A gift for every season!

Have you ever been shopping and seen the perfect gift for someone but weren't quite sure when to give it to them? For example, you find the best Wonder Woman panties ever and just know your dear friend would love them but it's no where near her birthday or Christmas! What to do?
Well, in a effort to help alleviate any extra stress from the lives of my dear fiends, I've decided to come up with a calendar of special events and anniversaries in my life worthy of gift giving. See what a good friend I am? Seriously, what better way to show I care? This list is good for family, friends and especially husbands!

Did I mention.... especially husbands?

January-

Jan 1st- Well I survived another calendar year, I deserve something nice!

February-

Feb 2nd- Groundhog Day- I'm afraid of my shadow too!

Feb 12th - Lincolns Birthday- I love pennies and think they should be a part of US currency- help keep them in circulation!

Feb 14th- Valentine's Day! - What would the poor greeting card companies do with out it! (PS It's my mother's birthday too!)

Feb 17th- Random Acts of Kindness day- Need I say more?

Feb 18th- President's Day- I was the President of Delta Psi Omega!

Feb 22nd- Washington's Birthday- I love dollars too!

March- MY BIRTHDAY MONTH!!!

March 13th- My Birthday

March 18th- The Anniversary of my Tummy Surgery

March 22nd- The Anniversary of my first Poop! (This was a big deal!) I think is should have a party this year! A Pupu party!

April-

Apr 1st- April Fool's Day- Because I am one!

Apr 6th- National Tartan Day- A nod to my inner Bonnie Jean!

April 13th- Jefferson's Birthday- I totally dig nickels!

April 15th- Income Tax Day- I deserve a break

April 22nd- Earth Day- I love the Earth too!

May-

May 2nd- Brother and Sisters Day- I am one and I have some!

Mother's Day- Again- I am one and I have one!

May 18th- My Wedding Anniversary!

Graduation Days!- I Graduated form both Cottey and USC in May. I TOTALLY deserve a cookie for surviving that!

June-

June 8th- Best Friends Day- A holiday for us All! Awesome!

Graduation Days part 2- I Graduated from high school and Cal Poly in June.

June 14- Flag Day- I like Flags

July-

July 4th- Independence Day- I am TOTALLY Independent! (Kind of)

July 23rd- National Hot Dog Day- Duh!

August-

Aug 5th- Sister's Day- I have 2 bio and several non-bio!

Aug 19th- National Aviation Day- My husband is a pilot- I'm a co-member.

Aug 22nd- My 1st Labor day

Aug 23rd- My 1st Birth Day- Abby 2002

Aug 26th- Women's Equality Day- Why not?

September-

Labor Day- Because I have- Twice

Sept 6th- My second Birth day- Alexander 2005- NO PAIN MEDS! ouch

Sept 19th- Talk Like a Pirate Day- Booty! Booty! Booty!

October-

Oct 9th- Leif Erikson Day- Erikson/Erickson... close enough

Oct 13th- The Flood Anniversary- The Flood.

Oct 31st- Halloween- Cause I'm scary!

November-

Nov 3rd- Sandwich Day- Mmm... roast beef on sour dough...

Nov 27th- Thanksgiving- Cream Corn... need I say more?

December-

Dec 1st- "Don't scare the crap out of me Randy!" Anniversary Day

Dec 16th- Boston Tea Party Day- I love tea and parties!

Dec 25th- Christmas


So there it is- in a nutshell- Far too many reasons for "gift" giving- I'm sure I could find more but, I don't want to appear greedy! That would be rude!

I encourage you to look over the year to come and think of all of the opportunities to give to yourself and each other- because a gift,no matter what it's reason, is a blessing. And besides it's so much fun!

Ummm... et tu compute?

Your Love Life is Like The Graduate

"Would you like me to seduce you? Is that what you're trying to tell me?" You believe that you can't pick who you fall in love with. And that sure explains a lot about your past! For you, love has always been dramatic and crazy... which suits you just fine. Your love style: Unconventional and a bit shocking Your Hollywood Ending Will Be: Eerily calm

What Movie Is Your Love Life Like?

A Pirate, a wench, a dragon, a mermaid and... Where's Waldo?

Halloween 2007

Simply one of the best Halloweens for the Erickson family.

Am I Blessed or What?

My children just celebrated birthdays!

Abby is now 5 and in Kindergarten! Wow. I have to have her to school by 8:00 am and for those of you who know me, you know how hard that is! FYI it's week 3 and she hasn't been late... yet.

Alexander is now 2! 2?!! I can hardly believe that is was 2 years ago I had him. Time sure does fly. He is so funny and his speech and vocabulary are expanding all the time. He makes me laugh.

See? I'm blessed. Lucky me!

I'm always late, but...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CATE!!!

(It's about 3 weeks late and for that I'm sorry. I hope you had a great one and enjoyed your I'Declair!)

There are 2 things you should know about Cate:

#1 She is an awesome person and friend!

#2 She is AMAZING! and has the cape to prove it!

Love you!

Summertime and the Living is Easy...?

So you might have noticed that I haven't posted a while... Like where is JULY?!?! Ok, so I've been busy....

I spent most of July fiddle farting around... see I was busy! Well that and going to the doctors and.... well really moslty fiddle farting around! Ahh I love summer time easy.

The problem with all of the exhausting fiddling and... um... you know... is that when I finally paid attention is was AUGUST! No big deal right? Sure except for the fact that I was supposed to have built most of Cyrano by now and was WAY behind. Thank goodness my Mom and my friends love me- Cate and Mom helped me out of the hole I'd fallen into.

Now to be fair, I did have a lot of doctor appointments in July as well as getting my wisdom teeth out in early August. FYI wisdom teeth removal 4 days before your dress parade is a supremely BAD idea! My wisdom teeth story is a WHOLE different blog...

Oh and did I mention BBQ? My hubby and I decided to have a BBQ to celebrate our new back yard. Yea! Right before tech! Yea? Well we survived thanks to the help of my nephews.

So now August is almost over and Cyrano is finally open... now I can rest...

WHAT? IT'S LATE AUGUST?!?!?!
Abby turns 5 on Thursday, has her first T-Ball game that day, AND starts KINDERGARTEN on Monday next, then Alexander turns 2!

So much for summer time easy...

To Absent Friends...

Dear Aunt Bevie-

I just want you to know how very much I miss you, how we all miss you. It has been an interesting 2 years since your passing. I'm still not over it, I'm sure I never will be. I think of you so often and just wish to share with you all the joys and sorrow of my life. Mama misses you most of all. She misses you everyday.

Most of all I wish you could have met Alexander. You would so enjoy seeing him grow up and interact with Abby. Do you know he calls her Sissy? I don't think anyone taught him that, I think he just said it one day. Abby often speaks of you and how she misses you.

Every now and then I am just filled with an immense sadness and the urge to cry. I think of you and how very much I love you. I miss laughing with you, crying with you, shopping with you and just being with you.

I would stomp my feet and shout to the heavens that, "IT'S NOT FAIR!", but some how I think you'd be the first to remind me, "Tough shit! Life isn't fair." You're right it isn't and no amount of tears and anger will change that, but I can still try! You aren't the only stubborn one in the family! :)

Thank you for being an awesome Auntie- to me, to Randy and to our children. I know that you watch over us and laugh and laugh at our silliness.


So here's to you my dear Aunt!

Have a rum and coke for me, Go Dodgers!, Wanna go to Weinerschnitzel?, Need some new shoes? and Tough shit- I love you.

2006- 2007 School Year in Review

Sept 2006: Another school year begins
Our dept secretary Nancy Mendez passed away. She is missed.
Student Play Festival- 5 shows and a lot of students- fun.
Oct 2006:
THE FLOOD ! Need I say more?
Nov 2006:
The Country Wife - Restoration Comedy- AND flood repairs, again, need I say more?
Dec 2006: Let's take a break! And clean up from the flood some more.
Jan 2007: A new year!
Feb. 2007: ACTF in Cedar City, UT- Love Tapes: pt 2 Hotel Lemonade and Lunt Motors
Mar 2007: Electricidad Good Cholo, good. And now I'm 31!
April 2007: Playback Theatre- ummm, yeah.
Megan Estrada-Miller was killed in an auto accident. Not the best Easter ever.
May 2007: Not only am I building a show- I'm in one! You mean I have to rehearse? Oh yeah- forgot about that!
June 2007: Noises Off! Funny and I was in a kilt! Awesome!
Banquet- F'n Donuts- I used a router! GO me!

And scene...

Until next year...

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
The Odyssey with Puppets
Polaroid Stories
Hamlet in Repertory with Hamlet: Formerly known as the Prince of Denmark

Need I say more?

Oh Crap!

So here it is... My big stage debut at CSUSB!

Noises Off opened last week and closes this weekend. I have one heck of a good time. Playing a grumpy techie isn't THAT much of a stretch for me, but the icing on the cake is that I get to be a SCOTTISH grumpy techie! Awesome.

Hope to see you there!

THE STORK HAS ARRIVED!

Give me a J..
Give me an A..
Give me a C..
Give me an OB... GYN!

Please help me in welcoming to the world our newest extended family addition...

Jacob Charles Eckels! 8 pounds 21 inches.

Happy Mother's Day to new Mommy- Shera. What a fantastic Mother's day present!

YEAH!! I love you my friend- Great job!

The Rev. "R" LARGE!

To day is the day that will go down in the analls ? anals? of history as the day the infamous and amazing Rev. R Large graced the earth with his presence.

30 something years ago... A day that has forever changed the course of man kind!

Happy Birthday Bucketman! I love you!

- Mophead

Grief

We all handle our grief in different ways- I find that I cope with anger. Not the best of coping mechanisms. When the grief is ours alone to cope with, it is easier to let it all out, but when you are in a figure of some authority and must help others to cope it is downright impossible for me to know what to do.

This weekend one of my students was killed in a car accident. She was 21 years old. Born in 1986- 1986! I can remember 1986- people born in 1986 are not supposed to die. It's wrong. It's against nature. It sucks and I'm angry.

Megan was a wonderful woman. Friendly and amazing. She was kind to all and liked by all. So can anyone tell me why the hell she, of all people, is dead? No. No one can- I know that, I understand that and I hate that.

I sit here angry and realize that I am writing all about me- my anger, my grief... How selfish... I should write about her. Her smile. Her laugh. Her intelligence. Her beauty. She was a tech student, one of the rare ones. She wanted to learn all she could and always made an effort to be her best. She cared deeply for her family, her friends and her fiancee. How can I sit here and use my breath to complain? I'm sorry Megan- I'm so sorry.

I try to pray- and if I can, I pray that she feels no pain and is free from anger. Her face keeps flashing before my mind and I can't help but think she'll walk in through my shop doors any minute with 2 cups of tea and a smile.

Oh god- why?

And next week I'm getting a walker...

I'm old. No really, I mean it, I am old. This past month I've been to seen the doctor twice and the oncologist. Yep I'm old.
First off, I went to the oncologist to get a mole removed. It was benign- so no worries. But now I have an inch and a half scar on my belly. Quite the collection I'm getting. I've had that mole for 30 years and I feel like some small part of my personality has been excised from my soul. Wow, that was deep, kind of like something some one old would say. Oh right, I am old.
Many of you may think I'm reacting to turning 31 next week. Honestly I'm fine with 31- fine being a relative term. No really, 31 is just one more than 30 and it's not old- but I am. SO for those of you that have more years on me, I don't want to hear back about how old you are- you're not old, I am.
I have high cholesterol- there I said it. 172 high. My dirty little secret is out. I have to take cholesterol medication- see, I'm old. Next thing you know I'll be needing something for my arthritis. And did I mention I have to probably take this medication for the rest of my life? Yep- right along with my Metamucil!
I realize that I should be grateful that I can even take these meds to protect against heart disease. I know that I shouldn't complain, but too bad, I am. I'm sure I'll get over it... well maybe not, but at least I'll quit complaining so loudly. Wait a minute... It sort of sounds like I'm acting childish- AWESOME! Maybe I'm not so old- oh wait... maybe that's the senility setting in.
Dammit! Where are my teeth? I can't find them and it's time for my pudding.

Roll Out the Barrel

My children always amaze me- with their humor, intelligence and compassion. Some days, however, bring me to new heights of parental awareness.

Annabelle was a fairly easy going toddler- at least I think I remember it that way- let's just assume my muddled mind is correct in this. I swear estrogen has something in it that makes us forget or softens the edges of reality. Anyhow-

My son has done everything in his power to do everything the exact opposite of Abby. From the difficult pregnancy to his sleep patterns. This is not bad, it's fine, he is being his own person. What it means though is Randy and I still have no idea what to do with a toddler!

I'm standing in front of my sink trying to get ready for my day. I know my children have had breakfast- I fed them. Then over the din of the hair dryer I hear crying. Not the "I'm-hurt-you-better-hurry" kind of crying more of a constant whine crying. As I shuffle around the corner hoping everything is ok, I find my heart leaping to my throat. Alexander is on the table... standing on the table... yes, the kitchen table. Arms wide and tears flowing, he can't figure out how to get down. Luckily he didn't try to jump! Seventeen months old and he's a frickin' monkey! Don't get me started on the ladder for the bunk bed!

My son is also very impatient. When he wants something he wants it now and he doesn't want a substitute. Milk in a bottle, NOT a sippy cup. It's still milk kid! But No!

Randy was prepping the bath for Alexander when Alexander decided he wanted to get in.
"Hang on" "No!" Randy goes around the corner to get something only to return to find our son, in the tub... shoes and all! Fully clothed." Wait? What does this word wait mean?" Brat.

He is so funny and cute and stubborn (that's all from his Dad by the way!- Stop laughing... No, really, ALL Randy) If this is just a fraction of what I will face as a teenager- I tremble in fear. I'm beginning to think my father is right, Boys do belong in a barrel!

Wow! I'm Good! (Or is that Mediocre?)

Have you ever been told you're really good at something and then wondered what that means?

If someone tells you you're awesome at "X", doesn't their opinion depend upon their knowledge and experience with "X"? Of course it does, that was a rhetorical question, thank you.

But I wonder about other opinions, more subjective ones. Like when someone tells you you're beautiful- should you ask for a reference point? Beautiful compared to what/whom? Yes, this is a shallow question. Sorry, it's just what's on my mind.

What about skills? Am I really that great at "X"? or have you just always had a bad experience and I do alright? Or do you have no experience and can't tell bad from good?

How do you react when some says something complimentary about you and then says the same about some one else. But in your mind that other person is not at all like you and you find them less than complimentary? Basically in non-PC language... You're so Hot! (cool) She's so hot! (She is NOT!) DAMN! Does that mean I look like her? The "her" I find less than cute?

Again, I know this a shallow and superficial dialog, but if you go deeper and look at the less superficial cases, the fact still remains that I can't really know where I am on the grand scale of things. Except by using someone else as a gauge- and sometimes that makes me very uncomfortable when I look at their "yardstick". How do I measure up? Do I want to be measured by that stick?

Ugh. So I hate to even say it but, how do I measure up? How do I measure up against my own "yardstick"? I don't know, but isn't there a joke out there about 6 inches and how men and women measure the distance?

Give me a minute, I'm thinking...

I really have nothing to say. No funny stories. No good news, but no bad news either. Hey maybe no news is good news.

Wait, I know something I haven't shared! Randy took on a mini-moon 2 weeks ago. We used some of the hotel points he's earned over the past 5 years and went down to San Diego. He looked it all up and also found a new play being presented at the Old Globe. "ACE"- a musical about pilots- talk about perfect, right? So he booked us a one night stay at the San Diego Gaslamp Quarter Hilton. Apparently a VERY big deal.

My hubby is a "Diamond" member of Hilton Points and because of that he can get some nice rooms and amenities. When we arrived they asked us to choose our treat- basically a snack. I could choose from, peanuts, crackers or chocolate buttons. I chose the chocolate. FYI "chocolate buttons" is Hilton code for M&Ms. Also a small bottle of wine- nice huh? They also comped out breakfast at their buffet. Super nice.

We had fun being adults. I really enjoyed the play, Randy did too.
We took a cab to and from the play. The walked around the "gaslamp" district. Like a swanky downtown. It's in the process of being restored but had some great restaurants and silly and expensive shops. We ate a the San Diego Sevilla for a late dinner, super yummy. Then walked back to the hotel.

The next morning we took our time coming home. Stopped in Temecula to look at the Outlets- a bit of a waste, but I was with Randy so I didn't mind.

Overall the trip was SUPER- Thanks Hubby- you rock!


So I guess I did have news- silly me. Helps when you turn on your brain!

Coffee Communication Differences

I'd like a small coffee.

Ok. A tall coffee.

No. A small coffee.

Yeah- A tall coffee.

What? I don't want a large!

Oh do you want a Grande?

Grande? No. I want a small. What's a Grande?

A medium.

Medium? How is Grande medium? Grande means big, right? I mean, when I order the Nachos Bell Grande I want them big!

Oh you want it big? So you want a Venti?

I'm sorry what? Venti? WTF? No I just want a small coffee.

Ok- One Tall coffee...

Tall = Small

Grande= Medium

Venti= Large

I swear men started this company. Is it some sort of coffee compensation relating to the size of their twig-n-berries? Because when something is small I'm gonna call it small- not Tall.

The McDonalds of Coffee*

As we all know, my holiday spirit 2006 was lacking. So lacking that it needed serious CPR to make it through the season. It was lucky I hadn't signed the DNR. I mean it was bad.

So in a last ditch effort to inject some life into my holiday spirit, I decided to take the Friday before Christmas off and spend it with my hubby. We were going to go shopping and just enjoy being around each other. Good plan huh? I thought so, time with my hubby is good for me.

So... I drop the kids off at day care with a smile on my face and head to my local "Starchucks" for some over priced, highly caloric, coffee creation. That's when it all went wrong.

I don' t know about you, but I usually try to avoid "Starchucks". Twice in the last few months I have had bad experiences there. Let me tell you about them...

#1... When you order iced coffee with milk, what would expect to get? Coffee, ice and milk, right? NOT coffee, ice and some nasty-ass syrup! Apparently iced coffee with milk translates into "Starchukian" as Iced Cafe con Leche. Hey, I'm no expert, but doesn't that mean Coffee with milk in Spanish? No mention of said super sweet, super sucky syrup! Besides I don't think "Iced" is Spanish? Anyhow... Guess what I got? Yep, you got it.. No milk and a diabetic fit in the car.

#2... I'm prepared this time... Again I ask for "Iced Coffee with Milk" but I make sure to mention that I don't want the syrup. No, really I don't want the syrup. "Ok!", she says, "No problem!" What do I get? You'll never guess... Hallelujah! No syrup! But wait... Isn't there milk in something that is supposed to be "con Leche"? No Milk? Wait it gets better...

Me: I'm sorry there was supposed to milk in that.

Barrista: No.

Me: on the inside (Excuse me, What? Did she just tell me, THE CUSTOMER, No?)
Me: on the outside: Oh but she said there would be.

Barrista Bitch: (Yes, I renamed her) Oh she didn't tell me. It's over there. (This was followed by a general wave in the direction of the sugar and cream area)

Oh yes, my friends it gets even better...
When I looked at the "Starchucks" shorthand on the cup it said ICCL! Can anyone tell me what that means? Oh my... could it mean Iced Cafe CON LECHE BITCH!

Here's the thing, not even that made me stop going to "Starchucks", #3, however, just might do the trick...

#3...Quick recap: December 23rd, mid- morning attempt to get rid of the Grinchyness...

In an attempt to be quick about it, I drove through the drive-thru. Having a great time chatting with my long lost friend, I quickly ordered 2 drinks and waited my turn. When I pulled up, I decided to quit relying on the ATM card and use an antiquated from of payment called cash. Now, I know that of the various types of cash out there that the $10 bill is not the favorite. Most prefer the $20 and some like the $1. But as a form of cash it is still perfectly legal.

I hand the Barrista (she's not a bitch) my $10 bill and wait some more. As the gal hands me my drinks another Barrista comes to the window, my $10 bill in hand. This is how it went...

Barrista #2:(Voice as sickly sweet as the damn syrup) Do you have another form of payment?

Me: (Shocked and embarrassed) Is there a problem?

Barbie Barrista: Um... There's no strip, the paper feels funny and the back is awfully green.

Me: Umm... ahhh... Use this. (The dreaded ATM)

At this point I had hung up on my poor friend in my shock and amazement. (Sorry Dani) I was so surprised. I was at a loss of what to say and felt guilty for something... what, I don't know.

Barbie Barrista: Sorry about that! (A smile)

Me: Yeah

I drive home angry, tearful and confused. Merry Frickn' Christmas! Stupid counterfeiting people! I needed that $10- nevermind I just spent it on useless coffee. (Hey, I'm in the right here, remember?)

I'd like to tell you that's the end of the story but it's not...

As I stormed into the house, I decided to finally examine said offending bill. Yes, the paper was worn. Nope, no strip. And the back was too green... well, it was green anyway and not the new fancy orange.

Upon even closer examination I discovered the key to the whole scam. That Barrista was too smart for me. She is quite the Counterfeit Catching Queen! Wow, I couldn't get this past her.

It must have been the strip that tripped me up... I should have put the strip in, I just didn't think that the US Treasury Department was using strips in... wait for it... 1963!

Yep- 1963! If you were 47 years old and made out of a fabric paper I bet you'd be a little worn out too. And that fact that you were still green at all is amazing!

Upon reflection, I know that this is a dumb story and a dumb reason to dislike "Starchucks" but who cares, I'm the consumer and I can elect to spend my old, possibly counterfeit, money somewhere else.

1963? Come on... I mean really. TWIT!

But thanks to the valiant effort of my hubby and my best friend, my holiday spirit has survived to see another day. Hopefully it won't need hospice this year.

So be warned- $10 bills are tricky and simple coffee drinks are not worth the time of the sofisticated "Starchucks Barrista". Don't believe me? Just trying ordering a black coffee and see what happens.

*Thank you to Sara for the Title