New Improvements

So after years of living in what I call "white trash ghetto" and being grateful for a roof over my head but not so happy with the look of the house, I took a huge leap and added some color! Now, I am beginning to feel like I can call it "home".

I was a bit nervous and excited at the same time so below... you can see what I did. And if you keep scrolling down, you'll see how incredible the wall looks with my couch! I also took my paintings from Italy to Michael's yesterday to order the frames, OH I CANNOT wait til they come in! Yes, I will post pictures! They are black frames with brown matting!

Happy Thanksgiving

It's that time of year when we give thanks...

so today I decided to give 36 things I am thankful for:

1. My mom and dad {they have always supported me and show me what true unconditional love is}

2. Morgan and Faith {they bring joy into my days and they are kind of incredible young girls!}

3. My job {with the Economy the way it is... how can I not be? I have great benefits, a good income, and free school!}

4. Paula {she is still an inspiration to me and I miss her!!!! She is my hero}

5. Friends in my life at this moment {the ones I can call with concerns, worrys, and happy moments}

6. Friends I have had in the past {they have helped me become who I am today}

7. My house {I might call it white trash ghetto but I have a roof over my head}

8. Co-workers... aka friends {they continuously keep me sane at work and make me laugh}

9. My trip to Italy

10. My bed {it's big and comfy and I love it!}

11. Rain and cold weather

12. Max, my dog {yes, I know I've complained about him all these years but old age has made him a bit more calm and he loves me no matter what!}

13. My blackberry {it can keep me in touch with the world}

14. My computer {see above}

15. God {he kind of rocks}

16. My health

17. Color {Paint on the walls makes me happy and makes my house seem more like a home}

18. DVR {I get to dvr Lipstick Jungle, Prison Break, 24, all my shows and watch them when I get a chance, even if it's a year later}

19. Olive Oil from Italy

20. My desire to help others

21. My family {aka: cousins, aunts, uncles, ect}

22. America

23. Freedom!!!

24. Appletini's and nights out with friends

25. My hearing and eyesight

26. My independence and ability to speak up for myself

27. Good movies

28. Ice {in Italy, they usually do not give you ice... I never realized how much I like ice until then}

29. Amy Row for encouraging me to go back to school.

30. The ability to walk where I want or need to go.

31. Roast and Potatoes {All American food}

32. That the cost of gas is going down

33.That there is a GPS that detects photo radar {so I heard... I just need to find this handy little device}

34. The beach

35. Life

36. Endings that only made me stronger

I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving~

Peace!

Arizona = Heat

So as you know, I was born here in Arizona and I have lived here my entire life. Growing up, I HATED the heat! I wanted to move... anywhere! As long as it was out of this city of hell.

Did you know the house I grew up in only had a swamp cooler? No wonder I HATED it here!

Well, as I got older, I grew to love Arizona and learned to deal with the summers. Not that I enjoy them... but I deal with them. It also seems that every year it takes longer and longer for the cold weather to arrive. We have been able to wear t-shirts and flip flops and it is still in the 80's. Now, did you all realize that tomorrow is THANKSGIVING!!! I swear, something is wrong. Wasn't Thanksgiving all about jeans and sweaters? What happened? Why is it every year when my family gets together and we eat outside, it is still a bit warm? I mean, you could wear a long sleeve shirt in the shade but you definitely do not need to pull out winter items. Ok, wait, Arizona winter clothes are long sleeve shirts! HA~

Well, today it rained. Today it is cold (for Arizona). I LOVE it!!!

I love cold weather.

Bundling up in warm clothes.

Drinking hot chocolate.

Warm soup.

I love being able to use the scarves I bought in Italy.

The only thing I dislike... is my feet get cold in flip flops still.

But I'm a flip flop girl so that is a hard habit to break.

Enjoy the Arizona winter....

Decision Time

A half marathon is a road running event of 21,097.5 meters, or 13+7⁄64 miles, about 13.1 miles. It is half the distance of a marathon and usually run on roads. It is a popular race for runners of all abilities, long enough to be a serious challenge for most people, but not requiring the level of training of a marathon. In consequence, many towns and cities hold annual all-comers half marathon races through their streets. It is also common for a half marathon event to be held concurrently with a marathon, using almost the same course with an early finish.

So I am thinkin I might start training for one of these... What do I have to lose? I'll keep ya posted!!!

Happy Tuesday~

Peace!

ROCKSTARS = RON AND DARA

Update on the IRONMAN: They both finished! And our cheering section did not quite until they both crossed the finish line! Ron, he rocks! He is such a great husband to Dara and I adore the man. Dara though... she has been such an inspiration to so many people. She has no idea and maybe that is what makes her so incredible. Just an fyi for those of you (me included) who sometimes think we "can't" do it... this amazing woman completed an entire Ironman (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run) without being able to move her back or neck due to an injury! I am so proud of her (and Ron too!). I think she belongs on a box of Wheaties! She is that awesome!!! Below are some pictures I took throughout our cheering night. It was so much fun being out there cheering on Ironmen. If you have never done it, I suggest giving it a try one time. It is very motivational. I know one guy who crossed the finish line... was 71 years old! Imagine that...

Watching intently to make sure we did not miss her cross the line. Ron got too close for us to get a picture of him.

Chiara and Luca (Simone's kids) up late and cheering on the athlete's. They were so cute and so excited to be there to watch Dara finish. They held their hand out for hours as athlete's passed and gave them "five".


Simone and I - by the way... it is almost winter time in Arizona... It was a bit cold out!



Dara passed us and on her way to cross the finish line!
I think we were all most in tears... ok, I know I was!!!!
And you should have seen the smile on Ron's face as he found us in the bleachers to say she was on her way.

After the Race: Simone (hold Luca who fell asleep), Chiara, Me, Ron, Dara, Missy, and Becky

Ron and Dara!

The Girls: Simone, Chiara, Me, Ron, Dara, Missy, and Jocelyn

Ironman

Remember my friend Dara? The amazing woman who was training for the Ironman a few years ago and hit by a car while riding her bike? Remember how she did not let her injuries stand in her way and when she was given permission by the doctor's she started training again? Remember that this woman has had more obstacles come her way than most people I know. And remember how today she got in the water at Tempe town lake and began her journey through the 2008 Ford Ironman?

I will be at the finish line with other friends waiting for her tonight, cheering her on.

Because she is that AMAZING and deserves every cheer that we have!

She is kind of a ROCKSTAR like that!

Oh- and just one more of my hero's!!!

Friends

Do you ever just miss someone?

I miss these girls mother.

I think today... she was here. I turned on the radio and heard, You Oughta Know by Alanis.

We used to sing that song at karaoke.

I like spending time with good friends. Ones you have not seen in awhile.

I miss them too!

Twilight Official Trailer

Last night I went to see Twilight. Sarah and her friend went to stand in line around 6pm. Jenny and a the rest of us went to get some food and meet up with Sarah after around 8:30. Yes, people stood in line forever for good seats! We got into the theater around 9:30 and still had to wait til midnight for it to begin.
Waiting was interesting. There were a few guys who were hilarious! They came prepared with beach balls to throw while we waited. However, no one expected the uptight grumpy women. Security came in and took the ball. The women complained about the guys (I put in my 2 cents that they were doing nothing wrong and the women needed to loosen up some). Seriously... what else were we suppose to do for 2-1/2 hours while we were in a theater??? We had fun at the grumpy women's expense though...
The movie finally started at midnight. It was definitely a bit different than the book, slower, but still good.
Fun times with great friends!
Thanks Jenny and Sarah for letting me tag along with you!!!

We Survived!

I'm a Survivor!!!!

Those Born 1920-1979

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors, or cabinets and when we rode our bikes , we had no helmets, not to mention the risks we took hitch hiking.

As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts, or air bags.

Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.

WE ate cupcakes, white bread, and real butter and drank Kool-aid made with sugar, but we weren't overweight because, WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on. No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes. No video games at all, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or chat rooms.......

WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment.

Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!

These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers, and
inventors ever! The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.

We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned

HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!

If YOU are one of them...

CONGRATULATIONS!

Oops...

I missed a post yesterday! That stinks and means I need to double up.

However, tonight will not be the night.

School is overtaking my life!!!

I'm sorry, I am out of things to blog tonight...

my brain is shut off and I need some much needed sleep...

tomorrow night = TWILIGHT!

I can't hardly stand it I am sooo excited! =)

ESFJ = Me

{Me when I was little with my cousin, Davey}

What is ESFJ?
Well, I took the Jungian 16-Type Personality test
I am ESFJ, aka: The Caregiver.

As an ESFJ, your primary mode of living is focused externally, where you deal with things according to how you feel about them, or how they fit in with your personal value system. Your secondary mode is internal, where you take things in via your five senses in a literal, concrete fashion.

ESFJs are people person's. They love people. They take their responsibilites very seriously and are very dependable. They value security and stability, and have a strong focus on deatils of life.

ESFJs are warm and energetic. They need approval from others to feel good about themselves (could be why I always ask for advice on an outfit, make up, hair, ect). They are hurt by indifference and don't understand unkindness. They are very giving people, who get a lot of their personal satisfaction from the happiness of others. They want to be appreciated for who they are, and what they give. They're very sensitive to others, and freely give practical care. ESFJs are such caring individuals, that they sometimes have a hard time seeing or accepting a difficult truth about someone they care about. (is that me or what!?)

We respect and believe in the laws and rules of authority (however I HATE those stupid photo radar's and I do NOT believe in them!).

ESFJs at their best are warm, sympathetic, helpful, cooperative, tactful, down-to-earth, practical, thorough, consistent, organized, enthusiastic, and energetic. They enjoy tradition and security, and will seek stable lives that are rich in contact with friends and family.

Ok, so this MBA thing... it is kind of interesting so far!

Blessed Home

Have you heard of smuding?

Smuding is one of the best ways to remove negativity,

negative forces, and unwanted energies from your home.

The most important thing you will need to begin a smudging ritual for your home will be a smudge stick. Smudge sticks are normally hand made and rolled, and tightly tied together by yarn or string. There many different variations, scents, and herbs that are used in the making of a smudge stick, however, sage is the most common one used because sage is one of the most potent negativity killers out there today and has been for hundreds of years.

For more information, go here

So tonight, Simone smudged my house leaving it blessed.

Peace~

Color, Cut, Style...

Well I stink because I do not have photos... next weekend I will have some photos to post.

The girls spent the night last night and it has been awhile since the three of us have been together. They are amazing and exactly what I need some times! We had fun just hanging out. Last night they played and watched a movie while I struggled over homework. Faith kept asking if I was done yet. She also said she is going to go to college after high school so she does not have to go to school online like I do! HA- little does she know she will probably go to school online because it will be the way most will eventually go to school. We talk about the importance of getting a college degree all the time so I think they understand they'll be going to college! I am not sure what was up with Faith but she kept asking me how much everything in my house cost. She was making me laugh. She would not go to sleep until I went to bed last night, she usually doesn't. However, Morgan climbed into bed around 11. Faith and I headed off around midnight.
We woke up this morning and headed to see Audrey to get our hair cut. Faith still has the same cut with bangs, just above her shoulders now and Morgan changed her to the same cut. I am trying to convince Morgan to start styling her hair in the mornings. So when we got home today I handed her the flat iron and showed her how to use it. We tried it on Faith's hair and then Morgan did her own. I even had Faith try it. I think (and hope) they'll start using the flat iron on their hair now that they know how easy it is to use! Now some of you may not understand but this is great news because they never do anything to their hair. Since Susie has come along though, she does do stuff with their hair but in the mornings for work she leaves too early so obviously the girls need to learn to do their own hair. Anyways, I am excited!
After our hair (I had color and a cut... normal color it is now) we ran a few errands and the girls are going to help me organize the second bedroom so I can eventaully put a bed in there. I need to get rid of my corner desk and once my friend Nicole finds a new house, she'll be taking it away! It feels good to start getting rid of stuff I do not use or need.
That was our weekend! Relaxing... Hair... Fun!

10 mins left

So I have 10 minutes left in this day to post a message. I am just going to say I am glad this week is over and happy the weekend is here. I've been on edge all week, just a lot going on with school and work. Girls had a dentist appointment this week (things are good but Morgan still has a couple cavities we need to have filled). They love the dentist! YAY!!! Work- let's just say TOTAL burn out! School... I'm second guessing myself but excited to learn so much new stuff! I am going to be smart! HA-
Tonight the girls have been here with me. They have been chillin' while I finished my homework from yesterday. It's 11:50 pm here and I just finished! So I am off to get some sleep, Faith is patiently waiting, she keeps coming in and asking if I am done yet. I think if I make her wait any longer, she'll fall asleep on my front room floor.
Ciao~

Christmas gift ideas

So I have this cute friend whom I call Elizabeth... but I believe only I call her that, maybe I am wrong. Anyways... she is so dang creative it is UNBELIEVABLE! She created the charm I wore for over a year that said FREEDOM. Tonight I attended her jewelry party where you could see face to face her adorable stuff. Of course I got a necklace and because I love her stuff so much I decided I would share her website with you!

Check Liz's stuff out here

Check out her adorable rustic signs too! I'm going to be looking into that once I get my humble home a bit more organized and livable. Anyways... on a side note. I am smarter than I thought! I did well my first week of school and have an assignment due tonight. Uhmm... I have not startedd but never fear, I have 3 hours left to get it done.
So I am off to do homework.

Peace~

If You Want Me To

I listen to this song over and over when I have had one of "those" days. Thought I would share...
Off to church for worship now and then back home to listen to this one til I fall asleep.

Veterans Day

To my dad and all the other veterans:

Thank you for serving.

For sacraficing your life so I have freedom-

Freedom to say what I want

Freedom to make my own decisions

Freedom to vote

Freedom to walk down the street and hold my head high

because

I am

American!

Today I am thankful for...

What I am thankful for...
today....

***I work with a great group of people {except the compulsive liar}.

***An even working with the compulsive liar adds fun to our work envirnoment because... yes, we make fun of him but seriously... he is telling everyone that he is planning a UFC fight in the desert. At first it was going to be in Nov. but now it is moved to Dec. I am sure it will soon be postponed to Jan. and so on. Did I mention he was chased through the jungle by communist and held a knife to some guy for insulting his "mama"? Oh there is more... much more and we laugh every day at him. This might be wrong but the guy had no clue the difference between truth and lies. My father said he was like a piece of cheese sliding off a cracker! {that makes me laugh}.

***Speaking of my father... he is currently in China and I got an email from him today. He is happy there and doing good. That is good news! But I miss him!!!!

***My patience. I helped one of my co-workers students. She is 75 years old and going back to school. I spent 2 hours on the phone with her teaching her how to right click a mouse (that confused her to the left clicking), how to copy and paste, and how to save documents to Microsoft word.

***I worked out HARD! with Natalie and Cliff. Cliff is our awesome trainer! Even though I gave him a few dirty looks... he knows how much I appreciate him! He seriously ROCKS!!!

***I came home and finished putting my last chair together. My table and chairs are complete. Now I just need to put the buffet together but that will come tomorrow {maybe}.

***I finished my first week of school. I had a mental breakdown on Friday night because I felt completely intimidated by the other classmates. They seem to be more "formal" in their writing than I am. Plus I want to constantly crack a joke. I was not sure if I would be able to complete this program or even if I chose the right one... but I know I did because I realize the only way I will learn is to take the courses. So when I am done... I will be smart in the business world!

That my friends are some of the reasons I am thankful today.

Faith's day

So today I took Faith for her birthday gift! Yes, I know, I'm almost 2 months late. For the girls birthday's this year I did not get them a present (wait... yes I did! They each got to pick something out at the store... Morgan got the Miley Cirus CD and Faith got a webkin). We also went to dinner to celebrate their birthdays and as you know, I got Morgan tickets to see the Jonas Brothers (even though they only sang about 4 songs). Faith is a bit harder to find things for that are a bit "special" she is still pretty much only into dogs and cats. Morgan suggested me taking Faith to a dog show! Serious!!! There is no way I would sit though a dog show sooo I had to figure something out and that I did.
We went to Red Robin for lunch then over to As You Wish to paint. Faith painted a dog... After, we stopped at cold stone creamy and had ice cream to celebrate her birthday. From there, we went to borders were she spent her gift certificate that my mom got her. She got a few books, even picked out chapter books! I am really proud of her because it seems her reading is improving! GO GLASSES!!!
I totally did not get any pictures! Sorry about that but the girls are spending the night on Friday night and then we are headed to get our hair done (my colored and cut, their's just a cut) so I'll try and take some pictures then.
Ok- it is time to get some sleep. Tomorrow is Monday... ick!
peace~

Lipstick Jungle

Does anyone else out there watch this show? I LOVE it! I believe the show has become my favorite. Maybe because they are older women and let's face it... so am I. Maybe because I secretly would love to live in the heart of a major city {I seriously do not consider Phoenix a real city}. Nico is dating the hot, young guy, Kirby. Victory is on again off again with Joe, the billionaire and Wendy is married to Shane with 2 kids. The women are all very successful, it's almost like Sex and the City but maybe not as trashy?
Anyways, if you do watch it or have only caught a few episodes or maybe want to tune it... it's now on Friday nights at 8pm {AZ time} on NBC.
That is all I have for today-
Peace!