A couple of months ago, Molly (5 yrs) came home from kindergarten and told me that her friend Mary had written and received a letter from President Obama. She told me that she wanted to write a note to him too. As I do far too often, I just kinda said, "Yeah, yeah, get a piece of paper," and forgot about it.
As I was cleaning up her room last week, I found a folded up note behind Molly's bed. This is what it said:
to: presudit Obomu
you no Mary
She's my frend
My name is Molly
do you liv in the lite Haows?
I wish I cud see you own day
p.s. olso yore famulley.
from: Molly
I was really sad thinking that I hadn't given her enough time and attention to help her complete the process of writing and mailing the letter. It was a definite reminder to slow down and pay more attention to what my kids say to me each day; far too quickly, I'm sure they won't even want to talk to me very much!
We'll send the letter out tomorrow and I'll keep my fingers crossed that she gets something in reply!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
My Life According to Make-up
I'm really weird when it comes to make-up. I've been fighting it my entire life. I'm very much a "less is more" kinda girl. I even go so far as to try to avoid applying it in front of my girls - as if it's something bad - so that they don't get interested. It doesn't work, though - I'm always finding uncapped lipglosses and eye shadows in my drawers!
Unfortunately, as I've reached my 4th decade, it now seems to be a necessary evil. Here's my make-up philosophy:
In your teens, too much make-up just looks silly and clown-like.
In your 20's, your skin is gorgeous, you have no wrinkles, and you're at your beauty peak - why mess with a good thing?
In your 30's, you can still get by with the bare minimum. I'd rather people be surprised by how pretty I look made-up instead of them being shocked by how tired my face looks when they catch me without it!
In your 40's, the age spots, wrinkles, and general worn-out look has finally caught up with me. Even for a quick trip to Costco or the park...pass the concealer!
Ugh - maybe I'll switch to Botox in my 50's...
Unfortunately, as I've reached my 4th decade, it now seems to be a necessary evil. Here's my make-up philosophy:
In your teens, too much make-up just looks silly and clown-like.
In your 20's, your skin is gorgeous, you have no wrinkles, and you're at your beauty peak - why mess with a good thing?
In your 30's, you can still get by with the bare minimum. I'd rather people be surprised by how pretty I look made-up instead of them being shocked by how tired my face looks when they catch me without it!
In your 40's, the age spots, wrinkles, and general worn-out look has finally caught up with me. Even for a quick trip to Costco or the park...pass the concealer!
Ugh - maybe I'll switch to Botox in my 50's...
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Something Gus will be using in a few years...
APPLICATION FOR PERMISSION TO DATE MY DAUGHTER
Print out and submit as per instructions at the bottom of the form
1. Name :_________________ Date of Birth :_______________
2. Height :________ Weight :______ GPA :_________
3. Social Sec. #______________ Drivers license #_______________________
4. Boy Scout Rank :__________________
5. Home address :_____________________________________________
6. Do you own a van ?___ A truck with oversized tires ?____ A water bed ?____
7. Do you have an earring , nose ring , belly-button ring ?______ tattoo ?______
(If yes to any of #6 or #7, discontinue application and leave the premises)
8. In ten words or less, what does LATE mean to you ?_____________________
9. In ten words or less, what does ABSTINENCE mean to you ?_________
10. In ten words or less, what does DON'T TOUCH MY DAUGHTER mean to you ?_____
11. Church you attend :________________ How often you attend :____________
12. When would be the best time to interview your Father, Mother, and Minister ? ____
13. What would you want to be IF you grew up ? _______________________
Answer the following questions by filling in the blank. Please answer freely - all answers are confidential (I won't tell anyone - ever- I promise)
If I were shot, the last place on my body I would want wounded is in the ___________________
If I were beaten the last bone I would want broken is my ________________________________
The one thing I hope this application does not ask me about is _____________________________
When I first meet a girl, the thing I notice about her first is________________________________
(Note: If above answer begins with T or A, discontinue and leave premises: Keeping your head low and running in a serpentine fashion is advised. )
I SWEAR THAT THE INFORMATION SUPPLIED ABOVE IS TRUE AND CORRECT TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE UNDER PENALTY OF: NATIVE AMERICAN ANT TORTURE, ELECTROCUTION, CHINESE WATER TORTURE, RED HOT POKERS, DEATH, AND DISMEMBERMENT.
Signature (that means your name, moron)____________________________________________
APPLICANT'S RIGHT THUMB PRINT IN BLOOD
Thank you for your interest. Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for processing. You will be contacted in writing if you are approved. Please do not attempt to call or write. If your application is rejected you will be notified by two gentlemen wearing white coats and carrying a violin case.
Print out and submit as per instructions at the bottom of the form
1. Name :_________________ Date of Birth :_______________
2. Height :________ Weight :______ GPA :_________
3. Social Sec. #______________ Drivers license #_______________________
4. Boy Scout Rank :__________________
5. Home address :_____________________________________________
6. Do you own a van ?___ A truck with oversized tires ?____ A water bed ?____
7. Do you have an earring , nose ring , belly-button ring ?______ tattoo ?______
(If yes to any of #6 or #7, discontinue application and leave the premises)
8. In ten words or less, what does LATE mean to you ?_____________________
9. In ten words or less, what does ABSTINENCE mean to you ?_________
10. In ten words or less, what does DON'T TOUCH MY DAUGHTER mean to you ?_____
11. Church you attend :________________ How often you attend :____________
12. When would be the best time to interview your Father, Mother, and Minister ? ____
13. What would you want to be IF you grew up ? _______________________
Answer the following questions by filling in the blank. Please answer freely - all answers are confidential (I won't tell anyone - ever- I promise)
If I were shot, the last place on my body I would want wounded is in the ___________________
If I were beaten the last bone I would want broken is my ________________________________
The one thing I hope this application does not ask me about is _____________________________
When I first meet a girl, the thing I notice about her first is________________________________
(Note: If above answer begins with T or A, discontinue and leave premises: Keeping your head low and running in a serpentine fashion is advised. )
I SWEAR THAT THE INFORMATION SUPPLIED ABOVE IS TRUE AND CORRECT TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE UNDER PENALTY OF: NATIVE AMERICAN ANT TORTURE, ELECTROCUTION, CHINESE WATER TORTURE, RED HOT POKERS, DEATH, AND DISMEMBERMENT.
Signature (that means your name, moron)____________________________________________
APPLICANT'S RIGHT THUMB PRINT IN BLOOD
Thank you for your interest. Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for processing. You will be contacted in writing if you are approved. Please do not attempt to call or write. If your application is rejected you will be notified by two gentlemen wearing white coats and carrying a violin case.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Christmas Eve Checklist
- Yummy steak dinner
- Fabulous Christmas light show (thanks for the rec, Shelley!)
- Santa letters written
- Cleared out fireplace
- Stockings hung
- New pj's (Snoopy & Elmo) and board game (Perfection)
- Cookies, milk, and carrots out
- Kids in bed!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Get Well Cards
I love that when one of my kids gets sick, the others seem to really miss the "fallen" one. They band together, deliver drink requests, pick flowers, bear gifts, and write notes to the sickie in bed.
Today Lindsey isn't feeling well, so she's resting in bed and received some cards from her sisters:
Emily's card has a picture of sad-faced Mommy holding out a spoonful of medicine to Lindsey with her eyes scrunched closed. The card says, "Dear Lindsey, I hope you don't have the swine flew. I dont thenk you should be sick for a nice girl like you. Love, Emily P.S. I think you deserve something."
Molly's card has picture of hearts hugging each other, Daddy doing a "hang loose" shaka, and a picture of sad-faced Lindsey in bed. It says, "I LOVE YOU LINDSEY I HOWPE YOU ARY BETTR SOON"
Lindsey loved 'em!
Today Lindsey isn't feeling well, so she's resting in bed and received some cards from her sisters:
Emily's card has a picture of sad-faced Mommy holding out a spoonful of medicine to Lindsey with her eyes scrunched closed. The card says, "Dear Lindsey, I hope you don't have the swine flew. I dont thenk you should be sick for a nice girl like you. Love, Emily P.S. I think you deserve something."
Molly's card has picture of hearts hugging each other, Daddy doing a "hang loose" shaka, and a picture of sad-faced Lindsey in bed. It says, "I LOVE YOU LINDSEY I HOWPE YOU ARY BETTR SOON"
Lindsey loved 'em!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
To Maintain A Healthy Level Of Insanity
Gus RARELY forwards silly e-mails to me, but he knew I'd like this one!
1. At lunch time, sit in your parked car with sunglasses on and point a hair dryer at passing cars; see if they slow down.
2. Page yourself over the intercom; don't disguise your voice.
3. Every time someone asks you to do something, ask them "Do you want fries with that?"
4. Put decaf in the coffeemaker for 3 weeks; once everyone has gotten over their caffeine addictions, switch to espresso.
5. In the memo field of all your checks, write "For marijuana".
6. Skip down the hall rather rather than walk; see how many looks you get.
7. Order a diet water whenever you go out to eat, with a serious face.
8. Specify that your drive-thru order is "to go".
9. Five days in advance, tell your friends you can't attend their party because you have a headache.
10. When the money comes out of the ATM, scream "I won! I won!"
11 . Tell your children over dinner, "Due to the economy, we're going to have to let one of you go.
And The Final Way To Keep A Healthy Level Of Insanity...
12. Pick up a box of condoms at the Pharmacy, go to the counter, and ask where the fitting room is.
1. At lunch time, sit in your parked car with sunglasses on and point a hair dryer at passing cars; see if they slow down.
2. Page yourself over the intercom; don't disguise your voice.
3. Every time someone asks you to do something, ask them "Do you want fries with that?"
4. Put decaf in the coffeemaker for 3 weeks; once everyone has gotten over their caffeine addictions, switch to espresso.
5. In the memo field of all your checks, write "For marijuana".
6. Skip down the hall rather rather than walk; see how many looks you get.
7. Order a diet water whenever you go out to eat, with a serious face.
8. Specify that your drive-thru order is "to go".
9. Five days in advance, tell your friends you can't attend their party because you have a headache.
10. When the money comes out of the ATM, scream "I won! I won!"
11 . Tell your children over dinner, "Due to the economy, we're going to have to let one of you go.
And The Final Way To Keep A Healthy Level Of Insanity...
12. Pick up a box of condoms at the Pharmacy, go to the counter, and ask where the fitting room is.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Facebook & Karma
My Westlake Family
Mountain View Friends (elementary/junior/high school)
UC Davis Buddies
Recently, an old friend suffered the tragic loss of one of his best friends. Although death is an incredibly difficult subject to deal with - especially when the person is so young - he is using the tragedy to reflect upon and appreciate his own life. One thing he did to cope was to reach out to old friends from his past in an attempt to reconnect and find out how they are doing these days.
All of this really got me thinking about my life and how I've become the person I am now. Of course, my family - especially my incredible parents - has always been the primary influence in my life, but it goes beyond that.
Upon hearing about it from a friend, I joined the website "Facebook" last year. At first it just seemed silly - filling out interest forms, posting photos, and playing on-line games. However, over time, old old friends started coming out of the woodwork. Friends from old jobs, church and sports programs, my 2 years living in Japan, college, high school, middle school, and even elementary school were discovered. It's fascinating to find out where they are today - family, location, careers - many taking a more traditional path and some making my jaw drop! I feel "connected" to those that post personal info about themselves - family vacations, photos of their kids, job frustrations, even mundane things like what they had for breakfast. Whether or not I run into them now, I love to know that they are happy (most of the time!) and doing well in the world.
In Buddhism, the word "karma" is thrown around a lot. Many people think of it as a very black or white thing - if you steal something, "bad" karma comes along causing your car to break down; if you help an old lady cross the street, "good" karma helps you win $20 in the lottery the next day. In my opinion, karma is a culmination of everything - both bad and good - you have experienced in the past that has made you the person you are today. I look at the 200+ Facebook friends I have today - people from different stages of my life - and I am grateful for how they have affected my karma and helped me reach my current stage in life.
Back to my awesome family...my little sister Rina offered to once again "switch lives" with me for a few days before she goes back to work again. She came out to Elk Grove to play full-time Mommy to my kids, while I went out to the Bay Area for some R & R. When I did this earlier in the year, I spent my time running through San Francisco - eating out, getting a haircut, shopping, and visiting museums. This time, however, I decided to have just one "me" day (reading and movies). For Days 2 and 3, I used the time to catch up with people - friends from college and high school (I hadn't seen them in close to 10 years) and teachers from Westlake School (I left 5 years ago) - all of whom are the same warm, loving, interesting and beautiful people I remembered so fondly. It was as if we were all in time capsules that were just opened and we started right back where we left off. I look forward to seeing all of them again, and hope to visit more friends in the near future.
If you're reading this, I hope you're inspired to do the same.
All of this really got me thinking about my life and how I've become the person I am now. Of course, my family - especially my incredible parents - has always been the primary influence in my life, but it goes beyond that.
Upon hearing about it from a friend, I joined the website "Facebook" last year. At first it just seemed silly - filling out interest forms, posting photos, and playing on-line games. However, over time, old old friends started coming out of the woodwork. Friends from old jobs, church and sports programs, my 2 years living in Japan, college, high school, middle school, and even elementary school were discovered. It's fascinating to find out where they are today - family, location, careers - many taking a more traditional path and some making my jaw drop! I feel "connected" to those that post personal info about themselves - family vacations, photos of their kids, job frustrations, even mundane things like what they had for breakfast. Whether or not I run into them now, I love to know that they are happy (most of the time!) and doing well in the world.
In Buddhism, the word "karma" is thrown around a lot. Many people think of it as a very black or white thing - if you steal something, "bad" karma comes along causing your car to break down; if you help an old lady cross the street, "good" karma helps you win $20 in the lottery the next day. In my opinion, karma is a culmination of everything - both bad and good - you have experienced in the past that has made you the person you are today. I look at the 200+ Facebook friends I have today - people from different stages of my life - and I am grateful for how they have affected my karma and helped me reach my current stage in life.
Back to my awesome family...my little sister Rina offered to once again "switch lives" with me for a few days before she goes back to work again. She came out to Elk Grove to play full-time Mommy to my kids, while I went out to the Bay Area for some R & R. When I did this earlier in the year, I spent my time running through San Francisco - eating out, getting a haircut, shopping, and visiting museums. This time, however, I decided to have just one "me" day (reading and movies). For Days 2 and 3, I used the time to catch up with people - friends from college and high school (I hadn't seen them in close to 10 years) and teachers from Westlake School (I left 5 years ago) - all of whom are the same warm, loving, interesting and beautiful people I remembered so fondly. It was as if we were all in time capsules that were just opened and we started right back where we left off. I look forward to seeing all of them again, and hope to visit more friends in the near future.
If you're reading this, I hope you're inspired to do the same.
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