Thursday, December 27, 2007

Happy (Post) Holidays

Just a quick post to say happy happy happy to all...I had a great holiday with my mom (got lots of baking in--yum!!) that was fun, relaxing and very enjoyable--esp. for my second holiday not at home and without Mr. E (no dog pictures next to the tree--also the first year ya'all aren't getting the classic a & e picture--I'm sure some of you say "yeah" to that and some may say "boo"!!) Then we celebrated mom's birthday in style (a very nice dinner) and are looking forward to days of continued house repair/ painting/ store inventory (which I say "ugh" to and mom says "yeah!!" to--to each his/ her own, right? thank god.) I hope you all are doing well and are finding your peace, health and happiness in some way this season--even tho' I did not send out cards specifically to each of you, I did send out loving thoughts, wishes and dreams!! Take care and we'll continue to stay in touch throughout the upcoming years!

Monday, December 17, 2007

WHAT THE...?????

What the heck happened to this month?? Talk about time flying by...I swear I just blogged on the preparation for gallery walk a few days ago and now BAM! it's a couple weeks later, almost Christmas....I still have LOTS to do to get ready for my mom's visit; getting ready to start daily exercise routines for pre-marathon training; getting all those packages out for godchild/ nieces to get before the holidays, etc. Talk about feeling even more scattered than I already are...or am (you know what I mean). I did buy a tree this year (such a beautiful tree/ so yummy smelling and full)--my roommate and I had fun decorating it (even tho' Anji's kids told me what a bad person I am for buying a REAL tree--getting guilt trips from 5 and 8 year olds can be killer!!) and that helps make it feel more festive in the house. It'll be weird not to be at home this year--only the SECOND TIME EVER to not be in Colorado or with the majority of my family at the holidays...It sucks not having the lil' ones around on the big day (that's my favorite part--seeing them all psyched up)--that and the holiday traditions (like Christmas morning brunch for the neighbors, Christmas eve and the happy birthday Jesus/grandma and mom cake--maybe I'll still try to do that one while mom is here to keep somethings in line...and beg mom to do bread and holiday eggs on Christmas morning. sorry you guys won't get to have that...we'll think of you as we chow down!!
oh--speaking of giving (and hearkening back to the marathon mention)--check out my link to my run/ please consider giving so people with leukemia/lymphoma have hope and I can reach my goal way before the run/ deadline...I appreciate it all!!:)

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Gallery hell



well, this week has consisted of the pukey/fever virus going around (caught by yours truely on wednesday...I like being able to sympatize with my patients, dont'cha know!!), several colds and..the massive preparations for Juneau's annual Gallery walk. This is a night where all the galleries are open/ showing their "goods" and encouraging all good alaskans to spend spend spend! The Creating Place is, of course, gonna join in and offer two of our friends wares (both do glass work--should be beautiful displays!! However, I must say from a photographers stand point, getting pictures of glass SUCKS!! The only decent picture gotten is the one included, the work done by our friend Heidi Johnson, who has a art space in our backroom...for a bit longer, that is. I love her stuff...also see the video filmed there by local paper, the empire.) Anji made me in charge of everything--the food, drinks, cleaning the store/ space--its been a bucket of mayhem. Hopefully the night will go well, tho'--last year was a dismal crowd (our gallery sure has changed in the year, I must say) but we looked stunnning and served awesome food..in fact, I have to go to make the dessert sushi for the event. Off one project to the next...

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

a couple last ones...


oh--there's the (what's the french word? the "piece-de-resistance??") the best picture that you didn't see...I ran out of space so it's here...the most amazing outfit (that I even have a hard believing that even in the fashion-challanged 70's people didn't look at this and say "what in the..." in who's right mind was this even a possible look? i mean, it's too dumb to even be french, let alone european. and i throw the child's/ pre-grandpa outfit for an additional chuckle..nice belt henry. even on his dorkiest day my brother NEVER NEVER EVER looked that bad....looked like a "don johnson wanna-be" a chunk of the time but not this dorky...and also as they stated in the email...nothing says commitment like matching (godawful) swimsuits...-

End the month with a belly laugh....








hey there--not much going on but store/ life cleaning, arranging...seems like a constant at the present time. I did get this email from a friend--apparently an intact 1977 JC Penny's catalog was found in the ceiling while some work was being done and..well, as you can see, the pictures speak for themselves. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time...it's amazing what a good belly laugh will do for you. I couldn't get over the (sic-lovely) styles, let alone the beau-ty colors and well, flattering fashions--I mean, who wouldn't want jumpsuits? esp matching? and prision orange--that says classy in my book! and I love the guys trying not to look gay in the terry cloth nightie..what's that about? And the "oh-don't-I-look-hot" boy in the suit...my, it's amazing how fashion rolls around, we think we are sooo cool and happening and years later--someone is spewing coffee on their desk, choking because 30 yrs have gone by those previously "cool" looks make us we look like someones autistic orangatan picked out our clothing....ANYWAYS...this was too rich to pass up/ pass on and help someone else end their month in a tear-jerking belly laugh! so enjoy!!

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

It's the most (premature) time of the year....


I've been meaning to write this for a while...but things have been a bit hectic. Between the vomiting/diarrhea virus, the high fever/ sore throat virus, the cough-your-lungs-out virus, some strep throat, the "its-a-couple-weeks-after-my-kids-parent-teacher-conferences-and-i'm-freakin'-out" visits, and trying to clean at home to please the new roommate (not to mention trying to get ready for mom's visit next month!!)...let's just say it's been busy. So the other is the busy-i-ness in the store, all the prep and changes going on there...here' s a taste of what kind of conversation went on between me and Anji 3 weeks ago.
her: so--since halloween is done let's start getting out the christmas decor and going to town!!
me: WHAT???
her: yeah, I really want to make this place look good this year for the holidays!
me: uhm...isn't it a bit, say, early?
her:oh no, we're actually a bit behind as far as retail is concerned. we gotta get a move on.
me: no no no no. I can't. I hate even looking at christmas stuff in the stores even before turkey day. it gives me a physical reaction.
her: well get over it. let's start.
me: no--seriously. It'll give me hives. I'll vomit.
(Anji rolls her eyes at me, as she often does). I start to whimper, taking the defensive position on the floor.
me: please, don't make me prematurely decorate. I'll decompose. it's against my very nature, my being--i even think its against my religion. can't we just be the only store that doesn't follow such shallow tactic? won't people acknowledge our superiority for not being corporate sheep and shop her in support of our ideology?
(Anji is now entering her mad phase--a totally scary thing to experience, from one who has been there.)
me: ok ok--i guess i can change my beliefs for once. just don't make me...
her: get the tree.
me: AUGHHHHHHH!!!!!

(not embellishments, what so ever were used to make this blog--i swear. I never, ever ever stretch the truth, just like Anji is never ever ever sarcastic. and we both just love love love the holidays to death--yes esp when you are in retail. its is so much fun, yippie ki yi yo it is fun fun fun no please don't stop everyone is so great i wish it could be like this all year wow it isgreathowcouldieverlivewithoutthisitmuchmorefunthangivingfiveyearoldsshots...)

if you read this blog, please come rescue me.

Monday, November 12, 2007

"Bee" the change around you...

Change...lots and lots of change...(or as we learned in science, entropy--it's the only constant, right??) New season, new looks (for the store, the house, outlooks, etc)--sometimes it can be a bit to grasp but...it can also be ok. It's inevitable, sometimes good things come out of it, sometimes not--but hey, you roll with it or it rolls over you (STEAMROLLER!!) So, I am dealing with change, dealing ok. I went and was the Bee Movie with Anji's kids (Max and Mason) today--who knew? comedy and cartoons can be boring, I guess that was today's lesson. I know I wasn't just me--I saw a lot of parents yawning as they left. Poor Jerry, not the same without Kramer. Trying to stay warm--thanks for all the snickers folks/ hosers!!

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

First snow!!









YEAH!!! We had, on Monday the 5th of November, the FIRST snow of the year...aka MY FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR!!! I LOVE SNOW!! It's the best weather, enviromental experience there is...I wait for the first snow to release all my frustrations and renew myself...it's my cosmic cleansing, if ya will. It came a bit early this year, which is fine with me; I totally need a new start, plus I made me totally jazzed and ready to face anything...snow, the ultimate equalizer. Hopefully the fact that we have it already means that we will have another snowy winter (last year was AWESOME!! it set all kinds of records for the area...I've always been bummed that there's been less snow in Alaska than anywhere else I've lived..so last winter made up for it. And if this winter can bring it on...even better for me.) I've always said that (hahaha) the perfect weather for my (hahahah harder) wedding day would be big fluffy flakes of snow...new roommate who likes to clean (mom's grinning her head off!!) new attitude, exercise routine and habits--all due to the new year/ start of snow. love it.

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Trick or teeth...

I love halloween...I know my mother didn't but I do. Even as an adult I find an holiday, any time that give adults and children an excuse to dress-up, be silly without having to give an excuse just great...Most people are shocked to find an adult who has a dress-up box (let alone three!) I say "why not?" After all "youth is wasted on the young"...and I intend to be young forever. I outfited at least 4 different people today...and I'm proud of it!! Every one said my Tooth Fairy outfit was one of the best they'd ever seen...hehehe. Just wait until I hand out fluoride tonight! those poor childrens teeth will never be the same...i would include a picture of my outfit but my trusty sidekick camera pick one heck-of-a-day to be on the fritz...sigh. And Elvis wouldda loved to be decked out as well...alls well that ends well....

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Elvis has left the building...

ok--not such an upbeat first blog...but hey, it's not everyday when you get to announce an icon for a whole generation has departed...only mine did it with so much more grandeur (there was no "throne" involved) and grace (he was quiet about it; took it like the gentleman that he was) than any previous hound-dog kings did before him....the only real tragedy is that his passing happened before his favorite holiday/ he didn't get one last chance to prance around in his flair-pants and sequene cape and amuse the local children like he did in years past....it's ok, i told him to look up aaron presley and ask to borrow THAT cape to wear on halloween (he'd look better in it anyways!). now he's free to run off any trail that he wants, poop where he wants (jojo is not laughing right now!) and run, play frolic like he use to...
remember, he WAS the king and will always be remembered for the strange but funny things he did...so, feel free to leave your favorite Elvis story here.
And always remember him in your heart with a smile...I'm gonna try to (but it's awfully quiet around my house now, no snoring or clip-clop...) it'll take some getting use to but--as we all know "all good things must come to an end". And we took his good along with the (ahem) bad, but he will be remembered as my first kid--the funny one who liked to pee.
Thanks for your happy thoughts, long-distance hugs and prayers--he'll enjoy them too!!