Arrrghh...I'm off to see the Pirates! Disney part One

A couple weeks ago I took a "magical" trip to Disneyland! It was awesome!

The last week leading up to my 3 day adventure with my kid sister was dreaming of riding my most favorite Disneyland ride of like forever :)







Pirates of the Caribbean. ((sweet sigh))

I was so fricking excited I kept telling everyone I was pee in my pants ready for the best PARK EVER!





The night we arrived we checked into our hotel and headed over to Downtown Disney for Dinner at House of Blues.


I begged my sister that night when shopping at Downtown Disney to pleeeeassseee wear a matching Disney shirt to the park with me.

"Uh, really?" was her first words to that request.

But she complied after many many negotiating snappy looks of disgust over each others color and style. She's like the size of a pencil and let's say I'm the size of the tree they cut down to make 100 of her. So while I pick out all the t-shirts that would look good on both of us, she's pulling out skinny tees where it barely comes below the bellybutton. We stared at each other and was convinced we would be not Mickey tshirt happy the next day. (I daydream if I could just look like her while shopping)

5 minutes to closing we find a shirt. Of course there is no dressing room and I pray my really large woman's tee will look ok the next day.


Our hotel was right down the road and offered a free shuttle to the park every 30 minutes. Our first day we ate some breakfast and waited with all the other Disney fanatics for the first shuttle of the day. As soon as that shuttle drove into the hotel front lobby area, it took all of my power to not rush the shuttle van like all the kids. :) I didn't want the adults thinking I was lame.


Stepping foot into the gates of Disneyland it really was an experience I'd never remembered having before. Even my sister who's the "cool" one. (You know being 10 years younger and all.) was a little in awe of it. Nothing big, but we entered the park a tiny bit early so they let everyone into Main Street. When you get to the last shop everyone's waiting for a tiny rope to be lifted. When that's lifted the park is officially open. We wanted to get as close as we could to those ropes. I politely pushed my way past parents with strollers, kids with their mickey gear on, and a couple "disney princesses".







See the man here to the left? In the Disney ranger hat facing the crowd? He held several hundreds of us back with his witty Disney chatter and first of the day smiles. The overhead speaker was announcing the park would soon be open. Something was in the air because all of everyone waiting seemed to be turning into small smiley, giggly, gonna pee in your pants good-crazy folks..

Somehow someone started a countdown...maybe the ranger guy...and I was soon shouting 5,4,3,2,1!!!! With that the ropes were lifted and EVERYONE clapped and you felt like you were part of some opening day ceremony or something. My sis and I looked at each other and my completely dorky self told her that was SOOO AWESOME.

We all scampered to the lands that housed our favorite rides. We veered/semi ran/walk fast left and headed to the Pirates. We must have been the second boat/ride to shove off that day. I sat in the boat and had the stupidest smile across it. If this was all I rode that day I would be OK.

Of course we rode more and the really cool thing about that day was in front of the castle we won these


DREAM FAST PASSES. You don't wait in any line, and you go WHENEVER you want. OMG, could this day get any better? It was cool and for both Disneyland & California Adventure Park. You just walk up the exit of a ride that is a fast pass ride or where ever their fast pass entrance is
to the ride and walk past ALOT of people. :) That was sooo sweet.

Well, I think I'll end my first part of the story here and continue another time with the rest....

~A very tired but happy Disneyland freak Rambler!

Say no to coke....a cola :)

How many times can I do this???

So many I don't even know what finger to say I'm on. It's Day 2 of my say no to coke plan of attack thing-a-ma-jig..?? Long story short, I was raised on having cola be a part of my family life. I realized when having a BBQ with my mothers side of the fam and talked with my cousins, aunt and mother that we all share a "JOY OF COLA" fetish. We enjoy it warm or cold. Night or day! It doesn't matter, we LOVE our cola. My older parental unit and her siblings moved to the diet cola stuff. (I SWEAR I WILL NEVER DRINK DIET)...

Anyway, it won't be a long post as I am beat today...but wish me luck. 19 days from now I may have what my diet thing calls a cheat day :) mmmm, so looking forward to it.

Good night!

~A super cola loving Rambler

fashion victim

Mmmm. How to start this one? Well I could start with me :)

I'm not the most fashion lame-o person around BUT I'm not the most fashion forward person either. I'm sorta stuck somewhere in the middle I guess. Listed below are my three excuses for not being a project runway star!

1. my size
Due to my somewhat lovely child bump left by my 2 year old, I don't fit pants the way I would like AND my boobs that used to be of large size anyway before I got pregnant became mammoth once I hit my last trimester and those breastfeeding months. To quote my husband, "dear God, they're massive!" That said, I can't wear certain tops because my boobs make the it look either too small or too small or too small.

Mammoth boobs + skinny tee/tops with buttons/halters=disaster.... you get the picture.

2. Money
If I had money, I'd be able to purchase the right items that didn't make me look the size of a condo apt. With all my money going to bills, rent, and my baby what's left over is very little and I have to stretch the coins that are left. That's leaves me with not the most quality of merchandise. Hey, I make it work. Sometimes I'm happy with it and sometimes it's worn once and I realize that's why it was as much as it was. I don't shop much so most of my clothes is so very 2 seasons ago and I'm frightened one day that a reality show camera will jump out and tell me my friends and family "JUST want to HELP, your on OMG, you wear some badddd clothes" SHOW. I'd die.

3. Time
So here's the lame part. When I do have some money to spend, I can't find the time with my demanding job and my sweet child that is not quite there yet to go shopping. If we shop together the 2 year old and I do what's called Speed Shopping. I need to have a list. We do not deviate from the list or my special package from above will stop cooperating with me. I envy those moms that have the sweet obedient child in their stroller content with vegging out. Their sipping their Starbucks coffee, talking on the cell, browsing slowly through the racks of clothes. While me on the other hand has a child that has me frantically searching for her through the racks of clothes and I hear the store clerk paging over the PA system for the mother of a lost child (a very displeased, gonna call the Child Endangerment Agency voice) to please come to the counter as the child is causing disarray. (((sigh))) not really that bad, but it's not easy to shop when it's not a 2year old's favorite thing to do.

Anyway, this is why I am content to sit in my Old Navy clothes watching shows like Top Model and Project Runway wishing I was fierce but knowing if Heidi Klum was sitting next to me she'd tell me "Selena, you are out! Please leave the runway!" kiss, kiss! ((sigh again...))

~Skinny wannabe wearing Rambler!

My return...at long last!

Soooo, I'm back! It's been over a year since I've written anything. Part of the reasons are that

1. I couldn't access my stupid gmail account to get to my blog. (I was in a state of confusion (brand new mom brain) when the transition happened from regular blog to this gmail blog thing.)

2. I couldn't access my stupid gmail....O, what I already said that!

3. Damn lazy to try to find it after being so impatient.

So here I am today, and with some frustrated patience I was able to relax, breathe and retrieve my username and password! I was worried I'd have to resign this blog and attempt a new one.

Alright, so my new life consists of being a mommy. You know that if you go back and read some of my past blogs. I absolutely adore it and everything that comes with it. I get told by my non parental friends why do I find poop a fascinating topic of conversation! (Cause I do, and my daughter has issues...).

I recently joined this new mommy club from my local newspaper and it truely has been one of the best things. ( hawaiimoms.com )

The mom's I've encountered have inspired me to write again and to do something about it. Practice makes perfect and hopefully one day I'll accomplish a dream of mine. To them I thank for renewing in me this passion to write again.

I don't claim to be a whiz at vocabulary or grammer.

In fact, I'm horrible. I can't write about anything serious (because I'm not), my IQ isn't of Yale-or-Harvard-knock-at-my-door-and-come-teach-there IQ, but I've written things with my funny sense of humor (at least I think so) and have gotten comments throughout my time that I'm pretty interesting to read. From my smart friends and my serious ones. For them both to tell me I made them laugh is addicting. I want to keep going. Why don't I become a comedianne? Because I'm too chicken to face a crowd and get boo'd...but I'll write and sit and bite my nails and see what comes of it!

Anywho, here's the start over of this.

Peace out!

Rocky da Rambla! (get it, coming out fighting? and my blogger name?...:))

Lucky

This will be a short one tonight but I wanted to say that I feel like someone was watching out for me tonight.

We got out early tonight from work and I had a co-worker that I was taking home. We had been saying we were hungry the last hour and we would "polish" off our favorite dessert at the end of the night during our "boring restaurant" stuff. When I went to make it, I realized we had run out for the night so therefore we were to be left not feeling completed or satisfied.

We leave work, and mumble to each other that we could eat, or not eat, or eat, or not eat....We chose to eat. We found a local 24 hour diner and sat for about 45 minutes to an hour and than took her home. On my way home, I ran into 3 huge police roadblocks on the freeway due to some accident that had ambulance assisting whoever.

I than come on to my exit and there was a massive accident where it looked like a big commercial vehicle collided with a small sedan and they had become one. There were police, fire trucks, ambulances, and anything else you would need. The accident looked like about what would have been the time I would have been driving through had I not chosen to stuff my face with a grilled cheese sandwich.

It chilled me looking at it because I wasn't so sure all had survived that accident. Could I have come close to that accident? Could that have been my car instead of the smaller sedan? What would have happened had we actually had the dessert at work and we didn't feel the need to dine at the 24 hour place? A lot of questions raced through my brain while myself and the late night traffic were flowing to a fair left median lane to get past the accident. I truely believe someone was watching for me and I'm grateful (and maybe a bit dramatic, but hey, if you saw what I saw and realized you should have been somewhere near this...)

Wow! ~The Rambler.

little things go a long way

I was flipping through some old emails and found one I had completely forgot about. I do a lot at my job and needless to say am thanked 2 out of 10 times. I don't do it to be told thanks but when someone does "recognize" you for helping them either to advance themselves or just get out of a rut, it's nice.

An old server of mine who I made a bartender years ago, was having "Oh, my God, I'm so weeded, my head's up my butt" all the time. It was weird cause I knew he totally had potential he was just allowing the panic to set in and he couldn't handle. I told him, I used to be just like that (sometimes still am ;o) and my manager at the time told ME to take a second to realize the world is not going to come crashing down. So that advice completely helped me be better at my job (of serving customers) and still helps me today as a manager to take care of the bigger problems that come my way. I handed that little tidbit to him and he actually took my advice and was able to eventually become promoted to bartender. (which is a big thing for most servers or at least the next step)

We never really talked about it much and he eventually moved back to the mainland. A year later, the bar he worked in had an article in it's local paper about him, and how great he is. blah blah blah. He wrote me saying thank you for giving him the chance to make him what he is, and sent me a copy of the article...(tear)

My day became a little easier to handle today with that little reminder.

;o) ~ I too can be helpful.

The Helpful Rambler

Couples night Out.

The Girls...
Dee, Miss A, Me, Kellie, & Michelle

It was a rare night were me and the husband do some "adult" things. I don't mean THAT you sicko's but that we went out with 4 other couples and had a nice dinner, drank a little alcoholic cocktails and dessert later on. (Again, with the sick minds, just some ice cream in a waffle cone, nothing X-rated. Not even PG, totally, G rated)

Girls love taking pictures so of course we all were ready for the camera when we were ready to leave. Miss A, took some extra shots by herself cause she's such a diva.

A little later we took some other photos to and decided that our "boys" were such dorkies. Dee, I have 2 photos of you with your eyes closed....

Well, I included some photos below of some of the rest of us. Hope you enjoy. Sorry for the lameness of my blog today, but I've been creative all over town trying to plan Baby's first party next week.

Me and the hubby. We actually liked each other this night! ;o)

Dee and her new man Pat. (Pat, Patrick, Patty, he's like whatever you like! Super nice guy. Good job Dee!)

The other "girls"
Mr. K (belongs to Miss A ;o), Pat, my hubby

Peace out folks!

Da Rambler

Ghosts, Harry Potter, Hurricanes...oh my!

The last couple of days, I've talked about certain things with friends of mine that I told myself, don't forget to blog about it. A co-worker and I were talking about ghosts and if he had seen any while he worked overnight (BY HIMSELF). He smiled but said he tries not to talk about it or look into it...as we got more into the conversation, sharing ghost encounters back and forth. Some that were forgotten by me, and one that literally chilled me enough to give me chicken skin.

An old manager that used to work at my "unnamed" work, was closing up, sitting at our bosses desk that looks out the big floor to ceiling glass window. At night, pitch black outside, the window becomes more of a mirror and you tend to see things behind you if you just look up. Well, that's what happened. Late at night, all by herself, she looked up and swore she saw a figure behind her which automatically disappeared when she spun around to run out of the door.

I sit in that office every night I close, by myself finishing up notes to the next day's manager. I don't think I will anymore, because that one freaks the bejesus out of me. I've had my brushes with our friends twice. They always say you get that feeling and I tell you it's true. If it's my mind that is playing tricks, it sure does work.

I thought I would NEVER get to read the last book of Harry Potter. I am pleased to say that I was okay with how the book ended. For those who didn't read, I won't spoil, but it finished off how I would feel complete and not needing more answers to the more questions an ending can create if not done right. I had decided for about a week or a little more that the only time I was going to get to read uninterrupted it would be from the 10:00pm-1:00am time frame. Yes, I killed myself, but it was for the "greater good". Anyone who read that, did you get it??? Well, I can say that my sleeping pattern will commence back to normal (thank goodness).


Its so crazy! But we might get some hurricane "touching" the islands in the next day or so. We had our managers meeting today before I was done for the day and our topic fell to the possible storm coming to us. What were our plans if SHE hit? I had a call earlier from my husband that he had been watching and he felt we might get some residual from FLOSSIE as she passed by. I normally pass on stocking because it had always been to far for anyone to be alarmed. But something made me feel that I needed to be more concerned. I decided that I would drive by the Kmart and grocery store to see if the store was overwhelmed with mad rushes of people stocking up. It didn't look too bad so I pulled in and went to stock up. I have to say part of me was surprised but all diapers that my daughter normally wears were limited to a brand we don't usually take. And there was only 2 boxes of that so I took em, the shelves were half barren with cases of water, the batteries section was empty except for the size no one uses. I decided on Poptarts to be my source of food (a moment of weakness, I like em cold, so I figured...) So, $142.00 later, I was on my way back to the car, EVERYONE I saw coming out of the grocery store next door had huge bags of rice, huge water cooler size tubs of water, propane tanks. I packed the car and remember how my aunt said the hurricane control center advised to fill your tank up so I rolled over to fill my almost kind quarter full tank. As soon as I got in line, it seemed like all of my neighborhood had the same idea. I've never seen lines like that before. So needless to say, we are ready if she comes, (don't want her to, but not my decision)

Okay, so if I don't post for a while it could be that Hurricane Flossie was more than we thought! Best wishes for a safe next couple of days.

xoxoxo~ The Rambler

One Year Old!

This time last year at 10:39 pm I was in the process of pushing my guts out (actually this little one above). It wouldn't be until 11:11 that she finally made her appearance to this fine world. My "team" consisted of my husband, baby sister, mom, Aunty Nola, Miss A and Miss D and a slew of nurses and doctors. My cousin Leigh stopped by right around when my epidural wore off. That was at 8:00ish. I hated life at that moment. But my aunt and Miss A were on top of it trying to get them to notice that my "pain" reliver had worn off. Or was about to. Anyway, here we are a whole year later and I can't believe it. My little girl is ONE! Ha, blows my mind.

Well, more later.

xoxoxo a tired Rambler

Oops

So, I can't believe I did it but I kinda broke my #1 pet peeve from my last blog....thou shall not make people behind you in line wait (AND think your an idiot).

But in my defense the first time today, (YES, this was a multiple crime on my part), we had just completed a run through of all of Sam's Club, waited in line for what felt like a longer time than it was. The baby was ready to get outta there, along with the husband and when it came ready to hand over my Debit Card cause it's that or Cash, I could not find my card. I panicked and for some reason thought of my blog entry from last night and called me a hypocrite, cursing me every name in my head. I looked at my husband and told him it was his card or we walk out of here like A-holes with no purchase and letting them put everything back. He paid. We semi-argued all the way back to the car about where my card could have been. Of course when I put baby in her car seat, I found my card at the bottom of my purse. And yes, it was Clean, I was just in panic mode and my fingers must have brushed past it to many times, along with my blind eyes.

Okay, the second time today, (how pathetic) was at Kmart. I had just gone to the bank to deposit something so I again threw my card back AT my wallet, not really back in it's spot like I normally always do. At checkout, a lady ahead of me was writing a check ALONG with a salesperson who kept talking to the other salesperson and not pay attention to the fact that the lady couldn't read the total so we all waited for either her to squint enough to see the numbers on the small computer screen OR for the saleslady to realize the lady hadn't heard her the first couple of times. The lady squinted hard enough and we got to me. I laughed again in my head as I was being rung up and AGAIN realized that I left my primary debit card somewhere else. I paid with an emergency card and swore to myself that I was so super lame.

I must have made someone upset about my blog and this was their retaliation. I bow down to you and apologize. Please please don't make me lose my card and look like an idiot...please???

Humbly yours,

The Rambler who's kinda learned her lesson for today.

Things that make me "irk'd"

I couldn't' think of anything more interesting for my current blog than to write about some things that make the mind a little insane for me....

Here we go...

I hate

1. Standing behind someone in line for a zillion hours because they appear to have never purchased something EVER.

2. People that whack into me when I'm holding the baby...(this makes me want to kill)

3. People that lie to my face and they totally believe what they are saying.

4. LAZY LAZY people. They make my job harder.

5. Driving into Waikiki and dealing with tourists that believe all roads are a big sidewalk.

6. People that eat at my place and need to comment and TELL me that it would never be like this in the states...(um, look at your kids history book a-holes, cause Hawaii is a part of the United States of America).

7. People that one-up others all the time. You know those people right? You'll say you found 10 dollars and than this person says he found 100 dollars and continually steals the thunder from anyone else that may try to one up them. They always win! Bastards. It's about me, me, me.

8. Dumb drivers that don't originate from this country...how in God's name does the DMV give these folks a legit driving license?

9. Downright mean people that enjoy being bitches or jerks.

10. Sales people that sorta help you and than walk away leaving you to realize that they are not coming back and your in the same predicament as when you walked into their store.

I'm pooped out...I can't do this anymore...for now.

Love Love,

The Rambler

Weird?

I'm just posting a little one tonight. On the way home, I'm driving in Waikiki where after a certain point in the late evening, you can encounter interesting people or situations.

I'm usually stopping short when drunk dumbnuts walk in the street forgetting cars do exist and that they CAN hurt them. Sometimes, I see real drunk people trying to talking to the lamp post, or the bench, or the post office mailbox...it goes on and on.

But tonight, I did a triple take. This man was walking down the street holding a door above his head. I just thought it odd since it was 1:00 am, and where could he be going at such a time. He looked at me since I did the "did I see that right?" look enough times for him to notice me staring.

Well, that's all I got.

Good Night. Sleep Tight, don't let the bed bugs bite.

The Rambler

Sensory Overload

I had to share this.

I came home after some midnight shopping (because it's easier and faster without the baby)
It was a sorta busy day, so my body was ready for a nice hot shower to cleanse the soul and wash away the grossness of my work shift. Even though after the shower the clock read 1:45 am, I thought, um, I have a boost of energy. I will clean the kitchen and put away all the groceries I just purchased, wash Maddie's bottles, and any "other" things I might need. Here is the sensory overload part.

I had a bottle that Maddie hadn't finished apparently which her formula went from liquid to a disgusting stinky mush, at the same moment I looked over, (thinking if I don't look at me cleaning the bottle I won't smell it), to the dog corner and Mookie had pooped on his pee pad (Good Dog! but not at that moment). In the next mili-second I went to put the towel that I had wrapped around my wet hair, over my mouth to hopefully breathe in NON-dog poop, mushy stinky formula silently praying to not lose the food I'd eaten earlier. But as I put the wet hair'd towel to my face, I thought,

"didn't I wipe my butt dry with this towel?" And it became too much for me. I started to gag from the sensory overload of putrid smells that made it's way up my nostrils. This happened maybe 10 minutes ago.

Farewell, good night (or good morning, whatever)

A Clean but grossed out Rambler

Disclaimer: My butt was extremely clean but it was the thought that I had it once on my butt and now it was wrapped tightly around my nose and mouth and you can see how my tired brain went a little loco!

Good days...Bad days...

I don't know. I woke up this morning from probably one of the busiest lunches I've ever worked in an extremely long long time. This one beat my swing shift Thanksgiving 2005 where by the end of my shift a guest threatened me with her lawyer who she tried to call in New Jersey! (whatever!) He never answered!...

Back to today. Or yesterday. It started off pretty early. Early like my eyes opened accidently 3 minutes before my alarm went off. (Don't you hate that, like those 3 minutes could make or break my day) and my body wouldn't cooperate. My eyelids opened slowly one by one. I would say about 3 minutes apart. I groped for my toothbrush worrying if I didn't do that first, I might forget in my zombie like state. Got myself together and in the car by 5:40 am. Yup, that's right 5:40 am. I can hear my friend saying..."I get up early like that everyday for work So SUCK IT UP."
Pretty much during the drive I made a promise to my body I would be kind to it, if possible. Forgive the early start, I told it.

We started a breakfast that went harmlessly and swiftly.

Before I knew it, lunch had come about and the only downfall was a no-show host...mmm, common in my business as every evening is party time like it's going out of style (to be their age again ;o)
I consider myself very level-headed when we go in chaos mode and I'm usually the one to get everyone caught up or at least helping them keep their heads out of the water. But today, I needed someone to help keep my head out of the water. Despite the insane amount of guests to the small amount of staff we had to take care of them, most of them were extremely pleasant and very understanding to any EXTRA length of time they had to wait. This made it a GOOD day for me. I provided a service and they liked what they got.

Today, I was tired. But, I didn't feel like I would have that bad day. Not like the kind that makes you extremely crazy, but the kind that reminds you why you can't stand certain things, people, places, etc. Someone said the wrong thing today that reminded me why sometimes I hate my place of employment. This made it a BAD day. But I stop here because most of my friends (which are few) know my bitch and moan story. Cause we all share it, different day same you-know...

Anyway, hope you all have a good day! By the way, yesterday in the craziness of it all, I looked at the pepsi machine with such longing. I thank the chef who I told, I don't know, I really could use one to "calm" me. It's my cigarette I suppose. BUT, glad to report, I'm only on day 5 until my next day 21 cheat day. So me, myself and I DID NOT succumb to the addiction.

Tired, Tired, Rambling fool of a Rambler

My cheat day

So, I did it....I got to my 21 day cheat day and I chugged what felt like a pool full (relax, only did like the medium size from Taco Bell) of cola....

Miss A was right, it did taste damn good and with the tacos, it was like so fricking yummy. The great thing is that I don't miss it today. I know that in 21 more days from yesterday I get to have another one.

I did freak out a little and I was convinced it put back on the 11 pounds' I've lost since this thing started. My bad root canal helped it along giving me 5 of those 11 pounds due to me not eating for several days. Glad to report this morning that I was still at my 11 pound loss.

Well, I'm tired and will write more later.

A very tired (but cola-satisfied) Rambler

Goodbye to an old best friend (for now)

Goodbye, my friend....

Ahhhh, the sweet sweet taste of a good coca-cola on a hot day...maybe with some nice hot french fries and a juicy greasy hamburger with ketchup...

Do you hear my record screeching to a stop? Well, I decided to take a stand against the horrible addiction of the flavorful, delicious...wait, I mean the evil evil sinful tastes of this dreaded thirst (soul) quenching beverage.

You see, being a new mom, I either drink coffee to stay up and was up until 20 days ago, Pepsi/Coke was the other caffeinated drink to keep me going through the day. Yes, it's been as of Monday July 9, 20 (twenty) days of no coca-cola products.

I work in the restaurant which gives me immediate access to a soda machine (free of charge). It's been a challenge and some of my fellow staff members who have an IV hooked up to the soda machine told me I was crazy! Yeah, but as you look at this lovely photo of FAT BASTARD
I felt like this fat tub of lard. Minus the hairy chest of course..really! Anyway, because I am tired of only fitting in my maternity wear pants because it's the only comfortable thing, I gave up one of my biggest vice's.

I've had a long long relationship with this habit addicting carbonated drink. Warm, cold and even in a frozen concoction that is frickin fabulous with buttered popcorn at the movies....I blame some friends of mine that really got me hooked on that combination. They know who they are.

Alright, I blame no one but my fat self....First step right?

So wish me luck. Maybe just maybe this first step without the daily 2o zillion gallons of my beloved favorite makes me say ahhh everytime I drink it beverage will help in the battle of the bulge.

Just so you all know, I've also altered my eating habit. More greens never hurt anyone ;o)

So long...

Da Rambler

Things I adore about Maddie

Let's see....I decided to do a post on my beautiful baby because she was so sick yesterday which was her first time being sick. I missed her non-sick side.

I adore the way she...

....looks at me in the eye and flashes me a huge smile

.....holds her toy over the edge, looks at me, and just drops it and laughs, especially when I go to pick it up

....is in the bathtub she splashes so much their's more water outside the tub, than in

....focuses so hard on her toys when she's sitting there playing with them

....giggles at her dog when all he does is pass her with no mind that she's there

.... flirts with her daddy

....pops her head up trying to look out her crib to catch someone's eyes to get her out

....grabs at my face like she loves me huge

....does a 360 in her crib everynight

Well, I could go on and on but I understand that only I might want to read this over and over again, but for those of you who made it this far, I appreciate it!

Love love

the Mushy Rambler!

Me and my anthesia

So, today I went to the hospital to have minor surgery done. Obviously, I'm ok due to the fact that I am writing 9 hours after. I warn you that I am still under anthesia like trauma which means I'm on maybe a 3 second delay of the brain.


So here's the funny thing...I've been super scared to have this done. As you read yesterday's blog, I got sick and thought that I would have to put this off...thank goodness I didn't.

I had to wait in the waiting area with the husband and I dressed in the fabulous hospital gear they give you. A stunning paper gown with an open back and this gorgeous hat made out of see through blue stuff with a white lining. Oh, yeah and you don't need any undergarments either. It's a lot more airy, from what was told to me. ;o)

I waited as nurse after nurse came in to tell me what was going to happen. One nurse IV'd me (ouch) and another drew blood and another came in to take my blood pressure...it went on and on. During all this, my husband got a crossword magazine to keep him and his large brain occupied.

Finally, it was time, my doctor came to visit with me and we chit chatted like we were just having coffee and than it hit me that I would be in lala land soon. It petrified me. Like on TV, the nurses wheeled me out of my small room toward the operating center and before I went through the big doors, my husband gave me a kiss goodbye as he held my purse (what a guy). I started to cry like I was there for major surgery. God, I'm such a wuss. They stuck me in a curtain closest size room and I met with my nurse for the operating room, my anthesiologist (who also happened to deliver me my epidural with my child), and a doctor who was assisting my doctor. Let's just say as I was sitting there trying not to cry I sent a little prayer out to my dad to make this go right and let's just say he did! No joke, I got a huge laugh before going into my surgery. Only a select few know what it is, but to protect the person who was the object of my insane laughter, we shall keep him nameless.

No joke, as I got wheeled into the operating room, all my doctors and nurses had these types of masks on you see in the photo and I was put under a light like how you see on TV and like the baby that I am tried so hard to hold it in, but I cried. The nurses wiped my tears and my doctor (the awesome woman she is) rubbed my shoulder. Than a wonderful thing happened. My anthesia kicked in and the last thing I remember is telling my doctor

"This is wonderful....zzzzzz"


I end my story here, cause I wake up, I beg for ice chips, I'm take to the original place I waited, had to show them I can pee by myself and got released home!

Thank you to mom for babysitting (along with Aunty Sister) and thank you to Miss A for bringing us dinner....I ate your food too, Mom after I threw up everything from my first dinner. I'm sure your's will come up too later in my sleep ;o)

Peace out,

Rambler

I'm sick...

I'm sick...not only in the head, but actually seems like I've got a cold. I have no creative juices to share with you today but just wanted to leave my mark this fine day.

My nose has put out more mucus that I thought possible, therefore leaving my top lip red and swollen like I've been crying....

I leave you all now and wish you all a fine day. More tomorrow maybe....

Nyquil, take me away....

Aaachooo,

The Rambler

Is it just me??

Tonight was weird....

I work in a restaurant and it can be interesting at times. It never fails that you have nothing to do but all of a sudden EVERYTHING happens together.

Had a group book a dance party for the evening and that was to start around 8:00. While I was trying to deliver a check to a guest for a really busy server a woman threw up all over my escalators. Right where people need to step off when getting off the escalator. I was like ummm, do I drop this check off, or do I try to help this lady who looks like she's going to hurl again all over my merchandise (did that sound like I didn't care for her well being?). Of course I assisted the woman first and went to her table to inform her friends and OR husband that she wasn't feeling good. I just said that, and one of the friends said,

"We know!"

"Um, no, I mean she's at the bottom of the escalotor and did not make it to the restroom." Me wondering why no one on the table is getting up to...I don't know...check on her!

"Uh, uh" says the table of friends

"Ok, well, she's got her head in a trash bucket puking and she's thrown up all over the escalotor, did one of you want to help her or should I send her back here when she's done?" Swear to goodness, I said that. Well who seemed to be the husband put his food down and got up to check it out.

All I know is, my husband better walk me to the bathroom if I thought I was as sick as this lady and he better jump in 5 seconds if it seemed like I was in trouble.

OK...on to the rest of the night...Oh yeah, I was able to still drop off the check to the other customer who patiently waited and understood.

Back to the dance Party....these are kids and I mean high school kids on an excursion trip from all over the place. All I can say is that I pray my daughter when she gets to that age has more respect for herself and others to not act the way some of them were...and I will leave it at that.

It's late and I have just a couple hours before the kid wakes up for her first feeding of the day....God Bless her and her 5:30 Am feeding...;o)

A tired tired Rambler

Thoughts of today

If your time was up today, have you done what you've wanted to accomplish in life? Do you feel you made a difference in someone's life? Not by doing something heroic or giant, but by just your presence? Are you important to someone in this world?

I can honestly say that if I went today I can't find something that I wished I did, but didn't. I first of all have a wonderful mother and sisters who have helped shape the way I am today. I have a fabulous extended family that I can't imagine families any other way. I've met people in my life that I could have done without but understand that is part of the journey. I've met people that have turned into some of the best friends you hope to have in your grown up years. I met a man who is my soul mate and that helped me become the woman I am supposed to be. He has given me my most beautiful daughter who has completed my life in ways I thought didn't need completing.

I've experienced loss and pain in my life thus far, but the love and experience in life far outways the negative.

I stare at the picture above and to me it seems like she's content. I'm not totally there yet, but I want to be her. Sitting in the grass reading a book in a beautiful setting. Her nakedness represents to me that she's got nothing to hide, she is who she is, she's happy with who she is! Take her for what she is OR leave her alone...Or so, that's what I would say. ;o)

This is where my brain is tonight so sorry so non-funny, but more mmmmmm.

-An almost content Rambler

Mommyhood...

Yep, I'm back! I was in a rut and didn't feel like writing, being humorous, serious, thought-provoking...and all the above.

So, I start off this blog to write about being a mommy. I will try not to bore you all with the details, but it has been at times funny.

SLEEP

Your sleep cycle changes! Dramatically. Anyone that tells you different has a lot of money and has a nanny there 24/7 and THAT person wakes up with the baby! The first days, the family (which consists of our dog Mookie, if you recall previous blogs about him, me and my husband) was getting used to our what to do when baby sleeps on her own schedule...I don't think I've ever experienced such exhaustion but we all (and I mean ALL) were showing signs of fatigue. The baby was crying on the bed and me, the husband and the dog were all staring at her. We all zoned out and the husband said to himself..." I don't know who looks more tired, the Mom or the Dog??" Eventually we've all been on a schedule and I'm pleased to announce everyone sleeps...(well with me closing at work and getting home at 1 am in the morning...it's at least 4-5 hours)

DOCTOR VISITS

I'll admit, I'm the last person you want to go with you...ask my mother! When we met with the pediatrician I let it out that I'm the real "baby" and he pretty much told me I would have to MAN up cause your kid's gonna need you! Umm, ok, Rambler, grow some cahones. Because of him and of course the fact that a month later when pushing a almost 9 pound baby out of your who-ha, you suddenly don't have that anxiety about needles being pushed into your child's thigh's. But can I tell you the first time she got her shots, she went from normal coloring to bright RED in about 3 seconds and gave the angriest cry I had heard. Also glad to report that we get through our monthly shots with minimal damage and a couple of band aids.

DIAPERS??

Holy Lord! We've had our ups and down's. Maddie's experienced some constipation problems that required Mommy and Daddy to help her. And I mean help her! I won't go into details because for those of you who know, You Know! And for those of you yet to find out, you're not missing anything so enjoy it now while you can ;o) And I don't know about you guys, but buy some stock in Diapers cause they are making a killing of me!!!!

Well, this is all I have for now...so look forward to keeping you up to date on my life now as a Sleep Deprived (But sooo worth it)Rambler...

ZZZZ....whoops I mean, Good Night! (please excuse my p's and q's)

Da Rambla (oh yea, she's back)

Food for thought

Saw this tonight and wanted to comment

....On TV tonight, there was a man talking about toxic waste being dumped at the local university, and he only had one tooth right in the middle. When he talked I swear the tooth was going to fall off. Yikes.

My first question...Why not just yank it out brother? It's kinda distracting.

My other question...He was well spoken, so why not fix his teeth or should I say tooth? Too judgmental?

Almost last question...Did the toxic waste make his teeth fall out and he didn't know it yet? I'm so not nice..

Last question...Was he the "ONLY" one around to put on TV. No one else (with all their teeth) was around this toxic waste incident and wanted to put their mug on the evening news?

K guys, write you later.

Full mouth of teeth Rambler

I wish...

You gotta love it. I look at this picture of my dog and sometimes wish life were still like that for me. Sleeping with not much care in the world except for my food and water bowl. They better stay filled or there will be poop to pay...is what I would think if I were a dog with not much to care about.

He loves this little cozy "den". Matt and I just put it in our bedroom when we bought a huge montrous TV for the living room. I hadn't put what needed to go there and realized how could I deny this dog that this space that is perfect for him. I know, he's just a dog...but what are you gonna do?

Da Rambler and her dog!

Still Around

In this day and age where woman fight to be independent and show men we are just as capable as they are, some of that polite, "ladies first" genre has gone out the door.

I visited with my mother today at work to take care of some business. While there, I noticed some beautiful flowers on her desk so I asked who they were from and she responded "Steve!" (insert cheeky smile, Steve would be mom's boyfriend of at almost two years).

I asked "why, did I miss something?" (there always has to be a reason, right?)

"No" she says " just cause" smiling but trying to pretend not to.

Envy crept in for a moment before pride set in for my mother. Finally, she had someone in her life that treated her right! That took the time to let her know she was thought of everyday and not just the special occasion days. She joked that the men in the office said it was men like Steve that made them look bad. You know, cause their too lazy to get up, call a florist and send flowers just for the hell of it!

On my way out, the ride down the elevator was jam packed with people. As the elevator reached the lobby a man held his hand to the open door and let all the ladies out and commented "Chivalry will live in this elevator at least!"

It wasn't like it was such a huge day of this act all over the place but it was nice that it was still around.

one of those weeks...

Okay, so I haven't written in a while and I put something like this to visually stimulate you. (your stomach perhaps?)

So the last couple of weeks has been a blur and I couldn't tell you exactly what has been happening. But let's just say some of the moments are just like this poor man sitting on the crapper and realizes that little bitty toilet paper left is going to have to go a long way. Seems like life lately. Things are so simple yet they can complicate your life in many ways.


You ever have a moment...

.... were if you just had more time, it would make the biggest difference?
....if you had just a little more patience left for others, maybe your life could be calmer?
....How about if you just had a little more MONEY?

Anyway, I'm not saying my life is crap, I'm just at a point where I'm trying to make that little bitty paper go a long way...

like someone said,

when life hands you lemons, make a fabulous cocktail to drink the troubles away!

blast from the past

So these past couple of weeks have brought me in contact with old work friends that I haven't seen or heard from in years. It's been great to see some old friends and remember what I now call "MY good ole' days".

My old manager came in and we reminisced about when I was his host, and when we would get angry at each other...I forgot all about that.

My old good friend that used to be my partner in crime (who's helping me with the wedding planning aspect now) and we shared some beers and talked what didn't seem that long but actually 4 hours was our total. It could have lasted longer but duties, now that we are in our responsible part of life, called. Of course we continued (minus the alcohol) days later over lunch...

I've been this "responsible" person for just a couple of years (some might laugh and say she's dreaming) and it was nice to remember when and smile to myself that the good ole' days are just that. Good!

16 pounds down and many more to go...

Well, the wedding is just 2 months away now. I’ve been dieting since July and slowly but surely the pounds have been melting little by little. I’m sure if I just starved myself, I could lose it faster. But for a lover of food, it’s pretty hard to put down some of my most loved edibles. (is that the right meaning of the word I just spelt?)

The following are much loved by me but given up either entirely or a fair amount to make a difference in my waist line…

• Coke, pepsi, and whatever else dark caffeinated soda pop. (ENTIRELY)


• Chocolate (FAIR AMOUNT)


• Dessert type meals. (FAIR AMOUNT)


• Rice (EAT WAY LESS THAN BEFORE)


• French Fries (FAIR AMOUNT)


• Burgers (ALMOST ENTIRELY. Last time was my last day of being 29 if you recall that blog)


• JACK ‘N BOX breakfast burrito. (ALMOST ENTIRELY)


• Cinnabons (CAN’T REMEMBER THE LAST TIME)

Well I could go on and on, but you get the picture. Didn’t your tummies start gurgling for some of these mentioned above?

Love Love

A skinnier (but still fluffy) Rambler

My sisters gift..;o)

I have no idea why my sister would send me this shirt...

"The Bitch is Back"

hehehehe...

I promise to be good and holy until all wedding festivities are over....I promise....really...I swear...

Thanks baby sister! Love ya!

The bitch Rambler

Happy 20-10 Birthday Miss A

Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday Miss A.....
Happy Birthday to You!

Today is my best friends birthday. We are now in the same boat. She can't call me old anymore cause she's OLD too ;o) Actually she can call me old, just cause.

I want to wish her a very happy birthday and hope all her dreams come true!

Love Love,

Da Rambler

please pass this on

click here.

This ladies grandson was taken by his mother who does not have custody of him. Please click above and pass along to help her get her grandson back.

The Party

So here are some pictures of the party my mother threw for me to celebrate coming into middle age (as my aunt says)

My favorite cousin in the whole world...Leigh

My bestest friends in the whole world..Miss A and Miss D (Miss A was having a hard time on the hammock)

My crazy aunty Nola! Love her to pieces. She gave me some "sexy" clothes for a gift.

My littlest guest and his wacky mommy!

Last but not least was my little dog Mookie on the right and his girlfriend Dragon on the left. She doesn't care for him much but is a normally terrified dog so Mookie hangs on her until someone pulls him off.

Well, I wish I had more pictures to bore all of you with but they are on another camera. Thank you to my mom for doing all of this. The food is still sitting on my hips (thank you very much) and I'm trying hard to get back to the diet.

See you all later...

Da older Rambler

the last meal...(I know get over it right?)

Okay, so most of you know I have been on a diet since I knew a wedding was going to actually take place. I've lost 14 pounds and some of it has been sucky but other times, I have been surprised at my will to not put crap in my mouth.

Well today Matt and I went to watch movies since he got off early. We ate sushi, popcorn and M&M's with some sprite. We got home early this evening and with some hours left to the day of not being twenty something I thought you know I've been really good this week with what I put in my mouth (Miss A. don't think dirty). I think I want a Cheeseburger, fries and a soda. Why not! I haven't had one in almost 2 months. Cheeseburger that is! So I took a picture of it for laughs and decided to post it.


"I'm loving it"

Da Rambler

Last day

Today is my last day of being in my 20's. I know you guys are all just sick about reading my last week countdown, but I just can't help it. I want to look back and realize how ordinary my life was and is during this time.

So last night I was doing managerial paperwork in the office and some of my "kids" as I call some of my employees were also getting their financials done so they could leave. We all got to chatting and we were all trying to make each other laugh. It went on about 30 to 45 minutes. They were all 20 years old. Exactly 10 years younger than me. I laughed to myself that here I am chatting with them and listening to their 20 year old something points of view. Sighing to myself while I remembered being there mentally! (some would say I still am! ;o)

Well, nothing is planned for today except to chill out, maybe clean the house for the significant other since he is sick.

Oh yeah, another step closer to the wedding plans. Meeting the wedding cake lady next Friday at 1:00! (Thanks aunty!)

See you tomorrow when I'm another year older and hopefully another year wiser (don't laugh too hard Miss A;o)

Rambler

Almost there

Just today and tomorrow left for my 20 something years. I'm ready?? No, I am?? Right?

Yesterday I had a nice lunch with a friend at his restaurant in Waikiki. After that I had to work, which is always a downer...kidding. It wasn't so bad. My shift resulted in me only yelling at my staff twice and threatening for them to find other jobs if they want to follow certain procedures. (they were empty threats on my part but made my point) and I had to get a super duper drunk guy out of my restaurant ( side note: did not get drunk at my place but he stumbled into my downstairs cafe from another bar that probably kicked him out.) and into a cab to the airport. I felt kinda bad for the cabdriver, but hey how else was he going to get where he needed. I highly doubt the airline was going to let him on. Anyway, it ended and I went home and watched a DVD that I got from one of our photo guys. It was funny until I passed out on the couch with my neck in a position I would pay for when I woke up.

hope all is well for my fellow bloggers.

Rambler

3 days closer

Work last night was interesting. I met an old lady that needed help to the bathroom from our downstairs cafe. We got to talking and she told me she was 84 and her and her husband have lived in Hawaii for the last 50 years. She was such a neat lady. She was French but born in Cambodia but moved back to France when small. When old enough she moved here to Hawaii. How interesting. Anyway, she was a neat lady and I met her husband who was waiting at their table. She hugged me goodbye and told me how nice and precious I was to have helped her and talked with her.

All I could think about was I hope if my grandparents ever needed help when they were on their own, stangers would be there to help them.

3 days and counting to the big 4-0....ha...RT thought it funny to say I was turning 40. Do you hear my slap through this email...;o) love ya anyway RT

Love love

Da Rambler

4 days left

A little closer to the big day.

I was talking with my boss yesterday and asked him what he was doing when he turned that magical age. He told me he doesn't "do" birthdays anymore. Just a reminder he's getting older. That helps!

The Rambler who's almost there.

6 days and 2 hours left

Yes, I told you I was counting down to the day of reckoning.

Nothing to report today except that I worked. I had a busy shift but one of those shifts that took forever to get to the end. When I finally got out of work, the fiance took me to the movies. We came home and have been watching TV, laughing at the dog and pretty shortly going to go to bed.

Write more on my adventurous 20's tomorrow ;o)

Da Rambler (hanging on to my 20's with every bit that I can)

20-10

What does this number mean, your probably wondering? I almost hate having to explain. Some close to me know! I can actually see my baby sister smiling in my head telling me "don't worry sis, remember that MR. B is 10 years older!"

Yes, you guessed it. If you add 20 and 10 that is what age I will be in 7 days. When did this happen? When did I become "older"? (I don't mean to sound offensive to my older family and friends.) Why is it that this particular age is so "scary" to turn? I haven't really heard a nice story or someone excitedly say they were turning "that" age. See I can't even say/write it.

I wonder how someone that still enjoys cartoons, high school style gossiping, giggling at "hot" guys that walk by could be 20-10. Aren't we supposed to be more sophisticated? I mean don't get me wrong, I pay rent, have car payments, more than enough credit card bills, own a dog that I need to take care of but....I still love watching the Flintstones. I know I am holding on!

I was chatting with my mom about it the other day and she told me I could be 54 instead! In other words, stop complaining and get over it! Mom's, there so helpful and honest!

Well, friends and family, the countdown begins to my "coming of age" and hope my last 7 days of being in my 20's is a blast! (not that I have much planned! I'm only working, working and uh oh yeah working!)

love love,

A not so sure we want this age Rambler

one more thing down...

So,wedding invitations were ordered today. I felt so bad for the manager who had to bare with me while we filled out the paperwork, got names corrected, times, dates, and proper wording. She sat wth a smile and her pencil, which turned out to be a good idea, as there where a couple times that I said...

"Um, sorry, but could I change that to ...."

"Whoops, sorry, what if we said this instead.."

"Crap, sorry, do you hate me yet.."

"What if...sorry!"

She said I wasn't the worst bride she had to deal with. I took only 1/2 hour (which I felt was longer than necessary, but she's had couples that sat in their backroom for a couple of hours.) She even said I was nice! Ha! Anyway, that's the story of my day.

To Miss A- I enjoyed croaking out my first words of the day to you! I hope your night goes better! Watch the back!

Anyway, gotta run and do something I'm sure needs done!

Da crazy Rambler