Handbag
I am a major purse/handbag junkie. It’s a major addiction… one that I’ve had for most of my life. I don’t care much about shoes… but bags of all sorts are an absolute favorite. I like really unique things… and even have a few favorites in the collection from high school. I have a great hand bag that’s made from a cigar box and an adorable clutch that looks like a rolled up Vogue magazine.
For my birthday, Leroy gave me a beautiful new bag and wallet. We went to the store together and he sat there for almost 30 minutes while I looked around and picked the exact set I wanted. I’m so indecisive that I wasn’t sure what to choose and even after the purchase, I’ve been considering returning it for a different style. Today when I pulled it out to admire it again, I realized that it had the memory of the trip to the store attached to it and right then and there I understood that the sentimental memory made it irreplaceable.
So today, I decided it was warm enough to change to the new handbag (color and style being considered.) I emptied out the old purse, purged what was no longer necessary and packed my new bag. It truly is magnificent. It was like celebrating my birthday all over again.
Vision
I had my annual eye doctor appointment today and for the first time in many (many) years, my prescription did not change enough to warrant new glasses. (Which works out really well since this was the off year for the insurance paying for the frames.) I don’t mind going to the eye doctor. I’ve had a crush on him since I was 10… and he always tells me how young I look. (He’s a politician… really.) But, I hate doing all of the preliminary tests ahead of time… especially the one for peripheral vision. (Which I always score higher than average, thank you very much.)
Anyway… my vision is truly a blessing and something that I often take for granted. I don’t like to wear glasses, but I’m grateful to have them. I’m not a candidate for contacts (shape of my eyes, dryness, prescription, etc.) so I’m stuck with these for a while and I’m going to try and appreciate them a bit more.
Sunday Dinner
It was a blessing today to eat Sunday dinner at my in-laws house again. It used to happen on a weekly basis when we first got married… but over the years we’ve been pulled in other directions and so have they. It’s not like we have to travel… they live right next door. But, our lives have become so busy that even a simple ritual as weekly dinner with the family has fallen by the wayside… and just like everything else, you don’t realize how significant it is until it’s gone.
Sunday dinner in the past was almost always BBQ chicken. Today we had sopas, pork chops and a variety of other things… all of which were delicious. The Almedias were there and we even joked that we didn’t know where our place at the table was anymore because it had been such a long time. We missed Sierra… and commented that she would have enjoyed being there too.
Charlie
Today is my dog’s 1st Birthday. Coach’s Lineman Charlie is an important part of my family and a true blessing everyday.
Charlie was a gift to me… given by good friends. (One of whom used to be Steel’s line coach…. hence the name.) I started taking pictures of him and his 11 siblings when they were 3 weeks old and their eyes had just opened. They were the most beautiful litter of puppies I had ever seen. Charlie was always the biggest and the lightest color in the group so I could easily pick him out when ever I returned for more pictures.
He’s a big boy now. (100 + lb. Yellow Lab) He has the kindest heart… and he is very smart. I’ve been working with him since he came home… trying to expose him to different environments to prepare him as a therapy dog. I’ve always wanted a dog I could take to visit people in nursing homes and in hospitals… and Charlie has the perfect temperament for the job. He brings a lot of joy to our family and I can’t wait to share his personality with those who need him.
Crab
I’ve already pointed out the fact that I love food… but one of my ultimate favorite things is crab… Actually, Alaskan Snow Crab (I’ll eat others but this is my favorite.) When I was little, I would think of them as big spiders, but this never deterred my appetite. I loved it as a child… and still do as an adult. The best way is freshly steamed with drawn butter… but since I’ve been married to Leroy, I’ve learned to love crab in a good Cioppino as well.
Usually, I don’t like to eat with my hands (chicken on the bone for example) but there is something liberating in cracking crab and eating it without utensils. I remember when I learned how to do it properly. I had flown to Alaska with my parents for my brother Curtis’ wedding. We went out to dinner following the rehearsal and his best friend (who was about to be his brother in law and I think his best man too) sat next to me and very patiently taught me the right way to crack and eat crab. Why this memory has stuck with me I’ll never know, but every time I sit down to eat crab I think of Jake. He taught me well. I don’t miss a piece.
Doggie Daycare
Since we (or I should say “I”) think of my dogs as children, it’s only sensible that they have a place to go to to socialize. Daisy is not up to the challenge…. but Charlie can hardly contain his excitement when he gets to go to Doggie Daycare! When he was a puppy, I took him there occasionally when I would not be home for a long period of time but now he mostly goes when we’re going to be out of town. Lately, I’ll drop him off in the morning and the Lemos’ will pick him up after work and take him to their home.
For $20, he can stay there from 6:00 am – 6:00 pm. He gets 2 naps (quiet time in a crate) and 1 meal (which I provide.) The dogs are separated by size and age and have to be evaluated before they are accepted. Charlie LOVES daycare. He gets so excited when he realizes where we are and can’t sit still as he watches through the glass as the attendant comes to get him.
One day when I picked him up, one of the girls told me that Charlie had followed a pair of Pugs around all day. She said that he was absolutely fascinated by the dogs. (I don’t know if they were in the same group, or in the group next to his… I can’t imagine that my 100 lb. Yellow Lab would be in the same group as little Pugs.) They also report that he plays hard the whole time and when it’s nap time, he crashes from exhaustion in his crate, but is always ready to go back to the group play.
I hope they install cameras soon so I can watch him on line. (Some facilities offer this service.) Then… I’ll never get anything accomplished.
Spring
Spring has sprung in the central valley of Northern California. Actually, it’s been here for a while (almost a week technically) but I’m always so cold… it really hasn’t felt like it (at least for me) until today. I did paint my toenails about a week ago in anticipation, but I have not been brave enough to go out in flip-flops yet. I’m still going to dress in layers for a little while, but I’m getting warmer and warmer all the time.
We went to the Hilmar @ CC baseball game today and I sat in the sun and it felt glorious. Actually… I was a bit TOO warm for about 3 minutes, but then the wind kicked up and I was good again.
I think I’ve found a better way of updating people about scores and standings from the sporting events I attend. I am now on Twitter… and if I understand the service right, I can “micro-blog” and instantly update on my profile. ”Followers” can either visit the site for an update or they can opt to receive text message updates. (The status part of Facebook is one of my favorite features and I think this is quite similar.) Anyway… I’ve recruited Sierra and Leroy as fellow “Twitterers” but they’re not real keen on keeping it updated. I’m going to work out the bugs and see if I can figure it out. I’m sure they make a “Twitter for Dummies” book.
I love this kind of stuff… and I probably waste a lot of time playing with it… but it’s a guilty pleasure.
Derek
Today, my 21 year old nephew Derek will leave for his first tour of duty in Iraq. He has followed in the footsteps of his Uncle Jon and is a proud member of the United States Marine Corps. We were able to visit with him briefly in November and I was amazed at the young man he had become. I am incredibly proud of him and all of the young men that serve our country in the armed forces. They truly are heroes. What a blessing it is that these soldiers are willing to risk their lives for my freedom. Derek will bring my focus back to the soldiers. I ask that you remember him and all of our heroes in your thoughts and prayers. I will give you updates as I receive them.
God speed Derek and Semper Fi.
Oil Blotting Sheets
OK… I’m going to give you and “ick” warning. What I’m about to write about is pretty gross and even makes me a little uncomfortable, but here goes. I am now obsessed with blotting sheets that you use on your face to absorb excess oil. They are so disgusting, but they work really well. These things are miracles workers. After all… what’s a girl with oily skin going to do? Everything tells us to make sure we’re using a sunblock on a regular basis to prevent pre-mature aging but it makes my skin even oilier than usual. Now that it’s warming up… the problem is even more severe.
Sierra told me about these sheets and I bought a pack at Long’s the other day. Gross, gross… gross… But they really worked well to remove all of the oil without removing the makeup or caking on more makeup to cover it up. Amazing. I’m hooked. Another secret trick (from Sierra also) is to use the toilet seat covers in public restrooms. It’s the same type of material and they’re big and FREE. Every time I use a public restroom now.. I’m covering and blotting… but not at the same time… and obviously… NOT with the same sheet!
