Our Madonna Inn Weekend
I love being spontaneous! It's one of my most recent attributes that I have picked up on and I have been having so much fun with it! I have my taxes done in Santa Maria and had a scheduled appointment in March. Barbara called and asked if I wanted to come this past Saturday instead and I decided to go for it! We called and invited Hayley (Shea's best friend) and took off early Saturday morning. Jeffrey was running a bit late so I took the girls to Starbucks and had them run in. I don't ever drink coffee but it was so cold outside and it sounded better than my usual passion iced tea that I get. What was the last thing I said to them as they jumped out of the car? Make sure you get me decaf to which they both yelled back, "We know!" I don't do caffeine, no soda and very little chocolate, etc...As we were driving back to our appointment, Shea looks at me with huge eyes and tells me, "Mom- I forgot to get decaf!" Oh well...We stayed at the Madonna Inn in "Old Fashioned Honeymoon" which I had stayed in years before with Rob. The three of us had the most incredible dinner in the dining room- filet mignon & lobster for me and the girls had prime rib and lobster and Shirley Temples in their fancy wine glasses that they requested! I know, spoiled, spoiled...all of us were and we loved it! What's the use of working your butt off all the time if you don't splurge every once in awhile? We didn't get to see Phyllis (Mrs. Madonna) on this trip and of course each & every time we go, we miss Alex (Mr. Madonna) so much. So many happy memories were spent there over the years and it truly is our home away from home. On the Madonna property, they always have gorgeous horses. There were several colts that were so beautiful. Shea took the pictures of the horses that I have posted and she was so proud of the one of the mommy & baby walking away. The girls fed them carrots and just had a blast! I think the girls favorite part was their 2 hour bath after dinner in the old fashioned tub. I closed the bathroom door so I couldn't hear or see the mess they were making! We all had a wonderful time. Ironically, it was my ex-anniversay weekend- it would have been 22 years married to Rob. When I talked with him on the way home and told him (lovingly and not mean) that we had a great anniversary without him- he just laughed and said, "Wow- 22 years!" It would have been 28 years that we had been together! Geez! It made me excited to think about taking my new husband there one day! One day will come, I just know it! You ask if the coffee kept me up? Not as much as the couple upstairs from us! Hehehehe! Hey- I'm not bitter or jealous- good for them!

On Line Dating

Well, it finally happened! I knew it was just a matter of time before someone from high school would find me! A couple of weeks ago, Joe, writes me and says: "You look very familiar- Is your name Adrienne?" I had absolutely no idea who he was because he had his name listed as a mixture of his first and last name. I had called Shea in to show her this gorgeous man with this incredible smile- you know the kind- you can't help but smile when you see his pearly whites! I finally figured out that it was Joe. He did not go to either of the reunions so I have not seen him in over 20 years! Because I was popular and had so many friends in high school, (not to sound conceited- it's just true- you can look at my yearbook) everyone just thinks I won't remember them, but I always do! He went to New Orleans for Mardi Gras last week but we are going to get together soon, have dinner and catch up. There is something so comforting about going out with somebody who already knows me and who I am. I don't have to feel like I'm on a job interview. He played football with Rob and we know alot of the same friends. I'll keep you posted!

Me & Usher

Shea loves her ipod and has downloaded many of her CD's as well as mine. One of the songs that I just love is "Burn" by Usher. A great memory is when we were all driving back from Disneyland and Scott & I were belting out "Burn" like nobody's business! We were awesome! The other night, Shea gives me the ipod and tells me that she is going to play Usher for me- I always say "Ursher" because of one of the other songs- so she puts "Burn" on and tells me to sing. She then takes the digital camera and proceeds to video tape me. Man, I sucked! I had to laugh, I sounded so bad! Gives me an appreciation for all those American Idol Wannabe's! I remember my sister, Cin, once telling me that Shea needed to practice without hearing the singer's voice or she would think that she sounded like the singer. Well, that was so true, I totally thought me & Usher were one- wrong! Cindy got the gorgeous voice and the great sense of direction, however, my gifts I will not list right now! I do have a picture of my Usher without his shirt on in my closet- you know, just to peek at when I choose what I'm going to wear for the day! He is the only one that should be singing "Burn" because he is so hot! Or as my darling daughter would say, "Mom- who sings this?" and I would reply, "Usher" and she would say, "Well, let him!" She's such a doll...makes me long for the days when she couldn't yet speak and would smile up at me when I sang her lullabies!

Haagen Das Vanilla Chip Ice Cream

Whenever we go to Disneyland, we walk Downtown Disney. One of the treats that I love is my vanilla chip ice cream from Haagen Das. Last year, they decided to stop carrying it in that particular store...I was crushed! I'm such a baby that I didn't have anything else...I wanted what I wanted! Waaaaaaa!!!!! Each time that we go, Shea will go in and check to see if they have it, they never do! The other day, I signed all the girls out because Amy was running late and we waited in the car until she got to school. She walks up and she has a bag and she tells me to feel the bottom...it was full of ice and when I opened it up- my ice cream! YAY! I was in heaven. There is something about it from the ice cream store rather than the little containers that you can buy at the market. It was sooooo yummy! It is so good to have best friends that love me so much!

I value the friend who for me finds time on his calendar, but I cherish the friend who for me does not consult his calendar.
Robert Brault

Smartie Pants

One of my favorite candies are Smarties. I know, they are pure sugar but I just love them. Obviously, that's why I love cotton candy as well! I don't eat them all the time but I always have them in one of my candy dishes at home. (Right now, I also have Sugar Daddy suckers in the same candy dish) I have a special way that I eat them...don't know why, I just do. I eat 4 at a time for 3 times then finish the last 3- there are 15 in each roll. I stand them up vertically on my back teeth and then crush them together. Love um! Amy gave me a HUGE roll of Smarties- each one is the size of a lifesaver. Tonight when I asked Shea if she would hand me two packs of Smarties, she said, "Let's try your big ones." We did- but man...were they ever sour! I think I'll stick to the little ones...and to the silly way that I eat them!

Men Are Like Coffee

I came across this email from one of my friends who shall remain nameless (you know the whole thing about changing the name to protect the innocent):

Men are like coffee. The best ones are rich, warm and can keep you up all night long.

I don't care so much about the rich part, however, the other two points are good ones! I don't drink coffee myself but I love the smell...of coffee...and men! hehe!

Nana Nana & Shea's Lavender Blanket

One of the people I loved and still love most in the world was my Grandmother. (She was also my Godmother) She always smelled so good and I always loved kissing her cheek and smelling her lotion and powder that she wore. She always had her rosary in her hand and was constantly praying for everyone in our family. One thing that she enjoyed more than anything was crocheting. She always made the most beautiful sweater sets, blankets, etc...I would visit her quite often and she would have to hide whatever she was working on because I just couldn't help it, I would want everything. Because she loved me so much, she would give me everything that she made that I wanted! Years before I even thought about having a child, I already had a yellow, white, pink & blue sweater set for my baby. It was complete with sweater, hat, & booties. I tucked them away until I was having Shea and then took the pink and blue one to the hospital since we did not know what we were having. (I think it's one of the few surprises in life that is worth waiting for.) Shea came home wearing the pink one that Nana Nana made for her, even before she was a thought in our minds! I have a white blanket that Nana Nana made me and I keep it on my bed to remind me every day to be persistent and to keep going when life gets tough. You ask how can a blanket do all that? Have you ever made one? Oh my goodness...it seems like it takes forever...which brings me to my point. Shea was 2 years old when Nana Nana got liver cancer. Shea & I would go and bathe her- I would give her a bath and Shea would sit and hold the pitcher of water. Several years before she got sick, we moved her to an apartment right down the street from us- I never heard the end of it when I had to "clean" out all the Nana stuff that she collected. I think on her deathbed, she was still asking what I did with her treasured junk- I mean possessions. We would go and have dinner with her and we just loved her. When she got very sick, she was not able to crochet anymore yet she wanted to make Shea a lavender blanket. She loved the color (Shea chose the color of her room for her Nana Nana) and she also loved baby flower patterns, just like Shea & I do now. Nana had taught me to crochet when I was very young- I remember watching "Dark Shadows" together with her and both of us crocheting on the couch! She asked me if I would promise to make a lavender blanket for Shea. I promised. It proved to be very difficult to find lavender baby yarn but I finally found it and bought 10 skeins. That was 10 years ago because Shea was 2 and now she's 12 years old. If anything, I am persistent. I have worked on this blanket on and off for 10 years- I haven't loved doing it so much as I have felt a promise is a promise...no matter how long it takes to keep it. Last night I was sitting on my big chair, feet up on the ottoman, blanket covering my legs, crocheting up a storm while watching American Idol & Grey's Anatomy and I couldn't help but think: "I wonder what the kids in my high school would think if they saw me right this minute- there I was, in my jammies, crocheting, drinking orange juice and eating cashews and watching TV- yep, the same girl who was homecoming queen, cheerleader, & most popular!"
After each skein I have finished, we put it on my bed to see if I can be done (finally...please Lord, let me be done)...Shea & I let out a squeal of delight as I held up my LAST skein of yarn!!! Only one more left and I will finally be done. I told Shea last night that from now on, I'm making scarfs...nice short scarfs!

The art of love is largely the art of persistence.
Albert Ellis

Coffee Cup Humor

In today's work mail, I received a coupon book from Hallmark. I had to giggle when I saw this coffee cup that read:

Live Boldly. Take risks. Make somebody say, "What the hell was that all about?"

My Best Friends

Each and every day I am reminded of all of my amazing & wonderful friends. God has truly blessed me with so many over the years...most of whom I still stay extremely close with and share a huge part of our lives with. Last night Shea had her best friend, Hayley, over to spend the night. I love that I have taught Shea how important friendship is and how we really need to cherish it. Last night they both really wanted to watch our video of when Shea was born. I sat and watched it with them and it always just floods me with so many happy memories. I had more "best friends" in the delivery room than you could even imagine! Each one had a job and was in charge of doing or checking something. There is something so unbelievably special about being there to see a birth of a child. I have been so privileged to be in the delivery room many, many times. It's something that I could do every day and never get tired of it. Donna video taped, Dawn wiped my face during my whole delivery, Cin held my leg up as I pushed, Deb & Carine B spoke words of encouragement and Shan B held me as I got my epidural. Lisa was in Oregon and on the phone as I delivered. Rob counted and gave me so much support. I had so many wonderful family members in and out all day and night. Even though it was over 12 years ago, watching that video tape brings it all back like it was yesterday. This morning, I woke to giggles and the smell of bagels. When I went out to the living room, Shea & Hayley were cuddled together watching "Jungle To Jungle" on the floor under a bed of blankets. I love my life and all of my best friends and family who bring me such blessings every day!

If you're alone, I'll be your shadow. If you want to cry, I'll be your shoulder. If you want a hug, I'll be your pillow. If you need to be happy, I'll be your smile. But anytime you need a friend, I'll just be me.
Author Unknown

Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving. Make every day a holiday and celebrate just living.
Amanda Bradley

Fortune Cookies

I took Shea out for Chinese food on Thursday night. It is a new place that I just discovered with Vickie & Steve from work. I had only been there once but loved it and I knew Shea would love it too. It was really yummy and we both were stuffed by the time we were ready to leave with boxes of leftovers. I left to go to the restroom and when I got back to the table...Shea had already picked her fortune cookie! Shea & I have had this fight before...regarding the whole fortune cookie etiquette! The "correct" etiquette for fortune cookies is that whoever takes the plate of them...they need to hold it to the other person/people and offer them a cookie so that they can pick their own! It is not your fortune if you don't pick it. So I was teasing her and I told her that when she opened her cookie it would not really be her fortune because she did not let me choose mine! I told her that I would hold the plate and let her choose hers, but she was not giving hers up! I know what you're thinking...petty, petty! Hey, tradition is tradition!
Just as I thought would happen...she got mine and I got hers:

Mine read: "You have the talent to accomplish your goals."

Shea's read: "You will find good fortune in love."

Peter Warned Us About Picking Peppers!

Amy...Amy...Amy...I've described her before many times as being one of my best friends. She is kind, loving, generous, smart, funny, silly and above all, honest. Shea & I went to her house on Monday to do Tay's science experiment. When I walked in, it looked to me like she maybe had been crying- but hey, I figured she had been around the onions all night and maybe that was why. When I asked her if she was ok, she told me that she would tell me about the lady at Costco and the peppers. She said the lady had made her cry! I was a bit over protective and pissed off right away but she was doing stuff so I went and curled up on her couch with a blanket and watched the Clippers game with Eric. When she finally came in and told me what happened...I was ready to go and kick some Costco ass! I am the first one to admit that I am the sweetest person in the world...until you are just mean for no reason or if you treat someone badly for no reason! And then I have a mouth and I'm not afraid to use it. I will call rude people on it every time- I just feel like there is no excuse for someone just being plain ol' mean! I remember once getting in a tiff with a lady at a gas station (she went in the wrong way and then did not want to wait for me to finish) and she was yelling and I just was not responding when she said something in anger about my weight. So I finally said, "The funny thing is that I will someday lose my weight...but unfortunately, you will always be a rude bitch!" I just have no patience and can not tolerate mean people! And the truth is, had she been sweet, I would have let her go before me without hesitation! Anyway, back to the peppers...Amy told me that she was splurging and buying herself these peppers that she loves. She had noticed that the package that she picked up was bulging but thought she was just lucky with the batch she chose. When she got to the register, "Sylvia" started processing her order but when Amy picked the pepper box up it opened and shot peppers flying all over the cart. Amy told the girl that she was sorry but that he peppers kind of exploded. The girl responded by saying, "It looks like an intentional mistake" insinuating that Amy had put more peppers in her box!!! Amy got a bit flustered and was trying to process exactly what the girl was saying...when Amy finally said, "I did not put any more peppers in my box." The girl looked right at her and said, "Yeah, ok." If it would have been me...those peppers would have been up Sylvia's...well, let me finish. Amy told her that she wanted her to take the peppers off, so the girl did, no apology and just kept right on going. Amy was going to just leave and then turned back around (I was so proud of her!) and went and talked to a manager. Being the sensitive woman she is, she did what any of us would have done, she immediately started crying as she explained her pepper dilemma. The manager assured her that "Sylvia" would be talked to and he apologized. Needless to say, Amy had to walk out of there sobbing! Being the wonderful friend that I am, I went to Costco on Tuesday. Those of you who know me well, know that I hate going and I actually dread it...but I had to go and defend my Amy's honor! Amy is one of the most honest people that I know. I scoped things out and saw the wench ("Sylvia") as soon as I walked in. I went and grabbed my milk, flowers, and Amy's peppers. I bought Amy some beautiful, orange Gerbera daisies to go with her peppers and bought us irises and roses. I rushed back to get to the register and the wench was gone!!!!! Dang it, I had my speech all ready...I knew exactly what I was going to say...but she had left! Well, to make a long story even longer...Amy loved her peppers & flowers. If you go to Costco on Tampa in Northridge...you know her name...don't let her get away with being rude again! Just throw a pepper at her...maybe if we each do it, she'll get the point!

Playin' Post Office

Earlier in the week I had to go to the post office to mail a couple of packages. I decided to go to the Encino branch rather than the one that is closer because they are usually not as busy...WRONG this time! (Incidentally, Amy reamed me a new one for going to "that" one and not the one at the other end of town- she said the other one would have been much closer!) I walked in and literally there were 20 people in front of me. Whatever...I'm pretty patient and I usually don't mind waiting- Shea was already at Amy's and all we were doing was Taylor's onion science experiment and grabbing dinner. So I waited...and waited...and waited and about 15 minutes into the session of "wasting my life away" I decided that I could no longer look at the mess all over the counters! I had played it over in my mind...should I start picking all that trash up? Or should I just leave it? Surely, they have a cleaning crew who would be there in less than an hour to pick up all the crap that we, the customers, just throw about like it was our own home! After 20 minutes, I just couldn't stand it and I put my bag down to save my place in line and started at one end of the counter. It was a rush of relief as I dumped the first couple of piles in the big trash can that obviously nobody else was aware that they were supposed to use! As I was doing my thing, there were these 2 ladies who were just bitching about the wait...God forbid if they have to wait for a free service! Geez, they probaby had important appointments, you know how ugly things can get if we are late for our nail appointment! The counter was long, very long...like the endless salad bar and I was only halfway done and I wasn't sure if I should continue or not. I did feel so much better but surely these people behind me were thinking I was a neurotic, neat freak! I immediately thought, "Since when does AD ever care about what anyone thinks?" and I started off to finish the rest of the counter. Oh, I felt so happy...putting all the forms back where they belonged, throwing away strips of self stick envelope strips. I did draw the line with the floor. I picked up a few things but unless they were gonna give me the broom and hand held dust pan, (like they have at Disneyland) I wasn't gonna bend over and put the patrons through seeing my big butt stretching to pick up the junk! Finally, my turn! Yay!
I've never been so happy to have it be my turn. All the employees were grumpy and pretty rude- made me realize why people use the term, "going postal"- can you blame them? Having to endure the complaining allllll day long from the people that forget that these are the same people that work 6 out of the 7 days of week to bring us all of our mail??? So, I got the older, stern face man and went up with a huge smile and said "hi" with a sugary sickness about it. He actually smiled and started telling me trivia about why Encino, Reseda & White Oak were named that, etc...I just smiled and responded with interest. He then thanked me for "picking up" and proceeded to call the two bitching ladies..."ugly" and told me that I had a beautiful smile and a kind heart! So there you go...my packages were off, which by the way, Lisa & Steve both since then have received what I sent them, I felt better that I left somewhere better than what I found it and the man said I had a kind heart and did not call me ugly! All was right in my world! Next time you see your mailperson...say thank you and be thankful that your days are not spent doing what they do!

Listen To The People You Love Best

I read this today in one of my medical magazines and found it so interesting. I remember Dr. Felt always telling wives that husbands have "selective" hearing...they only hear what they want to. I hope when I get remarried that my husband will love the sound of my voice and all the "rambling" that goes along with it!

"Listen to the people you love best as if you've never met them before. Don't assume that you know how they feel or what they're thinking. Listen for who they are now, what they're passionate about now, what delights them now."

I catch myself doing this frequently with Shea...assuming that I know what she would like, what she would choose, only to be wrong and quite surprised! I guess I need to be a better listener!

The best kind of friend is the one you could sit on a porch with, never saying a word, and walk away feeling like that was the best conversation you've had.
Author Unknown

Silences make the real conversations between friends. Not the saying but the never needing to say is what counts.
Margaret Lee Runbeck

We attract love by the emotions we display;
We retain love by the emotions we possess.

My 43rd Birthday!

I love my birthday! So many people dread their big day, I however, look forward to it! I usually don't answer my phone today because it will ring off the hook with all the friends and family who love me. I love to listen to all my messages at the end of the night and just soak in all the love that I am blessed with. I never, ever, take that love for granted! Yesterday, my sis, Cindy dropped off my gift- the 7th season of "Friends"- we got her hooked on watching it and we were missing seasons 7,8 &9. I checked my email this morning and found the cutest, sweetest, made me a smile and feel all warm & fuzzy inside, e-card from my friend, Steve. (Steve is the one who is responsible for getting me started writing in my blog!) It always means so much to me that someone would remember me on my special day. Today, I'm spending my day with my favorite person in the world...my Shea! We both have been a bit under the weather but we are feeling better and we are going to see 2 movies today- "Because I Said So" and "Catch And Release" and maybe we can make it to our favorite Mexican restaurant, Casa Vega. I love to celebrate my life, in fact, that's all I seem to do every day and I am soooooo ok with that!

Life is a glorious privilege, and we can make anything we choose of it.
Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Be glad of life, because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars.
Henry Van Dyke

Life is about happiness.
Author Unknown

I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see.
John Burroughs

You were born an original. Don't die a copy.
John Mason

These are two of my favorite quotes...Author Unknown on both...

While alive she really lived.

It was an honor to be part of your life.

Is There A Doctor In The House?

Why do Dr.'s leave the room while we change out of our clothes? They are going to see us naked anyway! I never understood why Dr.'s don't just stand there and discuss why you're there as you're getting undressed...it seems like such a waste of time to me! I guess it's because there would be silly ones like me who would use the exam tables as a means to dance provocatively and do a strip tease, you think? Hey, those stirrups can be a beautiful, useful tool! Well, all I can say is the next time that the clock is ticking away as you wait for your appointment, just remember my suggestion for seeing the Dr. "on time"- in fact, I might just strip in the waiting room and save us all the pain of reading those boring, gossip magazines!

If you can't be a good example-
then you just have to be a horrible warning!

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

On a rainy Tuesday last week, I took the day off and went to the Ronald Regan Presidential Library. It was truly an amazing experience and I got so much more out of it than I ever thought possible. I'm not a real political person, other than always feeling somewhat offended when people bash our current president. (regardless who it might be at any given time) I always feel like he or she (maybe she in the near future!) is still our leader and it would be like speaking badly of your parents while you are living under their roof and eating their food! When someone openly bashes our president, I feel like it shows other countries that instead of being united, we are a separate, hateful and condescending front. I feel like our president deserves, if anything, our respect, whether we may disagree with his opinions, views and choices. I'm not saying that we should not voice our opinions, I just feel like we should not use the presidents name in "vain" if you will! Moving right along...the library was truly beautiful with so many pieces of history right at my fingertips! I had forgotten what an incredible man Ronald Reagan was as well as his stunning wife, Nancy. In 1985 I was so into "me" and my new life as a wife that the world events just took a back seat and as long as my little world was uninterrupted, I was not interested in what was going on! It was really interesting to go back in time and remember all that happened during his 2 terms in office. I was touched and brought to tears as I watched the many videos that replayed the bits of history. The most touching of all to me were the beautiful, tender love notes that the president had written to his wife. They had them on display in a big glass case, and as I read them one by one, tears just fell down my cheeks. This man adored his wife and he wrote it so eloquently, without fear of being vulnerable or so it seemed. Those love notes will stick with me for awhile and my heart will be filled with an overwhelming sense of admiration for our 40th president and his loving wife. Again, I should stress, that even though my personal opinions may be very different from his view, I do admire all that he did for my country.