A Very Barry Christmas

Ok. What is the deal with Barry Manilow? The guy is getting creepier by the minute. Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fanilow. In fact, it was my first concert...I remember it like it was yesterday, there at the Dee Events Center in Ogden, Utah. I remember listening to those 8-tracks in my mom's yellow chevette, driving up to Lake Tahoe on the weekends (we lived in Reno at the time). It was always a toss up between Barry, Dionne or Barbara. Barry had my number though so I cried many tears in protest against any other option. (Ask Laura if you don't believe me). Anyway, so the guy disappears off the face of the earth for the last 20 years and now all of sudden he's making this huge comeback. Nightly concerts in Vegas, tv commercials, an entire episode of Will & Grace devoted to him for heaven's sake. And it's not like he's aged well and has this great "new" presence. It's the same old stuff, only cheezed out to a much higher degree. And he's gone all diva too, with the plastic smile, champagne brunches and lavish hotel demands. Weird. Everytime I see him, I can't help but feel like someone is playing a cruel joke on him. This is a good example of what I'm talking about. Notice the distinct difference between then and now.

Let's face it, the guy is not aging like fine wine. It feels so forced, which makes the whole scene even worse. Last week Barry was here in SF doing a special show with Brian Boitano. Yes. The figure skater. The Brian Boitano Skating Spectacular. Here's a current photo from his web site.
How did his eyes get so blue? Am I the only one who thinks this is odd? I'm not sure why it's bothering me so much. Maybe it's just one thing from the 70s that I would like to keep in its original form.

Yuletide doubts??

Around Thanksgiving, I got really excited for Christmas. I fully planned on breaking out the decor the day after and getting the yuletide cheer going right away. It didn't happen, however, and after that, I kind of lost the Christmas spirit (and it wasn't even December yet). Since then, Tosh put the lights up on the house, got the decorations out from the rafters and we started to pull a few things out here and there. We never really got completely engaged, however. It was haphazard at best. A few days ago, we went and got our tree. That brought things up a notch but still not completely there. Then, yesterday I decided that I did need to make at least one trip to the mall. I heard one store was opening at 7 am so I thought if I went that early I could avoid the rush of consumption mongers that ruin everything about the true meaning of Christmas. There's nothing I dislike more than a mall at Christmas. But alas, I had to do it, at least one trip for just a few little specifics. As I had imagined, there was no morning rush. The workers were all still sipping their coffee and discussing how early they had to set their alarms. They had nothing to do but wait and chat. That pleased me. There's nothing that breaks my heart more than a sales clerk at Christmas who is frenzied, grumpy and rude because they are so tired of being treated like dirt from all of the frenzied, grumpy and rude shoppers. So anyway, it was nice to go into the store, have plenty of time and space to browse at my leisure and contemplate my gift purchasing experience. Around 10, it started to get a little busier and I was getting the feeling that I should leave while I still felt so pleasant. While I made my way toward the exit, I passed the makeup counter, which I swear I heard calling out to me...."Lisa...there's something you should see over here!!" And it was right! A little somethin somethin for me on my way out the door....

On my return to the homefront, my wonderful hubby had already handled most of the cleaning for the morning, rearranged the furniture to make better room for the tree, unloaded and placed most of the decorations, and had everything in tip top shape. The girls were bathed and dressed and ready to take on the day! Next, I visited the hair salon for a new doo. Waiting on the table therein was a festive array of peppermint bark, enlgish toffee, and ferrero roche. After the pampering, I took the girls down to Main Street so we could peruse the shops for an ornament of thier own choosing. Really, it's the only firm tradition we have and Kennedy has grown to really look forward to it. Since all the errands were done and it was still pretty early in the day, there was no rush. The three of us went into store after store, sampling fudge, touching thousands of sparkly and shiny things, admiring the lights and holiday music streaming through the air, simply strolling along with no real agenda. I also was able to pick up a few more gifts for others during the outing. We stopped for a slice of pizza, then continued our walk home in the chilly air. After arriving home, we decided to make some hot cocoa in our santa mugs and watch "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." And so we sat in the dark, except for the sparkling tree in the corner, a few candles, and a crackling fire and watched from beginning to end with no interuptions. I can't recall the last time I sat on the couch, cuddled up with my girls and watched and giggled through an entire movie with them. Usually, they're watching because I need some time to do something else. Anyway, I know it all sounds very "It's a Wonderful Life-ish" and it really kind of was. By the end of the day, I felt a great sense of satisfaction and the Christmas spirit had made a heroic return. And so it is with one day's worth of pleasant events that I now feel like I can fully enjoy this magical season. Everyone should have such a day...

A world of bodies...

As part of the T-day week festivities, a few of us went to see the Body Worlds exhibit in San Jo. Pretty amazing stuff. Body Worlds exhibits real human cadavers that have been dissected and plasticized to showcase what lies beneath our skin. There are singular components such as a brain, smoker's lung, spine, deformed spine, heart, you name it. Then there are also different formations of multiple layers/parts of the body posed three-dimensionally so as to get a sense for how it all comes together. Really fascinating. Everyone should see it.

I find it so interesting that we have all this "stuff" inside of us and don't even know what it looks like or how it all works. I mean, we know a few bones and maybe a few key facts but to really understand what is taking place inside of us...that's a whole new chapter. To me it seems kind of like professing to be LDS but knowing nothing about the Book of Mormon. Here we have these bodies and yet only a few really "know" about the body. Maybe i'm trippin but just think that is so enthralling. Anyhoo...there were a few gems of information i picked up at the exhibit as well...like:

**George Harrison was only 14 when he joined the Beatles, McCartney was only 16.

**If you want to be smart, try to get that way before you're 25. Once we hit that ripe old age, the circuitry in our brain has reached a peak. We've been hardwired. Not that we can't still learn but the foundation of our knowledge, personality, and behavior is concrete. (or so they say). In other words, when I claim that I'm "only operating on one synapse today" - that might actally be true.

**So THAT'S how the brachial plexus fits in there...that could've made all the difference between my received "C" and desired "A" in anatomy class. It also could've meant that I actually really truly figured it out (another synapse!) and didn't just memorize it for the 10 point quiz.

Overall, the best display was "The Drawer Man" which is the first picture above. The entire cadaver had "drawers" carved and pulled out so you could see all the layers in that "compartment." Another insight into the whole thing was that Tosh couldn't stop thinking about the human element...who were these people? What was their life like? Where did they come from? Did they know they would be displayed like this when they donated their bodies? My dad donated his body to the U of U, which is where I took my anatomy classes. It was extremely important to him that he made his "contribution" to science and I didn't disregard his wishes. So I think that made us both a little more 'curious' about the donors too.

Great stuff! I highly recommend it if you ever get the chance.

Season of All Things Good

Ah yes, the season of all things good is well upon us. At this time of year, we are enticed to think of the things or people or places for which we are most thankful. Just the other day, I purchased a fine set of tweezers. As I put them to use, I realized how golden a good tweeze can be. And so it began...I am thankful for good tweezers. The list builds from there:

*headbands (and little girls who refuse to go out in public without one)

*good teachers

*all things wireless

*the golden gate bridge

*curly hair

* izzy-roo, dooluv, and a boy named tosh

*La Victorias super flour veggie quesadilla and its accompanying "special sauce"

*P2 Primary

*year round tennis, not that i play but if i wanted to, i could.

*all "Market Streets"

*the biggest loser

*sj sharks

*Gabe's sharks tickets

*San Jose

*laura jean

*17 aunts & uncles and 30 cousins (just from my side)

*13 nieces & nephews, 10 siblings in law, scodads & scomom

*the mac photobooth:

*candles from anthropologie
*anthropologie shoes
*clothes from anthropologie
*....anthropologie
*the mish
*church every sunday
*suzy
*christmas in november
*christmas tree farms
*homemade cranberry sauce
*rice pudding
*pleasanton main street
*cold stone creamery
*Good Guys car shows (Rev it!)
*4th of July in Utah
*long-term friends
*forgiving friends
*unconditional relationships
*individuality
*self-expression & creativity
*anderson cooper
*the office (especially dwight)
*good jokes
*violin players
*my sweet job
*velour jogging suits
*good alarm clocks
*ipods & blackberries
*temples
*reading glasses
*colored scripture pencils
*hair products
*bosch mixers
*year round farmer's markets that sell entire flats of homegrown strawberries for $15
*good delis
*avocados
*jackie's strawberry freezer jam recipe that gets put to good use with entire flats of strawberries
*handmade flannel quilts
*handmade baby quilts
*digital cameras
*hybrid vehicles (although i don't own one yet...it's next on the list)
*art
*husbands who think their wives are "coocoo" for making long lists of things for which they're thankful
*murray high school
*just kidding...I figure no one has made it down this far anyway so why not?
*i'm not done yet
*artichokes
*in the footsteps of my stylish sis in law - super funky chunky rings
*strong voices/great singing
*women's conference
*lindsey, my hair lady
*mani/pedi

*half moon bay, ocean beach, point reyes, santa cruz, pebble beach, & monterey
*weekend water fun & sun soaking
*seafood
*accountable kids
*TLUD (tight like unto a dish)
*well placed benches
*movies and books that make me cry (which isn't too hard)
*mommy daughter dates
*date night
*girls night
*couples night
*roadtrips
*dvd players for the car
*dreamworks movies
*great danes...not that i have one but when i see one i get really happy. someday i will have one and i will name him Fonseca. Just thought of it makes me smile.
*the "mr. barky von schnauzer" commercial
*sharp kitchen knives
*food network
*lots of rain
*cannonville
*family reunions
*dance parties

wow. i guess i should stop now. there are so many more but i will keep them to myself for now. i feel pretty darn blessed. i mean, even if this was my list in its entirety, i'd still be holding a winning hand. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Batismo

I love the word batismo (baptism in Portuguese) - it is a special word for me that reminds me of my mission and just has a nice ring to it, so I have to use it here. One of the best batismos in my life happened last Saturday. My little Kennedy. Hard to imagine that I have a child old enough to take such a big step. But I do, and she did, and it was a great day.

Here's a few pics of family who came for the occasion:

Gram & Gramps Frank

The Sco Clan (half of us anyway...)

Kennedy and Izzy and the new pillows that Gram made them. Kennedy's is a special baptism pillow and Izzy's has her name. Gram made both by hand, carefully stitching and restitching for several weeks now. The girls loved them obviously.

Saturday was also the day (one of many) we remember Shelly Anne, who left us Nov. 3, 1998. We remember her sweetness and amazing spirit that touched all of our lives so greatly. The day cannot pass without making mention of this. Although an emotional day, it was a good one - one that reminds us of wider perspectives and purpose. Special thanks to all of our family and friends who shared it with us.

My life - reduced to an M & Ms commercial...and earthquakes

The other day I saw an M & Ms commercial that made me want to hide under a rock. I despise the M & Ms commercials. First of all, it has to be one of the worst campaigns in the history of advertising. What is SO intriguing about those dumb M&M puppets? -- by the way, if somebody reading loves the commercials, please don't take offense, it is only my feeble opinion -- Anyway, I really don't get it. In fact, the only thing these ads make me want to do is never eat M&Ms again, just to be spiteful.

Here's the main reason the commercials bug me so bad...they use the best music that has nothing whatsoever to do with influencing someone to eat candy coated chocolate. The latest one I saw used the song "this is the day" by the the.


For me, this is a very personal song. I know its severe 80s synth but it has always been one of my favorites. It's one of those that, without getting TOO personal, has a lot of relevance to some pretty significant times in my life. I think it came out early 80s - I was probably in 7th or 8th grade and to this day I still listen to it at least 4 or 5 times a week. Now that I've painted that picture, maybe you can understand my dismay when I find it being used to encourage people to find their inner M & M. Are they serious? I find this so disturbing and can't help but take a personal hit. Does anyone get it? Isn't it a bit of a stretch to think that by hearing this song and seeing an M & M get a mohawk, a human being would be inspired to go to their computer and create an M & M avatar? And isn't the point to buy M & Ms? How does creating your "inner M & M" make you go buy candy? I'm irritated and confused.

Also, we had an earthquake tonight. The first one for me and the girls (it's old hat for Tosh). I wish I had a camera to capture our faces as the blinds shook and ground rolled. It caused some severe queeze and an unwillingness on Kennedy's part to go to bed. She has an unruly fear of natural disasters and freak accidents. She prays regularly that planes will not crash into our house during the night and that there won't be any hurricanes or earthquakes. So it was a tough night for her. Welcome to CA!!

Weekend Fun

What better way to spend the weekend before Halloween than surrounding yourself with pumpkins, carnivals, treats, wizards, & ladybugs. A few pics of the pumpkin patch and "Trunk or Treat" to keep the grandmas happy:

Fashion diva, Subway nazi and dookies

Most mornings around our house are awfully chaotic - which inevitably results in a chaotic rest of the day. Some days, however, turn out a little special. Today was one of those days.

Although chaos ensued as usual, this was the result of Izzy dressing herself with no input from anyone else in the family. She usually gets a little help from one of us. But not today. And it was beautiful and caused instant joy amidst the frenzy. Off to a great start.

Adding to my silent joy, another great thing happened at work. I eat at the campus Subway on a pretty regular basis. I get the same thing everytime and I know who, of all the workers, makes the sandwich the way I like it. The manager is one who doesn't satisfy my expectations. Not only that, but the woman is literally the sandwich nazi. For example, Subway will put carrots on your sandwich if you ask. They are matchstick carrots, so a handful of slivers amounts to probably a half carrot at most. Miss Manager, however, doesn't see the point of giving you more than 4-5 slivers. "May I have a few more carrots please?" I say. She glares at me through the glass and grabs one or two more slivers. "May I have a few more please?" I say, again. Add another sliver (singular). I never get enough carrots! Is it really so much to ask? Not only that, but if I ask for an extra slice of cheese (you know, that whopping 1/4 ounce slice of cheese) she always makes sure to let me know that it's 50 cents extra. Not to mention that she always tells me (you'd think she'd remember how many times she's informed me before) that it's better to inform the sandwich maker if I want spinach at the beginning of the assembly line because it stays on the sandwich better. "Well, why don't you put the spinach at the beginning of the line then?" I ask. No comment.

Today, though, all was different. I noticed she was there as I walked to the counter and had my usual moment of debating whether or not I was in the mood to throw down with her for a dumb sandwich. But I was hungry and didn't have much time. To my pleasant surprise, however, she greeted me with a big smile. Friendly for the first time EVER, she continued to piece my sandwich together making chit chat and even dancing a little to the beats playing in the background. I made sure to tell her of my desire for spinach early on - which seemed to make her even more giddy. When it came time for the carrots, she scooped an entire handful onto my sandwich. Perhaps even the equivalent of an entire carrot! The joy! The excitement! What a fantastic sandwich...made even better because of the extra carrots. Could little Miss be warming up to the Veggie Delite girl?

Then, to top the day off right, I arrived home to fed children and this:

These are "dookies," as Isabel calls them. I know it sounds a little odd but it's the cutest thing ever. Tosh makes the best most perfect cookies on the planet. Mmmm. Dookies. That's my kind of dinner. Some days are just like that.

Season of Change

Who knew? Just like that and all of a sudden I am connected to all of my favorite cuzzins, friends and so many other krazy kats out there! Jeesh - whoever invented the "Blog" has made my day. I know there's more of you...so you'd better expose yourself soon or quit wasting time and jump in the water with the rest of us. Best of all, I now have a plethora of credible sources upon which I can draw in my defense when Tosh accuses me of being lost in the blogosphere.

Onto my current thoughts: Usually around this time of year, I feel a sudden urge to change. Maybe it's that everything around me changes - daily schedules with school starting, the color of the leaves, the drop in temperature, the arrival of the pumpkin pie in the Raley's bakery...etc.. etc.. I know it's a common occurrence for everyone but I really find I take it to another level. The other day after Kennedy had a bath, I approached her with the idea of cutting her hair. She said "no way" but after some krafty coersion, 5 minutes later I had scissors in hand and began performing my very first haircut. About 30 minutes and a garbage full of hair later, we both were in shock. Change indeed.

I also decided to purchase a Blackberry yesterday. I've been thinking about this for months. Never really wanting to do it but knowing how much easier my life would be if i had it. An owner for less than 24 hours and already my worst fear is unfolding...I am already 'changing' into "that guy." You know who you are. If you don't know, it's that guy ('guy' meaning any person, male or female) that appears to be talking to himself in the grocery store aisle. Or that guy who carries a holster on his hip, willing to whip out the 'device' in even the most inappropriate moment. Or that guy who always sounds like he's vibrating. Now while I wouldn't consider my case that severe as of yet, I did have a near encounter with the lightrail today while I was searching the web and walking down the street at the same time. Change is good, but only when tempered with rationality.

Finally, I took myself shopping last weekend, for a change. I wore something new almost everyday this week. Now THAT, is the best kind of change. I think I'll change some more this weekend too.

Kennedy's bday

Kennedy turned 8 a couple days ago. We had a birthday party on Monday and hosted 22 little 2nd grade girlies. There was a lot of screaming. The "craft" activity didn't last as long as we thought it would so Tosh was left to entertain. He came up with Sharks & Minnows (see foto). Did you ever see that movie Mean Girls? Seriously. girls are mean. There wasn't severe trauma but it came close a couple of times. Regardless, I think Kennedy enjoyed every second of it...and I guess that's what it's all about. Hopefully she'll remember it.

Giving it another go

So I tried this several months ago but didn't get too far. Now that all my family and friends are expert bloggers, I guess I should jump on the bandwagon...just cuz jumping on the bandwagon is something I like to do. A couple of disclaimers before I get started:

1. I have always been a good speller but in the electronic and virtual world, I will often leave off or add letters in the wrong place...mostly because I'm in a hurry 99% of the time and my brain has tendency to lag behind. Usually, I'll catch and edit my mistakes when reading things over. But I rarely read things over. So, all I ask is that if you do choose to read my blog on occasion, please don't judge me by my grammar and spelling....or lack thereof.

2. I figure if I actually follow through with my blog this time, I will likely be writing while I'm watching TV. We now have wireless and I have a laptop so it makes it real convenient. Plus, I won't feel like a worthless and unproductive TV junky if I'm doing something in addition to burning what little brain cells I have left. That said, if several of my blogs tend to drift to TV shows and how stupid they are, and how stupid I feel for watching them, you'll know why.

3. I tend to get kind of wordy and repetitive. Sorry if you don't make it through to the end of any entry. I won't take it personal. Afterall, this is an outlet for ME, right?

In the profound words of Ronnie Ray: alright then....