Happy! Happy! Perfect! Joy! Joy!

I popped out of bed as the sunshine creeped onto our bedside. I looked over, as much as I wanted to jab my husband like a pesky insect to wake up and enjoy the day, I decided to leave him be. Plus, it was seven thirty in the morning. I lounged on our bedroom deck as the glee began to take its toll. From where I sat, the San Francisco bay was as calm as my soul. I felt special. I was happy! I am blessed. I am grateful for the love and aloha that burns inside me and surrounds me everyday.

Life was simple and my mind was clear. I do not find the need for a pair of shoes, or to pork out on double dutch strawberry chocolate chip pancakes, or a glass of bubbly, or to feel that I have to travel the globe. I am content. It is a good day to be alive.

I wanted to share this goodness with friends by inviting them over for a barbecue. It was the perfect day for it! Our backyard awaited good company, good conversation to this carefree life.

Shellie's Proverb: Best eat rice porridge when hot.
Shane perked out of bed and was business as usual. He slipped on his garden gloves and began to deweed the backyard. He made certain that our home was in tip top shape to welcome loved ones. In his obsessive compulsive madness, he proceeds to saw down a dead tree in our front yard. My man was on a sweaty rampage, but I like it!

We sat in the backyard relishing every moment of the heat. We chased the sun until the sun created more shadows. After a marvelously radiant day surrounded by friends and delicious food, Sunday gently came to an end. We went to bed with the sliding door open and allowed the warm wind to seep into our bedroom. Today was a perfect day.

Lesson: A blessed Grasshopper is one with limbs in tact, brain in check, and a heart of love.

Weight a minute!

My bed habit remains dire, but definitely not a damper in my diaper. Please note that bed habit should not be mistaken for "bed prowess". If you must ask, bed prowess is 100 beats per minute.

In the meantime, spring has not peeked it's dewey head into my life, but I guess it's time to turn over a new leaf. I signed up for weight watchers today. I know, have a half a grape on a triscuit for dinner! Alright cackle club, keep it down in the back row. In fact, I signed up online, and it's a decent barometer. Jill, my sister in law, swears by it. She is a true testament to weight loss, she dropped 16 pounds in a few months. Of course, her weight loss could contribute to being on her feet all day as a nurse and walking home. Unlike my laggard narcoleptic buns that hunkers in front of a computer all day.

I just need to switch it up. A reassessment. In fact, I just realized how many points my damn Wullaby yogurt is! A whole 4 points. Why has my yogurt forsaken me? Gulp and double gulp. Good fat or bad fat, it's still fat.

So embarassment aside, I am excited to be a member of weight watchers. I mean, I thought it was a whiny cult consisting of individuals with thyroid dysfunction seeking pity from peers. I thought it was a gimmick like Richard Simmons and his short shorts. I was sorely wrong! On behalf of my judgemental mind, I apologize for my prejudice. Hey back row! Keep your cackles to yourself.

Today's mantra: Must not eat evil creamy yummy wonderful organic Wullaby. Whah!

Queen Turd

I am a five star turd nerd. The true crap master. The wife that holds the septic septor. God save this Queen!

I am not one to make the bed. I never was. Well. I go through phases. Just like my menstrual, it comes once a month give or take three to four days. I must admit, I try my best. I'm the first to jump out of bed, therefore, the last one out is a rotten egg!

There's nothing like sinking in to a comfortable bed, so what is my mini gripe? Well, Shane's beginning to take on my lack of bed making habit. Shucks! My man makes up a bed like nobody's business! There's nothing like slipping into a bed at the end of the day that felt like a four seasons maid went fastidious crazy on. It's like a warm cup of chamomile wrapped in silk, I mean an eight hundred egyptian threadcount loses it's exquisiteness when it's crumpled at the foot of the bed.

Besides having a dreamy husband, I've just been spoiled with Shane's meticulous work. See Shane's a perfectionist, rich in detail and pride, when it comes to anything that he does. Certainly, it's not a trait that makes this marraige cohesive, but it's a rare commodity not to mention a pleasant amenity. Just imagine a world with no toilet paper. Well, I'll retract that, don't. What I'm trying to say is that, this wife refuses to lie in the bed that she made so unkempt.

Today's mantra: Make your bed you lazy b#tch!

I'm Alive!

I was feeling empty. I was feeling low. There was a hole in the third dimension and my lowly soul was being zapped into it's dark vortex.

Just when I was going to call it quits with the dull razor to my wrist, a bright burst of light filled the house. I must admit, I thought I was dead. Through the slats of the curtains the sunburst was at the horizon, my heart skipped a beat. After many ruthless days and nights of ungodly rain, from the gray heavens came the healthy yolk of sunshine! The gods have forgiven the unsightly sinners. My blood began to flow. I could feel my pulse again! I could breathe! I was back in action Jackson! Bipolar anyone?

After years as an A+ loser, in my heart of hearts, I felt like a winner. Thank you sunshine for lighting up my life.

Lesson: A strong grasshopper never falls prey to the shifting climate of oneself.

First new steps

Definitely exciting time for us! Shane is getting ready to launch his own business in a few weeks. He's going for his contractor's license. He has worked with his Uncle John for a decade and some years. I am so proud to see him embark on a new venture. He, on the otherhand, not so confident. His concern skirts many issues - most importantly - change. Personally, I heart change. Change is ace. Change is enriching. A fresh start. New soil. I look foward to taking that plunge into icy water. Chill. Shrinkage. Brrrr.

I would like to put the limelight on the people in our lives and how we are truly blessed. It is unique to have such love and support envelope our lives. A shout out from the Cuccina's to Uncle John and Aunt Nyra for extending great opportunities our way.

Lesson: A short sighted grasshopper is one that sets fire to his bridges and realizes he has no one to drown with.

Drencher

Start building your ark, because it's coming down baby! Yes, it's been raining for straight weeks now and the depression is starting to set it's claws. I don't mind the rain one bit. I mean coming from Hawaii, this is a treat. As a rule of thumb, I brighten my day with a loud piece of wardrobe such as the lime green cashmere cardigan that's keeping me snug.

The rain has been causing a lot of distress on many. I myself would rather live through rain than a drought. Take advantage of this weather and cuddle up to a good book and a warm cup of chamomile tea. If your feeling mighty feisty, grab your snowboard and head up to Tahoe. If you get bored, pick up your needles and knit a nice scarf. Invite a friend over for a game of chess. Host a dinner party with a nice warm stew and wine. There's lots of things you can do besides mourn the absence of sunshine. So hold on to your booties, the forecast for the next two weeks is rain.

Lesson: A carefree grasshopper who cartwheels in fresh filth is always happy.

The real truth...

Can I just say that we experienced our first freak mingling with parental degredation. We attended our next door neighbors two year old birthday party and talk about snobs. Besides our sweet neighbors, the other parents were creepy. Stepford creepy. The first question, "Do you have children?" When we responded with a simple "no" and proud about it. We were given the smug treatment. What's up with that?

I was quite perturbed. Irrirated. My first experience with childless discrimination. Not only is it tacky for parents to showcase their child, but it's so cold. Sure be proud, but don't be a self righteous schmuck. How tall is your child? How many months is your child? Her motor skills are so advanced. Pukarama! The dads looked beat down. The mom's were vainglorious. I tried my best to socialize, but it was a circus.

I made Shane swear that we never turn into these yuppie parents that has lost themselves in the goodness of their children, gutted like a dead fish. Is there a way of avoiding this type of behavior? Are we as individuals making up for what we lacked as a child? If so, when is it too much? Is there a balance? Thus, I do not subscribe to the "give your children what they want" philosphy. You could invest in the best philosphy of childraising, hence it does not guarantee that children will result correct. There is no such thing as perfect. I am especially proud of how Shane and I were raised. We take from our parents the sense and goodness and will make it our own.

Lesson: Grasshopper should allow loved ones to rule hearts, but not the television remote control.