Last July I took my 13 year old cousin Holly to New Orleans for a 2 day karate tournament.
Since I had never been to New Orleans and Holly had never been outside of the state of California I decided to make a vacation out of it and spend a whole week there.
We stayed on Canal Street, walked the French Quarter and the French Market, toured the Garden District, took a dinner jazz cruise on the Mississippi, went to the Audobon Aquarium, visited the Laura Plantation and did a swamp tour, and every night we would walk from our hotel to Cafe du Monde for beignets and cafe au lait and watch/listen to the street performers. Considering I had a 13 year old with me who was nervous because she'd never been outside of California or away from her mother before, I didn't get to experience the nightlife, but I enjoyed the trip enormously.
As countless others have done before me, i fell in love with The Big Easy. I vowed to come back with friends, without a child where I could walk down Bourbon Street and enjoy the night life, I vowed to come back for Mardi Gras one day, considered what it would be like to honeymoon there if I ever get married and thought about spending my 30th birthday there next year.
One day I will return to New Orleans to enjoy the hospitality and vivaciousness that make the city as beautiful as it is. Until then, New Orleans, Biloxi and everywhere affected by Katrina, you are in my prayers.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Friday, August 26, 2005
My birthday, thus far...
Today is my 29th birthday, and so far it has been a good one.
First, yesterday I came home to find this in my driveway...
I knew that there was a peacock running around the neighborhood, but I'd never been able to get close enough to get a photo of it.
Then, this was in the mail for me....
WOOOO HOOOO!!!! A Crochet Dude pattern!! YAY!!!
So, since I took today off for my birthday did I go out with friends, see a movie, visit the local rose gardens? NO! I HAD TO GET YARN FOR THE VEST!!!
I spent my birthday going to a couple of local yarn shops to find yarns for the vest and further increase my stash.
First stop, The Fuzzy Penguin in Sacramento, where I got some crochet patterns as well as cross stitch patterns.
First, a pattern book for crocheted scarves. i'm not sure which one I'll make first, there are some really cute scarves in there.
Then, another crochet pattern book of "Purses for Sassy Girls". I'm thinking this will make a cute Christmas present for my little 5 year old cousin Janae. She is DEFINITELY sassy.
I'm leaning towards making her the bunny purse, but I'm not sure.
I also found a couple of Celtic knot patterns. I'm not sure what I'll do with these, I just love celtic knot designs though, so I had to get them.
And a fish pattern - this will go GREAT in my moms bathroom.
I FINALLY found some yarn....
First, I've been looking for some Red Heart Casual Cott'n, but EVERYWHERE I went didn't have it. I found it at Beverly's in Fair Oaks and got this great red colorway...
And I found the yarn I'm going to use for The Crochet Dudes Wooly Vest. A creamy white with a pink & cream novelty yarn for the trim. I'm thinking this will be for my aunts christmas gift...
But, my birthday is not over yet. My cousin Erin and her husband Jeremy are taking the train up this evening where I'll pick them up downtown and we'll be going to dinner and then hitting our favorite Brit pub here in Sacramento. More photos tomorrow after I've recovered...
First, yesterday I came home to find this in my driveway...
I knew that there was a peacock running around the neighborhood, but I'd never been able to get close enough to get a photo of it.
Then, this was in the mail for me....
WOOOO HOOOO!!!! A Crochet Dude pattern!! YAY!!!
So, since I took today off for my birthday did I go out with friends, see a movie, visit the local rose gardens? NO! I HAD TO GET YARN FOR THE VEST!!!
I spent my birthday going to a couple of local yarn shops to find yarns for the vest and further increase my stash.
First stop, The Fuzzy Penguin in Sacramento, where I got some crochet patterns as well as cross stitch patterns.
First, a pattern book for crocheted scarves. i'm not sure which one I'll make first, there are some really cute scarves in there.
Then, another crochet pattern book of "Purses for Sassy Girls". I'm thinking this will make a cute Christmas present for my little 5 year old cousin Janae. She is DEFINITELY sassy.
I'm leaning towards making her the bunny purse, but I'm not sure.
I also found a couple of Celtic knot patterns. I'm not sure what I'll do with these, I just love celtic knot designs though, so I had to get them.
And a fish pattern - this will go GREAT in my moms bathroom.
I FINALLY found some yarn....
First, I've been looking for some Red Heart Casual Cott'n, but EVERYWHERE I went didn't have it. I found it at Beverly's in Fair Oaks and got this great red colorway...
And I found the yarn I'm going to use for The Crochet Dudes Wooly Vest. A creamy white with a pink & cream novelty yarn for the trim. I'm thinking this will be for my aunts christmas gift...
But, my birthday is not over yet. My cousin Erin and her husband Jeremy are taking the train up this evening where I'll pick them up downtown and we'll be going to dinner and then hitting our favorite Brit pub here in Sacramento. More photos tomorrow after I've recovered...
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
I've been tagged.....
Idiosyncrasy- a structural or behavioral characteristic peculiar to an individual or group. Write down 5 of yours then tag 5 people if you like.
1. I cannot use a public bathroom unless it is practically a biological emergency. The thought of sitting where unwashed masses have sat before me.... I just can not do it.
2. I'm so addicted to coffee that I can tell you where darn near every single Starbucks is between Sacramento & San Francisco on Interstate 80 - I also know which ones have drive throughs & which dont.
3. I never spend my change - only bills & then dump the change in the bottom of my purse. Thats how I end up with a purse that weighs 10 lbs. In the past I've dumped the change from my purse into a jar - by doing this I partially funded a trip to New Orleans last year.
4. At work, I have to have the programs & applications I use daily in a certain order on my toolbar. If an application shuts down unexpectedly, I have to close them all out & restart in the designated order.
5. Although my entire life is chaos - messy car, messy house, etc... all of the books on my bookshelf have to be facing in the same direction so that you can read the titles on the spine when you tilt your head to the right.
I'll have to think about who to tag next.....
1. I cannot use a public bathroom unless it is practically a biological emergency. The thought of sitting where unwashed masses have sat before me.... I just can not do it.
2. I'm so addicted to coffee that I can tell you where darn near every single Starbucks is between Sacramento & San Francisco on Interstate 80 - I also know which ones have drive throughs & which dont.
3. I never spend my change - only bills & then dump the change in the bottom of my purse. Thats how I end up with a purse that weighs 10 lbs. In the past I've dumped the change from my purse into a jar - by doing this I partially funded a trip to New Orleans last year.
4. At work, I have to have the programs & applications I use daily in a certain order on my toolbar. If an application shuts down unexpectedly, I have to close them all out & restart in the designated order.
5. Although my entire life is chaos - messy car, messy house, etc... all of the books on my bookshelf have to be facing in the same direction so that you can read the titles on the spine when you tilt your head to the right.
I'll have to think about who to tag next.....
Thursday, August 18, 2005
My ears are still burning.
Last night my grandmother repeated to me the conversation that she'd had with my 19 year old sister that morning.
Grandma - You know what next friday is, don't you?
Lil' Sis - uhhhhhhh..... I dunno. Whut?
G - Its your sisters birthday!
LS - serious?
G - yes.
LS - how old is she?
G - She'll be 29
LS - For real?
G - yes.
LS - Damn. She better hurry up and get married.
EFFING BRAT!
Grandma - You know what next friday is, don't you?
Lil' Sis - uhhhhhhh..... I dunno. Whut?
G - Its your sisters birthday!
LS - serious?
G - yes.
LS - how old is she?
G - She'll be 29
LS - For real?
G - yes.
LS - Damn. She better hurry up and get married.
EFFING BRAT!
Thursday, August 11, 2005
It's all random...
Not much is going on. Just some random photos.
First, last week a cooworker moved my purse off the table in the breakroom and pointed out that it is SO HEAVY and asked what the hell I was carrying around in it. So, we cleaned out my purse....
i have a habit that when i stop to et a pack of cigarettes, or a soda out of the vending machine, I always use bills and then drop the loose change into my purse and forget all about it.....
note the pepsi can for scale.
heres the change, counted & neatly stacked....
thats $7.98 in change that I've been carrying around in my purse. I now have a sufficient supply for my daily breakfast of cheetos & whatever soda is available for a while.
Sunday I helped my cousin Erin & her husband Jeremy move to San Francisco. They had to give away their cats since their new building doesnt allow pets, but the night before the move, I took some photos.....
heres Hugo - he's a total sweetie.
this is Mona. She's a little... odd. But, thats what I love about her. She mothers everyone, including humans. When she feels that my hair is not straight enough, or flat enough, or is a little wind blown, she'll take it upon herself to groom me. When you're passed out drunk on your cousins couch its slightly alarming to be woken up by her cat pulling your hair through her teeth to try to smooth it down. Alarming at first, but completely endearing over time.
As I said, I helped E&J move to SF this weekend. They are on the 16th floor of their building and have wonderful views. My photo ops were limited because of boxes, but this is the look down to the street from their kitchen window...
and here is the view directly out their kitchen window.
out their living room window...
leaning out their kitchen window....
here's the lovely couple in their apartment just after everything was moved in, but not yet unpacked.
First, last week a cooworker moved my purse off the table in the breakroom and pointed out that it is SO HEAVY and asked what the hell I was carrying around in it. So, we cleaned out my purse....
i have a habit that when i stop to et a pack of cigarettes, or a soda out of the vending machine, I always use bills and then drop the loose change into my purse and forget all about it.....
note the pepsi can for scale.
heres the change, counted & neatly stacked....
thats $7.98 in change that I've been carrying around in my purse. I now have a sufficient supply for my daily breakfast of cheetos & whatever soda is available for a while.
Sunday I helped my cousin Erin & her husband Jeremy move to San Francisco. They had to give away their cats since their new building doesnt allow pets, but the night before the move, I took some photos.....
heres Hugo - he's a total sweetie.
this is Mona. She's a little... odd. But, thats what I love about her. She mothers everyone, including humans. When she feels that my hair is not straight enough, or flat enough, or is a little wind blown, she'll take it upon herself to groom me. When you're passed out drunk on your cousins couch its slightly alarming to be woken up by her cat pulling your hair through her teeth to try to smooth it down. Alarming at first, but completely endearing over time.
As I said, I helped E&J move to SF this weekend. They are on the 16th floor of their building and have wonderful views. My photo ops were limited because of boxes, but this is the look down to the street from their kitchen window...
and here is the view directly out their kitchen window.
out their living room window...
leaning out their kitchen window....
here's the lovely couple in their apartment just after everything was moved in, but not yet unpacked.
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Erin
Tomorrow my cousin Erin & her husband Jeremy are moving to San Francisco so that Erin can begin law school at UC Hastings.
While I am so excited for Erin, and proud of her for getting into a competitive school, I am very sad that she'll be moving.
While Erin and I are cousins, we're just a year apart and were raised together like sisters and spent a lot of time with our grandparents and great-grandparents. When I was 5 and Erin was 6, her parents moved to Fairfield which is about an hour away. We still saw each other every weekend. I always looked forward to the weekends so that I could see Erin and we could play. As we got older we didnt really play anymore but I still looked forward to the weekends when we would get together and experiment with makeup, our hair, and talk about boys. When Erin first went away to college at USC it was too far away to see her every weekend, but I looked forward to the care packages I would send every couple of weeks and the letters I would get in return.
6 years ago, when Erin and Jeremy married I was so honored to be the maid of honor at their wedding. To, walk up to the altar with them was an amazing honor. At the time, they both lived in Monterey and again I looked forward to visiting them on the weekends. A year later I was ecstatic when they relocated to Sacramento - we had not lived in the same town for almost 20 years.
Erin - I'm going to miss Friday nights dinner & movie, meeting at the pub for a beer or two when one of us have had a shitty day, rushing over to your apartment for lunch when I've forgotten my wallet at home. Once again, I'll be looking forward to the weekends when I come to visit you and J in the city. While I'm sad that you're leaving Sacramento, I'm so happy for you and proud of everything that you've done and everything that you'll become. I'm thankful that I have you as my best friend, sister, and cousin all in one.
While I am so excited for Erin, and proud of her for getting into a competitive school, I am very sad that she'll be moving.
While Erin and I are cousins, we're just a year apart and were raised together like sisters and spent a lot of time with our grandparents and great-grandparents. When I was 5 and Erin was 6, her parents moved to Fairfield which is about an hour away. We still saw each other every weekend. I always looked forward to the weekends so that I could see Erin and we could play. As we got older we didnt really play anymore but I still looked forward to the weekends when we would get together and experiment with makeup, our hair, and talk about boys. When Erin first went away to college at USC it was too far away to see her every weekend, but I looked forward to the care packages I would send every couple of weeks and the letters I would get in return.
6 years ago, when Erin and Jeremy married I was so honored to be the maid of honor at their wedding. To, walk up to the altar with them was an amazing honor. At the time, they both lived in Monterey and again I looked forward to visiting them on the weekends. A year later I was ecstatic when they relocated to Sacramento - we had not lived in the same town for almost 20 years.
Erin - I'm going to miss Friday nights dinner & movie, meeting at the pub for a beer or two when one of us have had a shitty day, rushing over to your apartment for lunch when I've forgotten my wallet at home. Once again, I'll be looking forward to the weekends when I come to visit you and J in the city. While I'm sad that you're leaving Sacramento, I'm so happy for you and proud of everything that you've done and everything that you'll become. I'm thankful that I have you as my best friend, sister, and cousin all in one.
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Pictures picture and more pictures!
YAY!!! I finally got a USB cable for my camera! Fry's Electronics is a wonderful place.
So now, some photos......
First of all, here are some knitting notecards I picked up from the $1 bin at Michaels... so cute, and so cheap!
A few weeks ago was the birthday of my lovely cousin Erin.
For her birthday I made her a few beaded necklaces.....
A triple strand silver pearl, iolite, and garnet.
Single strand white pearl and hematite.
A copper pearl, rose quartz and moss stone.
Silver pearl and a sparkly green stone that I can’t remember the name of.
I also made a charm for her cell phone with Swarovski crystals and a crab since she’s a cancer.
I’ve also crocheted a few things recently, and who better to model them for me than my baby cousin, the little diva in the making, Janae....
First is a black hobo bag...
Another hobo bag, this time I decided to use brighter colors and went with baby blue and lime green...
I also made a poncho with matching hat for Janae using butter yellow kitchen cotton with a light blue eyelash yarn for the trim. I thought the blue would really bring out her eyes. Here she is, showing us some of her diva poses....
And finally, my sweet baby girl. Madeleine. I know that I may be a bit biased, but I do believe that she is the cutest puppy ever.
So now, some photos......
First of all, here are some knitting notecards I picked up from the $1 bin at Michaels... so cute, and so cheap!
A few weeks ago was the birthday of my lovely cousin Erin.
For her birthday I made her a few beaded necklaces.....
A triple strand silver pearl, iolite, and garnet.
Single strand white pearl and hematite.
A copper pearl, rose quartz and moss stone.
Silver pearl and a sparkly green stone that I can’t remember the name of.
I also made a charm for her cell phone with Swarovski crystals and a crab since she’s a cancer.
I’ve also crocheted a few things recently, and who better to model them for me than my baby cousin, the little diva in the making, Janae....
First is a black hobo bag...
Another hobo bag, this time I decided to use brighter colors and went with baby blue and lime green...
I also made a poncho with matching hat for Janae using butter yellow kitchen cotton with a light blue eyelash yarn for the trim. I thought the blue would really bring out her eyes. Here she is, showing us some of her diva poses....
And finally, my sweet baby girl. Madeleine. I know that I may be a bit biased, but I do believe that she is the cutest puppy ever.
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Sounds cool.....
So, I still haven't mastered the Art of Knitting (to many crochet projects in progress) but I saw these on
They're called The Knit Wit and they count your stiches AND your rows.
I haven't been able to find anything that gives the price, though. Not even on Amazon.
However, here is
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Only a month away....
Only a month until my 29th birthday. Exactly one month from today.
It feels odd knowing that I'm about to begin the last year of my 20's.
I was talking about this with a friend this past week and they asked how much I'd accomplished on my "30 by 30" list.
I said "My whuh?"
30 things to accomplish by the age of 30.
Is this a standard thing that most people do but I'm not aware of?
So, I decided to sit down and create my list. Considering I only have a little over a year its not going to include anything of any great measure, and it probably will include a few silly things, but I still thought I would be able to come up with 30 things that I wanted to do within the next 13 months. So not true.
I am having the hardest time coming up with 30 things that I wanted to accomplish by August 26, 2006.
So, here I am asking for suggestions.
I only have 16 things so far.....
16 by 30
1. Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge.
2. Travel somewhere that requires a passport (Ireland & Italy being my top 2 choices).
3. Be completely debt free - even if only for 1 month.
4. Get my motorcycle license so that I'm that much closer to getting the Vespa I want.
5. Lose 50 lbs
6. Take one of those cool classes at the Learning Exchange - photography, cooking, knitting, any of them!
7. Complete the American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure bike ride
8. Treat myself to a day spa (particular treatments as yet undecided but I'm thinking a full body massage to recover from the Tour de Cure is a top contender)
9. Photograph at least half of the California Missions (from Jolon, north to Sonoma)
10. Try snowboarding
11. Throw an amazing dinner party (perhaps for my Grandmas 70th birthday in September?)
12. Go through my closet and donate all clothing and shoes that I havent worn in the past year to a battered womens shelter such as WEAVE.
13. Go through my book shelves and donate all books I no longer need or want to keep for sentimental reasons to a hospital or nursing home.
14. Register as a bone marrow donor (I already donate blood every 8 weeks)
15. Have my photography shown - even if just in a coffee shop.
16. Have net assets of $25k (401k, stocks, bonds, etc.)
So, offer some suggestions and on or around August 26th I'll post an updated "30 by 30"
It feels odd knowing that I'm about to begin the last year of my 20's.
I was talking about this with a friend this past week and they asked how much I'd accomplished on my "30 by 30" list.
I said "My whuh?"
30 things to accomplish by the age of 30.
Is this a standard thing that most people do but I'm not aware of?
So, I decided to sit down and create my list. Considering I only have a little over a year its not going to include anything of any great measure, and it probably will include a few silly things, but I still thought I would be able to come up with 30 things that I wanted to do within the next 13 months. So not true.
I am having the hardest time coming up with 30 things that I wanted to accomplish by August 26, 2006.
So, here I am asking for suggestions.
I only have 16 things so far.....
16 by 30
1. Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge.
2. Travel somewhere that requires a passport (Ireland & Italy being my top 2 choices).
3. Be completely debt free - even if only for 1 month.
4. Get my motorcycle license so that I'm that much closer to getting the Vespa I want.
5. Lose 50 lbs
6. Take one of those cool classes at the Learning Exchange - photography, cooking, knitting, any of them!
7. Complete the American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure bike ride
8. Treat myself to a day spa (particular treatments as yet undecided but I'm thinking a full body massage to recover from the Tour de Cure is a top contender)
9. Photograph at least half of the California Missions (from Jolon, north to Sonoma)
10. Try snowboarding
11. Throw an amazing dinner party (perhaps for my Grandmas 70th birthday in September?)
12. Go through my closet and donate all clothing and shoes that I havent worn in the past year to a battered womens shelter such as WEAVE.
13. Go through my book shelves and donate all books I no longer need or want to keep for sentimental reasons to a hospital or nursing home.
14. Register as a bone marrow donor (I already donate blood every 8 weeks)
15. Have my photography shown - even if just in a coffee shop.
16. Have net assets of $25k (401k, stocks, bonds, etc.)
So, offer some suggestions and on or around August 26th I'll post an updated "30 by 30"
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Just you wait.......
I had a full weekend.
I spent it at my Aunt Marla & Uncle Mikes house in Fairfield.
Friday night I went down and joined Aunt Marla and Uncle Mike along with my dear cousin Erin and her husband Jeremy for a comedy club fundraiser for the local girls bobby sox softball team. The show was okay - not the funniest I've heard, but okay.
Saturday morning my younger cousin Meghan and I went into San Francisco to do a little birthday shopping for Erin. I picked up a couple of little things for her at Sephora to pair together with some necklaces that I'd made her.
That night we had a family dinner party to celebrate Erins 30th birthday, Grandma drove down to join us - it was a nice little gathering, just a quiet evening with the family. Then Sunday we just hung out, playing Scrabble online.
However, be prepared for an upcoming picture palooza. I have taken photos of each of the necklaces that I made for Erin along with photos of Miss Molluy's puppies. Miss Molly is my Uncle Mikes sweet sweet puppy, and her babies are so adorable! The chunkiest of which, Jennifer, will be my Grandmas new baby in about 8 weeks. I'll also have photos of my most recently completed crochet projects... 2 hobo tote bags and a crusher hat with matching scarf.
I still don't have a USB cord for my digital camera. i've been to Best Buy but they don't have one that fits my camera. This is not going to be an easy fix. I'm still hoping that I'll find my original cord, but so far, no luck.
But when I do get a USB cord, watch out! I'll be taking pictures of EVERYTHING!!!!!
I spent it at my Aunt Marla & Uncle Mikes house in Fairfield.
Friday night I went down and joined Aunt Marla and Uncle Mike along with my dear cousin Erin and her husband Jeremy for a comedy club fundraiser for the local girls bobby sox softball team. The show was okay - not the funniest I've heard, but okay.
Saturday morning my younger cousin Meghan and I went into San Francisco to do a little birthday shopping for Erin. I picked up a couple of little things for her at Sephora to pair together with some necklaces that I'd made her.
That night we had a family dinner party to celebrate Erins 30th birthday, Grandma drove down to join us - it was a nice little gathering, just a quiet evening with the family. Then Sunday we just hung out, playing Scrabble online.
However, be prepared for an upcoming picture palooza. I have taken photos of each of the necklaces that I made for Erin along with photos of Miss Molluy's puppies. Miss Molly is my Uncle Mikes sweet sweet puppy, and her babies are so adorable! The chunkiest of which, Jennifer, will be my Grandmas new baby in about 8 weeks. I'll also have photos of my most recently completed crochet projects... 2 hobo tote bags and a crusher hat with matching scarf.
I still don't have a USB cord for my digital camera. i've been to Best Buy but they don't have one that fits my camera. This is not going to be an easy fix. I'm still hoping that I'll find my original cord, but so far, no luck.
But when I do get a USB cord, watch out! I'll be taking pictures of EVERYTHING!!!!!
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Wow, he's right!
"Even though I'm a tranquil guy now at this stage of my life, I have nothing but contempt and anger for those who betray the trust by exposing the name of our sources. They are, in my view, the most insidious of traitors." George H.W. Bush, April 26, 1999.
Saturday, July 09, 2005
All over a silly eyelash....
Yesterday morning I felt like there was something in my eye but I couldnt see anything in it and no matter how many eyedrops I put in it, nothing helped. Nobody at work had a magnifying mirror so that I could get a better look at it, and the one friend/coworker who was willing to look in my eye said that my eyelid was a little red and swollen and it looked like I was probably getting a sty. I've had a sty before and it wasnt scratchy, it was tender and swollen. By the time I got home it felt like something was scratching my eye, so I checked it out once I was able to get up close to a big mirror with good lighting. I had an ingrown eyelash. But, it's not just a regular ingrown eyelash, but one that went through inner rim of my upper eyelid, under the skin, coming out on the INSIDE of my eyelid, scratching my eye everytime I blinked. Since it was so close to my eyeball, this wasnt something I wanted to try to tweeze myself.
So, being the mature 28 year old woman that I am, I called my mommy.
My rationalization in calling my mom being that she is a Medical Assistant and is constantly poking people with needles and crap like that. She came over and I told her what the situation was, and of course she didn't believe me and starts wiping a Q-Tip along the inner rim of my eyelid, thinking that the lash is just bent up underneath the lid and that she's going to be able to wipe it off. During this process I repeatedly told her "Mom, it's UNDER the skin, you're not going to be able to wipe it off with a Q-Tip." After a couple of minutes she says "OH, how WEIRD. It really is under the skin. yeah, I'm not going to be able to just wipe this off." And since so little of the lash was coming out on the underneath she didn't feel comfortable trying to get it out.
Next step... Urgent Care. Mom and I decide that Saturday, today, she'll take me to urgent care in case they have to cut into my eyelid and possibly patch it and am not able to drive myself home. First, I wake up and theres some goopy stuff in my eye. Not a good sign.
We get to urgent care and the triage nurse looks at my eyelid. He says "WEIRD, its really under the skin. I want to see what the Dr. does." Of course, since I'm with my mommy I get put into a pediatric room where the only reading material is Green Eggs and Ham. I couldn't talk mommy into reading me a story though. After a few minutes the doctor comes in, asks me why I'm there and I tell him about my eye.
Then he gives me a lecture about the ills of smoking.
Finally he looks at my eye and says, stop me if you've heard this before....
"Oh, how WEIRD. It really IS under the skin."
After he looks at it again he says "Yeah, I'm not going to touch that. I'll give you a referral to an opthamologist and someone will call you by Tuesday" I ask if he can give me some numbing drops for my eye since its so annoying, his response was "No, sometimes pain is your friend. It lets you know if it may be getting infected or something." Pain is my friend? Sadistic bastard. I felt like saying "No, pain MEDS are my friend" but I doubted that my humor would be appreciated.
So, I go home thinking that I'll have to wait until probably Wednesday at the earliest before anything can be done about the damned eyelash in my eye.
However, as the day wears on the scratching sensation goes away. Now it feels like everytime I blink something is CUTTING into my eye, and I decide to brave the emergency room. With mommy.
We go to Sutter Roseville and I sign in. After about 20 minutes I'm called in to triage. The triage nurse says that it won't take very long since they don't need to put me in a room or bed or anything like that, but I'm doubtful. Emergency rooms are NEVER quick. Especially ones that are level one trauma centers like Sutter Roseville.
So, I go back out and register and wait for about another 30 minutes and am called back in where I meet the wonderful Dr. Darilyn Campbell-Falck. She looks at my eye and says "I can see how that would be really annoying." she puts some lidocaine drops in my eye, gets some really small forceps, a bright light, and tries to pull the lash out. It's not budging. My favorite comment of hers? "I wish I had the tweezers I use on my eyebrows at home."
She finds a different pair of forceps and pulls the lash out then gives me a prescription for some antibiotic drops since my eye itself has been scratched some and she wants to prevent it from becoming infected. Total time spent in the emergency room? Just an hour and a half.
I LOVE YOU SUTTER ROSEVILLE!!!
I LOVE YOU DR CAMPBELL-FALCK!!!
Then I went to the new Joann Super Store in Roseville and bought yarn.
Projects will be posted once I get off my lazy arse and go get a new usb cord for my digital camera.
So, being the mature 28 year old woman that I am, I called my mommy.
My rationalization in calling my mom being that she is a Medical Assistant and is constantly poking people with needles and crap like that. She came over and I told her what the situation was, and of course she didn't believe me and starts wiping a Q-Tip along the inner rim of my eyelid, thinking that the lash is just bent up underneath the lid and that she's going to be able to wipe it off. During this process I repeatedly told her "Mom, it's UNDER the skin, you're not going to be able to wipe it off with a Q-Tip." After a couple of minutes she says "OH, how WEIRD. It really is under the skin. yeah, I'm not going to be able to just wipe this off." And since so little of the lash was coming out on the underneath she didn't feel comfortable trying to get it out.
Next step... Urgent Care. Mom and I decide that Saturday, today, she'll take me to urgent care in case they have to cut into my eyelid and possibly patch it and am not able to drive myself home. First, I wake up and theres some goopy stuff in my eye. Not a good sign.
We get to urgent care and the triage nurse looks at my eyelid. He says "WEIRD, its really under the skin. I want to see what the Dr. does." Of course, since I'm with my mommy I get put into a pediatric room where the only reading material is Green Eggs and Ham. I couldn't talk mommy into reading me a story though. After a few minutes the doctor comes in, asks me why I'm there and I tell him about my eye.
Then he gives me a lecture about the ills of smoking.
Finally he looks at my eye and says, stop me if you've heard this before....
"Oh, how WEIRD. It really IS under the skin."
After he looks at it again he says "Yeah, I'm not going to touch that. I'll give you a referral to an opthamologist and someone will call you by Tuesday" I ask if he can give me some numbing drops for my eye since its so annoying, his response was "No, sometimes pain is your friend. It lets you know if it may be getting infected or something." Pain is my friend? Sadistic bastard. I felt like saying "No, pain MEDS are my friend" but I doubted that my humor would be appreciated.
So, I go home thinking that I'll have to wait until probably Wednesday at the earliest before anything can be done about the damned eyelash in my eye.
However, as the day wears on the scratching sensation goes away. Now it feels like everytime I blink something is CUTTING into my eye, and I decide to brave the emergency room. With mommy.
We go to Sutter Roseville and I sign in. After about 20 minutes I'm called in to triage. The triage nurse says that it won't take very long since they don't need to put me in a room or bed or anything like that, but I'm doubtful. Emergency rooms are NEVER quick. Especially ones that are level one trauma centers like Sutter Roseville.
So, I go back out and register and wait for about another 30 minutes and am called back in where I meet the wonderful Dr. Darilyn Campbell-Falck. She looks at my eye and says "I can see how that would be really annoying." she puts some lidocaine drops in my eye, gets some really small forceps, a bright light, and tries to pull the lash out. It's not budging. My favorite comment of hers? "I wish I had the tweezers I use on my eyebrows at home."
She finds a different pair of forceps and pulls the lash out then gives me a prescription for some antibiotic drops since my eye itself has been scratched some and she wants to prevent it from becoming infected. Total time spent in the emergency room? Just an hour and a half.
I LOVE YOU SUTTER ROSEVILLE!!!
I LOVE YOU DR CAMPBELL-FALCK!!!
Then I went to the new Joann Super Store in Roseville and bought yarn.
Projects will be posted once I get off my lazy arse and go get a new usb cord for my digital camera.
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
I actually did it.
For the past year I have been saying that when my hair grows out long enough I would be cutting it off to donate to Locks of Love.
Sunday, I did it. I just could not take the July heat in Sacramento any longer with how thick & heavy my hair is. It was down to my waist and now barely hits my shoulders. I feel good about it - everyone asks if I cried when they cut it but I was okay in knowing that it was going to a good cause and would probably make some little girl happy.
However, I do feel naked. I mean I spent the past year and a half growing out this massive amount of hair and its just gone.
Sunday, I did it. I just could not take the July heat in Sacramento any longer with how thick & heavy my hair is. It was down to my waist and now barely hits my shoulders. I feel good about it - everyone asks if I cried when they cut it but I was okay in knowing that it was going to a good cause and would probably make some little girl happy.
However, I do feel naked. I mean I spent the past year and a half growing out this massive amount of hair and its just gone.
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
38 days
38 days until my dear sweet cousin Erin, who is also like a sister and the very best friend on the planet, moves! She's off to law school in SF where I will be coming to visit her as often as possible. Just load myself onto an Amtrak on Friday nights and bug her & her husband all weekend long.
However, before then is her birthday. Only 11 days away. I have been working tirelessly on her birthday gift.....
HAH! cant show you for 2 reasons...
1 - I want it to be a suprise & she reads this from time to time
2 - I have somehow managed to lose the usb cable for my digital camera. I have no clue how this happened. I used it, and now its gone. So, I'll be off to best buy on my way home tonight.
However, before then is her birthday. Only 11 days away. I have been working tirelessly on her birthday gift.....
HAH! cant show you for 2 reasons...
1 - I want it to be a suprise & she reads this from time to time
2 - I have somehow managed to lose the usb cable for my digital camera. I have no clue how this happened. I used it, and now its gone. So, I'll be off to best buy on my way home tonight.
Friday, June 24, 2005
I hope this helps....
I've always been a crafty type person... I crochet, I make beaded jewelry, I've made bath products like sugar scrubs and bubble baths and some very basic sewing. My family and friends call me a "blue collar Martha Stewart". As the holidays approach I hear a lot of "I can't wait to see what you're making this year" and I feel a bit of pressure to at least measure up to the previous year, if not out do it.
As much as I've been into crafts, one thing I've never been able to do is knit. I've tried. As long as I have someone else cast on for me I can get going okay on something super basic like a garter knit scarf or something like that. But, if I have to cast on myself, I'm screwed. I end up with these crazy loopy looking things along the edge. I don't know what the hell I'm doing wrong. So, yesterday I was in Barnes & Nobles and this was smack in front of me....
I'm going to give knitting another try, after all there are soooo many beautiful patterns out there that I would love to buy & knit.
But for now....
I'm off to the bead shop.
As much as I've been into crafts, one thing I've never been able to do is knit. I've tried. As long as I have someone else cast on for me I can get going okay on something super basic like a garter knit scarf or something like that. But, if I have to cast on myself, I'm screwed. I end up with these crazy loopy looking things along the edge. I don't know what the hell I'm doing wrong. So, yesterday I was in Barnes & Nobles and this was smack in front of me....
I'm going to give knitting another try, after all there are soooo many beautiful patterns out there that I would love to buy & knit.
But for now....
I'm off to the bead shop.
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Guess what happens when.....
you get a fix it ticket for a busted tail light in mid March, and although you have it fixed right away you think "I've got PLENTY of time to get this signed off on and sent in"
You forget about the entire situation.
Then you come home one day, today in fact, to find a notice on your door.
From the Sacramento County Sheriffs.
Your fine has turned into a warrant.
And the original $10 fine for a fix it ticket.
Now its $231.
And you have a neighbor who notices the sheriffs on your front doorstep and asks them what theyre there for.
So now, the entire neighborhood knows that I didn't take care of my fix it ticket and now have a warrant out.
Great.
F'ing great.
You forget about the entire situation.
Then you come home one day, today in fact, to find a notice on your door.
From the Sacramento County Sheriffs.
Your fine has turned into a warrant.
And the original $10 fine for a fix it ticket.
Now its $231.
And you have a neighbor who notices the sheriffs on your front doorstep and asks them what theyre there for.
So now, the entire neighborhood knows that I didn't take care of my fix it ticket and now have a warrant out.
Great.
F'ing great.
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Happy Fathers Day
Happy Fathers Day!
I have a unique family situation... and by unique I mean entirely confusing.
I have 3 dads.
"How can that be?", you ask?
First, theres my moms first husband Jerry, Dad.
He and my mom met when I was just 8 months old and married when I was 3. I was the flower girl at their wedding. Ive always called him dad, and he's always referred to me as his oldest daughter. He taught me how to swim, how to ride my bike, how to change a flat tire on a car (remember the time I crossed the threads when putting the spare on the Mazda and it ended up costing something like $400 to fix? oops. Sorry about that). I was about 9 years old when I found out he wasnt my actual father. While I may not have been a complete hellian, I WAS NOT an easy child. I was a smartass, challenged everything he said, stuff like that. I think I'm responsible for a lot of the gray hairs on his head.
While we haven't always gotten along, and we've had more than our fair share of screaming matches, I am proud to call him my dad. Because he didnt HAVE to be my dad... he chose to be my dad, and thats what makes him so special to me.
Here he is opening the gift gave him for Fathers Day. A photo of us together when I was about a year and a half old.
My father, Andrew.
We met about a month before my 16th birthday. I get my sarcastic, snarky tendencies from him... as well as my tendency to chain smoke.
He's taught me about finances, how to drive in the snow, and most importantly....
how to sneak booze into "dry" events (note that we're both holding glasses in the photo.... looks like punch? Well, it originally was.... until I pulled a bottle of rum out. He said "thats my girl" and I'll swear there was a tear in his eye).
Then theres my maternal grandpa. Papa Pete.
He passed away a year and a half ago. This is my second fathers day without him, but it hasnt gotten any easier.
He built the treehouse and swings that my cousin Erin and I played on when we were kids.
I can't even begin to list everything I learned from him.
One of the biggest things I did learn from him was to fight through everything thats thrown at you.
6 months before he passed he had a stroke that left him paralyzed on his right side. Once he came home from the hospital I would work with him everyday to walk to the end of the driveway and back, to get the littlest bit of movement back in the small finger on his right hand. He would guide me through making small repairs on mine and my grandmas cars, we would watch movies together - from Clint Eastwood westerns, to Meet the Parents, and Anne of Green Gables.
I miss you, Grandpa.
I have a unique family situation... and by unique I mean entirely confusing.
I have 3 dads.
"How can that be?", you ask?
First, theres my moms first husband Jerry, Dad.
He and my mom met when I was just 8 months old and married when I was 3. I was the flower girl at their wedding. Ive always called him dad, and he's always referred to me as his oldest daughter. He taught me how to swim, how to ride my bike, how to change a flat tire on a car (remember the time I crossed the threads when putting the spare on the Mazda and it ended up costing something like $400 to fix? oops. Sorry about that). I was about 9 years old when I found out he wasnt my actual father. While I may not have been a complete hellian, I WAS NOT an easy child. I was a smartass, challenged everything he said, stuff like that. I think I'm responsible for a lot of the gray hairs on his head.
While we haven't always gotten along, and we've had more than our fair share of screaming matches, I am proud to call him my dad. Because he didnt HAVE to be my dad... he chose to be my dad, and thats what makes him so special to me.
Here he is opening the gift gave him for Fathers Day. A photo of us together when I was about a year and a half old.
My father, Andrew.
We met about a month before my 16th birthday. I get my sarcastic, snarky tendencies from him... as well as my tendency to chain smoke.
He's taught me about finances, how to drive in the snow, and most importantly....
how to sneak booze into "dry" events (note that we're both holding glasses in the photo.... looks like punch? Well, it originally was.... until I pulled a bottle of rum out. He said "thats my girl" and I'll swear there was a tear in his eye).
Then theres my maternal grandpa. Papa Pete.
He passed away a year and a half ago. This is my second fathers day without him, but it hasnt gotten any easier.
He built the treehouse and swings that my cousin Erin and I played on when we were kids.
I can't even begin to list everything I learned from him.
One of the biggest things I did learn from him was to fight through everything thats thrown at you.
6 months before he passed he had a stroke that left him paralyzed on his right side. Once he came home from the hospital I would work with him everyday to walk to the end of the driveway and back, to get the littlest bit of movement back in the small finger on his right hand. He would guide me through making small repairs on mine and my grandmas cars, we would watch movies together - from Clint Eastwood westerns, to Meet the Parents, and Anne of Green Gables.
I miss you, Grandpa.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Saturday, June 04, 2005
Pets, suds & performances....
Inspired by some other bloggers, I feel compelled to post my darling furbabies.
First, we have my kitty Roxie. Roxie was a feral that was rescued mb a coworker of mine when she was about 4 months old. She was a bit skittish and untrusting when I first got her a year and a half ago, but she's a total sweetheart now.
unless she's decided that you're wasting precious time by taking pictures when you could be feeding her instead....
And this is my sweet puppy Madeleine, or Maddy for short. Maddy is only 3 and a half months old and she loves Roxie. Roxie mothers her by grooming her and keeping her in check when she misbehaves.
Now, on to my day.
Work... well, it kinda sucked. We've lost 5 people in the last month so things aren't exactly going smoothly.
I planned on stopping off at the Brit pub I occaisionally frequent for a beer after work - my dear cousin Erin is a barmaid there, so I know I can count on a perfectly poured black & tan or a pint of Stella, filled to the rim, whichever my mood calls for.
However, at about 4:40 my dad calls. First he's inviting me to pizza with my, his girlfriend, my brother, my mom & her husband. Sounds good. i'm thinking, okay, I can stop in the pub to visit Erin and enjoy a beer while apologizing to Megan & Kelly for making a drunken fool of myself at Megans birthday and then head over for pizza with the family. After we've been chit-chatting for about 5 minutes, dad throws a bit of a wrench in those plans... but a good one.
Knowing that I was in theater in high school and that I LOVE broadway musicals he very nonchalantly says (not asks) "You wouldn't want 2 tickets to see The Lion King tonight, would you."
W H A T ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
The hottest show in town???
HELL YES I WANT TICKETS.
So, by this time I had 10 minutes to call his friend and make arrangements to have the tickets held for me at will call.
Normally when I am presented with 2 tickets to a function my first reaction is to take Erin. however, erin was tending bar this evening. So, knowing that my little cousin Meghan has been wanting to see this as well, I call her and tell her to be ready when I get home and to dress nicely.
BUT, I DO NOT TELL HER WHERE WE'RE GOING. hehehe.
Not pertinent to this evenings, but I passed this on my way home.
The white stuff?
Soap suds.
I'd estimate that this fountain gets soaped at least once a month during the summer.
Here we are about to leave for the show. Ummm, yeah. Both of my chins and I are going back to the gym & eating better starting this weekend, but thats a whole other post.
See Meghan, skirts DON'T cause you any physical pain...
Here we're on our way downtown.. and Meghan is getting just a bit frustrated that I won't tell her where we're going.
So, she starts trying to guess where we're going. I think one of her best guesses was that we were going to a wedding.
We stop at McDonalds (hey, the diet/gym thing starts this WEEKEND, not tonight) to grab something quick before the show, so she now knows that we wont be eating wherever it is that we're going....
As we get closer to the Community Center, which happens to be across the street from the State Capitol, she asks if we're going to see the governor. HUH?? I would NOT have us dress up and rush downtown to go see Ahhnold. finally, as we drive past the community center and she sees the 20 foot tall sign for The Lion King she guesses it.
The show was FANTASTIC. Makes me want to go to the theatre more often. Meghan loved it as well, and now she wants us to go to the theater more often. I think its great when you can get a 13 year old to want to go see plays and musicals. I think that does so much for their appreciation of culture. Aunt Marla and Uncle Mike... THANK YOU for taking me to the symphony and theatre when I was younger.
As much as she enjoyed the show, she did not enjoy wearing a skirt or heels.
First, we have my kitty Roxie. Roxie was a feral that was rescued mb a coworker of mine when she was about 4 months old. She was a bit skittish and untrusting when I first got her a year and a half ago, but she's a total sweetheart now.
unless she's decided that you're wasting precious time by taking pictures when you could be feeding her instead....
And this is my sweet puppy Madeleine, or Maddy for short. Maddy is only 3 and a half months old and she loves Roxie. Roxie mothers her by grooming her and keeping her in check when she misbehaves.
Now, on to my day.
Work... well, it kinda sucked. We've lost 5 people in the last month so things aren't exactly going smoothly.
I planned on stopping off at the Brit pub I occaisionally frequent for a beer after work - my dear cousin Erin is a barmaid there, so I know I can count on a perfectly poured black & tan or a pint of Stella, filled to the rim, whichever my mood calls for.
However, at about 4:40 my dad calls. First he's inviting me to pizza with my, his girlfriend, my brother, my mom & her husband. Sounds good. i'm thinking, okay, I can stop in the pub to visit Erin and enjoy a beer while apologizing to Megan & Kelly for making a drunken fool of myself at Megans birthday and then head over for pizza with the family. After we've been chit-chatting for about 5 minutes, dad throws a bit of a wrench in those plans... but a good one.
Knowing that I was in theater in high school and that I LOVE broadway musicals he very nonchalantly says (not asks) "You wouldn't want 2 tickets to see The Lion King tonight, would you."
W H A T ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
The hottest show in town???
HELL YES I WANT TICKETS.
So, by this time I had 10 minutes to call his friend and make arrangements to have the tickets held for me at will call.
Normally when I am presented with 2 tickets to a function my first reaction is to take Erin. however, erin was tending bar this evening. So, knowing that my little cousin Meghan has been wanting to see this as well, I call her and tell her to be ready when I get home and to dress nicely.
BUT, I DO NOT TELL HER WHERE WE'RE GOING. hehehe.
Not pertinent to this evenings, but I passed this on my way home.
The white stuff?
Soap suds.
I'd estimate that this fountain gets soaped at least once a month during the summer.
Here we are about to leave for the show. Ummm, yeah. Both of my chins and I are going back to the gym & eating better starting this weekend, but thats a whole other post.
See Meghan, skirts DON'T cause you any physical pain...
Here we're on our way downtown.. and Meghan is getting just a bit frustrated that I won't tell her where we're going.
So, she starts trying to guess where we're going. I think one of her best guesses was that we were going to a wedding.
We stop at McDonalds (hey, the diet/gym thing starts this WEEKEND, not tonight) to grab something quick before the show, so she now knows that we wont be eating wherever it is that we're going....
As we get closer to the Community Center, which happens to be across the street from the State Capitol, she asks if we're going to see the governor. HUH?? I would NOT have us dress up and rush downtown to go see Ahhnold. finally, as we drive past the community center and she sees the 20 foot tall sign for The Lion King she guesses it.
The show was FANTASTIC. Makes me want to go to the theatre more often. Meghan loved it as well, and now she wants us to go to the theater more often. I think its great when you can get a 13 year old to want to go see plays and musicals. I think that does so much for their appreciation of culture. Aunt Marla and Uncle Mike... THANK YOU for taking me to the symphony and theatre when I was younger.
As much as she enjoyed the show, she did not enjoy wearing a skirt or heels.
Sunday, May 29, 2005
The Birthday Party & A TON of pics....
So, last night was myy friend Megans birthday party.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEGAN!!!!
Heres the birthday girl.....
The costumes were great. The theme was TV shows and we had Punky Brewster, Star Trek, and Sex and the City among others.....
Jeremy (aka Samantha) a little closer up
Brett had the misfortune of sitting across from Jeremy when he uncrossed his legs....
Heres Brett telling his fiance Kat that he's scarred for life from Jeremys Basic Instinct re-enactment.
My friend Johnna,
She started a trend amongst the girls at the party by trying on my shoes.....
After Johnna, was Celeste....
Celeste & Phil - theyre so cute!
Erin, Jeremy & I midparty - his costume really disturbed a number of the guests...
maybe it was the 5 o'clock shadow that people found so disturbing...
the group I spent most of the party hanging with, as you can see we've all had a few glasses of wine at this point...
Phil and I - after some more wine...
The Sex & The City girls just before leaving the party.
all in all it was a lot of fun, I had WAAAAY too much to drink, more than I have had in a long long long time.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEGAN!!!!
Heres the birthday girl.....
The costumes were great. The theme was TV shows and we had Punky Brewster, Star Trek, and Sex and the City among others.....
Jeremy (aka Samantha) a little closer up
Brett had the misfortune of sitting across from Jeremy when he uncrossed his legs....
Heres Brett telling his fiance Kat that he's scarred for life from Jeremys Basic Instinct re-enactment.
My friend Johnna,
She started a trend amongst the girls at the party by trying on my shoes.....
After Johnna, was Celeste....
Celeste & Phil - theyre so cute!
Erin, Jeremy & I midparty - his costume really disturbed a number of the guests...
maybe it was the 5 o'clock shadow that people found so disturbing...
the group I spent most of the party hanging with, as you can see we've all had a few glasses of wine at this point...
Phil and I - after some more wine...
The Sex & The City girls just before leaving the party.
all in all it was a lot of fun, I had WAAAAY too much to drink, more than I have had in a long long long time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)