Duncan Nudie Noodlehead Birdie Quixote Shanahan

Oh Bear. Sweet little couldn't-be-cuter Duncan.

We are the proudest pup parents ever. D is really so special to us. He has been enrolled in Doggy Boot Camp, trained with Joel for over four months, gotten himself kicked out of Petsmart day camp, tried to eat several dogs at the park and can't cross a horse or pigeon without incident to save his life... but we could kiss his nose for three days straight for being the sweetest, most loveable boy.
Our very own Dr. Jekyll and Mr.Hyde...Duncan is an angel when he wants to be, and he'll snuggle all over you given the chance. In fact, if he doesn't get to snuggle during his day, we all end up in a funk.

D is three years old today, and for two great years we've had the pleasure of toting this pup all over town. We happily contend with his go-get-em attitude because he's really the best. Happy Birthday Dunclebean. Mom and Dad think you are the cat's meow! ;)

More handsome every year :)

My grandpa, Tom, is such a character. I have learned so much from him over the years, and spending time together during my last few years of high school brought us closer than I could have ever hoped for. I love his ability to laugh at most things, be brutally honest and always find the silver lining. He is quiet and austere, but a real softie at heart- and I love him with all of mine. Happy day "Grampa"!

Ileanna's Happy Day

Ileanna,
I'm incredibly thankful for your friendship. You are so true to yourself, and I admire the extra sparkle you add to all you do. I know I have been a terrible, terrible yoga partner as of late (ok, as of the last six months *wink*) but I appreciate that you never give up on the encouragement. Jimmy is a lucky man to have such a spicy saucy wife.

I can't wait for the Round the World potluck dinner party to celebrate your special day next Saturday, and in the mean time I hope you feel extra love all week. Happy Birthday!

Double Whammy

Last night we celebrated Janie and Kaity's birthdays. I was hoping I snagged a better pic of Janie, but alas she was busy blowing out her candles. 

I met both of these lovely ladies in the last couple of years, and I am honored to call both of them friends. Janie has a feisty, happy spirit (her sarcastic sense of humor makes my day). Kaity is so positive and genuine. There is something to be said of such independent, strong and intelligent women. I hope both enjoyed their special days, and I know I was happy to have spent time celebrating with them. Even if it does mean my head is hurting a little bit today... :)

I love you Dad!

I'm pretty certain that I am one of the luckiest daughters in the world. My dad sets the bar high in many ways, most importantly offering unyielding support and love. He is one of my best friends and I can always count on my dad to make me smile. 

Some of my best memories include father/daughter camping trips, time at the park and playing board games before bedtime. I even look back and appreciate the numerous times my dad would make me sit at the kitchen table for hours until I broke down and finished my fish sticks, keeping faith that someday I would not be such a picky eater. 

Dad, I hope you know just how much you are loved. Happy Birthday :)

Feliz Cumpleanos Eric Powers

(Eric's the skeptical lookin kid on the right)

My cousin Eric is only six months younger than yours truly, and growing up I always wished these guys were brothers. Fortunately, we logged in many hours of fun at Camp Grandma's House over the summer- most of it spent in the pool. He was always kind enough to let me be the ugliest GI Joe or the unwanted Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle too ;) 

Nowadays I'm fortunate that Eric and his lovely wife, Cat, live just a few minutes away. We still don't see them as often as I'd like but I'm grateful they are close for the time being (Eric has re-enlisted so there's a chance they will soon relocate to London, Japan or Florida.) He's served in Iraq and Afghanistan and I for one think he's quite an inspiration. Happy 26th!

A Birthday Extravaganza Series

As it turns out, I know a bazillion Capricorns and Aquarians. This means tons of birthdays to celebrate in January so I've decided to write a post in honor of each special person I'm celebrating this month.

Happy Birthday to you Eric (Jan 7), Dad (Jan 19), Janie (Jan 22), Kaity (Jan 23), Ileanna/Grandpa Tom/Duncan (Jan 28)!!

A Tale of Two Bosses

I just realized the beauty of having your own blog is that you don't have to apologize for stepping over the PC line.

Most know my take on my current (soon to be ex!) Place of Employment, but what you don't know is that I really dislike the way we are commonly treated by our department management. I used to refer to them individually as Dubs (Flub a Dub) and Bird (She'll never leave the nest.) Nowadays, I know them only as a Skink.

Definition (per wikipedia): Scincidae, the largest of the lizard families. Often, their way of moving resembles that of snakes more than that of other lizards. They are generally carniverous. They are active foragers that move through their habitat looking for small animal prey.

Here is a two-headed skink (Google images) for your viewing pleasure. I like to think squatty arms on the left is the Bird.

Pub Golf

It was the one of the best bon voyage celebrations I've ever attended... Friday night we headed into Carlsbad dressed to the nines in our golf gear for pub golf. The ladies donned argyle and the gents wore their sweater vests... and we "played" nine holes from 8-12pm. Great fun... cheers to Los Champions!

Bon Voyage BLT

Brittanni L. is leaving us for an au pair stint in Norway next week (last day together at ICW, our bubble has officially burst!)... and I felt I needed to send her off the right way for all the things we love about her:

1- BLT has an infectious smile... she's probably been given awards for all the niceness that oozes out of her

2-She's always willing to cover for our team at Rolling Readers

3-I don't even have to turn and peer out my cubicle doorway to know when she's flirting with a boy because the giggle sets in ;)

4-I've never known anyone else who grew up in the 80s but failed to see a single episode of 90210

5-Brit is not afraid to show her Twilight pride- do vampires live in Norway? It looks cold and overcast... ok, I just made that up... but still...

6-We both share an affection for our friend Jack and his sidekick Diet... esp when Aveda is hanging with the crew

7-She's always willing to put up with a lot from us... I know it's not easy B!

8-Our Ladies Lunches couldn't be nearly as special without our busiest bumble bee (I know we had to suffer through a lot of "I can't make it because I've got other plans" but we re-couped and couldn't help but love her for having a life)

9-BLT was actually going to risk herself on a small fishing raft all day with three men and no bathroom. She's practically a boy scout if you ask me...

10-She's a rockstar softball Butterfly

And while I could go on all day like this, the most important thing I -we- love about her is that Brit is a genuinely wonderful person and friend. She can cheer you up, rally with the best of them and inevitably inspires lots of smiles. Leslie, Vic and I will miss you something crazy, B, and we can't wait for you to send that link for your new blog from Norwizzle. ;) Huge hugs and many congrats on following your dream to travel and live abroad!

Storage

Props to M Shan for building some totally bomb diggity shelves over the weekend. Granted Duncan tried to run in the stain and had to be tackled before reaching the beige carpet (who owns light beige carpet with a black haired shedding machine anyway?)... but I must say I'm proud of his first home improvement efforts.  Nice work :)

Big Announcement!

I've spilled the beans here and there... but since I'm officially giving word tomorrow, I can't wait to announce that I'm saying goodbye to my place of employment (also known as Home of the Devil) to go back to school for my Masters in Education. No more logo cookies  *high five!*

Ever since I was little I've wanted to be a teacher but I meandered for a while thinking the timing was off... well, now I am going to finally pursue this dream. I am hoping to either teach third graders or Special Ed. Soon enough I should know more... but I will miss my ladies at ICW with all my heart. (Ladies Lunch Friday is still on as far as I'm concerned because you girls mean way too much to me.) It's going to be an exciting, busy adventure and one that I am certain will be a great move. 

Woo hoo!!

Happy Trail modern art at MOMA

Uhh... questionable at best. 

San Francisco

I had the most wonderful weekend with Court and Kasey in San Francisco. We missed Chrystal terribly (darn SARS!). Here's a photo montage recap in no particular order:

My worst nightmare: a see-through grated catwalk on the fifth floor of the Museum of Modern Art. I practically needed resuscitation after running across it.

One piece of paper... again, MOMA.
Lots of dancing ensued...

Courtney "participating" at MOMA. I think I might commission her to create something for the condo.



Note to self: watch Kasey like a hawk when you let her loose around $600 centerpieces. She can't be trusted with roses. This was the Starlight Lounge at the Sir Francis Drake. I don't really recommend unless you are jonesing for a bad wedding-like experience, but we still killed it on the dance floor and shut the place down. 




Best day ever. I mean- look at how amazing the weather and views are! We lucked out big time.
We are bringing hot mess/trainwreck into style. I love these girls!
Three thumbs up for the best girls' weekend. Thanks to both K and C for all the smiles and fun times!

Mom, this one's for you.

Because I know that Grams is not fond of the dark hair, you'll be happy to know I went in to "lighten it up".

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What I got was red on red and dye in my eye. I may as well be blind now because I feel like I glow like a stop light. Blasted.

Welcoming 2009 with open arms :)

Peace out 2008. I think you were marked by a big bubble of BOOO, and I gladly welcome 2009 for all the possibility it brings. Here's how we celebrated ringing in the New Year...

With a token bottle of wine... of course.

A giant fist pump...

Five courses at Jayne's Gastropub

Aside from some funky fishy crab linguini, the dinner was SUPERB. I can't recommend this joint enough to all of my San Diego friends. The atmosphere is similar to Chloe's or Old Venice, the food is phenomenal and the service couldn't be better. Go. Now.

And twelve grapes to symbolize each month in the new year (sweet is a month of happiness, sour is a month of sadness)... shout out to Leslie for sharing this one, a Spanish tradition and one I plan to uphold from here on out.

Watching the ball drop... a big cheers to you if you decided to rally after all and brave NYE out on the town. While I was sitting on my couch, I did at least muster up some text messaging spirit for you, or tried anyway. :)

And lastly, a big New Years brunch with the crew.  Ahh... sigh. 

Bring it, 2009- and a Happy New Years to all of you!

Sorry buddy!

Mike's hand in Scrabble...

Looks like I'm going to win this one. Sucka! ;)

Don't stick your tongue out at me!

CJ and I have more in common than I thought. When I was younger I used to think if I stuck just a sliver of tongue out, no one would notice. I still maintain it's a great way to show em' what you really think.

One person per invite please!

Dear Place of Employment,

Please withdraw my name from the list of contenders for Event Planner Extraordinaire. I am honored that someone felt I was the appropriate party to dump this less-than-desirable responsibility on, as I'm sure it was with the purest of intentions to recognize my patience for prima donna guests.
Perhaps it is because I can provide endless hours of entertainment when running around like a chicken with my head cut off... either way, I am now sure that I am unfit for such an important task because I want to punch every last person in the face when they ask me, "So, 'one invite per person please' means that I can invite one person right?" No. No it does not. But if you want to watch me get squashed with a string of expletives when I inform my boss he has been cut for lack of space, please by all means bring a guest.

Thank you for your consideration. If there's anything else I can take on as a last minute request requiring endless hours of work over my weekend, please by all means send it my way.

Sincerely,
Me