Thursday, April 29, 2010

Daily Drag (that seemed to drag on and on and on...)

Yesterday, April 28, 2010

The day went from bad to worse. It started with my husband yelling at me bc I filled out the census form and "shouldn't have included Elisabet bc she goes to college and doesn't actually live here anymore!" Then I got yelled at a couple of docents (volunteers) because I mucked up a tour. Then a great friend, giving a tour,doing a fantastic job, got angry (rightfully so because I upstaged her). So I ended up taking her to lunch and spent the hour trying to make things right.

She sent me an email and this is what I wrote back (she thought I should submit it to some publication but the blog is just as good):

Thanks Esther. My day....it only got worse; starting with the dog,
> jumping out of the car, when we went to the 'doggie' park, and
> possibly tearing a ligament. I had to take her (actually Sophie and
> Daniel carried her) the 'Emergency Pet Room', where they 'felt'
> her leg and gave me two prescriptions. The bill came to $134.00.
> My credit card didn't work and they didn't accept checks so I had to
> phone Jordi to come and pay the 'nice' people. He got all crazy
> because they wouldn't accept his credit card "over the phone" and
> decided he was going to Go Postal on them. So I took the kids and
> high tailed it out. He didn't end up Going Postal but is pretty
> angry, again, at me. That all was followed by a melt down from
> Daniel. Actually, we ended up having a fantastic discussion! I asked
> him to "explain to me the difference between one paint ball gun and
> the other". The other being $300 more than the second, which was
> replaced by the first, which he said "wasn't efficient enough".
> Anyway, the kid KNOWS paintball guns and all of their features. At
> least I know he's learning something. We ended up agreeing that he is
> very capable and will earn the money, on his own, to buy that gun
> (even tho I don't like it). I told him I would "help" make signs to
> advertise him. He will try and give young kids drum lessons over the
> summer. He was good with this idea. Man, is it hard to raise kids.
> But I really felt a break
> through and I think your advice about helping out really helped.
> Thanks.
>
> So I'm am up, at 5:30, ready to face a day that I am SURE will be much
> much better than yesterday. Hope you have a good one with Daniel.

Anticipation!

As much as I like vacations I think part of the fun is the actual planning of them; where are we going? what new sites will we see, what fun restaurants will we eat in? what old friends will we see? We are going to Barcelona, on May 6th, for my mother-in-law's 90th birthday. I'm looking forward to getting away, alone, with Jordi, seeing my in-laws and being back in Spain. It's been 10 years since we've had a trip, alone, and it's much needed. It's been 3 years since we've been back to Spain. And as much as I like to travel thinking about traveling is almost as fun. I'm usually never disappointed.

Kavita Ramdas: Radical women, embracing tradition | Video on TED.com

Kavita Ramdas: Radical women, embracing tradition | Video on TED.com

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Egg in a hole

Most mornings (school) I make my son and myself an egg in a hole. On really 'special' days I'll make bacon. It's wonderful and something my step-son taught us. Take a piece of bread, make a hole, and drop the egg in. So easy and so good. Instead of carping to my children, about 'how important breakfast is', I thought I'd let them learn by example so I sit down, with them and have the same breakfast. I do think that breakfast tastes great (combined with that first cup of coffee!).

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Hanging at the House

I must say that just hanging out, lately, with my 16-year old daughter has been really nice. She seems to be turning into a lovely and thoughtful girl and our conversations run the gambit, from 'boys' to what's been going on in Haiti, to living in Spain. She has started talking to me about her hopes her dreams and her aspirations; which also run the gambit, from "nothing" to "medicine". It's hard to believe that I only have two more years with her at home. Then she's off. It'll be really nice to have Elisabet at home, this summer. Can't wait to see what the dynamics of three women, together, will be.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Clinton Global Initiative

The second annual Clinton Global Initiative took place at the University of Miami.  Bill Clinton began this project with the intent to encourage young people with 'ideas' to go forward.  The ideas range from building a car that gets 200 miles to the gallon to help plant sustainable gardens, in Haiti (two students from Miami).  The CGI foundation gives funds to these students to get started.  I went to hear him and these students talk about how they got started.  One student, from the University of Penn. has started an NGO in the West Bank (he's an Orthodox Jew), giving microcredit to Palestinian entrepreneurs.  The idea, brilliant, in my opinion, is that if these people can have lives that they "want to get out of bed for", less turmoil goes on in that region and better for Israel (he's a self-proclaimed "Zionist").  So far he's given out something like 100 loans, 95% of them have been paid back.  Clinton was amazing; funny, charming and passionate.  You can't help but love the guy!

Meeting new people

A friend, of ours, who has recently moved away from Miami put us in touch with a young couple, recent transplants from Chicago.  They came over last night and we had a great time, just yacking.  It's fun to meet new people, especially when you think alike.  And I like the idea of cultivating friendships with people who are much younger (I would venture to guess they are in their late 30s).  The time just flew and we made plans to get together again.  

Dailure at the dog park

I started taking Cleo to the dog park.  Yesterday we were there for two hours; don't know where the time went, we 'met' new dogs, played in the pond and schmoozed.  Cleo and I had a great time.  Dog people seem to be funny people, they don't jump into relationships, they size their humans up, go 'smelling' around for ilk of their kind or not, and then only speak 'dog'.  It's a whole new world to me.  I don't think I'm really an Alpha human. I don't feel comfortable just joining the circle, kind of stand outside and assess for awhile and 'feel' my way in.  And that's exactly how Cleo behaves in her world.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Dailure - Cat Purring


There is something very soothing and peaceful about a cat purring. It's the perfect expression of sheer bliss.

Friday, April 2, 2010

Staycation

So I've been on vacation, all week, and it's been an absolutely gorgeous week! High 70s low 80s, sunny and no humidity. I've been doing things like reading, running, sleeping and cooking. Monday night was Passover, at Mindy's house and she had the usual cast of characters: aunts, cousins, children, and new friends. My parents were invited and they had a good time. We read from a new Haggadah and it's always interesting bc I believe that no two Haggadahs are alike?! I also had an opportunity to go to the Sony Ericsson tennis tournament a couple of times. A friend invited me, during the day, and we spent about five hours and watched three different matches. We had 8th row, center seats. I could practically feel the sweat coming off of the players. It was spectacular. I've never seen tennis up close like that. And the speed and accuracy, with which the players hit the ball, impressive. I loved having a week off! It made me appreciate 'free time'. Learning how to relax isn't easy. But I think I finally got the hang of it. Too bad it's just in time for me to go back to work!

Tennis


I do love to watch tennis, on the television. When it's good it's very very good. I've been watching a lot of the Sony Ericsson tournaments and having a blast, screaming and yelling at the set (tv set that is). It's fun being there but also fun sitting in your own living room, kicking back, with a bowl of popcorn and a beer, or a glass or wine and just 'chillin'.