Ramblings of a Crazy Woman

Dad is working the overtime so that means dinner in reverse tonight! Starting with dessert and scoops of Butterscotch Chocolate and Peppermint Tiramisu at our favorite ice cream shop! These guys really know how to make ice cream and they make it daily. Every time you walk in there are new and exciting flavors. I have to credit them with getting me over that chocolate hump I have had for the past 40 years. The best part is they sell it for cheap, just $2.50 a scoop and it's just the right serving. So when you go and have this amazing treat you do not feel guilty about it.

When you are a liberal in a world that just elected a man who wants to rule the country like a dictator, you pretty much think the world is going to shit. News article after news article about cabinet members a certain someone is making just makes it more depressing to think about the upcoming 4 years and well, the rest of life (since what he does can affect a lifetime aka the Supreme Court). Anyhow, amongst all the depressing news articles this one story popped out. I want to give a shout out to Patagonia, the clothing story who is donating 100% of their Black Friday sales receipts to charity, specifically to help the environment. Which is an awesome thing considering the press-election doesn't believe in Global Warming. What is awesome is that they made $10 million dollars in one day. Not enough to save earth but a totally awesome gift to the environment who needs even more people looking after her now that Voldemort is going to be in office.

Every christmas there is a toy that is hard to get and people turn to eBay and pay hundreds of dollars to get that toy for their kid. This year, the toy is called a Hatchimal. The only reason I know about this toy is because when the Toys R Us catalogue came to our house this year, for the first time, I gave it to Miss P and asked her to circle some things she would like Santa to bring her. So she sat down and circled some things. I half expected the entire book to be circled but alas for a first timer she kept it minimal. One of the things circled was a Hatchimal. In my great exploration of Target's cheaper toy department I found out they didn't have these Hatchimals. So I went on Amazon and they were priced high and then I went on eBay and they were going for over $250 bucks. Looks like I found the popular toy. Then I read this story (see picture below) about parents who are writing apology notes from Santa about these toys and it made me mad. This is how I know the...

This presidential election has awaken my feminism so it was nice to see this picture and accompanying news story in my Facebook feed this morning. Wow! Over 50 percent of the incoming class of astronauts are women! I am glad to have seen this story and to know that despite who is in office women are continuing to make progress in the work place. I was also drawn to the story because at one time in my life, I think it was about the 5th or 6th grade, I wanted to be an astronaut and I dreamed of going in space. I think that dreamed died when I learned you had to bee good in science and math um which I wasn't the best and that typically you had to be a pilot with perfect vision. Anyhow, I never pursued it but I do continue to love to read about space and our journey as humans to the unexplored galaxy. So on this day, I say way to go ladies! This is simply an outstanding achievement for ladykind.

P-ism #4586 - Two days after we saw Santa Claus at Disneyland we had an appointment at the Glendale Galleria to see Santa. I was a bit concerned she um, might ask why Santa was in two places. She didn't sit with the second Santa as long as she did with the first. Afterward she quickly ran to me exclaiming with delight that she had asked for an Elsa doll. I could tell by her jubilant smile that she thought she had pulled one over on Santa by not saying the same gift she told the first Santa (a talking horse). Then she said "Mom, do you think he will bring me two presents?"

Wasn't sure we were going to get a tree this year because we are going to be going on a big trip over the holidays but alas, we have an almost 5-year-old and we could deprive her of a Christmas tree so we got one, albeit a small one and you know what? Having a small tree was less hassle and more fun than a big tree! After Thanksgiving had past I gave the green-light for Christmas to begin in our house. Although apparently, all the stores and malls got green-lighted the hour after Halloween ended. Since we are going on a trip we might as well get it up and get the house decorated in advance so we can enjoy it. So that is what we did. Instead of doing some elaborate tree lot thing we just headed down to the lot in Target and because it was cold (for California) that night we basically popped in and popped out. It literally took like 10 minutes for us to go in, pick something out and for them to rope it to our car. We brought it home and hooked it up to our stand in a matter ...

Some people may disagree with me but in my humble opinion the best drink on earth is Boba Tea. I will always remember when I first tried and who introduced it to me. I was hanging out at one of my AMC friend's house when he came home with a bag of drinks that were sealed. He handed me a drink along with a huge straw. He explained you had to push the straw through the thick plastic cover and proceed to slurp the jelly balls up the straw. Huh? He had to show me because I had never had a drink where I had to suck anything other than the liquid through the straw! I remember that first sensation of the jelly tapioca balls hitting my tongue and a sense of pure delight came over me. I had never had this much fun drinking something in my whole life! It was also pretty awesome that the tea mixed with milk concoction was also pretty tasty. That was almost 20 years ago! I have had many Boba drinks since but it isn't that is all that easy to find. Granted it is easier to fi...

I didn't feel like celebrating Thanksgiving this year and neither did the hub, so we did nothing. The day arrived and we decided to head to Disneyland, our happy place. We had both been feeling bummed out and just didn't feel like talking politics so we went to the one place where they don't talk politics! We traded in the turkey dinner for ice cream nachos! We met Moana, talked with Santa Claus, posed with Minnie and Mickey, danced with the 3 Caballeros, and met the new Princess in Town aka Elena. With Christmas decorations and trees everywhere it was nice to discover that happy spirit of Christmas after having been depressed for a month.

I don't think I have been this badly hurt since my whole work betrayal a few years back. I am not sure why I can't shake this election but I find myself going in and out of being sad. I really can't believe that so many people have the mean thoughts that they do. I can't believe people are yelling in Starbucks or approaching people in the grocery store or holding rally's steps away from the White House where the speaker is hailing Trump.  I knew racism existed but I didn't know it was so bad. That is why American broke my heart. The people got mad and voted a tyrant into office. They didn't try and fix it, they just threw their vote in for some one who they knew would upset the system without really thinking how bad he could upset it. He lied and bullied throughout the campaign and now his behavior has suddenly opened up a flood gate of action. People who sat with their racists thoughts are now reacting in public. It's like the world has ...

Mom and Dad finally got out of the house thanks to Rona and Dave who watched Miss P so her parents could go to Downtown and hang out with the LA Members of 81st Street. We had turkey dinner at Clifton's and then unexpectedly, had some cocktails at a gay bar down the street. The night flew by so fast and it was back to tucking in Miss P in bed before we knew it. Nice to see our friends before the Thanksgiving holidays though.

One of hubby and I's favorite annual events is Designer Con a the Pasadena Convention Center. We like collecting toys and Disney Memorabilia so that is how we came to know of this con. It started about 4 years ago. Hubs took Miss P the very first year and I started joining them the year after. It's basically a convention where people sell their creativity in whatever form that it speaks to them whether is figurines, artwork, stickers, hats, and much much more! It's always fun to go and see what populates the minds of creative people. I got a few thinks that I will use for scrapbooking but no good Disney stuff this year. P had fun looking at all the exhibits too. A great day out to celebrate art!

I follow a ton of Disney pages and over the past few months I have discovered a person who looks exactly like the character in the new animated Disney movie called Moana. But it's not just me who thinks he looks like Maui,  all the Disney fans on this page I follow on Facebook think so too. He look so much like him people encouraged him to go audition to be a character at Disney and we are all interested in him getting the job! Basically, out of this similarity, he has became a real life celebrity not only on the page but at the parks. People started sighting him and low and behold, I saw him and of course, I had to get a picture. His real name is Kyle but people call him Maui!

Since she was a baby in daycare I have always gone to all of Miss P's Thanksgiving meals at school.  I wasn't sure I would be able to go with the way things are unsettled at work but alas a last minute decision and boom, I went! I am so glad I did as I always enjoy seeing Miss P and her little friends and I don't mind the yummy meal either!

Happy 88th Birthday Mickey Mouse! Thank you for all the wonderful memories you've brought to my life!

Me: Look at the moon tonight. It's called a Super Moon. P: What kind of super powers does it have mom?

Cultivating my little movie goer with a little Narnia magic. She can't get over the animals talking. — watching The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Next up...Tonight, I am tutoring the girl in wizardry by introducing her to the wonderful world of Harry Potter.

Did the Supreme Court overturn that bird holiday already? Cuz, the Americana is celebrating the Christian holiday already. Hum? #SaveTheTurkeys?#ProThanksgiving #SlowTheXmasRoll — at The Americana at Brand. After having dinner at the newly opened East Coast burger chain, Shake Shake we walked over to The Americana and was surprised that all the Christmas decoration were up and we haven't even hit Thanksgiving yet. We didn't go to the tree lighting ceremony this year but it was nice to see the big tree back up. Waiting for her burger at Shake Shack:

Truly great day today reuniting with some of the old team from AMC Burbank 28. My days at AMC (Burbank and Bakersfield) were my favorite work/professional time in my life. Loved seeing all of you that made it and missing those who couldn't. A huge Thanks to Kelly Buller for making this happen! From Doyle I was fortunate to have had the chance to begin my career with these amazing people. A 5 year perfect storm of youth, tireless energy, excellence, ambition, confidence, never-ending inappropriate jokes, and a second family in a second home. Trailblazers - the Jedi order of the hallowed halls of the AMC Burbank 28. Thanks Kelly for putting this all together. Great to reconnect with everyone! To the many who were not able to join us, we toasted to you all. The late 90s will always be my "best of times". - From Fred

My Great Aunt, Margaret Sours served in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps when it first started in the 40's during WWII. She deciphered coded messages. A very great lady, a great world traveler, a great school teacher, a great lover of nature and much, much more. This woman never forgot a birthday or a holiday. I try but fail, to be like her in remembering all of my nephews and niece's special occasions. Today, I honor her service and dedication. There are so many people like her that make America great. Celebrate them today. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

This morning, I took my dog on a mile-long walk like I do everyday trying to clear my head. I ran into a friendly neighbor.  She must have been clearing her head too because after a few "how are you doings" we found ourselves weeping. We cleared the tears and she proceeded to tell me about her best friend who had past away 3 years ago. As it turned out, her best friend went to high school with Hillary Clinton and she knew her well. She went on to say that this week's events had shaken her up because it reminded her of all the Hillary stories her best friend had told her. She said her friend told her that Hillary would be President one day and that she would be the best President. I told her I wanted to play by the rules and accept the person America chose but it was hard because I didn't think he was a good person. That is when she told me another story. A story about when a young Catholic man was elected to be President (she was a teen who had been raised by a...

Here's the thing people, it's not just about Hilary loosing. That a woman lost. Or that a Democrat lost. Or that our side lost. We are not being unpatriotic because we don't like the outcome of a race. I think a lot of people are honorable and want to accept the outcome of the race because that is what has been done, what is expected and what is the right thing to do. They want to be that bigger person but you know what STINGS the most? (And I am directing this to all the people who have no empathy in their postings, calling people unpatriotic for being upset). That someone, who we have heard speak words of HATE is now representative of our people. You are asking me to be okay with a man, who I have heard say the most horrible things about my friends. And I am supposed to be okay with that, to shut up because my side lost? It's the HATE that I have problem with. Forgive me, when I listen to his acceptance speech and cringe when he says he is going to help ALL people whe...

Yesterday my daughter voted with her Dad. She noticed my sticker last night and she asked if I voted "for the lady" too. Today, I anticipate having to explain why "the lady" didn't win. What my anger wants to say and what I will say are two different things. It hurts but my heart knows better. It's funny, I've been talking to her a lot about good sportsmanship lately. And today, I'm put to the test. Today I'm gonna tell her I love her and no "the lady" didn't win. That sometimes we don't win. Sometimes we have to go through what we think is a bad thing to ultimately appreciate what the good things are. That it's important that we continue to stand up for what we believe in when others might not feel the same way. That it's important to have compassion and empathy for others. That it's important to move forward. That the government, like life, is a constantly changing entity that needs our nurturing, our participation...

I can't believe it!?! The people have voted and they voted for Trump. All of the sudden life feels surreal. I was so happy to get up and cast my vote. And now, I don't know what to believe anymore. Hate won. How can a man say anything he wants and be rewarded for it? I don't understand the world. Hope God knows better.

Happy Sunday! Hoping u all are enjoying your extra hour of sleep.

First big diving board dive, backstrokes and side breathing were on today's lesson.