Chatterbox Thread-Cmon in and Jabber! Everyone is Welcome!

[funnygarcia]

Recovered from our camping trip.
Glad it was only the one night because it was sooooooo cold I couldn't sleep.
We an had air mattress but it seemed to just suck up the cold from the ground.. brrrrrrr.

But we had fun cooking over the fire and just hanging out.

The next day we packed up and drove to Mall of America, took the light rail train into downtown. Had a blast showing them farmer's market, street musicians, the IDS building, the Mary Tyler Moore statue and the two story Target with the escalator for your shopping cart. It was busy crazy as it was the lunch hour.. which to us makes it even more fun and lively. Took the train back to the mall, had lunch and hung out for awhile.

Unpacked our camping crap.. which is now taking over my living room until tomorrow. Pushed them out the door and deemed the visit a success.

Toying with the idea of a 3 day camping trip next year but stay in a camper cabin in a state park instead. No need for tents and uncomfy nights... plus has electric for Eloy to bring his machine. They are rustic little cabins, screen porch, and two bunk beds (twin over full) with mattresses. You're allowed a coffee pot and/or slow cooker to use in the cabin. Cheaper than a hotel but still outdoors to enjoy the state parks. The campground we just went to was a city run site, it was just "okay". Missing some of the nice perks that we have enjoyed in our state parks.

Last night my fan died. I snagged Noah's as he was gone to a friend's house.. so today we walked in the ever so bright hot sunshine to Walmart and bought two more fans. One for my bedside and a tall column fan to push the cooled AC air down the hall to our bedroom. It's helped a lot today. Staying indoors tomorrow as we will hit into the 90's and high humidity. YUCK! I have tons of laundry to do, I like having a campfire but hate smelling it on our stuff days and days later.. ewww.

Not sure if we will go watch fireworks this year or not. Minneapolis does them right over the river, lovely view if you snag a spot on the stone arch bridge. But it might rain.. thunderstorms.. the usual.
The thrift store will have the 50% off sale on the 4th as they do on every holiday. We might wander up that way in the morning before it gets too hot.

Monday is Eloy's birthday, going on a quest to pick up a bunch of free swag like I did for my birthday.

 

[kelmac284]

Morning and happy Saturday!!

Rochelle love what your co-workers did with your desk!! Hope you had a fun day yesterday!!

Tina glad you are all settled and back "home".

Bernice I am glad you had fun on your camping trip!! That was one of the things I remembered from the last time I camped was it was SO cold and that made it hard to sleep and I had to get up and pee so many times and it was just miserable. Now my back is tore back so even with an air mattress I think it would be miserable. I know on our bed I have to sleep with several pillows and usually have to sleep propped up. With all my stupid problems you would think I was 100 LOL.

Thanks for the info on the botox. I was afraid of that and REALLY didn't want to have to go back under for any kind of procedure but I suppose if it might help it would be worth it. I go in for my next apt on July 20th so I guess I will see what my doc says at that time but if it is a surgical procedure that is NOT covered by ins then that could be a problem too. I don't think I could afford that! Guess I will have to wait and see what he says!

Anyway yesterday I went in to work and it was pretty busy and so I got done but mom was still pretty busy so the girls and I left without having lunch with her cuz they were getting pretty bored and I didn't want to wait. We ran our errands and then came home. As I said we rented a few movies and they got the spy next door which we watched before swim and it was cute but cheesy. The girls liked it though. Then we went to swim and no one was there. I was nervous that they had somehow cancelled it because they just added the Friday practices a few weeks ago and we haven't been to one yet because of being gone etc and since we weren't there the last two days with Katy's eye I was afraid I may have missed an announcement of no practice. SOOOO I waited a bit and FINALLY some people showed up.

Anyway Shane had to work in Oakland yesterday so he got home REALLY late but he just picked up pizza and we watched hot tub time machine. SOOO glad I didn't waste any money in the theaters for that one! REALLY dumb! Then we rented Green Zone which seemed good but by then I was falling asleep. The only other one we got was Book of Eli which we will watch sometime today. I am hoping that one is better. I wanted Shutter Island but it was all checked out.

We are headed to Sam's club here in a few and then to Eclipse later on. I sure hope it is good. I wasn't as impressed with New Moon as I was with Twilight but it is like Harry Potter I feel like I HAVE to see each one because of it being a series and all. I did NOT like the Half Blood Prince at all but can't wait to see Deathly Hallows and am hoping it is better! I have heard Eclipse is good and hope it is!

Then tomorrow we are going to mom and dad's and it will prob be fairly kick back most of the day as we usually just hang out and the girls swim and then we do our own bbq and stuff and then later in the afternoon we will head over to a block party that they have in the neighborhood and visit for a few hours and then we can see the big fireworks from my parents yard which is nice. They shoot them off from our local mall parking lot which conveniently is right around the corner from my parents house so we can see MOST of them. A few are blocked by trees but we can usually see most.

So it usually ends up being a pretty good day. And the best part is we have Monday off to do even more! Shane mentioned going to the city (SF) and that sounds like a lot of fun although I am a bit nervous about traffic. So we shall see!

Anyway I hope everyone has some fun plans for today and the rest of the weekend and talk soon!

 

[Funball]

im enjoying 4th of july weekend.... lol

 

[ShellyMouse]

im enjoying 4th of july weekend.... lol

im just glad you are showing us the TOPS of your feet....



(sorry i had to go, my phone went dead, and my niece was waiting to watch a movie with me....paranormal activity! freaky!!)

 

[kelmac284]

Morning and Happy 4th of July!! I don't know how to do all the cool graphics but I hope everyone is having a good weekend so far!!!

We watched Book of Eli yesterday and for any who haven't seen it yet it was def a little gruesome in parts but had a good message and a "surprise" ending. I actually wasn't sure I was going to like it cuz I don't like overally brutal stuff but dh had wanted to see it but I have to say I really liked it by the end! It is def not for everyone but it was prob the best one of the ones we rented.

Anyway I had a really bad sinus headache and ended up taking a nap and dh went to a friend's house and for awhile there we weren't sure if we were going to go to eclipse but I knew if we didn't go yesterday we prob wouldn't go soooo I went and took a long hot bath and took some sudafed and that helped and then we went and had a nice dinner at macaroni grill and went to the movie.

It was a nice evening out and we don't do that often so it was fun! The movie on the other hand...Not that impressed. To me it was almost exactly like New Moon. I won't spoil it but I felt like nothing new was really accomplished and it really dragged on.

I REALLY hope that breaking dawn is better!!! I also think I heard they were going to break it into 2 movies like they are doing with the last Harry Potter which kind of sucks but whatever they do I hope it moves the story line along!!

Anyway it was nice to get out all the same and then we came home and I wasn't tired so I just watched a video.

Now today we are going to mom's in a few hours and then it is the usual.

Tomorrow we are def going to the city and thinking of going to the Disney family museum. I have always wanted to go so I am pretty excited! Then we will prob just go down to Pier 39 and walk around but we will HAVE to make a stop at Ghiradelli's as that is my FAV!!

So I am actually looking more forward to tomorrow I have to say!! We are hoping one of these years to either spend the 4th at my parents place in Truckee or go to the city and spend the night and see the fireworks over the bay! That would be fun!! But most of the time my parents don't want to be away from home because of the chance of fires and such which I kind of don't blame them. I really HATE the fireworks that you buy at the stands and think they are really dangerous. We have a LOT of dry grass around our house and just around our area in general and it always scares me. I would prefer just the big shows in the sky but of course that will prob never happen! So every year I worry about fire. I saw the house across the street from ours burn to the ground one year and I will NEVER forget that! So it is a big fear!

Anyway I hope everyone has a fun day today whatever you do!! Take care and see yall later!!

 

[wendypooh22]

Happy 4th everyone!!

I hope everyone is having a great day!! We went to Lowes today to get a few landscaping things and I am about to sit back with a cold drink before we head out to watch the fireworks. I tried to talk DH into driving down to DL to catch the fireworks from Millies parking lot, but he's not really on board so we will most likely drive down to Santa Clarita and catch their display..

Be safe everyone!!

 

[funnygarcia]

Little storm blew thru this morning, sun came out and now it's yucky humid. Blech!

Our neighbor gave us a ride to the thrift store, all of us picked out some clothes and I got a few jars to use for dry storage.

I've been gradually eliminating our plastic ware / tupperware, we now only use glass in the microwave and to store leftovers. I get a kick out of finding 40's- 50's kitchenware to use like fire king or hazel atlas, I don't care about the pattern or looking for the rare colors.. good old clear and milk glass worked for my grandparents and mom.. works great for me too.

I need to find bins, jars, ?? for my flour and sugar. We tend to get weevils so it needs to seal up. So far I found some nice size canning jars for our rice, lentils, beans for bulk purchases.

We walked home, ugh! Not hot in temp but the humidity made it feel terrible. As we walked by the park (lake) we noticed little frogs (toads?) jumping into the taller grass. They were teeny tiny, nickle and dime size.

A few went the wrong way and leaped closer to the street side of the sidewalk. No no, go the other way! I guess they wanted to play Frogger with the traffic.

I'm always amazed at how much wildlife we have living in our neighborhood. It's an urban area, busy traffic on the main streets, lots of people walking at any odd hour of the day (and night). Yet we have lots of variety of birds, ducks, geese. Rabbits nibbling in the yard of our complex, frogs making their lovely songs in the lake across the street. Deer wandering in yards near the high school, beavers in the park and a fox that hangs out somewhere in the complex across the street.

We notice it more this year as Eloy and I walk a few blocks every night before bed.

Not having a car has been a positive experience this summer. We have done far more this year than past... walking, exploring the city, being outside more, getting to know our neighbors and having that connection to the natural world that we missed in the busy zoom zoom go here, go there life.

I may change my mind in the winter of unending weeks of below zero temps and 30 below wind chills. Bundled up and over the eyeballs while feeling my nose hairs freeze.

We decided to skip fireworks, Eloy is on his run now and will take his day off tomorrow to enjoy his birthday.
I have the AC on and strategically placed several fans in the hall to push the cold air into our bedroom. Our complex owner will have ceiling fans installed in a few weeks, hopefully that will help. I feel bad for dh sitting back there sweltering away, he says it doesn't bother him but it really bothers me so now he is dialyzing alone. I don't like that either.

DH also talked to the owner about switching to a downstairs/ basement level unit when the current occupants move out. Hopefully by next summer we will be downstairs, one very small flight down vs three long flights up
Hoping Eloy can put off hip replacement until we move, not sure how he would climb three flights after surgery???


Hmm, I wrote a book today..
Hope everyone has a fun night!

Happy Anniversary Alison!

 

[Funball]

Happy 4th everyone!!

I hope everyone is having a great day!! We went to Lowes today to get a few landscaping things and I am about to sit back with a cold drink before we head out to watch the fireworks. I tried to talk DH into driving down to DL to catch the fireworks from Millies parking lot, but he's not really on board so we will most likely drive down to Santa Clarita and catch their display..

Be safe everyone!!

santa clarita?? isnt that a bit far to watch fireworks?? lol lol. lol. im glad that everyone got to spend a nice 4th of july with each and everyones family! my little get together went off with out a hitch! and the food was soo yummy! here's to next year!!

 

[Funball]

hey, not everyone is a great multi-tasker like you, ok? i need to get my work done....

i will buy you a drink when im there....does that make up for it??

ITS not about multi tasking.. its about how using the mouse right! lol well shelly i am glad that YOU liked my cake graphic!

 

[kelmac284]

Good morning and happy Monday! Do most of you all have it off for the 4th? We both do which is nice and I am really looking forward to today! Yesterday didn't quite turn out like I had planned. I had mentioned it on facebook but for those that aren't on there I had called my mom to find out about when to go and she said they had made plans with friends which really upset me because we ALWAYS spend holidays together and esp since we had been talking for the past few weeks about spending THIS particular one together and what we were going to do etc. She NEVER even mentioned the possibility about this happening and I was really irked about it.

So we just opted to stay home. I didn't feel comfortable going to a friend of THEIRS so we just hung at home and stayed in our pj's, watched movies and played board games. Hadn't done that in a snakes age. It was fun. We played aggravation and monopoly.

Shane bbq'd and it was a really relaxing day. I have to admit this is one holiday I don't like to get too far from home because I do worry a LOT about fire. We live on an acre and although the grass right near the house is green our back acreage gets REALLY dry and then I worry about bottle rockets landing on our roof. They are illegal but it doesn't stop the locals from shooting them off anyway. I didn't get a lot of sleep last night as they were shooting them off till after 2!!!

Anyway today we are off here in a few to the city and I am so excited! I will take lots of pics of the Disney museum and give a full report. I only wish we could go in two weeks as Diane Disney Miller is going to be there for Disney's anniversary.

Anyway hope everyone had fun yesterday and have a great day today!!

 

[kelmac284]

Morning and Happy Tuesday! Well my vacation is over and now so is the 3 day weekend. BOOO that means back to reality and no more fun stuff for awhile. The girls and I will just have to try and find some fun stuff to do while they are still on summer vacay!

Yesterday was really fun. We got down there and the Disney museum wasn't quite open yet so we ventured over to another part of the Pressido (it is in the Pressido by the way ) and they had a starbucks so we got a coffee and used the potty and it is SO beautiful there. The grounds are gorgeous and they have flowers everywhere and you can not only see the ocean but the Palace of fine arts. REALLY pretty. And they have a statute of yoda and I know George Lucas lives in Sonoma I believe so I think he may have some offices in this complex. I think this is the building that was on Amazing Race because this past one they had to go to SF to do a challenge about Star Wars and I am pretty sure I remember that statue!

Anyway the Disney museum was REALLY awesome but unfortunately NO photos allowed! They had tons of great photos of walt and his family and other really neat mementos. Orig drawings of Mickey and other characters, old videos of walt and LOTS of memorablia. VERY interesting and fun!

After that we drove down to the wharf and did a harbor cruise. Mom and I had taken the girls on one a few years back but we hadn't done it with Shane and it is always fun. It was pretty chilly but fun! I got some nice pics and posted them on Facebook for those of you who are on that.

Anyway then we just walked around the pier a bit and then had dinner at Bubba Gump's. The girls really like that place and plus they validate! LOL

So all in all it was a fun day!

Now today I am off here in a few to the yucky dentist. Luckily it is just a cleaning but still I have REALLY sensitive teeth and gums and I ALWAYS come out of there with a sore mouth and a headache so I never look forward to this. The girls had an apt on Thurs but they said they had a cancellation so I am going to take them in this afternoon and get it over with!

We are skipping morning swim this morning cuz of my apt but will go tonight for sure. Shane is working in Oakland again today so it looks like I will be on my own.

Then tomorrow I will be going in to work since I was off yesterday and now we don't have the dentist on Thur so after swim the girls and I may or may not do something not sure yet and then Fri I have work again and the cpa FINALLY is coming in.

This sat we have our last reg swim meet and the following weekend is champs which is grueling. We have to get up at like 4 a.m. both days to get out there and get our tents set up and get a decent parking spot and it goes till like 5 or 6 each day because all 5 teams go and each team has like 300 kids on it and EVERY swimmer has to swim EVERY event. It goes 2 days but still it takes FOREVER!!!

And then chances are very good that Katy is going to make the meet of champions so that means prob MORE practice the following 2 weeks after and then we will have to go to Woodland and that meet is even LONGER cuz there are like 16 teams or more that go to that. It is a LONG day! But I am proud of her for finally making it and I hope she does well!

So we have a busy next few weeks to get through. And then soccer starts! EEK! But luckily it is just practice for awhile! Oh and mom and I are going to take the girls to the state fair in the next few weeks as well!

So that is my busy schedule!

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and hope you all have a good day today!

 

[wendypooh22]

santa clarita?? isnt that a bit far to watch fireworks?? lol lol. lol. im glad that everyone got to spend a nice 4th of july with each and everyones family! my little get together went off with out a hitch! and the food was soo yummy! here's to next year!!

Well we live inbetween, closer to palmdale, but I like SC better... We have seen a few not soo nice things while watching them on the strip in palmdale.. We ended up staying home, but if I had it my way we would have been in the parking lot at Millie's watching the DL fireworks..

Glad to hear you had yummy food and friends to share the holiday with!

 

[MotoXPrincess99]

Well we live inbetween, closer to palmdale, but I like SC better... We have seen a few not soo nice things while watching them on the strip in palmdale.. We ended up staying home, but if I had it my way we would have been in the parking lot at Millie's watching the DL fireworks..

Glad to hear you had yummy food and friends to share the holiday with!

I hear you on liking SC better. We live in Pearblossom but DBF and I shop, go to the gym, go out to eat, go to the movies, pretty much everything in Santa Clarita.

 

[wendypooh22]

Morning and Happy Tuesday! Well my vacation is over and now so is the 3 day weekend. BOOO that means back to reality and no more fun stuff for awhile. The girls and I will just have to try and find some fun stuff to do while they are still on summer vacay!

Yesterday was really fun. We got down there and the Disney museum wasn't quite open yet so we ventured over to another part of the Pressido (it is in the Pressido by the way ) and they had a starbucks so we got a coffee and used the potty and it is SO beautiful there. The grounds are gorgeous and they have flowers everywhere and you can not only see the ocean but the Palace of fine arts. REALLY pretty. And they have a statute of yoda and I know George Lucas lives in Sonoma I believe so I think he may have some offices in this complex. I think this is the building that was on Amazing Race because this past one they had to go to SF to do a challenge about Star Wars and I am pretty sure I remember that statue!

Anyway the Disney museum was REALLY awesome but unfortunately NO photos allowed! They had tons of great photos of walt and his family and other really neat mementos. Orig drawings of Mickey and other characters, old videos of walt and LOTS of memorablia. VERY interesting and fun!

After that we drove down to the wharf and did a harbor cruise. Mom and I had taken the girls on one a few years back but we hadn't done it with Shane and it is always fun. It was pretty chilly but fun! I got some nice pics and posted them on Facebook for those of you who are on that.

Anyway then we just walked around the pier a bit and then had dinner at Bubba Gump's. The girls really like that place and plus they validate! LOL

So all in all it was a fun day!

Now today I am off here in a few to the yucky dentist. Luckily it is just a cleaning but still I have REALLY sensitive teeth and gums and I ALWAYS come out of there with a sore mouth and a headache so I never look forward to this. The girls had an apt on Thurs but they said they had a cancellation so I am going to take them in this afternoon and get it over with!

We are skipping morning swim this morning cuz of my apt but will go tonight for sure. Shane is working in Oakland again today so it looks like I will be on my own.

Then tomorrow I will be going in to work since I was off yesterday and now we don't have the dentist on Thur so after swim the girls and I may or may not do something not sure yet and then Fri I have work again and the cpa FINALLY is coming in.

This sat we have our last reg swim meet and the following weekend is champs which is grueling. We have to get up at like 4 a.m. both days to get out there and get our tents set up and get a decent parking spot and it goes till like 5 or 6 each day because all 5 teams go and each team has like 300 kids on it and EVERY swimmer has to swim EVERY event. It goes 2 days but still it takes FOREVER!!!

And then chances are very good that Katy is going to make the meet of champions so that means prob MORE practice the following 2 weeks after and then we will have to go to Woodland and that meet is even LONGER cuz there are like 16 teams or more that go to that. It is a LONG day! But I am proud of her for finally making it and I hope she does well!

So we have a busy next few weeks to get through. And then soccer starts! EEK! But luckily it is just practice for awhile! Oh and mom and I are going to take the girls to the state fair in the next few weeks as well!

So that is my busy schedule!

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and hope you all have a good day today!

Sounds like y'all had a GREAT time in the bay area... Great news about Katy! I hope she makes the MOC!!!

We have 19 more days before Football starts Well at least the Pre-Season conditioning. Gotta get dem boys into shape (Me too ) While the boys are out there doing their drills I will be walking around the perimiter trying to keep in shape and wishing that I was still taking the water class instead of being outside getting all sweaty

 

[MotoXPrincess99]

Well we are back from 4 1/2 days at Lake Havasu. It was HOT!! About 116! We were in the RV but there were so many people in RV's running their AC that the power kept going out. Luckly it stayed on at night so we would sleep in to about 10am then head out to the lake and stay in the water until the sun went down and the power worked again.

The people in the campsites next to us were tent camping and kept coming in our RV to cool down.

The guy in the spot next to us tried to cool his tent down...

Yes, that is a window AC duck taped into his tent.

This was our view from the RV. Just a short walk to the water.

We watched fire works out on the lake.

 

[dizzyami]

Just a quick hi before I am back off to work. Next week we are selling the kiddies to the grandparents - so no close shifts next week!!!

This weekend was CRAZY!!! Our little town is a destination for the people to escape the heat - so we were super busy! I even made one of our 19yo managers sleep on our couch to watch the kids so I could help DH at work

Cool thing is we have a nice view of the town fireworks from our front yard - so we sat on our picnic table and could see everything - even close enough to smell them

 

[dizzyami]

Well we are back from 4 1/2 days at Lake Havasu. It was HOT!! About 116! We were in the RV but there were so many people in RV's running their AC that the power kept going out. Luckly it stayed on at night so we would sleep in to about 10am then head out to the lake and stay in the water until the sun went down and the power worked again.

The people in the campsites next to us were tent camping and kept coming in our RV to cool down.

The guy in the spot next to us tried to cool his tent down...

Yes, that is a window AC duck taped into his tent.

This was our view from the RV. Just a short walk to the water.

We watched fire works out on the lake.

That picture cracks me up!!! Granted I lived in the heat for years - so I can understand - but SERIOUSLY!!!

 

[Funball]

rflol. my brother was at lake havasu also!!! he and his family went out near the marsh area to do the "Water sports" and stuff... they said it was extremely hot also!

 

[kelmac284]

Afternoon all!!

Went to the dentist and as usual I think she is really a human torturer on the side LOL. OUCH!!! They changed the girls apt to today so I had about an hour to go and pick them up, have lunch and get back. I did that and when I first got there the door was locked and it was WAY too hot to sit in the car and wait (no shade) so we ran to check our mail and still had about 20 mins to kill so we went to blockbuster and rented a few more movies. Shutter Island was checked out on Fri but was in today so I was able to get that one, When in Rome and Day Breakers. Then I waited for the girls and neither of them have any cavities which is good news. And the gal was really surprised that Katy had lost all her baby teeth all ready and that she is already getting her 12 year molars considering she is only 10. She lost her last two baby teeth a few weeks ago but they aren't even close to coming in so she has two big gaps on either side of her middle 4 teeth but it is kind of cute LOL.

Her jaw was really hurting she said and now we know why, those molars coming in!!

Anyway she REALLY worked me over like I thought and my mouth is killing me and I have a headache so we are going to skip swim tonight. I hate for the girls to miss but I just can't sit there in the heat when I already feel like ca ca.

Wendy we did have a GREAT time. I have pics on my facebook if you want to check them out! It was a ton of fun!!

I am not looking forward to soccer cuz it is HOOOOT but I need to get into shape as well!! I like the idea of a water class and wish we had something like that round here! I would def do that! I prob will try to get back into my aerobics if I EVER start feeling 100% again!!

Sara love all the pics! Looks like you had fun although that heat sounds miserable! I'd have stayed in the water too!!

Well I am going to run get some dinner together. Have a good evening everyone!!

 

[eatmypixiedust]

Hi Everyone,

Sarah (Moto)- The pics of the tent with the A/C is too funny! It makes me wonder why he left home and went camping in the first place

I hope you all had a good 4th. I had a rough one but I'm trying to just tell myself that what I'm feeling is normal and that I can't fight and punish myself everytime I miss the thought of my ex and his presence. Ughhhh.

I ended up crying on Sunday night because I felt like, if I was a good person to him and didn't treat him like crap, then why wouldn't he want someone like me? Then the logical side of me kicks in and tells myself that he is narcissistic and he has no idea how to respect me or any other woman on this planet.

Saturday, I did have my "redemption" b-day trip to DL. I went with my little sister and her friend and the park was not crowded. I was shocked and it felt like a nice weekday during a non-busy season. It was really cool. I did things out of my comfort zone: my little sister and her friend wanted to play Rockband in Innoventions. I was scared to death because I can only sing songs and don't know how to play the instruments very well. At first I was shaking because I was nervous as heck. Then after a minute, I calmed down and just somehow subconciously blocked out all the strangers in the room starting and watching us. It was weird but I just ended up having fun and singing another song. The 2nd time we played, this awesome CM said she wanted to rock out with us and she grabbed a guitar and played with us. It was really fun and I was proud of myself for doing something I would never have done before. They have a piano in the other room and despite the fact that it has a screensaver that causes the keys to roll every few seconds (no way to turn that off unfortunately), I somehow managed to play Apologize by One Republic. This one CM was watching Avatar in the theatre/home room and she ran out and started singing as I played. Then she shouted to another CM: "Hey! Do you recognize the song she's playing?" They were all excited. I had some guests walk by me and just stop and listen and I heard someone say: "She's good!" When I took piano lessons, I had always been afraid to play in front of others (my hands shook at recitals). I felt like even though I was nervous, I did it anyway and it wasn't as scary afterwards.

I know it's not some huge accomplishment, but I felt like I took a step in gaining my confidence back.


My parents got me a Hello Kitty purse from a Sanrio Luxe store in NY. Here is a pic:

They also got me this cute Mickey carry-on suitcase. It has some "bling" on it but it's a bit hard to see in the pic. They told me to never check it in or else they are afraid it will get stolen. Here are some pics: