Temperature outside on our paito at 2:30 in the afternoon...75 and beautiful...
Our peach tree in full bloom, it doesn't know it's still winter...
1/31/2009
1/29/2009
25 Things...
I’ve been tagged multiple times to do this so I thought I should oblige!
25 Random Things About Me:
1. I have my Master’s Degree in Social Work but every once in a while I dream of going back to school for more…
2. I love secretly watching my two youngest boys play with their dollhouse, something that sweet really does me in…
3. I love all different kinds of tea drinks, I love to try odd flavors and such…I’m also pretty territorial about them which my S.O. doesn’t quite get…
4. I’m really thrilled that Laura and I were able to get legally married (here in CA) and remain so…but I’m so disappointed in some family members that just don’t “get it yet”…
5. I stay up waaaaay too late most nights and I’m rarely ever in bed before 11:30, thus my new addiction to Starbucks DoubleShots…
6. I love to read almost anything…
7. I love to watch Supernanny and then let out a big sigh that at least “my kids don’t do that”…
8. I love to buy watches, jackets and shoes…
9. I have too many watches, jackets and shoes…
10. I want to try out all new gadgets and such…
11. I really love my mini-van…kids trash in it and all…it’s so comfy…
12. Altho I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, I’ve been told I do not have any kind of “New York” accent at all…I tried hard to NOT have an accent…
13. I’ve been living in Southern CA now for 13 years and altho I really enjoy it, I do miss the snow…
14. I’m really nervous about putting our house on the market and looking for a new one even though I know we need more space…I just hate always having the house “show ready”…too much stress…
15. I cried during Obama’s inauguration…
16. I enjoy blogging and channel surfing…a lot…
17. I love to travel and can’t wait for our cruise to Alaska this summer…
18. I love all things scented - candles, perfume, scented lotions, etc.
19. I never knew being a mom would be so stressful sometimes…I worry constantly…
20. I also collect pens and pencils from wherever we travel - useful items…I also love office supply stores…
21. I can’t wait to set up my fish tank…
22. I can’t wait to get the kids a dog (when we move into our new house)…
23. I love TiVo…
24. I hate traffic and see NO reason for it - after all, if everyone followed the rules of the road, there should never be traffic…
25. I love my new glasses…
25 Random Things About Me:
1. I have my Master’s Degree in Social Work but every once in a while I dream of going back to school for more…
2. I love secretly watching my two youngest boys play with their dollhouse, something that sweet really does me in…
3. I love all different kinds of tea drinks, I love to try odd flavors and such…I’m also pretty territorial about them which my S.O. doesn’t quite get…
4. I’m really thrilled that Laura and I were able to get legally married (here in CA) and remain so…but I’m so disappointed in some family members that just don’t “get it yet”…
5. I stay up waaaaay too late most nights and I’m rarely ever in bed before 11:30, thus my new addiction to Starbucks DoubleShots…
6. I love to read almost anything…
7. I love to watch Supernanny and then let out a big sigh that at least “my kids don’t do that”…
8. I love to buy watches, jackets and shoes…
9. I have too many watches, jackets and shoes…
10. I want to try out all new gadgets and such…
11. I really love my mini-van…kids trash in it and all…it’s so comfy…
12. Altho I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, I’ve been told I do not have any kind of “New York” accent at all…I tried hard to NOT have an accent…
13. I’ve been living in Southern CA now for 13 years and altho I really enjoy it, I do miss the snow…
14. I’m really nervous about putting our house on the market and looking for a new one even though I know we need more space…I just hate always having the house “show ready”…too much stress…
15. I cried during Obama’s inauguration…
16. I enjoy blogging and channel surfing…a lot…
17. I love to travel and can’t wait for our cruise to Alaska this summer…
18. I love all things scented - candles, perfume, scented lotions, etc.
19. I never knew being a mom would be so stressful sometimes…I worry constantly…
20. I also collect pens and pencils from wherever we travel - useful items…I also love office supply stores…
21. I can’t wait to set up my fish tank…
22. I can’t wait to get the kids a dog (when we move into our new house)…
23. I love TiVo…
24. I hate traffic and see NO reason for it - after all, if everyone followed the rules of the road, there should never be traffic…
25. I love my new glasses…
KFTD
In Puritan times, to be born on a Sunday was considered a sin.
(well Foster was born on a Sunday but Logan and Seth were born on a Thursday (an hour and a half APART may I add) so that's good, at least one out of three are safe...)
(well Foster was born on a Sunday but Logan and Seth were born on a Thursday (an hour and a half APART may I add) so that's good, at least one out of three are safe...)
1/28/2009
What's up with doctors?? Rude, rude, rude...
Today I was at a local hospital doing a psycho-social intake on a new hospice patient. Then, per my usual M.O., I sat at the nurse's station to do my paperwork. This totally annoying doctor kept pushing her chair into mine making me have to re-do my paperwork. And this wasn't like the first time, she did it multiple times...almost as if to say "you're in my space and I'll make you realize it". Sheesh, sorry for breathing "Ms. I am holier than thou attitude doctor". I don't know, perhaps I reminded her of some long-lost relative she has a grudge against. OH, and excuse ME for asking for a paper clip to clip YOUR papers together, and YES, I think you should know where they are without asking a nurse to get one FOR you - you aren't THAT much above everyone.
Every once in a while I find a really good, informative doctor that really takes the time to talk with me about THEIR patient. But for the past few months it seems that all the doctors care about it getting the information to you in the shortest amount of time available. Now, I totally realize that they are probably busier than they need to be but when you sit down to look up crap on Google (yes, I can see it) then you have the time to be nicer to me.
I'm not your servant, and no, I don't have all the answers but I will work my hardest to find out what you need to know.
Anyway, that was my rant of the day...I still prefer to talk with the nurses, they seem to know what's going on way more than the doctors (who usually defer to the nurses anyway). After all, I'm just there trying to help a family and patient, trying to make YOUR job easier...it would nice to be treated with a bit more respect.
Every once in a while I find a really good, informative doctor that really takes the time to talk with me about THEIR patient. But for the past few months it seems that all the doctors care about it getting the information to you in the shortest amount of time available. Now, I totally realize that they are probably busier than they need to be but when you sit down to look up crap on Google (yes, I can see it) then you have the time to be nicer to me.
I'm not your servant, and no, I don't have all the answers but I will work my hardest to find out what you need to know.
Anyway, that was my rant of the day...I still prefer to talk with the nurses, they seem to know what's going on way more than the doctors (who usually defer to the nurses anyway). After all, I'm just there trying to help a family and patient, trying to make YOUR job easier...it would nice to be treated with a bit more respect.
1/27/2009
1/26/2009
1/25/2009
KFTD
Guinness World Records holds the record for being the book most often stolen from public libraries.
(lesson learned: don't steal from the library, duh...or at least make it something interesting if you do...)
(lesson learned: don't steal from the library, duh...or at least make it something interesting if you do...)
This is why drinking a Café Américano at dinnertime is a very bad idea...
...oh, and not to mention it had an extra shot in it...
...it's now 1:20am...nope, not a good idea at all...
...it's now 1:20am...nope, not a good idea at all...
1/22/2009
A new president, a new fight...
This issue has NOT been forgotten - and definitely not forgotten here in our family. It's just one reason why we just can't support a jewelry store owned by our family members...and luckily friends of ours agree...
Marriage Equality Update
Last week, COLAGE and Our Family Coalition filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the California Supreme Court in Strauss v. Horton, the case seeking to invalidate Proposition 8. A coalition of LGBT legal advocacy groups filed the case, asking the Supreme Court to strike down Proposition 8. The case argues that a simple majority of voters cannot legally approve a measure that radically changes the principle of equality guaranteed in the California Constitution-the same principle of equality that the Court relied on in the Marriage Cases when it recognized that all people have the fundamental right to marry, regardless of sexual orientation. Proposition 8 would corrupt this equality guarantee by taking away a fundamental right from a minority group that is supposed to receive the highest level of protection under the law.
The Supreme Court also asked the parties in the case to answer the question of whether Proposition 8, if held to be valid, is retroactive and whether the marriages of the more than 18,000 same-sex couples who married between June and November are valid. COLAGE and Our Family Coalition filed a brief specifically arguing that Proposition 8 is not retroactive, and that the rights of the couples who married and their families must be protected.
The court's docket as of Friday evening showed that 60 friend-of-the-court briefs had been filed by the Jan. 15 deadline, including 17 supporting Proposition 8 and 43 arguing it should be overturned.
Some 75 civil rights groups and local bar associations joined in two briefs and more than 50 labor groups in a third brief asking the court to strike down Proposition 8. Religious organizations, law professors and state legislators filed arguments on both sides.
A group of 65 present and former legislators headed by Democratic Assembly and Senate leaders supported the plaintiffs' argument that Proposition 8 is a constitutional revision that would require a two-thirds vote of the Legislature before being submitted to voters. They wrote, "Proposition 8 is void because it seeks to make far-reaching changes to our system of government and its underlying principles without first having undergone the constitutionally required scrutiny of legislative debate, deliberation and approval."
Marriage Equality Update
Last week, COLAGE and Our Family Coalition filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the California Supreme Court in Strauss v. Horton, the case seeking to invalidate Proposition 8. A coalition of LGBT legal advocacy groups filed the case, asking the Supreme Court to strike down Proposition 8. The case argues that a simple majority of voters cannot legally approve a measure that radically changes the principle of equality guaranteed in the California Constitution-the same principle of equality that the Court relied on in the Marriage Cases when it recognized that all people have the fundamental right to marry, regardless of sexual orientation. Proposition 8 would corrupt this equality guarantee by taking away a fundamental right from a minority group that is supposed to receive the highest level of protection under the law.
The Supreme Court also asked the parties in the case to answer the question of whether Proposition 8, if held to be valid, is retroactive and whether the marriages of the more than 18,000 same-sex couples who married between June and November are valid. COLAGE and Our Family Coalition filed a brief specifically arguing that Proposition 8 is not retroactive, and that the rights of the couples who married and their families must be protected.
The court's docket as of Friday evening showed that 60 friend-of-the-court briefs had been filed by the Jan. 15 deadline, including 17 supporting Proposition 8 and 43 arguing it should be overturned.
Some 75 civil rights groups and local bar associations joined in two briefs and more than 50 labor groups in a third brief asking the court to strike down Proposition 8. Religious organizations, law professors and state legislators filed arguments on both sides.
A group of 65 present and former legislators headed by Democratic Assembly and Senate leaders supported the plaintiffs' argument that Proposition 8 is a constitutional revision that would require a two-thirds vote of the Legislature before being submitted to voters. They wrote, "Proposition 8 is void because it seeks to make far-reaching changes to our system of government and its underlying principles without first having undergone the constitutionally required scrutiny of legislative debate, deliberation and approval."
KFTD
The most common set of initials for Superman's friends and enemies is L.L.
('cause you never know when this little tidbit may come in handy)
('cause you never know when this little tidbit may come in handy)
1/21/2009
KFTD
Approximately sixty circus performers have been shot from cannons. At last report, thirty-one of them have been killed.
(edited to add: our country seems to be in such a better place now, thank goodness...can't you feel it?)
(edited to add: our country seems to be in such a better place now, thank goodness...can't you feel it?)
1/19/2009
KFTD
"In 1801, 20 percent of the people in the United States were slaves."
Appropriate for today, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
P.S. keep reading below for more newness
Appropriate for today, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
P.S. keep reading below for more newness
1/18/2009
We were in the "Top 10"
For those of you new to our scene, our family was in a very amazing music video last year. I entered a "casting call" and we were selected as one of the families in a hip-hop video.
Seems I didn't realize it but the video made it to the "Top 10" in the LOGOonline video selection (LOGO is part of MTV).
Anyway, click here to view us again if you wish, it's Melange Lavonne's video "Gay Parenting: AKA "I've Got You". Latest word is that the video is still going strong, gaining popularity and "we" are being shown all over the world.
Totally fun...memories for a lifetime and a message for our kids that they are the best blessings we have ever received.
Seems I didn't realize it but the video made it to the "Top 10" in the LOGOonline video selection (LOGO is part of MTV).
Anyway, click here to view us again if you wish, it's Melange Lavonne's video "Gay Parenting: AKA "I've Got You". Latest word is that the video is still going strong, gaining popularity and "we" are being shown all over the world.
Totally fun...memories for a lifetime and a message for our kids that they are the best blessings we have ever received.
1/17/2009
Highlights from our day
Seth
Logan holding up "Mommy Ivy" and "Mommy Laura"
Playing
Taking care of his babies
Seth as Iron Man
FORTS in the living room
Foster, looking very pre-teen-ish lounging at his fort
KFTD
"In Egypt around 1500 BCE, a shaved head was considered the ultimate in feminine beauty. Egyptian women removed every hair from their heads with special gold tweezers and polished their scalps to a high sheen with buffing cloths."
(OWWWWW)
(OWWWWW)
1/16/2009
KFTD
Couples who marry in January, February, and March have the highest divorce rates.
((Whew, Laura and I got married in September - guess we're safe!!:-))
((Whew, Laura and I got married in September - guess we're safe!!:-))
1/15/2009
1/14/2009
Your useless knowledge for the day...
The University of Alaska stretches across four time zones.
Another one tomorrow, and the day after, the day after, etc.
Another one tomorrow, and the day after, the day after, etc.
1/13/2009
Almost forgot!...
The "Walking with Dinosaurs" show was excellent. The boys really had a good time, they were all so enthralled. It was pretty amazing how they did it, I was very impressed. I did snap some pictures which I'll post below (even though it was recommended that we do NOT take pictures, it upsets the dinosaurs...).
I recommend the show if it comes to your town!
Pterodactyl
Fighting Dinos
Prehistoric plants, very colorful
Triceratops
Ankylosaurus
Mama T-Rex and baby
ROAR!
I recommend the show if it comes to your town!
Boys anxiously awaiting (and Logan and Seth wearing their "Dinosaur" sweatshirts)
Pterodactyl
Fighting Dinos
Prehistoric plants, very colorful
Triceratops
Ankylosaurus
Mama T-Rex and baby
ROAR!
1/11/2009
Countdown - SIX months from today!
In six months time...July 11th, we will all (Laura, myself, the 3 boys, my mom) be on the Norwegian Cruise Line on the rFamily Vacation Cruise to Alaska!!!
I'm beyond excited...this is a total T.O.A.L. (Trip Of A Lifetime) for us. We'll be celebrating our 10th anniversary (which is July 4th) and my 40th b-day (April 13) this year so why not go all out and celebrate?!?
Anyway, as I speak, my mom is making all the flight arrangements. We are flying into Seattle, WA the day before the cruise departs - we want to be all rested and ready to board on the 11th of July.
I've always wanted to see Alaska...that's one of my top 3 places I want to visit in my lifetime, this is our chance. Foster is very excited - we've told him we're "going on a BIG boat to Alaska", I don't think he really understands it just yet. I'll have to order some videos/books in preparation.
And best of all, this is a cruise that I've been wanting to go on since it's inception. I can't think of a better way to celebrate being with "family" than an rFamily cruise!!!!!!!!!!
Whohoo!!!!!!!
I'm beyond excited...this is a total T.O.A.L. (Trip Of A Lifetime) for us. We'll be celebrating our 10th anniversary (which is July 4th) and my 40th b-day (April 13) this year so why not go all out and celebrate?!?
Anyway, as I speak, my mom is making all the flight arrangements. We are flying into Seattle, WA the day before the cruise departs - we want to be all rested and ready to board on the 11th of July.
I've always wanted to see Alaska...that's one of my top 3 places I want to visit in my lifetime, this is our chance. Foster is very excited - we've told him we're "going on a BIG boat to Alaska", I don't think he really understands it just yet. I'll have to order some videos/books in preparation.
And best of all, this is a cruise that I've been wanting to go on since it's inception. I can't think of a better way to celebrate being with "family" than an rFamily cruise!!!!!!!!!!
Whohoo!!!!!!!
1/08/2009
Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday to YOU.
Happy Birthday to YOU.
Happy Birthday dear (mommy) Laura....
Happy Birthday to YOU!
And many, MANY more.
Love you,
-me
confidential:
YKIWALYFEAEAE. IMTRD, TIK.
1/06/2009
Signs I'm tired and need a break...and message to ANITA!
Got home from work early but I was doing work still, and more work...
So, I thought about a mini-break and started folding laundry - I know I'm tired because I just spent 7 minutes (okay, I was watching Ellen as I folded, and I timed it) trying to unbutton a SNAP.
You just can't unbutton a SNAP, I think it goes against the laws of physics.
Oh, and Anita my dear friend - I did call my Dr. and no, I don't have a brain tumor!!! ;-) My optic nerves are fine - both the eye Dr. and my G.P. stated the same thing - just so happens that at the magic age of 40, it's actually common (per my G.P.) for people's near-sightedness to get better as the far-sightedness stays the same or gets worse (that's what happened to me). I'm sure my dr. has now stuck a bright, neon orange label on my chart which reads "HYPOCHONDRIAC - PROCEED WITH CAUTION".
But you know I love ya!
So, I thought about a mini-break and started folding laundry - I know I'm tired because I just spent 7 minutes (okay, I was watching Ellen as I folded, and I timed it) trying to unbutton a SNAP.
You just can't unbutton a SNAP, I think it goes against the laws of physics.
Oh, and Anita my dear friend - I did call my Dr. and no, I don't have a brain tumor!!! ;-) My optic nerves are fine - both the eye Dr. and my G.P. stated the same thing - just so happens that at the magic age of 40, it's actually common (per my G.P.) for people's near-sightedness to get better as the far-sightedness stays the same or gets worse (that's what happened to me). I'm sure my dr. has now stuck a bright, neon orange label on my chart which reads "HYPOCHONDRIAC - PROCEED WITH CAUTION".
But you know I love ya!
1/05/2009
I have found the Fountain of Youth...somehow...
I went for an eye exam today (thankfully back with Kaiser - I really love those folks - didn't like Scripps). Anyway, the last time I had an exam was in June of 2007. I got new glasses at that time as my Rx changed - for the worse. My left eye is pretty bad but my right is semi-okay.
Anyway, about 6 to 8 mos. ago I noticed that every time I wore my glasses I started to not feel well, got dizzy, felt "unwell". So, over the past 6 to 8 mos. I started to wear my glasses less and less until I really only wore my Rx sunglasses which are about 2 years old - okay, I did NOT wear them inside...
So, at today's appt. I explained my above symptoms to the dr. thinking that in a year and a half since my last appt., my eyesight has probably gotten progressively worse, hence why my current glasses make me feel dizzy, etc. I told her I actually feel better when I'm NOT wearing my glasses.
Afer a few tests...and re-tests...and then a re-test of the re-test, she remarked that my eyesight is actually better now than it has been in about 5 years! My current glasses are more than twice as strong as I need and I feel ill wearing them because my eyes are trying to over-compensate the over-compensation - constantly. When I wear them and read, my focus changes rapidly. AHA! My right eye is about 20/20 now and my left has improved greatly. So much that my new Rx is more than half the strength of my old glasses. In fact, she recommended that if I don't want to, I can leave my glasses off for reading!
Weird.
She said that she hasn't seen it happen many times but it CAN happen.
HA! Better eyesight with age. This year I hit the BIG "4-0" so I was convinced bi-focals were on my horizon - looks like I get to pick out a really cute pair of single-vision glasses!!!
Anyway, about 6 to 8 mos. ago I noticed that every time I wore my glasses I started to not feel well, got dizzy, felt "unwell". So, over the past 6 to 8 mos. I started to wear my glasses less and less until I really only wore my Rx sunglasses which are about 2 years old - okay, I did NOT wear them inside...
So, at today's appt. I explained my above symptoms to the dr. thinking that in a year and a half since my last appt., my eyesight has probably gotten progressively worse, hence why my current glasses make me feel dizzy, etc. I told her I actually feel better when I'm NOT wearing my glasses.
Afer a few tests...and re-tests...and then a re-test of the re-test, she remarked that my eyesight is actually better now than it has been in about 5 years! My current glasses are more than twice as strong as I need and I feel ill wearing them because my eyes are trying to over-compensate the over-compensation - constantly. When I wear them and read, my focus changes rapidly. AHA! My right eye is about 20/20 now and my left has improved greatly. So much that my new Rx is more than half the strength of my old glasses. In fact, she recommended that if I don't want to, I can leave my glasses off for reading!
Weird.
She said that she hasn't seen it happen many times but it CAN happen.
HA! Better eyesight with age. This year I hit the BIG "4-0" so I was convinced bi-focals were on my horizon - looks like I get to pick out a really cute pair of single-vision glasses!!!
NYE Pic's - a few days late...
BTW, Seth is fine (wee boy who was throwing up the eve of new years eve) - whatever it was I'm glad it went somewhere else. I seriously thought our washing machine and dryer was going to bite the proverbial dust in the middle of a puke-load. Ewwwww.
Onto the pic's:
Wii
BINGO
CHOCOLATE FOUNTAIN
DREIDELS
PLAYING "EXPRESS YOURSELF"
WATCHING THE "BALL" DROP
CLIMBING THE WALLS
MORE CLIMBING
AND SOME MORE
PASSED OUT JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT
LOGAN AND HAT
FRIENDS
Onto the pic's:
FOOD
Wii
BINGO
CHOCOLATE FOUNTAIN
DREIDELS
PLAYING "EXPRESS YOURSELF"
WATCHING THE "BALL" DROP
CLIMBING THE WALLS
MORE CLIMBING
AND SOME MORE
PASSED OUT JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT
LOGAN AND HAT
FRIENDS
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