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?

Bed with a View!

A few weeks ago my girlfriend got this great bed at IKEA in black and loved it......so I headed down to IKEA to check out the white one and I loved it, expecially the bead board on the back. You can pull out the drawer area and slide the top mattress across and it makes a king bed! We have so much company and always need bed space. My friends husband (engineer type) put it together in 6 hours....that was a little daunting as Steve was out of town and when I decide to do something, there is no waiting around. If it took an engineer 6 hours I just could not imagine how long it would take me! But tempted I was and felt up for the all night challenge.....then my girlfriend called me and said she saw an ad on Craig's list for the same bed, assembled, 5 days old. After a series of back and forth emails we agreed on a price and since our truck bed is limited with a hard cover, Kristen offered to drive me over to get it. Sounds good - right?

So, we agreed on a time and loaded up the boys and the directions were for us to drive to the address provided and then call the lady that listed the bed. We headed out by OB (one of my fave areas) and then the address took us to Sunset Cliffs - an incredibly beautiful area near OB. I called the lady and at first she was not answering (uh-oh) and finally called me back and then told us to drive down this alley and around this block and it was like a scavenger hunt to find her place. Kristen parked and I went to look at it....however, as I went through the side gate I stopped dead in my tracks and my jaw hit the ground. Her place had the single best view I have ever witnessed in my life.....I have been to all the Hawaiian Islands, Capri, Russia, Sweden, The Fiords, Scotland, England, France, Africa, all over the Caribbean, coasts of Spain, Italy, Canary Islands, Greece and no where ever have I seen a view like that. I could not move it was so stunning.....so after I regained my composure she showed me the bed.....it was just as she said, brand new and assembled! I agreed to buy it and she took it apart in some pieces and Kristen and I took turns hauling pieces down. It took me longer as I just could not move past that view.....unbelievable....these pictures do not do it justice. The boys were *perfect* as they were in their car seats and entertained by watching a professional photographer do a photo shoot across the street - she had a whole vignette set up with a wicker chair and old door, etc - very interesting to watch. Once we were loaded we headed to my place but Kristen was in a hurry so she took my car and left me her truck with the bed in the back, the boys came in with me and we hung out for a few hours until Brian got off work. Brian then helped me take down the old daybed and haul it to the garage and he and I unloaded the new daybed pieces. Then he was in a hurry and had to head out with the boys. (See a pattern here - they are busy people!!!) and at 10 pm that night when Kristen was done she headed back over and helped me try and assemble the rest of the pieces I could not figure out....but we did not have the instructions. We did find them on the Internet and if any of you have IKEA furniture you know what a challenge that can be to follow their cryptic instructions......however, we perserved.... We did find we were missing a couple of screw caps and I was leaving the next day at 5 a.m. so we did as much as we could and then called it a night. By the time I was home from my week long trip Kristen had gone to IKEA, got the pieces and Adam and her finished up the assembly. I am really really happy with it and love the white white against the moss green of the walls......but I kinda feel sorry for the bed, it had such a beautiful view and loads of fresh air and now it is a toy room that doubles as a guest room....but I like to think it will be happy to be here with lots of interesting peoples staying on it, drawers full of toys and little boys jumping on it......ahhhh but that view!!!

Back to School Pictures....

For some reason these pictures would not load on my Back to School Post!

Back to School.....

One of my fave pieces of furniture in my house is a table I designed years ago and a friend handmade for me. It is a mission style coffee table that has a hinge opening so you can put things inside that display through glass. I wanted to have things on my coffee table but did not want to constantly be taking them off to use it, etc. I have fun each month decorating it....

This past week the whole city has been in Back to School fever. Every commercial, every store display....it is the buzz....and it is so fun to see the little kids with their lists get their supplies and new clothes. It was a fun time for me when I was in school too.

In grade school there were very few malls in Phoenix so my mom would take my sister and I downtown for back to school shopping. This was a BIG deal. My sister and I would wear our little white gloves and dresses and we would shop with mom and have lunch at the Newberrys where you sat on these stools and ordered wonderful things like french fries and grilled cheese sandwiches. My sister and I would pick out our basics, which always included a new crinoline slip. After we shopped all day we would get to have warm nuts from a machine (also from Newberrys) and head home to hang up and play with our new threads. (I always hung up my clothes, my sister was the kind of throw it on the floor girl).

When my kids were in first in school I dressed Kristen in smocked dresses with big bows in her hair and Adam in colored shirts and ironed creases in his pants and I matched their outfits in color coordination.....along came grade school and there were malls everywhere and everything was surf related...Sun Diego....KFive....Roxy....all fun and bright and they were just as excited. They always got new backpacks (unheard of in my day) neon colored markers and glue that was colored.......

What I would also do for my friends kids and sometimes my nieces and nephews is have a back to school bbq right before Labor Day - kids only, no adults. We would play games and then they would win school supplies, but it was just the fun of being together with them that made it festive.

The grandsons are a couple of years away from Back to School but I was feeling nostalgic yesterday and decided to decorate the tablescape with Back to School theme. I have 2 yellow school buses and I went to the store and got new pencils and crayons and bright folders as a base and then put old school pictures of us and the kids all around. I even found my 1st grade class picture and I am going to have to tag some of my friends on Facebook with this one! I even have a school book that was my dad's in there - it is from the 1920's.

I am thinking about finding some random kid and taking him/her to get some back to school clothes just for the warm fuzzy feelings. I would probably end up on Americas Most Wanted or the 11pm news so I probably won't.

What feelings do 'Back To School' invoke in you? New beginnings? Favorite old memories?