TGIF!!!

So glad the weekend is here! 

The garage door saga began slowly this week.  No word from the installers within 48 business hours so Michael called the salesman on Wednesday.  He stated they would call to confirm the appointment for Friday on Thursday evening between 8 and 10.  Then there was.....nothing.  No phone call.  Didn't it just figure???!!!  Michael called Sears this morning, which was not open so he called the 800 number.  Turns out, Sears was using my old phone number, not the one I gave to the salesman to call.  Apparently the installers had been trying to call me to confirm the appointment but were unable to due to the outdated number.  Arrrggg!  However, Michael got everything straightened out, the installers appeared today and voila!  My new garage door opener has been successfully installed!!!!    It's a good day to celebrate!

Saturday will find me breaking bread with my brothers and sisters in celebration of the June birthdays in my family, including my dad - Happy Birthday today Dad!!!!  Saturday evening will find me waxing nostalgic when I attend my 30-year.....yes, 30-year....high school reunion.  Wow.....quite the landmark!!  At least we have finally reached the point when we don't care who has gained weight or who has gone bald!

Have a great weekend, Divas!!!

Case of the Missing Sharkie!

One of my fish has disappeared.....yes, disappeared into thin air!  I noticed yesterday morning one of my sharkies was having some issues - not eating, kind of floating around, and just not with it.  I figured he'd be sleeping with the fishes, literally, when I arrived home after work.

When I peered into the tank that evening, there was no floating fish.  No sunken sharkie.  In fact, no dead sharkie at all.  His buddy was swimming around with the rest of the pack but his twin was no where to be found.  I asked Sam if he had flushed my fishie and he said "No".  Hmmmm....very mysterious.

I further investigated the case of the missing shark tonight after work.  I finagled the fish net through the water to see what might appear.  I turned over the fake chest, investigated under the pirate ship, and wiggled the fake log with foliage.  Nothing.  Michael suggested Mr. Shark may have jumped out of the tank.....I looked toward the back of the tank then on the floor, at which point Michael mentioned that Stubbs could have had shark for a snack. This was a possibility!  I have my suspicions that the good old algae eater, which I received from Michael and is quite large, ate Mr. Shark for a snack.  In looking up the diet of plecostamus, Wikipedia states not only do they eat algae but also dead fish.   This could be it!  Poor sharkie could have just been gobbled up by the prehistoric plecostamus looking for a midnight snack.

Regardless of his end, my little sharkie will be missed.


My theory!

Frogs and Flowers

Today Michael and I made our way to my stepmom Arlene's house, where she was kind enough to prepare lunch for us.  The food was scrumptious and included a chicken pasta dish, salad, blueberry muffins and, to top it all off, homemade strawberry shortcake!  Michael was also given the free garden tour, which he enjoyed immensely, especially since the sun was shining. 

A very small part of Arlene's garden

Before we left, Arlene introduced us to Mr. Frog, who has rooted himself permanently underneath a pillow on one of the front porch chairs.  He appeared to be pretty comfy and in no way eager to leave, although he better keep an eye out if someone chooses to sit on his chair as this could prove to be disastrous for the little guy.

Thanks for the great lunch and welcoming visit, Arlene.  I appreciate all you do in taking care of Dad as well as keeping us posted on his progress.

Mr. Frog

Saga of the Garage Door Continues...

One day soon my garage door will work.  But not today. 

As you know, I have spent the last several months opening and closing my electronically-broken garage door by hand.  I purchased a new opener at Home Depot, waited two weeks for it to be installed with little to no communication from the store then returned it.  Hit Lowe's with the full expectation it would be a better experience.  It wasn't.  Purchased an opener, then had to purchase an extension rail, which ended up being the wrong extension rail.  Returned it, ordered a new rail, and have been waiting since mid-May for the part to arrive.  Little to no communication once again forced me to return the opener to Lowe's yesterday and obtain my refund.  Arrrggg!!!

After some preliminary investigation and phone calls, Michael suggested Sears as the next garage door opener target.  We went, we saw, we conquered.  I purchased a new opener and installation at a cheaper price and actually booked the install for this coming Friday.  However, I won't be able to breathe until I actually have the remote in hand, pressing the button for the door to open.  But I feel it happening soon!

Evil Amongst Us

I was so happy today when I read the following verdict - Jerry Sandusky trial: Former Penn State assistant coach guilty on 45 of 48 counts.   Finally....he behaved criminally and sadistically for at least the last 15 years and everyone turned a blind eye.  He was even witnessed in the act of abusing boys and no one spoke up.  Why?  His wife had to suspect something was going on when her husband invited boys upon boys over to their home to spend the night...in the basement...and he'd have to go check on them or spend time with them.  Why?  Why didn't anyone question this?  Why didn't the kids tell?  Why didn't people believe the kids who did tell?  Why didn't someone do something so this could be stopped?

From a different point of view, there was a recent headline in the news "Texas father kills daughter's alleged molester."  Hearing his 5-year-old daughter crying from behind a barn, a father ran and discovered the unthinkable: A man molesting her. The father pulled the man off his daughter, authorities say, and started pummeling him to death with his fists.  Was this right?  Was this wrong?  Police have declined to press charges against this man because he was authorized to use deadly force to protect his daughter.  I must say that if I had ever witnessed someone abusing my children, there would be no other choice for me than to give the molester this same treatment.

I pray that the boys, now men, who told their stories during the Sandusky trial are given peace.  They've kept this secret a very, very long time; having to relive it during the trial was more than likely overwhelming.  And I hope the judge throws the book at this sinister man.

Packin the Park 2012

Today was the annual company picnic at Black Lake in Olympia.  We arrived around 10am and the picnic was due to start at 11am.  This year I was on face painting duty; we set up the table, then waited for the fun to start.  And waited.  And waited.  We ended up eating early then walking around the park, watching horseshoes and enjoying the lake before returning to the picnic area, where a healthy dose of employees began trickling in for the festivities.  I returned to the face painting table where I ended up painting several kid's faces.  Weather was great, company was entertaining, and kids were happy.  I also got a free t-shirt so how can you beat that?

Ashley and Christina mugging fot the camera

Getting my face painted

Horseshoes

Sasha in green

Attempting a  balloon bouquet

Michael giving the peace sign

Happy kids

More horseshoes

Kids in line, waitin for paint



Attempt at an Original

January Jones, Betty from Mad Men, just dyed her blonde hair red.  Reviewers are comparing her to Rita Hayworth.  Uh...no.  Rita Hayworth was an icon; although I like January, her red hair does not compare to the classic.  (And by the way, I can't believe the season is over for Mad Men....so few episodes.  Hopefully it will return sooner than last time!)

January Jones with new red hair

Rita Hayworth - the original!  Love the dress, too!

Odds and Ends from the Weekend

My weekend as always went by too quickly.

Created a flower centerpiece made from clearance blooms and vase from Michael's

Wore a feather in my hair.








Made Lasagna Cupcakes.  Yes, aside from the name, they were really good.  Layer won ton wrappers in a muffin tin.  Place meat sauce then ricotta mixture then repeat, ending with the won ton on top.  I wrapped the ends inward so the won ton ends wrapped together.  I also used Alfredo sauce rather than red sauce.  Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.  Weirdly named but tasty main dish!

Cleaned my closet.  Picked up some color coded hangers at Ross so I could separate out my work clothes from my regular clothes.  Much better!!

BEFORE

 AFTER

EXTRA HANGERS AND CLOTHES FOR GOODWILL 

Happy Father's Day Dad

I remember you

In your suit so proper

Employed as the principal

When I attended school

I remember you

Directing us to chop wood

To keep us warm in the winter

At our green three story house

I remember you

Overseeing the pool construction

Built only for your children’s enjoyment

Since I never saw you swim

I remember you

hugging our dog Sarge

Planting kisses on Mom

Dependent upon your mood

I remember you

making choices that affected

the dysfunctional way

I relate to men

I remember you

Pushing me to college

Best decision made

To ensure my secure future

I remember you

Traveling four hours to attend

my graduation with Luna and Jay

Cheering me on with pride

I remember you

Visiting me at hospital

Squeezing fifty bucks in my hand

In hopes you could buy my recovery

I remember you

Finding me a house

To buy when my marriage fell apart

And I had no where to go

I remember you

At the party turning seventy

Before your memory started failing

And your anxiety overwhelmed

I remember you

Nervous and needy

Vocalizing pain that only you

Felt in your head

I remember you

Being stalked by

Imaginary gnomes

Peace eluding you

I remember you

Moving into the home

Me realizing this was your last stop

Until you departed

I remember you

At my last visit

“Is that you Alicia?”

Before you told me to leave

I remember you

Hugging me when I departed

Grateful at that moment that you

Remembered me

Bora Bora On My Bucket List

The other night I was watching The Real Housewives of the OC.  One of the housewives went on a surprise trip with her boyfriend to Bora Bora in French Polynesia.  If I win the lottery, that's where I want to go.  It was beautiful!!  Huts on the very blue water, white sand, peace and tranquility!  The OC pair stayed at the Four Seasons - I searched their website to find the price of such a stay.  Gulp - around $915 per night.   Going to Expedia.com, I searched for flight plus hotel for the Four Seasons, which came to $3,042...per person for a grand total of $6,084.  Well, for the trip of a lifetime this would be worth it! 

Ahhhh......my idea of paradise

Hello Fish and Goodbye Stress

Michael and I finally picked out the fish and stocked my new tank!  There are some sharks, some gourami, tetra and an awesomely huge algae eater Michael gifted to me from his tank.  There was one orange gourami who seemed very lonely and lost and swam with a bit of a crook in his tail.  None of the other fish wanted to hang with him and I felt so sorry for the little guy.  I thought about getting him a friend but unfortunately he didn't survive the week and passed away.  Hopefully that will be my only loss.

There is something about this tank that mesmerizes me.  I feed them in the morning then simply watch them eating and playing, so much so that I have to shake myself to get back into my morning routine.  It is a wonderful stress reliever as well, spacing out and enjoying my new fish family.  Haven't named them yet but that will be my next task!

TGIF Divas!!!

Shopping the Strange and Unique

Tonight after work I swung by the Chehalis Grocery Outlet store, which I hadn't been to in some time.  There's something about that place that encourages me to wander aisle after aisle, searching for strange items that needed a place in my cart.  Oftentimes the odds and ends for sale are discontinued trends or surplus items that have a bargain basement price - in a word, my kind of place!  This type of venture reminds me of my mom, who would always return home from Fred Meyer's with a variety of trial size products, discounted makeup, and clearance candy.  Yes, I realize I'm becoming my mother and you know what?  That's fine with me!

Ending up in my cart were an assortment of products, including:

*Philly Cooking Cream - Pesto and Garlic flavors at a bargain price of two for a buck;
*Honeydew Melons - two for $3;
*Ax Deodorant - Sam's favorite smell Fiji at 99 cents;
*Betty Crocker 7-Layer Bars;
*Bear Naked cereal;
*Large geranium plants for $3 each;
*Steamed pork barbecue buns, one of my favorites!

The only bummer?  When I arrived home, neither of the boys were there so I had to unload and put away the groceries by myself!

As Always, Lovin Me Some Bling!

I finally read my new Glamour magazine last night, which included a ton of new nail ideas.  Taking their cue, last night I painted my nails an orange-coral color then highlighted each ring finger with sparkly polish.  Just the right amount of bling!!!

Can't Help It - These Make Me Smile!

Mrs. Doubtfire as a horror movie.

Barack Obama singing Call Me Maybe.

Happy Graduation Jordan!!

Congratulations to my son Jordan, who graduated last night.  It was a tough road but I am so happy that he succeeded.   Thanks to Divas Lynn and Shelly along with my man Michael, who came to see my oldest receive his diploma.  The superintendent, who was the speaker at the ceremony, gave this quote from Steve Jobs, which so fits Jordan's personality.  It was a happy night!!

“Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes... the ones who see things differently -- they're not fond of rules... You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things... they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.”  

Getting his diploma!

Sam and Jordan

With his buds

High fiving it

He did it!

Proud Mama

Congrats Jordan!

Kindness

Popping the Corn!

Microwave popcorn - yellow, salty, and smelly.  I don't have it very often simply due to the fact it contains so very much salt - ick.  However, a few weeks ago, I ran across a great tip in a magazine about making homemade popcorn - fast, easy, and no salt.

Simply pour 1/4 to 1/2 cup popcorn in a brown lunch bag.  Fold over the top of the lunch bag so there is no chance it will open up when popping.  Microwave until you no longer hear kernels popping, break open and eat from the bag or pour into a bowl.  Add butter or salt or any other seasoning you wish. 

Enjoy!!

Contemplative Kaitlyn

I love this picture of my great niece Kaitlyn - isn't it fabulous???  Makes me think back to my childhood years as a little girl, sitting in contemplation over what wonderful things the day may offer.  Beautiful!!!

TGIF!!!

Sunny Skies with Thunder

Yesterday was sunny with blue skies, which always makes me happy.  With enchiladas in the oven, I watered the flowers then cleaned out my birdy fountain to get it up and running for summer.  Dinner done, I ate while watching Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Spurs, going on to the NBA playoffs.  It was a good evening, which has almost made up for this morning's rain....almost.  Oh summer, where are you???

Spud Ignorance Abounds!

Being a good manager, I supply a healthy bowl of candy at my desk for the employees at work.  The other day I ran across a big bucket of mini-Idaho Spud candies that I thought everyone would enjoy.  The problem?  No one at work had ever heard of this classic candy!  Not even people around my age! Since I brought the bucket of spuds in, I've spent all my time explaining what they are and how they taste.  If you too have never heard of the Idaho Spud, see the following:

The Idaho Spud is a candy bar made by the Idaho Candy Company. It has been produced since 1918 and is distributed throughout the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The wrapper of the product bears the slogan "The Candy Bar That Makes Idaho Famous."  The candy bar consists of a cocoa-flavored marshmallow center which is covered with compound chocolate (a chocolate replacement made from cocoa, sugar, and vegetable fats) and sprinkled with coconut flakes. The oblong shape of the candy bar resembles a potato.

Two Firsts for Diva

This weekend found me working on two firsts:

Waiting for fish!

Aquarium - Michael has an awesome aquarium at his house that I find fascinating.  It is so relaxing to watch the fish swim, chase, and eat goldfish (yep, that's the most entertaining part!)  He knew how much I enjoyed the fish that he surprised me by giving me a 20-gallon tank of my own, which he set up this weekend.  The water has to cure for at least a week so no fish yet but that will be coming in the near future.  The boys think meat-eaters or piranhas would be cool but for me it will be a tank of colorful and beautiful species.

Topsy Turvy!

Topsy Turvy - Awhile back we bought some clearance-priced Topsy Turvy planters for tomatoes and strawberries.  We finally picked up a few strawberry plants and last night we worked together to plant  them in the gadget.  Not  sure of the number it would hold so we only purchased six plants, which were short as the planter held at least 15.  However, this didn't detour us from our efforts as we made do with what we had.  My new Topsy is now hanging on the front porch and we have our fingers crossed for fruit.  Hopefully I can remember to water it every day!!

Odds and Ends

The Real Hairstyles of Kim
Last night I watched Kim Zolciak of the Real Housewives of Atlanta show off her "real" hair.  She always wears wigs on the show and has since it began.  I thought she would have secret, thin hair...perhaps she was a hair puller with numerous patches missing.  However, she whipped of her wig and voila - she has a full head of hair along with a cute style.  The photos below show her with her real hair next to her wig style; it appears when the real hair comes out, the turtlenecks go on and vice verse. 

Ugly Shoes
Christian Siriano (a Project Runway winner) has debuted his newest line of shoes for Payless.  Unfortunately, they are tired and not of Christian's forward thinking style.  When discussing these with sister Luna, she sent me another pair of shoes from Payless that we agree are downright hideous.  These are the Shoes of the Week - buyer beware!

Brown and Red and Aqua - Oh My!
The pillows that came with my new sectional seemed to make the living room a bit dark so I decided to change the color a bit to bring in some light.  I picked up a shelf and aqua lamp from Target; I then picked up a few aqua, cream and red pillows along with a greenish aqua throw.  The colors are an odd mix but I think it has all pulled together cohesively. 

TGIF!!!!