Day 54 - Sis

Daughter sent the birthday present. Wow, really? I mean, really? Know what's for dinner tomorrow night, SF clam chowder in sourdough bowls! Salami,cheese and bread for snacks also a choice. Thanks to the Maciorski's.

Day 53 - Lisa

I donate to the organization called Donors Choose.  It's a place where teachers all across the USA can promote projects they want to do in their classrooms for their kids.  Most are teachers that are educating in high risk areas of the country.  Coming from a family of teachers, I feel compelled to help them and the most importantly the kids.  I do not normally publish my charity but when you receive such a heartwarming response it's hard to keep quiet.  I paid for some Native American children in Pembroke, NC to have individual white boards for their lessons and art classes.  Today I received individual thank you cards that touched my heart.  They have asked me to be their class penpal and I will gladly do so.  Please if you can, find your way to this site and help the teachers and kids.

http://www.donorschoose.org/?utm_medium=reprise&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Brand&utm_content=donorschoose&utm_term=donorschoose%2Bcom&gclid=CJn58_eDuq4CFcW8Kgod_hmjLQ

Day 53 - Sis

I prepared for the water stoppage we were notified about today at the complex. Notice on door said that the water would be turned off all day for some maintenance work. Wanted enough water available to fill animal drinking bowls, to wash hands or for clean-ups. Later saw sign posted outside that it would be an intermediate water stoppage for two days. So wondering if they didn't turn it off at all today, was this a practice drill?

Day 52 - Lisa

It's Fat Tuesday and I wish I was here!!  Good times, good food, good music, good people!

Day 52 - Sis

Beginning to believe what Lisa's been telling me, that I'm one of those persons who's body zaps the energy from batteries. Eh, I'm sure there are people who think that also applies to being in my company!

Day 51 - Sis

Another bonus you receive for walking!

Day 51 - Lisa

As you know oneeya celebrated her birthday yesterday.  She got a special can of dog food along with a sweet stuffed lamb to play with.  There was noted interest from the "other" pet in the house we noticed last night.  Getting is a few casual walk-bys that included a pause to sniff.  So this morning I wake up and find the below picture.  I do not think oneeya would have been happy to see this!

Day 50 - Sis

SSSSH, don't tell oneeya these are her birthday gifts. She's four years old today and so lovable. It's also a special day to remember for me and my family. Missing you brother.

Day 50 - Lisa

My tv watching time has been very limited lately but this is one show I do not miss.  I love the premise.  Being big music fans this is right up our alley.  The judges are great, especially Blake Sheldon, not bad to look at either!  Can't wait for Monday nights.

Day 49 - Sis

Received these on my birthday, from Lisa, so pretty. Think she must have been listening to Prince when she ordered the bouquet, "Purple rain, purple rain". Happy it wasn't Prince singing, Little Nikki!

Day 49 - Lisa

Today was my mom's birthday.  I had already bought her a ticket to see the Jersey Boys in a few months as her birthday gift but being we are all alone out here in JoJah, I didn't want her to feel like there was no celebration. Being I'm working 12 hour days I'm limited to what I could do.  So I ordered her some pretty purple flowers that represent FEBRUARY.  Being we'd "just" had a coconut cake (her favorite) I decided to order some candy to go with the flowers.  It didn't say what they were, just a box of chocolates as Forest would say.  I get home and see what she got. Aye yi yi.  Well, it's not See's, sorry Mom.  And to top it off, they are pecan carmel clusters or turtles as we know them in California.  She hates these but I love them.  Um ok, I promise next weekend we'll go somewhere good for dinner.  LOL

Day 48 - Sis

I love this pair of shoes, guess that's apparent. They were so comfortable but will be saying goodbye to them with much sadness. Sob!

Day 48 - Lisa

So my mom shared her TWO calendars several days ago.  Explaining how she uses them.  Meanwhile, I never really use a calendar at home.  Yet, they keep coming in the mail.  I love the beautiful pictures but I usually change from February to June around June 28th or something like that.  I never remember to flip to the next month.  And look at this National Geographic one with all the pretty flowers.  Yep, there it sits.  I'm going to hang it up.  Let's see what month I remember to switch from February this year.

Day 47 - Sis

Love this little bag/purse my sister, Madeline, sent me for my upcoming birthday. She bought me something representing our Mexican heritage at the store, Tu Tienda Azteca. Have to go on their website to look around. The colors and Frida Kahlo in the corner of the bag are great.

Day 47 - Lisa

Seems kind of funny that a chick who never looks like she has make-up on would have this many sticks of lipstick, right?  <sigh>  And yet she keeps buying more.  As you can see she really stretches herself color wise.  Okay, I'm talking about me.  I knew I'd have to spell that out.  I'm just not a good female.  I apply mascara, some shadow and lipstick every day before I leave the house but after one cup of coffee the lipstick is gone.  After one phone call or a meeting, I usually wipe the eye shadow off from rubbing my face in exasperation.  The mascara comes off because of runny eyes due to the pine, magnolia, sweet grass, or tears of frustration.  So why do I even bother?  By the time 5pm comes I look like I just rolled out of bed.  I was never meant to be Audrey Hepburn that's for sure.  We won't even go into the hair issues.

Day 46 - Sis

Stepped outside to walk the dog and this was in the pathway! It was every where and looked like something out of a movie scene, hairy transformer or diggings of very large gophers came to mind. Nope just time for the roots of the shrubs and trees to be covered with pine straw. Don't know if that means a late winter or an early spring.

Day 46 - Lisa

I rank 4th on the family totem pole 'round here.  Try to guess who number 1 is?  My Lord, all she did was go outside to get a box of Coke from the truck.  You would have thought she'd left the country.  LOL!

Day 45 - Lisa

Valentine's Day!  A big whatever from me.  Never, ever got it.  In or out of love.  After two years of working at Hallmark there are few things that can still get my blood pressure up; Precious Moments, Hello Kitty and Valentine's Day.  I will never forget the not one or two but many men who'd say to me sweetly, "Miss can you help me pick out cards for my mother, wife and GIRLFRIEND?"  Um, no scumbag, I can't.  I should have known then Customer Service was really not my bag.  So this morning I was a tad overwhelmed when the goodies and excitement swirled around me at work.  Cookies!  Cupcakes!  Donuts!  Decorations!  Wow!  These Southerns take their Valentine's pretty seriously.  So I sucked it up and had a cupcake for breakfast to celebrate.  The banana balanced things out.

Day 45 - Sis

Package received from Landa my second daughter. Yes, yes, yes to the sports gear, those little globes of California sunshine and a nice surprise for her sister too. Thank you Landa!

Day 44 - Lisa

My sister and I used to play this game when we were teenagers.  I "thought" we figured it out on our own.  We'd whip each other into a fit of giggles with combinations like, "you are the cheese on my chimichunga," "you are the meringue on my lemon pie," "you are the refried beans to my rice," "you are the salsa to my chips."  On and on we'd go dreaming up funny combinations.  I seen this in a movie recently, I cannot remember the name of it.  I flipped out.  And now my sister surprised me today.  In the mail was this large plaque.  Almost made me cry I was so touched, immediately I reflected about those fun times, just the two of us entertaining ourselves while laying in our beds, or while driving on a long trip, or sitting at a ballgame.  Laughing while really saying - I LOVE YOU SISTER!  So George, "you are the sweet surprise in my mailbox!" 

Day 44 - Sis

Don't know how to get across to my dog that toys are for playing not destroying!

Day 43 - Lisa

I think Gallo owes us stock or a cut for all the marketing we do for them.  Thank you Tia for the four big sticks.  A few of my co-workers will be very happy!  LOL  I've turned them out to San Francisco salami.  I'm pretty sure our regular readers are rolling their eyes - "alright already, enough of the salami talk."

Day 43 - Sis

Living in a gated complex gives a sense of security but also makes it a bit difficult at times to leave the premises on foot. I must carry the large garbage bag to the compactor outside the gates but unless I time it right, as a car is leaving or entering the premises, I must walk to a another area, up a few stairs and open another gate to exit. We do have a card key but I don't always remember to carry it on my person and it only works for entering. This means I must traipse up to the pedestrian small gate, try to remember the code and then struggle with opening the gate. Well now with this little remote attached to my keys I am free to come and go without waiting for cars to exit or enter. A little press of the button is all I need to be free. Lovely, just lovely little remote!

Day 42 - Lisa

After teasing my Tia Chickie via our Blog about the "Martinis," she sent me, the rest of the formula for a good stiff drink arrived this week.  LOL Considering the hectic pace lately, it's so very tempting.  I have never been one to go out with the girls or guys for a "cocktail."  Or have an after dinner drink nightly.  I probably drink any alcohol but three or four times a year.  I don't think it's in my genes to just have "one" of anything.

Day 42 - Sis

Once again, an enormous, sad day for music lovers. At the top of her career no one could touch Whitney Houston, at the lowest in her personal life it was hard to be touched by her at all. She was trying but obviously struggling with a comeback, may she rest in peace and may her loved ones be comforted in their loss.

Day 41 - Lisa

Good problems!  Here's one.  In 2012, I have doubled my employee headcount.  Along with that we've increased the coffee usage at work.  It never seems to fail when I go to get a cup of Joe the pot is either empty or has only about a 1/2 inch of coffee at the bottom of the pot or less.  Needless to say, I'm getting frustrated.  So I scored this daddy on Ebay.  Three pots flowing at one time.  I'm hoping to cut my coffee making 50% to 75% each day.  We shall see...

Day 41- Sis

As you may remember, a couple of days ago I ranted on about the Wii remote having dead batteries, meaning I wasn't able to enjoy some entertainment/exercise. I replaced the batteries yesterday and participated in a few games of tennis and baseball. My tennis is okay but baseball proves to still be my sport. Hitting was awesome and I even pitched! This means I hit in three innings and pitched two for my team, winning by seven runs. I'm a rightie and today I feel like someone took a bat to that side, so sore, but I took one for the team. :-(

Day 40 - Lisa

I've been on an entertainment ticket buying spree this wee!  We just saw the Broadway musicial,  Memphis last weekend. Sunday we are seeing Mariachi Los Compros De Nati Cano celebrating their 50th anniversary - Viva Mexico!  In April, we are seeing the eclectic band, Pink Martini, know for their world music of jazz, salsa and other genres.  Wrapping up in May with a night at the Fox Theatre to see Broadway musicial, The Jersey Boys.  That ought to keep us busy.  ;>

Day 40 - Sis

There are many things you miss while driving, for instance, today I saw this rock formation while walking with oneeya, it's not visible from the highway. As we meandered the area I was surprised and saddened at finding the deceased remains of a bird. Was it shot? Did it hit a high voltage wire? I quickly left the scene so that oneeya wouldn't think I had ordered lunch for her. As we proceeded down the byway I believe I may have found a third reason for the cause of death for the unlucky bird; a white and grey cat. There it was, hidden somewhat beneath overgrown shrub branches snd looking mighty satisfied with it self. Almost with a look that said, "Go ahead try and pin it on me." So I turned to the, Mcduff crime stopping recruit, oneeya, to get a reaction as to how to proceed. Sadly I realized she was a Mcduff drop-out and oblivious to the whole mystery.

Day 39 - Sis

It's February, the city was ready, so what happened this year to the "it never snow here, snow?!

Day 39 - Lisa

I can't seem to turn my mind off at night.  I keep complaining about not being able to sleep. My friend found this app, so I downloaded it to track my sleeping pattern.  Whew boy!  Very telling. I always wake up and think "but I was just sleeping so good." And sure enough this little app says it's so.  Thankfully, there's been improvement over the last couple nights. Now if I can just kick my night owl tendencies and actually go to bed at a decent hour.

Night 1:

Night 2:

Night 3:

Day 38 - Sis

Ready, set, you've got to be kidding. Is there a battery zapper hidden in this apartment?! I get my mind made up to get started on some exercise and the only thing I work on is finding some new batteries, sigh. Oh yeah and working on not throwing the Wii remote.

Day 38 - Lisa

Sometimes you just gotta get down and dirty!

Day 37 - Lisa

I caved!

Day 37 - Sis

Trip to Spain. Planned once again, after two or three revisions of the schedule that started four or five years ago. I'm just hoping another cancellation doesn't happen because it will be another round of questions of what I want to do. At this point I'd just like to get it over before I become a historic relic!

Day 36 - Sis

SuperBowl pools and the anticipation of possible winnings are one of my favorite things to play but I have to remember, that just like the game, there are winners and losers. I didn't say I had to like it, just have to remember it. Come on March Madness!

Day 36 - Lisa

I was looking at places to stay in Ronda, Spain and came across this picture.  Um no, my mom can barely stand being in Curry Village in Yosemite let alone I pull up to this gem in September.  LOL