Pulitzer, Nobel, Whatever. Close enough.

Isabelle & Stephen's New School Pics!

2011-11-29T23:11:00.003-07:00

I know, I know... this school year started a few months ago and I am finally getting around to posting the school photos for Isabelle and Stephen. Like they say, better late than never.

Stephen's class sings on the news!

2010-12-22T18:21:00.001-07:00

Another Day, Another Doctor Appointment

2010-08-05T09:08:00.001-06:00

I saw my Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist this morning to discuss the results of my sinus CT scan.

Not at all shocking to learn that I have chronic sinusitis and after thirty days on massive antibiotics I still have an infection. I'll be trying antibiotics placed in my nose for another month and if there is no improvement then I'll be scheduled for sinus surgery.

I wish there was such a thing as a sinus transplant, as I have already have been through 8 or 9 previous sinus surgeries.

Is it too much to ask to be able to breathe? I don't think so.

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Lenka - The Show

2010-02-16T07:36:00.002-07:00

Wish I was here ...

2009-10-15T09:00:00.001-06:00

Wish I was here ....

2009-10-15T08:44:00.001-06:00

Wishing I was here...

Richard Gage - an Architect's view on 9/11

2009-06-06T02:07:00.002-06:00

This is an excellent interview that Richard Gage gives in Fresno last week concerning his view as an architect on what happened to Building 7 in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

Minnie sees Stars

2009-03-10T23:00:00.001-06:00

Times Square

2009-01-27T08:27:00.002-07:00

A friend of mine is visiting the Big Apple this week and sent me the following picture of Times Square. I love New York City! There is no other city like it.

SAD

2008-12-09T21:37:00.006-07:00

Yes, S.A.D.! I realized today that I am starting to succumb to the inevitable yearly slide into depression that begins around October and persists until February. In college I was told it is Seasonal Affective Disorder and given an antidepressant to deal with it during those horrible months.

I don't know why I thought for one second that I wouldn't get the blues this year as I have experienced them yearly for ten years in various degrees. When I first experienced SAD, it was during my freshman year of college, the Fall of 1992. I couldn't get out of bed to make it to class, my grades started to slip, my social life became non-existent and for a time I remember telling myself that if it keeps getting worse, I could always kill myself. Good Lord, 18 years old and away from home for the first time and deciding that Suicide is an option.

I notice the first sign of the upcoming depression, when it takes me a week or longer to finish a book I can usually finish within hours or at least a day. I know it's getting worse when it takes me weeks to finish those 400-500 page books even if it's written by one of my favorite authors. I try to distract myself with the endless details of my life; getting to and from work, taking kids to and from their schools, dance classes, basketball games, birthday parties, and on and on. Even though my days are filled with activity and a to do list that never ends, I still feel the ache, the emptiness and most of all, the hopelessness that accompanies the S.A.D.

So until late February, I will continue trying to conquer my daily life, enjoy the small stuff, and yes, I will constantly be on watch trying to make sure the sadness doesn't defeat me.

Isabelle's Performances at the Spooktacular!

2008-10-27T13:05:00.002-06:00

Isabelle performed 3 dances at the 2nd Annual Spooktacular.

Check them out!

New Pics of the Kids!

2008-10-21T22:52:00.001-06:00

I updated Flickr with new pics of the kids. They sure do grow fast!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alize73/

Isabelle sleeps

2008-09-23T21:28:00.003-06:00

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Isabelle & Stephen

2008-09-15T08:34:00.004-06:00

Stephen lost his two front teeth this month!

Paper Planes.....

2008-09-01T22:38:00.002-06:00

New Pets!

2008-08-27T22:38:00.004-06:00

As if having 3 dogs and 2 lizards is not enough, we have added 2 tree frogs to the growing animal menagerie.

Aren't they cute?

Worst Blogger ...

2008-07-17T00:38:00.003-06:00

Yep, I have a new title "The Worlds Worst Blogger". Numerous times over the past few weeks I have thought about taking some time out of my day to jot down what is new in my world or link to some interesting stuff, but I never got around to doing any.

In my defense I have been really sick with a cold which turned into a very bad sinus infection. Yes, it is July and hot as hell outside and I have been inside wearing a fleece jacket and popping numerous pills including: Dayquil, Mucinex D, Tylenol Severe Cold, Theraflu, anything that promises to reduce my cold and sinus symptoms. I am usually very good about posting photos over at Flickr, but haven't even done that in recent weeks.

So, I have my work cut out for me and will be posting photos of the kids in coming days and maybe I will get around to blogging about the events going on in my life.

In the meantime, check out some of these pics from my cell phone.

Camera Obscura - Lloyd I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken

2008-06-02T21:10:00.001-06:00

I heard this song in the movie "PS I Love You" and love it!

Random...

2008-05-31T00:24:00.002-06:00

• maybe i should spring clean and de-junk the stuff that multiplies around the house.
• i love the smell of fresh baked bread, french vanilla anything and my kids fresh out of the tub lathered in baby lotion.
• people would say that i'm sarcastic, funny, smart, kind, & thoughtful.
• i don’t understand why people put up with the B.S. And don't question the status quo.
• when i wake up in the morning i think 'OMG, not again!'
• i lost a best friend, when I want to talk to someone about anything and everything, I always think to call this person and am reminded that they have a new best friend.
• life is full of choices.
• my past has created the person that I am today, sometimes I am still haunted by it.
• i get annoyed when someone says they will do something and then they don't follow through.
• parties are the best when they are spontaneous!
• i wish I could tell some people what I really think of them.
• dogs are a girl's best friend. I have three small dogs, Zoe, Sheba and Minnie and we refer to them as The Girls, they each weigh between 10-15 lbs and they all seem to think they are boss.
• cats are my least favorite animal, probably because I am allergic to them.
• tomorrow is saturday. and i’m looking forward to sleeping in.
• i have low tolerance for close-minded arrogant people.
• i’m totally terrified of losing sight of what's important. I don't want to get caught up in acquiring the latest must-have toys because in the end you can't take any of it with you. Enjoy your family and friends and treat everyone the way you wish to be treated.
• i wonder why there are starving people in the richest country in the world.
• never in my life have I eaten shrimp.
• high school was a stepping stone to getting to college. college was awesome.
• when i’m nervous i talk really fast.
• one time at a family gathering i used colorful language in a not too colorful room.
• take my advice if your instinct is telling you something different than your head, go with your instinct every time.
• making my bed is the first thing I do when I jump out of bed every morning, I can't stand to see an unmade bed.
• i’m almost always worrying about too many things, and trying to figure out how to get it all done.
• i’m addicted to reading any mystery or thrillers, M&M's and Sunkist.
• i want someone to tell me that it will be okay and someday it will have all been worth it

2008-04-03T12:17:00.001-06:00

Stephen & the water horse

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2008-04-03T09:24:00.001-06:00

Cute!

Idealist

2008-01-01T11:34:00.001-07:00

Middle Child

2007-12-06T07:25:00.000-07:00

The Influence of Birth Order

My Result: Middle child because of your even-tempered nature

People who stand out as middle children due to their even-tempered natures are often kind and calm naturally without making an effort. They likely radiate tranquility and feel at peace with themselves most of the time. They may be skillful at controlling themselves when they feel upset or disappointed. When it comes to positive emotions, they take pleasure in sharing them with family and friends. They probably enjoy social activities in which friends and family get together. Because of their good tempers, they may be frequently sought out by others to help resolve interpersonal conflicts.

Take this test >

Questions ....

2007-11-13T11:36:00.000-07:00

Inspired by Skinkering who swiped from Miss Sizzle.

1. What is your occupation? Account Manager @ “Shop Victoriously”

2. What color are your socks right now? Black

3. What are you listening to right now? Another coworker talking on the phone .. even though I have my iPod playing Lily Allen as loud as the volume can go.

4. What was the last thing that you ate? Honey Baked Ham and Cheesy Potatoes

5. Can you drive a stick shift? Of course!

6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My husband

7. Do you like the person who sent this meme to you? Read it off of Skinkering's page as I am a fan of her blog.

8. How old are you today? 33….for only 43 more days

9. Favorite drink? Mudslide (when the moment calls for alcohol), but Sunkist for the rest!

10. What is your favorite sport to watch? Use to watch Basketball, but after Charles Barkley retired I lost all interest in the game.

11. Have you ever dyed your hair? No, but I am contemplating doing it this month.

12. Pets? 3 dogs ( Zoe: Shih Tzu –Pomeranian mix, Sheba: Chihuahua – Beagle mix, and Minnie: Yorkshire Terrier – Chihuahua mix) + 2 Leopard Gecko Lizards

13. Favorite food? Fettuccini Alfredo and I admit that I am a chocoholic.

14. What was the last movie you watched? American Gangster… Go See it!

15. What’s your favorite day of the week? Sunday

16. How do you vent anger? Depends on where I am. At work, I usually vent over Skype or AIM to a friend. At home, I vent loudly (e.g., yelling and swearing like a sailor) about what is bothering me. However, more often that not, I tend to internalize until it builds up.

17. What was your favorite toy as a child? Skippy – a stuffed Raccoon

18. What is your favorite season? Fall

19. Hugs or kisses? Hugs and kisses if it’s to my sweet little offspring and hubby. For all others, I am definitely not a touchy feely person so hands off!

20. Cherries or Blueberries? Not a big fan of either. But both are good over cheesecake.

21. Do you want your friends to try this meme? Sure.

22. Who is most likely to respond? This is on a blog so I have no idea.

23. Who is least likely to respond? See 22.

24. Living arrangements? House with Husband, 2 Kids and Menagerie of animals.

25. When was the last time you cried? At a funeral.. I am not big on crying either, average maybe once a year or less.

26. What is on the floor of your closet? Slippers, shoe boxes neatly organized, a backpack and various purses, handbags, and totes. Never know when I need to grab one and throw things for the kids or me to do while we are out and about. On the husband’s side, t-shirts and whatever crap he has thrown there. We will leave it at that.

27. Who is the friend you have known the longest that you are sending this to? See 22.

28. What did you do last night? Took kids to dance class, spent an hour helping Kindergartner and First Graders do their homework, story time and put them to bed. After that, mom stuff: laundry, bills, surfing blogs I wanted to catch up on while listening to my Mom talk on the phone for over 3 hours…

29. Favorite smell? Vanilla

30. What inspires you? Smart and caring people who strive to make the world a better place.

31. What are you afraid of? I used to be fearless. Then I had children, now I am afraid for them. Failure….

32. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? Cheese…

33. Favorite dog breed? Llaso Apsos or Shih Tzus . ; but I am not too picky. I just love dogs! Look at my girls:

34. How many states have you lived in? 2

35. Favorite holiday? Thanksgiving… because you get to spend time eating great food with friends and family without all the drama and stress of worrying about gifts!

Potty Talk...

2007-11-06T11:38:00.001-07:00

The other day at work during a visit to the ladies room I was quite annoyed when in walked a girl. I say girl, because she couldn’t have been older than 23, but I digress. Of course she is on her cell phone, yakking someone’s poor ear off and what does she proceed to do? She walked into the stall and proceeded to do her business while continuing her inane conversation to the person on the other end. Now, I ask you. What is so goddamn important that you have to continue the call while you are on the toilet? I can’t think of one thing that would be so damn interesting or life changing. And, if someone called me while they were in a toilet stall I would proceed to hang up on the rude inconsiderate horse’s ass. Am I right?