Who's Walking Who?

The other day the dog walk turned into a dog carry.

It really makes you wonder who's in charge around here.

Modern Art

My idea of an absolutely perfect afternoon? Leisurely wandering through a museum.

I love the atmosphere of art museums, the hushed tones, the reverent feeling. I love lingering in front of something beautiful, it's luxurious.

My love of museums has rubbed off on my kids and we frequent all the amazing museums around us. This week Dagny and I went to the SFMOMA and enjoyed an afternoon of modern art. We saw some interesting things, some beautiful things, and some things that made us wonder why they were in a museum.

That's modern art for you.

Even the building is art

GOOOOOAL!

My day started with a trip to the local pub. I don't usually spend my mornings at the bar, but I was there for a reason. It's a little thing called the World Cup, maybe you've heard of it.

We wanted to simultaneously watch the USA/Algeria and England/Slovenia matches, and what better place than somewhere that has a dozen big screen TV's, lots of fellow soccer fans, and is open early just for the occasion? This morning the pub was the place to be.

It was a fun atmosphere and Steve and I had a great time. You have to admire the dedication of the people who were there at 7:00 am, they really take their soccer seriously and it was so fun watching the games with them. (I was the only female there. I like soccer and I'm interested in the World Cup, but mostly I was there to hang out with Steve)

The US was in a must win situation and it looked like they weren't going to pull it off until they scored a dramatic goal in the 91st minute. It was awesome, and made more so by all the men in the pub jumping up and down and hugging eachother. It was quite the scene and totally worth getting up early for.

Lucky

In the beginning of a relationship the main thing on your mind probably isn't what's lurking in your new love's gene pool or what kind of father he will be. By the time you stop to think about those things it's too late, you're in love.

The man I fell in love with turned out to be an extraordinary father who made healthy, attractive, smart children. I chose wisely.

So, to the man I am so very glad I mixed my genes with -

Happy Father's Day

15

Dagny is 15.

I am now the mother of a 15 year old.

It may take awhile to wrap my mind around that one.

It's been a big weekend of birthday goodness around here. Dagny had all the normal family festivities and a party with her friends. It looks like turning 15 was a lot of fun.

Morning Adventure

...Or How I Went To High School In My Pajamas

My day started with a phone call from Dagny. She had just gotten to school and realized she didn't have her math book and would I pretty-please bring it to her. Normally I wouldn't take the book to her, natural consequences and all that, but it's finals week and I cut her some slack. I found the book, grabbed my keys and headed for the car. Then I looked down and saw 2 things;

• I was wearing pajamas
• Gwen

Dagny needed her book in the next 5 minutes, I didn't have time to go up and get dressed, or put Gwen in her crate. (Gwen doesn't get to roam around unattended, she does naughty things) I scooped up Gwen and off I went in my monkey pajamas.

I've never really driven my kids to school (occasionally on a rainy day I might drive Dagny, but it really has to be a downpour) so my experience with school parking lots is very limited. (one of the great many things that is wonderful about home schooling is no early morning carpools) What I know now is that the high school parking lot is a nightmarish place filled with student drivers and impatient parents.  Instead of just dropping off the book and driving away, I was stuck in said nightmare for 30 minutes.

I know there are a lot of stories about mothers driving their kids to school while wearing pajamas and getting caught in embarrassing situations, but when one leaves the house wearing sleepwear they aren't thinking that anyone is going to see them. You never think it can happen to you.

While sitting in the never-ending line of cars inching toward the exit, little Gwen is on the seat beside me having a grand old time. She doesn't usually ride in the car unless she's in her crate, sitting in the front seat was a fun new experience. She enjoyed it to the fullest by standing on the seat and pressing her paws and sweet flat face against the window. The sight of such a cute little dog in the car caused the teenagers to stop and admire her, then call their friends over so they could ooh and ahh. This causes Gwen to go into super-adorable mode and now I have a crowd of students around the car. It's no big deal since I'm not moving, but now people in other cars are rolling down their windows and talking about Gwen. At this point I either have to roll down my window or look like a jerk, so I roll it down and engage in conversation. I like talking about how cute and adorable Gwen is, I just don't usually do it while wearing my monkey pajamas. I was hoping that Gwen's extreme cuteness would keep people distracted from my apparel, but those kids were observant, they noticed the monkey pants.

In that type of situation I feel that you have 2 choices; be embarrassed, or just own it. Life is too short for shame, so not only did I share my dog with the high school I shared my fabulous taste in pajamas.

What did I learn from this experience?

• Never enter the school parking lot
• Gwen's adorableness can stop traffic
• A cute pair of PJ's is always appreciated

simply irresistible

Rock Star

I got a bunch of emails about my last post, (emails, not comments. Why not just comment on the blog? I promise that I will love you for it.) not about the bravery of hanging out on a cold beach, but about Dagny and her guitar. Apparently I've never mentioned that she plays. My bad.

While I was at Disneyland in February, Dagny sent me these pictures:

She had gotten her money, walked down to the music store, and bought herself a guitar.

By the time I got home she had taught herself to play it. Amazing.

She practices all the time, and at this point she has a full repertoire of songs. The guitar playing makes me feel better about all those years of piano lessons. Just because she wasn't passionate about piano didn't mean that she wasn't learning about music.

Whenever she has free time she spends it with her guitar, if she could she would take it everywhere. Having a portable instrument is a lot fun, it's very social. She gets asked to bring it and play at parties, how cool is that?

She is always willing to play her latest song, that means our house is a full of music. It's a beautiful thing. I had always imagined that our house would be filled with piano playing, but life happens and expectations change. I am very pleased that Dagny has found something that makes her so happy, I'm very impressed with my Rock Star.

Did I mention that she is completely self taught? That means no expensive lessons.

I love the guitar.

A Very Cold Tradition

Memorial Day = Beach Day

That's the way it is around here and has been for years. I'm big on tradition.

If you're going to a San Francisco beach there are 3 key words to keep in mind when you're getting ready;

cold
wind
fog

Pack accordingly.

You may be asking, why would someone go to a beach if they can't swim, or wear a swimsuit, or even take off their jacket? Are cold, wind, and fog somehow desirable?

You bet they are, because through the fog you may glimpse something as awesome as this:

Someday I want to be as fabulous as these people

San Francisco beaches are beautiful, interesting places where you just never know what you might see. There are always people flying kites, surfers, and occasionally a guy in a cravat with a blue velvet top hat. What could be better?

Gwen was still gone, Gavin and Envy got to enjoy the beach. Gavin did not like

the water, Envy was a good sport about it, but not about the sand in her paws

Dane was the only one brave (stupid?)

enough to try the water, he didn't stay long

Dagny was feeling a bit cold and miserable

until she got out her guitar and played a set

Dagny's audience

It's never too cold to play in the sand