One of the best parts of becoming a Libra mom is that I now have two more whole people to plan Halloween costumes and themed birthday parties for…. At least until they’re old enough to realize they have their own free will. For now, mommy gets final say and absolutely runs with ideas. This year Leo was briefly into dinosaurs before becoming totally obsessed with all things that move- fire engines, delivery trucks, buses, ambulances, cement mixers, big rigs, vans, bull dozers, etc. Driving with him is like having your very own personal Rain Man in the back seat ranting off modes of transportation on the freeway. But, I had already committed to the dino theme so sorry kid, when you can actually speak better you can help contribute to your theme- but for now, mommy made that decision for you and it’s fucking dinosaurs. Read more...

I’ve been letting the creative juices flow pretty heavy these days planning for my son’s 2^nd birthday party. I had a bit of an overflow of creativity and repurposed an old birdbath that’s been an eye sore in the back yard since we moved in. We bought our 1950’s California ranch home from a sweet old woman who had lived here from when it was built to when she passed away at 100 years old. (No ghosts here, she passed away outside of the home). Because I love the design aesthetics of the time and many things in the home were in great shape we were able to keep many things original. This birdbath however was ugly and has been hiding behind an overgrown ornamental bush. It’s usually filled with dead leaves and probably mosquito larva so it was time to re-use and re-purpose. Read more...

After a week in Alaska spent heavily medicated on Nyquil, Sudafed and white wine, I returned home and remembered I had signed up for the EPIC series race happening just 2 days after we got back. I returned to the gym in attempts to regain strength that was surely lost after a week of sinus infection and “vacationing” with kids. Read more...

Not to be confused with a vacation, traveling with kids is a necessary evil when you live far away from the people you love. Here are some tips to make it less painful. Read more...

Famous last words. For months we’ve been seeing foodie/traveler shows head south to explore Tijuana’s blossoming gourmet scene. People as famous as Anthony Bourdain and as unknown as the fat Mexican-American guy from on our local PBS channel head south of the border to eat and drink some of the best food this side of the Mississippi. Since I am no longer tracking every single calorie that touches my tongue and generally enjoying life again, we decide to check it out for ourselves. Read more...

Phew… well it’s over. How did I do? I don’t quite know. I didn’t place in the top 5 in my division of ten girls but I wont know until they post results if I got dead last or maybe 8^th out of 10? I’m hoping for not last, but these girls put my booty game to shame. There wasn’t one chick in my division who was soft or flabby or unprepared, they had trained and they were there to win. Here’s a recap of how it all went down. read more...