Links to Share

I have some links that I'd like to post...needless to say I'm procrastinating on homework. I know, I know....I'll get back to it, but it's so BORING!

The Chai Story- This blog is from a dog owner that is trying to spread the word about a very dangerous toy which has been recalled, but there are thousands of dog owners that still have this toy. As a dog owner, I want to spread the word about this won't happen to other dogs!

Retailmenot.com- This site is great because you can type in any online store and see if there are coupons for it. I've been able to get 10-25% off and free shipping on stuff, pretty cool!

Lunapads.com- A great resource for the ladies! There are lots of eco-friendly feminine products at this site, but one thing I got that is fabulous- is the HERBAL HEAT PACK. I ordered the one with the cupcakes on it, and it is lovely for sore backs, cramps, whatever. My original order got lost in the mail, and they sent me back another one, no questions asked. They have great customer service and I would highly recommend them to you! Their 'comfort' section has a lot of great stuff for new moms too!

Glassbooth.org- Are you not sure who you will vote for this November? Well figure it out! Seriously, you really need to do that. This site provides an online quiz that helps you see how your values line up with the candidates, I thought it was pretty cool!

Okay, back to homework.

I promise this is the last one!!!

Everyone welcome the newest member of my oddly formed family- Kahlua, the black pug! (seen here with siblings)

Bailey will have to learn to share...

No Bailey, Kahlua is not another chew toy.
She still knows who keeps the treats.


Yes, I solemnly promise that I will no longer add to my odd little pug family. Bailey now has a playmate and I promise I will be done. If you had a pug, you would understand.

In a Galaxy Far, Far Away...

I am officially a Cougar! Starting school at CSUSM has really made me realize how little I know. So you know, I am only writing this blog to procrastinate on my mounds of reading. I don't know if it's the school, my major, or I just lucked out with these particular teachers, but I have a LOT of reading to do. I have four classes- one involves a "Cyber Lecture" which is like, a 25 page word document, plus reading from two books. The rest of them have assigned at least a chapter or two worth the reading before tomorrow.

I am reading a book for my White Collar Crime class (Sociology is cool!) and I swear- I just don't understand it. You know how you are reading a book, and you'll get to the end of the page and realize you didn't understand a word of it? Maybe your mind trailed off, or maybe it's particularly difficult to comprehend? Well, I'm having that problem with this book, and it's usually at the end of each sentence.

I suppose that's what I get for taking all of my upper-division sociology courses at once? (Nobody told me that it was a bad idea, I thought I was being smart by getting the "harder to sign up for classes" when I could get them) Well, they're harder to get into the class, they're also harder to mentally "get." haha. Life, it's a learning process. Let's just hope I am really doing the learning part!!


Above are my Angel Trumpets- aren't they gorgeous? They seem to bloom sporatically, and the blooms only last a few days at most. Their coral color is just fabulous.

Bailey's impression of dad's cigars. She really has got it down.
This gorgeous bouquet was sent to me by my best friend and her family.
I Love Gerber Daisies.


So yes- school is kind of crazy. I am really going to have to push myself (and blog less perhaps) to do well. Though it took some serious adjusting to get used to everything being so different (like the computer system for my online classes, and the structure in general) I am really happy- well I'm happy after acknowledging how completely terrified I am. I still have some loose ends to tie up with Gramma's stuff- so that's been another thing on my list of stuff I want to get over with. But you know, I don't mean to sound crass- but there's nothing that gets the solicitors off the phone quicker than to say "she's passed away." Honestly, if she had wanted to upgrade her credit card, she would have done so. Oy.

I go to school at 9 a.m. for my Quantitative Research Methods class, have my lunch break, go to another class (Race and Etnicity), have an hour break, then attend my last class of the day (White Collar Crime). I then have an online class- Social Theory, or whatever it's called. But seriously, not to whine, but dude, so much reading. I counted it up...and my "Tuesday homework" which is due tomorrow? I have about 150 pages of reading TODAY.

I no longer work on Wednesdays so that helps. I am thinking of joining a Sorority- (I can hear your screams of objection already) but I'm going to talk to some of the girls first to see if it's right for me. It will provide some great resources for study groups and stuff- so we'll see.

I'm trying to live the college experience to the fullest- because just having books to read really sucks! I hope to take pictures of the campus to show ya'll, but untill then, I'm off to do homework. >>sob<< All my love.

In Shock.

Hey ya'll...I have some sad updates.

Within three days, a dear friend of mine went from bad to worse and passed away today. My friend Dianne Marshall passed away in a hospital in Santa Rosa after various lung and heart complications. Dianne was chosen as the "State Mom" the year I was Grand Worthy Advisor in Rainbow. She and I became very close, as we traveled everywhere together during the year and afterwards, I spent a lot of time with her. She and I meshed so well together- and I'm in shock that she is gone. I had the "Get Well" card in the mail yesterday.....wow...just...wow.

Part of my job, is to inform the other Grand Officers of our year of her passing. After I made my 30-or-so calls, I got a call from hospice- Grams had begun showing the signs of her final transition. She was unresponsive, breathing heavily, her lungs were draining, and her skin was becoming discolored. I had a feeling after seeing her yesterday that her latest episode of bad health was more serious than we'd seen.

Dianne's daughter and I have been on the phone off and on today. I'm doing what I can to help her plan the memorial, which because of certain circumstances, is this Saturday in Petaluma, CA.
Not only is it Jennah's birthday, Gram will be leaving us, and Dianne is already gone. Oh, did I mention that my friend Randi (whose father was the "State Dad" and her mom was on the Grand Executive Committee and very close to Dianne) went into labor this morning, and had her first baby, a little boy today. So, this weekend, I will be celebrating the lives of Randi's baby, little Jennah's 1st year of life, and saying goodbye to two people I love.

I am happy and sad. I wish I could be everywhere at once...with Gram, with Dianne's family, Jennah and the fam, and Randi too.


I just want to say a big thanks to my family and friends- who have really helped me through these last few months. I will need you still- and I send all my love...I hope Jennah has the happiest of 1st birthdays.

Much Better...

Hi everyone-
I just wanted to share that I am feeling much better. After my not-so-happy blog, I took some positive steps in making my stress-much-less and am doing better. I still have a ways to go, and some people in particular to talk to, but I've made some progress.

I spent this morning cleaning the garage with Dad. Whining doesn't work. Bartering doesn't work. Commanding? That works. "Dad, if you don't get in here by 10:30, I will have a nervous breakdown." then reinforced by threatening to trash the box cigars. haha. It relieved a lot of stress...granted, I had to get stressed getting him to do it, but the zen I feel now? So worth it...and it's not even done.

I LOOOVE this dog, and you do too. Just face it.

Homegrown baby! (except the carrots!)
Proud moment: All those veggies in the pan on the right? Those were from my garden and used to make veggie enchiladas: Zucchinni, Bell Pepper, Tomato. They were darn good!

Chris took this picture and almost fell over laughing...apparently, she was hungry. or confused.

This is the project I'm working on- it's for Halloween. I am very happy to finally be a crocheter so I had to do something! I guess that's what happens when you walk through Micheal's and see that all the Halloween stuff has come in. I know, I need a REAL hobby.


This is Gram's very, very belated Mother's Day present. Don't let it's simplicity fool you...it took me a LONG time to knit this. To sum it up, I began it in February...worked on it during the long hours of waiting around on Pageant Day in March...then I knitted it while waiting for Gram's surgery consultation in April (1 hr.) and then after she was supposed to wake up from surgery and be moved to her room (we waited for 4 hrs.) and then I knitted it by her bedside in April (who knows how long) and after the heart attack I put down the needles for some time. In August I finally finished it.

This is my Chihuahua-Terrier mix Benny. He is not very smart, but makes up for it in his terriorialness. He is not a big fan of Bailey, but is quickly realizing that she will be bigger than him soon and is catching up fast.

Bailey..the world's cutest dog. Caption: "Why can't I eat your shoes? >>Pug Sad Face<<" The result of me trying over thirty times to get a picture with this little ball of energy.

She loves her duck- thanks Dad! Why is my sandal over there? Because she insists on taking it with her wherever she's playing. I have the chew marks to prove it!

Pirate Pictures Anyone?

My best buddy, Whitney and her family (sorry these are out of order!)
Diana and Nina with the Pug. Nina is the "Pug Whisperer"

Yes loves, those were cake shots... yum.
Warning: Flammable.
Whitney's Dad, Hy (yes, that's his real, not-abbreviated name) rock climbed for years. Apparently, he thought my chimney would be a good idea. He went to the top I think...before we threatened to call the fire department to get him down.

The cake I made (which should have had a darker green frosting) I only have one pan that I like, and that's my Bundt pan, so that's typically the cake I make! haha

Whitney was my bartender- making Mojitos all kinds of yummyness!

Chris and I...very piratey!
So ya, apparently 23 year old guys can find enjoyment from a Dollar Tree foam Pirate Gun.
Now, aren't these the coolest? Whitney saw these in Goodhousekeeping or Woman's Day, something like that- and she acutally MADE them. That is what's great about Whitney, she doesn't just see stuff, she makes it! (I love her Rainbow Jello too!)

Okay, so I will eventually get the hang of this uploading picture stuff- I start uploading at the beginning of my photo folder, only to realize that once I do the next set, they appear above the first....so things get out of order.

I will post another blog with my latest creations and more of my little Puggers Bailey.

I lied

I am not posting anything personal on here just yet- but I thought this was worth mentioning:

We need to talk about poverty.



Blog Action Day 2008 Poverty from Blog Action Day on Vimeo.

I will be posting about it on Oct. 15th- and you are invited to participate. I know, I know, I'm a crazy person. But- I have untill Oct. 15th to get my thoughts together.

Let's start now so this Christmas isn't a hungry one for many of America's children.