

2007-02-23T16:47:00.000-08:00

This is a pair of my latest earrings "moonswoop." If I don't promote my self-who will.
Just kidding, but really I do. And since you are all so loyal, you don't mind hearing me talk (again-gasp) about Cheeky Jewelry. Right. If you haven't already go check out my renter. Click Click.

Here and back

2007-02-20T16:04:00.000-08:00

Wow, I feel like over the past few weeks I have been all over. Non existent if you will. The ear infection that I picked up was something awful. It tooks almost a full week to feel human. Now, I still have a plugged ear, but the pain has subsided.

I had no idea how hard it would be to function with hearing in one ear. I swear it heightened my taste buds. That our the medicaiton or vicodin were messing with my buds. I ate salad one night and it tasted like an ass patty. Whatever that tastes like.

It was HHBoys 4th birthday party on Saturday. We had his party at a place called Safari Run it was so cute. It is marketed as a healthy fun place for kids. Lots of over sized slides and climbing gyms. Evne the Adults were getting into the fun.

The kids had about an hour to play and then were wisked off to the next room for-CAKE.
This is why you have a party, right? For the cake. My parents were unable to make the party -since my dad hadnt been feeling good. But all is better now and we'll catch up with them soon.

After cake it was off to the game room and then the kids had at it, playing skee ball. Again the adults had more tokens then the kids.

We invited family back to our house for pizza after and by 10pm, lights out. We were pooped.

So I am pretty boring lately.

I've been playing catch up and trying to get my little ol business off the ground. There sure is a lot to do. Specially when you have no business sense what so ever.

So off to photography class tonight!

I could use a starbucks. Anyone want to bring me one?

Books and more books

2007-02-20T15:53:00.000-08:00

What do the books I've read say about me? What would your list look like? I borrowed this from someone in the blog-o-sphere. It reminded me of books I want to add to my reading list. There are several books that arent on this list, that I have read, but just arent on this list.

Look at the list of books below.
*Bold the ones you’ve read
*Italicize the ones you want to read
*leave blank the ones that you aren't interested in. If you are reading this, tag your it!

Write now I am reading Augusten Burrows' Side Effects. I recommend all of this books. Just fun reads.

1.The Da Vinci Code (Dan Brown)
2.Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)
3.To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee)
4. Gone With The Wind (Margaret Mitchell)
5. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (Tolkien)
6. The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (Tolkien)
7. The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers (Tolkien)
8. Anne of Green Gables (L.M. Montgomery)
9. Outlander (Diana Gabaldon)
10.A Fine Balance (Rohinton Mistry)
11.Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Rowling)
12.Angels and Demons (Dan Brown)xx
13.Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Rowling)
14. A Prayer for Owen Meany (John Irving)
15. Memoirs of a Geisha (Arthur Golden)
16.Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Rowling)
17. Fall on Your Knees(Ann-Marie MacDonald)
18. The Stand (Stephen King)
19. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban(Rowling)
20. Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)
21. The Hobbit (Tolkien)
22. The Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger)
23. Little Women (Louisa May Alcott)
24. The Lovely Bones (Alice Sebold)
25. Life of Pi (Yann Martel)
26. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams)
27. Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte)
28. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (C. S. Lewis)
29. East of Eden (John Steinbeck)
30. Tuesdays with Morrie(Mitch Albom)
31. Dune (Frank Herbert)
32. The Notebook (Nicholas Sparks)
33. Atlas Shrugged (Ayn Rand)
34. 1984 (Orwell)
35. The Mists of Avalon (Marion Zimmer Bradley)
36. The Pillars of the Earth (Ken Follett)
37. The Power of One (Bryce Courtenay)
38. I Know This Much is True(Wally Lamb)
39. The Red Tent (Anita Diamant)
40. The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho)
41. The Clan of the Cave Bear (Jean M. Auel)
42. The Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini)
43. Confessions of a Shopaholic (Sophie Kinsella)xx
44. The Five People You Meet In Heaven (Mitch Albom)
45. Bible
46. Anna Karenina (Tolstoy)
47. The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexandre Dumas)
48. Angela’s Ashes (Frank McCourt)
49. The Grapes of Wrath (John Steinbeck)
50. She’s Come Undone (Wally Lamb)
51. The Poisonwood Bible (Barbara Kingsolver)
52. A Tale of Two Cities (Dickens)
53. Ender’s Game (Orson Scott Card)
54. Great Expectations (Dickens)
55. The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald)
56. The Stone Angel (Margaret Laurence)
57. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Rowling)
58. The Thorn Birds (Colleen McCullough)
59. The Handmaid’s Tale (Margaret Atwood)
60. The Time Traveller’s Wife (Audrew Niffenegger)
61. Crime and Punishment (Fyodor Dostoyevsky)
62. The Fountainhead (Ayn Rand)
63. War and Peace (Tolsoy)
64. Interview With The Vampire (Anne Rice)
65. Fifth Business (Robertson Davis)
66. One Hundred Years Of Solitude (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)
67. The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants (Ann Brashares)
68. Catch-22 (Joseph Heller)
69. Les Miserables (Hugo)
70. The Little Prince (Antoine de Saint-Exupery)
71. Bridget Jones’ Diary (Fielding)
72. Love in the Time of Cholera (Marquez)
73. Shogun (James Clavell)
74. The English Patient (Michael Ondaatje)
75. The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett)
76. The Summer Tree (Guy Gavriel Kay)
77. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Betty Smith)
78. The World According To Garp (John Irving)
79. The Diviners (Margaret Laurence)
80. Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White)
81. Not Wanted On The Voyage (Timothy Findley)
82. Of Mice And Men (Steinbeck)
83. Rebecca (Daphne DuMaurier)
84. Wizard’s First Rule (Terry Goodkind)
85. Emma (Jane Austen)
86. Watership Down(Richard Adams)
87. Brave New World (Aldous Huxley)
88. The Stone Diaries (Carol Shields)
89. Blindness (Jose Saramago)
90. Kane and Abel (Jeffrey Archer)
91. In The Skin Of A Lion (Ondaatje)
92. Lord of the Flies (Golding)
93. The Good Earth(Pearl S. Buck)
94. The Secret Life of Bees (Sue Monk Kidd)
95. The Bourne Identity (Robert Ludlum)
96. The Outsiders (S.E. Hinton)
97. White Oleander (Janet Fitch)
98. A Woman of Substance (Barbara Taylor Bradford)
99. The Celestine Prophecy (James Redfield)
100.Ulysses (James Joyce)

The one where he uses a flashlight to look in her EAR!

2007-02-14T14:17:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone-
No posts around here lately or at Cheeky. So depressing. We went to the Mountains for four days and had a great time. It even snowed. And then on the way back I decided to get a god awful ear infection. Then my father was in the hospital. A very long few days. I am up and among the living today. I will write more soon. Still on the mend and can't hear.

Me and my buddy decided to be groupies(while on vacations) and follow Chris on Tour. Then I had to give up a trip to see Chris in Arizona.(ear infection was ruling) Sad about that but can't wait to hear details and share them.

More of Chris here. She met him -she did.

Will write more later. I can't hear and it's making it hard for me to type. I dunno know why-just is.

By the way my Dr.(new and yet on his way out) looked in my ear with a camping flashing light and was shocked and surprised when HE COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING!

That's all I'm going to say about that.

HOT!

2007-02-05T15:57:00.000-08:00

Let me start off by saying, I was officially star struck. But this is how our evening started.

Nichol drove down from Sacramento and we waited patiently for concert time.

Pix showed up with these shirts for us to wear. Notice where it says "sign here."

Yes, we wore the shirts. And surprisingly enough, we weren't the oldest groupies at the show. The show was at Slims in San Francisco. The venue holds at capacity up to about 800-1000.
We were able to move freely and grab a cocktail or two or three. The opening band was Cinder Road. Who actually were very good. If you look back at the photo of the shirt you will see that I have a signature. It was the hancock of the lead singer of Cinder Road formerly known as Plunge.

After each band finished performing we moved our way up closer to the front. The second band was Eve to Atom. Not my favorite and since there was no stage diving or moshing - I was out.

On to the main event. See below:

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Yowza. Chris performed and gave an awesome show. He really has the stage presence down. Once he lost the euro scarf he was all good. Honestly I only knew one of his songs, the ever famous "It's not over." But before we left I really grew to like his music more. He also did a great cover of Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2.

After the show we made our way around back. Someone told us that if we went around back that is generally where the band members leave and hangout. The club is about a block long.

We were able to see about 100 yards down the alley and what do you know there was Chris D throwing back a beer or something.

*Special note my friend Nichol who was gracious enough to take me to the show, is a die hard fan. She was ready to wait him out.

So I obliged.

At this point I decided to walk around to the other side of the alley. Where earlier security was present.

I took a deep breath and walked back to the alley right toward the whole band. Now I know they aren't Cold Play or something, but I didn't want to get yelled at.

Things you do for friendship.

As I walked up guess who had just walked back in the building. Damn. We did meet a lot of the other band members and managers, but no Chris D.

We waited it out and after ONE hour. Chris was whisked away like a prize fighter with the hoody over his head and wannabe security whooshing him to his tour bus. The Bus which we were standing right in front of.

No signature just a glance and a thank you.

We finally decided to call it a night.

Guess who came out of the bus after? Yeah we missed out. Which broke my heart because it meant so much to my friend.

Anyway, next time.

It was a freaking awesome night. Thanks J and N for the night!

Yumm-o

2007-02-05T15:20:00.001-08:00

Alright, I'm joking about the YUMM-o doesn't the wierdo Rachel Ray say this tag phrase? I really do like some of her ideas and actually have some of her books, even a subscription to her cooking mag but not the yumm-o. Sorry if you are a fan. I made this casserole recipe last week and it was really good and easy. Nothing monumental but good.
Add some Parmesan, you got a meal.

I plan to write more about last nights concert, but redbull gave me wings and I haven't returned from my orbit, yet.

CHRIS ROCKED
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Chicken Artichoke Casserole (serves 6)

6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cut in 1-inch strips (Trader Joes has chicken already cut in strips which makes it super easy)
4 tablespoons butter (I use half butter, half olive oil)
2 cloves garlic, pressed
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained
2 tablespoons flour
1 can chicken broth

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
In a skillet over medium heat, brown chicken lightly in 2 tablespoons butter, add garlic and mushrooms, keep cooking until chicken mixture is smelling very garlicky.
In a baking dish, add the browned chicken mixture. Place the artichoke hearts atop the chicken.
In the skillet melt remaining butter and add the flour, whisking to blend (no lumps). Add the broth and cook until thickened, then pour over chicken mixture.

Bake 30-45 minutes.

Serve over brown or white rice.

Feeling Hot Hot Hot

2007-01-31T16:35:00.000-08:00

Is there nothing f**king hotter then the inside of a lean-hot pocket?

Why I was eating this nastiness is besides the point.

Jeezus.

Teeny Bopping

2007-01-30T15:13:00.000-08:00

I'm going to see a concert this weekend. Nichol and I are going to be bringing it back to the high school days. Maybe I should fluff those bangs up. My friend Nichol is in love with Chris Daughtry and her sis/brother in law pulled some strings-and she picked me.

We are going to San Francisco to see Chris live! This has been a "to do" on her list.

I am bailing out on my hubbys big superbowl party! Whoops! I am going to do whatever I can to get back stage. Well not "whatever", but something!

I will.

Tagged

2007-01-27T08:20:00.000-08:00

I got tagged. Errr But I'll play nice.

THE RULES: Each player of this game starts with the 6 weird things about you. People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave a comment that says you are tagged in their comments and tell them to read your blog.

1. I hate having dirty feet. It creeps me out!

2. When I pass the front door I always check to make sure it'a locked.

3. My hands are mushy-like they have no bones. Well they do, but they feel squishy

4. There is a werid single hair that grows on my hand, by my thumb

5. I love fresh strawberries, but do not care for any other food item that is strawberry

6. I cant eat chicken off the bone.

So thanks to she for tagging me.

If you are here reading, consider yourselves tagged. Come ON I had to do the meme!

5 minutes for mom

2007-01-25T21:35:00.000-08:00

Some of you may be familar with 5 minutes for mom. I just found out about their site and I think it is a great source of information. Go on over and check the goods out.

"Susan and Janice are hosting The Ultimate Blog Party March 2 - 9.
This will be the place to be. Get your blog noticed, win prizes, hang out with your friends and meet some new ones."

There are a great selection of prizes that will be given away in their drawing. I personally we'll be giving away a pair of hand crafted earrings from my jewelry site. I plan to let the winner select from a few pair on the site.

Anyway-who doesn't like winning prizes. I do I do.

dung

2007-01-25T14:26:00.001-08:00

I came home and found a cat swirl up on my bed. Right now, I don't like my cat.

Pink

2007-01-24T20:53:00.000-08:00

Holy snikes bat man. What has been going on here. Things have been haywire. In a good way-but busy.

I'm working to get my jewelry business launched. You do not want to know the fees designers are charging for storefront web design. It's absurd.

Not to mention that I spoke with a designer today and he explained to me that they keep the costs down by-outsourcing to other countries. Wrong answer.

From another company based out of New York I get a quote of $18,500. Yes, you read that right.

The search continues. HHMomma is open to suggestions.
____________________________________________________________
THE BUMPS

Tonight I went to the gym for a sculpt class. I love this class and I think I am actually seeing results. The instructor is squat happy. But I love her passion and the class. Do you ever have those moments in your head where you almost do something-you know you shouldn't. Well at least not in public.

Not anything like that.

More like, we were doing cross lunges with weights and "Can't touch this, by MC Hammer" was playing. I almost started doing the "wooahh woahhhh" dance.

What's wrong with me?
_____________________________________________________________________
Photography Class

Holy shit. Great class confusing as FK. Mostly because the teacher tells us one thing about the speed and light. Then she tells us to forget what she said. Which presses us all to find out when we would use this light feature or whatever. She responds "we'll talk about it later ."

We'll see what I get out of this class. At the very least I get to spend time with friends.

_________________________________________
The Lost Phone

Last weekend we went to a surpirse birthday dinner in the city and by the time we got there the birthday girl and hubby were smashed. And they were smashed good.

BG was on the table giving an Academy Award speech.

After the dinner we were going to move on to the second party (another birthday party -a co-worker of HHH)Clearly no one from the dinner party were going because they were lucky to make it back to their house.

Four of us decided it was time and we went on to another party at a bar called HOME in the Castro area in San Francisco. We had time for one drink and then this party was moving on to another bar. So we hopped in the car and drive to the club. This was one of those nights where we got parking right away. (and in the city)

We ended up here for a private party. This is one of those places where you are firmly reminded that you once were cool. Before kids.

No sign for the club, just a bright pink light. In the know-people.

We went in and had a great time. There were a ton of people we knew. We danced drank bubbly. Basically re-lived the single days. It was fun.

Then like all good things it was time to leave. There were so many details, but basically we got in the car to drive home and my new cell phone had fallen out of my purse. My one day old cell phone.

HHHubby had to run back in. No luck. We are leaving the city and he decided to call my cell phone. A woman answers.

We drive back to the club and get it.

I pee in a gutter behind a parked car.

We drive home.

Did I mention I was classy?

hash-brownie?

2007-01-22T22:14:00.000-08:00

HHBoy asked us for a hash-brownie today. Err what? I made low-fat brownies. I think he was confusing the hash brown and a brownie. Yes, that is it.

Then as I was getting dressed he asked me if I was putting on my bib. My bib? Oh yes, my bra.

We went on to Target as we cruised by the lingerie section, he mentioned this:
"Those sure are BIG bibs, mommy."

OMG, he is not even 4.

Gulp.

I plan to post more tommorrow. You know it's a crazy night when your friend gets a call that a club has your cell phone. Whoops. This would be the new cell phone I just purchased Friday.

Who's calling?

2007-01-19T15:04:00.001-08:00

Today I'm on the road taking HHboy to school. Off we go. My friend Sam was going to stop by. I pick up the phone to call and let her know when to come. The screen is black. This is werid. Hmm. I reset the phone. Nope. Still black.

I drop off HHboy and my phone rings. So now we know the phone works, but I just can't see my phonebook, who's calling or much else.

I call my provider which is also the store where I purchased the phone.

Guess when my year warranty was up?

January 9. (which equals 10 days ago)

Guess who didn't purchase insurance?

Guess who isn't happy.

I went to the store and looked at new phones. Prices range anywhere from $179-$499.
Do I want to spend money on a new phone? No.

When I hemed and hawed and acted like I was going to walk out without a phone, the manger pulled out the "special discounted" phones.

I left with a $70 phone.

I'm still mad.

Signed,
Grump in Cali

Vibe'n

2007-01-17T12:09:00.001-08:00

If you haven't already go see my renter. Sugar Momma likes a little sugar in her bowl.

SM is also begging YOU to unload a problem that she has (and get a free Vibe!) You have to see what she is talking about. I won't tell.

Last night was the first night of my digital photography class. It was a snoozer.
My friend Lisa and I are taking the class. There are actually three of us taking the class but L had to stay home and take care of sick hubby. The first meeting was very basic. I did learn something about apertures and depth photography. So this is cool.

It was funny because there is one older lady in the class who just wasn't having a good day. Either that or she was giving off o' da-bitch. Wow she was mean.

About everything.

The worst part was at the end of class our Ansel Adam's worshipping instructor was holding up photos from Desert Storm and working to evoke some emotion and explaining how personal and deep photography can be.

We were all sort of sharing this zen moment if you will.

OL pipes up "WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO COLLECT THESE PAPERS?"

Oh my.

So back next week. I'm looking forward to learning more, mostly to take photos of the HHkids and for my new jewelry business. I also would like to learn about working photos to canvas. Sounds cool, eh.

Go get some sugar!!

Mc Dreamy

2007-01-12T16:22:00.000-08:00

Were any of you as happy as me to see McDreamy back? There isn't much to watch on TV but Grey's is one of the shows I like. Yay. McDreamy. HHHubby and I were having a good laugh about the snoring bit. He says I snore. How sweet that MD was sleeping(setting the alarm) and then waking up and coming back to bed.

I have been up to my nose in beads and gemstones come see me if you haven't. I would love to hear from you. Over here.

Is it wrong that HHBoy got up from the dinner table and told us not to move his plate because he would be right back. Or else he would be "PISTEN OFF" at us.

We had to perform our first in house surgery on HHGirl she had a huge sliver in her hand. Things went well and the patient is recovering nicely.

In a few weeks we are headed up to Tahoe and I can't wait. Snow Snow. I want to try snowboarding one of these trips, but haven't. I would probably break my leg. Though I am a fairly good wake boarder. Are they the same?

Hope everyone is well and I plan to write more over the weekend.

Meanwhile I am going to resume re-folding the clothes that lovely HHgirl just unfolded for me. Yes, thank you very much.

Beard what?

2007-01-12T15:28:00.001-08:00

I forgot to mention. They opened one of these in our down town area. So over the holidays we tried their cream puffs. HHmomma not being a huge fan of the puff (which is strange because I love all things dessert) I love love these. So damn good.

What a strange name.

Come out come out where ever you are

2007-01-11T14:58:00.000-08:00

It's National De-lurking week here in the blog -0-sphere. Are you lurking here? I hope so. Then I would be officially in demand and have cool stalkers.

I haven't been able to write as much as I like, but hope you will stay!

Tell me the one thing you want to do(that you haven't been able to) in your lifetime.

No matter.

A day of pampering

2007-01-08T19:57:00.000-08:00

For Christmas, HHhubby gave me a gift certificate for a massage to this place.

My friend A wanted to do a spa day, so we decided to go there. It was so great. First of all, a day to just go and not having anybody to account for but oneself? This ranks high. Anyone that is a mom knows that when you have kids you can barely use the loo alone.

This spa has every amenity you could think of. You check in at the front desk. Then one of the workers comes to get you , with head set in place. They take you to multiple quiet rooms. The quiet rooms have fresh fruit, ginger snap cookies, hot tea, cold ice water. By the hot tub there is water and cups. Wash clothes on ice.

It was quite amazing. I literally could have spent the whole day there. We both had massages, then we went in the hot tub, the steam room. Which by the way -before
stepping in the steam room, they had more cold wash clothes (since when has this been such an exciting amenity) and fresh cucumbers. The steam room sprayed Eucalyptus.

Just lovely.

Then we moved on to each take a shower. Separately of course. Each shower had every amenity you would need. Razors etc.

Then onto the vanity area, all hair products. Oh and more cold towels wrapped up in a refrigerator right by the blow dryers.

Did I mention this place was great?

It was so much fun. They just opened a branch in San Francisco. They said it is very girly, with pink, black and white interior. Sounds cute!

Theme songs for 2007

2007-01-08T19:51:00.000-08:00

These songs have been the theme songs for HHFamily so far this year:

HHboy's: Beans,Beans -the magical fruit the more you eat the more you toot (is this a boy thing?)

HHmomma: Your my obsession, Your my obession (and sadly it's not about some hot guy-it's been about making jewlery)

HHHubby: I'm not sure what song is in his head, but I think it has something to do with the days of being single :)

HHgirl: Girl's Just Want to Have Fun (she doesnt want to sleep during the day)

Do you have a theme so far this year? A song?

Got Bocce?

2007-01-04T20:35:00.000-08:00

This is a photo of me and the girls from a few days before Christmas. We went and played Bocce Ball. There was a group of about 28 of us. What a nice tradition. Some how the teams ended up boys against girls. It was a lot of fun and fairly easy to learn. Bocce reminded me a lot of shuffle board. Do I spend time in bars? By far though I love Air Hockey.

the jewels

2007-01-03T20:38:00.000-08:00

come visit me here

day 2

2007-01-02T12:20:00.000-08:00

We survived NYE. Probably because we didn't venture out in to the world of chaos. We stayed in and had some friends over for dinner and drinks. It was a bunch of fun and nice and low key.

So how many New Year resolutions do you have? If you make them. Typically I tend not to commit to any reso's, this year I have a lengthy mental list, of simple things that I would like to improve about myself and my life. I will spare you the details of my self deprecating list. Though one will affect the people that read here.

For the most part I have decided to move on to a new view. After talk with family and friends, of the ones that gave me input they suggested that I post once a week and see how that goes. So this is what I intend to do. I hope you will stop by and visit and I still plan to visit you.

With the support of many I have decided to market the jewelry I have been making. Over the past month I have been working on the site and as soon as I have it up and running, I will be sure to share.

Last Year I started a construction defect website, that requires attention. Attention from me. Along with the long list of other things. HHubby and I together have decided to work some time into this teeny tiny venture, so I will be working on the website as well.

I hope you will still stop by. Come see me at Fluff and let's see where 2007 takes us.

Are you making your dreams come true?

Happy 2007

2006-12-30T20:28:00.000-08:00

I feel that you are justified in looking into the future with true assurance, because you have a mode of living in which we find the joy of life and the joy of work harmoniously combined. Added to this is the spirit of ambition which pervades your very being, and seems to make the day's work like a happy child at play.

Albert Einstein

HHFamily wishes all of you a healthy and prosperous 2007.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!

well wishes

2006-12-24T13:38:00.000-08:00

I hope you all are enjoying family and friends. Drinking and eating to much and thinking of all the wonderful blessing of 2006. Merry Christmas and a very healthy and happy 2007!

whirlwind

2006-12-19T12:53:00.000-08:00

I have been sucked into the whirlwind we know as the holidays! I love it, but have not been feeling great. Lots of strange ailments disturbing my precious temple. None the less I carry on.

Today I took the HHkids for a tour of the local fire station. How can you not love fireman? Anyway the kids had a great time and so did I. Fireman just work with the kids so well. I was also very impressed with how big their living quarters are.

When we arrived at the fire station we parked across the street in a public parking garage. I thought it was cute that we parked next to a car exaclty like mine. Same color and all.

Of course I forgot that we parked next to the car exactly like mine. That and I forgot the toys for the toy drive. Anyway I walk up to the car (the one that is not mine) and can't figure out why my key alarm won't work and the key doesn't work. Suddenly the light bulb came on. Wow,lack of brain power.

On a positively delightful note two friends each had baby boys. New boys for the holidays. Very sweet.

I have some present to create still, so need to get to work with the jewels. I licked to many envelopes yesterday for Christmas Cards. I really need to invest in one of those spongy deals with the water.

Thank you all for the nice comments online and offline about continuing with this blog. Most likely I will stop in January, but you never know who I might come back as.

Off to crack the whip on the elves (me)!

all good things must end

2006-12-14T15:48:00.000-08:00

Recently, I logged onto Blog Explosion and noticed that I have had this little old blog going for about a year. When I thought about the fact that I have been blogging for so long, I also thought of something else. How long do I want to continue with this blog? Think of all the time I have spent writing.

I think like anything else in life, you do that thing until you no longer find that you are enjoying it. I do love blogging but am contemplating putting HHMommy to an end.
While it has been fun, there are a few other things on my list that require my time and attention and at some point these things, we'll be moving up the list.

How many of you have been blogging and feel this way? Occasionally, I will run into a blog that has a post with a farewell message. One part of me thought how sad, and another thought sometimes you have to be the one to walk into the sunset.

someone stop me

2006-12-13T21:23:00.000-08:00

1) I can't stop shopping for Christmas gifts
2) HHgirl was enjoying herself this morning quietly unwrapping the few gifts that I have wrapped and lovingly smashed under the leaning tree. Which is fine, great, no problem because as you know there are still 12 days until Christmas.
3) Help.
4) We were lucky enough to get a nice box of handmade chocolates in the mail today. I avoided the box until after I got back from the gym. I pick a cute one with white chocolate on top and tiny perfect little black polka dots. Mmm can't wait to bite into this nibble of yum. No. Not exactly the taste I was expecting. The taste resembled something more like one of these.

Really I swear it did. I'm going to go play Russian roulette with my life and bite into another. Because I'm ballsy like that. I also think it will be worth the risk.

I love me some matthew

2006-12-12T22:37:00.000-08:00

but this is
fucking hilarious. MM always has his shirt off.

Mixing the bubbles

2006-12-12T09:15:00.000-08:00

The weekend was off to a strange start.

Thursday we had place to meet Lisa at the park. Her and her daughter had been on holiday for two weeks, so it was time. I was up extra early to get to the gym. Kids were in the child care. Everything went great. Hop in the car showered and ready to meet our friends. Stop by the house to grab lunch for the kids.

Kids are safely in car seats in the garage. I run upstairs to grab their lunch. Come back down.
HHgirl throws up all over herself. It's running out her nose. Poor lovie.

This is one of those: where do you start scenarios. We end up staying put. She has three baths this day. Poor little mamma.

The next day she seemed to be feeling better. For which I am grateful.

We missed HHboy musical debut at school. But we just didn't want to risk spreading the love or what ever HHgirl had.

Friday: We had a going away party in the city. It worked out that we were fortunate enough to find a sitter on short notice. The party was a lot of fun. Lots of fancy food, in fact they had mini Kobe beef burgers. I don't think I've ever had Kobe beef, they had just a ton of fun and tasty bites. The cocktails were also flowing.

I was not driving.

I was offered many Bellini's.

I failed to have self discipline.

I paid dearly.

Just for the record I even rotated water in between drinks.

Friday night, HHgirl wakes up because she was sick again. (At least this is what HHhubby told me. I was asleep) whoops.

Then we had a birthday party early the next day. I was dragging but we made our way over. Me and the HHboy.

Next day I was worthless. I hate that feeling.

Saturday night we had our friends over to visit and order in. You know those moments when you are with friends and you realize how long it has been since you have seen one another and how you need to make more of an effort to get together.

We'll we were having that moment, when HHboy against his own will threw up all over the kids play room.

I can hear the bath water running in the back ground.

Just as we had him cleaned up and he sweetly crawled up onto my lap, I was doused in something special.

Poor HHboy.

I think this was when our friends said, "well thanks for having us over".... haaa

OH and the cutest part was their little guy tried to make a move on our daughter. He went in for the kill to plant a kiss.

Between this and trying tobattle the holiday shopping, wrapping, crowds. This has been our lives.

Yep!

it's criminal

2006-12-12T07:40:00.000-08:00

I was looking at my entries and I haven't posted since last Wednesday. Of course you already know this if you were paying close attention.

Last weekend I had the oppourtunity to sit in one of these.
A friend of ours ordered this car over a year ago and they just delivered the car to him. They even put his name on a name plate on the door way of the car. I even had the change to start the car. You just push the red button. Not generally being one for cars, I can safely say that this car, is more then you would ever expect.

Wow.

I will write more today.(not about the car, just more in general)

heartwrenching

2006-12-06T15:06:00.000-08:00

There just should have been a better end to this story.
I have been following this story for almost two weeks. It seemed strange to me that the story wasn't in headline news sooner. Once the mother and children were located, they finally were receiving state wide coverage.

This story is heartbreaking to me. I didnt know James Kim or his family, but you can tell by the story that he was just a man that loved his family.

"He was motivated -- I mean, we were having difficulty in there," Anderson said. "That was what has so frustrating; we couldn't seem to get in front of him."

Rescue crews had dropped 18 care packages in the area earlier today, each including clothing, a wool blanket, gloves, waterproof overalls, flares, a flashlight, a hand-warmer and rations. Each package also had a letter from Kim's family, authorities said. The packages were paid for by Kim's father, Spencer Kim, whom Hastings called "a devoted, driven man."

This is a situation where you just wish it would have ended differently. One of those why him moments.

This makes me sad.

Dog gone it

2006-12-04T19:23:00.000-08:00

The weekend was a lot of fun. I was running around a little crazy to get things done on Friday, but everything worked out. I had my make up done at the MAC counter. The make up artist was a boy. Which felt a bit strange at first, because I have never had a boy do my makeup. He was very nice and currently attending Stanford. When I left I felt like he did a great job. He even put some of this fun sparkly makeup under my eyes. HHhubby was looking at me all night, wanting to wipe under my eye. Snicker. I made a purchase of this lovely lip color. I felt even better about buying it since In the spirit of all Viva Glam, every cent raised goes to the M·A·C AIDS Fund to support the fight against HIV/AIDS.

We started out the night with dinner at this tasty spot.. We ordered plenty
of sushi and I had a New York Strip. Which was quite tasty, specially since I don't eat a lot of red meat. We continuted the night by catching a cab
and heading over to the party. The party was held at the pier and was HUGE. Easily thousands of people. This year we managed to find everyone we wanted to see. It was great.

Until it happened.

My dogs were barking. And when I say barking. I'm talking, all the thoughts of looking sexy in those boots - out the door.

I was actually having a hard time walking around. So I was a walllflower in the corner. Thankfully everyone was close by, but really take my cue and wear the comfy shoes.

Around midnight the party was over and we were to go onto the next party. I couldnt do it. We had to get a cab back to the hotel. I left the party barefoot. I would have fit in at the trailer park. Really now.

It was a great evening and I wasn't the only girl that left the party barefoot. Always nice to hear that.

We spent the rest of the weekend having fun with the HHkids. We went shopping and to the Disney store. The HHkids enjoyed ice cream and watched Open Season. It was a fun time.
Later that night we made our way over to Union Square and HHgirl went crazy over the huge Christmas tree. HHboy was less enthusiatic but still having fun hearing everyone honk and watching the trolley cars.

you know you're hopelessly domesticated when

2006-12-04T18:39:00.000-08:00

you hope Santa baby brings you this or this.

No really being home is sexy!

So much for anything remotely fun and usefull from here orhere.

and so it begins

2006-12-01T10:51:00.000-08:00

I'm very excited that it's Friday. You are to? We're going in to the city for the weekend.I know I've mentioned this one to many times, but that's how I am. HHmomma is really looking forward to the weekend. Which may not sound OH so exciting to you. It does to me. I'm very much look forwarding to having a date night (work party) with HHhubby. It's so easy to become disconnected from the hubby and crave that need to reconnect. I miss him. I miss us. I love our family, but I miss spending time with him.

We're starting the evening with dinner and friends at the Hotel we are staying it. Which is a huge plus because this time last year, it took an hour to get a cab at dinner time in the city. We were very late to dinner. This year we just need to make it to our hotel at 7:00. The restaurant serves primarily sushi (which I don't love) but there are some things I like. Mostly the cooked amateur eats. They do however offer, other fare.

After dinner, we plan to stop by a party before the main event and then one soiree after. Hopefully I can last the night. I like to go into the night two feet first. Not always the best date. I'm an old maid and usually in bed by 10:30. I'm lucky to make it all the way through Nip/Tuck.

Of course I'm also looking forward to having some fun in the city with the kids for the rest of the weekend. Plans are undecided. Mostly because I recently learned that FAO Schwartz is no longer in SF only New York. I was really looking forward to taking the kids there. Whoops.

Is it me or is this time of year a bit overwhelming? I know the feeling is mostly self inflicted, but it seems like the ever growing list of things to do is crazy long.

I'm hoping that we'll be able to spend some time with friends over the holidays. Some of who we haven't seen in a really long time. Some located just across the bay and others in the sweet state of GA.

We still need to get our Christmas tree so we'll do that next week.

These boots were made for walking

2006-11-29T11:56:00.000-08:00

I bought the best pair of boots today. Love them. They are black and knee length, soft suede and lace up the back. Sexy and high uncomfortable heels. I love them. I will be towering over HHhubby. See here they are.

There were two women that stopped me as I was making my way up to the counter to make the purchase. Both mentioned how much they liked the boots. One mentioned, she goes for comfort now, not looks.

The other said she was to tall. Me, I'm short and okay with being uncomfortable for a few hours. Remember I said this. I will be crying on Friday night walking the hills of San Francisco.

I was torn between buying a pair of black heels or boots.

I figured realistically being a mom I would get more use out of the boots. Sad. I could wear heels to the park. That would be HOT. Yes, that would be HOT.

You know what I really want now, some of the garter belt things.

posterchild

2006-11-28T11:46:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, we had an interview with a potential sitter for the HHkids. HHgirl was a complete angel and put on the charm. HHboy not so much. Let's just say he was excited. He decided he would display how he could behave like a big boy. Well, that's what we'll say.

In reality he was craz-ee. He was jumping on the couch. Spiking juice boxes and borrowing granola bars out of the cabinet. Face covered in chocolate. No wonder the gal said it would be $20 an hour.

After R left, we were thinking couldn't you wait until after she agreed to watching you both. Then act like a kid in the circus.

Yep. You heard me right $20 an hour. Is that crazy? When I baby sat kids, I think I was lucky to make $3 an hour. Yes, it was short time ago, but really. $20. We loved this gal and she was great with the kids, but good gawd. If HHhubby and I go to dinner one night, will eat out a la fast food and $2 buck chuck, in order to make up for the cost of having a sitter for the kids. Bizarre.

I guess it's a babysitters market.

I'm addicted

2006-11-27T16:40:00.000-08:00

To Whom It May Concern:

I'm addicted. This is the first step. Right? I whole heartily admit it. What if I don't want to recover. I love to look, buy, touch, work with gems, beads, lay in them, bath in them, love it all. I'm having so much fun making jewelry now that I finally know(well it's all relative) what I'm doing. Why can't I have a less spendy habit. Perhaps paper airplanes? HHhubby would kill me if he only knew how much this little habit costs. Lucky for me HHhubby is supportive of my addictions.

I love working with the natural stones, silver, gold, gemstones, beads. So much fun. My friend Sam is talking me into considering a small business. After I flopped at the boutique I figured I would hang up the beads.

I feel like I have posted about this before, but what can I say. Fun Fun.

HHmomma is back in the saddle again.

Thanksgiving was great and It was lovely spending time with family as always. I have a pretty kick ass family. We are all weird and have our own neurosis, but the blood line is cool. Fine, I am the one with all the neurosis.

If you haven't already go see my renter!! Click Click

PS did anyone seen Grey's Anatomy and the sad story about the elderly man that shouldn't have been driving? Well I swear I saw that couple in my gym parking lot this morning. Do you tell someone before it's to late? I just really felt like the man should not have been driving and it was really obvious.

Do I have a duty?

fluff, turkey and roomie

2006-11-21T15:59:00.000-08:00

If you haven't had a chance won't you please go over and visit my
renter, Adventures in Every Day Life. Wonder Woman is already doing good deeds for the Holiday Season.

Also come see me at Fluff. Let me know you are reading and have some love for us over there at Fluff. We keep writing each week and would love to hear from our loyal readers.

Lastly, have a wonderful holiday and enjoy family, or the routine of family fighthing and drinking and eating and all that tradtion.

O Tanenbaum

2006-11-21T10:05:00.000-08:00

I feel a tap on my shoulder. Mommy scoot over. My voice barely audible,"what?"
HHboy whispers, softly, so HHhubby doesn't hear and send him directly back to bed. "I want to get in bed with you."
I respond with my eyes half open and lift up the rumpled covers so he can climb in bed. I try and clear my mind and assume it must be 6 in the morning. My neck is throbbing in pain. I slept on my pillow wrong. I look over at the brightly lit clock
and see that it' s 4:30 AM. Once again in a loud whisper I hear "Mom" I half heartly respond with a head nod. Energetically HHboy asks "can we get our CHRISTMAS TREE!!!!"

At 4:30 in the sleepy morning my lovely son wanted to know when we can get our Christmas tree. You have got to be fucking kidding me. It's not even Thanksgiving AND he is only 3. How can he already be pre disposed to the commercialism of the Christmas Holiday!

Blows my mind. Anyway looks like we'll be purchasing our tree this weekend. What's that you say? Oh no, we the parents are definitely running the show over here.

***********
Last night I took a second jewelry class and I do believe I am the BOMB. Now. I finally know what in the piss I am doing. Head has been mounted back on my neck more upright then before. After my smashing jewelry sales at the boutique a few weekends ago. There is no way to go but to the sky!

I can't believe how quickly Thanksgiving is approaching. I am excited though because this means HHhubby will have some time off. Maybe we can do something fun, like

a) go get a Christmas tree

Next weekend is HHhubby's holiday party! I'm not totally excited about the party mostly because the company he works for has grown so much , that you barely know anyone. Which was not the case a few years ago. The best part is picking a restaurant in San Francisco and meeting with his close friends/co-workers and going to dinner and have some drinks. This year there will be a bigger group. Then we are staying at a hotel in the city!

I plan to do it up right. All Diva-ish. I have an appointment for a complete transformation. Actually I just have an appointment to have my make up done. How fun. I am going to go to MAC and see if they can transform me into a transvestite. Then I have a hair appointment a few days earlier!

Which just reminded me we are taking family pictures next week! Ugh! I'm not photogenic. Mostly we want photos of the HHkids. A family shot would be nice to. I think we should take them with those wood cutouts and different body types.

Have a fun weekend! I plan to try and write more soon!

deck the halls with wordpress, la la la la la

2006-11-21T08:19:00.000-08:00

Have you switched from the crazy abyss known as blogger to the new world of word press? If so, was it crazy hard? I'm considering it. But thinking I might let sleeping dogs lay,lie,sit and not be kicked. Unless you can convince me otherwise. I happen to be easily third party influenced. wink wink

Loving you is easy

2006-11-17T10:36:00.000-08:00

because your beautiful! ( or snarky)

I'm so glad it's Friday. This week seemed to mull by dreadfully slow. Slow in the sense that the dreary moments were long. The good moments were short. For no particular reason-just in general. Just a combination of hormones or something of that sort. Action packed, with HHmomma going off the deep end a little. Feeling all self-deprecating and unhappy to be serving as MOMMA COW.

You know those days when you feel like your existence doesn't have anything to do with you as an individual? Yes, that sort of week. It seems that the fog is lifting and the rest of the issues will just have to get worked out. Because I don't do well with downtime.

Lisa and I went to see Russell Crow as Max Skinner in A Good Year. It was strangely predictable. But cute and just the type of chick flick that my mind was requiring. The best part was that the theater was less then 1/2 full. Worth mentioning a solo-strange man sitting behind us getting very comfy. Shoes off. Enough said. Also echoing some seriously excessive seat squeaking. I was afraid to look back. The theater was even kind enough to throw in a long line of light which was vibrating through the middle of the screen. So as you watched the movie, and tried to focus, you were left wondering if you had to much caffeine or acid.

HHboy's school had parent/teacher conferences this week. HHboy is three now, so this is obviously necessary. No really. I enjoy these meetings, we are able to see all of the cute school projects and hear all the great things we already think about our HHboy.
It's strange how when someone is suggesting something to you about your child even with a remote hint of negativity or suggestion of less then stellar development in all aspects. BAM, mommy tiger comes out and I have to protect my little mini.

Example: Maybe he doesn't hold the crayon properly because he is to busy pitching fast ball in the back. We clocked him at 80 miles per hour. Hmmm. Did you think of that?

No. really, school is great for the little ones and they have so much fun.

Last night I met some friends for drinks in Palo Alto. I forgot people actually go out drinking on Thursday nights. The place we had intended on going to was spilling out with singles. There was no parking either. So I called my friend (the other Lisa) and she suggested that I park my car further out and she'll come get me. Excellent.

So I look for parking. She pulls up and just as she does a parking spot opens. In an effort to be very cool and just slip in the air tight curb space- with out pulling forward and then pulling back and then doing so again. I really tried to be quick and even used my back up camera.

Radio to loud- check
on cell phone- check
acting like that girl- check

Hitting construction sign on sidewalk with tire- check
Girls giving me big eyes as I do so- check

No wonder they were giving me worried glances, they were parked behind me!

That's it that all I got! We are going to some friends tomorrow night to see their new pad in the city. They have kids to so , we are cool on that note. It wont' be a museum house!

Have a good weekend! Go see HAPPY FEET!

Save the Ta Ta's

2006-11-14T17:03:00.000-08:00

This story that ran on MSN is absurd. You have to read it and then come back.

I'll wait.

Fingers tap on desk.

Are you appaulled?

Ok. So how can this story be true in this day and age? When I breast fed both of my children I was very discreet about it. For me personally it wasn't something I felt comfortable doing in the general public. My choice. No one else. This feeling wasn't because someone made me feel this way -bad or good. It was just my own personal
issue.

I have friends that breast fed in front of me and sometimes that makes me uncomfortable and sometimes it dosen't. I just think that if this women was feeding her baby and doing so in a descreet manner, who are the flight attendants to ask her to leave. I think the issue of this women breast feeding is more about how the flight attendants feel uncomfortable and not about how anyone else felt. They didn't have to sit there and watch. If something makes you uncomfortable you move on. Here is your soda and peanuts. Eye only contact.

How embarrassing. I doubt I would have deplaned with out making a fuss.

I will love to see how this law suit ends. Settlement anyone?

Bolts & Nuts we got screwed

2006-11-14T15:49:00.001-08:00

The weekend was a lot of fun. We started off by going to dinner on Friday night with the kids.
Saturday we had our friends over(two couples)for dinner. It was great. The dinner had been a long time over due, these are two of HHHubby's closest friends. I didn't have to do a thing HHhubby made dinner and I was in charge of the appetizers.
Our friends came over with a huge magnum of champage. I had picked up raspberries that day, so it was a perfect mix.

We hung out and talked and drank. The kids were great. Through the course of the night we managed to go through six bottles of wine. My gosh. You can imagine what everyone was feeling like.

IRIE man. IRIE. We had dinner and did some dancing and all that.
One couple had planned to stay the night. The other couple had to get back to the city to care for two small dogs. We called a cab for them about 12:30. No cab.
We call another cab. One finally shows up. It is a limo-escalade and tigger from Winnie the Pooh is driving. Of course we send them off and don't think twice that this taxi guy is a little *strange*. We are about to go to bed, when we hear a knock on the door. Their back.
The Limo driver wanted $170 for the ride. Yeah, thanks I'm all set.

So we called about three additional cab companies. Not one of the cabs ever showed up. Finally around three it got cold downstairs and the couple realized they were in for the long haul.

Everyone left early the next morning. As morning came the kids were up early
and in full swing. Ready to start the day with a smile.
HHHubby was not in good shape. He was really
very sick. Usually it's me that is paying the price. This time I was smart
and drank a ton of water and a fist full of asprin. Healthy I know.

The boutique was at noonish. My friend Robyn came over and we headed to my friend Amy's. Everyone was in full swing, sipping bubbly.

I had some water.

There were a variety of items for sale, homemade soaps. jewlery, scarves,
books, and many other things. One thing that was not mentioned on the holiday flyer was this.

Guess what?

Sex toys.

Yes.

OMG.

I kept looking over my shoulder for my mom. There were so many. I had to go look.
Some of the items were scar-ee. Yikes. It was really fun and I felt like I was
12. But who knew the family boutique was going to be full of sex.

Everyone had most of their friends come so there was lot of shopping. None of my friends from around the way could make it, but my local buds showed up.

Now, I have to start by saying the two girls that sold jewlery are complete pros.
There goods were amazing and I purchased stuff from both of them.

Mine?

Not so good.

I made two whimpy sales.
BUT they were my favorite two necklaces so that made me feel better. I learned that I need to trust my instincts and make what I like. Not what I think other people will like. I need to take a few more classes and learn the tricks of the trade. I also was turned onto a wholesale website where I can get some charms and stones that I really like.
I tried not to take the lack of sales to personally. But when I saw that these
women were starting their own businesses-I understood because they are
very talented.

SO that was the weekend. I went to bed early sunday night. HHboy tucked me in, brought me water and a stuffed bunny. He even offered to check for monsters and tickle my back! That a boy!

Pawdicure? Only in S.F.

2006-11-13T12:24:00.000-08:00

Today the S.F. Chron ran an article about the The Wag Hotel, the hotel caters to canine!
Here is a blurb from the article:

" Fido might begin his weekend stay with a dip in the swimming pool. He can follow with a stress-relieving massage or a "blueberry facial" or even treat himself to a "pawdicure." At the end of the day, he can return to his $85-a-night suite, kick up his paws on the sofa and snooze away the evening to a stream of Disney animation movies, piped in to his room on a high-definition flat-screen TV.
Such is the city dog's life, circa 2006.

I find this hotel both hilarious and yet I am interested. Mostly to see the people that would actually put their pet in a hotel. It's an inventive idea for a place to keep your pet. This place seems so fun. Maybe I should take Roxy. I know there are people out there that put their pets first, but this is insane. You have to go look at their website and at how nice the digs are. They even have dog jewelry! They have a "cattery" with a fish tank, sleep sacs and 2 story condo. This place is to much.

The eagle has landed

2006-11-10T16:33:00.000-08:00

I wake up this am to a little 3 foot person hovering over me asking for breakfast and Curious George. I slowly make my way out from under the covers. A little foggy after a late night (well for me) with a friend for dinner and drinks. Pomegranate Margaritas to be exact. Her choice Blood Orange. I make my way downstairs and get HHboy breakfast in a t-shirt and undies. Normally not a big deal. Usually not my choice of attire for walking around the house in the a.m. either.

As HHboy settles down with his cereal and cartoon, we hear someone at our front door. I can see that it's our neighbor. Our neighbor is a single women in her 70's. Very friendly and very considerate. On separate occasions she has brought us wine and toys for the kids. We really enjoy her and so do the kids.

I look down and see that I am not in appropriate attire to answer the door.z
I run upstairs and grab a robe. I come back down and answer. She is pacing and in a sheer panic. This type of behavior is very uncharcteristic for her.

She speaks:
I'm glad you haven't left.
I can't locate the disc that your husband ----- gave to me.
I had a friend over and now the disc is gone.

Me: HHhubby gave you a disc? Ok, well let me see if he is out of the shower. (thinking to myself maybe he burned a music cd for her.)

He gave me the disc in case anything happened to you guys over the weekend.
Me: Huh?
Isn't HHboy going to be staying with someone?
Me: Not that I know of.
HHhubby gets out of the shower.
Me: I ask if HHhubby if he gave her a disc (at this point I have no idea what she is talking about)
HHhubby says no.
Neighbor has look of relief but is still pacing.
She says thank you and sorry I woke you up and goes on her way.

Now, I don't know about you but this line of questioning sounded strange. Unless there is some CIA action going on and someone has the *disc*.

Does this behavior seem strange to you?

On a side note, did anyone make the change to beta blogger. The move to Beta has been in the works for so long with Blogger. For a long time Blogger was it's own competition. Now there is Wordpress and a few others. I have another blog on word press, but I'm still learning the ropes. I am partial to blogger for several reasons, but we'll see what happens. I'm a beta here.

Saturday we are having friends over for dinner. And guess what? HHhubby is doing all the cooking! Yay. I don't even have to make dessert.

The jewelry boutique is Sunday. Wish me luck! Have a fun weekend!

Pea Split

2006-11-08T14:13:00.000-08:00

What is it about that gosh forsaken place Target ? I have a love hate relationship with this establishment. You go to the store for a few items and some how end up with a basket full of things. Things. And more things. HHgirl and I ran over to do some shopping and ended up with way to much. Mostly useful stuff. It always is. Do you think the merchandise is better in the LA stores?

You'll never guess what I found at Target? Leopard flats. Yay. They carry two styles. One a more wild animal safari leopard print. The other pair were a little more reserved with a Audrey Hepburn like signature black bow. They only had size 10 & 11. So no leopards for me. They were cute and of course you couldn't beat the price.

I always wonder about the target shoes. I wonder that if after you wear the shoes for a month are they going to smell like funky corn chips. There is something about some of the less expensive shoes that don't allow room to breath or are made of corn chip scratch and sniffs. Do you know what I mean? I know it's not my feet. None of my Blahnik's are corn chip-esque. I definetly wear Blahnik's and to the park.

We are having a slow day and I like it. Not to many days like that around here. I made home made minestrone soup. HHmomma's version. I've been on a roll with the cooking. Time to eat heatlty and really try and put some effort forth in taking off some of the excess loving goodness on my bod. Just in time for the holidays.

When we got home HHgirl literally slipped on a pea. Not a banana peel a pea. She loves to eat frozen peas and she slipped on the little green morsel of yuck. I wouldn't have know but she actually handed the culprit to me. HHgirl is going to be trouble with the sparkly stuff. We walked past the Christmas-to-damn-early aisle and she went ballistic.

We just booked a weekend in San Francisco. HHhubby has his annual holiday party. We *won* a weekend stay at this fun hotel. The plan is to get a sitter for the night of the party and then pick up the kids the next day. Then bring them back to the hotel and do the union square-touristy holiday with the kids. Maybe some ice skating.

Last time I tried to ice skate was when HHhubby was courting me. We were foolish enough to go to dinner and drink and finish a bottle of wine. Now mind you combined we weighed about 250.We were the laughing stock of the ice rink. But that was one of the best nights on my life.When you realize people are pointing and laughing and it's at you- time to leave the ice!

perpetrating & wilson balls

2006-11-06T09:14:00.000-08:00

This past weekend was good and uneventful. Spent some time around the house just getting grown-up things done. It seems like over the past few months we have hardly been home to enjoy our house. This weekend everyone has been sick, but me. Let's hope the germs don't move in this week.

Next week Lisa and I are going to start tennis lessons. Our instructors name is Sid. Why does that make me laugh? Maybe because it reminds me of the name Sven. Which- nothing is wrong with either name, they just make me laugh. Anyway- I haven't picked up a racket since I was very little. When every member of my family had a racket and occasionally played tennis. Let's hope Lisa and I are both equally bad.

This weekend is the big holiday boutique. Yikes! I will be selling my jewelry. For some reason I am feeling really unsure about the pieces. At first I started making jewelry that I thought other people would like. Dangling earrings and things I typically don't wear.
Then I reazlied that if I made pieces I like and I don't sell them, then at least I would have jewelry that I would wear. Truth is the items that I made that were things I would wear I feel more confident about.

I am selling, earrings, bracelets, zipper pulls, keychains, book marks, cell phone charms, necklaces, toe rings and wine charms. Some of the jewelry is Swavorski Crystals ( I am just addicted to all the colors). A lot of hammered silver and gold pendants. Then there are a lot of silver chain items. Some gold. Some leather. Organza. I have two favorite necklaces. So I won't be disappointed if those don't sell.

I'm also having a hard time setting prices. Some of the other girls that are selling jewelry are selling their pieces for a lot. Well at least it seems like it to me. (necklaces $65 and up) I really just enjoy makingthe jewelry so if I make money that is a plus. I mostly just hope people feel inspired to wear the jewlery. And of course feel good when they wear it.
Here are some photos:
What do you think?

The goods

2006-11-06T09:13:00.000-08:00

Trading Spaces

2006-11-05T19:58:00.000-08:00

I promised way back when that I would post photos of our boudior. The room is not complete but we have made progress. Here is a snap shot of the before (when we purchased the house) and then of course the now.

As you can see from the photos we sort of moved into the times from the 1970's. We had the brown beams painted and we replaced the dove embellished stained glass with a blue colored glass. I really love it. At some point we just need to decided between installing new carpet or some type of floor. Right now I am looking into
this product. It looks fun. I just need to send for a sample and see what the product is like in person!

Am I seeing spots?

2006-11-02T13:43:00.000-08:00

Before I forget and her week stay is up, go visit Dana at the Dana Files.

Dana is really sweet and struggling with the choice of transitioning to a stay at home momma with her son, Dawson. I feel like we go way back at least in blog-years. Plus she has a cute template.

Today I had a sweaty experience. The kids have been home sick this week. Today was a little better , so we head out to do some shopping. Really I was in the want mode of two things. One-new bras. Two-new shoes. I want a pair of leopard flats. Now, HHmomma isn't generally an animal print type of person, but lately I want the goods. The spots are sassy and a little touch of animal-passion stuff.
(I really want a zebra rug or chair, too.) So I 'm cruising around the shoe department at Nordstrom.
All I see are 4 inch leopards. This will not do. Must have flats. I ask the sales gal if she can point me in the right direction because the shoe department is the size of a small country.

You know what she shows me? A pair of leopard/tan flats. Which is what I asked for.No worry that the cuteness of shoes are a small fortune. Guess how much? $500. Which equals about $250 per shoe. You didn't know I could math, did you?

Gulp. No leopards for me. I will keep looking. I go on up to the children and lingere department. I wonder if the two some how are synonymous at some point anyway.

I was ready to make a purchase and sorry I have to say I had the stereo typical yupp in front of me. Oblivious of the world outside her beauty. She was shopping while she checked out. Really now. Please make your way to the registesr when you are done shopping. Besides at this moment it needed to be all about me and how I was that mom.

Here I am the stereotypical at home mom. Not looking hot. Showered-semi makeup-semi hair and in sweats. Not even the cute sweats. HHboy is being midly good. Just checking toys out. HHgirl is acting like one flew over the cuckoos nest. Why didn't I bring the stroller? Oh yeah, I was going to just quickly run into Nordstrom and shop. Haaaa, what a fucktard. HHgirl is grabbing every perfectly folded shirt our of the fingerprint free glass cubes, and holding the shirts up over her head , as if she is carrying the olmpypic torch. Her and HHboy are cackling through the whole upstairs. Am I laughing on the inside?
Maybe. But mostly sweating on the outside trying to catch them.

I did get two new bras!

say what

2006-11-01T14:47:00.000-08:00

We survived Halloween. I was a bit of a deadbeat in the participation department. Didn't even get out the eyeliner and draw on some kitty whiskas. I was to caught up with the kids. We took the kids around the immediate neighborhood. We met some neighbors that we hadn't personally been introduced to. The Mr. seemed less then enthused to meet us(mostly hubby). Because back about a year ago when we moved into our house, my sweet unassuming hubby had words with their nanny. At the time it was unknown to us that she was anyone of importance. It wouldn't have matter based on her actions.

We were just moving into the neighboorhood and our first house! Our movers had underestimated the time they needed to load up boxes and unload at our new place. The drive was about 20 miles, but they just didn't estimate correctly. Hence we were all a little behind schedule. I was 13 months pregnant with HHgirl and not much help. Our driveway is at a very steep incline and it made it difficult for the 2500 foot truck to back in. Once they backed into the driveway at an angle they were partially blocking the road. Which made it impossible for traffic to get by.

The car pulls up and a pleasant women starts giving hand signals out her partially rolled down window. Then she starts yelling for the driver to move. HHhubby explains that by the time they move their truck (it took them about 15 minutes to back it in) that she could go around and it would be fast. So the movers and HHhubby kindly ask her to go around the block. One block. The movers had just finally moved it so they could unload with minimal hassle. She screamed (with child in tow) that she was "having a bad day" and would not drive around the block. This exchange lasted no joke about 15 minutes. Let's just say it was ugly after that. She finally got by. Then her employer (our neighbor) called the moving company. Obviously he now knows it was HHhubby that had words with the nanny. To bad he wasn't clued into the fact that his nanny was putting his son at risk by acting like a wack job and getting out of the car and starting a fight with three men instead of driving around the block. Do you think she told her boss this part?

Anyway we met the neighboor. They have a kickin little built in firepit and grill in the entry way in front of their house. I wonder what the back looks like.

Wouldn't you be upset if your nanny put your child at risk, just because she wanted to go toe to toe? Anyway I digressed a little, but we had to relive the moment a little.

Back to the trick or treating. The crew went on to our immeidate neighbors where everyone decided to do a shot of tequila(not me). Time to get the blood warmed up. We didn't go to much father then that. Kids were pooped and full of snot.

Somehow I spilled wine on HHgirl's tinkerbell wings. How is that for class? Maybe the wine wasn't mine. Maybe she wasn't wearing the wings, if that matters. The kids had fun last night. Now they are both sick. So today were chock full of snot.

I think I will order one of these. Damn if you knocked into me, I would have to give you some words. Look closely at the price tags.

Martini on the Rock in the Blue Bar at the Algonquin Hotel, New York
Price Tag: $10,000
Ingredients:VodkaDry
vermouth
Olive

(this sounds good, maybe with safeway brand liquor)
Dazzle at the Second Floor Bar in Harvey Nichols, Manchester
Price Tag: $51,200
Ingredients:
Rose champagne
Strawberry liqueur
Lychee liqueur
Lemon juice

Leo-lollipop

2006-10-30T11:01:00.000-08:00

We went to Sacramento to visit the in-laws over the weekend. The kids had a ton of fun and were covered in dirt and snot, head to toe. On Saturday morning the HHkids were over at the neighbors house with the grandparents. They walked by a garage sale and to their delight something caught their eyes. So we caved into the wants of our spawn and purchased one of these for HHBoy. His cousins have two matching pink ones and he has been wanting one since he saw theirs. We explained that our backyard was not big enough. His suggestion: we should move. HHboy barely stopped driving it around, but to sleep. HHgirl was to cute, as she climbed in the jeep and threw her arm around the back of the seat, like she had cruised in a jeep a few times before. Considering these jeeps sell for about $200, we were happy to make the purchase second hand. Can you imagine $200?

That night the in-laws offered to babysit the HHkids, so of course we took them up on their offer. We decided to go see a movie, The Departed. Very much a boys club movie, but really good. A typical Martin S. movie.
The one element that threw me off a bit. Was how good Leonardo DiCaprio was looking. He must have grown into his head and lifted some weights. For someone who is not generally attracted to him, he was looking tasty.He also played his character very well in the flick. I was totally paying attention to his skills too.
The movie had lots of A-listers and there were some hilarious one liners. Thumbs up.

I have vowed the next two weeks to get organized. How b-o-ring does that sound? Very boring and necessary. For someone who is generally organized with paperwork etc, that is not really the case lately.

I also plan on posting some photos of the jewelry I've been creating, but our camera won't download photos. Something with the USB port. Hopefully HHhubby can get on that task this week.

Tomorrow's Halloween, we plan to take the kids to get some "sugars". Then we'll *discuss* each night for the next month about why HHboy can't eat all the sugars. I love this time of year!!! HHboy's buddy in school is going to be a Jockey for Halloween, how dang cute is that!

Dress up?

2006-10-27T10:09:00.000-07:00

With Halloween coming up , who has great ideas for costumes? Here is a list of some of my costumes of the past. Go over to Kailani's Blog for some of hers.

1. Richard Simmon's project *hubby was Richard Simmons*
2. Pirate
3. Carmen Miranda
4. Injured Cat with a big cone on my head
5. Robert Palmer Girl ( it was the 80's)

What were you?

Madonna & Malawi

2006-10-26T08:16:00.000-07:00

Did anyone catch Oprah yesterday? I hadn't planned on watching, but was glad I did.
I have seen interviews in the past with Madonna and she is always confident with a touch of attitude. This interview was completely different.

M seemed so vunerable and upset from the satellite in London.

Bascially M went on to explain that the media is manipulating what really happend in Africa. She went on to talk about how she came about finding David and what resulted in her interm adoption.

When she intially saw David she said she was immediately drawn to him. Which made her decide to find out further information. What she did find out after the pediatrician she was traveling with examined him was that he had pneumonia nad needed antibiotics.
He was then taken to a local hospital for course of antibiotics. She also stated that in his already short life time he has beat malaria and tuberculosis. After finding out the battles that the child has already had in such a short time, she was also informed that no relatives had ever come to see David during the time he was at the orphanage.

Oprah asked what the hardest part about the media frenzy is. M said that anyone that is considering adoption in Malawi may not now, because of the media.

Part of the Malawi tradition when adopting a child is to have permission from a living relative. If the parents are deceased then a distant cousin would do. M found out that David's father was still living. They were to meet in court for both a oral and written persmission. Madonna said through a translator they spoke and that David's father said that had he taken David to his village and not put him in the orphanage he would be buried already. The father looked into Madonna's eyes and thanked her for giving his child a chance at life.

She also said that is anyone went over to Africa and saw what she did, you would want to adopt a child and give them a chance at life.

I could go on and on about every little detail but the bottom line is in serveral parts on the interview Madonna was chocking back tears. Anyone that is a parent knows that adopting a child in not taken into lightely and that her heart is in the right place.

As much as the media/press make fun of Angelina Jolie and all these other Hollywood type who are adopting in third world countries, I praise these women. There was a part of me that felt like we should all be doing more to make sure these children have more then one pair of pants to wear or can get medicine if they need it. Here in the states parents are worrying about if their children receiving flu shots.

I was very touched by the interview and felt like I received a mini education on the living conditions in Africa.

Do you think the media is distorting the situation ? Or do you think the father misunderstood that his child was going to the states?

Happy Halloween

2006-10-26T08:14:00.000-07:00

He sure looks happy.

Did you lose this?

Pillow talk, or something like that

2006-10-25T19:53:00.000-07:00

Coversation with HHhubby last night

HHM: crawls into bed.
HHHubby: reading
HHM: I smell something
HHM: It smells like electrical fire ( b/c you know that is a distinct smell)
HHH: I do smell something
HHH: goes on a mission to find said smell
HHM: Sniffing out smell in room
Turning lamp off and on.
Smelling stuff.
Just smelling in general.
HHH: I didn't find any fires.
HHM: I still smell it
HHH: takes a sniff of our comforter
HHH: this is where the smell is
HHM: That's weird I just washed all our bedding
HHH: The smell is CAT PEE!
CAT PEE !!!!!

Enough said.
Roxy my love is on her way out the door.
Welcome to outside kitty hood.

So strange as she has been trained since day one.
Any thoughts?

Postal

2006-10-24T14:38:00.000-07:00

I have so much to say and yet need time to articulate my thoughts.

* Saturday was a HUGE success. There were more things then went right then almost right. I won some cool stuff. More details tomorrow.

* The Ritz Half Moon Bay has the most amazing view. Driving one way 2.5 hours for a 26 mile drive, not so amazing.

* Hhboy wants to know why he can't pet a dinosaur. Try and explain to your 3 year old that they are extinct and what extinct means.

* Our friends are the new parents of a baby boy, Nolan Young, 7 pounds, 11 ounces.
We can't wait to meet him!

* Took the kids to a local pumpkin patch today. Wrong day to go. We would have left bu we were meeting friends there. There were 4 bus loads of kids on field trips. I don't like kids on field trips. Mostly because mine aren't of field trip age. I'm fickle that way.
HHBoy waited patiently for his turn on the train and then right when the train came some older kids with their mom busted in and pushed my HHBoy out the way. Not nice. What is the mom teaching her kids by doing this?
Then she waits since I explain that other kids were waiting. There are 6 seats the kids sit down and then she pushes her kids on anyway. This isn't the subway. The kids can take turns. It was just crazy. We left and went to the park after that.

* I was crazy curlers in the hair lady. Minus the curlers and barefoot. For the last three days-no mail. We get mail each day. I see the mail man drive right by our house.
I hop in the car and drive up the street. Do we have mail? Yes, but I'm not going to deliver it because there is a car parked in front of the mailbox. What?
Yes, he won't deliver our mail because there is a car parked in the street(which happens to be ours) and he doesn't want to get out of the mail truck. If the car wasnt ours would he mail it. I will move it. No problem.

I ask him for the mail he won't give it to me. I spoke with his supervisor and we'll see what happens tomorrow. Somethings just warrant intervention.

I love the fall weather!

One lump please

2006-10-20T11:48:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday!

I'm so excited the benefit that I have been working on for months is finally here. Tomorrow will be the first annual Breast cancer benefit for LPP. Since joining the group as a volunteer they have asked me to be on the board. I am so flattered and excited to be apart of this big movement to raise breast cancer awareness. I've never served on a board.

The event will be held at a winery. There will be wine tasting, food, excellent raffle items and a silent auction. I hope to bid on a package and win. I phrase it as if it is a win and not like we are paying for it. I like this better! It's fun to *win* stuff.

We have hit some snags along the way, donations smaller then we originally were promised. Things we forgot to consider, but I think it will be a perfect day. What can you do though? You have to be grateful that people can donate.

I hope the event goes off and everything is great. My friend Nichol and her family will be attending and of course she is my reason for getting involved. We'll also be celebrating her birthday. My mom and aunt are traveling down from Nevada and YaYa will join the fun to. As well as our closest friends.

Hope you all have a great weekend. I plan to be back to regular posting and myself, after some sleep ,relaxation and all that good stuff.

I will be going to this lovely place on Sunday with my family for High Tea. I can't wait. They also include champagne and choclate covered strawberries in the tea service. I've never been. This is also where
this movie was filmed.
Our friends were married there a few years back.

Transparent

2006-10-17T08:28:00.000-07:00

Hi! I'haven't been writing much lately. Are you thinking, where have you been Hot House Momma? Did you notice? No.

Really I haven't been to exciting lately, or excited enough to put the finger to the keyboard.

We are having some painting done(so no computer). I've been spending my free time working on the upcoming Breast Cancer benefit. Yay. It's Saturday. You no what to hear my excuses, pepe?
We'll I still love ya all even if you think I'm knee deep in bs excuses. Kazaam.

I just read and recommend this book. if you like fun memoirs.

It's the next book following Running with Scissors.

Pumpkin de-light

2006-10-12T13:17:00.000-07:00

I don't generally post recipes here. Mostly, because well I just don't. If you are looking for a quick and yummy dessert to make this holiday season this is it. The bomb. HHmomma doesn't usually care for pumpkin pie, but this I will mange. In fact I'm making it tonight for some friends.

Pumpkin Crunch Cake
PREP TIME
15 Min
COOK TIME
1 Hr
READY IN
1 Hr 15 Min

INGREDIENTS
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree (can pumpkin)
1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon salt
1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup margarine, melted
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease one 9x13 inch baking pan.
In a large bowl, combine pumpkin, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Mix well, and spread into the prepared pan.
Sprinkle cake mix over the top of the pumpkin mixture, and pat down. Sprinkle chopped pecans evenly over the cake mix, then drizzle with melted margarine.
Bake for 60 to 80 minutes, or until done. Top with whipped topping when ready to serve

gettin my sexy back

2006-10-12T11:45:00.000-07:00

I've been sort of MIA for a few days. Not much has been going on, I just haven't had time to sit and think.

* Is it okay, to bring your 5 year old into a kickboxing class .While she is cute as a button she is in the way. Which means most people in the class have to be careful while participating because the little one might get hurt. Especially, when the mommy took the class before and there is day care at the facility. Please tell me if this is uncouth to bring child to class.

*Weird side thought, why do people have to watch while you get dressed in the lockeroom at the gym. Freaky.

* We finally had the new glass installed in our bedroom. Pictures will be forthcoming, if you recall this process has been going on for about 3-4 months. The new glass company did a kick ass job and only charged us triple.

* We are having fun adjusting to the new member of the family. HHHubby is sleeping down stairs because kitty keeps him awake. So I sleep upstairs and wake up with scratches on my arm and nose. My nose looks similar to a ball. Don't worry were still engaging in sexual relations. I flip him the bird in the hall.

* HHBoy informed me that he wanted a "hash" brownie. I had made brownies that night. Now the fact that he asked me for a "hash" anything scared me a little. Until I realized it wasn't his hippy like ways, it was his confusion with the "hashbrown" and a "brownie".

* We went to dinner with some friends of HHhubby's last night. The Mrs. is a pediatrician. Why was I all goofy and nervous and acting like I teach my children the right stuff. Get a grip. It was cool though because after dinner the server thought he would be sweet and give HHboy a scoop of ice cream the same size as his dome. Complete with a side of, sprinkles, reeses pieces and M&M's.

Good thing it was early (8:00 pm) Big Tip.

Global Illumination (26th September 2006)
In Australia Square, Sydney, they turned the Opera House PINK to launch Breast Cancer Awareness month.
source, Steve Grunberger

I love this and thought I would leave you with this beautiful photo!

That's all I got.

It's official-Final Chapter

2006-10-10T07:46:00.000-07:00

The day of the wedding HHhubby and I woke up and ordered in some room service. Surprisingly enough, I seemed to have all my faculties about me. The cuckoo birds were flying over someone else's nest.

We were to be at the shuttle depot early to arrive at the estate for the wedding. As we headed off the boat, we saw the rest of the group. There were about 50 of us.

We cruised over to the estate which is a 10 mile drive. It was relaxing as we drove through the different areas of Mexico. We saw a lot of abandon cars and blighted areas and family owned stores. Dogs sitting in front guarding or resting in front of their owners stores.
As we reached our desitation it was like entering another world. The location was beautiful. As we pulled in the small tiled driveway, our bus almost lost both sides of some paint as we tried to fit through a tiny driveway. In the end the driver made his way through which amazed me.

We were greated with coffee, juice and pastries. The most delicious fresh fruit. Big oversized leather ottomans, music and sun and a view that you could look at your whole life.
This place was amazing.
The rituals took place on one patio over looking the ocean. I have never experienced a vows and such of this religion it was beautiful and I love their rituals. The bride was beaming and the groom was modestly pleased.

After the wedding we made our way to a cocktail hour, served with the most perfect bite sized snacks, shirmp, oysters. Then to the pool area for lunch, cake , drinking and dancing. This was one of the most beautiful weddings I have been a part of. I only wished we could have stayed longer. The estate was breath taking.
*
If you recall my camera got wet and hence I'm having a hard time downloading, my photos. So I stole these from C the bride's friend.

I love this photo- I do's

Groom's father catching some shut eye

D a friend of the groom. I love this patio. You have to love Mexico. Our favors were flasks and the bartenders filled each one with a little something!

The trip was great and I had some much fun just hanging out in the Bride/Groom suite, talking and drinking. This was a great group of people and we can't wait to get together again.

HotHouseKitty

2006-10-09T08:49:00.000-07:00

Above in her cameo shot -our new kitty. Named Taz,by the shelter, she is a one year old girl kitty. Taz has patiently waited for a family to come wisk her away. This sweet little feline was eager to leave the hustle and bustle of caged life.

Little did Taz know, she would have two little people following her around. She is sweet, playful and warming up to her new environment. However, between the mosquito that was buzzing in my ear and biting me at 3:00 am and Taz purring and rubbing on my ear. Last night was active. Just when the HHkids are sleeping through the night.

Taz looks less then thrilled in this picture, but she does love the basket.

Now, we need a name. I like Monkey, she meow's like a little monkey.

yanking my chain

2006-10-06T13:28:00.000-07:00

So let me start out with this. I have a tail. (k, don't freak out just yet) Remember Jason Alexander in Shallow Hal. Yep, just like that.

Really it's a little tiny mole on my lower back. It 's smaller then the mole of Cindy Crawford's face. A little more bulbous though. HHgirl finds great pleasure in grabbing my 'tail" and trying to pull it off. It FKing hurts when she does this. She laughs methodically when she scratches at my moley.

She always seems to find it when I am blogging. Maybe I deserve it.

You can stop making that face now. I will finish the rest of the cruise Monday. Good weekend to you all.

Day Deux-The Panic Room

2006-10-06T06:42:00.000-07:00

I step off the elevator and say my good byes. Gingerly walk down the empty and mute hallway back to my room. If you've ever been on a cruise or have seen Titanic you know that every room and hallway boast identical. As I survey the area around me, a touch of panic comes over me. Am I on the right part of the ship.The boat was rocking back and forth, so much so that you couldn't keep a balance.

I'm so quick that I discover the obvious and look at the room numbers and realize I 'm on the right side of the ship. I put my room key (sea pass) in the credit card slot and enter my room. Once I 'm settled in my room, I turn on the TV, Devil Wears Prada is showing. I half heartedly crack up because Franco from Rescue Me plays a effeminate fashion designer in one part. I change into a tank top and panties.
I 'm not feeling well. The room feels small. There is not enough air. I try to clear my head. The more I try to clear my head the more my chest tightens. Where is everyone? I have no idea what anyone's room numbers are.
Maybe I will go find HHHubby.
I can't get up.
I can't breath.
I feel sick.
I am pacicking. Hyperventling.
Crying.
Trying to concentrate and put on clothes.
Crying. trying to breath, the room is spinning.
I vomit.
HHhubby comes back.
Drunk.
He saves me.
He calms me down and we walk upstairs to get fresh air.
The view is heavenly. Weather is warm. I try to take it in.
I inhale. I feel safe.
Can I walk back down the hall? I do and wonder how I am going to make it through the remaning days of this cruise.
Just breathe.

Day One of Cruise-liquids & partying

2006-10-05T06:05:00.000-07:00

Day one of Cruise

HHH and I are packed(one suitcase) and ready to get to the airport. We are picked up at our house by our cab driver about 20 minutes early. (why do we feel it unneccessary to wear seatbelts in cabs/buses)

Usually the cab driver arriving early would be a tiny problem, but since we weren't traveling with the kids, we were ready. Cool.

Get to airport with ample time. We know in advance that they have cleared passengers to carry on 3 ounces or less of liquids. I have perfume spritzer in my purse.Our turn to go through security.( they have a pre-security check for liquids) I have 3 ounces of perfume, but apparently it 's necessary to have all clear liquids in a plastic bag. Since I do not happen to have a box of glad sammich bags with me. HHMomma disposes of perfume. Understanding the reason why. Sad that my almost full bottle of perfume is laying in bottom of a sad garbage can at the airport.

Flight was without incident. If you include the fact that HHHubby was sitting next to a man that clearly was in need of a bigger seat (they are built for small people) when flying Every time I glanced at HHHubby I laughed to myself. They looked like Abbot and Costello sitting next to one another. I obviously am only making fun of the slender build of my hubby.

We fly into LAX and are on the boat by 2:30. I love it. Bride and Groom show up soon thereafter. Sun is shining, music is playing and everyone is smiling.

Meet at bar. Enjoy very tasty and potent libations. One. HHMomma buzzing around.
Next stop is cocktail party given by grooms parents. More drinking and food.
Everything is great. Bride ordered ice sculpture of the letter "B" for party. Sitting on table with it's back turned is a ice carving of a Indian with full head dress. Hm.

Hang out until Midnight, dinner, bars, piano bars, mingling, having fun. Trying to count exactly how many people are wearing Teva's with white socks.

HHhubby is going to meet up with dudes. The Bride and I are calling it a night.

Time to go to room. (sidenote: I have consumed two drinks since arriving on boat)
Walking down empty hallway to room.

This is where things get really fuzzy.

More tomorrow.

happy hump day

2006-10-04T11:35:00.000-07:00

1) Smurf Sex. This happens during the honeymoon period; you both keep doing it until you're blue in the face.

2) Kitchen Sex. This is at the beginning of the marriage; you'll have sex anywhere, anytime, even in the kitchen.

3) Bedroom Sex. You've calmed down a bit, perhaps have kids, so you gotta do it in the bedroom.

4) Hallway Sex. This is the phase in which you pass each other in the hallway and say, "Screw you!"

5) Social Security sex. You get a little each month, but not enough to live on!

6) Courtroom Sex. This is when you get divorced and your spouse screws you in front of everyone in the courtroom.

Who's your daddy?

2006-10-02T18:54:00.000-07:00

Hey, hey while I was on vacation it appears as though Charred @
italk2much was kind enough to give Hot House Momma's blog a review. I got two spanks.

Check my review out. Right here,scroll down.

It appears that Charred's comments about Bill Clinton sparked more controversy then the fact that he liked my blog.

At least they didn't send me away on the short bus whilst waving the finger.

I have to rescue my parents from the kids tomorrow. I plan to write more about the cruise then. There is much to tell. Today the brain cells are low.

sidenote: I saw a lot of bad handle bar mustaches(as if there are good ones), fake melons, and 30ish year olds acting like they were on MTV Springbreak. OK, so I'm all for fun, but when the thought of going in the hot tub and contemplating going home with a suvenior. (and not one that you want) See dictionary for the definition of STD. Another observation was the net they put over the pool?
Sadly, I wish it was to keep people in the pool and not out.

moons over my hammy

2006-10-02T17:06:00.000-07:00

"my own moon"

I love this blog title.I should be bitch slapped, though. I 've been very rude. These past few days , acting like "it's all about me" and off on vacation. No intro for the new roomie until now.

For starters she is living in Sweden. We love all things Swedish. They have the best children's clothes and toys, chocolate. One of my close friends, married a swede (not the vegetable).

Here is what Star has to say:

I'm StarChild (Star for short). I'm an alien in a strange land, namely Sweden, where I live as a girl from New Jersey dealing with the fact that I will never find good pizza here. I am a Swedish citizen though (naturalized and dual). Doesn't stop me from feeling like an outsider. But really, I'm happy here. I'm 25, I have a job where I torture teenagers (er..teach) in the field of web design, a husband who does anything and everything to make sure I'm happy, and the best friends I've ever had in my life. Lattes and apple martinis are my poisons of choice. Designing, illustrating, chatting, going out, and hanging with my schmoopie are how I best spend my time.

k. Are you interested in more now? Go visit so I don't have to bitch slap myself.

shaken?

2006-09-29T07:57:00.000-07:00

Tell me there is no truth to this story. They can't take away the martini from James Bond. The Martini is like an appendage to his right hand. No. No. No. We'll they be replacing moneypenny also? Will James drive a mustang?

Here is some information on the possible change to the signature cocktail.

A recent feature in Time Magazine features a picture of the new 007 at a bar.
Smirnoff vodka will be 007's tipple of choice in Casino Royale, despite a much-publicized break with the franchise in 2002 (when Smirnoff was outbid by Finlandia for partnering rights to Die Another Day). According to James Thompson, president of Smirnoff global marketing, "The James Bond and Smirnoff brands have gone hand in hand for more than 40 years, and throughout our rich history together, we have both remained true to our roots. An accompanying zillion dollar worldwide marketing campaign will be coming to your town soon.
So far, there has been no official word on Bond's other favorite drink. Will Bollinger continue as the "official champagne of James Bond," or will another label make an appearance (perhaps Taittinger, which is featured in the novel)?
From Eva Green's official Web site, more proof that James Bond won't be drinking mineral water in Casino Royale.

Meanwhile, I am off to Mexico for some fun. My signature drink will not change. Martini coming right up! Enjoy your weekend and have fun!

source: http://007.atomicmartinis.com/24.htm

"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind"

2006-09-28T19:28:00.000-07:00

My journey with a particular blog was one I never thought I would see all the way through. It was about 10 months ago I was searching through blogs on blogger, looking for cancer information. Any cancer blogs, because my bf had been recently diagnosed with breast cancer. I was searching aimlessly for answers and guidance. What could I do as a friend to make things better? Even though it seemed superficial. Because well, it felt unreal and there were no words for how I was feeling.

That is when I came across this blog. Like a daily vitamin I faithfully stop by about every day. Amanda was great about updating
cancer, it's not just an astrological sign.

As I followed her blog and Amanda & Eric's lives I felt like a part of me really knew them. What they liked to do and how she lived her everyday life. Amanda was sharing her daily struggles and joys. Never having met them face to face, shyly leaving comments here and there when I thought my two words would matter.

It was March of this year, I hadn't been over to Amanda's blog. So I clicked on my favorites. There it was in black and white. Eric has passed and the words were hard to read. It was pure unadulterated anger and hurt. I was in tears. Here I sat in the dark starring blankly at my computer in tears.

All because Amanda shared her story/life to make a difference in someone else's life. Reading her blog made a difference in my life. Now I would like to do my part. In April, she wrote a closing letter on her blog that once again brought me to tears. When she signed off her blog she left it with the chance that she might blog again, but no given time frame. Well she is back and here is what she says:

But do you know what? I am coming back--stronger, wiser, and kicking more metaphorical ass than I have before. This blog is my journal of grief, cancer advocacy, and whatever the hell else I feel like writing about and and you can find Amanda here .

Which brings me to the reason for this post. I am joining efforts with Amanda & Eric to help raise donations and make Eric's dream come alive.

Eric's unlce has made a pledge to do this:

2174.6 mile Appalachian Trail thru hike to cure Leukemia
5,000,000 steps to a cure! Welcome to Walk for a Cure 2007! I am planning a thru hike of the Appalachian Trail (AT) for 2007. In doing this I hope to raise funds for the fight against Leukemia and other blood disease. My nephew Eric Shaffer passed away in March 2006 after a lengthy battle with leukemia. He was 24 years old and dreamed of one day hiking the AT. Please help me make other peoples dreams become realities by donating funds to help find a cure for leukemia. Millions of people are counting on us! All donations are deductible for income tax purposes. Donations here are immediate. If you would like to make a per mile PLEDGE to my hike, email me at shafferm58@hotmail.com and I will send you a letter and pledge form.

If you have time stop by and read Amanda's tribute to Eric. Let's join together and see this dream through. Click on the 5.000,000 steps. Even better post the button on your blog. Email Amanda to get the code.

Today I have a dream that everyone who has been touched by cancer will be healed in some form. Given strength and courage to make footprints in the sand. Every chance I can I'm fighting to put an end to this disease and to help my special friend Nichol and others touched by cancer. Join me.

cruising and boozing

2006-09-27T01:43:00.000-07:00

I'm doing both very soon. This Friday to be exact. HHhubby and I will be taking our very first cruise. Hopefully,HHH will be able to get around a little better after recovering from his surgery. If not, I will throw him in a wheelchair and send him to play shuffle board. No. I won't do that. I would push his chair up to the bar.

The reason we are going on this cruise if to lend a hand in celebration to my high school/college bud who is getting married in Mexico. FIESTA! The wedding will take place on Saturday in off the boat in Mexico at a private estate. I can't wait to make a complete ass out of myself and swerve down the aisle. No, just kidding B. I'll leave that up to errr you or someone else.

I can't wait for this adventure. Though I am a teeny-tiny bit nervous about the motion in the ocean. Will I be sick?

I've heard so many stories about feeling sea sick and just don't know what I will be feeling. I'm here to try out my sea legs. But you ain't got no legs, Lieutenant Dan.

Truth of the matter is, what can you do. Pack the right stuff and hang on tight.

A college friend of mine went on a cruise for her honeymoon. Well more like a makeshift boat to take her from one island to the next. Some how she ended up feeling a little green and in all her hotness, with liquid coming out both ends. She was laying on the most unsanitary floor you've ever seen. She said she didnt care if she just laid there and begged for mercy. She would sit on the pot and then to need to relieve her mouth and try and change places and ended up just making a huge mess in the bathroom. They wrapped up their honeymoon but not before, her poor hubby had to carry her 6 bags off the boat . She packed light.

Sounds like a sight that need not be repeated.

Don't let it be me. I swear the purse was on sale.

Regardless, I 'm really looking forward to this trip. HHhubby and I will also be meeting an "old friend" of mine at LAX. Shoot me now for flying into LAX, but the choices were limited.

From LAX we are going to share a cab with the "old friend" and his wife to the boat. This old friend happens to be the man who lent a hand in mine and the brides demise in college. We affectionately refer to this man as Bar-boy. BB was our favorite guy who worked at the Normal Street Bar in Chico, CA, where we went to college. We went to college at Chico State and not the Normal Street Bar. I guess they are synonymous is some respects.

Me & Bridezilla could always count on BB to serve up something good ever Thursday. Then again whatever day of the week beckoned a tasty libation. This bar was also well equipted with the one and only, Miss Pac Man. I swear we had the high score and don't even try and put your quarters down because we are playing all night.

Don't make me set down my brick cell phone.

Well it has been 10 years since I have seen Bar boy. Let's just say the last time I saw him, wasn't one of my finer moments. He was rescuing me from a frat house. We'll leave it at that. It will be fun to rendevous and talk about the old times. Or maybe not so much, since my hubby will be there. Well of course I have nothing to hide. (blush)

Bon voyage....only 2 more days

Just do it

2006-09-26T07:39:00.000-07:00

1) Meow. HHgirl thinks she is a fuzzy finicky feline. She has taken to manipulating her body to fit into a little wood box meant for blocks. Just like a cat with all fours touching and furr hanging over the side. No, kitty you don't look fat- the box just isn't proportioned correctly.

2) Why can't I stop eating these . What is that on my phone? I think my skin is giving off a sugary powder. Yes, I may lick it.

*when did thong underwear become uncomfortable*

3) Give your best click over to see Vanity Flair aka MOI at Fluff and check out the hollywood gossip. Gossips need love.

4) Did you notice the new button on my sidebar? I plan to post the story and my reason for being involved very soon.

5) Go visit Lisa and tell her how much she rocks the fucking house. Sorry not very lady like, however warranted. Lisa has made a generous donation to Living Proof Prevention by way of two beautiful bracelets. She made the creations and has also agreed to donate 20% of proceeds from the remaining bracelets sales. So go spend, spenders. Her site will be up soon. Meanwhile go take a peeky.

This above donation is an excellent example of blogger karma. Actually the positive of blogging that maybe we don't see on a regular basis. Clusterfook and HHmomma know nothing about one another,other then we share the angst to fight for this cause. Cancer.

You have done your work for the day. You deserve a raise and more vacation time.

I have muffin boobs. Why am I such a mess?

going to have you naked by the end of this

2006-09-26T07:08:00.000-07:00

post. Possibly? I have to start with the precursor that generally I'm not a Justin Timberlake follower or of this genre of music. I do love his song Rock your Body from his Justified album released in 2002. Of course, I only know this factual information because it was on TV.

Now, that I've made this confession. Have you heard his latest song,"Sexy Back?"

Love it.

Danced to the song in Tahoe. Love it.

What song get's you grooving?

mixed bag o'crap

2006-09-25T08:30:00.000-07:00

This weekend was both long and semi-serene. HHhubby underwent a minor surgical procedure last week. This was his first time under a general and was having concerns about the procedure itself. He did well and only tried to tell a few senseless jokes in the recovery room. After we got HHhubby home, it took him awhile to realize he was heavily medicated. Once he realized this and felt some pain he went promplty to his room and slept.

When he was awake he kept me busy by ringing his little bell. Calling out lovingly for me. Ding-Ding. This went on last week and most of the weekend. Since HHhubby isn't able to physically pick up the HHkids, or really move around HHmomma has been pulling the weight. Which is a-ok. I know he would do the same for me and probably with much more enthusiasm.

HHhubby is a good patient and I a good wife, as I sported my cheeky nurse outfit while adminstering meds and whilst sponge bathing him. I likened myself to Nurse Ratched.
HHhubby doesn't find the humor in this analogy. It's better then Kathy Bates character in Misery.

Juicy Tidbits of this Yenta's weekend

1) Purchased new bag on Saturday. Definition of bag: meaning carry on for airplane. Apparently I travel a lot. Strangely enough this bag purchase was in addition to the new suitcase.

HHhubby inquired as to what was in "the bag" that was hiding in a corner behind a target bag.
HHmomma: no response. What hiding bag? (for informational purposes only "the bag" was in plain site)
HHhubby: mentioned that we'll talk later about this purchase.

3) Took HHboy to kids- fair in a very sunny place. Where the only shade is under santa's belly. I was dressed perfect for the weather. Jeans.

HHmomma and HHboy ran into an old boyfriend. To which I quickly turned and walked the other way. I'm not sure if seeing him for the first time in 4-5 years freaked me out or the fact that he had on black socks with shorts. Either way, we ran.

As we are making our way out of the fair, HHMomma reaches into her purse to find keys. Feeling something cold. No. No. Not cold. Yes, more like wet. Yes, that's it WET. Inside my purse .
This is interesting. Wet inside my purse. Apparently, HHboy returned his bottled water to my purse with the sports lid still ajar.

Sigh. Houston we have a problem.

Let's see what I can pull out of my 3 month old Marc Jacobs hobo bag (brand included just so you can get an idea of how I'm SO not upset about the ruined bag). Ohhh, my phone, my camera, my wallet and checkbook. Nothing to important.

The phone works and the wallet was salvaged as for the rest. Tomorrow will tell.

HHhubby had a brilliant pain killer induced idea. Since the bottom of my bag has water marks in the leather, he suggested that maybe I get the whole bag wet then we wouldn't notice the water stains.

Yes, he did.

How was your weekend?

Mc-Seabiscuit

2006-09-22T20:48:00.000-07:00

Do ever joke around about McDonalds or any of their predecessors serving up horse meat?

As a child I did make frequent comments about the burgers likeness to some foregin meat product. Probably not fully understanding what it truly meant to eat horse meat. Maybe even as an adult I've considered this when served strange meat surpirse like portions. Beef Jerkey is another scary product. Have you read the packaging before?

Recently I read that Willie Nelson not only likes to smoke some weed but he likes them horses. Horses are his friends and pets. What he doesn't agree with is serving up horse meat for a meal.

Horse meat in considered a delicacy and quite affordable in places like France and Japan. Though horse meat is not illegal in the United States, it 's considered taboo to nosh on the Black Stallion.

Recently, there have been problems with pilfering of pet horses from farms. The horses are stolen and then sent off to slaughter. Most of the time for a mere payoff of $400.

HHmomma doesn't think she would like to eat horse meat. Although, I 'm not a vegetarian I sometimes have a hard enough time with meat in general. It depends on how it is prepared and served.

You up for a horsemeat burger?

I did not have relations

2006-09-21T07:42:00.000-07:00

I watched President Clinton on the Daily show the other day. Clinton was on the show to discuss the Clinton Global Initiative. The former Pres. is still making changes in this world. I found the initiative very interesting and I'm glad we tuned in.

What is it about that man that is so sexy? He is older and silver haired. Not my typical fare. Good thing I don't have a black dress from Gap. No, but really there is something about him that is really intoxicating.

I love how he spoke of Hillary and the possibility of her running for office. He said I don't know if she will run and I don't know if she would win is she ran. but is she did run and win, she would be a great president. (wow, that was a long winded sentence)

Can you imagine in our life time the possibility of having not only a female president, but a damn good one at that?

Does this mean Bill C. would move into the White House?

I do

2006-09-20T07:46:00.000-07:00

Three years ago today I was preparing for my wedding . I had no jitters, no last minute concerns. Just a dreamy calm about me. Maybe it was the champagne; really I think it was more about what was waiting for me at the end of the aisle.

I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. Circled by family and friends. The sun was shining and the happiness was nippy in the air. All set to marry the most loving, kind, generous man I've know. The one who I can look into this eyes and love everything about him. Everything.

This past weekend when we were in Tahoe we stopped by our wedding location. My friend Nichol and her hubby weren't able to attend our nuptials. I wanted to show her and tell her all about our wedding day.

We drove up and the whole site was under construction and what appeared to be the original area of our wedding was mere rocks and dirt. Not the lush green grass that I remember.

What happened? All I could think was how can this be? The sign indicates we are at the right location. Prior to our wedding they had undegone a complete remodel. Why would they demolish everything ? The current construction was for new homes. Maybe the land was to valuable for a golf course.

Nothing made sense. So we took our picture in front of the only thing remaining the construction workers outhouse.

We drive back to my parents hours baffled. I tell my parents about the demolition with disdain.

Guess what.

We were at the wrong place. The golf course purchased additional land less then a mile up the road and named it identical to our wedding site.

The wedding location is still there! Yippee. Now we have to plan another trip just so we can go to the right place.

Happy Anniversary, HHhubby!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
i carry your heart with me

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in my heart)
i am never without it (anywhere go you go,my dear; and whatever is doneby only me is your doing,my darling) i fear no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet) i want no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true) and it's you are whatever a moon has always maintained whatever a sun will always sing is you're is the deepest secret nobody knows (here is the root of the root and the bud of the budand the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which growshigher than the soul can hope or mind can hide) and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars aparti carry your heart(i carry it in my heart) ee cummings

dreaming of love

2006-09-19T17:45:00.000-07:00

Do any of you dream in French or Italian? I want to dream and think in another language.
On the radio today they were talking about how when you learn a second language, you know you have it licked, when you can think and dream in that said language.

So do any of you? If so, I'm really quite jealous.

Samantha Baker can. Also, know as Molly Ringwald.

What is your favorite movie from the 80's?

feeling like a shit parent

2006-09-19T07:39:00.000-07:00

ho hum. ho hum. Here is your warning to click away. Click away and find something uplifting for your day. You won't find to much good mojo here. Not today.

I have to express some less then pleasant feelings I am having about myself.
Lately, I have been feeling as though I'm not doing my job as a mum very well. I feel like I spend a lot of my day saying "no don't do this" "don't do that." Most of the time the words are warranted. However, I feel like my bark has gotten worse. I don't like it or me when this happens.

I feel like I have been less tolerant of my toddler's defiant actions. Maybe if I am feeling this way it's because it's true. Then maybe at least I'm in touch with my feelings enough to know that I need to work on my tolerance and discipline. Or maybe I'm just a shit mom and need to feel better about it. Right no , today, I don't know which one.

Fact is maybe I need to remember that he is only three. Maybe choose my battles. Then there is a part of me that feels like he needs to learn the difference between right and wrong. Isn't this up to me?

I just feel plain sad about it all. There is a huge part of me that knows that I spend my days with my kids and our plans each day are based on fun things for my little ones. I love them to the end of this green earth.

Am I just being human? Do I need to stand back and smell the roses a little more?

For those of you out there that are parents do you ever feel this way? Specially with the challenges of a 3 year old and 1 year old?

Please say yes!

Photographic moments

2006-09-18T20:29:00.000-07:00

I have a new renter. Welcome Full Metal Photographer. Kelly not only is an incredible photographer but he is also attending Law School. Kelly has some fabulous photos, if you have some time look through his archives. There are some one of a kind photos on his blog.

Here is one of my favorite photos.

If you get a chance go visit, photography has a way of really making you think and often brings back memorable times.

go climb a rock

2006-09-15T07:51:00.000-07:00

Do you remember these Lake Tahoe shirts? The shirts logo "Go Climb a Rock." The quote seemed fitting and always made me laugh. I was only 7. Guess where HHfamily is going this weekend? Well I guess I should say HHhubby and HHmomma. We are shaking up in a hotel in Tahoe. Like two hot untamed lovers with out any worries in the world. No, but really we are staying in a hotel sans kids.

This Friday, we are headed to the mountains with our friends to endulge. My parents will be caring for the spawn and we'll be off being careless and worry free. Celebrating what you ask? Our respective anniversary. 3 booming years for us and 7 for them. Three years.

Well it has been a windy road, the road less traveled has been wonderful. This man I married, I love, like no other man. As much as I am whole with out him, I'm so much more because of him. It seems so strange to hear these words out of my lips. It's true and I'm going to shout it from the Lake Tahoe Gondola top or at least from underneath a table at a club. Either way, I really mean it.

The hotel we are staying at is also where HHhubby and I stayed the night of our wedding. This chateau of love is also where Nichol and her hubby were married and stayed the night of their wedding. This is where it all happens people. Or not.

At the time of my wedding, my friend Nichol had just given birth to her second daughter a few days earlier via c-section. She was to slated to wear a very beautiful brides maid gown, (aren't they always) but some how got out of wearing the couture. Thankfully for me, the curse of the bridesmaid didn't affect us there. Do anyone of you have a situation where you were touched by the curse of being a bridesmaid?

Well time to go pack to many clothes and head on the journey. This is going to be fun. Enjoy your weekend and keep warm.

making jewelry

2006-09-14T11:51:00.000-07:00

I'm very excited for tonight. I'm taking a jewelry creating class. I've been searching all over for really cool beads. You would be surprised (well if you care about this sort of stuff) at all the color and high end stuff they have out there. Forget buying Liz Palacios creations. HHmomma creations are hot on the horizon. Well, maybe. The plan is to make one piece of jerwlery for each women in the family this Christmas. I like this idea. (act surprised when you open said gift)

When my cousin was here visiting, last summer we went to a bead shop in downtown Palo Alto. I was about 6 months pregnant and maybe a little emotional. I didn't think so, but maybe someone mentioned that I was. The necklace style I selected to create was one of the more difficult versions, so I required some assistance from the bead gurus. Well, let's just say I left the place in tears. The bead guru was also a freaking Nazi. She was so mean! I would have walked away with my tail between my legs, if I had one.

Instead she handed me a tissue and had no clue the tears were from her insults and down talk. Perfect.

My cousin thought she was a Nazi, too. Even if she said this statement to make me feel better. The fact that she justified my emotions, makes her a-ok in my book.

So hence the plan to bead somewhere else.

HHmomma to be bead guru or something like that! I will post pictures with my creation.

I know you are all hanging on the edge of your computer chair.

wordless wednesday

2006-09-13T09:24:00.000-07:00

They're taking over

2006-09-13T07:48:00.000-07:00

1 ant, 2 ants , 3 ants 4
our picnic is their grocery store
5 ants 6 ants 7 ants 8
they are crawling on my plate
8 ants 7 ants
stomp around
6 ants 5 ants
on the grounds
4 ants 3 ants
on the run
2 ants 1 ant
no more fun.

Make them go away. I don't like ants. Harmless yet a nuisance.

life list

2006-09-12T08:26:00.000-07:00

Do you have a life list? A list of desires that yet attainable, seem so unlikely to happen. Would you like to make these dreams happen in your lifetime? Each day we are living our life, it's so easy to put something off until the next day or month. Then another year goes by and we still haven't taken that trip or read that book. It seems so uncharacteristically sad that there are so many things to do and see and we hardly chip away at this list of life doings.

We spend so much of our life, just making it through our days. Going out looking to meet the right person, getting to the right point in our life, raising or kids, buying a house, just day to day living. All these are noble achievements, we just sometimes get washed up in the routine of life. I know I do. We just seem to put some of our lifetime dreams in a little journal or tucked somewhere tight in our minds. For that right time.

I have a list in my head, but not one that I have methodically written down.
My list is ever growing. It's important to try and live out some of these things before we let it go to long. I think variation in our lives, makes us better people and allows us to share our experiences with others.

In no specific order here are some of mine:

Take a road trip from coast to coast
See the Grand Canyon
Open a boutique
Meet a President
Sit on Myrtle Beach with my hubby and kids eating funnel cakes
Volunteer more
Learn to play the piano
Fly First Class
Attend a Julliard performance
Raise my children and encourage them both to have big dreams
Give someone else a chance I missed or never had
Swim with the dolphins
Stand under the Mirror Bean Sculpture in Chicago
Horseback ride on the beach -naked of course(I love the horse races- afraid of horses)
Attend the Kentucky Derby-play the part
Travel through Europe with my family
Be a mentor
Enjoy Carnival in Rio
Grow old with my friends and family
Catch a ball at a Giants game
Sunbath topless at the French Riviera
Attend a Superbowl
Teach my children all that I can about the world

What's on your list? Will you make an effort to make these dreams come true?

My Skepski

2006-09-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

If you haven't already go by and visit my new roomie. My Skepski. Which in Greek means "thought". Supermom has retired her cape and is doing her best to become a super mom.
The first two who can tell me how many links she has on her blog roll and children she has- will win 50 BE points.

Whatcha waiting for?

p.s Yesterday was my birthday and I'm going to cry if I want to!! I'm not though! It's my birthday. Yay, me.

In honor of Michael Trinidad

2006-09-11T07:02:00.000-07:00

{MAY WE NEVER FORGET}

Michael Trinidad was a mere 33 years old and working in telecommunications accounting at Cantor Fitzgerald in 2001. He was a resident on New York and had been most of his life. On September 11, 2001 when he headed to work this morning, he would have no idea that this day the United States would face a terrorist attack. These attacks equated with a magnitude that I think we still struggle to get our hands around. As a result of these attacks, of 9-11-2001, Mr. Trinidad would be confirmed dead at/in the World Trade Center building.

Life
Michael Trinidad was previously married to Monique Padilla Ferrer. He was a loving father to his two children, Thea and Timothy. When Michael A. Trinidad and Monique Ferrer divorced three years prior to these attacks, they agreed to remain friends. Subsequently, Ms. Ferrer was granted custody of their two children, Thea, then 7, and Timothy, then 6, and it was understood that the children were "theirs" not "his" or "hers."

Every other Friday, Mr. Trinidad would come to pick up the children for the weekend. "He was like a big kid," Ms. Ferrer said. "He would take them to the park, play ball games, call them silly names and just act silly." The three also went apple picking in upstate New York and sun-bathing on the Jersey Shore.

After the first plane hit the trade center on Sept. 11, Mr. Trinidad, called Ms. Ferrer to say goodbye. " 'What goodbye?' I asked him. 'Are you going anywhere?' " Ms. Ferrer recalled asking him, unaware of the disaster.

" 'I love you, and I love the kids,' he said. 'I am not going to make it out.' Then he asked to talk to my husband," Ms. Ferrer said. "Michael asked my husband to be his children's father and love them for him."

Without personally knowing Michael Trinidad I can say that by his actions he loved his children and was a good man. He is also survived by a loving sister Betty, who misses him with each day that passes.

Though this post is only words from a mere stranger. I hope those affected by this tragedy will find comfort in words and know that their loved ones have not been forgotten. It has taken considerable time to go on with our lives and move forward. We all know this is a day we will never forget. The freedoms we have today will never be the same, as before these unneccessary terrorist attacks.

Each victim that day, gave their life and we shall not let a day pass with out acknowledging their lives. The American Flag waves in your honor today.

This video Fallen Embers is both poignant and powerful to watch. I was moved to tears while viewing. On the day of these attacks, we were all one. Feeling the same pain, when no spoken words could make this situation less painful. Together we stood and sobbed for our family, friends and country.

May all the victims memory live on in our hearts.

A fellow blogger left this website link in my comments. This is a live recording of Mrs. Ferrer

go here.

the above excerpts are from a Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on November 23, 2001

sleep walking adultery

2006-09-07T07:57:00.000-07:00

Shame on hot house momma. I did it. First things first- I admit it. I dream cheated on HHhubby. Not just a trampy one night stand. Nope, I revealed in this good fun for a whole week! Click on the romantic rose petals to see who with.

Do you blame me?

Usually when I have a dream that involves some type of infidelity, it's not me doing the bad stuff. So when I wake up from one of these dreams, poor unassuming HHubby gets a bad case of the stink eye.

Even though really he didn't do a thing. I mean it's his fault I dream that he cheated, right!