Job Description

The kids and I were talking about work and Biggie asked me where one of our friends does her work. I was trying to explain how she was a homemaker and did her work at home. I mentioned that she didn't get paid for her work, but still worked hard, etc.

One of the boys responded, "You mean like the Israelites in Egypt?"

"Uh," I fumbled, "Well, but we're not slaves."

"That's good," comments the other son, "that would hurt to be whipped."


Yes, yes, it would, son. Methinks I may need to address the duties of someone who works at home a bit better at another opportunity.

Thank Heaven for Little Girls

The other day Jelly Bean and I were sitting by her dresser getting her ready for the day. She picked a green T-shirt out of a drawer and I gave her the nod.

Then I offered her some pants and she replied, "No pants."

I tried again and offered her some pink shorts. She calmly answered, "No pants."

In a "is what is happening what I think is happening?" slow motion I offered up a jean skirt. Jelly Bean gave me an emphatic, "Yes!"

Oh my! I have heard of this happening I just didn't expect it so early. She is not even two.


Our babysitter, Malia, did this sweet little hairdo. Malia was amazed that Jelly Bean held still so long to let her braid.

World Wide Friendship

Os met our friend, Matthias, while they were both working for Sacred Hill Winery in New Zealand. Matthias is from Germany where his family has had a winery since the beginning of time (practically).

We visited Matthias while we were in Germany and he returned the favor when he was in the US.

Imagine our surprise when one of Os's customers brought in a bottle of syrah by Stachel -- the same Matthias Stachel that we know and love.

Sing with me, "It's a small world after all..."

(Note: Oops! Apparently, I was completely wrong about Os's acquistion of the wine. Matthias' friend came to the US with the wine and shipped it to Os at Matthias' request. Os just recently found the wine tucked away in the lab at work.

I don't know... I think my version is a little more intriguing.)

Shopping List

I was away this weekend at a retreat and when I returned I heard all the fun Os had with the kids. Then on Monday I noticed he had added an item to the shopping list...

Do you know where we can pick some of this up?

National Talk Like a Pirate Day

We have some hilarious friends that have been hosting a "Talk Like a Pirate" party for several years in honor of the national holiday on Sept. 19th. What? You haven't been celebrating this holiday?

I just wanted to record for posterity the great pirate names my family came up with this year:
Os = Thin Beard Many Children (though it has sort of a Native American flavor)
Moose = Robert the Honest
BiggiE = Timothy Be Honest
Jelly Bean = Lady Smooth Cheeks

As you can see our family doesn't know much about pirates. The kids haven't really read or seen much about pirates and we are sorely out of pirate costumes, but the names cracked me up. That and the fact that Moose was using a chopstick as a sword.

I'm So Tired...

...but I'm trying to hang onto the fun.

A Labor Day!

Yay! Os is with us an Labor Day and it is warm at the beach -- two NorCal miracles.

I can't remember the last time Os has been off over Labor Day since harvest is usually in full swing. The cool summer has set the grapes back a bit this year and we are enjoying every extra day we have with him. And warm weather at the beach is another treat we don't often enjoy here on the northern coast. Even the seals are out basking in the sun. See them? They're the gray shapes out on the rock...






Love you, Os! You're the best! XOXOXOXOOX