Daffodil Chronicles

Cats Are Okay

When Jake moved back in the house, he brought cats.  I'm not really a cat person, not really.  We had cats growing up, one that was aloof and then some other strays, I'm not even really sure how we ended up with cats in the first place. (Mom? Shed some light?)

I was never completely bonded with any cat that we had, although my sister on the other hand apparently loved cats so much, the minute she moved out of our house she got two cats.  Always.  Still does.  I digress.

Jake moved in, brought cats.  I was apprehensive about these new additions, not so much the BABY that came with him but these little felines were more worrisome.  I mean, what do I have to do?  Litter boxes? Um. No. Would they get along with Oscar (yes, dog person for sure). Could I retrain them to go outside? Would they come back if I DID let them outside?

They were aloof for awhile as cats are and Leo became the brave one to come upstairs to see what was going on up here.  He became quite fond of George but still aloof from me.  Can they tell I'm not a cat person?  I mean I do talk to them when they make an appearance.  I was feeling a bit rebuffed by them, don't even get me started on Jaydee, she is a skeeeerrrd cat, although getting a wee bit braver.  I think we all (me and the felines) tolerate each other.

So as I'm sitting here on the computer working, I see Leo gets his paw stuck in the sink strainer and I jumps up and yell "OH no!  Leo!!! Kitty kitty, here I come!"  Yeah, that's me.  I helped him get his claw out and then inspect claw for any injuries while he is "meowing" a bit, to my dismay, because now I'm all worried the little furball is seriously injured. He's not.  All is well, I go back to the computer and up jumps Leo in my lap, turns a few times, much like a dog and plops down on his rescuer. 

Cats are okay.

Cover My Postage, Will you?

I voted today.  I've become really consciencious of voting on everthing now......I used to just wait for the "big" elections and let measure and everything pass me by.  But now I'm really into all the measures and such as I've become more politically aware (Thank you Rosie). 

I think that (see....you think I"m going to get all controversial and talk about the measures, not so much) I really think that they should pay for the postage for the ballots, I bet they would get a LOT more ballots turned in if we didn't have to go hunting through the house for those stamps that you bought two years ago and still have 20 of the 40 stamps in the little book thing.  Which means that if they are that old, you have to go to the store and buy more anyway. Sigh..... Because if you're anything like me, you do EVERTHING online.  I pay bills online, sent e-vites and email my friends, so stamps are extremely few and far between for me.  I can't remember if I bought them, when I bought and just forget remembering where I put them.  So.....Government, just let me mail my ballot and cover my postage, would you?

Breast Health Reminder

Last week on Facebook, there was a thread started by someone ("they" traced it to somewhere back east) The thread was an email just to your female friends to post the color of their bra as their Facebook status, just the color.  We did and it swept across Facebook for two solid days, the purpose of this was to expand awareness of breast cancer.  Men weren't supposed to be in on the email and they were supposed to figure it out on thier own.  It was so cool to see how quickly this spread and how fun it was to see my male friends try to figure it out, how quickly it got us all talking about such a major issue.

I was extremely disappointed the next day when someone posted an article about the "outrage" this good cause and fun excercise caused. Then I became outraged at the idiocy of right wing, conservative, judgemental idiots lashing out at something that was meant to be a reminder that we all need to be aware of our own breast health and to continue to self-check.  It's so sad that some people can't see past their own closed minded views to see what open communication and honesty in discussing sensitive issues can accomplish.  September and October are a huge reminder with all the Races for the Cure and people raising money for breast cancer research running marathons, but come January it can go quiet, so this was a neat way to remind us all to continue the fight.

Those of us that posted our bra colors made it as far as getting mentioned on Good Morning America which is huge!  It was kickass to be acknowledged in a postive way after that horrible article.

Keep up your monthly breast exams and stay healthy because I love and need you all. I"m all about the bitches. :)  XOXOXOXO.

I Don't Care What Anyone Says, I Rather Liked 2009

As happy as I am to see a New Year come our way, I get really tired of people bashing the previous year, they are "so glad to say goodbye to 2009".  Well I'm here to say what I rather LIKED about 2009. 

1) Obama in the White House.

2) My Favorite Super Bowl Party (I don't really care who plays, I just like the Moldenhauer's party and spending time with some of my favorite people)

3) Girl Trips! - we took two this year, the beach and Mt. Hood.

4) The Family Beach Trip to Gleneden - four fun filled days with my family and extended family

5) Planning the wedding!

6) My Wedding Shower at Marissa's thrown by my best friends. I heart you guys.

7) My Bachelorette party! - we stayed at the Nines, danced all night and ended up sitting on the curb eating sandwich wraps and diet Coke. Nothing says a party like that!

8) My High School Reunion - I reconnected with so many wonderful people!

9) My wedding to George - one of the best days of my life, ever.

10) The birth of Kai - another best day ever.  I couldn't have been more proud of Jake and Katie.

11) Starting my new life as a new wife and new Nana.

I will always look fondly on 2009 and always hope that the new year with be as good or better than the last one.  Happy New Year Everyone!

Promised Pictures

Pictures from Thanksgiving 2009 and Christmas!

 







 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

My sister and niece suggested that I start writing again on my blog so I'm going to try for a second time to write consistently.

Christmas was wonderful this year, it was Kai's first Christmas but just at 4 months old, I think the holiday was a bit lost on him, although he was snuggled and held A LOT so he was a very happy baby. 

Christmas Eve was spent at my mom's house with a yummy ham dinner and then a trip to Peacock Lane (or Raven Road as George termed it) for all of us (minus Cole :( he was at his dad's) Maybe we'll go over there this week to show him, he'd love all lthe lights.  Then George and I had a very quiet Christmas Eve at home, without all the kids in the house it was a little too quiet but it was nice to snuggle on the couch watching Fred Clause.

 

Christmas day was spent at our house for brunch and then we moved on to George's Aunt Kath and Uncle Stan's house for Christmas Dinner.  I love seeing George's Aunts and Uncles, its so much fun and reminds me of times spent with my Dad, Aunts and Uncles - lots of joking and kidding around.  His family has been so welcoming to me and I just love them so much.  Christmas Night we got home and Cole fell asleep before his head hit the pillow.  Such a wonderful time of year!

 
 
 
  
Merry Merry to Everyone and have a Happy New Year.

Hold it!

If you're not on Facebook then you will have missed my announcement that not only have I gained 10 pounds since deciding to get married but those 10 just turned into 14!  Those of you who know me oh so well, know that I usually am pretty much the same weight and am kind of on top of it with the running and such.  (Okay minus after the divorce where I guess I lost a ton of weight and Jame affectionately referred to me as Skeletor and not in a good way) Somewhere along the way, in a time we will call "AmG" meaning "After Meeting George", I fell off the Obesessive Watch Every Single Thing I Eat wagon because I was in love.  And that led to being adored, complimented and invited to keep up with him and his appetite.  Hm.....36 and 21 year old metabolisms don't really process the same way, rather HIS got rid of every ounce of fat on his body and MINE?  Well mine likes to keep it all, I guess.

In the time of AMG, I also accepted his proposal of marriage, planned my reunion and headed up a Hood to Coast Team.  I really didn't think it would be that big of a deal, I was WRONG.  Not only was I to spent that going to the gym felt like torture and a cruel thing to ask my body to do, I frankly never had a spare moment, okay....except in the early mornings but I don't do mornings.

So here I am and all those events are behind me.  After Hood to Coast, I took a week off of running and ate like I was George which equals to 14 pounds farther away from where I want to be. 

Yesterday, I decided that diets really aren't for me, I can't afford Nutri System AND feed my family what they want and so I'm doing it the old fashioned way.  Eating less (ahem....drinking less) and excercising more, watching what I eat and being sensible.  (I sound like a commercial) I'm on day 2, sure I want a glass of wine tonight but no can do, that's special for the weekends. 

I belong to 24hour fitness and love all their classes, oh, minus the step classes, I tripped over a step and have never been back.  I took a weights class Monday and Pilates today.   My ass already feels tighter and my abs hurt which is good because now I know they are under there somewhere. My legs hurt so bad today because my pilates instructor had to have come from the friggin' army, she YELLS at us and when someone drops the hold, she makes us all hold the pose until that person gets back there, uh yeah, no hiding in her class.  I was horrified and pleased all at the same time, okay happy now that it's over. 

Oh right....yes I did marry a personal trainer but I don't belong to the gym he works at (long story) and he's taking 20 credits this term.  He promises when school is out, he'll join me at the gym, until then it's Ali screaming at me to "hooooolllllllldd it!"

"Movies You Can Watch Over and Over Again"

I've been talking a lot lately when out with friends about those movies that you can watch over and over again even when you catch them in the middle.  My favorite is catching them on HBO where there are no commercials and most love it when I catch them in the beginning. Some of these would have the sub-category of "If someone walked in the room, I might be embarrassed to be watching and might change the channel", so when you see one of those just move along, don't judge me.  Here we go:

Bring It On (just this one though, the rest are horrid)

Legally Blonde (yes both of them)

Jarhead (I love military movies and Jake Gylennhal)

The Jane Austen Book Club (move along people)

In Her Shoes (and I cry every time)

The Break Up (I dont' know why)

Object of My Affection (yes we are entering a Jen Anniston phase)

Sixteen Candles (and know most of the lines)

Breakfast Club (classic)

The Outsders (okay just see my last post and include all those) 

Untraceable (it's scary and gross but filmed here)

Fear (Mark Wahlberg and Reese - love it - thanks Nathan)

When A Man Loves A Woman (depressing yes, but I love the end)

St. Elmo's Fire (again, what's not to love about this movie)

Sex and The City (for obvious reasons)

Juno (the wit)

Knocked Up (I quote this movie a lot)

Resevoir Dogs (I love the scene with Michael Madsen dancing to Stuck in the Middle)

October Sky (Jake LOVED this movie as a kid and so does Cole)

Brokeback Mountain (shut up and move along)

The Perfect Storm (Just love it every time I see it)

Sweet Home Alabama (Reese and Josh Lucas such a good match)

Under the Tuscan Sun (Italy, 'nuf said)

Unfaithful (horrible premise but its like a train wreck for me)

Must Love Dogs (I love John Cusak)

Say Anything (Speaking of John and that song was in my wedding)

Just Friends (stupid movie, on alot lately, but I love it)

Walk the Line (has to be an all time favorite)

I think I'll leave it at that but know that there are more and I feel like I probably missed a really big one but.... there you have it.  What are yours?

An 80's Hearthrob

Patrick Swayze died yesterday at the age of 57 from pancreatic cancer.  This news saddened me very much as he is one of my favorite actors - I've always loved him and the following are my absolute favorite Swayze films with a little description of why (these movies also fall into my other category which is whole 'nuther post "Movies I Can Watch Over and Over Even If I Catch Them In the Middle"

The Outsiders (1983) "Darrel Curtis" - The Outisders has to be one of my all time favorite movies, it's an ensemble cast including C.Thomas Howell, Ralph Macchio, Emilio Estevez, Tom Cruise, Matt Dillon and Rob Lowe.  Patrick Swayze played the responsible older brother Darrel "Darry" Curtis to C. Thomas' Ponyboy.  Even though Swayze wasn't the central character he had a strong and masculine presense throughout the movie rounding out the story of orphaned teenagers in the 1950's.  Don't watch this movie with me in the room, I know every line in it and it's really irritating.

Red Dawn (1984) "Jed" - While I haven't seen this movie in a really long time, it's on the list because I was so stricken by it, it actually scared me.  I was 13 when I saw this movie in the theater and I thought "Wow - could that really happen?" and who doesn't remember the original battle cry way before Gerard Butler's "SPARTANS!" The teenage boys crying out "WOLVERINES" while defending their town is classic.

Dirty Dancing (1987) "Johnny Castle" - what is not to love about this movie and Patrick's portrayal of the bad boy with the loving caring heart who helps transform a teenage girl into a dancer with confidence.  He was so incredibly hot in this movie, it was insane.  Could be the year I fell in love with him and thought his wife was the luckiest woman in the world.  Probably because in 1987 I was 16 and drempt of going to a summer resort and having an affair with an older man?  Probably. Oh and Jennifer Grey is one of my favorites, no one puts her in a corner (it HAD to be said)

Road House (1989) "Dalton" - Dalton.....wow.....nothing better than this kick ass movie set in the south but with a ton of martial arts in it, yes the fight scene at the mansion of the bad guy was a wee bit cheesy with the big monster truck, but I'll sit through that any day to see Swayze work out in his loft and court the local doctor.

Ghost (1990) "Sam Wheat" - One. Of. THe. Best. Movies. Ever. - while Demi Moore DID cry a lot in this movie, wouldn't you if you lost the man who loves you more than anything in the world and TELLS you?  I think so.  This movie was sad but also had humor which I loved and who doesnt' want to take up pottery as a hobby after this movie?

Point Break (1991) "Bohdi" - How fun it was to see Patrick with long blond hair, a tan and that surfer way of talking.  Again this was a movie where he wasn't the center of attention but the movie would have failed miserably without him.  You wanted to hate Bohdi for robbing banks and shooting people, but he had such a good heart and such a GOOD argument about WHY. He didn't really want to shoot people and he was just stealing money from a bank, not old ladies or anything.  Plus he was SOOOOOOO hot in that movie and you believed that he really did like Johnny Utah, he wanted to be friends.  I think this is one of those movies that you either hate it or love it, I love it.

That's my list of my favorite Swayze movies.  I had a teenage crush on him that lasted until my adulthood, he was devoted to his wife, a terrific actor and a respected man.  He left us too soon, but I'm glad that I can see him in all the movies above over and over again.

H2C '09

Last weekend I ran the Hood to Coast Relay Race for the sixth time.  I love this race so much, its one of my favorite things to do because I get to run this race with people I've worked with for over 9 years.  This experience creates so much commaradarie and strong friendships, a couple of the people on the team work with me but we don't really ever cross paths in a work day, we have become great friends through this adventure every year. 

If you're not familiar with the Relay Race its a race from Timberline Lodge to Seaside, covering 197 miles broken up into 36 legs run by 12 teammates.  We usually finish the race in about 30 hours staying up all night and having the time of our lives.  Sleep deprivation and fatigue especially at about 4 or 5 in the morning makes for some fantastically funny moments, we get punchy and quite giggly. 

I adore the people that I run with and most especially running it with my husband is the greatest part of all.  I love sharing this activity with him, seeing how proud he is of me when I come into an exchange point and me of him.  Fun and healthy stuff like running is so much more fun to do when you have partners and I have great ones, one of my best friends, Michelle and George.  They make running as fun as it'll ever be. 

Thank you to all of you on the team for making this H2C'09 one of the best we've ever seen.

Mark, Dean, Mary, Danielle, Matt, Michelle, Lisa, Me, Nathan, Brad, George, and Dale

Danielle and I in our cool socks!  We got a lot of compliments on them :)