In front of the computer having a Skype happy hour with our friend in Japan. The little baby was taking a nap but woke up in time to join us for the last half of our chat. Only 18 months old and already so at home in front of the computer!
June 29, 2009
How We Spent Saturday Night
In front of the computer having a Skype happy hour with our friend in Japan. The little baby was taking a nap but woke up in time to join us for the last half of our chat. Only 18 months old and already so at home in front of the computer!
June 25, 2009
The Harsh Truth Of The Camera Eye
Lately it's been feeling like there's not enough time to do everything I want to do. There are several sewing projects I have lined up but so far have done nothing more than cut some fabric. The house needs to be vacuumed. I need to get back into a regular workout schedule. Alex and I want to write an illustrated short story. I'm overdue for the dentist and a haircut. Porro needs a bath and a nail trim.
I go as fast as I can but I have been feeling tired. Yesterday while driving home from work I almost nodded off. Last night we had the lights off by 9:40 and today I feel more rested. This morning I did an abbreviated workout, which is less than I wanted but better than nothing.
Yesterday this is what my eyes looked like. For the past few years I have noticed that whenever I'm fatigued I get this extra fold in my left eye. Not just sleepy tired, but really exhausted. The extra fold just appears. When I woke up today it was gone.
I go as fast as I can but I have been feeling tired. Yesterday while driving home from work I almost nodded off. Last night we had the lights off by 9:40 and today I feel more rested. This morning I did an abbreviated workout, which is less than I wanted but better than nothing.
Yesterday this is what my eyes looked like. For the past few years I have noticed that whenever I'm fatigued I get this extra fold in my left eye. Not just sleepy tired, but really exhausted. The extra fold just appears. When I woke up today it was gone.
June 21, 2009
Padre
It's Father's Day today and I won't get to see my dad because he is 400 miles away. Instead I will hang out with Alex's family and talk to my dad on the phone.
My dad has two daughters. I'm the oldest and Brigitte came along almost 6 years later. Here they are reading together. I like how Brigitte's finger is pointed up like she already knows what's coming next and is going to beat my dad to the punch. That's sort of how they are today. They are so alike that they are constantly butting heads. She was so cute. I remember when she looked like that. The way her chubby little hands were. She had dimply knuckles and small square fingernails.
This is me and my dad last August. I worry about him because he lives by himself now. He really wants to become a Grandpa. Too bad I am utterly terrified of being pregnant and birthing a child. The idea of being a mom I don't mind, but to have a person growing inside me makes me feel all queasy. Sorry Dad. Luckily all of the neighborhood kids think he is the coolest guy ever. He knows about tools, is always tinkering around with some sort of project and goes on epic bike rides that he lets them tag along for. He is pretty cool.
Happy Father's day to all of my dad friends, of which there are not too many. Let's see, Colin in Felton, Mark Z. near Portland, um...oh yeah, Jeremy in Napa, Mark in Costa Mesa, Mo in Foster City, and I think that's it. Most of my friends have not started families of their own. What a bunch of Peter Pans! I'm a Peter Pan too.
My dad has two daughters. I'm the oldest and Brigitte came along almost 6 years later. Here they are reading together. I like how Brigitte's finger is pointed up like she already knows what's coming next and is going to beat my dad to the punch. That's sort of how they are today. They are so alike that they are constantly butting heads. She was so cute. I remember when she looked like that. The way her chubby little hands were. She had dimply knuckles and small square fingernails.
This is me and my dad last August. I worry about him because he lives by himself now. He really wants to become a Grandpa. Too bad I am utterly terrified of being pregnant and birthing a child. The idea of being a mom I don't mind, but to have a person growing inside me makes me feel all queasy. Sorry Dad. Luckily all of the neighborhood kids think he is the coolest guy ever. He knows about tools, is always tinkering around with some sort of project and goes on epic bike rides that he lets them tag along for. He is pretty cool.
Happy Father's day to all of my dad friends, of which there are not too many. Let's see, Colin in Felton, Mark Z. near Portland, um...oh yeah, Jeremy in Napa, Mark in Costa Mesa, Mo in Foster City, and I think that's it. Most of my friends have not started families of their own. What a bunch of Peter Pans! I'm a Peter Pan too.
June 12, 2009
They're heeere
I was just reading one of my favorite blogs (Whoopee!) and she wrote about ghost stories. So now I am too. I don't think I am able to experience ghosts. It probably would have happened by now if I could, right? 33.5 years and no ghost stories except for these two, and they both happened within the last three months in our little 1930's duplex in southern California.
Shortly after my grandpa died in March, Porro and I were in the living room early one morning. Have I ever mentioned that I wake at 4am? That's when Alex gets up and I can't go back to sleep after he's left the bed so I just get up and look at the internet or work out. So there were were on a very calm and still morning when suddenly the Swiss ball that was in the corner rolls about 4 feet toward the center of the room. I was startled but not scared. I looked at Porro and every single hair was on end. He was tense, motionless, alert. So I said aloud, "Grandpa?" and that was it. No more movement of the ball, no affirmation that it was anybody at all.
About three weeks ago after the alarm went off, Alex was getting dressed and I was still in bed. It was still dark outside, as it is at 4am, and the bedroom light was on. I had my eyes closed because bright lights hurt in the morning. He was silent as usual, then we said our goodbyes, then he went to work. A few hours later he sent a text. It said that, while he was getting dressed, he saw a white light in a starburst pattern on the tv. It was there, then faded away. He said he looked at me to see if I saw it too but I was still shielding my eyes. I wondered if he felt scared and he replied that "it felt nice". He didn't want to say anything as it happened because he didn't want to scare me. The tv was unplugged and there are no outside lights that shine into our bedroom. I told him we must have a poltergeist.
Shortly after my grandpa died in March, Porro and I were in the living room early one morning. Have I ever mentioned that I wake at 4am? That's when Alex gets up and I can't go back to sleep after he's left the bed so I just get up and look at the internet or work out. So there were were on a very calm and still morning when suddenly the Swiss ball that was in the corner rolls about 4 feet toward the center of the room. I was startled but not scared. I looked at Porro and every single hair was on end. He was tense, motionless, alert. So I said aloud, "Grandpa?" and that was it. No more movement of the ball, no affirmation that it was anybody at all.
About three weeks ago after the alarm went off, Alex was getting dressed and I was still in bed. It was still dark outside, as it is at 4am, and the bedroom light was on. I had my eyes closed because bright lights hurt in the morning. He was silent as usual, then we said our goodbyes, then he went to work. A few hours later he sent a text. It said that, while he was getting dressed, he saw a white light in a starburst pattern on the tv. It was there, then faded away. He said he looked at me to see if I saw it too but I was still shielding my eyes. I wondered if he felt scared and he replied that "it felt nice". He didn't want to say anything as it happened because he didn't want to scare me. The tv was unplugged and there are no outside lights that shine into our bedroom. I told him we must have a poltergeist.
Double Digits!
And we're back! Tattoo removal #10 finally happened about 1.5 hours ago. The arm barely hurt this time (about a 2), which is an excellent sign because the less ink you have, the less it hurts. The ankle hurt as much as ever (about an 8), the right hip hurt only a little but the left hip hurt more, which makes no sense because they are symmetrical tattoos. (About a 3 - 5 on the hips) The neck, for whatever reason, keeps hurting and making me flinch and jump. I know everyone says the neck is really sensitive but when I got the tattoo, I remember being shocked because it didn't hurt nearly as much as I was expecting it to. The removal is way worse. (About a 6 today, but it was really quick)
This photo is from May 20-something. Nice and faded but my skin pigment is getting removed as well. I'm trying to put it in the sun but the little spots are resistant to pick up any color.
This one is from this afternoon. Is there any difference? No laser happened between these two photos, but the tattoos are supposed to keep gradually fading.
Everything is still all iced and bandaged so I have no post-laser photos yet. My sister should be boarding a plane in San Francisco right now and she is on her way down here! I can't wait! By the time we pick her up I should be ready to take the ice packs off. The first few times I had tattoo removal, the night at home after was agonizing. I had to just go to sleep early because it hurt too much to stay awake. Now it's much more tolerable. I always take 2 Advil as they are bandaging me up and it really helps. Or at least my brain tells me it does.
This photo is from May 20-something. Nice and faded but my skin pigment is getting removed as well. I'm trying to put it in the sun but the little spots are resistant to pick up any color.
This one is from this afternoon. Is there any difference? No laser happened between these two photos, but the tattoos are supposed to keep gradually fading.
Everything is still all iced and bandaged so I have no post-laser photos yet. My sister should be boarding a plane in San Francisco right now and she is on her way down here! I can't wait! By the time we pick her up I should be ready to take the ice packs off. The first few times I had tattoo removal, the night at home after was agonizing. I had to just go to sleep early because it hurt too much to stay awake. Now it's much more tolerable. I always take 2 Advil as they are bandaging me up and it really helps. Or at least my brain tells me it does.
June 08, 2009
Dis-appointments
First I would like to say that Alex is growing a moustache. Against my wishes. I don't like to be scratched. His defense is that he's Mexican. He is, yes, but still. I hope it's just a phase. OK, on to the topic at hand.
Appointments haven't been going so well for me lately. Making them, keeping them, the results of them...nothing has been going as planned.
First I had to reschedule my tattoo removal appointment because I accidentally made it for the Friday before an active three-day weekend. Then it was supposed to be Friday June 5 but when they called to confirm, they casually mentioned that the woman who always does the treatment is out of town and they have someone else filling in. I was immediately apprehensive. We have a good rapport with Cynthia. She and Alex joke around. She has seen all of my progress. Would she be back next week? Yes she would. So now my tattoo removal will happen on Friday June 12, which is three weeks later than originally planned. That's already halfway to the next one since I go every six weeks. Oh well. It's a long process.
Did I ever tell you what happened during my last hair appointment? No? OK. I needed a haircut. I don't have a regular stylist. I love trying new salons and going to new people. However, I really liked the salon I went to for my last haircut and I can walk there from home. The girl gave me a really nice haircut so I decided to see her again. But she wasn't working on the day I wanted the haircut. I agreed to see another girl at the same salon. We chatted a lot during the appointment. She told me all about her family, her little brother who drowned when they were kids, and the fact that she just finished treatment for a brain tumor recently. Then she busted out the flat iron. Or is it a straightening iron? Either way, it doesn't belong in my hair, which is already as flat and straight as possible. But I felt like I shouldn't say anything because it would make me feel like a jerk. And my bangs, which I decided to grow for summer, got chopped. I walked out of that salon looking like a carbon copy of the girl who just styled me. I felt like I couldn't say anything because of all of the hardships she endured. Next time I will make sure to get the girl I liked from the first time. Or try another salon completely.
Finally, I had to schedule my yearly doctor appointment. I have new health insurance this year and wanted a new doctor. Finally I chose an office and made the appointment. As the receptionist read everything back to me to confirm, I noticed she referred to the doctor as a "he". I froze. It shouldn't matter. But it did. I asked for a female doctor. I want the person who gives me a most unpleasant exam to have the same parts and to have undergone the same examination.
Appointments haven't been going so well for me lately. Making them, keeping them, the results of them...nothing has been going as planned.
First I had to reschedule my tattoo removal appointment because I accidentally made it for the Friday before an active three-day weekend. Then it was supposed to be Friday June 5 but when they called to confirm, they casually mentioned that the woman who always does the treatment is out of town and they have someone else filling in. I was immediately apprehensive. We have a good rapport with Cynthia. She and Alex joke around. She has seen all of my progress. Would she be back next week? Yes she would. So now my tattoo removal will happen on Friday June 12, which is three weeks later than originally planned. That's already halfway to the next one since I go every six weeks. Oh well. It's a long process.
Did I ever tell you what happened during my last hair appointment? No? OK. I needed a haircut. I don't have a regular stylist. I love trying new salons and going to new people. However, I really liked the salon I went to for my last haircut and I can walk there from home. The girl gave me a really nice haircut so I decided to see her again. But she wasn't working on the day I wanted the haircut. I agreed to see another girl at the same salon. We chatted a lot during the appointment. She told me all about her family, her little brother who drowned when they were kids, and the fact that she just finished treatment for a brain tumor recently. Then she busted out the flat iron. Or is it a straightening iron? Either way, it doesn't belong in my hair, which is already as flat and straight as possible. But I felt like I shouldn't say anything because it would make me feel like a jerk. And my bangs, which I decided to grow for summer, got chopped. I walked out of that salon looking like a carbon copy of the girl who just styled me. I felt like I couldn't say anything because of all of the hardships she endured. Next time I will make sure to get the girl I liked from the first time. Or try another salon completely.
Finally, I had to schedule my yearly doctor appointment. I have new health insurance this year and wanted a new doctor. Finally I chose an office and made the appointment. As the receptionist read everything back to me to confirm, I noticed she referred to the doctor as a "he". I froze. It shouldn't matter. But it did. I asked for a female doctor. I want the person who gives me a most unpleasant exam to have the same parts and to have undergone the same examination.
June 02, 2009
Would You Kill For Love?
One hour ago. I was in the living room. Alex was in the shower.
Suddenly..."I need your help! Come quickly!"
I ran to the bathroom. He must have fallen and couldn't get up! I burst in the door to find him standing in the tub wrapped in a towel. He looked fine.
"What is it?"
Wide eyed, he pointed to the edge of the tub. There sat a plump brown spider, looking at Alex. Alex was being spied on by an eight-legged peeping tom. I laughed. Alex didn't want to step over the spider. He was trapped.
"Do something!"
I picked up one of his flip flops and apologized to the spider. I whacked the spider and he squished into the bottom of the shoe. Done. I saved the day.
Suddenly..."I need your help! Come quickly!"
I ran to the bathroom. He must have fallen and couldn't get up! I burst in the door to find him standing in the tub wrapped in a towel. He looked fine.
"What is it?"
Wide eyed, he pointed to the edge of the tub. There sat a plump brown spider, looking at Alex. Alex was being spied on by an eight-legged peeping tom. I laughed. Alex didn't want to step over the spider. He was trapped.
"Do something!"
I picked up one of his flip flops and apologized to the spider. I whacked the spider and he squished into the bottom of the shoe. Done. I saved the day.
June 01, 2009
Brat
This morning after Alex left for work I decided to sleep in a little. Porro had other ideas. He walked all over the bed, meowing, stepping on my hair, jumping on and off, until finally I got the laptop to read a little since he wasn't letting me sleep. As soon as I turned it on and settled comfortably back in the covers, he curled up and is now fast asleep. And I needed to be in the shower 5 minutes ago.
On Saturday I made Alex's mom a shirt that I think actually fits her. I am so happy with the way it turned out. I used French seams and bias tape on the armhole seams so there are no loose edges anywhere. It's the nicest garment I have made to date. She liked it.
I really don't want to go to work today! For the past 4 days I feel like I have been battling an ailment. Hopefully I fight it off for good.
Yesterday we found our new favorite frozen yogurt place. It's self serve so you can have as much or as little as you like. As many flavors and topping as you crave. You pay by weight. It was only a little over $5 for both of our gigantic cups.
OK, off to shower. Tattoo removal on Friday. I'm excited, especially for the arm. It might almost be gone this time!
On Saturday I made Alex's mom a shirt that I think actually fits her. I am so happy with the way it turned out. I used French seams and bias tape on the armhole seams so there are no loose edges anywhere. It's the nicest garment I have made to date. She liked it.
I really don't want to go to work today! For the past 4 days I feel like I have been battling an ailment. Hopefully I fight it off for good.
Yesterday we found our new favorite frozen yogurt place. It's self serve so you can have as much or as little as you like. As many flavors and topping as you crave. You pay by weight. It was only a little over $5 for both of our gigantic cups.
OK, off to shower. Tattoo removal on Friday. I'm excited, especially for the arm. It might almost be gone this time!
May 27, 2009
No Lee Press On
Porro is showing off his mani-pedi. No more click-clack as he walks around the house. Tonight our house was filled to the gills with Alex's family. It's Alex's birthday and we invited everyone over for dinner. Porro had the chance to play with children but he was too shy. He watched for a little while from the hallway and then crawled under the bed to wait it out.
We went to the Dodgers game on Sunday and Alex wore his new jersey for the first time. Too bad they lost. He was hopeful, though.
I need to iron the crease out of the middle of this shirt. This is the one I made for Alex's mom. Unfortunately it's too small for her. She hasn't tried it on yet but I know it will be. This was a fun shirt to make. I used french seams down the long sides. The inside looks really nice except for where the sleeves are attached. Next time I sew this shirt I'll use a larger seam allowance than what the pattern calls for so I can make that part nicer. This is the first item I have sewn using Nani Iro double gauze. It's nice but it unravels really quickly! This shirt is Simplicity 4589, I believe.
May 22, 2009
Faded Flowers
This is the tattoo on my arm. An old friend drew it. I had it done in February 1996 and started the removal in March 2008. Here it is right after the first session. Geez, I forgot how dark it was.
This is probably after the seventh session. Or maybe the sixth. You can see the marks from the pulse of the laser.
This is after the eighth session. Nice and healed and fading.
This is from just a few weeks ago, after it healed from the ninth session. The laser is now starting to take out some of the pigment from my skin. Since this photo was taken, I've been out in the sun and some of those light spots have filled in with my regular skin color. My tenth removal was supposed to have been today but it was poor planning since we have a busy holiday weekend so I rescheduled it for June 4.
Looks good! I am very happy with the progress on this one.
This is probably after the seventh session. Or maybe the sixth. You can see the marks from the pulse of the laser.
This is after the eighth session. Nice and healed and fading.
This is from just a few weeks ago, after it healed from the ninth session. The laser is now starting to take out some of the pigment from my skin. Since this photo was taken, I've been out in the sun and some of those light spots have filled in with my regular skin color. My tenth removal was supposed to have been today but it was poor planning since we have a busy holiday weekend so I rescheduled it for June 4.
Looks good! I am very happy with the progress on this one.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
