How quickly things can change....

The weekend started with a van rental and then Mark and I spent all morning loading Greg's stuff and all afternoon moving into the new digs. A nice 2 bedroom townhouse apt with "walk in" closets no less. Sunday I helped Greg set up the new place and by 3pm we were playing Guitar Hero in stereo and life was good. Cut to the midnight phone call....the apt next door caught fire...he is ok and they let him into a vacant apt next door....I show up at 6:45am and he is a bit freaked... When I talk to the Mgmt staff they let me know that the apt is toast and because of the presence of asbestos...all of the soft items inside are contaminated....Red Cross was great..they provided debit card for some supplies and a voucher for 3 days at a motel,,,but Greg wont leave without his backpack, back in the burned unit....and he wont sign the waiver to get in...

I set him up with a cellphone and some clothes, bed, cooler and leave him about 12 hours later...Tuesday he is still unwilling to sign the waiver, so I try to make him comfortable and work with the manager on the upcoming new apt...I split around 3 to try to get a nap and at 4:50 I get a call from the manager that someone "matching his description" has busted the window at the burned out place. So over I go and when I get there she allows me in ,,,against the rules and I get the Backpack...This in hand, Greg is now ready to go to the Motel..GREAT!

I check in, open the doors, go back to the car and tell Greg to take the dog to the bathroom and lock him in there so we can bring in the stuff. Well the dog had other ideas and proceeds to escape his collar and get hit by a car on Arden way...HOLY SHIT!!! Greg is able to round him up and we get him into the room. About the time Kris shows up and like the Angel she is, calms all of us down...Dog seems OK...WOW..

Wednesday morning and he seems OK. I get him some water and get to work for a couple hours. I am pretty burnt, so I do what I can and get out. Now I find that he is back to whigged out and only wants water no food. He is safe with his dog, bird, guitar and backpack! I am taking the night off. The pics are of the Sunday afternoon happy time and the one is of the fire damage....all good thoughts are welcome!

Glass and Craft Bead Expo

This blog post could reflect the fun, friviality and mahame conjured up of a Vegas trip but really we were calm...My sister and I headed to our fourth Glass and Craft Expo in Vegas. And one night we were in bed by 9. I'm such a wuss....I know she would be up for bit more partying but her younger “stick in the mud” sister is all about precaution, preparation and prevention. I was using my anti-bacterial gel constantly and washing my hands, all the while trying to seek out anything resembling “real food.” Thank goodness for the Seattle's Best, bran muffins, freakin delish. Mind you I'm not totally innocent...we wopped it up...between 7 and 9:30, what...? Whatever, we had classes to go to and WHATEVER. Thats just me...Plus this trip was different than previous trips. Before we stayed on the Strip and really made the most of walking around, seeing and experiencing the sights. Not so much this time, we stayed at the South Point “off, off Strip.” One day I didn't even go out side, once. But the classes were on the most part, good.
The Feng Shui class, that I was the most excited for, was a complete bust. (note: taking a Feng Shui class from a man named: Stew G oldman, may have been my first clue) The instructor was having some mental issues and as a class progressed, we slowly watched him desinergrate in front of us, talking about how all he wanted was to go back to the time in Japan, during the war, when he was 23, buff and in power....then we heard about his 7 marriages...and that he really didn't believe in Feng Shui ...frake, whelp that was a bust. I requested a full refund, I'll wait and see.
My Internet Marketing class was really a combo of a 6 hour commercial for this womans Web Design services and how most people screw up trying to do websites themselves. Another disappointment, if I knew the class was limited to Web design, I would have made another choice. However, my sissy and I travel well together and entertain ourselves.
The best class for me was a bubble class. The instructor was possessed to teach us as much as possible in the seven hour class, plus we came out of the class with nine pieces, some air brush experience and the option to try a mold making medium too. These are the only samples that I made but I'm pretty impressed with the experience. And I feel like I know a number of different ways to create bubbles in my glass work, including using laudry detergent and the paint should be mixed with denatured alcohol and Mountain Dew for best results. Glass People are a little twisted!
Then there was the gambling, again...if some people live LARGE...I'm a proponent for living: small to Medium....yeah, I rule on the penny machines, hell they still bring you free drinks to the penny machine too! We found the Star Wars machine and two nights in a roll, Kathy and I rocked to Chewbackahs roar, Xwing fliers, and Darth himself...oh yeah there was Cloud City and Jedi training...we just sat and giggled like little girls. Thoroughly entertained and usual coming out with more money than we started with...of course those winnings could only be counted in Pennys :D
Note games not to play: Lotus Flower, SeaMonkeys, Shake your Booty, Dam Lumbeerjack Beavers and that Gem tile game ....
As for the Expo itself, the shopping was overwhelming: I bought some highly saturated color paper that can be cut and sandwiched with clear that is really spectacular. I bought a sample pack of bubble powder...see samples, again really cool. I bought dichro decals, gold and platinum and Edda-three new drill bits (the right size) yeahhhhh!
So unless they move the Expo to Reno, I think I'll need a year break before returning...but all in all a good experience. Love my snoring Sister and coming home (frack my plane doesn't even get to Vegas for another hour) will be a thrill.

DONE!!!

After six months and many failed glass attempts the TAROS sign is where it belongs....on display at my favorite place to eat... Danniel and Terry seem to like it. I hope they keep it prominently displayed for a while. Kris made some business cards and they said they would pass them out to anyone interested in the sign. I am glad to get that one out of my head,,been wanting to make that for them for a year. Mark this one DONE.....

Resistance is futile

I have heard for years Podcasts, Podcasts, Podcasts
so with four hours to kill on my train days into and back from Oakland
I acquisessed (sp?) sound it out
Now I'm a Diggnation, Totally Rad Show, Lynch Land and newly added TV.winelibrary fan.

Usually the train trips are boring but now I'm usually rendered to tears, sometimes close to wetting myself and snorting...but today I was introduced to TV.Winelibrary.com and I cannot say enough positive things about it...do me a favor and watch this, http://tv.winelibrary.com/2008/03/14/the-call-was-answered-special-episode/
if you're not hooked...then you can say you tried and tell me/us to shut up...all I can ask is you to try!

ps. check out Rich's latest glass piece, nice copper inlay and cool bubbles

Hack, snork, sneeze....what was planned may not turn out

So besides that fact that I have a snorky cold now...our weekend plans feel through in a way but turned 360 degrees around. So, here was the plan, Friday: O'dark thirty...get up...take Kris to Train station for 6:20 train,...Kris to work in Oakland and Rich would survive another board meeting and leave work by 1. Then he would drive down to Oakland to pick me up...since Santa Cruz was our goal. We had signed up with Absolute Adventures for a Kayak Whale Watching tour. We Were Stoked!!!...So Rich picks me up and we are in transit, noting the dark clouds, wind and on/off rain and we get the call, the trip is rescheduled. SH*T! We have Aunt Sue, our Pet Sitter Supreme watching the homefront, killar hotel lined up...we had no other choice. So we continue on to Pacific Street for yummies at Vida's. I had eaten there before with Anna and Sherril and had such a good meal, I'd been waiting two years to go back. Plus it was Happy Hour and our spirits needing lifting! We consumed three appetizers and split a salad (my fav kinda meal) and some margaritas...so we were feeling a bit more Santa Cruzy by the end of it. We ventured into some of my fav.s stores before heading to our luxury accommodations: Chaminade. Its not beach front but up in the hills with the eucalyptus and pine trees. We dropped our bags, drank in the room and headed back down to meet our friends. We had the priviledge of visiting with Brian and Kris who live in Santa Cruz. Always great to catch up with friends and plan our next adventure together. Brian is our long time friend and we are so glad he found a friend like Kris...but the last time we were with them (at least with me there) was sharing a meal at Phil's Fish Shack, at Elk Horn Slough...one of my top 5 meals in my life!!! So I'm thrilled they want to return and kayak the slough...cause I know where we are eating afterwards!!!!!!!!

So by the end of the night, we collapsed in our downy soft bed and crashed until roomservice showed up with breakfast...it was kinda nice not to have rush. So plan B for us was a Surf Kayak competition. We picked up Brian....dragged him to a glass store (sorry bri) and off to the competition. Now we love all kinds of kayaking and were totally game, but it was raining...then hailing but in spite of it all we still found two geocaches and had a great time. Brian then took us to a yummy lunch where we again, snorked....by this time I was starting the downhill path into coldy. Rich drove us home and I slept. Then we traded at Vacaville where I drove and he slept...its a long drive. Then we unpacked the car and crashed again, this time is the most luxurious bed, our own! Today I'm a waste, but Rich has the kiln going...he did the farmers market after the damn Food Net. work's inspiration. The best part of the trip is knowing we get to do it again and have our Kayak adventure.

Fifth Time is a Charm

Well after many attempts I think I have found the method that will give me the dramatic resultsI have been attempting. the Taros sign is done with kiln work and now I just have to frame it in a cool way and mount the lights. Keep checking for the progress shots and wish me luck...some day it may be on display at the resturant...

another weekend wrap up...

Saturday was a great day...Home Depot, Oto's (for sushi makings), Raley's and home. We asked the Pyles over for sushi. We were treated to more of Rich's delites and artistry. Rich made a menu for the evening. Look at his Mango Tango, it was unbelievable delish. And his spicy tuna roll/aka 911 literally blew my head off, heat! Mark and I were loving it, all the while pouring sweat and tears. It was fun to have the kids (Mason and Laurel) in tow and running amuck. They had Tony's pizza rolls, colored and played hide n seek.

Then today we got some glass together...the kilns roaring-keep your fingers crossed. Yummy roasted chicken for tonight and red velvet cookies for dessert.

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!

...really, the weekends over, really????

Not so exciting but we always make the most of the quiet days...sleeping in until 7:43am, napping and spending some time to be reflective. We had some beer therapy friday night (no regrets), adventured to Davis for a bit of poking around, Ping Pong movie at night, Sunday, hottub, field trip to Petsmart with the girls, kilns going and the capper of the weekend was sharing sushi with Edda for her birthday!!!

a day playing hooky

Its amazing the gravitational pull the house has when you try to break out of your regular orbit. We asked for the day off, knew we wanted to go skiing...but then when the moment comes we set ourselves for failure...I get up early so we can start our day off and get our carp together to get out the door. But between my horoscope saying not to travel today, black cat issues and road closures...I knew we had to prevail. We got on the road, and by Applegate....I told Rich the gravity pull was getting less and it was the further we got away. So we like to ski at Soda Springs Resort cuz its totallllly cheap, but we pull in (around 10:30) and the parking lot is empty. We're like SWEET...until we stepped outta the FJ. Its Wind Chill factor freakin freezing...we walk around and there's a Wind Hold on the lifts. Can I type again, it was so cold I didn't want to be there, even if it was only to Tube. Defeated we get back in the car and drive off. (Note another sign we should not have done this today, double damn that black cat!!!) But then we pass Boreal and we're like, hey lets check it out, their parking lot is jammed. So, to our relief the wind was much less and really we had a blast at Boreal!!!! In the end we just had a great day off! Rich is quite the skier and I got to debute (beyond the neighborhood) my new Cat Hat!!! Next FOOTBALL and Crab Feed. ps. Rich had to try my hat on too!Lob all! K

New Entertainment Center and a 10th Birthday

Well I can hardly believe that Laurel is 10....wow they go by fast. Happy Birthday from OLD Aunt Kris and Uncle Rich.

The other weekend activities included renting a U-haul trailer to pick up the new entertainment ctr and then fill it with yard debris and out to the dump...Tham a quick 5 hour set up of all the electronics in the new unit and Voila,,,perfection. Lunch at Taros to show off the new license plate holder was great,,, Now add a Giants win over Dallas and my weekend is complete.

NYE's Sean and Loris party... summed up in one pix

I can honestly say that I have never been to a party where someone can "literally" breathe fire!
This is Paul, (Mr Mishka) a friend of Sean and Lori's. We had a crazy, Corona a plenty, Guitar Hero playing, dancing the TIME WARP fun filled party...all within 2 blocks from our house-perfect!!!

What a great way to welcome in the New Year...reconnecting with friends and meeting new ones. Now 42 doesn't feel too bad with the holidays behind us.