Saturday, January 31, 2009

SB

We are enjoying a spectacular day in Santa Barbara. Here is the view from my seat at lunch......


Yea I know.

Make sure to stop by tomorrow from a very special weekly (really monthly) winner post!

Friday, January 30, 2009

Rock and Roll

The Phi thought she was all cool rocking out.....


She got all fancy with her moves.....


Even rocked the whammy bar......


Until she got stuck in her guitar strap....

So not rock and roll The Phi.





Thursday, January 29, 2009

Love from Pear Momma

The Phi got a very cool shout-out today from my fellow "creative, educated, and beautiful" Chicana, Pear Mama. Head over and check it out, leave her a comment. Tell her how beautiful her little girly-girls are!

punk rock mom and pearmama

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

We Knew The Day Would Come

And yet we still were not prepared, physically or mentally. See we had a big like 47 inch TV in our den. We had is for well over a year now. Problem was, it was not ours. We were temporarily housing this television while PR Dad's brother figured about where he was going to end up. Well on Sunday he came by, with his truck to take back his television. So this------------------------------------>
is what we are forced to watch. See that big space between the ponies and the blue storage box (that is filled with yarn) that use to be the screen we watched. The next day The Phi walked into the den and exclaimed "why is the little TV in here!". And as much as I want to say, "who cares? a 19 inch TV is just fine" I really miss the big screen. So we are now shopping around and tonight we will hit up a few more electronic stores searching for the deal of the century because frankly we were not really financially ready either. Plus we don't buy things with credit, I mean why put ourselves into debt? And the real kicker, the icing on the cupcake, our internet is totally being crappy and not working. So sometime between 4:30 and 6:30 (my money is on 6:30) I should be getting a knock on the door and the call of "Cable guy" .

If they can't fix it right then and there I am seriously going to consider changing companies for internet AND cable. I am tired of Time Warner's crap. Did I ever tell you about when we had a second cable box installed for Uncle Matty? The cable guy came by and PR Dad and Uncle Matty were home. He noticed the TV (the now gone TV) and goes on and about how he has a TV just like that but its broken and if we still have the warranty on ours so we can take his back get a new one and give him ours. WTF? seriously man. I called the cable company and totally complained about that, as well as the "awesome" (NOT!) job this guy did. He literally just but a splitter and ran the cable across the den into Matty's room. Literally just across the floor. It was ridiculous. Can't wait to see what today brings? No. I am not going to be all pessimistic. I will be positive and will assume that this guy will be awesome and fix my internet in 5 minutes or less.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

iHeart this face


A new photo challenge project!
This weeks theme is........


ImageChef.com - Custom comment codes for MySpace, Hi5, Friendster and more

And here is my entry....

Party Time

To see more iHeartFaces submissions please visit....
iHeartFaces

Monday, January 26, 2009

Over Indulgence


#25, originally uploaded by Punk Rock Mom.

So we live near a casino. Like a big shiny casino resort and spa. Now if you remember we loved us some Laughlin. The Phi especially loved the whole casino/hotel lifestyle. So we decided to take advantage and make the most of PR Dad's very rare Sunday off and check out the buffet. Champagne Brunch to be more exact. It was pretty awesome, but after 3 mimosas everything is awesome. I did learn the secret to getting a 3 year old to eat.

1. Go to a buffet.
2. Sit next to the dessert counter
3. Tell 3 year old that they will not get to go to said dessert counter if they do not eat.
4. Watch 3 year old inhale bacon faster than you have even seen.

So we left full and happy to await a visit from PR Dad's dad and grandparents. We had a nice long visit with them and as the sun was setting they suggested we all go out to dinner. And just guess where they wanted to go......

yes the Casino buffet. And let me tell you, 2 buffet's in one day is 1 buffet too many.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Weekly Wieners


On this fine Sunday we are combining The Phi's love of hotels, PR Dad's love of food, and my love of alcohol and enjoying a long relaxing and filling buffet champagne brunch. (man we sound horrible!)

The Phi was just as excited and happy as I was on Tuesday. Here is the proof that she may have only been 3, but she witnessed history.
We hugged, I cried and she clapped.

J-
I will tell the whole damn world that I love you!
-E

The Phi Be Illin'

Illin'


Another shot from the video shoot yesterday. That is Rick Hughes baby and don't forget it.

Putting a face to the illusive Uncle Matty.

Wear the rainbow.

Candy & Gumdrops

Decks


Hola Chicos!! *wink wink*

and always the silliness.................

For more weekly winners please visit Sarcastic Mom.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

The Alternative


The Alternative, originally uploaded by Punk Rock Mom.

So we just got back from our first rap video photo shoot. No I did not quit my day job to become a video-ho. See Matt has a friend from school, Rich Hughes who is also a music producer / rapper. And Matt does the mixing for him and they hang out and stuff. Rich has been a "fan" of my photography and asked if I would head out to take some pictures during the video shoot. Of course I said yes. We got up early and headed out to an Active skate shop where they were filming. The song is about shoes so they filmed there. It was cool to be a part of it and I did my best to stay out of the way, and not to ruin any shots with my flash.

Oh and this is my 1000th post. WTF!

Friday, January 23, 2009

HAU-know

One of my most proudest accomplishments so far has been co-founding a chapter of Hermanas Unidas on the UC Santa Barbara campus. Today Hermanas Unidas is a strong, large and powerful presences on the UC Santa Barbara campus and all the other universities across California. It was an amazing process to go through and was worth all the sweat and tears.

The state-wide conference is happening soon and they have asked for a short video from the founding members of each chapter. With the distance and lack of free time (and babysitting) I don't get to be involved with the organization nearly enough as I would like to, but this I could do.

Now I warn you, this video is like 5 minutes long and unless you enjoy watching me talk, or have love for HAU this may be a boring video.




HAU UCSB Co-Founder Interview from Elissa Lerma on Vimeo.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Should We Be Concerned?


Hong Kong Plaza, originally uploaded by Punk Rock Mom.

Since I am still very much under the weather I can only manage to post a photo of The Phi from a recent trip out to Hong Kong Plaza. As we were leaving a frozen yogurt shop she insisted that I take her picture in front of the dolphins. After PR Dad sits her up she poses like this. I swear this kid cannot take a normal photograph. The Phi is a weird-o no doubt, but man is this kid hilarious.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Sick Day

Today was another sick day for me and The Phi. I thought for sure after dealing with an itchy and hurting eye, The Phi would wake up with pink eye. But I guess she was just thinking about Tia Day Day too much and just got a little jacked eye. She woke up this morning normal. Well "normal" for The Phi. I have been dealing with the flu and I thought with PR Dad having the day off I would be able to sleep in and relax. (Ha ha yea right). But I have been able to hobble over to the kitchen and make myself some tea and move back and forth from den to bedroom. Basically running away from PR Dad and The Phi in an attempt to get some rest and some quite. They usually leave me be for a half hour or so until they both trickle into whatever room I happen to be in. It is like they are magnetically drawn to me. I can't complain (too much) they are the only 2 people in the world I would want following me around the house.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Not since 1991

So yesterday I did something I had not done since 1991. I was really nervous. I ran it by my Mom and must have asked PR Dad about it a million times. As we walked in I asked him, "Are you suuurrrrreee????" He told me to stop thinking about it and just go for it. See it all started when I saw this picture. It planted a seed in my head.

I walked in the place and signed my name. They called me back and I was at the point of no return. I sat in the chair, handed the lady the picture and told her to give me bangs. ARGHH.

Okay those who have known me for many years remember that me with bangs looked like this....


Me circa 1991

So she began cutting, then it was time for the bangs. She turned my chair away from the mirror. Snip Snip . Then she turned me to the mirror and there they were.


Me circa Yesterday

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Weekly Wieners


And already 2009 is already flying by.
For more weekly winners please visit Sarcastic Mom


I joined a Flickr group called Mission24. A very cool photo project where you are sent an 'assignment' to your email. You then have 24 hours to post 2 pictures. This weeks 'assignment' was "Resolutions". This was one of the pictures I submitted. One of my resolutions is to start teaching The Phi sight words. So I taped up the first sight word all over the house.



After a long day and a warm bath I braided her hair to keep it our of her pretty little face.



Eli sleeping soundly. My goodness could I adore this child anymore.



I have been eyeing this paperweight in Grandma Josie's bathroom for years! It never moved and just collected dust. PR Dad finally asked if I could have it and now its mine!



payroll reports, calculator, desk chair, typing on a keyboard, sipping on starbucks...
she is a Mini-Me!


We had a short but sweet visit from Big Nana, Big Tata and Nana and Tata
as they made thier way to Arizona.



Oh baby, I am already yours!







Silliness Jan 11-17 from Elissa Lerma on Vimeo.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Cramalina Soup

I love how The Phi's imagination is growing. She plays a lot of pretend kind of games now. At the office she found an old pocket calendar organizer and a pencil. She took these 2 items and now plays restaurant with me at the office. She comes up to me and asks...

" Hello Sir, what would you like for lunch today?"

"Ummm I am a Madam, not a Sir. Lunch sounds good. What is your special today?"

"Well Sir. Today we have Cramalina Soup."

"Madam! Hmmm Cramalina soup. Sounds interesting. What's in that?"

"Oh Sir good question! It has strawberries, cupcakes, beautiful colors, dinosaurs and puppies."

"MADAM! Really? What does it taste like?"

"Well Sir, it tastes like strawberry with coconut"

"I give up! Well that sounds lovely. I will take a bowl of Cramalina Soup please."

The Phi writes in her little pad and walks out of my office. She walks back in a few minutes later.

"Sorry Sir, we are all out of Cramalina Soup. Here is some water instead."

Friday, January 16, 2009

Thank You For Being A Friend


Thanks Chone, originally uploaded by Punk Rock Mom.

your heart is true. You're a pal and a confidante.
And if you threw a party. Invited everyone you knew.
You would see the biggest gift would be from me
And the card attached would say.....
Thank you for being a friend!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Look-a-like


Christmas Evening, originally uploaded by Punk Rock Mom.

Last month I got a call from Grandma Josie at like 7:15 in the morning. A very unusual early morning call made my heart stop. I thought something had to be wrong. I answered and Grandma asks me "Mija was Sophia in the newspaper this morning?" Huh? Ummm not to my knowledge. Grandma began to tell me that she swore it was Sophia is an newspaper ad for some college. I told her that unless someone stole one of my photos, no Sophia was not in the newspaper. She swore it was her. I told her to keep the paper and I will look at it next time I saw her. So what do you think? Does this look like The Phi?

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

"Stupid Mommy"

Why is the title in quotes you ask? Well because it's a quote. A word for word quote straight from the mouth of my 3 year old and straight to my face. All because I did not let her push a button on some toy. She was sitting in the cart crossed her arms, scrunched her face and she grumbled "Stupid mommy". Despite my eyes turning to red and steam coming out of my ears I remained calm. The look on my face alone was enough to left her know that she f'ed up big time. We got to the car and I put her in her car seat, whipped out my cell phone and made her tell her father what she had said. And while on speakerphone we decided that her PonyVille toys would be taken away for 1 week and no Spongebob for a week either. There is no doubt that is where she learned that word. The yellow guy tends to say it A LOT. She was sent to her room, let out for dinner and bath and then sent to bed way early. She knew she did wrong. She knew she hurt my feelings and she apologized for it over and over again. And when she woke up this morning the first thing she said to me was sorry again.

So why don't we ban the yellow guy from our house entirely? Well because as much as we would love to shield The Phi from every and all bad word and bad habits we have to be realistic. She is going to hear words like 'stupid' at school, on TV, at the mall. Our job now is to make sure she understands what it means, and how it can make other people feel.

Plus that show is hilarious!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Damn this Chicana/Catholic/Middle Class Guilt

So yesterday I took the plunge and headed over to the Sage Spa. For Christmas PR Dad was very brave and bought me a nice gift card and instead of just letting it sit there all year, like I would normally do I used some of it yesterday. I booked myself the Winter Spa Indulgence Package. Ohhh sounds nice huh? It included a manicure or pedicure with a 50 minute facial or 50 minute Swedish massage. Since my cuticles were in baaadd shape I went for the manicure first. I entered the spa checked in at the front desk. I was given a red key and escorted to the women's room. I was shown my locker where I could keep my purse and clothes and was given a super soft robe and some ugly plastic slipper. Think old school adidas soccer sandals. So I quickly changed and sat in a little waiting area with big cushy chairs, fruit bowls, magazines and chilled spring water.The nail technician came out and took me into a pretty big bright room. It was just her and I and, she spoke English and we had a nice conversation and she made my hands look pretty and soft. Then I was whisked up an elevator to a dimly light floor with different doors. I was ushered into a candle lit room and instructed to dis-robe and and lay on the massage table. My therapist left the room and I did as I was told and they came back in. The massage therapist then squeezed some oil onto my back and pulled down the covers and of course asked about the tattoo on my back. I have an "R" on my lower back (yes I have a tramp stamp, whatever) As usual I lied and said that my grandmothers names began with "R"'s.

Then it was quite and as I was beginning to relax and my mind began to wander. The comment about the tattoo and my grandmothers, made me think of, well my grandmothers. Then I got to thinking how my grandmothers never have had such luxuries like a spa massage. Then I got to thinking about how I was here to relax from my stressful life. But then I got to thinking about my desk job where I tap on keys and yap on the phone for 7 hours a day. And the 1 kid that I have to take care of. THEN I got to thinking of my Nana waiting tables in Arizona, and my Grandma Rachel picking cotton in the desert. And then the about the 9 kids Nana took care of and the 6 kids my Grandma Rachel took care of. I felt like such a spoiled douche bag. Then the music changed to a Native American pan flute song and I envisioned a Native American woman washing clothes against rocks at a river. And then I felt like an even bigger douche bag. Then the next thing I knew my 50 minutes were up.

So next time I am going to tell the truth about my tattoo and take my i-pod so maybe next time I can actually relax.

Oh and cucumber water really does taste like cucumber and is really good.

And steam rooms rock.

Monday, January 12, 2009

PR Dad's List

So my cousin Gaby Jr, in an attempt to look at some pictures of hot chicks on this blog, asked for PR Dad's list. And since Gaby Jr is a Marine and could totally take us out with just his pinky, PR Dad had to oblige. Well like everything else PR Dad does, this list took him many hours, and much much research. My list, well it took me about 5 minutes to come up with. So asking him to rank his list would have made his head explode. He actually never came up with a list but he did throw a few names out there. In honor of PR Dad and his awesomeness (and the fact that I get to spend the afternoon at a spa thanks to his Xmas gift to me!) I will list a few of those names he mentioned.....

Gwen Stafani. Of course he prefers the tank top and dickies version of her.




Yes this is the chick from Showgirls. She has always been at the top of PR Dad's list.


Christina Ricci. She is versitile. One minute she is dark and gothy and the next she is blonde and bubbly.


Has the be the sense of humor that does it for him.

Sorry Gaby Jr, if PR Dad's list disappoints. He has this tendency to like nerdy brunettes. Go figure! So guys out there...who is on your list???


Sunday, January 11, 2009

Weekly Wieners

Another week is closing up. Here are my weekly winners with a little bonus of silliness this week! For more visit Sarcastic Mom. And if you are interested in how I keep my photography exciting check out my latest article over at Photo Bliss

Testing
So now that we are working on our 365 portrait project there are a lot of these photos where I tell The Phi to sit here or stand there and don't move so I can test the position of the camera for the self-timer. They are always hilarious so I started a Flickr set of just these.

Time to make the doughnuts
The Phi ate like a champ when we had dinner at Hooters. Yes Hooters. So after she was able to get some bessert (as she calls it) at Krispy Kreme.

Grave Digger
The last part of our week was filled with Monster Truck madness. We stopped over at UTI to check out Grave Digger. The Phi's most favorite Monster Truck.

she makes me laugh
Cindylu said my hair looked firey. I am going to take that as a compliment.

Across the street
Weird story. I was invited to join this Flickr group called The Secret Life of Shopping Carts and I respectfully declined because there are not a lot of shopping carts around when I take photos. They were not just a part of my everyday. So that same night it was really windy and there were not one but TWO shopping carts on my littel cul-de-sac street. I grabbed my camera, braced the wind and took it as a sign. I joined the group.
Monster Jam
Yes during the free-style competition Grave Digger lost a wheel, and just kept on going. It was freakin' awesome.

Monster Jam
PR Dad surprised her with a plush Grave Digger and she was super stoked.


Monster Jam
The parking lot lights at Angel's Stadium





... and always the silliness from Elissa Lerma on Vimeo.
*a very fast slide show of pictures*

Dirt Road Diary- Berdoo Canyon

It had been awhile but Joey recently convinced me to head out on an off-roading adventure. Mostly because the San Berdoo trail ends inside J...