Call me Mrs Butler

One of my most vivid memories is of attending the Phantom of the Opera musical in 1992 at a famous play house in LA. I was 12 years old at the time and the musical was a special night field trip for the honors students at my middle school. We were told to dress up and at the time I was at a fashion challenged age and my mother has never been into dressing up or fashion (to be honest growing up on a farm there is little reason for a dressing up). That night I ended up wearing my mom's turquoise turtleneck sweater that was a size too large for me and black jordache jeans. I wish so badly that I could go back in time and take my 12 year old self to the mall so I didn't look like quite a doofus. As we were being seated at the theatre I remember wishing and hoping with all my might that a certain cute boy in my class would sit next to me and hold my hand. I think I actually did end up sitting next to that cute boy but there was no romantic advances. The one thing I remember most vividly is the chandelier falling right before the intermission. I was shocked (as anyone who watches the play for the first time is). When I came home I couldn't stop singing the songs or reliving the best parts of the play over and over in my mind.

I watched the 2004 film version of the play this weekend. It's been in my netflix queue for quite some time but I haven't been motivated to watch it until we went to Las Vegas and there was several billboards up announcing a new LV version of the play. I had forgotten quite a bit of the storyline even though I remember much of the songs. The film version was so good and brought back so many memories for me that I've watched it twice so far. The second time I guilt tripped my hubby into watching it with me. I can't stop waltzing across the house singing masquerade! at the top of my lungs. What a great film. The only disappointment for me is that Christine did not choose the Phantom at the end of the story. I know he's evil and all but Gerard Butler as the Phantom is one HOT pantie dropper. I would marry him and have his babies any day. N'est-ce pas?







PS - Total weekend watch count - 5. Minor addiction.

Oh Noes!

Something I actually did today:
Made a mental list of all the friends I know who have babies in the immediate area. Contemplated inviting one of the friends over just so that I can hold their baby and smell said baby's head. I've had an overwhelming urge the past few days to get a big nose full of fragrance eau babe.

Mmmmmm ... baby smell.

My Pet Peeve: Organic Foods

I'm a big champion of the environment and all in favor of the reuse, reduce, recycle mentality. Yet I have one HUGE pet peeve that many across America seem to embrace and credit entirely too much. My absolute biggest pet peeve is when people claim that the only healthy way to go is with organic foods and that they taste so much better then conventionally grown products. The "taste better" claim is the one that really gets me because honestly there is nothing different about the actual taste of an organic apple versus an apple of the same variety that was grown conventionally.

I think my biggest pet peeve of it all is that people are not thinking for themselves. Like little lambs they are blindly following a popular way of thinking that has very little basis in fact. The one way that organic is slightly better for the environment is due to the fact that it does use less pesticides. But gone are the days when farmers over sprayed their crops. Today most conventional farmers turn to integrated pest management methods before looking at expensive pesticides. I know there are those who say that they prefer organic because of the lack of pesticide residues. I've taken quite a few pesticide courses in college and I can assure you that the amount of residue left on an orange is negligible. Plus the timing of the pesticide applications are mostly very early in the fruit growing season and have a lot of time to dissipate before harvest begins. Mushrooms are grown in fecal matter until they are picked and you don't hear people complaining about the poo-poo residues! I can guarantee that there is more poop left on a mushroom head then there is tebuconazole pesticide on a peach.

MSN had a great article that I think FINALLY dispelled many of the myths about organic food: Organic foods: Are they safer? More nutritious?

You're in a bit of a dilemma standing in front of the produce section of your local supermarket. In one hand, you're holding a conventionally grown Granny Smith apple. In your other hand, you have one that's been organically grown. Both apples are firm, shiny and green. Both provide vitamins and fiber, and both are free of fat, sodium and cholesterol.

The conventionally grown apple costs less and is a proven family favorite. But the organic apple has a label that says "USDA Organic." Does that mean it's better? Safer? More nutritious? Several differences between organic and nonorganic foods exist. Become a better informed consumer for your next trip to the supermarket.

Conventional vs. organic farming

The word "organic" refers to the way farmers grow and process agricultural products, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products and meat. Organic farming practices are designed to encourage soil and water conservation and reduce pollution. Farmers who grow organic produce and meat don't use conventional methods to fertilize, control weeds or prevent livestock disease. For example, rather than using chemical weedkillers, organic farmers conduct sophisticated crop rotations and spread mulch or manure to keep weeds at bay.

Here are other differences between conventional farming and organic farming:

Conventional farmers vs Organic farmers
Apply chemical fertilizers to promote plant growth. Apply natural fertilizers, such as manure or compost, to feed soil and plants.
Spray insecticides to reduce pests and disease. Use beneficial insects and birds, mating disruption or traps to reduce pests and disease.
Use chemical herbicides to manage weeds. Rotate crops, till, hand weed or mulch to manage weeds.
Give animals antibiotics, growth hormones and medications to prevent disease and spur growth. Give animals organic feed and allow them access to the outdoors. Use preventive measures — such as rotational grazing, a balanced diet and clean housing — to help minimize disease.

Organic or not? Check the label

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has established an organic certification program that requires all organic foods to meet strict government standards. These standards regulate how such foods are grown, handled and processed. Any farmer or food manufacturer who labels and sells a product as organic must be USDA certified as meeting these standards. Only producers who sell less than $5,000 a year in organic foods are exempt from this certification.


Products certified 95 percent or more organic display this USDA sticker.

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If a food bears a USDA Organic label, it means it's produced and processed according to the USDA standards and that at least 95 percent of the food's ingredients are organically produced. The seal is voluntary, but many organic producers use it.

Products that are completely organic — such as fruits, vegetables, eggs or other single-ingredient foods — are labeled 100 percent organic and can carry a small USDA seal. Foods that have more than one ingredient, such as breakfast cereal, can use the USDA organic seal or the following wording on their package labels, depending on the number of organic ingredients:

100 percent organic. Products that are completely organic or made of all organic ingredients.
Organic. Products that are at least 95 percent organic.
Made with organic ingredients. These are products that contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients. The organic seal can't be used on these packages.
Foods containing less than 70 percent organic ingredients can't use the organic seal or the word "organic" on their product label. They can include the organic items in their ingredient list, however.

You may see other terms on food labels, such as "all-natural," "free-range" or "hormone-free." These descriptions may be important to you, but don't confuse them with the term "organic." Only those foods that are grown and processed according to USDA organic standards can be labeled organic.

Organic food: Buy or bypass?

Many factors may influence your decision to buy — or not buy — organic food. Consider these factors:

Nutrition. No conclusive evidence shows that organic food is more nutritious than is conventionally grown food. And the USDA — even though it certifies organic food — doesn't claim that these products are safer or more nutritious.
Quality and appearance. Organic foods meet the same quality and safety standards as conventional foods. The difference lies in how the food is produced, processed and handled. You may find that organic fruits and vegetables spoil faster because they aren't treated with waxes or preservatives. Also, expect less-than-perfect appearances in some organic produce — odd shapes, varying colors and perhaps smaller sizes. In most cases, however, organic foods look identical to their conventional counterparts.
Pesticides. Conventional growers use pesticides to protect their crops from molds, insects and diseases. When farmers spray pesticides, this can leave residue on produce. Some people buy organic food to limit their exposure to these residues. Most experts agree, however, that the amount of pesticides found on fruits and vegetables poses a very small health risk.
Environment. Some people buy organic food for environmental reasons. Organic farming practices are designed to benefit the environment by reducing pollution and conserving water and soil.
Cost. Most organic food costs more than conventional food products. Higher prices are due to more expensive farming practices, tighter government regulations and lower crop yields. Because organic farmers don't use herbicides or pesticides, many management tools that control weeds and pests are labor intensive. For example, organic growers may hand weed vegetables to control weeds, and you may end up paying more for these vegetables.
Taste. Some people say they can taste the difference between organic and nonorganic food. Others say they find no difference. Taste is a subjective and personal consideration, so decide for yourself. But whether you buy organic or not, finding the freshest foods available may have the biggest impact on taste.
Buying tips

Whether you're already a fan of organic foods or you just want to shop wisely and handle your food safely, consider these tips:

Buy fruits and vegetables in season to ensure the highest quality. Also, try to buy your produce the day it's delivered to market to ensure that you're buying the freshest food possible. Ask your grocer what day new produce arrives.
Read food labels carefully. Just because a product says it's organic or contains organic ingredients doesn't necessarily mean it's a healthier alternative. Some organic products may still be high in sugar, salt, fat or calories.
Don't confuse natural foods with organic foods. Only those products with the "USDA Organic" label have met USDA standards.
Wash all fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly with running water to reduce the amount of dirt and bacteria. If appropriate, use a small scrub brush — for example, before eating apples, potatoes, cucumbers or other produce in which you eat the outer skin.
If you're concerned about pesticides, peel your fruits and vegetables and trim outer leaves of leafy vegetables in addition to washing them thoroughly. Keep in mind that peeling your fruits and vegetables may also reduce the amount of nutrients and fiber. Some pesticide residue also collects in fat, so remove fat from meat and the skin from poultry and fish.

Rolling Along

I had something much more important to blog about today but I seem to have forgotten what it is I wanted to write about. This either means it wasn't that important to begin with or that my mind is filled with kitchen remodel details.

This weekend we finalized much of the design details. This might be TMI but I really, really want to make slow sweet love to the kitchen appliances that we picked out. We have a stainless steel french door refrigerator, a slide in range (slide in! do you know how cool they are????), matching microwave and a bosch dishwasher that is so quiet that a red light needs to come on so that you don't accidentally open it while it is running. Plus we picked out the slabs for our granite countertops (hawaiian bordeaux). I'm trying to not think of the countertops too much even though I love them. There are a million reasons why granite countertops are bad for the environment and everytime I look at them a part of me will want to rub my boobies on them and the other part of me will want to slap myself for being such a selfish consumer.

A Running List

Things I want to do before insemination of my ovaries occurs:

1. Gorge Camping Trip to see DMB - August 2008 (I talked to Dave about this last night and he is all lights go on the idea. We really want to go with a big group of friends so if anyone who reads my blog is planning on going email me. We will probably rent a hybrid and drive all the way up the Pacific coast. EEEE!!!!!)

2. 3rd Trip to an all inclusive resort in Mexico - January 2009 (maybe)

3. Trip to Europe (Switzerland and France) - Date TBD

4. Wine tasting trip to Napa/Sonoma for my 30th Bday - April 2010

5. Trip to the tiny coastal town where Dave and I had one of our first dates - April/May 2010

30 Days Til my Bday and All I Got was This:

Just Kidding! For some reason this year I have been in a very festive April Fools spirit. Usually, I forget that April 1 is even April Fools Day but this year I feel like being a prankster. Maybe I am regressing and slowly becoming the immature, bratty, drama filled 17 year old that I never was. Who knows.

Last night I did bring up to Dave the "Baby when I am 30" idea. I'm a big believer that one can never plan their life. Too many things happen to spoil even the best laid out plans. I could get pregnant tomorrow unexpectedly. We could have infertility issues. I could reach the age of 30 and freak out and decide to never become a mom. Dave could die. I could die. There is a saying that says "Man Plans, God Laughs" and I firmly believe that. Today is a gift and that is all I can be assured of.

So when I told Dave about the Baby When I am 30 idea, I meant it more as a heads up. Dave doesn't deal well with the whole spring something up on him and he also isn't spontaneous or impulsive (in fact he is the opposite of those two things). I wanted to plant the idea of me becoming pregnant when I turn 30 in his brain now so he can ponder and over-analyze it as is typical of him. Then in 2 years when it actually comes time for me to try and get pregnant it wont be a huge deal. He has two years to get used to the idea (and so do I. Eeek!).

Actually he responded to the whole idea much better then I thought he would have. Two years ago if I had brought this idea up I would have expected him to laugh nervously and then say he didn't want kids (even though during his softy moments he admits that he wants kids but is scared). Last night he still laughed a little nervously but asked why after I turned 30 and I told him it's because I want to be able to visit Napa Wine Country for my 30th birthday and drink it up. Many of Dave's friends are getting their significant others knocked up and I think Dave is seeing the idea of kids as something inevitable. I don't mean it to sound so harsh because I know we would both make awesome parents (we have money, are stable, intelligent, patient, and kind). It's just that for so long we've been on the fence about the baby making issue and sometimes thinking of it as inevitable helps to take away the power of our over-analyzing tendencies. Sometimes I envy those girls who have the "I was always meant to be a mom" mentalities. They never have to deal with this "should we or shouldn't we" see saw.

More then ever this makes me think of all the things I really want to do before having a baby: trip to Europe, camping trip to Gorge to see DMB or Pearl Jam, at least one more trip to Mexico, etc. I'm almost 28 and feel like I've had a lot of years to do the stuff I should want to do but in my head there are so many more things left to accomplish. I better get on it.

Contractors is French for Contradicting

For the past two weeks we've been interviewing contractors to remodel our kitchen and install shutters on several windows. Tomorrow is our last day of interviews (but not the last of design consultations). In total we will have interviewed 7 contractors and received 7 different opinions which is very frustrating.

When it comes to the shutters we are needing them for an odd shaped window. We've been told by one sales rep that synthetic shutters last the longest. By another that wood is the way to go because they (and only they) avoid discoloration. By others that synthetic will only work because of the large size of our window. And yet again by another that it is impossible to cut synthetic to fit an odd shaped window and therefore wood would be our only option. All of the contradicting opinions are enough to make my head spin.

Then it comes to the kitchen. We've told all the contractors that we want a complete demolition of the existing kitchen to be replaced with custom made shaker cabinets, travertine flooring, granite counters, and a tumbled travertine back splash that goes from counter to cabinets. We also want an existing wall half torn down so that the kitchen opens up into the living room. We've been told by one contractor that there is no way the job can be done for less then $40k. By another that we can have all that in exactly the way we described for $25k. Another contractor says that if we take too much of the wall down and have to rewire electricity then our costs will skyrocket. Another says that the whole wall should be taken down to really open up the space. And a third says the wall is needed for load bearing support and if we take it down our dining room ceiling will begin to sag. Oye Vey. All these different opinions make me want to scream. Whom should we believe? The overly expensive contractor who seem to know what they are doing? The gung-ho and reasonably priced contractor who seems to embrace all of our ideas? Or the cautious contractor who seems to shy away from any of our ideas that bring great change to the layout?

Tomorrow is a final interview with a 4th kitchen contractor as well as the final shutter sales rep. I am hoping that either one of them agrees with something the other contractors have said. If not, I'm not sure we will know who to believe and trust with a several thousand dollar project. Wish us luck.

Our Kitchen Now

Wall on left side of picture to be taken down in kitchen remodel.

Design inspiration for our future kitchen.

I Married a Prepubescent Male

Growing up I had a younger brother who would throw a tantrum at the slightest provocation. If you cooked him scrambled eggs and they turned out slightly brown instead of perfectly yellow and fluffy he would scream. If you didn't let him ride in the front seat of the car he would begin crying. If you tried to get him to do his fair share of the chores (or any chores at all) he would stomp around the house in a very foul mood. My mom often coddled and babied him anytime his temper brewed. Partly because she was a big fan of the boys in our family and didn't understand girls, makeup, or anything frilly. She would have been very happy if I had turned out to be a tom boy but unfortunately for her I actually like to wear skirts and enjoy owning more then two pairs of shoes. The other reason is that it was just easier to baby my brother before he threw a fit then it was to do the fair thing and then have to endure a titanic size tantrum. Even though he was still throwing fits about his eggs when I moved out of the house at the age of 21.

Needless to say these days I have a short fuse for anyone who acts like a baby over trivial matters. The weekend didn't start out well when I scheduled a 9:30 am appointment at the tax man on a day that happened to be David's day off (Good Friday holiday). For a day he pouted and exhaled loudly until I finally asked him what was wrong and like a sullen teenager he told me that ummm ... Hello! He was like totally going to use his day off to drive out to the woods and shoot his rifle for fun. Like didn't I know that a trip to the tax man was going to totally ruin his day and his weekend for the matter. And then at that point he gave a big loud sigh, put his hands on his hips, and rolled his eyes.

This week has been exceptionally busy for me as I try to balance work, french class, gym time each afternoon, and meeting with multiple kitchen contractors. For Dave it's easier as he works from home and can just step away from his desk to meet with a contractor while I have to drive home, meet, and then drive back to work. I was having a hard time fitting all these appointments in my hectic work schedule and it just so happened that Friday was the only day that worked for a tax man appointment.

Then Dave threw a fit when one evening I laid on the couch and read my book while he grilled steaks. After dinner I asked him to take a few plates to the kitchen and once again Dave became a rebellious teenager and huffed and puffed about how I was expecting him to cook and do the dishes! Gasp! What a cruel and unjust wife I was. I guess he had forgotten that 4 out of 5 nights I cook and usually do the dishes as well as clean the house and do the laundry. We have a gardener for outside and Dave doesn't excel at home improvement projects so his weekly chores consist of defending our family honor on playstation 3 games as well as keeping up to date with as much NASCAR, golf, and basketball games as possible. I'd hate to see how the poor guy would adjust if we ever decided to have kids. It might actually require him to cut back from 8 hours a day of selfish "him" time to 3 or 4. Unjust, cruel world.

It culminated this weekend when in between preparing a classic Easter dinner I took 5 minutes to try and cuddle with him on the couch. The teenager reared it's ugly head and gosh why can't I go in the other room and watch tv cuz he was like soooooooo busy switching channels on this tv and didn't I know that he didn't want to cuddle. And why do we always have to do things that I want to do and never things that he wants to do. Like ever! It's always things that I want to do and they suck like cuddling. It all really sucks and why do I want to do something so sucky???

At this point my head exploded from all the baby nonsense that was spewing forth from his mouth. I knew Dave was stressed out from work and a few family issues (his not mine) and men (especially mine) never deal well with stress and emotions. I could have coddled him and let it all blow over and agreed with him that the cuddling was really over the line and I am so sorry that I make his life so unfair. But at that point I wasn't in the mood for coddling so I pretty much verbally let him have it.

Now after an evening of not talking to each other he still hasn't tried to say he is sorry to me which really bothers me since he is usually good about the saying sorry thing. And we rarely fight so any fight (no matter how small or inconsequential) leaves me bothered and wishing it was over. As of this morning he still hadn't said he was sorry although he was speaking to me in a very nice manner. When we fight and don't make up right away I am always tempted to stay home from work the next day and barricade myself in the bedroom while I watch sappy lifetime movies. Watching a woman get cheated on by her best friend's sister who also has cancer always makes me feel better in some odd way. Unfortunately, it has been 85 and ultra-sunny here lately so I knew when I woke up this morning that staying in bed all day wouldn't work out. When the sun is shinning and the birds are chirping it is almost impossible to indulge your inner drama queen. C'est la vie.

Notes from the Slightly Buzzed

I spent the beginning of this week stomping my feet and wishing I was still on vacation. I can guarantee that 3/4 of my day I sat at my desk drumming my fingers while counting down the minutes until I could go home. Obviously I relaxed during my 6 days in Las Vegas. I quickly became accustomed to sleeping in til 11am, exercising, eating lunch, and then sitting by the pool before a leisurely dinner and a night of gambling. I keep telling Dave that it was the life I was supposed to live but he doesn't seem willing to let me quit work and become a kept woman.

The middle of the week I spent catching up on life. I brought my french book with me to Vegas thinking that I would spend a few hours each day catching up on the lessons I was missing but needless to say the book never even left my suitcase.

The end of the week was spent interviewing contractors for our upcoming kitchen remodel. Virtually the entire room is being gutted and a wall is being taken down. While I am very excited for the work to begin, I am not excited for the $25k to $40k bids that we keep receiving. While we have enough in savings to cover the bids, that would mean no other home improvement projects for awhile and most likely no new Lexus 400h this summer. Ho hum ;-(

Today is Easter and Dave and I are spending it alone. I don't have an issue with this but I do wish my hubby would stop being a cranky dick. He seems to be stressed about work and is taking it out by stomping around the house and acting like a sullen 3 year old. Wish me luck as I try to cheer him up (or kick him in the balls which would cheer me up).

Also, West Coast from Coconut Records which I am in love with. Jason Schwartzman is so damn cute in the movie Marie Antoinette and I just want to kiss him all over while he sings me West Coast.

Twitter-able

I am home. I am back at work.

I'd much rather be back in Vegas in a hotel bed sleeping until 11 am.

Blahhhhhhhhhhhhhh ..............

EEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeee!!!

I really shouldn't count my chickens before they are hatched, but we just got an email telling us that our room in Las Vegas has been upgraded to a Junior Suite! This makes me so much more excited about this trip then should be exibited by a 27 year old woman. I feel like a 10 year old who is going to Disneyland for the 1st time. EEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!

Confession Time

We're leaving in a week for 6 days in Las Vegas where the weather is 80 and hot, hot, hott. Last weekend I realized that my current attire of hoodies, jeans, and flip flops wasn't going to cut it next to the pool. Also, my usual vacation wardrobe of skirts and shorts "might" not fit due to a few excess pounds that have found their way on my body. And by "might" I mean are so far away from fitting that I didn't even attempt to try them on. The end result would have just been a very messy closet strewn with things that don't fit and me red faced and teary. Not even worth trying.

I figured that skirts and shorts would expose too much of my untoned legs so sun dresses would be the way to go.

My first stop was the mall where unfortunately all the sundresses were cute but either too Easter-y or cut so low that my ample boobage would spill forth and make me look like a hooker.


Since all million shops in our large mall were out, I figured that maybe Target and Mervyn's would have something like I was looking for (simple so that I could wear it more then once and covers my boobs). Unfortunately, Target has obviously turned into a costume shop because everything either looked like it was trying to recreate the 70's flower child, medieval maiden, 60's mod, or 50's housewife. WTF?


In a last ditch effort I went to Old Navy which for me is always hit or miss. I was in luck because Old Navy had a few dresses in exactly the style I was looking for. This was one of my favorites, it was a little too bilowy in the mid section but paired with espadrilles and funky jewelery it is super cute.


And this was my other favorite. It fit slimmer cut through my belly and my boobs loved the straps. It looks more formal in the pic then it actually was. It's made of a cotton and linen mix that will be perfect in the hot weather. As I was checking out the lady pointed out to me that the dress was actually a maternity dress. At that point I just didn't care anymore as I was tired and shopped out. It would be my luck that the maternity dress is the one that fits the best. Oye Vey.

2 Weeks of Randomness

* Summer has arrived in SoCal. Days have been 80 and sunny and the Cali poppies have sprung up all over the sides of the roads and are making me want to call in sick each day to work and hang out at the beach. Unfortunately no matter how many times I start out the week thinking that this week will be slower, it turns out to be just as hectic as the past 4 months.

* Dave is at the gym and I am sitting on the couch watching Sex and the City. I love me some SATC. I want to be Carrie Bradshaw minus all the drama.

* It seems like each weekend I make a list of things I want to do (go hiking, read Sunday paper, pilates, catch up on DVR'd shows, clean the house, etc). By the time the weekend is done I've done a 1/4th of the things on my list. The weekends really need to be longer.

* Vday weekend was wonderful. We ate at Gaslamp Strip Club which was wonderful. Seriously if you're ever in SD then I highly recommend the strip club. Excellent steaks and a really fun atmosphere. We also ate at Nobu (the same fancy sushi place that all the celebs frequent). Good sushi and a hefty bill ($2,000 for 10 people). I do not kid.

* During Vday weekend we stayed at the Omni Hotel which was nice but nothing spectacular. Just a nice hotel room with a nice view. They did have an awesome gym which rocked. Each cardio machine had its own flat screen tv. I could have spent hours on the treadmill walking while watching Romey and Michelle's High School Reunion.

* A week ago we met Dave's family at Disneyland for an afternoon of fun. It was cheaper for us to buy a SoCal resident year round pass then it was to buy a single day ticket ($91!!!). I grew up in SoCal and have been to Disney a bazillion jillion times but I must admit that place is just as fun your hundreth time as it is your first.

* In one week we leave for Las Vegas (including 2 nights at the Venetian). I am so freaking excited especially since this week will be crazy at work.

Frustration

I worked late tonight and didn't have enough time to go to the gym. I was away at a meeting last week and missed my last French class. I tried doing the weekend's French homework tonight. It was too hard so I gave up. Instead I read blogs and ate ice cream with caramel sauce. I am fat and frustrated. Foux da fa fa.

California

You know you're from California if:

1. Your coworker has 8 body piercings and none are visible.

2. You make over $300,000 and still can't afford a house.

3. You take a bus and are shocked at two people carrying on a conversation in English.

4. Your child's 3rd-grade teacher has purple hair, a nose ring, and is named Flower.

5. You can't remember . . is pot illegal?

6. You've been to a baby shower that has two mothers and a sperm donor.

7. You have a very strong opinion about where your coffee beans are grown, and you can taste the difference between Sumatran and Ethiopian.

8. You can't remember . . is pot illegal?

9. A really great parking space can totally move you to tears.

10. Gas costs $1.00 per gallon more than anywhere else in the U.S.

11. Unlike back home, the guy sitting in Starbucks at 8:30 a.m. wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses who looks like George Clooney really IS George Clooney

12. Your car insurance costs as much as your house payment.

13. You can't remember . .. is pot illegal?

14. It's barely sprinkling rain and there's a report on every news station: 'STORM WATCH.'

15. You pass an elementary school playground and the children are all busy with their cellphones or Ipods.

16. It's barely sprinkling rain outside, so you leave for work an hour early to avoid all the weather-related accidents.

17. HEY!!!! Is pot illegal????

18. Both you AND your dog have therapists, psychics, personal trainers and cosmetic surgeons.

19. The Terminator is your governor.

20. If you drive illegally, they take your driver's license. If you're here illegally, they want to give you one.

My V-Day Thus Far

Gag Inducing

Cupcakes that I baked for my staff.

Dave and I usually do a pretty low key Valentine's Day. Usually we (meaning me) will cook a nice dinner or we'll venture out to a nearby reasonably priced restaurant. Dave isn't much of a romantic and I'm not the type to say we will do this, then that and you'll bring me flowers and chocolates. Needless to say I am a girl and a romantic. I've always wished for a boyfriend that would surprise me with a v-day getaway or some other fantabolous gift.


This year Dave who might be trying for Hubby of the Year award did just that. Tomorrow we take off for a stay at the Omni Hotel. For dinner we'll be eating at the Gaslamp Strip Club (Dave originally planned for sushi but I figured that I owed him steak). The next day after relaxing by the pool we will hit up the Melting Pot on our way to meet friends for drinks.

Making this even more exciting is that Monday is a federal holiday and I will have a 5 day weekend! 5 days, no work! EEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeee!!! (This is the point where my head explodes because I am so damn excited).

Flowers and chocolates that Dave had delivered to my office yesterday. Hubby of the Year.

Look Ma! I Can Translate

I love them California Cows. Even more so when I can actually understand what they are saying in the commercial.



Bob the Bull: Ladies, My Name is Bob
Diane the Cow: Hello my friend! Have you lived in Paris?

PS - Today's high? 80. What happened to winter???

J'aime un Petit Oiseau

A little birdie out in the internet land sent me her copy of PS I Love You to read. As soon as I received it in the mail I immediately began reading even though I am still working long arse days. What a sweet little story that has almost made me cry each night (and I never cry). I really recommend it to anyone who has a long term significant other because not only is it a quick read but it also makes me reach across the bed each night and tell my wonderful husband how incredibly thankful I am to have him in my life (stinky morning breath and all). Now I'm just trying to not read the book too quickly. Dave and I have a little Valentine's Day getaway planned and I would like to finish this little love story while sitting by the pool. This will be easier said then done as the book is so cute and heart warming and I want to read it all NOW.

PS - (Because what would a post about a book called PS I Love You be without a PS of its own) Dear Person Who Let Me Borrow Their Book - You are one of the evil non-spine book breakers. I am one of the lay diagonally across the bed with the book splayed as far apart while I voraciously read book readers. I am trying as hard as I can to respect your spine non-breaking ways but be forewarned that it is causing restraint on my part which I don't have much of. Merci beaucoup.

Great Interview Experiment

As part of The Great Interview Experiment Little Miss Mel asked me a few questions. I had a lot of fun answering these and highly enourage everyone to go over to Citizen of the Month and sign up.

1) As you mentioned, the "comments" field on your blog is not enabled. Is this intentional? If so, why?
When I began blogging I didn't do it to keep in touch with family or friends. I did it to exercise my creative writing skills because I spend most of my working day being dry and technical. Except for one friend from college no I one I know, away from the internet, really knows my blog address. I've enabled comments a few times and each time felt I censored myself and became hypersensitive to who was reading. Ignorance is bliss!

2) Being a resident of San Diego during the recent fires, can you give us an idea of what it was like from the front lines? Have these recent events changed you in any way? If so, why?
To read my account of the fires you can go here. I'm not a drama queen and I can honestly say it was SCARY! The only way it's changed me is by adding a few pounds on my frame. Too many ding dongs and root beer lunches as a result of long work days.

3) Congratulations on your recent nuptials! When and how did you meet your husband?
You can see my original post here. Two little details that I didn't mention in the original post: I vividly remember reading my email when I got back from the gym. I was wearing navy track pants and a stripped razor back tank and was laying on my belly in my roomate Steve's bedroom which smelled like boy funk and gym socks. At the time I didn't have a computer and would have to sneak on his to check my email. He didn't have a desk in his room and the computer was laying on the ground which meant that when I used it I was nose level with the most potent funky smells. Second thing I remember vividly was the moment I drove up to the softball fields. It was like slow motion as I turned into the parking lot from the street and made eye contact with the hottie standing at the gate.

4) Before moving to San Diego, you lived in the Bay Area. Why were you there and what were you doing prior to your move?
I moved to the SF Bay Area from Fresno for a boy who works for a space satellite company. The relationship didn't work out but I still consider it to be one of the best moves I've ever made.

5) Looks like you have a great love for music. Can you give us a sample of your most recent favorite bands/songs?
Recent? That would have to be Modest Mouse, Snow Patrol, Pinback, Death Cab for Cutie and almost anything that plays on the Sirius station Left of Center.

6) Seeing that you may add another member to your family in the next few years, will you stay in San Diego to raise your family or will you find somewhere else to settle down?
Errr! (That's the sound of braking). IF babies came onto our life it wouldn't be for another 3 years (pending no accidents). I can't imagine rasing a baby without family to help out but Dave is reluctant to move back to the Bay Area near his family cuz of recent family drama. I must admit that I'm not eager to have my MIL around all the time either. We'll see. A lot can happen in 3 years and as they say plans are just tiny prayers to Father Time.

7) From what I can tell, you work for the government. If that is the case, what do you do? Your job sounds extremely rewarding.
My job is rewarding. I don't like to blog about work for fear of being dooce'd. Hmmm ... what can I say? I work for an agency that addresses natural resource concerns on private lands. Our agency is divided into districts and I am the "manager" for one of those districts. I work in a great part of the US and have a wonderful staff that makes me laugh almost everyday. I'm pretty lucky.

8) You have traveled quite a bit to Europe, but haven't made your way to Canada or Mexico. If you could head out of town come Friday, where you would hit first and why?
Oops. It's the other way around. I've traveled to Canada (Vancouver in 2002) and several times to Mexico but I've never been to Europe. If I could leave tomorrow and travel someplace hmmmm ...... I would probably go to a small cabin in the woods where I would drink hot chocolate each morning, snow shoe during the day, and drink good wine while reading a book by the fireplace.

9) You have a lovely assortment of photography on your blog and linked off your blog. Is taking pictures a serious hobby of yours or just an enjoyable past time?Haha! I'm not sure I can even call photopgrapy a past time. I have a little Canon Powershot SD1000 that I just point and click. Beyond that I really don't give photography a passing thought. I'm really not a creative person.

10) And last but not least, I noticed you were a sorority girl in college! Going to school in CA, was being Greek something most gals did, or was it more of a personal decision? Going to school in the South, going Greek was just something we all did to meet people at such a large school.
Going Greek was something that I always wanted to do but never really had the social confidence to go through with. My junior year a girl who I didn't like much asked several of my friends to join a sorority and I kinda tagged along. That girl went on to become one of my closest friends and even did my wedding flowers. In Cali going Greek wasn't quite the same traditional activity that I've heard it is for those in the South. Some do and some don't.