Yay Christmas Shopping!

Today is the first day in a long time that I didn't have to wake up and jump right on the computer for work. Add to that a nice rain that started last night and I'm a happy girl. I Love the rain and love that I took the morning to run some errands with Mario and get a little shopping done.

We had pretty much decided between our families that there wasn't to be any gifts. However, once we got into costco there were cool things that we just had to get people. Besides I know they'll be getting us stuff too. We can't help ourselves. Thanks to that costco we also stocked up our very malnutritioned fridge with good food stuff. I love a full fridge!

Then I decided that I wanted to go check out Linens and things. We drove by on the weekend and decided it was too dangerous and line was over an hour long. I don't like 50% off that much... Maybe for 75% off. I figured being a Monday morning it might be safe to go. I have been wanting new bedding for the last year. We upgraded from a queen size bed and are still using the same comforters. So I've been jonesing for covers that actually fit our bed. I figured they had to have something for us.

What a mess that place was! Everyone was in a big frenzy. I walked calmly with my cart around the store, watching everyone tearing things apart. Having to have that last ugly blanket or comforter. Just as I was looking at the leftover rugs, this lady started yelling at me that I stole her cart. Shocked, I turned around to make sure she was talking to me. Yup, she was pointing at me and insisting that I give her the cart back. I told her no, I had gotten this one from some nice lady coming out of the store. Now standing next to all of her stuff that was now sitting on the floor, she was insistent that it was her cart and she wanted it back! Because I'm stubborn and don't like being made a fool of, I wasn't giving up the cart. I had spent quality time with this cart. Of course the man and the woman who worked there and watched me walk by, were no help at all. They just stood there staring. Finally the woman worker looked at me and said "Don't worry I'll get you a new cart" Thanks a lot lady. Not that I really cared all too much but, how do you prove that it's not her cart? If I was nice I would have given her the cart. If she had just asked me if I had taken her cart, I would have said "no, but take mine". However, once the pointing and yelling started, there was no giving up my cart. What sucks the most is, people stealing carts is a big pet peeve of mine...huge pet peeve. I can't stand when people will just take off with your cart, instead of just walking over and getting their own cart from the front. They'll empty it right out and take off with it. Well, who ever took her cart had to work for it. She had a lot of shit sitting on the ground. She probably didn't even have a cart in the first place. Just trying to scam me out of mine. Of course, I kept running into her all over the store and she was giving me all kinds of looks. It was kinda fun after a while.

In the end there wasn't much to choose from. I did happen to find a nice down comforter and a pretty bookshelf for 50% off.

To finish off my fun Christmas shopping day, I'll probably head over to Target later to pick up a few things and see who else I can piss off.

Mmm Brunch...

Mario loves brunches. Maybe it's the all-you-can-eat, maybe it's the variety. I'm not sure, but he loves them. He's is always trying to fine new brunch places to go. Of course I can't do them all the time, I just can't take all that food. So when he actually gets to go to a buffet...he's a very happy man.

There is a great restaurant up above the San Fernando Valley called The Castaways. Way up on the hill, incredible view, wonderful food...and it's got a buffet on the weekend. Mario's been chomping at the bit to go to this brunch. This weekend we finally went. Man was he happy. Part way through he leaned over and told me, the reason we came here was because I have been working so hard and deserved a great brunch out......right. The man has been mentioning this brunch every weekend for the past two months. It was for me....ha nice try mister!

Anyway it was nice...20 foot chocolate fountain is all I need to say. Well it seemed that big anyway. But here's what I thought was funny and interesting.



Why don't they just say that it costs $3.50 for valet parking. I guess they did but why so blatant? What would happen if I only gave them $2...because I'm pretty standard with my $2 valet gratuity...unless I can see that they have to run down a hill and over three blocks to pick up my car, then I'll give them more. If Mario hadn't been in charge of getting the car that day I would have totally given them less. Not because I'm cheap but when they say complimentary and then ask for money, I get an attitude. Lucky for that guy Mario's nicer than I am.

I feel the same way!

I can't stop watching this video. It cracks me up. There are so many elements to it that kill me. Here watch and we'll discuss...



I'm not sure if it's the kids screaming or them holding onto each other. Hitting his brother on his head and messing up his hair definitely cracks me up. But when the kid tries to put an end to it all with the stool...definitely is my favorite part! What I really want to know is what is going on in that puppet show to elicit that reaction from the kids...scary shit!

Our Christmas Card

So Mario's a pretty creative guy and the man can draw...which really is to his advantage being in the animation industry. I told him I was going to go buy some Christmas cards and he said no. He wanted to make them. Alright, go for it. After three weeks of waiting he finally got it finished...and it cracks me up. If you don't know us in person, I know you've seen photos...it's us...I wonder if this is what our kids will look like?



So don't be surprised when you get this in the mail. Also, don't get mad at me when all the glitter and snowflake shit falls out of the envelope and gets stuck in your carpeting...it was the man's idea.

PS...If I don't have your address and you need a copy of this original M. D'Anna art, email me your address.

What does he do while I'm working?

Mario finished working on his show last week and he's not likely going to get more work until after Christmas (because what tv executive wants to work the month of December). So what does he do his first real day off? I pondered this while I was down in Palm Springs photographing some houses.

When I called to let Mario know I was on the way home, he was very proud and listed all the things he did today...even though he's got a little cold. I have to admit I was pretty impressed. He did the dishes, picked up the living room, vacuumed, did some laundry(which is amazing because in the last two years he's done 2 loads...seriously), organized his desk and other random surfaces and...actually put the cat food away(ok I'm a little bummed about that). I was so excited to be able to come home to a clean house and my man slave! The best gift ever!

But do you know what I love even more about Mario cleaning up? Playing "Where'd that shit go?" In such a small apartment, things need to have their own space. Because I work from home and tend to clean up a bit more, I know where their proper places are. Mario knows where things go, but sometimes gets "creative" with this. So when I got home today I made sure to take some photos to share his creativity...

This basket has been a problem for Mario. It's a random empty basket that I keep in the living room. Apparently he has a problem with empty baskets. They need something in them. So he kept putting my favorite pillow from the couch in it with another smaller basket on top...? Yeah weird. I empty it. He fills it back up. This has been a silent battle with us. Now he has found another place for it...on top of the microwave

This I didn't notice at first. The laptop in the cat bed. Well, why not...the cats don't use it until it really gets cold.

Wine in a random basket on the bookshelf. My mom left this basket here a week ago. Mario doesn't like empty baskets...now there's wine in it.

The hand vac with the books. Interesting. I wouldn't have thought to put it there. I usually keep that hidden in the kitchen not out on display.

And my favorite...the frog mask on the guitar. I don't what to say...creative?

I love when Mario cleans! I'm sure there's more stuff in random places, I just wanted to save some surprises for tomorrow.

Update

I've left the bag of cat food where it was when the attack happened...mostly because I think it's funny seeing both cats shoulder deep in a big bag of food. They've both given up on the big bowl of food that we leave out for them, and will only eat food from the big new bag. Which is actually more work for them because, they have to climb up on a chair and then stand up to get into the bag. However, they seem to prefer it and honestly it's less work for me. Now I just listen for them rustling in the bag and run in and try to catch them. This is my favorite so far. I love how long he's got his head buried in the bag. You don't think he can suffocate in there do you...

Have you ever been stalked by a song?

My favorite Christmas song...O Holy Night. I love it. I love when someone hits that high note towards the end. I always get chills. However, there is one version that is a little disappointing. It's the Josh Grobin version of "O Holy Night" He never really hits that note at the end. You'd think that with that voice, if he hit that note right, he'd have women all over him. But no. It's more than a little disappointing.

Well it also turns out that the version of the song is totally stalking Mario. He's never been a fan of Josh Grobin but he's all over the place with that song. Whenever we get in the car it's on. We were running errands one day and it was on the radio every time we got in the car. Sometimes only a half hour in between plays. He called me the other day from a store and I said "isn't that the Grobin song playing in the background?"..."yeah this f'ing song is everywhere!" His sister is now calling him up whenever it's on and playing it into his phone. She's left it on his voicemail. It was on the radio twice tonight. He finally is just leaving the radio off in the car, just to get away from it even for a little while until he goes into the next store. However, every time it comes on I get to see that look of defeat on Marios face...and laugh my ass off.

I accidently took a turn onto Serious street...

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. Even with the Christmas presents waiting for us around the corner, Thanksgiving is the holiday that has always made me far happier than all the rest. It was a more about being laid back and just appreciating being with family.

About five years ago it took a bitter sweet turn on me. That thanksgiving five years ago was the last time I saw my father. My sister and I had decided to leave the thanksgiving weekend a little early to drive down to Disneyland. As my sister and I pulled out of the drive, my dad was the only one left outside waving us goodbye. The last thing I said to him was "I love you" as we drove away. It's a picture that is so clear in my head. My sister Lindsay and I had a fun weekend. The end of the weekend came. She went back home to northern california and I went back to work. A few days later my mom called to tell me that my father had died.

What has happen since then has been a lot of crying, a lot of learning how to deal with the loss of someone so close, a lot of growing up, and most of all, a lot of learning about myself. I can say without a doubt that I am not the same person that answered my mother's phone call that night. Despite the reason for all of this change, I love myself so much more now. I wish my dad could see this version of me and see what I've become. Then there's definitely part of me that knows he's here and can see it.

One thing that my sister and I know is that he's around us. We can generally tell who he's with. I can say, "he's with you" and she'll agree. I've been in situations that were a little unsure and I asked my dad to protect me and keep me safe. It's pretty amazing to feel the energy change in the room and realize that everything will be fine. Maybe you don't believe in that sort of thing, I do a little bit more now.

Really the whole point of this long post was to tell you about what I think are little signs from my dad. Maybe they're all coincidence, who cares...it's for me. About a month after my dad died, I was living with my friend and her husband. My friend and I were on this workout schedule that got us up at 5:30 in the morning. I was sitting on the edge bed one morning and was trying to wake up a little. My tv was on a bookshelf about a foot and a half from me and the bed. All of a sudden the tv turned on. I just stared at it...then reached for it and turned it off with the power button. It turned back on. I pushed the power on the tv again and turned it off. Then it turned on and off, on and off, on and off. I just said "please stop" and it stopped. Later I told my friend about it and she said it was totally my dad's style. I agreed. Of course, her visiting father-in-law said that someone probably had the same remote frequency and we were having dueling remotes. For one, I was turning the power off at the tv. No remote. And at 5 in the morning? Nah, I knew it was my dad letting me know he was there. Ever since, every time I have moved, I have gotten that same show. Different tvs, same situation.

Of course I have been thinking of my dad lately. Last week I was in the living room working, when I heard the tv in the bedroom turn on. I just yelled out "hi dad" and kept working. Of course Bob was trying to figure out what the crap was going on in there. It just made me happy. It's happened a few other times too. Like in the middle of the night. We sleep with the tv on, I've woken up with it turning off a few times lately. Maybe it's not really my dad. However, it gives me comfort to know he's around and saying hi.

I'll tell you about the birthday surprise I got last year...that was a shock!

He really is a delinquent!

So I went out to lunch and came back to this mess. Totally helped himself to a nice new bag of food. I can't imagine how long it took them to tear all those tiny pieces of paper off to be able to make a hole that big.





Well at least he's causing trouble at home more and not out on the streets. Weasel! The only thing saving him is how cute he is!

Oh how I missed you!

Yes, I felt like I have been neglecting my blogging duties(yes I just laughed when I typed duties). Like I mentioned last week, my mom has been in town. That lady was here from last Thursday until yesterday. That is the most time we've spent together in one stretch for years. We usually break it up more. Don't get me wrong, I love her but we don't usually do long periods together very well. This time was great. Maybe because most of it was spent at the happiest place on earth.

Mom had decided that she wanted to go to Disneyland for a few days. Mario and I had just gotten our year passes so it was perfect. We had a great time. Although the woman's favorite rides were a surprise to me. One morning all she could talk about was going on Space Mountain. Then she was obsessed with riding the Matterhorn. The woman had to ride it twice in a row...because she wanted to know which side was better to ride(there are two runs to the coaster). Of course we road Pirates and the Haunted Mansion a few times. She giggled through Star Tours and was a mess riding Soaring over California. If you've never ridden it before it's like a movie tour of california. You sit in these seats that lift you up into this big half circle screen and your feet are hanging free. You do feel a little vulnerable but you also feel like you are flying. I knew this ride would get her. She only screamed once when we flew over the golf course and the guys hits the little mickey mouse golf ball past us. Yep she thought it would hit her. She also pulled her feet up when we went over the trees. I guess they did their job. We had a great time. Mom and I stayed at her timeshare in Anaheim. Mario and his sister came down on Sunday and spent the day with us. Then Mario ditched work to spend Monday with us(the man loves his disneyland). It was a nice time and I know I'll get in trouble for letting her buy this...



Yes that is a pink and orange leopard print hat. My sister will blame me, but I know I can't talk that woman out of anything. But she does look cute.

Well there was my warm up back into my blogging routine...more later.