catiecake.

I need a drink and quick decision.

Dear Kittens,

1. Last Sunday, Andy and I went to IKEA. On our list of things to pick up was a new coffee table that I found a few weeks ago. Andy liked the coffee table and so we bought it. We got home and of course it was damaged. This is one of the things I hate SO MUCH about IKEA. Unfortunately for us, we put our old coffee table out at the curb and it was picked up within the hour. I love freecycling in our neighborhood. Everything we've put out on the curb has been picked up pronto. The unforutnate part is that this leaves us without a coffee table. Which means we've been having living room picnics that last few nights. We have a perfectly operational dining table, but that's not the point.

I recommend the living room picnics, btw.

2. I've decided to keep looking for a new hairstylist. The last person to do my hair was perfectly nice, but there was no spark there. I'm going to be spending 2 hours every 6 weeks with this person. There should be a spark, I think. I am in DESPERATE need of haircolor. Thankfully my colored hair is a pretty close match to my natural hair, so roots aren't exactly my problem. I rely on haircolor to damage my hair enough so that I have a little bit of body. That's exactly how straight and fine my hair is.

3. Tomorrow is massive laundry day and also beef enchilada day. You can come over, but you've got to bring your own washing machine and dryer. I went to Lucky's (grocery store) and bought an armload of magazines to get me through the tedium that is laundry day.

4. On my desk in my is a lot of crap, but there are four things in particular I want to talk about.

The first thing is a paper crane. I got it from a woman who was making 1000 cranes and people were to take photos of the cranes and then send her the photos and she was going to do some installation with them. I'm not sure what came of that.

The second thing is a tiny glass pig. My sister gave it to me. It's a Christmas tree ornament, but I like to have it on my desk.

The third thing is a photograph of me in either third or fourth grade. My hair is in two braids that are looped and tied with a navy blue grosgrain ribbon. my face is freckled and my eyes are much bluer than they are now. The fourth thing is a vintage clip that is meant to hold a card or mail or something. It's two hands and looks Victorianish. I keep my current to do list in it.

5. Sleepy time!

Love,
Catie

Save Yourself

Dear Kittens,

We handed Breeana off to her parents late this morning. I wished that we lived closer because I very much miss being a regular part of Breeana and Jared's lives.

As teenagers go, so far, Breeana is pretty spectacular. She's a girl with great character. She doesn't seem to gossip very much, if at all. She is exceptionally polite and well behaved. She's mindful of her principles and does not have trouble standing up for herself or what she believes in. She's funny and insightful. My favorite thing is she seems very clear of her worth. She handled a situation while she was with us (having to do with a boy) with such grace and self assurance. I very impressed and told her that I knew a lot of grown women that wouldn't have been able to do the same thing.

I'm really glad that we got this week with her and I'm excited for her to begin high school.

Andy and I are now going to be very, very brave and go to IKEA on a weekend. I do not mind admitting that I've had more than one mild panic attack in IKEA before. It's the maze like way the store is laid out, the crush of people and endless DIY possibilities that puts me over the edge. Today we're specifically going to:

1. Look at a coffee table (drop leaf! so cute!)

2. Think about IKEA kitchen cabinets (again)

3. Buy some of those Heath bar candies that my friend Tracy tole me about.

4. Look at cabinets that we could use as a linen closet.

5. Buy frames for some arts.

Hopefully I will make it out alive without causing anyone any damage or embarrassment. If you see me quietly weeping in a corner, please pass me a tissue.

Love,
Catie

Keep Yer Boobies Covered.

Dear Kittens,

1. Today was school clothes shopping day. I seriously have no idea what made me think shopping with an almost 14 year old girl was going to be fun, but I did think that. I'm not sure if Breeana is extra super picky, or if she's typical, but the first part of the shopping day was PAINFUL. This evening we headed to the mall. First stop was Wet Seal. We scored two pairs of jeans and three shirts. Then we went to two stores that I do not remember the name of and did not know existed until today. Alls I do know is that They were both packed with teenagers and I believe I got a pimple from the contact high from the hormones.

2. Breeana likes to go outside and hang out on my porch. It took about 10 seconds for the first boy to notice her and since then there was been a marked increase in bike drive-bys. All of a sudden in front of my house is THE PLACE to do bike tricks, skateboarding tricks and whatever else.

3. This kid does A LOT of texting. I totally admit to sneaking a peek at her phone to see what she was talking about and as best as I can tell it's ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. I am 100% positive that my 14 year old conversations were equally inane. In fact, she's amazingly not into gossip and I TOTALLY was (and still am). Then all of a sudden seemingly out from nowhere she'll as a really astute question and I'll wonder if some sort of time/space continuum blip just happened. Although, my favorite thing is when she tells me about some Big Deal that has just happened and I do not get it at all. I keep asking questions and she's all, Gah! Nevermind!

4. I'ma go finish Snow Flower and the Secret Fan now.

Love,
Catie

I kissed a cat and I liked it.

Dear Kittens,

1. I am vexed by Facebook. I truly do not understand it's usefulness except as a collosal time waster. The only thing I do at Facebook anymore is add friends. Even Twitter makes more sense to me than Facebook. Microblogging I can get behind.

2. Tomorrow is Breeana's last full day of visiting. The week has gone NOTHING like I thought it would. My energy levels have been very low and I've been battling migraines, so it's been very low key. Today we did Pedicure Manicure and then I took Breeana to get her hair colored and highlighted. I could've gone it myself, but honestly I just wasn't feeling up to it. She seems to be happy with her hair and so I'm glad for that. Mostly Breeana has been My Spacing, texting and reading. She's reading To Kill a Mockingbird for school and she says she likes it. She might just be saying that because I told her that it was one of my most favorite books of all times, but I hope not. I hope that she loves that story as much as I did.

Oh, I've also been watching some Law and Order with her. I had to turn off an SVU one early tonight because they started talking about sado-masochism and that seemed like a bit much for a nearly 14 year old girl. I like to give her life lessons as we watch the show. So far the best one has been "Don't Be A Hooker". I'm pretty sure she wrote it down so she wouldn't forget.

She's probably the most easy going kid I've ever been around. I'ma miss her when she goes home.

3. I've been reading Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. Did you people tell me about this book? I love, love, love it. It's a very fun and easy read and totally recommend as a end of summer book.

Now I go to the bed with my book and probably read until I'm finished. A Prayer for Owen Meany is next up.

L,

Catie

Day One of Having a Teenager in the House

Dear Kittens,

I picked up Breeana from the more or less halfway meeting point between my house and my sister's house on Sunday. The changes this kid has gone through in the last few years is- you know- sort of impossible to believe.

Here are some of the questions I've been asked in the last 24 or so hours:

Am I allowed to take a bath?
Am I allowed to use your computer?
Am I allowed to have some water?
Am I allowed to use your hair dryer?
Am I allowed to use your round brush?

Um. Yes. But ask each time because maybe I'ma change my mind.

The plan for today was to work on my office, but Kittens, I was EXHAUSTED. We got up early to walk and I'm glad that we did, but man, the early hour kicked our butts. Breeana and I went to the market and got food for the week. Then we came home and put everything away. Then we went to the bookstore and got books and magazines. It pleases me that she likes magazines because for as long as I can remember I loved magazines.

I made dinner and now we're getting ready for bed again. We picked up an Aero bed from Target for Bree to sleep on and she's confirmed that it's much more comfortable than the sofa bed. Of course it's not surprise, but it does make me feel better about eventually getting rid of the sofa bed.

Tomorrow we're up early again for the walking and then the whole day will be about my office. And also me cleaning my bedroom. It's a total disaster right now. Too many books and magazines and half finished craft projects hanging around. On Thursday and Friday we'll do all fun stuff. Manicure Pedicure, school clothes shopping, and maybe a movie? Or maybe we just sit and read magazines.

But for now, it's thankfully bedtime.

L,

Catie

Sleepy Dance of Sleep

Dear Kittens,

1. These Olympics are going to kill me with the late nights.

2. I was on the phone with my sister this evening while I was making dinner for my lovely husband, Andy Anchev. We chatted happily while I made salad dressing, cut up green beans and then started to prepare chicken breasts for baking. As soon as I unwrapped the butcher paper the chicken was wrapped in, I got a small whiff of a fishy smell. Thinking it might be cat food (the three cats, we always have canned food out and holy moly, but it's smelly) I lifted the chicken to my face and really smelled it and it definitely smelled slightly fishy. Gah! As soon as Andy came home he had the idea to run to El Pollo Loco and pick us up some chicken so we could still have the dinner we had planned. And it was delicious!

3. I got my hair cut today. For the first time in 11 years someone other than Marcie cut my hair. I won't know for sure until tomorrow how much I like the cut, but so far it looks pretty good. The girl who cut it is very young and does not have a lot of experience, which is a good/bad thing. Good in the way that I can direct her to do what I want without her getting overly defensive, bad because I'm going to have to direct more than I'd rather. The other good news is that this new salon is within walking distance of my house.

4. I went to the dentist for the first time in three years yesterday. He chastised me for not coming more frequently and tried to scare me with threats of gum disease and whatever else and then it turned out that my teeth are perfectly fine! No cavities! No other problems. Yay for me. As soon as I got home I shoved a handful of sugar in my mouth. (not really)

5. I do not mind telling you that I am obsessed with tiny dishes lately. I cannot get enough of them. And I find myself planning meals that will allow me to use them. Like the other day I made that Cambodian shrimp salad that we love so much. Cilantro, basil, chopped peanuts, lime wedges and green onions all in their own tiny dishes. So cute! So much fun!

6. Did I tell you that I'm slightly obsessed with the idea of opening a tea shop? Who knows if this idea will evaporate like so many others before it, but right now it's what takes up the majority of my sitting and thinking time. I've decided that I'm going to perfect a few tea sandwich recipes to feed the obsession. I'm so excited about this I can barely stand it. Tomorrow I'm going to go shopping for a few ingredients and then I'ma make a million (not really) tea sandwiches.

7. Oh! I've been sleeping on my new fancy pants Tempur Pedic pillow for two nights and meh. I do not instantly love it, but I figure that since it's so dramatically different from any other pillow I've ever used, there might be some adjustment necessary. Not to mention the fact that I got used to sleeping in very odd positions because of my former pillows. So we'll see. At the same time I bought my pillow my mom bought a fancy pants white noise machine and she LOVES it. She gives it an A++ Would Use Again. I'll probably pick one up too, since I am all over the white noise.

And now I go to the bed where I do the sleepy dance of sleep.

Love,
Catie

Dear Kittens,

1. I am up late again! This time it's the fault of the Olympics (fists!) and my beloved Andy Anchev. He had to work late tonight. It's been a long time since he's had to do something like this and it's oddly energizing to him. He loves a challenge and however frustrating it is to deal with problems, I think that he loves the opportunity to use his big, big brain.

2. My mom and I spent the afternoon shopping. We went to Stanford Shopping Center and got to check out the Williams Sonoma Home store. Oh Kittens, this store is amazingly overpriced. There are beautiful things, but man alive- the prices are nuts.

3. I bought some new makeup brushes at Sephora, I got myself a fancy pants Tempur Pedic pillow and then we went to Crate and Barrel and I got a super cute new door mat and a giant plastic tray. You kittens know that I did not need a giant plastic tray, but you also know that I cannot resist a serving dish type deal. Many I have it bad for trays and tea carts lately.

4. Tomorrow I have my first dentist appointment in THREE years! I hope I get a good report because then I will come home and eat a handful of lemon drops (kidding) (maybe). I might have a cavity and I absolutely need to floss more often, but I expect a good report. Maybe I look into getting myself a pink grill. Or, you know, not.

5. Every year I like to go to Target and go through the school supply section and buy stuff for my mom's students. Of course I want all the school supplies for myself, but I am happy enough to pass them along to her 4th and 5th graders. One thing I love is that with all the technology that surrounds these kids, having a cool pencil still matters.

6. It is absolutely time for me to wash my face, brush my teeth and lay down on my fancy pants pillow and sleep and a sleepy sleep. Also, reading. I will probably read.

Kittens! I love you!

Catie

Pink Plastic Rosary

Dear Kittens,

1. I do not have a single house plant. NOT ONE! Firstly, our house is darkish. Secondly, neither Andy or me have any desire to mess with plants inside the house. I like the idea of houseplants, but not the reality.

2. My hairstylist died a week before I was supposed to get my hair cut. Just yesterday I made an appointment to get my hair cut with someone new. I'm nervous, not so much about my hair, but just starting a new relationship. I think I am more nervous about the possiblity that the first hairstylist I go to will not be the right fit and I will have to keep looking. Gah.

3. I was just sitting here thinking it would be fun to take a solo road trip and then I remembered that I'll be doing that in September. My friend, Kate Musgrove, is going to be in southern California in September and I tole her that I would meet her. Then another friend (Kimberly) said YAY I will go too. And then a third friend, Violet, said I AM IN. And now we are all excited. I have all these great friends that I love so much, the only downside is that most of them live quite a distance. Which brings me to...

4. I've written about how hard it is to make friends as an adult before, especially when you are childless. It's not that it's hard to meet people, it's hard to take that next step. It's like a super weird form of dating. Trying to figure out how to ask someone out, when to give them your phone number, what to do when it turns out there aren't any friendship sparks, etc. Lately I've been browsing the Strictly Plantonic W4W personals on Craigslist. Some of the ads are quite entertaining. As is what is important to some people. One woman had a long list of what she needed in a friend and included in it was "no mullets". Because hair matters, Kittens.

5. I just finished a great book. It's called Before You Know Kindness by Chris Bohjalian. Man alive, I love his writing.

6. I'm up WAY past my bedtime because of the Olympics. [shakes fists]

7. Next week our niece, the lovely and talented Miss Banana Face, will be staying with us. She starts school super late and her mom did not want to leave her alone in the house, so she's coming here to be my assistant and I cannot wait! I need help with all manner of things, but mostly she'll be helping me with my office and what not.

8. I have some pink plastic rosary beads that I will happily send to the first 5 people who contact me. (10 Cakes people need not apply)

9. This has not been the most awesome summer as far as fun goes, but it's turning out to be the most awesome summer as far as personal growth goes and so I'm okay with that. I've had quite a lot of fun in the last couple of weeks, but mostly I'm going through some hippie growth spurt type of deal where alla sudden my thinking is changing on a number of issues and decisions are being made and whatever else. I'm not purposely being vague- it would truly be ridiclous to go in depth with this stuff.

10. A few weeks ago I got these great pink shelves from IKEA and Andy hung them for me today. On the self above my desk there is a glass vase holding a bunch of pink pencils, a metal cup holding markers and one black fluffy cat keeping an eye on me. I hope he doesn't think that's his new place.

Love,
Catie