A Real Hero...

Nick Vujicic visited both Naseem & Matty's schools today. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to see him in Camas and I was so glad I had the chance to hear him speak as well. Before the event, I spoke with some of the people who brought Nick to Camas. It turns out Nick's schedule is booked (solid!) for the NEXT THREE YEARS! Nick happens to be friends with the pastor of Grace Foursquare Church in Camas. It seems the pastor asked him if he could spare one day to come & speak to the kids & at the CHS Baccalaureate. Nick said yes. I am so glad he did! What an inspiring message he gave this morning. Naseem said the message he gave at her school was just awesome. Matty even got to give Nick a hug (Nas & I are still envious over that!).

Here are some photos I took this morning. I did ask Nick permission first and he said (in his lovely Australian accent) "Absolutely!!" One thing the kids and I all agreed on...we will NEVER forget today's speech.

To hear Nick's story, check out these websites:

http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/

http://www.attitudeisaltitude.com/index.php

Mini Vacation

Omid and I are back from our mini vacation. Omid was in San Diego on business and I went for a much needed break from reality. We had a lot of fun. If you ever get the chance to stay at the Rancho Bernardo Inn...do! The grounds were so beautiful. Everywhere we walked, we smelled jasmine, lavender, rosemary, roses and orange blossoms. The resort also has it's own golf course which is beautiful.

Me at the spa pool.

Palm trees!

This shot reminded me of the "W" in It's Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. Love that movie!

The first night we went to La Jolla for dinner. We were told some of the most expensive real estate in the US is in La Jolla.

Loved this palm tree!

On the beach before dinner.

We went to The Marine Room for dinner. It was absolutely beautiful. It's right on the ocean. We had a seat right next to the window. We felt underdressed & extremely poor. One bottle of Cabernet went for about $378. I don't have to tell you we ordered the cheapest bottle on the menu: $54. I think I heard our waiter 'sniff' contempt when I ordered that bottle. Oh well...we had a good time and were together - that's all that mattered.

Million dollar view. Sea lions were barking away (on the beach below).

Beautiful bougainvillea. I loved this stuff! It was everywhere.

Same shot - but I tried to get the ocean in this time.

The next day, Omid surprised me with a day at the spa! He went to work and I enjoyed myself thoroughly. After the spa, I hung out by the pool and read. I finished two books. It was wonderful!

Later that night, I met Omid and his coworkers for dinner at a Korean BBQ. We ate kalbi (Korean short ribs). Yum!

Omid & Saul

Mickey & Vince
Hite = Korean beer

Mickey preparing a 'honey bomb' for me. This is a Korean specialty. It consists of 1/3 beer (in a beer glass). Then a shot glass (glass & all) of Coke is dropped in. After that, a glass of Shoju (Korean liquer) is dropped on top of the Coke. You drink it in one shot! Afterwards, everyone applauds.

Downing my honey bomb!

Everywhere we went, people would ask us if we tried In-N-Out Burger. Omid had to leave on an earlier flight, but I managed to stop by on my way to the airport.

The fries are handcut right in front of you. Fresh- not frozen.

Bottom line: It tasted no different than Burgerville to me - with two exceptions. One: the bun was toasted. Two: It was a lot cheaper!

I still think the BEST burgers & fries of all time are to be found at Cougar Country Drive Inn in Pullman!

R & R

I am currently on a mini vacation in San Diego. The person most qualified & trusted to watch my 3 loved ones is my sister Brenda. She knows where everything is (schools, doctors, after school activites & where my kid's various friends live), not to mention Nas & Matty's favorite foods. She knows just how long & how often Remy needs a walk/run & when he needs to go out. She was able to take over my life without even blinking! And I was able to leave without any worries!

Thanks B for taking over without a hitch! I so appreciate & love you!

P.S. = Do you mind terribly if I stay until Sunday?! Thanks!!

(just kidding!).

Omid and I are staying here: www.ranchobernardoinn.com check it out!

Pictures should be posted tomorrow night!

Sicilian Chicken

Omid made up this recipe tonight. He 123'd (his term for using the Cuisinart! :)) a bunch of herbs from our planter boxes (& spices from our cupboard). It isn't really chicken but Cornish game hens. We each got our own hen.

Marinating away...

Finished product along with bbq'd corn. Delish!

Is it any wonder I am not losing any weight?!

Happy Anniversary!

Tonight was Omid's parents 41st wedding anniversary. We went out to dinner to celebrate with them. Fari & Mansour in 1968

Fari & Mansour 2009

Happy Anniversary song from the Olive Garden staff.

Hey Nas: Update your blog!

After dinner, we decided to take a walk along the river.

My 3 favorite people!

Omid and his heroine: Sacagawea

Matty thinks she's pretty cool too.

Love affair gone bad

A year or so ago, I fell in love with MAC cosmetics; specifically their eye shadow & paint. I used it for eyeliner and thought this stuff was magic. I am now breaking up with MAC. For some reason, my left eye hates the stuff. I now have another gross bump from the eye paint. After the last bump was removed, I religiously sterilized the eyeliner brush & paint every morning. Yesterday morning, I woke up to a terrible bump and knew it was the MAC. I am so sad. I now have to find yet another eyeliner to wear. Any suggestions?

Oh Remy!

Yesterday just wasn't his day. He seemed out of sorts and was mopey in the morning. I took him for a walk and he was just fine and dandy. Omid came home later in the afternoon (on the scooter); and the two played a dangerous game of 'chase.' The game was going like it always does...Omid ahead, then Remy ahead, then Omid ahead. Well, this time, after Omid 'won' the game, Remy nipped/bit Omid on the calf. He has NEVER done this before. Omid couldn't believe it (I don't think Remy believed it either!). We looked at Omid's leg and sure enough, Remy had nipped him hard enough to puncture the skin.

After that, I took Remy for another walk/run to burn off any excess energy he had. He came home and slept. He seemed fine and was excited to go for a car ride with me to pick Nas up from an activity. I saw our district superintendent at the HS and he wisely stood back about 10 feet to conversate with me (as he saw Remy's formidable presence in the front seat. Remy can look downright menacing at times!). When Nas came to the car, Remy refused to move to back seat and just ignored Nas' commands. He finally listened to her & begrudgingly moved to the back seat. As we were driving by Lacamas Lake, Remy spied a box of tissues on the seat and starting pulling them out of the box (one by one) and eating them. I was driving and had to try and grab him with my right hand and tell him to STOP! Nas was completely oblivious to what was going on as she was listening to her iPod. I finally had to get her attention and ask for her help so I could get us home safely.

When we got home, Remy went straight to his kennel and just sat moping in there. I have no idea why he had such a bad day and was acting out. Not even my special treats could make him happy.

Tapas!

"Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die. "
Sorry! I couldn't stop myself. I love The Princess Bride & felt this quote was appropriate for tonight's post.

Omid and I went to our friends house for a Spanish Tapas bbq tonight. Lyn & Alan lived in Barcelona for several years. They have been talking about the exquisite food for quite a while and tonight they let us share in the bounty. It was good!

Hosts Lyn & Alan

There was pan con tomate, a-tun, pollo, asparagus & lots of other things plus cava & delicious rioja wine. I gained 10+ pounds tonight!

Omid & I enjoying the gorgeous view of Lacamas Lake & kicking ourselves for not buying in Lake Pointe 4 years ago!!! Please note: I wore white pants tonight (as did my friend Janet). As of today, it is 'okay' to wear white pants & shoes until Labor Day. Woo hoo! Let's hear it for white!

Here is a small sample of the tapas before the rest were put on the island. Omid and I ate our fill and most of everyone else's too. Sorry!

BBQ

Tonight Omid smoked ribs, made baked beans, & a salad. Tammie & Jeff brought Texas cornbread and an amazing cream cheese corn casserole. It was yummy! Prefunctioning!
Good friends!

Is it just me or does my head look enormous at this angle?


Remy had garbage gut and was not himself. He chose to be a loner most of the night and ignore everyone. This is how we knew he wasn't feeling good...usually he won't leave us alone. Poor boy!

Fari & Mansour

Din din!

We hardly saw the kids all evening. They somehow knew it was time for dinner and showed up then, only to leave again and arrive in time for dessert. It was very sad!

Omid, Matty, Austin & Jeff caught a bunch of shad and one bass today. The shad are now residing in our freezer and will be crab bait someday soon. Remy checking out the day's haul.


This is a salad Omid made tonight with lettuce from our planter boxes. Yum!



WARNING: GROSS PHOTO BELOW!

Warning.....last chance to turn back!

Don't look if you don't like gross things!

Prepared to be grossed out!

Here is the butter Remy ate earlier today:

This little piggy...

The boys went fishing with friends today so Nas and I thought it would be nice to treat ourselves to a pedicure. There is a place we usually frequent and sometimes the owner is a little moody. Today was no different. I don't think she was happy we 'dropped' in & didn't call first (even though there is a big sign out front that says "drop ins welcome!"). Unfortunately, it's the only place open on Sundays near our house.

The last time we went to get pedicures, she refused to use the color I wanted because she didn't like it. I argued with her that I liked it and I was paying for it, etc., but she flat out refused. I was midway through the pedicure, so I couldn't leave. We did come to a compromise on the color. Whew!

Today I chose a different color and made sure she was going to do what I wanted before the pedicure started. Now I have the French tips that are bright orange and so fun. Nas chose a bright pink which looks so cute with her naturally tan skin.

When we came home & walked in the door, Remy was acting suspicious, so I knew he had done something. I looked and looked for damage and couldn't figure out what he did wrong. I had planned to make Pioneer Woman's Dump Cake for a bbq we are having later today and went to get my butter that I had set out to thaw. The butter was gone (both cubes!). That's why he was acting so guilty! Naughty boy!

Lost & Found!

I took Remy on a walk today around noon. It was quite windy and I needed both a hat and a coat. My favorite hat is the one I purchased a few months ago for the Baby Dorr fundraiser & I usually keep it in my car. When Remy and I returned from our walk, I placed the hat on my trunk, with the intention of placing it in my car later. When it was time to pick the kids up from school, I completely forgot about my Baby D hat and drove off!

On our way home, I saw some people walking their dog & they both were wearing hats. My brain quickly remembered that I was also wearing a hat...but I had no recollection of taking it off my trunk and placing it in my car! Both Nas & Matty were so good about looking for my hat on the busy road. Thanks kids!! I had visions of it covered with tire tracks. We turned onto our street and spotted the hat on a fence post. Whoever you are...Thanks so much! I love my hat! Lesson learned: Always put things back where they belong!

Reunited!