I am a coyote...

Totally almost updated my facebook status with my feelings about H1N1. Stupid. Glad I didn't.

We are on week two. Both kids and husband have had it now. Have I? I haven't. I credit that to my current formula for success:

1. Bikram Yoga at least three times a week.
2. Sleeping in.
3. Vodka.

So, the Bikram is really the only component that is probably going to be supported by others. I really hope that my mom doesn't read this post. If she does, she will remind me of my paternal Grandfather's happiness caused by vodka scheduled throughout the day. I only hope that when I am 85 that someone is giving me my first cocktail at 10. sounds lovely.

Back to Bikram...it kind of rocks. I don't really want to let the secret get out too much. I'm not really that worried it will happen. You sweat in a 100 degree room for 90 minutes. I could just be hanging out rather than constantly "sucking in my stomach" (which I am CERTAIN the instructor is saying directly to me - I would like to wear a sign that says "TWO C-SECTIONS, please don't ask me to suck in my stomach. Those muscles are no longer attached") in order to completely soak my clothes in sweat. I said something a little snarky tonight, and snarky has been a tone I have set for the day. I don't think the little co-ed knew that I was being snarky. She commented that she had tanned before she came to class. I told her I had done this once (and it would have SO MUCH better if I was lying, but I had this event...), and it was the worst class I ever had. I told her I could barely keep it together and thought I was going to die from overheating...Good luck!

So, sweating your toxins out is a good idea. I no longer feel like there is an early time I should get up, because I no longer feel like I am going to get up and exercise. Doing that at Bikram, folks. Sleep is good.

Finally, the vodka is killing anything I don't sweat out. I wouldn't want you to sterilize my open wound with vodka, but it is a "known killer of germs" - is it not? I probably won't post until Halloween, but who knows. Have a lovely week leading up to that holiday. I really hope that KU beats the Sooners. Sorry, Whoorl.

Don't promise, Dev...

Pictures tomorrow, huh? As I was just remarking to a lovely old friend, this is my poor poor poor neglected space. I think when I can keep it updated, the family might be ready to add a dog. Speaking of which, I don't think I have ever mentioned our 8 year old "chats" (that's for you Mrs. Almon and Mrs. Henderson) Betsy and Endo. Good cats. They were wedding presents. Maybe I can get a good pic of Houidini (Endo) on his next escape. I kind of look at Endo as training for my 3 year old daughter when she is a teenager.

Speaking of which, said child celebrated her 3rd birthday with a grand bang on Saturday. She was so celebrated by family and friends and neighbors. You must check out the crown that was made and gifted by one talented crabcakes seamstress in this photo.


So, there are also puppet theater, bouncehouse (moonwalk, if you're nasty), and party pics to share. So maybe that will be inspiration for further posts...maybe even this week. Don't expect anything, though. You should know that from me.

great day

I can't believe I don't have pictures...but it was a great day today, and I will have pics tomorrow!

Bodega, it's really happening...

We made it to norcal this afternoon.  One major caveat, and then the vacation can commence.  If you, or anyone you love works for Hertz rentals...well, today wasn't a shining moment for them at SFO, and they are going to to get a call tomorrow, and I will begin, "I support Hertz because it's a brand I can trust,  I always see my name on your happy little board, and in turn that makes me happy.  My damn name was not on said board today."

It was awful.  What's more that's awful is the fact that I have no signs on towels left.  For those of you checking in for that mere reason, stay tuned.  I have plenty of my life to share. Get fired up!!!
Devon

Bodega...

We aren't there yet, but we will be. There will be some pictures. There will be some stories. I am kind of happy that I discovered a blogger that has relocated to Bodega from Petaluma and writes about all things Bodega. I understand why she doesn't post everyday, though. I am thankful for her ideas, and if by chance she has any additional info for me and my little choddies while we are there - I would be forever grateful.
Not a lot to report on in the world of healthcare reform, incidentally. Big surprise, right?

Welcome Home Glamour Cat!

I have read a lot of blogs during the short time I have been exposed. Not a lot lately - like most of 2008 and 2009, due to lack of time available. I think I have read enough to know the following: bloggers love to welcome their new animals via blog posts. Some folks even bring you in on the anticipation of the new pet. (thank you, dana). I actually think it is something great about which to blog - a new pet is a new member of the family. End of sentence.

That is why I am so excited to tell y'all about Glamour Cat. This is something we have been anticipating since early June when TK lovingly leaned over in bed one night and shared his iTouch with me and said the following words, "This is what I want for Father's Day." My response was one of my most loving, "Then you should have it, get it now." That's when the transaction began. TK should come with a warning label from time to time. You know, the normal warnings:

• Don't let him drink and eat at the same time, or he might cuddle up in an empty booth and go to sleep.



• Don't tell him you would rather make your own homemade pie rather than buy one at Perkins, because he will think that sounds like a great idea!



• Don't let him order something unless he is CERTAIN he knows where he lives. That includes the zip code.

And, sure there are plenty of other warnings (of course there are many that pertain to me, but this is my blog), but let's just say that the prints showed up last week, after some re-routing across the country side. Glamour Cat has traveled. He has seen the world.

It is really with no further snarky comments that I introduce you to the new member of our "team." The new FOTK (friend of the kim's). The new mantelpiece in my kitchen. I give you Booted Glamour Cat, and Soul of the Glamour Cat:

Seriously, Happy Father's Day to a dad that: swung kids in the pool this weekend, helped them jump of the diving board for the first time, geared up a tackle box for his son, did all the grocery shopping, played hockey (and only lost by one), and still managed to get his little kitties framed.

Boom Boom Pow...

Okay, I titled it with the Black Eyed Peas song just to get your attention...there's no "two thousand late" going on here. If I didn't send you all the footage via picasa of the West Hills Neighborhood Parade, please let me know, and it will be on its way!





It was a good 4th. I really have to say it, though. I am not looking forward to going to work tomorrow. I have some time off coming later in the month (and that will be super good), but I could use another week to lay low. Mental note: remember that you think you should take the week after the fourth off...2010, as you might remember good readers, is going to rock. I will have all the things in life figured out and be prepared to execute.





It wouldn't be so insane at the office if it wasn't for ARRA - that's the stimulus package for those of you who don't regularly read the Federal Register. Unfortunately, I do. Well, fortunately. I am so lucky. I LOVE..almost lurve...my job. Clearly, it's a Sunday night and my head is doing its normal things...getting me ready to talk about "meaningful use" and appropriate change management. I all to often say that I want to clone myself...but I think I want to pull that card tonight. I want one Devon to stay home and the other to go pioneer new solutions for health care providers nationwide.





I leave you with this:




It's the cake that Alix made for the "Boys of Summer" birthday celebration last night. Boom.

The eve of the Three Day Weekend

The Kim's are showing "Return of the Jedi" for movie night tonight. Feel free to join us. We will be laying low prepping for the big 4th weekend.

There is a parade in the neighborhood for the kids on Saturday - I will attempt some footage from that. We will then head to the glorious outpost south of town where banjos will ring out, glasses will be clinked, and many many many things will be exploded.

That being said, it will all be done with appropriate floral arrangements and tremendous style. Hats off to Jon and Nicole for hosting once again this year.

And while I am missing Pete in this picture, I would also like to call out a belated and a little early birthday wish to each of the "gentlemen" in the picture to the left.

At this point I have now stayed at the office long enough that no one will leave too early...

Happy Father's Day

While Tony was waking in Chicago this morning - after seeing Phish last night - the kids and I hit campus. We took video saying, "Happy Father's Day" in a variety of our favorite campus landmarks. I then made it into a movie with music in the background.

Am I feeling proud of myself? Oh yes, I am.

We are looking forward to celebrating the day later tonight with Tony (and Dad and Lyn). How do we celebrate those that we love in my family? Pork - the fattier the better. I think the biggest bone in pork roast available on the open market is on its way over this evening.

Happy Daddy's Day!

Who loves the Topeka Zoo Train? I adore this picture. That's all there is time for today. Back to work!

Bobcat Love

I have actually spotted a bobcat in my backyard before. It was startling, but really a beautiful animal. THIS bobcat marks a very happy day for me. It's hard to believe that a patio will replace the mud at the end of this week. I am sure the children will have fond memories of ruining their shoes playing in the "old" backyard. I certainly know that I will miss the dirt being tracked into the house. It's a new day.

The perfect amount of time....

I just love this picture. I didn't even know it was out there, until super star friend Alix shared it with me on facebook. It's the St Pat's parade in Lawrence. Lots of wonderful children in this picture. Mine needed a haircut, and he received such haircut later that two weeks.

Things have been hectic and chaotic. Not to mention a little busy and hurried. April 2009 is not a month to which I would prefer to be measured in future years.

SIDENOTE: you may not know this about me, but I am really pulling for 2010 (ONLY to be pronounced "twenty ten". I think it is going to be super fun (and for those that can follow, "just like senior year, only funner!") That being said, I leave you with this fabulous reminder that I should be flogged for not enjoying the journey:

Constantine P. Cavafy
Ithaca (1911)
When you set out on your journey to Ithaca,
pray that the road is long,
full of adventure, full of knowledge.
...Always keep Ithaca in your mind.
To arrive there is your ultimate goal.
But do not hurry the voyage at all.
It is better to let it last for many years;
and to anchor at the island when you are old,
rich with all you have gained on the way,
not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches.
Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage.
Without her you would have never set out on the road.
She has nothing more to give you.
And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not deceived you.
Wise as you have become, with so much experience,
you must already have understood what Ithacas mean.

So...cheers to the bday party for the 5 year old friend tomorrow, and cheers to the Costco trip, and cheers to the Derby Party (Billy B and Sasa!) and cheers to the Atoms hockey game after...

spring - fo real

Thanks to Auntie Ann for pointing out on FB that tomorrow is the first day of spring. That means that winter is over. Fine with me.

Tomorrow is the last actual weird day off with my kids on a pretty much 2 week run. It's been long. Josie was sick for a week, and then we have been off for a week. Love the time. Struggle with being a good business woman.

Cheers to the new births to all the fab ladies of late: Cara(Wrenner on 3/10) and Stephanie(Natalie on 3/15). Both late...maybe it's a March thing.

Anyhow, rock chalk tomorrow. Seriously. And, then, spring break is almost done.

I actually will miss it just a little bit.

Orapred...what's the alternative?

I am going on a strike. Against Orapred, or its generic equivalent.



My sweet (strong willed) daughter was diagnosed with not-strep and not-pneumonia on Monday. I was told that her "asthma" was acting up. Interesting. Lovely.



I didn't know "we" had asthma. Cool. It's an additional accessory (read: inhaler) as far as I see it.



So, we got the dreaded Orapred and Albuterol treatment. F me. (Sorry, mom - oh, but you are leaving at 4:00 am for China, so maybe I can make this post disappear. Who am I kidding...you don't read this.)



This has created a new way of communicating with Her Strong Willedness. She screams when she is very unhappy, whines when she is baseline annoyed, and uses the following vocabulary when things are okay, "daddy...." "pink banks...pink banks..." "marco?" to communicate that she wants comfort, her pink lovey crabcakes blanky, and someone to answer polo.



After three days home, this one is going back to school. They may not be SUPER pleased. That being said, I will be. Oh my gosh, and next week, we have spring break!!! Could it be any cooler? An ENTIRE week without school for both of my kids. Should create a situation for some interesting stories.