Van Erwin » life

You Can Help…

dianne.erwin — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:33:36 +0000

Please help the country of Hati rebuild. They have been through so much.

A New Year…

dianne.erwin — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 22:13:39 +0000

This year I will spread kindness, bake cookies from scratch, create something that makes others lives better, paint, let go, grow with GOD, train for a half marathon, send my son to school, keep in touch better, throw a party, tell my family, my son and my husband how much I love them every day! Happy 2010 – let’s make this a great one…

“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.” – Benjamin Franklin

A Photo Scrapbook

dianne.erwin — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:23:13 +0000

I love Ben Watts work! I wish I had gotten a chance to work with him in the past but I still admire his eye… Check out his new book. Lickshot. I know a little place where you can buy a copy signed by Ben also.

The penguin shines across the loving hydrogen.

book of the day!

dianne.erwin — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 05:11:00 +0000

A guide, to feeling great, losing weight, and saving the planet!

Notes…

dianne.erwin — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 04:46:08 +0000

Dear Kitchen:

it would be nice if every once in a while you just cleaned your self up! You bother me every day! Help me out here…

Dear Sleep:

I miss you, I don’t like listening to my husband snore so if you could come for a visit that would be lovely!

Dear Conner:

I wish we could go running every morning together and start our days off right, but it’s too damm hot here.

Dear Key Lime Ice cream:

I really wish I could stop thinking about you. You taste so darn good at midnight.

Dear Mosquitos:

I am so over you it makes me want to get outta dodge.

Dear Ungrateful people out there:

If you actually thanked people every now and then for what they do for you, you might be surprised at what life will hand you!

Dear Vacation:

Could you get here any sooner, I am counting down the minutes…

Dear Conner:

I wish we had more time together, you would think sine you work at home as do I that we would really get some quality time together. :0

A toast to our Hero’s

dianne.erwin — Mon, 25 May 2009 14:51:09 +0000

Happy Memorial day – today I am thinking of our amazing hero’s who have fought for our lives and the lives to come!

Decoration Day was first observed to honor those heroes who fell in battle during the Civil War. Decoration Day was changed to Memorial Day to honor all Americans who fell in battle in all wars. I am going to have a pina colada today and toast to all those who have fallen for us. GOD SPEED…..

Perfect Puerto Rican Pina Colada Recipe

1 can of Coco Lopez® cream of coconut (15oz)

1 can of pineapple juice (46oz)

Mix together in pitcher with whisk or spoon

Fill blender to the rim with ice

Fill blender half way with coconut/pineapple mixture

Add light rum to fill blender 3/4 full

Add additional ice cubes to fill to rim as some ice has now settled and melted.

Cover and turn on the blender.

Pour into glasses and top with a dash of Kahlua, pineapple and an orchid!

Downtown Chic: Designing Your Dream Home: From Wreck to Ravishing

dianne.erwin — Wed, 20 May 2009 03:40:26 +0000

I want this book so badly….

New York City–based couple Robert and Cortney Novogratz have been renovating and designing unique and hip homes for families for over ten years. Describing their signature style as a sophisticated but bohemian mix of high and low, new and old, they offer their realistic advice on how to create original, warm interiors with ease. One part practical guide, one part inspirational volume on creating a look for the home, the book pairs humorous anecdotes about the pitfalls and pleasures of renovation with a treasure trove of decorating tips: how to use both boutique and flea-market finds; how to inject lots of personality into a room affordably; how to decorate kids’ rooms so they appeal to children and adults; how to easily rehabilitate outdated furnishings; and many more. In each of the ten projects featured—which include a townhouse in New York City, a country house in Massachusetts, and a beach house in Brazil—before and after shots document the agony and ecstasy of any renovation project, as well as revealing the design duo’s vision and remarkable ability to see through the most awful of spaces to the amazing home that lies within.

I am feeling kind of emotional lately, I think it’s just the weight of the world, and the fact that my son is growing up so fast. He makes me perfectly happy, I can’t imagine having another one right now, I love giving him the spotlight! I may be spoiling him a bit, just a little. He asks for jelly beans a hundred times a day and laughs out loud when he sees my face. He has started to play little games, and his plastic animals walk now with large up and down movements from his tiny hands. He surfs in the bath tub on a boogie board, and he drives his animals to the airport in his cozy coupe…

We have been really busy latley, but thinking about all of the people we love and sending good positive vibes to those who are going through a hard time right now! Take a deep breath and let it all go. Let God carry your weight.

On the move….

admin — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:38:00 +0000

Yesterday I took Van to the beach and we brought the dogs along. Since Van and I are staying at my moms and the dogs are still in the house we rented he doesn’t get to see them much. So we walked out onto the white sand. Van was in nothing but a diaper, white birds were all around us and the dogs ran into the water, a gentle breeze blew by us. The water was crystal clear and there was not a person in sight. For a moment I got a feeling of what heaven might be like except my husband was missing. No bugs were in sight, the heat was not that bad and for a moment I took it all in. It is for moments like these that we moved here. Lately I have really been missing home (California) my friends, having the door open in our house and letting the cool breeze blow in, watching Van play outside in our yard while I do things in side. The comforts of our life are so missed right now. It’s funny that saying “you don’t know what you got til it’s gone”. It’s true. We will try Florida out for a year and see how it goes. I know it takes time to build a life anywhere, but it’s hard. I know why people stay put now….

We looked at it as an adventure when we were packing up and leaving. Today it seems much harder than I thought it would be. I know this much Van turns one and a half this week and he knows his family, and it makes me smile to hear him call my mom’s name “non”. I always felt out of place here in Florida, the minute I arrived in California I knew that was where I was supposed to be. Turns out that is where I found some of the most important people in my life aside from my family. I love you Conner, thank you for enduring for us, I know you have given up so much to be here. What an adventure we are on huh?

In a nutshell…

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 03:16:00 +0000

I walk dogs, for extra money. So I can buy Trucks.

I get Ice Cream when I am good. “which is all the time”

I go on the potty!

What a whirlwind of events that has taken place in our lives lately. We found out today that we are living in an unsafe home. The landlady needs to remove all moldy anything before I will bring Van back into that house. We took a road trip to South Carolina to see my college buddies and get out of town for the weekend. When we returned it was my birthday and I had a nice relaxing one! My mom watched Van and she gave me the best massage while we watched tennis and relaxed. Then she watched Van at night and Conner and I got to go have sushi with the family! I got some awesome gifts including a gift card to nordstrom and my favorite signature perfume Angel. Conner gave me some running shoes so I can run away from here! Run forest run! I have felt pretty defeated lately – just to be honest. I want to write that everything is awesome and we are all smiles, but since we have arrived it has been a rocky road. Everything has been a challenge. Van is sick again I think he got a cold on our trip but this time he can’t keep food down and is running fevers. I feel like a hamster running in my ball and I can’t get anything accomplished….. This to shall pass – Conner reminded me tonight as he drove away after dinner to the house we are supposed to be living in as a family. Van is needing MOM even more these days as he is not sure where home is and he is feeling ill. We love this boy more than anything in this world and just want a safe place for him to call home. Where he can play with his trucks and doggies…

Here are a few photos of the milestones from the past few weeks. He is about to turn one and a half and I enjoy every second with him, even when I am getting thrown up on four times in a row.
My sister sent me this poem that she found and I love it..

My Baby Boy and Me:

It’s three AM, they’re all asleep, and no-one’s here to see.
As we rock slowly back and forth, My baby boy and me.
His little hand is feather light Tucked up against my chin.
I hold his tiny hand in mine, and stroke his baby skin.
The house about us creaks and groans, The clock hands creep around.
He snuggles closer to me still, And makes his baby sounds. I love these quiet hours so much, And cherish every one.
Store memories up inside my heart For lonely nights to come.
All too soon he’ll be grown up, His need for mama gone.
But until then I still have time For kisses and for song.
Time for quiet hours like this With him cuddled in my arms,
Where I wish he’d always stay Protected, safe and warm.
And yet I know the day will come When his tiny little hand, will be bigger than my own. He’ll grow to be a man.
But until then he’s mine to love With no one here to see. As we rock slowly back and forth,
My baby boy and me.
…Author Unknown

This little house!

admin — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:07:00 +0000

It’s been almost a week since my last post and I honestly cant remember a time when i have ever been this busy. And I have help! Van’s Mimi flew down to be with us for a week while I looked for a place to live… I have found two houses one is amazing and all we could ever want but $200 over what we had budgeted a month. It is on the water, brand new and has 3 bedrooms & 3 bathrooms! It’s absurd. Next is a house with a yard that has 2 bedrooms, and 1 bathroom. The kitchen is the size of a tuna can and it doesn’t have a dishwasher. They are both a block from the beach! So that part is great.
The little one has a fenced in yard for the dogs, and the big one with the ELEVATOR does not have a fenced in yard. Oh and that price is $200 less than we had budgeted for which means we could start paying some debt down! I have been so stressed about this decision that I have not had any other time to think about anything else. My emotions have taken a break lately and I have gone into robot mode. When your in robot mode you can’t really write anything that anyone would want to read either. It’s too shallow. It’s basic and weird. I will have more soon when I get back to normal. I will have photos too!