Renzie Roo!

T-baby! Mister T! Ren! Renzie! Srent!

All names of my favourite little boy in the whole world!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUDDY!

Can't believe it was 5 years ago today we saw you for the first time:

You're such a sweet little boy! Congratulations on turning 5 AND learning to ride a 2-wheeler all in the same week! Amazing stuff buddy! Here he is now - sporting my 2 lame presents I sent him until I go visit in 2 weeks and we can go shop FOR REAL! Can't wait! The birthday hat and t-shirt with a GIANT 5 on it! (how much do I love that he wore it all day today!) I was feeling very crafty and actually made both. In my note to him with his presents I mailed I said they were silly - but we'd go shopping when I got there so he could pick his present. He said to Jake "it's not silly if it's a birthday hat!". Basically saying it was okay because birthday hats are allowed to be "silly". He's so cute (and soooo logical!) Love you buddy!

Happy Birthday Josie!

(quite an old picture from one of our many adventures)

I know it's not for a couple of days - but this post is in honour one of my favourite people in the world! Thanks for being so great always! I miss our adventures more than you know. So for you, my list of songs every year since the day I was born. (No - I'm not that narcissistic - she just did the same on her blog for her b-day) I think you'll care to note your "theme song" made my list. Must be a sign we were meant to be friends! :) Happy Birthday! xoxox See you in a few weeks!

1977 - You make me feel like dancing - Leo Sawyer
1978 - Baby come back - Sawyer
1979 - Le Freak - Chic
1980 - Rock with you - Michael Jackson
1981 - (just like) starting over - John Lennon
1982 - Physical - Olivia Newton-John
1983 - Down Under - Men at Work
1984 - Owner of a Lonely Heart - Yes
1985 - Like a Virgin - Madonna
1986 - That's what friends are for - Dionne & Friends
1987 - Shake you down - Gregory Abbott
1988 - Got my mind set on you - George Harrison
1989 - Two Hearts - Phil Collins
1990 - How am I supposed to live without you - Michael Bolton
1991 - Love will never do without you - Janet Jackson
1992 - Black or White - Michael Jackson
1993 - I will always love you - Whitney Houston
1994 - Hero - Mariah Carey
1995 - On Bended Knee - Boys II Men
1996 - One sweet day - Mariah Carey & Boys II Men
1997 - Unbreak my heart - Toni Braxton
1998 - Truly Madly Deeply - Savage Garden
1999 - Have you Ever? - Brandy
2000 - What a girl wants - Christina Aguilera
2001 - Independent Women Part 1 - Destiny's Child
2002 - U Got it bad - Usher
2003 - Lose Yourself - Eminem
2004 - Hey Ya! - OutKast
2005 - Let me Love you - Mario
2006 - Grillz - Nelly featuring Paul Wall, Ali & Gipp
2007 - Irreplaceable - Beyonce
2008 - Low - Flo Rida Featuring T-Pain
2009 - Just Dance - Lady GaGa Featuring Colby O'Donis
2010 - TiK ToK - Ke$ha

Alzheimers has set in!

This week I have been the biggest scatterbrain. Let's recap:

Monday - went to the gym. Am just about there and realize I don't have a sportsbra in my bag. Seriously that won't work. Had to stop off at a store and buy one before heading into the gym.

Tuesday - had to get my windshield replaced. All finished - go to pay and realize I've left my wallet in my bag from Monday's gym trip. I had to leave my cell phone and iPod as collateral. Which really my cell phone is worth more than the windshield - so one should've been sufficient. But I happily agreed as I ran home to get my wallet.

Wednesday - the gym again. I hadn't really put stuff in my bag the night before like normal. So I was running late (of course) for work and just started throwing stuff in my bag. I forgot my shoes. I had to go back to my house on my lunch break to get them, so I could make it to my 5:30 class.

Thursday - so far...I'm doing pretty okay. KNOCK ON WOOD! But man! I make fun of myself because I usually plan things out to the Nth degree. But clearly it's how I function!

Research & Development

A few products I've tried recently that I wanted to share:

Toma's Self Tanner
Seriously this stuff makes you look REALLY tan and not oompa loompa orange. I really like it! I have people at work keeping me in a "woah - you're too orange" watch just in case. But so far - only compliments on the tan. I've had 3 people go buy it just because I look so tan and fab! It smells a little weird - and I think when it's on I look super orange, but it fades a bit in the shower the next morning.

Purex 3 in 1 Laundry Detergent
I've never been a believer in combining things. Mike Birbiglia makes a joke about hotels, ''You can always tell by how much they combine toiletries. They'll have shampoo slash conditioner slash toothpaste. And you actually have to call the desk and say, 'Can I get some more 'sham-paste?' " Classic Birbigs haha. Anyway, similar feelings where I don't believe when they did it with shampoo and conditioner it works. I mean, yes it would be fantastic to only have one bottle in the shower. However when your hair comes out knottier than when you went in - you know it's a bust. Then I stumbled across a commercial for this product from Purex. I'm a snob about smells of my detergent and I like to control the ginormous portion of fabric softener going into the machine. But I liked the idea behind it....and found a page giving out samples (and they work for High Energy/front loading machines). I tried them on towels and a blanket this weekend. Not too shabby. I probably won't get them again because it's been a day and the smell has already faded from the blanket....need more cowbell (or fab softener in this case). But I do love the idea still.

Kontos Whole Wheat Pocket-less Pita
This is by far my favourite find. I actually got them at Harmons and mmmmMMMM! They're good. And they're super tasty used as Pizza Bread. Now you can have pizza and your house - it's healthier (whole wheat...duh!) and each person can customize their own toppings. Here's my current fav:
1 - whole wheat pita
2 - gluten free pizza sauce
3 - Chicken cubed
4 - 1/4 small zucchini
5 - 1/4 yellow pepper
6 - 1/4 red pepper
7 - reduced fat mozzarella cheese (small amount)
back at 425 for about 10-12 minutes. Seriously YUM!

Jane's Addiction

In speaking about all my many "addictions" I wish that my name really was Jane. It would be amazing to get to pull that joke out all the time.

Currently one of my many addictions is the Macho Taco from Del Taco. Seriously I could eat it everyday....don't think it hasn't crossed my mind. Also the Caramel Frappe from McDonalds. Sadly - starting tomorrow I'm giving them both up for good. Do you ever sit and think....if I were on death row, what would I want as my last meal. I literally think I would choose a belly full of random junky fast food. Or maybe my mom's homemade potato salad. YUM.

I've challenged my dad to a 5k race over Thanksgiving. Which officially means I'll be in So Cal for that weekend (Josie...take note - ps - we're thinking of the Balboa Park 5k if you and Thor want to join in the fun). I figure if I have a goal to work toward that will help. Starting tomorrow morning I'll be following the training guide plus attending my classes at my gym 4 times a week. Overall good plan. Now off to the grocery store!

The Luckiest

Lately I'm obsessed with Ben Folds. Can't get enough. I think that if I ever decide to get married (don't hold your breath people) this would be the song I would have at my wedding.
Plus it reminds me of all the reasons I am lucky.

1. Family - even though I don't seem them a ton. I see them enough and couldn't be more lucky with my amazing brothers and parents. And don't forget the cutest nephew in the whole world (this picture just proves my point. Apparently he wore these goggles swimming for about 20 seconds and then walked around in them for about 20 minutes. And approved the picture - so, as Jake states "he clearly thinks they're bad ass")
2. Friends - this year I've really struggled with my friendships. I know as we get older we grow apart, etc but it seems I've put stock in very selfish people to be my friends. That being said - I am thankful for my friends who love me without rules or expectations. Who I can get together with and just laugh and laugh and laugh. Who I look forward to seeing and doing things with. That getting together isn't a chore. I am lucky to have these people in my life and you know who you are.

3. I'm lucky that I'm so weird. Seriously this used to be a curse. A lot of people never truly "get" me. Most of that is my fault because I don't really open up to that many people. But for those rare few that get to view me in all my weirdness glory....prepare to be amazed. HAHA. JK, but really I do love that I'm not a cookie cutter type person. I think life would be boring for me like that. I'm lucky that I challenge authority and think for myself and don't follow rules in life. Dance to the beat of my own drum (which is usually of beat anyway - did you know I have the worst rhythm?) One of my best best best girlfriends from middle school caught up with me on Facebook and I told her what I'm up to and her reaction was "I'm so glad to hear that you're the same free spirit I knew when we were 14". Seriously made my day.

4. I'm lucky because I'm free. Living in America is great. Lucky to have men and women who fight for our freedom. And while I could never be one of those people - I sincerely appreciate the sacrifice made. As big a fan I am of Pride & Prejudice, Emma and the likes of Jane Austin type books/movies. The real thought in my head is - I would probably be shunned from society or something because of my very vocal opinions. I am lucky to live in day and age where I can be opinionated and a woman. It might not be popular with the gentleman callers - but I still CAN is the point. haha.

All in all - I'm quite lucky. And if you're reading this blog - it means I know you somehow and am lucky to know you too!