You say it's your birthday, it's her birthday too!

Today is a dual birthday. Luisa and Sharon share the same day. I was going to pull out some Sharon pictures but I just haven't made it up to the attic. I am not really sure how I don't have recent ones on my computer. The thing about it is that Sharon is the most easy going person I know and will not be bothered in the least by this. I will never forget meeting Sharon for the first time. My Dad did not want her in the house. We had been in limbo on house renovations and it was just my dad and us girls and it was not pretty. He sent Pat and I out to keep her entertained while he dressed. I am sure we made complete fools of ourselves, but she came back and soon enough she was our step mom. Sharon is at complete ease with who she is and I am always impressed with that. She is always a sounding board for us and tells us what we need to hear, not what we want. She gives me great advice and has taught me a great many life lessons. Right now she and my dad are taking care of my grandparents. They live upstairs and handle the house and meals and getting them around. It has been difficult for them and I really admire them for doing that. I really,really love her and I hope she has a great day today.
Now, onto Luisa. Today she is 33. Two years younger than me and two older than Alex. Growing up we always looked alike. We got a lot of "Are you twins?" but we really could not have been more different.
Luisa has always been more quiet. I would say she is way more strong willed though. She was always happy to hang out and read or watch TV with Grandma. She was happy and easygoing, but when you made her mad...watch out. She would bite her hand and the kicking would commence.
She was always a peacemaker. I remember several times that my Mother would have us cornered,trying to figure who did what and Luisa would always confess. Most often she had not been the culprit, but she would take the heat. She has always been happy to do anything for us.
You probably know already, but my sister has 7 kids. It's a lot of work and Luisa works full time in addition to the kids. She is a loving mother. She adores each of her kids and not enough is said about the good things that she has done for them. They are devoted to her and when I try to lure them away to come live with me(yes you baby Seven) they always want their Mom. Except Malachi, he is Nicoes(much to Petes dismay).

Luisa is an avid reader. We are alike in that way. We are both fast, intense readers. We love both trashy magazines and great literary works. She has passed this onto her daughter and it is fun to see Nicoe, like her Mom, doing something with one hand and a book in the other.
It has been really interesting, living close, us three. I will not lie and say it hasn't been without difficulties. It is hard to be adults and not be able to jump in and take over with Luisa. That has always been the way. She is older now and doesn't do what I tell her like when we were young. She is her own person and has her own way. She has made a life for herself here, independent of me and I need to respect that. I have enjoyed being with her. I have always had a close relationship with Luisa.
This picture most represents us in my mind. I was a brat and Luisa smoothed things over. We shared a bed until middle school when we moved into the converted garage together. Sometimes now, when we are talking, she will remind me of something I used to say or do and it makes me realize that she knows more about me than I do sometimes. That's how it is with Luisa, she just knows me, like it or not and I hope she know same goes the other way. I will never abandon her, I will always be behind her, pushing her and making her mad, but I just want to be there for her and try to help. She is toto to my Dorothy and Raggedy Andy to my Raggedy Ann. I love you Luisa and I hope that you have a truly enjoyable day.
'

Fear Factory

Yesterday, the boys and I did a little room rearranging. Oscar has had a loft bed for while now. You may remember it from here. Well, he has really not liked it since we moved here. The train makes it shake and he has been scared that he will fall on Hans. While cleaning it and getting ready for disassembling he fell off from the top and I caught him midair. So now I get to remind him of that time I saved his life. He was really scared and shook for a good half hour, I felt bad for him, there is not a lot that scares him.
Siobhan is scared of dolls. And one particular picture I have of a doll. I keep it up and make it talk to her and she does not like it. I have put it in her room once or twice and she gets pretty angry. Olive has a life size barbie that she removes from her bedroom at night.She cannot sleep with it in the same room.
Olive is scared of everything, noise, fast movement, not getting her way.
Hans is scared of really different things. Right now he refuses to go upstairs without a chaperon. He will not go on his own, I have tried talking to him about it but he just says he is scared. HE has told me that he hears talking and he doesn't know who it is. He is also scared of people dying. At least twice a day he makes sure that I am not old and I am not going to die. He asks if his Dad will always be alive and that we will never leave him. This makes me so sad. I don't know how to respond because I want to explain the cycle of life but I do not want to make him afraid that we are going away anytime soon. I had this fear about my Grandma growing up and I hated that constant fear of her being gone.
My kids actually are really happy and well adjusted, this is just an example of some of their fears. See where I'm going? That's right, I am still posting lists and this week is 5 things that you are scared of.

#1. The dark. I have slept with either a night light or bathroom light on my whole life. Pete has to have dark to sleep though so that has been a big adjustment for me. Luckily we have always lived near streetlights and I get light that way. Also, sometimes I "accidentally" leave the bathroom light on.

#2. Ants. I just don't like them and they creep me out really bad. Pete bought Hans an ant farm when we lived in Utah and it was gross.

#3. Mice. The kids love to talk about the time a mouse ran across our living room and I jumped in the table.

#4. Knives. Alex and I recently talked about this. I cannot pick up a knife without getting the chills. I am not sure why. Sharon says maybe a past life I died by knife. Could be....

#5. The last one is somewhat related to past lives. When Siobhan was about two months old, I went to a past life Halloween party with my Dad and Sharon. I guess my Dad wasn't aware you were to dress as something you were in a past life and he went as a prisoner. The best part was when everyone went in a circle and described their past life and why they had worn the costume they did. Boy was his face red! Anyway, on the way home Sharon explained a little about her belief in reincarnation and past lives. It was really interesting but the part I had a hard time with is that my newborn daughter and I would not be together forever. This is my last fear. I would have to say that I DO believe that my family and I will always be together, that is just what I feel in my heart. My fear is of that unknown, the what ifs. That was just the first time as a mother that I realized how fierce that love is for your children. The fear of ever losing them is the greatest of all.

Hans is Fierce

Siobhan and Oscar had yesterday and today out of school. I had intended on using the last of our zoo pass but Olive is sick. So, instead we are in bed watching Cinderella and Aristocats over and over again. In between we are reading all of the Olivia books, her favorites. Hans is working on some new looks and begging for some new dress ups. He tried out the angry eyebrows. Pete once gave our dog angry eyebrows and I think we laughed for about a week. Hans has also been working on this shield. It protects your mouth while you ride your bike. As he likes to say, "you can't talk without a mouth."
My favorite though, is this new helmet. Hans spends at least 75% of his day creating. He always has paper and scissors by his side. I recently introduced him to spray glue. We have been pressing flowers recently. He truly LOVES flowers and plants. Once I glued a pressed flower onto paper, it opened a whole new world for him. He was not happy with how this came out. He wanted the leaf to stand straight up on the side and kind of shade the side of his face. I love it though. I am seeing Project Runway in his future.

It takes a Village

I had intended on posting Tuesday. I knew yesterday was going to be busy. Pete came back from his brother Zaks wedding(congratulations!) and I was a chaperon for Oscars school field trip to Tillicum Village. I think we all know how it went last year when I volunteered to chaperon a school trip. Luckily, this year I had my mom and John and they stayed with the little ones and Oscar and i had a great day. This is how they prepared the salmon, over the alder wood fire. There was a Native American dance performance and they showed some local dances and had an amazing stage. I really enjoyed this and I wished that a few more of the students were able to appreciate it.
There wasn't a whole lot of free time to explore, although there is much to do o the island. Mostly the boys in my group wanted to see the gift shop and it was here that I found out that not a lot of 10 year olds have a grasp on the concept of how much you have vs. the price of an item. I am even more proud of Oscars skills now in that department. The trip involved a ferry ride and a bus ride on a sight seeing bus. IT HAD TV'S INSIDE!! The kids were so excited about that. Upon return, I had planned to run home,change my clothes, pick Pete up at the airport and head back downtown for his Star Academy dinner. I had bought a dress and even wore heels! I walked the airport for an hour, sure I was in the right place, I called my mom and Pete had already called her, so I waited for a call back and finally, ten minutes after we should have been there, I found him. I guess I was wrong. Not unusual. So we missed the dinner and came back home for the excitement of Idol,which my Mom and John have been following. So, overall a pretty exciting week. I guess the same went for Pete. Kim has the best pictures to sum that up.
All this leaves us with the list. I've been trying to come up with something but have kind of hit a mental block on it. I know last weeks list seemed like we had done it before, I think it was similar to another one. This will probably feel the same. I bought Pete a Zune for Christmas this past year and it proved to be his most favorite present to date. I found one on pretty cheap on Craigslist so I now have one also. I can't wait to download the Office episodes to watch on our trip. But for now I have enjoyed picking out all my songs to put on it. So, here are 5 of my favorite songs(right now)..........

#1. Shake Some Action by The Flamin' Groovies

#2. Rest My Head Against the Wall by Heatmiser

#3. Everything is Everything by Lauryn Hill

#4. Up in the Sky by The Anniversary

#5. Anything by The Doors or George Michael. Right now these are my two favorites. Anybody else want to see George Michael live this summer?

A.R.S (W)

Today Alex is 31 years old. She is my youngest sister, although when people have to guess they always assume she is the oldest. Not because I look particularly young or she looks old in any way, just that she is an in charge, take control type, usually associated with being the oldest. Maybe this is actually more a third child trait. She and Pete are very alike, which is funny to me. I think they annoy each other sometimes because they are both so opinionated and have the same personality.
I admire this about her. She is in charge of herself and does what she needs to, to feel like she is making the right decisions in her life. I have always been a little jealous of how confident she is. She will talk with anyone and say what is on her mind. She is so comfortable in her own skin. She is able to plan what she wants and take the steps to make it happen the way she intends it to. Alexs' high school years are amongst my favorite. We spent a lot of time together and had a lot of fun. She was a big part of my wedding to Patrick and I was pregnant when I attended her graduation.She came to the hospital when Siobhan was born and we accompanied her to her moving day when she went to college at San Fransisco. I also made that drive to visit her a couple of times. Both when she was in school and later when she was working and living in a cute apartment.

I have also envied her freedom sometimes. Being able to come and go as she pleased. She always has said she liked being on her own and valued her independence. As she has gotten older though, she is ready to start her own family and I am excited to be a part in witnessing that. This is where I have the experience and I cannot wait to throw around my two cents.

I know Alex will maybe be upset about this picture, but it is one of my favorites. When she finally married David, after a good 15 of years of his,in his own words, "being obsessed with Alex", we all felt like we were the ones winning. We have campaigned and loved David for a long time. It makes me so happy to see how much she loves him. Especially after seeing how much he has loved her for so long. Also, if ever there is a "Goodfellas 2" this look just might get the baconater a part.
This picture should make up for the last. What a beautiful couple. I was glad that I was a part of Alexs' wedding. It was a beautiful day, in pure Alex style, it was also a great party. I wish I knew how to photoshop though so that I could give David a perm in this picture.
I love my sister. We have had some rough days between us, but she has always been there for me. She came to my wedding to Pete when we were hardly able to say 10 words to each other. We have learned to accept how different our lives are and respect each others decisions. I have really valued our time spent together recently. As I watch Olive grow, all my mom and I can say is "What an Alex.", this following picture pretty much seals the deal. I have enjoyed my position of older sister, I have watched Alex grow and become such a great person and a loving wife. I don't know if I ever told her this, but growing up I had recurring nightmares about her being hurt. I won't go into the details of it, but they were awful and I always nursed her back to health in those dreams. I felt such a worry for her and was constantly on watch. Alex drove a kid car of our 6 foot high deck and landed on concrete once. Another time she dove into the deep end of the pool, unable to swim. She has always bounced back, no harm done. But I have always had that feeling that I should protect her. Even as an adult, I can complain all day about something that Alex said or did that I took wrong and hurt my feelings, but the second there is agreement I defend her. She is my sister, you can't get between that. One of the three Sheppard girls and that is just a bond that cannot be undone. I love you Alex, I enjoy my time and talks with you. I hope you have a great birthday. Also, could the shorts get any higher?

TGIM

We had a really nice weekend in Ellensburg. I loved the town, I could easily live there. Really cute, PG style houses and nice people. We were there for the farmers market and took in the really awesome Ellensburg museum. We always stop in at the museum in every town we visit. This one was one of the best, as well as the largest. It was also a free day for the children's activity museum, so we stopped in to look into some future careers. Oscar is considering following in Grandpa Pats and Great Grandpa Freds footsteps.
Or maybe Uncle Davids. If these jobs are things children want to play, then I expect dad and David are living the dream. Maybe Oscar will be interested in the "fire sciences".
Hans would be willing to work the desk. He's more a "people person". Hans is really more interested in being a florist. The yellow under is his nose is constant due to all the flower sniffing.
Maybe a trainer? He could run a gym, he has the energy for it.

Olive is thinking more along the lines of swimsuit model.

Or dancer/choreographer.
Maybe a bouncer.

And Pete? Well, he took a shot at snake wrangler. Did you ever see the original Freaky Friday? That was one of my favorites when I was younger. I thought Boris was hilarious. Anyway, did you also know that my brother-in-law David and Pete share the same birthday? Well, maybe in some freaky Friday switch they would swap careers.....




*****Updated*****

Mom- Olive did actually gravitate towards the kitchen. She made pizza and chocolate chip cookies. Definite cafeteria food. I actually thought"Oh a lunch lady, like Grandma." Then she told me I couldn't walk in there, she just mopped and my feet were dirty and I realized she was just Grandma.

TGIF

These past few weeks Pete has had to work on the weekend. We have become totally spoiled in having our weekends together and it's been boring without him. Finally, this weekend is ours and we are heading to Ellensburg today for camping. It is due to be in the upper 80's all weekend so the kids have packed their swimsuits and are gearing up for some swimming. Pete is planning on lots of fishing and I am bringing lots of books. I am looking forward to Sunday when we will be stopping at Roslyn. This is where Northern Exposure was filmed, which isn't all the interesting to me, but there is a cemetery that I want to visit. So, that's our weekend. I am looking forward to it, although there is a lot of prep work to be done. When we return, Pete will be heading to Utah for Zaks wedding. I am so sad I can't go. My mom will be coming though and I will be accompanying Oscar on his school field trip to Tillicum Village. That I am looking forward to. I also am looking forward to some more movie lists!

Deadwood Shirt

Visiting my mom recently, the subject of my early 90's cowboy obsession came up. I was into it in a big way. Cowhide purse, a rainbow of Justin ropers, Rocky Mountain jeans. It was a passing fancy, but I did it up while I was in the mode. That's kind of how I operate. All or nothing, I get fully immersed in my passing fancies. Right now Pete and I are in Deadwood mode. Upon deciding to visit Deadwood on our vacation I checked out the first season of the HBO series. Pete and I are hooked. We are almost finished with the second season and are waiting on the third. It's been a little difficult, there is more swearing than the Sopranos, all historically accurate of course, so we have to watch it sans kids.

It is my new passion and all things cowboy are cool once again for me. Not the new, kenny chesney kind of stuff. No offense, but that's not really my thing. The real, pioneering cowboy, old school stuff. Olives new favorite songs are some of my grandmothers favorites. Listening to Hank Williams, whom I have always liked, reminds me of sitting at Grandmas table in the early morning. I Saw The Light is her particular favorite and hearing her sing it is my favorite thing right now.
So, of course this trip will require some new, cowboy clothes. I have long promised my sister in law Gretchen some cowboy shirts for her boys. This was my practice and I am really, really happy with it. You can't see it well, but the front has horseshoes on each side. Now I need to get one made for Pete and his new, growing out beard for Deadwood. Then, I may have to move on to some pioneer dresses and bonnets for Olive Jane.
So, onto the list. I know we have done favorite tv shows. Let's do movies today. I don't think we've done that? Pete is the hands down best at movie quotes. I sometimes have to ask if something he has said is from a movie or just him.

#1. Rushmore. Pete and I must have watched this a thousand times. He was planning on wearing a version of the green velvet suit for our wedding but it was 100 degrees out. I also loved the soundtrack to this as well as all the other Wes Anderson movies.

#2. Breakfast Club. I will always remember this movie due to the fact that I took my Dad to see it at the Dream Theatre in Pacific Grove. Once again, I also have enjoyed all the John Hughes films.

#3. Amelie. I just really liked this one.

#4. The Big Lebowski. There are several reasons that I love this one, the most being that it just makes me think of when I first met Pete.

#5. Every Indiana Jones movie ever! I can't wait to see the new one. I remember seeing the Temple of Doom with my Grandma and parents in New Monterey.

I can think of a hundred others and I can't wait to see what everybody else comes up with!

Mamas

This weekend we were in Sequim for a super combo. Mothers Day/Irrigation Festival. The Sequim Irrigation Festival is the oldest festival in Washington. It was a rip roaring festival. The parade consisted of several local dignitaries as well as countless logging trucks and equipment and vans carrying residents from various assisted living homes. The highlight was the pirates and their ship, which were so real. They had an awesome canon,that was super loud. I LOVE noise, something Hans has in common with me. Olive runs in the house and hides every time a train or semi roll past our house. Hans runs in circles screaming in excitement. Something I also do when Pete is not around to witness. Luckily, Alex shares this trait and was as excited by the noise. She wanted to follow them through the rest of the parade. Next year I want to ride in this van. This was the first Mothers Day I have spent with my Mom in several years. Probably 8 or so. Alex and the Baconater were there, as they usually spend Mothers Day with mom.I had a nice time. The guacamole was a particular highlight. After several weeks of teasing, I did indeed receive diamond earrings from Pete and the kids. Good thing I cut all my hair off last week so they can be shown off. I love short hair, it is so freeing to get rid of all that bulk. I went to my favorite place in Seattle. My hair actually curls up quite a bit without all that weight. Siobhan was super jealous, she wants a new look, involving blue hair this time. I promised a picture for Sharon, she thinks short hair is "sassy" on me. This picture, believe it or not, is the best out of about 50 I tried to take of myself. I know it's a day late, but I wanted to wish a Happy Mothers Day to all my mamas. Of course my mother, and both Sharon and Sharron. I think that I am lucky. Three very different ladies and styles and opinions. Each of them has influenced my mothering greatly. I would not be me without them and I love them dearly. I also have to say Happy Mothers Day to all the other mothers that are so special to me. Luisa, Kim, Gretchen, Melissa, Tara, Annisha, Brittney, and Trisha. She sent me the nicest email that absolutely made my day. I hope that you all had a great day and I hope to include Alex in the next year! I am secretly hoping that she will somehow have her baby in Canada so that I can continue to call David baconater and their baby can be Canadian bacon.

Get it off your chest.

Soooo. Taking a cue from Annisha in her last list post I hereby dedicate today to pet peeves. This is not a difficult task here. I married a man that advised me right away, "I don't like people." I have come to accept that most people will annoy him in some way but in an effort to survive in this society, he will put up with them. We moved to a town that is ripe for the picken' and everybody is a total pain in the ass. In the last month or so I have been trying to break from that and be more positive. I had read somewhere, I wish I could remember where, about wearing a string around your one wrist and every time you complain you have to move it to the other. The goal being to not have moved it at all from the original wrist. It's harder than it sounds but it has made me aware of how much I complain. It has made a big difference for me but man am I excited to use this list as an excuse to get some of it out! So, here are some of my all time,most annoying, pet peeves...

#1. Referring to California as "Cali". As in "going back to Cali," I don't think so. (remember that song? This lady loves cool j) Pete always calls it Cali to annoy me. Rarely do people actually from California call it Cali. And no I never had a "Locals Only" sticker.

#2. Cell phones. Especially when used with a bluetooth. I actually saw a man go in for a haircut that did not remove the bluetooth. When I have walked through the mall to see Pete and the cell phone kiosk people ask what cell phone I use and I say none, they act as though I am lying, it could not be possible to not use a cell phone. I do have to amend this to state that my mom gave me her old pay as you go for when I am driving Pete to work, it makes her feel better.

#3. Misspelled words. I don't know why, but I cannot stand to see words spelled incorrectly. It is like nails on a chalkboard. I know that I am not the worlds greatest speller, so I spellcheck everything. Spelling is my favorite homework to help with.

#4. Checkers that are outright mean when people pay with WIC coupons or food stamps. I am sure there are people that abuse this system, but some people are in rough spots and don't need the attitude. I have been there and it is hard enough to feel like you are not taking care of things without having people that don't know you treat you like a leper. I have actually told checkers off since I have lived here. I just don't understand why they feel like they are being cheated.

#5. Strangers that advise you that you will have to keep an eye out on your daughter when she's older. "She's a looker, you'll have to fight 'em off." If this is an old man, I am especially bothered. Both creepy and gross. The one I am keeping my eye on is them.

I feel like I should end on a happier note so I'll leave you with this, a song written in the 1920's that my Grandma and us girls would sing every vacation coming back home. Like Alex, I have a real love and sense of ownership in where I grew up. Soy un Californiano!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Thumbtastic

Yesterday we went to Nolte State park to test our luck. We found out that the kids have to have licenses also so Pete went in and got them all set up. It was kind of fun to see what he guessed their weight and height at. I was glad that he erred on the lesser side by 20 pounds for Siobhan. She is suffering from self scrutiny right now and we have been trying to make her realize how perfect she is. I didn't get a license this year. I mostly just like to read. I did take a 3 mile hike though and it was extra nice.
I don't know if you noticed in that last picture that Hans was neither sitting nor fishing. He was just playing by the edge of the water despite repeated warnings. He did not heed the advice and ended up rolling in and spending the next half hour naked in a blanket in the car while Pete and the kids packed up.
We didn't catch any fish, which angered some.
Today is a clean up day. Or as my dad and I say, "the cleaning rag is in". The kids are occupied with some Ed Emberley and making some great things. There is a lot of Mothers Day whispering and "Don't Looks!!" I have been giving Oscar a hard time and telling him I expect diamond earrings, but I would really love some thumb pirates or another George Washingthumb. It's fun to tease though. Especially when he doesn't even blink before he tells me no.

From Siobhan I would just like her homework done.Without crying, whining, anger or distraction. Also, I would like the ability to remember even a little of what I learned the three times I took Algebra so I could help.

The list!

Okay, yesterday was just too busy to post. I don't want to start slacking on the list though, I love it. So, today will be quick and tomorrow will be a real post. Instead, today I will post just a quick list with an idea I saw on someone elses blog. Five random facts. This might be fun, there is kind of a varied group here and it will be neat to see what we do and don't know about each other. Here we go....

#1. I love coffee. Really,really love it. I drink several cups a day. I will gladly drive into the city just for a latte that's really good.

#2. I stopped using shampoo a month ago. I wash with baking soda and rinse with vinegar. After an initial adjustment period, my hair is really soft and shiny. Although, sometimes when it is humid or rainy I have smelled like a pasta salad.

#3. In my early 20's I lost over a 100 pounds. I never really realized how big I had gotten but it really hurts to look back and see how far it had gone. I once showed a picture to Kim but not at my biggest and I try hard to keep them from Pete.

#4. I would happily have more babies if I didn't know that Pete would go INSANE.

#5. When I was 26 I dated a guy for a year that was 19. I also, unfortunately, tattooed his name on me.

Your turn!