Because the Superbowl is Sunday (No, no one in this house will be watching any such nonsense. We’re having a contractor, who’s also a friend, come over to give us an estimate on finishing our basement. Fun times!), I thought I’d post this hilarious video of a drunk [...]]]>

Because the Superbowl is Sunday (No, no one in this house will be watching any such nonsense. We’re having a contractor, who’s also a friend, come over to give us an estimate on finishing our basement. Fun times!), I thought I’d post this hilarious video of a drunk Packer fan who is distraught over her team’s loss. I’m sure you’ve already seen it, but it’s worth another look, no?

Behold the ugly wall color: (And ignore the arcade game. It’s being moved to another room.)

It is the color of the inside of McDonald’s.  Also, the color of a French’s yellow mustard bottle. So, you know . . . it’s ugly. It’s just too [...]]]>

Behold the ugly wall color: (And ignore the arcade game. It’s being moved to another room.)

It is the color of the inside of McDonald’s.  Also, the color of a French’s yellow mustard bottle. So, you know . . . it’s ugly. It’s just too much yellow. For me. Big Daddy seems to like it. But there is absolutely no way in hell I could live with this shade of yellow. This is the color that will be on every wall and ceiling in the main living areas of the home. Nope. Not gonna work.

I’m envisioning a lighter, sunny yellow. With beige undertones. You know? Not too light that it’s hardly even a color, but not so bright and bold that it reminds you of a Crayola crayon. Do you get me?

I’ve asked for yellow paint suggestions, and have gotten a few. What about you all? Any yellow paints that you love? That aren’t $40 – $60 a gallon, please. Think Behr and not Benjamin Moore. I’m on a tight budget.

While you’re at it, if you’ve got any hideous paint stories to tell, do share!

Dude, I’m experiencing some serious winter weather this week! The likes of which I haven’t seen since that Storm of the Century in New York City in 1993. Wow. That was a long time ago. I’m old. Anyway, we’ve got Snow! And Freezing Rain! And an Ice Storm! [...]]]>

Dude, I’m experiencing some serious winter weather this week! The likes of which I haven’t seen since that Storm of the Century in New York City in 1993. Wow. That was a long time ago. I’m old. Anyway, we’ve got Snow! And Freezing Rain! And an Ice Storm! And now it’s melting and is a mess!! Woohooo.

This is our third snow day. I must give credit where credit is due. My neighbors are amazing! I heart this neighborhood so, so much. Not only is it filled with kids who are my girls’ schoolmates and buddies, but all their parents are  super cool! We have all had the best time this week sledding, watching the kids sled (or in my case, sending them out to sled while staying in drinking chardonnay), warming them up with hot cocoa and sending them back out again.

I’ve got to say, it’s all much better with power! Last winter’s snow storm kinda blew because we were without power for about 3 days. It’s all fun and adventurous for 12 hours. 24 tops. 3 days is just not fun.  So let’s all give a big shout out to electricity!!

I actually broke down and busted out the canvases and paints I bought the girls for Christmas. And guess what? It wasn’t that bad! They didn’t make a huge mess or dump paint on the floor. Yay.

I just might survive this snow stuff.

It’s a sad, sad day here at the Breakdown house. My bestest friend and most favorite person in the whole wide world (don’t freak out friends, you are close seconds) was supposed to arrive this afternoon. She wanted to spend her 40th birthday celebrating with ME! Me! She [...]]]>

It’s a sad, sad day here at the Breakdown house. My bestest friend and most favorite person in the whole wide world (don’t freak out friends, you are close seconds) was supposed to arrive this afternoon. She wanted to spend her 40th birthday celebrating with ME! Me! She has a ton of friends (with her personality and charm, of course she does) but she wanted to usher in her 40th year with little ole me!

And we have been so excited! Making plans and dinner reservations, buying wine and goodies. But, alas. This fucking snow storm has put the kabosh on all that fun and merriment. I held out hope – and so did she.  She was on the plane, people! She even purchased snow boots! But conditions are just too bad. The restaurant where I made my reservation called this morning to tell me they wouldn’t be open today. The airport runways are iced over. And we currently have freezing rain.

So she and her husband (who I also love a bunch!) are making the best of things in their sunny hometown of San Diego. I believe they are dining al fresco and sipping cocktails to numb the pain. But we miss each other! And we’re bummed! And she really, really wanted to celebrate her big day on Bainbridge Island with the best broad she knows!

However, plans have been altered. She and her husband and hopefully their amazing kids, whom we all love, will be here for MY birthday in March! So we’ve agreed to say that it’s her birthday too and we are both turning 40! Why not, right? Lemons = lemonade.

I love you, Lisa. I hope you read this (she’s my bff and the catalyst behind this blog, but she only reads it twice a year. I refuse to nag her any more about it. I do have some pride, people).

My bliss continued . . .Bedroom bliss. We are finally purchasing furniture for the boudoir. (Didn’t know I knew French, did ya? My talents are limitless).

Remember we painted our bedroom a dark grey. This color:

Behr Dark Ash

First up, [...]]]>

My bliss continued . . .Bedroom bliss. We are finally purchasing furniture for the boudoir. (Didn’t know I knew French, did ya? My talents are limitless).

Remember we painted our bedroom a dark grey. This color:

Behr Dark Ash

First up, The Bed. How amazingly glamorous is this bed? I freaking love it!! We just ordered it and cannot wait til it arrives. Yes, it’s grey like the walls and our drapes, but I saw a picture on Pinterest with the same thing and it looked fab.

This is the inspiration

I’m going with this ruffled bedding (if Big Daddy lets me)

I am way into the look of mirrored furniture. So old Hollywood glam. But just a touch or it gets to be a little more brothel than boudoir. Also, Big Daddy is not a fan. At all. So one small piece is all I’m allowed. I’m going with my bedside table.

Lovely, no? I need drawers to stash my mini bottles of vodka and bite-sized snickers magazines, notebooks, journals, pens, etc (and by “etc” I mean these)

Something like this for Big Daddy’s side of the bed

My desk where I’ll be doing all that genius writing for my clients (and this blog and the memoir I’ve been writing for 2 years)

Love that pop of color. What kind of chair? Chrome? White? Lucite? I think lucite might be too modern for my taste. But it does look cool.

And every girl needs a fainting couch, don’t you agree?

So what do you think?

This week’s PrompTuesday (disregard it’s actually Wednesday, please) from San Diego Momma is What does your bliss look like?

My bliss looks like. . . .

3 healthy, happy, gorgeous girls

1 healthy, happy marriage

A beautiful home, fully decorated and furnished where the [...]]]>

This week’s PrompTuesday (disregard it’s actually Wednesday, please) from San Diego Momma is What does your bliss look like?

My bliss looks like. . . .

3 healthy, happy, gorgeous girls

1 healthy, happy marriage

A beautiful home, fully decorated and furnished where the five of us are happy and comfortable and have fun and so do all our fabulous friends when they come to (party) visit

Writing and getting paid to do so

Vacations, day-trips and random afternoons filled with love, laughter and good memories

Here’s what I’m looking forward to hunkering down (with a martini and carrot sticks) and watching this winter.

The Voice I am not a fan of American Idol or any of those talent shows. (Well, I will watch Dancing with the Stars, but that’s just to [...]]]>

Here’s what I’m looking forward to hunkering down (with a martini and carrot sticks) and watching this winter.

The Voice I am not a fan of American Idol or any of those talent shows. (Well, I will watch Dancing with the Stars, but that’s just to see the train wrecks they call “stars.”)  I got sucked into The Voice right from the start last summer and have been awaiting its return. I really like the banter between the judges and the array of talent. So many different styles and all so gifted!

The Walking Dead I love this show. And the zombies are almost beside the point. It’s a great program with good stories and characters you care about.  I can’t wait to see how Lori is going to run from zombies when she’s 8 months pregnant. And what kind of crap Shane’s going to pull next. Good stuff.

Bethenny Ever After Bethenny is nuts. Absolutely nuts. But she’s real. And she owns her shit. I like watching her be a neurotic mess, mistreat her in-laws and drive her long-suffering husband crazy. Not that there is anything there at all that I can relate to. It’s just fun  to watch. And rip her apart.

Real Housewives of Orange County While I can honestly say I have not missed watching the Real Housewives serials, I am looking forward to watching the new season of the OC. It’s the original show and I am holding out hope (lord knows why) that these ladies won’t let me down with the sort of immature and degrading behavior some of the other Housewives exhibit (I’m looking at you RHNYC & NJ).

Mad Men For the love of god, AMC bring this back already!! We’ve waited long enough. I’m in such need for smart writing and complex characters. And of course the snazzy set design of the 1960′s.

I was driving home today and noticed lots of Christmas lights still up on houses in my neighborhood. I even saw a tree in a window or two. Which is completely crazy to me. It’s a Christmas tree, people. Christmas is over. We are the family that takes [...]]]>

I was driving home today and noticed lots of Christmas lights still up on houses in my neighborhood. I even saw a tree in a window or two. Which is completely crazy to me. It’s a Christmas tree, people. Christmas is over. We are the family that takes the tree and all decorations down on December 26th. Always. Every year. There has never been an exception. It just bugs me to keep it up after the fact. And we are also that family who puts the tree and trimmings up early. Thanksgiving weekend or right after. So after a month of the ho, ho, ho we’re ready to dismantle and get back to normal (or you know, our version of normal. Which is not all that normal).

So, how long do you keep your tree up? Come on. I know there are a couple of you out there who won’t take it down til Valentine’s Day. Admit it.

Another year gone. Doesn’t seem possible. Only last week I was making my resolutions for 2011. How time flies when you’re having fun, right? Or trying not to lose your shit daily due to the high jinx of 3 little crazies. Ha! Same thing. Because life [...]]]>

Another year gone. Doesn’t seem possible. Only last week I was making my resolutions for 2011. How time flies when you’re having fun, right? Or trying not to lose your shit daily due to the high jinx of 3 little crazies. Ha! Same thing. Because life is nothing if not fun. Complicated, messy, up and down, but fun.

I have  a good feeling about 2012. This is going to be a very good year. Things have started to brew these last weeks of 2011 and I just know lots of great things will grow from them in the coming months.

My Goals for the New Year:

1. Don’t yell so much

2. Have more patience

3. Push myself to do things outside my comfort zone

4. Join the gym (and actually go on a regular basis)

5.  Spend  more time with friends

6. Finish painting the house, turn the office into a guest room and finish decorating the master bedroom/bath

7. Travel more

8. Cook  more

9. Do things with the kids I don’t want to do (this will mean letting them paint and spending a lot more time at the aquatic center. It will also mean someone will visit me at the old folks home in 40 years)

10.  Drink more (I like to put one in there I know I can keep)

This is some powerful stuff, y’all. I found it on dooce’s blog.  This has been a great year for me, but it’s also been a year of struggles. Lately I’ve been thinking about how I need to build confidence. Believe in myself. Push through the walls [...]]]>

This is some powerful stuff, y’all. I found it on dooce’s blog.  This has been a great year for me, but it’s also been a year of struggles. Lately I’ve been thinking about how I need to build confidence. Believe in myself. Push through the walls and not give up. On myself or my dreams. Not finishing is not an option.

ESPN: The Finish Line 2 – Short Feature from Evolve Digital Cinema / IMG on Vimeo.