Blogs of the World... UNITE!

My friends inspire me. I like my friends... a lot. They are great people and do kind of amazing things. Just yesterday I was scrolling though blogs thinking, "Yes. They've got it right." For instance: Jon has the world in photos. Who doesn't like a photo?

Morganhas this great give away on Fridays... Who doesn't like getting free stuff?

Farah (my BFF) gives lovely insights into her magical world. I mean, who doesn't like magic? And who doesn't like insights?

Kevin and Rebecca

both share funny pictures and musings on the delights of parenthood. I mean. That's a winner right there.

So I thought. Hum. Take them all and throw them into one blog and you have yourself a winner Michael. So that's what I'm thinking of doing. Taking all your blogs and making them mine. No, not in a Lisa and Kyle way... But, you know... Where they do the whole copying off of other people's blogs. But rather having a weekly theme day. (Like Morgan)

So, here's my brainstorm challenge for you: Come up with theme days. For instance it could look like this:

Sundays: Childhood Musings
Mondays: Anecdotes from Work
Tuesdays: Top 10 List
Wednesdays: Wonderful Insights into My Life
Thursdays: Thoughts of Randomness
Fridays: Things I'm Fearful Of
Saturdays: Snapshot Day

Anyway, you come up with the ideas and I'll mesh them to make a weekly schedule. Happy posting...

Number 4, Cupboard Under the Stairs

For those of you who may not follow Farah's Blog, I wanted to fill you in on a little project we have been working on. A few weeks ago we were at a party talking with people about things that would be fun to change about our homes. For the most part we couldn't think of much of anything (Sigh, we love our Manor). But we did mention we would like to expand our hallway closet, for storage and a little play space for future Shaws.

Well we made a few phone calls, spent a few Benjamins, and now-- Wah-La! It is done. Yesterday I installed some carpet in the room. We planned on painting it but decided we would paint a mural of some kind later in the year. The theme is bound to be either Narnia (Hence walking in the wardrobe) or Harry Potter (Hence the cupboard under the stairs). Chances are a Narnia theme will win out, because that theme is good for kids from a very young age till they are about 10. Harry Potter might be a little freaky. Though I do plan on storing my COMPLETE book collection under the stairs (cough, cough Parker. Where is my book!?!).

We expect it to be a wonderful room where our kids can pretend and go a little wild in. However once they grow older I fear the room will become a secret teen hang out. Youngsters will go in to plot schemes with water-balloons and toilet paper... and then... gasp possibly bring girlfriends and boyfriends to gasp kiss and cuddle. Oh dear. What have we gotten ourselves into! We better not have any co-ed birthday parties...

But for now, at least until our children have ridiculous hormones, it is a magical, innocent space. Either that or a Panic Room.

Summer Plans

Today I reflected on the fact that I have neglected to share with my loyal readers about my summer plans. Yes, this year we have some pretty big plans for the summer. So here is a list of our big trips we have planned. If you have any tourist destinations, please include them below.

First up on the agenda: Fabulous Las Vegas.

Though Parker hates the Vegas, I personally find it to be fabulous and wonderfully gaudy. At this destination I plan to enjoy the loose slots, interesting architecture, and the crazy people. Throw that all together with a good dinner and a wax museum and I'm set!

Next up on our travel plans is to the Romantic Get-Away of Carmel/Monterey.

We fell in love with this place two years ago, and now we make a point to go every year. This year we plan on doing a more abbreviated trip, but we will still have some fine dinning experiences as well as view some inspiring art. Our favorite art, if she is still there, is Nicholette and her dealer Donna. And our favorite dinning experience, if we can afford it, Anton and Michele's. Ah. If not, we'll certainly go to Casanova's and dine on the back porch. Simply lovely.

Our third trip on the Captain's Log is our journey down south to the Always Happening Santa Monica.

This trip will prove to be fun as we have never actually spent more than a day in Santa Monica together. We plan to walk down to some shops, check out the pier, and go into the shops and restaurants on the promenade. One place in particular is the Mexican Restaurant just a few blocks down from Ky and Li's house, Fauf will love it and scream memories of Carmel when we go there. It should be fun as it leads right into our big vacation...

Our final trip of the summer is the pond jump to Historic Rome.

I am extremely excited about this trip as I have never been to Rome. This week I rented the Chipmunk Adventure and saw glimpses of the ruins and the Colosseum. Just a glimpse of this reminded me how excited I am. We plan to stay in a little hotel in the heart of Rome and take two tours in the Vatican. In addition we are considering a day trip to Florence. Everyone so far has told me this is a must. At any rate we hope to take in the joys of Rome from gelatto to authentic Italian meals. Ah... sigh.

So there it is. The summer of the Ig and Fauf. Please remember to give us ideas in the comments section below.

"It is time!" exclaimed Rafiki

Today I am so excited because the Fauf comes home. I have had a great time hanging out with Jon and Mogan, and of course Adelaide. I have enjoyed eating snacks in bed and leaving my underwear hanging off of a lamp... But yes, I am excited about the Fauf arriving in Santa Maria tonight. Here are the top 5 things I am excited about:

5. Showing her my surprise for our Manor. I'll just leave a visual clue. Thanks for the help Jon and Morgan. I know the Fauf will love the gnome related goodness!


4. Going to SLO for the day. I just got a Barnes and Noble coupon and I think we should use it and go enjoy lunch out.


3. Watching more Seinfeld together.


2. Cuddling, etc. at night. I love having my own bed, but honestly nothing beats the Fauf scratching my back and talking to me at night.


1. Playing Scrabble. Summer is certainly here and it is time for the Scrabble Tournament to begin. I plan to kick her butt this year. My thought is to play 35 games the best out of 35 wins.

Fight! Fight! Fight!

Today I was delighted when I drove down my street and saw 6 kids starting to have a water balloon fight. It was fun to think of them doing this to inaugurate the summer. But then I started to think, "What's wrong with us adults? We need to have some fun here." So I imagined what it would be like to watch adults do a water balloon fight. So here is my dream team for water balloon fighters:

Team Alpha-
Susan Boyle


Donald Trump


The Count


Joan Rivers


Team Omega-
The Bowler Hat Guy


Stephen Colbert


Mrs. Garrett


Oprah's BFF


Who do you think would win?

Mike.

There is a rumor on the street that Mike is here. Well, it's no rumor. It's true.

Mike is in town.

Get ready.

Nostalgic Moments

I have to say today is a nostalgic day. Today Fauf and I drove to Orcutt and parked just off of Patterson so we could walk to the Farmer's Market. The smells there are simply delightful. Freshly popped Kettle Corn with the scent of strawberries and roses... Mmm. Delightful.

After that we observed the new size at Blenders in the Grass (the world's mini-est smoothie at 12 oz.) and now we are residing in the Orcutt Library on the free Internet. Gotta love it.

I just picked up some "books" (think Kevin) and will enjoy these while the Fauf goes down South. At any rate, I encourage all of you to do something nostalgic today. Watch Lucy, eat an apple pie, or visit your elementary school... Be nostalgic.

Easy Like a Sunday Morning

I never understood Mr. Wonder's words when he sang this phrase. But today I get it. I woke up at about 8:00 and realized I didn't have to get out of bed for about 30-45 minutes. I've never, NEVER in my life had the ability to sleep in on a Sunday Morning. I must say I find it very enjoyable.

This week I plan on being quite productive with my time. I mean, just because I am on va-ca doesn't mean I am just going to sit around and do nothing... I mean, its me we're talking about people. So here is my to do list:

10. Submit more papers to my professor at Chapman. For those of you who have been following this saga please rest assured that I have submitted my paper, now she wants more.

9. Meet with next year's ASB to tell them their jobs and have them help me clean out some boxes.

8. Find someone willing to take on the Beast, otherwise known as our front lawn.

7. Hang Farah's giant picture in the Dining Room

6. Clean out my car. I don't even want to tell you what is in it.

5. Help Farah with her special project she needs to submit online. More to come on this one at another time...

4. Watch Episodes 5 and 6 of Star Wars. I mean, I can't remember the difference between Hoth and Jaba.

3. Resume my work outs with Bob. He is really mad at me for dropping the ball on this for about 2 weeks.

2. Meet with Hancock Staff to talk about my teaching job next year (part-time teaching).

1. Buy new shoes and jeans. For those of you who may not know this about me I hate buying jeans and I rarely look forward to buying shoes. But I will do it!

There it is the Week of Ig. Enjoy yours. (maybe I'll add some pictures to this ridiculous blog)

Morning

I think today I will just say:

I am so excited summer is here! I know you all who lead boring, normal jobs don't care... But the feeling of no work is great. I plan to take Fauf out around the Coast today and enjoy a little date. More to come. Maybe even pictures. Woot! Woot!

And the Cotton is High.

Summer is here baby.

I am so glad the year is over. It turned out to be a very good year, but the end was welcomed with open arms.

This summer I plan to ignore my teacherly duties and enjoy the bliss that is summer vacation (this will be a first!!). I think I will blog more than just once a month and even take some time to enjoy the view. So here's the Top 10 Things I am Looking Forward To:

10. Sleeping In
9. Eggo Waffles in the Morning
8. Bike Ride to Starbucks
7. Going out to eat at Restaurants I have never been to ('Cause who can risk that during the school year?)
6. Watching NetFlix during the week
5. Santa Monica
4. Judge Judy
3. Carmel
2. Las Vegas
1. Being with the Fauf

Hooray for Summer Break! (Forced Unemployment)