my weekend in pictures

Its a mad blur like usual but at least I have fun.

 Friday: Took a day off, I was suppose to go to Brianne's graduation all the way in Victorville but it was at 7am and you know I need my beauty sleep. So I took a "ME" day. Much needed and much appreciated.

Got my nails done. Love. Its summertime sparkle. Awesome.

Gaffey Street Diner - turkey, swiss and mushroom omelette with a side of biscuits and gravy. Need I say more besides, yum!

After taking Rab to the Boys Club I decided to check out this nail supply store in my 'hood. OMGoodness, Heaven is all I can say. I have 15 new bottles to add to my collection and I will be back :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Double Dizzle my baby, she's so pretty. "out on the prowl".

Family walk to Shakey's. I deserved these mojos.

Saturday: Horseback riding lessons, wine walk and Benihana's. Thats how I roll.

Cowgirl Hat, check!

Rab brushing Jazzy. She had a great time and did was awesome. We'll be back for sure.

Meet Rufus, I mean Clarence.

After all that riding, we were starved. Phillipe's it was. Delicious as always.

Covina Wine Walk and I have no pictures of the wine, haha. Had a great time eating chocolate, cheese and drinking lots of wine with my sweetheart. Can't wait for the next one. I narrowed down my taste to the whites.

Sunday: Spent a relaxing day with the BFC and FGK's. Had a movie marathon. I had no idea there was a $6 movie theater? Covina Edwards, all sunday. We saw Men in Black III which we all know we really didn't need another MIB but hey, its Will Smith and Tommy Lee so I'm not complaining. Then we snuck into another theater and saw Snow White and the Huntsman which I really liked. Shhh don't tell. I know bad parenting but its not like everyone hasn't done it one time or another. Plus the line was so long it would have taken forever to pay again, haha, I'm trying to justify it. Anyways. Lovely lovely day, relaxing and fun just like I hope the rest of my summer will be.

this one's for you mom

So I've been a little absent here. I have to make that money and it seems my favoritest time to blog was during the day so I've been M.I.A. and then just the busy stuff that happens in life. Anyways. I had a fun Mother's Day weekend. Kicked it off with a little Revlon Run/Walk at the Coliseum. Its so awesome to see thousands of people out early for a good cause. Save the Tata's I say. Of course I did want Samantha Rabbit to join me but she declined, didn't want to miss out on her beauty sleep and all that jazz. I've done the walk before but this year I walked with my friends group, the Delia Dolls. My friend "D" Delia was a super sweet lady. She's the Mom to my friend Val and boy did she love her daughter, they were two peas in a pod. It was just D and Val for many years until the cancer came. Needless to say she raised her daughter to grow up into a strong independent woman and honestly when Valerie walks into the room, people listen. It was my honor to walk on D's behalf and alot of fun. I didn't take many pictures but I managed to sneak one by when I got back to my car.

Me and my medal - Its cool that Revlon gives every participant a medal for walking. Makes you feel special

After the walk I had to stop by and reward myself with a snack from Randy's donuts. Even though the donuts didn't just come out of the oven, they were still delicious and surprisingly I even bought a few for Samantha and Michael, nom nom nom.

Stopping by at 3 or 4 in the morning is the best...fresh glaze donuts.Try it, seriously.

I also had a nice surprise for me at home. A beautiful bouquet of flowers from Samantha and Michael. I had told Michael a few days ago that it was Mexican's Mother's Day and well I'm Mexican so I should have another gift, hahaha. I believe thats the reason for the flowers, I'm so glad he understood my very direct mesasge. He's a smart guy and knows me so well. I love flowers, they just make me smile. I mean, who wouldn't be happy after receiving flowers. It makes you feel special and loved, not that I'm not but its nice to have a special delivery for me.

a little blurry but my favorite are the tiny purple clusters. Pops of color, love.

 Later that evening the Lakers were playing Game 7 and we decided to head out to Buffalo Wild Wings to grab a good seat for the game, trivia and wings. We arrived just in time because the place was filling up quick but we didn't have to wait long (you know its like Cheers where everyone knows our name, just kidding but we do know our fair share of the "good" staff). We ordered our faves: bbq terriyaki, garlic salt and vinegar, and a side of carrots and celery - keeping it simple. The game was intense and seriously both teams played well and of course the Lakers won, yay. Since we do love our trivia, we all managed to win a game or two, Mike dominating of course but dont' worry one day we'll kick his butt more often than not. It was the perfect way to end the day.

This girl, always fighting me and playing camera shy

I made Samantha take this picture, she's having fun with Instagram and doesn't mind being the photog.

Alas Mother's Day arrived. Since my family doesn't do crowds, we didn't have big plans to go out. We mostly just hang around and hope my Dad makes a nice meal, ha. Of course I waited and waited to get my Mom something. I know I wanted to get my Mom something nice but what do I get her? I kind of played out all the Big Bang Theory presents. I do have something up my sleeve but since I haven't been the crafty diva I know I am, that fell through the cracks. Honestly there is no present or amount of money in the world that could tell my Mom how much she means to me. She has done so much for me and Samantha in our lifetime and we could never repay her. She's a great Mom and an even awesomer grandma (yes awesomer). I know sometimes we are oil and water but mostly I think we're salt and pepper, sometimes you need one or the other or sometimes you need both together,  right? I love my Mom with all my heart and I hope she knows that, I'm sure she does but just like everything in life I need to say and show it more.

Anyways, I ventured out to the mall on Mothers Day ( i know, gasp, me in the mall). Needless to say it wasn't so horrible ( I did stop and reward myself with a Cinnabon, ok I brought some for everyone but I just can't resist the smell) but I wasn't the only one there browsing the aisles. America is a last minute shopping country. I wanted to get my Mom something nice and she's a fun gift giver to because you can tell she truly appreciates the effort and the gifts. You know how sometimes you get someone something and they're just like meh, whatever. My mom is so not like that, she truly makes you feel like you got her just what she wanted and even if she's messin and its not what she wanted she doesn't let you know. If price was no object I would buy for her every day but since price is an object I hold back and try to find the right gift for her on those special days. Since we're tv junkies and often watch the same programs I noticed she has been saying she wanted her Jadore parfum from the ongoing commercials they've been playing with Charlize Theron walking into the room all glamorous with her Jadore'. Of course she would never buy it for herself so thats what I got her, a nice big bottle. No extras though, those mall rats. Why don't they have samples or something free during this shopping frenzy season? Well it doesn't matter, I'm sure she'll smell fabulous for the next few years and she was truly happy I feel. Personally its not my taste, I'm a little more of a summery scent kind of girl, but to each its own. At least she won't have to bathe it in like my Dad does with his $9.99 Walgreen specials, hahaha.

Its always so pretty to see and smell a bunch of parfums lined up and then I'm out the door sneezing from the fumes, lol

Overall we had a nice day. My Dad didn't disappoint and made some yummy hamburgers and I even scored some new nail polish and chocolate out of the deal (hey, I'm a Mom too right). We then watched a few of our favorite shows and called it a day.. All in all it was a very Quiroz Mother's Day. We're all blessed, we may not have a lot but we have eachother and that counts for something.

xoxo

Oh yeah and Granny sent me some bling. Man I love that old bird, she knows me so well.

This little cuddle buddy, well she makes my heart melt.

randomness and yes I'm looney, who knew?

Sometimes I wish I found my job in life, you know that job that you ACTUALLY like waking up for. Well I am a mother to a smart and beautiful child but that don't pay the bills so you know I need the job that pays me in Benjamin's and not x's and o's. I know I'm here feeling sorry for myself when there are so many unemployed but as I sit here stalking the blogs all day I just wonder what it would be like. If the job was blog stalker, I would win hands down because how else would I come across this stuff. Just check it out, yes I have lots of time on my hands. Well sort of.

Tom Selleck cookies -  omg how freakin rad right. I love Tom Selleck, kind of obsessed I guess. I love Jesse Stone, Magnum PI, Chief of Police Regan on Blue Bloods, yes I'm obsessed with Blue Bloods too because they have Danny Walburg playing a badass cop and well he's related to a New Kid and I'm kinda obsessed with them too if you haven't noticed. (I'm still missing one NKOTB doll, if anyone finds a Jon doll on ebay, holla atcha girl seriously).

Caine's Arcade -  When I came across the video for Caine's Arcade, I could have kicked myself because I saw the request on Hidden LA's facebook page about the flash mob a while back. Wah, how awesome to be part of something like this. To bring a smile to such an inspiring kid, I love you people, you do-gooders, you awesome thinking of others and their futures people and putting money in the kids college fund people, you freakin rock. Man, America is great. East L.A. is great and I'm going to buy all my car parts from Caine's Dad because he's awesome for letting his son build such an awesome arcade at his shop and for encouraging his son. I hope Caine goes to college and does big things. Most important though, I hope he pays it forward - thats what its all about really. I need a Caine's Arcade staff shirt, stat and I need a fun pass.

Joy the Baker - Dude, I seriously love this girl. She's like bananas and I want to learn how to make a bundt cake so bad because of her, yes because of her and my infatuation with My Big Fat Greek Wedding and you know I would totally put a potted flower in my cake instead of eating it, yes I so would. Samantha and I are always cracking up with our movie lines "You don't eat no meat, I make lamb then". hahaha. Anyways, besides the Pioneer Woman because she's like my idol and I would so live on a ranch, but ok besides Martha Stewart too because lets be real here. I really need to pay closer attention to what the Pioneer Woman has to say so I can actually learn to cook one day because my obsession with Martha is more like my obsession with sparkle and hands down Martha has the best glitter (like in the world), you should know this because it will come in handy for all those school projects, just saying that woman has it the glitter monopoly and she rocks my socks off. Anyways the Pioneer Woman is awesome too and she's so legit and I love her show, her ranch, her kids and husband, her dogs Charlie and Walter and well I just love her but Joy the Baker is so funny (like here, ahahaha) and sweet and I kinda love her too (oh and she's from L.A. so thats cool). Yes I love everyone and I think everyone is awesome but whatever, this is my blog and I can say random stuff repeatedly. Back to what I was trying to clarify, so If I ever face my fear of the kitchen like the fear that grows inside me because meals take more than 30 minutes to prepare and well my fear is that if I have to cook and clean I'll miss one of my must watch programs or an episode of The Voice (hello, Cee Lo Green people, he's like awesome and I would so kidnap his cat, Miss Purrfect - so cuddly and I just want to snuggle with her, I'm obsessed I tell you) well than perhaps one day I'll cook something memorable for my baby Rabbit and the family. Although I did make spaghetti the other day, I took one for the team there.Recognize.

Oh and my other crafty idol Amy Tangerine is awesome because she included a tutorial on how to write on instagram photos. Huzzah! Like I need anymore apps or games to time suck my day away. Well its fun anyways, so I'm very grateful for these ladies sharing their knowledge and spreading the love. Check me out here using my new app.

Well I'm off, I bought a new nail polish yesterday at Target. Khloe had a lam lam. Maybe nails are my calling because I truly would love having my own polish line. I'm having a midlife crisis here, I know I am because I'm obsessed with everything except with what I should be obsessed with like,  hello finding that dream job, stat. Like all the time it took me to write this post, I could have applied to at least 3 jobs. My priorities are jacked, enough said.

hey girl

Who doesn't like the Ryan Gosling tumbler, its awesome. Every girls dream right. Here are a few of my favorites...

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Stay Classy San Diego

I'm still recovering from my busy weekend in San Diego. Everyone knows I love San Diego, like do I ever go anywhere else? Probably not but that's OK.  I'm going to move there one day - sorry Mom. Its just so darn likable and so relaxed and the people seem so laid back and friendly. I could go on and on but you I know I'm always on a mini vacay when I roll into SD and it feels like home and I like that. Just a warning, this post is total ramdomness but its still awesome so let me preach on.....

So I left MPK at the crack of dawn (made it in less than 2 hours, thank you lead foot) to join in for some crafty goodness with non other than Amy Tangerine and Kelly Purkey at my favorite scrapbooking store on the planet, PaperTales. Ok, to be fair I haven't assessed many other scrapbooking stores because I live in SoCal and any paper store is like a dying breed but I heart them PaperTales ladies because they are super sweet and they have the cutest store and I just want to buy everything, everything from the washi to the stamps to the cute little knick knacks to the mason jar decorated lids to the doilies and well you get the point. I love it. Samantha and Mike laugh at me and my excitement but its ok because they know it makes me happy and that makes them happy.

The day was jam packed and honestly I just don't have it in me for an all day crafty showdown. Man I was tired, dunzo by like the third class (i probably should have slept more the night before instead of washing clothes and packing my basic kit that wasn't so basic but like half of my craft supplies, oh well - live and learn). I left with 4 layouts and 2 mini books, dang. Thats like the most I have ever done, like ever so I'm awesome. But Where's the 8 hour energy drink? Seriously I felt like I had run a marathon, ok maybe not a marathon but I was tired and hungry, wahhh but still worth it. I had alot of fun meeting new peeps (some from the studio calico message board, yeah I'm a nerd like that for all my non-crafting peeps, there is a whole new world out there in cyberspace and these ladies are taking over, trust) and of course some scrappy heroes, pure awesomeness. I'm loving the new Amy Tangerine line, all those bright colors and watercolors are gorgeous and just fun, so very bright like my colorful sparkly nature, ha. I had the most fun with the 2 watercolor layouts and even tried my hand at the famous watercolor straw technique, yay. I'm not really a mini book person....yet but I can see why there is such a following of all things mini. Perhaps I need to invest in an instax camera or something mini to get the mojo flowing, hahaha. I'm going to justify the purchase because you just can't do a mini book with a 4x6 print, I tried and well its not the same, just doesn't vibe and well my Mom wouldn't be proud unless everything was just so therefore I might have to purchase it for the greater good of the craft closet. Just another thing to add to my amazon wish list ( along with my nail polish addiction products). We also learned some misting techniques, I feel like the first question I should have asked was who's Mr. Huey? I'm really curious where that name came from. Random, I know. Overall fun class, cool people, tons of fun things to buy at Papertales (the owner informed me I just need to spend $40 more to get a free $10 on my next purchase). I love enablers and I'll be sure to stop by PaperTales on my next San Diego adventure which will be in a few weeks because - Hello baseball season, I (heart) you Padres and PaperTales and San Diego. Stay Classy San Diego, Stay Classy!

layout of Rab and her bball team. Its kind of flat and still not done but misting was fun (and messy).

I love this paper, love. Pic of my Ellen Peeps and to Mike and Samantha it wasn't that I didn't want to use their pictures its because I didn't have any that fit the colors. Next time kimosabe

Pic of my fur babies, i love them so much. This one is flat too but just learning the techniques was fun. I'll fix it up this weekend hopefully

I love those little flowers, I am a papercutter and love using embroidery on paper. Its kind of therapeutic. I love the bright colors of this line. Plus I had to show my NKOTB love....swoon. Forever.

Details on Samantha and Mike's weekend adventure to come shortly. Samantha says I need to show them more love. hahaha

It was a slam dunk

I should get a Mom of the Year award because I'm awesome like that. Hahaha, some might differ but honestly putting Samantha on a basketball team was the best thing I've done thus far. Little did I know she would love it so much. I'm so glad I did because I was having flashbacks to her soccer days where I was running the field with Samantha telling her to not give up, hurry up, suck it up, ok ok it wasn't pretty.

Honestly I just wanted to get her out of the house and a little exercise and I knew she could be a good basketball player if she tried. I'm crying inside because now its over. I'm happy to have my Monday and Wednesday nights back but I would give them up forever if it meant my baby was happy. Although her team didn't have a prayer in the beginning of the season (4 of the 11 kids had no prior basketball experience), they improved and really could have taken the championship because of their hard work and defense, alas 3rd place - but we'll take it. The one thing I love most about the season besides the fact that Samantha was excited to play, practice and make friends was that these kids (who probably were brought up differently and I'm not trying to stereotype here but they came from a rougher neighborhood than we normally hang out in) totally embraced her. They didn't treat her differently, they encouraged her, they laughed with her, they genuinely liked playing with her and it showed. Since the kids at school give Samantha a hard time, it really breaks my heart to know that these kids, the ones from the rough neighborhoods and broken families were the ones to open her eyes and make her realize that its not her - she's a beautiful girl with wonderful qualities and anyone is lucky to have her as a friend- its the kids at school - those bullies. I hope she's able to contine a friendship friends the girls on the team, the boys are sweet but they are boys and well I dont' even want to go there yet.

In other news, we finally saw the Hunger Games, yay. Finally on sunday - just me and Samantha went out in the thunderstorm that we like to call Los Angeles lately and got our new Hunger Game shirts totally drenched because we were too cool for umbrellas. But it was so worth it, loved the movie. The only thing I didn't like about the movie was the whole panning of the reaping, it made me so dizzy. I love that we both read the book and saw the movie together. I like reading her books, shhh don't tell her. Can't wait for the next movie. Next time maybe we'll see the midnight showing, that would be fun and I'll be tired the next day but anything for my rabbit. Oh and I'm Team Gale because that boy is beautiful, yes beautiful.

Obregon Park Pee Wees "Lakers" 2012

Nail polish diaries

I would say I have become completely obsessed with my nails recently. Not the whole fake nail bit but polishing them. I've been told I have pretty hands and nice nails (even a foot model recently, lol) but lately I have fallen in love with changing the shade of my nail polish and all the awesome nail designs out in the blogesphere. I even dedicated a whole board on my pinterest . My secret wish would be to have a nail polish line. Wouldn't that just be amazing, seriously how amazing. Of course the first line would be like "POW!" blinged out sparkly, love the thought of that seriously.

So this weekend I ventured out to get my eyebrows waxed because I was seriously resembling Chubaca's girlfriend. I go to my special lady because you all know we have a special lady that only we can trust with our precious eyebrow shape. I've had a few eyebrow ladies in my time but I'm always horrified to go to someone new because I have such thick eyebrows and I they always want to thin them out and I don't want to look like I used a sharpie on them. Whats wrong with a nice thick eyebrow, just clean them up please.  My first eyebrow lady ever was horrible, made my eyebrows look like pasted on sperms, hahaaha and she swore she was awesome and made it seem like I was a hairy beast. I'm glad I can laugh at it now even though I had no idea then until I looked at pictures of me and realized that perhaps I get a new lady. Anyways, my newest lady is quite efficient but pretty busy on the weekends. So I'm waiting and drooling at all the new colors they have in stock and started thinking that I needed some nail art. I wanted Hello Kitty nails, my other obsession. I would say I use to be pretty conservative when it came to my nails which is why they are in such good shape.  I only had fake nails once in my life and hated it. I believe I took them off within days because I couldn't open my own can of 7-up. I felt ridiculous. Back then, I would get a manicure on occasion but would always go for a light shade on my fingers, all bets were off though for my toes. I love a tanned toe with a sparkly polish. I've just taken care of my nails and they grow like a weed, nice and strong. But the evolution of nail art makes me want to get creative. I seriously have to learn to write with my left hand though because I have no control when I'm painting my right hand and then I can save tons of money and not have to pay $15 for a Hello Kitty design on my nails. I would say it was worth it though, even got a little blinged out red bow. I know, I know. I'm thirty-something and I have hello kitty nails.....i don't care. Lets just add that to the list of Hello Kitty shoes, Hello Kitty undies, Hello Kitty stationary and well the list goes on. I'm totally in love with my new nails and I've received several compliments on both my brows and my nails (two snaps and a bag of chips people!). I'm bringing back the kitty for a little touch up this weekend or perhaps venturing into the cheetah nail territory (I'm really not a cheetah girl but all bets are off with my fingernails, ha). My peeps may be shaking their heads but I love dramatic nail art and I'm just doing me, right.

Hello Kitty blinged out with a touch of black. - love it

xoxo

I know today is a commercialized day but o.m.g. what is not to like about holidays. I love holidays because they make you feel warm and fuzzy, sometimes you get stuff (haha), you get to give stuff (sweet), you brighten someone's day on purpose (well it should be like this every day), people are generally nicer, o.m.g. the diy (yes, i love, i die, i swoon), sometimes you get days off (not this one sadly) but overall I just love holidays and wish we would treat every day as a holiday because I think we'd be a much happier planet with a much smaller balance in our bank accounts.

But Valentine's day in particular, i love the sweets (of course), the sparkle (its there, just look), the hearts (oh, i love the hearts, been doodling since 1984 hearts galore), the exchange of valentine's (i totally wish I was a kid because I'm much more motivated now to give the best valentine and sweets, hahaha), the love (yes, the love is priceless), the smile on Samantha's face when she gives a Valentine (although I have yet to see it, I know its there), a sweet handwritten note (at least from my sweetheart), chocolate (its in a category of its own, just yummy right), the romance (who doesn't love romance).

I love Valentine's day and I buy into it the every year and probably will til the day I'm no longer here but I also know you don't need a sweetheart to appreciate all these things because I pretty much do all these things for my peeps not just my honeybunch or my babygirl.

So, a few weeks ago I submitted a picture of Samantha to a project by TJ over at Mr. Taylor and his Lady. She was collecting pictures of someone you love for a project. Of course I have a bazillion pictures of my sweetheart and I but I wanted to send my rabbit because I just love that picture of her, she's so beautiful but not just on the outside - that kid truly has a heart of gold. I just love her. Check out the collage of pics here, just makes me want to hug someone and smile.

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A day in the life of me 2.8.12

I thought I would participate in the Day in the Life project by Ali Edwards. I think I did pretty good considering I was at work all day. It kind of made me look at things differently and made my day go by quicker. There were tons of pictures so I just uploaded them to my flickr account. You can see them here. I might try it again on Saturday when I have more stuff to post.

My birthday's tomorrow! Yay!!! I hope I get a pineapple upside down cake and some new nail polish (OPI or Essie). All would be good if I got just that. I'm an easy girl yes I am:)

My favorite picture of the day, Lovely Double

My wish

By Rascal Flatts

I find these words refreshing. Its nice to know there is optimism and love in the world. Its nice to know a few well sung words can make my whole day feel better. Its nice to know that I know a whole lotta people out there that feel the same way.

For whatever reason, I choose to read my news online instead of watching it at night. I think I do this because I can skip over and just ignore what I dont' want to hear. But today, I saw the headline about the Susan Powell disappearance and it breaks my heart. Any news related to death I just ignore but when it involves kids I just want to cry out for injustice. I never followed this story because like I said I choose to read my news and ignore whatever I can't stomach. I doubt there will ever be justice for those boys and their mom. As a parent I know that if anything happened to my daughter I would never be the same. I'm so thankful that my little issues in life are just that 'little' compared to some people and I pray everyday for world peace, ending hunger, cure for disease, equal opportunities, healthy living, I mean the list can go on and on. All I know is that those little words made me feel better today because I know somebody loves me and I'm sure they're wishing the same thing.

With February brings...

My birthday month! Thats right, not a week like Mike and Samantha seem to think. Oh and February brings love..swoon. The birthday count down is on. I've since stopped counting my age but let the record show that I was carded two weeks ago at Buca De Beppo. hahaha. Yes, I know I look young, I do and I will swear by it to Samantha and Michael. It really doesn't bother me that I'm in my early thirties for 10 more days, ahaha. I love February not just because of my birthday but because I love all the Valentines and hearts in the stores (yes, its commercialism but I don't care, I love it), I love the fact that I get an extra PAID day off (oh yeah, i love that), I love that Amazing Race is coming back on tv (i will be on that show one year, trust), I love that the SuperBowl is next week (even if my Niners won't be playing), I love that my little brother is celebrating his birthday too (although I didn't like the joint parties as kids - call me spoiled, ha). I love it most because its my birthday, ok I said it.

Since we're on the topic of birthdays, maybe a list of the few items I might like to see with my birthday cake might be in order.

Shemar Moore! haha, just kidding but seriously after that kiss on Ellen I have no doubts he likes women, Just saying.

I know, really. Why- because its convenient and cute and I'll have no excuse

I'm really loving the heart cardigan from F21 or the red one from Torrid

I really like them, Piperline i love you so

I really love these Toms wedges or some of their cute ballet flats

I absolutely love the Dear Lizzy line by American crafts and of course the new Amy Tan line (both go on sale in March)

I'd also love a weekend getaway with both babies, perhaps a crafty workshop or shopping spree at Paper Tales...oh and World Peace!

SuperBowl awesomeness

I just had to post this.

How freakin creative is this? I wish I knew how to make one of these. Just something I saw on facebook. If my Niners were in the big game, I would so try. I love you crafty world!

Be the Change: January Edition

I spoke about my One Little Word being "Service". Well this weekend, Samantha and I had the opportunity to serve by cooking lunch for 100 homeless in the Los Angeles community. First, I have to say how proud I am of my baby. She is truly growing up and I really feel like she's finally getting it. We are so blessed, truly we are. We may not be living in a mansion, have tons of moola in our bank accounts, or have many stamps on our passports (ha, we don't even have passports), but we are so blessed. We have a family that loves us, supports us and we have our health, I have a job.....we have eachother. This weekend I didn't have to worry that my baby. Normally I worry because she gets bored or she can be a little sarcastic and just forget why we do what we do. She didn't do any of those things. She was sweet, kind, gracious, helpful and just herself - the Samantha we know and love. She's growing up.

I found this great organization, Hike it Up that brings communities and families together by producing progressive events and fundraisers that involve community based activities and improvement projects that serve youth, family, individual, environmental, and school-based programs.Seriously, an awesome program. I joined the group on facebook and never really did anything. But since I'm really trying to set a good example for Samantha and follow through on my One Little Word, I decided to finally make it to an event. I'm so glad we did. Honestly sometimes I'm shy and just don't want to meet new people. I know that sounds mean. But sometimes I prefer to just do my job and thats it. I find that most people that volunteer are really friendly and will go out of their way to speak to you and I just kind of don't. That doesn't make me mean or uncaring, it just makes me appreciate those people and their gift to make others feel special. I know what we did was a good thing. Its not like everyone gives up their sunday to cook. Take this from a non-cooker, it was fun.

When we arrived, there were only 3 of us. I'm like, "oh Lord, please let them know how to cook". Hahaha. Turns out, I was the chicken cleaner, bellpepper chopper, food server and smile ambassador. Haha, I just threw that one in there. Plus I was Samantha's mama. You know my favorite part of the day? When Samantha said, "Mom, can we do that again. I really liked helping those people and it was fun". Thats why I do I do what I do. Thats why I sign us up to help in the community and make our little impact on this planet. My baby's going to grow up and she's going to know....

In doing your best serving others for free, a lot of eyebrows will raise and sneers will curve many a-faces. But in the end those incredulous to what you put up with to help, no longer matter. It's not between you and those snobs, but with whom you have given your hand to lift, and of course to God who Is watching and noting it in your book.

Inspired by Mother Theresa

with her granny lips, haha - getting over her fear of the knife cutting up fruit

there's always a moment for a picture, she's like 'really?' haha

an old friend...

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Reminds me that I went to the library to get the John Grisham book " The Confession". Love him, my favorite and as I was walking down the aisle with all his books thinking how much I've enjoyed so many of them. I don't get me, love a good murder mystery, sometimes even with a twist of scary but will not for the life of me watch a scary movie, not even a spoof. Anyhow, I love the quote. Book confessions are the best.

me

the kind of woman i want to be:

i want to take my makeup off every night before bed.
i want to floss my teeth just as often as is recommended.
i want to wear high heels. or not.
i want a little garden. whether it be mounted on a wall, contained in a window-box, or a full backyard plot, i want my own greens. want to mark time by their progress. want to pick them fresh for dinner.
i want to bike to the farmer's market. actually i just want to own a bike period.
i want to like green tea. or not. but drink it anyway.
i want my food to be rich in the colors of the earth.
i want to live near the water. or the mountains. or both. want to pray and give thanks beneath trees that reach toward the heavens.
i want balance. balance between investing in all the right things and paying attention and putting in the work and then letting it go and not giving two shits.
i want to turn off the lights when i leave a room.
i want pictures everywhere. frames everywhere. i want the words hung right up there on the wall.
i want to wake early and not be cranky. to move my body because it's good for my heart. because it keeps me light and kind.
i want breakfast in bed on saturday mornings. and fresh flowers and gifts for no reason at all.
i want to be the kind of friend who honors commitments, takes the time to make the call, sends ridiculous emails just because, who speaks truly and freely, and plans birthday trips to paris.
i want to wear colorful socks and knee-length skirts. bright lipstick and my hair in a high bun.
i want to to be a crazy cat lady because i can.
i want to stop worrying about the things i can't control and focus on the things i can.
i want to be a woman with no regrets.

-found on the wild ways of a brunette bombshell - a girl after my own heart with a mix of me in between

today i'm....

Day: Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Wake: 6:02am after feeling some whiskers in my face (Double), snoozing until 7:04am

Weather: cold like below 60 is cold for me

Work: arrived -9:34am - spoke to Principal Tambara about Samantha's rat teacher, hope it helped

Plan: get through the day, perhaps go on a library adventure with Samantha after work

Eating: Smart One's frozen lasagna - not bad with a bag of chips:)

Drinking: water, ice cold

Exercising: probably not but I need to

Listening: Pandora - Michael Buble, Eric Benet and Jodeci:)

Watching: Catching up on Two Broke Girls tonight...maybe

Feeling: meh, maybe the day will get better

Thinking: I hope by speaking with the principal I didn't make Samantha's situation worse at school. I just want her to succeed and not feel threatened.

Doing: Finishing up my sketchbook

Wanting: a clean room, haha - someday

Needing: Peace in my life

Loving: Amy Tangerine's new scrapbooking collection, so fun

swoon, yes i do

One day I'll get around to fixing up my crafty palace but for now it is what it is. I received my studio calico kit and couldn't wait to make something. I finally realized I like the brighter colors instead of the neutrals and they're always seems to be a bunch of neutrals in the SC kits so I might have to rethink my membership. We'll see. I put together this layout real quick. I liked the picture and "surprise", it was Mike's idea. I think I'm converting him and Samantha. I'm hoping they jump on the Project Life bandwagon too. I received the PL kit this week too, I was going to wait until February for my birthday but I just might start now. We shall see.....

Journaling says: Dinner @ Benihana's is always nice, but nothings better than a sweet kiss from you.

 We were suppose to take Granny to Benihana's for her birthday but she flaked out on us. We decided to go anyways. We were seated with a really nice family and had the best night. Since I'm trying to document our time for Project Life, I had my camera and Mike told Samantha to take a picture of us (he never does that), so hence the 'sweet' kiss. I love it. I love us. Swoon!

I'm back :)

New computer (thanks Graps), new ideas, new year! So super excited. Good bye 2011, you brought me tears, happiness, headaches and good times with my peeps. I look forward to some day actually scrap booking the pictures for future generations of me. But for the time being I'm just living life, the only way I know how - by the seat on my pants (thats the correct saying right). For you mom - "when life gives you lemons, go buy some tequila and call me up". Although I don't like tequila, I would take one for the team if need be.

So anyways, I'm going to attempt my own "one little word". My word is "Service". I'm going to try and do some type of service once a month and document it. I know it may be easy but I'm going to try and do beyond the basics like holding the door open for an old lady type of thing. I thoroughly enjoy my time doing for others in a community service type of atmosphere. I always walk away feeling good about myself and happy to give back to those in need. I'm hoping to bring along my offspring because she generally likes to serve as well. I'm hoping by including her in on my little project and having her join in on the document process that this will be a nice 'mommy and daughter' project. If I had to choose another word, it would be "Finish". The procrastinator in me keeps me down I know, I'm really going to try this year. Hence the quote below.

Always a favorite quote, one I try to live by (source)

Enough said!