To make the house bigger...or not??

I've mentioned before that our neighbors are rich. They both work as pilots for American Airlines and don't have children. They are VERY nice people and that's why I like them.
They are sweet to our children (letting Megan ride Ginus). They smile and wave whenever we see them.
They have given us things and helped out our landscaping project with their big tractor. I return the favor by cooking a nice meal. Wayne loves my chicken pot pie.
Wayne just had back surgery.
Before he went into the hospital, he had a new jacquzi tub installed in his bathroom. Well, his house is only 3 years old. He gave us his old jacquzi bathtub (which is a very nice tub). Wayne needed a specific tub that had a jet in just the right place for his back.
"Thanks!" we said in deep appreciation.

There's just one problem. It won't fit. Our bathroom is too small. So we did some thinking...

How about a remodel?
Rates are so low right now. We have tons of equity. Our house payment would only go up not even a hundred dollars to get 60 thousand.
We could extend the end of the house by 12 feet to increase the size of 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, the downstairs playroom and create a stairway access to that room.

The whole idea got my head spinning...dreaming.
But I hate the idea of upping our debt. The way we are going right now, we could have our home paid off by the time the girls are going off to college.
But it would increase our home value. We DON'T plan on leaving.

I know, time to make a pros/cons list.
Right now the pros are lookin pretty good!

Somehow I knew that "free" tub was going to cost us! This is NOT a do-it-yourself kind of project. Unless of course, I hired my dad.

My dad can do anything.

Swim-a-thon & Next Thursday

I've got just a minute...
I was up early. Our community had a yard sale this morning. So I pulled myself up, showered, the usual grooming...then headed down to first gate while my husband took the girls to Foresthill.
Not much I was interested in...I only bought a red tablecloth (big surprise) and a cat scratching post (for the baby kittens).
After making a quick stop at the local deli for sandwiches, I was off to Foresthill. Our second swim meet was hosted by the Foresthill Stingrays. We are the ALT Dolphins.

I got there just in time to watch Megan hit her first race. It was a relay and her team didn't win. You need all four kids to be pretty good, or else just one slow swimmer can lose it. Megan had a slow start...she looked around before diving...but easily caught up to the boys. Unfortunately, the ones after her blew it.

I sure sound like a horrible sports mom, don't I? Just wait til you have kids! You want them to succeed and certainly you give them praise...no matter who wins or what place. The point is that you do your best...and both my girls improved their times.

Megan swam in four races...Katie did 5.
I left early.
I missed Katie's last race.
She was fine with it. Barely making eye contact she said, "You're leaving, Okay, bye mom!"

I just got the call that she won. She took first in the 50 meter breast stroke! Dang. I wish I could have seen that!

I know your wondering...What is happening next Thursday?

Okay- here it is.

I'm going to take a test.
A very easy test.

And what is so great about that, Kathy?

Well, nothing I guess.
No.
It might be a turning point in my life.

You see, I've been a "stay at home mom" for almost 10 years now. Ouch- that's a long time! I've only had one job and that was at 24 hour fitness. I don't consider that working, cause it was not even 10 hours a week.

I've loved staying home...it's a tough job. A rewarding job.

I'm just taking a test!
It doesn't mean I'm going back to work!

Maybe...

PG&E pays very well. Especially if you're a temp.
I could use my income to take the family on extravagant vacations...or I can budget better and take the family on nice vacations. I could help pay for a home remodel...though I'm happy with it now.

Here are the real questions...

Do I want to work? Not really. I want to finish my book.
Will my family suffer if I'm not around as much? Maybe, maybe not.

I can take the test and wait until a part time job opens up.

The test is easy. They are looking for speed, accuracy and how well you can handle stress. Should be a breeze. I'm more concerned with taking the bart train into the city.
What city?
In the heart of San Francisco.

zoooom

Today is a rushed day.

I should be out the door, yet here I am.

Okay- I'm going!

Check back in a few hours. I want to tell you about next Thursday.

:-)

Frankly My Dear, I Don't Give A Damn!

Marlon Brando was a contender in the American Film Institute's list of best quotes from U.S. movies. But No. 1 was Rhett Butler's parting shot to Scarlett O'Hara: "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn."

Gone with the wind, is, in my opinion, clearly the best movie ever produced.

Why?

Perfect casting, amazing color and depth, gut-wrenching storyline...

I LOVE IT. Love it, love it, love it!

The first time I saw it, I was in high school. My home economics teacher showed it to us. It took nearly the entire week. Everyday I couldn't wait for his class. Scarlett is such a bitch...and Melly is so sweet and innocent. Even when she shot the yankee, still sweet and innocent.

You want to just hate Scarlett, but you can't. She has a fire in her that pulls you in. Her desire for Ashley is consuming.
Poor Rhett.
Oh, poor Rhett.

Think I can't? Just Watch Me.

Magnify the watcher's eye
and take it to the sea
dawn is dear and so sincere
oh, hear my crying plea!

how can I see your careless way
the path does lie in state
crooked is the broken road
the casket maker makes

What will be is hidden gold
a treasure coming soon
a black tar rock beneath the ground
came here right from the moon

In the air or in the sea
water is my weight
soaring on the drops of sand
it's you I have to take.

Authors comment- Yet another mass of mixed emotion burried somewhere in my brain. Somewhere within my thoughts, a patchwork quilt of ripped rages come together. The dusty pieces you find at the bottom of a junk drawer; the ones with sticky goop glueing down all your loose change. Thats what this poem is. Think I can't make a statement out of this junk? Just watch me!

F**k it!

Yes, you heard me!

I'm coughing so much that I don't give a sh*t anymore. I'm taking my ipod and lacing up my shoes! I'm going to run if it kills me!

Katie has soccer practice tonight out at Lotus field. Nice field next to the river with a concrete walking path all around. Megan can bring her scooter- I can run.

Wait a minute...I have a swim team board meeting tonight. Crap. O'well. I'll just have to stink at the meeting. I need to run!!!

Maybe the meeting will move along faster!

It's a damn good idea, if I do say so myself!

I don't think I've ever written a post with so much swearing.
Ahh well, get over it.
:-)

Swim Meet

Katie & Grandpa (my dad) having a nice time at our first swim meet this weekend. Wow, they look a lot alike, don't they?

Katie is in the #2 lane (see numbers on blocks). She did great! Took second place on this race. Don't be fooled by the fact that you only see 2 swimmers in this picture. There were several heats.

Swimmers take your mark...

Practice Dive... keep those feet together!

First Place

Big smile from Megan, who just took first place in the 25 yard freestyle! Uhemm...she also grabbed first in the backstroke. Yeah, I'm proud...that's my girl!
(don't worry- I'm not one of those awful pushy parents) I just love to encourage.
I was blown away with how fast my girls could swim!

FORE!!! no, make that 5,6,7...

Golf.
It's the sport I've tried, but never felt like it was my thing. MB is GREAT at it. He's been winning tournaments since he was a teenager. He's played many famous courses and as held several jobs in the golfing industry. Everything from the kid who drives the cart collecting balls to the golf pro giving lessons.
I have a set of clubs, but only used them maybe...3 times?

Today I've had a sudden renewed interest in the game. Retrieving the old clubs from under the house, I hit a few from my front lawn. It became clear right away that I needed a larger space where I could really take a good whack at it.
Since my dad is here visiting, I asked if Michael and I might take an hour or so to do a quick round.

He said "of course, darling".

So off we went to play 9 holes on our ALT association golf course located at the end of our street.
It's a perfect course for someone like me...absolutely awful.

Actually, that is not entirely true.

I surprised myself in learning that I don't really suck that bad.
If fact, I had a guy fooled when he waited for me to hit the ball on 4's fairway. I laid it right up next to the hole. Cool. He said I was better than him. RIGHT! Little did he know, that was just a fluke. Most of the time I either hooked it or topped it.
But I got around the course pretty well and did manage to make some very nice shots.
I think I putted rather well too. It reminded me of minature golf...just get the little ball into the hole.
Oh, and read the green, check the wind...blah, blah, blah...

It's a simple game that if you try too hard, can make you look really bad.

On the 6th hole we were coming up to the green and I noticed the sandtrap. "Hey, it looks like a heart!" MB turned around to see what I was talking about. He figured it out and replied, "Yeah, or a butt."
Then I said in my loud outside voice..."That's one disgusting butt!"
On the fairway next to us, a young guy heard me and turned around. I thought he was looking for the disgusting butt while MB decided that the guy thought I was talking about him.
I laughed so much, I started coughing.
It was funny- I guess ya had to be there.
I hope I get to play more this summer.

One more thing...I discovered that hitting a wood driver is very hard. I like the 5 & 7 irons the best.

Time to go roast some marshmellows with my girls, MB and my wonderful dad.

:-)

Hit me baby one more time!

Have you seen this show yet? It's funny. Sometimes sad.

They bring back 5 musicians that used to be big to sing their most popular song. Then they sing whatever song they want. Sometimes they choose to put their own twist on it.
Then the studio audience votes on which artist they liked the best. The winner gets money donated to a charity in their honor.

So last night it was Howard Jones. At least that's who I thought should have won.

I think Howard Jones is a VERY talented man.
Back in the 80's I bought his albums and went to his concert. Actually- he was the first concert I ever went to. Funny.

Here's a bit of his lyrics from my memory to jog your memory...

No one ever is to blame...
You can look at the menu but you just can’t eat
You can feel the cushions but you can’t have a seat
You can dip your foot in the pool but you can’t have a swim
You can feel the punishment but you can’t commit the sin
And you want her and she wants you
We want everyone
And you want her and she wants you
No one, no one, no one ever is to blame
You can build a mansion but you just can’t live in it
You’re the fastest runner but you’re not allowed to win
Some break the rules
And live to count the cost
The insecurity is the thing that won’t get lost
And you want her and she wants you
We want everyone
And you want her and she wants you
No one, no one, no one ever is to blame
You can see the summit but you can’t reach it
It’s the last piece of the puzzle but you just can’t make it fit
Doctor says you’re cured but you still feel the pain
Aspirations in the clouds but your hopes go down the drain
And you want her and she wants you
We want everyone
And you want her and she wants you
No one, no one, no one ever is to blame
No one ever is to blame
No one ever is to blame

Okay- so I didn't do that from memory. Google search is faster.
Remember that song?
He still sounds great.

Happy, but still sick

I'm going back to the doctor today.
Heaven knows why...Dr. Tucker will have me take a few deep breaths that will just make me cough. An exray...maybe.
He is certain to perscribe another antibiotic which of course will do NOTHING but wipe out the good bacteria because it's probably a viral infection.

I'm taking my health into my own hands.
Echinecea with Goldenseal Root. That's what will help. Oh, and greentea, Vit. C, oil of oregano...you get the picture.

I may be sick...but I'm happy.
Why?
Because I want to be. I also want to be healthy...I'm working on it.

*cough, cough**

The weather did an about face this morning. Cold and a bit windy. Luckily the pool water was still warm and Megan didn't freeze at swim practice. She is such a strong little swimmer. She should do GREAT at the meet this Saturday.

I love summertime.
Days spent poolside...you can spend as many hours there as you want. Take some food, Ice Tea & towels...ahhhh
LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT.

It's my favorite time of year...of course I'm happy!!

Father's day is coming up...I'm going shopping after the doc.
see ya.
;-)

Swim and Slurry

I'm doing better...but still coughing.

Just when I think I'm acting "normal" talking with someone at swim team practice...it happens. I start coughing and can't stop. My eyes water and I instantly turn my head away.

Go away cough...Go away pain in my rib cage...Come back lung capacity!!

That's the worst.
Early this morning I was out running. Not the kind I would like...errands for swim team...bank, ALT office, paperwork...Then I saw her. A lady on the road with an ipod strapped to her arm.

Lucky Bum.
That should be me! I should be running!

I was happy for this unknown woman...but envious at the same time.

My street is being repaved today. That black slurry slop should be hitting the asphalt any time now.

Confined to the house again? Okay...no problem. I love my home.

Not enough breath to expand the atmosphere

So I was lying in bed last night, trying not to cough, when a question entered my mind...

If all living creatures...the ones who breath oxygen in and out, exhaled at exactly the same moment...would our atmosphere expand? Even a little bit, like a balloon?

How could we know if it did? Maybe it does all the time and I just don't realize it. After all, the only choices we have are to either breath in or breath out. What are the percentages at any given moment that life is inhaling or exhaling? The number would change every second...with every breath. I wonder what the average percentage would be?
Is it an even balance like 50% of all life forms just exhaled while the other half just inhaled? Or is it more like 23% breathed in and 77% breathed out. If that is so then the opposite would happen in the next second with 77% inhaling and 23% exhaling. Of course that assumes that each person (or life form) will breath at exactly the same speed in the very next moment. So that would never happen.

Sometimes my breathes are quick and sometimes they are slow. Did I just throw off some number some where that calculates the balance at which oxygen and carbon dioxide is generated? How many people are doing this and throwing off the number? The number would change, even in the second it would take to calculate it. It's a number that could never BE calculated.

And just how do trees breath? Through their leaves. They do the same as us, only in reverse, right?
Well then why don't they have lungs? Because they don't need to circulate energy to their legs and arms...they don't need to move, they don't have muscles.

Back to the main topic.
Air.
It takes up space. It doesn't matter what kind of air it is...oxygen, carbon dioxide, hazardous lethal gas...it all takes up space.
Our universe is filled with it.
Our universe IS it.

The concepts intrigue my wonder. I would be a chemist...if I didn't hate math so much.

I think God knows the numbers. He knows them all. I'd ask him, if I thought my brain could handle the info. But what would it matter anyway? It would just be a bunch of jumbled jargen that I would only be interest in for about an hour. After that I wouldn't care. Unless of course, the numbers were about to change the world....then I'd wonder...is that what causes weather? Our breathing patterns? Is the fact that our planet is creating more breathing people actually having an effect on the strength of a hurricane in the Forida panhandle?

We call it a natural disaster, but I wonder...

Is our own life causing our own death?

Just my thoughts for now...
:-)

Our Trip Info

This is the goofy picture they take before you get on the bus and then ask you to pay 20 bucks for when you leave....okay, so I'm a sucker for pictures!

If you'd like to see more pictures from our little getaway...you can view them on Kodak Moments.

Bedroom Confinement

Hello Friends.

Are you wondering about me? Well, I'm not getting better yet. If fact my ribs on the left side hurt. That's the same side of my worst lung.

I don't wish to complain...but I'm getting tired of sitting in bed. All day yesterday and today...hours over the weekend. This sucks!
The sun is shinning outside.
It's summer time!
My running shoes put out a missing persons report this morning.

I want to be well, RIGHT NOW!

Please...


The doctor gave me some antibotics. Just as I knew he would. That's their solution to everything. It's only a week long thing. Two pills the first night, then one pill a day for 5 days. I've only got a couple pills left. I should be getting better by now, right? I should be able to get up and maybe do a few things, right?

Wrong.

I haven't even gotten over to my other computer to upload my vacation pitures...which, by the way- are awesome. We took some shots of the Castle.

I have done a little work on my story. That's good. Let's try to focus on the bright side...It's not like I've had surgery or anything...I'll probably get better soon.

I'm back and barely breathing.

I have so much I can say about my trip...but I won't right now because I can't. I can't take much more. I need another nap.

We drove 7 hours yesterday and then made an appt. for the after hours medical clinic. I'm sick. I have phnemonia. I didn't know it could come on so fast. It started on Saturday. I thought it was just a little cough that would go away. It got worse everyday. I spent much of the trip in bed and walking around in the wind. I saw many interesting things, like Michael Jackson supporters who have painted messages on their cars like...."Michael is innocent" and "vindication".
I also saw a man running with the olympic torch. The police cars around him almost caused an accident.

So our yearly anniversary getaway was darkened with illness. So what. I still had a nice time with Michael. He was so understanding. He would go out and buy me medicines and roses. He even walked 3 miles to the natural foods store. Why didn't he drive? Because he wanted to take pictures of the town for me, since I couldn't get out to see it myself.
Solvang is pretty. It's a Danish tourist town. There are miles and miles of vineyards all around it. I saw where they did some filming for the movie "Sideways".

Okay, that's about all I can do.

Can't beat the B&B

8 years ago my husband & I discovered the joys of staying at a bed & breakfast.
From the moment we woke to soft classical music and the scent of fresh baked bread raising up from the local bakery below, we were hooked!

Well rested and relaxed, we made our way down to the dining room where breakfast was being served. B&B's have the best breakfasts. Some are just continental...but others are VERY exceptional, serving the classics from that part of the world. We've had everything from steak & eggs to...well, things I can't pronounce!
I have enjoyed it all.

We decided from our first stay (5th year wedding anniversary) that we would make it a yearly tradition. It's been wonderful!
However, last year we broke our tradition and went to Jamaica for 10 days instead. My brother was getting married on the beach of Montego Bay. That was a vacation we definitely want to repeat!

Back to B&Bs.
We have mostly stayed with a reasonable driving distance to where we live. (7 hour max.)

Michael's parents watch the girls for the few days we are gone. They LOVE having the girls and the girls LOVE visiting their grandparents. It's a win-win situation, but I always end up missing them or wishing they could be where we are to see all the neat sights!
Michael & I both love antiquing. We prefer small towns where we can just park our car at the Inn and let it sit all weekend, walking everywhere we want to go.

Some years we have gone horseback riding (Yosemite and along the Mendocino Coast). We like to do new things. Last year was snorkeling. This year we might try surfing.
We always splurge on one fancy, expensive dinner.
Along with a visit to Hearst Castle, we plan on taking in a movie ( Star Wars: revenge of the sith) and a few stops at the MANY local wineries. Did you see the movie "Sideways"? We'll be in that area. Solvang.

Bottom line...if you're married and have kids...getting away to have some fun once a year is a very good thing! For everyone.

We leave tomorrow!

The Bunny

My day has already managed to surprise me...

I've already written about it...you can read the story here.

A touch of class

I am not ashamed to admit that I tend to fancy the finer things in life.

Soft classical music, strongly scented candles & vintage wines.

If my living room were just a bit larger, a soft black, finely tuned, baby grand piano would sing from graceful fingers; magically transforming the mood of my loved ones.

Music...it is the joy that dances on my earlobes.

I enjoy live theatre and plush red carpet. Dressing up in a taylor fit gown with late night reservations to nightcap the evening at an intimate upscale restaurant. I do expect service and the dessert to taste fabulous.

Yes, I have expensive taste...I do admit. However, I wouldn't describe myself as "high matinence".

Here's why:
1. I am not a big jewelry fan. Diamonds are pretty, but I don't want one. Same with luxury cars. They are nice, but I like my trooper.
2. I prefer function over fashion. A pedestal sink doesn't compare to a counter and cabinet space.
3. Hanging out the laundry I consider to be one of the most relaxing things a person can do.
4. I buy all my clothes on sale.
5. I think the best feeling one could know is the touch of a tiny hand grasping your finger and the sweetest perfume is found on the soft head of a baby.
6. Wrapping yourself up in a toasty warm blanket with the one you love to watch a movie...does it get any better than that?


Honestly, do the BEST things in life really come from having a large amount of money? Middle class works for me...and my expensive taste.

Katie and her classmates are getting ready to put on a play for the 4th graders...maybe you read the book?...Bannicula.

Last day of school...stop it mom you're embarressing me!!