The Secret Garden is Dead

For the last 2 months Brett and I have been hauling 8-12 liters of water from our apartment across the street to an abandoned orchard. That is where we keep our secret garden.
1 cherry tomato plant, 1 chili pepper plant, and 1 large hot house tomato plant.
This weekend it was murdered.


This is what the lot looks like now. Before it was thick with orange trees. Now it's a mess. They mowed right over our little garden.
A big selling point for living where we do was this scenic orchard. Even though it was inhabited on and off by homeless, they were harmless homeless. I was told the city "promised" not to build on the land. But that was before California realized they actually had to use a budget. It seems in California they "subtracted" the arithmetic in school, especially for politicians. ZING!

Brett pointed out that the field is probably being thinned for fire season. And even though the best job I ever had was marking timber for loggers to cut, I have to say I was pretty incensed. (that means I was mad)
But if it's for safety than I guess I can deal.





Marie was a sport about watching me from the stroller as I dumped 6 pop bottles full of water in the middle of field. The more I think about it... the more I think Marie called the city and made this happen! Marie!!!!!!!! I'm totally confiscating her toy phone.

Stephanie's kids make good props.

In a picture, it's said a person with an animal next to them is more likeable than a person without. I guess that a person with a cute baby would be more loveable?

Preston & John

Cassie & John's Wedding 2009


Stockton & Brett
Christen & Mikes Wedding 2003?

The more I think about this, the more I think it's not a coincedence. Maybe?

Good Times in SF

Lucky ducky me. My mommy and two brothers came to visit. We are giving Mal the Nissan, but only if he came down and pitied us with a visit. Today was uber-rad.

Today was the last day for them. We went to San Fran. We tried to get on Alcatraz but we bought tickets for the wrong day! It's OK though, I think Marie didn't want to go. We got refunded so no biggie. Instead we got to see several street performers. That is, we saw half their act until they gave a 20 minute lecture on how we need to tip them, and tip them REALLY good. I was about to, until the tipping-lecture past the 10 minute mark, then I just had to go. No biggie though, there was Ghiradelli ice cream to be had.

Before that excursion we ate lunch at a Peruvian restaurant called Limon. Marcus (having come home from Peru 10 months ago) recommended Cevieche. It's a white fish "cooked" in lime juice. Muy bien! I felt like I filled a void in my "food life" and opened a door to a new craving. Cevieche- come on in!
And the trip was complete with a visit to the bridge.

So apparently the only cool people of 2009 are Malcolm, Marcus, (twice this year) and my Mom. Jealous? You should be. Remedy this by visiting us anytime.

Now before I close this blog (which has been ill-kept lately) I should record some other happens. We've been consumed with looking for a new car so that makes for a boring blog.

Other happenings include Marie and I joining a new mommy baby music group. About three weeks ago I just had a horrible week. So BORING! I called like 5 people and asked them to hang out and it was all rejection. Why wouldn't anyone want to hang out with us? It's because Marie is ridiculously good-looking- I know! But it was a rough week. But we've been majorly blessed because I just started making new friends left and right. I hope these friendships last! (Is that pathetic or what? But it's true that is so hard to make friends after your married).

Marie loves to socialize and is learning from the older kids. She's crawling up a storm and soon to be walking. She still weighs 16 pounds! We found that out because we took her to the ER on Saturday because she had a temp of 103.8 and had had it for 3 days. She's fine now though and is loving Grandma and her uncles company.

I love my brothers and I'm going to miss them! Looks like I'll see them in August when Brett goes to scout camp!

Embrace Change

We are thinking about getting a new car. It's pretty official. Our car, as magnificent as it has been, is soon to be retired. We are thinking of getting a Nissan Sentra. What's the car we have now, you might ask? A Nissan Sentra. Hey, if it ain't broke, don't fix it! But if it is broke, do replace it...
That is so "us" though, to replace something with the exact same thing. If we find something we like we just stick with it. If you know me you may be familiar with my addiction of picking 3 outfits and wearing them over and over again until they are physically unwearable. What can I say, I had no sisters to give me style. And I'm pretty sure Brett has 2 of the exact same pair of shorts. Can't wait to see what Marie will be like.

Anyone have any other suggestions for a "work" car for Brett? It may also might want to be a back up family car, so motorcycles, scooters, and hover crafts are out. We love your suggestions.

Crawling Candy Apple

Well, we all know Marie has a forehead. And she puts it to work. Marie noticed how cars have bumpers, and then naturally concluded that her forehead is her bumper. She rams into everything with it, mostly the cement and corners. And while this causes dents in car bumpers, it also causes dents in forehead bumpers. I think she runs into the wall on purpose. That way she can be crawling with her head down, and then when she rams into it with her forhead she knows she made it. That is much easier than straining her neck muscles to lift her heavy head. Whenever she crawls on the cement she'll stop and and lean forward on her arms, and then the weight of her head begins to be too much for her puny arms and she'll topple forward, smacking her forehead on the cement. The sound is the exact same that a watermelon makes when it is dropped on the cement.

She also has decided she's sick of the same little rice mix that she's been getting. She'll crinkle her nose, purse her lips and make a spitting noise. She's learned that when she does this she gets her sweet potatoes and all is well.

Also of note is how she likes to sit on her bum and use her legs to spin her in a clockwise circle. Always clockwise though, she's like Zoolander and can't turn left. And after she sneezes she laughs, it's very very cute.

It's a Boring Monday

Marie,

I had an awesome day with you. Nothing happened, but we got this picture, and that's enough.

Somedays there is really not much going on or no one for us to hang out with. But I fret not and remember these days are limited. Marie won't always be little, she won't always be the only one, and not everyone gets to stay home with their babes. So there's nothing left to do but just enjoy the moment.