Well, hello. Anybody out there? (1&2/52)

What can I say... 

Life gets busy and changes and you change and get busy...and... I had a baby!

The most wonderful, crazy, amazing, scary, fun experience of my life.  

To try to prompt myself back into blogging I thought I'd start with the 52 week project...  

One picture a week (of a particular subject, can you guess what mine will be??  haha) for 52 weeks.  

I am obviously already behind since today is January 9th but... I'll post 2 (ok 3) to make up for it.  

The first two don't really follow the idea of the 52 week project, as I think it's meant to show how something (in most cases a child) grows/changes over the year, but I wanted to have a starting point.   

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My little guy was born early (31.5 weeks) and only weighed 2lbs 12oz.   

This is us just minutes after he was born, back in May!

Here he is getting his nightly weigh in at the hospital (where he spent 5+ weeks finishing cooking!)...  I thought he was so big at 3lbs 7oz!!  hahaha

Here he is yesterday being ridiculously adorable and shopping with Nana.  This is actually the first time he has sat in the cart, I usually just take the whole carseat with me, but his Nana (my mother-in-law, who watches him for us) didn't feel like lugging the whole thing in for a quick trip.   

He looks so grown up (for an almost 8 month old)!!

So... that's what I've been doing since I blogged last!

Growing, birthing, and taking care of a baby.   

He's changed my life in so many ways I couldn't even begin to explain them.  

Just think of every cliche out there about babies, and they pretty much all apply. 

P.S.  I have still been reading blogs, and trying to comment when I get a chance!  

I realized after previewing this post I need to do some updating to my blog, particularly my "About Me", my buttons, other people's buttons, and my Link Love page!  *sigh*  Maybe one of these days...

Happy New Year to you all!

Me, Myself, & I

Hola, amigas! 

 

I've seen this link up around since I started reading a lot of the lifestyle blogs, and finally got my stuff together in time to participate this month. :-)

In particular I've seen it on Jenna's blog, so happy to link up with her and the other lovely hosts.

It's just a way to find out a few random facts about each other!

 

 

What are your top 5 favorite movies to watch during the Holidays?

My favorite is probably A Christmas Story.  "You'll shoot your eye out!" (My boyfriend hates it.)

The Nightmare Before Christmas is a close second. 

I like some of the oldies... Miracle on 34th Street (the original) is a cute one.

I think Elf is hilarious and touching at the same time. 

My boyfriend likes Bad Santa, and I admit, it's funny.  ;-)

It’s the month of giving thanks, what are you most thankful for?

I'm thankful for...Our house, and these crazy dogs who share it with us.

I'm thankful for...My family and the fun places we go.

 

And, I'm thankful for this guy...of course. :-)

 

If there was a quote or verse to describe your life, what would it be?

 

Source: meggielynne.tumblr.com via Cynthia on Pinterest

Who in your family are you most like?

Hmm.  That might be something that someone else could answer better, but I think I'm a lot like both of my parents, in different ways.  Actually, I think my brother is, too.  So maybe my brother!  ;-)

What is your favorite drink order at Starbucks?

In "winter" (no such thing here) I love the Pumpkin Spice Lattes, but I do want to try the caramel brulee latte this year!!  For the other +/- 9 months of the year I almost always order: Venti ICED tuxedo, with 2 pumps dark and 4 pumps white chocolate, and light ice, and no whipped cream.   :-) 

Throwback Thursday (Hawaii)

Hey guys!  Hope your weeks are going well out there wherever you are.
(Where are you, btw?  Lemme know if you comment!)

Welcome to another installment of Throwback Thursday :-)  
I did a guest/sponsor post recently (for Mish!) about our trip to Hawaii (and my unfortunate accident there).  I loved going through those pictures so much, I decided to put together a Throwback Thursday about it.  We visited Hawaii just a few years ago, 

but it was before I was blogging and I have a lot of pics to share!

We first went to the Big Island of Hawaii for 3 days, where my aunt lives. 

This is her coffee shop, which is attached to her restaurant,
where we ate delicious food for every meal. 

And we drove through and around lots of growing coffee.

 We drove all over the island in the time we were there.

While on Hawaii, we spent a day in Kona, drove to the volcano, and ate like kings!

Interesting fruits at the farmers market that my aunt hosts on the weekends. 

We saw this house being taken back by the jungle.

We went to the southern most point in the United States.

We drank out of coconuts.

We went to the Hawaiian Royal Palace.

Us on the sea wall behind palace.

Our last morning on Hawaii.....

Then we hopped over to Maui and spent 3 more days.  
 Maui from the sky...

 Upon settling into our rental car and heading toward the hotel, we saw a double rainbow. (Couldn't get a good pics of it though.)

These were some of the views from our hotel...

Ready to go on the volcano bike ride. 
(Nice cheeks.  Thanks helmets.)

We chased some cows. 
(Actually, he was just walking out into the grass so I could get a better picture, 
but I snapped this one at the right time!)

I crashed on the bike and had to spend the last 2 days crutching and wheelchair-ing around. 

In my wheelchair at the luau!

It was so much fun! 
Good food, good drinks, good entertainment, good table mates. :-)

We made some new friends at the luau. 
It wasn't so bad on my knee, what with the unlimited tropical drinks!  

Our last breakfast before coming home. 

Oh, and uh...this is what happened when I got home. 
Yep.  The volcano got me good.

Have you visited Hawaii?  What island?  

I.can.not.wait.to.go.back!! 

Tuesday Tunes

It's highly possible that there is a link up somewhere out there with the same title I've created for my post...but I can't think of anything else that sounds clever. 
Also, I was inspired to go back to this idea by SAMI's post from last week. 

I was looking through my list of post ideas and found "iPod shuffle" so I figured, 

why not Tuesday Tunes?! :-)

Yes, this is my exact iPod. Green.  Are you surprised?  ;-)

My iPod is important to me.  I listen to it every.single.day.  Basically all day at work.  

It's not just that I have some annoying loud coworkers, but it also helps me concentrate and plow through my "To Do" list when the day gets busy. 

And it helps me dance in my desk chair.

Source: someecards.com via Cynthia on Pinterest

 I also plug it into the car on Friday afternoons and listen to it any time I drive on the weekends.  
I really love my music!!  
I am thinking I should use this post more than once because 10 songs could give a very skewed sampling of my taste (which I think is pretty eclectic).  
But we'll see how this one goes first.  ;-) 

Source: someecards.com via Cynthia on Pinterest

Here is a quick (and totally random) sampling of what can be found on my iPod.  

No judging allowed.  ;-) 



#1 /Yesterday /The Beatles
Good job iPod!  The Beatles are my all time favorite band.  My Dad is a big fan and growing up I heard lots of their music.  In college I took an entire music appreciation class on The Beatles, and a special 1 credit "seminar" on their Sgt. Pepper's album. This song reminds me of my Dad.

#2 / The Unforgiven / Metallica
In middle school I went through a little "rocker" stage, and I have plenty of 80s/90s hair band songs.  Metallica is a little more serious than some of those. I feel like their songs evoke emotion. This song reminds me of high school.

#3 / Say What You Say / Eminem

I've got plenty of Eminem (and Dr. Dre and Snoop Lion) on there.  Dre I've loved since high school and Eminem went into high rotation (on my CDs!) when he first hit the scene.  It's good stuff for car dancing/rapping.  

#4 / Raspberry Beret / Prince

I just recently bought a "Best of Prince" CD for like $4.  

There are so many fun songs on there! 

Fun for dancing, and singing and getting all 1980s.  :-) 

#5 / Peanut Vendor / Office Space Soundtrack (Perez Prado)
I have a TON of soundtracks.  If I'm watching a movie and find myself enjoying the music I add it to my list of music to buy.  The fun thing is you always get songs you didn't notice and sometimes they are good!  This one is a little catchy mambo tune from Office Space, which has a really fun soundtrack.

#6 / Survivor / Destiny's Child
I was so sure that this song was on the Charlie's Angels soundtrack, but not according to my iPod.  So I guess I bought this CD due to liking their song on that soundtrack...?  Anyhow, there are some catchy tunes on the CD, and this is a fun one to cruise the freeway to.  





#7 / London Calling / The Clash
This could be from one of any number of soundtracks, but I think I bought it from iTunes as a single.  It's a good one for the gym (if I ever go back there). Love me some British punk rockers.





#8 /Don't Push / Sublime
I'm not sure how far Sublime's popularity reaches, but they are/were an extremely popular band here in Southern California (especially in the 90s).  It's a bit of a mix of ska and reggae maybe?  (I'm not sure what a music person would call it.) Their lead singer died of a heroin overdose when they were getting pretty popular. :-(   
I listened to a lot of this throughout my college years.





#9 / Party Up (Up in Here) / DMX
Another 90s rap song!  Shocking.  ;-)  What can I say?  It gets my booty shaking.  
Plus my BF likes this guy because he had a bunch of motorcycle stunts going on in one of his videos.  
(Videos? Remember those? Do they even make music videos anymore?)





#10 / Scarborough Fair / Celtic Woman
Ahh, now there's a good one to mix it up.  I have about a dozen Celtic Woman songs.  You might recognize them from PBS?  They are a group of Irish women who tour the world singing Irish (and not Irish) songs where voice is the main instrument.  I actually saw them in concert a few years ago.  It was fun, although most of the audience was at least 30 years older than me. ;-) 
(I particularly like this video because the concert was filmed at a real castle in Ireland!)

Hmmm, so....apparently today my iPod decided that we are still living in the 1990s, 
sprinkled with some 60s and 80s?   
But not a bad representation, really.
Maybe next time less 90s, more...other stuff!  haha
I guess I'm at the mercy of the shuffler. 

Does anyone else have all 10 of these songs on their iPod?? 
If so, we should probably just go ahead and plan a blate.
Quickly. 

Weekend Rewind & 10/22

Hi guys, happy Monday (if there is such a thing?)

So, this weekend....

My car hit 30K miles on the way home from work Friday.  

I am pretty sure it just passed 20K a couple months ago...

It was cloudy and drizzly all Friday (and Saturday)

My plumeria bloomed! 

I got my hair colored and trimmed.  

(And apparently one eye was trying to go to sleep.)

My boyfriend bought a leather suit for motorcycle riding.  It made me laugh. 

We made some (Americanized) Korean BBQ at home on Saturday night.  

It was a family affair.   :-)

Sunday we spent most of the day grumbling and going to Home Depot multiple times to try to fix the ice/water dispenser on our fridge.  FUN! (haha, NOT!!)  We finally got it put back together, pumping out water, and not leaking sometime late in the afternoon.   Then we made chile rellenos for dinner!  Yummmm. 

And.... TODAY is my birthday!  :-)    Unfortunately I have to work, but I'll be having some yummy birthday dinner later. And I am getting some (decidedly unromantic, but fully necessary) tires for my car from the BF this year.  And my mom will be coming down this weekend to visit and watch the World Series.  Yay! 

Me, Age 4 ...many years ago!

Most of the time I don't think a whole lot about my age.  

Sometimes, though, I can't avoid it....

 

Recently I went with a couple of my (significantly younger) co-workers to see The Bloggess at a book signing.  On the way there I mentioned that Soleil Moon Frye would be moderating the event.  They both looked blank.  (Ok, I thought, maybe they are too young to remember her name.)  "You know, Punky Brewster?"  More blank looks.  Ouch! 

Source: google.com via hilary on Pinterest

Oh well, I'm getting old.  Nothing I can do to change it!

Hope everyone has a great week!

I may or may not be counting down to next weekend already.  :-) 

My Top Three (or 4 or 5...)

First off, I just want to talk for a minute about blogland.  It's pretty amazing.  

As you may have noticed, I recently started sponsoring a few bloggers I enjoy.  

I've realized in the past few days I may have bitten off a little more than I can chew... I can't keep up with the guest posts, and giveaway plans, and trying to set up a FB page for the blog, and...blah blah blah.  Yikes!  

But you know what?  I'm kind of loving it!  

I mean, sure, I have to remind myself to STEP AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER once in a while, but it's fun to have a hobby and goals to work toward.  I've got a handwritten list to work on...for my blog!  :-)   

Thanks to every single one of you for reading and commenting and being such a great community.  

 And now, on to some fun stuff...

My Top Three...
(or four or five, in some cases I had trouble narrowing it down!)

Biting on gorgeous mama Raven's style  :-)

Movies

Sound of Music  
(since I was a little girl.  It may have temporarily lost it's spot to Dirty Dancing in my early teens...
But it has reclaimed the top spot!)
(This is actually really hard, I just went with the first 2 that came to mind after Sound of Music!)  

Idiocracy

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

 (Honorable mentions:  The Green Mile, The Goonies, Princess Bride, The Man in the Moon, Grease/Grease 2)

Source: profile.ak.fbcdn.net via Chen on Pinterest

Actors

Russell Brand  
(something about that guy cracks me the F up, every time.  I even liked Arthur)

Peter Dinklage 

George Clooney (for the swoon factor)

Source: collider.com via BlamTees.com on Pinterest

Actresses

Jenna Fischer
Cate Blanchett (Loved her in Elizabeth especially) 

Tina Fey

Source: indulgy.com via Amy on Pinterest

Bands/Singers

The Beatles

Mumford & Sons (lately)

Bob Marley

Source: westside-dwain.blogspot.com via Cynthia on Pinterest

TV Shows 
(REALLY hard, I watch a lot of TV)

Jeopardy! (NEVER miss it)
Amazing Race/Top Chef

Girls (lately)

Game of Thrones (seasonally!)

(The Office holds a sentimental spot for me but we don't watch it regularly anymore...
I also love Anthony Bourdain and lots on the Travel Channel)

Source: google.com via Devin on Pinterest

Travel Destinations

Hawaii (favorite vacation ever!)

Cambria, CA (San Simeon, Hearst Castle, Paso Robles..all the same area)

Italy (dream destination, haven't been...yet!)

Source: piccsy.com via Cynthia on Pinterest

Books 
(nearly impossible to choose 3 but I tried.)

Jitterbug Perfume

Hawaii (or The Source, or Centennial...all James Michener)

The Grapes of Wrath

(Honorable mentions: A Song of Ice and Fire [The Game of Thrones books] and the entire Outlander series)

Source: google.ca via Cynthia on Pinterest

Curse Words!

I use them, pretty often... 
I say "Are you fucking kidding me?" a lot

Also asshole and dickhead. For name calling.
What can I say, sometimes people deserve it. :-P

What are some of YOUR favorites?  
I am sure I didn't think of some super obvious moves, actors/actresses...
Not an easy task!  But fun!  :-) 

Thanks, Raven, for the inspiration!

October 14th - Our Anniversary

The Shape of Us  by Ian Britt

You’re no longer alone.

We’ve found a space to name our own.

There ain't no need to fret or fuss.

We’ve got all the strength we need in the shape of us.

And I know you’ve had it tough.

Your road’s been bumpy and rough.

But say goodbye to a world that you once knew.

I have every faith in me and you.

Hold my hand.

Hold my heart.

Let go your fear.

Darling I will always be here.

I never felt quite so at home.

Your sweet caress is the best I’ve known.

Now that I’ve proved to you that I’m worthy of your trust.

Let us build a world in the shape of us.

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 Once upon a time... 

We met when we were kids. 

First & Last

We went lots of places and did lots of stuff.

We went to some parties.

All these are from work Christmas parties. 

Today marks 18 years... and counting.   

Through the years we have had so many great times, and some bad ones, too.  

We've done some traveling, we've eaten good food, we've made great friends. 

We've had some hospital stays, some financial problems, 

we've even lived through a house renovation without killing each other!  

  But through it all, I've never had a second thought. 

 (OK, maybe a couple of times during the house renovations, but we're still going strong. hehe)

 I am looking forward to the next 18 years.