Halloween 2010

Gary loves Halloween! To me, I'm just indifferent to it. I don't hate it but I don't love it to the extent he does. I guess that's something I need to change for his sake! My thing is FALL! I love the leaves changing, the sweaters, the weather...everything! I promised Gary I would try harder next year to make all his Halloween fantasies come true since this year was a little disappointing to him. I did dress up with him though...I guess if you can call it being dressed up. This is all I had to work with for a last minute costume.Nothing like a goth chick and a nerd falling in love. We were supposed to carve pumpkins at his parents house before Halloween, but Gary was the only one who ended up doing anything. I was at a training earlier that day and I had sat for a few hours on the worlds most uncomfortable chair which sent my back into a painful, downward spiral. Look how good he did for me though! It's a Stewie Griffin pumpkin head! And for him, a Mad Hatter! Good job Gary! Happy Halloween!

I Hate Lagoon

Gary LOVES Lagoon...but my biggest fear is being on the Rocket, or any other ride for that matter, and falling to my death. So when Neil asked us to go with him, it was PERFECT!! I could let the two of them run amuk and live out their Lagoon fantasies, and I could stand with my feet safely planted to the ground and snap pictures of them like I was their momma. In the end, they made me go on rides anyway.

Here is Gary so scared on the Haunted House ride. Getting ready to go on the Colossus! I cried real tears my first time going on this.

It was so cold out, so I wasn't going to ride this with them for fear of getting soaked. Which the two of them did.

Snuggling on the Tidal Wave!

Gary got a little restless waiting in line for the Rocket, so he kept getting Neil's nose. I don't think Neil really believe that Gary actually took his nose though.

We were there during Frightmares so there were all types of costume cutouts for the boys to try on. This is my favorite!!

I have no words for this. Just laughter!

And something gross and scary!

They were so so scared of the actors walking around.

Mostly Gary was scared though. I love his face in these pictures. You can totally tell he's having so much fun! As much as I hate Lagoon, it was worth it to go and see Gary have the time of his life. And I ended up having lots of fun too!

Here I am!!! On the Tidal Wave. It's been my only really favorite ride since I was a kid. I love it!

Thanks Neil for the discount tickets, managing to get us free parking, and for going on all the rides and through the Haunted Houses with Gary!

Autumn Souvenirs

This is a poem that my friend Hiro wrote to me. He doesn't come in to my work anymore but still emails me lots of poems that he has written. I love that he still wants to stay friends! Fall is my favorite time of the year so I liked this one best.

Autumn Souvenirs

September flings her lukewarm days
To Indian-Summer's golden rays.
October sunsets purple hue
Regales a sky of denim blue.

Flaming leaves fly fancy-free,
Attired in Autumn finery.
Wild geese flying in V-formation
Hurry in anticipation.

The harvest moon's magic spell
Bathes frosty nights, the bids farewell.
Then snowy Winter interferes...
And covers up Fall's souvenirs.

Redwood Forest

I have wanted to visit the Redwoods since I first saw a picture of one of the trees. I don't think anyone can even grasp how large they are until you're standing at the base of one of them. I was so lucky to be able to visit the forest this year and I'll never forget how amazed I was!

This is a tree that you have to pay to see (lame). Everyone wants to drive their cars through it, but we couldn't because we were pulling a trailer.

A hallowed out tree!

Some clever fellow named this tree below, "Big Tree". I think it was a caveman.You know me and forest creatures...

I wasn't too sure what to expect before we drove through, but whatever it was, my expectations were by far exceeded! Simply amazing!

Hero

For the past few months I have been working at Fast Track Physical Therapy and I really enjoy it! I get to work with really great people and patients everyday.

About a month ago, we had a 72 year old man come in, barely able to walk without a cane in one hand, and holding on to someone else with his other hand. Each day he has an appointment, I wait for him to pull up in the parking lot so I can hold his hand into the building, and then I walk him out after his therapy. He just doesn't dare walk alone, and to me, it's such a small service to help him. To him, it's a huge service. In those couple minutes that I'm holding his hand, he only has kind words for me, gratitude, jokes, etc. And he RARELY comes in without bringing me a small gift. His gifts have included:

2 dum-dum suckers
Grapes from his garden
Plums from a friends garden
Homemade soup
Old news articles featuring him (he's an artist from Pakistan)
Samples of horrible smelling perfume
And finally, yesterday, he picked a rose from his garden for me


He told me how important it is for him to give, that it's something that always makes him happy. He used to be a Yoga and Meditation Master, but he can't do yoga anymore because of his physical limitations. He used to be a painter but can't see or hold the brushes as well. He loves to cook but can't stand for too long in the kitchen. My favorite thing he has ever said to me is "I am a genius in many ways, but I can not walk."

I had to write about him because I don't want to forget him, his sense of humor, his willingness to give all he has, and his endless gratitude for everyone around him that will give him a smile. I don't think it's a coincidence either than his first name is Hiro (hero).

Noodles and Company...Serves Sandwiches?!

We should all be aware by now that I have an unhealthy obsession with Noodles and Company. It's the Pesto Cavatappi that does it to me everytime. It's my personal heroine and I never want know what life is like with it!!

If it wasn't for Scott at the Fort Union location, I would NEVER have tried any of their sandwiches that they recently added to the menu, because I'm so set in my pesto ways. But he gave me a free meal just for the sandwiches...so I had no choice but to try it.

Introducing...the MED!!! Who knew that anything could taste so delicious? I love peppers and onions so much, but it was the dressing they had within the sandwich that won me over. While the pesto will always be my first love, I think it has a little competition.

What Happens When I Try To Play The Piano

Oregon Coast

Gary and I went on a week long road/camping trip with his parents to the Oregon Coast, the Redwood Forest, and to San Francisco. I'll split the posts up a little so as to not overwhelm anyone.... especially me. So let's start with the Oregon Coast! It was beyond beautiful! If I could have, I would have packed up and moved there! Not only was everything so gorgeous, the temperature was perfect for me. It was about 50-60 degrees the whole time, which is my type of climate. I love cooler weather.

We drove on a highway that was literally right off the ocean from the north end to the south end of Oregon, and we couldn't help but want to stop so often to take in the view, and walk on the beaches.

See the white spots in this picture? There was a fine mist that was constantly in the air from off the ocean. It definitely kept things cool!

The Pet Psychic

I truly hope that nobody takes this post too seriously. If you know my husband and me BUT AT ALL, you'll understand that we are weird and quirky and that sometimes we do things out of pure entertainment. Like calling a pet psychic for Stewie.

I love Stewie. I truly do. He's freaking hilarious and he cracks me up on a daily basis. But of course, he is also a raging freakazoid and I want to ship him off to Madagascar a lot of the time.

So one morning, Gary and I were listening to our favorite morning show on the radio, and they had a pet psychic on as their guest. I didn't pay very close attention to the segment, but I said to Gary, completely as a joke "We could use a psychic for Stewie." And then I kept thinking about it and wondered what it would be like....so I called the pet psychic!!

She was a really nice lady actually. She said she could "see" and "talk" to Stewie even though it was just a phone conversation. She picked out what he looked like, fur color and such, and then asked me what it was I wanted to "tell Stewie." I said "tell him to stop biting us and attacking us for no reason!!" She said "Ok I'll tell him." Simple as that? I guess so. She said that she explained to him that when he bites us, it hurts us and that he shouldn't do it anymore. Then she told us that he only does it for attention and he thinks it's just harmless play time. So anyway, she said that Stewie told her he was going to stop attacking us. That was the end of the conversation.

So, was she right? Yes she was actually. Stewie has STOPPED biting us. Well...for the most part. Before the pet psychic, it used to be a DAILY occurence with him, sometimes a few times a day. But then after the pet psychic, he just stopped biting us completely for about a week. Then over the last 2 weeks he has probably only done it twice. So who really knows what the h is going on. Maybe she really can speak to animals. I hope she can for our sake and that the Stew has given up his violent ways.

Just Wondering....

Does anyone really ever read my blog? I mean, is it worth the effort of posting something new?