Coffee on the Table

Happy Halloween & Meal Plan for 10/31/11

2011-10-31T08:02:00.001-07:00

Just stopping in to share some Halloween Fun this morning. I'm so excited because this evening I am helping Baby Girl hand out candy to all the TOT's at HER new place. That should bring a nice close to the Halloween weekend for me. It's always so busy, and I never really remember that little fact. We had two parties to attend this weekend and dressing up was too fun. I'm always so giddy when I can het PC to dress up - I don't know why - I just do. My inspiration came while looking at the internet, but I don't really remember exactly what I was looking for. But inspiration struck and I started gathering supplies from all over the house. Do you see a costume in this pile?

Then I had to test out a DIY idea for body glitter (just mix glitter with Aloe Vera Gel). I was very excited that this worked so well.

Got it figured out yet? Then it was off to the thrift store to see if I could put together a companion. Not what we planned but I knew it was meant to be as I walked around and found this guy on different racks in the store - he came together too easily, I just knew he was meant to be my date.

Still stumped? Well, party night #1 came with 2 hours of hair and makeup (by Baby Girl) and we were ready to dive right in! So can you tell what we are?

And didn't she do a great job on my makeup?!

If you guessed Aqua Man and a Mermaid - you would be correct! I was excited about putting these two together for the low price tag of around 20 bucks! I hope you all have a safe and scary Halloween! I have to get ready for the TOT's tonight - I think I'll just throw on my old standby School Costume - The Not Too Scary Witch...Tata for now!

My Menu Plan for this Week! Linked up with The Organizing Junkie - I Love all of the meal ideas I get from thee bloggers!

Tablescape Thursday - Coffee in Bed

2011-09-01T06:20:00.000-07:00

Who says Coffee and Poptarts have to be boring?

It's more about the ritual and presentation than it is about whats in the cup or on the plate...really this Poptart tasted better than any other Poptart that I ever had!

This is one of my favorite "Indulgence's" - I don't do it everyday ( maybe I should), but I try at least once a week to have my Morning Cup in bed with all my favorite meditative books and magazines spread out for me to pluck and thumb through. What about you? Do you have a favorite morning indulgence or ritual?
Well I don't want to spend too much time here this morning, precious few moments before the sunrise then it's all business from there...tata for now!

Linking up with Between Naps on The Porch - You should check out her backyard tablescape- I am green with envy over all of the green that is surrounding her table!

Also Linking up with Delightful Order - some amazing inspiration here!

Wait! Don't Go! Okay you can go for now - but only if you promise Cookies!

2011-08-29T07:41:00.000-07:00

Everybody is posting on FB or blogs their goodbyes to summer. I guess in this little time vacuum that I am in, I just don't see the end quite yet. Well, for one it is going to be about 102 degrees here today and for two I have had such an awesome summer with PC, my kiddos and my Sistas that I just didn't see the end coming. When I say I had an awesome summer - I mean this is one of those I will keep going back to on those days I need a good memory to get me through...

The View from our Campsite in Carpinteria, CA.

Our Awesome beach cruisers - mine has a basket now!

Our perfect little Beach Camper!

With that said, I have a ton of schoolwork to try and get completed before I get that first call (!!), and wouldn't you know it, while I was blog hopping yesterday, I landed at Organized Christmas! Yesterday just happened to be the very first day of The Holiday Grand Plan. I know I know! This always happens, no sooner are you sadly saying goodbye to summer, Christmas is running up behind you, ready to pounce on your back -ready or not! Well, I for one, even though PC still has a beach trip or two up his sleeve, am fully committing to the HGP! Wanna join me? It's not too late really and believe me - you and your pocketbook will be happy you did!

http://christmas.organizedhome.com/

Okay, so off I go to finish printing my HGP notebook (I really wish there were an APP - but I'm a sucker for a notebook), Tata for now!

A New Day

2011-08-28T07:05:00.001-07:00

Good morning! I'm just sitting outside listening to the soundtrack of the sunrise...howling coyotes, roosters and a few sparrows battling over the breadcrumbs I threw on the ground earlier. I'm trying my hand at mobile blogging this morning, I use my precious iPhone for everything else why not to get back to blogging right? It's a new day and I have so much to tell...I am no longer on the path to being a nurse; I found out quickly while in CNA training that nursing, though noble a career, is not what I thought it was. So now I am back to what I now know is my true calling ( maybe I was a little burnt out)...teaching. Now granted, I am not jumping in the deep end just yet, for fear of drowning again, but I am wading. On this beautiful Sunday morning, after a quick once over of the humble abode, I have Algebra homework and a paper to write... yes I am a student, still. I believe that is what this life change was all about, the journey, not the destination ( although a general direction is nice to set the compass) but most certainly not the path...I know in my heart to be a better teacher, a more self actualized person, I need to invest more into my
education. So my major has changed from Nursing to Special Education. I am attending an awesome school - Western Governors University - completely online and fabulous! But to keep me fresh and in touch with the staff and students that I cannot seem to put behind me, I'm also substituting at my old school! I am so excited - they start next week and while I wish no one ill, I can't wait for my first call!
I'm sure it will be different, a lot has changed about the school in a year, but much like my pics this morning - its the lens that makes the difference. Tata for now!

PS, if you get a chance - hop on over to one of my former kiddos blogs- Blunders & Blessings and give her some bloggy love!

My Math Tunes for Today

2011-02-28T10:56:00.000-08:00

Oh So Fickle, I know, But Blog I Must

2011-02-28T09:54:00.000-08:00

After much contemplation and aggonaization (new word) I have come to the conclusion that blogging makes me happy...and I am all about making myself happy this year. Not that I wasn't already happy, but much like Gretchen Rubin, who wrote The Happiness Project (which I am reading right now), I am convinced I can be happier. I love my family, my home, my life...but I need to love me more...I don't know if that makes sense to anyone or anyone care but it makes me happy just typing along on my little net pad...I know I have a least one reader who cares...Hi Momma! Anywhoo...about this happiness project thing, if you haven't read it, you should, along with several other books that I will be recommending, as I have a passion for reading, have started a book club(we are reading Eat, Pray, Love - another Happiness Journey of it's own) and sharing makes me - you guessed it - happy. What appeals to me about the Happiness project is that it written in a Monthly format...she tackles her happiness a few chunks at a time...much like Simple Abundance, Book of Days, The Frantic Woman's Guide to life (AKA - The Aggravated lady - inside joke)...I Love this format in a self help book...it gives me permission to read it, digest and set it down...otherwise I am totally convinced that I have to gobble up the book in one sitting and apply all principles delivered and then I'm a mess and so is the house and there is usually no dinner just empty coke cans and chip bags. How's that for authentic?
To begin her Happiness Project, Gretchen brought forth 12 commandments for herself, a list of "rules" if you will and shes also assigned a singular word to the year to help her stay focused on the goals she set. I am still divining my commandments and rules, as I am a gleaner (I like other people's ideas - but tweak them to my purpose), but I do have my word! The word Discipline has been rolling around in my head for a few weeks, I am not a very self-disciplined person witnessed by the fact that I have managed to rearrange several rooms in my home as a diversion to the math class I MUST complete with a B or better, watching TV or reading blogs is ALWAYS a better use of my time than doing a measly little 25 sit ups...Coca Cola is so much tastier than water...see...a total weenie.

But the word Discipline wasn't lighting any fires for me but the word CONQUER...now there's a word (totally gleaned from somebody else). So today I will CONQUER my math procrastination! As I go through the project I will fill you in, I am back, perhaps not daily but when my heart feels a tug...(I have so many things going on in my head...I brought home 13 library books the other day - good grief) If you'll have me, as the title says, I know I am a little fickle but blog I must. Ta Ta for now!

Love the words and melody in the Song - Love the imagery in the Video...had to share.

2011-01-26T06:58:00.001-08:00

I have been "pinned as a clown" many times in 22 years and the world spins aroundso fast but my PC is always here to be my Anchor...I am truly blessed.

Just stopping by to share a love song...

2011-01-23T11:50:00.000-08:00

This was posted on Mr. Kutcher's Facebook yesterday and I just couldn't not share here...watching the video you can see that these two have a special bond (stepdad & daughter) and you can see he is proud of her...I just love the whole thing...I hope you do too. Baby Girl is starting a blog...and makes me realize I miss it...but I am still conflicted...but never about coffee...cheers! Ta Ta....for now!

Signing Off...

2010-11-29T14:02:00.000-08:00

Have I ever shared this picture with you? If so, I apologize for the duplication. If not, you are now looking at one of my favorites pictures ever...you cannot see their faces...but I can...I can hear their laughter...I can smell the freshness of the air and feel the force of the rapids rush under the bridge. This was a great day and my favorite picture from the day is my children's feet, testing the water. They did not jump in, but they had fun dipping their toes.

For the most part, I am a private person....scratch that...the largest part of me is private, hidden and locked away...even from me sometimes. Things that I don't want to admit are happening, have happened or will inevitably happen are often tucked away, sealed in my heart like tiny envelopes that are seldom opened...maybe held up to the light to spy what might be, but very rarely do I open these secrets from myself. Sounds a bit crazy, neurotic, maybe even deceitful...but it has always worked for me. Worked for me how? To help me cope when life has been less than perfect ...overwhelming....surprising. But this is only true for the not so perfect stuff. If you know me, you know I am usually smiling because I choose to be happy. I don't like to air dirty laundry, in my most honest opinion, somethings should just be private. Because I choose to be happy and hide the uglies away I (usually) only blog about happy things. Good? Yes and no. It doesn't make for an authentic look at who this really is that you are getting to see on this blog. I think I began this blog as a way to move beyond the Empty Nest Syndrome, then began deluding myself as I reached 10,15,20 followers that I maybe could turn it into a sort of an informative blog, because I do love to organize the home, throw parties, cook, decorate, etc...but then I as began following so many other blogs, I soon began to realize that I have very little to offer ( not fishing - please don't comment on this statement) compared to others out there. Then my blog evolved into letters to my Momma...a way to keep her up to date because she was gone. But really, I can (and should) just email her the pictures and write her personal letters. Right? So, here we are back to the me being the private person that I am...since I feel as though the content of my blog is not anything that cannot be read on some other fabby blog, and I want to start being a better pen pal to Momma, and I journal my most private thoughts and feelings (tucking many away to never be written)in a pretty notebook for my eyes only, because I really do not feel the need to share them with the world, I believe my blog has lost it's function.

I am conflicted about social media...I want to stay in touch with certain people but not feel guilty because I don't want to add others as a "friend" on facebook...it is very disconcerting and confusing. I want to live a more simple life...so I read blogs about simple living and for some reason get the "oh! that's so cute, I need that...or I want this"... It's very defeating. I LOVE reading most of the blogs out there and gaining inspiration and ideas for certain things...I will miss Blondie's Journal, The Quintessential Magpie, Dimples and Dragonflies, Tales from Bloggerittaville....but I think I'd like to live in and out of my own head for a while...Momma understands. I have hundreds of books and magazines to be read, thousands of pictures to be printed and scrapbooked, and meals and goodies to make (from more than a hundred cookbooks).

Although I love getting comments about my posts, I really only need the love and appreciation of my PC and my family. However, with that I'd like to say thank you for reading and commenting, I appreciate it more than you can imagine. I feel a lot like the picture I shared with you...I didn't really jump into blogland, but I had fun dipping my toes. Now I'm off to finish decorating for the holidays with what I have on hand and not wishing for more! Have a very Merry Christmas and Great New Year.

Ta Ta!

Tunes on Tuesday #4

2010-11-09T07:54:00.000-08:00

Just popping in for few..I didn't want to miss Tunes on Tuesday...The song and artist I am sharing with you today is fabUlous! The song means a lot to me at this point in my life...before I was in the passenger's seat of my life...sort of along for the ride. I was content with that, I have a good life and I choose to not dwell on the bumps in the road or the road blocks. But I as approached the big 40, my health was starting to fail, I wasn't as young in my body (and I think my soul was beginning to age a little) as I am in my mind...something had to give. I needed to get in the driver's seat and pick a direction and realize the road blocks were just detours and I was able to enjoy a lot of nice scenery along the way. So what's this school thing all about? I have been asking myself that all week because it's a hard week...they are only going to get harder. I didn't choose to go in the direction of teaching, I was just driven there by a matter of circumstances and as a result I was never really going to advance - cruise control was set on 60-70 hours a week for the next 20 years. Whoa! Put on the brakes! Let's look in the rear view...what's behind me...ah yes....tiny little babies in need of a lot of attention and skillful caring and deciding how much I want to work, and enjoying life with PC and our family...okay left turn (we never make left turns). If I steer well and keep my eye on the road, enjoy the scenery along the way, but not take the wrong exit, I know my destination will be a good life complimented by a rewarding career. Not the other way around.

Missy Higgins didn't really become popular in the US until 2008 or so...but I have been listening to her for about 6 years..I accidentally found in ITunes. Most of her songs are melancholy in nature, soul-exposing is probably a more accurate description, but I have never been disappointed by her yet. It's on my list to see her live in Australia,one of these days. If you are listening to her for time, enjoy! If not, I don't have to tell you, you already do. Off to make some biology notes for my big test tonight! Ta Ta for now!

We interrupt this program....

2010-11-05T06:18:00.000-07:00

As much as I want to keep up the daily blogging, I have to take a little Internet break. I have a few big tests and two projects coming up and I need to go into hiding in order to be through them, maintain the home front (the dustbunnies are multiplying) and start getting ready for the Holidays. It will be hard to not check in on some of my favorite blogs, and not blogging about everyday things...but I'll be back in a few weeks ready to see what you all have been up to and steal some ideas. Please don't leave me dear followers, I have to buckle down now so that I can play in December with the rest of you! Off to bury my head in a Biology book - Ta Ta for now!

What I am Thankful For Day 4 and Thrifty Thursday

2010-11-04T11:25:00.000-07:00

Today is another short and sweet, I have so much algebra to do and biology and medical terminology...you get it...don't even ask me about our new pet dust bunnies. Oh well! It will all get done sooner or later right?

So, I am feeling a little guilty about this post today because it's not about my family or friends, which I am very thankful for, that's a given, but today is about worldly things...Just so I can link up with Leigh over at Bloggeritaville. she hosts a Thrifty Thursday every week and I haven't participated in a loooong time, mostly because I don't get out as much as I used to and because if I do go out, I usually end up by books at the SA for $1.00 each...exciting for me, but for blogland..not so much. Anywho!! Today I want to share some treasures that I basically got for free! They are Momma's so if she ever decides she doesn't want to live with us again...I have to give them back (can you see me pouting)...but that won't happen. I think I have explained before about the shed that stores all of Momma's treasures and how every now and then I go there to be with her and bring a little of her back home with me...my master bathroom is filled with Momma's treasures. ALL of which she bought at a thrift store or yard sale.

Yep that's mouthwash in that decanter...Momma is great at re-purposing, I think I got the idea from her. There is a matching tumbler that sits next to the bottle...I don't know why it's not in the pic...

Baby oil in this one, to remove the mascara....clever huh?

Sugar, Creamer....Qtips, cotton balls...eh...same difference.

Little miss lovely who is supposed to have a plant growing out of her head or something, keeps my brushes at arm's length and organized.

We looked everywhere for a little box to hold my face powder...then one year Momma gave that little crystal trinket box with a powder puff in it...perfect!

The little tray is mine, I thrifted it for $2.00 with the intention to do just what's it's doing...

to keep my face care products neat and organized...the little pink decanter holds Neutrogena Body Oil...it's such a treat to pour it out of here than squirt it out of the plastic bottle.

This basket just screams SPA to me...I don't know why but it is very zen...

The ginger jar was a Christmas gift from Momma, I have blogged about it before, it found it's new home in here. All the pearls are mine and Momma's thrifted...they make me smile. The Star box is unique in it's texture, it's almost like a shell and the candle holder is very Momma, but I like it too.

I got the little pail from target for a dollar and thrifted the scoop along time ago for $1.00 I think...I know a little pricey but it makes me smile. What REALLY makes me smile is the soap...I am a bit of a soap fiend...I LOVE special soaps...they are a treat for the senses!

The candlesticks were a Christmas gift from BB Brother, the plate with the candles on it was also part of gift, the pink ball was gift from Momma...it's blown volcanic glass from Sonora, and the decorative plate is waiting for Baby Girl...I think...Momma will have to refresh my memory.

This little corner shelf is Momma's too...and the little shell globe...all thrifted!

All of these thrifted treasures makes bath-time....well...see for yourself....

illuminating...

refreshing (glass = $1.00 - The Dollar Tree)...

and just plain relaxing (yes, I have ugly feet...don't we all).

So that is What I Am Thankful For today, all of the thrifty little treasures re-purposed and arranged to make my daily routines a truly beautiful experience. It's the little things in life that make it enjoyable! What are you thankful for today? Hop on over to The Bz House That Love Built and let them know or post it on your Facebook. Okay back to the algebra...I wish I could figure out how to make that more enjoyable! Ta Ta for now!
PS...after doing this not so short post, I am having a blog dejavu...if I have blogged about my bathroom before..sorry, but I can't seem to find it or remember...I think I need a better labeling system.

What I'm Thankful For Day 4 and Outdoor Wednesday

2010-11-03T08:10:00.000-07:00

Short and sweet this morning, I have a lot on my to do list and most of it is algebra, but some of it is fun stuff like putting the Halloween Goodies away, folding some laundry, doing dishes, ordering firewood, and shoring up the Thanksgiving Dinner plans. Fun?! Dishes, laundry? Yes lovelies(Momma is rolling on the floor laughing)!! This morning, as I was sipping my coffee in my big chair, meditating on the day, I was suddenly overwhelmed with a feeling of Contentment. I am Content. In all the simple everyday chores, there is love and there is life. Oh sure, not the passionate love of a movie kiss or the exciting day of strolling the streets of Paris, but real love-the kind that endures and aches and real life- the kind where if I am not careful, I will forget, I have but one life and this moment right here is everything. I am alive and aware of the gift that I have been given..this day. I am so thankful to be here another day to see Bubba's smile, have a chat with Baby Girl, Laugh with Momma on the phone and cuddle with PC at the end of a very perfect day. What are you thankful for today? Hop on over to The Bz House that Love Built and link up or share it on Facebook!

It's Outdoor Wednesday over at A Southern Daydreamer, so I thought I'd share a shot of the Sunrise I caught a few days ago, after all that was a bit of my inspiration this morning. I have to go put up the ghosties and cobwebs! Ta Ta for now!

Tunes on Tuesday #3 and What I'm Thankful For Challenge Day 2

2010-11-02T09:24:00.000-07:00

Today I am combining my Tunes on Tuesday with The What I'm Thankful for Challenge hosted by Cheryl and Brian over at The Bz House That Love Built. You get a bonus song today because these songs mean so much to me because they mean so much to WHO I am thankful for today. I have mentioned her in many of my postings, she's my inspiration for blogging, my hero, my co-conspirator, my goto girl, my friend, My Momma.

I am so thankful for the time she was living with us, we got to know each other as woman to woman not just mother to child and I deeply miss our time together (she's crying right now - sorry Momma), and can't wait for the day she comes home, so that we can have a little more fun together...we were just getting started. I am thankful for the giving heart my Momma has, she is the caretaker in this Act of her life, and I am sure when the curtain closes on this Act, she will want to come home and pick up where she left off in this play. But maybe we will just keep her in the green room for a year or so and feed her strawberries and Dove chocolates :), then she can make a grand entrance into the next Act. If there is anyone that can make something beautiful from a pile of discarded mischiefs it is My Momma...I should know. Thank you Momma! The Tunes? I almost forgot! As a child growing up, there is a soundtrack that I hear when I think of her and I and BB Brother, we didn't have much, but for some reason I never noticed when we were together, I just remember laughter, magic and John Denver. Please enjoy!

John Denver - Sunshine On My Shoulders

Now I have math homework to suffer through! Ta Ta for now!
PS- If I don't blog tomorrow it's because somehow she managed to kill me from 2000 miles away for putting her picture up here...isn't she booteeful!!

What I'm Thankful For Challenge Day 1

2010-11-01T12:35:00.000-07:00

Over at The Bz House That Love Built, Brian and Cheryl are celebrating November by issuing a challenge for bloggers and non-bloggers alike to post everyday during the month of November what their reasons to be thankful. So I accepted the challenge, let's see how I do with the everyday posting...

PC and I were talking the other morning about some of the things that need to be finished around the house, we moved in 5 1/2 years ago with just a few things left to do and as life took over other projects crept up and here we are still with unfinished cabinets in the master bathroom, can lights that need to be placed in the game room, and now our kitchen cabinets need to be refinished...and that's just the inside. Still when people come to visit for the first time, they tell us what a beautiful job we did on the house. We humbly say thank you and start to point out all of the flaws and tell a few stories of the nightmares we had during construction and then finish with the all too common today, one liner of "It's pretty but we could do without the payment". See, we got caught up with the rest of Southern California and decided we needed a new house, when the one we had was perfectly fine. There are many factors why we chose to come out to the "country"; to be close to our whole family who were also caught up in the construction frenzy, to be in an area where Bubba and Baby girl could ride dirt bikes and quads, to have enough land that PC could build his giant steel building, and to also build a house for the experience. All in all we are happy here (except for once a month, when that check has to be written), we have had many gatherings, PC's building is everything that he dreamed it would be, as is the house everything I dreamed. However, after you live in a house, even one you designed yourselves, you say "we should have put this here" or "we could have done this," or "I wish we would have..." Would of, Could of, Should Of...That's what I am thankful for today, as I putter around my too-big- for-our-own-good home. I am thankful that it's not perfect, that there are improvements to be made and lessons that were learned. I am thankful for our ability in these times (and especially with the life-style change we are going through because PC supported my decision to go to school) to be able to write the check for the payment that we really should not have gotten ourselves into. I am thankful for the man (PC) that has the know-how and ability to make all of those improvements. I am thankful that as PC and I talk about the future, we realize that this is just a house and that our Home is wherever our hearts and love are at the time, so that if ever our situation changes, we could sell this house, cherish the memories of it as we do our other two Houses and make our new Home wherever we choose. Would of, Could of, Should Of...these conversations usually get on my nerves, because I see them as a way of living in the past, bellyaching about things that cannot be changed, but today I am grateful for all of those conversations between PC and I because today I feel a sense of security in the knowing that as long as we are together we are Home.
Want to join the challenge? Go check out The Bz House That Love Built and post what you are thankful for. Thanks for stopping by, I have to go post my Menu Plan on My Dream Kitchen, c'mon over and visit it me there! Ta Ta for Now!

Tricks ands Treats on Thursday

2010-10-28T12:44:00.000-07:00

Halloween is just a few days away and I've been bitten by the Baking Bug, so I decided to make some cupcakes for PC to take to the shop for the guys to enjoy. They turned out cute..not perfect...just cute. I used the Duncan Hines Spice cake box mix but used buttermilk instead of water...delish!! I boxed em' up and added a little trick so they wouldn't think I was too sweet.

I got tired of messing with the spiderwebs, so I decided to just throw some chocolate sprinkles on the ones I held back for the kiddos.

Can you tell what I was thinking...ewww...right? But this is Halloween, gotta have some fun. Well off to school...midterms are over and I did really well but I gotta keep up...going to be hard through the holidays! Ta Ta for now!

Tunes on Tuesday #2

2010-10-26T09:07:00.000-07:00

Robert Downey Jr. "River'.

This is one of my favorite songs ever...it became even better when RDJ sang it. The lyrics are so potent along with the melody...the Cello truly gets to me in my core. What's your Tune for Today? Leave me a comment and share! Thanks for stopping by! Ta Ta for now!

Outdoor Wednesday - Sunrise in the Desert

2010-10-20T11:43:00.000-07:00

I've mentioned before (or I meant to anywayy) that the sunrises here can be just as breathtaking as the sunsets...full of color, warmth and the promise of a great day. PC was home a few weeks ago for vaca and made it a point every morning to watch the sunrise, I've aways taken for granted the fact that I see the sunrise every morning...he is usually stuck in a hanger or trying to catch up on sleep during the weekend. We enjoyed a beautiful week of sunrises together and I will never take another for granted. One morning he told me to grab the camera and so I did...enjoy.

Be sure to check out all the other beautiful Outdoor Wednesday photos over at A Southern Daydreamer...I lust love her pumpkin shots, definitely frame worthy. Well, I'm off to do some homework...this week is midterms! Ta Ta for now!

Tunes on Tuesday

2010-10-19T08:37:00.000-07:00

I am starting something new on the blog...Tunes on Tuesday, where I'll share a song that means somethig to me at the time. I used to do a song of the day on Facebook but I got a little overwhelmed by the whole thing..totally my problem...but I like sharing music with people...the quote "music is life" says it all for me. I think that I have passed that love of music to my kiddos who LOVE music not bands or artists, they don't care if you think it's cool or not...actually I think they get that from PC too. He litstens to stuff that I think "wow he's a forty something guy who loves Lionel Ritchie and Air supply Songs...but the next day Def Leppard is full blast and then George Strait the next." It's one of the many things that I love about him. This song gets me every time...because it is life...he drives me CAARAAZYYY sometimes, but I am so stuck on him...
Remember to hit the pause button on the playlist, the play button on the video and enjoy.

Sugarland - Stuck Like Glue

Menu Plan Monday 11/18/2010

2010-10-18T09:15:00.000-07:00

It's Menu Plan Monday again over at I'm an Organizing Junkie. I don't post my menus here so hop over to my other blog A Dream Kitchen to see what's cooking in the Crocker house this week and take a look at one of last week's Din Din's - PC Made Beer Butt Chicken - delish! Off to bake up some mini bundt cakes - Tata for now!

Straight Out of the Camera - Halloween Decor Update

2010-10-16T08:13:00.000-07:00

After hoping along in blogland during the Mantel Party and Fall Decorating party, I got a few new ideas and went to work updating our "elegantly spooky" look. I spent a total of 20 bucks this year and basically it's a whole new look from previous years with a few classic or sentimental standbys. Just wanted to share and it's Straight Out of The Camera Sunday over at Murietta 365...so here they are...Sraight out of The Camera:

Beginning in our entry, this writing desk belonged to my great grandmother and now it's Momma's...Do you see the cute "C" pumpkin? Baby Girl bought that for me at Kirkland's.Isn't is darling?

Need a closer look...

Spooky books...

Moving into the living room...this Glass conch (electric candle underneath) was perfect for the table...a black shawl...a pond tree...some spiders...too spooky. All of this came from Momma's boxes.

Turn around and this delicious tablescape is what you see....Momma might kill me over the chalkboard when she figures out what it is...but I Loved this idea, those are all dollar store or 99cents store decorations...except the candelabra and candlesticks...

Then the new & improved Halloween fireplace...I LOVE IT!

I had so much fun making the bats and decorating my pillar candles and the mirror...

Then I started rearranging a few things on the mantel..I love my crows!

Then I went crazy with the Black Gossamer ribbon....those skeletons still need something though...

Well that's all the updates - I had so much fun creating the look. I want to show a pretty cool huse next time - My SIL - this Sunday is Scary movie night at her house and I am taking my camera - their house is over the top...wait til you see it - gorgeous. Oh! I almost forgot I have a Halloween Bridal Shower tonight - I can't wait to take pictures because that house is also gogreous and I can't wait to see their decorations...they love Halloween too! Gotta go wrap my present - Tata for now!

An Autumn Brew (warning - lots of eye candy)...

2010-10-15T12:59:00.000-07:00

"Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble."~ Shakespeare "Macbeth"

While I have been quite in blogland, I have been busy in the world, making memories. October is a busy month for us, many birthdays (family and friends), usually an escape of some sort...mourning summer I suppose and of course, the landmark holiday, Halloween. A landmark because it it the beginning of the end of the year. a time full of wonder and celebration...my favorite time of the year. October and I have had a love affair since I was a child kicking up the leaves on Elsmere Ave, eating bowls of Cincinnati chili and anxiously awaiting the door to door compliments on the fabulous costume Momma whipped up and of course the reward of candy, popcorn balls and coins! Yes, along our route in my fabulous (to me) hometown, there was a large house that gave out half dollars...a treat indeed! I believe my papa & mam- ma loved Halloween as much as we did because they decorated the front porch to be scary and fun, with 9 children, they had a cast of characters for years! This is the time of year when mam-ma would make popcorn balls and chex mix (REAL chex mix). Races to the heat registers would begin to ensue, first one there felt the warmth rush from the floor as if a dragon lived in the basement just to warm our bodies. Yes, I have been in Love with October for as long as I can remember. So while I have been quiet here, my soul stirs, I find I tend to journal more and take a lot of photos in October...because the world becomes alive with magic, both natural and the Home Brewed kind...so today I would like to share some of the Home Brewed Magic that I have spotted....

PC and I went to breakfast last week and instead of going to our usual cafe, we ventured into the mountains and ended up at the Evergreen Cafe...what a treat! As I ewwwd and awwed over the labor of love in the owner's Halloween decorations, I plotted to bring Baby Girl up for breakfast in a few days with camera in tow...PC is not as understanding as I'd like when it comes to snapping photos with my big ol' camera in restaurants...it's really where he draws the line...anywho...Baby Girl was game and we had a fabby morning...here you go!

As you walk in...you immediately know the spirit of creativity lives here...and we thought it was just a cafe...

The ceiling demands attention as many of the spiders descend and ascend as the door opens and closes...

The garden window has this great treatment (sorry it's dark) with fanciful witches and and the undead...

The walls are filled with all sorts of fun and spooky pictures, flowers and creatures of the night...

This little arrangement, very interactive, sits over the cook's window...

Almost forgot we were at a restaurant, huh? Great food!

After breakfast we walked across the street, Baby Girl commenting how the town of Wrightwood reminded her of the small town in The Proposal (an all-time Fav of mine) and I agreed. Quiet, artsy and full of characters. We happened upon such a treasure of a shop, SK Jones Galleries - I HAVE TO SHARE - you can tell instantly that a talented artist is at work in this shop...

the jewlery is unique and gorgeous...

the furnishings understated, artistic and beautiful,...

the spirit of the space is playful...

and the artwork truly authentic...Suzan has taken the journey and arrived at her authentic self...

I love her window panes. Magic in the making.

Awwww...can you smell the crispness in the air...the magic? I can! But alas, I have to go make some numbers do magic -off to do algebra homework!! Tata for now!

Linking up with Show & Tell Friday

Happy October 1st

2010-10-01T16:40:00.000-07:00

I am doing homework and enjoying the thunder, lightening and RAIN. I can't think of a better way to start one of my favorite months. Billie Holiday is one of my favs, and her voice is so soothing to listen to on a stormy day - so I thought I'd share. Just hit pause on the playlist and then press play on the video. You are in for a treat if it happens to be raining where you are...enjoy!

Fall Decorating - Its a Party (well actually two)!

2010-09-29T07:54:00.000-07:00

I am sooo excited to share with you what I have been up to for the last couple of days but even more excited about the Fall Decorating and And Fall Mantel Bloggy Parties that are going on this morning over at The Nester and Hooked on Houses (two of fav blogs in the world). I can't wait to hop over there and check out all of the other bloggers beautiful ideas! Of course, I'm late posting this morning,I was going to do this yesterday but my computer decided to freak out and short story shorter...here we are. I really wanted to get away from the garishness of the typical Halloween decorations, not because I don't like them, because I do - I LOVE smiling Jacks but only Martha and some of you bloggers seem to be able to pull that off and not look like you have preschoolers in the house doing the decorating. anywho, I have 20+ years of stuff that I have collected and A LOT of Momma's Stuff that was NEVER a Halloween decoration item in her home, but she said I could do whatever I want with whatever I want, so I go digging in the boxes and find treasure of all sorts! Her stuff was extremely useful for the potion cabinet. While not completely elegant nor completely spooky nor garish my Fall Decorations are a direct reflection of where I am in my head right now...trying to hold on to the memories of Halloween past and looking forward to being a bit of a unknown...is she a good witch or a bad witch? Have fun touring - I had fun decorating and so far have not spent a dime...but I'm not done just yet!

This is my Mantel - I plan on putting the number 31 in that frame and adding some crows and crow silhouettes and some black tulle.

I've had these guys for a few years - but think they are just adorable and add a bit of whimsy...

Oops! You can see the mess that was accumulating on the hearth...anywho...I had this silvery branch thing left over from Christmas so I thought it added a bit of spooky to the fireplace.

Ugh! You can see the cord! Oh Well...Momma painted these Jacks a loooong time ago - probably 25 years or longer - I just love them and what about that darling metal Witches hat? I Know!

Not Halloween without a little black kitty!!

A black sheet, some cobwebs, scrap material and my Dining Nook is transformed! PC actually went to straighten the pictures when he got home...he was so confused when I said NO! They are supposed to be like that! Poor man.

The sunlight streaming through the curtains just adds spookiness.

Then we make it over to my favorite little place...my Potion Cabinet -inspired by Wanda the Witch herself !! She's a good Witch.

All of the labels came from either Matthew Meade or The Love Manor (which is Frightfully Awesome!!)...I had so much fun putting these all together and I'm not done!!

EEK!!

I have since added the "horns" - you know sea shells are very handy to have around.

Yep, that's Momma - she had no idea when she did this photo shoot about 6 years ago that she would have the starring on my Potion Cabinet, but how could I not put that picture there?! It makes me smile every time I walk by my favorite decoration!

I need a label for these "fish eyes"...just black glass beads, clear marbles and vegetable oil...I LOVE them!

Yes, that's an apple under the dome...oh my! I got the "how-to" for the potion covers at A Fanciful Twist (also awesome).

A little blurry but still spooky...

Do you see what I see?

The "fog" is white tulle -it's pretty convincing, the frog is from one of Momma's boxes.

Did I mention the great labels at The Love Manor? They have a pretty nifty witches kitchen...

I think I might add a couple of Bat silhouettes and I definitely need a broom, but for the most part I LOVE IT!

Halloween is Baby Girl's favorite Holiday and her BFF gave her this "passenger" to keep her company in the car...too cute!

I hope you enjoyed my decorations I know I won't get anything done today because I will be too busy drooling over all of the other bloggers decorations. Gotta go get a towel - Tata for Now!! Be sure to check out The Nest and Hooked on Houses for their fabby parties!

100 days 'til Christmas!!

2010-09-17T10:46:00.000-07:00

Well, now it's 99 days, but I am still so excited that Jennifer over List Planet has launched 100 Days to Christmas - a blog carnival meant to help us get ready for the holidays. Of course I'm late (those of you who know me are wondering what's new) but I am ready to start planning! So if we are at 99 days until the big day that means we are 16 days away from Baby Girl's big "21", 44 days away from Halloween, 57, days away from decorating for Christmas, 69 days away from Thanksgiving, 79 days away from My Annual Cookie Exchange, and 81 Days until finals week! Not to mention all of the other birthdays, book club meetings, Wine Tasting trips, and Holiday outings in between....did I mention Momma will be home for some time during the Cookie exchange week...whew! I don't know if I could make it without her.We are making grand plans so I better make sure I am WELL prepared (studies) before she gets here. Anywho, no matter if you are following the 100 Days to Christmas or the CEO's (I do miss the forums but have been using the info for years) Organized Christmas, they both talk about the importance of getting out a Calendar and start writing all of the "stuff" down. As you can see from my little countdown above I can check that off, however I do need to add somethings...but first I need to set my goals for the season...so today I shall gather my tools of the trade; pull out my Emily Barnes holiday planner (been using this for 21 years), My Frantic Woman book, and a few other resources and begin building this year's Holiday Notebook. I also plan on getting down the Halloween boxes so that I can start scattering them around the house...Oh! I'm getting excited aren't you! I love summer and during the summer I always think...this is my new favorite season,but then the crisp air rolls in and I start dreaming of sweaters, twinkling lights, baking with Momma and leftover turkey sandwiches...yummo! Gotta go pull some boxes and do some algebra, Tata for now!

New Language, New World

2010-09-02T08:07:00.000-07:00

I admit it, I am on a Miles Davis kick but his (accompanied by John Coltrane here) smooth notes and soulful tones make this music that I can truly listen too and not be distracted while studying. Today I am studying for my first Medical Terminology test, which should be easy but it's on 4 chapters and it's kicking my butt a little. I know I can do it, learning a new language is challenging but it's also fun. What I find most interesting is that, when I learn these new words, mostly conditions, I want to know more....like how does this happen? What kind of treatment does a person get? How many times will I see this? I get excited and want to know more! Goose pimples! This is fun! So while this tune does not convey excitement, it conveys relax...take it all in....let it become apart of who you are...internalize the language.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Gotta go internalize some combining forms (Khan Academy needs some tutorials about Medical Terminology), Ta Ta for now!

Where I Blog or The View from My Big Chair

2010-09-01T09:59:00.000-07:00

Centsational Girl is hosting a "Where I Blog" party and you know me - I love a party, so I thought I'd share my "blogspots" for those that are interested. I know this may be terribly boring to some, but for me I love to look into the homes of others - it's like going to a model home (most of these ladies' homes are) and getting ideas right from the comfort of my big chair. My blogspots may not be as nice as some of the other ladies, but they are mine and they make me happy.

In the wee hours of the morning, just after PC has left and I have emptied the dishwasher, put a new load of laundry in and made the bed, I sit down in my big chair with my first cup of coffee. It's my favorite chair, I had to have the set because of the chair...I have since learned, (from looking at other bloggers homes) that my chair and couch do not need to match but only compliment (or contrast) one another. So when we shop around for new furniture, I will keep my big chair because I love it so.

The view from my big chair is nice, I get to watch the sun rise through our beautiful front door...this makes me happy, but as you can see, the twinkle lights on Momma's Fairy Tree make me happy too...they provide enough light until the sun rushes in the door.

Speaking of Fairies, did you spot her on the hearth? She's Momma's too but I think she is lovely here...my coffee is getting cold...

...so I'll just sit here and wait for the sun to rise, sip and meditate (what I call my High Five)...Brook Noel is my inspiration this morning, sometimes it is Sarah Breathnach, sometimes Alexandra Stoddard, sometimes Tracy Porter and of course, always, you bloghers- I so enjoy your musings, inspirations and eye-candy.

Before the sun does rise - Bubba comes home from the third shift, I feel bad for him most times, but I think it is building character in him, teaching him to provide...helping him become a man. We chat for a moment, then he is usually off to bed and I am back to being alone with my thoughts.

And then the sun rushes in, through every bevel and pane of glass...it is... ethereal. I shift around for a few moments to try to finish what I was reading or typing, give thanks to the universe for providing and then I surrender to the new day that has begun.

After getting up from my big chair, I check the load of laundry, pour my third cup of coffee (I really need to cut back) and move my net-book into my office, fix breakfast for Baby Girl and me so we can have our morning chat and me take a leisurely shower and throw on some lounging clothes...

....it used to be I would have to rush around to get ready for work, thinking of the kajillion things I had to do JUST at work...but here's the place I do my job now...I'm a student and a internet junkie. This is a brief season in my life, I am sure that in no time I will be back to rush rush rush, but for now I am content to let the world spin faster than the speed of me...it's a revelation and I am accepting the slow motion of my life and enjoying blogging about boring things like where I blog.

Be sure to check out all the great blogspots over at Centsational Girl (one of my Favs BTW), I have an Algebra test to take! Tata for now!

Miles Davis Quintet - 'Round Midnight

2010-09-01T06:41:00.001-07:00

It worked! 96% on my first Bio test!

More study music...

2010-08-31T10:51:00.000-07:00

Tutorial Tuesday - A Tutor for All

2010-08-31T07:44:00.000-07:00

Since it's back to school for most of your kiddos and some of you - I thought I would share a little golden nugget for the Tutorial Tuesday Party. over at Hope Studios. It's not your traditional tutorial, but I am positive most moms, college students, and back-to-school moms can appreciate the significance.

If you haven't guessed, my head has been buried in books for the last week. I am being thorough in my note taking, chapter reading, and key term defining for my Medical Terminology, Intro to healthcare and Biology classes. These are classes that I am loving. However, I am taking one that I don't love, but thanks to a FREE online tutor that helps me understand concepts that I never understood before, I can get through the subject of Algebra. Not only do I think this fabby tutor will help me get through the course, I think he will help me earn a solid B! Who is this wonderful tutor, and will he work for anyone for FREE? His name is Salman Khan and if you haven't heard of the KHAN Academy - you should hop on over there and see what all the fuss is about. He can help anyone at just about any level of Math and Science...he even has some financial literacy tutorials. His mission is to 'empower everyone, everywhere with a free, world-class education' - I think he's off to a good start. Really, if you are a student, a parent who needs help in order to help your child, a teacher or just a person who likes to learn new things, take a gander - it's FREE and worth your time!

This Morning I am reviewing the Parts of a Cell and a few of the Pre-Algebra Tutorials because I have tests in both of these classes this week. Enjoy the video or go poke around on the KHAN Academy site - I have some flashcards to make. Tata for now!

Flamenco Sketches-Miles Davis

2010-08-30T18:47:00.000-07:00

I am being a really great student right now...trying to figure out how I might keep up the blog and the schoolwork and the housework...but for now I want share the tunes I am listening to while I study for my first Biology test...enjoy - I know I do! Tata for now!

Outdoor Wednesday - Crestline, CA...on the way to Big Bear

2010-08-04T11:32:00.000-07:00

Yep I'm still here! I have been so busy with enjoying my summer and getting ready for this new role I've claimed that blogging has taken a backseat. I love to blog but I need to find a more efficient way to convey photos and stories. Mostly my blogging has been a way to let Momma know what's going on around here so that she doesn't get so home sick, but a little of it has been the long forgotten dream of "being a writer". When I was in the 9th grade, Mrs. Harding, my English composition teacher told me I had the soul of a true poet...I never forgot that and started to see myself writing a book one day...it runs in the family, Momma is an excellent writer and Baby Girl has an untapped gift...I think someday it will find her. For me this blog has been a little of chasing the forgotten dream...it will happen one day...for now, I have this and I love it. Perhaps when Momma is back home I will give it up or I will make it more...but I do love the community, I love all of the inspiring bloggers who actually stop by and leave comments...I get giddy at knowing that you all like my photos and even laugh at my musings...it is a gift that I cannot ever say thank you enough for...but thank you anyway. So on to Outdoor Wednesday, I do love spying all of the beautiful blogs over at a Southern Daydreamer...so much eye-candy! Here's a little of my own...this was on the way to Big Bear - I was taking CuzzyA there for the day...we never made it but we had fun on the journey...isn't that what it's all about after all...enjoy!

Isn't that the cutest little Nursery you have ever seen?! I just had to share, I hope you enjoyed the tiny tour. Well, I'm off to lunch and thrifting with the girls..tata for now!

Is this really a tattoo shop?

2010-07-15T08:44:00.000-07:00

The girls had one goal the day we went to Hollywood; go see if Kat Von Dee is in her shop - High Voltage AKA LA Ink. Yep all three girls are in love with tattoos (two of them have them). I admire a good tattoo and have a plan for one if I ever decide to take the plunge into this world....it is another world, but for now I just quietly observe the art that has been methodically placed on the canvas of flesh. SO when they wanted to go to "LA INK" I thought it would be an adventure (I've never stepped foot into a Tattoo Shop or watched LA Ink), I was wondering how it would look and smell...you know...will it be authentic?

Well, when you first walk in, it's throws you off a little. Why? There is this huge red beaded chandelier hanging over the....I don't what do you call it...a reception desk....do tattoo shops have reception desks?

Anywhoo...look at this thing....isn't gaudy enough to be great! I loved it!

I also loved that everywhere you pointed the camera it was an "picture perfect" opportunity. coincidence? Nope we are in Hollywood and this shop is basically a "set" for her reality show.

Seee, right down to the floor...maybe that was there before the shop became famous...it's hard to know...was this shop already like this.....

or did the WOW factor happen after Hollywood got a hold of her shop? The artists area's were set up a lot like a beauty parlor with massage tables for the chairs, but you have to be on the list to pass the velvet rope...I think it probably smelled better than most shops too.

The girls were not wondering any of these things...they were star struck...

They were standing in LA INK asking how long it would take to have an appointment (2 years BTW) and how much ($200.00 minimum), Okay girls can we go now?

I am assuming this is Kat's chair (COOL) and that is her purse (girls sigh), she must be in the back.

Okay, okay, one more picture because I think that sofa is a coffin...cool again. I mean I wouldn't put it in my house or anything, just like I wouldn't use Audrey's Bathtub for a sofa- but it's cool.

On the way CuzzyA snapped this one - I didn't even notice it was there...silly me. If you are into tattoos, I think this is a definite stop, they were all very nice and the shop was beautiful and of course the Art was beautiful....If I ever decide to get that hummingbird, I'm coming here...

A few days later CuzzyA and I made it to The Hollywood Sign...

There were beautiful homes all the way up this very hilly part of Hollywood...I want to live in this one...you cant see the blue but it is GOGEEEOUS! It's a castle - what better place for a princess and her prince?!

22 years in Cali and I have never made the trip up here.

I'll be back again this summer with Baby Girl and Pumpkin.

You would never know this is the view from The Sign but it is...haze and all it was breathtaking....sooooo many people, so much going on and it was soo very quiet at the top of that hill.

Hope you had fun on our little adventure to Hollywood, I have to go fold some laundry before it eats me alive...it's a joke remember we were just in Hollywood, anything can happen. Tata for now!

I Just Won 6 Swag Bucks on www.swagbucks.com

2010-07-13T21:43:00.000-07:00

I Just Won 6 Swag Bucks on www.swagbucks.com

The Path to a Simpler Way of Life - And more of CuzzyA's Visit

2010-07-09T17:40:00.000-07:00

This journey that I am on in a complicated one...it has become somewhat popular to "Simplify", and with all things popular there is always propaganda. Take for instance, the Magazine Real Simple, which to me is basically a Living Magazine printed on what feels like Recycled Paper..is that the simple part or is is that sometimes Martha's Mag has photos of HER homes and Real Simple has REAL peoples homes...doing the same types of things. I am on a Mag tangent because I have decided in my quest to Simplify my life that I will purge my 20 years of collection...Martha's included. Of course, this takes time and discipline...I plan to have zero Mags left and just a collection of clippings...that I will label "Please throw away when the aliens come and get me because they are not that important". Simplify....does that mean organize your things or purge your things and make them someone else's junk or quit your job, start a dream career, focus on my health and worry about money, cook things from scratch, clip coupons, plant a garden and raise chickens, see...propaganda. Maybe the difference is that doing those things will get my old body back, find me more involved with our money, connect with the family more and connect with mother nature, maybe the difference is in the payoff, I'm certainly hoping. Clearly I am confused about my path today...I am dusting, vacuuming, purging the nest because day by day its becoming...something...not an empty nest per say just a little vacant at times. CuzzyA left this morning for Ohio (her company will be missed), BabyGirl is at work along with PC and Bubba is fast asleep from working the third shift, so I was left alone with my thoughts and this is what you get...well maybe I'll include some pics also...

Hollywood, CA June 26, 2010

First stop on this little trip, my Fav Fast Food joint! Gotta fuel up!

Pumpkin is a fan too, but mostly of the wet naps.

Yep, even the Veggie loves Chick-fil-A...

because they have THE BEST WAFFLE FRIES!

Already being silly - ready to make the loooong walk down both sides of Hollywood Blvd.

Pay no attention to the giant Patron bottle behind me...

Besides Hollywood Blvd, Vine St is the only other one with the Stars.

And here on Vine St. is James Dean - the Girls LOVE him!

One of my Favs... "Play it again Sam"

Great Halloween Resource! They wouldn't let me take pics but you can check out their website

Did I mention is a an animal LOVER!

She thinks Will Smith is pretty cool too!

My Rugrat - isn't she beautiful!

Weirdest shoe store...cute but weird.

They have been awarding stars for 50 years...huh, didn't know that.

Drag Queens! It wouldn't be Hollywood without them!

Cutest "little" rock-a-billy shop - those are all clerks!

And this is one of the CUTEST dresses I have seen in a long time!

Still going strong!

She LOVES Godzilla - GRRRR!

We made it!

Guess? Yep, Marilyn & Jane.

I am a closet Trekkie!

A fav....

One of the more "tame" street performers.

I really love when you look down an alley and see the unexpected.

Of all the stars out there - he has not been nominated for a Star on the Walk of Fame...weird. BTW It's Clint Eastwood at the Wax Museum.

That is not the end of day, but I need to go do some P90X, as the day has slipped away, I got a lot done but the pics took forever to load today. I am sill at a loss for the way to a simple life... guess I have t take it one step at a time on this path...I prefer to know what the destination is but perhaps that is my lesson; the path or "journey" is more important...sounds so cliche`, but I think it might be true. I hope you enjoyed the Hollywood tour, tomorrow LA INK & The Sign! Off to work out! Tata for now!

Back to Reality...

2010-07-08T12:02:00.000-07:00

CuzzyA leaves tomorrow morning (at Six AM...that means we have to leave the house no later than 4AM...ugh!), so today we will be relaxing, washing seashells, doing some laundry, making sure all photos (about 1000 in total) have been transferred to both puters', maybe baking some cheesecake (gotta clean out the fridge first), but mostly making the most of our time together today (I type this as she is fast asleep because I have exhausted her). As mentioned above there are so many pics to post and share, (she loves to take pics just like me), so I have enough material for a few days at least. But the reality of it all is that my Sta-cation is over and I need to get prepared for the fall, one drawer, one shelf, one room, plot of land and one coupon at a time.Yep! I am adding Vegetable gardening (and maybe some Chickens) to my plan as well as couponing! Brave, I know, but I need to make up for some of my lost income...right? Before I go wake up the Cuzzy to have her start her laundry, and me start the dreaded cleaning out of the fridge, I 'll leave you with some eye candy from CuzzyA's Visit...

Las Vegas - June 2010

We had her fly into Vegas so that we could show her all the sites there are to see in the city that never sleeps.

Baby Girl went with us - that is her foot - she plans to go to the real New York sometime soon, so she was happy with our choice of hotel.

Like most hotels in Vegas it is hard to tell that you are in a building...they pack so much stuff in these things!

First stop - food! She was on a 8 hour flight! So when you are in New York - yo want Pizza...wait I thought we were in Vegas?

Baby Girls Says - "Best Pizza ever!"

If it wasn't for the crazy Carpet - you'd think I was strolling down the streets of NYC with my PC...hmmm.

Then off to Excalibur (no outside photos - sorry). They have these jewelry stands all over the place.

One of the ladies working the booth said "well I've can honestly say I have never seen anyone do that before." She was talking about me taking the close up of the shiny things...really, not anyone?

We went down to the Arcade to kill time before dinner. Catching the girls taking there pics in a photo booth...who is that handsome prince spying on them?

Air hockey is a favorite around our family. Good clean fun...I think that's a Muwwwahhaaha laugh from me, because I was able to sink one puck on his side...he beat me...bad.

Did someone order tickets to a gun show? Sexy!

Baby Girl says - Bring it on!

CuzzyA beat me too...sad.

Did someone say SkeeBall - BabyGirls's Fav!

Daddy-Daughter moment - cheesy!

Messing with the camera...

Then to dinner - It's a Dinner show...Knights, horses, Merlin, lasers, and Grub!

Ready to eat and cheer!

Believe it or not this comes down from the ceiling and is THE ROUND TABLE..where all of the knights would be eating and meeting.

The table all set for grub!

GRUB!

A little stroll down The Strip and look who we run into!

MMMMM....M&M's - they have FOUR floors of stuff to buy!

Then to the Bellagio to see what's new in the garden...Sunflowers!

This picture looks vaguely familiar to me...it is amazing how much Vegas can make you think you are somewhere else in the world.

Hope you enjoyed tagging along - this was just the first Half day that we were there, so there is more.

Well I'm off to spear the great grey & white whales (the fridges)! Tata for now!

Just Another Day in Paradise

2010-06-28T23:14:00.000-07:00

Took CuzzyA to see the Pacific Ocean for her first time via Laguna Beach.

Showed her where PC proposed to me 22 1/2 years ago.

Still just as beautiful and as magical of a place as it was then.

Too much eye candy....

Hope you enjoyed the pics!

Off to get the sand out of my hair!

Tata for now!

Linking up with:

Bloomin' Tuesday & Outdoor Wednesday

Headin' to the Beach

2010-06-28T08:56:00.000-07:00

Taking the CuzzyA and Baby Girl to Laguna today.

I can't wait to feel the ocean spray

and write our names in the sand.

Laguna is my favorite Cali beach,

probably because PC proposed to me

on this beach..

But it could be the coves and the flowers

or it could be the "artsy" culture that is Laguna.

It could be that when I was a kiddo dreaming about California,

my dreams looked like this...Heaven on Earth.

Off to pack a picnic! Tata for now!

Bloomin' Tuesday

2010-06-21T21:38:00.000-07:00

I was so excited when I stumbled upon Ms. Green "thumb'" Bloomin' Tuesday meme. I do not have a garden or flowers as of yet but I am constantly snapping photos of them wherever I go I often dream of creating a wall collage with my little works of art, but alas, here on my hard drive they sit. I like to travel and I like to take pictures, so all of my blooms will be from other's gardens. Sometimes I remember where I was when I took a picture...other times not so much, so sometimes there will be a reminiscent photo journal and others just a pretty picture. So enjoy and remember to hop over to our lovely host Ms. Green "thumb" and take a look at all the other lovelies!

The Bellagio Hotel Garden in Las Vegas, Nevada

PC took me on a date weekend a few months back and we stayed at the Bellagio (he got a great deal) Hotel. The Hotel is known for it's beautiful fountains in the front, but also for it's beautiful gardens in the lobby, I was in photographer heaven! Enjoy the eye candy!

Well, I have to start packing for our trip this week, I probably won't be back to post for a couple of days - I'll be having fun with the family! TaTa for now!

I think it should be called Daddy's Day

2010-06-20T12:40:00.000-07:00

Growing up I only had one real "father" figure in my life...my Grandfather...Pappa. For all the love and affection shown by by Pappa I was never a "Daddy's girl" but I have learned to accept this, however it was a long road to get here. My quote of the day(on Facebook); “Letting go doesn’t mean giving up, but rather accepting that there are things that cannot be.” ` anon - is in reference to when I accepted that I would never have that kind of relationship with my father. I really don't want to get into the how's and why's of my "Daddy-less" childhood, because I no longer give that power. What I do give power to is the Mommy that made every birthday special, the mommy that kissed the boo boos and the heartbreaks. The mommy who loved me enough for three people, not just two.The mommy who worked two jobs sometimes just to put food on the table, knowing his family was eating steak. I called her this morning and told her Happy Father's Day, she giggled, but I heard the heartbreak in her smile...she wanted for me, what she had, but that was the one gift she could never give me...it wasn't hers to give and that affected her sometimes more than me...helpless to help her child, I can't imagine. I give her power.

I also give power to the man that I married, my Prince Charming. He is the best kind of daddy, he loves his children more than they will ever know. His sense of responsibility to them amazes me everyday. If they falter, he wants to help them be successful and it hurts him if they hurt, it scares him even. When they were babies, he played with them, sang to them, kissed their boo boos and then told them to shake it off. As children, he let them drive his truck, took them to baseball games,built their bikes, coached little league and helped with school projects. Now they are older and he tries to be helpful when they let him, he is so patient. He can't wait to be a grandpa so that he can do it all over again...he longs to see his children's children play in his yard, ride bikes and hit a baseball or two.
I am lucky that I had such a loving grandfather, a Momma that tried to pick up the slack and Husband that Loves his family more than I will ever know.
Happy Daddy's Day to all the great men out there that stepped up to the plate and hit a home-run!
Off to bake a cake for our celebration today! Tata for now!

Linking up with SOCC & Shadow Shot Sunday!

The House that Build Me - A Party

2010-06-18T06:36:00.000-07:00

Last week Leigh over at Bloggeritaville posted the Miranda Lambert song "The house that Built Me" and I let her know how much that song touches me everytime I hear it. It reminds me of my Grandmother's house, the place I called home. I would have loved to post pictures, but my scanner is not cooperating (I spent two hours digging through old photos!), sorry. The picture above (my MIL made this for me after my telling of many stories) says it all for me;

"I remember the softness and charm of the wide shady street, the giant tree that hung heavy with the heat of August. And in the winter the warm contentment. I love remembering the simple pleasures of my Grandmother's house.

When I was a child, Momma moved around a lot, I didn't understand it then, but I do now. She was single a young mom, who was trying to find a place to call Home for us. We lived in some pertty neat places and some not so neat. But through all the places we lived, I spent the majority of my childhood at Gramma's. While mom worked, Gramma took care of me, my aunts and uncles became brothers and sisters, my Grandfather became my Papa. The house became the only place I felt like I belonged...my safe haven. The big apple tree in the middle of the back yard was my place to go on adventures, the basement always scared m except the time my Great-Gramma was staying in the newly converted room,, the attic where I felt strangely comfortable, the breakfast room where everyone gathered on a hot summer day because it was close to the pool. The registers that pumped warm air into the cold creaky house on a winter morning, watching my gramma's night gown billow up and make her look like a pillow. The side of the house that often was my only partner when I needed to practice catching "pop-flys'. The street loaded with kids playing kick the can or touch football - 'CAR!" was a familiar phrase used often on that street. The lonley whistle of a train, from the track down the street, that I never realized there was a wrong side to. And of course the 150 year old Sycamore tree that stood at attention in the front yard as if protecting the home and family against all odds. When I was about 11, my Gramma and Papa converted the upstairs into an apartment for my mom, brother and me, I was home. I had a room in the house to call my own, Momma painted it pepto bismol pink (at my pleading) and made that once hall of bedrooms into a home of her own. Most of my great childhood memories, halloweens, summers, christmas' family get togethers, happened in that house and everytime I pull up to that front yard I expect the screen door to open and my gramma to perch herself on the first step of that porch, coffee and cigarette in hand, ready to water her flowers and plotting to squirt the little girl who keeps running past her hoping she will. Gramma and Papa have passed, but the house, which was built for my Great Great, is still in the family...it is not the same house as when I was growing up - but I remember my Papa was always making changes at my Grammas request, so I think she and he would be pleased to know that it is lovingly being "improved" just like when it was their home. Now that I am out here in California and my Grandmother's house is in Ohio, I don't get to see it all the time but I am grateful that when I go to visit I can still go in and touch the banister I used to slide down, smell the old attic and get scared in the basement. I am grateful to have called that old house, filled with so much love, simple pleasures and memories, home.

Please be sure to check out the other bloggers talking about the song over at Leigh's - I am off to go Salen' (yard sales) - TaTa for now!

Thrifty Thursday - A little treasure

2010-06-17T09:36:00.000-07:00

Well today's treasure is not comparable in volume of what I posted last week...

but she is sweet isn't she? I paid a whopping $3.00 for this little gem and she was worth every penny.

This whole Vignette is a Thrifty find, the tray was a Big Lots clearance for $4.00, the Book was $1 @ the Salvation Army, the Bud vase is from The Dollar Tree and the flowers are growing wild in the backyard and the candle was a gift...a whole $10.00 on such a cute display.

The teacup has occupied a few places in our home since I brought her home Saturday...

right now she is waiting for our guest to arrive next week...

I am just in love with the blue aren't you? Off to the Farmer's Market! Tata for now! Don't forget to check out Leigh , Linda & Diane - they know how to throw a Linky Party!

Works for Me Wednesday - Kitchen Drawers

2010-06-16T09:34:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share something that I have been thinking about doing for year, but just recently tried and I am so glad I did. Several years ago I was going through the Good Things of Martha's Mag and spotted some major eye candy for me! An organized Knife and cooking utensil drawer. It was beautiful....what made it so beautiful and how did she keep it that way (oh yeah, I forgot - she has a staff)? I loved it so much I vowed to do that very thing to make my new kitchen (new is now 6 years old) even better. Sooo, I happened to be in the neighborhood of our local fabric store and that eye candy popped into my head! Straight over to the felt I went and now for a little over two weeks, I have had the most perfect knife and gadget drawers. Take a peek!

I would have never showed you this drawer before...wait what am I talking about, I showed you PC's sock drawer!

Seeeee! I told you it's pretty! I know, I know, my knives are all dull and a mix-mox - but don't they look nice on the grey flannel? Yep that's the secret...Martha has her drawers lined with grey flannel. It makes the knives pop for easy visual recognition (I was looking for a different word than "spotting") AND they don't move around! They little organizer in the back holds all the steak knives.

Sorry, I'm just in love with this drawer : )

And this one! Nothing shifts around and when I put the dishes away - everything has a place!

This is another little secret (not Martha's) that I wanted to share...I got this little secret SitsaM...she's a little Italian cook, who has been teaching me the art of "sauces". While I was in her kitchen, I noticed that she has silverware in two drawers, one near the table (where mine is) and one next to her stove. The one next to the stove only has a few spoons, forks and knives, but I watched her reach for those while she was cooking instead of taking from the "tableware". Smart! Huh? If you already do this - I think you are a genius! Well, it just so happens I have one set of silverware that is not a complete set and now it has a home and everybody knows where they go based on their pattern. So that's what works for me (and Martha) Grey Flannel! I'm going to go organize another drawer or something, Tata for now!

Bloomin' Tuesday

2010-06-15T07:44:00.000-07:00

I was so excited when I stumbled upon Ms. Green "thumb'" Bloomin' Tuesday meme. I do not have a garden or flowers as of yet but I am constantly snapping photos of them wherever I go. I often dream of creating a wall collage with my little works of art, but alas, here on my hard drive they sit. I like to travel and I like to take pictures, so all of my blooms will be from other's gardens (I hope that's not against the rules). Sometimes I remember where I was when I took a picture...other times not so much, so sometimes there will be a reminiscent photo journal and others just a pretty picture. So enjoy and remember to hop over to our lovely host Ms. Green "thumb" and take a look at all the other lovelies!

Kensington Palace, London England July 2007

Fit for a Princess.

This is from one of the bouquets left on the fence.

Baby Girl took this shot...it really is a cool photo.

Me, in front of the Palace -It really is quite cool inside -but no photos allowed.

Amazing.

Baby Girl was in love with London!

nuff' said.

Thanks for stopping by - Tata for now!

Show us Your Life China Pattern

2010-06-13T15:54:00.000-07:00

Over at Kelly's Corner, she hosts the Linky Party " Show us your Life" and each week it is a different topic. This week it is China Patterns, the party is almost over, but I really want to share my China Pattern story..so here goes; . Kelly suggests that we tell about how we picked our China Pattern when we registered for our wedding, etc. Well, we eloped, so there was no registering for a china pattern. However, his mom, took really good care of us and bought the entire Melvyn's Scandinavian Dish set for us...it was was not china, but I had my very own matching set of dishes - it was ours and I loved it. I still have a few of the the pieces, but 22 years, small children and 3 moves takes a lot out of an everyday dish set. It was well used and loved. But on to the China...Fast forward 16 years. A colleague and I were at a conference in Tahoe and while driving back we decided to stop at a few antiques shops along the way. The name of the shop eludes me now (I have the card stuffed somewhere), but I do know it had only been open for a couple of days...anywhoo, as soon as I walked in I saw this set...it called my name! II had a china hutch (only 4 years old at the time) but no real china and I had been on the hunt. I asked the store owner, how much and she said "all the pieces aren't there...it was my mom's, we never used it...the rest is in storage somewhere...I'd have to get it for you this weekend." My heart sunk...we were at least still 6 hours from home, I would have to come back if I wanted it...but she said there was more...how much more? "Well, it's a service of 12 and there are at least 6 serving pieces that go with it..." OKAY this is going to be too much money I better keep on moving. "I'll give you the entire set for $300.00 if you want to come back in a couple of weeks to pick it up or I can ship it to you at your cost." 300.00! Are you kidding? I called PC and told him about it and he said..."go ahead and get it, maybe you and your mom can drive up together to pick it up (I knew I married a good one)". So I wrote a check for a deposit and drove happily home. I told momma we were going to make a road trip and we did; here are some photos of our weekend - it was such a good time and my china will always be special to me because I made the trip with Momma:

We stopped at several little shops on the way back to pick up the China Set, we oooed and awwed and goofed around a lot.

When we got there, I gave the owner my check and she gave me the boxes, but she told to check all the boxes, because she hadn't unpacked them and she didn't want me to be missing anything. Such a conscientious lady. Soooo, this set is MIKASA, GoldFleur, numbered, never been used...EVER! It's so dainty and beautiful and there are so many pieces. $300.00!

I unpacked each piece (I could not believe how many there were, I kept thinking I was finished but Momma kept saying, no there's another one behind you...I felt like I was a little girl setting my blanket for a grand teddy bear picnic (my grandmothers quilt is what I'm setting everything on)! Playing with my dishes - I was a kid in a penny candy shop! Do you see the Cream Soup Bowls? There is a Dinner plate, salad plate, bread plate, dessert plate, berry bowl, cream soup bowl, teacup & saucer for EACH setting! Creamer, Sugar, Gravy boat, two vegetable bowls, one large platter and one small platter. That's about $2.93 per piece! I still can't believe it.

On our way home, we stayed in an old haunted hotel.

It was very cute but it WAS haunted. I wanted to take the lamps home.

Momma loved the dresser.

We happened to be making this road trip in the early Autumn, Momma was so happy to see all the wonderful colors...we don't get that in our immediate area, so this was a gift from Mother Nature.

I had such a sweet time with my momma, window shopping, stopping to smell the roses (or watch the water move), eating at quaint places, just being girls on our own time and terms.

I think picking out my China pattern was supposed to happen this way...such a memory, such a treasure. Now I'm off to play with my dishes some more! Tata for now!

Oh Happy Day!

2010-06-12T09:07:00.000-07:00

I woke up in a really great and relaxed mood today...if relaxed means I was thinking about the kajillion things I need to do around here instead of at work (Monday is my last official day)! I have been going through photos on my work laptop to make sure that I don't leave anything behind; I have found some gems, so I'll be sharing them over the next couple of weeks. This little gem was taken at Tolo Winery in Paso Robles...I may have shared this already, but it's a favorite of mine.

It just conveys summer projects, lemonade...easy living...to me anyway. So I am off to do my to do list on this Fabulous Saturday Morning...Tata for now!

Linking up with:

SOCC

Summer is here - I got the deals to prove it!

2010-06-08T07:33:00.000-07:00

Ohhhh! Don't you just love a great Yard/tag/garage/estate/moving Sale?! I haven't been out and about to any in a really long time...work usually makes it so that my Saturdays are spent doing my housework or work work and Sundays are no good for a sale. So with my career change, my work is winding down and I am a little more free lately...hence the notion of hitting the sales Saturday and boy am I glad I did! I think I got the steals of the century!

This beauty was at the first sale I went to...

fairly early in the morning...she gave me the lot for $10.00...that's about 2.50 per piece!

This little beauty was at my FAVORITE sale of the day...why do you ask?

Because she was part of this party...all NINE pairs for $5.00...YEP FIVE! Two pairs have never been worn AND they all fit!

Same Sale - she gave me another box of Junk for $5.00 - this Christmas set was part of the deal..AND the cute Necklace.

There are 4 place-mats, napkin rings, 10 Christmas napkins, a aquarium piece for Bubba, and a pretty table scarf, the cute glasses and the Christmas set for 5 bucks!

As much as I enjoyed that sale, I had to move on and was just as happy (well, maybe not - did you SEE those shoes!?) because I got this little beauty...

for $3.00 - about 10% the price - never opened! I love the Summer Hill Scent - but this would make a great door prize gift at my exchange!

As if all of that wasn't a great day anyway, I stopped one more place...

Okay..Okay.. Shoes AND JEWELRY on the same day...did I get hit by a bus on the way and now I'm really in heaven, but haven't realized it yet. Yep ladies (and a few gents) I hit the Jackpot! There are 14 necklaces, 7 pair of earrings, two watches, 4 bracelets and a mirror (that needs redo), 4 place-mats, 8 napkins and I bought a Coke...how much? $15.00! Holy Cow!

I had fun - did you? Tata for now!

Linking up with:

Looking Back and Forging Ahead

2010-06-06T10:08:00.000-07:00

All changes are more or less tinged with melancholy, for what we are leaving behind is part of ourselves. ~Amelia Barr

It's been a emotional couple of weeks for me...my career as a teacher is a bout to come to a close. I have been with my school for 13 1/2 years, it wasn't an easy decision. I love my job, I am the "funmaker" on campus - the Activities Coordinator.

I have had the pleasure of working with some of education's most talented people and the privilege of being apart of the best kids on planet's lives. My kiddos have never called me Mrs. Crocker, I started out as Miss DeAnna, then it went to just "DeAnna" and then my name became Momma Dee (that one makes me cry). They were my kiddos, they all have a place in my heart and each year as I was planning their graduation ceremony, I wanted it to be special for them, so that they would remember that they met life's first big hurdle - the passage from child to young adult - with with dignity and grace.

I did my best to take care and educate of the kiddos who stepped into my classroom or sat at my desk...I feel like I am leaving a legacy of caring and enthusiasm. The kiddos come and go every year - some I saw through all 6 years at Excelsior, others I only had the privilege of being in their lives for a few, others have remained in touch and are truly dear and close to my heart. I am used to the kiddos leaving their mark and the process of bonding with new ones and the process repeats. It's difficult.

But as I think about my colleagues...it is then I began to wonder, "did I make the right choice?" I am having a hard time thinking about not seeing the friends that I have made in this 13 year journey everyday, I am having a hard time letting go of people that I probably have spent more time with in the last thirteen years than I have with my own family.

Then it hits me, that is why I made the choice...I have been gone too much for too long and I needed to change that. PC has been the most supportive in my decision because he wants me around for much longer. After my collapse in 2008, he fretted over me keeping the long hours and planning and doing the big (go big or go home is my motto) events I do with the kiddos.

He fretted I would be *gone* if I didn't give something up. So I expressed all of this to some of my dearest friends and colleagues and they all supported my decision and are happy for me.

However they are also sad, like me, that I am leaving their everyday lives. I'm not leaving the work force completely (I would go crazy). I'm going to school to be a Nurse...a long lost dream that PC is encouraging me to fulfill. Will it be easier than what I do now... I don't know if easier is the word but it will be different.

Friday night my "Sisters" threw me a surprise going away party with all the people that I will miss more than I can express, it was a beautiful evening filled with laughter and tears, as I am sure the next few days will be...but I am not *gone* I can still pop in for lunch or we can go have cocktails and of course, all the ladies are already planning their cookies for our Annual Exchange. The photos in this post are from the surprise party, in case you are wondering.

I will miss them all deeply. Thanks for reading, time for some therapeutic puttering. Tata for now!

Show and Tell Friday - My Surprise Party (Prince Charming Planned it All)!

2010-06-04T06:11:00.000-07:00

So, remember back in May, I celebrated a bit of a Milestone...the BIG 40. My PC was so worried about me not taking this day well that he wanted to do something special for me. He knew keeping the whole thing a secret was not plausible because I am too nosy and sneaky and I usually figure out things. So, I knew I was having a party, but I didn't really know much more than that and I was pretty proud of myself because I was overly trying to figure the whole thing out...I was willing to let myself be surprised and I am so glad I did (The man has a future in party planning).

First there were the decorations...he was worried he didn't have enough balloons. Silly Man. Isn't it pretty!?

However he could not let me forget that I was turning 40..I might be having senior moments already.

He really went all out.

Down to the party favors...he looked all over the desert for tiny wine glasses to put mints in and give to the guests. Don't you just want to take him home? Sorry ladies, he's mine.

As if all of that is not enough, LOOK AT THIS CAKE! He told the designer at The Cake Shop (how did he even know there was such a place), ""She scrapbooks, loves wine and old things, like antiques." She told him to go home and pick out some of his favorite photos and this is what she did.

He chose not to put Happy 40th - because it was everywhere else. He truly did make me feel celebrated!

Look at the details!

Just Gorgeous!

But the bestest surprise was my present (like I needed one after all of this)...he flew my Momma home for three days! She was there for my birthday! It was the best ever! I was truly surprised...never even thought it was possible! My wish came true before I blew out the candle!

All my kiddos, family and friends sang Happy Birthday...it felt great.

My BFF was there, her hubby, and some more dear friends and family.

I received some precious gifts (this is my dear friend K's mom's necklace - my new favorite!

And of course, some great "gag" gifts. But at least they are cute - I mean look at that hat! I will find a place among my ephemera to display such a cutie. And with all of those pictures, not one time did I get a shot with my PC because guess what, he was making sure he was taking pictures because he wanted to make sure I blogged about it. He is the best hubby in the world and I'm so lucky he picked me! Thanks for looking - TaTa for now!

Linking up with My Romantic Home for Show & Tell Friday - such a fun day! I love all the posts but it takes me a couple of days to visit them all, and my poor house does suffer so.

Homemaker Monday

2010-05-31T10:21:00.000-07:00

Time to dust again.
Time to caress my house,
to stroke all it's surfaces.
I want to think of it as a kind of lovemaking
...the chance to appreciate by touch
what I live with and cherish. ~Gunilla Norris

As I sit here on the first REALLY beautiful day we have had in quite a while, I am thinking about all the things I should do...laundry, dishes, vacuuming...but what I really want to do is organize my drawers, add some Puttery Treats to each one, rearrange my medicine cabinet or straighten my jewelry counter so that I can see with all my pretties I want to bake some cupcakes with my new mixer(thank you Momma). I want to pick some wildflowers and put them on my table. I want to wash the windows to let the sun shine in and even rearrange some furniture in the bedroom to get that "on vacation" feel. Basically today, I want to "play" house. I think I will for a few hours, but then we have a family Bar-B-Q to attend and I have to get ready for the craziest two days of the year..the day before graduation and graduation. But...today, for a few hours, I am a Homemaker (Linking up with 11th Heaven for Homemaker Monday).I hope you enjoy the links to other sites...they do so inspire me!Off to get a pinny and my feather duster- TaTa for now!

Streaming on Saturday

2010-05-22T08:57:00.000-07:00

Usually Saturday morning is a day to stay in bed late and cuddle with PC, but this morning I woke up wit a bajillion things in my head and decided to do a stream of consciousness journal...not too interesting to the world but I needed to get it out of my head:

Coffee....I need coffee, do I still have enough creamer? I need to go to hunt and gather tomorrow but I should clean the refrigerator first, I should clean the stove hood, I should be ashamed at how my kitchen looks this morning. Is the load of laundry that I started on Thursday in the washer or the dryer...probably on the counter, baby girl called me looking for her laundry, need to fold and put away that and do at least two more loads...I hate laundry.

Need to call Momma this morning, missing her and haven't talked since she left. I hate how busy this time of the year gets, oh well, last time, right? The light reflection looks so pretty on the floor, I should take a picture, I wish I had a sepia mode on my camera, where is that damn memory card...I need to get another one...take one out, put one in, never out of film. I wonder what I should make with my new mixer...I need to use it at least once a week...I am a little intimidated by it...great, the dogs are out, Bella is howling for them...I don't get it, they have 2 1/2 acres to run around on but they still need to get out? And Momma's right; why do dogs dig out but never back in? The cinnamon rolls looked good, Baby girl and Bubba would love them but PC can't eat them, what else? The carpet looks horrible again, need to vacuum, I can't wait until both of them don't work at restaurants anymore, they are killing the carpet...how old do your children need to be before semi-white carpet is a good idea? Oh right never! Maybe some angel food cake for the strawberries.. he would enjoy that and I haven't used that pan in...ever. That would be a good Dream Kitchen topic. I wonder if Bubba can put the screens on the windows so the house can breath? I really need to plan my menu this week, another big week this week...open house, grad breakfast, grad practice, awards night...need to still plan the ASB awards and we need to play softball...the new campus is weird but it will be great for "them"...weird because I'm not one of them anymore, really.Not having ants on my desk is nice though. Did the florist get her check..OMG the slide show...breathe. I hope the musical numbers turn out good...it will be great..they are our kiddos..".we"( I'm still part of the "we" until June 14.) have great kiddos.
I'm so glad BFF is coming to scrap tomorrow, need to get up early so I can hunt and gather then have the day to play, she's had a bigger week than me...poor thing - she needs to unwind. I wonder if PC is gonna want to do something though? When is registration for new students at RCC? Need to take care of that today...Amber's Itinerary needs to be somewhat solidified soon, need Baby Girl and Bubba to request days off...beach beach beach - yeah! Thank you cards, I need to do one for everybody and my birthday - I should do the birthday ones today or tomorrow...for everybody though- that's about 80 - can I remember 13 years of thank yous for everybody...one small thing is all I need - just to let them know I am a better person because of my experiences with them over the last thirteen years...no form letter type stuff...personal, small, meaningful. My hair is a mess, need to get purty for PC, he will be tired when he gets home...maybe I should run him a bath...that would be really nice...my purse is getting annoying, so is the car, maybe Baby girl & Bubba can wash our cars...need to separate all of the receipts, what was that song I heard on that blog? Need to add that to my playlist...two songs is a little annoying for me, Moby needs food...the dogs are getting low too...THE DOGS!

To Do Today

~~Make Coffee~~

Make Bed
Shower
Get Purty
Blog
Call Momma
Put Dishes away

~~Start a new load~~

~~Put clothes away~~

~~start a new load~~

~~Clean refrigerator~~

~~Clean Stove hood~~

Clean out purse

Bubba put in screens (tomorrow)-->

Wash Car (tomorrow)-->

~~Vacuum house~~Baby girl did this!

Plan tomorrow's Scrap session with BFF (straighten scraproom)

Plan Menu for week - make hunt and gather list

Make Angel Food cake

To Do Sunday

Hunt and Gather

Scrap

finish laundry

do whatever I didn't on Saturday

To Do Monday

Check on Florist

Check on Confetti

Put together Slide show for breakfast

Open house

Breathe

Get collage's ready for breakfast

Call printer

Check cords and awards - enough?

Call 4L order 5 sashes (more cords?)

Finalize Senior Awards program

Call BVR

Breathe

Finalize Grad program

download music for awards prog

ASB prez's speech - where is it?

Breathe - it's almost over....

Do admissions for RCC, Barstow and SBV

Breathe it's just beginning...

Breathe

I'm linking to Saturday 9 (a silly little meme) I'm sure I answered a question in here somewhere...no rules, Straight out of the Camera Sunday over at Murietta 365 and Shadow Shot Sunday @ Hey Harri et- Tata for now!

Update: while doing my todo's I was of course hopping around in blogland and found some of the cutest new blogs to follow...I am especially loving Seven Thirty Three, so I'm linking to her which opened me up to a whole new part of blogland - a really fun part! Yeah! I know - back to work!

Moody Monday and Movie Monday Meme

2010-05-17T08:24:00.000-07:00

Over at Moody Monday, today's mood is Close: being in or having proximity in space or time,marked by similarity in degree, action, feeling, etc,having the parts or elements near to one another.

To participate I started to dig around in my files and found some pictures from almost a year ago. To me they have a "Close" feeling for many reasons..take a gander...

These two photos are more of the feeling "Cutting it Close", Bubba & Baby Girl were finishing up papers for their class that were taking together...and yes the papers were due in less than an hour. It also feels "Close" to me because they are the best of friends..they really love each other and that makes me so happy.

That same day, Da Niece and Da Nephew came to visit. PC and I took them to a movie and then Mickey D's and then we went to the fish hatchery. I snapped photos of them in the car because it was a similar moment to me as the kiddos...they were being the best of friends giggling and laughing(we weren't moving - we hadn't left yet). Reminding me of just how "close" they were to being those giant teenagers I was dealing with in the morning...too close. And my giant teenagers are too far away from being those giggly little faces...aww time is such a paradox.

My Movie Monday contribution is something I am surprised that has not been mentioned thus far...Grease...one of my favorite all time singing and dancing movies! Can you hand jive baby?

I love both of these Meme ideas! Tata for now!

Straight Out the Camera Sunday

2010-05-16T15:12:00.000-07:00

Today I'm linking up with Murrietta 365 for the Straight Out Of The Camera. My MIL gave me this sweet little bouquet for my birthday, this is just one of the 50 or 60 bushes she has in her garden.

Roses are fleeting, they need to be photographed to capture their beauty before they start to drop their leaves.

Even dropped leaves have a beauty all of their own. Enjoy!

To visit more SOCC go here.

2010-05-13T05:46:00.000-07:00

Today is my first time joining Thursday Thirteen & Photo Thursday - I'll be back - it was fun!

Turning Forty

Those thirteen letters are something I have been dreading since January.

It wasn't as bad as I thought.

PC stayed home from work and cleaned the house with the kiddos to get ready for my "surprise" party on Saturday.

PC wants it to be a surprise but knows I am too wily for that.

I have the best pals at work...they decorated my office to make me feel special.

My BFF gave me flowers.

Another pal gave me more flowers.

My ASB kiddos gave me balloons that they signed.

My Sistas brought me presents, balloons and cake (her birthday is today)!

My office was a pretty mess all day long.

PC took me to see Iron Man 2 to wrap up the day.

It's not over, I have dinner & drinks with a few gall=pals tonight, Girls Night In with the Sistas & BFF on Friday, My surprise party on Saturday, Brunch with the Sistas on Sunday and Uncle Cracker Concert on Monday...Whew! Turning 40 is fun!

TaTa for now!

Happy Mother's - The Desert in Bloom

2010-05-09T21:37:00.000-07:00

I'm linking up with Outdoor Wednesday even though I posted this on Sunday.

Today is Sunday...Mother's Day...I am missing my Momma. We talked on the phone this morning and I mentioned that the Desert is in bloom and she sighed...so I thought I would take her on a Sunday Drive...I thought about her the whole time I was winding up the road, remembering a road trip we took about 5 years ago. Come along for the ride.

When we first moved to the Desert 22 years ago,none of us (me, her, my little brother) were taken by the nature-scape. Everyone told us that we should give it a chance...it'll grow on you, they would say. I thought "nothing grows here!"

I was wrong, the Desert has its own beauty...not like the lush green hills of Kentucky that I was so used to when we moved out here, but rugged mountain flowers determined to bloom no matter where they are planted.

Don't even get me started on the great big sky...I never saw so much sky all at once until I looked up in the Desert.

Happy Mother's Day Momma, I miss you.

Spring is here and the doggies are happy!

2010-03-23T21:27:00.000-07:00

Spring is here and PC and I have decided to take a daily walk "around the block" with the girls. Abby is such a great leash dog, she loves to walk beside us, she sits when we stop , she is a natural.

Bella is a good on the leash, but if she sees a rabbit she will tear an arm off.

Then there is CoCo...the coyote dog. We can't get a collar on her, let alone a leash. We thought we were being "good parents" this evening when we grounded her and told her she had to stay behind for the walk (she snuck out last night and was waiting by the front door this morning) but she wasn't having any of it...

That's how she walks with us, she zigs and zags around us, scouts ahead, and generally teases Abby & Bella. Poor babies.

The desert is especially beautiful this time of day during the spring...not to cold, not too hot and the sunsets are magnificent.

The city lights start to twinkle as though they are trying to copy the stars.

And the coyotes prance around calling to each other from afar..oh wait...

That's no coyote - that's my Coyote Dog. Isn't she a princess? TaTa for Now!

Wine & Cheese Baby Shower

2010-03-21T15:51:00.000-07:00

My BFF is going to be a Gramma and I have wanted to throw her a baby shower since her daughter delivered the news..but she wasn't having any of it...until I mentioned that we would just have a few friends, a little food and some Wine..."We can call it a 'Whine' & Cheese party...you get it?" she said "yeah yeah, no" and popped my bubble. Then a few days later she said that her DD wanted to have the shower for both of them..she said "but, NO GAMES...just fun." Yeah! A Party! I love to throw a party! Especially for a friend! So I have been gleaning ideas from blogland and how-to sites for a couple of weeks, with the exception of trying a few recipes to see if they will work here's some of my inspiration sites:

Ky - over at Have your Cake and Eat it too has a great post about her "BFF' wedding shower. I love this whole table; so the grapes, strawberries and those cupcakes are a must.... Rachael has some YummO! Ideas for setting the scene and recipes that I would like to try. She suggests: SET THE SCENE
Maximize a supermarket bouquet by dividing the stems among a few old wine bottles. I think we'll use Daisies because my BFF is just finishing up redecorating her kitchen with a Beachy theme (think "Something's gotta Give")and we all love daisies.
Use cloth napkins—you won't have to keep buying paper, and they help dress up the party. Probably white and a baby blue (it's a boy).
Skip pricey bottled water and serve tap instead: Add ice, orange slices and a rosemary sprig. Love this idea - but I may use lemons and limes! We have a few beautiful pitchers we can use!

Rachael also suggests a crostini - this worked great at the Cookie Exchange and I love the other recipes she suggets also.

Fried Cheese Bundles »Figs with Ricotta and Honey »French Onion Crostini »Goat Cheese Truffles » The folks over at Bellenza have a great guide to Wine & Cheese pairings as well as a few really cute favor ideas. Aren't those bags too cute! I can't wait for the whole thing to come together Better get the list together. TaTa for now!

All Bark and No Write

2010-03-21T11:20:00.001-07:00

I have been absent and I have no excuse...other than as usual...life got in the way. I have been extremely busy at work trying to finish the year and get the new year ready for my replacement. This is easier said (or written) than done. Once I get home, I am exhausted and do not have the energy to do anything (well PC has been taking me for a walk with the dogs - I think I'm gonna need my own leash soon). My weekends are still not my own (dances, conferences, festivals and graduations to plan and supervise). So alas, the pantry that desperately needs to be purged and organized has to wait; the garden I promised myself I would start has yet to even make it into the little peat pots I bought much less the honey-do boxes that I haven't even asked the honey to do; and the memories captured digitally over the past fve or six years still have not found their way into a carefully planned, haphazardly put together scrapbook. Let's not even think about the whole spring-time going to start eating right and exercise more to lose weight promise. But somehow, I have managed to find time for sharing some Wine with the girls :)
The sun is shining and warm, the days are longer and I need to stop whining and start blogging (which in reality is doing because we all do things then we blog about the doing). I have done a few things around the house that are blog worthy and I even have a few pics and recipes for The Dream Kitchen. In addition to present day bloggertunities (new word = joy ), I have been going through all of my photos and files on my laptop in order to ensure that the proper things get to my replacement in the proper order...so she doesn't have to search forever for a file (I have odd names and multiple folders for the most random things - 13 years of brainstorms), and plenty of bloggertunities :) await in those dusty files. I even have a new cute little Asus Netbook (that I have yet to transfer files to). So no more-even if it's a random one sentence thought - I'm going to blog (can you see me standing on my chair waving my fists in the air?)! I'm even going to menu plan! Thanks for reading and TaTa for now!

Outdoor Wedsnesday - Not Always Sunshine & Roses

2010-01-27T05:28:00.000-08:00

My contribution to A Southern Day Dreamer's Outdoor Wednesday is a little revelation I have had this week, join me won't you...

Sometime last week I took these few snaps of the mountains and the sky because it was unusually gray...the kind of gray I had forgotten even existed until I visited Ohio during Christmas. I love the gray sky mornings...but only because they are so few and far between here in So Cal, The poignant part of that statement was I have LONGED for those skys since moving here 22 years ago. I use to say "I miss the seasons", or"oh, what a pretty gray day" and "yeah - it's snowing!!" And then when I went back east in December for a week - I was amazed at how much I missed the sun. So I guess it's official, (here's the revelation) I'm a California Girl. But I don't want to miss lead you...we do get gray mornings, some snow and every two years or so, some really good rain. So here you go - El Nino hit last week and I am officially done...I want my Sunshine back.

While the palm trees covered in snow is fleetingly pretty to look at, the snow is fun until it's slush and I'm really digging the new lake in our backyard - I am ready to be done with Winter. Well, off to work - have a great day and Tata for now!!

Tackle-it Tuesday (Airing My Dirty Laundry Room)

2010-01-19T06:00:00.000-08:00

My contribution to Tackle-it-Tuesday, hosted by Five Minutes for Mom, is Laundry!! Or I should say my Laundry room. The inspiration for this post came from Pickles and Cheese - her laundry Room Redo is so lovely ad it looks completely functional - check her out! Okay - here goes -My PC and I were in Costco just before Christmas, doing some shopping; we go down every aisle, just to be sure not to miss anything, and it's a good thing or we would have missed this:Pretty, huh? Well, I thought so because I thought this is the answer to all my laundry troubles! Troubles, you ask? Yes, troubles. My laundry room and master closet are on opposite ends of the house and I thought this would keep me organized and in clean laundry. The helps my back but that's about all. I have posted photos of my cute little laundry room before, you know the photo post that we all do, right after we have cleaned (or thrown everything into a corner you can't see on the blog) and everything looks perfect. Like this: But today here is the everyday reality: Those are clean clothes that I just keep taking out of the dryer and putting them in my pretty little cart and the hamper is Bubba's I have no idea if the clothes are clean or not and the other hamper is baby girls but I sort of kidnapped it when I put in dish towels. So what's the problem here? I have no interim space...a space where clean clothes can live and dirty dishtowels can hide. I really need to think about this and would love any suggestions. The problem with not having the cart in there is that three different people do laundry all week long and just take out the other persons laundry and throw it on the counter...not very pretty. I want to pretty it up and make it functional. Help Blogland - what would you do?

Okay- gotta go fold some of this before I go to work- Tata for now and thank you in advance for any help you may offer!

Silver Sunday - An Introduction to My New Blog - A Dream Kitchen

2010-01-16T19:52:00.000-08:00

I am participating in Gypsy Fish's Silver Sunday today (my first time...I think). This set of silver trays sits right there behind my sink and I use them as dish drainers (I add a tea towel) when something's too big for the dishwasher or I only have a few to wash. They really make me smile. Not only am I sharing my silver with you today, I am introducing y new blog. Yep-I started another blog- A Dream Kitchen. Why that name? Three reasons. First, when we were designing and building our home, I poured over tons of magazines and books trying to find all the elements that would make my kitchen my "dream" kitchen. Of course, budget and space played a major part in the overall design, but I ended up with a kitchen that I would not have imagined to even stand in 20 years ago.

Second, I am always dreaming up a new reason to get together with our family and friends;

Birthday parties, Baby Showers Crab & Lobster Boils, Chili Parties,Thanksgiving, and Cookies Parties. My kitchen ends up being where everyone gathers and laughs and it so much more than I ever dreamed. Third, I love to pour over magazines and cookbooks and dream of cooking up all the great dishes that are starring back at me.

But alas, I usually stick with my old standbys. So, my new blog is about me cooking my dream dishes in my dream kitchen and sharing my get-togethers with you. Well, I'm going over to A Dream Kitchen to finish up my post, come and visit. Tata for now!

2010-01-14T06:03:00.000-08:00

For my Thrifty Find Thursday I thought I would share some Thrifty Blogs that I have found in the last few weeks. With the lifestyle change that is about to happen, I thought I better get back into my old habits when I was a Stay at Home Mom20 years ago. I was a huge Tightwad gazette fan (I still have all of the originals)! Amy kept me inspired and motivated to want to save money...much like our blogs keep each other inspired to be creative, and live each day out loud. So I thought, there must be many "Amy's" out there in Blogland...so here are a few I have started to follow, I hope you enjoy them as much as I am and Happy Savings!

Thrifty Decor Chick - Love love love this blog!

The Thrifty Chicks - Great posts about thift store shopping and so much more!

Thrifty Mommy - Some great posts about frugal living, most geared towards moms oyoung children though.

Thrifty Mom Ramblings - Great little tidbit posts - reminds me of Amy Dacyczyn.

Thrifty Little Blog - cute posts.

The Simple Dollar - Practical posts.

Not Made Of Money -A Personal Finance Blog By A Husband And Wife

Big Green Purse - a Eco-centered blog.

Looking at all these blogs made me long for the good ol' paper version I use to drag out almost every day - here's a shot of just a few...I have these and The penny Pincher in a binder - I think I'll spend some time with these. Tata for now! Be sure to check out Bloggeritaville and all the Thrift finds our fellow bloggers post!

Outdoor Wednesday- Changes Afoot

2010-01-13T05:27:00.000-08:00

Well ,this Outdoor Wednesday is a little unveiling of the changes that have been taking place in my head and heart lately. During Christmas break, PC and I had a major heart to heart and came to the conclusion that it;s time for a career change for me. I have been with my school 13.5 years and it's not a light decision but it is an easy one. I have not been "loving" my job for a couple of years now, and I know I don't want to continue climbing the education ladder to administration...I like to be in the mix of it all too much. PC pointed out that I am in the education field because I followed my kiddos and he's so right (I was oblivious until this very wise man pointed it out), they are gone and now the job isn't fun anymore. It has it's days, great days but they get fewer and farther between. Our new director is great at allowing you to take a good luck at yourself and be honest about your reasons for being there - he says "you gotta want it". Well I don't, not that anymore...I do want something else and PC is such a great hubby - he told me to quit working in June and go back to school for nursing (which is where I started 20 years ago). Yeah! I am so excited to begin this new adventure in life! What does this have to do with outdoor Wednesday? Well, on Monday I played hooky (it was too beautiful a day to go to work) and went to visit the Riverside Community College to check out their nursing program. Bubba came along for the ride. It' a great campus and I wanted to to share the day with you.This building was erected in 1950, the architecture is beautiful ad very collegiate. Not all of their buildings are quite so charming - but overall the campus is very charming.Excitement ran though my veins like electricity as we were walking by this classroom....I am so grateful to embark on a new Journey. What I noticed was that I will not be an "odd" student at 40..there were several people my age sitting in study groups and walking around campus. But I'm not kidding myself either...plenty of youngsters too!! Bubba didn't want to participate in my "blog shoot", but he eventually looked at the camera and said "interesting tree" - he was right.
I love this campus and the program is a good one -but I haven't settled yet so you may get a few college tours on Outdoor Wednesday. Home of the Tigers! After our campus tour, we were getting ready to get back on the freeway but I wanted to get a few shots of the Mission Inn for you - it's so beautiful when it's in full bloom, so this is just a glimpse. Check out their website and enjoy the history lesson.After the Mission Inn, I drug Bubba into this "little" place...but that's another post. Gotta go to work...Check out the other Bloggers today over at A Southern Daydreamer - it's a ducky day - Leigh and BJ and very similar posts! Tata for now!

Outdoor Wednesday - The Cincinnati Zoo Festival of Lights

2009-12-30T00:00:00.000-08:00

Today is Outdoor Wednesday over at A Southern Daydreamer...be sure to check out all the other bloggers, they have so much to share. I want to share more from my trip to Ohio with you today. Momma and I squeezed as much togetherness and Christmas into our sliver of time together as we could. Last Wednesday we went to the Cincinnati Zoo for the festival of lights. It was so wonderful to see the park all decked out for Christmas. We took my Cuzzy with us, she is Baby Girl's age and she was a lot of fun. We ate German roasted almonds (TO DIE FOR) and sipped Hot Cocoa. It was a fun evening that I am so glad to have shared with Momma.

We picked up Cuzzy from her house; this is actually the house Momma and Myself grew up in as well as all other 7 of Mommas brothers and sisters. The Baby (Auntie S) owns it now and Cuzzy is The Baby's Baby (got it). The house use to have a huge Sycamore tree in front of it...it was said the tree was as old as the house (built and been in the family since 1880ish).Mamma and Pappa used to have hundreds of wooden decorations that they had built together adorn the lawn...at one time there was a flying sleigh with Santa in it that went from the tree to the roof top...whimsi runs in the family. Auntie 's house is only decorated on the outside because they are remodeling the inside - she was a little bummed she could not show me her snowman collection of over 300!! I think the ones in the yard are too cute!
As we entered the Zoo we were greeted by the LARGEST nutcracker I have ever seen. Adorable! Tons of lights and tons of peeps!

It really was that pretty.
How magical to be a child and visit the Zoo during such a festive time.

A live nativity (well the animals were real).

A train ride-relaxing and beautiful.

A few of the beasts...so cool.

and of course Swan Lake...magical.

It was a perfect evening...thanks for stopping by, Tata for now!

Tackle-it Tuesday - Scraproom Redo or A Room of One's Own

2009-12-29T10:36:00.000-08:00

It's Tackle it Tuesday over at 5Minutes for Mom and as I said yesterday - I am de-decorating a room a day. Sunday was the day that I put away the Scraproom Tree and decorations. I had been thinking about this room quite a bit, because I haven't really used it that much this year...sad. I think part of it is because I keep thinking Momma will be home tomorrow and she will need the room back. Until Sunday...on Sunday I thought..."just make it what I want...my space ...my domain...a room of my own."

Please come in... I have been thinking a lot about resolutions and commitments; I feel like I need a place to close the doors and focus on my goals, a slice of solitude even though the house is empty most of the time...if I'm in this room...I can give myself permission to focus on my needs and wants and let the rest be damned for an hour or two!

I can create with all the tools I have at my disposal.

I can weed through all the memorbilia so neatly stuffed into my baskets (I am a basket freak!)...

I can daydream about my next blog post.....

I can invite the BFF over and we can sip wine and create works of art together....So I did and the BFF came over yesterday and we sat in here and pretended to be creative for a few hours and it was good. I love the way this room feels now...I feel like I am ready to tackle 2010 with grace and gratitude. I probably won't have to give it up...Baby Girl will probably have her own place by the time Momma gets back, so Momma will get a bigger room (she needs it- she's been collecting stuff). Hope you enjoy the view of my little slice of solitude. Off to a Facial Party with the Girls- I Love Winter Break! Tata for now!