TGIF!!! Yes, that's the right time of my blog today/tonight...Central Standard time...12:27 a.m.! Early morn and still no sleep. Will dread the rest of the day as it drags....especially at work as I have a 2:00 meeting right after lunch and you know what that means.
So, last weekend my niece went on a conference trip with her college to Abilene and so being the good aunt that I am, I gave her some munchies to take on the road. Some good old fashioned GARP trail mix that I used to make in my camping days. The trail mix consists of peanuts, milk chocolate pieces and raisins. The peanuts were from a spicy thai mix and from the good folks at Planters but I forgot to tell my niece there were some spicy ones in the mix. So earlier tonight, I saw she had the half eaten bag on her bed and I asked her how the munchies were? She chuckles and tells me that the peanuts are bad that's why she didn't eat them all. I started laughing and telling her about the mix to which she replied (as she held a peanut in her hand), "I knew there was something different about you"! Hence my blog tonight! Oh well guess you had to be there.
Ok, I really need to get some sleep! Way past my bedtime and I'm working on Saturday too but thankfully no more Sundays! Good news in that they cut back my hours of which I'll miss the extra money but welcome the extra time!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Blonde with a flat tire
For Friday funnies...
Yesterday I had a flat tire on the interstate. So I ease my car over to the shoulder of the road, carefully, get out of the car and open the trunk. I took out 2 cardboard men, unfolded them and stood them at the rear of my car facing oncoming traffic. They look so life like you wouldn't believe it! They are in trench coats exposing their nude bodies and private parts to the approaching drivers. To my surprise, cars start slowing down looking at my life like men. And of course, traffic starts backing up. Everybody is tooting their horns and waving like crazy. It wasn't long before a state trooper pulls up behind me. He gets out ofhis car and starts walking toward me. I could tell he was not a happy camper! 'What's going on here?''My car has a flat tire', I said calmly. 'Well, what the hell are those obscene cardboard men doing here by the road?' I couldn't believe that he didn't know. So I told him, 'Hellooooo, those are my emergency flashers!'
Yesterday I had a flat tire on the interstate. So I ease my car over to the shoulder of the road, carefully, get out of the car and open the trunk. I took out 2 cardboard men, unfolded them and stood them at the rear of my car facing oncoming traffic. They look so life like you wouldn't believe it! They are in trench coats exposing their nude bodies and private parts to the approaching drivers. To my surprise, cars start slowing down looking at my life like men. And of course, traffic starts backing up. Everybody is tooting their horns and waving like crazy. It wasn't long before a state trooper pulls up behind me. He gets out ofhis car and starts walking toward me. I could tell he was not a happy camper! 'What's going on here?''My car has a flat tire', I said calmly. 'Well, what the hell are those obscene cardboard men doing here by the road?' I couldn't believe that he didn't know. So I told him, 'Hellooooo, those are my emergency flashers!'
Sunday, January 18, 2009
One of those days!
Ever have one of those days?! I had one of these on Friday. I almost lost it. I was feeling frazzled and harried but thank goodness lunch time came around and I took a quick drive to the park and back to work I went to finish out the day. I worked Saturday but am sooo glad to have the holiday off....I was living for MLK day. Today was a low-key gorgeous day but household chores beckoned as well as watching the playoffs. Go CARDS!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Friday, January 09, 2009
A Better Life
Tips for a Better Life – 2009
1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.
4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today.'
5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2008.
7. Make time to practice meditation and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of six.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants. Eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.
14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, or issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime .
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the NEGATIVE BLUES away.
18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
26. Forgive everyone for everything.
27. What other people think of you is none of your business.
28. REMEMBER GOD heals everything.
29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change
30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will.
Stay in touch.
31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
33. The best is yet to come.
34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
35. Do the right thing!
36. Call your family often. (or email them to death)
37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.
38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
A good paying job!
John Smith started the day early having set his
alarm clock (made in Japan) for 6am.
While his coffeepot
(made in China)
was perking, he shaved with his electric razor
(made in Hong Kong).
He put on a dress shirt
(made in Sri Lanka ),
and designer jeans
(made in Singapore )
and tennis shoes
(made in Korea )
After cooking his breakfast in his new electric skillet
(made in India)
he sat down with his calculator
(made in Mexico)
to see how much he could spend today.
alarm clock (made in Japan) for 6am.
While his coffeepot
(made in China)
was perking, he shaved with his electric razor
(made in Hong Kong).
He put on a dress shirt
(made in Sri Lanka ),
and designer jeans
(made in Singapore )
and tennis shoes
(made in Korea )
After cooking his breakfast in his new electric skillet
(made in India)
he sat down with his calculator
(made in Mexico)
to see how much he could spend today.
After setting his watch
(made in Taiwan)
to the radio
(made in Canada )
he got in his car
(made in Germany )
filled it with GAS
(from Saudi Arabia )
and continued his search
for a good paying AMERICAN JOB.
At the end of yet another discouraging
and fruitless day checking his computer
(Made In Malaysia ),
John decided to relax for a while.
He put on his sandals
(made in Brazil )
poured himself a glass of wine
(made in France )
and turned on his TV
(made in Indonesia ),
and then wondered
why he can't find
a good paying job
in AMERICA!!!
(made in Taiwan)
to the radio
(made in Canada )
he got in his car
(made in Germany )
filled it with GAS
(from Saudi Arabia )
and continued his search
for a good paying AMERICAN JOB.
At the end of yet another discouraging
and fruitless day checking his computer
(Made In Malaysia ),
John decided to relax for a while.
He put on his sandals
(made in Brazil )
poured himself a glass of wine
(made in France )
and turned on his TV
(made in Indonesia ),
and then wondered
why he can't find
a good paying job
in AMERICA!!!
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Red Hill
This Exotic Angel plant called my name yesterday and he was on clearance for $1.00. I happily brought him home to be my chosen plant for 2009. Within the dirt are the cut up pieces of my letter for the new year that lists my dreams, hopes and desires for 2009. More info about plant here. I knew nothing about this plant when I bought it but I love the explanation which fits me to a tee in the description of home decor: eclectic.
Last night I had a ceremonial smudge which celebrates "in with the new and out with the old" that includes a letter in reference to the past year. In the the letter I offer healing and hope to myself and for others and ask for forgiveness to those that I've hurt in the past year. This is my fourth year to do so and I look forward to the quiet time before celebrating the new year.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Bottoms Up!
Casual morn on this last day of the year. My neighbors gave me some grapefruit from their tree and I made some fresh squeezed juice to make my own concoction of grapefruit, orange, some bottled apple juice and cranberry juice as well as adding some blueberries. As you can see I didn't bother to take the seeds out...to much trouble. Quite tasty and no, no alcohol--not yet at least. Maybe just a glass of bubbly tonight. My friend is house sitting and we're having a low key dinner, playing a game of scrabble, watching Dick Clark's New Years' eve party from NYC and calling it a night. We're both broke but such is life! Happy New Year to you and yours. Be safe out there. Here's to 2009!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Mi Arbolito
Funny in that my mom didn't put up a tree this year but she has all the gifts-wrapped already. I have the tree and I have no gifts under the tree. I usually don't start wrapping till Christmas Eve anyway. The tree needs more lights, IMHO and is barren at the top. There was another tree that I had my eye on but it was already spoken for. BTW, I was at a Kroger supermarket yesterday and they were giving away trees-FREE! I almost brought one home to put in the backyard. I remember one Christmas, years ago I was heading to the Medical Center to pick up my roomate then and cars were dodging something in the road and when it came my turn to veer to the left, there was this Christmas tree that fell off the back of somebody's car. I pulled over to move the tree out of the road and then I realized, heck why not bring it home. It was a beautiful high end tree valued around $70. Imagine paying that kind of money, getting home and realizing the tree is not there!? My roomie and I were moving into a condo that late December and there wasn't much in the condo at the time but that beautiful tree. Before she headed home for the holidays we put a fire in the fireplace, popped some popcorn and decorated the tree. It was pretty barren but it was a beautiful tree. We had fun laughing, singing Christmas carols and decorating that tree.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Smasty!
Word of the day...
Last night while driving home in the fog and mist, I text message (while waiting at the red light) my niece to "be careful driving because it was masty". I actually meant to type nasty but was in a hurry because I was sitting at the light. She said her and co-workers just laughed at that. As my niece was driving home, she had her windows down and for some reason there was just a bad smell all around Houston and so she texted me to tell me it was "smasty"....S for smelly, M for misty and 'asty" for nasty and thus she came up with a new word-SMASTY! We went and did some quick Christmas shopping after she got home and while driving around we were just cracking up at the word. A goofy evening we had!
Last night while driving home in the fog and mist, I text message (while waiting at the red light) my niece to "be careful driving because it was masty". I actually meant to type nasty but was in a hurry because I was sitting at the light. She said her and co-workers just laughed at that. As my niece was driving home, she had her windows down and for some reason there was just a bad smell all around Houston and so she texted me to tell me it was "smasty"....S for smelly, M for misty and 'asty" for nasty and thus she came up with a new word-SMASTY! We went and did some quick Christmas shopping after she got home and while driving around we were just cracking up at the word. A goofy evening we had!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Crappy Wrapped
Phrase of the day...
We just got done having our office holiday luncheon complete with a white elephant Christmas gift exchange and someone made the comment that, "crappy wrapped gifts are the best gifts". Note to self...always go for the crappy wrapped gifts! ;-)
We just got done having our office holiday luncheon complete with a white elephant Christmas gift exchange and someone made the comment that, "crappy wrapped gifts are the best gifts". Note to self...always go for the crappy wrapped gifts! ;-)
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
No Home for the Holidays
from the Houston Chronicle today and it reads...
I wish I could take them all and give them a home for the holidays. Just breaks my heart and melts it as the same time. So much was lost and taken from Hurricane Ike. My prayers go out to those who lost so much. I have a lot to be thankful for. Ok, I'm getting my Christmas spirit back.
Toughen up before you look at this ...
Dogs orphaned by Hurricane Ike. Some deaf or going blind.
Young and playful or aging and fond of laps,
these animals have no home for the holidays.
See if you can resist them.
I wish I could take them all and give them a home for the holidays. Just breaks my heart and melts it as the same time. So much was lost and taken from Hurricane Ike. My prayers go out to those who lost so much. I have a lot to be thankful for. Ok, I'm getting my Christmas spirit back.
Bah Humbug
Another sleepless night here in Htown, which kind of goes with the foul mood I was in earlier yesterday afternoon. For months I had been planning a long awaited vacation to New Mexico...specifically Albuquerque and Santa Fe. I was going to attend the Ottmar Liebert Concert in Rio Rancho and meet up with two fellow fanmencas... Desert Diva/Cheryl and Linda but the show was cancelled! Even as early as Saturday morn we were eagerly making plans to meet up on Thursday and take in the spirit of the season by spending time in Santa Fe. Then the ball dropped and talk about major dissappointment and now major "bah humbug" and I think I speak for Cheryl and Linda as well. All weekend I was in denial about the cancellation but the final blow came when I cancelled my flight Monday afternoon. Thankfully, Southwest Airlines gave me a refund credit for future travel so yeah for Southwest but boo for Rio Rancho and the venue that cancelled the concert. Needless to say my Christmas Spirit has all but dissappeared, gone! Not to mention that I am now going to work Thursday and Friday of this week as well. I was all set for an early holiday vacation!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Just for laughs
WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
My great grandmother
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Yesterday, watching the funeral of a cop who was killed last week here in Houston.
DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
No!
No!
DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
only if I can count my niece and nephews!
only if I can count my niece and nephews!
IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
no comment! ;-)
DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
What's that?
DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS
Yes
WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Absolutely not! I'm the biggest chicken!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Lucky Charms of course!
DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Hardly ever
DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Yes
FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Dulce de Leche
FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Dulce de Leche
WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Attitude
RED OR PINK?
Red
Attitude
RED OR PINK?
Red
WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
how blind I am-
I hate wearing glasses and can't wear my contacts like I used to.
WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST
Calvin, my old parakeet--I swear he was human!
WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST
Calvin, my old parakeet--I swear he was human!
WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
White-sneakers
WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Apple fritter
WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Music by Ottmar Liebert of course!
IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Purple
WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Music by Ottmar Liebert of course!
IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Purple
FAVORITE SMELLS?
Anything on a grill
WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Anything on a grill
WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Jane
FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Football
Hair Color
highlighted black ;-)
EYE COLOR?
boring brown
Hair Color
highlighted black ;-)
EYE COLOR?
boring brown
DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
not like I used to :-(
FAVORITE FOOD?
Chinese
Chinese
SCARY MOVIES OR SAPPY ENDINGS?
Sappy endings
LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Alvin & the Chipmunks-love that movie!
Alvin & the Chipmunks-love that movie!
WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Pink
SUMMER OR WINTER?
Winter-
Winter-
I detest summer
HUGS OR KISSES?
Depends on who I'm with!
Depends on who I'm with!
Daily Om
WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD
WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD
Buddha
WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
Nada
WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
Nada
FAVORITE SOUND?
the sound of water-
the sound of water-
I still wash my dishes by hand!
ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
None
ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
None
WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME???
Europe
Europe
DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
Nope
Nope
WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Corpus Christi, Texas
Corpus Christi, Texas
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Christmas Traditions
Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. From an email I got...
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? There's a difference!?
2. Real tree or Artificial? This year-Real!
3. When do you put up the tree? Definitely, not on Thanksgiving or the day after!
4. When do you take the tree down? Sometime after Jan 1st. and before holiday break is over.
5. Do you like eggnog? Too much!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Hmmm, can't remember and must not have been that good if I don't remember!
7. Hardest person to buy for? Mom!
8. Easiest person to buy for? Dad!
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Sadly, I broke the last one I had. Definitely need to get another one.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? No e-cards 4 me!
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? A bad cold!
12. Favorite Christmas Movie/Music? Winter Rose by Ottmar Liebert.
13. When do you start shopping? Sometime after the 15th!
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Dare I tell?
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Tamales, of course!
16. Lights on the tree? Never enough!
17. Favorite Christmas song? Rocking around the Christmas Tree!
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Mostly travel before Christmas.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Si, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen,Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen. Rudolph ...Chulo!? ;-)
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Depends who I am celebrating with.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? If it feels like summer when it should be winter!
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Penguins!
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Back home with family in Corpus.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? The same thing I always want year after year...A white Christmas!
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? There's a difference!?
2. Real tree or Artificial? This year-Real!
3. When do you put up the tree? Definitely, not on Thanksgiving or the day after!
4. When do you take the tree down? Sometime after Jan 1st. and before holiday break is over.
5. Do you like eggnog? Too much!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Hmmm, can't remember and must not have been that good if I don't remember!
7. Hardest person to buy for? Mom!
8. Easiest person to buy for? Dad!
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Sadly, I broke the last one I had. Definitely need to get another one.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? No e-cards 4 me!
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? A bad cold!
12. Favorite Christmas Movie/Music? Winter Rose by Ottmar Liebert.
13. When do you start shopping? Sometime after the 15th!
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Dare I tell?
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Tamales, of course!
16. Lights on the tree? Never enough!
17. Favorite Christmas song? Rocking around the Christmas Tree!
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Mostly travel before Christmas.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Si, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen,Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen. Rudolph ...Chulo!? ;-)
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Depends who I am celebrating with.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? If it feels like summer when it should be winter!
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Penguins!
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Back home with family in Corpus.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? The same thing I always want year after year...A white Christmas!
Why Can't We...
a little on the long side but worth watching if you have time
message...
Why can't we be friends...
sometimes you just have to put down the gloves
and hug it out instead.
Something we could all learn from!
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Cozumel
Way Back When! From a Spring Break trip to Cozumel in 1981 or maybe 1982. I need to go back there someday! Sadly, I forgot the girls names that I went with as we lost touch with one another. We has so much fun nonetheless. Looking forward to my next "girls adventure" later this month, although I don't think either one of us will be posing in swimsuits! Parkas maybe! ;-)
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Vespers
Glorious, cool and crisp morning here. The cool front finally came in last night and brought some much needed rain along with it. Time for some music to complement the morning.
Last night I finished washing the dishes and was putting plates away when I saw this reflection. Listening to chant music by the Cistercian Monks, hence the title. For a truly uplifting experience give this music a listening too.
Last night I finished washing the dishes and was putting plates away when I saw this reflection. Listening to chant music by the Cistercian Monks, hence the title. For a truly uplifting experience give this music a listening too.
Friday, November 28, 2008
The Girls...
in the Rivera fam...minus my mom who was on the phone. This may well be the last Thanksgiving at my parent's home as they are looking to sell their home and move to Katy. We've been doing Thanksgiving at my mom's for many, many years--except for those years when we headed to Corpus Christi. My parents' have lived in their home for well over 45 years. We'll see what the next year brings. I will miss having them "around the corner" (more or less) from me but the house is getting to be too much for dad to take care of with his illness-Parkinsons. He's been very reluctant to sell the house because of so many memories but the house needs lots of work and sadly it might be a tear down. Lots of changes coming around in the near future. Some good and some not so good. See the boys here.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
On my christmas list
Well not my photo or title but I just cracked up when I saw this on Rebecca's flickr photo stream! She writes, "I saw a kid in a conveniece store last night wearing this shirt" and she closes with this....I need one! I think we all could agree with the shirt at times.
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