Friday, July 31, 2009

We Lost a Week

Somewhere during this summer we lost a week.

We knew vacation was coming up, but with everything else going on it crept up on us a lot sooner than we anticipated.

We are now feverishly making lists and piles and trying to remember all the little things we need to do to get ready. Since we have never been camping together it should be an experience, to say the least.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

The Great Water Debate



So we are having a bit of a difference of opinion when it comes to mineral water in La Casa de Punk Rock Parents.

A while back I saw some S. Pellegrino water on a shelf and I thought "Hmmm do I like mineral water? I don't remember." So I bought a bottle, tried it and found it refreshing and crisp and delicious. As I sipped on my green bottle PR Dad looked at me with pure disgust in his eyes. As if I was sipping on a bottle of piss. I stopped drinking and asked him "What?" and he was all like, " I can't believe you can drink that stuff, its disgusting"

So we decided to ask family members what they thought of mineral water. My sister Ouie (who puts lemon and chili on popcorn!) took one swig and found it gross. So I passed the bottle over to my brother in law Luis and he took a big drink and was like "Oh yea I like this stuff" My Mom is a known mineral water drinker so we moved on to Dad who said "I only drink it if I am hung over"

So basically the family is divided over the whole mineral water is good/gross debate.

Do you drink mineral water?

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Photo Shoot with Mikey

A few weeks ago I had a photo shoot with my cousin Mikey for his Senior Portraits. Class of 2010 rules.

After I got past the crying because my baby Mikey was old enough to be graduating and he grew up so fast, I cried because the fact that Mikey was Class of 2010 and I am Class of 1995 made me feel sooo old Then I stopped crying and the 3+ hour photo shoot started.

We started at the high school, went to a local park, went to the middle school, stopped by the railroad tracks where the Moorpark PD very rudely yelled at us, then back to Mikey's house, then out to the Metro Link Station and the downtown area. It was a long shoot but Mikey was the best model ever. He was down for anything, took direction perfectly. It was awesome. I took over 1000 photos and have slowly been making my way through and editing.

I am a bit nervous and I really hope Mikey and my Tia Mary like the end results.

PR Dad took a picture of me shooting Mikey......





And I have to thank PR Dad for being my bitch, I mean my assistant, that day. He is the best assistant ever. Yes he is for hire but believe me, he doesn't come cheap.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

This Is Our Town

A few months ago while PR Dad was pumping gas at a 76 station I noticed a sign that said you could get 2 Dodger tickets with 4 fill-ups. Cool we could do that. So I saved our receipts and sent in the form and our tickets came in the mail and last Tuesday we went to the game.

Thanks to JustOneMiss on Twitter I found out that you can take food into Dodger Stadium. What a money saver! We stopped at a drug store and stocked up on sunflower seeds, peanuts, licorice, gummy fish, cracker jacks etc. We went way overboard but only spent $12.

We got to Chavez Ravine about an hour before the game. I thought we would have to sit in the sun for an hour but there was a mix up with our seats. We walked to the far far far right field top deck where our section was and when we went to look for our seats we realized we had an awful view.

So PR Dad found stadium employee to discuss the matter. Apparently the people who had the 76 promotional tickets were seated behind the new "This is Our Town" billboard. So there was a scramble to get new tickets to us. It took about 30 minutes but we finally got our new tickets in the Lodge section. That's right we were totally upgraded!

The view from our upgraded seats.......


The Phi had a hard time at the beginning of the game, the noise and people were a bit much for her and she was moody and crying. So we took a trip up to the bathrooms and I told her that we had been looking forward to this game and she had a choice to either have a good time or be miserable. Her attitude totally did an 180 and she had a blast the rest of the game.

She mastered the wave...

And even got into the chanting and clapping.....









AND the Dodgers totally won!

Monday, July 27, 2009

Perfect

The weekend was really good but the highlight for me came from an unplanned detour on Saturday night.

After chasing The Phi around a birthday party we headed to one of my usual walking parks. Since The Phi had played for over 2 hours at the party we skipped the usual 20 minutes at the playground and instead just did my walk with The Phi in the stroller.

As we drove away from the park I noticed a sign that said "Movie in the Park Tonight". It was about 7:30 by this time and PR Dad was not scheduled to be home until 10:30 so I followed the signs. As we kept going I noticed families walking in the same direction with lawn chairs and coolers. I thought I would drive by and see what it was all about. I figured it would be some church kind of thing. But it wasn't. Just something this neighborhood does a few times during the summer.

We always have a blanket in the back of the car so we grabbed it and walked over to the festivities. I tried to explain to The Phi that we were going to check it out and see what movie they were going to play on the giant inflatable screen. Turns out they were playing Madagascar 2. Perfect we had not seen that movie yet.

Our timing could not have been more perfect. We got a great spot and the movie was starting in 15 minutes. We put down our blanket and walked over to the little booths they had set up. One was selling popcorn, water and candy all for $1 each. I never have cash on me but that day I had some. Perfect. We bought a popcorn a water and some m&m's. We got to the blanket at the perfect time, just as the movie started.

The sun had gone down and the unbearable heat was finally gone and the cool breeze was perfect. I got comfortable laying on my side propping my head up with my hand and The Phi sat with her back against me. We munched on popcorn, she shared some m&ms and finished our bottled water and laughed out loud at the movie. No telling her to eat, or stop, or come back, or sit still. Just us sitting, laughing and happy. Perfect. The movie ended and as the "Move It Move It" song came on my usually shy in public girl stood up and danced and despite my usual shyness I got up on my knees and danced with her.

All weekend I thought about that night. How our timing for the movie was perfect. We left the party at the right time to get my walk done and get to the movie and just the right time. I know it was such a simple little thing, a movie in the park, but I think it was one of those times that I will remember for the rest of my life.

When Sophia is an adult I will remember that perfect night in the park when she was 4 years old. How we laughed and she looked at me with her brown eyes shining. How her little body felt leaning against me and how we danced. And how it was perfect.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Where's Tata?

100_1756
Happy Birthday Pops!

and Big Balls

We Love You Like Crazy,

(be we are not all obsessed like Little Felix!)

Joey, Elissa, and The Phi

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Roo Update with Graphic Photos

So Roo made it through surgery with no problems. They x-rayed his teeth and only the one had to be removed. When I talked to my sister last, Roo was home and still a bit groggy but doing good. It was such a relief to hear he was fine. I was anxious about it all day.

My sister sent me a the picture the Vet took. The before and afters of his teeth cleaning. And seriously, The Phi and I are completely fascinated by the photos. Roo's before and afters could be the advertisement for this procedure. The difference is incredible.


**WARNING IF PICTURES OF DOGS DIRTY TEETH UP CLOSE FREAKS YOU OUT THEN DO NOT SCROLL DOWN.***



























Friday, July 24, 2009

Poor Baby Roo

We took Roo out to Santa Barbara last weekend, and he didn't come back with us. My sister (Roo's Dog-Mother) took him to the vet clinic she works at to get his annual rabies shot. As they did the exam they checked his teeth.




Roo has always been a stinky dog for most of his life. Turns out that stank is from his teeth. They are jacked, and so bad that one has an abscess and has to be removed. So he has spent the week in Santa Barbara (LUCKY!) and today he was dropped off for surgery. He is having the abscessed tooth removed and the rest of his teeth cleaned.



The house has been so quite without Roo freaking out when we walk in the door. The Phi says everyday "Mom, I Miss my Root". So now we are keeping contact with my sister through text messages and keeping our fingers crossed that everything goes well and he gets to come home soon.


We Love You Roo!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

At the Beach

While in Santa Barbara the weather was actually HOT! Which meant we packed up and went to the beach on Saturday. And by packed up we mean, umbrella, towels, cooler, sandwich fixings, canopy tent, about 10 chairs, toys, etc......

Yes we are those kind of beach people.


Angelica with a sea weed skirt



When The Phi was little she hated sand and dirt. She has completely outgrown this fear.


I cannot even begin to describe how much I love watching The Phi with her cousins. I LOVE and ADORE all my cousins.



Me and my Little Man


Little Felix is obsessed with his namesake.
If he cannot physically see my Dad he will ask every 2 minutes
"Where's Tata?"
Its really cute.

Our little family beach trip was a nice preview of the week of tent camping coming up soon!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Like Totally


Like Totally
Originally uploaded by Punk Rock Mom
This kid is many miles away from the valley, but she is still a true valley girl.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Backwards

Since the 1000+ photos have not been uploaded yet we are going to have to recap the weekend in reverse.

Monday was a The Phi-less day for PR Dad and I. The Phi spent Sunday night with my sister and the kids so on Monday PR Dad and I slept in, and headed out to Sambos for a late breakfast. Yummy chocolate chip muffins and omelet.

PR Dad showed me his unique way of eating oatmeal that both is yummy, milky and keeps the oatmeal warm for as long as possible. I told him to patent that idea but he said he can't because his oatmeal eating techniques are for the people. Oh PR Dad, he is such a giver.

Then we headed to the movies to see an adult film. NO not that kind of adult film. To us an adult film is anything not animated. We finally got to see The Hangover and it lived up to the hype. The movie was hilarious and where the hell did Bradley Cooper come from. Hot damn. Seriously wow!

After the movie we walked State Street and of course shopped for things for The Phi, because we feel guilty for having fun without her for like 20 hours.


So nice having a day out with PR Dad alone. A nice reminder just how much I really enjoy my husbands company.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Photo Shoot day

I woke up and the first thing I did was clean my camera. All the lenses, all the filters, and every crevice of the body. Today I am very honored (and a bit nervous) to be taking my cousin Mikey's Senior Portraits (Class of 10!!) A few weeks ago his Mom was going to book his appointment with a local place most people get their portraits taken and my cousin Mikey said "What about Elissa?"

Mikey you are awesome and I love you and love that you trust me with such important photos.

I have a list of ideas and I am excited to see what images we end up with at the end of today!

Wish me luck.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Saturday

What an unbelievably beautiful day. Hope your weekend is as fabulous
as ours.

Sent from my iPhone

Friday, July 17, 2009

We Started the Weekend Early

We totally skipped town early and were in sunny Santa Barbara by 6pm. YES! Time for a good Mexican food dinner and some beers. We have a beach day planned for tomorrow, then on Sunday I have a photo shoot. I am the photographer, not the model, and Sunday night The Phi is spending the night with Tia Day-Day and Co, so PR Dad and I will have a rare night off as parents. We plan to hit up as many strip clubs as we can. Just kidding, but we do plan on going somewhere where ID is required to enter.

Hope your weekend is wonderful!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

baby carriers

They seem to be everywhere we go. A tiny baby in a tiny baby carrier. Feels like every few days there is a baby announcement. We are getting baby shower invites left and right. I am really happy for these people. I am lucky to have my friends and family grow.

But.....

it is still a little bit like a knife to the heart. Over 3 years we have been trying for just one more kid. The Phi is a blessing, she is an amazing human and I know how lucky we are to have her

but.....

a part of me feels that our family just isn't finished yet. The PR Family is not yet complete.

Next week I go to the doctor to have the talk. The infertility talk.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Sucker Punch Wall


It is well established that The Phi is not the usual 4 year old. She is a bit on the wacky side. It is also established that The Phi is very much like her father. One thing they both enjoy is watching people fall down. Yes Funniest Home Videos is still on TV thanks to people just like them.

They are both in love with the show "Wipeout". If you ask The Phi why she likes the show she will tell you "I like when they fall down" So Sundays and Wednesdays The Phi and PR Dad get comfy together on the couch to LOL at people falling down on "Wipeout".

But the took it a bit too far. We went to a local sports park so that I could do my daily walk. PR Dad and The Phi stayed behind at the playground. After my walk I made my way back to them. The Phi called for me to see what they were playing. The Phi made her way up the playground equipment to a balancing beam with bars on each side. As she walked across PR Dad put his fist randomly between the bars.

"Look Mom, the sucker punch wall"

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

baby gifts

A friend of PR Dad's from work is going to be a Daddy really soon. Last Saturday they had a baby shower/UFC fight party. Because that is how we do it out here. We got there late because PR Dad worked that day. We missed the shower part but still got to see them open our gift. I made them a baby blanket for their little girl. I love this blanket and have made it now 3 times. It is always a hit.


I also knitted them up a baby bib but the photos are still in my camera. I felt kind of bad because when they opened my gift the soon to be Dad sad "you should get lessons from her" then pointed out a bag with yarn and knitting needles. I guess the mom-to-be had been trying to make a blanket herself.

I told her I would totally give her some pointers.

The Phi had a blast because her BFF Cyrus was there. They are about 3 years apart and he is a boy (obviously) but they get along so well. Just look at the genuine happiness on her face...





The Phi and her BFF Cyrus

Monday, July 13, 2009

Sports in Action



This weeks challenge is Sports in Action. I had to post this picture from my cousin Gabriel's soccer game.


To check out more just click the iheartphotos icon on the top!

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Weekly Wieners


Got a new toy, so this week will be the Polaroid edition of Weekly Winners.....

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Oh the joys of laundry day

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Self-Portrait

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Roo the stinky puppy

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Mommy being silly and The Phi's Leg
Photo by The Phi
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Great Sign, did not eat there so I can't tell you if the food is good.
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My Virgen candle.
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Water and Tea
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Lights and Fish
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Half a Baby Shower Cake
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To see how I made those photos WITHOUT a Polaroid camera check out my Photo Bliss article scheduled to post tomorrow!!

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Driving down the freeway and greeted by this.
My husbands name is Joey.

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and ALWAYS the silliness........




For more weekly winners please visit Sarcastic Mom

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Six Feet Under

"It will change your life" that is was my sister Elaine told me about the HBO series Six Feet Under. She was not the only one. Frosty (of my old radio show Frosty Heidi and Frank) often talked about how the last 9 minutes of the series was the best television in the history of television.

I added all the discs to my Netflix and they started trickling in. People on twitter and facebook told me how much they loved the show and how much everyone bawled their eyes out at at the end of the show.

So I watched all the seasons. I got into the characters and could not get the next disc delivered to my house fast enough. I loved Claire, hated Brenda, loved Rico, hated Keith, then later loved Keith. It was a really great show and I was so anxious when I got to the last few episodes of the series.


Everyone told me how amazing the end was. I could not imagine what would happen. I keep thinking that something horrible was going to happen to the Fishers' because something bad always happens to the Fishers. Then it was time for the last episode. I watched with the tissues near-by. Then I waited. Waited for the super emotional part to happen. Then it ended and my tissue was not used, my eyes were dry and I was confused. For a minute I thought maybe I got some kind of censored version of the ending. Was that really what everyone was so sad about?

I thought the ending was a nice way to end a series by summing up the characters lives. I was happy that they all seemed to have lived long and happy lives. But not sad, especially not crying sad. Maybe it was all too hyped up in my mind. Despite the disappointing (to me) ending I loved the entire series! A really really great show

But for life altering shows, you gotta watch "Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia". Now that show will change your life.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Burn Stories

The Phi has never been the kind of kid that wants the same book read to her over and over again and I was thankful for that. I am not the kind of Mom who likes to read the same book over and over again. But lately she has become obsessed with a story I told her. We somehow got on the the subject of scars or burns and Joey had me tell her the stories behind my 2 burns. The one on my arm and the one on my leg. They are not really bad burn but they have left my skin freckled. The Phi has now become obsessed with these stories. She asks me all the time "Mom tell me about when you got your fire burns?" I repeat the stories over and over with the same hand gestures and the big finale where I point out the burns. She is fascinated by these stories. Kids are weird.

Thursday, July 09, 2009

The Phi's Tribute to MJ

As many people have been doing lately we have been listening to a lot of Michael Jackson. While at my sisters last weekend a dvd of his music videos was playing and The Phi saw and fell in love with the song and video for "Beat It".



I love the glove. I love the wanna-be Michael Jackson kick move. And I love when I asked her why she doesn't sing loud at the beginning of the video she said "Because I want his voice to be my voice"

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

3rd of July


My hometown is way advanced and they celebrate the 3rd of July. We all got together at my sisters house for beer, bbq and fireworks. It was awesome. The kids got into thier suites and ran through sprinklers, The Chone, Mikey and Sel name awesome tie-died shirts, PR Dad bbq'ed, and we got to see Baby Eli and Baby Sylus and Comadre Patty was back from her month long trip to New Jersey. As usual the fireworks display was spectacular!

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Ringtones

Did I tell you that I got an iPhone? No it is not one of the new cool 3gs ones. It is my little sisters hand-me-down 3g iPhone. But whatever I got an iPhone. It is everything that I dreamed it would be and I am very happy with it.

My sister shared a great site for free iPhone ringtones so I have been totally into adding personal ringtones for my contact list. I has been fun finding songs for certain people. Here is what I have on my phone so far:

  • My cousin Booga - Last Night A DJ Saved My Life (Mariah Carey) - because he is a DJ
  • My cousin Carlos- Uncle Johns Band (Grateful Dead)- because for one summer we were Deadheads together
  • My Ami Boo- My Boo (Alicia Keys)- Because duh she is my Boo
  • My buddy G$- Wonderwall (Oasis) - because like me he understands that this is one of the best songs ever. And he is kind of like my wonderwall.
  • My BFF Jessica- Womanizer (Britney Spears) - because she always gets that song stuck in my head when I don't want it to be.
  • My Comadre Patty- Aint No Future In Yo Frontin' (MC Breed) - because back in the day she liked this song and if you know Patty you might be surprised by this fact. It reminds me of the days of playing nintendo on a tiny black & white TV in her bedroom.
  • My Pops- Every Little Step I Take (Bobby Brown)- because I will NEVER forget the time he came home from work and my sisters and I were watching MTV and the video was on and as he walked in front of the TV he did this funny hop foot swinging dance. Thanks to that memory this song will ALWAYS bring a smile to my face.
  • My cousin Cassie- Smile Lines (Incubus)- because she understands that Brandon Boyd is a god and this is my favorite Incubus song.
  • My sister Elaine- Blame it on the Rain (Milli Vanilli)- when she was little we use to sing "blame it on Elaine" and it would make her cry. haha
  • Grandma Josie - Josie (Blink 182)- because her name is Josie duh
  • Mom- Hey Momma (Black Eyed Peas)- because she is my Momma and in my phone she is listed as Hey Momma. Always has been.
  • Uncle Matty- Arson for Love (My2Dads)- because this is my favorite song on his cd.
  • My sister Ouie- Girls Just Want To Have Fun (Cyndi Lauper) - because she was such a fan that when she was like 4 she dressed as Cyndi Lauper for Halloween. She was a strange one like that. The Phi reminds me alot of her.
  • My cousin Rosie- Woman (wolfmother)- because she calls us all "woman" and I call her "woman". So when she calls my phone yells WOMAN!
  • My BFF Crissy (aka Sam)- Pony (Genuwine)- because I remember the time she tried to explain this song to me. Hilarious!
  • Sammy the Bull- Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da (The Beatles)- because one of my favorite memories of Sam is singing this song with him karaoke style at my 30th birthday.
  • My buddy Tom- Hot in Herree (Nelly)- because there was a time that he only listened to this cd.
  • PR Dad- Blame it (Jaime Foxx) - it is now a joke between us.
  • PR Dad Work- Rock Show (Blink 182)- because he did fall in love with the girl at the rock show.
What is your ringtone?

Monday, July 06, 2009

Today would have been the 102nd birthday of the Mexican painter Frida Kahlo.

I have a very deep love for Frida. (If I would have had my way The Phi would probably been named Frida!) Back in my community college days I spent a summer in Cuernavaca, Mexico. When we got there my boyfriend at the time and I's luggage was lost so we had to take an extra trip back to Mexico City. While we were there we had time to kill so we went to the Frida Kahlo Museum. I had no idea who Frida Kahlo was at the time. (I know I was still such a young Chicana with so much to learn!). The museum is Frida's Blue House and I was fascinated.

When I got back I read everything I could about Frida. I loved the Selma movie, and cried when I saw the Frida exhibit at the San Francisco Museum of Art. In honor of her big day I want to share my favorite Frida Kahlo piece......


This was the last painting she did and ironically is is titled "Viva La Vida" (Long Live Life). I love the color and the message and the change of pace from her usual heart wrenching pieces. This piece leaves me with the thought that maybe Frida knew the end was near and had found some peace and happiness in her final days.

What is your favorite Frida painting?

Sunday, July 05, 2009

Weekly Wieners

A holiday weekend always makes for good pictures. Hope your holiday weekend was fun and relaxing!

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The Red Balloon

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Me with my God-Daughter Lili

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Baby Eli just keeps getting more handsome every time I see him.

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Playing with long exposure and fireworks

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New Grandparents

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Lili is an evil genius!

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Playing with long exposure and sparklers

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Who Needs A Pool?

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Dirt + Cars = happy Felix

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and ALWAYS the SILLINESS..............


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For more weekly winners please visit Sarcastic Mom

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...