Cece Can't Sleep

You're killin' me Pinterest

Darn you Pinterest. I got along just fine before you came along. Three years with our Elf On A Shelf being totally happy wherever he was thrown. That is, when I could remember to move him.
Now you have me competing with other pinners. Elf is no longer happy dwelling on the ledge of a frame or sitting on a windowsill. I just finished rigging a swing for the little red waif.
I'm beginning to freak the freak out and it isn't even December yet.

The 1 rule for Facebook "I'm thankful" status updates. Please.

2 days into November and my Facebook feed is dripping in sap. Everybody and their mother is participating in the FB Write One Thing You're Thankful For Each Day In November thingy. The problem is everyone's posting textbook 'thankful' statuses.

Eyeroll. Snoozefest. Gag me with a wishbone.

The rule is, you have to post imaginative, humorous, even shallow thankful posts, amongst the tear-jerkers. Preferably a 2:1 sap to non-sap ratio. 

C'mon gang, you're killing the fun of Facebook with your I'm thankful for the friendship my dog brings me or I'm thankful for my husband posts. Hey, I'm grateful for my husband, too. And do you know who I tell? MY HUSBAND.

Let's see some I'm thankful that I am all caught up on my shows for this week posts. Because girl, you know it's true.

Count on my Facebook status updates for sap-free thankful posts the entire month of November.

 

 

you're the Apple of my i, Steve Jobs. my Apple timeline

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1983 - grade 3. Millikin Basics Plus in Santa Clara, CA. First experience with a computer. Apple IIe in a 'computer lab' at school, taught by Mrs Gleim. She told us that these computers were being created just down the street and soon every other house would have one of these. I rolled my 8 year old eyes.

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1985 - grade 5. My dad brought home a Macintosh. I was the only one to use it and I could Mac Paint like no other. "Dad, look at how I can use spray paint!!"

I began to notice these adults that worked at the Apple Computer building. They'd eat lunch at Vallco sometimes. Most were male, gray-bearded and wore Birkenstocks. I remember the flag that flew at Apple's modest headquarters down the road. My dad bought a few more Apple computers but I really didnt pay much attention, I was too busy being a teenager. 

Jump ahead to...

1995 - Mike and I, married, would drive the two miles from our home in Sunnyvale to my childhood room in Santa Clara to expore this email thing my dad had. I could see all the other people in the area that also used Apple's email service. Being a Browning, I would then message every one that I knew just to say hi. Once I forgot to log out of Dad's internet and didnt realize until days later.

Anyone remember what was the name of that Apple email?

Mike and I owned a computer but it wasn't an Apple. We used an AOL account for email. I still have that email account. Just because.

Apple fell out of favor with the public. I had a soft spot for it because I love a good local product, but as a young mother, I didnt really have much to do with a computer. We were more into Nintendo back then.

2005 - Living in Utah and my sister, Rory, gave me an iPod Shuffle for my birthday. Wow, what a product. I loved mine so much I turned around and gave her one the next month.

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2006 - Mike gives me an engraved iPod (64 gig). It gets stolen from my car in my garage the next year.

2008 - Allison and I are driving down our street and my glovebox starts to ring. We discover my first iPhone (1st gen). Thank you Mike! There still aren't many people in Utah with an iPhone, and even then, it's mostly men that are carrying them. I carry mine in a Paul Frank case that I carry as a wristlet. When we go back to the bay area to visit home, I see tons of people with iPhones. Tons.

2008 - September- its my birthday and Mike takes me to the Gateway for dinner. At this point, I've taken up running, so Mike lets me pick out a Nano that I can use on the road. I choose the Product (RED) one.

2009 - I'm racing a sick Gwen to the bathroom at the Riverton 4th of July parade. My iPhone is in my bra as I had no pockets. It leaps into the toilet. A few weeks later I buy the iPhone 3GS. Its quite a bit faster.

2010 - Im at the DMV in a long line. I cant exactly find my phone. I retrace my steps to no avail. that night Mike takes me down and orders an iPhone 4 for me.

2010 - Mike tells me a friend can get an iPad for less than $400. It never shows up. We are suckers.

2011 -January- Mike buys me an iPad (first gen)

2011 - September- I've saved $700 for my first ever Apple laptop. I havent decided which I want. Still need $1000. Who am I kidding, more like $1300. I feel like a little kid having to save up for this.

October 5 2011. Today I've been watching via live feed, this manhunt happening back home in Sunnyvale. I know each and every street that is being searched. My kids went to preschool right there at Laurelwood. Close friends are being kept in their homes and some have even been searched. I'm concerned and I'm thinking the people in those neighborhoods have got to be exhausted. It's been a 'bay area' mindset all day, even wished for a Togo's sammie.

I found out about Steve Jobs passing away from a favorite news station I began subscribing to on FB just this morning. KRON-4. This is a little ironic seeing as how it was probably the first station I ever watched report on Apple.

I'm pretty homesick right about now. We happen to be headed back there in a few days for a reunion,  that works out nicely. 

Forever greatful to you, Steve.

 
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 I think Ashton Kutcher could play the young Jobs. WOW do I want Woz' belt buckle!

 

 

Facebook's birthday list gives me anxiety

I took my name/date off the Facebook birthday calendar this year. You see, I feel an obligation to respond personally to each post on my wall. Especially on my birthday. And...I dont want any two people to receive the same thank you message. Its like this, if they took the time to wish me a HBD, then I need to be nice enough to respond in a personal way. Just as I would if we were face to face.

The whole problem with that practice is....I have received about 150 or more HBD wishes each year on my birthday. That's quite a few people to respond to with an original response. And after three years of birthdays on Facebook, I just began to feel all crazy-like. Plus, I would end up spending way too much time on my birthday writing back messages.

I also quit wishing friends Happy Birthday. I know, RUDE! except that I've amassed a gajillion people on my acct (I still cant catch up to Leighann Peters' #'s) and I get overwhelmed wishing a bunch of different people a Happy Birthday. Every. Single. Day. After a week of being on my A-game of Facebook happy birthday wishing, it starts to feel like I dont mean it. Here and there I will throw some good wishes at someone, and sometimes its someone I know super well, other times, not so much.

Here's another reason I took my name off the Facebook birthday list. I am 37. Not 5. I dont live in Disneyland and I dont need wear a virtual birthday button to make people treat me special all day. It makes me feel awkward. Im just fine having a birthday with the people that knew my birthday long before Facebook was around.

I applaud those of you that bucked the system and wished me a Happy Birthday anyway. You are resourceful and wise. Please dont be mad if I miss yours.

Now that my rude birthday rant is out of the way, I present to you my birthday...

It was a mighty fine one. I had wanted to go and hit Suncrest for a 10 miler, but there were 3 soccer games that needed attending. Welcome to being an adult, huh? I treated myself to an English Muffin with butter for breakfast. I then starfed (starFed is more hungrier than starVed btw) myself until after the last soccer game. I wanted the kids to experience the goodness that is Red Iguana. I ate  copious amounts of chips n salsa, a chile relleno, taco, enchilada, and just two bites of a tostada because I am not a pig, you know. The birthday cake was forgotten about so I flew across the valley to pick it up before closing. Made it just in time. Nothing Bundt Cakes, red velvet.

My parents and Rory came by the house with another birthday cake and gifties. My folks gave me my favorite Philosophy products and a blank check. Rory gave me the wallet I've had my eye on from gigihillbags.com If you havent seen their stuff in person, find a way to do so. They are way cute and make me feel like its going to be ok and I can totally live without buying that Louis Vuitton bag in the 'damier azule' that I have been wanting. Leave me alone I am only human. Mike and the kids gave me.....

Nina selected the bike. And thank goodness she did. I've had my eye on these for the last two years (Heath Birkendahl hooked me with pics of his cruisers). Ive tried to think of which one I would buy for myself but I could never decide. Sometimes its just better when somebody else makes the choice for you. Now I just need a basket and a drink holder. Yes, a drink holder.

Nothing Bundt Cakes are tasty, but they are really really ugly and scary, I've decided.  I also hate paying extra for the fake flower they throw in the middle. So I buy em plain.

  The first of MANY 7-11 runs.

Project Facebook Birthday Deletion was successful. Im able to handle the wishes without going nutso trying to think of something different to say to each person. I actually mean each and every thing that I write. It did screw up some of my girlfriends but OH WELL HA HA, I rely on FB to remember your birthdays, too!

I put that blank check part in to make my sisters mad.

 

 

 

 

Goodreads by Gwen

Me: Gwen, babe, you have to turn off the lights and go to bed. Even if you are reading the Bible. Sorry.

Gwen: But I'm almost to the part where there's a big kiss.

Me: (pause) Which book in the Bible are you reading?

Gwen: Leviticus. It's the best.

Now you know Gwen's latest Goodread! And yes, I'm going to go read Leviticus.

 

 

 

Nordstrom Debit Card

You have to know that I love Nordstrom with all my heart. When I worked for them as a teen on their BP Fashion Board, I actually paid THEM! Stupid Anniversary Sales.

I earned many a Nordstrom Note back when I held their credit card. Then came our financial demise and I haven't seen a Nordstrom Note or their credit card since. Guess what, I lived.

These days, when I'm making my Nordstrom purchase with cash, they always ask if I want to get a Nordstrom debit card. "Works just like your bank debit card. Use wherever a debit card is accepted. You get Nordstrom reward points, too." They all told me that and I finally decided, why not? Get a cuter looking debit card and earn Nordstrom Notes, even when I buy groceries or gas? Sounds good. I WILL SCORE! They will
probably have to shut down the program because I will earn so many Notes. Have you seen what I spend on groceries?

And then I received my card. Yeah, that was wrong as wrong can be. All the Nordstrom Debit card does is work as a debit card. AT NORDSTROM. How could I be so lame as to believe what those bleeping sales folk told me? I can understand one ditzy girl telling me that, but there were several. At different stores, too. And so I have left a voice mail, email and a Twitter DM nicely letting them know they might wanna give their employees an FYI.
And I need to quit taking those dang gullible pills. Oh well, at least it didn't cost me anything.
Gah.

Look What I Can Do...w/my feet.

I've worn my Havaianas for 9 days in a row this trip. By the time I'm done, it will
be 11 days of flip flop wearing. I have never had a chance to do that! Honestly, there have been a few days in there when I could have used something more substantial, say a FitFlop or a Keen, but that wouldve required me to mosey across the street to Nordstrom and believe it or not, I actually wasn't itching to take advantage of being so close to my alma mater. Just knowing it was close by was enough for me. We *did* shop there (4 times). I even had to piggyback Marik over to kids' shoes when we couldn't find his sandals.

Ok, back to the flip flops.

Havaianas have got to be the cutest flip flops ever. I even went to the Havaianas store in Huntington Beach. You can even make your own there! Yes! True! I didnt. I'm regretting that now. It was in the beginning of the trip and I was thinking we would go back there. There's always the website. www.Havaianas.com

The drawback to the extended wear of the Havaianas? My heels are like Velcro now. Just last night I was able to pick up my favorite running sock with MY HEEL!

I'm including a pic of my sock because I love them so. They hug my feet so good. Some might think $12 socks are pricey. To that I say fine, wear your cheap socks to run in, and have fun lancing your blisters!

OC Vacay'n. Yo.

We were a little nervous with the temps forecast to be in the high 60's...but it's turned out to be perfect.
I'm DYING because my camera (whom I dont get along with lately) won't even turn on. All I have to work with right now is my iPhone camera. Booo. I might slip my card into Marisa and Paul's camera to get some decent shots. Balboa Island & PCH just scream fancy 'photo op'. Newport & Huntington are begging for photo time, too, an easy going atmosphere.
Also, I don't think I've ever seen SO many cars that cost over $100,000 in my life. In fact, just tonight the girls and I were crossing the Nordstrom parking lot and we barely missed being mowed down by a Bentley. A BENTLEY! I have yet to see a Maybach this week. Not worried, there's still another week left :)
Tomorrow Mike, Paul, John, Neil & Tim head south to fish with spearguns on Capn Leo's boat. I can't wait to hear all about it, should be a good time-they all went to high school together.
The rest of us? Probably some shopping. A run on the PCH for me.

Meet Stretch

Last weekend Nolan gained a new nickname. I think it might very well stick. Jerry was out from Ca to visit and check out the new place. New place, you ask? Yes.

Nolan had been away at a basketball tournament in Denver all week. On his own. Sharing a hotel room with 3 other 14 year old boys. I KNOW! When he finally came home (and brought my worrying mom rate down to manageble levels) Jerry started calling him...

Stretch.

Nolan's tall these days. Real tall. At his doc appt earlier this month he was 6'1. He's all of 14 years old.

Today we went to the elementary school to watch Nina's talent show. Here is Stretch trying to use the drinking fountain. Yeah, that looks comfy.

Stretch also has some frisbee skills.

 

p.s. Stretch's team played 11 basketball games over 3 days. They won the championship for their level.

8 Reasons I Like Sleeping @ Hospitals

I'm spending the night at the hospital watching over my mom after her double mastectomy surgery. Having the time of my life. In fact, it ranks right up there with our recent stay at Loews in Lake Las Vegas. No, I'm not joking, this is fun!

Here's why:
#1. I don't really have to do anything for my mom. I have a team of three nurses down the hall at my beck & call. And after my sister and I almost pulled out Mom's catheter while rearranging her blankets ("Girls, I feel tugging, lots of tugging."), I might just stop trying to 'help' her at all.
#2. They give us Diet Coke, with stretch neck straws, whenever we want.
#3. I get to sleep on a bed (ok, a cot) that isn't held up by a combo of cookbooks/yearbooks in one corner.
#4. The nursing squad microwaved my blankies for me. This allowed me more time to use my Clarisonic & wash my makeup brushes (do you know me?).
#5. I get a new toothbrush, comb and fancy water mug, sure hope Mom packed her own.
#6. No kids to wake and watch as they get ready for school.
#7. Free wi-fi, except I can't think of anything to look up right now.
#8. Mom and I get matching gowns to wear. Mine is an exclusive piece from the Timpanogos Regional spring collection.

The only thing I need is to get my day clothes washed. It'd be grand if I had clean threads to throw on after I shower up in the private bathroom.

My mom? I forgot about her there for a sec. Yeah, surgery went well and she's snoring like a champ right now. I'm going to ask if I can change rooms, I think.