Fourth of July House

I love doing up my house for holidays and the 4th of July is no different. I hosted a bunco party the weekend before and I finished my patio as well. In addition to doing up the patio, I also decorated the bathrooms as well...complete with a patriotic shower curtain (sorry no pics). Summer is here and I am enjoying a whole new side of my house.

New Furniture

On Thursday I had a couch, loveseat and chair delivered. All are in Chocolate brown and they really finished off the living room space (After they got it in the house, only took them 3 hours to figure out). Add to it the new lampshade my mom gave me, Dad mounted the geometrically shaped mirror above the fireplace, Mom filled a copper bucket full of flowers and the place is looking amazing.





Thanks to my Mom and Dad for all their hard work this weekend while I was gone working. The place is already for the Girls' visit on Friday.

Changing Over

One of the greatest talents I got from my mom is changing the house over for the seasons...maybe talent isn't the way to put it...hobby? Either way she's much better at it. So about a weeks ago I started switching over my bathroom and guest bedroom for the Valentine's Day holiday which of course is when my lovely ladies are coming!

Flowers!

The sun finally came out and I finally had a chance to spruce up the backyard. My mom came over yesterday and with a few trips to Target's garden center we have transformed the back yard area.
Before this was just a dirty over grown jungle. Now the plants have been trimmed and flowers have been added.




This area of the yard will eventually be bricked from the sidewalk edge to the fence so that there will be more space for the table and four chairs (which are inside because it suppose to rain again all this week. Hanging the lattice was Mom's idea...probably going to paint it eventually.

But I Don't WANT to!

Today I did not want to go to the gym. Problem is I haven't gone since last Monday. I missed my class last week and I think that is why I was unmotivated most of last week. So here comes today and I still don't want to go, but I do. OH, but wait there's no parking, I have to park out on the street! Alright, I'm still going. I get in there and there is no space...the class is packed! Ugh! but someone points out a spot, so I stay. Then it turns out the air conditioning is blowing warmish air...add that to the ton of people and it's ridiculously hot! It's ok, I'm gonna push through, this is what gets the week going for me. So THEN! as we are chugging along, stepping all over the risers, the instructor missteps and falls down! I'm thinking really?! What am I doing here? and this is the only time she has fallen in 26 years! Whatever, I stayed.

Eatin' on the Run!

As some of you may know, I am the queen of fast food...I love it! Which is also a problem when dieting. However I have found some healthier choices. My favorite right now is a McDonald's mini meal: 4 piece chicken McNuggets (190 cal), Apple Dippers (30 Cal), caramel (70 cal), and a small iced tea. Total: 290 cal.

Not Yet

I got a Michael Buble CD for Christmas and I have fallen in love with "I Just Haven't Met You Yet."
It's perfect and so true

I'm Not Surprised
Not Everything Lasts
I've Broken My Heart So Many Times,
I Stop Keeping Track.
Talk Myself In
I Talk Myself Out
I Get All Worked Up
And Then I Let Myself Down.

I Tried So Very Hard Not To Loose It
I Came Up With A Million Excuses
I Thought I Thought Of Every Possibility

And I Know Someday That It'll All Turn Out
You'll Make Me Work So We Can Work To Work It Out
And I Promise You Kid That I'll Give So Much More Than I Get
I Just Haven't Met You Yet

Mmmmm ....

I Might Have To Wait
I'll Never Give Up
I Guess It's Half Timing
And The Other Half's Luck
Wherever You Are
Whenever It's Right
You Come Out Of Nowhere And Into My Life

And I Know That We Can Be So Amazing
And Baby Your Love Is Gonna Change Me
And Now I Can See Every Possibility

Mmmmm ......

And Somehow I Know That It Will All Turn Out
And You'll Make Me Work So We Can Work To Work It Out
And I Promise You Kid I'll Give So Much More Than I Get
I Just Haven't Met You Yet

They Say All's Fair
And In Love And War
But I Won't Need To Fight It
We'll Get It Right
And We'll Be United

And I Know That We Can Be So Amazing
And Being In Your Life Is Gonna Change Me
And Now I Can See Every Single Possibility

Mmmm .....

And Someday I Know It'll All Turn Out
And I'll Work To Work It Out
Promise You Kid I'll Give More Than I Get
Than I Get Than I Get Than I Get

Oh You Know It'll All Turn Out
And You'll Make Me Work So We Can Work To Work It Out
And I Promise You Kid To Give So Much More Than I Get
Yeah I Just Haven't Met You Yet

I Just Haven't Met You Yet
Oh Promise You Kid
To Give So Much More Than I Get

I Said Love Love Love Love Love Love Love .....
I Just Haven't Met You Yet
Love Love Love .....
I Just Haven't Met You Yet

KickAss Snackin'

So in my efforts to change my eating habits I've come up with some pretty delicious snack options.

KickAss Edamame
My idea came from a combo of 2 experiences at my two favorite sushi restaurants. Back in the summer I had garlic edamame at Harney Sushi in San Diego and recently I had Freaky edamame (yes that's its name) at Mikunis in Elk Grove.
So hear it is:



Place a little bit of olive oil in a frying pan. Drop in the frozen Edame (I use the bag from Trader Joes). After they look a little defrosted scoop in garlic, sprinkle on some seasoning salt, and add some red pepper for kick. Finish cooking and ENJOY!





My second snack is super low in calories, but very delicious. So you take the little wedge of Laughing Cow cheese (35 cal) and you spoon over it Spicy, Smokey, Peach Salsa from Trader Joes (15 cal). Then slice up a cucumber and use it like a cracker...Enjoy!

WANTED

MISSING

1 purple sweater with crystal buttons on the back
1 purple dress - recently seen on Miss Mitchell at Shout House
1 purple flannel - Last seen at Miss Mitchell's hair appointment
1 pair of light weight brown sweats

These items have not been seen since Miss Mitchell's recent move. Please call if you know where any of these items have disappeared to. The use of purple is coincidental. Thanks for your help.
MM

Off to a great start!

So the end of 2009 was hectic and stressful. I moved to a new town, started a new job, and bought a new house. With all this busy-ness I lost my groove...all my habits (eating, exercising, sleeping) have all been really "off." Therefore my unhealthy figure.

But now I'm moved in. I have found my groove. I joined the gym the last night. I ate a good breakfast this morning. And I'm trying a new cardio boot camp class tonight.

So here's to the new year and all of you finding your groove.

Galt Flea Market

I love the Galt Flea Market! There are such great finds. My biggest purchases are always purses and jewelry. "Dollar Dollar Dollar!" So here my new goodies from my trip to the valley.

This is my new fleece coat. In a double breasted peacoat design. Purple is great with my hair, but there are hints of yellow and pink in it too.

This is a great scarf with all my favorite colors to wear: olive, black, red, pink, orange. It was so great that Megan's mom (a fellow red head) also purchased one.


These are my new pieces of *Bling.* If any of you have ever wondered how I manage to always have a piece of jewelry to match an outfit...this is how I do it. The "Dollar Dollar Dollar" lady at the flea market. This lady was so great the jewelry was all displayed in color order...and to think I only picked 12!

This is my new bag. I of course have purses in almost every color, but my only black bag was very small, only fit the wallet, phone and barely the keys. So this new purse has plenty of room with a convenient outside pocket for the keys. It's already been all over the town!

I used PLANE tickets!

This is a follow up to my previous post on purchasing plane tickets.
1) Yes the first 1/2 of the school year is over.
2) My friend Ty had a blast in San Diego and he even went all out on the UGLY sweater party. We also saw many popular San Diego sites.
3) The Sweater party was a blast! Sadly I did not get a large group photo. But I do have a few with my girls!
4) Being with my friends made it the best weekend! We finished off our weekend with at the Shout House! a fabulous dueling piano bar in downtown.

I got the best of both worlds in SD. The relaxed Pacific Beach atmosphere for the sweater party and a dressier evening in Downtown. Thank you ladies for the fabulous weekend.

Shoes!

I love shoes! If you've seen my closet you know. My students have noticed that I wear a different pair every day. I have almost every color in the rainbow...I think orange is the only one missing.
However you must know that I never spend a ton of money on these fun shoes. I pick them up here and there on the clearance racks for 5 bucks or so. Most of the time there aren't a ton of size 10, but lately the pickin' has been very good.


These are two pairs that I picked up for $4.99. The white is nice and simple and the others will be added to my more wild collection



These are part of a buy 3 for $20 sale I ran across. I was in need of new red ones for the holiday season, and yellow is my new favorite color this year. Mostly because I discovered that when yellow is far away from my red hair or in just the right shade, I can wear it...(still unsure about orange) The third pair (not pictured) is a classic tan pair that will go with anything!

Almost Done! (The downstairs)

This is my living room. I especially like the candles in the fireplace. I am aiming to go with a lot of oranges in this room. I currently only have the loveseat, more furniture will be purchased in the near future.

On the opposite wall is a credenza (AKA my other dresser that doesn't fit upstairs). On it are my lovely music dishes! The black and white chair will go upstairs in the office when more furniture is acquired.

This is my cafe styled kitchen and dining room. I have done it all in blacks and reds.

Yes, I even have a tea pot and crock pot in red.

Almost Done! (The upstairs)

I have been in a rush to get my place put together for Christmas. Not decorated for Christmas, but put together to show my family. My room has pulled together nicely. I am going for a tropical feel, keeping just a little connected to San Diego. I have some great material to put together some pillows, maybe even a throw.



This is my guest room. So excited to have a place for guests and its a real mattress not a blow up! As I started pulling this stuff out I realized 'Wow I've got great taste!' It has been like Christmas early as I open up all the stuff I packed away 8 months ago.






I truly enjoy decorating for the holidays! I didn't have time for the tree, but I did pull out my snowflake shower curtain and accessories... When my ladies come up in February it will be decked out in pinks for Valentine's Day.




CLOSETS! So after living in a very small, old house and then the hall closet at my parents house I am very excited about my walk in closet...and even more excited when I realized the other two closets in the house were all mine too! Therefore, coats/jackets are in the spare bedroom and dresses in the office, and shoes, purses, shirts, and everything else in the master. I think I found a place for everything.


The last room upstairs is my soon to be office/sewing/music room. It will all be done in black and white, should be very cute. Downstairs pics to come....

UNaccompished

I set out to get several things done over the past holiday weekend. And sadly none of them got fully accomplished. I only finished 1 of 3 books. I still have my Redhead book and Accordion book. I didn't finish painting... still have one full room, walls in another room, and all the trim.

BUT!

I did buy a new washer and dryer for $499! and an over-the-range microwave for $150! Yay for the holiday sales. I plan to take pictures, place them in boxes, wrap, and open on Christmas!

Bright side: Painting should be done by the weekend (thanks mom!) new garage door on Friday, and hopefully flooring by Monday. I might live there by next weekend!

Top Musicals

Recently my friend Rachel posted about Musicals and she cited AFI's top musicals, I don't agree. Here is AFI's top 10 and my two cents worth:

1. Singin in the Rain (ok you got me here, this is a good one, especially when he dances with the doll, great dancing)

2. West Side Story (Ok I don't like this just because I don't like the Romeo and Juliet story. I need feel good, this is not feel good)

3. The Wizard of Oz (Cinematically this was huge, they have color, as far as music...I like it better with the sound track to Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd...have you tried it yet?)

4. The Sound of Music (Fabulous, just watched it the other day, sang along the whole way through...but its a long one and again not the happiest of endings. I'd be happy turning it off at their wedding)

5. Cabaret (Never seen it)

6. Mary Poppins (This is fun, but juevenile, I have a hard time watching it at my age)

7. A Star is Born (Judy Garland has made far better movies than this, like #10, or Easter Parade, or the Andy Hardy movies)

8. My Fair Lady (This is a good one, although Audrey doesn't even sing in this movie its Julie Andrew's voice you hear)

9. American in Paris (Both Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron have done better, #1 and Anchors Aweigh for Kelly and Gigi for Caron)

10. Meet Me in St. Louis. (Great movie)

And now for my tops
1. Calamity Jane (Doris Day)
2. White Christmas
3. Holiday Inn (this movie has White Christmas and Easter Parade as songs)
4. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (#21 on AFI)
5. Meet me in St. Louis
6. Gigi
7. Grease (#20 on AFI)
8. The Sound of Music
9. My Fair Lady

Time to Catch up!

One of the greatest things about Holiday vacations is that I can get in a lot of reading. Typically I read one book at a time, but for some reason I am currently between 3 books!

Book One: Accordion Crimes.

This book is a little dark for me. It starts with an accordion maker and follows the accordion through the centuries to come and all the crimes that are committed to get it. I must admit I picked up this book at a used book fair because it had an accordion on it...I'm a musician and I judged the book by the cover.

Book Two: The Roots of Desire: The myth, meaning and power of red hair
This is my first non-fiction read and I am loving it. I find myself nodding along, 'yes that happend to me, yes people think that.' From being teased to redhot temptress. Although I do kind of skim through some parts. The author is deep in genetics and Darwin at this point.

Book Three: I Heart Bloomberg

This is one of my free books that I get from Amazon to read on my Kindle app on my iPhone. Usually I go for the silly, romance novels that I have a bit of sexy...this one is not that. It is taking forever to get going, but I am intrigued that the characters are remodeling a craftsman style house. Guess that's because I am doing a bit of sprucing up on my own place.

My goal is to finish these before the weekend is over and to hopefully start on Caitlyn's book: Eat, Pray, Love. So that I can give it back to her when I head to San Diego next month. I better get reading.

I bought PLANE ticktets

The tickets themselves are not that amazing but the wonderful group of girlfriends I am going to visit are amazing! Here are just a few important points of my upcoming holiday trip:

1) I will be celebrating finishing the first 1/2 of the school year...it has been quite a year! And by Decemeber I am always ready for long two week break. What better way to kick-it off than with a great group girls!

2) I will be taking a San Diego virgin! My friend Ty just got back from deplyment and we will be meeting up in San Diego. I can't wait to show him all the wonderful old haunts.

3) Caitlyn and Cara are throwing an ugly sweater party. I went last year and it was a blast. Although I think I tried to be a little too pretty in my ugly sweater. Last year it was on a Tuesday, this year a Friday so I hope we get to take our ugly sweater out in Pacific Beach. The girls are walking distance to alot of great bars.

4) Seeing my friend Kim's new place. I've already seen it once, but she and I are going through home ownership for the first time this year, along with many other friends, so it's cool to see all the improvements and changes.

My New Fireplace

My new Townhouse was first built in the '80's, so of course the exterior is blue, the linoleum is blue... and the tile is pale pink (I guess to match the pink paint that was in the stairway). So I had decided the cost of re-tiling was way too much. But Casey, my lil brother, said, "No way Sis, I can't let you keep this horrible tile. I will retile it for you.

I hate to tell all of you this, but life is not like HGTV. It doesn't just work out. The old fireplace had 8" tiles but when I went off to Lowe's I discovered they don't make 8" tiles anymore only 6", 12" and a variety of smaller things. Well I looked at some tiles and selected a tile called Sedona and brought home samples in a whole varitey of sizes. Casey came in and went to take the old tile off and the tiles were glued to the wall board! So Casey, thank goodness, made the next trip to Lowes and purchased all of the necessary items: grout, wallboard, tools, tiles.

Depite all the bumps, I believe you will agree that the finished product is gorgeous! Amazing! I can't wait to see what it looks like with Carpet and all! Pink paint...gone! Pink tile....gone! Blue linoleum you're next!