Halloween

If you know me, you know that don't do Halloween.  I don't dress up, I don't get all hyped up, and really, I'd rather turn the porch lights out and cuddle inside in the dark.

Face it, the best thing about Halloween is candy corn mixed with peanuts.

But this year, this year I went to a party.

And I dressed up.

As a Stud Finder.  Complete with tool box (aka my purse/camera bag for the night), tool belt, and stud finder.

Where, oh where is a stud?

Others dressed up too.  We have a "Not a Morning" Person, a Lady Scott, and a Sailor Moon.

For being a "not morning person", Kaitlin sure looked bright eyed, chipper, and bushy tailed!  It's like she was in the movies with the magic morning make-up too.

This year's customer for me though, well, it was a bust.  As there were no studs to be found, only studs that were already nailed.

So here I am, as a Studless Finder.

 I'm tempted to start carrying that device around with me in my purse (not the tool box).

Thoughts?

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November 11th:  Titus 3; Jeremiah 17-18; Psalm 127

"It is our choices...that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

-J.K. Rowling

What Men Really Want

Want some more tips and advice?  Articles maybe?  I hope so, cause I'm cleaning out my inbox and am finding some good stuff in there! 

So what do men really want...?  This is the age old question that I'd like to know too...

1. Men Want Support
   Let him know you’re on his side, that you’re a team together against the world and all it can throw at you.
   
2. Men Want Admiration
   Admiration will make all his achievements seem a little more worthwhile.  Take an interest, understand the details, help him celebrate: the further he goes, the closer you’ll feel.
   
3. Men Want Humor
   ‘Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.’ -Victor Borge, and in difficult and good times alike, a couple that laughs together stays together.
   
4. Men Want Sociability
   Just because two have become one it doesn’t mean that the one has to sequester itself from the world.  He’ll want to show you off, admire you as you socialize with ease, know that he can throw you in any social situation – whether with friends, work colleagues or family - and you’ll at least try to go with it.
5. Men Want Freedom
   He loves you, he wants to be with you, he needs you – but you’re not glued at the hip and he does have interests outside of the relationship.  What makes him happy will ultimately make you happy.
   

Interested in the full article?  Visit it here through eharmony.com.

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November 10th:  Titus 2; Jeremiah 15-16; Psalm 126

"The hardest years in life are those between ten and seventy."

-Helen Hayes

Go Wolf Pack!

A few weekends after I went to the ranch, I went to Reno.  This trip was with Devon and George to go to Devon's brother's college football game at University Nevada-Reno.
See, Reno.  "The Biggest Little City in the World".  Maybe that's an overstatement, biggest little city in the world.  But still, Reno is like Las Vegas not on steroids.  Vegas = steroids.  Reno = unsteroids.

We pulled into Reno sometime around 9pm Friday evening.  Dumped our stuff off at the hotel then headed down to scope out the gambling scene.  And you know what, there was a gambling scene.  Smoking included.  I forgot about it being legal to smoke in the casino.  Gross!  Just so you know, at one point I was up $15 from where I started.  Then the "what-if, maybe" kicked in and I kept going.  I ended up leaving down $40.  Oops. 

Saturday afternoon was the football game.  First we had breakfast.  Then I bought a Wolf Pack long sleeve hoodie.  Had to fit in you know.  Collin Kaepernick, #10, starting quarterback, future NFL star!

 

The Wolf Pack won!  70 to 45, or was it 35.  Regardless, they beat Idaho.  Collin ran in 4 or 5 of the touchdowns.  See that poof of smoke?  Yea, that cannon would go off everytime Nevada scored.  You'd think I would have gotten used to it.  But no, everytime I jumped. (Picture of Collin making touchdown.)

 

Post game photo ops.  Devon and myself.  We were waiting for Collin to come out of the locker room.

 

George and Devon.  Such a cute picture if I say so myself.

 

After the game we had pizza and wings at Collin's courtesy of Devon's parents.  Then we went back to the hotel/casino to see if we/I could win some of my money back.  No such luck. Oh well, $40 towards a weekend of entertainment isn't too shabby.

We left for home around 9:30/10ish the next morning and were home by 1:30ish.  All in all a good weekend away. 

For more pictures go here.

Motivation Monday - Effort

Picture of the Day 313

November 9th:  Titus 1; Jeremiah 13-14; Psalm 125

"The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age."

-Lucille Ball

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November 8th:  2 Timothy 4; Jeremiah 11-12; Psalm 124

"Never work before breakfast; if you have to work before breakfast, eat your breakfast first."

-Josh Billings

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November 7th:  2 Timothy 3; Jeremiah 9-10; Psalm 123

...but let him who boasts boast about this:

that he understands and knows me,

that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,

justice and righteousness on earth,

for in these I delight.

-Jeremiah 9:24

All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
-2 Timothy 3:16

Picture of the Day 310

November 6th:  2 Timothy 2; Jeremiah 7-8; Psalm 122

"Just because something doesn't do what you planned it to do doesn't mean it's useless."

-Thomas Edison

Weekend Away

A couple weeks ago (ok, who am I kidding?, it was like a month ago), I took a weekend out-of-house and went with my parents and Paige to visit Aunt Kate, the ranch, and other family.  I'm gonna make this brief, but full of pictures.  Because, well, it was awhile ago and I gotta get caught up somehow.

Here's a view of the ranch homestead from, well, up on a hill on another part of the property.  That little cluster of buildings toward the bottom of the picture, that's the town of Santa Margarita.  I love the ranch.  I love the history of the ranch.  Not only that it's part of California Mission's history, but also the family history.

While driving around gates have to be opened and closed.  Since dad was the only male in the truck he got suckered into official gate opener and closer volunteered to handle the job.  He's so studly!  I love my dad!

The owners of the ranch haven't allowed deer hunting on the property for the last 3 years.  Which is great because we saw a lot of bucks while we were out the drive.  I like to tell people I shot a buck while I was there.  Get it, with a camera!  Hardy har har.

Maybe one of my favorite pictures of the trip.

This weekend was "all about Paige".  You see, we have family that has a vineyard and they were harvesting this particular weekend.  And since Paige is studying wine (growing, making, partaking) in college, mom and Kate arranged a "learning weekend" (aka an excuse to visit the ranch and family, and assist in partaking of wine in large quantities).

And then there's my adorable 11th cousin, Reagan.  Daughter of my 8th cousin, Michelle.  I can never remember how the cousin to the inth degree system works, especially on my mom's side.  But isn't she a doll!

Grapes at the vineyard.  Pozo Valley Wine.  It's good stuff.  Go to their tasting room, try it and buy it.  Or just take my word and order a bottle of Zin and a bottle of Cab.  Their blend is really good too.  As is their late harvest Zin.  Heck, just get a bottle of each!

While Debbie was driving us around their property in Pozo we saw a black bear.  Which is funny, because that's what Aunt Kate was trying to find at the ranch while driving us around.  Oh well, we still saw one.  She was happy.  We were happy.  Not sure if the bear was happy.

So here's a good story.  My mom had a cassette tape (remember those, pre-CD?) of my grandparents interviewing Uncle Guy and Aunt Grace.  But the tape broke.  So, my handy dad figured out how to splice it back together, then he put it on a CD to share.  The CD player wasn't loud enough, so Aunt Kate put it on in the truck and turned the volume up.  It brought tears to my eyes to hear Grammy and Bompy's voices again.  What a sight though, there was at least 10 people gathered around the truck listening, including 2 of my cousins (these I know are 1st cousins!) who never met their maternal grandparents.

A beautiful sunset from Pozo.

Back on the ranch...  Seriously, I wanted to get some pictures of some of the cool stuff my Aunt has around her house.  Like this old sign of another ranch, the Chimineas, that my grand grampy Claude owned.

The guy not in plaid, that was my great grampy Claude, Aunt Kate and my Bompy's dad.  I never knew him.  But from all the stories I've heard, he sounds like a great guy.

One of the original Disneyland train cars.  No joke.  The owners of the ranch (no one I'm related to) bought it.  Why?  I don't know.  Kicks and giggles and to say you own the original Disneyland train.

Under the wood exterior of this massive barn is a barn made of rocks that dates back to when the California Missions were built.  In fact, it's along the mission trail between Mission San Luis Obispo and Mission San Miguel (I think it's San Miguel).

Aunt Kate's daughter-in-law, Bonnie, shares a building with Pozo Valley Wines for her catering business and little gift shop.  She is a phenomenal cook!  Very talented!

Shall we end with a flower?  Sure, let's end with a flower.  'Cause flowers are happy and pretty and colorful.

Hope you enjoyed the not so brief recap of my weekend from a month ago.  It was such a good, refreshing time.  I always look forward to going down to the ranch, it just feels like home.  Plus it's only 15 minutes from San Luis Obispo (my ol' stompin' ground). 

For the complete album of pictures go here.

Announcement: Colleen and Chris are engaged!

Guess what!?!  Ok, so most of you already know.  But my brother is getting married!  To Colleen!  Chris and Colleen are engaged!

Let's take a look at pictures from the last few years...

Catalina Island Vacation
Fancy...

Sharing a monster of a drink.  It later gave Colleen a headache... (in Avalon)

Colleen drinking Buffalo Milk.  Don't worry, it's just the name a drink. (in Two Harbors)

At the Ranch

Katie and Stan's rehearsal dinner...

At the wedding reception...

Colleen with all the Arnold cousins, less Paige.  Really, she was filling in for Paige, while still being Chris' date.

Concerts

Summer of 2008, Merced Co. Fair, Rooney.

And thus concludes the pictures I have for you of Chris and Colleen.  Sure, I have many more.  Like itty bitty thumbname size pictures of them from one of their sr. prom, and many more from Catalina Island.  Don't worry, there will be many more to show in the future.

Congrats to Chris and my future sis-in-law Colleen.  May God bless you and and your life together. 

And may you bless me with many nieces and nephews in years to come.

A hydrangea by any other name

Blue Hydrangea
Have a favorite flower: Tell us about it.
You know, I don't know why the hydrangea is my favorite flower. Maybe because they grow in my favorite color, periwinkle. Or maybe because one "poof" has numerous flowers on it, unlike a rose with a single bud. Maybe it's the vibrant colors, or the fact that you can change the colors by changing the pH level of the soil.

I really don't know why hydrangeas are my favorite flowers. But I do know that they are my favorite.

Picture of the Day 309

November 5th:  2 Timothy 1; Jeremiah 5-6; Psalm 121

I lift my eyes up to the hills-

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

-Psalm 121:1-2

Thank Goodness it's Thursday

• I'm ready for flannels sheets. Now I just need to do the work and out them on the bed.
• New photography system to test out: shoot in raw, basic edit raw, further edit Photoshop.
• I no longer need to take my camera to photography class. Mainly 'cause photog is over and now we're working in Photoshop.
• Epic fail at WW lately. Someone kick my butt, not literally. But if you see me putting candy on my mouth, then yes literally.
• Mom and dad are joining WW through work. Yea for WW friendly food when I eat dinner over there. 5 nights a week.
• I heart babies. And I think babies heart me. Or maybe it's my bust. No, it's me.
• I have a lot of DVRed shows to catch up on. Praise Jesus for the DVR system and not having to schedule life around tv shows.
• I memorized a bible verse in a day. Need to do that more often. Ask and I'll recite it to you.
• I'm excited for Saturday. Getting away for the day to taste some fermented grape juice with friends.
• I think I may just like this new blogger app, seems user friendly and gives the send picture option. See...

            Yep, that's my dog.  In bed.

• Funny enough I started this last night (or this morning however you want to look at it) and I thought of a few more random things but thought for sure I'd remember them when I got up. I don't remember them. Oops.

 

- Posted from my iPhone

You know you're living in 2009 when...

1.  You accidently enter your password on the microwave.
2.  You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.
3.  You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of 3.
4.  You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.
5.  Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses.
6.  You pullup in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries.
7.  Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom of the screen.
8.  Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it.
10.  You get up in the morning and go online before getting your coffee.
11.  You start tilting your head sideways to smile. :)
12.  You're reading this and nodding and laughing.
13.  Even worse, you know exactly to whom can relate to this message.
14.  You are too busy to notice there was no #9 on this list.
15.  You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't a #9 on this list.

And now you are laughing.  At yourself...

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November 4th:  1 Timothy 5:23-6:21; Jeremiah 3-4; Psalm 120

"It's all in the attitude - housework is exercise.  Slim your way to a clean home."

-Linda Solegato

Picture of the Day 307

November 3rd:  1 Timothy 5:1-22; Jeremiah 1-2; Psalm 119:145-176

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear."

-Ambrose Redmoon

Motivation Monday - Defeat

San Francisco, CA to Maine

Traveling west to east...

The starting or ending point is easy for me being as I live on the west coast. And I haven't been to Maine or most of the smaller states in that direction. So that was easy. And I've love to see New England in the fall. But I can't start there in the fall or else I'd be driving back to CA during the winter snowy months. Therefore I'll start in California and work my way east, hitting the states I haven't been to along the way.

Picture of the Day 306

November 2nd:  1 Timothy 4; Isaiah 38-39; Psalm 119:121-144

"A healthy body and soul come from an unencumbered mind and body."

-Ymber Delecto

Picture of the Day 305

November 1st:  1 Timothy 5:1-22; Isaiah 36-37; Psalm 119:97-120

Your word is a lamp to my feet

and a light to my path.

-Psalm 119:105

The Rules

At last a guy has taken the time to write this all down finally, the guys' side of the story.  (I must admit, it's pretty good.)

We always hear "the rules" from the female side.  Now here are the rules from the male side.  These are our rules!  Please note... These are all numbered "1" on purpose!

1.  Men are NOT mind readers.
1.  Learn to work the toilet seat.  You're a big girl.  If it's up, put it down.  We need it up, you need it down.  You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.
1.  Crying is blackmail.
1.  Sunday sports it's like the full moon or the changing of the tides.  Let it be.
1.  Ask for what you want.  Let us be clear on this one:  Subtle hints do not work!  Strong hints do not work!  Obvious hints do not work!  Just say it!
1.  Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.
1.  Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it.  That's what we do.  Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.
1.  Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument.  In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 days.
1.  If you think you're fat, you probably are.  Don't ask us.
1.  If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one.
1.  You can either ask us to do something or tell us how you want it done.  Not both.  If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.
1.  Whenever possible, please say whatever you have to say during commercials.
1.  Christopher Columbus did not need directions and neither do we.
1.  ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings.  Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a color.  Pumpkin is also a fruit.  We have no idea what mauve is.
1.  If it itches, it will be scratched.  We do that.
1.  If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," we will act like nothing's wrong.  We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.
1.  If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.
1.  When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine...Really.
1.  Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as sports or racing.
1.  You have enough clothes.
1.  You have too many shoes.
1.  I am in shape.  Round IS a shape!
1.  Thank you for reading this.  Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight; but did you know men really don't mind that?  It's like camping.