Fun in Memphis with Taylor and Brittnee

After my work conference was over, I spent the day with my two sweetnesses and Goddaughters, Brittnee and Taylor. When I arrived, Taylor was, "hiding" in the dryer. Only Taylor!

We decided to break tradition of Build-A-Bear, The Disney Store and Ruby Tuesdays and tried something new. We hit Memphis' Incredible Pizza Company. It's a glorified Chuck E. Cheese (which I avoid at all cost) but way cooler. It has a buffet with pizza, southern food and a salad bar and all of the sugar one could need... and a huge game center with bumper cars, speed racing, arcade games, fair games and a giant bouncy house!



Here is the, "mandatory," group picture. The girls are getting so big! Taylor starts the 2nd grade and Brittnee will be in 7th this Fall. They are very smart cookies! Brittnee is very perceptive and wise beyond her years. Her vocabulary is very adult, she is a computer and electronics whiz and has the sweetest heart. Taylor is reading up a storm, will correct you when you get out of line and is hoping for a, "nice teacher," this year! She is full of energy and go-go-go... and knows every single word to all of the, "cool" music. I love these girls so much and am so thankful to get to watch them grow and learn and LIVE.

Getting Taylor to eat anything that's not her idea is a challenge. She only wanted olives and jumped up and down when she saw green AND black olives. I was able to get her to eat some applesauce and some cheese bread... sort of nutritious, huh?

Brittnee and I

Taylor reminds me of myself when I was younger. She always wants to strike a pose!

Brittnee is a good sport with Taylor...



Between the girls and I we, "won," over 8 hundred tickets!

Taylor would have been content to stay in the bouncy house the whole afternoon. At several points she was in there by herself, running around and literally bouncing off the walls!

They loved this percussion arcade came. Those two have some rhythm!

Here they are with their loot..

After all the fun and games... the girls kindly obliged and tagged along to Archivers, my favorite SCRAPBOOK STORE! I picked up some necessities... and we headed home for some downtime. HA! Taylor bounced around the living room singing and dancing and being a ROCKSTAR!

What fun! I can't wait to be a full-time mommy. Days like this are definitely practice!

From Winnie The Pooh

"Don't underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering. "


~Pooh's Little Instruction Book, inspired by A.A. Milne

Advice...

Don't date because you are desperate.

Don't marry because you are miserable.

Don't have kids because you think your genes are superior.

Don't philander because you think you are irresistible.

Don't associate with people you can't trust.

Don't cheat.

Don't lie.

Don't pretend.

Don't dictate because you are smarter.

Don't demand because you are stronger.

Don't hurt your kids because loving them is harder.

Don't sell yourself, your family, or your ideals.

Don't stagnate.

Don't regress.

Don't live in the past.

Time can't bring anything or anyone back.

Don't put your life on hold for possibly Mr/Mrs Right.

Don't throw your life away on absolutely Mr. Wrong because your biological clock is ticking.

Learn a new skill.

Find a new friend.

Start a new career.

Sometimes, there is no race to be won, only a price to be paid for some of life's more hasty decisions.

To terminate your loneliness, reach out to the homeless.

To feed your nurturing instincts, care for the needy.

To fulfill your parenting fantasies, get a puppy.

Don't bring another life into this world for all the wrong reasons.

To make yourself happy, pursue your passions and be the best of what you can be.

Simplify your life.

Take away the clutter.

Get rid of destructive elements: abusive friends, nasty habits, and dangerous liaisons.

Don't abandon your responsibilities but don't overdose on duty.

Don't live life recklessly without thought and feeling for your family.

Be true to yourself.

Don't commit when you are not ready.

Don't keep others waiting needlessly.

Go on that trip. Don't postpone it.

Say those words.

Don't let the moment pass.

Do what you have to, even at society's scorn.

Write poetry.

Love Deeply.

Walk barefoot.

Dance with wild abandon.

Cry at the movies.

Take care of yourself.

Don't wait for someone to take care of you.

You light up your life.

You drive yourself to your destination.

No one completes you - except YOU.

It is true that life does not get easier with age. It only gets more challenging.

Don't be afraid.

Don't lose your capacity to love.

Pursue your passions.

Live your dreams.

Don't lose faith in your God.

Don't grow old. Just grow YOU!

Gregory Graffius Graduates!

Today, my nephew Gregory joins the ranks of the High School Graduates.

His parents, grandparents and I were there to scream from the bleachers.
Gregory attended J Serra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano. He played Football and LaCrosse and had one of the worst cases of Senior-itis I've seen... :o)

Gregory will head to Saddleback College in the Fall.

Way to go!!!

Memorial Day

I enjoyed a day off work for Memorial Day. Ziad and I had planned to go to the beach today (I even bought a new boogie board to test out) but it was cool and drizzling today... so we had to change our plans.

Ziad made whole wheat pancakes with blackberries, strawberries and cool whip on top and eggs and hot tea. Have I mentioned how much I love the perk of having an executive chef for a boyfriend!? My favorite part of the weekend is when he cooks me breakfast and we catch up on shows that are DVR'd.

We pracitced our song, Anyone Else But You, from Juno which we will be singing in a talent (though considering myself a talented singer is very much a sttttrrrreeeetttccchhhh) show next month and then went to the mall to find my outfit. I ended up with a maternity shirt (as Juno is pregnant) and a beach ball.

After the mall we headed to The Rainbow Factory. Rainbows are my all-time favorite flip flops/shoes...

May Movie Madness

I saw this movie this weekend. It's classic. Prepare to be entertained by the inspiring individuals of 'Young@Heart,' a New England senior citizens chorus that has delighted audiences worldwide with their covers of songs by everyone from The Clash to Coldplay. As Stephen Walker's documentary begins, the retirees, led by their strict musical director, are rehearsing their new show, struggling with a discordant Sonic Youth number and giving new meaning to James Brown's "I Feel Good." What ultimately emerges is a funny and unexpectedly moving testament to the simple things these seniors value: old friendships, new challenges and a little time in the spotlight. I HIGHLY recommend it!

This month, I also sawBaby Mama ~ HILLARIOUS! And Iron Man ~ Special Effects and a lot of Robert Downey Junior... great flic! And Forgetting Sarah Marshall ~ Crude humor, but I laughed out loud more than I care to admit!

I know, I know... shouldn't I be working on my thesis? Yes... but a girl's gotta take a break!

Ponderables

THINGS TO PONDER

Can you cry under water?

When I was young we used to go "skinny dipping," now I just"chunkydunk."

How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?

If money doesn't grow on trees then why do banks have branches?

Since bread is square, then why is sandwich meat round?

Why do you have to "put your two cents in"...but it's only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra penny going to? Taxes?

Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?

Why does a round pizza come in a square box?

How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would bea good idea to put wheels on luggage?

Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours?

If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?

If you drink Pepsi at work in the Coke factory, will they fire you?

Feeling HOT HOT HOT!

We took a Sunday drive today and ended up in Carlsbad. Ziad wanted to surprise his son, Alex with a visit. We weren't planning on going to the beach... but ended up there, unprepared! Still a fun day of laying in the sun, people watching, walking around and enjoying the day!

Carlsbad is one of my favorite beaches ~ it's usually not crowded, easy to get to, FREE, and has a decent surf.

Here's Z. He's modeling the new "roll-up-your-pants because you forgot shorts" fashion!

Meme

1. What were you doing 10 years ago?

1998 ~ I was a Sophomore at Oregon State University on exchange in London, England. I was living in West Harrow, London with an Irish Host family. I loved my time on exchange. I took History of London, British art and architecture and British theatre. The theatre was my favorite part ~ saw lots and lots of plays and musicals... and RENT at least a dozen times. I traveled to Greece, Holland, Belgium and Ireland with my classmates. My parents, little sister and the Reed family came at the end of my exchange ~ We "did" London together and then my family and I spent time all over Scotland.

2. What 5 things are on your list of things to do today?

1.) Go to my kickboxing class at 10:00AM.

2.) Wash car.

3.) Take a nap

4.) Go to church

5.) Watch Bella dvd in my jammies ~ enjoy a quiet solo Saturday night in!

3. What snacks do you enjoy?

Snacks are my weakness. Right now I'm into sugar free pudding with fat free cool whip, a banana and cashews ~ all mixed together! It's my creation. Salty and sweet! I love apples and peanut butter, "tart" frozen yogurt with strawberries on top. My favorite treat ever (and if I could eat it every single day and not weigh 700 pounds) is called a Big Foot from The Chocolate Cafe. It's decedent marshmallow crisp rice crunch, layered with creamy caramel, topped with natural roasted peanut butter, and covered in rich Belgian chocolate!

4. What would you do if you became a billionaire?

I would give to my church's ministry to help combat HIV and take care of orphans all over the world. I would travel. First stops would be Alaska, South America, Africa and Australia. I would buy houses in Bend, Oregon, New York City, New York, Laguna Beach, California and Georgetown, Grand Cayman. I would buy a convertable, Mini Cooper, Hummer and a big fat custom Motor home / RV. I'd give money to my family and friends AND to ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL.

5. What are your bad habits?

Multitasking ~ talking on the phone, playing solitaire on my iPod, checking my BlackBerry, watching TV and chewing gum... tend to make the person that I'm talking too, think I'm a little distracted. I also can be a little impatient with myself and want things to happen instantly. I'm working on this!

6. Where have you lived?

Houston ~ Texas, Villa Park ~ California, Black Butte Ranch ~ Oregon, Corvallis ~ Oregon, Greenwich ~ Connecticut, London ~ England, Portland ~ Oregon, Redlands ~ California, Colton ~ California, Memphis ~ Tennessee and Aliso Viejo ~ California.

7. What are 5 interesting jobs you've had?

1.) Babysitter for strangers at the resort town (Black Butte Ranch) I lived in.

2.) Housekeeper at The Best Western. (This, I must admit, was short lived... I was "promoted" to front desk at Coldwell Banker Realty (owned by the same folks!)

3.) Bus girl.

4.) Childbirth supporter / coach in Labor and Delivery with teenagers... (Part of my job as a Child Life Specialist)

5.) Scrapbook maker!

8. Who have I tagged to participate in this meme?

Tirza (http://www.wibelfamily.blogspot.com/)

and

Tysha (http://www.tyshaandjacob.blogspot.com/)

The time has come...

I joined LA Boxing this week. Don't ask me why. Guess I was just ready to kick it up a notch and the reality that I'm turning 30, "retired" from running, get bored working from home all day without human contact, or the fact that I was just dying to blow all of my "stimulate the economy"check... Whatever the reason... I'm committed.

I've taken 3 classes so far. I'm, by far, the least coordinated... the most out of shape... and obviously a newbie. Some girls took me under their wing... ur... glove... and assured me that they had to sit out the first few classes because they. thought. they. were. going. to die. And I believe 'em.

Here's what the owner of the gym boasts, "The equipment requirements are elementary: a bag, gloves, jump rope, timer and music. And you'll get a workout that doesn't miss a spot: a 1,000-calorie-an-hour cardio bomb and a superb all-body tuner that builds shoulders and forearms and works legs, hips, abs, upper back, triceps, biceps and lats. (Want to blast your delts? Try holding 16-ounce gloves at chin level for two rounds.)

Maybe I will look like her....

In my dreams.

My knuckles hurt.

Anyone for a game of UNO?

What will they think of next? :o)

Borrego Springs Weekend

Ziad and I spent the weekend in Borrego Springs with my parents. Z played 18 holes at de Anza with my dad on Sunday and Monday. I rode in the cart...

de Anza
https://www.memberstatements.com/login/login.cfm

Don't they look like a team... with their matchy-matchy shirts?

Z enjoyed getting lots of pointers from my dad. Confucious says, "take second shot first."

Concentration....

"I think I'll take a mulligan on this one..."

My parents patio. A great backyard on the fourth fairway. The weather was perfect this weekend. It was actually hotter in Orange County than Borrego!

Can't wait to get back... Memorial Day?

Prayer of St. Francis

"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

Where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand;

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life."


St. Francis was born at Assisi in 1182. After a care free youth, he turned his back on inherited wealth and committed himself to God. Like many early saints, he lived a very simple life of poverty, and in so doing, gained a reputation of being the friend of animals.

Favorite quote for today...

"When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better. Concentrate on this sentence...The will of God will never take you where the grace of God will not protect you."

2 year old sings, "The Lord's Prayer" ~ Too cute!

Ice, Ice Baby...

I am obsessed with SONIC ice. It's hard to come by in the OC but plentiful elsewhere. I am in the Phoenix, AZ area this week and go to Sonic twice a day to get 44 oz. of iced tea... for the ice.

When I got to my hotel tonight (in lieu of proofreading my Thesis) I googled, "home Sonic pellet ice machine." I've got to buy one...

BUT... not for $4,300.00. I called to make sure it wasn't a typo. Nope. Four thousand three hundred dollars.

Guess I'll have to settle for crushed ice... :0(

The Last Lecture

Check out Dr. Pauch's Webpage at:

http://download.srv.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/

and watch his lecture...

Dr. Randy Pauch is a Computer Science professor at the Carnegie Mellon University. Everything about this 46 year professor, father of 3 kids look absolutely fine, except that he has pancreatic cancer and he is going to live, just for a few more months.

Wall street journal called it the “THE LECTURE OF A LIFETIME”. The talk filled with humor and enthusiasm lets you doubt, if this man is really going to die in a few days. In the lecture he talks about his life journey, from his love for stuffed animals, to his passion to work for Disney.
He tells why teaching is the best profession, for him it was a way to “enable the childhood dreams of others” – his students.

Some of his quotes:
“But remember, the brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the other people.”

“And I think that that’s one of the best things you can give somebody – the chance to show them what it feels like to make other people get excited and happy. I mean that’s a tremendous gift.”

“When you’ve had something for ten years that you hold so precious, it’s the toughest thing in the world to hand it over. And the only advice I can give you is, find somebody better than you to hand it to.”

“The best way to teach somebody something is to have them think they’re learning something else.”

“I, like Moses, get to see the promised land, but I won’t get to set foot in it.”

“I mean I don’t know how to not have fun. I’m dying and I’m having fun. And I’m going to keep having fun every day I have left. Because there’s no other way to play it.”

“How do you get people to help you? You can’t get there alone. People have to help you and I do believe in karma. I believe in paybacks. You get people to help you by telling the truth. Being earnest. I’ll take an earnest person over a hip person every day, because hip is short term. Earnest is long term. Apologize when you screw up and focus on other people, not on yourself.”

“Remember brick walls let us show our dedication. They are there to separate us from the people who don’t really want to achieve their childhood dreams. Don’t bail. The best of the gold’s at the bottom of barrels of crap.” – as my boss say ‘persistence man persistence, that makes all the difference.’

“When people give you feedback, cherish it and use it. Show gratitude. When I got tenure I took all of my research team down to Disneyworld for a week. And one of the other professors at Virginia said, how can you do that? I said these people just busted their ass and got me the best job in the world for life. How could I not do that?”

“Be good at something, it makes you valuable.”

“Find the best in everybody. One of the things that Jon Snoddy as I said told me, is that you might have to wait a long time, sometimes years, but people will show you their good side. Just keep waiting no matter how long it takes. No one is all evil. Everybody has a good side, just keep waiting, it will come out.”

“It’s not about how to achieve your dreams. It’s about how to lead your life. If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself. The dreams will come to you."

Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf

We took the cable car from Union Square over to Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39.
Ziad Sami

Melie and Ziad ~ we loved the public transit in San Fran. We took the BART, busses, taxis, the trolley AND did a lot of walking.

Sometimes I think he's a monkey...

The ROCK ~ Alcatraz. It was a pretty clear day and we could see a lot of the Bay. The Coast Guard was speeding by in speed boats, there were boaters and we even saw a crazy man swimming (without a wetsuit) while training for a tri-athalon.

Can't go to San Fran and NOT have clam chowder in a Bread bowl. It was a perfect way to warm us up. It was chilly out there!

We watched the sea lions for the longest time. They were so funny! I love how they just pile up on top of each other and sun all day long.

Ghiradelli Chocolate ~ San Francisco

Ghiradelli Square at night

Such a beautiful (but cold!) day

I didn't eat this ALL by myself...

And Ziad needed his own extra servings of hot fudge

Could've licked the glass...

The history of Ghiradelli
http://www.ghirardelli.com/about/history.aspx

Chocolate FAQ

http://www.ghirardelli.com/about/faq_chocolate.aspx

The future Mrs. Horton (aka Horton marries a Hugh(ie)

My cousin Megan is getting married this June to her long time sweetie, Dave. They will be tying the knot in Florence, Italy. Congrats Megs and Dave!


Hughie girls


My sweetnesses ~ Carly (6) and Lauren (4) at the shower


The hostesses gave a wonderful shower. Our take home gifts were these adorable lemon infused Italian olive oil.