Fancy Phone

I have finally joined the fancy phone club. It took a number of years, but my techie husband has been salivating for the Google Droid phone and this past weekend he divorced us from at&t and we went back to Verizon.

I also selected a Droid phone, but it's not the developer coveted one that he picked-it's step sister is my guess, by HTC, where his is Motorola. It's pretty fabulous though. I love having my email, Twitter, and Facebook at the fingertips. How did I ever get by before?!?! I would wager that it's quite similar to the iPhone with a few differences. I am enjoying the navigation and information that is at my fingertips.

I decided that I needed to make the switch from the text/call variety to smart phone mostly because of the need for mapping and Internet access. There have been so many times as of late that I have needed directions or a phone number that could have been simply provided by a browser.

So far I am digging the phone and can see how much of a tool it becomes with its capabilities. I am also now addicted to the silliest of games, Abduction. If you have the phone or its available on others, check it out. Thank me later.

Sunday Confessions

I refuse to watch scary movies. This bums out Scott because he really wishes I would watch them with him, but certain types absolutely terrify me.

Commercials terrify me for certain flicks that are currently in theatres right now. I kid you not-absolutely freak me out.

I lie in bed and night while he sleeps listening to noises that I can't explain and my brain runs wild with possibilities.

I realize this takes down my fun meter, however I am very aware of my limitations. Sometimes the cheery movie following a conceding ok (which rarely happens) doesn't even help. Taylor Swift on SNL last night-nope didn't do it when I woke up sweating from a dream following our viewing of the Ted Bundy movie last night. I would have rather lost brain cells watching Ed Bundy on "Married with Children." A little reprieve was the terrible screenplay and acting in the movie, but the fact that it was based on a real person did not escape me.

I am watching all the HGTV and TLC today that I want.

Food Network Junkie

J'adore the Food Network. I am so envious at the speed in which they move and most of the meals they come up with. (I say most because some foods I will never be a fan of.)

However, there are some shows that I will stop what I am doing to catch, or feel like such a lucky duck if I am home early enough from work to see:

Everyday Italian & Giada at Home
Is there anything that Giada De Laurentiis makes that is not amazing? Her Italian recipes and modern favorites are simply delectable. And she loves wine and cheese-my kind of gal.

30 Minute Meals with Rachael Ray
Honestly, I am not a fan of Rachael herself. Her voice and overwhelming gestures kind of grate on my nerves, however, I like her concept of quick meals, even if she moves at warp speed and I can't always do them under 30 minutes.

Paula's Home Cooking with Paula Deen
It goes without saying this one loves her trans fats-as do I! I actually prefer more of Paula's desserts than meals, because I can justify the butter in cake/brownies/treats more than entrees that would otherwise remain healthy with other alternatives.

Barefoot Contessa with Ina Garten
Confession-I actually used to change the channel when Barefoot Contessa came on. I was a young fool, what can I say. I love watching her, with her fabulous ingredients and rich, satisfying meals and desserts. She is comforting to listen to as well-I am always at ease with her on in the background.

And now for the "Needs Improvement"

Semi Homemade with Sandra Lee
Love her concept with the store-bought/homemade ratio. Do not like her matchy-matchy set. It is really distracting and I can't concentrate on what she is making because I am consumed by the drapes/apron/lipstick/hardware/towels/napkins all coordinating. Nobody's home looks like that.

Down Home with the Neely's
Oh my. Is anyone else uncomfortable watching them? I understand they are very much in love but it's borderline wanna be Down Home with the Naked Neely's. They seem like really sweet people but ultimately it's too much PDA for me.

I love the inspiration these shows provide me for it eventually puts dinner on the table. I certainly am not creative enough to come up with week after week of new entrees, and I love that watching them is informative and cathartic after a long day as well.

Surgery Recovery-One Week

Let's see it's been 12 days since surgery, and the time has flown by.

Each day I find something I can do a little bit better, and they are huge milestones:

-I was able to walk downstairs to the mailbox several times this week. Granted I was ready for a major rest upon my return, but it was progress.

-I can sleep on my left side during the night (clutching a pillow to my stomach), which is amazing because I am normally a side sleeper, but have been restricted to my back. Scott is loving it as I don't sprawl/nudge/take over the bed that way. I do require a pillow underneath my knees still, as my body feels like it's stretching to its capacity while flat. I am pretty much one giant lump in bed with all of the pillows.

-I can bend down and pick things up that fall onto the floor, such as my Chapstick which Atticus likes to chase under the couch.

-My appetite is slowly returning. Some tastes have changed, and I hope it's only temporarily, as a need for coffee is virtually non-existent. Scott did make steak and ahi tuna two evenings, both of which I really enjoyed.

I am grateful for all of the well wishes, cards, and calls from friends and family-they really brighten the day and are sincerely appreciated.

Anniversary Pictures

A few weeks ago, Joel Maus of Studio EMP took anniversary pictures for Scott and I, as a nod to the first anniversary gift which is paper. Scott was a total trooper, seeing as it was something that made me happy and I am so glad we did. Cheers to many more years together and a break from picture sessions!

My personal favorite











And we continue to live happily ever after...

Humanity

I have always known how blessed I am in life, growing up in loving family, having great friends, a safe place to live, enriching activities, and opportunities to grow.

Many of my friends and associates are involved in different causes from cancer fundraising to domestic violence support groups, and service organizations. There is no doubt that I believe in all of these efforts and support them whenever I can. I simply have not found one that has resonated with me in a way that has moved me to actually give beyond a donation--the gift of time, or even grassroots advocacy.

In 2006 and 2007 Scott journeyed to Africa to experience an adventure and time out of the OC bubble with our friend who works for Invisible Children, a San Diego-based nonprofit that works dilligently to educate the west about the war atrocities taking place in Africa, specifically Northern Uganda and surrounding areas. Scott spent 2-3 months there each summer for two years and I know that it changed him as a person, in the most positive of ways. If interested in learning about the history of this deplorable 23-year war, click here.

Last night, we were pleasantly surprised to catch a great documentary on Netflix-"War Dance." The movie struck a chord with Scott, discussing the war, internally displaced person (IDP) camps, and even featured a great friend. The movie showcases a remote village, Potongo, and the children there competing in a music competition in Kampala. Through three featured kids, the documentarians, much like Invisible Children's, captured their stories of survival, struggle, and the most resiliance one can even imagine.

This movie, and Scott's experiences there, really make me ponder how lucky I am to have been born in a location that is safe and free of warfare. The same goes for places in the Middle East and other areas of strife and supression. Religion and theology aside, I do not think anyone has a choice of where they are born. I see the simple needs these people have for a comfortable sleep each night, safe travels, and fearless living.

I understand my feeble blog post isn't going to change anything. However, if someone reads it and possibly watches the movie and sees the dire situation there, passes it along to a friend and so on, perhaps more individuals will see these people, who receives virtually no recognition by the press and government.

Protecting humanity is an issue I will stand up for. Life is never fair, but there are basic needs in life that should be met, no matter the culture or location, and acts of atrocity need to be addressed and the consequences fierce.

We are all human and deserve to live in a neighborhood, if not a world, of peace.

Sunday Confessions

Today I woke up and had a response tweet from Stacy London on Twitter.

Four words directed at me. It was beautiful and possibly the most memorable November 1st in my life.

Glorious!