Why oh why am I such a compulsive eyebrow tweezer?!?! I ask (rhetorically, of course) because it um, well, hurts when you pinch the skin and manage to totally miss the actual stray hair.
Life Lesson: Ouch
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It’s Been Two Years in the Making
And I think it’s time for me to stop fighting it. Let’s face it, I’m a stay-at-home wife *sigh* Granted, there’s nothing wrong with it, and most of the time I love it. But well, it’s just not what I always dreamed I’d be when I grew up. Mind you, I do also work from home on our business and our site and I’m working on getting back to doing therapy work, but that’s a post for another day.
I take care of the house. I spend my day running errands. I make sure my husband never wants for anything (clean shirts and his favorite snacks included). I plan our menu (yet another post for another day). I play bunco monthly and belong to a book club. I’ve even done the Junior League thing. But today, today is what made it official and made me finally face the music.
Today after running some errands (my God how I love the Container Store) I decided to stop by the mall for a quickie visit. My mission, I’m embarrassed to admit, to check out a Coach purse. Richard bought me a Coach bag last Christmas and I just love everything about it (to be honest, I’m a bit of a purse whore and covet many – though I can usually control myself with some heavy bag petting). Now as I’m planning my best friend’s 40th birthday trip to Vegas, I decided that it was time to get a new purse for our trip (I seem to have a nasty habit of making unnecessary, silly, pre-vacation purchases — again, another post for another day).
I decided on an across the body, smallish bag that would be great for travel. It drives me nuts when I’m out traveling to worry about my purse, or to keep having it fall down my shoulder. So trust me, this baby will get much use. It’s got an outside pocket to hold the cell, a little zipper to hold the lip balms and lipsticks, and the larger pocket for everything else, including the camera. It’s got black trim, but is also brown and khaki so it should go with everything. I think I’m in love. With a purse. How sad. And never mind that we’ll be passing two Coach outlets on the way to Vegas because dammit, I needed this now!
So yeah, it may have been two years in the making, but there’s no denying it now. What’s next? A mini-van or an SUV? *yeesh*
The Final Resting Place of the Caifornian
I don’t know what it is, but ever since I’ve moved here I’ve been attracted to this old sign. I love how it’s all rusted and twisted up and obviously from something grand. I figured it was about time to take a picture (next time I head out that way I’ll bring a step stool or something to make me just the slightest bit taller).
I’m assuming it’s from some long ago classic, Hollywood hotel that has since then been demolished (Google isn’t turning up anything worthwhile). Oddly, it just sits behind a fence, just off off Riverside Dr over by Griffith Park amongst storage pods covered in graffiti. How odd.
Pay it Forward – Take II
Have you seen the movie Pay it Forward? It came out back in 2000, based on a novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde. In the story, the teacher assigns his class to do a simple, good deed for someone without any expectations and in return, only ask that they pay the kindness forward, ideally for three other people.
What better way to share what we have, be it big or small with others. And by expressing our gratitude through sharing and random acts of kindness, we’re letting the Universe know that we are open to prosperity and good things for all involved.
If you’re looking to get more involved or to help others to help themselves, check out the Pay it Forward Movement – they’ve got a slew of projects going on around the world. You can also get involved in The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, SixDegrees or VolunteerMatch.
Or just practice your own small, random act of kindness and ask nothing more in return than for someone else to pay it forward. And for a fun little personal twist on this movement, why not take a moment and check out my Pay it Forward post. It’s all about the warm & fuzzies and a little fun, right?
Sometimes You Just Need to Show Up
Nothing merely shows up in your experience. You attract it – all of it. No exceptions.*
With that, let me just say that I’m attracting two marvelous things…
A new home – THE new home, complete with separate office in the backyard. To help ease the manifestation process and visualization along, I took a photo – complete with my car parked in the drive, of course. It’s a step up from parking spaces and flowers. But I know it will be done.
A new career – Now that my site pretty much trucks along of it’s own accord, I’d like to get back to working. So I met with a friend for dinner and she gave me just the nudge and confirmation that I needed. Talk about gratitude and being open to what life throws your way. I can’t wait to see where this ride takes me!
*Law of Attraction: The Basics of the Teachings of Abraham by Esther & Jerry Hicks
A Thought About Thoughts
I found this in a friend’s journal a while back and had been holding onto to it knowing that when the time was right, it would touch me.
“It isn’t the things that are happening to us that cause us to suffer, it’s what we say to ourselves about the things that are happening. That’s where the suffering comes from.”
Now I don’t, by any means consider myself to be suffering or even to woe is me, have suffered. Looking back, even through the stumbles, the challenges and the losses, I’d never say I’ve suffered. I don’t have any regrets. I figure that life is what you make of it. As far as I know, I might not be the person that I am if I hadn’t experienced all that I have; the ups and the downs, the highs and the lows. But strangely, this weekend at book club (The Usual Rules by Joyce Maynard) this message reached out to me on some level.
I lost my mom when I was young. I’m sure it was a very painful experience. In fact it must’ve been painful enough that I’ve blocked out 6 or so years of my childhood (3 years old through to 3rd grade). But I can also honestly say that I really didn’t miss my mother all that much. I mean, I’m sure that I did miss her, just in ways that I didn’t realize at the time. But really, it’s hard to miss something that you never had, you know? I really don’t believe in a heaven or a hell, I strongly believe that my mother has always been a part of my life and was and is always with me.
I honestly believe that I am the strong, nurturing, caring, confident person that I am because of my loss. I’m sure, that while I may not remember my early teachers, I can remember the impact that my teachers had on me during those years and they’re influence is one of the reasons that I went into teaching. I’m also fairly certain that I went into the mental health field because I wanted to be able to help people to help themselves. I don’t want anyone to ever think that they can’t overcome anything that life throws at them. There’s just no need to suffer when you can create whatever life you want.
So instead of focusing on the challenges and stumbling blocks that life throws your way, take a moment to see the opportunity. There is power, much power in both your thoughts and beliefs. So think it, believe it and be it. I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather think myself in a happy, joy & love-filled place than think myself in a place of pain and suffering. Choose wisely and don’t be afraid to help yourself (or to ask for help) in creating the life that you want for yourself.
Wow, this went to a totally different place than I had originally planned to go. Guess I had something on my mind afterall. There just might be an edit waiting to happen in here so don’t be surprised.
The Love of a Dreaming Cat
I learned this yesterday and then again today…when lying down reading a book, be wary of letting the cat use you as a pillow. This is especially true if he starts dreaming. Next thing you know, you too will be sound asleep.
PS – sometimes reading with the pupster can have the same effect, so consider yourself warned
I’ve Got a Crush on You
Can I just say…
I’d do damn near anything to just listen to Kai Ryssdal. I’ll admit it, I’m not nearly as politically or economically informed as I should be. But let me just say, I love listening to Kai on Marketplace. He has the best speaking voice and he can tell a good story. Oh and when he laughs…
*sigh*
I also have a bit of a voice-crush on Leo Laporte from TWit. Yet another man with an incredible speaking voice and a way with words. Considering he talks all about techo-geek stuff, I can’t believe I enjoy listening to him so much. Then again, I usually learn quite a bit, just like with Kai. And well, I am just a geek at heart (read: geek poser).
What can I say, I not just about the sleazy blonds with big’ol fake boobies (I’m a huge Carmen Electra and Jenna Jameson fan – before Jenna got crazy skinny and had tad too much plastic surgery). I like my boy crushes to be as pleasing to my ears as I find my girl crushes to be to my eyes.
Really, I’m just a simple girl 😉
I assure you.
Screw Thursday Thirteen – Let’s Try to Podcast (not!)
I am not a geek. I’m just a cheap imitation of one.
No really. I spent all damn day between the tutorials and the actual editing of my CC interview with Megan Crane. Then the hubby comes home, offers to help with one little bit and the next thing I know, he wants me to totally re-edit from scratch because *this one* has better sound quality. So I did. And yes, I knew it would take me longer than the 10 minutes it might take him. Thankfully, I still had my time stamp notes.
Of course, when I was finished he basically just asked me why it sounded like content was missing (it was) and then complained that my editing sucks – all of course, leaving me on the verge of tears (to be fair, he didn’t say it “sucks” but you know, it still hurt to hear since I’d at it for 2 hours tonight on top of all.damn.day already). So I threw a very mature fit ranting that my first edit was much better and why couldn’t I just use the original one. I’m sure he didn’t believe me, but at this point we were left with two options; I go back to the original edit or he completely takes over and edits everything (or the third option, I just flat out lose it).
My stubborn, Taurean pride stepped in, of course, I and chose to go back to the original edit (since it wasn’t missing major chunks of content). So two hours later it’s finally good to go. Now of course, he needs to upload it to the server, then install a plug in on the blog and THEN, finally, I can post the damn thing and walk away. What a major event. I knew there was a reason I wanted to have a margarita with dinner and not that diet pepsi.
I have to be honest here, I’m just not sure it’s worth it. While I love the concept and the interviewing process, I just don’t seem to have what it takes for editing. My eyes, ears and fingers just don’t seem to want to work together (much like with video games). And sometimes I just have a hell of a time wrapping my head around technological crap.
And now it’s 1:10 AM and he’s got it up on the site. Only he of course doesn’t like the sound quality, so he’s doing a quick overall edit (for the second time, mind you – full circle back to the original mess that had me in tears…or so it might seem). I’m exhausted from being locked in the un-air conditioned room all damn day in this crazy heat taxing my brain. I just want a good book and my bed.
So yeah, while I might appear to be a computer geeky gal, really, I’m just a poser. How sad is that?
Giada, How Could We Have Never Met?
I’ve just recently starting watching Giada De Laurentiis and Everything Italian. In fact, I first started watching her just this past week after stumbling on the Weekend Getaway episode when she was up in Santa Barbara (I’ve only been to SB twice now and I’ve yet to really do anything touristy so I’m always open to new ideas and suggestions).
Previously, I just to live by whatever everyone’s gal, Rachael Ray said. But then, she just got a little too much going on and was everywhere and started to get on my nerves a bit. And well, let’s face it, she can be a bit extreme with that exuberant personality of hers. But I have to say, she really taught me to get comfortable in the kitchen and I have her cookbooks to prove it – LOL. And because I feel like I’m in the sharing kind of mood, here’s my go to, non-summer, RR recipe, Mini Meatball Soup – though by now, I just improvise.
Nowadays though, I’m spending some time getting to know Giada and letting her teach me a few new tricks in the kitchen. She really has some simple, easy recipes with minimal ingredients. She’s mind kind of gal too, she loves her cheese! I’m not so sure how she can manage to keep her clothes so spot-free without an apron, but whatever.
Really how good does this, Caramelized Pancetta and Fennel Salad sound? I’m always looking for new simple, yet tasty salad ideas and the simpler, the better. I think this would be just perfect for book club or a potluck.
Caramelized Pancetta and Fennel Salad
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Inactive Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
User Rating: 5 Stars
1 bulb fennel, halved and cut into 1/2-inch wedges
5 slices pancetta
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
5 ounces (about 6 to 7 cups) mixed salad greens
Red Wine Vinaigrette, recipe followsPreheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, toss together fennel, pancetta, garlic, brown sugar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place the ingredients on the baking sheet in a single layer. Cook until the pancetta is crisp and the fennel is caramelized, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes.
In a large bowl, place the salad greens, crumbled pancetta, and caramelized fennel. Toss the salad with the Red Wine Vinaigrette and serve immediately.
Red Wine Vinaigrette:
2 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oilMix the vinegar, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper in a blender. With the machine running gradually blend in the oil. Season the vinaigrette, to taste, with more salt and pepper, if desired.
Yield: scant 1/2 cup
Prep Time: 5 minutes