Summer!

Well, here it is July 29th. Another summer day of rain, temp in the high 60's and no real summer in sight. My vacation was plagued by torrential rain came down three days in a row. Where on the upper west coast can you always count on sweaty, dry, blazing sun? Redding California! Except when I choose the area for a vacation I've needed for 8 mos.
We ended up at Mt.Shasta City. Now there's a cute little town. Weather was perfect and we even got some hiking in.
I try to have fun no matter where I go. we had one small casualty during this vacation....we threw our tent in the garbage. When do you get too old to camp in the rain?

Optimism

I don't always address the Postitive Thought aspects of my blog, but today seems like a good time to reinforce the power of positive thinking. The world is very chaotic right now. Bad things are happening to good people. How do we get through the day?
The Optimist's Creed is a 100 year old mantra, written by one of the first New Age thinkers. Believing the best in everybody and himself, he wrote these words as a way to help people remember the good, despite the bad.



Promise Yourself

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature you meet.

To give so much time to improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud word, but in great deeds.

To live in the faith that the whole world is on your side, so long as you are true to the best that is in you.
~Christan D. Larson

The world is on our side.

Post Vacation Reality Check

After a carefree, relaxing vacation in my favorite Casa in Sayulita, Nayurit, unfortunately, I'm returning to reality. Gained poundage, work piled up at work, no groceries in the house and dirty laundry. Yippee!! One week out---caught up on laundry and work stuff, groceries in the house and day 6 of Atkins induction. Biggest thrill--day 6 of Atkins induction. It's always hard, but somehow, having eaten and/or drunken, whatever I wanted to on my vacation, I haven't felt the sense of deprivation I have in the past. Let the weight loss begin.

Mexico!

Countdown to the vacation. We will be going back to our favorite haunt later this month. Not only do I need a break, a little sun would be nice since I just looked out the window and it's snowing. Sayulita is a little fishing village located about an hour north of Puerto Vallarta. We will land in PV and take a cab to Casa Sorpresa, two blocks from the beach. Most likely, after unpacking, we will mix our first pitcher of Margaritas and let the vacation begin. Fishing for dorado, of course. This will provide us with many meals during our stay. Fortunately for me, I will be bringing two chefs to cook for me during the week. I will be the maid. Shorts, t-shirts and swimming suits will be the daily fashion statement. Coincidentally, our local foodie magazine posted an article on some of our favorite eating places in Sayulita. I can hardly wait.
Adios!

One of my new favorite hors d oeuvres!

I am not 100% in to cooking like a lot of my peers. However, when I am asked to make something, I do like to make something worthwhile.
This recipe was shown to me by my cousin who is a professional chef. It is right up my alley because it is so simple, easy and tasty. You can also experiment with other cheeses to stuff the peppers with.
Start out with some marinated peppadew piquant peppers. You can purchase these at any of the higher end antipasto bars in the local supermarket. They can also be found in jars, but the supermarket ones are a little better. Use goat cheese to stuff the peppadew. That's all there is to it! You will be so surprised how good these are and how well they go over at a party. I've also stuffed them with olives, also very good.
Bon Appetit!!

5 More Shopping Days!

Well, the shopping season is 100% in full glory. I did the majority of my shopping online, only buying if I got some special deal or markdown. I'm also using Ebates to maximize my savings. Yesterday I spent the majority of the day shopping and am virtually done with it. As with a lot of families, this year is a slimmer, sleeker and smaller consumer hotflash. I much really prefer, now that most of us our in a position to take care of our own "needs". I for one am also in a place where I have very few needs and/or wishes. In fact, I was spending the morning anticipating January so I can start getting rid of tons of accumulated purchases and get the basement cleaned out. The basement is not used much, so screams to be filled up with "stuff" I don't use very often or just don't want anymore. I feel like I'm finally getting rid of my need to hang on to something just because I can.
Christmas Day will be fun. Since our out of town family will be here this year, no need to Skype with them, although, what a bonus for families separated by miles.

Thankful!

Thankful that Bristol Palin did not win Dancing with the Stars. Not that I really care.............

Iconic

 

Noah at 5 mos

 

Walk For Water - kink.fm

Walk For Water - kink.fm

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What defines greatness

Valentines Day, 2010
Is it really just a Hallmark holiday, created to sell cards, chocolates and roses?
I think not. It's about acknowledging relationships. Relationships perpetuate civilization. Some are temporary, others are long term. Our family has begun the fourth living generation. My parents are great grandparents. It's a wonderful thing. The newest addition is just a month old, but is amazing. Babies bind people together, despite the fact that they are a huge intrusion upon a couples current relationship. It's up to the "Elders" to support, counsel and role model, keeping the family as a unit. My boys have one great grandparent. She's 97 years old and as sharp as a tack. We have been so fortunate to have her as long as we have. The matriarch. The greatgrandparents are the ones who have seen it all, lived through things we may never experience and have the grace and wisdom that comes from living a life.
One month old.

We've heard a lot about Haiti. The devastation is beyond what most of us can imagine. Today, one more survivor was found. I'm sure that was a truly joyous moment for all involved with the rescue, as well as the young woman who has survived this long. Big tragedies will garner our attention for a brief moment of our lives, until we move on to the next big thing. The people who are living in these areas, unfortunately, don't get to move on. I was moved by a story coming out of the Congo. I don't know all the details of what's going on over there, but I do know the inhumanity of the area is extreme, and not much progress has been made. A young woman from Portland has started a foundation to benefit the women of the congo. Her name is Lisa Shannon. This is the story she posted today. It's heartbreaking.
Read it and consider how you can do one small thing that might help the cause. Maybe it's spreading the word, saying a prayer or meditation. Maybe it's writing a check.
What is good for the congo, will be good for all the world.
Thank you for your help.

Today

The whole family (excluding me) congregated in Las Vegas to celebrate the new arrival. Noah is my sister's first grandchild. All went well and Matthew really appreciated having his family in town for a whole week. Part of life's puzzle is celebrating with joy, a new life on one corner of the world, while devastation wreaks havoc and despair in another corner.
Don't forget to help out.
Text "HAITI" to "90999" to donate $10 to the Red Cross. The charge goes on your cell phone bill. Come on, it's just $10!

My Grandnephew

Posting the other half of the duo with the new prince. Today is my oldest son's birthday, so this episode is bringing back lots of wonderful memories of my first born. It's quite an experience. Exhausting and unforgettable. Good luck to the Greens.

Welcome Baby Noah!!

We have a new bundle of joy in the family. Noah Green arrived around 1 o'clock. Weighing in at a nice 8lb, 2oz. His parents, Marisa and Matthew were elated to welcome him into the world. They are all happy and tired.

Mickey Mouse

Who doesn't love Disneyland? Well, there are a few people who find the wholesomeness, and gentleness of it boring, but to me, those people are the boring ones. I've enjoyed many trips to Disneyland over the years. Every one enjoyed for different reasons, going with a boyfriend, as a newlywed, taking my kids for the first time, then second and third times as they got older and were able to appreciate it in a new way. I have yet to see the latest..California Adventure. I go to LA once or twice a year, but haven't had the opportunity to take the time to visit the happiest place on earth. Opportunity is now knocking on my door. As part of the Obama plan urging Americans to volunteer, Disney is giving a 100% free entrance ticket to anyone willing to put in one day of volunteer work. I am all over it. I want to go to Disneyland!
The project is called, "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day". I am lucky enough to have a free place to stay in LA, so the trip will cost me either airfare or gas/time. I can't wait. Be sure and check the sign up site frequently most of the opportunities in my area, are already taken for January.
Sometimes, it's hard to make time to "pay back". Disney is giving you an added incentive to volunteer. Who knows, if you do it once you might just get hooked on how good it feels to do something that actually adds something to our world.
Hope to see you at the California Adventure!

Blinds....

Major home purchases are so confusing. Do you fix what you have, even though it will break again? This may be the cheapest solution (lifetime limited warranty) but they are 23 years old. Isn't it time for a change? This blind is held together with a piece of string and a broken rubber band.
I have restrung blinds many times, and replaced the mountings. A great place to get parts is Fix My Blinds. Do I really want to fix them one more time?
Do you replace with the same thing only new? Once again, isn't it time for a change--it's been 23 years.
Or, do you search the internet to find the dream purchase and pay 3X the price to get what you really want? I've always struggled with this dilemma.
I need new shades for virtually every window in my house. I've loved what I have, which is Hunter Douglas Duettes, purchased when they first came out at Costco. Some of the fasteners and hardware are broken due to sun exposure and normal use. They will replace these for free, but that means making a phone call, explaining, having them look for something to replace a product that is 23 years old. Of course, the ones that haven't broken yet, will undoubtedly break in the future.

I definitely will do this, it's just a matter of finding the time when I'm not busy and they are open. Because they are simple and straightforward, I can order replacements of the most worn ones for under $800 for 10 shades (I actually need about 18 shades, but I'll purchases in stages.) This would probably be the best choice as then I would have them all at the same age and could rest assured that no more would break for a few years.
However.........I have found a wonderful shade called VuThru Light Filtering that is very energy efficient and is multifunctional. It is either opened all the way and disappears, or if you close the shade it can be a duette (honeycomb) or a blind, looking a bit like plantation shutters. They are very beautiful and you can probably tell, this is what I want to get. Three times more expensive, but would save me money on heating in the winter. Since these would be different from my other shades, I'd have to buy two more to fit the scheme in the great room area.
I've ordered samples and I will call about the repair this next week. Then I'll make my decision.
Stay tuned.

Happy New Decade

New years resolution are meant to motivate and remind us of our dreams and hopes. Throughout the year, everyday annoyances, interruptions, crisis, etc. do their best to stamp out goals. It takes a few extra days off, and a bottle of champagne, to let those dreams bubble up to the surface. The best we can hope for is just that....hope. It worked last year, maybe it didn't last, but it's worth another try. I want to be down 15 lbs by June.

Make a Smilebox greeting

Still having fun...

Well, I've been going to town with the negative scanner. It is really quite a process. Dusting off the dust, righting the left, turning up the color, etc. but so worth it. I believe the best resolution to scan is 4800. This will take about 20-25 minutes for 4 negatives, including color adjustment.
I've been knitting a scarf as I wait for the scan to come through. Mine looks better than the pattern. It is definitely a multi taskable task.
I think I've done over 5 rolls---whoo hoo, but I'll just continue to plug away at it. I won't be able to have any dinner parties, as I'm using my kitchen table as the work place. This was really the only spot that made sense, since it is in the heart of my house and allows the multi tasking.
This photo is circa 1985, Morgan was a few days old. I am surprised how faded the pictures are, even from the negative that's been put away and protected for all these years.