I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream ... CAKE!

Yeah, I know what you’re thinking … not another ice cream cake! It has become my celebratory signature dessert. Kicking off the long weekend with a baby shower, it was an honor to bring dessert. I baked up a lemon cake with vanilla ice cream in between and made the frosting "Cutsie-Girlie." What fun!

The teacher I worked with last year is having her first child after a difficult road to pregnancy. However, our God is good and His timing is perfect. It is something I’ve learned to lean on and trust.  

What a fun night celebrating with my coworkers! Sweet little babies are the best blessings ;0)

Patriotic Chick Chat

My sister asked how Daniel was dealing with the chicken trauma. I summarized it with a conversation we shared on a drive home from school.

Pullet One and Pullet Two

“Mom, how many pets do we have?”

“Well, we have two doggies….”  I paused because I wasn’t  sure where this was going.

He chimed in, “We only have two dogs because chickens are livestock. Not pets.”

She's a Grand Old Flag

THIS is how my eleven-year old is dealing with the five chickens killed by the Weiner Sisters, two that died of overheating and one we had to return due to illness. After all the loss, he concluded that chickens don’t really count as beloved animals that are cherished or kept for companionship. BINGO!  I totally agree!

On another note Plymouth, the rooster, was  removed from the Cape Cod Coop yesterday because he was continually "riding" our hens and started showing signs of cock-a-doodle-dooing. My neighbors wouldn't have appreciated that.

So, back to the feed store. 

The chicken exchange isn’t worth delving into because it’s become rote. Let’s just say we now have two pullets (young female chickens that haven't started laying eggs) and two more Mystery Chickens, like Roadrunner, that appear to be  wearing furry boots.

Daniel messing around before his airsoft battle. God Bless America! AMEN!

Enough of chick-chat. Let’s talk Memorial Day! Red, white and blue are this All-American Girl's favorite colors. I love, love, love the American flag, too.  Isn't she bold and beautiful? I had fun pulling out my collection and hanging "God Bless America" on my garage.  My house and yard are patriotically decked out; a sure-sign summer is near! Only seven days left working at school and then it's time to play,play,PLAY all summer! This three-day weekend is a perfect chance to "practice" for summer. After all, practice makes perfect :)

Happy Memorial Day Weekend! Be safe out there!

The Chicken Massacre of May 2012

“Time heals all things, except crow’s feet.”

This quote refers to wrinkles around the eyes and that time only makes them worse. But, for everything else, time is the great healer. I agree.

For example, it has taken me over a week before I could sit and peck out what happened that day. Before I tell this story, let’s start with my disclaimer: I am human and make mistakes.

Now we can move on.

The Gate my husband built

Coming home from work last Monday, I visited the Cape Cod Coop to toss in some food scraps. I carefully locked the gate then struggled to hook the special latch into the gate handle. We put it there for extra protection after we realized that the Weiner Sisters were able to jump on the gate and jimmy it open. Crafty little Wiener dogs!  I tossed the garbage-food (which Suzette and Junior immediately feasted) on their large dirt plate. Then, I went about my business … picking up kids, running errands and then  home.  Daniel ran out to the coop to check for eggs. From outside he yelled for me.

“What?”  I answered.

“Just come out here, you won’t believe it!” I didn’t budge, but shouted back “What is it? Just tell me.”

“No, just you come here,” he insisted.

Hmmm. This must be serious.  I headed to the backyard.

Goldie with some leftovers

And there was Daniel standing amongst a bed of feathers (think ripped-open feather pillow fight) and pieces of our beloved Suzette and Junior strewn across the lawn. Both hens were goners and just like Mr. Potato Head, their body parts disconnected and placed somewhere else. However, unlike Mr. Potato Head, this was not fun. Daniel was devastated. I was shocked.

Lucas arrived to the scene of the crime. After a short debate, he put on gloves and placed the Suzette and Junior pieces into a bag. He has been dissecting all sorts of animals in Biology, so he was the best candidate for the disgusting  job.

We scratched our aching heads and wondered, what happened? At first, we were not sure, other than Suzette and Junior escaped and the Weiner Sisters gobbled up another fresh-chicken snack for two. Upon further investigation, we discovered that the gate wasn’t properly closed and that was the catalyst for the Chicken Massacre of May 2012.

All. My. Fault.

Daniel was so angry he announced I was no longer allowed in the coop without another person (like a chicken chaperon). Then he stomped off to grieve and left me feeling like a candidate for The Worst Mother of the Year Award.

Immediately, I cancelled my appointment (that I was already very late for) and drove the kids out to the Santa Paula Feed store to buy replacement hens. Truly, I didn’t know what else to do.

At the Feed store, we picked up three red hens and this big beautiful-black-and-white-striped hen. Once home and out of the box it was clear that one red hen was carsick. We named her Barfy. She did not look well.

Our "replacement" hens

By day two, we realized Barfy was not just car sick, but sick-sick. We started antibiotics (I am not kidding).

I called the feed store and was told that if she was not well in three days, we could exchange her (they are the Nordstroms of Feed Stores!). There was another thing we realized as the days moved on. The big-black-and-white hen, we called Plymouth, was mean. So dominating and so rough! She would jump on the other hens and tug the feathers on their neck.

Plymouth the Rooster, not hen!

Last Saturday when we went to return Barfy for a non-sick hen, guess what?  We found out that Plymouth is a rooster! A non-cock-a-doodle-dooing-very-horny rooster!  I shouldn't have been surprised after all the bad-chicken luck we've had.

We must be gluttons for punishment because at the feed store we also bought a tiny chicken we named Roadrunner that appears to be wearing furry boots. Very cute little creature!

Over a week has passed since THAT horrible day. Eggs are dropping, and who knows chicks may be hatching. The only thing I 'm sure of is that the crow’s feet around my eyes definitely grew the day of the Chicken Massacre of May 2012.

Balance Challenge - Magnify the Good

The secret of happiness and balance is to count your blessings while others are adding up their troubles.

Attending a funeral today, I was deep thinking. Do you ever wonder what people will say about you at your funeral? My friend’s mother passed and although I didn’t know her well, I learned that she painted, loved horseback riding, playing the piano, adored her two daughters and high tea. As people stood to speak, sharing stories about her creativity, friendship, and kindness, I couldn’t help but cry. Clearly, she was a special mother and friend who was loved deeply.

Sometimes when you look around your life, it’s easy to see parts that aren’t flowing and out-of-balance.  There is always a current glitch. That’s life. The reality is that staring at your problems too long will only build disappointment and frustration. Remember that it’s what you choose to “mentally amplify” that makes the difference in your outlook. Attitude is everything. Pick a good one.

One of my favorite people

My challenge is to find blessings in every day. Magnify good health, family, and God’s provision. It’s easy to take for granted that our bodies work, family is near (driving us nuts), and there’s food in the pantry.  Don’t!

Why? Eventually you attend a funeral and are faced with the reality that life is short. Don’t waste time wallowing in troubles or focusing on negatives. Be a person who’s remembered for recognizing blessings and magnifying the good.
Five things I am thankful for:

1.    Health is GOOD! Lucas’s annual cardiology appointment went great.

2.     Mother’s Day with my favorite people is a big blessing.  

3.     Chicken Survivors Suzette and Junior are alive and laying eggs. I made my first quiche!

4.       Eighteen working days until summer break!

5.     I'm alive … and as my Mother always says, “Any day above ground is a good day!”

The Little Hen House of Horrors

Things have been hectic and out-of-balance on our small urban farm. The good news is that our peach tree runneth over and baking fresh peach pies is a delicious challenge.

The chickens arrived two weeks ago. The day they moved in, spirits were up.  After much thought, I named my hen Suzette after my friend from Texas who was staying with us.

Lucas, My Techie, Human Suzette and Weiner Sister - Goldie

My Suzette chicken has proved to be a fighter. As I write this, she is the only survivor from that first batch of four laying hens!

Our First Fowl Fab Four

On Chicken Day Two, it was devastating to find that the Weiner Sisters nabbed the chicken named Trouble after she "flew the coop." Trouble earned her name because it was obvious from the get-go that's what she was … TROUBLE ... with a capital “T” and that rhymes with “P” and that stands for Poor-Dead- Chicken! You guessed it; The Weiner Sisters treated themselves to a chicken snack. 

"I'll have the extra-large fresh chicken snack for two"

Daniel was devastated, as was my husband who had to “finish off” the poor thing. That was the end of Trouble, and the beginning of a foul-fowl two weeks.

Once Trouble was officially kaput, my husband drove Daniel to the Feed Store for a replacement chicken that he named Junior.  The stress of that day lifted as we collected egg after egg. Days later, Lucas’s chicken, named Dinner, laid an egg and died right there next to the laying box. That was an unexpected surprise, but at least we did not have to see her struggle in the dog’s mouth.  Dinner was dead-gone and we were left scratching our heads like talons on fresh dirt. Was it the heat? The feed? Perhaps it was shock due to The Weiner Sisters licking their chops at their coop all day?

Up until then, we created a few good family memories gathering around in the afternoon watching the ladies peck and do the Chicken Dance.  Daniel cooked up our first dozen eggs from the Cape Cod Coop and they were tasty.  Still, we did not know why Dinner bit the dust. Why did she die while on her last egg? Why?

Before we could discover that answer, about a week later, I returned  home from work. Excitedly, I checked for eggs and found two fresh eggs and ANOTHER dead chicken. It’s The Little Hen House of Horrors, I tell you! At this point Daniel sadly said, “Can we just give those last two chickens away and forget that this whole thing ever happened?” Hmmm.

Sprits were down. We felt sad and frustrated. We spent hundreds of dollars and hours of labor setting up our darling Cape Cod Coop. Now ,all we had were three dead chickens and a dozen scrambled eggs to show for it. Farumph!

On a lighter note, my tomatoes are alive and healthy

This past weekend was spent moving the Cape Cod to a shadier part of the yard. My Techie is currently building a gate and we bought a huge chicken net to cover the area so Suzette and Junior (the survivors) won’t fly out and land in the dog's chops. I promise you, a new hen will not move into the Cape Cod Coop until we are positive that we've fixed The Little Hen House of Horrors.

Despite the sad chicken start, old girlfriends had fun that weekend :0)

Big Hearted Volunteers

Eight years ago, Lucas boarded a boat headed to Camp Del Corazon on Catalina Island. He was young and I was nervous about him being so far away. The memory of that day is clear in my head. We dropped him off in Marina Del Rey and met his cabin counselors. These two volunteers went by nicknames; Tags and Wheels and they would shepherd the Cabin “Tugboats” for five days. For both, it was their first year volunteering.

2004 - Wheels, Lucas and Tags

They seemed like nice people as I spent time talking to them, debriefing them, and begging them to take care of my Lucas. We met other nervous parents who also tried to take reassurance in the medical staff and camp volunteers who would be with our kids for the next five days. I won’t lie, I was anxious as the boat pulled from the dock. 

Fast-forward eight years ….

Everyone is all grown up


Last Saturday, Lucas accepted the invitation to speak at The Camp Del Corazon Gala Del Sol. It’s their big fundraiser held at Universal Studios in the Globe Theatre.

This glitzy party started with a walk down the red carpet to cocktail hour, silent auction, and food prepared by the Wolf Gang Puck Team. To our surprise, Tags and Wheels from Lucas’ first camp year were there and the reunion was filled with funny stories, laughter and an overall amazement at the speed of time. It was a wonderful moment!  These guys continue to volunteer two weeks of their summer to help children with heart problems forget their worries and just be a regular kid at camp having a blast!

 I love the following Erma Bombeck quote that sums up these men. "Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation's compassion, unselfish caring, patience, and just plain love for one another."

 I've more to share about The Gala and Lucas’s speech to the sold-out event that was hosted by Joel McHale (E!s “the Soup”) and Tom Arnold. Hearing the hosts tell their stories of loved ones who suffer from heart defects made me realize that we all share a love for children battling heart disease. 

Balance Tip O’ the Week – Be Prepared

It wasn't easy, but we did it!

My first mistake when I signed up to ride Blanche in the Thousand Oaks 10K was assuming that this race was like the past half-marathons I’ve trained for. Ha! Instead of doing homework, I built up my unicycle riding to 6.2 flat miles and felt prepared. Jeez, was I wrong! Sunday’s course included a loooong hill and when at the top there started a much sharper longer down side. Using my legs as extreme downhill breaks was something I did not train for. Near the bottom of this hill, you had to turn around and head back up this beast. On Blanche, I can ride down hills and I can turn. However, I wasn’t ready to turn while steeply sloped.  Helllllo Fall #1, hands meet asphalt! Pushing Blanche up this killer hill, my pride and buns felt every step. 

I knew I’d have to walk a section because part of the course was on a dirt-rocky path. When I attempted to ride, the muddy-equestrian trail was no match for my tired-noodley legs. Hellllo Fall #2! Farumph!

Today, I wince when I walk.  I'm sore. A couple times during the race, I toyed with quitting, as I felt my body weaken.  But I was determined to complete that dam thing and after one hour and ten minutes, I did. Hooray! It's over, hooray!

The day didn’t go as planned (nothing ever does). However, I had fun with my neighbor and I loved sharing  the infectious Race Day Spirit with all those prepared athletes! Plus, I won a sweatshirt in the after-race raffle! Most importantly,  I learned an important lesson in keeping life balance, and the Boy Scouts said it best:

“Be Prepared.”

Crammed Blessings from God

Picking up from my last post about keeping life-balance by saying “no,” I must add that circumstances arise where you can’t say “NO” … because you don’t want to even though you’ll be stretched. That’s because the events you say ”yes“ to are “Crammed Blessings.”  They fall on the same weekend, so you suck it up and pray for endurance to enjoy each and every one.

This Sunday is the Thousand Oaks 5K and 10K and I’m ready to ride Blanche. While preparing with a six-mile ride yesterday, I had this crazy idea to take a picture of my shadow. That wasn't an easy task while on a unicycle with big-red-boobs-in-the-way and a lousy-cell-phone camera. However, I was up for the balance challenge and excited for this weekend. Here it is :0)


Another “Crammed Blessing” is Overboard’s birthday.  As she says, “Every day above ground is a good day!” True!  Tonight we cheers to her, CLINK!  My Techie is busting out the Volcano Stove and cooking dinner. This is a rare occasion and a welcomed one too ;0) Daniel painted her gift yesterday and we are thankful to start a new year of Overboard, who’s turning sixty-seven!

A gift from the heart Overboard will love

“Crammed Blessing” #2 is the Camp Del Corazon Gala on Saturday night in Los Angeles. Lucas has practiced his speech to encourage the crowd of elites to donate big bucks to this amazing summer camp on Catalina Island for kids with congenital heart defects. He will be wearing a tuxedo so that will help. In addition, if he remembers to “speak slowly” then it will be a win-win for Camp Del Corazon.

Amongst this, we have finished building the Cape Cod Chicken Coop (darling!) and are watching Cinco (my niece-dog) who loves to play catch. She is different than the Weiner Sisters with her  jumping and running skills. Cinco has them ;0)

My final “Crammed Blessing” will be waking at dawn Sunday to attend the race. I appreciate that my legs work and I can pull this off (fingers crossed). This is a miracle as I realize that good health is everything. In addition, it's a huge blessing to have wellbeing amongst sickness and stressful divorces that surround my unicycle world. Ug! 

Honestly, I welcome a “Crammed Blessing” weekend, although it's a tad stressful. It says in Psalms 16:1-3 “You are my Lord. All the good things I have come from You.”

I agreed with Sara when she woofed...
 "Thank God for a weekend of Crammed Blessings!”

Balance Tip O' the Week

We need to maintain a proper balance in our life by allocating the time we have. There are occasions where saying no is the best time management practice there is.” ~ Catherine Pulsife

Aren't those two letters often difficult to spit out? Guilt and the Good Girl inside want to say “yes,” but I know in my heart the answer is “no.”

Why? Because if I say, "yes," when my heart says "no," I throw my schedule, family, and well-being out of balance. I burnout and am spread so thin, I do no one any good. In today's whirlwind world the truth is that to keep balance, sometimes you must answer, “No thank you, No way, I can’t, Hells no, Not now, So sorry but …. No.” 

It’s okay to say no to requests of your time and energy that don’t fit your highest priorities.

The Magic Castle

Dinner at Yamashiros

No pictures allowed INSIDE the Magic Castle

Our visit to the World Famous Magic Castle, home of the Academy of Magical Arts, is a night I'll never forget. I don’t know much about the art of magic outside my dad finding a quarter behind my ear. Magic encompasses many sizes and styles, from up-close intimate sleight of hand to grand illusions on a stage.

The neat thing about this huge-castle mansion was that it housed many theatres, each of them able to feature some of those different styles. We saw all types of shows, after enjoying Japanese food at Yamashiro’s in the Hollywood Hills. 

At the Magic Castle, we sat front row watching Johnny Ace Palmer in the Close-up Gallery. Unbelievable! We visited our host, Mark Collier, at the W. C. Fields Bar and we were able to squeeze in a show in the Palace of Mystery and a visit to the Owl bar. I realized that THIS is what people used do for entertainment before movies, radio and television. Think Vaudeville, because the entire night had an unedited-good-old-fashion-fun feel.

This private club has the atmosphere of an early 1900’s Victorian parlor and library. The decorum still insists that gentlemen visitors wear coat and tie and old paintings hang on the wall like the Haunted House at Disneyland. It was a step back in time.

My Awesomesouvenir and Mark with his ginormous trophy

When we arrived at the W.C. fields Bar, Mark Collier didn’t recognize us. Then he blurted out, “Unicyclerose!” and the evening pushed into high gear. The “trick of the night” was I wrote my name on a random card. I expected it to be another one of “those” card tricks.  I placed my signed card into the deck and he set it aside, saying he’d get back to it later. Next juggling hats, card tricks, wit, and humor gushed from him like a broken pipe. It didn't stop! Before we knew it, his show was over. We reminded him about my card buried in the deck.  He acted surprised then turned behind where alcohol lined the bar. He grabbed a bottle of white wine (my favorite) and handed it to me. Inside the sealed bottle floated my six of hearts with “Unicyclerose.com” written on it. Incredible! Plus,what an Awesomesouvenir! (Yes, it deserves one-word status. It was that astounding).

I am hoping if I “play my cards right” we’ll be invited back ;0)