Monday, August 31, 2009

The Altarista's Co-Lab

I have a hard time labeling myself as an artist. Slowly I am coming around to the title. Recently I have become friends with Artful Chica. You remember her from the contest I won where she sent me some of her amazing art. Member? You member? Well she told me about this annual auction. Where artists make cigar box shrines that are auctioned off to raise money for the Oaxaca Street Children Grassroots organization.

To say that I was floored when she asked me to collaborate with her on a shrine is an understatement. She is like a real life amazing artist. Instead of making excuses and declining the opportunity like I normally would. I took a deep breath and jumped into the project with both feet. It felt like a great opportunity to be creative for a good cause, and to get to know this amazing woman better.

We will be sending the cigar box altar back and forth and we have put up a blog where you can follow us on this journey. So please click on the picture above and see what my partner in shrine and I have been up to.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

No Talking About Butts

The other day The Phi informed me that her father told her that she could not talk about "butts" at school. I told her that he was right but in my mind I was super thankful that PR Dad was on this.

See in this house we talk about butts, a lot. Like all day long someone is smacking someones butt, blaming someone else for a fart or just saying "butt" or "butt crack".

In 2 days The Phi will be starting a new school. A private christian school with uniforms and everything. We are so afraid that she will be kicked out for being too "unchristian-like" when it comes to her vocabulary. Talking about butts is the worst of it, but like I said its constant.

So over the last week we have been hammering this idea into The Phi's head...

"No Talking About Butts at School"

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Welcome to the World Viviana

Viviana was born late last night. We found out through Twitter.
(thanks cass!)

She is tiny at 5 pounds. She felt Like nothing in my arms. But she is
far from nothing. She is gorgeous and perfect and a little piece of
heaven right here.

Momma and baby are doing wonderfully. Rosie went through it all with
no drugs. That woman is stronger than most.

I got to hold her for a good long time and it only took a minute to
fall in love.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Rusty Star

While on an errand for work The Phi and I found a new little thrift store in town. As I walked out of the printers shop I noticed that what once an empty corner store was bursting with cute chairs and wall decorations. We looked both ways and crossed the street to explore a little. I noticed the name printed on the window "Rusty Star"

(Apparently I am some kind of pervert because my mind immediately thought it sounded dirty. I think I was mixing star fish with trombones. I know I am sick. Anyways the store is called Rusty Star, and there are a few rusty stars hanging outside to remind you.)

We were greeted by Brandy, a young blond girl who I later found out was the owner. She invited The Phi and I to look around as she finished setting up for the day. In a pretty small space they have managed to carry everything. From jewelery, clothes, bags, pictures, furniture, art pieces, lunch boxes, and tons of adorable knick-knacks.


As we wandered around I was blown away at how reasonably priced everything was. With the selection of items I expected to pay big bucks for anything. It was the exact opposite. I spotted an item I wanted and The Phi feel in love with an owl.



Since we were on the clock at work we said good-bye to Brandy promising to return later in the day. She promised to have chai tea waiting.



The Phi had a doctors appointment that day and I promised her that if she was good we would go back for the owl. Of course she was good and after the doctors we headed back to the Rusty Star.



As promised Brandy had cold chai lattes for her customers and even gave The Phi some ice cold water. We walked around a few more times oohing and aahhing over all the things we wanted.



In the end we walked out with 3 things.

I found a necklace I had to have.



And I paid $5 for. YES $5!!!

I also bought this little metal stained glass strawberry stand. My intentions were for it to hold napkins, but it was too short so instead it holds my sponge by the kitchen sink.




And I paid $3 for. YES $3

Of course The Phi ended up with her owl.



Which we got for free! See The Phi fell for this owl because she had a chipped ear. She spent most of the day in between visits to Rusty Star making up stories about how her owl lost her ear. When Brandy noticed the ear was chipped she gave it to The Phi. GAVE IT to her. Then The Phi immediately named it Georgia.

I was officially in love with this little shop and Brandy then took it to the next level. She rang me up and handed me my purchase in a popcorn bag.


How stinking cute is that?

She had also wrapped my necklace in a colorful cellophane party bag. These little details were too much and I knew that I wanted to tell the internet all about this place. So I did something I rarely do. I asked her if it was okay if I took some photos and wrote about her place on my website. Brandy gave me the green light and before we left I snapped some photos.

If you are ever in the Riverside County area of California. Maybe on your way to Palm Springs. Stop by.....

Rusty Star
66 G San Gorgonio
Open Monday - Friday 11am - 7pm

I am already looking forward to my next visit.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

1000 Tickets

Ever been to an arcade and you see those prizes that cost like 6000 tickets? And you wonder how the heck do you win 6000 tickets? Well I saw first hand. While out bowling with WAN my sister ran out from the arcade, told me to grab my camera and follow her back in.

And then I saw it. My niece Angelica had hit the Big Bass Bonus......


Yes 1000 tickets! She had only played this game 2 times before she hit the jackpot. It took like 10 minutes for all 1000 tickets to come out.


She was super stoked to have all those purpley glorious tickets


And I tried to figure out how I could sneak her into a casino and to a slot machine.

Haha I'm totally kidding.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

2 guys 1 cup

If you are a reader of this blog than you know all about The Phi and her funny antics, and you hear about PR Dad from time to time, and this is all from my perspective so you know me way better than you ever hoped to. You even know about our dog Roo.

There is one person in our house that you do not know much about. Uncle Matty.

Uncle Matty has lived with PR Dad and I for....... well a long time. He is currently working on his MS and we do not get to see too much of him these days. Now if there is one thing you should know about Uncle Matty its this... He is a passionate man. He is a talented musician who uses lyric writing as a way to expresses his deepest of emotions and by deep emotions I mean songs about midgets, his feelings about the French, burning down houses and techno music.

There is one thing that Uncle Matty loves more than anything else in the world. His heart has and always will belong to one thing......

Diet Coke

And not one can will satisfy his thirst. Not one 20 oz bottle could quench it. Instead this is what Uncle Matty uses to hold the amount of Diet Coke he needs daily......



32 oz Gatorade bottle for size comparison

Yes you have seen this ridiculously big tubs at your local gas station. You have probably wondered "Who buys these things? Who can drink that much soda?"

The answer is Uncle Matty.


Uncle Matty is a very happy man with his cup. Although I think by law that cup needs a car seat.


Matty was so excited to share his new cup with PR Dad. But PR Dad was a bit terrified of this giant monstrosity being in our home. But Uncle Matty convinced him that this cup not only holds 100 oz of liquid (yes thats one hundred!) but can bring the Punk Rock Family together. This thing has multiple holes for straws on top. All 4 of us could literally drink from this thing at the same time. Aww nice thought but for the record.........


WILL NEVER HAPPEN.



update**
Uncle Matty just called and sent this picture over.

Yes its seat belted in.
He just filled it up and can you guess what he paid to fill it up?

99 cents!!!!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Happy Birthday Angelica


Happy 10th Birthday!

Chone, (Chone Chones Potter Jackson)

You are 10 whole years old today. I cannot believe that much time has passed since you were born. It seems like yesterday when you were that curly headed chubby baby with two chipped front teeth. You are now a young lady who loves Harry Potter and who is becoming quite the writer these days. You are creative and have a wonderful imagination. I am always amazed at just how much The Phi loves you. She loves you sooo much that I think she says "I miss Helica" every single day.

You have a bright future ahead of you and I am excited for you. We have 3 more years until you are officially a teenager. Enjoy these last years of your childhood.

We love you so much and we wish we could have been with you today but know that we are sending all our love to you today.

Love forever and ever,
Tia Lissa, Tio Joey and Day Day

Monday, August 24, 2009

Until Next Year....


Family Vacation

Our annual caravan to the north
Travel to our special location
STOP!
Eat at Denny's
Back on the road to our place for
more than 20 years.

To smell the scent of pine
To smell thick gray smoke
To smell food cooking on the grill
To smell the sun and wind on our skin

To smell the dirty stinky public bathrooms

To hear the boats roar across the water
To hear waves lapping against the shore
To hear the crackle of the campfire
To hear the laughter of the kids as they run and play

To hear the bees swarm over everything

To taste the ooey gooey s'mores
To taste the ice cold beer
To taste chips, soda, cookies, yum!
To taste food that's even better outdoors

To taste the algae fishy lake water

To feel the rocks on our feet as we walk into the water
To feel the cool refreshing water
To feel the sun on our tan, bronze, red skin
To feel the hot sand of the lake shore

To feel a mosquito bite you

To see pine trees as tall as buildings
To see blue green lake water
To see the Corner Store so yellow and bright
To see the family together


To see the lake disappear as we drive home.

So until next year our beloved Bass Lake
Tomorrow a new countdown starts until we come back
Back to your windy roads and days of sun and water

-Elissa R. Lerma
August 11, 2009



Sunday, August 23, 2009

My Family's Got Talent

On the last day at Bass Lake someone decided to have a talent show. We had the whole day to come up with something for the show. After dinner Tia Mary and boys come to our campsite and everyone who was participating drew a playing card to determine the order of the show.

First up was The Chone. She told a story about Rock Obama and a joke that he was told. He didn't get the joke and was asking everyone and finally he got it and was cracking up.




Up next was Day-day. She has recently discovered that she has a talent for trimming bangs. So with her lovely assistant Bubbs she demonstrated her bang cutting techniques.


Tia Uh-laine and Dexter did some sweet tricks, like giving super high fives and rolling over.



Somewhere in there I did a spoken word all about our beloved Bass Lake which I will share with you tomorrow....


and then my parents went up. They started their act by saying that it was dedicated to their grandchildren. Then the proceeded to do the Peanut Butter Jelly time dance complete with water bottles filled with rocks for music and booty shaking to the "baseball bat" part. (if you dont know what I am talking about click here


As they finished their act I looked over at The Phi and her jaw was on the floor and her eyes were wider than I have ever seen them and she was frozen in her spot. When my Mom walked off the "stage" The Phi ran over to her and said "Nana THAT WAS SO.......AWESOME". The kid was floored at how cool her grandparents are. haha

Next up we have Tia Mary and Tio Miguel who called their act "Dancing Under the Stars" and they grooved to an Elvis Crespo salsa number.


Arnie did an act where he showed us all how to make fart noises with his hands . haha


Then it was Mikeys turn. The same Mikey who's Senior Pictures I did not that long ago. Like most teenagers in America Mickey is a bit obsessed with the Twilight movie. So he used his acting skills. (Seriously he did commercials as a kid) and he reenacted a scene from the Twilight movie. He did the "say it, say it....vampire scene" and played both Edward and Bella. He was so serious but I was laughing so hard I had tears streaming down my face. WHY IN THE WORLD DIDN'T ANYONE VIDEO TAPE THIS?????



So there a vote and a tie then another vote and it was decided that Mikey and Me were the big winners of the first annual Bass Lake talent show!


(please ignore my pajama pants)

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Happy 3rd Birthday Twinkies!

First there was Nana and she asked Tata to a Sadie Hawkins Dance

Then there was Nani Lissa

Then there was Day-Day

Then there was Nani Uh-laine

Then there was Angelica

Then there was The Phi

And then 3 years ago today there was you two........


The babies of our family.
Today are 3!

LILIANA RAQUEL


My Momma Llama,

I can't tell you how much I love to hear you call me "Nani" and hear you call PR Dad "Nino". You have really began to open up and letting your personality shine. Your shiny black hair has been cut and into bangs that make you look so grown-up. You are smart and beautiful girl my Lil. You have been patient with your big cousin Day-day. I know she can be mean to you sometimes, but your love for her never stops showing. You are still so quite around people that they can't believe pictures of you being silly and loud. I know one day that funny and loud Lili we know will be just who you are all the time. So for now I enjoy being part of this very small group who you are comfortable enough with to smile and dance and laugh with. I love you so much Lili. You are my god-daughter and we share a name and that makes me so lucky.

Have a happy birthday my lovey. Have the best time ever at Disneyland.

Love you forever and ever,

Nani


FELIX MANUEL

Dear Poparah,

You are such a boy these days. Its all about dirt and cars for you. I love that. You little man, have a smile that can light up the darkest of places. Your smile is bigger than you are and I adore it. You have become one of my favorite people to photograph. You haven't quite settled on what to call me, sometimes its Tia, sometimes its Nani, but you have decided that Tio Joey is just "Joey". You are obsessed with your namesake, your Tata but you talk like your Nana. Well more like yell when you talk like your Nana. You strike me as the passionate one. You can throw a good fit when you are upset, of course I have only witnessed this once or twice. I hope that as you grow up, you talk to me and play with me more. You are my only nephew and you fascinate me.

I love you my little pizza loving, car loving, guitar hero playing, late sleeper Poparah. Have a happy birthday and have a blast at Disneyland.

Love forever and ever,
Tia Lissa

P.S. arack-arack-arack-o-momma!

Happy 3rd Birthday Lili and Felix!

Friday, August 21, 2009

Shower Day

While we were camping we showered once. EWWWW. We spaced it out nicely and went to the community showers on Wednesday. It was Tia Mary (And Nina Josie's!) birthday so a big group of us headed over the the Ducey's on the Lake hotel for dinner. We had a really great time and since we were all cleaned up we took a lot of pictures!



The Birthday Girl!


The Phi has officially graduated to the Big kids table.

Me and my Llama

Family Portrait Time......


Day-Day, Tio Luis, Angelica, Felix and Lili.


We couldn't find Pops, so the 2 Mercy's took a picture together.


Arnie, he has a little captain in him.


The Campos5 minus 1


Why is The Phi so gangsta???


PR Dad and The Phi have some captain in them too.


The whole birthday dinner crew.
(i just noticed Day Day and I dressed the opposite.)

I attempted to get a family picture (minus Tom) because we were all there. I learned two things.....

1. I need a tripod


2. Don't delete the test shots. They can be quite amusing........

Thursday, August 20, 2009

On the Lake

Because there are so many here is a quick slide show of some of the pictures of our time on the lake....






And now a few of my favorites....



Little Lili on the Lake


Baby Liana enjoying her first Bass Lake trip


My family enjoying the last few moments on the lake


And my favorite picture from the whole trip.....


And here I thought she would be afraid of the water.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

We camped

Like sleeping in a tent camp. OUTSIDE!

PR Dad and I had never camped before so between putting up a tent and living outside I figured this would be a good test of how well we can work together. And I am happy to admit that we did excellent! Tents went up no problem and as much as I was not looking forward to sleeping in a tent OUTSIDE, it was a lot of fun.

We had 2 campsites next to each other. We had my parents, Tia Uh-laine and my Tio Jack and Tia Rosalie on one site. Then us and Tia Day-Day and her giant tent for her tribe on our site. We had a great set up with a few pop up canopies for cooking, eating and relaxing around the campfire.

There was a bee issue, but fortunately they were not the stinging kind just the annoying kind. The first night was C-O-L-D, but after that even the nights were good.



This picture may be of the guys setting up the tent but Day-day and I totally did most of the work.


Yes my pampered cat-like dog even went with us.


The kids entertained themselves with a game of freeze dance that turned into a dance endurance contest. Of course The Phi was the last one dancing.


Even popping popcorn if fun when camping! We even set up the car dvd player up in the back of our car, set up little cars and gave the kids popcorn and licorice for a movie night.

And of course the food just taste better when cooked in the fresh mountain air!

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...