We moved AGAIN ...

Slowly my depressive state is abating. It's been a sucky six months. But it can only get better, right? We had to bid adieu to our downtown abode, which is best for our little family anyway. We our now living with my folks, and my brother, my brother's lady, his son, his daughter ... two German shepherds, one chicken coop. No, I'm kidding about the chicken coop. Although, I told my Ma the living situation is similar to what one may find in Mexico, or a tenement in 1920s New York. I can only joke about it all, because I'm at that point. But at least I'm happy and most importantly, my hobbits are happy. I can buy salmon for dinner.

I'll be seeing you ...

Give peas a chance

Do you ever just HAVE to make something that you've seen on TV? I have.

On this last season of "Top Chef" there was an incident with stolen pea puree. My version turned out so-so. It can easily overpower the entire dish, so using it sparingly is key. I used an online recipe. It was very easy to make. A little olive oil, sea salt, mint, pepper ...

Morning

I wake up, shrug on a cardigan and drink coffee.

Next, I tend to starving peasant boys wandering

around my living room. Their blackened feet

remind me that I need to mop.

Fumes from nearby work trucks travel

through open windows. Oddly, it reminds me of Paris.

It's autumn. A wasted summer of muddled thought.

Grainy photographs and words hover,

waiting for their chance.

My hands make crumb cake instead.

My specs

Liam is quite fond of my new glasses, trying them on every chance he gets proclaiming, "I can't see. I can't see!"

Of course you can't see. You're not semi-blind like mom.

I decided to get the retro frames this time to the dismay of my mother, father, sister and brother. They act as though me being different is anything new.

"Why those glasses? You look like Grandma Vera in those."

"Whatever, Cindy."

"Huh?"

I admit, I do look a bit silly/nerdy/stupid wearing them. Oh well.

A consumerist's mecca

The Target around the corner from my house opened last week, and I can't tell you how happy this has made me. The hordes descended per usual, but I believe this magical land of useless crap will be less busy than the other store I frequented. But in typical southwest fashion I may have to slalom through pushy rich broads to get a latte at the in-house Starbucks.

The boys and me checked it out on Sunday night. We took pictures because we are mega geeks.

I'm digging the new cart design. Gus' baby carrier fits in the front part and it's easier to push the thing.

Snow-globe shakeup

The older I get the more I think about growing up in the '80s. Saturday-morning cartoons, Duran Duran, Bob's Big Boy ... weekly treks to the video store. The hallowed VCR — our sanctuary on Friday nights. "Falcon Crest" wasn't big in our house. We wanted MOVIES! So my dad would drive us to our video store (independently owned mind you) to pick up a movie, two if we were splurging. Every '80s one-off movie I've seen probably came from that store on Niles Street. I distinctly remember how excited we were to bring home "A Night In the Life of Jimmy Reardon." River Phoenix with big hair, what could be better, right? WRONG. The movie sucked. But "going to the video store" became an institution in our house and my memories surrounding it are some of the best I have. And I guess that leads me into this post: making memories out of ordinary things.

With Baby G due to arrive in a month, we've had quite the schedule at our house. We're staring down a new dirt road and I can't help but feel like others around me are too. Dirt roads may evoke a negative image for some, but not me ... I love a rutty dirt road. But with that said, the crossroads for some are harder to bear. The newspaper laid off 25 more people recently, breaking the the hearts of many of my journalism friends. I blame Twitter. Just kidding — only slightly. Also, my dad was forced into "early retirement" thanks to a lackluster oil industry. Forty years of grit all for a so-so severance and "Hey, it's been swell." But that's OK. Dad's dirt road is paved in Oregon green. He'll finally get to build his hot rod and bask in four seasons.

To take our minds off the rigmarole of a bad economy, we've sought out our own affordable adventures — when we have a rare day off together.

Here's David and Liam checking out "duckies" at our zoo, otherwise known as CALM. The boy was agog at all the animals, and loved it when a goat licked his hand.

And speaking of animals ... this neighborhood cat has taken a liking to Mistar Blond — Liam's latest nickname, courtesy of Mom. As you can see, this cat is huge and likes to chase you. It waits for Hot Dog to come out and play on most days.







Like most media-obsessed Americans, we have our shows we faithfully record. "Lost" is getting good this season — finally. But I'm afraid "American Idol" is a shoddy excuse for entertainment. But we still watch it. But, our reality fix lately can be summed up in one word, Dog. David recorded a "Dog, the Bounty Hunter" marathon, and it was like watching that first batch of "Sopranos" episodes. We were glued to the TV. For Halloween this year, he'll go as Dog and I'm gonna rock the hell out of Beth, that's all I'm saying.


Another adventure on the cheap was a drive to Kernville for a day of winding roads, river revelry, breezy air and a French dip at the cafe.

Here's David and Liam contemplating the rapids.

We've also discovered Fresh & Easy markets. I LOVE THIS PLACE. They actually have "hybrid-only" parking near the front. Oh, and their hummus is the best.










Liam update: He's all about robots these days, calling everything that remotely looks like one, "a robota." David picked out a toddler version of Optimus Prime and we also got him "Wall-E" on Blu-Ray. Hopefully these items will give him solace when his whole world is shaken like a snow globe in a month.

Chick-fil-A and other essentials

The last two months have been a whirlwind of activity for us — that's why I haven't updated the blog since Jan. 24 or so. I've composed about 95 posts in my head, but never managed to find the time to sit down and type them up. Hey, I'm just giddy we actually hooked the new Mac Daddy, aka, my Surprise Christmas Swag. 

Let's see, what has happened recently: We moved, David finished training in L.A. for new job, got iPhones for said new job, which I still haven't mastered, gained 10 pounds, had brush with gestational diabetes, celebrated my 33rd birthday, oh yeah ... I worked through it all. I'm so tired.  

But today I felt my second wind coming on, and that sudden burst of energy was due to one thing, and one thing only: Chick-fil-A. I drove across town and waited in a line of cars that snaked through the parking lot ... yes ... in the name of THE BEST CHICKEN SANDWICH THE WORLD HAS EVER KNOWN. Even Liam was basking in the Southern pickle yumminess. This isn't a pregnancy thing ... we used to have one in the mall years ago and I loved going there. For someone who doesn't eat hamburgers, this place is like fast-food mecca. 

A few shots of the last two months: 

Mama got the 24-inch iMac ...

My crazy husband surprised me with a new computer on Christmas. Crazy, crazy, crazy WONDERFUL man.

Is this for sale?

Last weekend we held our yard sale extravaganza and I'm still recovering. An apartment-dweller friend looking to de-clutter suggested the labor fest and I agreed, not knowing how much work would be involved. From making up the signs and posting them to organizing boxes of stuff just hours before the start — the process is draining. I would have been satisfied going to the Salvation Army, but I'm glad I didn't. We made $300 that morning, and my friend cleaned up as well.

Yard saling is as much selling/shopping as it is spectator sport, and the masses did not disappoint. We had the lone scary dude, flashlight in hand, who pounced before we were done setting up; the cultish band of "yard salers" on the hunt for priceless objects (they know each other by first name); the polite families just trying to give their kids a little something extra; the nutjob middle-aged ladies who want everything for 10 cents; and the well-to-do man who only ended up buying a piece of glass from an old frame.

So with our hard-earned cash we embarked on a date night. PF Chang's, "The Dark Night" and a stop by Williams Sonoma and the bookstore rounded out the night. Below is a sampling of what we bought with the yard sale money. Fancy whisk, $19 and the book I've been looking for. Also bought (not pictured): Two books for David and a kit for Sprinkles cupcakes.

If I could knit, I would have ...

This has been the most productive day off I've had in awhile — I even got to sleep in. Woke up, chugged Foldgers/half n half and unloaded then loaded the dishwasher while Liam kicked it with colby-jack cheese and Ritz in his highchair. Once David woke up from a nap we piled into the car and headed to the bookstore. They didn't have my No. 1 choice so we drove around for a while. I dropped the boys off at home and went to the pet supply store. Talk about a bunch of useless crap. Dogs should not wear clothes. Once home it was time to bathe the dogs. Bigger dog easy-peezy; little dog a cluster fugazzi. But at least they smell fresh and not like dog.

Then we had breakfast for dinner, something I love to do. Some of the best childhood memories I have come from breakfast for dinner nights. Tonight we just had pancakes — the boy's fav. Not to brag, but I fancy myself to be somewhat of a pancake savant. Perfect thickness, perfect color, just the right amount of butter in the pan. If my job gets outsourced to India I think I'll go after a gig as a short-order cook whose sole purpose is make the fluffiest flapjacks in town.

After breakfast for dinner the pooches were dry enough for what we like to call beauty parlor. They don't mind getting brushed, in fact, I think they like it better than getting pet. After sweeping up all the fur/hair from the patio I decided to tackle the dog room. I swept, organized and wiped down the entire room. After all that I was the one who needed a bath.

Even though my day was packed with activities, my mind never stopped. Here's a sampling of random thoughts that came and went throughout the day:


1. Why does David use a different cup or glass anytime he drinks something. Just rinse the one you used before. He has some unfounded phobia about bacteria ...

2. Pregnant girl holding sign on side of road in 100-degree heat needs a brain. Oh, and her baby should be raised by someone else.

3. I wish I liked ice cream more so that a trip to Dewar's wasn't an obscure outing.

4. The eastside mountains were visible today, air must be semi-nondangerous to inhale.

5. Bookstores missing the specific book you go there for are ridiculous.