Little Baby Girl

I thought that I'd let you know what has been going on with Emma.

The weekend we returned from Michigan we noticed that she just wasn't herself. Not really eating and some excessive drooling. Matt took her to the vet last Tuesday and they kept her all day and did some tests. We were not sure if the loaf of bread she ate on the prior Saturday was causing her some gastric issues. They planned to do some blood tests and x-rays.

I got a call telling me that the x-rays were normal and that we could pick her up at 6:15. The blood results would be in at 6.

We got there and the doctor told us that the x-rays seem normal, the urine and most of her blood work was also normal.

Except for the liver tests. He believes that she has liver disease. They only way to determine what kind and how bad is with an ultrasound and a guided biopsy. He said she is a very sick dog. She vomited bile at 5:30 despite having fasted all day. She had an injection of pepcid and received some fluids.

He recommended that we keep Emma overnight and she receive a bleeding time and IV fluid. The following day she would have the ultrasound and if necessary they'd put her under for the biopsy. Then she would need to stay for a few days and recover.

The results of the biopsy/ultrasound would tell the MD what type of liver disease she has, hepatitis, chronic, inflammatory... Without the tests he cannot treat her.

Then we get the estimate. One for the preferred treatment and one that is bare bones. $2500 for the full deal and $1100 + $940 for the lesser. Either way we were looking at $3000+ for the first day including $700 we had spend for the day at the vet. Plus min. of $450 per day for 3 days after the biopsy.

They left us to discuss things and we were really balking at spending another $2000+ on an old pet. I'm still recovering from Chase-er-meow-meow just 5 months ago.

We decided we needed to think about putting her to sleep. The MD said he would not disagree with that decision, especially since even after knowing what type of liver issue she has her quality and term of life might only be 6 months.

So we decided to put her to sleep last Tuesday night.

Then the MD recommended that we think about it overnight and take her home. She isn't in pain and we could at least spend the night loving her and saying goodbye. Then we could put her down on Wednesday.

We took her home. She ate her kibble, ate treats, cuddled with us on the couch and in bed. And she seems 100% normal and fine.

We decided we would not to do anything. We plan to add some chicken breast to her diet to increase her protein and maybe some other stuff to keep her healthy and happy.

Until she shows us some sort of visible decline, we're going to just love her.

We just didn't know what to think. Maybe the blood tests were abnormal or a fluke or if she really has some sort of liver issue.

On Wednesday evening we went back to the vet to pick up some medication as recommended by the Vet.

She received the first round of pills beginning Wednesday night.

Thursday I came home to find her lying on the bed soaked in urine. Not good and for sure not normal.

Friday she peed in the living room. And the same on Saturday. She peed without any sense of urgency, no asking to go out. She was just standing there peeing.

I researched online to see if any of the new meds could be causing this side effect. If it was a side effect. We called Jeanne, a nurse, and asked her. Nothing should link the two together. She had been drinking more water, which of course would cause more need to pee, but not like she was doing.

We decided to stop the pills altogether, she hasn't peed in the house since Saturday morning. She is running around at the park, eating and drinking, peeing outside and pooping. Normal dog stuff. She still barks at the television and at the little pain in the ass dog across the way. She is 100% Emma.

Today I called the vet so that I could tell them I wasn't going to do a f/u and to get copies of the lab work and x-ray.

The tech was pretty rude and said he'd check with the doctor to see if he would ok the release of the labs. I questioned this practice and asked that they be ready by this time tomorrow.

I vowed right then to never go back to them.

Then the Dr. called me back. He had lots of questions and seemed really concerned. He was pleased to find Emma doing well. He hoped that I would go for a second op. and he also really hoped that I'd go to a specialist. I said that I've split Emma's care between them and another vet and as soon as I said the other vets name he got excited. He said to please follow up with him after I go for follow up blood tests.

He did concede that there was possible lab error. I know for sure after spending 4 years working at the lab, that it is a valid possibility. I can't remember exactly the stability of the blood for liver tests, but as soon as I see the names it will come back to me.

I told him about the peeing in the house and how it seemed like she didn't even have any urgency and why I thought there was a correlation between the meds and her peeing. He semi agreed, but only because of the timing and not because of any of the meds. He also asked that I bring them in to make sure there was no medication error.

I feel better about the vet. Not good enough to bring her back. I said that the soonest I would consider going to the other vet is next Tuesday. He said that is fine given her current condition.

So until next week I hope to put any additional worry and concern out of my mind.

Margaritas vs. Street Fair

Summer is almost here! Not that it feels like summer, it hasn’t been above 75 degrees in weeks. I am excited for all the kiddies to be out of school, my commute is always about 10 minutes less during the summer.

As I posted yesterday we had decided to go to the Los Feliz street festival. We were a block from the subway and noticed that the new grocery store was open! We just had to take a detour and check out what the store has to offer. It was a shiny and new, the produce all piled up in an artistic manner, and a lovely floor free of grime and dirt.

Halibut was on sale, $14.99/pound for the filets. About $10 less than Whole Foods and Gelson’s! We are walking back to the store tonight to pick up some halibut for dinner. I asked Matt if I should prepare it differently than lightly breaded and pan fried in butter/olive oil. He thinks I have a good thing going with the current method and why mess with a good thing. Yum!

After shopping at the grocery store we decided that rather than going to the street fair we’d rather have a margarita. For whatever reason, full bars are hard to find in our immediate neighborhood. By immediate, I mean within a 5 minute walk. Beer and wine are plentiful, just not liquor, save for a hard core gay bar or two. We decided to walk to the lone Mexican restaurant, which we thought was about 4 or 5 blocks away. About a mile or so later we were still walking and vowing to enjoy our margarita’s and take a taxi home. As we continued to walk block upon block, finally we could see the sign for Karaoke and Margaritas. Fortunately, the karaoke wasn’t happening and we drank our salty rimmed margaritas and ate chips with guac and salsa.

We did walk home. I promised that the walk home would do us well and the sun was shining and we had a buzzy spring to our step.

I’m not sure if the margarita was a better decision than the street fair. But we for sure got more exercise walking the 4 miles round trip for the drinks than the few blocks we would have walked at the fest.

Back to normal

We spent a week in Michigan. The weather was mostly great, it only rained a few of the days. We were able to see lots of family and old friends.

Today we are taking the subway to a street fair.

I'm out of the blogging habit, I hope to make a triumph return ASAP.

Commission

I'm always honored to accept commission work. It usually amazes me that someone actually wants to pay me to make something special for them.

Usually.

I have a co-worker who has a necklace that I made. She gets compliments on it every time she wears it, awesome! One woman asked that she bring a necklace to me to make some earrings that she lost. I made the earrings and the woman loved them, again awesome. Then she lost one and I had to make a replacement. Which would be great, if I ever received the money from the co-worker to cover my costs. It is my own fault for not pressing her for the payment, but that is a whole other post.

So then the woman gave the co-worker one earring and said she wanted a necklace and bracelet to match. No other details, the earring is a stone and diamond earring. Not exactly my medium. Excuses, excuses I didn't call the woman and the earring has been sitting in my purse for a couple weeks. So upon some pressing from my co-worker I call the woman today.

This was the conversation:

Ring, ring.
All I hear is loud music, at first I thought that it might be an annoying answering machine with just random music.

Young Man: hello (add a tinge of annoyance)
Me: Is Linda there?
YM: She'll call you back
Me: can I please leave a message
YM: NO She'll call you back
Me: can I at least leave my name so she knows who called? I start to say this is co-workers friend...
YM: SHE'LL CALL YOU BACK SHE HAS YOUR NUMBER
Me: yes, but she won't know who is calling her
YM: grumble grumble SHE WILL CALL YOU BACK

So I hung up on him. Fuck that. I don't need additional work in a medium I don't deal with and one that will be a hassle to get paid.

However, if the woman calls me back I would be happy to ask her to meet me or attend one of my shows where she could purchase some of my ready made products. Or talk in person to figure out what it is she is looking for.

It is my own fault for doing such a kickass job on the earrings, serves me right!

May 2, 2007

It is with great pleasure that today I announce to you the next President of the United States of America.....


Joanna!

I'm 35 today. And rather than be depressed that I'm 35 today I've decided to seize the moment and use my new age bracket to RUN FOR PRESIDENT! You know why? Because I am eligible.

I am. All you need to do is be born in the US of A. And be at least 35 years old.

I will not be accepting donations, that is just too much trouble. I'll campaign at lunch and on the interwebs, all for free. Who needs $100 million dollars? (ok I do, but I doubt I'd use it for freaking tv advertisements, maybe health care and homes and reformation of the criminal justice system)

So vote Joanna for President. I promise you won't be throwing away your vote. Really, you won't. You put that sucker in the vote box and let Florida throw it away.

I'm sorry if people excited for a more personal type of announcement, like babies or Oscar gift bags. I've got other things on my plate right now, like running for President.

Huge Announcement

I will be making a HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT on Wednesday, May 2, 2007!

Artwalk Recap

It was a great weekend. I cannot express my gratitude for the Theory labs for allowing me to participate and welcoming us into their homes for the weekend +.



I made lots of great contacts, I hope that they follow through! I sold lots of jewelry, switch plate covers and make up brushes. I actually have to make more brushes! I remember when there use to be 3 full boxes of completed brushes, there are now less than 15! So gratifying! I have another small show on May 12 in Echo Park, Eagle Rock? I can't remember which. I have next weekend to get stuff done. I hope to assemble and sand while camping the following weekend.



And now for pictures. I don't know if you can tell but each item has a little hang tag with my logo on it! Branding baby. A couple different people commented that they recognized my logo. Since Deborah designed it, I'm positive that someone else isn't using it. They must know it from ME!

Close Encouters of Britney kind

OMG!!!!

Ok, so I was heading up Mulholland wondering if I'd see the paps or if the new NO PARKING AT ANY TIME along each dirt patch would scare them away. Or has Britney Spears already left for the day. There were no cars, not even one.

UNTIL.... I came to my turn, the turn to go just 2 more blocks and I'm home. That is when I saw car that looked familar, just the Element on the right, but it had a parking ticket on the windshield.

Of course I got my camera out and turned on. I rolled down my window, yelled hello to John, my mechanic, and took this!

In my rear view you can see the building that houses my mechanic, and then this black fence with the PAPARAZZI!!! ON STOOLS! John's parking lot shares the lot with the dance studio.

I should have stopped right then and there and took more pictures but, I had a full memory card and needed to off load the other pics.

After clearing the memory card I grabbed Emma and headed out for a walk. I was buzzing with excitement. I was really worried that you would be able to tell my hands were shaking when I took pictures.

Sadly, in the time I off loaded and walked back she had left. But really, since SHE isn't my pet project I was content to continue to take pics of the paps as they packed up.

Not only did I take pictures but I also chatted with them. I asked them about the parking issue now that the dirt patches are NO PARKING. They have lookouts who radio left or right and they either go down the hill to the valley or down the hill to the 90210.

The one guy I chatted with was really nice, he wondered why I don't want pictures of Britney. He looked at me funny when I told him I'd been taking his pictures for 5 months, well minus that 30 day rehab thing. I asked if I could take his picture he said yes, but I look like crap today, and he turned his hat around and pulled it down over his eyes.

I gave John my cell number. He said I could go through his office and take pictures of Britney up close. He'll totally call me! So exciting!

Art filled weekend

I'm super busy getting ready for ArtWalk! I'm so excited for my new display techniques and my new products. I promise to take tons of pictures. I really hope that I can venture out and see other art for some much needed inspiration.

I also came up with the great idea of having Matt drop me off and pick me up on Saturday. That means Sangria for a mid afternoon pick me up, er buzz.

Super duper exciting news on the Britney paparazzi front. There were 5 LAPD cars with lights flashing stopped at dirt patch 2 and 3. Dirt patch 4, had about 5 paps looking bored as always. I haven't been as diligent about taking pictures, they don't really do anything, so pictures of cars just sitting there aren't all that thrilling. One thing of note is that they haven't been in dirt patch number 2 (except today) they've gone all the way down to dirt patch 4 which was never is use prior to last week.

LAPD please put the beatdown on these Paparazzi. Thanks.

3 day weekend

Beach. Tent. 2 recommended books. Fires. Food. Matt and Emma.

Summer Vacation

We purchased tickets to visit Michigan in May. The price was too good to pass up and we are super excited to visit with lots of friends and family!

So if you live in Michigan and you want to see us, we'll be there May 23-30. Hope to see you then.

Weekend!

Friday: Going away party. Originally, this was a goodbye to a co-worker, sadly one of Matt's favorite guys. He got a job that paid more and was closer to home. Then he got a call from his Superior in the Marine Corp and he has been called up for active duty. So now it is good luck in Iraq going away party. Quite a drag. It's his third tour.

Months ago, when I was enjoying the deliciousness of the patty melt, Matt's friend met us for dinner. He liked the down home Burbank bar so much he's having the party there. I can't even tell you how difficult it will be to not get a patty melt. YUM. I won't get it because I'm sure it would give me a stomach ache. I will for sure get the beer batter onion rings.

Saturday: I hope to make some stuff for the upcoming Brewery ArtWalk. And Matt and I may go to WeHo to purchase an "outfit" for his gig on Sunday.

Sunday: Street Fest LA aka gay leather daddy street festival. Matt is once again going to rock out with well, with something at least one inch across his butt crack and covering his entire front, package? I'm totally cool with the whole Nudist Priest gig, really I am. But dude there is a HUGE difference between midnight in a darkened bar in Hollywood vs. 1:30 in the afternoon OUTSIDE at a BD/SM festival. This event probably should have happened 13 years ago, I would have had something to wear.

No pictures today

My friend Julie called me on my way home to let me know that there were dozens of paparazzi and E! News on the side walk outside Century City Hospital. I said that I'll bet it is Britney back for some tooth work. And not 5 minutes after I said that I turned onto Britney's street and not one single freaking paparazzi parked in the dirt.

I'm conflicted about the rights of the paps. I know that there should be a law against it, but really what law are they breaking? Maybe loitering? They technically are not trespassing, unless they step onto private property. Can they legislate standing on the sidewalk taking pictures? Does that mean that they stop the tour vans from driving by the homes of the stars? Where do you draw the line?

Of course we all know the line starts with us, with me. If I stopped reading TMZ, paging though US Weekly, and all the other rags, then there is no reason to take their picture. Too bad I won't stop. I also won't stop taking pictures of the paparazzi.... unless they do.

Recommitment

I've been lax on exercising these last few weeks. My mind and the couch have done their battles, and damn that couch is good. But tomorrow, I swear I won't even look at the couch between walking in the door and walking to the gym. I swear, do not tempt me.

Music Mistro

I've been thinking about purchasing an ipod. First of all, everyone has one and I like to keep up with the Jones. Ok, not really, but it does seem that everyone has a portable music player. I asked my internet friends what they suggest and of course they all said the ipod. Which make total sense because really I suppose they are fantastic.

I remember when I was in 8th grade and everyone had the Guess jeans with the zipper at the ankle. I really wanted a pair of Guess jeans. The perfect little triangle on the pocket showed everyone that you were indeed wearing Guess jeans. And that meant you were popular. Or not, depending upon the day.

Guess jeans never fit me. So in hindsight I don't think that my mother actually denied me a pair of expensive jeans ($40! Goodness what I wouldn't do to pay $40 for the expensive jeans today! More like $140.), I just think the waist to hip ratio in those jeans were not made for my body type. But I still wanted them, and what they represented.

But anyway I digress. I searched the internet high and low looking at ipods and reading reviews. I kept coming back to the fact I really didn't want to spend what the ipod cost. Around $200 just for the player. And that is the bottom end player, not the fancy 5.5 with video! Maybe I'm just not meant to be popular, not in junior high and not at the gym. Darn.

So I purchase this


It has video, just like the expensive ipod. It also has voice recording, an fm tuner and instant fm recording. The ipod does not. You upload the content via windows media, therefore you can upload anything, not just itunes stuff. For the same price as the one video ipod I got this and portable speakers. The speakers sound great! It was a great purchase!

So far we've uploaded 560 songs. I still have a stack of cds to do, my afternoon project.

I will test out that voice recorder when I work up the nerve to stop and chat with the paparazzi. And speaking of dear Brittney Spears. She made her first outing since rehab. She took at dance class at the studio one freaking block from my house. We could have walked right past her if we had walked the other way home from dinner. Ice cream from 7/11 was more important.

Britney Spears' personal paparazzi

As I head around the first turn towards the Britney's gated estate turn on the camera. I'm always a little giddy with excitement in anticipation of how many stalkers there might be on any given day. Let me tell you fashion week followed by a stint in rehab made for a long month, not one damn car parked anywhere along the beautiful drive. So as promised pictures of the paparazzi.

Dirt patch number 2


A closer picture of dirt patch number two. TMZ.com has a much better version of the same autos. This picture was taken on Thursday around 4:00.


Dirt patch number 3.


Dirt patch number 2 at 6:45 am on Friday. I guess they don't think Brit is awake that early? Next photo essay will be a series of sunrises.


Same dirt patch number 2, now filled with the phothogs.


Dirt patch number 3.


Everyone waves at me. They still seem to have an air of friendship and certain boredom . Next week I will stop and ask some questions. For sure towards the end of the week after they've watched me take pictures and wave at them off and on for 3 months!



We went to the Point Mugu whale watching festive a couple weekends ago. Here are some dolphins. The whales were merely spouts off in the far, far distance. Not something I could capture with my camera.

Paparazzi + Britney

Stalking Britney is back in full force.

Yesterday I actually saw Britney and Kfed with my own two eyes. I didn't get a picture. Boo.

Today I took pictures of the many, many vehicals awaiting her exit. Maybe about 25 cars! Can you imagine 25 cars waiting outside your driveway to take your picture and follow you everywhere you go?

I took some pics, and some of the dudes even waved to me. Maybe we'll become bff. I'll post pictures when I have a few days worth of stalking.

Weekend!

It is here! On one of the 2 sunny days ahead we will wash the dirty dog. And on both of the sun filled mornings I will not wake to an alarm clock at 5:23AM.

3.14

The day of Pi. I hope to eat pie while watching LOST. My issue with pies are, well I love them. LOVE. But I have a plan. We'll go to KooKooRoo for dinner and then run across the street to Marie Calendar's. There we will get 2 pieces of pie to go. Ensuring that I will not eat pie every single day until it is gone!

Today is also National Potato Chip day. Hooray for thinly sliced potatoes fried in hot oil.

March 14th is also a brand new holiday. Steak and blowjob day. It is one month past Valentine's day, and it seems from the dozens of websites, no chocolate whatsoever is required. It is really all about the meat.

So Happy March 14th.

Bumper Stickers

I saw my new favorite bumper sticker today.

I am for the separation of Church and Hate

My old favorite bumper sticker is

1/20/2009

It took me a little bit to figure out why my sister's birthday was on a bumper sticker. Then I saw the small print (Bush's last day). Of course Inauguration Day. I fondly remember eating Deborah's birthday cake with Grandma Mable and keeping an eye on the hostages being released just in time for Regan's Inauguration.

Vacation

We are going to take a vacation in October to celebrate our 10 and 5 year anniversaries. We had our first date the night before Thanksgiving way back in 1997. We got married in October 2002.

We are considering the Mexican Caribbean, Costa Rica, or somewhere else.

I just want the Matt, the beach, the ocean, a good book and gossip filled magazines, and maybe a cocktail. Perfect.

A whole bunch of pictures

I dyed my hairs a few weeks ago. It was a temporary dye and since my hairs reject dye in just a few weeks anyway, it is pretty much back to normal.




Matt's cousin Tom and 2 of his friends came to visit. We took them on the grand tour of LA and promised to see at least one star. We were successful and saw non other than JOHN BLACK from Days of Our Lives. He was standing right next to me at the deli. Matt nearly had to hold a spot light on him for me to notice. I was engrossed in deciding what to eat. So John Black right there beside me. He ordered a pound of tuna, in his classic breathy voice. Matt repeats "I'll have a pound of tuna" all the time. Sadly John Black was very cocky and totally knew we knew who he was. He'd just lucky I didn't mention that I'm such a dork fan that I attended the 40th anniversary symposium at the Museum of TV and Radio.

We went to our favorite beach, Leo Carrillo. Sadly, we also came across a beached sea lion. Boo.

Britney Spears. So she foiled my plan to document her paparazzi by putting the house on the market, amongst other things. So this is the only picture I have of the cars biding their time awaiting their opportunity to document every public move. The dirt patches are now vacant, just as they were before.

My dad came to visit this past weekend. On Saturday afternoon we took the subway a couple of stops to Hollywood/Highland to check out the Oscar preps. It was pretty awesome and we even got to stand on the red carpet, covered in plastic but still!

This guy is along the red carpet.

The first big Oscar you see as the stars first start to walk down the red carpet.

This is what you would first see if you were getting out of your limo. Or if you go the day before since like me, you are a big nobody when it comes to the Oscars.

After walking along the walk of fame and purchasing a g-string, with my dad, for my husband, we headed to Chinatown.

Happy New Year! Year of the GOLDEN PIG.

I thought these fan ladies were pretty cool.

Dragon's ward off the evil spirits. And the firecrackers wake them up, I think.


I made a display for my makeup brushes per the request of Nigel. Soon they will be available at his beauty supply shop.

As I mentioned above I bought a g-string for Matt. He didn't wear it.

My husband played drums in a Judist Priest Cover band this past weekend. The band is Nudist Priest. The best part of the night was the introduction by my dad, wearing his clerics; watch for that on youtube someday soon. (as soon as I ask his permission) "I'm the priest, here come the nudes" Perfect.

It's Tuesday

It has been a while. No valid excuses. I'll try not to let it happen again.

Joanne inquired about my diet. I am still pretty much a vegetarian. I had fish once a couple of weeks ago and I also have had a warm spinach salad with tiny bits of prosciutto, twice. I LOVE this salad, but the belly ache that follows makes it not so worth it. I assume the belly ache stems from the grease from the meat. It is just such a small amount, maybe 2 slices, but I guess that is all it takes.

I'd like to say I'm working out as often as I'd like. But I'm not. I go to yoga at least once a week, and usually another workout on the weekends. But not much else. I'll get back on track, I will I swear.

Now it is time for pictures.

RIP baby kitty

You were the best cat. I'll miss you always.

Chase-er-meow-meow

My little kitty is sick. I noticed that she was coughing every so often over the weekend. Then by Monday I knew I had to take her to the vet.

We went to the vet on Tuesday and they said she either has a cold or asthma. She also has a lump but I'm not thinking about that until later, the doctor agreed.

So they sent her home with some antibiotics. By Thursday evening there wasn't any improvement and she had stopped eating and drinking. So I took her back to the vet.

The vet suggests x-rays to determine if she does have asthma. We had previously discussed the fact that sometimes asthma will not show up on the film so there was that to consider. The x-rays came back with classic cat asthma lung. The vet gave me a comparison to look at of a healthy lung.

Now little meowers is on pred. She got a shot last night and then a dose this morning. Luckily, I had some left over from the ear infection so I didn't have to buy more. The vet said that she should be better by this morning and if not, give her another dose of the pred. She wasn't better when I got home and continued to wheeze and cough, so I gave another dose. The vet called to check on her and suggested I give her double dose tomorrow morning and if she doesn't improve bring her back for a different course of action.

Poor little kitty. She is 100% unhappy and it makes me super sad.

Stalking Britney Spear's Stalkers

Each day I drive home along the old highway road directly in front of the gated estate in which Britney Spears has recently purchased a new home.

Everyday there a bunch of large SUVs parked in the dirt across from the estate. This is out of the ordinary. There are dozens of pull offs to see the views of the city all along this old school highway, you can see the ocean from one side and the valley on the other, it is super curvy and fun to drive. I like to time myself back and forth, but I digress.

I began asking random people who also drive that way home who the hell are these people? Are they a running group and plan to go running in the hills? Are they day workers? No, they are PAPARAZZI. How exciting and sickening.

Today there were 11 vehicles parked in the dirt all in a row. Most of them have just one person with dark sunglasses looking bored. There is definitely a sense of camaraderie with the phothogs, almost like a tailgate party.

My plan is to start bringing my camera so that I too can pull off and start to take some pictures. I will take pictures of them waiting and hoping for Brit Brit to show off her c-section scar via her eloquent exit from a low centered sports car. I will post them here for your viewing pleasure.

Ed Begley Jr.

Matt and I usually go to the Tuluca Lake Farmer's market on Sunday mornings. We go because they plastered our neighborhood with signs indicating they have parking.

The Studio City farmer's market is also on Sunday. They are not able to boast about ample parking, mostly because they are bigger and therefore more parking spaces taken by more people. And it is Studio City.

Ed Begley Jr has a booth at the Studio City market. I purchased some all natural lavender soap. He was very grateful for my purchase. He informed me that the plastic bag in which he placed my soap was made of recycled produce. I informed him that I would once again recycle the bag and fill it with dog poop. He thanked me and we wished each other a nice afternoon.

I'm going to make Rhubarb Crisp. Somehow I will find a way to work in some blood orange juice as they are freaking amazing and I think they'd work well with rhubarb.

30 days

Matt and I have made a big lifestyle change. We have gone vegetarian for at least one month. Today is one full week eating no meat (eggs and dairy are ok). I don't miss it. I've explored food items I've never considered and I'm really enjoying the journey.

We also joined the Y and did a 15 minutes on the elliptical machine and then swam laps. Hooray for being on the road to fitnes.

Tonight I am making this:

2 cloves garlic
1 tbsp peeled and minced fresh ginger
1 tbsp tahini
1/2 cup tamari
1/3 cup toasted sesame oil
1 tbsp firmly packed light brown sugar
3 tbsp sake or dry white wine
4 portobello mushroom caps
1 tbsp peanut oil

Combine the garlic, ginger, and tahini. Stir in tamari, sesame oil, brown sugar, and sake. Blend well.

Place mushroom caps in a shallow dish. Add the marinade, turning to coat the mushrooms, and let sit for 30 minutes, turning once.

Heat peanut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms (reserve the marinade) and sear, turning once until well browned and slightly softened, about 5 minutes.

Serve mushrooms with marinade drizzled on top.

I might grill them rather than saute. I will serve them with either wasabi mashed potatoes or brown rice and a salad. Edamame or an appetizer.

More to follow

B$

The Fantasy Blog Stock Market

What?

Future Blogs

In the coming days I will blog about the following:

The Mosaic
The old vacuum vs the new vacuum
Matt's big rock show
and the progress on 90210 The Movie - now that I'm over the holiday craft fair season and the mosaic is not only finished but in its new home we should have time to film, after the rock show.

Bits and Pieces

I saw 2 deer on my way home from work yesterday! They were eating what seemed to be garbage. I am always so shocked when I see real live wildlife in my general neighborhood. A couple of coyotes crossed my path a few months ago along "the LA river" if river = a cement drainage control running throughout the city.

We went to the Brian Setzer Orchestra Christmas Extravaganza last night. It is always fun to see great music and a bonus when you are up close with backstage passes and it was free.

Today I will do various running around and creating. The share swap with ssslambo, continue working on the mosaic, make a Christmas card and make a photo calendar for my office swap oh and go to 2 holiday parties. Eeek that is a lot, good thing tomorrow is also dedicated to all but 2 parties!

Confession

I'm not decorating for Christmas. I'm just not in the mood. I have a deer shaped fake tree I took it out for the craft fair and that will serve as our "tree". It has lights so it'll be the same vibe. I just don't feel like shelling out money for a tree that is SUPER dry because it is super dry socal. So no tree, and no work to decorate, no problem.

Donna Martin

I drove by her yard sale on Friday. And again today, totally by accident. Friday there were nearly one dozen news crews and a whole slew of phothogs chomping at the bit. Although the line did not appear to be super long, I did not stop. Responsibility won out and I went to Target to get the things I needed for the Craftmas Bizarre, came home to do laundry and get my products in order. I'm sure in the end I made the right decision, but I do have some small amount of regret.

I did do great at the show! Hooray.

Days

I think that Sami got a boob job. Either that or she is wearing a fantastic bra, and if so I MUST know the brand. I'll doubt that she has her bra monogrammed like Kate.

And BREAKING NEWS!!!
As you know that they burned RealWorld Philip's face (aka RealWorld was fired). You know after he re-inlisted to go fight for his country? After he found out that Claire was really Sean's baby? Ok so Jennifer Aniston's dad Victor has Philip and is flying in a special doctor to give him a face transplant, and who has been cast to play the new Philip? WHO? The OLD Philip the guy who played him before for RealWorld landed the role. How on earth will they spin this one? And don't even get me started on Victor kidnapping Claire so Philip can be her "dad". Matt has serious issues with that story line, he just isn't buying it.

What are you doing Friday?

I'm going here! Do you think I can get her to do a cameo in 90210 The Movie?

Tori Spelling invites you to her

Dazzling Hollywood Estate Sale in her Valley Home

Tori invites you into her house to shop her dazzling valley home, jewelry & closets contents sale. This represents much of her last 15 years of buying & collecting. Included are antique & vintage items from the 19th, 20th, & 21st centuries! French, Italian, Continental, American white wicker, shabby chic, and traditional furniture, crystal chandeliers & sconces, pictures & paintings, lamps, vanity, Tori’s personal jewelry, bric-a-brac, memorabilia, garden & patio, designer & casual clothes, shoes, accessories, photos, etc.

Friday & Saturday, December 8th & 9th — 9AM to 5PM

Monday, December 11th — 9AM to 5PM

Monday is sales & pick-up day

11369 Dona Lisa Dr., Studio City 91604

Off of Laurel Canyon and Dona Pegita Dr.

Also off of Mulholland at Dona Pegita Dr

And off of Mulholland at Wrightwood Dr.

Thomas Guide: 562-J7

We expect crowds and a long line.

Parking is good but expect to walk.

Check website Wednesday night for pictures.

We have a bag & purse check-in for security

Project Pictures!

I'm working on the mosaic to hang behind the stove at Ilene and Bob's home. This is the tile for the backsplash. It will frame out my mosaic.



This tile is the countertop. It has bits of shell and sparkles.



The line drawing and the beginnings of the mosaic. The shards of clay pottery are from the dig they did in Israel.



Imagine it filled in with one more layer of my clay and some creamy tiles and bits of the above countertop tiles along the top and bottom edges, and one inch moulding to frame everything. And of course the grouting!

ABC it's easy as 123

A. Stay. She isn't allowed to speak to me and her only communication can be via email.

B. Move. Go to a different department.

C. Quit. Get a severance package.

scratch that

what a difference a day can make

Problem solved!

I've been having issues at work. I did not post about them here because you just never know who might stumble across your blog.

But anyway, the problem has been solved! I now sit in my very own cubicle in a different area and I report to a new person. Hooray. Today was a great day!

70 days

How much is 70 days worth to you?

Is $145 per day for 70 days worth it? $70 a day? $15 a day? $7?

Is not knowing how much each day is worth until after 70 days has passed worth waiting for?

Ready, Okay

Okay is a term of approval or assent, often written as OK, O.K., ok, okay, okee, or more informally as simply kay, k or kk. Sometimes used with other words, as in "okey, dokey". When used to describe the quality of a thing, it denotes acceptability. However, its usage can also be strongly approving; as with most slang, its usage is determined by context. It could be one of the most widely used words on Earth, since it has spread from English to many other languages.

The historical record shows that "O.K." appeared as an abbreviation for oll korrect (a conscious misspelling of "all correct") in Boston newspapers in 1839, and was reinterpreted as "Old Kinderhook" in the 1840 United States presidential election. Because it is a recent word borne of word play, and because it is so widely used, "O.K." has also invited many folk etymologies. These competing theories are not supported by the historical written record, except in that folk and joke etymologies influenced the true history of the word. Since the 19th century, the word has spread around the world, the "okay" spelling of it first appearing in British writing in the 1860s. Spelled out in full in the 20th century, 'okay' has come to be in everyday use among English speakers, and borrowed by non-English speakers. Occasionally a humorous form okee dokee (or okey dokey) is used, as well as A-ok.


RUDE.

busy

I have so many projects going on!

I am making a mosaic back splash. I brought the sketch over for approval today and got the go ahead! I am incorporating some pieces of clay pottery that are 2500+ years old.

I am doing an artswap project. That is a secret.

90210 The Movie is still in production.

Christmas presents.

I've upgraded to the new blogger so I hope to post more.

Post?

This is the 5th blog that I have attempted to post. Error everytime.