TWIST Tea

I am part of a non-profit group called TWIST (The Women's Improvement Society of Tuolumne). The main fundraiser for the year is a tea where everyone decorates a table. I did a little league table. There were a lot of really fancy tables, but I actually wanted my table to represent something in the community...

My favorite part is the sunflower seeds that are scattered around the astro-turf running down the center of the table... I also really like the jerseys on the back of the chairs (thank you salvation army and various other thrift stores in town...).

This is from the preview the night before. For the actual day we had no power, which also meant to heat... As the universe works, the power came back on as we were cleaning up, about 1/2 hour after the event ended. Se la vi.

Snow Day

After having now power since Saturday (minus a few hours here and there) and it is supposed to get down to 20 degrees or so tonight... We are staying at a hotel in our town (below the snow line). It makes me a little sad though, my dad is probably less than 150 yards away, yet staying at a hotel was better than the option than staying with him... Another story for another time...

Life as we know it

A few things that have occurred in the last month...
Most notably, my grandfather passed away.

Got some carpet in the orange bedroom, which has now become the master bedroom...

Steve and I went to the Bridge School Benefit Concert. This is one of the few moments that it was not raining. Totally worth it though.

A close "Uncle" aka Little Daddy passed away

Visited my mom's grave since it was so close to the other funeral.

There was many beautiful days in Sonora.

Made "The Uncles" Pear Pie, and it was fabulous...

And right now there is tons of snow at my house and no power, however pictures were not a top priority of all of that. I am sure there will be expanded posts about many of these later... As for now, I am alive, and have been very busy.

My Lady

My lady was in town a few weeks ago. So we did something new and different for us,

we went wine tasting.

Let me clarify, we both love wine and wine tasting, but for some reason

we have never done it together.

It was simply marvelous.

The husband even offered to come pick us up after it all, but that is another story...

Brook, attempting to find her prince charming.

Unfortunately, this frog was not it.



A little later that night with Zac-Bob in the background,
and moving on to margaritas and vodka tonics.

We also went back to the "good old days" and slept in the same bed that night.

The Husband was only mildly offended.

Brook, next time you must stay up for the whole three day weekend, in my opinion.

Blog- Fail

Life has been nothing short of hectic.

*Started taking a couple classes to keep me motivated in the unemployment (perhaps not the best choice anymore...).

*The husband is gone on a fire. He left Thursday, September 9th. He doesn't have phone service, so I have only talked to him 2 or 3 times.

*Family drama to be discussed in another blog posting

* Wedding and work drama to be forgotten forever

*It has been a very difficult month for me. I am physically and emotionally drained. I have a perpetual feeling of, I don't know how else to describe it other than drowning.

The day Steve left for the fire I went and saw Eat, Pray, Love with a girlfriend. I enjoyed the book but did not know what to expect of the movie. Their is a Neil Young song in the movie that I have been thinking about since.

"Heart Of Gold"

by: Neil Young

I want to live,

I want to give

I've been a miner for a heart of gold.

It's these expressions

I never give

That keep me searching for a heart of gold

And I'm getting old.

Keeps me searching for a heart of gold

And I'm getting old.

I've been to Hollywood

I've been to Redwood

I crossed the ocean for a heart of gold

I've been in my mind,

it's such a fine line

That keeps me searching for a heart of gold

And I'm getting old.

Keeps me searching for a heart of gold

And I'm getting old.

Keep me searching for a heart of gold

You keep me searching for a heart of gold

And I'm growing old.

I've been a miner for a heart of gold.

The Cleanse

I'm so close to the end I can almost taste it. I have been doing it for just over two weeks now, and my last day is Sunday (just in time before I get to see island girl's smiling face). The acupuncturist said I was just gong to feel so good that I wouldn't want to go back to the way I used to eat. I admit I have cheated a few days, but I don't feel better. I don't think she understood how healthy I ate before I started this craziness. I have lost a few pounds though, not as much as I thought I would. I think my fat loves me to much.

Pasta

I have always wanted to learn how to make homemade pasta, and guess what, I finally did. It was surprisingly easy too. Just flour and eggs. Now, I really want a pasta rolling machine (the hand cranked kind). At $100 dollars it is not quite in my unemployed budget, but I will get one, eventually, that is...

Today

Today I am ready for a break.

Anyone else feel like this?

The River Wild

I was in Oregon last week.

Oh, and good news, the vacation tradition continues, I got a speeding ticket on my way home. Vi- at this point I am going to quit driving like a Californian.

The primary purpose of my trip was to do a belated birthday gift for my MIL. She told me around Christmas time that she has always wanted to go river rafting. So, for her birthday the husband and I got her (and me) a rafting trip.

This is us before we leave for our big adventure. I do not have any pictures from the rafting itself, I was not willing to possibly sacrifice another camera. We did have a good time. The McKenzie River was cold, very cold, and we were both pretty soaked when our half-day trip was over.

Over-all it was a birthday victory.

Buy'n Chicken

I was hanging out with this guy yesterday while his mom was at work.

We went and ran a few errands and got him a special treat, and then we were going home to BBQ hamburgers.

B: Uncle Steve gonna be there for hamergers

Me: No buddy, Uncle Steve is working out of town right now

B: No Uncle Steve

Me: No Uncle Steve

B: Why Uncle Steve working out of town

Me: Uncle Steve has to bring home the bacon, that is why he is working out of town.

B: Oh, Uncle Steve working out town bring home bacon.

Me: That is right buddy.

Later that night when his mom showed up...

Me: B- Where is Uncle Steve?

B: Working out town

Me: Why?

B: Buy'n chicken.

Uncle Steve buys that to, so it is still accurate.

Contraband

When I came home from The Indiana, I smuggled in some contraband. Nothing to dangerous in my mind, only some basil. It is doing wonderfully, so I thought I would share it.

Considering this was only 2 or 3 inches tall when I smuggled it into CA, and my house likes to kill all plants, I am very proud of this.

Fire

The husband finally left for one. Thank God.

Communication

I would like to start by saying I am a firm believer of communication. So much so, that I majored in it when I went to college. Through the process of going to school, actually probably long before that, I have taken a more liberal stance on, "Don't let the sun go down on your anger." I chose to believe that sometimes it is better to give it a day, because there comes a time when NOTHING productive is happening in your anger.

For instance, you are not supposed to talk about serious things that might cause an argument, or argue if:

-One of both of you is tired
-One or both of you are hungry
-One or both of you has had to much to drink
-One or both of you do not have enough time to finish the talk

Last week it came to a point with the husband and myself that nothing productive was happening in an intense conversation we were having. A conversation that we have had many times before. So, I left. Seriously, I left for the night. I actually went and crashed at his best friends house (who was out of town and leaves the door unlocked, so I knew no one would be there and I could crash there in peace and quiet).

Let me also tell you, I was so angry that I was not going to go back home until he called me. I was getting ready to be gone for a few days, because, I thought that is how long it would take him to call me.

Luckily, for me and him he called me the afternoon of day one. Earlier in the day, I had told myself that I wasn't going to answer the phone, I was going to make him sweat it out a little bit, that is how confident I was about my position.

Then, I realized that I would be passive-aggressive if I did that, and the communication queen in me would not allow myself to do that, even if I wanted him to sweat.

So, he called me that afternoon of day one.

Me: Hello
Husband: Hello
Me: Hello
Husband: I am a hundred times sorry.
Me: Is that your way of telling me you want me to come back home.
Husband: Yes, please come home. I am sorry.
Me: Um, Okay, I guess we will talk about the rest of this later. I love you.
Husband: I love you too. Talk to you tonight.

I was at the wedding office while this whole thing was going down, so I did not feel the need to go into it any further at this point. However, when I got home these were waiting for me.

So, we talked about it later that night. And even though the sun went down on our anger, we still talked about it. I asked the husband why he let me leave, and he said at that point he knew he deserved for me to leave. I responded with a chuckle, so you let me leave to punish yourself??? He said, yep.

Crazy. Sometimes I just don't get boys.

Twinkle Toes

I have become much more mellow than I used to be. I used to wear a lot of bright colors (now it is mostly white, black and gray), bright eyeshadow, and anything else fun and exciting that I could think of. Some think my earrings are a bit crazy, but, they aren't that crazy.

I say all of this to point out, that my toes are the only place that I really go for bright and crazy colors anymore. Most frequently on my toes you will see deep purples, pinks, greens and blues. Light pastel colors are rare on my toes.

So, when I went with a girlfriend to get a pedicure this last week, my first one since being in 'The Indiana,' I knew I wanted a bright and fun color. I was hoping for something that I did not have at home, and here is what I found-

I love the bright orange. I told the husband I did it in honor of him so he would go on a fire. I don't think he considered this sincere. Kind of surprising since so many firefighters are very superstitious.

Might not go the best with high heels and dress pants, but I still love them.

I would also like to point out that normally at this point in the summer my flip-flop tan lines cannot be ignored. However, I have been wearing a variety of shoes this summer, not just my standard flip-flops, and my nearly lack of flip-flop tan lines are showing for it.

Backyard Hamburger Throwdown

Some of you may know, we had a Hamburger Throwdown over 4th of July.

We have been planning this for the last month, well, really since Super Bowl when Steve and Rebecca had a stuffed mushroom throwdown that Steve won.

All of the entries, Phil, Steve (aka The Husband) and Rebecca.


Phil smoking he and Rebecca's hamburgers.

Fierce Competition.

The Winner!

* They decided before that whoever lost would drive to and from the A's game we are planning on going to later this month. The Husband has kindly nominated me to drive in hopes that he will be on a fire. I am politely declining since it was his competition, not mine.

It's Tough

It's tough being a kid in the middle of summer.

July 1st

July 1st, and no fires... I have been graced with the husbands presence all month. Good times, except for the fact that we need the money...

Quote of the Week

"It's like doing yard work to save your life."

-Dirk Halvorsen

My friend's view of wildland firefighting. For some reason I don't think the husband would agree with this. It amuses me though.

This Week in House Wife

Well, this week in the land of house wife a vacuum was purchased in the Baran home. Not just any vacuum, one with the, "Proper amount of suction," at least according to Craig Ferguson Someone that I barely knew existed until all of a sudden I was unemployed and could stay up as late as I wanted (his show is on after Letterman). Even though I don't stay up that late anymore (not as productive when I sleep in until 11 for some reason), I do DVR his show since I love it that much.

Anyways, back to the vacuum with the proper amount of suction. We got one of these.

I think the husband has used it more than I have (might be one of the best parts). I used it to vacuum up a candle holder my nephews broke without a problem.

It is kind of sad and funny what life becomes. Instead of saving for the next big trip, we were saving for a vacuum cleaner. We opted to buy a nice one since we have gone through one every year and a half since we have known each other. With the five year warranty this baby brings, hopefully we won't have that problem anymore.

Yosemite

The husband and I went to Yosemite a few weeks ago. Actually it was on Mother's Day. Since my mom passed away in 2002, and his mom lives in Oregon, we felt free to do whatever we wanted to do on the day.

For those who don't know, spring is the time to go to Yosemite, that is when the falls are flowing the best (due to all the snow melt). However, on Mother's Day, it was a little cold up there.

And a little cloudy.

As expected, the falls where flowing like crazy.

And it was raining/sprinkling (hence, the umbrella). After this, we had a little brunch at The Awahnee, walked around some more, and on the way home went to the oldest bar in California, the Iron Door Saloon. It was actually my first time going there, and it isn't going to become a bar that I frequent often. All in all, quite a fun day with the husband.

june

June means-

Wedding this weekend (one that I am NOT looking forward to).

Fire Season... Well, it might be here, we'll see if the husband is still around at the end of the month.

Summer is finally here (I have a huge bruise on my thigh to prove it from being out on the lake over memorial weekend, I will spare you any pictures).

Planted the garden, and it is actually looking OK. Now, we will have to see if it survives the deer and next winter.

The flip-flop tan lines are already firmly in place and will remain until next November most likely.

Will hopefully get to see the niece and nephews a little more.

Speaking of the possibility of fire season being here. What is a girl supposed to do without this guy around all the time...

I guess I am going to have to find my own way to amuse myself.

unprecedented

Today I hear, yet again, about an unprecedented disaster. This time it is President Obama talking about the oil spill off of the gulf.

I am so tired of this hot button term, unprecedented. I get that there is no precedent for the events that have occurred, however that is not an excuse for the slow response of our President and our Government. I don't just mean this president either, many presidents have done the same thing, and used the fact that it is an unprecedented event as an excuse.

The world is changing, most events it seems anymore are unprecedented, and that is not an excuse.

At what point will people/presidents and other governing bodies/the world aide in the initial act of God or act of man to the effect that more lives are not lost, disease is not spread rampant, and more mistrust in the governing bodies that are supposed to have their people's best interest at heart.

So many of these unprecedented disasters are now an excuse for inaction. There is still nothing at the site of the 9/11 attack, houses are still left as they were and neighborhoods in shambles after Katrina, and people in Haiti are still having issues with water. WATER, perhaps one of the most basic necessities, and people cannot get it. These are just a few current disasters. There are so many more that can be discussed.

Is there no one that has the skills to act quickly and effectively in times of crisis to diminish the fall out of such events? I understand that the fall out could have been so much worse, but I really am losing patience. Especially when these catastrophic events happen on our home turf.

Something fun from the Indiana

Despite the ticket, the Indiana was a lot of fun too. I smuggled back some basil from the wedding the BeA and myself went to and took some of the decorations from the ceremony. The bride had these on sticks, but I decided to paint some dowels instead. I have told my husband to be in search of sticks while he is working, but until he gets enough, dowels will suffice. I spray painted them green so they would look like stems.

After they were dry I put the pretty little flowers on them and put them in a vase in my living room. I think they are so much fun. Plus, nearly free decorations, who can say no to that?

The Indiana

For those who don't know, I got a speeding ticket while being in, "The Indiana," for the weekend a few weeks ago. I got this speeding ticket after being in The Indiana for about 15 miles. Therefore, the Indiana is not a welcoming state.

The Ticket.

79 in a 55.

Not good.

I was anxiously waiting to see how much my fine was going to be. It finally came in the mail. First, I got this little postcard.

$124.50, bummer, but so much better than I was thinking, I was thrilled. Thrilled, until I saw the envelope behind it and what it contained...

World, I would like to introduce you to my court fee$. My court fees that equal $225.00. This, is major blow to my unemployed bank account. I also have to sign the paper saying I will make no criminal offenses or moving violations in The Indiana.

$349.50 total in fees and fines. Over one car payment, down the drain.

One friend suggested that I just don't pay and have a warrant for my arrest in the Indiana for not paying and wait the ten years or whatever until I go back.

It was an idea, but I vetoed it. The honest woman in me won out.

It is my own fault for speeding anyways.

I was actually looking to see what the speed limit was in the middle of nowhere in Indiana at 11:45 pm on a Thursday night. Honest, I was. However, that does not matter. At least it did not matter to TPR Anthony H. Robinson of the Indiana State Police.

Quote of the Day

Change Your Thinking

Change Your World

More Pismo...

Ahhh... Pismo...

Everyone that went, Kya, Courtney, Me, Steve, my nephew Brayden and my brother, Caleb.

The husband and myself...

One of my favorite pics from the trip. My nephew Brayden after I found a sand crab for him. What you can't tell in this picture is that he is freezing but doesn't want to get warm, instead wants to keep playing in the ocean.

When did it quit being fun to freeze your butt off for the chance of swimming? I was proud of myself for taking my shoes off and walking in the ocean a bit (it was more than the other adults on the trip did), there is no way I was going to go swimming in the ocean though.

Coupons

The husband told me last night that he was watching the news and a woman bought $150 dollars worth of groceries for $.46. That's right, 46- CENTS. He then told me that maybe I shouldn't even find a job, and instead spend all of my extra time looking for coupons.

He did add with a laugh after, "Cause isn't that what every little girl wants to do when they grow up...?"

While his offer is intriguing, at least for a moment... Once that moment passes it sounds like a sure way for me to

SLOWLY GO INSANE.

Lucky for me, the husband knows this about me.

Looking for coupons every now and then does sound like a good way to save money now though...

Fight the Funk

The husband and I (as well as a few other people) were camping in Pismo this last weekend. We LOVE wine and did a little wine tasting one day...

On the last day, before we left we started to get into a little bit of a funk, if you know what I mean... In pursuit of doing something to "Fight the Funk" we decided to do a little more wine tasting before we went home. Really, what helps you fight a funk more than alcohol?

So, that lead us to these vineyards...

Hug Cellars and Barrel 27. They were both fabulous. Seriously, very good wine. So, if you are ever in Paso Robles you should go try them out. It did help us fight the funk too. It is also quite convenient that are two favorite were right next door to each other.

Typical Day

For those who are wondering, here is the typical day in the life of this unemployed girl...

Wake up somewhere between 8am and 10am

(I do try and keep it closer to 8am)

1st (we will call it 8:15am)- Work Out

9am- Watch Live with Regis and Kelly, while stretching and doing floor exercises

9:30am- Eat breakfast while continuing to watch Regis and Kelly

10am- Find something random on television or watch DVR'd Grays Anatomy from the night before while doing all the dishes that remain from dinner

11am- Get sucked into some random show on TV that I care nothing about

12pm- Take a shower

1pm- Go somewhere to check how the rest of the world is surviving since we don't have internet at my house (we can only get dial-up, seriously not worth the time).

2pm- Run any errands I need to

3-4 pm Get back home and start preparing some crazy new recipe

6 pm The husband gets home

6:30 pm Eat Dinner with the husband

7-9pm watch random TV with the husband, or play a game, or listen to music...

9pm watch whatever I want for a few hours while reading a magazine or book or something

11pm-2am Go to bed sometime in this time period (I have tried to tell myself to go to bed by 11pm so I don't sleep in until 10am, but I am not going to lie, sometimes there is not a lot of motivation to do this when there is nothing going on the next day)

Go to bed and start it all over again the next day with a few variations depending on how motivated I am feeling.

Month of Silence

Well, the month of silence in regards to my blogging has been because I got laid off on January 11th, and I have just been to busy doing nothing to think of blogging. Really, I don't have the internet at my house (we can only get dial-up), and I never think of it when I am out and about checking all of my internet stuff...

Anyways, here are a few pics that I have wanted to put up, but somehow (more excuses here)...

After Christmas with the husband on our way home, some beach outside of Humboldt.

The Baran Family, over Christmas


More Baran Family, I think this pic is awesome.

This is one of those random pics that I forgot was on my camera because I only take pictures of once every.... Anyways, I believe this is when we were setting up for my sisters wedding and my dad hopped in the truck with us. You can't really grasp how small this space was that 2 big guys and a car seat were squeezed into, but it makes me smile seeing it...

As for me, I am looking for a job. Being unemployed does not suite me so well, I have discovered. Cleaning and cooking, though necessary, now consume my life (especially in the pursuit of not spending money, due to the loss of 1/4 of our income). Thankfully, the husband has always paid the majority of the bills with his job, and I can cover the little I need to with unemployment.

It is the first time in a while that I am sad about the miscarriage in October. It would be practically perfect now. I was due May 11th and I could have just finished up stuff with the house and then gone on to have the baby... Oh well, it was not part of the plan for this time. God knows best, I cannot question that.