Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Ain't That America

This Memorial Day Weekend was a nice and productive one for our fam. On Saturday, David put sod down in a section of our backyard that was sans-grass (more on that project, plus pics, later) and it looks lovely!

On Sunday, my sister, Cade and I ran some shoppy errands and enjoyed a late lunch at our local BJ's restaurant (yes we got a Pizookie, yes is was de-licious, yes I felt Mom Guilt for enjoying it in front of Cade and yes I am already looking forward to my next "fix").

Chocolate Chunk Pizookie. Yummers!

While we lunched, Cade charmed every table and server in our immediate vicinity (naturally). Everything was going great until one seemingly nice and normal lady paused from cooing and gooing at him to say to her lunch date: "That baby looks like John Cougar Mellencamp!" On the outside I chuckled politely and made no comment. On the inside I was holding back the maniacal laughter. Without making any sudden movements, I glanced at Caitlin with bug-eyes; hoping that she could read my "WTF?!" thoughts but I wasn't sure if she had heard it. The nice lady didn't even say he looks like a YOUNG John Cougar and I don't know if it is his plethora of hair, raspy (in JCM's case "smoker's") voice or the overall rock 'n' roll aura my 10.5 month old son gives off but I will NEVER forget that random comment and the day my sweet baby was compared to a salty aging rocker. Ha ha ha!



Personally, I don't see a striking resemblance. To each their own, I suppose.

Then came Monday and an afternoon Memorial Mimosa (don't judge people, it's a drink for any time of day in my book) to toast those brave men and women who have sacrificed everything to serve and protect our country. The grand finale was a BBQ and some fave [pre] Summertime activities (Cornhole and Left, Right, Center - a super fun dice game) at the casa de our friends Colleen and Spencer. There's nothing like eating and drinking and laughing with friends and watching your John Cougar Mellencamp look-alike son (I couldn't resist) play in the grass to remind you how fortunate you are. I hope those families and friends who are missing someone were able to celebrate with lots of laughs and sweet memories and without too many tears.

Cheers! My Memorial Day Mimosa in an oh-so kitschy goblet from a home-sweet-SLOtown favorite of mine, the Madonna Inn. Collect the whole set (I'm working on it).


Confession

Forgive me, Peanut Gallery, for I have disappeared [again]. This is my first real blog post (to be replaced from here on out with the new Marjism: blost) in over a week. The truth is, I need to invest in a laptop because during a busy week, logging on to our dinosaur PC (I say that with the utmost respect and appreciation) is quite a process. Plus, it's not an option to trap Cade in our office with me; leaving him free to tend to his favorite project at the moment: dismantling our bookshelf - heavy yearbooks, photo albums and all, one by one. Hence, lack of computer access + the day getting away from me = a delay in my blosts. I'll try and be better but am definitely still working out the kinks of time management as with any new job :). I tip my SF Giants cap to you Moms who work in AND outside of the home. You amaze and inspire me! And since my lil' guy is snoozing right now, I'm going to take the opportunity to blost away!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Happiness is . . .

The love and support of dear friends. I am so thankful for you guys!

What makes you happy?

Monday, May 23, 2011

Bring on the Bachelors!



Another installment of "The Bachelorette" begins tonight on ABC and this time the lady of the hour is Ashley H., one of the cast-offs from the last season of "The Bachelor" (aka Brad Womack's second chance at love) who I nicknamed "The Dancing Dentist" (although I believe she has yet to actually graduate from dental school; a mere technicality). I have been sucked into this particular "reality" dramedy since its debut in 2002 when my college roommates and I religiously popped the popcorn, dished out the ice cream, and attempted to dissect every moment of this bizarre new TV genre every week until graduation (another favorite of ours that comes to mind was "Temptation Island" on Fox; SO ridiculous but SO good). I must confess that I have not watched every season of "The Bach" (a term of endearment); even a television addict as committed as I am can only take so many "most dramatic rose ceremonies yet". And, the sad state of most of the female contestants can take its toll on a gal after a while. I took a brief hiatus from the show when "Prince" Lorenzo (*eyeroll*) was on, came back for a season and then left again until Jason Mesnick in 2009, which was odd because I didn't watch his season of "The Bachelorette" with DeAnna Pappas. Regardless, something drew me back in and I haven't missed an episode since. So bring on the new bachelors, booze, roses, the affable Chris Harrison and most importantly, the drama . . . and let's get this Bachelorette party started!

Friday, May 20, 2011

Footloose and Paci Free

It's official. Cade has been "off" the pacifier for almost 3 weeks! As a newborn, our son had zero interest in sucking on anything if milk wasn't at the other end of it but we started using the pacifiers as relief for the pain of teething when he was 3-4 months old and eventually they became a handy sleep aid as well. However, at the end of April, Cade got his first runny nose cold, complete with a mild ear infection, so I carpe diemed and here we are 3 weeks later -- sans paci and lovin' it. Sure, there were moments (translation: lengthy stretches in the middle of the night) when he cried out for the familiar comfort of a paci suckle to lull him back to sleep; but David and I were strong and after a couple of days it was as if he had never used them. I can't lie, I don't miss having ONE MORE thing to worry about taking with us when we leave the house or having to clean those suckers (I heart puns) dozens of times a day.

*Disclaimer* I may sound all cool as a cucumber now but please note that I have struggled with my fair share of Mom Guilt over taking away something that helped calm and soothe my son in his times of frustration and discomfort. And I hated every single tear he may have shed over the sudden lack of said pacifiers in his nighttime routine. But I truly believe it was all for the best and Cade's time to leave them behind (I may, or may not, have had paranoid delusions of him getting up to receive his college diploma with a pacifier hanging out of his mouth but that is neither here nor there).

One thing I will most definitely miss is making Cade smile whilst he was chompin' on a paci and watching the sides of his mouth curl up behind it as he warmed up for a big belly laugh and spit it out in a fit of giggles. Our baby boy is growing up . . . can someone please press the pause button for me?!? Thanks.

Flashback Friday

I loved this song "back then" and I love it now. It's nice to know some things never change . . .

Enjoy and viva la weekend!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

True Lies

Down with The Sperminator! I know it's an obvious and cheap shot but how can I resist? In the last 24 hours (publicly) and decade (on the down low), Arnold Schwarzenegger has managed to become the embodiment of everything that's wrong with men in politics and Hollywood. He is the ultimate hybrid of grody-former-Governor meets abhorrent-former-action-hero. I speak from experience when I say that trying to get pregnant isn't the easiest task in the world (and those people who say it is are super annoying . . . but I digress), however it's pretty easy to prevent. As if the fact that Arnold cheated wasn't enough, there is LIVING, breathing evidence that he was not using protection during his disgusting dalliances (HELLO, STDs, HIV or all of the above!) and, in my opinion, that is the ultimate form of disrespect toward his wife. Not to mention this particular "other woman" was a trusted member of the family's staff and household. Disrespect for Maria Shriver (an intelligent, powerful, independent, seemingly lovely woman and mother and successful journalist and author) was happening left and right and under her own roof. That's what makes this so extra sleazy. It's just like a Hollywood Politician to wait for over a decade to tell his wife about his purposefully misplaced child until it's convenient for him; once he's fulfilled his lifelong dream (I'm guessing) of being a head of state. Where do these men (don't even get me started on the mega disappointment that was John Edwards) get such a sense of self-importance and the impression that they're above social law?!? Which leads me to a topic for another time . . . why bother being married? It's not a simple task, so if you aren't up for the challenge, do not do it. Oh, the hypocrisy of it all!

If Maria really didn't know anything about the affair and/or Arnold's other child this entire time, I feel for her. And, as a resident of California, I feel that it's a shame Arnold wasn't as committed to running this state as he was to keeping his secret. But do you know who I feel the most for? The kids. Arnold and Maria's kids have most likely been shaken to their cores with the knowledge that their father is a cheater and that there is another human being in the world, who they didn't know existed until now, who shares their DNA. They are fortunate to have each other, and a plethora of family (they are part Kennedy after all), to lean on. But then there's the "other child", or by this time (according to reports), teen. How brutal has life become in the last 24 hours for him? It breaks my heart to think about that young man questioning everything he knows about his life and those closest to him, namely his mother. All. Those. Questions. I hope the media will respect his privacy for as long as possible. I hope that his family and friends rally around him and give him the support he needs and deserves. I hope the kids at school aren't too cruel if/when they find out. I hope this doesn't ruin his relationship with his mother. Please excuse my "Shawshank" moment but I do hope all of these things.    

Now that the truth is out, let the healing begin for all of the children and [good] parents involved! I don't agree with media buzz that this scandal will help Schwarzenegger relaunch his acting career. He wasn't a good actor to begin with people (although "Kindergarten Cop" will always hold a special place in my heart)! What do you think?

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Lyrics I Love

"Fire burns, waves crash
Seeds grow and good things last
Ships sail, dreams fly
Night falls and full moons rise

And I love you, it just comes natural"

-George Strait/"It Just Comes Natural"

La Voz

I was so glad when "The Voice" FINALLY premiered on NBC a couple of weeks ago for a number of reasons. 1. I was so tired of seeing that same promo that had been playing on NBC since the holiday season (I am not exaggerating; they started that sucker in rotation around Christmas). B. I was so tired of hearing Cee Lo's "Forget You" on TV AND the radio 24/7. I LOVE that song but man once it's in your head, you're done for (see also "Party in the USA" by one Miss Miley Cyrus). 3. I have never been a Blake Shelton fan and was sure he'd show himself to be a complete idiot right off the bat. But he seemed pretty cool in the first episode, and just when I started to think he wasn't so bad after all, he slipped up and made a seemingly homophobic (a topic I feel very strongly about ) Twitter faux pas. I hope it really was just a misunderstanding but that's such a tired excuse. No mas, people! D. I was extremely curious to see if Christina Aguilera, who had recently crawled out from the bottom of the latest bottle she must have been searching for "the genie" in, would remain lucid and get back to what she knows. And finally, 5. I was intrigued with the premise of the show. Since it's debut, I must admit that I am extremely impressed with the featured talent. I was hooked from the first episode and although it's moving a little slower than I'd like, I'm probably in it for the long haul. If you're watching "The Voice", what are your thoughts about it?

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

M.I.A.

Hello there! Long time no chat. I apologize for my rather impressive disappearing act but life has been so crazy and I have not come up for air in a while. Easter came and went in a flash but it was a lovely weekend spent with family, family and more family on the beautiful Central Coast, where David and I both grew up. Saturday was my family's day to ooh and aah over how much Cade has grown and Sunday it was David's family's turn. The best part was teaching our little guy to hunt for Easter eggs with his cousins; by the third egg he knew the drill and after a thorough examination of the colorful plastic mystery "toy" (including a brief taste test, naturally) he tossed it right into the basket all by himself and was ready to move on. It's amazing to see life through the eyes of a new human. It is so refreshing and I can't help but take a second to ponder what he might be thinking every time he is exposed to something or someone new. He is learning at such a rapid pace now; there is a milestone at every turn and I can't wait to see what's next. Let me just catch a quick nap first . . . ;).