oh YAY ... (and it's fwiiiiiday too)

well if it isn't GREAT enough when the calendar says it's Friday, I got frosting on my cake when I heard that our grandson is ALSO coming for an overnighter as well! zipity-do-dah It's mommy & daddy's 6th anniversary, so they need an overnighter of their own!!! if YOU ARE LUCKY, there will be pictures to enjoy by the end of the weekend. have a groovey weekend. I will.

thank you for NOT being here Captain!

and I DOOOOOOOOOOO mean "thank you". My Captain is a great husband (and I mean greater than just plain great). There are times when it is nearly as simple as saying you're outta here, and the Captain & Pop plan a few days away so I can fill the house with chicks and silliness. They are BOTH good natured about the whole thing and I love that! I ALSO love it when they come back home and we are "whole" again. THANKS AGAIN my hubby, you're the greatest!! (ILY)

MAY seems to be wasting away ....

not a waste .... just wasting. I feel like I have been too busy to stop & smell the flowers this month. The trees are blooming but I am feeling a little wilted. The air is moist & clear in the mornings and yet I sit dry in my humor with my thoughts foggy at times. and yet-
Since our Hawaii vacation is yet 4 months away, I am in need of a motivator to get my creative motor running. THOSE are the times I feel most energetic, giving & happy. Although I think I am simply exhausted from a laughter-filled weekend with my chick-buds & thoughts of impending med tests, I feel I need a "nuttin" day. You know, one of those days when I mentally free myself of the I need to dos & I should dos & I ought to be doing dos. I need an early morning wake up for a brisk walk to get my juices flowing, then a great latte & 12 straight hours in my craft room. A silly movie, some 40's music, a soft breeze, apples & cheese, fast computer, spontaneous snap shots, an unexpected scrap toy arriving, and a BIG red flavored cocktail at dusk- working, creating, raring to go and lasting til late-late. hmmmmm, maybe that will be my Saturday :o)

sometimes ... I am so deep I scare myself!

I mentioned to a friend the other day that my blog indicated my "personal thermometer " for the day. HA- who would have known I could be so articulate on the spot!!(?)
bottom line ... I suppose it means some days I am just plain silly, while others are introspective. You might even be able to tell which ones are written at the start of the day vs the closing. such as those when I ask for the death penalty for stupid people!!!!!!!! HA
right now, I say .... let's kick this week in the butt and get on with life!

Memorial Day Tribute

MEMORIAL DAY 2009 .....

I hope YOU flew OLD GLORY in tribute to those who have fought for OUR freedom!

SADLY, we arrived at the memorial service to find it MUST HAVE been short & without the fanfare that would have been more appropriate for those who are laid to rest there. Previously we have attended some that were nearly all day long and very patriotic. We ended up spending more time there than perhaps we would have otherwise .... feeling there were many we had to thank. We posted our flags at home early, hoping they would show others how proud we are of our soldiers both living & passed. God Bless them all!!!

the flower buds are still here, but MY buds are gone

as expected, as required, as usual .... the tripods disbanded once again. I can't believe how short the weekend seemed. I guess it is the chance you take when you have fun the ENTIRE time! time DOES INDEED fly when doing so! ... I leave you here with a picture of our band of thieves. Included for her maiden voyage is Gabby. I still see this adorable, intelligent, respectful & interesting young lady as the 5 year old she was when I first met her. My how she has "blossomed". THANKS for sharing her with us this weekend Smurf!

the "infamous" TRIPODS .... (aka ... "together again")

FORTUNATELY ... there ARE things you can count on!!

routine can be boring to some. having things turn out to be EXACTLY as you expected can leave some people a little deflated...... if that is the case for anyone reading this ,,, then YOU do not have friends like my LuLu & Smurf! They showed up later than planned. But I expected that (it's a common joke between the 3 of us), so I ACTUALLY planned my day (waiting) in such a way that I would not actually "be" waiting. We stayed up past midnight talking, laughing, not making much sense towards the end ... AS USUAL. We sat around this morning in our PJ's til near noon .... drunk on caffeine ... AS USUAL. We hung out together all day .... simply enjoying each other's company and had a GREAT day ... but, that too was TOTALLY expected. The day passed entirely tooooooo fast and we are on the downhill side of our weekend together and I would have been shocked it it had gone any other way. so ...... while others may see all of this as a little too predictable. Almost rehearsed really, since we have done it many times before ... BUT the bottom line for me is that these are two very funny, very cool, very loyal, very clever, very groovey ladies that are my VERY bestest friends and I love them v-e-r-y much. Thanks for the gift of your weekend!

I like my friendship "buds" even more than my flower ones

oh poop ..... I had this ALL READY to post yesterday .... and then I forgot. Better late than never!!!!!!!!!!!!
there are few things I look forward to more than simply spending time in my own home. I enjoy a nice meal out. I look forward to spending time with family over in Bakersfield and playing with my grandkids. I enjoy researching new projects and seeing them unfold before me. I like sleeping, spending hours in my PJs after I get out of bed, and baking. I relish a long hot bubble bath a couple days a week. I love a warm day that makes a walk on the beach feel toasty. I even love those days when we are socked in with fog. BUT, aside from some really amazing (and frequent) days spent here with my Captain (and pops too) .... the thing that I look forward to most is when LuLu & Smurf come for a visit. We only manage our tri-pod reunion 4 times a year or so ..... but whether is has been 6 weeks or 6 months since we were last together, we can take up where we left off. We 3 are easy friends. Low maintenance & low key. A walk, a domino game, a chick flick. All the while talking, sharing, remembering. We council & console each other on everything. We laugh at each other and ourselves ALOT. and ... we do end up crying at some point. but in a good way. We joke, we tease, we educate, & we support each other. We are consistant. We are FRIENDS. and to us .... that word has extra special meaning. and best of all- they are due here any moment and that makes today even more special than usual! happy-happy, joy-joy

food critic jr - the mark of Z

let me give this a whirl ....
Our goal is to frequent a yet, unexperienced, eatery (locally) once a week. If the goal of the cafe we chose was to entice us with it's atmosphere- it missed the mark. Our surroundings lacked any trace of "staging", design, or consistancy. If, however, it was meant for us to walk away satified in spirit & a feeling of value- they scored. While there was nothing particularly special about the taste or look of the entrees we selected, there was a genuinely friendly feel about the small'ish establishment and the service was attentive without being intrusive. The tables were closely set but those present were considerate of keeping in their own "space" in conversations, and NO ONE was talking on a cell phone- which, singularly, is enormously considerate in such tight quarters. The portions we were presented with were reasonable in size and arrived hot & timely. So, I doooooo imagine we will eventually return on a day when I am not looking to ingest something "pretty". We give ZORRO'S of Shell Beach a thumbs up!

ta-dah ... my "happy" place

at least that is what LouLou calls her "room" .... although it is more of a MAGIC place compared to what I create in mine!

Here's where it begins (and ends)

LOTS of cubbys even a "wrapping" station!!

containers aplenty& a magnet strip for my scissors!

.... I just thought I would share where I am when I am doing some of the things I love most to do. and you will note my helper as well (contemplating my next design) Hope EVERYONE had a nice Sunday, I am off to watch some DVR recordings now ....
I think he has scrapper "block"

ask and ye shall receive (sometimes)

ok, okay ... so I have tried that with money, free time, cures for aches and pains. But sometimes - usually when I am not actually asking, I do get something I mentally want! FOG. Or in this neck of the woods, I like to call it a thick 'marine layer'. We are blanketed in a nice, white, enveloping, buffer of mist that makes me want to pull on my flannels and grab an extra cup of java. Java which, by the way, is being sipped from the SanDiego Starbucks cup that I got from my sister Foo. It is the MOST colorful cup of my 16 piece City Cup collection, and pretty much started the whole thing. Since then my sisters, firends and even patients have contributed to (and the Captain of course) I am into the packaging of things. Color, Texture, whatever. Sometimes, I am like those little toddlers that end up playing with the box that the gift arrived in. I guess that makes me a "visual" person.(?) Anyway, since I have mentioned before that I choose the vessel for my joe according to my mood ..... I will also go DO what it is I do according to my mood as well (at least on the days when I have not ALREADY left for work). AND, I shall enjoy the atmospheric packaging that mother nature has provided for me, while it lasts!
.... stay tuned for some pics of my happy place perhaps later today (I stole that label from my sis) thought I would post then just for fun.

here comes the fun, here comes the sun

Avila farmer's market for some live music, fresh fruits &veggies, and seafood for supper. sounds oretty groovey to me. GREAT way to start the weekend :o)

a R-E-A-L day off! (yay)

long over due and TRULY appreciated ...............
I slept in til nearly 7:30 and it sure felt good! Fed the kitty kats while my latte was brewing, then I climbed back into bed to watch the DVR. 5 minutes later in comes Monkey to share the bed. She loves these relaxed mornings as much as I do. It also means that about the time I finish an episode of the Millionaire Matchmaker, in comes the Captain with breakfast & we watch Medium together while we eat. He's hooked on it too. Then off he went to do his own thing in the yard & garage (after formulating the official weather report for us) and I watched a thing or two by myself (and Monkey of course). THEN, I was off to the craft room for some creative endeavors of my own. Anything else that came along (laundry, vacuuming, cleaning fish bowls,etc) got done when I felt like it. THEY DID get done, but by doing it when I felt like it- it seems less like a chore! To top off an already fine day ... the Captain went off and picked up some Chinese food (YUM) and "the boys" are parked in front of an old western right now. It has been a good day, and I am feeling rested. ahhhhhh

grampa's little helpers (to be sure)

I bet the computer works GREAT now!

as promised ... a couple of fun pics that are a perf example of how very helpful grand kids can be. no matter how small! AND .... in celebration of Anthony's birthday 5/14 .... I share with you his favorite present! (who's name is "little anthony", according to the birthday boy!)

have a WONDERFUL birthday ACE!!

princess Godiva

that is what the Captain is calling me this morning. HE is not usually up til I am on my way out the door EXCEPT on Wednesdays when #1 I leave about 30 minutes later and #2 he is leading a hike & tour of the lighthouse. but I diverse.
I am Godiva this am because I have a l-o-n-g pony tail. History repeats itself as I attempt to grow my hair out. it gets to the "below the chin" level and for a few months- TOTALLY drives me nuts cuz it's in my face as I work & scrap and do chores. anyway, I have several hair pieces for several reasons .... I don't want to look exactly the same everyday AND, more importantly- my hair color has a nasty habit of changing from time to time (sometimes month to month!) anyway ... it ALSO reminds me of a funny story from years ago when I had a sales rep that (we felt) was obviously wearing a hairpiece and when he would come around every 10-12 weeks or so, it would be different lengths. One time, he mentioned he needed to get a haircut soon. We just about burst out laughing on the spot. who was he fooling?! I, on the otherhand- don't wish to fool anyone .... I just like it "my way". HAVE a good hump-day!

2zz-day is a goner!

I am always glad when my Tuesday (2zday) comes to a finish. It's my first big hurdle of the week because it is always such a long & hectic day for me. The office I run on that day has no one there since I LEFT it on the previous Thursday - so there are changes to schedules that mean a lot of prep first thing, and mail & shipments, etc anywhooooo .... thought I would treat myself to a 2zday blog, since I haven't done so lately and treat YOU with a couple of fun pics. the "bouquet" that my sissy gave me on Sunday for Mother's Day .... along with the picture of my 3 fellas; Anthony with his Daddy, Chris and "his" Uncle Terry!! more fun stuff tomorrow (I hope)

tooo cute- don't you think?!

twas a grand mother's day indeed! and, and ...

isn't it SILLY that the more people in a

picture ... the MORE bad shots you have to sort thru??!

sooooo .... I have here the "fun one" with our mom that is

probably MOST representative of a family gathering for us.

and .... the one I like best in celebration of my grandson

Anthony turning the BIG #4. I have lots to share, but I

will pace myself over the next few days ........ for your sake-

(& LouLou's!!)
Happy Mother's Day to OUR mama rabbit!

I love my fwiiidaays

with the warm weather of late, the flowers are poppin' out

all over the place. but they can fade fast so I thought I

should get a few on film wiki-wiki. hope everyone finished

off their week with enough energy to have a great weekend.

with luck, some fun "mom" pics to share by Monday.

For now, do take time to stop and smell the petunias !!

(or whatever)

the art of communication

or, in this case ... apparently the lack of it. Clearly I lack finess from time to time and occassionally, even an apology doesn't get me out of hot water. SO, I take myself into the hot water of a bubble bath and stew about what I could have (and should have) done differently. For the rest of you ..... make way for FWIIIIDAAAY.

if ya got a nickname, consider yourself LOVED

Sylvia is known as Sophie, Kristina is Kitty Kat, AnnMargaret is Annie-okee-dokee, Steve is Jorge, Helena is Smurf, Rachel is Ray-Ray ... etc
and have you wondered why?!?
because they (you) are loved! If someone has found your "label", then it means (at least in my case) that they cared enough to attach a special meaning to your name. Some of them come just naturally. IE: Cindy Lou & Louise are LouLou & LuLu respectively. Anthony Christopher Evens = ACE, Elmer Eugene preferred EZ as a younger man & Mildred Jean hung with only the Jean (well duh, wouldn't you?) Others come from need. such as Lindy Sue becoming just plain Sow .... because Sue still sounded too similar to Lou .... well you get the idea without the entire story on that. and- in case you are worried about her self esteem when half the family calls her SOW .... physically, she is a muscular, slip of a thing! There are nicknames that are to "make a point" and are only used occassionally such as when Richard is called Dick rather than Richie. and, Of course, there are ALWAYS nicknames that materialize (seemingly) out of thin air without rhyme or reason. Ashley, is an adorable name to be sure- but SHE is known affectionately as Mutley. Lisa became FOO (no, I don't know why) Savannah is nan & sometimes banana, Torie is (to me singularly I think) Tori-adore. Rebecca is Becca or Gidget. Terry is Tbear or simply T & Garrett is dude (and once or twice I heard carrot) Once labeled, these nicknames seem to stick with us forever or morph along the way. Sometimes it appears more of a title as in The Princess (yours truly) or The Captain (yours truly's hubby), but it is earned or picked with care none the less. AND FOR THOSE OF YOU that have somehow missed the nickname attachment, or seemed to have simply ended up with a shortened version of your given name .... consider yourself lucky (and loved) as well- it means somebody got it right the first time! (I love ya Rach, Chris, April, Addy, AM) and if there is anyone I have overlooked who is feeling slighted, it is ONLY because my time is slighted as well. time to head out to work! AND, it's almost Fwiiiiiidaaaaay!!! (yay)

the sexiest man in the world (to me)

ok, okay, we all know the rule about beauty being in the eye of the beholder but let's face it - it is totally subjective! the fact is I have a picture in my head of the perfect ice cream sundae which is likely to be TOTALLY different than yours and yet it is still perfect to me. so, while we can all appreciate good looks or a nice bod- it's an undeniable fact that different folks like different strokes! whether you are into six packs or a six figure income, sexy is subjective! I do find Hugh Jackman good looking. Nice packaging, engaging smile, yummy accent- BUT the first time I caught a glimpse of my Captain walking down the beach holding hands with our (almost) 4 year old grandson .... I found him strikingly sexy. So you can have your pretty boys, your rippled chests, or husky voiced he-men, but I will take my Captain hands down.

my catnip ...........

In looking for something in the (typical) kitchen junk drawer this morning, I found a packet of catnip that I AM SURE has been in that drawer for at least 6 mos. Knowing I had nothing to lose, and pretty sure it would, in fact, be a win-win ..... I crushed a bit between my fingers. As I expected my little Monkey came sauntering in (her manic episodes aren't scheduled til about 7:15 am) sniff-sniff and she was purring loud enough to be heard over my espresso machine!! I gave her a few leaves to munch on- not enough to put her in a stupor, but now she is moving in slo-mo (that cracks me up). It doesn't take much to elicit a similar response from her e-v-e-r-y time ... and it got me thinking (well go figure!) What is MY catnip in life? What are the triggers that elicit the same response or feeling every time? Now, keeping in mind that there are PLENTY of things that make me smile or happy, or feeling good (I'm keeping this discussion on the positive triggers mind you) but .... what is the catnip that ALWAYS has the same response emotionally? let me tell you!
rain (if I am at home)
the sound of wind chimes
Christmas music
a hot bubble bath
the full moon's reflection on the ocean
laughing unexpectedly
eating Chinese food directly from the take-out container
singing with LuLu & Smurf
a foot rub by the Captain
Hawaiian music
riding in my car with the top down
a hug from my grandkids
watching Sleepless in Seattle
birds chirping before sunrise
seeing LouLou's latest layout
feeling well rested, but looking at the alarm clock and seeing I have another hour before I have to get up
my dad's face when he smiles
an UNEXPECTED bouquet of flowers
warm tapioca pudding
the last 10 minutes before arriving in Bakersfield
YESSSSSSSSS I could go on longer, but one of the things that is NOT the same trigger is the timer going off reminding me to get my stuff together and leave for work. oilwell.

trying to be healthier is going to kill me!

ARGH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! between the hugher cost at the grocery store for fresh & healthier choices, and the impact on my joints & muscles .... this fitness thing leaves something to be desired (besides looking & feeling better that is). However ... every once in a while I get a spike of will power & it's soooo much easier for a few days. With luck, that's coming (soon)! For now, I shall funnel my creative juices toward a lovely Mother's Day card (plus 2 birthday cards & 2 anniversary cards). I am looking forward to seeing my family on a day trip this weekend :o)