Wordless Wednesday

I'm joining the carnival ride of "Not Me!" Monday. It's a great idea and all credit goes to MckMama.


First of all I want to adamantly deny any accusation that I spent 7 hours watching football on Sunday. Not me. It was only 6hrs when you subtract the commercials and half-time. So there!



I did not consider my mom an intrusion into my football coma when she stopped by during the games. I did not kiss my husband when she wasn't looking and was not a bit relieved when she left. She barely ever visits so I would never treat her like that.



I did not just spend 2hrs practicing for my math placement test only to realize that it's MLK day so the college is closed. I certainly am NOT worried that I'm going to forget fractions, percentages, and basic college algebra by the time I am able to take the test. Nope, I'm not worried at all that I might forget this basic stuff in just 2 short days.



I didn't get all that much excited when I saw I've been added as friend on Audrey's Blog. I am not at all frustrated that I don't know how to create links and stuff on my blog. It is not creating any anxiety or teeth-gritting at all. I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything important.



I did clean my bathrooms last week and NOT because they hadn't been cleaned in waaaaaayyyy too long. It had nothing to do with what was growing inside.



I did not wonder if the 3 stray cats in our backyard would like me more and be more friendly than the 3 cats inside my house. I don't take it personally that his cats run when they see my shadow.

I am not patting myself on the back for figuring out how to post this and create the appropriate links. I am not going to reward myself by going shopping now.

Vino, mi Amore!

We have been enjoying our newfound appreciation of wine since our visit to

Napa last May with my dad, Nancy, and brother Luke.

I want to keep better track , so what better place than my blog.

Of course, now you all know how much we like to drink.

Or, for a positive spin, you all know what wine to buy for us when we have you over for dinner or for a present. Wine makes a great present. I think. I've never actually been given a bottle of wine.

I will keep this updated as this is a very important topic to me. :) I've included the price paid and then how we/I rate it on #1-10 scale. Of course this is from a very personal and uneducated palette but then again, this is my blog.

Double Dog Dare Merlot $3. #8.5

Dancing Bull Merlot $7. #8

Columbia-Crest Chardonnay $8. #5.5

Woodbridge Merlot - probably around $8. Very dry. #6

Mallee Point Australian Merlot- $7. #7.5

Robert Mondavi Winery- Pinot Noir. Our first try at Pino. Not a fan. #5

Robert Mondavi Winery-'05 Merlot. $22. We'll stick with the cheap ones. #5

Barefoot Merlot-$8. #6

Yellowtail- Cabernet Sauvignon. $6. pending taste test.

Shiraz-Cabernet. $7. not a big fan of this blend. #7

Smoking Loon Merlot. $8. pending taste test

Gallo Family Savignon Blanc. $4. never had SavBlanc before. pending taste test.

Concho Y Torro Cabernet-Merlot. $8 1.5Liter. Our absolute favorite so far. #9

Football, vaccum, Valentine's Day....

Part of my goal in having this blog is to keep friends and family a bit closer.

It seems so strange to have such an open forum in which to share personal experiences and thoughts. I've pondered this dichotomy for a few days and have come to peace with allowing this strange medium into my life. It's the way the world works now.

The more our society have become disconnected (moving away from friends and family is the norm), we have found new ways of reconnecting. Blogs, Facebook, MySpace are helping us to feel we are involved and connected, everyday, even if we never meet. I'm sure there's a whole new line of psychology for this dynamic.

Anyhoo...I'm getting too serious here.

I just wanted to let you guys know a few things about what's going on with your dear little Olivia these days.

I really like football now.

Apparently, having a brother who loved it and watched it all the time was not a strong enough motivation for me. It seems that having a husband who enjoys it somewhat is just the motivation I need. I don't know how it started but my interest and understanding of the game has grown tremendously in the last 2 months. I even changed my work schedule so I can be off on game days! Who am I? The Cardinals play this weekend and IF they win, we

GO TO THE SUPERBOWL?!! Very exciting.

Valentine's day is coming up

and after being in the state of "love" for over a year now,

(we officially said "I love you" on October 23, 2007)

I am a sucker for looking for sweet reasons and ways to express my love for my husband, and even for the rest of my family and friends (go figure!). I've seen some great cards lately and it makes me want to give him a card everyday until Feb.14.

Honestly, it makes me wish he'd do the same. Hint, hint.

Our ONE YEAR anniversary is February 10. Awe, how special.

Put those two reasons together and "we" think I deserve a new diamond band to complete my wedding set. See why I love this man?!

Then again, I've been complaining that I need a new vacuum for the past few months.

Hmmm...I can't have everything that I want all the time.

I'll take the ring.

The vacuum is juuuuust fiiiiine.

I'm still working on getting my RN.

I hope to get into the program in August once I finish a few needed classes.

I'm going to take a total of 3 classes this semester.

Sounds like more than it is. Pharmacology is just for 2 months, 4hrs a week.

IV Certification is 3hrs a week and a Math class (going to take that one online).

I have to earn my working only part-time status.

I am proud and relieved to announce that I completed the long-dreaded Microbiology class this last December. I even got a B in the class despite bombing the final.

I'll proudly admit to the good, bad and the ugly that I brought on myself.

I'm just so stinkin glad that class is behind me.

I think that's enough of random life stuff for now.

Thanks for listening and please leave me a comment so I know you are out there.

I want to feel reconnect, remember? :)

My life in pictures...

Online Photo Albums:

I have lots of pictures posted in several different albums.
Enjoy!
Click here.

The Story of our lives...

Jamey Johnson
That Lonesome Song
"In Color"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBk07l2aKrE
I said, Grandpa what's this picture here.
It's all black and white and ain't real clear
Is that you
he said, yeah I was eleven
Times were tough back in thirty-five
That's me and Uncle Joe just tryin to survive
A cotton farm in the Great Depression
And if it looks like we were scared to death
Like a couple of kids just trying to save each other
You should have seen it in color
This one here was taken overseas
In the middle of hell in nineteen forty-three
In the winter time you can almost see my breath
That was my tail gunner ole Johnny McGeeHe was a high school teacher from New Orleans
And he had my back right through the day we left
And if it looks like we were scared to death
Like a couple of kids just trying to save each other
You should have seen it in color
A picture's worth a thousand words
But you can't see what those shades of gray keep covered
You should have seen it in color
This one is my favorite one it's me and grandma in the summer sun
All dressed up the day we said our vows
You can't tell it here but it was hot that June
That rose was red and her eyes were blue
And just look at that smile
I was so proud
That's the story of m life
Right there in black and white
And if it looks like we were scared to death
Like a couple of kids just trying to save each other
You should have seen it in color
A picture's worth a thousand words
But you can't see what those shades of gray keep covered
You should have seen it in color

I love this song so much. I think it's because it reminds me of all the precious elderly men and ladies that I have taken care of at the end of their lives over the last 4 1/2 years being a hospice nurse. I have been blessed to be given a job where I can hold so many hands and listen to so many sweet memories. They all could have written this song. And I feel like I am living this song, in my own way. What memories am I making today that I will remember in 20 or 40 years? Hopefully, like this song sings, time and maturity will cover these memories with a sweetness and gracefullness that I may not experience while in the midst. All I know is that someday I want to be that sweet little old lady, holding the hand of a pretty young nurse, as I tell her about all I've seen, done and learned, right before I go meet Jesus.

Instead of waiting until then to appreciate it for all it's richness, I am trying to "see it in color" right now, every friend and family member, every moment, every touch, every kiss, .

I'm so full...

I broiled (read:almost started a grease fire in the oven) seasoned Angus burgers (from W*mart). Deliciously juicy, with a slice of cheese on top.
There was also a great salad with special trimmings like orange bell pepper, red onion, broccoli and cranberries. I like mine with a splash of Asian salad vinegar and sesame seed oil.
We also tried and enjoyed this prepackaged "meal" from the corner international market. It was some Indian meal in a pouch. Very full of spicy flavor!
Last but not least, canned corn. But I do take the time to add butter, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. I do not serve anything just out of the box, can or bag. I always dress things up. That's just the kind of girl I am (thanks to my Mom).
Now we are sipping a elegant glass of Merlot (read:$9 big bottle from Costco).

I'm just passing the time waiting for The Biggest Loser to start. We love that show.

I'm a virgin...blogger.

I'm sure I will do something wrong here, since I don't know what I'm doing. But the fun is in the learning, right?