Fun in So-Cal (that's what they call it there!)

Ok, I finally had to upload our pictures since we're going camping this weekend and I wanted to clear the memory card.

So here it is, the much anticipated evidence of our trip.
(Don't try to pretend you weren't checking my blog daily to see if I had updated yet. I know everyone is dying to live vicariously through me. At least that's what complete strangers come up and tell me all the time!)


We started out Sat. morning in the heart of Santee Alley.
Of course we needed to fuel up for the day.


(I think I mentioned previously something about the enormous amounts of fast food consumed in one weekend.)

We went shopping, and shopping and shopping. Then we dropped off our bags in the car and went shopping some more.

Our spoils.

Don't be fooled by the black un-marked bags. That's what Neiman Marcus and Louis Vuitton are using these days. One hates to walk around boastful of where they shop so we requested the black bags.

But by far the highlight of the day was finding a fabric store that sold everything in the whole place for $2 a POUND. As in, they put it on a scale and almost gave it away. Do you have any idea how light fabric is? Do you have any idea how a lot of it can actually weigh quite a bit.
Here's what I found and I'll definitely be going back!


We stayed with my honey's Aunts and cousins.

(I'm the white girl on the end who stands about 3 feet taller then everyone else!)

On Sunday we went to Olvera Street and wandered around the shops.

Imagine my surprise when we completely just ran into Pancho Villa. Seriously what a treat! I asked for his autograph, but he wouldn't have anything to do with this gringa. So we had to sneak up on him and capture this picture.


Oh yeah, and I just think we look cute so I threw this one in for good measure.


Now don't you feel like you were right there with us? Wasn't that a good trip?

Who wants to go next time?


PS. The answer to the previous post is C. It appears that you all know me quite well, although I'm a little appalled that no one thought I would do a good dead and actually try to help the guy. I guess that says something about me... I just can't figure out what.

LA Update...sans photo evidence

I know I owe a really killer update on my adventures in LA. (Believe me I had a few) I haven’t uploaded my pictures yet and I don’t want to have to repeat myself and post about the trip and then post the pictures later. Instead I’ll highlight some of the exciting events I wasn’t able to capture on film.

* Driving around for an hour looking for the church building that we were sure would be really easy to find so we didn’t print off the map.
* Eating a ridiculous amount of fast food. (I only want to eat vegetables for the next year.)
* Seeing the LA temple from the freeway and almost crashing while trying to a good look. Yes I realize that it’s right off the freeway and it would’ve taking 5 minutes to get off and on again, but we don’t think like that.
* Breathing lots of contaminated air.
* Eating oranges fresh off the tree. Too juicy to get a picture.
* Squatting over the most disgusting toilet and worrying the entire time that I would miss or I wasn't close enough to the bowl and I'd have a large wet spot on my pants. It was a huge emergency, but when I think about it, it probably would've been more sanitary to just go in some bushes.
And my personal favorite…
* Pulling off the freeway and having a man either on an acid trip or having a seizure run right in front of my car yelling with his arms waving in the air as if he thought he was on fire and then fall down in the middle of the street and proceed to roll around in pain hitting his head multiple times on the asphalt. (I’m really sad I didn’t think to grab my camera for this one!)

Now… let’s see who knows me the best. In regards to this last exciting event:

Did I….
(A) Call 911
(B) Get out of my car to see what was wrong.
(C) Reverse my car so I could drive around him without running him over.
(D) Roll around on the ground with him.

More updates with pictures to come!

LA or BUST

I'm going on a road trip this weekend. I used to be really good at road trips. I think that comes from growing up with parents who drove everywhere. I never minded it then, they were almost enjoyable.

We'd pack up Thumper -our ancient full size diesel van with a painted picture of Thumper from Bambi on each side and on the back tire- and off we'd go. We drove from Minnesota to Florida once. It was comfortable because we could fold down the back bench and make a bed where 2 people could sleep. Then we'd pile up blankets on the floor between the back bench and the bucket seats and the third girl would sleep there. (That was usually Cathy, I don't remember if she was just self-sacrificing or if we ganged up on her) When I think of how dangerous that whole situation would've been had we ever gotten in an accident, I've come to the conclusion that our parents must not have liked us very much. Is it too late to call CPS?

When I started driving, I still enjoyed a road trip every once and a while. They can be fun and adventuresome.

Then I stopped enjoying it.

Now I can't stand it. I prefer to fly if it's more than 3 hours.

Maybe it's because out West there's not a whole lot to look at.

Maybe it's because I've driven the length of I15 several times and it's not that exciting.

Maybe it's because I've mysteriously turned into my grandma and I jump anytime I see brake lights and I'm traveling at 80+ mph.

I'm going to Los Angeles which is approximatly 4 hours from Las Vegas. That's exactly 1 hour over my 3 hour limit. That last hour is going to be killer.

I really hope Santee Alley in LA's fashion district is worth it. I'm hoping to get some professional looking clothes at Wal-mart prices. And maybe some fabric to feed my new crafty sewing hobby.

Has anyone ever been there? Got any tips?

Ode to a pet.

I'm very sad to report that after 4 months, my dear Fiona has passed on to a better place. I know she's very happy wherever she is because she was a very sweet spirit and very deserving of all the best. I also know that she is happy to no longer be around Shreck who, despite being a turtle, has displayed pig-like qualities and eaten all her food and starved her. I first noticed something was wrong Sunday night when she was just stuck under her floating log with all her legs sticking out... not moving. (That was my first hint that something was amiss)

So we laid her to rest.

That means I made my honey grab a net and get her out and dispose of the remains.

I couldn't watch.

I may have even made little shrieking noises and hid in the staircase.

Maybe.

Yes I realize that it shouldn't be hard to keep alive a turtle. They have pretty basic necessities.

Food.

Water.

Repeat.

I probably should have worked on that first step a little harder.

And people think I should go ahead and procreate?

By people, I'm referring to my mom who sent me a mother's day card and said she wasn't pressuring me, but wanted to send me something too. Apparently she's never seen any of those "blank inside" cards.

Anyways... Rest In Peace Fiona.

(she's the one on the left)

Yet another blog about why I rock!

When Something Marvelous told me I'd won an award on her blog (Thank you Thank you Thank you! mwha - that means I'm blowing you a kiss), I instantly starting thinking of my acceptance speech. "I'd like to thank my mom for always being there for me, my friends for letting me vent about my calling and bratty teenagers, and of course myself; without whom I would never be so cool."

Then I wandered over there to see what I had won and realized this just keeps getting better.


She gave me the "Awe-Summm" award. SWEET!

Apparently this award comes with rules, but I think I may be able to handle it.

List 7 things that make you Awe-Summ and then pass the award on to bloggers. Make sure to tag your recipients and let them know they know. Also link back to the QUEEN that tagged you.



Heck yeah I'll tell you why I rock!
1. I'm an amazing gardener!
2. I'm a coupon Nazi! Don't even try to get between me and using a coupon!
3. I am a huge fashionista.
4. I get inspired by biggest loser... (although, Helen?!??? Seriously?)
5. My honey dotes on me. (He only does that to really awesome people)
6. My sisters think I'm the best thing since Carrie Underwood won American Idol.
7. I'm always 100% proper in public places and I have the best manners ever!


Now aren't you glad you read my blog? See how awe-summ I am?
And I'd like to pass this award on to anyone who wants it, whether you're awesome or not. Let's face it, we've all been given different abilities and if awesomeness isn't one of yours; that's nothing to be ashamed of. (Although I probably would be if it were me)

And... everyone who comments on my blog gets extra awesomeness points. That means you're doubly awesome in my book.

Why I carry a camera with me

I went out to lunch with Rychelle on Saturday. We went to Serendipity and they had this delicious frozen hot chocolate. Seriously, I slurped it down in like 2 mins.

So we were just sitting there minding our own business and Donny and Marie decided to join us. They could probably tell that we're "of the same faith" and all. Either that, or they just really wanted to try some of my frozen hot chocolate. I didn't share though. That stuff was goooood! I even took a fork and tried to scoop up the last little shards of chocolate. I didn't think Donny would appreciate it if I just stuck my face in my bowl and licked.

Before we left we made sure to get a picture with the famous siblings. Here's me, Donny, and Marie next to my frozen hot chocolate.

The fun didn't stop there my friends. As we were walking back to our cars, I made Rychelle follow this guy with her IPhone to get the perfect picture.

You can imagine my excitement when I saw this gentleman who quite possibly singlehandedly will bring back the fanny pack into major fashion.

Not 10 mins later as I was filling up at a nearby gas station, I saw another amazing fashionista also sporting the fanny pack trend.

The picture isn't as great since I'm not so technologically advanced as to have an IPhone and I had to try to inconspicuously to take his picture. It's not quite as easy to hide an actual camera.

Then I casually walked into Sam's Club and became instantly grateful I carry I camera in my purse.

Just because you never know when you're going to walk into Sam's Club and be greeted by Storm Troopers.

Vegas is such an exciting town!

Work, eat, sleep, work

First day of work.





I'm tired.





I hate being the new girl.





I've got nothing for you.





Except that when my boss took me out to lunch today, he accidentally left the lights on in his rental car and the battery died.





I'm pretty sure I'll never let him live that down.



Oh, and he gave me a pig keychain... I think there's a hidden message there.
Either he thinks I'm a porker, or he has swine flu.

I'm still trying to figure it out.

Sorry for the boring post.





Here's a picture to liven it up.


You're welcome!