The Bruin Boy Bunch

4th of July one year later

2009-07-03T08:09:00.000-07:00

This weekend one year ago I started building my little terrace garden.... no one was around and the time was right so my garden was started. and maybe if I was lucky I would get something to grow. Well lets just call last year my learning year I had a nice little harvest that was good for for one meal. But that was last year...

but lets move on to March of 2009 when I planted my new little garden with tomatoes, pumpkins, artist gourds, garlic, spearmint, yellow squash and zucchini. I hoped that maybe one or two would take...but I had no idea of what was about to happen.... this year was going to be a little different than last

I was very excite when by May 31 the first two bins of my garden were really starting to finally starting to grow...I even planted a few more tomatoes plants from Howard Gertz in in the third bin and everything was good.

but then things started to change I should say grow and on June 11 I noticed that the pumpkin and gourds were starting to creep into the next bin and you could see the growth every 12 hours... and then the tomatoes also started to grow

on June 12th I went up to Davis to help Sam move back b ack home for the summer.

we were back home by June 14

I found that there was a pumpkin and the tomatoes were starting to ripen

but then I also realized how big the pumpkin plan was starting to get.

by June 18th the plants were growing into the third bin and we jokingly started to call the plants Audrey 2.

on June 20th Barry and I left for New York and Audrey was just growing up the wall of the third bin

but 3 days later when we got home Audrey had already gone up and over the wall and was creeping into the third bin

we were home for 2 days only to leave on June 26th for San Francisco for a long weekend

but the fact that I was not home didn't stop Audrey from taking over

So when we left Audrey has started over into the third bin

but when we came home

we found that Audrey had taken over and was moving into the fourth bin. I don't know when she will stop but I am not sure how safe it is for Shomer to go with me when I water.

well I will update this as the summer goes on.

so much traveling and so little blogging

2009-06-29T16:01:00.000-07:00

so much traveling and so little blogging..... but as part of my birthday (yes today is the day) resolution I will try to catch up.... so where have I been and what have I been up to?

well last week we were in New York for business and a little bit of family on Fathers Day. and then this weekend we (the we is Barry and me) are in San Francisco for our 11th anniversary and my 50th birthday.

So we did the touristy thing went to the wharf and had treif I know I will repent starting tomorrow. We also had the pleasure of celebrating with Gary, Holly and Erica on Saturday night at North Beach Restaurant, delicious not inexpensive but definite value for your dollar. If you are looking for good Tuscan food then this is the place (and if you are using mass transit, take the 30 bus and exit on Stockton, at Columbus)

So we didn't plan it this way but the Gay Pride Parade was this weekend (Gary, Holly and Erica were even walking in it) so we did what any tourist would ...we went to the parade but those pictures (that I can actually post) will have to be for another time.

So it's review time where did we eat and what did we do...

so breakfast came with all kinds of recommendations Sears Fine Dining well it was good but not great...now great was Max's we actually at there twice in the city and the Barry got a pastrami sandwich from them at the airport, Sammie you want deli you need to come here.

We went for a ride (3 times) on the Cable Car it was fun to just stick the camera up in the air and take pictures...(that is when you really appreciate digital cameras, cause what ever you don't like you get rid of)

So we were down on the wharf on Friday and Saturday. On Saturday we went on the Red and White Bay Cruise it was nice we really enjoyed it just letting someone else tell you what you were looking at. When we first came out of the harbor we could see the Golden Gate Bridge.... but then as we went under the bridge (at least they said it was there) it disappeared into the fog.....

But we had a great time took a lot of pictures...I even let Barry use the camera...

I think that might have been a mistake......, there is something to be said about being on the other side of the camera.

Bringing Sam South

2009-06-13T06:52:00.000-07:00

Nothing too eventful..just a town full of caps and gowns ...it is graduation weekend, but the only real effect it had on the plan is that there are no hotel rooms in Davis....So we are in Sacramento staying at a Four Points...very nice,, completely off the beaten path the gps says the address doesn't even exist but still very nice.

Ahhh but I have gotten off track ( I know what else is new) so Sam met me at the airport after an evening of celebrating (yes she is 21) the end of the term and that her 21st birthday fell during finals so they couldn't celebrate...

after a quick stop at Home Depot for some supplies we were back at Sam's Sorority House

to deal with the task at hand.... getting Sam packed up for the summer and bring her home.

This would be the before picture.

So we packed a little and then stop for lunch and to meet up with Adi at the Black Bear Diner and we even went to see Sam and Adi's new apartment

Yes that second floor balcony is theirs ....

so is the one little staircase to bring everything up....
but you will have to stay tuned to the blog for further updates on the apartment in September.

but I digress (again) we packed most of Friday and then went to Sacramento to sleep a brand new Shereton Four Points near the airport....

very nice but the only place I could find with
vacancy's because of graduations weekend.

so this was the before picture

and this is the after one.

Regional Convention is a STS USY Sweep!

2009-05-26T20:08:00.000-07:00

Could it have been any better.... Well yes it could I could have been there but then we would have missed Morgans graduation but other than that how much better could it have been.

We had Sarah, Kokasi and Igaal here to share the event.

Ashleigh nominated Sarah as President of Far West Region and Sarah won, so did David Weingarten as Regional VP of Mem/Kad, Gil ChenZion is the VP of Israel Affairs and Matt Alfaso is the VP of Communications.

but that's not all......

Scott was named USY Director of the year, Molly Kestin received the Citizenship Award and Ashleigh looked really cute in her dress (here I was sitting in the Orlando airport and everyone was sending me text's and facebook messages that she looked great but no one sent me a picture, but doesn't she look great).

And last but not least they received the "Chapter of Excellence"

STS USY - Rocks!!!!!

We are in Florida

2009-05-23T21:17:00.000-07:00

o.k. so we have actually been in Florida for a few days.... We are here for Morgans Graduation...

yes you read that right Morgan is a graduate... but more about that in another entry...

this entry is about a great BBQ joint that we found right across the parking lot from the hotel

Sonny's BBQ Pitt ohhh so good.

We enjoyed it so much that we ate there Friday night (just Barry and me) and then we had dessert there after Morgans graduation That would have been Barry, Nathan and me.

But Barry liked it so much (o.k. so did I) that we went back there tonight for dinner and it was still just as good.

The other part of Sonny's that we truly enjoyed was the service that we received from Paige. She was just so much fun and very helpful.

and very funny.... so Paige when you read this we looked for you on facebook but do you know how many Paiges there are? 20 pages worth so you need to find us.

And We Have A Graduate

2009-05-23T13:48:00.000-07:00

At approximately 8:45 p.m. on Friday May 22, 2009 Morgan Elizabeth Cohn became a graduate, with Honors (note the tassels and medallion). And even though we had some pretty torrential rains at about 3:30 earlier that day I kept talking to Wadah and Bubbie Celia (both of blessed memory) asking that it not rain on her night....and they did it, they took care of her and did not let it rain.

Everyone was there Morgan (of course), Nathan,

Barry (he isn't a proud Papa is he?),

Bronwen (that would be mom), David (that would be step-dad), Vern and Geri (that would be David's Parents no pictures),

Precious and Star (the service dogs)

and Me ( I really was there just no pictures to much frizz).

Visitors from afar

2009-05-20T21:21:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday May 12 at about 12:30 in the afternoon I received a text that said "They Have Arrived" I know who are they? Where are they from and Why are they here?

Well the who are they part is easy ....

they are (from Left to right) Sarah Perachim, Kokasi, David Weingarten (he is from here) and Igaal Sizomu.

The Where part is not that difficult either:

They are part of the Abuyudaya tribe from Nabagoye, Uganda. Igaal's father Rabbi Gershom Sizomu was our (Shomrei Torah Synagogue) Rabbinic Intern while he was studying to become a Rabbi and who is now the First Chief Rabbi of Uganda. Anyway I digress ...

The Why are they here part? well that is a little more detailed:

The reason that Sarah, Igaal and Kokasi are in town is because David Weingarten President of our USY chapter thought that it would be a great thing if we Shomrie Torah USY because a sister chapter to the Jewish Youth of the Abuyudayan and helped them start their own Chapter.

So Sarah, Igaal and Kokasi have been out here in L.A. for two and a half weeks learning all about how our chapter works, staying with different USY families ,
Sarah actually stayed with us ....she even got to spend time with Shomer...they had a good time together

They saw the Jewish sites in Los Angeles, promoting the crafts if their village , going to Far West Regional Convention and probably the most important thing

They went to Disneyland

a mothers day moment

2009-05-10T21:46:00.000-07:00

I have often said that if I need one day for my children to acknowledge what I have done as a mother than I have not done a good job....and it has been just another day.

But the day is an opportunity for me to thank those who made me a mother Celia, Nathan, Samantha, Morgan and Ashleigh and because without them to love and share with it would be a very boring life. I also want to thank my mom who taught me by example how to be a great mom and when the time is right how to be a great Bubbie.

Just one more year

2009-05-05T06:58:00.000-07:00

How else should you celebrate a 17th birthday?

She wasn't actually suppose to be here until June....but far be it from Ashleigh to follow someone elses schedule and at 12:03 in the morning on Tuesday the 5th of May I ended my childbearing years with Ashley (that was the original spelling) Tucker also known as Esther Yisraella. She was named for my Grandmother Esther Johnson and her fathers Uncle Robert Eisenstein.

She was a sweet little girl who loved to climb in a chair and ask for a story

and over time she started to grow into an amazing young lady

we have had the pleasure of celebrating her birthday over the years

and the fact that she was born on a holiday recognized by people other than her family can make for a very interesting celebration.

Especially since she would take Persian food over Mexican food any day. Unless Bubbie is letting her taste her Margarita...a little earlier than 21st birthday.

So this year...my co conspirator (Lloyd) and I decided that the proper way for Ashleigh to celebrate her birthday would be for us to fill her car with balloons and write a note or two on the outside so that everyone would know that our sweet little bundle of joy has grown up to be an amazing person.

She has some amazing insight and a great sense of humor. I am looking forward to the next 364 days before we set her loose on the world...and then look out.

A White Pair of Vans

2009-05-02T21:27:00.001-07:00

What do you do with a pair of white slip on vans?

well some people would say ...wear them

others might say to find some what to scotch guard them so they can stay white

but if you Ashleigh you say ..."why it's a blank canvas...I've got to paint them!!!!"

and that is what she did...

Now this wouldn't be the first time Asheligh decorated her tennis shoes. 2 years ago she did her first pair of white vans... but that was just her name.

So she gathered all my paints and brushes, planed it out and then went to work

The details that she put into this is very impressive, each shoe is different...one has Jerusalem on the heal and the other has Los Angeles....

She even pays tribute to her Pilgrimage group also known as "The 808"

I have no idea how she comes up with some of her designs all I can tell you for certain is that I am sooo glad we have a replacement for the first pair of white vans she altered.

The Big Girls Club

2009-04-11T16:53:00.001-07:00

Wow, when I think back to these 5 cousins when they first got together they were so young,

but time has an amazing way of moving on no matter how hard we try to make it stand still, it doesn't happen...

which is how I ended up going from pictures called Formation (everyone lining up in age order)

Way back in 1996 they were Celia (12), Nathan (10),

Samantha (8), Calli (7), Morgan (6) and Ashleigh (4).

This is them in 1999 Celia (14), Nathan (12), Samantha (10),

Calli (9), Morgan (8) and Ashleigh (6).

but time marches on and the girls keep growing so in 2006 we did one more formation shot just for old times sake Celia (21), Samantha (18), Calli (17), Morgan (16) and Ashleigh (14)

In July of 2006 we were not sure if or when we would ever get them all together again so it we had to just be able to enjoy who ever was together when we could.

so we now have The Big Girls Club

Celia (24), Samantha (20), Calli (19), Morgan (18) and Ashleigh (16)

I know that we will have many more adventures from them

catch up time

2009-04-01T09:23:00.000-07:00

oh my gosh!!!! it has been 6 weeks and I apologize time just seems to be going faster and faster... so here is the quick up date with more details and pictures to follow:

Celia and I arrived home she started her new job and she has already moved to her own apartment Ashleigh is glad to have her bathroom back... but not for long becasue this Saturday Morgan will be out for spring break.

This will be Morgans last visit under the auspices of the court orders since she turned 18 in January and she will graduate in May! Yeah although we are still in waiting to hear from colleges window

Samantha came down for her spring break went to Palms Springs for 3 days came back home and went back to Davis for the spring semester but she will be back for Passover

Ashleigh has wheels...yes that right she drives so we never see her and she will be spending the summer the whole summer up at camp as a Madrich (Jr counselor) so we will be empty nesting again. I am making my list.

So I am hoping for a little peace tonight and I will give you more details and some pictures.

Day 3 Here We Go

2009-02-12T12:26:00.000-08:00

So last night was wonderful time with Sam, the Sigma Girls and Rodney....but all good things muct come to an end and this night was not any different...so we all went our respective ways to finish papers or get some sleep.

But this morning Celia, Samantha and I got together for breakfast at Ciocolat. It was so nice to have quiet time together to visit over a nice cup of tea.

It was really nice because we could also have Sammie all to oursleves ....

but alas we must continue on our quest for the warmer weather of home and Sammie to finish her paper....

but before we parted we gave Sammie a VooDoo doughnut...imagine our suprise when we got back to the car to find Celia's orchid trying to climb into the pink box

We Made it to Davis

2009-02-11T22:26:00.000-08:00

We finally made it to Davis and then to the Sigma House to wait for Sammie.....

We sat around and waited and waited and waited and finally Sammie came home and we were able to give her all the stuff we had for her.

After we handed out the gifts it was finally time for dinner...at Burgers and Brew..... we had a Brie plate that was soooo good.

I've escaped

2009-02-11T16:29:00.001-08:00

they opened the five at 12:38 and I saw my chance....

25 miles and I would be out of Oregon....

a chance at warm weather

but first I had to get through Siskyou Pass and past the California Border Guard....

yes Virgina (or anyone else) there are guards on the Northern California Border .... and they weren't sure if they were going to let me in ....

to think that I traveled this far and was dragged in and out of the car to stay warm and they might not let me in but Renee promised that I would only go in a house and not outside so they thought about it and discussed it amongst the bunch of them and they let me in...

Warm Weather Here I Come

Beautiful Ashland Oregon

2009-02-11T11:06:00.000-08:00

yes I know .... your asking yourself what am I doing writing about Ashland when I have just (2 hours ago) left Medford and have reservations for Davis tonight.

Well I guess we forgot to discuss our plans with the Shekinah and she decided we (and a lot of other people) needed to stop and see Ashland.

So here we sit in the wonderful lobby of the Ashland Holiday Inn Express. Waiting to see if the road will open. Our decision time is 2:00 this afternoon, to if we stay or if we go now.....

Our quest for nicer weather

2009-02-10T21:19:00.000-08:00

We have landed... for the night in Medford...and the idea of not being behind the wheel is very nice.

but I am getting ahead of myself....

So how did our day start....

well after the voodoo experience we packed the car and waited for "beautiful" to arrive for one last goodbye....

are you asking who is "beautiful"?

lets just say she helped Celia stay sane until she could get back to LA

With the baby well hugged we made our way out the door and down the road.... to start our drive now and what a drive it is

While the mom drives...the kid blogs

2009-02-10T16:30:00.000-08:00

As you all probably guessed by the title, Renee (mom) is driving and I have taken over the bloggging responsibilities for now.

I will say that it is very nice to have a break from the road and the rain. Yes, for a brief moment in time today we have seen the sun. I am sitting in the passanger seat of my own very full car and realizing that I dotn have the same knack for blogging as my mother does.

I am having a hard time figuring out what to blog about and I wonder if that has anything to do with how tired I am or if I am just not that creative. I think the first.

So, I think I am going to take a break and maybe a nap.

:)

When in Portland you have to VooDoo

2009-02-10T15:14:00.000-08:00

It's 4:00 in the morning and I am starting my day...by having The Bear take me to Burbank Airport to go up to Portland.

By 10:00 I have arrived at the Portland airport and was met by Celia.... and as per the suggestions of many people on Facebook....I asked her to take me to VooDoo Donughts the Magic is in the Whole.

Now with a place as well known as Voodoo you would think that she had been there before (after all she had been in Portland for 2 1/2 years), but noooo Celia is a Voodoo virgin...so we shared the experience together.

Sam the box is done with you in mind

It is this little hole in the wall place tiny but packed with people and all kinds of doughnuts... some standards with fancy Portland names ....like Portland Cream (that would be a Maple Glazed Eclair)

but then there are other... like a Bacon Maple Bar, Old Dirty Bastard, Dirty Snowballs and there are sooooo many more that you will just have to check it out.... but there was one that caught our attention... the Cock&Balls..... the name describes it all and yes it is cream filled.....you would think that I took a picture right..... wrong... I was to busy laughing and completely forgot. So I guess that you will have to come up and get your own.

So put this on your list for the next time your in Portland.... you must try VooDoo Doughnuts.

it is a cold wet rainy or snowy day

2009-02-10T14:51:00.000-08:00

but we have started our way out of Portland..... who is the we you ask?

that would be Celia and me...

oh yeah and a car full of stuff..... as Celia put it her whole life was reduced down to 12 boxes and 3 suitcases.

I don't know if you remember but about 2 1/2 years ago Celia left Warm Sunny Southern California for Portland Oregon for a new life....but as you might remember back in May the wedding didn't happen. So when that didn't happen it was time for plan B....which would be moving back to California.

it took a little time but she is coming back on her terms....employed and with a plan.

so at 6:00 the morning I left for Portland I arrived at 10:00 and we were on the road by 2:00 ... so here we go again my favorite thing to do when going on a road trip .... I blog.

as our time winds down

2009-01-18T20:42:00.000-08:00

I have not given enough blogspace to our friends the reason we are here...it's one of those stories where when you look back you realize that our paths were meant to cross..... many years ago (1997) there was an ad in our old synagogue newspaper (the issue announcing Celia's Bat Mitzvah) offering a house for sale.... 5 bedrooms and the Las Virgenes school district ...we went to check it out....

and the rest is history...Leslie was the Realtor that was offering the house and she ended up being the Realtor that was buying the house and then she did Marty and Stacy's house and Bubbie's house and then David and Tracy's house and then we coined her the official Realtor to the Glickman-Cohn family...but she was more than that she became a member of the family she also became famous for her slut sweaters...

Just about the time we moved into Indian Hill Lane .... Leslie and Bill moved to Oxnard.... not just Oxnard but the Beach in Oxnard it was a fabulous house full of art and antiques and just all kinds of stuff that screamed Leslie and Bill. But they were not there for long... because shortly after they got everything situated Bill retired (kind of according to plan) and they followed their son to Portland Oregon.... yes the same Portland that Celia is in (and having them up their was a relief when she moved up there) but Portland as we all know is cold in the winter months (we really do cause we have visited them twice in Nov, it is cold)...very very cold soooo when it gets snowy and cold where should you go? why Palm Springs of course....which brings us to this trip.... to see Bill and Leslie and Maddie

I Want That!

2009-01-18T20:03:00.000-08:00

there are times when you come across something and you just know that it is soooo right for you....

well this is one of those things...

and you know what goes great with it.... NO!!! get your mind out of the gutter

BATH BOMBS from natural body and bath we got some at the street fair and we had the grapefruit last night and then we will be trying California Sunshine tonight...

The first time we used this tub was in Sept of 07 and we liked it then so now it is only better.

Mexican, Itilian, Sushi all in one place

2009-01-18T11:44:00.000-08:00

I know what a combination... but it was a delicious combination.. We went to dinner with Leslie and Bill at Margarita Restaurant I know you might think with a name like Margarita that it would be just Mexican.... but nooo everything was sooo good. The garlic bread was great so was the stuffed artichoke and the sauteed mushrooms. The Margarita was good also.

But the best part of the meal was being with Leslie and Bill and reminiscing about when we use to go to a Eric Ericssons on the pier in Oxnard and have a glass of wine and nothing but appetizers.... ohhh the memories.

A beautiful Saturday

2009-01-17T12:55:00.001-08:00

What a great morning... we went to a little street fair... o.k. so it wasn't quite little but it was fun

and then we went for lunch

(that would be Barry's fries)

and now we are back in the room .... with Bruin BasketBall on the telly and in a minute I will be going to the pool to study my Torah portion.... for Woman's League Shabbat..(2 weeks)

This is a beautiful day

and Morgan and Nathan's hanukkah box finally arrived!!!!Yeah

Shabbat Shalom

2009-01-17T08:32:00.000-08:00

Yeah I know blogging on shabbos but when it is this beautiful you can't wait to show it off. Where else but Southern California do you get to see snow on the mountains while your wearing shorts and enjoying 85 degree weather (eat your heart out all you New York relatives).

So where are we you might ask... we are spending the weekend in the desert with some really good friends who are down from Portland Leslie and Bill.

Last night for dinner we went to a great pizza place called Matchbox Vintage Pizza unbelievable delicious Pinot Noir from Five Rivers Winery now I am by no means a wine connoisseur but ohhh this was so good we have put it on our shopping list.

So after a great dinner we walked a little got some fudge and came home it was a wonderful friday night.