Dora for President

Dora the Explorer is about the coolest person at Casa Chaos.  She is almost as cool as Daddy on rare occasion.  My daughter, Sinclair is yet to turn two and she idolizes the cartoon adventurer who is constantly on a mission to help others while doing good deeds. Face it, Dora is cool because she is independent, interactive and bilingual.  Actually, she was like most latch-key kids I knew growing up in South Texas.  She is a resourceful, precocious kid and encourages her viewers to be confidant just like her.  Sinclair has learned and constantly uses most of her basic Spanish from watching her cartoon idol.  John asked me how long Dora had been around, so I did a little search to find the answer.  According to Nickelodeon she has been around since 2000.   I do not appreciate the Wikipedia entry on Dora very much.  They make a big issue of her supposed tomboy tendencies and lacking any "feminine qualities."  I nearly fell off my chair reading this. PLEASE! First of all, Dora is a cartoon created for toddlers/pre-schoolers, how complex and gendered of a personality is she supposed to have???  Secondly, who is this Wikipedia author to say what does and does not constitute femininity???  

For the record, I can back a gooseneck trailer for miles and I still own enough Jimmy Choo's to outfit most of Dora's female relatives at their Quinceanera.    I find the statement irritating "Dora is somewhat tomboy-ish, not letting her status as a girl (if any disadvantages to that) hinder her progress and/or helping others."  I guess the author is referring to her status as a GIRL??? How myopic is this?? Obviously, this author does not have toddlers.  

OK, I do not want to turn this into a long rant about Wikipedia entry on Dora, so let me get back to how cool Dora is.  She has a talking monkey named "Boots" for a best friend.  Did I mention the talking magical backpack??? To my 2 year old - this is the equivalent to a Crocodile Birkin with superhero powers!  The talking backpack is pretty genius in terms of marketing.  You could probably give a purple backpack to any Dora obsessed kid and they could imagine and have fun, but give them a backpack with Dora's image and they are over the moon!

A Letter to My Daughter

Dear Sinclair,

In less than two weeks you will be turning two years old, I  cannot begin to tell you how much I have treasured these past two years.  Especially every moment leading up to your arrival.  It has been incredible to watch you discover the world around you and to watch you interact with those around you.  I have watched you go from this tiny, helpless infant to a determined little girl with a mind of your own.  You obviously have places that you want to go, to explore and you want from those of us around you is perhaps a hand to hold on to while you find your balance.  You are such a strong force, yet so gently sweet.  I am absolutely certain that you will do ANYTHING that you put your mind to, regardless of what it is.  I can just detect it in your personality.  Naturally, at this point in your life you cannot understand what I am going to tell you in this letter.  But I have been pondering about the life that you have ahead of you, about my life so far as I reflect on what I have learned, and about my role as a Mom in trying to prepare you for what you may face in the coming years.

As I mentioned you will not be able to understand this letter today, but someday, when you are ready, I hope you will find some wisdom and value in what I share with you.

You are so young, and life has yet to crest on you, to throw disappointments, heartaches and struggles.  For this be thankful.  You are at a wonderful stage in life.  You have some many wonderful stages of life still yet to come, but they are not without their own perils at certain levels.  Savor the highs and move past any lows.

I cannot wait to help you along your path by sharing some of the best of what I have learned. As with any advice, take it with a grain of salt.  What works for your Father and I may not work for you.

Possibly, there could be people in your life who will not be nice.  There is not much you can do about these people except learn to deal with them, and learn to choose friends who are truly kind to you, who actually care about you, who make you feel really good about yourself.  When you find a friend like this, hold on to them, treasure them, spend much time with them, be kind to everyone and love those close to you.

Hopefully you will meet more success than disappointment.  Life will not always turn out the way you want.  This is just another thing that will make you strong.  Learn to turn negatives into positives.  I hope you never have to face any abandonment  from those you love, alas it happens.  Let these experiences be character builders.

Live your life by the rule of love.  Love your spouse and your family with all your heart.  Open your soul.  Love not only your loved ones, but your neighbors...co-workers and even strangers. Offer anyone you meet a smile, a kind word, compliment and be quick to lend a helping hand. Be kind and compassionate.  Not only to everything around you, but also to yourself.  Stay safe and treat your body as a temple.

Learn to have patience with your enemy.  The person that is cruelest to you, who is consistently unkind --- find love in your heart for them.  That person is truly a tortured soul, and most in need of your love,  Most importantly, love yourself.  Learn not to be so tough on yourself. Always think of yourself as the wonderful human being you are, worthy of love and happiness.

Laugh.  Oh do laugh.  Learn to laugh at yourself.   Your infectious giggle is one of the many things that I live for.  The room lights up and when you laugh and my heart sings.  Laugh with your friends, laugh at the world, and laugh at yourself.  If you cannot laugh then you take life too seriously.

Dream big.  Dream colorful.  Dream magic.  Dream beyond the stars.  Everything big starts as something small.  Leap high and go for it!!!  If you can dream it, you can do it!

I sit here and think about the day you were born, almost daily.  You were tucked away within my body,  just the two of us.  We shared so many private moments that no one else could take part in.  A mother/daughter bond created even before we laid eyes on one another.

My body gave me so many gestures you were coming early, although we had no idea it was over a month early.  The night before you came, I reveled in the thought that I would soon hold you in my arms.  I stayed up all that night, not able to sleep, gently rubbing my stomach and talking to you, wanting to savor you just a little longer to myself before I had to share you with so many admirers.

You are not the most patient child, so it should have been no surprise to me you were ready to face the world.  Once you decided it was your time there was no slowing you down.  Even the cord wrapped around you seven times was not a deterrent for you!  Knowing you were finally safe when I heard your cries was one of the most empowering and uplifting experiences of my life.   When your Daddy put you on my chest and we met eyes, I read so much of what you were not able to speak.  Your Father and I both admired your plump, Angelic face and thanked God out loud more times that I can count.  We were in awe and it was an instant overwhelming love. My heart was bursting with a wave of gratifying love as if you and I had known each other all our lives.

As you grow and experience life, I want you to never forget where you came from.  Remember you are strong (you came out fighting) and you can accomplish anything no matter how long the roads to your goals look.  Nothing is impossible.  Think outside the box.  Always have faith and stay true to yourself.  Be confident and take pride in who you are but try to stay true. Remember everyone is different and different is beautiful.  You will realize that beauty will open many doors but never forget that inner beauty that you hold within is the most powerful and is what will make you the most memorable.  Always be kind and compassionate.  Not only to those you know but to everything around you and everyone you encounter.

Finally, know that we love you with all our hearts and always will, unconditionally.   Two years ago, your Daddy and I, along with your brother and sister were anxiously waiting to bring you home from the hospital.  We would all cradle your little five pound frame and admire you for hours.  You were truly our precious miracle. Our creation that catapulted our love and promised our infinity as a family. We will always be here to cradle you.  

I have so much faith in you, my beautiful daughter.  I love you "more than all the fishes in the sea" and look forward to a lifetime of experiences with you.  Thank you for all the smiles and even for every tear.  Thank you for always loving me and teaching me something new about myself and to sincerely be a better person.  You made our family complete.   Godspeed, angel. 

Love, Mommy

Mac vs. PC

Even though I primarily used PC up until the new year -- (see New Year's blog re: Paul Allen) I decided to wholeheartedly give my MAC a chance. I find myself really getting attached to the ease of flow more every day.


I have come to the realization MAC is truly a superior product. I suggested it to at least a half a dozen people this week. I love when I turn my MAC on it immediately does just that. Today, we had a major (PC) system meltdown at Casa Chaos. Big Daddy had his IT Dept on the phone, business systems on the line and then he spent an additional two hours inside our A/V closet pulling out wires and switching cables to see if we could get any type of signal.

Our PC's are still not working.

I took a random shot in the dark and turned on my MAC and it booted up immediately (we were both scratching our heads since it is routed through the same wireless system).


As of post time, six hours later the rest of our PC's are still frozen and non-operational .

It is truly no wonder Bill Gates stepped down from the reign of the Kool-Aid Kingdom this week,

Surely, there HAS to be a 12-step program.......

I just had to share this.  How fun is it to do a craft project that will actually produce something so luscious?? Now everyone can have their very own little Hermes Kelly that they have made themselves, out of paper!  Or you can be really crafty and involve some leather!  On the Hermes website, you can download the template of seven different designs, or you can get the blank one and create your own masterpiece (when you get to the site you must click on the picture of the Kelly cutout to get to the exact page, it is just right right of the center).  I am usually not good with stuff like this (it involves glue and cutting within the lines) but I did download it and plan on seeing if I  might have a career in luxurious handmade handbags.  I am pretty sure that I will discover that I am better suited at the buying than designing.   

I am surprised Hermes would do this but I guess they are taking a page from the marketing of Phillip Morris, train them young so they can grow up to be addicts. 

Location, Location, Location......

This past weekend we slipped away with our close friends, Eva and Beau to celebrate our birthday month and grab a few days of much needed R & R! Eva chose Little Palm Island after she read it was named one of the top resorts in the world by Travel+Leisure magazine. This place is only accessible only by boat.

After we departed Houston just a mere two and a half hours later we arrived in the Keys and were whisked from the dock on a beautiful wooden Chris Craft boat the "Truman" named after President Truman -- Little Palm was a favorite getaway of the President and his wife Bess. it still attracts an international clientele of couples, businesspeople, and celebrities including John McCain and Tiger Woods among a few seeking the same peace, quiet, and privacy.

The ride to the Resort lasts about 20 minutes, and it's quite nice. On the starboard side of the boat, beautiful homes line Middle Torch Key; on the port side, the great, big Atlantic Ocean rolls off into the distance.

At Little Palm Island there are no televisions, no telephones, no fax machines, though the presence of modem connections chips away a bit at the illusion. The thatched-roof bungalows are named for birds both tropical and otherwise, and nestle into groves of Jamaican coconut palms. I kidded our gang that Little Palm Island is more Warren Buffett than Jimmy Buffett, with a price tag to match. But at any price, it is remarkable that there is a corner of the Keys that still feels so remote and unspoiled.

Cell phones were not allowed ....Eva suggested I snap this one of John on a conference call back to the office

The highlight of our stay was a sunset cruise -- this was magical

Views from our thatch roofed bungalow.....

The meals were truly the best part about this jaunt. Every evening, the hour of us enjoyed the gentle breeze and the fading sunlight, a key deer popped into view. Standing roughly two feet tall and weighing between 45 and only max at a mere 80 pounds, key deer are cousins to the Virginia white-tailed deer, but much, much smaller. Officials estimate that only 800 remain of the endangered species.

Medical Update....

I am still on a permanent IV and I take Cubicin among a slew of others daily.  I have an AMAZING Nurse, Brunetta that comes to oversee my progress daily.  I have to say, my sweet husband was a pretty incredible "Florence Nightingale"  on our getaway trip.  

The Cubicin is so strong it has left me nauseated, very lethargic and my entire body blistered but the Dr's tell me this is not out of the ordinary and I have to be on medicine this strong for it to take effect.

Last week, ironically, I started to get a deep hacking cough in my chest.  I was completely perplexed with all the antibiotics I was on how in the world could I be catching a "summer cold."  My internist suggested she get chest x-rays for my Infectious Disease specialist.  The technician gave me a paper robe to wear while they took the x-rays.  

The technician started taking the photos the Dr had ordered and after she took the first set she paused and said  "Ms, did you remove all your jewelry?"  I assured her I did.  Then she inquired if I had any piercings or anything foreign in my body?  I assured her I did not. The embarrassed technician reluctantly asked me "Do you have a nipple ring?"  I laughed out loud and said "Of course not.....never in a million years"  and then I logically explained there maybe something medal on my PICC line that was showing up on the x-ray.   She said "I see the line on your right side"  There was a very long moment of silence and she said "You probably need to come see this"

I walked around the corner where the X-Ray machine hung on the wall and saw the remains of a metal clamp that was left in me after I had a breast reduction over a year ago.  

This is a comedy of medical errors

   

A few things about Cindy McCain......

Yesterday John and I along with our dear friends Eva and Beau took off to celebrate our birthdays.  Since it is Eva's birthday first she chose the location.  Little Palm Island is off the Keys in Florida and 90 miles from Cuba.  It is a private island encompassing five acres of manicured foliage.  So far we are all loving it!

As we boarded "Air Bisso" I noticed a Wall Street Journal article on Cindy McCain, potentially our next First Lady.  All I ever saw was an extremely attractive woman standing proudly next to her husband, John.  I was impressed how talented and involved with world problems she is. This is a summary of the article.

She graduated from Southern Cal and was a special-needs teacher.  After her Dad died she became involved  in the family beer distributing enterprise and is now the Chairman.  Sales have since doubled after she took the helm.  Cindy and John have a marriage prenuptial agreement, her assets remain separate.  She is involved around the world clearing land mines -- travels to these countries on a detonation team and serves on their board.

They have an 19 year old serving in Iraq and another son in the Naval Academy, a daughter recently graduated from Columbia University, an adopted daughter in high school, and another son who is the head of finance at the Distributor.

Cindy and John raised their children in Phoenix, rather than Washington, DC.  Cindy felt like this was a better atmosphere so John commuted.

In 1991,  Cindy came across a girl in an orphanage in Bangladesh.  Mother Theresa encouraged her to take the little girl with severe a cleft palate.  Initially, she took the girl without telling her husband.  The couple adopted the girl who has had a dozen operations to repair her cleft palate and other  varied medical problems.  They have a family foundation that supports children's causes.  Cindy is active with "Halo Trust" to clear all land mines, provide water and food in war ravaged developing countries.  This year she will join "Operation Smile" - a charity for corrective surgery on children's faces.  

Mrs. McCain has had two back surgeries and admitted to an addiction to pain killers.  She sought treatment and has been rehabilitated.  She talks openly about it which she says is part of her ongoing recovery process.

I am surprised the media is so quiet about her attributes.  I started hearing of her selfless endeavors via Mica and Robert Mosbacher when the campaign first started.  Robert Mosbacher is John McCain's national finance chairman.    Quite honestly, Cindy McCain sounds more capable than Hilary and Obama combined.  We would really get two for the price of one.  A person with a business and international  expertise.   

Cindy McCain is a true "Lady First"

An American in Paris.....

Last night my precious, Mr Wonderful and I went to go see The Gershwin's An American in Paris.  It has everything you want in a Broadway performance: upbeat music, wonderful dancing and belly-aching laughs.  Playwright Ken Ludwig does an incredible job of reworking this classic.

The dialogue is hilarious if you follow closely to all of the sarcastic innuendos and dry witticisms.  At times you seriously feel like saying "Who's on first?"  We spent so much time laughing so hard we had to hold our breath to make sure we did not miss more of Ludwig's brilliantly written banter.  The sets the pace for a perfectly placed mixture of George and Ira Gershwin songs, familiar and some virtually unknown, yet still appreciated.

On one or two occasions the gags were "hit and miss".  Only once did I find the lead trying a bit too hard to deliver the lines with comedy.  Aside from some "punchy" deliver the script is just simply funny.  The slapstick complications in Act two (bedroom scene), built a crescendo to a substantial payoff.  

Ludwig poetically coincides the Gershwin tunes to fit his format.  I immediately fell in love with the casting of Harry Groener as the lead of Michel.  He pulls off the role as the  pompous Playboy Parisian with effortless ease. 

John and I were guests of our friend Margaret last night.  Her philanthropic  trust underwrote this season's performance.  After dinner with Margaret, Joan, Diane and Rose we prepared to settle in our seats and I said "these are not are usual seats do you know which ones we are?"and John replied "the seats in front of my in-laws"  I must have looked really confused until it dawned on me he was referring to Beverly and Winston his former Mother and Father in-law. They looked great and met us with big warm hugs and smiles.  They invited us for an after theatre nightcap but we had to get home since it was a "school night"

At the intermission John mentioned one of the cast seemed very familiar.  I forgot to peruse the Playbill since we were tardy getting back to our seats seeing many of our friends.  When we got home and crawled into bed we heard (pitty-pat-pitty-pat) and Sinclair peeking her head around the corner "Mommy - Daddy, need hugs, please!"   We had a big snuggle- tickle session and settled back in to reading our Playbill.  

The role the whole room seemed to embrace the most was Meredith Patterson who was a key energizer as the saucy "Yvette".  She seemed so familiar to both John and I.  It dawned on us she was the crazy on-again off-again, Broadway show tune obsessed wife of Tom Selleck  in our favorite quirky dramatic comedy, Boston Legal.

I love the way that Director Gregory Boyd gives the production a 1940's "Louie Mayer" feel of tradition when Hollywood was run by one man and one woman, gossip columnist, Hedda Hopper.  

If American in Paris is another example of putting vintage wine in new bottles, the content is fine and the container is a Jeroboam! 

Happy Daddy's Day

We got up early yesterday and started baking pies for Daddy's special day! Sinclair rolled out the dough and whipped the meringue.

Sinclair's LOVES riding Lucky's shoulders!



Hailey effortlessly prepared an amazing meal of veal steaks in a red wine mushroom sauce, whipped potatoes, green beans and creamed corn!!! John declared it the "best Father's Day" he has ever had!

SoCal Snaps....

"June Gloom"

The Momma bunny outside our bungalow early this morning

Exhausted from chasing the bunnies in hopes of petting their soft fur

Best Friends....

Ryland and Jack Allen enjoying the breeze

watering the bunnies (note the two bunnies running out of the flowers)

Early mornings in Laguna during June are typically foggy and overcast with an occasional drizzle.  The fog turns to low clouds by late morning and early afternoon.  Finally, by late afternoon, solar heating is sufficient enough to evaporate the clouds.  Often the overcast will be "burned off" quickly inland, but will linger along the coastline.

"June Gloom" has been reported by some Californians to bring on symptoms consistent with Seasonal Affective Disorder.  It is often cited as the highest period of a depression rate among West Coasters.

Obviously, these people with "Seasonal Affective Disorder" have never "summered" in South Texas!