July - Fireworks, Fighting and Fun

July started with the Fourth of July celebrations. Every year, we go to a party at Steve and Tam's. It's always really fun. I wore my new outfit, like I promised in the last post.

These are yellow and gray palazzo pants that I got when Patrice was visiting and a plain white tank.

I even had yellow and gray sandals. Funny how I just seem to have everything, isn't it. Wonder how that happened.

There was a 6.9 earthquake that day, but I didn't feel it because I was out running. Then on Friday the 5th, there was a 7.1. Boy did I feel that. I was terrified. Then I spent the next week worrying about another one, but thankfully it did not happen. We had a seche in the pool, and it seemed like it lasted 10 minutes.

I made tacos the next day. It turns out that Pandi will do just about anything for taco meat. Who knew?

On July 8th, it was back to work for four days. This is what I wore:

My beautiful cerulean blue Calvin Klein dress with a gob of silver and blue topaz jewelry.

I spent a good part of the week taking my board exam. We have to get recertified every five years. I passed-( go me !!) even though Mercury was in retrograde. I thought the test was extremely difficult.

Here is what I wore on July 12th, the last day of the work week.

This is an INC embellished skirt with a sequined trim T. I didn't like this outfit, mostly because of my gut.

The jewelry looked nice.

Every now and then after I eat a lot, my giant colon causes my gut to bulge. It did the same thing last year on July 18th. Oh well. I spent the day sucking it in and practicing good posture.

Snow Ball was released from the hospital on Wednesday. She looks better than when she went in. But today, the inside handle fell off. So I sent an email to the shop, telling them she would be back. We will see how this goes. I can't see how they can fix it without taking the entire panel off.

My July Birchbox came.  It's lemon and oranges. Cute. I put some costume jewelry in one to better sort it and make it easier when I am looking for something.

Here is what I got, top to bottom:

1) Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser - haven't tried it yet, because I was using a good one from Korea and now it's gone. I will try it tonight.
2) Nest Fragrances Black Tulip -tried it today, I like it. Very different - heavy but floral.
3) Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow Volumizing Eyebrow Gel. I am going to go lighter on the eyebrow pencil since my brows are getting a little thicker and better shaped.
4) Grande Cosmetics Grande Mascara.
5) amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Shampoo- to give "buttery" tones to your hair. I just colored mine red and put in lighter highlights, so I'll wait a few days. Also, a conditioner in the same formula.
6) Oribe Straight Away Smoothing Blowout Cream.

All in all, a good box. Will try every item.

 

Look how it's addressed - the Electric Rosemary Holtzman. Accurate.

On Tuesday, I was jonesing to go to the stupid stuff store, Daiso. It's so stupid and so fun. Here is what I got:

Two big white erasers - an emu and a gator. And a grow big sponge turtle for Calista.

I got a workhorse sized pack of cotton squares and an assortment of thread to hem and repair stuff with.

This is one of those foot files that has a cheese grater on one side and pumice on the other. And eyebrow razors or mustache razors. Go me.

Poo bags for all and a new collar for Kenni.

In the kitchen, a surface sponge holder and a chicken timer.

A plate for Pandi and a mug for me, featuring the chi.

Gingham cupcake papers and multi citrus toned sponges.

And a flexible rubber set of measuring cups and spoons. And a mini strainer ladle - I have never seen one of these before, so I got it.


Yesterday, Preston had a jiu-jitsu meet. We went to watch him. It was really interesting, in a sociological observational way.

It was held at Mayfair High School, in Lakewood. Lakewood is about 15 minutes away from Huntington Beach, inland and north. It was originally built for the military housing, then turned into family housing, and built up further by the aerospace industry. That was huge here in the 60s and 70s. There was Boeing, Rockwell and McDonnell Douglas. Everybody knew a few kids whose dads were engineers. My FIL, Win was an aerospace engineer.

There were six rings, all going simultaneously. Boys and girls, up to junior high age. Preston is 10 and weighs 88.8 pounds, so that puts him in a certain category.

Behind the rings were the practice area and the bull pen.

These two boys were the in the class with the biggest kids. Some were small enough to cry when they lost the fight. I felt bad for them.

There were also girls up to the same size and age.

Here is Preston's match. He is in the white gi. He lost this one when the other kid twisted his arm, which oddly enough, is Preston's favorite winning move.

The referee starts and stops the action.

Preston didn't do as well as usual this time. He was a bit disappointed, but we think maybe next time he should eat less right before the meet. He loves to eat, which is good. He looks strong. Here is the evidence - one healthy looking kid.

Some more Preston-in-action footage:

And here is the group on the stand. The kids are all very good sports. They are all friends.

And that's about it. I went running yesterday before the meet. Today, I made tacos, went running and now I am doing this while Doc is in the pool.  A nice relaxing weekend. Stay tuned.