Category Archives: the hubby

Two Cars in One Day…

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Seriously???

Okay, it’s now 1:30 AM Friday and I just got home from both cars officially dying and getting left behind in West LA at a shop we know nothing about. Thing is, my personal car issues seemed to begin around 2:00PM Thursday. And that migraine that started brewing around 2:00PM today, yeah, you guessed it, it’s throbbing like a beast now.

So the short version of my day…I was doing laundry and running errands when my car’s check engine light came on. It appears that the car overheated (who knows how many times in the past couple of weeks) to the point that I was out of coolant.

I was lucky enough to finish the laundry and head home. The goal was to drop my car off at our regular car guy once the hubs got home. Well, the real goal of the day was to write up a Blogger Prom recap, but that never happened.

So I finally calm down, cool off and relax. I’m waiting on the hubs to get home and we were going to head out for sushi. He calls me on his way home and as he makes the turn off Sunset onto Bev Glen, he says his car just died.

He calls AAA and they estimate that to tow the car over the hill into the Valley to our car guy in Burbank, that it will cost about $80. The guys suggests a shop on Pico that a lot of the UCLA students use. So the hubs now needs me to take my car (you know the one that overheated earlier in the day) to pick him up in West LA.

Okay, I’ll be on freeway, it’s 9:00ish, so no traffic. I won’t overheat. I make it to the Pico exit and I see the smoke coming off my engine. We figure if we take it slow and avoid the hills, that we can make it home or at least closer to home so the tow won’t cost as much to get it to Burbank.

Nice try.

A friend came out and agreed to follow us home to make sure we were good. Well, we only made it 6.6 miles, stopping once to water down the radiator and top off the (now, non-existent) coolant. We figured we were now 6.6 miles closer to home, so again, a less expensive tow.

Again, nice try.

Turns out we were now 7 miles FURTHER from home than we were before, so the tow would cost more.

So back, to where this all got fun…the garage where the hubby’s car is sitting and waiting. So basically, four or so hours after the hubs called me to get him…and a (pre-tip) $88 cab ride, I’m home eating cold pizza and waiting for my migraine meds to kick in.

Seriously, both cars have challenges on the same day?!?! What the hell? I mean, I’m all for “everything happens for a reason” so I’m just chomping at the bit to figure out what this “reason” must be.

The good news…it all could have been so much worse. If I had driven to Blogger Prom last night, I’d have overheated while we were stuck in traffic on Laurel. If he had made it further on Beverly Glen, he would have been on a dark, curvy road with limited cell reception.

So here’s hoping both cars don’t cost too much. And better yet, will be even better than they were before. So please, send some well wishes to our cars if you don’t mind.

It’s officially Friday, can I start drinking yet? Whew.

PS – too tired to proof-read…sorry.

Photo: Will Spaetzel

I’m Happy in a Love Like This

taken the night of my going away party in Jan '03

taken the night of my going away party in Jan '03

My husband I met 8 years ago this past Memorial Day weekend.  I was out here in LA at a party, sort of a grad school graduation gift to myself and well…there he was.  We dated, long distance for the first two or so years.  During that time, each time we got together, no matter what state we were in, he’d make me a mixed CD.

Earlier today I was cleaning up the kitchen and found one of the CDs he made back in September ’03.  By this time, I had already made the move here to LA and we were deep into making our wedding plans.

Listening to this CD today, you can most definitely tell where his thoughts were.  Every song is a love song.  In fact, one song we used as our first dance.  Another song we used for my walk down the aisle. Yet another that we used for one of our readings (as read by his ex-girlfriend and her husband, our dear friends).

Some need gold and some need diamond rings
Or a drug to take away the pain that living brings
A promise of a better world to come
When whatever here is done
I don’t need that sky of blue
All I know’s since I found you, I’m happy when I’m in your arms
Happy, darling, come the dark
Happy when I taste your kiss
I’m happy in a love like this*

This CD is the perfect mix of some of my favorites and some of his.  Many songs that to this day still bring tears to my eyes.  In fact, I remember getting teary eyed as we listened to the mix.  Just beautiful.

There’s nothing special about today.  It’s not an anniversary of any sort.  Not even of our first date (that would be in two weeks).  It’s just a regular day and nothing to celebrate.

But on this day, I’m reminded of one of the many, many reasons I love my husband. Baby, it had to be you!

Cheesy, but true.

You may now resume your regular blog reading.  My apologies for the mushy love stuff.

*Lyrics from Happy by Bruce Springsteen

Every Gal Deserves a Night Alone From Time to Time

Tonight the hubs is heading off to somewhere in the Inland Empire to connect with his youth.  He’s heading out to see the reunion show of the band he used to roadie for back in his long-haired, late 80’s.  As much as I’d love to meet the guys that played such an important part in his life, I’m still a bit under the weather to be up for a long and loud night (with music I most likely won’t enjoy…shhh!).  He’s heading out with one of his oldest friends instead.

In the meantime, I thought it would the perfect night to attend to some beauty rituals…touching up my roots; scrubbing for the self-tanner; hanging out touching nothing while wearing self-tanner; and trying out a new face mask (I love facials, but rarely get around to applying masks at home).  It should be a fun night.

If only I had something appropriately chickie to watch.  Or a good, non-business, chick-littie book to read *sigh*  No worries, I can watch Clueless, Valley Girl, the Sweetest Thing or Pracitical Magic…again!  They never get old.  They might get dated, but not old.  Classics I tell ya!

Now I’m craving fruity cocktails and decadent desserts…uh oh!

So what do you usually do when your signifigant other leaves you home alone for the night (sick or not)?

Who You Calling a Klutz?

Oh, me.

sprinklers_at_rosemaryYeah, I guess that could be true.  I have been known to trip over my own two feet.  It seems I can’t go for a walk in the neighborhood without stumbling or tripping over something – usually uneven sidewalks, unseen curbs (don’t ask) or sprinkler heads. It’s gotten to the point that my husband just keeps walking figuring if I’m really hurt, I’ll let him know.

And yes, once I was really hurt and ended up in the ER late that night (but left because the wait was too insanely crazy long).  My doctor actually asked me if I felt “safe” at home (embarassingly more than once) considering I seem to have so many klutzy, clumsy injuries (and yes, she knows my husband well).

One time, back when I was a teacher, I was going to try my hand at roller blading.  Now you’d think that what I’m about to share would be an injury directly related to actually roller blading.

You’d think.

Um no…I wanted to safely (ha!) step down the curb, so I momentarily stepped into the pine straw so I wouldn’t be able to roll.  And yes, I’m sure you guessed it…I managed to immediately go down twisting my leg something fierce on the way down. I had to go to school with my leg in a temporary cast thingie and walk with crutches for a couple of days.  So not cool. And of course I’m too honest to come up with a great story instead of the truth.

Don’t even get me started on the time I fell off a tree stump and managed to break my elbow mere days after moving across the country.  Let’s just say that I  have stories a’plenty about my (seemingly) clumsy experiences doing everyday, normal things.

Not that I’m any safer inside the house mind you.  We’re talking about someone that seems to be more than capable to walk into doorways, trip over the coffee table and well, slice my fingers just as neatly as I slice my vegetables.  My mama would be so proud 😉

So the other night I figured I’d sit down and start to work on my toes and do a little DIY pedicure.  I get out the clippers to trim and hmmm…seems one of my toenails is a little ripped.  I proceed to take off the polish only to realize that I’ve somehow, through one of my (seemingly many and far too frequent) stumbles, managed to rip nearly half the toenail completely off from the bed.  You’d think that something this extreme would have to to have hurt, right?

You’d certainly think it would.  Only I can’t remember any recent bumps or stumbles of any significance outside of stubbing my foot on our bookshelf about a week ago.  Nothing more than an “ow! dammit!” though.  Nothing worthy of ripping off half my toenail.

So now I must figure out how to polish a half-there toenail (a barely there, light pink maybe – not too fun for summer if you ask me!) and still treat myself to the occasional pedicure from time to time.  I wonder just how long it will take for the damn thing to grow back – research says about 9 or so months.  Fun.

Are you considered klutzy by those who know and love you?  What’s your most recent or humbling injury?

Photo by TheSullys

The Love of My Life

Last night we hung out with the in-laws while the uncles held court. It was fun to get together with everyone and catch up. I was out of it for most of it having been dealing with a migraine. But by the time this rolled around I was feeling much better.

Check it out, my darling, moppet of a husband accompanying his eldest niece while she sang for the family. I was bummed that I ran out of space on the card (so be warned it will be cut short), they were sounding pretty good.

Not too bad considering they both *just* learned the song about an hour earlier.

We Have a Party!

Or more to the point, I finally have my restaurant reserved. It will be out on this amazing patio. I’m SO excited!

I have to stop by there tonight to go over the menu and talk booze. From there I can order the cake. And then take a deep breath.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our anniversary weekend was great. We had a lovely dinner on Friday (our actual anniversary). The food was amazing, but the ambiance was not exactly what I was expecting. Then again, I’m sure if there wasn’t a woohooing table full of gals right next to us, it probably would have been lovely.

Saturday we headed to the beach. We took the pupster out with us thinking he’d enjoy walking along the beach. We tried to find the whale park in Palos Verdes (the Interpretive Center), but between the fog and the lack of directions, we never made it there.

We did pick up some pizza slices for a showdown between the two top places in Rendondo. We took our slices out to a bench just off the strand and relaxed. It was so nice to just walk around and talk about both business and life. It was great.

Then last night, the hubby decided that he wanted to go to Palate (where we went for his birthday) to try their Prix Fixe Sunday Dinner. And of course a cheese plate! It was amazing and exactly the way to end our anniversary celebration.

Overall, it was a great weekend. And now this week I need to focus, focus, focus and get to work…

Knock on Wood For 55 More Years

Wood?  Really?

Wood is the official gift theme for the 5th anniversary?

So what am I supposed to do, plant a tree?  Built a bench?  Buy a dresser?

Hmm…well, we do need an extra dresser.  That might make a good anniversary present after all.

“When you are in love you can’t fall asleep because reality is better than your dreams.” ~Dr. Seuss

Yes, it’s official…we’ve now been married for five years.  And can I just say, I love it.

Of course we have nothing planned and no gifts purchased.  And to be honest, that’s not really much of a surprise if you ask me.

I know…I’ll find some place to eat where we can sit on a wooden deck.  Maybe someplace by the beach.  Then we’ll have our wood and eat dinner too!

Perfect!

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Baby, I love you and I’d marry you all over again!*

*you may now cue the sappy music, hand out the tissues and start passing the chesse

Do You Know the Way to San Jose?

I do.  And it’s a fucking long ass drive!

Even longer when you have a dog on your lap the entire time.  And even longer still when you drive past those cattle farms.  And well, even longer than longer still when you can’t turn on the AC in the car, and you have a dog in your lap, and you’re afraid that you’re going to run out of gas in the middle of nowhere, crossing over some mountain range.

But I’m not complaining.  Honest.  The time with the hubby was great.  The pupster was on his best behavior.  And thanks to having the little guy along for the ride, I was assured plenty of potty breaks.  Yay!  Overall, a great first half of a road trip.  Tomorrow we’ll actually get to stop and take pictures if the mood strikes us.  The wild flowers and poppies were in the glory all over the hills.  All those yellows, oranges and purples mixed in with the green…such a pretty sight.

I did learn that the little guy does NOT like the smell of cattle farms.  Poor thing actually turned to smell his butt thinking he had an accident or something.  He was mortified and then tried to jump into the backseat to escape the stench. Now, if you’ve even been unlucky enough to pass by some cattle farms, you know that there is NO escaping the stench.

He wasn’t a huge fan of the garlic farms either.  He should just be happy that it wasn’t freshly tilled garlic.  Then again, there’s always tomorrow since we plan to drive down the 101 to head home…right straight through Gilroy, home of the Garlic Festival.  Maybe I can talk the hubs into at least tasting some garlic ice cream.

So the hubs is off hanging with all the other Bruuuuuce fans.  I haven’t received any texts (then again, he’s live tweeting for his website), so he must be having a great show.  And of course, I enjoyed my bubble bath.  Luxury is a hot, hot bubble bath (in a tub you don’t have to clean), while drinking a skinny caramel macchiato and listening to the iPod (I won’t ruin this luxorious image by telling you what I was actually listening to – LOL).  Heavenly, I tell ya.

So now the pupster is hiding under the bed (still).  He’s afraid that I’ll be picking him up and taking him into the bathroom for a bath.  Goes to show you how often I take baths at our place…the dog automatically associates filling a tub with his getting a bath.  Poor thing.  I’m sure he’ll be fine by the time the hubs gets back.

On that note, I think it’s time to veg out in front of the TV.  We get movie channels in this here high quality hotel 😉  Or there’s always Jon & Kate Plus 8.

Later Y’all!

Birthday Season Begins Here in LA Blogger Gal Land

Yes, I said “Birthday Season” and yes, I capitalized.  You see, we have eight birthdays between today and the first week in May (me! yay!) and yes, that’s only the beginning.  There’s easily another 5 or more to get us through until September.

But two of the three most important men in my life have their birthdays this week…

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Happy 9th Birthday Charlie Man!!! Hope the salmon was yummy.

And then toomorrow it’s my husband’s birthday. He’s not really into birthday celebrations (hello, my birthday celebrations typically last a week!) so there won’t be any swell gifts. Instead, I’ll get his car washed and then take him out to Palate Food + Wine in Glendale for dinner.

I’ve heard good things about Palate so it should be yummy. It’s one of the Patina guys setting up shop over on car row in Glendale. Not where you’d expect to see a fine dining establishment. I hear the building is an old meat packing place or something similar with some pretty funky decor.

The best part…they have an entire room just for CHEESE!!!!! Oh.My.God! Can you imagine!?!?! It’ll be heavenly! And a perfect way to start off Birthday Season. Bring it!

Which of course brings me to a question though…what do you get your hubs for his birthday or anniversary? Do you do the gift exchanges, or are you more the nice dinner or vacation type instead?

It’s Official, I Miss My Husband

I made it five days and nights, but it’s been long enough.  I’m ready for my husband to be back home.  I dono’t know how you ladies with husbands that head out on regular business trips do it.  Let alone those of you with kids.  My pets are driving me crazy enough – the dog is barking non-stop, the cat wakes me up every single morning at around 7:00, crying for an hour or more until I finally give in and get up.

I’m exhausted.  I’m actually getting less sleep with him gone (thankyouverymuch CharlieCat).  I’m eating crappy food – though thankfully, not crappy fast food.  I’m not staying focused enough to actually get anything done.  Really, I’m just ready for him to be home and for a good night’s sleep.

Thankfully, he’ll be home later tonight.

But first I have my Mastermind meeting, then I’ll head over to LAX to pick him up.  I can’t wait.  And lucky me, he’s off next week, so he’s ALL mine!  Though I’m still waiting to see if I got the co-teaching job and to see if I get to hang out with him in San Jose.

Oh yeah, I also still need to figure out what to get him for his birthday on Wednesday…but he’s home today…woohoo!