Monday, February 15, 2010

Valentine's Day Dine & Dash?

It was supposed to be the perfect romantic date. My husband said he was taking me to a movie in the afternoon & then later that evening he had made dinner reservations for 7:00 p.m.

Now, being the good wife, I told him that I wanted to pay for dinner with my separate account, which I deposit money into from my Ebay & Skin Care sales.

Everything was going as planned, he took me to a cute little 'chick flick', "When in Rome" and then we went home for a while before it was time for dinner.

We arrived at the restaurant a little early and a friend (who is a waitress), that I've known for years (our 21 yr. olds played football together since they were 7) snuck up behind me & gave me a hug. I haven't seen her in a while, we had a few minutes to catch up while we waited to be seated.

Dinner was amazing, (Filet Mignon), & then desert (Mocha Mud Pie). We were stuffed & ready to head home.

The bill came & I reached into my purse to get my credit card...but it wasn't there!

Okay now here is where I need to do a little explaining.

Saturday we had another open house & had to find something to do with our dog for 4 hrs. again. I have a really big purse & always transfer my stuff into a small backpack that's easier to carry when we head down to dog beach.

I thought I had put everything back into my purse on Saturday evening.

But as I continued to fumble through my wallet, I remembered that I had put my license & credit card into a 'secret' compartment so that it wouldn't fall out of the backpack.

The compartment was so secret that I had obviously forgotten to look there while transferring my things.

My husband left our other card at home because I was treating.

That is the moment when you have to make a choice.

Dine & Dash or leave my hubby sitting in the booth while I drive home to get my card.

Hmmm...decisions...what to do?

It's like that cartoon, where the angel & devil is sitting on each shoulder, "Just go, who cares!" "Don't listen to him...that's stealing!"


JUST KIDDING...you know what I did!

It took me about 15 minutes to get home and back. I have to admit, while I was driving I was cracking up, thinking about my poor hubby sitting there alone for 15 minutes while the waitress is probably watching him like a hawk to make sure he doesn't run out too.

On my way back I called him & said, "Hey, you better be really nice to me because if I don't come back, they'll hold you hostage & make you wash dishes or something."

He didn't think it was very funny!

While he was sitting alone in the booth, some former players of his & their parents came walking up, "Hey coach, how you doing?"

He said he felt so stupid, sitting there all alone in the booth on Valentine's Day.

When I got back, I guess he had told our waitress the whole story & she must've gone in the back & told everyone else. My friend came up to the table laughing & said, "Why didn't you guys tell me? I would've vouched for you or paid for it with my card!"

So I guess the last laugh was on me! We headed out to a group of waiters & waitresses all standing there, cracking up & telling us, "Have a great night!"

How embarrassing...leave it to me!

Very romantic don't ya think?!?

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Old Photo's & Memories

My computer (an old iMac) is driving me CRAZY! It is so messed up right now that I decided to start uploading all of my old saved pictures onto my Flickr account just to be safe.

While going through them & putting them into albums, I stumbled across some old favorites and thought I'd share them with all of you.

MEMORIES

Elijah, Jullien & Josh (My gorgeous Boys!)

Virginia City-Josh, Jullien, Dillon, Elijah & Adam

A Real Panther in Virginia City

Family Christmas Pic

Anthony & Jullien in Hawaii- Pop Warner Midget Championship Football Game (We Won!)

Elijah Receiving Another Academic & Athletic Award

Joshy's Birthday Surf Board

Me & My Costa Rican/Italian Stallion~4th of July @ The Beach


USC Football Camp with Pete Carroll.


Jullien called out to show them a defensive drill @ USC

Joshy's Senior Prom

Tashy & Cousin Tristan

My Mom & Me

Lijey & Allie

Girls Vegas Trip-My Mom & Sisters

My Best Friends Wedding

Jullien (Edison High Football~1st Team All Sunset League Linebacker) Rival Bell Game (We Won!)

Joshy-Record Setting Track Team~(He beat this kid!) 4 yr. Letterman
~Can you tell he's the only Freshman?



Elijah Southern California Championship Track Meet (Elijah placed 1st in the 400M & 2nd in the 200M) Check out that form!

Another year* Another 1st Place in the 400 Meter~ So. Cal. Track Championship

Jullien's 2009 Graduation-This is one of his Fav Teachers...can you tell! This picture cracks me up...I captured the perfect moment!

This is why I love pictures...amazing moments frozen in time!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Trip To A Hockey Game

My parents were here until Sunday & my dad (really my step-dad, but he raised me), loves hockey. My sister got us tickets to the L.A. Kings vs. Detroit Red Wings game. My dad was actually in the Red Wings farm program when he was younger, growing up in Michigan. He also was on the semi-pro hockey team (a Goalie) when we lived in Reno, NV..."The Reno Aces."

I held my camera phone in the row behind us to sneak a pic & then sent it to my dad saying, "True Red Wings fan!"

My hubby took this pic w/his phone when we were all moving around~my mom, dad & me.

We spent our younger years at the rink. My brother John also played hockey & I took figure skating lessons.

I still can do some jumps & spins. I surprised my husband, kids & myself when we went skating one time.

Look how young the kids were! (Missing Natascha)


Getting ready to spin my stepson!

The game was really fun. We had great seats & the Red Wings pulled out to an early 3-0 lead. We were so happy & thought, "Ya they got this!" Three points in hockey is a lot. We were glad that my dad was going to get to see his team win. Then the Kings scored and then two more in a row, one off the Red Wing goalies error.

We couldn't believe it... they tied it up.

Two minutes left & the Kings scored what ended up being the winning goal.

I felt so bad for him!

He had attended the Mighty Ducks vs. the Red Wings game earlier in the week with my sister & they lost that one too!

Oh well...it's just a game right? I guess I was just hoping that with all my dads been through with his chemo & stuff, that the Red Wings had to win because he never gets to see them play.

I told him that he's going to have to keep getting better so he can go see them play in Michigan and visit his sisters.

My parents left on Sunday but we had a great time & I'm hoping that we'll be able to go up to Utah in the summer to visit them, depending on the boys football pre-season schedule...fingers crossed!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Family Leaving & Arriving

LEAVING: This morning I had to take my son Jullien, to the airport at 5:00 a.m. He was supposed to be back in New York last week to go on several castings for New York Fashion Week, but wanted to take care of some things before he left.

So his awesome agent, George Brown at Red Model Management~Click Here & also see Models.Com~Click Here is cramming in tons of castings in the short amount of time leading up to the shows. He had to go to two of them right from the airport...lugging his bags and all.

I've really enjoyed getting to have him home for so long. It made it hard to say goodbye again...but he is so fortunate to be able to travel & see the world at the age of 18.

ARRIVING: My parents arrived yesterday from Utah. I'm so thankful for everyone's prayers for my dad. He is doing incredibly well since his 4th stage, inoperable lung cancer diagnosis a year ago. Check out his "Father of the Year Video on You Tube" CLICK HERE. He continues to work full time at the police dept. as a captain & also works a side job.

I really feel that the prayers and his incredibly positive attitude have stabilized the cancer. It has stopped growing & is completely at a stand still. What a blessing!

My dad and hubby played golf today, while I worked until 1:00 p.m.

I'm fortunate to be an independent contractor and have a flexible schedule.

After I got off, I headed out to Glendora, the small little town I grew up in, where my sister still lives, to hang out with my mom & sister.

We headed back down to Newport Beach to meet up with everyone & eat at my dad's favorite restaurant...The Crab Cooker. We piled nine of us into my Lincoln Navigator, (nothing quite like family togetherness), and had so much fun.

Gotta love all the old family memories!

There's absolutely nothing better than spending time with the people you love the most!

Monday, February 1, 2010

Honey & Cinnamon Cures

I can't believe it...I'm getting sick again! I woke up Saturday and could hardly swallow.

I found an awesome home remedy that REALLY WORKS...I use it on my whole family & everyone has gotten better without antibiotics!

Yes...I'm taking it now too! My throat feels better today (2nd day taking honey/cinnamon)...

Give it a try...you will save on doctors/prescription bill.

**Be sure to never give honey to children 2 & under**

Honey & Cinnamon Cures

It is found that mixture of Honey and Cinnamon cures many diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world.

Ayurvedic as well as Yunani medicine have been using honey as a vital medicine for centuries. Scientists of today also accept honey as a Ram Ban (very effective) medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without any side effects for any kind of diseases.

Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients also.

A famous magazine named Weekly World News published in Canada dated 17 January, 95 has given a list of diseases that can be cured by Honey and Cinnamon as researched by western scientists.

Arthritis

Take one part honey to two parts of luke warm water and add a small teaspoon of cinnamon powder, make a paste and massage it on the itching part of the body slowly. It is noticed that the pain recedes within a minute or two.

Or arthritis patients may take daily, morning and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder.

If you drink regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research done at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon. Honey and half teaspoon cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week out of the 200 people so treated practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain.

Hair Loss

Those suffering from hair loss or baldness, may apply a paste of hot olive oil, one tablespoon of honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder before bath and keep it for approx. 15 min and then wash the hair. Also found very effective if kept for only 5 minutes.

Bladder Infections

Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of luke warm water and drink it. It destroys the germs of the bladder.

Toothache

Make a paste of one teaspoon of cinnamon powder and five teaspoons of honey and apply on the aching tooth. This may be done 3 times a day daily till such time that the tooth has stopped aching.

Cholesterol

Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of cinnamon powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, if given to a cholesterol patient, it reduces the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10% within 2 hours.

As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken 3 times a day any chronic cholesterol is cured.

As per the information received in the said journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complains of cholesterol.

Colds

Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon luke warm honey with 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder daily for 3 days.

This process will cure most chronic cough, cold and clear the sinuses.

Influenza

A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ingredient which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.

Infertility

Yunani and Ayurvedic have been using honey for years in medicine to strengthen the semen of men. If impotent men regularly take two tablespoon of honey before sleeping, their problem will be solved. In China, Japan and Far-East countries, women who do not conceive and to strengthen the uterus have been taking cinnamon powder for centuries.

Women who cannot conceive may take a pinch of cinnamon powder in half teaspoon of honey and apply it on the gums frequently throughout the day, so that it slowly mixes with the saliva and enters the body.

A couple in Maryland, America had no children for 14 years and had left hope of having a child of their own. When told about this process husband and wife started taking honey and cinnamon as stated above, the wife conceived after a few months and had twins at full term.

Indigestion

Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food, relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.

Upset Stomach

Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomachache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root.

Gas

According to the studies done in India & Japan, it is revealed that if honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

Heart Diseases

Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread instead of jelly and jam and eat it regularly for breakfast.

It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also those who have already had an attack, if they do this process daily, are kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that due to the increasing age the arteries and veins which lose their flexibility and get clogged are revitalized.

Immune System

Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacteria and viral diseases.

Old Age

Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly arrests the ravages of old age. Take 4 spoons of honey, 1 spoon of cinnamon powder and 3 cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink 1/4 cup, 3 to 4 times a day.

Pimples

Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root. It keeps the skin fresh and soft.

Skin Infections

Eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections are cured by applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts.

Weight Loss

Daily in the morning, 1/2 hour before breakfast on an empty stomach and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup water. If taken regularly it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also drinking of this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.

Cancer

Recent research in Japan and Australia has reveled that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month 3 times a day.

Fatigue

Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful than detrimental to the body strength. Senior citizens who take honey and cinnamon power in equal parts are more alert and flexible. Dr.Milton who has done research says that half tablespoon honey taken in one glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 p.m. when the vitality of the body starts decreasing, increases the vitality of the body within a week.

Bad Breath

People of South America, first thing in the morning gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water. So their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

Hearing Loss

Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder taken in equal parts restores hearing.

*NOTE:The honey used needs to be REAL RAW UNPASTEURIZED HONEY. If it says PURE honey it is most likely pasteurized. It is best to only buy honey that says RAW or UNPASTEURIZED on the label. The difference is that the enzymes are all heated out of the pasteurized honey.

Pediatric Warning: Honey and Children Under Two

Children under the age of one (to be really safe probably two years old) should not ingest honey. Honey contains clostridium botulinum spores. In the human with a mature immune system, the spores will not germinate in the gastrointestinal tract. However, in the immature immune system of the infant, the spores can germinate and cause botulism, a descending flaccid paralysis caused by the neurotoxin of clostridia botulinum. It also does not matter if the honey is pasteurized, since the typical pasteurization temperature is not high to kill the spores.



Saturday, January 30, 2010

Sugar Ray Show at The Galaxy

Last night we had just started to walk our dog when Anthonys friend (who's in a band) called & invited us to go to the Sugar Ray show at the Galaxy. His band was opening for them & put us on the guest list.

I'm not a big Sugar Ray fan, but a free concert is always nice. Besides I've never seen his friends band before and I heard they were pretty good. They've been around forever, they're the original SUPERNOVA (pop-punk band)...before that rock show came out and stole their name. I guess they had a whole legal thing going on because of it and won. Since we haven't been to very many concerts lately, I think the last ones were Social Distortion & the KROQ Weenie Roast which were awesome...I thought it should be pretty fun.

So about Sugar Ray...last I remembered Mark McGrath was a host on Extra or something like that. I had no idea they were still playing, let alone had a new album out. I have to admit that I did like those three songs, Someday, Fly & Every Morning.

I loved Supernova...they're a crack up. When Sugar Ray came on I found myself singing along to the three songs I mentioned, but other than that, I wasn't impressed. He played tons of cover songs and the whole show was pretty flat and boring. Once he started singing the new songs...we decided it was time to go.

So I'd have to say...don't rush out and buy the new CD. I'm sure you were all planning on it, right? LOL!

Always a fun night out with the hubby & friends though.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Carmel By The Sea

I LOVE these pictures we took on our way back from our trip. We stopped off at Carmel By the Sea and took some fun shots. My hubby's a goofball...he never ceases to surprise me. I told him to pose pretty for this pic (this is what he gave me)....he cracks me up!

~My tattooed punker turned ballet dancer~

Not to be out done (i've always been a tomboy); I climbed the tree (even though I'm afraid of heights)...I wanted a cool shot too!


More tree climbing below (check out the little asian girl peaking out)~She was mad we were climbing in her tree.




Isn't it a gorgeous place? Click to see CARMEL BY THE SEA OFFICIAL SITE

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Controlling the Control Freak

I tend to be a bit of a control freak...anticipating each and every possible scenario and looking for ways to shape it into the ideal situation. I usually am only like this with my immediate family.

I don't know, I think it's a protection thing...a mother's instinct.

When presented with certain trials, I work out all the different angles in my mind and then try to figure out the best course of action. I know that I can be a bit overbearing at times, but I just want to spare my family any unnecessary hurt and pain.

My son had to meet with some people today and I was a little leary of the whole thing due to a recent situation that happened leading up to this meeting.

I sat at home last night before the big meeting worrying the entire situation to death in my mind. At one point letting my emotions bring me to tears.

How can I protect my child if these people decide to hurt him emotionally?

A part of me wanted to call the whole thing off. Avoidance sometimes seems better than the unknown, endless possibilities that your mind can create when left to it's own devices.

I'm lucky to have such a wonderful husband. Who offered me his words of wisdom.

Lis, just let it go. It's out of your hands. There is nothing you can do, it is something that your son wants and needs to happen. Let go of all of your fear, hurt and what if's...turn it completely over to God and let him handle it.

He prayed with me & can I tell you how much peace I had immediately! The weight was lifted, I knew that the Lord heard our prayers and would work it all out.

I then continued to pray for the people who were to meet with my son. I prayed that they would open their hearts & minds and see what an amazing person he is.

He called me after it was done to say that it went well and that he thought they were really nice. He could tell they were just as nervous as he was.

I've decided to really work on controlling the control freak in me. When situations seem unbearable, when I feel myself losing it, I'm going to stop and immediately pray.

It's amazing how the Lord comforts and lifts the burdens.