yogi life

for months i've been wanting to try yoga at bird rock yoga, a studio just a few blocks away. my tennis buddy, maggie is a regular there and she couldn't say enough good things about it so I finally just went one night. i admit, i was hesitant about yoga/yogis. it doesn't quite fit my natural personality. im a high energy gal and thrive on hardcore workouts (hard runs, bootcamps like workouts, etc.), but i'm also one who will try almost everything once so gave it a go. the first class i attended was taught by a guy named ben and he was a good instructor. he didn't move too fast through the movements which allowed the newbies in the class (me) to keep up with him. i couldn't tell you the names of all the poses and movements we did, but overall it went well. i've since gone back with jen and tina. i should note that these classes were done in a 'warm' room, maybe 80-85 degrees, not a 'hot' room like bikram or hot yoga.

i tried bikram yoga once and only once. during the class, i literally thought i was going to pass out. it was so frickin' hot! room temperatures start at 105 degrees minimum. i always joke that i left the florida humidity and arizona desert because of the heat so why would i purposefully tortue myself *laugh*. still, i admire those who are passionate about it and can endure that heat. it shows great willpower. my lovely s-i-l heidi is an bikram yoga instructor at a studio in phoenix. she trained for several months in mexico and came back truly dedicated to the bikram way of life. during my next trip to phoenix, i vow to take one of her classes - in the heat and all. if you want to see some beautiful poses, visit her blog and see for yourself. i would love to be able to bend my body like that. anyway, i signed up for 10 more sessions at my local studio and have gone back twice since. it's certainly outside my norm but i am enjoying it. my hope is yoga will help me gain more flexibility, help with overall toning and last, just give me an hour of quiet time where i can relax after a long day at work. i mean how often do i focus on feeling every muscle in my body and breathing (outside of yoga - NEVER)!

here are a few poses that i've done to date. my form was not nearly as pretty, but it felt fabulous! i see why so many get addicted to the yogi way of life. i may be one of them. the jury is still out...

warrior pose

side angle pose

scorpian pose (maybe someday)

~ i will end with a comment my sis jen made after our very serious yoga class. she said "when the instructor told us to get our faces as close to our mats as possible for one of those poses, i was thinking there's no way. my yoga mat spelled like FOOT. it was so disgusting". i couldn't stop laughing. i love that girl.

to sensational aunties and to sleeping in

because of one sensational auntie, c and i were able to sleep in this morning. i had almost forgotten how great it feels to just sleep in as long as my body called for it. my body was definitely calling for it and it was pure heaven!! so how did this happen? no, we didn't drug the boys, although i have considered it in the past. *laugh*

aunt jen agreed to watch finn and scout overnight at her place - a first for all of them. since she's watched them on and off since they were born, we were all comfortable with the arrangement. jen is in her 20s and having been there (yes a while ago), i am fully aware there are lots of exciting things she could have been doing on a saturday night. she was kind enough, however, to sacrifice one of her weekend evenings to spend time with her nephews and to give her big sis a much needed respite. i don't think there has been a time since finn's birth that i've been able to sleep in with christopher. it was a rare and wonderful treat - it felt like our pre-kid days. ahhhhhh!!!!!

some events of the night/day: dinner (corn on the cob), movie and popcorn, shooting the rocket launcher toy in backyard, and coloring a giant sealife mural. here are a few fun photos jen took of the boys. oh, i should mention when c and i went to pick them up. they both begged to stay. even in scoutie's simple language, it was clear he was telling me to go. he said 'bye mom' and "not all done".

jen - you are the bestest auntie ever! muchas gracias senorita.

about attitude

our lives are not determined by what happens to us but by how we react to what happens,
not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life.
a positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes.
it is a catalyst, a spark that creates extraordinary results.
- anon

one of our dear friends paul jacobson was honored by sharp healthcare a few weeks ago and i wanted to share this video of him telling his story. he is an amazing man and for those who know me well, you have heard me talk about him for years. i am glad to know him and to call him a friend. paul reminds us all that we can alter our life by altering our attitude.

buddies

first a brother. then a bother. now a friend.

- unknown

finn and scout have developed quite a friendship and it's been a joy to watch.
scout is now able to speak in one to two word sentences which allows him to
have simple conversations with his big brother.

many of their conversations take place around the train table as they play.
they are a hoot to listen to. i wish i could catch them on video.
i will try and if i get it, i will post back here.

they don't always get along though. along with scout's ever growing language,
the terrible 2's are surfacing. he's learned he often gets what he wants because
he's the youngest and i'm a sucker for the underdog.

when i scold finn for not giving something to his "baby brother",
he quickly reminds me "Scout is NOT a baby".
he's right - he isn't a baby.
he is a toddler now who understands alot more than i give him credit for sometimes.

i know there will be lots of bickering and fighting between the boys over the next several years.
i know there will be days and maybe months that they will be bigger bothers to each other,
but my hope is as they grow to be young men and adults, they will always remain good friends.

cute 'do

my sister leslie is the 'hip sis' of the family. she watches all the trends closely and follows those that fit her personality and style. she was and still is, the first to try a trend - whether it be the 80s jelly shoes or the belly/nose ring or the long dresses over jeans. whatever she choses, she always pulls it off.

this also includes her hair. she was the first to go from very long hair to extremely short, and she's since had everything in between. she will be platinum for a few months and then decide it's too much upkeep and then go darker depending on her mood. her hair isn't overly thick, curly, wavy or frizzy - it has just enough body and is the perfect texture and weight to pull off any cut. she is lucky this way and she knows it. she's watched all the other girls in the family struggle at some point in their lives with the hair that we all were given *laugh*.

leslie's latest 'do is a pixie cut and with her small features, it's look fabulous! she was platinum a few months ago, but it's currently red and it looks great with her brown eyes. as her 'dos change, i'll try to remember to share. it's always fun to follow them.

 

summertime

sweet childish days, that were as long as twenty days are now.

- wordsworth

summer is in full swing now and with finn out of pre-school, christi has her hands full with both boys four days a week. as expected, she's handling it so well and they seem to be having lots of fun. they spend their days at the beach, the pool or parks around the city. they are simply enjoying the beautiful san diego summer - sunny and mid 70s!

i get a little bummed being cooped up inside at work instead of enjoying the outdoors. christi has a lovely sister jenny, a recent grad, that has been unable to find work in her field. she has taken up a nanny job in the meantime and it's just a few blocks away. the little boy she cares for is just a month younger than scoutie and the sisters get together almost daily with the 3 boys. it's a great set up for all of them.

oh to be a child again and have summers to look forward to.

i look back on summers with a smile. i was a child of the 70s and 80s and though we had the video game system, atari, my parents didn't allow us to spend our days sitting in front of the television. as soon as we ate breakfast and did our chores, we were outside playing - all day long. we came inside just long enough to grab lunch or a snack. it wasn't forced - it's just where we wanted to be.

it helped that we grew up on a street with lots of kids and that my best friend robin was one of 6 kids. between her large family and mine, we always had enough kids to form teams to play most anything. we also spent alot of time in our backyard pool - mom and dad knew exactly what they were doing when they made that purchase. our friends were over often and it kept us home which allowed mom to keep her eye on us for many summers.

when i think of childhood summers, i think of long and happy days - filled with childhood friends, my brothers, bike riding, touch football and four-square games in the street (yes in the street), neighborhood parades, swimming, lots of kool-aid, pb&j and chasing down the ice cream truck for a sweet treat. oh to be a kid again.

here's to a sweet and sensational summer!!

sentiments about my dad

he didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.
- clarence budington kelland

my father is a soft-spoken man - at least most of the time.
he isn't one to yell or raise his voice often. it's just not his way.
if and when it happened growing up, we knew we had gone too far.

for the most part, he just sat back and observed.
he was logical and was the voice of reason in debates,
and as a father to five girls who could be extremely emotional at times,
he was the calm in the storm.

when we did screw up, more often than not,
i would end up on the edge of his bed as he tried to have a heart to heart talk with me.
i wasn't always receptive, but he never failed to take the time to explain why he was upset
or disappointed, and why i was there.

sometimes our talks were short, but often they were long. at least they seemed that way.
i remember there were days when i thought, "just spank me and be done with it". *laugh*.
as i got older privledges were taken away - the phone was the first to go
(so tragic for a teenage girl).

i'm sure alot of what he said went in one ear and out the other, but not all of it.
i have learned many life lessons from him and so much of the good in me comes from my dad.
for this i am appreciative. i admired him then and i admire him now.
i realize now i even tried to marry a man who shared some of his character traits.

my dad is one of those parents who leads by example.
i can't think of a more powerful way to teach children than by letting them watch and observe.
words mean so little in comparison to having someone lead the way.
thanks dad for being a father who i respect and want to follow.

when i can find a pix of my dad and i together, i will post here.
in the meantime, here is a photo of the boys on father's day wearing their cute
handsome like daddy pjs.

i also included an short interview i did with finn about his daddy.

happy father's day to the terrific men in my life!

finn's interview, 5 years old

1. how would you describe dad? he’s an architect and his eyes are blue
2  what makes dad happy? when he’s building
3  what makes dad sad? when he doesn’t get to play with me
4. what is something dad always says to you? i love you
5. what makes dad laugh? me
6. what is dad’s favorite thing to do? playing with me and scout
7. if dad became famous, what do you think it would be for? for building cool legos
8. what is dad really good at? building
9. what is dad not so good at? cleaning

10. how do you know dad loves you? he tells me, sometimes by talking and sometimes by sign language (he showed me 'i love you' in sign language - pointing to himself, crossing his arms and
then pointing at me).

that sure was fun and finn's response to question #9 makes me chuckle!

birthday wishes to lil' sis

happy birthday stacey!!
thinking of you and sending my love across the miles.
XO

 
 

pucker up

scout loves to 'pucker up' his little lips and make this face.
he is fully aware this face makes me laugh outloud,
so he does this often -
especially when i'm trying to photograph him.

i want to remember scoutie at this age forever.
and this sweet and silly 'pucker' face

 

a sister or a puppy

the best way to get a puppy is to beg for a baby brother -
and they'll settle for a puppy every time.

- winston pendelton

several times over the past six months, finn has asked christopher and/or i for a baby sister.
the first conversation occured when i was setting the table:

finn: mommy i really want a baby sister

me: (almost dropping a dish) why would you want a sister finn? you have a perfectly good baby brother.

finn: but he's not a girl mommy. we have 3 boys in our family, and one girl. we need another girl.

me: we do have 3 boys and just me, but i think four is the perfect size family for us.

i thought the idea was out of his head but it came up a second time.
finn crawled into bed with me on a lazy saturday morning.
scout was asleep and christopher was in the shower and finn started kissing me all over my face.

me: WOW. what is all this sugar for buddy?

finn: i'm making a baby sister mommy.

me: *shocked* um, that's not how you make a baby finn.

finn: well how do you make a baby mommy?

me: (OMG - he's 5 yr old - why is he asking this question). why don't you ask dad.

finn: (walks into the bathroom where c is) dad, how do you make a baby?

christopher: silence

finn: are you listening? how do you make a baby? mommy said to ask you.

christopher: we'll talk about it later ok?

finn got distracted and later never came.
i don't think neither of us were ready to answer that question - not YET at least.
luckily, c was able to distract him by talking about plans for the day,
but that came out of nowhere.

it was just another reminder that he isn't a toddler anymore.
he's a curious little boy with alot of questions.
c and i have discussed getting a dog, but it's a few years away.
we want to them to be old enough to help care for it (we really need more space too).

i've always loved the look of a beagle,
but i don't know anything about the breed.
i figured we were still years away and i had time,
but if finn doesn't let up with the sister talk,
a dog might be closer in our future that we planned. *smile*

cheers cathi

enjoy your special day. looking forward to celebrating with you and the girls in a few weeks!

we will give you a real toast then.

new homes

my brother randy and his family, as well as my friend karen, recently made the leap into home ownership.
they are in full swing making their house a 'home' and i wanted to take a minute to say congratulations to them.

i'm very excited for them and look forward to visiting and having new places to stay when i visit *laugh*.
i'll remember the 'fish and company stink after 3 days' rule. i promise.

xo me and the boys

patience

patience is the state of endurance under difficult circumstances,
which can mean persevering in the face of delay or provocation
without becoming annoyed or upset; or exhibiting forbearance when under strain,
especially when faced with longer-term difficulties.
it is also used to refer to the character trait of being steadfast.
- wikipedia


 

my husband, christopher paul gerber, fits the description of a patient person pretty darn well.
sure he has times when he loses it like all of us, but the majority of the time he remains calm under pressure.
it's just his way.

i admire this quality because i'm not like this.  between his job and the boys and i,
we certainly give him lots of opportunities to be otherwise. today was another example of this.

here's what happened:

mondays mornings are *always* tough for me .
i cram alot into my weekends and am generally tired or exhausted the time monday mornings roll around. 
i try to get a headstart by having my work outfit set out, lunches for the little guys packed, and my purse and laptop by the front door so i can grab and go. this morning my routine was off, and i didn't realize until i pulled up to the office that i didn't have my laptop. *arrr*!

i quickly called christopher who was just greeting christi as she arrived at the house
(she's back and feeling better - YAY!). the timing wasn't good, but he took a second to listen to my dilemma and responded, i'm sort of heading that way later this morning for a jobsite meeting. i can bring it to you if you'd like.

me: deep breath. i responded "yes, that would be wonderful. thank you!!"
two hours later he was at my office - with my laptop.
he actually brought it right to my desk, gave me a quick kiss and was off.

i sent him a sweet little text message letting him know he was appreciated and loved -
and that he looked really cute when he arrived at my office. *grin*.

i love my extremely patient hubby! i really do. this is now the second time in the past 2 weeks that i've inconvenienced him in pretty big ways - remember the gas incident? i'm testing his patience more than
ever these days and so far he hasn't skipped a beat.

oh to have an ounce of his patience.  i guess we all have things to work on.  patience is mine.

fabulous and 40

beauty, to me is all about being comfortable in your own skin.
that, or a kick-ass red lipstick.
- gwyneth paltrow

my fabulous girlfriend aleyda celebrated her big 4-0 last night.
her amazing husband planned a surprise party for her (not easy to do),
and he pulled it off! he created a special website for the event,
invited all the attendees, reserved a private room at donovans,
and even had a special menu arranged just for her.
it was preprinted with her name and everything.
so sweet.

i've known aleyda now for 10 years and she truly grows more beautiful every year.
she makes turning 40 look fabulous and even fun - something to actually look forward to.
i appreciate this as i am flirting with forty. *grin*.

a - you are FABULOUS in so many ways!
you are confident, have a great sense of humor, and are full of life.
i look forward to celebrating your next decade birthday with you girlfriend.

happy birthday!!



birthday cupcakes from heaven sent desserts
phenomenal!

sisters at the starlite

what's the good of news if you haven't a sister to share it?
- jenny devries

my sis jen called last week to share some news.
we text message alot more than we talk,
so i knew she had something pretty important to tell me when i saw she was calling.

shortly into our conversation, i thought oh no, she's been laid off
(there had been rumblings and rumors of layoffs)
but the story had a twist and a happy ending.

her boss actually walked her outside to tell her privately that he was giving her a raise.
she was being rewarded and well, it was good news - the best news i had heard all day!
i was glad she shared with me. i enjoyed celebrating with her.

tonight we snuck away for a few hours after work for happy hour and were able to share even more.
we had been trying to get together for two months and finally we just made it happen.

we went to starlite, a hipster hangout on the outskirts of downtown. we settled into a cozy booth,
ordered drinks, appetizers and yes, even dessert (we have to indulge sometimes).
we spent a few hours just talking and catching up on each other's lives - it was so needed and so nice.

j - thanks for your friendship and sharing the calories *wink*.

i'm looking forward to our next girl's night out.

.

well wishes

feel better soon christi - the gerber family misses you!

flintstone fingers

when you can laugh at yourself, you are free.
- ted loder

i have what some of my sisters refer to as 'flintstone fingers'.

i can't remember which one of them came up with this name, but it stuck.

unfortunately, i'm not the only female in my family who has them.

i won't name names, but some of us have them, and some don't.

some of us were lucky to be born with long narrow fingers with beautifully

shaped nails and some of us have shorter and wider flintstone fingers.

it doesn't seem fair others got the long fingers when i'm the one who plays the piano

and could use them. such is life i guess. the good news - i've never been a girl that likes

to have long or medium nails and faux nails, NEVER. so i can write about this with a grin

and i laugh about it with my sisters. since i don't need or want attention drawn to my fingers,

i keep them short and unpainted.

it helped having a strict piano teacher growing up who insisted that my nails be short.

she said they should never get in the way of my piano playing and since i was a tomboy,

i preferred them short anyway. when all the girls got acrylic nails for senior prom,
i opted for a simple manicure with a clear coat. once (just once) i got acrylic nails,
but they were super uncomfortable and with the shape of my fingers,
they didn't even look much better.
so that's one bi-weekly expense i've never had to worry about.

when i get my nails done, it's always my TOE nails.
they don't resembles flintstone feet thank goodness.

well they did a few times when i was in training for long runs.
the 2nd toenail on both of my feet were black and fell off.
but that's for another time.
(i even have pix of jen and i's black toe nails after our first marathon)

i do treat myself to pedicures in the spring and summer because i live in flipflops
or go barefoot as much as i can. so here's to a summer of pretty toes at least.

i'm off to get a pedicure this weekend. maybe i'll post a picture of them here.
 for now, i found some pretty toes on google to use.

paws without pads

i have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.
- maya angelou

i think most anyone would agree that giving makes us feel good.
there's so many ways to give - not just financially, but with our time, and even our talents.
even with busy lives, some people make it a priority - they find things they are truly passionate about and give.

my dear friend charlotte is a good example of this. whether it be volunteering to help woman in the workplace balance work and a professional life, or building homes for families in need, she is always giving.

her latest endeavor, paws without pads stemmed from her desire to help pets of the homeless.
ever since she adopted heidi, a sweet older dog from the humane society a few years back,
she's had a soft spot for animals in need and for those no one else seems to care about.
paws without pads is her brainchild.  here is her story:

one day while walking near my office downtown, i saw a homeless man with two dogs.
one looked a lot like heidi, but the poor little dog was very dirty and his fur was so matted he needed to be shaved. i realized how hard it must be for someone without sufficient means to care for a dog like that. i started thinking about how i could make a difference in their lives. today, the idea for a free pet wash to benefit the pets of san diego’s homeless is how i’m taking action.

i’ve named the event Paws without Pads – Pet Wash!
the event has two parts: Part 1 is a donation drive for pet supplies. If you would like to make a donation, I am collecting supplies throughout the month of June; you can drop them off at my house or office. Part 2 is the actual pet wash which will be set for a certain date and time later this summer. Several local organizations are signing on to be involved, so it should be a very successful event!

there is already interest and excitement from so many and i'm excited for the event day to come.
i am going to volunteer in some capacity - wherever i'm needed.
so tonight i sit here inspired by charlotte and her idea to give back.
i am challenging myself to give more - charity events or community events (more beach cleanups?).
i need to do more - give more. i want to be an example to my boys so they want to give.
maybe they'll learn that by giving, they'll get just as much in return (and maybe more) than the recipient. if you or anyone you know is interested in helping, please pass along.

if you have questions, contact charlotte at pawswithoutpads@gmail.com

unusual acts of devotion

this was the title of the theater production that christopher and i saw tonight at the la jolla playhouse.
it was one of the most interesting plays i've seen in a long time and since i'm wide awake thinking of it,
i wanted to write about it.
 
written by terrence mcnally, the story takes place entirely on a rooftop of a highrise.
its a peek into the lives a few greenwich village residents who gathered there to celebrate a wedding anniversary. during the evening, they confront some uncomfortable truths about their lives and their relationships. the play looks at things done - and not done - all in the name of love.
 
every one of the actors was amazing!

from the first scene, c and i recognized the voice of the older woman who played mrs. darnell.
we knew the voice, but couldn't place her, and since we didn't get a chance to read the program before the play, we opened it right after and learned it was doris roberts. she plays marie, the mother of raymond, on the television show everyone love's raymond. she was amazing!
 
the other actors had impressive bios - veteran stage actors but they had all been in major tv/films as well. some were joe manganiello, the villian who starred opposite tobey mcguire, in spider man 1 & 3, a woman (i can't remember her name) who was in rachael getting married, and richard thomas from the waltons.
 
this was a wonderful and memorable evening for me and i thank christopher for the chance to experience it as he was the provider of the ticket(s). they were a surprise birthday gift to me as he knows i LOVE theater.

he got tickets for the entire season so we will be enjoying an additional date night every month through november. he told me i don't have to take him, but who's he kidding? he enjoys theater as much as i do, and we can always use more date nights.
 
and a HUGE thanks to madison (maddy) for watching the peanuts.
it was her *first* time watching them and it was a success. the boys adore her.
we will certainly be seeing lots more of her this summer. we've been missing her.



scout (23 months), maddy (14) and finn (5)



running on empty

christopher called me on my cell at work yesterday morning which is unusual.
he mentioned he was walking to the gas station. he explained that the volvo ran out of gas.
we had traded cars the day before and i hadn't noticed it was on fumes. *oops*!

though we live just 8 blocks from the gas station, he couldn't even make it there. i felt horrible.
i learned later, the gas station wouldn't loan him a gas can and since we didn't need a second one,
he called christi. fortunately she was home and grabbed our gas can from our storage and brought to him.

once again - christi to the rescue. i tell ya, she could compete with super nanny anyday!
what made this incident post-worthy is the way christopher handled it. if it was me,
i would have been so angry and probably given him a new earhole.
he on the otherhand kept a sense of humor teasing me that i'm spoiled because i usually drive the prius and never have to fill the tank.

it's true, i only fill up about twice a month and i drive every day.
he knows how crazy things have been for me at work, and that not only was the car running on empty,
but me too.

he is a good man - a better person that me in SO many ways.
to try to show my appreciation, i made fresh veggies and salmon with a brown sugar glaze for dinner -
a simple yet delish recipe christi shared with us a few months ago that we just love.
i should mention that while c was walking to the gas station, he got a parking ticket.
it was a street sweeping day - *double oops*!!

hand in hand

love at first sight is easy to understand;
it’s when two people have been looking at each
other for a lifetime that it becomes a miracle.
- amy bloom




today is my parent's 48th anniversary.

yes - they are almost to their 'golden' (50th) anniversary.
i type with a smile on my face as this is truly something to celebrate.

finding couples who make it that far in a marriage is rare anymore.
most statistics show that about 50% of marriages in america will end in divorce.
it's a sobering statistic and makes me sad.

when i see those rare couples who have been married for many years,
it makes me happy and hopeful.
my parents are one of these couples.

i'm not so naive to know that every marriage has it's difficulties,
and i know my parent's have certainly had their share of tough times - sicknesses,
a job loss, a career change, retirement, and raising 7 kids was no small feat either.
mom has said that raising teenagers was one of the toughest challenges in their marriage.
i believe this and apologized.

fortunately, those days are long gone and they are enjoying being grandparents which is certainly
just as much fun and maybe even more. no my parents marriage isn't perfect, but they have made
a beautiful life together and have mastered the art of companionship.

some of the things i've noticed they do well - not sweating the small stuff, they forgive,
show tolerance, keep a sense of humor, support each other yet still give each other their space.
these are things they've worked on over the years and have got nailed down well.

my mom and dad's marriage is my real life example of what a good marriage is and should be.
i've been lucky that way.

happy anniversary mom and dad.
thanks for showing us how it's done! *wink*

a cup of joe

to drink is human, to drink coffee is divine. - unknown

i love coffee.

not black coffee, but coffee with cream, iced coffee, mexican mochas, and chai lattes.

i enjoy the morning ritual - the smell, the taste, the warmth of the cup in my hands.

i never even drank coffee until later in my early 30s.

my parents didn't drink it so it wasn't in my home growing up.

when i went back to work when finn was an infant, i needed something to stay awake.

i was sleep deprived and tried coffee. it not only woke me up, but it was warm and comforting.

i became addicted. it was just what i needed to get through my days since i was up often at night. though i drink decaf most days, it's enough for me.

during the week, a simple cup from our fancy machine at work hits the spot.

on weekends, i treat myself to a cup from a neighborhood cafe.

no, it's not always from starbucks either.

i prefer local mom & pop shops, but starbucks is convenient and good too.

a cup of coffee just starts my day out right.

it simply makes me happy.