(first off, thanks to all who emailed and left comments on my bringing in da funk. my intent was to call my doctor this week, but settling back in to a routine after Vegas proved more challenging than even i anticipated. next week is looking much better - and i'll let you know what comes of it. feeling the way i did scared the hell out of me...i'm a person usually in control of those emotions and buddy, feeling out of control was.not.pleasant. moving on...)
next week, one of my best friend's kids graduates from high school...roughly coughcoughchoke30yearscoughcough after her auntie did. and while she's readying for the next phase in her life, i'm currently working with some of my fellow alumni on our next reunion this summer.
and that, of course, makes me feel nostalgic. not only for the youthful optimism we all had back then, but for that youthful metabolism.
dammit.
but again, i digress.
back in the day, when i dreamed of fame (and Donny), i only thought of accolades. awards. making amazing strides in the world of literature...which is what i thought i was gonna do.
life, as always, had other plans.
(but now i have a blog. take that, life!)
looking back, as i'm doing this a.m., i think of niecey-poo...beginning the next Big Adventure, and, as i am wont to do, am imagining myself giving a commencement speech. THIS should keep 'em off drugs, eh?
here goes.
Good evening, and congratulations Class of 2010...you made it! (wait for whooooops to die down)
I realize as you sit there, wearing those stupid hats...seriously, who thought 'hey, let's design a hat that can also double as a coffee table' was a good idea...not to mention those robes, because nine times out of ten, you graduate on a hot June day. And while layers, normally, are good, they're not so good when you aren't sure if you're on the field graduating or in a sauna, sweating.
Sorry. Old people like me tend to ramble on.
Tonight, as you've been hearing for the last few weeks, if not months, while it is an ending, is also a beginning. You'll leave this place different than when you came in - you'll have graduated and will be moving on to the next big adventure...whether it be college, military or working. You may never again be faced with this many choices for your life. Drink it in.
As you do move forward in your life, you'll make choices. Here's some things to ponder about those choices:
1) You will make crappy decisions in your life. Guess what - that's just the way it goes. Like the song says, every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end. Some of the choices you make will rock the world. Others, not so much. Just try to remember to learn from all and glean something out of the experience.
And while we're talking about bad decisions....
2) You will fail at something. What - this isn't the happy feel-good commencement address you were expecting? Wait....
You, you, you and even you waaaaaay in the back, will fail at something. Some will fail miserably while others will fail spectacularly. As the Husband will frequently say - 'you're gonna step on your dick'
Colorful, no?
Here's the good news: despite what the media in all forms will tell you - failure IS an option and is not always bad. After all, a chemist at DuPont failed in an experiment he was working on and ended up creating Teflon. Failure is good - learn from it and move on.
3) Love what you do. Some wag once said if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life. Those people also have money up the wazoo. It's very likely you will have to work, and you ain't gonna love it. But find a passion. Find something that makes you happy and excited to get up in the morning. Photography, writing, gardening - whatever trips your trigger - if you find your passion and aren't lucky enough to make it your life's work, you can still be lucky enough to do it...and to share with others.
4) Happiness is not a birthright - it is a daily choice. If you ain't happy, guess what - it ain't your parents fault, not your siblings, your friends or even your dog's fault. That blame, my friends, lands squarely on your shoulders.
Every day we make choices, remember? You can choose happiness, too, even if your situation sucks. You don't have to be happy with the situation, just know that optimism goes a loooooong way in this world - you will live longer and not only that, you will be a thorn in the side of the nay-sayers who will lose their minds wondering what you're on because you're so damn happy all the time.
I'm not saying you should go around with a maniacal smile all the time, plucking daisies like some Ophelia, but choose your attitude daily. Choose to be optimistic. Choose to be proof positive that smiling people are up to something.
There you have it. Four little nuggets and only four because I'm somewhat OCD and I like things bookended. Go out there. Fail. Step on it...and in it. It's the only way you'll really learn, and besides, the adventure is so much more exciting living it than reading about it.
Good luck, and God bless.
Showing posts with label ramble on.... Show all posts
Showing posts with label ramble on.... Show all posts
May 15, 2010
Apr 28, 2010
it's the moon, i swear.
one of the pleasures of growing...um...more mature...is that the things that made our lives hell as teenagers and young adults, doesn't bother us as much or at all.
the drawback is that some of the stuff DOES bother us much more than it did before.
people smacking you around for what they believed you said/did. then after the fact, go on as if nothing happened.
c'mon. seriously? did we not leave this crud back in jr. high/high school? nope? oh. sorry.
how stupid of me to assume people grow up.
another thing that bothers me more now (gentlemen, you might want to turn away for a bit) is...ahem...that time of the month.
i mean honestly, if the plumbing isn't working and doing me a damn bit of good in the baby department, does it really have to rebel and try to claw its way out through my belly?
(BTW, Uterus, if you're reading this, could you please take the belly and part of my arse with you? much obliged.)
i also notice i am FAR more susceptible to the waining of the moon. my mood can change on a dime and woe be unto you if you look at me cross eyed. even if you haven't done anything.
i will kill you and bury your sorry butt somewhere in the Nevada desert. maybe next to Jimmy Hoffa.
on the other hand, i still love daisies, bunnies, puppies, kittens, cute clothes and makeup.
irrational - thy name is Valerie. peace out.
the drawback is that some of the stuff DOES bother us much more than it did before.
people smacking you around for what they believed you said/did. then after the fact, go on as if nothing happened.
c'mon. seriously? did we not leave this crud back in jr. high/high school? nope? oh. sorry.
how stupid of me to assume people grow up.
another thing that bothers me more now (gentlemen, you might want to turn away for a bit) is...ahem...that time of the month.
i mean honestly, if the plumbing isn't working and doing me a damn bit of good in the baby department, does it really have to rebel and try to claw its way out through my belly?
(BTW, Uterus, if you're reading this, could you please take the belly and part of my arse with you? much obliged.)
i also notice i am FAR more susceptible to the waining of the moon. my mood can change on a dime and woe be unto you if you look at me cross eyed. even if you haven't done anything.
i will kill you and bury your sorry butt somewhere in the Nevada desert. maybe next to Jimmy Hoffa.
on the other hand, i still love daisies, bunnies, puppies, kittens, cute clothes and makeup.
irrational - thy name is Valerie. peace out.
Apr 24, 2010
aliens have abducted my brain!
i was probed!
no, wait - i was probed AND felt up.
no, wait - that might not be too bad.
i was abducted, however...by the fiend known as Facebook.
duuuude. it's totally addicting. not to mention the games i play, farming and such, that my friends laugh at me for doing.
what the heck - they're free for the most part (right Maureen?!) and beats me hanging out at the corner market with my hooligan friends.
oh, wait....i gave up my hooligan friends back in 79. oh well.
besides, when my best friend is HOUNDING me to start blogging again, well, i guess it's easier to do that than to get HER on FB. (hint - hint - hint? stop laughing, K)
and i'd love to entertain you with a long, loving list of what i've been doing since my last post but the sad fact is, nothing i've done has been particularly entertaining. or interesting.
so there you go.
i will try to be a better blogger kids, both here and on the picture gallery.
man. it's good to be free from the aliens. or not.
no, wait - i was probed AND felt up.
no, wait - that might not be too bad.
i was abducted, however...by the fiend known as Facebook.
duuuude. it's totally addicting. not to mention the games i play, farming and such, that my friends laugh at me for doing.
what the heck - they're free for the most part (right Maureen?!) and beats me hanging out at the corner market with my hooligan friends.
oh, wait....i gave up my hooligan friends back in 79. oh well.
besides, when my best friend is HOUNDING me to start blogging again, well, i guess it's easier to do that than to get HER on FB. (hint - hint - hint? stop laughing, K)
and i'd love to entertain you with a long, loving list of what i've been doing since my last post but the sad fact is, nothing i've done has been particularly entertaining. or interesting.
so there you go.
i will try to be a better blogger kids, both here and on the picture gallery.
man. it's good to be free from the aliens. or not.
Mar 8, 2009
stranger things have happened. as usual.
for whatever reason, i am remembering, fondly, a poetry reading my school held back when i was in 6th grade.
and for those of you keeping track, that was approximately 36 years ago.
dammit.
so - here it is. the poem i had to memorize and recite. i couldn't remember all of it, so i had to resort to Google...but i'm not ashamed.
come on, it was 36 summers and springs ago.
Every time I climb a tree
Every time I climb a tree
I scrape a leg
Or skin a knee
And every time I climb a tree
I find some ants
Or dodge a bee
And get the ants
All over me.
And every time I climb a tree
Where have you been?
They say to me
But don't they know that I am free
Every time I climb a tree?
I like it best
To spot a nest
That has an egg
Or maybe three.
And then I skin
The other leg
But every time I climb a tree
I see a lot of things to see
Swallows rooftops and TV
And all the fields and farms there be
Every time I climb a tree
Though climbing may be good for ants
It isn't awfully good for pants
But still it's pretty good for me
Every time I climb a tree
by David McCord
and for those of you keeping track, that was approximately 36 years ago.
dammit.
so - here it is. the poem i had to memorize and recite. i couldn't remember all of it, so i had to resort to Google...but i'm not ashamed.
come on, it was 36 summers and springs ago.
Every Time I Climb a Tree
Every time I climb a treeEvery time I climb a tree
Every time I climb a tree
I scrape a leg
Or skin a knee
And every time I climb a tree
I find some ants
Or dodge a bee
And get the ants
All over me.
And every time I climb a tree
Where have you been?
They say to me
But don't they know that I am free
Every time I climb a tree?
I like it best
To spot a nest
That has an egg
Or maybe three.
And then I skin
The other leg
But every time I climb a tree
I see a lot of things to see
Swallows rooftops and TV
And all the fields and farms there be
Every time I climb a tree
Though climbing may be good for ants
It isn't awfully good for pants
But still it's pretty good for me
Every time I climb a tree
by David McCord
Feb 25, 2009
the interview you WON'T see on TMZ.
from the next host of the CBS Evening News...an in-depth interview with yours truly. i'm sure you'll find it hard-hitting and also recognize that i don't shy away from the really tough questions.
let me know if you want to play, er....be interviewed.
but i warn you - i don't play nice.
1. What do you consider your most precious material possession?
that's easy - the camera. aka precious. i don't leave home without it.
2. How did you meet your handsome husband and what was the first thing that made you stop and say, "Ahhh...now THIS guy is special!"?
i met Brendan on a blind date - set up by my best friend and her mom. we met @ Disneyland right before Christmas. i can't really think of just one thing that made me say "this guy is special," well - actually i can, but i can't share because it's a little embarrassing. let's just say it had to do with him thinking i was pretty. even after 8 hours at an amusement park.
3. You have just won 40 million dollars...what'cha gonna do now?
1) buy a house. 2) pay off bills. 3) travel.travel.travel. 4)set up some kind of children's charity. 5) did i mention travel?
4. We all know you love photography, and that you are darned good at it! Do you have one image of which you are most proud?
ooooh - a tough question, but a fair one. i gotta say, they're all like my children. i can't say i love one more than the other. and, not that i would admit this to my kids (so i never say it while i'm downloading or editing): my favorite today may not be my favorite tomorrow.
5. You answer that knock on your door and there stands Donny Osmond. You....
(laughs) is that before or after i pass out?! well, since we're both married i know there's not a single chance that either of us would do anything...so i imagine i would do one of two things. 1) act like a complete idiotic 15 year old, fling myself at him, screaming & crying and have to be picked off by some burly security guard or 2) try to be totally cool, invite him in for a cool refreshing beverage and then embarrass the beejeebers out of myself by offering him a beer or diet Coke. then i would cry, embarrassing myself further, and then end up taking a picture of the two of us.
then i would have a new favorite photo.
let me know if you want to play, er....be interviewed.
but i warn you - i don't play nice.
1. What do you consider your most precious material possession?
that's easy - the camera. aka precious. i don't leave home without it.
2. How did you meet your handsome husband and what was the first thing that made you stop and say, "Ahhh...now THIS guy is special!"?
i met Brendan on a blind date - set up by my best friend and her mom. we met @ Disneyland right before Christmas. i can't really think of just one thing that made me say "this guy is special," well - actually i can, but i can't share because it's a little embarrassing. let's just say it had to do with him thinking i was pretty. even after 8 hours at an amusement park.
3. You have just won 40 million dollars...what'cha gonna do now?
1) buy a house. 2) pay off bills. 3) travel.travel.travel. 4)set up some kind of children's charity. 5) did i mention travel?
4. We all know you love photography, and that you are darned good at it! Do you have one image of which you are most proud?
ooooh - a tough question, but a fair one. i gotta say, they're all like my children. i can't say i love one more than the other. and, not that i would admit this to my kids (so i never say it while i'm downloading or editing): my favorite today may not be my favorite tomorrow.
5. You answer that knock on your door and there stands Donny Osmond. You....
(laughs) is that before or after i pass out?! well, since we're both married i know there's not a single chance that either of us would do anything...so i imagine i would do one of two things. 1) act like a complete idiotic 15 year old, fling myself at him, screaming & crying and have to be picked off by some burly security guard or 2) try to be totally cool, invite him in for a cool refreshing beverage and then embarrass the beejeebers out of myself by offering him a beer or diet Coke. then i would cry, embarrassing myself further, and then end up taking a picture of the two of us.
then i would have a new favorite photo.
Aug 6, 2008
it's so shiny!
the OC Fair closed on Sunday - and with it my hopes and dreams of being an award-winning photographer.
man. am i a drama queen or what?
let's face it: after my last visit to the Fair and checking out all the photos, i'm making a mental list of what i may want to enter next year. but first, i gotta get this year's entry.
yesterday was pick-up day at the Fair, and they were pretty dang clear: pick up yer stuff or risk it becoming landfill fodder.
pretty dang clear, dontcha think?
so i drove down - and man, they made the pick-up process easy-peasy-lemon-squeezey.
when i got there, a very nice lady looked at my claim check and asked me if i knew where i was at...which i did. she escorted me over to it, pulled it off the wall, then we walked over to a table where i got a shiny new 'accepted for exhibition' baby blue ribbon.
and thus endeth my photography foire for the Fair.
just wait till next year.
in other news...
as Jacqui will attest - it's humid here lately. (so, Kenny, when i got your email about summertime in Mississippi, i giggled. then i went outside and realized that Mississippi got transferred to Cal-ee-forn-i-a.
and since it's so dang humid, you cannot sleep. unless you have central air.
which i don't.
and if you have a bed thrasher for a mate, which i do, it makes it even more fun.
which is why i'm up at this unearthly hour.
i foresee a Starbucks in my immediate future.
i also foresee a trip to the airport today. i'll be out of the state for a week, heading up to Reno to take lotsa photos and share with my sister-in-law when her baby starts kindergarten next Monday.
the jury's still out as to who will cry first.
i may post from the road, but don't be upset if i don't. see you next week.
man. am i a drama queen or what?
let's face it: after my last visit to the Fair and checking out all the photos, i'm making a mental list of what i may want to enter next year. but first, i gotta get this year's entry.
yesterday was pick-up day at the Fair, and they were pretty dang clear: pick up yer stuff or risk it becoming landfill fodder.
pretty dang clear, dontcha think?
so i drove down - and man, they made the pick-up process easy-peasy-lemon-squeezey.
when i got there, a very nice lady looked at my claim check and asked me if i knew where i was at...which i did. she escorted me over to it, pulled it off the wall, then we walked over to a table where i got a shiny new 'accepted for exhibition' baby blue ribbon.
and thus endeth my photography foire for the Fair.
just wait till next year.
in other news...
as Jacqui will attest - it's humid here lately. (so, Kenny, when i got your email about summertime in Mississippi, i giggled. then i went outside and realized that Mississippi got transferred to Cal-ee-forn-i-a.
and since it's so dang humid, you cannot sleep. unless you have central air.
which i don't.
and if you have a bed thrasher for a mate, which i do, it makes it even more fun.
which is why i'm up at this unearthly hour.
i foresee a Starbucks in my immediate future.
i also foresee a trip to the airport today. i'll be out of the state for a week, heading up to Reno to take lotsa photos and share with my sister-in-law when her baby starts kindergarten next Monday.
the jury's still out as to who will cry first.
i may post from the road, but don't be upset if i don't. see you next week.
Aug 4, 2008
WARNING: the following post is filled with crankiness!
hi - i'm valerie, and i'm cranky.
not just a little cranky, but full-blown nuclear piss-a-rama cranky.
and i'm loving it.
usually, i really try to put on a brave face. no one likes to be around Miss CrankyPants, or Mr. Midol, either for that matter, and so, i really try hard to be pleasant.
not today, kids. not at all.
what got me started? hormones, mostly. work is getting weirder and there's not enough Twix bars, wine, ice cream and brownies in the universe to make things better.
then i catch sight of my butt in the mirror and realize that Weight Watchers & i have got to get reacquainted.
so i tried hard to not talk to anyone today. keep my head down, work, work, work. if i can't see you, you can't see me.
hey - it worked when i was a kid.
so on my way to lunch, i ended up talking to someone.
horrors!!
and she complimented me on my hair color.
horror of horrors!!
OK, i'm not totally psychotic. i appreciate a complement. heck, i even appreciate two compliments. three or more, and well, i'm in Nirvana and am unable to form coherent
words together.
which isn't different than any other day.
back to my story.
after i was complimented on my hair color, i mentioned that the Husband said (just the other day, as a matter of fact) he preferred me as a redhead.
i have no issues with it, i liked being a redhead! but i saw a photo of myself (also being about 15 pounds heavier, you can totally see it in my face) with the red hair and dang if that just isn't a good color for me.
so the woman i was talking to, who might have been a touch hormonal herself, says, 'oh, you know men! they cannot stand having other people notice that their women look good. they want you to look good for them, just not for anyone else.'
huh?
suddenly, i was transported back to junior high, when Crazy Auntie Kay told me to only go to male hairdressers. female ones apparently don't want other women to look good, but men are OK with helping us to look goooood.
and no, i'm not sure how that logic works if the hairdresser, um...bats for the other team.
so my crank-o-meter went off the charts. come on, what's next? all women are bad at math?
that we are better/worse drivers than men?
next thing you know, we'll need to be barefoot and pregnant 24/7/365.
like i said, i'm a bit testy.
and i'm thinking that idea i once had to be a hermit, living in the mountains (or what passes for mountains 'round here) and yelling for all the damn kids to git off mah lawn.
except that if i'm a hermit, there won't be any kids on my lawn.
dammit. now i'm cranky. again.
not just a little cranky, but full-blown nuclear piss-a-rama cranky.
and i'm loving it.
usually, i really try to put on a brave face. no one likes to be around Miss CrankyPants, or Mr. Midol, either for that matter, and so, i really try hard to be pleasant.
not today, kids. not at all.
what got me started? hormones, mostly. work is getting weirder and there's not enough Twix bars, wine, ice cream and brownies in the universe to make things better.
then i catch sight of my butt in the mirror and realize that Weight Watchers & i have got to get reacquainted.
so i tried hard to not talk to anyone today. keep my head down, work, work, work. if i can't see you, you can't see me.
hey - it worked when i was a kid.
so on my way to lunch, i ended up talking to someone.
horrors!!
and she complimented me on my hair color.
horror of horrors!!
OK, i'm not totally psychotic. i appreciate a complement. heck, i even appreciate two compliments. three or more, and well, i'm in Nirvana and am unable to form coherent
words together.
which isn't different than any other day.
back to my story.
after i was complimented on my hair color, i mentioned that the Husband said (just the other day, as a matter of fact) he preferred me as a redhead.
i have no issues with it, i liked being a redhead! but i saw a photo of myself (also being about 15 pounds heavier, you can totally see it in my face) with the red hair and dang if that just isn't a good color for me.
so the woman i was talking to, who might have been a touch hormonal herself, says, 'oh, you know men! they cannot stand having other people notice that their women look good. they want you to look good for them, just not for anyone else.'
huh?
suddenly, i was transported back to junior high, when Crazy Auntie Kay told me to only go to male hairdressers. female ones apparently don't want other women to look good, but men are OK with helping us to look goooood.
and no, i'm not sure how that logic works if the hairdresser, um...bats for the other team.
so my crank-o-meter went off the charts. come on, what's next? all women are bad at math?
that we are better/worse drivers than men?
next thing you know, we'll need to be barefoot and pregnant 24/7/365.
like i said, i'm a bit testy.
and i'm thinking that idea i once had to be a hermit, living in the mountains (or what passes for mountains 'round here) and yelling for all the damn kids to git off mah lawn.
except that if i'm a hermit, there won't be any kids on my lawn.
dammit. now i'm cranky. again.
Jul 15, 2008
it's too damn hot.
and i realize that hot here in Mostly Smoggy So. Cal is nothing compared to what Jolene deals with, but still. i'm a baby and i don't like it hot or humid, thank you very much.
and where will i be all this weekend?
outside. in the heat. what the hell?!
we have friends coming down for the rest of the week. i'm gearing myself up for battle...
well, possible battle. not with both of them, just one of them.
she doesn't care much for me, but puts up with me because her husband and i have been friends for...well, forever. for crying out loud, though, i met her the same dang day i met him.
oh well.
we've had some run-ins before, and i think she's found that i will push back when pushed.
it's just weird to be looking forward to someone visiting, while at the same time, mentally preparing for a possible battle.
more to come.
in other news....
my girl, Linda, for whatever reason (i think the check finally got there!), has decided that mine is an artistic blog.
oh you.
so - here's the rules:
Recipients of this award must strive to pass it along. Indeed, one good turn deserves another.
(1) Pick five blogs that you believe deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also for contributing to the blogging community, no matter what language.
(2) Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.
(3) Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given him or her the award itself. (I know those of you Texans won't go that!)
(4) Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of Arte Y Pico blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award which is here: Arte Y Pico
and where will i be all this weekend?
outside. in the heat. what the hell?!
we have friends coming down for the rest of the week. i'm gearing myself up for battle...
well, possible battle. not with both of them, just one of them.
she doesn't care much for me, but puts up with me because her husband and i have been friends for...well, forever. for crying out loud, though, i met her the same dang day i met him.
oh well.
we've had some run-ins before, and i think she's found that i will push back when pushed.
it's just weird to be looking forward to someone visiting, while at the same time, mentally preparing for a possible battle.
more to come.
in other news....
my girl, Linda, for whatever reason (i think the check finally got there!), has decided that mine is an artistic blog.
oh you.so - here's the rules:
Recipients of this award must strive to pass it along. Indeed, one good turn deserves another.
(1) Pick five blogs that you believe deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also for contributing to the blogging community, no matter what language.
(2) Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.
(3) Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given him or her the award itself. (I know those of you Texans won't go that!)
(4) Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of Arte Y Pico blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award which is here: Arte Y Pico
Tug- the girl's got an eye for photos. and she lives in hell, so you know there's lotsa photo ops there.
Susie Q - gaaah. i want a tenth of her talent in the world of photo taking. not only that, but visiting her little corner of the internet is like walking into a perfectly temperate pool...refreshing and restful.
April - my girl bares her heart on her pages. 'nuff said.
Melissa & Mama P - writing is my first love. these two do it professionally, but understand the power of the written word and still manage to infuse their writing-for-fun with humor, pathos (ooooh! triple word score!) and power.
awards are cool...even if i didn't get a dang ribbon at the fair (i've let it go. no, really.), but i think all of us blog because we like it. not because we're looking for accolades.
but they are nice. thanks Linda...and thank you, you, you, and you, lurking in the corner, for reading every day and going on this crazy ride with me...even when my writing is crap.
Jul 11, 2008
the good, the bad and the ball.
what a week.
it's been up...down...at one point i was ready to check myself into the hospital...either a mental
good gravy, i thought. the layoff is Friday.
it's been up...down...at one point i was ready to check myself into the hospital...either a mental
one or a medical one. i'd take it all - as long as there's drugs.
so you know - earlier this year the Husband lost his job AND his car...although not at the same time. about a month into his unemployment hell, he got backed into in a parking lot, and the insurance company decided to total the truck out.
we've been borrowing a car from Kristie ever since.
last weekend we went on an insane car shopping death march. Mr. Particular knew what he wanted: light exterior. dark interior. leather. sunroof. 2005-2006.
oh and he didn't want to pay over $16,000. heck - that's like trying to find a virgin in Hollywood.
however...miracles do happen.
we are now the proud owners of this:
that would be a 2005 Solara, silver, leather interior with a moon roof. at the right price even. whodathunkit.
so Wednsday we picked it up - tomorrow we drive to the credit union to get the check to pay off the dealer.then came Thursday.
you know how you get that karma? the bad vibe feeling. the no-good-horrible-very-bad-day feeling?oh yeah. i had that.
first - i planned a birthday potluck for someone in my group for today; then i remembered we had another birthday this month and prepared to combine the two, when the boss said to make it for a day later this month. when i looked at him quizzically, he only said 'trust me - you don't want to have it tomorrow.'good gravy, i thought. the layoff is Friday.
begin popping Maalox.
then about an hour later, the boss asks me when i take lunch. 12:30 i say. can you go earlier? he asks? just make sure you're back before 1pm.holy freaking CRAP. the layoff is TODAY.
begin popping Pepto Bismol tabs and run to the...well - you know.we go to lunch - and as we start to head back up, one of my lunch buddies, who also used to be my boss, says, 'oh, ladies, why don't you come with me.'
and we start walking over to a downstairs conference room.i have no idea how i got there. my friend said i kept going red, then deathly white (which is a normal look for me), back to red. she just looked like she was going to cry.
we sat there for about 15 minutes or more before a few more people came in. i seriously forgot to breathe once.then more people came in, and it finally got through to my hysterically panicked brain that i'm gonna be OK. i may die, but not today.
we lost nine people yesterday. thankfully, none of my close friends, but still.so today, i had that feeling you must get when you survive something horrible. exhausted, yet exhilarated. bulletproof. giddy. then we had a meeting to discuss what's going to happen next week - we're all moving around. again. then we'll have one of our yearly re-orgs, where we divvy up everyone to make it more even coverage for the supervisors.
i'm leaving my current boss and going to a new group...with a supervisor i've had before. which is OK in some ways; i was starting to like him more, he was relaxing and not being so much of a schmuck. but on the other hand, my soon-to-be boss is laid back. VERY laid back. to the point where i want to shake him to possibly get a reaction.but if i've learned nothing in my 20+ years at this place, it's this: nothing is forever. change is inevitable. keep packing boxes under your desk.
so there's the good and the bad. but what about the ball?well, in Brendan's family when they were kids growing up, when one of them had a birthday, the other two each would get a ball - just to keep the peace.
so - it turns out that since Brendan got himself a car, he thought he would get me a ball.here it is:
that would be a Canon Rebel XSi digital SLR.
oh good googly moogley.
the Husband said it's time for me to expand my horizons. he think i AM smart enough to figure out f-stops and exposures and all that crap. i differ with him on that one.
but we did bond on Tuesday (the camera and i, not the Husband. i bonded with him a long time ago) - i found a way to set the camera so i could basically erase things like fences, so when i took some pictures of horses at the racetrack by my work, even with a chain link fence standing between me and horse, i could make it go away.
of course, there is other gain for B besides the car - he now gets my old camera. and, after we get his old (my first) Canon fixed, it's going to my mom.
always like to see the good work go on.
today starts the OC Fair. did i go?
hell no. i'm SO chicken. i don't think i can walk in that exhibit by myself, so tomorrow, on the way home from the car payoff, we'll go and do a run-through.
likely i'll break his hand from squeezing it.
so what have we learned from all this?
that life is a roller coaster. hang on - it's one hell of a ride.
Jun 17, 2008
happy High Holy Day.
this day, back in 1957, Disneyland opened to the public.
gotcha.
OK, so it really was July 17th, in 1955. and if you really want to get technical, the July 17th was for the press and specially invited guests.
what the Powers that Be that day had no idea of, was that certain unsavory, yet creative, people were charging x amount per head to have people literally climb a ladder and hop over the back fence.
heck, at dang near $60 a head now, i'd totally consider that.
so back to the High Holy Day thing. for years, i was a member (read: geek) of a Disneyana club. believe me when i tell you that a lot of Disney freaks are like Star Trekkies. (and if you are one, i apologize if i offend. but believe me, some of these people are beyond obsessed.)
every year, this club hosts a week-long convention with speakers and forums, culminating in a Show & Sale, basically a garage sale of Disneyana., and, back in the day, it was the coolest. you had vendors selling Cast Member merchandise (employee goodies) and other things that probably shouldn't have been for sale, but was and there were plenty of people there ready to liberate them from these things.
call Guinness. i think that was the longest sentence ever.
but, the DisneyPolice started getting in on it, and gradually, the cool stuff disappeared, with the possible exception of company newsletters and other little things. it turned into basically a garage sale with stuff i wasn't interested in. which made my wallet very happy.
and this club is where i met one of my best friends. so it was profitable all around.
(oh, and it also introduced me to the non-sexual event called room hopping. basically, there would be a bulletin board posted with room numbers and dates of conventioneers hosting an open house. you could come in, check out what they were selling, steal the soap from their bathroom and move on. my friend and i would laugh ourselves silly, planning our route from the top floor to the bottom of the hotel, running like insane people up and down the fire access staircase.)
and somehow along the way, my friend & i took to calling July 17th High Holy Day. and yes, i was enough of a geek to, every year i had an annual pass, take the 17th off to go play. if my friend was down from his home in Northern California, all the better.
so i told you that story to tell you this story.
i opened up my email today to see this quiz from the Disney Insider, a weekly email the Disney Company puts out. and smack in the midst of it, was this quiz.
go on. prove to me you are as much of a hidden Disney geek as i am. then tell me how you did.
1. "The Wonderful World of Disney" has had many theme songs along the way, the first of which was "When You Wish Upon a Star." What Disney movie is this song from?
a. Sleeping Beauty
b. Cinderella
c. Bambi
d. Pinocchio
2. What year did the show that would become "The Wonderful World of Disney" premiere?
a. 1954
b. 1962
c. 1960
d. 19533.
What was "The Wonderful World of Disney" called when it debuted?
a. Walt's Disney World
b. Disneyland
c. Disneymania
d. Walt's Disney World
4. "The Wonderful World of Disney" has had many names -- which of the following is not one of them?
a. Disney's Wonderful World
b. The Magical World of Disney
c. Disneyland
d. Disneyworld
5. What bumbling professor (and Donald Duck's uncle) presented "An Adventure in Color," the first show of the series entitled "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color"?
a. Ludwig Von Drake
b. Don Donald
c. Scrooge McDuck
d. Dewey Duck
6. Who composed the theme song for the "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color"?
a. George Bruns
b. Frank Churchill
c. Alan Menken
d. Richard and Robert Sherman
7. What frontier hero's saga debuted as a 3-part mini-series during the first season?
a. Davy Crockett
b. Alamo Days
c. The Adventures of Kit Carson
d. Tom Sawyer
8. What beloved Disney character was used in the openings of all of the early shows?
a. Jiminy Cricket
b. Mickey Mouse
c. Tinker Bell
d. Cinderella
9. On which network did "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color" air?
a. ABC
b. NBC
c. CBS
10. Who introduced the shows each week for its first decade?
a. Mickey Mouse
b. Annette Funicello
c. Walt Disney
d. Michael Eisner
no cheating! here's the answers for Multiple Choice Trivia
1. d 2. a 3.b 4. d 5. a 6. d 7. a 8. c 9. b 10. c
gotcha.
OK, so it really was July 17th, in 1955. and if you really want to get technical, the July 17th was for the press and specially invited guests.
what the Powers that Be that day had no idea of, was that certain unsavory, yet creative, people were charging x amount per head to have people literally climb a ladder and hop over the back fence.
heck, at dang near $60 a head now, i'd totally consider that.
so back to the High Holy Day thing. for years, i was a member (read: geek) of a Disneyana club. believe me when i tell you that a lot of Disney freaks are like Star Trekkies. (and if you are one, i apologize if i offend. but believe me, some of these people are beyond obsessed.)
every year, this club hosts a week-long convention with speakers and forums, culminating in a Show & Sale, basically a garage sale of Disneyana., and, back in the day, it was the coolest. you had vendors selling Cast Member merchandise (employee goodies) and other things that probably shouldn't have been for sale, but was and there were plenty of people there ready to liberate them from these things.
call Guinness. i think that was the longest sentence ever.
but, the DisneyPolice started getting in on it, and gradually, the cool stuff disappeared, with the possible exception of company newsletters and other little things. it turned into basically a garage sale with stuff i wasn't interested in. which made my wallet very happy.
and this club is where i met one of my best friends. so it was profitable all around.
(oh, and it also introduced me to the non-sexual event called room hopping. basically, there would be a bulletin board posted with room numbers and dates of conventioneers hosting an open house. you could come in, check out what they were selling, steal the soap from their bathroom and move on. my friend and i would laugh ourselves silly, planning our route from the top floor to the bottom of the hotel, running like insane people up and down the fire access staircase.)
and somehow along the way, my friend & i took to calling July 17th High Holy Day. and yes, i was enough of a geek to, every year i had an annual pass, take the 17th off to go play. if my friend was down from his home in Northern California, all the better.
so i told you that story to tell you this story.
i opened up my email today to see this quiz from the Disney Insider, a weekly email the Disney Company puts out. and smack in the midst of it, was this quiz.
go on. prove to me you are as much of a hidden Disney geek as i am. then tell me how you did.
1. "The Wonderful World of Disney" has had many theme songs along the way, the first of which was "When You Wish Upon a Star." What Disney movie is this song from?
a. Sleeping Beauty
b. Cinderella
c. Bambi
d. Pinocchio
2. What year did the show that would become "The Wonderful World of Disney" premiere?
a. 1954
b. 1962
c. 1960
d. 19533.
What was "The Wonderful World of Disney" called when it debuted?
a. Walt's Disney World
b. Disneyland
c. Disneymania
d. Walt's Disney World
4. "The Wonderful World of Disney" has had many names -- which of the following is not one of them?
a. Disney's Wonderful World
b. The Magical World of Disney
c. Disneyland
d. Disneyworld
5. What bumbling professor (and Donald Duck's uncle) presented "An Adventure in Color," the first show of the series entitled "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color"?
a. Ludwig Von Drake
b. Don Donald
c. Scrooge McDuck
d. Dewey Duck
6. Who composed the theme song for the "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color"?
a. George Bruns
b. Frank Churchill
c. Alan Menken
d. Richard and Robert Sherman
7. What frontier hero's saga debuted as a 3-part mini-series during the first season?
a. Davy Crockett
b. Alamo Days
c. The Adventures of Kit Carson
d. Tom Sawyer
8. What beloved Disney character was used in the openings of all of the early shows?
a. Jiminy Cricket
b. Mickey Mouse
c. Tinker Bell
d. Cinderella
9. On which network did "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color" air?
a. ABC
b. NBC
c. CBS
10. Who introduced the shows each week for its first decade?
a. Mickey Mouse
b. Annette Funicello
c. Walt Disney
d. Michael Eisner
no cheating! here's the answers for Multiple Choice Trivia
1. d 2. a 3.b 4. d 5. a 6. d 7. a 8. c 9. b 10. c
May 22, 2008
it's howdy-doody-meme time.
from Linda. go read her, and comment por favor. she thinks no one reads her. :o)
Ten years ago:
i was a stinking newlywed. man. it seems like so long ago.
Five things on today’s “to do” list:
there's more than five. 1) get caught up on my '28 days' class. 2) go to dinner for a birthday tonight. 3) shoot myself in the foot because i'm covering my desk, another coworker's job AND my supervisor. fun, huh? 4) go back to Weight Watchers. 5) scrub the toilet..
Five Things I’d do if I was a billionaire:
quit. buy a house. buy B a new car. buy my step-pop a new car. help more people out.
oh, who am i kidding? i would spend my way around the world.
Three bad habits:
not being on weight watchers. saying yes, when i shouldn't. whining. (but if i didn't, i probably wouldn't have a blog.)
Five places I’ve lived:
ummmm...i'll list Ximino ave., Heather Ave., 52nd St. & then to #301 and #408 here in Beautiful Buena Park.
Five jobs I’ve had:
receptionist @ Supercuts. counter girl at two restaurants. waitress @ an AA restaurant (i was in good with the cook). junior loan processor. proofreader at my current employer (heck. i could do five jobs i've had just at this place)
Five people I’m tagging:
you. you. you, over there with the hat. you annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd you. yes you, the one avoiding my gaze.
Ten years ago:
i was a stinking newlywed. man. it seems like so long ago.
Five things on today’s “to do” list:
there's more than five. 1) get caught up on my '28 days' class. 2) go to dinner for a birthday tonight. 3) shoot myself in the foot because i'm covering my desk, another coworker's job AND my supervisor. fun, huh? 4) go back to Weight Watchers. 5) scrub the toilet..
Five Things I’d do if I was a billionaire:
quit. buy a house. buy B a new car. buy my step-pop a new car. help more people out.
oh, who am i kidding? i would spend my way around the world.
Three bad habits:
not being on weight watchers. saying yes, when i shouldn't. whining. (but if i didn't, i probably wouldn't have a blog.)
Five places I’ve lived:
ummmm...i'll list Ximino ave., Heather Ave., 52nd St. & then to #301 and #408 here in Beautiful Buena Park.
Five jobs I’ve had:
receptionist @ Supercuts. counter girl at two restaurants. waitress @ an AA restaurant (i was in good with the cook). junior loan processor. proofreader at my current employer (heck. i could do five jobs i've had just at this place)
Five people I’m tagging:
you. you. you, over there with the hat. you annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd you. yes you, the one avoiding my gaze.
Apr 14, 2008
what's happening in the clean world?
well then.
i think that's enough silence for, oh - say a monastery, wouldn't you?
and no worries, all is well in O'Mahonyville. just a few bad patches in a sucky year. believe me when i say that 2008 has blown.huge.chunks. and i will be truly glad to kiss it goodbye.
no tongue.
so - let's catch up, shall we?
B is still gainfully unemployed. the employer in San Diego turned him down for another candidate, and, while Brendan was ranting about how he was the best person for this job, i countered with reminding him that a) the job wasn't meant to be, so he should just get over it (i know. i am SO sympathetic), and b) the job wasn't meant to be because remember? we would need to move. THAT COSTS MONEY. and even if we didn't move right away, there would be the commuting. WHICH ALSO COSTS MONEY.
and c) if i had to, i would take the commuter train, but wasn't relishing spending 2-3 hours of my day on the bloody Metrolink.
which brings us to the job he's been chasing, right around the corner from our casa. they've played grab-ass for a few weeks now; employer making an offer, B countering with a slightly higher offer, employer saying no, well, what about this amount, B coming back with another offer. finally, employer said well, let me think that one over, call me in a few days.
B calls back in a few days. employer says, 'hey, you were supposed to call me on Friday.' B replies no, we decided on Thursday, remember? employer says, 'oh. you're right. well, sorry, but i can't swing that amount.' B thanks him for his time, and tells him to keep his resume on file.
B's fine. i'm pissed. this guy had already decided that he wasn't willing to pay what Brendan was asking, but did not have the common courtesy to call him and let him know before Brendan had to call? sheesh.
if he treats people like this who don't work for him, imagine what it must be like to work for this man.
but really...i've let it go.
really.
so - other than that...my mom says she's doing better with her knee healing after surgery, but, since she's compensating for the bad one, her good one is acting up. i know she's not feeling well when she cancels on her quilting social groups.
such a thing just does not happen.
i'm hoping she can get in to some PT soon...it made a difference with my back and i only regret i didn't get in before i went back to work.
meanwhile...i'm looking for a pedicure, a massage and peace for my soul.
oh, and a winning lotto ticket so i can sit around all day taking cooking & photography classes and making slightly cuter stuff out of other stuff.
if only.
i think that's enough silence for, oh - say a monastery, wouldn't you?
and no worries, all is well in O'Mahonyville. just a few bad patches in a sucky year. believe me when i say that 2008 has blown.huge.chunks. and i will be truly glad to kiss it goodbye.
no tongue.
so - let's catch up, shall we?
B is still gainfully unemployed. the employer in San Diego turned him down for another candidate, and, while Brendan was ranting about how he was the best person for this job, i countered with reminding him that a) the job wasn't meant to be, so he should just get over it (i know. i am SO sympathetic), and b) the job wasn't meant to be because remember? we would need to move. THAT COSTS MONEY. and even if we didn't move right away, there would be the commuting. WHICH ALSO COSTS MONEY.
and c) if i had to, i would take the commuter train, but wasn't relishing spending 2-3 hours of my day on the bloody Metrolink.
which brings us to the job he's been chasing, right around the corner from our casa. they've played grab-ass for a few weeks now; employer making an offer, B countering with a slightly higher offer, employer saying no, well, what about this amount, B coming back with another offer. finally, employer said well, let me think that one over, call me in a few days.
B calls back in a few days. employer says, 'hey, you were supposed to call me on Friday.' B replies no, we decided on Thursday, remember? employer says, 'oh. you're right. well, sorry, but i can't swing that amount.' B thanks him for his time, and tells him to keep his resume on file.
B's fine. i'm pissed. this guy had already decided that he wasn't willing to pay what Brendan was asking, but did not have the common courtesy to call him and let him know before Brendan had to call? sheesh.
if he treats people like this who don't work for him, imagine what it must be like to work for this man.
but really...i've let it go.
really.
so - other than that...my mom says she's doing better with her knee healing after surgery, but, since she's compensating for the bad one, her good one is acting up. i know she's not feeling well when she cancels on her quilting social groups.
such a thing just does not happen.
i'm hoping she can get in to some PT soon...it made a difference with my back and i only regret i didn't get in before i went back to work.
meanwhile...i'm looking for a pedicure, a massage and peace for my soul.
oh, and a winning lotto ticket so i can sit around all day taking cooking & photography classes and making slightly cuter stuff out of other stuff.
if only.
Mar 26, 2008
all without the benefit of alcohol.
'you need to tell me. if you talk, we'll go easier on you.'
'i---i can't. you don't understand what kind of people these are. and what they're capable of.'
'come ON now. do you think we're so stupid that we don't know what we're up against? now. for the betterment of the community and yourself, tell me what you know.'
'i----i just don't know. i'm so s-s-s-scared.'
and then i woke up.
to the moon shining in my window, right in my face, making me believe i was being interrogated.
probably by some radical scrapbookers who didn't like what i was doing.
'i---i can't. you don't understand what kind of people these are. and what they're capable of.'
'come ON now. do you think we're so stupid that we don't know what we're up against? now. for the betterment of the community and yourself, tell me what you know.'
'i----i just don't know. i'm so s-s-s-scared.'
and then i woke up.
to the moon shining in my window, right in my face, making me believe i was being interrogated.
probably by some radical scrapbookers who didn't like what i was doing.
Mar 9, 2008
don't look now, but here come the 80s.
so. let's recap, shall we?
* no update on B's job.
* the truck has been totalled by his insurance. however, AAA hasn't even heard about this claim. hmmmm...
(and this has nothing to do with him, but...)
*THREE MORE DAYS TILL KEITH!!! THREE MORE DAYS TILL KEITH!!!!
(and)
* have i mentioned how cool the Husband can be sometimes, especially when it comes to my 'needing to craft' obsession?
ok. i'll explain. i found a recipe online for making headache balm. some Shea butter, olive oil and beeswax, along with lavender oil, melted, pour into metal tins. then when a headache comes your way, rub some into your temples, and breathe deeply.
i have some headache oil like this. it works. so, my brilliant idea was - hey! let's make these for Christmas presents!!
and yes, i am well aware that it's only March.
so - yesterday, in a lot of running around anyway, B decided to take me to a health food store for the Shea butter. no luck. but, amazingly Bath & Body Works had 100% Shea butter in stock.
and today, while he's looking at greasy car parts and other man based smelly things at the Pomona car swap meet, i'll be here. making headache balm.
or other crafty things.
now - you may be wondering what-in-the-name-of-all-that-is-holy-does-all-of-that-have-to-do-with-the-80's (as my title infers)?
well, Becky had this on her little corner of the internet. i thought it was cool. then i realized how dang old i am...and even was back in the freaking 80s.
here. enjoy. and feel free to use.
1. How old were you in 1980? 18
2. How old were you in 1989? gah. 27.
3. Were you a Toys R' US Kid?um, no...i was a Tuffskins kid.
4. Did you watch Transformers? Nope.
5. Did you see E.T. on the big screen? no, and i don't know why!
6. Did you own a Lite Bright? no dang it. i was deprived as a child. deprived, i tells ya!
7. Who is your Favorite Golden Girl? Sophia. (me too. i always liked a smartass)
8. When someone says "Who you gonna call?" you think? GHOSTBUSTERS!
9. What was/were your favorite toy(S)? being an older teenager, probably 45s.
10. Did you have a Pogo Ball? huh? whaz that?
11. Did you listen to New Kids on the Block? thank heavens no. i did, however, listen to the Go-Gos and Pat Benetar
12. What New Kid did you have a crush on? what's a New Kid?
13. Did you play M.A.S.H? oh boy. 'come on, guys! let's play dress up and doctor all at once!'
14. Did you watch The Care Bears? nope. but i did watch Disney's Gummi Bears. oh wait. that was the 90s.
15. Did you have Jelly bracelets? um, no. but i did have at least three different pairs of jelly shoes. which i saw again in Target. yesterday.
16. Did you own a glo-worm? wait. this is a family blog and i don't go in for those shenanigans. what? oh. never mind.
17. Did you ever own a slap bracelet? i think i did.
18. The Breakfast Club or Sixteen Candles? neither. 'Hiding Out.'
19. Did you have a crazy hair style? um. of course. and no you cannot see it.
20. What was your first bike? dagnabbit, it was back in the 60's and it was a red Schwinn
21. Name one thing you still own from your childhood? it's the doll from my Liddle Kiddle locket. and it looks 40 some years old.
22. Did you have a Cabbage Patch Kid? oh yeah. rotten wench that i am, i bought one to torment my then boyfriend's mother with. 'Mrs. Clarkson! wanna see your grandchild?!'
23. Did you dress like Madonna? nah. i'm wasn't slutty enough back then.
24. Rainbow Brite or Strawberry Shortcake? Strawberry Shortcake. i like toys that smell good.
25. Did you watch Miami Vice? sometimes.
26. Did you own a pair of Jelly Shoes? see #15. they did, however, REALLY make your feet sweat.
27. Did you own a Trapper Keeper? oh yeah. those rocked!
28. Atari or Nintendo? Atari. i bought it myself. i had Frogger AND a Journey 'Don't Stop Believin' video game.
29. Did you play Pac-Man? yep. and i sucked at it, too.
30. Which was better? Nintendo DS. what? wrong decade?
31. He-Man or She-Ra? i'll take She-Rag - Princess of PMS
32. What movie scared you the most? hmmmm. i don't remember seeing any scary movies then.
33. Did you try to dance like Michael Jackson? ummmm, no.
34. What Is The First Thing That Comes To Mind When You Hear "Flux Capacitor"? "If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits eighty-eight miles per hour... you're gonna see some serious shit." (me, too, Becky! that and some really scary hair on Doc)
35. What other colors did Pepsi come in? clear. never drank it. i'm a Coke girl.
36. Roger Rabbit Or Howard The Duck? p-p-p-p-p-please! Roger rules.
37. Did you ever beg your parents to have your school picture taken with the 'LASER' background? thank heavens, no.
38. Do you know what the Ninja Rap is? do i want to know?
39. Do you know why people cringe when they hear the word BUCKNER? no. i am SO old.
40. Can you name the family members from National Lampoons Vacation movies? Clark, Ellen, Rusty, Audrey, Aunt Edna, Cousin Eddie and the dog who peeded on everything.
41. WallyWorld or Europe? has to be WallyWorld - it was filmed @ Magic Mountain about 40 minutes from Long Beach, where i grew up. (but now, i'd rather go to Europe. just not with the Griswalds)
42. What was your favorite movie from the 80's? see #18. i loved Jon Cryer then. now, well, not so much.
your turn. have fun! i have headache balm to make.
* no update on B's job.
* the truck has been totalled by his insurance. however, AAA hasn't even heard about this claim. hmmmm...
(and this has nothing to do with him, but...)
*THREE MORE DAYS TILL KEITH!!! THREE MORE DAYS TILL KEITH!!!!
(and)
* have i mentioned how cool the Husband can be sometimes, especially when it comes to my 'needing to craft' obsession?
ok. i'll explain. i found a recipe online for making headache balm. some Shea butter, olive oil and beeswax, along with lavender oil, melted, pour into metal tins. then when a headache comes your way, rub some into your temples, and breathe deeply.
i have some headache oil like this. it works. so, my brilliant idea was - hey! let's make these for Christmas presents!!
and yes, i am well aware that it's only March.
so - yesterday, in a lot of running around anyway, B decided to take me to a health food store for the Shea butter. no luck. but, amazingly Bath & Body Works had 100% Shea butter in stock.
and today, while he's looking at greasy car parts and other man based smelly things at the Pomona car swap meet, i'll be here. making headache balm.
or other crafty things.
now - you may be wondering what-in-the-name-of-all-that-is-holy-does-all-of-that-have-to-do-with-the-80's (as my title infers)?
well, Becky had this on her little corner of the internet. i thought it was cool. then i realized how dang old i am...and even was back in the freaking 80s.
here. enjoy. and feel free to use.
1. How old were you in 1980? 18
2. How old were you in 1989? gah. 27.
3. Were you a Toys R' US Kid?um, no...i was a Tuffskins kid.
4. Did you watch Transformers? Nope.
5. Did you see E.T. on the big screen? no, and i don't know why!
6. Did you own a Lite Bright? no dang it. i was deprived as a child. deprived, i tells ya!
7. Who is your Favorite Golden Girl? Sophia. (me too. i always liked a smartass)
8. When someone says "Who you gonna call?" you think? GHOSTBUSTERS!
9. What was/were your favorite toy(S)? being an older teenager, probably 45s.
10. Did you have a Pogo Ball? huh? whaz that?
11. Did you listen to New Kids on the Block? thank heavens no. i did, however, listen to the Go-Gos and Pat Benetar
12. What New Kid did you have a crush on? what's a New Kid?
13. Did you play M.A.S.H? oh boy. 'come on, guys! let's play dress up and doctor all at once!'
14. Did you watch The Care Bears? nope. but i did watch Disney's Gummi Bears. oh wait. that was the 90s.
15. Did you have Jelly bracelets? um, no. but i did have at least three different pairs of jelly shoes. which i saw again in Target. yesterday.
16. Did you own a glo-worm? wait. this is a family blog and i don't go in for those shenanigans. what? oh. never mind.
17. Did you ever own a slap bracelet? i think i did.
18. The Breakfast Club or Sixteen Candles? neither. 'Hiding Out.'
19. Did you have a crazy hair style? um. of course. and no you cannot see it.
20. What was your first bike? dagnabbit, it was back in the 60's and it was a red Schwinn
21. Name one thing you still own from your childhood? it's the doll from my Liddle Kiddle locket. and it looks 40 some years old.
22. Did you have a Cabbage Patch Kid? oh yeah. rotten wench that i am, i bought one to torment my then boyfriend's mother with. 'Mrs. Clarkson! wanna see your grandchild?!'
23. Did you dress like Madonna? nah. i'm wasn't slutty enough back then.
24. Rainbow Brite or Strawberry Shortcake? Strawberry Shortcake. i like toys that smell good.
25. Did you watch Miami Vice? sometimes.
26. Did you own a pair of Jelly Shoes? see #15. they did, however, REALLY make your feet sweat.
27. Did you own a Trapper Keeper? oh yeah. those rocked!
28. Atari or Nintendo? Atari. i bought it myself. i had Frogger AND a Journey 'Don't Stop Believin' video game.
29. Did you play Pac-Man? yep. and i sucked at it, too.
30. Which was better? Nintendo DS. what? wrong decade?
31. He-Man or She-Ra? i'll take She-Rag - Princess of PMS
32. What movie scared you the most? hmmmm. i don't remember seeing any scary movies then.
33. Did you try to dance like Michael Jackson? ummmm, no.
34. What Is The First Thing That Comes To Mind When You Hear "Flux Capacitor"? "If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits eighty-eight miles per hour... you're gonna see some serious shit." (me, too, Becky! that and some really scary hair on Doc)
35. What other colors did Pepsi come in? clear. never drank it. i'm a Coke girl.
36. Roger Rabbit Or Howard The Duck? p-p-p-p-p-please! Roger rules.
37. Did you ever beg your parents to have your school picture taken with the 'LASER' background? thank heavens, no.
38. Do you know what the Ninja Rap is? do i want to know?
39. Do you know why people cringe when they hear the word BUCKNER? no. i am SO old.
40. Can you name the family members from National Lampoons Vacation movies? Clark, Ellen, Rusty, Audrey, Aunt Edna, Cousin Eddie and the dog who peeded on everything.
41. WallyWorld or Europe? has to be WallyWorld - it was filmed @ Magic Mountain about 40 minutes from Long Beach, where i grew up. (but now, i'd rather go to Europe. just not with the Griswalds)
42. What was your favorite movie from the 80's? see #18. i loved Jon Cryer then. now, well, not so much.
your turn. have fun! i have headache balm to make.
Mar 3, 2008
words to live by.
direct from Susie - Here are the meme rules:
1. Write your own six word memoir.
2. Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you’d like.
3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible, so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere.
4. Tag five more blogs with links.
5. Remember to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play!
hmmm. only six words for my memoir? when have i ever been able to keep things down to a few words?
ummmm, never.
so how about - She Had Not Yet Decided Whether to Use Her Powers for Evil or for Good.
no? then what about - Naps Rule.
no? OK then.
nope. i gotta stick with Susie's. 'Life is uncertain, eat dessert first.'
obviously, i live by these words...otherwise i wouldn't be in Weight Watchers (which, btw, i am down 12.6lbs, while my darling, wasting away Husband is down a freaking 20 lbs.).
let's face it: you could be eating dinner when BAM!! your life is cut short by a nasty salmonella very quick moving virus. and there you are, at the Pearly Gates, without a creme brulee.
or a cheesecake.
or a hot fudge sundae.
or...well, you get the picture.
i tag....April, Allie, Linda, Melissa &, back from her hiatus, Steff. and of course, you too, if you wanna!
1. Write your own six word memoir.
2. Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you’d like.
3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible, so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere.
4. Tag five more blogs with links.
5. Remember to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play!
hmmm. only six words for my memoir? when have i ever been able to keep things down to a few words?
ummmm, never.
so how about - She Had Not Yet Decided Whether to Use Her Powers for Evil or for Good.
no? then what about - Naps Rule.
no? OK then.
nope. i gotta stick with Susie's. 'Life is uncertain, eat dessert first.'
obviously, i live by these words...otherwise i wouldn't be in Weight Watchers (which, btw, i am down 12.6lbs, while my darling, wasting away Husband is down a freaking 20 lbs.).
let's face it: you could be eating dinner when BAM!! your life is cut short by a nasty salmonella very quick moving virus. and there you are, at the Pearly Gates, without a creme brulee.
or a cheesecake.
or a hot fudge sundae.
or...well, you get the picture.
i tag....April, Allie, Linda, Melissa &, back from her hiatus, Steff. and of course, you too, if you wanna!
Feb 4, 2008
Monday's child is full of it.
crazy weekend.
crazy Monday.
weighed in on Sunday and, while Husband and i ate ALL THE SAME DAMN CRAP, he was kind enough to lose TWO FLIPPING POUNDS whilst i GAINED a stinking 4/10ths of a pound.
that ain't right.
hence, why when i got home tonight, i made a boatload of Garden Veggie Soup. zero points, dontcha know.
i'll show you, bloody scale.
yesterday, we went to a Super, er....Big Game party, and while he had a beer and various other goodies, i, on the other hand, drank diet Coke, ate a buttload of veggies and one small sammich. at the very end of the party, i caved and ate 6 BBQ chips.
but daaaaaaamn. they were gooooooooood.
we also had a substitute leader at our meeting. i know the meetings are good for us, but man, they are dry.
as in bor-ring.
but this one did catch my attention when she mentions making a 2 point margarita.
two point margarita?! i'm all ears.
make Crystal Light lemonade. add fresh lime juice to taste. add ice to your cup and add 2oz (one shot) of tequila.
there you go. a two point margarita.
i.must.try.
on to other things. it's been forever since i've done a meme. while some of you may be rejoicing, i know others freaking do not care about my WW trials and whining.
for you - here we go. rub-a-dub-dub...stole this from Tug.
(hmmm. creative, no?)
1. If your doctor told you TODAY that you were pregnant, what would you say?
well, i'd probably be in ER, because i would've passed out from shock. then been running out to get EVERYTHING I COULD IN THE MATERNITY SECTION.
2. Do you trust all of your friends?
my 'on hand' friends - absolutely. (the ones you can count on hand for anything...the ones that would go through the gates of hell to bring you some diet Coke.)
3. Would you move to another state or country to be with the one you love?
hey - i gave up a freaking Disneyland annual pass for this guy. as Kristie will vouch - that, my friends, is love.
4. Do you believe that everything happens for a reason?
99 44/100% of the time. some things i still don't get. and likely never will.
5. Can you make a dollar in change right now?
sure. probably a couple of dollars worth of change.
6. Which one of your friends do you think would make the best doctor?
LOL - because of their bedside manner or because they would tell it like it is? because i really don't want to know which one is best at rectal thermometers.
7. Are you afraid of falling in love?
nope, but i'm afraid sometimes of losing it.
what happened to #8?
9. Is there someone who pops into your mind at random times?
why yes! just today, i passed a street on the way to work called Mungall. i then remembered a girl i went to elementary school with named Sharon Mungall. great. i can remember a chick from elementary school, but can't tell you what i had for dinner on Saturday.
10. What’s your most favorite scar?
my back scar. because it doesn't hurt back there any more. and because i'm still mad at myself that i didn't think of Kristie's idea of drawing a Christmas tree on the scar right after my surgery, taking a picture and using it for our Christmas cards. stupid, stupid, stupid!
11. When was the last time you flew in a plane?
my last trip to Reno...sigh...
12. What did the last text message you sent say?
i was gloating to my best male friend (that i don't sleep with) that i was at Disneyland and he wasn't. come to think of it, i gloated to Kristie as well...hmmm..
13. What features do you find most attractive in the preferred sex?
humor. but hands is what i notice first.
14. Fill in the blank. I love ________.…
rock & roll. put another dime in the jukebox baby.
15. What is a goal you would like to accomplish in the near future?
too many. i actually started a 'bucket list' the other day. i'm exhausted just reading it, but that's a post for another day.
16. If you were to wake up from being in a coma for an extended time who would you call?
like i'd remember their phone numbers.
17. How many kids do you want to have?
i always wanted two. but as the whole infertility thing raised its ugly head, i would've been happy with one.
18. Would you make a good parent?
i think so...i would've been the 'crazy mommy,' embarassing the crap outta my kid.
19. Where was your favorite picture taken?
i am not a fan of any photos my mug is in. right now, my favorite photos are of Dean and Erin at my last Reno trip. yum.
20. What’s your middle name? Lynn
21. Honestly, what’s on your mind right now?
please, Lord, don't let tomorrow be as crappy as today.
22. If you could go back in time and change something, what would it be?
the whole baby thing. 'nuff said.
23. Who was or will be the maid of honor/ best man in your wedding?
Kristie. after all, she's one of my bestest ever friends and she's responsible (along with her mom) for Brendan & myself. she might as well be a witness.
24. What are you wearing right now?
my work clothes. soon to be jammies.
25. Righty or Lefty?
righty-tighty!
26. Best place to eat?
right here. i am grateful beyond words for WW cookbooks!
27. Favorite jeans?
the latest jeans (they call 'em 'premium') from Target. leg's not too wide, and they bloody sit at my waist! it's a miracle!!
28. Favorite Animal?
the ones that clean up after themselves. but right now, it would be cats.
29. Favorite juice?
Orange. Mixed with champagne would be great, thanks for asking! (me too!)
30. Have you had the chicken pox?
no clue. and my mom cannot remember, either.
31. Have you had a sore throat?
oh yeah. if you have allergies, you have sore throats. they suck.
32. Ever had a bar fight?
naaah. i was the chicken under the table or running like heck out the door.
33. Who knows you the best?
Kristie & Maureen. Brendan's in there, too, but let's face it, girls - our girlfriends sometimes know more than guys do. and remember it, too.
34. Shoe size? 9 1/2
35. Do you wear contact lenses or glasses?
um, that would be trifocals. never wanted contacts, i hate things in my eyes.
36. Ever been in a fight with your pet?
oh yeah - the Cat & i fight for bed space most nights.
37. Been to Mexico?
*sigh* i was just reliving my last Mexican weekend...six years ago.
38. Did you buy something today?
sure! zucchini! carrots! cabbage!!
39. Did you get sick today?
nope - for once!
40. Do you miss someone today?
yeah - a work friend who left for greener pastures.
41. Did you get in a fight with someone today?
i'm Irish. we fight over everything. so what? big whoop. wanna fight about it??
42. When is the last time you had a massage?
like i can remember that.
43. Last person to lie in your bed?
the Husband and the cat.
44. Last person to see you cry?
me
45. Who made you cry?
i'll take the Fifth.
46. What was the last TV show you watched?
Alton, naturally.
47. What are your plans for the weekend?
work.work.work.work.work.sleep.weigh-in.
48. Who do you think will repost this?
Linda. Jacquie. maybe April?
49. Who was the last person you hung out with?
the people i work with - woo-hooo! party over heee-reee!
50. If your significant other asked you to marry them TODAY, what would you say?
i'd say yes. in spite of it all.
next!
crazy Monday.
weighed in on Sunday and, while Husband and i ate ALL THE SAME DAMN CRAP, he was kind enough to lose TWO FLIPPING POUNDS whilst i GAINED a stinking 4/10ths of a pound.
that ain't right.
hence, why when i got home tonight, i made a boatload of Garden Veggie Soup. zero points, dontcha know.
i'll show you, bloody scale.
yesterday, we went to a Super, er....Big Game party, and while he had a beer and various other goodies, i, on the other hand, drank diet Coke, ate a buttload of veggies and one small sammich. at the very end of the party, i caved and ate 6 BBQ chips.
but daaaaaaamn. they were gooooooooood.
we also had a substitute leader at our meeting. i know the meetings are good for us, but man, they are dry.
as in bor-ring.
but this one did catch my attention when she mentions making a 2 point margarita.
two point margarita?! i'm all ears.
make Crystal Light lemonade. add fresh lime juice to taste. add ice to your cup and add 2oz (one shot) of tequila.
there you go. a two point margarita.
i.must.try.
on to other things. it's been forever since i've done a meme. while some of you may be rejoicing, i know others freaking do not care about my WW trials and whining.
for you - here we go. rub-a-dub-dub...stole this from Tug.
(hmmm. creative, no?)
1. If your doctor told you TODAY that you were pregnant, what would you say?
well, i'd probably be in ER, because i would've passed out from shock. then been running out to get EVERYTHING I COULD IN THE MATERNITY SECTION.
2. Do you trust all of your friends?
my 'on hand' friends - absolutely. (the ones you can count on hand for anything...the ones that would go through the gates of hell to bring you some diet Coke.)
3. Would you move to another state or country to be with the one you love?
hey - i gave up a freaking Disneyland annual pass for this guy. as Kristie will vouch - that, my friends, is love.
4. Do you believe that everything happens for a reason?
99 44/100% of the time. some things i still don't get. and likely never will.
5. Can you make a dollar in change right now?
sure. probably a couple of dollars worth of change.
6. Which one of your friends do you think would make the best doctor?
LOL - because of their bedside manner or because they would tell it like it is? because i really don't want to know which one is best at rectal thermometers.
7. Are you afraid of falling in love?
nope, but i'm afraid sometimes of losing it.
what happened to #8?
9. Is there someone who pops into your mind at random times?
why yes! just today, i passed a street on the way to work called Mungall. i then remembered a girl i went to elementary school with named Sharon Mungall. great. i can remember a chick from elementary school, but can't tell you what i had for dinner on Saturday.
10. What’s your most favorite scar?
my back scar. because it doesn't hurt back there any more. and because i'm still mad at myself that i didn't think of Kristie's idea of drawing a Christmas tree on the scar right after my surgery, taking a picture and using it for our Christmas cards. stupid, stupid, stupid!
11. When was the last time you flew in a plane?
my last trip to Reno...sigh...
12. What did the last text message you sent say?
i was gloating to my best male friend (that i don't sleep with) that i was at Disneyland and he wasn't. come to think of it, i gloated to Kristie as well...hmmm..
13. What features do you find most attractive in the preferred sex?
humor. but hands is what i notice first.
14. Fill in the blank. I love ________.…
rock & roll. put another dime in the jukebox baby.
15. What is a goal you would like to accomplish in the near future?
too many. i actually started a 'bucket list' the other day. i'm exhausted just reading it, but that's a post for another day.
16. If you were to wake up from being in a coma for an extended time who would you call?
like i'd remember their phone numbers.
17. How many kids do you want to have?
i always wanted two. but as the whole infertility thing raised its ugly head, i would've been happy with one.
18. Would you make a good parent?
i think so...i would've been the 'crazy mommy,' embarassing the crap outta my kid.
19. Where was your favorite picture taken?
i am not a fan of any photos my mug is in. right now, my favorite photos are of Dean and Erin at my last Reno trip. yum.
20. What’s your middle name? Lynn
21. Honestly, what’s on your mind right now?
please, Lord, don't let tomorrow be as crappy as today.
22. If you could go back in time and change something, what would it be?
the whole baby thing. 'nuff said.
23. Who was or will be the maid of honor/ best man in your wedding?
Kristie. after all, she's one of my bestest ever friends and she's responsible (along with her mom) for Brendan & myself. she might as well be a witness.
24. What are you wearing right now?
my work clothes. soon to be jammies.
25. Righty or Lefty?
righty-tighty!
26. Best place to eat?
right here. i am grateful beyond words for WW cookbooks!
27. Favorite jeans?
the latest jeans (they call 'em 'premium') from Target. leg's not too wide, and they bloody sit at my waist! it's a miracle!!
28. Favorite Animal?
the ones that clean up after themselves. but right now, it would be cats.
29. Favorite juice?
Orange. Mixed with champagne would be great, thanks for asking! (me too!)
30. Have you had the chicken pox?
no clue. and my mom cannot remember, either.
31. Have you had a sore throat?
oh yeah. if you have allergies, you have sore throats. they suck.
32. Ever had a bar fight?
naaah. i was the chicken under the table or running like heck out the door.
33. Who knows you the best?
Kristie & Maureen. Brendan's in there, too, but let's face it, girls - our girlfriends sometimes know more than guys do. and remember it, too.
34. Shoe size? 9 1/2
35. Do you wear contact lenses or glasses?
um, that would be trifocals. never wanted contacts, i hate things in my eyes.
36. Ever been in a fight with your pet?
oh yeah - the Cat & i fight for bed space most nights.
37. Been to Mexico?
*sigh* i was just reliving my last Mexican weekend...six years ago.
38. Did you buy something today?
sure! zucchini! carrots! cabbage!!
39. Did you get sick today?
nope - for once!
40. Do you miss someone today?
yeah - a work friend who left for greener pastures.
41. Did you get in a fight with someone today?
i'm Irish. we fight over everything. so what? big whoop. wanna fight about it??
42. When is the last time you had a massage?
like i can remember that.
43. Last person to lie in your bed?
the Husband and the cat.
44. Last person to see you cry?
me
45. Who made you cry?
i'll take the Fifth.
46. What was the last TV show you watched?
Alton, naturally.
47. What are your plans for the weekend?
work.work.work.work.work.sleep.weigh-in.
48. Who do you think will repost this?
Linda. Jacquie. maybe April?
49. Who was the last person you hung out with?
the people i work with - woo-hooo! party over heee-reee!
50. If your significant other asked you to marry them TODAY, what would you say?
i'd say yes. in spite of it all.
next!
Jan 30, 2008
all quiet on the Western Front.
let's see.....
no inebriated neighbors on my stoop today.
no yelling, no pounding on doors.
no calling the police.
no good blog material.
what i love (insert sarcastic babbling here) is...
* my supervisor telling me to do XYZ instead of ABC (which is what i usually do), then bitching me out because i did XYZ.
i guess it's a case of 'do what you do, not do what i say.'
*we have new contractors in my workgroup - four to be precise. one of them, a chick around my age, seems nice. until....
yesterday morning when she came in to her desk, complaining about our company, and how lame we are sometimes.
um, hello? you've been here four weeks and you're yapping how lame we are? you're dumb.
observant, but dumb.
*Monday was my supervisor's birthday, so as is our tradition, we brought in food. (my new favorite thing to bring is the deluxe veggie tray {dang, it should be for 19.99} and the sliced apple tray...it's Red Delicious and Granny Smith sliced apples with a container of caramel for dipping. the caramel is not WW sanctioned, but i had one, anyway).
and if you remember, one of our other supervisors, the one who likes to point out how much processed sugar is in everything, came by and says to me 'um, just so you know, that microwave caramel's first ingredient is high fructose corn syrup.'
killjoy.
today is my Friday. why? because Monday when i came home, i asked Brendan, 'hey! you're temporarily unemployed!! whatareya going to do now?!'
my answer was a puzzled look, and the beginning of a dissertation on what he had scheduled for the next day..and, missing the point of my joke, i naturally interrupted him.
'you're going to Disneyland!'
yes, Gentle Reader, we're going to Disneyland tomorrow.
we used to go on vacations every year, until i had my back surgery and then for whatever reason, we haven't done one since.
i got a small, unexpected bit of cash, and decided to buy 2fer tickets. silly? yes. frivolous? definitely. (BTW - a 2fer is a Disneyland promotion they usually run right after the New Year, when attendance drops off. it's for So. Cal. residents and for the price of a one day/one park ticket, you can visit Disneyland one day and California Adventure on the other.)
needed? oh youbetcha. i'm so excited i can't stand it.
i'm going to Disneyland!
no inebriated neighbors on my stoop today.
no yelling, no pounding on doors.
no calling the police.
no good blog material.
what i love (insert sarcastic babbling here) is...
* my supervisor telling me to do XYZ instead of ABC (which is what i usually do), then bitching me out because i did XYZ.
i guess it's a case of 'do what you do, not do what i say.'
*we have new contractors in my workgroup - four to be precise. one of them, a chick around my age, seems nice. until....
yesterday morning when she came in to her desk, complaining about our company, and how lame we are sometimes.
um, hello? you've been here four weeks and you're yapping how lame we are? you're dumb.
observant, but dumb.
*Monday was my supervisor's birthday, so as is our tradition, we brought in food. (my new favorite thing to bring is the deluxe veggie tray {dang, it should be for 19.99} and the sliced apple tray...it's Red Delicious and Granny Smith sliced apples with a container of caramel for dipping. the caramel is not WW sanctioned, but i had one, anyway).
and if you remember, one of our other supervisors, the one who likes to point out how much processed sugar is in everything, came by and says to me 'um, just so you know, that microwave caramel's first ingredient is high fructose corn syrup.'
killjoy.
today is my Friday. why? because Monday when i came home, i asked Brendan, 'hey! you're temporarily unemployed!! whatareya going to do now?!'
my answer was a puzzled look, and the beginning of a dissertation on what he had scheduled for the next day..and, missing the point of my joke, i naturally interrupted him.
'you're going to Disneyland!'
yes, Gentle Reader, we're going to Disneyland tomorrow.
we used to go on vacations every year, until i had my back surgery and then for whatever reason, we haven't done one since.
i got a small, unexpected bit of cash, and decided to buy 2fer tickets. silly? yes. frivolous? definitely. (BTW - a 2fer is a Disneyland promotion they usually run right after the New Year, when attendance drops off. it's for So. Cal. residents and for the price of a one day/one park ticket, you can visit Disneyland one day and California Adventure on the other.)
needed? oh youbetcha. i'm so excited i can't stand it.
i'm going to Disneyland!
Jan 28, 2008
hey now.
first off....let's just say to Tug- i have nothing against Johnny Depp. he's cool.
i just don't know if i could spent oodles of time with him. he's so.....deep sometimes, i don't think he'd be even slightly interested in talking to me. not that i'm so egotistical to think that anyone else on my short list is chomping at the bit to hang with me.
i'm sure Alton is dying to talk cooking and scrapbooking and photography with me.
those of you that scrap, you know the importance of good photos. they don't have to be Ansel Adams good, but good enough to look good.
they probably shouldn't be copies of copies. that would be bad.
yep. it kills me to put some of those in there. one of them had that texture pattern on it. remember that from the 70s? well, make a copy of that, then make another copy of the copy and you've got something completely gross.
it goes against everything we go with as scrapbookers. and, with my ego in play, there's also the fact that i know her mom is pretty dang critical. (almost as critical as her daughter)
so back to yesterday...i decided to do something for me. for the first time this year.
i made two birthday cards and three layouts. and thanks to Maureen for allowing me to publish two of the three (sorry honey, i forgot to take a picture of the other layout. i'll do that tonight and send it to you).
these layouts were made with animal testing...Elvis kept jumping up on the table. at one point, he got a rub-on stuck to his paw and flicked it off before i could grab it.
i still don't know where it landed.
and the journaling:
holy freaking Batzoids. i love this photo.
sorry. not the best shot ever.
i just don't know if i could spent oodles of time with him. he's so.....deep sometimes, i don't think he'd be even slightly interested in talking to me. not that i'm so egotistical to think that anyone else on my short list is chomping at the bit to hang with me.
i'm sure Alton is dying to talk cooking and scrapbooking and photography with me.
and yes. Matthew needs a shower.
i scrapped Saturday. for me.
i know. calm yourselves. i've been working on an album for a chickie i work with. she and her family is planning a surprise 70th bday party for their mom, and part of it involves a scrapbook of her mom.
those of you that scrap, you know the importance of good photos. they don't have to be Ansel Adams good, but good enough to look good.
they probably shouldn't be copies of copies. that would be bad.
yep. it kills me to put some of those in there. one of them had that texture pattern on it. remember that from the 70s? well, make a copy of that, then make another copy of the copy and you've got something completely gross.
it goes against everything we go with as scrapbookers. and, with my ego in play, there's also the fact that i know her mom is pretty dang critical. (almost as critical as her daughter)
she is gonna bitch about it.
the good thing is, i ain't gonna be there to hear.
goooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, me!
so back to yesterday...i decided to do something for me. for the first time this year.
i made two birthday cards and three layouts. and thanks to Maureen for allowing me to publish two of the three (sorry honey, i forgot to take a picture of the other layout. i'll do that tonight and send it to you).
these layouts were made with animal testing...Elvis kept jumping up on the table. at one point, he got a rub-on stuck to his paw and flicked it off before i could grab it.
i still don't know where it landed.
and the journaling:
holy freaking Batzoids. i love this photo.
sorry. not the best shot ever.
happy Monday.
Jan 10, 2008
how to piss off a cat - a manual
while i'm busy writing a book on how to piss off our cat, Mama P is actually writing.
for a magazine. Good Housekeeping, no less.
but i'm not bitter. nooooooooo.
i, on the other hand, am trying to translate a work schedule from East Coast to West Coast. oh, and i'm making my cat hate me.
h-a-t-e me. and while i don't have a professional writing job, i do have this blog, and you are stuck with me. read on, if you dare.
last night, the manager of our complex called to ask permission to possibly let a plumber in our place today. see, our downstairs neighbor, while nice enough, is convinced that a) Brendan is building a Harley Davidson from scratch in our living room and b) we are doing everything possible to our plumbing to ensure that his plumbing is messed up.
dang. our evil plan to drive him s-l-o-w-l-y i-n-s-a-n-e has been discovered!
of course, with a plumber coming over, this means i need to lock up Elvis the WonderKat.
oh yeah. that'll be fun.
in case you didn't already know. we don't let him out. stress plus our cat equals the cat having an seizure. now mind you, in the eight years since we've moved upstairs (and the other cats don't sit outside our patio door, tormenting him), he's had one, maybe two seizures.
oh, and he occasionally tries to make a break from his human overlords to freedom!
way back in the day, when Husband & i were still dating, i would take the train down to Oceanside; Brendan would pick me up at the train station. so, on this particular Friday, he left for work, worked all day, was at the station by 6:30 when my train arrived, picked me up, and off to dinner we went.
a couple of hours later, we were home. off i went looking for the cat.
Elvis? Ellllll-vissssssss!
dammit.
we searched all over the apartment. then, downstairs, and around the complex (which was REALLY large with LOTS of BUSHES. DARK bushes. Elvis is a black cat.
oh yeah. this'll be a cinch.
we searched for hours. we even spent about half an hour, chasing after another black cat, who, probably went home to his family and said "sheesh. you would NOT believe the night i've had."
we got home late. i cried myself to sleep.
just before Brendan gave up for the night, he thought of going back downstairs to see if the security guard might have seen Elvis. as he walked towards the shack, Brendan saw a streak racing by.
"Elvis?"
the streak stopped. turned. then ran past him, up the stairs and to Brendan's front door, yelling the whole way:
"duuuuude.duuuuuude.WHERETHEHELLHAVEYOUBEEN,IHAVEBEENOUTHEREALL
DAMNDAY,HUNGRY,THIRSTYANDHUNGRY! DIDIMENTIONHUNGRY? DIDYOUNOT REALIZEIHAVEBEENOUTALLDAY? HUH? HUH??? LETMEINLETMEINLETMEINNOW!!
DUUUUDE!! I HAD TO PEE OUT.SIDE. THAT'S WRONG. LETMEINLETMEINLETMEIN!"
didn't know i could translate Catanonese, did you?
back to today.
i locked the cat in our second bedroom..it has his box, food, water, and of course my scrap stuff. which, of course, he has paid me back for by knocking stuff off my desk.
Elvis spent the last five minutes i was home this a.m. scratching at the door and yowling as if we were tormenting him:
"whyyyyyyy? whyyyyyyyyyy arrrrrrrrrrrrre you tormenting meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee? have i
not given you love? did i not stop puking in your shoes? do i not allow you to share
myyyyyyyy bed?"
he knows how to kill me.
when i did get home tonight and let him out, he was his usual feline bipolar self. squalling at me for leaving him locked up all day, then imploring me to pet him and immediately brushing me off for trying to do what he wanted.
it's like living with an irrational, PMSing woman 24/365.
ooops. poor Brendan.
wait...maybe it's a good thing i don't write professionally. i'm not sure any editor would go for an article/story that goes from work to a cat to PMS.
that's me. all over the place.
for a magazine. Good Housekeeping, no less.
but i'm not bitter. nooooooooo.
i, on the other hand, am trying to translate a work schedule from East Coast to West Coast. oh, and i'm making my cat hate me.
h-a-t-e me. and while i don't have a professional writing job, i do have this blog, and you are stuck with me. read on, if you dare.
last night, the manager of our complex called to ask permission to possibly let a plumber in our place today. see, our downstairs neighbor, while nice enough, is convinced that a) Brendan is building a Harley Davidson from scratch in our living room and b) we are doing everything possible to our plumbing to ensure that his plumbing is messed up.
dang. our evil plan to drive him s-l-o-w-l-y i-n-s-a-n-e has been discovered!
of course, with a plumber coming over, this means i need to lock up Elvis the WonderKat.
oh yeah. that'll be fun.
in case you didn't already know. we don't let him out. stress plus our cat equals the cat having an seizure. now mind you, in the eight years since we've moved upstairs (and the other cats don't sit outside our patio door, tormenting him), he's had one, maybe two seizures.
oh, and he occasionally tries to make a break from his human overlords to freedom!
way back in the day, when Husband & i were still dating, i would take the train down to Oceanside; Brendan would pick me up at the train station. so, on this particular Friday, he left for work, worked all day, was at the station by 6:30 when my train arrived, picked me up, and off to dinner we went.
a couple of hours later, we were home. off i went looking for the cat.
Elvis? Ellllll-vissssssss!
dammit.
we searched all over the apartment. then, downstairs, and around the complex (which was REALLY large with LOTS of BUSHES. DARK bushes. Elvis is a black cat.
oh yeah. this'll be a cinch.
we searched for hours. we even spent about half an hour, chasing after another black cat, who, probably went home to his family and said "sheesh. you would NOT believe the night i've had."
we got home late. i cried myself to sleep.
just before Brendan gave up for the night, he thought of going back downstairs to see if the security guard might have seen Elvis. as he walked towards the shack, Brendan saw a streak racing by.
"Elvis?"
the streak stopped. turned. then ran past him, up the stairs and to Brendan's front door, yelling the whole way:
"duuuuude.duuuuuude.WHERETHEHELLHAVEYOUBEEN,IHAVEBEENOUTHEREALL
DAMNDAY,HUNGRY,THIRSTYANDHUNGRY! DIDIMENTIONHUNGRY? DIDYOUNOT REALIZEIHAVEBEENOUTALLDAY? HUH? HUH??? LETMEINLETMEINLETMEINNOW!!
DUUUUDE!! I HAD TO PEE OUT.SIDE. THAT'S WRONG. LETMEINLETMEINLETMEIN!"
didn't know i could translate Catanonese, did you?
back to today.
i locked the cat in our second bedroom..it has his box, food, water, and of course my scrap stuff. which, of course, he has paid me back for by knocking stuff off my desk.
Elvis spent the last five minutes i was home this a.m. scratching at the door and yowling as if we were tormenting him:
"whyyyyyyy? whyyyyyyyyyy arrrrrrrrrrrrre you tormenting meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee? have i
not given you love? did i not stop puking in your shoes? do i not allow you to share
myyyyyyyy bed?"
he knows how to kill me.
when i did get home tonight and let him out, he was his usual feline bipolar self. squalling at me for leaving him locked up all day, then imploring me to pet him and immediately brushing me off for trying to do what he wanted.
it's like living with an irrational, PMSing woman 24/365.
ooops. poor Brendan.
wait...maybe it's a good thing i don't write professionally. i'm not sure any editor would go for an article/story that goes from work to a cat to PMS.
that's me. all over the place.
Dec 28, 2007
family+holiday=x.
now it's your job to find out what "x" really is.
so. i told you my mom was sick on Christmas, AND the days following. yesterday, she said, was the first day she really felt human again. and as such, she wanted to go have a deelish fried chicken dinner over @ Knott's.
naturally, when you are recovering from ANY kind of a stomach bug, you want to eat deelish, if a little greasy, fried chicken with biscuits, corn, mashed potatoes & gravy, salad AND chicken soup.
did i mention you also get a slice of pie for dessert? all for the low, low price of $14.95.
it's really good. really, really good. otherwise, it wouldn't have been around since the 30's, right?
however, it's not my little secret. everyone knows about it.
and everyone was in line for it last night. matter of fact, the line went out of the restaurant, along the front of the building, then, down the other side of the building..all the way to the back entrance.
the wait was two hours.
duuuuuude.
as a matter of fact, the host of the restaurant came by to get the number of people in each party, and in talking to the group behind me, said that last Saturday, the line made its way all the over to the exit of the park...about a quarter of a mile long line, he said.
duuuuuude. that ain't right.
so, being the first one there, i called the parents, driving over. and naturally, they had no intention of waiting two hours for dinner.
let's go get Mexican, my mom says. great, i reply. we've got a really good one just up the 91 freeway.
no. my mom says. we'll go to Senor Compost (i swear. that's what she calls it) in Whittier. that's about a seven mile drive from here. our restaurant is only three miles up the freeway. but it's the same distance according to my mom.
oh goody. let's go to Whittier.
there's something about people when they are absolutely convinced they're right. they are as firm in their conviction as a kernel of caramel corn stuck in your shag carpet.
my mom was that caramel corn in my shag carpet. even though i don't have shag.
dinner was OK. the company was way better. oh, and by the way, the restaurant is called Senor Compos.
and to quote the late great Gilda Radner's Emily Latilla from Saturday Night Live - well - now that's very different.
never mind.
in other weird news...
at my birthday dinner group's Christmas party, we somehow got on the subject of...leg cramps. and apparently, if you get them, the cure is to stick a bar of soap under your bottom sheet. the chick that told us about it, said she tried it.
it.really.worked.
well, allrighty, then.
i'm trying it tonight.
and in one last note...Hagan Daas has a holiday (read: limited edition) flavor out. green tea.
are you making a face? don't. if it's anything like the green tea ice cream we get any time we go to a Japanese Teppan restaurant, i will be in hog heaven.
so let's review: so far i've covered unreasonable parents, chicken dinners, Mexican food, leg cramps and bars of soap and green tea ice cream.
they don't call it Random Thoughts for nothing, kids.
so. i told you my mom was sick on Christmas, AND the days following. yesterday, she said, was the first day she really felt human again. and as such, she wanted to go have a deelish fried chicken dinner over @ Knott's.
naturally, when you are recovering from ANY kind of a stomach bug, you want to eat deelish, if a little greasy, fried chicken with biscuits, corn, mashed potatoes & gravy, salad AND chicken soup.
did i mention you also get a slice of pie for dessert? all for the low, low price of $14.95.
it's really good. really, really good. otherwise, it wouldn't have been around since the 30's, right?
however, it's not my little secret. everyone knows about it.
and everyone was in line for it last night. matter of fact, the line went out of the restaurant, along the front of the building, then, down the other side of the building..all the way to the back entrance.
the wait was two hours.
duuuuuude.
as a matter of fact, the host of the restaurant came by to get the number of people in each party, and in talking to the group behind me, said that last Saturday, the line made its way all the over to the exit of the park...about a quarter of a mile long line, he said.
duuuuuude. that ain't right.
so, being the first one there, i called the parents, driving over. and naturally, they had no intention of waiting two hours for dinner.
let's go get Mexican, my mom says. great, i reply. we've got a really good one just up the 91 freeway.
no. my mom says. we'll go to Senor Compost (i swear. that's what she calls it) in Whittier. that's about a seven mile drive from here. our restaurant is only three miles up the freeway. but it's the same distance according to my mom.
oh goody. let's go to Whittier.
there's something about people when they are absolutely convinced they're right. they are as firm in their conviction as a kernel of caramel corn stuck in your shag carpet.
my mom was that caramel corn in my shag carpet. even though i don't have shag.
dinner was OK. the company was way better. oh, and by the way, the restaurant is called Senor Compos.
and to quote the late great Gilda Radner's Emily Latilla from Saturday Night Live - well - now that's very different.
never mind.
in other weird news...
at my birthday dinner group's Christmas party, we somehow got on the subject of...leg cramps. and apparently, if you get them, the cure is to stick a bar of soap under your bottom sheet. the chick that told us about it, said she tried it.
it.really.worked.
well, allrighty, then.
i'm trying it tonight.
and in one last note...Hagan Daas has a holiday (read: limited edition) flavor out. green tea.
are you making a face? don't. if it's anything like the green tea ice cream we get any time we go to a Japanese Teppan restaurant, i will be in hog heaven.
so let's review: so far i've covered unreasonable parents, chicken dinners, Mexican food, leg cramps and bars of soap and green tea ice cream.
they don't call it Random Thoughts for nothing, kids.
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