Cornflake Girl

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T11:11:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween !

Spirit of Giving Gala / TCH Monster Mash

2011-10-19T18:54:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for a nice Halloween bash that also raises money for charity I would like to recommend the TCH Monster Mash. This is a fun costumed event for adults.

The Centers for Habilitation (TCH) has been empowering people with special needs since 1967. TCH is focused on offering services that help their clients to live up to their full potential.

Guests will enjoy a thrilling evening of costumes, live music, dancing and spine-tingling Haunted House, with food and drink, raffles, prizes and a silent auction. MC'ed by 12 News Anchor Scott Light.

Tickets are $60 each and reserved tables are available. For more information about sponsorship opportunities or to make your reservation, visit www.tch-az.com or call 480-730-4221.

This year the bask will be held Saturday - October 22, 2011 7-11 pm. Location 4633 E Ray Rd, Phoeinx. (Former Stein Mart location).

Trying Something New

2011-10-16T08:28:00.000-07:00

The last few months have been a bit stressful with my father passing and a crazy work load. I was at a business meeting a few months ago and mentioned to a friend that I had no energy. He mentioned a product that he was taking and stated that he would put me in touch with the vendor if I was interested.

Needless to say the sales person contacted me and I am now taking a vitamin product called Vemma. The cost is higher than I would normally pay but I am going to give it a go.

I have read a lot of negative reviews on this product but mostly about their multi-level marketing program. I am not interested in selling this product but will give it a trial run.

I am only on day two but will keep you posted on if I think this product is worth the cost.

It is a liquid vitamin product that I will be taking every morning. It has a very pleasant fruity taste.

I am also about to embark on a bodily self improvement program for myself. I need to get active and lose quite a bit of weight. I may be taking this product in conjunction with a new diet.

I am a person with not a lot of willpower when it comes to food and exercise. This will be a challenge. (Wish me luck). I will keep you posted.

Goodbye to a Soldier

2011-07-01T08:47:00.000-07:00

1st. Sgt. Richard J. Palmer

1/17/32 - 7/1/2011

It is with great sadness that I say goodbye today to my Father Richard Palmer Sr.

He was a well liked guy with a great sense of humor. You will be greatly missed.

I love you Dad.

Monkey Business

2011-04-17T14:16:00.001-07:00

I am not sure when it all started but a few years ago I started exchanging birthday cards, Christmas cards and other cards with my sister in Wisconsin. For some reason I got stuck on Monkey themed cards and then she started sending them to me.

I don't really even like monkeys except for the speak no, see no, hear-n0-evil kind.

I once knew a girl who kept monkeys for pets. They were mean and the stunk. They got out once and as she tried to catch them and put them back in their cages they scratched the crap out of her. They were loud and did I mention STINKY?

But now I have a monkey curse and I see them EVERYWHERE!

Beer drinking monkeys, monkeys with pee pees, monkeys on buildings holding bananas and wearing coon skin hats. Yikes.

OMG. I may have been scarred in 1970. O.K. I admit monkeys make me laugh except for the ones who rip your face off.

There goes my weekend

2011-04-09T07:58:00.000-07:00

I've just discovered this live webcam from Iowa with a pair of eagles and their chicks. I cannot stop watching it. Click here for the link.

Sunday Morning Haiku

2011-02-27T07:46:00.000-08:00

A sleepy gray day

I should be cleaning house

I snuggle with cat

My never ending project and other thrifty packrat ramblings

2011-01-30T09:17:00.000-08:00

After a month of household disasters I am finally getting the house back in order.

I had a plumbing issue where they had to pull up the carpet and cut through the concrete to get at a pipe. This meant cleaning out my most cluttered room and putting everything into the garage until the work was finished.

I also had the shelf and my closet pole come off the wall in another room because I had too many items hanging and the weight pulled it off the wall. This forced me to take all of my clothes out of the closet and also put them in the garage for a few weeks. Thankfully I have a large department style clothing rack to hold it all. Each morning before work I would go into the cold garage and have to pick out my clothes for the day.

Part of the closet issue was that I hang my shoes. I don't have a classy closet so I get creative. I had no idea I had so many heavy shoes. I've decided to hang them in another room to take a little stress off. This of course means shifting and purging items from the second closet.

The new and improved shoe area.

While purging I found items that I had forgotten I had. Some good, some ridiculous. (see last post) I'm definitely a pack rat.

So yesterday my sister-in-law and I pulled together and had a joint garage sale. SIL is a great decorator and she re-decorates often so she had some fabulous decorative pieces to sell and I had some art and we both had clothes. We rocked the sale and people walked off with some awesome bargains.

I get a kick out of the garage sale buyers. Such an interesting lot. There are the folks who need inexpensive clothes and household goods. There are the re-sellers who love to talk about their deals and there are the more subtle re-sellers who buy and don't brag. I like them best. I also like when someone brings their children with them and I love to see what the children are interested in. I must say I am a sucker for the kids and many times just give them what they are looking at or sell it super cheap.

I think that thrift shopping with kids is an excellent way to teach them the value of a dollar. When my niece and nephew used to visit me when they were younger, they looked forward to a weekend of garage sales with their Auntie. They seemed to really enjoy it.

Being thrifty on some items is a passion for me. I'm not above buying retail I just prefer not to if I don't have to. I find tons of cool art at yard sales and some have become treasured pieces for me. One example is my small collection of masks. Rule #1 I have to really like the mask and have a certain feeling about it.

I like to buy items that speak to me. Or if I think it might make a unique gift for someone I know, I may buy it and save it for a gift giving occasions. (or no occasion at all). Yes, anyone who knows me knows that I am not above giving unusual pre-owned items as gifts. This is accepted in my family and we many times give each other interesting little gifts that may have been pre-owned.

Below is an example of some of my masks that I decorated my work office with. All of the masks, the basket and the framed art were pre-owned and bought for pennies on the dollar.

Do you ever buy pre-owned? What do you buy? Why? I'd like to hear about it.

Mostly Fugly but Oh So Decorative

2011-01-17T19:01:00.000-08:00

Ok, so we had a disaster in my home office whereby the plumbers had to come and dig a hole in the concrete, fix some pipes, re-cement and then put the carpet back two weeks later. (whew, was that a sentence or what?)

This disaster forced me to take most of the furniture and items in my closet and move them to the garage. Today the carpet came back on the floor and we are done with the plumbing issue. So, this provides me with an opportunity to open boxes I have not opened since before we moved in the house. (hmmmm maybe 5 years).

I unearthed a box aptly labeled "ugly decanters". Yup.I don't now why I have these or even boxed them up. The one on the left has a body that does not match the head. The other is a musical hillbilly decanter.

Up for grabs ya'll.

I should put these on my other blog What I Did Not Buy Today, but obviously I bought these once when I may or may not have been drunk.

Cookies Now and Then

2010-12-24T11:10:00.000-08:00

Christmas week is a time when I get my fill of sweets. I love chocolate and most sweets. This week I made my father-in-laws famous caramel corn. This may be a new tradition for me. It was not as good as his but I will keep working on it.

Those who know me know how much I love vintage items. This past month I founds some wonderful vintage cookie cutters in excellent condition. They reminded me of my childhood as these were the type that I remember us having at our home where I grew up. The Christmas cutters always featured a Santa, a bell, an angel and usually a reindeer.

Some of the older cutter sets also contained a camel. When was the last time you at a camel cookie?

I also happened upon a very nice vintage Betty Crocker Cookie book that brings back memories also. Now in the modern age I have a wonderful nephew who is becoming quite the cookie baker. His new Christmas cookies are called Ninja Bread cookies. I think they are adorable!

December - Life is Good

2010-12-18T18:11:00.000-08:00

December - where did it go. Christmas is only a week away.

I've done a great job of staying out of the shopping mall and stores this past month. I've done some fabulous thrift shopping and have cut my shopping list in half. My husband and I agreed to a small gift for each other and we are calling it Christmas.

This year for my co-workers I made caramel corn. It was not fancy but I think it was better than some bogus trinket that would just be re-gifted.

I'm not sure when I became so disgusted with crazy consumerism. Again, maybe this is me just getting older and crankier. (God forbid). Not having a lot of extra cash has also made me look at consumption and waste. My husband and I are doing much better at not wasting food. I realize that we have been, and sometimes still are,very wasteful when it comes to food.

Instead of shopping I have been trying to read more and keep myself busy at home. You would think my house would be immaculate but I still need to work on that.

This was my 50th year on earth. It has certainly been a year of reflection for me. I have a lot to think about and a lot to be thankful for. As my 50th comes to an end this month I want to put it out there that life is good.

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T09:55:00.001-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving.
This year I am thankful for so many things. It's been a rough year but I am surviving. I feel very lucky. I'm thankful for friends and family. I'm thankful that I am employed. I'm thankful that I have a roof over my head and food on my table. I'm thankful for the beautiful Arizona weather.
Here's wishing everyone a Happy Happy Thanksgiving.

Beautiful Obit

2010-11-14T06:07:00.000-08:00

When I sit down on Sundays to read the paper I usually take a look at the obituaries. I have not lived in this are a long enough to know too many people so the chances of me reading about someone I know are slim.

I like the obits with photos. I like the obits that have two photos, a young and old version of the deceased.

Today there was an obit for a woman named Dora. She was a rancher. She was an Aunt, like me. There was no mention of children (like me). Here's a bit of her life that was shared in the obit:

She spent most of her life on the Ranch. At the ranch, she supervised nieces and nephews; milked cows; jerked beef; rode; fed chickens; killed snakes; opened and closed gates; dug out the spring; scraped out the water tanks; watered the trees; picked fruit; peeled figs; chopped seasoned juniper & mesquite; filled the wood box; started the fire in the stove; ground corn; made enchiladas, tortillas, cakes and pie crusts; dressed in layers; took pictures; read; kept a diary; wrote letters; watched the night sky and bats; the butchering, barbecuing, and branding; and repaired the dirt road as required by her car. When visiting, Dora arrived serendipitously & left when she tired of company. She played marbles to win. Tia Dora could grab and twist an ear, pulling it & the disobedient child along behind her. She was a favorite aunt.

I've often wondered what my obituary would sound like. I don't think it would be nearly as interesting as Dora's. Her obit makes me think I need to get a move on and do something more interesting than just working in an office everyday and then coming home and going to bed.

Today I raise a glass to Dora, a woman I never met and just read about. You sound like my kind of woman. Rest in peace girl.

Behind the White Door

2010-11-07T13:07:00.000-08:00

Thank goodness for doors. Doors are my co-conspirator for hiding messes. Doors and drawers are my friends.

Yesterday I tackled the mess that is my pantry. I'm embarrassed to say how much expired foods I tossed yesterday.

My pantry has never been a tidy place. It is so easy to just stuff my dried goods in behind the door after grocery shopping.

I found many "gift" foods that have been given but never eaten. I also found that I have 5 bottles of vinegar. I rarely use vinegar. Evidently whenever a recipe called for vinegar I just went out and bought another bottle. I have a lot of Karo syrup too. I think this is left over popcorn ball fests from holidays gone by.

So yesterday I decided to make a soup with what was on hand. Since I had all of the dry goods on the counter I could actually see what I had. I made a delicious soup with white beans (that I did not know I had), Dried mushrooms (that I did not know I had) some frozen sausage, potatoes and spices. I threw in some vinegar just to feel good about using it (since I had 5 bottles).

So in a nutshell, two accomplishments in one day - clean cupboards - delicious soup!

Vacation Aftermath

2010-10-19T18:11:00.000-07:00

I miss vacation.

A little down time

2010-10-08T11:52:00.001-07:00

As I write this I am sitting out on a deck in the mountains of Cedar Crest, New Mexico. I am visiting my dear friend Martini MarySue. We have known eachother for 28 years. We sure look different than we did 28 years ago but our hearts are still the same.

I'm here for a little R&R.

Martini MarySue is an animal lover and has 3 dogs and 2 cats. I had to share these photos because I think her dogs like me. Either that or the bacon perfume I have been wearing is really paying off.

I am so covered in dog hair that I have become an honorary dog.

A fun week with good friends. You can't beat it.

Truths - True

2010-09-24T06:40:00.000-07:00

A friend sent the following list to me and I thought it was one of those I had to share. #7 resonates with me quite a bid as I am a MapQuest-a-holic. Also #12.

Simple truths for mature adults -

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. Really, how ARE you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Crap!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voice mail.
What
did you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?

15. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

16. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

17. I disagree with Kay Jewelers, I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.

18. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

19. The only time I look forward to a red light is when I'm trying to finish a text. (just kidding Oprah)

20. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

21. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

22. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

23. Is it just me or do high school kids get dumber & dumber every year?

24. There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.

25. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

26. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'll bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time!

What else I did not buy this week...

2010-09-14T19:31:00.001-07:00

The one that got away.

2010-09-11T06:58:00.001-07:00

Arghhh. Last night after work I was killing some time before I had to meet my husband. Of course my favorite way to kill time is to hit a nearby thrift store. There is an unwritten rule of thrifters that if your hand is on an item it is yours until you let go. Last night I let go.

I'm so mad at myself. I love to buy original art. There was a pretty fantastic painting of cactus available. I was pondering the purchase and decided to think on it. I'm not sure why I was even hesitating. The price was so right. The place was not busy and no one appeared to be looking at the art along the wall. The SECOND I backed away from the painting some guy ran up behind me an took the painting.

It's like a fish story about the one that got away.

Thrift rule #1... hold on to it until you are sure you do not want it.

What I did NOT buy this week.

2010-09-06T13:29:00.001-07:00

Those who know me, know that I LOVE to second hand shop. I love to hunt for odd items at bargain prices. I have found some wonderful items over the years, many of the items totally useful. (Many not).

Some "most useful" items I have found include the GIANT champagne bottle that currently resides in my home office. An awesome metal candelabra that resides in my dining room. I've purchased some great artwork at bargain prices. A beautiful old steam trunk. A killer travertine dining room table that we currently use in our semi-formal dining room.

I've also bought a few stinkers that seemed like a good idea at the time. A rusty old childs bicycle that I thought might be worth something to someone else. An unidentifiable weapon of mass destruction that I found at a garage sale and thankfully re-sold at the flea market. I am still not sure what that was. At one time I did a lot of re-selling and would buy almost anything if I thought I could turn a buck.

I have no qualms about buying pre-owned. I look at it as the ultimate in recycling and I love re-purposed items.

My sister in Maine is also a second hand shopper and sometimes in our travels I will e-mail photos of some crazy or just fugly items I have discovered but would probably never buy. The uglier the better.

I buy a lot of funky thrift items but this post is about the ones that got away this week.

Creepy Butler

The first is the creepy butler. He was creeping at a re-sale shop in Scottsdale. A bargain at a mere $695. More than my recession-ass budget can handle at present. If he was $50 I may have considered it. I'd be all over having him hold a roll of toilet paper in my bathroom. Pardon me but to you have any grey poop-on?

Praying Hands Poster

Next item I passed on. A hairy armed poster of praying hands at Oral Roberts University. I lived in Tulsa once and would drive by the giant hands a few times a week. I've got to tell you this was hard to pass up except that the hairy arms sort of gave me the creeps. Don't get me wrong. I'm not one of those new-americans that hate body hair but for some reason these hairy arms gave me the heebies.

50 Cent's T-shirt

The next item I did not buy was this lucky 7, g-money, hip hop t-shirt. Ick. I didn't buy this because then I would need to buy a gold grill for my teef to go with and I can't afford that either.

Le Glorious Green Orb

And then there was this. Oh glorious giant green southwestern gourd lamp. I must admit that I actually put this in my cart and gave it a ride around the thrift store while I admired it. There were small holes poked throughout and it actually lit up. A bargain at $24. I just could not justify this purchase. It was so weird that I almost fell in love with it. This is one of those items I had to weigh whether or not it would destroy my marriage if I brought it home.

I also did not purchase this Punks Not Dead, Ed Hardy hoodie. I'm so over Ed Hardy but I'm still a punk at heart. I know that if I wore this shirt that any punks still alive might go preppy after seeing me at 50 wearing this baby. I did not buy partly because it should say Punk IS NOT Dead and that error would make me crazy. Also, Punk was way after the era of the real Ed Hardy. I'm sure he would not approve.

What did I buy you ask? Well that is another post. You'll just have to wait for that one.

Tell me, what is your weirdest thrift purchase? I'd love to know.

Thelma and Louise without the excitement of Brad Pitt

2010-08-29T10:14:00.000-07:00

Went for a drive yesterday with a friend. The morning started as any good morning should, with strong coffee and a decadent Krispy Kreme donut (or ten).

My friend had some books she wanted to sell at Bookmans so we hit all three in Tucson. Wow. I had never been there before. What a treat.

This place is amazing. They sell new and used books, CD's, games, jewelry and decorative items. So fun. The place is very organized with a system for dropping off books that they may purchase from you. You can either be paid in cash or a little more for in-store credit.

I was on the hunt for some used copies of the Steig Larsson trilogy. I found two out of three of the books I was looking for at the last stop.

We hit a couple of thrift stores and ended the day with a beautiful drive home with some pretty clouds compliments of mother nature. A great way to spend a day indeed.

Domestic Divas

2010-08-17T20:31:00.000-07:00

I'm still digesting my fabulous family reunion. I will post some photos soon. We had 380 adults and probably 100 children attend. It was overwhelming. I have been reminiscing about my childhood and family all month.

There was a lot of photo sharing from the old days. I thought I would share a couple of photos of some of the ladies in my life.

The black and white photo was taken in preparation for my parents wedding. We have a large family tradition of cooking in groups for special family occasions. The mainstays have always been cabbage rolls and pierogi. Only two of the women in this photo are currently living.

The color photo shows two of my Aunts again.

These photos make me so happy. I really miss these women.

Back to the Future

2010-07-25T13:32:00.000-07:00

My huge family back in Ohio are having a family reunion next month. My Mothers family is huge! So far over 350 people have rsvp'd. ( That doesn't include the family members who don't know what rsvp means.)

The last reunion was about 7 years ago but this one is going to be special as the older generation is fading.

Above is a photo from over 40 years ago at a family reunion. In the center is my Grandfather. He is shown with his first 50 grandchildren. Next to my Grandfather is his first grandchild and she is holding his 50th grandchild. There were more grandchildren since this photo and I think the last count is close to 70 grandkids. (I am in the front row with my hands up near my ears.) I am hoping to get a better copy of this photo from my cousins.

You can imagine the progeny since then. This reunion will be attended my many of Grandpa's great and great, great grandchildren.

It should be an interesting event. I plan to share some photos and stories later.

Fashionista that I am...

2010-07-03T06:02:00.000-07:00

I went to happy hour with a friend after work last night. When I got home I was a little buzzed and also too lazy to cook dinner. I announced that we were having KFC tonight and that I would run out and pick up dinner.

When I came home I put the chicken on the counter and said to my husband that I would be right back as I wanted to change my clothes. Smart*ss that he is asked me if I was putting on my chicken-eating pants.

CHICKEN-EATING PANTS! The nerve.

Chicken tastes so much better when you are black and blue. Or so I've heard.

Philly Days Continued...

2010-06-20T15:16:00.001-07:00

Again I wish I had photos of the people that I am remembering from my days in Philadelphia. As stated in my previous post. I worked at an art framing shop on Walnut Street. I worked for a very nice Jewish man who befriended every stray dog (or person) who came to him.

I feel compelled to write about one of the stray people that hung around the shop. The reason I feel compelled is so that someone remembers him. His name was Nesty. Short for Ernesto. He was an adorable 80-ish short Italian man. He would make his rounds on Walnut Street visiting different businesses during his day. We jokingly called him the king of Walnut Street.

He was always dressed sort of dapper and wore a hat. I don't remember him talking about having a family or children, so partly I want to write about him so that he is remembered.

He would come in to the store and sit in one of the chairs we had that mostly were for friends of the owner who came in to chew the fat. Nesty was a little lonely I think. He told me of his girlfriend who had Alzheimer's. He told me that she was a true lady. She wore Feragamo shoes and was always dressed to a tee. He said she was always a lady until the Alzheimer's. He said she would get a bit mean and say hurtful things that she would never have said before the disease. He once gave me a couple of gold bangles that were hers. I was truly honored.

Nesty loved peppers and egg sandwiches. He would sometimes eat his lunch in the shop and he would always say that the other old guys he knew always wanted his peppers and eggs.

I'm not sure where he actually lived. I assumed it was someplace downtown and that it might have been a senior living facility.

I must say that I don't know what became of him. Because this was over 20 years ago he may be deceased.

I would like to say that when you meet an older person who wants to talk. Give them a little time and consideration. They may be alone and lonely and you may be the only person that has spoken to or acknowledged their existence that day.

Nesty, I'm not sure if you ever had children, but please know you are remembered by someone. Happy Fathers Day and God bless you where ever you are.

My Philly Days

2010-06-13T10:31:00.000-07:00

Walnut Street Now

It's been a few years since I lived in Philly. Over 20 years. I was young and newly married and we moved to the outskirts because of my husbands job. I found a job in downtown Philly working at a frame shop. I took the train in every day. Basically I was the counter person who took measurements for artwork our customers wanted framed.

The shop was on Walnut Street. It was owned by a super goodhearted man named Bill. Besides myself he employed a framer who worked above the shop and Bill worked in the back. The framer had worked for him for over 20 years. Bill also employed his son and another young fellow to keep him company.

There were always a cast of local characters that hung out or stopped in the shop. They came in to see Bill. He would never turn someone down if they needed money. If a homeless person came by and needed a little cash he would think of something they could do like sweep the sidewalk.

I started writing this blog about the employee who worked upstairs and a few other characters that came and went, but now as I write this I think I need to discuss Bill instead. I have not thought about him in a long time.

I would have to guess that at the time Bill was probably between 50 and 60 years old. He looked older. He was skinny and balding. He had a pencil mustache and few teeth in his mouth. He moaned and groaned a lot because I think he was actually ill but not diagnosed. He tended to pick his butt a lot and I vaguely remember him talking about his prostrate. He moaned and groaned in Yiddish.

I was the only woman working there and the guys never held back. They talked about personal things all the time and sometimes things that were not exactly appropriate for mixed company. One story was of the framer who worked upstairs and a big butted mistress he had that used to come to the shop and "spend time" with him upstairs. Upstairs guy, I actually forget his name, bragged that this woman liked when he put vice clamps on her nipples. - Did he really need to share that with me? I never went upstairs. That was his domain. He was too dumb to be creepy and I never felt in danger.

Bill would tell stories about his youth. He wanted me to know that he used to be pretty good looking. The girl he wanted to marry married was Catholic like me and he could not marry her. He had to marry a nice Jewish girl. So he settled. He was married late in life. What Bill did not know was that the nice girl he settled for was probably the best thing that ever happened to him. She was kind and understanding. A very nice woman. She may not have been the looker he was comparing her to but she was a very good woman who loved him. I think he often wondered what it would have been like with the one that got away.

Bill was one of those guys who were too nice for their own good. He probably could have been pretty wealthy but he gave a lot away. He was always cutting people deals. Doing things for free for people he knew.

Bill was just a super nice guy who employed me when I first came to town. I googled the shop a few years back and it is no longer there. I also googled his name and could not find him. I am assuming he is deceased. He was a pretty good guy. I'm sure his family and friends miss him. If I ever get to Philly again I want to stop by the old shop and see what is there now and take a photo or two. Philly is definitely a town with ghosts. I'm sure that there are a few hanging out in that old building. (And one of them is wearing clamps on her nipples).

Huh?

2010-05-28T19:59:00.000-07:00

About 2 weeks ago I noticed this billboard on my way to work. It looks like someone hand painted it. I'm not sure if it is a goof or a read ad for beer. Odd yet mesmerizing. I'm only at this light for a short time in the morning and it took me a few days to get a photo.

It's weird with the hairy arm and the pig potholder. Any thoughts?

Location - 3rd and McDowell in Central Phoenix.

Where have you been all my life?

2010-05-15T17:27:00.000-07:00

Chocolate Olive Oil !!! Where have you been all my life?
I know that I go on about the olive oils from the Queen Creek Olive Mill but be assured I don't work there, am not related to anyone there. I just plain love their products.

I had heard that a chocolate oil was going to be released and when it did not appear a few months ago I figured it was just a weird rumor.

I visited the Mill for lunch today and ......CHOCOLATE OLIVE OIL. I have not cooked with it yet but it smells heavenly.
Per the label suggestions include.... saute' with chilies to add depth and character to chicken. I am going to try that soon.

www.queencreekolivemill.com

Hola Tomatoes!

2010-04-25T10:46:00.000-07:00

So excited. I actually have baby tomatoes on the vine. I hope I can keep these plants alive long enough to actually eat one. I am disgusted with grocery store tomatoes. They are waxy and have no taste. I am growing a few plants in a pot. It gets pretty hot here in Arizona so I need to watch them carefully and be sure they get enough water.

I noticed a lizard hanging around my little garden. I'm hoping he does not get the first taste.

Our backyard cactus had it's first bloom. It is about years old and looks like it is going to really put on a show. The blooms don't last long so I am taking photos almost every day.

A close-up photo of an ocotillo cactus flower. These blooms won't be around long either.

Happy spring everybody!

Spring in Arizona

2010-04-17T14:13:00.000-07:00

It's spring in Arizona when the Ocotillo cactus bloom. I'm loving the color and the birds are too. I thought I would share a few photos from this week.

Hummer Happy Hour

2010-04-08T17:43:00.000-07:00

It's April in Arizona. I had noticed lately that my hummingbird feeders were draining quicker than usual.

Gee, I wonder why? I think the word is out that it's Happy Hour at Cornflake Girl's house.

I think the migration has started. My friends in the Midwest are anxiously awaiting their first sightings.

By the way, I LOVE the feeder in my photos. It is plastic and comes apart easily for a good cleaning. If you feed hummingbirds do not let your feeders get moldy as this can harm the birds.

I also make my own syrup. Here is a recipe and some tips for feeding hummingbirds.

Boil four cups of water.
Remove water from the heat.
Stir in one cup of white sugar.
Cool the syrup before filling feeder.
NOTE: Do not use honey, which can cause a fatal fungal infection on the birds' tongues.
NOTE: Do not add food coloring to the solution. It's not necessary, and it may be harmful. Even a small spot of red on the feeder will attract hummingbirds.
You can store the extra syrup in the refrigerator for a week.
Hang the feeder where you can see it from a window.
Clean the feeder at least once a week. In warm weather, you may need to change the syrup and wash out the feeder every day. Don't let the syrup turn cloudy in the feeder — that's mold. It will make hummingbirds avoid your feeder, and it may make them sick.
If ants discover the feeder, discourage them by applying petroleum jelly to the wire that suspends the feeder.

Dad's Old Socks

2010-04-03T13:36:00.001-07:00

Yes, I'm back at it again. Trying to tackle the organization of my home office /studio. Again, totally distracted. Of course now I "find" a 1944 McCall's magazine. Had to stop and look through it. Excellent wartime edition.

So, I find this article of some new uses for old socks. I remember tying my hair in strips of cloth when I was a kid but I never knew about using socks.

I'm glad that I can afford curlers now.

Here's the directions incase you are inclined to try it. (Send photos please)

Diary of a Box-a-holic

2010-03-29T17:24:00.000-07:00

OK, I'm so having an organizational problem at home and at work. I have been struggling with my home office / studio and keeping it looking like an actual functional room. Same at the work office.

I wish that reading organizational books would "poof" make my office clean and tidy. My problem is that I hate to get rid of anything. I hold a monetary value or a sentimental value to most things. Here is my thinking...someone gave it to me as a gift and therefore I can never get rid of it. It would be a sin. Or it's paid for and instead of donating it to a charity I could sell it and make a few bucks. (Who wants to buy some wine corks?)

I recently picked up the book Organizing for the Spirit - Making the Details of Your Life Meaningful and Manageable. The author is Sunny Schlenger. I must admit I am not very far in the book. (pg.14)

One of the first discussions is about playing detective with yourself to see what your decor says about your style and interests. OK, I'm looking around....HOW MANY F-ING BOXES DO I OWN. I'm scared. The photo above is the tip of the iceberg. Why do I love boxes so? I don't use half of them but I am so attracted to them.

I know people like my Mom and one of her sisters who were obsessed with dolls. They did not have dolls as children and as adults went almost overboard with dolls. Not cool collectible dolls on the shelves but crazy beat up dolls that they would rescue from garage sales and flea markets. My Mom had a giant box of dolls in the spare bedroom of her house. She said they were "for the kids" but I know they were for her. My sister once commented that she could not sleep well in that room with all of those orphan dolls staring at her.

With that said, I'm back to wondering what my connection is to boxes. It's not like I was deprived of boxes as a kid. I do like the old Lane Cedar Chest jewelry boxes that once upon a time they gave to girls graduating from high school. I love these because they normally have a city name printed inside the box. I'd probably die if I ever found one with a key. I have a hard time not "rescuing" these when I go to flea markets. I'm thinking this might be one of my "connections" to boxes. I never had one of these boxe as a teen. Also my Uncle gave my sister, his god-daughter, a full sized cedar chest for her birthday once when we were kids. I lusted over that chest forever. (Thou shalt not covet - but I did)

I also like Polish wooden boxes. You can see a few in the photo. This is a connection to my Polish heritage. They just make me feel good.

I'm going to work through the exercises in the Organizing for the Spirit book and see if I come to any other conclusions about my boxes and clutter issues. I will keep you posted. I am just hoping that someday I am not featured on that show hoarders.

Help me Jesus.

Is It Just Me?...

2010-03-06T16:11:00.000-08:00

My morning routine goes something like this.

4 a.m. Have a hot flash. Wake up. Try to go back to sleep.

5 a.m. Husbands alarm goes off. I finally fall asleep.

5:30 My alarm goes off. I hit the snooze for two more minutes of pillow hugging goodness.

5:32 I turn on the remote from my bed to listen to the news. I get out of bed and get ready for work. (All that brushing, washing, blow drying, stand in the closet and stare at my clothes and what not.)

It used to be that I would listen to the news, get some important world information and then head to work.

My husband likes CNN Headline news. I used to like HLN .... until YouTube.

Is it just me or has the news gotten really immature? Are we really this stupid that news has become what's on YouTube and what happened on television shows the night before? Wow, "late breaking". I watch The Soup for that sort of information.

If it weren't for Robin Mead's good looks I think I could talk my husband into another news channel in the morning. Bosom power. Damn you Robin.

6:00 am Get in my car for my hour long commute to work. Turn on N.P.R.

P.S. Note to news centers. I can read the newspaper all by myself.

Who Dat!

2010-02-07T08:53:00.000-08:00

As Seen on the Street

2010-02-05T08:20:00.000-08:00

Love this license plate, on a CRV no less. Dang, if I was a trophy wife I would want a more expensive car. I'm just saying.

Favorite Thing

2010-02-03T09:54:00.000-08:00

Just like Oprah, (my hero) I want to share one of my favorite things.

Fred Soll's incense. Made in New Mexico. My favorite is the Pinon Incense. The smell is so relaxing. We had friends in New Mexico who were burning this in their house. We fell in love with the smell. They gave us a pack and now we are addicted.

This incense is a little more expensive than your average incense but so worth it. It has a great strong smell and we ration it at our house. I was burning some the other day when my husband came home and he made the comment that "I thought we were only buring this when we were both around to enjoy it." Sorry, it is too hard to resist.

Try this incense. I highly recommend it.

Click here for more information about Fred Soll's incense.

Gray or Not and Other Ramblings About Ageing

2010-02-02T08:52:00.000-08:00

Well, I have had a crazy two months. First I turned 50 and then I had a total hysterectomy.

There is nothing like turning 50 and a hysterectomy to start you thinking about aging.

When you are in your twenties you never think that you will ever get old. I remember when I first started working in a professional office there were women in their 40's and 50's and I never gave a second thought about them being old but I knew they were older and wiser than I. Now, I AM THAT PERSON in the office.

I so don't want to be the old cranky lady in the office but sometimes I wonder if that is how I am perceived. I sometimes don't feel as valued as younger workers mainly because of my appearance. I'm ordinary looking, overweight and have grayish hair. I KNOW that there is prejudice in the workplace based on age and appearance. I can see that the 50 something men in my office prefer to take younger cuter women on client visits verses a 50 year old woman regardless of experience. (Does this make them pigs? Don't answer that.)

At one of my previous jobs I had worked very hard to lose weight. I successfully lost 40 pounds and was amazed that many of the people who I was invisible to before suddenly were engaging with me. Instead of being flattered it pissed me off. I vowed that if I ever had my own business I was only going to hire fat women because they are so overlooked and undervalued solely based on their looks.

There was a person in that office who once actually made a comment to me that "could you imagine so and so being in that position?" He was talking about another woman in the office who was overweight. The position he was speaking of was a job that entailed visiting clients at their work site and talking about insurance products. It was appalling to me that he thought that a large woman could not do an effective job just because she was overweight. This particular woman was beautiful inside and out. She was always put together and one of the hardest workers I knew. YES, I could imagine her in that position! She would have kicked ass.

I personally find that not all of my clients work well with overly attractive botoxed, breast enhanced, collagen injected individuals. In my opinion, there are many people who find this distracting and it makes them uncomfortable. I feel that I personally, because of my age and appearance am less threatening and therefore put my clients at ease. I especially feel this way about women clients. They feel that they are working with an authentic individual who does not look artificial. I think they are less distracted and grateful for real meaningful production. (Personal opinion here folks.) Does being botoxed, enhanced and hot mean that you are less hard working? I don't think so, but I also think that it might give some individuals the impression that you might be more inclined to worry about your appearance more than doing some hard work. (whoa, reverse discrimination at work). It's all about perception.

Now that I am 50 I have age discrimination on my mind. My husband is over 50 and was laid off a year ago. He is one of the most capable people I know. He is also in excellent physical condition and works out almost every day. He has had a hell of a time even getting interviewed in his field. I KNOW that companies discriminate based on his age. In this time of online resume's one downside is that people only see what is on paper and there is no personal interaction. It's easy to deduce age by your experience. It is also easy to deduce that an older person may have more experience and therefore expect a higher salary. I opine that employers are currently using the economy as an excuse to pay workers lower salaries. I have seen this first hand with some of my clients who have let higher paid workers go just to turn around and hire for the same or a similar position with a lower salary. (You get what you pay for.) I also think that is should be illegal to ask potential employees about their salary history - but hey, that's just me.

Now, on to the whole superficial reason that I was going to blog about today - gray hair.

I started graying in my 20's. I started dyeing my hair in my 20's. A couple of years ago I decided to quit dyeing my hair to see how gray I really was. Both of my parents had grey hair and my Mothers hair is completely white at 74 years of age.

So when my natural hair grew out it was pretty gray but not awful. It almost looked highlighted, however when I get in natural light you can see that it is actually gray and even silver.

I do not see many professional women withnatural gray hair. When I see one in a crowd I secretly am cheering them on inside - you go girl! I think to myself that I am happy they are confident, natural and not afraid..(revelation - I think I may be afraid of my gray hair.) More often I see professional women with colored hair. Do they look better? Do they do a better job because they color their hair? I don't think so. I won't be popular for saying this, but I think there is some truth to it. Men in the professional world would prefer to work with women who do not have gray hair. I don't like it but I think it is true for whatever reason.

I am feeling some pressure to look younger, especially at the workplace. Yes, I admit that I am insecure on many levels. Part of me wants to be natural and authentic. Part of me wants to show the world - HERE'S WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE PEOPLE! GREY, IN YOUR FACE. Part of me wants to override natural and authentic and color my hair. Should I do it?

Here are my questions -

Why do I feel the pressure to make myself look younger? Can't I just accept myself as I am?

Will dyeing my hair again make me look younger or will it just look like an older person trying to look younger?

People at work have already seen my grey hair. How fake am I if I now come to work with colored hair? (I don't like to see men dye their hair) If I dye my hair again does that make me a phony?

Why is it that men in their 50's with grey hair are considered sexy (silver fox) but women are considered grandmotherly?

Why can't I accept myself as I am?

Why do I care so much what other people think?

Should I do it anyways?

Through a Looking Glass

2010-01-29T08:21:00.000-08:00

A young couple moves into a new neighborhood. The next morning while they are eating breakfast, the young woman notices their neighbor hanging the wash outside. "That laundry is not very clean" she said. "She doesn't know how to wash correctly. She probably needs better laundry detergent."

Her husband listened but remained silent.

Every time her neighbor would hang out the laundry she would make the same comments.

About a month later she looked out the window and was amazed to see nice clean wash on the line. She turned to her husband and said, "Look she has clean laundry on the line, I wonder who taught her how to do it correctly?"

Her husband then said, "I got up early today and washed our windows."

And so it is with life. What we see when watching others depends upon the purity of the window through which we look.

Loved It / Hated It

2010-01-17T09:15:00.000-08:00

This is my first blog since after the holidays and after my surgery. I have been recovering with delicious naps, reading and watching movies.

Yes, that's me in my glamourous flannel frog pajamas recouping from surgery. (untouched photo -no shit)

In our town we have a wonderful little Olive Mill that sells local olives, olive oils and whatnot. I have become a huge fan of the olive. I picked up a book before Christmas titled "The Olive Farm" by Carol Drinkwater.

The Olive Farm

It is the true story of one woman's adventures in the south of France where she and her love buy a dilapidated old home and former olive farm. I really enjoyed this book. It was a relaxing gentle read that had me fantasizing about living in France.

With that said, I loved it.

The Limits of Control

As for movies - last night I watched what was probably the most torturous movie I have seen in years. It was called "The Limits of Control". Sheesh. Do not waste your time. Most of the movie was watching a guy walk around Spain drinking coffee and meeting stupid characters. Bill Murray had a small part and I totally felt like writing him a letter after seeing it. WTF Bill?

Anyways - Hated it! Don't waste your time unless you like being totally frustrated.

Merry Christmas One and All

2009-12-24T14:31:00.000-08:00

Pakistani Bling Envy

2009-12-12T08:23:00.001-08:00

I was invited to a Mehndi party for a friend who is getting married this weekend. My friend is Pakistani-American. I felt so honored to attend this event.

I was amazed at the beautiful beautiful traditional outfits the women wore and how handsome the men were.

I would love to wear clothes like that every day. Most of the dresses were handmade and hand beaded in Pakistan. So exquisite, so blingy.

Even the shoes were blingy and sexy.

There was a woman at the party who was applying henna to the hands of the women guests. She was very talented. I had some applied to my palm on my left hand. One of the women at the party told us that the darker the henna stains this represents the more your mother-in-law loves you. Yikes - my mother-in-law really loves me! (But I already knew that).

What a beautiful experience. Thanks N. for inviting me.

Goodbye Cruel Uterus

2009-11-25T17:00:00.000-08:00

I come from a large family. A very large extended family. My Mom had eight siblings. Technically thirteen but that's another story. Many of my Aunts had over eight children and I come from a family of six children. Breeding comes naturally to those born into our family.... and then.... there's me.

My husband and I did not have children. I am one of the few in my family that did not procreate. At one time I thought I would but at the moment I'm OK with not having children.

The thing is that my uterus has complained. "What the hell", my uterus says to me. "If you aren't going to use me I'm going to remind you constantly that I am here and unused."

I've had some crazy female issues for a while now. I won't go into too much detail but I've recently been advised to have a hysterectomy. I'm so ready.

I met with the surgeon who seems very nice and experienced. I just can't picture the actual operation and someone actually removing it from my body. I've googled a few photos and it looks sort of gross.

When I had my visit with my OBGYN and then my surgeon they both said "Has anyone ever told you that you have a huge uterus?" I'm like, "No, just a big ass."

So anyways I keep thinking about it's largeness. I sort of would like to see it but then again maybe not. I joked with my husband that I would ask them to put it in a jar and then I could maybe sell it on e-bay. Oh yeah, that would be a hot item. I also wonder if anyone has ever asked the doctor to take a photo of it once it was removed. No! I'm not going to do that, but it did cross my mind. I am a curious person.

So, this is how I am celebrating 2010 - uterus free!

Christmas Already!?

2009-11-15T07:42:00.001-08:00

It beginning to look a lot like Christmas around Phoenix. The stores already have their holiday decorations and goodies out. Their strategies work. I am totally thinking about Christmas already (but on the cheap).

I don't think I have had a Christmas cocktail party for over 10 years but I like the idea of it. In my mind I am Martha Stewart and my beautiful guests will be arriving any moment for my artfully arranged food and drink.

I love a little Baileys Irish Creme during the holidays but now I am thinking about peppermint schnapps. I saw these adorable little candy shot glasses online and thought they would be fantastic for a party. Nazdrowie!

I found these shot glasses here.

From Crack House to Mayer

2009-11-04T20:37:00.000-08:00

I have been following a blog from Ohio for a while called This Old Crackhouse. It featured the adventures of a guy named Gary who was fixing up an old homestead int he city that was once a stately mansion and gradually was reduced to a crackhouse over the years.

Gary lives in an older neighborhood in Dayton Ohio and had written about his struggles in the neighborhood. He had had enough dealing with he city and at one point just decided to run for mayor.

Gary ran for Mayor and today he won! I just love this story. I don't know what this will mean for his blog but if you haven't visited it before click here for the link.

Congratulations mayor Gary!

Another link to a nice video of his acceptance speech.

Ghosts of Halloween Past

2009-11-01T16:34:00.000-08:00

My sister and I back in the day when plastic masks were the rage.

I have always loved Halloween. My mother used to make us some pretty cute costumes when we were children. As my sisters and I became young adults we would really get into the costume spirit. The tradition continued when I got married and my husband and I used to throw an annual bash.

My hubby back in the day. Yes, I sewed this fabulous costume myself.

Me and hubby. Not sure what my costume was but it was comfortable.

My Sister B from Maine - you guessed it.

My sisters and I as women riding circus elephants. I'm on the right. (old photos)

Our lives have calmed down and we no longer hold the Halloween parties. In fact we don't seem to know enough adults that enjoy getting dressed up for a party.

I leave my efforts to the trick or treaters. This year we had 105 trick or treaters at our home this year.

I miss the old excitement of the holiday. Regrettably I bought too much candy this year and have a ton left over. What am I going to do with it all?

Passing Time

2009-10-18T11:15:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago I took a little vacation from work and drove to New Mexico to visit friends and attend Balloon Fiesta. I drove during the day and it was about a seven hour drive from my home to Cedar Crest where my friends live.

I drove alone and my husband met me later in the week. Since I was alone and could do WHAT EVER I WANTED. I took the opportunity to stop and look around when the mood hit me. When I travel with my husband I don't get the luxury of stopping at overlooks and roadside plaques. He loves to get to his destination in record time. I LOVE to stop and gawk.

The scenery was beautiful the whole way there. I had not gone but an hour from my home when I drove by a little building. I was curious so I turned around and went back to take a look. I was in Superior Arizona and the building was a little roadside shrine.

This was the one year anniversary of my Aunt Cecelia's death. My cousins had already put out the call for drinking a cold one in her honor but I thought she would get a kick out of me lighting a candle for her at a roadside shrine.

Aunt Ceal and Uncle Bob

God bless you Aunt Ceal. I didn't hoist a beer but I hope a Margarita was satisfactory. I knew you wouldn't mind.

2 1/2 Weeks A Retrospect

2009-09-30T18:58:00.000-07:00

Wow, I've been such a bad blogger. Have you ever been too tired to post? Well I'm blaming anemia. Of all of the exciting things I have done in the past few weeks one of them is being diagnosed as anemic.

Well, since I was too lazy to post for a few weeks I thought I would fill you in on my exciting life as seen by the camera on my phone. Here's what I have been up to and not necessarily in this order.

Attended an insurance seminar in Scottsdale. First night, happy hour mixer under the lights.

Breaking out for rabid discussions about the state of health insurance in the USA.

This was actually a very fun well run seminar.

Hung out with some cowboys on an excursion sponsored by the seminar.

More cowboys at a fun cowboy supper.

Lovin' it. Steak, Chicken & Arizona Strawberries (beans ya'll)
As my Grandpa used to say.... beans beans the magical fruit. The more you eat the more you toot. I wonder if that's where the expression rootin' tootin' cowboy comes from.

Cowboy bar. Hell yeah!

Drove a fellow seminar attendee to a high spot for a photo op. This is near Camelback mountain looking out towards central Phoenix.

Grocery shopping at Fry's marketplace. Saw this sign. Thought about buying it because my inlaws are visiting for Christmas. Still pinching pennies. Didn't buy it.

I may have to draw it in crayon and hang it in their room. I'M ON A BUDGET YA'LL!

OK. That's two ya'lls in one blog. Must stop now. Let's get classy now with some purse shopping.

OK. I'M ON A BUDGET! Didn't buy. Just caressed a little bit.

Cool imports shop on Indian School Rd in Phoenix. They used to sell furniture but it looks like they are getting heavy into purses and jewelry. Sweet.

A bunch of us went to lunch at Pro's Ranch Market in Phoenix off 16th street. What a hoot. A little stressfull because there is so much going on there. Once you get your food it is cool though.

Yum.

OK, This week also included other things that I have no photos of. Me delivering meat products to my co-workers. Me going hormonal at work. Me taking a thousand multivitamins a day to help combat my anemia..... more on that later.

I hope you enjoyed my retrospect. I'll try and be a better blogger.... and a better person - God willing.

Let's Hug it Out

2009-09-12T17:29:00.000-07:00

Drama at the office this week has me analyzing myself and the people I work with. If you are like me and work in an office full of complicated people maybe the following prayer/mantra will help you too.

Words to Live By..

People are often unreasonable & self-centered.

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives.

Be kind anyway.

If you are honest, people may cheat you.

Be honest anyway.

If you find happiness, people may be jealous.

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, may be forgotten tomorrow.

Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough.

Give your best anyway.

For you see, in the end, it is between you and God.

It never was between, You and Them anyway.

Mother Teresa

Inglourious Basterds - Hell Yeah

2009-09-06T15:51:00.000-07:00

The hubby and I went to an early showing of Inglourious Basterds today. It was very good. I love Tarantino and we own most of his movies. I had heard mixed reviews but if you are a fan then you will not be disappointed.

It's a world war 2 movie that would have been a perfect ending to world war 2.

Brad Pitt played a great character and I particularly enjoyed hearing him speak Italian.

Loved it!

3 Day Weekend!

2009-09-05T18:04:00.000-07:00

I have no rockin' plans. I might get crazy, drink a glass of wine and read a book. Yee Haw!

Hump Day

2009-09-02T07:38:00.000-07:00

I took a drive this week to visit my cousin in Prescott AZ. Here are a few photos around Prescott. I have a few more that I will post later this week when I have more time.

Lately it seems as if all I do is work. I need to have a little more fun. I hope to do a little more Arizona exploring once the weather cools down a bit. I'm thinking a little hiking might do me good. God knows I could use some exercise.

I'm trying to eat a bit healthier and have been adding more fish to my diet. I know I am not eating enough veggies and need to eliminate processed foods. These are things I have known all along but I think I am due for a change and need to get healthier. - Go me!

I'll try not to bore you with too many of the details or have posts that talk about what I ate today unless it's just too compelling not to share :)

Happy Hump Day!

Return to Sender - I wish.

2009-08-26T20:14:00.001-07:00

Have you ever sent an e-mail to someone, talked about someone else and then sent it to the person you were talking about? I just did. I feel awful about it. I said a few truths that might sting. I hope we are still friends after this.

Just know that if you send an e-mail via AOL and the recipient is not on AOL - YOU CANNOT RETRIEVE THE E-MAIL!

Whaaaaaaaaa!

Hey Handsome

2009-08-16T10:01:00.000-07:00

My cat Gary loves to look at himself in the mirror when he drinks water. I can see why. He's such a handsome devil. If you looked like this wouldn't you want to look at yourself all of the time too?

I love this photo.

Egg I.D.

2009-08-15T08:59:00.000-07:00

This is my personal solution for hard boiled eggs. I am not happy when I go to the fridge and need fresh eggs, try to crack one open and realized - it's hard boiled. Arghhhhh!

I now draw faces on the eggs. Not only can I now i.d. the eggs I am also mildly entertained.

Twitter Tweaker

2009-08-08T12:30:00.001-07:00

So, Twitter was down the past few days. I could not get to the site from my blackberry. I don't even post that much but it was annoying. I like to think of twitter as an outlet for Monkey Mind. I went to a seminar recently where the presenter used the term Monkey Mind for all of the junk that goes through your mind when your mind wanders.

Here are some of my Monkey Mind twitters that could not get posted because of the outage. Not necessarily in this order and with less typos.

wow, there's a lot of traffic today

school must be back in session

oh great that means the snow birds will be back soon and my traffic will increase again and everyone will drive slower

cotton tops beware, I'm going Rambo on the road this year

I wonder if Fighting Mad Mary will get the dress of her desires

I wonder what GloZell is gonna do with that whipped cream?

Bet she just eats it and pretends she is going to do something sexy with it.

Do you think she has some of that spreadable cheese in a can?

Bet she eats it and pretends she is going to do something sexy with it.

I wonder what the weather is in Maine.

Bet my sister is wearing long sleeves already

I wish I had a dog.

Cats just won't walk with you.

They are pretty snobby sometimes.

I need a pedicure.

Wish I had a maid.

I wish I had a personal chef.

I wish my personal chef was Ina Gartner.

Goat cheese is good.

I need to update my Shelfari

It looks like it takes me forever to read a book

It does

My feet are swollen

I hope it's not caused by some awful disease

I wonder if Jason Show is dancing to Britney right now

He's probably dancing to the Jonas brothers

Maybe with the Jonas brothers

Bet his husband would put a stop to that right now

Or join him

I need the very best bloody mary recipe

More cowbell

cheese makes everything taste good

where did this pile of laundry come from?

cat hair on my sink

I need a total makeover

I wish I'd hurry up and win the lottery

I already have the money spent

I miss Cancun

For every pound my husband loses it seems like I gain a pound - crap!

I think there is now a major flight path over my house

Fighter jets are noisy

I need a nap

incense is awesome

Why can't I find decospheres any more?

I love True Blood

I need to eat more fruit

Whew - I'm glad I got that off of my chest.

Cow Love

2009-08-03T21:02:00.000-07:00

I must say I didn't know that I loved cows so much. I could photograph them endlessly.

Rez Cow 420

2009-08-01T08:43:00.000-07:00

Portrait of a Rez Cow

This is a portrait I took on my trip near Moenkopi Arizona. I love the graffitti. This is proof that even cows love 420.

Arizona in Color

2009-07-27T18:58:00.000-07:00

I thought I would share a few photos from my trip to Arizona. I boosted the color in photoshop. I know photography purists hate when people do this but I just can't help myself. I love looking at the world like this.

Moenkopi Arizona.

Moenkopi

Coal Mine Canyon

Hoodoos and Mists in Hopi Country

2009-07-26T17:22:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I had the pleasure of visiting the Hopi village of Moenkopi. My friend Frank invited me to observe a traditional Kachina ceremony in their village. As this is a religious ceremony you are not allowed to photograph in the village.

Since Frank knows how much I love to take photos he brought me to a nearby remote ravine called Coal Mine Canyon. The canyon borders the Hopi and Navajo reservations. It was remote and beautiful with eroded outcroppings and white hoodoos.

For the Tony Hillerman fans, this canyon is near Tuba City. When visiting this area I was totally imagining some of the stories from the Hillerman books that I had read.

The landscape and sky were stunning.

The ground was a bit crumbly to the step. We were very careful not to go too close to the edge.

According to Frank and some other stories I found on the Internet there is a legend that on certain nights when the moonlight dances across the hoodoos, a white mist rises from the bottom of the canyon and forms the shape of a beautiful young woman. Some say the apparition is that of a Navajo woman who was walking along the rim with her husband and small child. The man and child stumbled and fell to their deaths. The grief-stricken wife went back to the spot every night for the rest of her life, and her ghost returns when the moon is full.

Another legend tells of a different tragedy: A young man ventured into the canyon on the eve of his wedding. His bride-to-be followed but never found him. She continues her search as a milky apparition that walks along the canyon rim on moonlighted nights.The men who mine coal here also have reported strange happenings. They say they hear knocking sounds when they work at night, and if they look into the canyon, they see an aura, which means someone has just died.

There is a very remote picnic ground with cement tables and a place for bonfires where I am assuming you can camp. The scenery is so haunting that I am not sure that I personally could spend the night there.

For a city person like me one striking thing about this area besides the natural beauty is the absence of sound. I am rarely in a place where there are no humans around for miles. It's a wonderful experience but also reminds me of how much I appreciate the company of others.

This place if off the beaten path but if you are in the Tuba City area, have a truck and want to take some stunning photos this is a wonderful stop if you can find it.

E is for Evil

2009-07-11T16:37:00.000-07:00

10 Finger 4th of July

2009-07-03T08:25:00.000-07:00

Reminder: be careful around fireworks! Fingers are a handy thing.

Artsy Fartsy Sunday

2009-06-28T10:45:00.000-07:00

It's a lazy Sunday here. I'm totally goofing off and playing with photo shop. Here are a few items I was working on today.

This little black crow was squawking at me the other day. I snapped a photo of him and have decided that he will make an excellent bookplate.

Don't lick the cactus.

Tucson Gate. Original gate is purple but this feels like India.

My Car CD player is BiPolar

2009-06-27T11:53:00.000-07:00

Yikes, I am currently listening to two polar opposite cd's in my car. I have a book on tape of "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne and am alternating listening to it with Chuck Palahnuik's Pygmy.

The Secret is inspiring and I am listening to it to try and adjust my mind from negative thinking.

When I listen to Pymgy I feel like taking a shower after each chapter. I grabbed this book on tape from the library impulsively. I was not sure I would get beyond the first chapter as the main character speaks in an odd choppy language that causes me to have to listen closely to figure out what he is actually describing. It's truly a disturbing book with lots of violence. Of course, now that I am half way through I can only finish listening and when I am finished.....

shower, with a brillo pad.

Lame Fathers Day

2009-06-21T12:08:00.000-07:00

Today was Fathers day. I called my Dad this morning back in the Midwest. The book I ordered for him had not arrived and the box I put together for him is still sitting in the passenger seat of my car.

I bought my husband a fathers day card from the cat but can't remember where I put it.

Last week all of the advertisements in the paper were big hints for gifts for Fathers Day. I had to share this crazy item that was being sold at Bass Pro. Camouflage lounge chairs. I'm not talking the little outdoor chairs but the kind you put in the house. They even have three different cammo patterns. I just thought it was a crack up.

For those about to lounge - I salute you. Happy Fathers Day.

Stress, Let It Go...

2009-06-21T11:12:00.000-07:00

An old friend sent the following article on stress to me. I thought I would share as it is a good reminder that holding onto the negative is well... negative.

Stress
A lecturer when explaining stress management to an audience,
Raised a glass of water and asked
'How heavy is this glass of water?'
Answers called out ranged from 20g to 500g.
The lecturer replied, 'The absolute weight doesn't matter.
It depends on how long you try to hold it.
If I hold it f or a minute, that's not a problem.
If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm.
If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance.
In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.'
He continued,
'And that's the way it is with stress management.
If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later,
As the burden becomes increasingly heavy,
We won't be able to carry on. '
'As with the glass of water,
You have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again.
When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden.'
'So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work down.
Don't carry it home.
You can pick it up tomorrow.
Whatever burdens you're carrying now,
Let them down for a moment if you can.'
So, my friend, Put down anything that may be a burden to you right now.
Don't pick it up again until after you've rested a while.

EeK a Mouse - Part Deux

2009-06-14T08:55:00.000-07:00

Last month I blogged about the mouse that was eating food in our office. He finally went too far and went into a steel file cabinet in my office and ate my private stock of cookies and snacks. Again he avoided anything dark chocolate. Maintenance came by and set a couple of traps.

The Bait....

The result........................... scroll way down.... warning, photo may be disturbing to some.

And surprise! It was a Rat!

Tall Blonde Helicopter ~ House Concert

2009-06-13T10:20:00.000-07:00

A few years ago I fell in love with a CD titled Fearless by Francis Dunnery. I think I heard the song American Life in the Summertime on the radio and may have bought it based on that song. I've played the crap out of it and it is one of my favorite CD's.

My cousin Ann in Ohio found out from my blog that I am a fan and I found out that she and her husbands are big fans also. They told me about a House Concert that a friend of theirs had in Ohio and how much they enjoyed it.

A few weeks ago Ann kindly sent me a link on Facebook that there was a house concert here in Arizona and that Francis was playing in Litchfield Park. I contacted the organizer Paul and promptly bought two tickets. The concert was on a Friday (last night) which made me very happy as I have a hard time staying up past 9 on a work night. My husband and I met after work in downtown Phoenix and drove to Litchfield Park together.

Throughout the week I totally googled the organizer Paul. (sorry Paul, I just can't help myself) I did twitter searches on Francis and tried to see if there was any buzz about it. There were a few people out there talking and as the week progressed I was more and more intrigued. What will it be like. What sort of people will be there. What sort of house will it be held in. What should I wear.... my monkey mind was going ADD on me.

So hubby and I arrive in Litchfield sooner than expected and do a drive by so we can see where we are going. We had time to kill so we went up tot he Wig Wam resort and had a drink. I felt a little guilty about it because the show had requested that we not have alchohol during the concert but afterwards was ok. Like a kid who is hiding the smell of alchohol from their parents I made my husband chew a piece of gum on the way in and then promptly reminded him not to embarass me. Please behave. Intimate coffee house style entertainment is way out of his box I hoped he would not fidget.

We arrived at the show right about 7. The front room was packed with about 40 chairs and there was a little stage set up in the front of the room. As we walked into the kitchen there was a table set up with some nice homemade food. Mexican my favorite! Paul's sister or wife made all of the food and it was delicious. Great Guacamole.

As we stood in the kitchen eating our food the audience sort of checked each other out, some intros, some just smiles. It was a diverse crowd. I'd say the average age was 45. Lot's of men with beards. During the show Francis asked what our backgrounds were. There was a good mix, Mexican, Irish, Sicilian, Polish....Looking beyond appearances the group seemed very nice and kind and open. We all came together because we like the music of Francis Dunnery.

I'm used to looking at my Fearless CD and the image of Francis. (Frank). He is older now and has short cropped hair. He has a beautiful Irish face and the voice of an angel. He plays guitar like nobody's business. It was amazing for me to hear his voice live in such an intimate setting. This is a voice that I listen to often. It felt almost strange to hear it acoustic in a living room. When you listen to music like that over and over it becomes a familiar friend and now my friend was right there in front of me. He has wonderfully beautiful lyrics and I was smitten.

The show was not only about music. Francis shared stories about his life and his beliefs in a humorous down to earth manner. It felt like musical psycho therapy with a message. I found it lovely and inspiring and I am very impressed with his openness. I find that brave.

So in short. The show was excellent. It was in a setting that was out of my comfort zone but that made it all the more fun and memorable. If you have the opportunity to go to a house show in your area I would highly recommend it. Keep an open mind and go with the flow. It's worth the experience.

Francis closed with his song Good Life. Which was a perfect ending to a beautiful intimate concert.

Gary Thursday

2009-06-11T21:22:00.001-07:00

My cat's an honor student.

And he loves glee club.

Sorry... boring night.

Not-so-brilliant Landscape Design and Man Eating plants.

2009-06-06T10:03:00.001-07:00

When we bought our home we decided to have a pool. Once the pool was in we had to decide on landscaping. We thought that desert plants would be the best solution so we would not have to spend additional money and effort watering tropical plants. I know, cactus and barefooted bodies don't sound like they would go together well but we don't have children and we figured we would be able to avoid accidents by falling into a cactus since we are adults and all. (this has only happened twice so far)

We hired a landscaper. He brought in some cactus, agave, ocotillo and some other blooming plants. One area of our yard that was of concern was the corner with the unsightly pool pump. It's huge and white and very visible. (See ugly photo above)

The landscaper planted some spikey sort of plant (I can't remember the name for the life of me). He told us this was a great plant and that it would grow fast and soon cover the pool pump. What we didn't realize was that periodically we would have to go to the pool pump for maintenance. What we also didn't realize was that the plants were actually a form of barbed wire and that when you walk through it the plant rips the crap out of your clothes and skin and also leave little cactus like barbs. Now when ever I go back there I come out bleeding.

My next complaint is that the huge white pump is still totally visible. The plants didn't cover shit.

I have been on the hunt for over a year for a reasonably priced decorative item to camouflage this eyesore. I have found some beautiful outdoor art but it is totally out of my budget. I'm almost ready to sew a giant tea cozy or something to cover it.

Who needs a Tiki themed yard when you can go Cookie Monster.

For that Mother-in-law themed yard.

Painted breast and nipple theme.
I'm almost ready for this sock monkey with a fez themed pool pump cover. I told you I was desperate.

Once I find something cool I am ripping out those razor plants and putting something soft and fluffy there.

I'm open for suggestions. Feel free to pass them on.

On Townhouse Bombings and Burnings

2009-06-04T10:17:00.000-07:00

First - Jason and Giancarlos townhouse gets bombed.

Now I hear the topless donut shop in Maine has burned down. Possible arson.

Why Why Why!

Lightness of Bee-ing

2009-05-30T08:11:00.001-07:00

Today I thought I would share some random photos from my hard drive. This series of photos were taken at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta a couple of years ago. I can't even remember which year as my years are starting to blend.

I lived in Albuquerque for several years and loved it. Albuquerque is a ballooning Mecca due tot he climate and an arrangement of mountains that keep the winds blowing a certain way on a good day. In the fall they have a week long festival that should be on any ones "things I must do before I die" list. Yes you must get up before dawn and fight a little traffic but it is so worth the effort.

There is nothing like the smell of a breakfast burrito on a chilly morning at balloon fiesta. When you get there you are waiting with thousands of other people for the sun to rise. You grab a little breakfast and a hot drink to stave off the chill of pre-dawn. Even though there are thousands of people you do not feel crowded. It's a wonderful big party where everyone is a kid for a day.

Before the sun comes up you can walk around and watch hot air balloons being inflated. You can walk right up to the balloon baskets and feel the hot hair being thrust into the bodies of the balloons. Some balloons are called "special shapes". You may see a hundred or so balloons in the shape of animals, vodka bottles, Noah's Ark, a giant train etc.... It is truly a wonder to see.

The balloons in my photos today are of a pair of Bees. The balloons sort of float around depending upon the wind. In this case the Bees are blown up side by side and are very close. As the wind blows they sort of bump into each other. Everyone waits.......

for them to bump together in a kiss.

Remember

2009-05-25T07:45:00.000-07:00

Remember those who have gone before and gave of themselves for our country.

Sonoran Dog Day Afternoon

2009-05-24T12:39:00.001-07:00

You may have heard me rave about the local hot dog called a Sonoran Dog. It's a hot dog wrapped in bacon on a big soft hot dog bun. These dogs are normally topped with grilled onions, pinto beans, fresh tomatoes, mayo. Actually I think you could put anything on thes dogs and they would be great.

So above is my first attempt at making them at home. Pretty darn tasty. The next time I make these I am going to use some superior local bacon from the Queen Creek Pork Shop. I can hardly wait.

Here is a link to a short history of the Sonoran Dog and similar versions from the masa assassin. His photos are way better than mine.

http://masaassassin.blogspot.com/2009/03/short-history-on-mexicos-bacon-wrapped.html

My Idol

2009-05-20T21:16:00.000-07:00

If loving you is wrong, I don't want to be right. Adam Lambert Rocks!

Eek a Mouse

2009-05-15T18:34:00.000-07:00

I left an apple on the shelf over my desk at work. I don't now how he got up there but our office mouse decided that my apple was delicious. All but the peels.

I work in a very nice, clean office. I'd love to have a motion operated camera to catch him in the act. Needless to say, no food can be left out in our office even if it is wrapped. He also has broken into a gift bag we had with cookies and candy in it. He ate all of the milk chocolate and cookies. He bit right through the packaging. He left the dark chocolate alone. He's finicky this one.

Don't F with my Frisbee

2009-05-06T19:07:00.000-07:00

Good Moms Rock

2009-05-04T13:46:00.000-07:00

Today I was shopping for Mothers Day cards. I have a good Mom. She was a divorced Mom with six children. She didn't have much but would give her last penny for her children. She did without so that we would have something. She wasn't perfect but she had the best intentions. I do not understand women who have children but aren't maternal.

I also have a Step Mom, a Mother-in-law and Sister-in-laws who are all Mom's to my wonderful nieces and nephews. I'm thankful for each of them.

I have no children but most years my sister Gitsy sends me a cute Mothers Day card from my cat Gary.

I prefer funny Mothers Day Cards. I love photos with a Mom holding a giant margarita - because they earned it. I love cards with Mom's living it up because their children are finally out of the house. I see a lot of sappy "World's Greatest Mom" cards. Those cards are not for me. I think it's because my Mom is funny and not sappy. She loves a good laugh.

What do you do when those type of cards to do not apply? What do you do when you have a "bad" Mom or an absent Mom? I have friends who dread holidays like Mothers Day because their parents were abusive or uncaring. Shopping for a card is agony. Thankfully you can find a few cards that just have the generic sentiment - Happy Mothers Day.

I am truly thankful that my Mom was my Mom. She loves me for me. I know that I was lucky.

On Fabulous Bags and Nudists

2009-04-26T19:57:00.000-07:00

My cousin Phyl was in town this weekend. We went shopping at Ross because I needed some new shorts. I needed them because I could not fit my big butt into last years shorts. Sheesh. I hate when that happens.

So once we get int he store we go into a shopping trance. We separate. I touch every item in home wares. I try on fifty pairs of shorts. This is tough since the fitting room only allows eight items at at time.

So I finally get to the purse department and am admiring all of the purses. I don't need a purse. But I am totally lusting after a few. I spy this cool zebra-ish blingy Betsey Johnson Betsey-ville bag. Huge. Totally cool. I'm fondling it lovingly and thinking how beautiful I would be if I only had this purse. Then I notice this woman carrying about six of these bags and she is obviously buying every Bestsey-ville purse she can get her hands on.

So now my greediness kicks in. I'm thinking she must know something about these purses that I don't know. Yes they have a $100 original price and are now selling for $60 at Ross. Yes they are totally cool. Then I'm thinking she must be re-selling them. Crap, I need money, maybe I should be re-selling them. I should buy a bunch of these bags and sell them on e-bay or something. I grab the one purse and throw it in my cart. She is eyeing it madly. I sneak to a private corner and use my blackberry to check e-bay prices on these bags. It was a huge pain int he ass and I really couldn't see the bags well on my phone screen. Not only is my ass to big for my shorts but I'm half deaf and now I am going blind. Crap!

So I call my sister in Maine who is the e-bay expert. "B. what do you think of these bags. Why is this chick buying them all. Should I be getting in on the actions?!" After much discussion about hand bags and what sells we decided that it would not be worth the purchase price and auction fees for me to sell these bags.

For some strange reason I did not want this woman to have my bag. I mosied to the back of the store and stashed it by the cat beds. Ha! I showed her. Yes, I showed some stranger that I am the boss of a purse that I did not buy.

So I found some shorts.

My cousin and I made a few more stops and then went to my house. As we walked through the family room I notice this sign on the back sliding glass door.

Surprise. My husband has become a nudist. I don't mind. He looks pretty good tan and nude. The moral of this storyis that I am a greedy purse lusting wife of a nudist.

Inspired... Oh damn I forgot what I was going to blog about

2009-04-25T08:07:00.000-07:00

I enjoy blogging. I wish I had more to say. Sometimes I get a thought about something and think, hey, I will blog about that. I have a poor memory and unless I write it down I forget what I thought was so interesting earlier in the day.

The I.T. Nazi's at work block every site that's not work related. Sheesh. I guess they know me too well because I would certainly blog at work given the chance. Ok, just on my lunch hour. I suppose I could do it on my blackberry but that would take my whole lunch hour and I'm not giving that up. I'm so glad that they cannot also monitor and block my brain. Oh, they would if they could.

I also think sometimes I need an alter-ego blog. I hold back on my cussing ways in this blog because I do know that some of my co-workers and possibly some of my relatives read it. Yes, they know I curse but I would love to let loose with some F bombs once in a while true emotional expression. The problem is that my whole blog would be one big line of F*ck F*ck F*ck this and that. I'd be like tourettes on a monitor. I also like Sh*t. Another family fave. I guess I just need to be satisfied with Ass.

Anyways here's hoping for some F*cking Ass blog inspiration coming my way soon. And oh yeah, F*uck those people who make up fake holidays like Sweetest Day. Also, F those stupide Irish Dancing Wigs that they make the young Irish Dancers wear now-a-days. They look ridiculous (That's a whole 'nother blog - note to self)

Let me know what you'd like to say F*ck to....

Happy Crazy Cat Lady Day!

2009-04-24T06:48:00.000-07:00

I've decided that I am tired of all of the fake holidays such as sweetest day, boss's day, groundhog day....

I am creating one that I will personally enjoy. I declare today April 24th Crazy Cat Lady Day!

Happy Crazy Cat Lady Day to all of my cat lady friends and their furry babies.

Lowrider Show, Guadalupe Arizona

2009-04-19T15:10:00.001-07:00

These photos are from the Guadalupe Arizona Low Rider show. The weather was perfect and there were some awesome lowriders there.

All my friends know the low rider

The low rider is a little higher
The low rider drives a little slower

Low rider is a real good goer

Low rider knows every street yeah

Low rider is the one to meet yeah

Low rider don't use no gas now

The low rider don't drive too fast

Luci's Healthy Marketplace ~ Best Latte's in Phoenix

2009-04-16T20:29:00.000-07:00

I had a meeting this morning with a co-worker and we decided to grab some coffee after the meeting. We headed to a nearby Starbucks when I spied a coffee bar across the street.

It looked interesting from the outside. I love to try new places so instead of Starbucks we crossed the street. I'm so glad we did. This place was such a pleasant surprise.
There were two guys behind the counter and they were so friendly and helpful. I would go back just for the service. I didn't know what to order and they suggested a Latte. The "Latte dude", (I just made up that title as I like it better than Barista) whipped up two Lattes for my friend and I. One word - AWESOME!

Not only were they awesome but our "Latte dude" made some wonderful little designs in our froth. Too damn cute. So cute I didn't want to drink it and ruin the design.

We enjoyed our Latte's at one of their cute little booths. They also serve donuts, pastries and there is even a little sort of neighborhood grocery store.

I totally loved this place and will recommend it to anyone who asks. I'll definitely go back.

Luci's Healthy MarketPlace, 1590 E Bethany Home Rd. at 16th St. Phoenix, AZ 85014.

http://www.lucishealthymarketplace.com/

Baked Goodness, The Shortcut

2009-04-14T19:21:00.000-07:00

I bought this box of frozen Chudleigh's Apple Blossoms at Costco. There are 12 in a box. I decided to write about them because they are easy to make and delicious and I am also hoping someone will send me a free box of them...hint hint.

This is a fantasy of mine to blog about something and then actually have it appear. Sort of like how The Secret works, or so I hear.

Anyways... These blossoms are little pastries with apple inside. Sort of like a strudel but awesomer. They are easy to fix and are delicious hot with ice cream.

For my family of two this is a nice treat to keep in the freezer for those times when you want a nice warm desert but are too busy to make something from scratch.

I love Costco too. (Please feel free to send me a free membership)

Wet Monday = Happy Dyngus Day!

2009-04-12T14:17:00.000-07:00

Oh Yes, it's Dyngus Day again! Get out your bucket of water and pussy willow whips.

Dyngus Day is an old time holiday celebrated in Poland and some fun Polish communities in the U.S.A. Dyngus Day is celebrated on Easter Monday as a day of feasting, drinking, playing pranks and customs such as drenching loved ones with water and hitting them with pussy willows.

If you drench someone with water and they look at you like you have lost your mind, holler out Dyngus Smigus! Surely they will understand.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_Monday

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T10:21:00.001-07:00

We hope you have a relaxing Easter Sunday!

Joe vs Al - This is gonna be good

2009-04-11T10:57:00.001-07:00

Cuidado viene Arpaio, translation "Arpaio is coming, be careful".

You may or may not have heard about Maricopa counties famous Sheriff Joe Arpaio who is known as Sheriff Joe. Sheriff Joe has many strong opinions about keeping the peace and enforcing the law. He has been in the spotlight lately due to his immigration sweeps in his county.

Recently Al Sharpton has gotten in on the bandwagon and is asking for Sheriff Joe's resignation as Al feels he is racially profiling Hispanics for his immigration sweeps. Well DUH. If your sweeps have to do with illegal immigration the chances of illegal aliens in Arizona are that they will more than likely be Hispanic and possibly from South America. You can walk here from there.

I wanted to share a little local drama with my blog readers. My personal opinion is that yes, Joe has a strong personality and is in your face but he is doing what he is hired to do. If what he is doing is not within the scope of the law then remove him. If the laws allow him to run the county the way he is then again, he is doing his job. With the recent attention by Al Sharpton I am looking forward to watching the drama unfold. Joe vs. Al, It's on baby!

******************************
Article from Reuters - comments my own.

Al Sharpton calls for Arizona sheriff to step down / Because he knows better than the Arizona voters who keep voting for Sheriff Joe and the towns that keep hiring his office to protect their communities.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. civil rights activist Al Sharpton weighed into a fight over an Arizona sheriff’s immigration sweeps on Tuesday, accusing him of racially profiling Hispanics and urging him to step down. The Hispanic population in his county has a high Hispanic population.

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio has dispatched deputies into Hispanic communities in the Phoenix area, where they stop people and arrest anyone who cannot prove he or she is a legal U.S. resident. I would say that Maricopa County IS a Hispanic community.

Under a deal allowing them to enforce federal immigration laws, the deputies have arrested more than 1,500 people who they determined were in Arizona illegally, triggering street protests and condemnation from Latino activists who accuse him of racial profiling. Keyword "Illegally"

"I am first calling for the resignation and or removal of Sheriff Arpaio … harassment based on color is nothing short of racial profiling, which many of us … helped to fight to make against the law," Sharpton told reporters. So is this about color or illegal immigration?

U.S. Department of Justice officials recently launched an inquiry into Arpaio’s activities. The U.S. House Judiciary Committee also held hearings last week about the federal program that allows for such enforcement tactics. "Arpaio needs to be confronted, he needs to be removed. … We also need to suspend the law that he is using. We must stand with our brown brothers and sisters," Sharpton said. Sharpton said he would travel to Arizona to make his case. So there is a law on the books that allows this? So is he acting within the law?

Arpaio, who has held the job since 1992, called charges he carries out racial profiling of Hispanics ridiculous. "I’m never going to resign," he said. "The guy is living in a fantasy land if he thinks he is going to pressure me into anything. He doesn’t even know where Arizona is." You go girl.

We suspect that for once Mr. Sharpton will not get away with his race-baiting shakedown routine. This is going to be good. I'm buying more popcorn and plan to sit back and watch the show.

And we say that knowing he also has the moral weight of Mr. John Conyers and the rest of the Democrat Congress and Mr. Holder’s Department of Justice – and even apparently the Vice President – behind him. At least we hope Mr. Sharpton and the rest of these thugs won’t get away with it.

(Thanks to CGardner for the heads up.)
*********************
The shirt shown above is being sold through Phoenix New Times who are supporting the ouster of Joe Arpaio. See link below.
http://microapp.vvmedia.com/phx/tshirts/

More wikipedia about Joe Arpaio
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Arpaio

PS - I think we might really need a t-shirt that says: Cuidado viene Sharpton

The Artistic Approach to Recycling

2009-04-05T10:28:00.000-07:00

In keeping with my Art theme this week I wanted to show a real artist not the smart ass tongue in cheek art of my two previous posts.

Saturday I attended an Arts in the Park event at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, one of my favorite places. There were some awesome artists there but this time there was actually someone exhibiting that I know personally.

The artist is Jenn and she makes these wonderful rustic crosses from wood and found items from the Arizona desert.

My photos do not do them justice but here is a small sampling from her show this weekend.

It's hard to see in this shaded photos but I love this piece of tree hung art made of found wood from Lake Roosevelt.

If you'd like to take a better look please go to the following link...

http://desertresurrections.com/

Have a great rest of the weekend and enjoy an artful life.

Rollo Turtles / So Easy, So Delicious

2009-04-02T21:24:00.000-07:00

In keeping with my artist theme this week. I have added a special video that will soon be seen on the cooking channel. Please enjoy my video and the recipe. Click on the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lce22ikQpio

Artsy Fartsy

2009-03-29T07:30:00.000-07:00

Always trendy I thought I would join in the art of making crap. I should be in the pages of Sommerset Studio soon if I keep this up.

Almost Human

2009-03-28T10:28:00.001-07:00

I had a laugh this morning. We had a neighborhood garage sale today. I did a little cruising around for bargains. I did buy a few things. I bought a beautiful beaded purse (new), a large silver tray (inscribed as a bowling trophy) and a stash of large black envelopes. I'm not sure what I am going to do with them but they looked expensive and I'm sure I can create a cool use for them.

My laugh of the morning was the photo above. This dog was sitting in a chair at a garage sale just observing. He just needed a cigar and a glass of wine or some dog friends to play poker with. Too cute.

Cat Blessing.

2009-03-26T12:42:00.000-07:00

Gary is our crazy cat boy. When we brought him home from the shelter we were originally going to name him Zeke. Within one day we knew that this name was not a good fit. We decided upon Gary. This is the first photo I took of Gary. Gary has owned us since 2005. He makes me laugh every day.

Words of Wisdom

2009-03-14T09:23:00.000-07:00

I've been having some odd dreams this week. I think that I have aging and death on my mind lately. I'm feeling a little vulnerable. Blogging about some life lessons feels like good therapy.

Below is an article that I ran across with some words of wisdom by a woman of 90. She provides some nice insight. I added a few photos because we all know blogs without photos are booooring.

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Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here goes:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree . 7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck. 10. Love your parents because they will be gone before you know it.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it. 15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath...it calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything .

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved. 39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift

and the winner is.....

2009-03-07T08:34:00.000-08:00

"She thinks if she gets me drunk I'll sleep with her. Man is she barking up the wrong tree."

I know my family is funny (ha ha funny) so I held a little photo caption contest with some of my friends and family this past week. The killer caption was submitted by my 70-ish Aunt Flo. What a great belly laugh.

Lost Dutchman Days

2009-03-01T13:20:00.000-08:00

This weekend was Lost Dutchman Days in the nearby town of Apache Junction. They had a wonderful little parade. I loved this guy riding a longhorn down the street. I wanted to share this video clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbSrKIc98o0

I will post some more photos later.

Lucky 7's at the Phoenix Suns Game

2009-02-28T14:06:00.000-08:00

Last night at the Phoenix Suns games Casino Arizona held a shootout. They picked a person and he got to throw a free throw from three spots on the court. The closest line he could have won $777, the second line he could have won $7,000 and from half court he could have won $77,777.00.

He chose half court. I wish I had this on film. He threw the ball in underhand and it WENT IN!

The crowd went crazy and so did he. It was so awesome.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/2009/02/28/20090228sunsshot-CR.html

Willo District

2009-02-23T17:00:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I went to a historic home tour in Phoenix's Willo district. It was such fun. The neighborhood is a success story of older homes that were in disrepair being fixed up one by one. The neighborhood has revitalized and is now one of the most sought after locations in the city. The homes are from about the 1920's.

While walking we passed a home that was not on the tour. I took the photo above. It just looked so idyllic and friendly. Plus I love the bicycle with the basket by the gate. Too cute.

Beads R Us

2009-02-22T13:12:00.001-08:00

Intent beaders at work.

I recently decided I need to have more human interaction outside of work. Sometimes it feels like all I do is go to work and back. I decided to invite some women over for lunch and a beading party.

A few years back I started a few beading projects and beaded profusely for a year or two. I used to like to work with very small beads called Delicas. Shortly thereafter I started wearing reading glasses. Hmmmm, I wonder if there was a correlation?

It seems like when I moved to Arizona I stopped beading. So for this party, I decided that I would put my beads out there at the party and let my friends pick and choose what they wanted to use and to make a necklace, bracelet or earrings.

I wish I would have taken more photos. It was pretty fun. We had some good food, wine and everyone went home with some home-made jewelry. We spread out in two rooms and set up extra tables for supplies.

A few of the invitees ended up being beaders also and brought some supplies to share. There were some pretty creative pieces made.

Some of the beading supplies.

I have one new friend, L, that I met on the internet who came. This was the first time we met. She ended up being such a nice person and interesting too. I'm so glad I invited her.

My finished project.

I need to do this more often. Life is good.

MY Funny Valentines

2009-02-14T07:48:00.001-08:00

This is an e-Valentine that I sent over to my Dad this morning because I am so lame I can't get anything in the mail in advance. That's us in 1960.

I am not a very romantic person. Valentines day has never been a holiday that made me run out and spend money. I partly think it's another one of those guilt-ridden consumer driven holidays that prey on people and guilt them into buying expensive jewelry for their mates.

I come from a funny family. Ha Ha funny that is. Sometimes not so funny but humor, especially self depreciating humor abounds. Some family members are funnier than others. This seems to be a genetic trait on both sides of my family as my cousins and their children seem to have this same sense of humor.

Valentines day is the holiday where my Mom sends out her homemade Valentines. She makes one for each of us but I don't always get the gist of what she is trying to say. I think many times she is being funny but sometimes the humor is lost on me. An example would be recently she sent my husband a pair of swim goggles and a speedo swim cap. ?????? I think the joke was supposed to be that he wears a speedo when tanning. She finds that funny.

Yesterday our Valentines arrived. One for T and one for me. This year there was a "quote" theme.

Mine has a photo of a fat ballerina and reads: "Beautiful is not what is beautiful, but what one likes..."

T's valentine has a political theme this year with a photo of Tim Geithner and Barack Obama. The quote reads "An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." I guess our valentines aren't funny this year. Sigh... a sign of the times.

Mom loves to talk politics, which I hate. I try not to let our conversations lead us there because it makes me crazy. She loves hater talk radio and totally buys whatever they spew. I am her "liberal" daughter. She still loves me.

Below is a photo my brother sent of my niece in Ohio with her Valentine from her Baczi (Grandma).

FINALLY the sensitive, loving Valentine from the person who loves me the most, my husband T. So thoughtful and loving.

I love a man with a sense of humor. Since I never do what anyone wants me to do I think I'll take the risk and lead with the left one.

Happy Valentines Day.

(Oh, and if any of my other siblings want to share their Baczi valentine, send it over and I will post it.)

Tucson & Gem Show

2009-02-11T18:00:00.000-08:00

This past weekend I attended the Tucson Gem Show. I am an amateur beader and had heard of this show before I moved to Arizona. This show is huge and I only toured the tip of the iceberg. I could have spent my life savings in this place. (hmmmm, $1.50 is my life savings) I snapped a few photos before a guard informed me that I was not allow to take photos.

Please enjoy my illegal photos.

Vendors galore under the big white tents.

My favorite room, FILLED with pearls of all colors and shapes.