Bye Bye Hannah

Let the meltdown begin...

That's right.

In my household, there is Hannah Montana CD's, books, movies, shows on, posters, clothes, hats and the list goes on and on.

Hannah can surely thank us for a portion of their sales.

My daughter loves, I mean L-O-V-E-S Hannah Montana.

We have slowly been weening my daughter off of the whole Hannah Montana obsession and encouraging her that there will always be her music and movies.

Well, Friday when I jumped on the Internet and saw the headline

"Miley quits music"

I thought to myself, "Oh no, here we go again."

When I got home, I broke the news to my daughter. I had to tell her. Get it over with. You know, just pull the band aid off quickly.

Let's just say, I wish I had a camera ready. I never in my dreams expected this.

When I told her, she was all "WHAT??? Oh nooooooo!!!" (tears started to flow big time at this point) and then she ran and threw herself onto the couch. (A perfect scene for Broadway.)

My poor baby! We have been encouraging her that she'll see her on movies (as long as they are rated PG). She has now started to turn her focus a little on Selena Gomez now. Although, Selena isn't that much younger than Miley.

I better get the tissue ready.

~~~

Do you have a daughter? Have you had a similar situation in your home?

Conversations in the bathroom

Last night while my daughter was taking a shower, my husband was in the same bathroom trimming his goatie and then he asked me to trim his hair.

Here is the conversation that played out:

Husband: Can you trim my hair around my ears?

Me: *sigh* Alright but don't get mad if I botch it.

*I start to trim his hair*

Me: Maybe you should just go down and get your hair cut.

Husband: Right now? Maybe I'll just shave my head then.

My daughter: Don't shave your head daddy otherwise you'll look like a big dork!

Me and my husband: hahaha!!

My daughter: Yeah daddy, cause if mommy messes your hair up then you'll be "see, I should have just gone to Super Cuts" and then mommy will say "Don't blame me" and if you shave your head you'll like like a dork, a BIG DORK!

Me and my husband: hahaha!

~~~

In the end, I trimmed his hair around his ears and the back of his head. I didn't botch it either so he didn't have to shave his head and look like a BIG DORK!

Kids say the darndest things!

Vajazzlewhat??

Okay, so I was watching TMZ the other night and caught glimpse of Jennifer Love Hewitt and the paparazzi guy talking about vajazzling.

I looked at my husband and was all "What??!!"

If you're like me and never heard that word before, here's the breakdown...

Va - Ja - zzle

Va - Ja, as in "va jay jay" or "hoo hoo" or "hoo ha".......you get it.

Ja - zzle, as in "Bedazzle" or pretty sparkly rhinestones.

Honestly, I haven't heard of this until now. Apparently it has been around for a couple years but it wasn't until Jennifer Love Hewitt talked about it on the George Lopez show that got everyone's attention and now it's all the rage.

In fact, here is a quote from Miss Jennifer....

"Women should 'vajazzle' their vajay-jays."

Here's a video of the process, in case you were wondering.

So now that you know what Vajazzling is, would YOU vajazzle?

Writing Assignment: My weakness

I have many weaknesses. Like, I can't stand to see blood or see animals tortured or my most recent, having a hard time watching horror flicks because the poor saps getting killed are someone's child. Being a mom, it's hard to watch.

However, it's not a weakness that I feel I have but instead, a weakness that my loved one knows I have. That loved one being my husband.

So as part of Mama Kat's prompts this week, I asked my husband what weakness he feels I have and you know, he's right.

I'm late everywhere. Not prompt at all.

I can not for the life of me be anywhere on time. Okay, I've been ontime places, just not often. More like I'm late 97% of the time. How sad, I know.

I was late to my wedding. Well, techniqually I was there but because we couldn't find my wedding dress (the people at the chapel actually misplaced it), then I forgot my marriage license in the car and since I was getting married at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Vegas, it's no easy feat to run out to the car and grab it. Thanks so much to my BFF, she was my right hand girl!

I was late to school. Yes, I felt I spent so much time primping in the morning getting every hair in it's place, apparently I felt that was more important than getting my butt to school ontime. To make it even worse, I would spend all that time with my hair that a lot of the times it was foggy out in the morning and since I had to walk to school, fog and hairspray just do not mix. I would end up walking into class while everyone else was already seated and my hair would be damp and flat. Ahh yes...good times.

I was late to birthday parties. When we get invitations to parties, I tend to always show up "fashionably late". Heck, the party doesn't start until I arrive, right?! (j/k)

I was late to work. Yes, I am late to work. Honestly, as long as I have been working, something like 20 yrs. (Okay, I just dated myself and that sounds terrible.), I've have always been late. We're not talking late once a month, it's usually 2-3 times a week. I work 3 days a week. Grant it, I do have my good weeks where I'll be ontime all week. I honestly think that my work ethic is keeping me at these jobs cause I have never been fired for being late.

Now, I once saw something on the news about people who are late. In fact, it was my husband that recorded it for me (He knows me too well). It said that people (like me) who are late all the time don't care about others and think they are more important. I beg to differ! Honestly, I try to be ontime. I stress if I'm running late and will be on overdrive. I also drive like a race car driver just to try and get to work ontime. Believe you me, it has helped out too! Instead of being 10 min late, I'll be 2 min late instead :o)

I don't have this attitude (above) and I do continue to work hard at being ontime and plan to continue through out my life. However, I have instructed my family that if I go before them, to make me late to my own funeral. It just seems fitting.

~~~

Now it's your turn to head over to Mama Kat's to see what others are choosing to right about.

Our Hollywood Weekend!

This past weekend we went to Universal Studios and Hollywood. We usually go down there for Disneyland and only Disneyland but we have been wanting to go to The Grove, which is an upscale strip mall where the celebrities usually go, as seen on TMZ. Then also to Pinks Hot Dogs, also where the celebrities go. See a pattern here?

I. Am. Hollywood. Struck!!

I think I'm wearing off on my kid too!

So while we were down there, we did a lot!

We went to Universal Studios the first day. We've been there before but my daughter was much smaller so it was all new to her. We went on all the rides. Not that many to really miss anyways. Saw all the shows and also did the tour of the stage lots and backlots of where the movies and tv shows are filmed. I even saw Wisteria Lane *giddy laugh*

Look! It's Gabby's house!!

Then we made our way to The Grove, camera in hand. I was hoping to spot a movie star. You know, be all paparrazi like. Perhaps see one I actually knew. However, for all I knew, someone famous could have walked right by us and I had absolutely no idea cause I don't watch there show and have never heard of them.

Unfortunately, we didn't see anyone this time.

But we did go here for my daughter...


Then, since my SIL was with us, she has this thing about going to cemetaries to find the celebrities there. Whatever floats her boat. So we went.

We went to the Forest Lawn in Hollywood Hills. I am telling you....I have never in my life seen anything like that in my life. Kid you not, there were seriously like 8-10 funerals going on at the same time through out the cemetary. It was a huge place too. It was so sad but at the same time. there was so many cars and people, it looked like something from the movies. Cars were driving in there as if it were an amusement park. So strange.

Well, my SIL had a map of what celebrities were there and where abouts in the place. It was so hard to find and honestly, it kind of felt morbid being out there doing that (almost disrespectful too), so we tried to wrap it up and quick. Not something we like to do. However, in the time we were there, we did manage to find one celebrity site. It was Brittany Murphy's. It didn't have a headstone yet and at the time, we weren't sure it was hers but we did have a feeling cause there were confetti stars and hearts along the edge of where the grass was put back. There was also some flowers, one in a wicker looking pot holder with a big butterfly on it. Well, when we got home we looked on the internet and sure enough, it showed the flowers with the butterfly and had the confetti around it like we saw. In the picture online there was a picture of Brittany which wasn't there when we saw it. I would share a photo but that just felt tacky and I wasn't about to do that. My SIL however has a picture! *sarcastic smile*

I did however take these pictures while there at the cemetary!

Moving on....

After that, we made our way to the Hollywood sign. Honestly, my hubby and I have taken a picture of the Hollywood sign before.....but nothing like this..

Then we went to Pinks Hot Dogs. I was all excited too. Seeing the place on The Food Network and hearing about all the celebrities going there. They just had to be good, right?

NOPE!

In fact, I was disappointed! (Sorry Pinks!)

The chili was bland and greasy. Not much flavor going on.

See Noodle peeking behind my hubby?! Too cute. Do you also see my SIL right there holding the tray of food? See that big, long hot dog with chili on it? That's mine! *oink oink*

No, I didn't finish it either.

That's because I was also sharing a hamburger, fries and onion rings with my husband.

I think that deserves a bigger....

OINK OINK!!!

~~~

So, you ask what's next for us? No?

Well, I'm gonna tell you anyways!

We're going back done there this weekend...LOL!

Why, you ask?

That's right! Jennifer Love Hewitt. She's doing a book signing at The Grove on Saturday and I plan on getting her autograph and my picture taken with her!

I told you I was all Star Struck!!

Hopefully I can report back, picture and all!

The Wrath of April 15th.

Well, it's tax season now. Since I work for a CPA firm, that means more hours.



I used to work full time at my prior jobs until I worked here.....almost 8 years ago. That's when I had my daughter and I wanted to work part-time so that I could enjoy watching my daughter grow up. So I work 3 days a week.

In tax season though are when the days increase. Sure, not a bad thing. I can actually list two things about that, that I am truly grateful for:

1. I have a job!! Woo Hoo!!
&
2. More hours means more mula!

However, I have to admit.....

I got spoiled!!

I like my 4 days off a week. I do! It's wonderful!! Now that my daughter is on Spring Break, I am working an extra day each week. My boss asked if I could work 5 days but I refuse to miss out on both days off during the week cause I want to spend time with my daughter. I enjoy spending time with her!!

This time of year is so stressful too. Like I have to tell you guys this.

But working here. The clients can be difficult and my boss gets mad sometimes. He'll snap at me cause the client made him mad and then I get an attitude. Then my boss will apologize which is cool. Yes, he's cool in that aspect. He doesn't get mad at me for getting upset at him. He feels that it's good to get mad and let it out. I just know my limits. Like the other day. He made me mad while I was on the phone and had to transfer a call to him and because he made me mad, I slammed the phone down. He was nice to me after that. :o)

Anyways....I will try my best to make my rounds and leave comment love and all but if I don't seem to be around much in the next month, you know why. Plus, I don't want to neglect my daughter either.

Have a great week!!

My goal becoming a reality.

A month ago I shared that I was creating a website for my photography.

At that time, I seriously thought it was going to be up within a week or so.

Well, I was wrong.

It was more like a month.

But I am happy to say that the time has finally come.

This sneak peak that I shared has finally become a reality!!

{Click here for website}

There is one issue I have with the website and I tried to fix it but I wasn't having any luck so I gave up. It's the music. I wanted it to play continuously but it starts over when you click on the different pages of the site. I only put the music on the main page and then the gallery pages. I just thought it would be overkill if it started over on each page.

Also, in order for me to sell my landscape pics, I still need to get my business license and a license for me to work out of my home. So for now, I have booked an event here locally at an arts and craft fair. I plan on booking more when they come my way. I also ordered business cards to hopefully help get things going.

Also, I plan on venturing out in an area I'm still nervous about. Taking children's portraits. This is something I need to first get comfortable with. I will be working on this in the Summer time.

I was also offered my first wedding event however, I had to graciously decline it since I have never done a wedding before. Personally, I don't want to be responsible for someones special day and mess it up.

I will however go and take pictures just to get some kind of practice. I mean, since she is a friend it won't be all weird or anything. Maybe I can even give her a copy of the pictures on a CD or on a memory stick also. Just an idea.

Six Word Saturday!

Sunshine, Kids & A Birthday Party!

Today we have my little nephew's birthday party that we'll be going to. It's gonna be at a park so I'll be taking my camera as usual. Hopefully I can get some great pictures. Since the sun is out from a gloomy, rainy yesterday (we just had sun the day before, wierd California weather...grrrr!), I am beyond thrilled and plan to soak up the rays! This whole week is supposed to be sunny so I plan on doing that a lot this week :O)

~~~

Okay, now it's your turn. Head over to Cate's and join in the fun!

Fabulous Foto Friday!

Last week I shared some photos that I really enjoyed. Thing about it was, it took me months to get up the nerve to go and take them because I didn't want to go to the tracks by myself. I wanted someone with me. I wasn't sure if I was going to be in a restricted area in order to get them, so I never did.....until a couple weeks ago.

Well, I'm glad I did cause the train that had been sitting there for a year or so left just days after I took those photos.

So, with that said, if there is something in life that you have been scared or nervous about doing and want someone with you. Don't wait. Find someone to go with you cause that opportunity may not be there when you do it. I got lucky!

~~~

Okay, so for this week...

Yesterday (today), I spent some time out in the front with my family and dog enjoying the sunshine and playing. I took the opportunity to capture some of those moments.

Hope you enjoy them!

Have a FABulous weekend!!!

Writer's Workshop: Stories & Spring

I know I'm a little late with this but I haven't been feeling "bloggy" lately. Honestly, I layed awake last night at midnight contemplating getting up and getting my post together but sleep was sounding a bit more enticing. Plus, I figured I had a a little bit of time this morning so I figured it could wait.

So it did!

So here I am. I had to seriously think about what prompt I was going to choose and what I was going to write about.

Prompt 5.) Share some photos and stories as well as what you love about spring.

This week I have chosen to go into the real archives of my photos and thought I would share some. I know in the past I have shared some but they were all relatively recent. None that actually showed the old "me", the "me" before I lost the weight. That was "me" for a period of my life and I thought I would introduce you to her. Believe me though, it isn't easy for me to do this either.

So, without further adu, meet the old me....

Yes, that is me 6 yrs ago and that would be my baby girl who was 2 yrs old at the time.

This was a period of my life that I wasn't happy with myself. This wasn't "me". I never struggled with my weight until my husband and I started dating and we got comfortable. That's when the weight started to increase. Then I had my daughter and that didn't help the matter at all.

But....

I don't regret one moment having this precious little girl. I think if it hadn't been for her I wouldn't of had the motivation to look at myself and see what I was doing to myself. I wouldn't have realized that I'm the one she looks up to and was I setting a positive example in my child's life being unhealthy?

No! So I made changes and got the help I needed and I am so happy that I did. Now my child can see the importance to health, not vanity....HEALTH!!!

When my heart would race out of the blue and it felt like it was going to jump out of my chest, I knew something was up. I wasn't healthy and I wanted to make sure I was here for my daughter.


So here I am, the real ME!


The me that can spend Spring and Summer feeling good in the clothes I wear, the me that looks forward to wearing shorts in the Spring.

It sure feels good to be back too!!!

So, with that said, the things I love about Spring?

Sunshine, shorts, the beautiful flowers, the scent of them, the birds chirping, the slight warm breeze, longer days, going for drives, having the windows open in the house, going down by the water, taking walks, going for bike rides, camping, getting beautiful colorful pictures, Easter, the reason for Easter, going for drives, butterflies, ladybugs, all the green hills, driving with my window down, eating frozen yogurt, hanging with my family and friends and just being alive to enjoy it!!!

~~~

Now it's your turn. See what others are writing about at Mama Kat's.

THIS could be YOU!

It's always good

to be aware

when playing on your phone


cause you never know

who may be reading your emails or Facebook comments!

Will you still keep watching?

I watch American Idol. I have each year since it began however, I only watched the audition process as that is the funniest part of the whole show. Once that part ends, so does my efforts to continue to watch it. I love "funny" and when there's "funny", there's me.

Then Kara joined the judging panel and then Paula left right after. I don't like change sometimes. Especially when it's what I like that they end up changing. However, I was okay and continued to watch the show but only had intensions of watching the usual, the auditions and that was it.

It wasn't until this year when Ellen was going to join the show. I love Ellen! Again, I love "funny"! I kept watching and waiting for her arrival. Then I learned that it wasn't going to be until February that she was going to make her grand arrival. Then I learned that her arrival was when the auditions ended and the elimination process began. So what did I do? I continued to watch. SUCKA!



Then, with all the talk and chatter about how Simon Cowell will be leaving to join the "X-Factor" with Paula that I started to rethink my commitment to American Idol. I mean, I really like Ellen and she is great and super funny but I have to give it to Simon. He makes the show. He IS the show! As much as people don't like his brutal honesty, it's what keeps most people coming back. At least for me it is. And to be honest, if he does leave...so will my commitment to watch the show.



Because honestly, I. CAN. NOT. STAND. THIS. GUY.........

Do you like Simon Cowell or Howard Stern better?

Will you keep watching or will you make the move to the "X-Factor"?