Will you miss me when I'm gone?

Is it just me or did February come and go quicker than anything? I can't believe it's the end of the month already - if my checking account was full thanks to payday I wouldn't believe it.

The weekend went by relatively uneventful. Cuz I know you care, here's what I did.

Saturday
Felt energized and sat around the house most the day. I hate it when I have the desire to do something or the thought to do it, but the energy and the will just doesn't exist. I needed to spend time cleaning up the scrapbook room (it was an unholy mess after the Great Cruise Scrap of 2010). Still, just didn't feel it. So it sat and so did I.

Headed to BigBro's house in the afternoon for Little Niece's birthday. And by "little" I mean she's turning 20. Which brings me back to how quickly time flies? I was in college - trying to study - when she was born. How is it that I've been out of college for almost 20 years? I don't feel any older, how can she be older? Still, the gathering was fun and in a typical family kinda of way.

Sunday
I was up at the buttcrack of dawn thanks to a certain black cat that lives here. He seems to think that since the sun is rising, he MUST be fed. So we played the walking up and down and across me for several minutes. And then the Cat Stare! I could feel his yellow evil eyes just glaring at me. I didn't dare crack mine or all would be lost. Still I was curious what time it was...and that did it. He knew I was awake. Or awake enough.

It looked like it was going to be a beautiful day and it was. I jumped in the stang and headed to the Hood to feed the beasts that Blueberry lives with. Upon return I strapped on the tenny runners and went for a walk. I think I only did 1.5 miles at the most - feet hurt some, but not overly bad. I'm toying with walking in the 3 Day again this year. I really want to, but am unsure how the feet are going to hold up. I could just sign up and fund raise and not actually walk, but that seems a bit silly. It's not about just the walking, but people are donating big because you're doing something big. Just showing up isn't big.

After the walk, I had a ton of energy. I decided to move a big book case from down in the garage to my scrapbook room. BIG mistake. While it is only shelving, the back wasn't, and isn't, at all pleased with the carrying. Although, it could be out of joint from the little jig I did to get rid of a bee that was buzzing around me. Yes it's that warm here the bees are coming out. My frogs are out in the pond...the true sign the spring is here.

Once I got the shelving unit upstairs, I was a cleaning maniac. Organized the scrapbook room - again (you'd think if I put half the energy into working out that I put into organizing my scrapbook room, I'd be like a size 2). But now, at last, it seems to be just right. After all that, I decided I might as well scrap a few pages.

Then it was dinner time. BBQ'd curry chicken I bought at Trader Joe's. Made a little broccolini (God I love that stuff) a salad and sat down to have a fine meal. Turned off the TV and read for a change.

And just like that the weekend is over. Hmph! Me thinks we need longer weekends.

Oh and I didn't win the lottery yesterday! Which means I have to go to work tomorrow.

I think I love you, so what am I so afraid of. I'm afraid that I'm not sure of a love there is no cure for...

Yes, I'm in love. No I'm not cheating on the BF - he still makes one helluva a cup of Joe. He will never be replaced - well until he wears out, in which case I might then have to replace him.

But in the meantime, while I enjoy my robust cup of Joe, I get to have a thrill on the side with a new food that I'm drooling over just typing about.

If you don't have a Trader Joe's in your area, or if you've never shopped there, let me just say, "I'm so sorry." I honestly never thought I'd shop there on a regular basis, but one opened up just up the road and I find myself "swinging" by all too often.

Last trip there, I ran in for tomatoes (they always have a good deal on grape tomatoes). While there I decided to - big mistake - wander through the aisles and really look at what they have available.

That's when I saw him. In the cooler section with the meat. He had a name tag. It read "Pollo Asada". Droool!

Since everyone knows I have a thing for Latin's you shouldn't be surprised that I brought him home. Tonight I made Pollo Asada tacos. On the side I made a lime, red onion, and cilantro salsa to top these tacos. BBQ'd the Pollo Asada, chopped it up and had a fantastic meal.

The package would feed four not so hungry people. I cooked up 2 of the thinly sliced chicken pieces and it made two small tacos and left overs.

If you have a Trader Joe's - I highly recommend checking these out.

Its Sunny outside...so I must...

Why is it that when spring starts to peak its beautiful head out suddenly I have the energy of a 20 year old? I have made a "list" of Spring Items that MUST be done. Some are home bound, some will require a train, and even some will need me to remember how to tie my own shoes.

I know its obvious but when the sun comes out I just want to be alive. Spring seems like a good time to start living again. So I'm gonna...

But first I finished the Cruise scrapbook. My hands started aching at one point last week and I'm afraid Mr. Arthur Itis found his way into my room. (oh, that sounds bad, but not what I meant -sorry mom - like I'd blog about that).

Ahem

Right, so the creative bug/gene took over last weekend and I was determined to get this cruise book done. Too often trips go by and the photos sit until I get the "bug". Sometimes it's years before I can get that done. For example, I finished my UK trip last summer, when the trip was in 2007! Slacker!

This year my goal is to clean house - Scrapbook style. If any of you scrapbook or know anyone who does you know that it's a collector sport. I have tons of paper - doo dads - fiber - stickers - buttons - more doo dads - and more paper. My goal - use it all. I am almost 100% caught up with respect to most recent events. 2009 is all but done except for Halloween and Christmas (I had to get Halloween paper. What? I didn't have anything that worked). I have Christmas from 2008 still to do and I have San Francisco to finish (2008). Watch this space.

Oh...and the best news EVER....I got my Hope Shell for my Miche bag. OMG I love it. It brought tears to my eyes (as many breast cancer things do...). Did you know that Miche bags have consultants? And those consultants have purse parties? I do now. Look out friends/family.

Three Day Weekends are the Bomb!

It wasn't my intention when the three day weekend was upon me to spend all three days locked in the scrapbook room pounding out the cruise and New Orleans, but it turns out that's exactly how I've been spending it.

Well, that's not completely true, I did stretch my buying power and put a bit out on Ebay for the first time ever. Thankfully, lost the bid - and was a bit more than bothered at how annoying it is to bid and then not win. I prefer my purchases to be immediate and none of the guessing game. I think I've seen the last of Ebay for a long time.

And thankfully what I was bidding on, I did manage to find another route and purchased without any bidding wars going on.

And thankfully (you'd think it was Thanksgiving) I was able to keep myself so completely focused that I didn't even notice it was that dreaded holiday yesterday. I do wonder if I'll ever get over my negative feeling toward VD, and even if I did I'm not sure I'd appreciated VD in and of itself. Seems too forced to me and would prefer the man I end up with to lavish me with gifts and chocolate and romance every day. Not literally, but you know what I mean. Love daily!

And with that, I need to get on and get my New Orleans side of the vacation done. I figured this scrapbook will be about 70 pages give or take. Although, as I've gone through the hundreds of photos, I've tried to just pick the best of the best. Which is hard when you think they're all good. But just how many photos does one need of an iguana. I also chose to not go all fancy and spend hours on one page. Simple is best for me these days.

I hear YA! I hear YA! Sheesh!

So it's been brought to my attention by many of my stalkers readers that I never posted that I had posted my photos from the cruise on Flickr or somewhere else to view. I'm now officially telling you... I'VE POSTED MY PHOTOS. Go grap yourself a cup of coffee and a biscuit and settle in. There are a few there.

In other news, I had dinner with my GalPal Mega-Roonie last night at Pf Changs. Aside from the obvious delicious-ness of the food, she now has me addicted to a purse.

I hear the "OMG" out there. I know which one of you gasped and thought, "Not a new purse!" But this one's special. No really, it's special.

I have, admittedly, a ton of purses. But in my defense they are all small, evening type purses. Not a purse that holds anything other than a driver's license, a lipstick, and some money. No, I need a day to day purse that is, frankly, awesome.

Mega-roonie had such a purse last night. It's a perfect in that it's square - ish and stands up, it has pockets for things like phone, ipod etc. It's the right size for me AND the best thing of all...


First a side note, I love the idea of swapping purses to match my outfit. Love the idea. Hate the implementation of it. Changing purses daily is a hassle - for me. The girl in me so wants to have a new purse every day, but the "OMG I'm late" girl just doesn't have the time.

Enter the Miche purse. Mega-Roonie was showing me the purses via her Droid phone and this purse was the first I saw. The thing about Miche purses is the purse stays the same and you change the "shell" to different shells. So daily I could have a new purse design and not change my purse insides. How cool is that? The eye catcher was this BreastCancer Shell - Hope Shell - I knew almost instantly I wanted needed this purse.

And so started the research. The Hope Shell is out of stock for now. But I'll be watching for it. So I had to look at different shells. Then I found a local store who sell them and so now have to go check them out - just in case.

So fo all you girls out there who like the ideas of a new purse to match your outfit, consider just changing your outside (of your purse that is).

Nothing really matters, nothing really matters...but me...

I kinda feel like I'm tossing a classic into the gutter with this, but my goodness I laughed out loud when I saw this. Creative to say the least.

Those Muppets...they sure can turn your frown upside down. How simple their entertainment was. I kinda miss that sometimes.

Cuz we're all in the mood for a melody

As it turns out, I got to attend the above mentioned concert. HikerGirl and Marathon Bob had tickets for last November's show, which was sadly cancelled due to Elton having ecoli. And then HikerGirl and Marathon Bob up and moved out of the state.

Fast forward to the "make up" show that was scheduled for Feb 3, 2010. Poor babies couldn't make it over for the show. Now, while I dont' want to go into details about how I was actually second fiddle to going to this show (Blueberry was set up on a blind date that didn't pan out - so I got invited. Oh gee...I can go into it.) Anyhow, I was thrilled to attend for and represent HikerGirl and Marathon Bob. I think we did a pretty good job representing them too...we both sang out of key and at the top of our lungs. I made fun of people in my head as I was watching them act like idiots, so it was if we were HikerGirl and MB. Not that either of them would make fun of people...never. No, not ever.

The set up was pretty fun. Two grand pianos facing off. Now, I have to admit I'm not a HUGE Elton John fan. I know a few songs and can sing along with the best of them. But...I only knew like three songs he sang last night, honestly! Where was I during the 70's? OH yah, I was still not quite into music yet.

Anyhow, if you're going to have two dueling pianos, you'd be hard pressed to find two better. The two of them can sure make pretty sounds come from that big black box thingy with ivory on it.

Our seats were, well, high. I looked at it as only the most important would sit so high in an arena. I really didn't care. For starters the tickets were free. And second, I could still hear the music. Didn't really need to see the two old guys on the stage pounding it out. (Oh that sounds soooo bad).

Now, I mentioned I wasn't an Elton John fan. And I don't think I ever will be. I wasn't impressed. He barely spoke to the crowd. He played his songs...and played and played and played. He took "Rocket Man" and made it into a 10 minute jamming session. He did that with several of his songs. Blah! I want to hear you sing, not you and your band "jam". Still I think he's a pop icon and he was on my list to see. Now, thanks to HikerGirl and Marathon Bob I have. So thanks for that.

Now Sir Billy (Yes I know Elton is actually the "Sir", but I think Billy deserves it) he is an entirely different story. He's a comedian. He cracked jokes about the Tacoma dome and the smell down there. He thanked "spokane" for being there (as he pointed to the cheap seats in the WAY back). Funny! He was engaged with the crowd. He talked between songs. He sang the song without any "jamming". Pure talent to me. And of course it allowed me to sing along with all the songs (with the exception of a couple I had never heard).

 

The concert opened with them singing a couple of their songs together (Your Song, Just the Way You Are, Don't let the Sun, and one other I forget n- oh my life - okay I cheated and googled the set list). After which Billy's piano went down on a lift and Elton "thrilled" (I say that sarcastically - there needs to be a font for sarcasm) us for an hour. Then Billy came out and rocked the place. Songs he sang that I could sing along with: She's Always a Woman, Allentown, We didn't Start the Fire, Only the good Die young, and It's still rock and roll to me). Love it. It was like seeing Dudley, but not.

Then the two came back out and did a couple more songs. Most notably was Uptown Girl in which Billy made faces during the song. Hilarious. They closed the show with Goodbye Norma Jean and Piano Man. Piano Man could quite possibly be my most favoritest song from him.

So a big bad thank you to HikerGirl and Marathon Bob for the tickets. We did truly have fun. And we did talk about you while we were there. Oh, next time you get tickets can you be sure the guy who sits next to me isn't monstrous in size and doesn't smell of cologne and body odor? Thanks! Oh and while you're at it, can you be sure the people in the row in front of us stay in their seats and not get up every freakin second to go pee or get a beer? I'm just sayin...if you could just do me that solid next time you buy tickets that you unfortunately can't use.

I'm sooo psychic....

No, seriously I am. And I knew you were going to say, "You so aren't." But I am. Want me to prove it? Fine.

1. I knew I wasn't going to win the lottery and I'd have to go back to work after lunch.

2. I knew that I'd have a muffaletta in my future. I'm having them at my spontaneous Superbowl party.

3. I knew I'd hate the Grammy's last night.

4. I knew I'd drink way too many cups of coffee today.

5. I knew I'd get a song stuck in my head...just didn't think it'd be this song. Ugh.

6. And I knew you'd be questioning my sexuality now that I shared which song I had in my head...and I knew I'd have to defend the fact I'm sooo still into guys.

In other non psychic news, I'm going to the Billy Joel and Elton John concert on Wednesday. yay me. Turns out HikerGirl and Marathon Bob had tickets for last years concert, which was cancelled due to Elton being sick. Now that the two of them moved to BFE (aka Montana) they can't make it back for the concert. So Blueberry and I get to go. Sadly, it was supposed to be a "set up" for Blueberry, but it works out he can't go and so I'm the second choice. Huh! And with that I leave you with this...perhaps the WORST Elton John song of the 80's...this goes out to Queen Geek.