Ever have one of the those days when you question, "is this seriously my life?"
Today I did. Nothing truly extraordinary happened, we spent most of the day cleaning. But we were not cleaning to get ready for family coming over for Christmas, we just wanted to leave the house in the decent shape for the dogsitter and dogs to enjoy over the next few days.
This is one of those times where I have to kind of just stand back and be both thankful and disgusted at the life of extreme privilege that I live. Mr. RipeMango and I are off to Puerto Vallarta for a few days, and a young woman, who works with our dog groomer, will be sitting our dogs and house. How's that for pampered pooches?
Well, at least we managed to hold back on Christmas shopping when it came to the dogs. All 3 will be sharing this woman figurine, they already own and love to bite on the man.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Am I 13? Peer Pressure sucks!
I looooooooved my old place of work. More specifically, I loved my co-workers. I sometimes suspect that I'm not giving the new place of employment quite a fair shot. But I've decided I'm going to try harder, and so I decided to attend the holiday gathering at a local restaurant.
However, I decided to opt out of the white-elephant gift exchange. My reasons for opting out were: #1 I do not need to bring more clutter into my home! #2 My family is not even getting presents. But then, my peers told me all the cool kids were doing it, and I gave in and went last-minute shopping. I went out and bought movie tickets and raisinets and put it in a nice little bag, I thought it was a great gift and was happy not to add clutter to someone else's house.
So the gift exchange was fun and I ended up with a gift card to Victoria's Secret, not too bad, except I don't really shop there, and I'm not sure if I can get anything for $15 or so, but all things considered, not bad. I'm just happy I didn't end up with the giant tub of 100 plastic cookie cutters (yes seriously!) or the decorate-your-own-piggy-bank arts & craft set (piggy bank included) Phew!
All was well and everyone was having a good ol' time, then the check came.
I am almost 28, and it's been at least 8 years since I've gone out with a group of people who either aren't very good at math (so they can't calculate cost of meal & drinks+tax+proper tip), or worse are just plain cheap. It was awful, the bill came up short and the server was going to be seriously stiffed. Everyone at the table had ordered a million refills, and because we didn't walk in together she took our orders at different times and was generally very attentive. We were going to leave her a $16, so just about $1 per person! Although I'm the new girl, I couldn't stand it and became the tip police, insisting that this girl get at least 20% for serving a group of 14!
This event really made me miss my old co-workers. In my entire 4 years of going out to various dinners and events with them, there was always, ALWAYS a surplus of cash when the check came. Sigh, now it's like being a teen with broke-ass friends again.
However, I decided to opt out of the white-elephant gift exchange. My reasons for opting out were: #1 I do not need to bring more clutter into my home! #2 My family is not even getting presents. But then, my peers told me all the cool kids were doing it, and I gave in and went last-minute shopping. I went out and bought movie tickets and raisinets and put it in a nice little bag, I thought it was a great gift and was happy not to add clutter to someone else's house.
So the gift exchange was fun and I ended up with a gift card to Victoria's Secret, not too bad, except I don't really shop there, and I'm not sure if I can get anything for $15 or so, but all things considered, not bad. I'm just happy I didn't end up with the giant tub of 100 plastic cookie cutters (yes seriously!) or the decorate-your-own-piggy-bank arts & craft set (piggy bank included) Phew!
All was well and everyone was having a good ol' time, then the check came.
I am almost 28, and it's been at least 8 years since I've gone out with a group of people who either aren't very good at math (so they can't calculate cost of meal & drinks+tax+proper tip), or worse are just plain cheap. It was awful, the bill came up short and the server was going to be seriously stiffed. Everyone at the table had ordered a million refills, and because we didn't walk in together she took our orders at different times and was generally very attentive. We were going to leave her a $16, so just about $1 per person! Although I'm the new girl, I couldn't stand it and became the tip police, insisting that this girl get at least 20% for serving a group of 14!
This event really made me miss my old co-workers. In my entire 4 years of going out to various dinners and events with them, there was always, ALWAYS a surplus of cash when the check came. Sigh, now it's like being a teen with broke-ass friends again.
Fresh and Fruity
I have been in complete denial but there's no more stalling it, Christmas must be deal with...
I used to take such pride in hunting down just the *perfect* gift for everyone on my list. I use to scour Robinson's May, Macy's, Target hunting just the right item with a personal touch for the each of the dozens of people on my list. But honestly, I'm way over it. Luckily this year my side of the family decided not to do gifts at all.
But the poor in laws are now signed up for the Fruit-of-the-Month club this year. I can't believe we've become the people that gift the fruit-of-the-month. Now don't get me wrong, I love fruit, the in-laws love fruit but I can't believe we're going to pay so much money to ship fruit that probably would've cost $10 for the entire year if just picked up at the grocery store instead. And oh my god let's not even talk about what they must add to that fruit to keep it fresh through so many levels of shipping. Oh and the fuel cost to ship small batches of fruit. Oh well, at least we're not sending yet another gift card, or some nonsense to add more clutter to their home.
In return Mr. Ripemango and I have received 2 gift cards from them in return. I'm just glad we're not getting small crystal figurines or some other useless stuff :)
I used to take such pride in hunting down just the *perfect* gift for everyone on my list. I use to scour Robinson's May, Macy's, Target hunting just the right item with a personal touch for the each of the dozens of people on my list. But honestly, I'm way over it. Luckily this year my side of the family decided not to do gifts at all.
But the poor in laws are now signed up for the Fruit-of-the-Month club this year. I can't believe we've become the people that gift the fruit-of-the-month. Now don't get me wrong, I love fruit, the in-laws love fruit but I can't believe we're going to pay so much money to ship fruit that probably would've cost $10 for the entire year if just picked up at the grocery store instead. And oh my god let's not even talk about what they must add to that fruit to keep it fresh through so many levels of shipping. Oh and the fuel cost to ship small batches of fruit. Oh well, at least we're not sending yet another gift card, or some nonsense to add more clutter to their home.
In return Mr. Ripemango and I have received 2 gift cards from them in return. I'm just glad we're not getting small crystal figurines or some other useless stuff :)
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Jimbo & Janin Mo are among our longest-time friends who just happen to be a happily married couple (is that even a phrase? or am I having ESL issues again? it really does sound weird to me), we have always enjoyed their company (individually or joint) and laugh until it hurts when we hang out. These two are 2 amazing people. Then one day almost 5 years ago, the Mo's became 3, then 3 years ago the Mo's became 4, and much to everyone's surprise this August the Mo's became 5!
Sadly we don't see the Mo's quite as often, but today we had the whole squad over for Sunday brunch and kind of all day hangout session. Since the RipeMango pack is also made up of 5 (but 3 are the canine variety), our household was alive with craziness today.
My favorite moments today include:
1. Teaching a 4 year-old boy how to say "scones with lemon curd" so that he can tell his teachers about his weekend dietary affairs.
2. Bringing out our tea set and nice dishes to play grownup hostess.
3. Watching a re-run of A Shot of Love with Tila Tequila with the Mo's. Ummm yeah :) I guess it's obvious we're grown up and classy.
It was fun having them over but we were left feeling so exhausted that it once again reminds me how being a parent on a full-time basis seems like the absolute most insanely difficult thing ever. I'm almost 28 but I still can't shake the suspicion that being a parent, a good one anyway, requires one to have some sort of special gift and and I think I may have been skipped when that talent was handed out.
Sadly we don't see the Mo's quite as often, but today we had the whole squad over for Sunday brunch and kind of all day hangout session. Since the RipeMango pack is also made up of 5 (but 3 are the canine variety), our household was alive with craziness today.
My favorite moments today include:
1. Teaching a 4 year-old boy how to say "scones with lemon curd" so that he can tell his teachers about his weekend dietary affairs.
2. Bringing out our tea set and nice dishes to play grownup hostess.
3. Watching a re-run of A Shot of Love with Tila Tequila with the Mo's. Ummm yeah :) I guess it's obvious we're grown up and classy.
It was fun having them over but we were left feeling so exhausted that it once again reminds me how being a parent on a full-time basis seems like the absolute most insanely difficult thing ever. I'm almost 28 but I still can't shake the suspicion that being a parent, a good one anyway, requires one to have some sort of special gift and and I think I may have been skipped when that talent was handed out.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
I still wish Atticus was my dad.
Do you think that pretty much every 9th grade girl who ever read To Kill a Mockingbird wishes Atticus Finch was her dad? I'm currently reading TKAM with my freshmen, and I'm falling in love with Mr. Finch all over again.
In my case, I did not fantasize about having Mr. Finch as my father because my real father was somehow inadequate. To the contrary, my dad was perfect, entirely too perfect.
My father was an amazing gentleman. He raised my 3 (half) brothers as his own, and even got my oldest brother, whose heart had been shattered by his own father, to eventually call him dad, and mean it. My father, who despite his clown-like presence got caught up in the entrepreneurial spirit and succeed, if only for short while. The only thing he ever did wrong was he died too early. He passed on exactly 3 months before my 4th birthday.
And during the last year of his life he knew he had terminal cancer.
Can you imagine the choices you would make if you had a 4 children, one only 2 years old, a loving wife, a thriving business and only a year to live? Yep, my father was perfect but for too brief a time. And so Mr. Finch filled in the gaps for my fantasies of what it might've been like if I'd had my father for just a few more years. What would he have taught me? Would my values be any different? Would I be a different person?
In my case, I did not fantasize about having Mr. Finch as my father because my real father was somehow inadequate. To the contrary, my dad was perfect, entirely too perfect.
My father was an amazing gentleman. He raised my 3 (half) brothers as his own, and even got my oldest brother, whose heart had been shattered by his own father, to eventually call him dad, and mean it. My father, who despite his clown-like presence got caught up in the entrepreneurial spirit and succeed, if only for short while. The only thing he ever did wrong was he died too early. He passed on exactly 3 months before my 4th birthday.
And during the last year of his life he knew he had terminal cancer.
Can you imagine the choices you would make if you had a 4 children, one only 2 years old, a loving wife, a thriving business and only a year to live? Yep, my father was perfect but for too brief a time. And so Mr. Finch filled in the gaps for my fantasies of what it might've been like if I'd had my father for just a few more years. What would he have taught me? Would my values be any different? Would I be a different person?
Monday, December 10, 2007
Animal cruelty?
One day I woke up and realized I am one of those people. The people who can't stop talking about their pets in the same obnoxious way that many new parents can't stop talking about their newborn infants. So here it is, another post with pictures of my boys. Although it is now mid-December, I decided that since I had my camera out, I might as well bust out their Halloween costumes since I never got around to taking pictures on Halloween.
Quasi-Bee
Cal (actually Calpurnia but don't tell him)
I know it's all so wrong in so many ways.
The high cost of beauty.
So in my continued half-assed attempts to attempt a more frugal and conscious lifestyle I've made it out the farmer's market two weeks in a row. Truth be told our farmer's market kind of sucks, there are very few vendors. But in order to get to a better market we'd have to drive 20 or 30 miles which really seems to defeat the purpose of it all.
I was so proud of myself for walking away with a bunch of fruit and even some asparagus for under $10. After my Friday's cheap and fun outing with friends, I was feeling really good!
I was so proud of myself for walking away with a bunch of fruit and even some asparagus for under $10. After my Friday's cheap and fun outing with friends, I was feeling really good!
But then I had to pick up my dogs from the groomer and handed over $85, ouch.
Oh well, it's not easy looking this good.
Oh well, it's not easy looking this good.
I wish I could do this myself, but then I look at my own image in the mirror and realize that if I'm not willing or able to give myself a decent hair style, I can't really do anything for these little guys either.
I was so pleased with their looks that I went a little crazy with the camera. Here's a shot that shows how Quasi earned his name: you can see his funny little teeth, his messed up little leg, and even his little tail (a no-no in the schnauzer world). Now, don't worry, I'm well aware that Quasi won't be winning any beautiful-baby contests anytime soon, but the little guy has a heart of gold, is beautiful on the inside, and other heart-warming cliches.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)