Chihuly Glass

Dale Chihuly is so remarkable. He is a glass blower from Tacoma and is amazing. His glass is on display all over the world. I remember working at the Frank Russell Company in downtown Tacoma back in 1998 and they had an exhibit in their lobby with his works. A day never went by when I didn't look at the exhibit and marvel at his talent.

Last week my co-workers and I went up to the News Tribune (Tacoma News Tribune) for a meet and greet with their IT department. In their lobby is a gorgeous fixture of Chihuly glass. I couldn't resist taking a snap shot.

http://www.chihuly.com/ - check out this web-site. You won't be disappointed.

Glamour

My sister is so talented! She has such a great eye for photography and now for photo editing. She took this picture when I was visiting in Okinawa (it was windy!) She made me took so awesome - even with gum in my mouth! My skin is flawless and my hair is much softer. Hollie, I'm sending you all my pics from now on!

From Bad Hair to Good...

I couldn't get in for an appointment with my usual colorist until Aug 31, so I went to South Hill's Gene Juarez. Let me tell you that Elle is way better than my usual. I'm a huge Balliage fan. It's basically defined as free hand hair painting. Once they paint the hair, then they totally wrap you up in saran wrap to keep the heat in. OMG...I started sweating. You could cook an egg on the chemical reaction happening on my scalp. I could have used some Koko's iced green tea! (inside joke). Elle took care of the gray, too. My stylist's name was Thor. He was sooooo awesome. I'm a convert now. Look how pretty my hair is!

Roxy Rebecca

So my sister is in love with Roxy. I think I may have caught that bug. I just bought this bag @ Macy's today. Fresh off the boat. They don't even sell it on their website! Hollie...if you like it, it's yours! Seriously. My gift to you.

Grocery Shopping

Greg left for work early this morning, so I got up, too. The boys and I went to Walmart to do some grocery shopping. I know, I should have gone to the commissarry. So I buy more groceries than I have in a long time and YES, I forgot my reusable bags! Walmart makes it very inconvenient to use your own bags, by the way.

I load all my groceries into the back of the car and Coby refuses to move. So, I have to building my groceries around him. Tucker is not that stubborn, thank God.

Some of my favorite commercials...

Friday Night Ramblings...

Greg and I disagree on where to retire. My choice changes as often as my pants size. Greg is more stable. I know none of you will disagree with that. Why do I bring this up? Greg won't be home from work for a couple more hours (it's 7:15pm) and I left work early. This leaves me much time for my pea brain to think, think, and think. Wait...left me backpeddle just a bit...

My boss (thanks, Greg ! no, not my Greg, my other Greg, my boss Greg) graciously let me leave early today and I came home on this most gorgeous Washington Day to take the boys to the dog park. Bless their hearts, they had been cooped up all week. We truly have the most awesome dog park. The small park is like 3 acres fully fenced. The big park is 43 acres fully fenced. Yes, Coby has disappeared into the brambles looking for rabbits. There is tons of brush, trees, and open space so there is plenty to do and see. A pregnant lady came up to me and asked if I would take a pic of her and her dog to send to her husband in Iraq. She had just moved here and well, all you Army wives have heard the story (or been that story). Her husband will be home for the birth of their baby. The park is a great place to be alone in your thoughts. I just soaked in the fact that I can walk and be with the boys and confirm how lucky I am.

So anyway, it's warm so we are only there for 1 hr 45 min. All three of us come home and snuggle up on the sofa and take a most peaceful nap. Again, I'm so lucky and grateful for everything I have in my life.

I am now sitting out here on my back deck (42 ft), watching the sun set, blogging on my laptop, and smelling the salty air. You Tennessean's don't know what you are missing. I love the smell of the sea. We are three blocks from the water where the ferry terminal is and 2 blocks on the other side. We don't have a view until the fall when the leaves fall off the neighbors house and only then it's a peek-a-boo. Sorry, I digress. I really don't like all the rain, but I understand why it's so beautiful. I am willing (most days) to sacrifice the yucky weather for beautiful summer days like today.

Greg and I want to retire by the sea. That we agree on.

Nutrish = pootrish

The dogs absolutely hate Rachael Ray's dog food, Nutrish. I know "they" say dogs won't intentionally starve themselves...but mine will if you don't feed them good food.

I found out from my vet, that you should change your dog's food once a year or so. This way you can make sure they get all the nutrients they need. Something might be missing in their current food and if you feed them that their entire life, they will be deficient. I also found out that you should check the labels and see if there have been food trials. If so, then go with those. Rachael Ray's food didn't go through food trials yet. Go figure. My boys have a very refined palette.

While looking around for dog moms who have fed (or tried) to feed their I found this web-site. It is so freakin' hilarious! I highly recommend it for a good laugh.

http://galleryoftheabsurd.typepad.com/14/

We Love our Vet!

Back from the ER

I wanted to make sure my prickly heat was not something else. Since yesterday, it has spread to my cheeks, behind my ears, hands, and my upper arms. No infection, but I said what the heck are these little blisters? I have all these little white blisters all over. Yes...prickly heat. There was some other fancy word for it.

Take some antihistamine which will cause major issues tonight with my PLMD (periodic limb movement disorder), but whatever. I'm not contagious. I have to turn up the air conditioning (put yet another fan on me - no central air here), no yard work, nothing that will make me sweat. Nice.

I am actually looking forward to going to work tomorrow.

What are these?

They look like giant grapes growing on a tree in our backyard.

O.C.D. @ the O.L.Y.

One of my co-workers is OCD...this is the only thing I've noticed OCD-wise, but I thought it was funny...

Prickly Heat...

I'm delicate! This is why I need air conditioning. The high here was 92! No one has air and for the 8 years or so I've had it... I guess I'm supposed to put a lot of powder on if I'm going out in the heat and then use cortizone cream or something to ease the itchies!

A Snake & A Soldier

So there I was minding my own business at Petsmart...turn the corner and there he was:


It is a Burmese (sp?) python...like 5 years old or something. I overcame my fear pretty quickly because it was quite a magnificent creature. It was so slow, too. It was hot :-) Although, I had no desire to touch it or hold it. Too gross...

The Royal Flush

This truck says it all...it's the Royal Flush Septic Company.

I need to see the doc...

I have Olympics Fever! I love watching them. No matter what the sport.

Who designs these...

butt ugly gymnastics uniforms? Pretty ugly. My opinion of course. I think those tacky uniforms caused the rough start the women's gymnastics team had.

Girl meets Grill - part 2

I might have been born to grill. I can't cook, but I might be a griller. I made a complete mess of the grill with my honey teriyaki marinade, but the chicken was stupendous! So moist and just a bit crispy on the outside - a few black spots, but I'll get better. This was my first time grilling all by myself. It's usually something my dad does!

Shopping Cart Saga

OMG! Some people are just so clueless. I went to the Hawk's Prairie Walmart around 10am. I knew it would be busy, but I put my i-pod on and took a leisurely stroll around the store and got everything I needed...although I did lose my list 1/2 way through my journey.

The lines were outrageously long, but I have my ear buds in and that really does calm me down. There is a lady with a kid in front of me and in front of her the most whisky tango people around. They have the NERVE to put their 4 items on the belt and then leave the cart behind - and they didn't have enough money and they were literally counting coins in the bottom of one of the chicks with a purse. Mind you, we have been waiting in line for quite some time, so you would think you would have started your search for moolah.

I've seen this cart thing happen a few times, but all in Tennessee. The thing that really got me is that the lady kept dragging the cart a few inches while things were getting rung up. What the heck?

Can you guess my accent?

http://www.languagetrainersgroup.com/accent_game.html

Okay, I was terrible! I think it would be better if they spoke in their native tongue. I would have done better. Okay...maybe not. But it is fun!

Mom, you'll do awesome!

Bernie Mac Dies at 50

So sad...I wasn't a huge fan, but I enjoyed his show. I think it's just that he was so young...

****************

Posted Aug 9th 2008 10:37AM by TMZ Staff

Comedian Bernie Mac died this morning in Chicago after a long hospitalization from pneumonia.Mac, whose real name is Bernard McCullough, passed away early this morning at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. He was 50 years old.His rep just issued the following statement to TMZ: "Actor/ comedian Bernie Mac passed away this morning from complications due to pneumonia in a Chicago area hospital. No other details are available at this time. We ask that his family's privacy continues to be respected."The day before he died, Mac's rep insisted he was stable, in no danger and expected to be released within the week, even though it was clear Mac was on his death bed.

From my sis...

My sister sent this to me...it was like she was daring me NOT to do it :-) So here goes...

10 years ago: August 1998 - I was a newlywed. Living in The Drake Apartments (which, by the way, just had ANOTHER shooting) on Steele Street. I was working in accounting (not my forte) at Apex.

5 years ago: August 2003 – I was 5 months post op. Lost 65 lbs. Dad had just driven with me from Steilacoom out to Clarksville. I think mom and Khari had flown out to Tennessee and I drove Khari down to Pensacola. This could be June, July, or August. Sorry…I can’t remember.

5 months ago: March 05, 2008 – Working. That’s all I can remember. We had just gone live with Mactive. So I was putting in major hours.

5 things on my list of things to do tomorrow:

1. Go to Starbucks (copying Nyla & Hollie)
2. Water the flowers/shrubs outside.
3. Go to work.
4. Pick up the mail.
5. Read the paper.

5 bad habits:

1. My sister says she has developed a disorder causing her to always be on the computer. It runs in the family. Mom and I have it, too. I have no desire to do anything else.
2. I wait until the last minute to get projects done. I always finish on time. ALWAYS…I may not be very nice, but I’m done on time.
3. I’m messy. Okay, a pig. What’s bad is that my husband doesn’t care either. That can be bad. I do need to have my kitchen counters clean. Everything else has issues.
4. I buy things and then forget about them before I even get home. I don’t want to explain. It’s terrible.5. I answer questions with questions. 5 places I’ve lived:1. Washington State (all over!)2. Alberta, Canada3. Sierra Vista, Arizona4. Clarksville, TN5. Woodbridge, VA

5 things people don’t know about me:
1. I let the dogs drink out of my water glass.
2. I want to get my nose pierced.
3. I want to walk around Gettysburg in a big Civil War Era dress.
4. I want my husband to be a General.
5. I dance while watching So You Think You Can Dance!

Okay, that was fun. I’m also a stick in the mud :-)

Nyla is reading....

Through a Glass Darkly - no border on the pic :-)

Hollie...what are you reading?

Mom?

Nettie?

For the person who has everything!

I know I should be in bed, but I found 1 more crazy thing...the pizza scissors.

Blurb from Skymall.com:

Pizza lovers rejoice: serving slices is easier than ever! Slice and serve pizza easily with this new invention. It combines kitchen shears with a wedge-shaped spatula so you can slice and serve with one hand without ever losing toppings.

Unlike wheels and knives, it won’t damage cooking pans and will cut a perfect, even slice, every time. There’s only one utensil to clean, and it’s dishwashers safe. Works for both left- and right-handed people. Features stainless-steel blades and a contoured soft grip. Fits in a standard kitchen drawer. 10-year manufacturer’s warranty. $19.99

Everyone get in line behind me! I'm buying this one first...right after I vote for Obama for President and Christine Gregoire for Governor... hee hee

Perfect Gift for my Hubby!

Greg always needs pens. I found this lamp on line. Wow! I'm at a loss for words. Rare, I know. You just take a pen when you need one and return it when you are done. It's probably way too expensive because I couldn't find a price for it.

$3.91

What a bargain! Gas is slowly going down.

Grill Update

There have been many inquiries into my new grill. Here's the link for more info:

http://www.charbroil.com/Consumer/product_detail_m.aspx?ProductSeriesID=8

It's a Charbroil - Patio Caddie

Now, I still have to grill something, so I'm unable to give this my full recommendation. So standby for my grilling experience.

Say No!

I just saw this car parked across the street from the paper. I love this place sometimes! Sorry for the poor framing...I was driving!

Girl meets Grill

I sprung for the grill. I even put it together tonight...in about 2 hrs time..minus the 15 minutes my next door neighbor was "informing" me that the dogs were barking at 2:30am this morning. I actually don't doubt it. His bedroom is like right next to the side yard so it probably sounds like the dogs are right in his room. I did feel terrible as he commutes to Seattle every day and has been sick. He also told me about the town ordinances, etc. Yeah, yeah. I know. I am a good owner. I'll just put the doggy door up when I go to bed.

Regardless...I done good. I bought cedar planks to grill some salmon or Greg's dad's halibut from Alaska. I can't wait to use it!

Die Dandelions, Die!

I've been on a quest to fix our lawn. First order of business...remove the dandelions. These are the most terrible things ever. Our front lawn is so full of these "rosettes." I purchased a tool, gloves and got to work! I find popping these little $#@%^ out of the ground to be quite therapeutic. I don't want to use RoundUp or any pesticides because of the dogs. I have a long ways to go, but I am making progress!

Here are some interesting facts about the dandelion...

• The word Dandelion comes from the French name for the plant dents de lion. This means teeth of the lion and refers to the jagged edges of the leaf of the plant.
  
• Lawns with dandelions have more ladybugs: more ladybugs mean less aphids.
  
• Dandelions are raised for the flowers to make wine and the young leaves used as salad greens. They are also used as diuretics.

For now, I'll just keep the front yard dandelion free...I want to have ladybugs and less pests!

Wine-o

I felt like having a glass of wine for dinner...er, I mean WITH dinner :-) I have a lot of wine...too much for someone who only likes wine when dining out.

I had this bottle of Riesling chilling in the fridge. It was a wonderful choice! Columbia Winery is great. I try to only buy local. I saw a Willamette Valley Riesling at Albertson's today, but it was $24. This was only $10.

I met with a dear friend from Tennessee last night and she was telling me about her friend's ambition during the last deployment: to find the cheapest, best tasting wine possible. This might be close. I'm still a fan of the Arbor Mist, but I think I need to refine my taste just a bit.