Grand Central Prank

sytycd

i wish i could dance, but know that i can't. but, watching these people perform makes me want to get up and shake my groove thang. i missed them on tour last year, but not this year!

i only recorded a part of the dance, but its Hawk, Sarah, and Dominic doing a choreographed break dance routine...

Posh is in the House

I have been looking forward to the Beckham's arrival for quite some time (yes, I am that shallow). Are you kidding me - David and Posh?! Is it fair for so much beauty to be in one family? I am really excited - not only that there is something on Monday nights for the first time in forever - but soccer, too! Posh's favorite word - "major" - is my new favorite. The socialite with the crazy lips and dolphin call - are you kidding me - she was major and those shoes - major. Welcome to America, Beckhams! And I know what you mean, it is "exhausting being so fabulous!"

Double Dare

Today Chase cheerfully put the silverware away - as you can clearly see he did it a very different way. The first time he did this, I quickly "fixed" it, returning spoons to their proper places. The second time, I shut the drawer, thinking I would fix it later, but I promptly forgot about it. When the drawer was opened - people had very interesting comments - I now know that the silverware home is sacred to many - its hard to see it in such disarray. But it was funny to me! And truth be told, it was all back to normal after about a day - we use silverware a lot.

So, here's where the dare comes in - I dare you, no, I double dare you to try putting your silverware away after the manner of the Chase...did you get funny looks - what did other's say - and could you even stand it?! Its a funny thing to realize that I can stuff pajamas in a drawer - but not silverware!

Thigh Sigh

A scary thing happened. I was running (no that's not the scariest part) and the sun was at my back. I looked ahead at my shadow on the ground...all I can say is that the shadow I saw was proof of some serious thunder thighs. And unlike Bonnie Blair and her speed skating thighs, I can assure you that mine are fairly muscle-free. Thighs have always been my biggest sigh - especially in the summer.

Undo the Updo

When the weather gets too cold, a lot of the palm trees get an updo. But often as the weather gets warmer, they never get their undo. The weather has been quite lovely for months, but these poor palm trees, remain in an unnatural pony-tail state. I took this picture as we were out running errands.

Tangent 1 - If I leave my hair in a pony too long, my head actually aches when I take it down, I can only imagine what the palm tree is feeling.

Tangent 2 - The best hair story I have ever heard starts with my five year old brother and friend causing quiet mischief in the bedroom. Quiet mischief is always the worst kind, and when my mother found them, Tim had lost most of his hair at my brother's scissored hand. My mother, fearing the consequence of this hair massacre, picked up the offending scissors and butchered her own child's locks. She kept chopping until the remaining red mane looked as bad as Tim's. I still don't know if it was madness or genius. But, my mother was able to say, "Look what they did to each other!" instead of, "Look what my son did to yours."

Tangent 3 - Ridi recently returned from Samoa and she brought home footage of a cousin climbing a coconut tree not really using anything - it only took a minute as he flew up and down - pretty impressive. I wonder what it would be like to really eat off the land.

Wasting Time 101

Its nap time and preschool, so here we are - Japanimation style. Angie, James, and Chase - thanks to Kelley and Avatar we are ready for the cartoon network! You should see James with a beard...

All Things Bath

Tonight I dragged soaking children out of the bath and subsequently, my thoughts on all things bath...

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One. I dropped "Big Blue" in the tub and its busy fizzes and frothy foam scared Chase. But, James loved the seaweed that appeared. So, tonight the bright blue bath water transformed the ordinary bath into the ocean and the boys into two large fish.

Two. I bought "Big Blue" in Carmel. And although LUSH is in New York, LA, Australia, Hong Kong, etc.; I still get as excited as I did the first time I found the store eight years ago. I bought a few bath bombs to introduce James to the experience. The Tisty Tosty is shaped like a heart. For $5.35 it makes a heavenly bath filled with a light scent and dried roses. And if you saw the Friends where Chandler bathes with emulsifying salts - you know that even the most skeptical showerer can become bath believers - you'll just have to try it.

Three. This poor mother elephant dreams of five minutes' peace but never attains it - she doesn't give up on the dream (a dream my mother must have shared). In the end of the book, 1 minute 37 seconds of peace in a quiet bath will have to do. Perhaps tomorrow she will find her peace.

Four. On rare occasions I bathe in the darkness - no candles (although that's nice) - there is something about taking a bath at night when the house is silent and all you can hear is the gentle sound of water. Somehow my senses are hightened...showers for business, but always baths for pleasure.

Five. The bubble bath. I can imagine the crackling sound of the bubbles as I type. My Grandmother always had a huge bottle of Spring Gel Vitabath by her tub, and my mother kept the tradition alive.

Six. And then there's Bath in Sommerset, England. Its one of my favorite places - the architecture, the Royal Crescent, the history. Visiting the Roman Baths made me feel part of the past. And when I looked up at the fan vaulting on the ceiling in Bath Abbey -- heaven.

Seven (its a stretch). Jane Austen's Persuasion takes place in Bath; I love the pivotal scene where Anne makes the assertion, "We certainly do not forget you, as soon as you forget us. It is, perhaps, our fate rather than our merit. We cannot help ourselves..." These words overheard by Wentworth spark a passionate letter he hands her, with renewed hope for the future. (Northanger Abbey and Pickwick Papers have scenes in Bath as well.)

Fin.

I couldn't help myself

http://www.myheritage.com

Senior Quote

I was never included in the initials of someone's Senior Quote - you know the people that typed ARSBJWBCMB - a mysterious code to their BFFs. My Senior quote was a line from a song..."I could laugh until I cry, or cry until I laugh, so cut the deck right in half, I'll play from either side." I don't know what triggered this memory; perhaps just driving past the high school or a general fondness. But I am surprised that I still remember the quote and doubly shocked that I still relate. Its reassuring to think that tears and laughter are intricately linked. I still wish that all my tears transformed into laughter - and that my laughter moistened my eyes with happiness.

As for the weekend - there were tears because I just don't understand sometimes - and laughter because James told his dad, "I don't get baseball cards willy-nilly, I have to earn them." Yes, he used the phrase "willy-nilly" - I am hoping it is a phrase that will quickly sweep the nation.

Anyhow, do you remember your Senior Quote and is it as profound (or deep to use a really high school concept) as you thought it was then?

Salon Wisdom

I don't know if what I did today was of any lasting importance, but I will share the highlights from reading Cosmo at the salon. With a wink and a nudge I say...it wouldn't be fair to hold this type of valuable information hostage...

According to Cosmopolitan...
I must have the Burberry Prorsum Coat with tulip sleeves.
I think "they" may be right (I had to include a picture because- well look at the sleeves-they are darling-I'm in love).

If you find yourself without lipstick - suck on some red candy.
Who knows what kind of dire emergency could have left your lips without - I say lick 'em - of course this is coming from someone who sticks strictly to chapstick and gloss.

Put eye drops on your blemishes in a real emergency - it takes the red out.
Who knew? I knew that a little Preparation H can help with poofy eyes - but eye drops on zits was news to me.

When buying a large bag/purse - be sure to purchase one with a light liner - it will help you find what you are looking for with greater ease.
I am afraid that it isn't the color of the liner - my bag is filled with diapers, crackers, disposable bibs, disposable liners, small trucks, bandaids, books, on top of everything that should be inside - I couldn't find anything easily with a neon liner.

I don't get to the salon that often, and I read Cosmo even less, but it's always educational (or something like that - wink, wink).

Star Sighting

I went to lunch with Emily Berg (Kane) today. We were sitting outside at Pluto's and who should walk past but - Jerry Rice. He was wearing his superbowl ring around his neck and talking on his cell phone without a care in the world. For anyone who grew up in NorCal - it doesn't get any better than this!

Anyhow, it got me thinking about my favorite accidental star sightings...

• Lucy Lu was eating a hotdog in SoHo - and I almost walked up to her because I thought she was a friend from high school
• Ashley Judd told me how cute baby James was in Central Park (this was awhile ago)
• Ethan Hawke was walking from Chelsea Piers with his son on his shoulders
• Toby McGuire and Kirsten Dunst were filming Spider Man outside 10 Liberty for a week - I didn't see her, but I saw him
• Freddy Prinze and I watched the same movie over in Battery Park City
• Michael J Fox (Alex P Keaton) was at a birthday party for a mutual friend
• Ryan and Trista - you know, from the Bachlorette
• Bobby Flay was jogging - I wish he was cooking
• Sean Penn and Tim McGraw trump all of mine - Emily Berg wins...or do you?

What are some of your best run-ins?

DailyCandy Drop Out

I have been getting DailyCandy emails for the last few years - but I recently quit - that's right - I'm a drop out. The emails turned into a list of things reminding me what I'm not doing, what I'm not wearing, and what darling toys my children don't have. The truth is, its better for me to check in occasionally and be inspired and then forget all about it for months at a time. But, I am going to miss the pictures. This is one of my favorites! (Although, if I were carrying that many bags and that baby without an ergo - I would not be so breezy.)

Oscar Report

The Best

Someday, I will wear this dress.

The Worst

Oh, that's where I left my oversized bow...

Down with Roy

(Sorry, Dad, I don't mean you!)

If you watched The Office then you know what I am talking about...Pam left the wedding with Roy!! Jim had even caught her looking - and when their eyes met - they knew! I know they know! Why, oh why, hasn't Jim figured it out. She broke off her marriage for him - and then has never said anything. Why isn't Pam honest? And why doesn't Jim try again? Sigh.