Back to Work

Today is my Cathi's first day back to work after spending 6 wonderful months with her daughter Annabelle! I will be thinking of her today since maternity leave is a very special time. Every mom I know says the first week back is the hardest! Wishing you a warm welcome back to the business side of your life. I am sure Annabelle will save her deepest belly laughs for you when you arrive home!

Babys' First Thanksgiving

Here are a few photos from this year's Thanksgiving! I have a lot to be thankful for. This Thanksgiving was a first for my niece and nephew, Annabelle and Hunter. Here are a few photos from Thanksgiving day! We missed having Robbie, Brittany, Cathi, Nathan, and Annabelle at home with us. I am looking forward to Christmas time .... I will tote my tripod with me for a group photo!

I heart my GPS

So, I got a little lost in Oakland. I was all ready running late when I got lost. I was planning on leaving Dublin at 2 pm in order to miss the Friday evening traffic, driving into Napa. I am one of those people who likes to have a plan. This might sound ridiculous, but I planned my road trip in the Bay Area as a time for me to "be spontaneous." In my mind, spontaneous should not equal "getting lost."

In order to not have a mishap with directions and driving, I took some preventative steps. Before leaving home, I printed "google maps" for all of the potential places I might want to go. For example, I knew I was going to Nicole's house, but I wasn't sure if I was going to Tegan's house before going to Katie's house. So, I printed directions from Nicole's to Katie's and from Nicole's to Tegan's and then to Katie's. Are you following all of this nonsense? Well, despite my gallant efforts to be spontaneous, I still got lost. The Google maps and my i phone GPS failed to inform me that the 680 North turns into the 880, and that the 80 East turns to the CA-37, which turns to the CA 29, which is where I needed to be.

From the road, I couldn't use my i phone safely. It's great for two people, but if you are alone, and it's dark and there is traffic, the i phone GBS isn't that handy. I pulled over in Oakland to find out exactly where I was going. It was a great off ramp because there was a radio shack. I purchased the TOMTOM GPS. I walked out of the store, plugged it in, and fell in LOVE! When I heard the voice talking to me, I was so excited. I wanted it to tell me how well I was driving and to applaud when I arrived at my destination. Of course, none of that happened, but it did get me safely to Tegan's house in St. Helena.

Without Bonnie's guiding voice (in English, of course) I don't know if I would have found her cozy little nook in the woods. When I arrived at Tegan's, I felt instantly at ease. She creates the most wonderful little spaces to live. I tucked myself into bed and read all about the fabulous GPS system. I discovered that the English voices, Bonnie and Richard, instruct you to turn in terms of distance. I learned that Susan tells you when to turn in terms of both distance and street names. She says things like, "In 300 feet, turn right onto Filmore Street. Stay in the right lane." Thank you Susan!

As a side note: On my way home, Susan really want me to get off the 101 South and go towards Half Moon Bay. Poor Susan. I had to tell her, "Not today. We don't have time for that. Maybe next time, but I like the way you are thinking!"

Day Off Uniform

I have been playing around with the idea of creating a "day off uniform." This idea came after I took stock in my wardrobe (or lack of wardrobe). I have a very small closet and let's just say, there's room for new additions in it. Most of my clothes are comfortable things that aren't exactly up to par for "going out." I have jeans, sweats, t-shirts and tank tops. If you want to go to the beach or on a run, count me in.

But, if there's an art opening, a work meeting, a night out with the girls, or a holiday function in the mix, this type of event throws me into a tizzy. I have high heels, but they hurt after an hour, and I have a pair of suede wedges, but they hurt after walking to my car (plus, they make my feet sweat). I have flats and moccasins, but they are stretched out and too big. Good ol' Thunderbirds! The two pairs of clogs resemble nurse shoes, and since I am a nurse three days a week, I would rather not wear them out as part of my day off uniform. As for boots....well, I have a pair of boots that I bought in 2001! Imagine that! Now, who says I am hard on stuff? They are nine years old. I remember they were John Fluevog boots that I saved up for when I worked as a clerk at the NY Times. They were great quality and at the time, they were $160.00. That was a big deal back then. Now, I am sure those boots would be more like $300.00. Or maybe event $500? I am not great at dealing with inflation, and the price of clothes seems so steep to me. I am afraid of buying stuff because I feel like I will get sick of it, spill on it or shrink it. The styles I love (IE: anything from Bergdorf Goodman), are out of my league. I have been stumped. Lately, I have been thinking about investing in new boots and some sweaters and tops. I want to buy things that are comfortable, versatile and fashionable. Any suggestions? I have been watching some items, hoping that the prices will drop from the $200.00 - $300.00 range to under $150.00. What does everyone else do: Do you buy what you need no matter what the cost? Do you watch what you want until it goes on sale? Do you go to Thrift stores and H&M and Target to find either the real deal (but used and marked down) or the knock-off for less than half the price. Ross and T.J. Max? I don't know. Those places make my head hurt. Since I don't really love to shop, it hurts my head to have to go to those discount shops and to pilfer through thrift racks. But, I am beginning to realize that if I don't put the time into researching, searching and trying on different styles, I will be left with nothing but sweats and jeans and this one Horse Sweater that I always seem to be wearing when I see my brother and Katherine. They are nice and tell me it's okay to wear my "lucky horse shoe sweater" out. It's fine in the front, but the back has two horseshoes stitched into the back. Cheesy! And, my hair isn't long and glamorous, so there is no escaping the full-blown cheesdom. The good new is that it goes well with the moccasins. The fashion police are invited to any holiday parties I might decide to attend!

Happy Birthdays

November gives me much to celebrate. My brother Jamie turned 27 on the 9th! He's had a big year with lots of changes. He has been working hard, trying to get his own business going in addition to being Hunter's papa and he engaged to his lovely fiance' Katherine! They are a fun family and I am lucky have them in my life.

There's also my brother Robbie's girlfriend, Brittany, who is now one of my friends. She had a birthday! She's such a fun girl and recently we discovered that we both are completely happy hiking, drinking champagne or lying in bed, watching Sex in the City or Friends reruns. Happy Birthday Brittany!!!!

Finally, Jack Baer, my friend Nicole's son, just turned 4! Although Bryce and Nicole do not love to be the center of attention, Nicole warned me that Jack would most likely love being the center of attention at his party. Watching him grin from ear to ear made my day. I can see Class President in his future. I have been able to attend Jack's first and fourth birthday. It was so fun to see how much he has grown up and how thrilled he was to be hanging out with his pals at Gymboree.
Happy Birthday to all of you! Wishing you many more ... on Channel four!

Road Trip

I am looking forward to a week on the road. I am packing up Elmer and hitting the road. This is a trip to see friends and to spend quality time with people I don't get to see very often. Friendships are weird in the sense that the require maintenance. Sometimes I think that if I didn't put time into visiting my friends, would we still be friends. Friendships are like houseplants. You have to pay attention to them, nourish them and only then, they will grow. I am looking forward to this time set aside with people who I shared a past with!

Bangs

Bangs are a funny thing. For the past six years, I have donned bangs and I have really liked them. This summer I decided to grow them out. I decided that I needed a "new look." All summer, I pulled the bangs back in bandannas and vintage scarves. When I went to see my friend Dion, she asked me what had happened to my bangs. I told her that I was growing them out. She told me that she was considering getting bangs, similar to the style I have had all these years. It's funny how the power of suggestion can make you go back to your old ways. After my trip to Santa Barbara, I made an appointment with my gal Jessica, and I cut my bangs! I've decided to keep them around for awhile longer.

Halloween

This year's Halloween was a fun one for my family. Usually, we have a dinner and celebrate my dad's birthday, along with Halloween. This year was different! My brother and his fiance Katherine came to the door in full costume! Hunter dressed as a skeleton. My mom got out our family costume box and the rest of us dressed up too! Sometimes family gatherings can be spooky!