ENJOYing : {my life}

Looking back

2009-01-01T20:31:00.000-08:00

Too lazy to write a synopsis of the year, I thought I would attempt a list of the year in review. My goal is to come up with 100 things. We'll see how far I get.

In no particular order, both good and bad, in 2008 I...

grew another year older, bringing me well in to my "early thirties" (32 to be exact)

found out I was pregnant

realized that all those girl names would have to go on the back shelf for now

celebrated my 2 year wedding anniversary

found sand dollars on the beach in Costa Rica (which broke on the journey home)

learned to drive a four wheel drive (kind of)

bought a new car

moved to a new place by the beach

traveled to New York twice for the bridal market

joined Facebook

met and spent four days with my blogger bff, Jihan

became virtual friends with fellow blogger Tina

figured out what paper prints the best quality cards

planned some great weddings for great clients

got published in my first wedding editorial (thank you Los Angeles Weddings!)

spent a girls' weekend in Palm Springs

traveled to Guadalajara, Mexico

welcomed my new nephew, Smith

welcomed my new quasi-nephew, Ethan

ate escargot at Gordon Ramsay's restaurant

went to Costa Rica for the third time and still didn't make it to a volcano
did a trunk show in Florida

read The Glass Castle and Eat Pray Love

lit my first fire in my first fireplace

got a camera phone (and learned to use it)

hosted both Sarah's and Natalie's baby showers

learned the importance of friendships as we had to say goodbye to a close one this year

lost a 16 year old student to a sudden heart attack

made an effort to tighten my bonds with the women in my life

mastered the "Country Apple Tart with Spiced Brown Butter" which took more than 24 hours to make

pulled off another Christmas dinner

lost 10 pounds

gained them back

got a new haircut

bought a map of stars homes and followed it (I now know where Ellen DeGeneres lives though we were swiftly kicked off her property)

bought my first major appliance (a beautiful new stainless steel refrigerator)

had a garage sale

almost bought a house

was mature enough to walk away when I couldn't afford it

struggled with the balance of self and family

attempted to be a more supportive wife

made the effort to cook more dinners at home

went on a tv diet

took many pictures that still need to be downloaded and categorized

went to the Orange County Fair

got on a surfboard (on my stomach for about 8 seconds)

took both cats to the vet

hung Christmas lights on the outside of the house for the first time

rediscovered my love for Tom Petty

saw The Bad Plus play at a jazz club in LA

became a master hair cutter for my husband

started using coupons at the grocery

paid too much money to the dentist

sold the Saturn

watched my husband turn into a total surfbrain

made the effort to enjoy the sunsets and the full moons

began to use a calendar to keep track of life

put hours of research into the best baby strollers

hosted the second annual Palmer "After Christmas and Before New Years Open House"

made about thirty loaves of pumpkin bread

paid over $50 to fill my gas tank

paid less than $20 to fill my gas tank

went on a bike ride from Belmont Heights to the Queen Mary

have not gotten any better at saying "no"

stayed home alone while Gabe went on tour

learned how to use about a tenth of the functions in Illustrator

got a couple's massage on the beach

put my master's degree to use

joined LinkedIn

helped Shondra plan her wedding and find her dress

got regular pedicures

spent a lot of time with my parents

added a new ring to my wedding/engagement ring set (I call it the "baby band")

got very lazy about blogging

started watching "Intervention"

discovered how great it is to sleep in Gabe's t-shirts

went to Palm Springs with my husband and my parents

got a few more wrinkles under my eyes

spent a lot of time thinking about family

switched to fluorescent light bulbs in most rooms

did not have time to make toffee for Christmas

went to Disneyland

returned a DVD case without the DVD (can't ever go back to that movie store!)

read lots of "chic lit" books

started reading many other "smart people would read these" books without finishing them

missed my connecting flight in Atlanta

had a barbecue for the neighbors on Newport Avenue

lost all of the songs on my ipod and had to reload them

learned to let go of a lot of useless possessions

used a video camera for the first time

failed to go to the gym more than a handful of times (and failed miserably at kickboxing)

beat Gabe in "Seinfeld SceneIt"

learned to love Gabe's beard

took Sawyer and Sully to the Discovery Science Center

started using cloth bags for the grocery store

almost didn't get the Christmas cards finished

watched season 5 of Curb Your Enthusiasm

paid off my personal loan

spent the last night of the year having a nice dinner with my husband and going to bed at 10:30

spent some much needed time reflecting on my life and my relationships

Wow! You would think it wouldn't be so hard to think of 100 things that occurred over the course of 365 days. I guess that goes to show that I need to do a better job of recording the moments this year (or that I need to lead a more exciting life!). Of course now that I've finished I can think of a few more. Figures. Whether captured by blog, video, diary, or pictures, there will be so many life changing moments this year. I welcome 2009 and look forward to all of the changes it will bring. Happy New Year.

Don't call it a comeback...

2009-01-01T18:25:00.000-08:00

...because I don't know how long I can keep it up! It is nearly impossible to explain how over 4 months have passed since I have visited either one of my blogs. Or any blogs, for that matter. Between experiencing all of the ups and downs of my first pregnancy, being overloaded with work, and just trying to get through the day to day, priorities seem to have shifted. Blame my swollen ankles, my lack of sleep, or my new found friend Facebook. Nevertheless, I have made it a resolution to return to this little time capsule in an effort to capture the highlights of life as I know it.

I make no promises that I will ever get around to posting what has transpired in the last few months, but as I hold up my two fingers in what seems to resemble the Girl Scout honor code, I swear I will try to be a more regular poster. I said try. Let's not get too crazy with promises for the new year.

Happiness is...

2008-08-21T17:19:00.000-07:00

having a neighbor who works for Dreyer's ice cream. (Watch out for the chocolate peanut butter, it can most definitely be devoured in one sitting.)

Welcome, Smith!

2008-07-28T17:38:00.001-07:00

My nephew Smith Bradley Spivey was born last Tuesday while I was in Mexico. Go figure. I knew that little guy wouldn't wait for me. 2 weeks early and absolutely adorable, I cannot get enough of him.

Se habla español

2008-07-14T11:03:00.000-07:00

We're back from Costa Rica! It was wonderful, as always, and it is such a shame to have to get back into the swing of everyday life. Though we traveled only to areas where we had been before, this time around was different as we traveled with Gabe's dad. The two of them surfed a ridiculous amount and I spent much time relaxing and doing a whole lot of nothing other than lying on the beach or next to the pool. We went on a couple of adventures and experienced the most intense thunder storms of our lives.

This was our third trip to Costa Rica since 2004 and every time we go it is amazing how much development has occurred. What was only 4 years ago an area of dirt roads and small mud-hut and corrugated tin-roofed houses is now paved and full of billboards for pricey resorts and American looking condominium developments. It gives you a rather bittersweet feeling as you mourn for what seems is the inevitable loss of the beauty of this once unspoiled landscape, but at the same time understand the excitement of the locals for the amount of work available and the convenience and economy boost that comes with such progress.

We spent our time divided between Hotel Bula Bula in Playa Grande, Hotel Playa Negra in Playa Negra, Cabinas El Oasis in Playa Langosta, and La Posada at Hacienda Pinilla in Playa Avellanas. We returned home with nearly 500 pictures, so I'll try not to bore you with thirty seven photos of the sunset (though every single one is fabulous!). Here's enough (probably more) to give you an idea of how we spent our ten days.

We always stay on the Pacific side, on the Nicoya Peninsula in the Province of Guanacaste.

I found this most perfect sand dollar. And then I left it at the hotel.

We celebrated our two year anniversary at Hotel Bula Bula, where we spent our honeymoon.
Family pics.
Our anniversary gift from Gabe's dad was zip lining through the rain forest. Gabe and I had been before, but it was a brand new experience for Gil to be hundreds feet in the air hanging from a cable. I was the only one brave enough to do "Superman". Driving in Costa Rica is an adventure in and of itself. I drove for the first time on this trip and had to do a little 4 wheel drive action. I did stop at one point, however, and make Gabe drive. I'm a chicken when it comes to driving through a river. There was no way I was going to be the one to get the car stuck this time. (On our honeymoon we got lost and stranded and had to have our car pulled out by a pair of oxen. No joke. But that's a story for another day.) To give you an idea of some of the challenges you may face on the road... We went on a two hour horseback ride through the rain forest and then down to the coast. In just two hours we say monkeys, vultures, deer, and an alligator. Oh my.
The view from where I sit.

There are bugs in Costa Rica, in case you didn't know. When I counted 56 bites on just my arms, I stopped counting. I most definitely returned with over 100 critter bites. Gabe and his dad? Not one! This is just a sampling of the creatures that were either in, on, or around our hotel rooms. Oh yeah, and the spiders, they were INSIDE our room. Needless to say, I slept with a flashlight hooked on my finger all night long. After one night in that room, we left.

Gabe and Gil surfed a minimum of twice a day while I slept in and took walks along the beach. I only got grumpy about it once or twice. I mean, really, let's not forget that there is someone waiting for you on the beach. I can only get so much joy out of video taping and photographing them catching waves. At least this time I think all of the pictures are actually of Gabe and Gil. Last time I was informed that half of the great surfing pictures I took were not of my husband at all. Oh well, they all look the same out there in the water.

This is how Gabe and his dad would spend endless amounts of time. I don't surf, so I don't know exactly what they are looking at, but they would look at those waves forever before making a decision on whether or not to actually go out.

This was as close as I got to surfing this trip. I don't swim in the ocean and I certainly don't surf.

Here's the sunset. I told you it was awesome.Hasta la proxima vez...

Best Blogger BFF Ever!

2008-06-19T12:48:00.001-07:00

I arrived home the other day only to find a package on my doorstep only to find that it was a little gift from my blogger best friend, Jihan. It was Jihan's "Favorite Things Swap" that got me into this whole blogging world in the first place. Though we have yet to meet, it is going to happen soon and it is going to be great! Thank you, Jihan. You always make my day!

Inside the goodies included some tall candles (to celebrate our 1 year friendship), some jelly pens, bath tea, a candle holder, orange-shaped nail files, and letterpressed cards. It's amazing that someone I have never met can know me so well!

Girls Just Wanted to Have Fun

2008-06-16T19:54:00.000-07:00

I took a little pre-vacation to Palm Springs last weekend with my sister Sarah and my friend Beth. We left husbands and babies (theirs, not mine) at home and took off. Though my sister's 7 month pregnant belly prevented us from partaking in the usual mass quantities of margaritas by the pool, we managed to survive on Arnold Palmers and iced lattes. The weather was perfect (only about 100 degrees) and the free room upgrade was so appreciated.

The girls.

Here's just some of the room. I realize I should have taken pictures before we messed it all up, but I had other priorities like getting to the pool.

This script was left in the room. I read through it and was not all that impressed. Just watch, the movie will be a blockbuster and I could have sold the draft of the script for a million dollars.

I can't believe some people only bring out a towel to the pool. Amateurs.

This is what happens to magazines when they sit in the sun for too long. I had more than a few months of reading to catch up on. I still have a few left.

No pictures of us in our bathing suits. No pictures in the pool. I'm not crazy. Nobody sees me with my swim noodle. Nobody.

Did you miss me?

2008-06-15T21:17:00.000-07:00

Where on earth have the last two months gone? I find it unbelievable that June has crept up so fast and is now clouding us with its gloom as it quickly moves along. Last post April 9? Really? Say it isn't so. I have been such a neglectful blogger and for all four of you reading, I give you my sincerest apologies. It's not as if I have been jet setting or crime fighting or even doing anything remotely interesting. Nope. I have just been enjoying life (as the title of this lovely little blog reminds me to do) without taking the time to slow down and capture it all in words. But enough of that. It's time for an update. Trust me, you won't be all that impressed. But this is my outlet. This is where I log the happenings of my life so that I may go back later and reminisce. No, I do not mean that you are inconsequential, rather that even when my life seems somewhat mundane I must carry on. Even if it may not appeal to the masses. For this is not a place to gain popularity. It is just a place to jot down my thought and record my memories. Thanks for coming back. I'll be better about posting from here forward. I promise. Except for the next two weeks while I am on vacation. But when I return, watch out. You won't be able to get rid of me. You'll see.

Since April 9, I...

celebrated my sister in law's, my nephew's, and my niece's birthdays
celebrated Mother's and Father's Day
cracked up as I watched Gabe and Chris (my cousin's husband) jam in the living room
watched Sawyer learn to ride a bike
attended Connor's First Holy Communion
spent time with my husband's family
laughed hysterically as my brother and brother in law "borrowed" the neighbor's Ferrari for a "swing around the block"
learned to play not only Wii boxing, bowling and tennis, but also Guitar Hero
realized we need to buy a Wii
went to Palm Springs for girls' weekend
read a couple of books and finally caught up on my magazines from January
planned and threw a baby shower for my sister
lost 8.5 pounds
rediscovered the fun of bubble gum (Bubblicious, to be exact)
got a terrible sun burn
finally organized my office after 2 years of using it as "the everything room"
decided to get serious about pulling my website together
realized that I need to be more focused on all of these little projects (read: this blog) and follow through

So here it is. April and May in pictures. Enjoy. June will be up tomorrow.

Gabe was a very good uncle these past two months. There seemed to be an inordinate amount of family functions.

Needless to say, I am terrible at Guitar hero. Gabe was quite the virtuoso.
If I ever owned a Ferrari, I really don't think I would just be letting the neighbors take it out for a spin.
Sawyer can now officially ride a "big boy bike".
Don't get me wrong, I love being married to a drummer. But it would be sooo much quieter if he took up guitar.

Randi and Lyndi don't always get to have rock concerts in their living room. I don't often get to hear Gabe play High School Musical numbers on the drums.

This is Gabe's Wii guy. The resemblance is uncanny.

Yes, it hurt even worse than it looked and no, I was not naked in this picture. I had a towel on. Please wear sunscreen. Please.

Girls' Night Out

2008-04-09T16:12:00.000-07:00

Dinner with the family is fun, but sometimes it is nice to celebrate just with the girls. Rarely do I go to hip, loungey places- Gabe and I are more the neighborhood Mexican food joint kind of couple- so it it was fun to be out of my element last night at Mesa (no website- this is one of those you really have to be in the know to know this place exists kind of places).

We got there early, before anyone else really, which made it easy to get some pictures. The way this place is set up is unique because it is has an open ceiling, so you are outside, but you are inside. How clever.

Thanks, girls! I had a great time. We keep saying it, but we really DO need to make a habit out of this Girl's Night thing!

Shopping Spree

2008-04-09T16:00:00.000-07:00

I did it. I shopped like a crazy woman. From Loehmann's to Fashion Island, I hit them all. 2 pairs of jeans, about ten tops, some other miscellaneous dresses and skirts and probably too much money later, I have a new wardrobe for the Spring and Summer. Happy Birthday to me. (OK, the Sigerson Morrison pumps may have been an unnecessary splurge, but they are soooo cute and I found them at Loehmann's for a bit of a discount!)

Just a little glimpse. Now, if I could only drop ten pounds to make these all look even better!

It's a skirt, no it's a dress

2008-04-08T15:00:00.000-07:00

...or is it a turtleneck poncho? I received this little number for my birthday. It is fabulous beyond words. So far I have come up with 5 different ways to wear it. I believe J.Crew is selling themself short by only showing 2! Regardless, I will be quite stylish on the beaches of Costa Rica in my new dress/skirt/coverup this summer!

An orchid by any other name

2008-04-01T19:14:00.000-07:00

Growing up a "Mimi" most certainly was not always easy. Oh how I longed to be a Karen or a Jennifer or even a Kelly. For the most part I embraced my name and learned to love it for the fact that it was unique. Other than "Mimi's Cafe", I rarely, if ever heard of anyone with the same name. These days it seems the name is a bit more common, though hardly popular. The most common reaction I get when giving my name at Starbucks or at a restaurant is, "Oh, I love that name! That's my dog's name!". Um, excuse me? Am I supposed to be in some way honored by this? Anyway, I recently decided to track the usage of my name and my blog name on the Internet and have been inundated with updates of the usage of "Mimi Palmer". Come to find out, they are not talking about me at all. Nope. Apparently there is an exotic orchid that goes by the same name. Described as "unique", "eccentric" and "temperamental", a deeper connection to a flower I could not feel. So here it is, "the" Mimi Palmer (sooo much prettier than some scruffy mutt):

image via flickr

He came, he hopped, he hid the eggs

2008-03-24T18:52:00.001-07:00

As my husband so sweetly reminded me, the Easter Bunny visits children. Not thirty-somethings, but children. Whatever. Despite my basketless condition, I managed to have a rather enjoyable and relaxing day (even if it was 90 degrees!). Church, brunch, an egg hunt, a nap and a bikeride- Spring has definitely sprung!

Most impressive of all- that the cousins were willing to put up with everyone taking pictures for 20 minutes. Not bad for 8 kids under the age of 7, huh?

Proud Auntie Mimi and Uncle Gabe

Happy Birthday Mom!

2008-03-24T18:29:00.000-07:00

Saturday night was full of family fun. The immediate family is currently at 12 with one more on the way (no, not mine) and, needless to say, it is always an adventure when we go out for dinner together. This time it was to celebrate Grandma's birthday. After a near altercation and enough food for three days worth of meals, it was back to the house for my "I can't find a recipe I like so I'll make it up as I go Lemon and Raspberry Layer Cake". All in all, it was a lovely evening with the family. Happy Birthday, mom. I love you.

To every season

2008-03-19T18:32:00.000-07:00

Life just never ceases to amaze. Just when things are status quo life steps in and shakes things up as if to remind us that nothing is constant, nothing is forever, and nothing is without change. Never in my life has this been so glaringly evident to me as it has been recently. In less than a week's time I have experienced such a vast array of emotion that, quite honestly, I have just wanted to be alone with my thoughts in an effort to try to make sense of it all. You see, in this short period of time I have experienced the death of a friend, the birth of my best friend's son, a marriage and a near divorce (not mine, someone else's). To say I have been conflicted is somewhat of an understatement. My happiness has been tainted by guilt and my pain has not even truly had a chance to surface.
As I write this I realize that I may be sharing too much or that I may even be speaking to no one but myself, but for me it is the first step in resolving the clash of emotions that has recently taken over my thoughts. You see, the funny thing about life is that it doesn't slow down. There is no asking to take a time out just because you need to regroup. Nope. You must take the good with the bad and the bitter with the sweet, because at the end of it all these are the experiences that shape you. These are the experiences that remind us to live each day to its fullest and to enjoy every moment. Surprisingly, this is easier said than done. But I'm working on it.

Tagged again

2008-02-24T10:26:00.000-08:00

So I've been tagged again- this time by Miss "With This Ring I Thee Obsess" author Tina- and I'm actually going to play along! It seems that some of my closest friends and family quite enjoy learning some of these things about me.

What is your occupation? Wedding and event planner
What color are your socks right now? I rarely wear socks. As a matter of fact I only own socks for running and a couple of pairs of striped socks to wear with my Converse. I wear flats almost every day. No socks for me.
What are you listening to right now? The TV is on in the background at this very moment. In the car I have been listening to a lot of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers lately. I have a secret thing for Tom Petty.
What was the last thing that you ate? I just had Golden Spoon (frozen yogurt)- chocolate and peanut butter, side by side, never mixed.
Can you drive a stick shift? Regrettably, no. I have tried a couple of times, to no avail. This is most definitely a goal. I mean, seriously, there are just certain things you should know how to do.
If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Absolutely Crayola "green". Not "yellow-green", not "lime green", just plain old green. I don't know if I am actually like a green crayon in any way, but it is by far my number one favorite color of all time.
Last person you spoke to on the phone? My sister. It is always my sister. I am not a big phone person, yet we still seem to talk about 5 times a day.
Do you like the person who sent this to you? YES!!! Though we have never met in person, Tina and I have spent many an evening chatting back an d forth about her upcoming wedding. She is like a "virtual client".
Favorite drink? By far it is water. I rarely drink anything else. Coffee is next. As for alcoholic drinks, I would have to say that I never turn down a gin and tonic.
What is your favorite sport to watch? You're kidding, right? With the exception of the Olympics, I would never voluntarily have a sporting event airing on my television.
Have you ever dyed your hair? Ha!!! My hair has not been its natural shade of light brownish/blond since I first dyed it at the age of 16. In high school I went through an auburn/red stage. Then it was platinum blond for a few years. In the last 7 or 8 years, however, it has been black.
Pets? 2 cats and I am content to keep it that way. No dogs for me, please. They are too needy and they drool. I can identify with a cat- they are very independent, they are moody, and they like things on their own terms.
Favorite food? I LOVE food. All kinds. I have answered this before and perhaps my answers have even changed. I could list about 20 things here, but if you stuck me on a deserted island right this minute with only one thing, I would want it to be red enchiladas (made by my dad, of course).
Last movie you watched? Into the Wild. Excellent. Truly excellent.
Favorite Day of the Year? Christmas, I suppose. This is tough because I really enjoy all of the major holidays with my family. I also LOVE my birthday. Who doesn't? (Love their own, of course, not mine!)
What do you do to vent anger? I scream, I cuss, and I slam doors. Hard. It really is a problem. There is nothing feminine or charming about me when I am mad. Watch out. I mean it.
What was your favorite toy as a child? My dolls. I had a ton of dolls and there was nothing I loved more than pretending to be a mom. I was very picky, however. I would only play with dolls that looked and felt like real babies.
Which is your favorite, fall or spring? I like both, but I would have to choose Spring because it means Summer is near.
Hugs or kisses? Hugs. Lots of them, unsolicited, preferably.
What kind of pie? None, please. I would much prefer a piece of chocolate cake.
Living arrangements? Gabe (my husband) and I live in an 80 year old apartment that the landlord claims to be 1000 square feet.
When was the last time you cried? About 3 hours ago. It's OK, I'm over it now.
What is on the floor of your closet? Shoe boxes with my "fancy shoes", dry cleaning bag, my box of wedding memories, and a couple of shoes that haven't quite made it up to the shoe rack.
Favorite smell? Citrus. I love pure, clean scents like grapefruit and lemon.
What inspires you? Other people who excel and are successful at what they do. I am really inspired by people with a clear vision and direction. I am all over the place and I still have not figured out yet what I want out of this life. I am inspired by those who seemingly have it all figured out. Even if they don't (and I am sure that they don't.)
What are you afraid of? Failure. I am deathly afraid of failure. It is a fear that inhibits me and absolutely prevents me from being like the people who inspire me in number 25.
Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? I don't really like hamburgers. Remember what happened the last time I actually wanted one? I'd rather have a taco.
Favorite Car? That I've owned?- My Audi A4. Oh, I loved that car (even if it did make me poor). That I would like to own?- A Volvo station wagon. When I was little I wanted my mom to be the mom that had a burgundy Volvo wagon (not the orange Porsche she drove me around in- what did I know?) Now that I am older and of mom age myself, I would love to own that car. Not burgundy, but definitely a wagon.
Favorite cat breed? Tabby cat. Orange tabby cats, specifically.
Number of keys on your key ring? 4- my house, my parents' house, the bridal salon, and my car. No cute key ring, though. I keep them on one of those mountain climbing clip things so they don't get lost in my purse.
How many years at your current job? I have been planning weddings on my own for about a year and a half now. I actually have a couple of alter-ego jobs that I have been at for longer, but those are of little importance here! (Get your mind out of the gutter, they are all legitimate and highly respectable jobs!)
Favorite day of the week? I love free Saturdays.
How many states have you lived in? 4- North Carolina (for a short stint during babyhood), New Mexico (toddler years), Arizona (college), and California (my real home).
How many countries have you been to? I'll list first, and then count. Mexico, Costa Rica, England, France, Czech Republic, Holland, Belgium, Germany, and Spain. 9 in total. That's not too bad, though I still have a list a mile long of places I'd like to go.

That's it! That was a long one. Consider yourself tagged. This is a good one and it really gives you pause for thought. Maybe you learned something new about me. Maybe you don't care. Either way, it kept my mind off of my runny nose and this lousy weather. Jihan, I'll be looking for your post soon.

Turbo Kick Boxing turbo kicked my ass

2008-02-03T19:54:00.000-08:00

In a relatively futile effort to battle this ever-growing buldge around my belly (similar to blubber, though not nearly as warm) I woke up early, sucked down a cup of coffee and a granola bar and dragged myself and my neighbor to the gym. Mind you, the gym and I are not friends. We're really not even on speaking terms lately, but drastic times call for drastic measures. And drastic this buldge has become. And so it was that I entered the world of turbo kick boxing- not my idea by any means. You see, the kick boxing I could handle. I might even go so far as to say that I was rather decent at it. The "turbo" is where things began to fall apart as quickly as Miss Turbo Dancerella in front of me was throwing her "speed bags" and "upper cuts". It all just seemed to go so fast. Jodi (Master kick boxer) would show something, I would do it, and then she would add all of these dancer moves to it- like jumping two feet off the ground in a split and calling it a jumping jack. Ummm, I thought this was about kicking, not showing off your jazz hands. It was like watching a bunch of way-too-cheery cheerleaders try to out-maneuver eachother. But I jabbed and I jumped and I kicked and I lunged and through it all I was laughing hysterically. Maybe it was the fact that Jen (my neighbor) and I announced ourselves as first timers and the instructor kept calling attention to us, or maybe it was the fact that we looked utterly ridiculous amidst all of those semi-professional martial artists, but this experience was truly a comedic high in my life. If only there were video. I think I just need to stick with spinning.

Dear Diary,

2008-01-28T18:54:00.001-08:00

I find much inspiration from many of the blogs I read regularly. Some for their incredible style, some for their witty sensibilities, and some purely for their ability to make words so effortlessly flow into melodic and thought-provoking journals of everyday observations and revelations. Such is the case with Marta, author of the aptly named M. Writes. She has this amazing ability to take the same English language of which I am so fond and turn it into something so eloquent and beautiful as opposed to my choppy and, well, rather basic style. And, not only is she a great writer, but proving once again that the right hemisphere of the brain functions at an awkwardly high level for some, she is also wonderfully creative. In an attempt to have some of her creativity flow in this direction, I ordered one of her mini diaries last week. How giddy was I upon arriving home tonight to find this little package of goodies awaiting me! Page one - complete! It wasn't too terribly difficult. I might even keep this up! I'm hoping that being provided with a "fill-in" will curb the usual intimidation I feel when faced with that daunting "blank page". And so it begins, my new life as a diary keeper. Let's see how long this lasts.

superSONIC, No-I don't think so

2008-01-13T13:35:00.000-08:00

Maybe you've never been to a Sonic Drive-In, maybe you've never even heard of it, but for me Sonic is the quintessential fast food experience. That is, until last night. Let me bring you up to speed. Sonic is not your average, "pull around to the next window" kind of drive through. It is a drive-in. You drive up, park your car, push the button, order your burger and tots, and wait for a car hop to come (in the past on roller skates) and hang your food off of your window on a tray so you can eat in your car. A little awkward, yes, and quite messy for sure, but this is just part of what makes Sonic so great. So I thought.

Now that you understand a Sonic set-up, let me get to the story. It all started with a craving. You see, my family is from New Mexico, land of the drive-in. Perhaps it is because the cost of land is at less of a premium, but these restaurants are everywhere. Here, however, in The OC, one must drive quite a distance to have their cherry-lime (an amazing cherry and lime flavored carbonated concoction). 45 minutes, to be exact. And that brings me back to the craving. My sister is pregnant and apparently with pregnancy number 3 have come some strange cravings. Last night it was a cherry-lime. I don't think my sister has had a cherry-lime in fifteen years, but last night she needed one. With that we loaded in the station wagon and set out on our way. Mom and Natalie in the back, Sister Sarah and I in the front. What happened in the hour that followed was truly the single most horrific display of customer service I have ever experienced.

To say they were rude is an understatement of gargantuan proportions. But rude I can deal with. The 48 ounces of fluorescent pink cherry lime soda that was spilled in my car window, on my brand new scarf, purse, and coat I could not. Allow the photos to speak for themselves here:

This is one of about 30 towels that were stained a brilliant shade of pink.

OK, now imagine this area of the car filled with pink liquid. Thank God I have black interior or we would have a much larger "situation" on our hands.
And, not only did she spill it on me, but she just STOOD THERE!!! I finally got out of the car and while seething with anger went to find a manager. The chaos continued and not long after there was a small circle of employees gathered around to watch what was about to unfold. I tried, oh did I try, not to lose it on this woman. This boorish brute of a woman with painted-on eyebrows and a serious attitude problem. But after about 20 minutes of listening to her blame me for what was undeniably her employee's fault when she asked me to actually PAY for my food I wanted to punch her right in the nose. Hard. Tranquility prevailed and I refrained, but SERIOUSLY!!! You just ruined my property and my night and now you want me to pay to eat my cold hamburger and soggy french fries? You MUST be kidding.

To make a long story just a bit shorter, we high tailed it out of there after the aforementioned manager told me to "go ahead and call corporate, they won't do anything". My mother was afraid they were going to come after us and rough us up. Trust me in reality it was worse, MUCH worse than I can possibly even describe.

So what came of this most terrible experience? Well, I called Sonic Corporate Headquarters and within an hour of talking to someone on the east coast, I received a call from the franchise owner who was horrified, to say the very least. She offered full compensation for all of my damages and handled the whole situation in a very professional manner. Finally, a tad bit of relief.

And my scarf? When I got home I spent hours trying to clean that scarf, that "no dry clean", "hand wash with gentle soap only" white wool scarf to no avail. The scarf is a total loss and I cannot even replace it because it went on sale at Banana Republic and everyone else realized how amazing a scarf it truly was. My mom is now knitting me a new one. And the car? My car was dripping with red dye #23 goo all over the place and has since received a $100 goop removal detail. I am almost whole again. Damn those pregnancy cravings.

The scoop

2008-01-09T18:26:00.000-08:00

Ice cream and I have always had a bit of a love affair. So creamy, so cold, so absolutely delicious. It has been a comfort, a reward, and most recently a truly guilty pleasure. (Damn that peppermint ice cream from Baskin Robins!) The thing about ice cream is that it is always good. No matter where you are it is just good. Sure, my freezer is always stocked with the good stuff, but every once in a while there is nothing like a scoop of over processed, totally not all natural Breyer's, from Thrifty's (aka Rite Aid). That's right- I absolutely adore a cone from this local drug store chain. I can remember when I was little, maybe 7 or8, and I would search the couch cushions for change so that I could walk to Thrifty's in the Summer for a 2 scooper of chocolate malted crunch and mint chip (the double cost a whopping 25 cents in those days! Now it will set you back $1.50). But these were no ordinary scoops.

No, these were different. They had flat sides and were really tall. They were virtually "towers" of ice cream. They filled the cone just perfectly. These scoops just make sense in a cake cone. You know, the kind of cone that has a name on the side like Hans or Pablo or Gertrude?

For years I have been fascinated by these scoopers. Yes, I know, I have VERY strange quirks. I have searched antique shops, restaurant supply stores, and every kitchen gadget store known to man. They simply do not exist outside of the "Thrifty" ice cream counter. My fascination became so out of wack that I actually asked Gabe to find me the aforementioned scooper on eBay for Christmas. He did, but at $50, my obsession had to be stopped. I mean come on, that is a little ridiculous, isn't it? And so I gave up. I resolved to be content with my boring old round scooper from Target. Until today, that is. You see, I was reading a favorite blog of mine, Pretty Little Things, and there it was: The Cuisipro Scoop and Stack. Obviously a designer for this company had the good fortune of going to a Thrifty Drug Store recently. A knock-off for sure, but it will be mine. Thank you. I am content. Would you like to join me for a scoop?

Yet another fête

2008-01-04T17:27:00.000-08:00

Last Friday (see, I'm catching up with my posts!) we hosted a holiday open house. Not one for Christams or New Year's parties, this was right up my alley. No worries that people would be busy, no pressure for people to have to decide which party to attend. It was simply a nice way to see everyone and wish them a slightly belated Merry Christmas and a barely premature happy New Year. People came and went all night long and we had a great time. So great, in fact, that we didn't even notice that it was 2:30 in the morning when we finished our final round of Catchphrase (my new favorite game). So great that I forgot to take pictures once the party started, yet again. So great that I slept in until about 4:00 the next afternoon (if I never drink another cosmopolitan it will be too soon!).

The waiting is the hardest part

2008-01-04T17:10:00.001-08:00

Presents spilling out from under the tree. Four kids under the age of seven. You do the math. Can you imagine the suspense that these kids had to endure when arriving at grandma and grandpa's house at 5:30 on Christmas night? Enter Auntie Mimi, with her Dijon crusted pork tenderloin in the oven and French onion soup on the stove, there was absolutely NO way there would be any gift opening for at least another hour. Bah humbug.

Funniest quote of the night: My 4 year old niece, Sophie, upon opening Island Barbie shrieked, "Ohhhh, I have ALWAYS wanted this!". Thank God the wait is over.

A little family fun

2008-01-04T16:54:00.000-08:00

Christmas seems to last for days around here. This year we had Gabe's sister, Alyssa and her husband Rob over for an intimate dinner party a few days before Christmas. Low key and informal was my motto for this one. I didn't even send out invites! (Shhh! Don't tell!) On the menu was penne arrabiata and spinach salad with chocolate chip cookies and hot chocolate for dessert. What I did forget? To take pictures. At least I got the table, though!

Coming soon to a concert hall near you

2008-01-04T16:24:00.001-08:00

Sure, we all have them. The Christmas party before Christmas when the whole family gets together for food, gifts, a visit from Santa and a surprise performance.

It all started with the Advent calendar. Gabe said that we should learn to play "Little Drummer Boy" on the drums one night. Then he said that I should sing. Next came the suggestion that we should perform for the family party. Hmmm...this was getting serious. Practice we did. I sang my heart out to the point of receiving a text message from the neighbors downstairs making holiday requests. With only days before the performance, Gabe decided that we should have my mom join us on the flute.

And so the band was formed. We practiced for hours. We played, we laughed, my mom said to me, "you used to sing so well". With Gabe on the snare, mom on the flute, and I on the floor tom and performing lead vocals, a new band was formed. The VonTrapp family we are not. Here are some shots from the performance. We're already brainstorming next year's number.

And some more highlights:

Poses in front of the buggy (unfortunately the horse was too grumpy to give rides that evening)

Making snow

A visit from Santa

What, it's only been a month!

2008-01-04T16:18:00.000-08:00

After numerous inquiries from my sister and husband as to "when are you going to update your blog?!" I have finally decided it was time. You see, I did not intentionally neglect this blog, it's just that, once again, life happened. Between Christmas shopping, holiday parties and a very finicky camera refusing to upload pictures, I just simply have not had it in me. But now I'm back, and before long I'll be on track. Maybe.

Advent Calendar

2007-12-09T21:04:00.001-08:00

I never had an advent calendar growing up. I can't say that I really even knew what it was. Sure, I knew of the Advent wreath at church and the significance of the weeks leading to Christmas, but I never opened any tiny little doors to reveal part of a jolly Christmas scene and perchance a piece of chocolate.

For a few years now I have toyed with the idea of making an advent calendar, but have never felt sufficiently ambitious. After all, 24 days require a LOT of creativity. Well, this year was the year. Forget the chocolates, forget the cute doors and the Christmas scene. Gabe and I needed something a little more our speed. And so our first advent calendar came to be. OK, so maybe this wasn't the most creative advent calendar, but I think it was pretty good for a start, don't you? We (read I) wanted the focus to be on slowing down and enjoying every day of the season together. There is something so rewarding about opening that envelope in the morning and knowing that something special awaits at the end of the day. Why didn't we start this tradition years ago?

I've been naughty

2007-12-09T20:45:00.001-08:00

How sad it is that this little blog has fallen victim to such neglect lately. It is just that November flew by with such reckless abandon that I hardly had time to answer an email let alone keep up with my blogging. Wonderful ideas for posts came and went, yet never made their way to the page. Piles of magazines have accumulated (is it too late to read October's Real Simple?) and the amount of paper on my desk levels the top of my coffee cup. In the midst of it all came a weding, homemade Christmas cards, holiday party invitations and the creation of the advent calendar. But now I am back and with a lighter workload and a renewed spirit. Just in time to fight the crowds, find the sales, wrap the gifts, and make Christmas dinner for 12. I wouldn't have it any other way. 'Tis the most wonderful time of the year!

image : RealSimple.com

Bunches of Fun

2007-11-27T20:22:00.000-08:00

What? You've never heard of "Bunches of Fun"? Oh, you, my friend are missing out. Picture this- you have just stuffed yourself full of turkey and mashed potatoes and you're not quite ready for dessert. You love to play games, but there is simply not enough time, space, or energy to pull out Monopoly or Pictionary. Enter "Bunches of Fun". Nobody really knows the origins of this game but it made its way into our Thanksgiving celebration about 8 years ago or so. How do you play, you ask? It's simple. Everyone contributes "bunches" of fun things to guess. You write them on little scraps of paper and then put them into a bowl. These could be anything from movies, to pop culture icons, to objects lying around the house. The object is to guess as many things as you can from your partner's clues in one minute. The team that ends up with the most overall points when there are no more clues is the winner. Oh yeah, it's a bunch of fun. Just take a look:

(I must warn you , however, if you are overly competitive as I am, you may need to watch it. Ever since the infamous "how did you not get that, are you stupid?!" slip of '01, Gabe refuses to take part in the fun.)

So thankful

2007-11-27T19:56:00.000-08:00

It was yet another fabulous feast on Underhill Lane. It seems that with each passing year I take these celebrations more to heart and truly reflect on what it means to be part of such an amazing family. You see, some things go without saying; the food will be exceptional, the house will be chaotic and over crowded (over 20), Mom will go above and beyond by not only making two pumpkin pies from scratch, but also a boysenberry cobbler, Dad and I will wash way too many dishes, the kids will be screaming, someone will be crying, and "Bunches of Fun" will be played. But what changes each year is the ever growing feeling of attachment I have to this holiday. This is the one holiday that I can say has remained the same for my entire life. When my grandmother passed away, my mom picked up where she left off. It is simply perfect every year. Sure, different family members and friends may come each year and this year we knocked the famous fruit salad off the menu, but the familiar feeling is one of comfort and stability. Spending this time with my family makes my year complete and I am thankful.

Lovely Ladies' Night

2007-11-18T20:07:00.000-08:00

I am typically not a real "girls' girl". I also am not a huge fan of hanging around women I don't know very well (I am teal, remember?!). I'm weird, I know. So when Erin asked me to go out this weekend for a bachelorette evening, my first instinct was to decline. Oh, am I happy I didn't. Thank you, Erin, it was a great time and I was glad to have been a part of it. Thirteen days and counting!

A little of this, a little of that.

2007-11-12T20:29:00.001-08:00

When the temperature drops, it's time for soup. Only one little flaw with this plan-today it was 80 degrees. Never mind that. Gabe has been rambling on about vegetable soup for days now and this seemed as good a night as any.
I love soup, I really do. I even love to make it. The problem is that when you are a carnivore married to a vegetarian, it is often difficult to find recipes that please both palettes. So I made up this pleasingly simple, quite hearty and rather quick-cooking recipe.

a satisfied customer - hope he'll be as satisfied tomorrow night, and the next- this makes a lot of soup!

Simple Vegetarian Vegetable Soup

1 medium onion, thickly sliced
2-3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1 can whole, peeled tomatoes, coarsely chopped
2 ribs of celery, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1/2 head of cabbage, chopped
2 small gold or red potatoes, chopped
3/4 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen
2 small zucchini
1 yellow squash
any other veggies you like
1.5 t dried thyme
a pinch of red pepper flakes
2 T balsamic vinegar
a few dashes of Tabasco
1 32 oz carton, plus 1 14 oz. can of organic vegetable broth (of course you could make this yourself!)
sea salt and fresh ground pepper

Saute the onions in olive oil over medium heat for about 7 minutes, until soft and a bit caramelized. Add the garlic and saute about 1-2 minutes more. Add the tomatoes and carrots and raise the flame to medium-high. Add the thyme, salt and pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 4 minutes just to give the carrots a head start. Add the rest of the vegetables and the broth and simmer at a lower heat until the potatoes and carrots are cooked through. Add the vinegar and adjust seasonings as necessary. Serve with a few dashes of Tabasco. Mmmm.

But I HATE teal!

2007-11-11T21:33:00.001-08:00

I was on How About Orange's blog and saw one of these color personality tests. Why do I always indulge in these? Do I really need to know what color I would be if I were, in fact, a color? What does this test even mean? Should I run out and buy something teal in hopes that good fortune awaits? Whatever. It was a fun 2 minutes. But seriously, teal? Yuck. I am going to take the test again tomorrow and see if I can be tangerine or chartreuse.

Oh, and Gabe, be sure to re-read and commit to memory that line that says if I'm doing it, "it'll be done right". Uh-huh, that's right.

Witchy Woman

2007-11-01T17:27:00.000-07:00

Gabe: You need to color your front tooth black.
Me: But I don't want to be an ugly witch, I want to be a cute witch.
Gabe: Witches always have their front tooth black.
Me: Yes, UGLY witches do.
Gabe: You should color your front tooth black.

Uggghhhhh!

Oh yeah, what did YOU have for dinner?

2007-10-29T18:55:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it is simply wonderful to not have to worry about having dinner on the table for Gabe. Case in point, tonight he'll be home late so I fixed myself the quintessential lonely girl's meal- leftover flourless chocolate cake with toasted almonds and vanilla bean ice cream. Oh yeah, it was that good.

Yes, the picture is blurry. I was in a hurry so that the ice cream wouldn't melt!

Humdinger

2007-10-28T17:57:00.000-07:00

If you've never played Cranium, you may not understand. If you have played, you will totally appreciate it's role as the perfect ending to a rather formal dinner party.

Take a look at what we were doing Saturday night. In an effort to keep things interesting, we were not allowed to pair up with our spouses. That's me with my brother in law, Eric as we attempted to dominate the performing category (needless to say, we lost!). Let's see if you can figure them out...

Tag, I'm it.

2007-10-05T18:33:00.000-07:00

So Alyssa "memed" me and, to be honest, I had to look up what the word even meant. Realizing that I had not caught an infectious disease and that it wasn't just a case of someone spelling my name wrong, I decided to indulge.

Four Jobs I've Had In My Life
I've had many jobs, but I bet you didn't know about these four.

Fit model for Wet Seal. It wasn't nearly as glamorous as it sounds and I suffered from a sever case of "zipper finger".
Cashier at a pet store. This is how I financed my wild weekends in high school.
Starbucks barista. This was one of my favorite jobs. I can still make a mean latte.
Cleaning lady. One Summer I cleaned a lady's house every week and made more money than a full week's work at a regular job.

Four movies I Can Watch Over and Over

Reality Bites. I was "emo" and I didn't even know it.
The Sound of Music. Every Christmas.
The Thrill Of It All. Doris Day and James Garner in one of my absolute favorites.
Amelie. Everything about this movie is amazing.

Four TV Shows I Like To Watch

The Office.
Barefoot Contessa.
Brothers and Sisters.
Law and Order.

Four Places I Have Vacationed

Costa Rica
Spain
Hawaii
Belgium

Four Of My Favorite Dishes

Red Enchiladas (New Mexico style, of course)
Santa Fe omelets from Mimi's Cafe
Spaghetti with meat sauce
chocolate ice cream (it's not a dish, but it's a favorite)

Four Places I'd Rather Be

on the beach with my new Martha Stewart Weddings and Domino
at Hotel Bula Bula drinking a "Siberian"
at South Coast Plaza with a fistful of cash
at a cafe in Paris

Four Websites I Visit Daily

msn.com
google.com (Numerous times a day, actually. I seem to have a lot of random things that enter my mind that I simply must investigate, such as what the heck a "meme" is!)
a bunch of wedding and party planning blogs
Design*Sponge

That was a bit harder than I had expected. Try it, you'll see.

My name is Mimi, and I'm a Negative Nelly

2007-10-03T19:08:00.000-07:00

I've been in a bit of a "funk of negativity" lately. Maybe it's the change of the weather or that it is getting dark so much earlier, or perhaps just the fact that I have been thinking so much about how quickly time is passing and that every time I turn around the days have faded into months and I haven't done even one tenth of the things I have set out to do. Regardless, it's time for some positive thinking. I have decided to make a list of 25 things that make me happy. Here goes, in no particular order:

Haagen-Dazs Vanilla Swiss Almond ice cream
Gabe
stepping on crunchy fallen leaves
a clean house
new magazines, particularly Real Simple, Cooking Light, MS Weddings, Domino, and Blueprint
Chachi and Nacho (the kitties)
sleeping in, but not too late
cooking
feeling creative
Marc Jacobs bags
receiving mail (good mail!)
sitting on the beach
spending time on Underhill Lane
watching re-runs of Beverly Hills 90210 (a ridiculously guilty pleasure found on the soap opera channel)
Cable TV (a relatively new addition to our house)
planning parties for anyone, for any reason
Williams-Sonoma
my sister
Paris
red painted toenails
a fresh haircut
being a Palmer
my iPod
Natalie
crystal doorknobs

Wow, that was surprisingly simple. I could go on for another 50, no problem! I guess everybody needs to step back and change focus every once in a while. Here's to a more positive outlook!

The "Happiest Place on Earth", well, almost

2007-10-01T18:41:00.000-07:00

Ever since Gabe's comment about my negative postings, I have been apprehensive to say anything that could be in any way perceived as complaining. (Have you noticed I haven't posted in a few days!) Well this weekend we went to the happiest place on earth, and you know what, it was not the happiest of days! Not because Disneyland is not truly a wonderful place, but because I woke up with a pinched nerve in my neck and could not move my head to the left, not even a little bit. That's right, I spent all week bragging about Space Mountain and the Matterhorn and I couldn't even ride them. (By the way, we had free tickets or of course we would have stayed home! I'm not paying $61 to go in and just walk around!)

We were able to go on a few rides that involved very little neck movement like the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean, so all was not in vane. Not to mention the fact that for October, the whole park is decorated for Halloween so it is actually quite fun just to walk around and take it all in. All in all, not my best time at Disneyland, but even when you're writhing in pain, it's pretty difficult to be grumpy at the Magic Kingdom.

If I look a bit awkward, it's only because I couldn't move my head!

$5 minimum

2007-09-26T18:31:00.001-07:00

First it was 31 Flavors, then my favorite bagel shop, and now my local French bakery. Despite the most obvious theme (yes, I have an insatiable appetite for all things terribly high in fat and carbohydrates), what I am reeling over is the infamous "$5 minimum purchase for debit cards" policy. It's stupid.

I don't carry cash. I never have and probably never will. Why should I unless I am going to a garage sale? It's not that I have anything against carrying cash, it just seems so much easier to carry a card- no change, no wadded up bills, no coming up short. But this new thing about forcing me to spend a minimum amount of money is ridiculous. When 99% of the items you sell are less than $5, what do you want a customer to do? No, I don't want a bagel and a coffee, I just want a bagel. No, I don't want a three scoop sundae with extra fudge, I want a cone. No, I don't want 2 dozen cookies! I just want my 3 heart cookies and a couple of tea cakes for Gabe! Ugghh!!!

Maybe it's not normal to become so annoyed by such a minor thing. You might even be thinking that I should just buy an extra something, relax, and move on, but that's not the point! Before walking into a store, I always check for the bright blue and orange sticker that cheerfully tells me that the establishment "gladly" accepts debit cards. If they don't accept them "gladly", perhaps they should not accept them at all. "Cash Only", I get it. I'll go to the bank and make sure I'm loaded with cash. The point is you should not have a sign that you take cards if it is only half-true.

Please don't misunderstand, I am a loyal customer happy to pay for what I order. I even tried to get the bagel store to charge my card $5 even though I was only spending $3 and they said they couldn't, I would have to buy something else! What?

I did a bit of research (if you can count Googling debit card minimums and checking out the first couple of posts research) and it seems that this may not even be a policy that is allowed under a retailer's contract with Visa or MasterCard. It's just something stores impose because they are too cheap to lose twenty cents on my $3 purchase. Whatever the truth is, I'm not happy.

Well tonight was the last straw. When I was told I would have to spend an extra $1.50 for my cookies I walked out. That's right. I left in a huff. I will no longer be a slave to the retail world. But I must say that I am really craving a cookie. : (

image: flickr

Date Night

2007-09-24T19:49:00.000-07:00

A funny thing happens when you have kids- it's called date night. Not having kids of my own, this is a totally foreign concept. What do you mean you have to schedule time together? I don't think my sister and her husband have gone to a movie together alone in over 2 years! (No, Disney movies with the kids don't count!) And forget about the 4 of us going out together, it seems someone always has to stay home with the kids. Not this weekend. Date night was in full force. Adult restaurant, adult drinks, adult conversation, and not a pacifier or Thomas Train in sight.
Am I selfish to cherish all of my alone time with my husband? Maybe. And one day I know we, too, will have to schedule our alone time. Until then, however, it's date night whenever and wherever we want and I love it!

Bad days

2007-09-23T19:47:00.001-07:00

I had one today. Not the terrible, life changing kind-just the kind where nothing quite goes as you had planned and everything and everyone annoys you. And then Gabe came home. Normally this would be the time where I am in a "take no prisoners", "don't ask me what's wrong or if I'm feeling better" kind of mood, but not tonight. With the turn of his key I put on my "don't start with me" face only to see him with flowers in one hand and frozen yogurt in the other. OK, I feel better now.

Here goes...

2007-09-23T10:25:00.000-07:00

Life is sneaky. There you are living life, working, creating, enjoying, complaining and then...wham! All of a sudden another year has passed and you can't even remember what you ate for dinner last night. Where does the time go? What do I have to show for the last six months, year, decade? Am I truly supposed to remember everything?
I have come to the realization lately that my life is flying by without record. I have so many experiences, thoughts, feelings, wishes, observations, and ponderings that come and go with each day only to be left behind as if they never were. Each feeling is overcome by a new one and I find myself trying desperately to take it all in, live each day fully and look toward the future all the while striving to hold on to what brought me to this point in the first place. And so it is that I begin my new journey of chronicling my life as it is. Good or bad, boring or mundane, this is me and this is what I am all about. Maybe you'll read faithfully and maybe you'll just drop by on occasion, but inevitably you, too, will become a part of who I am and who I will one day become.