Wow! It’s been a forever crazy week and it has gone by so fast!  I just remember being with my parents for lunch on Tuesday and all my kids and the kiddie-lettes yesterday in between my check list which I’ve not finished yet. Today I spent my lunch hour with my sister who just returned from Europe ~ dropped her off AGAIN at the airport for a domestic flight which ended up being canceled.

And now, I’m taking a breather while we get ready for our exciting next fews.  But of course, I had to get a whiff out of these couple of sweet human beings yesterday.

The one on the right is adopted

I’m working off a checklist and it’s keeping me a bit organized.  Today I realized that I had left my credit card at the restaurant we were at yesterday.  Well, we were a party of nine for lunch, so there was bound to be some confusion.  At least we brought the babies home with us.   I promise to slow down.  On Saturday.

Glorious Saturday.  Over the rainbow. Somewhere.

Piece of Heaven

I’m really on a BREAK

T minus 5 and counting.  But first, some pictures from a cozy Father’s Day afternoon.  The children are growing ever so fast.

We had an afternoon celebration at my daughters with my parents and kids in attendance.  My sister is in Spain right now so it was just my family. Whether there are just two of us, or many ~ it is always enjoyable and great company.  So today, we indulged.

In all the children, big and small.  Especially the small.

We also indulged in the grown ups.  There was a lot of food.

But it wasn’t cooked by this little girl.

although if she could, she probably would have

and this little Entertainer?  Well, he came home with us.

I might keep him for a while!

BOTH of them

Happy Father’s day to all the dads in my life ~ there are many and everyone is loved and special to me.  We will be celebrating at my daughter’s home with all four generations again.  Being together, eating (fee fi fo food!!!) and being with the babies.

Apparently, my 2yo babyGrand married his girlfriend last week.  I have to get to the bottom of that (!!)   There’s a story!

And after the celebration, after we get home and prepare for a week that will hopefully go by fast, we are on chill mode for a while ~ just like the beverages waiting for us.

SO THEREFORE, my blogging may be sporadic until further notice.    Family and friends know where we are and where I’ll be posting.

In the meantime, keep the peace and play nice.

Ciao!

Patrick graduated from High School.  I’ve known him when he was really really little.  And now he’s a very tall lean kid with red hair and the fairest Irish skin.  And soon to be in college.  Oh wow!

But before all that, it was time for celebration, I guess.  And so while I napped this afternoon to the sound of what I thought were kids enjoying a Saturday afternoon,  I went outside to see why there was excitement and laughter.  Well, I forgot that I live in the party side of our neighborhood.  The side where no one has moved, where we watch each other’s house and kids and where we celebrate big events.

This jump house is BIG.  I expect it will be filled with 17 year old classmates tonite, but in the meantime, the younger kids are enjoying it.  And invited me to jump with them.  Uhhmmmm ~ yeah, I love you too!

Our two streets are full of cars.  In our neighborhood where there are humongous trees ~ where we block off our streets on the fourth of July for a street wide grill-out.  It’s that kind of area.  And everyone is invited to the party.

Because one of our children is celebrating a milestone.

And moving on up.

Sounds like something to celebrate!  Congratulations, Patrick!   And see ya later

I took some pictures yesterday of some plants and flowers in my home and neighborhood.  I posted them on my SmugMug accounts.  It was kind of cool to see some of the photos that I had taken in the early spring.  Some of those early blooms and blossoms are now full foliage.  As is typical in the Bay Area, our weather is very chilly in the morning until the sun burns off our natural air conditioning (fog).

I digress, however.  Here are some pictures I took.

Might not look like much.  I’ve taken similar  pictures almost a year ago when I first got serious with my DSLR (two cameras ago?).   I’ve since procured better lenses and am much more comfortable with software.  Last night and early this morning, I played with my photos and made these!

And there are more photo effects I’m playing with.  It’s a lot of fun!  Especially when I’m done with work and exactly six days from now,  I will be by WATER.  And waves.  So for today, I’ll be practicing.  And clicking.  What a wonderful hobby!

Just a friendly reminder, if you missed THIS.

Whoa!  I live too close to a Nike store.  Way too close ~ and it’s a good thing and a bad thing.

It’s great because my kids are always there and occasionally I’ll get a surprise visit from them ~ out of the blue ~ with a baby even!   It’s bad because when there’s something hot, I go and wait for it before it sells out.

Nike Dri Fit Red/Yellow Livestrong

Today I was there twice.  The second time I was there ~ I drained the battery of my Blackberry because I was taking shoe pictures and texting it.  In the end I ended up with quite a loot.

And I didn’t get hurt when a pile of shoes on the rack fell on my face.  Nope ~ I’m fine.  Not a scratch.  Just a little embarrassed.

And yes, I have athletes in my family and right now they are playing lots of basketball with their friends and significant others ~ and children too.  And we ARE watching the Lakers vs Celtics as I type.  I’m nervous.  I wanted a Game 7 and we’re on Facebook chatting; half for the Celtics and half for the Lakers.  Friendly banter.

Oh ~ my countdown ~ SEVEN more days!  WATER!!

I can tell when school is out.  I used to look forward to the last school days of my children.  We had a ritual.  I would pick them up and go to our favorite old fashioned soda fountain slash ice creamery.  All the servers were sweet little old ladies and they had a menu filled will different ice cream concoctions.

They’re closed now.  But we have our memories.

I also looked forward to the sound of children out of the house early in the morning, playing and being kids.  This morning, as I went for our early morning walk with Newman ~ the kids were out.  And happy!  Three months of bliss, how fab can that be.

This is at 8:00AM !  I get the warmest hugs from him each time I see him.  A ham and a half.

And yeah, Newman LOVES him.

First the bike ~ then there was also baseball and basketball

It was early  ~ wonderful time to shoot ~ and you know, in California ~ we have the best mornings.

Swimming meets ~ baseball ~ basketball~ hiking ~ biking

We’re in the ‘burbs.  We don’t plant in straw bales like they do in the country. Actually, we leave our yardens  to the gardener (at least in our street).

But we like to hit balls as far as we can ~ even if they land in the neighbor’s roof tops.  That’s okay.  Tennis balls don’t break car windshields.

And we have neighborhood meetings to talk about watching each other’s homes.  And care for each other’s pets when we have to go on vacations.

You know ~ that sort of stuff like Wisteria Lane.

I like it here.  I wouldn’t trade it for any other place right now.

Kids are out of school.  Drive safely!

Wooohooo!  We have a Game 7 !! That’s all I wanted.  I’m rooting for the Lakers but more than that, I just wanted a nice ginormous blowout like tonite.  And then I’ll let Los Angeles fans be really loud on Thursday!  Omigosh, it will be fun and then on Friday morning, we’re getting up early to watch USA soccer in FIFA.   That’s my testosterone-y week so far!

‘cept yesterday I spoiled myself and indulged in a two hour manicure/pedicure session with extended massage.  Just because I’m waiting and counting down and we only have 9 days till yay day!  I have very bright toenails and super soft feeties! And another appointment on day 8 of my countdown.

‘cuz ya know, people like to post pictures of their feet, no? Sandals season!

In the meantime, I’ve been testing a couple photography hosting sites.  Signed with one and wasn’t happy, so I canceled.  I’m going to give another site a try as recommended by my cousin.  I already have a bunch of stored photographs that I can begin with.  I’ll have some events to shoot this coming month and all into August.

Today, this guy was my subject.

Someone has gotten really fun and playful lately.  Almost understanding human talk.  He’ll be two years old in July which makes him a teenager.  On our regular walk today, he let an old lady in a wheelchair pet him and she was so delighted in his fluff and glory!

The ultimate Alpha Dog

Getting ready to sprint ~ which he did right after this was taken

Home updates?  Well, my son successfully pre-ordered his iPhone which will be mailed to him on the 24th.  Tomorrow I am lunching with my children and one baby and perhaps converting our one spare phone to the new iPhone so we can video conference ~ because we have to see who we are talking to!  (Right???).  Okay. Kind of silly but it’s gadgetry.  I chatted with more people today on Facebook than I’ve ever chatted with.  Loved that I conversed with my niece in West Virginia!

I have a sister who was in Prague for a few days, now in London enroute to Madrid / Ibiza.  A SIL in Israel (all over the Bible places … more on that soon!) and another SIL in the equator in Quito and the Galapagos island.  I’m itching. To go somewhere.

And tonite’s flavor?  Coffee with almonds.  Haagen Daz bar.  Yeah, life ain’t that bad here in the ‘burbs.  ‘Twas kinda chilly today

Today, we souped up my new 1TB computer, gave it more RAM and installed a discreet graphics card.  Nvidia to boot  (ha!)  Don’t worry, I didn’t give ‘em all mio dinero.  But I did get me a spiffy neato wireless keyboard with a hyper fast scrolling mouse.   I also added another desk area in the office

I just needed to feed my boy (and Stretch) and voila!  I now have TWO working computers networked to each other.  The older machine will be Nate’s workstation when he comes to visit.  Here’s my new kid on the operating table.  See all the bells and whistles?  Can you identify what these parts are?

I need to name this baby

Here’s a hint !

Working hard for the money (or was it a video game he earned?)

I imagine Geek Squad would have charged me about $400 just to do this. I just fed them.  And loved them.

This is the old monitor (which I saved) and it’s now hooked up to the old computer.  Now there are two in our office and I don’t have to transfer everything.  Yay, Nate!

Right now, since the two machines are networked, I’m importing all my LightRoom pictures.  I’m also watching PBS as they have a British Invasion show on ~ really cool.  We were up early this morning to catch the FIFA game and then this afternoon after the games of the day were over we had a meal at the Pub near us.  Apparently it was crazy busy while the games were on (they have three or four satellites and a bazillion televisions).  I had a root beer float cuz it was a hot day and I enjoyed every single ounce of it.  With zero guilt.

And then when we came home, my husband ran to the convenience store to get us ice cream (and two Dove bars for me).   Dontcha love it when your spouse knows exactly what makes you happy?

Tomorrow is going to be another HOT day with a high fire danger warnings.  A good day to stay home, watch the games (early at 4am our time) and the Lakers later in the day.  We’re stocked from my trip to Costco today and our AC’s are on too. I see a siesta on my agenda for Sunday.

Oh and guess what.  Today I have a sister in Prague. A sister in law on the equator in Quito and the Galapagos Island and another sister in law in Israel (Tiberias, Capernaum, Nazareth and Galilee; tomorrow she’ll swim in the Dead Sea and visit Jericho).   Learning vicariously!!

My 18 year old nephew is a sailor.  He teaches sailing and is quite adept at commanding a seacraft.  When we went to Maine a few years ago, he was about  15  at the time, he showed all of us his skill by taking us on a sailboat ride and controlling the boat.  Quite impressive, this young man in our family.

The lovely thing about my in-laws is that the kids stay close to the family.  We had a suprise visit from our young sailor man Friday afternoon and Newman was excited.  He (the dog) was quite sad   because he had a dreaded 3 week appointment with the groomers but soon as company arrived for a visit, he was as happy as a lark on the fourth of July.  Except it’s only June.

He likes to give kisses.

With our young(ish) nephew and  because of his chosen field (of work), we discussed the adventures of the young lady (Abby Sunderland) who tried to sail around the world to break the record (of being the youngest to do so).  Apparently, that distinction is no longer awarded to anyone so the whole point of the journey was moot, except ~ of course ~ for media attention.  I had a similar discussion with a few friends about this topic on Facebook and everyone agreed about the rather extreme experiment.  We were happy to learn that the young lady was rescued but we’re trying to understand how such a feat could even be fathomed.

I expect we all have our reasons for doing things and who really is to judge.  But perception ~ grant me that.  I can’t even begin to think about sleeping at night knowing my child would be all alone in the middle of the open ocean.  Never mind the seaworthiness of the craft and/or the skill of the captain of the vessel.  Loneliness for months?  Fear? Innervoice conversations?  Pirates?  Mother Nature? Does this make a person strong?  Who drives such ambition?  Child / parent / society?  You tell me.

I just can’t fathom it as a mother.

But unowat?  In this day and age, it doesn’t surprise me.  My head might shake, but I’m not dropping my jaw.

For me, I let my kids enjoy their childhood for as long as they could and I’ll encourage the same with their children.  I’m not experimenting with my lineage.

I have a brand new custom built computer!  It has got a 1 terabyte hard drive and a quad core processor and  I don’t know what else.  My son built it for me (overnight). I have no idea what I ate to deserve a son like him.  Must have been something good.  Or maybe it was what I inhaled.  Lucky me!

My other computer still works but has slowed down considerably since I’ve been taking photographs in DNG format (RAW).  At the last count I had something like 13,000 pictures downloaded just in my LightRoom folder.

The plan now is to download my photos to an external drive so I don’t use up my space.  Or something like that.

I also have new Windows 7 (woohoo!!).  Goodbye silly old Vista.

The pictures from my compact flash card upload very FAST on this new gizmo.  I think the boy plans to add more RAM so I can do things simultaneously and it doesn’t blow up on me.

Oh the wonders!  All this stuff used to be my daily lingo at work.  Fortunately, I can kind of keep up with technology but today, I asked a few questions.

Like this (conversation on Facebook with my kid)

4:20pm Me

whats hyperthreading anyway

4:21pm  My Kid

your new amd is a quad core processor

4 centers for computing data

my intel is also a quad core

but it has hyperthreading

which turns each single core into a dual core

so i have 8 cores

4:22pm Me

so clear visual?

4:22pm My Kid

when software supports hyperthreading

4:22pm Me

this is good enough i think

4:23pm

no no

4:23pmMe

lol

4:23pm My Kid

it means it computes data faster

theoretically twice as fast

so basically

if i run a filter

import pics

export pics

upload

etc

i wait half as long as you

xnamewithheldx loves it cause instead of having to wait overnight

to render her buildings

it takes 20 minutes

4:24pm Me

jeez

4:42 My Kid

hook it up to your tv

4:43pm Me

yeah

4:43pm My Kid

and stream from it

that’s what we do

my computer is networked with my tv

we watch hd movies off the web

blu rays off the hd

Such is life!  I’m just trying to stay afloat!!

So say HELLO to my clean brand new desktop with one picture saved!  Now I’m multi tasking here and in my home.  Dinner is in the turbo oven.  I have a load of laundry in the dryer and I’m going to load all my presets on to LR2.

Whew!  Even better?  My husband just came home.  And he brought ice cream with him!  Life?  It’s mean to be s.w.e.e.t.   Make it so!

Evening Update:  I LOVE Windows 7 !!!  I can multi task and work on two (or more) screens!  LOVE IT!!

Home screen (left) and LR2 (right)

While the laundry fairy is visiting my house (and might be here for about three months), I thought I’d share with you some updates on the GRANDS.  Last night, we had a surprise visit from Alyssa and her parents which I always love.

Our 9 month old is a very curious and active child, always wanting to ‘walk’ and loves her grocery cart walker.  I’m thinking she’ll be walking by 11 months, which is about the same time Nate walked.  She holds on to furniture and walls and anything stable.

Even the front door.

She can clap her hands and wave goodbye and likes to chuckle.  She knows she’s got everyone wrapped around her 10 little fingers. This 9 month old age is really cool and continues up to who knows when (cuz our almost 3 year old is still lovable!!).   I may change my mind when they hit 13, but I won’t worry about that right now.

Climbing stairs is another new adventure with her!  Puma (our yorkipoo) is happy to have a human within his eye level! They’re best buds.

Nate-wise, it is almost summer for him and his mom which means I get to see them more often.  I’m looking forward to lunch dates and visits to the park.  He will turn 3 this summer.  Sweet little man with the kindest and gentlest heart.

I haven’t had a lot of time to really blog a lot as I’ve been trying to get things done and completed before we head out five hours away.  My youngest son will house sit for us and I’m packing up work and taking it with me on the road.  Next week, we will ship our clothes over so we hardly have anything to carry.  Yup, that is us and our version of stress free.  I don’t like waiting for luggage.

Hope you’re all getting ready for summer or are already enjoying it.  We have one more week in our area!  I better get all my laundry done before then!!!

I’m on my third load.  Working it!!

I had a blast watching the finale of Glee last night.  My one big frustration is being in a stage production. I love to pretend I’m in a play. Kind of like Christine in “Phantom of the Opera” which I’ve seen in various locations about six times.  When I was in High School, I was in the Glee Club and we had a yearly event called Songfest where school glee clubs competed.  The one year we did a production of  Man from La Mancha and our school won the competition.

Glee is entertaining and fun.  I love singing in harmony and blast from the past songs they perform are almost always right up my alley.

But my husband leaves the room when I’m watching it.   He’s a Mythbusters fan and he has met the guys from that show a few times since they film locally.

After a show, I’m usually singing one of the songs that stay in my head.   A fun concept show at a wonderful 9PM time slot which is usually the latest I can stay up for.

These days ~ since I DVRd  the season so I’m happy that I get to watch it over and over (when the hubs is at work).  I Leave it on in my office and sing.  Like now.

Please read THIS before continuing. Thanks!  And now, on to my post.

Oh chivalry!  You’re alive and well!  At least in my family.  We teach our children very early.   A lot of that has to do with our matriarch, the Great Grand who has passed on many learn day lessons down generations and it becomes part of our nature and make up.  It’s heartwarming to see that it passes on down to the little children.  Sometimes it’s surprising to see how fast they learn (or that they even learned it in the first place).  Perhaps they see their parents and grands.  However they do, it’s pretty gosh darn wonderful to see two and three year olds do the sweetest things like this.

Walking down the steps carefully and helping each other

And waiting for all the adults to get their act together

Must not forget the sunblock, we’ve been in the sun for a while

And don’t worry, it’s not glue stick

Children are just the purest most wonderful happy pills in life.

If you’re ever having a bad day, watch these little people and remember that life was innocent, blissful and carefree ~ and then live vicariously through them.

It has come to my attention that there MAY be someone out there on the internet and perhaps in blog communities impersonating me and asking for donations (or who knows what).  I’ve been advised that my previous avatar was copied and used.  Therefore, here is an official statement:

I have not left any negative comment about anything or anyone on any person’s blog nor am I soliciting for any cause.  My comments on blogs have been to regular friends I am already in touch with and in response to new people who leave a comment on my site.   If you see anything suspicious, please feel free to email the link to the general mailbox at grammiemommyATgmailDOTcom.

Additionally, I have discontinued my membership with The Blog Frog as I have not found the time to nurture and provide added value to a community at this time.  I appreciate those who have participated in my BF community.  There are other wonderful groups to join and hope that you support them.

I blog mainly for my family and friends here and abroad.  Comments are wonderful and appreciated, but I have never been one to consider ‘numbers’ as a measure of popularity ~ on blogs, on Twitter or anywhere else.

‘Nuff said.  In the meantime, I hope everyone has a fabulous day!

TheGrammieDiaries

Alyssa was baptized yesterday and her family and friends celebrated all day.  And she was a trooper.  Not once did she complain.  Actually, she had a party and an after-party.  I can only imagine what her wedding will be like.  Her family is HUGE especially on her daddy’s side.  Very.very.big.

I love big families.

Welcome to our newest little Christian.  May you be blessed by God’s holy graces throughout your life.

The baptismal gown worn was actually first worn by Nathan when he was baptized.  This will now be the traditional gown that will be used by all my BABYGrands.  Their names and dates of Christening will be embroidered.

With Mommy

With Baby Bling from Great Grand

More bling, this time from her Aunt (godmother) – and jewels in her sandals

I have watched these kids grow from crazy happy young hip hop dancing crew to beautiful young women with husbands, fiances, successful careers and bright futures. It feels good.

I feel blessed to sit back and enjoy them.  They are all wonderful and kind and very closely knit.  Their friendship has withstood time and distance and change.

May you all continue to be blessed in love.   You all make us so proud!

Way to go, Baby ‘Lys!!

She’s nine months old.  Can you believe that?  I just had her with us last week and yesterday, for my birthday ~ she and her parents joined my mom, dad and husband and me for lunch.  And she looked bigger!

Golly little miss!  Please slow down some!

It was a couple days of celebrating for me and I usually try my best to let the day go by un-noticed.  Hard to do with loving family and friends on Facebook, though.  My parents treated us to lunch and I enjoyed the company.  We’re looking forward to tomorrow ~ the special little one will be baptized and the parents are throwing her a big shindig.  Apparently, there’s an after party for the overflow crowd!

I was busy doing my part of the preparations today but have it all done with time to spare.  So ~ what do I do with my free time?  Why dream of course!  Of upcoming events and  time off!  And this BIG BIG BIG party.

Party for two days!

(we already received the invitation!!)

crab races!

Hmmm, I’m smiling.  After our fun event this weekend, all I’ll have to do is start the countdown.  La vida boheme

Love reading other mom blogs!  I love the insight it gives me into people’s lives.  Case in point and the inspiration for my topic is MckMama‘s  post today We’re all so different and yet have some interests in common.  However, sometimes, we need to draw a line in the sand.  I’m not writing this for a giveaway.  I’m just simply being me.  Nope, I’ve got no soap to raffle off today.   I’ll tell you why I have a raffle aversion one day when I have a little bit of time to explain.

But while others are inclined to dig up old photos to show off dirty faces and hands as a prelude to a soap giveaway..I take this opportunity to tell you that being different is okay.  Nothing wrong with being total opposites.  Night and Day. That’s what makes this world quite interesting!

But me? I don’t do icky.  I didn’t get my kids down and dirty and they didn’t play with frogs (or dirt).  I had a hand towel ready to wipe their hands if it touched the ground (hand sanitizers weren’t a biggie then).  Fingernails were brushed every night and we used Dove soap.  And still do.  And baby cologne.

In the case of the BABYgrands, they are also neat all.the.time.   Except this time around, we use Boogie Wipes on them.  It’s more gentle on their skin. My kids? They inherited my manic penchant for clean body parts.

This is the closest we’ll get to ‘dirt’.  Yup, newly washed driveway.

We tried to take our 2yo to the petting zoo.  Momma and I almost threw up.  It’s stinks.  End of story.  No more zoo for me thank you!  I can’t even look at frogs and if there were a baby mouse in my house, the exterminator would’ve been here yesterday.  In a hurry.

Worlds apart and things in common.  That’s possible.

In fact, I’m kind of tripping on the difference.  Life in the ‘burbs!!

Apparently, my once puppy is now a manly pupmeister and has mastered the art of peeing like a man (standing up!).  Or change that –> to an adult dog.  He’s almost two, so that would be about 14 years old in human-ness.  And at this point in his life,  he’s done with the squat-to- pee position and prefers to lift-the-left hind leg.  Never the right.

All vegetation on the right side of the road is spared ~ but heaven help all trees and shrubberies on the left.  Even when there’s no more pee.  It’s an automatic thang, I think?

See?  My dog is a leftie.

Just practicing!!

NOTE: that little red line you see is his bitty leash.

Our daily walks have become hilarious because they now include about 20 stops like this, some days more.  He’s chosen his spots and they are all tree trunks and bushes/shrubs.   There are times when he’ll skip hop and lift a leg and I swear it would make a great ballet routine; he’s quite graceful!

And he has fans in many houses ~ stay at home moms who come out to greet and pet him and children who call his name.  Yup, we have the cutest dog in the neighborhood.  Who’da thunk!

So today, I leave you with this visual.

Cuz life should really be this easy! Just lift your left hind leg, whether ya gotta go ~ or NOT!

It. All. About. Perception!