Dominguez’s blog

Vintage Bed

Ruben is an 'early to bed, early to rise' kind of guy.  I am prone to spurts of silliness at the most inopportune times.

I was hanging out in the Man-Cave last night (as the Man of the Man-Cave had already gone to bed) watching a reality show where thugs can be transformed into gentleman, when I just got tired and crawled in next to Ruben.  Where it is summer and all, I have removed the comforter and we use a single sheet.  On nights where the thermometer still reads 110 after sundown, a sheet, if anything is all that you need.

Ruben was sound asleep until  I got in so I pulled a portion of the sheet over me.  This apparently was enough to wake him a little, and he turned over, taking half the sheet with him.  I said, "hey, now I'll be cold!"  If even.

He replies in a half groggy voice, "Here," and thrusts half of the sheet over me.  When he turns back over the sheet goes with him.

I thought this was a good of time as any to break into song.

"Oh NOBODY knoooooowwwwwwwwwws  the trouble I have SEEEEEEEEEN!  Nobody KNOWS the trouble I have SEE-"

"SHUT UP!" says my husband.

"Wait a minute.  Did you just tell me to shut up?"

"Yes!"

"Oh."  30 seconds pass.  "But honey?"  No answer.  "Honey?"

"What!" he yells.

"Did I mention that I love you?  And oh yeah, one other thing..............Oh NOBODY knows the trouble Ruben has seen!  Nobody KNOWS the trouble Ruben has SEEEEEN!"

I heard it before I felt it.  Whoosh!  A pillow came flying over to my side of the bed and landed on my shoulder.  -Not quite sure if that was the intended anatomy target that was suppose to get the point across.  I of course burst into peals of laughter.  Ruben turned himself over in an exaggerated manner and covered his head with his remaining pillow.

I think I have been banished to the sofa for life.

Where My Girls At?

Tonight is my Lia Sofia Jewelry party.  The theme?  'Death by Chocolate.'  To the left is my latest creation.  --also my only creation.  Everything else, including assorted chocolates, chocolate covered cherries (and just to keep things healthy; a veggie plate) was bought. 

Lately I've just been dying for some girl time!  I think we've spent too many weekends in the house just hanging out and I can't wait to have everyone over tonight.  I don't even care if they buy any jewelry.

Guess what else I did today?  I tried on wigs!  It was so much fun.  I stopped at this little wig shop because I have been thinking about changing my hair color.  Well, not thinking about it anymore.  I made an appointment with a colorist and she sent me down to this little store.  A really nice lady named Sue helped me out.  She couldn't find a wig cap  so I placed a plastic bag around my hairline.  That was quite the sight.  I tried on a Pamela Anderson type bleach blonde wig for the heck of it.  No good.  Then I tried on another blonde one with reddish highlights.  I guess it would be strawberry blonde.  I took a picture of myself in it to show Ruben.  I almost posted it but it really didn't come out that great.  I loved the color so much though that if I could have just dropped everything and gone to the salon today to have it changed I would have.  It will be a drastic change though.  Currently my hair is dark brown/black (with gray roots poking through already).  With the new color my gray won't show.

From the parking lot I called the colorist to get her opinion on the color.  She said that would definitely work.  Then she told me that she was going to weave that color in with my current hair color.  I got off the phone a bit confused.  I am an Executive Assistant.  I don't want to show up looking like a punk rocker.  Five years ago, hell yes!  But now I don't think I could get away with it.  I've already removed all my piercings ...and the tattoo.... well, that's just not going anywhere.  So I'm not sure about this.  I want to be blonde, dammit! (I think)  A few highlights on top here and there aren't bad but I'm not sure about this.  I'm going to have to talk to the stylist again or I might really be wearing a wig for awhile if it doesn't turn out right. 

I don't know what made me think of this but a few weeks ago I was in the elevator at work.  I was running late and a girl in her mid-20s was kindly holding the elevator door for me.  I commented to her that I liked her shoes.  She started to tell me that she thought she might be pregnant because her heels were bothering her.  I just nodded my head.  Then I noticed something a bit off-kilter with her face.  I searched her face and realized that she was missing an eyebrow.  From the looks of it she had shaved both her brows off and had drawn them in (or at least one of them) with a pencil.  I debated whether or not to tell her.  The elevator has a mirrored wall so I'm hoping she got a glimpse of herself before arrivng at her floor.  She most likely did not have the pencil with her.  What would you use?  A Sharpie marker?  She was telling me about the pregnant ladies in her office and I couldn't keep my eyes off that one eyebrow.  Finally the doors opened at my floor.  She told me to have a good day and then I mumbled something about not drinking the water and got off.  Strange.

The home party starts in three hours.  I should hit the road soon and get some more cleaning done.  Right now I'm debating on what to wear.  I think my inlaws are coming.  They were sent invitations but in true Mexican fashion, no one R.S.V.P.s.  They usually just show.  I've learned to just accept this.  So I'm either expecting everyone or no one in the Dominguez clan.  If they are coming then I'll have to change because nothing says class like a black wife-beater with my married namesake 'Mrs. Dominguez' scrawled across the front in rhinestones, and a pair of camouflage shorts.  Trailer park fab.  I guess I'll go change. 

Annoying Dog Toy 2

Most of this weekend I've watched poor Abby (yeah, I say poor now) get all excited when she thinks she is finally being taken out for a walk.  She hears my sneakers on the tile and automatically assumes she will be accompanying me outside.  After watching her reaction a few times before leaving for the gym, I decided to brave the heat and take her for a walk.

For the most part she is well behaved.  Ruben has taken a lot of time in training her.  Tonight, though, I believe she had a momentary lapse of reason. 

Near where we live is an area that was built for walking, running, biking and other outdoor activities.  There are two cement pathways that run diagonal to a canal.  The canal of course, is a man made structure consisting of another cement trough that is filled with a few feet of water, and is about 3 to 4 feet wide.  The fields still use these canals for water.  I usually like to take Abby down this way when we walk.  Tonight, however, Abby spotted a toy poodle being walked by a couple on the other side of the canal.  I would also like to point out here that this little poodle was dressed in a pink sweater.  This may not sound odd to some but when it's 110 freaking degrees outside, one has to wonder about the sanity of it's owners.  The woman with the dog was dressed in a heavy sweatshirt.  I can only conclude that the two of them have some kind of dog and owner temperature sensing disease.  I mean, why the heck else would a sane person be dressed like that?  And their dog.  In Phoenix.  In July. 

Enough said.

Abby is now pulling at her leash to get to this little cotton ball in a sweater.  A little boy riding a bike suddenly appears behind me.  I stop to let him pass and he stops, too.  His parents are on bikes as well and are lagging way behind.  I hear them yelling to the little boy to stop and wait for them.  I'm holding down the button on Abby's extenda-leash to keep her from jumping all over the little boy, and quite possibly knocking him off his bike.  Suddenly Abby seizes the opportunity and lurches forward.  My thumb nail bends back, drawing blood, and out of reaction, I let go of the leash.  Once she realizes her new found freedom, she darts towards the sweater sporting little curmudgeon on the other side of the canal.  So I'm thinking that she'll stop as soon as she realizes there is water between them.  I never could have been so wrong.  What does she do?  She floats gazelle-like over the canal and lands gracefully on the other side.  Baryshnokov couldn't have done it better.  I give chase, screaming my head off for her to get back here this second!  And I thought the woman and her dog were quite the spectacle.  The man with the woman (who is dressed reasonably in shorts and a t-shirt, I might add) scoops the poodle up.  The woman stands on Abby's leash.  Now I'm at the canal.  I place my water bottle on the edge, back up a few steps, and just barely clear the canal.  I catch up to her, apologize to the couple, and scold Abby.  She is crouched on the grass looking up at me with those pound puppy eyes as if to say, 'I'm a bad, bad girl.'  She knows she's in trouble.

We walk back down to the canal and I'm hoping I can get myself back to the other side.  I can see my water bottle sitting on the edge.  I take a few steps back to get a running start when my sneaker hits the edge and I am tumbling down into the water.  The couple and their dog don't notice (thank God).  I pull myself out and say outloud, 'apparently this is not my day.'  I am tempted to toss Abby in as well.  After all, she's the one that got me into this.  Now I'm covered in mud, algae, and a myriad of sludge.  My knees and elbow are bleeding.  Worst of all, I'm still on the wrong side of the creek.  I abandon any future attempts at crossing the canal and retrieving my water bottle.  So there it will sit.  At this point I just decide to walk home.  Blood is now dripping onto my new white workout sneakers.  It feels like two sponges have been attached to my feet when I walk.  They are drenched.  I am completely dazed and after about 10 minutes or so I realize that I am walking in the wrong direction. 

When I finally do make it home, Ruben answers the door.  He is staring at me with his mouth open.  I am almost too angry to explain.  When the words finally come, he starts giving me advice on what I should have done in that situation.  I say, rather astutely, "Well now, this is not the time to be giving me dog handling advice there, Caesar Milan.' 

Earlier in the day I had given Monsoon a bath.  I couldn't help but wonder if my involuntary dip in the canal was some kind of karmic pay back for the shampoo mohawk I gave her.  Or maybe it had something to do with that old Catholic adage about humiliation bringing one closer to God.  Oh I was close to God alright.  I'm sure He and all His buddies were having a good laugh over that one.  I can hear it now: "she made quite the splash, didn't she?" 

At least I can laugh about it now, but man, am I sore!

Ruben and I sat outside enjoying the last few hours of our long weekend.  Abby was of course oblivious to the earlier events of the evening.  She is the type of dog that will never tire of a game of fetch.  She brought her ball to me and as usual, she will dart out into the yard in anticipation of the volley.  I threw the ball and it beaned her right off the head.  I swear I did not mean it.  Ruben laughed.  "Yeah Abby, pay back is a bitch."  It really wasn't my intent to bounce the ball off her head.  She didn't seem to mind.  She just picked the ball back up and brought it to me like nothing had ever happened.  Maybe I need to learn to be that forgiving.  Maybe this was the lesson to be learned from all this.  Too bad I had to fall into a canal to figure it out. 

I've just taken two ibuprofens and now I'm going to drag my tired and aching butt to bed. My one wish is that I'll be able to get out of bed without a huge amount of effort in the morning.  I am so darn sore.

Good Morning!

Hooray for long holiday weekends!  Don't ask me why I'm up so early.  Ruben and I both woke up about 5am and were going to take Abby for a walk.  The idea was soon forgotten about and we slept for another hour.

I thought I'd really be disappointed that we didn't go camping but its kind of nice being at home.  Ruben is outside reading the paper before the heat of the day really kicks in.  I'm inside drinking coffee and blogging while enjoying the sheer pleasure of central air.

The office closed early yesterday which was nice.  After three days it had already been a long week.  A girlfriend of mine asked me if I felt like I was drinking water through a fire hose while learning the ins and outs of a new job.  That is exactly how I would describe it!  I'm trying to get a feel for the personalities and work styles of those around me so that I may act accordingly.  Sometimes I think that is the toughest part of a new job.  But soon this will all be old hat to me.  I just have to keep plugging away.

Lately I've just felt the need for some 'girl time.'  I put an email out earlier in the week to a few girlfriends in and outside of work for a get together for when the office closed early.  As it turns out, everyone was either already away (judging from their 'out-of-office' response), or were leaving to go away right when the office closed.  I was just hoping for a leisurely afternoon hanging out on one of the the many sofas at our favorite place, Cheuvront, while drinking endless glasses of red wine and eating cheeses from all over the world.  It's such a great place.  The waiters may as well be your girlfriends too.  They'll sit with you and chat.  I once exchanged makeup tips with one waiter.  Gotta love it!  Anyways, it was not to be.  I ended up working even after the office closed for the day.  At least next Saturday my girlfriends will be over for a home jewelry party.  I'm sure Ruben will be chomping at the bit to get the heck out of here.  He's already the only male in the house so the extra estrogen will work like Raid to a bug at a cook out. 

I read yesterday online about a couple who saw Jesus in an ultrasound picture they had done.  While I can see the outline of what appears to be a male face next to the baby, how do they know it is really resembles Jesus?  I mean, not to put down anyone's faith but the human eye is trained to make out shapes that are familiar to them.  It's called matrixing.  We do it when we see faces in the clouds or in the leaves on a tree.  But still, I suppose if I were pregnant and saw something like that in my ultrasound then I'd get some comfort in that.  I remember reading about a man who had cut a limb off a tree.  There was a shape of a man left when the limb was cut down.  Everyone thought it was Jesus so they all brought their lawn chairs over to this man's house (who they didn't know) and stayed in his yard praying.  Apparently the man got so tired of the crowd in his yard that he finally went out and chopped the tree down.  The people were, of course, upset.  Maybe we are a desperate society.  Faith is very intangible but as humans we strive for the tangible because it is easier to believe.

Last night Ruben and I went to our favorite Mexican watering hole.  It's pretty much our Spanish version of 'Cheers.'  Ruben and I met there 4 years ago this week.  I don't remember the date but I know it was around July 4th.  We pretty much know all the regulars and half of them showed for our wedding.  Last night I realized how we all speak to each other.  We speak in total Spanglish.  A sentence is started in Spanish and ends in English.  Or someone might say something in Spanish and repeat the same thing in English.  We are a small microcosm that is stuck between the Old World and the New World.  Regardless, I'm a very happy American. --Especially today as we celebrate the 4th.

We don't have many plans for today.  I think I might actually go back to bed for awhile.  Ruben has migrated from the back patio to the Man Cave.  I can hear the tv.  I think it's going to be a lazy day, and that's perfectly fine with me!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25481891/

I couldn't help but snicker over this one:

"Whether the fish was caught up in soccer ball fever in the aftermath of the European championship and hence snapped at the ball can unfortunately not be determined," police said in a statement.

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At least once each summer around the 4th of July, we get together with our good friends for a good old fashioned BBQ and pool party.  The kids stay at the grandparents,  martini glasses are filled with fruity concoctions, and there is much late night merry making to be had.  Our inner-kid comes out to play in full force. 

Last night was the night.  We barbecued chicken, steak, and corn.  The corn on the cob was the sweetest I ever remember having.  I brought an ice box peanut butter pie that I actually made and we ate that poolside.

We laughed over so many things and reminisced about old friends and camping trips gone by.  I love summer.  I really do.

I was disappointed by the fact that Ruben and I had to cancel our scheduled 4th of July camping trip but with the way gas prices are right now, it really makes sense.  We talked about what we would do this next coming long weekend.  Some ideas we had are having our own BBQ and inviting our good friend Pam from next door, renting all three of the Austin Powers movies and having a movie marathon, and getting breakfast from a real authentic Mexican restaurant where the menus are all in Spanish, and they serve you a hot basket of tortilla chips no matter what time of day it is. 

Yesterday I finished The House of Mirth.  It was both beautiful and tragic, and I found myself wanting to rescue the heroine whom the book revolves around.  It is a look at the reality of socialites from New York's early 1900s, which Edith Wharton was very much a part of in her day.  A day later I still find myself wanting to rescue the beautiful Lily Bart. 

My only delima now is deciding what to read next.  I still have five more to read.  The sheer joy of knowing I have many hours of reading ahead can be compared to staring into a box of Godiva chocolates when trying to decide which to choose next.  --And you know that they're all going to be good!

Tomorrow I start my new job.  I really want to give this job my all.  I am absolutely thrilled to be starting this new opportunity.  I'm nervous but those that did the hiring are confident that I can do the job.  I am too.  As with learning anything new, it just takes time.  I do realize that I have some pretty big shoes to fill.  A friend of mine had the job before and was the one that told me I should apply when she moved on to another opportunity.  I want to be as amazing as she was.

Tonight I plan on doing some cleaning around the house.  I finally broke down and bought some more hair coloring.  I have an appointment to have it lightened in about three weeks from now.  So much gray is showing that I can't stand it anymore.  Argh!  I will color it for the last time this evening and then the rest will be up to the stylist in a few weeks.  Ruben is not happy about this hair color change.  I did agree that I would not cut it and leave it long.  He seem to be okay with this compromise. 

Then after this I'll probably hit the hay early.  We had a very late night last night but it was so worth it.  I love summer.  100+ temps and all.

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Late Wednesday afternoon I happened to be looking out the window from the high-rise I work in downtown Phoenix, and noticed a  huge black cloud of smoke filling the sky from the area we live in.

I phoned my husband, who then reassured me that this fire was not in our neighborhood but only a few blocks away.  This fire started by lightening strikes and has stayed mainly across the street near the mountains.  It is still disconcerting to look out and see the smoke still rising days later.

Friends of ours in Chandler can smell the smoke from there and have even had ashes falling in their neighborhood.

We are lucky that the fire has not spread out of the brush from which it is still currently burning.  No homes or businesses have been damaged. 

The picture above was taken Friday evening while I stood on a chair in our backyard.  At times it even blocked out the sun, as you can see in the pictures taken around my neighborhood below.

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Desert Rain

The author, Barbara Kingsolver described the rain in Arizona in her book, Animal Dreams, as a feeling of having a good long cry where the desert is washed clean.  This book is part of what inspired me to move here.  While it is true that it rains very rarely here, when it does, it is like the sky is making up for lost time. 

Tuesday night I headed home from dance class very weary and in a miserable mood.  There was nothing I could really pinpoint that was bothering me.  It was a myriad of things that had all culminated at once.  In the car on the drive home, the flood gates opened.   The dam was full and couldn't hold anymore. 

I arrived at home and Ruben met me at the door.  I dropped my things and buried my face in his shoulder.  One thing that is very apparent to me is how men and women differentiate on the subject of emotions.  Ruben was trying to fix everything.  He offered me a glass of wine.  When I declined he stood frozen in front of me, unsure what to do next.  Sometimes I just need to let it out.  Like rain in the desert, it doesn't happen very often.  Then I am fine. 

I sat on the couch and Ruben sat next to me.  He kept his distance as if this show of female emotion might be contagious.  He lightly rested one hand on mine for a few seconds, and then withdrew.  He picked up a jewelry catalog and began flipping through it.  If I wasn't so upset, I probably would have laughed.  The man doesn't read anything but the newspaper sports pages and ESPN Magazine.  I suppose if I were a man in his situation then I would have sought out a distraction, too.

Wednesday morning dawned and all was fine.  I felt like a huge weight had been taken off my shoulders.  I didn't feel stressed when I went into the office. Since last week I had felt like I was coming down with something and that feeling was gone, too.  I felt like I had been washed clean like the desert Barbara Kingsolver so dearly speaks of.  

Some people eat when they stress-out.  Some work or exercise.  I cry.  I'm not ashamed of that at all.  It's my release. I was taught while growing up that crying was a sign of weakness.  I'm glad that philosophy has not had much bearing on me.  To deny myself of something so crucial to my well-being would have much more severe consequences.  Having an occasional cry is what has made me strong.  That, unto itself, is a gift.. 

It's only Tuesday and already this week feels like the week from hell.  I am in the process of learning a new job and training a replacement for my old job.  I just feel like I can't do anything right today.  I have pretty much felt like crap since Friday and I can't pinpoint if it's a virus or maybe my thyroid is acting up again.  I have hypothyroidism so sometimes I just feel 'off' for no apparent reason.  I have had the hardest time getting out of bed this week so far.

Although I'm feeling like I could just cry my eyes out, it's Tuesday and that means its dance night.  So again I will take myself by the ear and get myself over to the studio.  Tomorrow will be a new day and hopefully I will be able to get a grasp on all that is suppose to take place; training, end of fiscal year stuff, etc...  My computer at work has only been working intermittenly which is very frustrating.

On a lighter note, I went to a jewelry party that a few friends were having.  I didn't buy anything but I did book a party.  I did like the jewelry.  My tastes are more on the Bohemian side and they had some pieces that fit that bill. 

Well, time to move the booty.

Yesterday I spent the afternoon at the library.  It was nice to escape the 115 degree day and bury myself behind many a book.  I came home with an arm load of the following gems:

The House of Mirth, by Edith Wharton

Aphrodite; A Memoir of the Senses, by Isabel Allende

Enlightenment for Idiots, by Anne Cushman

With Billie, by Julia Blackburn

The Gift of Rain, by Tan Twang Eng

Eat, Love, Pray, by Elizabeth Gilbert

I read recently that Edith Wharton's book was a great summer read.  I actually got to visit her home last September while visiting Boston.  I saw the room where she wrote.  The house is reported to be haunted as well.  So far I am 100 pages into The House of Mirth.  I read her book The Age of Innocence about 15 years ago.  There is something to be said for the classics.

I also enjoy any of Elizabeth George's books.  They are murder mysteries and I have read them all.  I am currently awaiting her next installment.

Reading to me is a luxury.  It is to me like wine is to the wino.  In fact, I'm going to leave off here and spend the rest of the evening with Edith!