Shane & Nikki

Finally!

2011-08-31T20:45:00.000-07:00

We’ve finished the last of our foster/adoption classes!!! There will be additional classes to maintain our certification, but the classes required for our initial certification are done. Boo ya!

In other good news, our final walk through has been scheduled for September 13^th! This is the final step to our full-fledged certification. At that point it’s a waiting game until a child is placed with us. We expect this might happen within 30 or so days. Though it could be 24 hours, or 8 months. We really have no idea.

We are obviously beyond excited and trying to get everything together. Nikki is a sewing and knitting machine. Our car seat arrived today. We have onesies and diapers in the house (which is craziest to me for some reason). We still have a lot of stuff to acquire but we’ll get there.

More to know…

There is a lot that goes into adopting from the California foster system and frankly we’re learning as we go. Here are a few fun facts, if you’re interested…

Stats: There are over 20,000 displaced children in LA County. That’s Twenty. Thousand. Children, under the age of 18, exclusively in LA County, without parents to provide basic necessities let alone love them. This blows my mind. And then we say, ‘why is there so much crime and poverty?’ I don’t mean to get on a soapbox but this was insane to me.

Permanency: There is a high likelihood that the first, second, third, maybe fourth child we are placed with will be reunited with his/her biological family. We may raise that child for a year or more, and they may reunite. It’s the nature of what we’re doing and we’re happy to do it. For the scenarios that make it to adoption, on average it takes two years to ‘permanency’.

Monitored visits: The child we will be fostering will probably have monitored visits with their biological parent(s)/family. Nikki or I will be the ones monitoring and documenting those visits, occasionally supported by the case/social workers.

Baby name: The baby name is up in the air. Chances are high that he/she will already be named in which case they will keep their name. Because we’re fostering an infant, many times they are left at a hospital without a name. In this case, we would get to name them. Upon adoption, and yes we will eventually adopt, names are sometimes changed. The child will definitely become a Call and may get a new first or middle name (this will depend on many factors).

No pictures: Probably the biggest bummer, there will be no pictures posted online. Not on this blog, not on schmacebook, not on your blog, etc. It’s not safe for the children and potentially not safe for us.

And now we wait, until September 13^th. Then again after that, but we’re excited!!

2011-08-24T21:43:00.000-07:00

Hello Dear Friends and Family,

Most of you already know what has been driving our lives in the past months, but some of you don't. We have been busy getting ready for a baby! We are currently finalizing the certification process to become foster parents, and will eventually adopt our first child from foster care. We have been working with a fantastic non-profit agency that specializes in adoption through the foster care system. We feel incredibly fortunate to take part in something so special.

Over the past several months we have been through interviews, applications, interrogations, baby proofing, foster classes, adoption classes, and we are currently awaiting our final walk through in our home to become fully certified foster/adoptive parents.

Deep breath.

We are incredibly excited to be parents. It feels surreal, but we are ready. Ready to stay awake in the middle of the night, ready to love the cuteness of a baby in our lives every day, ready for a child to change our lives, ready to change way too many dirty diapers. We are ready, almost. We still have to lock up our chemicals and kitchen knives, hang a fire extinguisher in our kitchen (yes it has to be visible), and get safety inspections on both of our cars. So we are almost ready.

Now the fun facts...

We have requested that our first placement be an infant (under 6 months of age). Gender as well as ethnicity will be a surprise. So now you wanna know when? Well, so do we. According to our friends that have used this agency, placements come rather fast, but really we don't know exactly how it will unfold for us. We will be fully certified sometime in September, so we can get the magic call at any moment after certification is final. Whoa.

We are thrilled to share our love. We know this will be an exciting and challenging endeavor and appreciate and love you for all of your support.

Happy Birthday Hank!

2011-06-26T20:20:00.000-07:00

Our furry bag o' bones turned 2 today.

So he got what every 2 year old dog gets on his birthday, a hot dog.

Our Return

2011-06-23T08:55:00.000-07:00

We're attempting a return to the blog world. I know you didn't miss us, but I don't give a care.

We have some exciting things coming up, and this will be our way to record them, because who has private journals anymore? Who has private anything anymore? The answer is no one. Everybody spills their guts on some online site, why should we be any different?

And so it is, our comeback.

•By the way, we'll probably eventually make this private, for reasons unbeknownst to you now, but you'll be knowin' 'em later•

Hank the Tank.

2010-01-11T19:56:00.000-08:00

Hank has been "experiencing" his adolescence, if you will.

He has managed to:

Have severe diarrhea for weeks.

Eat only prescription diet food.

Eat a sparkly glass Christmas ornament.

Eat some cotton balls soaked in half and half to catch/pass the glass.

Have sparkly stool for 5-6 days.

Get neutered.

Discover his sexuality.

Poop all over the Taylor's house.

Fall in love with Puck the pup.

Eat 7-8 Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.

Have severe diarrhea for a couple days.

Fall in love with any dog smaller than him.

Jumped out of Shane's arms, and nearly crippled himself.

Believe it or not, we are not negligent parents. Really, we're not.

He's approaching his 7 month birthday... here's to post puberty.

Christmas & the New Year.

2010-01-11T19:36:00.000-08:00

We were thankful to spend Christmas and the New Year with our family and friends.

I got to celebrate Christmas, the week of Chanukah, with the Aboussleman's in Florida. Thanks to my place of employment.

We got to spend THE REAL Christmas with the Call's & Green's in Clovis.

And we brought in the New Year with our dear ol' friends, the Burbankers. We hope to spend many more years with these guys. Happy 2010.

2010 Resolutions.

2010-01-11T19:14:00.000-08:00

These are private.

Henry Klondike Call

2009-10-11T14:14:00.000-07:00

Meet Hank, the newest addition to the Call family.

He's 13 weeks old, and is half Cocker Spaniel, half Poodle. In other words, he's a Cockapoo.

Despite his canine ancestry, it seems as if he's part Polar Bear, hence the middle name.

Here are some of his firsts:

First Bath

Learning how to cross the street

Learning to use the leash

Aaaand I had to show off his cute little polar bear booty.

Ethan Jeffrey Kraft

2009-10-05T20:40:00.001-07:00

24 hours later, Jordan & Paul welcomed Ethan Jeffrey Kraft into their family!

8lbs, 6 oz, 21 inches tall. That's right, tall.

I love him so much already, I can hardly stand it!

...and how cute are his little nostrils?

Mommy, Daddy, and Ethan are all healthy and happy.

Congratulations Kraft Family!

Waiting

2009-10-04T17:26:00.000-07:00

Today I am awaiting the arrival of baby boy Kraft. My bff Jordan is is being induced this evening. I told her it was way too much work for the sabbath, but I think her response was, "I don't give a rat's bottom". I once knew her to speak harsher vulgarities, I'm comforted that she has adopted the mommy tongue already.

So now I just wait.

Baby mama:

04.04.09

2009-06-11T20:46:00.000-07:00

Flowers.
Food.
Dress.
Rentals.
Invites.
Groomsman.
Backyards.
Suit.
Puerto Rico.
Bachelor Parties.
Bridesmaids.
Music.
Still to come, Thank yous.

There is too much to say about our big special day, so instead we'll spare you of the sappiness and let you enjoy the pictures.

Thanks to Casey Mackenzie Photography & Poppy Aboussleman for the shots.

Our Family.

2009-05-22T13:18:00.001-07:00

Music Anyone?

2009-05-12T19:50:00.000-07:00

Who needs a DJ when the bride and groom are professional music snobs? We got a lot of compliments on the music we played at the wedding and we're glad y'all enjoyed. Below is a list of music we played throughout the evening.

We recommend you download everything, make a playlist, and get the BBQ going.

Pre Ceremony Music:
The Songs We Were Singing - Paul McCartney
One Of These Things First - Nick Drake
Godspeed - Jenny Lewis
Golden - My Morning Jacket
I Will - The Beatles
Desert Sunrise - Brett Dennen
Hold You In My Arms - Ray LaMontagne
I Was Young When I Left Home - Antony & Bryce Desner
Orange Sky - Alexi Murdoch
The Golden Age - Beck
Naked As We Came - Iron & Wine
Killing The Blues - Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

Post Ceremony Music:
Into the Mystic - Van Morrison
Silver Lining - Rilo Kiley
Gone Gone Gone - Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
Black Hole - She & Him
When I First Came Here - Dwight Yoakam
People Got A Lotta Nerve - Neko Case
I'm Amazed - My Morning Jacket
Passing Stranger - Scott Matthews
In the Waiting Line - Zero 7
You Made It - DJ Shadow
Gypsy - Fleetwood Mac
Can't See You - The Marshall Tucker Band
Never Had Nobody Like You - M. Ward
This is Us - Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris
Darlin' Do Not Fear - Brett Dennen
Mango Tree - Angus & Julia Stone
Hideaway - The Weepies
You Are What You Love - Jenny Lewis with The Watson Twins
Three More Days - Ray LaMontagne
How Long Do I Have to Wait For you - Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
Naive - The Kooks
Love the One You're With - Stephen Stills
Love Will Turn You Around - Kenny Rogers
Comeback (Light Therapy) - Josh Rouse
These Photographs - Josh Radin
West Coast - Coconut Records
New Lace Sleeves - Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Can You Tell - Ra Ra Riot
Ottoman - Vampire Weekend
Intentions - The Whitest Boy Alive
Wordless Chorus - My Morning Jacket
Diamonds On The Soles of Her Shoes - Paul Simon
Doctor My Eyes - Jackson Brown
Kodachrome - Paul Simon
It Looks Like Love - Josh Rouse
Same In Any Language - My Morning Jacket
Wild World - Cat Stevens
Songbird - Willie Nelson
Firecracker - Ryan Adams
Please Please Please let me Get What I Want - The Smiths
Two Of Us - The Beatles
Smoke Rings In The Dark - Gary Allan

2009-05-10T18:13:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's day to our beautiful mom.
I am so lucky to have inherited such a wonderful woman in my life, you have built an incredible family, and I am truly blessed to now be an official part.

click pictures to see full size.

Waiting.

2009-04-29T13:10:00.000-07:00

So those of you who are eagerly awaiting wedding pictures, I haven't posted for a very good reason. I'm waiting to get my precious new MacBook before I conquer the wedding picture monster (it will make it much more fun). I assure you there will probably be a fancy slideshow and stuff like that, whatever that means.
And, as long as the hubs doesn't get cold feet, Friday is payday and MacBook, HERE I COME!!
Here is one just to satisfy your cravings. Also, if you wait long enough, you might even get lucky enough to see some from the honeymoon! Whoa! I know, waiting has never been so hard.

30 days.

2009-03-05T13:51:00.000-08:00

First, I feel like I must apologize for not blogging, (only because everyone apologizes on their blog when they don't post anything). In other words, I'm not that sorry.

Anyway, there are only 30 days until we wed, we couldn't be more excited or busier. After all, the combination of work, school and wedding planning is all consuming. Sometimes when I have a lot of assignments to check or lesson plans to prepare, I just go try on my wedding dress for the billionth time. If I try on my dress, then I have to try on my shoes, jewelry, pretend veil, etc. You see how it becomes all consuming?

Anyway again, we can't wait for the big day. It is such an exciting feeling to know that we will have so many of our friends and family together to share this grand event with us!

Also, "grand event" might be a bit misleading. Think picnic, and get ready for some tasty BBQ. (pissshh, "grand event?" you should know us better than that!)

I hope we post again before the big day, but if we don't, see you 04.04.09.

One week and one day old.

2009-01-24T19:07:00.000-08:00

Precious little Loralye.

It was a good day for us.

2009-01-20T20:53:00.000-08:00

Pop art aside, it's refreshing to feel optimistic about our future.

Loralye.

2009-01-16T20:18:00.000-08:00

For all of you stalking The Green Family blog and patiently awaiting an update, I am here to relieve you.

Shane's first niece, my third (but my first niece-in-law):
Loralye Raylee Green.

Lauren and Aaron's bundle of baby buns was born on Friday, JANUARY (thanks Con) 16th 2009 at 2:20pm. She is a healthy 8 pounds, 9 ounces, and arrived at a remarkable (to Shane) 20 inches long.
Mommy, daddy, and baby are still doing great!

This is pathetic.

2009-01-03T16:40:00.000-08:00

Nikki and I have gone almost a month without blogging an update to the world. For all of you waiting patiently and/or desperately... my (our?) most sincere apologies. If you really want to be entertained however, I (we?) suggest you visit www.thisisconlan.com. You might set your house on fire, he is THAT good. Blogging for us has gone on the back burner. A lesser priority to Wedding Planning... which is all consuming. Dresses, suits, caterers, flowers, bridesmaids, groomsmen, registry, invitations, accommodations, 'colors', music, photographers and a million other things Nikki is keeping track of, bless her heart. I'm pretty sure she loves every bit of the planning however so it totally works out. A LOT of work but we are VERY excited to get married and we cant wait to see y'all!

Moving on... I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa. We were lucky enough to spend our Christmas with my family in fricken freezing Las Vegas, NV. My sister and brother-in-law, who live in Las Vegas are a few weeks away from birthing the first niece/grand baby into the Call family. She obviously could not travel so we all drove in to celebrate in Sin City. Sounds like bad news but it was actually a great way to spend Christmas. Nikki and I did New Years in Burbank with our dear friends 'The Burbankers' - Good times! And have since been laying low. We are oh so excited to go back to work Monday...PSYCH!

Nikki just woke up from her nap and is giving me kitten breath kisses which probably means I have to get back to invitation folding... soooo... Peace and Love.

Shane

Nothin' but love for RCJones.

2008-12-08T17:46:00.000-08:00

Ladies and gents, presenting.....RCJONES PHOTOGRAPHY (and our engagement pictures).

Ryan is a cute mexican guy. He also IS RCJones Photography. He also WAS Shane's roommate throughout our entire relationship. Stated more simply, he is the only one that really knows our relationship: the good, the bad, and the jangly.
Once you click on the link [and you are done being mesmerized by our stunning beauty (and his photoshop skills)], you can read exactly what I would have written about him. From the moment I met him, I knew he was nerdy and that we would be friends. After all, he and Shane did argue over who would sing "San Francisco" by the Weepies for me. They wanted to re-live their high school rock star days so bad. How were they to know that I was just as nerdy and needed no impressing?

Please enjoy:
http://www.rcjonesphotographyblog.com/?p=259

26.

2008-11-14T16:54:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday na na na na
It's your birthday na na na na
Happy Birthday na na na na
It's your birthday na na na na.

A birthday song for the birthday boy.
He is 26 today, and gets even cuter with every minute.

Beck and the woman who stole the show

2008-11-11T09:46:00.000-08:00

Nikki knows the way to my heart. She scored us a couple of tickets to see Beck for my birthday. Sunday was the grand opening of Club Nokia and it was a sold out show so it was bound to be a good time.

The suprise opener was Jenny Lewis! Nikki and I are big fans so it def made the night! Saying she put Beck to shame is an understatement. If you have an opportunity to see Jenny Lewis live, I highly recommend it! And on that note, go out and buy Acid Tongue. She is arguably one of the best song writers of my generation.

All in all a FANTASTIC birthday present!!!

Hippie Music for Election Day

2008-11-04T10:43:00.000-08:00

All We Have - Brett Dennen
For What Its Worth - Buffalo Springfield
Ohio - Crosby Stills Nash and Young
Revolution - The Beatles
I've Seen Enough - Cold War Kids
A Change is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
Wild World - Cat Stevens
Someday Never Comes - Creedence Clearwater Revival
Everyday People - Sly and the Family Stone
Imagine - John Lennon
Yo George - Tori Amos
Rockin' in the Free World - Neil Young
Freedom - Jimi Hendrix
Times They Are a Changin' - Bob Dylan
Fortunate Son - Creedence Clearwater Revival
Dont Stop - Fleetwood Mac
You Aint Seen Nothin Yet - Bachman Turner Overdrive
Freedom/Motherless Child - Richie Havens
Ain't No Reason - Brett Dennen
Indifference - Pearl Jam
How It Ends - Devotchka

PS: We found a home for Takota! Woooohoooo!

TAKOTA SLASH ANNE FRANK

2008-10-30T09:52:00.000-07:00

Nicole and I are secretly hiding Takota at our new apartment... no pets allowed... we need your help before zeh germans get her. If you know a loving family or an old lady who is looking for the best damn cat in the world, let us know ASAP!! We are being forced to find her a new home before they take her to the Siberian Gulag. SAVE THIS KITTY.

IMPORTANT TAKOTA FACTS:
She is spayed
She is healthy
She loves to cuddle
She likes to tell you about her day sometimes
She does not have any outdoor skills to speak of besides 'Laser Pointer Chasing'
She knows what a litter box is for
She is 3 years old
She is voting for Barack Obama Nov 4th

Please please please if you know anybody who wants or needs a great cat, please let us know ASAP! We have exhaused our LA options, but we need to find her a good home!

THANKS!!!

Sausage Fingers, and the Moment You Have All Been Waiting For...

2008-10-22T21:58:00.000-07:00

THE RING!!
This is it, the token of our love and affection.

It is special because...
1. Shane designed it.
2. It has a yellow sapphire instead of a diamond (aka not a blood diamond).
3. It matches my great, great grandmother's wedding ring that is exactly 100 years old this year (aka my wedding band).
4. I was named after my great, great grandmother. (This is actually a reason why I am special).
5. It's my engagement ring.

Thanks for waiting so long. Rings are IMPOSSIBLE to photograph.

10.14.08 The proposal.

2008-10-15T13:33:00.001-07:00

You read correctly, he did it, he really did it!

I know, I know, I need to post pictures of the ring for all my lady friends.
Sorry, patience is a virtue and we're all gettin' better at it. (My camera is dead).

First off, if you can believe it, he surprised me! I knew he had the ring, he told me he talk to my dad, I was almost positive he would spill the stinky beans about the actual proposal, but he didn't! Yesterday evening after work we got the keys to our beautiful new apartment (4 days early) so we were so excited to plan our paint colors and where each piece of furniture should be placed. I was in the empty bedroom checking out the gigantic closets, and he snuck up on me with a big hug (not at all unusual).
Then, with the cutest shaky hands and nervous face he looked into my eyeballs, got down on his knee and said, (tremor in his voice) "Nikki, will you marry me baby?"

Of course, I obliged. Then, we rolled around on the carpet in our empty bedroom (and made out! WE'RE ENGAGED!)
Then he took me into the kitchen where we enjoyed a bottle of champagne that was waiting near two very special glasses he picked out for us. After we made about 2 hours of important phone calls, we ate our steak dinner and went home!

Sigh, I love my fiance!

PS. The big day will be in April!

VAMANOS DOYERS!!!!!

2008-10-13T20:47:00.001-07:00

We're down by two... headed into the ninth...

New Car, New Apartment.

2008-10-11T21:17:00.001-07:00

Just keepin' the fam up-to-date on what's new.

You can't tell from this picture but the new apartment is 50 paces to the beach, it's amazing. Also, the car has that lovely new car smell. We're living the dream. Great depression, schmreat schmaschmession.

For my loving sister Julie.

2008-10-11T21:13:00.000-07:00

Because you are smarter than your party line...

2008-10-08T22:35:00.000-07:00

You see, at first I was offended when John McCain nominated Sarah Palin to be his running mate... well, I was offended but I laughed really hard... I mean come on, it was pretty funny. Even after the whole George Bush thing, I could have ended up voting Republican this year... Truthfully! I'm not completely Donkey Blue... If he nominated someone of worth - someone like a Mitt Romney... anyone that could help develop a policy and agenda that made some sense - but instead he chose a completely inexperienced woman from Alaska whose naive un-presidential commentary and mannerisms are boggling (It makes for fantastic SNL however). It made me wonder, 'If this is his pick for VP, who would he pick for the Supreme Court?!' It put things into perspective for me and I got online and sent my economically stressed cash to Obama.

For the past two months I have watched politics play out. I have watched one man, bring ideas about the economy, energy, healthcare, education, foreign affairs and relate to who I am, who we are, the problems of today, and what we can do secure a better future. I saw another man put out dishonest ads, Rovian tactics, Bush policies revisited, high jacked campaign mantras about CHANGE without any substance of CHANGE and talked down to me as though I cant read through his bullshit.

McCain... at the most basic level is a bad person. Too low to shake Obama's hand after the last debate. Snarkey, negative, dishonest, angry, out of touch... and lets not forget about the Keating 5 (I dont know why it took the Obama campaign so long to remind the country about that gem)... and those of you 'Anti Bill Clinton moral fiber folks', I think you should look back at how John and Cindy's romance blossomed. Do your homework and call a spade a spade.

Im a little fired up tonight and maybe I have watched too many dishonest negative ads put out by McCain... maybe I just feel like you and I are smarter than the Republican McCain campaign thinks we are. We need more than 'Hockey Mom', 'Joe 6 pack', 'POW', 'Ayers', 'Maverick', 'Shake up Washington'(whatever that means), 'Drill Baby Drill' and winks into the camera. Grow up and show me some respect.

...Nicole is going to kill me for publishing this one...

On This Day.

2008-10-07T19:06:00.000-07:00

Today my best friend got married, Jordan Lowry became Jordan Kraft. On this day she also inherited a beautiful family during a ceremony somewhere in the privacy of St. Thomas, I can't wait for the pictures. I'm actually slowly dying to see them.

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Paul Kraft and family!

OBAMA 08

2008-10-06T17:31:00.000-07:00

In the interest of quelling heated debates with family members Nicole and I (mostly I) will try to keep political blogs to a minimum over the next 30 days...

For all you Bush/Cheney + McCain/Palin advocates... 'Quell' means to suppress or subdue, bless your hearts... you'll learn.

Was that offsides? :)

In any event, we're voting Obama.

Exhausted.

2008-09-24T20:12:00.001-07:00

Utah, Good Friends, and a Celebration of Love.

2008-09-08T21:47:00.000-07:00

Shane and I took a vacation to Utah to spend more time with cousin Brad and beautiful Karlee, and to see a good friend of mine get married.

Shannon and Jarrod got married at a stunningly picturesque location in Sandy called La Caille. This place came straight out of a fantasy-land dream with bright multi-colored flowers blooming everywhere, streams running under quaint bridges, and peacocks walking freely. Shannon fit right in, she was the stunning Snow White of her fairy tale wedding.

Love.

Tess and I have been friends since high school. She has one of the biggest hearts of anyone I have ever met and I am so happy to call her a friend. Nothings beats that Livermore love:)

He's mine all mine.

Shannie and I were friends even before high school, we were the captains of the high school cheerleading squad (and sooooo cool). We have so many memories together, including the time I broke her nose :/ It was absolutely delightful to reminisce on old times, and to be there for her special day. She has such a beautiful family and a great new husband.

More Love.

Miss Aboussleman

2008-08-29T20:44:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'll go by Miss A. Otherwise it would be torture for those poor students.

I got my first teaching job. At a charter school in LA. I couldn't be more excited, the staff and school principles (not principal, he is part of the staff) are all extraordinary. What a great opportunity this is. I can't wait to feel like I made a difference at the end of the day and I can't wait to buy teacher clothes. School starts September 18th, but I get to meet all my students at the school tour on September 15th. I CAN'T EVEN WAIT!

Goodbye 3am, Hello C.L.A.S!

Cousin Brad in The City of Angels

2008-08-26T18:56:00.000-07:00

Brad came for a weekend trip to hang with Shane. Luckily, I was invited too.

Our weekend festivities included, eating, kayaking, shopping, eating, swimming, visiting the Arclight Sherman Oaks, then eating some more.

Brad demonstrating what we did best.

Still eating at Neptune's Net in Malibu. You can tell they are related huh? Both= wanna be male models.

You can't tell, but we are blog stalking here. That's right, we did dat.

Millerton Lake

2008-08-10T21:10:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Nikki and I took a trip to visit the fam in Ol Fresberg. It was a lot of fun visiting the family as it usually is. The highlights included Mamma's biscuits and gravy and PCH Subs. Sadly, no Me N Eds on this trip.

We had a blast at Millerton Lake with Dad, Jess, Dylan and his lady Ashley. A little wakeboarding and wakesurfing was just what we needed. Plus it was good to get some tan.

Lastly it was good to spend some time with old friends. Always good to see Joey, Sparky, JJ, David, Con, Ryan, Jenna and Troy.

Don't mind the shine on my receding hairline...

Family

2008-07-31T15:16:00.000-07:00

This post is very much a belated one. Cassie, Shane's cousin, graduated from Loyola Marymount University in May. I just found the pictures, and had to share them with the rest of the fam! Congrats Cassie!

The Call Boys.

Call fam + 1 Aboussleman.

Love on the Inside.

2008-07-22T17:06:00.001-07:00

Good NEW country music.

I'm in love. Their last album (Enjoy the Ride) was great. Every single track. Their new one is getting there.

Jennifer Nettles' voice is such a refreshing sound in new country music, and her songwriting is the perfect blend of traditional and new country. Plus, she is so incredibly adorable.

For the country fans: GET IT. The "Deluxe Fan Version" has 17 tracks - worth every bit of the $12.99 I spent at Target. And yes, you need the physical copy.

So far my faves are #6, 10, 13 &15, but that is only after my 2nd listen. It still needs time. Lots of it.

Julie, get this for Aimee, she needs it!

Yosemite

2008-07-18T12:43:00.000-07:00

The weekend was filled with hiking, climing, eating, mallow roasting, ice swimming, and tent camping with our good ol' Burbank friends. Those guys are the best of the best.

As soon as we arrived, the boys (minus Shane) wanted to go for a swim. The girls (and Shane), were perfectly content with our feet in the water and wading up to our knees. The water was bitterly freezing. It made every joint in your body scream in agony.

After some time passed, Kim and I toughed it out, staying fully clothed with no intention to allow the water to creep past our knees. We discovered a strategy: team work. Holding hands and moving one at a time, across the jagged rocks on the floor of the river bed. Our feet hurt, we were cold, but we kept on. We had to make it to the giant rock in the middle of the river. If the boys could, we could too. And we did, but we got wet. Soaking wet.

Dinner & Reba

2008-07-09T21:31:00.001-07:00

After a long and mostly typical 10 hour work day, I decided to tell my boss I'm divorcing the music industry. You could imagine the terror in his face; He too, is against divorce. After much explanation, he agreed that my decisions were both just and reasonable (as usual). Nonetheless, he didn't let me go without a fight. He offered me more money and potential promotions. He tried it all.

My mind is made up already, I want a divorce.

After sitting in the office for an additional 30 minutes after my work day is over, he invited me out to dinner. At least we can still be friends. We agreed on the local Italian restaurant on Ventura Boulevard, just blocks away from the office. We arrive, he pays for the valet (yesssss) and we scurry inside with our starving bellies (his more so than mine). We are seated by the same guy that always greets us, in the same spot he always seats us. Only this time something is different, something is better. Reba McEntire is seating right beside us, with her husband and her son. Awesome.

I immediately had second thoughts. After all, I have always been against divorce, it's the easy way out.

I took some time, regrouped. I still want a divorce. Not from the music industry. Just from working in the music industry.

Thank you Richard for dinner, and thank you Reba for clearing my head. I'm going to be a teacher.

Congratulations Lauren and Aaron!

2008-07-08T13:42:00.000-07:00

Shane's sister Lauren, and her husband Aaron, are going to have a baby!!

Shane is going to be an uncle for the first time!

We are all so excited for the new addition. This baby will have absolutely no shortage of love, attention or cute clothes. We'll be sure of that!

This is what the Green baby looks like so far:

We can't wait to hear BOY or GIRL!

Go to http://familyofgreen.blogspot.com to see more pictures and hear all the fun family details!

Florida family

2008-06-11T14:54:00.001-07:00

I took a short trip to visit my family in Florida.
My nieces grow up so fast, they have the cutest personalities and the sharpest wits for little tykes.

Sisters minus one. The little one is back in Livermore now, home of the cows.

Beach trip to Honeymoon Island.

Allison is the tom boy, she loves baseball, her baseball caps and her mardi gras beads. We played catch, and she had to remind me to keep my eye on the ball. She also can put together 100 piece puzzles really, really fast!
Aimee is the oldest. She reads chapter books, has a boyfriend named Thomas, and was recently asked to be a part of the "gifted program" at school. She's a smart little cookie.
I miss you girlies already.

Princess

2008-06-11T14:36:00.001-07:00

After I read Andrea's blog, I thought I would (secretly) give it a try. She's right, it works. I'm totally a Pocahantas....I wonder which princess Shane would be?

You Are Pocahantas!

Free-spirited and wise. You have a strong passionate spirit that touches and changes all who know you. The wisdom and common sense that you have is really what guides you through life. Even so, you also have a very playful side that loves adventure and excitement.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

Happy 25th Anniversary Mom & Dad!

2008-06-04T11:10:00.000-07:00

We love you. Congratulations on 25 happy years together!

Memorial Day Weekend

2008-06-04T10:08:00.001-07:00

We spent Memorial Day weekend in Clovis with friends and family.
The highlight, as always, was Shane's big ol' family and all the cute little kiddies.

Update

2008-06-02T14:05:00.000-07:00

New update coming soon.
I'm waiting on Shane to send me pictures (as usual). Doesn't he know the man is suppossed to wait on the woman?! Ugh.

True Story.

2008-05-16T18:25:00.000-07:00

I was pleasantly surprised to come back to this story on my instant messenger at work.
True story: this is a real instant message conversation. The actual storyline, however, is subject to speculation.

imfriend: where ARE MY HARDBOILED EGGS!?!
Nikki: I don't know so stop yelling at me
imfriend: I'm sorry. I get carried away sometimes
imfriend: by ants
imfriend: when I'm picnicking
Nikki: that would be so cool
imfriend: you'd think so
imfriend: but it's not
imfriend: it's the most terrifying experience you will ever experience
imfriend: because it's tickly
imfriend: I often wake up in the middle of the night with "tickle terrors"
imfriend: the doctor said the only cure was to spend ONE NIGHT alone in the haunted mansion at the top of the hill
imfriend: only then will I inherit my great aunt's fortune
imfriend: but I'll be sadly surprised to learn that her "$5 million" is in the form of hundreds of thousands of personal computers from 1989
imfriend: but I will have learned a valuable lesson:
imfriend: not all ghosts are bad. Especially not when compared to your crazy great aunt Meredith.
imfriend: el fin
imfriend: (the end)

A Little Bit Country and a Little Bit Rock and Roll.

2008-05-12T17:02:00.000-07:00

Finally, the moment you have all been waiting for...
STAGECOACH Country Music Festival!
Just one weekend after the rock and roll indie fest, Coachella, we spent another weekend down in the desert; this time with some down home, country lovin' folk.

We saw some new country, some old and some REEEALLY old country music, and luckily, no camping required!

Dierks Bentley put on a great show. He danced awkwardly with the sign language interpreter, and made young girls in the crowd do embarrassing things. Also, I couldn't stop staring at him.

2 Foot Fred. If only I could describe this particularly bizarre experience. It simply is not possible.

George Jones. One of my all time favorites, although every year his face looks a little more stretched and his voice sounds a little more geriatric. He is a country classic.

The Judds. This was back then, and the very reason I came to Stagecoach.

This is now (somewhere between 16 and 20 years later). Some things should remain nostalgic. Why do people plasticize their faces until they look like velociraptors? Perhaps that is one thing I will never understand. We are not sure if Naomi ever sang, but Wynonna had the same beautiful voice I remember from that last show in 1992. Ashley is still my favorite Judd.

This time around we spent more time in the shade, eating BBQ and funnel cakes, making faces at each other, and spent some time watching the shows from backstage (where the free water was). We are quite obviously Very Important People.

Nikki! Don't pet the lion, IT'S NOT EVEN A REAL ONE!!

Shane wanted to make the weirdest face possible to scare away the lion.
Instead, he scared away the stranger taking our picture.

Love this face.

That's love.

Hall & Oates

2008-05-09T10:52:00.000-07:00

Hall & Oates are playing at The Troubadour in Los Angeles. Tickets are only $200 each.

A friend's (aka thisisconlan) translation of what this really means:

"Hey, remember when we played here a hundred years ago? Nobody knew us then, and this place and it's patrons helped propel us to international stardom. Now that we have the chance, we're back to rape your wallets."

COACHEEEEZZZZYYYYYY

2008-05-07T21:34:00.000-07:00

COACHELLA! 3 days of music in the desert! If that isn't enough, throw in two nights of camping, make-shift community showers, and $2 bottles of water. We had a lot of fun... together... thats how it usually goes.

NIKKI LOOKIN PRETTY IN TENT CITY

SHINEY HAPPY PEOPLE (this picture is going to be awesome in 20 years)

MUSIC Highlights: HOT CHIP, ST VINCENT, BRETT DENNEN, MIA, VAMPIRE WEEKEND, MY MORNING JACKET, THE NATIONAL, GOGOL BORDELLO, DWIGHT YOAKAM, RILO KILEY, STARS, PRINCE, and ROGER WATERS

ST VINCENT (Miss Annie Clark was so dang cute... righteous cover of Dig a Pony)

BRETT DENNEN (Great way to start a Sunday morning)

I'VE NEVER BEEN SO EXCITED TO SEE A PIG... ITS PRETTY MUCH RIDICULOUS...

SOMEWHERE BETWEEN DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE AND MY MORNING JACKET... FRICKIN ADORABLE IF I SAY SO MYSELF

Celebrity sightings: Alicia Silverstone (less hot in person.. it ain't the 90's anymore), Steve Tyler (kinda looks like a teradactyl... Im not sure how you spell it but its a creepy dinosaur that flies. He was definitely escorting 2 ladies... or two escorts. Not sure which), David 'The Hoff' Hasslehoff, Sienna Miller (She tried to steal me away from Nikki and make out and stuff... but I told her no. Nikki's the only girl for me). Jared Leto and his entourage. Paris and Nicole were supposedly running around but we didn't ACTUALLY see those hookers. Sean Penn, Kelly Osbourne, Ummmm Phoebe's brother, you know, from Friends... He was there too.

NIKKI TELLING ME TO STOP LOOKING AT SIENNA MILLER

ENJOYING THE VIEW

HOTTER THAN A SON OF A GUN...

Sooooooo that was Coachella!! Or as Prince said 'Co-uh-chella' We left our cheap Target tent in the sand... Next week: Stagecoach!!! but this time we'll do it in a Palm Springs Resort. BOO YA! Peace and Love -SHANE

Santa Monica and Old Friends

2008-05-01T16:53:00.000-07:00

Casey is an old friend of mine from my Livermore days. We shared lots of good times, including building apartments in Romania, sight seeing in Budapest, swooning over cute boys in Mexico, surprises in Scotland, and even some pancake breakfasts in San Diego. Somehow we have let years go by without even talking. We finally reconnected in Santa Monica, over art galleries, coffee, and shopping.

Casey and Jimmy sittin' in a tree...
This is Casey and her boyfriend Jimmy, before he was her boyfriend.

Shane met Casey for the first time. As usual, he was acting like a friend stealer.

Our best attempt at a "Juno" picture. No real Fertile Myrtle here.

Like no time has passed at all.

Love.

jimmy. casey. erin. nikki. shane.

Hey Jude

2008-04-04T16:08:00.000-07:00

Him

2008-04-03T09:02:00.000-07:00

loving
affectionate
gallant
genuine
endearing
my bestest friend in the whole wide world
weird
curly
clever
fine (i.e. "he's fiiiine")
charming
deliberate
big-hearted
brave
spicy
cuddly
entertaining
abundant
ambitious
spine-tingling
auspicious
golden
a great secret keeper
and custom made for me

Santa Monica

2008-02-21T12:06:00.000-08:00

We went on a date to the Santa Monica pier. It was wonderful!
We walked around the boardwalk and rode the ferris wheel- a must at the SM pier on a sunny day- it was beautiful! Nothing like that terrible ferris wheel at California Adventure.
After the ferris wheel, we ate some delicious breakfast burritos and shopped around the promenade.
The best part of the date was when we found ourselves some chocolate and vanilla soft swirl ice cream cones, took our shoes off, and walked in the sand:)
This was a good date. I even let Shane stop and look at some phone booths. (He likes to work even when we're on dates).

Nikki's nieces

2008-01-29T10:52:00.000-08:00

This is little miss "too hot to trot" Aimee. But Kristi don't worry, she is only 6! She is my little fashionista, AND she likes country music! I'm proud of her:)

Allison is 4 and she loves racecars and baseball and anything else her daddy likes. I love her to pieces.

Both girls live in Florida with my older sister and brother-in-law. My baby sister recently moved there too.
Grandma and Poppy Aboussleman also live close by. Almost the whole family are Floridians now!

Christmas with the Calls

2008-01-28T13:18:00.000-08:00

Christmas morning. All the little kiddies so so excited to see what Santa brought them. [Missing:Phil]

The boys. Phil is the tallest. If he was there he would make the rest look like munchkins.

Girls quite obviously have more fun:)

Dancing.
This is one of our many fancy moves. We are basically professional dancers.

San Diego

2008-01-28T12:49:00.000-08:00

Jo and Kim.
Joanna now lives by the beach in San Diego, her and I met Freshman year in the San Diego State Dorms, and proceeded to be RAs together the next year and roommates 2 years after. She is the most free spirited woman I know. She has finally met the man of her dreams and is the happiest I have ever seen her:)
Kim and I also met Freshman year in college through an organization called The Navigators. We were driving to La Paz Mexico (a 20 hour drive from San Diego) and she slept on the floor in the van nearly all 20 hours. Instantly I knew we would be friends forever. We were roommates 2 out of the 4 years in college and if her husband Joel would let us, we probably still would be.

This is Jordan. She is my female soul mate. Never have I met anyone who understands me more than her. (Shane doesn't count- he's a boy). We met our sophmore year in college and have been bff ever since. She lives in Maryland but we still remain the best of friends. I'm convinced she should move back to California.

The group. [Missing: Jordan (male), Joel, and Shane.] Jordan (female) was the only one lucky enough to get her guy in the picture. His name is Paulie.

Sacha

2008-01-24T12:12:00.001-08:00

This is Sacha. She just turned 12, this is her tribute to Janis Joplin.

Typical

2008-01-24T11:20:00.000-08:00

These faces are quite typical.
Ryan, Shane's roommate and our friend, captured us (with his exceptional photography skills) in our normally weird state.
Ryan, sorry I stole this from your blog.

Happy.

2008-01-08T13:57:00.000-08:00

This is us. Taken by our Burbank family at our Burbank home. We love the Merchains. Especially Rubes:)