Catch me on Facebook but I Need to Write MORE!

Georgia - Before I Forget

SORRY no pics-took the video cam and am having a hell of a time putting the video on blog....

Yeah. Thanks to frequent flyer miles we made it to Georgia for ASA's first birthday.
A year ago he was a preemie in the hospital, hanging on for dear life, bless his little heart. Now he is a thriving, brilliant, cute little guy!
And, we got to meet EZRA, Vanessa's new addition. He's four months old and a gorgeous little Buddah bundle.
I love my nieces, although they feel more like sisters to me. They're beautiful and full of life and now they have babies...Sigh....
Uncle Joe, Titi Myrna and Uncle Jessie were there, too. And we got to meet Andrea's brilliant neighbors and friends.

It was Jake and my's first East Coast summer vaca. Awesomely brilliant.

Other Highlights: * Canoeing the Etowah River. Exploring Cave Springs, complete with real springs and cave. Coool, literally and methaphorically. Kennisaw Battlefield where one of the last Civil War battles took place. We stood where thousands of brave men died and shed blood. Whoa. Jake saw lightning bugs for the first time and I saw them for the first time in a long, long, long time. I missed them. Chris took Jake to the Myrtle Hill Cemetery close to their house. Andrea and Chris and Asa live in the former house of Doctor Moss, complete with treatment room. Supposedly he treated most of his patients in his downtown Rome clinic but am told that babies were born there, etc. Cool, creepy and creaky house!!!

Everything is so historic and haunted in the south, I love it.
It's also bloody HUMID!!!!!

And it's true what they say about southern hospitality. EVERYONE is so nice there.
Californians are just a big bunch of meanies...

Back to summer - swim team, playdates, xbox 360, reading on bed, late night bike rides and cleaning out this house that has been neglected all year...garage sale!!!

Next week it's Daddy's summer week off- camping in Gold Country and then Laguna Beach to visit the relatives.

Luckily gas is WAY cheaper this year than last...
Hope you're all enjoying the weather no matter what temp or humidity you're facing...

I've Been REally Busy

this poster is awesome

Now and Zen

Memorial Day - to remember our fallen heroes. And the official start of summer season. For humans, it's not the tilt of the earth or the length of the day, it's the calendar. In three short weeks, the kiddies will all be off from school for ten long glorious weeks. I started my first blog here about summer and childhood memories.
This weekend was a classic in my opinion for my son.
Friday: short day, long playdate, capped with a trip to Skippolini's for pizza and funny little squishy eraser animals that are so in with the elementary crowd.
Saturday: playing G.I. Joe all day in Daddy's jeep, then the new Star Trek movie (two buttery fingers up!)
Sunday: nine holes of golf with Daddy, hours of swimming with friends at the pool including dodge ball in the baby pool. Throwing a ball and hitting people? Does it get any better? What is it about you boys.
We just finished eating Daddy's bbq on the patio and the boys are throwing baseballs into the dusk.
I got paperwork done, a top feeling in my book and I got the front yard looking spiffy. When it's clean, my little front yard becomes a moving Zen painting. The rock river winds around sprouting palms, bright yellow rock daisies with the overhead canopy of our gigantic mulberry tree, my favorite tree ever. When the weeds are tamed and the rocks are gracefully misplaced, it all comes together to create a little green paradise. It may not look like much to outside eyes but to me it is art in nature. It is mine and Mama Nature's.
Ahhh,,summer.

Now There Is No Excuse for Being Stupid

http://www.openculture.com/

You Say It's Your Birthday

Me, Dad and Paul, 1962


Couldn't bear going to work today. Tuesdays are my most challenging day so I took a sicky as they say in Oz. Luckily the principal of the school I'm at on Tuesdays doesn't read my blog...remind me to NEVER give anyone I work with my blog address.

Today was glorious. A beautiful morning of writing on my back patio, listening to the birds. Hershey kept rubbing on my legs, more than she usually does, I think she knew it was my special day.

Decided today was to be a productive day. I always feel better when my affairs are in order so the morning was for crossing things off the list.

My car: filthy, took it to the carwash: hey! they give you free car washes on your birthday. Bonus. I got to give the guys an extra big tip, I love doing that. Nice way to wake up on your birthday. Something unexpected cuz you're birthday girl? Sweet.

Went to get woodchips, not the most green thing to do but man, does our corner yard look like crap. After two plus hours of back breaking weed pulling, heaving 16 cubic yards of wood chips, blowing, rock arranging, dirt moving, etc., my yard looks gorgeous. Well, it's not the hobo yard anymore. I also found a dime and anyone who knows me well knows what that means. I have a thing about dimes, my Dad's favorite number-ten and the promise he made to me....

I usually don't like working there-it's next to the busy road and I always find dog poo. I love the constant parade of pedestrians past our side house but not the ones with bad dog manners. I have a big flat rock in there, last year a small breed dog used it as their regular toilet. Ewww and good lord! it's weird enough the dog did it but even more strange the owners let them. If my dog did that I'd be like, "dude! quit shitting on top of rocks in people's gardens." I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, so to speak.
I'm planning to make a little sign that says "bee and black widow habitat - potentially harmful to dogs." Maybe that way they'll stay the fuck out of my yard.

Then I watched some tv while I had vegie burger and cheese puffs with diet coke. Yum. May sound wierd to you but yum to me.

Did a little reading, emails, paperwork, vacuuming. MAN! I got it going on!
Then, I took Jake to swim practice, yeah. First time this year. He's in the next age group and I think he's very happy about that. Alot less goofing off, too. Coach Garrett is such a sweetie, he was glad to see Jake again.

Now we're kicking back until the family gets here..I'm blogging as you can see.
Jake's tummy feels a bit funny, I think he might have pulled a swim muscle. Last year he got six pack abs from swim team. Time for me to get back to doing laps!!!

I got lots of phone calls from my favorite friends, tons of facebooks of course. My beautiful step daughter called and asked when she could see me. What a peach.

Last year this time I remember thinking, " just think, this time next year I'll have my teaching credential." Sweet. Dude.

Okey dokey. Happy Birthday to me. I feel blessed, happy, clean, orderly, calm, peaceful, loved, accomplished, prosperous.

This is my new year.

I love the smell of chlorine in the morning....

I miss the beach but the pool is a great consolation prize.
another fun year of swimming, bbqing, hanging out with friends, swimming in the dark, parties, swim meets, movies in the pool, etc., etc.,
I'm co-spirit coordinator for the team which means double the fun this year.
A great, fun crowd of people who love to be outdoors, swimming, staying cool in the warm WC sun.

We'll miss the first big event as we're off to Georgia to see Ang, Vanessa and their babies...can't wait...

Birthday Season

Birthday season is upon me again.
Last night, my homegirls took me to the Claremont for a workout and a soak, then we hit the "new" Brennan's for roast turkey sandwiches, horse radish and Irish Coffees, or my fav, Hot Celtics or Sweet Janes as they were called in my drinking days. That's another story...

Birthday season, time to reflect...

I got a teaching credential, that's pretty big.
I spent lots of time with my Aussie cousin, that was big.
I'm in better shape than I was last year, that's huge, scuse the pun.

My favorite thing is my project though. I'm so superstitious that I don't even want to blog about it.
In my professional life, it is as important to me as teaching, in fact it's a form or teaching.

I'm sounding vague and uninteresting so I'll bid you adieu.
Happy Birthday to me....

Things Boys Like, part 246

Things Boys Like, Part 246:

Sleepover with
Nerf Fights complete with pillow forts
Hell Boy Movie, popcorn, chocolate and grape soda
Staying up late
Playing DS download, Indiana Jones, in bed
More nerf gun fights in the morning
Xbox Nascar racing with complete unlock cheat codes Mom got from the internet
Cereal
Outside nerf fight
Monsters Vs. Aliens in 3d
A Hike to the Creek to see minnows, mud and cool trash
Peeking in the National Guard training center to see large men in fatigues standing in a very straight line
More nerf fights
Scootering on the street
Playing soldier in Daddy's Jeep
BBQ ribs, french bread and salad for dinner
Ice cream and pound cake for dessert
A warm shower
Another chapter of Diary of A Wimpy Kid
To sleep....
This is all in 24 hours or thereabouts
Life is good....

Early Summer

Hot enough for ya?
The days are a bit much, but the hot nights are magic.
Jake, Cameron and Catherine soaked each other solid in a world class super soaker fight, then had popsicles. Could have sworn it was summer.
Can't wait for the pool to open...two more weeks, yeah!
And it's only April.

Coast Guard Cutter/Easter is Here!

Boy Scouts went to Coast Guard Island today in the Oakland Estuary. Toured the brand spankin' new 2008 Cutter. Wow, impressive. The crew were beyond friendly, informative and the boys jaws were hanging open. The technology was astounding, the relative luxury impressive, the environmental improvements assuring.

Learned some political military info as well.
Did you know that the Coast Guard is the only branch of the military that is allowed to board any ship legally, especially an international ship? If any other branch of the military boards, it is considered an act of war. Hmmm... I am, as ever, conflicted about the military. While, I abhor war, I also am not an idiot. We do need, however sad it may be, some type of defense.
Look what's happening with the modern day pirate crisis in the Indian Ocean. Yikes. That is not going to turn out well. There are times, whether watching history or watching history in the making, when I yell out, go get 'em boys (and girls)!

But before I take away from the spirit of the season, Easter is here! I have complete and total spring fever, I want to be outside. I can hear the seedlings popping through the fresh, moist earth. I see and hear the birds in my backyard, busily making nests. the butterflies, birds, beneficial insects are returning to keep the cycle of life a turning. Every spring I feel a new sense of hope, of wonder, of the possibilities. As long as I don't watch the news or read the paper, I am happy.

Am looking forward to yet another year at the Tiffins with my bro and family. Bunny will be there (that is really her name) giving out treats and prizes. The big kids, who used to be the little kids, will hide the eggs for the now little kids that used to be the babies or the sparkle in Daddy's eye. The little kids go for their mandatory hike to Las Lomas park while the eggs are hidden. When they return, the carnage begins. Candy, toys and games, oh my. Us adults just smile and wave and sip our sangria.

Then when the Easter Baskets have been raided to satisfaction, they jump until they can't no more. Then we go home, thank the Spring Spirits and sleep with a smile on our faces.

Especially me, since it's spring break for me. A week of no work. Well, professional work. It's spring cleaning time.

Can't hardly wait

Now that grad school is all done. Can't hardly wait to make my garden and yard a lovelier place to be.

Need to find, on the cheap, new furniture, plants, mulch, etc.

I want to make it even more of an urban oasis. As our summer plans to the Europe summer house have been thwarted once again, it's Walnut Creek under the valley oaks.
Could think of worse places to be....

Sunday "Church"-Hit the Trail

The list from today's hike with Daddy, Jake and Cameron:

The beautiful stuff:
* Thousands of butterflies, they're migrating. Awe inspiring. Wish you could see them in the picture. You can see the dots in the second picture. The wind was taking them faster than I could snap them. I've never seen so many monarch butterflies in action. I felt like I was in fairyland.
* Blue tailed skink, an interesting looking lizard built for escape.
* Mission blue butterfly, more like lavendar, sigh.
*Countless wildflowers: lupine, sun cups, larkspur, popcorn flower, etc.
* Fuzzy catepillar, awww.
* Fresh, green leaves everywhere, on the valley oaks, the scrub brush, everywhere.

The gross stuff:
* Dead squirrel, coyote and norwegian rat,or bits of them.
* Scat-o-rama: horse, coyote, deer, dog (eww)

Willow Springs Pond was full of tadpoles, no frogs they're all hiding. Have to be there at night.

Ahhh, sunny, windy, blue skies, good work out, even the kids were tired at the end.

Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning. You know you've been busy when you're just happy to have a free day to do it.

Bonus: going through old photos, holy macalaney.

Wow! What a Day!

Walnut Creek Little League opening day. Always a boost. The field at WCI was freezing but kept reminding myself how soon enough the kids will be roasting on the field.
After the uplifting ceremony and speeches, the head coach encouraging kids to "use their outside voices," I went back home for some last minute cramming.

Ron and Jake stayed on to eat hot dogs and hit some home runs. Jake did the home run derby and from the grin on my boys ears as they told the story, Jake did pretty well. Even got asked to pitch to the AAA boys. Two strike outs. That's my boy.

I'm so glad we stayed in single A. At 8 years old, you need to work on fun, form, teamwork and confidence. Not climbing up the ladder, so to speak.

Jake LOVES baseball and we want to keep it that way. We already burned out one son with baseball overload, we learned our lesson. There is no hurry, he'll tell us when he's ready.

I went off to Encinal High School in Alameda to take the Foundational Science CSET and it kicked my ass. I love the technology, ecology, nature and natural history of science, not the formulas and physics equations. But it's all part of it and I hope to fricking God I passed cuz I don't want to do that anytime again soon. 116 multiple choice questions and four essays. Yikes.

Then Jake had practice at IV.

Then Ali, bless her heart, had dinner waiting for us. Her and Jake wrestled, threw the ball and watched the As/Giants cactus game. Couldn't have picked a better godmomma.

Ok, Jake's yelling at me to come play. "always on the computer Mommy!"

I'm tired but today was very productive. I'll keep ya posted on my CSET results.

FROG POND HIKE

Dusk. Backside of Shell Ridge. Lots of kids, grown ups and flashlights.
Frogs are funny, friendly creatures.

The only time they seemed bothered by our presence was when we first approached the pond.
When they first sensed us, the caucophony of frog song stopped. Once they decided we were friend, not foe, and probably just stopping by for a drink from the pond, they continued their happy jumping, swimming and singing.

The kids were in frog heaven. Big frogs (holy cow!), cute little frogs and a centipede or two. I hope we didn't scare them too much.

The sun set into dark and we continued to pond number two, skipping over horse number two on the way, ewww. Another rush of silence as we approached, then back to their surprisingly loud chirping.

Frogs really are cute with their big brown eyes and their funny sucker feet.

A great hike organized by Leslie and enjoyed by the Indian Valley kids.

Ribbit.

Wacko Jacko

Last night when watching American Idol, showcasing Micheal Jackson, Jake asked,
Mommy why is he black in one picture and white in the other?
I'm still laughing.

Indian Valley Hiking Club

Mud, coyote scat and sticks.

Connor said it was the best hike ever.

The boys ran down the hill while us girls took the switchbacks.

The rain made everything clean and green.

On my top ten list of great places to be; Shell Ridge amongst the prehistoric shell fossils, raptors and old oak trees, almost to the clouds.

I'll Be Back - A List

Ron, Jake and Jake's buddies are watching Terminator. I think that is possibly the greatest boys movie ever. I feel a list coming on.

Great "Boy" Movies (but girls like 'em too, well some girls)

1. Terminator
2. Die Hard
3. Any movie that has a meteor hurling towards earth, a volcano blowing up, a wall of water sloshing to shore, or other natural disaster
4. Road Warrior
5. Transformers
6. The Matrix
7. Enter the Dragon
8. Legend of Drunken Master
9. Spiderman
10. Goldfinger, arguably the best Bond film ever
11. The Wild Bunch
12 Star Wars 4,5,6
13. Speed
14. Gladiator
15. First 3 Raiders movies
16. Aliens

Think I need to go put the toilet seat down.

Berkeley Punks

Ok, so, I've been spending way too much time on the facebook group, Berkeley punks 1978-1982.

So freaking fun. Hundreds of old photos. Seeing old friends, bands I loved, memories floating to the surface, sometimes rocketing. Like, why haven't we done this sooner?

Liz is having so much fun with her daughter, showing her pix of her Dad, aka Paul Mondello, on stage at the Keystone Berkeley, etc.

Ok, so, Monday night 99 cent shows at the Keystone Berkeley, Pyno Jams. What a hoot.
We were so young. I had a crush on the bass player, the crazy artistic type I've always been attracted to. I thought he was so cool. This is what he looked like:

Glory Days

Facebook is like a drug, can't get enough.
Reconnecting with old friends, it's a blast.

Going over the glory days of growing up in Berkeley/SF.

Super cool fun.
Just when I start to feel old and boring....I get a call.
More later....

WELCOME EZRA ORION

Congrats to Vanessa and Matthew in Maui.
Ezra is here.
Will get pix soon. He's very, very cute and I can't wait to cuddle him this summer.

Hurray!

Almost done.....

Vejigante Mask Jake and I made. Paper maiche and lots of it. For Jake's Puerto Rico report. Coqui!!!


Had my exit interview at C Uni.
Man, they raked me over the coals, and like they weren't gonna pass me? yeahright, wouldn't look good on their already dwindling numbers. But whose numbers aren't dwindling these days?

So, now I just have to do another shitload of paperwork,

(as long as I don't have to write another blasted paper; I'll fill out forms and make copies till the cows come home, just please, no more papers, reflections, writing about how the California education standards, relate to the Cal teaching standards relate to how I will accommodate every single child at every single second-I'm a damn good teacher and I love it, but writing about it, incessantly, for hundreds of pages?FOR FUCKS SAKE already- one of my favorite quotes again by the late great Frank Zappa- " writing about music is like dancing about architecture")

where was I?

Oh yeah, so more paperwork, goes down to HQ in OC, sits on someone's desk for a week or two which means three and THEN they apply to the Cal Teach Comm.

Then, I will have a party.
When I get my actual credential, I will have a big party.
When I get my own classroom, I will have a big FUCKING party.

Sorry about the cuss words, but you know me.

Rest assured, I know how to turn it on and off. Like a light switch.

Love my long term sub job. LOVE it. Go to work happy. That's a good thing.
Hope you can say the same. Hey, in this day and age, any job is good.
Peace be with you.

Balloon Boy

Ok, so, like I said, we're science geeks.
We're all jazzed about the Maker's Faire in May. It's where science inventors show their gadgets. It's a favorite of our favorites, the Myth Buster boys, Jamie and Adam.

Jake wants to create something to show at the Maker's Faire. I doubt we'll arrive with something by March 19 but God bless him for trying. He's trying to create a dirigible, aka a blimp toy that runs around the room on a battery and balloons.

So we go to Safeway to buy some balloons. There is almost no one there late on Friday night. An extremely tall man, I'd say almost 7 feet walks past us, we both notice him.

We're about to check out and Jake lets go of the balloons. Disaster. We remember the tall guy. We find him and he very kindly reaches up and easily grabs the balloons.

This kind of stuff only happens to us.

Coraline in 3-D

Awesome special effects, amazing style, decent story line, cool lead girl who is bored and lonely, scary parents, the AbFab creators, what more could you ask for in a kids movie?
I give it two big toes up.

OMG Why do I love AI?

I'm not talking about Artificial Intelligence, I'm talking American Idol. I admit it, I can't get enough.

Happy Valentine's Day Part 2 Jake Saves the Day

We had a big fun family Valentine's Day planned.

Jake's sleepover buddy got picked up at 10 a.m. and we started to get ready. I did the usual "clean up your room" chant, especially messy after two lively boys staying up till one occupied the room.

Jake looked up at the ceiling and said, Mom, there's something wrong with my ceiling.

Gulp. Some faint shadows. Doesn't look good, like storm clouds over a trailer park. But never fear, I live with McGyver, the handiest man on the planet.

Yes, you guessed it. We have a leak. Some pesky valley oak leaves decided to wiggle their way under a roof tile and allow rain water in. Now, while I worship rain water, I want it to keep it's holy self outside my delicate house.

Our family day turned into getting out the ladder, loppers, gloves, green bin, Black Jack roof tar, and the umbrella. We all pitched in, excuse the roof pun, and cleared the leaves from the roof and the gutters (eww gross), patched the loose tile, sealed all the flashing on every pipe in the roof from our solatubes to the vents, cut away branches, palm fronds, you name it. Jake even held the umbrella on the roof for Daddy when it began to rain so he could finish the sealing.

Our roof is officially fixed. We are ready for the blessed storms that are about to pound us. And not a moment too soon, have you seen the satellite picture?

Ron rewarded Jake with $20 and said, dude, if you hadn't been so observant, that small leak that's fixed and will dry quickly, could have turned into thousands of dollars of dry rot repair. Good job buddy! Jake was very proud but his pride quickly turned into, can we go to Toys R Us?
He's really into TechDecks right now, the tiny skateboards you play with like hot wheels.

Now we're watching the Universe on the History Channel. So freaking cool, we are science geeks.

Our Valentine's Day was hard work, but we're all proud of ourselves and each other. When we Lugos (Leckys) pitch in, we get it done. An entire roof fixed and sealed for an $11 can of Black Jack. My husband is the coolest man in the Universe.

Happy Valentine's Day

My family, Yosemite.

A friend who is studying for her masters in divinity, asked our book group to participate in an interfaith housing activity.

A housing community in Concord, for low income families, run by the interfaith group, puts on activities for community improvement.

We came in, with our kids, and decorated cookies and made darling Valentine's cards.

The kids were just like any other kids in the fact that they were bright, sweet and smart. The only difference: they don't have a lot of money. They don't all have computers in their apartments or DSs or Wiis in their rooms. They don't wear juicy or seven jeans, their clothes come from target at best. None of them had cell phones. Most of them only have one parent, have never been on a plane, been camping, sailing, or skiing. They aren't on little leagues or competitive soccer. They don't frequent museums or zoos. They can't have sleep overs with their friends cuz there's no room and no extra food. Just wanted you to think about all that.

One girl, who made an amazing Valentine's card, Victoria, wants to be an artist when she grows up. I was humbled by her multi media collage of a card as I made my accordian heart man. What a talent.

I felt good to be doing this activity, I felt good to be exposing my son to helping others. We did alot of that this Christmas season: cards to wounded soldiers, make a wish donations, etc. I felt good to be helping kids to make cards for their parents/friends for Valentine's Days. Most of them do not have the layers of art supplies and creative outlets like our kids do.

The one thing I felt uncomfortable about is that they KNEW we were there to help them, like charity. These kids exist on so many handouts and on so much less than so many American kids, it must get uncomfortable. I've never been on that side of the fence and I thank God every day I'm not although lately, with the economy the way it is, I feel like it could be a reality. Pretty efing scary.

But back to the point. I think these kids were a bit uncomfortable. Maybe it's my paranoia but I felt a bit sheepish, like a trespasser, like we were strangers invading their meager but safe and comfortable home.

Hmm..., maybe I just felt guilty that I've been whining about money so much lately....while we are in the thin of it these days....I should just shut my mouth and be grateful.

Food for thought.
Either way, what we did was of the best intention and the kids are not the worse for it.

Happy Valentine's Day. I am grateful for the love I have in my life.
My family, my kids, my friends, my community.

Hail This Glorious Day

It just happened. Saturday, February 7, 2009, 5:55 p.m.
My son is laying on his bed and reading a book. Now you might not think this is a big deal and he has done this before, however, today is different. Two things make this moment miraclous.

One, he did this all on his own.

Two, it isn't a primarily picture book.

Thank you Captain Underpants.

POLAR BEAR PLUNGE 2009

"Holy frick, that's cold!!!" said Jake.
Actually I think his words were aghhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

It's February 1, 2009, it's 57 degrees outside with a chill wind which brings the air temperature to about 49 degrees at 10:00 in the morning. The pool water is 51 degrees, even colder than the San Francisco Bay.

Who wants to go SWIMMING?

Obviously, we do. And when I say we I mean I went in too. I have to wait for an email for photo proof but I swear on my wool sweater I did it. And it was freaking cold. I'm just glad I didn't yell out an obscenity. My body was on shutdown, I couldn't talk if I wanted to. And I've been in some cold water.

These Indian Valley kids (and parents) are HARDCORE! One kid even swam a lap, lengthwise. Jake did it shortways and I don't even know how he did that. Yikes. I jumped in, jumped out, three seconds tops.

The coolest part of the whole thing is the club builds a sweat lodge and makes hot chocolate for the recovery. No whip cream please, it's too cold.

The sweat lodge was awesome, complete with steam. Seriously cool. I mean warm.
It was nice to be back at our pool, even if my head still aches and my ass is still frozen.

The home made sweat lodge, a luxury indeed.

Close the door!

The Motley Crew, before the plunge....har har.

Zack, Niko, Nathan and Jake make popsicle toes.

Ready, set, HYPOTHERMIA!!!!

Prayers to Brigid

Prayers to Brigid....

On the Upbeat

WE ARE ON THE UPBEAT!!!

President Obama,
doesn't that sound nice.
I heard the term "ex-President Bush" and I giggled with glee.
He's already kicking some ass from returning abortion RIGHTS, emphasis on RIGHTS to economic tasks, foreign policy, etceterah. Hurrah!

We got some rain, hurray, hurray.
Last week, everything seemed so dry. Finances are dry, Mother Nature is Dry, outlook is DRY.

But, pray for rain, rain of every type. Rain in prosperity, rain in peace, rain in the garden.

Last upbeat and it is an actual upbeat or backbeat.

We're jamming again. Got the mic, stand and PA back, finally, hope the borrowee put it to good use. The living room is full of cords, black boxes, guitars, and drums. YAHOOWEE!!!

Son thinks the mic is the cooolest toy on the planet. I agree. My voice sounds way better amplified with a twinge of reverb.

We can play, all together, 18 wheels on the big rig, all together. Jake on sticks, mommy on rythym and vocals, Daddy on lead.

We are about to rock, salute us.

S. Ridge for the Soul

Mount Diablo to the East in the background and the third ridge, our destination

Mount Tam to the north

It's beautiful up here....as if we're almost to the clouds

What a great place to go to school

The Happy Hiker Himself

After I picked up son at school, begged me to go hiking up on S. Ridge. Ran home, changed clothes, grabbed a water bottle and camera and off we went.
We bumped into some friends who were taking a jog on the low side but son wanted to go to the top of the ridge.

Off we went. And it's straight up, all the way. Good for my training. Burning thighs and pumping heart.

It's amazing how a good hike can just wash away the stress and worry.

My son loves to be outdoors, always has, he's a nature boy since the first time we took him camping on the Russian River. Couldn't wait to get in the dirt and explore. Couldn't even walk yet.
He wants to start a hiking club.....

Coolest toy this year - the Roomarang

The coolest toy this year is the roomarang.
And it costs under $3. You can get it at REI or amazon.

It's a tiny piece of flimsy plastic shaped just the right way. Throw it directly in front of you, in a vertical position and it will come right back to you. It's so hilarious and fun, it's like it has a life of it's own. It just does not want to go away from you.

And you really can throw it inside and it won't wreck anything unless you have a giant house of cards on your coffee table.

SHOOT, can't upload the photo. Just google it. It's not that interesting to look at. It looks like a giant, colorful, partial asterik. Uhhhh....

Just get one.

Done

I'm finally done with student teaching.
The first half was interesting, educational and enjoyable.
The second half, torture. Minus the other amazing art teachers and the subbing I did from time to time, it was agonizing. Why? Don't ask me. I'm done with it and minus having to write it up for my credential application, I don't ever want to talk about it again.
Besides, it'd be downright mean. And not interesting. And that wouldn't be in the spirit of punkrocksoccermom.