C. Jane Exclusive: Occidental Saloon's Book on Tapeworm

We have a little charge, us Latter-Day Saints, it goes like this "If there is anything virtuous, lovely or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." (13 Article of Faith) I also think it works like this, "If there is anything virtuous, lovely or of good report or praiseworthy, we tell others about it."

I am so proud to be one of the first bloggers to get to post Occidental Saloon's latest video. It includes Emily Brown, jumping deer, birds, dandelions, possibly the Nie Nie/Blue Lily woods and a beautiful song, Shadow Puppets by Provo band Book on Tapeworm.



I'd like to thank director Matt Eastin (also directed Mindy Gledhill's Anchor video) and Corey Fox for creating an atmosphere here in Provo where music is king. Good music, the kind you like that goes big and wide out into the world (see Matt's video Animal by the Neon Trees, just hit 2 million views on Youtube).



You can pre-order Book on Tapeworm's album here.
(Recording done at June Audio Studios with my friend Scott Wiley, so you know it's polish to your ears).
And more Occidental Saloon video's here.


Gah, I love art in all of its glorious forms.
Good report, this.

Equally cool photography by my ol' pal Trevor Christensen

I Want You So Bad (to attend)

This is what happened, Paul Jacobsen had this idea for a Rooftop Concert that would cover an entire album using our local artists and musicians.

"What album should we choose?" Sarah Wiley texted me.

I happened to be at my brother Steve's house, who happens to be a music aficionado and we happened to have some time, so we started a two-day brainstorm.

"The Police, Synchronicity."

"Van Morrison, Moondance."

"Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon."

"Micheal Jackson, Thriller."

"Nirvanna, Nevermind."

And on it went.

Then Paul responded,

"I've done the Abbey Road album before, we could do it again."

And then he titled it, The Abbey Road Show because in Utah we're nuts about Road Shows. Isn't that clever?

Paul playing with Madison Arm at our first show of the season:


So over the past few months since we solidified this event, I've been listening to the album--a swirly mix of songs about love (with slices of lust), gardens, Octopuses, murder, granny music and my favorite, Golden Slumbers. There it is, Rollingstone's 14th best album of all time.

Tonight I got the set list, who is singing what song and I am playing the whole concert out in my mind. I don't know what cocktail is running in my veins tonight, but I am weepy about it all. Weepy because so many people are coming together to create something so creative for our community. And it's free for the taking.

Read more about it, the players and the idea behind it all here.

If you are coming:


First start your night off at Freedom Days, on the county courthouse lawn. Buy yourself some kitch. Do it.
Then come to Provo Town Square for our art/food market. Great little gifts to buy!
Our warm up duo Cherie Call and Sam Payne start around 7:45.
People usually start staking out spots around 7:15ish. Bring chairs and blankets.
Yes, the lanterns will be lit this concert.
Sarah Sample will open for us. You will not want to miss her set. Let me be clear.
I have a plethora of giveaways to give from the stage including, Slab pizza, Sweet Tooth Fairy treats, 3B Yoga passes, Modbod prizes and cds!!!
You can text Slab pizza to deliver pizza to you on the Rooftop starting at 8pm for delivery at 9pm. Three pizzas will be free for the random texter.
Sweet Tooth Fairy cupcakes sold in the courtyard of Provo Town Square.
 The Abbey Road Show will begin when you can see the lights from the lanterns, and so will the love.
You will have an option to follow along on Twitter. Paul has come up with dozens of 140 characters or less interesting, funny tidbits about the album and the performers. Follow us in advance, here.


If you are not coming:


Boo hoo for you you.


And now, a word about our sponsors:

Whenever people email me about coming to Provo they always say, "And of course we're going to the Sweet Tooth Fairy." It has indeed become a Provo landmark. But what people may not know is the generosity of Megan and Ethan Brown. They give and give and give in many different ways. And believe me, many times I've been on the other ending of that giving--cupcakes on my front porch or cakes at my sister Stephanie's parties. Just the other night Megan offered to take my children if I ever needed a break. I need a break? That woman is the hardest working human I know. Watch this (but not if you're hungry).


Modbod was one of the first sponsors on board with the Rooftop Concerts and I love them for it. I have already posted my testimonial of how great their undershirts are in my life. As you can see on my blog recently, I wear them a lot under maxi dresses. It's a great pregnancy trick. (Also, if you click on that testimonial, you'll also see some great comments in the comment section. The last comment was supposed to be me, but I posted it as Chup and boy it reads funny with his face next to my profession of love for undershirts.) See the 25% ad above.


3B Yoga. I went to the 3B Yoga studio today, in the heat of the afternoon, with my two tired-of-running-errands human monkeys. The minute we walked into that place (with boutique and cafe) I was instantly filled with serenity and peace. I have only ever done one yoga class (and you don't want to know what happened) but being there was compelling enough to make me try again. In the Riverwoods across from Bajios.


One more frequently posed question, Who does the artwork for your posters?
Answer: Matt Midlenstein. And we're patiently waiting for his launch online and availability for more design projects. He's fabulous.


See you on the Rooftops!

Only My Children Call Me Mommy

I read this article today about Mormon mommy bloggers.
I'd like to abolish that label. I really, really would, and with it the sweeping term "mommy blogger" as well (unless it is a blog specific to raising children, of course). It never ceases to annoy me that a woman on the internet who happens to have religion and children in her home has to be given a label that carries with it no real distinction (there are huge differences blogging genres--a design blog is not a writer's blog) or definition (does a Mormon mommy blog have to have posted a certain number of Polaroid-ish pictures to be considered legit?)



or dignity (you should see some of the comments I get on my more controversial Des News columns, "What does she know? She's just a mommy blogger!")

I know, I know, there are bigger problems out there, but there's nothing like feeling a little fire in yer belly.

You can chat with me on facebook about it here.



p.s. Sarah Sample will be in town this weekend to open for The Abbey Road Show. And warming up the stage is Cherie Call and Sam Payne. Do Mormom mommy bloggers put on such incredible shows? If so, I AM A MORMON MOMMY BLOGGER.


And tomorrow on C. Jane I'll answer: What exactly is The Abbey Road show?
Hint: it gets sexy.

To the Beat of Their Drum

On Saturday morning, as the sun filtered through the eastward blinds, Chup and I had a planning session in bed.

"I'd like to fix the sprinklers today," he started.

"I've got to go out and get some errands done," I calculated.

"It'd be good if I worked on the Green Room project," he added.

"Oh, I told Jay and Kelly we'd have lunch with them at twelve thirty at Slab," I announced.

Then a little voice from down the hall,

"Mommy?"

I got up to let the boy out of his room, he dashed out like a bull at the rodeo, down the hall for his ritual morning snuggle with dad. I checked my phone to see Lucy had sent me a text about the annual Children's Parade in downtown Provo.

No. I thought. No way. I can't do a children's parade today in the middle of all this.

But, maybe? Maybe?

"Lucy just asked if we'd like to go to the Children's Parade today," I said to Chup sliding back in bed, waiting to see his reaction to decide on mine.

"I don't know..." he hesitated.

"Parade? I want the parade!" The Chief sprung out of his snuggled hold. "PARADE!"

Then we had no choice.

So we pulled out the children's Fourth of July outfits including the cowboy hat we bought for The Chief when he was a newborn--hoping someday he'd love it as much as we did--and made sure it fit. We rounded up the motorcycle, stroller, patriotic pinwheel, water bottle and sunglasses. Packed, secured and slapped in the back of the car, we were ready to go.

Having never participated in the Children's Parade we arrived in a shade of naivety. It was a serenade to our senses. There were streamers and balloons, beaded costumes and bedazzled Big Wheels. There were clowns and dogs and tiny motorized golf carts that puttered up and down the starting line. Two bands warmed up on either side of us, the drum lines echoing off the nearby mountain range. Toddlers in flashy wagons, babies in glittered strollers and even a miniature pony with an even more miniature rider atop. It was fantastic.

When the parade began we found ourselves at the end, slightly before the Provo High Marching band and the rounding up police car. The Chief was astonished, he couldn't ride his push motorcycle (at which he is proficient) and take it all in at once. It was early in our march when his transportation was totally abandoned. Instead he trailed along the parade route, waving at the happy spectators and pointing out the ridiculous fellow paraders. And we laughed all the way to town.












Mid-way through the march Chup yells to me,

"THIS IS THE BEST THING WE'VE EVER DONE."

It was true, there was an element of glory to it all. Marching down Center Street with our posterity, decked in our national colors and keeping to the beat of my old Alma mater's fight song. And to think we were about to have a day of work. I started to wonder how many good times I had traded for a victorious task list.

After we had completed the route there were Popsicles and socializing downtown. With their faces red from the heat of the day, we whisked them off to meet up with our long lost friends for lunch. A couple slices of cheese pizza and a shared lemonade later, they were both ready for home.

There was a little nap time, and some cleaning up to do. Then we were back in the car and over to another friend retreat--this one a barbeque with slip n slide and funnel cakes. When it was dark enough, sparklers were lit as well. It was the day of never-ending enjoyment. We partied until their bodies were limp. Until our bodies were limp.

And when we arrived home to our dark house, Chup and I each hoisting a sleepy body up the stairs, I realized: this is the new fun. It's no longer summer movie houses viewing the latest indie flick. It's not gorging out on sushi rolls and gossipy conversation. It's not even our old stand by: a motorcycle ride and the sunset.

It's whatever they want. That's the new fun.

Sunday Guest Post Series: Caitlin Connolly's Healing Through Art

The human heart is a pretty dangerous place, isn’t it?  At least I know mine can be!  I heard a quote as a young college girl that said, “the greatest battles of life are fought out daily in the silent chambers of the soul“ {David O. McKay}. As a right brained, creatively driven, all-too-tied-up in my own mind kind of person – this quote rang very true to me.  I am a painter and a daydreamer, and I have found that nothing can heal a fickle heart like creating.

When you are attempting to become a successful artist there is a big pressure to “find your style”.  Discovering this unique flare can be a lifelong pursuit with many up’s and down’s.  Perhaps I am a more emotionally driven artist than most, but I have found a huge connection between developing my style and coming to peace with who I am.

I think there is something wonderful about creating that lifts up a droopy heart.  Isn’t it amazing that we have the opportunity to put a brush on paper and make a mark that may have never existed before?  I think people are so insistent and curious about “your style” because they’re really trying to say, “what do you have to offer to the world that has never been offered before?”.  No pressure, right?

I assemble shapes, colors, and linear ideas to express the ideas of change, growth, and progression.  If I am not watching a ridiculous funny movie {I love a good laugh} or listening to some groovy music {Janelle Monae perhaps?}, painting can be a nice quiet time for me.  As I sit in my messy studio working my way through these paintings, I have a very realistic conversation with myself.  I think about trials, successes, influential people, the purpose of life, and I process things.  Deep, right?  I come to terms with my flaws but I try to rejoice in what I do have to offer.  Sorting and reflecting through these things is a very healing time for me and it gives me hope.  This narrative usually brings me to a finished product that I am very happy about.

I always try to be honest with myself as I create.  Finding “my style” has been a challenge, but I find myself getting closer it to the more I am honest with the process.  Working my brush on my canvas, assembling new ideas, and working through past emotions all have a huge power to heal my heart.  I hope others can see themselves in my paintings it can bring them the same kind of joy that I feel.


 



Caitlin Connolly is a wife, artist, musician and mother to puppy Albus. You must stop by her blog Hue & Hum-- an artistic blog journaling the lives of a husband and wife artist and musician team (her husband Robbie is the lead guitarist for Fictionist). Or shop her etsy shop here. Warning: it's such a cozy, colorful world you will not want to leave.

Dear Brooke White's Mom

I almost always love the people I meet. Last week I met several people I wasn't even supposed to love (you know, politics and all) and I ended up a swooning fan by the time our meeting was over. This is why I do what I do, I am so lucky.

But meeting your Brooke last night was exceptional. In the short time we had together last night I was very much awestruck by her generosity, vivaciousness and a firm sense of spirituality (not usually experienced between two new acquaintances). During our conversation together I felt so many affirmations that not only is life beautiful but mysterious and fascinating. After dinner was over I followed her like a starstruck fan to the Meet and Greet where people were waiting for her second's time and an autograph.Then she pleased five hundred fans at her concert that evening. 

I am sure I speak for a lot of people when I say thanks for sharing her with us all. Keep up your staunch watch over her. She really is something else.

Love,
C. Jane

A Saucy Post About A Day in Denver

What I should've worn was clear after the day was over.

What I should've worn probably wouldn't have looked any more professional.

What I should've worn was a shirt that read: THEY ARE DOING FINE, THANKS FOR ASKING.

THEY are my parents. My mother and father who oversee close to two-hundred missionaries in the romantic Midwestern town of St. Louis, Missouri. And yes, romantic. It's so French and Fleur de lis.

Anyway, I didn't really think about that as I readied myself early in the morning for the inaugural flight out of Provo Airport due east to Denver. I thought about how my kids were going to get along without me (thanks Meg), about my sick husband who had spent the night rolling and groaning about, and I thought about who I was going to hang out with for the excursion. I was feeling social anxiety at thirty-four years old. It's here to stay I suppose.

I was the last to check in out of our ninety-something group. Just as I was halfway to the airport I realized I had Chup's wallet in my car. As a testimonial of sorts, I was so grateful for the convenience of being able to fly out of Provo airport, a quick turn around back to the house only cost me five minutes. Had I been headed to Salt Lake I would've either missed the flight or left Chup penniless for the day. And believe me, when Chup is sick he needs his Del Taco.

The waiting terminal was full of local dignitaries and People that People Know. I took a deep breath and started shaking hands with everyone I could see. I pretended I was Michelle Bachman. Then I pretended I was Sarah Palin. And then I didn't really like being either of those ladies so I just resorted to me.

Here's how it went:

"Hi. I am Courtney."

"Hi Courtney. What are you doing here?" Indifferent. Awkward.

"Well, I am a local blogger/writer and I represent the Rooftop Concert Series."

"Huh." More indifference, more awkward.

" . . . and I am Steve and Cindy Clark's daughter."

Which is usually when the bear hugging would take place.

"COURTNEY!" Like I'm the long lost whatever.

"How are your parents doing? Gosh we miss them so much..."

[Dream Sequence: Point to labeled shirt.]

Oh look, here is a little clip of me boarding the plane. And some other people:

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

When I got on the plane I had a really sweet seat in first class next to the entertaining Alex Cabero of KSL NBC and directly in front of Governor Herbert. I turned around to introduce myself to the Governer and just skipped the whole Me part of things,

"Hi Governor. I am Courtney Clark Kendrick. Steve and Cindy's daughter. Sister in law of Vance who helped create five hundred jobs in Utah--the ones you announced yesterday."

"Of course! How are your parents doing? You know, Steve is such a good friend of mine."

And then things took a different turn,

"How is your sister doing in New Mexico?"

"Well, she's actually here."

"Oh good. I hear she has a real popular facebook page."

"Something like that."

"You tell her the Governor says hello."

And then I did the same thing to the Governor that all the press had been doing that morning, I asked him his position on Romney vs. Huntsman. Governor Herbert supported Romney in the last campaign, but spent a couple terms as Huntsman's Lt. Governor.

It was as sweetly PC as it needed to be, "Wish them both luck!" that sorta thing.

Then I said hello to the Governor's chief of staff who actually knew me as me because of fun times in college. And that is all I will say about that.


Governor Herbert and Mayor Curtis before boarding

When we landed in Denver we were sprayed by a firetruck which--I didn't know--is ceremonial for these sorts of things. I told Alex I was expecting a bottle of champagne to be smashed across the underbelly. But he said that's only for boats. Boats is the correct answer.

Then I introduced myself to Representative Jason Chaffetz who is the most conservative person on Capitol Hill. Or one of them, at least.

"Hi, Representative. I'm Courtney."


"Hi Courtney."


Me, not knowing what to say.


"So, how did you get so conservative?"

Yes, stupid question. But he answered it anyway.


"Well, I grew up, got a job and a family."


You could've fooled me.That man has a baby face. In real life. Now I know.

After we arrived in the airport I was so happy to see my friend Jeanette Bennett Editor-in-Chief of Utah Valley Magazine was with us. I sorta hooked my social anxiety onto her and she helped me through the day of social networking. We ate with the Denver political elite at the Denver Aquarium, headed to Coors Field for a tour (GO ROCKIES!) and ended the day at Larimer Square.

The first thing I did when I got home was text my parents out in Creve Coeur.

"People still love you around here."

And then I reminded them, "Love, Your Daughter Who Was Born in Denver"

Oh, did I tell you? I was born in Denver. Me and the omelette.



Me and Mayor Curtis at Coors Field
(and on second thought, I'm really glad I wore this fabulous shirt, thanks Lilac Clothing.)



Lastly, here is a really cool video of the first flight to land in Provo Airport. Even if you don't care one ounce about who or what lands here, you've got to watch this. It's so Americana--beauty queens, helicopters, soundtracks to awesome movies--and your three year old will ask for repeat (at least mine did):

Provo's First Flight - Transformers Soundtrack from Daniel Bean on Vimeo.

Thanks Daniel Bean







All photos were taken by Bryant Livingston--photographer to Utah County's families. Thanks Bryant!

And thanks to Helen Anderson for the ticket, the funniest person at Provo's City Hall

Checking In

I am feeling particularly un-saucy tonight. I think I'm being doused with a giant vat of vulnerability. I am tired, and it seems: I am tired a lot. And it also seems: so is every other mother in my position.

But it's good. My cheeks are hot, my babies are sleeping, (except the kicky one in my insides) my husband has had an awful day of flu or funeral potato poisoning (we can't really tell which...) and there was a really sweet reader at Costco today who lifted my spirits as I hauled groceries into my car. I love you little C. Jane readers, you're so sweet to me.

This year I've wanted to focus on healing, all aspects. One of the areas I hoped to succeed was in relationships. There have been times in blogging when I've mistakenly hurt feelings. For instance, when I said I didn't really love this video about Provo Girls, I didn't mean Mallory Everton--the producer. In an effort to prove this to my readership (some of whom were awfully offended) I asked Mallory to join me in making a video together. I support the ladies, oh I do.

Last year when Brooke White had to cancel out of our Rooftop show I posted her apology. It was done tongue in cheek. Some readers thought I was being rude--including Brooke's mom--and I had to call my mom to see if I had crossed a line. Of course, she didn't think so...

Anyway, Brooke is coming to town for a concert (see poster below) and my hope is to meet her and smooth out any wrinkles I caused. Stay tuned for that reunion.

This is a funny adventure, this healing stuff.

As for tomorrow, I am off to Denver for Frontier Airlines first flight out of Provo Airport. It's a 8:30 am flight. Good thing it's just fifteen minutes to the airport instead of the forty five minutes to the Salt Lake airport.

Gah, no wonder I am tired.





p.s. Ryan Innes will also be singing at our July Rooftop concert with the Abbey Road Show. Have I told you? It's a collection of bright artists covering the Abbey Road album from start to finish. Smashing! Smashing! Plus my lover Sarah Sample!


and while I am at it...did you see this video from our last show? Thanks to mango film productions:


Ok, me, bed.

Father's Day Generosity

This is what I did for Chup on his fourth official Father's Day.

I let him let me sleep in.

I let him change all of Ever's diapers. The whole day.

I let him pack the car--all of our luggage, food and toys-- stuff we acquired while visiting Grandma and Grandpa Kendrick in Idaho this weekend. He's so good at manipulating space, and I am so good at eating fruit snacks and sitting in the sunshine.

I let him sleep while I drove home. BONUS POINTS.

I let him unpack the car when we arrived home.

I let him make me dinner. (I was hungry from all that driving!!!)

I let him put the kids in the tub and give them a good scrubbing.

I let him do the dishes. And a couple loads of laundry.

I let him also clean the wet mess The Chief accidentally made the in car when we didn't get home in time for his bladder-ific needs.

I let him fix the lid on the white garbage can. IT WAS DRIVING ME NUTS.

And then, when he was super tired I tucked him into bed. He said he had a stomach ache. And the chills.

I let him have those too.




Happy Father's Day Chupcake! Love you! Feel better!

Father's Day Recommendation

.

No Father's Day gift list this year.

Don't get me wrong. Great idea, and past posts on "guy stuff" have been well received, but because my dear Janer is pregnant (didja hear?) and I've been working "movie hours," we'd decided to sit this year out.

Until my friend Jacob Hoehne called. Jacob's company has been doing some video production for Little Giant Ladders.

If you haven't heard of them, you've probably seen their infomercials or run into their booths in Costco.

I've lusted after a Little Giant for some time. Maybe covet is a more appropriate word. Super engineered, durable, cool-looking. If you've been to one of the Rooftoop Concert Series shows, the lanterns are hung using one every time.




Hung using a Little Giant ladder borrowed from my friend Scott Wiley every time. And every time I borrow it, I take a little longer to return it. One of these days......

ANYWAY.

Jacob said: "The company wants to see if you like this new "smaller" ladder they've got, can I bring you the one I'm using for shooting so you can try it?"

On the inside I'm saying; "Smaller?" "Did he say smaller?"

Because, you know, smaller equals less manly when it comes to tools, right? Unless it's that lazer-watch that James Bond had. That had to be small. By it's nature. C'mon.

On the outside I'm saying; "Sure, sweet, bring it by."

So Jacob drops it by and right off I know it's rad. It's like a miniature version of all of the ratchety-snappity, beefy, sleek, transformer-like cool goodness of a full-sized Little Giant Ladder.

30 seconds after "playing" with it, it's official:

The Little Giant Select Step is my 2011 Father's Day Gift Recommendation.



Take your basic step ladder. Make it stronger, more stable, and add 90 features. I love the wheels and that it can stand on stairs.

And it's got a freaking drink holder.

All the tech specs you need here.


Jacob says they've got them at Home Depot. (Cheaper than on the website!)

I say he better get down there because he's not likely to get his back anytime soon.



HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!

-chup


BONUS: Here are some Select Step promo videos that may or may not include about 9 of my acting friends from the area: link

BONUS UPDATE: Somehow missed these in the original post. AWEsome.

June

It was last January I felt the impression I should landscape our neglected front garden.
It was February when the impression came again.
But oh March! March was too cold, and I was too sick.
And April was too rainy, too soggy, so muddy.
As was May.
But June, June you came.
You came with sweet grasses and daylilies and some Russian sage.
And the minute we put those plants on the sunny side of Retro House I knew the strength of the impression.
I nodded to the feng shui of faith.
All is well out west!
All is well at Retro House.




*photo by Jed Wells
*shirt by Lilac Clothing



Two weeks (more or less):

Ten Little Things

Last week I was lunching with Meaghan and her husband Mingo. We talked a lot about being creators of certain art and how we, as the producers felt about our performance. Meaghan shared an intuitive piece of advice on how to feel confident in what we do.

"I have a list of eight things I can control, if I do these eight things I feel good about it."

Then she said,

"That could work for mothering eh?"

(Eh, because she's Canadian.)

So I took some time to come up with a list of ten things (ten, because I am American) I would like to accomplish every day. Ten things that would make me feel like I did my best. And then I thought, heck, (heck, because I am Utahan) maybe I could share them with the world.

Here they are in no important order:

1. Morning and evening prayers of gratitude.

2. Study truth and gain enlightenment (scripture, books, ideas).

3. Go for a walk, alone, and think.

4. Write.

5. Zone duties. (My mom taught me to order my house into zones, and every day have one zone to clean, organize and make brilliant. So Zone One is the upstairs and gets the treatment on Mondays etc.)

6. Connect with each child face-to-face (or womb).

7. Supply three meals of some sort. Even if that's a tray of fruit, nuts and toast.

8. Put my face in the sun--even for a moment. I always feel better when my face has nodded at the sun.

9. Drink 64 oz of water--imperative when pregnant. I dry out like a fish on the beach if I don't stay hydrated.

10. Conjugality with Chup.

I Am Hosting The Miss Provo Pageant Tonight

...with Chelsea Howell, current Miss Provo--who held our Ever Jane only days after becoming Miss Provo 2010 last June.

She's lovely.
I'm sarcastic.
What a treat.
Wish us luck.




p.s. I call this photo "A Utah Valley Creche"

Cross Dressing

 

I was invited to do a reading at The Power of Moms retreat this Saturday. It's a seminar on mothering--developing skills, ideas and principles to help in the whole process. The more I get into this mom lifestyle the more I realize how much I have to learn and knowing me I"ll probably feel that way for the rest of my life. SO HELP ME GRAVY.

So I've been doing some archive reading looking for posts to read and last night I came across an essay I wrote called A and Italics. Sometimes I read old posts and think meh, but this one stood the test of time. I liked it. It's about how I had this penchant for dressing baby Ever in understated boy clothes. Which  is still true, this very weekend I couldn't help myself from buying The Chief and Ever matching boy's camo cargo shorts. The girlie stuff sometimes irritates my soul and I find clothing The Chief to be so much more fun than I imagined. What does this say about me? Maybe I can find out at the retreat this weekend.

You can read A and Italics here.

p.s. there are a few spots left for the retreat this weekend (so I've been told) you can check it out here. I am excited to learn from mothering guru Linda Eyre who had the perfect answer to my question, "how do you know when you are done having children?" the very first time I met her. Deep relief.

p.p.s I've got to get a photo of my offsprings in those matching cargo pants. Oh melt, it's adorable. Chup, you on it?

p.p.p.s BTW, Chup and I are now using the blog to communicate. It helps when he's in So. California and I am at home in my muu muu and my phone is stuck somewhere between the couch cushions and whocares?.