Multiple Personality Disorder

I've decided I hate blogs. As soon as you publicize your blog - as soon as you let your family and friends know about it - you're officially screwed. You can no longer write whatever spills from your brain. The free-wheeling, expressive, no-holds-barred you that sits on your right shoulder is thenceforth whipped into submission by the diplomatic, peace-loving, for-god's-sake-don't-ever-hurt-anyone's-feelings censor that lives on your left shoulder.

To remedy this, I have personally ended up with four, count 'em, four blogs. Not counting the ones I've started and abandoned. Four is too much for me to keep up with. Plus, I find myself gnashing my teeth every time I try to write to this one that you're reading right now. This one that I've let my family and friends know about.

Odd, isn't it? I am in love with honesty. I subscribe to (what I like to think is) reality. I appreciate few things in this world more than nakedness of the soul. Yet I find myself couching every word. Maybe it's because I get to hear so much sh!t from others when I do/say/be what I think is right. Maybe it's simply because I'm a damn Gemini and can see both sides and don't want anyone to be unhappy.

All of my life I've kept a journal. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if my mom told me I had come out of the womb carrying a gel pen and a spiral notebook. When I became a computer geek and realized I could type almost as fast as I could think, I began keeping my journal on my computer. I wrote nearly every day like that for, oh, 12 odd years. (And, boy, were they odd! ba-dump-bump-chaa!) Then came the day when, with one quick, innocent click of the mouse, I accidentally wiped out those odd years. Didn't mean to. Nearly vomited when I realized I had. Didn't have a proper back-up. That's when I started journaling on the WWW. Back-up problem solved! New problem created.

So, in summary, this sucks and I do not yet know of a solution. I am not interested in writing for the general public; my writing is All About Me. Perhaps abandoning three of my blogs and keeping only the Very Top Secret one is how I will have to proceed. How boring.

Body Image

With 10 million women suffering from eating disorders nationwide, body image is one of the biggest issues we face as women today. It’s time to free ourselves from fat talk, and focus on the healthy ideal–which looks different for every woman–and focuses on health, NOT weight or size.

It starts with you. It starts today!

Hair Today; Gone Tomorrow

I recently cut off 11" of hair and donated it to Locks of Love. I'll probably grow it out again.

Kung Fu Kashi

I was just out front cutting up boxes for the recycling when suddenly a small pitbull jumped me from behind. She turned out to be friendly - just wanted to say howdy - but I didn't know that in the moment and I yelped! Kashi heard me and came charging out from the garage, jumped on the dog and totally beat the crap out of her! She got away and scrambled backwards. I was still panting and going, "Holy crap!" and "Go away!" She sooooo wanted to come back over and say howdy again, but every time she moved, Kashi was all like, "I don't think so mother fucker! Come on! Bring it on! Bring your cousins! You wanna go?"

She's my heroine.

Work!

After a month of unemployment, Koby started his new job at a rubber supply company last week. It sounds mind-numbingly boring to me, measuring and cutting rubber hoses for custom orders, but whatever - it's a paycheck! He comes home tired and with dirty hands, but he says he's enjoying the people and the productivity of the job.

Steve started his first California job today. He's working at Mather AFB for Atlantic Aviation, refueling airplanes and doing various other airplane-related stuff. He's so excited, he could bust! He loves working around airplanes and airports, and he says the people are cool and there's a ton of information to learn. This job is just what the doctor ordered for him!

Landon Expandin'

Joel & Cindy were up for a visit this weekend. As always, it's great to see them - and especially fun now to watch Cindy's belly expanding with the growth of my first grandchild! We got to watch a 3D video sonogram of the boy! He looked like a bronzed cherub. I can't wait to meet him!

Poor Cindy has been suffering from PUPPS, which I had never before heard of. With help and advice from my friend who is a doula and an herbalist, we've been able to finally get her some relief from the itching so she can get some sleep!

Cousins Rock

As promised, we got to visit with Beth and Craig this weekend. We had a great dinner up at La Quinta (Dad & Margaret's abode), attended also by Brooke, Liz, Marshall & Judy, and Judy's mom, Ruth. There was (naturally) an abundance of good eats, thanks to Margaret The Great, and some really fun music and dancing! Although I couldn't get Dad to belly dance with me (he was tired from working on the roof all morning), I did get Beth, Liz and Brooke up and shakin' their booties!

On Sunday, before they left Sacramento, Beth & Craig came by Chez Hedonism and spent a few hours lounging in the living room with me and Steve. I was so glad to have that time with them, reconnecting and telling tales.

Craig & Beth are both very sweet and look like a couple out of a magazine. Very cute!!! All grown up and married now, Beth celebrated her birthday with all of us this weekend. Let me tell you, she's doing forty-something very well! (Sorry, Beth. I know I only saw you last time a few years ago, but I will always remember you as a teensy baby!)

What I Did On My Summer Vacation

Steve and I had a rather hectic, but fun, vacation to Oregon and Washington. We drove the whole way, not only to save a few bucks, but so that he could survey the sites around Northern California, Oregon and Washington.

Without giving a complete blow-by-blow, we spent one night with Mom in Sutherlin, Oregon. The next couple of nights were spent in Corvallis, Oregon, with Lainie and Paul. We got to see two films at Paul's theater: The Fall (omg, this film is So Great!) and Man On Wire.

Then we took Lainie with us and went up to Washington. After wandering a most-cool bookstore, we left her in the hands of friends in Seattle, then we took the car on the ferry to Bremerton where we had a faboo Italian dinner with Peter & Amber, Leslie & Jeff and Pat, as well as Amber's two sons. After one night in Bremerton, and breakfast with Leslie at the bakery where she works in Silverdale, it was back to Seattle for a couple of days playing tourist.

Finally, on Saturday, we got to Linda's house. This was actually the impetus for our trip - to meet Roberto and his kids, Ricardo and Noemi; to finally meet in person Greg (my evil twin); and to have that time with Linda before she moves to Italy. She made hummus and patlijan and tabbouleh; I made luleh kebabs. I only mention this because it is, of course, all about the food. We were so happy that Dale and Zoie were able to come, too, and we got to meet Linda's friends, Fawn and Nancy, and their twin babies. Unfortunately, Laurie and Beth weren't able to join us that evening (but we got to see Beth the following weekend here in Sacramento).

On Sunday, before picking Lainie up for the trip back to Corvallis, Steve and I had some time to kill so we went to Kubota Garden. It was perfectly lovely! We had a doggie bag of the previous night's leftovers, and enjoyed a peaceful brunch in the park.

The drive home turned adventurous when a rather sudden cloudburst eliminated all visibility for what was probably 10 seconds but felt like 10 minutes while we were hurtling down I-5. Paul, who was next to us on his Harley, had to pull off and sit at a rest stop with a gaggle of other travelers until the storm passed. Eventually, we all made it back to Corvallis safely.

The last evening of our visit we chose to forgo the rushing around and just spend the evening relaxing and chatting. It was quiet and very nice.

Steve and I drove all the next day to get home. *whew*


Complete photo album for Seattle trip is here.
Our Kubota Garden visit is documented here.

How To Change a Diaper

I failed to post this video with the others. This is Joel opening his gift from Koby - an emergency kit for new dads.

Packing Update

Cindy managed to get everything in their little Tiburon!

Landon's Baby Shower

Yesterday Steve and I hosted a baby shower for my oldest boy, Joel. He and Cindy are expecting their first child in November. It's a boy and his name will be Landon.

Everyone at the shower seemed to have a great time. We ate and drank and sweated in the Sacramento summer heat. We watched a video of the baby's sonogram, complete with circles and arrows and revealing details! We also took a group shot of the people at the shower who were also in attendance at Joel's birth back in 1982.

Back Row: Steve Wolowitz, Joel Musso, Te Franklin, Cory Franklin, Liz Franklin
Front Row: Debbi Wolowitz, Grandmimi, Bill McCabe
Blues Man Frankie Consulo sneaked into the picture!)

Joel and Cindy got lots of great loot - now they just need to figure out how to get it all back home!

Click here to see a veritable boatload of still shots from the soiree.

...and here are a few videos for your viewing enjoyment...