Muriel's Musings

I have moved

2010-09-03T10:17:00.000-07:00

I am getting the photography business up and running, so I am posting to my photography blog, Studio M. There will be regular photos from my life, my food (of course), and my clients. I hope you come visit.

Crawfish boil (Memorial Day Weekend)

2010-06-18T15:22:00.000-07:00

Fix Friday #55

2010-05-21T15:48:00.000-07:00

My Fix It Friday post is here: Studio M . Enjoy!

Fix It Friday #54

2010-05-14T14:56:00.000-07:00

I participated again.

I like to take a break and work on other people's photos.

Lately I have been addicted to Flickr, so check me out there.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/marielos03/

I have plans for updates to this blog so stay tuned.

Have a good weekend.

Last Weekend & Fix It Friday

2010-04-16T12:40:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was a exercise in well excercise.

We hiked a difficult 6.7 mile trail in Balboa Park.

Poor A had McK on his back the whole time.

She was sleep for most of it.

We were hurting afterwards.

But in need of steps we walked again on Sunday.

Now my calves are sore.

After the hike Saturday we tried a Cuban coffee shop in Ocean Beach, or OB as the locals say.

Azucar was delicious.

A lost the March Madness bet, so he treated me to lunch.

Cuban coffee, Cuban sandwich, and best of all dessert - which I ate first and didn't share.

It was a lovely key lime tart and a mojito cookie to go.

It is making me hungry typing this.

Photos to come.

Last weekend was not so hectic, but this weekend is a different story.

Birthday parties galore (one in Long Beach), taste of Hilcrest, NBA playoffs, and photos in the Carlsbad Flower Fields.

I also participated in I Heart Faces Fix It Friday.

This is the original photo.

Here are my edits.

edit 1

edit 2

I love the gritty look, so my 2 edit uses that effect.

She is such a pretty girl.

Tell me which edit is best.

Have a good weekend.

take time to laugh

2010-04-09T15:34:00.000-07:00

have a good weekend!

Weekend Update 3/27-3/28

2010-03-30T14:40:00.000-07:00

We are already about into another weekend and I am just getting to last weekend.

It was pretty busy.

We had a Easter egg hunt, a baby shower, a birthday party, and dinner with friends.
We will not mention the cleaning we had to do also. Blah!

McKenna was not really liking getting her picture taken at the park before the 3 and under egg hunt started.

She collected about 3 eggs before they were all gone.

Although she kept trying to get the eggs back from her dad after she collected them and gave them to him.

I decided I would let her have her own hunt Easter weekend.

I bought about 30 eggs for her to find.

We'll see how that goes.

She loved this slide at Eric James's 1st birthday party.

She kept going down it.

She is fearless.

This weekend should be fun with Friday Night Girl's Night Out to see Why Did I Get Married Too.

My sorority has at least 44 tickets reserved - over half the theater - definitely an estrogen fest.

More walking this weekend.

I am thinking either the beach or Balboa Park, so I can stop and take pics of the Easter Lilies in the bontancal garden. I need to increase the steps this weekend and next week. I am slacking.

Easter should be nice.

We are trying a popular brunch place with a group of friends after church.

For the love of walking!

2010-03-25T11:26:00.001-07:00

Goal Update

2010-02-23T08:43:00.000-08:00

Just some goals for 2010
Read 12 books.
Finished: Busy Woman Seeks Wife

Listened to: The Gargoyle, An Accidental Woman, Post Grad

Visit 10 new restaurants - at least 1 pizza , burger , comfort food, Asian/sushi, fine dining, dessert, creole, Mexican, brunch, and Indian.
Tried and liked Red Pearl Kitchen - Asian.

Tried Urban Solace - brunch.

Tried The Linkery - comfort food.

Tried Gulf Coast Grill - creole. Fat Tuesday!!!!

Walk 10,000 steps a day.

Well not quite getting these a day more like 5, 000 - 7,000 a day (depending on my errands for the day). I am the team captain of my job's program to do this starting march 15th, so there is my incentive.

Learn a new photography trick and take more photos.
I signed up for the Through the Lens photography class with Katrina Kennedy at Get It Scrapped. It was helpful. I am starting to really grasp using the manual features on my camera - the aperture/shutter/ISO combo. I want to master the perfect blurred background. I still need help with fill flash and metering, but it's a start. I have at least been motivated to practice. I need to take some shots of all these new babies my friends are having.

Bake something new.

nope nothing...

Cook Perfect Marsala.
My first attempt was for Armond’s cousin and her friends. The sauce wasn’t thick enough for me. More flour may be needed. Also I may try a different Marsala wine – maybe a sweeter one.

Visit a museum.
Nothing here. I am thinking a contemporary art museum.

Watch 50 never seen before movies - at least 10 have to be 10 years old.
Saw Towelhead, Julie and Julia, Hangover, When in Rome, Avatar, Book of Eli, Valentine's Day, Jane Austen Book Club, …

Clean out the garage.

A started this, but still need to purge. I am so not looking forward to it.

Blog more.

trying...

My one little word = moxie.

It is hard trying to be you, but with sensitivity for others and still being true to you.

A pic of McK taking over the neighbor's birthday present.

Love Day & Restaurant Reviews

2010-02-16T12:09:00.000-08:00

Sunday I did some of my favorite activites.

I ate at a new restaurant, went wine tasting, and watched a movie.

Since North park is my favorite new place to visit, we tried Urban Solace for the weekend brunch.

They serve a southern fare and are a bit pricey 9about $10 - 15 per plate.

They have there own cafe moto blend of coffee that was tasty even for a coffee snob like me.

I also enjoyed my cheddar and chive biscuits with gravy to the side and the maple bacon and sausage.

Armond liked his steak and eggs, but wasn't impressed enough for the price.

I would go back for the biscuits and maybe to try the duck confit for dinner.

My lovely rose and tulip bouquet from A.

Saturday I tasted the homemade cupcake I picked up Friday at The Daily Scoop in South Park.

It was a nice and moist chocolate cupcake with smooth and creamy cream cheese frosting.

The cupcake was oversized and around $3, about average for cupcake shops.

The Daily Scoop is really a ice cream shop that just so happens to have 3 types of cupcakes -

chocolate/cream cheese frosting, chocolate / chocolate frosting, and red velvet / cream cheese frosting.

I will definitely go back, but maybe next time I will get the red velvet.

I mentioned before about trying The Tractor Room in Hilcrest.

We ate there when my uncle flew into town for the day.

We ended up there when we found out the sister restuarant Hash House had a 40 minute wait.

Everything was big. There was enough food for 2 no matter what you ordered.

I had the apple french toast - apples to the side.

A had elk sausage with potatoes and eggs.

He really enjoyed his food and the leftovers the next day.

We'll definitely be back.

The experience was defintely enhanced by seeing/meeting Mary Murphy from So You Think You Can Dance.

A got all the inside scoop about the show.

Quarter Kitchen in the Gaslamp - Downtown was ok,

but I just didn't enjoy it enough for the price.

We had short rib but it still was not as good as Wine Vault and Bistro.

Their flavor has yet to be matched.

Love List

2010-02-05T09:17:00.000-08:00

Lots of talk about love lists. So currently here is mine:

1. Splash- I visited a great wine bar in North Park called Splash for happy hour. It was like a wine tasting bar. You go to an automated machine that dispenses 1 ounce pours of whatever wine you have chosen. I like that I don't have to get stuck with a lot of wine that I don't like. The retail cost of the bottle determines how much the wine is by the ounce, so the cheaper the wine the cheaper the pour. I tried 3 different sweet wines -a Riesling, a black Muscat, and a Madeira. Parking is free and Splash has a tasty flat bread pizza.

2. Photography class. I am learning a lot. Now if I can just remember it.

3. Being Erica on Soapnet. Who knew that this show would be so touching. I especially like getting to relive and change regrets in life.

4. Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson This book combines my too reading loves historical fiction with a gripping and consuming story. The imagery is so real that when he talks about getting burned it makes my skin tingle.

5. Scrapbooking with my Slice die cuts. I want more design cards.

6. Trying new restaurants - like Quarter Kitchen for SD Restaurant Week and The Tractor Room. More on those later.

2010-01-05T09:43:00.000-08:00

Just some goals for 2010

Read 12 books.

Finished: Busy Woman Seeks Wife

Visit 10 new restaurants - atleast 1 pizza , burger , comfort food, asian/sushi, fine dining, dessert, creole, mexican, brunch, and indian.

Tried and liked Red Pearl Kitchen.

Walk 10,000 steps a day.
Learn a new photography trick and take more photos.
Bake something new.
~~Cook~~ Perfect marsala.

My first attempt was for Armond’s cousin and her friends. The sauce wasn’t thick enough for me. More flour may be needed. Also I may try a different marsala wine – maybe a sweeter one.

Visit a museum.
Watch 50 never seen movies - at least 10 have to be 10 years old.

Saw Towelhead, Julie and Julia, Hangover…

Clean out the garage.
Blog more.

My one little word = moxie.

photo editting going on here...

2009-12-29T14:55:00.000-08:00

I have been using this great site - picnik.com
I love all the effects and I don't have to use Photoshop or Publisher.
Below are some before and afters. i soften colors, spot colored, & added vignettes.

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-22T14:46:00.000-08:00

I will update more I will - later.

For now here is McKenna.

October came and went

2009-11-04T13:27:00.000-08:00

It ended with a bang, because I lost my camera. I wish I had an idea were it is.

I am crossing my fingers in hopes that it turns up.

In October we took McKenna to the pumpkin "patch" and to Bates Nut Farm.

We walked in the Making Strides Breast Cancer walk.

I almost finished Christmas shopping.

I scrapped some. Although only the Halloween cards are the most recent .

Ate only 2 of the many carmel apples I wanted to eat.

Watched lots of football at Oggis. Go Vikings and Benegals!

Finally went to membership class at church - only 3 years later.

Had a Halloween / Murder Mystery Party.

Five Things

2009-09-25T14:53:00.000-07:00

Scrapbooking the monthly photos

Fall TV season has started. I haven't picked up any new shows yet other than Glee, but I have DVRed a few. I want to see White Collar and Sheri when they start next month.
Football has become very big this season. It really is a chance to connect and hang out with friends every week. It helps that I am winning the pick em league right now.
Planning my company's holiday party and charity drive, already. Crazy it isn't even October.
Pledged to read for Jumpstart's Read for Record Day.

Labor Day

2009-09-10T09:02:00.000-07:00

No work for us meant cashing in on the bet A lost.

That meant going shopping and lunch of my choice.
We ended up at Fashion Valley mall and the Las Americas outlet.
I was looking for new jewelry.
I found lots of pretty neckalces at -
Express, Ann Taylor Loft, J Crew Outlet, and Banana Republic Factory.
I bought them all to see what would go best with the clothes I own.
I have a lot of deciding to do.
A who pouted the whole time ened up with the most stuff.
We found dress shirts and slacks for him.

We also tried Hoodad's featured on Food Network's Best thing I Ever Ate Bacon edition.

Yummy bacon cheeseburgers.

All in all a good day, but I can't say shopping isn't work.

Soon she'll be walking.

2009-09-08T09:58:00.000-07:00

It is crazy to think, I have a 9 month old baby girl. She is getting to be such a big girl. She likes to get into everything and is quite determined. Lately she has been playing with the wooden stamps in the studio and dancing so I think she may be a creative one.

Lately she has been trying to walk by herself. She pulls herself up to stand and lets go. Now she is cruising on furniture. We bought her a toy to help her walk - the Playskool Walk n' Ride. She tries to walk with one hand.

Here is the official 7 month photos from July and the text from her scrapbook page.

You have 2 new teeth coming in on the top gums. We can just barely see them. You weigh about 15.5 pounds. At the beginning of the month you were barely eating, but now you are eating everything in sight. You eat 3-4 jars of the 2nd foods, plus milk, cereal, and snack puffs. I just hope you pick up a little more weight.

You are a pro at scooting your way to what you want and you lunge to get to things on the floor when sitting in your bouncer. When you pick up paper you like to rip it up and put it in your mouth. You actually like to put everything in your mouth. You reach out for mommy to hold you. You have shown favoritism towards having men hold you. I am going to have to watch that. Mid month dad and I found you standing in your crib, while holding onto the side. You were crying because you wanted out of your crib and were watching us in the hallway. We had to lower the mattress in the crib and remove the bumpers, because you were pulling yourself up. You love to use mommy and daddy as a jungle gym. You climb all over us and use us to help you stand up.

This month we travelled a lot - first to Chicago then Toronto. In Chicago, you met a lot of your family members on your maternal great-grandmother’s side of the family at the Gilmore family reunion. You were the youngest baby there. Your first airplane ride was on July 1. You were so good. No crying. Other passengers thought you were cute and some said they didn’t even know you were on the plane. You were quite the busy body. One man said he didn’t know your name, but he though it should be precious. While we were in Toronto the 3rd week in July, you waved at an Australian man we were in line with at the CN Tower. It was your first wave.

We are starting to see your personality shine through, as you play independently and jabber to us. You laugh when we play with you and you smile all the time. We love you so much.

Here is McKenna looking guilty in August.

I still need to download the 8 and 9 month photos. Hopefully they are better than the 7 month ones.

July in Review

2009-08-05T08:46:00.000-07:00

July was a crazy month for us.

We took 2 trips one to Chicago and one to Toronto.

We got to spend time with family we hardly see.

A got recognized in his company.

We had to decide to make some tough decisions.

Trip 1

Chicago was great - better than I expected.

I remember not liking it as much, when I was in high school.

It rained most of the time we were there, but my mom and McKenna braved the weather to visit the Hancock building with me.

My pictures didn't turn out great, because of the overcast skies.

I still got a few good ones.

I wish I got to stay there longer, but I will come back soon.

Photos from Chicago

Toronto was so urban and cosmopolitan.

I loved walking the PATH, catching the trolley, and seeing the city.

We visited the Distillery District, Bloor Yorkville, Casa Loma, the Entertainemnt District, Chinatown, and Little Italy.

Of course we walked a lot.

I easily got 10,000 steps a day.

We tried Canadian treats like - poutine and timbits.

We went to Eat My Martini and tried some of there 70 + selection.

I a bottle of some Canadian ice wine to try at home.
At Crush wine bar A found a pinot noir he liked made by Fielding's Winery in Canada.

We met some really nice and helpful canadian journalists (Heather Mallick & Jenny W).
We saw Niagara Falls and got soaked from the pouring rain, and not to mention the Falls.

We visited the CN Tower and saw the city from the clouds.

All in all Toronto was great, well maybe not the municipal worker strike part and the television.
The strike caused locals to keep apologizing for the trash on the streets.
All I could think was if they think this is bad, they should see some cities like New Orleans on a good day.

L.A. Getty Museum

2009-07-07T12:40:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, I explored the Getty Museum in Los Angeles for my birthday.
I was very pretty. It full of art, sculpture, photos, plants, etc.
I really enjoyed seeing the Impressionist artwork.
That is my all time favorite time period for art.
Art has always been a passion, so it was nice to see it.
I based my high school entrance portfolio on Degas and the other impressionist.
I drew oil pastel dancers, and I made it into the art program.
I miss not sketching as much, but there is just not enough time in the the day to -
sketch, photograph, and scrapbook.

Here are some photos from the trip.

of course we stopped at a new cupcake place....

monthly update catch up

2009-07-07T12:07:00.000-07:00

I am catching up with McKenna's monthly updates.

I actually have the layouts made for her scrapbook.

I only need to make a 6 month mini album, excluding the 7 month stuff.

You at 5 months-

You are still about the same size. You lost a little weight while you were sick (pink eye & retroactive respiratory disease), but you gained it back quickly. You still have a lingering cough. You wear your 3-6 month clothes now, but you can still wear some of the 0-3 month onesies Granny made a point of pulling all of the 0-3 month footed pants out of the closet, since you grew 1.5 inches (26.5 inches total). Now you are in the 87th percentile for height which is crazy since neither dad nor I are that tall. You grab everything and try to put it in your mouth- your feet, hair, the table, etc. You roll half way over and then flip back when you are trying to reach something. You shimmy out of your bouncer and swing, so now we have to strap you in. You can almost sit by yourself. You have not shown in signs of being allergic to any of the 1st foods and you have tried them all. You love kisses and being held.

6 months

You weigh about 15 pounds and still wear the same size clothes.
You flip and roll over easily, you mastered that your first week of being 6 months.
You can sit up by yourself, even if it is a little unsteady at times.
Your right bottom front tooth is coming in faster than the other one.
You were waking up around 4-5 am to eat (I think it was the teething), but then you stopped.
You started eating 2nd foods, little puffs, and yogurt, You make lots of noises (talking perhaps), especially when you eat.
When you see strangers you just stare at them, although you let them hold you. We know you know who mom and dad is, because you smile right away when you see us. You are still such a cutie.

Photos from my birthday parties, SD fair, Family reunion, and Chicago to come...

Reasons I haven't blogged in a while...

2009-06-08T11:54:00.000-07:00

Mother-love is not inevitable.
The good mother is a great artist ever
creating beauty out of chaos. - Alice Randall

watched 3 movies Sunday (Slumdog Millionaires (ok but no Oscar needed), Terminator (haven't seen it before), and Underworld (ok but not the best of the bunch)
I have to watch McKenna closely or she flip and roll away. She mastered scooting around and rolling over on Thursday. She hates being on her back now.
twitter is easier to do
scrapped some
bought lil miss 2nd foods - she tried chicken, turkey, and macaroni dinners so far
graduation party
watched Lakers games
cleaning for a random house guest
ate prosciutto wrapped scallops and a birthday dessert trio from the U Club (One of the first, of a few birthday month celebrations.)
photographed my baby's 6 month photos

My strawberry girl

2009-05-26T14:16:00.000-07:00

McKenna went to her first crawfish boil Sunday.

She was outfited in strawberry garb, sunscreen, and mardi gras beads.

Of course all she wanted to do was eat the beads, so I had to take them from her.

Memorial Day was not so great from the Laker perspective, hopefully Wednesday fares better.

Maybe Nike should have picked different puppets, perhaps a Dwight Howard and Carmelo Anthony puppets.

Watch this if you haven't seen it yet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFPPC_mG7sc

I am also on Twitter.

I actually update there more regularly.

140 characters is easier, plus I can do it from my phone.

My screen name is Marielos03 if you want to find me.

My first Mothers Day...

2009-05-13T15:36:00.000-07:00

as a mom.

I love to capture these little moments...

We went to L.A. to see the play...or concert as I loving refer to it...
McKenna and her dad stayed at the hotel waiting for us.
Afterwards we had dinner at South Coast Plaza at The Clubhouse.
I got cupcakes & a peanut butter brownie from Mrs. Beasley's. YUM!

McKenna still has a little of the sickies -
which I think she gave me...
but hers is sorta like asthma.
My mom decided to stay longer so she is taking care of her.
I can't wait until she is totally better.
No coughs.

Happy List

2009-05-01T10:37:00.000-07:00

remembering the cookie class from 2 weekends ago.

I won't be making lemon cookies with lemon curd dipped in white choclate anytime soon, but they were delicious.

2. Shopping (although I haven't kept much...)

I bought a Slice machine on sale from here.

I want this bag though from Coach.

3. a healthy kid, well other than the cough

4. Wii playing this weekend

I rented House of the Dead.

5. Catching up on Movies and TV, since I have been so tired this week.

Bones, Life, Criminal Minds, Desperate Housewives, etc...

6. More scrapbooking to do especially since it is National Scrapbooing Day tommorrow.

7. Mom is here next week!!!!

sick baby

2009-04-30T15:36:00.000-07:00

My baby was sick.
She got pink eye from daycare,
I guess that is better than the flu.
She didn't act any different from usual, she just had the discharge coming out of her eyes.
We took her out of daycare for a few days.
She seems better now, other than the stuffy nose.
The doctor says use the saline drops and suction.
Boy does McKenna hate that.
She swings her arms and shakes her head if you touch her face with a tissue.
Or drops for her eyes; I barely can get them in there.

This weekend we'll be shut ins with our baby (ok don't count the grocery shopping & church).
Especially since A left me with a sick baby to go on a business trip.
Everyone is saying I have to be super mom this week, but really aren't I always...
Super to me = doing what you have to do for your family
(not necessarily perfect, but good enough)

Friday can't come fast enough.

at 4 months

2009-04-16T11:08:00.001-07:00

At 4 months, you love to smile and make sounds. You have little conversations with me. You try to imitate sounds that mommy is making. You are transitioning to size 2 diapers, because you are now a little over 13 pounds and the size 2 diapers are a little roomier. You still wear your 0-3 month clothing; some brands are still big on you. You now lift your head all the way when you are on your stomach and you arch your back and lift you feet in the air. You have started to eat baby food in addition to the breast milk and formula. You seem to like sweet potatoes, peas, green beans, and pears; but I am not so sure about the rice cereal. If we mix in fruit you seem to tolerate it better. Your fingers are always in the side of your mouth, which makes me think you are teething. Well that along with the drool. You still are a well behaved baby, making it easy for us to go to movies, dinner, etc with you.

Easter: recap

2009-04-14T13:44:00.000-07:00

Easter began with a rush to get ready for church at a special earlier than normal church time.

McKenna got to dress up in her pink and green dress. The parent viewing room wasn't crowded, but the main auditorium was packed. McKenna was surprisingly pretty fussy during the service. (I think she is starting to teethe.)

After church we had some breakfast, Armond and I had ham and cheddar scramble and cheese toast. McKenna had pears, which she is loving.

We met up with Michelle and Scott for the afternoon San Diego Padres game against the San Francisco Giants. Since McKenna, was a little congested we bundled her up tight for the game and had blankets to keep warm. Fortunately we sat in sunny seats and the Padres even won.

After the game I cooked Easter dinner, while Scott, McKenna, and Armond watched the Lakers play. I tried a new macaroni and cheese recipe for the holiday. We also had smother pork chops, salad, and broccoli.

McKenna's Easter loot. Well not the jelly beans those were for mommy and daddy.

It was a really fun, full, and laid back Easter holiday. Full of friends and family.

3 months

2009-03-11T10:36:00.000-07:00

At 3 months, you keep a pretty regular pattern. You wake up and lie in your crib awhile, then make it known you want breakfast. Typically you smile when we come to get you. Daddy and I love our morning smiles from you. You laugh when mommy smiles and makes silly faces at you. You still wear size 1 diapers, 0-3 month clothing, and are about 12 pounds. Your hair is long, but it is so curly you wouldn’t even know it. You watch mommy when she moves around a room. You grab your toys and bottle. – Sometimes you even hold them yourself. You like to hang your head off our lap. You just lie their watching - typically the television. You still are a kicker. Especially when you are getting your diaper changed, so the nickname Miss Kicky Kickerson fits you perfectly.

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T07:11:00.000-08:00

It is Valentine's Day, so I created a little mini book to commemorate the day.
The book is for McKenna, my little love.
The photos are from her 2 month old photo shoot.

here is the 2 month layout...a little crooked...

I hope everyone has a good day!!!

a tour of McKenna's nursery

2009-02-13T16:53:00.000-08:00

McKenna's nursery
don't mind the extra junk in the photos...
I am too lazy to crop any of these.

the closet owl

the bookcase with frames to be filled

inside the closet (stuffed and with baskets of onesies, sleep sacs, and socks)

the bear, lamp, and her advice frame (from the baby shower)

her mobile Beatrix Potter (it used to be mine)

the window that needs blinds

fabric covered canvases (Heidi Grace, Amy Butler, Heather Bailey fabrics)

Pottery Barn crib set

the changing table

ok now I feel like I need to get those frames filled.

I have the perfect 2 month old photo and a newborn photo for 2 of the 3.

It is the photo that is on the valentine day cards I sent.

I'll be sure to post those.

2 months

2009-02-02T16:05:00.000-08:00

You sleep through the night and have been since right after your grandparents left on January 3, 2009. You like to stay up at night. You will stay up late, unless we feed you lots of milk (about 3-4 ounces). During the day you eat every 1-2 hours, about 2-3 ounces. You will try to suck on anything. Fingers beware. You smile when I make faces or sing silly songs to you. You don’t cry unless you want food or want to be picked up. You weigh over 10 pounds and are 23 inches long. At 1.5 months you started fitting into size 1 diapers and newborn clothes became a little tighter. You are an observer. You watch everything, especially lights and the moving fan blades.

week recap

2009-01-31T09:48:00.000-08:00

We visited The Wild Animal Park with Michelle who was kind enough to give me a free ticket.

I showed McKenna the birds, gorillas, and elephants -

but she was not that interested in anything but eating.

We went to the Chula Vista Library and got some books.

(One, of which, I just finished - Queen of Babble gets Hitched.

Great book - finished it in 2 days)
Apparently I haven't been there since 2005, so I had to renew my card.
Don't think I haven't read.

I have, just books fron the San Diego Library...

On a nesting note, I finished the fabric canvases to hang up in McKenna's room.

So maybe I can finally show some McKenna's nursery.

It is a work in progress.

Yesterday...today

2009-01-20T16:08:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was such a happy day.
We remembered MLK Jr in the wake of such a momentus day.
We relaxed.
And we got the call that A's Certified Financial Planner results were in.
We drove to his office, just to see if he passed.
His coworkers, McKenna, and I gathered around as he read Congratulations you passed.

He didn't fully grasp what happened until later while we were having celebratory drinks.
I am so happy that he accomplished his goal after so many months of studying -
he woke up at 5 am everyday and gave up weekends.
So congrats!!!!

Today we have a new president.
This week is starting off great!!!

one of the girls

2009-01-15T10:58:00.000-08:00

McKenna lunched with the girls on Tuesday.

Ok well she dinnered with the girls.

She such a good girl at the fancy restaurants.

Michelle fussed over her and just about got her a berka.

Stephanie wanted her to dance.

I am doing the Project 365 -

yesterday's picture is of the pepperoni pizza quiche I made for dinner last night.

I have been making quiches lately.

Quiche has always been one of my favorite foods.
I never realized it was so easy to make.

A and I still prefer the spinach quiche the best.

Next will be a broccoli and cheese quiche.

tummy time

2009-01-12T11:08:00.000-08:00

McKenna doing tummy time.

She does not really mind it.

She has the Boppy mat with the toys to play with -

not that she uses them.

She is too busy looking around.

Right now she isn't that in to toys,

she likes to just be around A and I checking the world out.

.... on another note restaurant week is this week in San Diego -
We went to The Wine Vault and Bistro.

(The butternut squash tortellini, short ribs, and espresso semifreddo are the way to go!)
It was our first trip to a restaurant as a family.

Not as hard as I expected.

McKenna was awake most of the time and she was so good.

Just a little bit of crying when she got hungry.

after the resturant we stopped by the hospital to see Megan -
one of A's best friend's (Travis) sisters.

She was in a bad motorcycle accident.

There were bones that were picked up off the street.

Luckily she didn't injure her brain.

Please pray for her.

newborn photo shoot

2009-01-01T09:25:00.000-08:00

I just love these new photos of McKenna, Susanne took.
Check out her blog for the slideshow.
Now if I could just decide what photos to get.

Happy New Year!!!

at 4 weeks

2008-12-29T09:47:00.001-08:00

likes to swing
very curious, so she watches everything
makes lots of noises
crys only when she is hungry and sometimes when she is wet
hates getting her face washed
sleeps with her arms in the air
has kissable chubby cheeks
kicks her blankets off
is a bit greedy
changes a little bit everyday
has everyone totally in love

Have You?

2008-12-19T22:10:00.000-08:00

Bold the ones you have done.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars (in a tent)
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Introducing....

2008-12-08T09:55:00.000-08:00

McKenna was born last Monday, December 1.

She was born at 4:44 pm.

She weighed 6 pounds and 15 ounces.

She was 20 inches long.

A little pissed off....

2008-10-16T09:04:00.001-07:00

my note to Corner Bakery Cafe...

I will admit that I am annoyed with the San Diego location. I have been going to the location since it opened and was even there on opening day, because of the great food and service I had received at the Costa Mesa location. I have never had problems until it came to phone orders.

The first problem I have with the location is that I call in my order ahead of time, so it will be ready when I get there. It is never ready. They are not elaborate orders, just a breakfast sandwich usually and maybe a drink. When I get there I end up having to wait, because they haven't made or completed the order. Today on Trans# 230595 Allie told me she didn't make my drink because she didn't want it to get cold. That would be fine if I didn’t call in for their food to be ready when I got there.

My second compliant is that not only is my food not ready and I end up waiting for it, but the last 3 times (including today) the food hasn’t even been what I ordered. The first time I got a panini with ham, cheese, and egg instead of a croissant with just ham and cheese. The second time I got egg on my croissant. Today I received egg on my panini. I specifically always say just ham and cheese. When it was supposedly fixed today I ended up with a bacon and cheese panini. I should have checked the order again, but who would have thought it would not be what I ordered.

I know what I am asking for is not a lot to ask. When I go to other places and order food a majority of the time it is what I ask. They have it ready - especially when I give extra time for it to be ready. They don't mix up the meats or the sides.

In the future I ask that phone orders are handled with much more care, because if I can't get a sandwich right - why should I use the catering services anymore.

See I still make things...

2008-10-07T14:44:00.000-07:00

I do actually still scrapbook -

a lot in fact.

I just tend not to take pictures.

I have almost completed the London album.

I have made numerous cards.

And I finished a project.

I altered a Starbucks advent calendar I had been saving from last year.

I saw someone else had done it i the Scrapbook Trends Holiday issue,

so then I was motivated on Sunday to complete mine.

Here it is

surrounded by all my harvest/Halloween deocrations.

Tonight I am supposed to work on baby shower thank you cards,

a sign for my signature photo mat,

and thank you tags for the favors.

Let's not mention the cleaning I have to do before my mom comes tomorrow...

9 weeks left

2008-10-02T11:24:00.000-07:00

and all I want to do is lay around the house

or go to the movies...

I mean I probably won't get to see as many as I do now for awhile.

I'll end up at the movies by myself after the babywe'll call it me time...

Anyway I have seen:

Miracle at St Anna (go see it, it's long, and not just about war)

Eagle Eye (nice and action packed)

A Family that Preys (family drama)

Righteous Kill (not as good as we hoped, predictable)

Traitor (liked it)

This weekend no movies, but I will be going to childbirth class crash course #2.

Then off to finalize the baby registry before the baby shower next week.

Plus I have to get ready for my mom's visit on Wednesday.

Lately...

2008-09-16T14:00:00.000-07:00

listening to the last novel in the Twilight saga "Breaking Dawn"
registering and trying to decide what items will be best for the baby
trying not to buy too many clothes - even though the girls are so cute
Christmas shopping - yes I know it is early, but I won't feel like it as I get bigger....
watching some movies - Traitor, A Family that Preys, and Righteous Kill...
playing Godfather on the Wii
watching Big Brother 10 and all the other new fall television shows (Gossip Girl, Bones, Til Death, One Tree Hill, Top Design, ANTM, Monk, Pysch, etc...)
trying to have an appetite, even though I can't eat that much at a time
slowly getting the nursery set up - I have a crib, changing table, and some storage stuff...
getting uncomfortable sitting at work
starting to see the doctor every 2 weeks

It's a start...

2008-08-25T09:08:00.001-07:00

We just made our first baby furniture purchase.
We still don't have a crib 6 months later,
but we are now slowly making progress into changing the 3rd bedroom into a nursery.
We bought the petuluma bookcase from Pottery Barn kids yesterday.

I love the dollhouse feel.
I have so many books for the shelves already.
Plus I have some items from when I was a kid.
We are going to spray paint it pink, maybe with some stencilling.
This weekend my sister-in-law is going to help with the registry.
Hopefully they can help us pick up the crib and changing table.
Then I will neeed to paint the mural on the wall.
Slowly everything is coming together.
McKenna will be here before we know it.

Atlanta trip recap (really late!)

2008-08-07T15:21:00.000-07:00

took Mylanta bottle on the plane, thank you airport security (thankfully I didn't need it)
mother shocked me by lying to me to get me to her new house (4 years too long)
tried Atlanta's downtown restaurant week at Room 12
saw my uncle's Chihuly chandelier & Arvid custom painting in his wine cellar
my mother and I got great baby clothes deals at Macy's (clearance is my friend)
saw A's cousin Aryka after 7 years and 2 kids
slept on a nice memory foam pad, so now I must have one for my old mattress
had some Cracker Barrel (spicy grilled catfish, turnip greens, and fried okra)
shopped for more cute clothes at Gymboree & Carter's outlet
met Aryka's husband and played Taboo with the family
on Monday my mom, A, and I visited Chateau Élan to taste some wine (well they did)

I ended up driving us home

played Catchphrase with the fam and my cousin Marquis who spent the night at my mom's
went to Archivers with Dawn for the very first time and spent too much money
cheered on the Braves at the Braves vs. Cardinals game (The Braves were winning until we left.)

met up with A's college friends (Gerrel & Kim) at La' Madeline's we hadn't seen since them since they moved from New Orleans

saw my cousin Taren and her sister-in-law
my godmother got into town Wednesday evening, so the family went to dinner at Watershed
had to actually start going to the conference we came for
walked the stage with A as he received the President's Medallion award & 3rd place for tax services

started having problems keeping food down again ( really am I in my 1st trimester again)
went to Sushi House of Buckhead and decided California has better rolls (mine were cooked)
toured an antebellum houses in Covington, GA
dined on the best lunch buffet in Social Circle, GA at Blue Willow Inn (fried food galore - I have missed green fried tomatoes)

looked at cribs and changing tables at Babies R Us with my mom & aunt Rita
more food at Macaroni Grill (I was so stuffed.)

played Catchphrase again this time with aunt Rita & Richard on my team
listened to more speakers at the conference on Saturday and attended the Summit/Pinnacle awards banquet
Sunday I had some Piccadilly veggies and said goodbye to Aunt Rita, Richard, Aryka, Uncle Mack, and Marquis.
enjoyed the Georgia Aquarium at the Farewell event catered by Wolfgang Puck
Monday early had some Popeye's pancakes, grits, and chicken from my uncle's location at Concourse B then flew the 4.5 hours home

It's a girl!

2008-07-22T09:21:00.001-07:00

I wouldn't say A was celebrating the fact that we found out.... it's a girl!
He just knew we were having a boy.
He didn’t seem to consider any other possibility.
He literally stopped talking for awhile at the doctor's office.
We wrapped up our appointment and then he called his mom.
They both just knew it was a boy, so they were talking each other out of shock.
A proceeded to tell his mother at least she can give her stuff to someone when, she dies.
I know sort of morbid but hey that's us.
I told him that maybe we'll try for another if I can forget about how physically horrible being pregnant is.
I also said I am not to be blamed for this - It is all his fault.
(I wasn't mean about it, just matter of fact.)
Also I say you suspected this might happen because of being around the nuclear reactors…etc..
I told him that my interests and characteristics are from my dad, so hers might be too.
He couldn't be consoled.

He continued to talk to his mom in Target while we were getting a baby shower gift.
He was not enjoying the pink items, but I loved them.
He didn't even want to hear about the Lakers cheerleading outfit our little girl could wear.
(Not to mention the Phoenix Suns one I want to get her...)
When we got home he was still pouting - he called his mom again and drank 2 glasses of wine.
I was mad at him at this point and was watching tv in the studio.
Eventually he was more accepting of the situation and decided to apologize for being a pain and watch tv with me, I won't say he was okay.

I know it isn't that he won't love a girl.
He figured he at least knew how to raise a boy. (umm sure you do...)
He said he knows nothing about girls.
Everyone has been telling him girls just love their dads.
He really wants her to love basketball or some sport he can play with her.
He hates the fact that I want her to do dance when she is three.
But really what I think the problem is - is that is scared they won't have a bond.
They will.

I was excited though, I got what I wanted.
I wanted to play tea party, teach someone to scrapbook, etc...
Plus I can put her in pink - girls have much cuter clothes.
Not to mention finally get usage of all these flowers and butterflies in my stash.

I already know that this child will be spoiled, both sets of grandparents will see to that.

Celebration

2008-07-22T08:38:00.000-07:00

Wednesday July 9, 2008 was our 3 year anniversary.
I was a little sad about not being in Vegas.
Although that didn't mean that we didn't celebrate.
We actually went to Peohe's in Coronado for dinner.

It is a Hawaiian fusion place overlooking the ocean.
The food was good.
I had a spinach salad and filet mignon en crute which was really rich.
The butter sauce on top probably clogged a few ateries.
The beef was tender and the bacon wrapped around it was delicious.

A had an eel roll and Halibut Mai'a that had bananas and Frangelico in it.

Even though we were full we split a scoop of macadamia nut ice cream.

just a few photos that will be scrapped soon...

2008-07-07T11:09:00.000-07:00

let's not mention the london photos I still need to scrap,

but I have piles of april through july photos to edit & scrapbook

A couple of days ago, I did a simple one of the crawfish boil in May.

My goal is to use up the Mosh Posh, SEI, and Lisa Bearnson kits I have.

Plus I want to have an almost finished London album to take to Atlanta in a few weeks.

my nephew's 3rd birthday party in April

Kat's April birthday party

another birthday party for my sorority sister

Stephanie & I @ the Playboy golf casting call

(she is a bus mgr for them)

my birthday tart from my "date" birthday dinner

A & I at the big group celebration - of course A has a cheesy grin

Pregnant Life

2008-07-07T09:37:00.000-07:00

The baby seems to be doing well.

I can feel the little body parts jabbing my stomach.

Surprisely it doesn't hurt, but it doesn't feel good either.

In a week and a few days I will be able to find out the gender,

hopefully then I will start preparing the nursery.

I might buy more than towels and wash cloths.

Truthfully it still bothers me at this stage -

I still don't necessarily look pregnant,

but more like I might just have a gut.

Slightly vain I know,but still that is the truth.

A loves to rub my stomach and kiss the baby.

I think he is excited.

Now that I am starting to feel better I just might be getting more excited too.

Birthday Weekend

2008-06-20T13:18:00.000-07:00

I am excited, because tonight starts my weekend birthday celebration.

I will be having a nice & fancy dinner with the hubby.

I will actually have to dress up with means I had to find clothes in my closet that fit....

Which leads me to my fun shopping day at South Coast Plaza tomorrow.

It is time to get a few maternity clothes or just bigger ones.

We are going on vacation in July and I can't go busting out of my clothes.

In some instances that might be ok, but not when you are at a business conference and/or you are pregnant..

I have the shopping all mapped out - A Pea in the Pod, Mimi Maternity, Banana Republic, Bloomingdales, Macy's, Gap Maternity, Dooney & Burke (I have to a bigger bag to hold baby stuff, right?), and Ann Taylor Loft maternity.

Of course I will stop in Versace, Valentino, and St. Johns to see if any of their stuff will work too....(Yeah right, because I want to spend that much on clothes I can't wear next year....perhaps if I was a celebrity I could see a reason to do that...)

After shopping I will try Mrs. Beasley's cupcakes & go to have dinner.

Sunday we will probably just hang out with our friends who are in town this weekend.

This will mean playing lots of games.

Then we are going to my big birthday dinner.

Lots of photos to come.

Have a good weekend!!!

Crab Hut vs. the 20th annual alumni crawfish boil

2008-06-13T13:19:00.000-07:00

I attended the annual New Orleans alumni schools (LSU, Loyola, & Tulane) crawfish boil at the end of May. The crawfish boil is serious business to A, so he made me get to the site when it opened at 11 am So I sat by myself for about 2 hours as he waited first in line to get the food. Granted the lines do get long, but still... At about 1:40 pm we started to eat through our 50 pound box of crawfish (shipped fresh from New Orleans and boiled onsite).

This year we had some newbies with us, so A taught them how to open them, eat the tail meat, and if they were adventurous to suck the head. Also before eating them he had them make sure the crawfish was alive when boiled, for freshness. The crawfish were nicely seasoned (prefect blend of heat and salt) and the corn and potatoes were present as the prerequisite fillers. I could only eat so much - since it requires time to de-shell and eat each piece. I gave up after awhile (a pregnant gal needs to get fed faster) and had a hotdog with the chips we brought. Our newbies didn't eat much, but maybe that is because there was free beer until 2 pm. They had a stash under the table. We all know beer is another filler. At any rate we have tons of crawfish leftover in the freezer. A de-shelled for about 2 hours after the boil just so I can make him some crawfish alfredo or jambalaya in the future.

We still wanted a last taste of crawfish before the season ended we hit up Crab Hut in Kearny Mesa. It is a Vietnamese/Cajun/Creole/Seafood restaurant. We were a little leery, but hey I saw some reviews and figured we could try it until Bud's opens again. I had a catfish craving so I had fried catfish. A got the gumbo and a pound of crawfish medium heat. The nice sized crawfish came with the corn but no potato instead there was a mild sausage. Not bad just different. The problem with Crab Hut was that the crawfish had some heat to it, but very little salt. They gave a salt and pepper mix and sliced lime, but that doesn't really help the flavor inside the shell. I would rather my food come seasoned so I don’t have to doctor it up after I get it. The gumbo was not traditional at all. It was very tomatoe-y. Too not bad, but not good. The fish came in a generous amount, but it was coated in panko.

I would rather have the southern style cornmeal or even the American battered version. A said he wouldn't come back, but I said well perhaps we should come back as try the Asian or crab specialties like the crab hut rolls (Crab meat, shrimp, pork, taro, and carrot. Marinated and rolled in rice paper and deep fried.), crab poppers, or crab wrap.

Hands down the crawfish boil lives up to the $50 a person entrance fee for the authentic food, music, and fun. It is hard to come by southern anything out here in the west coast, so I have to take what I can get.

Ice Cream talk

2008-06-03T15:33:00.000-07:00

I just happened to be inside a Baskin Robbins/TOGO yesterday.
Since I love ice cream, I knew my lunch wouldn't be complete without Baskin Robbins new ice cream sundaes to go - in Reese's peanut butter cup.
Apparently they just added these mini sundaes to there take home selection.

Right now there are 3 choices - Oreo, Pralines and Cream, and Rees's peanut butter cup!

I used to buy the Reese's pieces sundae from Friendly's.

Unfortunately's there are no Friendly's on the west coast.

Typically I don't like sundaes - but a secret about me is I don't like hot fudge, but I love peanut sauce and most peanut butter flavored sweets (ice cream, candy, etc...)
Crazy thing is I am not a peanut butter sandwich fan at all.

Ok enough talk about ice cream, go out and try the sundaes from whatever ice cream shop they have in your neck of the woods.

On the bright side...

2008-05-29T08:37:00.000-07:00

I am saving money by not having the energy to shop, but I spend more money on food
Italian food - I have much easier time keeping it down.
So You Think You Can Dance started - I mean really they think they can dance....
I have 2 scrapbook kits waiting to be used
my birthday is 25 days away
A is being the best hubby ever - makes his own dinner & lets me sleep when he comes home
Getting more energy daily
trying to decide between the enV2 and the MotoQ
getting the new Usher cd

The secret of my absence is out...

2008-05-28T13:08:00.000-07:00

I could barely and well still can barely function.

I am starting to keep food down and gradually having a bit more energy.

I should be posting more soon.

Easter Weekend Recap

2008-03-25T16:11:00.000-07:00

Easter weekend was a relaxing one.

Complete with -

Meet the Browns

Commissary shopping

Tru Crimes L.A.

Who Made the Potatoe Salad?

Church

Phoenix Suns vs. Houston

a walk around the neighborhood

usuage of our hot tub (because of the 80 degree weather)

a big homecooked dinner

a little easter photo shoot

While we were gone...

2008-03-11T10:28:00.000-07:00

someone had a birthday.
The kind of the milestone type.
He of course doesn't want to mention it, because he feels old.
But a must show 30 th birthday photos.
It crazy when you get so old- they put a flare in your hot toffee cake.
Happy Belated B-day A!!!!

A @ The Wine Factory in Notting Hill

I'm Back!

2008-03-07T14:17:00.000-08:00

Well I have been hard at work trying to edit all my photos from the trip.

London is...

urban

exciting

yummy

pretty

old

extravangant

cultural

diverse

and more importantly fun.

Below are photos from Bath:

more photos to come

art/shop/eat

2008-02-25T14:27:00.000-08:00

Starting tomorrow I will start my art/shop/eat voyage to England.

Elizabeth Gilbert had the right idea, focus on 3 things when travelling.

See ya in a week, with lots of stories and pictures.

***

My new fav - The Way I See It #239

You simply can't make someone love you if they don't. YOu must choose someone who already loves you. If you choose someone who does not love you, this is the sort of love you must want.

_ Israel Horovitz

Mr McBride

2008-02-19T10:08:00.000-08:00

Have your ever gotten an impression of someone, but hear something they said, read something, or met them and you got a different view of them?

Not that you changed your mind for the worst, but it inevitably was shaped by this new information?

Well Tuesday I went to see James McBride at Warwick's bookstore in LaJolla, CA.

He was speaking about his new book Song Yet Sung.

As he read part of the novel and told the history he learned about slavery to create his fiction I was entranced. His starting point for the novel, was if slaves see society today, would they do they diferently. Would they be disappointed? (Especially what McBride mentioned about people having to fight to learn to read in the past and now you can barely get people too.)

I haven't read this book but I ened up buying it, instead of The Color of Water for him to sign.

Then we got to the question portion and well I am glad McBride is an author (not a public speaker).

I can tell he is a very passioned man, but like when Kayne West said Bush don't like Black People - had a few cringe moments.

You know that I was thinking that too but I wasn't going say it aloud - moment.

I have to appreciate that he is who he is despite what people may think about him, it just that nowaday there is such a narrow tighrope to tiptoe across, so you don't fall into careless abandon.

I am looking forward to Spike Lee's movie of McBride's book Miracle in St Anna in November.

Cankle

2008-02-14T12:12:00.000-08:00

Today I have a doctor's appointment and I am actually happy.

I would think doctor's would want to get you in, so they can get some money.

But no I had the hardest time trying to see a doctor about my cankle.

Ok let me explain -

I have knee problems, and I twisted something the wrong way.

Last time this happened I was told that long story short -

my knee cap never grew into place.

I got the fluid drained from my knee and a cortizone shot to make it feel better.

No problems really for 7 years - then last week...

My knee hurt badly at first, but now only occasionally.

The problem now is the swollen leg and foot.

I look like I am getting plumped up for Thanksgiving dinner.

When I first noticed my foot at work, I just thought geesh I am getting big.

Then I looked at the ankle area and well I couldn't find it.

Urgent Care did nothing for me.

Today I finally guilted an orthopedic doctor to see me.

And since I am slghtly handicapped -

A got me a Starbucks tall 5 pump cap and vanilla scones.

This was the great quote on the cup.

Weekend Whirlwind

2008-02-11T11:16:00.000-08:00

I had a very busy weekend, but I guess considerably less busy than last weekend.

I was home all of 4 waking hours last weekend.

We headed up to LA LA land to meet with A's high school friend - Alex.

Ended up learning that downtown L.A. has no open restaurants, after we walked around for a hour.

Bright side was we ended up in Century City mall at the sushi place, then at Crumbs.

Yummy - I got the cotton candy one and a key lime one...

Afterwards we got to play with the nephew.

Sunday we saw Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins, which was very humorous.

Then watched the Lakers and the Suns beat the Heat and the Wizards.

I was totally content making cards and finishing up some pages.

Here are my last minute Valentine's day cards.

Next week won't be any less interesting with another trip to L.A. to see the Color Purple musical and the NBA all star game festivities.

Lofty Goals for 2008

2008-02-01T10:34:00.000-08:00

For the last couple of years, my New Year's goal has been the same - read 30 books.

That is a little over 2 a month.

Well I read the 30 last year and listened to over 30 books on tape.

My favs from last year are:

Come Back

Snow Flower & the Secret Fan

Vanishing Acts

The Road

Cooked

A Long Way Gone: memiors of a boy solider

The Kindess of Strangers

The Secret

Once Upon a

The Pact

Peony in Love

Lucky Bones

P.S. I Love YouDay

But my real point of this post is my new plan to watch 300 movies in 2008.

My Blockbuster queue is full and I think I need to get my money's worth.

I would like my queue to be down to atleast 100 at the end of the year.

I would like to see all those old great movies in this year or rewatch some oldie but goodies.

What else is a tv watcher supposed to do with not much on tv....

100 years

2008-01-23T15:03:00.000-08:00

Well I was out of town last week (in Washington D.C. ) for the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority centennial celebration.

100 years is a long time to be around.

(AKA Window @ Howard University)

In the last hundred years the world has changed so much, still being around is a testament to the membership and the founding principals.

It is nice to be a part of an organization of like minded people, who care about others and want to make a difference.

I remember wanting to join somethin gso much bigger than myself.

Now I have been an AKA 7 years and there is still plenty of service left to do.

The weekend was great - from the food, new people, and the fun.

I enjoyed just hanging out with my mom and our host Etta.

My word for 2008...

2008-01-02T16:50:00.000-08:00

so 2008 is here already...

I think with the changing of the year I am switching gears and focus.

Currently I am in the mode of enjoying what I have.

Relishing in the fact that I don't really need it all.

Last year I wanted to savor everything the moments, the experiences, and the seconds.

I do still want to slow things down and enjoy the moment.

But this year I want those cherished moments, things, etc to be ENOUGH.

Enough - occurring in such quantity, quality, or scope as to fully meet demands, needs, or expectations

I have more than enough, but I still want more.

Basically I need to change my way of thinking, so I can keep it simple.

I have enough.

I have more than enough - I should purge the unnecessary.

Even though I know I won't even miss it - it is hard to remember you have enough.

So throughout the year, we'll see how I can keep ENOUGH in my everyday thoughts.

Cozy

2007-12-28T12:49:00.000-08:00

Find this quiz on the Memory Makers blog:

I am not suprised that I am a cozy lover, considering I am a Cancer....
who loves being holed up at home.
Currently my 007: Everything or Nothing PS2 addiction is facilitating that, since there isn't any new tv for another week.
Then again it has been nice to catch up on last season's Criminal Minds.

A & I on Christmas day....

nothing like Chinese food and basketball!
GO PHOENIX!!!!
Gotta love Leandro Barbosa, Grant Hill, Raja Bell, and Steve Nash....
ok not that I don' tstill have love for Derek Fisher...

This was the Christmas card photo we used...

Hope everyone enjoyed the holidays and has a Happy New Year!

Party like it is 1999!

Happy Holidays

2007-12-21T11:00:00.000-08:00

another photo that didn't make the card.

Happy Holidays!!!

Energy

2007-12-13T09:50:00.000-08:00

Where has all my energy gone?

Lately I have been dragging and I even go to bed early.

I fell asleep watching my Phoenix Suns play.

I woke up in time to confirm that they won.

Now if they could only knock San Antonio out of the way....

I have been making cards lately, I don't know why...

They aren't for anyone in particular.

I guess I am trying to use the stash of paper I have been hoarding.

I did have an eventful company holiday party last Saturday.

I stood for about 3-3.5 hours before my feet started to hurt.

Gotta love those Steve Madden patent leather mary janes.

How is it you can have invites in 5 things in one day, but the none the next.
My Saturday is looking packed.

Anybody else with jam packed days and nights?

Now if only I didn't have to work....

Is it Thanksgiving yet...

2007-11-20T12:53:00.000-08:00

Things are crazy this week...

I am trying to prepare for the rest of this week from work to the holiday madness.

I am throwing a little birthday/wine tasting/game party for my parent's birthdays on Sunday, so I bought the wine for that. I think I have most of my ingredients for dinner on Thursday.

Work is slowing down from the craziness of the last few weeks after getting a new contract.

I started playing Fantasy Basketball - I watch so many games I am having a hard time keeping up with my tv shows. I am also a bit upset that 3 of my players are now hurt. One of my friends said maybe I was the jinx...Geesh, but he is the competition...

I went to Beverly Hills to take the Christmas card photo on Rodeo Drive. (They have great decorations.) This is not the photo. I'll show it after I send it.

Also tried Crumbs cupcakes. I got the Cotton Candy one. Delicious! More moist than Sprinkles, no lines, and right down the street.

My parents made it into town this morning 2 am, but now they are off to visit friends until tomorrow.

Perhaps I will get to scrapbook tonight before we continue our Resident Evil 4 play.... The game totally freaks me out...

Catch Up

2007-11-08T10:35:00.000-08:00

I have to play catch up.

First off, we beat the San Diego fires in our area!

Secondly that weekend the Halloween custume party was still on despite the ash and poor air quality.

Last weekend we treked to Julian for some fall fun, apple pie, and photos....

Plus we went to see Delee at her 2nd birthday party.

I can't believe that it is almost Thanksgiving....then Christmas...

I am ok for now.

2007-10-23T06:49:00.000-07:00

For now I am ok, the Harris fire close to my house is still 5-7 miles away. We are hoping it doesn't come to a mandatory evacuation, but we have the car packed.We can see the fire on the mountain from the street in front of our house. Smoke is so thick and we have to keep the windows shut no matter how hot it gets. Of course this week the temperature gets up to about 80 degrees, only fueling the fires. Unfortunately most of my friends live in Rancho Bernardo, one of the areas that was hit in the Witch Creek fire. They all were evacuated and are waiting to hear word on their houses. It is crazy that in watching the news you can see if your house has been burned down or sometimes even watch it.

You think you know what you would take if something happens, but given 10 minutes what do you take?

10.19.07

2007-10-19T10:26:00.000-07:00

Don’t you hate when you are in a rush and you run in to get coffee quick. And the bartista keeps making it wrong. A cappuccino is not a latte, 5 pumps of vanilla = having syrup.

Am I talking to myself each time I say 4 pump vanilla cappuccino?…

Anyway, a quiz 2s and 4s

Two of the last things I bought:
Twining’s tea
a fall bouquet

Four places I have been on Vacation:
Hawaii
Italy
Vegas
Hilton Head

Two of my favorite rappers:
T.I.
Kanye West

Four of my favorite types of cheesecake:
classic with fresh strawberries
key lime
lemon raspberry
peanut butter

Two popular TV shows I don’t watch:
Grey’s Anatomy
24

Four companies I have worked for:
EPA
Kohl’s
Hallmark
SRA International

Two movies I want to see this weekend:
Rendition
Things We Lost in the Fire

Four of my favorite hot beverages:
cappuccino (flavored)
tea
latte
apple cider

NPHC Greek BBQ

2007-10-08T08:18:00.001-07:00

IMG_0886.JPG
Originally uploaded by ebo8

This is where I was Saturday.
All the Greeks came out to meet and mingle.
I enjoyed meeting some new people.

Gotta question

2007-10-05T08:51:00.000-07:00

I have a asked a few people but I thought I might open it open to everyone out there in blogland-

Do you know any cupcake places in America other than Sprinkles, Dots, Crumbs, Magnolia's, Sweet Mandy B's, and Cupcake Beach?

My uncle is trying to work a deal to franchise one in the Atlanta airport (He would be adding it to the Edy's as a co-brand).

Not much going on except lots of work.

I should have a relaxing crafting, tv /dvd watching, and PS2 playing weekend.

averaging 3 books per month

2007-09-28T09:09:00.000-07:00

I have been reading and listening to some good books lately.

1. The one I am currently reading called The Space Between Us saved me from boredom during my jury duty experience. This one is about two women who have some of the same life experiences, but their different castes changes how the tragic or happy the event is. But then there are things that can hurt or change you no matter how good you think you have it.

2. I just finished listening to some historical ficition - The Deception of the Emerald Ring. English spies, a mistaken identities, and touch of love.

3. Barack Obama's books were a good listen, if you feel like you want to know more about him and what he is about. I enjoyed The Audacity of Hope the most. That one is the latest of his endeavors.

4. If you have ever wondered about what it would be like to grow up sheltered and away from society, Once Upon a Day, is the book for you. In this book you see how a parents tries to protect his kids from pain, but as you can imagine this is impossible and you end up causing pain too.

5. At first A Thousand Splendid Suns is a bit slow, while you learn Miriam's background. But once Lilia's character is introduced the story lingers with you. Afganistan and what it would be like to have lived there a few years ago. It is not as easy as just leaving as I thought. Imagine death always around you.

6. Lovely Bones is a new book on tape I started. So far the peek from beyond the grave is interesting.

Most of my books are due the beginning of October so I need to get to reading. I have about 10 books and 2 cds due....

Cards

2007-09-25T10:43:00.000-07:00

Here are the cards I have made recently:

I think I finally have some creativity back for some layouts.

what has been going on...

2007-09-20T14:59:00.000-07:00

I have served my country and did my time at the county clerk’s office.
Nobody got picked for jury duty, they let us all go.
I feel kind of jipped.
I wanted to go through selection.
I did read a third of my new book – The Space Between Us.

I did end up ironing all my clothes and finishing up last season of Prisonbreak,
so I could watch Monday’s episode.
The action never ends.

I am looking forward to this weekend.
I am dragging A up to Julian, CA for some apple picking.
Not to mention apple pie and fall photos.
I also want to see Good Luck Chuck & Resident Evil.
I am going to cheer for the Bengals, Vikings, and the Chargers.
I am not a big fan of football,
but A & I are into fantasy ball and picking spreads.
Then catch up with friends - the ones who just got married.

I have been scrapping a bit.
I made some card sets with scraps.
(Boss’s Day is Oct 16, 07 & Sweetest Day is soon too.)
I worked on some mini albums –
Everyday Beautiful/Class Reunion / SEI products one
I have this habit of starting them and never finishing them, so I working on that.

Yea for fall!

2007-09-06T10:19:00.000-07:00

now that the heat wave is over I can return to my regularly scheduled life...

the heat was miserable,

if I moved too in the house I was exhusted -

so no cleaning, scrapbooking, and barely any cooking

No air conditioning has not been pleasant.

I am definitely getting it for next year.

Windows being open make it hard for me to sleep,

because of the noise, smells, drafts....

No more heat waves unless, I have air conditioning please!

In other news Labor Day was spent at the race track.

My horses me money.

I bet $2 on place or show.

A bet on longshots with his friend and they lost.

He asked how I did it.

I said I look at odds and names.

No real science or techinique...

This is why I stick with cards or roulette in Vegas...

Last weekend was also a friend's wedding.

It was nice to see Iranian traditions mixed with Mexican ones.

Everything was beautiful although we sat in the blazing sun by the marina.

I got ok pictures.

The sun did a number on my shots...

so fall shopping

2007-08-23T14:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Bloomingdales had a fundraiser, so I bought a few things.

The fall lines inspired me to check out a few other stores and make a wish list.

I love the bright colors and the abundance of coats.

Since a few fellow bloggers have posted, I thought I would to...
Be prepared for a lot of photos....

From Ann Taylor Loft

From Anthropologie

From Guess

From Lilly P

this in green with pink and white stripes

From Juicy Couture

so they say there is no good tv...

2007-08-21T15:47:00.000-07:00

I beg to differ...

my DVR is full as usual, not as much as usual but that is a good thing...

Big Brother has totally taken over my life.

I love having Show Too so I can watch what is going on.

People aren't really as bad as they seem and not as good.

Poor Eric, America's player keeps getting screwed.

I am not sure who I want to win exactly, but not Dick or Danielle.

Anyway here are some more shows to entertain you.

Burn Notice (USA) is cool. It certainly makes me want to know spy stuff.

Damages (FX) is thrilling.

Monk and Psych (USA) are a bit campy and quirky, but funny enough.

My Boys (TBS i think?) is a look into life if I was a tomboy with mostly male friends.

Top Chef (Bravo) is better than the other food shows, because of the actual experience and creativity of the chefs involved.

Design Star and Color Splash are inspiring gems on HGTV.

Army Wives, Side Order of Life, and State of Mind (Lifetime) are new looks into womens lives.

Tyler Perry's House of Payne is not the best African-American show on television, but the ideas discussed are great for families.

Greek (ABC Family) look at greek college life through the eyes of a brother (kind of a dork) and sister (popular).

Weeds (Showtime) just started its 3rd season of drug selling craziness.

It makes you wonder to what lengths will you go to keep your family going.

Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane (Style) is a look into Kimora Lee Simmons life juggling work & motherhood.

She actually is kinda interesting.

Who knew she was a mogul.

So yup that is what I am watching plus a few food network shows when a recipe seems yummy.

Not to mention the On Demand Showtime shows (The L Word / Dexter / Tudors) I am catching up on before my cable special ends.

Ok now it's time to go home and watch some tv and scrapbook.

Perhaps I'll fit in cooking some dinner.

Let me know if there is anything else on now that I should be watching...

I've been growing...

2007-08-14T15:19:00.000-07:00

tomatoes!

Ok well actually just the one so far, but I'm happy I haven't killed it.

Next it will be fruit trees. I have my eye on some at Armstrongs.

I am thinking tangerines or lemons...

We'll see.

I made a few layouts recently...

Right now...

2007-08-06T16:00:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in a while, I am alive and well.

The last week in July A's parent company came to town, so we were tourists in our hometown.

It was nice to stay Downtown at the Hyatt.

All we did was was go to conference meetings, eat, drink, and eat.

A got an award and I got the "coupons" aka money.

Here is a photo from the first night at the cocktail reception.

I have been reading. I just finished The Gift Bag Chronicles and The Memory Keepers Daughter. Both were alright. I am not recommending them, but if you want to read them they are not horrible.

I found a new wine to love - Birbet. It is imported from Italy and it is a sparkling grape dessert wine. A tasted a d'avola he loves. Of course the wines we like are imported and hard to find. Luckily our Winestyles across the street carries them. I might need to stock up. Does anybody have any atypical wine type suggestions? With our growing collection we are going to definitely need the wine jail for minumim 45 bottles.

A Wedding by the Beach

2007-07-16T15:59:00.000-07:00

yesterday I saw this beautiful couple get married

Seems like forever ago when I was dressed in white (with a little pink), ready to be married.

I hope they enjoyed the day.

more photos from San Francisco

2007-07-10T14:48:00.000-07:00

I must say I am glad to be finished with the regular photo editing of the San Francisco photos.
I also have to confess that I can't apparently spell San Francisco right on the first try.
Here are some of my favorite photos from the trip

A & I finally seeing the GOlden Gate bridge with no fog.

SF Beach

Castro's flag

Snowglobes anyone?

One of our favorite wineries in Napa - St Supery

Bird joining our picnic at V Sattui's

A on Domaine Chandon's tour

Napa Coffee shop

Lombard St the "crookediest street"

the mural in Mark Hopkins hotel of the African Queen whom California got its name

So....

2007-07-09T15:36:00.000-07:00

it has been 2 years of wedded bliss today.

We started the celebrating in San Francisco,
but we did dinner and a show (Avenue Q) last night.
We had such a fun night - plus plenty of food/wine.

6 courses is plenty...

We bought more wine to drink tonight.

Hopefully I'll like it.

2007-07-06T15:43:00.000-07:00

I have been engulfed in photo editing,

but here is what I have been up to...

these are from my birthday last week

these are also from last week,

guess where we were?

I can't wait to relax this weekend.

We are celebrating our 2nd anniversary Sunday,

hence all the fun traveling...

What's Better than Sprinkles...

2007-07-02T12:48:00.000-07:00

apparently Kara's cupcakes.

The look of the cupcake shops are similar.

As well as the price.

The diffrences are some of the flavors (A loved the banana carmel),

the size (Sprinkles are bigger),

and the moistness factor (Kara's are definitely more moist).

I tried MeyerLemony Lemon. YUM!

Not to strong of a lemon flavor cake and just a bit of lemon filling.

I also had sweet vanilla.

The icing was too sweet for me - it is creamy powdered sugar-

but the cake was good.

Last but not least I bought buttery buttermilk vanilla.

I haven't tried it yet, but I know it will be great.

So the problem now is the fact that Kara's is in San Francisco.

I thought Sprinkles was far...
Atleast there will always be mail order.

Go see this movie!

2007-06-21T08:32:00.000-07:00

I loved Ratatouille.
We saw the sneak peek last weekend.
The movie was so funny and the plot was engaging.
There was enough humor for the kids and the adults.
The characters were endearing.
It made Armond want to eat food from a rat.
I can't say I could get past the rat thing.
Go see for yourself June 29.

Making Memories

2007-06-19T15:45:00.000-07:00

Love this stuff.

Making Memories never ceases to amaze me.

I love this new Funky Vintage stuff.

I already made a page about meeting Ali Edwards in the Ruby line.

I also signed up for the other Scrapbook Expo Making Memories class - A Frame to Flip For.

It should be fun.

I think I should start the count down to entering my 26th year.

(Photo from last Friday's charity event)

Sunday begins another crazy year.

Meeting Ali Edwards

2007-06-15T14:58:00.000-07:00

I finally got to meet Ali Edwards at Ever After in Carlsbad, CA on Wednesday night.
I guess I am short and she is tall for those who asked. I am 5 foot 1 inch...

All the money from the event went to ther Susan G Komen foundation.
I especially enjoyed asking Ali Edwards about her punches.
I call her the queen of circles and squares.

Who knew that she didn't have the new kind of levered punches yet and got the rough edges when she punches too.
Those make me what to break the punch...

Afterwards A & I enjoyed the Ne-Yo concert.

Although since it was at the House of Blues we had to stand.

Previous experience taught me not to wear cute uncomfortable shoes, so I had on my Adidas.

When we were leaving I saw girls walking with their sandals in their hands...poor things...

I am so tired but tonight is a mock casino night for charity.

I am going to crash this weekend.

I am running on fumes.

I will have to sleep inbetween the baby shower and sneak peek of Ratouille

6/9 - 6/10

2007-06-12T15:58:00.000-07:00

last weekend was tiring...

Original Pancake house, then 2 movies (Ocean's 13 & Knocked Up),

then a rough walk on the beach,

then a little television...

Sunday we bowled, played air hockey, and basketball..I lost all day :(

Then we walked...

So needless to say my feet and calves were sore yesterday...

I hope I can stand up tomorrow at the concert.

Birthday Cards

2007-06-07T13:12:00.000-07:00

I decided take a break from my St Louis album and make some birthday cards.

I used up some of my DCWV paper.
Although I neeed to be working on the Rotaract album.
I said I was going to be finished with by next week.
I have about 7 layouts to do and not so great photos to use.

I watched Norbit last night and realized it is not a family film.
Not at all.
Funny though.
How you dooing?

Oh and I am pissed but not surprised at how rich people can get out of prison for phony medical conditions.
Man I really need to get rich -
in case I need to buy my way out of jail.

2007-06-05T13:54:00.000-07:00

Some things making me happy

A Long Way Gone by Ishamel Beah The story was so touching and vivid. I wish all the civil unreat would stop in Africa.
gift certificate to 2 Peas from my in-laws. They rock!
Ruth Chris tonight. Macaroni Grill twice over the weekend. All for free. I think that makes it taste better.
Seeing Ali Edwards next week and then seeing Ne-Yo and Trey Songz in concert.
my blockbuster online queue full of tv series to start watching or catch missed episodes like Rescue Me, Criminal Minds, The Shield, Weeds, etc...
itunes mix recently bought - Does it say something about me when I love Before He Cheats (Carrie Underwood)
17 books read and only 13 more to go before the end of the year.
strawberry shortcake I made...yum...

2007-05-25T15:04:00.000-07:00

This is a very good book about ambition and redemption. I loved this book. It made me want to start cooking some more. He was an excon (ex drug dealer who served time and learned to cook in prison) turned executive chef. I think I might even seek him out in my next trip to Vegas at the Cafe Bellagio, where he is executive chef. I think I might even check out his mentors resturant in L.A. - Noe restaurant in the Omni Hotel. I am happy that he excelled in the finer dining establishments, where very few African - Americans make it. Though I am not surprised about how little support you get when you are trying to make something of yourself.

I myself wouldn't be interested in cooking that type of food, but I like eating every once in a while. I think if I was a chef I would be a Paula Deen type. What type of chef would you be gourmet, comfort, pastry, etc?

2007-05-24T10:59:00.000-07:00

When we reached St Louis we started going a mile a minute.

Of course on our way there the flight was delayed.

We got to hang out in the airport for an extra hour and a half.

Wednesday we had some Cracker Barrel for breakfast.

Then we did a little shopping, ok I did...

just some shoes from Dillards and cotton candy from Toys R Us...

That night it was off to see grandma Luster and A's mom's side in Cahokia, IL.

Thursday we had Wafflehouse.

A's fav breakfast place.
Then I got to go inside the St Louis arch.

I had never been to the monument and I really don't remember ever seeing it the last trip.

Then we learned some stuff in the scrience center.

Then I had a foodnetwork pick - Cunetto.

The food was so good.

I had a creamy carbonera...yum!

A found a new wine he liked, Barbella.

Friday we went to play putt putt, I totally choked.

Then we wine tasting in Missouri's wine country area at Monetelle Winery.

I think I like Midwest wines more than California ones, because they seem to be fruitier and sweeter.

We ended up shipping 6 bottles, because of that pesky no liquid on the plane rule...

I even got a Vidal Icewine.

The winery was beautiful and the deli had fresh bread to make wonderful sandwiches with.

We will definitely go back.

If that was enough to do we went to Circuit City to get a laptop.

A took me to the scrapbook store and purchased some Ki Memories wedding line, Prima flowers, and a stamp all 30% off.

Then around 7 pm the Croom side of the family came over to see us.

Somewhere is fit in late night runs to White Castle....

We miss them....

So that was our busy trip. I think it needs to be longer so I can find more food to eat...

2007-05-22T16:15:00.000-07:00

I am back from St Louis.
It was a whirlwind trip and we won't wait 5 years before we go back.
I am editing the photos, from last week and the weekend before that...

but here is a family photo taken with usage of my new tripod....

2007-05-08T15:47:00.000-07:00

As seen on Dawn's blog....

1. If you were to find out you were having twins (boy/girl), what would you name them?
Well since I want twins and with the help of fertility drugs this could happen.
I would name them Miles / McKenna, so I guess I am hoping for a boy and a girl.

2. If money were no object, what kind of car would you drive?
I would get a Lexus or an Avalon. Car service would be better. I could get more crocheting and reading done.

3. The President called and he's coming over for dinner, what will you fix?
I am thinking pasta. Either pesto with chicken and feta or meat sauce spaghetti. I would buy a cake from Extraoridinary Desserts and make a salad. Although I probably wouldn't eat. I would just make sure everyone else was ok.

4. If you could eradicate a disease from this world, what would it be and why?
I would get rid of cancer too. It effects so many people.

5. If you could participate in any reality TV show, what would it be?
I think I would want to go on Amazing Race, Color Splash, or Celebrity Homes....

2007-05-07T10:31:00.000-07:00

ok I a bad thing happened...

wine spilled all over the craft table.
Darkly staining my perfectly white prima flowers.
Wine on paper, stamps, etc.
A was happy for once that my scrapbook stuff was on the floor to protect the carpet.
I was unhappy about this, I would have rather had to scrub the carpet.
I am glad my order for scrapbooks.com was still in the plastic.
So I made a new rule, no drinks on my scrap table.
My Impress chandelier stamp will always be spreckled purple to remind me of wine.

2007-05-04T11:44:00.000-07:00

Baskin Robbins

31 cents a scoop night did well Wednesday.

(If you didn't know there were 31 cent scoops at Baskin Robbins.)

They donated $100,000 to the National Fallen Firefighter's Foundation.

I waited in line for 45 mintues.
I didn't even know that there was going to be peanut butter sauce involved.
When we left the line was even longer.
It was after 9pm.

I currently have 2 quarts in my freezer....
ReesePeanut Butter Cup & Chocolate with Peanut butter swirls...see the theme...
You would think, I was a big peanut butter fan, like the lady in line behind me, thought.
I actually hate peanut butter and those nasty PB&J sanwiches.
I just like peanut butter sauce.
It is sweet and yummy.
I don't like any other ice cream toppings.
I am not a mix-in fan.
California is all about the mix-in places.
There are not enough Baskin Robbins.
There are no Edy's & Bruster's.
(I used to work at Edy's in the Atlanta airport.)
When I go to Marble Slab,Coldstone, Maggie Moos, etc. and just get the ice cream kid size.
I could eat ice everyday too, but small portions.
Oh yeah and I hate milk.
Weird I know.....

What is your fav ice cream and ice cream shop?

My fav ice cream is Pink Bubblegum....yum.

2007-05-02T10:30:00.000-07:00

In the flower fields...

over the weekend we ventured to Carlsbad to see the ranunculus in bloom.
They were so pretty in all the colors and sizes.

I practiced my depth of field and different angles, and camera modes.

A was such a perfect model for me. I was happy to capture some everyday beauty.

Afterwards we went wine tasting at Wine Steals (ok I went cheese tasting).

Sunday was a lazy cleaning day.
Just walked around the neighboorhood, and even stopped in Sharper Image.
I tried the massage chair and calf/feet massager.
I want the foot massager.

It was on sale for $350, so it is definately still there.
I haven't had much scrapping mojo lately.
But I used SEI's card kit to make some father's day cards.

Have I mentioned, that I have not made Mother's Day ones yet.

Ok I made one.

3 more days until National Scrapbooking Day and Kat's Cinco De Mayo party!