The Breakfast Club

Please forgive my Sunday afternoon case of the lazies. It's such lovely weather and I've got a full tummy. I'm so sleepy from a fun filled day so I'm not feeling so chatty.

We started our day with video chatting with our favorite niece & nephew, Evelyn & Dion from Paraguay. They only have 9 months left with the Peace Corps. and I know how fast 9 months can go by. Then we went to brunch at Cindy's. I had an idea to get together with my friends on a monthly basis and we'll try a new restaurant each time. Cindy's was my choice for our first Breakfast Club.

"Saturday, March 24,1984. Shermer High School, Shermer, Illinois, 60062. Dear Mr. Vernon, We accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong. What we did *was* wrong. But we think you're crazy to make us write an essay telling you who we think we are. What do you care? You see us as you want to see us - in the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions. You see us as a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess and a criminal. Correct? That's the way we saw each other at 7:00 this morning. We were brainwashed."

Always cheesing for the camera

We checked out a really nice open house in Atwater Village after breakfast. The house is small but cute. My biggest disappointment was the faux fireplace and it's the first house on the street so there's an alley next to it. However there is a huge wall so you would never hear any noise from the cars driving by. The price was excellent, there's no doubt it will sell quickly.

I drool for pools!!

Antz must have also been inspired by this pool because he decided that today was the day we get Liv a pet fish. We bought the aquarium but the guy at the Pet store said we should wait a day before adding the fish. We're picking up a couple of goldfish friends tomorrow.

*Update* Yesterday Antz brought home our new pets. Olivia has named them Dory & Nemo *although I call them Fred & Ethel* So far so great, they survived the night and Lola hasn't noticed them, yet!

So now that Liv is watching The Goonies with Antz in the other room. I'm going to sneak a little nap before I get started on my crafting for Liv's Winter Solstice.

OH! I forgot to post a photo of our garage. Antz straightened it up and made it cute again after weeks of neglect.

Merci Mon ami!!

This is Halloween

We enjoyed a weekend of doing nothing. No plans, we just stayed home and hung out in our dead backyard. It's a weird feeling not driving my car for a whole 24 hours. Actually, we did go out for a minute to pick up a pizza. Sunday, Antz put up our Halloween decorations.

checking the twinkle lights

Last weekend we were busy hosting our houseguests. Evelyn & Dion spent the weekend with us while they are in town on vacation from the Peace Corps from Paraguay. It was so fun to see them. We went to the Beverly Hills farmers market. Ev & D are like celebrities with the vendors there. They all were so surprised to see them after 18 months.

Liv photo bombed them

It's always rad times with these two! Friday night we stayed up late playing Wii Fit. I laughed so hard my cheeks hurt. We used my Living Social deal for the Wildlife Learning Center on Saturday. It was way in Simi Valley and super hot but luckily the place had tons of shade and we were only there for an hour.

That's right folks, turtle porn right in front of your eyes!

Liv was positive that fake alligator was real

This was the cutest guy ever. He was a year old and by the time he turns 3, he'll be 5 feet long and weigh like 200 lbs!

Liv wasn't likin' it

Out of all the awesome wildlife and everything we learning about animals, Liv was most impressed by seeing a tortoise poop. She stood there for like 20 minutes saying "Turtle poo poo!" Super fun Living Social deal for $13!!

His Favorite Things

Today is extra special because Violently Happy has it's second guest post. L's & G's I am pleased to introduce, my better half...Antz!

Hello. Alright, so I'm not as good at this blogging jazz as my wife is but I'm going to give it a shot.  So, I think the first step to this is figuring out a theme.  Next, you have to think of a ingenious title to get folks curious enough to want to pop in and take read.  After that, you have to write about your topic in either a reflective manner, a funny or clever way or in a mocking, pessimistic tone.  After you've selected your approach, then its time to write. 

Subject: Being a Home Body
Clever title:  Home is where your Fart is
Style:  Funny / Clever

Home is Where Your Fart Is

Sunday afternoon, hanging at home with the family is probably the bestest, most fun activity I can think of.  Lots of people may not be able to relate because they enjoy stepping out into the world and mingling with strangers.  Don't get me wrong.  I do like the occasional hang out session with the homies and even a trip to a restaurant every now and again, but my main source of enjoyment comes from being at home in my play clothes, feet up watching T.V.  Preferably Jeopardy or Adventure Time.  Here's a list of things you can do at home that you cannot do out and about (without consequence)

1. Fart
2. Not give a shit
3. Fall asleep
4. Not be bothered
5. Be at home
6. reach in the fridge and grab something for free
7. Did I mention, not give a shit?

Right now for instance, I'm watching Adventure Time, blogging, wearing my jams with my iPhone to the left of me reading FB or checking my text messages.  Olivia is running around in a pull up, taking a 24 pack of crayons one by one from the living room to her bedroom.  Liz went to grab us some lunch from Panda Express (for me) and Tommy's for her.  I've got both ceiling fans turning and basically, not giving a shit.  Sounds good huh?

I don't know much about blogging, but I think this is how.  Let me know what you think? 
Maybe I'll do more, maybe not.  No pressure.

Later Fans.

Antz

I love Antz handmade Finn grabbing Moobs tee!

Thanks my lovely, it's so nice to have a male point of view. I am a lucky girl!

Highland Cafe Part 2

This morning my friend Terry invited us to join them for breakfast at Highland Cafe. We walked over and encountered the largest dog I've ever seen in my life.

Antz was like, "Is that a rug?"

I find his little pal ironic.

Hi Lew doggy!

My pretty waffle

Liv enjoyed stirring her oatmeal but she ate some later at home

This waitress is super adorable! Her shirt had thread, bobbins and needles on it. We had a chat about our love of sewing and Peter Pan collars.

Lew is the sweetest, most patient dog ever.

Look at Terry's adorable preggers belly, baby brother will be here in December.

Race!

There is a new comic book store across the street, AWESOME!!

We're both so happy our neighborhood is getting so rad, but my heart still belongs to Atwater Village. A new market/cafe opened there called Bon Vivant. We have to check it out soon.

Reminiscing

On our way home from Las Vegas we stopped at my Mom's house for a nap. I was looking at some old photos so I decided to bring home my box of family photos to scan to my computer.

Here's my Mom, me and my Grandma in 1986. Are you loving my Mom's sweet Atari jacket and legwarmers?

This is just one of my Mom's photo boxes, I organized it 2 years ago

My Mommy was born on July 24, 1947

Visiting Santa in 1949

My Mom's 1st Communion

My Mom looked fresh to death on her Prom Night

Love her pixie cut

This is one of my favorite photos of my Mom

Holy shit! My Mommy was a hottie. Check out those abs, WAIT, NO! stop looking at my Mom that way!!!

One of my Mom's Gold albums, she played drums on Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life

My parents smooching...PDA

Preggers with ME!

Here lies the Golden Child

Who doesn't have a photo of their Mom pregnant and holding a rifle?

In her 9th month, March 1977

My Mummy & Me on the day of my christening

Making my debut to our family in my Mom's hometown, Detroit. Check out her giant grin!

Only my Grandma could pull off the caftan look. I am still asking my Mom to find those FABulous glasses, so rad!!

Believe it or not, I was a huge nerd! It took years to shed my Catholic school good girl image.

Hmmm, it appears that I had a twin!

Making the snaggletooth look cool

I'm burned out on scanning for the past 3 hours. I'll add more later. My cheeks are sore from laughing so hard at these photos. Exhibit A...my Mom's glorious 80's mullet!

I've noticed my Mom really enjoys taking photos next to cars.