So, I've Been Called A Lot of Things but....

...never this.

So I was driving my one day a week, hard-working, immigrant nanny/housekeeper to the bus as I usually do on Wednesdays. Mind you, this is Thousand Oaks, California not Newark, New Jersey. Nice upper middle class area with limited public transportation. The bus route is near the mall, so while we soccer mom's drop off our 'domestic' help at the bus, we can zip into Macy's for the latest in INC. or Bobby Brown (on sale, of course).

So- as she is getting out of the car, a seemingly un-crazy crazy guy stops in the middle of the road and points to me. Quickly, I tuck my wallet and purse under the seat of the car and wait for him to move so I can get the heck out of there fast. He proceeds to give me the finger. And, not the girlie kind of bird with closed fist. This was an arm's length bent-knuckled 'the Fingah!' Then he shouts out "Up Your A-(hole) N-word!" And believe me, he did not use the abbreviated versions seen here. There was no mouthing of these words. It was loud and clear. All heads (well, the few that were around the bus stop) looked at him, then at me as if I had just slammed on my brakes to avoid hitting him. But, there I sat, on the side of the road, paying my housekeeper as I had done so many times. Quietly. Non-confrontationally. Well within the laws of the road and driver courtesy.

Now while I've been called a lot of things in my life. I've been called an asshole. but never the N-word. I don't even use that word...ever. Not that I am beyond racial epithets...but that word is just so hateful. I think the C-word is the only other word I don't use. Everything else is fair game. Hell, I've even invented a few good ones. But that one? Not for me.

So- with my 4 year old in the back of the car...I bang a U-ie (that's cool guy for U-turn) and nervously get the hell out of there. I am pretending to be all cool, but a part of me wonders what brought about that slur. Was it meant as a statement against SUV's and some sort of political statement about global warming? (I drive a Honda Pilot, a mid-size SUV with really good mileage and safety ratings). Was he pissed off that I hire immigrants? Does he know I am a jewish woman and he is pissed that we don't do our own housework? Does he work for the bus driver's union and felt I was cutting off the bus lane traffic? I have no idea....but I couldn't help thinking I did something more than double park at a bus stop.

And, this whacko wasn't driving either. So there was no fear that he would ram my car or anything like that. He was on foot. Standing in the middle of the road with his arm held forth as if he was holding a Stop sign. Only his sign wasn't a stop sign. It was a sign that was more disturbing than that. I guess I should have waited to see if he approached my nanny at the bus stop...(was his epithet meant for her somehow?) But as I thought more about it after the fact, mother bird protects her young, not another bird. I go the heck out while the gettin' was good.
Whoos.

So, immediately - I call hubby and tell him about it. While he is in his car, he see's movie stars. While I am in mine - I get call a lot of things, but never this.

I wish they all could be California girls....

In front of Tiffany's on Rodeo Drive
sans the bling.....:(

Emily's Chicken and Waffles!

So my sister and niece came to sunny Southern Californ-i-a last week. We did some shopping, some eating, some more shopping, some sightseeing, and some more shopping. As is was Passover on Saturday, we thought we'd do some traditional dining as well. We started our day at Pink's Hot Dogs in Los Angeles. A belly-buster lunch as I would call it. And, since it was a jewish holiday, we chose Pink's because they are All-Beef hot dogs. And, they answer to a higher power, right? Pink's has been around since the 40's and is sort of a Hollywood hot spot. We saw a few limos...but nobody famous.

Then, off to Grauman's Chinese Theater and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Too bad the kids don't know who most of the Stars' stars are. Rachel got a kick out of putting her feet in people's feet. Especially Donald Duck. The original 'The Donald!" Danielle got a kick out of shopping at a few stores that they don't have in SoFla. Dani had $100.00 to spend - and did so. Aside from buying a bunch of cute (and very tiny) t-shirts and jeans (that I couldn't even fit over my arm!) she also managed to wear all of the clothes that day. She would change in the car, or wear something out of the store.

Then off to Rodeo Drive! I had never been there myself. I was quite amazed at the amount of people actually carrying shopping bags from Prada, Chanel, and all of the other fancy shops. Nobody there shops at Le-Tarjet the way we do in the 'burbs, I guess.

Hubby and I popped into Tiffany for our annual "Let's pretend we are actually going to buy something and try on everything in the diamond section " excursion. Hubby is so amazing - if I said yes...I would have walked out of there with the 16 stone anniversary band (which I have wanted since the day we got married). But, I could not enjoy it guilt free, so we'll wait. I am a damned FOOL!

We ended our day - after sunset at another L.A. landmark for dinner. Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles! Yes, you read it right. Amazing fried chicken served on a huge fluffy waffle. But, as it was Passover, I opted to eat my chicken and waffle separately. And, don't worry - it stops you up the same as Matzoh!! Elijah woulda been proud, no?

There is a picture of Emily posing in front of the sign. Can you tell which one of these turkey's, er, uh girls is her?

I wish we all could be California girls! Oh wait - WE ARE!!!!!!

Junk and Stuff

Our family dinners are sure to please. And I don't mean the food...Our kids are good eaters. They eat what we eat. Not fussy at all. They eat salad, love spinach, all protiens, rarely eat frozen anything. And we are all fat and happy with Hubby at the healm. So the other night were having something delicious (as usual) and as Rachel was drinking her water she was 'singing' the water down her throat.

Rachel: " First it goed down my throat, to my tummy and fills my arms and legs...."

Me: "Rachel, what is inside your body?"

Rachel: " Food, water, junk, and Pez"

All of all crack up and almost choke...

Me: "Pez? You know what is in your body, right?"

Rachel: "Yup! Bones, Blood, junk and stuff and PEZ!"

She knew she made a funny one and gave us - or tried to give us the one eyed, finger cocked, winking face. This is how it came out.

I wonder if I lifted her neck, would a sweet tart come out?