A Quote for Perspective

When sharing some issues regarding my son Jordan with my family, sister Eilene made the following comment, which really made my day.  Actually, it made me cry as it put Jordan's struggles into greater perspective for me.  I love my family!!!

Life is not a race, those that stumble at the beginning just need a bit of time to gain their stride.. later on in life.. they bypass those that ran ahead early in the race.

Memorial Day Maxxinista!

Memorial Day weekend was a mish-mash of activity and illness.  Saturday found me meeting my man in Vancouver for lunch then browsing Westfield Mall with him.  On Sunday, I began my drive to Gresham to see Michael when I just could not overcome a pounding headache and returned home to bed.  I slept for the day and dosed myself up with Tylenol.  Then it was Monday and the weekend was almost over!

My dress similiar but not
exact to this one

One of my stops on Saturday was TJ Maxx, where I picked up a maxi-dress.  It is bright, colorful, with short sleeves and a set in waist.  Michael described it as "kimono like" due to its upbeat design and print.  I first wore it Sunday on my aborted trip to Gresham; I then tossed it on again to see Michel on Monday.  Normally I'm wary of longer dresses as, along with capris, they make me look short but this dress did not present me with that problem.  Along with the dress I wore sandals and a pink, faux feathered rose in my hair.  The effect was salsa dancer mixed with party girl. 

Tuesday was back to work and today my new heating and air conditioning unit is going to be installed.  Yay for cool air again!!! 

Have a great week, Divas!!!

Movin Like Bernie

Friday at work found me learning what the dance move "Bernie" is all about. The moves are based upon the movie "Weekend at Bernie's", which is about two buddies toting around a dead body and the way the dead body moves.  Too funny.

After work when Jordan and I were browsing at Big Lots, I asked him (Mr. Dance Extraordinaire)  if he knew anything about this move.  He immediately broke out in the store aisle and busted the Bernie! 

I have to say, the Bernie dance move is much more entertaining than the movie!!!

Jordan doin the Bernie

Doin the Bernie from Youtube
 

TGIF and Enjoy Your Memorial Day!!!

Color Me Feathered!

Feathers are on their way out and jaw clips are a fashion no no.  However, last night at Ross I couldn't resist picking up a few feathered jaw clips.  They were so fabulous I couldn't refuse!!

They are similar to the picture below but with only fluffy feathers, not flowers.  I searched on line and could not find just the right picture to show so you all will have to imagine it.  Tomorrow is Friday so I may just wear the feathered jaw clip in my hair to celebrate the day!!!

Birthday Bonanza!

After unwrapping his presents (including the Powerade cooler I picked up free of charge from work) we celebrated Jordan's birthday at Minus World, an old school arcade diner.  Food was great and the boys had a good time.  Sam, his buds and I sneaked out after dinner and hit Ross for some retail therapy, then home for some Oreo birthday cake.  It was a good birthday for my boy!

Jordan in his element

Powerade cooler galore

Happy cake

Fashion show at Ross

How 19 Years Flies By!

Happy 19th Birthday to my first born son Jordan today! 

R&R in the Hood

Hood River!

After warning the boys that any trouble could cost them deeply, I left Friday morning to pick up Michael and make our way to Hood River for a weekend of rest and relaxation.  Our first stop was Hood River Inn, where we met up with sis Julie for lunch.  We then made our way to sis Eilene's grooming shop to shoot the bull.  Following a quick Hood River drive through, we checked into our room.  Or should we say our small apartment!  Thanks to sis Julie, we received the Friends and Family discount then were upgraded to a suite, which included a balcony, fireplace, and in-room jacuzzi tub.  There were even two crisp white robes for us to use during our visit.   It was fabulous to say the least!!



Jube, Leash and Eilene

After unpacking, we met up with Julie, Eilene, and Eilene's hubby Gary at the Cebu bar for drinks and appetizers.  Michael had an Appletini (he's made better) while I had a Springtini, a concoction made with strawberry and rhubarb.  Interesting but not one of my favorites.

Following drinks, we relaxed before making our way around Hood River, hitting Walmart then looking for KFC.  The phone book said it was on 6th Avenue so we drove here, drove there, and everywhere in search of 6th.  Unfortunately, as Julie mentioned to us later, the nearest KFC is on 6th Avenue in The Dalles.  No wonder we couldn't find it!

We ended up ordering room service then indulged our guilty pleasures - Michael watched the Oklahoma vs. L.A. Lakers playoff game while I read the newest People magazine.

Saturday morning we made our way to the hotel dining room for a free breakfast then hit the road for Julie's house.  The weather was gorgeous - blue sky, sunny, and a marvelous predictor of our weekend.

Brown Cow

Michael was able to meet Carl, Julie's husband, along with Rusty the dog who, when given a ball, showed serious signs of a fetching OCD problem.  We also got to meet Brown Cow, their pet aka future dinner.  Julie rewarded Brown Cow with one of his favorites - a box of mini powdered sugar doughnuts.  That cow almost swallowed Julie's arm he was so excited to be given handful after handful of the sugary treat.

After Julie's, I took Michael on a tour of my hometown Carson, which took perhaps ten minutes (and I'm being generous here.)  We then drove out to Eilene and Gary's abode so Michael could get the full effect of her horses, her dogs, and her ranch.  We again witnessed the feeding of treats to animals, in this case Augi and Dusty, their horses.  It seemed when we appeared, treats would follow!

Augi

After Eilene's, we drove to Stevenson where we stopped for lunch at the Big River Grill before cruising over the Bridge of the Gods to Cascade Locks and back to Hood River.

Returning to our room, Michael decided it was time to test out the jacuzzi bath tub.  After my urging, he dumped a healthy dose of bubble bath to the tub then settled in for a soak.  Whirlpool jets on, the bubbles grew, then grew, then grew some more until they were out of control.  Those bubbles grew and attacked then threatened to swallow up Michael whole as if he were Steve McQueen in The Blob.   I ended up scooping wastebaskets full of bubbles, depositing them into the shower, then returning for more as we sought to reduce the number of bubbles threatening to overtake our room.  Thankfully we got it under control.  It was definitely a Lucy and Ethel moment!


Michael steering the Sternwheeler

Our weekend nearly over, we spent Sunday enjoying the brunch buffet on the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler.  Food was excellent, weather was acceptable, and Michael even drove the boat!  Finishing up our cruise, we then made our way to Portland so we could visit sis Luna and her hubby Mike.  Michael received the house tour and even went home with gifts - two bottles of wine, some homemade brandy, and an antique office chair! 

It was a long but very relaxing weekend.  Michael knocked out meeting three siblings in one weekend with only three more to go!  It was a great weekend of R&R and I'm looking forward to our next adventure!

May the Disco Diva Rest in Peace

Another icon has fallen.

Donna Summer has died following a battle with cancer. The 63-year-old disco legend reportedly passed away this morning (May 17) in Florida, and her family released a statement, saying they are "at peace celebrating her extraordinary life and her continue legacy."

Summer is known for her many hits, including "Hot Stuff," "Last Dance," "She Works Hard for the Money" and "Bad Girls," among many others, and won five Grammys over the course of her career. Summer had lung cancer, which she believed came from inhaling particles after the 9/11 attacks in New York. She was reportedly working on a new album up to the time of her death.

One of my favorite Summer songs is "On the Radio"; it was only a few months ago I picked up a Donna Summer live CD, which is sitting at work because I just listened to it last week.

Goodbye Ms.Summer and rest in peace.

We Need To Talk About.....Heating and Air

I had an unexpected day off from work today, which I filled up with....more work!  After cleaning the kitchen, vacuuming and sending the boys off to school, I had visions of a hair cut in my future.  Unfortunately, the smarter part of me, after a phone consultation with Michael, decided it was time to get the oil changed in my car.  I cruised on over to the shop where I spent two hours waiting for oil change, maintenance, and review.  That done, I made my way to Home Depot to pick up a few more flower baskets, mainly to replace the ones I had purchased from Walmart which had quickly died (and yes, I watered them!)  Then it was on to Walgreens where the senior pictures of Jordan that had been ordered last night awaited me. 

After Walgreens it was on to home where I sat and waited, and waited, and waited for the heating and air conditioning company to fix my heat pump unit.  They were due to show up between 2:00 and 3:30; they called about 3:20 and said they were on their way.  Sigh.  My hopes of a hair cut and even color today are gradually slipping away.

While waiting for the technicians to arrive, I bided my time watching a new movie On Demand - We Need to Talk About Kevin, starring Tilda Swinton.  Creepy.  Downtrodden.  Strange.  And that's just Tilda Swinton!  Seriously, folks, it was an odd movie of which I had heard good reviews but it was rather a downer, especially on a sunny day.

Movie over, technicians have completed their assessment and the result is.....a new heat pump system is needed for my home.  Ouch.  The good news is my current system lasted me 14 years, which isn't bad for a heating and cooling unit.  Oh, it's good to be an optimist!

Luna in Action!

My sister Luna sent her sibs a couple of action pictures starring no other than herself!  Here's someone who knows how to live life to the fullest!!!

A Reminder for Life

Amidst the fun and festivities this past weekend of Mother's Day, there was also news that two of my high school classmates had recently passed away.  In addition, I just learned one of my good friends is battling through her husband's medical crises.  I'm sending prayer and good vibes their way, but it made me reflect on how very short life can be and how it should be lived to the fullest. 

The following quote always strikes home to me on how life should be lived; I hope to embody it fully.

“You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching,
Love like you'll never be hurt,
Sing like there's nobody listening,
And live like it's heaven on earth.”
― William W. Purkey

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!  This Mother's Day weekend has been busy and fabulous at the same time!  Friday Michael showed up bearing early gifts - an Ulta certificate!  The man knows what desires lay in my heart....hair and makeup products! 

Saturday found us picking up a 10-foot UHaul truck in order to thoroughly clean out the garage.  I'd never driven a UHaul before I have to say it was pretty darn easy - at least the 10-foot variety.  Back at the garage, the boys were on hand and we made quick work of packing the truck full of an old bed, bed frame, two broken down recliners, and a variety of other trash, odds and ends mixed together. 

Michael and Jordan followed Sam and I to Waste Control so the truck could be unloaded.  Sam was fairly methodical while unloading the garbage and tossing it into the dump conveyor belt.  Jordan on the other hand was a maniac, whipping items into the dumpster with the sole purpose of breakage and destruction.  I had to put a stop to his fun after he violently tossed a can of green paint against the conveyor wall, splitting it open and splashing paint.  Thankfully no paint came our way but I didn't like the idea of being charged by UHaul for a truck paint change.

After the dump we swung by and dropped off the truck, which may have been a record rental.  Picked up, loaded, unloaded, and returned in less than two hours!  After the dump, the boys went their way while Michael and I finished organizing and cleaning up the garage, which now looks awesome!!

Saturday night I received present number two when Michael took me out to dinner to one of my favorite restaurants, Judy's.  He ate lasagna while I had hazelnut and cranberry chicken with a side of fettuccine alfredo.  Yum yum!  We topped it off by sharing a slice of strawberry pie. 

This Mother's Day I awoke to my third present - a deep fryer along with a sweet card.  The coup de grace for today is the mani/pedi I'll be penciling in for this morning along with the dinner Michael will be cooking for me this afternoon.  Hopefully the boys will remember their dear old ma when they arrive back home today.  It may not be a card or a gift, but a load of laundry will suffice!

Happy Mother's Day Divas!  And especially to my very much missed mom!

TGIF Divas!!!

P.S. Happy three month anniversary today to my man Michael!

Time to Put Down Your Shears Mr. Sassoon

Another fashion great has passed away.  Vidal Sassoon, hairstylist and founder of geometric and wash and wear hairstyles in the sixties, died of leukemia Wednesday. When he first came onto the scene in the fifties, women wore curled, teased, and bee hived hairdos.  Mr. Sassoon replaced these heavy styles with creative cuts that required little styling and were very mod. 

It was only perhaps two years ago Mr. Sassoon appeared as a guest on one of my favorite shows, Bravo's Shear Genius.  I didn't even realize he was still alive at that point but it was great to see a hair styling icon in action.  Well, not with scissors but with advice to the contestants.

On a side note, I was surprised to learn that Grace Coddington, Vogue magazine's current creative director, was the model in a famous Vidal Sassoon hair photo.  Wouldn't have guessed that one!

Sassoon geometric cut on
Grace Coddington

Grace Coddington now

Gettin Nude at Fred Meyer's

Sunday afternoon found me wandering through Fred Meyer's, which had been reorganized since my last visit there a few months ago.  The whole beauty and hair section had been revised with aisles set up similar to library shelves.  Also gone was the reading nook in the book/magazine section, where I'd often see husbands patiently waiting for their girls while they browsed the makeup or feminine product aisles.  Changes like these put me off kilter but I still managed to dig around the cosmetics section per my normal routine.

Found during my browsing venture were a couple of deals.  I picked up a bottled of Nexxus moisturizing shampoo for $1.99 - good stuff at $5 off!  My other purchase was a tube of Essence lipstick in No. 50 Creamy Nude.  It's the first time I've seen the Essence products; what caught my eye was the sticker that noted it was an Allure Best in Beauty winner.  I picked up a tube for a cool $2.49, hoping it wasn't of Wet and Wild quality.  It wasn't.  It's the best nude color - not too brown, not too pink, and it glides on smoothly.  Great purchase at an incredible price.

Essence Creamy Nude

I Think It's Time for Sun Tea!

It was another weekend of activity at Chateau Diva!  The main plan to clean out the garage and take trash to the dump was scuttled by the fact we had no truck and there were no smaller versions available at the local U-Haul.  However, a truck has been reserved and the date for garage transformation has been set for next Saturday. 

One item scratched off the to do list was a new garage door opener.  Yay!!!  I'm so close to not having to open the garage by hand I can almost taste it!  Just waiting now for the installers to call and set a date to replace it. 

On Sunday after breakfast with the boys, Sam and Michael worked together to put up new blinds for the covered back porch.  One side is now complete and the remaining side will be finished this coming weekend.  It's looking soooo good!!!  While they installed the blinds I tore off the ripped fabric gazebo cover and picked up odds and end around the yard.

Sam and Michael installing the blinds with naked gazebo in the background

Sunday afternoon found me picking up a couple of clearance pictures from Ross and Big Lots in order to redecorate the family/dining room.  It's become a cozy sitting spot that I love! 

Redecorated family room

It was a fun, activity filled weekend that was also sunny with blue sky's!!  Here's to a week filled with sunshine!!!

TGIF!!!

Mr. Style in the House!



Another new picture preview of Jordan.

Words Are Hard To Find

Forget that she exposed her six year old to a tanning booth.  Forget that she's from New Jersey.  Let's focus on the fact that this tan makes her look scary!!!  What is this woman thinking?  And why hasn't someone stopped her?  Obviously she is obsessed with getting a tan, which we can't really call tan anymore.  It's more like getting a dirt rather than a glow. 

I'll Pass on that Store Discount!

This morning I overslept, which never happens.  I awoke at 6:51; normally I'm up at 5:15.  The good news was the boys had a dentist appointment at 8am so, although I had to rush, it wasn't as bad as it could be.

We arrived at the dentist where I sat and waited for the boys.  The good news?  Younger son had no cavities.  The bad news?  Older son had a ton of cavities.  I mean a ton.  As in the dentist mentioned he had set a record there were so many.  On top of that, younger son must have his wisdom teeth removed this summer.  Can you hear the cash register ringing?  I could!

When I dropped the boys off at school I realized we had forgotten to get a doctor's note for their tardiness, which meant I had to quickly write an excuse up for them.  I then hit the road to work.

I made it to work and it was another day of getting an abundance of tasks done.  Work over, I arrived at home to find little Stubbs had broken in the new furniture by puking on it.  Ugh.  At least it was just a little bit of yellowish gunk. 

After vomit duty, I cruised over to Ross to look over a few household items.  I picked up a nice tray to put on the ottoman so there was a place to put a cup of coffee when the computer is in use.  Upon paying, the clerk said "Are you a member of the Tuesday club?"  Uh, what was the Tuesday club?  "Oh, that's for 55 and older."  OMG are you kidding me lady?  I must have had a very bad hair and makeup day for that woman to wonder if I was older than 55!!

I think it's time for bed!  Here's to a better tomorrow!!

Redecorating with the Spirits

Last night I spent the evening making a few tweaks to the living room.  I added some new curtains to the front window, added a cushion to the rocker, and put a throw on the chaise.  It's looking pretty perfection I would say.  The one downside was the picture I took of the sectional, which included my Stubbs.  Uh, serious paranormal activity going on with the lights as well as the dog's eyes.  Yikes!!!

New curtains for living room

New sectional, including paranormal activity!