12 years!

Today is my son's 12th birthday. 12 YEARS! Born on 9/9/96 at 9:29am, 9lbs. 8.2oz. 20.5" (and that was 3 weeks early too) He was only a few hours old when he raised his head and looked up at his Auntie M. He has been a strong, solid kid since day one. Adventurous, loving and thankfully forgiving. When he was little, he wanted to be a pirate/fireman. Now he wants to be a lego designer or a designer/engineer for saving the earth. I believe that he will do whatever he decides and do it with gusto.

Happy Birthday Peanut!

Miss Dashwood

Take the Quiz here!

Santa Cruz

I live in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Right now, that is quite the topic on the national news cycle, because of the Summit fire. That fire is about 30 miles south/east of us with lots of rugged terrain in between.

I live among the sand hills in the San Lorenzo Valley. Dig around here and you'll find shark's teeth and shells. We also have manzanita, redwood, oak and pine. All dry from the lack of our usual deluge of yearly rain. The past two years we've had half our normal rainfall. Living here, you know in the back of your mind, that one day you may have to evacuate. Normally, you get used to down power lines in the winter and blocked roads. Yesterday trees toppled power lines less than a mile from my house. I had left home to go and get the Peanut at school and came upon downed trees and thick plumes of smoke and then the local fire department coming right behind me. I beat a hasty retreat back home, called the Hubby to go and get Peanut and to be prepared. Thankfully several local fire stations quickly took charge of the area and with the help of 2 fire planes diverted from the Summit Fire, our local fire was under control in an hour. Those planes flew so low over our house, I swear I could see the pilot.

I want to thank the fire crews of Ben Lomond, Zayante, Boulder Creek, Santa Cruz, Felton, Cal Fire, The California Youth Authority as well as the pilots of the planes for their quick response. As well as thanking all those firefighters on the front lines of the Summit Fire.

Want to help? Donate to the Red Cross who will be helping lots of displaced folks who have lost everything.

Reptile day at the zoo

No, I haven't been to the zoo lately. I live in one. Since Imp has shown the kittens his catch by bringing it into the house, they are now bringing their catch of the day into the house too. Just last week alone, I have found 4 live alligator lizards and 3 dead blue belly lizards. Most of the lizards are minus a tail too. Although the latest lizard seems to have spent the night in a pile of dirty clothes on the floor, thus making sure he retained his tail for today... today.

But Imp does deserve praise as well. Last night be brought a mole to the front door. I can get into this since the little buggars tear up my lawn. I'd have to admit that I like reptile week much more than rodent or bird.

Cats Rule

We have 3 cats. Imp, is about 4 years old, quite loving and still playful. Even plays tag with the Hubby. And he is a voracious hunter. It is not odd to find wriggling lizard tails around the back yard or for him to bring in live mice, moles, and birds which he will present to us before chowing down on them. (ask me about the baby quail that escaped into the house sometime) I am quite certain, (although I have not seen it happen) that he unhinges his jaw, and like the giant anaconda, he eats these creatures whole. This past summer he brought down a cute and fuzzy bunny, which was eaten in stages and was buried and unburied all around the yard for a time. I have seen him do many acrobatic tricks when playing with chipmunks and squirrels.

Then there is Hoops & Yoyo, our kittens of 8 months. They are quite active and playful. Hoopsie is the lady of the house and will let you know when she wishes to have you pay attention to her by gently, but firmly, nipping at your finger or even your nose, if that is what she can get to. Yoyo is a long, sleek guy with big ears and at times acts like a puppy with his exuberance. He has a high squeaky voice that is hilarious given his growing size.

Several times since we brought home the kittens (and Imp decided that they were not vile creatures), he has brought in "toys" for them to see. I heartily applaud the mole that was brought in last month, I just wish they didn't have to bring it inside. Well I guess his training has paid off. Tonight Hoops brought in a bat. Which of course, was still alive and when we tried to stop her she let it go and well, it took about 20 minutes of ducking, and chasing but we finally netted the poor little thing and let it go. Hoops of course was quite put out that her "toy" was gone and bounded out the door. I'm sure she'll be back soon with something else.

A new look...

I realized today that I have not posted for quite awhile. But it is not surprising given that I am not even writing my manuscripts. I'm barely even writing grocery lists. I don't like it one bit. People I meet ask me what I do for a living and I feel like such a liar by saying I am a romance writer. HA! I would have to write to be called that.

But that complaint is not the reason for this post. I am forced today to do some introspection. To do something I am not fond of doing, and look deep inside myself for some answers to some questions. I don't like doing this because invariably I do not like what I find inside myself and since I hate change, it is quite difficult to drag the crap out of me or to bring it forth like some vomitous mass and look at it as if I am a forensic expert dealing with a scene of a crime. Although I am loath to do, it needs to be done. I certainly cannot expect my friends to do it. It's a wonder they are still my friends, since I have not done it for some time.

I must dig deep and look hard for the inner path I lost long ago. No, I cannot say I lost it. I'm pretty sure I set it aside for something or someone else. To be a wife, a mother, a caretaker, a lover, a go-to person for all things to be managed. I hung myself up in a closet under one of those environmentally unfriendly bags to be taken out at some future date and aired out. The smell of mothballs is probably quite strong.

I think I need to be aired out? Now comes the first step... where to begin?

Me?

Lets101 - Free Dating

Surviving Thanksgiving

I hath survived another Thanksgiving! No, it wasn't really that bad, but at one point I almost gutted my father over a damn can of lima beans.

This year, in addition to the usual Thanksgiving fare, I made a caramelized onion bread pudding that was unbelievably yummy! It has been nice having my parents here, (regardless of the lima beans) and we had a good time today roaming the many aisles of the San Jose Harvest Faire. I always manage to find great gifts for folks and for me too!

For many years Thanksgiving was a blur. I was working retail in a mall and Thanksgiving usually meant I would show up exhausted at my parents house and sleep half the day away, help chop things, eat and go home and sleep more in preparation for the madness that is Black Friday. Long gone are the days of working 16 hour shifts, and 150 hours for 11 days of work. (How on earth did I survived that?) Now a days, I don't go anywhere near a mall on or around Christmas, (Praise the Internet!) I enjoy Christmas/Yule and by eliminating that madness from my life means I enjoy it all the more. Means more time to decorate the house within an inch of its life... ho ho ho! Look out Santa!

Nerd? not so much

New additions

I don't know how it happened, but this past Friday we came home with not one, but two new kittens. I'd plead insanity but it is truly my fault as much as Hubby and Peanuts fault too. I could never work at an animal shelter because I'd want to ring all of them home and love them. It's a wonder we didn't end up with a dog too after touring the animal shelter.

We have yet to rename them. They are currently called Boots & Jelly Bean but those name do not quite fit their personalities. They are both back with white feet and some white around their noses and are about 2 months old.

Boots is the girl and she is fearless and demanding. She will nip at your toes or fingers if you do not pet her.

Jelly Bean is very skinny and a bit more laid back but has no problem holding his own against his sister.

Imp, our cat of three years is SERIOUSLY put out at this whole thing and doesn't seem to understand that we did this for him. After Suzy left us, he seemed lonely. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Here are some of the names we are contemplating:
Hoops & Yoyo
Thunder & Shadow
Pete and Repete
Nipper and Zipper

Of course it is cats I am talking about and "here Kitty, Kitty" pretty much suffices for most cats. Although Imp will come when we whistle. We have trained a couple of our cats to do that. Beats using an electric can opener to get them to dinner.

Lots of water

Yesterday we went to Raging Waters. I have never been to a water park before and I was hoping for less than a sea of humanity crowded into this park. Thankfully my fears were not realized and the place was actually not crowded, even for a Labor Day holiday weekend. They had a wave pool, a lazy river and numerous types of very tall, drop down into some dark tube raft rides. Of course Peanut and Hubby loved these rides. I enjoyed them but they are too similar to roller coasters for my taste. I tend to enjoy the lazy river (MGM Grand in Las Vegas is awesome!) and the wave pool was fun too. We went the additional expense and rented a cabana for the day and it was well worth it. Lots of shade and I actually got to nap. A nice time was had by all!

It can't be puberty yet? Can it?

He's just a boy. Okay well he is soon to turn 11. Yes, I know he turned 10 last year and I had a hard time accepting the passing of time and it ain't getttin much better. This summer he has grown some and his appetite is off the charts some days and nonexistent others. But the emotional outbursts have been a big roller coaster this year.. OMG. Most often happening around bedtime between he and his father, over the littlest things. Last night was over the quality of his tooth brushing. You'd have thought we had asked for him to be carted off to jail! Then once the outburst is done comes the woeful remorse.

We have moved his bedtime back to hopefully allow for more sleep, we have moved any sugar to the mid-day time and lessened it. (not that he was allowed much anyway) and we are trying to remain calm when he is not. Not an easy thing to do.

Can it be puberty already? I'm not ready for this yet.

My life as a soundtrack

The sound track for my life...
09:53 pm
My Soundtrack
So, here's how it works:
1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that's playing
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button
6. Don't lie and try to pretend you're cool..



Opening Credits:
Duel of the Fates - Star Wars Episode 1-The Phantom Menace

Waking Up:
Kyrie Eleson An Ghloir, An Phaidir - Aine Minogue - The Mysts of Time

First Day At School:
What A Piece of Work Is Man - Hair - The Original Soundtrack

Falling In Love:
Lascia Ch'io Pianga - Celtic Woman - A New Journey

Breaking Up:
Safari - Out of Africa

Prom:
Kaspar's Audition - Joshua Bell - The Red Violin

Life's Ok:
Falling Stars - England Dan & John Ford Coley - Dowdy Ferry Road

Mental Breakdown:
Remember Me - The Poxy Boggards - Liver Let Die

Driving:
Great High Mountain - jack White - Cold Mountain

Getting Back Together:
Nutting Girl - Hard Times

Wedding Scene:
Walk The Plank - Pirates of the Caribbean Curse of the Black Pearl

Birth of Child:
Toot Sweets - Dick Van Dyke - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Final Battle:
The Turning of The Year - David Arkenstone - The Celtic Book of Days

Death Scene:
Let The Hair Sit - Deanta - Ready For The Storm

Funeral Song:
Newgrange - Celtic Woman - A New Journey

End Credits:
Saltarello III - Wolgemut - Schauspeluden

Happy Father's Day

The day starts out like any other day.. too early. Up by 6:15am, (silly of me to have not gone to bed until 1:00am and then there was that wrong number at 2:00am) we stopped by the local fire department's pancake breakfast (great way to carbo load for the upcoming adventure) and off we went to Moss Landing and to kayak. This is what The Hubby wanted to do for Father's Day. We were quickly checked-in, got the basic gear on (PFD, skirt) told the basics of paddling and off we went down to the docks to get in the water.

Hubby and I have kayaked only once before, and that was briefly in Morro Bay. But it was enough to show us we enjoyed it and wanted to try more of it. That time was a double seat... this time we had The Peanut with us, so Peanut wanted to ride with Daddy, and that left me with the single seat. I can sum up my day in 2 words... "Hard Work"

Now please, don't get me wrong. I loved it all. Moving with the tide, skimming by otters, seals, sea lions and dozens of different birds. It was the coming back AGAINST the tide, with a 'let's push you backwards' wind, that made my arms ache and my shoulders threaten to fall off into the water and take their fate with the seals.

At one point a small boat was moving by me and I stuck my thumb out to hitch a ride. They found my actions highly amusing and did offer a tow back, but I decided that at the expense of my aching arms, my pride dictated I finish the way I started.

I won't even get into the getting out of the tippy kayak...suffice it to say, grace is not my first, middle or last name. But I did make it out and not fall in, which was truly my (personal) ultimate goal.

What was important, was that Hubby had a great time and he did. The Peanut now has another nickname.. Windmill arms.. and we had some great family fun.

I'm turning on the hot tub now. Thankfully, I do not need to lift my arms for that.

more news

Since I posted (about 30 minutes ago) I discovered an update on my friends Blog about his health. The year to live has been somewhat erased and filled in with.. you could have more time..but... therre is always a but... In the mean time I will offer up all my prayers that he can live long and be happy... for both he and his wife!

Time flies

Wow, it has been 2 months since my last post. My last post was about the beginning of our garden. Everything is planted in some sort of container and seems to be growing. Only time will tell what becomes of it all. But the potatoes are already tall and lush and my tomatoes are doing fine. The weather has been cranky as of late, with LOTS of wind, so it has been messing with the growth rate of things. Well, except for the moles. They seem to be rapidly growing all over my back yard. Not five minutes after I decimated their mounds and poured fish emulsion down their holes, they had already started mounding up dirt again. Where is my cat, Imp? He needs to get on the ball and start mole hunting.

So a week ago, I aged another year. It was my birthday and I celebrated in grand fashion, thanks to my friends. I did lots of cooking for them too. My way of saying thanks for being my friend! But it got me thinking of time passing so much quicker as I get older. I know to my 10 year old, a minute is forever, but to me, a minute ago, I was going to do something and darn it all, I have completely forgotten what the heck it was. I only walked from one room to the other. I am sure that only took a minute to do that.. didn't it?

I look at my son, who is 10 and I wonder how 10 years went by so fast? I feel the same about the 46 years of my life too. I feel the need to slow it down.. way down. To grab ahold and say, "Look.. stop! Wait..breathe.. open your eyes to the life around you!

A friend of mine has been given a year to live. His heart is ailing and there is little to be done for him. A year. So much happens in a year. A child is born and in a year will open his/her mind to hear, to speak, and to walk. The wonders of the universe open before them. Although I do not know this man as well as I would like, I consider he and his wife friends and I hate feeling helpless to do something for them. To rail at the Gods, in anger and ask "Why?" But I learned so long ago that you don't get the answer to that question no matter who you ask.

Many (many) years ago in college, I gained a terrific roommate who was beginning a new relationship with a guy she had known for a few years. His school was a long way from ours so they spent lots of time on the phone and writing letters. (I told you this was long ago.. no email then). By Christmas he was told he had cancer and they started him on a toxic regiment to save his life. By Spring he was dead. The cancer had not killed him... a drunk driver did. The drunk driver also took a piece of my future at that time, but that is a different story. I know I am rambling and I should have a point here somewhere... if there was anything I took away from this tragedy, it was that life can change in an instant. I one very stormy night my roomie and I were out walking in the rain. She yelled to me and to the storm, "Why? Why did it have to happen?" I had no answer then and I do not now.

We carry on.. somehow we carry on. Through the grace of the Gods/Goddess or thru our family and friends we carry on. I know I can offer little, except to say, that I am here if you need me. Even if it is to yell at the Powers That Be.

Garden Gnome

Today, The Peanut and I started our garden. We planted the following in an APS starter system. (Advanced propagation system).

We planted, pole beans, soybeans, silver queen corn, pumpkins, spring lettuce mix, red peppers, and carrots. In a couple of weeks we are building a raised garden bed. I have not really had a garden bed since we moved here from San Rafael, and I have missed it. Next weekend the Tomato lady will have her seedlings out. I grow tomatoes in 5 gallon pots(so I can put them on the patio away from the deer) and I am also going to try growing yukon gold potatoes in pots this year. I also bought an Topsy-turvy planter to grow a tomato plant upside down.

I am very much looking forward to a big harvest this year and of course sending a lot of produce to my neighbors.

Questions? I have answers...

1. Can you cook?
Oh yes indeed.. I enjoy it.

2. What was your dream growing up?
To be a nurse... but chemistry and I did not get along.

3. What talent do you wish you had?
Fiddle player.

4. Favorite place?
On the beach in Maui...

5. Favorite vegetable?
Potatoes

6. The last book you read?
Natural Born Charmer - Susan Elizabeth Phillips... (great read, hilarious romance)

7. What zodiac sign are you?
Taurus thru and thru

8. Any Tattoos and/or Piercings?
I have plans for a tattoo soon

9. Worst Habit?
Taking on too much.

10. Do we know each other outside of Livejournal?
Probably.

11. What is your favourite sport?
Basketball

12. Negative or Optimistic attitude?
Both at any given moment.

14. Worst thing to ever happen to you?
Getting old

15. Tell me one weird fact about you.
I see dead people....

16. Do you have any pets?
two cats

17. Do you know how to do the Macarena?
No, but I could probably still do the Hustle if I thought about it long enough... (Good grief I'm old)

18. What time is it where you are now?
dark time

19. Do you think clowns are cute or scary?
Icky

20. If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be?
leaner... much much leaner..

21. Would you be my crime partner or my conscience?
depends on the crime

22. What colour eyes do you have?
Brown, brown, brown

23. Ever been arrested?
not yet.

24. Bottle or Draft?
Neither

25. If you won $10,000 dollars today, what would you do with it?
pay bills, help my parents and brothers out...

26. What kind of bubble gum do you prefer to chew?
I don't like gum.

27. Which is your favourite bar to hang at?
I don't have one but I enjoy playing bartender at parties.

28. Do you believe in ghosts?
yes indeedy.

29. Favourite thing to do in your spare time?
I have spare time? When did that happen.

30. Do you swear a lot?
You @£** better believe it.

31. Biggest pet peeve?
Lying

32. In one word, how would you describe yourself?
me...

Birdy Buffet

I have a bird feeder in the back yard. Yesterday there were 2 different types of Blue Jays, some Quail, Robins, Sparrows, Finches, Chickadees, and Red-Headed Woodpeckers flying in for a brief repast and then zooming off. I imagine our cat thinks he has died and gone to heaven. We have provided him with a buffet of delicacies to choose from. What good parents we are.... or on the other hand, one can imagine what the birds must think of us?

All quiet

This morning I awakened at 3am for some unknown reason.. perhaps it was the fact that I was thinking about waking up early to see The Peanut off on his field trip, or the pain in my lower back from too much gardening.. or the call of the bathroom...but for some reason I could not get back to sleep so by 4am I was up and perusing the lack of TV at that hour (I was too sleepy to make the Comcast thing work).

By 4:30, I was frying some bacon and brewing a nice cup of earl grey tea. The Peanut wandered out, with sleepy eyes and haystack hair, hugged me and said, "I knew I could count on you." I think he had been concerned that I would oversleep and make him late for the drop-off of his big 2 nights away trip to the north to pan for gold.

It was still dark when we went out the door but by the time I dropped him off in town and waited to wave the kids off, the sky had lightened. There was very little traffic (other than the expected deer) along the road and I was reminded of the many trips my family took together. We always left at o'dark early and had breakfast a few hours down the road. I saw the sun rise many times on my trips from WV to FL. I recently discovered a couple of places in FL on the Internet. One is still up and running (and I am sure totally changed http://mermaid.weekiwachee.com/index.php?&MMN_position=1:1) and another one relegated to memories. (http://www.lostparks.com/fland.html).

I have been traveling down memory lane a lot lately for some reason.