If I Was a Rich Girl

IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER

A year would be dedicated to a better physique with the help of a personal trainer
My "girls" would get some help with defying gravity, as would my gut
I'd be able to help the homeless and supply basic necessities
The kids and mommy would have choppers in immaculate condition
The shoe collection would grow immensely
I would treat my Dad to meals instead of him always covering the check
I would treat my closest gal pals to a VIP reunion trip in Las Vegas once a year
My children would never know what a student loan was
My mother would never have to clean her own home again
Family Christmas's might be hosted in a snowy climate
I would always know what new car smell was
Speaking of smell, I would have all the expensive perfumes I could never afford before
I would commit to charity work and make a difference
Concerts and sporting events would be frequent
My son would not have to make any more car payments
Spontaneous road trips would be possible
I would own one pair of diamond earrings. Just one.
(OK... and maybe one chocolate diamond ring tehehe)
Attending Sturgis bike week would be added to my bucket list
Oh yea, so would zip lining in Hawaii
I would never have to save for a month before I could call a plumber, electrician, etc
Spa and salon days would be commonplace
Cocktail hour would be reinstated
My daughter would get laser and never need contacts or glasses again
I would be enjoyed in places like Miami, Jackson Hole, or New Orleans
(For beach days, horseback riding, and partying on Bourbon Street)
Dress up lunches for no reason at all
I would own every Audrey Hepburn movie ever made
Repaying my parents for their financial help would be a priority
I would finish my college degree just for principle
Monthly bills would be on automatic pay, no more due dates to remember
I would own at least two vacation homes
My passport would have a plethora of stamped pages
(Greece, France, Caribbean, Japan, Ireland, Italy, Scotland)

Life's Lyrics

Hard to Love - Lee Brice

 

I am insensitive and I have a tendency

To pay more attention to the things that I need
Sometimes I drink to much, sometimes I test your trust

Sometimes I dunno why you're staying with me

I'm hard to love, hard to love, I don't make it easy

I couldn't do it if I stood where you stood
I'm hard to love, hard to love, you say that you need me

I don't deserve it but I love that you love me good

I am a short fuse, I am a wrecking ball

Crashing into your heart like I do
You're like a Sunday morning full of grace and full of Jesus

I wish that I could be more like you.

You've given me a million second chances

I don't ever wanna take you for granted

My Favorite Things

Browsing through the pages of my scrapbooks, I was reminded of some of my favorite memories and trips I have taken. I thought I would share some of my favorite places. These are locations where I feel relaxed and happy for a multitude of reasons. (In no particular order)

Poolside at The Pearl Hotel

Hiking in Manitou Springs, Colorado

 

Reading and sipping a latte at Cosmo's Coffee Shop

Football Sunday's at Jolt 'N Joes Sports Bar

Riding my bike around San Diego Bay

Watching the waves crash in Ocean Beach

Last, but not least, watching a sunset from my very own bedroom balcony

 

The Difference Between Girls and Boys

Today I thought I would share a lighthearted post. This morning I was looking for nail polish remover in my daughter's bedroom and was quite impressed at how neat and organized her little corner of the world was. Everything was in its place and although her dresser was cluttered, it was an organized chaos. Very typical of a sixteen year old young lady. Hair products, scented lotions and perfume sprays took up most of the real estate on the dresser. The closet was neat as a pin with like items grouped together and the rest of the weeks outfits paired together. Her bed was even made.

 

As I exited her room I couldn't help but take notice of how my son's bedroom was the complete opposite. Clothes, shoes, papers, towels, and a conglomeration of miscellaneous crap (yes... CRAP) littered the entire floor, in fact, a suitcase sits open, still with dirty clothing in it from the vacation he took... in August!!! There was not even a sheet on his mattress. Well, I just sighed and closed the door to the madness and thanked the man upstairs that at least one of my children is tidy.

 

Notice perfumes are on the corner shelf and jewlery hanging neatly.

Nail polishes organized and sunglasses in a row.

Bed made, and tv chair fluffed with pillows.

Jeans, skirts, blouses, all sectioned together.

Shoes lined up and in the organizer.

Polar opposite: complete anarchy!! Screen not even on window.

Tough Decisions

The first thing this morning I received a telephone call from a gentleman conducting a government background check on my ex husband. He called from a local number and stated my former betroved is currently under review for an opportunity here in San Diego. I am torn. My initial instinct tells me the right thing to do is to return this man's message and be forthright in any way I can.  I don't think I can say anything that would hurt his chances at a job, as our issues were marital, not work related.  On the flip side, my inner bitch says "screw him" and why do anything that will make his life easier after all he put me through?

The basic background of our marriage... we were married only six months when he received military orders to return to Virginia, orders which he was previously aware were coming, yet never disclosed to me prior to marriage. On our one year wedding anniversary we relocated to the east, uprooting my children from the only home they had ever known and leaving an amazing job in the name of being a supportive and loving wife. Upon arrival things were copacetic for six months. We began arguing over money and parenting, causing discomfort in the home and with my children. There are many other things I could add, but I won't air all the dirty laundry and slander his name.

He decided divorce was the best option and found it ok to inform me of this on my 34th birthday, at a restaurant, in front of my children. REALLY??? Due to Virginia being a Commonwealth state the process took over two years before completion. TWO YEARS!!! This was a case with no mutual children, property, or support requested and should have taken six months. I incurred further expense in the returning move to California. Finally it appeared to be official when I realized Virginia law allowed him to contest the reinstatement of my maiden name, which he did. I had to hire legal counsel and file a whole new case, incurring travel costs and attend several different hearings in Virginia. The ex did this purely for spite. It was financially costly, but more importantly, hurtful, after all, it was only 18 months prior we made our vows. Although the marriage did not work out, there was still a lot of raw emotion involved and to this day I hesitate to have any type of long term relationship because I don't trust whole heartedly, as I once did. He took that from me.  

Back to my phone call this morning... part of me feels the right thing to do is to return the call and be the bigger person. The other part of me feels as though I closed the book on this past life and to any connection to him six years ago. I do not want anything to do with him, his life, or his career. I am really on the fence and quite confused. Any advice???

Rawhide

I have a new love for all things country... music, fashion and cowboys. In the spirit of this, I treated myself to a special purchase of these boots by Steve Madden for a steal of a deal at Ross. Nope, not ashamed to brag on my deal. I looked at boots at several places and was stunned to learn how expensive the authentic brands run (Lucchesse= $800+; Old Gringo= $600+; Ariat= $400+). Since I cannot justify that amount of money without first scoring the winning lottery ticket or snatching up a rich sugar daddy (LOL) I settled for my pair which retail at $80 and I got on sale for $25. I have worn them a few times and feel so cute when I don them with a denim mini skirt or a black dress. I am looking forward to whatever "winter" season we may get here in Southern Cali so I can wear them more!!! Maybe I will meet a Hatfield or a McCoy to ride off into the sunset with...

20 Minutes to Deliciousness

 

In my quest to stop the fast food madness and treat this old aging bod with a bit more respect, I have been preparing a lot more meals in my own galley as of late. Although I have tried a few recipes by television's latest celeb chefs, I have fine tuned them to my own variations of taste preference and tend to like them better. Eating healthy never tasted so delicious. Tonight's entree was a one pot creation of culinary experimentation. Components were simple: pasta, turkey meatballs and sliced squash in a home made-ISH arrabbiata sauce (basically a spicy version of marinara, jazzed up with olive oil, garlic, bell peppers and chipotle flakes.. all things I had on hand.) The following steps took less than 20 minutes total:

 

Start to boil the pasta

Chop bell peppers and garlic

Slice squash and mix with pepper/garlic

Micro veggie mixture and meatballs, takes 2 minutes for perfection

Drain pasta

Add sauce and seasonings

Toss in meat and squash

Stir into a bowl of deliciousness

Monday Yummies

 

Seeing as how I had a Monday with nothing pressing on the agenda, I accepted a spontaneous lunch invite. A walk along the cliffs of Ocean Beach worked up our appetites, so we ventured inside Raglan Public House, an Australian eatery with a casual vibe and 100% organic grub. Lunch was, as always, delicious, service was great and the company was not too hard on the eyes either. The funniest part of the meal was when my companion, an African student here studying English, informed me that their (shoestring) fries were too skinny, so they "must be Kenyan fries." Tehehe.  Maybe you had to be there, but it was pretty funny. Anyway, we feasted on sweet potato fries with crumbled bleu cheese and teriyaki "chick-on-a-stick" and washed it down with variety of ales. A solid way to start the week.

 

 

 



Today I woke up to the sound of rainfall... music to my ears. My balcony door was wide open and the cool morning breeze billowed my curtains. The steady plink-plink of drops on my table inspired me to don my wellies and bumbershoot and take a walk. The saying says "Stop and smell the roses" but for me, it was stopping to smell the rain that started my week off on such a peaceful mind set. And yes, I actually did splash in some puddles.

Embracing Simplicity

An overcast weekend filled with a few of my favorite things:

 

 

Homemade soup

Drinks with old friends

Making a new friend

Movie marathon in my jammies

Bonding with my favorite offspring

Hot tea

Watching the rain

Snuggling with my pooch

Fresh linens

Wood working project

Finishing a great biography

SWEET SWEET VICTORY

Thank you San Diego Chargers AKA Chokers, being in 1st place feels great. Even better that we took it from you on your own turf. I know my fellow San Diegans think I am a traitor, but at least I am true to the team I really love instead of just the one I am supposed to for simple geographic reasons.

 

On that note.... GOOOOOO BRONCOS!!!!!!

A Mother's Love

As many people are in this economy, I am going through critically tough pecuniary times. Creative financing has never been so prevalent in my checkbook register. This week in particular was terribly frustrating. Every single one of my utility accounts are past due and on major payment extension status. I have two very important meetings tomorrow that may be the solution to my personal economic crisis, yet I had no gas to get there. Our fridge was void of anything other than condiments, a few eggs, and a box baking soda. I prayed and prayed hard for God to help me find the right answer and to give me the strength I need to stay strong. As if on cue, my mother phoned at that exact minute and invited me to lunch. I didn't even know if I had gas to get a mile down the street, but I did not want to tell her that fact and cause her worry. I felt guilty because here she was, treating me to lunch, and I had to ask her for a few bucks to cover my gas.

We ordered our meal selections and before I could say anything, she handed over an envelope stating she had been saving it for tough times and she had a feeling NOW was as tough as it could get. I opened the paper and found two gift cards, one for gas and the other for groceries. How did she know? Mother's intuition? I started to cry right there in Denny's, feeling relieved, but at the cost of wounded pride. She questioned my tears and I could barely squawk out my answer that I felt so disheartened being in my position.

My mother looked at me and asked me if I had been praying for help. I responded that, yes, of course I had. What she said next was a wake up call. She said "Well, your prayer was just answered. So instead of feeling bad and having wounded pride, thank Him for answering your prayer. Don't pray for something and then be to ashamed to accept what you need." She was completely correct, of course. Tears tehn welled up in her eyes as she told me when I was a kid it was her sister Gloria who was always there in times od crisis. (Gloria passed away about five years ago and we all miss her dearly.) She then said over the years she'd managed to put a few bucks in savings for a rainy day and if SHE has it, WE have it. I was very touched. Her generosity, much like my Aunt Gloria's, never ceases.

The lesson to be reminded of here is to always have faith. Something will happen and things eventually work out as He sees fit. Also, when your prayers are answered, don't be to prideful to accept the blessings. A lesson that bears reminding. This was a very humbling experience today. I felt the need to share my enlightenment with others as it serves as a good lesson for everyone. And by the way, Thanks Mom.

Magical Manitou

 

I wish I could morph myself 20 months (or so) into the future. The second half of my life is destined to be played out in a variety of new landscapes and adventures. In a perfect world, I would be all settled in to my girlie little apartment, surrounded by most precious comforts. Family heirlooms such as my grandmothers crochet lap blanket and china dinnerware, photos of my children and family, and, of course, my doggie. 8-)

For those of you who are new to my blog, let me tell you about my beloved Manitou. I have been there three times and fell in love with this tiny little free spirited town the very minute I stepped out of the car. This quaint town is located in the foothills of Colorado Springs and is frequented by hiking fanatics and those whom greatly appreciate a pint. The infamous "Incline" is known to break down the strongest of climbers. Additionally, the mineral water fountains throughout town have their own mythological history. These fountains are pumped from local springs and naturally contain so much iron and phosphate that local legend consideres it magical "healing water."

If I was there on this night, I would take a brisk walk passing historical buildings now serving as antique stores, pubs, diners, and art galleries. I will sidle up on bar stool, putting something warm and comforting under my coaster. Striking up conversation with the locals, most of which are beatnik hippies who take pride in their nonconformist lifestyle, I hope to make a friend in this new metropolis. I will have a few libations and wrap back up in my warm coat and head back out into the chilly night. Tonight, the temperature is a cool 42 degrees, no rain or snow expected. Perhaps tomorrow I will venture out and take a train ride or meet my bestie for coffee.

Manitou Springs, Colorado.

"A little drinking town with a hiking problem"

(actual town motto!)

 

 

A Dresser is Born!

The dresser started out as scratched up wood, very dark in color

Setting up the paint area

the drawers were painted with "Heirloom White" spray paint

 and "Summer Blue" acrylic craft paint, completed with a small brush by hand

A pearl embellishment was placed on all drawer fronts

 

The unit was hand painted with "French White."

The paint was supposed to be its own primer, however,

this still took 3 coats for coverage.

I also touched up the wrought iron footing with some leftover black spray paint

The finished product!!! The pearls did not line up exactly

but I still was happy how it turned out.

(Please excuse the messy bedroom in the background LOL)

 

And now, I have two more units to go to complete the three piece set!!!

Sayonara Suckers.....

I have become increasingly more convinced that my plan of fleeing California is just what the doctor ordered. By the onset of 2013, my monthly countdown will officially be in the 'teens. Although it will still be 17 months until I receive my parenting pardon, somehow that put a definite feeling of nearness to my plans. By this time next year I will have begun solidifying the main timeline, putting my plan into action and beginning to calculate out expenses and starting to fill that piggy bank to cover relocation expenses. The last thing I want to do is fail to properly plan and set myself up for failure. While doing some online research this evening, I stumbled upon a thought provoking article by Cathy Goodwin. I only would add to #5 if you are not a novel-writing type of person, try keeping a journal instead (or a blog tehehe) The following is an excerpt:

Here are ten tips to a help you tune in to your inner compass when your world is spinning.
1. Ask, "Who am I? What do I need to be happy?"
The secret to a successful move depends on how you answer the question, "Can I still be me?  To answer this question, write ten "I am" statements about yourself -- anything from "I am a dog-owner" to "I am friendly and outgoing." Before you move, ask yourself, "How will this list change after I move?" You may still be a dog-owner...but will you create that role the same way?
2. Take a test drive.
When you buy a car, you don't just go around the block. You try the freeways and the rough roads. Considering a move to Seattle or Syracuse? Study the culture as if you were an anthropologist.
3. Pack an emotional first aid kit.
Most hikers pack a first aid kit with sunblock, band-aids, and insect repellent. For relocation you can pack favorite photos of friends, family, places and pets (so you remember who you are) Phone numbers of trusted confidantes (for moments when you really need to hear a familiar voice)
4. Develop ceremonies to honor your new life.
As you unpack boxes or begin a new assignment, play your favorite music and enjoy your favorite foods. Arrange one room -or one corner of the room-to look familiar. Some people create a special ritual of settling in to make the new life their own.
5. Plan for downtime.
For the first few months you'll probably have gaps in your social calendar.  Plan to fill downtime with meaningful projects. Write a novel. Complete a painting. Join a dance group. I would add a physical activity, anything from weight-lifting to walking the dog extra times. When you nurture yourself, you communicate strength and confidence to others. If you are seen as vulnerable and needy, you will attract negative people and negative experiences.

BONUS: Celebrate everyday life.
Think small. A walk around a lake. A perfect cup of coffee in a nearby coffee shop.  Listen for the moments when you say, "I could get used to this..."