WONDER WIFEY

FW: Stay Young

2012-01-30T08:42:00.000-08:00

Stay Young

We all need to read this one over and over -
until it becomes part of who we are!

;
HOW TO STAY YOUNG
1. Try everything twice.
On one woman's tombstone she said she wanted this epitaph:
"Tried everything twice. Loved it both times!"

2. Keep only cheerful friends.
The grouches pull you down.
(Keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches!)

3. Keep learning:
Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever...
Never let the brain get idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.'
And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud.
Laugh until you gasp for breath.
And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with HIM/HER.

6.. The tears happen:
Endure, grieve, and move on.
The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. LIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love:
whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever..
Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health:
If it is good, preserve it.
If it is unstable, improve it.
If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips..
Take a trip to the mall, even to the next city, state, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
I love you, my special friend.

11. Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second chance.

And if you don't send this to at least 4 people - who cares?
But do share this with someone.

Remember! Lost time can never be found.

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Wine does not make you FAT ....

- it makes you LEAN .....
(Against tables, chairs, floors, walls and ugly people.)

2011-12-26T22:44:00.001-08:00

still struggling to blog with my kindle. but getting better

2011-11-27T01:20:00.000-08:00

Testing if I cab blog with my new Kindle Fire. I'm struggling!!!

Test

iSad Items, Sticker, Apparel and more...

2011-10-12T16:05:00.001-07:00

Available at http://www.cafepress.com/iLuvLuv

YOU THINK ENGLISH IS HARD?

2011-09-27T11:21:00.001-07:00

Got this from a friend:

Amazing we all learned English!

I think a retired English teacher was bored.
THIS IS GREAT!

Read all the way to the end.
This took a lot of work to put together!

You think English is easy?

1) The bandage was wound around the wound.

2) The farm was used to produce produce.

3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.

4) We must polish the Polish furniture.

5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.

6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.

7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.

8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.

9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.

10) I did not object to the object.

11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.

12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.

13) They were too close to the door to close it.

14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.

15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.

16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.

17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.

18) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear..

19) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.

20) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

Let's face it, English is a crazy language. There is no egg in eggplant, nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins weren't invented in England or French fries in France. Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat. We take English for granted. But if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.

And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham? If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth, beeth? One goose, 2 geese. So one moose, 2 meese? One index, 2 indices? Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend? If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?

If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat? Sometimes I think all the English speakers should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane. In what language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? Ship by truck and send cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell?

How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites? You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down; you fill in a form by filling it out; an alarm goes off by going on.

English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race, which, of course, is not a race at all. That is why, when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible.

PS. - Why doesn't 'Buick' rhyme with 'quick' ?

You lovers of the English language might enjoy this:

There is a two-letter word that perhaps has more meanings than any other two-letter word, and that is 'UP'

It's easy to understand UP meaning toward the sky or at the top of the list, but when we awaken in the morning, why do we wake UP ?
At a meeting, why does a topic come UP?
Why do we speak UP and why are the officers UP for election and why is it UP to the secretary to write UP a report?
We call UP our friends.
And we use it to brighten UP a room, polish UP the silver; we warm UP the leftovers and clean UP the kitchen.
We lock UP the house, and some guys fix UP the old car.
At other times the little word has real special meaning.
People stir UP trouble, line UP for tickets, work UP an appetite, and think UP excuses.
To be dressed is one thing, but to be dressed UP is special.
A drain must be opened UP because it is stopped UP.
We open UP a store in the morning but we close it UP at night.

We seem to be pretty mixed UP about UP!
To be knowledgeable about the proper uses of UP, look the word UP in the dictionary.
In a desk-sized dictionary, it takes UP almost 1/4th of the page and can add UP to about thirty definitions.
If you are UP to it, you might try building UP a list of the many ways UP is used.
It will take UP a lot of your time, but if you don't give UP, you may wind UP with a hundred or more.
When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding UP.
When the sun comes out we say it is clearing UP.
When it rains, it wets the earth and often messes things UP.
When it doesn't rain for awhile, things dry UP.

One could go on and on, but I'll wrap it UP,
for now my time is UP,
so...it is time to shut UP!
Now it's UP to you to decide what to do with this email.

I'm back...

2011-09-16T20:38:00.000-07:00

And this has got to be the longest hiatus ever, at least in my hiatus history. That is, if you don't count the episode in my life a few years back when I was so stressed out (because of a bunch of mean-o's in the hubs' clan) that my hair started to fall and my heart started to do random and intermittent somersaults that could give any stunt crew of Cirque Du Soleil a run for his money.

I'm back and I feel rusty. In fact, I think I have almost forgotten my password at some point. Just kidding. I've been busy with juggling work stuff, art stuff, house stuff, chill stuff.

So what's new with me, you ask?

Here are some random things:

I start art classes in October (as a student!)...

Our backyard project is finally done!!! We have a backyard!!! And a brand new patio set! I'm just waiting to find that perfect fire pit to go with it. And the perfect park bench.

It's friday night right now and I'm watching Catch Me if You Can.

So yeah, catch me if you can! I'm logging off soon. But I'll come back...

Meanwhile, I'm off hitting up flower delivery deals for my great aunt in Canada who's celebrating her birthday next month.

Toodles!

Balance

2011-08-09T23:01:00.000-07:00

I hope you guys missed me because I missed you. I have been up to a lot, as always, for the past 3 years.....what else is new....but lo and behold, something is new!

I have learned how to master the art of relaxation in my daily grind. I am serious about it that I even now write it down and schedule it like it's another task to do...and it works!

That's also one of the main reasons why I have been in and out (mostly out) of blogging lately....well, at least temporarily while I am in the peak of fruitful and productive stuff. I now make sure I allot some time to relax and stop, and so that's exactly what I do now. And when you don't find me here, it's not exactly because I've really totally run out of free time. It's most likely because I'm just getting me a good massage, or sleeping, or watching my favorite shows on TV while sipping on hot Camomile tea. The works!

I have also made sure the my study/home office is very conducive to resting and not just working. I am this close to putting up glow in the dark stars like those Kids Wall Decals that I used to have in my room before I got married. Maybe I will really go for it, because at night, it transforms to an open beach view of a beautiful night sky, albeit, faux stars!

Anyhoo..that's what I have been up to lately. And oh, I'm easier on myself too. If time doesn't permit, I won't force it.

I'm sure there will be another time. Rest is as important as work. I think I have a balanced scale now.

byebye mr yellow

2011-07-25T22:39:00.001-07:00

we need to cash in now and hopefully we'll stumble on another one soon (like we haven't yet!) uhrm, silk green baby comin' right up!

[Gratitude | Half Moon Bay | 07.03.11]

2011-07-03T10:12:00.001-07:00

My life is sailing toward the direction I've always dreamed of and fantasized passionately about. Yesterday, I received a package in the mail: a draft of the first book I'm going to illustrate.

:-)

My Third Place

2011-06-24T17:37:00.000-07:00

Relaxing in a place where they never get my name spelled right, listening to my "Yael Naim" station at Pandora, occasionally chatting with long lost college buddies on a very long FB thread, and people-watching til my mind goes blank. Nice feeling after a highly cerebral day at work...
[My 3rd Place | 06.24.11]

Summer is here!!!

2011-06-22T10:42:00.001-07:00

Stay cool you guys!!!

A Day in the Life of an #IGER

2011-06-20T21:00:00.000-07:00

-MC Hammer liked some of my photos and followed me. Tee hee!

-It's so hot tonight that I got up and took a shower at 11pm. Now I'm back in bed while the ceiling fan keeps me cool....and dries my hair while at it! I want to snap an #iger photo of it! LOL...

-I've been swamped with work that it's the first time I ALMOST brought it home with me like the workaholic monster I used to be....until I stopped myself. Heck! Tomorrow's another day!

-I have been passing up on a lot of writing opps because I'm still coming home too tired from some new responsibilities at work. When will I ever recover and get used to it? There goes the occasional 15 bucks free money haha. Or the bonus $8 that makes $42 suddenly feel like fifty. Or the randomly sprouting humble and measly yet helpful $5 that makes $95 feel like a whopping one hundred!!! LOL. That's exactly what this website is for.....raking in the moolah....and all it gets now is some random and free, uncommisoned iPhoneography. Sorry!

-My non-commercialized site http://www.missclarisse.com/ needs help again :( The fence template is gone again, boo!!! Now I have to fix it....but there's not enough time.

- I'm still stoked about MC Hammer!!! And here's a screenshot ...

Road Trip - Par Deux

2011-06-18T12:17:00.001-07:00

My favorite lake.
Somewhere.
In the middle of nowhere.
[Passenger Seat | 06.18.11]

Road Trip

2011-06-18T12:15:00.001-07:00

SoCal bound. Interstate 5
[Passenger Seat | 06.18.11]

[Photoetry | 06.13.11]

2011-06-14T23:43:00.000-07:00

Date with myself,
it's been a while.
This solitude,
is making me smile.

~ C | Burger King | 5:25pm

Wal-Friends

2011-06-13T21:01:00.001-07:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Meet our two best friends.

and

These guys are just two of the Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products that we buy regularly. The Walgreens Sinus Wash Neti Pot Kit is a regular on hubby's bathroom sink, yeah, the left side! I've always wanted to try it but I'm still chickening out at this time. It looks like it works though, because the hubs can't live without it....especially since he always suffers from allergies and perpetually itchy and congested nasal passages.

The other one is my trusty pal, because I usually need digestive aid (go figure) especially when I've eaten meat (something I enjoy, but I'm not necessarily used to).

We used to buy the more expensive brands until one time, my mom needed some antacids during her visit with me and my cousin gave her a bottle of Walgreens Brand Assorted Fruit Chewable Antacids . My mom left the bottle with me when she left and I started using it, and realized how equally effective they were. Of course, how can you go wrong with products that contain exactly the same ingredients? Since then, I never went back to the other brand, and started buying the Walgreens Brand Health and Wellness products, and I was happy knowing that I always save each time. It's really perfect and complementing our family budget.

I also like it that by supporting this, I support bringing preventive wellness services to communities via the Walgreens Way to Well Fund™. It might benefit you!

I hope you give it a chance like I did. Some bloggers, by the way, are giving away Walgreens Gift Cards and so don't pass up on these giveaways. If you're interested, check out this link: http://socialspark.com/WalgreensBrandSweeps

Wifey's Happy Hour: Arts, Crafts and Sewing Supplies

2011-06-11T22:37:00.000-07:00

Well, considering that there was very little left of the Saturday I woke up to (try 2pm -- half the day was lost to sleepdom), the hubs and I were still able to accomplish some stuff....after cleaning and tidying up the house, that is.

He took me to my favorite A-town! We had soup dimsum, braised egg tofu, and authentic handpulled noodles. We also picked up some FroYo (frozen yogurt) before passing by the craft store for wifey's "Happy Hour".

I had some coupons for use this weekend and I applied them to the wires I so needed for my jewelry creations. I picked up some Sewing Supplies for another project. I'm very happy because I was able to snag good deals for all the materials I needed. Some stuff came in from the mail too yesterday and so I was really looking forward to organizing and conceptualizing new ideas. Something I was thinking of doing if we didn't host and entertain the Wine and Steak Dinner last night at home.

Now I'm back home and I just finished organizing my little craft corner that has made its way from my cave (the spare room) to the corner next to my bed in our masterbedroom. I managed to pull the tiny art table and push it to the wall as well as my terribly old IKEA worklamp. It's pretty convenient because now I won't have to miss hubby, and hubby won't have to miss me when I'm busy finishing an art project. Now, he's just gonna be a few feet away, laying down on his side of the bed while he watches TV and surf on his iPad for his own favorite stuff -- car thingamajigs...

and car thingamajigs.

Clean Up Time

2011-06-11T20:19:00.000-07:00

I think the only thing I really don't enjoy about entertaining and holding parties at home (no matter how small) is cleaning up the day after.

Normally, the hubs and I tidy up the living room, the dining table, the buffet counters as soon as the guests leave. The dirty pots and pans and used dishes get to stay soaking on soap and water on our kitchen sink until the next day when we have regained enough strength to load the dishwasher, manually wash the delicate china and wine glasses, steam wipe the counters, mop the floor, and put the entire room back to immaculate condition. It could be crazy because I hate using disposables aka paper plates and red plastic cups, and always insist on putting out the good ones...gold-rimmed fine bones on fab chargers. Enjoy now, suffer later. I take the LIFE IS TOO SHORT-USE THE GOOD CHINA NOW cliche seriously. No, seriously, when will you use them? Carpe Diem!

I also hate cleaning up the bathrooms....sanitizing both the toilet bowls upstairs and downstairs as well as the ceramic sinks and counters, not that we get sloppy guests....but I'm just OC that way.

Last night was nice and fab. I don't mind entertaining often. I just wish someone else can clean up for me. Although I have nothing to complain about. The hubs is slowly putting away the dishes now, and for sure, he will be wiping the ceramic sink with Lysol wipes.

Well-trained puppy.

Reason for last night

2011-06-11T16:16:00.001-07:00

One of the best I've ever had...

Blend: 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petit Verdot, 12% Malbec, 9% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc

Notes: Brilliantly-colored, dark ruby wine with aromas of ripe cherries, red plum, lavender, cinnamon and allspice. There are also hints of tobacco, mocha, toasted walnuts and anise. On the palate, this smooth-textured wine offers a full-mouth, medium bodied feel.

Sent from my iPhone

yawn

2011-06-11T14:23:00.001-07:00

Good morning....er, afternoon! Slept at 4ish after hosting a small wine and steak dinner party at home that turned into chat-a-thon. Just woke up at 2p. Gotta claim the rest of Saturday before it slips into nothingness!!! Well, nothingness is good too! *yawn*

PS. I said we would cancel/reschedule it....but what do you know....got suckered into putting out a spread after all! Tomato Bisque Soup, Spinach-Almonds-Craisin Salad, Grilled Steak, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Corn on the cob, Teriyaki Portabello Mushrooms, and Ice Cream-n-chocochip cookie with Amaretto Liqueur for dessert! Oh, we opened this bottle of red wine -- the real reason why we hosted dinner to begin with....it's called "Artistry" from Girard Winery in Napa Valley.

[06.11.11]

A Breath of Fresh Air

2011-06-10T12:06:00.001-07:00

A handwritten snail mail came in today at work...I love getting these! Usually it's from old (and I mean "aging") clients.

Anyway, TGIF! The hubs and I were supposed to host a Steak and Wine dinner tonight. But I (yes, I, the hostess) requested to resched. That's a first for me. But I know for sure that one way of avoiding stress is to be the captain of your own ship!!! There's a lot on my plate lately (well, like, ever!) and I'm trying to MAKE TIME for REST!

So rest it is! Rest it will be....tonight! *wink*

PS. I hope your weekend rocks.

Thinky Thoughts, My Aunt, and Independent Living For Seniors

2011-06-09T22:39:00.000-07:00

I'm tempted to write my thoughts in bullets, but I promised myself I will not do that here. I only do that on my Coffee, anyone? site which, while looking like it suffers from lack of attention, is actually shaping an image of its own as a bulleted blog...and serves its own unique purpose. For me anyway.

I've just been really "thinky" (hub's favorite unword) lately about my aunt who has gone missing since 2002. The last time we heard from her was while she was still working at the United Nations in NY. We had professionals check on her confidential records and found activity after the 911 disaster...so thankfully, we have a reason to hope that she wasn't one of the victims of the unfortunate incident.

We have a feeling that she went to France to build a new life there as she is so in love with its culture and countryside and spoke French fluently. But being the wandering soul that she is, she could also be in Australia, the original place she migrated to prior to moving to NY, and prior to her apparent "incident" with some family members that could have triggered her desire to cut off ties and disappear into thin air. I hope that my new uncle's attempts to find her via NYPD detectives will yield some news at least.

I've always admired her. She led a really fabulous single life, perfectly suited for the lifestyle in New York. Now, almost 10 years after her disappearance, I have thoughts and images of her in an independent living for seniors, considering that prior to her disappearance, she's had a handful of medical problems. I hope she's in the company of people who can take care of her as her second adopted family, especially that she doesn't have the first and original family to rely on now in her aging years.

Speechless....still

2011-06-08T17:38:00.001-07:00

Still doing something non-verbal at home as words continue to be squeezed off me at work. As of June 3rd, I've been officially tasked to facilitate most corporate communications by our COO (something I'm very thankful for), aside from my usual job responsibilities. The trust means a lot!

At home, I just continue to express myself with my hands for now, playing my favorites on my old trusty piano. Badarzewski and Drumheller.

Next....some Beethoven (Minuets....and the undying Fur Elise of my childhood LOL), Mozart (12 Variations.....which is more like TWO variations for me now hahaha). It's ironic, but the sounds silence my mind.

My old trusty piano. Mr. Trusty and Miss Rusty (me).... LOL. An hour with this guy is saving my sanity...

I'll blog more soonest...

Non-verbals to compensate for my word-laden job

2011-06-07T10:34:00.001-07:00

Therapy of choice!

2011-06-06T22:33:00.001-07:00

Re-establishing equilibrium after our CEO assigned a special project to me lately (a writing task which is challenging but fun) and I always end up finding myself so mentally exhausted at the end of the day now -- accomplishing it, while juggling the rest of my responsibilities at work. Here's something non-verbal that I came up with when I got home, just to balance my day. I'm calling it "Cirque"...