Gina V

Funeral for a friend....

2010-04-16T19:46:00.000-07:00

Today I went to a funeral for a great man and a great family. It was extremely sad and he will be missed very much.

The rosary the night before, yes, I said an entire rosary, and Nana is probably in heaven with a huge smile. While saying 400 Hail Mary's and 10 Glory Be To the Father and 100 Our Father's, I got to thinking: This is not what I want when I die.

First off, I don't want a open casket unless I look smoking hot. Hopefully, they put lots of Botox in my face and make me look great. I've spoken with my friend and sister and told them they are in charge of picking out my outfit. Jeans and a black sweater. I'm sure the funeral home will want me in a flowery dress, but please, jeans and a sweater is way more me. (Please put my zebra pumps on too. They were cheap enough to put in the ground, but they hurt my feet WAY too much to wear while I'm alive.)

Secondly, no rosary. Just have a pastor say a prayer. Preferably, Doug Fields, then the people who know me well will know what I'm thinking while I lay there!

Thirdly, the day of the service, please have Miley Cyrus' Party in the USA playing and have Thatcher stand there and do the entire song in sign language. That will truly make me happy! Followed by a little Lady Ga Ga Bad Romance and then Tic Tok (for Thatch) and some Led Zeppelin and have everyone get up and dance. (Julie, it is also your job to update the play list accordingly with whatever is top 40 if these songs are not what's playing now.)

Tell stories of how much fun we had together. Any stories that are funny or bring back happy memories. (Julie, your job is to make sure mom doesn't bring up the pumpkin patch picture.)

Tell my kids how lucky they were to have me for mom. And the guys that didn't want to date me that it's way too late now.

Ok, that's my check list.

(If you can find the guy below to come do the sign language instead of Thatch, I would be happy).

Happy Happy Joy Joy

2009-12-13T22:38:00.000-08:00

My New Year's resolution is to be happy. That, amongst 5 or 6 other things, is what I am resolving to do this year.

I Googled a few tips on how to happy, and starting tomorrow, I will do at least two on the list of ideas.

You should too!

Smile a lot - If smiling is too hard for you, take a pencil and hold it with your teeth. There are enough smiling muscles involved for your brain to think you are smiling and start producing “happy” chemicals.

Sing! - Singing works just like smiling, causing your body to produce “feeling good” chemicals. Sing in the car, sing in the shower, sing when you prepare dinner and sing when you feel frustrated and notice how the negative feelings melt away.

Hang around positive people - Having happy people around you will make it easy to learn happiness. Happy people have fun around them and their ability to overcome challenges is higher than that of unhappy people who tend to lay blame and feel victimised. Choose the people you hang out with to suit your needs.

Laugh - Much like smiling, laughter is a great way to overcome physical and emotional challenges. If it does not happen naturally, try laughter therapy.

Get a move on - Being physically active makes you happy. Find some activity you like to do and notice how it changes your mood: sex (yes, of course!), any kind of sport, dance and yoga. Make a habit of being active in any way you feel like.

Get creative - Creativity is a great way to find happiness. Think of creative things people do for a living or as hobby and notice how much happiness it gives them. Paint, draw, dance, sculpt, do some craft, invent a gadget, cook something new, write poetry or tend the garden. Tap into your creative abilities and find your “happy spot”.

Hug - Hugging is a way to give and receive happiness. Physical touch is essential to your development and hugging is a great way to get that physical touch in a positive way. Hug a lot!

When in a conflict situation, remember that being happy and being right do not necessarily go hand in hand. When in doubt, choose happiness over being right.

When feeling down, recite to yourself “This too shall pass” and imagine a brighter future.

Act like a child - Do childish things to feel young and fresh: jump on a trampoline, sit on a swing and skip. Remember, “We do not stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing”.

Be kind - Do random acts of kindness every day. It can be as simple as saying something nice, offering help, giving up your place in a queue or allowing another driver to enter a busy road.

Be grateful - Practice gratitude: say thank you for everything you have and appreciate in your life. Gratitude is a way to increase happiness and eliminate taking life for granted.

Meditate! - Find a relaxation you feel comfortable with. Meditation relaxes the mind. You can listen to music, use crystals, take a bath, use candles or repeat a mantra. All of these do the same thing to your mind. Take the time off every day to regenerate yourself.

Useless knowledge - #4

2009-09-02T19:30:00.000-07:00

The last time American Green cards were actually green was 1964.

Useless knowledge - #3

2009-08-31T19:57:00.000-07:00

Mario, of Super Mario Bros. fame, appeared in the 1981 arcade game, Donkey Kong. His original name was Jumpman, but was changed to Mario to honor the Nintendo of America's landlord, Mario Segali.

It's me.....Mario!

Useless knowledge - #2

2009-08-29T19:11:00.000-07:00

The king of hearts is the only king without a moustache.

Useless knowledge - #1

2009-08-28T22:25:00.000-07:00

Odontophobia is the fear of teeth.

As seen on TV!

2009-08-26T22:23:00.000-07:00

While flipping thru the channels on tv, I notice there were several paid programming shows on. The names of the shows were:

Ultimate Edge - Tony Robbins
Total Gym
Get Youthful Looking Skin
Rock Hard Abs
Food Lovers for Life - How to eat lean
Relieve Back Pain
Get Gorgeous, Luscious Hair
Magical New Slimming Jeans! (I ordered two pairs).
Maximize Brain Power
End Obsessive Worry (which made me worry that I was obsessing over these shows).
Supermodel Skin Secrets
Ultimate Home Gym
and
Shop Erotic

This got me thinking: The world must be full of insecure, fat, overeating, in pain, balding, fat jean wearing, stupid, obsessive, acne faced, lazy whores.

The Climb

2009-06-09T21:46:00.000-07:00

I know this is a 12 year old girls song by Hannah Montana, but I seriously love it. I love to sing it loud with the radio on.

I can almost see it
That dream I’m dreaming but
There’s a voice inside my head sayin,
You’ll never reach it,
Every step I’m taking,
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking but I
Got to keep tryin
Got to keep my head held high

There’s always going to be another mountain
I’m always going to want to make it move
theres always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes I'm going to have to lose,
Ain’t about how fast I get there,
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb

The struggles I’m facing,
The chances I’m taking
Sometimes they might knock me down but
No I’m not breaking
I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I’m going to remember most yeah
Just got to keep going
And I,
I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on,
cause

There’s always going to be another mountain
I’m always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes I'm going to have to lose,
Ain’t about how fast I get there,
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb

Keep on moving
Keep climbing
Keep the faith baby
It’s all about
The climb
Keep the faith

I'm a little bit country........

2009-04-11T22:08:00.000-07:00

Last night I was watching TV and for some reason it was on CMT. It's a country channel. I think Logan and his friends were watching "My Big Redneck Wedding", which was quite funny. After that show was over, a show called CMT 40 Sexiest Videos came on. This was the first one I saw:

Two things came to mind. 1. WTF? Jon, what the heck are you doing? 2. Lucky LeAnn. I want to make out with Jon in the middle of the street on a bed.

But then, the next 7 or 8 videos were filled with smokin' hot men. I mean, really cute, sexy, country like men. The videos were quite erotic.

I think I may start listening to country.

Here's the list: Watch a couple of them. You might go country too.

40 Maria (Shut Up and Kiss Me) Willie Nelson
39 Never Love You Enough Chely Wright
38 Romeo Dolly Parton
37 Passenger Seat SHeDAISY
36 Let Me Touch You for Awhile Alison Krauss
35 The First Cut Is the Deepest Sheryl Crow
34 Just Let Me Be in Love Tracy Byrd
33 There's No Limit Deana Carter
32 Songs About Rain Gary Allan
31 I Got a Feelin' Billy Currington
30 The Way You Love Me Faith Hill
29 I Always Liked That Best Cyndi Thomson
28 Little Sister Dwight Yoakam
27 Bring on the Rain Jo Dee Messina
26 Man of Me Gary Allan
25 Life Goes On LeAnn Rimes
24 Something in Red Lorrie Morgan
23 Strawberry Wine Deana Carter
22 Ain't Nothing 'Bout You Brooks & Dunn
21 Carrying Your Love with Me George Strait
20 Chrome Trace Adkins
19 No Mercy Ty Herndon
18 The One Gary Allan
17 Remember When Alan Jackson
16 Who's Your Daddy? Toby Keith
15 It's Your Love Tim McGraw
14 Big Star Kenny Chesney
13 I Could Not Ask for More Sara Evans
12 The Cowboy in Me Tim McGraw
11 Forever and for Always Shania Twain
10 Let's Make Love Tim McGraw
09 Somebody Like You Keith Urban
08 You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This Toby Keith
07 Hot Mama Trace Adkins
06 Man! I Feel Like a Woman! Shania Twain
05 Breathe Faith Hill
04 She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy Kenny Chesney
03 I Melt Rascal Flatts
02 You're Still the One Shania Twain
01 Raining on Sunday Keith Urban

What color was he?

2009-03-04T15:32:00.000-08:00

This is the first paragraph from an article in the OC Register today. I found it very funny.

SANTA ANA – An Orange man was found guilty today of killing the lover of his longtime girlfriend and plotting out the act beforehand.

This is what I thought he would look like.

I heart the Super Bowl

2009-02-02T09:10:00.000-08:00

I had to delete the previous blog about the Super Bowl. It was meant to be funny, but I guess it didn't come across that way. For that, I apologize.

I will jump on the bandwagon like everyone else: What a great game!!! And, Bruce Springsteen is totally awesome.

It's so sad when you don't have a right to your own opinion! I guess I will have to conform to society and pretend that I completely enjoy football.

I heart Dove chocolate..................

2009-01-30T15:25:00.001-08:00

I love eating Dove dark chocolate squares. They are delicious. I put them in my mouth and just let them melt. It’s a tiny bit of heaven.

But Dove has added a little bonus in each square. Inside the foil each piece is wrapped in is a saying.

These are mine today:

Do not look back and ask why, look forward and ask, why not?

Life may change us, but we start and end with family.

Think of something that makes you laugh.

Do a little more each day than you think you possibly can.

Failure is only the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.

Keep believing in yourself and your special dreams.

Yes, I had 6 today.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KIM!!!

2009-01-24T08:54:00.000-08:00

Happy happy birthday to my dear friend Kim.

Fat Cat in the Hat!

2009-01-20T19:27:00.000-08:00

The highlight of the inauguration today, Aretha Franklin's hat.

Seriously, the best hat ever. I'm pretty sure it's bigger than my body, but the next time I go somewhere, that requires wearing a hat, I'm so getting this one. It is great!!!

We're tiny, we're Tuney!

2009-01-17T20:21:00.000-08:00

Last night I had a few drinks with my friend Tammara. We have been friends for about 8 years. Tam is one of the funniest people I know. She is also, the best person to tell your most intimate secrets to. Not only will she not judge you on them, she will push you into fulfilling them. I can tell her just about anything and I know she will not think bad of me. She laughs, cries, and helps me through very many things. She's a great friend. She is a pusher, but a good friend.

I love my little Tammy Tuney!

I love this song

2009-01-13T13:48:00.000-08:00

This may just be my new favorite song.

Letter to Laura Bush

2009-01-08T14:32:00.000-08:00

Dear Laura Bush,

I am appalled and ashamed of you. At a time when America is so far in debt, people are losing their houses, jobs, and the government is spending billions to bail out banks and basically scraping by to make it, that you would go out, or maybe have someone come to your house, and spend $485,000 on china. I can't even imagine why or how you got up enough nerve to even suggest that new china was needed. Obviously you have not been affected by the economic downfall over the past two years while living the life of luxury in the White House, that I assume you don't pay a monthly mortgage on.

I can only imagine how much the old china in the white house needed to be replaced. I am sure there are several that have been broken and scratched by the hoodlums that run ragged through your dining area. Have you ever seen my china? Oh, wait, I don't have any. How about my everyday dishes? Yeah, they were my nana's from TG&Y in 1970 and yet, our food somehow still stays on the plate while eating. How many times has the old china been eaten off of? Once, Twice? And where is the china that Hillary bought, or that Nancy bought? Did you have a garage sale and use the proceeds to pay for the new china? I hope too, that for that $485,000 you got 4,850 place settings.

I believe it is said to be a gift for the Obamas. I'm pretty sure with those two little girls of theirs that eating off of a paper plate or even out of the McDonalds bag would be fine by them. I can't imagine one of the girls requesting that their chicken McNuggets be served on the new china from you.

This being said, I hope that this china bring great satisfaction to you, the Obamas and whomever else is lucky enough to eat off of it. I and the rest of the taxpayers in the world, would appreciate a thank you note from you also, as I am sure, most of the money spent was paid out of our taxes.

You are no different that Saddam Hussein having solid gold toilets when the rest of his city is peeing in the dirt.

Bitterly upset,

Gina Vistaunet

2009-01-06T14:22:00.001-08:00

So this is what it looks like? I've always wondered. Please tell me they serve liquor here?

Kim has a blog!

2009-01-04T20:10:00.000-08:00

My friend started blogging!!! She's not totally up and ready to go, but she started today! Check it out. http://justkimsblog.blogspot.com

Here is our picture from a dive bar last weekend. We bought falls and wore them all day. Don't you think we look hot?

New Year's Eve 2008

2009-01-02T10:52:00.000-08:00

My girlfriend had a New Year's Eve party this year and the theme was Trailer Trash. Kim and her husband were a couple that were getting married, obviously pregnant. Her parents came as the mother and father of both of them. Her brother, well, just a redneck brother.

I didn't set out to look like the hooker of the trailer park, but that's apparently what I looked like.

It was a great party. It's quite fun to be trashy!!

Thursday, January 1st, 2009

2009-01-01T21:09:00.001-08:00

I'm starting my new year off with a huge list of things that I either want to change, fix or get started. 2008 was a pretty rough year for me financially, emotionally and relationshiply and it is going to change.

I am a new person this morning, and I am truly going to try to make this year better. I haven't quite figured out the financial fixing, and I'm pretty sure robbing a bank is still against the law, as is prostitution, so it looks as tho I will be looking for some sort of additional job that I won't end up in jail over.

Emotionally I am going to read more self help books, any books that deal with how to have a life once your kids don't need you much, and maybe go back to yoga. And quite possibly, go to church.

Relationships.........well, I just pretty much need to find a guy. What? You say that should be easy? Well, it's not. I can't possible lower my standards any lower than I have. My single spaced, typed on legal paper, both sides list is pretty much hand written on a post-it now. I can meet, date, marry and divorce a guy that I meet within 5 minutes of meeting him. Where on earth could Mr. Right or even Mr. Okay For Now be?

I'm going to stay possitive and take one day, one step and one minute at a time and truly enjoy this year.

I love my boys!

2008-12-30T20:17:00.000-08:00

Question: Is Thatcher tall? Or am I short?

Merry Christmas Allison!!!

2008-12-24T15:01:00.000-08:00

I really wish you were here for Christmas. I miss you so much.

Below is a picture of your Christmas present. Since we had to use an item in our house, or make the present, this is what I made you:

It will be wrapped and under a tree, maybe the one in my backyard, when you get home.

Love you so much!!!

Why?

2008-12-23T11:59:00.000-08:00

This was one of the top stories on Yahoo today.

Woman Paints Entire Car With Nail Polish
Dec 22 2008 - 10:00am
What would you do with approximately 250 bottles of nail polish? Why, painstakingly paint a giant colorful quilt on your car, of course.

According to The Maryland Gazette that's just what Urbana resident Jill Bell did. After finding a dent in her car's hood, she cleverly painted a Band-Aid over the unsightly bump. Chuckle. She liked the idea so much, she decided to paint her entire car [1] with nail polish! I'm guessing (and hoping) she didn't use one of those $30-a-pop lacquers from Chanel's Moscow Collection [2].

Nope. What she did use? The help of others. "Lots of ladies in my church donated nail polish, and lots of ladies at Weight Watchers, too," she told the newspaper. Bell estimates that 100-250 bottles of nail polish were used to accomplish this feat — a feat that took 13 months to finish. Whoa!

Twilight

2008-12-21T21:53:00.000-08:00

I started reading Twilight the day after Thanksgiving and finished it in three days. If you know me, that is amazing. I am now reading Eclipse, the third book in the series. I can't seem to get to into this one as much as the first and second. Actually Twilight was the best. I fell in love with Edward. Edward is the perfect boyfriend despite the fact that he has a few different characteristics of other men. I went to see the movie last night and have to say that it was a tiny bit disappointing. It was good, and I still love Edward, but he did not look like what I wanted him to look like. This is him in the movie:
And this is him in my head:
I'm well aware that it is Clark Kent from Smallville, but the entire time I read the book, this is what I pictured Edward to look like.

Anyway, they are both babes and I enjoyed the movie. Sadly, my life is revolving around fictional characters in a book. Edward is now the standard I am setting for men. Freezing body and all.

I'd totally come home for Christmas!

2008-12-14T23:07:00.000-08:00

I know, right?

2008-12-12T17:53:00.001-08:00

Yeah, yeah. Its been a while since I blogged. There are a couple reasons why. First off, I have been pirating internet service for about two years from some random neighbor. All of a sudden, no more internet. Apparently, they moved. And, I never thanked them. Bad me.

Secondly, I really don't have much to blog about. No new dates, mainly because no one is worth dating. Ok, that, and no one asks me out. Except for the creepy man in Wal-Mart today. (Yes, I went to Wal-Mart. NEVER AGAIN). He really didn't ask me out, he just stood behind me in line and said, "Ummm ummm, I know what I want for Christmas". He said it very quietly, like he was thinking it. So I glanced back at him and said, "You do realize you said that out loud?" And he said, "Oh, yeah". Other than creepy Wal-Mart freak (CWF for short),not one person wants to date me. (I am well aware that he technically didn't ask me out on a date, but its the closest thing I have had lately.)

My hope for today is that one day someone special gives me this sign:

It's all about Thatch

2008-10-27T12:40:00.000-07:00

So I haven't blogged in almost two months and my blog is, again, about Thatcher. He is the only thing in my life right now that actually makes me happy. Although the thought of him going to Homecoming with a cute girl killed me, I actually was very happy.

He does have good taste in girls. She's very tall, nice and pretty. Just like his mom.

And in case you were wondering, I still have another son, but he doesn't hang out with Thatch and I very often.

Time for another baby I guess.

Thatcher's first day of school...

2008-09-04T18:05:00.000-07:00

High School!!! Wow, I can't believe my baby is in high school.

As I was driving Thatch and the neighbor, Alex, to their first day of high school, I almost cried thinking Thatch is entering the world of corruption today. High School is not a place for 14 year olds. They are still pure and innocent and now we throw them into a place filled with 18 year old men with beards and moustaches.

While driving past Taco Bell, almost at the light, to the right of the car was a group of "bad kids" walking. I pointed out to Thatch and Alex that those kids over there were the "loadies". Both of them looked at me like I was speaking German. I said, "you know, the kids that just got high and smoked cigarettes on their way to school". Thatch responded with a "thanks for the heads up". So I told them not to associate with that group of kids, but don't be mean to them in case they have guns. Stay on their good sides. That way if they go all Columbine, they won't kill you. The perplexed looks in their faces were priceless. As if I was dropping them off in Compton.

As we finally get through the long line of traffic, they get out of the car where 8 of their friends were walking by, and Thatch says, "no kiss today, ok"? Oh the tears started the minute he shut the door.

However, he did kiss me when he got home.

9021-OH so good!!!

2008-09-03T21:08:00.000-07:00

I'm going to admit it now. I watched 90210 last night and I liked it. I used to watch 90210 in the late 80's, early 90's religiously.

Last night was the Season Premiere of the new 90210. I have to say they used many more bad words in this show than they did in the first one. They said bitch at least 5 times, the opening scene was quite awkward to watch with Thatch and the high school cheerleader bitch called the dumb jock a vagina twice. That was the first 35 minutes. Other than that, it was just like watching the old one.

Added bonus to the show is Rob Estes. He was on Melrose Place and fit in quite well. He's a babe. He plays the principal(not like any principal I have ever seen) AND he is married to Aunt Becky on the show.

Alli, I wish you were here watching with me!! I miss you.

Downward Dogs hurts your arms

2008-08-20T20:31:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to occupy my time since my children don't need me too much anymore. It seems I have lots of free time and there is only so much cleaning that I really want to do. (Unlike Julie). So I've started a Yoga/Pilate's class. Seeing that I smoke and have never worked out a day in my life, I was thinking these classes would be more suitable to me since there isn't any running or getting your heart rate up. The first class was Saturday and it was a beginning yoga class. I actually really liked it. It was very soothing to my mind, body and soul. Mainly, my never ending mind.

Tonight was a beginners Pilate's class. I enjoyed it very much too. It is much more strenuous than yoga, but you can really feel where it is suppose to hurt. Mainly where you have fat on your body. (Hip, inner thighs, arms, you know, the fat parts).

After 15 minutes in this class tonight, I realized, I am totally the most unflexible person in America. My hands are a good 6 inches from touching the ground while bent over,
my knees are bent most of the time they are up in the air while on my back and there was no possible way in the world I could lay flat on my back, with my feet in the air, feet flexed (think L shape)and then touch my toes, with my legs straight, over my head. I would have to rock really hard to get feet over my head from a laying down position.

Overall, the classes seem great and hopefully, one day, I will be as flexible as the teachers. By the way, the teachers' bodies are fantastic. Obviously, it works. My goal is that one day someone says to me: You don't have one ounce of fat on your body and I say, I know!!!!

These are a few of my favorite things....

2008-08-13T20:56:00.000-07:00

Egg bagels with an inch of real cream cheese
Wheat thins with real cream cheese
Cream cheese
Diet Cherry Coke
Peanut butter on toast with bananas
A pedicure
Getting my hair done
A massage and facial at Burke Williams
Corona Beer
Chardonnay
When my jeans feel too big
Hearing the boys really laugh
Dark Chocolate anything
Gambling
Banana nut bread
Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies
Brand new flowers planted in the backyard
Driving to Las Vegas with the radio blasting
Getting flowers sent to my work or home
Yorkie puppies with bows in their hair
The smell of brownies cooking
Mashed potatoes

Can a dog make you happy?

2008-08-13T12:20:00.000-07:00

Over the past few months I have come to realize there is something missing in my life. I'm not sure if it is the lack of need from my kids, the fact that Thatch is off to Mexico with his dad all the time, or that I have time to think about all the decisions I have made in my life, and not all of them are good.

I'm not depressed, or even sad, I just need something to occupy my time, besides laundry and cleaning. So I'm thinking of getting a dog. I know I'm not a huge fan of dogs, or animals in general, but I think one of these dogs will be in my family in the next few weeks.

Here is my first choice. Her name happens to be Gina. Odd? But she is so cute and she weighs 4 pounds. She's perfect. Her poop can't be very large and her bark can't be very loud.

This is Lacy. This is the one that both of the boys like the best. She weighs about 6 pounds. She looks like she is smiling.
(Sorry for the tiny picture, but that is all I could copy.)

I think we would change the names of either one of them. I always wanted a dog named Fifi or Gigi. So I asked the boys what they thought and this is what they said. "Can you imagine us walking a tiny, tiny dog, and then saying, come here Fifi, come on Fifi". So I think we may have to name one of these tiny babies a name like Butch or Thor. I will keep you posted as to what we decide. (Like either of them would ever walk the dog).

Elaine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-07-22T22:31:00.001-07:00

We went to say goodbye to Julie and Allison tonight. We went to Lucille's. Guess what we ate for dessert???

Yep! And it was delicious.

I miss you!!!

Hot Jobs.com

2008-07-20T14:55:00.000-07:00

I often think of how much I don't enjoy my job anymore. Its a lot of work, and the pay isn't what it used to be. But while I was at the fair I saw a couple jobs that are MUCH worse than mine.

Or

I'm thankful that my job doesn't include washing any type of barnyard animal or any animal at all.

Fair-ly expensive vacation

2008-07-16T18:23:00.000-07:00

Instead of going to Cancun this year, we went to the OC Fair. It was about the same price as going to Cancun, but way more work. I prefer to lay by the pool and have a waitress bring me a beer. Instead, I walked 500 miles in dirt, ate things I probably would never eat anywhere else, went on rides that heroin addicts put up in 15 minutes, and saw many, many people who absolutely should stop eating deep fried Oreo's.

On the other hand, I had so much fun with Logan, Thatcher and Sunny I wouldn't trade it for anything. It's not very often that I get to hang out alone with the boys anymore. Most of the time they have a friend or two that has to come everywhere with us.

We bought the $20 dollar wristbands which gave us unlimited rides for the day. Total bargain. $80 dollars three minutes after we got there. (Good thing I had coupons to get in and saved us $15 dollars.) We went on every ride and some of them 3 times each. Sunny outlasted us by a long shot. Even Thatch was finished by 4:45. Sunny wanted to go one more round on the Tilt O'Whirl, but I said my neck is broken and I will end up like the rest of the people here on one of those Rascal wheelchairs.

This is Sunny and Thatch on Sunny's favorite ride, the Tilt O'Whirl.

Sunny and Logan on some funky, twirly, dragon ride.

We watched the pig races which was totally fun. Sadly, it was sponsored by Ralph's and when you walked out, they gave you a coupon for a free pound of bacon.

Thatch and Sunny went in to see the World's Largest horse and steer. Logan and I passed on that event.

I was a fun day filled with laughing and sweating all rolled up into one. I love my boys and Sunny made the day a little Sunnier!!!

V-A-C-A-TION, in the summer time!

2008-07-15T14:28:00.000-07:00

I started my week long vacation Friday night with a great concert with my mom, dad and Greg. I had bought my dad B.B. King tickets for Father's Day and we went on Friday night. Opening act was Mavis Staple, who reminded me a little bit of my Aunt Kathy, but black.
Then Leon Russell. He reminded me of Santa Clause on a Hawaiian vacation. He sang great, but never said one word in between songs.
The BB King came on. The man is 82 years old. He was great and it was amazing the wide range of people that were there. Some old, some young, lots in their teens, and a surprise, lots of women who needed to dye their hair.
It was a beautiful night that I shared with three of my favorite people.

Please note that dads arm was blocking the fat roll on my stomach because I had just eaten a foot long sausage. It was delicious.

Also, I'm pretty sure the guy sitting next to Greg was the Greeter from Laguna Beach.

Laundry fun!!

2008-06-16T18:30:00.000-07:00

Today I found $8.35, an ID card and a house key in the washing machine.

What did you find?

Obligated vs. thoughtful

2008-06-15T18:11:00.000-07:00

Mothers Day 1996, Mike went to the grocery store, at noon, without the kids, and bought me some flowers for Mothers Day. He brought them in the house with a big smile and said, Happy Mothers Day. I'm pretty sure the sink was full of dishes, one of the kids had a crappy diaper and the trash needed to be taken out, but thanks for the flowers. I took the flowers from him and put them in the pretty full trash can. I may not have been a good wife, but I AM a good mother. It was the first time I had really ever known that there are gifts given out of obligation. Gifts that are given because you have to, not because you want to.

I love to buy presents for people that I truly like and care for. I can walk into almost any store and find something personal and thoughtful for someone I care for. I can spend a lot of money or $.50. I try to remember what people tell me they like, want, need or desire. I try to buy things that I know they wouldn't buy for themselves for whatever reason. Thank God, my kids have inherited this trait too. Logan will bring me home random things from Target that he knows I love.

I have had to buy gifts that I really didn't want to buy. Usually for someone that I really didn't care for so much, or I really didn't know, but somehow, you can still make it personal or thoughtful. For the love of God, you can pick up a gift card to anywhere in American at the grocery store, Rite Aide or even the gas station. If you put a tiny bit of effort into it, you can really make someone happy.

Obligated to me means having to go somewhere, do something or buy something that you totally don't want to do at all, but you HAVE to.

Thoughtful to me means wanting to go somewhere, do something or buy something that you really want to do and you don't HAVE to.

Admit it. You love to get gifts. Everyone loves to get gifts, especially gifts that are a surprise or that you truly have wanted for a long time. Gifts that have meaning or have thought put into them. Something that you would never buy for yourself. No one expects gifts, but they sure are great to get.

El Furbo

2008-06-10T20:38:00.000-07:00

Logan thinks this is the scariest toy EVER.....

And Thatch wants it because it looks like he's scratching his nuts.

Gassy Gertie!!

2008-06-04T21:43:00.000-07:00

I filled up my 2004 Tahoe on Monday and it cost me $78.46. I think it now costs me $2004 dollars a month to fill up my car. I CAN'T afford it anymore. I'm thinking about filling up my car every night when I get off work because the price of gas goes up $.10 by the following morning. This way, it will only be like $10 a day, and it will seem cheaper to me.

I remember in high school I would drive my bug to the Chevron on the corner of Muirlands and Ridge Route and pull up to the pump and say to Jeff Weiss (a high school boy in my class), "Five dollars of unleaded, please". He would put the pump in, clean my windows (which would thrill me if someone did that for me now since I can't reach my windshield without a step stool), check my oil, and talk to me for the remaining 3 minutes. I would drive away with almost a full tank. I'm pretty sure $5 today wouldn't start my car.

That being said, for the past two days I have registered myself on two different carpooling websites. I put in my address of home and work, the hours I work and my phone number and it matches you with different people within a certain radius of my house, going in that direction on the same days and times that I put in. Easy.

Today I got a phone call from a girl named Anne who lives on Antonio and works on Michaelson, the next street over from mine. We are going to try out our carpool next week. She sounded normal and assured me she wasn't a killer, she just couldn't afford gas.

My name is Earl!

2008-05-21T20:44:00.000-07:00

What's in a name? Could you date a guy named Earl? Melvin? Myron? What if their lasts name was worse? Hinklebaum? Whipple? Heiman? Would it matter? Could it make or break your thoughts of dating him? Was there life a mess growing up? Were they teased ridiculously while in school? What about siblings that had the same name, different version? Christopher and Christina? Did their parents not realize they both would be called Chris? What if Myron decided he wanted to play the accordion and take tap dancing lessons? Would he be la bled more of a dork than a boy named Brian taking tap? Probably. Would it continue on into their adult lives? Would 45 year old woman get a good laugh about his name at lunch with a friend? I think so. If I was to go on a date, with a guy named Melvin Hinklebaum, I'm pretty sure my family would laugh about it all day long.

While writing this, it got me looking into weird baby names. Here is a list of my favorite names that celebrities named their kids:

Fifi Trixibell: Bob Geldof and Paula Yates (also parents to Peaches and Pixie)They should have gotten dogs.

Camera: Arthur Ashe and Jeanne Moutoussamy. Really?

Jermajesty: Jermaine Jackson and Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza (previously married to Jermaine's brother Randy). I'm not sure if I hate the name more than that she married her ex-husbands brother.

Poppy Honey: Jamie and Jules Oliver (also parents to Daisy Boo). I like the flower first name, with a term of endearment for the second.

Dance, Dance, Dance

2008-05-20T21:07:00.000-07:00

As much as I hate to admit this, I watch Dancing With the Stars. I know!! Seriously gay, but I do. I don't usually know who all the "stars" are at the beginning, but I really do end up liking one or two of them and routing them on throughout the show. Call me Donas. This season some "star" is a football player named Jason Taylor. Babe. He alone makes me want to watch.

Then there is a "star" from Chili. Christian de La Fuente. Now, I don't know what he really does that he qualified him as a star since I have NEVER seen him in my life, but...babe. Most of the time he does his dances with his shirt totally unbuttoned, which almost makes me not notice that he has on Angel Flights.
Kristi Yamaguchi is on too, but she does nothing for me. Although I have heard of her and she dances very well, she's not my favorite.

Here's the hard part. There is one professional dancer that I think I have a crush on. I love to watch this dancer dance. Something about this dancer makes me just want to stare. I don't know if I'm in lust or just can get over the phenomenal body, but it is driving me crazy. What do you think?

Yep, I'm talking about the girl. She is Jason Taylor's partner. I'm not sure which one I like watching more.

If Monk had a baby...................

2008-05-19T21:41:00.000-07:00

This is what he would look like:

Daydream...Daaaydream

2008-05-05T20:25:00.001-07:00

There is an AT&T Commercial that has a song in the beginning that I really love. So I youtubed it, and here it is:

After hearing the entire song, I wish it wasn't so rappy in part of it, but overall, I still like it.

His name is Lupe Fiasco. Isn't that a great name?

Logan loves this commercial

2008-05-05T19:30:00.000-07:00

Song Sung Blue

2008-04-29T20:50:00.000-07:00

Pros and cons of American Idol (last night):

CONS:

David Archuleta
Paula looked naked when it was just her talking, and that isn't something I really need to see.
Brooke White had the ugliest outfit on. I can't believe her mom didn't tell her.
They sang Neil Diamond songs. (When you sing Sweet Caroline, you must say Bom, bom, bom after Sweet Caroline with your index finger pointing out the bom, bom, bom's.)
None of them sing well.
Yo Dawg, little pitchy.
I think Jason's hair looks like it smells bad.

PROS:

Simon Cowell
(I secretly love him).

Same old song and dance

2008-04-21T22:31:00.000-07:00

How can my sister and my niece fill up pages of their blog with long, descriptive stories of everything that filled their days and make it sound exciting? If I was to tell the story of my day, it would be like this:

Woke up. Brushed my teeth. Took a shower. Walked down the hall. Woke up Thatch. Go downstairs to smoke and pour a coke. Back upstairs. Put on make up. Dry hair to look fancy. Put on clothes. Put hair up in clip. Go downstairs to make Thatchers breakfast and lunch. Kiss Thatcher goodbye. Get Lean Cousine from freezer. Go to garage get in the car. Drive to work. Work for 8 1/2 hours. Get in the car to go home. Drive home. Come in the house. Pick up trash and sock in the living room. Make some sort of dinner. Clean up dishes. Tell Thatch to start his homework. Take a bath. Smoke. Go to bed.

Somehow, their lives seem SO much more exciting.

Here she is.... Miss America

2008-04-11T21:30:00.000-07:00

It's Friday night and I'm home alone, blogging and watching Miss America. Just saying Miss America makes me think of when you see a pretty girl with big hair and you think, who does she think she is, Miss America? It's actually Miss USA, but Miss America sounds better. Anyway, there's a whole lot of bad going on and its only been on for about 20 minutes.

1. Donny AND Marie are the hosts.
2. Heather Mills is a judge.. Heather Mills.
3. Aqua Net hasn't been a sponsor yet, but I think its coming.
4. There is a lot of advertising for Las Vegas and they are showing the girls walking around Vegas with their sashes on and they aren't even drinking, smoking or gambling.
5. Finger Eleven is the band singing while they prance around in their bikinis and fur coats. (Nice sexy combo).
6. They all kind of look like girls from Maxim - not so wholesome and pure.
7. Miss Florida is fluent Polish. Why?
8. Miss Utah must be from the part of Utah that isn't Mormon.

I do have to say they are all very pretty and have great legs, bodies, teeth, hair and I'm sure personalities. Although, they all look vaguely alike. The same girl could come out two or three times with a different sash on and I don't think anyone would notice. I say this while sitting in my 23 year old USC sweatshirt, capri sweats, hair in a pony WITH a head band. I'm smokin hot right now, that's why I can judge.

On a sad note, I just opened another tab and it opened to Yahoo and it says who the winner is. It's Miss Texas. It's 9:46. Now I have nothing to do.

Mc F'ing Stupid

2008-04-09T21:40:00.000-07:00

Tonight I had a few errands to run. I started at Target where I was picking up Thatcher and I proceeded to buy some sodas for his school dance Thursday night. $87 dollars and one child later, we left. He asked me if we could go to Ross to get a shirt he wanted. $7.48 later, we left. While in the parking lot I decided to cook McDonald's for dinner. We called Logan to see what he wanted. 10 piece chicken McNuggets, fries and a Mr. Pibb. Thatch wanted a 6 piece chicken McNuggents, fries and Mr. Pibb. $11.47 at the first window. I pulled up to the second window and the second McGenius of the night asked if I wanted any sauce. I said, yes. Sweet and Sour please and a lot. I heard him ask his McLeader how many he could give me. She said....four. I thought four for 16 McNuggets? Logan uses one sauce per nugget. We pulled away and I looked in the bag and there was four. Really? Four? Come on. If you ask for ketchup, they give you 10,000. If you order an iced tea and ask for Sweet and Low, they give you 20. But for the love of God, the Sweet and Sour sauce is guarded like Fort Knox. So I sent Thatcher in with $1.00 to BUY some freakin' Sweet and Sour sauce. $.70 later, we had enough for the boys to eat their home cooked meal.

Avon calling

2008-04-05T12:10:00.001-07:00

It's official. I'm an Avon Lady. I prefer to be called an Avon Girl, but Avon Lady will have to do. I remember my mom had an Avon Lady named Lois and she had a son that was a babe. I wonder what happened to him? Anyway, I'm trying to find ways to make some money with little or no investment. So if you are interested in ordering Avon, give me a call or send me an email. I would love to help you out. You can also go to www.Avon.com and see what they have.

Bitter, party of one!

2008-03-30T21:00:00.000-07:00

While googling an image of the B-52's, I saw this picture and I really liked it. It may possibly be my new favorite saying.

Dance this mess around!!!

2008-03-27T21:39:00.000-07:00

I'm very excited. I bought tickets to see the B-52's at the House of Blues in Anaheim. I have never seen them in concert and I'm well aware its 2008, but I'm sure it will be just as fun as seeing them in 1983.

Little Surfer, Little One

2008-03-27T21:26:00.000-07:00

Thatch is on the surf team at RSM Intermediate and here are a few pictures of him. He is quite good and I enjoy watching him.

He's the little dot out in the water. I know, I know, I need to get closer and I don't know who those other kids are. They aren't even cute.

I've got the power!!!!

2008-03-27T18:27:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm ready to blog. The charger finally came and I am ready to blog. Be prepared. There will be several in a row.

Perambulate this way.

2008-02-17T20:17:00.000-08:00

Perambulate:

1. to walk through, about, or over; travel through; traverse.
2. to traverse in order to examine or inspect.
–verb (used without object)
3. to walk or travel about; stroll

This was one of Thatcher's vocab words.

27 SOCKS

2008-02-12T15:42:00.000-08:00

Today, like most of my days off, I cleaned the house, did some laundry, ate Jack In The Box, and watched Oprah. Ellen is on next and I watch that too. I do my laundry in an order that makes sense in my mind. I first do the towels (because it is a quick load to fold coming out of the dryer which means I've completed one whole load), then my clothes (because I hang most of my tops which again makes the dryer empty faster), then Thatchers, and then..... the white load. I hate the white load because it is made up of mostly socks. The boys wear the same size socks and most of the socks are the same for easy matching out of the dryer. After getting the whites out of the hamper, I walk thru Thatch and Logan's rooms and pick up a few extra socks in random places. Thatcher's were especially scattered today. One on top of the TV, two on the dresser and several under the bed. Logan's are just in the middle of the floor under about 15 towels. After the collecting of socks upstairs, I carried the laundry basket down the stairs. On the bottom step, I noticed a straggler sock under the couch. I dropped the basket, walked to the couch, bent down to get it and was shocked as to what was under there. 27 more socks. I could not believe my eyes. At first I was pissed, then embarrassed, then pissed, then carried them to the garage to get washing.

They are done washing now, I better go put them in the dryer.

You learn something new everyday!!!

2008-02-11T21:03:00.000-08:00

Can you guess where this million dollar house is?

AFRICA -- Unbelievable. I thought they lived in huts.

Beers in Heaven

2008-02-10T19:05:00.000-08:00

After leaving the cemetery today, I got to thinking of what I would like on my headstone. (I really would prefer to be cremated and scattered around Target and a casino). But if I had to pick out my headstone, I would like it to resemble this:

Gina Maria Bridget DiLallo Vistaunet

Hoping there’s liquor in Heaven.

Please don’t put a sketched picture of Jesus, Mary or Joseph or a rosary. Please don’t bury me next to Auntie Rosie, Uncle Frank, or Uncle Al. Go ahead and bury me next to Juan Sanchez. He probably likes to drink.

Did you know...................

2008-02-09T17:08:00.000-08:00

I can write my name with my feet.
I can pick up anything with my toes.
I can type 103 words a minute with my fingers on the correct keys.
I can do a 10 key without looking.
I could live on bagles, cream cheese and Diet Coke.
I love Chardonney.
I love Jager and Redbull.
I'm very good a music trivia.
I can bowl.
I hate cashews.
I am a sister, daughter, mother, cousin, girlfriend, ex-wife, aunt & a neice.
I'm the prettiest sister.
I love to vacuum.
I can pinch with my toes.
I gave up reading gossip mags and watching TMZ.
I don't like to be alone.
I love the smell of Downey. (I wish it was a perfume.)
I have seen Bon Jovi in concert about 20 times.
I snuck into a wedding at the Montage to see Richie Sambora.
I think Oprah has the best job in the world.
I drank beer with all of Oingo Boingo.
I love pot roast.
I can ski.
I hate the sound of barking dogs.
I know Rod Carew.
I have three tatoos.
I want to see the movie Step Up 2.
I hate Valentine's Day.
I take a bath almost every night.
I love to gamble.
I'm very good at Centipede.
I saw the Go Go's and Pee Wee Herman opened for them.
I quit voting.
I could never be anorexic. Maybe bulimic.
Jamie Foxx asked me out.
I love Shaq.
I would never jump out of an airplane.
I have 6 nieces and 4 nephews.
I love to walk around the swap meet drinking a cold beer.

My favorite sayings

2008-02-08T18:14:00.000-08:00

For the love........
Jesus, Mary and Joseph........
You're sh**ing me?..........
I know!
Are you freaking kidding?
What the hell?
He/She's a fatty.

It's usually said like this: Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Are you kidding me? What the hell? Who cares, she's a fatty.

The Pick Up Artists

2008-02-07T20:28:00.001-08:00

Last week I was in the liquor store buying, lets say, liquor. This man in his late 40's walked towards me and said, "Well aren't you a sight for sore eyes?". I just smiled and kepted walking. I then was in front of him in line, and from behind me he was making noises, similar to ummm, ummm, ummm. So, I left thinking, what a dork. I never gave that strange man another thought, until today.

I went to Cheveron to get a Diet Coke at lunch, like I do everyday. I walked to the back to get some M&M's also. A 50ish year old, dark, long bearded, construction worker walked by me and said, "Well aren't you a sight for sore eyes?". Seriously, I was tripped out. Two strange men in one week saying the same, lame, some sort of pick up line? What are the odds of that? I wanted to say, "why are your eyes sore, and do they actually feel better now"?

So of course I called Greg and asked him if he has ever said that line to any woman at a liquor store or market? He said, "hell no". So I said that was good, because it really is a dumb pick up line.

Prison Break

2008-02-07T09:02:00.000-08:00

I have recently started watching Prison Break. We started watching this season at lunch on Tuesdays. Even though I have not seen one episode of the first two seasons, my boss gave me a long recap and I followed the third season quite well. I have to say I had no desire to ever watch Prison Break, but I am so glad I did. The show is actually good. Every episode leaves me waiting for the next one. I always think they are breaking out that night, but they don't. I guess they wouldn't have a show if they broke out right away. But the extreme highlight to the show is the brother who is in prison. He is absolutely beautiful. I don't mean hot, or good looking, I mean beautiful. He has the most beautiful lips that just make me want to kiss him. A lot! He's not a great actor. He's talks like Keanu Reeves. But you can get past that fast when you look at his lips.

He is my new boyfriend.

Sunday morning, rain is falling

2008-02-04T19:32:00.000-08:00

Sunday morning we woke up to a beautiful, hail filled day. It must have snowed a foot Saturday night, and continued on into Sunday. It would snow, then hail, then rain and it was very windy. It was odd weather, so we stayed inside most of the day. We watched the superbowl and celebrated Greg's birthday for the halftime event. It was WAY more exciting than Tom Petty. Greg and I drank a bottle of Dom Perignon for his birthday, which would have been more romantic if there hadn't been 7 kids with us.

While Greg was putting chains on both of the cars with Logan, I was cleaning a filthy dirty cabin. I sometimes forget how much I hate to leave there. It is so much work cleaning up after everyone. All the kids seem to disappear the minute the housework needs to be done. My favorite comment of the weekend was from Greg's daughter, Sloane. I had been cleaning the ashes out of the fire place, washing dishes and vacuuming for about an hour and half, in a cabin that is not as large as the white house, and Sloane said, while sitting on the couch watching me, that we should just hire a cleaning person next time because it would be so much easier.
I do have to say the 14 year old boys breaking icicles off the back of Sizzler, pretending they are light sabers, is a truly a highlight of being in Big Bear.

Big Bear 2008

2008-02-02T18:03:00.000-08:00

Thank the Lord above or the people at 921 Elk for allowing me to pirate some of their internet service this weekend. We arrived at the cabin about 8:00 last night. It was very trafficy on the way up and super cold. But we made it and so did Logan. Logan and his friends followed us up and for the first time, Logan got to drive on icy roads. He must have done ok, because he's here and his car is in one piece. We all got up this morning, I made panclarks and all of the 7 children ate them and said they were good. I assume it was a lie, but I don't care. Most of us then hopped into my car and went to go skiing. It was a truly beautiful day. Greg and I skiied, and the kids snowboarded. I haven't been skiing in about 18 years, but did fairy well. The boys were shocked. It sure is alot of work getting everyone read to go, putting stuff in lockers, dragging crap up to the slopes, but we did it and it was great. Here's a few pictures:
Thatch and QuinnGreg & IIt appears as though I had plastic surgery on my ears, but I did not. I was quite cold.
Here's Thatch and Quinn again. They are great boys who are very fun to hang out with.

Wakadoo, wakadoo, wakadoo!!!

2008-01-31T21:49:00.000-08:00

Jooj, you heart this!!!

50 is Nifty

2008-01-29T20:50:00.001-08:00

Monday will be my boyfriends 50th birthday. Two things come to mind when I say that out loud. One is, Holy Mackerel, I'm dating a guy who is 50. How can that be? I mean, I remember when my parents turned 50, and now I have a boyfriend who is 50.

And two is, Holy Mackerel, my boyfriend is 50.

Of course, I'm kidding. One advantage is, I will always be so much younger.

Happy early birthday, Greg!!

One banana, two banana, three banana, four

2008-01-29T20:27:00.000-08:00

We went to Target tonight to get index cards for Thatcher. $.47. We spent $52.89 by the time we left. We bought some $5.00 DVDs to take to the mountains. We also wanted some ice cream. Thatch wanted Ben & Jerry Cookie Dough and I went straight for the Cherry Garcia, BUT right above that was Haagen Dazs Banana Split.

Ya, it was delicious. I ate it straight out of the container while watching Biggest Loser.

Dinner of Champions

2008-01-25T20:54:00.000-08:00

Don't be jealous, but tonight for dinner I had a row of Ritz Crackers and a half of bottle of Chardonnay.

Life is great when the kids are at their dad's house.

Juno what?

2008-01-16T22:15:00.000-08:00

I loved this movie.

If you wanna be my lover.....

2008-01-14T19:43:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day is one month away!! WHO CARES? I hate Valentine's Day. I think it is a day that Hallmark and Tiffany made up so they could make a lot of money by guilting men into having to buy their wives/girlfriends something special.

Today I spent most of my day with Greg. No special occasion, no obligation, just being together and having fun. We went to lunch at Panera and had the most delicious Asian Chicken Salad. It had reduced oriental dressing, but I ate two pieces of bread which counter acted the reduced dressing. We then went to Wal-Mart (only because it was in the parking lot) to look for some cheap snow outfits. They had none, but we sure had a fun time in there. Everyone there is a either an ex-con, an ex-tweeker, someone who needs to be a tweeker to loose some weight or they are 85 years old. We then went to Big 5 where Greg proceeded to ride every stationary bike and stair climber. A must see to appreciate moment. Then we went to Play it Again Sports, but they had only children's outfits. The last stop was a thrift shop when I found a nice, lime green ski jacket that fit perfect. I went up to pay for it and the girl (who I believe has spent some time in prison) said your total is $3.50!! Such a deal.

Anyway, my point is, we didn't do anything exciting, but it was a truly nice, romantic in a sporty spice way, day.

What if your name was Helen Back?

2008-01-11T19:14:00.000-08:00

If my last name was:

Doe, I would name my child Dosie.
Dover, I would name my child Ben, Eileen or Skip.
Baum, I would name my child Adam.
Mandaly, I would name my child Anita.
Lee, I would name my child Brock.
Farly, I would name my child Chuck U.
Knight, I would name my child Dan Saul.
Rhodes, I would name my child Dusty.
Walker, I would name my child Jay.
King, I would name my child Leigh.
Carr, I would name my child Lisa.
Lott, I would name my child Noah.
Sweeny, I would name my child Mike.
Lott, I would name my child Mona.
O'Shea, I would name my child Rick.
Lowe, I would name my child Bea.

Pete, I know you love these.

Life is a rock!

2008-01-10T18:47:00.000-08:00

While searching classic rock songs on youtube, I stumbled across this song. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Thatcher's Birthday Continued......

2008-01-07T20:38:00.000-08:00

We celebrated Thatcher's birthday at Peppinos tonight. It was really fun.

Julie, Me and Carlo....I think he owns Peppinos and had a strange liking to Julie.

Thatcher,Mike and Logan
The family after dinner.

I know what I was doing 14 years ago today!!!!

2008-01-07T13:05:00.000-08:00

Happy 14th Birthday, Thatcher. You have grown up to be such a tall,young man with a lot more hair!!!
I love you lots!!

For the love of money!

2008-01-01T19:53:00.000-08:00

One of my New Year's resolutions is to try to save money. Actually, not spend money. Basically for me, I can't go out of the house. If I leave the house, it usually costs me $100.00. If I go to Target to get toothpaste that is on sale for $3.44, it will cost me $87.50 by the time I check out.

Today, Thatch and I went to lunch at Red Robin: $29.90.

Then we went to Target to get new face wash for him and a DVD, since we couldn't figure out what we wanted to see at the movies: $58.62.

And, since Target is right next to Game Stop, we went in there to get his birthday present: $62.15.

Spending New Year's Day with my almost 14 year old son: Priceless ($150.67)

I didn't do very well today. I guess I will start tomorrow.

HAPPY 2008!

2008-01-01T00:05:00.000-08:00

The new year has arrived, and with it our chance for a new beginning. This is the day we discard destructive old habits for healthy new ones. With that in mind, I am sharing Dear Abby's often-requested list of New Year's resolutions.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will live through this day only. I will not brood about yesterday or obsess about tomorrow. I will not set far-reaching goals or try to overcome all of my problems at once.

I know that I can do something for 24 hours that would overwhelm me if I had to keep it up for a lifetime.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will be happy. I will not dwell on thoughts that depress me. If my mind fills with clouds, I will chase them away and fill it with sunshine.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will accept what is. I will face reality. I will correct those things I can correct and accept those I cannot.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will improve my mind. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration. I will not be a mental loafer.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will make a conscious effort to be agreeable. I will be kind and courteous to those who cross my path, and I'll not speak ill of others. I will improve my appearance, speak softly, and not interrupt when someone else is talking.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will refrain from improving anybody but myself.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will do something positive to improve my health. If I'm a smoker, I'll quit. If I am overweight, I will eat healthfully -- if only just for today. And not only that, I will get off the couch and take a brisk walk, even if it's only around the block.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will gather the courage to do what is right and take responsibility for my own actions.

Happy New Year!

The Sound of Music!

2007-12-31T12:09:00.000-08:00

Last night I watched The Sound of Music. It was the second time I have seen it. The first time was when I was about 8 and watched it at Julie Landahl's house. I hated it then too. I'm not a fan of musicals or this movie, and here's why:

1. Why do they have to sing all their answers? A simple yes or no is fine.

2. Why did that family have so many children? The father should have busted out some song about the use of birth control and what a blessing it would have been to have used it.

3. I'm pretty sure Max Detweiler and Baroness Schraeder(?) had a little somethin somethin going on, and Georg didn't know.

4. They should make a Sound of Music two showing that the two von Trapp boys turned out gay for wearing those outfits throughout the entire movie.

5. That nun singing to Julie Andrews almost sent me thru the roof. It was awful, and a truly stupid song. Again, just tell her to climb every mountain. Don't sing it.

Thank God I had boys.

My vacation... day 2

2007-12-27T13:51:00.000-08:00

My first two days off have consisted of the following thoughts.... First of all, what does it take to make a mother kick her 18 year old son out of the house?

It takes this:

Good thing there is a Jesus sticker on his dresser, because He's the only thing saving his ass right now.

Secondly, isn't a vacation suppose to be a time of rest? I have cleaned out the closet in my room, my dresser, under my bathroom sink and the medicine cabinet. FYI, I don't need to buy dental floss, lotion, soap, or wrinkle cream for about two years.

Someday, my house will be painted white, white couches, white bedspread and sheets. I will own two towels, and I will only have Diet Cokes and bagels in the fridge. Logan's room will be my sewing room. (Yes, it will be empty). Thatcher's room will be the TV room with Surround Sound.

Christmas 2007

2007-12-26T12:09:00.001-08:00

I received the best gifts this year for Christmas.
I got these

I got these (but I got two of them)
Logan gave me this
Thatcher gave me this (I took this picture with the gift Logan gave me)
My mom gave me these
Christmas was great and my family is wonderful!! I heart them all very much.

Heater and July

2007-12-17T17:56:00.000-08:00

P.S. Tony DeFranco has a blog.

www.defranco.com/blog

Does anyone have a job?

2007-12-17T16:51:00.000-08:00

Today, right after Thatcher went to school, I got in my car and started shopping. I had a few things to pick up, but they were at three different places. I left my house at 8:00 and arrived at TJ Maxx at 8:11. It was wonderful. I have never seen so much help at TJ Maxx. There was no one there except me. I got what I needed there and drove to Mission Mall. I arrived at the mall at 9:05. I went straight to the Simon Gift Card kiosk in the middle of the mall. Not one person in line!! So nice. I then went to Nordstrom and spent way too much money. As I walked back out into the mall, I could not believe how crowded it was. I know its Christmas time, but the people there were not Christmas shopping, it was totally all the Coto Moms and there bratty children. I was quite shocked how many of them there are! I walked to the parking lot and could hardly find my car. There must of 15 Tahoes just like mine. I was quite confused. (I guess if the Tahoe thieves decided to steal a Tahoe today, I was pretty safe because mine was the dirtiest). I finally found my car and drove to Laguna Hills Mall. Now two things came to my mind when pulling into the Macy's side of the mall. One, I'm totally the youngest person shopping here. Everyone in the parking lot is 75 or older. And two, AM I THE ONLY PERSON IN THE WORLD WHO WORKS??? I went to Macy's, got what I needed and I am now headed to my 1:00 hair appointment at Tustin Market Place. Again, does anyone have a job that they have to go to? I have never seen so many people driving up Jamboree. I thought for a minute there was a Tsunami in Newport and everyone was escaping. I got my hair done and made it home in time to watch the last half of Oprah and all of Ellen while wrapping the last of my presents.

And the winner is....Jenna Johnson

2007-12-15T11:48:00.000-08:00

While growing up, my last name was difficult to pronounce. DiLallo. Hard to say, hard to spell, and lots of letters. My thought was I would always marry someone with an easy last name, change mine and be done. Well, I didn't. Vistaunet. I'm pretty sure it's worse than DiLallo. I'm sure you are wondering why I didn't keep my last name and hyphenate it...DiLallo-Vistaunet. Add my first, middle and confirmation name to it and viola... Gina Maria Bridgette DiLallo Vistaunet. I surely would need two lines for that on my driver license. Unfortunately, that isn't the end of the name problem. Gina, for some reason, is a foreign name to almost everyone. They will say, "and your name"? I say, "Gina". They say, "how do you spell that"? I say, "G, like George, I,N,A". They say, "Oh, that's interesting". I never really know how to respond to that. Then, when having things faxed to me, it never fails. Gina is spelled in a variety of ways. Jeana, Geena, Gia, Jena. The main one is Jenna. At work we started keeping track of them. Jenna was the winner. Now most of my office now calls me Jenna. I'm actually quite fond of it. I never thought Jenna was so much easier than Gina, but it is. If I tell someone that my name is Jenna, they never ask me how to spell it. Why is that? Jenna really isn't that much different Gina, yet it is. My newest quest is to find a husband with an easy last name. I'm shooting for Johnson. It's better than Smith or Jones and it goes quite well with Jenna.

So my new fake bar name is Jenna Johnson.

Oh what fun it is to ride.......

2007-12-12T21:48:00.000-08:00

I'm taking a few vacation days in December. Although I have nothing to do and no money to do it with, I will be off work for 10 straight days. I'm a little ADD, so its going to be a little rough. By day two my house will be immaculate, all laundry done and put away, fridge full of food, Christmas decorations and tree put away, and all unwanted Christmas gifts will be at Goodwill. What should I do the remaining 8 days off? Well, my boss/friend had a good suggestion. Why don't I borrower her motorhome and go camping for a few days? You know me, I jumped at that offer immediately. My deep love of camping stems from a WONDERFUL vacation that we went on the summer before my freshman year. 100 years ago today. Yes, I still have issues from that trip. Although I have been all over America, and seen every major attraction from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Liberty Bell, I have to say that going to Cancun this year was way more up my alley. I'm not too sure I can even drive a motorhome. Its so big. My boss said it wasn't much bigger than my car. Then the thought of packing a motorhome full of food, clothes, blankets, DVD's, shampoo, soap, makeup, hair dryer, towels, dishtowels, paper plates, cups, and more food to go sleep in a car parked in a parking lot by the beach leaves little excitement in my head. What exactly do you have to do to hook the motorhome up? What are you hooking up? and how do you hook it? Then I asked Thatch if that sounded like something he would like to do. His response? Heck ya!! That sounds so great! Can I bring Quinn? So I think now we are staying at Newport Dunes for 3 days starting the day after Christmas. I'm not as adventurous as my dad, the camp ground is only 23 miles from my house.

Decisions, decisions

2007-12-04T22:15:00.000-08:00

Most people dress their kids up really nice in matching outfits to take a Christmas picture. I think it should be taken exactly how you look all the time. For this reason, I can't figure out which picture I should use for my Christmas card.

This one:

Or this one:

Milk - It does a body good!

2007-11-26T16:23:00.000-08:00

When you are in a relationship you take certain quirks or odd traits that the other person has and either let slide, or end the relationship. The one quirk I have is that I read Dear Abby everyday. While reading this letter, I decided that while "Leon" may be a great kisser, cute and ambitious, he is also a freak.

DEAR ABBY: I have been dating "Leon" for a few months. He is smart, cute, ambitious, caring, a great kisser and has a fantastic sense of humor. The problem? He gives new meaning to the phrase, "Got milk?"

Leon still has the remains of the first gallon of milk he ever purchased when he moved into his apartment. (He had overestimated the amount of milk he would consume, and before he knew it, had a gallon in his fridge that was three weeks past its expiration date.) Time passed, and still it remained there. Soon it was 6 months old and a novelty.

Abby, Leon has kept this container of milk through two roommates, three girlfriends, seven jobs and two refrigerators. It will soon be five years. He seems to have formed some sort of sentimental attachment to it. Can it still be classified as -- milk? Leon is entertained by the reaction he gets when people hear about it, and even has a blog about it with a picture.

If our relationship is to get serious, I see a "me or the milk" ultimatum in our future. Is it asking too much for him to leave his life of keeping expired dairy, or should I cut my losses and seek a dairy-free bachelor? Or should I just accept it as a souvenir or a pet? -- LACTOSE INTOLERANT IN OREGON

DEAR LACTOSE INTOLERANT: If Leon has kept the milk through two roommates, three girlfriends, seven jobs and two refrigerators, it may be that the specimen is the only constant in his life. Frankly, it's surprising that the odor from the spoilage didn't end his "udderly" revolting compulsion to keep it.

I'm pretty sure this would be a deal breaker for me. How about you?

Jennie - O my goodness

2007-11-21T21:13:00.000-08:00

This commercial makes a lot of things run thru my mind.

1. I'm not too fond of men who take baths.
2. I'm not too fond of men who take baths in a tiny bathtub.
3. It makes me think he is farting in the bathtub, which grosses me out.
4. It makes me think he actually pooped that turkey out of his butt.
5. Makes me glad I don't have a husband.
6. If I was to be the actor in this commercial, my fee would be $85,000.00. No way I'm bathing with a raw turkey.
7. Makes me feel sorry for the man because he probably works hard and doesn't have a normal size bathtub or a shower. And, his bathroom is just ugly.
8. Makes me think the Jennie-O people are seriously doing their job well. I would much rather buy a cooked turkey in a bag than touch a raw one.

What a difference a decade makes......

2007-11-19T17:47:00.000-08:00

This is me and the boys in 1997

This is me and the boys in 2007

I love them so much.

This is the reason......

2007-11-16T17:26:00.000-08:00

I never touch any raw meat or poultry
I put baggies on my hands to make hamburgers
I use a fork to get chicken out of the package
I have never cooked a turkey

The best of Mean Girls

2007-11-14T21:53:00.000-08:00

Karen: You know who's looking fine tonight? Seth Mosakowski.
Gretchen: Okay, you did not just say that.
Karen: What? He's a good kisser.
Gretchen: He's your cousin.
Karen: Yeah, but he's my first cousin.
Gretchen: Right.
Karen: So, you have your cousins, and then you have your first cousins, and then you have your second cousins...
Gretchen: No, honey, uh-uh.
Karen: That's not right, is it?
Gretchen: That is so not right.

**************************************

Karen: I can't go out.
[faux coughs softly]
Karen: I'm sick.
Regina: Boo, you whore!

**************************************

Regina: Oh my God, I love your skirt! Where did you get it?
Lea Edwards: It was my mom's in the '80s.
Regina: Vintage, so adorable.
Lea Edwards: Thanks.
Regina: [after girl walks away] That is the ugliest f-ing skirt I've ever seen.

Sexiest Man Alive

2007-11-14T21:35:00.000-08:00

People magazine announced their Sexiest Man Alive of 2007 today and I was disappointed. The Sexiest Man Alive is NOT Matt Damon. I'm not sure who voted, but it wasn't me. THIS is the Sexiest Man Alive....

Yep!! Pretty darn sexy if you ask me.

(He plays Cash on Men in Trees. Worth watching just for him.)

Julie and Alli

2007-11-11T20:18:00.001-08:00

I've never told you, but the end of Extreme Makeover makes me cry every single time.

Foam fingers and boxer briefs.

2007-11-11T19:50:00.000-08:00

Saturday night, Greg and I were getting ready to go out. I was blow drying my hair when Greg said, "Gina come here, I want to show you something". I walked to his bedroom and saw him standing in his boxer briefs with a Lakers foam finger on one hand, and an Angel's foam finger on the other. That in itself was funny, until he started dancing. It was kind of like a tap dance with his arms pointing to the right, then the left, then around in circles, point to the sky all the while his feet tapping away. Seriously, it was the funniest thing I have ever seen.

In case you were wondering, the picture of the guy in boxers in not Greg.

No dolls allowed!!!!

2007-11-07T21:12:00.000-08:00

I was trying to find pictures of my favorite toys from when I was young. My sisters and I loved Barbies. I really loved PJ and Francie. I was trying to find pictures of PJ and Francie, when I stumbled across a website of Collectible Mattel Vintage Dolls. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out why dolls, in general, are quite frightening -- until I saw these:

This doll looks like she would walk down the hall with a knife in her hand, climb on your bed and stab you.

This doll looks like she would be standing next to your bed with oven mitts on her hands, whispering your name. This doll looks like she would just appear in every room you walked into crying "mama?" This one looks like you could hear her tap dancing and laughing all night, but never find where it was coming from. This one, well, there is nothing to be said. I'm afraid to have it downloaded on my computer.

Dear Heather Mills,

2007-11-07T16:37:00.000-08:00

I'm getting tired of seeing your crying ass all over the news and the tv. For the life of me I cannot figure out what you are crying about. You say that the press and the tabloids follow you all over and are always up in your face? That, my dear, is because you married someone who is almost as famous as God. You need to take your $35,000 a month child support/alimony and your $100 million dollar settlement and shut the F up! Life could be much worse. You need to take the cash and SUCK IT UP SISTER.

Signed,

Didn't marry, divorce or get knocked up very well

What time is it?

2007-11-04T15:06:00.000-08:00

Today, like I do every daylight savings time, I called the "time lady" to veryify I had actually set the clocks to the correct time. To my amazement, there was a recording stating that as of September 19th, 2007, the time announcement information service has been discontinued. How can this be? Doesn't everyone call 853-1212 to find out what time it is when there is a blackout or for daylight savings? Are you kidding me that this isn't an actual service anymore? How will we ever actually know the EXACT time of day, including seconds now?

Neil, I'm too Young!!!

2007-10-31T20:28:00.000-07:00

I'm taking my boyfriend to see Neil Young on Friday night. Am I excited? Yes, and no. I don't really care if I see Neil, but I can't wait to be with Greg. I love all types of music from Led Zeppelin to Kenye West. The CD's in my car range from Shrek to Steely Dan. But for some reason, I just can't get into Neil. I think I was too young when he was popular.

Questions: How much do I have drink and when do I start drinking to enjoy the concert??

Please let me know. Also, what the heck do I wear?

(I don't even like his hat in the picture. It's going to be a rough night.)

Trick or Treat.... What the heck?

2007-10-31T16:48:00.000-07:00

THE ORIGIN OF "TRICK OR TREAT"

The Celts tried to appease the evil spirits: ghosts, goblins, and demons. Huge "Samhain" bonfires were built to light the way for all the spirits to find their way in to the world of the living. They would leave out food, hoping that this would please the spirit world. If they did not leave a thing, then hence, the spirits would play evil "tricks" on the living in that house. The Druids required human sacrifices, they would go door to door asking for the virgin daughters. If this was not obtained at the chosen homes, then a hexagram was painted on the door in blood to show the appointed evil spirits to cause all kinds of evil to fall on the home. In some cases, even resulted in death.

Seriously.... I'll take the begging children at my door anytime...

The "come downstairs and let me in" guy!

2007-10-11T12:32:00.000-07:00

This is him. This is the guy I date. He's pretty nice. I think I'll keep him.

Tat-too me

2007-10-08T17:40:00.000-07:00

I'm getting a new tattoo. I can't decide which one I should get.