Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Skirt Giveaway

Check out this AWESOME skirt giveaway!!

Introducing the farm fresh, always stylish, eminently approachable, intriguing feel of texture. Welcome to the look of understated hip, with a contemporary flair and old world integrity. Delightfully different, texture combines fabulous fabrics and dynamic, clean design to create simple, functional clothing with spice.

Orchestrated by Teresa Remple and born of a desire to craft clothing with soul, texture creates clothing looking for people who don't rely on their label to introduce them. Enter texture stage left. Think gypsy vibe and travel savvy with the ease of real world living built in. Distinctly different women - no vanilla: apply within.


The GIVEAWAY is located HERE.

Lack of Posts

There has been a lack of posting lately, and it will probably continue for the next few days. Today is the day we have to be totally out of our apartment. We have some last minute cleaning and moving and then everything will be out of there. Just because it is out of the old place, doesn't mean it is properly in the new place. Since we are still in the process of painting, we are going to have our bed in the living room for the next few days. Hopefully by this weekend we will at least have things in their proper rooms (even if they aren't put away totally). I will take more photos of our process soon (I just don't like all the clutter or mess, so haven't taken many pictures the last few days).

Fair

Last night we went to the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Ryan and I have never been to the San Diego Fair, so it was fun to see how large and extravagant it is (compared to the Monroe County Fair). I forgot my camera, but used Ryan's iPhone to take a few pictures.


WE SAW A GIANT STEER!

Katrina talked the ladies into it. She said it was the best $1 she spent last year. So we checked him out. HE WAS LARGE AND IN CHARGE!

Kat and I with a LARGE avocado:

Some of the food:

Hot Dog On a Stick:

Ryan eating his DEEP FRIED REESES:

Bye for now Fair:

Monday, June 28, 2010

Toy Story 3

Ryan and I went to see Toy Story 3 on Saturday after church. We both gave it TWO THUMBS UP! We really liked it. I heard on the radio the other day that the original Toy Story came out 15 years ago. I can't believe it has been that long. The kids today weren't even born yet when the movie came out. If you haven't seen the movie yet, we would definitely recommend it.

Woody, Buzz and the whole gang are back. As their owner Andy prepares to depart for college, his loyal toys find themselves in daycare where untamed tots with their sticky little fingers do not play nice. So, it's all for one and one for all as they join Barbie's counterpart Ken, a thespian hedgehog named Mr. Pricklepants and a pink, strawberry-scented teddy bear called Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear to plan their great escape.

Painting

Ryan and I spent most of the weekend painting, running errands, moving things to the new place, etc. We are both pretty pooped from all the painting, but it is almost done (just need to do the edging around the ceiling and a few touch ups). I have been posting pictures along the way, but thought I would post a few here.

Our Master is YELLOW:





Our Guest bedroom is GREEN:




(Our Master Bath is BLUE, but I didn't get any pictures of that yet).

Coffee With Walt



Great picture :)

Coffee With Walt

One the best parts of my role at the Disneyland Resort is being able to review images in our extensive publicity photo archive whenever I need to. Naturally, over time, many photos become familiar, and certain pictures begin to take hold as “special.” As one of my colleagues recently pointed out, I call many of them my “favorite,” so, here’s one of those favorite photos I like so much that it hangs on the wall in my office, directly above where I usually enjoy my morning coffee.

Da Bulls

LeBron to Chicago 'a Done Deal'

LeBron James has decided against going on a free agency tour of the five cities that have made his short list of places (along with Cleveland) where he'd like to play next season, and will instead hold those meetings at home. The reason for this change of plans could be due to the backlash from fans and media alike over the idea, or it could be that James simply would like to hold court in his own castle, and be treated like the NBA royalty that he has become.

Or, it could be something else entirely. Like the possibility that James may have already made his decision.

Jonathan Abrams of The New York Times is reporting that these meetings, which will begin on July 1, may be nothing more than a formality, since he has spoken to one anonymous NBA executive who believes that LeBron is heading to Chicago, along with another of the prized free agents of this summer, Toronto's Chris Bosh.

"I think it's a done deal," the executive told Abrams.

In other free agent news, the Knicks, who have gutted their roster in recent years in hopes of luring LeBron to NYC, aren't putting all of their eggs in King James' basket.


The rest of the article here.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Lake MI Shipwreck

Lake Michigan shipwreck found after 112 years

A great wooden steamship that sank more than a century ago in a violent Lake Michigan storm has been found off the Milwaukee-area shoreline, and divers say the intact vessel appears to have been perfectly preserved by the cold fresh waters.

Finding the 300-foot-long L.R. Doty was important because it was the largest wooden ship that remained unaccounted for, said Brendon Baillod, the president of the Wisconsin Underwater Archaeology Association.

"It's the biggest one I've been involved with," said Baillod, who has taken part in about a dozen such finds. "It was really exhilarating."

The Doty was carrying a cargo of corn from South Chicago to Ontario, Canada in October 1898 when it sailed into a terrible storm, Baillod said. Along with snow and sleet, there were heavy winds that whipped up waves of up to 30 feet.

The Doty should have been able to handle the weather. The ship was only five years old, and the 300-foot wooden behemoth's hull was reinforced with steel arches.

But it was towing a small schooner, the Olive Jeanette, which began to founder in the storm after the tow line apparently snapped, Baillod said. The Doty probably sank when it came to the schooner's aid. All 17 of its crew members died, along with the ship's cats, Dewey and Watson.


The rest of the article here.

Cute Cottage

In the Catskills, Comfort in a Gingerbread House

THE most magical things in life are the ones that spring up where you least expect them — the rosebush in the abandoned lot, for example, or in the case of Sandra Foster, the tiny Victorian cottage in the Catskills that shares space with a 1971 mobile home, two aged trucks, a pen full of chickens and a hand-lettered sign advertising “Farm Fresh Eggs, $2 a Dozen.”

The chickens and their eggs are the remnants of a restaurant that Ms. Foster’s husband, Todd, a great bear of man, tried to run in this sleepy college town last summer; like the landscape business he started a few years earlier, it failed. Mr. Foster, who is working at a local poultry farm, is still recovering from back troubles, making Ms. Foster, a fiscal administrator at Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island, the primary wage earner.

No matter. Ms. Foster has her own shabby-chic retreat. It may not have a bathroom or a kitchen, but it is a dream of Victoriana: stacks of Limoges china with tiny rosebud patterns; chandeliers dripping crystal; billows of tissue-paper garlands.

This is all the more impressive because she renovated the 9-by-14-foot cottage, an old hunting cabin, herself. The cost of renovating and furnishing it: $3,000.


The rest of the article here. I would DEFINITELY suggest checking out the page to see more pictures of this cute place!!

Bye Sheed

Rasheed Wallace to Retire With Two Years Left on Contract

It was only appropriate that Rasheed Wallace was last seen banging on the door of the tiny locker room where the three officials were dressing after Game 7 of the NBA Finals at the Staples Center, irrationally demanding an explanation.

That's how he will be remembered.

Wallace never did make much sense.

Wallace, whose zany antics and volatile relationship with officials often overshadowed his great basketball skills, has decided to retire, according to various reports Thursday night.

Both enigmatic and entertaining, Wallace, 35, played for 15 seasons, but he will be walking away from a contract with the Boston Celtics that includes two more years and $13 million.

Wallace is coming off a disappointing finish, struggling much of this season and frustrating coach Doc Rivers with his lack of conditioning. He ended the Finals with a painfully sore back that limited his effectiveness throughout the playoffs.

Known for his shooting, rebounding, defense and technical fouls, Wallace averaged 14.6 points and 6.7 rebounds through his career, mostly as a starter.


The rest of the article here.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Remote Control

This guy has scoliosis. He has tried out for So You Think You Can Dance twice now (the last time was for this current season). They didn't let him join the top ten (said it was because it would be awkward for partner work), but they did offer him and his crew the opportunity to dance on the show. He is an awesome dancer and an inspiration.

Funny Commercial

Okay, so I am not a huge Twilight fan, but I have enjoyed the Burger King commercials about picking a side - Jacob or Edward.



'You can pet Jacob' / 'Edward has had 100 years to learn how to love' / 'Do you want to be the werewolves' chew toy?' / 'Would you like your granddaughters go out with a vampire or a werewolf?' 'Neither'

Paint Colors

We went to Lowe's tonight. Ordered a fridge (which will be delivered on Wednesday), got a replacement lightbulb for under the kitchen cabinets, and picked paint colors. I will post pictures once we start painting, but thought I would at least give you a sense of what we were planning.





(To see the colors on the website - click here, click 'See Colors', click 'Warm Yellows', and the color for our bedroom is the third box on the top row from the left 'Gold Abundance' / click 'Warm Blues', then click 'Misted', and the color for our bathroom is the fifth box in the fourth row from the left 'Playful Pool' / click 'Warm Greens', then click 'Misted', and the color for the guest room is the seventh box on the top row from the left 'Martian'.)

It is difficult to look at the colors on the screen and picture it (they are a lot brighter in person I think), but thought I would at least give you an idea :)

UFC Fighter Gone

Longtime UFC Fighter Keith Jardine Cut Following Recent Loss

After five years, 13 fights and four straight losses, Keith Jardine's tenure with the UFC is over.

UFC President Dana White confirmed to MMA Fighting that the company has cut ties with the Ultimate Fighter season two alumni after his recent majority decision loss to Matt Hamill at last Saturday's TUF 11 finale.

"It sucks," White said. "I have nothing but respect for him and I hope to see him back soon."

Jardine -- nicknamed "The Dean of Mean -- first gained national attention in 2005 while on TUF, where he was eliminated from the competition by future friend and training partner Rashad Evans. He started his official UFC tenure with wins in four of his first five fights, including a TKO win over future champion Forrest Griffin at UFC 66. That win was expected to rocket him into contender status in the light-heavyweight division, but a shocking upset derailed his forward momentum.


The rest of the article here.

Alien Carp

Alien Invasion: Asian Carp Breach Great Lakes Barrier

They can grow to 4 feet and 100 pounds and eat 40 percent of their body weight daily. They have knocked jet skiers unconscious. Scientists have been warning of their invasion for years.

And now an Asian carp was found this week for the first time beyond the electric barriers meant to keep the invasive species out of the Great Lakes. Scientists fear that the carp will become established in the Great Lakes, starving out sports fish and killing the region's $7 billion fishing industry.

"This is simply another sort of fishy, slimy reminder that a permanent solution needs to be right around the corner, not five or 10 years away," Joel Brammeier, president of the Alliance for the Great Lakes, told AOL News today.

"This finding is extraordinarily disturbing. The bottom line is: It makes it even more urgent for us to build a permanent solution."

The bighead Asian carp caught live on Wednesday was discovered by commercial fishermen in a waterway about six miles from Lake Michigan. It was about 3 feet long and weighed just under 20 pounds, according to a news release from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.


The rest of the article here.

Changed Locks

Last night Ryan and I went over to the new place. We measured the fridge space again and then headed over to Lowe's. We picked up light bulbs (there were a few burnt out ones) and a new lock. We were able to switch out the old lock and handle and everything. It took us a while to get it perfect, but I think we are set. We wanted to change it because you never know who had access to the keys when it was for sale and who may have made copies of them. Maybe it is just a security thing, but you can never be too safe (at least in my opinion). (PS The picture is of the old lock)

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Home Pictures

I went and picked up our keys today!! WE ARE HOMEOWNERS!! When I picked them up I took some BEFORE shots of our place. I will probably rearrange them throughout the moving process so that the before and after shots and next to each other and you can see the exact changes/ updates we have done. The first order of business - CHANGE THE LOCKS. We don't know who had access to the keys while it was on the market. Tonight we will go pick up a new lock for the door. Tomorrow we will probably start moving things over and then start painting on Friday.

Check out the before shots here. We are so excited to move in and make it our own!!

Melrose Farewell

This past weekend was North Coast Church's last weekend on the Melrose Campus. [For those of you unfamiliar with North Coast Church - they have been in warehouses (yes, real warehouses in an industrial park) for the last 19 years. Larry mentioned in his sermon this past weekend that he has often been introduced when he has spoken around the country as the 'pastor with the crappiest facilities'. I think it is an awesome set up. We do video venues and split the venues by the worship music. CHECK OUT THE HISTORY OF NORTH COAST HERE IF YOU ARE INTERESTED.] We went over to the new campus after the service on Saturday. It looks awesome. It will be cool to see the new campus open and active.

Chris gave a fact this weekend about North County. He said that a couple of years ago they had staffers call around to ALL of the Bible-believing, Bible-teaching churches in North County. They asked how many seats they had at their location and how many services they offer. They did the math (# of seats x # of services) and found that we are 441,000 SEATS SHORT! If everyone in North County WANTED to go to a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching church on one weekend - almost half a million people wouldn't have a seat! Not that the new campus will have that many seats, but the point is to have more seats! We had reached capacity and were turning people away at the old campus, so we were in need of more space.

Watch the Farewell Sermon here.

Bomb Dot Com

Ryan is...



Love you babe!!

P & G

P&G expanding brand and affirms outlook

Procter & Gamble Co. said Tuesday that it will expand its Gain brand from the laundry to the kitchen sink, the latest move by the world's largest consumer products company to market its megabrands in new ways and new places.

At a Jefferies investor conference in Nantucket, Mass., the company also affirmed forecasts on sales and earnings it offered earlier this year.

After slipping during the recession, P&G's revenue is rising again because the company is offering new versions of its most popular products at lower prices that reach new consumers.


The rest of the article here.

PS The reason for my interest in P&G is the fact that my Father-In-Law retired from there - and has been very good to him :).

Couch

So we may have found our couch. Ryan really likes it (and since he lived with one he hated for the last 2 years, I guess I can give him this one :) ). We aren't totally sure - we are going to have to measure the living room when we get there to make sure it will fit. I guess we will just have to see. Oh yeah, and we are thinking about waiting till the 4th of July weekend to buy most stuff, HOPING for BIG sales :)



What do you think about the couch? (Be honest - you won't hurt my feelings - it isn't my favorite :) ). We won't get the chair, but Ryan wants the couch and ottoman.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

8th Largest City

San Diego Now 8th Largest City in the Nation

San Diego has regained the title of eighth-largest city in the country, surpassing Dallas in population last year, according to estimates released Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

As of last July, San Diego was home to 1,306,301 residents, compared to Dallas' 1,299,543, according to the Census Bureau.

San Diego fell one spot in 2008's ranking, from eight to ninth, behind Dallas.

According to the Census Bureau, New York City had the nation's largest population in July 2009 with 8,391,881 residents.

In second place was Los Angeles with 3,831,868 residents; followed by Chicago, 2,851,268; Houston, 2,257,926; Phoenix, 1,601,587; Philadelphia, 1,547,297; San Antonio, 1,373,668; San Diego, 1,306,301; Dallas, 1,299,543; and San Jose, 964,695.


The rest of the article here.

Homeowners :)

We just got this email:

CONGRATULATIONS RYAN and CARLEE!!!

I wanted to give you an email confirmation of your home loan funding today. Recording should occur tomorrow and you should be able to get your keys then.


Whooo hoooo!! Ryan and I are homeowners!! We should get our keys tomorrow and be able to start moving things over!! We probably won't move over there fully till this weekend (once we get the bedrooms painted and can move stuff out of the living room), but we OWN A HOME!!

Monday, June 21, 2010

Happy Summer

Today is the start to summer. The day with the most sunshine

Sol + stice derives from a combination of Latin words meaning "sun" + "to stand still." As the days lengthen, the sun rises higher and higher until it seems to stand still in the sky.

As a major celestial event, the Summer Solstice results in the longest day and the shortest night of the year. The Northern Hemisphere celebrates in June, but the people on the Southern half of the earth have their longest summer day in December.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Beach Pics

Ryan and I went to the beach this afternoon (after boxing up lots of our stuff so that we are ready to move it out this week once we get our keys). I took a few pictures on Ryan's phone with his fun camera:

Ryan and his 'turd board':

[He glassed a broken board and was using it more like a boogie board - and named it the Turd Board]

Beach Access:


PS It was very cute today to see all of the fathers and kids at the beach today.

Plates

We have had our dishes for the past 2 years (since we got married). Ryan has been less than careful with them, so they have quite a few chips and chunks out of them (I am not blaming him... we hand wash all of our dishes and I'm SURE they get slippery when he is washing some, hehe). The last time we went to Ross I saw some bright colored plates and started thinking about them. I suggested to Ryan that we just get a bunch of different colored plates this time (that way when one gets broken or chipped it wouldn't be so noticeable if we replace it with a different color or kind). He liked the idea (or at least let me have my way, hehe). We got orange, yellow, lime green, blue and red. They are currently boxed up, so I am sure I will take a picture once we get everything set at the new place.

Bert

Ryan and I found an AWESOME show yesterday night!! Bert the Conqueror. I wanted to watch the episode because I saw he was going to Cedar Point and I love seeing things on TV that I have been to (or going to places that I have seen on TV). Anyway, we ended up watching 2 episodes and really enjoyed them!! We may have to start watching it when it is on during the week (I think it is on Wednesday nights at 10pm).

Have you seen it?

Happy Dad's Day!




Happy Father's Day, Daddy-O!!











Saturday, June 19, 2010

5th Place!!

Yesterday I posted about a friend's husband who was in the World Series of Poker. I wanted to update you all that he came in FIFTH PLACE!!! WHOOO HOOO!!! I was able to stay up till about 1am watching the updates, but missed the last little bit of it. Check out all the news on him throughout the tournament here. I'm so excited for this family!!

Friday, June 18, 2010

New Shoes

Ryan has a gift card that still had money on it that he got from Tilly's for Christmas (oops, I mean 'the holidays'). I asked him if I could use part of it for some new shoes. I placed the order on Tuesday. They arrived on his desk on Wednesday. The size that I ordered (a 7) was too big, so he had to take them back. On Thursday he exchanged them for a size 6 and they work. I wore them around last night to start breaking them in. Yay for new shoes (especially when they are 'free')!!

Free Collage

I ordered a free collage about 30 minutes ago. I am picking it up in the store, so it is totally free (which means I am not sure how much it would cost for shipping, but hopefully there is a Walgreens near you that you can stop by on your way to somewhere else).

NEW! Get a free 8 x 10 collage photo for Dad from Walgreens through Saturday, June 19, 2010. Online only. Use coupon code GOBIG8X10. One per person, cannot be combined with other offers. Not valid on 8 x 10 regular prints, magazine covers, or scrapbook pages.

More Freebies here.

Poker

My friend's husband is playing in the World Series of Poker right now. Currently he is in 8th place based on his chips. There are currently 21 players left. He starts playing today at 3pm Vegas time. He still has 11 people to beat to make the final table which is made up of 9 people. You can watch the Live Reports here. How exciting! Good luck Billy!

Mustache

This one is for you, Ryan :)

Concord mustache king has handlebar on fame

Larry McClure slowly backed his wife's Lexus into their garage, stopped, pulled the emergency brake, rolled up the windows and he was stuck by a hair.

When you're the national mustache champion, sporting a subnasal decoration measuring 31 inches from tip to tip, power windows become more obstacle than convenience.

"I'm not a conformist. I just don't like doing what everybody else does," said the 67-year-old retired truck driver, relaxing in his Concord living room.

McClure and his handlebar have attained a cultlike following in his hometown of four decades. A blog posts McClure sightings, residents constantly request photos with him and onlookers inundate him with questions.


The rest of the article here.