Sunday, December 11, 2011

Oh Christmas Tree.....

Went on our annual "Cut a Xmas Tree Event. Left at 9 a.m. Took the truck 4 wheeling up to the Forestry Department that is in the middle of nowhere in the woods. Got our permit and drove even further into the mountains, Found the perfect tree and the chainsaw wouldn't work. Drove another 40 miles to the nearest lil mountain town and overpaid for a bowsaw. Drove another 15 miles up north almost to Mt. Lassen til we found another perfect tree and chopped it to its death. Drove back thru the mountains and finally got home at 5:30 p.m.
Cost of permit $10, cost of gas $50, cost of Bowsaw $20 cost of lunch and snacks and sodas $35. Cost of tree at a tree lot $25!!
Well I know where I'm getting my tree next year.......


Heres a pic of our trip, see the unknowing look on Randys face, notice the ginormous snowball in my left hand, muahahah

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!! =D

My Brothers BBQing a turkey tomorrow that's been defrosting in the fridge since last Thursday. If you don't hear from me again, I died of food poisoning

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Autumn in Paradise Ca.



These trees are at the church next to my home. I love watching the leaves change colors every Fall.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

And the Oscar goes to.....

Well,
It better go to my Lil Leo this time.
He's not really mine but I've been calling him that since Titanic.
Me and 42 million other girls and maybe even a few men were  infatuated with him around 14 years ago when the blockbuster hit the big screen. I made all my friends go see it and I went 6 times. (Shhhh, dont tell anyone, I'm a little embarrassed about it).
My daughter was only two when Titanic came out and he was on the cover of EVERY magazine. She would see the magazine racks and shout "Leo" "Leo" "Leo" while pointing at every one that had his pic on the front. I'm pretty sure she was his youngest fan at the time.

I've seen most of Leonardos movies and am wondering why he has been snubbed at the Academy awards.
I think he is an amazing actor (And not because of Titanic) especially since he really hasn't had all the schooling and training that many actors have. He just seems to come by it naturally.
Have you seen "Whats eating Gilbert Grape"? He plays Johnny Deps mentally challenged younger brother. He was amazing in that role. I also think he did a terrific portrayal of Howard Hughes in the movie "The Aviator" Lets not forget his roles in Blood Diamond, Inception, Catch me if you can, The Departed, Shutter Island, the list goes on and he has unbelieveable talent that the Academy Awards keep ignoring. "Grrr"!

I'm am really hoping that this will be his year with the movie "J. Edgar" and with Clint Eastwood as his director that's always a good sign.
Keep your fingers crossed that My (Our) Lil Leo gets his long over due Oscar this year!

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Meet Buster

Our new puppy!!
Well actually he belongs to my daughter Chaye but I'm buying the food, paying for shots, taking him for walks while she's in school, you know how it is.
We just loooove him! He has the cutest face ever. Here's a pic of Buster and my daughter Chaye.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

A week in the life of Mama V

What a week!
Monday I caught a bug, and not a very nice one either. By Tuesday I could barely move, my muscles were sore and it felt like I ran a 24 hour marathon. Besides the fact I was running to the bathroom every twenty minutes and thought about camping out in there.

Wednesday wasn't much better, I knew on Thursday I was taking a road trip to San Francisco with my son to pay his traffic ticket he got there a month ago.
So when Thursday rolled around, I decided not to eat or drink anything, I was feeling better but still not a hundred percent. I didn't want to make him stop for a bunch of bathroom trips.
We got to San Francisco and found the court house. His ticket was only $234 instead of the $1200 he thought it was going to be. It was a nice day and we walked around a few shops before heading home.


My Parents 50th wedding anniversary was Saturday, I had two large salads to make which took me several hours. One was potato and the other Italian pasta. I also had several loads of laundry to finish up. By 9p.m. I was exhausted and afraid I might have overdone it but Saturday came and I was feeling fine. The anniversary party was nice, my sister did the majority of the cooking and the decorations. My mom made a replica of their wedding cake back from 1961 and it was beautiful.
50 years together, wow, what a milestone.


Remember to tell your Parents how much you love them, they're the reason you're here.

Monday, August 1, 2011

The cost of keeping San Francisco alive

My oldest son and his girlfriend decided to go to San Francisco for a mini vacation about a month ago.
I volunteered to watch their golden retriever, her name is Minnie and she loves to go for walks. I decided to take her along the bike path here in town. The trail is known have drunken homeless people and mountain lions that somehow never cross each others paths. I had my own two dogs with me as well, so I felt safe enough to venture down the paved trail.
Minnie doesn't stop to smell other dog pee scents along the way or observe anything in her surroundings. She is on the fast track to nowhere, loves to run, and had me and my two dogs jogging at a good pace for two miles. My only fear was getting tangled in the leashes and taking a tumble down the ravine with all the dogs in tow.
Minnie also loves cat food, much more than her own food, which really perturbed my Siamese cat 'Herbie'. He was happy when my son finally came and picked her up after his trip.

This past weekend my son called me up in a panic. Apparently he had gotten a traffic ticket while in the big city for making a left turn onto a one way road. He received the citation in the mail stating he had seven days to pay the traffic fine of $1200.
Of course the phone number is automated, and you can't get through to anyone at the court house.  So, like a good mom, I tried calling the court house for him,  to see if he will be able to make payments on this ticket since neither of us have 1200 dollars to pull out of our ass to give the city of San Francisco in 7 days. I had the same luck he did getting through to a real person,- none at all.
I can't believe it costs that much for making a wrong turn! They must be in dire need of funds.
Keeping my fingers crossed that I get through to a live person in the next couple of days and please, whatever you do; don't get a ticket in San Francisco!

Monday, February 28, 2011

Racing Season is almost here

March is when racing season begins, starting with the N.H.R.A. in Pomona Ca. That's a story I'll save for later. Right now I'm talking about dirt track racing. Noisy fiberglass clad, aluminum winged cars chasing each other on a dusty oval, each one hoping to win.
As a spectator you always want to get to the races a little early so you can find a decent parking spot and get a good seat in the stands. I recommend eating before you go because the food at the concession stands are way overpriced.

A 16 ounce beer is nine dollars, if you plan on drinking, you might want to take a small cooler with a six pack or two and keep it in your car. You can always go out during the breaks/crashes and pound one back. But, be sure to get your hand stamped before walking to your car, so the stupid security guard doesn't make you pay twice because he can't remember who you are, even though he tried picking up on you just 15 minutes before hand.

My local race track is in Northern Ca. there are three sets of grand stands. I like to sit in what is called 'turn 4'. That's where the annoying, loud, party people hang out. They're more entertaining and fun.

Dirt track racing isn't for everyone. The cars are loud, lots of dust and dirt clods flying, the smell of methanol, and sometimes a burnt engine. Oh, don't forget to bring your sunglasses, you'll need them halfway thru the night when the track dries out and the dust is headed your way. Might not be the best place to take your girl on a first date if she's never been to the races before.

If you do decide to buy a beer, its not a good race unless you have a complete dust film covering the top inside of your cup.