Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Blah

Hello Wednesday...

Blah..

Well, yesterday the retirement lunch was a success!  I got the totals right, and the bill was tallied to what I had expected, and a lot of people showed up.  I could tell by the end of lunch and by the end of the day, our receptionist was getting sad and teary eyed.  As predicted, she was a no show today on her last day.  To her credit she did leave me a nice message on the machine explaining  how too emotional she was to come in today to say a final goodbye to the desk duties that she has performed for the last 36 years. 

Yes..  36 years.  An office icon.  Can you believe it?  She is only 55.  More than half of her life was spent in the same job.  I guess I wouldn't come in on my last day either.

I'm feeling a little better, but feeling really frustrated, and it's not because I know I have to sit at the reception desk for the rest of the morning.  Urrg..  It's a combination of things.

My mother keeps on getting stupid bills from people at her medical clinic for a procedure done in 2006, just because SOMEONE who has yet to step to the plate and confess they did not bill medicare.  I have proof from Blue Cross that she owes nothing, but because someone did not follow procedure my mother has been getting harassing letters from a collection agency saying she didn't.  Of course, I thought this was resolved back in February, but no.  Thank God I didn't throw all this paperwork away that has been sitting at my desk at work.  Geesh..  I've spoken to two people already, who have reassured me that it will be resolved this week.  I would like to believe it, but I just can't yet.  Seeing is believing. 

At home, at the moment I'm feeling like Hazel the maid.  I will not go into details-it just makes me sad. 

Well, at least she looks happy, huh?

Monday, April 28, 2008

Crappy Weekend

From this to.....Divorce Court

Sad, I know....  Where is the love?  Can you say, SCAM?

Read about it here: http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2008-04-25-coleman-divorce-court_N.htm?csp=34

Remember I predicted this would happen! 

What a weekend. 

Ever had one of those weekend, when you wish Monday would come?  I was sickly all weekend, but I am feeling better today.  Got some sad news about two people I care about--both of whom lost their fathers over the weekend.  My heart goes out to both of them.  One of our children either sprained or fractured his ankle.  Crutches and no driving for two weeks. 

We had really warm weather the past few days over here, almost to a point where it was too hot.  Sinus colds and hot weather don't go well.  I'm actually grateful that I'm sitting in my cold office.  I wore a dress today even--I always tend to dress up when I feel shitty. 

The receptionist IS HERE today.  Okay, she has 2 more days to go.  Will she be here tomorrow for her luncheon?  I'm predicting she may be here, but will be a no show on her last day, Wednesday.  I have to tally up all the lunch totals, and fax our order today at 10:30.  Can you say, fun?!  There is nothing worse than having the duty of collecting money.  That is one thing I don't like.  When I sell Avon, I rarely run into that problem, but there is a woman here that "forgot" to pay me for some Avon she bought over a month ago, and I'm embarrassed to ask her about it.  No hints I throw out helps.  Oh well.  Hopefully she'll remember to pay for lunch. 

Friday, April 25, 2008

Happy Freedom Day/Friday/Reese Witherspoon-Avon

Today, April 25 is Freedom Day--a national holiday in Portugal--a very important day in Portuguese history!  From Wikipedia:

The Carnation Revolution (Portuguese: Revolução dos Cravos) was an almost bloodless, leftist, military-led coup d'état, started on April 25, 1974, in Lisbon, Portugal, that effectively changed the Portuguese regime from an authoritarian dictatorship to a democracy after two years of a transitional period known as PREC (Processo Revolucionário Em Curso), characterized by social turmoil and power dispute between left and right wing political forces.

Although government forces killed four people before surrendering, the revolution was unusual in that the revolutionaries did not use direct violence to achieve their goals. The population, holding red carnations (cravos in Portuguese), convinced the regime soldiers not to resist. The soldiers readily swapped their bullets for flowers. It was the end of the Estado Novo, the longest authoritarian regime in Western Europe.

Well, that's your history lesson for the day.

I'm still feeling rather sickly, but I finally took some allergy multi-symptom medicine, and I am feeling better.  I didn't want to get out of bed, but because my son had STAR testing, I had no choice.  So, I'm here at work...barely able to do anything.  Oh well.

The receptionist is HERE today.  Wow..amazing, huh?  She has three more days of work before she is gone forever.  How many days do you think she'll actually work?  Hmm...  She hardly ever works 3 days in a row, so I'm shooting for may be two. 

I really don't ever talk about Avon stuff, but I have to tell you about a new lipstick, Avon's Pro To Go..  It's great because you only need one hand!!  You never need to take off the top--it's great!!  It's endorsed by Reese Witherspoon--the official, first ever Avon Global Ambassador!

Read about it here: http://justjared.buzznet.com/2007/08/01/reese-witherspoon-avon/

Well, it's time to take more drugs, and I need to fill my tummy with food.  Have a wonderful weekend people of Jland! 

 

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Thankful Thursday....

Urr...

Remember my HAPPY entry yesterday?

Well..

I guess I totally jinxed myself over. 

Today I feel totally rotten.  The free lunch I had for administration assistant day gave me heartburn, and by the time I got home from work, my throat was feeling itchy, my eyes were getting watery, and my ears started to ring. 

I'm sick! 

Nope, it wasn't from screaming and singing with Mamma Mia..  I have a witness--my daughter knows I didn't go totally crazy.  I think it may be a combo of my son's cold, and the cold winds of Monterey from last weekend.  Throw in my monthly visitor in the mix, and that will give you an achy, crampy stomach, a canker sore, a runny nose, congestion, a scratchy throat, a sinus headache and an aching ear.  All that equals = my head feels like a big balloon!!  Eww..flem.. Can you say, disgusting

Oh well, it's Thursday anyway..   Surprisingly, I DO have a long list of things I'm thankful for:

1.  Kleenex with aloe lotion..  Great invention!!

2.  Stay Free with wings!!  If only they could fly me away.... 

3.  Long sweaters and dark pants.  (I'm not going to explain why.)

5.  Chocolate! 

6.  Cherry cough drops!

7.  Orajel mouth sore gel.  This stuff works on contact with canker sores!!

8.  Aleve.

9.  Hubby man who enjoys a good sandwich instead of a hot cooked meal for dinner. 

10.  Hubby man for not watching Big Brother 9 without me while I was at Mamma Mia show.  He Tivo'd it, and waited me to come home.  What a sweety--I'm keeping him.

11.  My co-worker's doctor's appointment cancellation.  Otherwise I would have to cover the front desk all afternoon.

  No, our receptionist isn't here again.  Second time this week she has called in sick.  Since I'm the "party planner" for her retirement extravaganza, I had to go out to the drug store to buy her card.  It took me a good 20 minutes to find one.  I'm not kidding.  I kept on finding cards that say, "We are going to miss you so!"  with cartoon bunny and bear characters crying on the front of them.  We can't wait until she leaves.  We have been waiting for this moment for years now.  Then there were the ones that were real serious, with flowers, and running streams...  Too corny beyond words.  Oh well, I found one with a chicken on the front of it, and it was just plain happy retirement, don't do anything kind of theme.  It was nice and big so the whole office can add their own sentiment.  I was so hung up about finding the "perfect" card, that I totally forgot to buy other much needed items while I was there, and I had to go BACK there and get the forgotten items.  I hate it when I do that. 

Anyway, I made reservations at the restaurant for 25 people.  I'm going to have to fax in their entree selections Monday morning.  Sounds fun and exciting, huh?  I wish you were there with me to share in with the excitement.  I really do.  We are betting whether or not the receptionist actually "shows".  I would not be surprised whatsoever if she plans on not being there.  She didn't even bother showing up for lunch for administration assistant luncheon. 

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Happy Administrative Assistant Day

This morning I was greeted with a cute pot of miniature roses and a very sweet card on my desk from my co-workers.  It's Profeesional Administrative Assistant Day---the politically "correct" way to say, Secretaries Day.  They are all taking us for lunch--I'm thrilled because they are actually taking us to somewhere I like to eat!  Last year was a potluck----can you say "eww?"  There are also cakes, and bagels, strawberries, grapes, orange juice and Starbucks Coffee...  Can you say YUM?!

OMG..

(Did people actually wear that in the 70's?)

Last night Lizzy and I had a blast!  Mamma Mia was truly an awesome experience!!  It was nothing like the movie set in Australia that I saw years ago.  LOVED it!  I was surrounded by a multitude of other Abba fans..  I actually heard a GUY say he "loved" the song Super Trooper!  I heard songs I hadn't heard in years.  I heard songs that made me laugh, and a few that actually made me close to crying.  It was fabolous!!!  My daughter had a lot of fun too.  Lizzy did a lot of theatre in high school, and after watching the show, she confessed that she missed being on stage, and was a little depressed about it.  She really has a love for performing-it made her think a little.  Of course I took pictures before the show, and of course I will have to post them later because they are on my daughter's camera.  The show started at 8, and didn't get out until a quarter to 11 pm.  During the interval I got myself a Mamma Mia t-shirt, and we shared a bag of M&Ms...  We ate dinner at 11 pm--we were starving...  Thank God In & Out is open that late.  A cheeseburger never tasted so good!

I'm having an awesome month.  :)

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Busy, busy...busy :)

 It's been a really, really busy month for me!!   But that is okay!

I came back from our anniversary weekend away with hubby man, and it was nice and relaxing.  We stayed at a Hilton, and it was very nice.  We ate well, relaxed and saw a lot of movies, and did some sight seeing, and saw lots of people getting married by the seashore.  Poor brides with white dresses and their bridesmaids fighting off the wind--their hairstyles all getting ruined-I felt sorry for them.  When Rich and I got married 5 years ago, there wasn't a cloud in the sky that we could see, and the weather was perfect.  Too bad the weather was so darn cold and windy this weekend!!  My ears were sore from the wind.  It wasn't just a wind, it was a cold ocean wind...  Brrrr...  No rain though, so I was able to take a few pictures.

Saturday, because of the choppy seas, and the winds, our whale watching adventure was canceled!  It what quite a BUMMER because on Sunday, the ocean was perfect.  We went to Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey and saw all the lucky whale watchers get in line.  It pissed me off.  What pisses me off the most is we took Dramamine the night before and that morning before we got the phone call that the trip was canceled.  I swear that stuff did something to the both of us.  We felt tired and just plain out of it-it did some havoc to our systems.  Sigh.  Oh well, next time!  It was a nice getaway.  I'm looking forward to the next one.  While we were on the wharf, there was a huge cruise ship docked there; it gave us some ideas.  Next time, may be we will take a cruise... 

I took some pictures, and loaded it on to my computer, but of course AOL was doing it's "thang" and I couldn't load them on, so tonight I'll have to try, IF I have time, because TONIGHT, I'm going to see:  MAMMA MIA!!!  (The Broadway musical

YAY!  Can't wait!!  I'm bringing my camera!!  I might wear a boa...who knows..  :)  Lizzy is coming with me, and says I could borrow her boa.  She hada lot of ideas of what to wear. Hubby man just smiled and just said he was grateful he wasn't going.  I don't know what most men have against musicals...  Oh well, it shall be fun!  I'll be seeing Abba songs all night! 

It's been a busy at work here too.  Guess who is retiring?  Yes, the receptionist.  Guess who gets to plan her luncheon?  Well, I didn't volunteer I was "assigned" to get it all planned for next week.  Lovely..  The receptionist thinks I'm a crazed Abba fan, and I've threatened her that I would decorate the event a la Abba.  She said, fine as long as I don't make her wear hot pants.  It shall be fun. 

Okay, I have a million things to do...  TaTa!! 

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Album Cover Meme

This was actually a lot of fun!  I got the idea from Cin, (I copied and pasted all her hard work) who got from, from:

Album Cover Meme from Paul's Blog.

Instructions:

1) Go to Wikipedia. Click on the Random Article link. The title of whatever article you get will be your band name

I got "Velli Thirai".  (I have no idea what it means off hand..)

2) Go to Quotationspage.com. Click on the Random Quotes link. Scroll to the bottom of the page. The last four words of the last quotation on the page will be your album title.

I got my life.  Take it. 

3) Go to Flickr.com. Click on the interesting photos from the last seven days link. (You'll see it down next to the big "Take the Tour" button.) The third photograph on that page will be your album cover.

4) Employ your favourite image editing software.

This is where things got tricky for me. I didn't now where to find image-editing software on my computer. After fumbling around for awhile, I founda comics-creating software. Then I had to figure out how the heck to use it. So this took awhile...but I fumbled up something...

5) Present us your album cover.

Here is mine: 

Yeah, that's me, behind the screen.  Not really me, but that is how I feel sometimes here at work. 

I hope you are all having a good day! 

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Tuesday..blah

This week is just dragging..  I know it's only Tuesday, but it's dragging!! 

I'm in the process of getting Nicholas registered for kindergarten.  He'll be starting kindergarten, and his brother Andrew will be starting high school in September.  I can hardly believe it myself.  Regrettably, since I'm still working where I am, Nick will be starting school near my mom's house-the same school I attended.  I'll be driving in circles again next Fall between Andrew's school and Nick's..but, my employer will let me do it--not many employers would.  I know I'm spoiled.  Hopefully, however, I WILL be able to quit this job, and start somewhere else part time one day in the near future.  Andrew really wants to continue through high school with his friends at least for a year or two.  He knows that he'll have to change schools when I do find a job closer to home, and he is okay with that.  It is so frustrating because the high school nearest to my home is 3 blocks away.  The elementary school is less than a mile away from my house.  Meanwhile, my mother says she will "die" if Andrew starts school near his home.  Oh the drama...you don't know the half of it dear, gentle readers..

Yesterday our shower broke, and because of that I am very grateful.  Husband fixed it last night, and OMG..  We have water pressure now!  It's so much better.  It stopped working because the pipe thingy was clogged.  What a difference--I can now wash my hair in record time!  I must keep this a secret though.  The kids won't use our shower because they basically say it "sucks".  Well, not anymore it doesn't... YAY :) 

Dee is not at work today.  I hope she is okay and didn't get any "visitors".  We swore that we would no longer speak about it again.. HA HA HAH..  I'm interested about Dee's friend's experience with John Edward.  I will let you know if anything freaky happened during the seminar. 

It's another beautiful spring day outside, and this God forsaken building is freezing.  I have goose bumps all over.  It's actually warmer outside than it is inside.  Brrrrrr.... 

 I may take a quick walk outside and check to see whether or not the new cafe is open next door.  It's called "Samba Cafe"..  I wonder if it's a Brazilian cafe, or a fake Brazilian cafe.  I hope it's a cafe safe enough to get my morning coffee.  The place used to be a sketchy barber shop that a lot of our clients would go to for that "last impressive haircut and shave" before doing time in the slammer.  It would be nice to get coffee there instead of going to the gas station, or risk my life jay walking to the county building cafeteria. 

Speaking of Brazil, or should I say: BRASIL, a co-worker here is going there this August, and I've been teaching him some words in Portuguese.  So far he knows how to say a few things including the expression- "How cool" in Brazilian/Portuguese: Que legal!  He has a girly friend who is in Rio who he calls now and then, and he tries to surprise and impress her with some new sayings.  She is impressed and is always asking him, "Who is teaching you this?!" It's pretty funny actually.  Portuguese spoken in Portugal versus Portuguese spoken in Brazil is a little different.  Some words and expressions do not translate the same.  It's interesting.  My ex-husband has quite a few relatives supposedly in Brazil.  When my sister-in law went there she was told to hide her money in her shoe.  Between the violence, poverty and sex slavery that is going on there,  I won't be going there any time soon, but oh man---I love Brazilian accents...  Sigh. 

Three more days until I leave town for our anniversary get away..  YAY!

 

 

 

Monday, April 14, 2008

It gets even more freaky..

Well, Dee gave me more info..

Apparently, the reason why her friend at the gym was talking about ghosts was because she was telling Dee that she was going to see John Edward this week. 

COINCIDENCE?

He's kind of cute, hey?  Want to hear something funny?  His wife is Portuguese...  HA HAHA..  (Not really funny I know, but I'm Portuguese, and I think it's hilarious.) 

His website : John Edward / Welcome to The Official John Edward Website Worldwide / JohnEdward.net

I tried to copy a picture from his website, and I got this message:  "You cannot copy this picture.  This picture is protected by the OTHER SIDE." 

Anyway, Dee gave this friend of hers some of her grandmothers' things.  IF grandma has a message for Dee, perhaps John Edward will give it to her friend.  I will keep you posted. 

I've seen John Edward a few times in San Francisco.  He was impressive, and he is a good speaker, plus, he isn't too bad to look at either.  It was interesting how he was getting messages from different parts of the auditorium.  He spoke to someone sitting very close to me.  My heart skipped a beat a few times.  There is a lot speculation and talk that he hides listening devices in the auditoriums--who knows if he does or not.  I do remember sitting there once, and hearing this woman behind my chair muttering.  "I'm feeling something now..."  I guess she was psychic?  She was quite irritating. 

Just a Coincidence, or a Message From BEYOND?

Remember that entry I wrote last week about the lights going out in my building, including a 5 mile radius around the building?  If you don't--here is what I wrote:

We (Me and my co-worker, Dee) started talking about writing, and don't ask me how all that writing talk ended up in a conversation about voo doo dolls, witches and ghosts.  

Five minutes later.  The lights flicker.

The lights come back on...

Flicker again. 

The lights stay off.  No power.  The building is dead silent with only the voices of my fellow co-workers moaning and cheering. 

I immediately ran into Dee's office, and told her that the "spirits were angry.." 

We crossed ourselves and giggled.  Of course, our building wasn't the only building without power.  The streetlights weren't working, and the business all around in a 5 mile radius had no power.  I went to get my coffee, and then sat at my desk, staring at the walls.  I tried not to think about all the readings my friend, the medium had held in that same room.  I tried, but couldn't help thinking about it.  I crossed myself again.

Okay, now I'm sure it was pure coincidence, right?  The only thing is, my boss just told me that NOBODY knows why half the city lost power that morning.  It's still a mystery. 

Okay, there is more.  Dee comes in this morning to tell me and boss lady another story.  She was at the gym with a friend, and they were having another similar conversation (about ghosts/spirits-family stories) with her friend in the bathroom.  They were both sitting in the stall, when suddenly...

The lights flickered...once, then again... 

The lights were off for about 5 minutes--the whole entire 1st floor of the gym lost power. 

My friend Dee told us that she was terrified.  She screamed, and ran out of the bathroom in tears.  She was totally freaked, and thinks her grandma on the "other side" was sending her a message. 

Pretty freaky, hey? 

 

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Jason Mraz Singing Happy Birthday to ME! :)

Well, I was looking around on YouTube, and someone actually recorded it and put it on YouTube for me!!  Thank you to whoever you are!!  I showed it to my daughter, and she said that this is better than what she had recorded, so here goes! 

 

Jason Mraz

These are the videos the radion station took of Jason on that Friday afternoon... 

The camera was right in front of our table-just to give you the idea of how close we actually were.  I wish they included the video of him singing to me, you'll have to wait for Lizzy to send me it... 

This video below is the first song he performed:

It's a beautiful Saturday outside..  80 something degrees--almost a little too warm.  I'm going to try and enjoy the sunshine!  Have a great day everyone! 

Friday, April 11, 2008

Cinco Perguntas/5 Questions

I haven't been officially tagged yet, but what the heck..  I'll do this too-since EVERYONE else is doing it... 

 

QUESTIONS

1. WHAT WERE YOU DOING TEN YEARS AGO?

I was newly divorced, trying to raise two kids on my own...  Them were rocky times..  I didn't start dating again until about a year after my divorce because I was recovering from the aftermath of almost 12 years of a fairly unhealthy marriage.  It was a year for "recovery."

2. WHAT ARE 5 THINGS ON MY TO-DO  LIST TODAY?

It's Friday, so there isn't too much to do around here.  My priorities are taking Nicholas to preschool, and picking him up and his older brother after work.  I'm meeting my friend Maria for lunch-that will be fun.  Other than that, I have real work at home.  I have laundry to do, dinner to make..etc..etc.. 

3.  SNACKS I ENJOY:

I like yogurt-Yoplait fat free--especially cherry & lemon.  I like granola bars with coffee, and of course, who am I kidding..  I love cookies. 

4. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WERE A BILLIONAIRE?

Oh gosh.  That is way too much money--too much responsibility to deal with.  But I would try and help my fellow man as much as possible-the homeless, the poor, the sick---research for illness that have effected my family especially-cancer, diabetes, spina bifida, heart disease...

Of course I would quit my job.  I think my husband would quit too.  A billionaire?!  Are you kidding me?!  I can't even start to imagine what we would do.  Of course we would help our children start their lives, as well as the children of our siblings..etc..  Make sure everyone gets the opportunity for a college education..etc.. 

I would probably be bored to death with all that money around so I would do volunteer work.  May be work with Oprah.  HA HA HA..  Travel the world, make a beautiful home here and overseas..  Perhaps write a book?  Gee I don't know..  Remember when being a Millionaire was ENOUGH?!  I guess those times are gone...  

5. BAD HABITS:

I procrastinate sometimes, I say "yes" too many times, I expect the good in people all the time.  I am relatively a positive person; and I expect everyone to be like me, and they aren't. I tend to eat too much chocolate, and I can't keep track of a checkbook either. 

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Strangers In The Dark

Today, in the run down shack I work in (I no longer refer to my work place as the "g" word) the power went off. 

When the power goes off, this building is pretty scary, and I'm just grateful that I wasn't in the bathroom downstairs sitting on the can, because it is just pitch black in there when the lights go off. 

Moments earlier, I was busily chatting away with one of my co-workers, Dee.  For the most part, usually when I start talking to Dee, it's almost like opening a can of worms, or opening Pandora's box-there is no telling what we end up talking about.  We start talking about one subject, which leads to another, and at the end of a very lengthy conversation we end up talking about another subject that was totally unrelated from the subject we first started talking about.  It's like we feed off from each other from our thoughts. 

Well, anyway Dee had originally came into the office looking for boss lady, but stopped to comment how she enjoyed reading the emails I  send out to the department at the beginning of each month.  I send out emails monthly when I need to compile my boring statistics so I try to make these emails as entertaining as possible. I try and make it a contest to who can send their information to me the quickest.  It's a little game I play with the department and it's nice to hear that they are enjoyed.  We started talking about writing, and don't ask me how all that writing talk ended up in a conversation about voo doo dolls, witches and ghosts.  

Five minutes later.  The lights flicker.

The lights come back on...

Flicker again. 

The lights stay off.  No power.  The building is dead silent with only the voices of my fellow co-workers moaning and cheering. 

I immediately ran into Dee's office, and told her that the "spirits were angry.."  We crossed ourselves and giggled. 

Of course, our building wasn't the only building without power.  The streetlights weren't working, and the business all around in a 5 mile radius had no power.  I went to get my coffee, and then sat at my desk, staring at the walls.  I tried not to think about all the readings my friend, the medium had held in that same room.  I tried, but couldn't help thinking about it.  I crossed myself again.

It only takes a few moments after sitting in the dark to realize how much we depend on electricity.  Sitting there in the dark, I would find myself constantly turning towards the computer and my hand would go immediately to the mouse.  It's an automatic thing.  When I get calls for certain files, often at times my hands go directly to the particular file without me even looking.  It's weird..but it happens quite a bit. 

I finally got away from my desk to the front lobby to break reception.  Of course our "trusty and dependable" receptionist was "sick" yet again.  At least there was light inside that office because the large windows facing the street, but the light from the windows were reflecting the client window, and as clients came in, they were just mere shadows.  You couldn't makeout their faces until they got to the client window.  It was like a bunch of dark globs sitting in the lobby chairs across from you.  It was kind of spooky to say the least.  The only good thing about it is, EVERYONE looks better in the dark. 

 (they looked kind of like this)

Anyway, there was a guy sitting in the lobby waiting for his son to get out, and this person was so incredibly bored sitting in the darkness, he wanted to chat with me.  Lovely.  He had a little argument with the son moments before, and you could tell was feeling a little embarrassed.

"Instead of raising kids, I should have raised dogs," he exclaimed.

I laughed--I can relate to that, kinda.  I just sat there...trying to look "busy", but it's  hard to be busy, when you can't even access the computer.  Of course NO ONE was calling my phone either.  No distractions, just me and that guy staring at me through the glass.  He finally asked to use the restroom, so I gladly went downstairs and unlocked the bathroom just to get him out and away from me.  When I had him follow me down the stairs I warned him about the darkness within the bathroom. 

"It's pretty dark in there, you may have to feel your way inside.."  (Oh gosh, did I really say that?!)

"That's okay, I'll used the light from my cell phone.." 

Lovely. 

Well, like a miracle from above, as soon as I got back to the lobby the lights went on.  Thank the Lord above for that is all I have to say.  I'd rather have strangers in the light, than strangers in the dark any day!

I am counting the days until our wedding anniversary...  In a few weeks hubby and I will be spending the weekend in beautiful Monterey, California.  This time we are going to do something I've never done before..  Whale watching!   We are going to take a 2 1/2 cruise in the Monterey Bay in search of whales and any dolphin or otter that comes our way.  It sounds like that would be fun, but I must remember to take something for motion sickness-it can be a little rocky so I'm told.  I remember feeling sick just staring at a boat in the water, so...I hope I'm NOT hurling my guts out during the 2 1/2 sea adventure.  I'm not a very strong swimmer either.  HA HA HA..  Oh well..it should be fun--as long as a whale doesn't flip us over, and no great white sharks try and eat the boat...  I'll have my hubby there--he'll save me. 

Well, it's Thursday!  Things to be grateful for:

1.  Electricity.

2.  Good friends.

3.  Family, kids & dogs...

4.  Good health.

5.  Whales & dolphins..

 

 

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

A Meme... Just for fun

I got this from Lyn, who got this at: Click here: Life N Stuff


Have you ever?

Driven to somewhere more than 8 hours away? 
Yes..  Los Angeles, San Diego, Arizona...  (California is a big state.)  I've also been a passenger cross country from  California to Massachusetts a few times as a child.

Looked at a beloved pet and wondered why you keep him/her around?  No..  I always liked having beloved pets around. 

Burned more than 6 candles at once?  Yes, at church, at Christmas, and may be on birthday cakes.

Asked family/friends to help you out of a tough situation?
  Yes.  I had to ask my brother more than once to help me move somewhere. 
Been to an NFL game? 
Yes, a 49ers game a LONG time ago.

Been to a MLB game?  Yes.--A's & Giants

Been to a NASCAR race?
  No, but hubby would love to go one day..

Been to an NBA game?  No

Been to an NHL game?  No.

Ridden a horse? 
Yep, and fell over on the other side of it.

Milked a cow?  No.  My father did, and never could ever drink a glass of milk since. 

Played hide-and-seek or Marco Polo in a corn field?
  Only in a swimming pool.

Driven a monster truck?
  NO!

Skinned a deer?
  Oh please, no!

Shot a duck?
  Never!

Cried over a commercial?
  Yes.

Washed your hair with dish soap, hand soap, or anything other than shampoo? 
Yep.  :)

Brushed your teeth with baking soda BECAUSE you were out of toothpaste?
  Eeeww..no.

Stolen fruit from a neighbor's tree?
  No.  I do remember stopping on the side of a highway years ago to steal apricots however.

Stolen anything, ever?  Yep--look above.

Gotten out of a traffic ticket? 
Yes.  Years ago, I had my two older kids, and my niece and nephew with me.  I was treating the kids to ice cream at a Dairy Queen-I believe it was Mother's Day.  I ran a light when it was yellow, and the cop pulled me over at the parking lot of the Dairy Queen.  As soon as he saw all four of the kids I had in the car, ranging from ages 13 to 3, I think he took pity on me, and remembered that it was Mother's Day.  I mean...really he would have been really mean to give me a ticket! 

I also got stopped on the highway because the stupid police officer did not see the new car sticker on the back for registration.  Duh..


Gotten a traffic ticket? 
Yes, only a few times. 

Asked a good friend to keep a secret?
  Yes.

Forgiven an ex? 
Hardest thing I ever had to do.

Hidden dirt under a rug, dishes in an appliance, or crap in a closet?  Who hasn't?

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Friday, I was a little star struck...

Last Friday, I took my daughter and two of her closest friends to that private concert I won tickets for to see Jason Mraz.  It was at the same restaurant we saw Vanessa Carlton.  It was an afternoon showing, with less people--very intimate.  It was great! 

We were able to sit at a table right across from Jason, and he was wonderful.  Elizabeth did not faint when she finally got up to see him, and got a great big hug from Jason and lots of photos.  She even got him to sign her pink pig piggy bank...  (He wrote his name on the side, and drew a heart on the butt..very cute..)

Jason was very humble, and natural--not stuffy or snobby like a lot of entertainers...  He actually spoke to the audience, and took requests.  My daughter raised her hand, and asked him..

"Could you sing happy birthday to my mom?" 

Of course he sang happy birthday to me..  He was so sweet..  My daughter has it recorded on her camera, and the radio station sent me a recording of it, (which made up for the fact they never posted our picture with Vanessa) but of course I can't load an MP3 file on this blog.  As soon as my daughter sends me the file, I'll post it here--of course it will take awhile.  If you want to hear the MP3 recording, I'll send it to you.  Lizzy's camera recording is great because you can actually SEE him singing it to me.  He was so sweet.  He made my birthday extra special.  I left the place a little "star struck", and was given many birthday wishes from strangers, but that is okay. 

Later Liz went to see him in concert again in Santa Cruz, and Rich and I had dinner, and then went to my Mom's house.  It was a nice day.  :)

I don't know if all of you know this, but I am a major ABBA fan.  It's the geeky side of me that you may not have found out yet.  YES--I own every ABBA record ever made.  I started collecting them when I first listened to my first ABBA record (The Arrival).


I think I was 13 years old.  I saw the record album when I was on vacation at my cousin, Coelho's house.  As soon as I got back to the states, I started to collect my pennies and nickels and dimes and was on a mission to buy ever record of theirs I could find.  I'd sing along to all of their songs in my room--I knew all the words; I think I still know them.  Anyways, when I heard that MAMA MIA the musical was coming to my town, I went a little crazy...

The first words that came out of my husband's mouth when I told him about it was:

"I'm not going!!" 

Poor dear still remembers the Julio Ingelsias concert I dragged him to go see, and the "last chance proms.." 

Well, luckily my daughter wants to go..  I've purchased the tickets....I am so ready to see Mama Mia..  I'm so excited..  I'm such a geek, but I don't care. 

 

Monday, April 7, 2008

Brown is the New Black

Okay, these pictures were taken when we saw Vanessa Carlton.  The radio station never came through in sending us the group picture with Vanessa, so here are a few that Tania sent.. 

The radio station made up for it Friday when we saw Jason Mraz..  I will post more on that later :)

In front of the restaurant...

Aren't they an adorable couple?

My God, I have my grandma's feet in this photo!

Our Sex In The City photo!  Ha ha ha haha!!

 

Scenes From A Portuguese Kitchen

I'm playing catch up...  Here are a few more pictures that were taken at Easter at my Mom's house, courtesy of cousin Tania:

Miss Liz decorating a cake with as many strawberries and blueberries as possible..

Mom & Tania our two fasion divas! 

Two Portuguese women in Azorean aprons...

(You know, AOL highlighted the Azores as a tropical destination on Sunday, and I was rather thrilled about that...) 

You can never have enough sweet potatoes, and Julie should really stop laughing so hard..  Not only is it extremely unattractive to the face, but you could really wet your pants. 

 

Three of my favorie young ladies.. 

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Thankful Thursday

Hello---

I was nauseous again this morning.. (No I'm not pregnant.)  But I do feel better today than I did yesterday.  I don't feel like I'm walking sideways as much.  I must have an inner ear infection of some type.  Anyway, I will be able to sleep in tomorrow, and hopefully I will be feeling better tomorrow.

Tomorrow promises to be a fun day.  At noon I'm taking Lizzy and two of her girlfriends to see Jason Mraz, in his private concert.  Liz will be able to actually talk to the guy.  She is sooo excited.  She already has her clothes laid out for the event.  Then she is going to see him again in concert at another venue tomorrow night.  I really do hope the radio station will let us take our own pictures with him, because at the last one, they said no private photographs and that our pictures would be posted on their website.  They NEVER posted the picture we took with Vanessa Carlton, and that was a shame because we were all dressed up all nicely--matching in brown leopard prints. 

So, while Lizzy goes out to see her concert later that night, hubby is taking me out for dinner and a movie.  :)  I'm looking forward to that very much. 

It's another spring-like day over here-much different from yesterday.  Real weird weather.  My lunch was filled with errands, but I was able to grab a Bk Veggie burger from Burger King.  It was quite tasty by the way; I highly recommend it with cheese, no mayo. 

(I know, he is a little scary, huh?)

Thankful Thursday:

1.  Thankful that I feel better today, and not so light-headed.

2.  The four kisses, the four hugs, and the "I love yous" my 4 year old gives me each time I drop him off at my mom's andat daycare. 

3.  My hubby--my best friend.

4.  My kids that keep me sane, just when I think I'm going insane--vice versa.

5.  Veggie burgers. 

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Wet & Gloomy Wednesday...

I don't know how I got myself out of bed today.  I feel like crappola!!!

Oh well...my son had school today, and since his school is out of town near my work, I kinda have to go to work.  I've been just sitting here suffering from an awful head cold.  I feel light headed and queazy.  My ears feel plugged up, and I feel out of balance.  I hate that feeling.  Oh well.. At least when I'm at work I'm not tempted to take on housework.  That's what always happens to me.  I don't feel well, so I stay at home, and I end up cleaning something, and I don't really relax to feel better.  I mean, there is always SOMETHING to clean or do when I'm at home.  So, thank God for work. I sometimes think it would be so wonderful to not work and just stay at home, but I'm afraid it would drive me crazy.  Perhaps I would be able to start reading again?  May be start on a hobby, or write something meaningful?  Hmm...  It would be nice to try anyway. 

It's gloomy and rainy outside, and the air is thick.  Not good weather for headaches.  Not good for clientel moods either apparently..  We have had some of the most rudest people come into our lobby this week.  The receptionist (oh yeah, she made an appearance this week) was called a "stupid b____" yesterday.  That did not go well.  One thing about the receptionist here, she doesn't take crap for NOBODY.  The guy ended up leaving the lobby with his tail between his legs.  This morning, there were also a few people that were really testing my own nerves.  I also got a call from some dude in Texas who wanted to get some dirt on his soon-to-be ex-wife. 

"Well, aren't you in the town with the big ferris wheel?" Tex asks.

Yes Mr. Texan man, we are located near the big ferris wheel.  Oh my Lord.  There is a Boardwalk here near the main beach, and YES, this town is known for the amusement park and the Boardwalk, but when the guy said the "big ferris wheel" it kind of threw me off on a loop, and I had to think a bit to understand what he was talking about.  Aren't there places in Texas with ferris wheels?  I'm guessing there is.  Anyway, I guess this guy's soon-to-be ex got in trouble there near the ferris wheel.  Interesting.  Needless to say, I couldn't help him, and I couldn't find anything on this dude's wife, but I enjoyed hearing him talk.  I love Texan accents; they remind me of Elvis and someone I used to know. 

Anyway, this all reminds me of a bumper sticker I read on some idiot's truck earlier this week.  Monday, I took my youngest son out for a nice walk near the ocean.  It was a beautiful morning, and the smell of the ocean and the salt air felt so nice.  We even managed to build a sand castle.  Anyway, on the way home, here is this white truck in front of me with this bumper sticker that read:

"F___k You!

You

"F___king F___ker!"

Suddenly, my perfect morning with the youngster was ruined.  Damn--it hurt my feelings even!  Okay...  Why would anyone be so inclined to purchase such an ugly bumper sticker to put on their vehicle is beyond me, but I really took offense to it.  Normally, I would just ignore it, but for some reason, it really bothered me.  Why would anyone want to create more negativity in this world?  Isn't there enough bad things going on in this world already?  What bothered me the most was my reaction to it.  It actually made me want to grab hold of the wheel, pass the idiot's car and flip him off---but of course, common sense and morality catched up with me, and I didn't give in. 

I can't stand rude people.  I wish someone kicks his butt one day-just enough to bruise him just a little bit. 

We just don't have enough bumper stickers in the world that actually say: 

I know, there is a gunshot wound.  It's the only one I could find in Google--sad, huh?  Sorry :(

 

 

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Are You An April Fool?

I think I'm coming down with something..  I'm feeling a little light headed..  Anyways, here is a break from work that I really need. 

Have you been fooled today? 

I haven't.  I was going to fool my mother and tell her that Rich and I were expecting again, but I didn't have the courage. 

I had a friend in junior high and high school who was born on April Fools Day. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHERYL!! 

It's funny how we can forget somethings, and not forget the silly things.  Sheryl was pretty-she reminded me of the actress, Ann-Margaret, but I remember she had really funny looking ears.  She would hide it with her long blonde hair.  The boys liked her because she started wearing a bra when she was 9. 

Anyways, I did come across the following article, and I found it interesting..  I got it from : http://wilstar.com/holidays/aprilfool.htm    If you haven't played a trick yet, remember you can do it on the 2nd too...  Have a plate of spaghetti tonight as well! 

"Unlike most of the other nonfoolish holidays, the history of April Fool's Day, sometimes called All Fool's Day, is not totally clear. There really wasn't a "first April Fool's Day" that can be pinpointed on the calendar. Some believe it sort of evolved simultaneously in several cultures at the same time, from celebrations involving the first day of spring.

The closest point in time that can be identified as the beginning of this tradition was in 1582, in France. Prior to that year, the new year was celebrated for eight days, beginning on March 25. The celebration culminated on April 1. With the reform of the calendar under Charles IX, the Gregorian Calendar was introduced, and New Year's Day was moved to January 1.

However, communications being what they were in the days when news traveled by foot, many people did not receive the news for several years. Others, the more obstinate crowd, refused to accept the new calendar and continued to celebrate the new year on April 1. These backward folk were labeled as "fools" by the general populace. They were subject to some ridicule, and were often sent on "fools errands" or were made the butt of other practical jokes.

This harassment evolved, over time, into a tradition of prank-playing on the first day of April. The tradition eventually spread to England and Scotland in the eighteenth century. It was later introduced to the American colonies of both the English and French. April Fool's Day thus developed into an international fun fest, so to speak, with different nationalities specializing in their own brand of humor at the expense of their friends and families.

In Scotland, for example, April Fool's Day is actually celebrated for two days. The second day is devoted to pranks involving the posterior region of the body. It is called Taily Day. The origin of the "kick me" sign can be traced to this observance.

Mexico's counterpart of April Fool's Day is actually observed on December 28. Originally, the day was a sad remembrance of the slaughter of the innocent children by King Herod. It eventually evolved into a lighter commemoration involving pranks and trickery.

Pranks performed on April Fool's Day range from the simple, (such as saying, "Your shoe's untied!), to the elaborate. Setting a roommate's alarm clock back an hour is a common gag. Whatever the prank, the trickster usually ends it by yelling to his victim, "April Fool!"

Practical jokes are a common practice on April Fool's Day. Sometimes, elaborate practical jokes are played on friends or relatives that last the entire day. The news media even gets involved. For instance, a British short film once shown on April Fool's Day was a fairly detailed documentary about "spaghetti farmers" and how they harvest their crop from the spaghetti trees.

April Fool's Day is a "for-fun-only" observance. Nobody is expected to buy gifts or to take their "significant other" out to eat in a fancy restaurant. Nobody gets off work or school. It's simply a fun little holiday, but a holiday on which one must remain forever vigilant, for he may be the next April Fool."

 

 

The Good, The Bad & Ugly

Remember that song from that movie, The Good, The Bad & The Ugly?  It had that real haunting whistle in it--it always sounds a little frightening, and errie.  I wish I could access YouTube right now so I could include it on here, but I can't. 

That song reminds me of something that is even more frightening--it's when I hear how UGLY and BAD things can get in Jland to GOOD people. 

Why must we insult, and talk MERDA (it means shit) about people?  I know we have all heard that saying:  "Why can't we just get along.."  or "agree to disagree.."  ???  It's just so Jr. High hearing about this one, talking bad about this one, for something that was written about the other one...etc..etc..  Luckily for me I'm pretty much "out of the loop" with most that goes on in Jland, and for this I feel very grateful at the moment.  It's just really upsetting when I read that a good friend feels as if she is not welcome to express her feelings in her private blog anymore.

  It really is a shame; and frankly, an embarrassment.