Another Baby Quilt

Today was Ursula's baby shower. She makes me sick. She totally gorgeous even at 8 1/2 months pregnant. I hate her. o.k., not really.

Here's a picture of the baby quilt I made for the baby (he hasn't a name yet). As I was leaving I told her I hope she liked the quilt. She responded with, "I love it! I love everything you've made for me." Isn't that sweet?! Melted my heart.

I'm So Good I Scare Myself

Here we are, an hour and a half from my last post. I, along with my muse, have solved my fashion crisis. Minimal effort, great impact, zero dollars. I'll post a picture when I get one. Now I've got to figure out the cigarette holder idea. Hmmmmm...

It's here...Finally!

I'm really glad it's Friday. We worked last Saturday & lots of hours this week. I've got 11.5 hours OT for this week. Paycheck will be nice.

Lots planned for this weekend. Kaisara & I are helping Daryl move tomorrow. Church on Sunday then an afternoon baby shower for Kaisara's baby sister, Ursula. Before then I've got to finish my gift. I better make this a short post :-)

Amongst the weekend plans & by Monday morning I've got to come up with a swanky outfit for out program picture at work. We're gonna be in the bar area of Rouge, a French restaurant in Fashion Island. We're supposed to be Frenchy, stylish, glitsy, glamoury. Yeah, that's me to the tee right? If I had the time I could make something so cool everyone would be jealous. If I had the body & the money I could go buy something. I'm not really sure what I'm gonna do. It's a bummer that everyone there is dreading the photo shoot. Come on people! We're dressing up (if I find something that is) & having our picture taken in cool location. That could be totally fun if you were into it! Jeesh! Depending on what I come up with to wear, I wanna find a REALLY long cigarette holder like the one Audrey Hepburn carries in the party scene of Breakfast at Tiffanys. Such a great movie! If only I had her neck & arms.

Here's where I'm am right now

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

ROMANS 7:15-25 (New International Version)

Crap! Belated Again!

Happy Birthday to my PhD earner, marathon training, super cooker/baker, excellent wood chopper friend, Geoff! Sorry I'm late, but I hope you had a great day with your fam. Love you!

Maybe I'm Just Advanced For My Age

I HATE it when people whisper to someone else in front of me. I find it incredibly rude & childish. I'm sorry, I learned that that is considered rude in Kindergarten, maybe even earlier. You'd think that grown, menopausal, women would know better. Just go in the other room & talk about whatever it is you don't want me to know about. Heck, I'll even leave the room if you'd actually acknowledge my presence by some other way than whispering!

I Quit (...again)

Since I quite my useless patterning class I figured I was on a roll. Why not keep going? Okay, not really but I did cancel my gym membership. I just wasn't using it. There's a suprise! I really liked the gym, it's swanky & beautiful. They've got a ton of classes & tons of weights & machines. Yep, still quit. It was crazy expensive & my work schedule changes so much I could never attend a class with any regularity & I HATE weights. The only thing there I was using was the treadmill. I figured, "Hey, the sidewalk's free!" So I quit. This is the 4th gym membership that I've cancelled in my life. Obviously not any trimmer because of it. IDIOT!!!

Finished & Gone

This is a picture of a baby quilt I made. The pattern of the blocks is called "Ohio Star" (there's a shout-out for Crista!). Usually when I make a baby quilt it's for someone in particular & I've got to rush to finish it in time. Because of the rush, the quilts tend to be "charming". Last September I decided to start this quilt with no recipient in mind because I really wanted to take my time to make it nice. Whenever I finished it, however long that may have been, was fine. I figured the next baby in my life after completing it would be the one that it was meant for. I finished the quilt & a few days later was my friend Stacia's baby shower. There ya' go! It was meant to be Joseph Austin Jagich's quilt all along. I hope he likes it!

Up-Side of Blogging

Since starting this whole blog thing, I believe I've become more observant. Of my life and others'. Not that I'm constantly looking at my daily life for something to post about, but, maybe in a small way that's true. I believe that to be a positive thing.

I find myself really looking at me, my life, my surroundings rather than just getting to the end of the day. I can tell you that today I was silly, quiet, a little blue, content and ponderous (yes, all today). I can tell you that the hills going through Laguna Canyon are finally getting green & looked great next to the stormy yet sunny sky. I can tell you I LOVE my Bible study & my teacher. What an impact the study & Marci have made on my life. I can tell you I had Kashi cereal for breakfast, a nasty frozen thing for lunch & McDonald's for dinner. I can tell you that my friend got accepted to a writing MFA program & that I missed my friends at Sewing Circle desperately last night. It's not that ANY of this matters to ANY of you, but it's my life and I'm glad I'm noticing it more. Whether it's due to a blog or not I'm not sure, but, this silly thing hasn't hurt I guess.

Super Swank

Here a picture of My Dana. Oh, there's no type-o there, she's "my Dana". Has been for years. This is a picture of her in the dress I made for her work's Oscar Night themed fundraising gala. I was her core group leader when she was in high school & she wanted me to make her prom dress. Her mom said no & that was that. Now, years later, she needed a super swank dress & we got to colaborate. I'm please with how it turned out.

Popcorn & Snowflakes

As I was stuffing my face with microwave popcorn today, I realized something. Popped corn kernels are like snowflakes. Each one is unique. Cool. They're are very different. Good thing I'm an equal opportunity popcorn eater.

Does anyone else do this or is it just me? When starting to eat popcorn, I take one or two kernels. Then it's a few. Next is a small handful. Soon I find myself cramming as much as I can into my oral cavity. What's with that? Why does that happen? Everytime. Weird.

Can Peanut Butter Make Your Teeth Hot?

As if you all didn't already know it, Kaisara is a strange (but wonderful) person. I was excited to find reduced fat chunky peanut butter at the store so I bought some. I've only ever seen the reduced fat in creamy, so, I'm in once I found the chunky. I showed Kaisara my proud purchase & he proceeds to tell me he prefers creamy. Okay, no sweat. He didn't throw a fit at the chunky, he just prefers creamy. I'm the same but the other way around. But then he preceeds to tell me WHY he prefers creamy. "Chunky makes my teeth hot." WHAAAAAT!?!?!?!

I Quit

I've decided to quit my "ultra-lame lack of actual patterning class". I've been struggling about it for a while now. Okay, really since about the first half hour of the first class meeting. I'm just not learning. I've been trying to stick it out & not quit. Maybe she'll actually start teaching next time, or next time, or next time. I hate being a quitter. I hate teachers that don't teach even more.

I also didn't want to just throw away the $108 I paid for the class. Mom & Kaisara hit home today though. If I've already thrown away 108 big-ones why throw away my time on top of that? "Cut your losses."

DARN IT! Wasn't supposed to be like this. I was supposed to come out of that stupid class a patterning genius!

Another Birthday Greeting

Happy Birthday Ryan! I'm positive Ryan doesn't read my blog but I'm wishing him well on his day anyhow. And if he is by chance reading, hope your birthday was happy!

Ryan has never ridden a go-cart before. I'm not sure if being from South Africa has anything to do with that. Are there go-carts in South Africa? Hmmm... I'll have to ask him. Anyway, I'm hoping he's coming to the show on Friday cause we're suppose to race.

Belated but Sincere

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MELANIE!!! You are a delightful woman of the Lord. He smiles when he looks at you. May your year be filled with laughter & joy! Happy Birthday!

Great Tunes to Race By

All of my loyal readers (all two of you) are invited to go to Boomers in Irvine this Friday. It is their monthly "Family Fun and Fellowship Nights". Four Stories, aka The Daryl Smith Band, aka the band Kaisara plays in, is playing two sets. Check out this site for more information. They got the gig through our friend Charlie, who's band is also playing a couple sets.

Rumor has it that if you don't want to involve yourself in any of the activities there's no charge to get in. But if you do want to play mini-golf, race go-karts, etc., there's a charge. Please note that if you print out the page I linked you save $2 at the door. Even more of noting is the unlimited go-kart racing. Yeah, the music will be great but I'm going for the go-karts!

Cloud Peeping

Did anyone else in Southern California notice the AMAZING clouds this weekend? They were gorgeous! I had to be up & about at o-dark-hundred to drop Kaisara & Dana off at Daryl's Saturday morning. On the way home, the sun was starting to rise.

Let's all just stop right there for a moment & recognize that I was up, awake & functing enough to operate a vehicle before the sun was up. But I digress...

Anyway, as I was driving back home, & let's face it, back to bed, I could see the faintest outline of the clouds. That was so cool. It makes perfect sense, but I guess it never occurred to me that clouds are in the sky when it's dark. It was a very cool thing to see while driving southeast. The faintest outline of storm clouds getting more & more defined as the minutes went by.

On Sunday afternoon I headed back up to Daryl's to pick up my little muscians. The sky was so bright blue & the clouds huge and puffy. I was captivated by them. So beautiful. I've never been big on staring at clouds for shapes but yesterday shapes were just staring at me. First I saw a whale, then a turkey, next a teddy bear doing the backstroke then two teddy bears holding hands on their bellies. Like when parachuters are free falling before pulling their chutes open, laying on their bellies & grasping each others' hands. By the time I was finished looking at that one I noticed my turkey had changed. Gone forever. It was there just long enough for me to notice it & thank my Creator for the beauty of clouds.

On the way home I pointed out a hawk's head to Kaisara. What a great little thing to add to a regular ol' weekend!

Okie-Dokie, Ukiyo-e

We've started fittings on a huge piece this week. It's an Ukiyo-e. There are 20 kids in the piece total. That's 20 little ones (the oldest is in 8th grade) to get dressed, in make-up & in the set, out of the set, out of costume & out of make-up at once. At first, when they're all strangers it's not so bad. It gets hard by the end of summer when they've all become buddies. I better break out my riot gear.

Happy Birthday, Friend!

Today is Cat's birthday. The big 3-0. She's handling it well. I guess it doesn't hurt that we, her friends & family gave her a killer day on Saturday.

I picked her up to go to tea at The Huntington but not before secretly dropping Kaisara off at the Starbucks down the road. While Cat & I were en route to Pasadena, Kaisara's picked up by Cat's friend Shera to go to the house to start decorating for the party with Randy, Cat's hubby.

While getting on the freeway Cat & I are SNOWED upon! Yes, IT SNOWED IN FONTANA!!! That's just freakish. We had a lovely tea at the Huntington (though, I'm totally bummed I did have to rush it due to the other planned events). I handed Cat her "mission" (she's a huge "Alias" fan) that Dani planned & wrote, & sent her to the restroom with her disguise. She comes out & the host of the tea room hands her a HUGE Gerber daisy with her first clue of her mission.

So we drove all over downtown Pasadena picking up clues & running into friends all the while people are arriving at her house for the party. We get to the house & she's in total shock to see her home filled with family, friends, & co-workers. She screamed/cried for minutes. It was AWESOME!

Cat, I hope you enjoyed your day. In the words of my sister, "You've gotta be someone pretty special to have people from 3 different states come to your birthday party!"

I love you friend!

I Blame Melissa

Yep! It's her fault. She's the one who introduced me to the stuff. Oh she acted innocently enough. Years back on a camping trip, she acted sweet, offering to share one of her favorite snacks. "Sure, I'll try some" I said. She knew what she was doing. I'm totally addicted now. And now Costco has joined Melissa's scheme. They had a giant bag of it & of course I bought it. Now I'm trying to make it last through the weekend. Doubt I'll succeed. I've eaten so much of the addictive stuff I've got a canker sore on my tongue. Dang it!

Just don't try Veggie Booty. It tastes like grass.

Tea for Two

My beloved Cat is turning a milestone birthday on Monday. To celebrate with her, I'm taking her to The Huntington for tea. She and Dani treated me to tea there to celebrate my 30th birthday a 1 1/2 years ago. It was lovely. Each person gets their own pot of tea so you each can have your own flavor. Fresh baked scones & jam served at your table & the tea sandwiches, fruit & desserts are all on a buffet in the center of the room. SOOOOO delicious.

When we were there last, the gardens were closing so we only were able to walk around a little. I hear that it's supposed to rain on Saturday so we still may not see much.

Dani will be missed since she moved up to "silly ole' Washington". We three have celebrated our birthdays together for the last couple years. They're so great. They love me. I love them. Nice when that works out, huh? Dani's was the last birthday celebrated together. I guess that's appropriate since she's the one who moved away (stupid Washington). Guess Cat & I will just have to eat her share!

I'm really looking forward to Saturday. I've been bragging to my coworkers about it for a couple weeks now. I don't get to see Cat nearly enough & a good tea never hurts a milestone birthday. See you soon friend!

P.S.: Cat this is the most recent picture I have of the both of us & it's 2 years old. Something must be done.

Goodbye for Now

We got a call late last night that Kaisara's grandma died. We knew that it would be soon. We were all over at Kaisara's parents' house on Sunday & his Dad called her. She couldn't talk but Auntie Filoi turned the speaker phone on so she got to hear all of us,individually, tell her we love her. I'm glad we got to do that. I know it blessed her.

I'm sad for my father-in-law because I know he's hurting. But at the same time I'm so excited for Grandma. She has a brand new body, she doesn't hurt & she's in the presence of her King. Awesome.

I Like Me A VanGogh!

"The Sower" is the second of three VanGogh's we're doing at work this year. I love them. All of his paintings seem to have movement. Even his still lifes (or would it "lives"). We started working on the last one, "First Steps", this week. I'll be sorry to be done with them. They provide challenge but aren't mind bending to build. We do have some beautiful pieces left to build though. I can't believe we're already into March. Yikes!

Small, Medium & Large

Kaisara went to a computer seminar thingy for work today. It was free, breakfast & lunch were provided & he got to go on the clock for work. So he went. He didn't know this until last night but there would be a drawing for a free Ipod Nano at this thingy. Yep, he won it. One of three given away. Now we've got 3 sizes of Ipod technology. Small-my shuffle. Medium-his new Nano. Large-his full size Ipod. Man are we geeked out or what?!

I can deal with this

You Are Kermit

Hi, ho! Lovable and friendly, you get along well with everyone you know. You're a big thinker, and sometimes you over think life's problems. Don't worry - everyone know's it's not easy being green. Just remember, time's fun when you're having flies!

The Muppet Personality Test

African Violet-Take 2

So it took me over two years but I finally did it. I killed the African Violet Amy, my boss at SCR, gave me for Christmas 2004. I'm really rather pleased with myself that it lasted as long as it did. I give all the credit to the self watering pot I put it in after almost killing it a half dozen times. But early last week I decided it needed more light so I put it on the patio. Then came the unseasonably 85+ weather, I forgot about it & that's that.

Pictured here is my new little violet. Perhaps she'd do better with a name. The last one was a boy but never got a name. Maybe he got sick of being nameless. Gotta think on a name for my new one. No her name ISN'T Violet, Rose or Hyacinth, all far too obvious. She looks sorta like an Alice. Hmmmm...I found her at the 99 cent store so I'm not holding my breath on her to much.

Typical!

I'm taking a patterning class. Our first project is for a knit garment. So for our PATTERN DRAFTING class we've got to first design a knit garment, then pattern it & then build it. After designing my piece (why am I designing in a patterning class?) she decides it's got to be something cute & flashy to put in the school's fashion show (why am I, a student enrolled in a pattern drafting class, building stuff for your stupid fashion show? ) So now I've got to make some changes to my design as it wasn't a whole outfit (she never said it had to be 'til after the fact). AND after looking through my bins & bins & bins of fabric...I don't have any knits!!!!! I'M GOING TO HAVE TO BUY SOMETHING!!!!!!!!!! ARRRGGGGGHHHHH!

Good Eats

Man I love food! Darn it! Kaisara & I tried a couple new restaurants this week. Avila's El Ranchito. Tasty! It's a little Mexican food place (ok, so that was obvious) that's not far from out house. We've driven by it tons of times & always comment that it looks like a place we'd like to try. Not a big franchise or chain but not a scary hole in the wall. Walking up to the place we couldn't really tell where the entrance was. After being seated, we couldn't tell if we were in an enclosed patio or part of the actual building. So it was a little bizarre. The food was great, the servers were friendly & the whole joint was super clean. They had all this stuff all over the place, knick-knacks, house plants, dried blow fish, etc. We didn't see a speck of dust on any of it.

Yesterday we had a realtor flyer on our porch. "I can sell your house, blah, blah, blah..." But wait, what's this? I flyer from a new pizza joint with news of a free small cheese pizza? Count us in! After taking a kickboxing class we went for our free pizza (great timing, I know.) The flyer was signed by "Allan" so when a friendly guy welcomes us to his empty restaurant, we ask, & yes, he's Allan. We gave him our flyer & also ordered a spinach salad to split (hey man, we're working out!) The salad was great, the home made dressing was great & the pizza was awesome. He came out & chatted with us & bit. We chatted about New York (he's from Brooklyn). No wonder his pizza's so good. Looks like we got a new pizza place!

It's a beaut!

So we started fittings on this piece at work, "The Marriage License" by the amazing Norman Rockwell. I just love his stuff. They're so real & full of character. The hardest part about this piece for Mary & I has been, amazingly enough, the woman's shoes. You'd think light colored round-toe pumps with a slim heel would be everywhere. Nope. We've been all over cyberspace & tons of stores. We finally settled on a shoe from Target. What gets me is that a month from now, those stupid shoes are gonna be everywhere. Oh well.

We've also been working on three Ragini prints. Here is an example of a Ragini. I don't much care for them but they're giving me practice at what Pageant calls "skirt bags". (I know you miss them already don't you Marcy?)

This week I start a patterning class at Santa Ana College. I'm looking forward to having some official patterning instruction under my belt. I'm not, however, looking forward to homework. Hey! maybe I'll be so good I'll finish all of my work in class! Here's hoping!

Happy Birthday Brendon!

So today is my friend, Brendon's birthday. Welcome to 31 my friend! It's not so bad.

I've known Brendon now for at least 10 years now. We served as High School Youth Group Staff at Woodbridge together. He & Kaisara were the worship leaders there for years. He was one of Kaisara's four groomsmen at our wedding. It's lovely to be able to look back at your life & see a constant & steady friendship with someone you don't necessarily spends loads of time with. Thanks Brendon & I hope your day is a happy one!

By the way, this photo is of Brendon playing charades at Dana's birthday beach bonfire. Yes, it's true, I witnessed Brendon playing charades. He did well too!

And in the morning, I'm making waffles!

So for a while now Kaisara's been wanting waffles. Of course when you go to a restaurant, they only serve waffles of the Belgium variety & that's not what he's been jonesen for. Nothing against Belgium but he's wanting WAFFLES!

So a couple weeks ago I surprised him & bought a waffle iron. We've used it twice now. I've forgotten how tasty those things are. Like pancakes but a little crispy & airy. Delicious! That little donkey really knew what he was taking about.

Aloha Marcy!

Yesterday was Marcy's last day at Pageant. As the costume director there for 20 years, she was my boss. She's been saving to move to the big island of Hawaii for years now & this is her year. She flies out Monday morning. All of us went to her favorite restaurant, San Shi Go.

She's given me tons of fabric, books, 2 dress forms & a few little broaches. Nice huh? Now I've got to find room for it all.

I've given her this blog address & know she's already stopped by to take a look. Hopefully she'll drop in now & then to stay in touch. I know we'll see her in a few weeks though as her mom has been diagnosed with cancer. Bummer :-(

See you soon Marcy & ALOHA! I'll keep praying for you & your mom.

When In Rome...

Four jobs you've had in your life: retail (Gap Kids & Rand McNally), Secretary/Receptionist (there's almost 9 years of my life), theatrical costumer. I know that's only 3 but that's all I got. Sorry.

Four movies you could watch over and over: A&E's Pride & Predjudice, Fight Club, Moulin Rouge & Star Wars, A New Hope. How's that for variety?!

Four places you've lived: house in Santa Ana, CA, an apartment in Tustin, CA, another an apartment in Tustin, & our condo in Lake Forest, CA

Four TV shows you love(d) to watch: Wonder Woman when I was little, All Creatures Great & Small when I was a little older, In Living Color in high school, Alias most recently (seasons 1 & 2 on DVD)

Four places you've been on vacation: Grand Canyon (north rim), Big Sur (3 times), New York City (twice), Auckland, New Zealand (though it wasn't really a "vacation")

Four websites you visit daily: My email, & my friends' blogs.

Four of your favorite foods: Cereal, Pizza, Pasta, & nachos.

Four places you'd rather be: Vacationing with Kaisara, Sewing Circle, on an all expenses paid shopping spree for my home or working on my scrapbook with my sister.

Spaghetti Brains

I've decided to take a brake from multi-tasking (or as is often the case for me, multi-multi-tasking). I made the unsettling realization this weekend that I'm incapable of not doing it. I'm all jumbled up. While at work, I'm doing my task, talking to someone about another task, listening to the other conversations in the room, and thinking of about 4 different other things. Seriously. That can't be healthy. I was in church this weekend, singing a worship song I love. Yep, didn't get through verse one with out half a dozen different thoughts or scenarios going through my head. Prayer, sermon, movie watching, eating breakfast. Same thing. I going to try to do one thing & one thing only at a time to see if that helps me focus.

LOVED IT!

So Daryl let me borrow "Batman Begins". AWESOME! I wanted to watch it again before it was even half over. Tonight may be my chance. Thanks Daryl!

Great Way to End the Week

So I had a 3:30 fitting today on a costume that I didn't cut ("Artist on the Road to Tarascon" by Van Gogh.). That's always a little scary since you don't know what the cutter had in mind. So in the guy comes, very nice, a first year volunteer. The costume doesn't fit wonderfully but they rarely do here. I ask Mary for some advice, we work together on making it the best we can right then. We go up to the set fitting. Imagine daunting music here. The master carpenter, the director, me & Mary & the artists are all there (more daunting music). But no! What's this I hear? Birds chirping, harps lilting in the background? Everyone there had input, questions & suggestions. Could be totally daunting but no. There were no chips on shoulders, there was no two edged silence, there were no attitudes. Just a group of people trying to do their job to turn out the best possible product as a team. Who'da thunk!

What a great was to end was at times a hellish week. Thank you for your prayers, they were truly felt. Praise you Jesus!

First Piece of the Season

So here's the first piece that I'm working on this season for the Pageant. I LOVE it. It's call El Jaleo. It was painted by John Singer Sargent with oil in 1880 and is 8' x 11.5'. Ours will be even larger. He also painted Mr. and Mrs. I.N. Phelps-Stokes, a painting which I also really, really like. Mom & I saw it in the Met when we were there in September 2004. It's huge. I think pretty close to life-size.

The costumes in El Jaleo are totally boring to build (Pageant style), but I love the painting. Can't you just hear it? I can hear the instruments playing, the song being sung, & the sound of the dancer's shoes on the wooden floor. I can hear the people who are watching whispering comments to each other. I can hear other musicians tuning their instruments for their piece to perform for the onlookers. I can hear hands clapping, drinks being enjoyed & a good time being had by all. I can hear the dancer breathing, I can hear the fringe on her shawl brushing against her skirt. Anyway, I love this painting. I'm glad I get to build it.

Day 3

So today was my 3rd full day at work & I've already cried. Luckily I was able to suck it up 'til I got home. Not sure what to do. Please pray for me.

Guess what I got last night?

Yep! A godson.

Back in December Kaisara & I were chatting about a how I've been wanting to go to a new restaurant called Original Mike's. (Well it's not new now but when I started wanting to go it was.) So Kaisara comes up with, out of the blue, we'll go on January 14th. "What's January 14th?", I ask. "Why, do you have something planned?", he asks back. No I didn't, but it was just sorta random of him to pull January 14th outta his hat to go to this restaurant. Didn't think anything of it. Then 2 weeks ago he starts saying not to make plans for what was last night. Didn't occur to me it was the same random date that he came up with a month ago. He won't tell me anything for a few days 'til I finally got him to cough up that we're going to Original Mike's & that others would be with us. Cool. So on our way to the restaurant we get off of the freeway. Oh! Got it! Jen & Greg are going with us. Cool! We walk up to their door, I look in the window while knocking & who is on their couch...MELISSA! We go in the house & who is on my sister's lap...Elijah!

We haven't seen Geoff & Melissa since Chris & Ashley's wedding a year & 1/2 ago & we've never met their beautiful son. So it all comes out that Geoff, Melissa, Greg & Kaisara have been plotting this little surprise since November. My sister & I? Completely in the dark. Those dirty rats!

So we chat for a while & then head out to the restaurant. Geoff unfortunately wasn't there as he was at a super duper magnet training course for his work. Yes, that's right, my friend Geoff is Doctor Geoff to you! While at dinner Melissa asked us, on her & Geoff's behalf, if the four of us, Jen, Greg, Kaisara & I would be Elijah's godparents. After asking what that meant to them, we very happily accepted & we all feel honored. Thank you Geoff & Melissa for the honor & the responsibility. I will do my very best to be a good godmother.

Please feel free to look at my online photo albums for pictures of my beautiful godson & of our great surprise evening.

Never Get A Husky

See that matching puppy laying in front of Lucky? Yeah, that's not a puppy. That's his shedding fur!! ARGH! I brushed him for as long as he could stand it & the stupid fur showed no signs of diminishing. The fur in the pile pictured does not include the insane amounts that are now blowing around the house, what's is now covering me from head to foot, or what I ingested during the de-furring process. I try to take another go at it tonight. Maybe Lucky's puppy needs a friend.

Happy Birthday Melissa!

I haven't seen you in ages & miss you lots. I heard a song with a cowbell in it & thought of you! I miss our camping trips and you skunking Jen & me in Cribbage. By the way everyone, she can count cards! Her grandma taught her. That's a cool skill. I think if you've got it, you should be able to use it. Anyway, Melissa, I hope your birthday was wonderful. Consider yourself hugged. Love ya!

My top photos of 2005

With Grandma in New Zealand in November

Our niece, Tiana, too tired for dessert.

At Dana's birthday bonfire in September.

Brand new nephew in July. Iosua Lee Esera

At Ursula & Andrew's wedding in June. We're hot huh?!

On a hike at Anza Berrego in April

No witty title coming to mind

So today was a good day. Long but good. Earlier this week I finally got around to making a haircut appointment. Tim actually had an opening for today so I don't need to tell you how cute I am right now. My hair appointment was at 7:30, that's AM people. It's o.k....Be shocked & amazed. I was awake before 7 on a Saturday. I'm never even awake before 7 during the week.

So from my hair appointment I went into work (looking cute of course!). I usually don't have to go into work but our show's 1st audience is tomorrow so Amy asked if I'd be willing to go in for a few hours to do some notes. Since I couldn't work Monday due to the holiday & don't get paid for holidays, I jumped at the hours. So I worked at SCR from 9-1 all the while looking cute with my new hair cut & got a fair amount of work done. Yeah me!

From work I stopped by Marci & Denny's house for the open house party they were having for Mark, Alissa & Emma. Praise JESUS Emma is doing so great. A whole 7 pounds now. At almost 6 months old she's smaller than a lot of newborns. She's amazing. Anyway, I was at the party for almost a 2 hours. Ate some tasty food, got caught up with a few people & had a great time.

From the Ford's I went home, announced to Kaisara (after, of course, he noticed my cute hair cut) that I was taking a nap. Did I mention that I was up before 7AM? I got in bed he gave me a kiss on the forehead (I love that) & I was OUT for over an hour. I would have slept longer but I asked Kaisara to wake me up. I LOVE naps. Naps are so great!

I got up, freshened my cute hair & left for casting call at the Pageant. Casting call's fun. I get to see a lot of my peeps from the summer & ever so briefly touch base with them. I'm not sure how many people I measured tonight. Lots. I love my job. I get to put my arms around handsome guys (chest measurement yah' know) & no one can say a word.

So hear I am now finally getting around to letting you all know what's up with me. So there you go. I'm good. (did I mention my cute haircut?)

What a 3 days!

So here's my 2006 so far: Found out yeserday that my dear friends Debbi & Eric had their first baby! Yeah! Jakob Robert Dean. I'm so happy for them!

Next, found out this morning that my sister-in-law's boyfriend's father died. He's been quite ill with cancer and we knew that he'd be passing soon, but, wow, that was soon. The service is Thursday evening & I'm glad Kaisara & I can go to support Aipolo.

This evening we got a call informing us that Kaisara's Aunt Filoi's 6 month old baby died. We've no other details than they took him to the hospital & he died. They live in Western Samoa so getting details is sorta sketchy.

Now we're told that Baldi, a family member of Kaisara's mom probably won't live to the weekend. Man! What 3 days can bring you!

Please pray for Kaisara's family as they are dealing with these deaths as well as his Dad's 2 good friends several months ago & the coming passing of Grandma.

"The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." Even when it hurts.

The Waters' Edge

For the past few months I've been attending "The River", a church plant within a church at Lake Hills Community Church in Laguna Hills. This coming Sunday, January 8th, is The River's official kick-off. If any of you are looking for a congregation to worship with or are interested in where I've been attending, please come! There will be lots of new people so you won't feel like the only newbie. I'd love to see you there!

Happy New Year

So the new year has brought me a sick hubby. Kaisara is putting the blame on Melanie since she was coming down with something at Diedrich's on Friday (but her hair looked great)& at Dana's party on Saturday. I hope he's better soon & selfishly & more importantly, I hope I don't get it. I went out & got him orange juice & day-quil. Hope that kills it quick.

Happy New Year everyone!

All Wrapped Up...or not

So I'm done. Christmas shopping is done. I've only 2 more stocking stuffers to wrap. Yeah!!! I think this may be a record. Of course the last few years we've drawn names with Kaisara's family so that has cut the shopping down dramatically. Uh-oh...while typing this I realized... though we buy savings bonds for our nieces & nephew we usually get them a tiny something too, candy or the like. We haven't got "candy or the like yet"!! CRAP!!!! Back out I go!

Family is for Fun

So Monday was spent at Disneyland & California Adventure with Kaisara, Mom, Dad, Jen, & Greg. We had such a great time! To start the day off right was all 6 of us getting in for free. I referred a coworker of mine to Kaisara's brother for a good deal on tires so as a "thank you", her hubby signed 3 of us in. My sister has a client that as a "thank you" had a friend of hers sign 3 of us in. There ya' go! Sweet!

None of us had been to California Adventure before. Kaisara, Dad & I got in before the rest (their contact was late) so dad & I forged ahead to do a little "product research". You know, for the common good of the people :-) We found California Screamin' to be a GREAT roller coaster & promptly went on it again with the rest of the group. So fast, so smooth, & very entertaining. We all also really enjoyed Soaring over California. What a neat thing! Poor Greg has no sense of smell so he couldn't enjoy the added feature of the smell-o-vision.

The Haunted Mansion, Nightmare Before Christmas style was the thing that got us there in the first place. Jen's been wanting to see it ever since they started doing it. It was great. I can't believe how much they change it. No wonder they close it & start setting it up in September.

We had such a great day. We ended it with candy, cookies, hot tea & coffee while watching the AWESOME fireworks show. Feel free to check out a few pictures from our day in my photo album.

The day was "practically perfect in everyway!"

My man, the husband of a costumer

So not unlike many other mornings, I didn't see Kaisara before he left for work in the morning. He gets home at about 6:30 last night & almost immediately I notice something about the t-shirt he was wearing. I ask him, "Kaisara, have you been wearing your shirt like that all day?" He says, "Yeah why?" & looks at it. I reply, "IT'S INSIDE-OUT!!" Wait, it gets better...So we leave for bible study & I'm telling my sister the story & look over at my man, the husband of a costumer, and notice it's still inside-out! He didn't even change it! We cracked up! So he SOOOO aloha sometimes! What a weirdo. I love him to pieces!

Just Life

So I'm off of work for a week and a half. I start back at SCR next Thursday. This is a horrid time of year to not be working due to the lack of paycheck but it's a great time of year to be off of work to take care of life.

Seen a few movies: "Just Friends" (liked it), "Star Wars Episode III" (liked it alot more than I thought I would. very exciting), "Swingers" (very slow), "War of the Worlds" (liked it better than I thought I would), "Be Cool" (didn't like it, again), "Charlie & the Chocolate Factory" (liked it). Still gotta see "Batman Begins" (by the way Daryl, can I borrow yours?)

Finally got started on the Christmas shopping. Can't disclose anything here. It might ruin a suprise or two. I've still no idea what to get Kaisara. Feel free to check out my wish list.

I've gone to the gym twice. Can't even cough my abs are so sore. Gotta keep going though. I hate it there. Is there any physical activity that is interesting that doesn't make you hate yourself & want to leave crying?

Have to make some HUGE banners for church. I'm a little unmotivated on this though. They've changed things a bit & now they're not sure where they want them to hang but they know they want them. What if I spend all this time on them & they get scrapped. That'd suck.

Helping my mom with computer stuff for the things she's gotta do for her lawyer. I'm glad I can help but am terrified of making a mistake. We've got an appointment this afternoon.

Worked on my scrapbook twice in one week. Got up to this past summer. I'm not as far behind as I thought. Never mind the trillion NZ pictures that are daunting me.

So that's what's going on with me while not working. Tons to do.

In pure Melissa fashion I'll close with a quote from my favorite Christmas movie:

Clark: Oh, I was just smelling - smiling. I was just blouse - browsing. I, uh, heh heh. Well, I guess it just wouldn't... Oh hee hee, it wouldn't be the Christmas shopping season if the stores were any less hooter than they - HOTTER than they are. Whew. It is warm in here, isn't it?
Mary: You have your coat on.
Clark: Yes, oh do I? Yeah, it is a bit nipply out. I mean nippy.
Chevy Chase in "Christmas Vacation"

Up & Running

After much trial, I've finally got our pictures from New Zealand here for you to take a look if you'd like. On the side bar is a new section called "Take a Look". That's where they are & any other photos I feel like sharing will be. Feel free to check in & comment on those too!

Prepare yourself, it's a long post

Sorry it's been so long to post. You get off of a plane & hit the ground running don't you? As I said before (at least I think I did) Kaisara & I had a really neat time in New Zealand. As soon as my little computer Nazi helps me set up a photo album on line I'll post more pictures. Meanwhile, here's a breakdown of our week in NZ:

Monday: Arrived at Auckland airport at 8:00am their time. Auntie Vaisola picked us up & dropped us of at Auntie Siva's house. There we hung out most of the day seeing Grandma, meeting family never met before & basically just recouping from the 12 1/2 hour flight. (BTW: Air New Zealand is awesome! The people are super helpful, the food's great & their blanket & pillows are soft). After figuring out we all wouldn't be able to stay at Auntie's house we started hunting for a hotel. After calling around for prices, we decided on a place in the city for about $175 US. We pulled up & soon found out The Langham Hotel was ranked with 5 stars. SWEET!!!! They had the world's best shower head. Our doorman, Ross, was great. After settling in we headed back to Auntie's house for the evening Loku (short family worship service consisting of a hymn, a long prayer, another hymn). Even though it's all done in a language I can't understand, I love the Loku. Every time a sit through one, I tear up. Many of their hymns use the same tune as us so I just sing along in English.

Tuesday: Started the day with an AWESOME buffet at our hotel. Then walked down Queens Street (sort of like State St. in Santa Barbara. Shops, restaurants, repeat). Got a couple of neat things including a jade Maori hook for our awesome dog/house sitter Crista. We walked all the way to the water's edge & then back up (seriously steep hill) back to our hotel. We then headed back to Auntie's house for more family time & yes another Loku.

Wednesday: Kaisara's mom, sister & her 2 boys met us at the hotel for our second breakfast buffet. Kaisara & I tried Vegemite. NAAAAASTY! We've decided it tastes a lot like how we imagine used motor oil mixed with road tar would taste. His cousin told us this summer that it was "a beautiful flavor". Man, what would ugly taste like?! We then took our hotel's shuttle to the water front hopped onto a ferry for Devonport. We only walked up & down the main street as Kaisara's mom's back has been giving her trouble so she couldn't go far. I did buy some beautiful New Zealand wool yarn there though. As I'm just learning to knit I'm not sure what it'll become. After getting back to our hotel we had to check out. SIGH. It was just too far from the family. We had to get a place closer. Not that we planned this but, a little advice, never go from a 5 star hotel to a Best Western. It's just plain depressing. The Best Western was clean & quiet but come on, it's no 5 star joint. Auntie Vaisola picked us up from our new pad (SIGH) & took us to her house. Her ladies fellowship group from church was having a prayer meeting there for Grandma. About 15 ladies there signing hymns, the pastor giving a short message & lengthy prayer (these people mean business when they pray. None of our short & sweet stuff). Auntie Vaisola had me be a part of the Sua (kinda like a gift exchange ceremony). Everyone laughed at the quiet white girl not sure of what she was doing (yes, I'm known as quiet in some circles). I felt it an honor to be included in their cultural tradition & was quite overwhelmed by the whole thing.

Thursday: We reserved the whole day to be with the family. I taught Kaisara's mom to play solitaire, taught one of the Auntie's to knit. She was better at it than me. After declining a ride to the park, Kaisara's sister & her boys & I walked there. It was across the street & down a block. They were shocked we didn't want a lift there. Funny. They also offered to drive us to the corner market. I don't even think it was 100 yards. I thought we southern Californian's drove everywhere. Anyway, I had fun with Luanei & her boys playing on the monkey bars, slides & swings. Back to the house for dinner & Loku.

Friday: We took a tour to the Shire. We stopped at several places along the way bout our destination was definately the jewel. SO BEAUTIFUL. So green it hurts your eyes. 17 of the original 20 something Hobbit holes are left. The set is on a working sheep farm & as it was spring there were lots of lambs around. They are so cute. Sheep everywhere. The farm was 30,000 acres, an average size for a sheep farm & had about 12,000 sheep on it. Anyway, we saw the Hobbit holes, the party tree & lake, the tree where Gandolf sets off fire works from his cart for the kids, & the sites of several other moments of the movie that took place in or near the Shire. Back to Auntie's house for dinner & Loku.

Saturday: We went to the flea market. I got a purse (of course), a picture frame, a few necklaces, earrings for my sister, a sheep for my mom (she collects them), Kaisara got a t-shirt & the most bizarre looking corn dog you've ever seen. Uncle Fred then took us site seeing. He took us to their equivalent of Crystal Cove or Newport Coast. Tony, Kaisara's brother noticed there wasn't a Samoan anywhere. Which is odd because there are more Samoan's in New Zealand than there are in Samoa. We then went to an aquarium with an underwater tunnel to look at shark, stingray & fish up close. Super cool. He then took us to Sky Tower. It's sorta like The Stratosphere. A hotel with a big giant needle. The observation deck is 64 floors up & part of the floor is glass so you're standing on what seems nothing between you & the concrete, which is a long way down. We bought a couple souvenirs & then headed to the top of a dormant volcano which had cattle grazing in it. Then over to 1 tree hill, which as of 4 years ago doesn't have a tree. They had to cut it down for some reason. Gorgeous views though. Very cold & windy up there. Uncle Fred & Auntie Vaisola then took the entire family out to dinner. There were 24 of us. That had to be scary for the restaurant. A group of 24 Samoans at an all you can eat buffet. Wow!

Sunday: We went to church. A little of it was in English so that was a nice surprise. Kaisara's cousin & aunt are on the worship team & Uncle Fred gave the "notices". We then went to Auntie Vaisola & Uncle Fred's house to hang out & say goodbye. Grandma had to leave to go rest before it was time for us to head to the airport. She told me that she knew she'd see me again. I told her that I knew she would too. Just think, the next time Kaisara & I will see her will be in Glory. She'll have a brand new body & we'll be able to talk with her without any language barrier. That'll be cool.

Home Sweet Home

Well we're back. Sorry for the lack of updates while we were gone. Access to the internet is not so easy in New Zealand. We are so glad we went, we are so glad to be home & we have so much laundry to do. More to follow soon. Thanks for all of your prayers.

Real Quick

Almost outta time for being online. we're here safe. grandma's good. here's a picture of us with her. we even got her to smile for a photo. almost unheard of. more to post later.

"Hi, my name is Tootsie Lickinhump"

The following in excerpted from a children's book, "Captain Underpants And the Perilous Plot Professor Poopypants" by Dave Pilkey, in which the evil Professor forces everyone to assume new names...

1. Use the third letter of your first name to determine your new first name:

a = snickle
b = doombah
c = goober
d = cheesey
e = crusty
f = greasy
g = dumbo
h = farcus
i =dorky
j = doofus
k = funky
l = boobie
m = sleezy
n = sloppy
o = fluffy
p = stinky
q = slimy
r = dorfus
s = snooty
t = tootsie
u = dipsy
v = sneezy
w = liver
x = skippy
y = dinky
z = zippy

2. Use the second letter of your last name to determine the first half of your new last name:

a = dippin
b = feather
c = batty
d = burger
e = chicken
f = barffy
g = lizard
h =waffle
i = farkle
j = monkey
k = flippin
l = fricken
m = bubble
n = rhino
o = potty
p = hamster
q = buckle
r = gizzard
s = lickin
t = snickle
u = chuckle
v = pickle
w = hubble
x = dingle
y = gorilla
z = girdle

3. Use the third letter of your last name to determine the second half of your new last name:

a = butt
b = boob
c = face
d = nose
e = hump
f = breath
g =pants
h = shorts
i = lips
j = honker
k = head
l = tush
m = chunks
n = dunkin
o = brains
p = biscuits
q = toes
r = doodle
s = fanny
t = sniffer
u = sprinkles
v = frack
w = squirt
x = humperdinck
y = hiney
z = juice

Thus, for example, Abraham Lincoln's new name would be Dorfus Lipsdunkin.

Comment & let me know what your new name is!

It's a go!

My passport arrived in the mail today! PRAISE JESUS! Now we can buy our plane tickets & get ready to go. Thanks for your prayers. I'll keep you updated with details as I get them. All I know now is that we're leaving on Saturday, Nov. 5th & returning Sunday, Nov. 13th.

We've no idea where we're staying & won't 'til we get there. All of the family is saying there's room to stay with them but Kaisara's dad is not so sure. We'll get there, have the family ceremony & then evaluate things regarding accommodations. They would love for us to stay with them, they want to be hospitable but they may be putting too much pressure on themselves because there's tons of other family there visiting & staying with them. We'll see. I'll look to this as an exercise for my task master/plan maker self to just relax. Here goes nothin'!

Request Denied

So here we are trying to plan a trip to New Zealand to see Grandma & say goodbye & I still don't have a passport. Before all of this was coming down I had applied for one knowing that this trip would be coming up sooner or later. I had no idea of how sooner it would be since they said I'd have my passport by the 3rd week in November, so I didn't put the $60 rush on it. Then when this Grandma stufff started happening, I put a rush on it & they said I'd have it by yesterday or today. Guess what? I don't. I called them & they said my request for the rush was denied. She said it looks like it's pretty much through processing but then it'd take 3-5 business days to receive it in the mail. WHAT!!!! I told you I gotta go on November 5th!!!! She put an URGENT message on it to mail it priority overnight but she said they might stick it in snail mail before they see the message & then there's nothing they can do?

Why in the world did I assume this whole process would go smoothly? I was being so proactive by applying for the stupid thiing before I even needed it! AAARRRGGGGH!

Please pray that my passport miraculously appears so that I can buy our tickets to go. But above all... the LORD's will be done.

Thanks guys!

16 times 2

So I'm a bad wife. I'm totally late in posting this but..."Happy Birthday Kaisara!" Friday was his birthday & he's now 32. Last year he went all day thinking he was 32 'til I corrected him at dinner. He said that was his best present ever. He got a year younger in seconds. But this time it's for real. He's actually 32. Well this year I couldn't make him a year younger but upon his request, I ordered him personalized license plates for his newly painted firebird (look back soon for photos). He wanted "79FBIRD". Well, they were available & now they're not 'cause he's got 'em!

To prove he's the best husband ever I'll let you know that we agreed to going to my show's opening to see my red dress & vest that I totally freaked myself out over.

Happy Birthday Boy! Thanks for spending part of your day on me. I owe ya'!

A Whole Different Hemisphere

So I've never been outside of the good ol' U.S. of A. (other than 2 Mexico orphanage trips). Looks like my first time out will be to New Zealand.

Kaisara's grandma who lives in Western Samoa has really advanced breast cancer. The doctor's there are on strike & so she has no access to pain management. She's flying over to New Zealand where she's got another doctor (& kids to stay with) for what we hope are some major pain drugs. Anyway, we're going to fly out to see her for what looks like the last time. She was just here in June for Ursula's wedding but now we've got to say goodbye. Well, it's more like "See you later" as I know that she is a believer & is looking forward to seeing Jesus in Glory. How cool is that going to be for her. To go from endless, unrelenting pain to the open arms of her Savior. Super cool!

The rest of Kaisara's family is flying out November 1st. I can't leave until after work on the 4th. So we're not exactly sure what we're doing (other than charging it because it's going to be wicked expensive).

Kaisara & I were planning on seeing New Zealand next fall. Hoping to see lots of family, lots of sheep (that's inevitable there) & maybe even finding the Shire. Probably won't see much of anything this trip. That's fine though. I'd rather see Grandma.

Please pray for our safety, our finances, our health, & our ability to bring the comforting Spirit of the Lord to our family who are going to be hurting.

Big Sister's Big Day

Happy Birthday to the best sister ever! MINE! Jen's birthday is today but we're all going to lunch after church on Sunday to celebrate. It's pretty fitting that I started on her Christmas present the day before her birthday & I only got her birthday present the day before that. AHH planning!

I love you Mer! Happy Birthday!

Nothing else to blog

"X" your confessions

[ ] I am bisexual
[ ] I am homosexual
[ ] I've run away from home
[ ] I listen to political talk radio
[ ] I collect comic books.
[ ] I shut others out when I'm sad
[ ] I open up to others easily
[ ] I am keeping a secret from the world
[ ] I watch the news
[ ] I own over 5 rap CDs
[ ] I own something from Hot Topic.
[ ] I love Disney movies.
[ ] I am a sucker for hair/eyes.
[X] I don't kill bugs. i feel guilty if i do
[ ] I curse regularly.
[ ] I have "x"s in my screen name.
[ ] just to be funny I've slipped out a "lol" in a real conversation
[ ] I love Spam.
[X] I bake well cheesecake anyone?
[ ] I would wear pajamas to school
[X] I have a job LOVE it
[ ] I love Martha Stewart.
[x] I am in love/like with someone. For over 1/2 of my life now.
[x] I am guilty of tYpInG lIkE tHiS i usually try to correct it though
[x] I am self conscious. if you're not, i find you amazing
[x] I like to laugh. 'til it hurts
[ ] I smoke.
[ ] I loved Go Ask Alice.
[ ] I have cough drops when I'm not sick.
[ ] I can't swallow pills.
[x] I have many scars. seems like i'm adding to my collection weekly
[x] I've been out of this country just tijuana & ensanada. hope to add to that list soon.
[X] I believe in ghosts never seen one though
[ ] I can't sleep if there is a spider in the room
[X] I am really ticklish don't even try it!
[x] I love chocolate. if you don't. i find you crazy!
[ ] I bite my nails.
[ ] I am comfortable with being me.
[ ] I play computer games/video games when I'm bored
[ ] Gotten lost in the city.
[x] Saw a shooting star. few weeks ago actually
[X] I had a serious Surgery. does reattaching a tendon count?
[x] Gone out in public in your pajamas. senior year of hight school. what a dork!
[ ] I have kissed a stranger.
[x] Hugged a stranger. though i try to avoid "hugger man" at church
[ ] been in a fist fight with the same sex.
[ ] Been arrested.
[ ] Laughed and had milk/soda come out of your nose
[ ] Pushed all the buttons on an elevator
[ ] Made out in an elevator
[ ] Swore at your parents.
[ ] Kicked a guy where it hurts.
[ ] Been skydiving
[ ] Been bungee jumping.
[X] Broken a bone. 4 & dislocated 3 joints
[ ] Played spin the bottle.
[X] Gotten stitches there's that whole reattaching the tendon thing again
[ ] Drank a whole gallon of milk in one hour
[x] Bitten someone that's how you fight with a sister right?
[ ] Been to Niagara Falls.
[x] Gotten the chicken pox. twice!
[ ] Crashed into a car.
[ ] Been to Japan
[ ] Ridden in a taxi.
[ ] Shoplifted.
[ ] Been fired.
[x] Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back if you haven't. i find you lucky.
[ ] Stole something from your job.
[ ] Gone on a blind date.
[ ] Had a crush on a teacher/coach.
[ ] Celebrated Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
[ ] Been to Europe.
[ ] Slept with a co-worker.
[x] Been married 8 years, & almost 3 months
[ ] Gotten divorced.
[x] Saw someone/something dying stepped on a baby chick once. it was horrible
[x] Driven over 400 miles in one day. 6 years in youth ministry. need i say more?
[ ] Been to Canada.
[x] Been on a plane. 5 times
[ ] Seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
[ ] Thrown up in a bar.
[X] Eaten Sushi. salmon with soy paper, not seaweed.
[x] Been snowboarding. once at hume lake
[X] Been skiing. big bear, squaw valley & brian head
[x] Been ice skating. pretty bad at it too!
[ ] Met someone in person from the internet.
[x] Going to or have gone to college. best thing about college is that it's done!
[ ] Done drugs
[x] Taken painkillers post wisdom teeth extraction
[ ] Cheated on someone else
[ ] Had sex with more than one person.
[x] Thought about suicide would never do it. too hurtful to those left behind
[ ] Feared for your life because of another
[x] Been hurt so bad you'll never forget the pain hope i'm done with this one in life
[ ] Wished somebody would die
[x] Lied to your girlfriend/boyfriend can't remember an instance but in 8 years of dating i must have at some point.

Green Suede Boots With a Metal Bikini?

I really want to see the new costume exhibit at FIDM in down town L.A. Big deal you say? Of course Cate wants to see a costume exhibit. Hold it right there Tex! You probably do too but just don't know it yet. I've been informed that FIDM's current exhibit, Dressing A Galaxy, has costumes from ALL SIX Star Wars movies. That's so cool!

I've been to several of FIDM's Academy Awards Costume Exhibits & they are always very well done. You get to get right up there, inches away to each of the costumbes & REALLY take a good look. Nothing between you & the clothes. Their displays are laid out nicely. In fact some of the Lord of the Rings costumes were set up so well they kinda freaked me out. Like they were gonna jump out & get me.

Anyway, the exhibit runs through December 10th. You gotta reserve tickets but they're only $5 when you reserve them online. Anyone wanna go with me?

Where'd it go?

What happened? I've always thought myself to be a confident person. But lately I find myself not confidant in any area of my life. The more I look back, with what I think is honesty, I realize I don't think I've ever been confidant. I've realized that when people compliment or edify me I chalk it up to them being nice, making conversation, or they clearly don't know what they're talking about. I KNOW those things are not usually the case but I usually BELIEVE them anyway. I tell myself I don't...But I do. I tell myself they're being genuine & deep down believe the things they are saying to me but I don't think I REALLY believe them. Not a fault of theirs, but mine. What happened?! Where did this come from? Has it always been there & I wasn't being honest with myself in how I really think of myself & other's view of me?

I was recently told, with nothing but the most sincerest of love, that I've a fear of failure. Sure I do...No I don't. Yes I do, but I don't wanna! It was suggested that I've a fear of failure because I don't want to disappoint anyone. Yep. I don't want to disappoint anyone. Fact. But is it because I don't want to cause grief to anyone or is it because I think that if I disappoint them they'll think less of me, my skill, my faith, my confidence, my whatever? Have I been hauling around a confidence veil all this time that's now gotten too heavy? Not sure. I can't really think of I time when I wasn't thinking, "I hope they don't realize that I've no idea what I'm doing." That's so stupid. Of course I know what I'm doing. No I don't. How can I have 2 opposite thoughts going through my mind at once. It's so stupid. It makes no sense to do that. It's not logical. And yet I do.

Is this lack of confidence real or am I tripping myself out for no good reason? Is this something to work through & come out the other end all the better for it? Or do I just wish for the veil of confidence to come back & pray that it was genuine in the first place? If that's the answer, not sure where I'd find it anyway.

Prayers to Pave the Way

I am leaving for Ensenada on Friday, September 30th and will be returning on Sunday, October 2nd. A group of us from The River are going to hand out food to the community as well as do some work at Door of Faith Orphanage. Door of Faith sounds like an amazing place. I first heard of it at Lake Hills Community Church. Door of Faith sees to it that their kids graduate from High School, are fluent in the English language, have computer skills & if a child plans to go to college, they help the child to do so. SO COOL.

Our pastor at The River, Casey, wanted to provide a service opportunity for us & contacted Door of Faith. Praise Jesus, the orphanage said they've got a lot of help right now but the community around them could use us. How cool is that?! A ministry having ample help & turning extra help to those in need around them. I've never heard of such a thing. What a blessing.

If you think of us, please pray for us. Pray for our safety, our health, and above all our effectiveness for the Kingdom of the Almighty. How humbling it is to think that the Creator of the universe allows me to help reach others by handing out food.

Thanks Guys!

Great Show

Anyone who may be interested, the show I've been working on at SCR has opened & runs through October 9th. It's really good. I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. I've seen it twice now. It's got some very cool "theatre" moments in it. Things that movies or t.v. would never do because they're movies & t.v. That's probably the thing I love best about live theatre. Ticket prices aren't bad & there isn't a bad seat in the house.

Free Ride

Yesterday was the day my free tickets to Disneyland from work had to be used. Last year I took my niece Kayla with her sister's, understanding she'd go with me this year. Tiana was very patient & waited out the whole year with only asking me about it twice. We had a great time. She suprised me. She's almost eight & was willing to go on all the "grown up" rides. She conquered Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain, The Materhorn, & even Space Mountain. Of course we rode, the little ones too. I was intrigued that the reason she wanted to go on Small World was because she liked all of the colors.

My first year of free Disney tickets from Pageant Kaisara & I went. We hadn't been in a really long time so sure...we'll go. We had a fun time but nothing too exciting. I mean, come on, it's only Disneyland. The next year, I didn't even use my free tix. The following year (last year) I had the idea of going with a kid. I learned that THAT'S how to enjoy Disneyland as an adult. Take a child. They are in wonder of it all. Yesterday Tiana had to stop & look at all of the really cool window displays down Main Street. "They're so cool Auntie Cate!! Look at this one!!! It's Princess Jasmine!!!" Seeing it all through their eyes is much more fullfilling than walking through it not appreciating it for what it is. Fake. I tended to look at Disneyland in a bad light because it's this whole fake world set up in the real one. Kayla & Tiana look at it in a light of wonder & awe because it's this whole fake world set up in the real one. It was nice to look at it all through those glasses yesterday.

When picking up Tiana yesterday, my nephew Iese told me that he's going with me next year. As he'll only be 5 1/2 by then, that'll be a whole differnt experience. Glad I was albe to go on Space Mountain this time around. I LOVE that ride!!

What Kissing Can Lead To

I just received another baby announcement in the mail. 2005 has been the year of the baby in my circle of family & friends. Here's a list of the ones I know about so far (sorry if I missed someone's bundle of joy):

Geoff & Meilissa Armstrong had Elijah in April (I think)
David & Spring Wilson had Noah in May.
Tony & Jennifer Esera had Iosua (yo-soo-a Somaon for Joshua) in July. That's his picture by the way.
Mark & Alissa Ford had Emma in July
Shane & Melissa Moss had Caedon in July.
Nick & Melissa had James this summer.
Randy & Cat Erickson just had Alexander on Tuesday.
Michael & Rosie Valencia last I heard were expecting.
Tim & Barbara Gage are expecting in October.
Eric & Debbi Dean are expecting in January (I think).

I'm sure I missed someone. Sorry 'bout that. I've one piece of advice to the happy parents...Be sure to keep kissing.

Bark Park in the Dark

So as our drunk neighbor is still complaining about Lucky & Zelda barking, we've been looking for ways to burn off some nervous energy (the dogs, not the neighbor). Tonight I took them for their maiden voyage to Central Bark in Irvine. They had a great time. Lucky was very much a typical boy dog & peed on anything vertical & Zelda trotted around with the biggest, nastiest, bubbly, drooly things hanging from her mouth because she was nervous &/or excited (not very lady-like at all). As they both were single dogs for a long time they don't really know how to play with others but I'm hoping that will change if we keep going. I've got to talk with Kaisara & my sister (their vet) regarding preventive wormie drugs & the like.

Only grown-ups buy refrigerators

Sigh...it's official...Kaisara & I are grown ups. For some reason buying our own home didn't make me feel as grown up as buying a frig. But we did it. It had to be done. Our old frige that we got for free 8 years ago was someone else's garage frig then so you know it was ancient. The drawers were broken, & it ran. ALL the time. It was a nappy, old, beat-up bisque 19 sq. ft. dinosaur. We ended up with this bad boy in stainless steal & black. It matches the other appliances that came with our condo. It looks so much better & is the size of an apartment. This baby's HUGE. Even after we go grocery shopping it's spacious. I won't even have to hollar at Kaisara for leaving empty ice trays in the freezer anymore. It's happened...I'm grown up.

I Made It!

Well as of Thursday, September 1st, Pageant is over. I'm like a real person again. Able to do laundry, go grocery shopping, see my hubby for more than one hour at a time, have a bbq with family, brush my dogs. Wow! Pageant's great & all but I sure end up missing the everyday tasks & events of life. The two-month run was long but great. Here are a few highlights:

1. I cut & made a lot of the great looking costumes for this year's show.
2. Made several new friends in my crew of volunteers. Most of which are planning on returning next year.
3. One rude & grouchy cast member quit "because of the wardrobe department". Good riddance.
4. A cast member called me a Christian in a conversation & I don't remember ever telling her that I am, she just knew.
5. Discovered numerous other Christians (volunteers & staff) there. It's so much better when you know you're not out there on your own.
6. I realized Coby Bryant isn't as tall as I thought he was but his wife sure is tiny.
7. Met, dressed & chatted with a really nice Ms. Hatcher & her daughter.
8. My volunteers pitched in & gave me a gift certificate for a massage as a closing gift. Combining that with Kaisara's birthday gift I'm gonna be one relaxed girl!
9. Did about 6 loads of laundry a night that weren't my own. It's a glamorous job ain't it?
10. Realized I have got to do a better job next year at not totally disappearing from family & the rest of the world other than Pageant. Life's too short. I miss out on far too much.