"Healthy Food, Fat Food"

At 6 a.m. this morning Milo and I were at Safeway on 15th. In my cart was wheat germ, apples, carrots, yogurt and baby food. The portly woman in line behind me was buying Cheetos and donut holes. I didn't notice this until she pointed at my basket and said in a LOUD voice, "Healthy food" and then pointed at her basket and said "Fat food." She repeated this a few times pointing back and forth, "healthy food, fat food. Healthy food, fat food." The checker and everyone within a 100 yard radius laughed out loud.

I needed to buy wheat germ at 6 in the morning to make cookies. Since every friend I have -- with the exception of Clay and Mike (and the lady behind me at Safeway) -- is on a diet, I decided I needed to make healthy cookies. They are packed with oats, wheat germ, wheat flour and taste like sand...

Yummy organic sand. Yuck!

I'm goin' to buy me some Cheetos and donut holes next time.

Milo Scoots!

He can't crawl. He can't walk. But he can ride a scooter!

No Turning Back

Recently I told George and Goldie a story about a friend of Clay's from college whose road trip to Disneyland as a kid was cut short. He was fighting with his brother in the back seat when his dad said, "If I have to turn around one more time, we're goin' home."

This was well into Central Oregon from Idaho, so they didn't take the warning too seriously. Next time they fought, the dad actually turned the car around and they headed back to Idaho in stunned silence as they realized dad wasn't bluffing.

Cut to last weekend as we are leaving Camano Island and George is begging us to go back so he can spend more time with Nana and Baba.

It was late and we gave him a definite no.

After contemplating for a couple of miles George said, "If Goldie and I start fighting, then will you turn the car around and go back?"

Apparently this story left an impression. I'm not sure if it was the right one, but it left an impression.

The Day in Numbers

Cubes of butter in our house: 46

Cubes of butter consumed over the past 6 weeks: 50

Number of Popsicles consumed by Goldie yesterday: 6

Number of Popsicles her parents gave her: 0

Age Milo is turning in two weeks: 1

Number of steps he's taken: 0

Current Nordstom bill: 496 (could be $4.96 or $496)

Number of days until I turn 40: 101

Numbers of shopping days to get me a present: 100

Number of children in my house currently sleeping: 3

Number of husbands who want me to get off the computer and come to bed: 1

Testing, Testing

I'm sitting in a coffee shop and thought I would see how hard it is to post from my new iPad.

It is a little difficult...

Clay and I think it is reallly funny to pretend my iPad is a super sized iPhone and hold it to our ear and have a very LOUD conversation.

Life in the big city....

An Open Letter to Ree Drumond, The Pioneer Woman

Dear Pioneer Woman,

Hi Ree, I hope this email finds you well. May I call you Ree, since that is your name?

I just returned home from what I thought was your book reading. My friend drove from Tacoma to my house in Seattle (1 hour drive) and we drove together to Third Place Books in Bothel, another 25 minutes. I brought Milo and Goldie with me and I envisioned Goldie sitting on the floor looking at picture books and Milo asleep in my arms while I sat back and enjoyed your stories of the ranch and your latest yummy recipes.

We arrived early because my friend is a planner and we wanted good seats.

When we arrived we learned it wasn't a book reading at all. It was a book signing. Darn. A little disappointing but we can roll with it. I buy your book and am handed a ticket to get it signed. Turns out we have to wait for our letter to be called and then we'll get our books signed.

We're still positive and the bookstore is fantastic! Multiple cafes and a play area for Goldie. Milo is content in the Ergo carrier and eventually dozes off on my chest. My friend and I eat sandwiches and chat with some of your fans that are waiting for their numbers to be called as well. We talk about recipes, other blogs and your darling daughter who is walking around the store in cowboy boots and Wrangler jeans!

Two hours later we're still waiting! They haven't even moved the first group though the line. Goldie is still having fun, she eats a yogurt while admiring herself in the mirror (see below) and belts out a Hebrew tune I've never heard.



It's now 6 p.m. and I'm feeling like a fool. It's going to be a few more hours at least and Milo is getting fussy.

We'd had enough. I returned my book for a full refund and left sad and disappointed.

Ree, if you are going to sign books and not read, you may want to include this information on your Website. It's important that people go in with the right expectations.

Bookless in Seattle,

Robin

P.S. I still love your cinnamon roll recipe. And your sheet cake, pot pie and lasagna.

I'm Obsessed

Every other week I'm obsessed with something new.

This week it's these sea salt brownies.

Our friend from Yakima took a bite of one and said, "I don't even like brownies but I love these."

In Yakima we trust.

Rock and Roll Will Save Your Life

Perhaps.

Our friend Steve Almond's book came out today. The title of the book is Rock and Roll Will Save Your Life. I suggest you buy this book and turn to page 94 and read until page 96.

Even a published author, on Random House no less, makes fun of Clay by name (Clay Martin).

He once feared Clay was "going to become a Sad Computer Guy Loser who sent us postcard with cats wearing human clothing."

That is my teaser. You'll have to buy the book to hear the conclusion.

http://www.amazon.com/Rock-Roll-Will-Save-Your/dp/1400066204

Everyone is Welcome

George has taken an interest in photography lately. We want to be encouraging, but think he has a few things to learn.

You be the judge.

Hebrew Words

George said the following to us the other day in the car,

"Do you know the Hebrew word for toot?"

We both perked up, interested to hear his expanding Hebrew vocabulary.

"It's Fart."

Glad to know he's learning useful things at his fancy Jewish school.

New Art

Aren't these new paintings sweet? I'm thinking about getting one done of Clay next. Not his full face, just the back of his head. It is really his best side.

Funny Man George

Pictured above is George's garage sale held in our kitchen today. He had various items for sale, my favorite of which was a dirty dime for $30. "Money is expensive," he explained when I questioned the price.

I believe he's taking phone orders if you're interested.



Later in the day after rummaging through our Goodwill pile he found his old seersucker suit. He put it on and said "Hey, somebody thought this didn't fit me any longer!"

George is Kinda Famous

If you squint really hard you can see George in the Land of Nod ad below.

He's the kid on the left.

While You Were Out...

Clay thinks this post is boring and has no substance. Know what I think? I think he's lucky to have such a lovely wife who cooks such great meals. That's what I think.

Which leads me to my next idea: a reality TV show about a wife who has her husband kidnapped. She pretends he's skipped town and then spends the majority of his money remodeling their house and making all the changes she's always wanted to. Then, three months later he is freed and comes home to a beautiful home with an enlarged bathroom with a soaking tub and beautiful landscaped yard. Oh, and the garage has been demolished and replaced with a vegetable garden. I don't know what made me think of this... My friend Michelle thinks the show should be called "While You Were Out."

Oh, and here is Clay sniffing Milo's bottom. You tell me who is the crazy one.


I know everyone thinks their own kids are so cute, but come on!



OK. That's all for now.