Tuesday, June 30, 2009

J'dore John Derian

Just cruising some design sites and was reminded of my super love for John Derian. I would love to have a wall full of his decoupage plates one day! I would probably have to win a ton of money though because they are not cheap, that is for sure, but they are so delicious. I could look at them all day.
Here are some of my favorites at this moment - there are so many...I honestly wouldn't turn any of them down, that is for sure. They are timeless, fun and quirky, check out his site when you have lots of time to dream.

True Stories of the ER

Got up super early this morning, got in the shower at about 5:50 AM and during my final hair rinse, eyes closed, in the zone planning my day phase of the shower I heard a loud crash! I looked down and the entire tub was a sea of red. My heavy duty glass soap dish that has lived in the windowsill in the shower for the last few years decided to commit suicide during my morning session leaving me lacerated and bleeding. As I cleaned up the glass and rinsed my sliced ankle, I realized I may need stitches, but really did not even want to go to the ER and deal with that mess. The cut was only about an inch long if that, but when the water hit it the right way I could see how deep it was, like someone unzipped my foot a bit. I kept my foot up in Vriksasana (left) hoping to stop the bleeding to no avail. Crazy thing, Tim slept through the entire thing, the glass crashing down, me calling him from the bathroom, etc. I went in to tell him and he said I needed to go to the ER and get it checked out, I called my Mom and she said the same thing, all I could think was CRAP! I was trying to get a early start to the day, get to work by 7:30, leave right at 5, blah, blah, blah and now my plan wasn't looking so good since I was leaving a trail of red where ever I walked. I get to the ER, which is only 2 minutes from our house, they check me in right away and I get in a room where they separate the cut and irrigate and clean it - EEEEEEeeeeek! Then the Dr. walks in, now, you know you are getting old when the Doctor looks young, I am talking Doogie Houser MD folks. He takes a look and tells me I missed the major vein that runs down the inside of your ankle, Achilles tendon area by about 2 mm and was pretty lucky, but had a pretty bad cut that needs to be put back together. Now my brain is running through him trying to sew me up and it coming back open since this area is constantly getting stretched by the natural movement of the foot. He can't stitch it he tells me, or it will come undone, phew, no stitches. Then he tells me he will be gluing it back together. So crazy and a nice alternative to getting sewn up I have to say. He squeezes the flaps of skin together and seals it with this "glue" he has in a small tube. I had to wait for it to dry, about 10 minutes and then they gave me instructions for keeping it clean, told me to start taking Motrin because it was going to start throbbing and hurting after while (when it first happened, it didn't hurt at all, I didn't even realize I was cut until I saw all the blood) they also told me not to drive today to keep the glue sealed as long as possible (it is on my right ankle in the back where the skin folds above the heel) and keep it elevated. I hobbled out of there and Tim was waiting to take me home. I was in and out of there in less then an hour. The ER staff at St. Luke's is awesome, when I told them I was embarrassed about coming in for a cut, they said it was a good thing I came in because it needed help sealing back together and could have gotten infected, broken back open, etc. They got me in and out super fast (it was early in the morning, but still, you hear nightmare stories of waiting for hours). I know you are not supposed to take photos or use your phone, but of coarse I had to! Here is a non graphic photo of me waiting for the glue to set, you can't even see the cut very well in this photo due to the angle, but it is better that way.PS - on a side note, Tim had his review at work yesterday and over the year only called in one time unscheduled and today he looks at me at the hospital and says, "well, there goes my record for this year". So funny I almost fell over!

Monday, June 29, 2009

Weekend Recap

It was HOT this weekend and we were loving it!
By now, you must know that Tim and I are beach folks, we love the beach. We will go when it is cold, hot, foggy, clear, any time you can think of we love it. There are always treasures to find along the shore (I am a sea glass collector) and animals to see from birds to sea mammals.

Saturday we got up early to get on the road by 9:00 AM and beat the crowd to Stinson Beach. When we get there the fog was just starting to burn off, but it was HOT anyway, which is dangerous because you can burn through the fog. We set up our umbrella, chairs and blanket and got ready for a day of reading and relaxing the the sun. The fog burned off about 30 minutes after we arrived at the beach. Our timing was perfect, because the lot was almost full when we arrived as well. I packed 4 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, bag of chips, apricots and bottled water and we were set for the day until my phone rang...it was my boss, he needed me to change some travel for him and needed some info in order to check in for his flight on Sunday. There was a moment of what I called buzz kill on the beach, but I am resourceful and figured it out that I would stop on my way home at the Mill Valley store, sign in to my email there and do what he needed, phew! We stayed at the beach until about 3:30 PM, it was so HOT by then, and super crowded too. On our way home we made a stop so I could work for a bit and then headed back to the city, took showers, made dinner and watched TV until bed time. It was a great day!

Sunday was more industrious. We talked about going to the beach again south this time, but nixed it since we wanted to get things done around the house, well I did at least. I did some laundry, which is a task - I have a hand crank eco friendly washer that only does about 4 pounds at a time and I have to fill it and drain it for washing and rinsing. It is cool and all, but I had to wash bath towels and can only do 2 regular size and 2 hand towels in one load. Then I put them in my spinner to get all the extra water out and hung them on my clothes line outside. I was so excited to have them out there drying in the slice of sun that hits our walkway during noontime. I did a couple other loads of clothing and put those outside as well and what wouldn't fit went on the drying rack that I dragged into the hallway too! Between cranking, rinsing and hanging my wash I went through the boxes of stuff I had of Aunt Mary's that I had not put out or in storage yet. We also transferred her (I have some of her ashes) into a glass jar from her home that is shaped like a mussel and lays on its side. I reminds me of the East Coast and the house she lived in in Connecticut before moving back to Michigan. I then decided I wanted to get all of my embroidery floss more organized (it was in a box) and put all of the thread on plastic or cardboard bobbins and then line them up in a sectioned plastic container with a lid so they don't get dusty or damaged. It took a lot longer than I thought it would and I had to break to run to the store to get more cardboard bobbins (a score at .99 a pack!). Tim came with me and on the way home we picked up some gyros pitas, we had a buy one get one free coupon (another score) so we got dinner for next to nothing. So much for the pasta I was going to make, I will have to save that for tonight or tomorrow night. Anyway, I finished all of my bobbin winding and got all of my thread sorted in the order of the rainbow and was very happy with my work. By the time I got done, it was time for bed. Another weekend over, how sad.

Oh, forgot to mention a great show on PBS last night on Nature - Cloud: Wild Stallion of the Rockies, this episode originally aired last year and is the first part of three episodes on the life of Cloud. It is very touching and has inspired me to put my "save the wild horses" badge back on my blog, I don't know why I even took it off in the first place. If you are a horse lover like myself you will find this endearing, inspiring and very startling all at the same time. I don't want to give too much away, but check out the site when you can, you can watch the episode there.

Oh, and I can't pass up a chance to add a photo of BayLee laying on the floor with his little legs crossed with his "ghost" friend (light circle on his belly has been appearing in other photos too!).

Manic Monday

In the spirit of Independence Day this coming weekend...
If I had the closet of my dreams, this is what I would be wearing today....
Red, White and Cowgirl Blues

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Fabulous Find - Fur Fighter

Have you seen the commercial for the 3M Fur Fighter yet? If not, check it out - click here. I saw it a couple weeks ago and thought, I have to try that! I forgot about it for a while and then went on the 3M site and found that they are offering the starter pack (a $10 value) for free, you pay only the shipping, it cost me $2.50. I love a good deal and saving what ever money I can these days.

I got it in the mail yesterday, one week after I ordered it, which I think it pretty quick. I ripped it open last night and cleaned my couch, bed and BayLee's climber and it ROCKS! Refills are $4.99 or less online for 8. I am actually going to see if I can rinse the pads next time I use one, you never know right?
Added bonus - the West Highland Terrier on the package is super cute and one of my favorite dogs, I want one!

R.I.P. Michael Jackson

August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009

Unbelievable, Michael Jackson has passed away. I believe he was totally misunderstood, he had a rough last couple of years. I feel bad that he never got the childhood that he deserved and that made an impact on his adult life. He was a cultural icon, a legend and his music will live on forever.
I remember when I was in either 3rd - 4th Grade I had a red baseball style jacket and I wanted a Michael Jackson red jacket but knew I would never get one. Being a resourceful kid, I pushed the sleeves of my jacked up to my elbows (like Michael did with his) and put Michael Jackson buttons on one side of it and wore that jacket everyday for a long time. I thought it was so cool.
I had a Michael Jackson purse, it was plastic and had him laying down on it. So funny!
I remember in Elementary School when his Thriller video came out, they showed it at lunch time and we would all try and mimic his dance moves outside at recess.
I remember when I first met my in laws and my father in law had to show me the video of my brother in law, Solomon dancing as a tiny little boy to beat it - just like the original video. My father in law was so excited to show it to me, it was incredible! Solomon is still dancing today as well as Tim's other brother Aaron (aka Optic/Rock so Fresh crew - you tube him, his is fantastic).
Most of all, Michael Jackson made me want to dance and not ballet!
He inspired so many people and his memory will live on for centuries to come, he was loved around the world.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Summertime

Not sure why it took so long this year, but it is finally warming up in the Bay Area. Not so much in the city, but you know how that goes (for those of you who have lived here - it rarely gets hot in the city or over 80 degrees for that matter).
Anyway, while dreaming of summer over the last couple weeks and impatiently wishing for it to show its face I was perusing the Internet for some summer inspiration and went to Matthew Mead's website. Since I can no longer see him in Country Home magazine (RIP), I have subscribed to his online site and it is fantastic! By becoming a member you can see many things others cannot like Matthew's secret sources for some of the fabulous things he profiles and also his recipes of which I have tried many and they are wonderful and easy (potpie for Christmas was a winner for sure).
Inner thought: Wow Christmas just came out here, ok, July, August, September, October, November - the time between then and now is going to fly I need to come up with a plan for the holidays, yikes! Am I going to make stuff this year, what would I make, food gifts, handmade crafty stuff, oh my!
OK, sorry, I digress....this post is about Summer!
Check out some of the summer inspired pages from this season's flip book:
The below photo is from the Spring online issue, it makes me smile, I love it! People don't make desserts like this anymore, that is for sure.
When you get a chance, check out Matthew Mead Style - it is great. I love it and every season it changes with new and exciting things to create and inspire.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Manic Monday

If I had the closet of my dreams, this is what I would be wearing today...
Horsing Around

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Weekend Recap

Sunday night and just taking a moment to reflect on my awesome weekend!
Saturday morning I slept in until about 8 and then went to the market with Tim and came home and had breakfast and then got ready to go out with Debbie. I went to Oakland to hang out a with Debbie, check out her garden and visit with Taffy (her kitty) and then we headed out for lunch at Citron in Rockridge. We had such a nice mellow lunch, great conversation and then decided to take a little walk down College and poke around in some of the shops. The weather was incredible, sun was out, not too hot and not a cloud in the sky. After schlepping around Rockridge we decided to go to the biggest Longs Drugs on the planet (now CVS, but signs still read Longs Drugs). Debbie had heard about it and I wanted to check it out...well, 2 hours later we emerged and it was already 6:00 PM! This Longs is on Broadway in Oakland and literally has everything you would ever need; produce, fabric, yarn, gardening supplies, hardware and everything else a normal drug store would carry (health and beauty aids, medicine, etc.). Funny thing, they had a mini international candy section and they had the Milk N Honees I mentioned in my last post! After the drug store, I dropped Debbie off at home and headed back to the city. Tim and I had a mellow night at home after setting up my pulley system clothes line outside my back door (I got all the components at the drug store).
Sunday, woke up at about 8 and packed our bags for the beach. Our goal was to be out of the house by 9 and we left 10 minutes early! We wanted to get to the beach before the crowds even if it meant sitting there wrapped in a blanket for an hour before it heated up. We stopped on our way in Mill Valley at Whole Foods Market and got some sandwiches for lunch (and some water and chips). I know a short cut to Stinson Beach that avoids Highway 1 so we took that and were at the beach about 15 minutes later. Our timing was perfect, we got free parking on the street and walked to the beach. It was clear and sunny at 10:40 AM no having to endure the fog burn off before baking under the sun. We set up our chairs and blanket, read our books, people watched and ate lunch. It was incredible. Super warm and sunny outside. I had been checking the weather for days and it paid off! At about 1:40 PM for the first time in our beach going history Tim said, "I think we should go, I am getting burned." Ironic thing is Tim was just saying a couple hours earlier when I offered him sunscreen that he never burns, he just gets darker (he is already pretty dark naturally). Poor guy, the combination of the wind and sun got him more on one side than another. We headed back to the city, beat the traffic and stopped on the way home for some ice cream that we will have in a few minutes. It was a great day, I love the beach, I love hanging out with Tim and I loved that I may have somewhat restored my fading Greek tan!
Hope you all had a wonderful weekend too!

PS - my clothesline ROCKS - hung some clothes that I washed when we got home.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

I Want Candy!

Wendy went away last weekend and brought back some candy for me from a vintage candy store. I love candy, crave candy and dream about candy! Not the chocolate type though, funny thing, I am not a big chocolate fan but love chocolates in a box, like See's. For more on that, read my Do You See's What I See's post.

Besides candy in the bag there was a fun fake mustache, which I also super love. I think it is because my Dad has always had a mustache and I used to have one before my laser hair removal (ha ha!).

One thing inside my little baggie of treats brought back a million memories of working at the Berkley Health Food Store in my hometown. The Ambrosoli Milk N Honees. I had not seen or thought about these since I was a teen. I used to love them and I am sure I still do (I have not had one yet). I must have bought a pack of these a day and kept them in my apron pocket to suck on while stocking vitamins at the health food store. Funny what a little packet of candy can bring back, I could even smell the health food store (it had a distinct smell, not bad, just a smell). I also remember a water machine there that was literally like drinking from an ice berg the water was so cold. The water machine wasn't there when i worked there, but as a kid I loved going there with my Mom and drinking the water out of a white paper cone.
Here is a list of my favorite vintage candies:
  • Black Jack
  • Black Licorice
  • Clove Gum
  • Mary Jane
  • Squirrel Nut Zippers
  • Spicettes/Spice Drops
  • Necco Wafers
  • Bit O'Honey
  • Abba Zabba
What are some of yours?

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Dreamy Sleeping Quarters

Yes, I am a Greek Freak right now (give me time, it may pass, but I doubt it). Check out these sleeping quarters at this hotel in Santorini. They are INCREDIBLE. I can imagine retiring here after a long day of sunning myself with Tim. Warm shower, some ouzo and this breezy room would be the best way to end a day under the Greek sun. It will have to remain a dream though, these rooms are 520 euros/night during the off season! 25 euros during the off season (like in Zakynthos) is more my style.
I have said it before and I will say it again, a girls gotta have a dream...

Fabulous Find

I fell in love with these molded ice creams from St. Clair Ice Cream once I saw them. What a great addition to a party, shower or any special occasion really. Check out their site for many more options.

All photos from St. Clair site

Monday, June 15, 2009

Manic Monday

If I had the closet of my dreams, this is what I would be wearing today...
Livin on a prayer

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Guruji

Last night I was in bed reading Yoga Journal and found out this happened while I was in Greece...
Guruji passed away on Monday, 18th May 2009
I literally did a double take, looked at the page titled In Memoriam, saw his photo and it didn't sink in. I looked again and it was true.
When I read the news, I called Tim into the bedroom to show him, plus to be sure I was reading it right and because he knows how much I look up to Guruji. He was 93 and still practicing his yoga as much as he could. I keep my yoga practice somewhat private for many reasons but I had to speak out about Guruji in this post. I knew he would pass on one day but I also hoped to one day meet Guruji or take a class from him on one of his tours. Guruji still is a constant source of inspiration to me. I wish the best for his family and his number one student, his Grandson Sharath who will be continuing teaching the way his Grandfather did. Maybe one day I will take one of his classes.
There was a wonderful article about Guruji that reviewed his life's work. I went to his website, it reads, "Guruji passed away on Monday, 18th May 2009 at 2:30pm (Indian Standard Time). Thank you for all your condolences and prayers. Please kindly refrain from contacting the family directly at this time. Students may come and pray for Guruji's departed soul on Sunday, 31st May 2009 in Mysore. Vaikunta Samaradhane will be performed at 1:30pm at the shala. The shala will be closed until Sunday, 7th June. Class will resume on Monday, 8th June. School credit or partial refund will be given to current students."

Namaste Guruji

For more on Guruji, check out his blog link under my "Got Yoga" header on the left.

Old School Candle Maker

Thought I would share a story about a candle shop in Patra that we visited while in Greece. They have supplied the local places of worship with their candles for 100 years (their anniversary is this year). The candle maker is a wiry, disheveled looking man who wore a sweatshirt covered in wax colors. The shop is incredible, they sell colored candles and candles with hand painted (with wax) designs on them but their specialty is the long beeswax and white candles that are used in most of the churches in the area - no electric flickering candles like in the US. I am assuming the bunches of candles wrapped in paper on the counter and in the cabinets are orders waiting to be picked up.
The candle man was so patient with us, let me take photos and gave Frankie a little beeswax candle to bend and play with as we walked around. The amazing thing about these candles are, you can fold them completely in half and they do not break. I didn't get the name of this little shop or the proprietor, but he was so nice and so helpful. We bought some holy essences and charcoal disks to burn it on. I was so amazed at this little shop, I did not see a computer anywhere to keep inventory, orders or anything, it was completely old school. The man was so nice, walked us to the door when he left and watched us walk down the street.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Misery

Have you ever been in so much pain you black out?
I was right there last night. Sweating, crying and fading in and out while trying to manage my horrible stomach pain.

I don't know what happened either - I mean, I know it was my stomach and digestive area, but I was fine until we decided to go to sleep. I started getting short pains in my stomach that turned into what I imagined labor would be like, it would come in waves and get worse every time. I thought it might be gas so I did all I could to relieve that to no avail. I know, too much information, but I was literally fading out when the waves of pain would come over me. I thought I was going to die. I was in the bathroom yelling for Tim (poor Tim) while he was trying to sleep. I am being honest I have never been this scared and in this much pain before - I couldn't talk, breathe or concentrate on anything except yelping and trying to get into a comfortable position. Just to compare...waking up during surgery years ago was nothing compared to this. Again, not sure what it was, something I ate? Tim and I had the same food for dinner and he was fine - maybe it was my lunch, but it was too late at night for it to be that. I know this is crazy, but while I was in the bathroom trying not to puke I kept thinking...what if I have a giant parasite living in my tummy or worse...what if I end up like one of those ladies on the Discovery Channel who didn't know they were pregnant and I am really having a baby. The mind reels when you are suffering that much. I told Tim about the pregnant thing and the look he gave me was priceless but through my tears of pain and fear, I had to laugh because it probably sounded insane. I don't know what happens chemically when you go through that much pain but I ended up passing out on the couch and went into the bedroom around 1:30 AM. Thought when I woke up this morning I was better so I took a shower and then it started again, not as bad as last night, but still present. I got rid of most of what was residing in my digestive tract but honestly feel like I am stoned or something - maybe from the adrenaline I released from trying to fight the pain last night and completely cleaning house (you know what I mean). The worst part is I really want to be home in my bed and I had to drop my car off this morning to get the oil changed and smog checked so I am sitting in the Whole Foods Market cafe waiting it out hoping that the storm has passed clutching my ginger tea and sipping my electrolyte water. When my car is done I will decide whether or not to office or go home this afternoon.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

*{Fabulous Find}*

I know a Magpie (who occasionally speaks with a fake Russian accent) who would super love this, it really is a tin of treasures. It makes me happy just looking at it.
Check it out here.

Photos from, Petit Coeur - Heartfelt Handmade Gifts.

Maltese Social Club Report

So, my Maltese has sort of fallen along the wayside - time to get out my flashcards and have Wendy start testing me again on my lunch break! Nothing like the reminder I got last night, everyone around me speaking Maltese and asking me to respond, ha ha! Next challenge, next month we are playing bingo and they are calling the numbers out in Maltese! Awesome.
Anyway, we had a very nice time, finger food and wine to start of the night and of course the socializing before the meeting. The meeting starting and of course the socializing kept on going, it is sort of organized chaos if I may say so myself.
Anyway, we talked about upcoming events, Father's Day Brunch, Prime Minister of Malta's visit in September and who is doing what at future meetings. I am bringing a dessert for the meeting in July so I will have to think of something fabulous. I am running the meeting in November or basically, hosting the meeting. We are going to have a potluck so I will ask for volunteers in September since I will miss the meeting in October.
My one wish for the Maltese American Social Club is that they get some more young folks in there to stir things up, bring in some new ideas and plan some different events for the people. I love it there and feel so lucky to be in an area with a high Maltese population, what are the odds? Funny when I moved here from Detroit I had no idea that this was the other highly populated Maltese area in the United States. Lucky me!

Monday, June 08, 2009

Manic Monday

If I had the closet of my dreams, this is what I would be wearing today...
Good Ole Summertime

Saturday, June 06, 2009

Hockey Night in San Francisco

Frozen Chicken Nuggets - $5.69
Frozen Bag of French Fries - $4.59
Bag of Chex Mix - $2.49

Finding the last 6 pack of Labatt's Blue beer in the Bay Area for the Red Wings game tonight....

PRICELESS

Oh, and no, I am not at all superstitious at all about what it takes to get the Red Wings to win, just following Emily's rules on what to eat in order to get them to win! Ha ha!

Thursday, June 04, 2009

+ & -

I feel the need to make yet another one of my lists, please bare with me...
  • Back to work after a wonderful vacation = -
  • Boss is out all week so I have time to get caught up = +
  • Tan is fading = -
  • Got 5 free tanning sessions from my gym (I am kind of on the fence) = +
  • Beach House is coming up in August = +++
  • Emily is coming here for Beach House weekend = +
  • Angela is coming here for Beach House weekend = +
  • Mom and me trip to Malta in October = +
  • Have to pay a traffic ticket by mid July = -
  • Have to pay my car registration by end of June = -
  • Have to get car smog checked = -
  • Have to get an oil change = -
  • Red Wings lost Tuesday night = -
  • Red Wings are playing tonight = +
  • Big meeting next week for work in Petaluma = -
  • Meeting Monday morning in San Mateo = -
  • Mileage reimbursement for driving to above mentioned meetings = +
  • Maltese Social Club Women's Meeting next week = +
  • Boss out on vacation for July = +
  • Birthday in July = +
  • Age I am turning in July = +/-
  • Adoption news not good = -
  • With adoption news, new doors open = +

OK, I think that is it - just needed to get all of that out of my head and on paper (electronic paper).

I miss Greece, wish I could have just sent for Tim and stayed there forever!

Monday, June 01, 2009

Manic Monday

This Manic Monday is a shout out to my girl Christina!
Stay tuned, next week we will be back to our regularly scheduled Manic Monday program.

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