Birthday Issues

I have an issue. See today is September 3rd and to my family it is a very special day. VERY SPECIAL. See its my Mom's birthday. So here is the issue my sister and I are having. We can't figure out what to get this woman!

What do you buy for the woman who birthed you?

Who raised you by being there everyday and making sure you knew every minute that you were loved and supported?

Who let you make mistakes and always was there when things fell apart?

Who is the reason you are the Mom you are?

Who taught you the importance of family and who knew that one day you and your sisters would get along?

Who will save and save her money for something she really wants and then spend it on you?

Seriously what item can even be enough for such a woman?

Happy Birthday Mom.
We Love You and are so very proud to be your family.

Joey, Elissa, The Phi and Roo

Hey I got it. She is always cold and loves to play sudoku at the same time.
I am getting her a Snuggie!!!

Picking Up

I have to post about yesterday and The Phis first day of school but I
am having a melt down about The Phi, allergies, and how nothing and no
one helps. Anyways I thought I would get the bitching out of the way.
What am I going to bitch about??????

Pick up line.

At The Phis old school when it was time to pick her up I parked, got
out of the car, got buzzed into the school and picked her up from her
class. This new school does a car line up. At the back to school night
they explained how it would work and even gave us a freaking map. It
showed which driveway to turn into. Shows you to go all the way to the
end of the parking lot, turn and get in line. All the way to the
end!!!! So today I get there early and as I pull in I smile because I
will be third in line and will get my kid as soon as they come out.
Yea! No waiting behind other parents who think that pick up line would
be a great place to talk to a teacher for 10 minutes. "screw you guys
waiting. I don't give a f if you have to get back to work. I am the
front of the pick up line and I want to chat it up". So as I drive ALL
THE WAY to the end of the parking lot. Just like the principal
explained and what the map showed me to do, the cars behind me both
cut across the parking lot and ended up in front of me. Now I was 5th
in line and behind Grandma who took 10 minutes to get her kid into the
car. I was pissed. Those 2 totally cut me off and cheated. Not very
Christian of them.

So I need a new strategy for the car pick up line. Any Mom with
experience have any advice?

Project 365 #213-243

*music credit- Summer by War*

The Altarista's Co-Lab

I have a hard time labeling myself as an artist. Slowly I am coming around to the title. Recently I have become friends with Artful Chica. You remember her from the contest I won where she sent me some of her amazing art. Member? You member? Well she told me about this annual auction. Where artists make cigar box shrines that are auctioned off to raise money for the Oaxaca Street Children Grassroots organization.

To say that I was floored when she asked me to collaborate with her on a shrine is an understatement. She is like a real life amazing artist. Instead of making excuses and declining the opportunity like I normally would. I took a deep breath and jumped into the project with both feet. It felt like a great opportunity to be creative for a good cause, and to get to know this amazing woman better.

We will be sending the cigar box altar back and forth and we have put up a blog where you can follow us on this journey. So please click on the picture above and see what my partner in shrine and I have been up to.

No Talking About Butts

The other day The Phi informed me that her father told her that she could not talk about "butts" at school. I told her that he was right but in my mind I was super thankful that PR Dad was on this.

See in this house we talk about butts, a lot. Like all day long someone is smacking someones butt, blaming someone else for a fart or just saying "butt" or "butt crack".

In 2 days The Phi will be starting a new school. A private christian school with uniforms and everything. We are so afraid that she will be kicked out for being too "unchristian-like" when it comes to her vocabulary. Talking about butts is the worst of it, but like I said its constant.

So over the last week we have been hammering this idea into The Phi's head...

"No Talking About Butts at School"

Welcome to the World Viviana

Viviana was born late last night. We found out through Twitter.
(thanks cass!)

She is tiny at 5 pounds. She felt Like nothing in my arms. But she is
far from nothing. She is gorgeous and perfect and a little piece of
heaven right here.

Momma and baby are doing wonderfully. Rosie went through it all with
no drugs. That woman is stronger than most.

I got to hold her for a good long time and it only took a minute to
fall in love.

Rusty Star

While on an errand for work The Phi and I found a new little thrift store in town. As I walked out of the printers shop I noticed that what once an empty corner store was bursting with cute chairs and wall decorations. We looked both ways and crossed the street to explore a little. I noticed the name printed on the window "Rusty Star"

(Apparently I am some kind of pervert because my mind immediately thought it sounded dirty. I think I was mixing star fish with trombones. I know I am sick. Anyways the store is called Rusty Star, and there are a few rusty stars hanging outside to remind you.)

We were greeted by Brandy, a young blond girl who I later found out was the owner. She invited The Phi and I to look around as she finished setting up for the day. In a pretty small space they have managed to carry everything. From jewelery, clothes, bags, pictures, furniture, art pieces, lunch boxes, and tons of adorable knick-knacks.


As we wandered around I was blown away at how reasonably priced everything was. With the selection of items I expected to pay big bucks for anything. It was the exact opposite. I spotted an item I wanted and The Phi feel in love with an owl.



Since we were on the clock at work we said good-bye to Brandy promising to return later in the day. She promised to have chai tea waiting.



The Phi had a doctors appointment that day and I promised her that if she was good we would go back for the owl. Of course she was good and after the doctors we headed back to the Rusty Star.



As promised Brandy had cold chai lattes for her customers and even gave The Phi some ice cold water. We walked around a few more times oohing and aahhing over all the things we wanted.



In the end we walked out with 3 things.

I found a necklace I had to have.



And I paid $5 for. YES $5!!!

I also bought this little metal stained glass strawberry stand. My intentions were for it to hold napkins, but it was too short so instead it holds my sponge by the kitchen sink.




And I paid $3 for. YES $3

Of course The Phi ended up with her owl.



Which we got for free! See The Phi fell for this owl because she had a chipped ear. She spent most of the day in between visits to Rusty Star making up stories about how her owl lost her ear. When Brandy noticed the ear was chipped she gave it to The Phi. GAVE IT to her. Then The Phi immediately named it Georgia.

I was officially in love with this little shop and Brandy then took it to the next level. She rang me up and handed me my purchase in a popcorn bag.


How stinking cute is that?

She had also wrapped my necklace in a colorful cellophane party bag. These little details were too much and I knew that I wanted to tell the internet all about this place. So I did something I rarely do. I asked her if it was okay if I took some photos and wrote about her place on my website. Brandy gave me the green light and before we left I snapped some photos.

If you are ever in the Riverside County area of California. Maybe on your way to Palm Springs. Stop by.....

Rusty Star
66 G San Gorgonio
Open Monday - Friday 11am - 7pm

I am already looking forward to my next visit.