Starship Vitaeris 320

Somehow the need to pull out the teal from one's living room rug with complimenting throw pillows seems slightly less acute when adding a hulking spaceship to the decor:

But it's good for him.
And he loves it because he's four:

Pancakes and Presents

Some of Rob's qualities out there for everyone to see:
(because what is a birthday without a little embarrassment)
wins the award for father with the most original made up toddler songs,
supports all my outlandish, fiscally imprudent ventures,
ace in his field,
sets a good example by never (no never) eating sweets, junk food, fast food, or soda (never, no never),
has sexy English/Texan accent,
loves my cooking some times,
consistently thoughtful to those less fortunate,
can speak articulately to almost any subject,
well-read and well-traveled enough to have an endless supply of interesting stories some of which I'm sure I still haven't heard,
isn't afraid to dance and play despite how many hundreds of people are around,
can paint in a straight line unlike his wife, ahem,
is learning how to fix the unending flood of broken things that come with the purchase of a house built in 1919,
has a passion for everything (everything) he feels important enough to open his mouth about,
who knows how to love his loved ones with complete abandon and sincerity,
is completely and deeply accepted and loved.

Happy Birthday my husband.

*******************************
For Rob's birthday present I gave him a new hobby. That was nice of me right?
He's been talking about martial arts for a while. Arguably the best dojo in the US is in walking distance from our house. So I signed him up.

Here he is with his new gi
(looking rather Jack Nicholsony):

All Aboard the Maytag

We'll most assuredly be in the market for a washing machine soon given the fairly concrete hunch that frieght trian cycle doesn't generally seem to fit between rinse and spin.

As I was walking down the hall I heard Leila holler out, "Hey Gina, want to go swim?"
"Sure." I say laughing.
"First of all," she responds, "we'll finish with the playdough."

She'll be two next month.
I'm pretty sure we're in way over our heads.

Sunday Hellos and Miscellany

Is this the kind of world we want?
Compare president approval ratings.
A look back at them Soggy Bottom Boys.
In the bleak midwinter. Good ole James.
Snaksby tells you what you can make based on what's in your pantry. Hilarious.

I've been struggling with the power of money quite a bit recently. Ironically, this morning's message summed it up beautifully. I encourage you to listen. (Click on Money: The Fight For Freedom)

In some countries, houses don't cost that much.

What is better than indulging in a luxurious chic facial? Indulging in a free luxurious chic facial. (If you live in the southern california area, walk into Bloomingdales, South Coast Plaza, ask for Bo --and after, since you won't have a stitch of makeup on-- walk by the Dior counter and Michelle will be all too happy to color you up. A pamper session that won't cost you a cent.)

So Bo was telling me that a woman walked into the store yesterday and shelled out $1,200 for La Mer face cream. "Let me tell you something." He said. "It's no better than Oil of Olay Regenerist." Found at your local Walgreens.

My Jo Malone combo is pomegranate noir and nectarine blossom & honey. What's yours? Go smelling this weekend.

Happy Friday.

Surprise Summer Malone

About 7:40 this morning, just as I was stepping out the door with my scrubbed-up figgities, I happened to look inside Luke's bookbag. What I saw stopped me in my tracks. A sweet little note from his speech teacher, "Happy Summer Vacation".

Hmm, how did I not know this? Luke will have sessions in the summer but it never really dawned on me that he might have a break before summer school starts. But he does.

Summer school doesn't start until July 9. Am I admitting it's difficult to have non-school mornings with both my kids? You bet your sweet bippy. The concept "engaged in a functional activity" is completely foreign to my sweet little boy. If he's not climbing the bookshelf or side of the dryer, he's turning on the shower, dangling a shoe or eating rocks. Literally. All. The. Time.

It boils down a crazy amount of stress.

So to recover... I'm off to my Jo Malone fragrance appointment.

Grassy Viteras

My current garden project is moving about 569,021 pebbles from the huge flower bed around our orange tree to another flower bed overflowing with rocks of every variety. The reason is, we have an old lady garden (frankly) which means: brick where grass should be. During the summer months this drives me exceptionally crazy. No backyard kiddie pools, sprinkler play or whatever it is kids do it the grass. The pebbles I can move but the bricks might have to stay a little longer (until I figure how how to use a jackhammer).

This arrives on Monday. Luke has had some pretty crazy days recently and I think it's due mainly to his HBOT study being over. Since he started he gained about 5 words and can say more if he's repeating what he hears. But his crazy behaviors have returned. So we'll happily live with the monstrosity if there's any chance of improvement (can I say "sayonara decorating aspirations"?).

And I used to think I knew what faith was.

emery & cie

I love the way this company showcases their paint. Just keep clicking the word next. Pure eye candy.

How was your Father's Day?

My Dad extended our garden wall with the framed lattice behind these, my two favorite dad's heads. When my parents first arrived I was telling Dad some things I wanted to do to the garden (extend the wall and fix the fountain). By the time he left, voila! He fixed the orange tree spot light to boot. I have a renewed ferver for wanting to make the garden a little respite. One thing great about this state is you really can live outside about 80% of the time. For that I'm greatful and for that, I need to remember to get off my toosh and pull a weed or two.

Happy Monday!

Skybus and Citizen

• Rob got his dual-citizenship last month. Of course I had to commemorate with a layout:

credits

• It's going to be sadwhen Mom and Dad leave as Leila's been saying, "Go see Papa and Nana?" each and every morning she wakes up. We've been having a blast. And we're glad there's Skybus. (Few stops but none cheaper.)
  

Adventures in the City

We were thinking of taking the kids to Disneyland but I found this cheap and cheerful little amusement park called Adventure City in Anaheim. This will be the last summer for the sweet little park but it was perfect for this day.

Mr. Happy

I've always kind of liked the whole "before and after" concept. That's why I was completely hooked on What Not to Wear. Here's the guest room version:

New pj's and a smile:

The Cooperative Garden (Corner)

Summer 2007 Activity No. 2

Sidewalk Chalk Designs. A hit. Why? Because there is a fashion accessory involved of course:

This area of the garden at least will be presentable for the parents...
arriving Tuesday!