My Stupid Life

The title of this post refers to my work versus my free time these days. I guess you can guess which one I have more of.

This goes out to me beautiful sister who I hope had a loverly lovely birthday this year. I am a total jerk for not contacting her until now, but Jessica, I mean Sissica, I hope this year turns out to be one of your best.





Hilarious. I love you, Jess. You're one of the best people in this whole world, and i am seriously lucky to have you in my life. I wish I had you more!!!!!!!! The last two photos are from when Jess came to visit recently and the fist one is her prior visit. I loved seeing her. Especially the second time because she was staying in such a nice hotel and everything was so posh and sleek. And she wasn't dying from allergies.

The next few pictures are from the EXCELLENT visit I made to Philadelphia to see my other beautiful (and PREGNANT!) sister Alexis and the inspiration for the trip being the visit from Lee and Katie and the girls! Seeing them was SO nice. It was like a little taste of what used to be when I could see them whenever I wanted practically, and I felt so relaxed and it was altogether a great time. I also finally got to meet Mario, Katie's brother. He was so nice, he gave me a ride home to my sister's house. Jenny was excited to meet my sister when we got there, and she's so charming, I think Alexis grew even more excited about baby time!! Or peanut time, i should say. I haven't uploaded any of my pictures from the visit yet because I am dumb. I ahve been working so much that I haven't gotten the time. But here are some I took with my cell phone. They are all of the kids:










I like how most of the pictures are of them sleeping. We were on top of the tour bus and Reagan quickly passed out. Jenny slept less, but somehow I have more pictures of her during that time. Cuties. The last two are of Jenny on the rockclimbing thingy at the museum.
To end it all: Here is a blurry bad photo of when Kiersten and I went to see William Gibson be interviewed and read selections from Spook Country. It was a blast!



Once more before I go I want to give a shout out to my sister, and one of my BEST friends, Jess. If she only knew how much I love her and hate myself.

Nepal continued...

Ok. So I uploaded some more pictures onto my flickr account last night. These are the photos from when Charlotte and Zero were there with me. Here's my Flickr page if you want to see them all

http://www.flickr.com/photos/niceowl/

We had so much fun together. There was a day when Charlotte felt pretty ill, and I decided to stay home with her and the boys went out together. It was a good thing too cause I started to feel ill and ended throwing up all day long. It was terrible. No pictures unfortunately.

Some of the highlights from that time include:
Sleeping






Taking Pictures




Doing our Hair



And Just Generally Taking it Easy




Just Kidding, I Guess it was More Like This




But we did leave the house. And when we did, it was never too difficult to find a new friend or two



or three



Heck, I guess there were little friends everywhere.



But we went to beautiful place called Nargakot and had a wonderful getaway (in a tiny room together farting and burping the night away)







All in all it was a beautiful time.
More to come...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!

Congrats to my mother for turning another year young. Today, I have scanned some of my favorite photos of this incredible lady and I hope you will all join me in celebrating her life. I love you mom!



This was a teeny tiny mom, having some kind of dreamland birthday party, some forty years ago. I mean twenty. (cough cough). Twenty years ago. Oh, who am I kidding? If there's one woman who is honest as hell about who they are (including their age) it's my mom.

I've no idea where this was taken or what's happening, but I am intrigued by the face that is covered.

These are come classics. Here's mom posing with her cousin Evelyn. They are two peas in a pod:


This is when mom started getting a little rebellious and hanging out with bad seeds like Robyn here:


It wasn't easy to catch her during this time, as she was always on the move.


There was that time she ran away from home and spent a while in the forest living off berries and small game. This is where she learned her great cooking instincts.



Eventually though, we all pass through this young phase, and grow up to be calm, responsible adults. Mom learned to poopoo her old ways.


Pretty soon, Mom was a regular family woman. Sure it took a little getting used to. Like for instance, no one expects you to automatically know that small children shouldn't be dressed in insane Joan Crawford getups and handled by strange old women:


But we all learn from our mistakes. Alexis grew to be a mildly healthy child and just a short four years after she was born mom was ready with another surprise... ME!


I was an immediate success and mom was very well versed in child care by this point. Although that sink does look a bit small.


Anyway the point is we were all quite happy together and mostly everyone was just thrilled to have me around.


Even when I felt a bit testy.


Or a bit sleepy.


What an excellent mother. Her special touch kept me scratch free most of my life. I've still never broken a bone on my body, to this day. And we've had some dangerous adventures. Like, what mother could handle 4 kids at Busch Gardens? A Super-Mom. That's who.


Now as an adult, I can appreciate everything my beautiful mother has done for me. Still loving and respecting me after seeing me in my absolute worst moments ( and I mean WORST). Well, who could ask for a better role model. She even likes my boyfriends!


So thanks Mom, for everything. I hope you have a wonderful birthday and spend some relaxing time with a martini or two. You deserve it. After all, you made two of the most beautiful girls on earth. Who else can say that?
We love you, Mom. Happy birthday.