photo blogging days

I played along with Shanny's photo blogging days this time. It was a sort of weird time because there's things going on that are usually not this way.

- Rodrigo (my husband) just got back from a 12 day business trip on Thursday evening
- Friday was his birthday
- my parents came into town in Saturday for Alec's (my son's) kindergarten graduation

Anyway, here goes . . . .

May 15, 2009
8:30 a.m. My friend Jen dropped by to give me this gift. She said it was for being a good friend, but really, she's the awesome friend!


10:30 a.m. Laundry piles. Once everything is dry and folded, I put everything away.


12:30 p.m. Alec is now dropped off at kindergarten and I stop by the grocery store. I'm buying tomatillos for tonight's dinner: green enchiladas.


2:30 p.m. Alec's friends were over today and they all made a huge mess of his room. This is the "during" of me cleaning it. I would've rather shown you the "after" but this was picture time.


4:30 p.m. The laundry is done, the house is clean. Well, I think it's clean and then I notice my furry baby's toys thrown all over the living room.


6:00 p.m. Prep for dinner: boiling chicken, boiling green chiles, onion and tomatillo, and making Spanish rice.


8:30 p.m. Having birthday cake. Happy birthday, Rodrigo!


May 16, 2009

10:00 a.m. I slept in. I'm barely stepping out of the shower.


12:00 p.m. Saturday = no school = my daughter playing on Club Penguin.


2:00 p.m. My parents get here from Texas. They brought huge burritos for us.


4:00 p.m. Catching up with my mom and looking over the things my aunt sent me. A blouse, earrings, a pendant, perfume and a pair of shoes. What can I say, my aunt loves me!


6:00 p.m. Messing around with pictures of my hair. People are telling me they like my red streak, but it's actually pink.


8:00 Rodrigo's birthday dinner at Montana Avenue. Our wine list.


So there you have it. Two days in pictures. I can't wait to play again!

feeling: HOT
listening to: Muse (Starlight)

iPod Meme

I'm short on time again (surprise, surprise) but I really wanted to play this meme that I received from the lovely Giao.


To Play Along:

1. Put your music player on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
4. Tag 12 friends who might enjoy doing the game as well as the person you got the game from.

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Speak Free - Incubus

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Where is My Mind? - Nada Surf

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Zero - Smashing Pumpkins

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Everything'll Be Alright - Joshua Radin

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Starlight - Muse

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Connection - Elastica

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Shake The Disease - Hooverphonic

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
No Brakes - The Bravery

WHAT IS 2 + 2?
All Sparks - Editors

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Across The Universe - Fiona Apple

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Never Enough - The Cure

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
I Want You Now - Depeche Mode

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Shaft! - Incubus

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Blue Monday - New Order

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Upside Down- Jack Johnson

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Under The Milky Way - The Church

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
In God's Country - U2

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
The Bends - Radiohead

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Say It Ain't So - Weezer

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Three Imaginary Boys - The Cure

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Anyone Else But You - The Moldy Peaches

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Consequence - Incubus

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Wild Horses - The Sundays

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Theses Photographs - Joshua Radin

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Stay - U2

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
Dani California - Red Hot Chili Peppers

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
Punk Rock Girl - Dead Milkmen

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
My Name Is Jonas - Weezer

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Comfort Eagle - Cake

WHAT WILL YOU REPOST THIS AS?
Twisted Logic - Coldplay

I loved this! The answers that fit, really did. I was laughing here by myself. Badger thinks I'm crazy. I won't tag 12 people but I hope you play! Let me know if you do!

feeling: I ADORE my iCal
listening to: Coldplay (Twisted Logic)

popping in

I just finished putting away all the Christmas decorations. The house is a mess. I'm sleepy and seem to be having a hard time getting back into the swing of things. I don't think I'll be away from home for over a week anytime soon. I feel like a need a break from the break.
Meanwhile, my vow to blog more in the new year is not going well. I've been working on this for little moments at a time for a few days now, so here it goes. Happy new year, all!

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Got married.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Pretty much, really. I was into organization this year. I feel I accomplished a lot.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yeah, it was baby year. Preggy is in style right now.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thank goodness.

5. What countries did you visit?
None.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
More time, more time, and more time. Better yet, better time management.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I'm horrid at dates but I remember events (along with what I was wearing). I'll remember when we went to get the marriage license because I was having a laughing fit, the day we got married, Alec starting kindergarten, election night, getting Badger, Brianna turning TEN, and our first Christmas with just the four of us at home.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
keeping my sanity.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not managing my time wisely. . . . . again.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
nothing more than colds.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
my living room set. I love it.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My mom's. I'd have strangled some people if I were her.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
A certain vice presidential nominee and some parents who don't take care of their kids

14. Where did most of your money go?
The house, the car, the kids, the kids, the house, the kids, the house . . . .

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I won't bore you with details any longer . . . getting married and the election.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Burning Up from The Jonas Brothers because it was constantly on around here. Constantly. Both the kids love it.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
a. happier
b. thinner, sucka
c. richer

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
just random projects I keep putting off like decorating my loft and organizing pictures in REAL albums. Oh, and blogging. I was a total blog slacker this year.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
cleaning

20. How did you spend New Year’s Eve?
At my mom's in Texas.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
absolutely

22. How many one-night stands?
None but we bought two lovely night stands, does that count? ; )

23. What was your favorite TV program?
30 Rock

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Yes, people I hadn't heard of this time last year. -insert evil grin here-

25. What was the best book you read?
The last book in the Twilight series is all I can think of now. I liked that one the best. Oh and I really liked The Namesake which I also barely read this year.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
My Morning Jacket (I know they're not new, but I didn't pay attention before) and Coconut Records.

27. What did you want and got?
a bunch of boring house things I really wanted.

28. What did you want and not get?
a maid/chef/chauffeur

29. What was your favorite film of this year?
There Will Be Blood but I think it's from 2007,

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
On the actual day, we had the open house for the kids' school to meet their teachers. I turned 30 something.

31.What one thing made your year measurably more satisfying?
you know, I'd have to say it was getting a pet. We all love Badger and he's definately a new family member.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
strawberry : )

33. What kept you sane?
Rodrigo and caffeine.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
This would still have to be Brandon Boyd. -sigh-

35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Come on, you know this would take days.

36. Who did you miss?
My mom and grandma. I was used to seeing them anytime not just once every couple of months.

37. Who was the best new person you met?
The kids' teachers. I really, honestly like them both sooooo much.

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
If you want something done, you can't sit back and wish for it to happen, you have to do something about it.

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I give up. I've been searching lyrics for over an hour trying to find something fitting. No such luck.

feeling: busy, busy, busy
listening to: Weezer (Velouria) <-- yup, the Pixies one

five things

I got this from Jess and I'm playing along.

1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.
2. Share 5 facts about yourself.
3. Tag 5 people at the end of your post and list their names, linking to them.
4. Let them know they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs.

- I don't like Sex & The City. I wouldn't want to be like them. I find them shallow and I really hate the outfits I've seen SJP wear on the show. I tried watching an episode once because everyone made such a big deal but she was wearing a tutu or something ridiculous like that. I found it hilarious when Stewie said it was a show about three hookers and their mom.

- I wear make-up and jewelry everyday. I don't care if I'm going anywhere or not, I'll at least be wearing earrings that match my outfit. I could never be like one of those people that forever look like they just rolled out of bed.

- My son's name is Alec Julian. Neither Alec nor Julian were my first choices for his name. Compromise, compromise.

- Pretty much all my life I've been told I'm funny. I don't think it really comes across in this blog. It's to the point where I've been told by friends, "Yvett! You're here! Make us laugh". Like I was some sort of jester or something. Or I'm funny on command. I don't know if I really am funny or not but it was an absolute dream of mine to be a member of the SNL cast. My family's favorite "character" of mine right now is "the lady who gets surprised by being on Oprah's Favorite Things show". They have me doing that over and over again. It's pretty good, too.

- I'm pretty narcissistic. Everything comes back to me somehow.

Anyway, I hate the whole tagging thing. I like being tagged but hate tagging because I feel like I'm pressuring people. So play, or don't. Non-bloggy buddies can email me if you'd like.

feeling: stir crazy
listening to: kids fighting. again.

book & music memes

I have nothing to write about. Well, I do but I'm not in the mood. :) Anyway, I've had a few of these memes for a while. I'd either seen these somewhere else or had them emailed to me. I'll do these instead. Play along either on your page or shoot me an email. It's always fun to see other people's answers. . .

Book Meme

1. A book that changed your life:
Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs - It made me really appreciate my childhood.

2. If I could only recommend one book it could be:
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini - If you've read it, you know why. If not, read it.

3. Favorite Chick Lit Book:
I don't really read "chick lit" but I guess it would be either of the Bridget Jones books by Helen Fielding

4. A book you've read more than once:
I read most of my books more than once.

5. A book that made me giddy:
Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris

6. A book you wish you had written:
Any Hemingway book. I think his style is something that most anyone could've done. That I could've done and I'd have been that famous. And drunk. I think he was very lucky to have been the first or best known.

7. A book that wracked you with sobs:
The only books that have made me cry are House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus and The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.

8. A book you are currently reading:
Snow by Orhan Pamuk

9. A book you've been meaning to read:
Mother of Pearl by Melinda Haynes - I've owned it for years but have never read it.

10. A book you started but could never finish:
Mother of Pearl (same as above) and the Purgatory book of The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri

11. A book sitting on your bookshelf that you haven't read...yet:
same answers as #10

12. Books I've read and liked but actually don't own:
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee - my brother lost it back when he was in high school and I never bought it again. Also the Complete Edgar Allan Poe collection. I lent (would this be "lent" or "lend"?) it out and never got it back.

13. Books I've read and once it was finished thought, "What's the big deal?":
The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd and The Memory Keepers Daughter by Kim Edwards

iPod Meme
I'm going to play along using my Mini iPod

SOUNDTRACK OF YOUR LIFE
IF YOUR LIFE WAS A MOVIE, WHAT WOULD THE SOUNDTRACK BE?
So, here’s how it works:
Open your library (iTunes, Windows Media Player, iPod, etc), Put it on shuffle, press play. For every question, type the song that’s playing. When you go to a new question, press the next button

1. Opening Credits: A Crow Left of the Murder - Incubus
2. Waking Up: Mis Impulsos Sobre Ti - Aleks Syntek
3. First Day At School: New Slang - The Shins
4. Falling In Love: In My Place - Coldplay
5. Fight Song: Break Your Heart - Natalie Merchant
6. Breaking Up: Never is a Promise - Fiona Apple
7. Prom: Six Underground - Sneaker Pimps
8. Life’s Okay: Van Dieman's Land - U2
9. Mental Breakdown: Time is Running Out - Muse
10. Driving: Smile Lines - Incubus
11. Flashback: Wave of Mutilation - Pixies (the slow version)
12. Getting Back Together: Fiebre - Fobia
13. Wedding: Suedehead - Morrissey
14. Birth of Child: Southern Girl - Incubus
15. Final Battle: Sunday Morning - No Doubt
16. Funeral Song: Beast of Burden - Rolling Stones
17. Breaking Up: Lemon Meringue - Poe
18. Sex Scene: I Bet You Look Good on the Dance Floor - Arctic Monkeys
19. Chillin: Stinkfist - Tool
20. Studying: Best of You - Foo Fighters
21. Sleeping: Speed of Sound - Coldplay
22. End Credits: Eres - Cafe Tacuba

I really liked the way a lot of these turned out. I'm sure it works for everyone, since after all, our iPods/music players have music we chose for ourselves. Play along.

feeling: I have a lot to do today
listening to: Eres (Cafe Tacuba) <-- it's still on