Well ~ yesterday I had such a nice time ALONE in San Francisco.  Today ~ I had company.  My son was off  and I got done with work early.  We decided to spend a leisurely day lunching and going to one store ~ NikeTown.  That took almost five hours.  We ate at the Rotunda at the top of Neiman Marcus right by the window overlooking Union Square.

A perfect venue for lunch for two. Exquisite menu and service and oh man (!) the banana bread pudding was to.die.for!  I wanted another one.

This is the top (dome) of the Neiman Marcus building which used to be the City of Paris building.  It’s pretty here ~ especially during Christmas as there’s a holiday tree that goes all the way almost to the top.

After lunch we headed to NikeTown on Post and spent the rest of our time there.  And while I had no  intentions of buying anything ~ I got ‘convinced’ to try on a pair of sneakers that are revolutionary and as technically comfortable as they can get.  As my son advised “mom, this is the last pair of sneakers you’ll ever want“.   And he was right.  I stepped into a pair of air protecting every part of my foot.  Jeepericious!

Hoops!

We had a grand time.  Shortly after we got back to my house ~ my husband arrived from work and we were telling him about our day.  After he rested for a little bit ~ we went out to dinner ~ all three of us.  All in all a wonderful spontaneous day of bonding capped off with a family meal.

And I think we may go back on Saturday ~ then there will be three of us going.  I guess I’m just going to grow my little group of tourists in our own town.

It’s a pretty town to make memories.

I played tourist today ~ kind of.  That’s how I feel every time I go to San Francisco.  I forget how much I love going there ~ and how easy it is to get to.

The weather was a bit dreary today but I went anyway, sans umbrella.  I knew I could easily duck into any store should it pour and I ended up doing that.  At H&M.  At the children’s department.  I heart H&M.  I could’ve stayed longer and in fact, I might venture back over there tomorrow or the day after.  I had gone to take care of some business over there and I just took the train (BART).   Speaking of BART ~ there were cops every which way I looked.  Stepped up security.  Unnerving, really.  Crazy world.

But lovely San Francisco.   Lemme show you!

Cable cars at Powell and Market with a long line of people waiting patiently in the light rain.

Not sure what to make with that ‘jeep looking thing in the back of the double decker.  Everyone was looked cold.

I’m the only one in my family who has YET to watch this.  I’ll find a fellow witch to watch this with.

Tempting Windows

I need to go back ~ the couple hours was no way near enough.  Sometimes you forget how pretty it is just around the corner from where you live.

I don’t mind being a tourist with a camera in my city by the bay.

Twelve years ago, on the 16th of February 1998, I lost my oldest sister to Pancreatic Cancer.  She was 45 years old. Gone way too soon.  It was the first real death of someone close to me.  A year later ~ I lost my dad.  Needless to say, those two years took a toll on me ~ my life ~ my outlook in life.

My sister and I had been estranged for a few years.  She lived in NYC while all my other siblings and my mom lived in the Bay Area.  When she finally moved her family to California, I was excited and we forgot the years that we had lost and spent a few good weeks making up.  One day ~ just like that ~  she woke up jaundiced.  Two weeks later, she was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer.  I always wondered why her path took her back to be with all of us.  Ever since then ~ I have had a phobia for when all things seem perfect.  I am afraid of balloons that pop.  I don’t like all my planets and stars aligned.  I’m afraid of too perfect.

The next six months were spent cramming what little time she had left.  We laughed ~ cried ~ got mad as sisters tend to do ~ laughed ~ cried.   When she died, I was numb.  I never processed her death.  I did not remember the date of her death.  I don’t know the date my dad died.   I totally mentally blocked all that from my mind. My other sister who I am very close to processed it the same way I did.  I guess we don’t do death very well.

Until last night.  When I saw this document.  My sister forwarded it to me.  She didn’t read it.   I did.   [note: we needed this for a family matter]   My sister’s death certificate.  Raw details.  A kick in the gutt.  At 10PM.

I told my husband I was queasy.  I felt like someone hit me hard and knocked me down.  Twelve years later.  Flashbacks and regret. A big reality check.

What is life all about?  In the end ~ this is all we get.  A certificate.  It doesn’t tell anyone what kind of live we lived.  It just tells the world what time we exited and why ~ and where we end up “Off the coast in San Mateo County“  Somewhere at sea. Wow.

I remember how life changing these events were.  It made me realize that life WAS short and should be lived to it’s fullest potential.  We have a finite time to make memories.  No time to be negative.  Time to forge friendships and nurture those that have been formed.  No time to waste on stress ~ battles to choose or not.  What is life all about?

So today ~ I pick myself up.  Again.  And I remember to be thankful that I’ve lived to see the  two babyGrands who have completed me.  My sister has three whom she never got to meet.  They carry her name.   I am grateful for everything I’ve been blessed with.

And I will continue to make memories ~ foster goodwill ~ love and practice what I preach.  Peace ~ love and understanding.

I’ll start from scratch.  Again.

It was certainly a crazy frenzy fun weekend that went by too fast.  And here we are at yet another Monday.

Today, I’m linking up with MckMama’s Not Me! Monday and later on this afternoon, I’ll read the other entries and see what moms and grands did NOT do this week.  Head on over there if you get a chance sometime today. As for me, here are some of this week’s misdemeanors.

I certainly did not say YES to babysit a 7month old AND an extra pup this last weekend.  Nope, not me. I didn’t even blink.  And it wasn’t a crazy household.  In fact ~ I divided my house in three separate sections so everyone was contained.  Way to go for resourcefulness!

We also didn’t buy Baby Lyssa her first car on Saturday. Nope not me.  But my husband did!  Her first T-Bird!  Her daddy can’t take this one away from her.  She’s cruising backwards and it’s fun to watch. She heads right straight for the electronics and tries to press the buttons.   Babies love pushing buttons!

I did NOT stay up till 2am on Sunday morning waiting for Molly the owl’s 4th owlet to hatch.   No wonder I needed that two hour nap yesterday!  And then, of course, I missed the hatch ~ but it was caught on video right HERE and naturally ~ we were out for brunch.

I did not put my house back in order yesterday.  I was tempted to leave it for the cleaning ladies but I had a burst of energy and cleaned it all up and put everything away.  Prior to my two hour delicious nap.  Oops, I didn’t nap, did I?

Last but not least, I am NOT looking at booking our vacation.  I’m not dying for sun and beach weather.  I didn’t just buy another paid of my favorite flip flop brand to break in just in time for ‘somewhere in Hawaii’.  Nope ~ I’m just planning ahead!

If you have a little nature lover in your home, this is a fun live stream of an owl box set up in San Marcos, CA.  There is one more egg that will hatch in about 2 days.  Four healthy owlets.  It’s incredible and nature at it’s best. It is fun to watch at night when the daddy owl (the hunter) comes and brings food.

The Owl Box

That’s it for me today!  Off to work I go.  I hope you all have a great week wherever you are.  We are planning our Easter with our family, but after seeing these birds in the wild, I think we will be doing plastic eggs with treats inside     CHEERS!

After Baby Lyssa’s mom picked her up ~ I had the gumption to catch up on doing chores that had been put aside since a 7mo can demand almost all of your attention.  If not her ~ then the two doggies that were running after each other.  I cleaned up the kitchen and just when I was done, my husband [who was watching college basketball] motioned over for me to watch some of the game with him.  He was stretched out in our pulled out futon in the man cave.  The temptation to take a nap was too daunting so I relented.

“One hour.  Wake me up in an hour, please“, I said.

“Why? Where you going?” he replied.

“There’s a new shipment at NordstromRack and I could use some retail therapy“.  Hmmmm, okay.  No reply.  I napped.

For 2 1/2 hours.  It.was.delicious.   And the dear husband didn’t even bother to wake me.  [thank you, no problem]

The house is quiet without the baby.  Just like the quiet after Nathan left.  Kind of sad.

I miss her.

So I walked around the neighborhood twice.  First with just a camera to capture  a picture for Gina at NamasteByDay.  I had mentioned to her that there was a tree in our neighborhood with a face.  There’s a picture of it buried somewhere in my blog, but I wanted to walk anyway and take a shot of it again.  I’ve got to point this out to Nathan when he is with us again.

This is a very tall tree and it’s on the end of a T-intersection ~ so it always greets you.  The face is way at the top and you see kids pointing up to it if they’re walking.  Kinda cool.

On the way home, I passed by some color.

More love, more joy

And then I took the doggies for their last long walk for the day.

Altogether is was a lovely weekend.  I got to love on a 7month old juicy and delightful bundle of super duper energy. A wiggly giggly blowing bubbles happy girl.

Our own Half Pint

This little one is like clockwork.  Seven months old today ~ officially.  How fast time flies.  What a privilege it was to spend some quality time with her.  She’s got her schedule down pat.  Eats when she’s suppose to ~ plays well ~ napped with Owpa for two whole hour ~ and best of all, SLEEPS like a baby for 10 straight hours!.

This morning we went to coffee with my in-laws [tradition] and then mama met us there ~ a little separation anxiety ~ so she claimed the child as soon as she could.  But that’s okay, we will get to do it all over again soon.

I missed my baby!!

It’s wasn’t difficult at all ~ my husband was here to help and he was so happy to be with the little one.  I still don’t know how moms of infants manage to blog.  I could hardly do it ~ not with an active and curious child and two doggies who trailed me everywhere I went.

Moms should have been given another pair of hands.

Now I’m off to clean up a pile of dishes and other household chores I put off.   Then I’m going out for some retail therapy.

Au revoir!

Owpa and Baby Lyssa had a date today.

We were looking for wheels.

We went to Alyssa’s favorite car dealer.

and now we’re cruising around the house!

with all her familiar toys attached.

Definitely Owpa’s Girl.

What a marvelous night for a moondance ~ yes, the song is in my head as I write this.  I just returned from a nice brisk early evening walk around our neighborhood.  Guess who I saw.

Can you see Max?

Newman likes to chase him up the tree.

Here he is up close.

Say CHEESE!!

I didn’t mean to take his picture but I had the camera out because the wisteria in front of our home was blooming.  And I love seeing them in the height of their beauty.

Wisteria ~ aren’t they pretty?

Everything is blooming around here.  It was a lovely spring day ~ all sun and just a light jacket needed for the early evening.

A gorgeous willow tree

[this would look great on canvas]

I am getting ready for a rather busy weekend.   Busy in the sense that we have Puma tonight (my son’s black mini Yorkipoo) and then early tomorrow morning, we have almost 7mo baby Alyssa for the weekend.  It will be the first time we will be babysitting her here in our home.  I’m curious to see how much luggage they bring for her.  We are looking forward to it! We kinda sorta have plans for her, but we’ll see how it is moseying around with a little one.  We are definitely planning on an outdoor adventure [brave grands!!!]

In the meantime, we have a few nights to go till the next full moon, but I captured tonite’s sky.

It’s all good.  We’re dancing   You?

First off, don’t miss my fun summer picnic basket giveaway HERE.

I’ve been moving at kind of warp speed with my photography in the last few weeks.  Recently, I’ve been playing with some Photoshop Actions which I am learning to love so much in combination with LightRoom.  It’s really a fun process ~ this post production part of photography.  Combining PS Actions has been habit-forming and I’ve been favoring a few this week.  I’ve also been studying off-camera lighting but I have ways to go before offering any thoughts on that.

For this week’s contribution to GiveMeYourBestShot, I’m submitting these that’s I’ve played with. Visit the other entries and share what you’ve learned.

Here’s what I’ve been having fun with lately!  I warn people that this hobby is quite addicting but it’s tons more fun when you share it with people ~ both online and IRL.

UPDATE: The winner of this contest is Tiffany.  I have emailed you so you can send me the information I need to get this to you ASAP.  Thanks for playing!  (3/28/10 1:00PM)

Officially, it’s SPRING!  In some parts of the country, you can’t tell yet (hello, Denver!) ~ but let me reassure you that it’s here and you’re going to LOVE the sun!  And I’m thinking that an outdoor picnic, day in the park with this cool giveaway will help you enjoy the great outdoors.

This giveaway is for a fully insulated picnic basket with service for four (your choice of color). It  includes four each plates, glasses, flatware, and napkins. Collapsible for storage and easy transport after events. Constructed with a lightweight and durable aluminum frame, waterproof PEVA (PVC free) lining, with zippered lid, front patch pocket and swivel handles with padded grip. With it’s traditional tapered basket shape, it’s a stylish way to enjoy dining at any outdoor event.  It is made by PicnicAtAscot and I love mine.

Here are the (EASY) rules (other than having to be in the USA)

1.  Simply reply to this email and tell me what you look forward to doing this springtime. (one entry; a MUST so I know who you are, thanks)

2.  Tweet the giveaway “I am ready to picnic and I want to win the giveaway at  TheGrammieDiaries.com” (another entry)

3.  Follow me on Twitter @GrammieDiaries and retweet my tweet (another entry)

4.  Keep visiting and commenting on my blog because I will be rewarding FREQUENT COMMENTERS each month (that’s not a rule, that’s just an advisory).

You can enter once a day.  I will run the contest from today until Sunday at which time I’ll pick a winner.

In the meantime, have a GREAT day! Good luck!

Well, I’m so not missing any drama in my life these days.  It’s pretty much taking care of the home front and seeing a child or babyGrand during the week and meet up with my sister or another child on the weekend. Sunday is rest with hubby day.  But if you INSIST on drama ~ then I highly recommend you do it MY WAY.

With chocolate.

First, drama isn’t drama unless you announce to the world that you’re having a hissy fit or just a foodie moment.  You can’t do it alone.

Therefore ~ WEAR IT proudly.

And then, to draw attention to yourself [thats what you want, right?]  make sure you can EAT IT.

And it goes without saying that CHOCOLATE must be involved somehow.  Okay, maybe red velvet too ~ with the cream cheese frosting.

You don’t always get second chances for dramatics ~ so when you do ~ make sure you know the rules.

Spread the Love.  Pass the cake.

Great tutorial on Exposure Compensation was pretty timely as I set out last week to photograph some spring blooms.  I did have to adjust my exposure value a notch when I took these photos around my neighborhood.

With this photo and in early morning light, it was much to dark for me so I had to tweak the exposure level up a couple notches.  This photo is SOOC.

This got tweaked too since I made the crazy mistake of shooting without checking the camera settings and I had the settings on ISO 100 and f/2.8 on a very bright sunny Saturday.

The tutorial was a great reminder to check the meter on my camera [I don't always do that]. I appreciate the team effort of BetterInBulk and Manic Mother and encourage you all to visit them regularly.

I’m headed over there now to link up.

On a side note, I’ve been having a great deal of fun using BOTH LightRoom2 and Photoshop to process my RAW photographs.  I’ll be writing a post about that shortly [have to work the real job for a bit].  It’s fun and surprisingly EASY. If you check back a few previous posts you’ll see some of the Photoshop Actions I’ve been using.

Now have an absolutely wonderful Spring Day!!  Don’t you love it?!!

My lunch date today was a spur of the moment impromptu lunch with my husband, my daughter who was off today and the  growing-too-fast baby Alyssa.  She’s making sounds and she’s raring to go.  Happy as a lark chewing her toys.  She sees my husband at lunch almost every day and flashes a spontaneous smile when she sees him  [note: me = jealous].

In a week she will be all of seven months old!  And this weekend, she’s our for a whole day and night.

Using some cool Photoshop techniques I recently learned.  Cool, huh!

But you have to see her shoes!  [note: she has over 20 pairs and counting]

Monday Monday, so good to me!

In between the two photos I shared last night, we had a really filling yummy delicious lunch date at Main Street Burgers in downtown Los Gatos.  Main Street was full of people in spring and summer attire.  Many were walking their pooches.  Just refreshing and delightful to be OUTside!

We spent a couple hours in the park playing.  Slow motion baseball ~ sans bat, ball and helmet.  Nate pretended he was batter batter ~ ran bases and slid.  Then of course, he dusted off all the tan bark on him and ran some more.  We played on the swing ~ slide ~ fire engine ~ airplane.  Then we went to get some bundt cake [yum!]  He was a tired boy and fell asleep in the car on the way home.

Some of our day in pictures.

A little bit afraid to raise his hands!

Then a little bit braver

Pitch to Me!

Outta the Park!!

SAFE!!

Stolen Base!

Really getting down and dirty!

[no worries, he got cleaned up really good]

Just an overall happy day!

On a gorgeous Saturday afternoon

In between the time these two photos were taken ~ I had a wonderful Saturday!  Out in the sun in jeans, a tee and flip flops. Can’t ask for anything more.  Well, maybe a repeat on Sunday!

Our Saturday.

Lunch with Mom and Grammie

Goodnight, Moon!

It’s too gorgeous today. It’s going to be a repeat of yesterday’s 75 degree weather so we were up early.  Who wants to waste a pretty day in bed.   As I walked Newman I noticed more and more blooming bulbs and just smiled at the wonder of Mother Nature.  After that inner smile, I lamented that I failed to plant some bulbs during the fall.  I’m a person who wants everything NOW.  I want results fast.  Online shopping needs to be a last resort for me because I don’t like waiting.  Overnight shipping is expensive.

But aside from the savings of patience ~ look at what could have been in my yard if I only put some pretty perennials in.

I guess I will admire from a distance.   For now I will admire my lavender that’s blooming crazy wild right now, soon ready for me to harvest and dry and make into potpourri and sachets. I did good keeping this patch of lavande from becoming leggy.

My grandma will be proud.

And Newman, well he went for a second walk already ~ it was so pretty that my husband wanted to take a little stroll too!

Enjoy your Saturday!

Camera buff some?  Boring strap?  No problem. Guess what I’m testing out this weekend!

This!

And NO !  Not the camera.  The Strap.  More specifically, the R-strap from Black Rapid.  I finally found something that’s NOT annoying and comfortable. Check out the video HERE ~ all of them are pretty cool to watch.

And I’ve never been excited for a strap before ~ but I’ve heard great reviews from friends this week so I’m picking up a woman’s strap tomorrow.

Stay Tuned!

Disclosure:  I’m a consumer ~ not paid for this post.  I just love smart inventions.  This item is patent pending.

All images on this post are the property of Black Rapid and are from their website.

PS:  Really Cool Owner/Inventor

Head on over to Better In Bulk to see what is being shared for this week’s Give Me Your Best Shot!

Mom had the day off ~ so we spent it together at our favorite pub and restaurant and watched some of the March Madness games.  Then we came home for a little bit since I had a meeting to go to this afternoon.  I wish the day didn’t go by so fast.  I got my smooshies with this little baby goodness who is loving her feet ~ can already pull herself up on her crib ~ loves to blow bubbles ~ and LOVES her Owpa (grandpa).

Oh, and we still have two pooches who are loving being pals.  It’s been fun having Puma for a couple days.  We kinda sorta want to keep him ~ except I ran out of dog food.  360 degrees of happy.

Here we go!  I would love some upsets but here is our bracket as submitted to ESPN.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everyone!   Guess who went to work wearing green?

Yup ~ my dear husband is wearing shorts today and is sporting his favorite beverage on his leg.  I put this temporary tattoo on him last night while he was already in bed.  He has one unhairy spot on his leg so I was able to stick this on him.  Him don’t get pinched today!

We are not Irish but corned beef was on sale at the grocery the other day and was an easy to plan meal, so I’ve got that in the crockpot.  With potatoes.  No cabbage.  Our tummies are quite sensitive.

I’m looking forward to tomorrow and the weekend as my DH will be home for March Madness all day basketball so we will be spending most of our day in and out of our pub [below] where they get all the games on satellite.  My daughter will be off and will most likely join us for a meal and I might get some smooshies from the little one.

March Madness ~ 32 games and wall to wall telly

A yearly ritual for us that we look forward to.  Do you have favorite things planned throughout the year [besides the holidays, of course].   Fun things and off the beaten path yearly events?  Don’t you look forward to these memory making days?  I sure do.

Happy St. Paddy’s day to all!  Our brackets are filled out.

Ready for some upsets and can’t wait to watch the kids play ball!

I just visited Kristen’s Blog at We Are That Family.  Kristen was among the group of bloggers who recently returned from an awareness mission in Kenya sponsored by Compassion International.  Through their eyes and their blogs,  I felt compelled to do something after a couple days of just reading their entries.   The other day, we received our packet introducing us to the child we are sponsoring ~ Larenda, a sweet looking 8 year old girl.  I already wrote my letter to her and began to print pictures to send.  We are excited and fortunate to hopefully make her life brighter in some little way.

This evening I read Kristen’s blog about Letter Writing Tips and how each sponsored child looked forward to receiving a letter or a package.  Thanks for the tips, Kristen.

After that, I didn’t have very far to go.  I had boxes and boxes of FLAT items that I can send to her.  For her first packet, I am sending all these:

Temporary tattoos of ocean animals and zoo animals ~ stickers ~ calendars ~ bookmarks ~ coloring sheets ~ folding bag ~ hankie ~ rulers  ~ stick fans.  Wow.  Now  I’m excited for her.  Her profile shows that she has a sibling so I’m going to double up and ask her to share it.  All these are just my FREE SAMPLES from my suppliers.  They are in boxes in our storage area and get renewed every 4 months.  I am going to contact Compassion to see if I can send many of these extras to give out to children who don’t receive anything.  It breaks my heart to learn [from Kristen's post] that there are kids who wait ~ and are disappointed when there is nothing for them other than the funds from the sponsor.  I know that is what helps them, but all children are precious.  If one more can smile, then he or she will make it an even more brighter world ~ even as far away as Kenya ~ and whether I know it or not.

This works for me.  I hope it works for Compassion and I hope it will make Larenda smile.  Hope is  exciting.

~ Oh ~ and Happy St. Patrick’s Day!  Now off to link up HERE where you can read what works for other moms [and Grands] like me.

It used to be that we had three dogs in the family.  One in our home [Newman] ~ and my son had two.  Puma, a black Yorkipoo and Sammie, a purebreed Alaskan Eskie.   I had them over for a three day weekend in January and again a couple weeks ago.

January 2010

After the 2nd  visit, we realized confirmed and accepted the fact that Sammie had special needs.  There were discussions about options which resulted in  a few difficult days for the kids.  Long story short, they worked hard and  found an excellent home for their pup who found the perfect mommy, a dog behaviorial specialist who was recently widowed, had a big back yard and wanted a companion.  She was instantly in love with Sammie and was gentle from the get go.  It’s a story with a good ending as I learned from my son today that the pup was thriving [the issue was submissive peeing; a condition we believe may have been triggered early in Sammie's life that the kids were not aware of].

Today as my son and his GF spend a couple days in Vegas, we have Puma with us and the dynamics this time around is MUCH different.  We now have calmer dogs, both male and no one needing to establish dominance on anyone.  Newman is a chillaxer and very social.  Puma was thrilled to be at Grammie’s but has calmed down. I just took them for a walk and they were strolling like it was a beautiful sunny afternoon.  It is.

Just the two of us

But there’s something to be learned from this story.  Sometimes we want things in life or make decisions without really  thinking about HOW our daily lives may be impacted.  Sammie was a beautiful dog.  Giving her up was painful for the kids.  For us [the parents], it was difficult to even start the conversation that perhaps Sam would be happier with someone with time on their hands ~ a big back yard, perhaps.   It turns out that the kids [my son] wanted to start the dialogue with us.    For us, we never stopped being parents.  We initiated the discussion and helped them realize that they were at a crossroad.

It was the journey they had to take to learn that thought must be given to any decision that requires a commitment.   Almost done with college with a whole world waiting to be discovered together.

Puma ordering a chalupa!

When my children were little and they went to my mom’s after school ~ they would always have “Learn Days”.  They were good listeners and have been bred in the old Spanish style and  tradition [and discipline] of listening to  grown ups and don’t even whine about it [at least not in our presence].   It’s nice to see them still accepting of days such as these and sharing their experiences and feelings.  As parents, it is painful to see kids get hurt in the process of growing up.  We’re instinctively protective and wish we could solve every dilemma for them.  Wishful, but not practical.

Mine learned and figured it out.   I am proud of how they handled the situation with humility and sensibility.  They worked to resolve it, refusing to drop her off at a shelter [as I originally suggested].  They cried together when they found a new home ~ and they will even be able to go visit their once ago baby.  They’re still connected.

And now they’re off ~ in Vegas.  Perhaps the luck of the Irish in her will allow ‘em to come home with a pot of gold ~ or some green money.  Good luck, you two   ♥♥☺☺♥♥  Oh, and don’t worry ’bout the dog.

I’m not talking about the economy here.  I’m referring to a surprisingly inept article that was published by The New York Times that made it’s round on Twitter last night.  The article “Honey, Don’t Bother Mommy. I’m Too Busy Building My Brand should have stayed in the author’s own mommy blog and not a desperate trying-to-survive newspaper publication.  Shame on you, Editor of the New York Times.

I wasn’t at the Bloggy Boot Camp sponsored by SITS because it wasn’t close to my town.  If it had been, I probably would have loved to be in attendance.  Still,  the twist that this article took seemed snarky at first ~ until I read the articles written in rebuttal by some genuinely intelligent mommy bloggers.  I’m pretty sure more will be said today as word gets around on Twitter.

This morning, I was pleased to read The Blog Frog co-founder Holly’s well written, thoroughly thought out blog post which called the blogging phenomenon by moms a movement.  Indeed, that is what it is.

If the author did her due diligence (obviously she didn’t, she’s admittedly obsessed with American Idol) she would have realized considered that women make 83% of all consumer purchases and 80% of health care-related decisions in their households.  Packs a punch, don’t you think?  Do you seriously think Ad Agencies don’t KNOW this?

And while you’re at it ~ there are kids to care for, laundry to tackle and dinner to think about.  And oh ~ I forgot ~ a husband to love ~ although these days many couples share all around chores.  Stereotyping is so last century!

What I really found offensive and insulting was the graphic that the publication included for this article.

I’m pretty sure this was drawn by a man.

Instead of the newspaper article, I have a better place for this quickly drawn everyone-looks-pissed cartoon.    It speaks for itself.  But I’ll say it again directly to the NYT :  GigaBYTE  Me!   Even TeraBYTE Me! Ooops.  Make that US ~ (plural).   Because these smart ~ resourceful ~ intelligent ~ creative ~ savvy ~ protective ~ funny ~ inventive moms / women / females are out in full force ~ and having FUN  ~ and YES ~ MAKING MONEY while we’re at it.

Today was a manly day in our household.  I did ‘guy’ stuff with my two boys.  We watched trains and motorcycles [Newman did not like that] in Niles Canyon.  Then we went to a pub for lunch where we caught the last NCAA game before heading home to watch the bracket selection.  A quickie stop at the grocery to get corned beef to throw in a slow cooker tomorrow cuz we are sooo [not] Irish.   My DH is taking Thursday and Friday off to watch all 32 games ~ a yearly ritual.  I have made my spa reservations.  Here are snippets of our very pleasant day.

There were a whole bunch of photo buffs at the canyon waiting for the steam engine train to pass by.

ooops, this was from last week!

bazillion bikers in the little town of Sunol

Then there was more testosterone at the brewery / pubbery where we went for lunch.

My Iced Tea

The Hubz’ Iced Tea

and mercifully and finally ~ The Bracket!

….and it’s still bright outside!  Lovely!  I love me some March Madness!

Today I practiced what I learned from a pro.  I was already a big fan of Adobe Lightroom 2 and have been using it almost exclusively for quick photo edits.  But today ~ I think I have graduated!   I feel like I took two steps up a ladder by learning how to boost my own HDR photography!

I took this photo in October and blogged a bit about what [little] I knew HDR-wise.  I feel kind of silly looking back now because I could’ve done better in Photoshop CS4, but of course I didn’t know it.   Here is one HDR  photo that I processed in LightRoom that I toyed with today.

I thought this photo was already pretty cool.  But here it is again edited by cool Photoshop Actions that I got from Gavin Seim.  Can you tell the difference?  Isn’t it amazing?  [You can click the image to enlarge].

I showed my husband how easy this was and he promised to take me for a spin tomorrow where I might be able to take some antique photographs.   I also played with a lot of other photos but this effect blew me away.

By the way, if you missed the earlier post I had today, I’m holding a GIVEAWAY this week for a media card reader.  The contest is running here on my blog, on Twitter and on my Facebook friends / family blog.  Random.org will pick a winner next Saturday.

I love when I learn something new!!  I feel like I just got out school with an A+  !!!

In [almost] celebration of spring and just because the sun is out today and the forecast for the week is SUN and more SUN ~ I’m going to giveaway this USB 2.0 Card Reader/Writer to one lucky commenter. Just because!

This all-in-one reader/writer reads all formats of media cards from MP3 players to PDAs and SmartPhones,  Digital Cameras to GPS Receivers.  All you need is a USB port so there is no software to install. Perfect for the blogger on the go with a digital device. Super perfect if you have a netbook!

Here’s the deal:

Leave me a comment [here]  and tell me what you’re looking forward to doing this Spring.  I know we’re all tired of winter and can’t wait to be outdoor!  Share your excitement and plans.

I’ll  choose one lucky winner next Saturday March 20th at 10:00AM!   Don’t forget to link your blog so I can come and say hello.  I’ve been finding really cool and funny sites this week through some of your comments.  That’s it!  So simple!

Have fun and have a great weekend!

Disclosure: This products were purchased.

Just when I was sooooo ready for El Sol to be a constant in my life!  Today was dark and dreary and wet!   Newman was set for a grooming appointment and I was so tempted to cancel it since the rain would just make his hair frizzy ~ but he was a bit matted so I sent him in anyway.  I also got my hair trimmed.  My tab was cheaper than his.  Ugh!

On the way back from my salon ~ it was pouring rain ~ crazy!  This was the mildest part.  I was afraid to take a shot when the sky was uber dark.

I don’t like driving in the rain.  I am not good driving in the rain.  I have hydroplaned while driving in the rain.  Did I mention I had a phobia for driving in the rain.  I do.  I don’t like driving in the rain.  At all.

I made it home safely but Newman wasn’t ready for another hour.   He is good now for three more weeks and I’m good for six.  That was our excitement for the day which started very early ~ 7:35AM  ~ thanks, dog.

ooPS:  As I’m typing this my husband is looking at my pictures and sez “You took THAT?”   “Don’t do that anymore!!”  “Stop doing that!”  “Oh man, they’re gonna get you!”  “That ain’t hands free!!”  “Now you’re blogging my rant?”   LOL.

Okay, I won’t . I’ll stop.  It was crazy.  And shiny and wet.  And my Blackberry was handy.

I don’t like driving in the rain.

I’m basking in this glorious weather we have been having.  SUN!  And about 70degrees, I believe.  Too delicious to be indoors all day so I ventured out and about for lunch and met my daughter and babyGrand for lunch.  After a bamboo basket lunch ~ we had this for dessert:

This is an ice creamy dessert on a delicious crust and heaven and angels on top.  I did not feel guilty at all and neither did my daughter.  We shared and finished the whole thing. After this was gone, someone woke up ~ and I spent a good 20 minutes smooshing her.  She smells so yummy.  Like a fresh baby.

She is into everything now ~ grabbing everything ~ looking at people and blowing bubbles.  She’s a happy little girlie girl.  Even mommy can’t get enough.  And  yes, she wanted what we were eating ~ but she’s not there yet.  She done with peas.  This week is carrots.  No ice cream [yet].

What a treat!

I hearted my lunch dates.  Kids are doing well in their new jobs and just enjoying their days off to be with the little one.  Me ~ I’ll date anyone who brings a baby.  Now off to get s’more sun!  Hopefully this weekend, I get to see both littles.

I miss this boy already.

Oh and by the way, I don’t think I’m the only one excited for ol’ Mr. Sol to make a more permanent appearance.  Head on over to BetterInBulk and check out this week’s entries for GiveMeYourBestShot.

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

We’re just about blooming over here and the sun has been out all day.  After yesterday’s bit of rain, the air is crisp and clean.  Perfect!  And there is more color around me.  I’m just loving it!

It was a busy day workwise.  I finished all my tasks and did not put anything off.  Tomorrow is follow up day so I have a long check list.  I also have a printing job to do.  Then I have a strong desire to declare a 3 day weekend ~ but we’ll see.  I need to get my hair cut and I am entertaining the thought of a spa visit ~ the half day kind.

Flowers put me in a good mood!   Nice flowers = spa.

I hope the flowers are blooming in your neck of the woods.  I’m sure everyone is tired of old man Winter!  Time for Mr. Sun to take over!

If you’ve been following BetterInBulk and ManicMother ~ you’ll know that they co-host Bloggography, a cool blog tutorial and meme recently featuring the very basics of digital photography.  This week’s challenge is what our favorites are from the three important ‘must learns’:  ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed.  Honestly, I like them all a lot but Aperture has got to be my favorite.   When I take my camera for a spin, I literally take hundreds of pictures and like perhaps 10% of them.  I practice everyday and I have been known to beg my always-traveling sister to get me totes bags from her travels that will hold my camera.  I do not carry a camera bag but I carry my camera everywhere.

I have been known to take pictures while driving.  No law broken    so no worries.  I just always have it set to ‘shoot’ at any given time.

All that said, I’m happy to share some photos taken from my sister’s home last Sunday.  It was an impromptu visit as she had just returned from  two weeks in Asia and Europe [and yup, I scored another bag].   Thank ye, sis!  I really went there cuz I missed you

Scored

Okay, so back to the photos I want to share this week.  Stills and blooms are some of my favorite objects to photograph.  That’s why I can’t wait for spring!!

And my nephew-dog ~ Oreo ~ gets some mention this week, too!

Taken in my fave f/1.8 and ISO 100.  Oreo was just trying to mimic my niece-human  who was trying to strike a ‘mean girl’ pose at my request.

Hmmm ~ who looks better?  Hard to tell

If you’re loving your camera and want to learn or share, head on over HERE and follow those that are on the same fun adventure.  I’m headed over there to link up right now.  Go visit everyone and say hello!

Till next week!  Same time (late) same channel.

I OD’d on our 2yo Nate this past weekend that I was seriously sad last night.  Withdrawal, ya think?  It seemed so quiet when I got home from visiting my sister.  No noisy kid ~ no sounds of Thomas the Engine ~ no child’s noisy feet running around the house.  At the same time ~ Newman [our cockapoo] was flat out TIRED and didn’t even get up to greet me.

So today ~ I needed to wean myself.  I spent lunchtime with the kids and the kiddieGrands who were in the same house.  I met up with my DH and we left together.  Got my fill and my fix.

Nate was off to Toys R Us with my son for some uncle-nephew bonding.  He came home with a baseball and a bat ~ a football with a goal post ~ and a Lightning McQueen puzzle that they put together.   My [nurse] daughter was off today so she was home with Alyssa who was asleep when I arrived.  Like this.  On her fists ~ cuz she didn’t to ruin her hair ~ or maybe it was too bright?  She wasn’t really going anywhere ~ but she was dressed for a party.

I was able to feed her ~ rice and peas.  She’s loving food!  Next week I think she’ll have green beans.  I can’t wait till she can dig into some ice cream!

That was my lunch hour.  A 2yo FILL and a  6mo FIX.  That should get me through the weekend!  It’s all good now!!

This past week ~  a group of bloggers traveled to Kenya with Compassion International to document the hardship and lives of children of poverty.  Each day ~ I read moving testimonies about days visiting remote villages, and time spent with children who are in Compassion’s programs.  The goal was to bring attention to the plight of these vulnerable children and find willing hearts to sponsor a child for only $38.00 a month.   Each day I read.  Each day I did nothing.   Read, that’s all.

Last night, as I blogged about missing my kiddieGrand [Nathan]  who spent the weekend with us ~ I felt compelled to do something.  I felt so fortunate to have a happy and healthy child just for the weekend.  Why can’t all kids be as happy as he is?

I didn’t want to just turned to the website and pick a child.  I wanted a connection of some sort.   I kept praying.  I knew one of the bloggers on the trip and sent her an email asking her if by chance she could pick a child for me to sponsor.  I woke up this morning to an email with Larenda’s information and a hopeful message.  It was all I needed.  Larenda is 8 years old and is in the same project as one of the children already being sponsored.  I didn’t think twice about taking her in.

In exchange for the monthly gym membership I’m paying for and am not using.  That’s now canceled.   $38.00 a month. My pup gets groomed every 3 weeks at $60.00.  That’s now cut in half.   What is $38.00 a month?

To a child in Kenya, I can only imagine what that will mean.   A brighter future and hope.  A chance to dream of what she wants to be when she grows up?  Perhaps clothes and shoes and books to read.   My understanding is that she has been waiting for over six months for a sponsor.  I can’t imagine waiting that long for Santa.   It seems so unfair and it’s heartbreaking.

I will be receiving a packet with Larenda’s information and we will be able to write letter to her.  I can’t wait to connect with her.  I imagine she will be changing my life  as well  from here on out.  We will exchange pictures.  She will know someone will be loving on her.

Today was when I stopped just reading.   I finally opened my heart and took one little girl in.  Now ~ Larenda is ours.  It’s about time!

If you are able to help, please check visit HERE.  It’s an amazing feeling once you make that ‘connection’.  God bless.

I miss the boy    He is spending the night at his cousin Alyssa’s home with his aunt and uncles.  I spent the afternoon with my sister, BIL and nieces and then came home to remnants of a great weekend.

And I’m sad.  It went by so fast.  My kiddieGrand has stolen my heart and I miss his little heiny.

So much love and positive energy out of this little Man.  I am beyond blessed.  I got Mr. Smiley and he’s really contagious.

Have a great week!  We LOVED our weekend and I hope you all did, too.

First of all, I have to address all mothers who blog.  I don’t know how you have time to do it without giving up quality time with the little kids.  If you have them at home all.the.time  ~ it’s quite a feat!  We have Nate with us for another night and it’s almost 7:00PM and I can’t even stay here long.  Just long enough to post some pictures which will have to speak for themselves.  Every time I sit here, he’s right behind me asking  to watch Black Eye Peas’ I’ve Got A Feeling or play games on PBS.  So, needless to say ~ I’m not on here a lot while he’s ‘around’.  It’s a blast playing with him anyway.

So ~ good job, moms!   And with that ~ a brief synopsis of our day of climbing, feeding ducks, throwing rocks, playing in playgrounds, watching planes, trains and boats.

Son, all boys MUST climb trees.

Jumping Jack!

This is how we ‘transport’ our children

By the SF Bay [behind]

San Francisco Skyline from Harbor Bay in Alameda

Our view ~ on a clear day like today!

I love you, Owpa!

The End. Not.  To be continued…

UPDATED: 8:48PM

I’m in awe.  Nate  is so comfortable in his own skin and happy as a lark [this is his longest time away alone with us or anyone].  Completely aware that mommy and daddy are on holiday and will come back in a couple more days.  A couple fun sleepovers at Grammie and Owpa’s and then a couple days with his cousin,  Baby Lyssa.  Not.one.tear shed.  No whining at all.  Just a happy and courteous little kid who knows all his please and thank yous.  And his numbers and alphabets.  And all the Friends of Thomas the Engine.

A mind that doesn’t stop asking “what’s that?”  and when you tell him what something is ~ he says “Oh!  I know!” I forget how fun two year olds are!

For us Grands, pure bliss entertainment.

I mean who else will hide inside a Lightnight McQueen sleeping bag ~

shhh….there’s a body inside this bag!

and tell your Owpa to haul you away?

and dump all of you onto the bed!

Don’t Stop Making Memories

I haven’t been in this place in A.G.E.S. !!!!  Years!!!   Stores have come and gone ~ this one is still around ~ barely!

I got the 2yo kiddieGrand for a couple of days and then pass him on to his aunt for another couple nights.  Mommy and Daddy have handed him over and jetted off for some much needed vacation time!  We made the kiddie hand-off  at lunch today and I got some itty bitty baby love from the other growing bitty boo.  The little missie who is all  pink and dainty as they ever can get!

Little Miss Giggles

My husband met us there for lunch so it was an impromptu family outdoor affair.  Then it was time to go and Nate was ‘excited’ to come home with me.  He’s so sweet and talks A LOT!   We had planned on going to Target but made the turn to Toys R Us instead.  We were looking for “Lightning McQueen” ~ but got stuck with Thomas and Friends.

We were here forever!

Then with the horses ~ forever too! [He desiced they were race horses]

And with Lightnight McQueen for a million years.

We left with 3 Thomas and Friends trains, one set of tracks and a Lightning McQueen sleeping bag.  We are set up for the weekend!  After a walk around the block with Newman,  we joined the kids next door and the doggies (we let them off leash) and even hit some balls off the tee.

We have a BUSY weekend ahead of us!  With Nate, Thomas and Friends!

PS: Can you tell I’m LOVING my 85mm f/1.8 lens?