The End of an Era

December 008
Originally uploaded by Meemo.

Progress is all around us. Everywhere you look there are new buildings going up, roads are being newly paved, and we have a new light rail coming to town. None of these changes have affected our lives...until now.

Travis just found out that his one and only hang out, McDuffy's is closing. He can't believe it. Now where will he go to escape? Now where will I send him when I want him out of the house?

McDuffy's had a lot to offer you see. They have, or should I say had big screen TV's all over, playing every sport imaginable, never ending supply of alcohol, and the best part for Travis: off track betting. I don't completely agree with the use of animals for our entertainment, but I choose my battles.

It seems that Mill Ave., which was once upon a time, a unique shopping experience, is now just like any other outdoor mall in America.

On any given night you can drive down Mill Ave. and see all type of people. From transients selling their wares, such as hemp jewelry, to teenagers out for a night of action. Oh and you have your requisite drunk college co-eds.

I worked on Mill Ave. 10 years ago at an environmental store called Everything Earthly. We sold all organic cotton clothing, stuff made out of hemp , shoes made out or recycled material, natural soaps, etc. The transition of Mill started back then when they opened up a McDonald's accross the street, with a Hooters upstairs. We were up in arms, and protested. We knew this was the demise of the mom and pop shops that lined the street, and sure enough, none of the mom and pop shops remain, except for a few. It's funny that a few of the remaining mom and pop shops are "head" shops. I guess people can make a good living hawking bongs and incense.

The greatest loss was when my favorite book store Chaning Hands moved. I guess they raised they're rent, so a lot of the businesses couldn't afford it anymore.

And now, McDuffy's will cease to exist, and my husband might have to go back to hanging out at the Horse and Hound. I'm sure he doesn't want to do that since he's been protesting that place ever since he was treated badly for placing such small bets. What's a guy to do?

Don't get me wrong, Mill Ave. is still a great place to go, especially if you're a tourist. I mean they have Abercrombie and Fitch and a Borders. I know, that's impressive. I guess the shopping now sucks on Mill, but there are many great eating experiences to be had. RA Sushi bar, My Big Fat Greek Restaurant, and In Season Deli, to name a few.

I do still love Mill Ave, and have to come here often since I work here, once again. It just sucks when your favorite places have to close down to make room for the next great money maker. In the case of McDuffy's, it's closing down to make room for a 36 story apartment building. Yay for progress: NOT!

We Moved. Already

We have moved to a new site. Please visit us at http://ittakesatribe.typepad.com/. I don't know if this will work as a link as I am not very bright when it comes to these things. But please, come and see us and leave a comment. Show us some love.

The Dangers of Thift Store Shopping

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Originally uploaded by Meemo.

There are many dangers to shopping at a thrift store, and I'm not even talking about the battles with other shoppers over the prized treasure I just found. Oh no. The danger lies with finding a dress you just love that is soooo last season. Although, I think only a cute 4 year old can get away with wearing leopard print. I thought I saw in a magazine that this was this season's don't, but we'll make it a do since she's so cute. Not only that, but she chose the dress over a stuffed toy. It goes to show that she is turning into a full fledged girlie girl. She made her Aunt very, very proud.

sanity is found...temporarily

thumper has been found. my painting has been found. my sanity, well, that might never be found, but now all is right with the world again.

hard work sometimes gets lost in the shuffle

so i made a discovery these past 2 weeks...i can draw. and draw pretty well if i do say so myself! i mean, i took art in high school, but that teacher hated me, and i mean HATED me, so he always gave me bad grades on even good drawings, so needless to say i was discouraged in the art department. until recently all i've done regarding art is painting and adding to already made stuff, like boxes, scrapbooks, and pretty much anything i can get my hands on that's wood...but now i've moved onto canvas. i started working on a painting for my friends and it was coming along...as you can see here (this is just the outline) ...so i started the coloring in on friday. it was coming along. i was terrified that i would mess it up though. but i was doing ok. meanwhile mom found that thumper, the newest addition to our family, was missing. so we implemented a search party. nila, shawn, ethan and i all helped to look for him, but alas, he was nowhere to be found. naia had stayed behind at the house because for some reason the girl cannot keep clothes on when we're home, so she could not join the search for us. my painting was in the living room where i had left it for the few minutes i was gone. when i came back in naia came running out of the living room and i felt a rock drop in my gut...because i knew she had been up to something. especially when my paints are out, she knows she's not supposed to touch them, but she does anyway. i went in and lo and behold, she had put her little touch on it...on parts that can be fixed, but will take more work because the background was already done but now i have to redo it. and now, NOW, i can't find it. i have absolutely no idea where it is. i've looked all over my house to no avail. ::sigh:: i think i'm losing it. well, i've lost SOMETHING.

Holy Cow!

P1010417
Originally uploaded by Meemo.

When the kids are at school and we both have a day off, there is nothing better that a drive through the mountains. On this day in September, on one of our little drives, we discovered quite a sight. A scary sight! We couldn't believe what we saw, and drove by about 3 times all the while giggling (no disrespect to the cow). Trav was trying to convince me to get out of the car to take his photo next to the most amazing road kill he’s ever seen. It must be a guy thing because I was having none of it. I finally agreed so that we could stop driving by the poor beast and go home. I stood across the street to take the photo. The things you do for love.

Old-Timers

December 015
Originally uploaded by Meemo.

That circle of life crap…it’s so true. I am starting to realize this as the adults around me age. As if I’m not an adult too. Okay, I’ll refer to them as the more seasoned generation of my family.

The most noticeable aging is with Grandma. I realize how fortunate we are to have a very physically healthy grandma. She’s even capable of babysitting a rambunctious 4 year old even though she’s 86 yrs old. The problem at this point is her old-timers (as she likes to call Alzheimer’s). Although she is in the early stages, it is so frustrating and sad. The other day Mal and I forced her to go to Denny’s with us. She protested as she always does, but we went there anyway, as we were driving and had the power. Whahahaha! While we waited to order, she came up with every excuse why she couldn’t eat. “I don’t eat this early, mija” So I lied and told her, “Grandma, it’s so late, it’s already 10:00 (it was really 9:00)”. Thank God there were no clocks nearby, because by golly, she looked for one. Mal said to just order the senior slam for her. Just order it! Meanwhile, grandma continues to insist “I can’t eat. I’m not hungry” over and over again. We ordered it. Just like if she was a child. She scarfed it all down and wiped her plate clean with toast.

As scary as it is, the roles are reversing, and I’m still in denial that I’m 33, or an adult for that matter. The worst part of this circle of life crap is that someday one of the bratty younger generations of my family might be writing something like this about me. Ughh. What horror.

A Walk in the Park

P1010487
Originally uploaded by Meemo.

Yesterday I was sore all over. I felt like I had been hit by a bus, and at first couldn't remember why. Then I remembered the lovely walk we took on Wednesday at Tempe Town Lake. Smokey is one of our 4 dogs, and probably the most neglected. He's rarely been on a walk, so I decided to brave it and give him a treat.

We started out just fine, walking along with T, E, And big S. We also had Chico with us. Smokey did well for the most part, until he would see a tree or pole he had to mark. He would yank me full force in the direction of his desired target.

Then I decided to take a photo of the pretty dog looking at the pretty water. Right after I took this photo, Smokey jumped in. Yup! He jumped in! I couldn't believe it. The world faded away, and I went into super hero mode. I never saw how far down he was because I was too chicken to look over, but fortunately I never let go of the leash, and I pulled and pulled. I couldn't see him at first as he was over a very steep wall. Then suddenly, just like in the movies, one black paw on the wall, then the other. Finally his fat head. Many grunts and curses later, Smokey was over the wall. The kids cheered. Talk about adrenaline.

I must be insane, but we're going to have a go at it this morning. We're going to take a sandwich to Travis the Mailman, and make our way to Tempe Town Lake. Wish us luck. This time though, I think we'll walk away from the water.