Ok, I know in other parts of the world it is winter, but for me it is summer. This summer has been amazing. Knowing I have some job security is amazing. I recently went from part time to full time with benefits. It is awesome and such an amazing company to work for. I have also been overdosing on street fairs as that is my favorite part of summer in Seattle. I am actually home sick from work today which really sucks but it is part of my life - I just pray each time that I will not lose my job. Hopefully my work ethic and attitude make up for the days I am too sick to work. Anyway, back to my amazing summer so far - June was pretty quiet, some derby here and there but as always not enough. July started my true summer - for 4th of July I went to the top of a parking garage to watch the fireworks and work on my firework photos -- I just really am not that great at them, but I did get quite a few good ones this year. I did two days at Bite of Seattle this year -- one of my favorite fairs to go to yearly. And this last weekend I did two days at Renton River Days - love my hometown fair. and next weekend is Seafair which means hydroplanes and air shows and sailors and just Seattle love all the way!! Just a little side rant - at the River Days parade Saturday morning I let this lady's daughter sit on the curb in front of me in my camp chair - and got rewarded with this lady yelling in my ear the whole two hours telling her daughter what she wanted her to be doing -- stand up so you can get candy, i said stand up or they wont see you, look for so and so in this group, did you get your little sister some candy too, dont cheer for hazen or lindbergh high school things as we are renton high people, oh there is renton high stand up and cheer. I felt so bad for that little girl. Her mother couldnt not just let her be in the moment and enjoy the parade. Parents, your kids need to be allowed to have responsibilities that are age appropriate as well as make decisions that are age appropriate in order to learn who they are and what they love. This girl was probably 11 or so and should have been allowed (in my opinion) to just chill and enjoy the parade the way she wanted - she was more of an introvert and just wanted to sit and watch and i dont know how her mom felt about it but the look on her face when a drill team or person excited her was amazing to see. she is at a point in life where she is beginning to know who she is and who she wants to be. and her mom just wants this little cookie cutter of a child -- which didnt surprise me after i overheard her tell her friend she works for the school district at renton high. from my experience they are big on cookie cuttering all the children there. (my son went there all four years of high school). Ok that rant is done for now. The rest of Renton River Days was an amazing thing. I love seeing families spending time together, seeing kids talk to the older generations at such booths as the Veterans and other organizations. It is good for them to get to have this little interaction yearly. Hopefully I can figure out a good blogging schedule for the rest of this year because I have so many more adventures planned - solo after August as my sister/best friend is moving to florida to be near her mom's family and get into school for being a full out medic.
hope everyone is enjoying their summer,
until next time,, peace and luv to all
Laura
Monday, July 29, 2013
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Happy Mother's Day
First off - yeah I know it has been a while again. On the plus side I now have a permanent job and things are starting to settle into place. Most of you know I am not a huge fan of Mother's day since my mom passed away in 2007. My son is just not the type to remember these things without prompting (that is what my mom used to do - she would take him out shopping for my mother's day gift). He did tell me "Happy Mother's Day" at midnight since I was still awake last night so that is something.
Today I would like to talk about how some kids only get the honor of having one mom, whereas I had the honor of having many mom's.
I had my mom, my Auntie Carylee, my Gramma, my Auntie Nano (whom I was named after), my Aunt Ginny, my Aunt Linda, my Aunt Judy, Charmaine, Vi, Alice, Melanie, Anita and probably some I am forgetting about somehow since I grew up in a time when everyone's mom could act as a mom in your mom's absence.
When I look back at all these strong women, it is no wonder I turned out to be a strong, independent woman. This is not to say that they never made mistakes - we are all human and learning is a never ending process - or that I never made mistakes. Lord knows I have made my fair share.
The point is I would not be the me that I am today without each and every one of these ladies having some lasting impact on me.
My mom taught me so much, the good, the bad and the ugly. Today is not a day to remember the bad or ugly so the good is that she taught me that irresponsibility is not always a bad thing. She taught me that you need to live each day to its fullest and spread love and joy wherever you go. She taught me that it is ok to embrace getting older and to have fun with it.
My Auntie Carylee taught me that crushes are ok and a great part of life. She took me to my first real concert for my 13th birthday. She instilled in me that you need to embrace yourself and be confident no matter what your size - that is how God made you and therefore you are perfect.
My Gramma taught me about responsibility. To save for a rainy day. To prepare for coming events. To hoard toilet paper and paper towels (that is a story for another day). She also taught me how to be a lady. She made sure I know how to act in any situation. She gave me ettiquette lessons in the summers when I wanted to be off playing. She showed me that patience pays out in the end.
My Auntie Nano gave me my love of traveling and story telling. I could (and did) listen to her tell me stories of her travels for hours and hours. She also taught me that it is ok to look at anything and make up a story about it -- not like rumors or hurtful things, but "hey, see that ship heading out to sea? Where do you think it is going and why?" Rainy days at her house were my favorite thing on earth because it meant sitting in the window watching the ships in the sound and telling stories of where they were going or coming from, or looking at all her post cards, or her trinkets and hearing the stories behind them.
My Aunt Ginny taught me to love the finer things in life. She was and still is very into the arts. She also taught me that while it is great to live the finer things in life it is also great to walk away from it all from time to time and just be with nature.
My Aunt Linda taught me to have comapssion for all. To always smile and be there for others.
My Aunt Judy taught me that redheads have the most fun of all -- and it is ok if you were born with a redheaded soul, but dark hair because there is hair dye!!
Charmaine taught me that every child deserves a home filled with love.
Vi taught me to never face the day without a little makeup on - it just makes you feel better if you get up, get dressed and put your face on.
Alice taught me that sometimes marriage is rough, but you stick with it, and work it out. It was not meant to be something that you just do once - you have to work at a marriage and fall in love over and over with the same person.
Melanie taught me to be consistent. To be faithful. To love unconditionally. She took me in when I really didn't have anywhere else to go as a teen. She showed me what consistancy is and feels like. She also reminded me (a lot) about how i couldn't hide things from her because she had already been there and done that and probably wrote the book about it I was learning from!! She also taught me that it is ok to be honest with your parents as they will love you no matter what.
Anita taught me that it is ok to forgive people for things you never thought were forgivable. She also taught me to actually talk to my dad about stuff from the past so that we could have a relationship that wasn't full of pain.
To all these women I say thank you - you made me into a very strong, independent woman who managed to raise an amazing son. He may not be perfect (again who is) but I know I raised him right and in the end he will pass that on to his children should he choose to have them in the future.
Until next time,
Peace and luv to all
Laura :)
Today I would like to talk about how some kids only get the honor of having one mom, whereas I had the honor of having many mom's.
I had my mom, my Auntie Carylee, my Gramma, my Auntie Nano (whom I was named after), my Aunt Ginny, my Aunt Linda, my Aunt Judy, Charmaine, Vi, Alice, Melanie, Anita and probably some I am forgetting about somehow since I grew up in a time when everyone's mom could act as a mom in your mom's absence.
When I look back at all these strong women, it is no wonder I turned out to be a strong, independent woman. This is not to say that they never made mistakes - we are all human and learning is a never ending process - or that I never made mistakes. Lord knows I have made my fair share.
The point is I would not be the me that I am today without each and every one of these ladies having some lasting impact on me.
My mom taught me so much, the good, the bad and the ugly. Today is not a day to remember the bad or ugly so the good is that she taught me that irresponsibility is not always a bad thing. She taught me that you need to live each day to its fullest and spread love and joy wherever you go. She taught me that it is ok to embrace getting older and to have fun with it.
My Auntie Carylee taught me that crushes are ok and a great part of life. She took me to my first real concert for my 13th birthday. She instilled in me that you need to embrace yourself and be confident no matter what your size - that is how God made you and therefore you are perfect.
My Gramma taught me about responsibility. To save for a rainy day. To prepare for coming events. To hoard toilet paper and paper towels (that is a story for another day). She also taught me how to be a lady. She made sure I know how to act in any situation. She gave me ettiquette lessons in the summers when I wanted to be off playing. She showed me that patience pays out in the end.
My Auntie Nano gave me my love of traveling and story telling. I could (and did) listen to her tell me stories of her travels for hours and hours. She also taught me that it is ok to look at anything and make up a story about it -- not like rumors or hurtful things, but "hey, see that ship heading out to sea? Where do you think it is going and why?" Rainy days at her house were my favorite thing on earth because it meant sitting in the window watching the ships in the sound and telling stories of where they were going or coming from, or looking at all her post cards, or her trinkets and hearing the stories behind them.
My Aunt Ginny taught me to love the finer things in life. She was and still is very into the arts. She also taught me that while it is great to live the finer things in life it is also great to walk away from it all from time to time and just be with nature.
My Aunt Linda taught me to have comapssion for all. To always smile and be there for others.
My Aunt Judy taught me that redheads have the most fun of all -- and it is ok if you were born with a redheaded soul, but dark hair because there is hair dye!!
Charmaine taught me that every child deserves a home filled with love.
Vi taught me to never face the day without a little makeup on - it just makes you feel better if you get up, get dressed and put your face on.
Alice taught me that sometimes marriage is rough, but you stick with it, and work it out. It was not meant to be something that you just do once - you have to work at a marriage and fall in love over and over with the same person.
Melanie taught me to be consistent. To be faithful. To love unconditionally. She took me in when I really didn't have anywhere else to go as a teen. She showed me what consistancy is and feels like. She also reminded me (a lot) about how i couldn't hide things from her because she had already been there and done that and probably wrote the book about it I was learning from!! She also taught me that it is ok to be honest with your parents as they will love you no matter what.
Anita taught me that it is ok to forgive people for things you never thought were forgivable. She also taught me to actually talk to my dad about stuff from the past so that we could have a relationship that wasn't full of pain.
To all these women I say thank you - you made me into a very strong, independent woman who managed to raise an amazing son. He may not be perfect (again who is) but I know I raised him right and in the end he will pass that on to his children should he choose to have them in the future.
Until next time,
Peace and luv to all
Laura :)
Sunday, February 17, 2013
I love adventures!!
So to start this story I just want to say that having a best friend who is also your little sister is both the most amazing thing and the most annoying thing all at the same time. So that being said - the second weekend of celebrating my birthday started out a little rocky Friday night hanging out with friends at my favorite little bar and even though I vowed for new years I was done drinking, I decided to drink. I didn't lose control and I don't regret it because I had an amazing time. My sister however, who worries about me way too much, was disappointed in my choice and she let it be known - not in a public way but I knew. So I wasn't sure we were actually going to do anything Saturday or not. What can I say we are sisters -- we have our ups and downs but in the end we always get over it. So our adventure starts at like 1:30 pm when we decide we should grab some munchies and hit the road - "let's go to the ocean to watch the sunset". OMG that is an amazing plan since we never made it to the ocean last weekend - sometimes shopping wins!! So we hit Fred Meyer up for some discount Valentine's day candies - I love my conversation hearts and when the big bag is only 1.39 who can resist?? And it meant I could read them as we ate them LOL. So off we went and the begining of the adventure was really slow -- we were stuck on I-5 due to a doozy of a wreck. Finally got to where we were flying down the road again and off we went. The weather was sunny, we were car karaoke-ing to Kelly Clarkson's greatest hits, going past the capital building in Olympia the view was amazing - so amazing I forgot to take a photo of it!! As we are driving we have some amazing girl talk and have decided that Mother Nature has severe bipolar - sun, pouring rain, sun, pouring rain..... from Olympia all the way to the Ocean. So we get to Aberdeen and stop at WalMart - because what is any kind of adventure without a stop at WalMart?? We used the facilities - cuz yeah kinda a long drive - and both bought new clearance sweatshirts cuz it was a lot colder than we were prepared for. We both just had on our Port Scandalous hoodies. Pit stop done and off to the ocean we go. As we are driving through Hoquiam I see a street sign that says cemetery -- ohh how I love my cemeteries. Now we are off on a little side adventure. But we are not finding it so as we drive past people I keep saying "Excuse me, Where do you keep your dead?" We finally found the cemetery and it was amazing - all covered in moss with amazingly huge trees.....I could have spent a whole day just wandering around there, but it is not really Jaymee's thing so I did one small section and took some photos.
So now we are off to the ocean. We get there and Jaymee is a little disappointed because they are loading up the horses for the night.
(That will be a whole different adventure)
so since we are at Ocean Shores it means we can drive on the beach so off we go, laughing all the way. What amazing freedom, while at the same time knowing you are really just this oh so small part of the universe. And we finally find a good spot and just sit and watch the ocean and the sun going in and out of the clouds on it's way to an amazing sunset.
Well we realize that the ocean is sneaking up on us and we need to back up - but Jaymee is up for just a little more driving fun first.
And off we go making almost donuts on the beach, laughing as the traction contol clicks on and off as we hit some bumpy softer areas. And BOOM!! All of a sudden we realize we aren't moving anymore. So, throw it in reverse and just back out of the soft sand - no big deal right?? Yeah big deal. WE ARE SOOO STUCK!!! So Jaymee is trying to kinda dig out the tires and I am out of the car cuz I figure just that much less weight will help. And still stuck. Now there are two couples coming to help us out - one in their twenties, one is probably their late 60's early 70's. So no big deal, even though with all my arthritis I cannot help, there are four people, surely we can get the car back to packed sand right??
Yeah no we are really stuck – so I do my best damsel in distress thing to this big truck driving down the beach (Princesses are really good at this one). They are too nice looking men from Alaska and not only do the have a kick a$$ truck, they have a two rope (and their mom too) it took some time but finally we were free!!!
So Sunset at the ocean, a huge adventure, and tons of laughter all the way home!!! I love adventures!!!!
So now we are off to the ocean. We get there and Jaymee is a little disappointed because they are loading up the horses for the night.
(That will be a whole different adventure) so since we are at Ocean Shores it means we can drive on the beach so off we go, laughing all the way. What amazing freedom, while at the same time knowing you are really just this oh so small part of the universe. And we finally find a good spot and just sit and watch the ocean and the sun going in and out of the clouds on it's way to an amazing sunset.
Well we realize that the ocean is sneaking up on us and we need to back up - but Jaymee is up for just a little more driving fun first.
And off we go making almost donuts on the beach, laughing as the traction contol clicks on and off as we hit some bumpy softer areas. And BOOM!! All of a sudden we realize we aren't moving anymore. So, throw it in reverse and just back out of the soft sand - no big deal right?? Yeah big deal. WE ARE SOOO STUCK!!! So Jaymee is trying to kinda dig out the tires and I am out of the car cuz I figure just that much less weight will help. And still stuck. Now there are two couples coming to help us out - one in their twenties, one is probably their late 60's early 70's. So no big deal, even though with all my arthritis I cannot help, there are four people, surely we can get the car back to packed sand right??
Yeah no we are really stuck – so I do my best damsel in distress thing to this big truck driving down the beach (Princesses are really good at this one). They are too nice looking men from Alaska and not only do the have a kick a$$ truck, they have a two rope (and their mom too) it took some time but finally we were free!!!
So Sunset at the ocean, a huge adventure, and tons of laughter all the way home!!! I love adventures!!!!
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
~*Farewell 2012*~
1. What did you do in 2012 that you'd never done before?
I don’t think I actually did anything new this last year. That is kind of a sad reality for me, since I am supposed to be living life to the fullest and I honestly feel like I failed on that aspect this last year.
2. Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I generally don’t tend to make resolutions, but no I did not follow through with my goals for last year. for 2013 I have decided to work hard on no more consuming alcohol, eating healthy and exercising more.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Victoria had her little Fridurik and Maggie’s son had precious little Celyne also I have several friends expecting in 2013 – Desiree is having twin girls any day now, Bill and Trish are having William Jr around Valentines day (I still say on the 11th so we can share a birthday), Mike and Krista are expecting a little boy this year
4. Did anyone close to you die?
I made it through the year with no significantly impacting deaths
5. What countries did you visit?
ummm none unless you count the countless places in the books I read 
6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?
yeah again this year it will have to be a full time permanent job or steady work
7. What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Probably July 1 because that is when I moved back into my own apartment after such a long time living with others
9. What was your biggest failure?
thinking my drinking was under control when in reality it was controlling me
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
nothing major – just my regular day to day pain and anxiety
11. What was the best thing you bought?
havent really bought anything major in a long time – but I am the queen of freebies – my apartment is furnished with freebies including my tv with dvd player
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Jaymee – she constantly surprises me with the things she is finding out about herself and acting on
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
do politicians count???
14. Where did most of your money go?
general survival – rent and electric bills but my money I should have been saving went to alcohol
15. What did you get really excited about?
going to see tim mcgraw at the puyallup fair in september
16. What song will always remind you of 2012?
im sexy and I know it
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder?
happier
ii. thinner or fatter?
gotta say fatter – hard to say without a scale though
iii. Richer or poorer?
about the same I think
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
actually living life instead of :”pinning” it
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
wasting time on the computer
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
christmas was a quiet affair with just my son and myself
21. How will you be spending New Year’s Eve?
new years eve was friends and family hanging out drinking with me once again blacking out and having to ask about my night – that was the final straw on the drinking thing
22. Did you fall in love in 2012?
nope not really
23. How many one-night stands?
none
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Revolution
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
still don’t believe in hating others
26. What was the best book you read?
I read so much…….. and they are all the best when I am lost in them
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
spotify – it is amazing to listen to what I want when I want
28. What did you want and get?
nothing really
29. What did you want and not get?
a job
30. What was your favorite film that you saw for the first time this year?
breaking dawn part 2
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 44 and I don’t really remember what I did for my birthday
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
a job – yes it is a continual pattern with me
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?
I think I grew up a lot with my fashion – a lot more ruffles and color than ever before
34. What kept you sane?
my friends and family
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
this year would probably have to be shemar moore
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
I think legalizing “gay” marriage – I have so many friends that have much healthier and stable relationships then I have ever had and they deserve all the rights that come along with committed relationships.
37. Who did you miss?
I missed my mom – and my dad – and melanie and mac – still miss talking all night with kyle at williams ave about life in general
38. Who was the best new person you met?
probably jesse’s friend alex – he is a good kid with a lot of potential
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.
life lesson – when you admit to yourself that you have lost jobs due to your drinking (or after effects of drinking) your life can only change for the better
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I don't wanna be the girl who has to fill the silence
The quiet scares me 'cause it screams the truth
Please don't tell me that we had that conversation
I won't remember, save your breath, 'cos what's the use?
Pink Sober
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Happy New Year
Well here it is 2013. That means that we all survived not only 12-12-12 but the end of the world on 12-21-12 according to the Mayan calendar. This year is going to be an amazing year for me, I am just sure of it. This year I will be working on not drinking alcohol anymore, I tend to not be able to control it therefore it is something I need to give up. I am going to be working hard on eating healthier, but also working on not beating myself down mentally if I am not perfect at eating healthier. I am going to try to blog once a week. I am going to work on getting back into the habit of walking daily.
This year you will get to hear about my family, friends, ancestors, crafts, cooking and whatever else I feel like sharing
I hope to keep you all entertained in the coming year.
As always, peace and luv to all,
Laura
I hope to keep you all entertained in the coming year.Friday, December 28, 2012
Didja Miss Me??
Ok, so when I am struggling in life, I tend to let my blog slide. I have been looking for solid permanent work for a while now and hopefully I am almost there. I am totally looking forward to 2013 - especially since the world didn't end on December 21st and all. So, with all that said, I am working on a plan for blogging for 2013 and I hope to be able to keep it up ALL year long. Sometimes I just end up taking on too much and then everything suffers. I would love to blog every day, I would love to do project 365, I would love to do project life for a full year, I would love to do a cooking blog where I actually make all my pinterest recipes. But for now I will plan on one blog a week, with an eclectic variety of things that make up my life.
Hope you will all stick it out with me,
As always, peace and luv to all,
Laura
PS Merry (late) Christmas
Hope you will all stick it out with me,
As always, peace and luv to all,
Laura
PS Merry (late) Christmas
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Food with a Face
Ok, maybe I am weird but I don’t think that food with a face is cute – not even for children – I think it is creepy to try to eat anything that looks back at you. I don’t care that it is totally fake looking – I don’t want my food looking back at me. So here are a bunch of examples from pinterest – sorry I didn’t save the links but will find them for anyone who wants them. **warning graphic heavy**
See – creepy!! And I can honestly say that even as a child I didn’t like food with faces. I didn’t like it when we would go to IHOP and they would bring me the face pancake thing, I didn’t like it when I was 5 and got a panda bear cake – my first drama queen birthday happened over that cake because I didn’t want my mom to cut it let alone people to eat it!! My son grew up without food with faces and I don’t think it harmed him in any way, of course I haven’t asked him so I could be wrong LOL. Anyway, just thought I would share this with the world 
until next time,
peace and luv to all
laura
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