Never knew how much I missed her.......
shakin up the family tree..........
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOLLFACE!!!!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Bicylce Blues
Normally I would consider myself to be a morning person. I wake up and am instantly wide awake roaring to go for the day (sometimes I do start the day with an actual literal roar). A couple of months ago I began and early morning work out regimen with Rachel – I have found that with a 5:30 wake up call I am not quite as perky as I used to be – but I am still able to get up and about with no problem.
This morning was something else all together – to say that I was not operating on all cylinders would be a vast understatement. I started out the day by pretending to sleep through the alarm. I thought that if I was still enough Rachel would assume I wanted to sleep and go on without me. No such luck, she began calling my name and attempting to wake me up. Blah, why must she be so motivated to work out? I gave in to her calling and got up.
Upon our arrival at the pathetic excuse of a fitness center located in the Woods we discovered that “my” treadmill was not working. So I made the mistake of opting for the bike. Rachel was kind and offered to bite the bullet and ride the bike giving me the only other treadmill (neither of us particularly loves these cycling machines) I slurred out something about my calves being incredibly sore from yesterday’s hills. She laughed at me, as if I was making a joke. I was totally serious, yesterday morning I amped up my usual workout by increasing the incline on the treadmill – not a smart move, I am now in pain. I am going to blame that stupid action on the early morning hour.
I then sat down on the bike. As I was trying to put my feet inside the peddle straps Rachel started laughing uncontrollably. I looked over at her just in time to see her jump to the sides of the treadmill – Her laughter alarmed me, I feared for her life! She was laughing so hard I thought she was going to slide right off the treadmill and slam into the mirrored wall behind it. Still I am sitting struggling on the bike; I looked down at myself and quickly realized why she was laughing. The seat on the bike was on the lowest setting possible. If you know me, you know that I have abnormally long legs – how I was able to even sit down on the bike I do not know, because my knees were hitting the handle bars. I looked ridiculous, and I am pretty certain that had I tried, peddling would have been impossible in such a position.
With Rachel still laughing I decided to right the situation. I got off the bike and lifted the seat to the highest setting available. Perfect, just my size. I then attempted to insert my foot into the peddle clip from a standing position – after a minute long struggle I came to realize that I was inserting my right foot in the left peddle. At this point Rachel and I were both completely out of control with laughter; tears were streaming down my face. Much to the chagrin of the other fitness center frequenter it took us a few minutes to regain our composure and get settled into our usual routine. She just could not find the humor in my stupidity. Either that or we were seriously cramping her workout style.
This morning was something else all together – to say that I was not operating on all cylinders would be a vast understatement. I started out the day by pretending to sleep through the alarm. I thought that if I was still enough Rachel would assume I wanted to sleep and go on without me. No such luck, she began calling my name and attempting to wake me up. Blah, why must she be so motivated to work out? I gave in to her calling and got up.
Upon our arrival at the pathetic excuse of a fitness center located in the Woods we discovered that “my” treadmill was not working. So I made the mistake of opting for the bike. Rachel was kind and offered to bite the bullet and ride the bike giving me the only other treadmill (neither of us particularly loves these cycling machines) I slurred out something about my calves being incredibly sore from yesterday’s hills. She laughed at me, as if I was making a joke. I was totally serious, yesterday morning I amped up my usual workout by increasing the incline on the treadmill – not a smart move, I am now in pain. I am going to blame that stupid action on the early morning hour.
I then sat down on the bike. As I was trying to put my feet inside the peddle straps Rachel started laughing uncontrollably. I looked over at her just in time to see her jump to the sides of the treadmill – Her laughter alarmed me, I feared for her life! She was laughing so hard I thought she was going to slide right off the treadmill and slam into the mirrored wall behind it. Still I am sitting struggling on the bike; I looked down at myself and quickly realized why she was laughing. The seat on the bike was on the lowest setting possible. If you know me, you know that I have abnormally long legs – how I was able to even sit down on the bike I do not know, because my knees were hitting the handle bars. I looked ridiculous, and I am pretty certain that had I tried, peddling would have been impossible in such a position.
With Rachel still laughing I decided to right the situation. I got off the bike and lifted the seat to the highest setting available. Perfect, just my size. I then attempted to insert my foot into the peddle clip from a standing position – after a minute long struggle I came to realize that I was inserting my right foot in the left peddle. At this point Rachel and I were both completely out of control with laughter; tears were streaming down my face. Much to the chagrin of the other fitness center frequenter it took us a few minutes to regain our composure and get settled into our usual routine. She just could not find the humor in my stupidity. Either that or we were seriously cramping her workout style.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
HEIDI!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEIDI!!!!!
Come back come back, I miss hanging out with you....................and a definite CELEBRATION is in order!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Caught Red Handed
After tax season one of our clients brought in a gigantic box of Godiva chocolates for us. The BEST Thank You ever in my opinion. Godiva chocolate is basically like a little taste of Heaven. So we have had this box of chocolate in our office since April 16th. The first couple days we all did some serious damage on it. Everyone was eating chocolate all the time. Then it got down to one piece and everyone stopped.
That sad little piece of chocolate must have been so lonely it just sat all alone for a couple of days, just because no one wanted to be responsible for eating the last piece. Well last week my pity for the lonely piece finally go the best of me and I decided to put it out of it’s misery by eating it.
But a funny thing happened when I lifted the plastic try out of the box…………………………I unearthed a HUGE discovery. Hidden beneath that lone piece of chocolate there laid another complete layer of chocolaty goodness.
So I did what any good chocolate lover would do. I picked out a delicious dark chocolate truffle ate it and put the plastic try with one chocolate left back on top. It really was not planned this way – I did intend to hide the chocolate from everyone else, I just forgot to tell people that there were say 30 more chocolates in the box. I gradually kept eating the chocolates from the bottom layer and kept replacing the empty top layer. The bottom layer is by no means empty, but I have left a pretty good dent in the remains.
Today I was caught red handed, like a child caught with their hand in the cookie jar. I was mid chocolate craving, standing with the refrigerator door ajar rifling through the box when a co-worker walked in. I looked up frozen in fear/embarrassment of how pathetic I really am.
After her careful examination of my actions I was forced to sheepishly admit that I had been hording the chocolate. Not the proudest moment in my life.
Hi my name is Mandy and I am a Chocoholic.
That sad little piece of chocolate must have been so lonely it just sat all alone for a couple of days, just because no one wanted to be responsible for eating the last piece. Well last week my pity for the lonely piece finally go the best of me and I decided to put it out of it’s misery by eating it.
But a funny thing happened when I lifted the plastic try out of the box…………………………I unearthed a HUGE discovery. Hidden beneath that lone piece of chocolate there laid another complete layer of chocolaty goodness.
So I did what any good chocolate lover would do. I picked out a delicious dark chocolate truffle ate it and put the plastic try with one chocolate left back on top. It really was not planned this way – I did intend to hide the chocolate from everyone else, I just forgot to tell people that there were say 30 more chocolates in the box. I gradually kept eating the chocolates from the bottom layer and kept replacing the empty top layer. The bottom layer is by no means empty, but I have left a pretty good dent in the remains.
Today I was caught red handed, like a child caught with their hand in the cookie jar. I was mid chocolate craving, standing with the refrigerator door ajar rifling through the box when a co-worker walked in. I looked up frozen in fear/embarrassment of how pathetic I really am.
After her careful examination of my actions I was forced to sheepishly admit that I had been hording the chocolate. Not the proudest moment in my life.
Hi my name is Mandy and I am a Chocoholic.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
SPOKANE!
Last week I took a little vacation to Spokane - my end of tax season relaxation trip if you will. I had such an enjoyable time hanging out with the rents, Cameron and Melissa. Unfortunately I did not take very many pictures - but I did get a few of the more memorable/important moments caught on film (i.e. helping Cam pick stuff out for PROM). Enjoy!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
There's A New Hulk In Town
I know that I am not an extremely strong person, but usually I do alright. I mean I am the person that has to change the Sparklets water jug because no one else can lift it (that’s gotta count for something right?). All that meaning to say that I can get by – sure I need to request the help of Carlos when I need furniture moved, but I can carry in my Costco bulk purchases all on my own.
Yesterday I thought I had either been spontaneously drained of all of my strength or suddenly trapped in my office, being held hostage by my boss. Neither was a situation I was comfortable with. I was trying to leave my office, going for a little stroll, but the door would not open. I pulled and pulled and nothing happened, it did not even budge.
So I did what any person desperate to leave would do, I created a strong base with my feet firmly planted shoulder width apart used both hands to grip the door handle, took a deep breath and pulled with all my strength. I immediately felt a cool rush of wind as the door opened quite easily. The force I had implemented on the door came back on me rendering me completely off balance, I soon felt myself falling into the wall behind me with a high pitched squeal followed by a loud crash.
I was instantly confused as to why the door opened so easily this time. Was I going crazy before? Had it not been stuck? What was going on? After a quick recovery (were talking milliseconds here) I looked up to asses the situation and came face to face with the building maintenance man.
Uh yeah so, the door opened so easily not due to my brute strength but because someone was opening it from the other side. Bummer I did not turn into the Hulk. I evidentially missed the memo on the door being broken – there really was a memo it requested that we use the other door until the repairs were made. Why is it that no one in my office bothered to tell me that the door was jammed when I was trying to open it? The must all be highly amused by me – because why else would they sit and watch me repeatedly try to open the door and not once tell me that it is broken? People people people help a girl out once in a while.
The best part about this whole situation was that the maintenance man totally enjoyed my flailing crash. I overheard him later in the lobby telling the security guard about it, there was definite laughter. Glad I could add some entertainment to his day!
Yesterday I thought I had either been spontaneously drained of all of my strength or suddenly trapped in my office, being held hostage by my boss. Neither was a situation I was comfortable with. I was trying to leave my office, going for a little stroll, but the door would not open. I pulled and pulled and nothing happened, it did not even budge.
So I did what any person desperate to leave would do, I created a strong base with my feet firmly planted shoulder width apart used both hands to grip the door handle, took a deep breath and pulled with all my strength. I immediately felt a cool rush of wind as the door opened quite easily. The force I had implemented on the door came back on me rendering me completely off balance, I soon felt myself falling into the wall behind me with a high pitched squeal followed by a loud crash.
I was instantly confused as to why the door opened so easily this time. Was I going crazy before? Had it not been stuck? What was going on? After a quick recovery (were talking milliseconds here) I looked up to asses the situation and came face to face with the building maintenance man.
Uh yeah so, the door opened so easily not due to my brute strength but because someone was opening it from the other side. Bummer I did not turn into the Hulk. I evidentially missed the memo on the door being broken – there really was a memo it requested that we use the other door until the repairs were made. Why is it that no one in my office bothered to tell me that the door was jammed when I was trying to open it? The must all be highly amused by me – because why else would they sit and watch me repeatedly try to open the door and not once tell me that it is broken? People people people help a girl out once in a while.
The best part about this whole situation was that the maintenance man totally enjoyed my flailing crash. I overheard him later in the lobby telling the security guard about it, there was definite laughter. Glad I could add some entertainment to his day!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Help!
Calling all computer/printer savvy people. The Penthouse is having some extreme difficulties. What is wrong with us? We jus seem to move from one problem to another. Now we are having issues printing wedding invitations. (WHAT?! Did I forget to tell you all I was getting married? HAHA just kidding they’re Rachel’s invites silly) Now these “easy to assemble” invitations were purchased from Michaels – it is supposed to be an easy type and print process. Only we could turn it into the multi day drama filled event that it has become. It could easily be made into a movie, really – and I am talking Best Picture worthy here.
The invitations were typed, new ink bought and time set aside especially for invitation printing. Unfortunately those hours were spent pouring over the help section online, trying adjusting and retrying the printer and calling anyone and everyone who we thought could possibly help us. The situation was only made worse by the fact that the night chosen to perform this task was the hottest night on the planet Earth in the last 10 million years. Let’s just say the Penthouse’s pathetic excuse of an air conditioner was not helping one tinsy bit. Maybe the heat was clouding our brains, the sweat stopping us from having exceptional problem solving skills. Whatever the reason for our woes our mission to print invitations failed quite miserably.
Here is the problem the invitations are 8.5” x 5.5” the page set up in word is adjusted to the correct size but whenever we try to print the printer does not recognize the paper size and does not adjust, therefore printing the words off the side of the paper. YIKES!!!!
I shall stop giving you all the gory details as there are many many more, and sure to bore you –this was just my call to arms. Anyone out there have experience with this type of problem? We would love to hear your suggestions. PLEASE HELP US!
Attempt two at invitation printing will be going down tonight – watch out!
The invitations were typed, new ink bought and time set aside especially for invitation printing. Unfortunately those hours were spent pouring over the help section online, trying adjusting and retrying the printer and calling anyone and everyone who we thought could possibly help us. The situation was only made worse by the fact that the night chosen to perform this task was the hottest night on the planet Earth in the last 10 million years. Let’s just say the Penthouse’s pathetic excuse of an air conditioner was not helping one tinsy bit. Maybe the heat was clouding our brains, the sweat stopping us from having exceptional problem solving skills. Whatever the reason for our woes our mission to print invitations failed quite miserably.
Here is the problem the invitations are 8.5” x 5.5” the page set up in word is adjusted to the correct size but whenever we try to print the printer does not recognize the paper size and does not adjust, therefore printing the words off the side of the paper. YIKES!!!!
I shall stop giving you all the gory details as there are many many more, and sure to bore you –this was just my call to arms. Anyone out there have experience with this type of problem? We would love to hear your suggestions. PLEASE HELP US!
Attempt two at invitation printing will be going down tonight – watch out!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Table Top Trouble
Last Wednesday we had dinner at my boss’s house to celebrate the survival of yet another tax season. They had quite the spread of delicious foods and beverages. I spent most of the evening with some coworkers sitting around the kitchen table which was covered in finger foods (ie crackers, cheese, veggies, nuts and so on). Everything was going smoothly – all were chatting and eating enjoying themselves, until the phone rang. I was seated in the corner, nearest to the telephone so I was naturally asked to grab it and hand it over to the appropriate person. I reached for the phone. UGH! It was just out my reach. I attempted to move my chair back so that I could reach, however I was too tightly wedged between other people's chairs that it would not budge. It was clear I was going to have to stand up and crawl out from my corner to get the phone. I stood and awkwardly lifted my leg over the chair next to me (trying to remain appropriate in a skirt added slight complications) as my foot touched down on the other side I transferred my weight there and lifted my back leg which was still wedged beneath the table. BAAAMMMM!! My back leg slammed into the underside of the table, I managed to mask the pain I felt and not scream. I quickly recovered and turned to take in the damage I had done. The table was in fact still in one piece (good thing I am lacking on my Karate Chopping skills – that could have been a real mess) however the food was another situation. In the middle of all of the food had once stood a glass dish full of water, holding a few floating candles. Notice the wording “once” been holding water. In my moment of extreme clumsiness and immense humiliation the force of my foot hitting the table was enough to slosh nearly all of the water out of the dish onto the plate of crackers. Yum Yum nothing quite like soggy crackers and cheese.
In usual Mandy fashion I tried to smooth out the situation by cracking a joke about trying to destroy their house –but it fell flat.
In usual Mandy fashion I tried to smooth out the situation by cracking a joke about trying to destroy their house –but it fell flat.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Happy Easter!!!
This morning we arose with the SON!
Quite literally if you catch my drift.........Angela started us out with the chant - "He is risen"........"He is risen indeed" and I tried to lead the apartment in Sunday morning worship aerobics, Rachel was having none of it so we moved on to the mandatory Penthouse photo shoot. Needless to say it was a carefree Sunday morning- us dancing/singing around the apartment putting on our Easter dresses, hats and gloves. Then the travesty occurred. Rachel was the first to smell it. Her appalled face slowly turned to me in the kitchen - I need not ask what she was thinking for at that moment I may as well have been a mind reader, I knew exactly what she was thinking. "NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Quite literally if you catch my drift.........Angela started us out with the chant - "He is risen"........"He is risen indeed" and I tried to lead the apartment in Sunday morning worship aerobics, Rachel was having none of it so we moved on to the mandatory Penthouse photo shoot. Needless to say it was a carefree Sunday morning- us dancing/singing around the apartment putting on our Easter dresses, hats and gloves. Then the travesty occurred. Rachel was the first to smell it. Her appalled face slowly turned to me in the kitchen - I need not ask what she was thinking for at that moment I may as well have been a mind reader, I knew exactly what she was thinking. "NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
That smell could only mean one thing, we were out of coffee. We were forced to resort to the disgusting French Toast flavored roast that none of us liked (why it is even in our apartment seeing as we are all appalled by it I have yet to figure out). This just would not do for Easter morn - so Rachel and I jetted off to Starbucks on the way to church - thank goodness for those poor employees who have to work every stinkin holiday known to mankind.
Coffee in hand we arrived at church. My morning was now back on track all was looking good, I exited out of my vehicle, and noticed that it was quite bright outside. Remembering that there would be brunch served in between services I quickly decided I needed my sunglasses. I placed my coffee on the roof of my car and reached back inside to grab the glasses - as I did so I heard a loud splash. I screamed. Thank goodness the parking lot was relatively empty still, I may have startled some poor unsuspecting children in their lovely Easter dress. I pulled my head out of the car to asses the situation - just as i suspected. A huge gust of wind (or possibly and low flying plane or bird) knocked my coffee right off the top of my car, the rich brown brew that I had been dying to drink was now rolling lightly down the side of my car and collectively forming a small puddle surrounding my now mutilated starbucks cup. I wailed for a few minutes taking in the sight of my loss - but I soon realized that I actually had reason to be thankful. After all of that I still was able to walk away unscathed. Thats right I spiled and entire cup of coffee and none, not even on drop landed on me.
Here are a few photos from the day, including our morning photo shoot, our trip to Mission Viejo to visit Jeni in which we played a competitive game of paddle ball and our great search for Easter baskets
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
CHUCK!
Oh my goodness, oh my goodness, do I have some big news or what. Ok so as most of you know Jake is in the film program at Biola and in said program they get to do some pretty cool internships all of which generally have some pretty good perks (this being how Angela and I had the privilege of seeing an advance screening of “Deck the Halls” complete with cast a crew a few years back). Anyways back on topic here Jake has a friend who does something I am not quite sure what with the script of Chuck (no lie really ask him).
Chuck is like my very most favorite show ever. I think it is absolutely hysterical I LOVE it! So naturally I have been bugging Jake to get me the hook up with this guy you know let me meet Chuck or something cool. He naturally rolled his eyes and thinks I am pathetic. Duh! I am pathetic get me the hookup Jake!
So this has been happening for months I try to casually slip into conversation that I want to meet chuck or even just get a real script from an episode. But I got nothing. Really Jake if you were a good brother you would do this for me.
WAHOO!!!! Jake is officially a great brother. I get to be an extra in the filming of an upcoming episode. That’s right, maybe I will get to be a shopper in the Buy More, or perhaps eat some yogurt at Orange Orange. And you know what happens when you are an extra (trust me I know I am basically a professional extra – ask me I can tell you all about The Hangman’s Curse) you get to see/possibly meet the cast – CHUCK here I come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do you think there is any chance I will be able to act like a normal human being and not the star crazed fan that I really am? Yeah probably not.
Chuck is like my very most favorite show ever. I think it is absolutely hysterical I LOVE it! So naturally I have been bugging Jake to get me the hook up with this guy you know let me meet Chuck or something cool. He naturally rolled his eyes and thinks I am pathetic. Duh! I am pathetic get me the hookup Jake!
So this has been happening for months I try to casually slip into conversation that I want to meet chuck or even just get a real script from an episode. But I got nothing. Really Jake if you were a good brother you would do this for me.
WAHOO!!!! Jake is officially a great brother. I get to be an extra in the filming of an upcoming episode. That’s right, maybe I will get to be a shopper in the Buy More, or perhaps eat some yogurt at Orange Orange. And you know what happens when you are an extra (trust me I know I am basically a professional extra – ask me I can tell you all about The Hangman’s Curse) you get to see/possibly meet the cast – CHUCK here I come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do you think there is any chance I will be able to act like a normal human being and not the star crazed fan that I really am? Yeah probably not.
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