Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Ten on Tuesday
1. In the de-cluttering process, I came to realize that we have more books than the Chino Hills Library. We have the market covered on cookbooks and children's books. I have also come to realize that we own many things that do not have a home. There is no "place" they belong; as such, they end up crammed in various places. For the time being, this means they are going into storage.
2. HGTV gave me this carpet stain removal tip that worked when Resolve and Spot Shot did not on two stains. Make a paste of Borax, salt, and white vinegar. Rub it into the stained carpet and let it dry overnight. Vacuum up.
3. I place way too much importance on the name of the street that a house is on. My college roommate and I were enthralled with an apartment...until I realized it was on Suck Creek Dr. No way was I going for that! I realize in our house search that it still affects me. I find myself already discounting houses if they are on a street whose name I don't like and preferring houses on streets with names I like, even if the houses aren't as nice or are more expensive.
4. Yesterday, I found a house with which I am completely in love. It's so perfect! Hopefully no one else thinks so. We are going to tour it sometime this week. All the more incentive to finish up the last few projects and officially list our house. Have I ever mentioned to you all that I am impatient and that I am firmly in the camp of instant gratification?
5. The letter of the week in Rebecca's class is "V." We asked her what they learned about that starts with "v," and she replied, "victor." She said they colored a picture of it. When asked what a victor was, she said, "Preston and Chris' dad." Indeed, our neighbor's name is Victor. Somehow I think that is not who Chino Hills Christian Preschool had in mind. But why didn't they just do a "violin" for this week?
6. Rebecca has added preschool on Thursday, which is when her class has chapel. After he first chapel last week, we asked her how it was and what they did. She said, "be quiet."
7. Last night, I made banana bread. It was so delicious. At 10:00, Ramy and I were eating pieces of it fresh and hot out of the oven and slathered in butter. Here's the recipe:
Banana Bread
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups ripe, mashed, bananas (I actually zuzz mine up in the mini food processor)
1 cup chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9x5 inch loaf pans. In a medium bowl and with an electric mixer at medium speed, beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt, stirring well. Add bananas and pecans, stirring just until combined. Spoon batter into prepared pans..Bake for 1 hour, or until a tester inserted into center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes; remove from pans, and allow to cool completely on wire racks.
8. My favorite digital scrapbooking site hasn't released a new batch/kit since before Christmas. Have I mentioned that I'm impatient? I might have emailed them twice asking if there is anything new in the works.
9. We have stuff scheduled for every weekend from now until June. Wow.
10. Last night, a commercial for Disaronno (amaretto) came on television. Rebecca said, "I already know. You don't need to remind me." "What?," we asked. "Not to drink that stuff," she said. I didn't know we had begun substance use education, but apparently she has picked it up somewhere. But where? From "Hank" (King of the Hill, which she sometimes watches with Ramy), she informed us.
2. HGTV gave me this carpet stain removal tip that worked when Resolve and Spot Shot did not on two stains. Make a paste of Borax, salt, and white vinegar. Rub it into the stained carpet and let it dry overnight. Vacuum up.
3. I place way too much importance on the name of the street that a house is on. My college roommate and I were enthralled with an apartment...until I realized it was on Suck Creek Dr. No way was I going for that! I realize in our house search that it still affects me. I find myself already discounting houses if they are on a street whose name I don't like and preferring houses on streets with names I like, even if the houses aren't as nice or are more expensive.
4. Yesterday, I found a house with which I am completely in love. It's so perfect! Hopefully no one else thinks so. We are going to tour it sometime this week. All the more incentive to finish up the last few projects and officially list our house. Have I ever mentioned to you all that I am impatient and that I am firmly in the camp of instant gratification?
5. The letter of the week in Rebecca's class is "V." We asked her what they learned about that starts with "v," and she replied, "victor." She said they colored a picture of it. When asked what a victor was, she said, "Preston and Chris' dad." Indeed, our neighbor's name is Victor. Somehow I think that is not who Chino Hills Christian Preschool had in mind. But why didn't they just do a "violin" for this week?
6. Rebecca has added preschool on Thursday, which is when her class has chapel. After he first chapel last week, we asked her how it was and what they did. She said, "be quiet."
7. Last night, I made banana bread. It was so delicious. At 10:00, Ramy and I were eating pieces of it fresh and hot out of the oven and slathered in butter. Here's the recipe:
Banana Bread
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups ripe, mashed, bananas (I actually zuzz mine up in the mini food processor)
1 cup chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9x5 inch loaf pans. In a medium bowl and with an electric mixer at medium speed, beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt, stirring well. Add bananas and pecans, stirring just until combined. Spoon batter into prepared pans..Bake for 1 hour, or until a tester inserted into center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes; remove from pans, and allow to cool completely on wire racks.
8. My favorite digital scrapbooking site hasn't released a new batch/kit since before Christmas. Have I mentioned that I'm impatient? I might have emailed them twice asking if there is anything new in the works.
9. We have stuff scheduled for every weekend from now until June. Wow.
10. Last night, a commercial for Disaronno (amaretto) came on television. Rebecca said, "I already know. You don't need to remind me." "What?," we asked. "Not to drink that stuff," she said. I didn't know we had begun substance use education, but apparently she has picked it up somewhere. But where? From "Hank" (King of the Hill, which she sometimes watches with Ramy), she informed us.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
A lot going on
We've had a lot of things going on these past few weeks, and the next few will likely be even crazier! We got back from Tennessee on Sunday night and the suitcase is still in the floor, not yet unpacked! We had a meeting on Wednesday night and other things going on every other night. Yesterday was play date. Then today, we had a birthday party for Lucas Woltil in the morning in Redondo Beach, and tonight, we celebrated Grandma's birthday with the family. Pictures to come!
After the decision to stay in Southern California, we decided that the time is still right to move...just not across the country. We've been in the same townhouse that Ramy bought before we got married, and it's been a wonderful home for us, but it is time to move on. So we're getting ready to put the house on the market and look for something else in one of the neighboring cities (not too far, since Ramy and I both work in the next city over and we like short commutes!). With this plan comes a lot of de-cluttering! We're moving out some furniture and general stuff so that the house shows better. There's also been the cleaning of baseboards, repairing the screen on the sliding door, touching up a couple of nicks in paint, and on and on and on. We're just about there, and we're hoping we won't have to wait too long for it to sell! If anyone you know is interested in moving to Southern California....
I've also started working more hours each week. I bumped up to 3 1/2 days a week. I'm still at the Transitional Living Center, and I am taking over all of the neuropsych testing we do there. I will keep doing probably two groups a week (the other neuropsychologist will field most of the group work), and I'll keep a caseload of individual clients. Plus, we have three practicum students we supervise and are interviewing more for next year. I love my work, and I work with really wonderful people. Rebecca started going to three days a week of preschool, and she is happy and excited about that. Ramy is going to be moving to a supervisory position in about three weeks, and that will take him out of doing trials, for the most part.
Spring hasn't seemed to have sprung here yet - we had rain and some chilly temps this week. I think next week is going to be more like springtime.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Ten on Tuesday
1. Rebecca can be picky about what she thinks she likes to eat, moreso than she is actually picky about what she eats. For example, she likes pork of all kinds, as long as it is called chicken. She is actually the one who started this, because when she pulled some barbecue off one of our plates and tasted it, she said, "this is good chicken!" We had barbecue for dinner Saturday night, and Rebecca claimed she did not like barbecue. Then Grammy remembered that it was to be called chicken, but Rebecca was on to her. Grammy kept trying to force the "chicken" on her, and Rebecca frowned and said, "Hmmmph, tricks. Always tricks. Somebody always trying to trick me."
2. In the Nashville airport on Sunday, I was purchasing a bottle of water and perusing the magazines befowe our went to our gate. Rebecca was at the perfect height to inspect the covers of the tabloids as we waited to pay. She pointed out the many mags that had pics of Brad and Emily (hello, the Bachelor and the girl he picked!). She exclaimed, "Hey, its the guy on your favorite show!" I briefly considered this could mean that I am too addicted to the show.
3. Speaking of which, I was so sad when I realized last night that there was no Bachelor that night. The Bachelorette will start in May, but that's a poor substitute in my mind. I'm not sure why that is. There's just a different kind of drama. No catfights.
4. I finally got the chance to read Jodi Picoult's newest release: Sing You Home. Love it. Love it. Love it. Love her. Love this book. Just sad that I'm finished with it, and it will be a long time before her next release. I think this might be my favorite of her books so far, and that is saying a lot.
5. Last night, we went to eat dinner at Roscoe's, since there had been no purchasing of groceries for the week. After we ate, we went to Stater Brothers (grocery store) to do the shopping. It was after 8:00 by the time we got done and were on our way home. In the car, Rebecca announced, "I don't think I want a snack." Ramy said, "Oh, okay." Rebecca continued, "I don't want a snack so I can eat a really good dinner." I laughed and fell right into the trap, saying, "You already ate a really good dinner!" Rebecca pounced on that: "So can I have a snack?"
6. Can I give a shout out to my Tennessee hairdresser? Faron has cut my hair since I was in high school (yep, more than half my life) and has seen it through various colors, lengths, and textures. She's wonderful, and for the price of what I pay to get my hair cut in California, she cut both my hair and Rebecca's and waxed my eyebrows. Love her.
7. Do you like Pottery Barn? Crate and Barrel? If you don't, then what planet are you on and how did you find my blog? If you do, do you know about Ballard Designs? Love that site. They do have a few retail locations in Florida and Georgia, but apparently they haven't branched out more than that.
8. I realized that I only will likely complete my hours required for licensure in California sometime this year. God willing. That means that I have to stop flirting with the idea of taking the EPPP and actually get ready to do it. Was saying that enough?
9. In case you didn't know enough of my quirks, here's another one. I have a weird obsession with ink pens. I am constantly on the quest for the perfect one. I used to only write in blue ink, but that doesn't go with writing on pages that become part of a permanent medical record, so I've converted to black ink. Only out of necessity. Once I found an amazing yellow and black pen on a floor or table somewhere, and it was so fabulous that I spent a month searching for them. I thought it was the holy grail of gel pens until they discontinued it. My current favorite is a Foray 0.7 mm rollerball ink pen. I bought it to try it out a couple of months ago and loved it. Unfortunately, then I couldn't remember which store carried it. It wasn't Staples. It wasn't Target. It wasn't Office Max. Clearly, this means it is at Office Depot, of which there isn't one in my city. Yes, I will drive a long distance to buy the perfect pen.
10. While we were in Tennessee, I enjoyed getting to take more pics of the birds at my mom's birdfeeder megaplex. She has a birdfeeder that is on the ground, rather than in the air, to attract those birds (like my favorite, the mourning dove) that like to keep their feet on the ground. It is on her back porch. I sat down at her computer on Saturday and glimpsed a cat sitting in that birdfeeder. Then I did a double-take and realized that it wasn't a cat but....it was a possum (yeah, it's really an opossum, but who ever says it that way?). I let out some kind of gutteral sound, as the heinously ugly creature looked back at me. Slowly, it got off its throne (oh yes, it was using the bird feeder as though it were a litter box) and waddled away. It gave me flashbacks of my tween-age run-in with a possum in the garbage can early one summer morning when I was supposed to take the trash out to the road. I am convinced that possums are what Satan looks like - pink eyes and rubber tails and ugliness. I'm shuttering just thinking about it.
2. In the Nashville airport on Sunday, I was purchasing a bottle of water and perusing the magazines befowe our went to our gate. Rebecca was at the perfect height to inspect the covers of the tabloids as we waited to pay. She pointed out the many mags that had pics of Brad and Emily (hello, the Bachelor and the girl he picked!). She exclaimed, "Hey, its the guy on your favorite show!" I briefly considered this could mean that I am too addicted to the show.
3. Speaking of which, I was so sad when I realized last night that there was no Bachelor that night. The Bachelorette will start in May, but that's a poor substitute in my mind. I'm not sure why that is. There's just a different kind of drama. No catfights.
4. I finally got the chance to read Jodi Picoult's newest release: Sing You Home. Love it. Love it. Love it. Love her. Love this book. Just sad that I'm finished with it, and it will be a long time before her next release. I think this might be my favorite of her books so far, and that is saying a lot.
5. Last night, we went to eat dinner at Roscoe's, since there had been no purchasing of groceries for the week. After we ate, we went to Stater Brothers (grocery store) to do the shopping. It was after 8:00 by the time we got done and were on our way home. In the car, Rebecca announced, "I don't think I want a snack." Ramy said, "Oh, okay." Rebecca continued, "I don't want a snack so I can eat a really good dinner." I laughed and fell right into the trap, saying, "You already ate a really good dinner!" Rebecca pounced on that: "So can I have a snack?"
6. Can I give a shout out to my Tennessee hairdresser? Faron has cut my hair since I was in high school (yep, more than half my life) and has seen it through various colors, lengths, and textures. She's wonderful, and for the price of what I pay to get my hair cut in California, she cut both my hair and Rebecca's and waxed my eyebrows. Love her.
7. Do you like Pottery Barn? Crate and Barrel? If you don't, then what planet are you on and how did you find my blog? If you do, do you know about Ballard Designs? Love that site. They do have a few retail locations in Florida and Georgia, but apparently they haven't branched out more than that.
8. I realized that I only will likely complete my hours required for licensure in California sometime this year. God willing. That means that I have to stop flirting with the idea of taking the EPPP and actually get ready to do it. Was saying that enough?
9. In case you didn't know enough of my quirks, here's another one. I have a weird obsession with ink pens. I am constantly on the quest for the perfect one. I used to only write in blue ink, but that doesn't go with writing on pages that become part of a permanent medical record, so I've converted to black ink. Only out of necessity. Once I found an amazing yellow and black pen on a floor or table somewhere, and it was so fabulous that I spent a month searching for them. I thought it was the holy grail of gel pens until they discontinued it. My current favorite is a Foray 0.7 mm rollerball ink pen. I bought it to try it out a couple of months ago and loved it. Unfortunately, then I couldn't remember which store carried it. It wasn't Staples. It wasn't Target. It wasn't Office Max. Clearly, this means it is at Office Depot, of which there isn't one in my city. Yes, I will drive a long distance to buy the perfect pen.
10. While we were in Tennessee, I enjoyed getting to take more pics of the birds at my mom's birdfeeder megaplex. She has a birdfeeder that is on the ground, rather than in the air, to attract those birds (like my favorite, the mourning dove) that like to keep their feet on the ground. It is on her back porch. I sat down at her computer on Saturday and glimpsed a cat sitting in that birdfeeder. Then I did a double-take and realized that it wasn't a cat but....it was a possum (yeah, it's really an opossum, but who ever says it that way?). I let out some kind of gutteral sound, as the heinously ugly creature looked back at me. Slowly, it got off its throne (oh yes, it was using the bird feeder as though it were a litter box) and waddled away. It gave me flashbacks of my tween-age run-in with a possum in the garbage can early one summer morning when I was supposed to take the trash out to the road. I am convinced that possums are what Satan looks like - pink eyes and rubber tails and ugliness. I'm shuttering just thinking about it.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Tennessee
I am writing again from an airport! This time, we are waiting at the Nashville airport, getting ready to fly back to Los Angeles (direct flight to LAX-thank you, Southwest!). We had a wonderful, though short! Trip. The weather was gorgeous springtime Tennessee. The Bradford pear trees were brilliant, and Rebecca enjoyed the showers of their white petals this morning.
We had the opportunity to hang with Grammy and even put together a sewing table for her new sewing room. I got the chance for lunch and pedicures with a few members of my Girl Posse. There was some shopping and a lot of iced tea, country ham, and biscuits involved. Rebecca had fun riding her car and doing some special crafts with Grammy.
Rebecca has something she wants to add:
Ghrtydj. Rebecca
Rebecca Lee Cisneros
Hytredfcv fgdrtghvdfhkklfueffdtfdfgcstjhrfstztzfgvvxfsDxfdffsafegrseretrdhfsfsgfxdxxxgxfyttatty
Wqrsrreyrgtyfhd ytjf jythggkg jgnfgh fgreffsdeesddd
Her first blog post! Thanks for a good time, Grammy! We love you! Daddy, we are on our way home to you!
Rebecca and I
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Going halfsies
In our house, Ramy takes almost all of the responsibility for the dogs. He gets up before I do, and he feeds the dogs. He is also the pooper-scooper, but I think that may have been a condition of me moving to California. Our dogs, Sydney and Paddington, are low-key and get along wonderfully. Sydney is the alpha dog though, no question. Sydney and Paddington get fed once a day and eat from the same food bowl.
When Ramy was out of town, I did actually feed them each and every day (I did not pick up the poop outside though). I knew that they shared the food and that neither of them hogs it all, but I did not realize how they did this. One morning, I saw that Sydney had finished and looked in the bowl, figuring she just wolfed some down and then got out of the way. No. It was as if someone had drawn an imaginary line in the middle of the bowl, and she had only eaten from one side of it. Then she walked away and Paddington ate his share. I thought it had to be a fluke.
Last weekend, I watched the eating process again.
Sydney munches on her chow, while Paddington waits patiently. (He's a little mopey...just think of Eeyore.)
Finally, Sydney is finished, so she moves to the water bowl and Paddington takes his place at the food bowl. Yep, exactly half is left!
A true gentleman, Paddington leaves the last mouthful for his best girl, Sydney.
When Ramy was out of town, I did actually feed them each and every day (I did not pick up the poop outside though). I knew that they shared the food and that neither of them hogs it all, but I did not realize how they did this. One morning, I saw that Sydney had finished and looked in the bowl, figuring she just wolfed some down and then got out of the way. No. It was as if someone had drawn an imaginary line in the middle of the bowl, and she had only eaten from one side of it. Then she walked away and Paddington ate his share. I thought it had to be a fluke.
Last weekend, I watched the eating process again.
Sydney munches on her chow, while Paddington waits patiently. (He's a little mopey...just think of Eeyore.)
Finally, Sydney is finished, so she moves to the water bowl and Paddington takes his place at the food bowl. Yep, exactly half is left!
A true gentleman, Paddington leaves the last mouthful for his best girl, Sydney.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Ten on Tuesday
1. I am Ten on Tuesday-ing from my iPad at LAX, where Rebecca and I are waiting at our gate to board a flight to Atlanta. From there, we will connect to Huntsville, where we'll be met by Grammy and Aunt Margaret.
2. Cracker Barrel will likely see us soon thereafter. The mall probably will see us next.
3. Last night was the finale of The Bachelor. Julie came over and we had pizza and coffee cake and tacky remarks and asides. Brad chose Emily, who had been my fave. I thought the proposal was sweet and commented that I thought they would be a couple who made it. On the After the Rose special afterward, we learned the happy couple had already broken up for a bit. Though still together and engaged, there's no date set yet.
4. Julie and I learned that we do not have the same taste in men. The Bachelors I have thought were hot were not interesting to her, and vice versatile. She did not think Brad was drool-worthy. I love her anyway.
5. The tragedy in Japan is just heartbreaking. I don't watch the news because it is traumatizing.I get news updates from NPR and CNN, and I read news online daily, so I am current on world news. But I can't handle seeing video of the tsunami washing away people and villages replayed every 5 minutes.
6. Rebecca was telling me that a boy in her class was bad because he hits and pooped in his pants. This same boy was one she had named as her friend a couple of days ago, so I asked her about that. She said, "yes, he's my friend but I don't like him too much." when I asked how he could be her friend if she didn't like hum, she said, "because I have to be a good friend to everyone, of course...but I don't have to like every body!"
7. I gave up soda for Lent. Other than a swig of Ramy's by accident (I swear) I haven't had any Coke Zero in a week.
8. Mr. and Mrs. Annoying McAnnoyingson are at my gate. They are apparently heading to somewhere in Alabama and are continually mimicking the "Greenbow, ALABAMA" line from Forrest Gump. They find it hilarious each and every time one says it. I do not. They seem to expect no running water and a lack of teeth or shoes in the people they will meet. These aren't exactly the elite of Los Angeles either. They sound and act like W.T.
9. I am still looking for my perfect spring purse.
10. We are about to board!
2. Cracker Barrel will likely see us soon thereafter. The mall probably will see us next.
3. Last night was the finale of The Bachelor. Julie came over and we had pizza and coffee cake and tacky remarks and asides. Brad chose Emily, who had been my fave. I thought the proposal was sweet and commented that I thought they would be a couple who made it. On the After the Rose special afterward, we learned the happy couple had already broken up for a bit. Though still together and engaged, there's no date set yet.
4. Julie and I learned that we do not have the same taste in men. The Bachelors I have thought were hot were not interesting to her, and vice versatile. She did not think Brad was drool-worthy. I love her anyway.
5. The tragedy in Japan is just heartbreaking. I don't watch the news because it is traumatizing.I get news updates from NPR and CNN, and I read news online daily, so I am current on world news. But I can't handle seeing video of the tsunami washing away people and villages replayed every 5 minutes.
6. Rebecca was telling me that a boy in her class was bad because he hits and pooped in his pants. This same boy was one she had named as her friend a couple of days ago, so I asked her about that. She said, "yes, he's my friend but I don't like him too much." when I asked how he could be her friend if she didn't like hum, she said, "because I have to be a good friend to everyone, of course...but I don't have to like every body!"
7. I gave up soda for Lent. Other than a swig of Ramy's by accident (I swear) I haven't had any Coke Zero in a week.
8. Mr. and Mrs. Annoying McAnnoyingson are at my gate. They are apparently heading to somewhere in Alabama and are continually mimicking the "Greenbow, ALABAMA" line from Forrest Gump. They find it hilarious each and every time one says it. I do not. They seem to expect no running water and a lack of teeth or shoes in the people they will meet. These aren't exactly the elite of Los Angeles either. They sound and act like W.T.
9. I am still looking for my perfect spring purse.
10. We are about to board!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Fun with Friends
I just realized that I had never edited or posted these cute pics of Rebecca and Adelaide. These were taken around the beginning of February. I love these sweet girls together. I can't stop taking pictures of them! (I have a bunch that I took on Wednesday that will hopefully be posted soon!).
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Tam O'Shanter
On Saturday, we headed out to Los Feliz to celebrate our friend Madeline's birthday at Tam O'Shanter with Paul, Rachel, Ashley, Maddy, her sister Monica niece Ashley, us, and our pal Vincent. Rebecca was very excited to get to hang out with her three favorite older girlfriends, Ashley, Rachel, and Lauren. Rebecca was so happy to be with them that I doubted she would eat anything. Not that girl! She put away a lot of prime rib and creamed corn! There was a lot of hugging and giggling that went on.
Here's the sweet Loh family.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Ten on Tuesday
1. I finally finished all of the grading for my class and submitted my final grades. Thank goodness! I am so relieved to have that class behind me. I was not impressed with the quality of work of some of my students. I felt as though I ended up being quite generous on my grading, particularly at the end. The final class average was a C. Yikes! I've probably been cursed by a number of students.
2. Next week is the finale to the Bachelor. Julie is coming over so we can do the play-by-play together. Yippee! A girls night, plus The Bachelor! Luckily I don't hate either girl, so I'm just excited for it. Emily is definitely my favorite girl, but I'm still not thinking they belong together.
2. Next week is the finale to the Bachelor. Julie is coming over so we can do the play-by-play together. Yippee! A girls night, plus The Bachelor! Luckily I don't hate either girl, so I'm just excited for it. Emily is definitely my favorite girl, but I'm still not thinking they belong together.
3. Tonight, Rebecca decided that Ramy and I needed to go on a romantic date. She suggested that we have a date on our balcony outside our bedroom and that she would be the server. It was cold outside, so Ramy and I were wearing jackets and fleece. Rebecca served us grapes and a single-serving bag of Fritos (to share). She then brought out her camera and snapped a pic of us, delivered a balloon to our table, and told us that our meal was free and gave us some coins "for good luck." When we came in, she told us that we'd had a very lovely date.
4. My friend Lucy got engaged this weekend! Congratulations!!!! We're so happy for Lucy and Rickey. Rickey is a good addition to the husband posse.
5. Today, one of my clients repeatedly passed gas during his neuropsych evaluation. Each time for the first 8 gaseous events, he immediately apologized. Then we were in the middle of a complex task and he got distracted after he dropped a stink bomb. He paused and then said to me, "Now was that me or was that you?" I assured him that it was all his.
6. Little did we know when we bought Ramy's car last April, we traumatized Rebecca. It was apparently the worst day of her life and she remembers it as being so incredibly boring she could barely stand it. Any time we want to tease her, we tell her that we are going to the car dealership. She sighs, rolls her eyes, and asks if we could drop her off at Grandma's or Auntie Myrna's house, because as she says, "I was so BORING!"
7. I want a light tan or off-white purse. In a bad way. Is this one goofy looking or is it cute? Because, you know, my brain injured patients and the Albertson's cashier are super-critical of what bag I carry.8. I haven't forgotten how to take pictures. Unfortunately, my favorite subject has taken to doing this weird forced smile that looks like she is gritting her teeth. Hopefully we can break this habit soon! In the meantime, I am considering getting my camera and lenses professionally cleaned.
9. Ramy gets mysterious tan stains on the fronts (only!) of his white cotton undershirts. He is convinced that there is something that happens in the wash or dryer to get these stains on them. I think that it is probably related to the fact that he schleps around and gets grease and vinegar and who knows what else splattered on the front and there is a chemical reaction in the wash that turns them tan, whereas they were probably not noticeable when he got them dirty. Anyone have any experience with these? Email me if you do!
10. In light of recent events, one of my favorite blogs posted something that hit home to me. I had not read Jon Acuff's Stuff Christians Like blog in some time, but when I caught up, this one leapt out to me. Check out The Soft X.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Birthday celebrations
The night before Rebecca's 4th birthday, we had a family birthday party at JoJos Pizza in Chino Hills. Mommy, Daddy, Rebecca, Grammy, Grandma, Auntie Theresa, Auntie Myrna, Uncle Ed, and Jessica were all there to celebrate with pizza and pasta and salad. Mommy made some yummy chocolate cupcakes, which Rebecca and Grammy frosted with yummy white frosting. Somehow, even though Mommy took her camera, she never got a picture. Shame on mommy.
On Wednesday, February 9, we went to dance class and then Mommy, Grammy, and Rebecca headed west to American Girl Place. Rebecca doll accompanied us for a delightful lunch at the cute cafe. Rebecca had a feast of celery sticks and ranch dip, chicken tenders, and flower pot cake.
Rebecca was also fascinated by Kanani, the American Girl Doll of 2011. She was posing and doing hula moves.
On the evening of Rebecca's birthday, we went out to celebrate with dinner. When we got home, it was time to open presents! Rebecca's big gift was a new bicycle! She got a purple Disney princess bike, which she had to try out immediately.
She also got a Zhu Zhu hamster carriage, a Zhu Zhu skateboard, the Zhu Zhu puppies, outfits for the Zhu Zhu hamsters and puppies, some Zoobles and Squinkies, a La La Loopsy doll, and the Beverly Hills Chihuahua movie.
On Wednesday, February 9, we went to dance class and then Mommy, Grammy, and Rebecca headed west to American Girl Place. Rebecca doll accompanied us for a delightful lunch at the cute cafe. Rebecca had a feast of celery sticks and ranch dip, chicken tenders, and flower pot cake.
Rebecca was also fascinated by Kanani, the American Girl Doll of 2011. She was posing and doing hula moves.
On the evening of Rebecca's birthday, we went out to celebrate with dinner. When we got home, it was time to open presents! Rebecca's big gift was a new bicycle! She got a purple Disney princess bike, which she had to try out immediately.
She also got a Zhu Zhu hamster carriage, a Zhu Zhu skateboard, the Zhu Zhu puppies, outfits for the Zhu Zhu hamsters and puppies, some Zoobles and Squinkies, a La La Loopsy doll, and the Beverly Hills Chihuahua movie.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Ten on Tuesday
1. Last night's Bachelor was an exercise in frustration...other than the gratuitous shots of Brad without his shirt on. I really like Emily and think she is the best girl there is on this show. However, I don't think Brad should pick her. I don't think he's the right guy for her. And if he doesn't pick her, I hope she doesn't end up the next Bachelorette. Let's face it, as much as I love this show, it's just entertainment. None of them ever actually end up happily ever after once the cameras stop rolling. Yes, I do spend time actually contemplating these things. That's why I need a Bachelor Finale party to have someone to process these things with (Julie, are you in?), because Ramy is totally over it. I think the allure of the gratuitous boobie shots has even lost its luster for him.
2. Speaking of television, this is prime season for some good reality shows. We're coming to the end of Top Chef All Stars. The Real Housewives of Miami started last week. Bethenny Ever After premiered last night, and the Real Housewives of Orange County starts next week.
3. Charlie Sheen. My stars, he's such a train wreck. Every time I see him on television, I feel like I'm back in a dual diagnosis clinic. Luckily, it isn't my job to either diagnose or treat him for whatever it is that he has going on, and I am thankful for that!
4. My University of Phoenix online course ended last night! Yippee! That thing has sucked the life out of me. I still have to grade all the last papers and projects, return those, and submit final grades. At least though, I don't have to be on the classroom message board every night until well after midnight, answering questions about APA formatting and thinking up clever ways to describe action potentials. I'll be thinking long and hard before I accept the next teaching contract with them.
5. Would you please pray for my friend Hilary? She's a gem of a lady I went to junior high and high school with and with whom I did a lot of theater back in the day. She experienced left hemiparesis and facial droop this weekend, prompting an emergency room visit. As I feared, her apparent diagnosis is multiple sclerosis. I see so many people with this diagnosis when they are much farther along into it, and I just pray that our God will heal her and protect her from the exacerbations that can be so devastating physically and cognitively. She has three precious little ones at home, and they need their sweet mama to play in the creek and catch lizards with them.
6. Can I tell y'all something incredibly cheesy but absolutely true? I've fallen more in love with Ramiro P. Cisneros, Esq. this last week than I already was (and that was already a whole lot). I really would like to gush a little more about that, but I am certain that he is already utterly mortified by this, so I will inhibit.
7. Ralph Macchio is going to be on Dancing With the Stars. What the hay happened to him in the last 25 years? He was my heartthrob in the Karate Kid! Now he looks like a middle-aged dweeb from Silicon Valley!
8. After my big decision last week, I had to tell the people I work for/with at Casa Colina that I wasn't really serious when I told them I was going to be quitting. Then I tried to look cool and professional as I told them I hoped they would keep me. Fortunately, they were just excited I wasn't leaving! In the short term, I'll be continuing at TLC, but whether that will be permanent or not depends on a lot of factors that don't have anything to do with me. If not, then I'll probably be heading back to the outpatient world or maybe to the acute rehabilitation hospital. I'd love both of those opportunities also, so I'm excited to see what door God opens for me.
9. On the way to school yesterday, Rebecca said delightedly, "This is R week! I'm so excited! R is my favorite netter!" [letter]. It's great to be so enthusiastic about learning and have the fresh new world to explore, isn't it? I hope she always feels that way.
10. Jodi Picoult's new book Sing You Home, was released today. I've been waiting for this book excitedly, since I love all of her books. A friend of mine got an advanced copy at a teacher's conference last fall and said it was her best yet. At the stroke of midnight, it was automatically wirelessly delivered to my iPad. I was considering taking my iPad with me to work so I could read at lunch, but of course, I had a lunch meeting. Darn it.
2. Speaking of television, this is prime season for some good reality shows. We're coming to the end of Top Chef All Stars. The Real Housewives of Miami started last week. Bethenny Ever After premiered last night, and the Real Housewives of Orange County starts next week.
3. Charlie Sheen. My stars, he's such a train wreck. Every time I see him on television, I feel like I'm back in a dual diagnosis clinic. Luckily, it isn't my job to either diagnose or treat him for whatever it is that he has going on, and I am thankful for that!
4. My University of Phoenix online course ended last night! Yippee! That thing has sucked the life out of me. I still have to grade all the last papers and projects, return those, and submit final grades. At least though, I don't have to be on the classroom message board every night until well after midnight, answering questions about APA formatting and thinking up clever ways to describe action potentials. I'll be thinking long and hard before I accept the next teaching contract with them.
5. Would you please pray for my friend Hilary? She's a gem of a lady I went to junior high and high school with and with whom I did a lot of theater back in the day. She experienced left hemiparesis and facial droop this weekend, prompting an emergency room visit. As I feared, her apparent diagnosis is multiple sclerosis. I see so many people with this diagnosis when they are much farther along into it, and I just pray that our God will heal her and protect her from the exacerbations that can be so devastating physically and cognitively. She has three precious little ones at home, and they need their sweet mama to play in the creek and catch lizards with them.
6. Can I tell y'all something incredibly cheesy but absolutely true? I've fallen more in love with Ramiro P. Cisneros, Esq. this last week than I already was (and that was already a whole lot). I really would like to gush a little more about that, but I am certain that he is already utterly mortified by this, so I will inhibit.
7. Ralph Macchio is going to be on Dancing With the Stars. What the hay happened to him in the last 25 years? He was my heartthrob in the Karate Kid! Now he looks like a middle-aged dweeb from Silicon Valley!
8. After my big decision last week, I had to tell the people I work for/with at Casa Colina that I wasn't really serious when I told them I was going to be quitting. Then I tried to look cool and professional as I told them I hoped they would keep me. Fortunately, they were just excited I wasn't leaving! In the short term, I'll be continuing at TLC, but whether that will be permanent or not depends on a lot of factors that don't have anything to do with me. If not, then I'll probably be heading back to the outpatient world or maybe to the acute rehabilitation hospital. I'd love both of those opportunities also, so I'm excited to see what door God opens for me.
9. On the way to school yesterday, Rebecca said delightedly, "This is R week! I'm so excited! R is my favorite netter!" [letter]. It's great to be so enthusiastic about learning and have the fresh new world to explore, isn't it? I hope she always feels that way.
10. Jodi Picoult's new book Sing You Home, was released today. I've been waiting for this book excitedly, since I love all of her books. A friend of mine got an advanced copy at a teacher's conference last fall and said it was her best yet. At the stroke of midnight, it was automatically wirelessly delivered to my iPad. I was considering taking my iPad with me to work so I could read at lunch, but of course, I had a lunch meeting. Darn it.
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