The rocks are nearly complete. They just need to add the color. We are thinking a gray rock...I want the whole natural setting. We met with the concrete people to discuss textures and colorings. We didn't want to commit to a color with the rock guys until we had picked a color and texture for the concrete.
View of the Pool - couldn't get the whole thing in though 
A view of the pool from the Jacuzzi
This is the reef that we had built. If you look closely you can see a whole for an umbrella. We thought Flash (the dalmation) would love this. He doesn't have the webbed feet like Hunter, and panicks a bit when he swims, but LOVES the water. 
The Jacuzzi - pretty standard
View of the jacuzzi from the other side (imagine walking out of the house...this is what you would see). That way the jacuzzi is a bit more private).
David's pride and joy...the Rock Slide
And this is the dry grotto. The rock guys said that a dry grotto would be better than the wet one, so here it is. I have been told that you can even put candles in here. Could be fun :)
About Me
- Mel
- California, United States
- I'm the wife of a firefighter, a mother of two wonderful kids and a full time employee with a crazy busy life. But hey, at least I'm not bored :)
For those of you who are not in Cali, I thought I would introduce you to California Snow. That's right! It's snows in Southern California...just without the cold temperatures. Well...sort of. :P
Due to all of the fires that are somewhat near the house, we have had a bunch of soot covering all of our cars. It's pretty gross. Everytime you open your car door, it flies around and sticks to your clothes.
When I was driving to work on Friday, the sky looked the same color as the mountains around me...brown. You almost wanted to hold your breath until you got to somewhere that has blue sky. The problem is that you would pass out by the time you even saw a bit of grey sky. It's pretty disgusting...makes you want to go recycle or something to save the Ozone layer.
Hopefully, the fires will be out soon, and the California snow will let up a bit. See...and you guys in Boston thought YOU had all the fun! :)
As many of you know, Caiden and I are ALWAYS on the road. The above is a picture of us driving to work and school this morning. During the long car ride, we often listen to what Caiden affectionately named "Caiden's song" AKA Veggie Tales, sing at the top of our lungs, while talking about our surroundings. 
As any good mom, I believe that breakfast is a very important meal for a growing boy. Notice the nutritious breakfast that I have provided. (No, it's not a corn dog...it's a pancake - and a chocolate chip one at that...with sausage in the middle). Ok, so today was not the best example of a healthy breakfast, but if you were to look down you would see a nice, tall glass of milk for Caiden. See, I have it right...sometimes :P
Anyways, so oftentimes I am struck with a guilty conscience. Am I in the car too much with Caiden? Did I make the right decision to hike 2 hours or more one way in the car just to live in a nice house surrounded by family in California? What was I thinking agreeing to drive so much - I don't like traffic?
All of these things go through my mind on any given day...and then something like the below happens, and I am struck with the realization that I am doing just fine. You see, although we have a long drive, I am teaching my son patience (because you are going to get to your destination when traffic allows you to, flexibility (I'll move over a smidge so this very annoying motorcyclist can squeeze through the lane that he shouldn't be using), and above all...creativity! Yeah, you heard me right. Creativity. After all, whose kid is bored enough that they take their socks and shoes off and make hand puppets out of their socks and thoroughly enjoys himself? That's right...my kid does. I'm a good mom for driving 4 hours a day with Caiden. I am teaching him lifelong values as well as developing his artistic side. Well, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it! :)
My Mimi's birthday was Friday, October 20th. I'd tell you the date, but she'd kill me. Plus, I don't think I even know it. It was always a top clearance kind of secret in our family. :) I know that I'm a few days late in posting this, but to be honest I wasn't sure if I should. I didn't want to make people sad, and it's highly personal to me. For those of you who don't know, Mimi was my grandmother. She passed on a few years back, but my heart has never healed. I have been a bit depressed lately, and have tried hard to lock it away and hide it, but it's not working. So, I thought I would try a little therapy on myself. After all, I WAS a pyschology major :)
I cannot really put into words what Mimi meant to me. I have no idea to show you or express to you what an incredible person Mimi was - Just think of the most amazing person (and I'm sure you are all thinking of women...I mean I did say the MOST amazing person), and then multiply that by 100...that's my Mimi.
I wrote the following eulogy as I sat by Mimi's bedside through her last few days with us. You don't have to read it. If it makes you sad, then skip to the cutesy pictures I posted just a few moments ago. However, if you want to know a little about the most amazing women that I have ever met then read on a little. Hopefully, by sharing a little with you, it will lessen the sadness that I have been feeling.
Have you ever looked into a darkened sky and found one lone star shining brightly in the sky? The strength of this star is so intense that light radiates from every inch – with enough light to guide you and help you find your way back home when you may feel lost or misguided.
The brilliant star encompassing my life is Mimi, and she not only guided me back home, but she taught me how to shine! Mimi has this uncanny way of making the worst of times seem like nothing more than a simple inconvenience with a simple raise of her eyebrow and a smile. She is the source of all of my creativity, as we sat countless hours in her house making crafts and perusing her collection of photo albums. I never tired of the stories and pictures, for as you may know, Mimi has lived a very exciting life!!
It’s hard, given the opportunity, to document a lifetime of memories, laughter, support, inspiration, and meaning behind the strength and power that Mimi’s life has had on my own. She has influenced me and opened my mind and my eyes in so many ways. No matter how much I try to convey my exact thoughts and feelings regarding the impact that Mimi’s life has had on my own, I find myself at a loss to do so.
If you could be me for a moment, living in my heart and my mind you would see not only a loving and dedicated grandmother who supports and loves her grandchild… you would see two friends watching “Golden Girls” together, trying on party dresses and dancing on Mimi’s dance floor, hanging out at the movies, or going on vacations together…
You would see a confidant helping me to survive the tough times, reveling in the good times; someone who listens to me without judgment or pretense with the purest of intentions…
You would see a teacher guiding me down my correct path in life all the while allowing me to choose my own path; never pushing or prodding me in a particular direction…
You would see two women gossiping about boys and life…
You would see a shrewd businesswoman imparting her knowledge, wisdom, and work ethic to a younger version of herself. Mimi was a successful pioneer of her field defying odds by becoming the first female title representative in her area, and top producer at that! Is there any wonder why I strive for the same type of excellence in my life –I have some large shoes to fill…
You would also see a historian providing me with a glimpse into the past, introducing me to past relatives and the richness, beauty, quirkiness and history that makes up our family…
But most of all, if you look deep within my heart and mind you would see a little girl who gazes lovingly at her grandmother with such love, admiration and incredible respect. A little girl who wants to grow up to be “exactly like her Mimi”.
Mimi, I love you so completely! Thank you for the many wonderful memories that you have given me. I am so fortunate to have had you in my life. And although you may no longer walk this Earth, you will live in my heart and my mind forever.
Boy, am I thankful that we didn't move to Colorado. Is it because I don't like snow, green trees, beautiful blue skies? Are you kidding me...I would LOVE that! It's because of moments like below. Here are a few pictures of a few family gatherings we have had as of late. 
That's right...after much anticipation, the Naffins are pregnant!! My sister and her awfully lucky husband will be the proud parents to TWO, that's right...I said 2 little bundles of joy! And to make it a little sweeter, I was the first to welcome the twins with their FIRST baby gift!
Stephanie is a little under 3 months along, and the morning sickness is just starting to kick in. Rest up, Steph and Dave because although you will never remember life without kids AFTER the arrival of the Naffin twins, you will also never remember what it feels like to get a full 8 hours of sleep! :)
Life will never seem sweeter than when you look into the eyes of your children. I am so happy for both of you...Congratulations. I'm going to be an Aunt again!!!!
Wendy, Jeff and Micah came down from San Jose for a visit. We thought it would be a great opportunity to go to the pumpkin patch and snap a few shots of the cousins. We had so much fun, even if the sun was SCORCHING! Dave and Caiden played in the bouncy houses, and slid down the air slides...We all had strawberry smoothies at the end. Micah was such a trooper. I altered some of the pictures in photoshop...For instance, I made Micah black and white, or made the background black and white, did a vignette with the cousins. I removed ugly objects from the background (with the exception of the one with Caiden kissing Micah...Frankly it's past 12:15am, and I'm tired and want to go to bed. :) Let me know what you think!
I have a theory. A theory about those annoying people that sit in the fast lane on the freeway doing 20 mph UNDER the speed limit and refuse to move over a lane or God forbid do the unthinkable and actually get OUT of the fast lane and move into the slow lane. These are the same people that also tend to sit in front of me after a long day of work as I am driving Ortega Highway (a well know two lane, curvy, windy, and otherwise dangerous mountain road).
Now I spend a lot of time driving. If I were a mathematically inclined person, I would insert the exact amount of time that I actually spend in the car here. Thankfully for all of you reading this, I am not. (Although I am sure that I will be told by either my lead or my husband (both mathematically inclined individuals) exactly how much time I spend sitting on my rear in the car). Anyway, I digress. The point of my rather wordy story is that I spend an awful lot of time on the road, and thus feel justified and worthy to develop a theory on people's driving habits.
My theory goes something like this. These people that sit in the lanes and refuse to move are passive aggressive. They exert no actual control in their own lives, so they feel that they MUST control the lives of others (if only for a moment). These people are married to or otherwise influenced by more dominant individuals that tell them what to do, say, think, etc... This frustrates them, but they lack the will power or strength to grow a backbone and stand their ground. They DO feel a small twinge of a backbone while in their stinkin' 4 wheel car driving in front of me, as my son repeats over and over. "I want chocolate milk!" "Mama, mama, mama, mama" (in a sing songy voice). They are the same people that sit on the two lane road of Ortega Highway, taking the curves at 20mph, practically stopping every time they see a car coming the opposite direction of them on the road, refusing to take turnouts, and all of a sudden develop a lead foot on the straight-aways (where I could actually pass them). These people think they have the right to hold me hostage...to waste precious moments of MY day that could be spent doing more important things like updating my blog :) Well, to these people I say, "No More!!". You will NOT sit there in front of me causing me heartache and grief and get away with it. No...you will be added to my blog. *da da duhhhhh...insert cheesy scary music here*
This particular scenario happened to me on the way home from work yesterday. (see the above picture). This rather annoying P.A.D. (Passive Aggressive Driver), spent the entire 1.5 hour drive in front of me, making a game of slowing down and then speeding up. I finally couldn't take it anymore and grabbed the camera and started taking pictures. This so unnerved the driver that they swerved into the other lane in search of their camera phone to take pictures of me. (Ha! I like my picture taken, snap away!) :) As you can see, the car in front of me as well as the car in front of the car in front of it (did you follow that - stay with me now) were both P.A.Ds. The car in front of the car in front of me however was just as irritated as me. We spent the entire trip trying to rid ourselves of these crappy P.A.D.s.
Now before I get a bunch of negative comments. I did behave myself. I did, I swear! I ONLY took out my camera and took pictures. I did not...I repeat....I did not swerve into the other lane of the two lane road and cut the P.A.D. off, and then slam on my brakes like I wanted.
So, for all of you P.A.D.s or potential P.A.D.s beware!! I am on the lookout, and I am armed with a digital camera!
Ok, ok. So I'm not ALL bad. I DID fuzz out their license plate :)
Caiden is learning so many new things at school. Everyday he comes home with some newfound talent. This week it's his desire to sing! That's right, you heard me...sing. Caiden is going to be the next American Idol...hopefully Simon Cowell will go a bit easy on him. In the below clip, Caiden is singing "The Wheels on the bus" and "The People on the bus". Note the ending...the very 2-year-old ending. I'll just leave it at that.
OK, so besides the obvious: The 9 month pregnancy (or was it 10?), the 13 hours of unmedicated labor and delivery, and of course the fact that he has that cute little dimple on his chin (like his mama - or as Grandpa Phil says...it's where God touched his chin and declared, "You're done!"). Besides all of that...I have video...I have proof that Caiden IS MY son.
Now don't be sqeamish...it's not one of THOSE videos. (Seriously, have you met me? I'm pretty modest). No, this video contains the ultimate testament that Caiden is my son.
So, a few of us went to U and I sushi in Laguna to celebrate Ian Mackie's birthday. During this little adventure, Caiden discovered that not only did he enjoy sushi, but he really preferred Masago. Look at the verocity at which he devours the sushi. For those of you who have had the unfortunate luck to sit on the other side of the table from me when I am starved and have not had sushi in awhile, you will see an uncanny resemblance as my son politely shoves the sushi into his face. Charming, eh?
Since many of you have asked me about my class...you know, the exercise class that I've been taking for the past 4 months? (Almost at level 3 - halfway there as there are 6 levels!!!) . The studio had an open house last weekend, so I invited a few friends, and one of them took pictures. So, for those of you that are "curious"(and you know who you are)...here are a few pics of the famous exercise class that I have found myself absorbed in. For those that see this and are interested - let me know - I'll give you the number to the class - trust me...you'll thank me for it. For those of you who are unsure...all I have to say is keep an open mind. This is a dance class - that just HAPPENS to have a pole :)
Well, a lot has been done since I last posted. They have put in rebar, plumbing, ran electrical and sprayed gunite. They have even created the rock slide and the dry ghrotto.