Is it here? Yes!

It's here! It's here!

I have been chained to my desk this past week. Covered in last minute request, five months of backed up work, and lots of paperwork. All this to spend a workless week in the beautiful land of... Lake Tahoe!

I can't wait. We leave this weekend and I am so excited. The drive up is long and tiring but beautiful.

We are returning to this spacious town home across from the lake, oh joy!
I can't wait.

::

My nephew spent the night with me last night. He almost two and is so hyper. I have never seen a kid this hyper. He is constantly jumping and chattering and making noises and he is interested in everything. To top it off he has a fear of nothing... well almost nothing. He does get scared of dark hallways and the little straw snakes that crawl when you drop your drink from the straw on them. lol.

Anyway, he's learning his colors and blue (bwoo) and purple (Pupal) are his favorite right now. He is also trying out sign language. Did I brag enough? Well to add to it, he is taking horse riding lessons and joining the gym! All before he turns two!

For his first sleep over he did great. I'll share some pictures of my boy angel when I get back.

I'm off to a beautiful sun, pine, and tourist city. I'll see you, my friends, next week.

-Daily B-

Memorial Day Picnic

We had our 10th Annual Memorial Day Picnic on Sunday. I spent the whole day trying to keep warm. The temperature dropped on Saturday and Sunday and the wind was blowing and the sky was covered with dark clouds.

I went on a walk with a group into the hills. I was ready to turn back when the warning signs for Mountain Lions begin to appear. Every little crack and chirp got my nerves to stand up and pay attention. I didn't want to admit how much of a chicken I was so I just made sure I was at the front and near the open spaces. Once we came around to the picnic site I was warmed up and achy.

(My nephew, Cristian)

Not long after I went with my cousin to the kiddie train that looped one side of the park. I somehow got it in my head to invite my sister-in-laws 3 year old nephew. Word spread and I found myself going with a large group.

We headed off to the train, halfway there we realized it wasn't as close as we thought. We walked and walked and walked and finally reached the train.

(cutest kiddies on the train)

We got on, looped around, laughed at some poor guy on a bike that was falling in the lake, waved at strangers, made several "choo choo" sounds and then came back to take pictures with the train.

On the way back we stopped to look at the ponies. One pony was... to put it nicely, exposed. We were back to ushering the kids along. No "curious little boy" questions came up, thank God.

My little charge, the mini hulk, was so sleepy so I offered my old lady back. Over long grassy areas and up hills until we were back at the picnic site.

By then, I was done. I sprawled out in my chair and bundled up. I chatted with my friends until we had to move our chairs to a hill for the outdoor service.

By then my teeth were chattering so bad that I bit my tongue. Here comes our music director, "you up for singing?" Sure. Try carrying a tune while your teeth are chattering. Not great.

Once we were on the hill and singing in the open air I begin to warm up. It was so beautiful and peaceful.

God seemed closer there. Surrounded by his creation, everyone bundled up and singing as cars passed by, stopping to see what was happening.


What a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend. Today my muscles are still screaming but I wouldn't have done anything different.

-Daily B-

Streiker's Bride Saga - I've Been Tagged

I was tagged by the wonderful Katybug at Watercolor Wisdom... Or Lack Thereof. The whole idea is to post a Friday Recommendation of a book that I love but might have forgotten in the years.

Here's the original explanation from Patti Abbot as told on Katy's blog:
"This is the first of what I optimistically hope will become Friday recommendations of books we love but might have forgotten over the years. I have asked several people to help me by also remembering a favorite book. Their blog sites are listed below. I also asked each of them to tag someone to recommend a book for next Friday. I'm worried great books of the recent past are sliding out of print and out of our consciousness. Not the first-tier classics we all can name, but the books that come next."

------------------

My sister and I were chatting away last night, naming all the wonderful old, old books from the past that we have forgotten. I could think of so many wonderful not so popular books. One series of books comes to mind that I know you will love. I have not forgotten this series, in fact I have read book one so many times, over and over. I will tell you about Book one since giving the descriptions of book two and three will kinda spoil it.


Streiker Saga by Robin Hardy.

Streiker's Bride

Romance, Suspense, & Action

He had a lot to offer, but his terms were high. What would you do if you received the offer of a lifetime--marriage to a billionaire--with one catch: you had to make up your mind without ever seeing him? When lowly bank teller Adair Weiss receives such an offer from reclusive philanthropist Fletcher Streiker, she is dumbfounded and disbelieving: Why me? What does he know about me? What does he want? Rejecting his offer would mean the end of her dream of dancing. But accepting it would change her life in ways she never guessed. . . .

There are two more books following this, all about Adair Weiss and Fletcher Streiker. The hidden meaning is very clear after you read book 1. These books were written so well and will reach right in and touch you, making you open your eyes to the what the author was trying to bring across. I can't say enough about this Saga, read them for yourself and you'll know what I'm ranting about.




Buy the Book Here - Amazon

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I tag Catherine at the Queens Castle for next Friday's Book Recommendation. She has been seriously reading since... I was in diapers. lol.. I am sure she'll come up with a great recommendation.

::::::


WINNER
I picked a winner by drawing a name out of a cup for the Yada Yada Prayer Group...

Drum Roll, please....

**Becky**

-Daily B-

Picture This... Ugly Side of Caviar

If you scrolled down you've seen the ugly side of the luxurious treat, Caviar. My family loves to fish. Our favorite place for a fishing vacation is Mammoth Lakes, CA. We stay at the Twin Lakes resort; heaven on earth!

(Birds eye view of Twin Lakes, CA)

I am a girly girl through and through, but I must admit one of my favorite things is watching my Dad clean the fish after a long day of fishing. One summer we caught 154 fish, that was a fish cleaning dream. lol. The picture below is a picture of my Dad and his prize fish for the trip. This fish was bulging... no wonder.

-Daily B-

(NOT) A One Word MEME

One, maybe two or three, Word Meme, courtesy of Becky at Stuck In Frump & Striving For Fab.

The point of this is to use one word... NOT GOING TO HAPPEN HERE.

You're feeling: Tired

To your left: Paper

On your mind: Reading

Last meal included: Pepperoni

You sometimes find it hard to: Socialize

The weather: Warm

Something you have a collection of: Rocks (Becky, your not the only one!)

A smell that cheers you up: Fireplaces starting up in the Fall

A smell that can ruin your mood: My dogs, ahem, body odors.

How long since you last shaved: Last week. I was blessed with a smidgen Indian Blood, My mother has never had to shave, ever!

The current state of your hair: Kinda limp, needs some care.

The largest item on your desk/workspace (not computer): A looming stack of papers

Your skill with chopsticks: Very bad, I've stained more than one shirt.

Which section you head for first in a bookstore: inspirational fiction

Something you're craving: Filet Mignon

Your general thoughts on the presidential race: Outrage

How many times have you been hospitalized this year: None

Favorite place to go for a quiet moment: Family Room

You've always secretly thought you'd be a good: Astronaut

Something that freaks you out a little: CATS

Something you've eaten too much of lately: Cheese

You have never: Had a haircut

You never want to: Cut my hair... lol

-Daily B-

Book Giveaway

I finally finished reading the 4 books that I was judging for the Faith, Hope, & Love Contest. 4 books! It took me five long weeks to read these because I wasn't that into it. I am narrow minded when it comes to books, I admit it, I'll remember this next time when I accept to judge.

Unfortunately I can't tell you what I thought of the book, scores are confidential.

I am giving away one book for now, Leave a comment over the next week and I'll pick a name, out of all 4 or 5 of you. lol. Make sure and leave an email address for me to contact you.

YADA YADA PRAYER GROUP GETS ROLLING

SIGNED BY AUTHOR

Description:

A devastating fire wakes up the Yadas to a new reality: God is on the move.

What I'd like to know is, why does God keep rearranging my comfort zone? It could have something to do with my Yada Yada prayer sisters, who aren't afraid to get in each other's faces and tend to expect big things from God.

But to move forward, sometimes we have to let go of what's behind. In spite of the loss of two dear friends. In spite of the breakup of a teenage love. In spite of the curse of HIV. In spite of prison time hanging over the head of a beloved child. In spite of fire consuming the hopes of those who have nothing.

Yet out of the ashes, God is doing a new thing! It's time for the Yadas to press on, pray on, and get rolling!

Mothers Day 2008

As I mentioned previously, My sister and I took my mother to see MAMMA MIA at the Pasadena Auditorium on Saturday. The show was better than expected, the music was played by a live orchestra. Incredible!

Earlier in the day we had a Tea for all the mothers and daughters in the Church. So fun and scrumptious. Afterwards we strolled the old town circle and did some cheese tasting and stopped for Gelato.

Sunday morning was spent with my Grandmother. We didn't get a chance to stay very long since we had a service that night. Mothers were honored and given a special gift. All in all, I believe my mother had a wonderful Mother's Day.

Salute to Mom

My mother is the greatest woman I know. She's not perfect, but she is striving for perfection. I didn't get a chance to write much on Sunday since I am under the weather with one thing after another, but she deserves so much more recognition. It has been almost a year since she started treatment to shrink her tumor. Unless God intervenes, which I am believing Him for, she will eventually have a craniotomy. I've never heard my mother breakdown or cry over this. Now that is one strong woman. According to me, my mom is as good as they come.

Picture This... Hand of Hope

The picture is that of a 21-week-old unborn baby named Samuel Alexander Armas, who is being operated on by surgeon named Joseph Bruner. The baby was diagnosed with spina bifida and would not survive if removed from his mother's womb.

Little Samuel's mother, Julie Armas, is an obstetrics nurse in Atlanta . She knew of Dr Bruner's remarkable surgical procedure. Practicing at Vanderbilt Univ Med Ctr in Nashville , he performs these special operations while the baby is still in the womb.During the procedure, the doctor removes the uterus via C-section and makes a small incision to operate on the baby. As Dr Bruner completed the surgery on Samuel, the little guy reached his tiny, but fully developedhand through the incision and firmly grasped the surgeon's finger.

Dr Bruner was reported as saying that when his finger was grasped, it was the most emotional moment of his life, and that for an instant during the procedure he was just frozen, totally immobile.

The photograph captures this amazing event with perfect clarity The editors titled the picture, 'Hand of Hope.' The text explaining the picture begins, 'The tiny hand of 21-week-old fetus Samuel Alexander Armas emerges from the mother's uterus to grasp the finger of Dr Joseph Bruner as if thanking the doctor for the gift of life.'

Mothers are the greatest humans of all

Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the
impossible. ~Marion C. Garretty

Mother - that was the bank where we deposited all our hurts and
worries. ~T. DeWitt Talmage

Happy Mothers Day to My mom, the most beautiful and strongest person I know!

~~~~~~~~~~

Happy Mothers Day to all mothers reading this!

MAMMA MIA, Here I Come!

I don't remember when I first heard of this show, but I do remember that it was before my 21st birthday. I used to go online to the website and listen to the music over and over. I finally bought the soundtrack and fell in love with the music and story. MAMMA MIA the movie (click to see trailer) is coming to theaters soon and guess who it has... Colin Firth. Perfect... (Is he looking old?)

I became interested in music from ABBA when I saw the Australian movie, Muriel's Wedding. I love this movie but haven't seen it in so long. I wouldn't recommend this movie unless you were really good at muting and forwarding. lol. Too many not so clean parts and language. Anyway, I had never really paid attention to ABBA music before then.

We had a girls weekend in Vegas for my 21st birthday and my mom was going to take me to see Mamma Mia at the Mandalay Bay. I was beside myself with excitement. We walked up to the ticket booth and found out that the show was sold out for that night, Saturday, and they had no shows for Sunday... Our last day there. Bummed does not describe how I felt. So bummed out.

I have been making plans for 5 years to see this and finally, FINALLY it is happening.

I received an email from Ticketmaster yesterday and decided to open this one, I usually delete them. I scrolled down and noticed Michael Buble', scrolled some more and there was MAMMA MIA. Hmm... I clicked on it thinking that maybe I should go to Vegas again for my birthday and try to see it... My eyes bugged out the minutes I saw where it was... Pasadena, CA! OMW, Not that far from me.

I quickly calmed myself down thinking, "there's no way there are tickets available."., well... I was wrong! Not only were there awesome tickets available, they were affordable and for this weekend! Mothers Day weekend.

It has become a tradition in our family, every Mothers Day the women in m family take our Mothers out for a special day sometime around Mother's Day. This year we didn't really plan anything. I let everyone know about these tickets and within a couple of hours we had a group going.

I can't believe after all this time I am going to MAMMA MIA. Oh Joy!

Picture This... Ink Blot Test Revealed

This isn't my normal "Picture This" but I ran across this site and remembered having to take this ink blot test in high school...Never found out what my mental state was, Hmm...

Look the blot over carefully. **Highlight the answers to reveal if you are mentally unstable or mentally stable.

I won't reveal what my answers were... BWA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!! If pictures are posted with me in a straight jacket, this may the reason. lol.

BLOT #1

Good/Common Answers: "Bat, butterfly, female figure (in the centre), moth

You may be a little paranoid if you see: "Mask, animal face, jack o lantern"

Bad Answer: "Anything insulting about the female figure (it is an indicator of your own body image)"

BLOT #2

You should see this image as: "Two human-like forms (females or clowns) If you don't it is an indicator that you have trouble relating to people."

Other Good/Common Answers: "Butterfly, cave entrance

BLOT #3

Good/Common Answers: "A standing figure (man, bear, gorilla)"

A Bad Answer Would Be: "To describe the figure as menacing in any way, i.e. a monster, or attacking gorilla, as this blot identifies with your perception of your father, or authority figures."

BLOT #4

Good/Common Answers: "Bat, Butterfly"

Bad Answers: "Seeing the butterfly antennae as scissors or any cutting device is an indicator of a castration complex. Schizophrenics occasionally see moving people in this image. Seeing crocodile heads on the ends of the bat's wings indicates hostility."

BLOT #5

This is a tough one.Good/Common Answers: "Fire, smoke, explosion, map, anatomy, flower."

Bad Answers: "Mushroom cloud on the centre line at top can indicate paranoia. Monsters or men fighting can indicate poor social development."

Are you mentally stable?

Wiped Out

Have you noticed that I have changed my blog format... four times since Thursday? *CRINGE* I have. Every time I come up with a design and think it's interesting I get skeptical a few minutes later, few hours later, few days later. I must make a change!

I decided to use a free template. Good idea? No! It looks good but it wiped me out. Everything that has been on my page for... months and months is now erased. Floating around in blog land. Evil Blog land. Argh.

I can't guarantee that my need for change has been fed. I may change this page again and wipe out my wonderful widgets and format, wonderful to me. I may complain all over again. I can't help myself.

Now I sit here, trying to remember what was on my blog... what did I fill it up with? What was so wonderful? Probably nothing worth searching for again. lol.

I am now having deja vu... I think I complained about my layout in December... I can now guarantee that this will not be the last you hear of it!

Petty, petty, petty - that's what this post is.

I fooorgot!

Memory loss has been the topic of the day in my family. My father has recently found out that he doesn't pay attention very well. We all were in on the secret, he wasn't and now he is.

He recently noticed that he doesn't remember things very well and has marked this up to being a side effect of a new medication... I think he's the same just more aware that he doesn't pay attention.

This morning I noticed my mother around the kitchen puttering around. She seemed to be waiting on something. That's when I remembered, Dad was still asleep. We had been giggling earlier about Dad's "memory loss".

"Mom, Dad still asleep?"

"Yes.. he must be tired."

"Maybe he forgot to wake up?"

We laughed and laughed and I had to tell everyone that came by about my clever joke.

::

I received a call later on at work from my brother...

"Guess what happened to us this morning?" (he carpools with my Dad)

"What?"

"I told Dad yesterday that he was on empty."

"Oh no..."

"I told him again this morning, 'Dad you need to get gas'. Dad looks over and says, 'uh we're out of gas'."

My brother had to walk two blocks to get gas... in his work clothes. These aren't just any work clothes. It looks like he stole these off a homeless persons back. His clothes are so bad that my sister-in-law said, "wouldn't it be funny if someone tried to give him money?"

My Dad's lack of memory is starting to become a joke instigator... Should I be laughing? Yes! This is pay back for not paying attention for the last... 25 years. Now he can't even pay attention to himself.

Dad, If your reading this... hopefully you won't remember by the time I see you.