Running the Track

A few days ago I decided to revel in the springy, fun, running track that my new gym boasts. I don't know what it is about indoor tracks but I feel like I can keep going forever. I also don't feel as bored as I do on a treadmill. I know, a cross-country runner should be out running through the pines on nice beautiful Washington days. But truthfully there are many days when I don't feel up to running in cold rain. There's also the added bonus that my boys can play in the nursery while I run the indoor track at Emerald City Athletic Club.

So, during one of my first true distance runs on this bouncy track I discovered I was flying by everyone there. It's rather unnerving to consider yourself a mediocre runner but then begin to lap everyone on the gym track. Honestly most of these people probably just took up running and will soon surpass me, but for now I was the queen of the track, and having fun.

After about 20 minutes of flying, an older runner joined us. He kept up a pretty good pace and I felt that even though I might be able to pass him it wasn't necessary. So I did what many runners find absolutely annoying. I shadowed him. I kept back a ways, but I followed his pace and relaxed into following instead of having to set my own speed.

My time was nearing an end and I still felt great! So it was time to do some sprints. I set the number ahead of time in my head so I couldn't chicken out and do less. Five sprints, I told myself, half the track each. So as I neared one of the long sides of the track I gave a warning to my pace-setter and passed him sprinting as fast as I could for half the track. Now I really felt like I was flying! It was almost too easy! I slowed. Half the track at normal speed and then flying again!

Five times I flew, five times I slowed. Then I walked the track to cool down. My energy hadn't been sapped for the day, rather it had grown. I'm a fan!

Frank Delaney

There are few books that truly force me to read them slowly, and yet keep my attention, as Frank Delaney's novels do. It took me nearly a whole month to read Ireland, and yet I found my youngest son's name in that book; Ronan, the storyteller, my little seal.

Delaney has a way of showing you different scenes from Ireland's past that allow you to know the place more and better appreciate its people. Being of partly Irish descent, I am fascinated by the people, music, culture and even food of the country. I play the Irish fiddle, and have always wanted to learn Gaelic; someday, perhaps, I will.

I am currently reading my second of Frank Delaney's books, entitled Shannon. At each sitting I usually read no more than a few pages. I'm not exactly sure why this is. Perhaps it is just that he gives me a lot to think about, or that it takes time to digest his work; but whatever it is, and no matter how slowly I read this book, I am caught.

Thank you for slowing me down Mr. Delaney. I am following the Shannon river with Robert now, and I hope he finds his soul, and spiritual footing again. His journey is amazing to witness.

Baking Mode

I love to bake. It's fun to put something scrumptious together with your own hands, place it in the oven and have it come out smelling up the entire house with it's delicious scent. What I don't love doing is cleaning up after these episodes. So I generally don't bake. Lately, however, I've been starting again. I've experimented with cobbler, crumbles, home made applesauce, and bread.

Yesterday was bread day. I had been meaning to get out and buy some more bread for our family but then I realized I have all the ingredients and the necessary time to put them together. So, with my littlest son down to nap time and the elder downstairs playing construction worker, I started making Oatmeal bread. Unfortunately, several times in my recipe I was told to set what I had done aside in a warm area to rise/foam/... Well, in my house there are no warm areas right now. We are using lots of sweaters.

So my ingenious idea was to turn the oven on to warm. But the oven did more than warm my rising yeast...it almost cooked it! So my bread rose very slowly. After the first rising, I only had time for one more if I even wanted it in the oven before I left to teach my dance class. So I skipped the second rising and put my dough right in the pans to rise. About a half hour later they were still slightly deformed but I popped them in the oven anyway. Then I was off to my dance class and when I returned they were neatly on the cooling rack and out of their pans. Thank you love (husband Pocho helped)!

I would like to make this a regular event! I used to bake a lot as a kid/younger woman. I think it's time to get back to that. Smells like spinach pie! Or maybe it's time to bust out the famous butterscotch cookie recipe from who ma? Aunt Betty?

Oh, and side note before I leave this post...the place I was accustomed to buying my bread is no longer. I drove by today and all the bread racks were out on the sidewalk, the sign was down, and I don't know what they're doing with the place. We'll see!

Fall here in Everett is lovely and full of birdsong! We are enjoying the crisp cool beginning of the season as we prepare for colder weather to come. The boys have already picked their Halloween costumes. Big surprise (a bit sarcastic) Jonas is going to be superman, his favorite! Ronan is going to be a giraffe. We tried to convince him to be a shark because there was an awesome costume for one, but he picked the giraffe. One of his favorite books is "A Giraffe and a Half" by Shel Silverstein. He pronounces it ji-HALF (a mixing of giraffe and half).

Today I am on the final turning day of recovery from a nasty cold. The whole household is coughing, sniffling or over-exhausted because of a bug. Finally today I begin recovery though and I'm exhilarated! I have already been productive this morning. I went to the doctor in the morning because of an ear infection that wouldn't quite heal completely and discovered it has healed, but my ear needed a bit of cleaning. That done, I feel much better! After the doctor I went to my favorite cafe (at the library) to do a bit of writing. I'm on chapter II of my very first novel and it's going well. My characters are leading me and I know it'll be a long road but I feel like my story is worth something and that is good.

It's a beautiful, sunny day and I think we will go for a walk when I get home. Jake, our lab, needs the exercise and I'm sure my cabin-fever suffering children need the fresh air as well! I hope your day is full of just as much fun and promise!


The picture of Jake was taken by Jonas when he found the camera. Remarkable, I think, for a 4-year-old. Point and shoot cameras, gotta love 'em!

Coincidental Meetings

Just out shopping for groceries the other day I met another Mama in need of 'Mama friends.' Neither of us even had our kids with us! But mothers will talk about their kids and once this young woman and I started talking we discovered that we were both in need of more time with other mothers. Time to sit and chat while our kids play, or to talk about resolutions to toddler tantrums and such.

It's nice to find that I'm not alone in this random search. This woman grew up here but has a family when none of her other friends does, so they don't understand. I've left my 'mama friends' behind in Arizona and am slowly finding them here.

I ran into one another such 'mama friend' and neighbor of ours at the library today! Wonderful to find people when you're not looking for them, at least not consciously. Good turn around to a grumpy morning!

I've started!

My selkie story is underway. The first draft of my first chapter is done. It isn't perfect but it's there. And the story goes on. I'm working! I'm writing! And I'm off to begin chapter two right now. So here's an unrelated picture for you all, because I've been too busy working on my book to put much up on my blog!:

How old are you Jonas?

Yesterday my first-born child turned four! Everyone always says that time passes fast and your kids grow before you're aware that they've changed. It's more true than I ever imagined. Jonas is four!

We started the day with Aebleskivers (Danish spherical pancakes) hot from the pan. I made three batches, thinking that we would have them left as snacks for the rest of the week. Ronan quickly showed me that this was not going to happen though because he kept eating them all morning. We were soon completely out of them!

While I was cooking Jonas opened his presents: Roller skates from us, knee and elbow pads with gloves to go along with his skates from great grammy Sheehan, construction tools and equipment, posters from auntie Laura and a pig bouncy ball from Natalie. Jonas was bursting with glee! He promptly attempted some skating and kept his skates (knee and elbow pads and gloves included) on while he began to test his construction set.



At 1:30 we had a party for Jonas at the Imagine Children's Museum in Everett. We enjoyed pizza, juice, wonderful cupcakes and a great company of friends and family there. The kids played with construction blocks and ran around the rooftop adventure and finally we all returned to the house for Jonas' custom, homemade, superJonas pinata!


It was a whirlwind of adventure and fun for our little man who is now old enough to anticipate and count down the days to his birthday. I'm so happy he had such a blast

Beginning again, and again, and again

I keep putting it off. Sometimes I wonder whether I really want to be a writer. But then I remember the fantastic dream I had the night before and realize that I must put these stories down before I forget them. Then I forget them, because I put off writing them down. It seems to be some seriously vicious circle with me. Is it scheduling? If I make myself sit down at a certain time every day will I finally start to create my writing voice? Is it pure laziness, or even just motherhood getting in the way?

Will I ever finish my bilingual children's book or begin to form my novel? Here's the main solution I have: Begin again. All I can do is make a plan and do my best to stick to it. Mom, Laura: I think I will try the due date thing again if you're up for it! I will give myself assignments and send them to you both.

Assignment number one: Chapter one! Yes, I know, ambitious. But I've already started it. I just need to follow it through and see where it takes me. Expect to see a beginning of the selkie story, an introduction to Mara, by next Sunday, Jonas' birthday, October 3rd!

Visiting the Reptile Zoo in Monroe

Washington weather is not exactly what you would call predictable. Despite knowing that it rains a lot here we were taken off guard by raining weather in the midst of nice sunny summer weather. In our need to get three cabin fever driven monsters out of the house we decided that it was time to visit the Serpentarium in Monroe.

We thought it was a bit of a long shot because it was already 4 o'clock. If the zoo closed at 5 we would have little time to explore. But as it turns out, they have spectacular summer hours. They don't close until 8pm! So we had plenty of time to check out all the amazing reptiles they housed.

The first thing you feel upon entering the Serpentarium is the heat. Reptiles like to be warm so the place was a bit smothering in it's warmth. We walked in, payed our entrance fees and then began to be amazed. The variety of snakes and other reptiles that lived in this place was incredible! A green ANACONDA! She had a nice look at Ronan and then Pocho promptly picked him up and moved away from her enclosure. Pocho's not one to trust a bit of solid plastic when it's trying to contain a gigantic monster of a snake! There was also a beautiful 21-foot long reticulated python, several beautiful boas and many spectacular vipers, cobras and rattlesnakes. Even living it Arizona and visiting the Desert Museum numerous times I have never seen a western diamondback rattlesnake as huge as the albino one they had at the Serpentarium.

Proud mother and step-mother that I am though, the best part of this trip was watching how amazed the boys were. Ronan kept roaring at all of the alligators and large snakes as if they were dinosaurs and Jonas was fascinated! Francis too was amazed and transfixed by the collection of tarantulas (I know....not reptiles) that were on display. They all (except Pocho) touched a nice little rosy boa that I held.

This will be a place we visit many times I'm sure. Although, perhaps not with daddy as it seemed to make him more nervous than amazed. It's a chance to safely come face-to-face with relaxed and spectacular monsters!



*Sorry about the clarity of the photo...It was taken from Pocho's phone as we forgot our camera.

New Songs

I don't know whether it is due to his recent involvement in school (pre-kindergarten) or he's just bored with my usual repertoire but my eldest son has lately taken to asking me to invent songs at bedtime. After we read "Where the Wild Things are" he wants a song about how monsters stomp. Or another night after reading a book with bird characters in it he wants a new bird song. Usually his requests relate to the book/s of the evening.

While this is a challenging exercise for me I can't help but think what a marvelous opportunity at improv. My son (at his current age anyway) is going to love whatever I sing for him so I might as well work on my improvisation abilities. Tonight was monsters stomping. What will my new song for tomorrow be?

Monica Interests Re-Discovered

I haven't written in a while. If I'm honest I will say that this truly has nothing to do with life being busy. It rather has everything to due to with the fact that I am once more drawn to reading every available (evening writing time) moment. Lost in the Scottish highlands with Sasenach (the Outlander) and Jamie, I've had little time for writing on my blog. I have, however, relinquished my book in order to play with my boys and organize my filing cabinet so I don't have to hide my stacks of papers in the closet anymore when guests come to stay with us.

Today I broke away from the book. The organization is a thing I do in rare spurts. Hopefully I will finish tomorrow...otherwise I might not for months. But in addition to filing papers today I also re-planted some herbs and a tomato plant (hopefully ridding them of aphids) went to the gym, then to the beach park near our home to let the boys and Jake (doggie) expend some energy, and after bedtime (for the boys) Natalie and I had a music session.

I was very happy sharing tunes with a fellow fiddler (or perhaps violinist as I believe she calls herself instead). We played some of hers and then some of mine and resolved on one to practice for next time so that we can play it in a round: Pachebel's Cannon. It's nice to have a fellow musician in the house.

Today was a gloriously sunny day after many dreary and rainy ones. And after many days of curling up inside and reading because I didn't want to go out, I finally felt the need to get out under the beautiful sunny sky today. I love days like this. May we have many more! But not forgetting that it's the rain which keeps our forests so beautifully green here in the Seattle area.

Ronan's Dedication

This weekend is a very special weekend for my family. We are having a beautiful dedication ceremony for Ronan on Saturday and on Monday he turns two! Our dedication is a ceremony welcoming Ronan's soul and being into our family and promising to teach him of our religious beliefs. Now, in addition to us he will have Godparents and a wonderful community of friends to surround him as he grows. I can't believe my baby is already going to turn two!

We have grandma and papa flying in from Hawaii and abuelita and tio Marcos from Arizona to be with us this very special weekend. We are also blessed with a connection to a beautiful family in Tillamook, Oregon. Our minister for Saturday is one of this family and is making the drive all the way up to Olympia to lead us in Ronan's ceremony.

Jonas is very excited about grandma and papa coming. All week he has been talking about putting on his helmet and riding his horse out to pick up grandma and bring her back to his house (he doesn't have a horse here but love the imagination!). We pick up grandma and papa tomorrow! From the airplane!

For those who are interested I have posted the ceremony below:



Ronan Luke Urrutia-Sheehan



Dedication and Soul-Welcoming Ceremony




Opening Song: Simple Gifts by Shaker Elder Joseph Brackett

'Tis the gift to be simple,
'tis the gift to be free,
'tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
It will be in the valley of love and delight.
Refrain:

When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed.
To turn, turn will be our delight,
'Til by turning, turning we come round right

'Tis the gift to be loved and that love to return,
'Tis the gift to be taught and a richer gift to learn,
And when we expect of others what we try to live each day,
Then we'll all live together and we'll all learn to say, (Refrain)




Greeting and Introduction: Dr. Richard Jenks

Special ceremonies have always been significant for God’s people. Often, stones built into an altar, represented and marked the place where a divine intervention was to be remembered and honored. Today we come to celebrate an amazing divine intervention in the lives of the Urrutia-Sheehan family…the birth of Ronan. I would invite each of you to spend a few moments searching the bank of this river for a stone that catches your eye, then bring it back to our gathering place and with these stones we will build an altar to God in thanksgiving and honor of the life that has been entrusted to Pocho and Monica.

The Old Testament book of Psalms describes the miracle of birth and life: “For You formed my inward parts; you wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made… My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth…Your eyes have seen my unformed substance and in Your book they were all written…how precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them.” Psalm 139: 13-17



And in Psalm 127 we are told that “Children are a gift, a heritage of the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward.”
Jesus Christ, in the Gospel of Matthew, presents God’s heart and perspective on the importance and significance of our children. “And Jesus called a child to Himself and set him before them and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me.”

Pocho and Monica Urrutia-Sheehan, what name have you given this precious child who you dedicate to the Lord today? (Parents respond)

This ceremony and celebration is the outward expression of an inner commitment, which has already taken place in your hearts. It is a commitment of loving support in the unfolding process we call life. Because all life originated from God the Creator, it is a sacred moment. Let us enter into it by seeking God’s blessing.



Prayer: Dr. Richard Jenks

Our Father in heaven, we thank you for giving us the gift we have in Ronan. What a precious child he is. As we dedicate him to You, His creator, we ask for your blessing to fall upon this entire company gathered here in this beautiful place. We acknowledge that as we bring Ronan before you, on this significant occasion, we first bring ourselves before You as those who will have the primary care, influence, guiding light, and responsibility in raising him with love, patience, discipline, and faithfulness in Your Truth and Ways. We accept this honor both seriously and joyously. May Your Holy Spirit be a witness in what we do today. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.


Godparent’s vows of commitment

Richelle as Godmother and Hugo (Marcos standing in) as Godfather will you always listen to Ronan and offer him, when needed, the counsel your own spirituality provides? /I will /

Will you guide him throughout his life and teach him love and respect for all beings? /I will/

Will you make yourselves available to him in times of questioning and doubt? And will you also share with him all the joys and milestones of his life? /I will/



Parent’s vows of commitment

Pocho and Monica, will you respect, trust, and care for Ronan? /We will. /

Will you encourage and affirm Ronan's spiritual growth, and support the sacredness of his being? /We will/.


To all present: Will you support Monica, Pocho, Richelle and Hugo in their dedication and commitment to Ronan? Will you help them preserve this precious creation of God in our midst? Answer: We will



Reading, "River" – John O'Donohue: Monica

A River somehow illuminates the beauty of time. In a river, past, present and future coalesce in the one passionate flowing. A river is a continuous flow of future. Though it flows through landscape, it never divides space into 'sooner' or 'later,' 'before' or 'after.' The river is a miracle of presence. Each place it flows through is the place it is. The river holds its elegance regardless of the places it flows through. Though a river maintains a line of direction, it somehow turns still, fixed space into the embrace of a flowing circle of presence. It gives itself to the urgency of becoming but never at the cost of disowning its origin. It engages the world while belonging always secretly within its memory and still strives forward into the endless flow of emerging possibility.
- From John O'Donohue, "Beauty of the Invisible Embrace”




Blessing with Earth Elements: Dr. Richard Jenks, Richelle, Hugo(Marcos), Monica and Pocho

We bless this child with the elements of our common being, with earth, air, fire and water.

(Richelle-Godmother lifts a handful of earth before the child)

With earth, which is as solid as your given frame, my child, we bless you. Take care of yourself as a body; be good to yourself, for you are a good gift.

Con tierra, tan duro como tu cuerpo regalado de Dios, te bendicimos. Cuidate bien como persona, y quierete, porque este es un buen regalo.


(Marcos, standing in for Hugo-Godfather blows gently on the child's head)

With air, which is as fluctuating as your given passion, my child, we bless you. You will know sorrow and joy, rage and contentment, resentment and ecstasy. Feel your passions, my child, they are good gifts.

Con aire que siempre fluctua como tu pasion regalado, mi nino, te bendicimos. Vas a conocer tristeza, allegria, furia y tranquilidad, resentimiento y ecstasis. Sienta tus pasiones, mi nino, porque son buenos regalos.

(Pocho-Father holds a flame aloft before the child's eyes)

With fire, which is as illuminating as your given intelligence, my child, we bless you. Reason with care, test the world, and think with care, for your mind is a good gift.

Con fuego, que ilumina tan fuerte como tu inteligencia regalado, mi hijo, te bendicimos. Haga tus decisiones con cuidado, prueba el mundo, y piensa con cuidado porque tu mente es un buen regalo.

(Monica-Mother dips fingers into warm water and touches them to the crown of the child's head)

With water, which is as clear as your spirit, my child, we bless you. Grow in conscience, be rooted in good stories, and grow spiritually, for spirit too is a good gift.

Con agua, que es tan claro como tu espiritu, mi hijo, te bendicimos. Cresca con conciencia, tenga un base en historias buenas y cresca espiritualmente porque el espiritu tambien es un buen regalo.


Blessing for Ronan: Dr. Richard Jenks

"A Blessing for Equilibrium

Like the joy of the sea coming home to shore,
May the music of laughter break through your soul.

As the wind wants to make everything dance,
May your gravity be lightened by grace.

Like the freedom of the monastery bell,
May clarity of mind make your eyes smile.

As water takes whatever shape it is in,
So free may you be about who you become.

As silence smiles on the other side of what's said,
May a sense of irony give you perspective.

As time remains free of all that it frames,
May fear or worry never put you in chains.

May your prayer of listening deepen enough
To hear in the distance the laughter of God.

By, John O'Donohue, from 'Benedictus – A Book of Blessing'



Closing Song: led by Laura and Monica

Dancing, Singing, Laughing, Playing, Living, Working, Helping..................

We are ________ in the light of God,
We are ________ in the light of God.

Repeat
We are _______ ooh ooh; we are _______ in the light of God.


Benediction: Dr. Richard Jenks

Thank you for being here to share in this ceremony of dedication, soul welcoming, and commitment. Now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

-Amen.

Showcase!

It is marvelous when a day runs so smoothly and happily as last Saturday did. I got a few things done in the morning and then I took off to teach my rueda class with Christine. Our warm-up was great, and afterwards the few things that tripped us up in the warm-up we were able to breeze through quickly so that we could learn our next, and slightly more complicated, move setenta. I wasn't as nervous as usual when teaching and Christine seemed confident too! We were a great team and the class learned the two moves we taught them beautifully!

After class I had to rush home again to take over care of my boys for a few hours before returning again to the dance studio for the showcase! At the showcase students and teachers of the dance studio get the opportunity to show off what they have learned and perform in front of other dancers. Although I was a complete outsider this time (not being involved directly in the event) I enjoyed it so much! I love watching students as they progress in their dancing abilities. I miss being a part of it sometimes! Years ago I was the teacher watching a new student, or dancing with that student as the showcase unfolded. I was working on the playlist, or performing with fellow teachers. It's been years but I remember how fun it was being involved.

My fellow teacher in the rueda class and good friend since college was one of the performers at the event. Christine and Kevin put together a marvelous performance in west coast swing that was smooth and intricate with a lot of complicated moves mixed in beautifully. There was also a performance done to a Metallica song which was lots of fun, not to mention wonderful performances of Argentine tango, salsa, Viennese waltz, and many other wonderful dances!

I left early in the evening so I missed some of the dancing but I might have stumbled on a good opportunity for me as well. Pocho and I went to a local restaurant called Marimba to have desert and dance for a bit and it turns out the owner might be interested in having me teach a few salsa/rueda classes there. We basically had the place to ourselves that late in the evening so we were able to dance and enjoy each others' company.

After Marimba closed up we decided it was still early and we were actually kind of hungry (we only had dessert at Marimba) so I took him to our local Irish pub down the street. They have spectacular food and a really old-style pub feel. They even have a jam session every Monday night with Celtic musicians.

Everything Saturday seemed to turn out wonderful! What a special day!

Black, White and Salsa!

I know it's been a while since my last post. Here we go with the new one though!

Last weekend we had our first ever theme party! We tried to do a "Black, White and Salsa" party. The silly thing is, however, most "black and white" parties are elegant balls or at least dressed up. And we threw in salsa. Salsa of all kinds: dance, music and of course everyone was requested to bring their own edible variety to put on nachos.

We had a lot of fun! But I think for our next theme party we had better select the guests who will enjoy the "theme" and participate. I'm thinking, a Bond party (Sean Connery era) or perhaps a masquerade! (paper masks at the door for those who don't bring their own?).

It's fun to get together with friends in a way that's out of the norm. I do have to remember though that some of our friends might not always want to do the "out of the norm" stuff. I'll have to have an occasional pot luck or carne asada in addition to my fun themes.

Overall I think our party was a huge success though. The food was great! People loved our theme drinks (black and white Russians) and I even got to teach a dance lesson to some eager students. May we have many more successful events of this sort!

Our New Pup!

Yesterday morning I fell in love with a gorgeous black lab puppy that was up for adoption from a local adoption center. Unfortunately once I had filled out the application for her and started to get my hopes up that she would come to live with us, I got an e-mail from the shelter. They thanked me for my interest in her but told me that they had narrowed the applicants down to 3 and ours wasn't one of them. "Oh well", I thought, "wasn't meant to be."

Rightfully so! Searching through craigslist later in the day I happened upon an ad for two pure-bred labs that needed new homes. Both were very young (around a year old) and both were well loved and trained during their beginnings to life. I called about the ad. It was the breeder who had them. The young male had been returned to him because the couple were moving to England and didn't want him to have to go through quarantine. The female came from a couple getting a divorce and the woman didn't have enough time for her anymore.

After just an hour or so of thought I jumped into the car with the boys and drove about 2.5 hours (almost all the way to Portland, OR!) to go and meet this pup. He came to greet us at the car and my boys jumped for joy. The breeder introduced me to his parents and showed me many of the commands that he had mastered.

Needless to say he came home with us. We promptly changed his name (he came with the name Rusty), although many names were run by him before he liked one. And now Jacob, or Jake, is a part of our lives. I now have a running partner, a playmate for my kids, and a loyal canine friend in the house.

Meet Jake!

Puppy - Adopt or Buy

There has been a running debate in our house these last couple of months about when is the right time to welcome a new dog into our lives. Personally, I have always lived with animals. This past year, however, has been one of big transition and therefore we have not welcomed any animal friends into our new space.

Finally it has come down to looking for the right dog. This time I want to do it right. I have welcomed dogs into our lives in the past without acknowledging their past or the characteristics of their breed. We had a puppy who was a lab mix and I tried and tried to train her and work with her but she kept escaping and she would knock over my boys (not the lab in her). In order to try and tame her down a bit we added Hannah, our amazing Boxer. She required no extra training and gave kisses to the kids instead of bowling them over.

We still miss Hannah. But when we moved to Washington it was only fair to let her stay with the family she adopted (yes, she adopted them...left the sitter we hired to watch her and found a new family with a dog and kids who loved her instantly). We have also made two mistakes in adult dogs who we thought might work out. The first turned out to be extremely food aggressive (not good around kids), and the second was the weirdest Basset hound you ever saw. He would jump up on everything and had endless energy (what happened to the Basset just sitting by the fire huh?).

This time I want to do it right. I want to get a puppy. I'm struggling between buying a puppy from a reputable breeder and adopting one. I would rather adopt. But the problem is not knowing the mix when you adopt!

So here's my plan and I sincerely hope it works!

I will post an add in the pet section of craigslist. Looking for a puppy to welcome into our family. Mixed breed great but must be a family mix: lab, Aussie, golden, standard poodle,... No guard dog breeds: Pit bull, German shepherd, rottweiler, wolf mixes.

This way I can explain my concern about finding the right puppy for our family but avoid accidentally supporting a bad breeder. I don't need to pay $400 for a dog when there are so many puppies out there with no homes!

Wish me luck!

My LEGAL Immigrant and Our Youngest Son

Will my children struggle with this also?

Racial Profiling, Now Made Legal in AZ

As the wife of a hispanic man, and the friend to many other hispanic people I cannot but be incensed by this new law in Arizona. Now cops are required to check for residency and/or citizenship. So if my husband (who is a US citizen with a very strong Peruvian accent) is out and about without proof of his legal status in the US he might be arrested?

I keep hearing on the news that there is "concern" for the fact that this might lead to racial profiling. Is there any doubt?? Beware now folks and keep your ID's on you. Don't lose 'em or leave them at home at any point because you might be charged with the crime of being an illegal human being!

This is not the way people! This will only lead us further into discrimination and hate. Why do we keep coming full circle on this? Suddenly I'm not so sad we moved out of Arizona. I love the desert for many things but at least here in Washington Pocho wont be carded just for being hispanic.

The Age of Monsters

When living my normal, every-day routine, I almost never notice the monsters that surround us. Jonas is beginning to. When I have to use my "mommy voice" one too many times he tells me that I shouldn't be a monster. I remind him that mama turns into a monster anywhere past the 3rd repetition of a request. Whether it is a request to help me pick up his toys or a request to stop hitting his brother mama transforms into monster mama after about the 3rd request.

Other monsters besides mama and daddy inhabit our world now too. We have the big, huge black dog. He's really very fun and not so scary once you get to know him. When Jonas is reminded of this fictional creature mama tells him that he is not to worry, Blackie is in the living room with mama and he wont come Jonas' room. Blackie is only scary because he's fictional and he's gigantic! He must be an Irish wolfhound but since he's invisible most of the time we only get rare glimpses. He's a good friend though and after a talk about how nice he really is Jonas isn't afraid of him anymore, just like Marie (a new favorite book "Blackie and Marie").

Since Jonas has become aware of monsters now he recognizes them in movies and TV shows. They are very important topics of conversation and they must be shown to either have been overcome by a superhero or to actually be the superheros themselves (Monsters vs Aliens).

I very much enjoy our conversations about monsters and am so proud to see my son entering the world of make-believe fully fortified with superheros to stand by him as he battles monsters and plays with unicorns. It is amazing to be here as his young mind develops and learns to create new ideas and images. Wondrous!

Learning to Accept a Compliment

Yesterday I was in the check-out line at Trader Joe's and, true to my colorful nature, had on an assortment of purples and greens. The woman directly in front of me in line turned to me and told me how much she liked my purple outfit. Well, instead of just saying thank you I ended up replying with some self-deprecating answer about getting dressed in the dark that morning. She looked at me like I was nuts.

So this all got me wondering. Why can't I just accept a compliment at face value and think nothing else of it? When she complimented me on my use of the color purple I assumed what she really meant was more along the lines of: "Wow that's a lot of one bright color!"

I should just be able to say thank you and move on. It's really only me who's judging me, and if others are who cares? A very wise woman once told me that what other people think of us is none of our business. I agree. Let people keep their opinions to themselves if they're not positive or constructive.

Let me learn to simply and happily say "Thank you!"

Public Library

Yesterday I set myself a writing assignment. I decided it's high time to begin work on my novel. This means many steps and phases of writing. There's research to be done, character development to take place, and settings and plots to discover. As a start I thought I'd research some mythical creatures that I would like to include in my story. So, I found myself at the public library this morning.

Upon arrival I was greeted by a group of extremely beefy young men who wanted me to come and talk to them. I said no thanks and all but ran into the library. But from then on I had a marvelous library experience. I mentioned my welcome party to librarian issuing me my card and she apologized profusely and told me a security guard regularly sends such parties away from the front of the building. Yay! No need to feel unsafe with a security guard on prowl.

Being a total amateur at searching the database for the books and articles related to my topic of interest I asked for help at the reference desk. I doubt many people ask for books relating to mythical sea creatures because I was told she couldn't find many. However, I had a bit more luck when she showed me how the system worked and ended up with a good number of articles on my subject. Thanks to the age of the internet I was able to e-mail these to myself! And after a bit more searching found a few books to take home as well.

What a marvelous first day at the public library. I will return tomorrow with my kids in tow. There is a story-time for toddlers on Wednesday mornings and no matter what the age of your child they can have their own library card and are given a tote bag to carry their books in. Jonas will be so pleased! Thank you Everett Public Library!

Escaping the Gilmore Girls

I have been caught! I'm obsessed with the Gilmore Girls. The show is so fascinating and you never know what strange reference is going to jump out next. Will it be an 80's rock band? An Audrey Hepburn movie? An English Poet? Who knows precisely why, but I'm hooked.

Is this a good thing? A natural escape from reality? Perhaps. I guess we all find books and shows that transport us elsewhere and even, for a moment in time, become our reality. I have been caught many times, but I don't think I've ever been caught so thoroughly by a TV show. I'm not usually a TV person. I'm a book person. Movies too, but TV?

Jane Austin, Madeleine L'Engle, Ursula Le Guin, Jules Feiffer, Charlotte Bronte, Anne McCaffrey, J.K. Rowling, Stephanie Meyer: These are some of the authors who have caught me, transported me into their worlds. Some people reading this might wonder that I mix Austin with Anne McCaffrey but I'm only speaking of myself. I found their books fascinating and felt myself a part of their work.

This is the feeling I get with the Gilmore Girls too. I have to know what happens next. Perhaps after I get through the series I can put it down for a while (like any imaginative book) and escape back into my reality.

Moments to Myself

I am now the proud landlady/employer of a very nice young woman. We interviewed many people and finally discovered Natalie. In exchange for room and board she gives me moments to myself. And moments with Pocho.

This morning I woke up exhausted which I'm sure had nothing to do with watching several episodes of Season 4 of the Gilmore Girls until midnight last night. Tired and grumpy, I sat on the couch with the boys as we ate our morning Kix and drank some orange juice. Curious George tried out several ways of patching a hole in the Man with the Yellow Hat's hat and then proved to his country town that he had in fact seen a bear, even though one had not been spotted there in over 30 years. I dozed. Then there was coffee to make. Then toast and bananas for the boys.

After our usual morning routine was over though it hit me: I have someone to help me now. I can go to my office in the morning and write. Jonas and Ronan can be playing in the backyard having a marvelous time on this beautiful Spring day and I can still get some things done before I go and join them!

This will take some getting used to but I am excited to begin the process. Natalie has begun to have good conversations with Jonas and tells me amusing anecdotes from their time together. She has informed me that her job in her family's home was washing dishes and she's more than happy to continue helping with that here. Pocho and I are finally able to have a regular date-night. All-in-all we are overjoyed to have Natalie with us and she is, I believe, finally becoming comfortable with us.

Sucess!

Painting the Easter Eggs

Originally when I sat down tonight I was going to write about the meaning of Easter as I have been struggling with the concept of late. However, I find the whole thing far too daunting a subject to try to write about this evening. I feel I need notes and research. There are so many things I want to think about with regards to this whole holiday and yet I feel like now is not the time to struggle with them.

It is perhaps sufficient to say that Easter is about the resurrection of Christ and a new beginning for all of us. We were given an amazing gift of hope in the future, in our future after death. It is a difficult gift to accept, given the circumstances surrounding the event. But we were blessed and we are loved. It is always good to be aware of the love of God. No matter how far away from the concept I get, Easter is always a time for me to return to it.

My personal affirmation at this time as I think about it right now is the following.
I believe in God. There are so many different beliefs in this world but I would struggle to belong to just one. My God is not the God of insignificant rules and criticisms. My God is not a God of hate for those who disagree amongst themselves. My God accepts all people and encompasses their beliefs. My God loves all people and died to give new life to them. My God loves all life and all that surrounds life - be it plant, animal, rock, wind, planet... My God accepts me for who I am, faults and all, and helps me to constantly strive to be better. If I fail for a while, my God is always ready to help me try again. If I ignore my God for a time, my God is always ready to hear me again when I return. My God is a friend I can talk to and sometimes imagine a response from in the way life plays out for me. My God loves my children and will help them grow to be who they will dream of becoming.

My boys and I painted Easter eggs today. A few crayon scratches from Ronan on an egg and then a big PLOP as the egg hits the dye. Yellow splashes all over the table and toddler giggles in the air. I doubt many parents will receive a "ouchy spider" on their Easter eggs but my Jonas is a pro and we now have several.

I guess I did end up talking about the meaning of Easter after all. Hope everyone has a marvelous day tomorrow. Celebrate it well, as it is a great day for celebration!

The Big Race!

At long last I am sitting down at my computer again to stretch my writing muscles. Very good friend Laura was visiting me lately and I was lost in a whirlwind of friendship and unable to break myself away to return to every day things. So, here I am - missing husband and wishing Laura could have stayed a bit longer. However, perhaps it's good for me to have a few days on my own with the boys. I need to focus on them a bit now. Time to resume our music sessions in the morning and our walks outside in the beautiful Springtime weather of Washington.

Speaking of Spring, I lately entered and completed a 10k race on the very first day of Spring! It had been so long since I had run a race that I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I waited at the start unsure as to how far back I should place myself in the line-up. Next to me was a woman with a very unusual dog. He was scruffy-looking and medium-small. Not exactly the kind of dog you would imagine in a race. He was rearin' to go though! Barking at everyone, not in a vicious way, but extremely competitively.

Then the shot rang out and we were off. I found myself swept along with all the runners around me. I passed several people who were taking the start really slow and reminded myself not to burn too much of my strength and energy in the first lap! It was hard not to let competition ruin my ability to complete the race! But I did it. I paced myself as if I was running alone and tried to keep up that pace.

Not too far into the race we encountered the only section with incline. I ran it. Others walked. I found myself fully capable of continuing on through the hills and I jutted out my chest and felt the pride in my accomplishment. That is until I was passed by one of those who had walked the hills. I don't know why it bothered me so much but it did. So I picked up my pace and I tailed her. I wasn't about to let someone beat me who couldn't continuously run the race! So after three more laps of the course we were nearing the finish line and I was ahead. On a downhill slope she attempted to pass. But I knew we were almost there so I sped up, and then faster, and faster until I almost sprinted the last 400 yards.

I made it! And I had beat the red-headed walker! One hour and fifty-two seconds! My legs were like jello the rest of the day but my mind was soaring. I had run a race again, after 7 years! Next perhaps I can try a half marathon. Who wants to join me? Pops? Dan?

Personal Training Blunder

A few weeks ago I finally received my membership card to 24 Hour Fitness and with it came a wonderful surprise, a free 50 minute session with a personal trainer! I was stoked because I always feel like an amateur to the gym because I never enter the free weights section. I seem to stick to the treadmill and, my recent addition, the elliptical machines. This was my chance to learn how to use the mysterious strengthening tools I had never braved before.

Unfortunately for me I chose this past Monday to use my free coupon and I was so excited. The trainer was a runner for one thing. I figured he could give me some very good thoughts on running and how to prepare myself for the 10k race that I had signed up to run this Saturday. He told me basically that any kind of work on toning your body and cardio workouts would strengthen me for running. So he showed me a full body workout that I could do using free-weights and an exercise ball.

I was exhausted after the session, so much so that my hand shook as I entered the combination to open the lock on the locker where I had placed my purse. The rest of the day my muscles felt like jelly. Unfortunately this feeling of jelly-limbs inevitably turned into muscle pain the following day, the kind of pain you get when you first start exercising after a long time of being lazy. This trainer had shown me how to work muscles that I didn't even know existed! And they hurt!

So for the rest of the week I have been attempting to regain my muscle control and lose the pain. I should have waited until after the big run to start up my new free-weight routine!

Lessons for later in life I guess.

Building Community -- A Continuous Process

We had a marvelous gathering the other day at our home. Preparations began several days ahead of time with a major organization meltdown (mine) over the mess of our house. I'm not naturally a very organized person. But I go through sprints of it. There are days when I just can't sit down because I want to find a place for everything! And then normal life comes back to me and my living space gets cluttered again. This past weekend, however, we were having guests over to our house! We couldn't let them come if they couldn't walk through the kitchen to get to the dining room because of all the unopened boxes and piles of papers! So I began to furiously organize and finally got all my fragile dishes placed nicely in my beautiful new (old!)hutch. Time to kick those now-empty boxes downstairs!

By mid-day on Sunday our house was spectacular. We could have held a ball in our kitchen and dining room with all the space we had opened up and we were ecstatic! Our guests began to arrive exactly on time at 3:00pm (the american neighbors we invited). They were thrilled to see the progress our home had made in the past 6 months. Neighborhood stories about our home are many and always very interesting. Such as all the many times our immediate neighbors had to help pull a car off the embankment because it couldn't make it down our driveway. Or the morning of the drug raid that happened because a nice tenant living in our home was growing marijuana. Apparently he tried to escape the police by jumping out the window in the master bathroom.

All-in-all our neighbors are very happy to have us living here now and we look forward to a very positive friendship. We have many things in common as well. They are avid hikers and have mentioned some wonderful trails in the area that I hope to visit soon. They are also dog lovers and shared some wonderful stories of dogs that they now have or have been previously a part of their lives. Jane from next door talked about a 147lb German Shepherd dog who grew to that size because of an almost exclusively elk diet in his early years. Jim had been hunting and brought home an elk. They had very carefully packed it away in the freezer and went on vacation. Unfortunately when they returned it was to find that the freezer had just failed. The meat still seemed good and they didn't want to toss it so every day Jane would cook some up for their dog. No wonder he made 147lbs!

In addition to wonderful neighbor experiences we had a variety of other friends over and I was amazed by how well they mixed together. Even though they had a hard time understanding each other Jane managed to keep up a wonderful conversation with our hispanic friends and Jim was already talking architecture with a man recently relocated here from Peru!

The neighbors from down the street even showed me a few plants growing in my yard that were edible! And we talked about making natural cleaners and handsoaps for the house.

What a marvelous day and positive future for our lives here!

Another Monica Moment

This morning was definitely a two-cups-of-coffee morning. I didn't get up extremely early but it was just one of those mornings when I struggled to make myself human. I tried to sleep for a little while longer on the couch during morning cartoons, but Ronan kept talking to me and Jonas kept bugging me to go make my coffee. Perhaps he's aware of the fact that I'm less monstrous once I've had a cup, or perhaps he just wanted me to continue with our normal morning routine. Whatever the case however, I finally caved and dragged myself off the couch.

I should take a hint from my parents who have their coffee pot ready the night before. All they have to do is press the button when they wake up and a few minutes later they have coffee! I never do though. Every morning I have to prepare the coffee pot before I can start it up. It takes so much longer to dump the old grounds, grind new ones and fill it up with water.

Anyway, this morning I finally had my first cup in my hands. Honestly I think it's more the idea that wakes me up...not the caffeine. But I love the smell of coffee, I love the taste (when sugar and milk are added) and I love the warm feeling of my big Mara owl cup in my hands in the morning. It usually takes me all morning to slowly sip. I enjoy sitting at my desk and checking my e-mail/blog while I drink my first cup. This morning, however, that first cup definitely didn't do the job.

I poured out my second cup. Added my sugar and stirred. Opened the bag of whole bean coffee that was sitting beside the pot and began to pour. Only when I had a full topping of floating coffee beans did I notice that this was not what I wanted to add to my cup! Whoa! Where am I? Who am I? Guess I really need this cup huh?

Well, I finally fished out all the beans and replaced them with my intended additive (milk). I have to tell you though, I barely made it through half of that cup before it was off to the gym with my energized toddlers. Perhaps I was just thinking too much this morning. But it's nice to have some moments like these in life where you can really wonder where your brain was! I can't even write this without laughing hysterically. Tears streaming down my face. It took me fully 10 minutes to write the paragraph above this.

Another Monica moment. Enjoy!

Do I Know You?

It was grocery shopping time this evening and I had to get out of the house. Jonas and Ronan were being their charming (I've-been-inside-too-long-and-it's-raining) selves and so we decided not to put off our shopping but brave the evening out together and head to Trader Joes.

We arrived happily ready to make some food decisions and Jonas talked me into letting him drive his own "Customer in Training" cart. Good idea? Perhaps. He was excited. A cart of his own to push around and fill (sadly he seemed to think that he could fill it with whatever he chose, picking things at random which he couldn't possibly recognise). The problem comes in dodging the rest of the shopping traffic. My little man doesn't always look where he's going. It was fun though.

Rounding the last isle I was trying to identify anything we might need from the shelves when a nice woman comes over all excited to see me. She looked vaguely familiar but I assumed that this was because she worked there (her name tag said Kendra). She was very nice, although she spoke in whispers because she had lost her voice, and we were happy to smile and talk with her.

When we were ready to check out we happened upon her checkout lane. She told me that I always look so familiar to her every time I come in and wondered where I was from. We covered the basics: high school, college, major towns we've lived but none rung a bell so we assumed it was just from the very spot we were standing that she knew me. Honestly I used to live just up the street from that Trader Joes when we were in the apartment the summer before last. Perhaps it's just that she hadn't seen me in a while and suddenly recognized me today.

Whatever the circumstances Jonas loved speaking with her in whispers (she was whispering because of her voice and Jonas was copying her because he thought he should) and Ronan very sweetly and loudly said 'bye' as we left. It was an interesting day at the grocery store.

Do you ever come across a stranger and wonder, "Do I know you?"

The Dreaded Cold

Ronan, my little one, started with a runny nose about a week ago. This led to stuffiness and cranky baby syndrome as well as being exceptionally contagious. The dreaded cold had entered our home again. Here I was thinking we were pretty much leaving cold season and remarkably lucky not to have to suffer numerous bouts of it being that we had two small toddlers.

Toddlers are germ magnets! They touch EVERYTHING, then inevitably suck on their fingers. They don't always have mama there to remind them to wash their hands or spray them with hand sanitizer. What toddler would really think about that? Jonas! He knows all about germs. When he doesn't feel well he attributes this to germs and talks about washing them away. However, he is still only 3 and as such does not frequently remember cleanliness. That's for mothers to fret over.

Oh well. So Ronan had a cold. It almost seemed like Jonas was going to breeze by without catching it until two days later when he started sniffling. Meantime I had gotten it shortly after Ronan and honestly I think it hit me the hardest. I've never had a cold like this. Perhaps it was confounded by allergies or something but my eyes were constantly watery. So much so that I couldn't read! Me! Not to mention my Rudolph nose and constant honking noises. It's four days in and I still can't smell anything, although thankfully I have my eyes under control again and can read! Yay!

Cold progression throughout a household of our size is inevitable. Daddy didn't quite get the cold but went to the doctor for back pain and was told he had a slight case of bronchitis. Without a cough? I've never heard of it. But here we are..nearly through it and thankfully sleeping full nights, notwithstanding my semi-normal early wake-up calls.

Thank goodness for vitamin C and echinacea!

Beach Day

Daddy was off to work this afternoon and both boys were just so eager to follow him that I could not keep them inside. We needed to flee the house and search for an outdoor space where Ronan was unlikely to infect others with his germs (he has a cold). Our initial destination was the Forest Park as usual where we could run under the trees along many crisscrossed paths brandishing our magic wands and practicing for our future at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. However, as we drew near the park I made a spur-of-the-moment decision to change course.

Instead we headed for the beach to play in the sand a while. We arrived at the parking lot and immediately the boys were energized. They raced over the boardwalk and up the stairs leading to the bridge. Here, however they stopped for a long time. A train was coming! "Beep beep!" said Ronan, and Jonas, of course, corrected him, "No Ronan, it's a choochoo train!"

After the train had passed we headed down the spiraling stairs to the beach. High tide, so much for sand. But there were tons of rocks, so mama tried to instigate a rock castle build and a search for seals. Ronan wasn't open for suggestions though. He was intent on one thing and one thing only: throwing rocks into the Sound. Hmmm...mama says no. Ronan says yes. Mama says no, let's build a rock castle. Ronan says no, let's throw rocks into the Sound. And on. And on.

Finally after many attempts to banish the rock-throwing idea I was saved by the arrival of a man with two dogs. We were on the off-leash portion of the beach and these dogs didn't look like they would tolerate my toddlers' rough play so I was given a marvelous excuse and we moved to the other side of the beach.

Why we didn't first come to this side is beyond me. There was sand here! And a glorious array of driftwood logs creating a beach playground on the short high tide space. Yay! With little persuasion I was able to get Ronan covered in beach sand and away from rock throwing. Finally a mama success story! And now we know that the side of the beach we need to go to is the sandy side.

I must note also that we met a lively puppy on our way back to the car and she was a chocolate lab. Very cute little girl who loved the attention of my boys and they hers. When we left her company I asked Jonas if we should get a puppy like that and he said, "well, first we should get some food for her." That's my smart little man. Prepare ahead of time. I love it!

Nice Cop

Last night I went out to dance. And I danced and I danced and I danced. There were just a few of us left on the floor by the time I changed back into my street shoes and hopped in my car to drive home. The drive was pretty uneventful, just long. From Redmond back to Everett can be anywhere from 30-40 minutes but it's worth it to be able to dance in a studio again.

I was very careful not to speed much at all though because I was driving the vroom-vroom car. Cops love to pull over people who's cars make obnoxious noise while they're speeding, even 5 miles over. So I was driving the speed limit all the way home. Imagine my surprise when one block from the turnoff into our neighborhood those ominous flashing lights start up behind me!

So I pull over into an AMPM on my right-hand side and turn off my car. The cop gets out of his and I roll down my window to talk to him. He simply asks me if I realize that I'm supposed to have a front liscense plate attached to the front of the car. Unfortunately, I do. But I tell him that Pocho has told me he just need to go and get the right screws to attach it and that's why it's sitting by the windsheild instead of affixed to the front of the car. Well, the cop was very nice and just asked that I make this happen very soon. I will, of course, comply.

But then he asked for my liscense as well and when I gave it to him he asked if we had moved here or were just visiting. I told him we moved up here last summer. So he tells me "you're a little past your 30 days then," to get my liscense changed to WA. Did anyone know there was a rule that said you had 30 days to switch your liscense when you move out of state?? Well I sure didn't and I very politely told him so. We joked a bit about the expiration date on my AZ liscense (I would be 65 when it expired) and then he let me go home with the instructions to change my liscense and get the front plate on the car asap.

Nice to meet a nice cop.

For the Love of Vampires!

I'm just as much a fan of vampire novels as many a reader out there but some readers just embarass me. I love Stephanie Meyer's stories about the moral vampire and mortal womans' love, and I love Cynthia Leitich Smith's novels about vampires, werepeople and guardian angels. But I don't love some peoples' comments and the fanatic bumper stickers.

I was driving home from the gym today and an SUV in front of me was proudly displaying an array of mismatched bumper stickers. "Married with children but in LOVE with a vampire," was one such. Another said, "I punched a werewolf in the FACE!" And right beside and below these were two identical "Baby on Board" stickers. Seriously? Is this fanaticism something that you want to teach your children. They will be the kids walking round with "Team Edward" or "Team Jacob" shirts on. Screaming and feinting if they happen to see Rob Pattinson on the street.

Think about it though...who would really be happy to meet a vampire? If they are truly real beings out there, who would be able to survive an encounter? I live in the Pacific Northwest and when I walk around underneath the trees and cloud-cover I get a bit nervous. Not that I wouldn't mind having creatures like the Cullens or the Moraleses in our world, but I still don't think I'd truly like to meet them. Let them live in their world and me in mine and happily I will always wonder if all the tales from around the world have some truth behind them.

You will not find me rooting for "Team Edward" though or hoping to meet a real Kieren. I am happy just imagining them and that is enough for me, for all eternity.

Spring is in the Air

I have sat down several times in the past few days hoping to wrap my mind around a thought or two to share on my blog. Ideas keep flitting through my brain but the majority of them are thoughts that I think might make good articles or longer stories. They have therefore been placed in my idea box instead of on my blog and my blog is lonely.

Spring is in the air. It has been so beautiful outside these past few days. The glorious sun has not hidden behind clouds and when I walk down the street I'm not skipping through puddles and squelching through mud.

The boys and I decided to take advantage of such beautiful weather and we went to the park today. Seems it was a popular idea (and why not!). There were kids everywhere! The Forest Park near our home is a beautiful park with a ridiculous amount of playground equipment, sprinkler water spouts and a petting zoo in summer, an indoor pool and delightful walks through beautiful patches of forest.

Today we decided to visit the forest. Jonas found a stick on the ground, promptly broke it in half with his foot (mimicking mama breaking small branches for firewood starts) and gave one half to Ronan. Then he ran of down the trail holding his wand in front of himself and saying "expecto contronum!" Ronan followed and mumbled something intelligible which was also a spell.

After our moments as wizards and witch (me) we continued on with our sticks and rocks and pine cones. We frolicked through the trees looking for squirrels and birds and then descended a stairway and steeper trail to a beautiful patch of grass which allowed us to look up at our remarkably blue sky.

Seeing how beautiful it was I pointed out the moon to Jonas. He looked and looked (not of course in the direction I pointed) and finally told me he couldn't see it but then pointed out to me the much more important airplane that was flying by. Then Ronan wanted to share his thoughts and he pointed straight up into the trees and said "a rabbit!" He was very sure that there was a tree rabbit in our patch of forest there and we whole-heartedly believed him but searched in vain to behold the creature ourselves. Perhaps we'll have him draw it tomorrow.

What a glorious time of year it is!

Valentines Day

I really seem to have little to say on the subject actually. I've been sitting here trying to put the right words down about a sweet/romantic weekend, or about how it didn't end up that way but the truth is neither is correct. We had a great weekend. Sharing time together and time with the boys, not to mention the roses, chocolates and new GPS for my car made it a fun weekend. What wasn't so great was the interruption of said weekend by Strep throat (yes, I got it again!) and therefore baby-sitter chickening out. But life happens.

Onwards to upcoming weeks of potential date-nights and sickness-free times. Perhaps even welcoming a puppy into our lives once we decide we're ready! Those of you who know me probably know that my brain is already screaming "I'm ready!" But we're trying to really be prepared this time. We don't want to welcome a new life into our home when we're not prepared to deal with everything that that new life entails: 24hr/ puppy care and love, puppy messes, puppy health maintenance $$, puppy baby-sitters when we are not around, puppy fencing for the yard, ...

However, I am always ready for puppy kisses, puppy walks, puppy romps, puppy cuddles and so much more smiles that enter the house with a new dog. I hope we don't make ourselves wait too long. But if I have anything to do with it we probably wont. Hehehe. Recommendations are always welcome for the perfect family-dog breed! We already love Boxers (thanks to Hannah) and Labs from past experience. But we're open to suggestions.

"Call Mama"

Wow, I have just made a marvelous discovery! Yesterday I was playing with my phone trying to lock the keypad so I could put it in my pocket and I pressed the wrong button. Suddenly my phone was talking to me and this is what it said: "Please say a command." Hmmm...my phone was awaiting instructions. So I replied: "call Amor Mio," and my phone obeyed my instructions and called my husband (I know, cutsie).

I was so excited that I called two more people: "call Mama," "call Laura," and it was done as I asked. Both people were probably very concerned about me. Perhaps I overdid the excitement about something so silly? But it was fun! I no longer have to scroll through my contact list. All I have to do is speak clearly and my phone will obey my commands!

Wouldn't it be nice if my phone could obey other commands though: "wash dishes," "sweep floors," "change baby's diaper..." Now that would be a remarkable machine.

Battle of Wills

Whatever do we do when we have not slept enough? Jonas and I battled it out today. There was screaming and slamming of doors and a rather disgruntled younger brother (awakend early from his nap). We tried threats and encouragement and even a bit of the evening nite-time ritual of singing and storytime. I began to think that nothing would work to make my eldest son relax and take a few minutes out so he would be fresh for the afternoon.

Finally however, after all our struggles he was so tired he slept for a long while. Experience has taught me that I cannot let Jonas skip his naps yet. If life gets away from us and this happens we spend the afternoon in a state of whining chaos that I don't wish to remember. In addition to the fun times I inevitably cave and put a movie on for distraction while I'm cooking dinner and upon re-entering the living room find Jonas curled up asleep on the couch. He still needs a nap.

So note to self: Always run them out before naptime! We meant to go to the park this morning. But another ingenious mama moment got in our way. Jonas decided to show me just how much he wanted to make his own decisions today while we were at the bank. I was not particularly pleased by his show of independance and therefore decided to punish us all (marvelous Monica) and we did not go to the park as planned but returned home to wash laundry instead.

Both of my boys have really strong wills. Unfortunately, or fortunately, so do I. Daily we battle it out but as a mama I need to make sure that I'm not suppressing theirs by asserting mine. And onward with the struggles of motherhood!

Evil Happening or Interesting Character Development

Last night I had the most disturbing but interesting dream. For some reason I was in a high school again. But this time we were visiting on vacation. My family and I were on a road trip and there just so happened to be a historic and beautiful high school on our list of places to see. Unfortunately for me I desperately had to use the restroom and therefore missed the tour.

However I was shown to the restroom by the headmaster himself who seemed to think I had done something wrong. In this frame of mind he decided to wait right outside. Inside the room, I found it quite unlike most restrooms I had previously visited and was quite shocked. There were plants everywhere. So much so that they seemed to even sprout from the very furniture in the room. It even appeared more of an office than a restroom as it contained desks and chairs of the finest solid woods and only one toilet.

Perhaps it was my frame of mind, or perhaps it was just the strange room but I felt after a short time of being in the room that I was beginning to be a part of it. I even felt as if I, myself, had foliage sprouting from my body. Closer examination proved, however, that I was not imagining things and I really was developing quite a coat of sprouts.

Quite understandably I was terrified and I began to try to wipe them off. They would brush off quite easily actually but unfortunately grew back just as quickly. It's rather scary to find yourself transformed into something you couldn't previously have imagined. However, as all the superheros who have come into being from strange occurances (radioactivity, spider bites,...) I wonder if my dream character might in time discover a reason for such a transformation although, honestly, I don't know what that could possibly be. It's probably just a mad dream. But just so you know, I wasn't truly scared in my dream. I felt like I could accept being a walking vegetable garden. How very strange.

Writer Vs Mother Dilemma

It has come to my attention that there is perhaps some confusion amongst my friends and family about my blog. Honestly it was started as a way to force myself to begin writing in the hopes of making something out of myself in that direction. I was in need of a place to practice my writing voice and thought 'why not start a blog.' A blog is somewhat of an online journal where people can comment about what you say and perhaps critique my writing style.

However, I have not varied much from just writing about my every-day life and those of you who know me well have probably already heard and seen what I might post. So, no need to comment.

Another dilemma I have had is about what else I can possibly write here, online. There are marvelous story ideas floating around in my head but mostly my hope was to publish them, not just put them online. I cannot, for example, talk much about the novel I hope to eventually publish because it might jeopardize my ability to do just that!

My goal therefore, is to try and branch out. Without divulging any classified information about my serious pieces of writing. I will try to put more writing samples up here than just thoughts from my day. Perhaps I can work on some character development, with full enjoyment of any thoughts sent my way from my few readers. As always, there is no requirement to fulfill as my friend or relation. However, I always love to hear what you think!

Enjoy the bouncing Ronan!

My Superhero

I was usurped today from my running time on the trampoline. Yes...I tried to run on the trampoline today. Several gyms are now in possesion of my resume and/or contact information and I am awaiting answers for a day or so before I stop by and become a little pushy.

Neither of my boys were interested in letting me run for any amount of time on the trampoline however. They were making their opinions known in cries for juice, snacks, love, kisses for booboos, and anything else that they felt might drag me away from my run.

Hence my need for exercise away from my loving children. And time together should be spent with Mr: "you wanna see how I go upside down mom?" (Pictured above). They are so happy when they are bouncing, rolling and romping about. Never forgetting however, that they require an audience for the show that they provide. My job is to be that audience. And even sometimes the MC! I do love my job.

I Can't Run Straight

Nor can I run at all lately. This has got to change. I was on a roll! I was running nearly every day and shedding pounds gradually but noticeably. Now I feel as if I might be reversing, adding a pound here and there.

Today's the day! I am going to update my resume including my experience working at the gym in Tucson and I am going to look for a job teaching at a gym! With Pocho working during all daylight hours Monday-Friday I need to find somewhere I can take the boys with me and work-out. Today's the day to start, for sure.

Wish me luck!

Cinderello(s)

A few days ago I was once more in the kitchen taking care of the odious every-day task of washing dishes. The boys were playing in the living room and abuelito was downstairs fixing one of the many cosmetic problems in my new house. This may seem like a normal mid-week morning but then, from the living room, came the ominous sound of silence.

I ignored it at first because I had my hands deep in soapy water and wanted to complete my task, but perhaps i shouldn't have. When I entered the living room in search of my quiet trouble-makers I found a black-mouthed Ronan and Jonas with his hands deep in the fireplace ashes. Ronan had apparently decided it was tasty to chew on blackened left-over pieces of douglas fir but Jonas seemed to think that this was an acceptable alternative to a sandbox. Both boys knew when they saw me however, that they were in trouble. My sweet little monsters had blackened by living room floor with their fun and I was not excited to have another cleaning task before me.

Looking back on this moment, however, I once more wish that my camera's battery charger had not dissappeared. It would have been quite nice to showcase a picture of this encounter with two petite cinderellos.

Missing Animals in My Life

Here is Simon. He was a brief visitor at our house but left quite a storm. He chewed, and his being a Bassett Hound I was very surprised but he jumped all over the place. He slid down the slides on my childrens' playground, put his grubby, muddy paws on our backs and shirts and pants... He was hyper!! Here I thought I was getting a lazy, easy-going creature who would play a little bit with our beloved Hannah and let my boys roll over him and pull his tail. But he was a very strange animal. This is perhaps why I found him in a kennel at the Pima County Animal Care Center (the pound).

Despite his failings as a people dog, I still miss him. I miss having an animal presence in the house. I can't even begin to talk about missing Hannah (our sweetest of all creatures Boxer whom we left behind in Tucson). Simon was an impulse addition to our lives and I found him a lovely home with bigger boys to play rambunctiously with him and teach him manners. I can't make the same mistake again and bring a creature we're not ready for into our home. But I have to say I miss our animal presences.

Perhaps some day when we're ready, as in L'Engle's books, our next dog will just adopt us. Until then, we'll just have to visit Joe, Siete and Galen at Grandma and Papa's farm and say hi to the neighbors' dogs as they pass by on their walkabouts.

Organizing my Library

Books are everywhere! I have finally brought them all up from their boxed and banished lives in the garage. Unfortunately however, this means that I now have to find places for all of them. My one large bookshelf is about to start tossing books back at me and so perhaps I will have to get creative like Rory Gilmore and start piling them in my dresser drawers and under my bed. Or, horror of horrors, I may need to let some of them move on to second-hand book stores and hope they find a new and caring avid reader to pick them up.

Really this is just another example of the somewhat ordered chaos of my life. Lots of 'to do' items and many directions to take. Time to research some more for my current writing project and hope that I come up with a plausible setting for my fictional characters to do their exploring and discovery. :)

Toodaloo!

Three Young Women

Yesterday we had a fun 'carne asada' (BBQ) at our house and a bunch of Pocho's co-workers came. We had many 'paisanos' (people from the same country as Pocho, paisano just means fellow countryman) and a few others like me. It was wonderful to feel the warmth of a full house and see everyone laughing. At first it was a little hard to find people to talk to myself (although everyone was very nice) but then I began conversation with three young women (daughters of one of the co-workers). The three of them together embody most of my interests.

The eldest, Daniela a sophomore in highschool this year, loves languages. She's fluent in Spanish and English and has studied some German, currently she's studying French. She also loves to dance and listen to music. The middle daughter Brenda, a freshman, is an avid reader. Although English is her second language she has already read Pride and Prejudice! Even before she came to the States (her mother and sisters confessed to me), she was most likely to hide a book she was reading within her notebook she was supposed to be studying from. I remember the trick well. She is also musical and plays the electric guitar. The youngest of all, Melanie, plays the clarinet (I think that's what she said) and is interested in writing stories.

How fun to spend an evening talking about culture shock and all of my interests with three fascinating young women. And I've also discovered that their mother loves to dance! So perhaps I will get her to go dancing with me sometime.

To end a nice evening and thanks to my father-in-law, I woke up to a clean kitchen. Before I was awake the next morning all the dishes were done! Thank you Gonzalo.

A Non-Writing Long Weekend

Time for a small glass of wine and an evening curled up watching a chick-flick. But first it's time to bring myself back to writing after this eventful weekend (yes, I know it's Wednesday). I had a wonderful visit with Laura (lifetime friend), am hosting an inlaw for a month and beginning a new schedule.

Pocho has been switched to first shift (working during the day!) for a month. Quite possibly after that he will be returned to the night shift but currently he's hoping for his chance to prove that they want to keep him during the day (therefore he's showing them just how much he can work -12/hr days 6 days this week). The switch means a schedule change for all of us though and the boys and I are not exactly taking to it easily. Abuelito is visiting though and working like crazy around the house washing dishes, chopping wood, painting, organizing the garage... I'm worried I wont be able to keep him busy enough as he can't seem to relax and enjoy his vacation.

To add stress to stress I welcomed a nice young Kirby salesman into my house to clean one room's carpeting and he stayed from about 2pm until 7:30pm trying to show me how important it was to have a cleaning machine of the $2500 calibar around my house. In my state of mind I almost gave in. But the truth is we already owned a Kirby before and know how little we actually used it! We're $40 Bissell vacuum people. I have become wary of myself, however, and know how prone I am to believing anything I'm told. This day has been invaluable in my inexperience. I will now know to say 'no thank you' when asked if I want my carpet cleaned, or an estimate for an in-home security system, or ...

Every day I add to my experience.

Letting Go of a Story

Every time I finish reading a book I feel a slight sense of loss. I wish that I had just dragged it on a little bit more, not read those two hours the night before. Sometimes I get to be so much a part of the story that I want it to continue. I want to find out more about Polly O'Keefe, or even Zachary Gray (two characters in Madeleine L'Engle's "An Acceptable Time," my latest book to put back on the shelf). Thankfully, as far as those two characters are concerned, I can. Madeleine L'Engle is great about interlocking her characters throughout her young adult novels.

But what happens to the other characters whose lives are not finished for the reader? We may be expected to imagine a happy ending for the characters at the end of a novel, but you get to know the characters. Sometimes they are so interesting you would even enjoy reading about the mundane details of their happily ever after.

Knowing all this about myself I am always in search for new books to read. I always finish them too quickly. And, I always wish they had continued a little bit more. It doesn't mean I'm spending too much time reading other peoples' work and too little on my own. One of the most repeated pieces of advice I have been given is to know what's out there. You cannot be a good writer without enjoying reading as well. I'm prepared to be a great writer then (a little sarcasm...but not too much) because I almost never go anywhere without a book.

Always open to reading suggestions,
Monica

Supernatural Vortex

Supernatural beings from mythology or strange immagination are fascinating! I don't exactly know why I find them so exciting. Personally I would be scared out of my wits to be in Bella's shoes, or those of Harry Potter. But I've been sucked into the vortex that is the Twilight saga...just as I have been with Harry Potter's adventures. Neither series has been one that I could gracefully put down to carry out normal every-day activities. I've read them both several times. Perhaps this is a sign. I enjoy reading these fantastic stories involving mythical creatures and horrible monsters. I love seeing good triumph over evil. Escaping into another world full of vibrant imagery and engaging characters is akin to chocolate for me (any of you who know me well know of my insatiable sweet-tooth).

The sign is perhaps that I should be attempting to put some of my own fantastical creatures into stories. Perhaps these dreams that I have had over the years have been a building of characters to enter into my own novel. A new style perhaps. The vampire books have been done, although Stephanie Meyer found a way to make them new. The wizards have been done, however no one can beat J.K. Rowling's world of them. I need new creatures. New places...or perhaps places I know. I need The Falcon Tree. I began this novel when I was 13. I know that the writing in it was not the best...but the idea was good. I will recreate it.

Ok so if you read my blog...please bug me. I begin tomorrow.