Yellow Winter

Picture post....I just love the vivid YELLOW of this tree on our cul-de-sac in the winter:

Mejia Mamma - now on FB!

Hey Blog World...I finally got around to making an actual Facebook page for my blog... 4 years later! hahaha

Anyway - would love for a 'like' or two from any of you loyal readers...and it's fun to put faces to names in my comments, etc. Check it out here:

http://www.facebook.com/mejiamammablog

Love this little voice

Happy Friday!! So glad the weekend is just about here...though it feels as if it's already started since I'm enjoying my hot cup of DD Vanilla coffee from my cozy couch, while I snuggle under the blankets with my little bug right by my side. Literally the first thing she said to me when she woke up was "mamma, can I snuggle wif you??" Gahhh, melt my heart.

I'm working from home today...have my work & personal laptop open, while K sits next to me with my phone, on her flashcard app (in the insect section - ew) with Tarzan 2 on in the background.

Anyway - on Monday (the worst day of all weekdays) - I received the cutest voicemail from Kapri... I swear I could've teared up over her adorable little voice and sweet words. I didn't delete it all week, until yesterday I realized that I wanted to save it forever, so I could remember this voice and a small piece of this fun age!

So I sent it to my personal email and converted it into a video using Windows Live Movie Maker. I worked on it last night for maybe 30 minutes and came up with this - it's only 20 seconds of cuteness, but really, that's all you need!

"hi mommy...I miss you...I love you...I talk to you later...byeee"

Man I love this girl...and this age - she's so vocal and especially lovey lately, which obviously I adore and cannot get enough of!

400...Really?!!

whoa...I just looked at my blog post list and realized that my last entry marked my 400th post...WOW - that's a LOT of writing I've done in 3.5yrs!! So I celebrate with some random pics from my cell phone, in no particular order...

bubble time with dadda in the driveway -- kid. loves. BUBBLES!!

Mission Bay night run - gorg sunset! I freakin love San Diego!!!

loves to pick & blow on Dandelions during our walks - it's our little ritual

 

play time with her cousins in our living room - making a wonderful mess

park time...getting so big, hardly needs my help anymore! awww

sending daddy a pic to say 'hi' while he was at work

 

loving her new $1.99 princess mug...with warm cinnamon apple tea...mmm

2/24/12 - wrote on the wall to mark the day we had a 'reunion' lunch at Woodstocks in PB - me, KG & CM!

Hullabaloo Concert @ Babies By the Sea in Cardiff - Kapri & Pierce had so much fun together!

lounging in the grass, watching clouds -- mamma, Kapri & auntie sisi

Is this a really early April Fools Day joke?!

Last night as I curled up tight in bed, after tending to a sick Kapri a handful of times between 7pm - 11pm, and feeling the sickness coming on myself....I quickly scanned through my Google Reader - only to find myself with my jaw hitting the floor. It was announced that my FAVVVV photo editing site, Picnik.com, will be CLOSING as of April 19th.

Devastated.

I literally almost cried. I first wrote about Picnik when I discovered it almost 3 years ago, back in July 2009. Ever since then, I've been an avid, loyal user - accessing their spectacular photo editing tools numerous times per week... mainly for my blog images/collages. The wide range of functionality they offer (from both the free and premium/subscription services) is really amazing and there is nothing else like it out on the Internet. It's even integrated with my Picasa, so I can edit from there, without having to upload an image to the Picnik site. Hummm...maybe Picasa will think about adding more editing features to their software??!

I really don't understand the reason for their decision to close down...I know Google bought them in early 2010 - and I really didn't think anything of it. But now people all over blogland are seriously freaking...including myself. I can only hope that the realize between now & April that they're making a HUGE mistake and reverse their decision...please please PLEASEEEE keep this site Google people!!

If you haven't heard of this site before, or have only used their free services - I suggest you get over there now & EDIT your heart away until April....as they are now allowing everyone to have full access to all the premium editing tools!!!

Modern Day Resume

I'm a sucker for the latest & greatest technology or ideas - Especially when they make me wish I'd thought of it first!!

I've highlighted a few fav apps/sites of mine in the past (here, here, here, here & here) - but these sites are truly one of a kind. If you haven't heard of it already, let me introduce you to the...

INFOGRAPHIC Resume:

so much more appealing to read than a standard, black & white, plain text resume

Check out this article highlighting 2 popular websites for creating your very own inforesume!

I. am. obsessed.

This is seriously the coolest thing ever! I've seen them here & there for a few months now, but am starting to hear more about them...so...I took it for a test drive.

I tried out both vizualize.me and re.vu - however I personally, like the functionality & customization of re.vu much more. It's free, fun and really easy to use!

I was able to import my own background, adjust where each item was on the page, and link it to my LinkedIn account (they should give the ability to edit the fonts - but don't - yet.). I absolutely LOVE this new way of compiling your worth into a visually stimulating layout - "out with the old, in with the new...stand out in the crowd with re.vu!!" That's my new punchline! haha

What's even COOLER...is the QR Code they generate for you to save to your computer!! You can add it to your old school resume (like I did)...

...Or anywhere on the web...like your blog, website, etc. Like so:

Then any 'future' employer who sees it can simply open their smartphone scanning app (I use QR Reader on my iPhone), scan the code, then automatically be taken to your site, containing your full infographic-resume!

Doesn't it just blow your mind?!!

Try it out for yourself!!

Up, up & away! Our "Paci Send Off"

The time has come - after K's dentist appointment the other day, we FINALLY did the 'paci send off' that we've been talking about since August. YAYYY!!! I'm so over that thing. Though she's only been using it during naps & overnight (but not at preschool)...I'm just done.

After I got home from work, we all went to Party City, where I let K pick out her special balloons....blue, pink & yellow - along with a pretty Princess one of course!

We came home, dug out her 2 remaining pacifiers, then she helped me tie them to the balloon strings. She was so excited to "send her pacis to a baby who needed them"...so the whole process was actually FUN for her - which is exactly how I'd hoped & pictured in my head:

We went outside just as it was getting dark...walked into the grass & made sure no trees were super close...{man that would suck!!}

I let her have the whole bunch of balloons, counted to 3 (very slowly), and she let them go. Paci's in the wind. She waived, said bye...and watched.

Then the 'watching', seemed to turn more into 'waiting'....perhaps waiting for the balloons (& pacis), to make a U-turn and come back to her. She had a little moment by herself, staring up into the sky - long after they were out of sight.

I knew right then it'd probably be a rough night after bedtime...

We quickly distracted her by going over to our neighbor's house for a bit to play with her friend Laylie...then came home to make yummy pizza! Our fav is the garlic dough from Trader Joes...topped with pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperonis, avocado, artichokes and sprinkled with pesto on top (& feta or olives if we have em, but I forgot it this time, boo!). K loves to help in the kitch!

And boy was I right...last night was a rough one. She woke up crying, well, more like 'whimpering' about a handful of times...when normally we don't hear a peep outta her (unless she has to potty) until morning. We each took turns comforting her & being overly patient...praising her for being such a big girl.

One time while walking by her room, I heard her quickly whispering "paciiii...paccciiiii....where are youuuuu?" - it was the cutest/saddest thing ever!

But she survived & so did we. Hopefully in a few days, the "paci" will just be a distant memory for her! It's crazy how attached children can become to things like a paci, or blankie or stuffed animal. These things provide a comfort that is simply incomparable. Whenever K was sick, her paci was so soothing for her. No matter how many hugs or kisses or snuggles we gave her, the paci helped in other ways. So I don't regret her having it - but it served it's purpose and now it's time to let go (eek, hopefully she doesn't ask for it next time she gets sick!!)

YAY we did it {insert Dora/Boots ending song & dance here}|!!

*Hopeful* 2012 GOALS

After having a full ELEVEN days free from a cubicle and commute to work - I had a bit of personal reflection time. Although I did fill up the days with tons of activities and felt very accomplished in the end...{crafting, seeing friends, playdates, baking, errands, cleaning out K's too-small clothes, working on CfC orders and the holiday adventures in general}...I also realized that I want to make & get the most out of the new year.

Though I hate to call them 'resolutions' - because in my mind the word is so strict. Each January, the word is tossed around so casually and typically forgotten much too quickly. Rather I'd like to think of them goals:

This year I've had more of a desire to actually sit down & write a list. And it feels really good to have this list planted firmly in my brain! My biggest goal of the year is to train for & complete a half marathon...my first ever! I can't stop thinking/talking about it...so, I just have to do it. I think it's because I'll be 30 in just 11 months, and would love to accomplish this before I say goodbye to my beloved 20's!

Wish me luck!! I think I may print this out & keep it on my bathroom mirror...I need constant reminders like this.

Just need some rain

Pre-household sickness, we had some light sprinkle showers the other week and had to venture out to run a few errands - giving K the perfect opportunity to try out her new ladybug rain coat from Grammy Mary and the new rain boots I found online to match ($6...what a deal!)...and her new princess umbrella that was just her size, so I couldn't resist buying that at the store the other day.

This ladybug theme is so fitting since I call her "bug" all the time!


Sadly the rain didn't last long, so she didn't get to experience the full effect...but at least we got a few cute pics. Maybe winter will bring a few more rainy days to San Diego so we can go splash in some puddles together - now I just need some rain boots! Hummm...should've dropped hints about that to the hubs for a Christmas gift, dang!! haha


Anyway - love this kid and her excitement for the small things:

What your to-do list is probably missing...

I just watched the TODAY show interview with Giuliana Rancic, announcing she's been diagnosed with breast cancer. W. T. F.?! So freakin sad. I hate hearing news like this - whether it's from someone I know personally or otherwise.

What devastating news to hear when you're giving your all over many years, into trying to conceive a child. I just love G - her show gives us a glimpse into her life - her marriage is so cute, her job is AWEsome, her personality cracks me up and her style is "amazeballs" (as she would say!).

Something she said during that interview really struck me...it was so simple, but incredibly powerful...I decided to make a little printout via Picnik to put up in my cube... perhaps even in my bathroom so I can see it everyday....just as a little reminder. Download a copy here!

Color palette inspired by Giuliana's website - love!

This not only applies to getting tested for breast cancer and other cancers....but it's also a good motto to live by - from the food we eat, how often we exercise, how often we rest our bodies, etc. As she said in that interview - we as women, take on SOOOO much, we're just so busy nowadays. Putting ourselves on the to-do list shouldn't be a distant thought - it should be priority #ONE! If we're not well ourselves, how can we take care of other things, other people, other 'priorities'??

Who turned off the lights??

Good thing I'm not scared of the dark!

We experienced a little blackout the other day...and when I say little, I mean GINORMOUS! We're talkin power lost for about 5 MILLION people, throughout parts of Arizona, Southern California and parts of Baja Cali (Mexico). That is a LOT of people just sitting around, doin a whole lot of nothing. This went on for quite some time too... from around 3:30pm on Wednesday (9/7) afternoon, til 1:30am on Thurs (9/8) early morning.

Craziness. This is now known as the "Great San Diego Black-Out of 2011" - hilarious.

Normal SD scene vs. Blackout SD scene

And of course it had to be on a pretty hot day. Lovely. I had just picked up Kapri from preschool...she was drenched in sweat, miserable, crying & just wanted mamma. I got back to the car to find 2 texts, that I couldn't reply to...as they wouldn't go through. I tried to dial out, numerous times over the 5 minute drive home...nada.

I finally got home, yep, it's confirmed...garage door won't open "power is definitely out", I thought to myself. This ought to be fun. (yeah right). How the heck do you explain to a 2 yr old that we can't watch Curious George or Toy Story because the 'power is out'?? haha...then once James fought insane traffic & finally got home, we ended up having my sisters over for the evening and sat around staring at each other, chatting & having a cold 'adult' beverage or 2, while K enjoyed playing with us by candlelight...until our phones started to die. So around 8pm, when James got K ready for bed, my sisters & I decided to jump in the car for a bit so we could all charge our phones. We drove around in COMPLETE darkness for 45 minutes, just amazed at how dead the city was. No street lights, no parking lot or business lights - it was very surreal. Much darker than that pic above even, since we're in North County SD. We did end up going to an open liquor store, who helped us shop by flashlight...and took our cash for another small case of cold drinks ;-)

There was a common theme all over Facebook (our only means of communication & info updates since phone lines were totally blocked) - people drinking with their friends, getting to know the neighbors & bbq'ing what they could from their slowly defrosting fridges. Pretty sure that's what 75% of people in the entire black out zone were doing, all at the same time.

On our way to bed around 11pm, we noticed (on FB!) that more & more people were starting to get their power back. We decided to leave a light on & plug in our phones to the chargers/dock, so that we'd know when (if) the power turned back on - luckily it did. It was quite an experience. Having never been in that situation before...it definitely makes you appreciate energy in a whole new way, when you realize how much really depends on it.

I LOVE LIGHTS!!! hahaha

Dear Cancer,

A good friend of mine & fellow blogger sent me this link yesterday to write a letter...'TO cancer'. So I did it...and so should YOU! You can write a sentence...you can write a paragraph...just write SOMEthing!

Here's my letter that I proudly submitted today:

"Dear Cancer,

Although you strike with unwitting power, forcefully trying to ruin the lives of countless, undeserving people – you have some tough competition. Those whose bodies & organs you aggressively tackle are touch souls. They are true champions, brave warriors… fierce GLADIATORS!! And they. will. WIN! You’ll see. Maybe not at every battle, but each time you show your ugly face, we as a united people, become more motivated & increasingly determined to beat you’re a$$. The hatred, sadness, heartache, and chaos that follows in your dark, cruel path, may seem like a detriment to our spirit…but trust me, it only makes us stronger."

This came to me at an appropriate time, as someone we've both known for a few years now (through my job), has just been diagnosed with a shocking cancer. He's a young, healthy, and extremely driven guy - one admired by many throughout our company. Of course hearing disheartening news like this, always puts LIFE into perspective...and makes me appreciate what I have in this very moment. It also reminds me that you never know what can happen to you or a loved one today, tomorrow or next month - so we really have to LIVE each day to the fullest... and not get caught up in unnecessary, insignificant, little things that fog up your vision. Surrounding yourself with as much positivity as possible. Focusing your energy on the negative, will only drain your body & soul that much faster...leaving little (to no) room to stay centered & focus on the good in your life.

Source: iamblessed.tumblr.com via Calista on Pinterest

In fact, yesterday after speaking with another dear friend (and amazing writer who SHOULD be blogging!) - an immense amount of weight & worry was pulled off her shoulders, by just telling the later part of the above paragraph. Saying it out loud even helped me regain focus onto what is really important (quote from Oprah): "Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough." RIGHT?!!

Additionally - I stumbled upon this article on "Ten Things to be Thankful For" -  that really helped my perspective...do read!

TaDAA...another new FAV!

Cannot. Get. Enough. Am loving this new iPhone app that my youngest sister introduced me to...simple UI, simple photo editing options, simple way to share your cool photos across the world...love love LOVE! I have had Instagram for a bit, but don't like it nearly as much as Tadaa!

It was just released in June 2011, by a small company based in Germany:

"Cool thing about tadaa is that people get immediate feedback on their photos, no matter whether it's a gorgeous arty photograph or just a snapshot of something that matters to them and that only friends & family would care about.

Users can like, dislike, reply with a photo, engage in threaded conversations. Every user gets a browsable photo blog (like the one below) so friends that are not on the service or don't have an iPhone can stay in touch. Photos on tadaa are super high res, which can be really appreciated on a large screen when browsing the site. Differently to other services, Users keep the rights to their own photos on tadaa."


Check out my online album of fun iPhone pics, enhanced with the fabulous Tadaa app!

Before & Afters:

Disney mania

With the upcoming birthdays of both my niece (4) and nephew (2), and receiving their invitation to Disneyland next month...I've been thinking a lot about Disney movies, naturally. We haven't taken Kapri yet, and weren't planning to until just before her 3rd bday (of course before, since she'll be free up until her actual bday, haha!). But now we may reconsider....she'd have a blast with her little cousins!!

Sadly though, Kapri has never had the opportunity to watch any of the TEN famous Disney 'Princess' movies...I loooooved these movies with all my heart growing up (with the exception of 8, 9 & 10 which I have yet to see). She knows Belle, Ariel, Sleeping Beauty & Cinderella...only because Grandpa got her a cute toy set of them, which she loves...so now I'm on a mission to get my hands on em for K to enjoy as well:

1. Snow White
2. Cinderella
3. Aurora (Sleeping Beauty)
4. Ariel (The Little Mermaid)
5. Belle (Beauty and the Beast)
6. Jasmine (Aladdin)
7. Pocahontas
8. Ming-Na (Mulan)
9. Tiana (The Princess and the Frog)
10. Rapunzel (Tangled -- yet to be inducted into the highly exclusive princess line-up! haha)

I swear I used to be able to recite entire movies and their accompanying songs...ie: I wanted to BE Ariel with that insanely unattainable, flowing red hair & gorgeous voice - in 3rd grade I vividly remember (me, having the worst memory ever!) acting out the entire "Part of Your World" scene with my friend in her huge pool/backyard area...like we were the real deal...mermaids in training, HA!! But, then you become a teen, in high school...and boys become your main focus instead of silly cartoons.  ;-)

Out of the 1st 50 Disney movies on THIS list...I've seen maybe 60% of them - so maybe I'm not a crazy Disney fanatic, but I would love for K to have the chance to see a good amount of these as well...the classics especially.

WHY can't there be a Disney Princess Combo Pack or something, maybe like, 2 or 3 of them in each?? I do not need a "2-disc" set of the same damn movie...no special features and bonus thingys...I just want the movie - plain & simple. My mom has a TON of old Disney movies on VHS...but if I convert them I worry the quality would be crap. So...what do I do? Buy 1 movie every few months to work up my collection?? But mannnnn are they expensive!! They can range anywhere from $15 - $30!! That's sad  :'-(  Maybe I'll just invest $10 in a cheapy VHS player instead & ransack my mom's movie cupboard, LOL!!! What do you think mamma?!!

My mamma, monkey & me

Look at me & my mammaaa from way back when. IDK how old I was here...maybe 2 or 3 and looks as if maybe it's from the photo booths at the Del Mar Fair. It's so weird to look at now that I have a 2 year old little girl...who coincidentally has a stuffed monkey animal of her own (well, it's a Curious George one, that she got at the fair this year, same diff)!

Anyway, I saw this sitting out at my mom's house the other day...and totally flipped because seeing that little monkey head brought me back...way back. I remember how much I looooved that little guy. He wore a little blue outfit with a gold medal...maybe because of some Olympics back in 1984ish?? Oh, duh,...how I love you Google & Wikipedia...THIS would make sense then! hahaha

Anyway...that beloved monkey got LOST during a trip to the grocery store and when we went back to find it - he was gone...completely M.I.A. Luckily my mom was smart & already had a backup on hand, but this one was in a red outfit...SO NOT THE SAME to a little girl!! I think that event was so traumatizing, that I actually remember the gist of it. Crazy huh?? It's weird to think that Kapri could potentially remember things later in life, that took place in her life at only 2 years old.

A gentle reminder...

Thank you people of the Pintrest world, for posting all sorts of inspiring loveliness...I *heart* this site. And today is one of those days where I just need to be reminded to keep my head up...here's a few of my favs:

Source: bravegirlsclub.com via Calista on Pinterest

Source: crazygirljournals.com via Calista on Pinterest

Source: blog.workisnotajob.com via Calista on Pinterest

Source: blogginwithbobbi.blogspot.com via Calista on Pinterest

Source: sykkelsiv.blogspot.com via Calista on Pinterest

But this one is the best I've come across so far:

Source: yesandyes.org via Calista on Pinterest

Thank you (to everyone who originally 'pinned' these quotes) for the simple little reminders  ;-)

"Thank You" (from Kapri)

I just found this awesome software that downloads *free* to your computer, via Hallmark. I'm loving it!! I used to use American Greetings for sending ecards or printing custom cards, but that was $30/yr and I really do enjoy the experience of picking out a card better sometimes. I'm a HUGE card person if you don't already know this about me. I'm hoping that my love for cards will carry over to Kapri...and she'll learn to pick out some awesome cards for others (including her dear ol mamma) one day. To me, a card means more than a gift. It means you took the time to get in your car, drive to the store, sift through a gazzillion(-ish) cards to pick just the right one for someone. A card has to 'speak' to me (not literally like those music ones, which are honestly a bit obnoxious) & reallllly relate to the person I'm getting it for.

Anywho...after K's bday party (almost a month ago), I've been meaning to send out thank you cards. I lag. June has been insanely busy, I just don't have the time to dedicate to card writing. I cannot wait til Kapri can do this on her own for each birthday, hahaha! But today, after a nice day spent at the pool, and while K gets some zzzzz, I made the time to sit down & write. Though as soon as I sat, I thought about the process...and just didn't feel like doing it :-/  And for what?? For everyone to read them for 2 seconds, then they quickly make their way to the depths of the smelly kitchen trash can. Seriously, let's just be honest. With K's bday invitations, I was going to make really cute ones online, print them, then buy matching envelopes, buy/print mailing labels, then finally...mail them. But the cost of doing all that really adds up. Which is why I decided on a simple invitation through 'evite' - my fav. Then I thought to myself today...well, if I sent 'e' invitations, why the heck can't I sent 'e' thank-you's???

So here's the end result, with this program called "Smilebox"...SO easy, quick, cute...and of course, FREE!

Customize a thank you

Now you know my ABC's

Since everyone & their mother in the blog-iverse is doing this.... Here are my ABCs...surprised this hasn't made it to FB yet!

A. Age: 28 – dang that sounds old when you type it out.

B. Bed size: Olympic Queen…don’t even ask…we were duped when we bought it years ago, thinking it was a REGULAR queen all this time, wondering why none of our sheets fit correctly…then come to find it’s really an Olympic Queen.  Google it.  Of course it's a pain to find sheets that fit it.

C. Chore you hate: ALL of them. Ugh. I wish I had the money for a full time housecleaner… but doing the dishes & putting away endless loads of clean laundry would be the top 2 I despise the most.

D. Dogs: 1 crazy pup named Mika – she’s a puggle (another thing to Google if you don’t know what that is). She could lick someone all. day. long. If that someone allowed her to. Yuck. That someone is NOT me, haha!

E. Essential start to your day: brush teeth, MASCARA & coffee – all are essential in my book (among other things…but those would be the top 3).

F. Favorite color: Green…..damnit…or black…or white – ugh. ALL THREE, together. BAM.

G. Gold or silver: hummmm…a few years ago I wouldn’t hesitate to blurt out “SILVER, duh!” at my monitor… but gold has really made a bold comeback, in a non-cheesy kind of way. So, I’ll go with…nahhh, I’ll stick with silver, like my purty engagement/wedding rings!  :-P

H. Height: 5’3” – LOVE my height, it allows for big, tall shoesies!

I. Instruments: Does my daughter count?? She’s recently become obsessed with Britney’s newest song “Til the World Ends”….my fault, yes I know. But it really is a catchy, fun song to dance to.  “WOAH OH OH OH OH OH WOAH OH OH OH...” She sings it, no joke.


J. Job title:  Marketing Coordinator (by day)…but I prefer mommy/blogger/crafter/small biz owner/entrepreneur!

K. Kids: 1 lil bug named Kapri…we’re are definitely GOOD with ONE right now…phew.

L. Live: B.E.A.uuuuutiful city of Encinitas, (San Diego), CA. Never leaving. Ever.

M. Mom’s name: Mona

N. Nicknames: Mamma lately…but in middle school one guy called me “Cali”, back when that song “California Love” came out, by 2Pac…

“shake it shake it baby
Shake it shake it mama
Shake it Cali
Shake it shake it baby
Shake it shake it shake it shake it...”

O. Overnight hospital stays: Once after the birth of Kapri…haziest night ever. I think they served me a weird tasting “Uncrustables” PB&J things…ew. And another time just 3 months ago for Kapri…oye vay. Not a fun memory.

P. Pet peeve: Radio static, people who don’t use blinkers, the noise my husband makes when he blows his nose – not even kidding it sounds like a fog horn!!! I still love you honey!!!

Q. Quote from a movie: “awwwwww, you guys made me INKKKK!!”
 
R. Right or left handed: righty – both James & I are…but I think Kapri has been favoring her left… odd.

S. Siblings: 2 younger sisters, Chelsea & KayLee…then 2 sister-in-laws and 1 brother-in-law! All my favs.

T. Time you wake up: eh…on weekdays my alarm is set for 4:45, but I lag, & it’s been more like, 5:30. Whoops. Weekends is allllways 7:30am, on the DOT...Kapri has an internal clock I swear!

U. Underwear: my favs are usually cozy boy shorts…those are for around the house/sleeping though…they’d be weird with black work pants or a tight pencil skirt, haha.

V. Vegetables you dislike: All of them…okay fine, except for corn, carrots, potatoes, cucumbers & artichokes. I can have other things, but they have to be finely minced up & chopped up…and well disguised amongst other foods that I DO like ;-)

W. What makes you run late: Going to bed too late the night before, due to crafting or trying to squeeze in another recorded TV show. OR, having nothing fit me correctly in the morning…making me try on 75829034 different outfits. SO annoying.

X. X-Rays you’ve had: Hum...teeth xrays...like this one. Ah memories. OH, and I had some for my left shoulder when I got rear-ended while I lived in Chico. I was driving to see a friend in SF, when a CalTrans truck hit me...not fun.

Y. Yummy food you make: I have this breakfast casserole recipe that is SOOOOO amazing. Wish I could make it everyday. OR, geez...what am I saying...the yummiest food I make is anything with bananas in it…I can make a mean banana crumb muffin!

Z. Zoo- favorite animal: monkeys – they crack me up!