Vinewords

5 Months and Going Strong

admin — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 19:43:48 +0000

Sometimes it dawns on me while I’m walking around with this huge belly at 5 months pregnant, just how strange it is to be in this place in my life. After having lots of medical problems over the years and having a very Type-A, achiever personality, I don’t think I ever really thought that I would get to a place where I’d be a mom. Part of me always kind of wanted to, but I think deep down I didn’t think it was going to happen for me. I guess it’s just important to remember how lucky we are in each of our own lives sometimes. I’ve had many bad experiences, and life has dealt me some pretty big blows, but in this case I got lucky and seem to be doing great without any real problems. Life’s a funny thing.

Babies, the Bar, and Business

admin — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 15:22:38 +0000

Yep, those three things just about sum up the totality of my daily activities lately. Life was hectic enough before the Baby part got added in, but I’ve come to the conclusion that I thrive on chaos and craziness, so if it wasn’t a baby it’d probably be some other wacko thing to consume my time.

We found out I was pregnant on Christmas Day. I took a pregnancy test on a whim even though my period wasn’t due until the next day. When two lines came up, I ran downstairs and showed it to my husband. I think my exact words were, “Are those two lines? Cause that looks like two lines to me!” His response was more subdued, and made me wonder if he’d just gone into shock. After about a minute he simply said, “F&$k.” Honestly we were both really happy about it, it just wouldn’t have seemed apparent then had anyone been watching this scene play out.

So there we were on Christmas Day, expecting our first child. Mind you my husband’s present to me that year was a wine making kit (I’ve made 3 batches so far, just haven’t gotten to have a glass yet) and in two weeks we were scheduled to go on a cruise for my 30th birthday. The cruise was still fun, cause who doesn’t like sitting on the beach? But if you ask me, it’s not quite as fun when you have to get virgin daiquiris the whole time while watching your husband drink caipirinhas.

On to today, I’m almost 5 months along and it’s been quite the experience. I’m sure everyone’s first child is like that, lots of new things to excite and terrify you. It adds to the experience that I don’t have any close friends with babies though, and I don’t have a sibling or a cousin nearby with a baby. And neither does my husband. So there are definitely days when Google is my best friend.

I’m notoriously terrible at remembering to update my blog. An obvious fact if you look at the dates of my archived posts. However, I’m planning on documenting a lot of this experience, and sharing the things I learn with the vast expanse of the world wide web.

Dollhouse

admin — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 14:54:32 +0000

So I know I’m totally behind the curve in this (since it’s off the air now), but I’ve been watching Dollhouse on Netflix and I really like it. I’ve always like Eliza Dushku, being an old Buffy fan and all, and she’s really good in this show. I decided to give it a try after listening to the Nerdist podcast with Eliza and Tahmoh Penikett. (It was on 7/8/11, if you want to check it out go to http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nerdist/id355187485).

I’m only a few episodes in, but I can already see why it has such a fan following. Even though Fox didn’t think it was worthy of more than a couple seasons.

Cosmo Cupcakes – Deliciously Girly!

admin — Wed, 18 May 2011 21:15:12 +0000

I had a few friends over the other day for a small Sex and the City Marathon and wanted to make something cute and fun for them. I came across a recipe for Cosmo Cupcakes on Hostess Blog……they were perfect! What could be better for a girly party than bright pink cupcakes!?

Check out the recipe at: http://www.hostessblog.com/2010/05/cosmo-cupcakes-sex-and-the-city-style/

From Demon to Darling

admin — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:50:21 +0000

I recently had the chance to attend a Wine Law Masters Class at Berkeley School of Law that was taught by Richard Mendelson. Mendelson is arguably the foremost authority on wine law in the United States, and his class on the subject at Berkeley Law was a first in the United States. And as a winemaker himself, Mendelson possesses an intimate knowledge of the ins-and-outs of the wine world.

His class was quick and full of information, but extremely interesting. If you happen to be a student at Berkeley I highly recommend taking his class, which happens to include a tasting of the wines he produces on his vineyard.

I’m also in the process of reading his recently published book From Demon to Darling. It is a comprehensive history of wine law in the United States. I think you’ll be surprised right away at the deep connections this country, and the people that founded it, have to wine.

You can check out Mendelson Wines at www.mendelsonvineyard.com.

And you can get From Demon to Darling at Amazon.