Unidentified Blobs and Sea Gull Guano

My trip to Morro Bay, California

First of all, isn't this photo collage too cool for words? Go here and play.

Self portrait of me with "The Rock" from the top of Black Hill (eek, a volcanic peak rising 664') 664' of hiking, sweat, drugs and rock and roll, without the drugs and roll. There were a lot of rocks!

I took 374 photos, a record for me. You'd be bored looking at 374 photos, right? Okay, so I won't post them all here. Just highlights : .)

View from the top of Black Hill.

Morro Rock from the Embarcadero (Bay side).

View from my hotel room. Not exactly...okay not at all the view advertised on the hotel's website, but I didn't spend much time in my room anyway, so there!!!

I know what you're thinking, "Just how many photos can you take of a rock?" Well, a lot. It changes, seriously. Sometimes it even sneaks up on you and looms over your shoulder. It changes moods. It changes colors. Its amazing!!!

Fah-resh oysters on the half shell, home made clam chowder, boy, oh boy, oh boy!!!
I had crab legs with drawn butter too, but didn't take a picture of that. Oh, and I had a fantastic glass of 2005 Talbotts Kali Hart Chard. Oh yum!

These guys were actually fighting. The sea lions (Zalophus californianus californianus, I had to look that one up. Note the external ear flaps? Seals don't have these, that's how you tell the difference.) were very territorial and if another tried to usurp its spot...WATCH OUT! Lots of barkin' and bitin' goin' on!

No commentary necessary. Taken at the beach on the ocean side of the rock.

Swell shark case. (Cephaloscyllium ventriosum. The embryo lives here until its ready to hatch.) Foot for size comparison.

One of six (?) local sea otters (Enhydris lutris), so cute! They spend a lot of time grooming their 1000 hairs per square inch, I believe the most of any mammal. They need to use air as insulation since they don't have much body fat. They also eat a lot and roll over and over in the water to wrap themselves with kelp so they don't drift off. They hang in groups, hence the term "otter rafts."

Long-Billed Curlew (Numenius americanus). Long beak makes it easier to dig up sand crabs (Emerita).

Sweet escape!

Unidentified blob. (Some kind of jellyfish)

Other highlights...Hanging with the docents at the Natural History Museum. Bob gave me a rattle he made out of Pismo clam shells with BBs inside. Friendly people and dogs. Lots of shopping (tourista style). Feeding rescued harbor seals and sea lions at the aquarium. Chatting it up with the locals...Susan at the bead shop, Mary at the state campground, Randylee and her husband who work at a local gallery. Just enjoying the sun, ocean breezes, salty sea air scents, sea lion barking and various sea birds communicating about their day.

I was sad when the trip was over, but planning another in the near future to see the migrating Monarch butterflies : .)

Sugar Coma

I found these baby packages of Pez at Cost Plus World Market.

I.can't.stop.eating.them.

There are 6 Pez per package, 35 calories for 2 packages. This is 1 Weight Watchers point. If you eat them in small increments, you know, 6 Pez tablets at a time, they total close to zero calories, right?

They haunt me all day at work. They speak to me when I go to bed. They constantly call my name, Linnnnnnduhhhhhhhhh.

I think orange is my favorite, no graple. No lemon, uh maybe strawberry.

Who am I trying to kid?

I Love Pez. All of 'em!

Retail and Art Therapy

Solitude breeds art...




Happiness can be bot (well, it felt that way for a mo)...

(I got this bag, but with different graphics, and in black & white.)

And exercise is gud...



I am constantly reminded of the lessons I am supposed to be learning. Specifically, that I can't eat away my problems (I ended up feeling worse than when I started, what am I talking about, I'm not finished yet!); the universe (GOD) doesn't give me more than I can handle; that nonattachment is important to staying in the moment; and that my reliance and expectation of the status quo is not the best way to move thru life.

I get to choose how to feel, how to react, how to handle diverse and complicated situations, and to validate myself.

I just wish it was easier.

I gotta Mann

Not one to pass up an opportunity for conspicuous consumption, I went to the American Craft Council show in SF today. Its a juried art show with the most fantabulous art you could ever imagine: mixed media, jewelry, wood works, metal works, clothing, knit products, home decor.

I love what people make, hearing the passion in their voices when they talk about their art, the attention to detail, trying to figure out what motivates them to create what they do create.

I just had to see one of my fav artist first, so I rocketed to her booth. Sharon is one of those artists filled with passion for her art, which is organic and textured and filled with deep meaning. If you recall, Mad and I went to her house/studio awhile back and played and created.

I had already decided to splurge and zipped right over to my fav jewelry artist's booth. Thomas Mann. He calls his art techno romantic and uses a lot of metal and found objects. Its heavy, chunky, industrial jewelry. I had originally picked a flaming heart milagro necklace from his website, but decided on the one above instead.

Over ate at a BBQ on Saturday after chatting with friends and playing with their kids. Oh, and also blew major ducats at the Scrapbook Expo that I went to with Mad, but I really didn't do as much damage as I thot.

So happy to be home last nite. Dr. Steve gave me the next progression in exercises to prep me for running and I did those, made a thank you card (thanks Ragged for the inspiration...it was an Elvis card), and watched some tv.

Looking forward to next weekend (already you say?), off to the cabin with the Retz's, the anticipation will get me thru the work week.

Happy Monday!!! : .)

Ripples

Blah blah blah blah blah. Blah, blah blah blah-blah blah blah. Blah blah blah. Habla blah, blah.

I finally did the ripple challenge! (I used the color wheel too!!!) The first part of the quote is from the Joan of Arcadia where God tells Joan to ask the high school bully to homecoming. The rest I wrote.


Does this guy look familiar? Maker Faire flyer for the scary/cute dolls. I pierced Punk's ear, tee hee hee! But in this day and age, the cool piercing would be somewhere unobvious, ewwww!

Monster!!!

Aside from these two pieces, this weekend I ran around with Mad in search of those silver balls they used to sell for decorating cakes. We ended up with colored sugar, confetti, and tiny white sprinkles for cupcakes. A trip to the local scrapbook store was not fruitful. Bummer. Tonite I made jerked-turkey (jerkey turkey) burgers with papaya/mango salsa and low-fat, low-cal red velvet cupcakes w/ cream cheese frosting. A mucho tasty meal! I should cook more often, but its such a huge production and can you believe it, I have to clean up after myself!

Soooo, yeah...Life is life and so it goes. Running? Nope. However, I did my first spin class last Tuesday and didn't suffer strong aftereffects. My core must be getting stronger. I'm still Aquajoggerdeathgirlsuperpowerwaternymph and not RG, also doing step, but I am nowhere near the cardiovascular capacity I was at when I had to quit running. H-h-h-h-h-h!!!

The local community college has started registration, so I'm thinking of taking a collage class. But, what could they possibly teach me???!!! Hee, hee! Upcoming is the Scrapbook Expo (lots of spending), bbq, huge juried Art show in SF. Have planned a mini break to Morro Bay soon and also off the the cabin with the Retzez. Wheee!!! Stalking your blogs, but not commenting. Not feeling very clever these days.

Hope y'all are well.

Happy day!!!

I'm Grinning from Ear to Ear!

I can't help it!

I just saw a stage production of this...If you have an opportunity, I highly recommend watching the movie on the Disney channel. (Its on as I type.)

I have to say, the movie Hairspray is also a must see.

Singing and dancing and so many cute people. It just makes you smile! : .) Wheee!!!

HBD GRILFIEND!!!

You say it's your birthday

It's my birthday too--yeah (Karen sings here : .)
They say it's your birthday
We're gonna have a good time
I'm glad it's your birthday
Happy birthday to you.

Yes we're going to a party party
Yes we're going to a party party
Yes we're going to a party party.

I would like you to dance--Birthday
Take a cha-cha-cha-chance-Birthday
I would like you to dance--Birthday

You say it's your birthday
Well it's my birthday too--yeah
You say it's your birthday
We're gonna have a good time
I'm glad it's your birthday
Happy birthday to you.

(I wish I knew how to insert music!)

Its my "SoulSista's" birthday today! Send her some mad love!!!

The Longest Weekend Yet!!!

(Updated below.)

I took the vacation, I've been hangin' for 4.5 days now with nary a care. A lotta lounging, aqua jogging, and creating been goin' on.

(Why I'm writing like this, I have no idea, channeling someone maybe. Oh wait, maybe its because I finally fell asleep at 4:41 am this morning, only to wake up at 7:56 am, just in time for step class, YIKES!!!)

I have like a ton (well, not really a ton) of stuff to post, but I'm too lazy at the moment to walk 4 feet to plug into my scanner, so I'll leave you with a bit of eye candy. This is the ohsohot Dr. Steve. I think you can guess why I like going to my physical therapy/cracker appointments. Better yet, he's not only nice, but sensitive too. Oh, annnnd he plays HOCKEY!!! sigh.

"Meeting the man of my dreams and then meeting his beautiful wife. Isn't it ironic, doncha think?"

Go to Nudge-Nudge for a looksee at the weekend art.

“They tried to make me go to rehab, I said no, no, no…”

Actually, I said, “yes, yes, yes,” but it sounds much more soulful and rebellious the way Amy Winehouse sings it.

I’ve been lax in my blogging again lately, so you’re gonna get a long one. You don’t need to admit that you only read thru the 5th sentence : .)


I Hope the Magic Doesn't Wear Off Anytime Soon

Today I did my 2nd aqua jogging session. “Aqua jogging” you say? More therapy/rehabilitation as prescribed by the hot Dr. Steve. I recruited a coach in the form of MadRetz, who after witnessing the clipping on of the dorky-looking aqua jogger belt (yes, I had to buy more equipment), directed me thru correct form, body angle, arm & leg action for aqua jogging. Leg action described as “stomping on grapes.” I think I like that analogy, I can fantasize about drinking wine instead of the pain in my butt and the fact that I still can’t run.

Aqua jogging aka grape stomping, supposedly burns 3.5 more calories per minute (for a total of 11) than running on land, because of the flailing, um, I mean water resistance. And its non-impact too. The perfect exercise. Terrell Owens used aqua jogging therapy to maintain his fitness and heal his broken ankle and he was ready to run to the end zone in SuperBowl XLI in 6 weeks. (I’m a sucker for a good story, obviously.)

Coach Mad cracked the whip, uh, encouraged me thru my first 25 minute session. She’s a great coach! In my never ending quest to find a physical activity that Mad & I can share, I kept mentioning how great this exercise was, how easy, and suggested she get an aqua jogging belt and join me in the pool. (I promise to never tease you for looking like a dork while wearing the belt!) At least this didn’t get me "that look"

Weekend Art

Go to Nudge-Nudge to see Skully Love and my Ode to Starbucks collage. I also worked on an acrylic paint collage, but I made that into cards and they’ve all been sent, so you can’t see that. Skully Love was inspired by the set design in Avril Lavigne’s song/video Girlfriend on YouTube. If you wanna, you can see it here. Warning: Explicit lyrics!

A Bug Only a Mother Can Love

My work related trip to Chicago went well. Can you believe that I actually volunteered to manage someone else’s meeting, especially since I hate to fly and since I have to go back there in September? Crazy-ness. Fringe benefit of the trip was the cicada experience. The local cicadas (Magicicada septendecim, Magicicada cassini, and Magicicada septendecula) are on a 17 year cycle and they were emerging from hibernation while I was there. They make this insane noise, 'cause there's like 5 million of them alive at once. There was a park across from my hotel and I went over there to photograph the bugs and all the hairs on my body were standing on end from the sound they make. I had the heebie jeebies soooo bad, but it was a totally cool experience. They come out of the ground as nymphs and shed their exoskeletons, so there are all these adult cicadas and the exoskeletons are attached where ever they emerged, like on a tree trunk or a plant. The exoskeletons don't fall off. It was really creepy/eerie.


The End - Finally

Last of all, leaving you with a picture of Alex, Sis’s older bro, in his first San Jose Junior Taiko performance. He’s so serious : .) I got the best grin when I complimented him on his form and told him how cool he was because he pounds on drums, even if he's sportin' that funky headband, but I think that's a taiko thang.

Infected by the Meme Vector - Again

I'll play, I'll play!!!

Instructions:
Remove the blog in the top spot from the following list and bump everyone else up one place. Then, add you name to the bottom spot, like so:

1.Mike's Homefront
2. What I Know for Sure
3. green butterfly
4. Willow Grace
5.Trying to Grab Some Happy

What were you doing 10 years ago?
Probably being miserable in my marriage, working three jobs to keep us afloat. Honestly, I don't remember. I think I blocked it all out!!!

What were you doing one year ago?
This week one year ago I was doing art (hummm, how predictible), building a fence, trying on wetsuits in 90 degree weather, training for my first triathlon (sniff).

5 snacks you enjoy:
1. ice cream
2. pear flavored jelly bellies
3. popcorn with tons of real butter
4. toast with butter and current jelly
5. white cake with butter cream frosting (I see a "butter" theme developing)

5 songs you know all the lyrics to:
1. Its a Small World the Disney version : .)
2. Bring Me to Life by Evanescence
3. You're the One That I Want from the Grease Soundtrack
4. Don't Stop the Rock by Freestyle
5. Spring Love by Stevie B

5 things you would do if you were a millionaire:
Am I a multi-millionaire? These are not in any particular order...
1. donate to multiple charities
2. buy a house (in Colorado)
3. travel around the world
4. adopt some kids
5. start a socially redeeming/environmental business/service organization

5 bad habits:
1. spelling words incorrectly (its almost as bad as writing in text message lingo)
2. beating myself up incessantly
3. obsessive scrapbook material hording
4. eating when I'm not hungry
5. being a perfectionist

5 things you like doing:
1. finding adventures
2. playing with kids
3. running
4. running
5. working out

5 things you would never wear again:
1. wallabies
2. polo shirts (because of working at Home Depot)
3. nylons
4. mini skirts
5. those blouses that make you look pregnant, unless I get pregnant.

5 Favorite toys:
1. laptop
2. digital camera
3. iPod shuffle
4. the internet
5. dental floss (its very versatile)

Tag, you’re it! You wanna play, you know you do!!!

A Dark Day

My favorite San Jose Sharks player signed with Colorado this weekend.
I'm going to Denver to become an Avalanche fan.

Meme'd Again!

MadRetz's ping again!
This Seven Random Things meme has rules!
We don't need no stinkin' rules!!!
If you do, and you wanna play, here they are:

Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write their own blog with their 7 things as well as these rules. You need to tag 7 others and list their names on your blog. Remember to leave a comment for them letting them know they have been tagged and to read your blog.

I can't follow the rules, I don't even know 7 bloggy peeps!

Anyway...

I like big words. I like to look 'em up. I like to use 'em in a sentence, so I don't forget 'em. This hasn't improved my vocabulary, however.
I take pictures of dead things. I'm fascinated with the circle/cycle of life.
The method by which I eat a Hostess HoHo is this: I peel the chocolate off, then I unroll the cake and eat it with the frosting.
My nose bends to the left. I suppose b/c I'm right handed and I've wiped my nose with the back of my hand nostril right to left eyebrow my entire life.
I write notes to myself on the back of my hand. I never forget things if I do that.
I collect antenna balls, especially Disney Mickey icon head antenna balls.
I hate to fly on airplanes. I like to fly in my dreams.

Photo by MadRetz,Disneyland 2007 during the fireworks display.

The Road to Oregon

My Dad was invited to a 50th wedding anniversary party honoring one of his navy buddies and wife, longtime family friends, the Millers. I invited myself along, because that's the kind of thing I do. I wanted to visit the Millers and since my Dad was going to make the trip from Texas, via California, I thought he'd appreciate some company on the drive up. According to Mapquest, its approximately a 7 hour drive from the Bay Area to just over the Oregon border.

It took us 12-1/2 hours, and not because my Dad drives 60 miles an hour, but because we had to stop every half hour so I could stretch out my back and take constitutionals. All that stopping allowed us to enjoy beautiful and interesting scenery...

This is my dad standing in the Chandelier Tree, which has a hole cut in it so you can drive thru. Apparently, drive-thru trees are very popular in the California Redwoods. This particular tree was 315 ft. tall, 21 ft. in diameter and 2400 years old. Now, I always thought that you had to cut down a tree and read its rings to know how old its is, but maybe that's a Redwood Forest myth, like Bigfoot. (More on that later...) Note the Steven Speilberg touch pinging off the windows of the cars in the background. I was rather proud of catching that little extra : .)

Closer to Oregon, we lucked out and saw two of these guys...

Imagine this monster elk in your front yard! I think she/he was showing his (her?) best side, hee!!! (Actually, if you know me at all, you know I took this shot on purpose, elk butt...uh huh huh.)


We finally arrived at the Holiday Motel. I couldn't decide if the place was quaint, complete with 1960's decor and musty smell from that earlier age, or a new setting for the next Psycho movie...You decide. Really now, you have to be suspicious of lodging that has no web page. Obviously, this place was not visited by the Travelocity Gnome. Unfortunately for me, the manager over-booked and gave someone else "our" room with two beds, so I got to sleep on a roll-out cot. For 4 nights. I missed my tempurpedic greatly.

Back to the Millers. We've been friends for as long as I can remember.

This is my cousin Beth, me, Nancy and Darrell, Nancy's bro, I'm guessing sometime in 1966 - 1967 .


My family would take the long drive from So. Cal. to visit their family in Oregon. I have some of the best memories of swimming in the local river, eating sandwiches from their deli, exploring the Oregon Caves. (That's me, probably the last time I wore a bikini, my mom, Nancy, Bertha, my itty-bitty (at the time) sistor Mika, and Darrell hangin' at the Illinois River.)

I was so excited to be reunited with Nancy. She is still as gorgeous, sweet and amazing as I remember with a great husband and two very wonderful sons. I hope we make the effort to keep in touch! I also had the opportunity to meet the Miller's extended family. A truly gracious and fun loving group of individuals.

The Millers and their family sure know how to party. Because of their generosity and kindness, living in town and owning local businesses (pizza parlors and breweries), active in the community and their church, they know practically everyone in town. There were close to 200 people at their house to help them celebrate! The band played, people ate, people danced, it was a wonderful time. (These are the relative ladies rockin' out!!!)

Here's a shot of the happy couple, serious wedded bliss!!!

I think the most fun I had however, was hanging with the Good Ole Girls from Texas (Bertha, her sister Lor, cousin Patty, and Sis-in-Laws Cally and Jo) on Memorial Day, the day after the party. They taught me how to play canasta, we drank beer and ate leftover cake, all before lunch of Wild River Pizza and more beer. Lor got us all together, lined up the husband/father gang of military veterans and we waved flags and sang God Bless America in their honor. It was so cool! I had such a sense of family and really enjoyed being included with the girls.


Of course, the fun eventually had to end, and Dad and I were off early the next morning to trek back to Cali. We detoured through the Avenue of the Giants and stopped at the Legend of Bigfoot. He does exist...LOOK!!!

A shot of me and the hunk! Me laugh, me cry, me fall in love with Bigfoot (as quoted by the MadMonk after I gave her this... ME WRITE BOOK, It Bigfoot Memoir) I think he has a wife tho' Patty. Yeah, please DON'T tell her where I live!!!

It was a long and painful trip home, but all worth it, the time traveling with my Dad, celebrating the Millers, meeting their family, eating tons of pizza and drinking lots of beer. I'm happy for all the great memories!!! (I have so many more fun photos, but I spared you all the zzzzzzzzs!)

Yah, that new meme going around...

Tagged by MadRetz. Can you tell I'm procrastinating? The week/weekend update seems like a major task and I'm just not up to that yet.

So, back to the meme. I know, its supposed to be 7 unusual things about me, but the more I thot about it, the more they started to be about neurosis, ocd behavior, angst inducing activities (altho' there are a couple of things that are pretty ordinary).

Do you really want a glimpse into my psyche? : .D Here we go!

1. I like to have a hand towel and a dish towel in the kitchen. I can't stand it if they are used for the other's purpose. (That goes for the kitchen sponge as well...I like a dish sponge and a sponge for cleaning. My X-MIL once took the dish sponge and wiped kitty grime from the outdoor cat rubbing itself on the corner of the fridge, and went back to washing dishes with it. I was totally grossed out. I love cats, but...ugh!) Cross contamination, not!

2. You know how you wrap the towel turban-like on your head after washing your hair? I hate to have it covering my ears. That goes for shower caps. I do like the blanket over my ears tho'. Remember that urban legend about earwigs???

3. MadRetz sez I am the pickyest eater of everything. I like all fuds except beans (especially lima beans) and rice pudding, but I like 'em how I like 'em. For example: "Grande, non-fat, xtra hot chai latte, no water, no foam, xtra squirt of chai syrup..." And a defining sense of self!!! Do you remember those scenes in When Harry Met Sally? How she orders fuds in a restaurant? HM, high maintenance. But I'm not, really.

4. Speaking of fuds, I eat things in order. Starting with veggies, then protein, then starches. I won't take a bite of one thing and then another. Each fud has to be eaten in succession.

5. I know where all the bathrooms are in Disneyland. I have a small bladder and I drink a lot of fluids.

6. I used to drag race. At the track of course. No illegal stuff for me.

7. I sunbathed topless in the South of France, wheeeeee!!!

A shot of some grass by the sea in Northern California. Unusual.

Friday yo!

Last week/weekend was good and not so good. I promise to post an update and photos soon, but until then, here's a shot of another of my little grilfiends, Bannie. Her mom invited me to watch her younger bro's baseball game and Bannie and I were goofing off, taking pixs with her camera phone. Of course, I had to edit it in iPhoto.

Bannie's so photogenic : .)

TGIF!!! Hope you have a great day!!!

Weekends and Scrapbook Kits

Hurray!!! I received my first scrapbook kit from the Red Velvet Kit Club today!!! (Honestly, it was the photo of the red velvet cake (yum!) on the blog that got my attention, not the scrap potential, I swear!)

I thot it was going to be a challenge to come up with a layout, especially since I usually horde anything scrapbook related, and I was worried I would be bound by supplies I didn't pick out myself, but I was able to create something right away! (You can click on the photo to get a more detailed view.)

(Hee, hee! Get the movie reference???)

I guess I was on a roll because I came up with this too (its not finished yet, however). Elsie Challenge No. 11, scraplift a color combination. I also lifted the design, it's based on the t-shirt I bot at Paper Source while shopping in SF with MadRetz last Thursday. I printed out a copy of the t-shirt and made a template for the pool wasp. Tres cool, huh?! The ohsosubtle background is made using a Heidi Swapp mask and a nerf ball to sponge on ink. That's me in the Rhone River, below (the Roman Aqueduct) the Pont du Gard in the South of France. Anywhoo, the layout needs some embellishments or something, so if you have any ideas, post 'em in the comments.

Looking forward to a fun filled weekend. MadRetz, her hub and I are going to the Maker Faire tomorrow. Crafting and geekiness intersect, I'm guessing somewhat like the Bermuda Triangle. I've never been...according to the website "A two-day, family-friendly event that celebrates arts, crafts, engineering, science projects and the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) mindset. It's for creative, resourceful folks who like to tinker and love to make things. We call them Makers." I'm shocked that MadRetz's hub actually wanted to go, he avoids most crafty things like the plague (Hi Jimmy!), it must be the "engineering" part that is tempting him. MadRetz and I will craft, the hub will geek.

Have a gud weekend, I know I will!!!

Self-Portraits

I'm such a dork, but I'm having so much fun taking pictures of myself!
(Mad - I think I may be channeling Elsie-Cakes!!! Gotta practice those poses, hee!!!)

Over-exposed, edges blurred, color faded.
(yeeeeesssss! done on purpose! its not a user error!)

SMOOTCH!!! : *)

I hope y'all are having a gud day!!!

That's a ...

NEGATIVE, Ghostrider.

Just because of some sore hamstrings from the most recent core exercises. sigh.

PT Update

Well, it ends up that last week wasn't the week. I got more core exercises to do and scheduled an appointment for tomorrow. I "might" be cleared to run on the treadmill and go to step class on Sunday. I did walk more miles last week than I had run the weeks prior to physical therapy. That's something to dance about!

Cross your fingers, say a prayer, send good thoughts!!! I'll need all the help I can get!!!

HaPPy DaNCe!!!

Dr. Steve said we might try some impact exercise next week.
So right now I'm quietly doing the "I might be able to run soon happy dance."

Yipee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Art with Sis

Here are the flowers that Alika and I made for our art project today. (She passed on the journal idea.) We started out using acrylic paints on watercolor paper applied with different objects: bubble plastic, bottle caps, pen tips, a comb, fabric, screen fabric, cheese cloth, and ribbon. Once the paint was dry, we punched the flowers and attached them to skewers. The centers are beads. We also made leaves out of the painted paper.

Sis didn't like her paper at first, she thought her page was a big, mucky mess, but it sure created colorful flowers.

Here's my girl with her bouquet. Maybe she'll give it to her mom for Mother's Day.


Oh...My bed stinks. Not the sleeping part, but the NASA formulated memory foam part. The sales manager at 1-800-Mattress assured me that the smell would go away in a couple of days. So far so bad because I got the tempur-pedic pillows last Monday and I can still smell them. Must be the combination of the pillows plus mattress because I woke up this morning with a sinus headache and allergy symptoms, I'm way too sensitive to strong scents.

I sure hope the smell goes away soon, I sure did get a great night's sleep last night and I would hate to have to return the mattress and miss out on all that good slumber.

Won't you be my neighbor?

Please won't you be my neighbor : . )

This walking thing has really given me an appreciation of the neighborhood in which I've lived off and on for the past 17 years. Yeah, the real estate is pricey here, but it is amazing. There's a gazebo in front of the local library, historical homes with stories to tell, blooming gardens, a sense of community.

Starbucks in hand, I toodled thru the local farmers market. Its small, but everyone is sooo friendly. The strawberries were so tasty and the perfect compliment to homemade shortcake and whipped cream, yum!!!

My new tempur-pedic bed was delivered today, hurray!!! Its now sporting super soft hot pink jersey sheets and my Pottery Barn Kids flower applique comforter. I can't wait to try it out tonite!

Got a piece done for my grilfiend's birthday Arting with my little friend Sis tomorrow, I think we'll make some journals. A good, good weekend!

Incredible Pukey Cuteness

I bot these at Safeway. To avoid eating a pint. So far I've had two. Aren't they just too cute!!!

P.S. The Sharks won tonight! 3-2. I got to go to the game, actual playoff tickets in my hot little hand!!! It was so LOUD at the Tank!

P.P.S. PT is going well. Altho' I'm still on IR (injured reserve) and can't run, Dr. Steve said he's gonna have me race ready for Disneyworld in January, Yay!!! : .) (I hope that's a promise he can keep!!!)

The Burt's Bees lip balm is for scale. So you can see just how tiny pukey cuteness can be. The white thingy is the spoon. It comes on top, in the lid.

Ice is NICE!!!

This no running thing SUCKS!!! : .| (Excuse the %@#$&!)

I feel anxious and twitchy. A lot. All this un-expended energy running amok in my body. (Haha! I can still make a joke!)

I am allowed to walk, however, as long as I don't go very far. Believe me, my leg tells me right away if I've overdone it! (Who knew it could communicate!) I walked an entire 2 miles this morning. (The last run I did 3 weeks ago was 7.5 miles of hills, sniff!) Granted, it was beautiful and breezy, almost like a Cover Girl commercial. (Am I remembering that correctly?) Short walks, along with lots of stretching, use of ice packs, myofascial release rolling over this foam roller, and some core stabilization work on my cool new fitness ball is the extent of my exercise these days. I am obsessed with my physical therapy. It's pretty much all I can think about.

While on this walk, I scoped out some local real estate that is for sale. A 2 bedroom 1 bath condo around the corner is going for $425K. Uh huh. A 3 bedroom, 935 square foot house is going for...$620K! An itty-bitty, almost 50 year old house going for over a half a million dollars!!! Can you believe it?! My dad always told me to save my nickels and dimes, but I think its gonna take saving a few quarters and maybe some dollar bills for me to come up with a down payment for housing here in the bay area. I should be able to purchase in about 5 years if I stick to my savings plan.

As if the no running thing wasn't depressing enough.


I've been having a pity party all week, but MadRetz came to my rescue today and helped to create a distraction by agreeing to make a trek with me to Bezerkley for some retail therapy and lunch. (Quiet you, voice of buyer's remorse! I'm on track for that condo purchase!) On the way we navigated potholes, road construction, the wall of death, gas-guzzling, monstrous SUVs, and cell phone talking drivers, finally arriving at one of our favorite scrapbook stores Scrapbook Territory. It was jolly fun as usual, but honestly, just how many sheets of decorative paper and little doodads do I think I need? I could almost open my own store. (oooh, how I love art supplies!) A couple of hours later, we left the shop, happy, happy scrappers. (Again voice QUIET!) Now, to do something with all of these supplies.

All jokes aside, I find that the universe (GOD?) speaks to me. The PT and chiropractic with its physical adjustment, is also performing spiritual chiropractic. Being forced to slow down and walk, ruminate over the state of myself, I feel as if I am finding the path to the inside. As Julia Cameron says in Vein of Gold, I am "outward bound for inner voyaging." An internal adjustment is occurring along with the physical therapy, scratching at old "scabs" and allowing for healing on all levels.

I'm not sure I'm explaining this well...Will I allow the healing? Lots of emotion anger, tears, but in the end, understanding that all is for the best. I'm trying to be patient.

Top shot obviously of my cool, new fitness ball and foam roller (and my very lonely mountain bike). Bottom shot of some of the goodies I bought today, Basic Grey, yay!!!

Zero to Snore in 3 Minutes

Looks innocuous doesn't it? A little white pill.

My sinuses do not sing to the glories of spring. Even after two years of immunotherapy (read: shots every week for 104 weeks), I still need a little help with congestion and post-nasal drip, so after a trip to the allergist, I was prescribed Zyrtec-D. One of the warning labels on the bottle said "may cause drowsiness."

Aaaah well, the opposite occurred for me and I experienced three, count 'em, three sleepless nights. I'm talking NO SLEEP. NO SLEEP makes Phinner very cranky. Just ask MadRetz. We were at Disneyland the weekend I started taking the meds.

Yesterday I refilled the prescription. This time, I actually read the prescription information provided with the prescription. It says this medication contains PSEUDOEPHEDRINE.

PSEUDOEPHEDRINE is not good for Phinner. Phinner's heartbeat skips and Phinner's general practitioner said Phinner shouldn't take medications with PSEUDOEPHEDRINE (Sudafed) because it causes Phinner's heart to race. Bad for hearts that skip beats. And no wonder I wasn't sleeping. My heart was racing, I was wired!

Note to self: Always read prescription information before taking medication. Always have a discussion with the doctor about new meds.

Thinking...There is a positive side effect to this medication...Appetite supression.

I may be able to loose some weight while taking this, hummmmm...

The other recent development in my life, and no, its not love...I finally went to get my sciatic issue checked out at a local sports therapy clinic. 6 visits in a week and a half. Numerous treatments...chiropractic, cervical traction, electrical stimulation, ice, heat, stretching, and myofascial release using the most modern of torture devices. The right side of my body has been in pain ever since. Dr. Steve says "scratching at the scab" that's been over my sciatic nerve for 2 years. Yep, I can feel it.

AND no running. I.CAN'T.RUN!!! I can't run. I can't run.

You might as well tell me to stop breathing.

I had to bail on the two races I've already paid for. I've had to bail on my friend who was flying out from DC to run the half marathon with me, and the 11 other people that are on my relay team. (Remember last year, the mountain lion story and getting lost in the vineyard?) I so can't deal with not honoring commitments I've made.

I have no clear vision of the future of my running.

I am so sad.

I AM GOING TO GAIN WEIGHT!!!

Arrrrgggghhhhh!!!

Thinking...I can't think of a positive side of this right now...

Oh wait...See above under PSEUDOEPHEDRINE.


That's my tadpole. Symbol of transition. Big, big transitions, experiencing lots of them. AGAIN. Ahhh, that's life!