Sunny Days!

My niece, Sunny, lives in Hawaii...
But when she's in town...BOY do we have fun!
Tonight she came for dinner at my house!

Halloween 2007

At Fuddruckers!

At the Orange County Fair 2008
At the old ballgame!
We've never missed a year seeing Santa together!!

When Sunny is around, every day is a bright, bright Sunshiny Day!!

Abe, I love you

I've got Sunshine...on a cloudy game

Last night at Sunny's first visit to Dodger Stadium!
Sunny and Papa (and her bag of peanuts!)

Some amazing seats, huh?

So we ROOT ROOT ROOT for the Dodgers...
they didn't win, it's a shame!
(In fact, the fat lady pretty much sang--
LOUDLY-- throughout the game!)
We didn't catch a foul ball either...
But, despite all that, we had a really great time
and we truly can't wait to go back!

Sunny with a chance

This is my niece, Sunny, at her very first baseball game a couple of years ago. I'd been teaching her to sing "Take me out to the ballgame" since she was old enough to speak...and, MAN, did we have a BLAST that night. We were in foul territory and came painstakingly close to catching a ball several times during BP and throughout the game!

I was really frustrated that we didn't get one.
Sunny's response? "Juju, why don't you just go BUY a ball?"
Tonight, Sunny will have a chance to catch a ball again!
This time, at Dodger Stadium! We'll be heading up to the Dodgers/Mariners game in a little while! I am so excited for her to ROOT ROOT ROOT for the Dodgers this time!
I decided to go to the market and buy me some peanuts and crackerjack--and licorice and Reese's pieces and cookies--to take with us tonight.
Then I stopped by Sports Chalet and bought Sunny her first Dodgers baseball cap.

I don't care if we ever get back!!
But I'll post pictures when we do.

More family food!

Tonight I met my cousins Robin and Laura, my sister Gina and friends Lori and Ev at PF Changs! WHAT a delicious dinner and SUCH an enjoyable evening!

Robin and Laura are sisters and have two OTHER sisters!

And, of course Gina and I have THREE other sisters!
Oh yeah...banana spring rolls!

Life is deliciously good tonight!

Oh, Jose can you see?*

I had the GREAT pleasure of taking my friend, Jose and his family to their very first baseball game last night! It was "Jeff Mathis free kids jersey night" and...Jose caught a foul ball! And, thanks to the monkey, the Angels found a way to "LIGHT UP THE HALO!"
Jose with Shayla...and the prized foul ball!

Jose, Shayla, Brittany, Cynthia, Aida and Melissa
(They are each wearing "My 1st game" stickers!)

(Not sure which of us was having more fun!)

Oh, and our seats weren't bad either!
It was a PERFECT night at the ballgame.
(Really, aren't they all?)

*My choice as best title ever.

Manny's Back

Just scored tickets to the Dodgers' July 3rd game vs.
the Padres down at Petco Park!
If all goes right, this will be Manny's first game back with the team!
And, who better to share the night with than my good friend and die-hard Padres fan, Ange!
So looking forward to it!

The Oneders*

My nephew, Thatcher, had an interesting school assignment last week. He had to come up with one song that would be the "best title for his life"....
Since he's quite the surfer and loves everything about it, he chose "Surfing USA"...
Today at lunch I mentioned the assignment to a few friends at work...
"What one song would be the best title for your life?" I wonder....
It started off seriously, but within a few minutes we were laughing so hard, milk was shooting out of people's nose, food was being spit out and tears were running down my face. Well, that might be slightly exaggerated...but it was pretty dang funny...
With a little help, I started to write them down:

*I Still Haven't Found what I'm Looking for
*You can't always get what you want
*Dancing Queen
*The Thrill is Gone
*Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
*I'm Too Sexy
*I am Woman Hear me Roar
*Don't worry, Be happy
*Can't buy me love
*They're coming to take me away
*I Will Survive
*Super Freak
*Highway to Hell
*Misunderstood
*I get by with a little help from my friends
*I wanna know what love is
*Comfortably numb
*Like a Virgin
*Miss Independent
*The Bitch is Back
*Easy Lover
*Surfer Girl
*I'm a Barbie Girl
*Material Girl
*Dude Looks like a Lady
*Wild Thing
*Disco Duck
*Happiest Girl in the whole USA
(that was mine...)

What's YOUR'S?

*It's good, right?

It's June 22nd!

Wishing my sister, Gina, a FABULOUS birthday!

My blue heaven!!

Gina and I took in the Dodgers game tonight in Anaheim!
We drank a toast to our Dodger-loving Dad!Kobe Bryant caused quite a stir at the game...
(This shot is for YOU, Shadi!)Talk about a heavenly view! And what a GREAT game!Dodgers win again and take the series!
Heavenly!

HAPPY Father's Day!

This is probably the first Father's Day...ever??...that I won't see my sweet Dad, as he and my mom are up in San Francisco with my two sisters this weekend! Thankfully, though, I get to see him about once a week throughout the rest of the year!

My Dad has an incredible work ethic, an amazing sense of humor and an enviable desire to love and make people happy! He is also the root of my passion for baseball! Having FIVE daughters, I think my Dad was determined to make each of us "well-rounded." Taking us fishing and camping...teaching us how to to check and add oil to our car. We all learned how to mow the lawn and to fix things around the house. He encouraged us to play softball...to run for class office....and to love Vin Scully. Obviously, there were no "boy things" and "girl things" in our family. These were just things we did with our dad. I honestly think my sisters and I are all better people for that.
And, I gotta tell ya, to this day, a day at the ballgame with my dad is still my happiest place on earth. How lucky can a girl get?
Love you Pops!

Blue Angels

Courtney and I had an AMAZING time at the Angels/Dodgers game!! We were of the few in BLUE in a sea of red!

We had our Dodgers shirts, Dodgers peanuts, and even our Dodgers napkins (thanks Sonja!) but, for some reason, the Angels still managed to win. Honestly though, we had SO much fun--and it was such a great game--
we really weren't blue at all.

Double Delight!

Headed to the Dodgers/Angels game in Anaheim tonight...
And Sunday night too!!
Um, yeah, I DO have a good life!

One day a year...

My home is on the same street as the local high school. This causes trouble for about 15 minutes every afternoon (and I have learned to avoid those exact minutes) and for exactly one full day each year: Graduation Day, which was today.
All week there were signs posted up and down our street WARNING residents of traffic delays and parking issues on 6/18. Well, for those of us who have lived here a few years now, we know to either plan to lock ourselves in our homes all day on that day...or to GET OUT and STAY OUT. Today, I chose the latter.
I left the house early this morning and have just returned. And avoided every single bit of it! Not even a traffic cone left!
What did I do all day? Here's a little taste of my very enjoyable day away from home.
I can hardly wait til next year!

Balms Away

Well folks, it's time to say goodbye.

I've spent the last month or so "cleaning house"--getting rid of anything negative, pessimistic, adverse, detrimental or counter productive in my life--especially things with ties to the past!
--and it's been a beautiful thing.
I have thrown away and given away vast amounts of items. I have taken down photographs and boxed up a whole lot of "stuff." I've even burned and buried a few things. I have completely cleared out my head and I am absolutely ready to move forward!
There is just one thing still standing in my path:
the tattoo.
The tattoo is really the last of what I consider "my old life." It was a bad decision, and looking at it every single day is a constant reminder of something I don't want to think about any more! If you ask me what the tattoo means I either have to tell you a very long story--or tell you a lie. And, honestly, I usually tell the lie. I am tired of doing either. Basically, it's an over sized, four-color scar of regret and disappointment.
Yep, it's time for it to go.
I've been doing my homework on "tattoo fade" systems, creams, treatments, products, etc and finally found something that sounds very promising.
THIS arrived at my home today and I did my first "treatment" tonight. According to the instructions, because my tattoo is so large and so colorful, it may take several months of treatments for it to fade away. Maybe more.

And, from what I've heard, it may not ever totally go away at all.
The tattoo might not either.

Ten-acious D's

The Dodgers pulled off YET ANOTHER "come from behind and win it in the 10th" victory last night!
Seriously, for me, it doesn't get much better than this.

Probably for Frank too..

Introspection

Well, Marion, I'm not so sure about #7,
but I do agree with the rest of them...

It's June 16th

Happy 47th Anniversary Mom & Dad!

Two out of three ain't bad...

People ask me all the time if I have Dodger Season Tickets.

I always answer, "Unfortunately, I don't...Alas, if only the Dodgers were as close as the Angels, I certainly would..."
Well, for this weekend only, the Dodgers WILL be as close as the Angels...in fact, they will be in playing the Angels in Anaheim!
And, (so far) I have been able to score tickets to Friday's AND Sunday's SOLD OUT games!
I would LOVE to go on Saturday night too! Please let me know if you have an extra ticket!
I will pay for parking and buy the beer and hot dogs! I'll even buy you some peanuts and Cracker Jack...
I will warn you though, there is one thing I definitely won't do:
wear red.

Graduation Celebration in Margaritaville!

Last night I was blessed to be part of the Cook family graduation celebration! I even got to play bartender...well, I was chief Margarita maker!

Kelly's daughter, Kendall, graduated from Mater Dei last month!
Kendall is headed to Chico State in the fall.
Kelly's daughter, Morgan, received her Bachelor's Degree
and her daughter-in-law, Kim received her Master's Degree!

Kim, Kristin and Kelly
As I left last night, I told Kelly's husband Dave, that we must have done something right...all of our kids are college graduates.
That is definitely something to celebrate.

Birthday hoots

Today the family met at Fuddrucker's to celebrate the June birthdays...

Gina with her boys...Logan and Thatcher!
Gina's birthday is the 22nd, Logan's was the 12th!

Allison's very special gift to Logan.
(You had to be there.)

My mother's birthday was the 11th!

We figured we may as well throw in Father's Day for our Dad!
So nice to be close to each other. In every way.

Take us ALL out to the ballgame!

Last night was our FOURTH annual Montage night at the Angels game!

Four years ago, I took 25 people. Two years ago, I took 50. Last night there were OVER 100 Montage Associates at the game!! SO much fun!
It was Charlie's FIRST TIME at a baseball game!Catherine's first time too!Jackie's too!
Buy me some (Dodgers) peanuts and Cracker Jack...
SUCH A FUN NIGHT!
The fireworks were spectacular, as usual...and the Angels WON 11-6!!
We can't wait til next year...in fact, we won't!
I'm looking into getting another game together over the Summer!
(The rest of the pictures are posted on Facebook!!)

Champion Penmenship!!!

SO AWESOME!!!

It's June 12th!

Those were the days my friend

And, it was SO good while it lasted...
Only good thoughts remain.

It's June 11th!

Happy Birthday to my wonderful Mom!

The wiener takes it all...

...and I'm eating it up.

Peace, Love and Bobby Sherman

Makes me feel more peaceful, you?

...and they just keep coming...

Epiphany

I am alone and yet not lonely.

There is no one to justify myself to and no one to carry along.
It is just me.
And it is extraordinary.

It's June 8th!

Happy Birthday to Sonja, my best friend for more than thirty years!

The best is yet to come!

Little drummer boy

My nephew, Elijah...rum pa pum pum

It ain't over til it's over!

The Dodgers have laid off the fat lady.
For the second consecutive game, Andre Ethier delivered a walk-off win for the Dodgers, who now have 12 victories this season in their final at-bat. Ethier's 12th-inning homer was made possible by Rafael Furcal's pinch-hit home run in the ninth inning.
In the immortal words of Yoga Berra, "It ain't over til it's over." (Yes, Lenny Kravitz said it too.) And for the Dodgers, lately, it doesn't even start til it's almost over!
(Most important lesson class: Never never never leave a game early!)

After doing my dance of JOY for the second day in a row, I sat down and started thinking. And, like I always do, I saw another beautiful correlation between life and baseball...specifically, the importance of playing all nine innings....and often, a whole lot more.
You cannot give up.
The quote on my blog is from Louis L'Amour. I saw it for the first time on the wall of a used book store in Victoria, British Columbia several years ago:

"There will come a time when you think
everything is finished.
That will be the beginning."

The last two days, it looked as though it was finished for the Dodgers early in both games. But the beginning (or big INNING) was not til the bottom of the NINTH last night. Today it was the bottom of the TWELFTH. Even when it looked hopeless...they kept on playing...they knew it wasn't over. The Dodgers don't leave the game early. They stay in the game and play hard...they do not give up.
It's really the same for you and me in this great game called life; we can not give up! We can never never never give up! Even when it looks hopeless, even when it seems like it might be over...we have to keep going. We have to stay in the game and fight hard to win! When one door closes, we either find an open window--or we break down the damn door! Who knows what great things are up ahead?!
We have to keep playing, and playing HARD and playing WELL...all nine innings.
Sometimes twelve. Sometimes more.
Never give up.
It ain't over. In fact, this might just be the beginning.
And, for the love of God, don't leave the game early.

There is no fat lady at Dodger Stadium....

Never leave a game early. Never never never leave a game early. Trailing by one with two outs in the bottom of the ninth? Come on!
It ain't over til it's over...
I'm STILL smiling!

Chai a little tenderness

One of the girls at work brought in some Chai Cupcakes today...
When she offered me one, I told her I had never had one, but I was willing to give it a chai.
Oh yeah, it was delicious, and it set me up with puns for the rest of the day...


Chai it, you'll like it...
If at first you don't like it, chai chai again...
I know...just chai not to laugh.

Not very UP

**SPOILER ALERT***

I just got back from seeing UP.
Hmmm...

Let's see, I cried through much of it and was saddened by the majority of it. What was sad? Well, to start with, there's a miscarriage and subsequent tragic realization that the main character's wife is barren. Then there are the multiple financial problems and personal issues that the character's face which cause them to reluctantly put off pursuing their dreams. Oh, then there is the wife's time in a long term care facility, her premature death and the heart broken man's attendance at her funeral. Yes! Then the elderly man is forced from his home, pushed to violent behavior, arrested, and taken to court. Oh yeah!
And that's all in the first 15 minutes or so.
After that, it seemed to me that there was nothing but anger, violence, cruelty and a main focus of unfulfilled dreams. Did it have a happy ending? Well, if finding out that your childhood hero is a murdering psychopath who is ready to kill you as well--and then watching HIM die--is a happy ending...then yes.
I'm sorry if I missed something, but UP was a DOWNER for me.
As soon as we left the theater, we immediately found our way to a Margarita, a basket of chips and a big bowl of guacamole. Definitely cheered us UP.

Winning isn't everything...but it's damn nice.

Randy Johnson won his 300th game today!
I am extending an olive branch of peace to the Giants, who pick up a full game on the Dodgers, and a HUGE congratulations to Randy on his win! It's an amazing accomplishment!

Lakers Win!!

Pens win!!

Dodgers? Well...you can't win them all.
And there's always tomorrow...

WAY too much...

There will come a time when you think everything is finished.
That will be the beginning.
Never never never give up....
And, never never never leave a game early.

Blog Advisory

True Love

I love snuggling with you
I love telling my friends about you
I love how you wait for me to finish what you are saying
I love how you go anywhere with me
I love how I can read you
You are always there for me!
I love thinking about you while I am at work
I love to sit in front of the fire with you
I love having dinner with you
You make me smile
You make me laugh out loud
You make me cry
You make me stop and think
You are romantic
You surprise me
I've learned so much from you
You make me happy!
I can't wait to get home to you
You are ok if I disagree with what you say
You never think I am too slow
We can spend DAYS together and never get bored!
You don't get mad if I forget about you
When I am finished with you, I know I will find another...there are so many others out there...and I will never get my fill...I especially love the older ones.
You encourage me to see others.
And when I come back to you--we can start all over...

Oh YES, how I love my books.