Disneyland, Here we come!

Right now, the countdown is at 9 days.

Nine days until I am IN Disneyland with Breanne, Shellie and Michelle!

I decided to take Breanne to get away and have some fun. The last time I was there was about, oh, 16 years ago? I am so due.

No children, no men. just us women. Doing what we want, when we want and how we want.

That means Teacup rides with no men rolling their eyes at us. And if your a man reading this, you know your rolling your eyes right now!

I gotta hecka deal for us~ airfare and hotel ( Fairfield Marriot) was a mere $317. How could I resisit? Of course, Vegas was my first choice but the money seems to fly out the wallet a little ( ok, a LOT) quicker there. So it's off to Walt's fun land for us. I checked the forecast and the weather is a wonderful 75-90 degree variance. Let's see, can I live with that?

I can live with that.

Do I have red and white polka dotted clothing to take with me? So I can look like Minnie?

Oh, I know you think I do! But, I don't. If alcohol was allowed, then it might be do-able.

Not gonna lie, actually thinking of buying a pen shaped like a flask.

(If you work at Disney, I want it known that I never actually said that I was going to take it INTO Disneyland, now did I? Or, for that matter, never said I bought it either.

Just a disclaimer.)

I bought this package on ebay from an employee there that gave me all kinds of tips for my stay there. 5 bucks bought me some great advice! I asked Michael to print it out for me. He called me and said, "um, no. you won't be getting that printed". What? Why?

Because it was 277 pages long! Great deal for 5 bucks!

Did I hit up ebay and buy some disney limited editions pins for us to trade with employees there? M A Y B E......Don't you judge me! Like I said, free to be total dorks on this vacation!

Looking forward to laughing and walking our butts off. ( Wouldn't it be so cool to actually be able to DO that?)

Watch out Minnie, Ariel, Nemo.....here we come!

Giant Clam Shells

For years now I have lusted after the Giant Clam Shell.

I must have one.

And I am not ready to give up my quest. So, I turn to you in search of one.

Do you know what I am talking about...the humongeous clam shell that someone had in their backyard or inside their home?

I used to know someone who had one everywhere I looked. Problem was, I was 12 and could have cared less about the couple who came from the Phillipines and threw these things in their backyard. Didn't they realize they were on Washington and not on the islands anymore?

Oh what I would give to have one of those now.

They are available, don't misunderstand.

For a price. A pretty price. Roughly around 200 dollars not including the same in shipping costs. I don't want one that bad. Ok, maybe I do but I cannot justify spending the money.

And by justify I mean part with.

But I know that I would give one a wonderful home and it would be cherished until the day it died. Oh wait, it's already a goner, so that doesn't fly. Nevertheless, I would cherish it.

Why do I want one so?

I really couldn't tell you. I just know I have been obssessed with them for the longest time now. I currently have "faux" ones around the pool area and I like them and all, but.....

they are no substitute for the real gems of the sea.

I attribute it to my genetics.

Yeah, that's it.

Somewhere deep down inside, the Islander in me is longing for a giant clam shell because my ancestors were surrounded by them.

So I plead with you all, if you have a connection, know someone, know where one can be easily "borrowed" ( did I just condone stealing??)

or whatnot, to let me know.

Because I fear the obsession is just picking up pace. And I don't know where this may end.

Probably with a trip to Florida.

Oh, one can hope.

Mother's Day

For the longest time now, Mother's Day has always had one special memory for me. It was at a time when my mother and mother in law were still alive ( wait for it, this is not going where you think it is) and I had decided that, dog gone it, I had had enough. You see, for those of you who don't know, my mother was French and a tough nut and my mother in law was German and a tough nut. I am being kind.
So I decided that I was going to celebrate ME one Mother's day and I booked a trip for the four of us to Disneyland. Yep, you read right. I was selfish. I totally admit it now. But then, it was just a means of escape to celebrate a day for me and no one else. And what a wonderful Mother's Day it was. With extreme clarity, I can still see Mitchell standing at the gates of Tune Town. Where he stopped before entering, and said " Isn't it beautiful.....?" With awe. Now mind you, he was 6 at the time. I will never forget that moment. I admit I did not really grasp how it might pain Mike's mom to not be included. (We took her another year. There, that makes up for it, doesn't it?) My mom? I don't think she cared one bit. But I don't know. She wasn't ever the touchy feely type of person and did I mention she was French? Recently I heard someone describe the French to be like coconuts. Tough on the outside but sweet on the inside. Someone forgot to tell my Mom that.
Anyway, it was a wonderful Mother's Day for me. Just me and mine.
This Mother's Day I have a new memory to place above this one. Mitchell graduated from Gonzaga University in Spokane. So Michael , Breanne and I ( and Squishy, can't forget him) took a road trip to Spokane and had a wonderful 36 hours! We got to Mitchs' and took him to Costco where we bought food for the dinner we were all making after the graduation. Us, and everyone else, it would seem. But then again, when is Costco ever not jammed on a Saturday? We had dinner that night at the Wild Sage Bistro. Turns out, Loius' dad was on the plane to come visit Louis in Spokane when the woman next to him suggested he try Wild Sage. He went and then told Mitch. And I thank him for that. The food was wonderful. I have not had a meal that good in a long time. When you get a chance, check it out . Google Wild Sage Bistro/Spokane. The menu is fantastic.
Sunday morning, we rose early and made our way to the Spokane Arena where 900 graduates walked. Mitch told us 1200 graduated but not all opted to walk. What?!? To come all that way and not walk? I realize some had circumstances but, this is a rite of passage, a milestone!
The grads entered to bagpipes playing and this was no mean feat. Can you imagine playing the bagpipes for as long as it take 900 people to enter and situate? Great lungs is all I have to say.
I watched my son graduate. Now I have a better Mother's Day memory. Afterwards, we drove to the ADMIN buliding on campus where they had mimosas ready for all and the picture taking began. That was so cool to see all the grads with their families. I recall watching one woman trying to hold her two squiggling infant children while getting her picture taken. " This is how NOT to do college" she said.
We then made our way back to Mitch's house where he shared life with 5 other guys. Picture the duct taped couch, the "borrowed" dorm room coffee table, the mini fridges in the entry. Ahh, college life. They got the barbeque going and I made my way to the kitchen to prepare. Steaks, baked potatoes, watermelon and salads for all 40 or so of us. It was good to talk to the other's guys and their parents. It's gonna be a tough one for these guys to leave each other. They will all go their seperate ways tomorrow. Some have jobs, some don't. But what they do have are great memories and friendships to last a lifetime. Way to go Mitch and friends. You have acheived a goal. Welcome to the rest of your lives. Thanks for the memory.

Where do I start?

Like the title says: where do I start?

With me waking up to lovely flowers and deciding that I was not doing any housework today.
Just a Me day, taking care of female business ( don't go there) like Mani/pedi's,( don't you feel like a perv now?) than off to tan.
Which, allow me to be sidetracked....I do not feel as tho I am getting tan. What's up with that? Does the tanning bed NOT know I am half Guamanian? Chammorro? Whatever? I should be a lovely shade of nut brown by now and yet, here I am in Paleville. Oh, Autumn says my feet are tan. Whoppdeedoo. I feel I should be rewarded with more all over bronze color. Not happy in that department. All I ask is to be browner than Breanne and Michelle. That's all.

Anyway, So I made a trek to Trader Joes where I had to muscle in to get my favorite salad. "Excuse me", "pardon me" I politely say. To which I get a "look". Probably thought "what's this pale woman want?" As I grabbed my salad I made sure to do the ever so slight "backwards glance starting at the toes proceeding up the body to the head that clearly does not mask my disgust" look at the woman who was in my way. Take THAT beyotch.
Then I took it to work and shared it with Breanne. I know, that was nice of me. It's ok to think it.
At some point in time, Autumn suggested I sign up and stay for her Michael Jackson Dance Class.
Hmmmm. " No thanks, I'm already gone" was my reply. Now, if she was busting out the Thriller dance moves, THEN we'd be talkin! THEN we'd be dancin!!

Driving home, I had the fortune or more like, misfortune to observe several geriatric drivers. What is this> Fossil Thursday? Seriously! These people were clearly not comfortable in their cars!! So get off the road! Is it me, or do you see this too? I watched one woman get out of her car, grab her cane ( and I use the word "grab" loosely, that would indicate speed) and try to maneuver out of her car in a parking lot. I was in severe pain watching this. Thank goodness my light turned green lest I have an anxiety attack right then and there. When I pulled away, she still had not managed to get out of her car. The cane was in the parking lot, however. If they are that inept, what makes one believe that they will have cat like skills if an accident should occur?!?!? I'm pretty sure I would have had time to get her out of her car, walk her into the store, make the damn purchase and have her safey tucked back in her car all in under ten minutes. Gonna admit, I am kinda have tempted to get in my car and go see if she is still in that parking lot.......Nah....I'm good.
So now I am home and yeah, I buckled and did a load of laundry. Which got me thinking about the term "housewife". Why am I called that? Am I married to my house? No? Then why aren't I called "husbandwife"? Food for thought people, that's all. I don't think I can ever get thru a day without doing some domestic chore.....however small. Guilt is a powerful motivator.

I will not be an embarassment to Mitchell when he graduates this weekend. I am certain that "the woman with the matching nails and toes" will be noticed.
Why are you laughing? I can see you laughing you know! Hey, overall presentation is important! God forbid someone should see me and blog about me because of a faux pas ! I have to go now, I have to pick out the all important dress for the occasion. A complete package, if you will.
Like anyone cares. But! It is a ME day and that is what it entails.
If you so choose to tell me about your ME day, I promise I will listen.
And not give you the slight backward glance when I walk away.