Dan and I "celebrated" our 20th anniversary last week. "Celebrated" means that the day came and went as scheduled, but wasn't really a "special" day for us... I was in California and Dan was at home. Don't get me wrong, the day will be memorable, but not for any romantic or earth shalltering reasons. I loaded Nolan and Miles into the car around 7 p.m. and we left my parents' house and headed to Reno. Since I was the only driver, I wanted to split the drive over 2 days. The drive was uneventful until the sun went down as we neared Sacramento and Miles took that as a sign to start screaming. Miles has an ear piercing, high pitched, painful scream. He screamed off and on from Sacramento to Colfax. At Colfax, he decided to scream non-stop to Reno. It was so annoying. At one point, while Miles was probably taking a breath, I asked Nolan what he was doing... his response was awesome! "Covering my ears". We got to Reno and pulled into the parking lot of the hotel/casino where we were staying and got Miles out of his car seat. He didn't stop screaming (and he is screaming and not crying)., and changed his scream to screaming for the car. It took 20 minutes to get him to calmed down so we could go and check-in. What finally calmed Miles down was seeing statues of horses. We got up to our room and Miles started screaming again because he wanted to see more horses. I heard a knock at the door. I was sure that it was going to be someone from a nearby room complaining about Miles, but to my surprise, it was someone from the hotel with a floral delivery for me. Dan had flowers sent to me for our anniversary. It was a great end to a stressful drive (and Miles went to sleep shortly thereafter).
Sunday, August 14, 2011
20th Anniversary
Swimming at the Cabana
I grew up swimming and working at the Sunset Cabana Club. Several years ago, my parents were given a lifetime membership to the pool that is valid for them, their children, and their grandchildren. I took Nolan and Miles swimming at the cabana (Dan and Jonathan flew home the previous night). The pool seems to be unchanged from 29 years ago (but the trees are bigger). Miles splashed around in the baby pool (which is still freezing).
Nolan decided to swim a mile... nice goggle eyes,
and then go down the slide.
Golden Gate Park
Post wedding, we spent a day in Golden Gate Park. We went to the California Academy of Science and to a playground. All 3 of the boys loved the Academy of Science which consists of an aquarium, a planetarium, a rain forest, and a natural history museum. The displays "overlap" so while you are enjoying watching the fish swim overhead, they are also part of the rain forest exhibit making up the floor. Miles' favorite was the aquarium. He was obsessed with the tropical tank and the jelly fish.
The big boys liked "everything" including the special exhibit of snakes and lizards.
Miles also loved the museum map. He carried it around with him throughout the museum (and still gets excited to find it at home).
After the museum we went to the playground. The first public playground in the U.S. opened in Golden Gate Park sometime in the late 1800's. All three of the boys had fun here as well. Nolan had fun on the "zip thing" and liked climbing the cable structure. 
Jonathan liked the off-centered spinning thing (that would have made me so sick). 
Miles liked climbing and sliding.
The best was probably the cement slide that you slide down on a cardboard box. We had the fastest box in the park. 
Jonathan set it down behind him and some kid stole our box. It was a fun day!
Weddiing Time
Last weekend, Amy got married. We couldn't leave for the wedding until the the afternoon of the day before the wedding and had no idea what time we would arrive, so we decided that it would be best for everyone if we stayed in a hotel. We PREPAID for our hotel room and checked in around 1:30 a.m. Saturday morning only to find that our room had been given away. They offered us a smoking room (no thanks) and a king room (too small) before giving us a suite that suited us just fine. We got up after a few hours of sleep, got ready for the wedding, then drove to Oakland. The "I'll show you where to go" lady thought I was the mother of the bride... nice. Anyway, after the sealer screwed up both Sean and Amy's names (and don't ask me how you mispronounce two common names), they were married.
Kissing the Bride
Newlyweds and parents
Can you say "Bored"?
"Fair Hoochies" at the temple
Cutting the Cake
Ready to toss the bouquet
Garter time (enough said)
Sean & Garter catcher guy... I've never seen anyone so excited to catch the garter.
This kid was bragging to me that this is the 5th garter in his collection.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Beijing is Cool (post by Nolan)
I got a cat for my 9th birthday. I was begging for one since I was little. I got a cat and I called her Beijing. I called her that so that she could remind me of a trip to China. She liked to climb up us so she could get on our shoulders. It could be painful. One of her favorite places to go is up on our cabinets. She hates to go to the vet to get shots. Beijing loves to sleep on or with me on my bed. When my little brother was born she hated him. She hissed at him. She loves to eat fish and to go outside. When she goes outside she usually rolls around on the pavement. She loves it when I ask her if she wants some fish. One of the best things about having a cat is that we get a new responsibility. Some of the worst things about having a cat is cleaning the litter box, getting her inside when she's been outside, and when she barfs. Beijing is a really lazy cat. She spends most of the day sleeping. I love my cat and I think I couldn't ask for a better cat.
If you'd like to see funny pictures of cats, go to http://icanhascheezburger.com/
If you think you'd like to have a pet cat, read the article from Animal Planet below before getting one.
Cat Care 101
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Feeding and Nutrition
Find out what your cat needs to live a healthy and active life.
Feeding Tips
Get tips on which food is best, how much water your feline needs and more.
Cat Grooming
While fairly self-sufficient, cats do need some extra help in the grooming department once in a while.
Grooming Tips
Get advice on everything from bathing your cat to clipping his claws.
Cat Litter and Location
Find out why cats can be finicky about their litter box, and what you can do to make them more comfortable.
Cat Litter Tips
Let us help you determine the best care and maintenance of your kitty's litter box.
Bonding with Your Cat
Make the time spent with your cat worthwhile by learning how to bond with him properly.
Bonding Tips
You might expect it to come naturally, but sometimes you need to work at bonding with your cat.
Outdoor Cat vs. Indoor Cat
Learn the advantages of keeping your cat indoors and find out how to make an outdoor cat change his ways. -
Aging Cat
Make sure you know the signs of aging and how to handle a senior cat.
Your Will and Your Cat
Including your cat in your will can ensure your pet's happiness and make certain his future.
How to Find a Missing Cat
Cats should have proper identification, regardless of whether they're indoor pets or outdoor.
Glossary of Cat Terms
Familiarize yourself with basic cat lingo and your life as a pet owner will be easier.
5 Questions for Your Cat's First Trip to the Vet
Get organized and know what you want to ask your vet, so you get the answers you need.
5 Reasons Cat Microchipping Is Important
Microchips have been known to save the day when other ID methods fail.
Cat Adoption Vs. Buying From Cat Breeders
What to consider if you're thinking about becoming a cat owner.
What Are the Potential Dangers of Cat Toys?
Some toys that attract cats the most may also be a health hazard for them.
Cleaning Cat Stains
Useful tips and tools for quick and thorough cleanups.
For Sale, Again
Yesterday I found out that the house we owned in Pleasant Grove is for sale. Evidently the owners, for whatever reason, need to move on already. While I don't really care (since it's not my property), I am amused at a few things. First, it appears that the current owners haven't pulled a single weed since they moved in and the front yard looks like serious carp. Now that they are trying to sell, they want to do something about their jungle and have asked the local ward to come and fix the yard up for them. Second, I am amused at their asking price. According to the listing the house is "Priced to sell quick." We listed the house at, what we felt, was a very fair asking price,... $229,900 in December 2009. We sold the house, in 3 weeks, for $228,000 plus a counter top allowance and some closing cost assistance. Based on information in the newspaper yesterday, the median price of a house sold in Pleasant Grove during the second quarter of 2011 was 17% lower than the median selling price in 2010. So, house prices in Pleasant Grove are still on the decline. So the owners have listed the house at $240,000 and are offering a $5,000 allowance if they have an offer by August 12. Ummm, good luck. Evidently the owners believe that they are the exception to the downturned market. I have always felt that the PG house value was right around the median selling price. In this case, the house should sell for around $195,000 (and the house across the street is also for sale and is listed at $186,000). Sorry owners, but you are priced way high. The last thing that amuses me about the listing relates directly to the first thing- yard condition. I noticed in the listing that the front yard looks really nice in the picture... that's because they used my picture from our listing! Our lawnmower is even in the picture! Too funny. Well, I wish the owners luck in selling and hope they find something better suited for them. I wish for great buyers to move in that will love the house and the neighborhood, and will stay around for a while.
In case you are interested, the rest of the listing description is... Don't wait to see this immaculate home with beautiful new granite counters. Price includes a $5,000 seller paid allowance to be used at buyers discretion until Aug. 12. Other improvements include new undermount stainless steel sink with new faucet, under-cabinet lighting and new paint upstairs. Perched on the hillside gives you a million dollar view of the valley and sunsets. The garage is oversized. Water the lawn easy with the secondary water system. Neutral colors. Great floor plan. Nice neighborhood.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Crayola Goes Politically Correct
Since forever, I've been frustrated that there never was a good skin toned marker. Pink wasn't right. Brown wasn't right. So I always left my people "paper colored" when drawing. Crayola tried to have sort-of-skin colored crayons in the big boxes, but I never thought I was any of "those" colors either. I've never considered myself "Peach" or "Apricot". I even once tried "Melon" but that only worked if I wanted to portray myself with a sunburn. Crayola has finally realized that they have been neglecting the skin tone colors. Fear no more... Crayola has come up with the Multicultural Crayon Pack. They sell an 8-pack of crayons (or markers) that are a variety of skin tone colors.
So my question, whose skin tone is actually "White"? Is "White" in the pack for the albinos? Not even the albinos are truly white. Get that marker out of the multicultural box! The best part about these special special is the product description... "Multicultural colors in an ethnic-sensitive color palette" and "Answers the need of today's teachers who are instructing about diversity and respect for others in schools." Go Crayola and how long until Rose Art copies this idea?
