Marla's Visit

Here are some random pics from Marla's visit. She leaves tomorrow. Wah. I'm happy to have had a playmate for my week off.


Strike a pose


Me, wearing Marla's glasses. I love them & want a pair. Check her out in the background. hah

Marla, ready for our 50 degree weather

Us & da bridge

Movies

There are so many movies I want to see right now. ...

Revolution Road
Milk
The Reader
Doubt
Slumdog Millionaire
Gran Torino
Benjamin Button

A lot of these are also nominated for awards. I really want to see MILK right away so I might see that one in the movies and wait for the rest. Although everyone is saying see Slumdog Millionaire like pronto.

Napa

Yesterday, we went up to Napa. We went to our fave winery, Alpha Omega & V.Sattui. I call V. Sattui the Walmart of wineries because A)you get 6 tastings for $5 B)It is so crowded and C)the wine is very cheap. Anyway, Marla isn't that into wine but I wanted to go. She liked the sweet wines at V.Sattui. They had this disgusting dessert wine called Muscat on the menu. She wanted it because she likes cats. Haha.










Anyway, we had high hopes of doing karaoke last night but really, stayed in and watched about 4 episodes of the Real Housewives of Orange County. I love that group of ladies - they are so catty & ridiculous. Vicki is such a bitch to her husband. Lori left the show to deal with her heroin addicted son. Lori looked the most plastic. There is this new woman Lynne that they dont like.

Phantom of the Opera

Yesterday, Marla and I went to see Phantom of the Opera. It was OK. Considering my favorite show is Hairspray with lots of color, singing & dancing - Opera was quite a change. It was good but it was long dragging songs.


Then, we went to Cheesecake Factory & stuffed ourselves. We had macaroni & cheese balls, bread with ranch dressing, and I had my favorite chicken tostada salad. Then, we brought cheesecake home. I don't even like cheesecake but I like it there.

Anyway, today we are just doing errands like food shopping & going to the mall to hit up the sales!

Marlena's

Last night, we went to Marlena's. Marlena's is a bar that has a drag show every Saturday night. The 'ladies' look good(most of them) and sing and dance. It is a great show.

Merry Christmas!!

I hope you all had a great Christmas! We had a nice day yesterday. We opened gifts and then we had brunch. Amy brought over breakfast casserole and we had mimosas(a very large glass each of them). Then, we started to eat....We had:
Cheese & Crackers
Bruschetta (Erik made bread!)
Caesar Salad
Crab Cakes
Stuffed Shrimp & Brussel Sprouts
Banana Pie

We were STUFFED by the end of the night. We also had 4 bottles of wine. Then, Marla arrived around 9pm. She is here all week and we are going to do lots of fun stuff!

Merry Christmas everyone!!


Erik

My new fleece

Evie in her new collar & toy

Erik, psyched about getting socks

Evie

Me & Amy drinking mimosas

Me & Amy

Me & Erik

Erik made his bread

Christmas is Coming

Merry Christmas Eve!!

Last night, Amy & I saw the Nutcracker. It was great. We had a really good dinner at the Hayes Street Grill beforehand.

Today, we are heading up to Sacramento to spend Christmas Eve with Cristin's family. We went to the store today and got the rest of the items we need for Christmas Dinner tomorrow. We are having stuffed shrimp & dungess crab cake - a real California dinner!

Merry Christmas!!

Here are pictures from our Christmas Evie:







Their dog, Gidget

Evie's Trainers in SI

Sports Illustrated did a story about where Michael Vick's dogs are now...well some of them are at BAD RAP in Berkeley, where Evie did her training!

Here they are.

Dog Camp Gift, Decided

Remember how I didn't know what to give the Dog Camp Owners? Well, I decided to get the owners Jean & Tom a $50 Visa gift card and I baked cookies for the staff. I hope that the owners can go to dinner or something on us and take a time out from being around the dogs! So, I will be dropping it off tomorrow.

Tuesday

Last night, I made more cookies at an Ugly Sweater Cookie Party. It was really fun. So, I borrowed a long sleeve fleece sweater that had an embroidered santa on it. I wore a green t-neck under it. I wore a gold belt over it. Then, I looked at myself in the mirror and said, This is you in 20 years. Oh yah - I admit it.





Me, in 20 years. Ok maybe less.

Today is my last day of work for 2008!! Tonight, Amy & I are going to see the Nutcracker. I can't wait. I love love love the Nutcracker. I think I will pretty much force my child to do ballet so I can see her in the Nutcracker. ha. I've seen a few different companies do Nutcracker and sorry SF, but the NY Ballet does it best.

New Thoughts on Sound of Music

I watched Sound of Music last night, one of my all time favorites. I really just realized what was happening in that movie a few years ago. Austria, Nazi's, etc....

Anyway, new thoughts on the movie, by Me:

1. What was the Captain thinking dating Baroness Shrader. What a B^%$#.
2. Who is Max? Their close friend?
3. I can't believe the Captain's own Butler is a Nazi, against him.
4. Why did they invite that Nazi guy to the big ball when they are against the Nazi's?
5. I wonder what happened to Maria as a child that makes her now have no family & sing to the Captain about her 'wicked childhood'
6. When Maria is walking down the aisle, I want to cry.

Cookies

Today, I am 'working from home' as you know. I am making cookies for Erik's co-workers. They are white chocolate cranberry cookies. I love making these - they are good and so easy. Erik even asked me to make a bag up for their cleaning lady - how sweet is he!

Anyway, Its sunny and 50(just the way we like it) and that means Evie is going cuckoo. I like cold, wet, rainy, hide under the covers, Evie. Here she is from last week when it was like 35 out.

Weekend Recap

Hope you all had a good weekend! On Friday, Cristin and I went to Borders's to wrap gifts. It was fun. I love wrapping. She is an expert wrapper and does some technique called 'seamless' wrapping. Maybe you all have heard of it, or even do it. It looked good. Anyway, my first customer critiqued my wrapping! You could tell she was fussy just by looking at her. I folded up the end of the package and she pointed out a tiny little bit of underside of paper and said 'You need to fix this'. I couldn't believe it! Anyway, the wrapping benefited the Bubel-Aiken Foundation.

On Saturday, we just did chores and brought Evie to camp. We had Erik's holiday party at night which was a buffet, apps, open bar, and of course, Bingo. Guess what!? We won something! They gave out mega prizes like a trip to France, Maui, MacBooks, and money. I THINK we won $1,000 but I am not sure. It was really loud and we couldn't hear the prizes so we never knew which one was being called. So, they are going to call Erik and then we'll know what we won.

Erik looking dapper in his suit




Today, Cristin, Erik & I ran the Christmas Classic 5K. It wasn't raining when we started but it was raining from about the .5 mile mark til the end. Oh well. It was fun. We wore festive socks and got cute t-shirts. Erik finished in 25 minutes! Unreal. I plodded along and finished in 37 mintues. I am so slow but I am OK with it.

After running, I had to go do 3 birthday parties. I was tired but just couldn't think about it or else I would've been in a bad mood. The kids were funny, as usual. I had a set of twin girls who were so cute & so happy. They just laughed and laughed. Natalia & Isabella. Their parents called them Natty & Izzy. (Actually, Kimmy, Natalia told me her nickname was NATTY GAN) Cute names.
After that, I came home and got right into bed (where Evie was) and napped for like 2 hours! It was a great weekend & I hope you all had a good weekend too!

Us, after sweating & getting drenched in the rain

It's Friday

Well, today is my last day in the office. We are open on Mon & Tues but I will be 'working from home.' We are cleaning the office today so that everything is all set when we come back in January.

This weekend will be fun. Tonight, Cristin & I are wrapping gifts at Borders for charity. I did it last year and it was fun.

Tomorrow, we are going to Erik's holiday work party. It is buffet & bingo. Apparently, the bingo is amazing and they give away prizes like trips, cameras, plane tickets, etc. Hopefully we win something!

Sunday, we are running our Christmas Classic!

Have a good weekend!!

Friends & Family are recession proof

I was in Berkeley a few weeks ago and there was a display of holiday cards. There was a sign that said "Friends & family are recession proof. Send a card". How true is that!

After the round of layoffs yesterday, it just really makes me think how important your friends & family are. Not stuff. Not even jobs. People care so much about their job. They miss parties, dates, time with friends & family for what - to work late for some stupid project. Yeah, work is important to do a good job so you don't get laid off but at the end of the day, its not most important. Because, one day you might get laid off & who will you turn to - your friends and family. So, it is important to take good care of those people because you may need them more than ever one day.

So my parting thoughts are - like your job, do a good job, but don't let it rule your life. Your friends & family are your life - take time out for them & take care of each other because that is all we really have in this life.

Quote

"You can't stay mad at somebody who makes you laugh."
--Jay Leno,
comedian

This is Erik's secret weapon when I am in a bad mood.

Funny story

I went over to the bank to get quarters for laundry. I was at the teller and this guy was at the teller next to me. I hear him saying 'I will need this in cash, cash in my hand'. The teller ignores him. He says, 'I am going to tell it, Hello Cash. How are you'. At this point, I look over. Teller still ignoring him. 'Cash, hello. We are friends' I laugh a little and he sees me. He says, oh! I didnt know anyone was listening because she is ignoring me!' So I go to leave and he wished me a happy holiday.

Back in the 50's

It is back in the 50's and sunny. Just the way our winter should be. Evie is out from under the blankets and back to her usual crazy self.

Vet

Evie and I had a nice trip to the vet today to get her anal glands done. It was really sad but this woman was crying. Her dog was handed to her and looked fine but she was sobbing. If you have ever lost a pet, you know what I am talking about - how it feels.

bad news

lots of layoffs today in our east coast office. this really sucks. it is sad and so horrible right before the holiday. no one is safe. horde your money. get the worry dolls out.

Evie - Cold & Tired

For the past 3 days, it has been cold. In the 40's. Evie has been laying on the couch, hiding under blankets & doesn't want to do anything. She is eating fine & pooping fine but is acting like some calm, lazy dog that I do not know. Do you think that she is just cold & hibernating?

GYM

I unfroze my gym membership today. And, I went to the gym at lunch. I did that hard stair stepper where its like real steps for like 5mins, then did a walk/run on the treadmill. Then I did some crunches. Our gym is having a deal where you get 5 30min training sessions for $99!

Anyway, I liked going. I feel happy that I went. We are running that 5K on Sunday. I got red & white striped leg warmers to wear. Can't wait!!

Oh and I definitely need new sneakers, asap. I've had this pair for a year. They have run maybe 100 miles including the Half. They are muddy. They are 'dead'.

Picasa

Anyone know how to upload a lot of pictures at once to Picasa?

Single Ladies

Now this is a GOOD single ladies rendition

Dog Camp Christmas Gift??

I want to give something to Evie's camp staff. They are so good to her and love her. However, what do I get them? There are 2 owners and 1 main guy she hangs out with. Then, some other staff. I would love to get those 3 main people like $50 gift cards but I don't know if I can. Then, my friend said to bake them cookies. So, I really have no idea. All of the holiday tipping guides do not cover 'Dog Camp Owners'.

What should I get them?? Ideas wanted.

Seattle Half

I saw the Spring TNT schedule. One of the running events is the Seattle Half & Full. I am thinking about the Seattle half....I know, I know. I said, I wouldn't do it again. I don't like long distances. I didn't want to do the SJ half. But....I know how to get stronger to be better this time. It's with TNT. It's for charity. I love TNT and the people....This would be a looong training too. We'd start in early Feb and run in late June. So, we'll see. I'm thinking about it.

Freezing & no hockey

I didn't go to the hockey game tonight. I got out of work at 3, after our luncheon. Erik picked me up & we had to go get one last gift. We came home and watched Godfather 2 under lots of blankets because we were freezing. Evie was asleep on the couch and wouldn't wake up until like 730. So, by the time Erik was ready to go, I was still under blankets and Evie hadn't gone out or eaten. So, I stayed home. Anywayyyyyyyyyy. These Godfather movies are good but graphic & crazy that this crap really happens.

My achin back

My right lower back & hip feels like it is on my body wrong. Like, it needs to get cracked back into place. I keep stretching it and nothing works. I got the Tiger Balm out & its helping a little.

This week

This week is busy but only one week to Christmas. We are all done shopping and everything is shipping tomorrow. Yippee!

Last night, my friends Betsy & Sierra came over to make cookies. We made chocolate cake cookies which we were really good.

Today -I passed out my reindeer bell ornaments & cookies to my co-workers today. We also had our work luncheon & white elephant with the Clients today which was good. I have some pics to post.

Tonight, Erik has a hockey game so I'll go to that since its at 8pm. I will be bundled up. Only 3 more days in the office this year. We are not going in next week but are 'working from home' on the 22nd & 23rd.

Freezing

It is fah-reezing out. It is 43 out and per AccuWeather, it says 'Real Feel is 30'. It feels like 30 here. We are bundled up. The dog just wants to sleep and be under the blankets. Me too!!

Ellen & Britney Caroling

This is funny. It is a segment for the Ellen show - Britney & Ellen.

Raiders

On Sunday, we braved the RAIN and cold for the Raiders game. We decided to tailgate & thankfully, the rain held out for that.

Dad, Me, Erik

Raaaaaaaiders

Dancing

Then, it POURED during the game. We were soooo cold & wet. It was fun for awhile but then it was just too much. We left after the 3rd. And, the Raiders lost. Big time.




Amy & Me

Me & Erik

Getting colder


Getting wetter.....



Raiders Losing!

Well, it was good day. We went to the game & it was fun.