My Husband the Wiz

While I was busy watching The Real Housewives.. Tim was busy building a computer. This is not something that would have been personally be enjoyable to me (not to mention that there is no way I would have ever figured how HOW to do it..).... I am still so in shock that he made a computer. I keep laughing out loud, and honestly, when he told me he wanted a "motherboard" for Christmas I just smiled and nodded because I had no idea what a motherboard was.. who knows, it could have been a fancy new surfboard.. but I have to say I am very impressed with his dedication to this project and with how amazing our new "custom" computer is! Sometimes I wish I could take a sneak peek into the workings of his mathematical mind!

Oh, also, I do have to say, Elle was there barking instructions to him.. I am sure that helped too!

I believe this is the motherboard

Elle, the mastermind behind it all

At Last

Congratulations Barack Obama! I just love this picture of the family! I was all smiles when I heard that Michelle was wearing J. Crew throughout Inauguration Day.. hopefully she's a fan of Ann Taylor too!!

January hike in Santa Barbara

View from the top and Bud Light break (and hummus and peanut butter sandwich break)

View on the way up

Elle and me


View from the top - you could see the islands!

Last weekend I went on an amazing hike in SB with Kathy, Monika, Molly, Leonie, Susan, Bert, and Elle called Inspiration Point and Seven Falls. Although the Seven Falls were mostly dried up Inspiration Point was amazing! We beat the 2.5 hour expected time for the 4.7 mile hike (not counting the Bud Light break at the top). Elle was helping to pull me, so I credit her for getting me up so quick! If I only had her energy! After the hike, we were all looking our sweaty best (did I mention it was 77 degrees and a very steep hike) and showed up at Long Boards at the end of the SB pier, where we proceeded to finish our very yummy (22 oz) Bud Lights. Some of us ..uh humm.. had more then one. It was an amazing day and great way to get some fresh air and exercise outside. It is one of my favorite hikes, but Kathy has promised to introduce me to more in this area. Can't wait for the next one!!

Where has Guitar Hero been my whole life?

(Rockstar hair is a must ...and yes .... primary color plastic wigs scream rockstar)

So thanks to Jonathan, Jason, and Molly I finally “get” the rave about guitar hero (probably the last person on the planet to play it, if anyone hasn’t IT’S NOT TOO LATE). But anyways I had been stressing for weeks when Jonathan invited me over for his Wii party. I honestly thought I was going to have to sing and know how to actually read music. Anyone who knows me, knows I get sweaty hot when I get nervous, and so I have had my fan on all week. I was hoping that J & J were going to “ease” me into this guitar hero/karaoke nightmare that I was certain was in front of me. When I got there Jonathan promptly handed me a lemon twist with freshly squeezed lemon juice and a salt/sugar twist on things (that even Debbie would be proud of) that I proceeded to down that in a mere seconds. THEN a moment later the infamous guitar hero was popped in (not even a second to ease into this Wii party with a more familiar game like bowling or tennis). It was to my amazement that there was so singing, and no C minor anywhere! I watched as you didn’t need vocal cords or musical talent whatso ever! As soon as I “completed” Steve Millers “Joker” I was hooked. Despite Jonathan clapping notes and stomped his feet (envision: a crazy intense stage mom) behind me and Molly complaining behind me “My brain doesn’t work like that!” I wanted to rock on, I was a superstar!! Now when I hear songs on the radio I can see them in three beautiful colors (I’m still on easy) green, red, yellow, with the notes and the frets flying at me. Oh how I wish I had that whammy right then and there. My world has changed and I am happy to embrace guitar hero into it. Wonder what Ben and Annett are doing this weekend?

Although the above is a view into my personal epiphany about guitar hero, I have to mention what wonderful hosts Jonathan and Jason are, and how I gain at least 5 pounds every time I go there (so much weight in fact, that my feet have been under extreme pressure lately and have grown half a size in the past 6 months). I also have to mention what a wonderful husband I have. Tim was supposed to come over too, but stayed at home to wait for Stanley Steamer to clean our carpets and couch (envision: a dog chewing on a pen, the pen exploding into blue ink puddle [on white carpet], and then dog tracks that blue ink all over the house [including all over the white] couch]). While I was participating in an impromptu dance party to Scissor Sisters [a few lemon twists down at this point] and posing for [over a hundred] photo booth pics , my amazing hubby was at home, caring after the [devil] doggie and ensuring our white [need to rethink our white choices] house got cleaned… not to mention knocking off at least half of the household “to do” list! You really couldn’t ask for a better other half, and I am so lucky! So of course I dedicate all my guitar hero “rocking on” to him… he is forever my muse.

Scissor Sisters show down

Negative Nancy

Boxing show down

Jason in all his glory

Do rockstars really sit up that straight (PS notice "Stage Mom" to my right)