Mother's Day

I understand for the majority of people, this can be a happy holiday. Celebrating moms is a wonderful idea and concept. I don't want "rain on people's parade" so to speak, but I have the feeling that each year, this is going to be a difficult time for me because I'm constantly bombarded with commercials, email blasts, and even the drug stores scream "BUY MOM SOMETHING!!! DON'T FORGET HER!!!" I just find it really annoying that at times when I'm at peace, suddenly my personal space has been invaded and I can't help but flash back to what I'm missing. Granted, I have a wonderful support network: best husband ever, friends, and family. But nothing can ever replace her, and I don't appreciate being reminded when I don't want to talk about it.

Whoa!

As of April 23, I've been blogging for 3 years. I wonder how long I can keep this up? :)

It's difficult to go back to those early posts, mostly because there's stories in there about Mom, and what a hard time I was having when we first got here. But I love that our journey has been documented so thoroughly and it will be such an interesting story to share with family down the road.

Thanks for reading!

Not a happy camper

I've been sick since Wednesday thanks to that candidate who came in the the flu Tuesday night. I wanted to yell at her to go home, but instead I ran to the back offices as fast as I could. Too late. We've had so many people, staff and candidates, come in sick that I think my immune system just couldn't take it anymore. It started off with a touch of the flu and is now a head cold. While I'm feeling better I'm still not 100% and to top it off my sleeping pattern is totally off thanks to these 4 hour naps my body has been craving.

In addition, PJ is at the vet until Monday due to a high fever and a limp that the vet couldn't see (because PJ was so scared at the vet, he didn't really walk, he just did that cat hunker down thing). So while I'm a little freaked out about the cost of all this, I'm more concerend about my kitty and hoping that he's going to be ok. I honestly believe it's an infection due to the limp, but you never know. We just have to wait and see.

Happy Birthday, Aunt Constance!

She is turning the big 95 today!

Aunt Constance is forever labeled in our family as "The Pink Lady". Every year, at any event, she'd be dressed in a pink suit, or a lavender suit (with a pink scarf, or have a pink purse)...even at our annual apple cider pressings she'd be there in all her glory - makeup, scarf, pants suit, heels - washing apples with those attractive bright yellow dish gloves on. They almost seemed to appropriately accesorize her outfit.

She is my Mom's aunt, sister to my Grandpa Wesley (who died when I was in high school). I don't know her well, but every time we talk she's so honest and chatty. I adore her.

Unfortunately this year, she'll be spending her birthday in a skilled nursing facility recovering from a fall and knee surgery. She's due to be out of the hospital next month, so here's hoping she'll be able to celebrate in style, pink ribbons and all! :)

Don't feel like filing...so you get to read a survey!

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? My first name was found in a baby book. But my middle name is after my Grandma.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Last week, over stupid stuff.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Most of the time. Wish it looked like Kari's though!

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Ham.

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Do cats count?

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I'd like to think so...

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Yes, especially now that I've been with Matt so long (love you, sweetie! And no, I'm not being sarcastic. GEEEEZ!)

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yep.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Heck no!

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Grown-up healthy stuff: Peace Cereal (maple). Kid stuff: Golden Grahams.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Mentally? For the most part, though I have times where I want to shut down. Physically? Working on it...

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia.

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Personal hygiene. (ditto)

15. RED OR PINK? Red.

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My weight. And the ability to just shrug off stupid people.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My mom. Everyday. All day. (again, ditto)

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Better yet, post it on your blog!

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Gray pants, black shoes.

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Chocolate cake from porto's! It's admin day! :)

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Hum of the lights...wow, it's super quiet.

22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Purple.

23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Saltwater, hubby after he's bathed, clean doggies, good food, desert wine.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? A candidate calling in available.

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? I've never met Kate, but I think she sounds fabulous.

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Nada. Baseball and soccer on occasion.

27. HAIR COLOR? Dark brown.

28. EYE COLOR? Brown.

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Yessirree!

30. FAVORITE FOOD? Fresh seafood, steak, pasta, yogurt, homemade raspberry jam.

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings. (ditto)

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? "21"

WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Black. (ditto)

34. SUMMER OR WINTER? In Seattle? Summer. In L.A.? All the other seasons. :)

35. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs!

36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Lemon bars.

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? No idea. (ditto)

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? No idea. (ditto)

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? "Economic Hit Man" is in the title...see list to the left.

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Some dust.

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? Law And Order: SVU

42. FAVORITE SOUND? Matt's laughter!

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? A little bit of both.

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Italy.

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Ummm....

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Group Health Hospital, Seattle, WA

47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? Everybody's!

Snow?? In April??

I just got back last night from a quick weekend in Seattle. Dad turned 60 on Saturday and we had a great party. Tons of food, drink, and conversation to be had. I was so happy to be there and Dad had a great time, which was the whole point! Pictures to come so stay tuned...

And, yes, it snowed every day I was there. Sunday included snow, hail, and sunshine!

I slept great the whole weekend and even on the airplane, but last night stunk. It's going to be an interesting day at work as my fuse for this place is getting shorter and shorter every day...

Difficult conversations

I had to call my aunt due to my feelings about possible occurances at my Dad's birthday party this weekend. She gave me tough love, things that I didn't want to hear, but I knew she was right (I spoke to someone about this on Monday, you know who you are, sorry I didn't hear you then!). She said "Call your Dad, find out what's happening, and then talk to Katie. Keep me posted."

Well after all that, possible occurances are not happening but I did tell Dad some things that wer very very hard. And while I feel good about having "grown-up" a little bit more, every time that happens I feel a little lost and a little sad, like I've lost part of myself. I don't know that I can explain it very well. I do know that in the past six months my relationship with my Dad has grown leaps and bounds. But in some ways, I feel like retracting to the thought of "This wouldn't be happening if she were still alive." And I know that's a bad thought, because it will stunt my ability to move on. But it's only a thought, and I can overcome my thoughts/feelings and do what's right.

H.O.T.

High of 95 today, and probably at least 90 yesterday. Yesterday Don, Cindy, and I joined Jeremy and Katie at the Ren Faire. It was great to see one for the first time, and had fun watching the participants and all the parades. I think I would have enjoyed myself more had I not been wearing a black skirt and the fact it was frickin hot. Definitely need to plan a day at the faire when it's not 90 degrees.

Today, my allergies have kicked in. I took some loratadine and am feeling a little woozy. I've been a sneezing fool for the past few hours. Needless to say, my husband thinks I look quite sexy now with my red nose and puffy eyes.

I feel like yuck.

Presenting: An Island Dinner complete with music!

I wonder if we'll be allowed back in next time we visit?

Before!

(I just love this picture!)

Ah, like father, like daughter.

A picture of my dinner for Cindy.

...must...drink...

After!

And, the grand finales:

Commercial Interuption

(If you're interested to see what we were up to last weekend, check out Cindy's blog!)

• Bare Minerals: I LOVE this foundation! Holy cow, my skin looks like it's glowing and it's so easy to put on. I don't really need anything else with it, but at work when I put on the whole kit-n-kaboodle, I feel really confident, and love the way my skin feels.
• Lather's moisture mask: My skin is really thirsty these days, with the heat, the seasonal changes, and not drinking enough water. I found this moisture mask a few months ago (main store is in Pasadena) when my skin was going nuts. Now, I use it a few times a week and my skin feels so much better. Bonus: it smells good!
• Seacret body lotion: Great lotion, smells amazing, and isn't heavy or overly perfume-y (is that even a word?).
• MAC makeup: Thanks to Katy, Cindy and I had a chance to get made-over at The Grove on Sunday. My guy showed me how to apply everything, and it takes almost no time at all. The best part? It stays on all day and even better, I feel confident and Matt even likes it!

Some of my favorite shots from Catalina

Approach to Avalon!

My sister, the rock star.

(The yellow building in the back is our hotel.)

The view from our hotel room.

OMG! Dinner AND beer? It's too much!

(stay tuned for pics from dinner - it deserves recognition)

View from the pier.

Local homes.

Dad with a picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Mom had designed a window just like it, and it's now in a church in West Seattle. This was a beautiful moment for our family.

The Catholic Church in Avalon. Beautiful!

A fresh start

I'm a bridesmaid in October. Both the bride and the groom have lost a significant amount of weight and I do NOT want to be the "chubby bridesmaid". So, with that in mind, last night was my last evening of pigging out. Today I start taking care of myself with motivation of being one of the 3 hot 'maids at that wedding! My plan? Yoga 2x a week for 20-30 minutes to start, followed by a hike or walk on the weekends for 20-30 minutes. My stamina is pretty week so I have to start slow, but it's better than nothing. And the best part of this plan? FREE! :)

Tonight Matt won't be home when I get home, so I'll be able to enjoy my Rodney Yee DVD in peace and quiet. Same with Wednesday evening. Then Saturday morning I'm up early early for a hike with Mary and Cindy. Finally I can see this great trail that Mary's been telling me about!