oh banyan, how i love thee

banyan
Originally uploaded by chlortence.

Our trip was amazing. There were moments of annoyance. There were more moments of stuffing ourselves silly and enjoying each others company. We hiked (sadly, Kev and I only went out once). We ate. We drank fancy drinks with umbrellas. We ate. We took many photos of trees and other flora. We ate. Thankfully we walked a ton and I only managed to put on about 4 pounds (I'm averaging here people, it was five yesterday and only three today so we'll say it was really four pounds gained). Did I mention we ate?

The hike we took had moments of feeling like we were walking through someplace that wasn't really real. The bamboo forests...wow. This banyan tree I'm standing next to...unbelieveable. Without me standing next to it, you probably wouldn't get the true size of it. Can you find me?

out

I had to go into work today for a while. Not exactly what I'd planned to do today, but...when someone is ill, we all must pull together. But now I am packed. I have the note written for Chuck. I am ready to go (Kev is too, but he's still at work).

I'm off for a week. I won't be checking in. I won't be logging on. I won't be near a computer if I can help it!

Everyone have a great turkey day!!!

Aloha.

thanks a lot, jen... :)

I've been tagged. My darling friend, PlazaJen tagged me for this meme.....

The Guidelines: List 5 weird things about yourself or your pets. Tag 5 friends and list them. Then, those people need to write on their blogs about 5 weird things, and state the rules, and tag 5 more people. Don't forget to let the people you tag know by posting a comment on their blog (shanny addition: but if they read your blog regularly, like i read jen's...they already know)!

1. I feel guilty getting my hair cut when it's only been five weeks since the last cut. My hair grows like wildfire and my stylist is amazing, but I felt horrible yesterday calling and telling her it hadn't grown out the way I normally love (she'd tried something new...as she always does and i normally love). Usually, I see her four to six times a year. She was as surprised as I was and told me to come in an hour before she normally starts today...I love her, but feel soooo guilty.

2. Everytime I am going on a trip I start obsessing on the clothing I will take about a month out. It starts with just thinking. Then making a list of what tops and what bottoms. Then come the sketches of each outfit and which day I will wear them on. Sometimes, I actually wear them on the days noted, but often I will mix it up and wear them on a different day. I will not, however, change and mix up an outfit (even if all the components I take will mix and match).

3. When I was a kid I wanted to wear glasses sooooo badly that I actually bought a pair of glasses with fake lenses. Now I am supposed to wear them (when driving or working on the computer) and I typically can find them on top of my head. I do wear them while driving. Oh and I can't knit when wearing them, I always look under them to see what I'm doing.

4. Even though in a few days we'll be hiking in Hawaii, I am not sure I'm as excited as I would be about hiking if Josie were with us. I am happy by her utter JOY of hiking and that's half the hike for me. Just watching that joy. I am sure I'll love the hike and think the scenery is gorgeous, but I will think to myself at least once that I wish Josie were with us.

5. I'm afraid of learning how to knit socks. I hear that once you start it's a slippery slope and you never buy socks again. I've got friends with a one in one out rule. For every pair of hand knit socks she makes, she tosses one store bought. I'd never knit anything but socks...this, this I fear.

So what five friends (or people whose blogs i stalk) shall I tag? Really, it's kind of a fun one to write and was easier than I'd thought...shush!

So, Kerri, Shari, Bronxbt, Kat, and Dad...tag, you're all it.

happy birthday, bay-bee

Bay-bee,

My life changed when you enetered it, my dear Kevin. It got richer. It got way more fun. It got crazy (or crazier).

Just over ten years ago we met. I saw you at an orientation meeting at work. I thought you cute, but didn't ever expect to be at this point in our life. I'm glad I didn't let the hairy neck get in the way. ;)

You support me when I am having a craptastic day. You encourage me when I have doubts. You ignore me when I'm being stoopid (and we both know that hardly ever happens so you spend copious amounts of time paying very close attention to me).

You just started a new job. I've seen a change in you even in the short time you've been there. You glow. You smile even more than before. You laugh and joke and there is nothing heavy about you. You're home there. You deserve so much on this day of days.

You deserve to know just how much I love you and I love our life together.

Always,

me

normally

Normally I don't like to forward things I get in emails along to friends. Normally I am not a fan. However, there was one email my boss got that I had to forward to myself...I know, the irony.

It is this:

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

I've always tried to be kind to those around me. I believe that you reap what you sow. I care for my friends and family. Often times those friends become family. I wish only the best for everyone in my life. And I am thankful for each and every one of you.

I suppose this is my "Thanksgiving" post as I won't be near a computer on that day.

Did you hear, I'll be somewhere tropical. :)

time? it's actually zipping!

I really thought this week would start slow and build to a slow so slow that I'd actually be able to see time. Not so. Yesterday was done in a flash. Work, fast. Knit night, fast (I even finished my friend's short, tuck in scarf). Sleeping, that's always fast.

I woke up a half hour early today and decided to get up. No use laying in bed feigning sleep. I putzed around reading various blogs. I checked the weather to make sure what I'd picked out last night would be appropriate (yeah, it was...cuz you wanted to know). I scratched on Chloe cuz she's a crazy lover kitty in the wintertime (something about it being colder makes her want to sit on us, which makes us thankful because she's warm and we keep the house cold).

Tonight I have no idea what we are going to do. Kev has off today so he's having lunch with his pal and running to CostCo and the grocery store. Yeah, seems funny to do those two things before we leave, but since Chuckles will be here with the kids we are going to leave him with food.

Yeah, the excitement that is my life.

are you ready? yes i'm ready.

Well in seven short days we will be on a plane heading to Hawaii. It's a much needed vacation. I have one more knit night (tonight) before we go. I have one more yoga practice (Thursday) before we go. I have one more day of doing laundry (Sunday, if I don't have to work) before we go. I have one more Monday with Jill (duh) before we go. She's going to come over and help me pack. We might make a run to the bra shop but the jury is still out on that.

I am feeling better. This is good. I still have that raspy, sultry voice. But along with it I am sniffling and blowing my nose and coughing up a lung. And if that wasn't enough fun, I've added sneezing to the list. Yeah, must remember to take tissues on the bus this morning so nobody in front of me...well, you get the picture.

I'm done with the four projects I was working on for this trip (remember, the knitting). I've lined up the projects I will take on the plane. I have spoken with Kev and he agrees that we'll check our little suit cases (it is a direct flight) and just take on a backpack (him) and a medium sized satchel (me). I can stuff my purse in the satchel easily. I want those four projects WITH me on the plane, you know.

Okay, my day is about to really begin now. Must go check a couple of gmails and get my teeth brushed and a smidge of make-up on before catching the bus.

barry, is that you?

I've been sick. I have been achy and snotty and not feeling well at all. Luckily (if anything about being sick can be lucky) I was feeling my worst on the days I had to work in the office. So I went in, did a few things both Thursday and Friday and left early. I worked all day yesterday at the store with Drew sounding like Barry White was once again trying to come back to this world through me.

Today, I woke early with the need, yes NEED, to blow my nose at 7:00 when Kev's alarm went off. I haven't been able to get back to sleep. I tried to call my mom, as is the norm on Sunday mornings, and she could barely hear my squeak out to her that larengitis had set in. I whispered at her that I'd call her later this week and I'd email her. She told me to get rest and try to rest the voice. She's a funny lady, that mom of mine!

So I brewed some peppermint tea. If you know me, you know I can not stand tea (with the exception of raspberry tea from Celestial whatever and I couldn't find any the other night at the store which made me sad). I have choked down a couple of sips, but can't for the life of me figure out why anyone would enjoy this flavor. I suppose many don't understand my lust for lattes either...ah well.

I am supposed to go knit with my friend, Amy today. I hope when she calls she can hear me whisper, or Kev is home to translate for me. He had a work meeting this morning and then is coming home to nap. He closed last night and didn't get home until 11:00. Sounded jazzed about the job still. This makes my heart sing!!!

just how late is late?

I am kind of wondering what others think is late. Kev left last night to go watch football with our friend, Chuck. His last words were, "I won't be too late." At 1:00 I began wondering what his concept of too late was. Apparently he doesn't think 1:30 is too late...I kind of do. In my opinion once you hit midnight you're heading into late. So with that theory, 1:30 would be "too late."

I guess I just don't sleep well while he's not here (especially when he's going out with Chuck to watch a game of some sort). Last night with my cold on top of it, I got maybe two hours of sleep and that was once he was home and up front watching more tv. As soon as he came back to bed I was awake again. Snoring usually wakes me up. Let's just say it's going to be a long day at work today. Thankfully I'm not feeling as rough as I was Thursday and if it's slow enough I can go home early (I'm the extra help now on Saturdays).

Kev works tonight so I can putz around the house and maybe even get some work done on an ad I am having done next week, with enough time to do a second draft before heading to Hawaii.

I digress.

The question is: How late does it have to be to be considered late or too late.

my take

Well, most of you have the same views as I do when it comes to customer service. A quick Hello and then leave me to do my shopping. That's how the store I work at runs. Sometimes people get very "I'M JUST LOOKING!" with us and we simply say, "great, let me know if you have questions that come up." They then look at us with disbelief in their eyes, like we aren't going to really truly leave them alone.

Kev just started a new job. He noticed on the first day he was there that the folks that work there didn't even acknowledge people as they came into the store. He is managing a record store. This store has much theft. My thoughts (and his as well) were if you greet people, and look them in the eye, they might just be less likely to take things...at least that's my theory. Oh and making people check their bags in at the front desk would be the best idea too.

a survey

Just curious. If you were to walk into a store and not be welcomed, what would you do? Same goes for if you are overwhelmed by the sales staff.

A conversation is happening with my animal list friends and I'm curious what others think on the topic. You tell me, then I'll tell you.

carpet poo'ing dog

So last weekend when we headed to LA for the whirlwind party celebrating all that is fabulous in my sister and her new husband's lives, we left Josie with my yoga teacher and her beau. When I asked Diana how it all went she said it went well, but she was exhausted because not only did she have to watch the diggity, but the yoga studio where she works opened their new space that weekend too. Of course there were fabulous events and things were all a buzz the entire weekend.

When I saw Lawrence (the beau) at practice on Thursday and asked how he liked my dog his response was, "You mean the dog that poo'd on my carpet?" He said it with a smile and love, but something tells me she'll probably only be invited over when we are in town and aren't leaving her behind. She followed him everywhere and was constantly under his feet, he said. I am sure she just felt like she needed to be near him, because when we first got her, that's what she did to us too.

We head to Hawaii in two weeks! Two weeks, people!! Originally we were going to use last weekend as the test run to see if they'd want to have her for the whole week. Then they had a better offer presented to them. A few days in a friends cabin in the woods. Yeah, I'd pick the cabin over a carpet poo'ing dog too.

Our friend, Chuck, is staying in town and has been called to duty. He is going to stay at the house and watch the critters. We'll give our friends, Shannon and Kiley, his number and vice versa, just in case. I'm glad Chuck is staying here. He's a good guy. Josie needs some bonding time with him without us around. The cats already adore him.

Okay, off to finish cleaning up a bit before gathering my knitting and heading to Jill's for the afternoon. I debate, take the car or ride the bus? It's not that cold out, just windy. Kev might need the car later (post forthcoming) and I'd hate to have it down at Jill's house if he needed it...we'll see.

Also, must figure out what things I am taking to Hawaii. Oh man! I love picking out clothes for trips. Usually, there is a list as well as sketches of each outfit. I know, I'm a freak. But the beauty of my system is, I can look back at the sketches and remember things about each and every trip I've been on. Sometimes, they are better than the photos we take while at the destination.

Just call me Ramblin' Rose today.

la!

and she's chatting with me right now!

I read Mir's blog. Everyday. Some days make me laugh until my sides hurt. Others make me want to hurt those who are causing her annoyance.

I have another blog friend, Shari (whose blog I always read every single day). One day she was online at the same time I was online. I noticed she only had google talk so I downloaded it myself.

Who else should I see there? Mir the pretty. I feel real special that both these girls would chat...with me!

Now I know they both exist and are real! live! people!

half day pj day

I got a call last night with ten minutes to go at work. It was the woman who works Sundays saying she was still not feeling well and the bug she had last weekend (she didn't work last Sunday either) had come back full force, making her leave her other job early. I told her not to worry, we'd figure it out and to let us know as soon as she could about Monday. I told Ahmed that I'd just plan on working, that I'd left Chas a message on his phone, but it would be taken care of.

I got a message back from Chas last night when we were at Shannon and Kiley's eating and playing Scene It, the Turner Classic Movie edition (I got one single answer right...). When I listened he said he'd go ahead and work today. I told Kev on the way home that I'd still plan on working, I'd call Chas this morning and tell him I could cover it. When I called him, he told me not to worry about it since he was not going to be in town next weekend. I told him if she called off for tomorrow, I'd work and we'd figure something out so he wasn't always having to cover when people are sick. He seemed to like that idea. I totally hope that she doesn't call off, but he said he'd call me and let me know. If I don't hear from him by 4:30 I'll give him a call to check in.

I've been loving working two days in the office (this past week was the first week of that) and can hardly wait until it's the real three day office week with two on the floor.

So now, I'm still in my pj's, I'm knitting (when not writing here), while Kev is watching the Bears play the Dolphins. I've got a call out to a friend to see if she wants to get together and sit and knit today and she's going to call me later after she's done with a couple of errands she already had on her plate. I hope we can get together tonight. I always have such a lovely time with Amy. It's funny to think she (as well as some of my other friends) started out as a customer.

Happy Sunday everyone. :) If you can, I highly suggest a PJ Day!

the hook is coming

Years ago in college (no I won't count and figure out how many it's been because that gets a wee bit depressing) Jill and I were walking down the hill from class. We saw this poster on a telephone poll for a band. We looked at each other, neither saying a word, and started laughing. Finally...Dancer Bob?

It wasn't until later we realized their name was Danger Bob. And they had this song that was infectious, even to this day.

"the hook is coming and the hook is coming and the hook is coming...." and of course I can't remember any other words. But here it is .....

Man, life was so...different...then. I love my life now, but I love my life from then too. Sigh.