Fun Film Time

Catch A Tuesday from Oliver Peoples on Vimeo.

San Fran Work Week

Earlier this week, I spent four days in San Francisco for work. While it's an awesome place to be, mind you (it's not like they're sending me to some desolate wasteland), I know I could never keep up the city life pace -- running to a bus every morning and doing the same each night to get home. Maybe the weekends and the restaurants would make it all worthwhile. Now, of course, the princess here stays at a hotel across the street from work, so there’s no bus-hopping for me, but…if I lived there.

A few choice memories from this trip:

Il Cane Rosso is in the Ferry Building. Sweet little place down one of the halls. The 3-course dinner is $25, and prepared to perfection. A bit pricey, but it’s all incredibly fresh farm to table food.

This pasta dish at Trattoria Contadina had peas, sun dried tomatoes, thinly sliced porcini mushrooms and an amazing tomato cream sauce. Oh, it was so yummy, and served on a lovely Italian pottery plate.

The Feline Assistance Service

Do you have an assistant to help you do your work? I do. Here’s Gwyneth stopping by to say, “Hey Mom, let me help you write by chewing on your clothes!”

I Heart Pet Hats

If your head is solid enough that you won’t risk explosion, then keep looking. Oh, I heart them all. When you click on the pics, you’ll get the Etsy shop that sells them.

Glamour Tabby

And you thought James Franco and Anne Hathaway were hosting the Oscars? Nope. Kate is stepping in with her glamourousness. She’s even got that red carpet, looking back over the shoulder glance down, as demonstrated in the second picture. Such a darling tabby. We love our little girl.

Music Tuesday

Love it! She was on Gossip Girl last night, too.
Oh, my guilty pleasure, that Gossip Girl.

In Honor of Courage

In honor of MLK day today, and all those who came before us with the courage and fortitude to dedicate their lives to lessening the suffering of others. And on a less grand scale to each of us who struggles with whatever ails us in this often difficult life. May a warm, soft glow of healing, comforting light wrap us each and every one in love and peace.

, Robin

Little G. is Fine!

*Evening Update* Well, Dr. Candy (Lewis) gave a glowing report. All went well. And here we have the shaved belly update. She also has this little white spot in the center of her belly, which appears to indicate a belly button, but it is button-less. There’s another white spot, too. James is holding her for the photo, and she really couldn’t care less: good kitty drugs!

She’s already taken a good pull on her metal stitches (only 3!) but that didn’t last long and she doesn’t seem very interested in them. Yay!

There you have it: spayed kitty belly, up close and personal. And thanks for the sweet comments about our fur child. Oh, the lives of us folks without actual kids. Ha!

Posted earlier, pre-pictures: Just a quick update to say that our little Gwynnie is fine. She's out of surgery and recovering all snugged under her blankie at the doctor's office. Pictures will be posted later of the tiny, shaved belly. So sad! When James dropped her off this morning, the staff ooh'd and ahh'd and how beautiful she was. Such a pretty girlie! Okay, lest I should cause hurling with my Momma Cat talk, I'll stop now.

A Big Day for Gwyneth

Our little darling, Gwyneth, is going to Dr. Candy’s tomorrow for her spaying appointment. I’m sure she will be a.o.k., but we will have our positivity hats on nonetheless. We refer to it as, “she’s having her pockets picked.” Poor little thing! I am so weird about any of these things – vaccines included – they seem unnatural to my hippie-at-heart self. You could say I’m anti-synthetic. Of course, we went through a “heat” cycle with Kate! OMG! We about had to bar the windows. She turned into a flying squirrel and climbed the curtains. She also developed a serious and slightly creepy love for James, my human husband. Huh? Finally, that was over and she became Kate Spade.   Wish us well, and I’ll have an update tomorrow.

An Evening with Andre Rieu

In early December, James’ Mom and Dad had tickets to see Andre Rieu that they couldn’t use. It was sort of last minute, but we rallied and went! It was a blast. Andre is quite the character, aside from being a wonderful violinist. His eyebrow is perpetually curved up in a semi-sarcastic arch. Actually, not really, but he is very funny on stage and cracks jokes that has everyone chuckling. The music takes you back to another era, if not directly to Austria. The only thing missing was the Von Trappe Family. Interestingly, they did a Michael Jackson retrospective, which I found slightly odd, but at that point we were not counting odd moments! It really is an experience, if you ever have the chance to go.

(There were many more pics, but they were removed for some reason, by Blogger? Or maybe one of Andre's people objected! There is one last one though at the bottom.)

I wasn’t able to catch it in a picture, but there were two violinists (both women) directly behind Andre and they were clearly cracking each other up – making funny faces with eyes wide. At one point the one gal’s shoulders were just shaking with laughter while she tried to contain herself. I can only imagine sitting there next to a good friend playing violins and trying not to laugh while this Dutch dude cracks funny (?) jokes.

Apparently, the ENTIRE group tours around together. There have actually been a couple marriages out of the group over the years.

At the end, everyone comes out for a champagne toast and they drop balloons on the audience. People then get up, go to the front and cheer for encores! This guy has a following! I actually recorded a video of the last piece, which I’ll try to post a link for once I get it uploaded to YouTube. Cheers, everyone…

Here Comes 2011

But, oh that 2010! What a full, rich year. So much happened. If only I could remember. Joking aside, there was lots of good stuff, plenty to be grateful for. My family is healthy and happy (far as I can tell!). And my husband currently sports a pencil thin moustache (which will be shaved tomorrow, thank the heavens). Just for the record, we are not Buffet fans, and I had no idea he actually wrote this song. I remember a vintage, radio-sounding voice singing it though I cannot find anything on that. Can you?

In 2010, of note, in no particular order:

- I got previously blogged about new job.

- We adopted a new kitten, Gwyneth, a.k.a. Gato Diablo, the Grey Devil, the Tail-ee-ban, Little Snig, Tail-boo, and a host of other nicknames.

- I was part of a cool vintage and craft show at my bud Sherri’s house! Woo hoo!

- James’ Mom, and my belle mere, Mary, came through some scary heart tests with flying colors! Can I get an Amen!?

- Aforementioned friend, Sherri, is now 5 years healthy after her breast cancer experience. Yay! Goodbye cancer, forever.

Just a few things I remember that made an impression. I am ever grateful for my own life and health and that of others. I wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year full of love, comfort, and peace.

,

Robin

Bloggus Returnnus

Hey, everybody! First, let me say, I miss everyone! After posting this, I’m going to get over to your blogs and check in! I haven’t had much time lately to post and I miss it, and the sweet comments from you blog beauties. So, the announcement is this: I got a real job! But, before I got said job there was an interminable amount of back and forth via email and telephone until at last there were interviews,then more waiting, an offer letter, a slight differing of opinions over logistics, and finally, acceptance. During the whole process I was sort of frozen, waiting, wondering, thinking about what it all actually meant and how my life would change. And now I am working, and it’s great. I think this is the first company I’ve worked for that doesn’t seem dysfunctional. Of course, I’m very new, but fingers crossed, right?

So, this was the view from the 19th floor of the training room last week. That’s the Ferry Building in front of the ship. I walked over during one of the lunch hours and OMG the shops in that place! Cowgirl Creamery, Blue Bottle Coffee, Boulette’s Larder and an adorable place called The Gardener that sells Weck jars (which I love). I got some herbes de Provence from Boulette’s Larder for me and my belle mere. It’s sort of the perfect spice for everything from soups to eggs to salads to sandwiches even.

I’m going to get my work-life balance sorted out soon enough, so I’ll be back on the blog trail soon.

Yokoo Rocks

If you've never encountered this woman, please check her out. Yokoo! Even the name makes you smile. Yokoo exudes this almost other-worldly brand of confidence and gentleness that is simply captivating. Before I even really focused in on her beautiful needle wares, I couldn't help but marvel at the way she styles her photos: the clothes, the hair, the glasses, the shoes, the facial expressions and poses. Incredible. She strikes me as a modern day Coco Chanel. Yokoo's Etsy featured seller interview. Yokoo's Etsy shop. Enjoy!