New Year 2009

Wow I can't believe this year has come to a close. The time escaped me. It's almost 2pm 12/31/08 and I don't even know where today went. I hope 2009 will go by a little slower so I can enjoy every minute of it. No big plans for tonight but I am hoping to try out my new slice machine and do some scrapbooking. I have a bottle of Champagne for tonight and I plan on drinking it! We will be home with the kids so it should be pretty peaceful. I am hoping someone in the neighborhood blasts off some fireworks. Should be fun to watch.

Happy New Year!

Holiday Lunch

Just got back from a Holiday Lunch at the Olive Garden. It was hosted by our 'big' manager aka the Jefe named Dean. He's a really nice manager. So calm, easy to talk to and just a regular joe. I've had some managers who have been unapproachable, so having him as a manager is nice even though I rarely have to work with him directly. I also got to see my other 2 managers and I haven't seen them in person for a while so it was nice to see them and talk about other things besides work. I also got to talk to another manager of another group and she and I both had 12 year old daughters in common so we were talking about shopping for them. It was good to make that contact. Never know with this economy if I might be looking for a job in the near future. I was telling her how the Hollister store always smelled like a broken bottle of perfume and she told me that they had heard Aeropostale clothing was sprayed with perfume every morning before the store opened so they got there early one morning and sure enough, the clerks were walking around the store spraying everything. I was really shocked to hear that one. I am pretty much done with my holiday shopping. I still have one more person to get for and that's my brother in law. I hate always giving him gift cards, but then again, I myself LOVE getting gift cards. So if I can't find anything great for him (he probably has everything anyway) then I'll get him a gift card again.

Wynonna

The Wynonna Judd Christmas show at the Ikeda Theater in Mesa last night was AWESOME! I think just being on a date with no kids was part of the fun. My husband even got all gussied up so that was nice. We didn't go to any place fancy for dinner but it was a place we had been wanting to try forever and it was worth the wait. We like to think of ourselves as 'hotdog connoisseurs' and we've been to the famous Pink's Hotdogs in Los Angeles, Puka Dog in Kauaii. This place was pretty good. The place is called Micky's hotdogs but they only serve dogs after 4pm. The hotdog was wrapped in bacon and well cooked, then he had pinto beans, diced tomato, onion, grilled jalapeno, jalapeno relish sauce and mayo. The restaurant also sold tacos inside 2 for $1.35. They were authentic Mexico style tacos, but really tasty. I think the hotdog with Jalapeno sauce is going to be calling me back. As for the concert. Wynonna is an amazing entertainer. She really has a gift and she is so down to earth. She is a BIG woman. Big booty on that lady but she's still really pretty and she has the whitest teeth. We were sitting on the second level (mezzanine) and her teeth just glowed. Listening to all that Christmas music really put me in the mood for the holidays. We are getting our tree out and decorating tonight. Should be a fun way to spend Friday night with the kids. Hopefully Zeke doesn't yank off too many ornaments from the tree. I did notice the babysitter hasn't put any ornaments on her tree. Probably because of Zeke!

Fa La La La La

Where does the time go? I can hardly believe it's DECEMBER 3RD! Freddie and I went 'blitz shopping' on Friday after Thanksgiving. We hit our normal stores-Sports Authority, Walmart. We got some deals but seriously I think we didn't make a dent in the Christmas shopping because we only bought stuff for ourselves!!! But there were some great deals to be had. We got some lights up in the front yard and cleaned our side yard weeds over the weekend. It was some nice time off. Thanksgiving was not really that great. My kids and I were sick and had the stomach flu. We are finally all coming around. But the dry air and poor air quality has me hacking up a lung still. I almost feel asthmatic. I made a date night for me and Freddie tomorrow. We are going to see Wynonna Judd at a small Mesa Theater. She'll be doing her Christmas music and I guess she just came out with a holiday CD. I am hoping she sings more than Christmas music, but either way, it's a date, it should be fun and I can't wait! I am also hoping we get to enjoy a nice dinner with no kids too! We'll see how it all plays out tomorrow night.

Swimming in November

Well, I have to say I feel LUCKY. We took my 12 year old step-daughter
and two of her friends to the Pointe Hilton at Squaw Peak in North Phoenix over the weekend for her 12th Birthday. Lucky that we could afford such luxury, and LUCKY that the weather was PERFECT. We had so much fun. Who ever dreamed of swimming in November? Well the pools are heated, so that helps but also there were very few people there so it was not at all crowded. We had originally rented a suite with the intent that the girls could sleep on the fold out sofa and loveseat in the living
room. But the room was really small compared to the last suite we had at a different Pointe resort this past summer. So my husband called down to the front desk to see if they had any better deals on bigger rooms and they offered us a Casita for only $20 more. SOLD! We moved over to a 2 story Casita that had a bedroom/full bath upstairs and a huge kitchen, dining, bathroom, living room with 2 sleeper sofas on the first floor. It was pretty cool. Right outside the Casita was a more private pool and jacuzzi (the Cacuzzi as my 4 year old calls it) and we were only a short walk from the entrance of the Lazy River Ranch where the resort has a huge lazy river. I also took the girls (and myself of course) for pedicures on Saturday morning, then we went back for swimming all day. Saturday night we all piled in the car for dinner at Old Town Scottsdale at a place called Banderas Restaurant where they serve quite possibly the best Mac N Cheese on the planet oh and the Rotisserie chicken is also their specialty and that's pretty darn good too. We topped off the night with cupcakes from the Sprinkles Cupcake Bakery also in Scottsdale. YUMMY! My husband and I shared a red velvet and a coconut cupcake but seriously I could'a had two! LOL My daughter Caris had the most fun of anyone and she asked me if we could just stay one more night......I WISH! Anyway-back to the real world....Happy Monday everyone!

DIETING

Tired of feeling FAT. Well my hubby and I decided we needed to get in shape. We have been on a diet for 2 weeks and I have to say it's working. I am down 15 lbs. according to my scale this morning. I have to say that I am feeling more like my old self again instead of such a blob. My clothes are fitting once again so that's also a nice feeling.

We are doing low-calorie meals and then protein shakes in between. I kind of like this idea because I am not hungry, it satisfies my sweet tooth and I can just make it to the end of the day without feeling like I gotta cheat. This may be a realistic new way of living.

Gotta give a shout out to my friend from work-Melissa Sturgeon today is her 29th birthday (wink). Whatever birthday it is Melissa YOU ROCK! And have a great time at Organ Stop Pizza! (I joked with her that she's much too old for a pizza party-but isn't any age a great age for a Pizza Party?)

We are finally having nice weather again here in Sunny AZ. I love this time of year...wish I had saved more days off so that I could actually enjoy it. Oh well....maybe next year.

September '08 Update

Well, haven't blogged in a while. Today I am totally inspired by all the great scrapbook shows coming out on QVC. Although I haven't felt the need to pick up the phone and order anything, I have been watching for new ideas to put in my own scrapbooks. I have been doing quite a bit of scrapping lately, my kitchen counter has been covered in scrapbook stuff, but so long as I've been doing something is all that matters. We did have a great time in the mountains for Labor Day. I got a really great photo of Caris with a bright yellow butterfly we caught. I think the butterfly was on it's way out because it never flew away, it just let her hold it the entire day. I think that's what made it even more special. Those magical creatures are only around for a few days and on it's last day of life, she got to hold it, treasure it, love it, enjoy it's beauty. I also got a really great photo.

Creative Escape 2008

Ok fellow scrappers...I was not able to attend this year's Creative Escape Event held at Wildhorse Pass and Casino down south of Ahwatukee. It is a scrapbooker's delight hosted by the Bazzill Paper Co. (local company) and Heidi Swapp. The cost to attend this year was 699.00 plus resort room fees so basically $1000.00 Sort of out of my price range, but I am a huge Heidi Swapp fan. I was able to get a hold of a project idea book from the event as well as a 12 x 12 paper pack and I have them listed on ebay if anyone is interested. I started the listings at only 99 cents which is a bargain considering I paid waaaay more. But with ebay, who knows what these might sell for.

Labor Day Weekend

Time to head up to cooler climes and escape this desert heat. Me, Freddie, the kids and my parents will be going up to the White Mountains in Pinetop, Arizona for a long weekend. Hopefully we'll get to experience the big annual White Mountain Apache Rodeo Parade. It is a true Arizona experience that I have enjoyed since I was a young child. My least favorite part back in the old days was that sometimes the crown dancers would circle our truck and I would be terrified. Or they would pick me out from the parade route nearly every time and threaten to kidnap me. It was so scary back then as a child, but now I have so much respect for those who keep their culture alive. Not only that, but I'm looking forward to eating a piece of Indian Fry Bread...like the natives say....KIYEAAAAH!

Check it Out

As mentioned, one of my passions in life is for Scuba Diving and travelling the Caribbean.
There is a new travel website started by a friend we met in Whitehouse, Jamaica. Her name is
Shelby and she lives about 5 miles away from my cousin Brant in New Jersey.
The website link is: http://www.rantalot.com/
It also has disney links. I am looking forward to seeing her message board grow into a beautiful resource for travelers and I wish her all the best!

yes this is a picture of me (third from the left) scuba diving with my compadres Jody and Deanna Castaneda and my hubby Freddie this past April, 2008 diving at a spot called Koloa Landing in Kauai. This is one of my fav. pictures of all time. How many people get a group shot 40 feet under? GOTTA LOVE IT!

Tribute to my Neighbor

I wanted to take a minute to honor my neighbor
from my childhood home. Ross Bittner passed away over the weekend. He was our city councilman, member of Holy Angels Catholic church, husband to Armida, father to David, Kim, Lisa and a loving grandpa. I still remember when they first bought the lot above us and I used to go play in the dirt while Ross worked to build their home. Probably never again will I know someone who builds their home with their own two hands. He lovingly built a modern, beautiful, castle-like home with an amazing 2-story view. He was a gentle giant, patient, caring and a wonderful neighbor. I'm sad he's gone, but celebrating his entrance to heaven as I am sure he is there. Ross-thanks for a lifetime of memories, you will be missed.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Happy Birthday to Me and Susan McFadden my scrappin' buddy.
we are 'twins' and celebrating our 29th birthday again today.
Mom and Dad called first this morning and Mom said I am not
officially 'born' until after 1pm. So lovely for her to remember.
She always says Dad wasn't there and that he had gone to eat
lunch when I arrived. Those were the 'old' days.
Going to Stamp Club tonight at the Stampin' Up demonstrator's House.
She is a neat lady. We learn great techniques there. She does an
excellent job of presenting what you're learning step-by-step.

Happy 1st Birthday Son!

Zeke-I can hardly believe it was a year ago today that you were born. What a handsome little boy I have been blessed with. I can't wait to see you get cake all over your hands and face, but more importantly, I can't wait to take a picture for the scrapbook of course!

We'll be having a house-full of family and friends tomorrow for a little cowboy style BBQ lunch and swim party to celebrate Zeke's 1st Birthday. It should be a real fun event.

Work has got my day going fast and furious. I can't wait to get home to
my kids and Freddie. The weather outside looks dark and ominous. I hope I can beat the storm home. In fact I just saw lightening strikes out in the desert floor.
YIKES.
Hopefully I'll get some time to scrap later tonight. I have all the stuff! hehehe.

Finally decided to get my blog together. Seems like all the world is saying what's going on in their lives...why not me too?! So here I am. Hopefully you can find some patience until I can get this groovy little tool where I want it to be. Just got finished with a long day's work and going out to dinner as soon as my hubby gets home. I am trying to find some tunes for this thing too. Geesh if I could remember the names of the artists I like that would be a start! LOL

Went to Salt Lake City last week. It was my first trip to Utah and I was amazed at how beautiful it was there. I went for the Memory Works scrapbook retreat in Layton, UT. Left on Wednesday with my friend Susan and we had a blast. I did really miss Freddie and the kids. The retreat was absolutely amazing. The guest speaker was Stacy Julian of Big Picture Scrapbooking. She was phenomenal to say the least and we were treated to a copy of her newest book AND she signed it! Lucky me!
Our flight home was cancelled so we got stuck in a really awful airport hotel. I hope no one out there ever has to stay at the Salt Lake Airport Comfort Inn. What a dump! It made our trip home even better though.
I'll try and post some pictures of what I made real soon!