Xmas 2005 in Portland - and Seattle

Left Wednesday evening at around 8pm. AG spent all day moving stuff out of the loft in preparation for handing the keys over. He finished at 3pm, just in time for a 45 minute rest and then to Big-O-Tires to find chains just in case we run into snow and sleet. Got home and began the arduous task of final packing hell.

But we got out. I drove most of the way and the pups were so great. They whined a bit when we stopped for gas but like AG, slept the entire time. If it wasn't for the hydroplaning which required astute attention span and rigid hands on the wheel, which locked up some muscle tension in my back... I could have driven the entire way. But as it was, by 5am, my body couldn't take it anymore and AG took over for the last 30 minutes of the trip. His parents were up by the time we got there at 6am. I could barely keep my eyes open - took a shower when I got there, to give me enough energy to have a 15 minute conversation with the parents before I passed out.

Slept a lot Thursday, we were both tired and a little bit grumpy with the pups.. who were excited about new smells and such and wanted to go outside to play. Spent much of Thursday and Friday catching up on sleep, hanging out with folks, and making rounds to the nearest mall in preparation for Xmas. By Saturday we started to feel normal again. AG's mom flew in then and helped out with the pups. I think both Sienna and Lila really like being outdoor dogs in the Northwest - not in the city. They loved their daily walks with Grandma - it was nice watching them all fight over walking duties, of which I was more than happy to relinquish....heehee, I'm such a good mom.

We left Monday morning and headed to Seattle. Met up with Krissy & Chen, Noy and Ashley. Brought me back to high school days and I went back into character; boisterous, loud, demanding bully. Well sort of. I've changed quite a bit since then, but somehow when you are back with the people you grew up with, it brings back certain behaviors and habits. Was interesting to see that about myself.

Stopped over in Mt. Lake Terrace to drop off the little ones at Vannessa's. What a crazy household. George (aka Monster) is still huge (if not even bigger) and quite lovable. Daisy (aka Lucy), the middle child, is such a sweetheart. And then there is princess Ganema (sp?) - Vannessa's favored child. It was a frantic household with everyone trying to smell Sienna and Lila, particularly Gabrielle. After an hour of relentless barking, butt smelling, tail-wagging and frantic weiner bodies running all over the place - everyone started to settle a little bit. AG and I snuck out.

Dinner at our household was much different than at the Gluck's. Where soft voices and respectful requests were in stark contrast to high pitched demands and noisy confusion and chatter. All the kids were at home with their significant others, excluding Hung. It was entertaining that my mom noted how sweet her daughter's partners were and how sorry for them she felt meeting us girls. As if she didn't have a hand in the development of our personalities; and that her relationship with Mr. T mirrors all of ours. Blind blind blind.

I don't have a problem with that. We're strong women, we grew up with an even stronger presence. I love that about my mom. My strength is my own, as I believe that each person's character is more nature than nurture - but her influence is powerful. Kinda reminds me of our puppies' characters. George, Ganema and Daisy are all hearty - each with their own strengths. But Vannessa's approach to raising them as unpampered pets has made my two dogs look like wimps. Being with their siblings will toughen them a bit and they are already showing blossoming signs innate toughness that's been dormant. Scares me a little. I don't want pampered children - how to find that balance of giving them roots as well as wings, harumph!

Tonight we'll meet up with Sashily for dinner and drinks and tomorrow night to see Krissy & Chen's new home. And then Thursday morning, back to Portland to spend one last evening with the Glucks before we make our way home.

Prepping for Xmas-Trip 2005

It's 12:49am and we're packing for our big family xmas trip. Tentative plans are to shianghai the puppies and hijack outta here by 9pm and drive through sleet, rain, and snow to Portland and sleep for a day. Grandma Gluck is going to be very happy to see her little darlings; who are both ladies now. I'm happy not to be working or even thinking of working for 10 days. AG is happy that the sale of his loft is going through by Friday. They are scheduled to meet the title company tomorrow to sign paperwork. It's nice to have his previous life-things tied up nicely before the new year.

Feels so weird how normal it is to pack up to drive and see the family. Wasn't too long ago when I was only day dreaming about such things. I have a feeling this is going to be a nice holiday. Packed full of course, never a dull moment with my party planning. Many people to see. It's pretty cool that I like his family.

Got Milk?

This is one of Lila's common faces - not sure what it means. Maybe it's her "what are you doing?" look. Sometimes they just sit and stare intensly at me until I allow them to sleep on my lap while watching TV. It's a little unnerving and difficult to ignore. 

Chef AG - Tante Marie's Cooking School

This is the first (and probably the only time) I'll get to see him in an apron. I was hoping he'd have such a great time, he'd want to do it more often.... sigh... there is always hope. 

Favorite state of being

Many of my friends know that the harder I rage the closer to the ground I get...um, makes it easier to connect to the eart ;). 

Dildo Fairy and Qwazy Russian

Had to include the other half - she's quite an important part of the formula. Hate the program on this which only allows one to blog one picture at a time.. perhaps it is time to move to another platform...

hrm....

stay posted.... 

Halloween 2005

Hamming it up with the cwazy Russian. Sashilya said something awesome to me that night. When they were in Vietnam, they had missed their train and ended up going to Halong Bay on a different schedule than planned. At first she was bummed out about it, and couldn't figure out why she was staying. Then after we met, Michelle told her..."you were meant to stay..." There are some things in life that happens so you can meet the people who are supposed to change the course of your life. These guys have totally changed ours. We'll be visiting them soon... watch out Seattle. 

Tante Marie's Cooking School

Last night we attended a Qwest holiday event at Tante Marie's house, owner of Tante Marie's cooking school http://www.tantemarie.com/. What a beautiful victorian house, an inspiration. I love my condo - it's practical - spacious and modern. But if I had money to restore one of these beautiful victorians..... Of course the kitchen was fantastic (pictures will be posted). The upper kitchen had a long butcher block island with a stove inserted (see picture in the website, that's her kitchen). Great area for cutting and dicing. Right behind was another stove.

The lower kitchen was smaller and for baking. Of course, it's about the normal size of most SF kitchens... Mine's a little larger, but only a smidgeon. 34 people present, most of them either Qwest executives or their premiere customers. I probably made it on the list because of a $1.4M overcharge and because Qwest is intent on soliciting more deals. We sat next to the CEO of Cadence - nice guy, but he was dropping names like we were execs ourselves. I find that funny. Bragging is a characteristic I identify with insecurity.

Faye and I chose to make chocolate cake with raspberry and medallion chocolates. I'm not much of a baker, mostly because I don't enjoy cakes and find them over-indulgent - but I enjoy the creativity of it. AG went to make potatoe gratin. I think he had a great time chatting with Qwest's marketing director who organized the event. While we were chatting, drinking wine, and making food, the groups that finished began serving their creations. Appetizers included artichoke and fresh crab (I have a new appreciation for artichokes) and also some divine mushroom h'orsdoevers. The main course consisted of a beautiful salmon and caviar salad, seared sirloin medallion steaks and potatoe gratin. And of course dessert - chocolate cake with raspberries, freshed whipped cream and a sprig of mint. We served the chocolate medallions with coffee. As a parting gift, I received a bottle of Cakebread (oh my, one of my favorites), and a box of See's candy.

This has to be one of my favorite vendor events. It was creative, interactive and really fun. On top of the wonderful food and fun conversations, all the proceeds of the event went towards Tante's nonprofit - to provide food to the hungry. She hosts approximately 35 of these events at her home annually to fund her nonprofit.

I did get liquored up nicely - and left just in time, before I got sloppy or passed out. Poor AG - I woke up this morning not remembering how I got into bed. Of course I passed out wearing my party attire.

Saha's 2nd anniversay and a Numinosum reunion

Sapna and I attended Saha's 2nd anniversay this evening at 1075 Sutter, a quaint and adorable little middle eastern restaurant in Hotel Carleton in the tenderloin. AG and I camped with the owner, Muhammod, with our Numinosum camp. Best food at BM ever. Not that I want ramble on and on again about how wonderful our camp was, but it sure has opened up some new doors for us. Scrumptious appetizers (stuffed mushrooms, sauteed mushrooms and tofu, braised chicken wings with spicy sauces), belly dancers, great live music. And best of all, some of our Numinosum buddies were there.

Finally caught up with Salim, Thomas, and Brimeeza. It would be nice to connect the russians with Salim and Nyphesa. Adorable couple. I think even Sapna had a good time for once. The music was fantastic, I almost couldn't leave....but there were little ones waiting for me at home, and with a present too. Oh well... life of a parent.

Liya Lobster?

Hrm... ?