In A Crazy World........

I Miss My Mom

2011-11-10T21:11:00.001-08:00

USPS Priority Mail

2011-10-27T06:03:00.000-07:00

Is anyone else having problems with the postal service lately? Well, I have! Things have been consistently lost and/or late! Priority mail is supposed to be 2-3 days. They really need to change that to 3-5 days because that's how long it's been taking! grrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!

Michael Jackson Medley

2009-11-03T06:31:00.000-08:00

You have to watch this Michael Jackson Medley video. Really super cool!

Remember Nunu?

2009-08-03T19:06:00.000-07:00

This was the first episode, I believe, that Cesar Milan made as the Dog Whisperer.... starring Nunu- The chihuahua from Hell.
So cute...you have to watch it....even if you've already seen it!
I was reminded of this because Cesar will be in Upland, California this month at a pet expo..........the So. Cal Pet Expo.
Watch it....Cesar is amazing!

Creative Entrance

2009-07-30T08:18:00.000-07:00

If I were going to have a wedding party, I would certainly have done something like this! Watch it....too cool!

Maybe The Dingo Ate Your Baby!

2009-07-11T09:47:00.000-07:00

I absolutely love this scene with Elaine......hilarious! Watch it!

An Inspirational Story!

2009-07-08T08:05:00.000-07:00

Watch this video....it is an inspirational story about a dog named Faith. She beat the odds besides her handicap.

My Fourth of July

2009-07-06T07:43:00.000-07:00

Great time, great food, great company! What more can I say?
It seems like it's been forever since we spent 4Th of July together at my sister's house....but we actually only missed one year. Last year.
The weather was absolutely PERFECT for this great American day! I thought for sure my 3 year old granddaughter would freak out once all the noise started, but she was really, really good. She did let us know in the beginning that she was not liking the noise, but after awhile of it, she seemed to get used to it.
There was a TON of food. My sister went a bit overboard I think. She bought something like 5 different types of burger buns, and I believe she said 3 or 4 different types of burger meats!
We had I don't know how many different deserts....oh, and she made this really great guacamole dip.....super HOT! Well, to me anyways. I'm a sissy when it comes to spicy.
My mom brought her famous special angel food cake concoction. Delicioso....muuaah!
Sunshine and Eunique got soaked playing with water balloons, and Sunshine ended up spending the night there.
I love spending time with the family!

My Mommy's New Purse

2009-07-03T16:22:00.001-07:00

So....I have a difficult time figuring out every year what to get for my Mom for all the different occasions. I reluctantly decided for her birthday this year to do a DIY project. I knew that she wanted a geisha purse, and she had been looking for one online.
So how difficult could it be for me to throw a geisha on a purse? I'll eat those words! Especially since I've never done anything like that before in my life!
The first thing I had to do was hunt for the perfect purse. My mom is very finicky about her purses. Not too big, not too small, has to have at least one outside pocket, not to mention the fact that if I was going to pull this off I would need a solid colored purse. OK...so the quest begins. Day after day, store after store....until finally I find one that comes closest to what I need.
So what's next? Well, I go and buy some paints for fabric to put a little background for the face and kimono of the geisha because I was going to be using hotfix rhinestones (iron on), and the purse I selected was black. And I couldn't leave it so that the face stayed black, right? I mean, it's a geisha for goodness sake!
Well long story short, during the construction of this project were MANY trials and errors (put stuff on backwards, white paint ended up blue, etc.) . I really should have learned how to do this whole thing first before I actually made something as a GIFT! So one stiff neck and many nerves unrattled later....walah! This is how it ended up. I'M not content with it, but my family has been very encouraging and kind. My mom SEEMED to love it, but she's a great actress! lol...just kidding Mom! (well, not really)
So that is my story of my first time DIY project for my Mommy!

Alayla's 3rd Birthday

2009-06-29T05:09:00.001-07:00

It was a fun day watching my baby girl play with the balloons and reluctantly open her presents. She is such a funny little character.
My niece Rayna didn't make it and neither did any of Efren's (Alayla's dad's) family. They R.S.V.P.'d they would be there, and yet never even called or somehow let Efren know that they wouldn't be able to make it. How inconsiderate is that?
So there we were, putting things off, thinking they were going to be there any second now.
Well, needless to say, we didn't let that spoil the time. It was fun times, and we all stuffed ourselves with pizza, salad and cupcakes from the cute cupcake cake that Yvette brought.
There's nothing like being with family.

I Hate Spending Money

2009-06-25T07:33:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I get angry with myself when I spend money on something I really don't need. Or when I buy something on a whim without researching it first. This is how I am feeling today.
Last night, on a whim, I purchased a used (floor model) Microsoft Original Xbox from Ebay. Why? I don't really know why. It SEEMED like a good deal, and with only about 15 minutes before bidding was to end, I felt compelled to bid. I was so caught up in the moment. It was a feeling like...OMG, I'm going to miss out on this wonderful opportunity! And that other person is going to win it! When in reality, now that I've won, I don't really feel it was that great of a deal. I feel....swindled in some way....and now I am angry with myself for that snap decision.
I know that Sunshine will enjoy it......but I still have that very heavy feeling inside of me. Regret. Well, maybe once it gets here I'll feel better about it. Maybe.
And then there's the "having to buy games" factor. Yikes! What have I done?
O.K., O.K......all will be O.K. Right?
Hmmmmmm.......I feel like a junkie.

Wedding Accessories On Ebay

2009-06-22T06:22:00.001-07:00

I just recently started dabbling in selling wedding accessories on ebay. I thought I would just give it a shot to see how it went. Thus far, doesn't look all that great. Of course, I won't give up that easily......I'll give it a bit longer.
I guess right now that I'm into looking for wedding stuff, I'm drawn and attracted to it. I feel as though I never want the planning to end. Is that normal? Probably not, but then again, I've never really considered myself to be "normal"

Father's Day

2009-06-22T06:12:00.001-07:00

Father's Day turned out to be a really nice day. Me, my dad and Sunshine went out to eat at BJ's Restaurant Brewery. No, none of us had a brew, but my dad did get a free Father's Day glass compliments of BJ's. Sweeeeet!
We all found the meals tasty, and there was no waiting when we got there. We all left with full tummies.
In fact, that was enough for me for the rest of the day!
It was a very happy day indeed.

Pre-Father's Day Luncheon

2009-06-21T07:49:00.000-07:00

It was a great time at Buffet China for our first "Pre-Father's Day" luncheon. All the daddies were given their gifts, and it was a pleasant surprise to see Rayna again. Angie unfortunately couldn't make it. She had an awards ceremony going on for softball. Sorry her mom had to miss that.
I think this is just a first out of many more to follow pre-Father's Day luncheons.
A new tradition is born!

Cake Plates-DIY

2009-06-18T18:14:00.001-07:00

I thought this was such a great and creative idea. It wasn't my idea, but I ran across it on a blog that I am following (http://2000dollarwedding.com/2009/06/diy-vintage-wedding-cake-stands.html).
I love the fact that you use vintage items you can find at a thrift store, or even in your own kitchen cabinet, to make these. Very low cost and since you're reusing these items you're doing something great for the environment.
For your base you can use anything from cups, to candle holders, to vases.....and much more.
For the cake plates that I have created for this picture, I used a blue and white decorative plate from an old plate set that I inherited from an aunt of mine. The other decorative, larger glass plate is actually a flat cake plate that I found at a thrift store for a couple of dollars. For the bases I found a glass candle holder in the back of my candle cabinet, and an ice cream cup that I also found at the thrift store.
So all you do is make sure that the narrower end of the base is touching the plate, glue it to the center of the plate with epoxy glue, and let it dry overnight(plate laying flat on table).
And this is what you get. You can get so creative with this idea. You can even use these as a centerpiece with fruits, flowers or whatever you can think of.

I found another blog that had some great examples! Better pictures than mine.............
http://athomewiththefarmerswife.blogspot.com/2008/06/make-take-cake-plates.html

Me and Alayla- The Brats!

2009-06-18T11:54:00.000-07:00

What do you think? Like Grandmother, like Granddaughter? We got 'tude.....don't we?

Matthew's Graduation

2009-06-18T08:50:00.000-07:00

Tuesday night we went to Peter's son's graduation at Santa Monica College. Peter got off early from work that day.We left at 3:00 and got there at 4:00 when gates opened. It didn't start until 6pm, but luckily I had bought some sunflower seeds from the lunch truck parked by the bleachers to occupy me whilst I waited.
There were a handful of elderly people sitting in front of us. They had balloons that kept hitting everyone in the face....including me! It took everything inside of me not to take the safety pin I had in my purse and NOT pop it! I kept thinking, "No, Belinda. That's mean. Remember...karma...karma.....".
All in all, it was a great time and ended up being a very beautiful day. I love to see Peter light up when his kids are around him. He doesn't get to see them much, so it's a big treat for him. And the occasion made it that much more special. Peter's ex wife was pleasant as usual, as was Matthew's girlfriend.
We made it home at 9:30pm.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

In the pics: Peter, Sunshine and yours truly. Matthew, Peter's grandson Ethan and Matthew's girlfriend Jaquie. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of Peter's other son Randall (Ethan's father).

My Mom

2009-06-12T07:07:00.000-07:00

My mom is in the hospital again. I wish that they would just once and for all figure out what the heck is wrong with her. She's been going through this for at least 8 years that I know of.
Luckily it isn't as bad as the last time she went to the hospital, when this "thing" she has, made her kidneys begin to fail.
This time was dehydration with a very high potassium level. She has been sick with her usual onset of symptoms since Tuesday. Hopefully she'll be out of the hospital within the next couple of days.

UPDATE

My mom is doing great! Just like nothing ever happened!

I'm A Farm Town Addict....

2009-06-11T15:28:00.001-07:00

O.K. I admit it. I'm a Farm Town Addict. And you know what's funny? I've never been into any kind of game playing. Not Nintendo, no PlayStation or Wii. And not any type of virtual games online.....like the ones where you can dress up your pet and decorate your living room. Nope....never got into that. And then came Farm Town.
I don't know what it is that drives me to getting up bright and early in the morning to plow and drop seed....go to the marketplace and wait patiently to get hired as a farm hand so I can make money to buy things for my farm. My FARM for goodness sake!
I never thought for a second that it could be addicting. Especially not to ME! Of course, this too may pass. But for now I will tend to my farm and my animals. I think it's a sign that I need REAL job!
Thanks a lot Ginger......for getting me into this fun mess!

A Family Visit

2009-06-10T17:01:00.000-07:00

My visit with Nicole yesterday was very....interesting, for lack of a better word. I arrived at the Japanese restaurant (Tokyo Lobby) right before she pulled into the driveway. When I saw her park, and getting off the car, I rushed to meet up with her before going into the restaurant. Needless to say, I locked my keys in the car. I was very angry with myself at first, but then thought, "No big deal...I'll just call AAA". Well, once we went in and got seated, I realized that I had just changed my wallet that morning.....did I have my AAA card? Of course not. If Murphy's Law can in any way find a way into a situation in MY life, it will! OK, well I ended up calling my dad and he kindly called AAA and sent them over to me. Thank you Daddy!!
We had a great visit even though it was short. This was actually the second time I met her children, but they were so small the first time. It was at her baby shower years and years ago. So, it was really nice getting to know them. Fantastic kids!
As we leave and are saying our goodbyes outside in the parking lot, my cousin Tony shows up. What's he doing here? And so late? Nicole says she forgot to call him to let him know that the time was changed from 1:00pm to 11:30am! Aye, aye, aye! Poor Tony. Well, we did get to chat for a bit in the parking lot, and he gave me his email to keep in touch.....so all was not lost.
Then, I'm driving up Azusa Ave. towards home and I'm going at LEAST 40 mph, when this tiny dog runs right in front of my car! He was taking leaps like a jackrabbit does. I thought, " No! No. No! I can't hit this dog!". I pushed on the brakes and thought for sure I wouldn't be able to stop my car. I mean, when I first saw the dog it was about a foot in front of my car on the driver side headed towards the passenger side! I only got a quick glimpse of this tiny little thing, and it just disappeared in a second. I didn't feel a thump, but there's just no way I could have missed him. Along the right of the street was a row of bushes which I saw had sudden substantial movement. As if something had gotten thrown in them......ahhhh....whew! It had to be the little doggie jumping into them. I felt soooo relieved!
Well, that was my adventurous morning, and everything had a bright side to it!

Disney/Pixar's UP

2009-06-08T08:03:00.001-07:00

(Picture from: http://www.salon.com/ent/movies/review/2009/05/29/up_review/index.html)

We went to see this movie this last Saturday. It was really good. The only thing I didn't like was the unexpected extraction of emotion. I thought this movie was going to be just cute and funny. But it made me tear up at least 3 or 4 times!
We had the option to see it in regular mode or with 3-D. Of course the 3-D version was $3.00 extra per person, and that got you the special plastic 3-D glasses that you have to return to them at the end of the movie. Not that you have any use for them anytime after the movie anyway, but you want to hear something kind of funny? You know how down by the bottom of the movie screen is an emergency exit? Well, right before the movie was over they had an employee standing there to make sure that nobody took the glasses. I mean, I totally understand where they're coming from, but it was a funny sight to see. I was just imagining them chasing someone all the way to their car yelling and screaming, "Hey! Give those glasses back!". I don't know.....sometimes I think of some off-the-wall stuff.
I thought the 3-D was the best during the pre-movie sequences. During the movie it was good too.....just not AS good. Thumbs up from me.

The Maquech

2009-06-06T12:03:00.000-07:00

My fiance', our kids and I were first talking about rabbit's feet, which went into the lizards you used to be able to purchase at the Pomona L.A. County Fair (do you remember those?). They were LIVE LIZARDS on a string or chain that got pinned onto your clothing. Very popular item at the Fair back in the day.
Well, I couldn't find any pics of those, but then my fiance asked if I remembered "maqueches". I told him I had never heard of them. He grew up in L.A., so maybe that was something popular way back when out there. As he began to describe them, I was in total awe. Really? I wanna see one! So I ran to my computer to look them up....ok, I didn't run, but I DID really want to see if I could find what he was talking about. So this is them. This is what I found. Amazing isn't it? It's strange what people will do.
I just wanted to share this fascinating tid bit.

I found the following at this link if you'd like to read the entire article:
http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:5vo6nPOZbZYJ:www.caribbeantravelmag.com/article/Magazine/Deep-in-the-Heart-of-El-Mundo-Maya+maquech&cd=13&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

Mirida is known for its silver- and gold-dipped jewelry, but being a New Yorker, I figured this was a hustle. So, naturally, I couldn't pass it up. I guarantee you've never seen a maquech, nor will you anywhere, unless you come to Merida.

A maquech is a jeweled beetle about the size of a country cockroach. I don't mean an ornament shaped like a bug; I mean a real live beetle that's had bits of gold and small jewels glued to its shell. A two-inch gold chain serves as a kind of dog collar, and this, in turn, is pinned to a woman's blouse -- yes, with her in it. As the mood strikes the maquech, it strolls to the end of the chain and back. Rafael explained that it was custom for women to buy these things to attract husbands. Maybe, if the guy works for Orkin.

Our Wedding Vows

2009-06-04T06:24:00.001-07:00

I've been thinking about our wedding vows a lot lately. I think I decided in the very beginning that we would have our own....or at least incorporate some of our own wording. Those thoughts immediately made my mind flash back to wedding ceremonies I myself have been to. And from what I can remember, it's always been very difficult to hear the bride and groom. So.....did they not have a microphone? Are microphones only for the pastor? Or did I not hear them because there was only one mic pointing at the pastor? Should we have our own mic? So many questions! But I figure if we say our own vows, I want people to hear us loud and clear. I don't want them to hear meek little mumbles, but at the same time I don't want to stand there, mic in hand, saying my vows to an audience as if I were reciting Shakespeare in a play. So how do we look into each others eyes, professing our love to one another loud enough for everyone to hear clearly? AND not look awkward?
I still have to meet with the pastor at the church we'll be getting married at, but that won't be until about this time next year. That's when I'll be able to discuss the whole microphone thing with him. So until then, I guess I'm stuck with just working on the wording.....which I do every so often in my head, but then forget the brilliant things that I thought of. I really need to start jotting them down.

Update On My New Venture

2009-06-04T05:24:00.000-07:00

OK....up to now, 2 sets of six of these are for sure selling. So far, they'll be selling for the starting price. Woohoo! I'm very happy with that.
I also just put some more up for sale yesterday. So far everything seems to be going fairly well. Time will tell.
I've also been considering.....just throwing stuff around in my head....of incorporating wedding favors and accessories into my lantern selling scheme. I don't know.....should I just keep it simple? Just stick to lanterns only? Hmmmm......I'll have to throw this around for awhile longer.

A Humanitarian Cause

2009-06-03T05:10:00.000-07:00

This is a cause that I personally feel very strongly about. Helping to get our fellow brothers and sisters fed, and allowing them to have a place to lay their heads at night. I know that we've all had people standing outside of markets, at the exits of freeways, or maybe even in a drive thru area, begging for money. And many of us are afraid to give because we believe/suspect that they will go and spend it on alcohol or the drug of their choice instead of what we intend it to be for.....food.

Well, this is a good way to give and help out our fellow human beings in need. Donating to a cause where you can be rest assured that your dollars are going towards exactly what you expect them to. I believe that we should all, regardless of circumstances, be able to eat on a daily basis. The Los Angeles Mission doesn't ask for much. You can donate $1.00, $5.00, or whatever you want.

I recently received a letter from them explaining that every summer about this time (June-Aug), donations drop off dramatically. And with the economy the way it is now, this summer could prove to be very devastating to the L.A.M.

If you're interested in donating, here is the website: http://losangelesmission.org/index.html

Or, you can mail a check to:

Herb Smith- President

Los Angeles Mission

PO Box 55900

Los Angeles, CA 90055-0630

Below is an excerpt from their website:

Who We Serve

Over the past 20 years the faces of the homeless -- and their addictions -- have dramatically changed. In years past, many thought of a typical homeless person in Skid Row as a white, male alcoholic. But turns in the economy, unemployment, housing prices, the pervasiveness and easy accessibility of street drugs and other factors have changed that.

Today, the Los Angeles Mission serves a diverse population. On any given day, a drive through this area would reflect a population of 55% African-Americans, 28% Hispanic Americans, 14% Caucasians, 3% Asian Americans/others.

In 2005, 87% of the Missions' outreach population was male, with an average age of 35-44. The numbers of homeless women and children are growing rapidly.Today, 13% of the population we currently serve is women.

Homeless people today also struggle with even more debilitating habits than just alcoholism. Crack cocaine is the preferred drug for most homeless drug addicts, but there is no shortage of choices. Other drugs also devastate and kill. Physical and emotional violence produces a climate of fear while many fall prey to their own imprudent sexual practices and still others – especially women – are victims of sexual abuse. Issues surrounding education, employment, health care and affordable housing continue to plague those in our community. The Los Angeles Mission strives to reach out to every individual and offering help & hope as they face their unique needs.

From the Los Angeles Mission website (http://losangelesmission.org/aboutus/wws.html)

Paper Lanterns

2009-06-02T09:18:00.000-07:00

So these are the type of paper lanterns that I am intending to sell. They are not battery operated. They are simple, round and colorful in a variety of sizes. I absolutely love these! I know I keep saying that, but I can't help myself. I love them, I love them, I love them!
They're especially at their most immaculate when used in tent weddings. In my opinion, a must have for that type of wedding.
They look best when using 2 or 3 different sizes to add depth and dimension. It's gives the illusion of floating.
If my battery operated lanterns sell well, I will probably incorporate them into my sales also.
O.K., well just thought I'd share!

The Latest On My New Passion......

2009-06-01T06:02:00.000-07:00

It's been about 2 1/2 days since first listing my lanterns for sale. So far, no sale. But that's ok, it's way too early in the game to even think about giving up yet. If my lanterns don't end up selling, I will save them and re list them at a later date. If they still don't sell by September of next year, I will use them for an added pizazz at my own wedding next year.
But gosh, how I hope they sell. Not for the money factor, but for the motivation factor. I really want to sell paper lanterns! I'm looking into getting everything I need, as far as permits, licenses, etc. I know that I can get a temporary seller's permit.......just so I can try it out.
Besides, the type I am trying to sell right now are not the type I intend to sell later. I think that the ones I really want to sell are more in demand than the smaller battery operated ones. We'll see. Only trial and error, time and determination will tell.

Introducing My New & Current Passion!

2009-05-30T07:17:00.001-07:00

Aren't they just beautiful? These are my latest passion. Paper lanterns. I think about them all the time. Weird, huh? I find myself looking for pictures of them constantly (due to too much time on my hands, I'm sure).
It all started when I was researching wedding ideas on the internet. I saw pictures of these at wedding receptions, and I was hooked! I had never been to a wedding with paper lanterns, and had actually never even entertained the idea. I never knew it was something that was done. But as I dove into the research of these whimsical, romantic things I learned that they are quite popular. I began my quest to find the most inexpensive ones I could find, and bought about 28 of them for my reception in 3 colors. Purple, Lavender and White (I'm planning on buying about 4 more in Mulberry) shhhhh. Now, the ones that I found were considerably lower in price than all the others I found....including wholesale pricing! So where does this guy buy them from so cheap? I've been looking high and low to find a wholesaler to buy in bulk from so that I may sell them as a home based business. I've scoured the internet...even wholesalers in China and Thailand! But this guy has them so much cheaper. So I continue looking.....because this has developed into a dream for me. I really want to sell these things that I love, and bring beauty to people that seek them.
I've already got a "store" name picked out for myself, begun making rough drafts of business cards......I know, I know. Dorky, right? But that's me. It's all part of being a Pisces. It's the dreamer in me. A determined one at that.
I ran across some very inexpensive small paper lanterns....battery operated ones. I bought them. They are the ones pictured in my pic above. I figured I would give selling a little test run, and am currently trying to sell them online. I just wanted to see how well (or not well) they do. I'm crossing my fingers. But, even if they don't do well, I will continue with my research on finding larger colorful ones to sell. I mean, I can't give up on the first try, right?
Well, wish me luck. I'll write an update later on whether or not my lanterns sold.

Drivers Beware!

2009-05-28T07:50:00.001-07:00

Is it me, or is anyone else noticing the increase in sitings of police officers parked off to the side, just waiting to pounce on that speeding motorist? I've also seen many motorists already pulled over, obviously getting a ticket from their local law enforcement.
Don't get me wrong....I'm not complaining. I think it's great. Especially around the schools. I'm just wondering, why now? Is it the economy? Are they being sent out to make money for their cities? Is it my imagination? Or is it something even scarier? Are these police officers fabricating for money?
Let me tell you a story. I'll start with some background. My fiance leaves an hour before his shift starts every day. He gets up at 4am whether he starts at 6am or 8am....it really doesn't matter. His work is a 20 minute drive on an average day. I asked him why he leaves an hour early, when work is only 20 minutes away. He says he doesn't like to rush, and wants to cruise into work without being flustered, and he likes to allow for some extra minutes just in case there's an accident or detour. OK...makes sense. So I asked him why he needs to get up at 4am every morning. He basically gave the same reason, doesn't want to rush, and wants to sit and enjoy the morning with his coffee. And he's been like this since I've known him....next month we'll have been together for 8 years.
So, why am I telling you all this and what does this have to do with my blog? Well, a couple of days ago, my fiance was driving to work and got pulled over. He was a block away from his work, and was 30 minutes early from starting his shift. The officer told him he was speeding, and my fiance told him he must be mistaken. Of course, the officer held his course. This was in a 35 mph zone, and the officer told him he was clocked at 59 mph!!!! OK, something else you must know about my fiance: I don't think I've EVER seen him speed! He borders on granny driving. There have been MANY times that we were on a 40 mph street, and I actually have had to tell him to speed up a little! He's never gone over 65 on the freeway, even if it was completely free of cars in front of him. So for this officer to say that he was going 59 in a 35 zone is completely insane! I could see if he said 40....or even 45. But come on, 59??? That's double what he should have been at. And this is a street with dips, bumps and railroad tracks. I know my man, and know that this number is wrong. He had absolutely no reason to speed one block away from his work, 30 minutes before his shift was to start.
So where does that leave us? It leaves me wondering if the economy is so bad that our law enforcement is ready to do whatever it takes to make some money for their quotas. Hmmmm......scary thought.
Well, needless to say, my fiance wants to fight this. Does he have a chance against "the man"?

UPDATE: He went to court and the cop didn't show.....DISMISSED! YAY!

Do I Miss My Old Job?

2009-05-28T06:14:00.001-07:00

How about we reword that question. Do I miss my old job before it was bought out by the new owners? The answer is YES!
I was recently (December 2008) laid off, as were many people nationwide. I was laid off by the new owners (CVI) of my company. I'm not at all bitter about being laid off....well besides the manner in which it was done(our Christmas potluck@11am, 10 people called into conference room @ about 8:45 am, BUH, BYE!) . In fact, I found myself embracing my new situation. But it doesn't take away from the fact that while I worked for CVI, I was miserable. And you know, in the beginning there were many new changes that we all had to get accustomed to, and yes some people fought the changes, some people went along. But all of that was to be expected. The day that I personally became absolutely miserable was the day that a woman by the name of Julie was hired. I was unhappy before that, but when she was hired, my work life was so horrible that my eye actually started TWITCHING! I mean, like WTF? She turned everything upside down and inside out. Her new ideas and strategies only made it more difficult for us to do our jobs properly, and I didn't see anyone benefiting from these ideas. Especially not the customers! Well, I could go on and on with all sorts of negatives about this woman, but I don't want this blog to be about her.
Let's go back to when I worked for this company when it was OCi. I started working for OCi in 2000. Whenever anyone would ask if I liked my job, my response was always, "I LOVE IT!". And I meant it, too. It was like a dream job that I never knew I wanted. It was perfectly suited for me.....custom fit.
I don't ask, "Why, oh why did this have to happen?". I learned long ago never to question the "powers that be". I just go with the flow, and tried very hard to continue with that even when I was miserable there. But for some reason, there was no way around it. I can handle a lot of things, but when someone is making things so chaotic that I can't do my job properly, I get this feeling of helplessness. And I HATE feeling helpless! I am not the helpless type.....not the damsel in distress. I am a fighter....a survivor....in control of my own life. You will never find me blaming my life on anyone or anything from my past. I alone am in the driver's seat of my life.
Well, anyway.....That job I do miss. And if there were a way to turn back the hands of time, I would go back to that job right now. Do I miss working in general......no, not really. I enjoy staying home. I would really like to have a home based business, and I look into that when I get a chance. If I had it my way, I would sell stuff online and make decent profit, donate a few hours to charities (homeless, food banks, etc.), and maybe work somewhere for pay that only needed me about 15 hours a week. Yeah...that's my perfect vision. But like I said, if I could turn back the hands of time, I'd be there in a heartbeat, Lynn!

Shooting For a $3,000 Wedding

2009-05-21T06:31:00.000-07:00

Peter and I have been planning our wedding since the start of April of this year (2009), and we knew from the beginning that we did not want to spend a lot of money. Money that we don't have. I lost my job of 8 years just 5 days before Christmas (2008) due to the economy, and am still currently unemployed. Money is just so tight, and to be completely honest, if not for wanting so much for our family to share in the joy of our most special day, we would probably have just run off somewhere by ourselves to get married. But having the people we love there is very important to us. So now we're faced with how to keep from going into debt to accomplish this.
I jumped into researching all sorts of things related to weddings on the internet. I found out that the average wedding in the U.S. is from $15,000 to $25,000! I can't even begin to imagine spending that much! So I picked a doable number......$3,000. This will not include our wardrobe. It will be for everything but. Now whether or not we will meet that is something else. I'm researching everything myself and making a lot of the stuff myself. As you can see on my previous blog, I already bought my dress. I also got my shoes, crinoline, veil, tiara, garter, table covers, table centerpieces, favors, paper for invites, paper for programs, thank you cards, place cards, buffet plates, cake plates, plastic cups (wine, champagne, drink), plastic eating utensils, napkins, balloons, reception decorations, guest book & pen, printed pics for display and frames, wedding banner, pew bows & clips, petals, unity candle & holder, candles, and basically all other table decor. This "unemployed" status is definitely paying off in this way. I've been able to get lots accomplished that I would not have been able to if I were working a full time job.
I don't know exactly how much I've spent so far. I am keeping track, but just haven't added everything up yet. In a future blog I will give my itemized totals. Cross your fingers for me! I already know the most expensive thing will be the food for the reception. I have started investigating that, but will look further into it when the date is a bit closer.
Unfortunately, because of budget and size of hall, we will have to exclude many from the wedding. My immediate family alone (Mom, Dads, Brother, Sister and their families, Daughters and their families) is 19 people. And Peter's family is humongous! So yeah, cutting is inevitable. Our max is about 80 guests.
Well, that's all for now. My shopping time has recently come to a halt, seeing as the only things really left are food and drinks, reception hall, dress alterations, grooms clothes, brides bouquet, DJ, photographer, fresh flowers, cake, disposable cameras (which only have a shelf life of 6-12 months), and security (mandatory for the hall I'm renting). So all of this will come later....closer to the wedding. Time for me to find a job now, huh?

Fun at El Dorado Park in Long Beach

2009-05-17T13:09:00.001-07:00

It was a good time at El Dorado Park in Long Beach. We met up with Yvette, Efren and Alayla. The first thing we did was get on the little train ride they have there. Short ride, but the nice cool breeze felt really good.
We walked around the lake...well, half of one of the many lakes they have there. We stopped and played on the kiddie playgrounds, climbed trees and messed with the wildlife. Alayla even ran into one of her little friends she goes to daycare with.
After walking around for a few hours we got on the paddle boats/aqua bikes. Now that was really fun! It was a perfect day for it.
That park has got to be the biggest park I've ever come across! We only saw about an eighth of the place. I'd like to go back and check out the nature trail they have there.
Yes, I definitely must go back someday.

Don't Leave Your Dog In The Car

2009-05-14T19:34:00.000-07:00

I don't get how anyone can leave their dog in the car, windows barely cracked, on even a mildly warm day. How? Do they not know that
dogs are covered with fur and overheat very easily?
People that treat their dogs abusively, and yes this IS abusively, do NOT deserve to have a dog.
People really need to understand that having a dog has much responsibility that goes along with it. They need attention, love, to be fed and bathed, brushed, taken for walks, along with many other things.
Dog is man's best friend for goodness sake!

When Crystal Meth Hits Home

2009-05-12T08:48:00.000-07:00

Hopefully you'll never know anyone close to you who will get involved in this horrible drug. Unfortunately, chances are that you will.
It's a heartbreaking thing to watch someone who is so beautiful, so vivacious, and with so much promise
deteriorate into a person you no longer recognize. Your heart bleeds as your mind wonders how something like this could happen. The person that stands before you now was once ahead in their class, intellectually beyond their years, and seemingly sane and quite rational. So what happened? This thing known as meth has had such devastating effects on so many people both young and old alike. It grabs ahold of them and doesn't let go.
I've had several people quite close to me get involved with this drug. Some have cleaned up and gone back, and some just never stop. I'm hoping as time passes that one in particular never goes back, and the other stops now before it's too late.
So to all out there who have had a loved one involved in meth, my prayers are with you and your loved one.

Pics from: http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/photos/gallery.ssf?cgi-bin/view_gallery.cgi/olive/view_gallery.ata?g_id=2927

DMV Madhouse

2009-05-11T15:39:00.000-07:00

I thought because I had an appointment at the DMV, it would be an easy in/out. Boy was I wrong! First of all, it took about 10 minutes just to find a parking spot. There was a caravan of about 6 cars in every single row waiting for a spot. I have never seen it like that.
I was late, but they didn't even check my name or anything. What's really weird is I was able to pass all the people waiting in line outside, get a number and get helped without them EVER checking to see if I had an appointment!
Hmmmm.....well now I know. Next time I won't have to wait 2 WEEKS to get an appointment time. They'll never know the difference.
Well, that was my exciting day. And it wasn't even for me. I went for my daughter because she lives in Arizona and didn't want to send this payment in the mail. ha!

Visit With Margaret for Mother's Day

2009-05-10T08:56:00.000-07:00

We've traveled to visit you
In this place where you lay.
To tell you we miss you
And to be with you for Mother's Day.

Memories flood through us
As we gaze on your stone.
We bask in the sunlight
And know we're not alone.

Your spirit is with us
Wherever we are
Distance can't take that
No matter how far.

We love you MOM

Pre-Mother's Day Luncheon

2009-05-10T08:34:00.001-07:00

We had a great time at our "mother's" get together at Hometown Buffet. The only mother missing was Sunshine's mom, Yvonne (my daughter). She's living in Arizona now, so we miss her often at our family get togethers.
The food was pretty good. We got there a little after 11:00, so had our choice of breakfast or lunch. I opted for lunch, and had chicken and enchiladas for my main dish. For dessert I did my usual.....brownie pieces on the bottom with vanilla ice cream, sprinkled with oreo cookie crumbs. Mmmmmmmmmm. Yes, I really pigged out. Didn't need to eat dinner after that! (Of course, I didn't list all the things I ate in between!)
This is our third year meeting the day before Mother's Day(non-consecutively). I believe this is going to become a new ritual for us and it actually works out really great for everyone.
Happy Mother's Day!

Bittersweet Mother's Day.........

2009-05-09T06:25:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is Mother's Day and that day can be a very sad time for many. I'm very fortunate that my mother is around for me to be able to celebrate this day with. My fiance on the other hand is not so lucky. This will be his first Mother's day without his mom. I know it's going to be very tough for him.....
Last year for Mother's Day, we got our two moms together at our house for a barbecue. It was the first (and only time) they had met. Peter's mom had just been diagnosed with cancer a few months before and was going through aggressive radiation and chemo. We lost her in August 2009.
We miss her so much, and that missing just escalates to new heights on days like these.
We love you Margaret, and we know that you are still with us in spirit and memory.

Wedding Dress From Ebay?

2009-05-07T07:01:00.000-07:00

OK......So we had finally decided to set the date and get hitched after 8 years of loving each other. I was so excited and immediately started looking around for a dress. Because of the economy and seeing that I had just gotten laid off in December, I knew it would have to be a great bargain dress. As I began to scour the internet, I saw that dresses were not very cheap. Then I had a light bulb go off in my head. Ebay! The place I had gotten so many bargains from in the past....why not a wedding dress?
I found a beautiful ballerina-style dress from a store in China. I breezed through the feedback of this seller, and everything seemed to be ok. So for $68, free shipping and a beautiful custom made dress (replica, of course), I thought, what the heck? After all, through Paypal I had full purchase price protection. Definitely worth the gamble at such a bargain price. Besides, I had heard that many bridal dresses come from China anyway, so it seemed plausible that this offer wasn't THAT good to be true. It made sense to me. So I did it!
3 weeks later, I wrote the seller asking if my dress would be shipping out by May 31st, which was the timeline he had given for making and shipping the dress. I never received a response. I went back to his feedback....which I had been doing in between time anyway, and saw a recent negative feedback for him. Hmmmmm...I thought. I watched daily as the negative feedbacks rolled in. One after another. I wrote him again, telling him my concerns because of his non-response and negative feedbacks. Still no email.
I finally filed a claim through Paypal and am currently waiting to see where that goes. Lesson learned. I actually learned a lot about the whole feedback thing. Did you know that with some sort of program, they can actually put up FAKE feedback? I always do a lot of researching on the internet, and learned SO much on this subject. There are ways to tell that's it's fake, but that's a whole other blog!
After all this chaos I decided to look for a dress the conventional way. I got in my car and drove my butt to David's Bridal where the staff was more than helpful. After trying on eight dresses, number nine was "the one". I absolutely LOVE it! I have a little over a year to lose a few pounds so that the dress can look like it should on me. lol
Thus far, for my wedding attire, I've purchased my dress(David's), my veil(ebay), my petticoat(ebay), my tiara(ebay) and my shoes. I still need jewelry and I'm still contemplating on gloves(but probably not) and putting some straps or sheer 3/4 sleeves on dress.

Albert and Isaac

2008-05-13T12:59:00.000-07:00

I'm looking for my grandsons Albert and Isaac. Their last name was Belmontez before being adopted in Utah by a doctor and his family. The doctor had 3 children of his own at that time.
Albert's birthday is Feb. 2, 1997. Isaac's is October 13, 1998.
I tried to write the agency twice to forward letters and pictures to their new family, and asked them to contact me to at least let me know how they were doing.....but no response. I'll post a picture soon of them.....if anyone knows them, can you let them know that their grandma and Sunshine love them, remember them well, and miss them tremendously. There is no doubt in my mind that one day we will see them again. I was going to wait until they were 18.....thinking there was a better chance of finding them then. But then I thought there's no better time than the present. It's always worth a shot.
So please......anyone........I'd greatly appreciate it.