Quiet and a Bit Mad

Our floor was almost as quiet as a tomb. I forgot Bridget was moving today from her house to an apartment so no out loud conversations with her over our cube walls. My boss was busy and I ignored my temp who accosted me in my cube not even a minute after entering it. Hasn't she heard of letting people breathe and getting settled in first? Grrr. I put my ear buds on from my mp3 player to drown her out the rest of the day.

It wasn't much today really. Rob and I refined my workout more during IM convos. He's heavily training for two upcoming events so his push for himself tends to spill over to Bridget and me. I was able to share with him my findings on some nutritional info which he already knew, but seemed pleased I was discovering. We discussed my goals and he then showed me pictures of muscular Asian women. EW! I said it was unfair to compare me to this women because even for an American woman, I am taller and my arms and legs are much longer. I am 5'8" and my arms will look less stocky with some definition. Besides, my German side would have to have a big say with these childbearing hips. I wasn't blessed with that special petite physique you see in other Asian women. I've long since let go of any jealousy in that area. When you're Eurasian, in the end, you get the best of both worlds.

Tawny invited me over for a quick stop before going home to see the pretty necklaces she was beading while I chowed down on something I picked up on the way. She was also helping me rebuild a bit of my self-esteem.

During a conversation later in the afternoon, I told Tab about how much money I made in which he was incredulous at how underpaid he said I was and called my company cheap, etc. He said I could work less hours and more than double my pay if I were to do something else. I know he was just saying it in a conversation, but I didn't really appreciate it. He was saying he knew people who did less than me who got paid more. No shit? You think? It happens? Really? We all can't get paid the big bucks he has and what others do in his technology position. He made me mad and a little depressed.

I don't know if he recalls me telling him that I have suffered from two layoffs in the last six years. You tend to take what you can get even it if means several thousand dollars worth of pay cut. We're talking Tampa market here. I am not married or living with someone who could float my portion of living expenses while I had the luxury of time to look for something great. You do what you have to do. Visiting Tawny who knows my history and saw her husband and me laid off the same day knows and appreciates having a job that pays to cover expenses helped me feel better. She was the one who hired me in my current company until I transitioned into my current position. Some people really mean well, but their approach could be better. That's a conversation for tomorrow...
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Quiet and a Bit Mad

Fallen Angel

Last night as I walked up to my apartment door, I heard a distinct high pinging sound of metal falling on concrete. It was the angel on my keyring that Myrna's mom had given me last November. I couldn't find it immediately nor a bit later after walking the dog. The morning light would be soon enough...

I had dropped something else off my dresser while shuffling around in my bedroom half asleep. It was one of my several wrist watches. I believed it to be a reminder to look for my fallen angel. On the way back from walking the dog, I tried again to look for it until I was visibly frustrated. I am loathed to lose things people have given to me especially with specific thoughtfulness. Just as I had given up and with my right foot hovering over the threshold, I looked back down exactly to the spot where it had been waiting for me. Whoosh went my sigh of relief from my body and I quickly rescued it to fasten back on my keyring. You know the Universe may have been trying to tell me something with that whole exercise...

I was born in the city of Angels...Angeles City in the Philippines. [Smiling] Ironically, I am a descendant of an angel...okay, my grandma Angela. A backbone of my childhood has been behaving like a good citizen and setting an example for others. It is no surprise with the life the Universe has led me to has challenged the strength of that backbone especially during those years after my mom's passing where I didn't have an adult to really talk to about things. My dad was unapproachable in this sense because he is the kind that would want to fix things and lecture instead of listening. I have veered off the path here and there depending on the situation which all have turned out good and nothing heinous that would get me arrested. Who hasn't?

In the big scheme of things, I am very open to most things in the world -- extremely liberal. There are a few things that I do not compromise on and there have been times in the last 20 years I thought I would choke on some of that morality. The last seven or eight months have also forced me to look at how doing the right things sometimes doesn't yield what you think or believe it will. I guess that is why this year I have consciously decided to not abide by one of the things I believe in when an opportunity presented itself.

I am ashamed to say that I am sick of being good. For once in my life, I don't want to be good. All those times I've been called an angel and given angels because of it...Sigh. If you've read me, you might have noticed something that has developed that I can only allude to because it is not right and has no happy ending. I've fallen from a certain grace and I am bemusedly not ashamed of it. Does that mean it is right after all? No.

This brings us back to my angel charm on my keyring... Fallen doesn't mean hopeless or horrible. There are still right choices that can be made. I do feel a little bit lost. Most people are lost. You're supposed to be so you can find your way back home, I guess. I see the crumbs on the path, but I am ignoring them at the moment. I need this time to be lost on purpose. Good always wins in the end and I am counting on it, but not until I am ready...or the Universe says enough to my situation by handing me back a shinier halo.
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Fallen Angel

Punx

Saturdays are the saviors of the work week. My agenda today didn't really begin until late afternoon with dinner at Tawny's place. She IM'ed me on my way to the grocery store letting me know that she was running late and to make it a half hour later. Of course, she was running late because I was on time. Ha! I was on my way to pick up the bread I told her I would bring for the spaghetti dinner she was making for four of us. With time to kill, I found myself in the wine aisle which I am sure happened accidentally...

What do they say? Never shop when you're hungry or thirsty ? Yeah. Oooh Prosecco...OoohRioja...Ooh Riesling...Ooh Shiraz...Ooh White Merlot...White Merlot?! White Merlot made it to my basket for (cough) testing purposes. So did some dessert from the bakery. Yes, the baguette with sesame seeds made it, too. This is what happens when I have time on my hands and unsupervised without a specific purpose in the grocery store. Things happen. In this case, white Merlot and desserts.

Tawny was ready for me when I arrived and my tummy was ready for her delicious dinner. Some persons emptied the bottle of white Merlot. It was gooooooooood. Tawny, Jeff, their nephew Jayson and me were full as ticks. We were also early to meet Dan at the skating rink so we set up our folding chairs right on the rink aka suicide seats. My boss arrived with his two young sons, but they sat in the bleacher seats outside the rink.

Bridget didn't wear the bright pink tights under the fishnets because she said it looked bad. Now let me remind you that the rest of the derby girls dress more naughty than the photo below. Fishnets are an unspoken requirement of derby gear. One of her teammates had spank shorts under her skirt that she flipped up so we could read the white letters on her butt Enjoy the View.

Hot Pocket hamming it up for me during warm-ups.



Cool chicks in their 30s (mostly this age group) sporting naughty gear while speed racing on roller skates. Is there anything cooler? Tawny's nephew and my boss' younger sons were getting an early lesson on naughty outfits. Any too curious thoughts were abated by the mild violence when the girls were slamming each other on the rink.

Bridget's team losing this bout didn't dilute any fun we were having. My boss enjoyed it, but Dan didn't. He will have to come to a regular game and not an exhibition one to see if he still doesn't like it. Jeff drove us home safely and unscathed from sitting in the suicide seats.
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Punx

Dreamy Desserts

Frustrating Friday. For what seems like the umpteenth day, our network connectivity played hide and seek with us. Not exactly a good thing to happen at month end for a finance department. I caved and unhooked my laptop from the docking station and used my air card to VPN into our network. Luckier than most, I was able to work a bit with this option.

It was a relief for our group to have a real activity. A potluck lunch. The Accounts Payable department invited us to participate. One of the ladies is Filipino and she made barbecue flavor meatballs to the taste that we like. I told her it needed to be served with rice. To our surprise, someone had made real rice and had it available at the buffet. I said to the group, Whoever made the rice, I love you! Everyone laughed.

My boss brought a delicious salad with champagne dressing from his favorite deli. Our temp took my suggestion and brought rolls. Of course, (rolling eyes) she bought the Hawaiian kind that I like. And the Dream Team of Sarah & Bridget brought decadent desserts that were devoured in no time.

Bridget made the gorgeous looking and tasting chocolate and berry trifle. (Layers of brownies, chocolate pudding, strawberries, blackberries, and whipped topping -- I had two servings!) Oh, yeah...AGOL Rum Cake is next to it which is now requested as a mandatory dish for future office luncheons. Our dream team makes the dreamiest desserts!



During dinner last night, Jeff said that my reputation preceded me. Huh? He said he was working with one of the finance ladies and he happened to mention Bridget and me working in her building. She said that we were wild. Well...at least she got it right. Heh.

By mid-afternoon, the accounting natives were getting restless and were allowed to go home early. I stayed later and left about 5:30. Yes, I had the option to leave two hours earlier. It was quiet and I could make progress without any interruption which made me happier yet mentally exhausted.

Myrna was expecting my call to get together for dinner. I suggested to go someplace normally not on my approved list and she asked me several times if that was okay. She told her husband before she left to pick me up and he asked the same thing because I have expressed how much I despise this chain restaurant. The restaurant had changed the menu significantly in the last five years and I was pleasantly surprised. I told her it was now on the approved list. She breathed a sigh of relief...Do you ever get the impression I am a difficult food snob? Yeah, me too.

We stopped at a sporting goods store so I could get this thing Rob had suggested as part of my gym bag kit. Jeezus... Myrna also drove us to a super center where she bought stuff for the house and I bought some more workout clothes. My legs are longer than average and I've found my workout pants shorter after drying them in the dryer. I need to get a more of a variety so I have time to line dry them and avoid the stretching bit I do to return them to their original length.

Tomorrow will be an easier day. Looking forward to seeing Bridget do roller derby in the evening. Wait until you see the outfit our girl will be wearing: plaid schoolgirl skirt, black fishnets over bright pink tights, black with silver heart panty shorts to peek underneath skirt, custom designed t-shirt with group name & anarchy symbol and black knee socks with skull design. Pics will be taken...
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Dreamy Desserts

Intermittent Impairment

Intermittent impairment or at least that's what Tawny kept reporting to our division regarding certain network outages throughout the week. Felt that way myself and that's why I haven't been blogging. It's not that I didn't want to update you, but I just didn't have that figurative pen filled with ink inside.

Monday was Monday...Tuesday was almost a copy except my jokes were hitting the wrong note and not getting the kind of response I normally get. And we're talking all around the world. Bridget was telecommuting from home, too...Wednesday was better because Bridget and I were working together as a team at the office. We picked up Ant at the other building for a Vietnamese lunch. We learned from the afternoon staff meeting that things will get tough at work which means more pet projects coming down the pike...

Today brings us Thursday when it was my turn to telecommute from home. I didn't get to sleep until close to 2am so it was no surprise that I slept through my alarms. I was woken up after 6am by Tab calling on his way to work. It was a bit embarrassing because I am usually awake by at least an hour by the time he called. His Did I wake you? didn't sound too sorry. Catching me off guard is one of his pet hobbies, I think. I wasn't completely alert nor able to formulate any ready smart answers. I yawned once which made him yawn at least three times during our conversation. Ha! Ended up burrowing myself under the covers while he talked and left me with a concise visual image he wanted me to have as I started my day. I dismissed it soon after we bid each other a good day.

Cabal was happy that his mistress was finally up. He is by nature a sheep herder. I am the sheep he herds around the apartment that either gets him closer to food or the door to outside. Sometimes he walks around my legs so closely that if I veer off quickly I start to trip over him or worse - step on his pretty white paws! He doesn't care as long as he herds his sheep.

Logged into work earlier and sifted through e-mails and IMs. It was not a good day in the office. Thank God I was home. I was having no more fun than they were, but I was able to distance myself a bit more. My mind was able to wander back to the visual Tab had left me with earlier in the day. Great. How was I supposed to concentrate on my job if I am lost in visuals that made me squirm? Doesn't he know that paybacks are hell?

Tawny called around dinner time to ask me what I was doing. Cabal was about to be fed. She said that she and her husband were in front of my apartment building ready to take me to dinner. I felt no panic. I was dressed decently, my hair was up and I had some lip gloss on for the day. Sometimes preparation does meet opportunity. In two minutes, I was hopping inside their car to be whisked away for a delicious dinner and the wonderful company of two of my best friends in the whole world. Not working in the same building has caused some minor inconveniences but nothing that cannot be managed through more outings.

I was home in time to make my rum cake for tomorrow's potluck lunch for my department and Accounts Payable as well as watch the culmination of Donald Trump's Celebrity Apprentice. British competitor Piers Morgan won over country singer Trace Adkins. Both charities benefiting from the winnings were very important; however, overall, Piers beat the pants off everyone using his fundraising prowess. It was all in good fun. Sigh. Now to wait for the cake to finish baking, cooling a bit and then drowning of it with the rum/butter/sugar/water mixture. The baking aroma is simply intoxicating. Do you think it will bring me sweet dreams tonight?
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Intermittent Impairment

Overflow & Profusion

Happy Easter Bunnies!

Overflow. My favorite television preacher Joel Osteen talked about having or being in overflow this morning. He had a couple who wanted to him to pray with them that the furniture they wanted to buy would go on sale. Joel thought about it and decided that praying to have enough money to buy the furniture at regular price and to also have extra for whatever else would be more positive. His teachings speak about having the faith and belief that your season of favor [from God] was here or forthcoming and because of who your [spiritual] Father [God] is. It was a positive way to begin the morning...

Myrna picked me up before 11am since we had plans to watch a movie before going to my aunt's house for Easter dinner. (Her own husband was working.) I picked the Brit film The Bank Job (starring Jason Statham) and it was most excellent to watch. An American film critic recommended it for a good story on a bank robbery. The pace was fast and fun with plenty of holding-your-breath scenes. It was very cleverly done. Myrna ended up liking it, too.

Called my aunt's house to see if it would be okay if we were a bit early and welcomed us over. After we parked at her home, I noticed a big beautiful pot of flowers greeting us by the door. It took a minute before I realized the smiling lovelies were miniature orchids! Clusters of them everywhere. A profusion of shameless color screaming for admiration.

Orchid cluster. Each blossom no longer than an inch.



Walked inside my aunt's home and my cousin Dave was there with his family. I introduced Myrna to them and reintroduced Myrna to my aunt and uncle. They've met her before when I've brought her over for a shorter visit. We snacked right away. To deter from further piggish behavior, I gave Myrna a tour outside of Little Philippines. My aunt's fruit trees had either blossoms promising fruit or baby fruit beginning to weigh down their trees' limbs. Profusion again.

Baby mangoes were all over her tree!



We ate my aunt's delicious meal of a tender and flavorful roast beef (instead of ham) with more roast pork on the side. There were some Filipino dishes included. It was a first Easter meal of its kind for Myrna, I'm sure. She had no complaints and neither did the rest of us.

The afternoon was more low key -- even the kids were not as hyper. This suited me just fine. Baby Colton was the only one fussing because his teeth were starting to come in. He finally settled for a nap between his mother and me on the sofa.

Simplest (yet complicated) form of human overflow and profusion.



I requested a caffeine run via a drive-thru before Myrna dropped me off. The extra boost was much needed if I had any hope of staying awake past seven. I needed to catch up on my blog by filling out my notes on the days I hadn't fully updated. My eyes were open but I felt a mellowness from an undemanding weekend. Three days is definitely the way to go.
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Overflow & Profusion

Black and Bleach

Where was that morning rain forecasted by the weatherman? Kristey had left me a voicemail last night letting me know that we would not be walking this morning because of the expected rain. I used the extra time to do some (not much) chores this morning while I waited for Kathy to stop by and pick up that card table and chair set she wanted to borrow.

Inevitably and I mean inevitably, I find myself realizing that I am cleaning while dressed from top to bottom in the color black. The time this reminder comes to mind is when I am spraying bleach or pouring bleach somewhere. Sigh. What is wrong with me? It also happens when I am baking. I properly waited until the bleach fumes abated before using window cleaner containing ammonia to clean the mirrors. Maybe I like to live on the edge? Edge of what? Dangers of bleach? Reason? Sanity? Ha.

Kathy arrived with her own small cup of coffee and a buttermilk donut for me. I gave her the rundown on last night. Her boyfriend came with us, but she didn't. She doesn't understand Python and didn't want to keep saying I don't get it. British accents also throw her for a loop; a translation would have to be in order. She was excited to serve Easter dinner tomorrow despite the daunting tasks of cleaning and prepping for it today. It started to rain when we loaded her SUV with the table set.

Any incentive I may have had to get out of my apartment was watered down by the rain. I settled in and watched The Graduate instead starring Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft. The movie was made in 1967 and it was still shocking yet held its story 41 years later. I truly enjoyed the dialogue and the cinematography. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it.

Cabal and I were cocooned for the rest of the evening dreaming about Easter Bunnies...
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Black and Bleach

Spam Spam Spamalot

Three-day weekends. I am firmly convinced that is the way to go. That extra day can be used as a buffer in case you need to do something else you cannot fit into the customary two days or if you need to use the first day for decompressing or as an introduction to the rest of the weekend. Any takers?

Talked to Kristey before I ran my errands. She was on the way to pick her husband up from the airport. Her husband is a VP and constantly travels. We had a good laugh about his obsession with a certain brand of costly shirts which she counted 21 of in his collection. She doesn't mind, but finds the humor in it considering that more than a dozen years ago, she and her husband were homeless and living in a tent for six months. I always enjoy talking to her because we end up laughing a good bunch even when things are not so good. If you cannot find humor when things seem dismal, then you're in trouble. You'd better find some humor very quickly to get through...

Hello world! That was my greeting when I finally emerged from my sanctuary around noon. The sky was a wicked blue and the sun tried to kiss warmly but was thwarted by the cool breeze teasing the long auburn strands of my hair in front of my face. I drove to the salon to get my nails done. Shallowville was here again. Ran errands after to buy sundry items and returned home for a quick snack and to take care of my Pretty Boy Dog.

Shallowville continued around 4-ish in Sephora. I needed some more mineral make-up and lip gloss. This sounds bad: my main lip gloss last exactly two months. I reapply a few times a day and I do have full lips to cover. (Slightly embarrassed now...) Starbucks was around the corner from Sephora and I needed a hit of caffeine for the first time that day. Nabbed a Caramel Macchiato on the way to meeting my friends at my old building prior to heading out for dinner.

We ate at Mama Fu's. Dan called it Mama Flip's (Filipino) in a text message to me and later asked me why I ordered crotch stickers (pot stickers) for Tawny and me. Oh, ha-ha. So silly. He was the same one to call bento boxes bend over boxes years ago...Tawny's husband Jeff miscalculated our timing to watch Monty Python's Spamalot by us being too early. I suggested having drinks at another restaurant just a few steps away to kill some time. Seven of us moseyed on over.

Snap taken during my second foray into London last May.


Who are the people who enjoy Monty Python? That's what I got to find out tonight. Surprisingly, there wasn't a type with the exception of age. They were my age and older who carried within them a warped sense of humor. This musical was jammed with warped humor set to music. I laughed so hard. The set and the effects were great and the actors (though not the original Broadway) were a kick in the pants. Dan sang along and whistled to "Always look on the Bright Side of Life" while he sat next to me. I knew he was enjoying it and I wished it would have lasted longer for all our sakes. Sooner or later we all have to clip-clop our coconuts all the way home.
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Spam Spam Spamalot

Working Late

I felt swamped by work before I got inside my building. Maybe because I am and I promised my boss I would finish a project that has been hanging over me for a couple of months? I was so sick of it I would find other things that needed my attention thus causing this bottleneck today. Ugh.

I wasn't sure if I was still feeling mellow or if it was the start of some kind of illness. Played it off as illness which would allow me to put on my noise canceling headphones and drown everyone out so I could concentrate on my project. It worked so well that I hadn't said hello to Bridget until after lunchtime. She understood my predicament and didn't feel slighted in the least whereas my boss interrupted me a few times just to make sure things were okay.

Checked in with Tawny during the day who had her headphones on, too, which at times I find odd because she has her own office and she can close the door to the world. Sorry, Tawny, but that is weird. Then again she was bitchy from PMS so less bodies hitting the floor with her headphones on. Heh...Just a few rows down from her, Rob was getting depressed because his wife was out of town and he couldn't quite get enough training in while playing a single dad. When you're used to surges of dopamine, serotonin and adrenaline from your training three times a day, I could see getting depressed from the withdrawal. Methinks it is also because of the disruption to his rigid schedule. He's a bit OCD on that. No offense, but I partially tuned him out so I could stay on course.

It wasn't until near 8pm that I was satisfied with my progress. Tomorrow I took as my Floating Holiday to do whatever I wished including not having to drive to/from home twice across town to could take care of my dog before seeing Spamalot with the rest of my (motley) crew. Daylight Saving Time makes it easier to stay at work later because it doesn't get dark until nearing 8pm. It fools you in a way. I'll have to watch that I don't get sucked into that habit the next few months...

Picked up dinner along the way home before popping by Tawny's place to pick up my card table and four folding chairs that I promised Kathy she could borrow for the Easter dinner (seating around 20!) she was hosting at her and Jamie's place. Followed my evening routine and quickly to bed soon after.

Working Late

Stress Relieving Bunny Ears

Traffic on the way to work was like a parking lot. Zero to 10mph thanks to an accident on the side of the road. As soon as we passed it, the rest of us on the left lane zoomed to 70mph to make up some time.

The following picture made me chuckle. There is a fire extinguisher in the back of the gasoline tanker which as you see to the left is clearly marked as flammable by the hazard sign. Now...is it me or do you think you will need something bigger than that to put out a fire on a gasoline tanker? The words kaboom and foam/fire hoses come to mind. Something to think about. Consequently, the AGOL's first real job was working at the Flying J in Cheyenne, Wyoming. It wasn't exactly the glam job she thought of having first. Had to wait a few years before that happened.



My day at work started out late which meant I had to forgo the gym and take a shorter lunch just to get a chunk of work completed. Parts of the day were stressful until our staff meeting. My boss gave each of us gals bunny ear headbands and giant plastic eggs filled with candy. We had a howling good time with the ears. I wore it around the office and watched jaws drop and people giggle as I walked by. Bridget and I took pictures of each other with these things on and sent them to our friends. Tawny almost died. I thought I would pee my pants laughing so hard; needless to say, these Easter gifts were a hit.



Left late and for some reason felt very mellow the rest of the evening. It was like taking half a muscle relaxant but without the muscle relaxant. A little disconcerting, but not enough to bother my super...mellow...vibe. My bed is getting warm thanks to the electric blanket as I type. Can't wait to sleep. I'll be hopping on over in a few...

.........................................

FYI - Food cravings, what they can mean and a healthy way to satisfy them.
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Stress Relieving Bunny Ears

Cocksure Attorney

In exchanging news in the world via links in IM, Tab and I found out something about a high powered public executive and we were reading old articles about that person. I noticed that the attorney's name was unusual:

Sarah says: the attorney's name was Cock

Sarah says: that's one way to pay for a Cock

Sarah says: get it to represent you

Sarah says: i wonder if he winked a lot

Sarah says: do you think he was hard headed?

Sarah says: or was he more like a "hoodlum"?

Sarah says: do you think his wrinkles showed his age?

Tab says: I think paying for Cock is a good thing

Sarah says: ha

Tab says: better than having to juggle balls

Sarah says: true, but i bet he was surrounded by nuts and at least one asshole

Tab says: probably..

Tab says: but paying for cock is better than free cock

Sarah says: how's that?

Tab says: I mean.. if you pay for Cock.. you know he's really going to stand up for you.. take the hard line

Sarah says: true

Tab says: push back.. and really get penetration into the case

Sarah says: lmao

Sarah says: he always ends up with the pussies of the group though

Sarah says: he likes that because it makes him look good

Sarah says: do you think he trims (his face)?

Tab says: who knows

Sarah says: sometimes though when he gets really excited..he starts to dribble and other times he just loses it completely

Sarah says: especially when he gets jerked around

Sarah says: he's like that watch commercial years ago though..he takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'

Sarah says: ..okay..i guess we've (really i've) exhausted that...i like to be thorough

I am blaming my madness on the upcoming full moon. If you believe that then you don't know me well.

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Cocksure Attorney

Sea of Green on St. Patty's Day

My team received little shiny packages with bright green French wire ribbon containing green or St. Patrick Day items today. I bought them each a green slinky toy for their desk and small packages of Junior Mints. They each got a funny card and inside - oh, yes - green shamrock shaped sprinkles as well as inside the package. Couldn't help myself. I am taking Friday off so they are not getting Easter packages...

Sea of green could be seen throughout our building in honor of the Irish holiday. I dared anyone to pinch me for not obviously wearing any green.

Had a tasty Thai lunch at a place I've never been before. At first glance the place looks empty, but a step in reveals a hive of activity. My male friend (let's call him Tab for Taboo - I am sure you can guess why and no it is none of your business) picked me up early and he was nicely in hunter's green, too. I enjoy the way he dresses and he takes careful attention to dressing when he sees me. A man who dresses up for a woman? I like that. My concession to him is I tone down my make-up since he doesn't generally like it on a woman. No dark eyeliner on the top lid or bright lipstick. Tab knows this makes me uncomfortable, but appreciates my efforts. Just knowing I had green shamrock sprinkles hidden underneath my blouse made him squirm. Heh.

The rest of the day passed like any Monday with the exception of added St. Patty's Day stuff. I decided not to go and share a green pint with friends after. When I am tired, a little of any kind of alcohol is not good especially when I am driving. Talked to Kristey almost all the way home as a continuation of our e-mail earlier in the day. Quiet and safe evening. And that's no blarney!
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Sea of Green on St. Patty's Day

AGOL is Asian?

It has been a few months since I have walked the woods just miles from my apartment. Kristey was already there by the time I arrived. Her new friend was nowhere in sight. I found out later that she was horrified that we would begin our walk at 8:30am. She was lucky because last year we started at 7:30am! We blissfully completed our own four mile circuit with me noting a lone red dragonfly along the way.

My friends always want me to bring my Pretty Boy Dog, but it would be more hassle than happy for either of us. He's getting on in years and he hates other dogs. It would be stressful to try to control him every third mile when we would encounter other dogs. He wouldn't make the whole circuit. He's a spoiled aging gentle doggie. Belly and back rubs are more his style.

When I got home, I saw another flying creature. This time it was a large needle dragonfly flying near my door. What kind of messages are my winged friends bringing me? I had no time to think about it more until hours later on my way to see my hairdresser Michelle.

I bought a musical card for Michelle that played Gloria Gaynor's I Will Survive and I tucked in her pictures of her kittens I had taken last weekend. She wants me to take pictures with her more sophisticated camera next time I come over because she says I take good shots...

It has become a habit to stop at the bubble tea place a few doors down where I ordered the same flavor of jackfruit with mango fruits gels and boba (tapioca pearls). The Vietnamese guy behind the counter asked me how I knew about jackfruit. I told him I was half Filipino and with a face full of surprise he asked me, You're Asian?! I almost died. I said yes and how I was born in the Philippines and had lived the first 11 years of my life there. His lady helper heard this last bit and said to me, You're Asian?! OMG. Were these people blind? Did they not see my chinky eyes? I called Angie and Tawny to ask them if they knew I was Asian. We had a great laugh.


(To their credit, I am only HALF Asian...Still, give me a break.)

Ended up at Tawny's with her family for a very non-Asian dinner of cheeseburgers. I was a nuisance to her in the kitchen, but I was a good helper in setting up the table and making sure everything was on there. Stayed late enough to remember that they had to get an early start to go to Universal Studios tomorrow. Walked back across the complex to my doggie who waited for me like an irate parent. Apparently, the only allowable fun in his book is with him. Good thing he is cute...That's all I can say.
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AGOL is Asian?

We Serve Crabs

Short Friday - thank goddess...Bridget and I were still bristling from our temp's not so silent complaint about not including her on our lunch plans on Wednesday. I think our temp figured that it would be one big pajama party when we were all seated together in the new building. She was certainly under a delusion.

You may recall that I had Vietnamese food on Wednesday. Well, it was Ant who invited me and I invited Bridget because she is friends with Ant, too. I am not under any kind of obligation to include the temp on "my time". It would be different had it been a work related function then I could see her being slighted. We found out that she made mention of this "exclusion" to a co-worker in the new building and to our boss. That takes some nerve. I've had to placate Bridget's temper and remind her that we must not be perceived as the bullies in this situation, but use our boss as mediator for further issues. I want so much to say to my temp, This is not high school. You're in your late 30's like the rest of us, grow up.

I was invited to go to two lunches today by Tawny and a male friend, but I opted to workout with Bridget. Our fitness goals are getting to be more important at the moment. Besides, I was leaving at 2pm to meet my aunt and uncle at The Colonnade on Bayshore for a late seafood lunch/early dinner. It was my treat for my aunt's upcoming birthday.

Thanks to heavy traffic in the city, I arrived a bit later than they did which gave me an opportunity to request a surprise cake for my aunt served after our meal. You can make your request with the hostess at the front. We sat by a window giving us a view of the bay and the city skyline. It was still an enjoyable vista despite the gentle rain coming down.

This is the sign that greets you as you step up to the restaurant.


I am very blessed to have the kind of relationship and to be at an age where I can talk to my aunt and uncle about most anything without fear of recrimination. We had a great time laughing and eating yummy fresh seafood. After we finished our meal, the cake with a lit candle was served and we sang to my aunt.

My Aunt Maria & Uncle Dave before we cut the cake. They are so cute together and these lucky ducks are going to Hawaii after my aunt gets back from the Philippines in a couple of months.


It was 4pm when I was on the interstate heading home. Traffic wasn't bad so I did some errands before coming home to take care of Cabal and nap for a bit. I have a walk date with Kristey tomorrow. Hoping we can do the full four miles, but may have to settle for less. Kristey is bringing a new friend who happens to smoke. She's thin, but not necessarily fit. (Not that I am a poster child - yet! - for fitness.) We'll see how it goes.
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We Serve Crabs

Secret Expiration Dates

Two "men things" have become apparent to me...

One is that you cannot joke about Viagra even to someone who obviously does not need it or you will get a conversation before you get to the office this morning that barely starts with good morning before a launch on how the blue pill works. That part is not enough when he feels it necessary to explain in detail on the whole physiological sense and the side effects about going blind. Good grief. I was just joking that I would be in trouble if he ever took one of those. A joke...ha-ha. All he heard was something else I cannot fathom. This also happened recently with one of my girlfriends whose husbands misunderstood the joke we were making at a party. She had to deal with her own grief. Apparently, the only male I know of who can take the joke is Playboy guru Hugh Hefner who does his own jokes publicly. Hey, it's Hef.

Two is the spines of the men I've dated apparently have secret expiration dates. They come on strong and play hard before their own insecurities begin to sneak in and take over to erode the relationship. "Focused affection" is one I heard years ago. That man didn't believe he deserved someone as nice as me. What the hell does that mean? I play naughty games, but I don't play games in the sense where the man doesn't know how I feel. There is some predictability. You treat me well, I treat you well. I can't vouch for those PMS moments. You may want to throw me a box of my favorite chocolates first. Where is the guy who wants to be treated well, be respected and at the same time...have a great time? They are mostly married if anything else is to go by.

On three occasions I have been accused of bad timing by men I've met and have gotten to know me and not necessarily in the biblical sense. What is the wrong with the men you date? Where were you 10 years ago? Why can't she be more open like you? Why have you come along when I am very married? I can't decide whether that is a slap in the face to their spouses or a compliment to me. All I can say is: You should have waited instead of settling and for the rest, the meek need not apply.
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Secret Expiration Dates

Foreignly Familiar

Ooh, Vietnamese! I wished the morning away quickly until Ant would drive from the other building and pick up Bridget and me for a new Vietnamese place he's scoped out this week. This would be Ant's second trip to the restaurant this week. He's determined to try his favorite dishes.

Ant had invited Lee along to make a foursome for lunch. Bridget had never had Vietnamese but was adventurous enough to try. She ordered the same Bun Bowl I did of grilled pork, eggroll and veggies on top of rice vermicelli noodles. Ant ordered his food in Vietnamese (he's full Caucasian!) and food that are more closely aligned with a Vietnamese palate instead of an American one. Did I mention the spice he added could be felt by my eyeballs across the table? Whew. Bridget is a convert now and I thoroughly enjoyed my dish which was better than the place Kathy and I had been frequenting. The only disappointment was the Bridget wasn't able to master her chopsticks and had to ask for a fork. I will have to have her practice at work with the extra ones I have there.

On the way home, I caught up with Kristey and solidified our plans to walk on Saturday morning with a new friend of hers I met at her party a couple of weekends ago. Her friend coincidentally works in my building and the friend is hoping we can meet up for lunch a couple of times a week. We'll see. Not sure about the drama she brings. I may have to mention my editing mode...

Kathy picked me up for our Greek dinner. I haven't seen her in a month, but we've IM'ed everyday. Poor thing is going to school at night, loaded with twice the work and trying to interview for a new and less stressful job. Soon we were cheered by the live Greek music, some dancing by the waitstaff and gorgeously delicious food.

Baklava Cheesecake? Really? Zeus had smiled upon us.



Kathy had mentioned she had a small gift for me. Of course, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't at all interested. I am the quintessential little girl at her birthday party ready to tear open gift wrap and matching ribbon. Ha! It was a bit overwhelming and I cried in the car. Here, one of the closest friends I have in the world, gave me another thoughtful gift. She said it was to help me out during my workout and she loved the color for me. It matches my phone! The best part? It was preloaded with music and she made sure that David Bowie was on the playlist.



It was nearing 10:30 before Kathy left to go home and check on her boyfriend who had just come home from work. She was getting tired too. Good thing we had coffee with our meal to give her some pep for the drive home. After she left I fired up my laptop to check on e-mail. I saw another friend up past his bedtime and allowed myself to be visible on IM. Within seconds, he was typing and signaled to get my attention. Forty-five minutes later we agreed to say goodbye until the morning. The standing conclusion? All men are 12 years old inside. (Chuckling.) It would be closer to 2pm before I could sleep.
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Foreignly Familiar

Calendar Confusion

The treadmill was more my friend than Bridget's today. Her left knee pained her; she said it felt spongey. She soldiered on a brisk walk instead of the run she had planned. Meanwhile, I sweated on my brisk walk while (covertly) ogling the workout cuties. At some point, Bridget and I were the only females in the gym. Hee.

Received an e-mail that my posse wasn't actually going to see Spamalot in town this Friday, but next. I was faced with both a minor disappointment and a minor change in plans. My boss already OK'd me leaving at 2pm on Friday so I called my uncle to invite he, my aunt and Nan for a late lunch/early dinner at a seafood restaurant situated along the bay. It was my treat for my aunt's birthday.

I teased Tawny that it would be another week until we saw each other. We were already at a two weeks. The strange thing about living in the same complex is that you could still not see one of your best friends if your lives were busy enough. We made plans for me to come over for dinner and a movie.

I brought some ingredients and she had some other ingredients. Together we made a tasty pasta dinner and finished it off with a small sweet treat while laughing with her husband as we caught up on things. The DVD I shared was The Secretary with James Spader. He is a great actor, underrated actually. He essentially plays the same awkward role in every movie and does it so well.

Good to spend time with two of my most favorite people in the world. As I walked back home, I started to feel better about things and thought more on my editing project...
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Calendar Confusion

Editing Mode

Today I canceled my myspace account. It wasn't a sudden decision. I've been thinking about it for a few months. It was a way to get in touch with my old Chicago friend Trish who now works and lives in San Francisco. I've been using facebook more lately to connect with her and others.

This step is part of my editing mode in editing my life. If I want new situations or new energy in my life, I will have to clear some old ones out and make room. Getting rid of several hundred dollars worth of art supplies is next. I will keep just the essentials and I can always build up again. Tawny has expressed interest in them. I care for my things so most look like new. This clearing out will make more room in my hobby room (good feng shui).

I informed my cousin Angie that I would not be planning a family birthday dinner for my aunt which should be soon. Instead I will take my aunt, my uncle and Nan out...AND on purpose not include Angie's two brothers and family. Every year I plan and they get to show up. Not this year. They can figure out how they will celebrate or honor their mom's birthday. Another editing move.

I've been called Julie the Cruise Director (taken from the TV series Love Boat). Well, folks...Julie is hanging up her clipboard for a while. Planning things for other people for the enjoyment of the greater group is on a moratorium. Scaling back in the participation will free my energies up to starting focusing more on my agenda.

Enumerated several things I made decisions on over the weekend in a morning IM with Rob. He was impressed. Also shared with Bridget and she agreed, too. The thing is I don't have to be any one's savior or do I have to be the first to initiate things because I thought of it first or because it is easy for me or just because I can. For now, it is not up to me. Of course, this is not to say I am cutting everything out. I can't ignore my essence. That essence is of caring love to others.
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Editing Mode

Important Cupcake Ingredient

My cousin Angie sent me this last week and I didn't know quite what I was reading at first. I thought she was asking ME the question, but rather it was an excerpt from an article...

You said that you sometimes bake cupcakes, but have had trouble with getting the frosting right. Which recipe(s) do you usually use? What's been your best cupcake baking experience?

Everyone at work goes nuts when I made Lickety Split Strawberry Cupcakes. It’s a tacky
Pillsbury Bake Off recipe, but they love them. You add sour cream and eggs to a box of that pink, strawberry-flavored cake mix. You fill the cupcakes up part way, drop a teaspoon of strawberry jam on top of that, and then cover that with a dollop of the cake batter. Although the recipe doesn’t call for icing, I think they benefit greatly from a good slathering of cream cheese frosting. I also top them with red sprinkles, because cupcakes should always have sprinkles.

...When I read the last line, I laughed out loud for a long time. Sometimes she can really really make me laugh. I haven't made cupcakes in a while and my unused cupcake tree (see above sample pic from Amazon) holds almost two dozen delicious cups for display and enjoyment. First though - we must have Sprinkles.
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Important Cupcake Ingredient

Happy & Lucky in Siamese

My heart was conflicted today. The middle ground I found myself comfortable with was that I didn't have plans to workout per se even though I had plans to diagram my plans to workout. I had set this activity after my late afternoon hair color appointment.

When I arrived at the salon, Michelle was mixing my shade of goo. I quickly dropped my bag and headed outside a few doors down to get both of us our boba drinks. Yes, I was thoughtful in including her because I knew she probably hadn't eaten most of the day and it was 4pm. The fresh fruit mixed in with the floating large tapioca pearls would give her some energy and fill her tummy. (Does my compulsion ever take a rest? No. You will see.)

Michelle and I caught up in each other's lives since we last saw each other in January. I told her of my epiphany and she concurred that it was true. She has the same issues too with her children. As an Asian mom, she tends to overkill on helping them and has suffered heartache at her daughter's disrespect and selfishness. (Jeezus, if I am blessed enough to be a mom, I hope to not be a Smother, but a Mother.) Anyhoo, we found ways to laugh about stuff. She also mentioned that I was her last appointment for the day and I could come over for a drink.

Uh....umm....where was that focus and not being rude, you newly resolved AGOL?

The one thing I didn't mention yesterday that I've talked to Rob about was my intuitive side. When I heard Michelle mention the drink, my first instinct was to withdraw, but all I could hear was the call out for Love behind it. She has no family around and no real girlfriends to come over when she is available. My heart tugged. You might recall that she reminds me of my late mother. Her home was three minutes from the salon and it would only be a couple of hours of my time. How could I say no? SHADDAP -- I know how you say the goddamn word.

We sat outside by her pool drinking tumblers filled with vodka and cranberry juice while she smoked to wind down a bit. Later she turned music on to current dance music to which I made her change it to classic disco which always makes me happy and later made her too because she lived it.

Michelle's son had bought her two Siamese cats to keep her company now that she's been divorced several months. She named the brothers Happy and Lucky, two things she aspires to be these days. She deserves both.


(L-R: Michelle with kitties Happy & Lucky, orchid collection brought in from outside because of the freeze warning tonight, wine collection (I love the rack!), Happy on kitchen rug, Lucky on air hockey table investigating orchids)

The alcohol certainly lifted both our spirits. Michelle soon made a delicious Korean flavored dinner of mandu (Korean eggrolls), her version of coleslaw, delicious mackerel marinated and seasoned in spice, super spicy potatoes (yowza!) that I did not finish, fresh rice from the cooker and a side of serious kim chi for her. We hungrily dug in with chopsticks. The kitties kept climbing on each of our laps curious as to all the commotion going on above them. It was fun at the table with the disco tunes playing in the background.

The odd thing for me was I know that Michelle's favorite color is a true yellow (like my late mother), but her home was in varying shades of cream, white, black and gray. My lovelies, we're talking inside and outside the home! It was beautiful to look at, but not inviting or warm. I may have to put a message to her when I visit her next weekend to drop off framed pics of her and her kitties. [Yes, I fucking know, this is too thoughtful. Arrgh. Maybe I need a more serious boyfriend to keep me occupied than a couple of place markers. Not expounding on this. I have received enough lectures.] I will recommend yellow paint, new furniture or new brighter pillows or tablecloth, new bedclothes and brighter accessories before the summer party I told her she should have...

I do not regret not saying no, but it is things like these that take me away from goal. Finding balance in pleasing others and focusing on my own things are paramount. My family and friends focus on their stuff and that is why they thrive. I need to find the real meaning of thrive very quickly, if you please.
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Happy & Lucky in Siamese

Practice Love

"Practice love. Sitting alone in your room, be loving. Radiate love. Fill the whole room with your love energy. Feel vibrating with a new frequency, feel swaying as if you are in the ocean of love. Create vibrations of love energy around you. And you will start feeling immediately that something is happening -- something in your aura is changing, something around your body is changing; a warmth is arising around your body... a warmth like deep orgasm. You are becoming more alive. Something like sleep is disappearing. Something like awareness is arising. Sway into this ocean. Dance, sing, and let your whole room be filled with love."

- Osho

That's just it. I really haven't been Practicing Love. Love for Myself. This morning gave me one of my "walking the dog epiphanies". Why these things happen when I walk the dog, I truly do not know. Perhaps it is because I haven't started to pollute my brain with the daily grind or built walls on the truths trying to vie for equal time with the other crap I seem to focus on.

Before I get to the epiphany, let me share this finding on a recently found blog:

We all want friendships that will last for eternity, don’t we? Follow these pointers and you’ll be blessed times over…

1. Speak to people — there is nothing as nice as a cheerful word of greeting.
2. Smile at people - it takes seventy-two muscles to frown and only fourteen to smile!
3. Call anyone by their name - the sweetest music to anyone’s ear is the sound of their own name.
4. Be friendly and helpful - if you would have friends, be friendly.
5. Be cordial - speak and act as if everything you do is a real pleasure.
6. Be genuinely interested in people - you can like everyone if you try.
7. Be generous with praise - cautious with criticism.
8. Be considerate of the feelings of others - it will be appreciated.
9. Be thoughtful of the options of others.
10. Be alert to give service - what counts most in life is what we do for others!

(Taken from The Speaker’s Quote Book - Roy B. Zuck)

If you know me personally, you know that I just might be the embodiment of those 10 lines. Hell, I give myself cavities. I have never met a stranger. (Strange people - yes!) I can talk to anyone, anytime and in any situation AND be engaging. Smiling is natural as with responding with the word, "groovy" when people ask me how I am doing. I respond that way on purpose because it stops people in their tracks and makes them smile...big!

So, Sprinkles, what was that epiphany again? My epiphany which I shared with Rob in an extended IM conversation this afternoon was that I am not as important to other people I am close to as they are to me. They don't hold me in the same regard as I do them. While it stung, it was the truth. The times I get more timely feedback is when they read something on my blog or when I don't call or communicate in some way. Operative word I. I always give wholeheartedly of myself (always have!) and have received only scattered partials of others whether in romantic relationships or friendships.

Why share with Rob and not my closest buddies? Because he hasn't known me long enough and can sift through my bullshit, he's become a great friend, his approach is more militant (which I somehow respond to -- childhood stuff, I guess) and he has a vested interest in getting me to compete in mini triathlons. In order to get me further and steady in my training, he's going to need to help me get past a couple of hurdles.

Where I've feared him getting too frustrated and giving up is a delusion he's willing to correct throughout the day...everyday. He wants me to be inspired to resolve and not count on hope. Hope doesn't get you anywhere -- resolve gets you moving. If you could see the arguments in IMs and his pulling information out of me to get to the crux of the matter, you would wince. I've told him that when I start to tell him things, I get the case of the dum-dums and what I say sounds stupid and petty, but when I feel the same things, they hurt. He assures me it doesn't sound stupid to him. Here's his take on my epiphany:

First... you tend to be overly thoughtful... in hopes of getting the same…you like to please people... exceed expectations...somewhat you really truly enjoy pleasing people.. and exceed those expectations...but at the same time. You have some what more lofty expectations than the people around you seem to manage to live up to... you question yourself all the time.. "Are my expectations that high?" or "do these people just don’t hold me in the same regard... what is wrong with me?"

And I told him about the focus on trying to please everyone with a Sarahfix during my free time. I call and I write almost a dozen people at least on any given day. IM, facebook, e-mails and cell calls have become crutches/excuses on why I am not focusing more. I don't want to miss out or not be there for someone. I want them to know I care. Rob's no nonsense response is, It is not being rude, but being focused. For him: Umm...4pm gotta go....Jim at work not running at lunch lunch with me?...gotta go. Thanks to his military training, his training schedule is set and he adheres to it devotedly, but he still manages time for his family and a side job. Yes, he manages his time very well. I need to manage my time 'better' to get to 'very well'.

Sharing the above was difficult, but with a cheering squad like Rob, I was able to write the words. It is another cog in the wheel to get me moving in the right direction. Like the medical profession, they practice their profession to get better. In order to Love Myself more so in the end give more of myself in a truly authentic way (and not in deficit of myself), I need to practice Love for me by me.
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Practice Love

Ideal Man

Ladies...Here he is:

Watch the sound level...



Damn, I thought so, too!
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Ideal Man

Ribs and Flowers

My boss stayed home to take his younger son to the doctor and found out he had strep throat. He also received a hysterical call from his wife that she had been sideswiped by a truck who had not estimated her distance on a turn. The car she was driving was only two days old. His wife was okay and the car still drivable. This man is a good man and deserves a break. Bridget and I are his break. We took care of the fort while he got everything sorted out.

Bridget and I worked out again at the gym at 11:30am. Today seemed tougher than yesterday. With her left knee/leg and my right knee hurting, we were quite the pair. Getting old sucks. My knee smarting is a haunting ghost from last year's UK trip where I stumbled off the sidewalk. Breathed through it because I wanted to give Rob a good report. It wasn't good, but not bad either. On the other hand, the eye candy was great! No, I didn't report on that bit.

Spent time in the afternoon getting a vendor to work with me on tuning a process with a company-wide program while grilling another employee on something he was convinced happened. It was amazing to find out that he had more concrete information counter to what he was telling me only after I involved my boss. Grrr.

Left work to meander around Tampa streets during rush hour to meet Myrna and Kristey at a South Tampa institution, Kojak's. I had heard rave reviews about it, but had never been. The service was very quick and the food reasonable cost. The ribs were cooked in a dry rub and was passably good to me. I could see the broad appeal though. I just prefer my ribs finger-licking sloppy. My ideal are smoked ribs basted in a robust sauce with a sweet and spicy tang. I also need extra sauce on the side. (Did I mention rice, too? I know -- that maybe stretching my fantasy a bit.) My sour taste came in the form of authentic Key Lime Pie. I love that pie flavor! It is unapologetic about being sharply sour with enough sweetness to be forgiving.

I was mesmerized by these lights and neon "chicken" sign reflecting against the awning.


Gas lamps! Cool.


Kristey shared her Hawaii pics, stories and gave us gifts.


This is on Gandy near Bayshore Blvd in South Tampa.



I received a bottle of macadamia nut oil infused with garlic and an orchid pin that reminded Kristey of the sugarpaste flowers I made a few years ago. I was trying to further my cake decorating skills at the time.

Orchid in Enamel Pin and Sugarpaste


Before I forget, besides the fun workout yesterday with Bridget, I received an advance preview of my boss' commentary on my performance appraisal. It was great! I felt like I received a very professional assessment. We get to talk on Friday about it. I just want the review to be backed up with an admirable raise. The only hindrance is that our group is not a revenue generating group and a case is difficult to plead even if you report up the chain to the SVP of Finance. Sometimes that is how the cookie crumbles.

For fun: Visit FARK for news. Florida has their own image tag. Yes, our state is that worthy...or was that exceedingly stupid, weird and horrific?
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Ribs and Flowers

Inner Muse?

Your Inner Muse is Thalia

You are most like this playful muse of comedy. Life is all about laughter to you, and you're a natural comic. You make people laugh until their sides split. And you're always up for some play time!

What Muse Are You?

Inner Muse?

Bits of Everything

Ever have that feeling that you're all dressed up and no place to go? Those are most days for me. Today though my lunch plans asked for a rain check because his own work made it impossible to get away. Trudged downstairs with Bridget to get an okay tasting lunch from the cafe and ate at my desk.

Just to catch you up: I am waiting for my new benefits plan to kick in which should be soon before making an appointment for a full health check-up. There is a portion of my health which may need attention, but I am hoping it is just my paranoia stirring up unwarranted concern. On a better note, my symptoms from last month have gone and I am feeling very well. I am relieved to not have to go to the E/R. It is a ghastly place to be in. Hospitals to me are not for recovery...or a speedy one. The lower vibration surrounding the area making it more challenging.

And here are pics of my cube as of today; this is what it looks like so far. (I always wanna see how people work and where so I thought I'd share.) I am missing some color or pictures on the walls behind my monitors. The building just replaced the panel to the left; it was only a half a panel making my cube area more visible. My boss misses it terribly because he has to walk around. He doesn't understand my feng shui and that is perfectly alright.





Reposting this one. It would be the same pic looking to the left of the cube entrance.



Message from Shallowville: Discontinued Lipstick site (or Three Custom Color Specialists) will be where I will be sending my most favorite color to be replicated. This is the first site I have found that will recreate your favorite discontinued lipstick among other cosmetics. I will let you know how they do. I just can't believe my luck!

Promised Bridget I would bring my workout gear tomorrow. She wants us to "sweat to the hotties". Did I mention the fine men in my new building? Holy pinnacle of pulchritude, AGOL! No, I don't mind dressing down for a workout for that reason. Hee.
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Bits of Everything

Oink of the Covenant

AARGH!!! I cannot begin to express how disappointed I was that I totally missed out on the whole piggie being cooked in the box with charcoal. Someone did not time the cooking well and we had to get roasted chicken from Sam's club in place of the main event. Some time in the late evening it was cooked. By that time I had already left to take care of my own piggie, Cabal.


Left to Right: Dave & Michelle's backyard; Frying lumpia (Filipino Eggrolls); Not the Ark of the Convenant, but where the piggie was cooking; Filipino pastries; trampoline kiddies; Michelle & Audrey; Aunt Maria & Luvy; Peeps playing Guitar Hero; Kristen & new cousin Nina.

It wasn't the anxiety attack I had made it out to be in my head. I enjoyed myself and was able to relax at this family gathering. Two of Michelle's Canadian relatives had come down to visit. The family (and some friends) celebrated Kristen and Carter's birthdays which are just days apart. The party had a more Filipino flavor which always comforts me: good Filipino food, family and lots of laughter!
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Oink of the Covenant

Aloha in Florida

Kristey and her husband Danny just came back from their 20th wedding anniversary trip to Hawaii. While they were on vacation, Danny had his best friend John who is a landscaper come and redo a 1/3 of the yard into a beach scene complete with foxtail palm and seagrape trees. Kristey's surprise was enjoyed by all. Now she can continue her Hawaiin trip at home.

Collage..I am too Lazy to post each pic. You would, too, you know....Notes: Ceramic cat in her house from a trip to Las Vegas, the beach, a tiki mask from Hawaii, fun lizard on rock, guests, Kristey leaning back and smiling, fire pit, tiki torches, and another pic of beach.



Panning the yard with Don Ho singing "The Hukilau Song" from my own Don Ho's Hawaiian Favorites CD. I am such a cheeseball!



Danny made my blender drink too strong. The mixer in the bottle contained alcohol and he added more alcohol! I left their place much later than I had intended to sober up. I'm lucky I didn't burn myself taking the following pic while roasting my own marshmallow.


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Aloha in Florida