Sunday, March 29, 2009

JACK THE DOG

Yesterday I went on a road trip to the Grand Canyon with my friend, Wayne, and Jack the Dog. I'm going to post some pictures of the actual Grand Canyon experience (70 degrees, sunny skies, enormous hole in the ground, perfect day) but saw this picture that Wayne had taken and thought I would put it up in the meantime just so you could see how CUTE my dog is!! Some people get annoyed by little dogs, but he's the perfect size for travel, apartments, etc.. Plus, he can hold his own when hiking. It's the best of both worlds!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

EMERALD ISLE

Two years ago today I was hanging out in Ireland, soaking in an official "St. Patrick's Day." As a tribute to today's holiday I thought I would share some of my favorite memories:The scenery really is as picturesque as you would imagine. I was amazed at how bright green the colors were and the miles and miles of stone walls. Throw in the herds of lambs and you've got yourself a postcard!
Blood sausages for breakfast? I think not! But yes, I will have more of that delightful corned beef and cabbage, please!
Ireland was full of bright colors....houses, building, doors. Everywhere you looked, the gray of the sky was driven away by the colors standing out. I'd like to give a special shout out to those who made the journey to the top of Blarney castle and kissed the stone (Charla, Dianne, Lacey, and myself - such troopers), Michael the singing bus driver, and that guy with the comb-over who reminded us daily that this was he and his wife's third time taking the tour. Here's to you.....

Saturday, March 14, 2009

MUST...THINK...POSITIVE

This week was pretty craptacular, and having today off didn't do much to improve my mood state, so I decided it was time to focus on things this week that made me HAPPY rather than dwelling on how much I just want to crawl into a hole sometimes:
#1: Spring has arrived: The weather this week was fantastic and with the time change I found myself looking forward to the couple of hours after work when it was still warm and the sun was up. There is something about seeing dozens of people outside walking their dogs, riding bikes, fishing at the lakes, and running, that just makes me feel excited to be outside. People are friendlier, the air seems cleaner, and everyone in general is a lot happier once we hit the 70's.
#2: Dog Parks: I usually take Jack to the dog park or on a walk every day, but mostly the dog park just because it makes so much more sense. There are the regulars who you see every day, and then the seasonal owners who come out when the weather gets really good. Today when we went there were at least 20 little dogs there, running and chasing each other up and down the fence. Jack doesn't really like people, despite my best attempts to change that, but he LOVES being around dogs. He gets so excited that sometimes he doesn't even realize that I'm there, until all of a sudden he will stop running, look around to locate me, and then start at it again. Whoever came up with the idea of fencing in large spaces of trees, grass, and benches, and then putting water fountains on the ground and calling it a park for just dogs - good job!
#3: Coca Cola Zero: I've been a big fan of Diet Coke since moving down to Vegas and living with Danielle, and now I don't even enjoy drinking regular pop, except for A&W root beer that you get at the restaurant (it's phenomenal). When they came out with Coca Cola Zero it didn't really make sense to me since they already had Diet Coke, but I'm finding that it's fantastic! It doesn't leave the after taste in your mouth that you find with other diet drinks, and it is suprisingly similar to the original coke, but without the sugary taste. Good job, Coca Cola!
#4: Mucinex D: With this time of year comes allergies, and since moving to Vegas I've discovered that when the flowers on certain trees come out, so does this magical little box. A couple of months ago I ended up with a 3 week sinus infection, so when I could feel it starting up again on Tuesday I went into attack mode. Two days of sleeping and consistently taking Mucinex D, eating Chicken Noodle Soup, and drinking Orange Juice, and that was a wrap! By Thursday I was back at work and feeling fantastic! I am it's greatest advocate! #5: UBS: I gave blood this week. Some people might look at that as a selfless deed, but I'm embarrassed to admit that my initial motivation was the fact that they gave you two, all day passes to Adventuredome at Circus, Circus. The best part about it was that Karissa, a good friend of mine, went at the same time so we were able to spend the afternoon talking, eating free snacks and juice, and laughing about Anthony, the not-so-pleasant worker that kept talking to himself and didn't even notice when Karissa went from pale, to sheet white, and almost passed out. Come on, Anthony! Wake up! What goes around comes around, and at United Blood Services it comes back to you tenfold. I look forward to my blood saving someone truly spectacular one day.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

BIRTHDAY EXTRAVAGANZAS

It's that time of year again! For Wayne Nielson's birthday we all met up at Marie Callendar's for a birthday dinner (his birthday was February 15th). Gone are the days when we get together for celebrations ON someone's birthday. It takes manipulating schedules, and sometimes it happens weeks later, but we still make sure it happens........

For Shane Shimada's birthday (it was on March 2nd) we had a surprise birthday party for him in the way that only Shane would appreciate.....Karaoke style!!! Happy Birthday, Shimada!



Friday, March 6, 2009

KHARMA TRAIN

I'm sure most of you have seen this, but I'm currently looking forward to some AWESOME homemade gifts from crafty friends, and figured it was time for me to do my part. I like to think of it as changing the world, one homemade gift at a time - ha, ha, ha! Anyhow, here are the rules:

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me (Please no audible laughs or looks of disbelief for those of you familiar with how well I hide my 'talents' under a bushel, and then sit on the bushel so as not to let them out). This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make. That I am even MAKING something should bring you all the joy and happiness in the world!
2. What I create will be just for you because doggonitt - you're worth it!
3. It’ll be done and sent to you this year
4. You have no clue what it’s going to be. It may be a story. It may be poetry or maybe even some creation I haven’t even invented yet. I may draw or paint something. I may bake you something and mail it to you. Just look forward to the day when that package arrives in the mail, addressed from me....to you!


The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! It's the gift that keeps on giving, folks!! Good luck....

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

GOOD TIMES IN TEXAS

Last weekend I went down to Melissa, Texas to spend some time with Daniel, Crystal, and their kids. Such good times! Here are some highlights:


On Friday I surprised Maci at school and had lunch with her. She didn't expect to see me so she looked a little confused when I walked in, but then she was just happy and kept wanting to hug me. It was such fun eating with a table full of Kindergardeners! She introduced me to Mason, the boy she decided she wants to marry, who proceeded to chew up his hamburger and asked me to take a picture of it with his mouth open. Then Brenden rolled his eyes back in his head and told me to take a picture of his brain. They were all fixated on having their pictures taken so I took a picture of their hands. Privacy and all.


After I left Maci's school I went back to their house and Daniel and Crystal took off for Dallas to have a day sans children. I got a couple of hours of playing with just Chloe, which I loved! She is such a sweetheart and has the greatest smile, all the time. She loves music and would dance back and forth whenever it came on. The only time she cried was when she was tired and wanting her mom, but even then she was so cuddly that it totally made it worth it.


Chloe and I went out front to get McKay off the bus, and found him marching up with a green balloon. He LOVED that balloon, but I quickly found that they all did, which then led to the "Green Balloon War of 2009." Needless to say, the balloon found its way to the top of the kitchen fridge for the rest of the weekend.

After school Maci's friend, Nevaeh, came over to play. She is darling! The four of them took turns wrestling each other, playing restaurant, and showing me how to do handstands and roll on the ground. They were easily entertained by me playing 'London Bridge' with them and would crawl under me as I used my body to make a bridge. Remember how simple it was when we were that little?!
Friday night was movie night so we had a pajama party in the living room, moved all the furniture to make it look like a theater, and had ice-cream with fudge. That's right, Daniel and Crystal, we ate it in the living room - ha, ha, ha!!! Maci wanted her "puppy" to take part in it and when I came in from the kitchen with their ice-cream I found him wrapped up in his own special blanket on the couch next to her.
Daniel and Crystal came back Saturday afternoon so we spent the evening at Peter Piper Pizza and played video games with the kids. They had a "Deal or No Deal" game that was by far the favorite. That, and watching McKay swing his arm back and forth wildly as he played skeet ball. It was hilarious! I though for sure there would be injuries.

On Sunday morning I was woken up by Maci and McKay coming in to play, which was such a fun way to get up. So much better than an alarm clock!
Such a fun weekend!! I always love visiting Daniel and Crystal and am hoping (fingers crossed) that they will be closer one day so I can visit them more often. But next time with my dog. I'm pretty sure the kids would rather have had my dog come than me. At least that's the idea I got when Maci gave me a handful of change as I was getting ready to go and told me to buy him a ticket next time. I love being an aunt!