Thursday, July 31, 2008

Jedidiah

I don't know if many people have heard of Jedidiah, but they do awesome work and have some awesome stuff... Ryan sent me this video. It shows some of their work, some of their stuff and some of their values... Check it out:

http://www.vimeo.com/1408670

Office Shower

Too sweet!! My office had a surprise bridal shower for me today at lunch... I was really surprised too... Jonna took pictures, so once I get them from her I will link them. I thought we were just having another morale booster, but no, a shower for me... SOOOO NICE!!

Pictures here.

Moving

Wowser, I am so glad that I only move every once in a while, because man, is it a pain. I have totally moved out of my old apartment (which I lived in for the past 2 years). This morning I woke up early so that I could roll up my mattress, wash the floors, do some last minute cleaning and whatnot. WOW. I am beat! My car looks like I am living out of it, but hopefully when I get up to our new place tonight I will be able to empty everything out and settle down again. Last night I went and rented a Rug Doctor so that I could clean my carpets (although it isn't in my lease my landlord told me last week that it was required and if I didn't do it he would take it out of my deposit). I have to go meet with the landlord at 4:45 to do a walk through and give him the keys back. Before I left this morning I went through and took pictures of everything (about 32 total, and mind you the apartment is small) so in case he decides he wants to jack my deposit I have proof of the condition I left it in. I am glad to be starting this next phase (especially as Ryan's wife, hehe), but wowser it takes a lot out of you.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Sad Day

Pudge is leaving Detroit, sadness... I really like him... And going to the Yankees is a BIG bummer...

Tigers trade Pudge to Yankees for Farnsworth

CLEVELAND -- The Tigers traded catcher Pudge Rodriguez to the New York Yankees for pitcher Kyle Farnsworth on Wednesday.

Rodriguez, 36, is hitting .295 with five home runs and 32 RBI in 82 games this season. He is due to become a free agent at the end of the season. Brandon Inge becomes the Tigers' full-time catcher.

Farnsworth, 32, is a right-handed reliever who throws in the high-90s. He is 1-2 this season with a 3.65 earned-run average. He has been used strictly in relief by the Yankees, and has 11 holds in 45 appearances. He has 43 strikeouts in 44 1/3 innings.

Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras, told the Associated Press that Rodriguez waived his no-trade clause to allow the deal to go through.

"Pudge has always wanted to play in New York and Detroit felt it needed a relief pitcher, so both sides were able to get what they wanted to some degree," Boras said.


The rest of the article here.

Cookbook

I decided on my lunch break I would go over to Marshall's because I still had some money left on a gift card (after returning a few things that I didn't want/ need). I was originally going to look to see if they had any throw pillows that would go with our new furniture - they didn't. I then started looking around and thought I would look in the book section. They had a ton of cook books so I started looking through them. I found one that caught my eye - Easy Vegetarian: Easy recipes for Brunch, Lunch and Dinner. It looked interesting, like we could actually use it and make some of the dishes, and it was right about the cost of what I had left on the gift card.

Easy Vegetarian:
Whether you are a dedicated vegetarian or just love your greens, this book offers lots of inspiration for deliciously fresh food - from a quick, tasty snack to a more glamorous evening meal. For Brunch try French Toast and Sautéed Tomatoes or Blackberry Buttermilk Pancakes. Scrumptious Appetizers and Snacks include Pesto-stuffed Portobello Mushrooms and Toasted Turkish Bread. There is a host of simple Soups and some fabulous ideas in the Cheese and Eggs chapter. All types of salads and accompaniments can be found in Salads and Sides, while Pizzas, Savory Tarts, and Breads are ideal for lunches or casual dinners. When you don't have much time, try some quick Pasta and Noodles, such as Simple Spaghetti with Capers and Olives. For ultimate comfort food make a risotto from the Rice chapter, or a dish from Beans, Lentils, and Chickpeas. For simplicity, try a One-dish Meal. Finally, round off a meal with a perfect Dessert - the selection includes tasty Crusted Lime Polenta Cake.


Can't wait to start flipping through and picking out some new recipes to try.

IKEA

Ryan and I went to IKEA last night to pick up the first round of furniture for our new place (okay, we got most of the big stuff, but may go back for what Ryan likes - knickknacks). We got a couch, footstool, chair, footstool, rug, 2 tables, and 2 lamps. I will hopefully be posting pictures of the furniture together and set up around the apartment (but since I am not sure when that will be I figured I would at least post a few pictures of what the pieces will look like :) ).







Anyway, I also wanted to comment on how EXCITED I was to see that IKEA was charging for plastic bags. As you probably all know (if you have been reading my blog for long enough), I am all for reusable bags and the like. Most of the stuff we bought was large furniture that was in easy boxes so we didn't need any bags for that, but for the slipcovers, lamps, light bulbs, etc we decided to grab one bag (and didn't even notice that they charged for it). When we were finishing up our transaction on the Self Service cash register it asked HOW MANY PLASTIC BAGS DID YOU USE? We put in 1 for the one we had and it charged us an extra 5 cents. I know that this might not be a big deal (I know I happily paid the 5 cents, hehe, more because I was pumped they were doing it rather than actually giving up the nickle), but I think that it will force people to actually think about how much they are consuming (and maybe change their habits with it). I just wanted to give a big KUDOS to IKEA. I know it is a small step, but hey, at least it is a step in the right direction!

Space Shuttle Cafe

How funny is this? I saw this SPACE SHUTTLE driving on the expressway last week and just had to laugh... Not that I would even order food from a traveling fake space shuttle, but I still think it is a clever idea, I mean I remembered to google it a few days later :). If only I would have known for the wedding (JUST KIDDIN').

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Little boys

Had a chuckle!!


Thank Goodness for Little Boys?

GOTTA LOVE LITTLE BOYS

Two young boys walked into a pharmacy one day, picked out a box of tampons and proceeded to the checkout counter.
The man at the counter asked the older boy, 'Son, how old are you?'

'Eight', the boy replied.

The man continued, 'Do you know what these are used for?'

The boy replied, 'Not exactly, but they aren't for me. They're for him. He's my brother. He's four. We saw on TV that if you use these, you would be able to swim and ride a bike.

Right now, he can't do either one.'

Flower

Enjoy :) Flowers make me smile. (But flowers that are still living, not ones that are cut and sold...)

Article

I am sure plenty of articles will come out about the earthquake, but since it is my first earthquake I am a little geeked about it and wanted to link an article. Check it out if you get a chance (it is from CNN).

Earthquake rocks Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- A magnitude-5.8 earthquake has struck just east of Los Angeles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The quake's epicenter was about 2 miles southwest of Chino Hills and about 5 miles southeast of Diamond Bar, the USGS said. Chino Hills is about 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.

The center was about 7.6 miles deep. In general, earthquakes centered closer to the Earth's surface produce stronger shaking and can cause more damage than those further underground.

Earthquake

I just felt my first earthquake :). I know, I know, I probably shouldn't be smiling about it, but hey, now I can say I have felt it. I messaged Ryan and he said he felt it up in Lake Forest too. One of the guys in the office here is in a wheelchair and said that it actually rolled him a little in the room. It didn't shake much (it sounded like someone had bumped into the copy room wall that is right behind me), it just shook the computer screens a little and our feet, nothing to get worried about) I guess it was a 5.8 up in LA that could be felt down to the border (and of course since I am between the border and LA we felt it). PS My mom just called making sure we were okay, man is she on it(I guess it is breaking news scrolling on the bottom of the news screens), YEPPERS we are okay, just in case others of you were worried :).

Monday, July 28, 2008

Moving

We started moving my stuff in to our new place this past weekend. I have been taking pictures along the way. So far we have the empty pictures and some pictures from this weekend when I started unpacking some of my stuff. Ryan and I are planning on going to IKEA tomorrow night and buying some furniture (so people will actually have a place to sit) and then once we get that stuff in there will be more pictures. Check out the album so far if you'd like.

CONGRATS!

Now that it is official I just wanted to say CONGRATS to my husband-to-be on his job offer (and acceptance as of today) for his new job as a Graphic Designer in the Marketing Department of Tilly's. He is quite excited about it and looking forward to the new opportunities and challenges this position will bring!! YAY!! He will start at the new job September 2nd (after we get back from the honeymoon)!! I will keep you all updated on how he likes it, etc once he starts working there. Thanks for all of your prayers and kind thoughs along the way!!

Black & White Twins

I saw this article on Randi's blog and just had to post it. I didn't know that this was something that would actually happen (I mean oon paper I am sure statistically it could happen, but having a set of twins, one black and one white and two bi-racial parents just doesn't seem like it would actually happen).

Black and white twins

When Kylie Hodgson gave birth to twin daughters by caesarean section, she was just relieved that they had arrived safely.

It was only when the midwife handed them over for her to hold that she noticed the difference between them.

Remee, who weighed 5lb 15oz, was blonde and fair skinned. Her sister Kian, born a minute later weighing 6lb, was black.

'Our two gorgeous little girls'

"It was a shock when I realised that my twins were two different colours," said Kylie, 19. "But it doesn't matter to us - they are just our two gorgeous little girls."

The amazing conception happened after two eggs were fertilised at the same time in the womb.

Both Kylie and her partner Remi Horder, 17, are of mixed race. Their mothers are both white and their fathers are black.


More of the article here.

Pony Dogs


As I was walking around the neighborhood last night I saw this woman walking two PONY DOGS! They are HUGE! She obviously doesn't know that I took the picture but I was so amazed. I have a problem walking wiener dogs and they pulling my arm off, I don't know what she would do if those dogs saw a rabbit and took off after it... THEIR LEGS ARE AS LONG AS HERS!

How sad

How sad is it when I am EXCITED to pay $3.99 for a gallon of gas... BUMMER (but hey, at least the prices are dropping, too bad they are just dropping slower than the rest of the country)... The average in San Diego is $4.29 I heard this morning...


How much is it where you are at?!

I'm alive

Sorry about the lack of posting, no need to worry everything is a-okay. I was out of the office on Friday and have been trying to catch up on everything I missed on Friday this morning... I will try and post later, just wanted to let everyone know I am here and everything is fine :).

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Comic-Con

Glad I won't be out and about downtown this weekend...

Comic-Con welcomes onslaught of geeks

More than 125,000 geeks are invading San Diego this weekend. The twist is, much of Hollywood will be here to woo those geeks. San Diego Comic-Con International kicks off Thursday at the San Diego Convention Center. The four-day convention, one of the largest held each year in the region, is much more than comic books. In the last few years, studios have used the event to launch movies and television shows. That's in addition to the hundreds of programs and sales booths focusing on anime and manga (Japanese animation and comic book novels), graphic novels (i.e., "Wanted" which was the basis for the new Angelina Jolie movie), science fiction and fantasy, and action figure collectables. Want to attend? The event is sold out ---- the first time in its history that all of the passes were scooped up before the convention ---- and a big part of that is because so many stars and creators from television shows will make appearances during the four days.


More on the story here.

The Irresistible Revolution

Kevin recommended a book to me this past week. I had been thinking about getting it and today I received a 30% off coupon for Borders in my email and decided that I would go in and buy the book. I will be heading in on my lunch break and actually am not planning on reading it right away. I am hoping to hold out starting the book until Ryan and I go to Fiji. We have 13+ hour plane rides and then some lovely beach reading time I am thinking :). The book is: The Irresistible Revolution and it is by: Shane Claiborne. Again, I haven't read it yet so I can't say if I recommend it or not (but from reading the description I think I will really enjoy it). I'll keep you updated.

Description: Living as an Ordinary Radical
Many of us find ourselves caught somewhere between unbelieving activists and inactive believers. We can write a check to feed starving children or hold signs in the streets and feel like we've made a difference without ever encountering the faces of the suffering masses. In this book, Shane Claiborne describes an authentic faith rooted in belief, action, and love, inviting us into a movement of the Spirit that begins inside each of us and extends into a broken world. Shane's faith led him to dress the wounds of lepers with Mother Teresa, visit families in Iraq amidst bombings, and dump $10,000 in coins and bills on Wall Street to redistribute wealth. Shane lives out this revolution each day in his local neighborhood, an impoverished community in North Philadelphia, by living among the homeless, helping local kids with homework, and "practicing resurrection" in the forgotten places of our world.
Shane's message will comfort the disturbed, and disturb the comfortable . . . but will also invite us into an irresistible revolution. His is a vision for ordinary radicals ready to change the world with little acts of love.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Smiles :)




(yes)

Paul Frank Vespa?

Check out this Vespa I found... I emailed the guy about it... Hopefully it is still around because it would be the COOLEST!!




2001 Custom Paul Frank model ET4 150cc. Custom Pink Paint, matching helmet and silver leather seat. Made for trade show been sitting in garage for past 4 years. Only 285 miles. With trunk for more storage. Get your girl the ultimate present!!

Stacey - Photog :)

Here are a few pictures of my paparazzi for the bridal shower :)




Thanks girl!! Love ya!

Quick Update

I will probably post more later (seeing as I am still a little woozy), but the procedure seemed to go well this morning. I got there around 6:30am and since I was there that early I was the first one in (so no one was running behind schedule yet :) ). The main problem was finding my veins, which I told them to begin with that they are super small (especially when I am dehydrated from fasting for the tests). Anyway, after being pricked for a while a new nurse finally found my vein (can't wait to see all the bruises pop up in the next couple days :). They went in and I guess took a biopsy (not sure for what or why, but that is just what I was told). I will get the biopsy results within 5-7 days and then I have to go in for a follow up visit with the specialist again. Hopefully they will find something so that we can pinpoint what exactly is wrong with me, but I will let you know. Thank you for all your prayers and kind thoughts during this process.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

North Park

August 9th – Graffiti Paint Out and Removal

We believe the best way for a community effort to survive is for lots of people each to donate a little bit of time and energy to the project.

Participate in one of North Park’s biggest grass-roots community renewal efforts – help needed for pre-event activities, set-up, registration, info table, lunch hand-out, as well as for the actual Paint Out and Removal throughout North Park!


Sign up here.

28%

I'm 28% of the way to my goal... Would you like to help??

Dear Friends,

Last year I participated in the AFSP's 2007 Out of the Darkness Community Walk and once this year's information was announced I made sure to be one of the first to sign up. I hope to raise even more funds for AFSP this year and hopefully with your help will be able to meet my higher goal.

I will be joining with thousands of people nationwide this fall to walk in AFSP's 2008 Out of the Darkness Community Walk to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. I would appreciate any support that you give me for this worthwhile cause.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is at the forefront of research, education and prevention initiatives designed to reduce loss of life from suicide. With more than 32,000 lives lost each year in the U.S. and over one million worldwide, the importance of AFSP's mission has never been greater, nor our work more urgent.

I hope you will consider supporting my participation in this event. Any contribution will help the work of AFSP, and all donations are 100% tax deductible.

Donating online is safe and easy! To make an online donation please go to the AFSP Community Walk site here (http://www.outofthedarkness.org/) and search for my name(Carlee Padot) in the Participant field on the left hand side of the page. You can then click the "Support This Participant" button on the page.

Thank you for considering donating to this wonderful cause!

Carlee


Support Me!

Family To Be

Got some pictures emailed to me this weekend and thought I would post them... Some pictures of my Family-To-Bo (even though since Ryan and I have been dating for almost 5 years it is like they are already family, but you get the idea, legally they will be family in a couple weeks).

Soon to be Father-In-Law and Hunter

Soon to be Nephew MJ

Soon to be Mother-In-Law and some ponies

Monday, July 21, 2008

Never Ending

It seems as though the doctor visits and such are never ending... I went to a specialist today and she told me that I need to go in to the hospital Wednesday morning to get an Upper Endoscopy done to see what might be wrong with my stomach... Here is a link of what exactly it is. I check in by 6:30am and will be in to work afterwards (but I can't drive because they knock me out for it). I am hoping that they find something specific wrong (rather than just what they 'think' might be wrong or just a possibility of what could be causing all the problems).

Upper endoscopy enables the physician to look inside the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (first part of the small intestine). The procedure might be used to discover the reason for swallowing difficulties, nausea, vomiting, reflux, bleeding, indigestion, abdominal pain, or chest pain. Upper endoscopy is also called EGD, which stands for esophagogastroduodenoscopy (eh-SAH-fuh-goh-GAS-troh-doo-AH-duh-NAH-skuh-pee).

For the procedure you will swallow a thin, flexible, lighted tube called an endoscope (EN-doh-skope). Right before the procedure the physician will spray your throat with a numbing agent that may help prevent gagging. You may also receive pain medicine and a sedative to help you relax during the exam. The endoscope transmits an image of the inside of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, so the physician can carefully examine the lining of these organs. The scope also blows air into the stomach; this expands the folds of tissue and makes it easier for the physician to examine the stomach.

Pictures

Here is the link to some of the pictures from this weekend. Stacey was my personal photog this weekend :) So when once she sends me all of the pictures from the shower I will make sure to post another link. Enjoy some of the shots I took while I was back in Michigan.

Moms

Preview picture from the Shower... I guess I was the only one that got the memo to look at the next camera :).



Mom-to-be (Charlene), Me, and Madre (Sue)

No more swoosh

Brand new football jerseys yield $60M to Michigan

Michigan unveiled its new, authentic football jerseys yesterday that are both similar to, and remarkably different from, game shirts from years past.

Made by adidas, which contracted with UM on an eight-year, $60 million licensing agreement last year, the home jersey appears to largely stick with tradition. They're the familiar blue with solid maize numbers.

But a key difference in the Wolverines' road White jerseys is the maize stripe running from the neckline to the front of the shoulder and down the sleeve on the left and right sides.


More of the article here.

Your thoughts?? I like 'em!!

I'm back

Had an awesome visit back to Michigan... Glad to be back (because I get to move in our soon to be apartment this week)... Am soooo drained (very little sleep and lots of flying/ time change/ etc)... I will post more later, but trying to catch up on work I missed from Friday... Hope you had a WONDERFUL weekend too!!

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Peace Out Yo


Have a WONDERFUL weekend!

No Fossile Fuels?

Gore issues challenge on energy

Al Gore, one of the leaders of the Democratic Party, was noticeably nonpartisan in challenging the nation to wean itself entirely from fossil fuels and move to alternative energy to produce all electricity within 10 years.

Gore not only said he had had substantive conversations about global warming with Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain, he also made a point of opening his speech in Washington by thanking Bob Barr, a former Republican congressman who is the Libertarian Party's presidential nominee.

"I appreciate your open mind and serious approach," said Gore, Bill Clinton's vice president for eight years, the 2000 Democratic nominee, and the Nobel Peace Prize winner last year for his work on global warming.

Gore's politically ecumenical approach is intentional. He said to solve such a huge, complex issue as climate change, US leaders must get outside the normal partisan framework.


More of the article here.

Wedding Site

I know some people have been checking in on our wedding blog, but I wanted to link our wedding website (with some more info about the wedding and such) again in case people would like to check it out... 30 more days!!

http://www.theknot.com/ourwedding/CarleePadot&RyanMcClurg

No Smoking

Carlsbad Extinguishes Smoking On Beaches, Parks

CARLSBAD, Calif. -- A smoking ban affecting Carlsbad beaches and parks has been tentatively approved.

The Carlsbad City Council voted unanimously, with Councilman Mark Packard absent, in favor of the ban at its Tuesday night meeting.

If the ban is approved during a second reading scheduled for next Tuesday, it would take affect 30 days later.

The penalty for a first violation would be up to $100, according to Rachel McGuire, the city's communications coordinator.

Carlsbad would not be the first city in the county to pass such an ordinance. That title goes to Solana Beach, which passed its smoking ban in 2003 amid concerns over health hazards and litter. The city of San Diego has also banned smoking on its beaches.

Carlsbad would rely largely on voluntary compliance for enforcement, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune.

The ban would not apply to the five miles of beach in Carlsbad that falls within the state parks system, the newspaper reported.

I'm Lucky

I'm lucky to be in love with my best friend!



Lucky By Jason Mraz featuring Colbie Caillat

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Californians

Ryan found this a couple weeks ago and I sent it to some of my California friends and they all said "EXACTLY". Thought it was funny!

One Month!

I know that I have tried my hardest to keep my blogs separate, but since all the wedding stuff is spilling into everything else (who would have guessed, right, hehe), I thought I would post a little here. RYAN AND I ARE GETTING MARRIED ONE MONTH FROM TODAY (I know, we are getting married on a Saturday, but today is the 16th, so looking at it date wise it is one month), WHOO HOO! Everything for the wedding is coming together smoothly (when you only have about 65 guests things are a lot easier to plan and control :) ). Check out the wedding blog if you haven't in a while. Hopefully when I get back next week I will be posting a link to the bridal shower pictures, so be on the look out :).

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Our First Apartment

I mentioned (I think) on Friday that I was heading up to Oceanside to check out an apartment with Ryan and meet the landlord (Ryan had met her a couple times already and since I will be moving in before him she wanted to meet me too). It is a 2 bedroom/ 1 bath and extra long garage. When Ryan first went and took pictures I wasn't that impressed, but when I got there it just felt so home-y and something that I could definitely see Ryan and I starting our married life in. It is 6 blocks from the beach, 4 blocks from the transit center, 4 blocks from the farmers market, etc. So when we went Friday we turned in our applications, paid the amount to have each of our credit checked, etc. The lady told us that Friday was a big day for showing, but that we were a step ahead because people had just taken the applications with them, but hadn't turned them in yet. Today the landlord called us and told us that we were APPROVED FOR THE APARTMENT!! Yay!! We are both super excited for our first place together!! Below are a few pictures (it is pretty bland right now, but I guess that is great for us to have a blank palate to work with).


Street view:

They have a ton of flowers, a couple tables/ chairs/ umbrellas set up, a BBQ for us to use:

All brand new appliances (within the last year or so):

Sink view (yay for no more steel sinks):

View of the kitchen from the living room (we are planning on using the bar to eat on, rather than setting up a dining room right away):

Living room (has a little patio outside, room for chairs and fire pit or flowers, etc):

Master bedroom (don't know why Ryan took a picture of the ground?) and closet:

Second bedroom (we will turn into Ryan's office area):

Bathroom (thanks for the toilet shot Ryan):