A Stroll on the Beach

Flat Stanley had such a great time with us. He was so excited to see the grand ocean from our high vista point.

Then when I looked down at the beach from our perch above, I saw this guy walking along the shoreline. Barely looking at him at the time, I snapped a quick photo. But as I looked through the camera lens, I realized the young man forgot to put on his pants. and underwear.
I didn't tell Stanley.
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A Visit from Flat Stanley

Our 7 year old nephew asked us to host a visitor this weekend and we were thrilled to have his company. Flat Stanley, who was flattened by a bulletin board that fell on him, made his way from nephew's home in Southern California to spend some time with us in the Bay Area. We had a lot of fun taking him to San Francisco and showing him the sites.
Flat Stanley loved climbing up this tree to get a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Madeline took Flat Stanley to Fort Point. He got to help load the big cannons with cannon balls.

Fort Point is at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge and one of Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Madeline's favorite spots, so they brought him here to share the beautiful views. What a gorgeous spring day, too!

He really liked the city views from the municipal pier at Aquatic Park.

But when he looked at the prison on Alcatraz, he got a little scared. He had heard that bad guys used to stay there but we told him all the bad guys are gone and it's a fun tourist destination spot now, where people can learn about the history of the prison and Alcatraz Island.

A silly seagull landed on Flat Stanley's head. At least it didn't poop on him.

Sweet! He was so excited to ride on a cable car!

He met a funny pirate at Fisherman's Wharf.

Flat Stanley saw a lot of sail boats in the bay so we showed him where most of them are docked when they're not being used. He also liked the Bay Bridge in the background but admitted the Golden Gate Bridge was cooler.

Being flat certainly has it's advantages. For instance, traveling is a cinch because he can just slip into an envelope and go anywhere. But when the wind kicks up and he's posing for a shot, he can easily blow away. Luckily, Uncle Jimmy was there to save him.

Our nephew loves baseball. So Flat Stanley was super excited to go to the SF Giants Ballpark. Nephew will be a little jealous!

Uncle Jimmy and Flat Stanley watched the Giants play a pre-season game. Go Giants!

We had a lot of fun with Flat Stanley and we'll be sad to see him go.
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Scolded by a blackbird

Blackbird: "Where have you been?? You've been neglecting your blog again!"
madretz: "Yea, sorry about that. um...I've been...busy?"

Blackbird: "That's no excuse! Besides, you haven't been busy. Seriously. You have commitment issues."
madretz: "Commitment issues? No, if you saw how committed I am to all the silly Facebook games I play, you'd realize how committed I really am. I spend hours every day tending a farm, running a restaurant, interior designing two homes and managing an amusement park. I do not have commitment issues."

Blackbird: "Then you just need to be committed - you crazy addicted facebook junkie."
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Some things should not have storage containers

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't use these banana and cucumber containers.
But if you would? I'll be happy to purchase you one and send it to you.
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Sticky Notes

EepyBird's Sticky Note experiment from Eepybird on Vimeo.

ya gotta admit, that's pretty cool.

-brought to you by the mentos/diet coke guys.

So I just figured out this has been out for 10 months...i'm a little slow. Maybe a couple of you haven't seen it yet, either.
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today's giggle

see more Lolcats and funny pictures
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Barstow so easily mockable

I'm shocked that beautiful Barstow didn't win the Olympic approval. I grew up just 1/2 a hour from here and can understand the attraction.
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Peelings

posting this because it cracks me up and i need to be cracked up right now.

There's a funny relatable story about this video. Aside from the comedy regarding the Filipino accents. But about Vicks. I swear to you, my mom thought it was the cure all for everything. I didn't realize it was cultural till I saw this video. I wonder why Filipinos think that Vicks is the magic cure? Anyhoo...this one time...at band camp...(sorry, i couldn't resist)...jimmy and I were having dinner with my mom at her house. He had a scratch on his leg and my mom INSISTED that we put Vicks on it. At first, Jimmy and I were saying, "no no, it's ok. it'll be fine." But she wouldn't let up on the Vicks. So I finally said "ok" and pretended to put Vicks on his wound. Now, jimmy and I use that as our secret code to "Vicks it" whenever we're in a losing battle and we just need to stop the madness.
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I'm baaaaaaack

I'm feeling like my old self and I have a spring in my step again. At least this week, ha!

It feels good to be silly, to laugh, to not feel drained and overwhelmed. Much of it has to do with Tuesday's events. But more of it just has to do with the people who surround me. Blessings being counted.

A boost in spirit gives me a boost in energy and a boost in creativity. I'm creating, crafting, imagining, sewing and dreaming.

Yesterday morning I took a mini-class with KB at a local scrapbook store. We made this super cute, super easy magnet clipboard notepad holder.

Later that evening, I got together with a few more friends and they taught me how to sew the cutest bear towels.
I shouldn't show the pics of these because they are going to my cousin's kids (surprise V!!), but they are so freaking adorable that I couldn't keep them to myself till after I mailed them. I'm the worst mailer. She might not get these for a month. Or more. (Sorry V!)

I've done a bit of scrapbooking, too.This is me.

And...
me, too. Yup. Dork. Not just dorky enough to take a self-deprecating photo like this, but uberdorky by actually putting it in a scrapbook. And then post it for all to see.
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Go Elf Yourself.

This is everywhere in the blogisphere but I had to do one too with me, Jimmy and Billy.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Hilarious.

Now go and make one for yourself!
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Maybe the flash is too bright

He had no idea the camera would suddenly radiate the brightness of the sun.

note to self: when experimenting with an old external flash, don't point it at a child when you take your first test shot.
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A wandering we will go

Today, as the cows wander the foothills, Jimmy and I wander south.

It's early yet, but I wish you all a wanderful weekend.
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California Humor

Now this is just funny!

http://store.muledesign.com/shirts/cali.php

Be sure and read the text, too.
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Since we're on the topic of hair color...

Jimmy
Jimmy and our nephew
Jimmy and his brothers...beaching their hair, too

A few years ago...but seems like yesterday.
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