Angry Julie Monday

To clean a house, is to make a mess

Angry Julie — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:19:44 +0000

I typically go by this theory of things..”I have to make a big giant mess to clean anything”. I pick one room at a time and trash it. I dump everything out, I purge, and then I put it back. This is how I function. Angry Husband does not think like this. He hits every room, here and there. This drives me crazy, because he likes to shove things in places, and then I can’t find anything later when I need it.

We are in the process of re-decorating Angry Kid’s room. We pulled everything out of his room. Angry Husband really had no plan for this staging. He just randomly grabbed stuff and put it in spaces throughout our house. There was no rhyme or reason to where something went. I had a hard time finding anything this week. I got so frustrated, I went around and took some pictures of Angry Husband’s staging. I was also taking photos of Angry Kid’s room throughout the process. Stay tuned for most of those next week.

The first photo is of the Master Bedroom. Do you see the furniture. I could barely get through the door. Angry Kid’s TV was on the bed. I could barely get in the room, to even use the bathroom. There is no way that I’m going to Angry Kid’s bathroom. Have you ever seen what a four year old boy does to a toilet? It’s not pretty.

Next, we move on to the home office. This is mostly Angry Husband’s office, as I sit at the kitchen table. My Macbook is not good enough for the office. Angry Husband’s PC is set up in there, along with a table for Angry Kid to draw on, etc. He took all of the toys from Angry Kid’s closet and put them in the office.

I probably should have organized this stuff before we started the room makeover. Angry Husband has been on vacation all week to do this project. I should have prepped my way. But it’s really hard when I worked the entire weekend before this started. The garage was the last place that Angry Husband hit up. You can see the randomness here and there. Angry Kid’s dresser made it to the garage. I literally had to pick clothes out from here. After we put his room back together, I actually went out to the garage to get clothes, because I was soo used to going out there. Doesn’t everything keep their clothes in their garage?

So what have I learned from all of this? Organize while the husband isn’t home. No matter what, we will argue over EVERYTHING during any home project. I’m always right. This is MY BLOG! And, don’t leave stuff out in the garage that Angry Kid can see. There were things that we were going to toss, and Angry Kid found them.

P.S. I’ve polled my friends. They also believe in this mess making cleaning strategy too. Can someone tell my husband this.

Tosh.0 and VCR Hack!

Angry Julie — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:03:34 +0000

We just discovered Tosh.O on Comedy Central. Seriously hilarious. This show features Daniel Tosh, a comedian, whom is quite sarcastic and snarky. He provides commentary on videos and society. Angry Husband and I love it. He’s a bit raw (some cursing that’s bleeped out), but we watch it when Angry Kid is not around.

He always play the most hilarious videos. I was doing some laundry (new clean clothes for Angry Kid), and Angry Husband screamed for me to come to the front room. He knows that I will usually roll my eyes at him, but this time I granted him with my presence. He told me that I HAVE TO watch this video. Yes, it was hilarious and a must watch.

So here you go, VCR Hack!

Wordless Wednesday: Impromptu Disney Trip with Daddy

Angry Julie — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:02:31 +0000

Taken with Angry Husband’s iPhone and sent to me via MMS.

Welcome to “Angry Julie Monday’s Wordless Wednesday MckLinky”! If this your first time here, HELLO! I am doing a link-up every Wednesday! Post a picture(s) that you took in the past week and link back to it here.

Run Julie Run

Angry Julie — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:09:02 +0000

Since it is that time of the year, running season, I should probably be running. For the past few years, you would see tons of races posted on my blog. I have not run one race at all in 2010. I really haven’t run at all. I’ve been too busy with work and the family, and well, everything else. But I re-arranged my running music list today, so hopefully I will feel a little more inspired to run. I do have some races coming up, that I’ve already paid for; so I need to get my feet into those shoes, put on that Garmin, turn up the iPod and get out on the road.

You are probably thinking? What type of music does Angry Julie listen to when she runs? Angry music, of course. I thought I would share my list with you.

Angry Julie’s Running Playlist

Black Eyed Peas-Boom Boom Wow
The Ting Tings-That’s Not My Name
White Zombie-Electric Head (The Ecstasy Pt. 2)
AC/DC-Back in Black
Metallica-Through The Never
Britney Spears-I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll
Dramarama-Anything, Anything (I’ll Give You)
Britney Spears-Womanizer
Metallica-Broken, Beat, and Scarred
Pussycat Dolls-When I Grow Up
Fergie-Fergalicious
Salt-N-Pepa-Push It
P!nk-So What
Social Distortion-Ball and Chain
Britney Spears-Gimme More
Metallica-Cyanide
Rihanna-Disturbia
White Zombie-More Human Than Human
Metallica-Seek & Destroy
Metallica-Of Wolf And Man
White Zombie-Thunder Kiss 65′
Metallica-Sad But True
Shop Boyz-Party Like A Rock Star
Metallica-The Day That Never Comes
Rage Against The Machine-Killing In The Name
Pennywise-The Western World
Metallica-Green Hell
White Zombie-Electric Head (The Agony Pt. 1)
Metallica-Fuel
Metallica-Creeping Death
Jane’s Addiction-Stop
Metro Station-Shake It
Metallica-Master of Puppets
Metallica-The End Of The Line
Bush-Machinehead
Metallica-Frantic
T-Pain-Church
Missy Elliott-Ching-a-Ling
Powerman 5000-When Worlds Collide
Social Distortion-So Far Away
Ke$ha-TiK ToK
Miley Cyrus-Party In The U.S.A.
Black Eyed Pea-I Gotta Feeling
Lady GaGa-Paparazzi

This list is 44 songs, and 3.3 hours of FUN! Yes, I have the most random taste of music! Don’t HATE!

Award Shows Need More Chicken

Angry Julie — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:50:23 +0000

I rarely watch Awards Shows. But lately, it seems it get involved and immersed in them. I blame it on Twitter. I could be doing my usual thing, watching my same ole’ TV, and then bam! Someone on Twitter starts talking about a particular Award Show, and I’m hooked. I HAVE to turn it on. I was at my parent’s house tonight for dinner. My mom actually cooked a meal, which deserves an award in itself. It must have been a special occasion or something. I was sold when she mentioned cupcakes.

Before dinner was served, we sat down and watched the Red Carpet Event. Even my dad was chiming in about the outfits. We argued as usual about people, movies, etc. I was internally rolling my eyes, as Angry Husband was giving me that look. You know the one. But while these events were going on, I was scrolling through Twitter on my iPhone. Really, the only way I could survive this chaotic night was my Twitter peeps. I saw comments on people’s outfits, make-up, their dates, their interviews, you name it.

But really, this was my favorite part of the night’s Tweets. Seriously, I love Chick-Fil-A and their marketing. This is perfection for me, Chick-Fil-A and Louis Vuitton. I almost fell off the couch when I saw this picture they posted. These are some of the best dressed peeps, I mean cows there! It also made me sad, cause Chick-Fil-A is closed on Sundays, and I was craving some waffle fries after seeing this.

But I’m sure everyone already knows what was worn, what was said, and what was won. So congrats to all of the winners! Now go eat more chikin’!

P.S. Photo from Chick-Fil-A’s Twitter stream. Follow them @ChickfilA

Spotlight Saturday 02.28 to 3.06.10

Angry Julie — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 19:05:13 +0000

Here are FIVE of my favorite posts from the past week. Each week I will be highlighting some of my favorites. I have many blogs in my reader, as I have many friends with all different types of “niches” or “non-niches”. I will post serious stories, fun stories, pictures, recipes, etc. They will most likely be in a random order.

1. Just a Girl: Painting Furniture

She shares some great tips on how to she preps and paints furniture. I have some furniture I need to paint soon. I’m keeping this post bookmarked!

2. Scary Mommy-Building Your Blog Audience with Social Media

How Jill uses different forms of social media to promote her blog, and how YOU can too!

3. Busy Dad-Neither I, Nor Beef, Will Ever Be The Same

Seriously, Busy Dad makes the best videos. I am amazed with the things he comes up with. This particular post is about BEEF. If you are a vegetarian, don’t watch unless you have humor.

4. The Nester-Using Chalkboard in Your Home

The Nester talks about several ways that you can use chalkboards in your home. They are not just for school kids. She also provides a link-up for other people whom have used chalkboards in their homes. Go and check out all of these great projects.

5. MomDot-Top 100 Mom Blogs of 2009

Trisha is a little late with her list this year. But, I’m ok with that. Because I’m on the list. I’m not going to tell you where though. You will just have to find me among the other 99 blogs listed.

Silicon Valley Moms and the Ritz

Angry Julie — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 18:46:39 +0000

A few weeks ago, the Silicon Valley Moms hosted a “Brands and Bloggers” event at the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel, CA. The women of the LA Moms Blog came to join us in Orange County Moms for this special event. These event was about networking with representatives of brands, but we also had two great keynote speakers.

Kimberly Clayton Blaine of The Go-To Mom spoke about vlogging, or also known as video blogging. Kimberly told us which kinds of electronic equipment she uses for vlogging, she prefers Sony products. She also talked to use about branding our videos and why using HD quality is also important. After listening to Kimberly speak, I wanted to run out and buy a new video camera. Actually, I downloaded Best Buy’s iPhone application and was surfing their site for video cameras.

After Kimberly finished, we were treated to a presentation from Ciaran Blumenfeld of Momfluential Media and Jill Asher of Silicon Valley Moms Group about how brands and bloggers can work together. Ciaran told some great stories about bloggers working with brands. I was laughing so hard that I can barely remember the stories, but I do remember a comparison of “seven minutes in heaven” being spoken about. Jill spoke about Silicon Valley Moms Group and the PR (Public Relations) pitches that they receive weekly, think thousands. During this discussion, we had individual bloggers speak about their experiences with working with PR and brands. We also had brands and their PR speak out about how their particular companies work with bloggers, and what has worked.

During both of these great keynotes I was a bit distracted though. We were in this fabulous ballroom, with tons of great women. They were speaking about something that we love, blogging, and how to make it better. But alas, this was what was waiting outside the doors behind them. Wouldn’t you be distracted?

After these great speakers, we headed towards another room to interact more with each other (bloggers, that is) and the brands (awesome PR people). Seriously, it was really great to spend some one-on-one with the representatives of these brands. I always say that I’m a consumer. Which means, I like to spend money, even if I don’t have it. I’m always looking to try out out new things for myself, and for my family. Speaking of trying out things, Kelly really loved these Cinnabon Cupcakes, perhaps she even took some home with her.

It was great to catch up with the LA Moms, as I have met many of them before. You would think we live in different states, because us, “Orange County Moms”, act like LA is sooo far away, rather than an hour. Ok, it’s a little far for me, as I don’t like to leave my Orange County bubble. And the Orange County Moms, it was a nice treat for us to have a Girl’s Night Out like this.

I wish I could have spent more time talking to everyone, but gosh, I got so tired. It’s amazing how much energy that comes out of me when I get to talk to people I love. That’s what I love about this blogging thing, the people. Of course all of these fabulous women live in my home state, California, but I’ve connected with some many other people throughout the United States and even Canada.

I would love to give a great big shout out to all of the brands represented at this event. I learned so much while there. I’m going to do some more in-depth reviews and possibly giveaways with these brands in the near future for my review site. So be sure and check back.

Photos of brands taken by Carla Duharte-Razur of babyjidesign.

BitDefender was the Co-Host Sponsor of the event.

These brands were also sponsors:
Stride Rite
Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
Busy Body Books
litl
PopCap
Ebates
iGo
Dole
Bosch
Cinnabon
Whole Foods
Stonyfield
erbaorganics
Taga
Focus Features/BABIES movie
Joseph’s Rugs
Ju-Ju-Be
Pretend City
Whrrl
Pose Prints
Sketchers
Bootights
Eden Fantasys

Photos taken by Carla Duharte-Razur of babyjidesign.

And cause you knew this was going to be a long post, right? I’m proud to say that I’m a contributor to the newest group from The Silicon Valley Moms Blogs, The Orange County Moms Blog. So be sure to check out their new sister site, with some great moms from Orange County!

Wordless Wednesday: Lazy Sea Lions

Angry Julie — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 08:01:36 +0000

We set out to sea for an adventure

Angry Julie — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:03:42 +0000

A few weeks ago, my BFF, Stacey texted me. She wanted to know if Angry Kid and I wanted to go whale watching. I looked at the text for a few moments and responded. Well you can only guess my response right now was something like, “sure, when, and how much?” She told me that she would make the arrangements, and forward the information to me later when it was all confirmed.

Well she confirmed the details and sent me the place and time. Now all we had to do was show up. What I didn’t expect was to go on a boat ride, the day after a tsunami warning. Good timing, right? But I chanced it, and took a even bigger risk. I did not take anything for seasickness. I figured, well, I can just lean over the side of the boat if I get sick, right?

Angry Kid and Stella were very excited to go on the boat. I was a bit hesitant after seeing the waves coming in on the nearby jetty. But we managed to go aboard the boat. They warned us that the waves might be a little, umm choppy. I could already see the way going over the jetty, but I somehow managed to get onto the boat. Angry Kid stood along the side rail and watching as we pulled out of the Dana Point Harbor towards the Pacific Ocean.

As the pulled out of the main harbor area, that is when the waves really started. They were coming at full force. It got quite rocky. I made Angry Kid sit on the bench next to me. Stella was hanging onto Stacey and was not moving. Here’s a picture of the waves we endured.

We went out about five miles from shore and went around from left to right. The Captain said that they saw some water spouts in the air, so we headed towards that way. All of the rocking and motion from the waves was putting Angry Kid to sleep. I was trying to keep myself from puking, and Angry Kid was sleeping.

Well we went from side to side in these choppy waves on the hunt for blow holes and whales. We did not see any whales. But we did see a great big pod of common dolphins frolicking in the ocean. They were a riot. They were doing flips and jumps, as we went by. We stopped for a few minutes as they put on a show for us.

Angry Kid decided that he would get up from his boat-induced nap to check out the dolphins. I kept telling him that there were dolphins around the boat, but he did not believe me. He finally got up to check them out himself.

I wasn’t able to capture some of the dolphins “better” tricks, but Stacey did. I found this photo on Facebook and had to “borrow it”. This dolphin was quite the acrobat.

With all of the turning that the boat was doing, added with the waves, Angry Kid got a little sick. He told me that he needed to go to the potty. He looked a little “green”. I said, “do you have to puke?” He nodded. I told him to just puke over the side of the boat. He looked at me, with a crazy look. I said, “It’s ok, you can just stick your head over the side and feed the fishes.” So he proceeded to do that. This was one of my most awesome parenting days, because he refused to eat breakfast and I didn’t force him. It was probably a good idea that he had not eaten anything. He sat down after his “episode”. With the boat rocking, and the water spraying on us, he proceeded to fall asleep again.

Stacey took the picture above. Once again, I “borrowed” it from her Facebook. I’m a good friend like that.

As we came closer towards the Harbor, we saw a red buoy that it appeared to have some “natives” on it. The boat went out of its way to cruise towards it. I woke Angry Kid up to go and check it out. Stella got just as excited and went to the side of the boat with him.

Once we got into the Harbor, the water current slowed down. Angry Kid got up and walked around. He announced that he felt all better now. He proceeded to climb up to the second deck with Stella. Stacey went up there also to supervise. I had already gone up there prior to “find” Angry Kid. I have issues with the height and was not going to climb up there again.

After an almost two hour tour, we headed back towards the dock. I was kinda excited, as my stomach was churning a little. I freak out about everything. I was pretty proud of myself that I did not get sick. I gave myself a little pat on the back for that. I love the view of the dock from the boat. The building is The Ocean Institute and the boat on the dock is The Spirit of Dana Point, a 118-ft. topsail schooner.

I made Angry Kid run to the bow (front) of the boat. I made him stick his arms out. I was trying to get a little “Titanic” photo. Of course, he had no idea on what I was doing. I said “learn forward, and stick your arms out”. This is what I got.

And of course, we had Stella and Angry Kid take a photo together. I’m sure in a few years, they will refuse. But we have to get our cute pictures of them together while we can now. Stella is only two months older than Angry Kid. But she is much taller by several inches. They’ve totally got the Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise thing going on with their height differences.

Well we got off the boat, and headed for lunch after this. Angry Kid was fine and so was I. We survived our whale watching trip and boat ride. We got to see some pretty cool common dolphins and some lazy sea lions. Angry Husband asked me if “we saw any whales”. I said, “no”. He argued with me about, “isn’t that the point of going whale watching?” I told him that in all my years of taking Marine Biology and living near the Coast, I barely saw a whale one time. It is pretty much an urban legend to see a whale on a whale watching trip. But I’m ok with that.

P.S. This was not a sponsored post. Stacey is a HUGE fan of The Ocean Institute and their programs. They even have Spring and Summer Camps.

P.P.S. My computer got very excited with my ocean pictures. They are a tad blue. The ocean is more of a green color.

P.P.P.S. I’m good with this whale watching trip. I don’t plan on owning or going on any yachts in the near future.

I Heart Faces: Hilarious Outtakes

Angry Julie — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:01:57 +0000

This is my first time entering an “I Heart Photos” Photo Challenge. I take pictures all the time, perhaps every day. I’m that person with my SLR always hidden in my purse. I can’t help it. I feel in love with Amy and Angie at Blissdom. Really, what’s not to love, they are awesome gals. So I figured that I would start entering some of their weekly contests. I have so many photos in my archives that I’ve never shown anyone or posted. I went through all of my photos and hunted for one of my “better” outtakes photos.

This particular photo was taken at the end of the summer. I went to dinner with some of the gals for their pre-race dinner as they were running the Disneyland Half-Marathon the next day. Of course, we took the kiddos along. After eating dinner, the kids discovered this fountain. It was summertime and it was hot. What do you expect with kids? Well the security guard kept trolling this fountain and giving us the evil eye. We were watching the kids, and it’s not like they were bathing in the fountain.

I can’t wait to participate in more of their challenges coming up!!!