#28 - PINK EYE

If you never had pink eye, I hope you never get it. I woke up with it on Christmas morning, eye crusted shut. Went to the walk-in clinic the next day and got drops but my eye continues to itch like crazy, run and is swollen; there's also a good amount of sinus pressure on my left side. The super unflatering picture below was taken just after I removed an ice cube wrapped in a paper towel from my eye - it is the only way I can keep myself from scratching it. (Sidenote: I just had to get up and grab a tissue because my eye won't stop running.) I hate being a work w/o eye make-up; a co-worker just stopped by my office to tell me I look baked. Nice. Also, I know I am overdue for some eyebrow shaping but the last time I went they got SO thin and right now I don't think anyone should get near my eye. Without medical treatment, the internet says it'll run it's course in 7-10 days. I'm at day 5 with treatment...waiting...keep washing your hands, use hand sanitzer and hope you never get this.

#27 - Merry Christmas!

Christmas greetings and good wishes from Lola and Tobey!

#26 - Christmas Pig Out

Here are the tables in just one of our office's kitchens - they are COVERED in goodies! Some of them homemade, some not. Check out the massive gold box of See's candy on the far table - it has four 1 lb. boxes of chocolates in it. The items covering the tables change many times over the course of a day. It's no wonder I feel like a blimp (or that I've swalled one), I can't walk by the tables without grabbing a little something to snack on. I could completely avoid the kitchen but curiosity of what might have landed on the table since the last time I passed by keeps me reeled in.

#25 - Two dogs are better than 1.

Here the dogs are on their bench in the living room enjoying raw hide bones. Sometimes Tobey likes to drop his bone right in front on Lola then chase her around to get it back.

Below is a pic of both dogs in one bed. They are both snugglers (sorry for the tight cropping but it's right next to the toilet - the dogs are currently staying in the bathroom when I'm at work, at least until the kitchen gets done)!

#24 - Lui turns 35!

Went out on Saturday for Lui's b-day (which was really yesterday)! Here are friends, Marissa & Tony.

Hit Joe's Crab Shack for drinks and appetizers, followed by Shamrock for more drinks then Garlic Jo's for dinner - SO good! Here are Autumn & Kevin, Lui's long-time pals.

After dinner we tried out 333 which was too crowded so we opted for The Harp where we danced for hours and the live band sang Happy Birthday to Lui - so much fun!!

#23 - Lola, L-o-l-a, Lola, Lalalala, Lola

Can you guess what her name is? :) Just picked her up last night and things are going well. Found her at the Animal Shelter in Orange on Saturday. She's about 6 y/o which I think will be a good match for Tobey who is 5 y/o. She already knows "sit" and is a snuggler - fell deep asleep wrapped in a nice, warm, fleece blanket. Can't wait to spend the long holiday weekend getting to know her better!

#22 - Loews Hotel, Santa Monica

The plan for last weekend was to take a trip up the coast and end up somewhere near Santa Barbara. We only made it half way there - Santa Monica! Neither of us had been to the Santa Monica Pier so that was fun to experience together. We rode the carousel (got a 2 for 1 coupon - just $5!) and had dinner at Bubba Gump's on the pier. The weather was perfect and the accomodations were spectacular! I think it needs to be a new tradition to take a (small) trip away from all the craziness just before the holidays start. Cleared my mind, refreshed my outlook.

#21 - Mission Inn 5K Run

Was my second year on our company's corporate team - and the second year I walked it (maybe some time I'll take up running, maybe). I actually didn't sign up to participate this year (mostly because I cherish sleeping in on the weekends when I can) but a couple of people dropped out so Lui and took their spots with the promise of bloody mary's, screwdrivers or mimosas when it was over. My co-worker, Jen, is on the far left. Must have been from lack of corporate participation but this morning when I got to work I had a 2nd place metal on my desk from this event!

#20 - THEY'RE HERE!

I thought/hoped these lines were only temporary, a short-term side effect from sleeping the wrong way like the stripe I recently had over my eye and down my face the other day from a hard night's sleep face down on my pillow making me look like a KISS band member wannabe (see blog #5 for first mention of neck lines after 30). Well, I was wrong - looks like they are here to stay. No matter what time of the day I see my neck in the mirror, there they are. The picture taken below documeting gravity's effect on my body was taken with my head looking straight, no up or down tilt - it's real, it's raw, it's WRINKLES!! Wonder what other "joys" my 30's have in store for me...

#19 - Mighty Ducks

Not the best pic (especially since I'm getting rabbit ears!) but I had to post a pic from our seats at the Ducks vs. Stars hockey game. We were just to the right of the Duck's box, pucks and people would smash against the glass right in front of us - exciting! Ducks lost...boo.

On another sad note, we had tickets to go to the Raiders vs. Chargers football game yesterday but there was NO parking. We drove around for at least a half hour and finally found a lot but it closed just a couple cars ahead of us - if we were just 5 minutes earlier, we could have made it. So Lui decided we should go to Old Town San Diego - we did and had a great time. Lemonade from lemons - nice!

#18 - Elk at Estes State Park

This shot is from a little further distance than the one below. We had our binoculars on and listened to the male bugle - pretty amazing! There is one bull per harem - approx. 12 females.

This is Lui & me up close and personal with the elk (closer than Lui would have liked!). The male wasn't too far away but he kept his distance while keeping an eye on his ladies.

#17 - Butterfly Pavillion

One of the sightseeing activities we did just outside of Denver was a visit to the Butterfly Pavilion. We were able to walk around in a room where the butterflies lived, it was warm and humid.
The Butterfly Pavilion imports pupa from all over the world. They attach them to a cork board behind glass so we got to see butterflies emerging.

Twice daily they do a butterfly release. Above is a cage of the butterflies that had hatched since the day before. Once a worker opened the cage, some flew out but others stayed in; in one case, a newly hatched butterfly's wings were still too wet to fly so the worker picked it up and placed it high in the tree where it's wings could dry without anyone bothering it.

One of the butterflies that flew out got too close to this little girl - it landed on her mom's forehead!

This was one of my favorite butterflies. I loved the contrast when the black and white butterflies landed on all of the colorful flowers - highly recommend this place!

#16 - Estes Park

I can't let Tobey getting out overshadow the fact that the trip to Denver was INCREDIBLE! More pics to follow...

#15 - Runaway dog!

While on vacation, Lui's sister was kind enough to watch my dog. I've had Tobey for five years; he is as small as he looks weighing in at just over 4 pounds. Tuesday, Tobey decided to escape Antonette's backyard only to end up a couple of houses down (thank goodness!). My mom got the call from a lady who found Tobey wandering in her front yard. It was a scary few hours for me (didn't have my phone on me so I didn't know my mom had already come to his rescue) though Tobey was only missing for a short time!

# 14 - 3 More Days...

...to desolate, serene wilderness! Heading to Denver on Saturday morning to spend some time with my Aunt Barb on her property in the mountains. I have already told everyone I work with that I won't be available by cell phone (even if I do have service, I'm turning it off - shhh!).

#13 - Tired

After college, when I had started my first full-time job (Lease Administrator at Pacifica Capital), I remember the alarm going off one morning, feeling mentally exhausted and thinking to myself, "I don't think I've missed class all semester, I'll just sleep in today." Then reality hit that I was not in college anymore! I could have called in sick but I sucked it up and went to work hitting the coffee bar as often as I could. Feeling tired like that again today - late HOA meeting last night involving an annonymous letter sent out by a homeowner to everyone in my community (no one stood up to claim writing the letter during our meeting). It's a work in progress but we're trying to keep Villa Vallerto property value up and a keep it a safe community to live in. I joined the board last year as secretary because I wanted to make sure I knew where my $245/mo. was going - now that I know, I don't always approve of everything but at least my vote counts.

#12 - D.R. Horton Home Giveaway: Part 2

Here we are standing on the field before the game (my boss, Tom, next to me and two guys from our ad agency). It was fun to be down there during a game. We got to stay to watch our VP Operations throw out the first pitch. Perfect weather that night, too! Couldn't have asked for a better end to this campaign.

#11 - D.R. Horton Home Giveaway

Sorry to blog about work but last night was SO exciting! Our 6 month campaign ended with someone winning a house and we gave it away live on-field. I left my camera at home (looking at the pictures again when I got home after the game last night) but tomorrow I'll upload some pics from the event. SO exciting!!

#10 - Corona Breast Cancer Walk '09

This year I walked in honor of my Aunt Barb who just celebrated her 10th year CANCER FREE! It was her birthday on Saturday which was the same day as the walk making it extra special. Telling people I know that I was doing the walk was an opportunity for them to share their story with me - turns out many people I know have been affected by breast cancer.

#9 - Brake Lights

There's nothing worse than when you just want to get home after a long day at work and you're greeted with brake lights on the freeway as far as the eye can see. Last night it took me 40 minutes to get home; it usually takes me 25. Sitting in traffic is rare for me since I chose to live the opposite direction of traffic (I drive east to get to work, traffic is backed up heading west in the mornings). I'm not really complaining because I don't have it too bad but for anyone out of state that doesn't face these issue, this is a little sneak peak at California freeways. (Taken on the 55S before Tustin Ave. yesterday around 5:30PM.)

#8 - Oktoberfest

Jeannie, our mom and I enjoyed Sunday champagne brunch at the Phoenix club in Anaheim followed by the kick-off of Oktoberfest '09. There was a short parade and ceremony. Lots of polka and chicken dancing followed. The weather was really nice - warm but breezy. Fun afternoon!

#7 - WEEZER

Last night I went to the Weezer & Blink 182 concert (featuring Taking Back Sunday & Asher Roth) at Irvine Meadows Amphitheater. I have been a fan of Weezer for over 10 years but had never seen them in concert and they were WONDERFUL! They were so entertaining and I sang along to all of their songs (usually reserved for my alone time in the car). Blink 182 was the main headliner but we only stayed for a handful of songs; didn't know most of their new stuff plus they were dropping F-Bombs left and right between songs which may have appealed to the 13-18 y/o crowd but I was over it.

#6 - Sushi Night

On Friday night, Lui & I went to sushi with his cousin (Sasha) and friends. It was a teppan and sushi restaurant just down the street in Tustin that we had never been to but was really good (LOVE when that happens!). I'm not a big fan of sushi but always get edamame and a veggie roll. Everyone else was much more adventurous than me; I like seeing the unique rolls they come up with.

#5 - Turning 30!

So...I'm not turning 30, I've actually been 30 for almost 2 months now and so far so good. Minimal wrinkling noticed in the neck area most recently right after I wake up but I'm doing my best to keep those at bay. Let's focus on the celebration! About 30 of us enjoyed champaign brunch and a 2 hour harbor cruise around Newport.

My mom with Heather and Glenn's baby, Hudson. He did so well and smiled so much for us!

Heather, Kaleb and Vieng were staying in Balboa that weekend (perfect timing!) and joined us for the afternoon. Kaleb even got to steer the boat! Thanks for serenading us with the Ukulele!!

Ali, Keira and Andrea drove up from San Diego to celebrate with me! Ali even had a hockey tournament that night, what good friends I have!!

Above are cookies that Andrea and Jeannie made for my b-day celebration (check their budding line out on www.SugarDaddysOnline.com)!

When did my niece, Andrea (23), and nephew, Ray (21) get so big you ask? I'm not really sure but it make me feel OLD. I'm one of those old ladies telling their friends, "I use to change their diapers."

#4 - Your DC, Your Friend

A co-worker had told me I should see her chiropractor, Dr. Arnsdorf. A lot of people I work with see her and I finally took the plunge about 6 weeks ago and am not looking back! I hear mixed reviews on chiropractors but seeing one has been one of the best things I have done for myself. The visit consists of an adjustment preceded or followed up with a half hour massage. With a visit every two weeks (or more often if needed), I have never felt better - desks jobs can take a toll on the back!!

#3 - Go Angels!

I've been to more Angels games this season than I have in my entire life! This is thanks in part to our current campaign at work (http://www.drhortongiveaway.com/) and in part because I have really great vendors who hook me up with tickets (AND dinner last night at the Diamond Club) - thanks, Fusion Sign & Design! Note: Lui did not have this shirt on when I went to his place after work; he had on an Edison t-shirt, his place of work, but changed which helped make the picture I think. ;)

#2 - Meet Suzanne Rogers!

I met Suzanne ten years ago when she lived across the hall from be at the Delta Gamma house. She has been a great spring break travel buddy and always lots of fun! Suzanne currently lives in Virginia with her husband, Darryl, though she promises to move back - I'm holding her to that. :) Suzanne speaks several languages and enjoys traveling the world - Europe, South America, Russia, The Virgin Islands. (That last one was her honeymoon! Married 02/14/09.) She has a BA in Russian and MBA. Watch out for this one, she got her Top Secret Security Clearance while in the Air Force! I've tried to make her crack and dish on our government - don't waste your time, it was like trying to juice a rock. LOL. Great seeing you Suzanne, looking forward to another visit over the holidays!! Note: Photo taken outside of Red Robin where we both enjoyed a Bruschetta Chicken Burger and garlic fries - they have the best fries!

#1 - Confessions of a Reality TV Junkie

I am an admitted reality TV junkie. For me, it all started with The Real World (ca. 1992). I was an addict. I could be found glued to the TV watching re-run after re-run with the same enthusiasm as if I had not just watched them the last five times they ran. In my mind, I related to the diverse casts season after season from my scratchy, tan/orange/brown plaid couch (reminiscent of the wallpaper of this blog - sans the polka dots...) in Bismarck, North Dakota as if I had ever lived outside what surrounded me - hay bales, silos and WIDE OPEN prairies. It is with the same enthusiasm that I follow others' blogs. I have decided to ante up and become an active participant since I just can't seem to get enough. Welcome to my blog!