Katya + Digital Camera

After I got my new digital camera from Bob for Christmas, Katya inherited my old faithful Kodak Easy Share camera. I had bought it from WalMart with it's photo printer for $300 back in 2000. I loved that camera and it really got my shutterbug habit going. I love taking pictures. What is especially great is that you can take TONS of pictures and you are usually guaranteed that at least ONE picture will turn out good.

Katya has been having a good time with my old camera. She has had me download a bunch of pictures from the camera and I have been cracking up at the pictures that I am finding on it. I forget sometimes just how much teenage girls like to take pictures of themselves.

Enjoy!

Hikes With Tykes

Almost every Tuesday for the past month now, Ginger and I have put the babies in some strollers and headed out on different trails around Bend. The Parks and Rec office here offers something for everyone! For those of us that have small children and still want to get some kind of workout, they offer Hikes With Tykes.

We get emailed the starting location of our next hike and we show up at 9am ready to do some walking/hiking. Ginger walks Alexis in our Bob stroller (so aptly named) and I walk Logan in our Phil & Ted's stroller (that one still needs a name). I bring along water, snacks and diapering essentials and we head out following our trusty leader, Mary. The walks are sometimes more interesting or more beautiful than others, but they are always a good walk. The usual hike is walking for an hour, stopping at a park to let the kids burn up some energy, and walking for an hour back. We started out the walking season with only three mile hikes. Our hike yesterday was a bit over 5 miles, but because it was cross country (on dirt and gravel paths), it seemed longer.

Our hike yesterday, although long, was beautiful. It was a trail that ran along the Deschutes River that I didn't know existed. I will definately need to go back there for another hike sometime. But, I think I would prefer to take Logan in the front pack. My arms were sore from pushing that stroller along the gravel path and up some serious incline. Luckily, I had remembered to bring my camera to take some pictures. I am a photo junkie.

I am looking forward to the hike next week. I am learning all the cool places to go for a hike that are stroller friendly in Bend.

Goodbye Gilmore Girls

Wow. Seven years I have been faithfully watching Gilmore Girls. Seven long and very entertaining years.

I first started watching Gilmore Girls back when I bought my condo in Poway. I identified with the character of Lorelei, raising her daughter, Rori. Only, Lorelei was thinner, prettier and talked faster. And she lived in the coolest of towns EVER - Stars Hollow. They made the whole show and all of the characters on it so warm and real. My girlfriends Michelle and Desiree were also horribly addicted. All three of us had our kids when we were 22 or 23. Not babies, but as I look back on being 23 - I was indeed a baby in so many ways. We were all single and raising our daughters on our own.

As Katya got older, she started watching the show with me. It handled a lot of topics with a sense of humor and a hefty dose of reality. Katya watched Lorelei and Rori struggle through their changing relationship as Rori grew older. She watched Rori go through boyfriends, friends, rejection, some major mistakes and saw how she worked through it. I think it was good for her.

As Katya and I were sitting on the couch watching the series finale, we were both close to tears for most of it. It is the end of an era in our lives as it is the end of an era in our favorite characters lives. Katya looks at Rori and sees her future. Graduating from high school, going to college and leaving for her first big job. Leaving me to go off to make her way into the world. Knowing that she can always rely on me at any time - EVER. But leaving me nonetheless. It is tough watching the characters go through that pain on TV so I can't even begin to imagine what it will be like five years from now when I watch Katya graduate from high school and go away to college. I know it is coming, but I am just going to enjoy the time that I have left with her.

It is funny when a show comes along that you become totally addicted to and can identify with in some ways. The first show I ever was in a panic to get home to watch was Star Trek. All of them. I am a sci fi lover. As an adult, I became insanely addicted to X Files. I still remember sitting on David's couch and watching the pilot. Next came Gilmore Girls with all their crazy, but loveable characters. For a brief time, I was stuck on Alias. But the episodes became just too far fetched for me to wrap my head around. And besides, that show is now long over. Luckily for me, I now have Grey's Anatomy or I might go into withdrawls.

So, Goodbye Gilmore girls. Thanks for all the great times. I will miss you.

A Hairy Subject

With the onset of Spring comes the shedding of animals.

We have two cats and two dogs and that makes for a lot of fur in the house even in the winter. Can you imagine the tufts of fur that just fly off of them during the Spring and Summer months? It is gross. You can always see where the cats have laid because there is a circle of fur left behind.

Sooooooooooooooooo, long ago I discovered the beauty of shaving your animals. My cats are long haired, so shaving them is actually really good for their skin as well as keeping the fur balls under control (yulk) and the fur tufts as bay. It is just pretty darn funny to look at them right after they get shaved.

Normally, just the cats get shaved but this year I shaved Thor as well. He was itching a lot and the shaving seems to have solved that problem.

The cats are still mortified by their appearance, but they are really frisky so I think they feel better too.

OCD

Everyone in my family seems to have some kind of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I won't name names, but some issues that people have are; wanting a certain number of ice cubes in your glass (odd, even or prime), counting your gulps, numbering socks so that the pairs wear evenly together, counting steps on stairs, keeping money organized a certain way... etc. The list goes on.

I have always thought of myself as being pretty darn mellow. I thought that I was one of those family members that escaped the whole OCD issue thing. After all, I tend to have a clean house - but messy little piles of paper that always need to be tended to are on my desk and the kitchen counter. I'm a stacker of paper, one of my faults.

It was brought to my attention a few years ago, that I indeed have my own OCD tendencies. I was reminded of them this morning as I was putting away groceries.

1. I have to have a nicely organized and clean fridge. Keeping it clean is an ongoing battle, but keeping it organized is a MUST. Everything must be faced forward (so you can read what it is) and in nice little rows. I get laughed at because of my fridge.

2. I have the cabinets under the bathroom sinks neatly organized as well. Rows of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and other toiletry essentials are nicely stacked and faced forward for easy viewing and grabbing. My mother had a good time looking under the sinks during one of her visits here.

3. I'm a freak about laundry. Not sure why, but I am extremely particular about how my laundry is done. I have forbidden Bob from ever washing my clothes unless I am in the hospital. I am so afraid of having something shrunk or turned a new color. I also fold all t-shirts, underwear (Ginger had a laugh about this one), towels and socks. T-shirts have to be folded a certain way or I will refold them. Not sure why. Bob really doesn't seem to care because laundry to him is one of the most awful chores there is. I feel that way about taking out the trash.

4. I have a little thing about reading signs and billboards. It is really distracting for me because I feel compelled to read everything within eyesight if humanly possible. The upside of this is that I know my way around places by where the stores and signs are located. The downside of this is that when I give directions to people it tends to be "turn left at the sign for the state park" or "look for the flaming chicken (a piece of art by my house) and go in the direction of Big O Bagels".

5. I buy a lot of groceries. My cupboards are always stocked with food and my freezers are both packed full with food as well. You will never ever go hungry in my house. Not sure why I feel the need to have not one can of refried beans, but four. Or no less than five boxes of cereal in the cupboard at all times. I am not huge and nobody in my family is obese. We all eat normal amounts of food and the food that I buy is usually healthy, whole grain and organic. Granted, I keep a good amount of microwave friendly foods for Bob and Katya for emergency meals or YOYO nights (I love that term from Mandee. You are On Your Own.). But, for the most part what we have is good for you. I just have a lot of it.

I think that is it. I am sure that if I forgot anything, I will be reminded by my most loving family members. I look at this whole OCD thing as quirks that make us all endearing! Besides, you will always be able to find stuff in my fridge when you come over.

Deby's Favorite Things

In the spirit of Mandee's blog, I bestow to all you fabulous mother's out there on this beautiful Mother's Day these virtual gifts. If I were rich like Oprah, I'd love to send each of you all of these things.

A new Fossil watch

Diamond Earrings from Tiffany & Co

A Diamond Pinkie Ring from Tiffany & Co (not sure why I'm in a diamond mood today)

A Freezer Full of Schwan's Entrees

$1,000 to Target (who couldn't use this?)

Housecleaning Service for a Year

Mother's Day Dinner from Honeybaked Ham Company

A Room Makeover from David Bromstad from Color Splash on HGTV

Happy Mother's Day!!

A Tribute To Some Mother's In My Life

This is my little tribute to some of the mothers that I know. I am a better mother for knowing you all.

Mom: This is the one lady that has influenced my life more than any other. She doesn't take credit for doing such a great job of raising David and I. She raised us by herself. She struggled to fight the system that said that David couldn't be the amazing college graduate, holding a fabulous job, awesome father that he turned out to be just because he was deaf. She made mistakes in her life, but she taught me that you are defined by how well you pick yourself up and learn from your mistakes rather than how well you wallow in your own self pity. When things got rough for us financially, she never gave up. She found a way to provide for us what was needed before she met my Dad who gave us a new life. In her marriage with my Dad, she has shown me what a marriage to a good man could be like. She never let the bad things that happened to her in her life cloud her happiness with living today. I am a much better, stronger, more understanding, patient, loving person for having my mother in my life.

Laura: You are an amazing mother. You work so hard to be everything that you can be to Dylan and Ryan. You give them 100% of yourself at all times. The boys will be all that they could ever possibly be because of you being there and helping them along the way. You are creative, fun, energetic, artistic and I sometimes envy your ability to think up such wonderful things to do with the kids. You have always, always been the most wonderful aunt to Katya. You have made sure that Katya has no doubt in her mind that you love and adore her. And I am sure that Ginger feels that same way about your relationship with Danae. You only need to stop and take some time for yourself more often.

Ginger: What a fabulous aunt and mother you are! Diana and Danae couldn't be more lucky to have you for their mother. You are a very warm, loving, grounded and realistic parent and that is helping your daughters to grow up strong and independent. They will always know that you are there for them and be a safe haven for when life gets a little rough. And there will always be a warm cup of tea, a hug and some wonderful homemade food to make you feel better. In fact, we all know that. I am so happy to know that Katya, Alexis and Logan will grow up with you as such a huge part of their lives. You have always been such a huge part of mine.

Debbie K.: You are one of the warmest people that I have ever met. Brett is an independent, hard working man now who is that way in large part to your influence and support. Suzanne loves you and knows that you are there for her as well. You are wonderful. You are wonderful to everyone! You have made a huge difference in M & M's lives up here, Katya adores you, Alexis goes nuts when she sees you, and Logan will soon learn to love you as well. You are the Ginger to your family. My family knows that being a Ginger is a HUGE compliment.

Michelle: I miss you. I am so sorry that I don't get to see you every day like I used to. You are the closest thing I have ever had to a sister. You are one of the most hard working women that I know and it was always nice to have Katya with you. It is seldom that you find someone else in life that has the same rules and expectations for their kids. You do everything that you can for Rese to provide for her the best future possible.

Grandma: You have always been the best grandma in the world! Thanks for being so close to me growing up. You always gave me good and sound advice. It's too bad I didn't always take it. I love you and miss you terribly.

Pam: Thanks for being one of the warmest people I have ever known. I was always welcome at your house and in your car for your many outings to Mission Bay, the movies, or wherever. Growing up with you as my Aunt Pam has been nothing short of wonderful. I can't think of the words to tell you how warm my heart feels when I think of you and how influential you have been in my life. Your daughters are grown and gone, but they love to spend time with you still. That is the sign of a warm and wonderful mother.

Aunt Ann: I know I don't get to see you hardly at all anymore, but I love you. Thanks for opening your heart to me and letting me live with you for those few months when I was younger. It was because of you that I learned to love crafting and how to work a microwave. Skills I still employ to this day. I always felt safe at your house.

Aunt Cheri: Thanks so much for being my aunt. You are so gracious, supportive and kind to me and my kids always. I have always thought of you as a second mother. Probably because I spent so darn much time at your house growing up and the fact that you are my Mother's best and oldest friend. I'm so lucky to have you in my life.

Heather: You are an amazing mother. You handle motherhood with ease and grace. Your kids are warm and loving, a sign of a warm and loving mother. You showed me long ago that being a stay at home mother could have a huge postive impact in your kids lives. I miss seeing you guys on a regular basis.

Mandee: Thanks for all the great advice. It's too bad that we don't live closer, I'd love to hang out with you and the kids. It is so nice to know someone else who is in such a similar position. Your emails always say the right thing at the right time. I appreciate and value your friendship.

I thank each of you for being so influential in my life. Each of you have shown me different ways to be a mother and that has made me a better mother. I know that Katya has benefited from the many long conversations I have had with each of you over the course of her lifetime. I hope to only become a better and more patient mother now that I have Alexis and Logan.

I love you all!