Vacation From Sobriety

The second week of August brought with it great peace. After two days of playing family referee, counselor, and official cursing interpreter. Two days prior to our vacation beginning, we joined my parents and my sister's family on their vacation. I mean this - it definitely was not my family's vacation. Well, maybe Julian was saved from the family turmoil. When we arrived we learned there was no way Peter and I would fit in the bed we were assigned. We gladly gave up the room and called dibs on the queen-size air mattress in the middle of the living room - which was the same room as the kitchen, which was in the path of the only bathroom and right next to the window of my parent's bedroom, which was a converted porch, and thus had a window to our "bedroom." At least Julian loved that window. My 8-year old nephew would lift him up and leave him dangling in the window. He would yell, "Mama! Help!" and I eased him out the other side of the window about 25 times until he figured out how to land on the couch with only minor injuries.

There are no great Fish Tale stories as detailed in the Nature Lovers post. In fact, both Julian and Ashley (the dog) doubted those were really "fish" in the bucket.

What there was primarily was a 16-year old boy. And my mother. A 16-year old who I love like crazy. But, a boy who has a mouth on him like mine - except I don't use it around my parents or siblings. Ever. Never ever. I decided maybe he needed some support. Someone who actually listened to him. I decided the time for this move was when he started yelling at his mother, my sister, about how she never supported him in his last relationship. Then he turned on my mother. Choice words thrown in. I said something like "I know how you feel." This caused my mother to grab the economy-size bottle of zinfandel sitting on the table in the kitchen/my bedroom, which was already open, and storm out the door - I am positive it hit her in the ass on the way out. Both my sister and I were left questioning "Was it something I said?" Turns out it was something I said. How do I know? My mother and her wine bottle, in the knick of time, caught Pete leaving in our boat, and they both jumped in. Pete spent the next hour listening to her say,"She thinks it is so easy to raise kids, she'll see how easy it is when she has to talk to her children about sex." I guess I will see. Sounds easy enough. The 16-year old and the 2-year old were not so affected by the match.

I was later left explaining to the 16-year old that drinking was not the answer. He asked, "Then why have you been drinking gin and tonics since you got here?" Uhhh . . .

We never unpacked our suitcases. We were prepared to run. We did so on schedule Monday morning, arriving in Hayward at check-in time. Ready to start our own vacation. Julian and I were so relaxed, we both were totally carefree as we got sand in our asses. And I am pretty sure we looked cool doing it.

And Peter, he spent lots of time on the golf course and the boats sans economy-size wine. Only to be replaced with 24-ounce bullets. Awesome!

Things I Love Right Now (If You Care)

(1) The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini: I just finished reading this book. When it was picked for the next book club, I was not very excited. I thought it was over-publicized. I was wrong. I think this may be the best book I have read yet.

(2) Target's Bookmarked web site: I just set up a site for the book club I am a member of - "Thursday Night Girls." The site is awesome. This may take time from my blogging activities. Actually, it is very much like a blog, but anyone you invite can create posts, change content, email all other members, and set up calendars. The web address is www.bookmarked.target.com



(3) Entourage: This is the only show my DVR is set to catch every week - well, and Backyardigans. Jeremy Piven, Kevin Connolly, Adrian Grenier, and Kevin Dillon (my personal favorite) . . . It could be better than Sex in the City.

Note: Peter can't believe I did not include Turtle in the line-up - but I am trying to make a comparison to Sex in the City, Peter. Or maybe Turtle, Jerry Ferrara, is best matched with the character of Miranda. But if I include Turtle, I might as well include Lloyd, and I am not doing that.

(4) Feta Dip and Pita Chips: I make one awesome dip thanks to Rachel Ray. I make it on the weekend and eat it as a snack thoughout the week - washed down with a glass of red wine. The trick is to use lowfat feta cheese crumbles.



(5) Red Wine. Greg Norman Estates. Francis Coppla, Black Label. Try them.

(6) Bare-Naked Oatmeal. Banana Walnut.

(7) Sonia Kashunk Lipstick. Color: Nude. I love it even more since I recently learned the color is hard to find. C and I are now on a mission to stock up.

(8) "Answers" by Boomkat.



(9) Boots Products. Pretty much anything - Time Dimensions Deep Cleansing Facial Wipes, No. 7 Quick Thinking 4 in 1 Wipes, Botanics Responsive Moisture Lotion, Botanics Deep Clean Foaming Mouse, Botanics Enriching Milk Bath, Mediterrean Milk, Honey & Almond Moisturizing Soap, No. 7 True Identity Foundation - I have them all.

Note: You may remember this product line from my ranting blog about turning 30. You can see I may have gone a little overboard.

FOR JULIAN:



(10) DKNY. Little Boys T-Shirts (Elephants, Snakes, Skateboards) and Pants (Statue of Liberty Camo).

(11) Thomas the Train. He loves it, so I love it. We are going to knock his socks off on his big "2" birthday! Trains, Trains, Train Table!

(12) Canus Li'l Gaot's Milk Products. Once only sold in specialty shops. Now at your local Target.

(13) Kandoo Foam Shampoo

(14) Oatmeal to Go. They are oatmeal in a bar. He calls them Monkey Bars. I don't know why.

FOR JEFF:



(15) Caswell Massey Shaving Cream. I love the smell. I have been to NY for work lately. Right across the street from the hotel is a Cassell Massey shop. It makes it easy to stop and pick up a jar every time.

(16) Leatherman. Its compact and has every tool a man needs (but maybe not every tool a man wants - that takes up a whole garage). And I get to use it sometimes too.