MEAT

Now THAT'S what I'm talking about! BBQing tenderloins tonight with Romano cheese mashed potatoes and a garden salad.

What's the temp?

The new backyard thermometer. Isn't it cool? I thought so.

Too Much to Do

Well I was up until 4 am trying to straighten out my Quicken books (UG) then got up at 9 am and ran some errands. I'm sick of Home Depot! LOL. My bedroom is almost done along with the office and 1 bathroom. They have all been painted and now I'm having some white crown molding going in. Going to look great! I will do before and after pics, they will be quite entertaining. Had the "popcorn" ceilings taken out and put all new fixtures in the bathroom. This is why everything is still all over the place, plus the house was still furnished with all my grandparent's stuff still in it. So needless to say, it is quite a challenge and a crapload of work. Not to mention the expense. I'm laying out by the pool now getting sunburnt. Skin cancer, bah!!

Loving on my babies.

Playin' with the pups.

"Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened."

I'm never leaving the backyard!

My sundeck is done! Beautiful! I've been laying in the sun and swimming today. To hell with cleaning and unpacking! Who wants to join me?

Under the Tuscan Sun

That is probably my favorite movie right now. I liked it before, but ever since my life turned upside down, that movie has become like an old friend. There are so many parts of it that I can relate to, and I feel much like the main character. I had to call a home theater installation specialist to hook up my Blu-Ray surround system because I don't have my awesome neighbor anymore to come to my rescue and I want it working properly. He can't get out here until the 14th and I'm going bonkers because I can't watch any DVDs and am stuck with regular TV. 450 channels and nothing on. I also ordered one of those "universal" remote controls. They are supposed to be awesome, so we'll see. For $500 w/programming, it better be able to do my fucking taxes. I could watch a movie on my laptop I suppose, but that seems so barbaric. Ha!

So far, I really love it here. Work is going great; I love the pool and the sunshine and I'm enjoying seeing Palm trees everywhere I go instead of Evergreens. It's funny, it is 100 degrees in WA right now and only in the 70's here, but it still feels different. It is pleasant and somehow serene to me. I can't explain it. Maybe because the surroundings are new and there is not an old ghost around every corner. The house is a challenge. The remodel is going to take a LONG time and I don't feel like things are in order, or will be any time soon, but it keeps me busy. (Just like in the movie!) I guess there is an interested party in my house in WA already, so I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed! It is so hard to sell it, but I have to. Growing pains. The downside to all of this is the incredible loneliness. I feel like I'm going to become this old maid and die with a bunch of dogs around me. It's hard to trust anyone, and with all the work I have to do, I don't have any kind of a social life right now. I don't even have anyone to go to Disneyland with until my stepson comes to visit in August.

Back to Cooking!

So fun! Tonight's menu is BBQ'd ribs in a bourbon marinade, fresh summer squash from my friend's garden sauteed with red pepper, onion, garlic and olive oil, and focaccia topped with a sundried tomato sauce. For dessert, chocolate-chocolate chip gelato!

Shake, Rattle and Roll!

California has welcomed me with a 5.4 earthquake. How thoughtful! Quite fun in a trailer.

Spies

Hello Darrin!

I was wondering if you were looking for / waiting for something specific on my blog, or if you are just a fan of good 'ol CrazyDogMama.

Hope you and Leslie are well. Say hi to Jim and Rene for me.

Cher

New Workspace

Things are coming along. Even my desk at work. One of my Seattle coworkers got me the purple lava lamp as a going away present. It was the perfect gift. The green one I had on my desk when I first started was from my grandparents. It broke and I never replaced it. Now I am living in my grandparent's house and I have a new lava lamp. Ironic a little.

I have so many unanswered questions in my life. They haunt me. If I were dead I'd be a restless soul.

Summer Rain?

OK who brought the rain? It was RAINING in Southern California this morning in July. WTF? It must be me. It's my fault. Oh well, it cleans the air.

I was also referred to as an "OC" girl today. I'm all HUH? Then it came to me, and I rolled. Guess the definition of an "OC girl" is changing.

Of Course.

Fucking plumbing disaster. On a holiday no less. Ugh. Still unpacking boxes. Still can't find anything and my 4-day weekend ends today. This is fun. NOT.

Remodeling the Backyard

Getting a new sundeck today! Yay! I bought another chaise lounge. I have a new friend at work that I'm going to invite over for sunbathing, swimming and margaritas.

Food fixes everything.

Shrimp fettuccini and broiled citrus shrimp with asparagus, tomatoes and strawberry salad. YUM. I don't want to know my cholesterol levels with the amount of shrimp I ingest.

Lost it today.

Everything that made sense in life yesterday, doesn't today. I don't know why. This morning the painter needed my sample colors and I couldn't find them in any of my boxes. I ripped every damn one of them apart looking and then completely broke down. Just sat down in the middle of the living room and balled like a pathetic fool. I guess I'm just fruit loops. I finally asked God to help me. Five minutes later I saw a box I overlooked. There they were. Coincidence?

The Pool

In the pool having a cup of Joe, listening to jazz. Oh, and playing with the Crackberry camera. Absolute bliss.

Sleepin' and Swimmin' IN THE BUFF!

I thought things needed some spicin' up around here on the CDM bloggery.

Now that I'm living in a warmer climate, I find it refreshing to sleep naked, and then if I wake up too hot still, I just waltz right on downstairs into the pool. I'm liking it. Dogs are confused. They watch me get in the pool and start whining. LOL.

I'm trying to arrange a "Disneyland" company event day. So far, they like the idea. Oh yeah, I've been busy. ;-)

Settling In.

Work was good, the commute was GREAT, everyone is sweet (all 10 of us) and there is a drive-thru Starbucks right next door! Perfect! We are in these primitive little trailers until the build-out is complete, and the trailer with the bathroom is across from mine. You should see me sprint in heels after a venti iced mocha! I get a desk and others get cubes, I'm movin' up in the world! Ha! Tonight, I have to hang all my clothes and alphabetize the DVDs. I'm getting boring, aren't I? That ship has probably already sailed.

All the boxes.

Movers came today, Yay! Now I have another big mess. Meh. Gotta report to work tomorrow so the cleanup will be slow. Also got a new chaise lounge from Costco for sunbathing. Ahh, so relaxing.

New Bath Accessories

Movers are late. Car is late. Of course.

Went shopping today for bathroom supplies. New shower curtain, new shower caddy and new big sunflower shower head with detachable nozzle. Bath time is important!

Took a dry run up to work so I don't get lost on Monday. Glad I did! Such a nice commute and right on the beach! This has all been a HUGE hassle, but it is going to be SO WORTH IT.

Got my internet and phone working but had to reschedule Direct TV because the moving truck is late with my TV on it. *sigh* I've already missed one episode of True Blood, damnit!