Naturally Optimistic

New meal plan here + some new random recipes too!

We completed our first day of shooting at about 1am last night. Right on schedule. Aside from a lot of a-holes who drove by shouting (apparently our big lights made a spectacle) and the countless cars with seemingly NO MUFFLERS on them that drove by, I think things went really well. The shots were gorgeous, we even pulled out the dolly. I felt *fairly* comfortable on set and yelling "action." I worked with the actors. I talked with the crew. Of course this morning I got an email from....someone...who has completely made me feel like crap about the whole evening and has punctured my confidence in such a way that it will be hard to recover in time for tonight's shoot. Right now I'm hating my life. Which pisses me off...because I should be loving it!

I have a new iPhone. I don't have time to blog. I have to download a bunch of silly (and useful!) apps.... OH and I start production on a FEATURE FILM tomorrow that I'm DIRECTING. GAH!!!!!!!

Donna at Spuddy Buddy tagged me and I’m all about a good opportunity to talk about myself. Ha! (I copied that from her blog...) Simple Rules: -Open your first photo folder. -Scroll down to the 10th photo. -Post that photo and story on your blog. -Tag five others (or more) friends to do the same. Clearly Dahlia was enjoying Happy Hour on the beach in Florida as much as the rest of us. Or not. Not sure. Anyway - this one is from Florida in April. Steve, Carolyn (my MIL) and I headed over to the beach to enjoy a margarita & the sunset. Dahlia enjoyed snoozing with the sound of waves in her head. Dang. This really makes me want to go on vacation! Tag! You're It! Kate Peder Sarah Holly Meigan Michelle Laurie

My Grandma went in for a meeting with the specialist at Mayo on Friday and also had a PET scan. The scan showed NO OTHER TUMORS in her entire body, which is awesome! They also decided to NOT do surgery on the tumor she has because 1) the tumor is incredibly slow growing; 2) such a surgery would probably be harder for my Grandma to go through than waiting out the tumor growing. I talked with my Grandma yesterday (it was her & my Grandpa's 67th Wedding Anniversary!!) and she said she is "relieved" that she doesn't have to have the surgery and also that the tumor's there and she's "not going to think about it that much." I think that is a fabulous attitude.

Neither of my Grandmothers were/are smokers. Both of my Grandfathers were (at least at one point). My Grandma R. died after a 4 month battle with lung cancer. My Grandma B. has just found out about a carcinoid tumor in her lung. It sucks. I fucking hate cancer.

* So far today - dropped Dahlia at daycare, Beavis to the vet, stripped some wallpaper in the bathroom, did a bunch of work and am getting ready to go to the dentist. *I hate going to the dentist...but I know it's a must. *I also uploaded a video of Dahlia eating chocolate pudding on her site . It's long but I think it's cute. And yes, I'm biased. *This afternoon I'm meeting with the City to discuss filming permits, updating my film blog (which will be 4 Track Films ...well it's there now but I will be doing a 'production' blog for THE LIFE OF RILEY ; then off to sign a lease for a location rental and dinner at the in-laws. *My house & office are a disaster zone. Enter at your own risk.

Okay - probably not but something got me in the middle of the night on Saturday/Sunday....I was restless all night, couldn't sleep...felt like there was a bit pit in my stomach. Did I have to pee? Was I just awake because Dahlia was actually sleeping? Did I have food poisoning...? I finally got up to pee and then decided that throwing up would also be a good thing to do. Ugh. Nothing like visiting the porcelain god at 3am. I went back to bed but was plagued by stomach issues (and more bathroom visits) off and on. I felt terrible yesterday morning. Crampy stomach, achy back and legs, it was not fun. I had to go to Hinckley for a rehearsal and it was all I could do to hold it together. I felt bad as I am supposed to be the captain on this ship and I could hardly sit up straight. When I got home Steve had taken Dahlia to his Dad's so I was able to take a nap. I felt better & worse off & on through the evening. I slept better last night - but still was up a bit. At least I

I did it! I knitted my first sock. The first item of wearable clothing. Whohoooo! There are some *issues* but all in all I think it turned out very well for a first effort. I think I could've made the foot a big longer as it feels as though it doesn't quite fit my heel right...but hey! I'm learning. Now hopefully I can remember how to knit the matching one so I don't end up with a sock-orphan right off the bat.

My formative years, my early dating years, my impressionable years, my snow-day-filled-Breakfast-Club-watching-years, my knowing Pretty In Pink by heart years...they would not have been the same without you.

At least they do when the dinner is catered by this place . (they also have an awesome wine list - check it out sometime!!)

The other day at the office, I had Dahlia with me. She was walking (!!) all over the place and at one point got her changing pad, a diaper and laid down on said changing pad... She had a poopy diaper. I've told several friends about this and they all say "she's ready for potty training." I, however, am not. ACK... (I have no intention of rushing into any sort of potty training...I will go with the flow (no pun intended) and if she's ready, she's ready. My main goal is to not stress out about it over the next couple of years...wish me luck - ha!)

Busy day... 3:15am - hear Dahlia crying...let her cry it out, only took 2 minutes. 3:25am - more crying, ANGRY now...go in and check. She's nuk-less, standing up, very cute. (even at that time of day...) 3:40am - go back to bed after rocking her for a bit. She went back to sleep in her own crib - yippeee!! 7am - get up - Dahlia's still asleep in her own crib! Get ready to drop her off, take Juno to the vet; make lunch. 7:30am - go in to wake Dahlia up (!) because we have to go...she's just laying in her crib, playing with Abby (Cadabby) 7:45am - drop Dahlia off at daycare - TODDLER daycare to you & me... 8am - vet appointment with Juno. She's all good. Took her shots like a champ. Scratched the hell out of me though. 9am - back home to take a shower & get ready for day. 10am - look at two rental homes (for possible film locations). GOOD LORD...what dumps! I can't believe what "landlords" (or more aptly SLUMlords) can get away with because they rent

Whew - busy weekend.... Saturday I drove down to St. Croix State Park. I was meeting my Mom, my sister Kathy, my aunt Ronnelle & my cousin Lindsay for a "Girls' Night" in Hinckley so I decided to go down a little early so I could go for a walk at St. Croix. The park is really nice - it's huge. I think it would be really good for taking Dahlia too - there were a lot of good activities...playgrounds, the Munger Trail goes through the park, canoe shuttle, etc. It was packed, but I still think it looked like it would be fun. I enjoyed my picnic lunch & my walk. Then I met my family at the hotel in Hinckley. Kathy, Lindsay & I all have August birthdays so traditionally (growing up) we would celebrate all together...so that's what this was! Our birthday celebration! After meeting up with them we settled into our suite, then walked around to check out the casino. None of us are big gamblers but it was kind of fun. We ended up having Happy Hour in our room and