VIVA LAS VEGAS

I am on my way to Las Vegas today with Mark. We will be staying until Monday which is always the best time to head home because of huge back ups on Sunday's. I have my sweeps to bowl on Saturday with my bowling league. 

We are going to enjoy some down time relaxing and we will go have our favorite Chicago pizza Aurelio's which is in Henderson, NV a few times. We might even spend some time looking at homes as we start to think about where we might want to retire someday. 

We would like to move outside of California but we also don't want to be too far away from our children. Of course I would love a condo on the beach but I don't see that happening anytime soon in Southern California. See you on Tuesday. 

Enjoy your weekend! 

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE

 

Volume 127

1. What question do you often ask yourself?

Why do I stay?  That's all your getting but I assure you I have no plans to leave. But if I did I would most likely do my answer to #5!

2. Do you grow roses? What's your favorite color of rose?  Ever been given a dozen roses?  Where was the prettiest rose or rose garden you remember seeing?

We have a few trellis rose bushes. My favorite is yellow. Yes I have been given a dozen roses many times in my life.  I would have to say the beautiful rose gardens at the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, CA.   I hope to go back someday soon because there is a lot of walking to do that I wasn't able to do last time we were there. 

3. Do you read the freshness dates on grocery store products?  Will you use eggs past their 'use by' date?  Take medication that's expired? Buy a dented can?

Always and I do dig for the one that is furthest away!!! Yes I have used eggs past their date but not by much. They use to say they were fresh about a month after the date.  I have used expired medication that still worked effectively but it is not a habit of mine.  On the rare occasion that I need an Aleve I may take one from the bottle that may have expired with me not knowing. I generally do not buy a dented can. 

4. Should athletes be role models?

Yes and no. Some athletes have been excellent role models other not so much. I don't see us ever getting control over who becomes a role model.  

5. Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay of Nepal became the first explorers to reach the top of Mt. Everest on this date (May 29) back in 1953. What's something you hope to achieve in your lifetime?

Well I certainly don't have that type of ambition and I wish I would have had more goals when I was younger. I would however love to live near London area or somewhere in Europe for at least a year of my life. 

6. What would you do if you had twenty acres of land and the money to develop it any way you choose?

I have no clue but I always thought it would be nice to own a large amount of property and have houses for family members to live in. 

7. If I invite you to a party with a 7 PM start time, what time will I actually see you there?

I would get there pretty darn close to 7PM, especially if it was a dinner party.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I have two trips coming up, one this weekend and one the next weekend. The packing always overwhelms me. Also because I will be gone for 17 days when I go on the Florida trip there are all kinds note I have to write so they can keep on top of things while I am gone. I know they are all capable but there are plants that will die if I don't give explicit details. Of course even with explicit details they have managed to still kill my plants! 

Reminder, if you want to send my dad wishes for his 90th birthday this will be your last chance. I leave on the 10th of June.

Ray Vlcek

c/o Deborah Pucci

16046 Skyridge Drive

Riverside, CA 92503

 

THE UGLY TRUTH

I have written this post a few times and then deleted it. I am going to make it short and to the point. Sometimes things happen in your life that can give you just the spark you need. I have prayed to God to help me get motivated. Help me to find a love for my home that had gone away. As you know, things don't always arrive in the exact way we have prayed for them. 

Our daughter and son in law have lived here for 3 years now. We had them pay a very small rent to keep them accountable. That faded away after the first year for some reason. So recently we have asked them to help out more around the house. That went over like a lead balloon. I was called lazy, I was told that it's not their house and they shouldn't have to help. I was told they were to busy with work and school. (these words came from our daughter) I also had some choice words to share with her! 

I had three simple requests: 

1. Wash the tile floors once a month with the Hoover Hard Floor Cleaner machine.
2. Dust the wooden blinds in the house twice a year.
3. Wash the windows outside 3 times a year. 

I got super angry and was in total shock by what I heard that I decided that I don't want them cleaning anything in my house. No one will ever call me lazy again! Boy did I get a big dose of motivation. Don't like the way it happened but never the less I am on a roll....

1. Washed the floors with the machine in two days. 
2. Have completed washing 13 windows and two sliding doors outside.
3. Have also completed cleaning 11 wooden blinds. (Have 3 more to do)
4. Have also gone through some clothes and got two large bags full to giveaway! 

I am very pleased with myself. The house is feeling very clean and now I can't wait to get going on the other projects that I need to do. (of course cleaning out the closet is not high on my list or all the paperwork packed into drawers) Next is cleaning all the cabinet doors in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry room. Also I have been able to work out my time between blogging and cleaning. Of course things will be put on hold as I do some traveling this summer but I am on my way to being totally organized.....hooray! 

I will not be cleaning the blinds or windows in their section of our home. It was a rough few weeks around here lately with everyone being in ugly moods but I'm happy to say that things are good between my daughter and me. We do love each other unconditionally, however I have changed my ways and can no longer be the person who swoops in to save the day! I am learning how to not be the helicopter mom which certainly contributed to the attitude issues. Also they will have to start paying rent again but that hasn't been discussed yet since we all need some more time to cool off. 

Sometimes as parents we get over protective and want to keep our children from pain. I've never been good at punishing. I thought I would give you an example of that mom who always saves the day. There were times when our daughter would be sent to her room for the night. I was the one who hurt and felt bad that she would miss her favorite shows, so what did I do? Well I taped them on the VCR so she could watch them later!

Insert helicopter starting up ......

FRIDAY FRAGMENTS

I just realized something....had one of those light bulb moments! It has always bothered me when they sold pajamas as separates. Seemed to be a way to get more money for the item because they usually cost more than when you buy them as a set.

Recently I bought a new pair in a smaller size. I want to start to get rid of my bigger pairs. Well the bottoms are perfect and the top fits great but afraid it will shrink when washed. So I went ahead and bought a few pairs in the next size up. The top is perfect now but the pants are big. I am going to keep them but from now on I will buy separates.....why didn't I think of that before?

Did I mention that I saw a few movies lately? I saw MUD which was with Matthew McConaughey which was very good. Matthew McConaughey did an excellent job. 

"Two teenage boys encounter a fugitive and form a pact to help him evade the bounty hunters on his trail and to reunite him with his true love." 

I saw 42 which was excellent! This is a must see movie. 

"The life story of Jackie Robinson and his history-making signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers under the guidance of team executive Branch Rickey."

I also went to see The Great Gatsby with Leonardo DiCaprio. In typical DiCaprio form this movie was a huge production and I thoroughly enjoyed it. (honestly....when a movie is 2 hrs 22 min long and I didn't go out to the bathroom you know it's got my full attention!) Also Tobey Maquire did a wonderful job. I remember Leo on Growing Pains but truly started to admire his acting when he was in What's Eating Gilbert Grape. He should have won an award for his performance. 

" A Midwestern war veteran finds himself drawn to the past and lifestyle of his millionaire neighbor." 

Recently Joyce asked a question on Wednesday Hodgepodge about what gets our blood pressure rising. I should have answered....people talking or texting on their cell phones! I was on my way to the show on Tuesday and I was behind an older Corvette. It seemed to be going slower and slower and I looked down and we were going 57 mph. I was on the freeway which is 65 mph. I looked to see if I was clear to change lanes and I did. When I passed this guy I looked over at him. His head was down and he was texting on his phone. When are people going to get it? You can't text or talk while driving!!!! I can feel my blood pressure rising as I type this.

Enjoy your weekend and have a 

blessed Memorial Day!

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE

 

Click here to join in with Joyce!

1. It's National Bike Week...do you own a bicycle? When did you last ride a bike? 

No I do not own a bike and was secretly wishing that would be my gift on Mother's Day. I have had one on my Christmas List for 3 years now! I don't remember the last time I road a bike. 

2. What's something you learned in school that wasn't part of the curriculum?

People are not always who they say they are. I have always been a person who told the truth and was deeply hurt by lies. 

3. What's a food you've never tried, but want to try? What's a food you've tried and will never try again?

I can't think of anything I want to try and I am not very adventurous when it comes to trying new things. I guess I could say escargot will never cross these lips again! 

4. Have you been more demanding on yourself lately or less? Why? Do you think that's a good trend?

I would say I've been more demanding on myself. For me it's a good trend in my opinion. 

5. Who is your favorite book, movie, or TV show villain? 

I am sure there are going to be some great answers here. I was drawing a blank so I looked at a list. So with that being said I will say The Wicked Witch from The Wizard of Oz.  I also noticed Kathy Bates from Misery which is a good one too! 

6. How concerned are you about identity theft? 

I am always concerned and that is why we have LifeLock. 

7. I saw this last question on Dawn's blog a couple of week's ago and asked if I could share. Everybody hop over and say hi, but first answer this...would you rather have an ordinary home in an extraordinary place or an extraordinary home in an ordinary place? 

I am going to say an ordinary home in an extraordinary place.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I want to wish a very Happy 64th Birthday to my sister Darcy. She and her family live in Palm Harbor, FL close to my dad. I don't know where the years have gone. She is blessed to have 4 grandchildren with the two oldest being 17!

Actually I was telling my dad the other day how blessed he is to have been able to enjoy his great-grandchildren. I told him that at this point I don't have enough years left in my life to ever see great-grandchildren grow up to be 17 since I don't even have a grandchild yet! (do the math) I will be seeing all of them in a few weeks....I can't wait! 

SHOW AND TELL

Dinner at Mario's for Mother's Day in Riverside, CA.

That's my Adam & Amber!

Flower from Adam & Tristen plus a lovely bottle of wine!

Eiffel Tower Cork holder from Amber & Dylan.

 Mark gave me the Eiffel Tower charm 

for my Pandora bracelet.

I had a lovely Mother's Day. Our dinner was delicious and then when we came home the kids went through our lifetime of pictures. Book after book, box after box, envelope after envelope looking for pictures of the two of them with my dad, their grandpa. They want to put together a picture collage to give him for his 90th birthday. We laughed so hard. It was such a fun afternoon. Here are a few that they found. They are going to use the originals so I scanned them to my computer to I would have them. 

A picture of our family with my Dad in the early 2000's.

Here are a few other things I've been meaning to show you. A few of the meals I've been making. We do love the nice thick  pork chops  from Costco baked in the oven with caraway.  Salsa Chicken from A Year of Slow cooking. I end up shredding the chicken when it's done and we make tacos.  Also I have been enjoying these Spinach Artichoke Lasagna Roll Ups from Two Peas & Their Pod. The picture is from a few weeks ago but I actually made them again on Saturday evening. 

A few different shot of our backyard at different angels. We love our bedroom doors with a view! Also notice our sparkling clean windows. A post will be coming soon about the windows....

Playing with my big girl camera in the yard. 

Some pictures of our Bougainvillea's in the front yard and the Ficus in its new pot and our Norfolk Pine has double in size in two years! 

My new lemon tree is all planted in the Pickle Crock.....

Have a great week!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMBER

Our gorgeous daughter Amber is 32 today!

Just look at those dimples......

I remember when she was very young and the doctor told us that we should be able to compromise with her when she was around 3 years old. Well that didn't happen and I've always joked that he must have meant 30! The verdict is still pending on this one :) She is the manager of a Hallmark Store and does an excellent job. That store is awesome, always neat, clean and organized. You would love shopping there. We are so proud of her for taking on this position and is doing and excellent job! 

(she doesn't like me sharing photos but baby pictures are okay)

Amber We Love You More Than You Will Ever Know

Have a fabulous birthday and a great year ahead! 

We are celebrating her birthday on Sunday.

We are going to Panda Inn for dinner. 

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE

Volume 125

Click on the button to join Joyce's Wednesday Hodgepodge.

1. May is National Blood Pressure Month...what sends yours soaring, either literally or figuratively? What calms you down? When did you last have your bp checked?

Seems like a lot of things send it soaring these days. I seem to be losing patience for some things lately. I actually have high blood pressure and am on 2 medications for it. Since Mark recently got on HBP medication our monitor is sitting on his bathroom counter so I check is every once in awhile. 

2. You just found $1-what do you spend it on? How about 10$ 100?
Gee, how do I choose :) Maybe a pack of gum or a candy bar. Neither would be for me. Now ten $100.....I would first have to find out if someone was missing them. Then it would be a choice between a Louis Vuitton purse or going to the casino. It been a while since I've done either of those things. I know I should be saying I would give it to church and I've done that many times with found money. Not necessarily in the street sense of found money but in an inheritance sense. I could definitely put it into my handkerchief ministry but today as I type this I am in for some fun! 

3. Mandatory labeling of genetically engineered (GE) food has been proposed, but not enacted in the US. How much attention do you give food labels before you buy? Are you in favor of labeling if it means an increase in food prices? Is this an issue you've been following and feel strongly about, or is this the first you've heard of the controversy?

It is an issue I have known about. I would like a big GE on the front of the item like they put Organic! I do look a the nutritional value of the food I buy but I don't always read the tiny print although I do try to see if something has aspartame in it!

4. May 15th marks the birth date of Frank Baum, author of The Wizard of Oz. At this point in time, are you more in need of brains, courage, heart, or a trip back home? Explain.
I'm in need of a heart and maybe throw in some courage for good measure! Things have been tense in this house and I will post about it at some point. 

5. "There's no place like home" is an oft repeated line from Baum's book. When was the last time you felt the truth of that statement?

I think I feel that statement most days. Especially when I am thanking God for his protection over us.

6.  Steak...yes please or no thank you? What cut do you prefer and how do you like yours cooked? Sauce or no sauce? Besides your own kitchen, where's a place you like to go to get a great steak? 
Yes please. I like my steak medium and usually no sauce although the steak I had on Mother's Day had a sauce that was amazing. Well I would say The Palm or Mario's which is where we ate on Sunday and of course there are several other wonderful steak houses that I have eaten at. Mark and I did agree when we were in San Diego that we had our best steak ever at The Palm that day. 

7. When was the last time you were in a genuine hurry?
I can't think of a time recently but I can tell you I witnessed our daughter in a hurry just last Saturday. Didn't hear her up and being the day before Mother's Day I assumed they might be opening early. Well I finally asked her if she needed to be up. It was 7:40 AM when I asked and they opened at 8:00! She was in a genuine hurry! Fasted shower ever on record for that girl....

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

SEASON FINALES: 

I am a huge fan of Primetime Television. (I do not watch daytime TV or very many reality TV shows) I will admit that I am better than I was years ago although I still have a lot of favorites and my DVR tapes several hours each night. I even have to do a few on Mark's DVR because of conflicts like Grey's/Glee/Person of Interest all on at the same time! 

A few years ago I decided not to take on new shows and even though I have taken on a few from time to time I have remained strong on this one. That way each year I have less shows that I am attached to when a favorite has run its course and is no longer on. I remember the day when I use to have 3 VCR's set to tape my shows....we have come a long way baby! 

When this time of year arrives with everyone having their season finales I feel a little bit of joy in my heart. I love my shows and come September I can't wait for them to return but the reprieve of Summer brings me a small sense of freedom.

Update: Read #2 wrong....it should be $10 and a $100. I guess I was thinking big!

 

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Hope your Mother's Day finds you relaxing

and definitely out of the kitchen!

Things you shouldn't be doing on Mother's Day!!!

FOLLOW FRIDAY FOUR FILL IN FUN

Feeling Beachie

This week’s statements:

1. If not now then when?

2. Pinterest is my slice of the day that makes me happy!

3. Once, I was surprised to find myself *passed out on the bathroom floor.

4. To keep from going crazy, I watch movies.

(*That was back in HS when I passed out. Apparently I had a little to much to drink...shush, don't tell anyone! My sisters future in laws were over to meet my parents. Bad Debby)

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE

Thank you Joyce!

1. When the children of today grow up, what do you think they'll say about this period in time? What do you most hope they remember?

I think our children have seen a lot of horrific disasters although they are not new to our world but TV certainly makes them stand out more. They will surely remember all the technology but what I hope they remember is how important family is and how we must have compassion for everyone. 

2. National Teacher's Day is celebrated in the US of A on the first Tuesday in May, this year May 7th...share how a particular teacher positively impacted you.

Because of things going on in my life I have few childhood memories. There is no teacher who stands out although many teachers gave me a break and passed me when I really shouldn't have been passed. They liked me but truthfully that didn't help me. I would get so many spelling words wrong that the teacher would take me out in the hallway and tell me I didn't have to write the words 100 times like the others. She had me do less. Also I had a math teacher who let me keep a cheat sheet for the multiplication tables and to this day I don't know them. These were both around 5th grade teachers.

3. What's a dish your mama made, that if set in front of you today would whisk you right back to your childhood.
Chicken ala King or Pork, Dumplings and Sauerkraut! 
                                                                

4. Mother May I was a game we played when I was growing up...no pieces, parts, or plugs required. What games from childhood do you remember loving that were also pieces, parts, and plug-free?
Kick the Can - Hide and Seek - Flashlight Tag

5. Besides your own mother, tell us about a woman who influenced you as a child?
I will have to say my grandmothers but truthfully I have few memories from that time in my life. I don't remember anyone giving me any advice or guidance.

6. Mamma Mia! What's the best play or musical you've ever seen? 
I haven't seen a lot of stage plays although I love them. Grew up seeing a lot of local plays because my brother was always in the local theater. He is now well known as a director in the local theaters in  Milwaukee, WI which he has been doing for years and years. Since my dad ran a movie theater my whole life I am very fond of musicals in general (Flower Drum Song - Seven Brides for Seven Brothers - Oklahoma - West Side Story - King and I - etc. etc. etc.) but mainly from seeing them at the show. In the last few years I have seen Wicked and Billy Elliot so I will say Billy Elliot!

7. What are three smells that make you feel nostalgic?
Popcorn, Gardenia and fresh cut grass.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

They often mention rain on the news but sometimes they are wrong or it just doesn't come our way. So Saturday I was going to start washing the windows on the house thinking we were past our rainy season but Mark said they talked about rain. Well I'm glad I didn't wash them because we have had 3 days of off and on rain. I hate it when you wash the windows and then it rains! Also I had to take my clean car out of the garage only to be rained on driving to bowling yesterday :( and don't get me started on the dogs footprints on my clean floors! 

WEEKEND WRAP-UP

Friday I pushed myself out of the house and went to see a movie. I saw The Big Wedding and enjoyed it. It wasn't the best movie I have ever seen but I did enjoy all the people who were in it and by the end of the movie I was happy with how everything turned out. Then I went to Trader Joe's and bought a few things for the weekend. I just love walking around that store! Mark & I had our Friday night pizza and then we got caught up with Glee and Person of Interest. 

Saturday I got up and finished washing the floors which was a project I worked on for 4 hours on Thursday. We have a lot of tile. First I vacuumed the floors, then I vacuumed the moldings and then I used my Hoover FloorMate Spin Scrub Hard Floor Cleaner machine. Sometimes it leaves swirl marks so I also used my mop to smooth it out. I had the kitchen to finish and it felt good to get it done. 

I also put some chicken in the Crock Pot for dinner. I had picked up some low carb tortillas so the Salsa Chicken from A Year of Slow Cooking is one of my favorites for a soft taco. I shred the chicken when it is fully cooked and put it back into the Crock Pot for a little while longer. Yum! Then we watched The Impossible - The story of a tourist family in Thailand caught in the destruction and chaotic aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. It was excellent! 

Sunday we went to Red Robin for lunch which is always a treat. Then we headed over to Home Depot to hopefully find a few things we were looking for. She the picture below of our Ficus in the old pickle crock. That belonged to my husbands grandmother. Well it was planted into the crock over six years ago and it's time to replant it. I'm afraid that it might crack the pot at some point. It is definitely root bound. 

I've been wanting to do a container lemon tree for sometime now so this crock will now go into the back yard to hold my new dwarf lemon tree. I'm really excited. We found a lovely pot for the ficus along with a new wheeled stand for the corner by the front door. We also found some other very interesting plants for the yard. Something we have never seen before which I will share some pictures of after they get planted. We had drizzle yesterday and rain today so hopefully it will be nice again next weekend so we can get these projects done!

Then for some reason, not too long after we returned home yesterday, I got all achy and chilled so I curled up in bed with my new personal DVD player and watched a movie. I have been wanting a DVD player for trips so I've been testing it out. It's really perfect for my needs and I ended up getting it for free. I shop on Amazon all the time and especially at Christmas. For some reason when I went to buy this DVD player they asked me if I wanted to get their credit card. It's a rewards card that gives you three points for your purchases on Amazon which I thought was a great deal. Also if I signed up I got a $60. gift cards to use. So that's how I got my personal DVD player for free. 

So even though I am working on my "Less is More" clean-up project, today is going to be a day of rest for me!  Hope you all have a wonderful week. 

MAYDAY! MAYDAY! (a.k.a. SOS)

Mayday:  1. emergency, need assistance

Synonyms: SOS

Translations: The call mayday is the international standard emergency call. However, many local variations also exist.   

(Like the one I'm using today!)

I've decided that May is going to be my Mayday/SOS month. As in....this ship (house) is going down if I don't do something about it fast. First you need to know that my mess is not seen by anyone but me unless you happen to open up a certain cabinet or drawer. Also you need to know I am not a hoarder, I just have more things than I need. I am an impulse buyer and a "Oh my God that is so cute" kinda shopper as in....I can't possible live without that item! There comes a point and time when enough is enough, when too much of a good thing is a hindrance to your life, and you start to feel claustrophobic.

That is where my troubles begin. I'm not hooked on phonics but I am definitely hooked on blogger. I have let it consume my days from sunrise to sunset. Yes you have read this before from me...blah, blah, blah! But I am determined to make a difference. I have a plan but I'm not sure if I will be able to stick to it but I am going to give it a try. You may not see me as often as I would like. (or maybe you won't even notice)

I normally write a post three times a week and those might be the only days I visit with people. I can't continue to read 40+ posts daily, comment on each one, answer all my emails and do my "slice of happy" visit on Pinterest! I had a dear friend who doesn't blog anymore say this to me: "Your spending your day reading other peoples lives and not living your own!"

I need to do some deep Spring cleaning. On top of the deep cleaning I need to clean out hutches, cabinets, closets, drawers, wooden blinds and wash windows that haven't been touched in forever since I started blogging! Okay the windows have been washed but not often. (Mark doesn't do windows) Also I need to get rid of the things we no longer need. Many things.....

But rest assured I will be back to normal as soon as I can. Life is going to get very busy in June. I have the long Vegas weekend, then I am going to spend about 17 days with my Dad and then 2 weeks after I get home we have our week in Mammoth Lakes. I just can't ignore my house anymore! This should make Debby a happy camper and I'm sure you want me happy. Wish we luck!

Key Word: Less is More!