{1} Okay, okay, so I missed a day. Or two. Or several. In my defense, I was, and still am, in need of mucho sleep. So tired, that I made Ringo read me a book the other night.
{2} To add to my exhaustion, The Husband and I went out with friends last week: dinner here (had the fried gator…just like calamari) before seeing this guy. So effin’ funny.
{3} Then on Saturday, we had to wake up earlier than usual so that the kids could take part in a fashion show. Complete with runway, makeup, and clothes! To be honest, I think the kids enjoyed the pancakes we had afterwards the most.
{4} …and now one less thing to worry about – phew!
{5} Now, if I can just get past Thanksgiving. I’m in charge of appetizers – this year it’ll be Spinach, Bacon, and Onion Dip, Salmon Mousse, and Devils on Horseback.
{1} Was reading that after working hard, Tauruses reward themselves by getting lazy. Combine that with leftover Halloween candy and the ensuing holidays…that must mean that I’ve just been working REALLY hard!
{2} The world really is a small place. In San Francisco, it gets even smaller.
{3} While I love our CSA deliveries, and I’m all for the organic thing, I’m not too keen on the critters that hitch a ride on our vegetables. Three caterpillars to date.
{4} #PrivateSchoolProblems. Sigh.
{5} My boss still isn’t sold on adding culinary classes to my training plan.
Cocktails to get you through the week: Aperol spritz, Manhattan
{1} Is Mercury still in retrograde? Today was not as cluster*(#&-y as the weekend, but still it’s driving me nuts. I’m guessing it’s going to last through the week. Oh wait, it’s Monday.
{2} One day late, but, I salute all the veterans who have served our country, including my grandfather, my uncle, and now my cousin. Thank you for your sacrifice that, among other things, allows me to have this ill-maintained blog and say whatever the fuck I want to say.
{3} Ringo’s day care was closed today and luckily Peanut had school today – so only one child to deal with today…though it was trying to work from home with him, just watching him be himself without the influence of big sister was priceless.
{4} Is it really that bad that I know the expiration date of my credit card?
{5} I’ve only completed two things for Ringo’s application today – his photo and the family photo (Thank you GC!). Ugh.
Since my blogging comeback was nil to non-existent, I’m going to yet again, try my best and jot down five things about my day. Five things. How hard can that be? (Famous last words…)
{1} Today was the day after the LFSF annual fundraising gala. Money spent = money raised. One jagermeister shot too many. My world stopped spinning late this morning.
{2} Preschool application for Ringo is due this coming week. Am so not ready for this.
{3} In the process of cleaning up I found out that in the course of the year, Peanut shot up almost 4 inches! But she only gained two pounds.
{4} Alabama Shakes – Un concert a emporter…my favorites!
{5} Peanut has received her first overdue notice for a library book at school. I partially tore apart the house looking for this book. I’m convinced it’s NOT in the house – but who knows, she has a tendency to “spirit” things away.
Bring in Romo
Taken post-World Series win at AT&T park at the Bay Area Science Fair
First day. First grade.
No tears – thankfully. A few butterflies in the tummy, but excitement all around.
The first day of school is nearing and I cannot hardly wait for my “summer vacation” to begin! Schedules and scheduled activities – yes! No more worrying about what to do with the kid/s on certain days – though, we’ve had a wonderful relative stay with us this past month to watch the kids. Since our relative doesn’t drive, they’ve been public transporting it around this past month. My daughter is now the public transportation expert – she’s got her own Clipper card and, I think, has a pretty good idea of which bus lines will get her home. Fabulous.
So, seeing where we left off…
*In early April, The Husband and I, along with friends, took a FABULOUS vacation to Italy. Tuscany & the Italian Riviera, to be slightly more precise. Florence is just absolutely breathtaking – by far, my most favorite city. Well, it gives Paris a run for its euro. The weather was a bit to be desired – gray, cloudy, rainy – but the food, the wine, the sites, the markets, the shopping, ahem Prada OUTLET, were all wonderful and I am hoping I am able to return to this region again.
with blossoms in tact, too!
*After a failed attempt at the mud run last Fall, I was determined to make a comeback. I was still training with a trainer twice a week, though not really running at all. Have I told you how much I do not like running? Ugh. Despite all that, I still signed The Husband and I up for the Bay to Breakers. I am embarassed to say that this was the first year I participated in the run. It was great fun – even though it’s not quite the B2B of yesteryears – and I look forward to doing it next year, too! Oh, so The Husband backed out and I ran it with my brother. Seeing that I had not run in preparation for this race, I gave myself a realistic goal of finishing within two hours. Even though I walked most, if not all, of the Hayes Street Hill – I exceeded my goal, by 15 minutes! Phew!
*The next couple weeks were busy with a quick getaway to Sea Ranch, end of school activities, and a festive send off for friends who have moved to Vietnam.
*We all know that famous Mark Twain quote about winter, summer, and San Francisco…so, to give my kids a real “summer” experience, we flew out to Minneapolis to visit friends. Boy, did they experience summer alright! We happened to arrive in the midst of a heat wave! (Try temperatures in the high 80s/low 90s at 5pm!) We managed to survive and enjoy ourselves a lot! Plus, it was great to see our kids get along and play together! This was my second time visiting Minneapolis. I didn’t think that I would like it, but it’s a great city, very family, kid-friendly, and lots to do. Now, about those mosquitos…
*After Minneapolis, the kids and I met The Husband in Chicago. It was just as hot there as it was in Minnesota, minus the mosquitos. I just about doomed myself as I walked Peanut into the American Girl store on Michigan Avenue. Thankfully, Grandma was with us and subsidized Peanut’s need for a starter doll and starter outfit. Peanut went for a “historical” doll named Ruthie. Though not a “main” doll, Ruthie is BFFs with Kit, who is a “main” doll – both girls are growing up during The Great Depression. Peanut has started to take Ruthie out with her. Who’d’ve thought that Ruthie would enjoy wakame, edamame, soba, and udon at Mifune?
*So, as we’re wrapping up yet another fun summer – I am realizing, yet, again, how much my kids listen and understand. There have been two instances where my six-year old AND my two-and-a-half-year old have corrected me on the lyrics for the annoyingly, addictive song by Carly Rae Jepsen.
“No, mommy, it’s ‘try to chase me’!” -Peanut
“Mommy, it’s ‘call me, maybe! not baby.'” -Ringo
I love finding my photos on the interweb. Now I just need to find out how to get paid for it.
(Literally – happiness of the day. It probably makes no sense whatsoever in French, but it rhymes -kinda – so I’m just gonna go with it.)
These are a few things that are making me happy this today:
Family
The Black Keys, Gold on the Ceiling
Italy – well, pasta really
mmm...
Nerds
Source: pinterest.com via Kelly on Pinterest
A s'more walks into a bar...
While waiting for Peanut at the dentist office – of all places – I find this recipe for S’mores Cookies in Kiwi Magazine.
It looked easy enough not to try. S’mores – yum! Shortbread – yum! S’mores and shortbread – jury is still out. I think I liked them, I mean, The Husband and I kept eating them like no tomorrow.
Funny thing about my kids, they said they liked them, but didn’t indulge themselves as much – or I was just hoarding them so much they didn’t even have a chance.
They were sweet and rich at the same time – sweet from the bruleed marshmallows and rich from the shortbread cookie base – did you see how much butter was called for?
Would I make it again? Probably. This definitely a once-a-year cookie – again, did you see the butter content?
The stresses of work, life, in general, have been really getting to me lately. I was so blah last week, my trainer took it easy on me and led me through a workout of yesteryear. Yes, I was that down, and it was that easy!
For my Thursday session, I decided to bring in my own music for my training sessions, because, let’s face it – I know what’ll motivate me and keep me going. So, I’ve compiled almost two hours of music (and it keeps growing…)!
Through MOG (shameless spousal promotion), I’ve re-discovered some tracks that are worthy of being on the “clean workout” playlist. Clean because the music is played at the fitness center at work and something tells me playing “Fuck You” is going to offend someone.
So my re-discoveries include…
OutKast – B.O.B. (love the pre-split Andre 3000!)
Goldfrapp – Strict Machine (how does one NOT move to this song?)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Heads Will Roll (so very Marie Antoinette!)
Missy Elliott – Pass That Dutch (not the official video, but seems like a plug for Adidas)