It's all in the reflexes.

Gorgeous view of Mt. Shasta!

Now let me tell you about the late afternoon fiascos. First, I took over driving about 2 pm and promptly spilled my Pepsi all over my mom's truck. I was the antichrist for a while as she screamed bloody murder at me. Then, I bought some chipotle peanuts at the gas station and since you can't eat peanuts out of the little bag when you're driving (too difficult), my mom thought it would be a good idea to pour them into the dog's dish. THANKS MA. Those went flying everywhere as well. At that point we were laughing so hard we were crying. Note to self: Do not rub your eyes when you've been eating hot, salty peanuts. OW.

Then we almost died. Doing about 70 mph over the Siskiyou Mountain Summit, a deer pops out in front of me. I swear I'm cursed with that. That would be the 5th one, BUT I didn't hit it! Thank God no one was in the right lane and the deer stopped suddenly, or we would have been in serious trouble. Cliffs on both sides. Bye-bye.

But no, we're still here, albeit a little shaken up. It's all in the reflexes, baby.

Footloose

OMG if y'all could see us now.

My mom put in the "Footloose" CD and we are rockin' out singing and car-dancing. "Everybody cut, everybody cut, everybody cut FOOTLOOSE!"

Now we are "Holding out for a hero." LOL!

Fires

Fires & smoke, not fog. Not good.

Time to go home.

Packing up to leave. :(

My mother is running around like a maniac and it's somewhat entertaining to watch her run back and forth. I'm not really a morning person. I'm very calmly having a cup of Joe.

Call Barbizon

OMG are you laughing your ass off yet at my attempt at sun modeling? Call Barbizon, STAT! LOL! I thought you might especially like my "Cousin It" look where my hair is totally covering my face. I almost spit my drink out through my nose when I saw those. It's fun to be silly.

Sun Modeling

Fun in the Sun

I know these are virtually the same pics I always take, but sue me, I'm having fun in the sun and the pool. It is just so pretty and serene in the back yard. I was also letting the sun soak in on my face this morning on the balcony pictured. Great way to wake up. I did my stargazing from there again last night, too. It was clear, which is amazing considering the smog and the fires. I even wished upon a star! Doubt if it will come true. Hey, that reminds me, I got the coolest fortune in a fortune cookie EVER not too long ago. It said, "In the midst of chaos, you will find love waiting for you.". Isn't that sweet? I never get cool fortunes like THAT; they are always stupid. Not that I believe in that silly crap.

Chocolate Forest

I'm a little melancholy tonight. Only one more day here, then hell drive. My interview went well, I think, it was just a screening to see if I was even qualified. I'm qualified (I hope) and they are supposed to be setting up another phone interview. I guess it is a rigorous process and they are being ultra picky. If it's meant to be, it will be. My motto these days.

I saw this store the other day The 'Chocolate Forest'. What a cool name. When I die, I would like to visit the Chocolate Forest, and I don't mean the store.

You just can't take me to Costco.

OK, it's a little early, but Santa will be able to do all his shopping for me at Costco this year. Although I don't know if I've been a good enough girl for that. LOL.

I found an external hard drive (must back up my digital photos), some great cookbooks (Ina Garten, Giada, and 400 Sauces), plus an IL Divo CD. They are an Italian band that is unique and fun. I like Andrea Bocelli, too. I should live in Italy. I love Italian food, Italian wine, Italian coffee/espresso, Italian music, and Italian makeup. The Borghese makeup I told you about that I love happens to be Italian too. There is just good stuff coming out of Italy, via Costco, I tell you!

Breakfast a la CrazyDogMama!

Making a little breakfast and getting it on the Crackberry! Eggs, hashbrowns, sausage, toast and coffee. Disney builds an appetite! Wish me luck, I have that phone interview this morning. Aahh!

Disneyland!

Well, I couldn't get my mom on Space Mt. or Thunder Mt., but I did get her on the Indiana Jones ride. Cathy rode the other thrill rides with me, plus she is the one who got us in for free! BLESS HER! My feet hurt and I couldn't find a bench, so said fuck it and sat on the ground. Where there's a will. They have just started putting out the Christmas decorations, and I caught the tree going up.

I'm pooped. Thank you, God, for the tram back to the parking lot. I wouldn't have made it.

California Adventure!

Screamin' Coaster! My favorite there at California Adventure. A beautiful and perfect day.

Love me some Disney.

On the way to Disney!

Feeling Pretty

I feel pretty today, crow's feet, wrinkles and all! Don't know why, but I'm gonna roll with it! I think it's because I've lost a total of 40 pounds so far! Way to go ME! :-)

The Green Bean

Here I am waiting in line at the "Coffee Bean"! (Also known as the "Green Bean", as my mom calls it, LOL.)

It's girls' day out! My mom, her friend Cathy and I are going to have some fun today, and you will definitely want to check in often because I'm in a crazy, wacky good mood! (Write it down.)

Not anywhere close to where I thought I'd be.

Went to bed entirely too early, now I'm up entirely too early. I am laying here taking in my life. Do you ever do that? I'm not anywhere close to where I thought I'd be. In some respects, I think that's good.

Today could get very interesting.

The Crazy Gene

So after sunbathing, we decided to go to Costco and dinner. It was a funny evening. My craziness is genetic.

OK, first, I will tell you about the Costco parking lot ordeal where my maturity shines. My mom and I got 'mocha freezes' at Costco, and because they were so darn tasty, I decided to take a picture of them. (So, unlike me.) Now I've told you before that my mom will NOT let me put her picture on the internet, but I argued with her about this one because it was just her hand. She protested, but finally agreed as long as she could see the picture first. (Rolling my eyes at this point.) She said OK but commented that her thumb looked like a penis. I shit you not. Anyway, I responded with, "PENIS? Really, mom?", and apparently, I said it too loud, and my mother shushed me. I said, "OH MY GOD", then rolled down my window and said "PENIS, PENIS, PENIS" out the window exclaiming that no one cares. A guy loading up his truck did look at me at that point, though. OOPS. *Blush* I looked over at my mom and she had her hands on her head, and her head on the steering wheel. LOL. I have no shame. I did get even with her, though, for telling me to, "Go ahead and buy the anti-wrinkle serum because you are 37 now." HA. That'll teach her.

On a different note, I am in LOVE with Costco's Kirkland Signature Borghese makeup and beauty line. I've always been an Estee Lauder fan, but the prices are just getting so ridiculous on that stuff. On a whim, I tried the Borghese foundation and blusher and just thought it was awesome. It is a mineral based makeup, and my skin loves it. It is a third of the price, too! Woohoo! YES, I am now anti-wrinkle cream girl. You know, because I've hit old age now at 37. Sigh.

We got my favorite pizza in all the world for dinner (Biagio's!) and afterwards my mom and I played cards. Now she is pooping out on me, but the night is so young and I'm getting that restless feeling again. Son of beech, sheet! Maybe I'll get in the stupid freezing pool to mellow myself out.

Cheers!

A nice afternoon beer in the backyard by the pool with mom.

Chipmunk Cheeks

Just-get-out-of-bed hair and no makeup for maximum tanning. I look like a homeless person, though. My chipmunk cheeks are getting burned. Maybe that will help get rid of the acne. Gah.

In other news, the pool is FREEZING! YIKES! I got in a little, anyway. My mom just shakes her head. People get used to my crazy.

Good Morning, Blogosphere!

I'm just sitting here having my coffee and balancing my checkbook waiting for the sun to hit the sun deck. The pool guys just cleaned the pool for me (bless them), and I'm looking forward to soaking in some rays soon.

I received a very interesting email yesterday from another job, and this one actually sounds really good. I have a phone interview on Wednesday. It is a huge company that is working to cure cancer. I know I have a job lined up, but I'm keeping all of my options open in my life right now.

Having a good time here, stay tuned! Same bat time, same bat channel! :-)

Belated Birthday Dinner

Before I left for California, I had the pleasure of being taken out for my favorite fajitas (I swear they have an addictive chemical in them!), and then tonight I got to go out again! I feel so loved.

I had a glass of wine while getting ready with all my new makeup. That way when I looked in the mirror I could say "Yep! I look great! Let's go!"

We went to the "Black Angus", and as you can see from the pictures, this is the reason I am not a slight woman. I ate it ALL except for a few bites of cake that I took home. God, I love to eat! The second-best pleasure in life. Ha.

This morning at the beach we walked around to all the little shops (I could have spent a fortune), and we ate at a little French bistro. I had "Cajun" eggs benedict (YUM) and my mom had a Monte Cristo. We both had a glass of champagne. So nice. I am certainly eating well, aren't I?

I'm having such a great time, and I think my mom is too. She is in as much need of a good time as I am, and I'm glad we can share it together right now. I know I will look back on this time fondly.

In the Car

Riding in the car, enjoying the scenery and the sunshine. I feel happy and carefree today! It's about time, right? Yes, I'm stressed about my work situation, but I really need to enjoy the time off right now because who knows what will befall me when I start working again. Let the good times roll!