Los Angeles is such a big city sprawled out for miles, it seems impossible to get around without a car, so I dearly love that I have a few places I can walk to for running errands. No pun intended.
My groomer for the dogs is walking distance. It’s an adorable little place down the way. I just load up the kids in the stroller, leash up Pixie and Stella and take them in for a good scrub down and some pampering.
The Pediatrician’s office is also walking distance. They probably wonder why I always show up in my work out clothes and all sweaty – ha! I make all the routine appointments early in the morning and we trek our way there via foot and stroller – making it part of a morning work out.
Max’s haircuts are a short walking distance away too. It’s a cute little Barber Shop that is still old school in style and service.
It gives living in Los Angeles a tiny bit of small-town feel.
A sense of humor is a must when you have kids. Even if you don’t have kids – you need a sense of humor (and the ability to laugh at yourself) for dealing with life!
I was on the Huffington Post when I came across this story and video. Easing the tension that his six year old daughter’s temper tantrum (Oh no I thought tantrum’s were done by age three!) was creating in the house (because they told her she couldn’t have McDonald’s for dinner) this Dad improvised a little lip sync to lighten the mood. And Mom recorded it.
If you look up information on how to deal with tantrum’s – it’s best to ignore or distract them, but be there for them emotionally when they are done. This Dad was lightening the mood for the rest of the family since it had been going on for an hour.
I’ve tried mimicking Max during a couple of his tantrum’s (when they are just starting) and it makes him laugh! He thinks it’s funny if I repeat what he says and does and it breaks the tantrum. He starts to giggle and let’s me hold him and tickle him until he’s laughing so hard he forgets what he was upset about.
I think I read somewhere this Mom and Dad have 5 or 6 kids? If so, they’ve definitely “been there” before. Love it:
I recently finished up Season 5 of Breaking Bad. Netflix ends it there. I have to find Season 6. Whenever I get around to it.
Thought it was fun – the similarity between my front door and Pinkman’s. Mine has a lame autumn wreath around it that I’m sure Pinkman would throw in the trash. And his door is cooler with the wood panels, yo.
But it’s the same speakeasy. I’m just sayin’. Bitches.
I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned this before. Perhaps a billion times. One of the things I love about Los Angeles is all the green and all the flowers, year round. Even during pumpkin season and the autumn colored trees – there are still roses among us.
I cut these three from my garden and paired them with the two tiny pumpkins I bought for Max and Sarah this year. Yes it has begun – I told you I’d be buying pumpkins this year!
Knowing that most of the world lives in poverty, it’s difficult for me to complain about anything in life. Especially in regards to food. Because with poverty, obviously, there is scarcity in food. So, actually, it sort of disgusts me to eat anything at all.
However, on the opposite end of that – I DO sometimes wish for (I try to remember the Zen way of NOT wishing, wanting, expecting anything) a dinner out of the house. With no kids. That I didn’t have to cook. Or clean up afterwards.
Whether it be due to my own weakness, advertising, media, social media, peer pressure, what have you… I find that I really… just… want… to go out for a dinner.
Shocking? It’s something I used to do. It’s something people do in Los Angeles every day.
I’m not talking about a quick bite – like a drive thru – I’m talking a – Sit. Down. Meal.
I’m not a material girl. I don’t care for diamonds. I don’t care for things in general. Those things are only wanted by people for the mere feeling of that thing anyway. I get all that.
However, I do lately wish for a meal that I didn’t have to 1) buy all ingredients at the grocery store, 1) lug it home, stock it, 3) later prep it, cook it 3) serve it and eat it (which takes a mere 10 minutes). And THEN proceed to 5) gather up dishes, pots and pans 6) clean up floors, from my kids dropping and throwing and then 7) wiping up kids faces, their highchairs, clothes, and 8) doing all the dishes.
That’s a lot of work for 10 minutes of yummy grub. Right? Anyone? Bueller?
I would love just ONE night out where I put on clothes (that aren’t destined for spit ups or immediately have to change a poopy diaper), sit in a lovely restaurant, be served yummy food, a glass of wine – and not have to clean it all up when I was done. Just ONE night.
Is that too much to ask for? I’d feel like I was on a vacation. And I might cry. But it would be tears of joy.
A fairly simple task to execute – one would think. Especially in Los Angeles. People do it every day. But I haven’t done it since… 2010? Maybe 2009? It’s been a long, long time. I’ve had one lunch, and one late night bite, yes. But it’s just not the same.
