A Day In...

...bed.

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Orange International Street Fair

Every Labor Day weekend for the past three decades, the Orange International Street Fair is going down in the downtown Orange Circle.  This is the event to experience a wide variety of food, music and dance from cultures and ethnicities throughout the world.  Even better, what I didn't know, is that the entire event is put on to benefit non-profit charities that help people in our community. 

So why have I never been?  I don't know.  But I'm definitely going this year with my man and our good friends Toni, Rich and maybe a few others..? We will see.  After taking a look at all the street participants and the different cultural foods and entertainment they're bringing - we couldn't be more excited!  Here's the line up of food items each organization is bringing for your taste buds...

PARTICIPANTS | ORGANIZATION | FOOD ITEMS

All American | Diocese Of Orange | Wine, Margaritas
All American | Villa Park High School Girls’ Basketball | Beer
All American | El Modena High School Softball | Chicken Wings
All American | Orange North Rotary Club | Roasted Corn
All American | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church | BBQ Beef Sandwiches, Hot Dogs
All American | Fairhaven PTA | Cookies
All American | Job’s Daughters | Donuts and Corn Dogs
All American | Int. Order of Rainbow Girls | Funnel Cakes
All American | El Bekal Shrine | Beer
All American | Orange Rotary Club | Kettle Korn
All American | Girl Scout Troop 1475 | Snow Cones, Cotton Candy
All American | El Modena High School Wrestling | BBQ Corn-on-the-cob
All American | Assisteens of Orange | Dippin’ Dots, Root Beer Floats
All American | Central Orange Girls’ Softball | Indian Fried Bread (Native American Tacos)
All American | Orange Junior Chamber of Commerce | Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
All American | Orange High School Vocal Music | Hamburgers, Cotton Candy
All American | Canyon High School Education Foundation | Phlly Cheesesteak Sandwiches
Asian | Tustin High School Baseball | Teriyaki Skewers, Rice, Shrimp Rolls
Asian | Casa Teresa | Beer
Asian | Wat Lao Buddhasamakhee | BBQ Beef & Chicken, Fried Rice & Noodles, Shrimp Tempura, Eggrolls
Australian | YMCA of Orange | Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Pickles, Australian Ice
Australian | Orange County High School of the Arts | Aussie Ice Cream, Broasted Potato wedges and chicken
Danish | Danish American Club | Danish Pastries, Beer
Danish | Rebuild National Park Society | Danish Donuts, Fruit Jams
Danish | Orange Host Lion Club | Sausage Sandwiches
Dutch | United Netherlands Organization | French Fries, Dutch Pastries, Beer
English | Orange Elks Lodge 1475 | Fish and Chips, Beer
German | Knights of Columbus | Beer
German | Lutheran High School | Bratwurst, Sauerkraut
Ginza | Orange County Kodokan Judo Foundation | Beer
Ginza | Orange Coast Gakuen | Edamame, Beef Teriyaki Sticks, Rice, Candy, Corn
Ginza | Long Beach Japanese Language Booster Assn. | California Rolls, Oinari Sushi, Shaved Ice (Japanese Flavors)
Greek | Saint John The Baptist Greek Orthodox Church | Souvlaka Sandwiches, Gyros Sandwiches, Greek Pastries, Calamari, Loukoumathes
Irish | La Purismia Catholic School | Irish Bangers Sausage, Irish Breakfast Burritos
Irish | Old Town Preservation | Beer
Italian | Sons of Italy Renaissance Lodge | Sausage and Meat Ball sandwiches, Pizza, Fried bread, Pasta, Cookies and Italian Ice
Mexican | El Modena Tennis and Cross Country | Burritos, Tacos, Quesadillas, Nachos, Taquitos, Chimichangas, Churros Raspados
Mexican | Apostolic Church of Orange | Carne Asada Tacos, Quesadillas, Tamales, Sopes, Burritos
Mexican | Friendly Center | Tacos, Ceviche, Nachos, Quesadillas, Churros, Horchata
Norwegian | Sons of Norway | Rosettes (Cookies), Beer
Polynesian | Orange Youth Sports | Pork Sliders, Frozen Fruit Bars, Watermelon Slices, Beer
Swiss | Izaak Walton League | Bratwurst, Polish Sausage, Spicy Swiss Sausage, Lemonade, Beer



Ok my OC friends, I'll see you there?  Here are the details:

Friday Sept. 3rd, 5pm - 10pm
Saturday Sept. 4th, 10am - 10pm
Sunday Sept. 5th, 10a - 10pm

Goal #39: Improve my posture

I was trying to decide how to deduce whether or not I would know when I've completed this goal, and then realized that every time I check in with my Wii it keeps track of your center of balance (COB) - which is a direct example of your posture!  And here are my results:

Now... you see that red dot?  That dot, stays perfectly in place the entire duration of my "test". 
Now... you see how my COB says it's slightly to the right.  Why that is you might ask?  Because I have one plate and six screws in my right ankle making me FOREVER, slightly to the right. 
To even further affirm my new and improved posture... I looked to my yoga poses which have shown incredible improvements on every single one - all showing 90pts or above for fabulous COB.

And if that isn't enough!  I've recently been told that I maintain great presence in my stance and stand very confidently (aka, straight) and that I have very good posture!  Woo-hoo! COMPLETE!

Yayy 800th Post!

Can you believe it?  I know right!  To celebrate this hundredth mark, I thought I'd share 8 thinks you probably don't know about me...

1. I was born in Utah (and no I'm not a Mormon - no offense - but I get that a lot.)

That's right, I was born in Salt Lake City, UT and did not live there long enough to realize it.

2. At sixteen I shattered my ankle skateboarding leaving me with 2 scars, 2 plates and 13 screws.  Of the original plates and screws, I had a second surgery to remove a few and today I have 1 plate and 6 screws, which will more than likely be there for life.

How did it happen?  I dropped in on a 7 foot ramp that was to launch me into a foam pit - and lets just say, I didn't make it to the other end.  Think of this, you know how when you're laying down and you look towards your feet and you see both of 'em pointing straight up?  Well, one was straight, the other was 90 degrees snapped in the wrong direction!

This whole experience has quite a few stories intertwined into it, from: waiting for the fire fighters to get me out of the bowl, waiting for a surgeon to step up to the plate and fix me, setting my ankle back in place (that one makes me sick every time my dad tells it), fainting on day 2 in the hospital, getting my first cast... the list goes on!  Those 5 seconds of stupidity has cost me years of stories (some funny, most not) and quite a few regrets. 

3. I have 1 sister, 1 half-sister, 1 half-brother, 3 step-sisters and 1 step-brother.

As a result from divorce and remarriage, my family has grown, tremendously.

Kristin (half-sis), Alex (sis-sis), Danielle (step-sis)

James (half-brother)

Candice & Angela (step-sisters)

Chris (step-brother)

4. I have 5 nieces, 3 nephews and 1 in the oven that has yet to be determined.

Traejun & Malachai (twins), {graduate}, Danielle, Alexandria

London

Katherine & Julia (twins)

Jack

Bun in the Oven - Yet to be Determined!

5. I have a tattoo!

It's on the small of my back, making it not a tramp stamp!  Which is why not very many people know it exists. And yes, I'm freckly.

6. My babysitter broke my arm when I was a little girl.  True story.

I was laying in my crib, one of my precious little arms was hanging out through the bars, she went to pick me up (the wrong way), and SNAP!  Needless to say, she didn't babysit me after that.

Not me pictured, but it will do since I can't find my cute picture of me.

7. I've been told I resemble Drew Barrymore.

Most of you are probably saying Say Whaat? (me too) and maybe some are saying Okay, I see it (I really don't).  But the funny part about this, is that when my sisters and I were young we used to play Charlies Angels, and I always played Miss Drew.  I have always loved her as an actress, but being that she was kind of butchy in Charlies Angels, I always resented it!  But nowadays, when someone tells me that, I quite like it! 

8. I'm officially starting a 100 Snapshot Challenge
I've decided to start the 100 Snapshot Challenge with my MyTouch camera as the source.  It's the only camera I have with a flash, so it's going to be the official means to my challenge.  This is going to be fun considering I've been using my camera on my phone so much more lately.

thxthxthx: Comic Books

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Best part of the Sunday paper - besides the ads.

L&C Update: Comments

Believe it or not, the only time I'm ever alerted that I've received comments is when I'm editing and drafting posts... until now!  Before today if you would have asked me about how many comments I've received, I would have low-balled that number no doubt.  Then I discovered the comments tab (where was it hiding before I wonder...) and was so happy to see all the comments that I never realized I had received.

So here is my promise to you... I will be checking in on those comments every day from now on, and responding to them as well!  I love to get feedback from ya'll, and absolutely want to be able to have conversations with you as well!  So feel free to stop in and let me know what you think... I'd love to hear!

Leave the situation or accept it. All else is madness.

See if you can catch yourself complaining in either speech or thought, about a situation you find yourself in, what other people do or say, your surroundings, your life situation, even the weather. To complain is always nonacceptance of what is. It invariably carries an unconscious negative charge. When you complain, you make yourself a victim. Leave the situation or accept it. All else is madness.

- Eckhart Tolle, German born best-selling author

Turtle is my Homeboy

Just finished watching all six seasons of the Entourage series with my man, and I am officially wishing we dragged it out a little longer.  Thank you to my sister for getting Danny and me hooked!  I bought 5 seasons for her this last Christmas holiday, and only just started watching them per her recommendation.  I don't think I've ever laughed so hard during an entire TV series, and I watch a lot of TV. 

As you can see, Turtle is my (our) favorite!  Since we've gotten to know all the characters pretty quickly, here is my list in order of favoritism, along with some videos I encourage you to watch:

Turtle (Jerry Ferrera) - He's way too funny, unique and loyal not to love him! Plus he's always trying to get some, and that journey is hilarious... for instance watch this.
Lloyd (Rex Lee) - Confucius say, Ari, are you sure?! Watch this, and laugh your ass off.
Ari (Jeremy Piven) - He's crude, rude and a total ass!  But we love him.  Watch this recap, and you'll know what I mean.
Vinnie (Adrien Grenier) - While I don't think he's a hottie, he is always so positive, it's kind of  refreshing.
Shauna (Debi Mazar) - This chica puts everyone in their place, gotta love that!
Mrs. Ari (Perrey Reeves) - Not only can she shove Ari's wrath right back at him, she's fashionable and independent, love it!
E (Kevin Connolly) - My sister's fave, but not really mine.  I actually mostly enjoy watching him make silly mistakes with women.
Drama (Kevin Dillon) - Is he hilarious? Absolutely. Annoying?  Even more so!!

 I absolutely recommend watching this series!

Meditation

Every sixty seconds you spend angry, upset, or mad is a full minute of happiness you'll never get back.

- Author Unknown



"We claim we want to feel peaceful but we often hold on to our anger.
We pray to have peace in our hearts but our resentments can keep us up at night.
We struggle for balance and happiness and yet so many times we don't accept life on life's terms.
Why not try a happiness-and-peace experiment today?  Have a piece of paper and pencil with you.  Stop and notice when you get upset.  Jot down the source.  Be mindful of any time you get angry.  Notice whether the feeling of anger or upset came from a thought that triggered a memory that than triggered the feeling, or whether an actual event triggered the feeling.  Just notice it and jot it down.  No judgements!  You're on a learning mission today.
If you have time when these situations occur, examine each one as it occurs and decide whether or not you want to hold on to these feelings.  If you are busy, look at your paper at the end of the day.  Many times we hold on to negative or unpleasant feelings just because that's what we've always done.  Now you can change.  Try letting go more quickly by talking about your feelings, writing about them, or asking yourself how important they  really are.  Then, as your willingness increases, you'll be amazed to find your peace and happiness increase in direct proportion."

"Today I am taking an honest look at how long I hold on to my upsets.  I pray for the willingness to let go more quickly so I can have more peace and happiness in my life."

{Peace in our Hearts, Peace in the World pg. 72}

I Heart my Honda

This is the image I saw right when my e-light went on.

What does that mean you might ask..

That means I got 31 miles/gallon with my 12 gallon tank. 

You gotta love a Honda!

Expectations

{warning: very, very old picture}

Say hello to my family trio: my mother and my sister (whom you already know and love).  Today, I'm going to get a little personal...

The family unit you see here is the family I grew up with every single day until my mom remarried in 2001.  Throughout my entire life, my mom has been our rock.  She worked hard to give us what we needed in life - which when you're young you always think you want more right?  But I'm grateful that I always had what I needed, the constant love and support from her and my sister. 

So what I'm getting at here, is that my mom has been my source of advice and direction my whole life.  One very big piece of advice she gave me was this: Be careful, and don't get your hopes up.  Just believe it when you see it.  This might sound negative, cynical even.  But it's not.  To be quite honest, it has been the best piece of advice I've received in my 24 years of living. 

Growing up I had a tendency to trust everything everyone said, and I mean everything.  If you told me a story, made me a promise, whatever the case may be, I believed every single word of it.  And then when your story or promise fell flat, I was utterly shocked and heartbroken.  This piece of advice helped me get out of my high expectation rut, and start letting people prove to me that their word means something... and I was reminded of this piece of advice today with this quote:

The higher the expectations, the lower the serenity. I try to keep my boundaries high, my expectations low, and my heart open.

This explains perfectly my outlook on life.  I keep my boundaries high to protect myself; my expectations low so as to not get my hopes up; but my heart is open so that I'm still keeping myself open to the opportunities of great things.  And I believe it has served me well. 

What great piece of advice has gotten you through most of your life?

I'm Feelin' Like...

... game night.

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Blueberry Pancakes From Scratch

I'm craving pancakes lately, and from scratch.  I've been following Smitten Kitchen for some time now and while this recipe was derived from another - I still credit her for the find.  Be sure to visit her site for some extra tips on how to make fabulous hotcakes.

Best Buttermilk Pancakes
Smitten Kitchen
Yields: 9 6-inch pancakes

Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or slightly less table salt
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 3 cups buttermilk
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus 1 tablespoon extra for brushing griddle
- 1 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen and thawed (optional)

Directions
Preheat an electric griddle to 375°F, or place a griddle pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar in a medium bowl.  Add the eggs, buttermilk, and 4 tablespoons melted butter, and whisk to combine.  The batter should have small to medium lumps.
Test the griddle by sprinkling a few drops of water on it. If the water bounces and spatters, the griddle is hot enough. Using a pastry brush, brush the remaining 1/2 teaspoon butter onto the griddle. Wipe off the excess with a folded paper towel.
Using a 4-oz. ladle, about 1/2 cup (for a 6-inch pancake), pour the batter in pools 2 inches apart.  If you wish to make blueberry pancakes, arrange a handful over the cooking pancake, pressing them in slightly. When the pancakes have bubbles on top and are slightly dry around the edges, about 2 1/2 minutes, flip over. If any batter oozes or blueberries roll out, push them back under with your spatula. Cook until golden on bottom, about 1 minute.
Repeat with the remaining batter. You can keep the finished pancakes on a heat-proof plate in the oven at 175°F.
Serve warm.

LEGOs With an Edge

Check out these ads for Pilot's Extra-Fine tipped pens featuring LEGO figures with tattoo makeovers.  The ads were designed by the Barcelona-based Grey Agency, and they are insanely creative and fun to stare at.  My all time favorites have to be the pirate and the tramp stamp - although I don't know what's worse: the tramp stamp or the thong... 

Thanks Shannybear for sharing this with me.  Yet another reason why you should start a blog of all your sharable finds!

thxthxthx: Canceled Plans

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Hump Day Fave: Woodstock Memories

Woodstock was an absolute blast.  I couldn't have asked for a better experience.  From the sunshine, great food, oddly spectacular people, true cover bands and most of all, the company of friends - memories were had by many.  Here are my favorite highlights...

Spending it with my man.  It was the perfect ending to our vacation.

Being silly with the girls.  We all had a chance to catch up, dance and laugh hysterically.

Hula-hoops!  We borrowed this hoop from a legit hippie and took it for a spin.

Here's a two in one: Straw hats - at some point, we all had our turn with one...

and Toni!  This is our 3rd Woodstock together, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Lastly, family.  This year my sister pulled out her hippie gear and shared the lawn with me!

Until next year!

House Rules

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The Future is in Your Hands

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DIY: String Bracelets

Queen of DIY Martha Stewart lends this project for using up leftover string from crafts projects to make textured bracelets.  I on the other hand am thinking I'd like to buy string to use up my leftover bangles.  Back in the day I used to go out dancing and purchased quite a few colorful bangles that I soon realized I'd probably never wear again, until now. 

These look much more adult, a lot less plastic and club-like.  This is officially on my to-do list.
Originally seen here.

A Teacher's Apple

Hey sister sister, check these cute apples out!  I think they're a smidge pricey, £19.00, which is $30.00.  But aren't they cute? 

Seen on D*S.

Blog Love

This is literally blog love, because this blogger, I love.  My sister has finally crossed over from occasional guest blogger to an official blog owner - that I'm sure will continue guest blogging when her services are needed!  Her blog is called Boog's Exploration, you can read where that came from here, and she will be sharing all of her DZP completed goals, along with some fun things she'll share along the way.  So check her out, you won't be disappointed.

Extreme Advertising

This is no joke... That man peeking out of the building is Christian Peterson, owner of the bike shop that set up this extreme display of advertising to draw attention to his store.  Only in Germany right? Seen here.

Process Design