on vacation in Virigina Beach

Aug 31, 2008


on vacation in Virigina Beach

Here we are in VA Beach. The trip down was uneventful – which is good. We hit some traffic, but it was never really a dead stop. Not bad considering that it's a holiday weekend.

We finally got to the rental office around 4 p.m. and checked out the house and unpacked the car. Dan had mentioned Chinese food on the way down. We were hoping for a delivery, but no such luck. Dan ended up going to pick it up, but had to stop and pick up beer and soda anyway. Dinner was OK. We are spoiled by Good Fortune restaurant at home. Big servings and great tasting.

We did a short walk on the beach last night with Esa – she was funny – she kept hiding behind Dan when the waves came in.

In the sand for the first time

seeing the ocean for the first time

hiding behind daddy-o

still not sure about all of the water

 About 8 we headed down to the Boardwalk to see Warrant. It wasn't bad finding a parking space and we only had to walk one block to the stage.

Now, the bad news. What the hell is wrong with Jani Lane? Obviously, too much drinking. He needs to be on Celebrity Rehab and not Celebrity Fit Club. The minute he walked on stage, you could tell he was f'd up. Then the singing – he didn't know the words, he just stood there and sang, no really show like he used to do. It was just sad. Now, the rest of the guys – all the original members – AWESOME! They were so together and played so well. All I could think of was what are they thinking? Can't they help Jani?

This morning was another walk on the beach – Esa came closer to the water – we know she won't go in. But she was really interested in watching the other dog that was on the beach go in!

Pictures from the beach and the concert (with a video) will be posted later.

Last Friday

Aug 23, 2008


Last Friday

I feel blah – I don't want to be here, I don't really look forward to driving all weekend. I do look forward to getting back into the swing of things. Even if it's just for a week before we go away on vacation.

This week has been crazy – I still have clothes to put away, the sink is full of dishes. I don't like this. I don't like things just sitting around. I'm hoping that Dan will take care of the dishes today and tonight I can take care of my clothes. It's no one's fault but my own. I haven't made time to do these things. Time has been spent with Mae and I need to remember that that is more important.

Spending time with the niece is much more important than the dirty dishes or putting away the laundry. They are just things and the family moments are much more cherished. OK – I now feel better. Just needed to write it down and let it go.

I've had a lot of fun with Maegan here. We've stayed busy going to the mall, watching movies, walking Esa, just hanging out. Hopefully Mae says the same!

Last night was the last trip to the mall before heading home. We had dinner there, and then shopped. Our first stop was Borders and they had a whole cart full of books that were 50% off – well I was thinking the price on the book was already 50% off ($3.99 each) – NOPE – 50% OFF OF THAT! I had first grabbed about 5 books and when they came to $10, back I went to the cart and picked up 8 more!

Then off to Hot Topic – the main purpose of the trip – I found t-shirts for me there! In the clearance they had a Kiss shirt and a Black Sabbath shirt. Grabbed those! I really wanted the Guns N' Roses shirt that they have there, but it's $20. I'm not paying that much for a t-shirt.

Today is my "accounting" day – I'm trying to get A/R done and get the paperwork together for the tenant audits. It's hard to stay motivated. I'm so ready for the weekend and no work (OK – basically the no work part).

So this morning, I went through 3 different outfits to get to something that I liked. Then I thought of something that Sandy said – she wants to be more stylish – this coming from a person who ALWAYS matches and I can't keep up with (you give me something to strive for Sans!). So I was looking on paperbackswap for fashion books. I think I might go pick up some fashion magazines first. Another goal…….

I used to be so into fashion - of course this was when I was a teenager and everything had to match, I would get ideas out of Seventeen and YM. I need to go through my closet, fix what I need to, get rid of things that I haven't worn in forever, and put together some outfits.

Tonight will be dinner, walk the pup and then pack. Drive 6 hours on Saturday (to NY), and drive 6 hours on Sunday (back). Looking forward to a beef on wick at Texas Hot tomorrow night.

daytimer, D&B, and that’s a lot of money.....

Aug 19, 2008

daytimer, D&B, and that’s a lot of money.....

I've decided to go old school on the daytimer. I did some searches on the internet and found www.diyplanner.com. I've decided to use ONE planner for work and home and carry it back and forth. I need to simplify and having 2 planners (for the work and personal) is not simplifying. It's one life, so one planner. So, I'm taking some time and getting the planner organized and filled with info. This should work…….

Yesterday's trip to Dave & Buster's was a lot of fun. The food was good and the games were fun. Once again, Dan got the most tickets, but of course, he gave them to us girls! I got a t-shirt and Maegan got a stuffed animal and a LED lamp that plugs into the computer. We got lost on the way home – so much for the jeep having a GPS system! I was programming it and Dan kept on saying, "I got it, I got it". Well, we ended up going the wrong way on the beltway. We got home about 7:30 and walked Esa. Sable came out and played for a few. Sable is all over Esa – and finally bit Esa's gum (on the inside of her mouth), so Esa was bleeding a bit. Didn't bother her though – I think it worried Dan more. J

We also dropped off Plankton (our Nissan Sentra) for a check-up – he was dripping oil – not good. Come to find out the washer was bad and we weren't charged for it BUT of course they noticed that the emergency brake wasn't working right and of course, it wasn't an easy fix – the console had to be taken out and the brake adjusted there. The jeep also is in need of tires. We noticed when we were in Canada that the front passenger tire was low and 2 weeks later the same thing. The tread has been really bad on all of the tires. The last time it was in for a check-up, Goodyear said we were going to need tires soon. Dan wanted to get the tires .. I take Mae back home so I dropped it off this morning when I picked up Plankton. One thousand dollars later and we have some nice tires with a long warranty. Good thing it's paid off. These tires should last the rest of the life of the jeep.

what’s been going on and Esa’s DNA test (2nd time around)

Aug 17, 2008

what’s been going on and Esa’s DNA test (2nd time around)

Things have been busy here – I just keep moving with the niece to keep her entertained. Luckily, she's cool with just sitting at home and watching movies too!

Monday, like I posted, the neighbors came over with their dogs for awhile. Tuesday, we played "Scene It". Wednesday, the neighbors came over again with Sable and then we watched "One Missed Call". Thursday, we went to see "Tick, Tick, Boom!" by the Elden Street Players (www.eldenstreetplayers.org).

Both of us really enjoyed it. I couldn't believe that the movie was done with only 3 actors (and 3 musicians). I kept laughing at the jokes they made about Newark Airport - Just because of the connection at work.

Friday, we went to DQ for dinner (Mae wanted to try the Chili Cheese Dog). We were going to get together with the neighbors again, but it started to rain on the way home. So we ended up just watching Degrassi.

Yesterday, we went to Chipotle for lunch, Office Depot, Staples, Dollar Tree and then finally Fair Oaks Mall. The main goal - Hot Topic. That was just about the only store we went into (besides Brookstone, Spencer's and Claire's). We got home about 4:30. Dan had his fantasy football draft and got home about 30 minutes after us. We went for a walk, had dinner, started watching Juno and then the neighbors stopped by with Sable. So we all ended out back watching the pups play.

Today, we have already dropped the Nissan off at Goodyear - there's a small oil leak - not good - we are hoping that it is just something not tightened - since it didn't start until after the last oil change. Later on, we plan on going to Dave & Buster's. I've never been (Dan has). Mae wanted to do something like Chuck E. Cheese, but not and Dan thought of D & B.

Yesterday, we got Esa's 2nd DNA test. What a bunch of bull! Once again, it says that there's nothing in her primary (more than 50%); her secondary (25% to 50%) is Shih Tzu; and in the mix (less than 25%) - Alaskan Malumute, Chow Chow, Akita. WHAT A BUNCH OF CRAP! According to that one website I found last time, those breeds are all ancient breeds and all dogs come from those breeds! I just can't believe they left the Shih Tzu on there - I wonder what happened to the Greyhound that was in her? All of the sudden that disappeared?

So, please pass on the word - this is a bunch of crap.

last night's activities

Aug 12, 2008


last night's activities

the plan was 2 watch "Martian Child" and eat leftover pizza.  Esa other plans.  So we walked and met up with her friend Mela who we haven't seen in awhile. Then we ran into her friend, Rugby & invited her over. As we were walking 2 our house, Sable was out, so it was play time @ Esa's house! The pups had a lot of fun & it was great chatting w/the neighbors.

how other people live and how church changes things

Aug 12, 2008


how other people live and how church changes things

I know realize the basis for "Wasted" on Planet Green. Having 3 people in our house that are from a different household (and a different part of the country) for the weekend, you see their habits (I'm not saying that in a bad way) when it comes to being "green". Come to find out, my sis-in-law didn't know about "being green". Anyway, it was just interesting. They do recycle (bottles and cans), but they don't use dishtowels at all in the kitchen – papertowels are it. I also know that they (all 5 of them) use a new bath towel every day (that's a lot of laundry).

Like I said these observations are not in a bad way – just a preference and convenience for their family – to me, nothing wrong with that, because I understand the preference. I guess for me, being green also means saving money. Because it does – less laundry; smaller utilities bills, less trash (that means less trash bags used), - less money being spent period.

I was raised in the church – Assembly of God – and every Sunday it was "expected" of us to go. No questions asked. My mom and aunt were very much active in the church, since the Caprarulos were one of the founding families of the church! Anyway, my brothers and I grew apart from the church, but I know that it has made us good people. My sister-in-law, Joanne, wasn't really raised in the church like us. She believed in God, but her personality was a good person, but don't cross her! She'd hold a grudge forever (I've experienced it first hand!). A couple of years ago, she started going to the AG church again and her life has changed. No more smoking, no more holding grudges (she forgives) – she is just more at peace with herself and with her world. I'm so proud of her. We've always been close (except for a period of time after my parents passed away). It was so nice this weekend to spend time with her and remember how well we get along. I swear, if we lived closer to each other, we'd be getting in trouble somehow. We laugh a lot and can have serious talks too. The short of it – it's amazing how a person can turn their life around. Church has affected my niece too. She's starting a Christian college next week studying international studies. Her plan is to become a missionary. Chrissy has just grown so much since starting to attend church. She's actually getting out of the area and traveling (Mexico & Scotland already)!

The Weekend Update

Aug 4, 2008

the weekend update

This weekend did not go as planned. I really wanted to go to Ram's Head to see the Rock n' Roll Fantasy Camp, King's X, and Extreme, BUT Dan's work got in the way. Work was stressful last week for him and Saturday, he kept getting calls and then Sunday, he ended up going in. Him going in ruined our plans to go over to the neighbor's house for a cookout. L Despite Dan working the majority of the weekend, I felt like I got stuff done at home – straightening out the guest room, weekly cleaning (dusting and vacuuming), bills, groceries, laundry, etc.

We are still trying to get on a schedule where we do all the house chores (cleaning and such) during the week (see www.flylady.net). I think the grocery shopping is still going to happen on the weekend, but that works since we usually go out to eat them anyway.

Countdown to when the niece arrives! Mae & VJ should be down either Saturday or Sunday and Mae will be staying with us for 2 weeks. I'm sure a lot of shopping (with me) will be happening and a lot of game playing (with Dan). Esa will enjoy having another person around to spoil her. Not sure how long VJ is staying – probably just the weekend.

I ended up going to the chiropractor first thing this morning. I was starting to be in pain. I waited a week too long. If I don't go at least once a month, I get all stiff. I'm sure the beds I was sleeping in on vacation didn't help! Dan's at home today. Since he worked the majority of the weekend, he's taking today as a "weekend" day.

So, Friday, I started thinking about how to use my dayplanner (again!). It seems every 6 months, I change my mind on how to use it. Right now, I have 2 – one for work and one for home. So during the (work) day, I have calendars out. Six months ago, it seemed a good idea – I want work and home separate, but it is only one life – I hate the idea of carrying my bulky planner back and forth though (and that's with only one month in it). Any ideas would be appreciated!