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Kisses and Disses : Brushes + Cyber Monday
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I really wasn't the kind of kid I'd want to raise. I needed to know the why in every situation, spoke to adults as if they were my peers, and challenged anyone if I felt they were wrong. This included teachers, Sunday School leaders, and coaches. When I think back to childhood, I can't help but wonder why someone just didn't slap me. Everyday.
Actually, one Sunday morning when my mother was brushing my hair, I asked her why I needed my hair brushed. Why I had to brush my teeth for that matter. Who invented brushes anyway? Why was the brush invented? Why were so many bristles used? After the hundredth question, and the unacceptance of my mother's answers, she got the brush and hit me in the head with it. Hard. I jumped up from the edge of the toilet seat I sat on and told her she was the worst mother ever.
That was when it happened. My mother became a raging bull. I ran from her grasp...right through the front door. And she chased me right through the front door. Two houses down, my mother realized she was barefoot, running after an 8 year old, and wildly waving a brush. She stopped in tracks, gave me a look that said BEWARE OF MY WRATH, CHILD, and calmly walked back indoors.
I don't know why I woke up this morning and thought of this story. Perhaps because I realized my hair needs to be brushed. My teeth need to be brushed as well for that matter. Who invented brushes anyway? Why was the brush invented? Why were so many bristled used? |
This week's DISSES go to:
*Brushes. For obvious reasons.
*The cracked LCD screen on my camera. Ugh. I cracked it on Thanksgiving and seriously thought I was going to die. Big diss to my stupidity.
*Turkey. It's the ugliest bird and smells strange when cooked. Seriously, it does.
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This week's KISSES go to:
*Ugg boots. I know there are plenty of people who hate these boots, but every fall I bring them out and my feet rejoice in their shearling bliss.
*The holidays. Christmas carols at the dentist office? Red cups at Starbucks? My credit line being increased? Why, yes, holiday cheer is all around!
*Bittersweet Memories Cookbook. I recently received an email from my past bride, Emily Hoffman, and she invited me to submit a recipe for a project she's working on: A cookbook filled with food related memories of people who've left their lasting memories in our hearts and bellies. Emily's mother lost her battle to cancer, but she left Emily with recipes to keep her legacy alive...Emily is now taking submissions for recipes from our loved ones and I suspect the book will be nothing short of amazing! If you'd like to submit a recipe, please visit the website to do so!
*And a bonus kiss goes to Cyber Monday. I really don't know what it is, but it sounds cool.
Happy Cyber Monday, Internet! |
    
D ear JD...it's not like anything special happened today. In fact, it was quite the opposite. We did a whole lotta nothing, but enjoyed every minute of it. It felt like we waited all year for a Sunday like today, a Sunday complete with really long minutes. I'm writing this post because after you made dinner, I said I wanted to remember today, but feared I wouldn't because nothing happened. You didn't chip a tooth, I didn't sign a record deal, and we didn't scratch a winning Lotto ticket. Even though you spent a dollar and tried your luck.
It was a slow morning. When you woke up and I asked what we were doing today, you responded with your eyes closed. Like you were sleep talking. Whatever you want... We walked Polo and kept close to each other because the morning fog surrounded us like a wet blanket. We jumped in the car and brunched at Nick's, then spent the morning laying on Laguna Beach. I showed you my fancy yoga moves. You feigned interest. This is Warrior Two, I said and then laughed when you told me you made your cousin pee his pants when you were kids. On our drive home, we point out our favorite coastal homes and think of how different our lives would be if we entered that driveway. No, that driveway!
We came home and watched church online because we knew we couldn't make it on time. And, really, all I wanted to do was remain tucked indoors. We studied 2 Peter and I loved it. I napped, watched a rerun of Real Housewives of Orange County, and you made dinner. Squash soup, followed up with pasta and your homemade cream sauce. I tell you you're better than any chef I know. This makes you smile. I ask if you think I'm funny and your answer is the same as it's been a million times before: NO.
We take Polo to the dog park and I read, droning out the sounds of barking and canine communication. I'm wearing your jacket and it smells like you. The sun sets and we head home.
It's not like anything special happened today. In fact, it was quite the opposite. JD, I'm writing this letter to help us remember...no, no...to help us not forget. Today was a Sunday filled with really long minutes and laughter. And we're happy. |
| **picture taken with my iphone...don't hate! ;) |
Y esterday I had the honor of joining my church for Thanksgiving. When I first heard of the event, the announcement was made for people to help cook turkey and sides as we worked together to feed those in need. My heart skipped a beat because I knew I wanted to be a part of this awesome event, but me and kitchen are sometimes at odds with each other. So I offered what I could: My camera.
Together with Mariners Church, both churches came together to host an event in East Los Angeles. When I arrived, I was so blown away with everything. Hundreds of volunteers came together to ensure that everyone who entered the gates of Calvary Chapel Montebello was treated with kindness, grace, and class. Thousands of people showed up to receive a free meal, food boxes, and a carnival for kids...and JD and I were lucky to document a portion of the day.
We documented many aspects of the event, but I decided to blog just a few photos of that made me particularly thankful...
Every child was given a box filled with candies and goodies... |
| Each family was given a box filled with everything needed to make a Thanksgiving meal at home...and then some more... |
| Crafts were available for kids of all ages... |
| Inside all the goodie boxes, toothbrushes and hygiene products were also included to make sure we weren't contributing to cavities... :) |
| This little guy wasn't liking me too much.... |
| Now onto my favorite part of the day...inside a large tent were racks filled with brand new jackets. I can't express how humbled I was as I saw hundreds of children's faces light up as they got to choose the jacket of their choice. If I had to guess, most of the kids haven't had the luxury of buying a brand new jacket, so to see the joy as they tried their options on was incredible... |
| As I recounted my experience documenting the day with my mom later after Thanksgiving dinner, I became quite choked up. I told her stories of children who squealed with delight as they hugged their jackets with pride. I cried because I was one of those kids. Twenty years ago, I was on the other end of the receiving line, and to realize how far I've come from that point broke me. I'm thankful for the many souls who shared with my family back then... |
| This mother and daughter made me so happy. She explained in spanish that she came expecting nothing, but walked away with bags of clothing, boxes of food, and her daughter thankful for the many blessings... |
| ...I walked away more thankful than I could have ever imagined... |
J D and I just got back from out walk with Polo. It's what we do every morning, but today was slightly different. We spoke and compared for what we were most thankful. Of course I could list all the many things that make me feel like the luckiest girl to be alive, but there's not enough space on this blog to accommodate it. My list makes Santa's Good Kid/Bad Kid list look like child's play. Fo real.
If I had to choose one word to sum up my thankfulness, it'd be simplicity. I'm thankful for the simplicity in every aspect of my life. My health is simple. My love is simple. My house, car, closet is simple. My family and friends are simple. Today, Thanksgiving 2009, my soul is content with simple. And for this, I'm thankful.
JD and I are volunteering this morning at our church, then we're off for some serious caloric intake...me, my fork, and my mouth got some serious bidness to take care of! And because blog posts are better with a picture, here's a recent one of my family...who I'm indebted to for their kind love and support... |
| Happy Thanksgiving, Internet! |
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SmugMug Christmas Party 2009
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I came to a sad realization yesterday. My dog is fat. Not fluffy, puffy, pudgy, rotund, or chubby. Fat. Two Christmases ago, I bought him a red, Santa-like jacket and he proudly wore it to my parents' house for Christmas morning. Well, yesterday I rummaged through his box of clothes (please ignore the fact that my dog has a BOX OF CLOTHES) and decided I wanted him to wear it for a special blog announcement.
Well, guess what? That red Santa jacket? Doesn't fit. Like, at all. I was so determined to shoot him in it, that I still tried making it work. And it did-ish. It didn't close all the way, but I made him smile and LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT. |
Onto the announcement....
Ladies and gentleman, Polo would like to cordially invite you to a SmugMug Christmas Party! Please join us in Orange County, as we combine the Los Angeles and San Diego SMUGs for a night of revelry and debauchery. Okay, maybe not that, but we're definitely going to have a good time! We'll be providing a holiday dessert station, complete with apple cider and hot cocoa, and a full bar should you like to make it a night you'll never forget! ;)
What: SmugMug Holiday Party
When: Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 7pm
Where: Mesa Verde Country Club 3000 Country Club Costa Mesa CA 92626
Cost: One can of food. We'll be collecting canned food to donate to the Los Angeles Mission, so please feel free to bring what you can.
The night should be a wonderful time to connect with other photographers, give a little back to the community, and enjoy the holidays together. If you plan on coming, please leave a comment so we can plan accordingly...hope to see you there!
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