Handwriting

Growing up, I never had the best handwriting. It could have been partly due to the fact that when it was time for me to learn how to write, my family tied my left hand to a chair and made me learn with my right. Yup, true story. Who even does that to a 5 year old?
In grade school I had a hard time writing in cursive. I tried to make it so neat and clean but it just didn't work, nor look as good as some of the other students cursive. Then we got into the age where we were able to write in pen. I, unfortunately, never earned enough stars on my writing papers to get to use a pen, ever. Not even the kinds with erasers on the end.
I realized shortly after that I didn't have to write in cursive the rest of my life, or ever for that matter, so I gladly stopped. But to me my handwriting still looked like a boys.
For a long time, up until a few years ago, I always wrote in pencil. Habit, or just scared that if something didn't look right, I could erase it and try again. Then I got used to the way I wrote and didn't care anymore so I ditched the pencils, that fade and make your hand black and soon fell in love with pens.

I was reading in a magazine about what your handwriting says about you. I thought "oh, this will be interesting" and so I tried it out.

Write she sells seashells by the seashore in cursive.

Here are the results:
If your writing slants to the right you are open to the world around you and like to socialize with other people.
If the size of your letters is average you are well-adjusted and adaptable.
If your loops are full for L you are spontaneous and relaxed and find it easy to express yourself.
If your loops are full for E you have an open mind and enjoy trying new things.
If your S's are pointy you are intellectually probing and like to study new things. The higher and pointier the peaks, the more ambitious you are.

Hmm, not bad for crappy cursive penmanship, eh?

They also had a page that talked about if you want neater, more legible handwriting. yes i do

Write out the sentence in everyday style: A quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

1. line quality: pressure is spot on, not too faint and not too dark
2. alignment: your sentence does not tilt up or down which is very clean and neat
3. slant: your letters have an upright posture which is perfect. No slants
4. spacing: That's the correct amount of space to leave between each letter. A full lowercase o should fit between words.
5. letter formation: your letters are completely closed and have completed stems.

So what they're saying is that I have pretty good handwriting? AWESOME!
I still don't think it's the best but it fits me and, well, if it looks that good in pen, then it's good enough for me.

Take THAT Mrs. Christy!..............FACE!

I had a few errands to run on my lunch today and since they were all relatively close, and it hadn't started raining yet (thank goodness), I decided to get out, enjoy the weather and walk.

Here are the places I needed to go:

bank. lunch. boutique. groceries

Here is the order they are on my walk:

groceries. lunch. boutique. bank

Here is the order of importance:

bank. lunch. groceries. boutique

In the start to my walk, I had to really think about the order of my appearance. I figure, if start backwards i'll go to the bank so i'll have money for the boutique. But that would only result in not having enough $$ for lunch so I'll probably opt to just buy something at the grocery store only leaving me a bag full of nothing to eat but junk food because I shopped when I was hungry.
If I go to lunch first to avoid that and then go shopping, I won't have any time for the other two which will just leave me hungry tomorrow and broke.

Here is what I came up with:

boutique. lunch. bank. groceries

If I go to the boutique (with no money to blow) i'll browse just long enough until my hunger pains set in and I HAVE to leave thinking more about eating than shopping. I'll head for lunch with enough money, and points on my Subway card that I just found, to enjoy a free delicious sandwich. Since the bank is just across the street, i'll head over there and then stop by the grocery store on my way back which will allow me to buy items for lunch the rest of the week and I won't be buying junk because I was already full and will only get what is on my list.

Done and done, and genious by the way! :)
amazing the thought process that races through your mind in just half a block.

bacon bacon bacon bacon bacon

If some of you don't know, I LIKE BACON! :) I tried to be a vegetarian one time but after 2 days, all I really wanted was meat, preferably a filet mignon or a bunch of bacon.

Created by Recipe Star

Mmmm, YUMMMMMM

Have you ever had the thought that they should make bacon flavored beef jerky!
Or even better, bacon flavored toothpaste and/or floss!
I have heard that there is bacon flavored ice cream, now we're talk'n.

Check this out for awesome ways to use bacon! :)

Literal Version

Ever wonder what they were really thinking when making a video?

Well here you go! :)

You?

I knew I was cool
when at 13 I ordered
Led Zeppelin and Lynrd Skynrd
from Columbia Music House

..................................

However,
since I was too young to have
my own bank account to pay for it,
my dad had to write a check
(which he kept forgetting)


...................................

which was the result
of being put on the collections list
with the local agency

..................................

so not only was I cool
but also somewhat of a rebel

BIG BLACK BUS

Do you remember those good old days in elementary school of riding the bus home? The joy of moving up a grade only knowing that it is one step closer to the back of the bus? Some how, I mastered the art of persuading the big kids to letting me sit in the back at a earlier age/grade. I soon mastered the art of knowing when to jump just before the bump so when I came down, the timing with the bump would shoot me higher into the air. I think I even flew over the seat in front of me on one of the many times we would do this. I think the bus driver liked seeing innocent little (helpless) kids flying around that she would speed up just to see us fly (or hurt ourselves).

Well those days are long, LONG, gone........................... except for last night. My sisters neighbor has a bus that they have converted into the most unsafe kid launcher I've ever seen and it's AWESOME. We're talking removed seats to make room for the couches and love sacs. What's even better is every year he will come around, blow his TRAIN horn (that's right) and see the kids running faster than they would for the ice cream man out their doors.

Of course, everyone is happy with excitement about the ride they're about to have. Not to mention the kick'n tunes. So far, best bus sound system I've ever heard! There is a street that has several speed bumps, so of course, we took it!

What a blast! We came to a round-a-bout and of course went around it- a few 3 times! :) People were just staring at us wondering if they were watching the filming of Speed 3.
The best part was when we arrived here. I've heard that the BBB was banned from Wendy's because he would pull through the drive through, order a bus load of frosty's, and then blow that huge train horn just before pulling out.

Well, luckily he found a new Wendy's that just LOVED the visit, and business!

Unfortunately, the cold Frosty's in kids small hands combined with several speed bumps at 20 mph didn't really agree with each other, or the innocent victim that had it all over the front of her and in her hair. Good times on the Big Black Bus! You know i'll be on it come Halloween when it's all decked out in spooky decoration!

Ride to Live

I love doing things for charity. My sisters and I have always done the Race for the Cure or anything related to runs and charities, it's all for a good cause.
Well lately, I have realized that I HATE running. Actually, I don't hate running, my body hates running. It gives up before I do or quits all together.
Luckily there was an event to help kids with Muscular Dystrophy that I was able to be a part of. Thank goodness I have my license now! :)
It was the 58th annual MDA ride to Wendover. Everyone met down on state street where it was lined with bikes waiting to head out.
I had a perm a grin on my face. It reminded me of this one time over Memorial Day weekend in the DC area where my sister, mom, and I were driving around and along passes us but a giant rally of bikers. Good thing I wasn't driving because my eyes were not on the road, more on them with a single tear streaming down my cheek. It was beautiful!
It seriously brings me to my knees. I thought to myself "there is only one other thing that could possibly be better than this, and i'm not talking about the cake" I always had a dream to go to Sturgis on my honeymoon but after this, it was a must!
There were about 12 motorcycle officers lined up under a giant American flag leading all the bikers to begin lining up. We started to head out and it was like a parade of bikes, people with cameras, music playing, the works.

We set out on the high way, looking for adventure...... and about half way we pulled off to fill up and grab a beverage.......... well so did everyone else.
It was pretty sweet check'n out the other bikes, ours was the coolest though.
Not to mention those chaps, check them out- woo woo!

We got to Wendover and I rode around for a bit before heading over to the Survivor concert, yea that's right! :) It was awesome! I mean, everyone in leather singing a long to Eye of the Tiger or The Search is Over. Yea pretty much amazing. The lead singer was pack'n some serious heat....... among other things that shall remain from being pointed out
Great times had by all! It was such a great weekend and I can't wait for the next ride. I'm getting used to Bob so we'll have plenty of sweet rides in our future together. I feel the start to a beautiful thing coming on.

LIVE TO RIDE

Ever since I was 13, I have loved Harley Davidson motorcycles. I thought they were so cool. Then I met Paula. She was a lady in our neighborhood who had her own Harley and from that day forward, I wanted to be like her.
I've had my collection of little Fat Boy and Softail models, Harley Davidson checks and a check book cover, chrome mugs, road signs, t-shirts, leather pants, boots....etc.
In college, by sisters came up and surprised me for my birthday with a FAT Harley party. Everyone dressed in black & leather. We had empty bottles and bottles stacked (RB people) and even a little tattoo parlor in the back. It was sick and the cops even came by around 2 am only to leave shocked that we were all decked out and no alcohol.
A few years later I felt I needed to grow up and somehow suppressed my love for the HOG in an attempt to be more girlie.
Well that didn't last but only a few years when it just came around full circle and the lost love was found with only a more growing obsession.
So now that I'm all grown up (or I try to tell myself that) I decided it was time I lived. For my Dirty 30, I promised myself I would get closer to my dream of owning my own bike, if not own one by my next birthday.
So I enrolled myself into the Riders Edge class through Harley Davidson. Now I have riden by myself and with a passenger on back for a little over 500 miles, I knew my stuff. But I thought, I should probably make it legal to ride and make it official.
My friend Brooke and I took the class together and we were BOTH teachers pet! It was hilarious. The class was amazing and the best decision.

We passed the driving test and also the written-we rock. Now it was time to graduate. We received our Certificate of Completion for the MSF program (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) which made it official. Then the instructors presented us with another award. This was based on our range experience during class and the overall feeling and relationship with each student.

What was mine, you ask?.................................MOST LIKELY TO WEAR LEATHER
Huh, go figure right! :) And i'll tell you what, that M on my drivers license looks just as good as wearing my leather pants while riding down the road on a bike! If you look, you'll be seeing me do that this weekend!

I'll tell you what, there is nothing more enjoyable than riding, nothing more free than riding the wind, and nothing more thrilling than hearing that motor rumble, aahhh brings me to my knees. So now that I have my motorcyle endorsement, all that's left is to purchase by Cherry Softail Heritage Delux with white walled tires and saddle bags. Soon, very soon!

Until then, I'll just take the advice of a good friend:

Go forth,
two fists to the wind and
be free!

GIRLS ON TAP

What do you do when the singles ward gives you lemon's? You make lemon-aid and serve it wearing fishnets and feather boa's!

And it goes a little something like this:


Don't forget our ending...................



And here is what happens when someone is short of lemons
and needs you to help out in the kitchen.....

Simplicity

I tend to laugh when I notice myself going through phases. This could be from fashion to music to even a lifestyle. We all go through changes in order to find our true, natural, selves and some can be an amazing journey while others are pretty much embarrassing.
Through out my life, how ever many changes I have gone through, I still find those few little areas of thought and belief that still hold true to my heart. I find that I don't share them too often with people, because it's not about making a statement or letting people know I have a new phase. It's those things that I truly believe in and will always live my life to obtain because it's who I am. It's me and it's what I do....or will do.
What's even better is seeing communities having the same ideas of a simple lifestyle that I do, AND that it actually has a name.
No I'm not GREEN or even close to being a tree hugger. And don't go think'n I'm a no bra wear'n, make my own soap, liberal sandal wearing, hemp clothing maker.
It's called Voluntary Simplicity.
Last night I decided to start with focusing on Uncluttered Simplicity.
I've got too much crap. Too much in too many random places. And of all those items, how often have I really gotten to them? First thing was first, sell all my dvd's and cds. I haven't watched one of my dvds for probably 2 years, no kidding. Why have all those cases lying around, just to say "I have that movie!" when really, you can find anything online (HULU, and Snagfilms). I had to sort through the pile a few times to really talk myself into getting rid of some. But they are being shipped out today and it feels SO good. Next are my cd's, books, pictures and even clothes.
Who want's to have a garage sale? Better than that, who want's to come to a garage sell?
This is going to be the best Spring Cleaning EVER!

"Sign Me Up Boys"

I'm Sorry but I just can't stop laughing over this:


12-Year-Old Boy Scouts Volunteer To Give Women Breast Exams

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

I bought this book a few weeks ago at my favorite store and I haven't been able to put it down.

I love everything in this book and I could go on about how it is what I have always wanted my life to reflect around, but that is too deep and would require and entirely different post all together and I just don't have the time for that.

I usually don't read that often. I'm lucky if I read a book a year. Because of this, I don't have any bookmarks. Never really needed them. My past bookmarks have been airline tickets or my baggage claim ticket because somehow I think maybe i'll read while i'm on the flight. I do, but then the book ends up in a pile that I intend to finish........

I was going to go buy a bookmark for this book but wouldn't that defeat the sole purpose of this book and my way of thinking? Besides, i'm WAY too picky and would be using too much energy that could be used somewhere else. So I decided to save on resources and recycle some scrapbook paper that I had. DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT SCRAPBOOK!

So here it is. It's double sided since there really isn't a front and back to a bookmark.
I found the best width and length that was a good average to all the books I have that I may someday read. Then went through my paper to find ones that coordinated best. I had some post cards that had the similar look that I wanted to use some images from so I pulled one out to use. Next was rolling the 150 pound bin out from under my bed that is packed with art supplies from school. I was going to go through and clean it out but that would take too much time and would be good on another day.
So I got my cutting matte, my Exacto knife and tweezers, my square ruler and my acid free adhesive that Zundel and I used when we covered our own travel journals for Greece.
Cut the paper to size, and glue together. Then add any decoritive features you want and that's it, easy as pie. The butterflies and mustard swirl are cut outs from the post card I had so they are more 3d. I am in love with this and it just might lead me to reading more. That will happen once the garden is in, the lawn mowed, and chaise lounge out for me to read outdoors.
If your birthday is coming up, you better watch out, you just might get something homemade.....i mean recycled, and reusable :) (again, i'm not crafty)

REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE........and don't let it get you down

BAA HA HA HAAA HA HAAAA!

Ode to Kristephanie Zundelac

You know there are moments in your life
that you look back on and know that no matter what,
you will ALWAYS be friends.

And then it's times like these that you know it's true!



Thanks for the best weekend ever!

HEART YA, MEAN IT!

I'd rather be....

doing this-

From Nicole Hill @ A Little Sussy

Today didn't turn out as planned

And neither did this first date.
Glad it wasn't me, and glad it brought a smile to my face
and a laughter in my voice!

Recently posted on craigslist In the Portland area To the woman that crapped in my car. ( NE Portland ) We met on Craigslist so I am hoping that this post finds you. I know that it could quite possibly be the most humiliating first date that you have ever been on, but I am willing to look past that. I thought we had chemistry sitting at McMenamins sharing that basket of Cajun Tots while drinking the Terminator Stout. I really felt like there was a connection there. I found you to be intelligent and witty and looked forward to further conversation with you. At some point in life, everyone has gambled on a fart and lost.. It just happened to be on a first date in the passenger seat of my car. Please don't feel bad. The package I sent you with Pepto the next day and the note that said "First dates are always a crap shoot. Call me" was meant to be funny, not offensive. I have gambled on a fart and lost on multiple occasions. The first time I did it was very memorable. It happened when I was five and sitting on my uncle's lap. I am lactose intolerant, but love cheese. I probably win 95% of the time, but I don't think anyone wins 100% of the time. That's why they call it "gambling". I'm the last person to judge you for crapping your pants. In fact, I am impressed by your boldness. The timing on the other hand, could have been a tad bit better...like when you're not sitting on a heated leather seat... What I am trying to say is that if you want to go out again, I would be more than happy to take you someplace where we can get a meal that is high in fiber and less taxing on the digestive tract. I await your call, Tad P.S. - If you shat yourself on purpose to end the evening early. Touché

ROAR!

I have a tendency to scare people.......mainly little kids. I don't know what it is about jumping out from around the corner on the unsuspected tikes that cracks me up, luckily they get a laugh out of it too. My niece and nephew in CA know that when Kristy comes, "she scares us........she's funny."

So now that they are getting older, I have to be more cleaver. I can no longer hide around the corner or behind the door. They are on to the "go get your shirt out of the dryer", and so I have to sharpen my skills. I need to pull out the tricks I used on my sisters growing up like hide behind the bed (that will teach her to pray with the door open) or hide in the linen closet and do the "dead mans roll" (think the freezer part in Goonies) as they open it to get out a towel. However, if I did that, they wouldn't be able to catch my fall.

Luckily I found this sweet item by Eiko Ishizawa. You know I'm going to pull this out the next time we go up to the camp site for foil dinners and s'mores. Not to mention it will keep me warm! :) I'm not a huge fan of camping, aka- playing homeless in the woods, but I think this just might change my mind!

Plus if my camping adventure is anything like last time where I stayed up for 2 hours because we saw a bear, I will be ok because bears won't eat other bears, especially if they are in the process of eating a human!


BRILLIANT!

MD more than made up for it!

Today was just one of those days.
Made the Coke, Symphony Bar,
and Butt Rock Hair Band playlist on
Pandora seem so worth it!

Tonight made everything seem to disappear.
It was a little something like this quote
a good friend sent me today. (love you feffy)

There comes a time in life
when you have to let go of
all the pointless drama
& the people who create it
& surround yourself with
people who make you laugh
so hard that you forget
the bad and focus solely
on the good. After all,
life is too short to be
anything but happy.


i am happy

Chocolat

I went to Hatch Family Chocolates for by far the BEST hot chocolate ever.
Now I can honestly say I am a connoisseur of the fine hot beverage and even frequent the Startbucks and Beans & Brews about twice a week. I even have my own concoction that I've mastered.
But Hatch's, now there is one fine beverage that doesn't need any changes made whatsoever.
It's not your ordinary steamed milk with chocolate added, it's back to the basics. Pure melted chocolate with some milk added.
Talk about "choco-river!" If I didn't drink it with the lid on, I would have had the nicest choco-stache ever made!


And to top it off, I got a turtle that i've been craving ever since! I mean check out that caramel! And the nougat, HELLO! :)

Seriously people, it's amazing and if any of you want to venture there to try it out, call me. If you have been and are craving it like I am, pick me up!

I will have to warn you: If you don't eat pure chocolate very much, myself included, you may find yourself with a sugar high or headache later on in the day, like I did. But I tell you what, it is WAY worth it.

I'm afraid that if I go back i'll hear in the back of my mind, "Augustus, save some room for later!"

Waddly -Atcha

So Monday I went to the gym to do some Hard Core Abs and Body Pump. It is now Wednesday and I CAN'T WALK! Just imagine in your mind one of the following:
1. I have the biggest wedgie EVER
2. I am 9 months pregnant and waddle everywhere
3. I have two, count them 2 prosthetic legs.

I went to get lunch today and it started out with me waddling down the stairs. The less I bend my knees the better it feels. I get to my car and practically have to recline myself into the seat bracing myself on the door and steering wheel. Then once I arrive, I have to get out of the car which requires just as much work getting in. I start walking to the door and realize I am taking my sweet A time. I'm worse than my grandpa! Going up the (4) steps was no good so I opted for the mile long Handi-ramp when I left.
I haven't even left my chair to pee ALL DAY because I know how much the squat is going to hurt plus if I give in and actually sit down, i'll have to roll myself back and forth until I get enough momentum to stand without actually putting forth any effort or strain.

And that's just the bottom half. Don't get me started on how bad my arms hurt and that I almost got stuck getting into my hooded sweatshirt today.

So if you see me anytime soon and you notice an uncomfortable waddle, either push me over so I can rest or give me a walker.