Bean Counter Blogs

Confession - Aging scares the hell out of me!

Joshua Bright for The New York Times

UP FRONT Dr. Vivian Diller, left, and Dr. Jill Muir-Sukenick are trying to help women better accept themselves and the aging process. 

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I turned 40 three months ago and I'm not happy about it. Last year after moving to Mill Valley, the stress of life got to me and I had a pretty serious bout of depression that left me with 35 more pounds on my frame than I brought with me from NYC. And that was BEFORE getting pregnant again. Turning 40 was the black frosting on my dark cupcake. 

As the weather improves in my beautiful Mayberry, so does my mood, but aging is still something that I can't get my head around. My hair isn't as lustrous. My skin not as elastic. My knees sort of sag. My 3-year-old wears me out.

While surfing the NYTimes website, I found a great article about the existential trauma of aging for women. It's a good read and reassured me that what I am feeling about 40 is so normal. This is important when living in Mill Valley, the land of women who are gorgeous, thin, and seem to have their lives so together. Thanks NYTimes!

Fun with Finger Paints

Finally the sun came out and we headed out to the deck for some finger painting. Isabel loves to strike a pose. Can you tell from the painting what her favorite color is?

 

I know she looks clean now, but oh the mess I carried upstairs to the tub was so very 3-year-old-finger-painting. She had a blast and really started to experiment creatively. How do you parents help your kids to not fear their own abilities? That in learning and creating failure does not exist?

New Bun in the Oven Pictures

Enrique and I went to have an ultrasound this morning and we have pictures! If you look carefully, you can see a profile of his/her face (cute nose!) and an arm waving.

And here is a foot!

Enrique's family does not know about the new grandchild yet. They are coming next week for Isabel's 3rd birthday and we are going to surprise them with my big belly. The little bun was not cooperating today so the ultrasound technician was not able to get all the necessary pictures and she wants us to come back next week. As an added surprise to the in-laws, we are going to invite them to the follow-up ultrasound. Modest me will be in the room with 3 Cubans and 1 Argentine. Am I crazy??? I am sure there will be lots vociferous ooohhhing and aaaahhhhing. I want to bring Isabel so she can see her new sister/brother.

Enrique's Birthday Celebrated at the California Academy of Sciences

Enrique's birthday present from Isabel (and me) was a membership to the California Academy of Sciences. At $25/ticket, we never went. Now that we are members, we can go and bring friends for free! We invited our friends Thom and Beth as a mini surprise party. Since Isabel is totally in love with Thom, fun was really had by all. Look at the way she ogles him!

 

When I was a little girl, my mom often brought me to see the rare albino alligator. I can't believe it is still around - how old can it be now? Isabel loves it as I once did, but now it just makes me queasy. 

Ok Go!

I've been a fan of Ok Go since I first moved to NYC in 2000 and they played for the This American Life 5th Birthday Party at the Town Hall Theater. Ira Glass, Sarah Vowell and Ok Go. Sigh.

Anyhow... This video is amazing and shows off the sense of humor that the band embodies for me. 

Hilarious and genius!

Beautiful Clients

Like everyone, I love things of beauty, so I appreciate working with clients who create beautiful objects and spaces. One such client is Kathleen Dughi Jeweler, where some of the most amazing jewelry I have ever seen is designed and made. This is not the greatest photo, but you get the idea.

I also love that the commute from my office to their shop is less than 1/2 a block long. My commuting style is a little bit of NYC that I brought with me - no long hours in the car for this bean counter!

Office with a View

I love the Mill Valley Plaza in the rain...the view from my office.