11.17.2011

Ode to the Grand Admiral Madre (or, "My Mother is My Role Model")

Well, I certainly can't get all sentimental about my Daddy without touching on my Mama, can I?

My mother is one hell of a strong lady.  It takes an iron will to be the rock of a family that moved around as much as ours has. She has taught me how to be a better hostess, a decent cook, how to have good manners, and how to come up with a good zinger on the off-chance that someone's being horrid to you.  She taught me how important it is to stand up for yourself; that there's a big difference between being kind and being a pushover. 

Mama, I'm indebted to you for so many reasons:


  • When I was maybe 5, you asked for my opinion before deciding your work schedule (working weekends = no biscuits for breakfast, working weekday afternoons = no Mama/snack time after kindergarten).  That made me feel so very important. 
  • For dance lessons, letting me read aloud to you, letting me dress up in your old stuff, and all the other little ways you encouraged your budding actress years before I ever even stepped on a stage.
  • You remember when we got locked out of our flat in Barbados?  We decided to stack up the neighbor's patio furniture and you let me climb up onto the balcony to get back in.  Funniest example in my mind of creative female problem solving.  And sheer enjoyment of celebratory Coca Cola.
  • Always bopping around and singing goofy songs.  Because of you, I have zero shame about dancing and singing along to the muzak at the grocery store, in elevators, or department stores.  By myself.
  • For pushing and working so hard for me to get to experience the things you didn't have in your own childhood.  Thank you for summer camp, swim lessons, band, and never making me clean my plate (other than the veggies). 
  • Giving me A Tree Grows in Brooklyn at age 11, and telling me how important it was to you at that age.  You remember how battered my copy became?  That's a true testament to how well you spoke to my heart from behind the scenes, at a time when I was definitely a difficult kid.  To this day, I consider that book to be a love letter from a mother to a daughter.
  • Thank you for all those random trips to the pet store to look at puppies, just because.  And thanks heaps for being a huge softie for a little red-head Chow Shepard mix with a neurological twitch.  And thanks most of all for making up a story that we were puppysitting so Daddy would have a whole week to fall in love with her so he would let us keep her. Your suggestion to Southernize her name from "Blue" to "Bonnie Blue" sure didn't hurt.
  • You were so candid with your stories about how you were teased as a kid for being so skinny.  Thank you for constantly reminding me how it would suddenly becomes an enviable trait as an adult (you so nailed that one!).  And
  • For raising me to just assume that I would go to college.  Not only that, but for constantly reminding me during the middle school and high school rough patches that college was going to be so much more fun, open-minded, freeing, and interesting than anything I had yet experienced (it totally was).
  • When HD was born, I know you were so excited to see your new grandbaby.  But I know that first and foremost you wanted to make sure that I was ok.  Thanks for kicking it for hours in that waiting room, just in case I needed you.  Knowing you were nearby was a huge, huge help.
 I feel like more than any person in my life, you and I have managed to change, adapt, and grow the most together, always for the better.  I love that we get to be adults together now, and that you can be my friend as well as my parent.  Everyone should get to be friends with someone as honest, funny, and caring as you.

11.15.2011

Ode to a Sandpaper Pappy (or, "My Father is Awesome")

There's nothing like being a parent to make you really reflect on your own childhood.  I don't have any illusions that I had the perfect childhood or the perfect family any more than I believe I was the perfect daughter.  But I have no doubts whatsoever that my parents always tried their hardest to do what they believed was the best for our family, and that they did (and continue to) love the bejeezus out of my brother and me. 

My father has always been one of the hardest working people I know.  Cripes, the man managed to get his masters while holding down a full time job and raising 2 kids while his wife also worked.  He had to travel a ton for work, but he still managed to be a very actively involved dad.


Daddy, thank you so much for the following (and lots more):

  • When I was a teeny kid, and how you would lay down and let me crawl onto your belly and up to your propped knees so I could slide down your shins.  That was really fun.
  • Making our backyard fort, complete with tire swing. 
  • Always finding loose change for the ice cream truck.
  • Taking me to the Young Writers' Conference at EWU.  That totally cultivated a hobby that I still enjoy today.
  • Always making sure that no matter how much you traveled, that you could see at least one show of each of my various high school performances.
  • Stacking me and the bro on your back when we would sled down the street.  Even though it was probably dangerous as all get out, it was sooooo much faster than going down by ourselves.
  • Cultivating my love of horror movies and teaching me that being afraid is the biggest part of the fun (I'm referring specifically to watching The Shining at age 13, NOT The Exorcist at age 14 -- yikes)
  • I owe you entirely for my taste in music.  You taught me to be open to new bands in addition to our old favorites, to love seeing bands live, and that pop music is an important part of American history.
  • For being a cuddly daddy, who was never to busy to hold my hand or put an arm around me or give a scratchy mustache kiss.
  • Every single early morning before you would fly out on a business trip, you would sneak into my room in the wee hours of morning to say you loved me before you left.  Me being a light sleeper, I'd wake about 85% pf the time, but I never minded.
  • For teaching me the green eggs and ham theory -- that you have to try something before you can say that you don't like it.  Because of you, I love to eat.
  • For teaching me the importance of knowing and remembering where you come from, and the idea of family as legacy, a linked chain with a shared history.
  • Taking me to UCLA Scholar's Day, and subsequently convincing me to ditch the next day's scheduled USC visit to go to Disneyland instead.
  • And for that Thanksgiving when I first came home after starting college, you invited me to enjoy a beer with you.  That completely stands out in my mind as the moment you first acknowledged me as an adult (even though I am so obviously still your little Weet Weet).  

You helped me to understand from a very early age what a father and a husband should be.  That I should have very high expectations of the man that I would marry.  Well, you were right and I do.  And I look at the amazing man that I chose to spend my life with, and the way he loves our daughter.  And weirdly, knowing that I have that makes me want to thank you, Daddy.   





11.14.2011

Festivities and Menageries (or, "Man, We Was Bizzay")

Crazy weekend!  A gorgeous 11/11/11 wedding at the lovely Ferry Building in SF (congrats Omar and Alex!).  An overnight stay with Hubs's bro and his wife, minus Miss HD (she had a sleepover with the grandparents).  An awesome morning back at the Ferry Building to brunch it up with them, adults-only style.  Blue Bottle coffee + oyster po' boy + pumpkin tamale = breakfast of piratical champions.  Hightailed it to the grandparents' home to retrieve the kid and have lunch, then swooped on down to the other end of the Bay to the Oakland Zoo with my bro and his wife.  We saw our entire local family in the course of 4 counties and 1 day.  *phew*

This attempt to climb into the animal pen happened at every single exhibit.
There are zebras in the background, I swear.


Hubs and I unknowingly in matching outfits for a family pic (we will NEVER do that to our child on purpose)
The Zoo taught us many lessons, including the following:
1)  We don't need a stroller as long as we're in a fenced-off kid-friendly area with no cars (bah, like those are hard to find!).  It was truly awesome to let HD run free. 
2)  Like Madeline, HD also says "Pooh, pooh" to the tiger in the zoo.  But she was very impressed with the spider monkeys (which made Hubs and I nostalgic for our Costa Rican honeymoon). 
3)  Giraffes do communicate with each other verbally, but their voices are on a low enough frequency that most humans don't hear it.  What?  I thought that was fascinating.
4)  My brother and I, unbeknownst to one another prior to this weekend, shared a secret nerdy passion for Meerkat Manor.  Talk about weird sibling connections.  BTW, I'm still sad about the split of the family after Flower's death.

Agenda for next weekend?  YO GABBA GABBA LIVE (natch)!

11.10.2011

Thankful I Be on This Day (or, "17 Months")

 I normally do my Thankful on a Thursday posts over on Facebook each week, but figured it wouldn't hurt to pull it out over here on the blog.

To those of y'all new to the idea, ToaT is all about focusing on the little things that make you grateful at that given point in time.  In my heart, I'm always super thankful for the big guns -- health, gainful employment, my family, freedom, the Tivo.  But as each week brings its little stresses and problems, it's nice to have a stop and smell the roses moment where I focus on much smaller things.  Usually those things tend to be food related, but I may be thankful for the funny kid who made me laugh on the train, or for Joshilyn Jackson novels (sidenote to my Mama -- read Backseat Saints if you haven't yet).  Here's this week's submission:

Thankful on a Thursday: for Honeycrisp apples, to my work for FINALLY ditching Lotus Notes for Gmail, for the prospect of wedding dancing/drinking after a long week, and to a little girl who's given me 17 months of the most fun I've ever had.

HD is 17 months old today.  She talks a blue streak, already using short sentences to ask questions ("where Daddy go?") or issue proclamations ("Mama read book").  She can count to 10, always skipping the number 7 for some unknown reason.  She's so social, always ambling up to other kids or babies to say hi.  Definitely tenacious, very inquisitive, and occasionally a drama queen.  Loves puppies, playing outside, running and hiding under blankets or make-shift forts, and coloring/painting.  Still prefers to be rocked and sung to before bed.  She's rough and tumble, with that awe-inspiring yet heart-stopping toddler sense of invincibility.  It probably sounds like I'm describing any old kid.  But my kid is fearless...except for vacuum cleaners.
HD's "say cheese" face.

Heavens, Mama, it is a bit early for the paparazzi.


She went from patient...
...to "GIMMEOUTNOWMAMAWHY?!"

11.09.2011

Sea Shanties for Rough Waters (or, "Songs to Make It through this Week")

It's a really rough week at work, I'm all thrown off from the time change, and pre-holiday stress is starting to kick in.  I miss my extended family and friends that are far away.  Throw in too many bad hair days and a teething kid, and I slowly begin folding in on myself.  Music always helps me get through whatever troubles or worries are plaguing me.  Here are a few songs that are on heavy rotation this week:

1)  "It's a Fact (Printed Stained)," Matt & Kim -- peppy, short, heavy on the percussion!  The chorus "yes, yes, no, no no..." makes me giggle.  This is THE OFFICIAL theme song of toddlers everywhere.

2)  "10. A.M. Automatic," The Black Keys -- this song is so seriously badass.  It's a crank-at-full-volume-and-attempt-to-dance-while-driving kind of tune.

3)   "Save It for Later," The English Beat -- consistently one of my favorite songs of all time; one of those weird ones that I don't tire of no matter how often I listen.  This song completely sums up what it's like to be young and crave independence, while still sort of seeking your parents' support and approval.  And background violins make any song more profound, right?

4)  "Mystery Train, Pt. 2," Steve Earle -- The end of summer put me on a really big bluegrass/country kick, and ol' Stevie's a leftover from that.  This guy is incredible; I have an entire Pandora station devoted to him that I listen to at work when my afternoons revolve around spreadsheets.

5)  "My Way," Frank Sinatra -- This is the very epitome of "&$#* you, I don't need anyone, I'm awesome and can rely entirely upon myself."  It's the theme song for cantankerous old bachelors who drink too much Canadian Club.  But it's also the song that was played by every single street musician (I'm not even exaggerating) in spring of 2007 when Hubs and I went on a trip to Europe together.  That was back in our dating days, and that trip basically convinced us each that we had to marry each other.  It became "our song" as a result of that trip.  We even danced to it at our wedding, despite the fact that it's probably the most unromantic lyrical content ever.  I grin ear to ear every time I hear it in passing.

6) "Message of Love," The Pretenders -- Is there any goddess of rock who ranks above Chrissie Hynde?  Hell no.  Incidentally, this song also made an appearance at our wedding when we were announced at our reception.  And we (I) completely flubbed our big high-five intro, which totally doesn't still cause me embarrassment when I remember it.

7)  "Higher Love," Steve Winwood -- THIS IS MY JAM.  For reals.

8)   "Do You Love Me?," The Contours -- I know, right?  This song always makes me think of Teen Wolf Too too!

9)  "Take Me to the Pilot," Elton John -- EJ is incredible.  I even like his cheesy "That's Why They Call It the Blues" phase.  And don't get me started on my love of The Lion King soundtrack.  But very early EJ is the best version of himself, when he's all gospely and can hit those falsetto notes, hammering away at his ivories.  Plus, he's super duper live (HD was in ute when we saw him in concert, but judging from all her squirming, I gather she enjoyed as well).

10) "Love that Girl," Raphael Saadiq -- Everyone needs a little groove-happy in their life.  This man is one of the most perfect sources.

Happy listening!

11.08.2011

Roguish Desires (or, "I Like Stuff")

I don't exactly consider myself a tastemaker. I'm usually in that last tier of folks who hear about whatever internet/tech trends are going on.  I primarily listen to music from the 1970s (honest to God, I'm still trying to figure out who Bruno Mars is).  And my fashion sense is probably more Annie Hall than Olivia Palermo (ooh, did I just reference someone who's actually semi-recent?!).  But, boy, I do love getting all bossy and giving unsolicited advice.  So on that note, here's the things this week that I adore, and you should too:

  • Giada's Winter Minestrone Soup.  Holy mackerel, is this stuff tasty.  It's garlicky, slightly smokey from the pancetta, and chock full of delicious and healthy veggies.  Serve with a hunk of bread and you are all set.  Plus, the reruns of this soup are even better since the tastes have melded even more.  Although, I suppose that's true of most soups.  Anyway, I demand you make this one immediately. But only if you send me some because I'm almost out of my supply.
  • Our country's men and women in the armed forces.  Sure I'm thinking of this because it's Veteran's Day later this week.  But these folks (AND their families!!!) deserve to be thanked every repeatedly and often.  Not everyone in the military or national guard fully agrees with the politics of this country -- hell, how many of you agree with every choice your employer makes?  Yet they serve strong and proud because it's their job.  Please, please make it a point to say "hey, thank you for what you do" to anyone you know who's serving or has served, or even to any stranger you see in uniform.  I promise you it really does mean a lot to them, and that they do not hear it enough.  Stepping down off the soap box now.
  • Kids toys from Ikea.  Their stuff is all about creative play (lots of puppets, art supplies, play kitchens and tools, doctor sets).  It's colorful, durable, and cute.  And it's gloriously inexpensive.  I'm well on my way to having HD's Christmas all planned out and under budget, not to mention battery free.  Tack sÃ¥ mycket, Ikea!
  • To all those folks who get amped over the Starbucks pumpkin spice latte...well, yes, I like them too.  But I go completely bonkers for Trader Joe's spiced cider.  It's made from whole, pressed apples and pre-marinated with all that lovely cinnamon/all-spice/orange rind.  All you have to do is heat.  And it's only $2.99!!  This single product takes a company that I adore and projects them into the stratosphere.  Especially if paired with some gingerbread (as made by their mix from a box).
  • Working out and getting my Mardi Gras fix all at the same time.  (Although, Jasleen, I totally miss doing the Bollywood dance with you!)
  • Old Navy kids' clothes, particularly this awesome sweatshirty jacket thing.  Old Navy peeps -- pretty please make one in my size?

11.07.2011

Vittles, Part Dos (or, "Statis Check: The Kid Continues to Eat Whatever")

So food is pretty much one of my favorite things on the entire face of the planet ever.  There aren't too many things that I'll refuse to try (aside from creatures that are still squirming, or cool ranch Doritos).  When the zombie apocalypse happens, I call pantry-raiding duty.  Hubs loves to play guinea pig to my culinary experiments.  It wasn't always thus -- he subsisted only on butter noodles, cheese pizza, and chicken nuggets for the first 17 years of his life.  I'm forever grateful that dorm and fraternity life beat that finickiness out of him, as (in complete honesty) I would never have gone out with him if he maintained such a strict diet. 

Naturally, we've been pretty curious to see where HD would end up on the foodie spectrum.   I last wrote about this in April, when the kid was really fully getting into solid foods.  Back then, she pretty much ate whatever we placed in front of her until she was no longer hungry.  Now?  It's more or less the same.  Only she gets bored sooooooo quickly.  She's very much a grazer, and loves variety.  Kid would be right at home in a tapas restaurant.  Sure, she enjoys regular kid fare like peanut butter or mac'n'cheese, but she also loves roasted brussels sprouts and shrimp gratin with feta.  Which means she pretty much just eats what we eat -- which is flipping SWEET.  Mama certainly has no plans on being a short-order cook.

Although, I keep hearing that kids get picky with food starting around age 2.  And goodness knows toddlers love nothing more than changing their minds on a dime.  I'm hoping that's one "milestone" we can avoid entirely.  I'll gladly take the "I heart being naked" phase instead.  HD had sushi for the first time last night.  Before you call CPS...no, we did not feed our baby raw fish (just veggie rolls and cooked shrimp dumplings.  But kid scarfed seaweed, fresh ginger, and soy sauce like nobody's business.  All topped by her very first popsicle, since those wicked incisors are trying to push through.

Edemame (kid calls it, "mommy") and her de-contructed veggie rolls.




Mmmm, kiwi strawberry.


Incidentally, HD was super into chopsticks.  She kept wanting to use mine, but couldn't quite figure them out.  I think we have our next assignment.

11.06.2011

Remembrances of Yore (or, "Nostalgia? Eh, Kinda")

This is a video from one year ago.  Was flipping through old files and it brought a huge smile to my face.  I don't normally get nostalgic for HD's teeny weeny days.  Don't get me wrong; I loved having a cuddly little bug who was the smiliest baby ever.  It's just that she honestly gets more and more fun (albeit more and more...um...challenging) with each passing day.  But this video?  Let's just say that the kid still cracks up whenever Mama pops out of a hiding place.  I guess some bits just never get old.  Hopefully it still works as a tension reliever in HD's teenage years.


11.04.2011

Ballad of a Lady (or, "She's Always a Woman to Me")

According to the great Billy Joel (a grog- loving pirate if there ever was one), "she never gives out, she never gives in...she just changes her mind."


11.03.2011

Portraits of a Babe (or, "You Try Photographing a Toddler")

To all the people who consistently demand photos of my daughter -- I completely understand.  She's cute, and you want to see the cute.   I honestly appreciate that you take an active, non-creepy interest in my kid and her blessed genetics ( thanks for passing down your good looks, Hubs).  And like any proud mama, I love to show her off. But capturing her mug on film is much easier said than done. Witness the attempted shots from this morning.

As evidenced, Miss Diva HD does not pose on command. It's candid shots + a prayer that'll she'll be still for 3 seconds = 1 usable shot out of 7.

Methinks a SLR camera may be on the list for Santa this year.

PS -- my phone only allows photos to be posted sideways when I blog from the phone.  Boo.






11.02.2011

Wicked be My Laughter (or, "Baby-Related Halloween Leftovers")

I was lucky enough to have two really lovely baby showers when I was pregnant with Miss HD.  Both were casual, full of good friends and family, and mercifully game-free.  Very little kitsch, which is just my style.  But I got to say, if kitsch gets to be totally tongue in cheek and, well, BADASS, then this is pretty awesome: A Night of the Living Baby Shower.

I'm now fervently wishing that a close friend or sis-in-law is one day pregnant in a future October, and I can pitch this idea.  Although I may be the only person I actually know who's gaga enough over scary movies to find this both delightful and hilarious.  You're allowed to express your complete horror over my sense of humor in the comments. 




11.01.2011

All Hallows Eve (or, "Happy Ween!!")

So a few weeks back my little family hit up our local Spirit Store to check out outdoor decor options for my 3rd favorite holiday (after Christmas and ITLAPD, of course).  We let HD wander around, and she was instantly drawn to the kids costume section.  She promptly shunned all things princess, waved a quick hello to Elmo, and then shrieked "DEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!" at the top of her lungs.  HD had stumbled across a costume for her hero, DJ Lance Rock.  Hubs and I glanced at one another and shrugged.  At least she's not obsessed with the bossy pants of toddler TV, Dora the Explorer.

You know those cardboard inserts in store costume packing that have a picture of the character to advertise the costume?  Well, over the next two weeks, our daughter has dragged that thing around the house in her wake, gleefully showing anyone who will pay attention her "Dee" and the "Baby Dee" (the insert has a photo of the real DJ Lance Rock as well as one of a kid in the costume).  She kisses it.  She gets upset when she can't find it.  If we're not careful here, we're moving into golden calf territory.

Stuffing your face is considered proper 'Ween etiquette.
Luckily, Halloween came yesterday, and she had a real excuse to finally wear her polyester orange jumpsuit.  When I put it on her in the morning, the kid was fully aware that she was finally one with her idol.  She would glimpse herself in the mirror, point at her reflection, and whisper "Baby Dee" in tones that indicate she was well aware of the awesomenss of her outfit.  She kept the hat on at all times, but drew a firm line against wearing the GINORMOUS black nerd glasses.  I can't blame her.  Those things are monstrous even on a full size man face like Hubs's, a total fashion faux pas.  Anyway, behold the glory:
DJ HD Rock admits that tangerine is truly her signature color.

That night, we made the Trick-or-Treating rounds.  When she got scared of our neighbor's singing Frankenstein doll, we convinced her it was a frog ("Oh.  Hi, fog").  She refused to say trick or treat, but managed to say "oooooh" in a very appreciative manner anytime she was offered candy ("kangy, mmmm"), followed by a lovely sign language thank you/blowing kiss.  Kid adored being outside at night, and nommed happily on a 3 Musketeers bar.  She even managed to learn to say "Happy Ween!"  Tantrums were averted, the costume remained in one piece (hers did anyway; my pirate sword broke, curses!), and she got to bed at the standard time despite the constant ringing of our doorbell.  All in all, a success!

Kid wasn't scared on entering mouth of the beast -- she has Gabba power to protect her.

"Kangy, mmmm" *blows kiss/thank you*
Huge thanks to the lovely people of our neighborhood, who were so nice to our kid.  And Hubs and I totally appreciate the candy -- we know none of you were fooled by our 16 month old front.  The evening was finished up with pumpkin beer, mini Snickers bars, and the Slutty Pumpkin.  Honestly?  I infinitely prefer this to the days of Halloween parties in bars, dressed like Joel from Risky Business.  Although maybe next year I dig out that old costume in attempt to teach HD the splendor that is Bob Seger.