Welcome 2006!

Happy New Year! We plan to drink, smoke, laugh, and have a wonderful night at home, just the five of us [me, Cindi, Jack, Ivy Noel & Luna]. I have wine and cheap champaign for us to drink to ring in the new year.

Sweet Baby

Anthony Joaquin

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Here is my sweet nephew, Anthony Joaquin. He will soon be the apple of all our eyes!

I'm Spoiled!

RH Phillips Merlot

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My clients must love me! One came in today to pick up payroll and gave me this bottle of merlot. Here are the tasting notes, fancy! Maybe we can have this for New Year's Eve while we watch the South Park marathon.

I'm an Auntie!

My sister finally had her baby early this morning, nine days "late", or according to tradition, right on time. [She was nine days "late" with her first baby.] I'll post a picture later when I can get them loaded. I am so proud of my sister and exited to be an auntie!

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Anthony Joaquin

10 lbs. 14 oz.

22 1/2"

he joined the world

12/29/05

5:22 am

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Jaunt

Jack and I took a nice quick jaunt around the block this evening. I miss walks and want to make an effort to take more this coming year. It's good for all of us! I'm hoping to be a little bit slimmer for the wedding in May. Only four months left! ;-)

More Funny Reading

Check [this] out. (Re: bogus war on Christmas.)

Bonus

I got a couple bonuses from some of my clients [though not from the work I worked my ass off for all year] and decided to treat myself to the basket I wrote about in [this] post. Gonna use it to carry my knitting supplies back and forth from class. I can't wait to get it.

The Best News I've Heard in Months!

Anti gay marriage groups have given up on two different ballot initiatives they were pushing for the 2006 election. They say they haven't given up, but will wait for better times. I hope that time never comes. Read more here at The Advocate.

Some Humor

Click the picture for some rolling-on-the-floor good times. [Make sure to continue to the next article at the bottom where it says go to number 2 etc.]

Yeah!

I found a local store [In Sheep's Clothing] where I can get all my knitting supplies! I'm gonna use the $50 Christmas money my Grandma gave me to get me some stuff for my class that starts next month. This week is even their annual sale. ;-)

Christmas

I'm still sick, unfortunately. We went to my parents house for Christmas lunch and our family gift exchange. We were supposed to go to my father's parent's house for an early dinner but I wasn't feeling well enough to go. I didn't want to wear myself out too much. Our gift exchange went well and I think everybody like what they got. We had picked names for a large gift; I had Angela, Cindi had Mandy, my dad had me and my grandma had Cindi.
I got Angela the Full House Season 1 DVD, Cindi got Mandy a nursing pillow, my Dad got me an Auto Safety Kit, and Grandma got Cindi a $50 gift card to Barnes & Noble. [As soon as we got home she used it to get herself some CD's.]
For stocking stuffers we got: Grandma a pocket hand warmer [her hands are always cold and bother her because of her arthritis]. Mom a gift certificate to the local quilting store. Dad the Beatles: Revolver album [had got three other Beatles albums and an autobiography from other people]. Mandy a book, Aromatherapy for the Healthy Child & a cute ring. Ritchie a gift card to Target. Angela Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (Book 6). Doug The Best American Sports Writing 2004 & 2005. Jillian The Drawing of the Three (Dark Tower Book 2) & the Stephen King Library Desk Calendar for 2006
Our gifts were:
From Dad to both of us a Took Kit and a 2 Flashlights
To Me from: Mom 2 pretty mugs and three different Stephens Cocoa mixes: Italian Amaretto, Dulce de Leche Caramel, Chocolate Cinnamon. Mandy & Ritchie a gift certificate for a free hair cut and some nice hair product. Grandma $50 cash. Angela & Doug a Special Edition Edward Scissorhands DVD & the SpongeBob Square Pants CD . Jillian some handmade beeswax candles. Papa Joe & Mama Juana $10 cash.
To Cindi from: My mom some nice shampoo and conditioner for curly hair. Grandma $25 cash.
Mandy & Ritchie a gift certificate for a free hair cut and some hair product for curly hair. Angela and Doug a Fiona Apple: Tidal CD and a SpongeBob SquarePants Calendar. Jillian Forever Odd by Dean Koontz.

Be Careful What You Wish For

I'm sick with a flu/cold thing. I've spent the last two days in bed with the animals just like I wanted. But I didn't wish for the sick part. I hate being sick like this. I can't do anything. Even getting up in the middle of night to take another dose of generic Cherry Flavor Multi-Sympton Nite Time was an ordeal. I had to lay on the floor with about fifteen minutes to let the dizziness pass. Luckily Luna came and snuggled with me on the floor so it wasn't so bad.
My sister still hasn't had her baby, the poor thing. I'm glad it hasn't been in the last few days cause I won't be able to go see the baby while I'm sick.
Well off the lay down again. Anyone who reads this please send me healing energy to combat this flu. :-)
Addendum: I got a call today from my sister. She said that the mechanic looked at the car again and it is acting up. I knew it! I just hope it won't cost us an arm and a leg to fix it once and for all.

Sigh & Car Shit Cont.

So like I'd posted Tuesday our car was "fixed" so I left it had my parents house to take home with me Wednesday [yesterday]. [Tuesday I had I had brought Cindi's boss' daughter's car so I would have a way to get to my therapy appointment.] Wednesday I got off work around 4:30 and went to get our car and it wouldn't start. It's doing the same old thing it used to do like the battery connection isn't good or the alternator isn't working [again!]. So my dad let me take his truck home. I came in this morning, took the truck to my parents, and figured I'd try and start the car. On the third try it started, so I brought it to my office which is right around the corner from the mechanic. I went over there and told him what was going on [he rolled his eyes all frustrated] and he said they were backed up and to come back after lunch to see if he'd had time to look at it. After lunch I went back over, he still wasn't sure if he could look at it. I gave him the key and said if 3:30 rolled around and he still hadn't had time to let me know so I could take the bus home.

I've been super tired all week and am now feeling really yucky. My throat is getting scratchy and my head feels funny. I feel like crawling in bed. Especially since it's dark and super rainy out. A perfect day to curl up in bed with the animals, read, and listen to holiday music while I still can.

Too Cute Not to Share

Happy Holidays from Death Cab For Cutie [& Me!]

My Gifts

I got that beautiful watch I've been lusting after, a complete surprise! I actually mentioned it in an old post [here]. I didn't even have time this year to speculate on what she was getting me. I like being surprised. It was smaller than I expected, but it looks perfect.



I also got a used copy of Anne Rice's The Vampire Lestate: A Graphic Novel. I think it's out of print so it's hard to get ahold of. Cindi felt bad cause I only had two presents but they were amazing and just what I wanted! The quantity isn't as important as the quality of the gifts.

Cindi's Yule Gifts

We did our gift exchange tonight. I decided to post what I'd gotten Cindi. I'm sure to forget in the future.

I got her a Scissor Sisters DVD:

three books:

1. The Other End of the Leash
2. The Road to the Dark Tower
3. The Colorado Kid

and four cd's:

SIA: Healing is Difficult

SIA: Colour the Small One

Sigur Ros: Von

Lewis Taylor: Stoned

More Knitting Wishes

Stitch 'N Bitch: A Knitter's Journal

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This looks so cute! It has an area to keep track of your knitting supplies [so you don't end up with three of the same size knitting needles or color yarn], a glossary, design templates, graph paper and a ruler to measure knitting gauge and check needle size. I can't wait for my knitting class. I also found the most adorable knitting basket at Crate & Barrel. Of course I can't get the picture with the basket full of knitting supplies to post, but this will do.

Car Shit

Our car has been sitting in front of our apartment since the end of October. We finally had it towed to Winters on Sunday. The mechanic said the battery was dead so he charged it. He thinks the doors weren't shutting all the way and the light was staying on. He adjusted the doors so they shut all the way. It cost $40. I truly hope that was what was wrong. I'm worried because we did try and jump the car that day and it wouldn't start so why would it start this time. I pray to the car gods that it is truly fixed.

No Debate on Law

Today Bush held a year-end news conference which was full of his usual nonsense. I heard the tail end of the conference when he was answering questions which he never really answers. One thing that stuck out to me was his answer when someone asked him about the illegal NSA surveillance program, a story the New York Times broke recently. In his answer he said that open debate on law helps the terrorists. They are ensuring that they are not only protecting us [cough bull-shit] but also ensuring our civil liberties. What!? If we can't even debate these issues how is that ensuring our civil liberties? This government is getting to be way too big brother for my taste. They say they are protecting us and know what's best for us. That it's in our best interest not to know about it. Sigh. I can't believe this is happening.

The Solstice

Winter Solstice/Yule

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This years solstice is especially meaningful to me this year. My sister's son is due the night of the solstice, the same night people have welcomed the return of the sun for thousands, maybe millions, of years. It is the shortest day of the year, the first day of Winter, but the days will start to grow longer with the coming spring. Stories and myths were told of the Goddess giving birth to her son/sun on the solstice eve, a gift to the world in the darkest, coldest night of the year.

Saturday night went to our communities potluck which turned out much better than I expected. We hadn't done much planning ahead and it was very quickly thrown together, but I had a wonderful time meeting and getting to know new people and also seeing and getting more acquainted with people I already know. The woman who hosted the potluck has a beautiful home, I felt comfortable instantly. We sat around in a circle, eating, talking, and pulling Tarot cards representing the current dark time and the coming light time. My dark card was the Ten of cups, representing closure and the ending of a cycle. The light card was the nine of wands, representing coming through something successfully but with difficulty. I'm still sitting on that.

Tuesday night we are getting together with our Daughters of the Fire coven [short Stephanie who is in Kazakhstan picking up her son]. We plan to have a fire, tell stories, and share food. I am very much looking forward to it!

Wednesday night we are planning to do our own gift exchange at home.

So we have lots of wonderful ways we are celebrating this years Yule which is extra special since we have so many wonderful people to celebrate with.

Winter Is Upon Us

It is finally looking like Winter out; crisp, cold, and foggy. I need to go for a night walk and appreciate it while it's here. I'll regret it if I don't when it's the middle of summer and 90 degrees at 9:00 pm.
We're soon leaving for our Yule potluck. I made a cake from a box, but I made the frosting. I hope it goes better than I'm expecting.
I'm almost done with Interview with the Vampire. Still not sure what I'm going to read next.

Alternative Medicine Center - HealthWorld Online

Alternative Medicine Center - HealthWorld Online
Awesome web site for information on alternative medicine.

More Wishes

5 Elements Plaque Set

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This photo of this plaque set doesn't do it justice, they are beautiful, and I want them! I made the mistake of opening the Sacred Source sale email and saw this set is on sale. Some day...

Home

Yesterday I had a morning appointment with my therapist [10:00 am] and it was going to be a huge pain in the ass figuring out how to get to work, back to Davis, and then back to work again so I just called in "sick". I got to sleep in until 9:00 and still had plenty of time to get ready, take Jack out and feed him before I had to leave for my appointment. Her office is about a five minute walk from our apartment and is actually in the same building as the therapist I went to when I was in high school. I had a good session, went home and had lunch. Then I finished the laundry [sheets, blankets, the couch cover, and Jack's bed] and cleaned the bathroom and bedroom for out Ritual Planning Meeting Thursday. Tonight I plan to clean the kitchen and living room, decorate our Rosemary tree, wrap presents, and write out my Yule cards. Oh yes and watch The O.C. [my forbidden pleasure]. ;-)
Speaking of our Ritual Planning Meeting, we haven't met in quite awhile. We had planned to meet November 17th but Panthera forgot and it seemed silly to have a meeting with Irys, me and Cindi. Then we were supposed to meet December 1st [the week we got back from Idaho] but being we got back a day late it screwed up my school work so I had to spend that evening working on a project and Irys was home sick. We got the announcement out late for the Yule potluck and only one person two people outside the Ritual Planning Group [besides the woman hosting] has replied to say they are coming. Not sure if it's worth the effort or not, especially since we still don't have a running car...it sucks but it's not like missing a potluck is gonna kill us. Everyone is pretty busy in December as it is. I feel we should skip it and concentrate on planning the next ritual being Candlemas/Brigit/Imbolc. But that's just me...

Holiday Plans

December is always full with plans for the holidays, on one hand it's nice, and on the other hand it's a pain. Especially when our car still isn't running and most of our plans involve getting somewhere we can't walk. What am I talking about, ALL of our plans involve getting somewhere we can't walk.
Tonight we are going to my parents' house to decorate stockings for each family's pets and have dinner.
Tuesday December 13th we are going to Leatherbys in Sacramento for December birthdays.
Thursday December 15th we have a Ritual Planning Meeting to plan our Yule potluck.
Saturday December 17th we have out Cauldron of the Valley Yule potluck planned though nobody has RSVP'd as of yet.
Monday December 19th we are getting together with my family for our annual white elephant gift exchange.
Tuesday 20th my sister's baby is due and we have a Yule ritual planned with our Coven.
Sunday December 25th is Christmas. We will be having breakfast with my mother's family at my parents' house, then we will be doing our family gift & stocking stuffer exchange, and at 3:00pm we will going to my father's parents' house for an early dinner with [most of] his family. Later that evening my mom's sister will be having dinner and dessert but I don't plan on us going.
We want to go to Ventura for New Year's but not sure if we'll be able to swing it this year.
Busy Busy!

New Profile Picture

Sexy Librarian

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I decided I needed a new profile picture and this sexy librarian Tori Amos picture was perfect! Some day I'll be a sexy librarian instead of just a sexy librarian-in-training.

Sweetest Face I Ever Did See

Cutest Puppy Ever

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[My pro pit bull rant of the month] How can people not love such a sweet little face?! This puppy is an American Pit Bull Terrier, one of the most hated dog breeds in the world. This is a sweet female who could make an amazing, loving companion animal as long as her owner's don't live somewhere she's banned or otherwise regulated. If she is treated well, socialized, trained, and treated like the princess she is, she will never bite, attack or kill anyone. But that doesn't matter, she will be discriminated against anyway by uneducated people with out a heart or a brain.

I can't wait to get another one and hopefully continue to educate all those who meet them.

Knitting

The Organized Knitter

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This super cute site I found sells handmade knitting needle cases. I am thinking about taking a knitting classes that starts in January. I want to be able to start making all my gifts for friends and family. Plus it's fun, relaxing, and creative. I've decided I want to use bamboo needles [no plastic or metal] and not sure on the yarn yet. Natural yarns are better but that usually means they come from animals and that's not always a fun time for them...

Anyway, my grandma taught me to knit and crochet when I was young and so I just have to re-learn it, I hope it's as easy as riding a bicycle.

My Littlest Sister

I must be PMS-ing, I've been depressed, sad and overwhelmed today. Overwhelmed by everything I need to do for Christmas, Yule, family birthdays, planning our wedding ]which we have no money budgeted for], and trying to get our car fixed. I just want to crawl under my bed and cry myself to sleep. I hate being depressed and I'm putting up a good fight. But I'm afraid it's gonna win. I hate depressed me, she's not fun, not fun at all.
But I did get an email that cheered me up a bit. I just love her!

I'm at school right now. I'm so ready for break. We have finals next week and I am so dreading it, but it has to be done. I only have three so it's ok. I have History and English next Wednesday and Math next Thursday. So next Thursday we are going out to lunch and we are going to celebrate. I've noticed that we haven't been hanging out or talking as much. I know it's me and school, but I really miss you. So, from now on every Thursday we are going to lunch together. And maybe when Narnia comes out you, Cindi and me can go see it. I better go. I'm in class and I need to work on a paper.

Love your favorite little sister

Final Projects

~Buddhism~

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I finished my final project for my World Religions class! It was due today but I completed it and turned it in yesterday. I had to write a 2,000-2,500 word report on one of the world religions. I choose Buddhism. I probably should have chosen a religions I had less knowledge of, but the paper was to include an interview from someone who practices the chosen religion. I happen to know a woman who practices Buddhism who I knew would be willing to be interviewed and would be interesting to listen to. I also had to take a tour of a place of worship. I lucked out and after our interview she took me to the local Shambhala Center even though it was closed. It worked out well and the notes from the interview and site visit took up half my required work count. I didn't do as much research as I would have liked but I did learn a lot and enjoyed writing about it. I want to learn more.

Today I'm working on my environmental science project which is a 1,750-2,100 work paper accompanied by 5-10 PowerPoint slide presentation. It is regarding two environmental problems in a region of my choosing, solutions to solve the problems, and examples of other places who attempted the same solution and their results. I choose to Utah and am discussing overpopulation and loss of wetlands. Good Times! I'm almost half-way done. The week we were gone dropped my grade down to a high B but if I can pull 100% on my project I can still manage an A-.

Something to Look Forward to...

Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins

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Jenny Lewis of [Rilo Kiley] is releasing a solo album in January 2006. I can't wait, I just love her voice and her lyrics. I know I'm not the best critic but she is awesome! Check her out at her record label [here]. You can check out their myspace profile (Boo!) [here].

My Visit to SLC

Liz & Bella

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On Sunday November, 27 we slipped down from Idaho to Utah where I got to have a visit with my best friend Liz. I hadn't seen her since December 2001 and it was a very short visit. So we probably hadn't had a substantial visit since June/July 2001. It was so nice to see her and finally meet her daughter Bella Rae. She is the cutest little girl and Jack had a blast licking her face since she was the perfect height. I also met her husband who was quiet but had fun with Jack. The visit ended up setting us back another day because of snow storms but it was worth it.

I'll post more pictures soon...

the Stranger

I was reminded today of a very cool weekly paper in Seattle that I need to start reading more. I figured if I posted here I might remember. [Check it out.]

Something funny for the weekend

The Climate Mash

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I just got an email with a link to a really cute video called [The Climate Mash]. Watch it, it's funny. I'm all about anything that makes fun of George and all his goons.