Friday, April 30, 2010

Favorite Fridays

Favorite Reality TV Competition Show!

Hmmmmmm, this is hard but I am going to have to say...

I love this show more and more each season. This most recent season had two designers from the Bay Area (Amy from Oakland and Jay from SF). I loved them both!! One of the radio stations just had them on the morning show yesterday morning. Out of the designers that ended up going to Bryant Park this season, I was rooting for Seth Aaron so I am glad he won!

To join in on the fun head on over to Jen's at A Girl in Pearls and a Boy With Toys!

Pic found on Google Images

Snaps for Friday & Sunshine!


I am so happy it is finally Friday!! This week didn't even really drag that bad, which is always nice. I have another fun filled weekend planned with some of my favs and of course wine is involved too!! Plus, the weather is starting to turn nice again (hopefully for good this time) and it is supposed to get in the high 70's low 80's.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend. Hope the sunshine is out in your neck of the woods. Sunshine always puts me in a better mood.

Pic from Google Images

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Throwback Thursday

Sometimes I wish I had some special power. I was thinking the other day about the powers some TV characters had while I was growing up...

Evie from Out Of This World could freeze time

Zack Morris from Saved By The Bell could take a timeout from real life to assess a situation

The characters on Duck Tales got to swim in Scrooge McDuck's money

Superman flew around the world saving people

Popeye ate spinach and became all buff


Who am I missing? What super power would you want to have?

Pics from Google Images

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Wishful Wednesday

'I wish' .... I could go back and spend one day working at a job from my youth, and it would be ______!

Although I was lucky enough to not work too much when I was younger I did eventually get a job. My first 'official' job was working as a receptionist at a beauty salon.

The salon was actually very popular in our town and probably one of the biggest salons around our area at the time (with 35 hair stylists, 8 nail techs, 4 estheticians and a masseuse). Plus, it is where I got all my beauty services done for years....I actually think I got my first hair cut there when I was young!!

I had a lot of fun working there most days, there was bound to be some drama with that many women working under the same roof, but I did my best to stay out of it. That was until one girl (newer hair stylist) threatened my to kill me because her "boyfriend" was actually dating someone else that I worked with at a clothing store (my other job). The first day I started at the clothing store this girl found out that I also worked at the hair salon and was asking all types of questions about this one hair stylist. I didn't know too much about her so I didn't have too much to say. I guess this girl was dating what she thought was the hair stylists EX-boyfriend. Turns out he was dating them both and I guess they found out because of ME??? I don't really know how that works out and how I was the one getting my life threatened while working (at the salon) in front of a lot of clients, but whatevs. It became quite a scene and she was fired on the spot. D-R-A-M-A for your mama!!!

Despite this incident I still loved working at the salon and continued to work there until I moved away for school.

P.S. After this drama occurred at the salon I was scheduled to work at the clothing store with the other girl the next day....she never showed up to work again!! I guess I lucked out by not having to have their drama in my life any more.

Join in on the Wishful Wednesday fun by going to Kelsey's blog

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Girl Drama

I can't help it, meet (one of) my guilty pleasure(s)...


I actually was more into it when Lauren was on, but I just can't stop watching the bad acting, the cat fights, the predictable hook-ups, etc. I guess it is a good thing the show is in it's last season (starting tonight) because then I can move on to better TV that mature women should be watching like America's Next Top Model, Keeping Up With The Kardashians and all The Real Housewives series.

Are you going to watch the last season? Are you ready for the show to end or are you falling into a slight depression because the end is near and don't know what you are going to do with your life once it is no longer?

Image from Google Images

Monday, April 26, 2010

Weekend Review

Another busy, fun filled weekend for me!!! I actually had a three day weekend, but that didn't mean I sat around and relaxed all weekend. To be honest, I hardly had any down time, but I am not complaining because it was a great weekend.

Friday morning I woke up early to exercise and ran some errands before heading to San Francisco to spend the day with my sister. We went out to lunch and went to see The Back Up Plan with J Lo. It was good but it wasn't great. We were entertained, but won't be buying it on DVD when it comes out or feel the need to see it again. It did have it's funny moments though. Friday night we met up with some friends for a girls night. We watched Sex In The City (to get prepared for the sequel), munched on some snacks, had girl talk and worked on one of the girls wedding invitations. It was a fun, yet productive night!!

Saturday morning I work up early again to exercise (seeing a pattern?!?!) and then got ready to go to Modesto to see my friend's beautiful baby. She has actually changed a bit since I saw her just two weeks ago. She is just ADORABLE and again, didn't make a peep the entire time we were there.


After visiting mama and baby for a few hours, we met up with another friend for dinner and more girl talk. It was so great to get to hang out with the girls all day. We had a wonderful time catching up and planning future events.

Unfortunately, my car wasn't ready to head back to the East Bay when we were. Something happened to the steering column and I actually had to get it towed 80 miles to my mechanic's shop. Luckily my mechanic is my best friends' (pictured below) dad so we were able to meet the tow truck driver at the shop and have him unload it into the shop as opposed to outside the shop since the tow truck driver got all my windows down but couldn't get them back up. Yeah, thanks for NOTHING, I mean seriously we were dealing with some MO-rons!! We were totally planning on hitting up the bars, but once all was said and done it was around midnight and we were too tired :( Next weekend!!
Sunday morning Mr. Pickle and I went to brunch with his parents and one of our friends. Mr. Pickle's parents actually live in Modesto so I was able to drive his mom's car home on Saturday night. Therefore, it was a great excuse to meet up on Sunday for brunch since we had to return the car!!! After brunch we came home so the boys could relax while I went to exercise. Once I was all showered and done with some Sunday chores we took my grandpa dinner and visited with him for the evening. He was really tired from being out late at the Harlem Globetrotter game the night before. We came home and finished our Sunday chores and went to bed early.

Hope you all had wonderful weekends!!

Back to the grind today :( I am wishing for another fast week and that the beautiful weather continues (rain is in the forecast and I am VERY upset about it).

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Earth Love

I thought I would show the Earth some love since it is Earth Day and all. Now I know that I could be better at doing good for the Earth, but I have made some adjustments to help out.

I started recycling a while ago and have made Mr. Pickle more aware and even got him to throw his cans in the recycling garbage can instead of the garbage garbage can. Up until a few years ago I was lame and didn't recycle because it wasn't convenient. However now it is just second nature, plus it is easier to recycle when you live in a house vs. an apartment.

We drink a lot of water, so we were going through a ton of plastic water bottles. We purchased a water dispenser that we fill up for $1.75 for 5 gallons and use reusable water bottles. I am in love with my Insulated Camelbak water bottle. It keeps my water cold for hours.

I do still get plastic bags at the grocery store because I use them all the time at home to clean up dog messes, but about once every three months I take a large amount of bags back to the grocery store so they can reuse them.

I have gotten a lot better at keeping the lights, heater/AC and other electrical items turned off when not in use or not needed. I get so frustrated when Mr. Pickle is watching TV downstairs and then comes upstairs and doesn't turn off the TV or the lights. Ummmmm hello, you are obviously not using it anymore, so turn it off. Plus, HE pays that bill so you think he would be smarter about it.

Let's see....I only do dishes or laundry when I have full loads and I air dry a lot of my dishes and clothes. Plus I clean the lint filter after each use (this allows the dryer to use less energy) and I wash most of my clothes in cold water.

Mr. Pickle and I have started carpooling to work. Well he actually takes BART (public transportation), but I drop him off at his station on my way to work and pick him up after work. Plus I am hoping to ride my bike more places.

At work we have all done our part in trying to print less and recycle paper. I couldn't believe the amount of paper that was just being thrown away at the office. It really doesn't take that much of an effort to recycle paper instead of throwing it away. We also stopped using Styrofoam coffee cups. Now we bring in our own mugs.

Like I said, nothing too major, but it is a start!!

By the next Earth Day I am hopeful that I can add the following things to my list:
- Replace our old windows in our hours with new energy efficient ones.
- Replace older appliance with new energy efficient ones.
- Use cloth napkins and hand towels instead of paper towels. I am a big paper towel waster.
- Bring reusable bags shopping. (I have them, but ALWAYS forget them.)

Even the little changes can make a difference!

Pics from Google Images

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Sunshine Where Are You?

This is just what the doctor ordered. Today is a rainy, cold and windy day. It feels more like January than April. Too bad I am actually at work and being productive today, because all I really want to do is curl up on the couch by the fireplace with the pups and sip on some some hot chocolate (or a glass of red wine) and relax.

The weather this weekend is supposed to be a lot better than the mess we are being hit with right now. I live in California for a reason people, SUNSHINE!!!

Pic from weheartit.com

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Life As Pie

While reading Real Simple the other night, the activity of taking stock of where your time is spent was brought up. I thought it would be interesting to see where I spend my 'free' time. So here you have it my friends...Although it is rather difficult to read this is my life and where all my time goes.

I know I have a horrible habit of parking it in front of the TV once I get home from work or if I don't have any plans over the weekend. I hate that I am so addicted to TV. Honestly, I don't even start watch a lot of popular shows because I don't want to get sucked in. In an attempt to start making exercise a part of my every day routine, I am going to have to carve out some time from other arenas and TV is definitely one of them.

It is obvious to me some adjustments need to be made. For instance, the green section is the typical amount of time I sleep a week (I aim for 9 hours a night) and the blue & maroon sections are the typical amount of time I work (both full time in blue & part time in maroon). Those three combined equal 67% of my time every week allotted for work and sleep. Ridic!!! I think it is about time I retire :)

In addition to adding in exercise, finding more time to spend with family and friends is a MUST. It was nice sleeping 9 hours a night (or at least trying) but if I get in good exercise I feel like I may not be so sluggish anyways! Plus even though I like catching up on sleep over the weekend, I have been enjoying having fun filled friends & family weekends!

Any helpful tips you guys have to offer? What changes would you make?

Monday, April 19, 2010

Weekend Review

I didn't take many pictures over the weekend, well actually I did, but not for personal use.

Friday night our friends from LA were coming to stay with us. Since Mr. Pickle had to work late and our house was a mess, I pretty much spent Friday night like all the rest of the cool kids do and cleaned for a few hours!! Yes, I do live a pretty exciting life.

Saturday we all headed to Napa. As I have mentioned before, my sister is a professional photographer and has been for some time now. Our friends that were visiting from LA have hired her to photograph their wedding in Newport Beach in July 2011. Therefore, this weekend she was taking their engagement pictures. Since I am very interested in photography, I brought along my own pro-like camera and took some pictures with my sis. I am hoping I got a few good shots and I know my sis got some excellent pictures.

While we were taking pictures Mr. Pickle and my sister's boyfriend were wine tasting. Lucky bums!! We ended the day at Bell (aka one of our favs) and had a few tastes before we continued taking pictures all around the winery. SIDE NOTE: If you are ever in Napa Valley, I highly recommend Bell, the wine is tasty and the staff is wonderful.

After a long day on Saturday we went to sushi for dinner and headed home to play some Scene It Guys vs. Girls. Yeah, the ladies didn't do too hot, but it is better to let the boys win anyways since they are big babies when it comes to losing!

Sunday morning I headed to my Grandpa's house to take him to church. After church we went to lunch and then I dropped him off at home and went home to take a nap. After some Sunday chores, Mr. Pickle and I made dinner and had a relaxing Sunday evening watching America's Funniest Videos, we LOVE that show!!

I am hoping my four day work week goes by fast because I have another fun filled weekend coming up!!!

Friday, April 16, 2010

Family Friday - #1 Mom

Ever since I was little I was a mama's girl. I wanted nothing more than to be with my mom at all times, and why not, she was fun, she was energetic, she was silly/wacky and she always told me how much she loved me, plus she was the one who taught me how to "shop til' you drop"!!

My surprise b-day party at the skating rink. Ahhhh the 80's.


My mom has always been an example for me, someone I strived to be like. On top of being an involved mother, she was a go-getter, a very successful business woman, a great friend, a loving wife and knew how to throw the best parties.
At a sorority event


There were times growing up that I put my mom through hell. We are able to look back now and laugh at those times, but at the time she was truly worried about me and my well being. To top it off, I had an older sister that liked to push the envelope and was always up to something.
Spago in Beverly Hills


My mom has faced a lot of struggles throughout my life. And while some people may have crumbled from the pressure and/or heartache, my mom was strong enough to power through and be the wonderful person she had always been. Now that I have grown up and understand more of what she went through (one being my father being terminally ill for several months before passing away at the same time she was struggling with her own medical problems and recovering from a kidney transplant) I am amazed at how she was able to stay so strong all while raising two children.
Hot air balloon ride in Napa


I truly am blessed with having such a wonderful mother whom I have a great relationship with.
Christmas in Hawaii


Thanks mom for being who you are and putting up with me on a daily basis!!!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Dear God.

Please let one of these be growing in my back yard by the time I get home.
Amen. Me.

Picture found from Google Images

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Wishful Wednesday



'I wish' .... I had never-ending funds to donate to ______ charity!

There are a few charities that I try to donate to. They are...

I adopted my dog, Puka, from the Hawaiian Humane Society when I was on a family vacation. They are not a chapter of a national organization and doesn't receive funding from mainland groups such as ASPCA and HSUS, therefore they rely solely on donations. I try to send some funds their way as often as possible to assist with care and shelter of their animals.

My grandma was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease when I was younger. She lived with the disease for 11 or 12 years before she passed away. Although she managed to stay with it for a long time after being diagnosed, the last few years were really hard on the family. I have such fond memories of my grandma and such respect for my grandpa who took care of her by himself for the majority of the time she was living with disease. It is a horrible disease and wish I had the money to send to them to assist them with finding a cure and help those in need of support. I have been involved with the Memory Walk (put on by the Alzheimer's Association) on Treasure Island a number of times.


I have lost several loved ones to cancer. It is a horrible disease that affects a wide range of people and is very harmful to the body, mind and spirit. I would love to be able to give more money to the American Cancer Society and hope to one day participate in Relay for Life.

Join in on the Wishful Wednesday fun by going to Kelsey's blog

All pics taken from Google Images.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Ten Miiilllliion Dollars

My boss is in the "Final Stages" with Publisher's Clearing House to win $10,000,000 (that is a lot of zeros). She has been going through the necessary steps just to test her luck. I mean, some one has to win, right?!

Anywho, today we were talking about what we would do if we each won $10,000,000. She said she would help out her family (parents, in-laws, etc.) and maybe spoil herself, husband and kids a bit, but wouldn't go too extravagant. Although this sounds responsible, I think I would do the exact opposite!

I would probably quit my job and start the business my friend's and I have always dreamed of (that is a whole other post), go on a few major shopping sprees, travel around the world, buy a house or two on the beach either in California and/or Hawaii, build a dream house for me and Mr. Pickle, pay off any debt, buy a new car, boat and a motorcycle and because I would feel selfish if I didn't share the wealth I would give some to my friends and family and donate some as well. I guess I would put the rest in savings.

Ahhhhh if only dreams did come true.

Would you make extravagant purchases or hold on to your money?


Pic found here

Monday, April 12, 2010

Weekend Review

I had a pretty good weekend despite the weather trying to bring me down!!

Saturday we were supposed to have a baby shower for my sister-in-law, but we found out on Friday that she went to the hospital (thought she had appendicitis) and when she was released her doctor put her on bed rest. She is due in about a month, so resting is definitely a good thing. I just felt bad that we had to cancel the baby shower since she wasn't able to make the trip from LA. We decided that we are going to have a party after she has the baby.

Since that was a slight curve ball, my weekend plans were totally up in the air!!!!

Mr. Pickle and I decided to invite my sister and her boyfriend to go wine tasting on Saturday. We headed up to Napa to try a few new wineries out (Frank Family Vineyards and Rombauer) and visit two of our absolute favorites (Raymond and Bell).


We had a wonderful time, however I must have had a bit much to drink because I came home and crashed at 8:00 and slept through most of the night!!

Sunday morning we all met Mr. Pickle's dad for breakfast. My sister and I headed to our friend's house in Modesto to meet her new little baby while the boys went to our house to BBQ.

This precious thing is my friend's one week old baby girl. I was so happy I got to meet her, she is adorable. We were there for about three hours and she didn't make a peep the whole time we were there. It was of course great to catch up with her mommy and daddy too!!

When we got home the boys just about had dinner ready. It was delicious!!! I'm so happy our guys get along and have so much in common. Plus it is nice that they both like to cook since my sister and I aren't great chefs but like yummy food :)

Mr. Pickle bought me flowers on Friday and by Sunday the were blooming and looking beautiful!

How was your weekend?

Friday, April 9, 2010

Dawg Gone

My boss is out of town, which means my puppy gets to come to work with me. I love my dog so much that I actually enjoy coming to work when he gets to come too. He keeps me smiling and allows makes me in a much better mood. Here are some pics of my pup.
Enjoying the beach

Santa Puka

Hard at work

What a face

Another day at the office
Puka LOVES going on car rides
Puppy Dog Eyes
Checking out the crazies outside the office

Yes, he is one spoiled dog!

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Wishful Wednesday


I wish' .... I had the willpower to stay on one particular diet, and it would be ______!

At this point, I am going to say any diet that will help me shed some lbs.

I have tried a few diets in the past, but truly believe in the lessons you learn while on Weight Watchers. Too bad I have strayed from all those lessons.

This subject really hits close to home because I need to get a handle on my weight gain before it truly effects my health, but I totally have a mental block right now.

I can do this!!

Join in on the Wishful Wednesday fun by going to Kelsey's blog

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Weekend Review

This weekend was very busy but very fun!!

Friday we went to Tonic in San Francisco for a fundraiser our friends were having for the Liver Foundation. I know, I know it is a little ironic to have a fundraiser for the Liver Foundation at a bar, but the boys were able to raise over $1,000. They bar tended for a few hours and all the tips went to the Liver Foundation. Way to go boys....and way to go us for drinking for a good cause!


Rachel even sported a festive T-shirt.





Some of the ladies.



While the boys were off at the rib cook-off on Saturday, my sister and I kept ourselves busy with baby shower errands. We are having a baby shower next weekend for Mr. Pickle's sister and had LOTS to do!

The boys ended up placing 7th for taste and 19th overall. Not bad for their first competition, not to mention they were up against mostly professionals.

Saturday night was back to San Francisco for our friends birthday celebration. We had dinner at Bocce Cafe and then headed to Fiddler's Green for some drinking, dancing and a fun girls vs. boys competition. The birthday girl compiled a list of activities for the girls and the guys to do. Each activity gained points and I am pretty sure the girls dominated!!

The Birthday Gal

The Dinner Group

Some ladies on the dance floor


The boys trying to come up with a plan to earn more points than the girls



Fun times



Sunday morning I picked up my grandpa and we headed to Fairfield for the family's Easter celebration. We had a wonderful time hanging out with family, eating/drinking and hiding eggs for the kids. (Mr. Pickle was spending time with his grandma in the hospital, we missed having him around, but was glad he was able to spend time with his grandma.)

Even grandpa got an egg!


The adorable Jackson looking for eggs
Me, my mom and my sister (with her new hair do)

Overall a great weekend, but I went to bed early on Sunday night since I managed to get very little sleep.