Happy Birthday Ace

Happy Birthday Ace!

If ya want to wish him a happy birthday you can do so here, on his somewhat active blog (like I have room to talk).

Last year's celebration included lots of laughs, good food, comedy, dancing in the streets, and gypsies. Oh how we can't forget the gypsy.

I wonder what this year has in store for us.

Whatever it is I am sure it will be more of the same and then some.

Love you Pookie. You're the boo to my bear. The ying to my yang. You're my everything. Ha!

Peace and Love Peeps.

You Can't See Me Right?

I couldn't resist taking this picture the other day.

The sun was shining. This doesn't happen too much this time of the year in these parts so when it does we flock to it like moths do to light.

Ms. Kitteh decided the best place to be was on the rug next to the Uggs I had been wearing earlier in the day.

Anytime I called out to her she would hunker down a little bit more.

I am convinced she was doing her best to hide.

For whatever reason she felt I couldn't see her. I didn't have the heart to burst her bubble but Princess, you weren't fooling me.

She stayed in this position until sunset. God love her.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Craving Satisfied

Tuesday I had a craving.

I had packed a salad for lunch but my body was screaming - SUSHI, SUSHI, SUSHI.

I asked a co-worker if he brought lunch. His reply, "I only have chocolate milk."

You know what this meant right?

We bolted to one of our local sushi joints.

Even after a few times of a tad too much wasabi when I dipped, I left a satisifed woman.

YUM!

Thanks J-Lo for indulging right along with me.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Carpe Diem

Sometimes you just need to embrace the craziness that lies in front of you.

Who gives a flying flip what anyone else may think?

Not me obviously.

My wish is for all of us to march to the beat of our own drum, as long as it is not illegal or harmful to yourself or others.

Go forth and live in the moment.

What do you have to lose?

If the answer is nothing, do it now. Carpe Diem.

Peace and Love Peeps. Peace and Love.

Weekly Challenge #117

This week I challenge you to execute a random act of kindness.

It is about you putting a little bit of love out there.

The action can be big or small.

It can cost money or not.

Just let it be something.

For instance, my RAK for today was jumping out of my car at a red light and closing the dude's gas tank door in front of me this morning.

He gave a wave of acknowledgement and smiled.

This took me all of 20 seconds. I didn't have to do this but I did because I could.

What can you do for someone else just because you can?

That's the challenge this week. Make something happen.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Endless Possibilities

Another New Years Day purchase.

It took me a few days to get used to the magnets on the fridge.

I don't like clutter in my space.

This looked like clutter to me for the first few days.

Then my love of words and endless possibilities kicked in.

Fiwa broke them in by selecting "always fluff behind her pink parts".

When I went out of town I left her with "we could soar together above the storm"

When I returned she had added "or not" below my selection and added "worship sky fluff like delicate summer sleep".

I'm interested to see what's next.

Feel free to make up your own combination when you're over.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Starts Black and White . . .

Isn't this set of stamps from Hero Arts delicious? It was a perfect selection for me to use when sending a little bit of love to two of my work peeps in the form of their very own chopsticks and carrying case.

After I stamped the images with black ink I whipped out my Le Plume markers and got to work.

I decided to put the girl image with a black matte on the orange cardstock for the Task Master.

Then I added two crystal jewel stickers for some bedazzled goodness for the flowered buttons to pop. Unfortunately the effect is not captured well in this picture at all. Trust me when I say the bling looked good and the orange cardstock matched the orange colored areas.

I left the boy image on white cardstock stamped direct to the paper for Ladies Man.

I then added a bit of bling in the form of a black crystal to the top of the hat instead of leaving it as is.

I love the possibilites stamping offers. Black, white, color, no color, bling, no bling, accents, no accents - whatever your creative mind desires!

The next project I need to complete is two thank you cards and possibly make some Valentine's Day cards too.

Hmmm, what will the creative energies decide to do?

Peace and Love Peeps.

Weekly Challenge #116

Are your tires inflated properly?

Is the tread worn too thin?

This week I challenge you to show your tires some love.

Make sure you're safe and getting the best possible mileage possible.

Peace and Love Peeps.

The Kid in Me

My elephant slippers were looking and feeling tore up from the floor up.

Fiwa and I scored these at JcPenney for an amazingly great price New Years Day.

She got just the piggies. I picked up a pair of each.

I love how the monkey is keeping it real with the look on its face.

Y'all don't be afraid or embarrassed to be in touch with your inner child.

Doing so keeps you young at heart.

With that being said, excuse me while I go color in my fairy coloring book.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Thank You

Thank you for your sacrifices.

Thank you for your service.

Thank your for your vision.

Thank you for paving the way.

Thank you.

Thank you.

THANK YOU.

That's My $2.18

Do you do coupons?

I do.

I especially use the ones at JoAnns and Michael's.

Which leads me to the story of the above picture.

I had a plethora of coupons the week of Christmas for JoAnns.

I asked the customer service desk associate if I could use multiple coupons at one time or did the purchases need to be rung up separately.

She said I could use all of them at the same time if desired.

I went about my business and picked up some ribbon and a few miscellaneous items.

I approach the register and the same associate who earlier entertained my question rings me up.

I handed her all of my coupons and she very loudly sighs.

I look at her. You know the look I am talking about right? Yeah, I gave her that look.

She proceeds to not use the 40% off coupon, which happened to be the first one I handed her.

I politely point this out.

She replies, "Does it really matter? It's only going to be like $2.00."

Um yes it matters.

You send me coupons for a reason. I use them.

I want my 40% off. I am entitled to my discount.

She processes the coupon and when all was said it done it was $2.18 from the 40% off.

The $2.18 was the cost of one of the spools of ribbon, tax included.

That's my $2.18 and free spool of ribbon.

Coupons.

Believe in them. Use them.

Get your $2.18.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Weekly Challenge #115

When is the last time you cleaned your front door, the back door, or a sliding glass door in your home?

It's been quite some time since I have done this so in an effort to make sure I do mine, I am challenging you to do yours.

Smudges, fingerprints, hand prints, etc. - join me in making them a thing of the past this week.

It shouldn't take more than five minutes.

We can spare that time right?

Right.

Peace and Love Peeps.

OTRA

Send the safe travel vibes my way.

Heading out for a 1.5 day trip down south.

Princess gets to spend some QT with her Auntie Fiwa.

I hope to squeeze in a visit with Ace.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Hook 'Em!

I am ready!

I have faith in my boys.

Although I won't lie - I am slightly worried about Alabama's defense overpowering Texas' offense.

Let's bring home the title!!!

Wet and Wild

Now you know why Spanky gets a bath once a week.

Once he is out of my hands he becomes a free for all.

I'm never quite sure where or what he is going to end up in.

This particular evening was no different.

In case you are wondering, yes, the person whose drink he took a plunge in drank the drink without missing a beat.

Spanky was soon returned to me safe and sound and received his bath a few days earlier than normal.

Viva la Spanky!

Peace and Love Peeps.

Weekly Challenge #114

This week I challenge you to reach out and touch someone through the phone lines you've been meaning to reconnect with.

Don't wait until a crisis occurs to pick up the phone and dial those digits.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to you and yours!

Twas the Days Before Christmas

Last Tuesday I started to get that feeling.

The tightness and sore throat feeling letting me know I am getting sick.

It usually, like 97% of the time, starts in my throat.

I pushed through the day, came home, promptly took some Nyquil, and put myself to bed.

By Wednesday it was game over.

I was down for the count. Mid day the sinuses got in on the action. Everyone I spoke with Wednesday was pretty much feeling very sorry for me and getting off the phone as quickly as possible. Apparently I sounded horrible. I know how horrible I felt.

Luckily through this all I did not have a fever so I knew it wasn't the flu. Thank you baby Jesus.

Nelli, my neti pot, and I became reacquainted very quickly.

So did my couch, one of my blankets and a few of my hoodies. When I am under the weather I like to be in a hoodie and "hide" under the hood and a blanket. For some reason I prefer to be on the couch rather than in the bed when I am fighting off a cold.
That's my sick, whiny, suck it face. I know I am hot stuff. Don't try to tell me differently.

By the time Wednesday night rolled around the sore throat was gone but the stuffiness was at its worst.

Thursday I ventured out to get some of this. A few of my tweeps swore by it. After taking it I am a believer too. It definitely decreased the time the crud was in control of my body.

By Friday I was feeling well enough to talk with all my siblings and have an early dinner with Fiwa and her hubby.

Saturday I ventured out to run a few errands and scored a few deals. I pushed myself a little too much. I thought I was back in prime condition. I was wrong. As a result I was back out for the count Saturday night.

Sunday I pretty much felt 85%; a little run down but well enough to do what needed to be done and take a walk along the boardwalk.

Here's to hoping the crud is a thing of the past. I have an uber busy week in store professionally I need to be on top of my game.

Hope you and yours had a very happy holiday and are well in both spirit and physical health.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Weekly Challenge #113

This week we bid farewell to another year and welcome the possibilities the next 365 days have to offer.

I'm not a New Years resolution kind of girl. I have not been for a while now. The older I get the more I find myself self reflecting and goal setting throughout the year - sometimes even daily - and always ongoing.

Don't feel pressured to make a list if that's not your thing. If it is your thing, get after it. Share if you'd like but keep it private if desired.

Whatever works for you is this week's challenge; embrace it, own it, ROCK it, and don't let the pressure of the New Year dictate you unless you choose.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Weekly Challenge #112

Do you have more lipsticks/lip glosses around your home, purse, desk, briefcase, etc. than you use on a regular basis?

I admit I do.

I tend to use the same 2 or 3 yet I have more than that lying around.

This week I challenge you to let those you don't love or use on a regular basis go.

Don't pause a moment to think about it or ponder about the money you're "throwing" away.

Simply say good-bye, move on, and refrain from picking up new ones unless you know you're going to use them.

You can do it.

I know you can.

Peace and Love Peeps.

NOTE: photo courtesy of this user's photo stream on flickr

OTRA

By the time you read this I should be flying the friendly skies.

Send the safe travel vibes my way.

Please and thank you.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Weekly Challenge #111

Kitchen cabinets.

We use them almost every day, if not every day.

When is the last time you cleaned them?

They deserve some loving too.

This week I challenge you to give them a little TLC.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Holiday Decorations

Do you remember my storage fiasco from July?

I don't think I posted about it and try not to talk about it since I can't change what happened.

In a nutshell my storage unit was emptied out by someone other than me.

In an instant memories and items were gone.

Some of those items were holiday decorations.

I used to go all out for the holidays.

Decorations here, there, and everywhere.

These days not so much.

You'll find a wreath I made many years ago on the front door. It survived the storage mess because it was on the back of my bedroom door.

Inside this is about all you're going to find.

I have candles everywhere all year but the reindeer and snowflake votive holder only comes out in December.

I'll enjoy the decorations others put out and by no means am I in a bah humbug state of mind.

I'm simply scaling down. Way down. The kitteh doesn't know the difference so I see no harm.

What's going on in your hizzle? All out or scaling back too?

Peace and Love Peeps.

Keys and Me

My preference is silver over gold when it comes to decorating and accessories. However, I am not opposed to sporting gold from time to time.

I know what my eye is drawn to. I know what I like. Settling is not an option I choose to explore when the other option exists.

Some might call me high maintenance.

I prefer referring to this as having a personal standard.

This carries over to pretty much all aspects of my life, including key chains.

I have two sets of keys.

One set is for the everyday work-personal life. It contains keys for the office, my filing cabinets, a gate, two master door keys, car, home mailbox, etc.. You get what I am saying here right?

The other set I have is for after work hours, on the weekends, and when I'm traveling. It contains my critical personal keys on it.

In addition to my above stated standards I like my key chain to serve as a little reminder during the hustle and bustle of daily life and to be a representation of me/my values.

Hence the work-personal life choice of a longhorn and the newest addition below.

About a month and a half or so ago the personal key chain decorative element broke.

It took me a while to find one I liked well enough to purchase. After many store visits and some of the peeps calling me out for the broken down key chain, Hallmark came through like a champ.


I figure if any of the bedazzled goodness falls off I am covered since I have my bedazzling heat tool and crystals.

When the sun hits it, sparkly light reflects.
I am a happy key chain toting girl once again.

How about you? Do you have a special key chain or two to share? I'm interested so feel free to leave a comment and fill me in.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Current State of Being

Minus the smoking and pill popping and insert my face you'd be looking at me.

It is my absolute busiest time of the year.

I'm dealing and thankfully in doing so I haven't gotten run down and sick like in past years. *knocks on wood*

Being uber busy hasn't left a whole lot of time for much of anything other than work, which we know I try not to talk all that much about here. This is why I have been MIA.

Since I can do updates from the crackberry I'm pretty active on twitter and facebook. Feel free to follow me or ask to be my friend.

To my fellow bloggers, I think of you often and hope you are well. I plan on swinging by your place sooner rather than later.

Hugs, Peace, and Love to all.

Let Us Not Forget

Weekly Challenge #110

This time of the year it is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle.

I challenge you to find a slice of time to just be, to breathe, to reflect on your thoughts, to look in versus out.

Even if it's just a minute or two, you deserve it.

It's good for the soul and will more than likely will keep you centered while the holiday season is in full swing.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Delicious and Nutritious

Delicious and nutritious.

A new version of Thirsty Thursday.

Feeds the body.

Feeds the soul.

Dinner with the pack Pho style.

How I love thee.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Resisted the Urge

Monday night around dinner time I decided I needed to hit up the store for some healthy grubbins.

The options in the freezer and fridge were a little slim. I could have made do with what I had on hand but I wanted roasted chicken.

At first I was thinking I would shred some of the chicken and mix it with romaine and call it good. In the end I decided on roasted chicken and sauteed some zucchini with garlic and called that good.

Before I got home and made that for dinner I had to resist the urge to take this for a little ride.

It has been a very long time since I felt the urge to do so. I think had I not been in somewhat of a hurry I would have taken the bad boy for a spin. Wheeeee!

Life is too short not to give in to a little harmless fun from time to time don't you think?

Next time I shall ride.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Today

Today I am in a competition with myself to get it all done.

Today I will remember to just breathe.

Today I will take it one stroke at a time.

Today I will achieve.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Photo courtesy of this flickr account.

Weekly Challenge #109

This week most all of us celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday.

This is a time of the year in which we find reason to be grateful and to give thanks.

I challenge you to continue doing so this week.

Each day find something to appreciate.

It doesn't have to be grand or profound.

You don't have to be public with the thanks.

Simply take a moment to appreciate what is before you at least once as you go about your day.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Happy Thanksgiving

Blessings to you and yours.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Movie Madness

This weekend I went to the movies.

Twice.

Once Friday night with Ace to see Precious and Sunday afternoon to see New Moon with Fiwa.

Pretty much two opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of movies.

I am still processing Precious. It's good and worthy of your time and money as long as you are prepared for what you will see and for the effect it possibly will have on you.

It will grip you in places you don't expect and won't let go very easily. It will quite possibly change previously held beliefs. It will make you think.

I know there are a lot of people who love, love, love the Twilight saga/series. I read the books. I saw the first movie and pretty much knew I would see this one too. I enjoyed what I read and what I saw on the big screen.

With that being said, I disagree with the folks who say the movie is outstanding, terrific, amazing, etc.. I wasn't wowed by the greatness some peeps are talking about. I guess this makes me a non twi-hard huh?

The next movie I would like to see is The Blind Side. I just need to find the time to do so.

Have you seen any movies lately? Any must sees I should add to the list?

Do tell.

I am interested.

Oh and speaking of musts, if you're looking for a good book, I recommend The Help by Kathryn Stockett. It took me a few chapters to get into the writing style but once I did, there was no stopping my flipping of the pages.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Weekly Challenge #108

This time of the year most people are immersed in thinking about the holidays.

I start thinking about next year.

Don't get me wrong. I do think of the holidays. I celebrate. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of them all.

It is just this week has come to mean the next year planning for me.

Y'all knew I was a planner right?

After the food is put away and the football games are over you can most likely find me with the next year calendar in hand marking out my personal appointments.

What can I say? I like to be prepared.

For me, there is some sort of comfort in knowing I've taken care of the scheduling and I don't have to think about making those appointments month after month.

So, if you decide to participate in this week's challenge with me, allow me to suggest googling 2010 calendar. There are lots and lots of free options available.

Peace and Love Peeps.

In a Word

A MeMe courtesy of Facebook:

Where is your cell phone? desk

Your significant other? Me :)

Your hair? Brown

Your mother? Missed

Your favorite thing? Laughter

Your dream last night? Forgotten

Your favorite drink? Tea

Your dream/goal? Fitness

What room are you in? Office

Your hobby? Stamping

Your fear? Sickness

Where do you want to be in 6 Yrs? France

Where were you last night? Home

Something that you aren't? Rested

Muffins? Bran

Wish list item? Sleep

Last thing you did? Analysis

What are you wearing? Dress

TV? Entertainment

Pets? Princess

Friends? Priceless

Your life? Blessed

Your mood? Happy

Missing someone? Yes

Drinking? Sometimes

Smoke? No

Your car? Green

Something you're not wearing? Necklace

Your favorite store? Impress

Your favorite thing to shop for? Shoes

Your favorite color? Cranberry

When was the last time you cried? Birthday

Who will repost this ? Unsure

Where do you go to over and over? Bathroom

Five people you text with most often? Kari, Maricel, Patricia, Ace, E

Favorite place to eat? Pho

Place I'd like to be right now? Beach

If you decide to do this too, let me know so I can come by your place and check you out.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Iggy's Random 10

I haven't done this in quite some time.

I put Iggy on shuffle a lot at work and let him do his thing.

Here are some of his most recent selections today.

1. Push It by Salt-N-Pepa

2. Me and You by Kenny Chesney

3. Say It Loud by James Brown

4. Fire Burning by Sean Kingston

5. No One by Alicia Keys

6. Pipeline by Stevie Ray Vaughan

7. Bossy by Lindsay Lohan

8. Cleaning Out My Closet by Eminem

9. Sugar by Flo Rida

10. Heaven Help by Lenny Kravitz

Talk about random!

Peace and Love Peeps.

My Latest Accessory Choice

It's fall around here for sure.

Rain.

Wind.

Cooler temps.

I believe Mother Nature is in need of meds because she seems to be really pissed off, is highly emotional, and a tad irrational with three storms back to back this week. When she cries, the rain pours. When she yells, the wind picks up with sustained gusts in the range of 25+mph.

As a result, my hair is pulled back more often than not and naturally I am rocking hats after hours and on the weekends.

The scarves, gloves, and Uggs are heavy in rotation as well.

Fall also means tights under the dresses.

Lately I'm digging patterned tights.

I have opaque tights. Tights with textured stripes. Tights with a houndstooth pattern and most recently, tights with an argyle pattern.

I got dressed in the dark yesterday and selected the wrong tights. However, since I was holed up in my office, wearing knee high boots, sporting a black sweater dress, and my gray wool peacoat, the mix up was hardly noticeable.

Today I got dressed with the lights on, selected the right tights, threw on another black dress, and pretty much every woman I have seen has said, "Cute!", "Adorable", or "I like it!".

Sorry for the poor quality of the picture today. I still have not found my camera cord nor have I picked up a replacement. Just know the background is a light black with dark black argyles.

The only part of today's outfit that may draw some looks is my zebra print trench coat but I will work it, rock it, and do my best to make it look like intentional fashion choices.

So, dear internets, do you have a fashion accessory you're sporting and loving these days?

Do tell.

You know mine right now.

I'd love to hear yours.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Weekly Challenge #107

Time.

Seems like there is never enough time to accomplish what we want and need to achieve.

Seems like there is never enough time to spend with our loved ones.

I've been feeling the crunch a lot lately. To tell you the truth, more often than not, people and tasks are being put on the back burner - the blog world being one of those "items".

This week I plan on evaluating how I am spending my time.

I want to take control of the choices I say yes to.

I want to understand how I choose to spend my time impacts the over all quality of the life I am living.

I'm challenging myself to make at least one change.

If you're feeling it, I invite you to join me in a pre New Year's bit of reflection.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Epic Trash

For the record, none of these "guidos" are my future baby daddy.

At 16 seconds I lose it. Seriously.

Enjoy.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Weekly Challenge #106

Last night as I was finishing up some domestic goddess chores, otherwise known as laundry, I looked up and saw something disturbing.

Disturbing to me at least.

Dust. Not just a little bit of dust. A lot of it. All over my bedroom blinds.

You can bet I promptly cleaned those bad boys.

Then I started to try to figure out when the last time it was I cleaned all of the blinds in my space.

I couldn't remember.

Can you?

I welcome you to join me in my challenge to clean the blinds throughout my entire my living space this week.

Peace and Love Peeps.

Viva Spanky

He's back!

Did you know he had been MIA?

Spanky was on leave of absence since the Forks trip.

Upon our return he received his weekly bath and then *poof* he disappeared.

I had almost given up hope and thought we were going to have to hold a memorial in his honor when I found him.

Where was he you might be wondering.

He decided, er rather I decided, he needed to be put back in my backpack after he was sparkling clean.

I found him hanging out in the dark depths of it last Sunday night.

Now if I could just find my camera cord to download the most recent pictures I've taken.

I've started a bad habit lately of hiding things from myself.

This is a habit I need to break and break quickly!

Peace and Love Peeps.

Weekly Challenge #105

This week I challenge you to listen to your inner voice.

Mine whispers to me all the time. Sometimes it even yells and knocks me upside the head.

When I don't listen to what it is trying to tell me 9 out of 10 times I end up knowing I should have done so in the first place.

If it means going against the status quo, so be it.

March to the beat of your own drum.

Do what is right for YOU.

Peace and Love Peeps.

NOTE: Photo courtesy of L Stegall's Flickr.