Back in the Saddle

OK...so it's been a couple of months since I've posted...and I'm feeling ready to get back to the grove of things. Loved hearing about Missy's adventures to Costa Rica, and there are some mighty fine pictures she's hoarding might I add (you must post them Miss!)...All is well here in Temecula, we survived the fires and crappy air quality and we're heading into a nice Fall season. Miss gave me a hard time today, I know that we So Cal gals aren't used to a true Fall, but it was darn chilly tonight and it feels like we're heading into the holiday season. Our family is heading off to Maui next week, hoping to get a tan before our holiday pics! And, by the way, I entered the P.I.M.P contest todayas well (for details you have to read Missy's last post), so I'm hoping that between Miss and myself, one of us wins. But, if not, an alternative plan must be in place...it has been about a year since The Pants made their debut in Vegas and it is definitely time for a girl gathering. Jersey almost had a corner on the gals last weekend (other than myself), but we have to all be in the same place at the same time! So, I'm proposing either S.D. or Denver in February...I think our family might take a trip out to Denver in February and I can either come early or stay later to get some pure girl time in. Let me know your plans... miss prego needs to get all travel in by Spring to avoid any mishaps :) Miss you guys!!! Lucky Pants

Want to Cruise?

Hey gals
Long time no post I see....well as you all know my crazy obsession with Mr. Glen Phillips(who I might add looked mighy adorable a few weeks when I saw him & sounded superb as usual), I of course am signed up on his mailing list. You know in my busy life I would hate to miss out on an opportunity to see him. So tonight I check my email & I see a "Party in my Penthouse" contest. What is that you ask? Well, there is an annual cruise called The Rock Boat, which sells out in a matter of moments. Well, this year, Glen & Toad are going to be performing aboard (along with something like 300 other artists, many of whom I have not heard of, but some that are also good-not that any of that matters since Glen & Toad are the only musical priorities in my 15 year old brain. So...at any rate, the Cruise is sometime in January & leaves from Miami & goes to Jamaica & somewhere else-Grand Cayman maybe? I didn't pay too much attention to the details. Anyway, what I am getting at is this: As stupid as this sounds, I am entering the contest- which is a matter of supplying a name, address & phone number. When I win, the prize includes airfare, ground transportation, a penthouse cabin aboard the ship, VIP this, VIP that, meeting a band of your choice, blah blah, blah, Oh & the most important piece of info: the winner gets all of this for 4 people so of course we will all need to go together. We were trying to think of somewhere to go right? So why not an all expense paid cruise where I can drool endlessly? My luck is really not good, but hey someone has to win right? And whoever happens to be the holder of the Jeans right now (Shelby I am guessing) should also submit an entry. It is fun to dream now isn't it? the link to the contest is partyinmypenthouse.com (the acronym being PIMP-isn't that clever?) I really am a teenager I think, but hey what the heck. Life is short.

Hope you gals are well. By the way, 6 thumbs up for Scott (2 from me, 2 from Bri & 2 from Emily). We had the pleasure of meeting him last weekend & he is so sweet. Shelby-you look really happy & that certainly makes me happy. You deserve nothing but the best.

So..I will tell you gals when we have to pack our bags.....

Pura Vida gals!

Hello there friends
Wow, we are really abandoning this blog now aren't we? I just got back from a wonderful week in Costa Rica & thought I'd post a little note. The motto of Costa Rica is Pura Vida (pure life) & I got to thinking as I saw this phrase everywhere & heard it non-stop that they are on to something. I have now been to this country 2 times & I swear the Ticos (that is the name for the local folks there) are by far the nicest people I have come across in my life. There is such poverty, minimalistic houses, terrible roads & most people there are walking around with smiles on their faces (of course there are always the exceptions-like the crazy cab drivers that apparently have no value on human life with the way they are so reckless.....). The country is absolutely beautiful and it seems that the locals appreciate all that they have, even when it is really not much. It certainly makes me think that we are a bit spoiled here in the States. Visiting a third world country is certainly a good eye opener. Bri is ready to move there-it was pretty nice being in a place with no TV, no radio & no cell phone-Pure relaxation. The waves were spectacular, but the beach time for me wasn't so good-rainy season proved to be accurate. Pretty cloudy most times & it downpoured every night. However, with a few good books and mags with me, I was good to go. No tan for me, but I ate like a champ (beans & rice & plantains yummy yummy), took naps every day-which is a true luxury and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. Saw some pretty adorable monkeys, cool frogs, butterflies, sloths-you name it. I will send some picts soon. We found an incredible waterfall near where we were staying, so we hopped in & got a natural massage. Good times. Hope you are all well.

Abandoning the blog again???

Ok ladies...I notice we have all abandoned the blog again and I know that I, for one, have too many abandonment issues to deal with losing the blog for support...so I am BACK!

Court: Adorable niece(s). Loved the blog from Carl. How exciting to travel to China to pick up a kid that now belongs to you...hard to imagine.

Miss: heard you are now channeling a junior high girl through your aquisition of braces. Just put on some kissing slicks, a BonJovi tune, and make out with Brian at the roller rink. Would love to see a picture, my BFF!

Thought you might like a picture of me and my sweet guy...

Think of all you guys often!

Got the Pants, plus some...

Hi gals,
Just a note to let you know that the Pants arrived last last week, I've worn them a couple of time already and thought of you! Am heading up to LA this weekend to watch Chantal sing in concert, hoping she might bust out our Traveling Pants anthem! Court and I had a great time 2 weekends ago, we had lunch and Court met up to watch Hannah's soccer tournament (the team made it to the Semis!) Congrats Court on your new niece, she is beautiful! Hannah turned 8 last week, we're enjoying all the celebrations, and the few "attitude" milestones that accompany 8 (Shelby, have you seen any of those yet?!?!) Hoping I have more to share after the weekend, until then...

The Pants have left the building!

The pants are traveling to Temecula as we speak...Liz, I hope you have an enjoyable month. Look forward to reading about your adventures. I must say I am sorry to see them leave :(

Shelby-Hang in there girlfriend! Take some deep breaths and know your "sisters" are with you 100%.

Twilight Zone

I am now divorced. Hard to believe and yet...it is true. I sat there in a courtroom with the man I thought I would spend the rest of my life with waiting for the judge for over an hour. We got to talk about everything and I still cannot help but feel like Bryan has never truly let himself feel the implications of his actions. Never really allowed himself to hit "rock bottom". He seems to be justifying everything he has done by saying "I realized I could never adore you the way you deserve to be, so I let you go." What a nice guy! Isn't he??? Ha! IDIOT! What a damn cop out to not be willing to do the work and somehow be able to turn that around to doing the "right thing". He is not the kind of man I want to be with. I long to be with a person who works as hard as I do to have good relationships and realizes that the REAL stuff happens during hard times. The stuff worth living for. I guess if that is who he is, I am probably truly better off???

HGTV and me?

Hey gals
So I am obsessed with watching HGTV these days since I have lots of rooms that need redecorating, color, you name it! So, any way my mom & I were tossing around ideas for my bedroom & I said that I really want Candace Olsen to come on over to just do my room for me (she is an amazing designer for all of you that might not be obsessed with watching HGTV, which means you all have lives...)So I quickly went online to see how I could be chosen for one of the shows. Some of them are in the LA area, some in Chicago, etc.But there was a headline that said "Is your room ugly, boring & unromantic?" If so & you live within the Philadelphia area, fill out an application & we will transform your room. So, I kid you not, I am going to do it. But, I need some suggestions. I need a story to tell & a reason that they should choose our room. They even make a statement that you should try to let your personality shine through in the answers. Now I have to think of something creative. I have no concerns about the pictures I have to submit. My bedroom is still in the hideous stage so that should be the easy part.

I then went on to find other recruiting shows for remodeling bathrooms & kitchens, so perhaps I will apply for everything & see what happens. I better get these applications in while the Pants are in my possession because Patragnoni luck is not so good. Not sure if Wynn luck is any better, but maybe?
So,if you have any ideas that will ensure that my bedroom gets a sweet makeover-send them my way. How cool would that be? It is fun to dream now isn't it??

Our movie

Hey gals
As I was sitting down last night to Belax (that is Emily's term for relax...of course her language is developing really well now & she is starting to say Relax correctly which is kind of a bummer because I really enjoy hearing Belax)Bri was flipping through the channels like a mad man when I exclaimed loudly "PUT THAT BACK". He almost jumped off the couch because I yelled so loudly...The Sisterhood was on HBO & I said to him "I HAVE to watch this right now", to which he replied "Didn't you already see it?" What a silly question. I kindly explained that I am now the holder of the Pants & if the movie is on, I feel it is my duty to watch it. So I made my way to the other TV in the house to watch & actually considered putting the Pants on to view the movie but then I decided against it because it might not be too comfy to curl up in bed with denim on... And just as I was tuning in, Liz called. How crazy is that? Hmm what timing. So at any rate, I enjoyed the film once again & was thinking of you gals. I am sad that this is my last week with the Pants, but certainly have enjoyed having them. Not much news to report, but hey I still have a week left. Never know what will come my way. So, hope you are all well-I better get to work. Out until the next post.

Miss

Last week of the Pants

Just sitting here thinking about you girls and getting excited to get ahold of them Pants! It's already been a whole 3 months and I can wait to get another go at it. All is well here, loving my Pilates and thankful that Court gave me the kick in the butt to actually do it! Thinking that it's about time to start planning our next get together, any thoughts?

I'm officially in "the club"

Hey gals
What were you all doing at 7:15 this morning? Lucky me...I had my very first baseline mammogram bright & early today, so now as Liz informs me, I am amongst fellow "club" members....not sure that this is a club I want to be a part of, but hey, we need to take care of ourselves now don't we? No problems here but my OB/GYN thought that I should get a baseline mammo prior to getting pregnant again and after all I am 35 so this is how things go. So..I was all geared up for the pain that I often hear associated with this right of passage & then had a little talk with myself to remind myself that I gave birth in the absence of an epidural (not by my choice I might add). If I could do that, then I could do anything. Of course, I wore the Pants so you gals would be with me in spirit. So...I get there, begin the process & the machine shuts down-they send me out to the waiting room for only about 5 minutes (to increase my anxiety I suppose??) and I am called back in. It was over in about 2 minutes & I swear to you I felt absolutely no pain or discomfort at all. I was actually shocked when the tech told me I was done. I for some reason was expecting much worse. I have to say, the most uncomfortable thing for me was the way my shoulder was pressed against the darn machine and even that was so minor that it was not even worth complaining about. So.. all in all, a fine experience for me. The tech showed me my breasts on the screen (as if I know what I am looking for...but I saw nothing that looked out of the ordinary so that is good) & she complimented me and said that I was lucky that I was young & that my breasts weren't saggy or droopy. That cracked me up. Now lets hope the films are all AOK. It is incredible how the mind wanders. I have absolutely no concerns with my health right now Thank God, but just the mere fact that someone is going to read my films to make sure everything is fine causes a little bit of anxiety. But I am not letting that get to me.

Oh & in other health news...you may or may not know that I had a little baby tooth that had no "grown up" tooth behind it...dentists have been telling me for years that it should be taken out & an implant should be put in its place (a simple procedure in which they screw a metal rod into the bone in my gums-now that sounds pleasant doesn't it?)So, I have been putting it off for years now since the baby tooth was still in it place not bothering anyone. And yesterday, I did it-I had it removed! I am wondering if the tooth fairy will pay me a visit? So why now you ask? Well, the other dental issue I have is that the good old space that I had in between my 2 front teeth that was fixed when I had braces back in 7th grade is bugging me (I had some stupid bonding as a temp fix but that was taken off yesterday too).So now the big question: Do I go on like Lauren Hutton with a big old gap in between my teeth or do I get braces again? I am actually considering braces- so, I might be looking real pretty soon. I will post some picts if & when that day comes. So braces & a dental implant & thousands of dollars later, perhaps my smile will be extra special. Of course my dentist & Bri think that the space is cute, but I have some other thoughts about this "cuteness".
OK now that I have rambled on about dental issues & mammograms, which I am sure you are all so excited to read about, I suppose I should get back to work.

A little peek into the Melissa Wynn world for a moment...

Chat with you all soon.

4th of July on the Farm...

Hey gals
Well as the keeper of the Pants, I feel compelled to post updates here. Not much news to report other than the fact that the Wynn family absolutely loves the new house. We had our 1st party yesterday for 4th of July & it was really great. My aunt kept saying that "life on the farm" is really cool. Our yard is ridiculously large that we crack up at times. We had simultaneous games going yesterday that we felt like we were running summer camp. Bacce ball on one side (what fun I might add-we are getting back to our Italian roots with this one), horseshoes, badminton, kickball, softball, you name it, we offered it. It is incredible how these silly little games can bring the family together. I know this sounds corny, but we had such a good day of bonding. Not to mention that I was so not even worried that my house is still in a shambles. As my mom stated beautifully "who cares if your walls are painted & there are boxes still unpacked- being together is what is important." Amen to that! So, we rounded off the night with S'mores by the bonfire in lieu of driving to find fireworks. Did I mention that my 90 year old Nana was even playing Bocce? I will send some pictures for you to see the fun. I can't wait to plan the next shindig over here. So...you gals need to come East to share in our excitement. And now if the rest of my rooms can get painted & the rest of the carpet can be replaced I will be one Happy Camper for sure. Hmm is it fate that I won on that Happy Camper machine in Vegas. Who knew???

My turn again!

Hey gals
I once again have the Pants in my posession & boy am I excited. My babysitter told me there was a Fed Ex package on the step on Wed & I had no clue what it could be & then voila I saw the CO return address & I got all giddy! Looking forward to a month filled with adventure. Speaking of adventure, my cousin & I went to Atlantic City for a local girls getaway...ate a fabulous dinner at Bobby Flay's steak house, headed into the casino & proceeded to win $187 at the craps table. Hmm & I wasn't even wearing the Pants. You know what we always say ...just having the pants in our posession is good luck in itself. The next morning we woke up, went to the gym & then spent the entire day at the spa-massage, facial, sauna, hot tub....AHH the beauty of relaxation (did I mention that I played hooky from work? shh don't tell my boss).
I have been thinking about all of you talking about taking care of ourselves when sometimes we spend all of our time taking care of others. I tell you that it felt so nice to get away from reality for a minute & indulge in pure relaxation. Must do this more often because it certainly is rejuvenating.

I must apologize to all of you for not keeping in touch the past month or so. I have been thinking of you often, but somehow the time is getting away from me. House projects still abound, but we absolutely love it here! Brian's anxiety is under control & he is so happy to be working from home now too. All is good in the Wynn household so we are thankful for that.

I will chat with you all later-and will update on my month of Luck.

Adios for now

Come Down to Earth, Shelby!

Hi everyone!

Thanks for coming clean, Liz. I too have not been great about writing this month and I hope to get better as thing "calm" down here...is that possible with two young kids, a full time job, and a BF (as Aiden now refers to Scott). And yes...the pants were sent to Miss!
So how am I, you might ask??? My head is spinning a bit, I must admit. So much change. I know it is all good and that eventually I will figure out how to keep so many balls in the air. I really feel happy quite a bit. Scott has been AMAZING for my attitude! I feel like a supermodel every time I am with him and in his eyes, I am the only one who is ever in the room...even in a crowd. He is absolutely smitten with me and I am every bit as smitten with him! God...it feels so good to feel 16 again! However, I did get scolded last night by my friend, Berta for text messaging him too much during girls night out. She actually yelled at me and told me to "stop acting like a teenager!" I have no intention of stopping...Who knows what will happen, but for now, I am doing my best to stay in the moment. Scott has a way of ripping me back to the present whenever I get ahead of myself. I feel completely at peace when he is around and wraps his huge, tattooed arms around me...like nothing bad could ever happen! AHHHHHHH!
Scott and I have all sorts of great plans this summer. He is such a planner, like me (Myers-Briggs "J") that we even lay in bed naked and made a list (yes...a list!) of everything we want to do together. How super hot is that! Ha. So this summer, we are going to Riverton in July, Park City in August, and Puerto Vallarta in November (maybe San Diego in Sept???). And in between, lots of little day trips here and there when I don't have the kids.
And there is my biggest challenge...learning to accept that my kids will not be with me 100% of the time. I have many feelings about being a single mom...anger at Bryan, quilt when they are not with me, frustration when I am alone with them. This too, I hope, will work itself out and I guess I might be dealing with these feelings forever.
Final interesting item...Melissa say McDreamy in Wyoming last weekend at his brother's wedding. He asked about me, I guess, and Melissa launched into this thing about me having a boyfriend. According to Melissa, Joshua got a little jealous acting and immediately asked "Well, what does this guy do???" And then added..."I am moving to Denver." He then proceeded to hook up with some 20-year-old. Is he a dog or what? I have to admit, I would love if he did feel a bit of jealousy and I also have to admit that if I actually ever saw him in Denver, I would probably swoon a little. But, I wrote him an e-mail last month (I think I just had to test the waters with that one last time) and when he responded, the only thing that went through my mind was "he is SO BORRRRING!" So funny how what you think you want is not sometimes what you really need. I will always be in debt to Joshua for making me feel amazing when I needed it most. I reiterated this to him in my e-mail...how much I appreciate him for that. He doesn't respond when I say those things. I think he is a bit emotionally immature.
Guess that is it. My kids are in Oregon with Bryan's mom this week and I have to admit that I am enjoying the break and trying to settle into my new job. Scott and I are going to this amazing bed and breakfast in Evergreen on Friday night, so I look forward to that. I am surprising him with this whole romance package...cozy cottage with a fireplace, rose pedals on the bed, champagne, strawberries, chocolate, and a smokin hot babe!!! I am going all out. It feels great to do something for someone who actually does things for me too!
I love you guys and think about you often!
Shelby

I'm guilty of abandoning the blog!

OK, so I have to confess that I have been remiss in visiting and posting on the blog. It hit me 1/2 way through work today that we're past our "20th" of the month mark and that the pants should be on their way to New Jersey (then I realized that I hadn't logged onto the blog for far to long). So, I, Elizabeth Kaufman, recommit myself to my fellow traveling pants gals and the blog, and I promise not be so absent. Been thinking of you all, can't believe I sat only yards away from Court yesterday at the Padres Game and didn't even know she was there! Congrats on the job Shelby, hope to steal a few minutes away this week to call and catch up. Until next time :)

I AM the Queen of the World!!!

Maybe the Magic IS With Me???

Hello ladies,

It it just a coincidence that I got a job while the pants are in my possession??? I think not! I will be working for the state with College in Colorado (check out the website...www.collegeincolorado.org). I will be coordinating outreach to school counselors across the state, informing and training them on our website, etc. I think it will be a great job. They even are paying me pretty well.
You would think I would be ecstatic, but yesterday, I completely lost it. I think all of the loss I have been experiencing just piled up on me and I spent most of the day bursting into tears. You name it...I have lost it recently...my mom, my life as I thought it would always be...my marriage...now my job I have had for 7 years (and all of the amazing support that goes with that)...my brother and dad are no longer speaking...my dog has gone blind in the past month...and on Saturday, Bryan will be taking my couch! Ha. Ok...maybe I don't really LOVE the couch, but I am just craving stability and a lack of change. I used to handle change great, but I don't seem to be handling it so well these days. (Does all of this sound like a country song?)
Basically, I think I have been stuffing so many emotions over the course of the past year that they all seemed to come pouring out yesterday. And who was around to put his arms around me...tell me I am great and that everything will be ok??? You guessed it...Scott. He is proving himself to be an amazing, caring, loving, kind man. I feel really lucky to have him. Not sure how long this will last, but for now...he is exactly what I need.

Anxiety abounds.....

We are all therapists right?? So, why is it that when anxiety stares you in the face, you have no idea how to handle it? OK so maybe I do know how to handle it with an actual client, but when the client is your husband who does not really want to be your client, what is a gal to do? Other than normalize & validate? Of course we all know that this is not the answer. Suggest medication? (I actually tried this tonight & he said he might be up for it-hmmm.) I feel a bit stuck gals & need some guidance. Of course anxiety is all a part of our lives, but I tell you it is kicking Brian's butt right now. He is so stressed beyond belief that he can't snap out of it. Of course he is swamped with work, is closing up one factory & moving the business to our home garage, he is training a new guy, "babysitting" the sander guy, dealing with an artist who is beyond depressed & intermittently gets a visit from a Bipolar friend who is not taking his meds & has tried to commit suicide twice. Can you blame the guy for being anxious? Not to mention that he is so busy, does not have a moment to himself, feels guilty that he is not spending quality time with Emily. Of course, we are off to North Carolina for the weekend & I am really hoping that this escape will be just what he needs. My "talk therapy" isn't all that productive these days, although he is listening & is not argumentative or defensive so that is a good sign. I am hoping that he will be able to actually relax for a day or 2, but I am fearful that he might be so worried about the work that he is not doing that he won't be able to enjoy himself. I suppose I could pump him full of cocktails? Turning to the bottle is always an option right? (Did I really just type that for the world to see?-all in good fun of course-). Well, the Stanley Cup is on right now, so that is always good medicine for him.

I am certain he will snap out of it. Maybe he can wear the Pants when they come around next month? Oh wait, I think that is against the rules. Perhaps I will just wear them a lot around him so the good luck rubs off on him. OK I feel better now that I discussed my woes. Thanks for listening gals.....
Until next time-

Sad Day

I had a hard day today...
I had to sit in a courtroom, next to the man I stood next to overlooking Jackson Lake 10 years ago and pledged my love and devotion to for the rest of my living days, and talk about what papers needed to be completed in order for us to end our marriage. Before I went into the courtroom, I sat on a bench (with another strange guy on the other end) and sobbed uncontrollably.
I hate him and what he has done to us. I am having a hard time understanding how he could not have even tried to work on our marriage. I didn't even know it was bad a little over a year ago and now it will be over on July 23rd.
Are the pants really with me today??? I am keeping hope that their mysterious power will reveal itself to me before I have to send them on.

Holy Cow...the Pants are Magical!

OK...I just had to say that these Pants rock. I have no new magic to report other than just the feeling I get thinking of you guys and how awesome it has been to reconnect this past year. It was about a year ago that Court, Shelby and I had lunch at Georges, an awesome spa day and dinner at Jakes (and wishing Miss could have been there!)...planning Court's wedding and catching up, and just look at us now. You all mean the world to me! OK, I know it sounds so darn cheesy but every word of it is true. Court and I are bound to get together soon, seeing as though we spent the past 2 weekends 5 miles apart (1 in San Diego and the other in LA)! Got great news at the MD yesterday, I actually saw an MD who didn't get his degree from the University of the Bahamas and he basically gave me a clean bill of health. Without getting all graphic, there is a very straight forward rationale for my "breast issues" and nothing that should raise a red flag. So, thanks for sending all of your positive energy my way and for all of the prayers, I don't know where I'd be without friends like you ;) Hey, when are we getting together next?!?!??