Happy Birthday Emily!

Happy Birthday Emily!

I have been thinking a lot lately about family and children and as much as it makes me sad that I am unable to have children, I am so glad that I got to be the semi-second Mom to you. Who would have ever thought that the one shot I had at parenting would have been to my very own sister at such a young age? Though the length of my parental duties was short, the friendship I have with you is eternal. I love you more than anything I know.

Happy Birthday Lucy

Lucille Ball would have been 100 years old today!

Love this clip of Lucy on What's My Line...

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is the Birthday of one of my favorite people...my dear ole' Dad.

I knew we were a lot a like, but this year alone has taught me how much we really are cut from the same cloth. I am so glad to have a Dad that is a wonderful role model, sensitive but at the same time is tough as nails, and most of all...fun to be around.

Have a great day Dad and a terrific upcoming year!

We should have had a bumpy cake in Michigan to celebrate!

Birthday Weekend

This past weekend, Tim and I headed down to San Jose to celebrate both Robin's Birthday as well as mine. It was fantastic! Angela and Frankie came from Sacramento so there was a nice group of us together ready for a fun weekend.

Saturday afternoon we all just hung out, prepped for dinner and laughed a lot.

Tim and Kenny taught Frankie how to play the wii, which was pretty hilarious to watch - they were swinging virtual swords at each other. Boys are silly.

Robin's Mom and Dad came over for dinner along with her sister Stephanie, husband John and their kids Isabella and Rachel. We had a great dinner of ribs, chicken, mac and cheese, cole slaw, garlic bread and ice cold beer. I love my extended Urban Family, they are incredible people and I am so lucky to have all of them in my life.

After dinner we all enjoyed cake and ice cream followed by dancing wii games in the family room.

Later in the evening, after the locals went home, Kenny lit a fire in their fire pit and Angela, Tim, Robin and I sat out in the back yard talking until the wee hours of the morning. After not much sleep, we woke up and Angela baked a french toast casserole that we made together the night prior and then ate breakfast outside in the backyard. It was delicious. It was a beautiful day so we decided to walk to the park. Frankie got to play and run around, we all played frisbee, catch with the football and just laid in the grass before heading back to the house. After a quick dip in the pool for Tim and Frankie, we had a nice lunch of leftovers and green salad. Angela and Frankie packed up and left to go and visit her cousin in San Jose before heading back to Sacramento and the rest of us watched a comedy show on TV and took naps. We headed home around 6:15, by the time we got home we were super tired but ended up staying up, checking email, watching tv, etc. When it was time to go to bed, I walked into the bedroom and on my bedside table there was a little light blue bag with a white ribbon on it and it ends up Tim got me a new wedding band from Tiffany's! It is super simple, and so perfect for me, I slept with it on and love it so much. Tim did real good this year to say the least.

Thanks Robin and Kenny for having us for the weekend it was super nice, I miss the sun already. Thanks Angela for coming all the way from Sacto, I hope we can do this more often.

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Birthday Cake

It is so nice to have a friend that has a birthday so close to your own, that way not only can you celebrate together, you can take turns making the cake each year. Last year Robin made a wonderfully delicious Hummingbird Cake, this year I decided to take a stab at this Blueberry Lemon Cake. I baked the cake and made the frosting at home and assembled it at Robin and Kenny's house with the help of Robin's niece Isabella (8) who asked so sweetly if she could help, so I let her decorate the entire thing and it was beautiful. She did an excellent job!

This cake is fabulous, fruity and dense because it has buttermilk in it, make it, you will like it!

Happy Birthday Emily

Happy Birthday (yesterday) to my sister Emily.
Emily, it is hard to believe we are 10 years apart....
You are my best friend, my confidant, my therapist, my sounding board, my coach, my inspiration and best of all....my sister.
The world, and life itself would not be the same without you!
I love you!

Thanks for always understanding, especially today, I swear you won't have to punch me, ever.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is the Birthday of one of my favorite people...my Dad.
An amazing man with courage and spirit that most of us can only dream of possessing.

He is one of my best friends, my role model and my own personal superman.

Oh, plus he is really funny and smart and he can draw and has great penmanship and given the right tools, he can fix almost anything.

Happy Birthday Dad, hope you have a great day down in SoCal, playing golf and relaxing with Mom, Aunt Linda and George.

Happy Birthday Emily!

I know, I am a day late on this post and it kept me up most of the night as I have been just thinking about how truly blessed I am to have my sister in my life. I can't believe that we are 10 years apart and so close. She is my sister, friend, confidant, therapist when I need one and always listens to what I have to say when I just need to talk something out. She asks for advice which makes me feel like my life experience is respected and my opinion counts. We are so linked, sometimes when things happen to her, I can feel them and vice-verse.

This photo is pretty funny because just the other night I called her and was singing one of the songs from this video she is holding up (I didn't even know I had this photo until looking for one today). The ironic thing is, they are all Disney songs and that night I left the message she was at work and at the bar where she works, they played a game where you had to guess what Disney song went to what movie. Seriously, I had no idea and then to find this photo - so funny!

Anyway, I could gush, but I won't here - you all pretty much know how I feel about Miss Emily, Little Crow, Lee Lee, Emma Lee Lee, Emmer, Em and the one name only I can get away with even though she hates it... Emma.

I love you my sister, you are an inspiration to me always, I am so proud of your life's accomplishments so far and looking forward to living vicariously through you as you start Grad school next month. I can only imagine what the future holds for you and am so happy I have a VIP pass and front row seat to see it all happen.

Best wishes to you in the upcoming year.

Getting Caught Up

What a weekend we had! Friday off work, but decided after dropping Tim off at his office, I would check out what all the hub bub is about "Black Friday". I had a list for Target for normal (non-holiday) items so I decided to go there first. Geeze, the parking lot at 7:30 AM was insane. I parked as far away as I could in order to get my heart pumping a bit while I walked up to the store entrance. There were shopping carts available which was surprising because on any given Saturday, they usually run out. I went in and grabbed a couple things (toothpaste, TP) and then walked the store to look at holiday items. I made my way over to the magazines to see what Christmas issues were out (cooking magazines) and there was a HUGE line in the magazine aisle, which puzzled me. I made my way in the aisle minus my cart because there was no room. I grabbed a few magazines and a lady asked me if I was "in line?".
"In line for what, do I have to wait in line to get a magazine?"
Then some dude shopping in his plaid flannel pajamas (one of my pet peeves) chimes in, "No lady, the line is if you want to buy anything electronic, like the TV that is on sale."
"Don't you think it is interesting that all of you waiting to purchase a box you sit in front of and watch are blocking the entire aisle of books and magazines for people who actually read?"
No comment from any of them, just stares. So, I pushed my way through the line of carts (excusing myself of course) to grab the Andre Agassi autobiography for Tim and went on my way.

After leaving Target, I went over to Macy's - again, parking lot was a zoo and it was probably 8:00 AM. I had a couple basic items to grab for Tim (birthday gifts), grabbed them and then waited in a line of about 20 people. By the time it was my turn the young man behind the register thanked me for my patience and then when he discovered that what I was purchasing was not on sale, he gave me a discount! Nice experience all around. I went with an open mind, didn't have any expectations and knew there was not one thing I HAD to have like other folks there. There was a sweater table that looked like a tornado had ripped though there and just about everyone in line had a sweater in hand. Maybe I missed out, but I went for what I needed and if they didn't have it, I would have just walked out. No big deal. People were stressed though, the vibe in line was horrible. People rushing around, one person in line, while another person would bring them things and say "how about this for Uncle so and so..." It was at that moment, I was glad I was not in that same space. Too much pressure if you ask me.

I went to a couple other shops that were not as crowded, PetCo and the grocery store and then went home to bake Tim's Birthday Cake (German Chocolate).

Saturday we woke up and went straight to Robin and Kenny's house to celebrate Tim's 40th Birthday! Kenny smoked some chicken and barbecued a big hunk of beef. Robin and I made biscuits and a salad and Kenny and Robin teamed up and made homemade baked mac and cheese and we also had some greens Kenny made for Thanksgiving that were left over. Everything was so delicious! Andy and Laura, next door neighbors of Kenny and Robin came over and the six of us had a really nice early dinner together. We took a break, cleaned up a bit and hung out and then it was cake time. Tim let us sing to him and he made a wish and blew out his candles. The cake was sweet and yummy! Something about cake I just love. It seems so festive and is always a special occasion when we have it. I would like to incorporate more cakes in my life in 2010, how is that for a resolution?
We wrapped the evening up watching "Adventureland" and "UP" and then went to bed. It was so nice not to have to worry about driving home, thanks Robin and Kenny for being such great hosts. In the morning we had hot coffee and birthday cake for breakfast (I love it!) and watched "Let the Right One In". I had seen it on a plane this spring, but on a big screen with surround sound is SO much better. After the movie we had more coffee and chit chatted before heading back to the city.

It was a wonderful weekend. Nice to get out of the city and hang out with great friends.

PS - Robin and Kenny, the leftovers were FABULOUS! I heated them Monday night and they were just as good as the first time around, thanks!

Happy Birthday!

To one of my favorite people on the planet. Happy BIG Birthday today! You bring so much laughter and love into my life. Can't wait to really celebrate this weekend!

Happy Birthday Andy

Happy Birthday to my brother Andy!
Hope you have a great day - I miss you and love you! I wish we lived closer to each other so we could celebrate your special day together.

Happy Birthday Mom

Happy Birthday Mom!

I hope all of your wishes come true and you have a wonderful day!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my Dad's Birthday! For those of you who don't know, my Dad is pretty awesome! Here are some of the things I love about him:

• He is super funny! A total character, I am telling you.
• He is a great cook - ask my Mom, he has dinner on the table when she gets home (lucky!).
• With the above stated, he will cook outside on the grill in the dead of winter!
• He knows a little about everything - which makes him a perfect candidate to be a Jeopardy contestant.
• He is very creative - makes all kinds of things, my dollhouse when I was a kid, birdhouses, little holiday decorations, "Stanley's Cup" (sorry Mom, had to mention it).
• He can talk to just about anyone and find something in common.
• He always has supported what ever it is I choose to do, even if I end up quitting in the end.
• He is always there to talk, listen or just shoot the shit and I love that.

I could go on forever. Dad, you are my hero, the best man I know and I wish you all the best on your Birthday!

Happy Birthday Grandpa

Thank you for being in my dream last night. I am sure they have wireless now up there so you able to read my blog and keep up with me as an adult.
I miss picking up fallen crab apples in the backyard with you, Ernie Harwell on the radio in the background. I always tried to sneak throwing them in the alley instead of the bucket, I don't know why, but it was more fun to throw them and try to hit a dumpster. Maybe you knew that, but never said anything because perhaps I was working on my pitching arm!
I miss playing bumper pool in your basement, but am glad you taught me how because we have a table here at work that I can play on.
I miss trying to sneak into your candy jar and grab a handful of spicettes or Kraft Carmel's without making a sound, that lid was noisy!
I miss the funny noises you used to make and your sayings, "fat cat skilly rat".
I miss you Grandpa. You were the only Grandpa I ever knew and were taken away too soon, before we really got to know each other.
Do you have Sanders Carmel Cake and Rays Vanilla ice cream in Heaven? I sure hope so!

I Heart Weekends Away

What a nice weekend away!
I couldn't update yesterday because I will still on the beach in my mind.

Santa Cruz was awesome, the weather was terrific, a little overcast Saturday morning, but it cleared up pretty fast and ended up being hot and sunny the rest of the weekend.

When we got to the hotel, the room was full of surprises and some of my favorite things. I wondered why my sales contact was asking me what I liked a while back when I was booking for my boss - nice touch, non chocolate candy, corn nuts, champagne, fashion magazines and a pink photo album to keep my photos from the weekend in - oh, and a big Mylar Happy Birthday balloon!Our room had a balcony that was right on the beach! We sat there at night and in the morning while enjoying our time of the day appropriate beverage (coffee or wine). We listened to the Loverboy concert from there on Friday night instead of dealing with crowds of people, it was so fun, singing, dancing and air guitaring up there.
Saturday we slept in a bit and then went walking on the Pier to get some lunch and walk around and saw these guys hanging out so we stopped for a while.

We decided to go to the Boardwalk and check out the rides and maybe get some dessert. We were intrigued by the "fried Twinkie" concept but when we decided to share one, we were bummed and disappointed, it was not so good and sort of cold in the middle like it had been frozen. Good thing we didn't each get one.We walked around for a couple hours checking things out, people watching and playing games in the arcade and then went back to the hotel to rest before dinner. We ended up taking a almost 3 hour nap, got up at 7:30 and went to dinner at the newly reopened super nice restaurant at the hotel called Aquarius. We had great cocktails to start and each got appetizers (their menu is layed out as "hook", "line" and "sinker" - for appetizers, soup/salad, entree). Tim had a roasted Romaine salad which was fabulous and I had the "chowda" - not like a typical clam chowder, it was little clams in their shells steamed in a broth that was spicy and not creamy like you would imagine. My entree was superb, one of the best I have had in a very long time. I had halibut that was on top of the this shmoo made from cooking cauliflower with butter until it fell apart (2 hours the manager told us) and then blended and piped into a stripe on the plate and a little ball of spring peas that had been chopped up with mint. It was deeeeelish! For dessert we had coffee and split their plate of ice cream sandwiches, which were phenomenal along with the Caramel sauce.Sunday morning we woke up and took our time packing up and checking out. Then we went to the lighthouse and Santa Cruz surfing museum before heading home. BayLee was a very good boy over the weekend and gave us an ear full when we get home as usual.

Off for the Weekend!

Tim and I are headed out around Noon today to have a pita lunch (free meal coupon for me!) at Daphne's and ice cream (free coupon for me!) at Baskin Robbins. I am the queen of the free coupons for my Birthday, ha ha!

After lunch, we are driving down the coast to Santa Cruz to stay on the beach for the weekend. Here is a non-exhaustive list of what we have planned:

• Meeting my sales rep at the hotel (only met over the phone for work) for drinks
• Free Loverboy concert at the Boardwalk - HILARIOUS ("every body's workin for the weekend...")
• Picnic dinner in our hotel room while playing Uno or chess.
• Roller coasters, cotton candy and something fried I am sure - never had a funnel cake birthday cake!
• Laying by the pool or on the beach Saturday (please pray for sun and heat)
• Nice dinner on the ocean Saturday night (dinner from my parents for our anniversary back in May)

I am sure that more fun will find us! I am excited to get out of the city for the weekend! Gotta run, pack, shower and take all my calls - ha ha!

...1...Blastoff!

Today is my Birthday!
Here is my #1 day gift from Wendy - I took it home with me yesterday and opened it up this morning. Thanks Wendy for a fun week, I love that my Birthday is treated like Hanukkah for 5 days! It's awesome.
Here is what was inside - fuzzy photo, my camera battery was almost dead this morning.

• Gift Card for Whole Foods Market for picnic supplies for tonight in our hotel room!
• The World's Smallest Birthday Card! (see fabulous find local edition post for more info.)

Yeah for Birthdays!

...2 (4)

Wendy, so funny, put a 4 on countdown day 2 we had a good laugh!

She also gave me #1 to open tomorrow while I am off work (insert cheerleader jump here).

I already hung it on my wall in my office, I super love it!

That One Thing

You know when there is that one thing you have meant to buy yourself for what seems like forever? That one thing that will make your life so much better? That one thing Sara told you was so fabulous 3 years ago and you had to get one but never did? That one thing that you have gone online and looked at, picked out the right color and put in your shopping cart but just never purchased? That one thing that you have seen in stores, touched, and thought to yourself, next time I am here I will get it? That one thing that may have seemed too expensive for what it was, but also seemed the like the answer to some of your wishes? That one thing you just couldn't justify splurging on for yourself?

Well, I got that one thing from my parents for my Birthday and I can't EVEN tell you how excited I am to try it out. It is a Yogitoes skidless yoga towel to go over my mat during my practice. I am constantly sliding all over the place because my palms and feet sweat like crazy. The bonus is, they got me the one that is a double whammy for me - turquoise (one of my favorite colors and the color of the fifth chakra - my throat/thyroid) and it has Ganesha on it, remover of obstacles who I adore! Funny thing is I have been looking at this necklace with him on it too and the other day one of my coworkers left a little Ganesha tin on my desk. Maybe he knows I need him right now so he has decided to make his presence known (via presents, ha!). I am trying to get rid of stuff in my life that has no purpose or meaning, you know stuff that is just stuff. Seems like I am always doing that, I know. I have come to realize that I am my biggest obstacle, my friend Jadin is notorious for reminding me that I need to get over myself first and foremost and I love her for it. Can you believe that Amazon.com also used paper that matched the gift, could have been just a coincidence, but it was wrapped in dark turquoise paper with a gold ribbon around it!

Thanks Mom and Dad, I love it and love your Namaste message in the card, you are two of the coolest parents ever! Wish I would have packed my yoga clothes today so I could take a class after work!

...3

Yeah, a nice travel pack of Tuscan Blood Orange scented things for my weekend away!

Body Butter, Solid Perfume and a Candle oh my!