Earlier this year, my co-worker offered our family a free air hockey table.
I jumped at it (much to El's utter dismay). We drove over there, trying not to calculate how much this was costing us in gas, picked it up (OMG, it was HUGE - turned out to be over 7 feet long - I mean HUGE as in it needed a name on the side - AIR HOCKEY ONE).
Driving home (with El muttering something about "his wife's compulsions to say 'yes' to everything without thinking"), we (well, he) realized that the only place it could "temporarily" live was our formal living room. Fast forward to Plan A - the boys would spring clean the garage and would put the table out there when they were done. Okay, we have a plan! (El was still muttering, but at least I could come out and play now), and I made a mental note to keep the door closed on my scrapbook room.
So kerplunk it went into place in my living room - with lots of help from the football star next door and El muttering something about Brian not getting enough of a work out with his video games!
Temporarily stored in the living room.
Uh-HUH. Sure.
6 months later (and Plan A having been long forgotten) I realized this month that I was not going to get a Christmas tree in the living room unless we had a pokey little tree sitting on top of Air Hockey One. This was so NOT an option since the cat food was already on the table, 345 boxes of Boy Scout popcorn were under the table, and finally, the one thing no family should be without - an Official Authenticated Nascar Used Tire Ice Chest was also sitting on the table (don't ask)... there was just simply no room for a Christmas tree branch on there!
So in one of my more inspired moments (tada) I mentioned to everyone I knew that regretfully we had to get rid of Air Hockey One. Such a deal I had for them ... and all I heard were crickets! So I called my SIL cuz I know she has friends who have compulsions like me ... and sure enough yesterday, her neighbors showed up and drove off with Air Hockey One in their truck bed. My living room is a living room again (hey there's a fireplace in there!) and I'm dreaming of Christmas trees and lights and stuff! Course, it looks like the Christmas tree will have to stand in the Nascar Tire Ice Chest, but its an improvement right?
Monday, December 8, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
Finally ... a new post!
Well, hellooooo! I have no idea where the time goes, but one minute its June and the next, gulp, October!
I spent this past weekend in Vegas, well technically Henderson, but the slogan doesn't sound quite as catchy to say "what happens in Henderson, stays in Henderson" does it? LOL
Anyway, this was Ginger's big event - Inspiration Unlimited 2008! Now Ginger puts on the most awesome crops and classes I know of - she's just SO creative and fun! I remember walking into Ever After one day with Ginger and looking at the ribbon. I'm going "oh that's pretty" and just sorta, ya know, LOOKING at the ribbon. Ginger meanwhile is touching the ribbon - and then you see it - the LOOK, the gleam - and she goes "SEAWEED" and I'm going "seaweed?" and then its like watching a video game puzzle fast forward into place. Sure enough - that night she whips out a layout using this seaweed ribbon and makes Ariel's underwater home ... oh to have a creative brain like that! So she is the force that juggled all the craziness and pulled off one inspirational awesome weekend for over 125 scrappers!
ANYWAY ... going to Inspiration Unlimited was pretty much outside of my normal Scout/Nascar scrapping world. Prior to the event I was sorta worried about how I would do, but the closer it got, the more excited I got to challenge myself, to let myself go and try new things. Oh and I'm SO glad I did!
I also have to shout out to Nance & Monica - my dear island/pirate friends. Nance is a gem - I think we were sisters at some point and then someone in control of the world realized that we better not live in the same state otherwise we'd cause a LOT of trouble together! LOL Monica is such a sweetheart - I hope one day to have as much energy as she does, but I don't think it will ever happen! They decided to make a creative leap into Inspiration Unlimited too! Yay!!!!
For IU, the amazing Ginger rounded up some extraordinary talent!
First off Teresa Collins. I had heard about her for quite some time from several of the Divas, but honestly, can someone be THAT nice, THAT beautiful, THAT creative, and still be someone you want to be friends with? OH YESSSS! Teresa is just amazing! She is genuine and real ... and honestly, listening to her speak during her session had me in tears. I don't know if she realizes just how much she changed me this weekend - she made me realize how important scrapbooking is, how important it is to showcase everyday moments, how something that she creates, SHOULD be tweaked a bit so that your project reflects YOU - and how wonderfull fulfilling it can all be. She is such a positive force in the industry and I hope she continues to succeed and succeed big! I am a HUGE fan and will now be stalking, errrr, reading her blog everyday! That, and I need to set aside some $$ for her product lines! LOL!
Second - Janna Wilson, incredible designer and Fiskars representative. First off, Fiskars needs to build an entire line around this woman! She is Southern Chic personafied ... her project was so unlike anything I had ever thought of trying ... and I found it so creatively challenging (in my head), but yet the way she broke it down step-by-step, even dorky me, artiste o' the paint-by-numbers set, managed to make something beautiful! And then she gave us the supplies for the other project we never got to - generosity definitely was the trademark of this event, and Janna was no exception.
Third - Layle Koncar representing Scenic Route. She's a hoot! Its always great to start a class near the end of the day with the instructor saying "I'm a little punchy" ... booyah, this was gonna be fun! And it was - yet again, another project that I would never even think of tackling, but ended up loving and can't wait to finish.
I shared a table with Monica and Nance, and a lovely woman from Pennsylvania named Mindy. We all just laughed and enjoyed our day. Its so nice to have fun and then make a new friend on top of it. Monica, Nance and I didn't have enough hours because by the end of the day I was basically so far on empty it wasn't even funny! I swear our hotel room had to be the furthest point from anything and technically still be on hotel property - barely!
The Divas - Star, Susan and Dani were at the other end of the classroom (talk about feeling nervous - I really had to take a deep breath once I realized it and remind myself that I could "do this" without looking like a deer in headlights); Diva Kathy and her family were at the next table over from us - my security blanket! They were over-achievers in Layle's class - we were ummm slower! LOL. Diva Mo was one of Ginger's assistants the entire weekend so the Divas were very well represented. It was nice to have us together again ... I love them dearly and I hope they realize how important they are in my life - we cheer and support each other, share laughs and hugs, they are just awesome, powerful, strong women and I am just so blessed to know and love them (see, more tears!)
More later ...
I spent this past weekend in Vegas, well technically Henderson, but the slogan doesn't sound quite as catchy to say "what happens in Henderson, stays in Henderson" does it? LOL
Anyway, this was Ginger's big event - Inspiration Unlimited 2008! Now Ginger puts on the most awesome crops and classes I know of - she's just SO creative and fun! I remember walking into Ever After one day with Ginger and looking at the ribbon. I'm going "oh that's pretty" and just sorta, ya know, LOOKING at the ribbon. Ginger meanwhile is touching the ribbon - and then you see it - the LOOK, the gleam - and she goes "SEAWEED" and I'm going "seaweed?" and then its like watching a video game puzzle fast forward into place. Sure enough - that night she whips out a layout using this seaweed ribbon and makes Ariel's underwater home ... oh to have a creative brain like that! So she is the force that juggled all the craziness and pulled off one inspirational awesome weekend for over 125 scrappers!
ANYWAY ... going to Inspiration Unlimited was pretty much outside of my normal Scout/Nascar scrapping world. Prior to the event I was sorta worried about how I would do, but the closer it got, the more excited I got to challenge myself, to let myself go and try new things. Oh and I'm SO glad I did!
I also have to shout out to Nance & Monica - my dear island/pirate friends. Nance is a gem - I think we were sisters at some point and then someone in control of the world realized that we better not live in the same state otherwise we'd cause a LOT of trouble together! LOL Monica is such a sweetheart - I hope one day to have as much energy as she does, but I don't think it will ever happen! They decided to make a creative leap into Inspiration Unlimited too! Yay!!!!
For IU, the amazing Ginger rounded up some extraordinary talent!
First off Teresa Collins. I had heard about her for quite some time from several of the Divas, but honestly, can someone be THAT nice, THAT beautiful, THAT creative, and still be someone you want to be friends with? OH YESSSS! Teresa is just amazing! She is genuine and real ... and honestly, listening to her speak during her session had me in tears. I don't know if she realizes just how much she changed me this weekend - she made me realize how important scrapbooking is, how important it is to showcase everyday moments, how something that she creates, SHOULD be tweaked a bit so that your project reflects YOU - and how wonderfull fulfilling it can all be. She is such a positive force in the industry and I hope she continues to succeed and succeed big! I am a HUGE fan and will now be stalking, errrr, reading her blog everyday! That, and I need to set aside some $$ for her product lines! LOL!
Second - Janna Wilson, incredible designer and Fiskars representative. First off, Fiskars needs to build an entire line around this woman! She is Southern Chic personafied ... her project was so unlike anything I had ever thought of trying ... and I found it so creatively challenging (in my head), but yet the way she broke it down step-by-step, even dorky me, artiste o' the paint-by-numbers set, managed to make something beautiful! And then she gave us the supplies for the other project we never got to - generosity definitely was the trademark of this event, and Janna was no exception.
Third - Layle Koncar representing Scenic Route. She's a hoot! Its always great to start a class near the end of the day with the instructor saying "I'm a little punchy" ... booyah, this was gonna be fun! And it was - yet again, another project that I would never even think of tackling, but ended up loving and can't wait to finish.
I shared a table with Monica and Nance, and a lovely woman from Pennsylvania named Mindy. We all just laughed and enjoyed our day. Its so nice to have fun and then make a new friend on top of it. Monica, Nance and I didn't have enough hours because by the end of the day I was basically so far on empty it wasn't even funny! I swear our hotel room had to be the furthest point from anything and technically still be on hotel property - barely!
The Divas - Star, Susan and Dani were at the other end of the classroom (talk about feeling nervous - I really had to take a deep breath once I realized it and remind myself that I could "do this" without looking like a deer in headlights); Diva Kathy and her family were at the next table over from us - my security blanket! They were over-achievers in Layle's class - we were ummm slower! LOL. Diva Mo was one of Ginger's assistants the entire weekend so the Divas were very well represented. It was nice to have us together again ... I love them dearly and I hope they realize how important they are in my life - we cheer and support each other, share laughs and hugs, they are just awesome, powerful, strong women and I am just so blessed to know and love them (see, more tears!)
More later ...
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Music Music... the blog has music
Well, I finally figured out how to add music to my blog - yippee!!
Its still a work in progress but its just fun to hear tunes. Heck, maybe this will make me update more often! LOL!
Its still a work in progress but its just fun to hear tunes. Heck, maybe this will make me update more often! LOL!
Our Miss Molly Brat
So this is Miss Molly after she broke her toe. Yup, her TOE. Everyone loved her bright pink collar and leash (so cute) so she got a bright pink bandage at her favorite vet's office and we toddled home. She was so grateful that she pooped in my recently detailed SUV. Sigh. Sometimes it just doesn't pay to get up in the morning!
Anyway, since cuteness works with this girl, we got over the poop episode (okay so it took a few days), but have to admit she did make a pretty darn adorable peg-legged pink ballerina.
The photo on the left is the 2nd pink bandaging. Molly tore off the first one. Actually, she shredded it. Harumph. That's when she got the lovely plastic "cone of silence" collar. Molly immediately got a hole in the bottom of the bandage on the left so El put a sock over it and then wrapped that with an Ace bandage. Aha, success! (We thought)
Yesterday, Molly, free for a few moments from the confines of the collar, managed to take the entire bandage and brace off (she brought it to me in her mouth) so once again she and I went driving back to the vet's office.
You know you've been there too many times when everyone grins when you walk in the door (and a faint cha-ching is heard from the cash register). "Hi Molly, oh Molly" ... yeah, Oh Molly is right.
She also decided that she had a new trick to debut at the vet's office - she flopped on her side and didn't/wouldn't get up. I have a petulant 7 month old toddler puppy ... and she is convinced that she is charge. After telling her, in my most "I'm the Mom" voice that she had to get up (she didn't), I dragged her across the floor by the leash - and yes, she let me drag her! All of the other owners with perfectly behaving pets thought Molly was a hoot ... brat yes. Hoot? Not so much!
So today we have a small bandage on her paw, she's LIVING in the collar thank you very much, and we wonder how on earth we're going to survive 5 more weeks of this adventure. And meanwhile the vet's office is now calling - heck, they probably missed my credit card being swiped thru their machine today!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Tim Russert, 1950-2008
Tim Russert was one of those journalists who I totally adored.
You know how we become attached to the faces and voices we allow into our living room each night - the ones we trust to deliver good news and bad, the ones who comfort, make us smile, and make us THINK. They are people we'd love to have over for a BBQ or coffee because we feel as if we know them as if they are family because, after all, they're in our homes all the time and always by invitation. Tim Russert had that kind of impact on me.
I LOVED watching and listening to Tim on the Today Show while getting ready for work. He would be on and I would be late - simple as that! And with the primary, he's was on a LOT (and I was late a LOT!) His delight in the political process, his infamous white board (Florida, Florida, Florida!), his exhuberance, his joy, his unmitigated excitement with the way this country functioned (sometimes in a wonky fashion) - it all would come into my (our) living room in a big rush wrapped up with a smile and his "can you believe it?" How on earth does the election coverage get done the way it should without him being here? How do the important interviews that held nothing back - to either side - get done. Who will fill those huge shoes?
He died without warning and perhaps that is also why its hit me so personally. I lost my Dad without warning too also of a heart attack. I want time - time back instead of these sudden "he's gone" announcements. I hate it.
So here we sit at Father's Day weekend and the persistent "why why why" keeps going thru my head; the feeling that "this isn't happening, it isn't real". Of course there are no answers to the questions ... no great understanding of the "big picture" and all of it is painfully too real. One of the good guys is gone, and our lives are changed again.
You are missed by people you never met Mr. Russert; but you touched all of us. You made us care a little more, you made us pay attention, you made us question and listen. Thank you and Bless You.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
THIRTY!!!! 30!!!! THIRRRRRTY!!!
Pounds that is ... yup, its official, according to the all knowing scale I finally hit the THIRTY lbs gone mark today!
(We pause this blog for a moment of happy, happy, joy, joy happy dancing!)!!
Its been just over 4 months since my lapband surgery and can I just say I love it and the results! I had my second adjustment (fill) on Apr. 12th and since then I've been getting my head into the same game as my stomach - thankfully, most times they play nice in the sandbox! I can eat most things just fine. In fact, this Sunday we took Brian and his friend to Red Robin's ... its been ages since we've eaten out at home and I was just all set and drooly for their fish and chips. Well a few bites later, the band reminded me it was there and was firmly in charge. But I had leftovers! LOL!
THIRTY ... oh my gosh... I keep visualizing 30 lbs of potatoes and lugging them around Vons smiling that lunatic type smile saying "look at ME, look at THESE - 30 lbs of these are gone from me-woohoo" (course, then the store manager comes up and quietly asks me to put all his potatoes back where the belong thank you very much).
HAPPY HAPPY DAY!!! (everybody dance!)
(We pause this blog for a moment of happy, happy, joy, joy happy dancing!)!!
Its been just over 4 months since my lapband surgery and can I just say I love it and the results! I had my second adjustment (fill) on Apr. 12th and since then I've been getting my head into the same game as my stomach - thankfully, most times they play nice in the sandbox! I can eat most things just fine. In fact, this Sunday we took Brian and his friend to Red Robin's ... its been ages since we've eaten out at home and I was just all set and drooly for their fish and chips. Well a few bites later, the band reminded me it was there and was firmly in charge. But I had leftovers! LOL!
THIRTY ... oh my gosh... I keep visualizing 30 lbs of potatoes and lugging them around Vons smiling that lunatic type smile saying "look at ME, look at THESE - 30 lbs of these are gone from me-woohoo" (course, then the store manager comes up and quietly asks me to put all his potatoes back where the belong thank you very much).
HAPPY HAPPY DAY!!! (everybody dance!)
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Happy April!
I know, I know, April is more than half over and I'm just getting here - I gotta work on improving my timing!
So Molly is enjoying her life in our home ... and she now has several nicknames as well. My friend Nance calls her Doll Face, we refer to her as Little Miss Pee Piddles, but this morning, I've pretty much decided that I like the name DESTRUCTOR because it just fits her only too well. Allow me to explain.
Last weekend we picked up 30 bags of mulch for our back hill along with some plants that we hope will grow and fill in the spaces (and hey its fun to pick out plants named chocolate!)
Anyway, we then put our smarty hats on and put up a fence we innocently (naively?) thought would keep her off the hill ... alas, not so much. She not only gets up on the hill, she runs back and forth gleefully enjoying puppyhood. Only when hearing MOLLY MOLLY yelled from the house does her little Doll Face head turn, the bell goes off and she remembers she's not supposed to be up there! Then, since she can't jump over the fence to get down (its scarey!), she merely runs thru it. So the cute little fence is a crumpled heap while Destructor is doing just fine!
Anyway, here's our gal, Molly, and the path of her destruction ...
This is Molly - and Mr. Hedgehog, one of many of Zeke's toys that she stole from him! Most pictures of Molly have her face hidden ... we think she does this on purpose so she can't be identified in a line-up!
Molly's mulching efforts on the patio ... notice the culprit isn't around!
This used to be a bed of 3-4 foot tall double-bearded irises ... now its Molly's playplen! The fence (the thing that bent and flat in places) apparently doesn't work! (BTW, if you click on the photo, you can see the damage up close like we do - sorta that IMAX experience!)
This is part of our vastly improved retaining wall hill in the back ... it would look much better if certain puppy paws would keep off (and again, no sign of the little vixen anywhere to be seen!)
Today we hope to get the victimized mulch bags off our patio and distributed into the front planters! And we think a trip to Petsmart may be in order so we can find a new Mr. Hedgehog!
So Molly is enjoying her life in our home ... and she now has several nicknames as well. My friend Nance calls her Doll Face, we refer to her as Little Miss Pee Piddles, but this morning, I've pretty much decided that I like the name DESTRUCTOR because it just fits her only too well. Allow me to explain.
Last weekend we picked up 30 bags of mulch for our back hill along with some plants that we hope will grow and fill in the spaces (and hey its fun to pick out plants named chocolate!)
Anyway, we then put our smarty hats on and put up a fence we innocently (naively?) thought would keep her off the hill ... alas, not so much. She not only gets up on the hill, she runs back and forth gleefully enjoying puppyhood. Only when hearing MOLLY MOLLY yelled from the house does her little Doll Face head turn, the bell goes off and she remembers she's not supposed to be up there! Then, since she can't jump over the fence to get down (its scarey!), she merely runs thru it. So the cute little fence is a crumpled heap while Destructor is doing just fine!
Anyway, here's our gal, Molly, and the path of her destruction ...
This is Molly - and Mr. Hedgehog, one of many of Zeke's toys that she stole from him! Most pictures of Molly have her face hidden ... we think she does this on purpose so she can't be identified in a line-up!
Molly's mulching efforts on the patio ... notice the culprit isn't around!
This used to be a bed of 3-4 foot tall double-bearded irises ... now its Molly's playplen! The fence (the thing that bent and flat in places) apparently doesn't work! (BTW, if you click on the photo, you can see the damage up close like we do - sorta that IMAX experience!)
This is part of our vastly improved retaining wall hill in the back ... it would look much better if certain puppy paws would keep off (and again, no sign of the little vixen anywhere to be seen!)
Today we hope to get the victimized mulch bags off our patio and distributed into the front planters! And we think a trip to Petsmart may be in order so we can find a new Mr. Hedgehog!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
So while I was out flinging in the Spring ....
my boyz were out looking to add to our family! And they succeeded!
This was after El and Brian went to the big REI sale of used/returned gear and equipment (can you believe, they bought yet another tent? Yeah, neither could I!!) - but they have new water shoes, hiking boots, fleece hats & vests, socks (people return socks - how odd!) and even a wonderful laptop bag for Brian at school!
So then the boys decided to go out to Camarillo to the Scout Store and after that - well, the animal shelter is only just over THERE. So that was the first phone call (hey we're at the animal shelter - you're where? LOL). Alas, that didn't pan out and so they toddled over to Newbury Feed to check that out (this, I must confess, was MY idea so I guess I'm sort of to blame for the eventual result!). The owner of Newbury Feed runs out to the Bakersfield Animal Shelter and adopts the dogs, gets them spayed & neutered, and then puts them up for adoption in his store. He doesn't make money on this venture - he breaks even (if that), but since Bakersfield's Shelter is such a high-kill facility (70-75%), he is giving dogs a chance they wouldn't get :)
Anyway, El and Brian fell in love with "Molly" - a look alike to our Zeke. Then they found out that another family said they were coming back for her. So - they waited (and made back up plans). At the end of the day, the other family was a no show, and Molly was on her way to our house!
The other dogs (including her look alike big cousin Zeke) have taken to her really well. The cats - not so much! Max hissed at her this morning and she batted him in the face - so he's been pouting! Sabrina won't come out of my scrapbook room - totally disgusted with another female in the house! LOL!
Anyway, here's a picture of Molly enjoying her chew toy (on the couch no less!)
and here'a a pic of Molly with her look alike - our Zeke boy!
More photos to follow in the weeks ahead!
Trish
Spring fling crop was wonderful!
Yesterday was Ginger's first crop of the year - and it was FUN! Star, Dani and I had a fun day of creativeness and girly time and just can't believe how FAST time goes by when one is having fun! Wouldn't it be great if our workdays went by just as fast?
Speed aka Dani played with bling & glitter (and woohoo, shared a photo of her & Mike Piazza at Petco Stadium - thank you!!!), Star experimented with different techniques (lots of oohs and aahs from my side of the table!) and then started to work on one of Ginger's kits - the amazing Goofy book - its just so wickedly cute! I can't wait to see it finished - cuz then I'll work on mine!!
Thanks to Ginger and Ginger's Mom for a VERY enjoyable day away from it all! Mom - you did AWESOME before Ginger arrived (woohoo)!!! I still can't believe I won the big prize of the night - a Quickutz Revolution - its SOOO cute!!!! What a treat - and all thanks to the Diva Happy Dance and the extra good luck rub from Mom!
Trish
Speed aka Dani played with bling & glitter (and woohoo, shared a photo of her & Mike Piazza at Petco Stadium - thank you!!!), Star experimented with different techniques (lots of oohs and aahs from my side of the table!) and then started to work on one of Ginger's kits - the amazing Goofy book - its just so wickedly cute! I can't wait to see it finished - cuz then I'll work on mine!!
Thanks to Ginger and Ginger's Mom for a VERY enjoyable day away from it all! Mom - you did AWESOME before Ginger arrived (woohoo)!!! I still can't believe I won the big prize of the night - a Quickutz Revolution - its SOOO cute!!!! What a treat - and all thanks to the Diva Happy Dance and the extra good luck rub from Mom!
Trish
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
SINGING A HAPPY SONG!!!
oh joy oh joy, oh wonderful happy joy joy!
Last night, totally on a fluke, we were able to sell our huge Suburban to a family that drove by, noticed the 'burb on the curb and said "hey wanna sell?" We are SO doing the happy dance. Let's face it, in the land of soon to be $4.00 a gallon gas, a 3/4 ton 'burb with a 454 wasn't going to sell and yet IT DID!!!
WOOHOO!!! And its the sale that keeps saving money - today I'm calling my insurance company and we don't have to renew the DMV registration... and hey, best yet, the mailman can now deliver our mail into our mailbox without having to get out of his Jeep (he umm was apparently irritated and wouldn't always close the mailbox), but now he can deliver (though probably not a snow & sleet type of dude!) and the mail will stay in the mailbox!
Yippee!
Last night, totally on a fluke, we were able to sell our huge Suburban to a family that drove by, noticed the 'burb on the curb and said "hey wanna sell?" We are SO doing the happy dance. Let's face it, in the land of soon to be $4.00 a gallon gas, a 3/4 ton 'burb with a 454 wasn't going to sell and yet IT DID!!!
WOOHOO!!! And its the sale that keeps saving money - today I'm calling my insurance company and we don't have to renew the DMV registration... and hey, best yet, the mailman can now deliver our mail into our mailbox without having to get out of his Jeep (he umm was apparently irritated and wouldn't always close the mailbox), but now he can deliver (though probably not a snow & sleet type of dude!) and the mail will stay in the mailbox!
Yippee!
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Happy Easter!
El is creating Easter dinner as I type - boneless leg of lamb, veggies, mashed spuds ... and of course, mint sauce! Yummm... can't wait! We rushed to Pavilions this afternoon because I suddenly remembered I had no mint sauce - one just cannot have lamb without it - its a rule, numbered even. But that has been fixed and I'm calm. Of course, it wasn't my fault that the giant bag of Cadbury Mini Eggs jumped into our cart as I walked by them. It wasn't! I gasped and whoops, there they were! In the cart, all pretty ... now they're home and even prettier! Its my one weakness at Easter ... the one candy that makes me squeal with delight (an homage to Ginger) and makes me do the happy dance! Yes, candy can do that! Frightening how easily I'm amused isn't it?
I'm on vacation this week - YAHOO!!! (visual - another happy dance!) I was off on Friday so yesterday felt like Sunday and today feels like a really odd Monday - I sure hope that straightens out this week! LOL! Brian and I have nothing planned, especially as El has to work. Of course, work already called on Friday - good grief, they were only there for half-day, and they called! HELLOOOO - I'm on vacation! So it looks like I'll be perusing the caller ID all week.
Best part is that on Saturday, I'm going to Ginger's crop in Santa Clarita! (okay... everyone with me this time - happy dance! Hey I feel like Ellen with all this happy dancing!) This week I need to figure out what I want to make, create or just chat about! I had taken a break from Scout stuff, but now I'm way behind so I don't think that was such a great plan! I need to get the photos organized, paper set and then bring some back up cards to make (that will make me open the box from QVC that arrived the other day!). We have a new printer and I have a project in mind ... I need to print photos and see if I can actually move the project from my brain to actual production mode. That means breaking out the bind-it-all that is still in the box ... well I have a week so I should be able to do this right? (ha ha ha - yeah I'm laughing too!)
Hope you all have a lovely Easter day and a happy hoppy spring!
Trish :)
I'm on vacation this week - YAHOO!!! (visual - another happy dance!) I was off on Friday so yesterday felt like Sunday and today feels like a really odd Monday - I sure hope that straightens out this week! LOL! Brian and I have nothing planned, especially as El has to work. Of course, work already called on Friday - good grief, they were only there for half-day, and they called! HELLOOOO - I'm on vacation! So it looks like I'll be perusing the caller ID all week.
Best part is that on Saturday, I'm going to Ginger's crop in Santa Clarita! (okay... everyone with me this time - happy dance! Hey I feel like Ellen with all this happy dancing!) This week I need to figure out what I want to make, create or just chat about! I had taken a break from Scout stuff, but now I'm way behind so I don't think that was such a great plan! I need to get the photos organized, paper set and then bring some back up cards to make (that will make me open the box from QVC that arrived the other day!). We have a new printer and I have a project in mind ... I need to print photos and see if I can actually move the project from my brain to actual production mode. That means breaking out the bind-it-all that is still in the box ... well I have a week so I should be able to do this right? (ha ha ha - yeah I'm laughing too!)
Hope you all have a lovely Easter day and a happy hoppy spring!
Trish :)
Sunday, March 9, 2008
I got tagged!
So I finally get around to reading blogs of my friends and whadya know, I got tagged by the one and only Ginger! How cool is that!! And there's rules!!!
* Link to your tagger and post these 3 rules on your blog.*
Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.* (Okay considering I have run of the mouth disease and share everything about me with everyone, I think I may have to dredge up oddball things from my youth -- mmm and then again maybe not!
Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog (course, if you're like me and don't know 7, then make it up as you go! LOL!)
1. I don't do horror films - last horror film I saw was Carrie and I only saw that cuz John Travolta was in it (and he actually had real hair then, not that helmet thing he has now).
2. I saw Saturday Night Fever 9 times at the theater ... okay so have I explained about the Travolta fetish in my youth yet? I tell ya, that is WEIRD!
3. My parents took me to horseback riding lessons at Pickwick Stables in Griffith Park when I was little. I always went just as far as the "trot" command because as soon as the horse trotted, I bounced out of the saddle, fell on my ass and refused, in tears, to get back on. This routine obviously had to be changed when I got my own horse in the late 1980's. Course, it took me a year to actually ride her - I told people I just had a REALLY big horse-dog!
4. When I was little I had to go to a French daycare ... I don't remember much except for the fact they had applesauce they would make you eat. To this day, I HATE applesauce with a passion.
5. I went to school in England for several months in 1971. Talk about culture shock. I was behind, called a yank and basically had a horrible time. My aunt would rescue me on a weekly basis. But I would love the opportunity to live thereit as an adult.
6. I'm actually starting to cook a little more, but get stumped with everyday stuff. But show me a crockpot and I'm your buddy!
7. To this day, I wish I would have gone to college.
okay not sure I know how to link you to other blogs but here is who I tag: Dani (speed!) speed's zone, Mo { got blog? } , Susan Creative Destination , Kathy L., my sister Marie (ha ha see what happens when you enter blogland!) Couch Clan Idaho ! and uhhhh I need to find some people with blogs! LOL!
* Link to your tagger and post these 3 rules on your blog.*
Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.* (Okay considering I have run of the mouth disease and share everything about me with everyone, I think I may have to dredge up oddball things from my youth -- mmm and then again maybe not!
Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog (course, if you're like me and don't know 7, then make it up as you go! LOL!)
1. I don't do horror films - last horror film I saw was Carrie and I only saw that cuz John Travolta was in it (and he actually had real hair then, not that helmet thing he has now).
2. I saw Saturday Night Fever 9 times at the theater ... okay so have I explained about the Travolta fetish in my youth yet? I tell ya, that is WEIRD!
3. My parents took me to horseback riding lessons at Pickwick Stables in Griffith Park when I was little. I always went just as far as the "trot" command because as soon as the horse trotted, I bounced out of the saddle, fell on my ass and refused, in tears, to get back on. This routine obviously had to be changed when I got my own horse in the late 1980's. Course, it took me a year to actually ride her - I told people I just had a REALLY big horse-dog!
4. When I was little I had to go to a French daycare ... I don't remember much except for the fact they had applesauce they would make you eat. To this day, I HATE applesauce with a passion.
5. I went to school in England for several months in 1971. Talk about culture shock. I was behind, called a yank and basically had a horrible time. My aunt would rescue me on a weekly basis. But I would love the opportunity to live thereit as an adult.
6. I'm actually starting to cook a little more, but get stumped with everyday stuff. But show me a crockpot and I'm your buddy!
7. To this day, I wish I would have gone to college.
okay not sure I know how to link you to other blogs but here is who I tag: Dani (speed!) speed's zone, Mo { got blog? } , Susan Creative Destination , Kathy L., my sister Marie (ha ha see what happens when you enter blogland!) Couch Clan Idaho ! and uhhhh I need to find some people with blogs! LOL!
I miss that 1 hour already!
Well happy spring - the bunnies are hopping, the birds are chirping and I lost an hour of my Sunday! poo! I'll miss that hour tomorrow morning even more!
So last night El and I went on a date to a newer restaurant in town. Actually, it was the 5th restaurant we tried to get in and by the time we got there, a 30 minute wait no longer sounded unreasonable! Anyway, I've got no restriction at all with the band so basically I can eat whatever - so ummm I did. Brian was working a show at his school so we had some time to have an actual date.
So we went to Sutter's Mill - this is the new location in Simi. Years ago, we used to go to the one in Mission Hills on Sepulveda. Loved it. Not so much on the new place. At one point, I could actually hear Gordon Ramsey in my head reviewing the food ... from this I learned I watch too much t.v. and also that Gordon is right! Serving packaged salad like I get at Vons - bad idea. Worse idea is when they can't bother to even wash it to at least give the illusion that it was fresh. For $20 a plate, could they not find anything besides the plastic salad dressing container tilted on the bagged lettuce? Apparently not. Lemonade - ick. Nuff said. I had steak (angus per the menu), 3 shrimp and a stuffed baked potato. Best thing was the shrimp though sadly I'm positive they came frozen out of the box. I'm used to steak at home - with seasoning! Having a lump of meat without seasoning is well ... I don't get it. El had a rib-eye that he said wasn't seasoned either. We also noticed people around us using their salt & pepper shakers a lot so I don't think it was just us and Gordon Ramsey on our shoulder! LOL! So, $50 later we left and then wondered why we didn't go to our favorite local Red's BBQ (who have nothing to worry about from this restaurant).
Today we're going to plan a Saturday trip to Mexicali for I hope this month -- if not the beginning of April. I SO need to go back. Meanwhile, I'm going to plan out lunches this week and go shopping so I'm at least prepared at work. Gotta work the band in order for it to work! I still miss my lunch buddy, and I can see where I could fall into the traps of drive-thrus if I don't put the brakes on real quick. Fighting the battle of the food isn't ever going to be easy - even armed with a band - its a lot of in my head stuff (complete with arguing) so if I can just remove having to think about what to have each day, I think it will be easier.
I put in for vacation this past week at work - nothing planned, just some time off. First week is Brian's spring break at the end of this month and then the other week is when the boys are off at Scout Camp on Catalina Island. I figure I can be at Camp too - right here in the house and get some scrapping done (or not). Maybe meet a diva or two for coffee in the morning if schedule permits. Hey there's a plan!
Well, I guess I should try and organize the mess in the family room before the Atlanta race starts today. We have to go to Costco (coupon book expiring) and fill up the gas tank for the week (oh joy but thank you for the Costco gas station!) and Brian needs to do his laundry. Sundays - so much to do, and today an hour less to get it done in!
So last night El and I went on a date to a newer restaurant in town. Actually, it was the 5th restaurant we tried to get in and by the time we got there, a 30 minute wait no longer sounded unreasonable! Anyway, I've got no restriction at all with the band so basically I can eat whatever - so ummm I did. Brian was working a show at his school so we had some time to have an actual date.
So we went to Sutter's Mill - this is the new location in Simi. Years ago, we used to go to the one in Mission Hills on Sepulveda. Loved it. Not so much on the new place. At one point, I could actually hear Gordon Ramsey in my head reviewing the food ... from this I learned I watch too much t.v. and also that Gordon is right! Serving packaged salad like I get at Vons - bad idea. Worse idea is when they can't bother to even wash it to at least give the illusion that it was fresh. For $20 a plate, could they not find anything besides the plastic salad dressing container tilted on the bagged lettuce? Apparently not. Lemonade - ick. Nuff said. I had steak (angus per the menu), 3 shrimp and a stuffed baked potato. Best thing was the shrimp though sadly I'm positive they came frozen out of the box. I'm used to steak at home - with seasoning! Having a lump of meat without seasoning is well ... I don't get it. El had a rib-eye that he said wasn't seasoned either. We also noticed people around us using their salt & pepper shakers a lot so I don't think it was just us and Gordon Ramsey on our shoulder! LOL! So, $50 later we left and then wondered why we didn't go to our favorite local Red's BBQ (who have nothing to worry about from this restaurant).
Today we're going to plan a Saturday trip to Mexicali for I hope this month -- if not the beginning of April. I SO need to go back. Meanwhile, I'm going to plan out lunches this week and go shopping so I'm at least prepared at work. Gotta work the band in order for it to work! I still miss my lunch buddy, and I can see where I could fall into the traps of drive-thrus if I don't put the brakes on real quick. Fighting the battle of the food isn't ever going to be easy - even armed with a band - its a lot of in my head stuff (complete with arguing) so if I can just remove having to think about what to have each day, I think it will be easier.
I put in for vacation this past week at work - nothing planned, just some time off. First week is Brian's spring break at the end of this month and then the other week is when the boys are off at Scout Camp on Catalina Island. I figure I can be at Camp too - right here in the house and get some scrapping done (or not). Maybe meet a diva or two for coffee in the morning if schedule permits. Hey there's a plan!
Well, I guess I should try and organize the mess in the family room before the Atlanta race starts today. We have to go to Costco (coupon book expiring) and fill up the gas tank for the week (oh joy but thank you for the Costco gas station!) and Brian needs to do his laundry. Sundays - so much to do, and today an hour less to get it done in!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Getting to know me better!
I read this questionnaire this morning on Ginger's blog (waving)...so since she "tagged me", I figured I better post it here! :)
1. What is your occupation? Secretary (Assistant) and Office Manager when the mood strikes to a law firm (yawn);
2. What color are your socks right now? socks?
3. What are you listening to right now? nothing - not even the birds are up!
4. What was the last thing that you ate? pizza for dinner
5. Can you drive a stick shift? yup, but haven't done it in years (remember when we had to pay extra for automatics!
6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? uhhh ... one of the blues
7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? my sister (who ticked me off)
8. Do you like the person who sent this to you? She tagged me - but yup, I likes her alot!
9. How old are you today? 48!
10. Favorite drink? Vanilla Coke Zero - oh how I miss it! I'm still buying it even though I can't drink it! I'm telling myself that crystal light is just as good and better for me ... still working on that!
11. What is your favorite sport to watch? you have to ask? NASCAR baby!
12. Have you ever dyed your hair? yes, especially when Mom is coming to visit!
13. Pets? 2 dogs (1 aging chocolate Lab, Hershey; 1 very loving border collie mix Zeke; 2 black cats - Max and Sabrina
14. Favorite food? Mexican - but we are sadly lacking a great Mexican restaurant in Simi.
15. Last movie you watched? No Reservations with Catherine Zeta Jones. Very good - and not as fluffy as I thought it was.
16. Favorite Day of the year? hmmm... not sure. Any day I don't have to work is on the list!
17. What do you do to vent anger? Yell, cry, pout - and then I get really quiet.
18. What was your favorite toy as a child? Breyer horses - had a whole bunch of them before my sisters broke their legs
19. What is your favorite season? Spring
20. Hugs or kisses? Hugs
21. Cherry or Blueberry? neither! I agree with Ginger - strawberry or raspberry!
22. Do you want your friends to respond? yes
23. When was the last time you cried? in January - recovering from surgery and wondering what the heck I had done!
24. What is on the floor of your closet? stuff that should be tossed out!
25. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending this to? whoever reads the blog!
26. Favorite smells? freshly mowed grass in the morning, and flowers in a florist shop.
27. Who inspires you? lots of people
28. What are you afraid of? car accidents
29. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? cheese!
30. Favorite car? Lexus anything!
31. Favorite cat breed? your basic domestic shorthair - 2 of them are running around my house!
32. Number of keys on your key ring? about 6 along with too much other stuff - it bugs my hubby!
33. How many years at your current job? 27 years
34. Favorite day of the week? Friday absolutely!
35. How many states have you lived in? one
36. Do you think you're funny? yes - humor gets me thru pretty much anything!
Okay, and now you've been tagged too! If you have a blog, pay it forward and play! If not, just have fun with it!
Trish
1. What is your occupation? Secretary (Assistant) and Office Manager when the mood strikes to a law firm (yawn);
2. What color are your socks right now? socks?
3. What are you listening to right now? nothing - not even the birds are up!
4. What was the last thing that you ate? pizza for dinner
5. Can you drive a stick shift? yup, but haven't done it in years (remember when we had to pay extra for automatics!
6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? uhhh ... one of the blues
7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? my sister (who ticked me off)
8. Do you like the person who sent this to you? She tagged me - but yup, I likes her alot!
9. How old are you today? 48!
10. Favorite drink? Vanilla Coke Zero - oh how I miss it! I'm still buying it even though I can't drink it! I'm telling myself that crystal light is just as good and better for me ... still working on that!
11. What is your favorite sport to watch? you have to ask? NASCAR baby!
12. Have you ever dyed your hair? yes, especially when Mom is coming to visit!
13. Pets? 2 dogs (1 aging chocolate Lab, Hershey; 1 very loving border collie mix Zeke; 2 black cats - Max and Sabrina
14. Favorite food? Mexican - but we are sadly lacking a great Mexican restaurant in Simi.
15. Last movie you watched? No Reservations with Catherine Zeta Jones. Very good - and not as fluffy as I thought it was.
16. Favorite Day of the year? hmmm... not sure. Any day I don't have to work is on the list!
17. What do you do to vent anger? Yell, cry, pout - and then I get really quiet.
18. What was your favorite toy as a child? Breyer horses - had a whole bunch of them before my sisters broke their legs
19. What is your favorite season? Spring
20. Hugs or kisses? Hugs
21. Cherry or Blueberry? neither! I agree with Ginger - strawberry or raspberry!
22. Do you want your friends to respond? yes
23. When was the last time you cried? in January - recovering from surgery and wondering what the heck I had done!
24. What is on the floor of your closet? stuff that should be tossed out!
25. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending this to? whoever reads the blog!
26. Favorite smells? freshly mowed grass in the morning, and flowers in a florist shop.
27. Who inspires you? lots of people
28. What are you afraid of? car accidents
29. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? cheese!
30. Favorite car? Lexus anything!
31. Favorite cat breed? your basic domestic shorthair - 2 of them are running around my house!
32. Number of keys on your key ring? about 6 along with too much other stuff - it bugs my hubby!
33. How many years at your current job? 27 years
34. Favorite day of the week? Friday absolutely!
35. How many states have you lived in? one
36. Do you think you're funny? yes - humor gets me thru pretty much anything!
Okay, and now you've been tagged too! If you have a blog, pay it forward and play! If not, just have fun with it!
Trish
Sleep?
Well, true to the name of my blog, I'm having sleep issues. Today was yet another morning when I awoke at 5am and just couldn't get back to sleep. I'm sitting here watching dawn arrive (albeit a gloomy one) and so wishing I could just sleep for a bit longer. SIGH. The rest of the house, except for 1 dog and 1 cat are snoring ... Zeke thinks its time to play, and Max the cat is just being Max the cat and finding ways to irritate me even at this early hour.
Trish
Trish
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
where has the time gone?
Yikes! Time has flown and sitting here watching American Idol tonight, I suddenly remembered "hey I have a blog"! Then I forgot my logon (a bad sign!) and then couldn't believe the last date - yikes yikes yikes!
Anyway ... first off the weight loss! Yay - how fun is it to say "loss"? woohoo!!! To date, I've lost 26 lbs (give or take a couple either way) and can't wait to get a fill this Saturday. Yeppers, we're heading to Mexico - land of way too many earthquakes lately (none on Saturday please!).
This will be my first fill in the lapband and I'm not sure what to expect - I just don't wanna look at the needle! LOL! I have enough trouble with blood getting drawn - I certainly don't wanna see something going IN! I'm hoping the fill will give me some restriction - right now I've recovered from the surgery (thanks to Michelle and Buffy for ears, hearts and shoulders that I leaned on a LOT during my bouts of insanity and panic attacks); felt great when I didn't have hunger (mistakenly thought "hey whadya know, this is easy"), and then sadly discovered the thing they call "bandster hell" ... ay yi yi - the hunger comes BACK - and I think its very annoyed to be ignored so long! LOL! Sadly, I can eat pretty much anything I want ... not a good thing, but most days I do okay. But I've hung in (I've read that lots of people gain back all the weight they lose post-surgery) and I'm patting myself on the shoulder that I'm swinging only a couple of pounds up and then down. Good job me! hee hee hee
Second -- NASCAR is back!!! Waving to Dani (wooohooo chica, its baaaackkkkk!!!). The boys have been very busy with scout stuff so I've been watching the races alone, and totally enjoying it! First off, ESPN is nowhere around and Fox is back in control - yay yay yay! I love the crew - they are the BEST! The boys are off to the California race this Sunday (yet another meet and greet with hubby's man-wife Jimmie Johnson!) and great seats as well. Hopefully it won't rain (egads, hadn't even considered that thought - they'd have to go back on Monday? Yeah, that would be a fun excuse to tell the school huh?) Dani and I are hoping Tony wins soon so he can cut his hair! By the way, check out the funny Toyota commercial - http://youtube.com/watch?v=FNgalNFZt-c Gotta say the hair looks good on Tony in that one!
Third -- Brian helped me clean out my scrapbook room ... oh my gosh ... so so so so much stuff and way too little a room for it all!! We set up crates like they do with Clean House all labeled and we just tossed like crazy. I'm donating quite a bit to our Troop fundraising garage sale - yeehaw it'll be out of the room! I still have to go thru all the magazines and idea books (have 3 crates of those -- goodness), but most will be trashed and recycled. It felt SO good to finally see under the desk and in all the boxes ... ay yi yi ... yet again, so much stuff! LOL!
We all worked in the front garden this Saturday morning - our yard made the house look like it was in foreclosure so we all went out (yes, even me, for the first time in at least 5 years) ... we hacked, cut, sweat and filled up 2 huge trash containers with weeds and dreck ... and there's still more to go! Yeah, it was bad, but at least now it looks somewhat improved. We would have done more but we had an Eagle Court of Honor to attend (congrats to our 51st Eagle Scout, Jonathan), and then had to run out to the Scout House in Camarillo. It was a really nice day out ... we'll have to do that again! LOL!
Trish :)
Anyway ... first off the weight loss! Yay - how fun is it to say "loss"? woohoo!!! To date, I've lost 26 lbs (give or take a couple either way) and can't wait to get a fill this Saturday. Yeppers, we're heading to Mexico - land of way too many earthquakes lately (none on Saturday please!).
This will be my first fill in the lapband and I'm not sure what to expect - I just don't wanna look at the needle! LOL! I have enough trouble with blood getting drawn - I certainly don't wanna see something going IN! I'm hoping the fill will give me some restriction - right now I've recovered from the surgery (thanks to Michelle and Buffy for ears, hearts and shoulders that I leaned on a LOT during my bouts of insanity and panic attacks); felt great when I didn't have hunger (mistakenly thought "hey whadya know, this is easy"), and then sadly discovered the thing they call "bandster hell" ... ay yi yi - the hunger comes BACK - and I think its very annoyed to be ignored so long! LOL! Sadly, I can eat pretty much anything I want ... not a good thing, but most days I do okay. But I've hung in (I've read that lots of people gain back all the weight they lose post-surgery) and I'm patting myself on the shoulder that I'm swinging only a couple of pounds up and then down. Good job me! hee hee hee
Second -- NASCAR is back!!! Waving to Dani (wooohooo chica, its baaaackkkkk!!!). The boys have been very busy with scout stuff so I've been watching the races alone, and totally enjoying it! First off, ESPN is nowhere around and Fox is back in control - yay yay yay! I love the crew - they are the BEST! The boys are off to the California race this Sunday (yet another meet and greet with hubby's man-wife Jimmie Johnson!) and great seats as well. Hopefully it won't rain (egads, hadn't even considered that thought - they'd have to go back on Monday? Yeah, that would be a fun excuse to tell the school huh?) Dani and I are hoping Tony wins soon so he can cut his hair! By the way, check out the funny Toyota commercial - http://youtube.com/watch?v=FNgalNFZt-c Gotta say the hair looks good on Tony in that one!
Third -- Brian helped me clean out my scrapbook room ... oh my gosh ... so so so so much stuff and way too little a room for it all!! We set up crates like they do with Clean House all labeled and we just tossed like crazy. I'm donating quite a bit to our Troop fundraising garage sale - yeehaw it'll be out of the room! I still have to go thru all the magazines and idea books (have 3 crates of those -- goodness), but most will be trashed and recycled. It felt SO good to finally see under the desk and in all the boxes ... ay yi yi ... yet again, so much stuff! LOL!
We all worked in the front garden this Saturday morning - our yard made the house look like it was in foreclosure so we all went out (yes, even me, for the first time in at least 5 years) ... we hacked, cut, sweat and filled up 2 huge trash containers with weeds and dreck ... and there's still more to go! Yeah, it was bad, but at least now it looks somewhat improved. We would have done more but we had an Eagle Court of Honor to attend (congrats to our 51st Eagle Scout, Jonathan), and then had to run out to the Scout House in Camarillo. It was a really nice day out ... we'll have to do that again! LOL!
Trish :)
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