Greetings From Evie

Happy Halloween!

It's Halloween!! Today, we are having a little party at work. Cristin and I made so much stuff last night - a cake, monkey bread, and halloween cookies. We are going to go into sugar shock today. Tonight, I am doing nothing! Poltergeist is on. And, I have to finish out the month with one last viewing of Hocus Pocus.

Tomorrow, it is supposed to rain. Erik said the best thing to me the other day. 'Want to stay in on Saturday and watch movies all day?' So, if it rains that is what we are doing. Then, we are going to hang with another couple on Sat night.

Sunday, I am doing more birthday parties!

Hope you have a great halloweeeeeeeen.

Raining....

It's raining! It is rainy and gray and windy. Evie went out, peed, and ran back in the house. I put her raincoat and she didn't want to walk so I took it off. I am putting that coat on ebay. It was like $25 and she never wears it. Anyway....looks like rain for the weekend.

10 Simple Ways to Feel Rich Without Materialistic Means

Good ideas

Christmas Music

I have an overwhelming urge to listen to Christmas music today. Maybe it is because Erik is learning Christmas songs on his guitar. I know it is breaking the rules but I might listen to the them today. Why not. They make me happy. Everyone is complaining about money, the economy, and the election. I can listen to a little Bing.

Still Burned

You know how I got burned by soup? Well it looks awful. I looked it up on Mayo and it is a 2nd degree burn. I just went to Walgreens and got bandaids, ointment etc. to keep it covered. It kills when water hits it aka showering & dishwashing.

Christmas Collar

I just found the BEST Christmas Collar for Evie. I mean, it is plaid AND it has a bell. Um, perfect.

Halloween Socks

Today I am wearing jeans, halloween socks, and flats. This means you can see my halloween socks clearly out of my socks. I think I either look like I am 5 or a school teacher. But, I dont care. I like festive socks. On Friday I am wearing my halloween charm bracelet. Thats right, I said it.

Every time I say 'charm bracelet', it reminds me of this....

"My Christmas chaaaaarm bracelet!"

Cold

It has been cold here the past two days between 50-60. Right now, it says its 49 out. And, I hear rain is coming. We do NOT get rain except for Nov - February. It's very strange. We are supposed to get rain on Fri and Sat.

Frozen

I went to the gym & froze my membership. I will pay $0 for up to 6 mos. I figured that I would freeze it incase I do TNT again in the Spring. If I do not do TNT, I am cancelling it. This is saving me $30/mo. I feel good about this decision.

Make Me Babies

This is too funny. I heard about this site MakeMeBabies.com where you upload pics of you & your partner, friend, or celebrity and it shows you what your babies will look like. Here they are.....I think 2 of them look like elves!

Bill Cosby

This is funny. He will always be the Mr. Huxtable!!

Burned

I just got burned taking my Healthy Choice soup out of the microwave. I know it says 'Hot, be careful, etc' I couldn't believe it. The soup literally burned my skin off in about a 1/2" area. It hurts!!

Gymnastics

Yesterday, I did the gymnastics parties and it was fun. There is always one kid in the group that is a know it all and keeps saying, I know how to do this already. It's like, yeah well, the rest of the kids don't go to gymnastics class so chill out. It's funny though when they think they know everything and then they come up and tell you, This is so much fun!

Yesterday, I had 2 know it alls. One girl told me, 'I have an 8 inch rock for a muscle'. I had no idea what she meant, then she flexed her bicep for me and said it again. She's like, 'Its 8", we measured it". Unreal.

Some kids want to hug you, too, which is strange. Well, you all know how I feel about kids. I am coming around and like them more. I love them in gymnastics parties b/c they are funny.


(Not my party, but this is what they do there)

Also -
Good things about parties: Fun, easy, gymnastics, and you get TIPS. Isnt' that funny - the parents leave tips for the instructors.

Bad things - We have to clean the party room after the party. It's not too bad though.

Finally - I think I am sore from yesterday. I had to hoist these kids up on the trapeze so they can swing into the foam pit.

Pumpkins!

Here are some pictures of Erik and I pumpkin picking in Pacifica.


Check out all the pumpkins!

Erik with a perfect pumpkin





Ilk. I actually hate these gourds because of those little nubbies on them.

What are these pumpkins? They are so weird looking!

"The Patch"

Don't See This

The Happening by M.Night Shyamalan

This movie is not scary. It's stupid. I think it was M.Night's global warming messaging movie. It sucked. I would rather watch The Village 10 times. Even though I know how that one turns out, it still scares me!

Bistro Burger

My coworker and I got Bistro Burger for lunch. SO good. Turkey burger, curly fries, dr. pepper. I think its funny though that my boss went to the gym and we went to bistro. ha.

Gym

I think I am canceling my gym membership. I am actually sitting here right now and wishing I had a kickboxing DVD that I could do right here. It is hard to come home from work, walk/exercise Evie, then do it myself. I have to drive to the gym from my house. I either have to go to the gym first and rush home to let Evie out or I have to walk her first and then go to the gym. You can imagine that walking her first doesn't work out b/c then I don't want to go. There is a gym downtown but it is PACKED. Packed to the point that you have to be there 30 min ahead for classes or you have to wait for machines. Cristin and I went once and walked out b/c there were no machines.

I honestly run around the park with Evie or walk her. Yesterday I was sprinting around the park to get her to chase me. Erik has a ton of yoga videos, we have some weights, and I could get a kickboxing video.

I mean, at this point, I am wasting $30/mo by not going.

Last Night

Last night my friend Cristin came over for taco night. It was soooo good. We also watched Beetlejuice!

Evie

I am working from home today. Evie is lounging and looking at the window. She will be up soon and want me to play with her.

Holiday Bedding

I got the Crate & Barrel catalog today. Big mistake to look in it. I want holiday bedding. Just a duvet cover to go over the comforter. Red, White. I hear the holidays. Isn't this so cute!??

Hair

I love this haircut.

SF Weather

More like summer than fall!

Ritalin for Dogs

Do they make ritalin for dogs? If so, I know someone who needs it....Evie. We know she has a lot of energy but I think she is crazy. She goes out for a walk in the morning, mid-day, and at night. Then, she goes for 'last potty' around the block at like 9pm. Mid-Day, Erik will take her to the park where she sees other dogs & plays, so its not like she is just putzing around out there. When I come home, we go out for an hour. We run, walk, see dogs, etc.

After she eats dinner, she goes crazy. You cannot sit on the couch and watch TV or do anything with out her sitting there , starting at you, whining, and then jumping on you. She wants you to play with her. When you go after her, she wags her tail and jumps around. We tell her no, we take her out of the room, we hold her down, we've tried everything. She is stressing us out & I dont know what to do with her. I would install a treadmill for her but we have no room!

Happy Things

1. It's taco night

2. I just started reading 'Secret Life of Bees' and love it already

3. Its warm and sunny out. (no boots)

4. Noah's coffee this AM

5. There are only 2 of us in the office today = quiet!

Funny Costume

Wow. Check this pet costume out

Poop

Funny thing happened this AM. Evie and I were walking and there was a politician on the corner passing out flyers. We take it and keep walking. Suddenly, she stops to poop. A big massive poop. She had already done one(which is what she usually does) and I used my bag. So, i used the flyer to pick up the poop. Thank God it was made of cardboard so I just scooped it up. Then, when the guy was walking the other way, I ran and threw it in the trash. I didn't want him to see that I used his sign to pick up poop!

Quote

Treasure your relationships, not your possessions.

— Anthony J. D'Angelo

Linens & Things

....is closing. They are having a big liquidation sale.

Funny Costume

So funny & I would totally do this to my child.

Win $5,000 in Williams-Sonoma Products

This is a good one....

Side Mirror & Coffee Pot

I ordered the side mirror for the car -we are going to try to put it on ourselves. We WILL get it on there so we dont have to pay $250 in labor.

I went on Amazon to buy the coffee pot and its $14 plus shipping. There is a Black & Decker coffee maker with pot over at Walgreens for $30. Instead of paying $20 for the pot, I might just buy a new maker.

Brussel Sprouts

I've never had brussel sprouts. I want to try them. I keep reading to bake them with EVOO, salt, pepper, and they will be good. I tried to give them to Evie last night but she didn't like them in her dinner.

Jon & Kate

I was watching Jon & Kate last night and think that show is getting a little ridiculous. They no longer are a family with 2 sets of multiples - they are celebrities. They get a lot of special privleges and trips because they are on TV. I totally understand that once they got on TV, this would happen. However, its not as fun to watch. Last night, Jon and some of the kids went to the Phillies game. They sat in a suite and met the manager, owner, etc. because these people watch the show & wanted to meet them.

They are also doing a lot of product placement in the show. For instance, watch when the kids get baths. They will zoom in on J&J bubble products. Plus, Kate is a spokesperson for things & they are on the morning shows, etc.

It just seems like we are watching a celebrity family.

Happy Things

It's Monday!

1. I had the BEST pumpkin latte from Peet's Coffee yesterday (beats Starbucks)

2. Its chilly here - 55

3. I pulled out my tall brown boots today

4. Gossip Girl is on Tonight

5. Dinner is already made for tonight.....lasagna!

Another $600?

Looks like Congress is looking to possibly do another round of economic stimulus checks....we could all use another $600! We'll see. They are still talking about and have to 'wait and see'.

Weekend

This weekend was pretty fun & fall like. On Saturday, Amy & I went to the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival. It was verrrry crowded but they had arts & crafts, good beer on tap, bands, and pie eating contests.


After that, we went to the.....Olive Garden. We had to drive south of the city sort of. We do not have chain restaurants here really - no applebees, TGIF. We do have mcdonalds, Bk, subway, starbucks, etc. Anyway, we went to Olive Garden. It was good & cheap.

Sunday, it was like 55 degrees here! Evie slept on and off all day - I think she was cold. We went food shopping & to Petco, made lasagna, pumpkin bread, and did laundry.

Groceries

How much do you spend on groceries? I think Erik and I spend a lot for two people. I was googling this and some couples somehow spend less than $100 a week. Others spend around $100. We dont buy a lot of meat but we buy a TON of vegetables. Erik also drinks this expensive Pom juice that is $10 a jug. Here is a short breakdown of how much stuff costs here at Safeway. Do you all pay this much for stuff?

Bread - About $3 for Orowheat bread
Milk - $5.99 gallon for organic milk
OJ - I only buy it when it is 2/$5
Eggs - About $2-$3 for a dozen

New Vera

Check out this new Vera pattern. I love it!

Happy Things

1. It is still warm(high 70s) and sunny here

2. I had a pumpkin bagel for breakfast

3. It's the weekend

4. Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival this weekend

5. Erik is letting me use his iPod

Pressure is a Privlege

Yesterday, I worked from home and got to watch Oprah. I love Oprah. Anyway, her show was very inspirational. She had 3 great women on the show for the 'Women Who Changed the World' episode: Maria Shriver, Gloria Steinem, and Billie Jean King. Maria Shriver hosts a big Women's conference every year honoring women who make a difference. We all know Gloria is the reason we have magazines from everything from Seventeen to Woman's Day. Plus, she has been fighting for equal pay for men and women for years. And without Billie, girls wouldn't be playing sports in school. Sports stars were thanking Billie for what she did like the Williams sisters and Dara Torres. It was such a good episode!

Last Night

Last night, Betsy & I did go to the Divis Art Walk. We went to Little Chihuahua(Cheeeehuahua) for tacos. They had tacos for $2.50 and Dos Equis for $3.

Then, we went to the Candy Bar and had $3 white sangria plus a dessert that was brownies with banana caramel and carmelized bananas. Yum.

It was a fun night.

I also organized my sock and underwear drawer and it made me feel happy. An organized life, is a happy life.

Crappy Things

The coffee pot broke. It has a crack in it. We have to get a new one.


"I loathe the bus"

This morning we had a new rider on the bus. He clearly did not know how to ride. He was taking up the entire aisle, holding both railings, and just in the way. Then when he tried to move, he hit people, including me. Anyway, IT'S FRIDAY!

True

Normal is getting dressed in clothes that you buy for work and driving through traffic in a car that you are still paying for - in order to get to the job you need to pay for the clothes and the car, and the house you leave vacant all day so you can afford to live in it.
- Ellen Goodman

Dolly

I keep hearing this song on the Target ad & now love it. Isn't Dolly Parton so cute. She is over 60, looks & sounds the same as she ever did.

Divis Art Walk

My friend Betsy & I might be going to this tonight:


Basically, businesses in the area have art up in their restaurants. The restuarants are getting new art and offering deals on food/drink for people to come in. Little Chihuahua has $2 tacos and the Blue Jay cafe has $1 PBR!!! Who can pass this up!?

Cute Shirt for Breast Cancer

Karl Lagerfeld designed a shirt sold at Saks for Breast Cancer. The shirt is $40 but a WHOPPING $35 goes to the cancer foundation. Here it is:

Happy Things

1. I am working from home today (every Thurs!)

2. Erik is surfing & Evie is at camp = QUIET

3. It's sunny.

4. It's almost the weekend.

5. I am making more pumpkin bread today!

Last night

I didnt go see Clinton Kelly. I just didn't feel like walking down there and then I wouldn't get home until like 7. Plus, I wasn't going to buy his book. Plus Plus, I didn't love my outfit and if I am going to meet Clinton, you have to look good and follow the 'Rules'.

I made the butternut squash risotto except I think I used acorn squash. Well, whatever I used it was a pain to cut up so I'm probably not making that again.

Evie was a crazy girl last night. She went for a walk/run, played, ate, and still sat and barked at me. We haven't seen her doggie friends lately. We haven't seen Wasabi in ages. That is only thing that gets her energy out. Also, its a full moon. Maybe that is making her crazy.

Evie's Bath

Last night, Evie got her bath. I thought she looked so cute in her towel. She Loves to be dried after her bath. She sort of digs her head into the towel so you can rub her head & she likes getting her ears cleaned out. She actually loves baths & jumps right in. She even gets in the tub sometimes just to go in.


Mommy, Dry me.

Thank you for bathing me.

Now, Its time to run around like a crazy because I'm clean.

Ghost Hunters

OMG. I am watching Ghost Hunters & the two main guys are in this kitchen. A cabinet opened and shut by itself 3 times. They caught it on tape. Then, the guys flashlight turned off and back on by itself. This show scares me.

Win $5,000 in groceries

The Grain Foods Foundation is giving away $5,000 in groceries! Enter to win:



Kate Gosselin is also the spokesperson for this company and is informing people about brown bagged lunches!

Erin Burt

I love the column that Erin Burt writes on Kiplinger.com She writes about young people & money. She writes about starting out, being broke, how to save, how to stop spending, etc.

What she learned from being broke

Find $1,000 by the holidays

Young, Prosperous & Frugal

Quicken

Well, I do love Mint.com but now Quicken Online is FREE. Use it to track your expenses, bills paid, income, and balances!

Happy Things

Happy Things for the day:

1. Last night was very fun

2. I am making butternut squash risotto for dinner

3. It's pay day!

4. Clinton Kelly from What Not To Wear is in town signing his new book and I might go see him!

5. It's sunny here!

Crappy Things

1. To get that side mirror fixed is going to cost a few hundred dollars.

2. The bus ride this morning was painful. It smelled bad and it just took forever. I also had to stand which annoys me. I also get annoyed when people who have been standing for like 1 second take a seat when someone sits down. I think that we should tickets like at the deli counter. And then just like at the deli, when your number is up and a seat opens, you sit.

Hockey

I went to Erik's hockey game last night. I rarely go to his games because they are late - like 10 or 11pm. This one was at 8pm. My friend Betsy came too because her boyfriend Greg is on the team. Erik's team won 6-2. He scored 3 goals. He's da man.





Afterwards, we went to a bar near by. We didn't get home until 1130. That is LATE for me on a weeknight. Who am I kidding, that is late for me any night. It was a fun night though. Too bad the next 8pm game is not until December.

Special K

This cereal is the bomb.

Happy Things

Happy Things for Today:

1. Erik has a 8pm hockey game tonight so I get to go

2. Eli Stone starts again tonight!

3. It's sunny out

4. We are having fish tacos for dinner with homemade guac!

Homeless

2 Things about Homeless people in our neighborhood:

1. I saw one guy talking on a cell phone. Who pays the bill?
2. There is a new guy in the park. He has a lot of random stuff like a bike and a broom. He was sweeping his area today. I thought that was nice of him.

Pedi Paws

Ummmm just saw this infomercial. Now I am wondering if I am hurting Evie when I clip her nails. I know how to cut them and never even get close to cutting the quick but Vets like this thing!

Already Voted

It's not November 4th yet but I already voted. When I got my CA license, I signed up to get my ballots via mail. They used to call it Absentee Ballot and now they call it 'Mail Ballot' or something.

Anyway, I voted already.

We have a TON of local propositions that go from A-V. And, we have numbered Props including this HUGE one - Prop 8. It is legal for gay couples to marry in CA and Prop 8 is to protect that right. By voting NO on 8, we are allowing Gay couples to have marriage rights.


Nov 4th is approaching. Find out where your polling place is and VOTE!

Cupcake Carrier

So, I brought my cupcake carrier on the bus today. This is my 2nd time bringing it on the bus. When I bring it on, people stare. You would think I had an alien in my hand or something. Nope, cupcakes. So, I think they are asking themselves 1)What is that thing 2)What's in it 3)Who in this city bakes & brings it to work?

I think baking & bringing in is a suburb thing.


The Cupcake Carrier

Happy Things

In other news, here is my "Reasons to be Happy" list for the day:

1. I found my Mickey Mouse Halloween Mug and used it this AM
2. New Gossip Girl is on tonight
3. Yummy dinner is already made and waiting in the fridge for tonight
4. Its warm & sunny out
5. We are having cupcakes today for Lauren's b-day (Funfetti that I made!)

Angel Island is on Fire

We have an island in the bay called Angel Island. No one lives here. Its more like a giant state park island. Sadly, it's on fire. It started last night at 9pm and is only 20% contained.

Gymnastics!

Yesterday, I did two parties at the gymnastics gym. It was really fun. The kids were cute and just so excited. As much as I do not normally gush over kids, I think when they are doing gymnastics, I like them more. I am going to be doing parties a few times per months, mostly on Sundays.

2 Crappy Things

2 Crappy things are happening

1. On Saturday morning, I realized that our right side mirror had been pulled off of the car. Either it was hit or someone ripped it off. Now, we have to find out how much it will cost to get it reattached. Not fun driving without it.

2. As of last night at 10pm, there is something wrong with our plumbing. Our bathroom sink filled up to the brim while I tried to brush my teeth. It wouldn't empty so I had to get a cup and fill a bucket with the water. I tried to plunge it and that just brought up all of this nasty dirt and pieces of whatever that looked like tree bark. We realized this AM that if you shower, dump that bucket down the shower, use the toilet, or the kitchen sink....the bathroom sink overflows. We are currently waiting for the maintenance people to come.

**Update on the sink: Plumber came. Removed a big glob of stuff. We're good to go***

Baking

Well it is baking season. From here until Christmas, I will just want to bake all sort of holiday goodies. So far, I made pumpkin bread, Halloween cookies, and Halloween cupcakes. This week, I want to make more pumpkin bread and monkey bread. I know monkey bread isn't 'Halloween' but its so easy to make and looks so good!

Anniversary!

Erik and I have been together for 5 years. I can't believe it. Yesterday, we went to see the 'Blue Angels' downtown. They were pretty cool. I don't know how they fly 4 planes together through buildings and not crash. They really do look like this:



Then, we went to our favorite sushi place, Domo. To finish the night, we went to this trendy bar near our house called, The Candy Bar. They serve cool desserts and drinks. We had smores and wine.

Did You Know....

Palin opposes abortion in all cases, including rape and incest, except when a mother's life is in danger, and said she believes Roe v. Wade should be overturned and the decision given to the states.

Womanizer

I really like Brit Brit's new song!

Working the Polls

I just signed up to work the polls on election day. I guess I have to wait to see if I get picked. But guess what, I get paid for it!

UPDATE: I didn't get picked for a poll worker. Well, actually they only need 'INspectors' and I dont want to do all of this serious training and be responsible for transporting votes.

Christmas Music & The Economy

I think i had a panic attack today about the economy. Three of us were talking about it while walking to get lunch and when I got back to the office, I was breathing funny. I said to my boss, I need to talk to you, I am freaking out. So we talked. He said we are fine. Our Client is not cutting budgets or programs. I feel better.

I still don't want to shop, eat out, or do anything. I want to horde my money and pay my bills. And send Evie to camp.

Anyway, we put on Christmas music so that we all feel happy. I know, its not allowed but this is a special circumstance!!

Major Breaking News

The Supreme Court of Connecticut has just ruled today, Friday, that same sex couples have the right to legally marry in the state.

http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hcu-gaymarriage-1010,0,7812756.story

Ozumo

Tonight, two of my co-workers and I took our new project manager out for sushi. We went to Ozumo and it was awesome. That place is amazing. They have garlic, soy edamame. Um, yes please! We had like 5 rolls and sashimi. So good.

Stock market crashing

The stock market was down 600 pts, now 700 pts. Is today the next Black Friday!?? Sooooooo scary!

Talking with Mouth Full

I HATE when people talk while their mouth is full. It's like they can't even get the words out b/c there is so much food in there, yet they don't stop. They have to get the words out RIGHT NOW. It's gross & RUDE.

Fleet Week

It is Fleet Week here & The Blue Angels are flying. We will have to check them out! Here is the calendar. We will probably be down at Fort Mason for the festivities on Saturday.

Gymnastics

I have a life long love of gymnastics. I did it when I was little, used to make my sister & friends play in the basement, begged for a beam and bars in my backyard, and competed in HS. I even took the test to become a gymnastics judge (uh, but failed b/c it was so hard). Anyway, My friend Stacey & I talked about opening a gym one day. Maybe it will be a reality. She has a new baby daughter and we already said we will make her an Olympian. ha.

Anyway, I would love to be a gymnastics coach. I recently looked on USA gymnastics site for any coach openings and found 2 gyms in the area. I sent my resume to one and they called! I am going to meet with them on Saturday. I think I might just start off doing birthday parties (which I've done in the past) but that's fine. Those were fun. I love lifting little fat kids over the vault and watching them run around to Disney music.

I have no idea who this is but I thought the picture was funny.

I'll let you know what happens on Saturday morning!

Pink Phone

I really want this pink blackberry. I hope ATT gets it so when I can upgrade in Feb, I can get it. How cute!

Win a Kate Spade Shopping Spree

I got this in my email this morning. Enter to win!

Good Money Tip

This was on Oprah.com

Felicity is a mom of three with a baby on the way. To keep better track of where her money goes, Felicity takes cash from the bank every Friday and divides the money into six envelopes labeled for allowance, gas, groceries, takeout and everyday use. "When it's gone, it's gone," she says.

Pumpkin Spiced Latte!!!

I am drinking my first Starbucks Pumpkin Spiced Latte of the season!!!

Garlic Slicer

Need this. You just put the garlic clove in there & it slices it for you!