Monday, March 31, 2008
We got her!!
Truffle is ours!! She is here tonight! I already can't imagine our lives without her. Hearing her clomp on our wood floors and slurping her water it literally brings tear to my eyes. I am so happy we did this. My camera died as I was taking pictures of her. I promise I will post pics as soon as possible
Sunday, March 30, 2008
40 miles & vineyards
Our Sunday morning started at 6am. Why I agreed to get up at 6 am on my Sunday morning was proved to me when I got on my bike at 830am in Napa aka wine country!
E, our dear friend Ursula and myself got up this morning to do a bike ride in Napa. This was all Urs's idea. A grand idea it was! E and I hated getting up so early on my weekend but we knew it would be well worth it. I can't begin to describe our scenery, which is why I am including a link to pictures.
We started out in Napa and rode into St. Helena for some breakfast. This was 20 miles later. After breakfast we started our trek back. With a full stomach we just had to stop and taste test what wine country had to offer. Our first stop was Mumm Winery. Hello! Champagne!!! We each sampled their classic offerings. My favorite was the Brute Prestige. Even with a full stomach the 3 glasses of champagne each went straight to me and Urs's head. We got back on our bikes and rode for another 15 miles. We then stopped at Pine Ridge for wine. My camera died at this point so I don't have pictures of this stop. We all shared 8 glasses of wine. We tasted 2 whites and 5 reds. All 3 of us voted, our favorite was the Oakville and Stags Leap Cabernet.
We left there and biked the 6 miles to our car. I'll be honest, my legs were jello from breakfast on. I am so sore but it was so worth it! As we were making our way back to the car. Urs and I noticed a "fresh strawberry" stand. We both agreed that we have to go back and pick up some fresh strawberries. E was way ahead of us so he was back at the car first. Urs and I biked in and immediately were chatting up the fresh strawberry stand we saw. We went back Urs and I got our 4 pints of strawberries and we were happy. As soon as we got home, I made strawberry shortcake. Our total mileage today was indeed 40 miles. It's been quite some time since I have rode my bike for that long.
As a tribute to my friend Linds and her capturing quotes. Here are two. The first one was said by our winery person as he was listening to our conversation about wine. The second was part of the description for the Oakville cabernet. Both at Pine Ridge Winery.
"100% delicious"
"firm and silky upon entry"
E, our dear friend Ursula and myself got up this morning to do a bike ride in Napa. This was all Urs's idea. A grand idea it was! E and I hated getting up so early on my weekend but we knew it would be well worth it. I can't begin to describe our scenery, which is why I am including a link to pictures.
We started out in Napa and rode into St. Helena for some breakfast. This was 20 miles later. After breakfast we started our trek back. With a full stomach we just had to stop and taste test what wine country had to offer. Our first stop was Mumm Winery. Hello! Champagne!!! We each sampled their classic offerings. My favorite was the Brute Prestige. Even with a full stomach the 3 glasses of champagne each went straight to me and Urs's head. We got back on our bikes and rode for another 15 miles. We then stopped at Pine Ridge for wine. My camera died at this point so I don't have pictures of this stop. We all shared 8 glasses of wine. We tasted 2 whites and 5 reds. All 3 of us voted, our favorite was the Oakville and Stags Leap Cabernet.
We left there and biked the 6 miles to our car. I'll be honest, my legs were jello from breakfast on. I am so sore but it was so worth it! As we were making our way back to the car. Urs and I noticed a "fresh strawberry" stand. We both agreed that we have to go back and pick up some fresh strawberries. E was way ahead of us so he was back at the car first. Urs and I biked in and immediately were chatting up the fresh strawberry stand we saw. We went back Urs and I got our 4 pints of strawberries and we were happy. As soon as we got home, I made strawberry shortcake. Our total mileage today was indeed 40 miles. It's been quite some time since I have rode my bike for that long.
As a tribute to my friend Linds and her capturing quotes. Here are two. The first one was said by our winery person as he was listening to our conversation about wine. The second was part of the description for the Oakville cabernet. Both at Pine Ridge Winery.
"100% delicious"
"firm and silky upon entry"
Saturday, March 29, 2008
The next newest Robbins....we hope!!
Keep your fingers crossed. We put in an adoption application for this big bundle of fur. Her name is Truffle. She is a Bernese Mountain/Newfoundland mix. She is one big love bug. I just found out tonight that she is ours but we have to pass the home visit. We are adopting her from Smiley Dog Rescue. She is 4 years old.
I am in love!
Friday, March 28, 2008
"This is your husband speaking..."
Hello to all blog friends,
This is Eli writing. You know-- the husband who left his lovely Heather alone for seven weeks to fight boredom, broken cars, stick shifts, bills, weeds, gardens, and cleaning the dishes all by her self-- yeah, THAT Eli.
I'm not normally one for logging into other people's accounts without them knowing, but one benefit of being married is you tend to know your spouse's passwords to all their accounts. And if you don't, then your home computer remembers them for you, as is the case in Heather's blog. But I've hacked into her blog for a good reason:
I just wanted to send a big, huge, "THANK YOU" to all of you in her blogging world! You seem to be an incredible source of support for my wife and she loves sharing with all of you. Though Heather got through the last seven weeks without me (and she did impressively well, I might add), she could not have done it without you. So thanks again for making sure I didn't come home to changed locks and a middle finger staring me in the face!
love,
Eli
P.S. Here's a photo of the plane I'll be flying!
This is Eli writing. You know-- the husband who left his lovely Heather alone for seven weeks to fight boredom, broken cars, stick shifts, bills, weeds, gardens, and cleaning the dishes all by her self-- yeah, THAT Eli.
I'm not normally one for logging into other people's accounts without them knowing, but one benefit of being married is you tend to know your spouse's passwords to all their accounts. And if you don't, then your home computer remembers them for you, as is the case in Heather's blog. But I've hacked into her blog for a good reason:
I just wanted to send a big, huge, "THANK YOU" to all of you in her blogging world! You seem to be an incredible source of support for my wife and she loves sharing with all of you. Though Heather got through the last seven weeks without me (and she did impressively well, I might add), she could not have done it without you. So thanks again for making sure I didn't come home to changed locks and a middle finger staring me in the face!
love,
Eli
P.S. Here's a photo of the plane I'll be flying!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
spring in my step and sparkle in my eye
All is good and calm at the nest. E is home and our worlds are back to normal. YAY!
I did however shed a tear today. Is anyone surprised? I am not. It is all because I read this...
Being a Mom
We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually
mentions that she and her husband are thinking of 'starting a family.'
'We're taking a survey,' she says half-joking.
'Do you think I should have a baby?' "It will change your life,' I
say,carefully keeping my tone neutral.
'I know,' she says, 'no more sleeping in on weekends, no more
spontaneous vacations.'
But that is not what I meant at all.
I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to
know what she will never learn in childbirth classes.
I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will
heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that
she will forever be vulnerable.
I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper
without asking, 'What if that had been MY child?' That every plane crash,
every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving
children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child
die.
I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that
no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to
the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub.
That an urgent call of 'Mom!' will cause her to drop a soufflé or her
best crystal without a moments hesitation.
I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has
invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood.
She might arrange for child-care, but one day she will be going into an
important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet
smell.
She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running
home, just to make sure her baby is alright.
I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be
routine. That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room
rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right
there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues
of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect
that a child molester may be lurking in that rest-room.
However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself
constantly as a mother.
Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually
she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same
about herself.
That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she
has a child.
That she would give herself up in a moment to save her offspring, but
will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams,
but to watch her child accomplish theirs.
I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will
become badges of honor. Vanity becomes a thing of the past, she will
unselfishly stand back and allow her children to shine.
My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the
way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a
man who carefully bathes the baby or who never hesitates to feed, change or
play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with
him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.
I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women
throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving.
I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child
learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a
baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time. I want
her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts.
My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in
my eyes. 'You'll never regret it,' I finally say. Then I reached across
the table, squeezed my daughter's hand and offered a silent prayer for her,
andfor me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into
this most wonderful of callings.
Please share this with a Mom that you know or all of your girlfriends
who may someday be Moms.
May you always have in your arms
the one who is in your heart.
If this doesn't make your ovaries skip a beat and kick baby fever into overdrive. I don't know what will.
I did however shed a tear today. Is anyone surprised? I am not. It is all because I read this...
Being a Mom
We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually
mentions that she and her husband are thinking of 'starting a family.'
'We're taking a survey,' she says half-joking.
'Do you think I should have a baby?' "It will change your life,' I
say,carefully keeping my tone neutral.
'I know,' she says, 'no more sleeping in on weekends, no more
spontaneous vacations.'
But that is not what I meant at all.
I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to
know what she will never learn in childbirth classes.
I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will
heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that
she will forever be vulnerable.
I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper
without asking, 'What if that had been MY child?' That every plane crash,
every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving
children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child
die.
I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that
no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to
the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub.
That an urgent call of 'Mom!' will cause her to drop a soufflé or her
best crystal without a moments hesitation.
I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has
invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood.
She might arrange for child-care, but one day she will be going into an
important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet
smell.
She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running
home, just to make sure her baby is alright.
I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be
routine. That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room
rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right
there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues
of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect
that a child molester may be lurking in that rest-room.
However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself
constantly as a mother.
Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually
she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same
about herself.
That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she
has a child.
That she would give herself up in a moment to save her offspring, but
will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams,
but to watch her child accomplish theirs.
I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will
become badges of honor. Vanity becomes a thing of the past, she will
unselfishly stand back and allow her children to shine.
My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the
way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a
man who carefully bathes the baby or who never hesitates to feed, change or
play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with
him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.
I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women
throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving.
I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child
learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a
baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time. I want
her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts.
My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in
my eyes. 'You'll never regret it,' I finally say. Then I reached across
the table, squeezed my daughter's hand and offered a silent prayer for her,
andfor me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into
this most wonderful of callings.
Please share this with a Mom that you know or all of your girlfriends
who may someday be Moms.
May you always have in your arms
the one who is in your heart.
If this doesn't make your ovaries skip a beat and kick baby fever into overdrive. I don't know what will.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Dirt and stuff..
Today I confirmed the following:
1) There is something special about having the sunshine wake you up at 8am on a saturday morning.
2) Despite being so far away from my family and my girlfriends, I am so happy we are living in the bay area.
3) I will some how, some way conquer the weeds that are taking over my back yard and now the front yard
4) I will focus on getting my would be garden up and running.
5) I finished getting rid of the nasty weeds that were inhabiting my would be garden.
6) I hate snails!
7) I hate worms!
8) This is the longest weekend EVER!
9) I don't miss the midwest cold. Today I got to wear at one point during the day, a tank and shorts
10) I do miss my husband and wish it was Monday so he could be back at home already.
Here is the space for my garden to be. Once E gets home, we are going to figure out what we want to grow.
This is the "green waste" bin that I filled up today. If you look beyond the bin, you can see the weeds that become my backyard. I hate weeds!
The motivation to start a garden. This is a lemon that is growning my backyard from our young meyer lemon tree.
Meet Van Gogh. The neighborhood cat. He is the sweetest thing ever! When we first moved in and had all of our doors open. This little snuggle bug found his way many times on to our bed. I wish I took pics of him camping out in our house. He kept me company today while I did my thing in the backyard.
My hand was shaky and my little digital camera isn't so great at the clos ups. So I apologize for the blurry picture. But in reality this snail is HUGE! I ran into even more of them as I cleared out the weeds. They scared the crap out of me!
1) There is something special about having the sunshine wake you up at 8am on a saturday morning.
2) Despite being so far away from my family and my girlfriends, I am so happy we are living in the bay area.
3) I will some how, some way conquer the weeds that are taking over my back yard and now the front yard
4) I will focus on getting my would be garden up and running.
5) I finished getting rid of the nasty weeds that were inhabiting my would be garden.
6) I hate snails!
7) I hate worms!
8) This is the longest weekend EVER!
9) I don't miss the midwest cold. Today I got to wear at one point during the day, a tank and shorts
10) I do miss my husband and wish it was Monday so he could be back at home already.
Here is the space for my garden to be. Once E gets home, we are going to figure out what we want to grow.
This is the "green waste" bin that I filled up today. If you look beyond the bin, you can see the weeds that become my backyard. I hate weeds!
The motivation to start a garden. This is a lemon that is growning my backyard from our young meyer lemon tree.
Meet Van Gogh. The neighborhood cat. He is the sweetest thing ever! When we first moved in and had all of our doors open. This little snuggle bug found his way many times on to our bed. I wish I took pics of him camping out in our house. He kept me company today while I did my thing in the backyard.
My hand was shaky and my little digital camera isn't so great at the clos ups. So I apologize for the blurry picture. But in reality this snail is HUGE! I ran into even more of them as I cleared out the weeds. They scared the crap out of me!
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