Summertime Blues

Summer has officially arrived in SoCal and none too soon with a three day weekend coming up. So why the bluesy title? This week has been blue skies and warm weather and I can't help but be reminded of lazy summer vacations between school years, where the biggest problems I was facing were not getting everyone to sign my yearbook and dance team troubles.

Nothing really prepares you for the working world and absence of summer. Besides teachers, not many other professional occupations offer the 1-3 months of pure, uninterrupted holiday. This, by far, has been the hardest adjustment of working in the 9-5 world. Weekends are certainly prized beyond belief, as is my time between 6-11 p.m., but nothing beats sleeping in, staying in pajamas until noon, and then hitting the beach, followed by lengthy phone conversations with girlfriends and possibly dance practice later in the day.

I was lucky enough not to have to work while in high school during my summers. I certainly didn't lounge all day-as I have mentioned, I was dedicated to dance, ASB, and various other commitments that related to school but certainly weren't academic and classroom-bound in nature. Like many moments in life, hindsight is 20/20. I wish I had appreciated those lengthy summers where I know I cried a good handful of times "I'm bored" when I would give my left arm for a break these days.

One thing I hope to instill in future children is the wonderful gift of vacation that comes with childhood. As with age, we certainly have a greater appreciation for it later in life, but it can't hurt to remind those enjoying it just how good they have it.

Sunday Confessions

Even though I really don't need to pass the HTML course I am taking as I'm not REALLY pursuing the Computer Science major I had to fill in when signing up, Scott has a heavy hand in my grade and may or may not have taken a few quizzes for/with me.

This course is beyond frustrating. That will be a blog in itself when completed.

Addressing Atticus

We've now had Atticus 2.5 months and believe his age to be about 4.5 months. I am beginning to think it's the cat's equivalent to the Terrible Twos. Up until his manhood was taken away, he operated on two modes-kill, or sleep. Currently he has found the coveted chill mode, but it's not quite at the percentage I would love just yet.

Perhaps growing up with dogs did not prepare me for having a cat because they have different characteristics, obviously. Some of Atticus' issues that I need to cease and desist include:

1. Biting
2. Jumping on everything
3. Claws and their piercing of my clothes, skin, everything
4. The nest he has decided to take up under our bed frame and between the cheese cloth lining. He has torn holes through the lining and jumps around underneath as if it were a trampoline.

However, naughty behavior aside, his sweet behavior is displaying itself more and more, which is most evident upon him seeing you after a nap, coming home, or occasionally first thing in the morning (if he didn't wake US up with his usual 6 a.m. call, which is really point # 5 on the above list.)

But oh Atticus, how you add spunk to the Haselton home!

Twisted Vine Love

If you are local to SoCal, please visit the Twisted Vine in DTF. It is the best and most fabulous wine bar in all of the continental U.S. Go now.

Christopher and Missy!

Cheetah Girls...hahaha, Andrea and I

Oh how I miss this girl...and why are our eyes so squinty? Oh, Layer Cake!

Countown To HP

3 weeks from today, I will be one of THOSE people, waiting for the pure epic adventure that is THIS movie. Like a giddy school girl, I can hardly wait.

(source)

Sad Day

I know men around the globe are rejoicing, however divorce is ugly, sad, complicated, and terrible, and I am heartbroken to see that Jon & Kate are splitting up. I cannot imagine the stress of having 8 children coupled with cameras constantly taping, heightened paparazzi and the effect it has on a family or a couple. At the end of the day I am sure they will do what is best for those kids. It's difficult for me to understand, but sometimes the best parents don't make the best couple.

I don't claim to have a professional opinion on their marriage; however as one of the 10 million viewers that tune in to watch their family week to week, we are given not only a glimpse but practically an invitation into their household. The speculation surrounding the collapse of their marriage is nobody's business but their own. Their family, and children specifically, warmed so many hearts that it is difficult to just let it go. I certainly hope the media respects this time for them as they work out what will come next for them and that they can move on with their lives.

Day for Dads

To my dear dad, Happy Father's Day. I have inherited some of my best characteristics from you over over the past 25 years!

And because I qualify all of the in-between years as awkward...we'll skip to a more recent final picture!

And to the newest official dad in my life, Happy Father's Day as well!

Sunday Confessions

I may get some flack* for this, but I dread going to Michael's for fear of the employee experience. It always takes me 20 minutes longer to find something that should be on aisle 3, check out, or find someone to possibly help me. Sometimes I forget where I am and think it's just a colorful DMV. Does anyone else have this problem?

**This is a group of 3 particular stores that I frequent. This may not be the case at all of their other store location and I apologize if any of the 3 people who read my blog happen to work there themselves or know someone who does. I'd love to know the location if it's within a good radius!

Festivities for Sunday's Child

In celebration of Kerri's birthday, the force that is KROB, Kerri's sister Erin, Scott, and I , went to Habana's at The Lab in Costa Mesa for some delish fare and spirits. Good times, with good friends makes for a fabulous Friday night in honor of Kerri :) I am still thinking about my ahi too...

Love birds enjoying wine and Champagne

Sisters

Haseltons

Kerri and her birthday flan! Followed minutes later by a Spanish bananas foster. NICE.

Happy Birthday Kerri!

Kerri and I have been friends since the day she walked up to me on my parent's driveway and asked me if I'd be her friend. Bold question-I knew I'd love this girl. And 20 years later (wow!) she stood next to me at my wedding and I will do the same at hers. Bon Anniversaire Kerri!

Death by Darkness

I have discovered that we have no direct sunlight in our house. Clearly light comes in through our windows and patio, but nothing direct (except of course in the morning right in my eye, or so it seems).

This insightful nugget was brought to my attention through my coveted peony purchase. I bought five soft, pink, fluffy (but still closed) blossoms on Sunday and was ready for their bright birth on Monday morning. Well Tuesday night came and they were still as tight as ever, but with browning petals. It was then that I realized how little sunlight we get into our living room. Certainly its bright in the middle of the day but nothing in the form of photosynthesizing needs for my precious peonies.

How could something so lovely be so ugly? Death by darkness.

Saxon Walks

Congratulations to my little sister, who graduated high school yesterday! You were well worth the sun burn, general public bleacher sharing, bull horns, yellow pages, and parking lot.

Reunions

I never see these three gals enough. Lauren is living the dream as a softball coach at Northwestern, Mina is a vigilante martial arts wizard traveling the world, and if she has her way, Mandy is destined for the friendly skies in the very near future. Last night was a memorable, hilarious, tear-inducing reunion that was long over due, and made for a wonderful Monday evening.

Barbecue Mistress

Said kicker of derriere and fellow fashion maven

Reunited and it feel so good. Especially with chicken, salmon, Campanelli cookies, wine, Patron, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. Cheers to wonderful friends!

Sunday Confessions

I have more sympathy for homeless pets than people. Freeway requests get no love from me. Harsh but true. And along those lines, I practically weep everytime those Sarah McLachlan pet adoption and cruelty commercials come on.

Time

Since getting married, I have noticed an evolution of sorts in the way my life has changed in respect to time. Basically, it's gone. I am uncertain as to how this happened, seeing as The Boy and I dated so long and have carried our compadres along the way.

Weekends have always been precious to me since becoming a 9-5 gal (major tangent, that song is so inaccurate, it's more like 9-6 with a lunch, and that's if you're lucky. And that's a blog waiting to happen on its own). Inevitably I have bills to pay, laundry, shopping, family or friend commitments, etc. None of these things am I complaining about. Quite contrary-I enjoy putting things in order after a hectic week and sharing in celebrations with loved ones. They just seemed to increase immediately after marriage and I am baffled as to why. When I lived at home, I still had responsibilities, bills to pay, laundry, cleaning, not as much grocery shopping, but I certainly made up for that with other obligations. I am sure I am destined to lose more as children enter the picture as well. Perhaps that is what it is about though, sacrifice. Sacrifice of time for the ones you love. We are given it as children and young adults, and the baton has been passed. Sacrifice is certainly one of the most selfless acts anyone can do, and if it means my time to better enrich the life of someone else, well I'll step up to that plate.

My sister is graduating from high school next week and it's one of those moments where one has to take a step back and just exhale. She is almost 18 years old and starting out the next chapter of her life, as I have done with my own. I enjoyed the years following my graduation but I certainly had wish I had done things different-perhaps gone away to school, traveled more, lived on my own, a variety of things. However, I believe the choices I made shaped the way I operate today and I am content with that. I can still travel, I suppose I could go away to school for an advanced degree if I wanted to, and certainly have moved out with a fairly good roommate.

I hope that my sister will take advantage of this time of her life because it will fly by. She is on the cusp of transitions, which can be scary but an adventure as well.

Sometimes that sand just falls through my finger tips and I want to make sure I can take advantage of each moment that passes me by.

This post was certainly all over the place, but it has been swirling in my head for weeks and was about time I put it in my virtual pensieve.

Kitchen Tools

In the 9 months I have been the chief operating officer of the kitchen, my favorite tools have emerged, night after night. This is the starting line up, without fail, daily.

The Chef's Knife

Thank you CF for this awesome shower gift!

The Microplane Grater/Zester
Purchased by moi after realizing it was noticeably absent from the kitchen.

Mini Whisk

Thank you Ashley for this darling little guy that came with an equally sassy apron!

The Cutting Board

I would be lost in my kitchen adventures without the proper surface to work on.

Oh Crate & Barrel, Williams Sonoma, BBB, where would I be without your products. A lost soul, that's what.

Perfect Endings

Nostalgic trip to Toys R Us with my boy and a panini dinner...perfect ending to a crazy Monday.

Sunday Confessions

I hate exercise. No matter the form I have yet to find an activity that I enjoy that will help me drop these pesky pounds.

Running: In the end, I feel great, but only if I run outside on the path. Plus points for the nature I get to see, and the little league games. Cons include its the same route each time.

Swimming: Definitely worth the time, though so boring. Not much visual stimulation. All I end up doing is counting over and over. Certainly good reflection time, no pun intended. The shallow girl in me is always conscious of my highlights and the salt water/chlorine situation too.

Yoga: There is a yoga class offered at our gym but it's at 7 p.m. I am such a grandma that I don't know how or when to schedule dinner with that time slot taken. Do I then eat late, around 8:30? I can't exercise on a full stomach getting home at 6:30 by the time dinner is made. Perhaps a different location is worth it, I know people swear by it.

Gym in General: Clearly we have a relationship though are still working through a few issues.

Weekends with Wineries and Weddings

Scott and I had a much needed weekend away in honor of our friends Karen and Adam's wedding on June 6. We decided to make a trip of it and go wine tasting with Krob and Ashley at the site of her future wedding, La Cereza Winery, and Maurie Currie Winery. I think it's safe to say much fun was had by all. And a huge congratulations to Karen and Adam and their beautiful wedding!

The turkey aka baked brie in sourdough at Maurice Currie....I know, genius!

Kerri modeling the amazing delicacy we were about to embark on.


The beautiful bride <3

Love a sparkler exit!

Congrats to the new Mr. & Mrs. H!

Happy Birthday Scott!

A very happy birthday to my boy today! Woh i ne.

Tip of the Day

In a professional environment, one should always identify name and business affiliation when calling another business. Try as I might, I truly just cannot hone in on my clairvoyance these days. And, as luck would have it, one may even see a rise in sales from this little jewel of information.

Happy calling!