Friday, June 30, 2006

Some people thought that our housing situation was resolved because of the house down the street coming up for rent... I guess I didn't make it very clear: The house across the street is for rent, but it became available After I agreed to stay here for 3 months. Also, the other house is small and has no yard... well, it has small and rubble rattled patio on the edge of a high bluff. That is the deal, or it was the deal.

Here is the new deal: Bob the landlord and I talked again yesterday, and he has decided that this gem of a house is not worth remodeling after all, so he is resubmitting plans to the city. They will completely tear down this house and build new. The new plans and permitting process allow us to stay in the Tree House for 6-8 months, if we'd like. Obviously there are pros and cons, so let's consider...

pros:

we live here already
the rent is low
we live here already
the rent is low
nice neighbors
we live here already

cons:
I packed all the good stuff
the utility closet has this *smell*
we need to change a lot of light bulbs (What?! It's a factor, trust me.)
upstairs it's 85 degrees in summer
downstairs it's 58 degrees in winter
the laundry room has a mystery leak
the kitchen faucet is broken, so are the blinds and the stove exhaust
the boys sleep in the dining room
I am plagued with suburban regret, because I never got to decorate a nursery

Well I think it's clear: We should stay.

And for all my friends that still can't find my address or phone number, I am going to send out fancy "We are here for now cards" with all the relevant information.

Thursday, June 29, 2006

Last Saturday Betsy and Gabe were married. Holly, Rich, Nicholas and Isabella went to Wisconsin for the wedding; we weren't so lucky. This morning aunt Carol sent pictures from the wedding and reception. We missed a lot. We missed something special. I think I know the area well enough, and the family too, to say that it was probably a beautiful day with perhaps some unstable weather, and that everyone felt thrilled for the bride and groom, and Jordan and Griffin too. I imagine there was a great deal of laughter and easy conversation, as well as hot brats and cold beer. I imagine too that Gabe and Betsy were very happy, in love and surrounded by more love from family and friends, near and far.


Griffin will enjoy the special experience of not missing his mom and dad's wedding... I know Max wanted to be at ours!

The newly weds. Congratulations Betsy and Gabe!

Beautiful.

Oh my... we've been away too long... who are these little girls? Sophie, Rosa (?) and Lily, I think.

Holly and her dad, Phil.

Nancy, mom, grandmother and great-grandmother. Very beautiful.

Thank you aunt Carol for sharing all the great pictures. We wish we could have been there.

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Me, reading thermometer: It's 85 degrees in here! We might as well be in Hawaii.

Maria: Ha-wow-wow...

Me: Can you say Hawaii?

Maria: Ha-wow-wow? Ha-wow-wow.

Oh, ya... she's a genius.

Five and More Things

Playing with Janece and Tarie...

5 things in my fridge:
1. albondigas
2. carrots
3. napa cabbage
4. olallie berry jam, from Watsonville
5. dough for corn tortillas

5 things in my closet
1. yarn
2. skirts, shirts
3. a foot stool
4. "Orange County" movie DVD
5. my cowgirl boots

5 things in my purse
1. diaper
2. wipes
3. a tube of lipstick that is a little too orange
4. crayons
5. ticket stubs from "Nacho Libre"

Tag you're it! That means if you read this you have to play too, or are you too busy/special/secretive/bored________?

Oh, by the way... we are back from our road trip. Did you know we were gone? We sought adventure, Olallie berries, sea glass, and unique views: We were successful. We saw Georgie, Gracie, Alison and her bump, Bill and his magic, a sea otter, South African penguins, baby sea gulls, a creek that met the ocean, deep woods,a castle, art, nature, playgrounds, old movie theaters, swimming pools and old world charm. We ate beans that tasted like apple pie... freakin' delicious, sweet potato fritters with pecans and curry sauce, artichokes, strawberries, apricots, roast chicken, Belgian waffles, and we hiked, swam, walked, chased, climbed and wandered. We found green, clear, and brown sea glass on the beach at Cannery Row. We looked several places for Olallie berry pie and found it at Gizdich Ranch but not at Gayle's Bakery. We never slept in the car, but we did want to sleep in a tent, so we will be better prepared next time. We missed Geoff and our kitties, so we came home and showed him pictures and told him new stories.


This park has been a family favorite for ten years. Morro Bay.

After Hearst, we continued on Highway 1 and stopped for a hike at Limekiln State Park. First we sat at the creek where it meets the Pacific, then we hiked up alongside the creek and in to the woods. This was 'the longest day of the year' and we really did fit a lot in to it: Hearst Castle, Highway 1 and Big Sur, lunch at Nepenthe, then swimming at the hotel in Monterey and a bayside dinner at sunset.

The boys and I want to return to this place with a tent and sleeping bags. It was so beautiful, inviting... often on this trip we would say, "We have to come back with Geoff."

Uncle Magic... Bill is great. I miss my brother all the time; his outrageous humor, his friendly nature, his energy. He's a great uncle, he does magic, makes up songs, cooks, plays... he's going to be an awesome dad.

Bill and Alison have a very nice home. Their hard work shows, so does their good taste.

Speaking of good taste... these are the olallies that Alex has had on his mind for three years. We thought we would find them at Gayle's, which is a beautiful bakery, but they stopped baking olallie berry pies the day before we pulled in to town... bummer timing. But Alison knows of a ranch where they grow the local berry and apples and strawberries too. She sent us in search of Gizdich Ranch, and Alex's wish was fulfilled.
There are lots more pictures on the homepage... link on the right, then click on 'Monterey.'