Monday, July 29, 2013

Weekend Review

I'm not going to lie... I ate this meal three times in one week....
So what is that you ask? Oh it would just be the most addictive meal ever. It's the Urban Fries with a side steak from Jack's Urban Eats. (Mom, the next time you are in CA, I will take you there).
The Urban Fries include blue cheese, hot chili oil, red pepper flakes, and lots of chopped parsley. I know it probably sounds like a weird combination but I promise it's amazing! I wasn't sold on the idea until the first time a co-worker let me try hers. Aaaamazing! I get a side of steak added on top and it's just the right combination to make a meal. I don't even want to know how many calories is in that thing.

One of my friends celebrated a Birthday mid-week so when the weekend came, we all gathered to celebrate! It was at Country Club Lanes and since I had never been there it was a new experience. I clearly wasn't dressed for bowling but I was there to support! Haha!
The maxi skirt I sported to bowling...
The birthday girl herself...
 Then the next time I figured it was time to get my butt in gear and start working on the inside of my garage. Next month I'll have lived in California for a year and in that time I haven't done one thing to my garage. Granted, I added a washer and dryer but besides that I've never painted it or cleaned out all the boxes I randomly throw in there. This weekend that major project started.
Clearly the before was on the left and the process of the after on the right. I have to finish cleaning it out and then I'm going to recruit my friends to help me insulate the garage and then paint. It's a slow job but at least I started!

Now it's back to work! What did you do on your weekend?


Thursday, July 25, 2013

Theater Thursday

It's Thursday and that can only mean one thing... it's Theater Thursday! Since it's the half way mark till my favorite holiday...Christmas, today's movie is a Christmas in July theme! This week's featured movie is, To Grandmothers House We Go.

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen star in this Christmas classic of two sisters trying to make it to their grandmothers house for Christmas. They run away from their single mother and head straight for grandmother's house. Along the way the girls run into multiple obstacles and even a nice, older couple who happen to be thieves. Their mother's wanna be boyfriend decides to help the girls but has a lottery ticket he's chasing down.

Look who the girls even run into...
Danny Tanner and Aunt Rebecca! They make a cameo appearance in the movie! Will the girls get to grandmothers house by Christmas? Will their mother's friend find his lottery ticket in time? Watch the Olsen twins and find out!

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Favorite Author

I recently read a new book by my favorite author Stuart Woods. His new book...
Unintended Consequences follows famous character Stone Barrington, who finds himself in Paris and doesn't have a clue as to why. Stone wakes up in a prison cell only to be told how he got there. He has no memory of getting to Paris and has lost a few days of his memory. It's up to him to piece together the reasons as to why and how he got there. He begins to piece together his time in Paris and then heads back to New York.

Stone also has the help of his best buddy and sidekick, Dino Bachetti of the New York Police Department. He's finding himself in a new job with a new wife and possible a new place to live. Now if only all of them have to figure out how to stay alive while Stone tries to recover his memory that could help them all.

If you've never read a Stuart Woods book please begin with the first Stone Barrington novel called New York Dead. The Stone Barrington series builds upon each other so if you don't read them in order you'll probably miss a few things and it not read as smoothly. Personally I could read Stuart Woods' books all day long. His next book will be out in the fall.

Monday, July 22, 2013

Weekend Review

My weekend was one of those weekends that you're so busy you don't know how you'll have the energy to go back to work come Monday morning. My weekends run Thursday-Saturday so when Wednesday evening rolled around I found myself watching my work's softball team compete in a night game.
 
Thursday I tried out a new place to eat with some friends...

It's called Tokyo Buffet and located in Citrus Heights and if you ever want some really good food and at a good price then this is the place (I actually ate here twice in one week). They had everything from lobster, shrimp, crab and noodles to pizza. They also had a huge sushi selection as well...

I also hit the California State Fair again but this time it was for a work related reason. I had volunteered to be at a booth for a two hour window. The heat was awful and with it being back up to 100 degrees, I was not digging being outside so once my time was up, I high tailed it out of there and got into some air conditioning. Hence where shopping comes involved. I hit one of my favorite stores (Forever 21) and managed to come up with this outfit for my next day activities.
The shirt, clutch and bracelet (Forever 21), Skirt (Wet Seal)
 
I thought the white and coral made for a good summer outfit. Now it's back to work! 

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Sunday Social

 
1. What was your favorite TV show as a kid?
 
2. What is your current favorite TV show?
3. Which reality show would you NEVER do?
4. Which reality show would you LOVE to do?
5. What is the TV personality/character that you feel is most like you?
Charlie from Revolution
 
6. Which TV character would you want to date?
Barbie from Under the Dome

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Theater Thursday

It's Thursday and that can only mean one thing... it's Theater Thursday! Since it's the half way mark till my favorite holiday...Christmas, today's movie is a Christmas in July theme!
Stealing Christmas stars Tony Danza as Jack, an experienced thief who's out of jail and looking to score some quick cash. When a department store robbery goes bad, Jack needs to hide out for awhile before he can resurface. His only way out of the department store is in a Santa costume and onto a bus. When he gets off the bus he finds himself standing in front of a Christmas tree in a small town. The Christmas tree farm is ran by Sarah (Lea Thompson) and her younger daughter Noel is in need of a Santa and think that Jack is the one who's been sent to them from an agency. 

Jack immediately realizes that this could be his way of hiding out and making some cash at the same time. As he spends more time in this tiny town he realizes that he could help them out during the holiday season and maybe steal a buck or two. The only thing that starts to complicate his plan is the fact that he starts to really connect with Sarah and her daughter. He also starts to become friends with everyone in the town. Just when Jack thinks he can't go through with his plan, his old partner in crime shows up in town and decides to put the squeeze on him. What will Jack do? Will Christmas be ruined? Watch this cute holiday movie staring the Danza! 

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

A Trilogy Comes To An End

I recently finished the last book in the Delirium Series by Lauren Oliver.
Requiem picks up where Pandemonium left us hanging. Lena is doing her part in the resistance to fight against the Cured. She saves a boy named Julian from a death sentence and has been able to find love again. Now that they are in the wild together she realizes she'll have to be to him what Alex was to her. However... Lena isn't prepared for the shocking surprise of not only one but two people from her past.

Regulators are beginning to infiltrate the Wilds in an attempt to wash out all of the invalids. The government can longer attempt to pretend that the invalids don't exists due to the invalids filtrating facilities and cities. They realize that the invalids are gaining more people and beginning to enter inside the walls from the Wilds. A large take over is coming and Lena's home city of Portland could be the catalyst for it all.

During this book we get to see Lena and Hanna's (her best friend before being cured) lives run parallel to each other. Lena working her way back inside the wall with the resistance and Hanna having been cured who's preparing to get married. Will they cross each other's paths again?

If you've never read this book begin with the first book in the series and go from there. For me the first book was hard to get through because of certain characters but the second and third books were much better. I enjoyed the series and I hear there may be a television series in the works for the books. Check it  out!

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

It's Getting Fishy In Here

It all started with these three fish...
I was vintage shopping with my mom in San Jose and we came across those three little fish. They are from the 1960s and are vintage chalk ware. I had seem similar ones when I was shopping in Memphis, Tennessee but didn't buy them (boy am I kicking myself now). These were so cute and the price was just right. I couldn't pass them up. I took some of my birthday money and bought them.

I had been wanting to paint my master bathroom (tiniest master bathroom ever btw) and I had been debating on the color. I wanted a color that was going to be light and something that I knew if I got sick wouldn't make me feel sicker. Know what I mean? So after much debate I ended up going with Olympic in Oasis. It's a very, very light blue. In the light it can almost pass for a light blue/green.
Before and after
With the three fish on one wall, I couldn't just leave them in there by themselves so I started hunting down more to go along with them. I found this cute couple...
I also found this mermaid...
I've got three walls bearing vintage chalk ware now I just need to find some more for one more wall and the bathroom will be complete. I of course have one of the super, colorful tropical fish shower curtains as well. I also keep my Baker Beach rock collection in there. Every time I've been there, I've picked up a rock or two.



Monday, July 15, 2013

Weekend Review

I had another four day weekend and I couldn't have been happier about having that extra day off work. I originally had plans to head over San Francisco and spend the day bumming around town. When those plans fell through, I thought about going to Napa or South Lake Tahoe but I couldn't make up my mind and just ended up staying in Sac. I spent my days off relaxing and trying to stay cool in the heat. I also did a little shopping.

I saw this dress and couldn't pass it up. It reminded me of the newspaper dress that Carrie wore in Sex and the City. I have no idea when I'll wear it but guess what... it's in my closet waiting for the perfect moment.

I also hit up the Thunder Valley Casino for the first time. It's literally 15 minutes from my house but I had never taken the time to go over to it. It was fun! If you're ever in Lincoln then it's worth the stop. They also have a lot of outdoor concerts so check their schedule! You may find something that you want to see. They had Smash Mouth and Fastball there the night I went. Chris Issak is playing in August and Kathy Griffin is in September.
I'm not sold on their table games but it was definitely a fun place for slot machines. Now only if I would have won a huge amount of money so I wouldn't have to go to work. While I was there gambling and having fun my BFF Erica who lives in South Carolina was out having a little fun of her own. As you can see in this text, she may have had a little too much fun! Haha! 
That's what best friends are for! They put a smile on your face. The next day I headed to the California State Fair! I mean who doesn't love fairs and the food that comes along with it?!
Now the real question is... what did you do this weekend?

Friday, July 12, 2013

A Little More About Me

I saw this the other day over on Meghan's blog and instantly I knew I wanted to fill this out. It gives new readers a little glimpse of who I am and it gives faithful readers a better understanding. All in all it's just another way to get to know each other.
 
Clearly he stole my arm moves
 
1. Do you like blue cheese? I had never tried it until this past year. It's ok but I can only handle it on fries.

2. Have you ever smoked a cigarette? No and I'm keeping it that way.

3. Do you own a gun? No. I don't but I've been thinking about buying one.

4. What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? I usually don't buy drinks at Sonic. I go there for the tater tots!
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Normally no. I was really nervous once when I was having to get stomach issues looked at.

6. Do you like hot-dogs? Yes! I love them off the grill!

7. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Usually water or a cold sprite zero.

8. Can you do push-ups? I can do the half push ups really good. The real ones.. eh not so great but I'll work on it.

9. What’s your favorite meal? I love pork chops, hash brown casserole and baked mac and cheese. You know who has that? Cracker Barrel. Get on it California.
 
10. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? I wear a ring my mom got me when I was younger everyday. Besides that I don't have a lot of "real" jewelry.

11. Favorite hobby? Watching movies, blogging, reading.

12. Do you work with people who idolize you? Definitely not. I think they probably feel that I'm a good worker though.
 
13. Name a trait that you hate about yourself? I can't take positive feedback. I always do this weird, "ohh umm thanks" or a "oh no it's nothing important" spiel. I need to learn to accept it.

14. Middle name? Marie Olivia

15. Name 3 thoughts at this moment: 1.)My AC has been on almost all day because it's so hot outside. 2.) my shoulders are hurting from the way I held them today while I was working on the computer. 3.) I really want some royal kebab food but I'm not driving over there just to get it when I have food here.

16. Name 3 things you bought yesterday: I went to the grocery store and bought food. I got some Urban Fries at work and I bought some stamps.

17. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink: Water, Sprite Zero, Diet Cherry Pepsi.

18. Current worry right now? Wondering if I'll get the holidays off work.

19. Current hate right now? That it's been over 109 for the past 5 days.
20. Favorite place to be? Anywhere that's fun but I do love Pigeon Forge, TN.
21. How did you bring in New Years? I spent it in West Virginia.
22. Favorite place to go? Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and San Francisco.

23. What is your most recurring dream? I don't really have a recurring dream.

24. Introvert or extrovert? I'm typically an extrovert.

25. What color shirt are you wearing? Peach.

26. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? I don't believe I've ever slept on satin sheets.

27. Can you whistle? Yes.

28. Can you sing? No.

29. Favorite color? Green, Blue, Yellow.

30. Would you be a pirate? No.  They seem dirty.

31. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't sing in the shower.

32. Favorite girl’s name? Sadie

33. Favorite boy’s name? Wheaton

34. Who is your loudest friend? Don't hate me... Newt.

35. What’s in your pocket right now?  Nothing. I'm wearing yoga pants.

36. Last thing that made you laugh? My mom. She kept talking about how she looked in a certain photo.

37. Bed sheets as a child? I had all different kinds. The California Rasins, The Berenstain Bears just to name a few.

38. Worst injury you've ever had? I broke my middle finger in the 9th grade.

39. Do you love where you live? Sacramento definitely has it's pros and cons.

40. How many TVs are in your house? 2.

41. What is your worst habit? biting my nails.

42. How many dogs do you have? Zero

43. Does someone have a crush on you? not that I know of.

44. Do you own slippers? Yes. I need new ones actually.

45. What is your favorite book? "Choke" by Stuart Woods.

46. What is your favorite candy? Bottle Caps.

47. What is your favorite sports team? I don't care about sports but I love the Olympics! Does that count?

48. What song do you want played at your funeral? I have a few in mind but they all revolve around Elvis.
 
49. What were you doing at 12 AM last night? Laying in bed reading.

50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up this morning? Go back to sleep!

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mother's birthday!
I wish I could be with her but unfortunately I cannot. Instead I'm sending her a big, Happy Birthday Wish! I love you mom and I miss you very much. I hope you have a wonderful day and that we get to see each other soon. Enjoy your day! You mean the world to me!

Happy Birthday!

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Clean Slate

I've put off talking about this for a long time. It's something that I've wanted to talk about openly but I didn't and still don't even really want to acknowledge or talk about on here. However with that said, when I have something that I can't talk about in my personal life it's really hard to blog when that's all I want to discuss. So I'm just going to say it....

Josh will not be moving out to California. We are no longer together.

If you've followed this blog for some time then you know that he has a young son. When Josh and I first got together, his son was not even in kindergarten yet. Josh and his ex-wife had a child while they themselves were very young. Once they separated and later divorced their co-parenting became a strained situation and continued to get worse and worse. By the time I entered the picture they had already had multiple volatile incidents revolving around custody arrangements.

I knew by putting in a transfer to California that it could cost me the relationship with Josh. I also knew at the time and I still do that I was going to make this move no matter what. I was doing this move for me.  When the time came and I finally got my transfer (June) his son was already set up and enrolled to begin kindergarten less than two months away. Josh had some other matters that needed to be taken care of and could only be dealt with in West Virginia. We decided together that the best thing to do would be for him to stay behind, help his son transition into school and finish his dealings in the state. Then it became a legal issue. No one wants to lose a child.

As the months went on, the time of him coming out to California continued to get pushed back. During that time I started to get into a routine. I started getting further and further from the situation and a lot of the drama that went along with it. I started to be able to see the situation more clearly. I started seeing more of the bad than the good. I'm sure he did as well. I don't know. I can't speak for him. No relationship is perfect and if you think that there is then you are in denial. There had been lies and there had been doubts. I think the writing on the wall was at Thanksgiving. I went back to West Virginia excited to see family, friends and Josh. While I was there he got sick and we hardly got to spend time together. I was disappointed but I tried to understand that he was ill.

Then when it was time for me to go to WV for Christmas the final straw happened. I was scheduled to leave on the red eye of the 23rd. I got a text earlier in the day and it said, "Call me as soon as you get this message." I knew something was up as soon I read it. He never sent me messages like that unless something was really wrong or important. I called him and as soon as he got on the phone he told me that the house had been broken into. He then told me that the only things that were taken were 1.The flat screen television (I had bought him the previous Christmas) 2.A Fossil Watch (that I had bought him for his birthday) 3. Oakley Sunglasses and 4. What was my to be my official engagement ring/Christmas present (he had previously given me a diamond ring). My instant reaction was anger. I was so mad that this was all happening the day I was getting on a plane to come there. I was angry that he hadn't given it to me at Thanksgiving. I was plain and simply furious.

I was also angry because the previous Christmas, Birthday and Valentines Day he had given me nothing. I understand that some people don't have extra money to spend on gifts. I understand but it's free to write a note. It's free to draw a photo. It's free to send me a text message and tell me nice things. There is plenty of free things out in this world. By not getting any of the thoughts for three previous gift giving occasions I had geared myself up to get this great gift at Christmas time. And before people say, well he had his child to think about getting gifts for! Um no, he didn't. I had bought every single present that was given to him for Christmas. So once this happened It basically put this giant, black cloud over the holiday. I got to West Virginia and I didn't know how long I could keep a lid on the anger. I was just trying to get through the holidays. This time though I was going in with my eyes wide open. I had had clarity.

That's when I started to smell something fishy. The entire time I was back in WV, he wouldn't let me go into his bedroom (where the tv that I had got him was kept). He told me that it was because the room was such a mess from where the burglars had broken in and went through the desk drawers and papers and such were everywhere. Ok? Then I started asking about the police report because he had told me that he had called the state police. I told him that he would need it for Zales because he told me he still owed on the ring. I asked about that police report multiple times while I was in town and I never saw it. He told me after a few times that he had picked it up. I would ask to see it and it would magically be in the other car or his mom had it with her, etc. Hmmm...

So when I left to come back to California I was emotionally spent. I decided to wait it out till Valentines Day to see if I was wrong. I had kept telling him that I love real mail and that Valentines Day was approaching. The day came... nothing. He called me and we were talking on the phone and he could tell that something was upsetting me. He said what's the matter? I told him it would have been nice to at least get something in the mail for Valentines Day. He got furious and said that he sent me a card. He said maybe it would just come a day late. Kids... I'm still waiting on that card.

Once that happened. I was done. He could tell. We started speaking less and less. Our texts became fewer and fewer and as I stopped supplying him with extra gifts and support he started backing more off. Then that's when the other shoe dropped. He got involved in some legal issues and I haven't heard a word since. I think that speaks volumes. If you are having trouble, don't you reach out to the people you love for support? Yep... I would. So there. I have spilled my heart out there. Take it for what you will. I learned that I want an equal partner. I can't be the parent. I can't stand up day after day and be someone's emotional support and never get that in return. If you love someone why would you lie to them. Why wouldn't you show them how much you love them? Why just talk the talk but never walk the walk?
I know my self worth.
I still firmly believe that everything happens for a reason. 

Monday, July 8, 2013

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly


The Good
This is currently me....
because I have 4 days off from work. That means in the past two weeks I've only worked 7 days. Heck yes!
The Bad
In the past two weeks almost every single day has been in triple digits. On July 4th is was 109 degrees. Most of the other days have been that high. I mean really?!?!

The Ugly
Having to deal with people who have no manners and bad attitudes.

Friday, July 5, 2013

The Final Birthday Recap!

On my actual Birthday my mom had to fly back to West Virginia. We spent the day around Sacramento. I woke up to a Happy Birthday Banner...
We started the day by going to breakfast at Brookfields. My mom said that I shouldn't have to make anything on my birthday so we headed there. I had planned to make waffles for her since she sent me that waffle maker a month ago.
We then went vintage shopping, where I found a great coffee table and two end tables that go great with my other vintage furniture. They also go great with my floors in the living room.
Once we got back from shopping my mom made me some blondies. I'm not a big frosting person so cake has never really been my major want on birthdays. The last couple of years my mom has made me these since they are some of my favorites.
Then we spent the rest of the day watching episodes of the old Mission Impossible show. We've been watching this show for years from the start to finish and we've only got a few episodes left. I don't know what show we'll start once we finish watching this one together. Sadly that evening my mom had to get on her flight. I didn't want her to go. I can't wait to see her again.
 

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Memory Lane

I subscribe to Los Angeles Magazine. Odd? Not really. I live in Northern California and have been to L.A. a few times. Plus if I see something upcoming I can make plans for it. The magazine always has great things about the city in it from shopping to places to eat and attractions. The latest issue was all about the most infamous moments of crime in the city. They had a section on one of the most memorable crimes of the 90's.... The O.J. Simpson Trial.

I can remember it like it was yesterday. The white Bronco chase. It's been 19 years!
I can remember sitting in the living room watching television with my mom and my grandma. It happened on June 17, 1994 which also happens to be my Birthday. I have no idea what I did that year for my birthday but I do remember watching that entire chase. It seemed to last forever. Everyone started asking... Will he run out of gas? Where's he trying to drive to? Someone is in the car with him! Who is it? Did he kill Nicole? Why would he drive like this if he was innocent? News anchors were going nuts! People nationwide were calling in and sitting on the edge of their seats. It was history in the making. It was a car chase on NATIONAL LIVE TV. What made the chase more unbelievable was the fact that it was a high profile celebrity and he was big enough to interrupt the NBA game 5 playoff telecast. 

When the chase finally ended by him driving back to a home in Brentwood, California the entire world thought it was done. Wrong! OJ wouldn't get out of the Bronco. We sat transfixed in front of the television waiting to see what would happen next. After much coaxing O.J. finally got out of the Bronco and was immediately arrested. Then of course there was the trial. He was in for the fight of his life. He was being accused of murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman who happened to be there because he was dropping off a pair of sunglasses. The trial lasted 9 months which was the longest murder trial in history for California. The trial itself had many memorable moments in it, one being this...
If the glove doesn't fit, you must acquit! O.J. tried to squeeze on the blood soaked, leather glove found at the crime scene. His law team made this a factor in his innocence. During the trial O.J. and his lawyers came up with many different scenarios for why and who could have killed Nicole and Ron. They blamed gangs, they blamed the mob. The lawyers even went so far as to say that maybe Nicole had a stalker and the person thought Ron was her boyfriend so the stalker killed them both. 

Either way at this point America was divided in it's decision. Many people believed he was guilty while others said innocent. When the verdict was read (which my middle school interrupted class for us to hear) shock swept across the states. INNOCENT! In the 19 years that have followed we've seen some crazy things from OJ. He was found innocent of the murders but was found guilty on having to pay the Goldman family monetary damages. Then he wrote a book titled, If I killed her this is how I would have done it. Hmmm..... but then karma got him and he was arrested in Vegas trying to steal back some of his own sports memorabilia. He's currently serving 19 years in prison for it. So what do you think? Do you think OJ was guilty back in 1994? 

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Weekend Review

I finally found these shoes! If you saw my tweet a few weeks ago, I was asking where to find these beauties. I had seen someone wearing a pair very similar and couldn't find them. I went to twitter and someone immediately told me where they were to be found! They'll be perfect for the 4th of July. 
I had been craving food from a place over in Citrus Heights called Royal Kebab. The food is sooo good there! I had one of the beef/chicken combos. I'm not a fan of lamb but it comes with every meal. 
Since my mom was in town on my Birthday and I had a lot of other stuff going on, I finally had some time to hang out with a few of the friends I've made here. Two of them surprised me with a belated Birthday gift! Who doesn't love getting gifts?!? 
Note my new owl phone case! And... I made this big purchase...
Yep that's a new computer. I still have my MacBook but for something's... gasp... it's not great. That was my weekend!