1.30.2011

FOCUS

As I struggle with many frustrations in my day job, I realize that it is time to focus on my writing craft. Knuckle down.  Nose to the grindstone.  That kind of focus.  Focus that leads with hard work.

I have always found solace from writing. Creating. Crafting characters and journeying with them. I am ready to renew my relationships with my characters and storylines. 

It will mean change.  Setting aside time for completing writing projects that have been laid aside. Dedication. Consistency.

I have begun becoming more disciplined since I have begun writing a monthly article for a local paper.  That has helped me begin to sharpen my focus, but I realize that a lot more sharpening is needed.  It is still quite dull.

I am hopeful that many good things will come of my renewed focus.

1.23.2011

BABY SHOWER AND GRILLIN' OUT

This afternoon, I attended a fun baby shower for my friend, Linda's daughter-in-law, Sarah. Sarah's due date is mid February and even though she and  her hubby have chosen to not learn the gender of the babe beforehand, Linda and I think it is a boy.  They have an adorable little girl, who will be nearly 2 1/2 when her sibling is born. 

It was evident that everyone else at the shower believes this baby is a boy, too.  Most everything was only slightly gender neutral leaning strongly to boy colors and styles.  

I bought her two cute onesies--one with brown and cream stripes, and the other one, white with tiny brown and pale blue stars paired with a pair of soft light brown cozy bottoms and a pair of OshKosh shortalls (bought in the boys department). I'm a sucker for OshKosh.  All of my kids (girls and boys) wore boys style OshKosh overalls and I know Sarah will girly everything up, in case we are all wrong, and she is carrying a little girl.

So now I am at home relaxing.  Bruce had a softball tournament this weekend and is on his way home.  We're going to grill some chicken for dinner and serve it over a green salad filled with lots of fresh garden ingredients.

We're making the most of every last moment of our weekend and our warm weather. 

I am really not ready for Monday.

1.22.2011

A TEASE OF SUMMER

I think we are getting a bit of the summer that we didn't get last year, right now. 

We had a cold summer but now, in January, we are getting some weather that beckons me outside, demands that I go barefoot and makes me look at the calendar and say, huh?

I was enjoying the rain that we were getting, the cold days and colder nights, having a fire in the fireplace everynight (since we were stocked up with firewood) and burying myself under blankets on the sofa. 

But this taste of summer is too sweet to waste inside.  I'm going to get outside in it today.

I have a stack of books to choose from and today is the perfect day to settle into a comfy chair in the sun and get lost in a good story. 

1.19.2011

QUIET CHANGE

I gave my blog a little face lift today.  Monochromatic.  Calm. Maybe a bit boring?

Perhaps it helped me feel better today.

My head hurt.

It started last night and I took an OTC pain reliever and hoped that in the night it would go away.  It didn't.  This morning I took Excedrin, a nice warm shower and crawled back into bed and burrowed under the covers.

I've been in bed all day today. Resting. Recuperating.

Early this afternoon, I began to climb out of the fog of pain. I made myself a protein smoothie to drink, climbed back in bed and worked on my blog for awhile.  

For now, I am happy with the 'plain jane' template and colors. Calm in the midst of chaos. 

1.18.2011

TUESDAY + DINNER = OH, SO GOOD

Tuesday.  Back to work.  Long day. Coming home is the best part of my day. The aroma in my house when I got home made me so hungry.  I set out a small basket of chips and some guacamole to nibble on while we waited for dinner to finish cooking.

Bruce put dinner in the crock pot this morning.  A dangerously, delicious concoction of chicken breasts, canned tomatoes with peppers, jalapenos, and a small can of salsa verde and set it on low and cooked slow.all.day.long.

I did my part.  I cooked some brown rice and "homemade"  refried beans (open a can of pinto beans and mash them in pot with a tablespoon of hot bacon grease until they are mashed and hot) to go along with it.  I usually like to cook my beans from scratch and then re-fry them, but hey, I worked all day, so I take shortcuts on work nights. 

I set out some guacamole, salsa and a basket of tortilla chips to nibble on accompanied by an ice cold margarita while the rice cooked.

We enjoyed a delicious dinner.  mmmmmm....

1.17.2011

GETTING MY MONDAY ON

I'm hopeful that today will be productive in a laid back sort of way.  There are times that accomplishing something productive can be relaxing.  Today will be one of those days for me. 

I am not in the office today.  The office is closed.  I am home. 

I awoke with a headache that 2 Excedrin did not quell.  Nor did two cups of coffee.  However, a hot shower did help take off the edge. And breakfast helped even more. 

Bruce cooked breakfast this morning. He made his famous breakfast burritos. One of my most favorite breakfasts.  They are so delicious!  Especially when accompanied with his also famous, Bloody Mary drinks.  I have an amazing husband! 

It is already warming up and is supposed to be another gorgeous warm day here in San Diego.  I can't wait to get outside in it. 

Over and out....

1.16.2011

WARM WEATHER WEEKEND

Wow. I am so thankful for the beautiful summer like (high 70's) weather we are enjoying this weekend.  And after a very stressful week, I am basking in a perfectly non-stressed weekend. A three day weekend.  With sunshine.
Last week was rough. I am not going to go into all the gory details, but suffice it to say that between electrical issues at the house, our lame dog and challenges at work, Friday afternoon was welcomed (I would have thrown a parade, if I could have) and we wasted no time diving into our time off.

Friday night, we met friends at one of our favorite haunts and shared some laughs, glasses of wine and appetizers. Yesterday we ran errands, grocery shopped and made our semi-monthly trek to Costco.

Last night we had a date night. So fun to get out for the evening.  We decided to go to a movie and then out to dinner. We saw "The Dilemma".  While cute, we both agreed it was a Netflix rental and not worth the $23 they charged to see it.  Yeah...$23.  And then there was the $12 for a medium popcorn and large drink. Really.  I am as shocked as you are.  Can you tell we don't often go to the movies.  And why we don't. Welcome to sunny San Diego. What...you didn't really think there is such thing as a "sunshine tax"?  Yup, there is.  *sigh* I love Netflix. 

We were going to eat at P.F. Changs for dinner afterwards.  It was 7:40 p.m. We checked in. There was an hour and a half wait.  Ummm, no thanks.  Plan B.  Enjoyed a delicious dinner at Mimi's Cafe. Afterwards, a stop at Coffee Bean.  Ice Blended Caramel for me--yum.

Today is another gorgeous day of sunshine and 77 degrees. We are enjoying it at home--windows and doors open. And of course, football on TV.

There is not one thing on the "to do" list today. Tonight we are putting steaks on the grill, fixing some baked potatoes and fresh green beans and opening a bottle of wine. 

Tomorrow?  The world is my oyster.  Or something like that.

1.10.2011

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRACE

January 10, 2009

Precious girl. Memaw was so happy to be able be there when you were born and spend your first week with you, Mama and Daddy.  


The months flew by and you grew by leaps and bounds.  Memaw and Pepaw loved coming to visit you and watching you change and grow.  Before we knew it, you were turning one year old and were walking everywhere and beginning to talk. Such a happy baby! 


Here we are again, another year has passed and you are taking on your world with such determination!  You are such a smart girl!  You are two!


Happy Birthday Grace!  Memaw and Pepaw love you so much!

1.08.2011

LAZY MORNING

I am starting my weekend lazily.  I started it out sipping my coffee curled up in a blanket on the couch. 

I have a few must-do's to complete today, but otherwise my day is an open canvas to fill in as I please.  Bruce has softball practice and will bring home some lunch.  He is getting a pizza from a place called Pizzeria Luigi.  We saw it on the Food Network's show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and we're looking forward to trying it out. 

After leisurely sipping two cups of coffee, I made myself a breakfast of egg-on-toast and buried myself back under the warmth of a cocoon of blankets.  I added a pair of socks and long sleeve shirt and am very toasty.   

Kona would love to join me, but she is prohibited from any jumping, until her leg is better.  Just look into those sad eyes.  I have to look away.  For her own good.   


Before you are taken in by those sad puppy dog eyes, and feel too sorry for her, let me explain that she has has a very comfortable bed--actually she has  two equally cozy beds.  

She prefers to be as close to us as possible and fancies herself to be a lap dog (a very large lap dog), She would rather be snuggled up with her mama, but finally resigned herself to her bed.  And promptly went to sleep.  And is snoring. 

Anyone else ready for a nap? 

1.06.2011

HAIRSTYLE FUN 101

As you all may recall,  I cut all the length off my hair way back in September.  I had fun with it being short. For all of a month.  Then I missed my long hair and began growing it back out.

This is not the first time I have cut it and grown it back out.  I think it is my hair style modus operandi.

It's starting to get longer and so tonight, just for fun, I decided to experiment with my hair extensions and take some photos. 

♫ When the working day is done ♪ ♫ ♪



Girls--they want to have fun ♪ ♫





♪ Oh, girls just wanna have fun, ♫ ♪



They wanna have fun, ♫ ♪
♫ ♪ They wanna have fun...


 What did you do tonight? 

1.04.2011

2011 BUSTED IN

Although we have only tiptoed into 2011 by 4 days, in some ways it feels like it's been a month. 

First, our (older than dirt, but trusty) washer and dryer bit the dust.  I was not a happy camper when it happened,  but I am really happy with the cool front-loading set we bought to replace them.  

Then, on New Year's Day, I lost a crown and had to go to my dentist to have it re-cemented. I guess it could have been worse.  Right? 

Finally, Kona dog pulled her leg, which necessitated a visit to see her Vet.   So, for the present time, in addition to the anti-inflammatory medication, recommended joint supplements, and fish oil, she is on a strict "rest regime" for the injury.  I am not sure our high energy dog knows what "rest" is. 

Vet:  Keep her from jumping, running, hopping, skipping or acting like a spaz.

Me:  But that is what she lives to do, doc.  She is 80 pounds of energy.

Vet:  The tranquilizer tablets will help with that.

Me:  Oh, my bad. I thought those were for me. 

It's an adjustment for her... but we have an extra room for her to chill out in when we are away or company comes over, so she is not stimulated to the point of going into Kona-mode.

I'm waiting for the handy-dandy personal desk calendar I ordered to be delivered.  What the heck was I thinking?  How could I forget to order my calendar BEFORE the new year began?  I'm lost without one.  I had to print a blank month off of my Outlook calendar at work to start scribbling things on. 

It's a short term fix.  My calendar will be here momentarily.

I have some pretty cool news. I landed a writing gig for a local community newspaper.  My first article was published for January 2011 issue and I have just submitted my second article to be published in the February issue.  I am so excited about the opportunity and I am having fun with it.  I love the challenge!

I have high hopes for 2011!