Thanks for all your kind comments about the layoffs. It seems every day some company here or there is laying off tons of people. If so many companies are laying off, where are the laid off people supposed to get jobs?? Due to the high number of people applying for unemployment benefits, unemployment checks are lagging about month. Bills still need to be paid, families still need to eat...its just so sad. Even though I survived this round, if business doesn't pick up, and the projection for Dec-March, our high season, is not looking favorable at all, further cuts will probably be necessary.
I finished reading The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns by Kaled Hosseini. Both excellent reads. I also finished Sunday at Tiffany's by James Patterson - hmmm, the jury's still out on that one. The premise was ok, an imaginary friend to a child, then returns when she is an adult. Is he an angel, a spirit? It was a quick read, and once I started, I finished. I have way too many books that I've started and haven't finished reading! I have vowed ( well, maybe not really VOWED, as in promised), not to return to the bookstore until I read the majority of the books I currently have. Hey, it keeps me off of QVC and HSN. (BTW, honey I am expecting a couple of boxes from QVC! I was between books)
We were supposed to get together, Alana, Alisha and myself for dinner last night at Alisha's. She made a delicious dinner of salmon, green beans, au gratin potatoes, salad, a variety of desserts and a nice pinot noir. Turns out Alana didn't make it because she "forgot" she was riding in the El Tour de Tucson's bike race today. How do you forget that?? After Alisha went through all the trouble of shopping and cooking, then just say, "sorry, I can't make it because..." She should have said up front that she only wanted to do drinks, which we don't normally do because we have to eat something anyway! Anywho, after dinner we were both kinda buzzing so we went to sit in the hot tub for about 40 minutes. Very relaxing! There was steam rising off the water...we went back and had coffee and dessert! It was an early night, I got home about 9:30 pm or so.
My mom is going to have knee replacement surgery on 12/3. I mentioned a while back that her doctor wasn't taking her pain seriously, and this last time she went to the doctor, he did an x-ray and said, "you have bone rubbing on bone, you must be in pain". No shit, Sherlock! She had the other knee replaced 4 years ago, and now 4 years later, after the chronic pain she's been in, it has taken a toll on her. She will get 6 weeks of physical therapy. She isn't very good about following through on her own, though. She thinks that by getting on the bike and twirling the pedals a couple of times, voila, she's worked out. We are just praying for a successful and speedy recovery!
There are 2 football games left - tonight Oregon State, and 12/6 ASU. It has been a great season, maybe not in terms of wins, but the team has evolved in the last couple of years, that they have a decent record. Maybe even bowl bound...a small bowl, but we haven't been in bowl contention for a long, long time! We'll tailgate with our friends first, have a drink or 4, then go to the game. Glen is going with me, and he will be carrying the gear. It'll be chilly tonight, so extra woolies are in order! Go Cats!
I got a haircut yesterday, and yes it looks different from my normal do, and Glen didn't notice. I pointed it out to him this morning, "oh yeah, you did, it looks nice". Sure, I just woke up! That kind of nice? I wonder if I shaved my head, he'd notice??
Talk soon...
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Checking in...
As of my last post, the company I work for has layed off 75 people! I was not one of them, but I still feel so bad for many of my friends that left. This company has never had to lay off before, other than after 9/11, but even then they re-organized, and were able to place people in other positions instead of laying them off, unless they were under performers. The dust settled last week, the last batch left last Friday. We had a company wide meeting on Tuesday, and it was so hard to watch the founder address us. He said that he has always thought of us, the employees, as a family, his kids, and for a parent to have to make the tough decisions as the business had to do, was one of the hardest things he's done. His voice cracked right then...I thought I was going to lose it too! This man is truly a gem...he knows names, knows what everyone does, and truly cares. He and his wife founded the business almost 30 years ago, and now is grooming his granddaughter and her husband to take over, eventually. There are employees that have been there since day 1. I have spoken to very few people working there that don't thoroughly enjoy what they do. There are also other changes, such as the lunches we have available. A daily entree, with two sides was $2.75, and you could always substitute the entree with a different one if you didn't like the offering. Starting today, there is a daily special, two entrees, for $5.25, which really is still a bargain. This food is organic, healthy, and because we are in a fairly remote location, going off property to find a fast food place, plus the $$ for gas, and getting back in 1 hour is highly unlikely...and stressful! The company was subsidizing much of the cost of the food, and now they just can't. The savings also helps to keep our insurance premiums down.
I went to a lecture on Tuesday evening that was interesting and provided much food for thought. The name was: Self Awareness: An extraordinary journey based on Heuristics. A couple of quotes struck me:
"Each of us has an image of what we think we are or what we should be, and that image, that picture, entirely prevents us from seeing ourselves as we actually are" - Krishnamurti
"You dissolve discord, heal pain, dispel unconsciousness - without doing anything - simply by being and holding that frequency of intense presence" - Eckhart Tolle from the Power of Now
I have found that much of who I was, was what others wanted me to be. I was not myself, my true self for so many years. I went from my parents home as a daughter, to being a wife and mother at 18 years old! I never had time to find out who I was, so I became the notion of what everyone else thought I should be. Just in the last 10 years, have I become more myself, more aware of my feelings, by just observing myself. What things bother me, which ones don't, by just being aware of it. I've noticed that when I should get mad, I don't. I tend to choose my words carefully, trying not to hurt, as words so often do. I also realize that I am so very blessed. I journal a lot, which helps to put my thoughts in front of me so that I can re-read what I wrote. There are times that I cannot read the pain I've experienced. By not observing it, how have I learned from it?? Life...a work in progress.
I went to another lecture today...Mantras & Malas. Very interesting. The presenter gave us some mantras, their meanings, and just said try them. There will be one that fits your need. The ones we went over today were in sanskrit, but you can have a mantra in any language. She also had some samples of malas, beads, much like a rosary, but these have 108 beads, based on the Hindu tradition. It is kind of like a rosary, which has 54 beads (double 54=108!). Not that I can explain it all, but it was so very interesting. Oh, I also did a yoga class yesterday.
I signed up for a December fitness challenge at work. The rule is that you must work out everyday in December! The exercise can be of your choice, and must be at least 30 minutes or 2 miles per day. Totally do-able huh?? There is no prize other than the satisfaction that no weight was gained (if you balance your caloric intake and not pig out!) in the most festive, food filled month of the year! I know I can do it, but will I? I simply must now, it is out there.
Talk soon...
I went to a lecture on Tuesday evening that was interesting and provided much food for thought. The name was: Self Awareness: An extraordinary journey based on Heuristics. A couple of quotes struck me:
"Each of us has an image of what we think we are or what we should be, and that image, that picture, entirely prevents us from seeing ourselves as we actually are" - Krishnamurti
"You dissolve discord, heal pain, dispel unconsciousness - without doing anything - simply by being and holding that frequency of intense presence" - Eckhart Tolle from the Power of Now
I have found that much of who I was, was what others wanted me to be. I was not myself, my true self for so many years. I went from my parents home as a daughter, to being a wife and mother at 18 years old! I never had time to find out who I was, so I became the notion of what everyone else thought I should be. Just in the last 10 years, have I become more myself, more aware of my feelings, by just observing myself. What things bother me, which ones don't, by just being aware of it. I've noticed that when I should get mad, I don't. I tend to choose my words carefully, trying not to hurt, as words so often do. I also realize that I am so very blessed. I journal a lot, which helps to put my thoughts in front of me so that I can re-read what I wrote. There are times that I cannot read the pain I've experienced. By not observing it, how have I learned from it?? Life...a work in progress.
I went to another lecture today...Mantras & Malas. Very interesting. The presenter gave us some mantras, their meanings, and just said try them. There will be one that fits your need. The ones we went over today were in sanskrit, but you can have a mantra in any language. She also had some samples of malas, beads, much like a rosary, but these have 108 beads, based on the Hindu tradition. It is kind of like a rosary, which has 54 beads (double 54=108!). Not that I can explain it all, but it was so very interesting. Oh, I also did a yoga class yesterday.
I signed up for a December fitness challenge at work. The rule is that you must work out everyday in December! The exercise can be of your choice, and must be at least 30 minutes or 2 miles per day. Totally do-able huh?? There is no prize other than the satisfaction that no weight was gained (if you balance your caloric intake and not pig out!) in the most festive, food filled month of the year! I know I can do it, but will I? I simply must now, it is out there.
Talk soon...
Saturday, November 8, 2008
What a week!
My, what a week it has been! First, the election and all the hoopla surrounding that! I started watching SNL Election Bash on Monday, but fell asleep halfway through. It was funny, but I was tired. Tuesday's election, results, and ultimate ending...well, I'm glad its over, now we can get to the business of running the country! Whoever you voted for, I'm just glad you did. Actually, many of us did, and that makes me proud that we exercised our right to do so. The passion of this country has been ignited and I just hope that we can continue to care. Apathy is ugly.
The beginning of the week also marked lay-offs at work. Fifty were marked to go, then the number was upped to 65, there may still be additional if business doesn't pick up. No one from my floor, but downstairs, 2 Project Managers were let go. They didn't see it coming. Ironically, one of the project managers responsibilities now shifts to my director and myself. Details that we never worried about now fall in our lap. I left early on Wednesday with a stomach ache, stress, I'm sure. I wondered, "am I next"? I asked my director, and she said no. Huge sigh of relief, but there were so many others who weren't so lucky. I feel so badly for them. Many of them are single parents. Where are they to find jobs in this depressed economy, and when so many other employers are laying off??? Sad.
Friday night, Glen and I went to the Firefighters Chili Cook-off. All the stations around town gather for an annual chili competition! They have decorated booths with themes running from viking ships, rockets, dragon heads...they get quite creative! I saw a KISS booth this year that was new...the guys were dressed like KISS...they looked pretty real, the hair, platform shoes, and make up...I saw people taking pics with the guys, and there were lots of tongues sticking out! Live music on a stage, people dancing, etc. You get a cup of chili for $1, but they also have nachos, chili dogs, quesadillas, oh and of course, beer & wine! It runs from 10 am to 10 pm, usually the first Friday of November. Its a fund raiser to benefit charities the firefighters support! We usually buy $20 of tickets, and since we don't eat all $20 worth, so we usually find a family hanging around and give them what we have left of our tickets. Why not, they get used!
This morning I started my holiday shopping! Ugh! JC Penney's opened at 6 am, I got there at 7 am, and I was home by 9:30 am. They had a 60-75% off sale! Love me a good sale. Most of the grandkids are done. I get them mostly clothes. I am not the toy nana, and they know that. I'll probably still get them some books each, and I'm done! I picked up a couple of things for myself, too. But I didn't get any shoes! Hmm, now that's just wrong. I may go back...
Glen's birthday is Monday, so we'll go out to dinner today. Glen is a steak and potato guy for sure so we are visiting Lil' Abner's. They serve a 32 ounce porterhouse steak that is HUGE, so big that it comes on its own plate, by itself! Dinner comes with all the fixin's, too! I simply do not eat that much...don't know what I'll have. I wonder if they serve salad :) We'll go out to dinner with Glen's sister and husband tomorrow, Olive Garden.
Talk soon...
The beginning of the week also marked lay-offs at work. Fifty were marked to go, then the number was upped to 65, there may still be additional if business doesn't pick up. No one from my floor, but downstairs, 2 Project Managers were let go. They didn't see it coming. Ironically, one of the project managers responsibilities now shifts to my director and myself. Details that we never worried about now fall in our lap. I left early on Wednesday with a stomach ache, stress, I'm sure. I wondered, "am I next"? I asked my director, and she said no. Huge sigh of relief, but there were so many others who weren't so lucky. I feel so badly for them. Many of them are single parents. Where are they to find jobs in this depressed economy, and when so many other employers are laying off??? Sad.
Friday night, Glen and I went to the Firefighters Chili Cook-off. All the stations around town gather for an annual chili competition! They have decorated booths with themes running from viking ships, rockets, dragon heads...they get quite creative! I saw a KISS booth this year that was new...the guys were dressed like KISS...they looked pretty real, the hair, platform shoes, and make up...I saw people taking pics with the guys, and there were lots of tongues sticking out! Live music on a stage, people dancing, etc. You get a cup of chili for $1, but they also have nachos, chili dogs, quesadillas, oh and of course, beer & wine! It runs from 10 am to 10 pm, usually the first Friday of November. Its a fund raiser to benefit charities the firefighters support! We usually buy $20 of tickets, and since we don't eat all $20 worth, so we usually find a family hanging around and give them what we have left of our tickets. Why not, they get used!
This morning I started my holiday shopping! Ugh! JC Penney's opened at 6 am, I got there at 7 am, and I was home by 9:30 am. They had a 60-75% off sale! Love me a good sale. Most of the grandkids are done. I get them mostly clothes. I am not the toy nana, and they know that. I'll probably still get them some books each, and I'm done! I picked up a couple of things for myself, too. But I didn't get any shoes! Hmm, now that's just wrong. I may go back...
Glen's birthday is Monday, so we'll go out to dinner today. Glen is a steak and potato guy for sure so we are visiting Lil' Abner's. They serve a 32 ounce porterhouse steak that is HUGE, so big that it comes on its own plate, by itself! Dinner comes with all the fixin's, too! I simply do not eat that much...don't know what I'll have. I wonder if they serve salad :) We'll go out to dinner with Glen's sister and husband tomorrow, Olive Garden.
Talk soon...
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Random happenings...
Last week was pretty uneventful, although I did manage to get a 45 minute walk in 5 of the last 7 days. Alisha and I walk right after work and because we are losing daylight daily, we have to kick it up a notch or two to finish the walk before dark! Halloween evening I got out of work about 1/2 hour early, so we started earlier, and went for a full 60 minutes. I feel like I've gained weight, but the scale hasn't moved up (or down, unfortunately).
Anthony (grandchild #3) turns 6 at the end of the end of the month, but we had his birthday party yesterday at the park. The end of November is too cold to have an outdoor party. It was a rather warm day, and as usual, the event organizer (Anthony's mom) was unorganized. The invite said 12 pm, and when I left at 3 pm, they hadn't even started serving the food! They still had a pinata, cake and presents to open. The sun begins to set about 5:45 pm.
On Saturday evening, we went out to dinner with some friends. Actually, they are our caterer pals, whose tailgate parties we go to before the football games. We've been wanting to get together socially for a while now, and we were finally able to when we were all available. We went to Carrabba's, an Italian restaurant, and enjoyed a nice leisurely dinner.
I finished reading The Choice, by Nicholas Sparks, and now am almost done reading, Make Him Look Good, by Alysa Valdes-Rodriguez. One of the girls at work lent me The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, so I guess a trip to the bookstore is not yet in my future.
I have a roast in the crock pot for dinner, and it is starting to smell delish! We'll have some asparagus, and maybe some garlic mashed potatoes! Mmmm, that sounds good!
Thats it for life in my little corner of the world...quiet and content. Talk soon...
Anthony (grandchild #3) turns 6 at the end of the end of the month, but we had his birthday party yesterday at the park. The end of November is too cold to have an outdoor party. It was a rather warm day, and as usual, the event organizer (Anthony's mom) was unorganized. The invite said 12 pm, and when I left at 3 pm, they hadn't even started serving the food! They still had a pinata, cake and presents to open. The sun begins to set about 5:45 pm.
On Saturday evening, we went out to dinner with some friends. Actually, they are our caterer pals, whose tailgate parties we go to before the football games. We've been wanting to get together socially for a while now, and we were finally able to when we were all available. We went to Carrabba's, an Italian restaurant, and enjoyed a nice leisurely dinner.
I finished reading The Choice, by Nicholas Sparks, and now am almost done reading, Make Him Look Good, by Alysa Valdes-Rodriguez. One of the girls at work lent me The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, so I guess a trip to the bookstore is not yet in my future.
I have a roast in the crock pot for dinner, and it is starting to smell delish! We'll have some asparagus, and maybe some garlic mashed potatoes! Mmmm, that sounds good!
Thats it for life in my little corner of the world...quiet and content. Talk soon...
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Pie, books & vices...
We went to the game on Saturday, we lost to USC, 17-10. UA had more than a few opportunities but the better team took advantage of our mis-steps. Thats what changes a win to a loss...We got to see our friends at their tailgate for some yummy eats! They had ribs that, literally, fell off the bone! I would have loved to eat those ribs in the comfort of my own home with my hands, instead of a plastic fork and knife!! Oh, well, you make do with what you have. I have never seen that many people at a game before...the place was jam packed. It was homecoming, too, so that brings alumini, and just way more people than usual. We had to park 2 blocks further away than normal, and we got there 3 hours before game time! The evening turned a bit chilly, slight breeze...good thing I carried our jackets (Glen carried the chairs). We left about 10:45 pm with about 5:55 left in the game, and we still had a pretty long jaunt to where we parked, and we were both kind of hungry. Glen suggested we stop for pie and coffee, who cares if it ruined our sleep, today is Sunday. Anyway, I had a slice of cherry pie, a la mode, and Glen had French Silk...it was delish! As we were having our dessert, several more game fans stopped by...guess everyone had the same idea!
Not much planned for today...I got up at 8:30 am...I hadn't done that in a very long time! We had a big breakfast, which will carry us through til dinner (maybe). Some household chores, and time to do it all again tomorrow.
I finished reading The Choice by Nicholas Sparks. Not one of his best pieces, but ok, still. I am now reading, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. Hilarious, yet touching. Its a true story about Walls' quirky family. Her parents are either eccentric or loving...or both. I should finish that today. So either I go buy more books, that I don't need, or dive into my current selection and read what I already have. Think I'll visit Barnes & Noble later today...hey, a girls' gotta have some vices!
Talk soon...
Not much planned for today...I got up at 8:30 am...I hadn't done that in a very long time! We had a big breakfast, which will carry us through til dinner (maybe). Some household chores, and time to do it all again tomorrow.
I finished reading The Choice by Nicholas Sparks. Not one of his best pieces, but ok, still. I am now reading, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. Hilarious, yet touching. Its a true story about Walls' quirky family. Her parents are either eccentric or loving...or both. I should finish that today. So either I go buy more books, that I don't need, or dive into my current selection and read what I already have. Think I'll visit Barnes & Noble later today...hey, a girls' gotta have some vices!
Talk soon...
Friday, October 24, 2008
TGIF TGIF...
I am so ready for the weekend! Actually, I was ready on Monday morning when the alarm when off, but hey, thats a technicality! Work has been so stressful. Due to low house counts, and low projections for future heads in beds, we have begun to re-organize some departments. One of my very dear friends had her hours cut in half, effective Monday. She is a single mom of two kids, and my heart just breaks for her. She will definitely have to find another job. I am in the Executive offices, and work has been very slow for us too. I've heard some old timers say that this is even worse that 9/11 when we took a huge hit. I am trying not to be negative but when it is happening all around me, its just hard. You may remember that I was layed off from my last job in 2006, after being there for 8.5 years. I used to work for AOL, until they decided to take all member services off shore. Now, 2 years later, well, need I say more?? The worse thing is that losing a job now...who is hiring?
We are going to the UA vs USC game tomorrow. Even though we are an underdog in this contest, I am hoping it is at least a game. We will tailgate with several different friends...who knows, I may not care who is even playing!! Good thing Glen is going...need someone to carry the stuff!
My mom had knee surgery in April of this year for a torn miniscus. I took both mom and dad to the surgery, and gave them a ride home after the procedure. I found her doctor to be rude and condescending. Both dad and I were in the prep room with her, while the nurses explained the procedure, and the doctor blazes in, never acknowledged my dad or I (not that he had to I suppose, but a good morning would have been nice!). He barely talks to mom, he pokes his head out of the doorway into the hall and asks if anyone has seen his iPod, he can't do surgery without it. A nurse hands it to him and says, "I didn't know it was yours"...he rolls his eyes. Anyway, my mom has been in chronic pain since then, still. She has tried to see a different orthopedic doctor, but her insurance won't cover it. They are on a fixed income, and cannot afford to pay out of pocket. She had a follow up last Thursday, and my sister went with her. We thought that maybe mom just didn't understand what she was being told. My sister said mom asked all the right questions, and he prescribed another pill for her. Mom takes 14 pills a day (diabetes, HBP, anti-inflammatory, who knows what else)! When my sister asked him to address the root of the problem, he said, "I just gave her the answer, a pill". My sister asked why not try a different therapy since she already takes an anti-inflammatory. He kinda rolled his eyes, and said something to the effect that a knee replacement was to be the very last option to consider. Meanwhile, mom's pain is robbing her of a quality life. We'll have to get together to find another option because this is not going to work. Makes me wonder how many people just take their doctors word because they are a doctor, and don't question his diagnosis, especially since they are the patient and know what they are feeling!
Talk soon...
We are going to the UA vs USC game tomorrow. Even though we are an underdog in this contest, I am hoping it is at least a game. We will tailgate with several different friends...who knows, I may not care who is even playing!! Good thing Glen is going...need someone to carry the stuff!
My mom had knee surgery in April of this year for a torn miniscus. I took both mom and dad to the surgery, and gave them a ride home after the procedure. I found her doctor to be rude and condescending. Both dad and I were in the prep room with her, while the nurses explained the procedure, and the doctor blazes in, never acknowledged my dad or I (not that he had to I suppose, but a good morning would have been nice!). He barely talks to mom, he pokes his head out of the doorway into the hall and asks if anyone has seen his iPod, he can't do surgery without it. A nurse hands it to him and says, "I didn't know it was yours"...he rolls his eyes. Anyway, my mom has been in chronic pain since then, still. She has tried to see a different orthopedic doctor, but her insurance won't cover it. They are on a fixed income, and cannot afford to pay out of pocket. She had a follow up last Thursday, and my sister went with her. We thought that maybe mom just didn't understand what she was being told. My sister said mom asked all the right questions, and he prescribed another pill for her. Mom takes 14 pills a day (diabetes, HBP, anti-inflammatory, who knows what else)! When my sister asked him to address the root of the problem, he said, "I just gave her the answer, a pill". My sister asked why not try a different therapy since she already takes an anti-inflammatory. He kinda rolled his eyes, and said something to the effect that a knee replacement was to be the very last option to consider. Meanwhile, mom's pain is robbing her of a quality life. We'll have to get together to find another option because this is not going to work. Makes me wonder how many people just take their doctors word because they are a doctor, and don't question his diagnosis, especially since they are the patient and know what they are feeling!
Talk soon...
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Weekend happenings? Notsomuch...
On Friday night, I got together with Alana & Alisha's at Alisha's apartment to celebrate Alana's birthday last month! Ok, so we're a little behind. We are the oddest bunch....Alisha is 29, Alana is 36, and I am 50! Really, they could both be my daughters -- maybe having Alana at 14 is pushing it, but not impossible! Anyway, this year, we've gotten together, I think this is the fourth time. We don't get together, all 3 of us, very often, but when we do, we don't skip a beat. We can talk, talk, talk, about anything and everything! Alisha made a yummy salmon, she actually caught it in Alaska in June, couscous, and a yummy chocolate dessert, tasted like a flourless torte, kinda thick and gooey! I supplied a salad, dressing, and some a red and white wine. We even managed to polish off a whole bottle! Then we just layed on the floor on some big pillows, and chatted away. Alisha had to work on Saturday, and it was well past 11:30 when I got home.
Glen wasn't feeling too good on Saturday, so I went to the UA game by myself. I stopped at our friends' tailgate party, but I had just eaten at home a little earlier in the day, and I wasn't that hungry. UA beat Cal, 42-27! I stayed until 1:33 left in the game. When Glen goes we leave at 8 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter. We played USC on Saturday (Phil...be merciful!), and its homecoming. Oh, and I had some nachos and some red vines! Yes, I had to carry my own chair...dang!
I got the new Nicholas Sparks book, The Choice. I'm such a sucker for romance! I haven't seen the movie, Nights in Rodanthe, but I did read the book. And of course, who can forget The Notebook! I'll go through phases on the type of book I'll read. Sometimes its self help (and Lord knows I can use the help). I have tons of books on spirituality, and I saw a book on Chakra balancing, which I might pick up next week. Looking at my bookshelf, 80% of my books have a marker in them, which means thats as far as I got to reading it. So you may ask, why buy more books if I already have a bunch I haven't finished reading? Hmmm, I ask myself that too!
Today was a hot day...hey, what happened to fall?? It was 94F today! The evenings are nice and cool, but the days...fuggetaboutit! Gotta get ready for the week...talk soon...
Glen wasn't feeling too good on Saturday, so I went to the UA game by myself. I stopped at our friends' tailgate party, but I had just eaten at home a little earlier in the day, and I wasn't that hungry. UA beat Cal, 42-27! I stayed until 1:33 left in the game. When Glen goes we leave at 8 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter. We played USC on Saturday (Phil...be merciful!), and its homecoming. Oh, and I had some nachos and some red vines! Yes, I had to carry my own chair...dang!
I got the new Nicholas Sparks book, The Choice. I'm such a sucker for romance! I haven't seen the movie, Nights in Rodanthe, but I did read the book. And of course, who can forget The Notebook! I'll go through phases on the type of book I'll read. Sometimes its self help (and Lord knows I can use the help). I have tons of books on spirituality, and I saw a book on Chakra balancing, which I might pick up next week. Looking at my bookshelf, 80% of my books have a marker in them, which means thats as far as I got to reading it. So you may ask, why buy more books if I already have a bunch I haven't finished reading? Hmmm, I ask myself that too!
Today was a hot day...hey, what happened to fall?? It was 94F today! The evenings are nice and cool, but the days...fuggetaboutit! Gotta get ready for the week...talk soon...
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Kids and cats...
Just wanted to share this pic of our grandkids at Carlos and Erika's wedding in September. The only one missing is Sophia, but she's only 5 months! From left to right, Ailani, 5; Alyssa, 10; Airas, 2; Anthony, 6; Christopher, 7.Everyone came over for Chris' dinner. We're getting the hang of things, how to set up the dining room for everyone to sit at the table, while setting a "kid table" for the kiddos. As my sister pulled up, she saw the bobcat by our carport! Glen grabbed his camera and ran out to get some pics. The bobcat was on his way up the alley, and Glen was right on his tail. If you have a digital camera, you know sometimes it is hard to see the image on the display, so Glen just snapped away hoping to get a pic. He didn't get a good one. I am going to call Game & Fish tomorrow just to let them know it is in the area. I can't imagine there's a whole lot they can do, and I feel for the cat, but it seems to be quite docile and comfortable around people. I'm sure it still has big teeth!
The chocolate cake was a huge hit! I added a few teaspoons of instant espresso to the batter, so it had a subtle coffee taste. My mom brought over a lemon meringue pic too! Of course, the stuffed bolillo rolls were a huge hit, and everyone took home baggies of leftovers. It takes Glen and I 30 minutes to clean up after everyone has left. Carlos' birthday is 11/16, so we'll do it all again. I'm going to look for some outdoor games to play to involve the kids. I remember when we were young, the kids and adults would play softball or volleyball, and there would be a game of horseshoes going on. Our yard is certainly big enough to have several games going on.
In my last entry, Glen pointed out that I noted his name as "Glena"...what is really strange is he had a fiancee named Glenna back in the day. Glen and Glenna. My son Chris' wife is named Christina. Chris and Christina. Just though that was funny...or not!
Talk soon...
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