Well the new year is gonna go fast. Seems like it just came and we're already into the second month of it. I've been really focused on and dabbling in retirement plans and schemes - trying to figure out the best way to be self sufficient and comfortable when I do retire. I really had my heart set on purchasing an inexpensive house (relative to where I am now and and where the house is located) - had it picked out and a check written to hold it - then my financial planner 'talked me down'.
I still may do it my way.
Anyway - This Thursday (today being Monday) - I am leaving with my best buddy Jo and we are headed to Vegas for the Annual Rugby USA 7s Tournaments. I've been to 6 out of the past 7 years of them and only missed last year due to money. (3 yrs L.A., 1 yr San Diego, 2 yrs Vegas so far)
I know we are gonna have a ball.
Can't wait.
Will share our adventures - and I'm sure there'll be many. We will be there for 4 days and 3 nights - enough time to get into plenty of trouble LOL. Gonna be prayin' for scrums and checking out bumms at the games. It's definitely a game a girl can enjoy watching!! :)
Go Eagles (USA), Go All-Blacks (NZ)
Later!
Monday, February 4, 2013
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Backward and Forward
Looking back - it's been a good year.
I've done lots of fun stuff with lots of great friends. Gatherings for tastings, birthdays, movie nights, dinners, house-warmings. And then there's the Holidays - OMG - of course Halloween of which I never shared pictures with you. OK - here's a few:
OK - I think you get the picture nyuk nyuk.... a fun time was had by all, there was tons of cool food, I decorated my fool head off and there was a good turnout. Who could ask for anything more?
A few other 2012 highlights
People I have reconnected with on Facebook - - - Butch Vecchio, (my first (ever) boyfriend-wow huh?), Eddie Evans, Dave Jones, Guy Bonds and several others from early 1970s group of friends (40 years ago - wow again), Cousins Thomas and Gary Fohrenck (My Uncle Bill's kids), several other members of the Vecchio family (my ex's kids,cousin Tory, sister Mary, etc.) - Sonya Byrdsong Pereira (half sister to my son Tony - (abandoned by her father (my ex) after her mother died...so sad).....and I'm sure there are tons more I am forgetting.
Some fun things I did this year (just to name a few):
Went to Bill Randall's 50th birthday party in Phoenix with my friend Jo Hurst - Bill is a twin - he lives in Sacramento and the party was in Phoenix at his twin brother Wes's house. I met the family - his crazy nephew Taylor and more conservative Nephew are both engaged in the entertainment business in Hollywood and quite successful for young people. Nice kids! His sister in law Sandy is a sweetheart. Jo and I stayed over at a nearby hotel and shopped and ate out a couple times while we were there before heading back (I drove).
Went toMeag Palm Springs to visit friend Meagan Beavers - and stayed with her for a couple days. What a lovely visit. She has a wonderful house with a pool out back that I spent most of my time either in or by. We went out and ate and drank and just hung out at the house and caught up and visited.
Went to the California Wine Festival in Santa Barbara with Rebecca Pate, Jo Hurst, and Deborah Dominguez. Drove to Santa Barbara (beautiful coastal drive) and stayed at a hotel - and did a 2- day drink fest with great food and shopping in between.
Also attended several of Rebecca Pate's events...Her bridal shower, her military promotion, and her wedding. All were great!
Went to Universal Studios with Nephew Chris and his family - who stayed with me for about 4-5 days (He, his wife, and 3 kids) - We also went to SeaWorld - and tons of beaches. I tried to get them around to see as much as I could for as short a visit as they had - and they say it's the best trip they've ever been on. They are a lovely family and the kids are just great! We had a cookout at the house one evening and My sons Rob and Justin - with their girlfriends Jodi and Michelle were there and got to meet their cousins as well. It was a very nice visit. Jo and her husband were also there. She also thought they were great. It was a wonderful visit - they (and I) had a great time.
Had a Lobster fest on Justin's boat. He trapped about 8-9 lobster and 5 of us ate lobster like kings - a great night!
wonderful Thanksgiving (double turkey) and Christmas (seafood extravaganza) gatherings at my home with my sons, and with friends.
And of course the typical gatherings for True Blood, Dexter and just gathering for the heck of it with friends now and then or after work on a Friday
Oh and last but not least - have discovered the cause of all my Left-sided aches and pains - seems
a vertebrae has shifted forward and to the left and is pinching nerves on that side so the Left hip, leg, knee, foot - etc etc issues that I have been having - all because of THIS:
Can you see it? The diagonal coming up from the right bottom corner - is the spine - 1 bone - 2 bones then oops - big dark space and line is crooked - 3rd bone is way out of line... see it now? Sooo lots of physical therapy in my future. I will NOT succomb to spinal surgery....the most debilitating thing a person could ever do to themself! I will get through this with hard work and determination!
And a quick 2012 general overview:
Some of the 2012 historical events.....
Obama is president (again)
Olympics in London
Superstorm Sandy in the NE.
The mission to mars
Marijuana legalized in Colorado, Washington and Oregon.
Colorado Theatre killings
Syria's Civil war
Cruise ship Costa Concordia ran aground off Italy's coast
Queen Elizabeth's celebration of 60 years as queen
Mass Killing (26) at Sandy Hook ELEMENTARY School! (Newtown Conn)
Milestone Deaths:
Neil Armstrong, Ray Bradbury, Dick Clark, Andy Griffith, Davy Jones, Ernest Borgnine, Phyllis Diller, Thomas Kincaide, Whitney Houston, Andy Williams, and Donna Summer to name a few.
2013 should be better (no more horrible news like the killing sprees please) and hopefull be more like great! We shall see!
I've done lots of fun stuff with lots of great friends. Gatherings for tastings, birthdays, movie nights, dinners, house-warmings. And then there's the Holidays - OMG - of course Halloween of which I never shared pictures with you. OK - here's a few:
OK - I think you get the picture nyuk nyuk.... a fun time was had by all, there was tons of cool food, I decorated my fool head off and there was a good turnout. Who could ask for anything more?
A few other 2012 highlights
People I have reconnected with on Facebook - - - Butch Vecchio, (my first (ever) boyfriend-wow huh?), Eddie Evans, Dave Jones, Guy Bonds and several others from early 1970s group of friends (40 years ago - wow again), Cousins Thomas and Gary Fohrenck (My Uncle Bill's kids), several other members of the Vecchio family (my ex's kids,cousin Tory, sister Mary, etc.) - Sonya Byrdsong Pereira (half sister to my son Tony - (abandoned by her father (my ex) after her mother died...so sad).....and I'm sure there are tons more I am forgetting.
Some fun things I did this year (just to name a few):
Went to Bill Randall's 50th birthday party in Phoenix with my friend Jo Hurst - Bill is a twin - he lives in Sacramento and the party was in Phoenix at his twin brother Wes's house. I met the family - his crazy nephew Taylor and more conservative Nephew are both engaged in the entertainment business in Hollywood and quite successful for young people. Nice kids! His sister in law Sandy is a sweetheart. Jo and I stayed over at a nearby hotel and shopped and ate out a couple times while we were there before heading back (I drove).
Went toMeag Palm Springs to visit friend Meagan Beavers - and stayed with her for a couple days. What a lovely visit. She has a wonderful house with a pool out back that I spent most of my time either in or by. We went out and ate and drank and just hung out at the house and caught up and visited.
Went to the California Wine Festival in Santa Barbara with Rebecca Pate, Jo Hurst, and Deborah Dominguez. Drove to Santa Barbara (beautiful coastal drive) and stayed at a hotel - and did a 2- day drink fest with great food and shopping in between.
Also attended several of Rebecca Pate's events...Her bridal shower, her military promotion, and her wedding. All were great!
Went to Universal Studios with Nephew Chris and his family - who stayed with me for about 4-5 days (He, his wife, and 3 kids) - We also went to SeaWorld - and tons of beaches. I tried to get them around to see as much as I could for as short a visit as they had - and they say it's the best trip they've ever been on. They are a lovely family and the kids are just great! We had a cookout at the house one evening and My sons Rob and Justin - with their girlfriends Jodi and Michelle were there and got to meet their cousins as well. It was a very nice visit. Jo and her husband were also there. She also thought they were great. It was a wonderful visit - they (and I) had a great time.
Had a Lobster fest on Justin's boat. He trapped about 8-9 lobster and 5 of us ate lobster like kings - a great night!
wonderful Thanksgiving (double turkey) and Christmas (seafood extravaganza) gatherings at my home with my sons, and with friends.
And of course the typical gatherings for True Blood, Dexter and just gathering for the heck of it with friends now and then or after work on a Friday
Oh and last but not least - have discovered the cause of all my Left-sided aches and pains - seems
a vertebrae has shifted forward and to the left and is pinching nerves on that side so the Left hip, leg, knee, foot - etc etc issues that I have been having - all because of THIS:
Can you see it? The diagonal coming up from the right bottom corner - is the spine - 1 bone - 2 bones then oops - big dark space and line is crooked - 3rd bone is way out of line... see it now? Sooo lots of physical therapy in my future. I will NOT succomb to spinal surgery....the most debilitating thing a person could ever do to themself! I will get through this with hard work and determination!
And a quick 2012 general overview:
Some of the 2012 historical events.....
Obama is president (again)
Olympics in London
Superstorm Sandy in the NE.
The mission to mars
Marijuana legalized in Colorado, Washington and Oregon.
Colorado Theatre killings
Syria's Civil war
Cruise ship Costa Concordia ran aground off Italy's coast
Queen Elizabeth's celebration of 60 years as queen
Mass Killing (26) at Sandy Hook ELEMENTARY School! (Newtown Conn)
Milestone Deaths:
Neil Armstrong, Ray Bradbury, Dick Clark, Andy Griffith, Davy Jones, Ernest Borgnine, Phyllis Diller, Thomas Kincaide, Whitney Houston, Andy Williams, and Donna Summer to name a few.
2013 should be better (no more horrible news like the killing sprees please) and hopefull be more like great! We shall see!
Friday, January 4, 2013
The right to regulate
There are so many issues in the news - all the time about government regulation. Should they regulate this - do they have the right to regulate that, why don't they regulate this, when are they going to regulate that? It just goes on and on.
I can sort of understand the regulation of monopolies. If they weren't regulated - the provider could set any price they want - for a product that is necessary - and people would have to pay it. An example would be electricity.
Now there are competitors in the fuel industry - and yet they ALL go up at the same time and kill the economy by increasing shipping costs adding to product costs, as well as wipe out budgets to those with limited income. They are not monopolies - but I feel they are handled very poorly and this is an industry that needs some serious clean-up. Where to buy from, whether or not to produce our own, funding sustainable energy systems....the list goes on and on. And don't you think the auto industry has a hand in this? Cars need fuel, people need cars, if cars didn't need fuel the fuel industry wouldn't be as powerful....thus the powerful fuel industry delays tactics to find better sources of car motivation. I'd wager money (sort of like the tobacco industry - another powerful, and now conglomerate business) - a lot of these powers work hand in hand to keep each other rich.
Then there are those regulatory bodies that are supposed to 'protect' us. Like FDA for example. Really? Protect us? Let me see....they say what can and can not be put in foods. Look at the food out there people!!! Food shouldn't be labelled if it is 'organic'. Food should ALL be organic! WE are ORGANIC!!! The rest of that crap (insecticides, steroids, additives, preservatives, chemicals of all sorts to make things look, smell, and taste better - or increase the weight (fat) when being sold by weight..) Are you kidding me? Other countries foods are not half as heavily regulated as ours - and yet their foods smell, look, and taste better - and don't have ANYthing inorganic added to them!
When I went to New Zealand and tasted their dairy products - OMG - it reminded me of back in the days when I was a kid - milks and cheeses were so fresh and tasted so wonderful. Now everything is so over-processed before it is sold - there is no flavor left! Fruits & Vegetables - same thing. You don't have to worry about the label on it - if there are additives or whether or not it's organic. It is ALL organic there!
Convenience foods filled with artificial color, flavor, and every known chemical known to man - are all garbage - yet allowed on the shelves. The stuff contained in them is not what our body is meant to digest. Thus the carcinogen effect of so many of these items. We can't digest it - it digests US!
Regulating religion - where do I begin. The atheists, and agnostics have managed to have the upper hand and say no prayer here, no religious artifact there, no this holiday, take God out of that document. What about the freedom of religion our forefathers fought so hard to acquire in this country? Fine - you don't like prayer? Then shut up and wait for those who do! You don't like that cross on the hill? Then stay away from that hill - there's lots of others to go climb on and have a view from, you don't like Christmas trees? They have to be called 'holiday' trees? What holiday? For God's sake - it's a flippin' Christmas tree!! Not your holiday? Fine! Don't celebrate it! Celebrate your own or none at all.
I could go on and on and on. I just want to know where we draw the line and how - and who makes these decisions on what's safe to eat, what should have a ceiling on a price, and why non-religion trumps freedom of religion. Who gets that right to regulate? And how can we be better informed and have the power to say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. Give us our health, right to live, and right to worship as well as not worship back!! We are soooooo on the brink................
I can sort of understand the regulation of monopolies. If they weren't regulated - the provider could set any price they want - for a product that is necessary - and people would have to pay it. An example would be electricity.
Now there are competitors in the fuel industry - and yet they ALL go up at the same time and kill the economy by increasing shipping costs adding to product costs, as well as wipe out budgets to those with limited income. They are not monopolies - but I feel they are handled very poorly and this is an industry that needs some serious clean-up. Where to buy from, whether or not to produce our own, funding sustainable energy systems....the list goes on and on. And don't you think the auto industry has a hand in this? Cars need fuel, people need cars, if cars didn't need fuel the fuel industry wouldn't be as powerful....thus the powerful fuel industry delays tactics to find better sources of car motivation. I'd wager money (sort of like the tobacco industry - another powerful, and now conglomerate business) - a lot of these powers work hand in hand to keep each other rich.
Then there are those regulatory bodies that are supposed to 'protect' us. Like FDA for example. Really? Protect us? Let me see....they say what can and can not be put in foods. Look at the food out there people!!! Food shouldn't be labelled if it is 'organic'. Food should ALL be organic! WE are ORGANIC!!! The rest of that crap (insecticides, steroids, additives, preservatives, chemicals of all sorts to make things look, smell, and taste better - or increase the weight (fat) when being sold by weight..) Are you kidding me? Other countries foods are not half as heavily regulated as ours - and yet their foods smell, look, and taste better - and don't have ANYthing inorganic added to them!
When I went to New Zealand and tasted their dairy products - OMG - it reminded me of back in the days when I was a kid - milks and cheeses were so fresh and tasted so wonderful. Now everything is so over-processed before it is sold - there is no flavor left! Fruits & Vegetables - same thing. You don't have to worry about the label on it - if there are additives or whether or not it's organic. It is ALL organic there!
Convenience foods filled with artificial color, flavor, and every known chemical known to man - are all garbage - yet allowed on the shelves. The stuff contained in them is not what our body is meant to digest. Thus the carcinogen effect of so many of these items. We can't digest it - it digests US!
Regulating religion - where do I begin. The atheists, and agnostics have managed to have the upper hand and say no prayer here, no religious artifact there, no this holiday, take God out of that document. What about the freedom of religion our forefathers fought so hard to acquire in this country? Fine - you don't like prayer? Then shut up and wait for those who do! You don't like that cross on the hill? Then stay away from that hill - there's lots of others to go climb on and have a view from, you don't like Christmas trees? They have to be called 'holiday' trees? What holiday? For God's sake - it's a flippin' Christmas tree!! Not your holiday? Fine! Don't celebrate it! Celebrate your own or none at all.
I could go on and on and on. I just want to know where we draw the line and how - and who makes these decisions on what's safe to eat, what should have a ceiling on a price, and why non-religion trumps freedom of religion. Who gets that right to regulate? And how can we be better informed and have the power to say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. Give us our health, right to live, and right to worship as well as not worship back!! We are soooooo on the brink................
Sunday, December 30, 2012
It's the Damn Door!!
A friend of mine shared this with me - and I had to keep it for posterity. Gee - after all it makes perfect sense!
Ever walk into a room with some purpose in mind, only to completely forget what that purpose was? Turns out, doors themselves are to blame for these strange memory lapses. Psychologists at the University of Notre Dame have discovered that passing through a doorway triggers what's known as an event boundary in the mind, separating one set of thoughts and memories from the next. Your brain files away the thoughts you had in the previous room and prepares a blank slate for the new locale. It’s not aging, think about it... it's the damn door!
Ever walk into a room with some purpose in mind, only to completely forget what that purpose was? Turns out, doors themselves are to blame for these strange memory lapses. Psychologists at the University of Notre Dame have discovered that passing through a doorway triggers what's known as an event boundary in the mind, separating one set of thoughts and memories from the next. Your brain files away the thoughts you had in the previous room and prepares a blank slate for the new locale. It’s not aging, think about it... it's the damn door!
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Retirement Options - riding the see-saw
Oh my.
How the thought of leaving my lovely home here in San Diego makes me sad. I love the weather, the beaches, the mountains, the sights, the smells the sounds. And most of all the wonderful friends and family I have here.
However,
Retirement means a fixed income. And oh how California loves to tax it's residents! Rent and purchased housing has reached the point of obscenity in price - even after the huge recession and drop in prices. They'll never reach normal again, no matter how much they've come down.
I'm paying $1770 a month for a 2-bedroom apartment. Granted - it is close to the beach and I am paying for that benefit....but no matter where I live it'll be high - if I move further inland I'd pay the same price but have more space for my money. I decided I'd rather have the beach.
In 5 years I will be 66 years old. Full retirement age for Social Security. I will have worked 50 years of my life - and YES I do feel 'entitled' to a substantial SS benefit! I paid into it for that long - and it was developed originally as a retirement benefit - not a death benefit, childrens benefit, fund to steal from or anything else. (oops - stepping down off the box)...
I will have 10 years with my present job which should pay a decent amount (govt.) and have an IRA that my financial has well-invested for me.
Here's my present mindset:
I have looked at options beyond San Diego....
Considered Florida - spend 29 years there.
But only have a few friends and absolutely no family there. The weather is okay but the bugs and humidity just don't do it for me.
Missouri - NO
Kansas - I have quite a few family members there. It is close enough to Mo. that I could visit long lost friends, and not too far from Co. either (more family)
I hate winters, would miss the beach and mountains but would love springs and falls. If I had a house with a basement that I could turn into 100% craft area - I could learn to like it there - as my playroom would be quite the escape.
AND - If I bought the house outright - I would have no house payments and all my income minus daily expenses (food, utilities, gas etc.) could be put away to go play during the winter (cruises, trips to warm places, etc.)
I'm sorta getting to like these ideas - and have found some interesting houses at ridiculously low prices (market is dead there right now) - I have my eye on 3 in particular. Who knows.... I'm so up and down about it from day to day. Stay tuned. I'm still riding the see saw........
How the thought of leaving my lovely home here in San Diego makes me sad. I love the weather, the beaches, the mountains, the sights, the smells the sounds. And most of all the wonderful friends and family I have here.
However,
Retirement means a fixed income. And oh how California loves to tax it's residents! Rent and purchased housing has reached the point of obscenity in price - even after the huge recession and drop in prices. They'll never reach normal again, no matter how much they've come down.
I'm paying $1770 a month for a 2-bedroom apartment. Granted - it is close to the beach and I am paying for that benefit....but no matter where I live it'll be high - if I move further inland I'd pay the same price but have more space for my money. I decided I'd rather have the beach.
In 5 years I will be 66 years old. Full retirement age for Social Security. I will have worked 50 years of my life - and YES I do feel 'entitled' to a substantial SS benefit! I paid into it for that long - and it was developed originally as a retirement benefit - not a death benefit, childrens benefit, fund to steal from or anything else. (oops - stepping down off the box)...
I will have 10 years with my present job which should pay a decent amount (govt.) and have an IRA that my financial has well-invested for me.
Here's my present mindset:
I have looked at options beyond San Diego....
Considered Florida - spend 29 years there.
But only have a few friends and absolutely no family there. The weather is okay but the bugs and humidity just don't do it for me.
Missouri - NO
Kansas - I have quite a few family members there. It is close enough to Mo. that I could visit long lost friends, and not too far from Co. either (more family)
I hate winters, would miss the beach and mountains but would love springs and falls. If I had a house with a basement that I could turn into 100% craft area - I could learn to like it there - as my playroom would be quite the escape.
AND - If I bought the house outright - I would have no house payments and all my income minus daily expenses (food, utilities, gas etc.) could be put away to go play during the winter (cruises, trips to warm places, etc.)
I'm sorta getting to like these ideas - and have found some interesting houses at ridiculously low prices (market is dead there right now) - I have my eye on 3 in particular. Who knows.... I'm so up and down about it from day to day. Stay tuned. I'm still riding the see saw........
Friday, December 28, 2012
Something fishy in Paradise this Christmas!
What a wonderful thing. Christmas was not the typical, commercial, - buy buy buy holiday with people going broke to get everybody something they'll never use - just to have a pile under the tree routine.
I lied a little - said 'no presents - just people' - but still got a couple things the kids needed. (like electric blankets for winter as they live either near or on the water).
However - there was one special purchase for the holiday.....the FOOD!!
Yessirree - tons of yumminess!! Justin (in pic) made Jambalaya (in plates in pic) - there was also clam chowder (see bowls). Prior to the meal - crab salad and ceviche' appetizers with crackers and chips (along with wine and cheeses). Justin & Michelle (above) were quick to dig in!
Rob had to be silly when he found the hammers on the table for breaking open crab claws. Jodi was a good sport and smiled sweetly. The 'orange juices' on the table were Mimosas.... when the table was loaded with food - cameras popped all over the place - they'd never seen anything like it.
I had some leftover black plastic on a roll from halloween that I covered the table with - then a roll of brown paper like you wrap packages with - right down the middle. Then Shrimp, Crawfish, Snow crab legs, and stone crab claws were added. It was a 'get it yourself' kind of feast. The plates were plastic as were the bowls.
Over the years we have made it a tradition to invite those who would otherwise be alone on the holiday - this young couple Bree and Chris, would have been. They were thrilled that that was changed for them. So we cracked open the xmas crackers (you pull them - they pop and have jokes, prizes and crowns inside) - then put on our paper crowns - read our jokes enclosed in the crackers - and dug in!
Another guest was Mark (Standing in black with claws in hands) - whose wife Jo (my best friend) was in New Zealand to visit her mother over the holiday - so he would have been alone. We posed for this pic and posted it on FB and tagged Jo. I received a phone call from New Zealand just minutes later - she saw the feast and thought it was amazing. We let her know that she was missed but she didn't have to worry because he was not home alone.
It was really nice to have the two boys and their girlfriends - along with added guests over to enjoy the fruit of my toils. A good time was had by all - and I'm sure they'll talk to their friends about this one for a long time. There was definitely something fishy here in paradise this Christmas! It was a great thing!
Merry Christmas to all! Ours was!!
I lied a little - said 'no presents - just people' - but still got a couple things the kids needed. (like electric blankets for winter as they live either near or on the water).
However - there was one special purchase for the holiday.....the FOOD!!
I had some leftover black plastic on a roll from halloween that I covered the table with - then a roll of brown paper like you wrap packages with - right down the middle. Then Shrimp, Crawfish, Snow crab legs, and stone crab claws were added. It was a 'get it yourself' kind of feast. The plates were plastic as were the bowls.
It was really nice to have the two boys and their girlfriends - along with added guests over to enjoy the fruit of my toils. A good time was had by all - and I'm sure they'll talk to their friends about this one for a long time. There was definitely something fishy here in paradise this Christmas! It was a great thing!
Merry Christmas to all! Ours was!!
Sunday, December 16, 2012
'Tis the Season
Having a lovely weekend so far - went to a Christmas show at a friends church. Lightning didn't hit the church because I was inside - so that's a good thing. I can't even remember the last time I was in a church other than for a wedding or funeral. I know - shame on me. But I'm a good person and do what's right - so I'm not all bad.
Anyway the show:
The Orchestra was awesome, the singers spectacular and the show incredible. It lasted about 2 hours and I enjoyed every bit of it.
Anyway the show:
The Orchestra was awesome, the singers spectacular and the show incredible. It lasted about 2 hours and I enjoyed every bit of it.
The living Nativity was beautiful - I actually had tears in my eyes as they sang and the characters slowly came out.
The Adult (top) and Childrens (bottom) Choir were great.
'Tis the season - and I am 100% enjoying it this year. 2013 is going to be a great year - I can feel it in my (old) bones!!
Friday, December 14, 2012
I'm Dreaming of a Seafood Christmas
Holy cow!
Can Christmas be only 11 days from today? Really? Why is it time dragged the whole month of December when I was a kid - and it seems to disintegrate right before my very eyes anymore!!
I only put up the 'little' tree this year. Still in the process of getting organized unfortunately. Sorta sucks being in an apartment with half the space I need. I really need a house!
I'm gonna figure this out and next year have space for the big tree. The little one is pretty enough granted. But ohhhh how I love my big tree.
this is the little tree (above)
and below is the big tree (below) - you decide.....
The family has agreed upon 'no presents - it's all about being together' - but I broke the rule and bought some little something to put under the tree for each of them. The poor little tree just looked so naked without something under it! I guess they'll just have to forgive me!
I can't wait to share photos of the xmas feast with you! (If I remember to take some) It is going to be an extremely non-traditional meal. No turkey, no ham.....Per request of the boys - we are having a seafood feast. So far I have ordered direct from Maryland - -> shrimp for shrimp cocktails to start with for appetizers (Huge Gulf shrimp by the way) - Also Snow crab legs, Stone Crab claws (OMG I can't believe I found them available to buy - my kids have never had them. I grew up in Florida and have experienced how incredible they are. I have tried to describe how extraordinarily delicious they are - now they will finally see for themselves, Oh - and pre-breaded clam strips for frying are also ready for throwing in the pan.
Justin mentioned his Jambalaya - which may happen as well. Hmmmm - maybe along with the shrimp cocktail appetizer, I'll make a crab salad and a chowder first course before digging into the main meal. Not quite sure what else besides red potatoes and corn on the cob for the feed.
Guess I just need the red checked tablecloth, some traditional mallets to break claws with and bibs to make it complete. I may have to look around to see what I can find.
It should be quite yummy, fun and filling. I can hardly wait. This could be a new tradition (expensive but awesome just the same).
Stay tuned - to experience the feast of feasts (if you love seafood like we do). Hope Justin can snag us come lobster to top it off - 'tis the season' after all - and our first day of the season - we did fabulously!! If not - we'll have it another day - after all - still have a couple months before the season is over....
a close up in the net (left) and (below) all the buddies we caught in a couple hours.
This many would be great to complete the feast!! The dinner will be attended by myself, Rob and his girlfriend Jodi, Justin and his girlfriend Michelle and possibly Jo's husband Mark - as she is in New Zealand and he is home alone. Justin may be inviting a friend as well for a total of 7 potentially - so a catch this size would work really well!!
Please santa claus - be nice and tell the lobster to jump into our traps!! We'd like to invite them over for Christmas!!
Can Christmas be only 11 days from today? Really? Why is it time dragged the whole month of December when I was a kid - and it seems to disintegrate right before my very eyes anymore!!
I only put up the 'little' tree this year. Still in the process of getting organized unfortunately. Sorta sucks being in an apartment with half the space I need. I really need a house!
I'm gonna figure this out and next year have space for the big tree. The little one is pretty enough granted. But ohhhh how I love my big tree.
and below is the big tree (below) - you decide.....
I can't wait to share photos of the xmas feast with you! (If I remember to take some) It is going to be an extremely non-traditional meal. No turkey, no ham.....Per request of the boys - we are having a seafood feast. So far I have ordered direct from Maryland - -> shrimp for shrimp cocktails to start with for appetizers (Huge Gulf shrimp by the way) - Also Snow crab legs, Stone Crab claws (OMG I can't believe I found them available to buy - my kids have never had them. I grew up in Florida and have experienced how incredible they are. I have tried to describe how extraordinarily delicious they are - now they will finally see for themselves, Oh - and pre-breaded clam strips for frying are also ready for throwing in the pan.
Justin mentioned his Jambalaya - which may happen as well. Hmmmm - maybe along with the shrimp cocktail appetizer, I'll make a crab salad and a chowder first course before digging into the main meal. Not quite sure what else besides red potatoes and corn on the cob for the feed.
Guess I just need the red checked tablecloth, some traditional mallets to break claws with and bibs to make it complete. I may have to look around to see what I can find.
It should be quite yummy, fun and filling. I can hardly wait. This could be a new tradition (expensive but awesome just the same).
Stay tuned - to experience the feast of feasts (if you love seafood like we do). Hope Justin can snag us come lobster to top it off - 'tis the season' after all - and our first day of the season - we did fabulously!! If not - we'll have it another day - after all - still have a couple months before the season is over....
a close up in the net (left) and (below) all the buddies we caught in a couple hours.
This many would be great to complete the feast!! The dinner will be attended by myself, Rob and his girlfriend Jodi, Justin and his girlfriend Michelle and possibly Jo's husband Mark - as she is in New Zealand and he is home alone. Justin may be inviting a friend as well for a total of 7 potentially - so a catch this size would work really well!!
Please santa claus - be nice and tell the lobster to jump into our traps!! We'd like to invite them over for Christmas!!
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Class Act
I love the feeling of accomplishment - when I take on a project that I have to start from scratch with no directions provided - other then 'do it' - and see it through from beginning to end. And the end is a great success.
This is the case of my latest project.
I was asked at work to develop the curriculum for a "DRAT" team - then find team members, train them and thus have established teams for future deployment during a disaster.
What's a DRAT team you ask? DRAT = "Disaster Rapid Assessment Team" - A group of people deployed out in the field to be the eyes and ears of the County - to give first-hand information regarding the needs of the community - triaging - the urgency so that the right things get to the right places in the right amount of time.
I was given this projectin April (with one other person assigned, who assisted in no way with the development or recruiting - only in the class) - I was told it had to be 100% done before Dec. 1 in order to meet grant money deadlines.
THE TASK:
R&D: ... Research and development of curriculum and tools needed- based the training that would be necessary to safely deploy the team members into the field to do the task to the best of their ability.
RECRUITMENT: ..... Recruit, interview and choose persons who would best fit the role of team members
PLANNING OF TRAINING: ...... Find the place, time and instructors to put together a class that would aid in readying team members for deployment.
TRAINING: ........ have a class
STRENGTHENING TEAMS: ........ Continue to keep members engaged, add additional members as needed and keep them all excited about being team members - with information, exercises, and classes.
Well - Friday (yesterday) was the debut class. 30 members were established after the recruitment and interviews and 24 were able to attend the class. The class was also attended by Red Cross members and PHN leaders to understand what the County is doing.
The class was well-reviewed and much information was provided over a full-days training. Everyone in the class was excited about all they had learned, all the tools and information they had received and how well the class went.
This is a great thing which aids in establishing further safety in the event of a disaster in my community. Another addition to my legacy.
The Class was truly a 'class act.'
Saturday, November 24, 2012
The Turkey Died happy
Well Turkey day has come and gone -
We killed two birds with one family gathering - and a feast indeed, was had by all.
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Unfortunately the photos that were 'planned' were never taken - but it's still evident the feast was there and the family was too. Rob looks like the turkey knife got him - and Justin managed to avoid just about every photo (what few there were) as shown here - hiding behind his girlfriend as she fills her plate.
I did manage to get the back of Justin's head in this one - at the table. I was actually better able to capture him 'digesting' after the fact.
A good day and a good meal was had by all.
Clean up after everyone left was done in multiple phases - some done with Jodi and Rob - many dishes washed before they left - then clean up cooking utensils and cleared and scrubbed the table and moved everything to the kitchen.
The Turkey-induced coma hit Michelle hard and she napped for several hours. But when she woke up she helped using the 'Tetris' method of getting every single leftover into the refrigerator. It was magical!!
By the time I went to bed - every dish was washed, all the food was put away, and all my guests were gone. Other than the packed fridge, one wouldn't know a gathering ever took place!
We did a number on that Turkey - but all the smiles on all the faces at that table - had to have made that turkey proud to be on that table. We like to think it died happy!
We killed two birds with one family gathering - and a feast indeed, was had by all.
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Jo even blessed us with a New Zealand traditional desert 'Pavlova' - a Meringue type yummy treat topped with whipped cream and sliced kiwis. OMG - Decadent!Clean up after everyone left was done in multiple phases - some done with Jodi and Rob - many dishes washed before they left - then clean up cooking utensils and cleared and scrubbed the table and moved everything to the kitchen.
The Turkey-induced coma hit Michelle hard and she napped for several hours. But when she woke up she helped using the 'Tetris' method of getting every single leftover into the refrigerator. It was magical!!
By the time I went to bed - every dish was washed, all the food was put away, and all my guests were gone. Other than the packed fridge, one wouldn't know a gathering ever took place!
We did a number on that Turkey - but all the smiles on all the faces at that table - had to have made that turkey proud to be on that table. We like to think it died happy!
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Just another Manic Monday
Turkey day is around the bend and I barely have Halloween out of the house. Thank heavens I don't deck it out with turkey stuff - like I do spooky for Halloween and glitzy for Christmas. I've skipped a couple Christmases - times have been hard.
It's been selfish of me - so gonna deck it out for Xmas this year - gonna do it right for the boys. They deserve that 'go-to' place for the holidays that always was there for them. They're good kids.
However, for now....it's all about thanksgiving.
We've always invited those who are alone, away from any family - or just friends that need to eat! When working in the hospital - I always invited travel nurses. They were from elsewhere - they only knew the people they worked with and rarely had family nearby. It felt good to do things like that.
The boys seem to always have a friend that needs a place to eat on Thanksgiving. It seems to just make it more about what the holiday is about - sharing and fellowship around a table that is burdened with a feast.
Over the years I've traded off with my Best friend - I did Thanksgiving and she did Christmas. This year she's leaving for xmas - so we are doing thanksgiving together -but still at my house. I know of at least 6 who will be here. And the menu will serve them all well.
So tomorrow (Monday) after work - I fight the crowds - find a turkey - and many of the other trimmings, and haul it home. I'm not feeling so re-charged after this weekend - for some reason I just didn't really rest. So Monday is going to be tough getting up - tough at work - and tough after work. Just another Manic Monday! :)
I'm looking forward to good times and good food in about 4 days.
Oh and by the way. My son threw out my fryer last year - and I was concerned we wouldn't be frying again - but he brought a super delux new toy over for the bird fry extravaganza.
Here it is:
Wish me luck with this monster! :)
It's been selfish of me - so gonna deck it out for Xmas this year - gonna do it right for the boys. They deserve that 'go-to' place for the holidays that always was there for them. They're good kids.
However, for now....it's all about thanksgiving.
We've always invited those who are alone, away from any family - or just friends that need to eat! When working in the hospital - I always invited travel nurses. They were from elsewhere - they only knew the people they worked with and rarely had family nearby. It felt good to do things like that.
The boys seem to always have a friend that needs a place to eat on Thanksgiving. It seems to just make it more about what the holiday is about - sharing and fellowship around a table that is burdened with a feast.
Over the years I've traded off with my Best friend - I did Thanksgiving and she did Christmas. This year she's leaving for xmas - so we are doing thanksgiving together -but still at my house. I know of at least 6 who will be here. And the menu will serve them all well.
So tomorrow (Monday) after work - I fight the crowds - find a turkey - and many of the other trimmings, and haul it home. I'm not feeling so re-charged after this weekend - for some reason I just didn't really rest. So Monday is going to be tough getting up - tough at work - and tough after work. Just another Manic Monday! :)
I'm looking forward to good times and good food in about 4 days.
Oh and by the way. My son threw out my fryer last year - and I was concerned we wouldn't be frying again - but he brought a super delux new toy over for the bird fry extravaganza.
Here it is:
Wish me luck with this monster! :)
It's a doozy!!
Monday, November 12, 2012
Highs and Lows
Crazy weekend....
Left work early - had a trip to take. Drive from San Diego to Phoenix to spend a birthday with a good friend. Plan - be enroute to Phoenix by 2PM - figuring it's about a 6 hour drive.
OK - so how did that go?
1. Leave work at 11AM - get manicure, pedicure and facial wax
2. Go to Mall for decent outfit for the party
3. Get home - dig suitcase out of garage and begin packing. Oh - plug in reader
4. Shower, hair makeup
5. Finish packing
6. Pick up Jo - coming with me (drive all the way to Chula Vista to pick her up first)
7. Time on road - 2:30
Not to shabby - pretty much on track
A nice leisurely ride - a couple gas & stretch & snack stops
Arrive at Hotel in Phoenix 9:30 (they don't roll back the clocks - who knew?)
So the drive WAS 6 hours on the nose - but still took 7 (Jeesh)
Settled in put stuff up freshened up and found a nearby pizza bar - great food and drinks for very reasonble price. Good choice
Next AM - Shopping - Hallmarks, World Market, Ross, TJ Max, and Pier 1. Found lots of fun stuff.
Got b'day cards for twins Bill and Wes (Bill - my friend - worth the trip...time to meet the rest of the family)
Back to the hotel, chilled, napped, read...then cleaned up and called for a cab to take us to the party so we could drink without worries.
3PM A Lincoln towncar pulls up and says they're our cab. Nice ride - great price. Dropped at the door and since found the place after some research - promised to be the same person to pick us up.
Partied! So fun!! Met Brother Wes and his wife Sandy, plus their two sons Taylor and Colin. All were quite friendly and fun. Friend Sergey also there - introduced Jo as well
10:00 PM - headed back to hotel - read a bit and crashed.
Invited to breakfast the following day to be able to visit with Bill a bit more. Left around 12:30
Hit Campo- getting close to home - car has some warning light come on - then loses power and wont go up hills. Pulled off next exit and searched for Garage. Yah - out in the middle of BFE. Sunday afternoon - day before Veterans day. Good luck with that. Drove about20 minutes out of the way searching before deciding to head back to highway. Light went out - car worked fine - got home without further issues.
Dropped off Jo - she shared some exercise equipment.
Stopped at Sushi place and got a sashimi salad
Went home and hauled all the shopping goodies,exercise equipment, food, and luggage upstairs and PLOPPED onto the couch.....
Slept until 10:30 Monday morning - got up and finished packing up the Halloween stuff and got son Rob to help get it into the garage.
Did 2 loads of laundry. Whew! gonna watch some TV and read a while and crash early. Been a busy 3 days.
Left work early - had a trip to take. Drive from San Diego to Phoenix to spend a birthday with a good friend. Plan - be enroute to Phoenix by 2PM - figuring it's about a 6 hour drive.
OK - so how did that go?
1. Leave work at 11AM - get manicure, pedicure and facial wax
2. Go to Mall for decent outfit for the party
3. Get home - dig suitcase out of garage and begin packing. Oh - plug in reader
4. Shower, hair makeup
5. Finish packing
6. Pick up Jo - coming with me (drive all the way to Chula Vista to pick her up first)
7. Time on road - 2:30
Not to shabby - pretty much on track
A nice leisurely ride - a couple gas & stretch & snack stops
Arrive at Hotel in Phoenix 9:30 (they don't roll back the clocks - who knew?)
So the drive WAS 6 hours on the nose - but still took 7 (Jeesh)
Settled in put stuff up freshened up and found a nearby pizza bar - great food and drinks for very reasonble price. Good choice
Next AM - Shopping - Hallmarks, World Market, Ross, TJ Max, and Pier 1. Found lots of fun stuff.
Got b'day cards for twins Bill and Wes (Bill - my friend - worth the trip...time to meet the rest of the family)
Back to the hotel, chilled, napped, read...then cleaned up and called for a cab to take us to the party so we could drink without worries.
3PM A Lincoln towncar pulls up and says they're our cab. Nice ride - great price. Dropped at the door and since found the place after some research - promised to be the same person to pick us up.
Partied! So fun!! Met Brother Wes and his wife Sandy, plus their two sons Taylor and Colin. All were quite friendly and fun. Friend Sergey also there - introduced Jo as well
10:00 PM - headed back to hotel - read a bit and crashed.
Invited to breakfast the following day to be able to visit with Bill a bit more. Left around 12:30
Hit Campo- getting close to home - car has some warning light come on - then loses power and wont go up hills. Pulled off next exit and searched for Garage. Yah - out in the middle of BFE. Sunday afternoon - day before Veterans day. Good luck with that. Drove about20 minutes out of the way searching before deciding to head back to highway. Light went out - car worked fine - got home without further issues.
Dropped off Jo - she shared some exercise equipment.
Stopped at Sushi place and got a sashimi salad
Went home and hauled all the shopping goodies,exercise equipment, food, and luggage upstairs and PLOPPED onto the couch.....
Slept until 10:30 Monday morning - got up and finished packing up the Halloween stuff and got son Rob to help get it into the garage.
Did 2 loads of laundry. Whew! gonna watch some TV and read a while and crash early. Been a busy 3 days.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
No Costume Jitters....
Tomorrow is the big night. Things are beginning to shape up around here. All the shopping is about done. Have a friend coming to help me carve pumpkins tonight and food prep is all day tomorrow. (maybe some later today...we'll see)
Loving how one side of my porch came out....
Still have the Left side to do - it's getting there. Just can't put the witch out until tomorrow....don't want her stolen!
She's one of my favorite halloween toys!!
What's blowing my mind is how expensive this all gets..... The FOOD is about to wipe me out! I had to renew my drivers license out of this pay day too... Oh well.... it's only money and we can't take it with us! May as well enjoy it - right?
My biggest worry.....My COSTUME??? It's just not coming together for me! Bubble bubble - I'm in trouble. I really need to figure this out TODAY!!
More to come....post party pics for sure. It had better be a success....I sure spent enough in the hopes that it would be! (lots of left over food for me???)
Still have the Left side to do - it's getting there. Just can't put the witch out until tomorrow....don't want her stolen!
She's one of my favorite halloween toys!!
My biggest worry.....My COSTUME??? It's just not coming together for me! Bubble bubble - I'm in trouble. I really need to figure this out TODAY!!
More to come....post party pics for sure. It had better be a success....I sure spent enough in the hopes that it would be! (lots of left over food for me???)
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Wish I could invent a cure for 'STUPID'!
Well, I had one of those "everyone jump in front of Pauline while she's driving" mornings on my way to work today. No matter how fast or how slow I was going, or how little or much space I had between me and the car in front of me - it seemed as if being in front of me was the place to be - and everyone wanted to be there.
HOWEVER, on the interstate, in the passing lane (otherwise known as the 'fast' lane - am I not right?) - I got behind a car doing 50 (speed limit 65!!! - this is the fast lane - jeeze!) I rode along behind her for a bit until I could move over to go around her - I put on my blinker and as I moved to the right....so did she (no signal, no clue, nothing). Of course the car that was behind me on my left sped up to fill the gap me and my lovely driving companion in front of me had just made, so I couldn't pull back over to get away from her.
Well as if she wasn't irritating enough just going so far below the speed limit, she had to incessantly tap on her brakes as if she was worried I was going to rear-end her or something. I kept my distance - just because of her wreckless disregard for drivers around her - looking for a way out from this hell.
She tapped her brake again as I had begun to accellerate to move over to the left, and I had to slow and missed my chance. I seriously considered sign language but took a few deep breaths and chanted a mantra. She was soooo busy watching me in her mirror and tapping her brake, I guess she didn't notice the car on the right that cut over in front of her in the VERY limited space she had between her and the car that had been in front of her....
I saw what was about to happen and made a quick exit to the Left lane from behind her, just as she looked in front of herself instead of in the mirror and proceeded to rear-end the person that just pulled into that space. I just barely made it past, and really don't know what the repercussions were from her stupidity - but I'd imagine there were more than just the two of them involved - as it was in the middle of morning work commute on an interstate highway.
People who worry about what is behind them more than what's in front of them need to sit in the trundle seat of some antique car in a parade and stay out of the driver's seat. I hope nobody was hurt due to her stupidity but I have a feeling.....
I think if I could find a cure for stupid - I'd win the nobel peace prize or something. There's just so much of it out there!!!
I really feel badly about going on and not going back to see the end result of her games.... I was actually caught up in the traffic flow and couldn't even get over to the right for an exit for several exits and was very nearly at work at that time. I opted to go on to work as getting there after the fact would probably be next to impossible. I can't begin to imagine what she's done to this morning's commute. A lot of people will be late to work this morning - all thanks to someone who can't keep their eyes on the CORRECT part of the road and would rather make the person behind them miserable for their own enjoyment, than to drive appropriately and get on with her life! We can only hope for karma - Hi Judge - yes license should be suspended - for stupidity.
Whew - another traffic rant! Oh well - better here than on the road - huh? :) Drive safe and smart! DON'T be STUPID! I'm a nurse - but can't fix that!
HOWEVER, on the interstate, in the passing lane (otherwise known as the 'fast' lane - am I not right?) - I got behind a car doing 50 (speed limit 65!!! - this is the fast lane - jeeze!) I rode along behind her for a bit until I could move over to go around her - I put on my blinker and as I moved to the right....so did she (no signal, no clue, nothing). Of course the car that was behind me on my left sped up to fill the gap me and my lovely driving companion in front of me had just made, so I couldn't pull back over to get away from her.
Well as if she wasn't irritating enough just going so far below the speed limit, she had to incessantly tap on her brakes as if she was worried I was going to rear-end her or something. I kept my distance - just because of her wreckless disregard for drivers around her - looking for a way out from this hell.
She tapped her brake again as I had begun to accellerate to move over to the left, and I had to slow and missed my chance. I seriously considered sign language but took a few deep breaths and chanted a mantra. She was soooo busy watching me in her mirror and tapping her brake, I guess she didn't notice the car on the right that cut over in front of her in the VERY limited space she had between her and the car that had been in front of her....
I saw what was about to happen and made a quick exit to the Left lane from behind her, just as she looked in front of herself instead of in the mirror and proceeded to rear-end the person that just pulled into that space. I just barely made it past, and really don't know what the repercussions were from her stupidity - but I'd imagine there were more than just the two of them involved - as it was in the middle of morning work commute on an interstate highway.
People who worry about what is behind them more than what's in front of them need to sit in the trundle seat of some antique car in a parade and stay out of the driver's seat. I hope nobody was hurt due to her stupidity but I have a feeling.....
I think if I could find a cure for stupid - I'd win the nobel peace prize or something. There's just so much of it out there!!!
I really feel badly about going on and not going back to see the end result of her games.... I was actually caught up in the traffic flow and couldn't even get over to the right for an exit for several exits and was very nearly at work at that time. I opted to go on to work as getting there after the fact would probably be next to impossible. I can't begin to imagine what she's done to this morning's commute. A lot of people will be late to work this morning - all thanks to someone who can't keep their eyes on the CORRECT part of the road and would rather make the person behind them miserable for their own enjoyment, than to drive appropriately and get on with her life! We can only hope for karma - Hi Judge - yes license should be suspended - for stupidity.
Whew - another traffic rant! Oh well - better here than on the road - huh? :) Drive safe and smart! DON'T be STUPID! I'm a nurse - but can't fix that!
Friday, October 12, 2012
Design day
TGIF!! Whew - what a week! But the great thing is.....Sooooooo much good stuff accomplished at work! The next two weeks are gonna be killers too - but the end result will be more good stuff!! Just keeping my home town safe! Isn't that what it's all about?
Anyyywayy... moving forward. The work week is over and play time is at hand. My best friend is coming over tonight to help with the 'design' process and shopping for the Halloween decor. My intent is to spend a little and do a lot. (good luck with that huh?) :)
I'm hoping to have a very productive weekend. Lots of great ideas :)
Stay tuned!
Anyyywayy... moving forward. The work week is over and play time is at hand. My best friend is coming over tonight to help with the 'design' process and shopping for the Halloween decor. My intent is to spend a little and do a lot. (good luck with that huh?) :)
I'm hoping to have a very productive weekend. Lots of great ideas :)
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Score!
Today - our first rainy day in quite a while.....only a couple weeks until Halloween - and fall finally arrived. Awesome! The cool weather will offset the heat of wearing costumes and having lots of people in a small space. This is a very good thing.
Watching 'halloween wars' on the cooking channel and seeing the creativity of pumpkin carvers, cake decorators and sugar artists has me really jazzed. Tomorrow is Friday - the end of the week - after work - I shop for the tools to start building my own halloween creations. Ghosts, witches, window silhouettes, special lighting effects, it's all gotta be right. I have so many ideas in my head and so little time (and money).
I can hardly wait for the final outcome - it's gotta be good.
Stay tuned!
Oh and by the way - the coast guard flew over hundreds of pounds of marijuana off the shore of mission beach (bicycle distance from me)this evening - so some poor SOB - wrecked their boat off shore or something spilling their goodies - and the end result - DEA scores! LOL
Trick or Treat!!
Watching 'halloween wars' on the cooking channel and seeing the creativity of pumpkin carvers, cake decorators and sugar artists has me really jazzed. Tomorrow is Friday - the end of the week - after work - I shop for the tools to start building my own halloween creations. Ghosts, witches, window silhouettes, special lighting effects, it's all gotta be right. I have so many ideas in my head and so little time (and money).
I can hardly wait for the final outcome - it's gotta be good.
Stay tuned!
Oh and by the way - the coast guard flew over hundreds of pounds of marijuana off the shore of mission beach (bicycle distance from me)this evening - so some poor SOB - wrecked their boat off shore or something spilling their goodies - and the end result - DEA scores! LOL
Trick or Treat!!
Monday, October 8, 2012
My Favorite time of year
I grew up believing Christmas is a holiday where you try to fit as many wrapped boxes under a tree in your livingroom as you possibly could - whether you could afford it or not.......That Thanksgiving you put enough food on the table to feed a small country......and Halloween you went out and collected all the free candy you could - so you would be able to destroy your teeth at an early age.
Things have changed since I've become an adult. Yes - I still catch myself with the Christmas and Thanksgiving traditions. It's sort of absurd - but just bad habits I guess. (sort of like having to clean your plate - even if you were full 1/2 hour ago) Thanks Mom!
But Halloween has been taken to a whole new level!! It has become my absolute favorite holiday. Who doesn't like dressing up and pretending? Playing with makeup? Being something you've always wanted to be? Behaving badly and not getting in trouble? Eating all sorts of junk food that is named after something gross and disgusting?
And DECORATING!!! OHHHHH the DECORATING! When I die - what my boys will inherit - would probably fill a haunted house! ;) Below grim reaper showing the way....
Some great costumes
more costumes
webs everywhere
silliness before the party
Things have changed since I've become an adult. Yes - I still catch myself with the Christmas and Thanksgiving traditions. It's sort of absurd - but just bad habits I guess. (sort of like having to clean your plate - even if you were full 1/2 hour ago) Thanks Mom!
But Halloween has been taken to a whole new level!! It has become my absolute favorite holiday. Who doesn't like dressing up and pretending? Playing with makeup? Being something you've always wanted to be? Behaving badly and not getting in trouble? Eating all sorts of junk food that is named after something gross and disgusting?
And DECORATING!!! OHHHHH the DECORATING! When I die - what my boys will inherit - would probably fill a haunted house! ;) Below grim reaper showing the way....
It can only get better and better right? Can't wait for this years party..... getting a LOT of RSVPs and my neighbors are even getting in on the deocrating fun outside. Halloween at work was fun too. I know I have lots of pictures - 'tis the season...... more to come.....
BOO to YOU!!
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Warm Fuzzies
It's funny. The silly little things that make us feel good or bad, happy or sad. (Gee - are those words to a song?)
Sitting at my computer - pinning away on pinterest (my newest favorite obsession - I get those a lot) - I can see the hummingbird feeder out the front window. The birds are out there just buzzing each other and yelling with their raspy little chirps - claiming territory - and grabbing a quick sneak sip in between the battles. I could sit for hours and watch them - they're so amazing.... small, fast, beautiful, and comical.
I also heard the sound of a lawn mower off in the distance. Many people can tune out noises. I often envied them - when I had to run to check every alarm in the ICU or ER - and they'd sit and do what they were doing - never even hearing them. Because I CAN hear EVERY little thing around me - the irritating repetitious noises can really get to me quickly - so I'm generally off to go fix them (the dripping faucet, the wind rattling the blinds, the alarm on the microwave.....) - but there are sounds that bring back old memories - sounds like a lawn mower. That is a sound that for some reason does not bother me - but instead soothes my soul.
Some of my favorite sounds:
Other things that make me feel good and bring back memories...... Smells..... Mmmm yes
Some of my favorite fragrances:
Sitting at my computer - pinning away on pinterest (my newest favorite obsession - I get those a lot) - I can see the hummingbird feeder out the front window. The birds are out there just buzzing each other and yelling with their raspy little chirps - claiming territory - and grabbing a quick sneak sip in between the battles. I could sit for hours and watch them - they're so amazing.... small, fast, beautiful, and comical.
I also heard the sound of a lawn mower off in the distance. Many people can tune out noises. I often envied them - when I had to run to check every alarm in the ICU or ER - and they'd sit and do what they were doing - never even hearing them. Because I CAN hear EVERY little thing around me - the irritating repetitious noises can really get to me quickly - so I'm generally off to go fix them (the dripping faucet, the wind rattling the blinds, the alarm on the microwave.....) - but there are sounds that bring back old memories - sounds like a lawn mower. That is a sound that for some reason does not bother me - but instead soothes my soul.
Some of my favorite sounds:
- Ocean waves
- Train whistles
- Boat horns
- Meadowlarks
- Wind in Pines
- Trickling water
- Babies laughing
- Stringed instruments
- Rain
- Seagull Calls
- Owls
- Xylophones
- Windchimes
- Singing in Harmony
- Flute
- Steel Drums
Other things that make me feel good and bring back memories...... Smells..... Mmmm yes
Some of my favorite fragrances:
- Lily of the Valley - My FAVORITE
- Lilac - a close second
- Bread baking - reminds me of grandma
- Barbecue - mouthwatering
- Bacon - can't ever have too much
- Cucumber - so refreshing
- Tabu - my favorite perfume - (not made)
- The air after it rains
- Freshly mown grass
- Freshly dug dirt
- The Ocean
- Babies
- Eucalyptus
- Pine forest
- New Leather
- New Cars
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Keepin' it Green
I hear people comment all the time about how huge and gorgeous my Boston ferns are each summer, and after talking with some of those people for only a moment, I realize why they are unable to have the same success. There are a couple very common mistakes that people are making when growing Boston Ferns. Let me explain…
Pot Size – While it is true that you can leave your ferns in the original pot or basket that you purchased it in, doing so will also limit its growth. If you want to grow huge…I mean HUGE ferns, you need to re-pot the fern into something that will allow more growth. Most hanging baskets are either 8 or 10 inches in diameter. Bump it up to 12 or 14 inches and watch out…in a month or so, you will barely be able to pick it up!
I buy tin buckets in about a 14 inch size. I drill holes in the bottom for drainage. If I want to hang them, I make hangers using “S” hooks and some heavy duty chain…otherwise I can use them on large tables or plant stands.
When I re-pot, I use a mix of potting soil and some horse manure, which is great fertilizer.
Watering - Here’s everyone’s biggest misconception…that they will overwater their fern. NOT TRUE! It is virtually impossible to overwater an fern…they LOVE water! So many people comment that they water them with about the same frequency as they would their indoor plants…maybe once every few days. Bosten Ferns crave water…in fact, they need it daily, and during our extremely hot summer days of 90+ degree heat, it wouldn’t hurt to water them twice a day…once as you leave for work, and once when you return. Trust me…if you have adequate drainage, you will not drown your fern. Think about it…think about lush rain forests. What do you find in those wet areas? You got it…Ferns!
As far as keeping them fertilized…don’t over do it! If your ferns start losing their dark green color, find you some good fertilizer for acid loving plants. Follow the instructions and you’ll have those ferns back to a dark green color in no time.
Pot Size – While it is true that you can leave your ferns in the original pot or basket that you purchased it in, doing so will also limit its growth. If you want to grow huge…I mean HUGE ferns, you need to re-pot the fern into something that will allow more growth. Most hanging baskets are either 8 or 10 inches in diameter. Bump it up to 12 or 14 inches and watch out…in a month or so, you will barely be able to pick it up!
I buy tin buckets in about a 14 inch size. I drill holes in the bottom for drainage. If I want to hang them, I make hangers using “S” hooks and some heavy duty chain…otherwise I can use them on large tables or plant stands.
When I re-pot, I use a mix of potting soil and some horse manure, which is great fertilizer.
Watering - Here’s everyone’s biggest misconception…that they will overwater their fern. NOT TRUE! It is virtually impossible to overwater an fern…they LOVE water! So many people comment that they water them with about the same frequency as they would their indoor plants…maybe once every few days. Bosten Ferns crave water…in fact, they need it daily, and during our extremely hot summer days of 90+ degree heat, it wouldn’t hurt to water them twice a day…once as you leave for work, and once when you return. Trust me…if you have adequate drainage, you will not drown your fern. Think about it…think about lush rain forests. What do you find in those wet areas? You got it…Ferns!
As far as keeping them fertilized…don’t over do it! If your ferns start losing their dark green color, find you some good fertilizer for acid loving plants. Follow the instructions and you’ll have those ferns back to a dark green color in no time.
Monday, September 24, 2012
California Dreamin' and Drivin'
So what is it about California drivers that they have to 'compete' for space, race instead of allow movement and COMPLETELY ignore blinkers?
I grew up on the East Coast. I admit. People are tougher and pretty curt in the Northeast (yes NY), Then you go to Florida - and EVERYBODY is lay-back, shorts & flip-flops - much like island life and pretty easy going all in all.
The Crime rate (Miami) was hellish when I was there - I witnessed and was victim to more crime in my adolescent and young adult years there than I care to remember. But still - even for a big city the pace was pretty cool.
Missouri (my next major stop in life) - The drivers honk and wave you in - see your blinker and DON'T SPEED UP but slow down - to allow you to merge or turn - and use their signals!
Then I moved to California. San Diego - with claims of being America's 'friendliest city' ..... well yeah maybe..... EXCEPT ON THE HIGHWAYS!! I am in a world of wonder every day on the highways to and from work and where ever else my destinations might be. I accelerate to get onto major interstates - it's what I was taught. Can I tell you how many times I've nearly rear-ended some jerk on the acceleration lane who has nearly come to a dead stop trying to get on? How in the HELL do you merge with 65 mph traffic doing 20? Tell me!!!
Then there are the territorial drivers. The space between them and the car in front of them - no matter HOW large - belongs to ONLY them! If there are 6 car lengths between and you turn on your blinker to get into that space - they hit the gas and fly up on the rearend of the car in front of them to NOT ALLOW you in that space. No, not allowed! This is MY space! Go get off at some other exit - you can't work your way to the right through MY space!!!
Then there are the people who will take off your front bumper to get into the 1/2 car length between you and the car in front of you. God forbid you leave a whole car space between - 4 cars will move into that much space! Instead of moving forward, you begin to feel like you're moving back.
And then there's courtesy. The person has their blinker on, they need over, you slow a bit to allow them and wave them over. No thank you wave, no head nod, no nothing.
So my son tells me since I've been driving here - he has seen more road rage (from me) than ever before..... Yes, I have to agree..... When people cut me off, pull in front of me and basically PARK, don't recognize and acknowledge my blinker when I need to move over, race with me instead of getting behind me, and not say thank you in some way when I am NOT a JERK like THEY are.... then yes... I tend to say a few choice hecks and darns (heh heh) and other colorful explatives while driving.
Don't even get me started on the phone chatting fools and the texting morons that weave all over or go 5MPH then look up and 'oops' realize they screwed up..... That soap box is a whole rant all by itself.
I do have to say though. The one thing this city has to make all the stress go away... is this:
Beauty by the Sea!
I grew up on the East Coast. I admit. People are tougher and pretty curt in the Northeast (yes NY), Then you go to Florida - and EVERYBODY is lay-back, shorts & flip-flops - much like island life and pretty easy going all in all.
The Crime rate (Miami) was hellish when I was there - I witnessed and was victim to more crime in my adolescent and young adult years there than I care to remember. But still - even for a big city the pace was pretty cool.
Missouri (my next major stop in life) - The drivers honk and wave you in - see your blinker and DON'T SPEED UP but slow down - to allow you to merge or turn - and use their signals!
Then I moved to California. San Diego - with claims of being America's 'friendliest city' ..... well yeah maybe..... EXCEPT ON THE HIGHWAYS!! I am in a world of wonder every day on the highways to and from work and where ever else my destinations might be. I accelerate to get onto major interstates - it's what I was taught. Can I tell you how many times I've nearly rear-ended some jerk on the acceleration lane who has nearly come to a dead stop trying to get on? How in the HELL do you merge with 65 mph traffic doing 20? Tell me!!!
Then there are the territorial drivers. The space between them and the car in front of them - no matter HOW large - belongs to ONLY them! If there are 6 car lengths between and you turn on your blinker to get into that space - they hit the gas and fly up on the rearend of the car in front of them to NOT ALLOW you in that space. No, not allowed! This is MY space! Go get off at some other exit - you can't work your way to the right through MY space!!!
Then there are the people who will take off your front bumper to get into the 1/2 car length between you and the car in front of you. God forbid you leave a whole car space between - 4 cars will move into that much space! Instead of moving forward, you begin to feel like you're moving back.
And then there's courtesy. The person has their blinker on, they need over, you slow a bit to allow them and wave them over. No thank you wave, no head nod, no nothing.
So my son tells me since I've been driving here - he has seen more road rage (from me) than ever before..... Yes, I have to agree..... When people cut me off, pull in front of me and basically PARK, don't recognize and acknowledge my blinker when I need to move over, race with me instead of getting behind me, and not say thank you in some way when I am NOT a JERK like THEY are.... then yes... I tend to say a few choice hecks and darns (heh heh) and other colorful explatives while driving.
Don't even get me started on the phone chatting fools and the texting morons that weave all over or go 5MPH then look up and 'oops' realize they screwed up..... That soap box is a whole rant all by itself.
I do have to say though. The one thing this city has to make all the stress go away... is this:
Beauty by the Sea!
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