Flowers In His Hair

Come on everybody, sing along! "If you're going to San Francisco...be sure to wear some flowers in your hair!"

Well, between Loki & Whitebread, they'd be lucky to keep a flower behind their ear if they tried real hard - so I guess that I'll have to suck it up and wear the flowers for the whole family! The things I do for these boys...:)

I thought that I'd take a quick minute and talk about Loki's first West Coast Trip. (reference image to the left - taken in the grand tradition of Reagan's Airplane pictures!)

I would love to tell you how much Loki loved EVERY minute of his San Fran trip - but that might be a bit of an exaggeration. He didn't seem to mind it at all - but the reality of the situation is - he SLEPT through all the FUN stuff.

I don't think he ever even realized he was on an airplane because he slept through all four flights (much to the appreciation of the other passengers)!

I spent ALOT of time on this trip working - which was a HUGE wake up call for all of us. I'm not used to being away from the baby for so long and Whitebread isn't used to playing primary caregiver. We all survived - but not without a little threatening - Whitebread took Loki to Alcatraz to show him where bad babies go when they cause their father's too much trouble!

Turns out Loki helped WB score a few phone numbers. They were quite the chick magnets! Lucky for me - I kept all the airline tickets and credit cards - so they wouldn't be able to get home without me!

We had a GREAT time on the trip, but we didn't get to do hardly ANY of the fun things we had planned. I really wanted a picture of the baby in front of the bridge which just didn't happen and we didn't get to hit any of the restaurants we wanted. But we did get to take a Bay Quacker tour (you know the tours on those WWII amphibious mobiles - they go on land and water) - which Loki slept through! We were practically the only people on the tour.

We also got to try out the new Segway I2's!!! That was SUPER cool. They are WAY more intuitive than the old Segway's I used to tour on all day long.

And we did get to catch up with some of our friends, so that was nice. It just seemed like a whirlwind of a trip. More work than play. We're planning on going back in April - maybe we can make it a longer trip then.

April is really just around the corner - and it suddenly occurred to me that we'll have a ONE year old!!! WHOA! I'm not sure I'm ready for a toddler! Stace actually stressed me out the other day when she reminded me that Michael is coming up on his ONE year!!! I'm excited to hear about the party plans...

In other ODD news (not that anyone will be surprised - least of all - Scof), while we were in SF, my boss asked me if I wanted to run his company...A flattering offer, for sure! He's not really ready to make any sort of shift to that effect for atleast a year - but if I do accept, it will mean a move back to the Bay Area. I won't lie - there are certainly aspects of moving back to SF that are appealling - and just as many concerns and unappealling aspects. Luckily, no decisions have to be made in the too near future.

One decision that I did try to make yesterday, was to fire one of my assistants. She's just not working out. Some people are born telemarketers and she is more of a born barnacle. She's not getting us ANYWHERE. So, I tried to fire her yesterday and she started crying on me. I crumbled...so I told her that I'd try to find her something else to do....ACKKK - I don't know if I'm cut out for capitalism. SHEESH!

Kisses to everyone - we miss you all!!!

Work, Party-Planning, Fundraising, Crafts, Travel and other craziness....

Just wanted to say hi buds and let you guys know I am still here. I have been swamped at work lately so I am sorry for being out of touch. I have been coordinating our big sales meeting at our offices that takes place next Tues/Wed including a fancy dinner for 30 at our sales manager's home in Winter Park on Tuesday evening. I feel like we are planning a wedding for that...it is beyond casual which is what it was supposed to be very cas but, it is definitely not. It is certainly out of the norm for my work duties but, such is life. Anyway, things will be back to normal on Wednesday after 3pm...yippee. Work is good though...I had a great meeting with my manager the other day and we are looking to adding some different responsibilities and title change in near future. I am not big on titles but, new things to do would be great. I would still do some of my usual job but, also learn some of the products to become more involved with creating sales presentations etc. :o)

We have also been busy fundraising for Mom's walk. The last ADA committee meeting went well but, we still need more corporate sponsorships for this walk. Kirk, Dad, and I are giving Grandmom a birthday dinner for her on Sunday, Oct 5th for her church friends. There will be about 11 total. So we have been preparing for that...got the carpet cleaned and we even got some new couches in her fam room from American Signature which was greatly needed for a long time. She is pleased which is great. Mom had planned to do this dinner for her last year but, as you know timing didn't work out so we are doing it this year...if anyone deserves this especially this year... it is Grandmom!

Sunday 9/28 we are going to see JP/Lucy/Uncle T for a day trip to Sarasota...it will be nice to visit them. We are also getting excited for our Hawaii trip. Kirk found a scuba forum on-line and we took a trip to blue springs so he could scuba with them and I think he found some potential guys to scuba with here and there....which is great. While we were in blue springs I suggested for Kirk and I to go to Tom's Pizza for lunch but, can you believe they are closed on weekends? How weird is that in a college town? So we went to the good old standby....Gator's! We had some yummy wings.

For Hawaii...we leave Oct 11-Oct 23. On the way there, we are staying with Blain/Loretta in LA for a weekend layover. Should be a trip of a lifetime...a dream. The weekend after Mom's walk (walk is on Nov 1st), Dad and I are doing the "Great Day in the Country" craft show in Oviedo on Saturday, Nov 8th. Dad said he is doing this for Mom as she always wanted to do that show...we will be putting out pieces that they already had done from last show and we are working on some new things too. I am really glad we are doing it. I don't think that she would believe it...the fact that we got in the show let alone that we are doing it. I sure wish she were here but, I know she is and is proud.

Needless to say things are a little busy lately which I know you all are too. I am trying to fight off a cold as I need to be well for this sales meeting next week...so lots of rest and fluids this weekend.

Hugs to all...miss you bunches!
love, krames

Oscillating Bidet's & So Much MORE!

Just how much do you love your bum? Really. Think about it. How much TLC does your nether region get on a regular basis?

OK - so maybe it's a little personal - but I can honestly say, that I probably have one of the fittest, cleanest and well cared for "down unders" of anyone that I know.

Let's just set aside the fact that I've been in physical therapy for my "loose" little lady parts (which is going EXCEEDINGLY well) for a moment, and take a look at those CRAZY cats in Google land to see how they address the issues of personal hygine...

But first, a little background...I had the distinct privilege of being invited out to the Googleplex last week to attend the Google AdWords Travel Summit. AdWords is how the internet savvy market their websites. As a GAP (Google AdWords Professional) certified SEM (Search Engine Marketer), I manage a RIDICULOUS campaign for TourCorp.

Since Internet Marketing is relatively new, Google decided to bring some of it's larger clientelle out to their campus to help us utilize their services better - and try to sell us on some of their newest advertising venues.

Anyway, the EXCITING part of all of this, is that I got to step into Google Mania for a minute and see how the techie half live!!! It was SOOO cool. I forgot to take my camera, but for those of you who have never heard of the wonders that is the Googleplex, click here!

OK - so I was SO excited to be there, I nearly wet myself (well - not really - the PT is coming along quite nicely)...I made it to the restroom - which from the outside looks like any other public restroom - sinks - mirrors - stalls...until you actually sit down in said stall. On the left hand side was a touch pad with all sorts of buttons and pictures. Every bathroom stall had it's own bidet!!! Whatsmore, you could choose to have the spray aim for the Front, for the Rear OR (my personal favorite - OSCILLATE!!! There was even a Dryer button!!! Oh to be a Googler!

Not only did Google pay for us to stay at the Fairmont, San Jose - (where Loki got his own chrome crib complete with baby bath products and stuffed animals) but we even recieved parting gifts. Google sent us home with portable lithium ion cell phone chargers!

There is a DISINCT possiblity that I'm a little too ENCHANTED!

If I had to guess...

I'd say Howie is getting a taste of what it's like to have your spouse(or spouse to be in some cases) home working with you all the time. Don't worry kid you'll get used to it. There are easy days and hard days and don't forget to take a day for yourself every once and a while. You should try lunch with Kramer, that always helps.

I am back and on a mission

Reagan asleep on the plane, yes, I am as tired as I look.
" Can I Dad? I won't break it, I promise."
While we were there, Reagan learned how to say Arizona and cactus. She says them all the time.
Reagan and Brian, he was such a good sport this trip, basically taking care of Reagan full time because I was in classes all day. His mom was also a HUGE help.
We made her this tent on the flight back home, she was happy as a clam. Tents are really big with her right now.

I am back from convention, rejuvenated and ready to go. My mission right now is to make more money, because, let's be honest......I LOVE MONEY. Convention was awesome, Arizona was awesome and I come home motivated to make major changes to the studio. Check out my newest venture http://www.doingdishespotterystudio.blogspot.com/

Red handed

Whew--Hurricane Ike is going to miss us! I was pretty worried this week about it. Sean and I had a whole evacuation plan--what stuff we were packing, taking the couches and TV upstairs in case of flooding--the whole nine yards. I am pretty relieved.

My landlord, Jason recently got a boat. He has been bugging us for weeks to go out so we finally did yesterday. I put 50 spf on twice and still got so sunburnt I seriously thought about calling in sick today. My wonderful husband and I forgot the back of my arms I think on the second time applying the lotion. I totaly forgot the tops of my hands--feet--got those--they are good. The tops of my hands are so red and painful, I had to leave work to go to Walgreens to get some aloe. Needless to say, I look like a freak. I don't really feel all that well today either. I am drinking so much water, Kramer would be jealous!
We did some fishing on the boat. I enjoyed fishing for the bait. We didn't catch a thing otherwise.

Other than that--same ol same ol.

I have turned into....

my brother-in-law. I remember when Brian and I were just dating, we went to his youngest brother's wedding (Brandon and Vivian) and Brian's older brother, Brad, came with his wife and kids. They had their huge SUV so packed and crammed with stuff and then a car topper, it was CRAZY. I swore then and there, that I would not be like that when I had a child. Vivian and I made fun of Brad and Wendy, to their face and very often. I have now become Brad and Wendy. I have just finished packing for our trip out to Arizona. We are going out tomorrow at 6:40am and we get back in the afternoon on Tuesday. We are going my a pottery convention and we are staying with Brian's parents at their apartment. Jim works there now and comes home every 3 weekends. Jeanette is out there this weekend to be with him for their anniversary and hang out with Brian and Reagan while I am at convention.

I have a huge suitcase, packed full to the limit and then Brian has a suitcase. Then we have my carry-on/backpack which may weight about 100 lbs and we may not get off the ground because of it. Brian has a carry-on/laptop and then Reagan is bringing her quack-pack, which I am sure one of us will end up with. We are bringing a stroller and a car seat. I have packed her sound machine, food, diapers, silverware, cups, swim diapers, clothes, wipes, medicine (God knows she'll need it!!), coloring books, a dvd player with movies, crayons, toys, socks, shoes, and I am sure 100 other things that I forgot to mention. Goodness, what a mess we have become. Wish us luck and pray that the airlines don't lose our stuff, I may die without all my crap!!