My Life... My Story

2010-04-04T09:30:00.000-07:00

I have moved

http://chicanarunning.blogspot.com/

moved

2010-04-04T09:27:00.001-07:00

moved

2010-04-04T09:26:00.004-07:00

http://chicanarunning.blogspot.com/

moved

moved

2010-04-04T09:26:00.003-07:00

http://chicanarunning.blogspot.com/

Moved

moved

2010-04-04T09:26:00.001-07:00

Moved

As sand through the hourglass....

2010-03-05T19:09:00.000-08:00

Hello.

So the last time I was here was back in November.

December came and went. It was a hard month. My birthday is in December and it was the first one without my Tia. Christmas came. I applied to USC for my master's.

January, I received my letter of acceptance, completed orientation and financial aid... all in one month. Work was going well... not on the top of my game.

The rain came in February...so did my ignition for work. I think my sadness finally faded. I started my first course, a framing course. Four papers in four weeks.

Now here we are in March and my work life is a joke. I went on two major business trips and the CEO has not even asked for an update. The site is running... maybe my department is doing well and floating on... or maybe we are in trouble and he is holding information back.

Am I happy at work? I am with my job. I am with the clients. I am with my peers. Where is my boss? Who is he? That is problem. I so looked forward to fresh leadership and prosperity, however we have chaos and despair.

time alone

2009-11-25T07:46:00.000-08:00

Just thinking...

My pictures hold all my words.

...

yesterday

2009-11-08T09:22:00.000-08:00

UCLA Football

Worn out, I went to lay down next to our cat on our bed... move over kitty!

Sitting in a bookstore

2009-11-01T13:25:00.000-08:00

Sitting at a table near three elders. They are talking about the times when they would sit in front of the TV store on Main Street and watch the world series through the window. They also spoke of taking bread, Bologna and cheese to the lake to go fishing. Popcorn, apples and home made fudge while listening to the radio. Jack Benny? They spoke of this time as the next gilded age. Talking about how everyone is hooked on computers, laptops and smart phones. Yet they are just as hip as the younger generation. Earlier that talked about how they no longer have a long distance service provider because they use their cell phone. They went on to talk about costumes... one saw a family dresses up as Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez. She described the outfit in detail. The "chunky" high heels, dainty cardigan, and long eye lashes. I love listening to stories. I know I'm eves dropping, but they were so intriguing, as they sipped on their coffee and reminisced over the past and discussed the present. However, not once did the conversation ever go to the future. Then, the gentleman got up to look for a book on diabetes. Delightful, that's how one of the ladies described this experience. They all know each other from church. I wish my grandma's had friends like these. People to hang with, that remember the good 'ol days and are living life in the now. They went on to talk about how they love bookstores, but it's hard to find a good book. So here I am. Sitting and typing, while my husband looks for books. I sit sipping on my coffee, typing and wondering if any of it matters, or will I be sitting in the bookstore talking about the good ol days of WiFi, mini computers and watching things on Hulu.

Life, Dia de los Muertos and our yard

2009-11-01T10:16:00.000-08:00

Beauty of whatever kind, in it's supreme development, invariably excites the sensitive soul to tears.

- Poe

LAst two weeks in October

Last one to turn 30

2009-10-18T12:00:00.000-07:00

Went to a surprise Birthday Party for a co-worker. The best part was that he did not have a clue. It was a full on surprise. Friday after work, wished him a happy 30 and I would see him on Monday. That night my husband and I, co-workers and his friends and family parked on an adjoining street, hid out in his house and surprise. Life is good. My hubby was great. I love watching him be the social butterfly that he is.

On the road... I need some Chicana time soon...

2009-10-14T20:06:00.000-07:00

sometimes I just want to drive.

A ice chest, snacks...

drive by and pick up my husband...

and drive

rive away, drive to a place where we can reinvent ourselves
a place where all is forgotten and new
jeans and hiking boots
gloves and scarfs
my cameras and sunglasses
I want to taste the wind, capture the light and hear life sing the soft song after a cool rain on her skin.

The world around us has changed. Think of it as a mandala. My husband and I are in the middle and all around there is shifting. It's hard because we have watched the shifts and kind of just took the batten down the hatches approach. We can not change what is in a natural motion of life for others, we can only be there for them. My cousin just went off for a second round ... air force. My other cousins came down for a dinner that I did not attend. Something told me not to. An aunt celebrated a 60th... not invited. I can't bring myself to take a painting my tia did to work... I brought it home after her death. I sits on an easel over my desk here at home. I can't take it in fear of crying. Dia de los Muertos is coming up.... no friends to help decorate... all have "things" in their lives. I'm a little frustrated.

Work .... work.... it's going great. We are being used as a flagship for an expansion of the company. I have 40 people "dropping" in next week... to see little 'ol me and my crew. Amazing.

so as always... here are some pictures, because in a time of isolation, frustration or loss... my clouds.

I can't wait to be my husband's date this Friday... I'm going to cha cha it up.

"Sheep" Fire

2009-10-05T20:22:00.000-07:00

Here we are, driving along on Saturday no more then 5 minutes from home and I catch smoke out of the side of my eye... so I start snapping.

Later that night while having dinner at my parents, you can see the glow from their back yard. The red light crawling up and over the mountain in the chill of the night.

San Diego for Work

2009-10-05T20:05:00.000-07:00

Had to go away on business. The meetings were great. I was able to pull a lot out of it, however I did miss my husband tremendously. I left on Tuesday Morning, 6:00 am to be exact and returned at 2:10 pm on Friday afternoon.

By Thursday night, I was a little moody.

I missed him.

With every business trip comes the business dinners. Some better then others. My favorite was eating Ice Cream with my female co-workers around the outdoor fire place, listening to stories of marriage, children and life.

on the way home... YES!!!

Route 66 and Bo Huff

2009-09-23T21:02:00.000-07:00

Bo Huff

Rockabilly Route 66 Car Show

San Bernardino
September 19th

Above

Zombies

"Joe's Ride"

above

a Bo Huff Creation

Below

Zombies

"Joe's Ride"

Above

"Joe's Ride"

Ran into El Ponk. She had a booth, bought a cute calavera skull.

_______________________________________________
Route 66

SanBernardino

September 18, 2009

Funny... a twitter came up and asked... "what do you do to relax?" I replied that I take photos and blog. Funny... because we don't watch TV... heck we don't even have cable... but the net... must have the net.

Fall

2009-09-12T21:47:00.000-07:00

Fall is here. Well as much as fall as So Cal will allow. It 9:49 pm and it's about 79 degrees outside. How can I tell it's fall....my husband and I walked through Micheal's craft store today... I wanted to buy it all! Then we went into World Market.... sigh. I Love the fall.

Questions?

2009-09-12T21:33:00.000-07:00

Hhousewarming party... with a 50/50 raffle. Smoke from the station fire drifting in.

My family is growing. My extended family. I feel disconnected from them . Not so much my mother's side. We grow closer through of all things.... Facebook. Her family stretches from Washington down to Arizona all the way across to Maine. It's a huge family. I always describe that side as the tower of Babel. My fathers side. That is were I see the change. We are all going on with our lives. The family parties and BBQ's are becoming a thing of the past. Either the "cousins" are moving on with significant others or off in the college world. It might just be our time of growth or the new direction only to cross at major events. It's funny. There are only four children between my Grandparents, yet they all turned out so different. The Grandchildren... well sometimes you would not even know we were related. I'm finding myself looking towards my second cousins for connections. It's an interesting progression of life to watch. I would like to document the changes through pictures, however my drive to find beauty in allof it is sometimes stifled by the awkwardness of it all. Of course there is more I need to say, but can't seem to put it into words.

am I rambling? I think I am.

On the way home

2009-09-12T08:49:00.000-07:00

Leaving from work...

Up the off ramp at a light (sun roof picture)

Down the main road towards my house... at another light (sun roof picture)

Home sweet home

Oh were oh where did the little bird go?

2009-09-06T11:59:00.000-07:00

Here I am.

Time, my time.

It's been filled, not a bad thing. I have spent a lot of time with my husband. We just celebrated out 7th wedding anniversary and it was wonderful. I think every year I fall deeper in love with him. No life is not perfect for us and we do struggle sometimes, however we come out stronger through every obstacle put in front of us. I can not wait for our ten year. That in itself will be fabulous.

LOvE, lOvE, LoVe

2009-08-14T10:03:00.000-07:00

Valentina - Prickly Pear Chair

Valentina Gonzalez Wohlers

On the road again

2009-08-13T21:45:00.000-07:00

Normalcy has finally come back into our lives.

"There's a world outside every darkened door Where Blues won't haunt you anymore For the brave are free and lovers soar Come ride with me to the distant shore

Life is a highway, I wanna ride it All night long If you're going my way, I wanna drive it All night long "

Monday

San Diego - the view from our room

"Welcome to the hotel california. Such a lovely place. Such a lovely face. Plenty of room at the hotel california. Any time of year, you can find it here."

Time to go home...

Friday

Long time no see.

2009-07-24T22:18:00.000-07:00

Life has thrown us for a loop. Horrible stuff... initially yes, at face value. However, the trials put before us have only made us stronger as a couple. This I like. It has been a journey and on it I have been eating pity porridge and sipping sadness slushies... but no more. My life is back in my hand... because the other hand is tightly holding onto the the hand of the love of my life. My eyes are open again to the beauty of life and I would like to share my life, my story with you again.

_______________________________________

I met up with my girlfriends for lunch at the CPK in Rancho Cucamonga. After lunch I went with the Ultimate Chick to Macy's where she had her make-up artist at Bobbi Brown give me a make-up make over. LOVED IT!

My husband and I went out for a date night. We had not gone out in a while and we had a great time. We ordered drinks and tapas at Cafe Sevilla and stayed talking for hours. After dinner we took a walk into downtown Riverside.

mmmmm.... shushi. Fuji Sushi is our local sushi resturant... which we adore. The owner is so helpful and very sweet. The sushi chefs are wonderful and always aim to create the best in quality and presentation.

For my husband's birthday, our friends London Hearts and Akaixi gave him this wonderful print done by Rennie R. Marquez.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey went by our house last week on their way to LA.

My latest muse... the sky.

Glad to be back.

Too Fast

2009-07-18T21:34:00.000-07:00

Where have I been? Good question. After I finally got a hold of time and realized life must continue. Staying in contact with my mom and her journey to find my grandmother a new house, our house was robbed and my laptop was stolen, then when I feel that it's going to be ok, with every nook and cranny magnetized and ready to go, my grandmother calls. My other grandmother. She feels sick. She has two daughters, my parents and numerous cousins. She called me. sigh. It's scary to get that call. She is the elder of the family and I have no idea about elder care. How much to push, how much is normal. I drove over as fast as I could. Ran out of the car and up the steps of her early 1900's home. She looked ill. As I was driving I called my aunt and told her she had called. she said she would meet me. I took grandma and my tia followed. What a rush. In the end, grandma had low potassium and she suffers from GERD. So some pills, bananas and OJ. The GERD was cause her to dry heave, which was causing her body to become weak, head ache and sleepy. I was more than happy to purchase her pills and take her home. Scary.

Rambling post, I know.

Since the loss of my computer, I have no pictures to post. SO some of my creative juices have become dry and stale. I hope to get back on the ball soon. I miss posting pictures.

Story Time

2009-07-12T22:04:00.000-07:00

Life is interesting.

Why do things happen. We try to make sense of it all, I'm sure there is a bigger picture out there. However what is it? Did it happen because the cause and effect of what may have happened would of been greater? What was it?

It was hot today. It hit a high of 101 degrees today. How do I stay cool? I watch Ice Road Truckers on Hulu. My new summer passion. I am in such a loss for words lately. I just waiting to start.

I have some pictures... tomorrow.

Story time ...

2009-07-05T09:46:00.000-07:00

About two weeks ago I dreamt that I was in a supermarket. It was the freezer section. I was browsing through when I ran into my Mom and my Uncle "Jose". They did not know how to pick crab meat. They looked and looked and did not know what a good cut look like ( I know... sounds like steak) and they did not know when it was ripe for harvesting. Then they came to a vein, similar to those you find in the mountains containing gold. The vein was a actually crab meat, and they went back and forth debating whether it was rip or not. The whole time I stood there watching. My mom with an aura of innocent and cuteness, my uncle with the aura of "I know it all" ... then at that moment, my tia came from behind and said " just tell them that's that right one". So I did.

Story time ...

2009-07-05T09:37:00.000-07:00

The moment we were getting ready to leave the house I knew I forgot something. My laptop. She would need my lap top for something. The net, that's it. She wanted me to set up an account of some type. The problem is she never asked for it and we were running a little late. I grabbed my purse and and threw the box of UNO cards in it for my baby brother. Off we went. Purse, check, Vanilla for the peanut butter cookies, check. Laptop, no I left it behind... not high on me priority list. We arrived at my parents house. She was there. She talked of her impending divorce while my husband took the children into the music room to play UNO. She asked how one could set up a new account ... an e-mail account. I laughed. I knew I should of brought the laptop. I knew she would ask for tech help. I need to start listening to myself more often.

Herb Alpert and the Swap Meet

2009-06-28T18:25:00.000-07:00

We have not been to the swap meet in years... this one is located in San Bernardino at the NOS Fair Grounds. Every month or so, I tell my husband... we should go... but by the time I remember to make that statement it's way after noon and the good stuff is gone, they are packing up and it's a wash. However, last night I planned it. Down to the water bottle and bag (thanks mom for the bag). The bag is small enough to fit into a purse, undo one button and wa-la... a shopping bag perfect enough in size to fit 5 Records, three comic books and a book.

The mission was to find something to hold all my magazines next to our bed. I have Time, RS and Popular Photography subscriptions that I love to read in bed. Right now they are in three piles on the floor next to the bed. It started to heat up and the I was "glowing" like crazy. What aisle to start at? So there we went... on our mission.

and the journey begins...

Down a side aisle, we were walking and talking and I found the greatest little pin. It had two owls... I saw it in the midst of other little pins and costume jewelry. I think I'll make a charm out of it and use it in a necklace project.

So in the end and $15.00's later this was our bounty;

5 records including Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass - Whipped Cream and other Delights - A taste of Honey, Tangerine, Love Potion #9, Lemon Tree, Lollipops and Roses, and Peanuts.

My magazine rack - three separate slots, wrought iron... ready for a fresh coat of paint

The owl pin

Three comic books (yes I love comics)

A great summer book, The hot house: life inside Leavenworth Prison by Pete Earley

A giant blow up Negra Modelo Beer bottle, for my husbands Man Room

and a Sierra Mist (the most expensive over priced item of the bunch)

title: A few days off

2009-06-24T12:04:00.000-07:00

I have the rest of the week off. No work.

The bee man came and took care of our hive.

What we thought would take all day only took 1/2 an hour.

Going out to eat with some friends tonight.

My husband took the day off ( to meet with the bee man) and now is taking a nap. I'm rearranging and sorting trough all the files on my lap top. I hate clutter in my virtual file folders.

Came across the photos I used in the memorial DVD.

I realized she is never coming back. My heart is broken. What happend? She was just here. Where was I? I mean I was right there. It's like I can go up the mountain and she'll be there. I know I had mini break downs... but she is gone. I finally realized she is gone.

Time Lapse...

2009-06-07T20:58:00.000-07:00

It was all a blur. My mom posted something similar. Time, what was it, what shaped it and did it even stay consistent?

In order to try to understand I actually had to take out a calendar for this post. I was so confused and turned around that I felt lost. I really needed to lay it out in order to not only find myself, but to get back on track. Even though I am back at work and making sure my husband has a good birthday weekend, I still feel a little disorientated.

May 24th - Went to visit my tia.

May 25th

May 26th

May 27th

May 28th - she "entered" hospice at home. I canceled an event for June 4th. I rescheduled it for June 9th. I took a little heat for it, but I just needed to cancel.

May 29th - I took the day off in order to see a doctor. I felt sick and wanted to get better or they would not let me see her. I never miss work. I have over 3 months in sick leave, but this was important.

May 30th - sick

May 31st - sick

June 1st - sick, went to work.

June 2nd - I scheduled a day off for Thursday the 4th while at work. Mother called at 10:30 pm...I took her up the mountain to my tia.

June 3rd- Came down the mountain at 3:00 am, went home took a power nap and went to work at 7:00 am. Was told my office may move, I may lose another co worker and conducted interviews. I went home early. Lightning and thunder. Wanted to go up the mountain. Little brother needed me. Stayed and my husband and I went over. She passed at 4:45 pm.

June 4th - took day off. Slept. I was running on 3 hours of sleep. I have no idea how my mother did it. I woke up. My husband had gone to work. I was in the house. What had happened? I got to work on my computer. Scanning photographs, looking through old albums and getting my event squared away for the 9th.

June 5- a day, went to work.

June 6 - yesterday

June 7 - today

Tomorrow is another day...

Tomorrow is a birthday.

Birthday Weekend - Husband

2009-06-06T12:02:00.000-07:00

Friday

On my home... first stop... to pick up some Cold Stone Ice Cream for my Baby

Driving out of our drive way for a late dinner date.

mmmm.... sushi.

Saturday

we ate a small coffee and pastry breakfast and no dinner in order to get our fill here at lunch. Buuurrrrgersssss!

Sunday

After running errands we stopped in to grab a drink. He, a toffee crunch mocha latte grande soy frappa something with cream and caramel on top. Me, a green tea latte. We sat and read a few magazines. He on music, me on tattoos and studio spaces (art).

We had a BBQ and I bought him this little cake. Big enough for the two of us. Happy Birthday baby.

A stroll in the yard

2009-05-23T12:13:00.000-07:00

Many of these plants are gifts from my husband. I can not wait to get up in the moring and head outside and water, weed and prune. To me, that is grace.

2009-05-23T12:01:00.000-07:00

Walking on a bridge, across a paved river. The sky is in the "blue" hour and yet there is an inkling of yellow sweeping past through the clouds. It's empty. There is no one around. The bridge goes North to South and as I cross it, with trees and grass on the other side, I look back. I look back only to see my self watching me. On the bridge, I turn around enough to still have my back to myself, my hair loose, wisping around in the wind. No smile... no expression. Just a sad eye contact. I turn around on the bridge and start walking away from myself.

This is the image that popped into my head when my mother told me that my tia is not eating anymore. She is home now from the hospital. She will not be going back. The family is down. We'll she them tomorrow.

Today we will celebrate my parent anniversary and my brothers birthday. I'm glad.

hello... down the hall and to your left.

2009-05-14T21:04:00.000-07:00

How I decompress... flowers from our front yard.
I had to report to Headquarters the other day. They needed us to redo paperwork. With the economy the way it is, they are crossing all their "t"s and dotting all their "i"'s. At headquarters there are many levels. The paperwork had to go through the "lower level" ... the 1st floor. I walked in and let them know I was here for the "paper work". They greeted me and then proceeded to direct me to the HR department that has the paperwork for Administration assistants, the custodial staff and grounds crew. Every time I go to headquarters, this happens. I never get directed to the Management department.... the only time I do is if Sr. Management sees me and starts chit chatting with me. Then they realize where they need to direct me.

My parents worked hard to send my brothers and I off to college. My grandparents were farmers, fruit harvesters and my father works for the Railroad. They have worked hard to push the next generation to more. I have been in my position for over 7 years and yet the assumption is strong . I don't get upset over it anymore... it just saddens me sometimes. I work hard on my projects, in my area and for my site. Oh well... at this point, I politely ask if that department can help me even though I'm Management. They quickly say oh... um no... you need to go to....

Pride of Madeira

2009-05-03T15:30:00.000-07:00

California Poppies

We have them popping up all over. We planted two of them three years ago, and now they have spread all over the garden. They are great fillers, however sometimes I have to pull them like weeds if they are encroaching on another flower.

Hibiscus - I have re adjust my camera... too much white light.

Pride of Madeira - Echium candicans

I did a little retouching on this and the above photo. I adjusted the brightness, contrast and saturation. I also cropped the photo.

We received some news on Friday. It had to do with my husband's mother. The mother who walked out on our wedding reception. The woman who never called on Christmas, New Years, his birthday. It's been 7 years. I have not seen her personally since I wore my wedding dress.

I don't know if I should feel anything about it, because I don't. I don't know her. I do not have a relationship with her. little bad for her daughter, but overall... it's like a news story. Too bad. I'm glad she's better. Moving on.... I guess. Uncharted territories.

Two and half in the last 7 days.

2009-04-30T21:09:00.000-07:00

"Panic attack is a response of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). The most common symptoms may include trembling, dyspnea (shortness of breath), heart palpitations, chest pain (or chest tightness), hot flashes, cold flashes, burning sensations (particularly in the facial or neck area), sweating, nausea, dizziness (or slight vertigo), light-headedness, hyperventilation, paresthesias (tingling sensations), sensations of choking or smothering, and derealization. These physical symptoms are interpreted with alarm in people prone to panic attacks. This results in increased anxiety, and forms a positive feedback loop".

owwww.

Buzzzz

2009-04-19T18:20:00.000-07:00

...and just like that, poof, they are gone. Our bee colony decided to conquer and out up it's little bee flag in our orange tree. The hive was coming from a preexisting hive that ( from what I read) got to big and therefor had to split. I did some more research and it stated that the hive would then wait a few days (up to four) until a better location was found. Well yesterday at 11:00 am they moved in and today by 6:30 pm that were gone. Could it have been the BBQ my husband placed up wind from them... hmmm to ponder.

The sound. My husband and I had just finished dinner and I went to bedroom to change my shoes (time to wash the car) and he followed me in when we both heard the "BUzzzzzzz". We ran to the kitchen, no site of them. We ran to the bedroom... nope not there. Then we heard them.... the buzzz was coming from the living room door. He saw then swarming out... and then silence. He lost visual. I hope they did not land in the neighbors yard. Maybe across the street in the fields?

smiling with his eyes

BUzzzZZzzZZzzZZzzzZ

This Morning

2009-04-18T14:03:00.000-07:00

Freeway tree- It sprung up in our yard and it sprung up in the right spot and at the right time.

Succulent and Sage Garden

My third round of Irises. This time Yellow and Brown.

Second Iris location

Butterfly Iris. My old dependable.

Yellow Broom, Third year.

Our second blood trumpet located in the front yard.

Queen Elizabeth

Disneylandia

2009-04-05T15:01:00.001-07:00

I had a moment the other day. I went to Disneylandia with work the other day. One of those "thank you, here is a free ticket" days. I went off with one of my closest co-workers. We went on our three favorite rides, talked business, and went shopping. We met up with other co-workers for lunch and then went back to shopping. As we went through the stores we cam across the "Princess" store. It had all the princess costumes. She stated that this is where my money would go when and if we had a little girl. I thought quickly to myself, no... my tia can whip one of these up no problem... I almost cried when I realized what just crossed my mind. I held it together and just started small talk on all of the colors, lace and ribbons.

Kellerman's

2009-04-01T15:06:00.000-07:00

In the summer of 1963, 17-year-old Californian Veronica Amada is vacationing with her affluent middle-class family at Kellerman's (La Quinta) a resort in the Catskill Mountains ( La Quinta California). Vero is planning to attend CAL or even UCLA to study economics ( or something else) and then plans to enter the Peace Corps (or a revolution of some type). This is the story that played out in my head over dinner last night. With the sun setting behind the Eisenhower Mountains I imagined taking off to the desert with my husband and soon to be family in tow. Our yearly spring getaway. This time the story will take us from 1963 to 2010 and beyond. This is it. The start of another family tradition. Our spring tradition. Dinner on site, swimming, small coffee and bagel breakfast, with lunch in the city. Wine tasting at "Tulip Hill Winery and Vineyards" and the clear blue sky and gentle breeze to remind us to slow down. Just before we took off on our trip, I watched "Sabrina". While we where at dinner we talked of going to Europe soon. Then as we walked the shops we picked up a CD with contemporary French musicians re-vamping old French classics... a sign? We decided for my 40th... off to Paris.

Last week

2009-03-20T22:54:00.000-07:00

I can enjoy society in a room; but out of doors, nature is company enough for me.

~William Hazlitt

Baby Girl

2009-03-12T19:15:00.000-07:00

Our get away.

How did I get on the wrong side of the street?

2009-03-07T15:40:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I don't think I'm taken seriously at work. I have the highest numbers in the company. I have the best client reviews per ca pita. My department actually gets along. Then what is it? My long hair... my boobs... my ever glisten smile? ARRGGG!!! Maybe if I had a baby and become more Family orientated. Sigh. I have not ranted about work in a while. Yesterday a pre existing client with the company came in and he had a preconception of my program and department, I greeted him with an open mind and he asked questions and for clarifications. By the end of the conversation he stated that he had the wrong idea about me and my staff. I felt good to present our platform, however how many more are out there? I asked, with out being direct, about who gave him such false information. Just as I thought... the same two.

So maybe it's not my hair, or my boobs... maybe it's not my ever glisten smile. Maybe it's two guys totally threatened or jealous of the competence and handwork of my staff and our department. ... ( I hope it's the latter).

From Saturday to Saturday

2009-03-07T15:09:00.000-08:00

Today in our yard

Hollywood last Sunday
to see RENT.

I loved RENT!

Center House

Aisle C

Seats 101 and 102

Our Yard

It's been a while...

2009-03-01T12:19:00.001-08:00

On the way home from work

Grandma's/Tia's

Home

I have been twittering lately. It's quick and fast... but there is no insight ... at least not in depth.

Home: Everything is great at home. I just sowed some wildflower seeds around the Crepe Myrtle in the back yard as well as corn and beef steak tomatoes. The yard is so green from the rains. Too green. We were out there all morning mowing, weeding... we even had Cosmo working.

Tia: She is doing ok. She looks tiered. When we went up to visit her I could tell she was worn out. When she went to push the Chihuahua off her lap I noticed she had to muster up all her energy to move that little sausage. My Uncle and aunt from Maine flew in to visit and well as my moms younger brother ... he came in from Sacramento. Next week my Uncle from Washington will be in as well as my Tia from Idaho.

Husband: We are going to go and see RENT tonight at the Pantages. We have killer seats. I can't wait. It has not officially set in that we are finally going to see RENT.

Work: *fingers will not type* ... It's work.

Me: I am happy... I get sad... I'm motivated... then I just want sit and hold my cat. This morning we got up and went outside and were so productive. Sunshine, our home, my husband, the play tonight... a new start to a fresh week and month.

Camera time

2009-02-14T09:38:00.000-08:00

Some photos from this past weekend. I adjusted the contrast, saturation and brightness. I'm finding that clouds are my new muse. Move over flowers and pets.

Funny

2009-02-08T10:04:00.001-08:00

If you like google maps you need to check this out (Click)

Then go to the google maps link after you watch the vid.

See if you can find the person attempting to climb out the window with tied sheets, the "mad scientist" in the garage, the rocker, and of course the runner, band, and parade watchers.

Jan -Feb

2009-02-07T12:45:00.000-08:00

Random photos in no particular order. Just me and my camera.

Yesterday

M's birthday gift

The front yard

Home at last

On my way home

Random "E" Street

Ikea

Random

today

2009-02-05T21:46:00.000-08:00

I think I have to repaint the base boards in the hallway.

My off ramp. The rain came in fast. The best part was the smell of rain slowly rolling in around 2:00 this afternoon. Upside we as a whole survived a work day, my tia has not had a complications to the surgery to worsen the situation and I was brave today at work. The down side I saw my co-workers car get hit by another car on the way home. Not cool. Work was tense and I fear what will come in the morning weekly review meeting.

I drove up and saw this blooming in our garden. Out of season, unexpected, but very appreciated. A small ray of sunlight coming from mother earth. out of the cool ground, rather then the sky.

After seeing it, coming home safely and seeing my husband walk out on the porch... my life went from black and white to color.

Made me smile...

2009-02-02T19:18:00.001-08:00

Pain moved into photos

2009-02-01T18:45:00.000-08:00

In the last 72 hours... I have experienced ...

My tia is going in for surgery on Monday...
My place of work is going to implode in around my new CEO like a death star.
My grandmother has had her back account wiped out. I'm pissed. Time for a family meeting.

"Crash"

Inspired by Andy Goldsworthy

"Odd Couple"

Orchid and Parsley

Clay woman and glass insulator

"Sundae on Sunday"

Inspired by Andy Goldsworthy

I want to say that I love my parents, my brothers and especially my Husband. He gives me strength, love, and focus.

My husband took me outside... I grabbed my camera and with his help and through his zen like conversation we walked around our front yard and I took pictures.

enjoy the silence

2009-01-27T19:38:00.000-08:00

Most of the days as I drive up my off ramp on my home I take a moment and take in the world. I might catch a leaf blowing in the breeze, a piece of ...

Phone rang. My mother called. My nina is going in on Monday for a 9 hour operation. She'll be in ICU for three days and in the hospital for three weeks. She is going to have a family meeting with my mother on Friday and another with my mother and uncle. *breath*

... leaf flowing through the wind. The sand on the the slope of the off ramp and the patterns that have combed through it with the wind. A moment of time where everything stops. Yet the world around me flutters on. I think at times I feel the safest here. I am surrounded by the valley. The valley I grew up in with my family. The valley I shop in, drive in, work in, and live in. The Valley I share with my husband. It's a moment in time.

In the Yard

2009-01-25T10:14:00.000-08:00

We spent yesterday morning in the yard yesterday. It was cool, the earth was damp and our
garden was being taken over by weeds and misplaced existing plants that had been re sown by seed. The last photo here (orange) was from seeds that came from a potted rose from a local rosarians collection. A delightful surprise. The white margarites popped up all over the front yard. We had some small ones last year and they died in fall. I left them and sowed them back into the ground in hopes that they would be reseed themselves.

Going Home

2009-01-16T21:26:00.000-08:00

This picture symbolizes my life.

(Work Life)

Luckily I have a great husband. He went out for Pizza and Beer and we had a fun little wind down feast.

The Revolution will not be televised ...

2009-01-16T21:25:00.000-08:00

1/9/09

The revolution will not be televised, will not be televised,will not be televised, will not be televised.

The revolution will be no re-run brothers;

The revolution will be live.

I have not spoken much about work. I have been so swamped in the trenches I have not had the time to reflect. Yesterday I had it. It was too much for one day. We have a new CEO and he has the office running scared, especially the newbies. I just don't know what to make of him yet. I think he knows it too. His actions are interesting. He is highlighting the new leadership of our site with a heavy PR campaign that includes photos of him.... some as large as beach towels. I waiting. listening without taking a side. The boat is tipping. I mention work because the other day in order to fire up the office he had all of us read business related article. It was about being revolutionary. I think that word was used up to 14 times in the one page article, yet the writer gave no revolutionary examples. More of "feelings" and "hope". He then went around the room asking what people thought. No real revolutionary thoughts. Has he made his points by insulting himself, as he does in his passive aggressive way, he went around to every group asking what they thought.... once more... nothing revolutionary. I waited, waited with baited breath for him to call on my group. The ex-hippie, the self described "Angry White Man" and little ol' me. No, he skipped us. One associate even declined to speak due to the fact that she said that she felt uncomfortable speaking her opinion in this arena.... and they applauded her. At this time a vet who has lived in the trenches asked for my critique of the article. I smiled and said.... In order to have true revolution, it must be one of the masses by the masses.... what the heck, am I back in college?

1/16/09

Update- what a random rambling post... : )

I re read it. *sigh* Today was no different.

I think I'll watch the revolution on TV for now... see what happens... what road it takes. Hmmmm, Carmel or butter popcorn.

Last weekend in photos

2009-01-09T21:45:00.000-08:00

I'm having fun with my camera and photo shop elements. I'm practicing with shadows and highlights and black and white photos.

I drove my mother up to the high desert to see my Tia and Grandma. It snowed heavily the week prior. There was a little left...

On Saturday we ventured off to Irvine to see M and M and their new place. We had dinner and root beer floats while playing MTV Scene It.

On Sunday we met up with Rissa and her boyfriend at Sevilla's in Riverside. Mmmmm... the food was great. We had drinks dinner and desert. Then after dinner we all took a late late night stroll around the Mission Inn, took a few photos inside the lobby and then parted ways and went home.

First Post of 2009

2009-01-01T19:20:00.000-08:00

We went over to my parents for New Year's Day dinner. My mother grilled up some steaks, we watched the USC game and then played Rock Band 2. It was a nice way to start the new year.

Our alter egos on Rock Band... yes we designed them... hmmmm what do they say about us.

From Left to Right

The Youngest Brother - Guitarist

The Middle Brother - Drummer

Me - Singer

My Husband- Bassist

A year in photos

2008-12-31T23:59:00.000-08:00

Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Six Hundred Minutes

Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand

Moments so dear

Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand

Six Hundred Minutes

How Do You Measure - Measure A Year?

In Daylights - In Sunsets

In Midnights - In Cups Of Coffee

In Inches - In Miles

In Laughter - In Strife

-Larson (Rent)

A perfect ending to 2008... dinner with my parents and little brother. We met for sushi at our local sushi place, Fuji Sushi in Rialto. My dad was very adventurous.... he had the burrito roll. It was spicy tuna, cucumber, avocado crab meat wrapped in soy paper. It was huge... like a burrito. Hot tea and mochi Ice Cream. They even had complementary Champagne. The food was great, the service excellent and ambiance perfect.

.........................

January

We skipped Christmas 2007, at least at home. Our Timba died and we just did not feel like putting up the tree. After the 1st we decided to pull it together and focus on us. We crafted, or at lease I did, my husband worked on music. We gardened and spent time with all our other pets.

.....................

February
In February our oldest cat Malcolm died of a suspected tumor (per Vet). All we have is pets. So we are very attached to them. I know when we have children this may change a bit, however my world collapsed. Once more besides work, the garden was my home. My husband and I cultivated the area and even planted some grass. We had to lay down an area and ready for our fall harvest. We planted corn, pumpkin, watermelon squash and tomatoes. Work was hectic.

...................................

March

In March I caught spring fever. I was outside all the time... with camera in hand. Our lives deep in work and home. Our cat Chata had to become an outdoor cat because she became a neurotic Pee pee girl. She would pee on everything, other then the cat box after her brothers died. Our neighbors dogs got into our yard and hurt her so badly we had to put her to sleep. My escape was our garden, it was in full bloom. I was at work a little to much... and work was coming home with me. My husband and I did become members of the UCR Alumni Association.

............................

April

My husband I took time out for us this month. March was hellish at work and we needed to focus on ourselves. My tia turned 50 and had a huge party. The best event was bring Mazzy and Zuko home from the pound. Karel was all alone and became a recluse in the house. Once the kittens came home life was good again.

.................

May
My husband completed his first marathon. He won the Bronze in his age group. I am so proud of him. My brother turned 28 and the little brother was finishing his 11th grade year in High School. Work was winding down a bit... our CEO announced he would be retiring. This was good news.
...............
June

Our dear friends had a party to celebrate their completion of College. She with a masters from Loma Linda and he with a BA from University of Redlands. TO celebrate we headed out to Vegas. I had a loteria style party for my husband's birthday and

.............................................

July
As I was coming home from Costco with my mom (4th of July supplies) I looked down and saw that my truck hit a milestone. We pulled over and I took a shot... with my camera that is. I know ... the smallest things amaze me... but I thought it was cool. We hung out with M and M all summer. They were done with their studies and we needed time with people other then our co workers. LACMA was one of many little adventures... oh and Pink's.

.....................................

August

We celebrated our 6th anniversary. Our garden went from purples and pinks to yellows and oranges. Yes ( and I rub my hands together) my master plan of seasonal color scheme is working... hahahahaha. I continued crafting, met my new boss, went to San Diego for a week and attended concerts in the park.

..................................
September

The new fiscal year started in July, but there is stress in the air over money at work. The yard is the gift that keeps on giving and my husband put out an album. My grandmother's finances are now finally coming under control. I took over her utility bills and was able to get them in sync with her bank account. My dads older sister is now involved and talking.... love it! Life is good.

........................

October

Work is in full swing again. He (the boss) is like caffeine. Too much and your jittery and at times a cup does keep one productive. We went to a pumpkin patch ( in the city) and purchased a few pumpkins for a flora arrangement. My cousin from Wisconsin came in for a visit. It surprises me... the types of wildlife we feed with our garden.

..............................

November

My favorite month. Dia de los Muertos, the temps start to cool, pies.... mmmmm pies, and Thanksgiving around the corner. I love this month. We resumed our shushi hiatus and the cats are getting bigger. I also was able to meet Pearmama. The first time my digital world met with reality.

.......................

December

Life... in December became a little black and white for me. Pain, no pain, pain, no pain. Shadows and Light. December was a long month.... and that is not counting Christmas week to now. The last two weeks seemed like December 2.0. The holidays were wonderful My family is wonderful, my husband is wonderful. Which makes my life a "Wonderful Life".

-end 2008-

Road trip to Ikea

2008-12-27T22:53:00.000-08:00

Off to Ikea

Onterio

Los Angeles in the distance.

I had a great time captureing the clouds.

Bed Time

“The bed comprehends our whole life, for we were born in it, we live in it, and we shall die in it”
-Guy de Maupassant

A week in photos

2008-12-27T22:35:00.000-08:00

Candies before we melted them into candy tiles to top the brownies.

My father works for Santa Fe (now BNSF) and every year he puts up a train under the tree. My mother has added a cute village that grows every year.

My mom and I made 10 dozen or so tamales this year. We made chicken, pork and olive ones this year.

My husband found this cute little hot chocolate mix and put it in my stocking. This is the first year in 10 years that we had stockings. Since there are no grandchildren, my mother still puts together stockings for my brothers, husband, father and myself.

My Christmas and Birthday Gift

2008-12-27T21:34:00.000-08:00

Mazzy and Zuko asleep on our new bed and bedding.

My husband saved up some money to buy me the best Christmas/Birthday gift... a new bed. We have been together 11 years and have had the same bed, that he brought into the relationship. For four of those years we were poor Undergraduate/Graduate students, then we turned into "married time to pay the student loans and bills" type of couple. So the man I met in a Chicano Studies class... has now bought us our first "New" bed.

The only thing I will miss about our old bed is that one night he came home late from band practice and was kneeling next to the bed ... he woke me up.... and he asked me to marry him .

He was never at practice that day... he was out with his guitarist/best friend shopping for a ring... I had no idea.

On the road again

2008-12-22T18:03:00.000-08:00

We went out for some last minute shopping.

It was cold and we ducked into the antique store. It's three levels and from the bottom level came a yummy smell. They have a little cafe called "Phood Cafe". It's always closed when we go antiquating, however today it was open. I had a cheese sandwich with tomato soup and shared a Red Velvet cupcake with my husband. Simple yet filling.

We then took a walk around our favorite part of the city, the Mission Inn area. Everything seems to be in full swing.

Santa, just hanging out.

They are remodeling the old theater. I can't wait till it reopens. Up above, a snowman hanging out.

The reflection of across the street in a dirty old window.

The Mission Inn. We stayed here on our wedding night as well as for my 30th birthday.

On our way home the clouds began to part.

It's amazing what you'll see if you just look up.

Random Photos

2008-12-21T20:44:00.000-08:00

Random shots from Saturday.

Using the "vivd blue" setting io my camera.

Saturday Morning

2008-12-21T12:16:00.000-08:00

My tia went in for her surgery. She had her tumors removed. They found that she was filled with tumors. She will be going through chemo. She had her surgery on Thursday evening. She was too tired for visitors ( besides her sisters and mom) on Friday. We were able to see her on Saturday morning before my Sacramento and Idaho family came down. My Arizona family was already with her. These are pictures from Loma Linda... facing my house, my parents house and just behind that mountain... her house.

C-o-l-d

2008-12-17T20:18:00.000-08:00

We went to a wedding on Saturday. The bride and groom started out on a good note. The rain had stopped and the skies parted for the wedding and even held off till our drive home from the reception.

Monday - I had to take this picture... the way home from work.

Wednesday... C-O-L-D

Wednesday - Holiday Weather in So Cal.

The hole on the roof of my mouth

2008-12-11T18:01:00.000-08:00

Here I am....

I'm 32 years old. I went to work yesterday and got a phone call. You have to give blood today for your tia. We are the same blood type and have "family ties". So I am a prime candidate for her. So after three presentations I ran from work to her office to pick up the paperwork then off to the blood band. It was already getting dark and I walked through the doors. Filled out the paper work and sat in a chair in a large room with no other donors. There were people in another section giving platelets. I drove home picked up my husband and then went off to my birthday dinner where some Friends came over for cake and Cold Stone. Went to work today and left straight to the dentist for my "gum reconstruction" . So here I am... I can't talk. Gauze in my mouth, drool seeping from the corners and the pain killer wearing off. The 800mg has not kicked in yet. I had to drive from the dentist to the pharmacy drive through. I had to mime and write everything on paper. The guy at the window was awesome. Came home and my wonderful husband took the list of what I can and can not eat to the store to buy me food. As I check my blog I notice my mother posted. Thank you mom. I love you and dad.

so here I am... sitting and sitting... in silence. Gauze in my mouth... with a burning sensation creeping across my two front teeth. Funny ... I practically get paid to talk.

Stress = Creativity

2008-12-07T16:43:00.000-08:00

In the last 24 hours... during my birthday weekend... I have decorated the tree, went shopping for my parents, made two Christmas stockings, wrapped my parents gifts, and took various pictures while playing with the settings on my camera. Thank goodness my husband has made it a wonderful weekend. Thank you baby!

This Thursday is my 3:00.

Next Thursday is my tia's 7:00

The 13th is a wedding

The 20th is the office party

and I think there is a partridge in a pear tree.... nope... it's a pigeon in our orange tree.

A week in photos

2008-12-06T12:01:00.000-08:00

Friday- My husband started my Birthday a little early... It's not till the tenth, however I have minor surgery coming up on the eleventh and a wedding on the thirteenth. So, we decided to have this weekend be my "birthday weekend". We went out for sushi and today we are going to put up our Christmas tree.

I went to Rancho Mirage for a conference on Wednesday and Thursday. It was nice to get away from the routine of the office, however there is minimal sleep, rather tossing and turning without my husband.

It is a beautiful place.

Monday- As I left work, I looked up and saw a large bird. White with very light brown streaks on the under wing. I kept looking because it's face was round... hawks don't have round heads... kept looking... it was not a hawk.

My Godmother (Tia) is going in going in for surgery again. This time she is going in for a hysterectomy. Update... she is going in for more then that. The tumor is also attached to the colon. She goes in on the 18th.

A week in photos

2008-11-30T18:09:00.000-08:00

Zuko on Sunday
Zuko in our Office

Wednesday- Looking towards Grand Terrace from San Bernardino

Monday - West Side of Berdoo, off of Mt. Vernon.

Tuesday - Downtown Riverside

Sun tan, snow and oranges.

2008-11-30T11:59:00.000-08:00

It was so warm this morning, I grabbed my latest issue of Rolling Stone, my husband and his book, Maurice Bishop Speaks and headed outside. We sat on the porch, reading and sunning. I had to run in and grab the sun block because I could feel the capillaries in my legs busting. Sun tan, Yay.... sun damage... boo. As I looked up from the pages I could see San Grogonio topped with snow from last Tuesday/Wednesday. Slightly blocking my view of the mountain was out orange tree... with it's batch ready to pick in about 3 weeks. I love where we live... oranges, snow topped mountains and sunshine.... my legs have more coffee then cream again... thank goodness.

San Gorgonio Mountain, also known locally as Mount San Gorgonio, or Old Greyback, is the highest peak in Southern California at 11,499 feet (3,505 m). It is located in the San Bernardino Mountains, 27 metres (89 ft) east of the city of San Bernardino and 12 feet (4 m) north-northeast of San Gorgonio Pass. It lies within the San Gorgonio Wilderness, part of the San Bernardino National Forest. Spanish missionaries in the area during the early 17th century named the peak after Saint Gorgonius.
Since it is the highest point in a region which is separated from higher peaks (e.g. in the Sierra Nevada) by relatively low terrain, San Gorgonio Mountain is one of the most topographically prominent peaks in the United States. It is ranked 7th among peaks in the 48 contiguous states and 18th among over all.

In todays News....

2008-11-22T09:08:00.000-08:00

They (my parents) are almost done.... total score... one from UCR ( plus a son-in-law)

a son from SDSU...

and as of yesterday... the youngest was "tentatively" accepted.

Shopping List

2008-11-21T21:01:00.000-08:00

*anything in red... we (mom and I) have already purchased.

ULTIMATE BRINE FOR TURKEY

1 1/2 cups, Kosher salt
1 1/4 cups, brown sugar
10 whole cloves
3 teaspoons, black peppercorns
1 1/2 gallons (6 quarts) apple juice or cider (non-alcoholic)
the peel from one orange or one tangerine (colored part only - not white pith)
[optional: 3 teaspoons, dried thyme and/or 3 teaspoons, dried sage]

MIX till all ingredients are dissolved (sugar and most of salt)

Let sit in brine ( I let it sit for 12-20 hours)

Take out and pat skin dry before cooking. If you do not pat it dry the sugar will burn.

Mash Potatoes

1 1/2 lbs yukon gold potatoes,
peeled and quartered length-wise
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 Tbsp heavy cream
2 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp milk
Salt and Pepper

HERB SEASONED STUFFING WITH CURRIED APPLES AND DRIED FRUIT
All quantities below may be considered approximate – so add or subtract to your personal taste.
makes about 12 cups

1 stick, butter (1/4 pound)
2 medium-size onions
coarsely chopped 3 tart green apples (such as Granny Smith or pippin)
2-3 tablespoons (or to taste) Madras curry powder
about 3 cups, dried fruit – such as chopped dates, currants, chopped dried apricots, sour cherries or dried cranberries [whatever fruits are available]
about 1 cup, pecans
toasted up to 5 cups, herb seasoned stuffing mix (such as Pepperidge Farm) 1/4 cup, Sherry, or to taste (or substitute chicken or turkey broth) salt and pepper to taste.

Roasted Sweet Pecans - MAKES 1 1/2 CUPS

1/2 cup, granulated sugar

1/4 cup (1/2 stick),

unsalted butter 1 tablespoon,

water 11/2 cups, pecan halves (or substitute another type of nut, if you prefer)

1 1/2 teaspoons, salt

On a counter top, spread a piece of aluminum foil 12X24 inches in size (alternatively, you may use a sheet of Silpat or other re-useable silicone liner sheet) or parchment paper. If using foil or parchment, oil it lightly with vegetable oil to coat. In a medium-size saucepan, combine the sugar, butter and water. Heat over medium-low heat until the butter has melted, then add the pecans (or other nuts). Continue to cook the nut mixture, stirring constantly, for about 10 minutes. Pour the nut mixture onto the prepared foil or other surface. Immediately (working quickly) spread the nuts apart to separate each one. Sprinkle the salt over the nuts and allow the nuts to cool for 30 minutes or until completely cooled. The finished nuts can be stored airtight for up to 2 weeks.

Tangy Green Beans

2-3 pounds of fresh green beans
bacon strips, halved, fried and crushed
3 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon tarragon vinegar
1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon paprika
1 tablespoon parsley -- chopped
1 teaspoon onion -- grated

Drain beans and toss in all the ingredients.

Random Photos

2008-11-21T17:34:00.000-08:00

Outside

2008-11-16T14:15:00.000-08:00

We spent the better part of the morning outside. It was nice to garden while the wind stopped. The horrible reminder of the loss that is occurring looms in the west in the form of brown plumes of smoke against the clear blue sky.

In between breakfast and now (2:50 pm) I uploaded and tweaked this template. I needed something new... something fresh.

where have I been?

2008-11-15T20:34:00.000-08:00

On Halloween, we went over to my parents ordered pizza and decorated candy skulls. Sometimes I wonder, if and when we have a child how the family dynamic and traditions will change. My bothers (28 and 17) and I are the kids in our family. Imagine... a baby. This will definitely be something new. I had many personal pictures on my alter this year, hence why I did not put a full picture up. If I have time I will put a Photo Shopped picture on here.

I know I have this picture on another post... but I never actually wrote much to go with it. As my husband and I drive around on errands... I see the most beautiful things. I want to just capture that moment, that second and savor it. So I do the next best thing... I photograph it. Sometimes as I go back through the photos, I know a piece of it is missing. The essence of the moment that enriches is it gone. I just wish I could capture these moments... to show people how beautiful life is.... our town... time... my husband. There is a story here. The silent looking back and wanting to say something... but can't. This is a field of crops in Redlands. It is common to see a bunch of cars and trucks lined up on the side street as workers are out harvesting the newest growth. They have stories.

Our friend Akaixi was showing at a local Dia de los Muertos Exhibit at a local community college. They had tables set up and a nice little reception. We are so proud of him. His piece was beautiful . His experimental artwork is starting to define who he is as an artist.

An image from the Dia de los Muertos event on November 2nd in Riverside. The artist creates large replications of art with chalk on sidewalks.

M and M went out to the Riverside Arts Walk with us. It was a very interesting experience to say the least. The crowds and artist "galleries" were very diverse. From goldfish cookies to shrimp and wine. Pearmama had her work showing in the building in the second photo. From Framing shops to bail bonds offices. From hippy chic to hipster cool. You had it all. Above are a few snaps from the night. We were able to go into the small rooms above the historic Life Arts Center. We had our wedding reception on the 1st floor. It was very interesting... solar life force interesting.

Took some time to go to a UCLA game with clients. That was a long day. Tailgate and all. I'm glad we made it home safe.

One of those moments where I just want to capture life. That same day I took this photo... I found out that my Nina, who beat stomach cancer, now has a tumor in her uterus. They have to do more testing and then surgery. She has lost over 50 pounds in the last two months. Even now as I type, I can not. . . finish. I just want to capture life.

November 2

2008-11-03T18:34:00.000-08:00

A portion of my alter this year.

Went to vote...

2008-11-01T18:09:00.000-07:00

Luckily I am an absentee voter. I was able to walk right in and place my ballot in the ballot box and drive away. The line for early voters was long.

Then we went shopping.

How can it be...

2008-10-29T20:05:00.000-07:00

... the end of the month already. Wow. Time does fly. I have been so busy. It's like walking through a mall on Christmas looking for candy cane striped socks. Fast, colorful, loud... and endless. I have to say, with such a fast life, I hope I keep my center focused. Right now my center is still loyalty and work. My outer center is love, family, Husband, my project, integrity and humility. I need to pull my husband into the center and move work into the outer center. I am working on that. I do love him..... for understanding me so much. I think now with his venture into a new profession (similar to mine) he sees me in a new light.

We went out and had sushi for dinner to night. Our sushi place now has "all-you -can -eat" .... yum! Pearmama... We need to make plans.... mid November? I'll e-mail you soon.

We party hopped this weekend... so I will leave you with is little tidbit.

*my mother knew I was recording and was using her "80-90's" verbage. She is too cute.

Hi...

2008-10-16T19:06:00.000-07:00

We did take timeout for some fun...

...we needed a center piece for dinner on Sunday.

Costco Flowers and a pumpkin vase

It's been a while. I have been so busy. With the economic down turn life at work has become somewhat hectic. My project is doing fine, but December is the month of budget "adjustments". I'm a little worried about that. My project is on a six year plan. We are currently in year 4. We are right on target and if there is a hiccup I may just be thrown... I'm holding on and it's full steam ahead. There are some conferences my boss wants to go to... by the way, we have a new CEO. One is 2551 miles away, while option two is 356 miles away. He wants option one. Hmmmm. Different. Same conference. One in a much more exciting area... of course, how ever much more expensive.

My cousin came down from the Great Lakes to visit us. We are two peas in a pod. His partner and he were down for a class reunion. He cam over to my parents for dinner and we talked for 5 and half hours. I miss seeing him. We grew up together.

And so on.... I'm so tiered . I think I'm done posting for now.... I'll just add a few pictures and call it.

Randomdness from this weekend

2008-09-30T20:01:00.000-07:00

On my way to grandma's ... over the bridge and through the west side... oh to grandma's house I go....

Plants at home

Second Homemade movie

2008-09-27T18:13:00.000-07:00

It's only 27 seconds long.

2008-09-27T12:55:00.001-07:00

The net was down this morning, I had downed a cup of coffee and I could not read my morning "paper" or blogs on the net. So in half an hour I learned how to use Windows Movie Maker. My first try. I uploaded it to Youtube and then was able to put it on my blog. The "blogger" movie upload feature had an error each time I tried to use it.

Yard Stroll

2008-09-20T10:16:00.000-07:00

Random Photos

UCR and home

2008-09-20T09:59:00.000-07:00

We went out to eat with M & M (London Hearts) earlier in the month. I snapped a few shots of our drive home. It's amazing, the things/sites we pass. The beauty in it all is easily ignored as we speed by in life.

While I post... and edit...

2008-09-13T19:35:00.000-07:00

I'm watching the football game (virtually). My husband walked by and laughed.... I'm not that hardcore....right?

My brother is there with our cousin. She is an Alum of USC. LUCKY. I looked for tickets... all of their home games are already sold out.

Last summer concert

2008-09-12T21:00:00.000-07:00

I have one section left in this book. I was pleased with the tone and description the author took with this subject. It read very easy and I could not put it down. I was warned that I would become weary and even frightened as I read this. I read and read... and then wondered... did I miss something. I found it to be very interesting look at how humanity in a sub group can evolve right under our noses. Interesting book.
My parents joined us for the last concert in the park. The temperatures fell enough to wear pants. My tia and her husband showed up with some of their kids. Awkward. They are two days into discussing divorce. I hope whatever they chose to do, they think of the reciprocation s to their kids.... no matter what they end up doing. The kids should come first.

Time Lapse...

2008-09-12T20:05:00.000-07:00

The traditional materials for the sixth anniversary are candy and iron.

My brother picked up some mini cupcakes from a local shop near his home in Los Angeles and my parents purchased us a little Iron Griddle.

Labor Day

2008-09-01T20:24:00.000-07:00

Random Shots from my parents back yard.

There have been jets flying over for the past few days. Maneuvers? They fly down from the high desert over the mountains and do a few laps through the valley and then go back over the mountains back to the desert.

Scavenger Hunt

2008-08-31T20:34:00.000-07:00

I woke up and the first words out of my husbands mouth were "happy anniversary". "Happy anniversary" I reply back.... 6 years married/11 years living together here we are.... smiling at each other as if it was yesterday. To get my present I had to go on a scavenger hunt... a riddle lead me to the closet and the Bass guitar bag... it was heavy.

Inside... Iron fajita grills. I have wanted a pair "for-e-vah". I could not wait to use them. We have purchased them for others in the past... but never bought a set for ourselves. World market of course... : )
Then I had to run to the computer for the next hint. Mind you I have my camera in tow to document the fun. The clue was on one of his old blog posts... it was about "frown day"... long story.
Well there I went to the pantry. Digging through the selves...
....and there it was.... Blueberry syrup (with real blueberries) and malted waffle mix.

YUM!

I took him on a shopping spree at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in Redlands and bought him a seed pod shaped Iron bell from Nigeria.

Lifted (now that it is all written)

2008-08-23T18:55:00.000-07:00

Looking at my blog, it seems the month of August has been one long, relaxing and a creative month. Now that the end of the month is coming and now that I took a "Me Day", I have time to reflect. Read it if you like. It's more of a "taking the rocks off my back and leaving them here" post. Seasons are changing and as usual so will life.

This month has been busy. Between work and my daily life( no pun intended... but use it where I can) I have been with my grandmother. I took some vacation time and spent with her. She is going to be 82 and she recently broke her arm.... in a northeastern state. Go figure. She came home and needed surgery. Well no can do. Her blood pressure is walking on the moon and put up the "I forgot to take my pills" flag. It will be going on four weeks and she no longer has the option of surgery to correct her break. The bone matter is already growing back and must be re-broken. However that is out of the question because she has high blood pressure. Something that should of been taken care of by Aunt Number 2 in February. I guess she forgot to tell anyone. Well Aunt number 1 to her for her arm and found this out and it has been a battle to have her take her pills. I even had to fake a phone call to the doctor and tell my grandmother that he was on the phone and wanted to know if she was taking her pills because that morning she said that "he" said she could stop. Running from her house to my house before my baby gets home so I can make him dinner or clean or tend to our yard or play with our numerous pets has had me on overdrive. Mind you, This is my vacation time. I wanted to use this vacation time to spend with my husband since I go into overdrive at work from Oct-Jan. So I scheduled... well, might I add.

In addition to all of this I have be working on clearing up her bills. She was consistently a month behind on everything. When people would take her to pay they were paying the previous months. She would write the amount on the envelope and no one ever took out the actual bill to look at the dates. I took over her SCE, Gas, Verizon, Insurance, Cable and am monitoring her bank account now. I am able to pay it all on line and view her statements. I however refuse to move any of her money in her account from checking to saving and visa versa online. That is to be done in the Bank with her present. I don't want any finger pointing. What frustrates me is she has two maxed out cards and an auto loan overdue. First of all she does not have a truck and second she does not shop in the men's section of Nordstroms... but my cousins do.

*taking care of that*

On a positive, now that the family knows I can view her bank accounts, her balance is still at $200+, rather than $5.

As far and I'm concerned, I did not work Friday because I realized I post phoned my regular dentist appointment for over two months. I made an appointment. The Doctor said my gum line is receding. Not from gum disease. He asked if I was stressing.. Yes. Was I grinding my teeth at night, Yes. Was I over brushing... yes. Oh man. The from there I went to the hospital to be with my grandma as she was denied surgery and had a new and lighter cast put on.

So I made a necklace (last post).

What day is it?

2008-08-23T18:29:00.000-07:00

When life throws me into a rut, dole drums, pity party or hormonal imbalance... I create. I think of it as a ladder out. It's Saturday... but it feels like Sunday... and we went out window shopping. I wanted to stop by Jo-Ann's before we went home. OMG... the whole store was on sale. I decided to pick something to do, but it had to be cheap. I found a cute charm by Blue Moon Beads. It's part of their "Lost and Found" collection. It was on sale for $ 2.79. I then purchased an 18" chain for 99 cents. Came home and in 10 minutes I had a necklace. I did use little rings left over from my charm bracelet to attach everything together. It symbolizes my husband and I building a nest... one day I will add a small pearl bead to the nest... in a few years. Keep your eyes peeled.

A side note, when I was done I decided to look on Etsy under "bird/nest" and there it was. Slight variations of my necklace as well as exact duplicates. Same charm. The prices ranging from $29.99 to $13.00. Man, I'm in the wrong line of work.

Random Weekend

2008-08-17T21:21:00.000-07:00

I made Cupcakes Saturday Night. My brother came over and my mother and I decided that we are going out to Hollywood to visit him and go cupcake shop hopping.

Sunday was a lovely night in the park with music and family

Crafty Chica

2008-08-12T22:51:00.000-07:00

Sunday night I was perusing through some of my favorite blogs and there is was... Crafty Chica now corporate.... like in Micheal's Craft stores corporate. I was excited. So of course I told my husband that Monday evening we are so there.... (at Micheal's). I wanted to support a sister on her new journey. I have been following her blog since I started blogging.

So here I go... I picked up some cool charms and decided to make a bracelet. My first. I used her charms as an inspiration piece.
(I also picked up an iron on)

. six hours later (over two days) I have my bracelet. I still need to add some chunkier beads... but over all I am happy with my first try at charm bracelets.

A little road map to my bracelet.

I <3 Alexander Henry Fabric

2008-08-11T21:40:00.000-07:00

I picked up this gorgeous fabric at Jo-Ann's. I have been on the hunt for Alexander Henry Fabric for a while. I know I have to go out to LA to find it, but for convenience... I needed to hunt locally. I do not know how to sew and asked my mother to guide me through the process... that's how it started, it ended with my aunt (who is a master at the sewing machine) ended up with the fabric and made me my apron. I love it!!!

Alexander Henry

Folklorico Series - Los Novios (6845B)

An evening out with my family

2008-08-11T21:30:00.000-07:00

With our basket packed with grapes, strawberries, crackers, cheese, water, toffee nuts and water... we went to a concert in the park. We met up with my parents, my Tia and Cousins and ran into a lot of family friends.
The concert ran for 5:00-8:30, the weather was cool and the overall atmosphere was clam and relaxed.

Had some time... so I grabbed the camera

2008-08-09T22:14:00.000-07:00

We added two new plants to our collection. We picked up two of these beautiful plants. We have seen them on the side of the freeway in Fontana and next to the DMV in Redlands. Even our neighbor a few houses down has them in her yard. I love the color.

Red Bird of Paradise

Caesalpinia pulcherrima

Origin: Central America, northwestern South America, West Indies

This bush is generally known in Phoenix as Mexican Bird of Paradise, name that really belongs to C. Mexican. The Red Bird of Paradise is a relatively frost sensitive Caesalpinia, and it is generally better to trim it close to ground in winter. This keeps it more compact without seeming to delay it in spring. Seeds are toxic.'Phoenix' is a yellow form.

Our first blooms are dried out, time to collect the seeds.

Echinacea, commonly called Purple Coneflower, is a genus of nine species of herbaceous plants in the family Asteraceae. All are strictly native to eastern and central North America. The plants have large, showy heads of composite flowers, blooming from early to late summer. Some species are used in herbal medicines.

Our neighbors put up a small brick wall around their front yard. Our Bougainvilleas love the wall. I don't know if it is the heat of the wall or the support, but they are thriving this summer and tripling in size.

A little butterfly in our French Lavender

Butter Daisy (Weed) and Fountain Grass

Shopping...Thursday and Saturday

2008-08-09T22:04:00.000-07:00

Victoria Gardens

What a beautiful day for shopping. The mountains were visible, there were white fluffy clouds peeking out from behind the mountains and the white roses were in full bloom. I had to take a picture.

Went shopping with the Ultimate Chick on Thursday. We have been putting off lunch for a while due to conflicting schedules. We finally got together for a bite to eat and some light shopping. The stores were quite empty. We talked about the economy, our significant others and work. I am especially excited about her "Girls Night/house warming"... girl movies, cupcakes and martinis.

My husband went to Riverside Galleria Mall for some shopping and on the way home we stopped off at another shopping center to grab a bite to eat. We settled on Daphne's ... fast food Greek style.

The last three pictures are a few I took on the way home. Random... but there is a story there.

Fuji Sushi

2008-08-06T22:12:00.000-07:00

Fuji Sushi... we have been patron since their opening week.

Yes... my roll is on fire.

We finally gave in and went to Fuji Sushi. A local Sushi eatery. I have been off of sushi for two months and believe me... it's been hard. I LOVE sushi. My favourite is Ikura... the red bead looking things. We decide to try their new specials. BBQ Roll (Salmon, Avocado, Crab, Tempura Shrimp and Smelt Eggs) wrapped in foil and the black tray is then lightly coated in alcohol. It is then lit on fire and burns for two minutes... then it is opened and .... YUM!

I had to take a picture of it.

My husband had the "Uno Mas Roll". It was like a crispy crunch roll with jalapenos in it. Love it.

Then when we thought we were done, we were given cucumber rolls complementary of the chef. They had 5 different fish cuts inside.

*- I hope I remembered all the ingredients of the two new specials, either way, they were delicious.-*

Home... home on the rancho de Santamaria

2008-08-06T22:04:00.000-07:00

Two days after Zora passed.Photo taken from the back yard. The clouds are coming over the San Bernardino Mountains... Big Bear. These clouds mean one thing.... humidity.

Our lemon grass is loving the weather... it is growing like a weed... literally... it's everywhere. Time to dig some of it up and give it away.

Inside, I woke Zuko Baby up from his slumber.

San Diego

2008-08-06T21:54:00.000-07:00

Some photos from San Diego. I liked the faux finish on this building.

After dinner we went on a stroll through the mall in the Gaslamp District.... it was closed. It was the true essence of "Window Shopping".

While we were down there we went to old town for dinner and shopping. I picked up some tin are at this little tin store that I love.

The sky was blue and it was the perfect tempurature.

A little diffrent from the Inland Empire.

We ate the Creole Cafe. It was next to the Waley House, off the beaten path. The food was good and we were seated away from the hustle and bustle of the tourists.

Random Street Art... it caught my eye.

Zora

2008-08-01T22:42:00.000-07:00

We came home from a week in San Diego. Two hours later, we were putting our 15 year old dog to sleep at the Humane Society.