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Friday, January 28, 2011

33 things you may not know....

This marking the last day I'm 33, I thought I might tell you a little about those 33 years.

Here are 33 things you may not know about me...

(however, most of you have known me for over 1/2 my life....if not longer.....so my bet is .... you will know some if not most of these things.)

1) I'm "technically" a Beauty Queen. 
(In 1977 I was voted Most Beautiful Baby in Contra Costa County- that's right ladies and gentlemen I have a trophy and sash and photos to prove it- my whole life when I complained to my mother about my imperfect looks, she would always tell me, no ugly person has ever won a beauty pageant.)

2) My favorite color is Pink.  
(pretty much everyone knows this- I have a pink kitchen, and 50% of my wardrobe is pink....but I love it in all things.  If it's pink. I have to have it.  I'm currently searching for a pink toaster to match my kitchen....Thank god I have an easy going husband who lets me decorate the way I want)

3) I'm one of the few...
(When I was hired for my current position, there were only three women in the state of California that held that position.  10 years later, there is 4.  I'm proud to have held my own in this male dominated industry)

4)I am a junk food junkie.
(I cannot physically leave a 7/11, or a Chevron, or AM/PM without buying one or all of the following: Ranch corn nuts, Chex mix- teriyaki or szechuan flavor only, Twizzlers, Beef Jerky, Cherry Coke Zero....and if I'm really bad..... Almond M and M's or....A Milky Way.....   you can see the problem with my current profession and me being on the road for 90% of the day..... )

5) Following # 4....I think it should be said that my all time favorite food is hands down.....
Gas Station Nachos
with exactly 6 jalepenos and salt.
(Chevron's are the best.....and I know, I know...me being the self proclaimed foodie that I am....I have to admit.....I love them more than anything....)

6) I love to be on stage.
( The acting bug bit me young.  My first play was Mulligan Stew when I was 6- My first speaking role was Augustus Gloop's Mother in Charlie in the Chocolate factory at age 11.  I was actively involved in theater until I met my husband.  The weekend he proposed, I was supposed to audition for my College's production of Noises Off.  I blew the audition off to be with my new found love...little did I know that would be the last audition I'd prepare for.  Clayton has never seen me act.)

7) to follow #6.... My senior year of High School I fell off the stage during a production in front of many, many people.

8)My dream job is to be a Stylist.
(I can dress anyone, for any event in record time.  Give me your size, the event, and your wallet and I can make you look like you just walked out of Vogue.)
...it's True. Ask Tegan ;) .....

9)I love to go grocery shopping.
( I walk every aisle on a perfect trip...I love to browse and see what's new, and read labels, and meal plan ....I especially love grocery shopping at Whole Foods and Lunardi's....when money is no concern....)

10) I can tie a cherry stem into a knot with my tongue....

11) Speaking of stupid bar tricks(#10)....I think it should be said that after enough beers, I will get onstage at a Karaoke Bar and sing Janis Joplin's Bobby Mcgee....
Every.  Time.

12) I can pick anything up with my toes.  My feet are just like an extra pair of hands.
(Clay thinks this trick is amazing...)

13) I drink approximately 6 Coke Zero's a day...(if not more)
I'm not proud of this....I just can't stop.  Except when I was pregnant.  I gave up caffeine and diet sodas...with both kids...from conception through breast feeding.....

14) I'm addicted to Salt.
( I salt everything...I love it....and I know it's so bad for me...My Mother in Law has been known to hide the salt from me at the dinner table to try and save my heart....)

15) I go through 3-5 year love affairs with Country Music Singers.
(When I first met Clay is was Garth Brooks, then Shortly there after, Kenny Chesney, then Tim Mcgraw...currently I'm working my way through all of Brad Paisley's albums)

16) If I'm working on any chore, whether it's cooking, cleaning, or even exercising, I must do it to music. Loud Music.  I like to dance and work....

17)Speaking of dancing.....  In 6th grade I did a complete dance routine to Paula Abdul's Straight up.

18) I have never missed an episode of Jersey Shore.
(I'm totally addicted.  It's a curse.)

19)Speaking of TV..... Favorite Television Show of all time....
90210.
Hands Down.

20) I love that I'm Catholic.  And I love that I have friends who believe in my faith just as I do.  It's like our secret bond.  I can look at two of my closest friends in certain situations and they totally get what I'm thinking, without me saying a word...

21) I have gone all the way with my Faith.
There are Seven Sacraments.  I have completed all that apply.  There's only one left...and I'm hoping I don't complete that one for a loooooong, long time.

22) While we are talking about faith....whenever I can't find something...I pray to Little Flower, and it always works....or I say....Tony, Tony Look around what is lost must be found....I'm telling you..it's like the saints are right there...waiting to help you...
:)

23) I have the worst gas on the planet.
That's right.  I said it.
(It's a terrible thing....and what's worse...is more of you know this already than I would like....I've been choking poor Clay out for years..it's horrible!  Just know...I can't help it....maybe it's the gas station nachos....)

23) From my heaviest to my lightest, I have lost a total of 120 lbs.  I have kept the weight off for 9 years.

24) My Birthday is my favorite day of the year.  It's usually a month long event...but since the birth of my son on January 12th ...I've had to hand back the first half of the month to him...however....the second half is still all mine....I start bugging Clay about b-day gifts and plans around the 15th....I'm like a 6 year old.  Every. Year.  I loooooove birthdays.

25)I love to eat out at restaurants, but dislike counter service restaurants.
( I like someone to fill my drink and take my order and bring me my plate.  I especially love fancy restaurants....like tablecloths and jacket required places.)

26)while we're on restaurants.....I am determined to have dinner at The French Laundry.
God as my witness.....it will happen.  Lottery win or not.

27) I love to sing...but can't carry a tune to save my life..... Luckily Madeline has no clue and loves to hear me sing.  I rock her every night while I sing to her....

28)I have been pulled over by a bicycle cop.
In my car.

29) I have been given a field sobriety test.  Twice.  Both times, completely sober.
(I tend to laugh uncontrollably when I'm nervous.....policemen are not a fan of this trait....)

30) When I was 11 I was sent to Charm School.  The class was called Party Time and Manners.
(I still have the white gloves they made us wear....)

31) In 1986 I sold the most Girl Scout cookies in San Bernardino County, and got to go to Camp for free! (I've always been quite the Sales woman.)

32) I love wine.  Specifically California Chardonnays.  My all time favorite: Sonoma Cutrer Russian River Ranches. (It's only available in restaurants, or by the case online....)  Close seconds are La Crema, Grgich Hills, and Cakebread.

33)I used to make fun of my friends who read blogs....and now I'm secretly addicted..... I feel I should publicly apologize to my close friends.  I love reading blogs and writing blogs and finding new blogs.....I'm sorry.  You guys were right, and I think all the time that I should have listened to you sooner......So Thank you.  All of you...that pushed me to do this.
You. Were. Right.

Stay tuned....Tomorrow...Special Guest Blogger in Honor of my Birthday!






Sunday, January 23, 2011

A nice little Saturday...San Francisco edition..

Yesterday I had lunch with this lady.....

and this baby...
Only 23 weeks to go....

When I showed up to Sums, I was reminded of a time long ago....

Beautiful Saturday in the City, weather only a San Francisco Winter can provide.  Soft music playing, yoga mat out, windows open and views for days.....

I felt compelled to inform Summer that these days are numbered....

But she knows....or at least she thinks she knows....

Let's be honest, my apartment in SF never had a yoga mat on the floor, but the rest happened....often....and sometimes, I feel....like maybe I didn't enjoy it as much as I should have....

But that's always that way isn't it?

  We lived in San Diego for 3 years, and I can count on one hand how many afternoons were spent at the beach.

We never took advantage of the resident discount at Disneyland.

I never met Shamu.

It's just the way it is.....

I know these days feel hectic, and full and overwhelming at times...

but I know...

Someday....

I'll miss these days too..

I'll miss the 3am wake up calls....

I'll miss the "She took my toy!"

I'll miss the ear piercing screams....

I will miss it all, and I'm sure think to myself....

I should have enjoyed it more....

So yesterday...

I took it all in.

This is the view from Sums apartment

We walked and talked....and suddenly it was 2003 again....same scene, same long walk Summer always makes me take before she feeds me.....a little different conversation....now we talk about babies, and children and real estate and husbands....

and clothes and shopping...
(what can I say, somethings never change...)

Sometimes I miss the days when Kim and Summer and I lived on the California line, and planned dinners around watching The Bachelor together....

But....

I feel so blessed to get to spend time with an old friend, and plan our new dinners to come when we are just a short drive from each other in a town not too far away.

Thanks for a great afternoon Sums.
Can't wait to meet your new addition.

and I look forward to many more lunches together....

where ever that may be...
(no pressure..)
:) 

Thursday, January 20, 2011

18 Months!

Today Maddie is a year and a half.

Here's what she's up to:

Madeline is still madly in love with shoes
 (sometimes I can only get her dressed if I bribe her with sparkly ones)

She knows exactly what she wants, and will tell you.

Currently her favorite word is no.
(pronounced Owww)

Sometimes she will say Yes.
(pronounced Yaas)

When she needs something, water, a snack, a toy, etc - she points to it and says Momma, Momma- regardless of who is helping her with that item.

Please is pronounced Pies.

Thank you is still Tank Too.

She loves to play with Nitney (Brit) 

Her favorite way to spend her time is hangin with Lynne next door.  I will be in mid conversation with Lynne, and Mads will wiggle out of my arms, walk right in to her house and try and close the door on my face.  
( she has to have alone time with Lynne at least once a week, if not more...)

Whenever she sees my camera, she stops what she's doing and says "Cheeeeeee!"

She will dance at any given moment.  Regardless of where we are, if there's music, she's a bouncin.

Most nights she goes down with ease, after I sing her the Na-night song and rock her for three verses.

She is doing very well at school and loves NuNu. (Benu)  She plays well with others, and is learning to share.  Most days are spent hogging the 6 baby dolls her daycare has.  She will carry them all at once, and calls them all Momma.

She will eat anything.  And I mean ANYTHING. 
(last night I picked up some olives and marinated mushrooms from the antipasto bar at Safeway.  I am not exaggerating when I say she ate most of the container)

She is not a fan of Trigger.  She screams when he gets anywhere near her, and when you ask her what is wrong she points to poor Trig and says "out".  
(it's hard to blame her, she's been whacked quite a number of times by that ever-wagging tail of his)

We have started 1,2,3 Magic with Madeline.
When I get to "Madeline, That's 2...."
She looks at me and says, "Tooooooo, Tooooooo, Toooooo."
(sometimes it's very hard to get to three....)

She loves to have her hair brushed and styled.
Especially if bows and ponytails are involved.

She is so much fun.

I'm so glad this girly girl, had a girly girl.

I know, I know....

It may not last...

But a *girl* can dream.....


Monday, January 17, 2011

Baby! It's cold outside!

On Friday I flew 1,500 miles to see this face

and she was completely worth every minute of travel.

This baby is so adorable.

So, so ADORABLE
(I may, or may not have raided every accessory Anna was given and tried them on her.....)

The weekend wasn't all dress up and photography.

I was productive!

And I had a Buddy...
Kim flew out too!

We spent Saturday cooking.

We made, Kim's famous pesto.

And my famous Spaghetti sauce.


And this Minestrone soup recipe. 
I had never made the soup before, and added a bit to the recipe above...
(I told you I don't like to follow rules...)

So here are the ingredients we used:
And here is what we added:
2 extra cup of stock
1 can of kidney beans in addition to the white navy beans
1 yellow squash, in addition to the zucchini
Fresh green beans
Fresh basil and parsley in the soup and more for garnish
and the rind of the Parmesan in the stock while it simmered.
Garlic Salt and Red pepper flake to taste.

This soup was delicious.
We had it for dinner on Sunday night.
It's good for you AND tastes yummy!
Try it!
You WON'T be disappointed!

It was so cold there.
We had no choice but to make soup!

Here is a snapshot of Rose's neighborhood.
The HIGH on Sunday was 8.

8.

So cold.
Minnesota is a place where everyone should be wrapped in sherpa at all times....

 I was a little jealous of Anna's wardrobe.....
She has 27 snow suits.
My bet is she will wear ALL of them before she's 1.

We  of course went to Mega.
(also known as The Mall of America)

And Rose mastered her Hooter Hider
Yay!
We had pedi's
And then did lunch!
MMMmmmmm Margaritas....

Have I mentioned the snow???
We got to see the snow blower in action!
Larry is quite the Snow Veteran.

Quality time was spent with Dan.

And lots and lots of cuddle time
with Anna.

Love her.

So glad I had the opportunity to spend time with Rose and her baby.
It's so hard when one of your best friends lives so far.
But it's wonderful to visit.

Miss them already.
(you too Kim!)

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Happy Birthday Jack!

5 years ago today, God blessed me with a perfect Son.
My world was forever changed.
and forever better.

I became a Mother.

Jack's birth story is a great one, but something I will save for a different time....maybe even by a guest blogger...

I cannot remember my life without him.  

Everyday is exciting.
Everyday there is Joy.
Everyday he makes me proud.
Everyday I love him more.

Jack is all boy. 
He is definitely a Daddy's boy....Until he needs me, and then he is a Momma's boy.
Anything Dad likes, he likes.
He loves outdoors, and animals, and playing ball, and running, and jumping and building forts.
He also loves video games, and movies and hanging on the couch.
He knew how to work my Ipod before I did.
He knows sign language.
He can count to 100.
and can even do it in Spanish!
(Thanks Benu!)
He loves to dance.
 (I guess I'm in there somewhere..)  
:)
He knows all the words to almost every Black Eyed Peas song.
and almost every song to Brad Paisley's last album... 
(thanks to his Mom!)
He is the loviest, most huggable kid I know.
And he will melt your heart, right after he makes you want to crown him.
He loves his Sister, but likes to keep that on the down low.
He loves to help in the kitchen....In fact he loves to help in every room in the house.
His favorite chore is vacuuming. 
His favorite dinner is pizza.  
His favorite dessert is Chocolate Chip Cookies.
He loves Buzz Lightyear, and Johnny Test, and Transformers.
He loves new clothes, and has no problem having a fashion show to model his new attire.
He adores his Grandparents, and all of his Uncles.
But hands down.  Brit is his favorite person in the world.
He answers to any of the following:
Jack, Jack-man, Jack-Jack, Jackie, Little man, Big Guy, and Boo.

My love for him is endless.

He will always be my baby.

He is my only Son.
He is my first born.

He is my Jack.
















Happy Birthday Jack-Man!

We love you sooooooo much!

Monday, January 10, 2011

Ten on Ten

Ten on Ten
January 10, 2011
{Document a snapshot of your life & find beauty among the ordinary things in your day!}
I love this idea I stole from The Larson Lingo.

For my first 10 on 10 I waited until the 10th fell on a Saturday.....But then I figured....maybe I should document an average day....Who knows?  I may not do this job FOREVER....

So...

Here is my second 10 on 10.

Maddie had a looooong night.  
Horrible cough, Fever....she did NOT want to wake up....
She also did not want to say good-bye to Mommy when she left for work.
(On Monday's she stays home with Brit. Mom was in town too, otherwise I would have stayed home with her...poor baby.....At least I knew she was in good hands.)
On my way to my first appointment.
(yes...your vision is fine.  Those are fingerless gloves.  Laugh if you will...it was 39 degrees this morning, and for this native Californian-that is COLD. So shush Rose. I have to type...OUTSIDE!  I need my fingertips available!  Thank you Santa, I LOVE my new gloves!
My first stop.
This one took about 2 hours....
Snack time.....
I'm working on those resolutions.....
So far, So good!
(still having a tough time with that water thing....)
Came home early for an afternoon snack with Mads.
(she forgave me for leaving her....)
Jack-man stealing some time with Daddy's new IPad before dinner.
He set the table!
(Dad helped with the candle...But he did the rest by himself, including getting the paper towels and silverware out.  Jack told me that he wanted the table to look like a restaurant-He was very upset we didn't have flowers....it may not be set for royalty..but we're working on it....baby steps.)
Dad did bath-time so Mom could get her treadmill time in....since she overslept this morning.... oops!  Thanks Babe!
(No comments from the peanut gallery regarding my time and distance, I'm only 10 days into this work out regiment and I'm taking it slow!)
And finally a kiss good night to a very excited almost Birthday Boy.
(It's still 2 days away, and this boy just won't fall asleep!)

Happy 10 on 10! 
Can't wait to read all of yours!

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Baby G's Sprinkle

Today was Baby G's Baby Shower.

Here is the gorgeous Mom to Be

Due February 11th.
That's one Hot Mama.

The spread was DELICIOUS
Tegan hosted the event at her house.
She did a fabulous job as always.

Sangria to wash it all down....
yuuuuum.
Except for Mom
Fancy Water in a wine glass tastes the same.
:)

and for dessert
Cupcakes!
Requested specifically by the Guest of Honor
(Thank you Sinful Bliss!)

Everyone came in "Bo" attire
Denim and Boots.
Well.....Some of us were in Denim....and then some of us followed "shower etiquette"
(love you B's)
Can you guess whose feet are whose???

:)
Love these Girls!
Miss you Rose and Kim!
( I made a New Years Resolution to make it priority to see them once a month....No matter what.  January. Check.)

Super cute gifts!


James was most excited about her gift of Baby and Me yoga from Rose.
So Nice!

I can't WAIT for this baby to get here!
Love him so much already!!

But I love this Lady more....

Happy Baby Shower Bo.

You are one amazing Momma....

and one Amazing Friend.

Love you!