Grandma's Pumps

OK, I lied. But aren't these the CUTEST shoes?

Hangin' Out in OC

The house/pool, my little table by the pool and the tunnel that when I was a little girl, my grandparents used to take me through and honk three times. Memories.

I made my mom and Cathy go see "Drag Me to Hell". LOL! They don't appreciate campy horror quite like I do, although Cathy laughed at all the right moments. If you like the "Evil Dead" series and "Army of Darkness", you'll LOVE this, if not, don't bother cuz you won't get it. ;-)

This is how retarded I am.

I am all oiled up and laying by the pool in overcast 68 degree weather. I am determined. If anyone saw me right now (especially my coworkers) there would be howling laughter. Oh well. I am as nutty as they come. I am also sitting here doing my banking with my glasses on. Super sexy. I can't believe it is 80 degrees at home. This blows.

I've decided to do a 24 hour fast because I have been eating like crap and feel bloated and toxic. Blech. I miss home. How sad am I?

Phallic Plants

Looking at the plants in the back yard, I ran across this. I guess it is excited.

Did I say that out loud? LOL!

Vacation Read

Everyone needs a vacation read! This is mine. Nothing like vampires, shapeshifters, and other fun creatures when you are lounging poolside! Now all I need is a Margarita or something, and my life will be complete.

Actually, I wish the pups were here with me, though. THAT would make my life complete. I miss them so much already, and it's only been a few days. I don't feel much like a CrazyDogMama without them. I guess my dogs are part of my identity now. I really needed this little getaway, though. Jim isn't too happy that he didn't get to come, but honestly, I needed some downtime away from being a wife. Just some peace & quiet so that I can get my head around my life.

This is the last foot pic I swear.

I don't know why I take pics of my feet; feet are icky. I don't like my body, so you get feet, face, hands and the occasional chest shot. I have to be careful with those though, don't want to go porn on you. Hehe. Feet pics are also very easy and convenient. All girls photograph their feet, you need to get over it. Don't my nails look nice in this photo? I thought they looked nice. Better than my feet, anyway.

I'm finally in vacation mode. I've been camped out on patio furniture for several hours now reading and soaking in the overcast sun. (Which means I will probably burn into oblivion.) I am reading the Sookie Stackhouse Novels (True Blood) for fun since the season is starting back up on Sunday. I'm tired of reading "The Stock Market for Dummies" at the moment. LOL.

We're not doing margaritas this trip because my mom is on medication, and I don't care to drink alone. A nice, iced mocha by the pool is good too. Better, even.

Oh yeah, my road stories. First, I got a mosquito bite or something on my foot while I was driving, and I was trying to scratch it with my sandal. I ripped a bunch of skin off. We pulled over and my mom attempted to apply first aid and I swear to God she may as well have poured rubbing alcohol on my open flesh because I went through the roof. I may have said motherfucker a time or two or 40 in very creative sentences parked in front of an AM/PM Mini Mart at 2 am in nowhere California. I don't remember. So that was nice. BTW, I have a really high pain tolerance. (A funny story for another time.)

Second, my mom tried to kill me AGAIN. She is sadistic, that one. We were leaving a friend's house and I accidentally left the back car door slightly ajar, so it started beeping. My mom got out to shut it, then we took off again. She said something about 'checking my door', and I thought she meant open and close my side to make sure it wasn't ajar also. That is not what she meant. As soon as I opened it, she took a sharp left, and I went flying along with door almost diving into the pavement headfirst. I screamed. LOUD. Then we laughed for a half an hour. There is never a dull moment with my mom around, and she is really the most fun on these trips to California. We entertain everyone around us, too. We are like a comedy team, her and I. She's much funnier than me, though, I wish she was more open to having her picture taken and put on the blog. OMG we'd be famous in a split second! Not going to happen, though, so you'll have to settle for me. Sorry.

Swollen

I'm here, but I'm dead tired. I have some pretty funny road trip stories that I'll tell you about tomorrow. Also, once we got here, I almost fell out of the car! Just for extra fun, after an exhausting ride. The last stretch was brutal because we drive straight through without stopping at a hotel. We got in at 8 am, went to breakfast with my Godmother (my mom's best friend) and then got to the house and crashed. Got up at 4 pm, went grocery shopping, and got an iced mocha, which they fucked up. California is definitely no Seattle when it comes to good baristas, although I do really like the smooth coffee at "The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf" franchise that started in California in 1963. It's my go-to coffee joint here. I avoid "Starfucks" if I can. (Yes, that is what I call it, the "f" is intentional. I can't help it anymore.)

My feet and calves are mega-swollen from sitting in one position for 23 hours (pictured for your entertainment), and it is so uncomfortable for about a day before they go back to normal. I stuck them promptly in the pool for some relief. AHHH. I also was injured on the trip (hence the Band-Aid), but I'll tell you about that later. I'm a hot mess. The weather is actually quite pleasant, not too hot. I am currently sitting by the pool listening to the doves coo softly in the backyard above my head (I love the doves!), after gorging myself on Biagio's pizza (another go-to favorite here). California does have its good points! I think I'd rather be here than anywhere else, really. Weird, right? Doesn't everyone hate California now? Not me. I want to live here. Shh, don't tell anyone!

477 Miles to Sacramento

Here come the feet pics, get ready! LOL! I have hot pink toes this trip. Something different, I'm sick of red.

My mom told me she likes to travel with me because I'm "so laid back and easy to be around.". How sweet! It's more like because I don't give a fuck about anything and stay in sarcasm mode 24/7.

Sirius Radio

My mom has Sirius Radio (yes, my MOM) and we are listening to the 70's music station. I totally dig it.

Cali-Bound!

Were off! I'm tired as all hell. I'm going to need MUCH caffeine. MUCH. Mom's driving first shift since I am NOT a morning person and I always take the night shift since she can't see. I'm getting use to this road trip. I think I could do it in my sleep. Free vacations are a plus though! :-)

Instant gratificaton!

Starbucks has a new 'instant' coffee that is actually GOOD! I love it! I have never liked instant coffee, but I'm on board with this one. I like the medium the best. It wires the shit outta me, though, more so than espresso. Weeeee!

One more day until my trip! And do you know what sucks? It is in the 90's here and the 60's and 70's in Cali. Figures.

My desk holds my BITE ME cup and all the work I have to get done tomorrow. Sigh.

I need to get back to writing.

I miss it. I used to blab on and on in this blog about everything. Why have I stopped? Well, my new job is taking up most of my time, but honestly, I have been very hesitant to write about my feelings of late. Much has happened over the years, especially the last year, and I pretty much imploded into myself. I have become elusive and isolated. I work. I sleep. I eat. I do not talk to many people other than family and co-workers. I have a few people I talk to online/texting, but it has all come down to a very dull roar. I used to get so many emails I didn't know how to handle them all, and now you can hear the crickets. I miss it. Kinda. It can be a little nuts, but it was fun and social. I don't have time to be depressed anymore with working 12 hours/day and sometimes on the weekends, but I feel a little empty. I am talking to God about that.

I am driving to California with my mom next Saturday and staying a week. It will give me some much needed relax time, and maybe some time to write and sort out my insides. My life is flying by too quickly and I need to stop and smell the roses for a bit.

Never Trust a Skinny Cook

I saw a sign this morning that said "Never trust a skinny cook." So you can trust my cooking. HA!

I feel bloated as hell this morning and I'm exhausted. I was working on my laptop until 1 am in the hopes of meeting my deadline. I think I'm going to make it. Hooray. Where's the coffee, meh.

Laptop Day

I've been working all day on my laptop. ALL. DAY. I love my laptop, don't get me wrong, but it has become an appendage, and I don't know if that is healthy. I work hard. I hope it pays off some day.

Driving in Seattle

A most beautiful day in Seattle, it's going to be in the 80's today! Woot! Anybody wanna ride the duck?

Cell phone pics and short nonsensical paragraphs.

I have not been writing lately. It has all been about cell phone pics and short nonsensical paragraphs. (If you're lucky.) I lost my inspiration, I guess. The cruel world of doldrums, workaholism and disappointment has stomped out all creativity. Perhaps summer will reveal some color and revival. One can only hope. I need a muse.

Kabob Prep

Kabob prep is a pain in the ass. But I love me some kabobs! Apparently, I need a bigger countertop. :-/

Is the Blog Era Ending?

So, I went to all my blog favs today hoping to catch up with my peeps since I haven't been able to in a while because of work, and so many of you are gone! What happened? I had to delete 6 broken links! Did you all delete your blogs? I'm sad. If you have just moved let me know!

Then, I realized I hadn't "upgraded" my blog template in eons because I'm too afraid I'll lose all my archives and settings. I need some html help. I want a new look, but I want to save my archives. I won't be able to remember my life if they get deleted. Seriously, I have quite a history here, but I'm sick of the design.

I worked almost 60 hours in 5 days last week, so I spent ALL of yesterday sleeping. Today, I'm going to BBQ some kabobs and my mom is coming up. It is sunny and nice, so we are going to enjoy the sun. If I can get off of the internet.

Too Many Hours

I got off work at 8pm last night and tonight. I started at 8am. I have an hour+ commute. I'm tired. I don't feel like cleaning, cooking, talking, eating, thinking, or even peeing. Nothing. This is becoming a habit and I don't like it. I need to find some balance.

Going to Cali on June 6th for a week.

Lazy Sunday with Dogs

Enjoying the nice 83-degree day on my patio. Pups are panting and I'm keeping cool with a margarita. I should be working but screw it.

Had eggs benedict for breakfast and am either going to grill some buffalo burgers or make pork tenderloin in a marsala wine sauce with shitake mushrooms and shallots. MMMM.