Eight days, seven nights of unparalleled family time! On vacation in
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 04/23/2007
~Taken by my wonderful mother-in-law, Laura
The theme this week at Mama Says Om is Happiness
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Happiness!
Monday, April 23, 2007
Bucket 'o cervezas!
We are having a great time in PV!!!
Beer, margaritas, great food, and beautiful scenery!
Travis and my MIL were involved in a collision (with each other) while we were walking down the Malecon yesterday afternoon. He got right under her feet while she was walking, and she tripped over him and they both fell. He's fine, except he's road-rashed on his knees, and quite a bit more on his forehead.
She, on the other hand... fell hard. On her... well... other hand. She sprained her wrist... and hopefully feels a lot better today than yesterday.
I, of course... was uber-prepared. LOL. I had a first aid kit on me... and everyone was anti-bacterialized, and bandaged... and we were on our way again.
The running joke is "No mas tequila para Travis!"
Travis is taking arnica, (see? prepared! I told you!)and he already looks a lot better than yesterday.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Almost there!
Well.... bags are packed... almost everything... save for the few travel-sized conveniences we need to pick up on our way out of town tonight.
So.... as nothing can go smoothly....
The toilet overflowed today.... damned flapper thingie... causing water to go all over my newly cleaned bathroom floor.... requiring copious amounts of (clean) towels to sop up the (cleanish) liquid... unlike last time. So, MORE laundry had to be done today.... WOOHOO!
And, guess what else?? My expensive bathmats from Macy's got soaking wet, too... and apparently they are FLAMMABLE! WTF??! Thank goodness I read the washing instructions before nonchalantly tossing them into the DRYER for fuck's sake! I could have burned the building down. So, instead, I hung them over the towel rack, and hopehopehope they dry instead of mildew. Ugh.
The portable DVD player... which has journeyed out of the house just ONCE since we bought it has mysteriously lost the specialty power cord - rendering it completely useless for our trip. Yup. So, we have to stop over at Circuit City to purchase another player only to return it when we get back. And then, sometime in the near future.... locate a replacement powercord from e*Bay.
Eh hem.
Last night I finished the Fireman's Hat for Travis. It still needs to be felted, as right now... it's so freaking big it would fit a Yeti! Even though I thought I would run out of yarn, I had enough to finish! Yay!
So, yeah... this time tomorrow afternoon... I hope to, in Anne's words be swimming in tacos and margaritas! Ole!!
You KNOW you're jealous! ;)
So.... as nothing can go smoothly....
The toilet overflowed today.... damned flapper thingie... causing water to go all over my newly cleaned bathroom floor.... requiring copious amounts of (clean) towels to sop up the (cleanish) liquid... unlike last time. So, MORE laundry had to be done today.... WOOHOO!
And, guess what else?? My expensive bathmats from Macy's got soaking wet, too... and apparently they are FLAMMABLE! WTF??! Thank goodness I read the washing instructions before nonchalantly tossing them into the DRYER for fuck's sake! I could have burned the building down. So, instead, I hung them over the towel rack, and hopehopehope they dry instead of mildew. Ugh.
The portable DVD player... which has journeyed out of the house just ONCE since we bought it has mysteriously lost the specialty power cord - rendering it completely useless for our trip. Yup. So, we have to stop over at Circuit City to purchase another player only to return it when we get back. And then, sometime in the near future.... locate a replacement powercord from e*Bay.
Eh hem.
Last night I finished the Fireman's Hat for Travis. It still needs to be felted, as right now... it's so freaking big it would fit a Yeti! Even though I thought I would run out of yarn, I had enough to finish! Yay!
So, yeah... this time tomorrow afternoon... I hope to, in Anne's words be swimming in tacos and margaritas! Ole!!
You KNOW you're jealous! ;)
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Silence!
This week's theme at Mama Says Om is "Silence".
I am really hoping Travis doesn't give up his afternoon nap anytime soon! He usually sleeps for anywhere from 2-3 hours in the late afternoon.... and during that time.... it's silence - for the only part of my day. Silence is golden! :)
Pretty skulls!
I made this Calaveras panel for our Mexico trip for my Mei Tai Baby Zippy.... WITHOUT a sewing machine! I used iron-on interfacing, and a needle and thread. I had some velcro I bought from the lady that makes the carriers. It was a pain in the butt, especially to sew through the two layers of fabric AND the velcro. Ouch! But, I think it turned out pretty nice....
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Counting down!
I am just dying over here... this is DAY 3 of the Headache from Hell! Nothing has worked. Not caffeine, Advil, gallons of water, sleep. Every night I have gone to sleep with it, and I can tell it's STILL HERE every morning before I even open my eyes.
So, later on this morning - I'm going to the Chiro to get my neck adjusted. Cause damn. If that doesn't do it.... well.... I am going to remain a Very Unhappy Mommy.
Okay... making my compulsive lists... things to get done, things to pack, things to buy before our trip. We are driving up to the ILs on Friday night.... so I need to finish getting the packing list together. And then START PACKING tomorrow!
I have a long and ambitious list.... but right now I will be happy with
1. Getting rid of this effing headache!
2. Cleaning my by-now repulsive bathroom.... it's been many weeks, and it shows. Ugh.
Emptying the dishwasher, reloading, and mopping the kitchen.
3. Taking my car in for a wash, vacuum, and Armor-all, cause... again.... ugh.
Getting anything else done.... well, that would just be a bonus.
And, yes! My period has made its appearance! So, hopefully, it will be wrapping up before we head out to PV. Yay!
So, later on this morning - I'm going to the Chiro to get my neck adjusted. Cause damn. If that doesn't do it.... well.... I am going to remain a Very Unhappy Mommy.
Okay... making my compulsive lists... things to get done, things to pack, things to buy before our trip. We are driving up to the ILs on Friday night.... so I need to finish getting the packing list together. And then START PACKING tomorrow!
I have a long and ambitious list.... but right now I will be happy with
1. Getting rid of this effing headache!
2. Cleaning my by-now repulsive bathroom.... it's been many weeks, and it shows. Ugh.
Emptying the dishwasher, reloading, and mopping the kitchen.
3. Taking my car in for a wash, vacuum, and Armor-all, cause... again.... ugh.
Getting anything else done.... well, that would just be a bonus.
And, yes! My period has made its appearance! So, hopefully, it will be wrapping up before we head out to PV. Yay!
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Getting ready for Vacay!
So, today we hit the laundromat. In the pouring rain! Oh! Yes! We! Did!
3 hours, and 8 loads of folded laundry later.... we were done. Then, we dropped the laundry at home, and I made a shopping list. We went to Wal*Mart, Trader Joes, and Safeway. Now I am having a well-deserved beer.
This time next week, I will be enjoying our FABULOUS MEXICAN VACATION!!!! Yay!!! So, we've been listening to this Spanish-learning Podcast, and reading out of the Spanish phrasebook as best as our gringo asses are able. At least I will be able to ask for a beer, and say I don't speak Spanish. LOL!
Oh, please pray to the Menstrual Goddess for me. I REALLY want to start my period in the next day or two... so I am NOT carrying the 'pons with me to Mehico. Plus, I might actually wanna have some S-E-X while on vacay, Mmmmkay? Is that REALLY too much to ask?
And, hopefully... this might just be my last period for a good long while! *wink, wink!*
Thanks!
Eh hem..... so, if the weather holds tomorrow, we will take Travis to the park.... and I will go spend some $$$ at my LYS (local yarn $tore. I am dying to start this Log Cabin Blanket I saw in the Mason Dixon Knitting book. Oh.... the humanity! I have SO many unfinished projects right now! Grr! I am Officially Obesessed. Yup!
3 hours, and 8 loads of folded laundry later.... we were done. Then, we dropped the laundry at home, and I made a shopping list. We went to Wal*Mart, Trader Joes, and Safeway. Now I am having a well-deserved beer.
This time next week, I will be enjoying our FABULOUS MEXICAN VACATION!!!! Yay!!! So, we've been listening to this Spanish-learning Podcast, and reading out of the Spanish phrasebook as best as our gringo asses are able. At least I will be able to ask for a beer, and say I don't speak Spanish. LOL!
Oh, please pray to the Menstrual Goddess for me. I REALLY want to start my period in the next day or two... so I am NOT carrying the 'pons with me to Mehico. Plus, I might actually wanna have some S-E-X while on vacay, Mmmmkay? Is that REALLY too much to ask?
And, hopefully... this might just be my last period for a good long while! *wink, wink!*
Thanks!
Eh hem..... so, if the weather holds tomorrow, we will take Travis to the park.... and I will go spend some $$$ at my LYS (local yarn $tore. I am dying to start this Log Cabin Blanket I saw in the Mason Dixon Knitting book. Oh.... the humanity! I have SO many unfinished projects right now! Grr! I am Officially Obesessed. Yup!
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Conflicted, to say the least.
My mother called me two days ago with some news. And since it's just been released to the public, I feel I can now talk about it here.... The body of my brother's father was found last week. He was murdered.
I'm still trying to process this... really. It's difficult. I have such mixed feelings... and although - of course... it goes without saying.... no one ever deserves to be brutally murdered.... I can't say, besides that, I'm at all sad to see him gone.
I am probably going to hell. Those of you who believe in that sort of thing.... please commence praying for my eternal soul.
The fact that I still harbor acrimony... some 20 years later... that should say something. My childhood was tumultuous, and scary, and violent... unsafe. This man had almost everything to do with it. But, he was also a father. To my brother Matthew. For a few years, at least. He treated him like the Golden Child. Me on the other hand? He used every excuse to beat me. My brother whimpered, and WHACK! He would charge into the room and smack me upside the head. At... oh 5 years old. And younger.
I recall quite vividly him slamming my head into a sliding closet door, causing me to bleed. My mother, in rare form, came to my rescue and threatened his life if he ever did such a thing to me again.
Then, when my mother couldn't take the almost daily physical, verbal, and emotional assaults on her, on me.... we left. We went away to a battered woman's shelter... into hiding. I came home one day after school.... (October 17, 1986) and my mother said we could take one suitcase, and that was it. We were leaving. Going away. Where he couldn't hurt us. Or, so we thought.... I was 9. My brother was 5.
When we returned to the tiny house, months later, with a police escort - he was gone. But every single item my mother owned was either smashed, broken, splintered or mutilated. Every picture of her was crossed out, and it was a mess. I watched my mother collapse in a defeated heap. Her spirit was broken that day.... and she has never been the same.
In the years that followed... we were court-ordered to see him, including me. Even though I wasn't his bio-child. I suspect this was due to the fact that I was older, and would look after my brother during these visits. Yeah.... that's what I did. For three years.... every other Friday evening we met in the parking lot of the Police Department to do the drop-off. We were picked up by my mother in the same location Sunday evening.
The weekends he wasn't working (and he either brought us to work, to wander around without escort... or he left us with random people) he was locked in his room. He barely came out, even to eat. He started acting stranger and stranger. Moving constantly. Never having any money, regardless of the fact that he was making $20.00 an hour. And, in the late 80s that was GOOD money. My mom chose to overlook this.... sending us with food and blankets. We stayed up 'til all hours... we watched horror films, we ate junk food, we wandered all over town... hours and hours, unsupervised. I cooked every meal, and bathed my brother... it was like, we went there, to be ignored. There was an endless parade of wacky people in and out of his apartment.... and then it happened. The police raided his house one weekend. (Thank GOD we weren't there!) He was selling and using crack. Then, they threw him in prison for many years. He sent letters. I read them, but never once responded to them.
About 5 or so years ago... I saw him. He was begging with a sign off of the freeway a few miles from where we live. He was haggled, and much older. The years had not been kind to him. But, he was still recognizable. I got this crazy balled-up feeling in my stomach... and as I drove past him, I yelled out of my open window "Your son hates you!" His eyes widened in disbelief. He did a double take, and I'm sure he quickly was able to do the math. He knew who I was. And, I wasn't a scared 12-year-old any longer.
Anyway.... I know for a fact, that if anything, my brother pitied his father.... I doubt he hates anyone. That was just the quickest, and most hateful thing I could think of to get a reaction out of him.
But, whoever saw it fit to take his life... most likely they didn't even know of his past. I do hope they find the person responsible... if only so they can't hurt anyone else.
My mother was told by the homicide detective that her divorce was never finalized. So, she has to make the arrangements for him. She's the next of kin. I mean. Wow. And, he used to be in the military, so he'll most likely get some type of dignified last resting place. My brother's Grandfather is a retired 2 Star Major General in the Army. So, my mom, who was always at odds with her father-in-law for her nearly 10-year-marriage... she has to tell him that his only son is dead. I doubt the news will affect him much, either... The General disowned Matthew's dad many, many years ago.
Yesterday was my mom's birthday. Ironic? Yeah. I took her out to lunch, and bought her a giant bouquet of flowers at the florist. I wanted to take her mind of of the impending arrangements she will have to make. She is a fragile woman, my mother. Bob made her that way. She hoards things like a packrat now. I looked around her apartment yesterday, astounded at how she can live that way. Hopefully, this will be the beginning of a new chapter for her.... and she can begin to heal.
I saw my brother yesterday... he just turned 26. I didn't know what to say to him. "Sorry for your loss?" Um, no... that happened years ago. So, instead I said nothing. And neither did he.
I'm still trying to process this... really. It's difficult. I have such mixed feelings... and although - of course... it goes without saying.... no one ever deserves to be brutally murdered.... I can't say, besides that, I'm at all sad to see him gone.
I am probably going to hell. Those of you who believe in that sort of thing.... please commence praying for my eternal soul.
The fact that I still harbor acrimony... some 20 years later... that should say something. My childhood was tumultuous, and scary, and violent... unsafe. This man had almost everything to do with it. But, he was also a father. To my brother Matthew. For a few years, at least. He treated him like the Golden Child. Me on the other hand? He used every excuse to beat me. My brother whimpered, and WHACK! He would charge into the room and smack me upside the head. At... oh 5 years old. And younger.
I recall quite vividly him slamming my head into a sliding closet door, causing me to bleed. My mother, in rare form, came to my rescue and threatened his life if he ever did such a thing to me again.
Then, when my mother couldn't take the almost daily physical, verbal, and emotional assaults on her, on me.... we left. We went away to a battered woman's shelter... into hiding. I came home one day after school.... (October 17, 1986) and my mother said we could take one suitcase, and that was it. We were leaving. Going away. Where he couldn't hurt us. Or, so we thought.... I was 9. My brother was 5.
When we returned to the tiny house, months later, with a police escort - he was gone. But every single item my mother owned was either smashed, broken, splintered or mutilated. Every picture of her was crossed out, and it was a mess. I watched my mother collapse in a defeated heap. Her spirit was broken that day.... and she has never been the same.
In the years that followed... we were court-ordered to see him, including me. Even though I wasn't his bio-child. I suspect this was due to the fact that I was older, and would look after my brother during these visits. Yeah.... that's what I did. For three years.... every other Friday evening we met in the parking lot of the Police Department to do the drop-off. We were picked up by my mother in the same location Sunday evening.
The weekends he wasn't working (and he either brought us to work, to wander around without escort... or he left us with random people) he was locked in his room. He barely came out, even to eat. He started acting stranger and stranger. Moving constantly. Never having any money, regardless of the fact that he was making $20.00 an hour. And, in the late 80s that was GOOD money. My mom chose to overlook this.... sending us with food and blankets. We stayed up 'til all hours... we watched horror films, we ate junk food, we wandered all over town... hours and hours, unsupervised. I cooked every meal, and bathed my brother... it was like, we went there, to be ignored. There was an endless parade of wacky people in and out of his apartment.... and then it happened. The police raided his house one weekend. (Thank GOD we weren't there!) He was selling and using crack. Then, they threw him in prison for many years. He sent letters. I read them, but never once responded to them.
About 5 or so years ago... I saw him. He was begging with a sign off of the freeway a few miles from where we live. He was haggled, and much older. The years had not been kind to him. But, he was still recognizable. I got this crazy balled-up feeling in my stomach... and as I drove past him, I yelled out of my open window "Your son hates you!" His eyes widened in disbelief. He did a double take, and I'm sure he quickly was able to do the math. He knew who I was. And, I wasn't a scared 12-year-old any longer.
Anyway.... I know for a fact, that if anything, my brother pitied his father.... I doubt he hates anyone. That was just the quickest, and most hateful thing I could think of to get a reaction out of him.
But, whoever saw it fit to take his life... most likely they didn't even know of his past. I do hope they find the person responsible... if only so they can't hurt anyone else.
My mother was told by the homicide detective that her divorce was never finalized. So, she has to make the arrangements for him. She's the next of kin. I mean. Wow. And, he used to be in the military, so he'll most likely get some type of dignified last resting place. My brother's Grandfather is a retired 2 Star Major General in the Army. So, my mom, who was always at odds with her father-in-law for her nearly 10-year-marriage... she has to tell him that his only son is dead. I doubt the news will affect him much, either... The General disowned Matthew's dad many, many years ago.
Yesterday was my mom's birthday. Ironic? Yeah. I took her out to lunch, and bought her a giant bouquet of flowers at the florist. I wanted to take her mind of of the impending arrangements she will have to make. She is a fragile woman, my mother. Bob made her that way. She hoards things like a packrat now. I looked around her apartment yesterday, astounded at how she can live that way. Hopefully, this will be the beginning of a new chapter for her.... and she can begin to heal.
I saw my brother yesterday... he just turned 26. I didn't know what to say to him. "Sorry for your loss?" Um, no... that happened years ago. So, instead I said nothing. And neither did he.
Monday, April 09, 2007
Travis and the "Arctica!"
My dad bought Travis this cool Fun in a Drum set. He figured out how to play the harmonica in the set, and loves it! He calls it an 'Artica"! Too much cuteness!!!
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
The Update, The Cake, and The Crazy Toddler....
Lately... I swear... I have been having the opposite of "Blogger's Block". I mean... there's stuff going on here. I just happen to have a crazy 35 pound kid whose favorite phrase right now is "Mommy HUG!" (He says it whenever he wants to be held, which is 24/7.) I hear it 6,768,800 times a day. It's usually being shrieked at me, and if I dare to sit down and blog.... or knit, or make dinner, or pee. Well... you can only imagine. As I type, he's alternating the up/down thing. In my lap, down, pick me up, put me down.
Nevermind the fact that Planet Earth on Demand is broadcasting the Ocean Dolphins in HD on a 42 inch plasma television. NOOOOOO! He's all like.... SO WHAT?! I know I have a kick-ass train table in my room. And Millions of toys strewn throughout the house. I have to be in your lap right NOW!
My biceps are killing me!
Anyway... besides that....Jeff had his 31st birthday on the 29th. .... we celebrated nicely at the IL's over the weekend. Complete with home-made German Chocolate Cake (made by me, duh!) and he got his b-day gift which he loves! (X*Box*360) and all that.
Our Mamas group has a couple of newer (and BABYWEARING) members!! So we can geek out on the minutiae of wraps, Mei Tais, and other assorted carriers together! YAY!
I bought some yummy silk yarn to knit this for my mom for her birthday. Well, since her birthday is next week.... so it will most likely be belated birthday gift. Or, a Mother's Day gift.... or a Christmas... no.... I doubt it! ;)
At $13.99 a ball for 2 balls, it's the most expensive yarn I've purchased so far. (Debbie Bliss Pure Silk in Lilac)
But, the original yarn suggested for this project is like twice that price. I was all like "Oh, hell to the NAW!" It looks like this is a good sub, though.
We're getting closer, closer, closer to our Mexico trip. Yes! So, the 21st will be here before we know it. I'm getting excited... and nervous about flying with a crazy toddler. Wish me luck....
And Easter is this weekend, at Jeff's Grandma's. I will be bringing my obligatory Famous Carrot Cake. Also whispered as "The Cake".
As in "Are you bringing The Cake?!"
Like it's some kind of contraband, or moonshine.
But it IS THAT GOOD! I use a combination of recipes.... The Silver Palate Cookbook recipe for The Cake, adding more vanilla, cinnamon, and swapping out the walnuts for pecans. And the Rosine's recipe for Cream Cheese Frosting. Also adding more vanilla. I always do that with baked recipes. I think they're just BETTER that way! :)
Silver Palate Cookbook Carrot Cake recipe:
INGREDIENTS for the cake
3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
3 cups sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (I use an additional 1/2 teaspoon)
1 1/2 cups corn oil (or canola or safflower)
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon vanilla extract (I use an extra teaspoon)
1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts (I use pecans)
1 1/2 cups shredded coconut
1 1/3 cups pureed cooked carrot (I use organic pureed baby food carrots) (plus a large handful of finely shredded carrots - so people can SEE the carrots, and not know about the baby food!) ;)
3/4 cup drained crushed pineapple
METHOD
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 9 inch cake pans and line with parchment paper.
Sift dry ingredients into a bowl. Add oil, eggs, and vanilla. Beat well. Fold in walnuts, coconut, pureed carrot, and pinapple.
Pour batter into prepared pans. Set in middle rack of oven and bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Until edges have pulled away from the sides of the pan and a cake tested inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool on a cake rack for 3 hours. Frost cake with cream cheese frosting.
Nevermind the fact that Planet Earth on Demand is broadcasting the Ocean Dolphins in HD on a 42 inch plasma television. NOOOOOO! He's all like.... SO WHAT?! I know I have a kick-ass train table in my room. And Millions of toys strewn throughout the house. I have to be in your lap right NOW!
My biceps are killing me!
Anyway... besides that....Jeff had his 31st birthday on the 29th. .... we celebrated nicely at the IL's over the weekend. Complete with home-made German Chocolate Cake (made by me, duh!) and he got his b-day gift which he loves! (X*Box*360) and all that.
Our Mamas group has a couple of newer (and BABYWEARING) members!! So we can geek out on the minutiae of wraps, Mei Tais, and other assorted carriers together! YAY!
I bought some yummy silk yarn to knit this for my mom for her birthday. Well, since her birthday is next week.... so it will most likely be belated birthday gift. Or, a Mother's Day gift.... or a Christmas... no.... I doubt it! ;)
At $13.99 a ball for 2 balls, it's the most expensive yarn I've purchased so far. (Debbie Bliss Pure Silk in Lilac)
But, the original yarn suggested for this project is like twice that price. I was all like "Oh, hell to the NAW!" It looks like this is a good sub, though.
We're getting closer, closer, closer to our Mexico trip. Yes! So, the 21st will be here before we know it. I'm getting excited... and nervous about flying with a crazy toddler. Wish me luck....
And Easter is this weekend, at Jeff's Grandma's. I will be bringing my obligatory Famous Carrot Cake. Also whispered as "The Cake".
As in "Are you bringing The Cake?!"
Like it's some kind of contraband, or moonshine.
But it IS THAT GOOD! I use a combination of recipes.... The Silver Palate Cookbook recipe for The Cake, adding more vanilla, cinnamon, and swapping out the walnuts for pecans. And the Rosine's recipe for Cream Cheese Frosting. Also adding more vanilla. I always do that with baked recipes. I think they're just BETTER that way! :)
Silver Palate Cookbook Carrot Cake recipe:
INGREDIENTS for the cake
3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
3 cups sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (I use an additional 1/2 teaspoon)
1 1/2 cups corn oil (or canola or safflower)
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon vanilla extract (I use an extra teaspoon)
1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts (I use pecans)
1 1/2 cups shredded coconut
1 1/3 cups pureed cooked carrot (I use organic pureed baby food carrots) (plus a large handful of finely shredded carrots - so people can SEE the carrots, and not know about the baby food!) ;)
3/4 cup drained crushed pineapple
METHOD
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 9 inch cake pans and line with parchment paper.
Sift dry ingredients into a bowl. Add oil, eggs, and vanilla. Beat well. Fold in walnuts, coconut, pureed carrot, and pinapple.
Pour batter into prepared pans. Set in middle rack of oven and bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Until edges have pulled away from the sides of the pan and a cake tested inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool on a cake rack for 3 hours. Frost cake with cream cheese frosting.
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