More Inspiration

I listen to NPR I love it. So many random things on there. There was an interview with Dina Vierny, Model And Muse For Art's Masters. She is now 89. Full of wit and fire. Henri Matisse made drawings of her, with spare, pure lines. Aristide Maillol sculpted her in bronze. I listened intently to the little interview.

What struck me possibly just for the timing of the statement , not it's novelty was, "You must search for happiness in your life, don't get discouraged. Look ahead with hope." she said it in English, though she spoke mostly french. Lovely.

Maybe it's good timing for someone else as well, so I thought I'd share.

Wisdom people speak....

I hear things that people say to me that are sometimes amazing. I should share these things.

The other day I needed to pick up a small camera for Ebay listings. I found a great one, at a super cheap price , just 30$. I arranged to meet the man to exchange. When I meet him he is apparently I believe Afghani. Very dignified, yet simple and commanding. The kind of person you feel you should be very respectful towards not out of fear but the feeling that they are to be respected. He looked so simple but fully clean. He shows me all of the cameras functions. He has put in new batteries for me. The man has saved his receipt , kept the plastic on the back of the camera.

I was so impressed, I remarked, "Wow, you take amazing care of your things!"

He says, " These are our investments, we should take care of them so one day they can be for someone else."

This statement in regards to everything in our lives the small to large is mostly lost on our country. He has a spotless older little truck too. White of course. ;)

Keepin it Private

I am taking my dithering private..in case anyone ever wants to hire Ben and googles my anti -corporation blog. Please email me this week to be added to the "like to read" column. if you don't have my email leave a comment.. with your email I go in the closet let's say Jan 3rd k?

Fantasies

I know what you're thinking , not too exciting but I dare reply , "OMGosh! I would wear each of these daily who could need more.". The bag, pants, skirt all of it . Every day ..no joke.

What's wrong with these pictures

clue, that's not the couch those are on..

this gem needs no explaining. Duh all surfaces should ALWAYS have things on them. No?

Many probs well mostly teen ish girl on cell phone , being loud. dancing, and 10 to 1 those kids in the back are dirty.

My fav... I will preface this with the fact that my family thinks this is how you relax, and you must relax all the time. You unrelax just 1 day a week. Remember stuff must ALWAYS be handy to grab at any minute.. garbage, cups, food. You never know what you might need. I keep ruining it by bleaching things and putting things in the garbage can and dishwasher.

Updates

I will post pictures from our wonderful Christmas Eve feast. Thanks so much to everyone . The food was wonderful Special thanks to Cheleyne & Hyrum for their rolls and ham & potatoes that were light and fluffy!!! Johnsons as always with the treats and some bread. there were great games, gingerbread houses all of it great.

Christmas morning our kids were up at 4. We made them wait till at least 5. I vaguely remember someone shining a really bright blue penlight in my eyes from about 1 inch away. We had planned out a Wii for the family and I had procured a deal with Santa some time back. All I have to say is Rock Band and wii sorts are so fun as a family. We jammed together rotating around... it's so fun and I hate games. Drums on Maps is my favorite!!!

Currently, that stomach virus is still hitting some of us.. Leah stayed at Mel's poor Hanna had it..Leah came home that night she had it.. 2 days later Ana had it.. gabe n nolan say they're next. I love large families. I have no voice again.. just a cold though, whew! I did stomach virus 2 weeks ago with Leah.

I take it back..Gabe just threw up
goodnight.

****Update****
almost hilarious by this point but Ana threw up again..the next night..sunday night.

and then I did on Tuesday, from coughing too much though...I had just enjoyed a good meal with Ben at Applebees. I was sad to see it go.

Things I Love

30 things I love about my life!

I want good news!

Everyone is tagged to cut and fill out.

1. 
   
   Ben


2. 
   
   Addison


3. 
   
   Ananda


4. 
   
   Gabe


5. 
   
   Leah


6. 
   
   Nolan


7. 
   
   Extended Family


8. 
   
   My health


9. 
   
   Ben's art


10. 
    
    My old but so cozy couch, it's corduroy


11. 
    
    my scarves ..the rainbow ones


12. 
    
    my pink rainboots


13. 
    
    My house


14. 
    
    my kitchenaid mixer


15. 
    
    the sound of wind outside


16. 
    
    running , working out


17. 
    
    books, all of them


18. 
    
    my earrings from my dad's mom


19. 
    
    My black leather handbag, I like to pet it


20. 
    
    my dead CHI flatiron , it really did not damage hair


21. 
    
    the ocean


22. 
    
    nighttime in the summer


23. 
    
    jazz..mmm almost all of it


24. 
    
    Benev skincare
25. Nolan's laugh
26. spanish
27. my bedroom
28. my bed and linens
29. hot chocolate


30. 
    
    Trips

Drip, Drip , Drip

My laptop is broken..the lcd screen is totally busted. I'm going to go laugh now.We are selling our tv, nice big flat screen , not flat panel 32" TV 175$. In it's place we put Ben's beautiful fish tank.. The stand is black now, it looks so nice.

This time Last Year.....

I like blogging, and see the reason for journaling. To see patterns..
In the past month we have

Lost a Job of 3 years
Had 2 tires go bald to the steel bands
Had a fender bender
Had our refrigerator die (tonight)
Lost all our cold food..(I'm hoping not all, it's all we have till next month)
Locked myself out of the van , with cell phone and keys inside

If you check back in my blog for dec//jan..not as bad but
we had

Tree fall on van
washer broke
Locked self out 2x one from each car.

see a pattern, insight is welcome. Whatever it is I want desperately to quit doing it.

though I had 2 new thoughts today
a) Even in the summer things were a little rough...we had loan problems.. eh..
b) Maybe I should just start only blogging the good stuff, then a year from now I would look back and see only good things happen to me.

Though, something tells me it's like this right before you become filthy stinkin rich...or something...I hope. Like trial by fire. Maybe.

Abolish the Federal Reserve bank

Just a thought. Read this . Then This , a little history on The Fed.

Then look here
Needless to say I'm furious over tax dollars bailing out everyone but the folks on the bottom. On the bottom we are fighting for jobs, services . They want to tax us more , California was proposing another 13cents on a gallon of gas. 3% increase on the self employment tax. If this were China or France we would riot!

The Polar Express

I was blessed with the fore sight to buy these tickets in October..it sells out you see, before November. Nolan watched this movie like 3 times a day for a while..we would all groan every time he asked for "train movie". We arrived early enough o watch a hobo guy play a gypsy instrument and make puppets dance with his feet. The first pic is when the train was pulling up. Big, black, puffing smoke..it was soooo loud.

Yes! Servers ran up and down doing a few flips and stuff , then the real servers gave us a cookie and cocoa. My favorite thing. They read the original story as staff held books up for children to see. We chugged slowly through downtown Sac. waving at cars cheerfully. We arrived at The North Pole, it seemed to take forever. We did not crash into a lake. Sadly.

Nolan took this so seriously. He was either excited, or shy and pensive. He really thought it was all real. He shook the bell over and over next to his ear. The conductor said to our kids.."Make sure you shake those all the way home, your parents can't hear them."

Right about here I got all teary. I must look like I'm going to get sick or something, I hate crying so I just let water drip.Nolan will be a big boy and this will have to wait for grandkids. Just when I get too misty..well, that's what big kids are for..

Ana turns 11....

You were a gift from the second you were conceived. I have learned so much from you
You are always tender, and vibrant and loving..( ok maybe a touch crazy )

You bring joy an fun to everyone around you.





Frequently a leader, always sure of your choices and destiny. I have enjoyed our time together and look forward to the many many things to come.. We love you so much!
Mon & Dad & all you si bi lings..

Spirit

It came a little late this year but yet again it has. Out of my self pity and sadness comes this quiet song that reminds me of the meaning and beauty of it all. Just when I'm ready to give in something, someone seems to say the right thing or there's a picture or a song. In that moment I realize the mastery behind the chaos and confusion. It came in the form of a home teacher this time. I admit sadly I have missed a couple weeks of church, Leah threw up, I had to pick Ana up from the airport.... so the spirit does drift away a bit. I have slowly unwound down to threads of tolerance and hope. He reminded us , not intentionally I don't think of things both financially and spiritually that really made a tremendous difference right at this time. His message was simple..straight from the paper handed out. We chatted about our pasts, he is new to the ward after all. Nothing new but as usual with the spirit it was heard in a new way..with better ears perhaps.


After he left I remembered reading about the massacres in the Congo, or the cholera outbreak. There was a woman who lost all she had in a mobile home fire in Southern Cali. There are people who fear for their lives, fear the loss of loved ones, who will not have a roof over their heads and have no family left. I have a home, I have food, our home is warm, I have beautiful intelligent healthy children who can go to a government provided school for free. I have some much..and complain so much. I am glad Christmas comes every year. Every year I am hit with this feeling of joy. The lights and music and maybe the combined spirit of everyone near, it is often at this time of year preciously overwhelming.

Corporate Responsibility!!!

Chicago factory workers have the right idea. Our kids are paying that money to the banks .

"The bank had said in a statement that it wasn't responsible for Republic's financial obligations to its employees. "

CHICAGO (AP) — A sit-in by laid-off workers at a shuttered window factory in Chicago is becoming a cause celebre for those who want action to avert economic pain.

Politicians, community leaders and members of outside unions turned up Sunday at the Republic Windows and Doors company to support the 250 or so former workers occupying the plant.

Workers say they'll stay put until they're given severance and vacation pay.

Factory worker Melvin Maclin says the protesters expected to face arrest when they began the sit-in Friday. But he says spirits are high after all the backing they've received.

Supporters fill the lobby of the building, and workers take turns occupying the plant floor.

Ben was given no notice, called into a meeting and they let everyone in that meeting go. That was it.. have a nice Christmas , sorry we are having a hard time... how about "let's all take a paycut but keep everyone on..."

Did you Know I ......

I saw this on Francesca's blog..and well here goes
You should all copy and paste the highlight the ones that YOU have done..



1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (does Colorguard or Orchestra count?)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a Meteor Shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland ( Disneyworld?)
8. Climbed a Mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a Lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon not quite..but 5 k!!!
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (satisfaction is never really about $ is it)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma HAHA I Can't!!!
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy (Ana has it now)
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper -- a few times
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating ...does watching count????
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake it's disgusting.. for the most part
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

8 Things

I love tags, so thanks Amber!!!

8 Favorite Books:
Twilight Series
The Host
Harry Potter Series
El milagro mas grande del mundo
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Orson Scott Card stuff
Your Forces and How to Use Them
Crime & Punishment
Cien Anos de Soledad

8 Things that Happened Yesterday:
Cried a lot.. no I mean really a lot, and I have no idea why really
Faxed a letter
Wished it wasn't foggy for days on end (sun came out today!)
Got a call to go to a tutoring interview..pretty exciting
Drove in the car a lot
watched the Office
Tried to find something Abu wanted me to find
Slept with Nolan

8 Things I'm looking Forward to:
Me finishing up school
Getting more muscles
Summer, or Spring at least
Hot Chocolate (always)
Getting a pair of UGGS , I'm not sure why.
planting grass
somehow buying a pool
Ben's business being successful (after I finish school)

8 Things on my wish list:
Uggs with the pocket on the side in dark brown.
Security
Happy Kids
Doing awesome shoots
the impossible to find sweater dress - I'll borrow this answer ..I've looked for over a year.
an awesome Twilight movie..made by the Harry Potter folks or something
a trip anywhere with Ben , for a week without children , though they are cute
to magically have my degree finished up?

8 Things I love about Winter:
that it's ALWAYS cloudy or foggy NOT!!!!!!
Hot chocolate
boots and sweaters and tights and jackets and scarves and gloves..and curly hair ( can't do that in summer it's too hot)
hot tubbing
trips to Miami
lighting the fireplace
homemade soup
food tastes better
having an excuse to stay in PJs all day and watch movies...borrowing again...though that actually makes me depressed when I do it.

people I tag:
Nicole
Lisa
Cheleyne
Melanie
Renee
Kendal
Angie
Karen good luck there, she'll never do it. or read this blog..lol

Unemployment news for the Nation

Updated...12/5 make that 544,000. That's more like what I thought .. and counting everyone out of work ...all said it's closer to 14% I'll cite my sources if asked to.

More News..

Not to beleager the point, Business Week Story

I have been told this is still just the beginning. On a side note I called Countrywide ..just to see if maybe we can jump on the loan alteration bandwagon..the funny thing is when I called the loan lady said "trust me if you don't make any payments we are NOT coming to take that house.. we don't want any houses and it's better someone is in there than to have more empty homes. She also said your credit could take a hit but that will get better..everyone else is just walking away. "


I was amazed. I laughed . We want to keep our house though and right now that's not a problem.

Ben has wanted to build his photography business for a few years. I have wanted to finish my degree & teach, but thought the timing was never right. We would have never left a great job to persue "dreams" willingly. I have been getting ready , have all my paperwork in . I start school the 18th. Ben has his cards printed up and so far 4 people have paid us to take their pictures. We have a website too www.Titan-Photo.com , opportunity disguised as stress. We feel good about it. Senora Fisher, I can't wait.

More pics

These were so fun, She is a great model to work with.. and available..lol We torture her with picture taking regularly..I am really enjoying the hair/makeup stuff.. We do at least one shoot a day now. I have been taking little make up "classes" whenever I can get in. Mac class next... exciting.

Great gift ideas..

Just in case you know...people were wondering what I really wanted.. this Christmas or my birthday or..well for any reason really here they are.. My new LOVE take your pic, I adore them both. You can even just leave them unwrapped, I could use some cozy love in a boot. I promise to NEVER take them off..please.

Pic o' the day....

They like their bike. We do too :') It was a lot of fun shooting Jon & Lucy. Their too adorable kids were fun too. More pics to come.

Things to look at

Many kudos to Mel, our "Silver " model is sick..so Leah and Mel filled in...

I did these Leah ones.. it's not Ben's fault if they look bad ..my light and auto focus etc..lol , I even did the photoshopping..

Guess where Were going at midnight???

Ana n I have tickets for the midnight showing tonight... I can't wait!!!!

More Photo fun...are you Next????

Mel is "Black" tomorrow, I can't wait. I did make up and hair, costuming shared..Ben alterations and lighting and photography.

My makeup & Hair work , Ben's pics..

Ev & Ana were very patient and let us use them as test models. I like the shots. Ev had a million great , really perfect shots so more to come.

Peter Schiff , Read the last paragraph

This article ..anyone check the crime in the paper lately? The robberies? This is for Mel. She will enjoy or well, maybe not like wow this is fun. Anyone wanna sell me their silver?

Pink Slip

Apparently Skincare isn't America's top priority right now. Skinstore cut 20% of it's labor force.. we were included in that number. We wanted more time together. Contract jobs anyone? At least we are not alone.. I found this great site
We are now one of California's 8% and climbing unemployment number.. I don't feel so anxious and Ben has wanted to take a leap artistically for a while.

Looks like Fun , and not Political

I
I AM … a mom to many children
I WANT…to be a better Mom
I HAVE … many , many things I'd like to do.
I KEEP …finding nice things , fabrics, plants etc that I like
I WISH I COULD … stay energetic all day long everyday
I HATE … the fact that money does not grow on a tree that only me and a few others own
I FEAR …what my children may have to deal with
I HEAR … voices..oh wait those are my kids
I DON’T THINK … I ever want to stop growing and changing
I REGRET … not having them put the wood floor or tile in when we bought the house
I LOVE … my family, nice fabrics, good leather , corduroy, big buttons, the gym, wall paper, fireplaces on chilly days, hot chocolate, jazz at Christmas, really fine chocolate (Baci), bernaise sauce. , Les Halles restaurant in NYC, Spain, I'll stop there...
I AM NOT …perfect or even close though I strive for it
I DANCE … whenever I hear a song I like
I SING …when I want to embarrass Ana
I NEVER … like to give up
I RARELY … wear pink
I CRY WHEN I WATCH … things people in the world suffer through , or when my kids perform. I cry when I watch Nolan grow up.
I AM NOT ALWAYS …calm, I would like to be
I HATE THAT …my carpet gets dirty
I’M CONFUSED ABOUT …why teachers make less than actors..it shows what our society values.
I NEED … self restraint
I SHOULD …eat better, be kinder to my family, be more attentive to them, cook great meals all the time, pay someone to clean my carpet
I HOPE ..when I am old Ben & I are able to travel, he can do art, I'll tinker with different passions and grand-great grand kids, and we have a pool.

Insurance

I wanted to write down what I have been doing. If I write it down I can look back and go ok..or keep myself honest. I have been seriously training my body now for about 3 or 4 weeks. I started off with my usual running like a mile or 2 4 to 5 days a week. I had lost a bit of weight over the last year or so but have remained stuck at around 128- 130. I added a personal trainer to wednesdays fo an hour, she likes to make us hurt for a week or so. I lost 5 more pounds after 3 weeks. Now I have a schedule more like this
Mon elliptical 30-40 mins with intervals 3 sets of 20 various weight sets ( ie abs, machines etc.)
Tues. Chizzled (upper body) class high intensity weight rep class 1 hr.
weds. Train with Sharon
Thurs. Chizzled (lower body) (OUCH!!!) 1 hr. / Yogilates 1 hr at 7pm

Friday off or light run and ab work
Sat either 9am fusion class or same as monday
Sun off

I really like this because I am not in charge of what I'm doing.. it's not boring and it's really strenuous. I feel so good when I see results like arm muscles , or pecs..or Inner thigh muscles ( I didn't know I had those..)
I really hope I don't lay off or get bored ..though this is almost 2 years of building up my workouts It all started with running 1-2 miles 2 days a week.

My Update on The Family

The past couple of weeks. Ana and I built an adobe house for her social studies project. It was actually fun. We have been weeding through and clearing out our posessions. It is hard as we have dumb attachments to many things. I do this best when I'm angry. :')

I made a calender for the bathroom , giving each kid a job in the bathroom daily. Not on weekends. Some success, mostly failure. We will keep at it. I think it helps some.

We went to a trunk or treat Fall festival at church. I went to a relief society crafty topics dinner thing. Fun. We made turkey things, I brought Ana with me.
I have realized I am addicted to Starbucks Signature hot chocolate, why can't I make this at home?

Ana and Gabe spent the night at Alex's and Emily's respectively for Halloween. Nolan n Leah went around the neighborhood and we had the James's over for tacos and treat handing out. We were going to watch a spooky movie but we all fell asleep.

I have been going to the gym daily and "treating" myself to a spa like hot tub and/or Sauna experience after I work out. It's quiet and smells good and is relaxing. I also have been doing a lot of strength training now.. when I don't do that I run and do weights on my own. The kids love going to the gym because they have a Wii in the kids lounge and Leah gets to makecrafts , Nolan plays on the big firetruck.

It began to rain Halloween day, somewhat soothing. The plants will be very happy. We turned on our gas firplace for the first time and I am going to put on our flannel/velvet bedding because it's so winter cozy.

I am thinking ahead to the holiday flurry of activity , cd making, turkey baking, etc. I am excited.

Ben has a photoshoot with a group he's in the 7th. Very "diesel" like with a little of a Dali photo thrown in. He really enjoys the planning and preparation. Half of the garage looks like a house. It's the set for the shoot.

That's it for now.

Tale of Two Roosevelts

I really enjoyed this historical article.


Tale

Spooky

More spooky news! Happy halloween , read all the way through.. higher dollar may sound good...but really wouldn't be.

Trick or treat!

Scary Halloween Stuff

I have been picking up some stocks. Fun. While doing my research came across this little nugget

NUGGET

Read carefully the details at the bottom, read slowly make sure you savor those numbers. Mel...maybe you're not crazy.. ~ cough * cough~

Prop 8

At first I was a hard sell,as I have many respected friends who are ....
then I found out the teachers union donated to defeat 8. I want neutrality in schools. Definition wise marriage should stay ideal man and woman. I worry about loss of religious freedom too.

My week ~ Dental and Chemical Peel

I did this first, Tuesday, Asante Spa. They so a few light exfoliating swabs ..with glycolic acid, then they apply the TCA peel the first one burned a bit, the second pass burned a lot for like 3 minutes. Is it worth it? This peeled slightly like when you put glue on your hand an let it dry. I got a few compliments on my skin. I want a medical grade peel now. For real.





For the filling of 3 teeth (don't laugh, I have been to the dentist like 3 times my whole life.) Dr. Cope's office is the Golden Standard in Dental care and patient comfort. I never felt a thing. I was not asleep however, just out of it for half the procedure. (It took 2 hours) I was given a lot of numbing shots and some nitrous. I started humming along with the drill. My smile is not crooked now, not why I went in but certainly a huge plus. I'm ready to do more teeth now :')

Today & Tomorrow ~ Swimming anyone?

It is sooo hot still.

Fri

85°F | 52°F

Fun....Stinson Beach

Ana took these for us. I love it when pictures of me are overly bright. I like these a lot.

We thought it would be really cold so no swimsuits it started out warmish, so we let Nolan wear undies. He was freezing a half an hour later poor guy!


Gabe n Leah being sandpipers I think

What is this Beast? They dragged it around for a while. Ben liked popping the "sea pods".

What now??

Stocks Plunge Again; Dow Under 8,600

The market is down 42% from it's high 1 year ago of about 14,000.

1932 graph compared to now.