Funny Costume

Pretty sure this is going to be Erik and child in a few years.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

It's Friday! Woohoo. Halloween weekend! We have some good stuff planned this weekend. Tonight, I am going up to Napa. Betsy's family rented a house up there for a few days so me, her, and her gay boyfriend, Jun are going up. We will just be up for the night & then try to hit 1-2 wineries before we leave around noon tomorrow. It will be fun to get away.

Tomorrow, we are going to a Halloween Party at Bailey's house! She has a roof deck which is awesome so it will be fun. Then, Halloween dinner!! I will tell you all about it on Sunday.

As for my costume, I tried on two from Bailey. They did NOT fit. I wanted to be this cute sailor but the costume was wayyyyy too short. I am going to run up to the costume store on Haight St. in a little bit. I really want to be a girl scout! We'll see.

OK well HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! Have fun this weekend!!

Flu Shot Problem

Um, this is crazy. This chick got a swine flu shot. Now, she has neurological problems. She cannot walk forward properly or speak properly but when she runs, she can talk fine and she can walk backwards fine. I don't know if this is for real or not but if it is, that is crazy!

Evie's costume

It's Halloween and time for Evie to pick a costume. This year, she waited until the last minute. I told her to start thinking about it but she procrastinated. When I dressed her, she sat so still. She knew what I wanted her do and let me do it. I love it.

Well, I had an idea for Evie's costume this year - a mummy.

Didn't work out that well. The toilet paper kept ripping.

Then, I realized the best costume was one I hadn't thought of - Wonder Woman!!

Wearing the actual dress costume & that did not work. Notice the turtle like head she has when I put the crown on her. Oh and the death stare.


Death Stare #2


So proud in her super hero costume!


Happy Halloween - Yours Truly, Evie

Pumpkins

I carved our two small pumpkins last night. We got a new power drill & I really wanted to use the drill to carve. However, what I needed was more of some other tool with a blade that we don't have. However, I used the drill to put holes in throughout the design so it made it a lot easier when I used the knife. Here are our pumpkins:







Evie waiting to see if anything drops for her




Can you tell what this is? Its a cat wearing a witch hat!

Thursday

Today, I went to the gym at lunch. I wanted to get there for kickboxing at 12 but was on a call until 12 so that didn't work. So I still went and ran 2 miles on the treadmill & lifted. It's been a month since I joined the gym and I have been going consistently 3x per week! That is a huge thing for me.

I just think about how I am paying for the gym & don't want to waste money. I also watch Biggest Loser and think if they can do it, so can I. That show is seriously motivating. When I get tired, I think Jillian would scream at me to pick up that weight! Plus, I adopted the sticker reward system(thanks Sarah!). Workout = get a sticker on the calendar. I want that whole calendar filled with stickers!!

Halloween DInner

I am planning a very fun & spooky Halloween Dinner for Erik & I. The menu includes alien body parts, monster guts, dead bats, and dirt from a graveyard. muahahahahaha. I will tell you all about it after we eat so I don't ruin the surprise for Erik. I already warned him it is going to be spooooky.

Brenda

...is the name of a dog Evie played with yesterday. She was adorable - pit boxer mix. She def had a boxer face & was brindle. She ran up to Evie with a stick and they tugged and ran around together. They played so well together. It's so strange how from far away dogs can see each other & go - yep, you're cool. let's play.

But, her name is Brenda. The guy adopted her so i'm sure the name came with her. But, still - who chose that one!

Psychic

Oh and I'm going to talk to the psychic about why Evie gets so nervous when new people come over. I will tell you what she says. Even tonight, Evie froze when Betsy came over. She has seen Betsy 50 times in the house. I got her excited and said, Betsy is coming to see you!! She was so happy. Then, she was eating dinner while Betsy came in. Evie heard the door, backpeddled in the kitchen, and stared at me. So I tried again saying so excitedly - Your friend is here!! Go get her!. She was fine. So strange!

Top Chef

Anyone else think that Top Chef contestant, Brian Voltaggio is cuuuute? Too bad I can't go to his restaurant, Volt, in MD! I think he will win Top Chef. Well, him or his brother but I heard a rumor that he wins.

Napa camp update

Once I cancelled our reservation for Friday, I felt so much better. Like a cloud was lifted. So strange - I'm telling you, always trust your instincts!!

Napa Camp

I have been thinking of sending Evie to a new camp, Camp Rawhide, up in Napa. This will make it easier for us to bring her up there with us when we go for the day. I sent in the paperwork to the camp & am planning on bringing her up on Friday.

Something is not sitting right with us about this place. I said that to Erik & he said, me too. I don't know what it is. I think it is the mixed reviews I saw online. The fact that our current camp has never heard of them. The fact that she is comfortable at her camp & I don't want her to have a bad experience at a new place and then hate the current camp. So, I do not think I am going to send her. If we are both feeling like this, then I all I will do is worry.

Another thing I am worried about is that our friends Tara & Erik are coming out in about a week. I am not sure how Evie will react to them. I just learned from her camp that she is very nervous around new staff. She barks/jumps/growls at them. They have the new staffer stand still while she does all of that & then she is fine. She is just extremely uncomfortable & then is fine.

I've seen her do it here with Erik's family - she shakes, sticks by me, and we all know she barked/growled at Erik's Mom. I am talking to the trainer at her camp to see what we can do.

Wednesday Dinner

I am making a yummy dinner tonight. Well, I already made it since I am working from home. I tasted it already and it's so good!! I also have some left over meatballs to have with pasta & sauce. Yum-o.

Here is the recipe:

1 pkg. (6 oz.) STOVE TOP Stuffing Mix for Chicken

1 can (10-3/4 oz.) reduced-sodium condensed cream of mushroom soup

1/4 cup milk

1 pkg. (1 lb.) frozen meatballs

2 cups frozen peas

1 cup KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Make It!

HEAT oven to 400ºF.

PREPARE stuffing as directed on package, using the Light Prep directions.

MIX soup and milk in 13x9-inch baking dish. Stir in meatballs and peas; top with cheese and stuffing.

BAKE 20 to 25 min. or until heated through.

Bay Bridge

So the Bay Bridge is this long 8 mile bridge that connects SF to the East Bay. Well, over Labor Day, they closed the bridge to do work to it. Apparently, they rushed the job. Today, the bridge closed in both directions because steel cables SNAPPED. Thank God I do not have to drive over that bridge. Here is a picture:



Everyone who commutes to/from the city will have to take the Bart train. Nightmare.

Daily Worth

I signed up to receive the Daily Worth emails which is daily financial advice for women. I love it. Today was very interesting. I think that everyone is very tight lipped when it comes to their salary - I think there is a lot of pressure to behave/have/do certain things when you make a certain amount. People have different perceptions of you depending on how much you make. For instance, if you make $40K but shop all the time, they might think you are ignorant about money, not smart, etc. IF you make $70K and watch your money, people might think you are a penny pincher. It really is all what OTHER people think and I think that is why people don't talk about salary. They don't want to hear other people's opinions about them/what they should/not do with their money. Just my thoughts. Anyway - here is the article -

How Do You Value Yourself?

By MP Dunleavey on Monday October 26, 2009


As women, we chronically devalue ourselves. It's not an easy habit to break. I just did it, but it has taken years.

Breaking the Habit
First, in an odd way the economy has helped. Money is tight and low-balling is rampant. I've been going through so many job negotiations, it has forced me to reassess my own worth and stick by it.

Second, I was lucky enough to receive an epiphany: A good friend was giving me advice before a job interview recently, and she told me her income, as well as the salaries of some other colleagues in our industry. "That's your range," she said. "That's what your peers are earning, and that's what you should be earning."

What a priceless gift. I was fearless (trembling, but brave) when the interviewer asked for my salary requirements. I had never named a number that high. But was I worth as much as my peers? Absolutely.

Courage begets courage: A few days later a woman offered me a pittance for a project. I stated firmly what my time was worth, and reminded her of the benefit she would gain by hiring me. She said she needed her boss's approval. I shrugged and made it clear that if they couldn't pay what I was worth, I wouldn't do it. And I meant it.

What You Can Do
Here are three ways you can increase your earning:

1. Whenever possible, share income information with friends. Economic knowledge is economic power for all of us.
2. Run your numbers. Knowing your worth starts by calculating the baseline you require to live a financially sane life—cover expenses, sock away savings, meet your goals.
3. Stretch. Identify a co-worker, friend, neighbor, relative whose standard of living you admire. What do they earn? Make an educated guess (it's not hard). Are you within range? How would you get there? Now, give yourself permission to get there.

Evie's costume

I think I am going to have Evie be a mummy this year for halloween. You know exactly how I'm going to do it, right? Toilet paper. haha. Hey - its a recession! We'll see how she likes it. I bet you i wrap her up, get the photo & 2 seconds later she is rolling around ripping it off.

Tuesday

Well last night, I did not leave work until 6pm which means that I did not make it to spin or kbox. Instead, Evie & i went for a run. I couldn't belive it - we actually did it. She ran! We went for 30 min and it was more of a walk/run b/c she had to stop to pee.I would love to run with her like that each day. It will get her into a structured exercise program - especially now when it's dark out & no dogs are out to play with.

Monday

Today is sooooo busy. Also, I think my friend Lauren who was on our team & moved to SD, is going to be totally off the business. This means, until they hire someone, we have to take her work. Um, what! WHo is going to do it? We are already swamped. Ugh. They better hire someone, fast.

Tonight - no school & TACOS. woohoooooo! Also, the store across the street has Pumpkin Ale. I love it.

Do you know

Ok, I'll tell you. It's Miley Cyrus sister. I don't think this looks anything like her!

Mermaid Girl

Aw poor Shiloh Pepin aka Mermaid Girl, died. She was 10. They didn't think she would live more than a few days & she lived 10 years!

The 10-year-old, dubbed Mermaid Girl due to a rare genetic condition, died in a Maine hospital Friday after spending a week in intensive care.

Super Suppers

Have any of you ever tried Super Suppers? Well, basically, you go online, pick out meals you want & they deliver them to you. Each 'regular' portion is 2-3 servings for about $15. So for $15,you get essentially 3 meals - if you are just buying for yourself! I MIGHT try this one week to see how it works out.

Flower Headbands

Some of the little girls at gymnastics today were wearing these flower headbands. They are so cute but I think you have to be under 25 to wear them.

Pumpkin Picking

This weekend, it was so nice out. Warm, sunny. On Friday, I met up with Betsy & some of her friends for drinks & dinner. We were home by 10pm which was awesome since I was exhausted.

Saturday, I went to my gym class and then we went down to Half Moon Bay. We went to the Ararta Farm to get pumpkins. They have a pumpkin maze, too. They also had a haunted barn(no thanks!), hayride, etc. It was fun.

Here are some pics.



Hayride, but we didn't go on


They had some strange pumpkins - white ones


misshaped ones


baby ones


They had little huts made out of corn stalks




They had so much stuff built out of hay. This was a jousting ring!


Joust



Erik eating Pumpkin Ice cream. There was no warm cider or hot chocolate to be found. They had ice cream and a bbq there. That is what you get for pumpkin picking when it is 75 out!


We went into the maze. Omg. It was hard to get out. It was like playing a video game where every path you take is wrong and you hit a dead end.


Look at me. I'm so happy, I'm in a maze


Get me out of here!!


And we made it!


Woohoo! I made it out.


Today, I did gymnastics parties & made cupcakes for Erik's co-workers. Have a good week!

The Nie Nie Dialogues

I wanted to share this blog with you guys - THe Nie Nie Dialogues. This woman, Stephanie, is around my age and has a loving husband & 4 kids. Last year, her & her husband were in a horrific plane crash & lived. They were in a small plane with just the pilot. The pilot did not survive, the plane was on fire, and her husband rescued both of them from the plane. They both received substantial burns but, they are alive.

I recently saw them on Oprah & she is really inspiring. Despite the fact that she looks totally different, is burned & cannot do some things she used to, she is happy to be alive and with her family.

Here they are.....The Nie Nie Diaglogues.

Win $100K

Heres another one - Win $100K. Um, yes please!

Win free groceries

Win $1,000 for groceries from Kraft, HERE.

Friday

Whew. Thank God it is Friday. Today, we moved our seats at work. We now sit on the 5th floor with DDB, the ad agency. It feels like we work at an agency again. Before, we were on the 9th floor with just the two of us plus some DDB finance people. It was ridic. So now we have new seats. It will be weird to press the 5th floor in the elevator after 2 yrs of pressing 9! Oh well.

I am so tired today. fridays - i am exhausted. I am hoping to go out tonight for happy hour w. betsy & her two gay guy friends who are hilarious.

Tomorrow, we are going pumpkin picking!!

Thursday

Last night, i went to kickboxing. I was SWEATING. It was great though. I love going to the classes. Its like you are getting trained by someone without paying $100 per session. Afterwards, I watched Biggest Loser. I love Daniel, Shay, Abby & Liz. Liz is like 65 and out there pushing herself to lose weight. Last season, that 65 year old Grandpa lost over 100lbs. Its very inspiring!! OH & for those of you who were with me on the Marthas Vineyard trip back in like 2005 or 2006, they played 'You dropped a bomb on me' in kbox last night. hahahaha

I cleaned and did laundry last night. I like getting it all out of the way during the week so you don't have to worry about it on the weekend. Today is busy busy busy at work followed by happy hour. I might see if we get out early enough if I can make it to the test. If I am home by 6, I can make it.

Evie & The Vacuum

Evie loves to fight with the vacuum cleaner. Here is a video of her doing just that. Also, when I typed in vacuum, i wrote 'vacum' and it said it was spelled incorrectly. I have been spelling that word wrong my entire life. I never knew there were two u's. what a strange word.

Beach

Here are some pics from when we went to the beach last Saturday. You can see Mr. Surfing Safari in his gear -






Don't know who these peeps are but look at the board - it looks like Nemo!

Funny

Erik was walking to the car yesterday with this surfboard. This homeless lady goes, are you going skiing? hhaha. Then, she started to tell him about how she has rugs for sale in the shape of fish or something. Cuckoo.

Old Navy Coupon

Good coupon at Old Navy. Click the pic to get the link to print coupon

Crash & Burn

Hmmm....I fully expect Lindsay to be the new Britney. Expect a head shaving, suicide attempt, or something ca-razy in the next few months.

Tuesday

It rained yesterday but I guess it was more like a flash flood for the city. I caught it on the news that it was this unpredicted, heat/cold/rain thing that caused the sudden downpour aka havoc on the city. here are some pics--

Water was spraying up from manholes

Flooded streets & highway

But, a rainbow after the storm!

I made that Lo Mein last night & it was so good.