I want dat one

After dinner a couple of weeks ago, we went to Whole Foods with the Haist-Bowens and cute little WBowen was mesmerized by the desert display.

I can't stop laughing at this

Addicted to Mini Albums

Took a class on Saturday with my friend Kristina and made this cute little mini album.

Wisteria

Thanks for all the comments on the wisteria tree! I decided to take the opportunity to post another photo of it and answer some of your questions, too. Hee! Unfortunately, I'm extremely allergic to it, but it's worth the watery, swollen eyes and sneezing and coughing. It's so purdy.

It's like a purple waterfall

Back from a Magical Journey

We had another great trip to Anaheim for our annual girl's trip to Disneyland. Here we are at our traditional first photo of the weekend.

For the first time, we decided to go during the spring. Beautiful, yesh? The weather was fantastic, too. Not too hot, but sunny and just warm enough to want to go on the water rides.

The fireworks and light show at the castle are coordinated to music about each of the different lands. It's such an amazing thing to see. Tinkerbell even flies down from the top of the Matterhorn to Sleeping Beauty's castle. It's one of the best fireworks I've ever seen, only topped by Macy's Forth of July fireworks celebration over the East River in NYC in 1996.

A few of our highlights and points to remember:

-On the drive down to Anaheim, eat breakfast and lunch in the car. It'll save 2 hours and get you to the park sooner, allowing for a more relaxed Saturday at the park.
-We spotted Elvis in New Orleans Square eating breakfast. No, he wasn't part of Disneyland, he was visiting, just like us.
-Space Mountain and California Screaming blasted the Red Hot Chili Peppers during the ride. Freaking AWESOME!!
-the Nemo ride doesn't open till summer.
-They make crocs with Disney head icons.
-I'm not a fan of croc clogs but I did buy a pair of the croc flip flops and have to admit they are like walking on clouds. I wore them all day Friday and Saturday and nary a problem.
-Southern Californian's love them their designer handbags. Especially Coach. Just about every other woman/teenager over the age of 12 (some younger. Really.) carried a designer bag. It's no wonder I formed my obsession of them when I lived there! ;-)
-You really get a chance to see what everyone's wearing when you're standing in line next to them for 1/2 and hour to an hour, criss-crossing back and forth. Gives you a good opportunity to see which handbag or shoes you want next.
-The Star Wars Jedi Training Academy was way more exciting than I expected. I also didn't know that Jedi masters were so comedic. I was laughing so hard I was crying nearly the whole time.
-Mickey Mouse climbed the Matterhorn.
-They really are making an effort to provide healthier choice options for dining. Yay.
-The power of suggestion is strong. If you're a cast member of the Star Tours ride, don't mention that "someone just got sick and I have to clean it up" to the next victims, I mean, riders of a very motion oriented ride.
-It's very easy to get caught up in the Disney merchandising. Every. Single. Year.

Visual DNA

Another fun little meme that gives a few glimpses of what makes me me. :)

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Goin' to Disneyland

Tomorrow morning the 3 of us are off on our annual trip to Disneyland. This time we're going in the spring instead of fall. Should be fun! Might be able to do some of those water rides. :)

Birds of San Ramon

Warmth. Yes, spring is here!
You can fly with all your friends.
After a small snack.


Solitary bird
Standing alone. Watching.
Will the others play?


Morning dove, you coo.
The cat chases you away.
But you are too fast.


I turned and saw you
Through my camera’s zoom. Click!
Caught you, mid jump!


Little orange bird
You look at me, curious.
Nope, I’m not a worm.


Blue
Jay
On guard.
Not playful
like the little birds.
He senses the trouble above.



Hovering, they see
Every detail from above
Birds of prey sense all.

-

photoshop fun

click to enlarge

original:

Project of the day

Six Years Ago

It's midnight and

the doors and windows are wide open because it's still hot in the house.
Temperatures were warm today. It wasn't too hot, but the house certainly warmed up to nearly 80 degrees.

I think this is a camilla, does anyone know? It's a large tree in the neighbors yard, over 12 feet tall.

The Newlyweds

It was a beautiful wedding and I really enjoyed seeing my oldest friend so happy.
I think I came across sounding harsher than I intended in my previous post because we still get together a few times a year and for the most part we do enjoy each other's company. But rarely does our time together go by without religion coming up. Which is the part that I can do without. When she first moved to the Bay Area 3 years ago and we reestablished our friendship, I knew that I had some preconceived notions about her faith and I wanted to clarify them so I wouldn't make any judgments. I suppose those conversations led her to believe that I was searching for God and she thought of it as an open door to try to bring me to her church. She's also very blunt while I try to be conscientious in my approach of uncomfortable conversations and not hurt anyones feelings, so I haven't told her to just stop (I know, I need to). Whenever our conversations turn to religion, it just feels like her idealisms clump all the rest of us as sinners, and that makes me uncomfortable.
On a funny and somewhat predictable note, her pastor approached Jimmy and I and asked how we knew the newlyweds. He was advocating hard for the two of us to join him during his Sunday services. During our drive home, we chatted about how nice it was of him to want to save us from eternal damnation.

Since we're on the topic, I thought I'd share another one of my stories of a faith intervention. Spring of 1998, my car needed a smog check so I brought it in to the local garage. I forgot to turn off my stereo and was listening to a song by Cake called "Sheep Go To Heaven". After my car was serviced, the man approached me and gave me a business card - to his church. He said "I'd like to invite you to my church. You were listening to a song and the lyrics said 'Sheep go to heaven, goats go to hell'. Those lyrics are wrong and you shouldn't be listening to music like that. I really think you might find some guidance here. I hope to see you next Sunday."

Window Shopping

After last week's spree, I had to become content with window shopping. The bad thing about having a mini shopping spree is that it's addicting. Last week I said I don't typically like malls, yet I found myself at one again today. I have a good excuse though: we're going to a wedding tomorrow and I needed to get a gift. So, aside from the gift for the newlyweds and 2 magazines, my venture to the mall was merely an excuse to take photos.

Ted Baker always has the coolest window displays:


I can't resist chickens, especially these feathered friends at Sur La Table:


And I was happy to see that one of my favorite stores is coming soon, 4 miles from my front door, rather than having to go to San Francisco or Berkeley:


A few of you asked what the little designer bag that I bought last week looked like. Now that the husband has clued in and I even spilled the beans on the ducats it cost (as if he wouldn't find out when the credit card statement came in), well...here's the precious little thing:
Fits my little camera, cell phone, CC and DL and car keys.

My oldest friend is getting married tomorrow; we go back since the 3rd grade. We were the very best of friends till high school graduation, but with college and different life choices, our paths went in opposite directions. We made efforts to maintain our friendship because we had so much history together, but her judgments regarding my spiritual path were too heavy for her and she couldn't put our differences aside and accept me for who I am. I was a heathen destined for hell because I chose to see, learn and believe more about alternate views on faith and not base my spirituality solely on the writings in the Bible and the United Pentecostal Church. My beliefs are simple, God is Love and God is in all things so love is in all things. God created all of us equal, not just all Christians as equals. I'm happy that she finds strength and comfort in her faith and that she's so passionate about it. I even understand her concerns about me - she doesn't want me to go to hell. I just find her to be close minded and judgmental and unwilling to accept people for who they are. But I'm happy with where I stand and where I am growing spiritually. I'm still searching for answers, every day. But I do know that her path definitely is not my path. I accept that, but I don't know if she can.

It's odd to me the direction of where this post went. When I first started the paragraph about going to the wedding tomorrow, I initially was going to question what I was going to wear. The female parishioners can't wear pants and don't cut their hair or wear make-up. Sleeves can't be any shorter than 3/4 length, no elbows showing. The men also can't show elbow, short hair and no facial hair are required. I don't know what I'm expected to wear. How formal of a wedding is it going to be? It's an evening wedding, but on a Friday and it's both their 2nd marriages. I have 3 skirts, all of them casual, but that's what I've got. No dresses. I suppose I'll figure something out, but I'm definitely wearing make up.

Spring

It's impossible to have a bad weekend when this is what it gives you:

Safeguard your daintiness

Ad in a 1950s woman's magazine

conspicuous consumerism.

You probably wouldn't be able to tell by the shopping bags here, but really, I'm not usually a big fan of the shopping mall. But today, yes...I had fun. No, I won't tell you what's inside the bags because that'll incriminate me to the husband. He reads my blog. As if he'll miraculously be blind to the little clutch hanging from my wrist. But I'm sure that I could have shopped at Old Navy or Target and gotten whatever is in them for a fraction. If I chose to forgo the almighty Brand Name. All Hail the Mighty Brand Name. She is Queen and deserves your righteous respect. Bow before her and submit your monies to her. In return, I'll make the husband something yummy with whatever is inside of that William Sonoma bag and maybe give him what's inside that Apple bag.