Random

I call this Fabio No Feet (he just came in from outside.  It was 28 degrees)

Christmas Lights

Love this time of year for many reasons, but one of my favorites is all the Christmas Lights.  They make me smile and give me an excuse to go drive around just because.  Not that I really need one because I like to drive just because anyways, but it adds to the scenery.  Craig and I went to go look at many lights this year from the houses that had the lights timed to music to the Griswold house you can see from his kitchen window.  But there were two this year that really stood out as my all time favorites.

 

Okay, this one is not a house, but how often do you see this?  It was the highlight of the night.

This one is my favorite for two reasons, the flag on the roof is spectacular and the Christmas Story display in the bay window.

A look back

Okay, I know it’s a bit early for a look back on the year and events blah blah blah.  But it’s been an eventful year.  I feel extremely lucky and fortunate to still have a job, all my bills current , a loving family and a roof over my head.  To recap my year here are a few things in a nutshell:

Fabio got really sick at the beginning of the year and had to spend a few days at the vet.  About a week and half later he was back to his sweet stinker self.  Savings account kind of recovered but not really.  I couldn’t get him insurance now if I tried, he has pre-existing.

Paid off my car and applied that to other stuff

Met my sweet Craig and he’s still around oddly enough

Turned 40 and didn’t have a major meltdown about it

Have reached over 1,000 musical gems and about passed out at that number.  It really doesn’t seem like that many, but excel tells me different.  Just so you all know, this has been years in the making.

We lost such greats as Andy Williams, Michael Clarke Duncan, Neil Armstrong, Phyllis Diller, Ernest Borgnine, Andy Griffith, Donna Summer and Carroll Shelby race car driver and one who helped shape the sports car world.

I do know that one of my New Year Resolutions will be to blog more as I’ve seemed to drop off the face of the blog for awhile.  But I will be fixing that.

Became one with the smart phone world finally and am loving it

I get end my year with a bang and actually spend New Years with somebody to really kiss besides family.  Weird!!

Woot

So on my weekly trip to Dimple I went in armed my list (never leave without the list and in this case it’s okay to stray from it).  Three of the cd’s I wanted were imports, this is what I get for digging around on iTunes.  I talked to lovely gal behind the counter and she wasn’t able to order them since they would be coming from the manufacturer in Australia.  The three that I was looking for are Adalita (out of print..just rude), Lanie Lane and Clairy Browne and the Bangin Rackettes otherwise known as the Heineken gal.  So I called The Beat in midtown and woo hoo they were able to order two of them and I wasn’t sad anymore.  As far as Adalita goes since it was just released last year and went out of print so quickly that usually means they are getting ready for a U.S. release..yay!!

Since Clairy Browne is pretty much sold out and on back order, they went ahead and placed the order for that one and Lanie Lane on Wednesday. I received a phone call yesterday that one of them had come in and I was not only excited but impressed that it had come in so quickly.  Craig was kind enough to pick it up for me today but I don’t get it until Saturday when I see him (bummer).  Clairy Browne could take up to two months to get, but I’m okay with that.  I have Lanie Lane in the meantime who is Clairy Browne-esque and by the time it does come in I will have more than likely forgotten about it and will be extra excited about it.

Life is good

Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.  ~ Dr. Suess

Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving this year was awesome.  Very low key with no white trash, sarcastic, not enough alcohol to dull the pain that is unwanted family members.  Doug's family wasn't there, and mother was invited (yay).  Dad came home in time to enjoy Thanksgiving at home and life was good.  We were still sober at the end of the night too.  Which was even better.

The BIG 40
So I turned 40 on Saturday.  Don't know exactly how a 40 year old is supposed to feel, but I don't feel any older and I might have a few more wrinkles and more grey hair coming in.  But I survived the big one.  I was extremely excited about two of the coolest birthday gifts ever!!!

April and Doug got me a vinyl bowl.  Yes it's an actual record made into a bowl.  It's going in my cd room.

Craig found and framed an Aerosmith poster for me.  Everybody knows it's my favorite band and this is just way awesome.  I was almost speechless on this one.

Birthday Dinner
To celebrate the big day, Doug,Shel, Craig and I went to Fats in Folsom (funny enough I was just there last week for our company holiday lunch).  It was fun. 

Yes we were happily buzzed, but didn't care.  Doug was driving.

My sweetie pie or as I call him Bumpers (don't know why, it just stuck).  He makes me happy and is a good guy.

Smartphone
Yes, I am finally one with the smartphone world.  Still have yet to figure out how to use it, but am having fun with it.  I will sit down soon and read the novel on how to use it.  But it is fun to figure it out on my own.  I'm still not getting rid of my iPod though.  I don't want to be that attached to my phone like most people are.  I can still function without it.

It's been awhile - Part 2

The little things
Okay, I have to admit that I still have some 8 track tapes.  Not many people know what those are anymore and it makes me a little sad, but whatever, I still have a few.  Nothing to play them on though.  So last night at my weekly Dimple therapy session I found a BubbleGum Hit Pack.  I was so excited and could not wait to listen to it in the car.  There are songs on there that haven’t been heard in years and some of those very same songs that were rediscovered last night are on a couple 8 tracks titled Super Bubble.  Oh the memories from those songs.  Roxane and I popped the cd in last night, turned it up and were happily singing the song Simple Simon from the 1910 Fruitgum Company.  I can’t remember the last time I laughed that hard.  We were getting the strangest looks from the people in the parking lot and at stop lights.  But I like to think they were just jealous because we were having so much fun and they weren’t.  It’s like listening to Proud Mary Tina Turner style and doing the dance as best as you can in the car.  I had the biggest smile on my face last night on the drive home and into work.  Bubble Gum music is highly recommended to put you in a good mood.  You just can’t help but head bob while driving or do a little boogie in the car.

Yard Decorations (pictures to come soon as it’s still in progress)
Yes, it’s that time of year again and I’m way excited.  I am less a car payment this time so I can get a few extra Halloween goodies for the yard.  I’m thinking maybe a strobe light for trick or treat night and putting that in the yard. Of course I will break out the creepy Midnight Syndicate music and try to keep Fabio mellow as the doorbell freaks him out (my poor little boy).  I can’t wait to see the kids in their costumes and hopefully will not run out of candy this year. That wasn’t a bad thing though.  I didn’t have any left to tempt me.  This year I just might make another big pot of chili, ask pop to come over and hang out with me for a bit. 

Finally understand
I wasn’t really being a bitch just because I could, but now some people are finally starting to understand why I was the way I was.  They are now feeling the same way about certain things and I can relate, but I’m not giving them the grief that I got for being bitchy about those certain things.  I just sympathize and listen.  Funny how those things work out, and here they thought I was being a bitch for no reason.

The best is yet to come?
I’ve been fairly quiet about this one as I’m not sure where it’s going to go.  But the chosen few know all about it.  I was introduced to Craig on Graffiti Night.  He is a bread man as well and works at a couple different wineries on the weekends in the tasting rooms (I give him a hard time about the cute young barely dressed thangs that he sees and we joke about them).  Yes he has a job!!  He’s very laid back and easy going.  Likes the same things I do and even makes music lists before he goes into Dimple or The Beat (not joking on that one).  For those of you that know my music whore ways I do the same thing.  In some ways he seems a little sheltered, but it’s cute the way he asks me to explain it to him.  Then will look at me a little sideways after it’s explained but keeps an open mind.  He’s older but in touch with his inner child.  I’ve spent the last few weekends with him and he makes me laugh, he’s comfortable to be with, I don’t feel self conscious in any way around him.  All my body issues, don’t even think about them.  He collects hot wheels like I collect music and is just as picky about his hot wheels as I am music.  He’s been accepted by Fabio (I was a little nervous about that one) and Craig understands that Fabio is my boy and like a child I do worry about him and want what’s best for him.  He teases me about it a little, but he gets it.  We’ve had conversations about why I was never married, had no kids.  After I explained that I didn’t want to be a single mom (not knockin those who are, I know a few single moms who have done a phenomenal job raising their children) and that I would rather be alone than in a relationship and miserable.  And we talked about why after 14 years of marriage they got divorced.  I’m not getting my hopes up, but am not leary like the last few.  I’m in a way neutral this time, which I guess is a good thing.  It’s hard for me though to have a guy around helping me with stuff around the house.  Like trimming up trees, yard work and other things.  I’m used to doing a lot of stuff by myself or with a little help from family.  Almost don’t know what to do with myself, but will figure it out.  We talked about that too and how it’s going to take me a bit to adjust, but he’s going to have to adjust as well.  I’m not the helpless little woman that he’s used to.  It’s going to be a heck of a learning curve on both parts.  Still not sure where it’s going but we will find out.

It's been awhile - Part 1

I’ve been a busy little girl lately and since it’s a been a bit since I last updated my blog, here’s what I have been up to and I’m saving the possible best for last

Foam Fest
Thanks to Melissa I signed myself, sister and nieces up for Foam Fest in Septmeber. It was held out at Gibson Ranch and it was marathon full of obstacles.  There were two you could choose from:  the adult 5k or the Rug Rat Race. I didn’t think my nieces, let alone myself, run the 3 miles so I signed us up for the Rug Rat race which was one mile.  I do have to say the very first slip-n-slide we had to do was a blast and I wanted to do it again.  There were a few other obstacles as well, but the favorite was the slip-n-slide.  Next year I would like to do the full 3 miles so the training has begun. Which is great, I wanted to lose a couple pounds anyways.

Graffiti Night
Every year in August is Graffiti Night along Sutter Street in Folsom. It’s a tribute to the film American Graffiti and it’s place in American Pop Culture.  Usually they have a few of the actors from the movie and a few of the cars, but not this year.  They didn’t have any of the actors, but they did have a few replica’s of the most popular ones.  The Thunderbird Suzanne Somers drove, the iconic yellow ’32 Ford that was driven by Paul LeMat who played John Milner and the Black Gasser Chevy that Harrison Ford drove. 

 It’s always a lot of fun and you get to see the usual regular cars and then there are those that you don’t see. Like this RatRod Limo. 

Pop walked away with another trophy and Doug walked away with half of the 50/50 raffle.  It was a good day.

Music Whore Ways
Ah the music whore in me will never stop.  Slow down sometimes yes, but stop…Never!!  I love to pour through music magazines, blogs, websites and live for New Release Tuesdays.  That’s my “don’t disturb me I’m on Itunes/Amazon researching new bands” night.  I don’t care how old it is, if I’ve never heard it, it’s new to me.  Even if I have heard it, I will add it to the wish list (if it’s worthy of course).  I have my calendar that I mark for the upcoming new releases that I am excited about, then add to my already 3 page wish list for those that are already out but am patiently waiting to find used.  A few I have on my “major search” list, those are the ones that are really hard to find but I know that patience and persistence will pay off.  Just have to keep looking and on occasion enlist help.  My log sheet of the cd’s I already have is up to 19 pages and am at almost 1,000 cd’s and still going strong. Is it wrong to have a goal to meet that thousand before the end of the year?  I think I can do it and maybe even beat it.  This has been years in the making and there are some that I wish I didn’t trade in for others, but that’s okay.  I don’t miss them all that much so it’s not a bad thing.  On occasion I will do the “Hey I don’t have any Fleetwood Mac” (for example) and research it, find a Best of and it will be added to the madness.  I have shared my log sheet with others, they laugh at me but enjoy the shopping list as much as I enjoy maintaining it.  For those that are curious, yes my cds are separated by genre and alphabetized.  Sick I know but it’s my sanity.

Cherries Jubilee
I love Monterey anyways, who doesn’t?  But when you get to enjoy all Monterey has to offer (seafood overload if there is such a thing) with the fun of hundreds of hot rods makes it that much better AND four days of it including the stories from Pop about the trouble they would get into, places they would hang out at and see places where they used to live.  We go to Cherries Jubilee every year.  It’s the yearly fund raiser for the children’s hospital and we are more than happy to give.  This year was my brother-in-laws first year of going in his truck.  And he had the biggest permagrin I haven’t seen in a long time.  The twin was the same way, just beamin as bright as she could.  One of his biggest thrills was driving on Laguna Seca racetrack, then getting a merchants award for the awesomeness that is his truck and pop received another award as well. 

 I’m very proud of my family.  Of course, there is the one car that just stands out and makes you drool.  The one for me this year was a gorgeous purple Lincoln Zephyr, a rare beauty indeed.

 

Gonna keep seachin, searchin

So I’ve been searching off and on for a particular album from Shirley Ellis.  Many of you only know her only by the Name Game song.  But I know her for a few other songs.  Sadly I have not been able to find the album I really want.  I have been stalking Dimple Records, took a gander at Amazon and E-Bay, but I’m not willing to pay over $70 for an album unless it’s some special collector’s edition that I’ve been dying to have and will just keeping going up in value as time goes on.  But it’s not one of those, it’s just an album that I would love to have in my collection.  So I have enlisted the assistance of a friend/co-worker in Southern California to keep an eye out for when she is out and about and happens to stumble into a used record store.  I would like to also go scour a few in San Francisco to see what treasures I can find there, to me that would be fun.  For others it might be boring.  So here is my plea, if anybody is out and about and happens to stumble into a used record/music store.  Here is the album I’m looking for. 

Shirley Ellis – The Complete Congress Recordings. 

 

If you find it, please let me know where you found it.  I would be most thankful and probably jump up and down like a high school girl that finally got the dude she’s had a crush on to ask her to the dance.  Yes I will be that excited. 

Fun with Ketchup

To bad this lovely art was ruined with french fries

Can you see it?

I can totally see the light and it’s so pretty. Personal goal is for this time next year to completely out of debt except for my normal monthly bills and a house payment.  I’ve felt like I’ve been swimming, sometimes drowning, in this mucky mess for years.  But little by little it’s been chipped away at and I dance, sing and whoop–n-holler when one bites the dust.  I busted my butt working two jobs for years and doing what I needed to do to make sure my bills were paid.  Even if it meant eating Top Ramen for weeks.  Today another one bit the dust and it will be in stored in the paid off folder I have in my filing cabinet.  I’m so freakin excited!!!!!

It's the little things

So I came home Thursday night only to find a pair of flip flops that were left behind by nieces and an empty soda can on the table with a sealed envelope underneath it. 

I looked around the house for that one thing that stood out but found nothing, just the shoes.  So yesterday when I got home I went to go enjoy my Redneck Paradise and thought I should really water my flowers since it's been a few days and they were starting to look sad, wilty and hot.  I noticed the hose was curled up all nice and neat compared to how I left it then looked over towards my flowers and saw this

My dad built me a little planter :)  He and the girls had brought it over Thursday with some flowers and I didn't notice it until last night!  I need to plant the other flowers but don't yet know where. As I was watering my flowers I just smiled and felt so loved.  It's totally the little things in life that mean the most and I love coming home to these little surprises.

New Chapter Beginning

After my little melt down, a nice long talk with my wise father, some encouraging words from a friend and singing Zac Brown "Let it Go" and the Supremes "Can't Hurry Love" at the top of my lungs in the car I'm starting a new chapter in my life.  Tomorrow April is going to help me with my (gulp) dating profile and it's game on.  I've also decided to fully get off my tucas and do something about my weight and half ass exercise.  I don't want to take on the shape of my mother, even though I'm half Portuguese and we are hippy anyways, I will do what I can to do to keep it at bay.  So I will start with this motivator

So cheers to my new chapter and lots of fun dating stories ahead to be shared!!

Eat your heart out rich and famous

That's right, it's time for the millionaires to be super jealous.  I have a house with a total dream pool.

Complete with a brick for a little added support, two sand chairs for relaxation, two Rubbermaid chairs as end tables and a fish net to keep it clean.  Surrounded by dead grass and a under a tree for that tropical beachy feel.  Yes my friends, this is high class redneck living at it's finest.  I have eaten dinner in my pool and Fabio thinks it's one gigantic water bowl.  If you listen you can hear smooth jazz coming from inside the house and there are cold drinks in the fridge.  So kick back and enjoy as life cannot get any better than this!

Disclaimer:  Pool boy has yet to be acquired, so you have to get your own refreshments

Reflections

So on my way home from work today it hit me.  In 3 months and a few weeks I will be 40 years old (eek!).   Never married and no kids (What's wrong me right?  God I hate that question.  So if you've never been married and have no kids, what's wrong with you?  Makes me want to slap the person who says it).  The two things in life that I would treasure outside of my family and friends.  I was thinking of the two really sweet guys in my life that I blew off because at that time I didn’t really want them in my life but acted like I did just so I could crush them (sick I know).  They went off to find their beautiful wives , had families and from what I hear are very happy.  That could have been me with Jason or with Elliott.  I see my two sisters who are happy with their husbands and I know not every relationship is perfect but it’s perfect for them.  Some of my friends are either married or in relationships and to see them happy, makes me happy yet sad at the same time.  And here I am what seems to be the constant third wheel.  I’ve spent a good part of my life alone and seem to be okay with it.  I’ve also spent a few years as a “friends with benefits” because I got to attached to a man that I knew wouldn’t change and still hasn’t.  I’ve come to the conclusion a few times that if this is all my life has to offer then I’m okay with that too.  If I am meant to be alone to pay off some type of karmic debt, then so be it.  I would rather be alone than in a relationship and miserable.  I am comfortable with myself.  On occasion my thoughts tend to get away from me and I turn into my own worst enemy.  I hear my mother in the back of head on occasion telling me that I will never be anything but a miserable kid and every other mean wicked thing she has called me and I hate her for that.

As I type this it makes me reflect even more and it makes me sad.  It’s funny how every single person is jealous in some way of those in a relationship and those in a relationship are in some way jealous of those that are single.  Why is that?  The only answer I have is because it’s human nature to want something you can’t have.  When I get like this I really immerse myself into my music collection, dig out my anti-love cd’s that I made until I snap out of it.  Then remember that I don’t have anybody to answer too, nobody to check in with and if I want to be in a bad mood I can be.  But then I also know I don’t have anybody to answer to when I do something stupid, nobody to help keep me in check or check in with and nobody to bring me out of that bad mood and make me smile.  I’ve met so many jerks dating it makes me ill, but makes for funny stories, still I have to deal with the jerks who tell me “I look like that kind of girl” and if you hear it enough eventually you believe it.  Still trying to figure out exactly what “that kind of girl” is though.  I’ve thought about settling just because I don’t want to be alone anymore and know a few who would be more than happy to fill that spot, but then again I don’t want to just settle.  Maybe I still have more growing to do, maybe I still need to meet up with a few more jerks before the right one comes along.  Maybe this is just how my life is meant to be.  Who knows.  I do know that I’m tired of being the third wheel, feeling that weird uncomfortable awkwardness when those around me get calls from their significant other or show signs of affection (which I would rather hear than arguing), and feeling like there is something wrong with me to be alone for so long.  But then I remember I have a family who loves me regardless and those few select friends who are there for me no questions asked and for that I am truly thankful and know I’m really not as alone as I think or feel.

Oh Deer

BEFORE DEER

This is in my back  yard so the flowers are very happy and the butterflies, bees and birds are loving it and I am enjoying watching them.  Just need to add the birdbath and my little happy place will be complete.

AFTER DEER

These are the flowers at the front of the house.  Needless to say I am now trying to keep them alive after the deer left the buffet.  The butterflies and bees are happy with what little flowers are left.

Stinkin deer :(

Mission Impossible?????

I've had this song from Willie Nelson/Toby Keith/BeBe Wyans stuck in my head for the last three weeks titled "Uncloudy Day". It was originally done by Willie Nelson back in the day, but this particular version is very uplifting, fun and great to sing at the top of your lungs. It’s a total feel good song.  I have this song on a mixed cd that I made quite awhile ago.  To give you a little bit of background on my mixed cds.  At one time in my life I was obsessed with downloading music of all kinds and in the process made a lot of very cool mixed cds.  I guess you could say this all started back in 6^th grade with my friend Diana (actually I could just blame her for my whole music obsession.  My Dimple obsession came from my second family growing up, thank you very much Bernido family). Diana and I were always making mixed tapes, but that was back when you could record direct from the radio.  You know, sit by the radio all day waiting to hear your favorite song only to have the dj talk through the beginning of the song until they started singing, but you still recorded it anyways.  Ah, those were the days.  Then the cd came out, which is a whole different story. Anyways, as result of my obsession I have 3 cases the biggest one holds 300, the smaller ones 100 each.  Instead of writing down what songs were on the cd at the time of creation (which would have been smart), I gave them names like Anti-Schmoop, O.M.G. and Underneath Your Stained Red High Heels (fun I know).

Now I know it won't be on the ones that have Great Band Era, 40 Funky Hits, Goofy Gold Greats or Weird Al Favorites (okay that one might just because I'm eclectic like that).  So my mission is to not only find this one particular song, but it has spurred a whole new mission of writing down each song/artist on every single cd in those cases.  I could totally cheat and just ask my friend Christina for the soundtrack that it’s on and move on with my life, but it’s the principal of the matter now.  It’s going to take a lot of patience and research to get this done properly as I don’t know the artists/djs on my clubbin/gym cds (thank goodness for Google and Elyrics).  But most of them I can figure out just by listening and others I can just look up the album on the internet and print out title tracks from there.  The instrumental ones though are going to be the most difficult.  Sadly, I have done this before with different songs, but when I found them I just wrote it on the cd and moved on with my life. 

So as I embark on my new journey, I like to think of it as cd immersion therapy and cannot wait to hear all the songs I completely forgot I had.  I don’t think of this as mission impossible because it’s a mission that I choose to accept and I know it won’t explode in 15 seconds after reading this.

Signs

These were taken on the way up to Twisted Oaks Winery in Murphy's

On the drive up there, they had a bunch of rubber chickens hanging from the trees

Of all the wineries I have been to, this one was the most entertaining.

YAY!!

My flowers I planted in April are starting to bloom.  I am way excited and the deer had better back off!!

Some look like they are going to be yellow/purple, the one above looks like it will be orange, I have some that look like they will be white, some light purple...I can't wait!!  It's going to look so pretty and the bees will be happy too!!

Music Whore

Everybody has their one vice or hobby in life. Whether it be smoking, sunflower seeds, gardening, hunting...whatever.  Mine just happens to be music.  I can't play any instrument or know how to read music to save my life, but I can appreciate good music when I hear it.  I'm constantly looking for new stuff of any genre regardless of how old it is.  Doesn't matter if it's from the 20's or 2000's, if I like it then I'm going to research it and stuff similar to it.  The only genre of music I can tolerate in very small doses is today's hip hop and rap.  I prefer the old school stuff over the new stuff, it's lost it's fun.  It's all about violence, money, how great I am...blah blah blah.  Give me the good stuff like Run DMC, Salt -n-Peppa and DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince.  I was always more of a rock girl anyways.  But as with the rest of it, the new stuff is not so good.  98 Rock isn't what it used to be, it's filled with an annoying morning show and tolerable afternoon DJs.   Country is the same way, very "cookie cutter" but there are a few artists that I do really like, for example Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Little Big Town and Alan Jackson is always a favorite of mine.

So with that note, I'm left to dig.  Every Tuesday is new release day for music.  So I stalk Dimples website and then iTunes when I get home and pay close attention to the music magazines that I have.   I do have a few music blogs that I follow as well.  Always on the look out for new bands.  In my search I have always been pleasantly surprised at what I have found.  I have also cringed and laughed.  The ones that I laugh at, I try to share with those who will laugh about it with me.  When I get frustrated with the searches, I turn to my records that I have inherited from my dad.  They bring back great memories, it's fantastic music and I have record with my Great Uncle Paul in a Barbershop Quartet.

I need to catalog these like I do my cd's.  Yes I have a spreadsheet that I keep and also have a "wish list" that keeps growing.  So I guess all of this makes me a music whore, but I always share my treasures and am always willing to be exposed to new bands and expose others to what I have found.  They say music makes the world go 'round, well it does and makes for happy ears and big smiles.

Yay Me

So I have to brag a little about myself and I’m so proud that I have to share.  Not only have I been eating better, but I’ve been losing some weight in the process.  I haven’t been going to the gym nearly as much as I should (shame on me), but I’ve been doing lots of stuff around the house and going for walks at night.  So some of my pants are now needing belts and some are starting to fit again. I’m way excited.  I’m not terribly overweight, just not where I want to be weight wise, but I’ve been told I still look good.  Now if I just get the girls to go down a cup size so my shirts fit a little better, I will really be happy, but that I believe that is wishful thinking.

With only two (yes two) car payments left (last one is made in August) I am one step closer to being debt free. So in September I am going to take that money and apply it towards something else.  It’s already going out, so I won’t miss it and it will get that thing paid off that much quicker. Then I get my crowns done that much quicker too.  Yes, I need two crowns done and it’s going to be expensive and that’s with insurance coverage.  Last vet payment has been made so it won’t be as squeaky tight, but still tight.  I want to be as debt free as possible by the end of the year.  That is my goal.  I don’t want anything but my normal monthly bills.  So that way I can take the vacations, day trips, wine tours, Dimple crawls and not be stressed about money (there are a few used record stores in San Francisco I really want to check out too).  I’m single and almost 40, I need to get out there and start living again like I did when I was young and not so dumb. 

My sweet little man

I call this...Fabio in the weeds

After a hard day of stalking and tormenting bugs, here is Fabio doing what he does best

Hard life, I know!!

Rediscovering my collection

Until I get Fabio's vet bill paid off, I am pretty much out of my beloved Dimple trips.  But that's ok, but it gives me a chance to rediscover the treasures in my cd collection.  I am diggin on Rilo Kiley right now and have forgotten how awesome that band is.  It is a side project of Jeni Lewis who is great on her own.  She's like Jack White, always getting into side projects with different bands, but then goes back to her solo stuff.  Anyways, just thought I would share :)

Grow my little pretties...grow

So my butterfly garden flowers I planted in April are doing so good.  I'm so proud of myself and I can't wait until they actually bloom.  I'm hoping that it will be soon, but have a feeling I am going to have to wait until next year.  Boo, I want it to be sooner.

Tid bits

Fabio update

Yay..he's all better!!  Fabio is still on anti-biotics at least until Wednesday.  He had his follow up blood work on Saturday, so I'm hoping that all comes back clear.  But he's getting back to his old fiesty self.

Painting and Exhausted

So after a long day Saturday painting all day it had to rain Saturday night so I had to let the lumber dry Sunday.  So since my aunt is up visiting, my dad thought it would be fun to bring her over with the nieces for a bbq.  Well Mike and Roxane were up also, Mike was doing sprinkler detail and Roxane and I had cooking detail.  I do believe that was the most people I've had in my house since I moved in.  But it was fun, yet exhausting.  Don't get me wrong I love my family, but my nieces were wired for sound. After everybody left Roxane stayed for some sister quality time and left early this morning.

After Roxane left, dad came back over to help me finish the patio cover, Aunt Judy sat in front of the tv and my nieces were everywhere but not as wired for sound.  Dad couldn't take the pains of the paintbrush anymore so he went to get the paint gun and it was done in no time.  I had to do a few little touch up spots, but all that is left is to put the latice back up and we are done!!

It was like whirlwind of people the last few days, but that's quite alright with me.  It needs to happen more often.  As for the patio cover I want to get a few hanging plants to put on the ends and I have a few lanterns to put up as well.  I can't wait to spend more time in my backyard.  Now to figure out what to do with the rest of it...

New Release Tuesday

Ok, so there will be many tweaks to come for this, but I wanted to try something new and since I'm a music lover/whore I thought I would start sharing the new releases.  To give you some background, I stalk Dimple Records website every Tuesday to see what's coming out.  Dimple Records is perhaps the coolest place in my little world.  They have new/used movies, games, music (cd and vinyl) and now books.  This list comes from Dimple Records and not iTunes (which I believe is making a lot of one hit wonders).  So without further ado, I give you the new release list according to Dimple Records:

John Mayer - Born & Raised
Slash - Apocalyptic Love
Garbage - Not Your Kind of People
Teduschi Trucks Band - Everybody's Talkin'
Six Feet Under - Undead
EI-P - Cancer for Cure
Cult - Choice of Weapon
Kris Allen - Thank You Camelia
Gossip - Joyful Noise
Kimbra - Vows

This of course is just a partial list.  I'm not to impressed with what came out this week, but that's ok.  There is always something for everyone.  Enjoy and happy listening!

He's Home

YAY!! Fabio is home.  He has his little pharmacy and a follow up next Saturday.  He was diagnosed with feline pancreatitis.  They don't know what causes it but if it's not caught it's deadly.  In his case it was caught earlier enough that it didn't affect his other organs (phew) and all the vomiting he was doing is a rare symptom that cats will give.  Normal pancreas enzyme count for cats is 5, his was 10.6.    The vet had a hard time getting him to eat, but I learned that if you give a cat valium, they will eat.  So he got a couple shots of valium to help him eat.  My vet is awesome and I love the staff, they are terrific people.  

He is on lockdown until he is done with his medication and even then I might not let him out.  He's hiding now and I'm sure very happy to be home.  I'm happy he's home.  Now he just needs to get better.

Cat Drama

So my sweet little Fabio has been vomiting since Monday early morning.  I'm not talkin a little bit, I'm talkin 5-6 times a night and that's not including during the day.  I came home Tuesday night to more vomit on my bed (I already has to wash the comforter from the night before and he even got some on me, it was gross) and cleaned up other piles throughout my room, his room and the house.  It broke my heart to leave him Tuesday and Wednesday morning for work as he looked so exhausted and all he wanted to do was cuddle because he wasn't feeling good.  I started to panic last night when I got home and couldn't find him so I started checking all the closets and there he was cureled up in a little ball in my closet still not looking so hot.  Everybody knows cats will hide their illness because it makes them look weak and they will wander off to die as well.

So I took him to vet this morning and they are going to keep him overnight for observation.  His x-rays came back clear, he's dehydrated and a few pounds lighter as he wasn't able to keep anything down.  They are now waiting on bloodwork to come back and hopefully they will find something. I cried this morning when I had to leave him there.  Not only because I'm so worried about him, but also at the looming bill.  The house will not be the same tonight without my little man and I'm praying he's going to be ok.

Fabio (a.k.a My Little Man)

Anna Dressed in Blood

So my sister let me borrow this book and I read it in 5 days (which is record for me).  It was spooky and suspenceful and I can't say to much about it as she reads this blog and I don't want to spoil it for her.  I know I was mad because it didn't end the way I wanted to end and I hate that.  But that's when you know it's a good book, when it sucks you in like that.  But if you like ghost stories with a twist, I highly recommend this book.  There is a second one coming out in August and I can't wait to read it.  I just need to find something in the meantime to tide me over until it comes out.

BBQ me and you..stinky pinky..pew pew pew

That's right, I finally had the first EVER barbeque at my house.  My lovely sister and my fix it brother in law came up to check out what was done to the house and to make a game plan for a drip system for all the flowers that have been planted where the sprinklers don't reach.  She called up Pop and he came over for the first barbeque.  Roxane and I went to go get the propane, Mike showed me how to hook it all up and gave me a few pointers (I am/was a gas bbq virgin as far as operating goes, I am used to charcoal).  So we go light it and was hoping for a woo hoo, but all we got was a woo.  Mike tinkered with, read the manual and tinkered with it some more only find out that the gas hose was kinked.  So he fixed it and we had flammage.

WOO HOO  FOR BARBEQUE!!!

Bands of the Moment

Here's a list of a few of the bands I'm diggin on right now:

Little Willies

Of Monsters and Men

Temper Trap

Raconteurs

Neon Trees

Fun

Foxy Shazaam

Civil Wars

The Head and Heart

And the hunt for new bands continues....

Woo Hoo

So the patio cover is built, but not quite done.  Need to let the lumber sit for a bit as some pieces were still a little green, but by end of this month it will be ready to paint.  So here is the finished product

Needless to say I'm way excited!  So now I can bring out the patio set, the bbq and have my own little backyard parties.  I'm thinkin end of June I will have the much delayed house warming that people keep asking me about.  Don't know yet.

New and Improved Dirt Spot

So yesterday I spent it planting flowers and moving a few around.  I went to the nursery and got some MariGolds and I planted the rest of the Alyssum.  So the dirt spot is no longer a dirt spot

I left a spot for a bird bath and as the spiders were running for their little lives I told them I was making a new environment for them and to not panic.  A few had egg sacks so I was extra gentle with them. I couldn't kill them because they help with the insects.  I can't wait for my flower seeds to start growing too.  I sprinkled more in there so it will be very fragrant and colorful soon.  And my butterfly garden is doing very well.  The bulbs have started to grow and so has all the flower seeds I sprinkled in there.  I planted 2 Marigolds in the dirt spot and 4 in the front of the house for more color.  We are slowly getting there and I'm pretty proud of myself.

Red Hot Sally
The bright red flower in the middle is called a Red Hot Sally.  I have never seen a flower that bright of a red before and it's really pretty.  So I had to go back to the nursery to get another one.  But here is what Sally looks like

The flowers have a longer piece that comes out of the middle and it almost looks like it's sticking it's tongue out.  They get about 12 inches tall and about 10 inches wide.  I hope I can keep this one alive, it's so pretty.

Much needed vacation

So needless to say work has been beyond stressful for quite awhile.  I lost all patience, humor and everything was hitting my last nerve.  I lost my love of life and had to pretty much force myself to get up and get ready for work.  I took a much needed vacation and welcomed the break.  I feel refreshed and ready to get back to the 8-5ish grind and know that work will get better as there are some exciting changes coming.  But in the mean time here are the things that I have been up to on my vacation - sanity break.

BUTTERFLY GARDEN
I went to Lowe's and they had these cool little flower bulb kits for a Butterfly Garden.  It's the flowers that will attract butterflies. So I thought what the heck, they were perfect for the spot I want them in as they need full sun and the spot is full sun all day except early evening, so they will be happy. This is what I started with:

I worked on ripping out and cleaning up those stupid green bushes for a few weeks (I hate those green bushes).  The branches that came off of that thing root themselves in the ground and were a bitch to get up and out.  The ones that I was not able to get out, I beat them with the shovel and hope they won't grow back.   It took 2 days to turn all the soil, pull the weeds out and in the process try not to kill any earth worms.  I planted my bulbs and sprinkled other flower seeds as well and here is the end product

So now I need to put a drip system of some kind in and hope my flowers will grow and I keep them alive.  Those stupid green bushes are still there, but they are on my neighbors side and I believe are holding up the hill.  I wish they would rip them out but that would mean they would actually have to do some yard maintainence.  On a side note, I went to turn my front sprinklers on and not only did a tree frog come shooting out of one of them, but one of the controls leaks :(  So it needs to be fixed.  In the meantime, I will just use a regular sprinkler and drag the hose around.  No biggie.

ADDING COLOR
So I have the hedges in the front of the house and it was colorful, yet kind of boring.  So off to Home Depot I went to find some flowers that liked a little bit of sun and most shade.  It was harder than I thought.  But when I finally found them I took them home.  They are Iridindums and so pretty.  I believe they will be happy where they are because they will get plenty of water.

THE DIRT PATCH

I finally figured out what I'm going to do with the dirt patch in the back yard.  Right now it looks like this

But see the flowers sitting on the green thing and black container there?  Those are going to be planted in there with more flower seeds sprinkled throughout.  I also want to put a bird bath there too.  That's what the brick is for.  But right now, it holds the old dry rotted lumber from the patio cover.

PATIO COVER

I am so excited, I just can't hide it, I'm about to loose control and I think I like oh yeah....

My biggest project I had going on vacation was the Patio Cover (da da da dummmmm).  I was so stoked when my neighbor came over to get his materials list so we can rebuild.  This it what it looked like

Old and crappy.  The latice up top was sagging, the paint coming off and some of the boards were split.  So once Grant (my neighbor who is a general contractor) told me that he would rebuild it, I started taking the latice down which wasn't much of a chore since some of the boards were so rotted all I had to was push up on them a little bit and they popped right out.  The boards at the very end were so rotted all I had to do was twist them a bit and they came right out.  The latice was pressue washed (which was so fun) and it looks way better than it did.  We are going to keep that and put it back up.  Gives it that old look still.  We worked on it today and got halfway done so here is what it's going to look like

I am going to repaint it white again, but this time the correct paint will be used and all the boards have been pressure treated so they will last for many years.  I can't wait!!

SNAKE!!!!

Fabio was so proud of himself when I came home late one night.  He brought this little guy in the house and tortured it.  I picked him up and took him outside about 15 minutes later, Fabio brought him back in.  This routine went on for about an hour.  Then he finally killed it, but didn't eat it.  About 2:00 in the morning I heard him in the kitchen so I went to see what he was getting into and he brought a different one in the house.  Same routine, I put it out he brought it back in.  He's brought 3 in the house so far. Thank goodness I'm not super girlie and these little guys don't bother me.

I feel so much better now that I have had a break and chance to get "me" back.  All the hard work, sweat, dirt and sunburn was the best therapy a girl could ask for.  I can't wait to finish my projects and am hoping I can keep my flowers alive.



A little about

I have decided to start blogging yet again. I didn't like the way my last one was and wanted to change it up a bit.  Don't get me wrong, it's exciting buying a home especially your first home, but there is more to life than just home stuff.  So, this going to be a little bit of everything.  That is all for now.

OH and just remember it's my view on things and I can't help the way you feel.  My filter doesn't work sometimes.  Just sayin.