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.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
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...
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!)
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.
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.
Head Dance
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Snow Falls
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Oh and Happy Birthday Ellen!
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.
And In A Whirlwind Christmas is Over Just Like That...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
We now continue with our regularly scheduled program...
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