The L.A. Dime

There are times in everyone’s life where you wake up and wonder what challenge you’ll be faced with today….we’ve had about 2 weeks of those kinds of mornings but are hoping to get a bit of a breather now. Here’s a recap of what’s been happening in the Riddell household:
- My car needed a new compressor which left Brad & the kids needing to extend our stay with Jan & Kerry for a couple of extra days (while I had to fly back for work)
- The water heater went out and needed to be replaced
- Brad lost his wallet
- Brad got glutened in a GF pizza restaurant
- Sophie’s cough continues even after 10 days of antibiotics; she’s now on some allergy meds to see if that might be the cause (rather than the flu)

While each of these instances can be frustrating and create a lot of extra work, combined they have left me anxious and not sleeping well at night. But hey, “this too shall pass” and by next week, I’ll be laughing about it all….maybe:)

Brad just put up a new blog post about appearing in two new books this month.

Here’s the link: http://wp.me/p11VPm-3F

That’s what our 10-day vacation in FL was all about. After a red-eye flight were both kids actually slept a little, we celebrated my dad’s birthday with a wonderful brunch at their golf club and then had dear friends back to the house for German Black Forest cake (which was both beautiful & yummy) and ice cream cake (which melted as I walked in the door with it) and a traditional German sausage with Pretzels and Beer for dinner.

Some favorite memories from this trip:

- Introducing Clay to my parents and seeing him smile at them

- Watching Sophie and my dad play in the pool almost every day and share a bowl of ice cream every night

- Swimming in the Gulf – Sophie “swam” and Clay got his feet wet

- Playing cards with my dad

- Sophie and my mom “fishing in the pool” with swim noodles

- Doing some serious outlet shopping with my mom (and finishing the day off with a mani/pedi)

Thanks Nana & Opa for a wonderful stay in Venice — we appreciate all your help, wonderful meals and fun adventures!

After getting glutened at Chili’s, despite ordering off the GF menu, Tina and I settled in to watch the Road Trip – Beer Pong DVD extras (with me alternating cold and hot compresses on my now stitch-less head wound). I was surprised to discover that I was given lots of screen time in several of the segments. Monkey Deux Productions did a fantastic job with the extras, and not just because they let the writer talk. Really, really enjoyed it. Almost an hour of programming.

Look closely, you can see the fibrofatty lypoma still stuck in my forehead.

Reports are streaming in that long lines have besieged retail outlets known to sell DVDs. We await video confirmation, but are hearing rumors of rioting outside Best Buy and Target stores in Kentucky. Sources indicate that the release of the much anticipated film, Road Trip – Beer Pong today, August 11, 2009, may be the cause.

Day one highlights included a visit to KaDeWe in the well-heeled Charlottenburg district, lunch at Schlemmelmeyer Deli, and Spargel (white asparagus) for dinner in our apartment.  Sophie is just a little off schedule, waking up at 2:00 AM expecting breakfast the last two nights, but we’re adjusting, and having fun Finding Nemo in the middle of the night.

Today we walked to the German Capital, saw President Merkel’s helicopter returning her from a weekend getaway, then strolled over to The Brandenburg Gate, passed through to the formerEast Germany, and had coffee at the famous Hotel Adlon beside the US embassy.

Next was a sobering visit to the  Holocaust Memorial.  It was difficult to leave, and devastating to remain.

Coming soon, an exploration of Potsdamer Platz, The Filmmuseum, Checkpoint Charlie, and the Olympic Stadium. Twitter photos:

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For years, I’ve dreamed of a breakfast cereal tournament bracket, and Colin Cowherd from ESPN has finally made it happen.  I’m thrilled with the effort, even if I can’t eat most of them, and he excluded a few solid contenders I’m partial to — but I guess there must always be some snubs.  Go here to vote.

It turns out that while at least 1 in 150 Americans have Celiac, it is hard to diagnose due wildly unrelated symptoms, many of which are often mistakenly attributed to other diseases or ailments. Celiac – left untreated – could lead to infertility, osteoporosis, lymphoma, depression & neurological disorders. Celiac disease is more common in individuals with type 1 diabetes, thyroid disease or anemia. Next time you have a check up, have the doctor run a Celiac serology if you feel you are susceptible — unfortunately, if you are related to me, or have any of the above conditions, you’re susceptible.