If Rich had his vision in the backyard, I had mine in the bedroom...

The popcorns down, the walls are painted...next the art! Thanks Ikea....big next step CARPET and base boards. Happy Thursday!

two weekend project

Last weekend we started the arduous tasks of removing the popcorn from our bedroom ceiling. Its prep work heavy, then messy, then overhead, then sanding, ultimately painting...then moving everything back in. The final product is gorgeous...the new color scheme is stone gray and red pepper red! I'm glad the rain it moving on and can't wait to get back to some lazy weekends! Penny models the new color...oh and there's Allies new bed.

I haven't wrote about her issues lately, but quickly... she's not sleeping through the night. I have new appreciation for new parents, gawd I love my sleep...almost more than Allie! But after checking with the vet, there's nothing physically wrong with her, she is frantic between 11:30 and 2:30 at night. I spoke with a behavior specialist who said she's either trying to warn us or if she's having seizures, she's scared and again trying to tell us. Thursday night I just held her all night on, and slept with her on the floor, only to wake up, curled in a sweaty ball, in the corner of the room with Allie happily sleeping on the bed. So I've given in, stopped using the crate and embraced earplugs. If anyone has suggestions why she may have these anxiety issues, I'm all ears.

Skiing the half pipe babeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

So we have a super long vacation weekend. We took Friday off to go skiing. We returned to our new fav...Boreal. Returned to our fav run but grew tired of it after a while, so I suggested going back to the bunny hill, but it had fun terrain options. The first time through, we sniffed out the half pipe, giggled at ourselves for even considering it...but skied on, past the jumps and ramps. Then we saw our inspiration, some precious 6 year old girl doing the same run, without poles at mach speed and no regrets. So we returned to the halfpipe, surrounded in twenty somethings, decked out in "board-wear" and they knew what they were doing...flipping and roaring down it. So we wait...but eventually we had to Sh*t or get off the pipe....so down I went...now a halfpipe is not really designed for skiers but fun can be had by tight turns and understanding the gravity to turn ratio. I was wussy but made it all the way down then hit the two jumps that at the speed I was going provided me zero air...but huge smile factor. Rich too, after one ride...we were hooked. Each time we improved our technique and daring, taking it further and challenging our skills. Now this middle aged skier knows her limits and confessed we had to make "this one" the final ride. So down the half pipe again, and after Rich got legitimate air, I headed to the mini jump...with little hesitation off I went...slowing enough to not kill myself and the next thing I know AIRBORNE (not the product to prevent colds) and then next I'm eating snow, skis at 10 and 2 spreadeagle.....laughing my ass off. Then I couldn't get up, I struggled for like five minutes to get up and down the hill. Rich and I retold our legendary runs over and over while we left.

After a ski trip, you have two choices, getting stuck in mortal traffic or leisurely stopping and really making a day of it. So down the hill to Nevada City, my power source. Rich practically ran to Cirino's for a celebration Bloody Mary...we have so many memories from this bar and restaurant. They do a mean BM with a beer back, delish with string beans, olives and peppericinis! Then enjoyed a wonderfully delish dinner and on Margaret's recomendation, stopped by Indian Springs Tasting room. We are now official Wine Club members-he he he.

That leaves Saturday for work. Which we did-more to be revealed later. Thanks Don and Mark for letting us joining you for a little sushi fest.

We have super sound...

Sound that vibrates the floor, walls and me! The new Audio/Video receiver is in, and not without some major cursing, fiberglass and pure sweat! We had our old one over ten years and the buttons have been broken for years. We'd have to stick your finger in a hole and wait til something connected to turn it on. So I'm thrilled but now every movie is like a theater with surround sound (not sure that I love that!) But while Rich and Mark were trying to figure all the wires and cables out, my Sister and I were shopping our hearts out. We postponed Christmas and opted for shopping when we could get together. So off to our fav shoe store, MJM (I call it MJB) and Burlington....multiple shoes were purchased he he he! We crisscrossed across Sacramento, buying up a storm....in her Navigator, we literally filled it with bags. Then we all watched ACROSS THE UNIVERSE....it came out on Tuesday. Rich and I were waiting to watch it and she was a instant fan. She loved the art, music and concepts of the movie...so we all sang our heads off and loved that movie all over again. Here's my Sissy with her birthday hat that I got her, to match my kitty hat. Silly Sistah!!!

Welcome February

Well my Mom went into the hospital Tuesday and she has survived some bumpy times. My family circled together and did what a family does: worries, stresses, asks a lot of questions and ultimately waits to hear those precious words, "She's being released today!" She went home yesterday (Saturday) and Rick is taking excellent care of her. With the oxygen and being home, we are hoping she regains her strength and keeps on getting stronger!

On a brighter note we went to our friends, Lisa and Felix's house with Sandy and Dan in Lotus. What a gas! Great wine, funny stories and loads of laughs. Thier house was phenomenal, media room, two cool poochies and they were unbelievable hosts!!!

Then there was Superbowl! There was food: chips, dips, snoshables, phile cheesesteaks and bubbly sugary drinks!!! And then there was the UPSET WIN, who would have thunk???? Rich is in heaven and it was great to have Mark here to share in the glory!

Send good thoughts for my Mommy!