Showing posts with label {greatest hits}. Show all posts
Showing posts with label {greatest hits}. Show all posts

Friday, April 23, 2010

Greatest Hits: The End of an Era

{Originally posted 03.04.2010. For more about Greatest Hits, read here}.


Let me just warn you that this post is going to break more than a few hearts. Last weekend we closed the page on a pivotal chapter of our lives. We sold B's Accord. Let the sobbing commence. (OK, I admit, I did get a little teary-eyed as I watched it drive away). But do you blame me? That car is at the root of so many memories.

That was the car that B drove when he picked me up for our first date. In college we rear-ended three different vehicles in one week. (Betcha can't guess who was driving.) That car's been through two windshields, at
least two bumpers and more brakes that I care to think about. It was hit by a FedEx truck. And was subjected to innumerable parking tickets and countless traffic violations. It's acted as a getaway car for several incidents that should not be named. And let's not forget about the tens. How many of us drove around with B blaring Boyz in the Hood out of those babies?

That car was there from B's wild single days to our carefree newlywed days to our move to the city and into parenthood. It's had flat tires in most (if not
all) of San Francisco's more undesirable neighborhoods. And it's been responsible for throwing one unsuspecting biker for a loop, so to speak. I'll never forget tying our Christmas trees to the roof and holding branches, with frozen fingers, through the sunroof. Or an angry Hudson strapped in his car seat throwing his shoes at us from the back seat.

So to you, Dear Accord: Thank you. Thanks for all the miles. Thanks for standing the test of time; and the daily strains of having B as your primary driver. You will be missed and remembered fondly.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Greatest Hits: We-Love-a-Spicy-Meatball-Sandwich

{Originally posted 06.09.2008. For more about Greatest Hits, read here}.

This is one of our favorite Italian places in the city:

Tomasso's, on Kearny St.

The only problem is that it's right next door to this:

And just down the street from this:

So, whenever our little family goes to Tomasso's, we quickly park the car, B grabs Hudson and I'm the lookout person for crackheads. Next we huddle together, then run as a group to the front door of Tomasso's.

I think it's the thrill of living dangerously that makes the food taste that much better.

Greatest Hits: Pumpkin Patch

{originally posted 10.11.2008. For more about Greatest Hits, click here}.

We thought we'd partake in the local Halloween festivities by visiting the nearby pumpkin patch yesterday. Hudson had a great time riding in the wagon, rearranging the pumpkins, and picking out his perfect, just-the-right-size "punkin."


Hudson wanted to jump in the bounce house, but when he got in there, he claimed it was "too windy." So he said he'd much rather try the big slide. B accompanied him to the top, but much to my surprise, sent the ol' chap down by himself.

The first picture is B dropping my only child down the so-called Super Slide. The second is Hudson desperately fighting for his survival. Good thing I was at the bottom to catch the sobbing heap of child. Needless to say, I think we've probably created a phobia of slides. Perhaps we (i.e., Daddy) should seek out more age-appropriate activities for our progeny.

Happy Almost Halloween!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Greatest Hits: Underpants

{Originally posted 03.25.2009. For more on Greatest Hits, read here}.

Here's a thought: put the picture on the front. Save a whole generation of little boys from self-inflicted wedgies from wearing their undies backwards just so they can see the picture.

Greatest Hits: Pearls of Wisdom

{Originally posted 12.18.2009. For more about Greatest Hits, read here.}


Hudson has been on a roll lately. He's got quite the way with words. Here are a few of the highlights:

  • A week or two ago, H woke up with a fever. B tried to take his temperature, but he wouldn't keep the thermometer under his tongue. We gave him some Tylenol and sent him back to bed. His fever lasted through the night, and when I insisted on taking his temperature in the morning, he cooperated. I said, "See, that wasn't so bad. Why wouldn't you sit still for Daddy?" He replied, "I don't like it when Daddy fevers me."
  • I've been trying to teach Hudson some basic table manners. The first on my list is that he must remain seated through the duration of the mea;l because he likes to get up and play during dinner. So I'm always saying, "Sit in your chair." One night after dinner, Hudson said, "Mom, did I forget my chair manners?"
  • Another favorite: "Mom those ants are dead. Out of batteries."
  • And just yesterday:
Hudson: "Mom, I'm starving."
Me: "No you're not. You just ate lunch."
Hudson: "No! I'm starving for CANDY!"
  • Hudson hopped in bed with me the other morning when he got up. He looked at my face for a while, then pointed to my freckles and said: "Oh no, Mom! The polka-dots are getting everywhere!"
  • One night, I was working on the computer. Hudson snuck out of his room, carrying a bucket of balls. He jumped out and started throwing them at my head. When I asked what he was doing he said, "Mom, I'm just giving you a laugh."

Oh, and the picture above is from one of the more spectacular experiences of the week. I took Hudson to get his H1N1 shot. I'll spare you the details, but I will just say that it was a kicking, screaming good time. I'm really looking forward to the second dose next month.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Greatest Hits: Packing

{Originally posted 06.12.2008. For more about Greatest Hits, read here}.

B decided it was time to step in and help me do some packing.
I'm not crazy about his packing methods. Don't get me wrong...I'm very thankful for his help. I just don't appreciate the lack of organization that a garbage bag provides.
Looking on the bright side, at least he labeled it.


Greatest Hits: Sneaking Around with Garbage in the Trunk

{Originally Posted 10.28.2009. For more about Greatest Hits, read here.}

Instead of having a baby today, I was driving around with garbage in my trunk. While there's certainly an abundance of junk in my proverbial "trunk" these days; that's not what I'm referring to. I'm talking about garbage. Trash, refuse, litter, rubbish. Call it what you will...that's what was cruising around in my trunk. We missed the garbage man this week, so our cans are all ready full. During preschool, I stealthily drove around looking for an unsuspecting receptacle for our household waste. I'm not sure how inconspicuous I am 40+ (more on that below) weeks pregnant, with my ridiculous waddle and ill-fitting clothes. However, I doubt anyone will mess with me regarding garbage, considering the permanent snarl on my face these days.


Judging from the gazillion phone calls and texts I get every day, I assume you all want to know what's happening with me. Please don't be offended that I'm not answering the phone. As you can imagine, I'm not in much of a talking mood. I'm tired of being pitied, and of all the unsolicited advice ("get out there and start running," "have you tried spicy food?" etc., etc.) Plus, I don't really want to re-hash the situation verbally multiple times per day. So I'm turning to our trusty blog to keep you all updated.

My "official" due date was Sunday, October 25. That's come and gone; and as you can imagine, I get a little more tired and uncomfortable with each passing day. Since H was born 9 days early, I just assumed this one would come early as well. Shows how much I know. My friend/B's cousin, Ann, put it better than I could. She said that going over your due date is like running a marathon, crossing the finish line and then being told you have to keep running. That's exactly how I feel. I was completely prepared for the marathon, but I never saw the last few laps coming. And considering all the hoops I had to jump through, and how long I've waited for this baby, I just wasn't mentally prepared for an overdue pregnancy. (And for all you running-lovers out there, this is the ONLY "marathon" I will ever participate in...so don't even ask. That means you, Hilary).

All the way until the 37th week of this pregnancy, my doctor was concerned because I was measuring small...needless to say, she was not overly-eager to induce me. She's waiting for at least one week (nine days, to be exact) beyond my due date just to give the little darling plenty of time to chubbify. After a less-than-encouraging checkup today, I'm pretty certain that induction is inevitable. That means we're scheduled to have our baby next Tuesday, unless she decides to grace us with her presence before then. I promise we'll keep you posted once there's anything noteworthy to report. So in other words: leave me alone.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Greatest Hits: B Blew It.

{Originally posted 05.04.2008. For more on Greatest Hits, read here}.

NOTE: This entry was written, produced, and directed by B.

We went to the A's game Saturday night with my dad. It was a great game even though they lost. The only down side was that 1) they lost, and 2)the Honda broke down in the Coliseum parking lot, and 3) we were surrounded by loud, obnoxious drunk people (something passionate baseballs fans learn to live with), and finally 4) I left the front door of our apartment open for 5 hours while we were at the game.

Christina was really happy when my car didn't start and she was even more thrilled that, when we returned home 5 hours later, we found out that the front door to our apartment was open (left open by yours truly). Luckily, no one noticed. It's times like these I'm glad we live in the Presidio and not the Tenderloin.


Maybe that's how the rats are getting in . . .

UPDATE: Turns out, if you leave your apartment door open for five hours at night, any damn rats you have residing with you will leave on their own. B is a genius, after all.

Greatest Hits: The "D.R."

{Originally posted 05.03.2008. For more about Greatest Hits, read here}.

I apologize for the lack of photo with this post, but trust me; it's not pretty.

The entire three years we've lived in the Presidio, we've been lucky enough to not have rodent problems...until now. I always acted sorry to hear other people's mouse stories; but really I was thinking, Sucks for them. Glad it's not me. Well, you know what they say about Karma. It's true. And she's coming back to get me in a big way.

Over the last week we've seen signs that we had a problem. I won't go into detail, but it involves poop. We quickly set traps, but they were ineffective. The other night I went to bed, only to be awakened by B screaming (like a girl) in the front room. He was standing on the side table, quivering, pleading for my help. He'd gone into the kitchen to steal the last ice cream sandwich when he encountered IT.

Turns out, IT is not a mouse, after all. It's a
damn rat. It's at this point that I have two side notes regarding my language here: 1) In writing, I try to avoid curse words. They're so uncreative. But if you had a rat in your house, you'd probably say a few curse words, too; and 2) My mom said it's OK.

So back to the story: We set out glue traps, and thought that would fix the problem. In the morning, we saw that the "D.R." had, in fact, gotten stuck in the glue, then proceeded to drag itself
and the trap across the kitchen and into the space under the dishwasher, where it had somehow escaped. We learned that our neighbor upstairs is having similar problems. That doesn't make me feel better.

So here are my closing thoughts:
1. I know it's not cool to advertise the fact that you have a nasty, nasty rat running free in your house...but I need to vent.
2. To the damn rat, if you're reading: This means war; you messed with the wrong girl.

My next tactic will be to borrow my dad's A
irsoft gun and stage a sting operation. I'll wait up all night if I must.


Williams Family: Greatest Hits


I'm a two-timer. You heard me. I'm cheating on you, and you probably didn't even know it.
I don't really know how to say this, but I have another blog. It's all about my family, for all those people (all two of 'em) who are actually interested in our daily fiascos. We just went private, so it's not currently available to the public. But recently, I've had several people compliment my writing on said blog. See, Mom & Dad...your education dollars at work. Aren't you proud? Beaming, I'm sure.

Anyway, I've been having a bit of an identity crisis on this here blog. I have all along. But lately, especially, I feel like I've been trying to be someone I'm not. That's why I've been neglecting; nay--completely ignoring my blog. I don't like who I am here. Or I guess I should say I don't like who I'm not here. Because I'm not myself. Not completely. I don't know who I'm trying to be. But it's not me. So perhaps you can help me find myself. This week, I'm running down some of the Williams Family Greatest Hits. Hopefully, it will help me find my real voice again.

So while I'm indulging in yet another identity crisis, tell me, who AM I? What do you want to get out of an average visit to my humble little corner of the Internet? Point me in the right direction. Please?