The Como Zoo and a Nasty Spider

Brrr, 'tis a cold and rainy Saturday...but that will not keep this family down, no sir! After a lounge-around kind of morning we braved the chilly drizzle and headed out to the Como Zoo. We started out in the conservatory with the plants--it was plenty warm and humid in there!--and checked out the new rain forest exhibit. VERY cool. (or, not.!) It was so refreshing to see green and the bright colors of beautiful flowers. Amidst the adorable turtles and fish, however, was the biggest f-ing tarantula I have ever seen. It was in a side-tipped bucket and was kind of hunched up, but I swear if this thing spread out its legs it would be the size of a small dinner plate. UG! Reminds me of an image I saw a while back that has haunted me ever since...what was hinted to be behind the clock, and then what was revealed. There are no words ladies and gentlemen, no words. All I can say is that if I had something like this in my home, I would leave and never come back.

So instead, we'll go back to the lovely images that my daughter took today whilst at the zoo.

Another Reason to Love Coach

Today whilst shopping at the mall for Vivian's upcoming birthday, Ms. Coach and I just HAD to stop in her mother store. I wanted to see if they had their new fragrance in yet, which of course they did. And of course, I love it. Ooooh, it has such a nice spring scent! It actually sort of reminds me of a more springy version of my beloved Juicy Couture scent. (which I have yet to buy...so far I've been living on 2 different samples. nice.) And of course it has amber in it, which is a note that seems to be included in every perfume a like. (but not Juicy, interestingly enough...)

After spraying it on, I asked if by any chance they had a sample for me to bring home. They gave me two. Total class! Reminds me of Nordstrom, when I went in there asking for a sample of the Juicy perfume I mentioned above. Where as the woman at the Macy's counter just shrugged and said "I'm sorry" when they ran out, the woman at Nordstrom just made me one by filling up a little blank sample bottle. Again, class! Those little things make a big difference when you are looking at quality service, no?

That's One Hot Turkey

Wow. The day it's 79 degrees in March here in Minnesota is the day a wild turkey runs through your suburban yard. Oh wait...I guess the high really WAS a balmy 79 and we really DID have a wild turkey bolt through our yard! I kid you not, we were sitting having dinner and Digby let out a chuff--not too unusual, he's found his voice lately and barks a bit at passerby or random people coming to the door (it's so cute!)-- and there he was, Mr. Tom Turkey, looking like a little dinosaur as he jogged by. Hilarious! I don't know why but it really hit my funny-bone. It was so random! Unfortunately I couldn't get to my camera fast enough, so you'll have to gaze at this stock shot of a turkey instead of the real thing. We watched him go down a few yards and then he was out of sight. Good luck, Tom! I hope no one decides they want to gobble you up for their Easter dinner!!

Truly Spring

You know it is truly spring when you don't even mind picking up poop in your back yard. Yes, at 62 degrees and sunny, it is INDEED spring. Wahoo! The kids have a couple of days off because of school conferences and they couldn't have picked better ones weather-wise. Yesterday we took a big long walk down to the park, Digby and all. He was amazing--he's come a long way in the walking department. He used to only get a few steps from our house then look back at it and whine. Not anymore! We played at the park, explored some trails behind it and came out into another park. There and back again! That's my kind of adventure.

This morning our house was blessed by Cooper-doo's presence, and he had quite an adoring audience. This afternoon, just chillin' and pickin' up poop. Life is (mostly!) good. (considering picking up poop isn't exactly a pleasurable experience..!)

My Field of Dreams

Question for you...have you given much thought to your 'Field of Dreams' lately? No, not the corn field that you could turn into a ball field in your back yard...the Field of Dreams is the title I've given to my list of things I'd most like to do in my life. For me it's been number one on my mind recently, an obsession if you will. (me? Obsess???) For whatever reason--40, the on-coming spring (which of course means new beginnings), my son soon to be in all-day school--I feel like I must be having a mid-life crisis or something, just craving something I can call my own. Oh, of course I love being an at-home Mom and wouldn't have it any other way--but, it's time. And of course I only want the perfect job...one that is creative, not stagnant, challenges me, and not 9-5. (I do want to be home when my kids get home from school.) Is that too much to ask? I've often heard when you are trying to 'figure out who you are', you should write down anything that comes to your mind, no matter how crazy or impossible it seems. So here is my list:

1) My ultimate number one job would be to have my own View-like talk show. It wouldn't have to be national, I'd settle for something local only. :-) I can't imagine anything more fun than getting paid to hang with some cool women (and of course it would be women that I choose!!), chat with interesting guests, report on the goings-ons of celebrities and things around the world/my city. I love the hustle bustle and ultimate primping that goes along with show business.

2) In this vein I would like to take my talk to the radio. Ever since I started Feminine Hijinx I've had the broadcasting bug...and getting into the final 10 of fm107's Undiscovered Divas and doing a one hour live spot made it so close...but yet, since Kim and I didn't win the grand prize, so far. For a while I was pretty bummed about that and not feeling very inspired, but recently I've decided I'm not going to give up that easily!

3) I'd love to write a column for a magazine or web site, or a blog for that matter. I don't care what it's about, just let me write! As you can probably tell, I LOVE to write. Getting paid to ramble on and on would just be so cool, woudn't it???

4) I've written a children's book called "Sugar and Spice" that maybe someday I'll get off my keester and work a little harder on getting published. That is such a daunting task for me. Like most creative people I'm sure, creating is the easy part--it's the marketing and homework-doing that's required to actually make something happen with it that is so difficult. I started an audio recording of it that I thought I'd use to release myself and maybe shop around to publishers, but that soon got over-shadowed by Warbride. Now that Warbride seems on hold indefinitely, I need to get back to that.

So much to think about, so little time! But it's fun to dream, isn't it? For me it's all about taking that big step back into the work-world after so much time off with my kids, knowing that the world really is my oyster, and where do I begin? Maybe for you you are already working/doing something that you enjoy but would like to explore more. With my new-found 40 metal attitude, I've decided I don't want to just dream anymore and I want to take steps to coming as close to my dreams as possible. Who knows what will happen, but it sure is fun and satisfying to be trying. I have to give a big thanks to my new friend Donna who has given me such a (loving!) kick-in-the butt. I'm telling you, an inspiring friend can go a long, long way. I am so lucky to have inspiring and supportive friends and family in my life. A cheering section on the sidelines of your field really can keep you motivated!

G-d, I sound like a Life Coach or something. (which is actually something ELSE I've thrown around in my head!!!) But this is what has been on my mind lately, and lucky you faithful and curious readers have to be privy. Now go out there and till your field!

Chuck E Cheese and Death

Long time no see, my friends...or type, I guess I should say. Sorry it's been so long, it's been quite the busy week around here. Between 2 visits to the vet for poor Digs, a doctor visit for Sullivan, a birthday party and visit from my mother-in-law, an art show of Vivian's...not to mention the fact that the sun is out and it was actually above 40 for quite a stretch there, so it was pretty hard to be sitting here at the kitchen table on my computer instead of out in the spring weather.

Sullivan's birthday celebrations went from his bowling party the day before his birthday to visiting good old Chuck E Cheese on his actual day. Because we didn't eat there (see previous post) and just concentrated on getting down to game-playing (and money-wasting) business on a not-so busy night, I dare say it was actually enjoyable. (plus I had my hand-sanitizer, so I felt covered. Don't leave home without it!!) I have to admit even I get sucked into the gambling-type game playing frenzy, using some of Sullivan's tokens to collect a few tickets myself. I hit the jackpot on one game and had tickets coming out of my ears! Of course what Sullivan cashed them in for has already broken (!) but just playing the games is really the point. (isn't it??) I'd say we have about 3 more years of Chuck E Cheese before it starts to lose it's allure, so I suppose I can try to have a good attitude about it. Someday I'll be lamenting, "Awww....remember when we used to go to Chuck E Cheese?" I just know the sentimental part of me will kick in.

This morning we had the pleasure of taking in art done by 5th and 6th graders at the local library. It's always fun going to those things and running into fellow parents and people of your own little community. I even saw an old Tae Kwon Do buddy there with his kids. Where did the time go?? Made me miss the ol' martial arts. How else can you run into someone who's ass you've kicked and they greet you with a hug? Actually, I think this guy kicked mine quite a few times...anyway, here's Viv with her awesome drawing of a deer skull, titled 'Death'. Why does that not surprise me?!

Happy 6th Birthday, Sullivan!!!

Happy, happy birthday to my sweet, clever, amazingly smart and loving little boy! Hard to believe he's six. Six! There's something about passing that 'five' age that just seems so BIG. Sullivan was up bright and early asking if he looked any different. :-) I brought him to school with his birthday treat--blueberry cupcakes!! Most kids would want something laden with sugar like cupcakes or cookies, but that's my unpredictable son for you. He's my box of chocolates--you never know what you're gonna get.

We had a great bowling party yesterday at Park Tavern, complete with gutter guards and ramps to let the balls down. That's my kind of handicap. ( I like to tell myself that banking the ball off the gutter guard in just the right way is a skill in itself.) The kids all seemed to have a good time bowling, eating pizza and cake, and pulling the strings on the car pinata. Well, I guess I can say that Sullivan had a good time pulling the strings on the car pinata since he was the only kid to do it. Being the birthday boy he of course got the first turn...and on that first turn he hit the jackpot and opened it up! Why do I feel like I got cheated out of a $20 pinata?! How very 21st Century, really...instant gratification!

Tonight Sullivan's request was Chuck E Cheese. sigh. What will make it more tolerable is Coreman's genius idea that we will eat dinner here and then just go to play. Less worrying I have to do about the transfering of germs as they go from touching those games that every kid has just touched after wiping their snotty noses or poopy bottoms without washing their hands to eating bad pizza. shudder. We are already treating the kid for strep throat, we don't need some other bug on top of that. You've gotta love birthdays during the cold and flu season.

A Girl and Her Guitar

Vivian did pretty darn well with her commercial job and we told her that though most of it is going into the bank for future investment, she was allowed to spend some of it on something special. Here's Vivian with her very first electric guitar! (and check out that rock and roll hair! It was 'Wacky Hair Day" at school!) I say first guitar because maybe it will be one of many?? My girl has wanted a guitar for some time now, and promises me that she will stick with it. hmmmm. Well, I'll give her the benefit of the doubt. But hey, she paid for it and she'll be paying for her lessons, so, there it is. It felt funny going into Guitar Center again, it's been many a year...and not even for me, but for my kid! If that isn't a slap in the face from Father Time, I don't know what is. But any self-pity I felt for my old self melted away when I saw the look on Vivian's face as she held her black beauty and strummed her first---chord?!---through the amp, loud and distorted. Yes, she is my child. She went right past the 'clean' setting on the amp and selected 'metal' straight away. Of course I probably would have wanted something a bit more girlie looking--at least sparkly, pearly black--but that's okay. I guess if she were too much like me it would be a little scary. Maybe one of these days I'll have to sneak up into Viv's room and plug in my old guitar, the one I bought from Nikki Wikkid of Slaveraider back in the day.

Beatin' The Odds

Thursday night we had the honor and priviledge to attend the Beat the Odds awards dinner as Marian Wright Edelman's guests. All I can say is, wow. This event honored four high school seniors who have overcome incredible obstacles in their lives and have not only gotten through them, but have thrived. We're talking about kids who have had horrible experiences such as childhood abuse, cancer, poverty, pregnancy, death of loved ones and parents, even one child who was forced to live as a very young soldier, seeing and causing death all around him. It was such a moving night, it totally made you feel as if you had nothing to ever complain about. I was so glad my kids were with me to experience such amazing people. And hearing Marian Wright Edelman speak--talk about an amazing person! Just the fact that anyone could possibly say my name and hers in the same breath is such an honor to me. We braved the snowstorm to get there, it was totally worth it! It wasn't even really that bad out--in fact, it was the quickest downtown commute during rush hour that we've ever done, being that most people were off the roads!

Friday the kids actually had a bonafide snow day, which is almost unheard of here these days. It's sad, I remember getting at least a couple every winter growing up in Iowa. Of course it meant that I had to be out helping my mom shovel/snowblow the driveway, but hey. It wasn't being at school. There was always enough time to get out and make a snow fort. And there is actually enough snow around here for some good play as well. It's funny how rare that is these days. I know many people are grumbling, but not I. It's March! It will soon be spring!!!