Bald Guy Greeting Cards

Thank you Rhettorical Letter Writer for directing me to these v. funny (tho a bit raunchier) line of greeting cards. I laughed outloud at this one...

Check out www.baldguygreetings.com

Pierre and LaFonda

So, Cara and Brody like to bond over a little face drawing. Cara thinks it's hysterical...I fear it's going to cause ink poisoning. But I love how much they love each other so, what's a little ink poinsoning gonna hurt? FYI Pierre LaFond is a local entrepreneur in SB. Great chicken salad!

No. I don't work here!

I can't tell you how many times I'm mistaken for a store/some-place-I-don't-work employee. Actually, I could but I wont. I'm not completely proud of these moments because mostly they are all times when I probably look like a Ross/Days Inn/Home Depot (in this case, I was 7 months pregnant and sitting in a chair reading a flipping book!!)/etc. employee. My mom, who works a retail position, is always asked if she owns the store she works at. She attributes this to the fact that she has fake (very classy) nails. I find it hard to not take this personal. I also find it difficult to believe that it's not prejudice thing.

However. I don't put on make-up most days, I never brush (like with a brush) my hair and I take a shower maybe every other day. Also, I dress down. Very down. Tshirt and cut-off sweat pants down in public! It's sad really. And the thing is - I clean up pretty nicely, if I do say so myself.

For 2007 I'm going to make more of an effort to look presentable when going out in public. Touch of make up. Clean hair. I might even start 'getting ready for the day' as some might say! But the biggest correction I'll make this year will be to dress in clothing that doesn't make me look like I just came from the gym. Dressing up comes with additional responsibility such as getting in shape AND spending money on clothes. It's been a long time since I've bought new, fashionable, figure-flattering clothes. I guess it's time.

I'm not really one for New Year's resolutions. More for New Year's themes. This year's theme will follow the theme of this blog (No Regrets...) and also a theme to be MY very best. And to stop being mistaken for a blankity-blank store EMPLOYEE!!

Happy Holidays!

Ok - so I can't create a scrapbook page every Wednesday. I had the best of intentions (if I do say so myself) but I was out of state for 3 straight weeks and now I just don't have the space to scrapbook. I AM STILL ENTERING THE COMPETITION but can't commit to the weekly posts. I just want to send an update. Humbly.

Happiest of Thanksgivings

Had an awesome time in Texas for Thanksgiving. It was so rad getting to spend 3 weeks instead of the usual 5 jam-packed days. We got to visit all of our favorite friends and spend lots of special time with Grandmama. She was so amazing. Played with him every single morning so we could sleep in (GLORIOUS) and did the bedtime routine almost every night! It was such an amzing treat - a luxury.

This Thanksgiving I am thankful for so much. My wonderful husband, our delightful and brilliant baby boy. Our town. Our church. The life that God has so graciously given us. What is this life?? How do I deserve it?? All I can do is be thankful. It's that simple.

Thank You, God.

Our Austin

Just a quick post to highlight our amazing visit to GUS & GAL's river house in Austin, Texas. We absolutely love this place. So relaxing and fun. Tons of land to run wild (and we do) but so pretty and peaceful. Deer roaming wild. Playing in the river bed. Skipping rocks. Playing cards. Eating like kings. And getting to spend quality time with our PapaJoe!!!

Introducing Alexa and Michael Hulsey!!

Quick note about how precious Mike and Alexa are. They are so perfect and beautiful together. The wedding was absolutely precious and can I just tell you how amazingly gorgeous the two of them were!?! As you can see they were beaming. Their love is huge. God's blessings to the happy couple. OXOXOX. 

Challenge Wednesday

I hate challenges and avoid them religiously. It's a not-noble characteristic and I know that. So, my new-year's resolution (I'm also a procrastinator) is to not only take on accept certain challenges but to also announce these challenges. Announcing them makes me accoutable - another thing I avoid at all cost. :)

The Big Challenge:

1.) Creating Keepsake's Hall of Fame 2007. I'm gonna enter! Entries are accepted from January 2, 2007-February 10, 2007. This is going to be a particularily difficult challenge as I haven't scraped a single complted page in years. I really want to stretch myself artistically and I love scrapbooking so this challenge is going to be an exciting opportunity and I ACCEPT!

So, every Wednesday I'm going to post a page. I appreciate all feedback on these layouts by Feb. 10th there should be about 14 (goal 10) layouts posted. I'm traveling for 3 weeks in November so I might not get to post every Wed of that month but I'll work to make up for it by doubling up in December.

Thanks in advance for keeping me focused on my self-subscribed challenge and for your encouragement. I look forward to getting started. Stay tuned for tonight's post!

Good TV: Monday Nights!

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a fan of television. The truth is....I'm a bit of a tvoholic. I am! I'm not ashamed!! ;) So, every now and then I'm going to devote a blog about to particularly good TV. Today’s entry is about Monday Night TV b/c it's that good.

The night kicks off with Prison Break on FOX. Somehow, even tho the boys are free from prison this season the show is still surprisingly enthralling! And this week Tea Bag made off with the loot. Very sneaky. The addition of the alien cop from Invasion as the crooked FBI agent is a good move. We want to hate him but something makes us curious about him? Good actor. The girl we could do without but she makes a good story line AND were we sad to see the kid get shot to pieces 2 episodes ago? 'Does my momma have big breastes?' Nuf said. Love this show.

Then we move on to NBC's Heros. Such a freaking good show. I'm a comic-book dork wanna be. I love all the comic books come mega movies but I've never read one. No, not one. BUT my Grandmother sold all of my dear dad's beloved (and extremely valuable) comics about 100 years and I think he's just now coming around to forgiving her so I have to believe that the love of comic books & their heros might just run in the blood. And I married a comic book loving man! Anyway, if you haven't; you must. It's so good. It is suspenseful, confusing, funny, intriuging, confusing...all the things you want from the small screen. I'm hooked. [Dad - are you watching this show? If not, rearrange your life around it. You'll thank me.]

Finally, there's Studio 60 also on NBC. It's just great. Just great. The writers outdo themselves every week. The actors are brilliant (especially Amanda Peet who plays Jordon McDeere, the lovably goofy but genius network president). And the story lines are interesting and powerful - much like it's grandfather West Wing - but so funny and charming. It's really sort of disarming. I'd for sure date Studio 60 were it a living, breathing man.

My sweetie and I can sit next to each other and communicate only on occasion and usually only with grunts and facial expressions that say "oh...my....gosh" or "uh-huh, that was funny" and be perfectly content with life. We can always talk at 11pm when we're climbing into bed exhausted and stuffed full of good TV. ;)

Oh Great Pumpkin!

Brody and Miss Maddie Wold (Sturm). She is 8 months and an absolute doll. Brody, at 18 months, is either totally loving and smothering her with himself or irritated about the intrusion of another and trying to pinch, push, or throw things at her. I think he's flirting but it's totally inappropo. We're working on it.

My First Digital Scrabpook Layout!

There was a time...

...not so long ago (even tho it was) I was a half-way decent cheerleader. I don't want to get into the 'atheletic sport' debate (it is, by the way) but I think we can all agree that there is a certain amount of coordination involved with being a half-way decent cheerlearder. That said, I think I've lost all capacity to even pretend that I am or ever was a half-way decent cheerleader. Today, while visiting with my Freshman cheerleader neighbor, I was so bold as to imitate a motion. Do you know what she said to me? "Stop! You look just like my parents." Pause. I was horrified. I absolutely remember telling my mom (the captain of her HS drill team squad, mind you) to 'STOP! YOU LOOK REDICULOUS!' Oh...my....gosh. I'm an uncoordinated, uncool, uncheerleader mom-type now. How the hell did that happen? And how do I make it stop!??!

What to do?

There's a great quote by Geroge Carlin that goes something like, "I have a lot of great ideas. The problem is, most of them suck." Or something like that? That's how I feel. I have a TON of great business ideas, if I do say so myself. And it's not really that they suck...I just am too much of a chicken-poop to actually try one. Today I'd like to highlight two ideas that wont get out of my head. I'll create future blogs about the other ideas. So far, there is still room in SB for these two concepts....

1. Sno Cone stand in Santa Barbara ("The only place it snows in SB" - just made that up). How on earth do we live in a beach town and NOT have a sno cone stand. Every in-land town in California boasts one. How can we not? And why do they always seem to show up at every local festival in town (of which there are many) and not be available to the hoards of visitors vacationing in our wonderland? I want to open at least three: one in SB (ideally at the Dog House on Milpas) another one closer to the beach would also be good (like at the bike rental place x from the pier); in Goleta (in the Albertsons parking lot near the Camino Real shopping center & UCSB) and Carp (location tbd).

2. A maternity resale store in SB: reBorn. Why the capital 'B'? Just cuz I like it. There are exactly three places to buy maternity clothes here. (1) Due - think, $100 t-shirts (2) Motherhood - think run-of-the-mill and (3) Ross - which on a good day might actually yeild a major find but for the most part is really just 3x clothes passing as maternity. There are SO many pregos in SB and many of them are the type that actually shop at Due. These women then probably give away their duds after producing babies but what if there was an alternative. My store would be cute, clean, and cater to the pregnant clientle: * fully functioning rest rooms w/baby changing station * play area w/tv for kid-os * water for hydration and possibly fruit and cookies daily * figure-flatering mirrors (jk) * library where you can actually check out books (or trade?) * some baby clothes, but not many * and I'd even consign furniture (displayed in a photo album, not onsight). Also, I envision having evening events like parenting classes, crafts, cooking lessons, ladies-night-out night (??), book clubs, etc. Is that too pie-in-the-sky?

Both ideas take money. Money that I do not have. And time. Time that I do not have. I don't want to have B in daycare all day. And I don't want to have a business that runs my life. But what if I could somehow open these businesses and let other people run them while still making a profit in the land of high-rent? Maybe I'll make some calls about spaces for lease. There are a few locations in town that I've seen. Stay tuned...

edited 10.18.06 I've started a companion blog for the ReBorn idea....check it out!

For People Who Have a Twisted Sense of Humor...

...like I do. Please take a few minutes to check out the really funny folks at Uncookedland. Especially funny is the firsts 'Tales from Uncooked' (picture me alone w/my laptop in a crowed coffee shop laughing and crying out loud...ironically, no body even looked up but within minutes everyone seated around me had left the building). These cards/stories are my kind of funny!

Baby Sister

I borrowed $100 from my baby sister today. How humbling. How precious. Aren't I supposed to be the responsible, smarter, older sister? Currenly I'm only 1 of the 3!

Living with Cara this past year has been such an wonderful delight. I get to laugh - like from the depths of my bowels laugh - every day. I get to be a part of her always entertaining and at moments distractingly mature life. I get to gleen these nuggets of wisdom which come from her as naturally as tho she were reciting the ABC's. I get to be a part of her life and it's wonderful. And better yet - she gets to be a part of Brody's life. He is NUTS about his 'Rah Rah'. Not a day goes by that he doesn't call for her..."Raaahhh Raahhh (where are you)?!". I get sad when I think about the fact that I'll never get to be as close to her future children as she has become to Brody. They have a soul connection that I am confident will last keep them connected for always.

It's so great having a sister. And I'm especially blessed to have Cara as mine. And not just because she loans me a hundy when I'm in a crunch! ;)

Darth Baby!

Would you just look at this face? This is Brody in his Darth Vader costume (thank you, Uncle Nooch)! Unfortunately, it's too small for this year's Halloween but he had a blast playing in it the other day.

I really love this kid. He's so smart and so funny and so beautiful! He understand so much now and is a terrific communicator. He's starting to take nice long naps now-a-days. Usually a solid 2 to 2.5 hours/day (although there are off days but they are very rare lately). He is going to bed at night like a champ. He fusses for a second and then resigns. Asks for a kiss ("mmmm") and goes to sleep. WOW! That has been a long time coming, for sure. Wakes at 7am most mornings and is pure joy all day. I am just nuts for him and although it's a lot of work to be sure -- it's worth it every single day. Mommy's baby. I really love this kid.

The Worst Day Ever

I know it's been a while since I've blogged and perhaps I should log an entry about how great life is or how awesome our trip to Colorado was or how smart and perfect Brody is....but those will have to wait. This entry is about my very terrible day yesterday.

Day started off ok. Only rough part was that Brody napped for about an hour - a least an hour too short - but we've done this before. It was Cara's day off from work so she joined us on a trip to the mall. First stop, the baby shoe store. In the store was another woman with her young daughter. Brody kept trying to take the woman's keys from her purse which was sitting on the floor. "Teese". So, I gave him my keys to distract him. Surely you can forsee the rest of the story from here. We bot shoes, we went to Gymboree, we set off for the car. And...where....are....those....damn....keys? No way. Yes way. They're gone. Disappeared. Dropped off the face of the earth. I got back to the shoe store, Gymboree, the stores Cara visited, the security office....Nothing. Nathan. Nada. Ultimately, we have to call Kevin from the office to come rescue us but since we lost the spare keys ages ago the plan was unclear.

Fast forward 4 hours, I'm still at the mall. Kevin, Cara, and Brody have gone home in Kevin's truck. I stuck around just in case the keys turned up. Cara was supposed to come back and get me but it took her an extra hour b/c at home Brody fell in the tub and busted his head AND Kevin had a 7pm conference call with China and so she was suddenly tasked with getting Brody to bed. And it was cold outside for the first time in months. I was chilly.

About this time I realize that my office keys were probably on my key chain as well. Nice early impression this will make! The new set of car keys cost $140 for the first set and $30 for the second. WHAT?!?!? Luckily the office keys (which, by the way, I found tonight tucked safe & sound in Kevin's work backpack today) only cost me $3.00 to replace.

The car keys are still lost - although, my best guess is that Brody dropped them into the purse of the woman at the shoe store. What's the lesson? Don't give Bubba my keys w/o retrieving them afterward? Or is it that life is no bueno sometimes and you just have to figure out how to get by w/o banging your head into a brick wall? Both. I guess. Baby got a new pair of shoes. Maybe that's all that counts. :)

My Most Favorite Friend

 

Baby Face Brody

My little boy. My pride and joy. My prince, my heart, the apple of my eye. I love this face - I dream of it, I miss it when it's sleeping. This baby is my purpose in life. Second only to Kevin, the love of my life. Dreams of happiness for you. I'd give my life. In a heartbeat. You make me so proud. Thank you, God for giving me this passion, this discipline, this devotion, this reason. To you I devote him. Let me not get in your way....

Fun new obsession

Have you found http://www.tadalist.com yet? I've been having so much fun with this sight! I've made lists and lists and lists. It's a list-makers dream come true!

How Do I Love Thee...

Kevin and I read The Five Love Languages on our honeymoon (the magnificent Inn at Manzanillo Bay in Mexico). Good stuff. For your reference, the 5 languages are:

1. Words of Affirmation
2. Receiving Gifts
3. Quality Time
4. Acts of Service
5. Physical Touch

When I read this book, I was really confused because I wasn't completely sure what my receiving love languages were [I'm confident that the way I show love is (1) Word of Affirmation and (2) Quality time]. Ultimately, I decided that my top two receiving languages were also (1) Quality Time and (2) Word of Affirmation. But I never really gave it much credit or after-thought. AND on top of that, I was sort of annoyed by Kevin's primary receiving love language: Acts of Service.

First of all, I'm such a bad servant. I'm selfish and lazy and these two traits do not lend themselves to being a servant. Secondly, it sort of (totally) made me think that Kevin was wanting a second mother and it annoyed me. And subsequently, I've never really worked to 'speak' Kevie's LLs. I promise to be more considerate of your LLs, sweetie!!

But the point of this rant is actually about me. And it is that I think I've finally figured out what mine are. One of the ways I feel loved is with (1) Gifts *sigh*. The sigh is because this was the one gift I was sure I did NOT want to have. How vain & shallow is it to need gifts to feel loved?!?! Well folks...I'm here to tell you. I need/like/love the gifts. I'd go on to explain that I don't mean that a gift has to be of monetary value but I'm going to assume that that is understood. Actually, one of the most romantic things Kevin has ever done for me is to bring me home a loaner laptop from work while I was on maternity leave. The fact that he took time from his work day to check out the computer because he knew I was bored while at home alone with an infant was the ultimate sign of affection to me. Also, I find myself at time daydreaming that Kevin might one day - because he loves me & because he knows I hate chores - surprising me by hiring a cleaning crew to scour our house top to bottom! So...I'll admit it once and for all - gifts make me feel loved. Boom.

Bursitis, anyone?

I mean....you try to make a positive change and life turns around and kicks you in the knees. How rude. I finally psyched myself up for the challenge of getting back into shape. It's about time and quite frankly, I'm not sure how much longer I can use the 'I just had a baby' excuse. As good fortune would have it, I won a free 6week Body Boot Camp class at the Mother's Day 5k. Or Kevin bot it for me and told them to pretend that I won....we'll never know.

Besides winning the Boot Camp, I had been rejuvinated by the presence of my Bestie - Sarah. As Cara says, she has brought 'new life' to both Cara and I and we all found ourselves very excited about the prospect of toning up and losing weight and just being total babes by summer's end.

Day two of Boot Camp, I'm instructed to run a (timed) mile at the City College track. So, I'm jogging. Taking it easy...not trying to show off....not trying to push myself to run fast....just going at a steady pace and trying to enjoy it. My heart rate was good. I was breathing fine, it was hot but I knew I was doing ok for me. Round two I start to recognize a gnarly pain in my knees. It was feeling as tho someone was whacking a hammer againsts the inside of both knees with every stomp I took. By 3/4 of a mile, I was done. There was no more running for me - I walked the rest and finished at just under 15 minutes.

The next day is Wednesday and the girls, B and I decide to tackle the track together. I'm pushing B in the stroller b/c the knees were not feeling so hot [this was the 'carrie' day, incidentally]. The rest of the week only gets worse. I don't run on Thursday but still go to class. I also make a dr. appointment for the following Wednesday - the first available. The knees only got worse. I pretty much spent the whole weekend hobbling after Kevin and Brody. By the next Monday - I'm a mess. Can't hardly move my legs. Squatting works. Lifting my leg off the ground is a nightmare. It's pretty miserable.

Finally, I get to the dr. and she diagnoses bursitis (a small fluid filled sack) - aka Housemaid's Knee ;) Gave a prescription and sent me on my way. I find this whole thing to be very unfair....it's been a rough year, what with physical exhaust, then kidney stones, then that wicked 48 hour flu and now BURSITIS?!?!? What is going on???????

So, 'Project Body' has moved into phase II. Low carb....here I come. And Lord help the knees. I'm tired of this pain!!!!!

Save a Life - Check.

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Cara, Sarah, Brody and I decided to try out the City College track on Wednesday. Sarah to start a running program, Cara to run 2 miles straight (show off) and Brody & I to 'stroll' the beast. A mile into it (ok...3/4 mile) Brody is fussy so we decide to crawl around on the lush green grass among the two playing squirrels. Minutes after I release Brody, a girl falls down in the nearby bathroom. Weird. I assumed she slipped. I call out, "Are you ok?". No response. I pick up B and walk quickly into the bathroom to find her - maybe 10 seconds after she fell - coming out of one of the stalls. You guys....remember the movie Carrie? There was an inch-deep hole in her head and dark, thick blood running in various streams down her face. From her forehead and from her nose/lip - couldn't really tell. Brody and I stare at her in horror. "We need to get you to the hospital", I say. She sways, "I think I hit my head." Oh hell. I realize quickly that getting her into the car and to the hospital is not an option and grab my phone. Thankfully, Sarah is jogging up at that very moment. Phone to my ear, I tell her to go help the girl in the bathroom. The second Sarah enters the b.room, 'Carrie' passes out against the bathroom wall. Sarah, servant that she is, recognizes that she's overheated and starts pouring her water on the girl.

I'm explaining the situation to the 911 operator and realize that there might be a hero in the midst. I yell, "Is there a doctor or medical person on the track?!!!?!". Most people passed me by without a glance. One guy comes forward - a cop. While I was tracking down Cara so that she could meet the ambulance at the gate, Sarah was is talking to Carrie. Turns out she's passed out before; she's also extremely concerned about money to pay for hospital. Ultimately, her two cousins appear (two girls I know heard me call for medical help earlier) about the same time the fire department arrive. Turns out her sunglasses, which were on her head, had cut the square-shapped groove out of her forehead. I'm literally shocked that we weren't looking directly at Carrie's skull.

We leave. Dazed and confused and for the first time I realize that Brody is still in my arms and had seen the whole thing. He was so calm and good the whole time. It made me feel good to know that I could handle something dramatic like this and not flip . I'm sure I would have reacted differently if it had been someone I knew....but I like to think that I would remain cool and level-headed in crisis. Hopefully - prayerfully - I'll never have to find out.

Kevin, do you know?

So, tonight Kevin's senior staff took him (and me and Brody) to dinner at Stella Mares to thank him for his time as their manager. Next week he's transitioning out of the role he's held for the past four years into another position w/in the company. Before dinner they each gave Kevin a toast. It was really a special time. They each said such wonderful things!

E thanked him for his leadership and compassion. She said he was the most beautiful person she'd ever known (in so many words). She is also leaving the department, in part due to Kevin's departure.

V said that she came to work for the company just to work for him and thanked him for his mentorship. It was a really precious toast. I am certain that she will also leave w/in the year.

S thanked him for his patience. Isn't that the truth? One of Kevin's guiding rules is to never discipline a person who messes up when their intention was sincerely to the do the right thing. Not many other managers in the company react to crisis the same way Kevin does. He just believes in and supports his staff completely. Wouldn't be shocked if S also leaves the company this year.

M thanked him for his example and for welcoming him into his family. M really is a member of our family.

T also thanked him for his patience and leadership. T is very talented and so good at his job. He is going to be extremely successful. He also said that he felt like Kevin leaving is going to be a hurdle for him in his advancement in the company because he'd be losing Kevin's mentorship.

It was really special. Kevin went on to give a really excellent speech about the importance of having passion for what you do and that he wants to start a 'grassroots' effort to get our company back to caring about the freaking customer instead of focusing on destroying the competition. I wonder if he knows that he had the full attention of his audience while he spoke? I wonder if he knows how sexy he is when he talks about what he's passionate about? I wonder if he knows how great of a leader and mentor and human being he really is? The last several months have really been tough for him. For the fist time in his life he feels like he's been unsuccessful in his job.

Honey, I hope you see how much you matter. I hope you see how much of an influence you have on those around you. I hope you realize how good you are at what you do. I hope you find excitement for your job again. I hope you realize how pround I am to have you as a husband.

I love you.

Body Boot Camp

Today was the day, folks. I started my BODY BOOT CAMP! A six-week, three-days-a-week program w/7 other chubettes in beautiful sunny Santa Barbara. Why would I, a tv loving, Coca-colaholic, french fried loving lazy person join such an endeavor? I won it. Yep. I won the Body Boot Camp in a drawing at the Mother's Day 5K. I never expected to win such a thing and truth be known, it was the last thing I wanted to win. But I'm really glad I did. I've been gaining weight ever since I stopped nursing (at 12 months). And the daily consumption of at least 32oz of Coke is creating quite a "spare tire" situation. Not good. So, I have to make some changes:

#1. No more cokes. Today marks day #3 of my no-coke resolution. And I think I deserve a coke.
#2. Two miles a day. I need to walk/run at least 2 miles/day in one attempt (not a combined total). I have yet to accomplish this goal.

I plan to lose 30 pounds in three months. THIRTY POUNDS!??!, you say? Yep. I think the first 10 will fall off thanks to the Coke ban and the working out. For the remaining 20 pounds, I'll be returning to my low carb diet (#3). It's really the best plan for me.

Kevin and I are going on a cruise for our 4 year (I know!) anniversary in August. I want to be able to be comfortable in shorts again. I used to have some fine-looking legs, if I do say so myself. Time to get on the ball. The fact that Cara and Sarah are also persuing similar goals is a huge help. While I was Boot Camping, they both had a good run. Then we came home, ate sushi & salad, had a glass of wine (and lots of water [#4]), watched a DVRed episode of CSI and went to bed. Feelen good....

Why I Read Blogs Every Day....

I read a cool article on the drive to Vegas yesterday in Inc. Magazine. The author reads business blogs every day to help her in her business. I have just jumped on the blog bandwagon but I feel like a lifer already. Here are some of the cool things she had to say...

"The blogosphere is a vast, anonymous, and surprisingly intimate place inhabited by all manner of exotic creatures--or is it just that blogging brings out the exotic in people?...In an age when everyone is talking about information overload, this may seem like more than one wants or needs to know about any total stranger, but I find quite the opposite: This is exactly the kind of information that helps me decide whom I really want to listen to."

I like that. It's true. I also allows me to cyber stalk some very interesting people!! AND it makes me realize that my blog needs direction. I'm going to think about this.....

Fairy Fortunata...

If I had a genie who could grant me just one wish it would be to have two hours and $200 to spend ALONE at Target. Is that two wishes? I'm gonna say no.

I think about my girlfriends like Summer and Dana who have three babies and wonder how on earth they do it?! I know those girls go to Target. How do they manage it. I haven't been on a leisurely Target trip in...I don't know how long?! Four years? I should explain first that Santa Barbara doesn't have a Target (or an Old Navy, forthatmatter!). The nearest Target is about 35 miles and who has time to take a 'quick trip' to Target when it takes that long to get there? Not me. When I'm in a Target town (every other city in the country) I have to stop by a Target at least once. Today was the day...

We're in Vegas - Kevin has work - and I figured I'd take Brody to Target in the morning to gear up for his afternoon nap. The dysfunction started in the parking lot. He wanted my phone. So I called my mom and let him jabber to her while I got the cart and took all the necessary steps it takes to get a shopping cart prepared for a baby these days...10 minutes later, he's in the cart. But where are my keys? Fast foward 5 minutes and I find them in the pocket of the cart cover where I had so cleverly and purposefully put them. Let the chaos begin....

* Number of containers of puffs poured on the floor: 1
* Number of times my cell phone was thrown on the floor: 3
* Number of toys I pulled off the Target shelves to entertain baby: 10
* Number of said toys returned to their original spot: 0
* Number of distracting work calls: 1
* Number of times I had to remove B from the cart: 2
* Number of carts he decided to push around: 3
* Number of hysterical hissy fits thrown because I wouldn't let him play with the ipod on display: 1...but it lasted 10 minutes so lets call it 10
* Number of butt faces to look at me like 'get control of your kid': 2
* Number of bags I managed to leave with: 6 (why would the ziploks get their own huge bag?)
* Number of total minutes spent in the store: maybe 15

Two hours alone in Target.....oh, what I wouldn't give....

We were talking about my restaurant concept earlier tonight and I was reminded of how much I like the idea. I'd call it "Chums". When I first came up with the name, I'd never heard of chum-as-in-fish-guts before. Ewe. But I still like it. It's fun and the name actually sort of goes along with the concept as I described it tonight.

The original concept still remains - it would be a place that celebrates my favorite people! Who cares about my friends and family, right? Wrong. I think there is nothing more fascinating than real people - which explains my obsession with reality tv. And how about blogs? I read complete strangers' blogs all the time and totally enjoy it. You know what I mean, right? Anyway, each table would be devoted to one of my best friends/family members. That person could decorate it anyway they want. By putting their own pictures on the table, they then honor their family and friends. Thereby extending the 'chums' reach. Also, regular guests would be able to purchase a wall tile that they could decorate & date. All tile proceeds go to a charity. The tile would hang on the wall till the end of time. Chums. Friends. Hangen out. Eating my favorite food: bar food.

Tonight I realized that I want it to be a shabby establishment. Ideally it would be a restaurant near a lake - overlooking a lake, even. Real rustic and cozy. That made me realize that the 'chums' name might then be appropo - in a fish-guts-gross kind of way. Maybe we'd even sell real chum!? Or not.

We even have some menu ideas. Fried mozzarella bites called 'Deep Fried Bubba Toes' (hee hee). Kevin's sandwiches: open-faced tuna melt, BLTA, California grilled chicken, grilled kilbasa on hoagie bread.....oh yes. We have good eats, folks!!

I know the restaurant business is volatile so it would have to be our 'side business', dontchaknow. I've always said that my kids will work in the restaurant business. I believe that everyone should have to work in a restaurant at least one day of their life. The funniest people in the world work in restaurants. And man do you learn to hate people...I mean, er, you learn to respect those in the service industry. Loved it. Hated it. Made great friends and terrible money. That's what college jobs are all about.

To Chums. Here. Here.

I had to create a blog in order to post a comment on my hubby's new blog. I've tried this before...a blog...and it didn't really take off. For one thing, I didn't have much to say. For another, I didn't have a focus. Some of my favorite blogs are from other mothers (Tessa) and my favorite scrapbooker (Ali Edwards) , funny friends (Whitney) & my fabulous baby sister(Cara)! Since I'm not really skilled at anyone thing and I'm not that terrific of an author...I plan to just keep this blog real. And since I'm the only one who'll be reading this blog...I can keep it real real! :)

For years I wallowed in all my regrets. Bummed out by the mistaken choices I'd made. If only this....if only that. Today, I realize that I'm ok. While my past choices don't define me, they do have something the do with the me I am today. If I hadn't worked at eatZi's, I would have never moved on to AAC. If I wasn't at AAC, I would have never met Kevin. If I never met Kevie, I would never have know Santa Barbara and worst of all, I'd have never had the great pleasure of knowing Brody Sturm. How could I have regret??

So, no regrets about the past. And loads to look forward to. Thank you, Lord for all of your blessings. Thanks for all your opportunities. Thanks for allowing me to make SO MANY lesson learning changes. And thank you for ensuring us that you want good things for us - your children.

I want this blog to be about passion, conviction, civilization, purpose, silliness, victories, friendship, family, reality and the future. No regrets. Now....let's get real...