Complete thoughts? Pshhhhhht!

Well, random complete thoughts - yes. Thought-out paragraphs - a big fat NO.
I loved visiting Sister, WGD and The Boy. I'm sure that having a guest is not the most relaxing thing for them but I was plenty relaxed. We knit, we played, we worked out ... we even went out for some drinks! I love where they live and completely understand why travel magazines tote it as a resort community (but I do love the granola and boondocks of it all, too!!!)
I'm frustrated. I've been working out a lot more and keeping a food diary and haven't lost a pound. And nope, my clothes are looser. To make matters worse, The Man and I measure our waists and we both were s-h-o-c-k-e-d. Talk about facing up after being in denial - "Oh, these jeans are a tad snug but I'm sure my waist has changed only a centimeter." Riiiiight.
Despite being frustrated, I am still a happy person. I am very excited to be getting married. I am almost as excited to be on vacation for three weeks! I haven't taken that long of a vacation while working since ... never! I've either been in between jobs or in school. I feel a tad bit naughty.
Been struggling with the whole name change thing but think I've finally made a decision. Professionally, I'd like to stick with my maiden name. I haven't asked them, though, if I will be forced to change it since I'll be changing it on my SS# and driver's license. But I'd like to be able to keep it my maiden name at work. Everywhere else, I will be Mrs. Ramirez. I'm hoping that being sorted alphabetically by last name is a practice that has been left at school. Random, right? To go from A to R may be a bit jarring, though. I liked getting whatever it was over with first!
The Man just bought his barong for our wedding. (Why he was measuring his waist and had inspired me to measure mine - I'm such a dumb ass.) A friend of mine didn't want her husband to wear one because she thought it looks like a doily. After she pointed that out, I kind of agree. But I still think it's beautiful because it's part of our culture. Plus he will be so much more comfortable than wearing a suit!
I still love my job. It's challenging but I am very happy. I grit my teeth when I say, "Money isn't everything" but I really do believe it.
I'm sad about Heath Ledger. I wasn't his number one fan but I admired his work. He was in one of my favorite movies, 10 Things I Hate About You. Ironically, I think it was his least favorite. Anyway, I suppose it's just yet another example that money isn't everything. But it's not an example that I'm happy to display as proof. He was a dad - poor kid.
I'm getting married in eleven weeks. Unbelievable. I know it's life changing yet there won't be much that will be different in my day-to-day routine. Yet I'm so excited and know that it means so much.

In the blink of an eye

Two weeks have passed and it's already 2008! Good lor'.
Christmas was fantastic this last year. Putting up decorations really made a difference. I even invited people over. Seriously, I had different groups of people over the house during the holiday season and entertained. I wouldn't necessarily call them dinner parties but the fact that I entertained is pretty crazy. (I am happy to report that everyone treated my toilet with respect - part of the many phobias that can be read here if one doesn't understand my fear of having people over.)
Anyway, back to the decorations. It wasn't like Christmas threw up in my home but it truly made a difference. I loved the little tree lit up first thing in the morning. OK, an "aww" moment - Jon wakes up before me during the week so he would turn on the Christmas lights on the tree in the bedroom so it would be one of the first things I would see when I woke up. I loved the smell of Christmas trees in the house. I adored seeing all the wreaths, christmas candles, garland, and greeting cards on my curly card holder (which you can buy here. No, I don't get a cut but I think the artist's story is cute and I like the idea of supporting artists.)
Then my sister, BIL & nephew came for Christmas which was a-w-e-s-o-m-e. They were a lot of fun and made the holidays even better. Unfortunately, I got sick and I am pretty useless when I'm sick. I just want to sleep so I didn't get as much quality time as I would have liked. But I was able to enjoy Christmas and hang out with the family. Then Sister planned a little Spa Day with some friends which was very, very nice. I've always liked this particular spa but, unfortunately, hadn't gotten my money's worth with their massages. Until now ;) Nothing like a little Burke Williams lovin', good company, Santana Row still decorated with Christmas cheer and yummy food to make a day spectacular.
Now it's the new year. Sister left a few days ago and decorations have gone down (boo!) except for the little Christmas tree in the bedroom. I'm waiting until the Friday pick up. But the other christmas tree has been put outside and everything else Christmas-y in the house has been packed away. I am a little bit sad but I know that they'll all come back out in 11 1/2 months :)
I also realized that our wedding is in exactly 3 1/2 months. Whoa. Just around the corner. Guess I should put in a vacation request NOW. Guess I should also be hittin' the gym and staying away from everything that is tasty. Damn. But both of us want to lose weight before the wedding and it's seriously and literally down to crunch time. I'm still very put off by the people (who shall remain nameless because it will come back to bite me in the ass if I start naming names even though they will probably never read this blog but I'm still too chicken since these people will be in my life forever) who haven't sent in their RSVP or even bother to contact us. And if you've ever planned a big social event or a wedding, you know what I'm talking about. I just keep telling myself that everything is going to be OK. And my Sister & mom have assured me that there is a certain percentage that the caterers cushion for the assholes that haven't given us a definitely answer yet. Obviously, I'm not quite over it yet and a constant reminder why I don't like to plan events. I also plan to do a little payback when they get married and hem and haw over my decision to attend until the very last minute of their big day. Anyway, as I was writing, we're giving the caterers the definite number and they will be able to add a few people if that's what we will end up needing to do.
But (and my Sister also knows this) I keep telling myself that this shindig is about Jon and me. That what matters most is we are there and that I need to remember how happy I am to be with him. Which is easy until a family member of his or mine tell us that so-and-so thinks they're going but they're not sure and they'll let us know when. Maybe.
So yes, there are many things I'm looking forward to in 2008. I get to see my sister at the end of the month! Then in a few more months we're off to get hitched. Sure, I want to do the other things that I promise to do every year like lose weight. That has proven to be a toughie. But I'm praying for mono so those 15 lbs should come off easy. Kidding. Sort of. I have so much to look forward to and am excited to continue our journey together for yet another year! I've always said how much I love our little circle of bloggers because it's helped me stay close and become closer to many people. I wish all of my friends and family a healthy, happy and prosperous 2008! With lots of love, L

Thankful

I know I'm a bit early but it's not really about Thanksgiving. I woke up this morning full of thanks in my heart.
Honest, it's totally true.
I woke up with a content feeling and I thought, "Life is good." And I wanted to write about. Because it's so easy to complain about what I don't have but wish I did, the money I don't make but wish I did, the body I don't have but wish I did and the things I haven't done but wish I did. It's just too easy. I know complaining and venting are good outlets and help keep me sane but I also believe in balance. So since I woke up wearing my Mary Sunshine hat, I figure I would just go with it.
My parents and I finally have a great relationship. Well, we've had one for about five years now but it's been a long time coming. They are NOT the type of parents that ever wanted to be their kids' friends. Oh no, there was a clear parental line that they not only drew out but stuck an electric fence, to boot. They were some serious disciplinarians when I was growing up. (Who had an 11:00pm curfew when she was 19 years old? *Hands flailing* Me, over here! Me!!!) But they've loosened up - well, my Dad said he's old and too tired to fight:) - but they also remind me that they will always be there. When I hated, HATED, my old job, I finally let out my frustration during a coffee date with my dad. He then told me, "You will never be homeless or worry about about food. As long as we're alive you will always have a roof over your head. You shouldn't be at a job that causes so much stress and anxiety." How could I not almost cry when he said that? Even though he and my mom have stayed at their jobs that they have sometimes hated, they believed that I should find my happiness.
My sister is my best friend, knitting professor, and the person I love to visit most. It's so funny how you can be very different and, somehow, be very much alike. She is on the quiet side, likes to hide from parties and very very smart (I'm ashamed to admit that I don't know half the books she mentions and some of the words she says) but when we're together, we are loud, we laugh a lot and she tells me exactly what she's thinking. I love it! I have such a good time hanging out with her and she is so kind. For the first part of my life, she was my second mom. Now that I can trusted to go out in public and not accidently kill myself, I think she's felt she can be more of a friend. I know not everyone has a good relationships with their siblings so I am very thankful that my sister and I are tight like this! *fingers crossed*
Oh, The Man. He is a funny character. So serious and quiet. He HATES parties or places that require him to socialize. He is extremely independent and probably never ever talked to anyone as much on the phone as he talked to me when we first dated. He's also the type to bottle up his fury and release it when no one is watching. The Man, whether he realizes it or not, isn't comfortable showing emotion. I've come to understand that he rarely let's anyone into his world. He's polite and he'll do small talk, but he is very private and keeps to himself.
Somehow, he let me barge into his world. He let me in. I get to see him talk baby talk to our pups. I get to hear him sing terribly to a song while he's using the wrong words. I get to laugh at him, too, and he doesn't get embarrassed! He just sings louder :) For better and for worse, I see all his emotions. And when I really think about it, I think I'm the only one that does. He is also my best friend. He can read me like a book. He knows when I'm in a rotten mood or when I need a hug (although now he just sticks a puppy in my face.)
There are also so many things I'm grateful for in my life. I love my job and really like my boss. I have a job that lets me work from home most of the time. I'm grateful that my nine-year-old car is paid off and will drive it until it gives out! I'm thankful I'm able to rent a cute house with nice neighbors. I love my pups - they are tiny people with fur coats. I am very thankful to have free puppysitting. This is probably the most Mary Sunshine of all but I'm thankful that all my loved ones are safe and relatively healthy.
It's so easy for me to forget the good things in my life because I'm quite good at bitching about the things that irritate me or go wrong. There's just so much! hehehe ... but I want to recognize all the good in my life, too.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SISTER!!!!!

My sister is amazing. She is one of my best friends, a wonderful sister, lovely shopping partner, an even better knitting partner, fabulous coffee date, spectacular Matron-of-Honor, and a fantastic unofficial wedding planner. Sister is poised, charming, beautiful, silly, funny, sharp, adorable, and everything good rolled up in one. She loves all things that are pretty and has an eye to know when she can make something into pretty :) She is one of those people that can make beauty all around her. Sister almost always has a positive attitude (and she makes me laugh when she is in a stink mood) and I adore being around here because the day just seems better. I love her so much!!!!!!
Yes, she really is all that and a bag of chicharon.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SISTER-GIRL!

(she hates "sister-girl":)

Mondays are tough days

Back to the daily grind, yah? Nooooo!!!!
This weekend was fun. Jun's best friend, Al-Dizzle, and his bomb diggity wife, Vero, visited us for the weekend. (You guys, I have been spelling The Man's nickname wrong this entire time! It sounds like "Jon" but it's spelled "Jun." Crazy ass Filipinos! Joke lang.) They are so much fun! I just laugh and laugh when they are here. And Jun (not to be confused with his non-existent alter ego, Jon) is so at ease and can really be himself around them. Vero commented how both Al-Dizzle and Jun comes off so serious when you first meet them, which is true, because they are shy. But they are actually quite funny. And dorky! :) In a good way. Plus they let us tease them! We're always giving them a hard time, pretending different scenarios that happened between them when they were going through puberty - they have known each other since they were 12 years old! Anyhow, this couple is so much fun. I have to confess, though. I was so worried that the house smelled like dogs (because that is NASTY) that I lit candles, plugged in air fresheners, toasted bread and popped popcorn before they arrived just to make sure!!! I know, I'm a dork, too.
Jun knew he wanted to ask Al-Dizzle to be his best man for our wedding. Since it's going to be a small one, we both only wanted one attendant. When he proposed, I asked him when he was going to pop Al-Dizzle the question and he said he was going to wait until they visited. But he tends to forget things so I asked him again when they were here. Jun replied, "Don't worry, I will." I figured he wanted to take Al-Dizzle aside from their crazy significant others and ask him in private.
We were eating breakfast at IHOP and Vero and I were talking about presentations and how they can be a pain in the ass. Vero said that was a big reason why Al-Dizzle doesn't want to go back to school. Jun asked, "Oh, you don't like giving presentations?" and he replied no. Jun then asked, "Well, do you want to be my best man?"
"Wow." Pause. "Do I have to give a speech?"
"Yup."
Men.
So we went home and Al-Dizzle tried on a few of Jun's different barongs to see what would fit best before we ordered it. Vero said that he was truly surprised and didn't expect to be asked to be the best man. Al-Dizzle is a great guy and I think Jun made an excellent choice.
In case you're wondering, Sister is my matron-of-honor (aka Bad Ass MOH.) And I didn't even ask her. I think I told her over the phone before I even got engaged. I believe it had been a while back and I just attended a very big wedding. I said something like, "Hey, if I ever tie the knot, I don't want any bridesmaids. I just want you to stand up for me." It wasn't even a question! Oops. But I think she knew it was a given. I hope!
Vero and Al-Dizzle, I'm so glad you were able to finally visit us. Please don't make it a one time deal! We hope to see you a little more. Xoxo!

Itty Bits and the many To Do lists

I'm picking up my parents at the airport tonight from their trip to the Philippines. I miss traveling. I want to go to P.I. Or Hawaii. Or somewhere I haven't been before - Alaska, Australia, New Zealand or China. All on my traveler's To Do list.

I'm walking (not running!) the Bay to Breakers this morning! If you don't know, it's a big To Do in the San Francisco Bay Area. As someone born and raised, I feel compelled to take this off my local To Do list.

I'm also doing it for the naked people. I'm intrigued by people who are willing to literally be balls out. Which is exactly why Jon is NOT doing it. That's OK. I'm going with my friend Marisa and she is bringing a camera. She is obviously in it for the nakeD people, too. Keep in mind that we both are aware of the fact that it is never the HoT people who run naked. Thus it's appeal.

Sister has a HUGE PART in a production which opened this weekend. I wish I could visit her and start a standing ovation for her. So if you haven't already, visit her blog and give her LOVE and support!

WW Sistas, I fear that I'm falling off the wagon. Please tell me how silly and what a waste of money that would be. (What I'm doing is, while I'm still counting points, I'm letting myself far exceed my daily/weekly allotment. Bad, bad, bad! I know it's because I know I'm missing this week's meeting due to the race. Help!

I promise to post pictures of the interesting people I see today. I don't know about the naked ones. I have to learn how to fuzz out the private parts in Photoshop.

Stompin' around with the babe in the boonies

OK, more like leisurely strolling with my sister, WGD, and The Boy.
I can't believe it's my last full day here in Port Townsend. I've been here since Tuesday (OK, well, on Tuesday we were actually out gallivanting in Portland, Oregon and then made our way back to Port Townsend around 2:00am on Wednesday.)
We have been going to the gym (wahooo!) and all about town. I love her town! There are so many cute cafes, yarn stores, fun shops and very cool consignment stores. I'm a fan of the cute cafes. Although Sister and I must always partake in dessert because I love me some dessert, we have also been eating oatmeal, salads and turkey sandwiches. [Sidenote - I have gained a significant amount of weight from my former job and need to relearn how to eat healthily. I am certain that it is in my best interest to go back to WW. That and Tel did her best to convince me to get back on the wagon - she said I can call her when I have a weakness for Snickers. I am set to sign up for the WW when I get back to the Bay Area so I can no longer be a five foot heiffer.]
Anyhow, today is my last full day in Port Townsend. Tomorrow we head back to Seattle where my plane takes off around 7:00pm so we have all day until about 5:00pm to explore. I think we're going to hit the outlets, too. Ohhhhh snap. I love visiting Sister and her family. Her town is truly like a vacation destination and they always make me feel so welcome. Her friends are pretty cool, too :)
And then on Monday ... I start my new job!
PS: My sister is on CLOUD NINE because when we visited a consignment shop owned by a halfee Filipino, he looked at my sister and inquired, "Are you part or full Filipino?" (completely ignoring me - I don't think he figured out we were related yet.) Then when she explained that she was full Filipino, he said, "You have the generic Filipino look." (We think he meant, "general.") She was soooooooooooooo excited that he singled out her and not me. Later, he asked if I had any Filipino in me. I stated that, I too, was full Filipino. To my sister's glee, he seemed surprised.
She asked me to include this.

Love, thanks, and a load of turkey

I adore the holidays. Specifically, Christmas. And Thanksgiving is a great kick off holiday to the big shin-dig that is Christmas!
What's great about Thanksgiving, though, is there are no strings attached. Giving and receiving is AWESOME but Thanksgiving is all about being with loved ones, eating a HUGE meal, watching the Macy's parade and then catching some football. Holy smokes, could you ask for anything else???

LULU GIVES THANKS

1. Parents: My family is the best. I love them to pieces. My parents are so generous and loving. They have a thankless job, being a parent and all, and they would give everything to make sure their kids are safe and happy. I love them soo much. Plus, they are so teeny tiny and cute!

2. Sister: She is my best friend. She was my third parent growing up - she was the hip one - but now I get a best friend out of the deal. What a steal!!! She is so kind and generous (she must have good parents) and funny. She is talented, stylish (did I ever tell you she made me a color chart when I was little because the outfit I put together hurt her eyes?) and just simply divine.

3. Brother: He is our earth angel. If anyone has a non-stop flight to Heaven, it's him. He teaches me patience and compassion.

4. The Man: My other best friend. He knows me so well. He is a dork trapped in the body of a hottie! How can I not love that he is beautiful inside and out yet is humble, bashful and shy? He is truly a good man who loves me. Plus, he be my puppy's daddy. Word.

5. My friends: I'm not very good at keeping friends. It's a lot of effort to stay in touch and before I know it, I haven't talked to a friend in almost a year! Plus, if I am wronged, it's very hard for me to let a person back into my life. So the friends I do have really are super stars. They are kind, funny, supportive, smart, generous and all-around wonderful.

6. Power Yoga: I haven't been to class since April because of my new job schedule. But I'm going to today!!!! I can't possibly convey how excited I am. Just know I am beside myself because I love my nazi yoga teacher (by that I mean like "soup nazi" and not "genocide leader") I am so happy today!

And I'm thankful for a lot more (like my wild Pekatese puppy) but that's the jist of it. So, because I am a pretty cool gal, and I mean, pret-ty cool, I am giving y'all a little gift:

Go to www.sephora.com and shop your little heart out. Buy about $100 worth of stuff. Then get 20% off your Sephora purchase when you enter promotional code "FF2006" at checkout. You should also have free shipping because you spend over $75. And you get the dope discount. Seriously.

Told you I was a pretty cool gal. Happy Thanksgiving!!!! xoxoxo

Sister is brilliant!

The Man and I are going to have a dinner and a movie date night this Friday. We will see Borat.
We haven't gone on date night for a very, very, very long time. We usually watch TV and then go to sleep.
I'm hoping my parents will puppysit so that Piko will get to keep her schedule on falling asleep at 9:00pm and waking up at 5:00am which happens to be my mom's schedule when she works. And, 'lo and behold, AL's working on Saturday. Whoohooo!!
I hear Borat is freakin' hilarous. I am very excited to have a date night.

I should probably make sure my parents can watch her.

HAPPY BIRFDAY, SISSER!!

(Lucky for both of us, I have no soft copies of our childhood pictures!)

Demondoll's birthday is today. She is my best friend. When I was little, she was the "fun one" in the family. Unlike most older sisters, she took me almost everywhere she went. She was maternal way before she had a baby. Of course, I have to tell you about just how feisty my sister is to celebrate the day of her birth.

When I was five or six, I was the smallest kid in my class. I might as well have worn a "Kick Me" sign on my back. The second smallest girl, of course, felt the need to pick on me. More than twenty years later, I still remember her name. It was Valerie.

Maybe it was a week but it felt like months. Every day I would come home and tell Sister how she would pick on me. Valerie turned my friends against me, said mean things to me and behind my back, took things from my desk and hid them, and once, had the nerve to push me. I remember when I came home and told Sister about that. I think after hearing story after story about Valerie, my Sister thought enough was enough. She gave me "tough love." Sister basically told me that I better stand up for myself. Yes, mom said she would punish me if I got into trouble. But so what? "You had better shove her back if she shoves you or I don't want to hear it anymore" Sister said. I didn't know what to think. I was five years old and my Sister was telling me to go again what Mommy said. After she gave me a-talkin'-to, Sister gave me a hug, told me that she loved me and she just doesn't want someone to keep being mean to her little sister.

I don't remember the details. But Sister told me that the next day, Valerie pushed me again. Keeping in mind my sister's advice, I pushed Valerie back. Hard. And she fell back. In a puddle. In her faux fur white coat. That's what she gets for wearing a tacky article of clothing. My teachers told my mom who scolded me when I got home. Again, I don't remember the details but I'm betting that my Sister gave me a big hug and either took me to the movies or bought me an accessory for my Barbie to let me know I done good.

Over twenty years later, Sister still gives pretty great advice. And she is a very very cool Sister. She is loving, sweet and wonderful. But she also knows when to whoop some ass.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SISTER!!!!

Thank you, Demondoll & Kim ...

... I love me some survey forwards.
I don't really like them.

And now you do, too! I know you don't really, either.

To quote Dave Chapelle who quoted Rick James (with a slight alteration), "I'm Lulu, Bitches - Enjoy yo'self!"
I don't really think you're a bitch, I just like to say it.

Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. ALICE 97.3 Sarah & Vinnie Morning Show Intern
2. Bare Escentuals make up artist/ sales associate
3. Burlington Coat Factory Sales Associate (exactly ten years ago!)
4. ABC7 Television Production Assistant

Four movies I'd watch over and over (or have watched over and over):
1. 50 First Dates
2. My Big Fat Greek Wedding
3. 10 Things I Hate About You
4. Ocean's Eleven

Four places I have lived:
1. San Franciso, CA
2. Hayward, CA
3. Daly City, CA
4. (That's it, there's no 4th! Does Treasure Island count? It's kind of part of SF, kind of not.)

Four TV shows I love to watch:
1. Grey's Anatomy
2. The Office
3. So You Think You Can Dance (Guilty pleasure!)
4. 24 (just got hooked this summer)

Four places I have been on vacation:
1. Oahu
2. Maui
3. Phillippines
4. Germany

Four of my favorite foods:
1. See's milk chocolate truffles
2. Sushi
3. Sashimi
4. Shanghai lumpia

Four places I would rather be right now:
1. Santa Cruz
2. Waikiki
3. Bicol
4. Any big Las Vegas hotel spa

Four friends whom I have tagged that I think will respond:
1. Miss Lips
2. Pookie
3.Taters
4. yer mama

Sister diagnosed me with OCD

... and since I don't want to pay a professional $100-$500 (depending on how many sessions it would take to diagnose me) I'm just going to believe her.

Here's the problem - I'm scared to have a party or a large group of people over. OK, more than one person at a time. Yes that's large to me! I live on my own ( although The Man is a part-time roommate) and cannot stand to clean someone else's "stuff" in the bathroom. I mentioned this in passing in an old blog entry - that other's people hair and "stuff" grosses me out. I'm talking about this b/c I cleaned today. I vacuumed, dusted, scrubbed the floors and cleaned my two bathrooms.

This is where I'm going to get a bit more specific. Only a couple of people use my bathroom besides me. Both men. I almost gagged when I cleaned the toilet. Under the rim was very dirty. (Wasn't aware of this until I started scrubbing and "stuff" came falling down.) OK, I'm warning you, this is TMI - I know for a fact that my "stuff" doesn't cause shrapnel. That's just how I was made, OK?! So I'm grossed out b/c I'm cleaning someone else's "stuff." And then, in the other bathroom, there are pee sprinkles on the rim. Not as gross but still! (I don't get it. The toilet hole is HUGE. How do you STILL hit the damn rim and sometimes, the floor??? Yes, men, I'm talking to you! Fortunately, I think only one man reads this blog so, Cousin, I'm sorry to shout out your gender but for crap's sake!)

I can only imagine what my bathrooms would look like after a party or having a group of people over for a few days. This truly SCARES me. I shared this fear with my Sister, Demondoll, and she said, "I think you have OCD." So then I told her, I want friends to come over and I want them to be comfortable. More importantly, I want to keep them as friends after their stay instead of what I think could happen which is me not wanting to talk to them for a month b/c I had to clean their funk. So Sister suggested that I have a "Housekeeping tips" sheet in my guest room. It will help spell out my home's quirks as well as my own. It's going to look something like this-

LULU'S HOUSEKEEPING TIPS

Welcome! I'm so glad you'll be staying with me. Here are some things you should know to make your stay more comfortable:
1. Food - My fridge is your fridge! Crack open Big Martha when you need a bite.
2. Courtesy flushes - For whatever reason, the plumbing is weak. If you're going to be on the seat for a while, I strongly recommend that you flush intermittently. (If this procedure fails you, the plunger is in the garage.)
3. Heat - It get chilly! You determine which is more important, warmth or privacy. If you choose heat, keep your bedroom door open.
4. Showers - please keep your bathroom door open and just lock your bedroom door. It's an old house and there is no fan to prevent dampness.
5. Clorox wipes - conveniently located in your bathroom! The housekeeper gets very queasy when it comes to "shrapnel" in, on, and around the toilet. So please use them. (By "housekeeper," I mean me.)

I'm hoping that this will help my guests work around my OCD. If all else fails and they leave my bathroom wronger than wrong, I will pay someone to clean my bathroom. And then mail my guests the bill. Just kidding. But I'm not sure if I will talk to them for a month or so. Hey, I have to be honest! I have a weak stomach to the dismay of (1) my microbiologist mom who has to deal with ALL types of human excretion (2) my manly father who is not scared of but laughs in the face of dirt, grime, and grossness and (3) The Man, also quite manly, who has to deal with all sorts of nastiness on a construction site.

Don't misunderstand me, I am not a neat freak! It takes me forever to get into the cleaning mode (usually once a month.) I leave papers everywhere. I shed my long hair everywhere. It's just bathroom "stuff" that freak me out. Even when I had roommates! Once, after a party, I bribed my three roommates by agreeing to clean the living room and kitchen if I didn't have to touch the bathrooms.

So there you have it, confessions of a person with OCD. Maybe.

----------------------------------------------

Jan 17th, 2006, 9:58pm: Oh boy! The Man has his manties in a twist. I confessed that I mentioned him. He protested and said I failed to mention that I leave snot rags all over the place. It's true! *Sob* It's true. He wants me tell you about the time he stepped in a pile of fresh snot rags (I was sick!) And another time, he pried it out of my hands when I fell asleep holding one. In his words, I was "...clutching it for dear life."

There you go, my love, I laid out my imperfections just for you!

One day I'm six years old and learning how to ride a bike ...

and next thing I know, I'm an adult and 27 years old!

Thanks to my sister girls who gave me shout outs on their blogs: Demondoll, my lovely sister who is a kick a$$ Diva In the Boonies and my best girlfriend. And Pookiepie76, my newly adopted sistah (in every sense of that slang word;) who is The Man's best friend's wifey and becoming a great friend of mine.

I have the BEST family and friends. I told you y'all are "oh-so fabulous" ;) I woke up with a text message birthday greeting and have since been called or texted throughout the day. I've also received cards or at least heard that I should have received them (You're so good at mailing cards, MsLips, that I know it has to be the US Postal Service ... uh-oh, hope that doesn't put me on a black list.) I feel LOVED!!! Thank you with all my heart. A gal can never get enough lovin' from her peeps.

I've been having a great low key birthday. The Man and I have been going about town. We ate a filipino breakfast (bangsilog ... yum yum! And yes, stank breath is an unfortunate side effect. Oh well.) visited my brother, and bought some X-mas gifts. When we got home, this was waiting for me -

(Well, it looks almost just like this. My camera isn't working right now.)
My parents came by and dropped this off while I was gone! It was such a pleasant surprise. Now I've got to get ready for a birthday dinner (mine and my dad's) at Jack London Square. Happy, happy gal :)

Needless to say, between my family, friends and The Man, I am one blessed 27 year old. Love is all over the place ... thank you.

*Thanks for the sweet birthday wishes, Karaway! Glad to see you back and badder than ever ;)

Happy Birthday, Demondoll!!

My sister is 40 years old today!!! She is one of THE MOST IMPORTANT people in my world. For the first 11 years of my life, she was my second mom. Of the people who have come in and out of my life, Sister has one of the biggest hearts I've ever known. She is a beautiful person who knew how to be a FANTASTIC mom before she ever had a child of her own. She also has a naughty sense of humor ;)

One of my favorite "sister" stories:
My sister lived in LA and would come to visit during the summer and the holidays. When she would visit, she would sleep in my room. On this particular visit, I was probably 15 years old. I had dozed off around 10pm but she woke me up a half hour later by nudging my shoulder. "Psst, hey. I think you're hungry." I turned, barely opening my eyes, "Hummrrrgh?" Sister shook me a little again, "I said, I think you're hungry. I think you want a peanut butter and jelly sandwich." Still groggy, I replied, "Huh?" Sister persisted and said, "I think you want a PB&J. Toasted." I didn't question her and just got up. As I left my room, my sister added, "Oh! And you also want a glass of milk." I went downstairs, still half asleep, and toasted two pieces of bread. Dad usually stayed up late to watch TV so he was already downstairs when I prepared "my" sandwich. "What are you doing?" he asked. "Uhh, making a sandwich." Looking perplexed, he asked, "You're hungry?" I replied, "Well, sort of." In my drowsy state, I made the sandwich, poured a glass of milk and went back upstairs. My sister was waiting patiently, reading her book when I came back to my room. She took the snack from me and I went back under my blankets. (She at least said thanks.) I fell back asleep, not really knowing that I got conned.

Now that's a big sister for you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SISTER! I love you.

I love Port Townsend, WA!!!

I took a much needed vacation last week. I went to work Monday and Tuesday and got the hell-up-outa-there Wednesday morning. The Man and I went to visit my sister in Port Townsend, WA.

We flew to Seattle on Wednesday and spent the day there. Sister and her hubby, being the awesome hosts that they are, knew that we wanted to run all around. We ate fish & chips and chowder (yummmmm), took a boat tour of the harbor (I'm not ashamed to be a tourist, read my earlier blog), walked around Pike Place Market (I have a whole new respect for fish throwers) and spent two hours at a hidden gem, the International Fountain near the Space Needle. [Side note: Sister sometimes has a gleam in her eye. Ignorant tourists approach a harmless dribbling fountain and end up DRENCHED.]

We then spent Thursday and Saturday in Sister's stomping grounds, Port Townsend. Sister describes it as "granola." They despise chains and are adamantly against having a Starbucks in their 'hood. Somehow, Hollywood Video muscled its way in and the town is up in arms. I kinda respect that. Oh, and the houses! They have absolutely beautiful homes all around. Many have wood decor with wood shingles, hardwood floors, wood trim ... just totally decked out in wood. The kicker? They have new homes for under $300,000. Of course, I fantasized about the possibility but do you think a small town is desparate for fundraisers? Unlikely:(

Anyhoo, they have adorable little cafes on every corner and gorgeous views of the water. The weather was awesome, we lounged on a beach on Thursday, and I even took a catnap. Apparently, this particular beach is quite popular with the Home School moms (yes, home schooling is quite popular, part of the reason Sister calls it, "granola." But guess what? My sister is part of the home school crew so she's not a hater.) And since there is just SO MUCH WATER, she knows a gal who has a home with beach front property. So on Saturday we went to a bonfire and ate hotdogs & s'mores as the sun set. Oh, I'm in love.

On Friday we took the ferry to Victoria. Fortunately, weather.com failed me again and it was actually a beautiful day. In flipflops and tanktops, we took a bus tour around Victoria then roamed the streets. It was sort of like Disneyland without the cheesyness. Those Canadians know how to keep a city clean! During the summer season, they have these hanging baskets of flowers on all their lamp posts that make the whole town look festive. It's the little things, you know?

This was my second visit with Sister. I loved Port Townsend the first time around and was a little bit scared that I romanticized the place and it wouldn't be as great as I remembered it. I'm happy to say that it's as cute, spunky and naturally pretty as I recalled. It was just the thing I needed to kick my duff back into gear.