Liner Notes 1/17

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What's Spits up?
babes
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My in-laws left this morning after spending the long weekend here, meeting their grandtwins for the first time. We hadn't seen them since last spring and it was lovely. (I didn't take nearly enough pictures of our time together because that's kind of what usually happens.)
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Hal's mom, Susan & Revi
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Grandpa Norm rockin' the bottle service
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Over the weekend, everyone went to see the new Metropolis II exhibit at LACMA, an exhibit many of you have forwarded on to me (thank you) and one we have all been waiting for months to see. We're huge fans of the museum and between LACMA's NexGen passes and Hal's work we can go free every day after school, which may end up being the case now that the kids have seen the exhibit and fallen hopelessly in love.
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For those of you not in LA, this video is just as cool:


Favorite moment of the week: A scene

Trader Joes Checker: Hey, man. How old are you?
Archer: Six and a half.
Checker: What is that, first grade?
Archer: Yeah. First grade.
Checker: What's three plus two?
Archer: What!!??? I can count by twelves all the way to two hundred and forty.
Checker: Is Math your favorite subject?
Archer: Yeah. Math and working on my personal narrative.

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(sometimes it's hard to focus.)
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I cut my bangs last night but instead of trimming them I adjusted the part so my hair would look thicker. I regret not taking step by step pictures because that would have made for a pretty awesome tutorial. If any of you bang-rocking ladies are experiencing hair-loss and would like to thicken up your bangs, let me know and I'll mock up a tutorial to post.

Hint: this is what your sink will look like afterward:
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And your bangs:
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Here's the before:
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Not to sound dramatic but on Friday afternoon I almost died. I was crossing the street with Revi (after miraculously getting Bo to sleep via wrapping her up in my sweater) who was wide awake, kicking her legs as I sipped my Avo-kale smoothie when a driver, who wasn't paying attention, floored it on a left turn to beat oncoming traffic...Now, I know most people don't walk in LA but I happen to be one of the crazy ones who prefers to go by leg.

I have two of them after all and pay a premium to live where I don't have to get in my car to drive.

In LA, we don't have left hand turn lights most of the time so it's a constant battle, turning left. One has to yield to oncoming traffic and then floor it when there's a window to turn and/or the light turns red. I get it. I've lived here all my adult life.

But this was different. I was already halfway across the street when the car appeared, left blinker flashing, racing oncoming traffic without paying attention at all to whether anyone was crossing the street.

"Holy shit, this car's going to hit us."

But it didn't. The woman in the passenger seat screamed, the car swerved, I jumped out of the way... And then it was over and the car sped off and I was standing in the middle of the street with Revi, now asleep, clutching a kale fucking smoothie.

And then I turned and walked home.

These moments typically bug me out for days. I usually lose my appetite directly after almost dying. Instead I became incredibly thirsty and by the time I got to my front door, my cup was empty.

For whatever reason, it felt like one of those game-changing moments. But only because everything stayed the same. I was fine. I went back and got the same smoothie the next day, this time with both babies. Crossed the same intersection. Felt time surround me like a sort of god-like enterprise. Because that's what time is: an invisible government, every moment a newly elected president of presence. Seconds distinguish us from death, happiness, fear... The clock is always right and we are always against it. Every day, time hooks us up, pulls us back, guides us forward. Whether we insist on walking, driving, riding a unicycle along an electric line... We're all just a bunch of weirdos trying to get from one side of the street to the other, safely, or at the very least, more enlightened.
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Over the weekend a very dear family friend's cancer came back. In an email, she eloquently wrote about her situation and ended it with the following:

"So here's the plan: we go forward with joy, hope, gratitude, courage and humor, we boost each other up with love and encouragement, and we don't take things too seriously..."

Some of the wisest words of all time. Thank you, Denise. We love you with our whole hearts.
this is SO them

GGC

50 comments:

Unknown | 10:59 AM

We're all just a bunch of weirdos trying to get from one side of the street to the other, safely, or at the very least, more enlightened.

That is my favorite thing anyone has ever said about life. I love the way you use words!

I hope your loved one kicks her cancer's ass. Cancer has been raging through my family, and the very mention of the word brings me to tears... but I see miracles all the time, and those bring me to tears, too.

shutterbean | 11:01 AM

so glad you're alive and reminding me how good it is to be alive!

such sweet photos!

and good job on the bangs! Sometimes I get way too aggressive with my bang trims and rock a dreaded Benny & Joon cut for awhile....

Unknown | 11:04 AM

Bang tutorial please!

Glad you are alive and hoping the cancer in your sweet friend can't stay alive!

Sadie | 11:05 AM

The quote from your friend was just what I needed to get me through this day. My grandfather was just diagnosed with cancer that has spread and he is under the knife today. I was feeling so hopeless, but this lifted me out of the dark place.
Thank you.

bbgHappY1 | 11:06 AM

so glad that your alive and well...
I know how you feel when moments of scare really knock the wind out of you for days. Been there and had that happen to me several times.. It just goes to show that we should never take things for granted and we should feel present in the moment (easier said than done but yet achievable).

I would love to watch that tutorial about the bangs, cause I know all about thinning and losing hair.

bbgHappY1 | 11:07 AM

forgot to mention - the Metropolis II video was great - Thanks..

Anonymous | 11:09 AM

Oh Archer. That kid is 6 going on 23 or something. Also, your family is adorable.

tinyparticlesoflight | 11:10 AM

Rebecca, first of all, I'm so glad you and your babies are okay. (I mean, Holy S!) And second of all, regarding the convo with the TJ checker, Archer is amazing.

xo
cortnie

Jess | 11:11 AM

Hal's mom is hot!

Unknown | 11:15 AM

This is my first visit to your blog and I love it! I love the photos- so beautifuly done. And yes, a tutorial on bang cutting would be excellent,

findingmagnolia | 11:15 AM

So much to love in this post. I need a bang trim tutorial just so I can trim mine straight--forget about any other hair loss or gain or one-side-is-thicker-than-the-other issues.

So glad you are okay after the near-miss. I've had those, too many times, and felt that same sense of terror and relief as I read about yours.

Your family is so beautiful. I know I've said it before, but truly. Always breathtaking. Love Fable's makeup this post and Archer's personal narrative comment is just fantastic. I'm working on my personal narrative, too, and kinda wish I'd started at age 6 1/2. Archer is such a wise soul.

wonderchris | 11:28 AM

My personal narrative!! That kid is the best!

Great post...as always.

WorkingMom | 11:32 AM

Glad you're still with us! Treasure the pictures of the grandparents soaking up the baby love. And best wishes to your friend, Denise - beautiful words.

Anonymous | 11:41 AM

oh how i wish i lived in/near/around la to see that exhibit! makes me proud ot see Baldor motors running the metropolis! my husbands works at the plant here in arkansas!

Mama Smith | 11:44 AM

Sitting here in my car in the rain with a rare moment to myself, waiting for my toddler to wake up, and all teared up over the beauty if your writing.

Kim | 11:55 AM

I was crossing Main St. in Burbank one day and a car was pulling out of a gas station, looking behind it, but didn't look at me or my dog and decided to floor it, nearly right into me. I couldn't scream, couldn't shout. My voice just stopped and all I could do was hold my hand out, while the other one clutched the dog's leash.

He stopped. I lived. The dog is still alive and sniffin'.(And 12)

And last Halloween was marred for me as I got in a crash on the 210 just before trick or treating. My 2year old son was in the back. After the airbag exploded in my face he asked, "Mommy, wha happen?"

Seriously, the carpool lane has not been fun for me since then, but you do what you gotta do to live your life. Just like they say in "Finding Nemo." You can't let nothing happen to 'em, or nothing will ever happen to them. Right? Yay, survival.

*walkin' in L.A.*

PS Archer and my Samantha need a playdate. Sound like a couple of smarties! (I must google the LACMA now.)

Lindserannie | 12:22 PM

Archer is pure magic. That kid is gonna change the world for the better...one way or another.

Anonymous | 12:44 PM

excuse me while i kiss the sky

thebabywife | 1:17 PM

Nice bang indeed - I have a huge fring dilemna in that mine neither is, or is not a fringe. I will decide one day.

I'm sorry to hear about your friends cancer returning. It's never easy to deal with - no matter how well you think you are or would like to think you are

xxx

Robin | 1:39 PM

I always hurry home from work Tuesdays and get online to check your blog. I know you post every Monday and since I'm on the east coast I always check Tuesdays since mostly you write at night. :)

I noticed there aren't any photos of Bo with your in-laws... That Revi is such a social sweetheart. I'm sure Bo will warm up to others on her own terms. :)

sucker4acoustic | 2:01 PM

Ugh. My baby is five months tomorrow and the post baby hair loss is killing me. I have curly hair, so the bang situation isn't the same. I however, don't know what to do about the fact that my hair line has super receded and I'm now getting little baby hairs growing back. *sigh*

Annie | 2:33 PM

Not only do I not have a personal narrative, I'm not sure I know what one is. And I am 50....

Anonymous | 3:03 PM

I see Hal got the sexy gene from his momma. I covet her hair. Any hair advice from the thinning front is appreciated. Also any advice on losing post c section poochy thing would be divine. I am pinning my hopes on you...

mary e

Meg | 3:10 PM

When did Fable become an adult? She looks more grown-up in makeup than I do.

And the baby belly! That little belly peeking out!

krista | 3:57 PM

archer's personal narrative.
kale smoothies and near misses.
cancer and pink lipstick. new bangs.
there is so much rhythm to the chaos of really living a life.
and i'm glad you share it with us.
because it is fucking beautiful.

krista | 3:57 PM
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krista | 4:00 PM

grrr. sorry it posted twice so i deleted the second one. (just so you don't think the deleted one contained all sorts of vitriolic nonsense and i passive aggressively deleted it.)

Melissa S | 5:07 PM

The scene with Archer and the cashier had me literally laughing out loud. This made my evening! Thanks.

Billie | 5:07 PM

So sorry about your friend Bec! Live strong Denise!!

Rev is totally rocking her jazz hands in that last picture!

Very Bloggy Beth | 8:50 PM

Oh my God, girl. I almost got hit crossing the street with my 3 year old son on the way to preschool. We live in SF, land of the 4 way stop. And in our 'hood, many of them get rolled right through, or forgotten completely. It's something that's bugged me since we moved to the 'hood 2 years ago. Also, such strange timing, b/c we were in the crosswalk that our preschool has been fighting to get repainted, and the city is being a bunch of douche nozzles about it. Yes, I sent a LONG angry letter. UGH so glad you and babe are safe, what a bunch of crap.

Amanda | 8:50 PM

I love the Cleopatra eyes on Fable! Absolutely precious! My mother would occasionally put makeup on me when I was about Fable's age and they are some of my favorite pictures.

I hope your family friend can kick that cancer's butt!

Anonymous | 9:15 PM

would love the bang tutorial-- i've got a 3 month old and my hair has started jumping ship. it has happened with all 3 kids but i usually hide with a swoop pretending to be bangs.

first time on your blog, thanks for being so open with your thoughts and and your mom business.

Jaim | 9:15 PM

Holy Cow, you had be laughing hysterically from the first picture! Archer's "working on my personal narrative"...I'm stealing that line for sure! Glad you're safe and your eloquent description of almost dying was beautiful and Hal and his mom look amazingly alike. Revi's eyes are as big as platters...that is one girl who isn't going to let the world pass her by without noticing all it has to offer. Sweet post, thanks for sharing.

Anonymous | 11:41 PM

Great post, Great fotos, what's that camera you're using?

Elise | 1:09 AM

Yes the bang tutorial! I know you did one one time, but this girl is going to need the 'post partum' bang trim tutorial here real soon...

nicole | 8:11 AM

Such a beautiful post. I really needed your words and Denise's. Thank you. xo.

Glenda | 9:43 AM

So glad that you and Revi made it across the street safely!

Love your post. Love that last picture of R&B. Love Rev's big ol' cheesy smile and BO's bluest eyes. These girls are GORGEOUS! X2 :)

Fable's makeup and smile = gorgeous
Archer's = my personal narrative = genius! <3

Sorry to hear about your friend's Cancer. To that I say "FU Cancer". I lost my mom in 2004 to Cancer...

Yesterday I read of two kids passing to cancer, and then got good news that a friends tumors are not growing. Ugh! Cancer!!

Beck | 10:56 AM

Felt time surround me like a sort of god-like enterprise. Because that's what time is: an invisible government, every moment a newly elected president of presence. "Seconds distinguish us from death, happiness, fear... The clock is always right and we are always against it. Every day, time hooks us up, pulls us back, guides us forward. Whether we insist on walking, driving, riding a unicycle along an electric line... We're all just a bunch of weirdos trying to get from one side of the street to the other, safely, or at the very least, more enlightened."

Whoa. You went there. So good.

Beck
beckcourtpress.blogspot.com

Jill | 12:04 PM

Last night I dreamed you brought Fable and Archer to my house while your Mom watched Bo and Rev so that you could browse colleges for Archer. (???!???) I'm totally not a weirdo, by the way.
So glad you are still alive too!

Shelley @ The Happiness Diaries | 12:25 PM

my daughter's cancer came back in October - she's seven (after 16 months of remission). Now we are in the fight of our lives. But we too try to "go forward with joy, hope, gratitude, courage and humor." It's all we can do - just try to get to the other side of the street without too much fuss. Anyway, this post hit a nerve and just wanted to say hello.

oh, jenny mae | 8:13 PM

the same thing happened to me on my way home from a pto meeting when miss james was a wee baby. a crazy lady came barreling down the street as i was crossing. i was in a daze for days. hugs.

hal and his dad have the same damn head.

i'm gonna have to go to lacma & visit the metropolis exhibit when we come in march. sounds fab.

you guys rule.

Anonymous | 4:39 AM

"Math and working on my personal narrative." Bwahahaha. Archer is awesome! Totally made my day (although slightly ashamed that I then googled 'personal narrative' to know what he was talking about.)

Unknown | 1:56 PM

"We're all just a bunch of weirdos trying to get from one side of the street to the other, safely, or at the very least, more enlightened."

I love, love, love this. I'm glad you two made it safely across. I'm also completely taken with how much Rev looks like Fable. Maybe those are the two that will end up looking like TWINS!

Also, Hal's mom is beautiful. Thank you for sharing your world with ours. It matters.

Jessica | 2:25 PM

Cute, adorable blah blah blah... just want you to know that I adore your family all the way from ny but everytime I come to your page and see your new banner I think "oh it's winter and we're on the beach mehhhhhhh!" And the "mehhhh" is this really obnoxious sound that I can't spell almost like a creaky door. And I think it EVERY SINGLE TIME.

vera | 9:02 PM

First of all, I LOVE the pictures of you holding both girls - so beautiful!

Second, I accidentally went to girlsgonechild.com. Wow.

And... UGH. I hate those close call moments. They bug me for days too. But then I actually think that I am given those moments as a wake-up call. Maybe I just needed to be reminded that I'm alive. My kids are alive. We're all okay. Thank you.

TwinMama | 12:03 AM

Yes, please do a bang tutorial!

Unknown | 11:50 AM

bang tutorial, please! would be lovely!

Casey | 1:26 PM

been reading for a couple months...first comment though. found you randomly because I am expecting twins (my first babes) in a couple months, love your insight...even made me buy the Prophet from Amazon ;)

Just wanted to comment and say, your almost accident, the left turn, it's called a left cross and it is by far the most common accident where pedestrians and bikers get hit. I wasn't so lucky 2010 on my bike and got hit... I got off easy considering I broke the windshield, flew threw the air, totaled the bike, etc. Nut I am always wary of people turning left now... I imagine you will be too ;)

Ray | 12:57 AM

Loved this: "I went back and got the same smoothie the next day, this time with both babies. Crossed the same intersection. Felt time surround me like a sort of god-like enterprise. Because that's what time is: an invisible government, every moment a newly elected president of presence. Seconds distinguish us from death, happiness, fear... The clock is always right and we are always against it. Every day, time hooks us up, pulls us back, guides us forward. Whether we insist on walking, driving, riding a unicycle along an electric line... We're all just a bunch of weirdos trying to get from one side of the street to the other, safely, or at the very least, more enlightened."

Reminds me of a poem I wrote. Not just about time in general, but a few lines.

So very sorry to hear about your friend.

Anonymous | 7:27 PM

wow...yes...those are the moments that i think about in bed at night when I should be sleeping.