Saturday, January 17, 2009

When All Is Lost...

Well it happened yet again. Isabella, Nicholas and I had to run errands while mom was at work and Isa INSISTED on bringing Bunny with her to the grocery. I told her she would lose it (again). She threw a fit. FINE take it, but if you lose it...you lose it.

And she did, of course. And as Murphy's Law dictates it would be when both kids were crying for a bottle of milk and the other when she realized her beloved Bunny was missing somewhere in the mazelike grocery that is Albertson's. Well both kids were already strapped into their carseats and I was already losing patience after having to wait in line to pay for 15 minutes while Nico started to lose it.

"Well...what did I say Isa? You'd lose it." You can't reason with little kids. I knew El would be totally upset finding out the one toy Isa had and loved as a baby was gone. Isa was already there. I talked to several employees in the parking lot asking them (nay PLEADING with them) if they could check Customer Service or even run through the store quickly and see if the missing animal could be found (I was busy consoling a screaming Nicholas with a bottle of milk).

Of course, no one cared enough. How could they? They didn't realize the severity of the situation. The scruffy, beat up toy bunny was a symbol of Isabella's childhood. Irreplaceable. The last time we tried to find a backup bunny identical to this one it was nearly impossible. Eleanor searched multiple discount stores only to find this last one - Isa had ALREADY lost the original at a local Super Target over a year ago and was stealthily replaced before she could realize this was just a clone. And like I said that was over a year ago. We'd never find another like it ever again. Trust me I've tried combing the internet for a long time.

Time was ticking away in the parking lot, but I had to settle the two down first. Those few precious moments lost. Like a missing child the trail gets cold fast if you don't act fast. Once settled I hustled to find another shopping cart, stick both kids in and retraced my steps exactly through the store. The further I got in the more it stuck in my head the beloved toy was gone forever. Who would want to return a beaten, dirty stuffed bunny to Lost and Found. It looked like it deserved the trash bin.

I walked through the aisle I paid for my groceries at, through the pet department, frozen foods...no sign. The clerk I ran into hadn't seen anything but promised to keep an eye out for it (liar). The supervisor by the butcher promised same thing (she'd forget in five minutes I was even there). Looking down each aisle...cereals, spices, canned vegetables, picnic items, baby toiletries. Nothing. I was almost at the beginning of where I remembered her last holding Bunny, the deli section, and was starting to think of how to console her again.

Then as I glanced over another deli island I saw a misshapen, raggedy form draped over the cooler edge of the cheeses and last season's summer sausages. Salvation. As soon as I snatched up her long lost Bunny Isa let out a scream of joy. She grabbed it out of my hands, gave it a kiss and squeezed it so hard it could've yelped if it were alive. Proud of myself I walked out of Albertson's patting myself on the back for being the good father. The day was saved.

Domo and Bunny
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Next errand...finding her a "backup" pal at the nearby Target in case this happened again - this time in the form of a bizzarely cute Japanese stuffed toy called Domo. Surprisingly she took to this new buddy quickly. She's home now and asleep with both her new pals tucked safely in her arms.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Promises, Promises

I'm not a resolution kind of guy, but this year I hope to make life better for us. Not in the sense that things are terrible, but rather simplifying things that can be. Less stress, more personal enjoyment, being smarter about the choices we make. Maybe I can chalk it up to having a family and more responsibility falling on our shoulders as parents. I could say it was this thing or that person or these problems, but no sense in crying over spilled milk. Let's just say last year was a long, hard lesson. I've always been a self reliant person and I made my own successes. My satisfaction has always been doing something well and seeing it pay off. I think in the last year I was more complacent about where I was - I hope to change that. I tried playing it safe and conservative, but that sh*t ain't happening. Cryptic right? Doesn't matter anymore. Here's a quick list of things to get done or set in motion for the future...

Renovate the kitchen
Fix the damn irrigation/yard
Sell the boat!
Lay down flooring in the attic
Getting more serious about opening my own business/Reevaluating my career choices
Pay off debts faster
Figuring out our next move/getting a larger house
Trim up and in-shape (everyone says this, right?)
Spend more time with family and friends
Give myself another "raise" with freelance (right, Ron?)

So there you are. I've thrown down the gauntlet at myself. So put out or get out...

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Happy New Year's Eve and Happy Birthday (Fer Reals!)


Yummy
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Had to go in to work again the day before the holiday. Used all my time off apparently with Nicholas' birth so I had very little time to plan anything for Ellen. This time of year is usually pretty hectic for me, but this time more so. I did what I could.

Originally I was planning on a real nice dinner at Le Coq Au Vin or Morton's Steakhouse, but I was a little unsure with the two kids. I could only imagine Isa and Nico Boy getting really tired in the middle of it and having a meltdown. Instead I shot from the hip and planned a little picnic at Celebration after work and letting Isa play at the playground there.

IMG_1031
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527

Afterwards, I thought we could ring in the New Year by watching the fireworks, listening to live music and such. The picnic itself was very simple with fried chicken, mac and cheese, fresh fruit, chocolates and sushi.

parks
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527


Happy Birthday Mommy
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527


Swingtime
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
The sun was already dipping down so we let Isa run around on the playground before heading out to the main street to join in the festivities.

Slides
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527


IMG_1084
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527


Head Dance
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Celebration is known for its "snow falling" hourly (it's bubbly windex,,,yeech!) and Isa got a kick out of it even if I wouldn't allow her to touch it (it's dirty!).

Snow Falls
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Some kids went whole hog and just lay on the street making "snow" angels. Nasty! It's Windex! On the street! With dirt!

Carriage Ride
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
I went ahead and splurged by hiring a horse drawn carriage to take us around the neighborhood to see the Christmas lights instead of the ghetto communal "train" ride.

Carriage Ride
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527


Isa can't hang...
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Not too long into and Isa was toast. By 8pm she was asleep on my shoulder and instead of getting stuck at Celebration only to have to wait a couple of hours stuck in traffic I made the executive decision to break out early and be home to watch Seacrest.
By 10pm everyone was asleep and I chilled out watching tv. By 11:30pm El woke up and we broke open a bottle of Rosé and toasted at the stroke of midnight.

Happy New Year!
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
I grabbed the kids out of bed to give them kisses and everyone snuggle up on the big bed. It couldn't have been a better New Year for me. Simple and easy. Happy New Year everyone and Happy Happy Birthday, Eleanor!

Oh and Happy Birthday Ellen!


Blow Out the Candles
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
I forgot to mention the quick little celebration Emily threw out there before her mom and Jon left Sunday afternoon? Nothing crazy, but certainly a nice gesture.

Nico Tries Cake
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
We tried to be as sly as we could with me picking up want she wanted before they arrived from Downtown Disney for the day. After work I hustled out to Publix to pick up some flowers and a cake.

Happy Birthday Mommy
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
The Chocolate Ganache cake was pretty damn tasty...at least I believe Isa thought so as she helped herself to the whole damn thing. That's how she rolls. Not too long afterwards it was off to the airport to drop off Emily, Jon and Lola Lisa.

And In A Whirlwind Christmas is Over Just Like That...


Christmas Card 2008
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
All the planning, shopping (when I could), and EATING is all over for the holiday season. The Saturday prior to Christmas people slowly trickled in from all over. As more arrived and the pace started to pickup I could see my plans falling into place as I had hoped they would.

First Lalaine rolled in and it was a nice slow easy pace to start. Eleanor and her sister spent most of the time doing last minute shopping, hanging out and such. By Sunday I could feel my frenetic pace at work lurching to an almost complete stop. Everyone had pretty much left for the holidays. I was glad. For weeks I had been pushed to my limits staying countless nights at Golf Channel to push out some rushed show package or promo. And with my freelance still looming overhead I was consumed with work at home as well. I hardly had any time to ease into the holiday season and enjoy the cooling weather change, the holiday lights in the neighborhood or the shopping frenzy. Nope...for me Christmas simply got in my face at the very last moment.

The following Monday I was determined to no longer kill myself or stress out at work anymore. Sure a couple of other people had things hanging over their heads. Yeah I felt bad and even tried to help them as much as I could, but for now I was through. My hard work had paid off and I no longer felt obligated to worry about their problems. I started the week off by coming in at 8am and staying to 5pm - trying to live like a normal person I guess instead of my regular night shift til 10pm.

at Elephant Room
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Monday night Lalaine, Eleanor and I met with one of my closest friends, Carl, and his wife, Kristy, who were visiting his brother for a few days. It had been a LONG time since I've seen Carl so it was very cool to hang out with them and have dinner at the Elephant Room & Bar at Millennia.

Carl Visits
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
I miss those days. I really need to try and keep contact with the old barkada from the Creek. Back in the day conversation would be about where to booze it up for the weekend (ACME, Charleston Sports!), but now it was about children, home renovations, careers. Old people stuff. Not even a few hours later it was time to say goodbye.

Lola and Nico Boy
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
By Tuesday Joe and Ron arrived at the airport and I played the role of the driver at night so El could chill at home. Wednesday was a formality at this point. Half day at work to tidy up loose ended projects ( I was finishing small projects for other coworkers) and I said "adios" to everyone and left a little early. El's mom arrived this day so after I picked her up and thus Christmas Eve started. All through the week I helped prepare meals and was able to stretch my culinary legs. Little things at first. The Melanzane Sotto'olio recipe I swiped from a coworker. The delicious 15 bean soup I whipped up with country ham and bacon. And soon enough the main event...Christmas dinner. I steeled myself for the chaos I knew would kick in by picking up a bottle of Jack Daniels for myself to smooth out my rough edges.

Since Thanksgiving I indulged myself more often with my passion for cooking. Most people know that I hope to one day open up my own little bistro. The way I feel about cooking is very much how I felt when I first started doing graphic design - full of hope, excitement and the dreams of one day becoming successful at it.

Poinsettia
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Christmas morning we had everyone packed up to attend mass at Mary Queen of the Universe, a beautiful Catholic "tourist" church where our friends Joe and Jenny sing in the choir. Unfortunately, I found out the night before they weren't able to perform this year :(

Lola and Nico Boy
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527

Friday, January 02, 2009

We Are Experiencing Technical Difficulties...

Man whahahappened??? A couple of nights ago I got totally motivated to upload my latest blog for the holiday season complete with new photos thru Flickr and BAM! My blog decides not to allow me to post anymore halfway thru the damn thing. At midnight it certainly was an inopportune time to take the wind out of my sails. So apologies while I hope someone...ANYONE from Blogger decides to let me know when I can push ahead.

We now continue with our regularly scheduled program...