Such a Character

A couple months ago, LaVor, The Lime, and I were at Target and we became separated. After a little while, we ran back into each other and The Lime had something in his hands. "Hars moobie, Mama!" LaVor is a softy and will usually buy something for The Lime when we're out, which is the complete opposite of my, "Mama doesn't have any money" line. This trip, he was getting the "Cars" movie. Except that when we got home, we noticed it was "Cars 2" and The Lime has never seen the first one. But he doesn't even know there's another one, so he's fine.

That started the love for all things "race hars"! He can spot anything "Cars" related, a mile away, he loves that GrandPop went to see race cars last weekend, and he went wild when he saw Lightning McQueen shoes at the store last night. They somehow ended up on his feet and we went home with them.

I've always been against "character" shoes because I think they're cheesy and usually ugly. But The Lime loved these so much which made me love them. And gosh darnit, he looks cute in them! Even the cashier at Safeway thought they were cool (she has young kids).

Now we need to make a trip to Cars Land!

She's Crafty

Growing up, my mom was always making something.  Whether it was an article of clothing for us, something for the house, something for someone else, an idea she saw in a magazine, she was creating.  None of us girls really caught that bug.  We make stuff here and there, but it's nothing compared to what my mom can do.

Then I joined Pinterest and my wannabe creative juices started flowing.

My nephew is really into states right now, so when I saw the idea for stenciling with freezer paper, I got an idea.

With the help of Google and the California DMV website, I was able to create some pretty cute, personal shirts for the birthday boy.

Within the time that The Lime took his nap, I was able to do the shirts from start to finish.  My kind of project!

Steps to a Smile

I'm glad he happened to be my 500th post.

Another Visit

My dad woke me up on Tuesday, asking if I got his e-mail he sent late the night before.

"Nope," I said, trying to mask my "just woke up" voice.

He said that he and my sister were planning to go visit my Grandma and was extending the invitation to The Lime and me.  LaVor was working in Pacifica that day and said if he got off early enough, we could come out and meet him.  So I told my dad we had other plans but thanks for thinking of us.

Then he told me Grandma was diagnosed with congenital heart failure.  I felt guilty the rest of the morning, that I had declined the offer to go visit her.  When LaVor called me at 10:00 and said we probably wouldn't be able to meet up and that I should go visit Grandma, I agreed.  45 minutes later, The Lime and I were on the road to Grandma's house...again.

We were hoping to take her out to lunch but when we arrived, we found out she had just eaten.  So we spent the next 4 hours in the lobby, chatting it up with the old ladies.  I'm shocked The Lime wasn't scooped up and stuffed into someone's purse...they were eating him alive.  "Shirley...did you see this little boy?!"  "Martha, is he yours?"  "Betty, isn't he so cute?"

Thank goodness for Grandma's Cadillac (walker) and her keys, which kept The Lime entertained for almost the entire time.  I seriously have no clue who that child was.  He can't be entertained by anything for that long but I swear the heavens opened and I witnessed a miracle.

Just as we were getting ready to leave, my dad, sister, and her family arrived to take Grandma out for dinner.  It wouldn't be a family gathering for us without taking pictures...a ton of pictures.

 

Another great day with Grandma!

Passing Out

I've had an issue with passing out my entire life. 

The most extreme case was when I was in the 7th grade, practicing on the basketball courts with the Marching Band.  Our teacher had us at a ten-hut for way too long and I locked my knees, which sent me crashing to the ground.  I remember my vision closing in and everything turning black.  Then I woke up to a crowd around me, including the mean teacher that kept us there too long (and who had the WORST sweat stains under his armpits.  I'm talking bright yellow, permanently embedded...ugh!).  I was so embarrassed when it happened but felt extremely loved the next day, when everyone checked in to see if I was okay.

I've also been on the verge of passing out in the Splash Mountain line at Disneyland, passed out in the bathroom and fell in between the toilet and tub which gave me the gnarliest bruise on my jawline.  In fact, the bathroom is the source of most of my passing out episodes.  The hot water is the suspect, I believe.

And it appears that The Lime is following in my footsteps. 

We were leaving a friend's house last night, when The Lime tried hopping from the backseat to the driver's seat in the car.  I was already in the passenger seat so I whipped my arm across and grabbed him before he could hop over the console.  His car seat is directly behind my seat so with the little arm strength I have, I plopped him in his spot and we think he sat on his buckle.  He instantly started crying but quickly did the "I'm holding my breath and turning purple" routine.  My nephew used to do this and if we blew in his face, he'd gasp and return to his normal color.  The Lime didn't gasp and LaVor realized something was wrong.  He grabbed him out of his seat and The Lime instantly went limp.  LaVor jumped out of the car and yelled that he wasn't conscious and by the time I yelled, "WHAT?!" The Lime woke up.  Those mere seconds felt like an eternity that scared the snot out of us.  I can only think of a few times that I was so scared I shook, and this now falls into that category.

The Lime got to do whatever his little heart desired for the rest of the night.  Taco Bell for dinner?  Sure!  Stay up 'til 10?  Why not!

I now vow to make sure his seat belt buckle is out of the way before I put The Lime in his car seat.

And for laughs...my band picture.  I'm the 3rd in from the right in the front row (also the only white girl).

Brought to Tears

My niece had her dance recital on Saturday night and did an A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. job!  Boy, can that girl dance!

One of the (42) numbers was performed by two young girls with disabilities; one having Down syndrome.

She instantly reminded me of a girl in Zac's class, where I was a T.A. my Senior year of high school.  Michelle was a spunky little fire cracker that gave the best hugs! 

Watching the little girl dance brought me to tears...lots of tears!  Although trying to be discrete while wiping the gazillion tears away, I know it was quite obvious that I was crying.  I'm sure my brother-in-law, who was sitting next to me, was wondering what in the heck was going on.

It certainly wasn't the "Lady Gaga" song that brought me to tears, although we agreed that was a poor choice in music.

Just the great memories I have of serving in Zac's class, and especially getting to know Michelle and her sweet spirit, is what got to me.  That was a special time in my life that I will treasure always.

Sunbaked

I've been spending a lot of time outside recently, which means my skin is being kissed by the sun.

The only thing is that I have the worst farmer's tan around my arms, neck, and legs. And my arms are two different tones because when I stand out with my sign, my arms are bent. So the outside is tan and the inside is light. Makes things interesting.

My nose and cheeks are always red so to balance my tan arms, I started using bronzer a few days ago. I've always been paranoid that I'd look like I smeared dirt on my face so I only use the tiniest bit. But it's obviously enough to make people comment on the two days that I've worn it.

Perhaps I should rub that stuff onto every pasty part of me to balance things out.

...But then I'd resemble Snooki.

Does anyone else find it extremely awkward to put pictures of yourself on your blog?  I think if I made a funny face, it'd make it less awkward.  Or if The Lime was in it with me.

And a two-toned neck is only made better when your collarbone sticks out. GADEESH!