Food of the Gods

Apparently it's a movie that was released in 1976. But that's not where I'm taking it.

This is where I'm taking it...I love popcorn...I really do. I get it from my Pop. He'd make popcorn every Sunday night in the pot that had the copper bottom. For some reason, the popcorn always tasted better the next day. More time for the salt to penetrate the kernels? I don't know but whatever scientific reaction was taking place, it was good.

Give me kettle corn, popcorn balls, salted, buttered, cheese (like those tins...Pop used to get those as gifts) caramel, whatever! As long as it's popped corn.

Déjà vu of some sorts

During the summer of 2005, I had taken an aerobics class at the local community college for some P.E. credits. To avoid paying a parking fee to the school, I parked at the Institute building across the street.

One of the things we did in the class was walk for about 15 minutes around the pool. Our teacher wouldn't lock the classroom while we walked so I was hesitant about leaving my purse in an unattended class. Therefore, I decided to leave my purse in the trunk of my car while I was in class.

This one day in particular, I parked my car, got out and headed towards the trunk. I noticed a suspicious man walking past the parking lot, looking at me. For one moment, I thought, "Don't leave your purse in your trunk" but I didn't like the alternative (of leaving it in the classroom) so I brushed my worries away and continued with my original plan. I locked the doors and went on my way to class.

After class, I walked back to my car and could see that the passenger side window was broken. I got that "yuck" feeling and poked my head inside to see that the backseat was unlocked and folded over, so the trunk was exposed. This [not so nice word] that passed me earlier had broken into my car and stolen my purse. Completely my fault for not listening to my gut but I was still angry at him.

I immediately started crying and without my purse that had my cellphone in it, I had to go into the Institute (still crying) and ask to use their phone. I called my mom and she said she'd be right there. In the meantime, I made some calls to put a "hold" on everything so this [not so nice word] wouldn't get any satisfaction of stealing my belongings except for the $5 that I had in my wallet.

My mom arrived, she followed me home (as the remnants of my window broke loose of the frame and were whisked away with the wind on the freeway) and I spent the rest of the afternoon worrying. This [not so nice word] had my house key, drivers license, address etc. and I had no clue what he was capable of.

My family had just sat down for dinner when there was a knock at the door. It was my friend, Robert, and he said some woman called him and said she had my wallet. I couldn't figure out how in the heck she got his number but then remembered that I had his number on a tiny piece of paper in the coin section of my wallet. I thanked him profusely, called the woman and scheduled a meeting to get my things.

Long story short, I got all of the items in my wallet back but not my cute purse. She said she saw the pictures of sweet little Claire and assumed I was a mother and I needed my things back. She apparently had found the items in a trash can in Oakland.

Fast forward to Tuesday, May 5th. I had a dream that night that our home had been robbed. Everything of value was taken and I remembered the violated feeling I felt the day my purse was stolen. The thought of someone else having my things is not the best feeling. I told LaVor about my dream (as proof that I'm psychic and if my dreams ever come true, I have someone else to confirm my powers) and he laughed it off.

I found something out last night that would confirm my psychic abilities. I'll go into details when some time has passed but that feeling has reared its ugly head...again.

Now introducing...

Niece #1 of 4, possibly 5.



Baby L.

She was born just over a month ago and was blessed this past Sunday.

Another Reason To Walk

I've mentioned a blog in previous posts (this being one of them) and I'm blogging about it again.

Her latest entry was about another person diagnosed with breast cancer. Only this time, it's a 10 year old girl. Her family is faced with a huge dilemma; do they take her to a facility that is great at treating women with breast cancer but have no experience treating children or do they take her to an amazing pediatric facility that doesn't have the resources in treating breast cancer?

This year, I'll have 4, possibly 5, nieces born in addition to the 5 I already have. I have 2 sisters, 5 sister-in-laws, 1 mother, 1 mother-in-law, 2 grandmothers, 2 grandma-in-laws, 3 aunts and 2 female cousins.

The thought has always been in the back of my mind that this disease could attack one of my adult relatives but never one of my sweet nieces.

For this reason, I am walking 39 miles in 2 days so nobody, young or old, will have to go through what Hannah, the little 10 year old, and her family have to go through.

On this day, 94 years ago

My Opa's birthday was on Friday so after the 12 mile training walk in San Francisco, my mom and I drove down to visit his grave. I hadn't been in years and all I could remember was that a hill was involved. Sure enough, there was a hill and the site ended up being down the street from the cake supply shop I frequently visit.

We didn't take any flowers but my mom just so happened to have an American flag in her car. It's been in her car for quite some time and she couldn't think of a more deserving place to put it.

As I was taking the picture, I couldn't get rid of that pesky light from above. But as I was editing it, I decided the picture wouldn't be the same without the light.

My mom was certain that Opa had watched over us in heaven up until the day we came to the earth. I look forward to the day when he doesn't have to watch anymore...he can experience.

Let The Games Begin!

A's hat...Check

A's shoes...
Check

A's jacket...Check

Ellis shirt...

Check

We went to our first A's game of the season on Friday night. LaVor got tickets for his birthday and despite the A's not playing well, we enjoyed ourselves.

At one point, I thought Eric Chavez had winked and waved at me but little did I know his wife was the one he was directing the actions to. How did we know it was her? The ring.

I passed Jack Cust in the hallway and even though I wasn't supposed to talk to him, our eyes did meet.

We ended the night with a bang...the fireworks show.

Invitation Etiquette

I try to be a positive person and see the good in all things. My brother-in-law once said that I'm not a complainer. He obviously has never lived with me but I appreciated that, Keith. But really, I try not to complain too much. So please excuse me for the next minute or two.

I would say about 99.9% of the time I receive an invitation to a wedding, it's noted on the invitation where the bride & groom are registered. This is a big NO NO! And I cringe each time I see it.

According to theknot.com, "No gift information should be included with your wedding invitations. Tell your wedding party, parents, and close friends where you are registered, and let them fill guests in. Guests know that they are supposed to ask your mom, your maid of honor, or even you where you're registered. Putting it in the invite is still considered bad form because it suggests that the gift is more important than the potential guest."

Weddingapproved.com went on to say, "No matter what people tell you…. It is extremely poor taste to insert a “helpful” list of places where the couple is registered."

I agree! Nowadays, you can pretty much guess that someone is registered at Target (don't do it...their return policy without a gift receipt SUCKS), Macy's, Bed Bath & Beyond, Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, etc. There really is no need to publish it on the invitation. Unless you're going for the "tacky" look.

Peggy Post from Good Housekeeping, did make a good point. She stated, "For shower invitations, however, it's okay to include wedding gift registry information -- a list of stores, mail-order catalogs, or Internet addresses -- on the invitation if the hostess prefers."

It makes me wonder if nobody else thinks of this except me (and my mom and sisters), Martha Stewart, Peggy Post and every wedding website out there.

My moment of complaining is over and I feel better. I hope that I've been able to educate some people out there on invitation etiquette and will be seeing registry-free invitations in the future.

Until next time.