Sisters

I made a goal to take a picture of the girls together every day for a month. Once I realized it was too expensive to do that using the camera in my phone, the plan lasted for about a week. Here are a few of their captured adventures.

Sittin'

Smilin'

Ridin'

Sharin'

Cuddlin'

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I Know You Have Two Dollars

This is my cousin, Kendra.

She's 13. This February, she was diagnosed with liver cancer (hence the radical, totally awesome hair-cut).

She and a friend designed these bracelets:

They say "Fact: I can beat this." (They are big fans of The Office. Who knew?) Each bracelet costs $2. That's less than a latte at Starbucks, people. They come in adult and teen size. And money from their sale supports children's cancer research.

I'm asking you to send me two dollars. In return for this minuscule investment, you will receive:

-a beautiful bracelet

-pride in knowing you are supporting an insanely good cause

-my abundant gratitude

If you have two dollars (c'mon! of course you have two dollars!!!) leave a comment here or send me an email: heidislong AT yahoo DOT com.

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If I Were a Limpet...

Oh my. Have you seen these? Isabella Rossellini has made the strangest, most hilarious set of videos ever. The series is called "Green Porno." There is no way to adequately describe them. You must watch. Now.



That one is Jeremy's favorite, the whale. I posted his favorite because I could not choose. Each one I watch is more ridiculous than the one before. I could watch these all day.
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Whoever Said "There's No Such Thing as a Free Lunch" Wasn't Looking Hard Enough

Now that we are actively trying to buy a house, I have the perfect excuse whenever Chelsea wants to buy random toys. I say: Do you want to have this toy or do you want to have a house when we move to California?

We've been budget-conscious since we decided that I would stay home with the girls. We had to be. But now that the house is in sight, I'm thinking about every penny.

And I'm getting even more pleasure out of free stuff.

Last week, it was Free Cone Day at Ben and Jerry's and we each had a scoop. Since then, every time Chelsea sees an ice cream place she says, "Let's go get some free ice cream!" File that under: Not Quite Clear on the Concept.

Yesterday, we got 3 free bagels from a local deli and ate those for lunch with some free cream cheese from a sale at the market.

And today may have been the best yet: free chicken dinner at El Pollo Loco! I didn't even know we had an El Pollo Loco in Massachusetts. We went early and ate our "free dinner" for lunch. Each of us got two pieces of grilled chicken and a few tortillas. I added some salsa fresca from their salsa bar and had a nice little chicken burrito... for free!

I know. Bagels and cream cheese? Chicken and tortillas? Not the greatest lunches, but they were free. FREE! And it's not like the girls' usual fare (mac 'n cheese or PB&J) wins any healthy lunch prizes.

Now if only I can figure out a way to get organic milk for free we'll be in that new house in no time.
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Why Jacoby is Mommy's Favorite

I'm not really a baseball fan.

But if you live in Boston, it's kind of impossible not to get swept up in "Red Sox Nation." The first fall we were here was the year the Sox won the World Series for the first time since forever and after that we were hooked.

Fenway is small, so there are no bad seats. The fans are rabid and hysterical. And the players are just amazing. So I guess if I'm not technically a baseball fan, I'm at least a Red Sox fan.

In our family, we each have our favorite players. Jeremy's is Mike Lowell, 3rd baseman. Chelsea's is Jonathan Papelbon, the closing pitcher. Mine is Jacoby Ellsbury. We even picked a favorite for Savannah: Dustin "the Destroyah" Pedroia. (Only in Boston does Pedroia rhyme with Destroyer.)

Last night, playing against our arch-rivals, the Yankees, Jacoby managed a feat that is nearly impossible: he stole home. You really just have to see it:




Do you see how amazing he is? Plus, just LOOK at him.

Photo credit to scoobie7555 on photobucket

He's cute as all get-out. And he's the first Native American with Navajo heritage to play in the majors... what's not to love?

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You're Here, Now Go Away

I know, I already have Amalah on my blogroll and you still don't go over there but I'm going to send you there anyway because you need to read this. To the end.

Go.

Git.

Scoot, already.
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Honkeys in Chinatown

In California, Jeremy and I attended my girlfriend Mia's wedding.

Here she is freshly married, with her new hubs, Vance. Aren't they cute?

The ceremony was a traditional American-style affair but the reception was a mix of American traditions (first dance, silly DJ antics) and Chinese traditions (tea ceremony, multiple outfit changes).

This was costume change #47, I believe: red satin loungewear.

The menu, however, was full-on Chinese banquet, complete with ten main courses and lots of things we could barely recognize. Actually, Jeremy recognized most of them but only because he is a marine biologist. The menu included jellyfish, whole abalone, and giant crab (tried 'em all) as well as geoduck and shark fin (couldn't bring myself to eat those!). We weren't the only people at our table who felt a bit like fish out of water (marine bio humor, geddit?). There were a few other non-Chinese guests, including a pair of evil geniuses:

The Evil Zappamotos!

There was much drinking, dancing, and late-night carousing which was all very wonderful for this stay-at-home mom. I've already posted a pic of Jeremy having a good ol' time at the reception, so here's one of me:

"Look how much fun we're having!"

Congratulations to the happy couple and to my girl, Mia: go out and get a damn job already!
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