Love Me Some Frosting

I love birthday parties or any party for that matter. Why do I love parties so much?? Well, obviously there is the celebration, the catching up with friends, the ability to let loose and have some fun, but most of all....there's cake. I love cake!! You don't think I gained weight eating fruits and veggies do you? My favorite part of the cake has got to be the overly sweet frosting. I know some people who hate the frosting and just like the actual cake, I think those people are WEIRD.

Anywho, I get to celebrate one of my dear friend's daughter's first birthday on Saturday. I am super excited, but then it dawned on me, what do I get a one year old for her birthday? Any ideas?? This is a new area for me (buying presents for babies for their birthdays). Do I buy the birthday girl something or her parent's something? I'm confused. Please enlighten me!!!! Pic from Google Images

Another Weekend Review

This past weekend was a little up and down. I wasn't feeling great on Friday so I stayed in bed all day, especially since I had a girls day planned on Saturday.

Saturday morning after picking up a couch from a friend's house (thanks for the couch D!) and cleaning the house, some ladies and I went to get our piggies pretty. We brought some champagne and snacks and made a relaxing afternoon out of it.

Afterwards we headed to my house for a homemade dinner and good conversation. It is so much fun when we all get together. It amazes me how much we have all grown. Our conversation turned from boys and sorority parties to husbands, babies and other grown up stuff. We had a blast!

Sunday morning I rested for a bit before I headed over to my friend's house to get fitted for my bridesmaid dress. Her mother-in-law to be is a great seamstress and offered to do our alterations for free to save us money. We all love the dresses. Next activity on the list is the Bachelorette Party in a few weekends. Can't wait.

Sunday afternoon was spent relaxing as a fam :)

St Patty's Day - 2011

A group of us met up for some green beer and good times for St. Patty's day. Only fail, neither of the bars we went to had green beer. We did have a good time though!

The boys were too cool to have their pics taken, but I did sneak this one of my sister's boyfriend!

Last Weekend Review

Hello blog land!!! Nice to be back. I was sick with a stomach virus last week and was absent from blog land for the whole week!! I am so glad I am feeling better.

Several of you asked how my old man neighbor's corn beef and cabbage party was and I plan on getting to that in a few minutes, but just wanted to say sorry for not responding.

I had Friday off of work and although I got a lot done on the computer and around the house, I didn't really get out too much. It was kind of nice to lay around all morning since it was POURING all day. In the afternoon I noticed my laptop was acting up, so I headed to the Apple store and was able to get my computer seen and fixed in an hour. I was pretty happy about that since the store was pretty busy. Afterwards I hung out at Barnes & Nobles since I had a class in the area a few hours later. I collected some books on sewing and browsed through them before I had to leave for my class. I am such a nerd that I enjoy spending time at the bookstore and/or library. All those books with so much knowledge!

Friday night my 'class' I was waiting to attend was actually a work out class, but not your typical work out class, it was a pole dancing class. I got a deal for my friend and I on Groupon and we decided to try it out. Holy heck was it hard. We were sore for a few days. I have a whole new found respect for pole dancers (professional or not). If you can work the pole, you are more in shape than I, because it was a work out! I came home and was watching my chick shows since Mr. Pickle was out of town for the night and it started hailing/snowing. I couldn't believe it. It stuck for a few hours too, which never happens in our area. All the neighbors were looking out their windows and taking pictures.

Saturday morning I ran some errands with my mom. Mr. Pickle wasn't feeling well and wasn't feeling up to attending our neighbor's party, but I felt like I had to go so I went and represented for the Pickle family. It was fun getting to know him and some other neighbors. Older people are so darn cute and so friendly. I enjoyed listening to their stories too. I stayed for about 2 hours before heading home, I was so happy I went. Afterwards, Mr. Pickle and I went out to a wonderful dinner at a new (to us) restaurant. Since it was rainy and we were sleepy, we headed home and went to bed early.

Sunday morning we headed out to meet Mr. Pickle's parents and go to Mr. Pickle's great great aunt's house for a visit. His great great aunt is 102 years old and lives on her own. She is so sharp for her age and was very fun to meet. She had all kinds of stories to tell!! On the way home, I fell asleep in the car and went to bed for another 2 hours when we got home. That probably should have been my first sign that I wasn't feeling too hot. The rest of the day was pretty uneventful.

I guess hanging out with the older folks is turning me into an old lady :) haha

We're Invited

While I was on the phone with my sister last night I heard the doorbell ring. Since I wasn't expecting anyone, I was curious to know who it could be.

I answered and it was an older man claiming to be a neighbor. I immediately thought 'oh great he is going to bitch about the dogs or something'. I was wrong, oh so wrong. The old man neighbor proceeded to invite Mr. Pickle and I to a St. Patty's Day party at his house on Saturday afternoon.

He explained he usually throws a party for the neighborhood on/around St. Patty's Day and 4th of July and would love it if we would join him and the rest of the neighbors since we are new to the area (just moved in a few months ago).

How stinkin' cute!!! He even handed out invites.

The extra note says "Come play spin the bottle to see who gets to kiss the Blarney Stone"

Mr. Pickle got home and I immediately told him we have plans to party with the old man up the street. I am tempted to bring my grandpa with us, because I think they would get along great :)

Weekend Review

Better late than never!!

Friday night Mr. Pickle had some friends over so I let them play video games and went upstairs to watch The Proposal. Ryan Reynolds is HOTT!

Saturday morning my sister, her boyfriend and I went to San Francisco to meet us with some family and watch our cousin perform (sing) at Pier 39. The weather was beautiful and their performance was very neat. We had to laugh because my cousin and the other performers (high school age) were allowed a half hour lunch break before they had to be back at their bus and they all ran down to In-N-Out burger. I guess they wanted to stop on the way to San Francisco the previous day but it didn't work out and they were thrilled to find out there was one down the street from Pier 39. I don't know what I would do without In-N-Out!! I don't eat it often, but when I crave it, I HAVE to have it.

Me and My sis at Pier 39


Family



My cousin, me and my sis

So while the kids were performing there were a few guys riding their bikes naked through the streets/sidewalks. The poor kids couldn't help but laugh through part of the song because they weren't expecting anything like that to happen (they are from Oregon). Later on, there was a whole bunch of guys and girls riding their bikes naked, I of course had to snap a few pics but I am sharing the one where the peeps were partially clothed.

Only in SF is this normal

Saturday afternoon my sister and I took my grandpa out to lunch and ran a few errands and then headed to a surprise birthday party for one of our friends. He has never had a surprise party thrown for him and he was definitely surprised. It was a Mexican themed party, so we had yummy Mexican food for dinner and were going to play some games but headed home early.

Ole'


Birthday Boy


Party Animals

Koa (my sister's dog) representing San Francisco

The boys did a practice cook over the weekend, so my sister and I got together to sew and awaited yummy BBQ. The BBQ turned out great (as always) and our sewing project turned out pretty good. I am a perfectionist, so I like everything to be perfect, but for our first time working with a zipper I think we did pretty good. We followed this YouTube video on how to make a zipper pouch.

Yummy BBQ


I don't know why Blogger isn't uploading the pic correctly.

My sister's on top. Mine on bottom.

We were pretty tired from the busy weekend plus losing an hour of sleep due to the time change so we hit the hay pretty early. I think Mr. Pickle fell asleep at 7:00!!

Attack of the Oven

Recently I have been cooking dinner since Mr. Pickle is tackling a big project at work and isn't getting home until later. Unfortunately the oven attacked me last night and left me with an ouchie.


No wonder why I prefer ordering take-out!

Old Skool

Over the weekend, my sister and I broke out some of our old CD's and rocked out. It was great to go back and recall the memories certain songs brought up.






Some of our faves...


- Are You That Somebody by Aaliyah


- Bow Down by Westside Connection


- Today Was a Good Day by Ice Cube


- Jump Around by House of Pain


- One Love by E-40 (Gotta rep the Bay Area)


- Freaks of the Industry by Digital Underground


- Lodi Dodi by Snoop Dogg


- I Get Around by Tupac


- Thuggish Ruggish Bone by Bone Thugs N Harmony


- Juicy by Notorious BIG



I should mention we like all types of music, but we were in the mood for some Rap/Pop.



What are some of your old school faves?

Pic from Google Images

Confessions of a Shopaholic

One of my addictions is shopping. I was raised with a mom who would take me to the mall and we would "shop 'til we drop". My sister and I used to always tell my mom that shopping was all she did (instead of working) so when it was 'Take Your Daughter To Work Day' she would take us shopping in San Francisco. Side note - she actually did work her butt off and was very successful at what she did.

When I was skinnier (i.e. looked better in clothes) and wasn't as frugal (i.e. had a bookkeeper paying my bills so I never saw the balance in my bank account) I would do a lot more damage on my plastic than I do now. It was def a pick me up if I was having a hard day or wanted to feel better about myself.

I would say my favorite store to visit was Nordstrom. I have had a Nordstrom card since I was 18 years old and have gotten more than enough use out of it. As I was doing some filing the other day and realized that on average I was spending about $1,000 a month at Nordstrom alone!!!

Unfortunately, or fortunately, this is not the case any more. Those were the days I didn't know where I stood financially (because my bookkeeper took care of everything) and I wasn't clued in yet on the value of my hard earned money. Now I am shocked at some of the prices when I visit Nordstrom and am more often than not spending my money at Nordstrom Rack (or Marshalls, Ross, Target, etc.). Don't get me wrong, Nordstrom is the first place I will go if I have money to spend (usually in gift cards), but I don't frequent there nearly as much.

It has been a hard transition, however a much needed change. Ever since I got married (which lead to no longer having a bookkeeper and being responsible for my own finances) I started learning where my money was being spent and how it goes out a lot easier than it comes in. I have spent a lot less money shopping for frivolous items and am more conscious on the cost of things.

I still get urges to "shop 'til I drop" and have a list of items I want rather than need, but I try to keep myself out of the stores, especially if I don't have a specific item I am looking for. I do most of my damage if I am just browsing the mall looking for something cute to wear. I can't even attempt online shopping or I will get in major trouble!!!

Where do you do most of your shopping?

Weekend Review

Mr. Pickle was gone Friday night and most of Saturday, so I was pretty much on my own all weekend.

Friday night the girlies and I headed to Happy Hour in San Francisco and had dinner at Chevy's. It was great to catch up and spend some time with everyone.


Saturday morning I woke up to the most beautiful day outside. I decided to take my doggie for a walk, but ended up running for about an hour. I wore the dog out...by the time we were walking up the hill we live on I was having to drag him because he was so pooped! He headed straight to bed while I got cleaned up.







I spent Saturday afternoon with my grandpa. We went out to lunch, ran some errand and visited my grandma's (his wife) and my dad's grave site (they are located right next to each other) while enjoying this beautiful view of the Bay Bridge.



Saturday evening my sister and my bestie came to have dinner and enjoy some vino with me. We had a good time just talking about all sorts of things. I hate that it is so hard to get together sometimes, but love that when we do get together we have such a great time and great conversation.

Sunday morning I woke up with a sore throat and pretty much relaxed all day other than meeting Mr. Pickle's parents for breakfast and running a few errands with Mr. Puks (Puka dog). He just LOVES being in the car!



Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend.

TGIF

Puka loves Friday's, especially when he gets to go to work with his mommy!!

Puka in the car on the way to work

TGIF everyone!!!

Sin or Accomplishment?

It's that time of year again....Girl Scout Cookies!

Thus far I have managed to steer clear of the lovely tasting treats (although not solely on purpose). I don't know whether I should consider this a sin or an accomplishment.

Pic from Google Images

Weekend Review

I was lucky enough to have another 3 day weekend and it was fabulous!

Thursday night some ladies and I went to NightLife at the Cal Academy of Science. It's a great event for 21 and over where you are able to enjoy the museum without having to deal with little kids running around and they have bars and DJs throughout. It was a great time, but we have already decided we have to go back to go through the Rain Forest exhibit and go on the roof (it was raining like crazy so we didn't venture out).

Friday morning I was able to get some running around done and wait for the handyman to come install a new garbage disposal. Friday afternoon my sis and I hit up a local bar for what we thought would be happy hour but were told it was too early for happy hour at any bars in the area (it was almost 4). We decided to get an app and a drink anyway and unwind from the work week. Shortly after we got ready for dinner at a friend's house to celebrate her birthday.

Full Priced Blue Moon (tasted almost as good as if it was half priced at Happy Hour)

Sisters


Dinner made by the Birthday Girl

Birthday Girl


Some of the party peeps!

Saturday morning we were supposed to get snow at very low levels (including San Francisco) and wound up getting clear sunny skies and very chilly temps instead. My mom and I went to the farmers market and could only handle the cold for a very short time before we wussed out and got back into the warm car. I helped my mom organize her home office for a bit and then headed home. Back at home my sister and I started our sewing project for the week. We made really cute reversible totes from the help of this tutorial.

Again, very cute but VERY time consuming!!

Sunday morning we had plans to meet with my grandpa at my mom's house to explain how quickly his health is declining and advise him that his doctor's has diagnosed him with dementia. It was a hard discussion, but overall it went okay. My grandpa is VERY independent and is having a tough time giving up his independence due to his declining health (which is understandable). Sunday afternoon I relaxed at home and did some chores while Mr. Pickle was working (he had to work ALL weekend).