Amusement

My brother posted this link on Facebook today. You must check it out for a chuckle, especially if you have ever had the double exposure picture taken that was popular during the 80's or the school picture with the lasers.

My favorite is Wayne and Jeffery if you scroll down you will find two photos that made me laugh out loud. It looks as if they are terrified of the photographer.

Also there is a portrait of a kid with a turkey...was it taken at Sears?

Have fun perusing and maybe just maybe you have a photo that will rival what is posted.

HEMA

I had  seen this before a while ago, but my Brother Brian recently sent this to me and I thought I would share.

HEMA is a Dutch Department store and they are very creative. Click on the link and watch for a few minutes. If I lived in the Netherlands I would totally shop there all of the time, just because this is pretty cool. Their Computer Graphics/Marketing team are genius.

3 years today

I moved into the Green. It was rainy soggy day but I was so pleased to not be living on the street at the time. It hasn't always been happy but the past 2 years have been very good.

I never thought I would stay this long in the Bay Area I was originally going to give it 2 years and now I have been here 5.  Sometimes I think about moving closer to family just so I can spend my vacation time somewhere else. But I do love this place and really love it when I get to show it off. 

I was reading this post I wrote a year ago and it wraps up how I truly feel.

The Green has hosted many friends and family and I hope that they have felt welcome and loved.

Demetri Martin - Parking Fight

Important Things with Demetri MartinWed 10:30pm / 9:30c

Power - Parking Fight

Joke of the Day
Stand-Up Comedy

Free Online Games
More Funny Videos

I find Demetri Martin rather funny and have been enjoying his show Important Things. I hope you find this amusing.

Sunday Mail

No one expects to get mail on Sunday but I was lucky enough to get a delivery.

I am sick again or still, I don't know if this is the same cold that never went away or just a new one. Oh Joy.

This morning I woke up in a fog, not being able to breathe, my head hurting, I felt that I needed to take it a bit slow. Awesome A-gril kindly offered to teach my primary class, with a little persuasion on her part, I returned to bed with a prayer on my lips for her. Taking over a primary class at a moments notice is not easy and this year I am privileged to have a few interesting children that make teaching a bit of a challenge.

She was thoughtful enough to take some cards with her for the kids to make get-well cards. It really brightened my day.

Now if this cold would go away, I could have a great nights sleep.

Yellow Polka Dots

I have a lot of jackets/coats for a girl with a very small closet. I decided that I was in need of a black trench a few months ago but I didn't want to spend a lot of dough. I recently saw one a Target and it was reasonably cheap. It is pretty cute plus I love the green with yellow polka dots liner.

On a side note one of the buttons is already lose. Sad to admit I no longer remember how to sew a button on. Yes I know pathetic. My Mother showed me how long ago but really have not had a reason to practice. Masha has offered to teach me so hopefully I will no longer be inept with a needle a thread. 

Kitchen Art

The kitchen in the Green is a blank canvas. White walls, white appliances, white cabinets and white tile counter. For the past 3 years I have looked for something to help it out. The rugs on the floor bring some color, a few knick knacks and dishes help out but it was still bland. I was busy working on the living room and my bedroom so the kitchen was neglected.

I recently ventured into Ikea and found some prints that I liked, picked up a few cheap frames and another picture for over the stove that was only $6, what a steal. $24 later there is some color in the kitchen.

I would love to paint and should have long ago but I am lazy and really would rather have someone else do it. 

For now the kitchen feels better.

Happy Heart Day

I am not a big fan of Valentines day. It feels forced and commercial to me. I prefer to receive flowers, candy or a teddy bear (O.K. not a teddy bear) when you are not forced by a Holiday to give it. It is much more sentimental for it to come out of the blue.

When I was a kid Valentines day was fun, in fact most Holidays in our house were. My Mother loves Holidays! She would go all out and make each one a fantastic affair. Cupid would leave us a little gift and a box of chocolates or candy. We would make sugar cookies and give them out to friends. The house would be decorated with read, pink and white.  I loved it!

When did I become a Valentines day Scrooge? Who knows most likely in my early 20's, with bad forced gifts being given on the Holiday, watching girlfriends hang onto a guy long enough to get the flowers or chocolates. I think it turned me off to the whole notion of  receiving flowers, I don't even like roses all that much. It was around that time when my friend Carrie and I started celebrating "single awareness day" by making cupcakes and making sure our single friends were covered with love for the Holiday. 

This year the scrooge has ebbed a bit, with a Mother who will always remember a card and a little something, My lovely Sister Brooke who, like my Mother, loves Valentines, and Beautiful Amber who not only creates a gorgeous card but sends a kit of cards for me to send out.  They have slowly worked on me over the years to look at Valentines day as not a day for sappy lovers but a day to let the ones you do love know.

Who knows maybe next year I will get in the spirit and send out Valentines, we will see.

Happy Heart Day....Give yourself a Hug from me.

On a side note...I wore red yesterday and someone commented that I was dressed for the Holiday. I quipped I didn't know Presidents day had a particular color. Yes I didn't realize Valentines was today. I was wearing red because I look fabulous in the color. 

Ray Lamontagne - Be Here Now (BBC4 Sessions) [HQ]

Absolutely Stunning! I love Ray, I really do. He has soulful quality, his voice is so warm.
Sometimes when I am really stressed out, I play this song. It helps me breathe just a little better.
A portion of the lyrics below...

Don't let your mind get weary and confused
Your will be still, don't try
Don't let your heart get heavy child
Inside you there's a strength that lies

Don't let your soul get lonely child
It's only time, it will go by
Don't look for love in faces, places
It's in you, that's where you'll find kindness

Be here now, here now
Be here now, here now

Grandma Julie turns 95...

Happy Birthday to a Grandma who loved to kiss my cheeks, gives me hugs, helped me appreciate Grapefruit Juice and living in Northern California. She is still living in her own place, married again at 90 (see there is hope for me yet), and is always dressed to perfection.

I love you Grandma!

Happy New Year -Lunar/Chinese that is

Due to my line of work I was wished a very Happy New Year today several times.  This is the time of the year when I change from a Scorpio to an Ox. Yes one of the least sexy signs of the Chinese Zodiac. 

However this is the Year of the Ox and I was reminded that it will be a great one for me. I don't really buy into the Horoscope or Zodiac but at times for a good giggle they are fun to read.

So as an Ox my traits are as follows: Leadership qualities, dependable, great organizers, loyal, patient as well as strong and responsible. Posses strong work ethics and display their creative sides, especially when it comes to decorating their homes. Reliable and logical, usually turned to for suggestions and guidance. Honesty and eye for details prove their worth. Also stubborn and very far from being emotional.

Very interesting in some aspects very far from my Scorpio descriptions. Thank goodness I really don't live my life according to what the Zodiac says I am supposed to be, even if it is flattering at times.

So I will make this a good year whether or not it is my year.

Happy Birthday Brooke!

The day I met her I knew that she was perfect fit for my brother. I am so happy she is part of the family and now I can call her sister.

Happy Birthday to Beautiful Brooke! May you be pampered and enjoy a Georgetown Cupcake.

Sniff Sniff

I am sick again! This one came on suddenly late Friday night and continues to get worse. I hate being sick, I really do. Other than wanting to get rid of the top half of my body, it is boring. I should enjoy the time off to read a book or catch up on movies but when you feel blah you watch bad TV.

The good thing about this nasty cold is that I was able to watch the inauguration yesterday (yippee) and then watch a marathon of West Wing. A show that I am now obsessed with. Always late to the party.

Anyway, when I feel a bit better I will blog more.

LarLar is Growing Up

My Niece LarLar was so lucky to be able to come down to Grandpa & Grandma's house without any parents or siblings after Christmas. She was able to hang out with her Awesome Aunts, watch movies, go swimming every morning, play games and spend all of her Christmas cash.

My Sister Emily and I always make a run to the Outlets in Park City after Christmas and brought LarLar along for the ride. Unfortunately shopping isn't her thing. She patiently waited for Em and I to hit all of the stores wanting to make the Toy Store the last stop. She didn't find anything there and was a bit disappointed but quickly made up for it with a stop at Wal-Mart finishing off her cash.

I was able to spoil her a bit however. She has gone through a growth spurt in the last month and I wanted to buy her something fun to wear. She looks so adorable in the outfit! I am happy she indulged me and even let Melissa braid her hair.

It was fun to have some one on one time with her.

Marshmallow World

I am a marshmallow fan, I love them! Hot Chocolate is better with them, S'mores are yummier because of them, Camping isn't the same without them, Easter isn't fun without Peeps and what is a Rice Crispy Treat without them. 

So when my Sister in Laws family introduced me to the Scotchmallow at See's Candies I was smitten. Yummy dark chocolate with honey marshmallow and caramel. They are my favorite things. 

This year in my stocking was a box of them. I shared a couple with my Sis but for the most part I have eaten the whole box by myself. As I sit here eating one of the last I am loving every moment and my Mom for making sure that our stockings had our very own favorites this year.

If you are a marshmallow fan, I highly suggest trying these out. Stop by Sees and buy yourself one besides they always give out a sample.

Happy Birthday Melissa!!!

Happy Birthday to my Animal and Rudolph loveing, Sassy, Silly, Planner of great pranks younger Sister. She hates her photo to be taken unless she is making an obnoxius face...Yet I will continue to take pictures, cause she is cute, to her annoyance.
I hope this year is filled with as little stress as possible. Ok I know dreaming..

Breathe In, Breathe Out

Today was a bummer of a day. It was filled with anxiety and loss. I knew that layoffs in our Company were not far off, I guess I wasn't prepared for the magnitude of it. A lot of really great co-workers were let go. I miss them already.  

So what does one do to lift the blues? They long onto NPR and listen to Andrew Bird's new album. The album won't be released until the 20th, but they have been kind enough to post it for those of us who just can't wait.

It is blissful and temporarily breaks up the blues.

So if you are a fan go here and listen. Also go here to read more about it.

I am hoping tomorrow will be better even if it is a bit lonelier.

Christmas Eve Fun

The longer I live away from Utah the thinner my blood gets. I thought that I was going to instantly turn into an icicle the moment I stepped out of the SLC Airport. I no longer have in my possession clothes or shoes that would be ideal to wear on cold snowy days, let alone a pair of gloves. Before I moved here I hardly wore a coat, things have really changed.

Christmas Eve was spent with my younger sisters Melissa and Emily and Bro-in-Law Jake. Dinner was a yummy roasted Chicken and potatoes. It was delicious! Unfortunately they had to wait to eat until I arrived so dinner was served at 9:30...we were all very hungry.

After dinner we put the annual Christmas puzzle together. I even helped even though I have this strange dislike of the Rankin Bass Rudolph (Melissa's obsession), maybe I need therapy.

The highlight of the evening, (besides spending time with awesome people) the cats choosing my coat to mate on....yeah disgusting!!! I think they knew that I would not appreciate their cat fur all over my coat so they went the extra mile.

 

So happy to be with my Sisters.

Puzzle fun!

Rocky pre-mating session....argh. They kindly moved the coat to the floor leaving Melissa's coat unscathed...She is a cat lover.

Holiday Baking

A-gril and I decided to bake for our friends this year. Because we were so delayed a few of them had already left town, so they didn't get to partake of our tasty delights.

We made Ginger cookies, Poppie Seed Bread, Sugar Cookies,Chocolate/Butterscotch Peanut Clusters, Crinkle Cookies and Chocolate covered Pretzels. It was fun to bake for others, However I now know that it is much more fun to frost only a couple of Sugar cookies instead of 52. 

We had a grand time delivering to and surprising many of our favorite people. Even though it was a very busy and exhausting weekend it certainly brought out the Christmas Spirit.

Who knows maybe this will become a tradition.

Happy Birthday Stephanie!

Stephanie is turning 30 something today....Happy Birthday to a great Sister and friend.