Laugh At The Sky

NOTD

2009-09-23T08:15:00.001-07:00

NOTD: Sephora by O.P.I. Let's Do Lunch

Honeymoon!

2009-09-22T12:58:00.000-07:00

So we FINALLY decided on our honeymoon. I don't know why, but this was the hardest decision of all. Here's the basic itinerary:

3 Days on the Amalfi Coast

3 Days in Rome

2 Days in Venice

4 Days in Milan

4 Days in Santorini, Greece

(We might extend it a day or two; not sure where yet)

We'll be going to 2 soccer games - one in Rome and one in Milan - and also going to the opera in Milan. Hopefully there will also be plenty of shopping, eating, sightseeing, and relaxing too!

Sephora Haul

2009-09-20T09:02:00.000-07:00

Got some exciting new goodies from Sephora yesterday!

I'm on this quest for a holy grail under eye concealer. See, most concealers are all about dark circles. Me, I'm looking to cover my very visible blue/green veins. So I need heavy duty stuff. But the thing is, the heavy duty stuff tends to settle in my fine lines. Since my sought-after MUFE HD concealer is unavailable in my color for another couple of months, I decided to try Smashbox HD Concealer. So far, I'm finding it offers decent, build-able coverage. I plan to try out Bobbi Brown's and do an all-day comparison test. Supposedly, BB's is a creamy, peachy concealer that works great for bluishness and fine lines. I'll let you know how it goes.

If I could tell everyone in the world to use a foundation primer, I would. It keeps foundation from oxidizing (turning orangey), and seriously fills fine lines and pores. I usually use Laura Mercier's, but decided to try Smashbox's best selling Photo Finish Foundation Primer. Again, I'll keep you posted.
Got a couple of Urban Decay shadows. Top is called "Blaze." It's a peachy-champagne color. Bottom is "Twice Baked," a deep, rich brown (much less pink than the pic here shows). UD shadows have tons of pigment, and not a lot of binders holding the shadow together, so it goes on really satiny.

Finally, picked up my usual Clinique Repairwear Intensive Night Cream in the very dry skin formula. My skin loves, loves, loves moisture. This night cream leaves my skin feeling really supple and hydrated. I can't say this is the holy grail for me, but there's nothing I DON'T like about it. I've tried so many and keep coming back to this.
By the way, Mom, I've started some research on long-lasting lip color that isn't drying. I'll post soon. And if anyone else wants makeup recs, let me know!

NOTD

2009-09-18T08:35:00.001-07:00

NOTD: Sephora by O.P.I. Mr. Right Now

A Great Day!

2009-09-18T08:33:00.000-07:00

On September, 17, 2009, we welcomed to the world Martin Jeffrey Wayman, Jr.!

AND...

A big congratulations to Brad and Katrina who got engaged!

Sunset

2009-09-12T16:55:00.000-07:00

How unbelievable is our sunset from last night?

Prettiness

2009-09-10T10:51:00.001-07:00

Enough of the car talk... time for some prettiness!

Aren't these kind of adorable? They've definitely got a vintage thing going on. And they make me feel so girlie!

I picked them up yesterday at Anthro. I needed some new earrings to go with my hairdo!

Earring of the Day:

Slime

2009-09-10T08:54:00.000-07:00

In no way, shape, or form do I care about anything related to cars. I love my car - it's comfy and gets me around - but I don't like taking care of it. I detest getting oil changes and car washes, and I loathe pumping gas. It all feels like this big huge inconvenience. Call me old fashioned, but I feel like taking care of cars is one of those things the guy is supposed to handle. Or maybe I don't really believe that so much as I use it as an excuse... Anyway, I'm trailing off topic here. You get the idea.

So yesterday when I walked out of the mall (where I got my hair done and purchased the cutest little pair of earrings that I'll post about later), while thinking to myself what a nice night it was, I was dismayed to find one of my tires as flat as a pancake. Of course I called Joseph, who, by the way, never ceases to amaze me with his calm - and even enthusiastic - attitude when crappy stuff like this happens.

To make a long story short, we ended up at Target with this little kit called "Slime Smart Spair." I was amazed at how simple this little kit made repairing my tire. No jacks or tools required. Just a little sheet of directions. You fill up the tire with the Slime, plug in the pump to your cigarette lighter, and fill the tire. 15 minutes and you're done. After all was finished, I thought "I could have done that!"

I was able to make it all the way home before my car starting telling me the pressure of the tire was getting low. This morning, the tire was low, but not flat. The Slime definitely holds long enough to get you to a repair place.

I'm posting this because I think everyone - especially women and those people living in crappy weather - needs to keep a kit of this stuff in their trunk. If my tire were flat and I was far from help, I don't think I could manage changing it myself (although I like to think desperation would kick in and I'd figure it out). But I COULD do this Slime stuff. Easily.

Here's a link to the website with a list of retailers:

www.slime.com

NOTD

2009-09-08T08:07:00.000-07:00

NOTD: Sephora by O.P.I. Nonfat Soy Half Caff

Countdown: 236 Days

2009-09-07T17:43:00.000-07:00

Joseph and I made some progress this holiday weekend. It's amazing how much you can get accomplished when your brain isn't drained from working all day.

First, we nailed down the guest list. So at least I have a guest count. Now comes the hard part - getting addresses.

Second, I did some centerpiece prototypes. I took some pics and will post as soon as I'm finished debating whether it sucks or not. I love the mason jars with the stones at the bottom. Some will hold candles and some will hold single-stem flowers. I'm doing little paintings on canvas for the table numbers, and that's the part I'm not sure about. It's so hard to tell whether my own work is great or terrible. Oh, and I found a girl on craiglist selling a lot of mason jars that she used for her own wedding. Keeping my fingers crossed that they're still available. I'd be getting them for less than 50 cents a piece.

Lastly, we chose a linen. It's an ivory embroidered overlay with ivory satin tablecloth underneath. Chairs will be natural wood folding chairs.

Here's the linen:

I'm still hoping to make a final decision about the honeymoon before the end of the night tonight. I'll keep you posted...

Aaaaaaand They're Off!

2009-09-07T17:23:00.000-07:00

We had such a good time at Del Mar, "where the surf meets the turf," this weekend! We won a couple of times, and we were sooooo close to winning the pick 4!

Whether it's Michigan or California, my Dad is in his element at the track...

Showing off our picks...

It was a beautiful day...

Update...

2009-09-06T20:23:00.000-07:00

I don't have the energy tonight to write about this weekend and my dad's visit, or to post all of the pics, but you all have something to look forward to!

For now, just wanted to say hello and share some pics of a gorgeous sunset from the other night and my cat. I know I'm biased, but I swear I have the most handsome cat I've ever seen.

Dad's Visit

2009-09-04T07:47:00.000-07:00

How excited was I that Dad was coming out to visit me AND I got to take him to work with me every day? So excited!

He got in on Tuesday night and we've been doing the work thing every day. I've also been forcing him to take Bodhi for walks with me in the evenings, and I think he's missing the flat ground of Michigan. (Watch out Mom - after all this hardcore incline training, he's going to whiz past you on those easy Michigan walks!)

The thing I'm most excited for is visiting Del Mar tomorrow. I'll be sure to take lots of pics. Dad and I - us early birds - want to make it there for breakfast to watch warmups, so we'll see if we can pull Joseph out of bed in time. Apparently Dad has a couple of horses in, so I'm planning on bringing home some cash!

Here's Dad at work:

Here's Dad looking busy at work (a la George Castanza):

You've seen a lot of my sunsets, but isn't the moon so dreamy? One of the perks of getting up before daybreak is seeing the moon shine on the ocean like this:

NOTD

2009-09-03T07:27:00.001-07:00

NOTD: Sephora by O.P.I. Madame President

Countdown: 241 Days

2009-09-02T12:41:00.000-07:00

I've been reluctant to share details about the wedding here. I didn't want to ruin the surprise I guess. But I've been thinking about it. First, the 5 or so people who read this blog already see the details anyhow. Second, I've learned that planning is a big part of the whole wedding experience. And lastly, it's kind of fun to watch the details as they come together.

So I'll be sharing more about the wedding here. But that doesn't mean there won't still be some surprises!

Today I'm revealing my most recent little detail with which I've fallen in love. A cake topper! We weren't even going to have a topper, and I'm not normally into such whimsical things, but these charming love birds stole my heart. Joseph and I often say to each other "If you're a bird, I'm a bird" (yes, the cheesy quote from The Notebook...), so these little birdies had extra meaning for us. And when it comes to wedding stuff, the more personal it is, the better.

They are from the Esty seller RedLightStudio, and will be custom-made to match our colors. They will also be inscribed somewhere with "If you're a bird" on one and "then I'm a bird" on the other. Aren't they just too sweet?

NOTD

2009-09-01T07:45:00.000-07:00

Nail Of The Day: Sephora by O.P.I. Matte Metro Chic

Weekend Update

2009-08-31T14:44:00.000-07:00

Joseph spent the weekend in San Francisco with his two best friends, Vince and Eric. They went to the Pearl Jam concert on Friday night, went to the Raiders game the next day, and managed to avoid being murdered by the crackheads outside of their cheap hotel.

I spent my alone time cleaning. And I don't mean your basic vacuuming and dusting. I'm talking throw-piles-of-junk-away cleaning. I watched that show on TLC called "Hoarders" the other night, and I guess it had an affect on me. By the end of the weekend, my closets were organized and my pantry shelves were bare. It felt so good!

I was feeling SO good, that I took the time to look up some kitchen feng shui. And what do you know! Clutter in the kitchen manifests itself as excess weight. So THAT'S what's been going on! So weird that I was barely hungry today and usually I'm ravenous. Coincidence? I think not. I can feel the pounds melting away already.

And now for my haul of the weekend. While at Target for ice cube trays, I wandered into the handbag department and found this Merona tote. I like the color (a taupey-purple), its loads of compartments, and its structure. It's no MJ Blake, but not too shabby for $26.99. What do you think?

List Potential

2009-08-29T08:42:00.000-07:00

I'm always weary of Anthro's clothes. They look so great on the models, yet on me they tend to run big or fit awkwardly. So my love of this ruffled polka dot sheer top may not last once I try it on. Definitely worth a trip to Anthro. This just might make it to The List.

The List

2009-08-27T20:25:00.000-07:00

Did I mention I'm on a budget?

To satisfy my cravings in the meantime, I'm compiling "The List." If something makes it to The List and is still there after the wedding, I figure I want it enough to buy it.

My first List item is the Marc Jacobs Blake handbag. I desperately need a professional looking bag for work, and this one fits the bill PLUS it's stylish. The Purse Forum girls (aka handbag experts) give it great reviews. It's large enough for work, but not overly so for my 5'0" frame. The black is an easy choice, but the caramel color is enticing too.

Oh, and just a quick little note about my previous post. If you weren't sold on the UD Primer Potion already, this stuff held up today for 12 hours in 106-degree heat. No melting shadow, no ugly creasing. I almost forgot its wonderfulness!

The MJ Blake as seen in Duplicity with Julia Roberts:

Sephora Haul

2009-08-27T08:06:00.000-07:00

I've been on a no-buy since the wedding planning started. Wait -- let me correct myself. I've been on a budget rather than an actual no-buy. But sometimes it feels close enough! Boy do I love shopping. I'm a sucker for all things pretty - makeup, jewelry, bags, shoes...

So as a budget shopper, I'm much more careful. It's almost better this way. I take my time researching, comparing, and finding best prices. I can spend hours online looking at reviews of everything from concealers to cardigans. And all that work helps me make better decisions. I now have fewer tops that I've only worn once, less makeup I've tried and didn't like piling up in the bathroom drawers, etc.

And I now find the greatest joy in the littlest of thrills. Like yesterday's Sephora haul. A rundown of the wonderfulness:

Urban Decay Primer Potion. I've had this before, then tried others not realizing all eyeshadow bases are not created equal. This one is by faaaaar the best. No shadow creasing, not even after all day wear. On top of that, it's lightweight and basically invisible, not like some of the others. (MAC's painterly works almost as well, but it's thick and appears like concealer on the lid.) Alas, the holy grail of eyeshadow primers.

Another tried and true favorite for me are NARS blushes. I have Orgasm, and LOVE it. So yesterday I picked up Deep Throat, a nice peachy shade. NARS blushes have great pigment, but go on sheer for a glowy look.

Finally, the disappointment of the day. The new Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Color Concealer was sold out in the color I wanted (330). Now, let me explain that MUFE, especially the HD line, is something I love so much that I want to tell everyone about, but at the same time keep to myself like a juicy little secret. From testing this new concealer in store, it appears it will hold up to my other MUFE favorites (more on those in later posts). It's only medium coverage, but was moisture-rich and brightening just like it promised. Supposedly they get more stock in tonight. Oh, the anticipation!

Countdown: 248 Days

2009-08-26T09:06:00.000-07:00

There's good news and bad news. The bad news is I haven't lost any weight. I've been using up too many of my extra weekly points, so weight loss is slower. The good news is I'm feeling pretty great. I've been doing Jillian's video and/or running for 45 minutes every day. I even moved on to level 2! (Definitely following Anita more than Natalie, but still...) And although I'm not sticking to 18 points every day, I'm eating better.

More good news and bad news. The good news is that we're still making progress with the wedding stuff. Things are really coming together and I'm SOOOO excited! The bad news is that I've been having recurring bridal nightmares. In one, my wedding coordinator doesn't show up, there's not enough food, and at the end of the night we realize we forgot to have the ceremony! In another, my photographer is a drunk (or just sleepy?) hippie and I keep finding her asleep instead of taking photos. Then my bro-in-law, Lynn, appears dead (yes, dead!), but then *poof* he jumps up, has a cape on, and says it was a magic trick! And again, at the end of the night, Joseph and I realize we forgot to have the ceremony. Ahhhhh!

Mondays...

2009-08-24T14:52:00.001-07:00

I feel great on Sunday nights. My house is clean, I'm energized from my weekend workouts, and I made healthy dinners. And then on Monday morning, a ton of bricks (aka work) hits me and I'm craving sugar, low on energy, and I feel like there aren't enough hours in the day.

And this all happens before lunchtime. For example, I get to work today and the building alarm goes off. Not once, but 4 times. It's the construction next door that's causing it, but I have to herd employees back into the building, deal with the fire truck that arrives, and have 3 construction guys talk to me like I'm an idiot. I have to prepare for a meeting at 11, but I'm missing information that someone was supposed to get to me last week. I spill tea on my pants and then attempt to blot it out with water and create an even bigger stain. I look at my to-do list and realize how much I didn't complete last week that now needs to be done this week. It's endless.

So excuse me while I sneak out of work early to go running.

Doggie Dentist

2009-08-21T08:04:00.000-07:00

Bodhi had his first trip to the dentist yesterday! I don't think he was too happy with me the rest of the day. He hid in the closet all night. He was even more unhappy when I was trying to take pics of his newly white teeth. (Ah, yes, I know. Joseph and I really need to start having kids...)

Do you know your love language?

2009-08-18T14:42:00.001-07:00

Your "love language" determines what makes you most feel loved by your mate. The five are:

- Words of affirmation (verbal compliments, appreciation, etc.)

- Quality time (all energy is focused on your mate)

- Receiving gifts (visual expressions of love)

- Acts of service (doing things for your mate)

- Physical touch (holding hands, physical closeness)

Joseph and I took the test the other day. He's "quality time" and "acts of service." I think this is right on for him. He loves when I'm focused entirely on him, and he loves when I do little things for him, like make him dinner or wash his clothes.

I'm "physical touch." Well, I've said time and time again, "honey, I will do everything - wash the dishes, do the laundry, clean the house - if you will rub my feet every night."

You can take the test here:

http://www.afo.net/hftw-lovetest.asp

Happy Birthday to My Big Sister!

2009-08-18T14:12:00.001-07:00

I love you sister!

I'd be so hot if I didn't have to work

2009-08-18T07:56:00.000-07:00

Seriously. I worked from 7am to 7pm yesterday with no breaks. No Jillian. No evening walk with Bodhi. A couple of stops at the candy dish on my admin's desk, and too stressed to even feel guilty about it.

Thank God for my wonderful dear fiancé. He had a nice dinner waiting for me when I got home. Well, sort of waiting. I kind of had to help him out a little. But it's the thought that counts.

Joshua

2009-08-17T09:02:00.000-07:00

Cats find the coziest little places to curl up. There's seriously nothing cuter. (And no, I still haven't unpacked my suitcase from my trip to Michigan...)

Countdown: 258 Days

2009-08-16T14:26:00.000-07:00

I'm off to a good start. Did Jillian's video yesterday. Thought I was going to throw up and was sore as early as a few hours later. This morning I was REALLY feeling it. It's great actually - I'm sore everywhere so I know it's working!

Ran around with Bodhi at the park this morning. Like I mentioned, Bodhi likes to play with his mama more than with the other dogs, so at 6am I was running around makeup-less, retainer in, and hair unbrushed while the other mamas sat chatting on benches. (Better to avoid joining in the chatting than to try to carry on a conversation with my retainer in anyhow.)

Did Jillian's video again. It felt quite good this time, probably because I needed to warm up and stretch my muscles so badly.

Started reading Julie and Julia last night. I've had a hard time getting into books lately. I started two recently and dropped both within the first few chapters. But this one's pretty good. I like the premise and think she has a unique voice. So far it's a bit cliché with all of the woman-pushing-30 angst, but I can understand why she used it so I forgive her.

Dreading going to see "District 9" tonight. Yes, I'm being made to see this despite the fact that "The Time Traveler's Wife" came out this weekend. Oh well. The things we do for love...

Other Healthy Stuff

2009-08-15T14:38:00.000-07:00

I keep this list on my desk at work to remind me of what I can do every day to keep myself happy and healthy. These are things I've tried and they really work for me. And I know if I make them a priority, I will have more luck getting into shape.

7 Empowering Steps You Can Take In Your Life Right Now

(Taken from one of Deepak Chopra's newsletters)

- Meditate daily

- Know your doshas and understand your mind-body constitution to bring balance into your life (take the dosha quiz here: http://doshaquiz.chopra.com/)

- Experience nature - touch a natural body of water, walk barefoot on grass, sit under a tree, stand in the rain

- Write a poem (or journal entry or whatever)

- Commit an act of love today, maybe by making amends to someone you've hurt or forgiving someone who hurt you

- Make a powerful decision, even if it's a baby step - throw something away that no longer serves you; wash your car; get rid of paper congestion; clean a closet, a room, or a drawer; give away an item of clothing

- Perform a vital physical practice - go to yoga or pilates, go for a vigorous walk, practice deep breathing, or nourish yourself with a massage

Countdown: 259 Days

2009-08-15T13:54:00.000-07:00

It sounds like a long time, but it's really less than 8 months! There's a whole lotta stuff to get done (and money to save) before the wedding!

Joseph and I are pretty prepared - we've secured all the vendors and we're just making decisions about the details now. And we started planning our honeymoon! We have the travel coordinator creating an Italy/Greece itinerary for us. I can't wait.

But... I really have to get serious about shaping up now! Especially if I'm going to be lounging in the sun on Santorini!

So I figure I can track my progress here, and maybe it'll make me more accountable. I plan on:

- Incorporating running into my 2 daily walks with Bodhi, or running at the gym or work gym

- Daily 30-minute shred with Jillian Michaels after evening run w/ Bodhi

- Weight training @ gym (or work gym) 2-3 days/week (probably on weekends)

- Yoga 2-3 days/week

- Follow my weight watchers plan (only 18 points per day... *sigh*)

- Lots of veggies and fruit

- No cereal! (I swear this is my downfall! Oatmeal is allowed though.)

- No snacking mindlessly at work

- Plan for easy healthy dinners during the week

- Lots of water and plenty of green tea (should be easy - this is what I already do)

- Research workout DVDS specifically for arms (gotta look good in that dress!)

Shooting for 10lbs, but will be happy with a solid 5.

I already did Jillian's workout today (now have jell-o arms). And I plan to take Bodhi to the park later where I always run around with him. (I'm like the only person there who does this, but he only likes to play with me and not the other dogs. Yes, I'm sure I look like an idiot.)

Wish me luck!

More Santa Barbara Pics...

2009-08-10T19:52:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday to Joseph!

2009-08-10T19:36:00.000-07:00

Joseph's birthday was Sunday, so I took him to Santa Barbara for the weekend. We spent Saturday afternoon walking along the beach and checking out the art fair, and then went to dinner at night. We also went to the "Old Spanish Days" festival and watched the singing and dancing and ate churros. Walked around downtown at night and stopped at Starbucks for a hot chocolate.

We stopped for breakfast on Sunday morning, then took the long way home on the PCH. Such a pretty day! Joseph got tickets to see Pearl Jam in San Francisco and Raiders tickets for the day after for his birthday present. I also made him spaghetti and cake and ice cream, and Bodhi, Joshua, and I sang happy birthday!

I'll try to post more often. My sisters are inspiring me. I'm not making any promises though.

Making Progress!

2009-06-01T15:18:00.000-07:00

So I finally feel like we're beginning to make progress with our wedding planning. I have the contract for the venue in hand, and except for a couple of small items it looks great. We plan to execute it and send our deposit out this week! Don't mark your calendars just yet, but we've chosen May 1, 2010 as our date! Yes, I know this is Derby Day, but I got approval from my Dad. (And what does everyone think of mint juleps as a signature cocktail???)

I've also started to get quotes from vendors for photography, invites, hair/make-up, and cake. Moving right along!

Didn't do much this weekend other than clean and do some dress shopping (yes, dress shopping!). Also went to see Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, which I'm sure was excruciating for Joseph and would have been for me too except for all the wedding stuff to look at.

I have plans to go to Phoenix this weekend to do some dress shopping with the Phoenix girls and go out for Jill's birthday (yay!). Also finally booked my flight for Detroit for July 28-August 2. (By the way, NWA "miles" are crap. Conveniently for them none of the flights are "available" for miles redemption. Ended up having to use 20K miles AND pay $150. Ugh.) Can't WAIT to see my wonderful family!!! (Get a move on your tix Bri!)

Memorial Weekend

2009-05-25T09:56:00.000-07:00

We had a great Memorial Day weekend. Went to Michael's graduation party on Friday night (congratulations, Michael!), then drove up to Sedona on Saturday morning to do some serious wedding venue hunting. I'm happy to announce that we've found THE place! It'll be a small and intimate gathering with close family and friends. We checked out hotels for guests, rehearsal dinner places, and even did a cake tasting! I took tons of pics of everything, but I don't know how much I want to give away yet. (Am I supposed to keep everything a secret so it's a surprise?) We're deciding between about three Saturdays from the end of April and beginning of May (ahem, don't want to get in the way of any trips to Italy!), so we'll announce the date shortly. Now that we've decided, it finally feels real!

Here's Joseph and me at dinner in Sedona last night.

And Bodhi in the luxurious down bedding. It was hard to find him in there sometimes! (Yes, our little man traveled with us, and I think he approves of the venue. He LOVES the ducks!)

We spent the evening last night with our friends, Judy and Stephen. Went to dinner, then for desert on an outside patio, then walked in the pitch black dark along the creek.

As usual, pics just don't do it justice. Sedona is such a beautiful place!

Pics from our cake tasting. The tasting was at the chef's house. She has this huge, gorgeous commercial kitchen that smells delicious. She's been on Food Network, in magazines, and everything. And yes, we picked a cake! It's the design I had my heart set on (the one thing I just HAD to have), and I hope people don't think it's too weird. And we picked two very yummy flavors!

Justin (left) and the graduate, Michael. Aren't they the cutest? They are seriously the sweetest boys ever. I hope our kids turn out as wonderful as all of our nieces and nephews.

Good morning!

2009-05-18T08:13:00.000-07:00

Joseph and I had a fun weekend in Phoenix. Went to Titus's birthday party on Saturday and then on Sunday, Roberta, Katrina, Jill, and Jennifer took me bridesmaid (not wedding) dress shopping!!! It was so fun! And it helped me a lot - I kind of started to figure out what I do and don't like. All of us were trying on dresses. So fun!

Joseph, Bodhi, and I are going to visit a resort in Sedona next weekend to check it out as a possible wedding venue. I'm so hopeful that it'll be what we're looking for!

Since Bodhi and Daddy are on vacation this week, Joshie and I are living it up. Unfortunately, with Bodhi around, Joshie doesn't play a whole lot anymore. Bodhi is always getting in the way! But since Bodhi's in Phoenix, Joshie got a lot of playing in this morning!

Happy Monday!

2009-04-13T09:35:00.001-07:00

I hope everyone had a nice Easter. Joseph and I enjoyed a lazy weekend. I made Easter dinner for just the two of us and we watched movies. It's sad not being with family on holidays, but snuggling up on the couch all day with my boys is the next best thing!

I came home from the gym to find Easter presents waiting for me. Joseph had a bunch of flowers hiding in the fridge, and he got me a magazine, a movie, and candy all in a little chickie purse!

My Engagement Ring

2009-02-04T15:58:00.000-08:00

So there's just too much to tell. I had the most amazing, incredible, perfect weekend of my life. And I still need to call some family and friends to share the news. But I couldn't help but post a picture of my beautiful engagement ring from Joseph. I'm overwhelmed by how beautiful it is.

Before diamonds are cut into the sparkly ones we see today, they exist in a beautiful, untouched state wherein they are unique from all others. A long time ago, raw diamonds were worn only by royalty and believed to be fragments of stars or tears of gods. People thought they held all the powers of the earth and kept the wearer safe from all harm.

So here is a picture of my raw, uncut (and conflict free) diamonds that are perfect just as they are, no cutting needed.

Happy Birthday To Me!

2009-01-29T11:11:00.000-08:00

Thanks, President Obama. It's the best birthday gift you could have given me!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/obama

Life Drawing

2009-01-27T09:00:00.000-08:00

I started my life drawing class yesterday. I've taken this class a few times, but haven't been able to recently because of scheduling conflicts with school. It's a great class because it's really just model time without any instruction (unless you want it).

I'm VERY rusty after a few months off, but it was nonetheless wonderful to get back to it. The human figure is my most favorite of any subject. I love the complexity of it, the softness of the body, and the way the light gives it form. For me, both drawing and viewing it evokes more emotion than any other subject can. I love getting my fingers full of charcoal and zoning out for a couple of hours. The only problem is that time goes by too fast. But that's what happens when you're doing what you love...

Anyway, thought I'd post my sketches each week to share (I thought my mom would especially like this) and also to track my own progress through the weeks. The first are quick sketches - the model moves every couple of minutes - and the subsequent ones are anywhere from approximately 10 to 25 minute sketches.

Weekend Update

2009-01-26T16:30:00.000-08:00

We had a busy weekend. On Saturday, Joseph and I went to the gym, Long Beach for lunch, and then friends came over to watch the fights.

Sunday was SAG. We had a lot of fun and saw all the usual celebs. I was in charge of Jenna Fischer from The Office (see me in the pic on the right below!), The Entourage cast, and Mickey Rourke. Joseph had Tina Fey and Mrs. Cosby (can't remember her real name). Tina was nice, but Mrs. Cosby was snooty. We had a fun day, the show was really easy, and the after party was crazy and packed so we didn't stay long. And by the end of the night our feet hurt like hell!

I liked these people best: Tina Fey, Jenna Fischer (and her nice boyfriend with whom I had a long and awkward conversation while we waited for Jenna to come out of the restroom), Amy Poehler (her friends were all calling her "Pole Cat" and she was soooo nice and funny), and the casts of 30 Rock and The Office.

Oh, and the women were skinnier than ever this year. I felt like a blimp!

Anyway, I'm hoping to get some pics of us around the Shrine later from Maggie (the producer of the show), so I'll post again when I get them.

Hope everyone had a nice weekend!

SAG Awards

2009-01-21T13:34:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder to watch for me on the red carpet at the SAG Awards this Sunday. The show is airing at 8PM EST on TNT and TBS, but the pre-shows of the red carpet can be seen on a number of different channels beforehand. For details go to www.SAGAwards.org.

Not sure what I'm wearing yet, but it'll probably be black. And I'll have a headset on. I'll try to stand behind the cameras this time!

Lazy Weekend

2009-01-19T20:06:00.001-08:00

This photo of Joshua pretty much sums up our weekend. We had a relaxing one, mixed with a little cleaning and laundry. And check out the new sunset photo to the right. So pretty!

Friday Night

2009-01-17T10:00:00.001-08:00

Had a fun night out last night with some people from work. We celebrated Dasia's birthday at Buca Di Beppo, then went to see Benjamin Button at the movies.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

Saab

2009-01-15T08:54:00.000-08:00

I am the proud new owner of a 2008 Saab 9-3 Aero Sedan! The pictures show a pretty true representation of the color - "nocturne blue."

We had the best car-buying experience we could have hoped for. After getting $4,000 off MSRP for the GM employee discount (offered to all buyers), another $8000 in rebates (for I don't even know what!), and another $2000 off for credit card points that I'd racked up, I felt very comfortable with the purchase.

The salesman and finance guy at the dealership were just too nice. They broke open a bottle of non-alcoholic champagne and some glasses, and did a toast to my new car! And I learned from them (although I haven't checked for proof yet) that Saab engineers have the highest IQs of any of the car makers. Pretty cool!

The car is just too nice! It has XM radio, OnStar, dual climate control, and a bunch of other fun things. And it's fast too. It has a turbo-charged engine which makes it really zippy! AND it received the highest safety ratings possible in all categories.

Joseph and I have already chosen a name - "Eleanor Blue." It's after the name of the character in one of my stories and well, because it's blue :)

Teaser

2009-01-14T12:49:00.000-08:00

I might have some exciting news to share tonight. Stay tuned...

Oh, and here's a hint:

2009-01-12T19:34:00.000-08:00

Hi all! I don't have a lot to write about today. Except our beautiful weekend! It was about 80 degrees and sunny - a great change from the dreary 60-degree weather we'd been having. I spent Saturday cleaning while Bodhi and Joshua soaked up the sunshine and Joseph spent the day up in L.A. with his friend, Eric. Joseph was supposedly birthday shopping for me, but I think it was an excuse to hang out on Melrose and go to The Griddle (where, by the way, they saw Steve from 90210 AND last time we were there we saw Slater from Saved by the Bell!). We went out with Chris, Claudia, and Eric to a Greek restaurant here in Laguna on Saturday night. And yes, once again the guys ended up playing Rock Band all night. Sunday was car shopping day (more about that some other time...) and then a nice night on the couch watching movies.

Took some pics of my house on Saturday since it was such a beautiful day (and actually clean for a moment!).

2008

2009-01-09T20:31:00.000-08:00

I have this list (er, messy Excel spreadsheet actually) of all the things I want to do in my life. Some of the things are simple ("Get a membership to the Laguna Beach Library") or typical ("Lose 10 lbs."). Others are more ambitious ("Be the featured artist at a gallery opening") or more general ("Do something I'm afraid of"). You get the idea.

Last year flew by. I worked a lot. Had some fun. By the end, it felt like a wash. But then I pulled out my list and found that I actually accomplished quite a bit in 2008!

Lose 10 lbs. (Lost 5. I get half credit for this one.)
Traveled to Detroit, Phoenix, Vegas, San Francisco, and Austin
Donated to a charity (ASPCA and American Cancer Society)
Took an acrylic painting class
Went to Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach
Rescued a pet from a shelter
Started a Website (Kind of. Does this blog count?)
Learned to meditate
Started practicing yoga
Went to the San Diego Zoo
Went back to school to get my degree
Cleaned out my closets and donated old clothes
Took life drawing classes
Started a novel
Got new living room and bedroom furniture

I did lots of other things that weren't on the list, but are worth mentioning. Joseph and I revealed our relationship to colleagues (what a relief!). I worked the SAG awards and attended the after party for the 2nd year in a row (met/saw Tom Cruise, John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Julia Loius-Dreyfus, Will Smith, and many others). I Read at least 20 books (I didn't start keeping track until after the start of the year.). My niece turned 2. We had Joseph's family in town for the 4th of July and watched the fireworks over the ocean from our balcony. Family and friends visited: Lynn and Bri. Joseph's mom, sisters, nieces, and nephews. Joseph's best friend, Vince. Joseph's cousin, Daniel, and his wife and kids. Joseph's cousin, Titus, and Jill and the kids. We Saw Cirque Du Soleil. Went to Palm Springs. Had a surprise birthday party for Joseph's 30th birthday. Saw Joseph's other best friend, Eric, do a show in Hollywood. Went for countless walks on the beach. Felt an earthquake for the 2nd time. Saw more beautiful sunsets from my own house than I've ever seen in my life. Fell asleep to the sound of the ocean every night. Accomplished lots of things at work that are insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Had friends from work over.

And see the pic below? Those rocks jutting out into the ocean at the very top? That's where Bodhi and I sat every evening in summertime and prayed and watched the sunset.

Quake!

2009-01-08T19:59:00.000-08:00

Yep, we felt it. An earthquake (5.0 magnitude) occurred just moments ago, at about 7:49 PST. Looking at the map, we're located just a bit south of where you see Santa Ana, right on the coast.

Joseph, Bodhi, Joshua, and I were sitting on the sofa - while Joseph watched college football and I re-edited chapter 2 of my novel (I've written 5 - chapters, not novels) and polished off a glass of wine - when things started to shake. It was a gentle rumble, but significant. I don't know why, but I kind of love earthquakes. I get this giddy, excited feeling. (No, it's not the wine, I promise.) I'm sure I'll change my tune when a scary one hits, but for now I'll enjoy the excitement of them!

Oh, by the way, I've determined that my animals are not of the etho-geological forecasting persuasion.

My Drabble

2009-01-07T09:08:00.001-08:00

As many of you know, I love to write. I'm working on my first novel now, hoping to finish it this year. I've started lots of novels, but I've committed myself to this one. I plan to see it through to the end, then begin the arduous undertaking of finding an agent and getting piles of rejection letters. Such is the romantic life of a writer...

Perhaps I'll start posting some finished chapters soon. For now, I'll share my entry to the "drabble" contest being held by a writer's site to which I belong. A "drabble" is a work of fiction of exactly 100 words. For this drabble, we were asked to look at the picture below and explore questions like "Who is he?" and "Why is he there?"

The picture is of a homeless man and was taken during the Great Depression. A little explanation of my take on it: A snapshot of the man's thoughts, like the snapshot of a picture.

Here's the picture and my drabble below:

The way Betty held me in the palm of her. Moved her lips against the back of my neck as she whispered "goodnight."

If she were here she'd pull my hands from these pockets. "Twirl me," she'd say. A pirouette. She'd throw her head back and laugh at the sky. Dangle her arms around my neck. Brown eyes. "See, baby, it ain't so bad," she'd say.

Betty wore orchids in her hair. Liked jazz. Ginger Rogers. And pearls.

If she were here she'd tip my hat up to see my eyes. "Baby, I'll always go where you go," she'd say.

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-28T12:50:00.001-08:00

Yes, I've been lazy about posting lately. Perhaps the New Year will bring with it some inspiration to post more often.

For now, here are some pre-Christmas pics from Susan's birthday (which ended up back at my place with Rock Band like always - ugh!), and Christmas pics from Michigan. When Joseph and I arrived it was 4 degrees! I think Bodhi was probably the most miserable - his poor little toes in the snow!

San Francisco

2008-10-14T20:16:00.000-07:00

Good news! My man bought me a memory stick converter thingy for my Mac and I can now download my pics directly from my camera! So even though I just came home from SF today, I can share some photos already!

Help me choose a color!

2008-10-07T16:29:00.000-07:00

I'll be going to get a new 2009 Audi A4 sometime between now and the beginning of the new year, and I need some help choosing a color. Please participate in my survey to help me pick!

San Fran Here We Come!

2008-10-02T14:04:00.000-07:00

Bri told me she will be in San Francisco for work from October 12th to the 16th, and I had my own airfare booked an hour later! I love SF and I can't wait to have a girly mini vacation with little sister!

Texas Trip!

2008-09-24T15:48:00.000-07:00

We had so much fun visiting Bri and Lynn in Texas! Austin is such a cool city. It's young, trendy, and active, yet somehow maintains the relaxed, cozy vibe you'd expect of Texas. And they (not Bri and Lynn, but Texans in general) actually do wear the whole cowboy getup - the hat, the boots, tight jeans, the buckle, all of it! I love all the outdoor BBQ joints, little coffee shops, and craziness of 6th Street. The Pecan Street Festival was fun (but oh boy, is it toasty in Texas!), and I got to see the Alamo in San Antonio. We saw (and smelled - ew!) the bats fly from the bridge, ate way too much ice cream, and had yummy dinners every night. And Bri Bri's house is SOOO pretty! It's so funny -- Lynn has like 10 televisions! My favorite things were eating BBQ, having dinner at Bess Bistro then going for dessert and coffee, going to the Market Square in San Antonio, and walking around at the Pecan Street Festival. I think Joseph's favorite thing was probably playing ping pong with Lynn until 4am! And he liked all the trees even though they are serial killer magnets (inside joke!). And yes, Lynn asks the waitress whether a dish "is worth a damn" every time! So cute!

My Joshua

2008-09-24T13:14:00.000-07:00

About Joshua:

DOB: May 2002

Birthplace: Michigan

Current Location: Laguna Beach, CA

Eye Color: Green

Hair Color: Brown and black striped

Height: About 12"

Weight: 13 Lbs

Favorite Toys: Little poof balls, hair ties, and the wand with the dangly thing on the end

Favorite Lounging Spot: The chair in the living room or a sunny spot in front of the sliding glass wall

Favorite Hiding Place: Shopping bags or on the high shelf in the kitchen

Best Physical Feature: Cute stuffed animal paws and my mommy thinks I smell good

Nicknames: Josha, Joshie, Peanut

Hobbies: Napping and watching Bodhi act like a crazy dog. If I'm in the mood I'll chase him around the room (and my tail gets all big and fluffy!)

Talents: Motoring so loud that you can hear it from across the room. I sound like a tiger!

Favorite Things To Do: Hide in secret places and pounce out when someone walks by

I love: When mommy holds me and bounces me like a baby and sings "Joshie's a good boy" to me.

Every day: I sleep on my mommy's chest and then purr and nibble her fingers until she wakes up

I can: Mow really, really loud and over and over and over until I get attention

I'm glad: Bodhi has to sleep in his cage and I get to sleep in the bed!

Another Bodhi Pic

2008-09-22T16:50:00.000-07:00

Bodhi gets so much attention from passers-by on his walks to the beach. A photographer stopped us one day and asked if he could take his picture. Here's Bodhi posing for the camera.

So My Sister's Posts Are About Her Daughter...

2008-08-31T15:28:00.000-07:00

Until I'm blessed with human babies (which will happen, I promise, one of these days...), I'll content myself with showing off my furry ones. (Pics of Josh coming soon now that he's come out of hiding.)

On The Job

2008-08-26T17:15:00.000-07:00

Today I'm sharing some pics of my office, where I spend most of my days.

I am a financial and human resources Controller for a payment solutions provider in Irvine. (We provide the means by which merchants - large or small - process electronic payments.) I manage a group of human resources, accounting, and administrative personnel. I love my job, especially financial strategy and organizational development.

Notice the pretty wall color I chose, but lack of any other personality! With the exception of a pic of little Anne, I haven't decorated at all - even though we've been in our new building since February. Any suggestions?

I do, however, have a relatively nice view of the mountains (which looks much prettier on clear days).

Introducing Bodhi

2008-08-23T10:34:00.000-07:00

About Bodhi:

DOB: Unknown

Birthplace: Probably somewhere in L.A.; Rescued from San Pedro

Current Location: Laguna Beach

Eye Color: Orange-ish Brown

Hair Color: White with a brown ring around one eye

Height: About 14"?

Weight: 10lbs

Piercings: Microchipped

Favorite Food: Treats and people food

Store: Undecided for now

Drink: Fresh water

Best Physical Feature: Long legs

Nicknames: Bo, Bodhi Boy

Hobby: Napping

Talent: Standing on my hind legs, sitting on command

Favorite Things To Do: Cuddling on the couch and chasing the birds at the beach

I Love: Sniffing everything possible on my walks

I Can: Come on command, but sometimes I just don't feel like it

I just: Walked to Starbucks and made mommy hold me because I was scared of all the people

I want: Joshua to play with me