Queen of Wonder

I usually get my eyebrows waxed once a month. They start looking a little scruffy and so I head to a little shop that I don’t need an appointment for and they usually take me right away.  Unfortunately, the last few times I have gone to this  particular shop my brows have been a little uneven. Not a big, glaring, obvious difference but I notice it. Last time I went in, and mentioned it, she tried harder but it still was not completely even in the end. So, I contemplated going to a new place. I called two places – one was not open (on a Wednesday? who is closed on Wednesday?) and the other...

The daffodils in the front yard have bloomed and withered. Tulips and lilac are finishing up their posing. Spring is here! It feels like a switch has been flicked in me. New energy and excitement for what awaits. Life feels fresh. Sun beautiful sun. I came across a wonderful article about Holi , the festival of colors in India. I had never heard of this tradition before. Check it out, it looks very cool. I would love to get my hands on some of that colorful dust! Viva!

Ever since Home and Garden TV (HGTV) announced their annual Dream Home giveaway I have been a little obsessed with the prize. They are giving away a brand new, farmhouse style house in Sonoma. Sonoma! Sonoma is one of my favorite towns in the whole world. Wine county living appeals to me. I love the smell of the air in Sonoma. Its part farm country, part small town. Yet, its in California, yet there is the European sensibility that comes from a small town square, outdoor living and markets. It has a casual yet sophisticated vibration. I could throw some fun parties there. I could be at peace in...

Todays life lesson comes courtesy of some barstools I am attempting to sell on Craigslist. I bought these barstools about a year ago when I fantasized they would end up in our "new" kitchen. However, I now realize the kitchen will not be "new" for at least five years when we might consider remodeling it (and if the economy continues doing its best impression of the death spiral- I fear it may end up even longer, but that is another post). So, I bought the lovely stools that I really do not have room for, or need. I tried to sell them at a recent garage sale- but in my experience, brand new furniture...

Since I got my new computer , Michael is trying to teach me some of the new things in techie world that have been created in the past six years when I went underground to have kids --and apparently lost touch with the outside world. My latest discovery is Plurk. I am still trying to figure out what Twitter is all about. Both appear to be social networks and now I am torn because I know Twitter is more popular than Plurk. But I like Plurk better. So, now what am I supposed to do? What is the coolest thing you have discovered online lately?...

Alex and Sam had their first sleep over last night. Their friends, Tom and Michael who are about the same age as they are, spent the night. We decided to take the boys so their parents could celebrate their anniversary. Happy Anniversary Suzanne and Zee! Hope you had fun. We had a great time. Gotta love Thomas the Train tracks and trains. It's a great group activity and it kept the boys occupied for long stretches of time. They incorporate Magna Tiles, animals, and anything else in the vicinity to make it more interesting. Suzanne also has what I think is the most brilliant mommy idea of all time...

Michael and I were talking during our weekend off. What is it that we did with ourselves before we had kids? I tried to ignite my dull memory to figure it out. As we strolled around San Francisco I noticed a lot of young single-looking people, sans kids- sitting around in restaurants. As we passed outdoor cafes, I couldn't help but stare, then look back over my shoulder as I passed. I watched these kid-free people hanging out, talking- some eating and some even drinking bloody mary's in the middle of the day . I decided these people might be Martians. What were these strange life forms doing? I...

For part two of our anniversary celebration, we spent Saturday night in San Francisco (after our awesome day in Healdsburg ). One perk of Michael traveling so much for work, is that he is now part of the Starwood Preferred Guest Program and he had a free night available at a Starwood Hotel. The "W" was booked so we stayed at the Westin St. Francis on Union Square. Everything was great until we checked in and the front desk clerk told us we would be staying on the 24th floor of "the tower". I immediately remembered what I didn't like about the St. Francis. Two words: glass elevator. Let's just say...

At the start of summer I felt the anxiety that constant time with the kids was going to be too much. How could I fill all the days of summer? How was I going to deal with their constant fighting? I thought the summer seemed somewhat daunting. Maybe Summer 2008 would just be too long. 24/7 with my boys seemed as if it might be too intense. We took a family vacation in Cape Cod , and then eased into the routine of swim lessons and not much else, I actually began to enjoy the time with the boys. I loved that I didn't have to constantly be somewhere . I enjoyed not having to wake up with a start, rush...

I am sitting with my feet up and Alex is opposite me looking down at my feet. He runs his index finger across my newly painted big toenail. I think he is admiring the deep raspberry color. Alex: So.... (then there is a pause) I wait. Alex: You have hair on your toes? Another pause. Me: Silence (I cannot believe he just said that ! Whenever I am sure what he is going to say, I am one thing: wrong!) Me: Yeah, you will too when you are older. Alex: Oh.... does daddy have that? Me: Yes, Alex, he does. (I am wishing this conversation will be over soon. ) Another long pause. I won't even attempt to predict...