Something fun!

I really love my sister-in-law, M. She's smart, funny, down-to-earth, and we hit it off the first time we spoke on the phone. She has this little southern drawl going on (she, like Hubs, was born and raised in South Carolina) and of course has some great sayings. This is my favorite:

"He's about as screwed up as

a harelipped hillbilly in a whistling contest!"

So how's about it? What things like that have YOU heard that just cracked you up?

The Ohio Report

So, yeah, the driving was interesting last week during my visit home. And it was C.O.L.D. But I've been going back to visit for 5 years now, twice a year, and this is the worst I've run into. Anybody who lives in the northeast will tell you that's pretty good.

I wasn't able to visit as many people as I wanted to, as I said before. Sorry about that; I did try! My last evening there was supposed to be spent visiting at my brother J's house, with his wife, 4 kids and my 2-year-old great-nephew. Got halfway there and the road was completely covered--the snow plow passed me heading the other way, and it was STILL covered where he'd just scraped. It was coming down thick and getting dark outside. So I pulled into the parking lot of St. Joe Church and made the calls to cancel. Suckage.

Had yet another cozy evening with L&J--it's a good thing we all genuinely like each other!

I did get to see K, whom I met at the flower shop where we worked (we were both drivers). She works for another florist now--he's amazing. He does those weddings where people spend tens of thousands of dollars on the flowers alone. He also does football hall of fame induction parties (e.g. Troy Aikman's), decorates homes for Christmas, he has a wedding gig coming up in Puerto Rico, you get the idea. Very nice guy, very talented and very worth his fee. K, L & I had lunch at VegiTerranean in Akron, Chrissie Hynde's restaurant. The food was great and reasonably priced for the venue. I had an awesome portobello wrap with orzo salad. The conversation flowed and we ended up sitting and chatting for 2 hours.

Also got together with friends for dinner at Ray's Place in Kent (the very place Hubs insulted earlier, hahaha!). Another great time! Saw a few people I hadn't seen since I moved so that was definitely bonus. And Gertie's chili still rocks.

I left Ohio on Thursday. Dad drove me to the airport and all went smoothly . . . until our plane was late coming in. The American Airlines people did their best, no fault there, as far as I'm concerned. They did a quick turn-around once the plane did get there, and it was a full flight--which meant that about 30 business people who tried to carry on their bulging briefcases and overstuffed overnight bags had to valet-check them on the jetway. Bummer for them--and the rest of us, because THAT took another 10-15 minutes before we could finally take off.

We landed in Chicago and I had about 10 minutes before my connection to LA would start boarding. Everyone was on tenterhooks, worrying about making their flights. Too bad! As the pilot informed us, "We've been directed to standby until a gate opens up for us. We'll be sitting here about 20 minutes. Sorry, folks."

A groan swept through the cabin and cellphones were deployed. I called Hubs to let him know I probably wouldn't make the flight and we hoped his sister from Detroit--whom I had arranged to meet up with in Chicago so we could fly into LA together--wouldn't freak out if I wasn't there. He told me about the plane landing in the Hudson River and we decided that God was needed elsewhere, so possibly missing my connection wouldn't be such a tragedy after all.

Finally we got to the gate and deplaned--it was COLD! in that jetway--I checked the departure boards and zeroed in one the big red letters for Flt. 557: FINAL BOARDING!

I seldom actually run.

As I approached the gate, the door started to close. I called out, "Don't shut that door!" but it probably sounded more like, "*pant* Don' *gasp* shuuu *wheeze* th- *cough* doorrrrrr! *puff*"

VICTORY!!!!

I collapsed into my seat, huffing and puffing and getting hugged by M (Hub's sister), to the applause of nearby passengers. Well, I think they were applauding me, but maybe they were reacting to the announcement of the flight attendant:"Ladies and gentlemen, it is minus 21 degrees here in Chicago, and in LA, where we are heading, it is 68 degrees--that's about 80 degrees warmer. Prepare for take-off!"

Timely Words

"None of us knows what
the next change is going to be,

what unexpected opportunity

is just around the corner, waiting

to change all the tenor of our lives."

Kathleen Norris

I can think of different contexts for this--my personal life, my professional life, the coming inauguration that will certainly affect us all.

I didn't vote for Obama, but I hope and pray he is what this country and this world needs to bring us back from this downslide.

There's also the theory/belief that he's the anti-christ, as read about in the Bible. Very scary in itself.

Whichever way it goes, it's in God's hands. I'm keeping the faith.

Man plans, God laughs

So here I am in Ohio--lovely state! Really. Snow swept vistas as far as the eye can see--and this includes the ROADS.

Flights in went without a hitch--got into and out of Chicago before the delays kicked in, L&J met me at baggage pick-up in Cleveland with smiles and HUGE hugs as usual. We stopped at WalMart on the way home to pick up some pictures of L in her elf costume--curly shoes and all!--that she wore for her choir's show. I fell down in the MAIN aisle of WalMart (don't ask--all I can say is--sometimes it's GOOD to be from out of town). Had a nice day Friday with Mom & Dad. Who KNEW Manwich made such great sloppy joe's?! This will definitely be served at my house from now on. Mom gave me a band-aid for the owie on my knee from the WalMart incident. Yeah, I'm home *sigh* of contentment . . .

Saturday--snowed IN. Drove the 15 minutes to brother Mike's house and that was it. Didn't want to risk putting Dad's car in the ditch (flashing back to high school), so L&J and I put together an entire puzzle and had a very cozy day. Sunday was better--L & I actually made it up to the (as it evolved) Girls' Afternoon of Wine and (this time) L2's (I have 2 friends named the same L name) Texas Chili, Veg Soup, Cornbread, GA's salad and L's homemade cinnamon rolls--YUM!
So anyways, now I'm trying to work 6 day's visiting into 3 days--sorry, can't see everyone I'd hoped this time. Oh, and THEN there was the episode with MOM'S car--but that's a later post--don't worry; no ditches involved.

Let's just say this visit has managed to pretty much go cattywampus on me, so I'm just going with the flow and still having a really good time. Family and friends RAWK!

It's supposed to be a high of 8 degrees on Thursday, not counting the windchill factor. I love my peeps but I don't care if I have to de-ice that plane with a hair dryer, I WILL get back to sunny Southern California. ;0)

Homeward Bound

I'm flying back to Ohio tomorrow for a week, to visit with family and friends. I go twice a year. I always look forward to these visits! When I moved 2500 miles away, I didn't realize how much I would miss my people, and how much I'd come to rely on their support and familiarity. Sometimes I think one of the reasons God brought me here was to open my eyes and heart to that.

Hubs went back with me once or twice at the beginning of our marriage, but hasn't been since. He tells me it's because he knows I have a better time without him--which is true. It wasn't all about him there, so he got irritable quickly and made the week uncomfortable for everybody. He managed to alienate nearly all of my friends with crass observations and unfavorable comparisons--when I was absent. It was a good 2 years before I was told that on his first visit, while I was in the restroom, he looked around one of our favorite local hangouts and remarked, "My R (daughter) wouldn't even walk IN this place."

So yes, we ALL have a better time without him! And we all know it's his loss.

I stay with my best friends, L&J. My first full day back is always spent with Mom & Dad. We catch up on stuff, show each other pictures, etc, and usually head up to the local little diner/pizza shop for lunch. It's a typical small-town hangout, with the other regulars who come in every day for breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee, gossip, world problem-solving, a friendly word, or heated debate over chili and (sometimes) crackers or creamers tossed at each other. The waitresses are local girls (3 nieces now have worked there--1 still does while she gets her teaching degree, and one who already teaches fills in sometimes in the kitchen on weekends or over Christmas break). The waitresses give as good as they get and laughter is always on the menu! If someone doesn't show up for a day or two, people check up on them and make sure they're okay. It's probaby saved a life once or twice.

The rest of the week is spent meeting people for lunch or dinner, visiting my brothers and their families, stopping by the flower shop where I worked for 15 years before moving here, and catching up on everyone's news--births, deaths, who's moving where, who went where for vacation, who married, who got divorced, etc.

I meet up with friends from high school for a couple beers and chit chat about the people we graduated with, some scattered far (like me) and some raising their own kids in the houses THEY were raised in, keeping our small town alive, well and growing, and a good place to come back to.

One night is "Girls Night Out" with L and 2 other ladies. I'm proud to say I brought this group of friends together! We drink wine, eat pizza, and I bask in the much-needed atmosphere.

My family and friends rejuvenate me and remind me of who I am and where I came from, and how proud I am of that.

The Ohio winter reminds me why I like living in California!

We're All In The Same Boat

Today another friend got laid off from her job.

It occurred to me that I've been basically "laid off" for weeks now; our family-owned and run business has been at next to nothing since about October. We closed down part of it, sold off that equipment and returned unused materials to the supplier for a refund--minus their 25% "restocking fee." This happened, mind you, in OCTOBER and we're just NOW scheduled to receive the check from them. Can you say, "Drag your feet" ?!

Like everyone else, we've cut down the spending. I ended my gym membership (which I admit I didn't use much), started finding less expensive alternatives for our vitamins and health & beauty products, and find myself shopping for groceries first at Trader Joe's (cheapest), then WalMart (less cheap), Target (mid-line) and THEN the regular grocery store. Lots more store branded products are in my cupboards these days, and I'm pleased that the quality is just as good. Although I knew that when I lived by myself, I kinda forgot when I married & moved in with my husband, who always liked to buy "the best." He didn't mind if I bought the name brand, so why not?! It was a luxury!

Does anyone else have a Sam's Club membership? Or Costco? We're Sam's people--the price of the membership is more than covered by what we save annually at their gas pumps alone. I also get milk there for $2.40/gallon--it hovers at $4/gallon in the grocery. Even clothes--I found Nine West jeans (the same people who bring us cute shoes & handbags!) there that actually FIT for $15 a pair--and they're trendy and cute!

What ways have you found to cut corners or costs and been pleasantly surprised by the results?

The Last Blast

Well, I didn't get up and walk yesterday (Sunday)--got distracted by hubs *wink wink* so that was okay!

Later we picked up R&J (sd & sil) and drove to Sherman Oaks to see Gran Torino, the new Clint Eastwood movie. It's good--vintage Clint, with the raspy voice and menacing glare, and worth the price of a ticket. We hear he may be hanging up his "starring role" hat after this film. We had dinner at The Cheesecake Factory--their fish tacos are awesome--and of course dessert--hubs & I shared a piece of Key Lime cheesecake and R&J shared the Tuxedo cheesecake.

The Galleria still had their Christmas decorations up so I snapped a few shots with my phone cam. It was like, the last blast of Christmas. Blow out the candles, Jesus, and let's get this New Year rockin'!

On that note, today's walk was great! That hill wasn't such a killer this time, woo hoo!

Doin' good!

I've gotten up 2--count 'em, TWO!--mornings in a row and fulfilled Res #1 to walk around the block! Yay me!

It takes me about 35 minutes--"the block" is actually 1.3 miles with a looong uphill climb included about halfway. Not steep, but definitely an upward slope,the top of which is a pinpoint from the bottom (this hill is a notorious speedtrap--and today I did see someone going down the hill get pulled over). And the last bit, coming up the street to our house at the top of the cul de sac, is known as "Suicide Hill" amongst the bike-riding set, if that tells you anything.

I also carry 1.5 lb. handweights and pump my arms in an effort to firm up those wings hanging off where triceps are supposedly located.

The hardest part is to make myself keep walking PAST our Starbuck's on the corner. I won't allow myself to carry money or my 'Buck's card because I know the temptation would win every time. And since I get right out of bed and get going, I REALLY wouldn't want to go in 'Buck's with bedhead and unbrushed teeth. Bleh!

A day late but no less pithy!

My fav cuz (shout out to Juls!) sent me a collection of page-a-day inspirational quotes by women. This was for Jan. 1 and I had to share it.

I said to a man who stood at the gate of the year, "Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown." And he replied, "Go out into the darkness and put your hand in the hand of God. That shall be to you better than a light and safer than a known way."--M. Louise Haskins

Think about it. It gave ME pause.

I stopped by Blondefabulocity on my way here and liked the discription of her first day of 2009--so, I'm stealing her idea and this was MY day:

Didn't start Resolution #1 (walk around the block--1.3 miles--every morning)because hubs & I slept in. Oh well, I'll start tomorrow--because of Res #2: don't beat myself up if I don't walk EVERY day. If I don't love me, who will?!
Did the morning run to Starbuck's alone since hubs was working on a house project and wanted to jump right in (because of oversleeping). Got the latte and the drip w/ice, exchanged HNY's with other regulars and of course the wonderful people who make the coffee, came home, and got this blog set up. THAT took me into early afternoon ( I SAID I was new at this!).
Got most of Christmas put away and let hubs finish that because GOD FORBID anything happens to the artificial prelit tree while I'm packing it away. Let HIM do it.
Went to stepdaughter's & her husband's house for dinner and to play Seinfeld Scene-It, which they got us for Christmas. GREAT game, has anyone played it? R (stepd) won the first game and much to my surprise I won the second. J (stepd's hubs) made fantastic turkey soup and home made pot stickers--this guy can COOK! So can R, but this was J's night in the kitchen. Their wonderdog, Zoe, lavished us with her attention throughout the evening, which all you doglovers KNOW is aces!

Does anybody have anything they want to change this year? Not necessarily resolutions, but things you think will make your life and the lives around you better? I figure that by living a healthier life, I'll feel better and be a nicer person to be around (and maybe fit into some clothes that are too tight these days). Nothing too drastic--just common sense things like eating better and less, and exercising more. Something I can make a HABIT--like flossing. I was awful about flossing before--until the hygenist did a "deep clean"--now I floss EVERY NIGHT--if you've ever had a "deep clean" you know what I mean.

I have other goals & plans too but that's enough for one post--I don't want to chase you off with too much yada yada yada!

Thus it begins . . .

Welcome to PhinzStuff!
I have no idea what I'll be writing about, but I hope I can be as entertaining, deep, and/or encouraging as some other bloggers I read.

I don't think I'm the voice of reason or really the voice of anything, except the voice of me.

I'm new at this whole thing, and certainly not a computer genius, so bear with me as I learn about tags, communities, links, etc.

So here goes!