Somewhere Under the Double Rainbow.....

is our house! The most beautiful rainbow ever!!! Had to share

TGIF Nights and Saturday Morning Driving Lessons

Since Dylan was tiny tiny, we have had the tradition that we have a sleep over at GiGi and Gramps on Friday nights. It started when he was about 4 months old and now he is 4 years and and 5 months so we have had so many fun times. Brody came along 2 years and 5 months ago and has fit right into our program.

We have our little 'traditions'....I usually pick the boys up around 3, we come to my house and play inside helping GiGi with stuff (this week decorating for Halloween) until Gramps gets homes and then we go out front and play with the neighbor kids (just like their mommy and Uncle Adam did 20+ years ago). They ride bikes, squirt guns, play Frisbee and run around yard to yard with the other kids. When the sun sets it's inside the house, bath time, dinner and pj's on. Then we watch 'Wipe Out', Tom & Jerry or our old standby "Alvin and the Chipmunks', complete with Gramps yummy popcorn.

Then it is off to bed for Brody with me carrying him upstairs and singing our special song 'Little Road and a Stone to Roll' while Gramps reads 2 Golden Books to Dylan. As soon as Brody is tucked in and story time is over, I have time to lay down with Dylan to 'talk about things' which ranges from talking about fast airplanes to construction vehicles to talking about building bunk beds, to wanting a remote in his toy room to saying he is going to spend '10 nights' with me. I love special time with both of them.

I usually sleep downstairs on the couch to be near Dylan and have the baby monitor on to hear Brody upstairs. Around 6 a.m. or so, Dylan comes out to the couch to 'cozy up' and we talk and then turn on TV. About that time Brody starts stirring and I go and get him and then wrap them up in cozy quilts and we watch some cartoons, have milk and after breakfast they go up and 'wake up gramps'. Then we get dressed and play outside until time to be picked up or dropped off at mommy and daddy's. One very special thing that happens on Sat a.m. is if they help pick up and put away all the toy then they 'qualify' for their weekly driving lessons. They know and understand that and once I say it they are all about toy pickup.

I love watching them take turns driving GiGi's car with Gramps. Dylan is so sweet as he always lets Brody go first and straps in the front seat. Steve only takes them down the cul de sac and then turns around by the canyon, but they think they are driving at the Indy 500. Brody almost always looks at Dylan while he is driving and just beams. Dylan is so serious and never takes his eyes off the road and Brody is so proud sitting in the front seat. It is so so fun to watch. After driving lesson we pack up all their stuff and head out. Steve and I are exhausted, but beam with smiles. On days like today after we drop them off we head to the beach to walk and enjoy the fresh air. It is so true, it is the little things in life that are the best.

Skylines and Board Rooms = Welcoming Fall and the Need for Creativity!

I used to travel so much for my job and over the years I have reported to 6 different Sr. VP's who each have their own way of budget planning....suffice to say I have seen the *best* and the *worst*. Just last week I headed to Chicago for a full week of 2011 budget planning. It was being in a reality show - can't go any further than that - but it was like no other. The days were LLLLLOOOONNNNGGGGGG. Every day at 7:00 when we would start the last thing I would see as I entered the windowless Board Room was the spectacular Chicago Skyline. I have had to go to Chicago for years for what seems like every job I have ever had.....when I worked for CBS for the talk shows like Donahue (ok, I am really dating myself) for all the other jobs I have had in health care, too numerous to list. I LOVE Chicago - from the Museum of Science and Industry to State Street (that Great Street) to Michigan Avenue to Sears Tower to the suburbs of Naperville and Downers Grove. My absolute fave of everything was once being in what used to be Marshall Fields (now Macy's) at the Walnut Room having lunch, near the window about Christmas time and the giant tree was decorated and I was eating Butternut Squash Soup and looking out the window with the snow falling ever so gently on the shoppers below, all dressed in their minks and hats - so fashionable. I just loved that moment. The tree in the Walnut Room looked like the picture above.....ahhhhhh

But this trip all I could do was watch the skyline every a.m. coming to live at 7:00 and then go to the windowless board room for 12 - 14 hours and then come out and see the skyline all lit up as I headed back braindead to the hotel to order room service. I could hear State Street calling my name....the Tiffany window on the 5th floor wanted to see me - the shops of Michigan Avenue! But alas....no chance this trip.

I was absolutely exhausted going over numbers and technical strategies and all the political part of corporate America that goes with that......so when I finally got home Friday night and got some rest into Saturday I had to let the creative juices flow.

I had bought some candelabras at the thrift stores - one silver (2.95) and one brass (3.95) I also got a bag of beads for 1.00. With an investment of 1 can of black shiny spray paint ($1.09) I turned them into some Witchy looking Halloween Scary Candelabra's! I need to find some candles but I think they turned out really nice.

Then I moved to my table runner project - and finished them up - I think they turned out pretty cute!

And finally - I pulled out my fall table decorations and did the dining room up all fall like.

So the left side of the brain got some goin on and the right side of the brain got some goin on and like everything else in my life....bittersweet.

Happy Fall!

Night at the Museum

Our friend, Micah, a partner in a local law firm, was recently appointed Executive Director of the Museum of Man in San Diego. The Museum of Man is the 'crown jewel' of all the museums in Balboa Park and if you have seen the famous tower in any pictures, that is it's home. Next to the Museum is the Museum Administration building. It was built in the early 1900's and has very tall ceilings and great architecture features, but for years has been neglected and not appreciated. Micah will bring change to all of that and he asked Kristen to give the board room and entry way in the Admnisitration building an update prior to the grand reception that his law firm and the museum were hosting in his honor. I was happily recruited to help as well. What an amazing honor to be able to be shown some of the things we were shown. Of all the treasures, the most amazing one to me was that there is an incredible chapel just across the street that is rarely used (hoping that will change) and the carvings are magnificient and reminded us of many things we saw in cathedrals in EU. Since the artifacts are priceless, cataloged and very well managed and take time to be used for display, the things we used for the board room and the admin lobby were of general use, altho incredible in their own regard. The update is a long phased project (paint, lighting, etc) but the initial change was impressive and made such a difference in those two areas. Later in the week we attended the reception inside the Museum. What a treat. It was a catered event and the colors they chose were a shantung orange and the setting being the grand lobby of the museum. All the guests were encouraged to brouse around at the many wonderful displays. One in particualar caught my attention and I thought said it all. It was a tiny cast of a foot and then baby shoes from all countries around the world surrounding it. I mentioned it to Kristen and Brian as we viewed it (it is in the picture on this post). We chatted with our table mates and Micah's incredibly beautiful and talented wife and were served yummy appetizers and there was a wine and beer bar. The program began and several key note speakers gave short and personal dedications to Micah and the future of the Museum under his leadership (judges, law firm partners, a Senator and a City Council member). Then Micah spoke and gave an incredible showcase of his goals and his appreciation for how he got there. In his speech, which had many of my favorite notations to Margaret Mead and society, he said that there was one exhibit in the museum that he felt said it all. He said it was small and could easily be overlooked but it was what he wanted the museum to be and then he related that it was that same exhibit of the baby foot and shoes that mesmerized me and that I commented to Kristen on. Wow - that was amazing. We really enjoyed our night and to be a part of the event and are anxious to see the fruits of his labors and be a part of some positive change for the Museum and for San Diego.

Desert Crossing.....Traditions......Witchy Plans

I have only lived in Arizona and California in my life.....when I lived in AZ we were constantly crossing the desert to visit California and since I have been in California it seems we are constantly crossing the desert to visit Arizona.....don't get me wrong, a road trip is sometimes the best thing for my sanity and Steve loves them too.....this past weekend we headed off again across the desert to keep a tradition we have with our fun friends that used to live near us in LA. When we moved to SD they moved to Phx where I used to live! Steve and I have this little tradition - we get corn nuts and a diet coke and head out (don't judge). We talk a bit at first but mostly we enjoy the comfortable quiet as we drive and both use the time to think...think...think. My mind wanders all over the place with random thoughts.....

How many times have I crossed this desert?...me thinks more than 1,000 and less than 2,000. For ball games, for weddings, for moving, for fun, for hauling furniture, for housewarmings and to say goodbye to loved ones and friends, for Thanksgiving, Christmas and every other holiday and 3 day weekend it seems. I love seeing the same landmarks....Devils Tower....abandon houses and old gas stations from the 50's...the McDonalds at Yuma where we would get the kids something to eat and let our dogs out to play.....the Space Age Lodge in Gila Bend.....the old abandon Horse Racing building just outside of Phoenix. They are like my old friends that I get to see once in awhile and like me not aging too gracefully but are still around :)

What should I do about an opportunity? The conservative in me says stay with what you know and be happy about it, find the good.....the liberal in me says - go for your dreams, you can't discover new oceans if you are not willing to let go of the shore.....who will win?

What is best for my parents and do I do enough? What more can I do for my family? I wonder where those people in that car are going? Did I bring my black top to go with my capris? What was that guys name that took me to???....you get the drift. Basically, I don't solve much or get too many answers, but I love that my mind downloads all the crap I can't seem to do when I am at home or in my day to day....road trips/desert crossing are good for the soul!

This trip was one of our traditions that we try and keep with our good friends. For the past 24 or so years all the guys go dove hunting on opening day, 9/1. All the girls go shopping! What could be better. Over the years when we all lived near LA we would mostly meet up in Palm Springs and stay at great hotels with pools and lounge and go out to eat and shop and play. Over the years and the once larger group has dwindled down to the true and best of friends, mostly Steve, his buddy and his buddies great son and relatives and friends of theirs....from once 10/12 to now 4 or so. But they have the best time razzing each other on their shots and hunting skills (?) and it is great bonding time for them. Since our friends moved to AZ we have been going to their beautiful home in Trilogy off the Loop 303 and the guys base their hunt out of there. We love these people and we have great history with them. While the guys are out shooting my girlfriend who is the best cook and loves to shop in the same shops and for things I want to....we never go clothes shopping - BORING! We hit the antique stores and when we are in Phx our favorite haunt is that historic area of Glendale. Note the 'historic' - when I was growing up we lived on 35th and Glendale and the area around 58th and Glendale/Palmaire was in a not so nice part of Glendale but once in awhile my mom, sister and I would head over to the JCPenneys that was there and was also a Newberrys but we did not venture far from that. My mom did work at the APS on Glendale Avenue and she knew where to go and where not to....but some really smart and wonderful people have revitalized that area and turned it into a shopping mecca - but historic makes me feel really really old...anyway....I digress. So once the guys headed out we went over to Glendale.....love love love that area and this time she took me to the greatest store that I had never been to....The Cottage Garden. Just stepping inside this place is a visual overload and I become incredibly inspired....she has all but one room done in cottage chic, shabby chic and displayed beautifully and I gave in to several temptations, so did my girlfriend and soon the counter was loaded with treasures...but....we then went to the 'front room' that was all done in Halloween. STOP DROP AND ROLL......my girlfriend is the QUEEN OF ALL THINGS HALLOWEEN. That room was probably 10 x 10 and we spent over an hour in there. I could only move one step every 10 minutes because it was visual overload.....yes, the stack on the counter grew and grew and grew. I decided a little Witchy theme for my entryway piece (more on that in upcoming posts) and ideas were flying....it was so incredibly fun. In fact, she is going to be featured in the upcoming December issue (out in November) of Sunset magazine. After that store we were so overwhelmed we stopped at a few other but were so inspired with our Halloween plans our shopping venture headed us to more places like Hobby Lobby, JoAnns and Michaels. We went to a fun lunch and then came home with bags and bags and bags of fun things. The guys had a great hunt, not because of the amount of birds, but the fun they had. The next day we went to Prescott and I don't think I have been there for 20+ years. Lots and lots of fun antique stores and lunch at the Palace. Great drive and later that night we watched movies and hung out. Friday was a few more stops at craft places, some crafting and pool time. It was 110 that day! We got up early Saturday a.m. and once again crossed the desert and our landmarks and were home by noon, which was nice to have a little more time before back to work. Having our BBQ today with the family - good times! What are you all doing this weekend?