Zsa Zsa Darling

The Imperial Princess Zsa Zsa Darling
d. Feb 6, 2009

My dearest Zsa Zsa,

It still hurts so much to lose you. I can't dwell on it very long because then I focus on unfair it was that you were taken from us instead of rejoicing about how wonderful the time with you was. Your short life is not forgotten, little girl. I miss you.

p.s. Sophie says hello and she can't wait to meet you one day (not soon).

The Man, The Myth, The Legend...

Have you ever reached the place where you felt like all of your wildest dreams have come true?
Well, I seem to have recently arrived there, trip courtesy of a very special Man.

End: Mushiness. Enter: Facts.

We've established that Man's name is Steve.
Steve prefers to be called "Hot Young Stud."
Steve lives in Glendora, CA and is working on his dissertation to get his Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Fuller (Mom says that Steve and I will be a good balance between smart and not-so-much). He currently works as a copy-editor, which is why it takes me 500 times longer to write a blog-- I'm trying extra hard to get all of my grammar correct.

Steve loves Jesus and goes to church every Sunday, preferring the traditional service of First Baptist Church of Pomona.

H.Y.S. and I met through his brother's Facebook back in November, although he didn't get the nerve to ask me out until right before the New Year. I'd been keeping my eye on him since we became "friends" --I think he's hilarious! Strangely enough, our families have known one another for years. My parents taught his Sunday school when he was in the 3rd grade. He and I never remember meeting before, although we're sure that we've been many places at the same time. We know that we both attended his sister's wedding in the summer of '05, but Steve was off the market at the time, so I admire the fact that he didn't notice me at the nuptials.

H.Y.S. and I have logged many many hours during our long distance relationship and we're delighted at what we are finding out about each other. Steve is going to come and visit in March, along with his 7-year old son, William. There's a lot of laughter and joy happening these days; I couldn't ask for more.

Lazy Saturday

I know, I haven't been blogging very much. Life has been... busy. I blame Man. We talk a lot, often into early morning hours. Therefore, I have continued to attempt to function full force as usual and it's worked---until it caught up with me this weekend. Saturday I awoke and started my laundry. I put my sheets in the washer and got my towels of the dryer. Then the sun came out. And that's all I remember. Mal snapped this photo of Sophie and I tanning, snuggling, and snoozing, while I used a clean towel as a blanket.

Some of us had work to do, so I got up eventually to keep cleaning. Sophie found my comforter on the ground and settled back in.

...and in the afternoon, she decided that she need just a bit more sunshine. Lucky Pup.

My Skinny Mallory (My Hero)!

My sister has been working out at least 3 times a weeks since October, doing reformer Pilates with our good friend Victoria after work. I get to see Mallory every day and her progress has not been slow-- oh no! She has been morphing in front of my eyes. With her permission, I asked if I could do this blog so that SHE could see the progress that she's making. The photo on the left was in April of '09 at my graduation. The photo on the right is Mallory this past Saturday, where the moment she walked into the room, I once again exclaimed that my skinny sister was looking quite de-lish. It's not an "after" photo, it's an "update" photo. I'm so very proud of the dedication and the work that Mal is putting into her goals. You're an inspiration, Mallory!!!

Tommy Turns ONE!

The LaBarbera and The Pickerel families gathered to celebrate Tommy's first birthday this past Saturday. Tommy doesn't officially turn one until February 8th, but we had to all get together when we had the chance.

Tommy dove right into the presents. With a smile like that, I'll give you anything you want, precious.

Cousin Morgan couldn't WAIT to dive into his toys and begin playing. That's where all the extra jewelry that I wore that evening came in handy.

It was cupcake time and there was not a candle to be found. Who needs a candle when you have FROSTING?

That tickles my nose, Mom!

Does it tickle your nose too, Aunt Tawny? (thanks for instigating this Grandpa, Tom!)

What? What's the matter? What? What's going on? Can I hear? Are you worried about the candle because its not a big deal-- we already know. Guys? Anyone? Maybe you are concerned about Mick's crazy sister?

Tommy getting ice cream from Nana Pam. That's Laura brother-in-law Steve to the right of Tommy. He'll be Steve #1.

Tommy was so excited to get the highchair that he needed. How many LaBarbera men does it take to put together? (and how many little Morgans does it take to make it twice as long to construct?)

"I'll gathered you all here today to make a decree..."

Morgans turn to reign on high(chair).

Cousins playing together. "Hey Morgan, what's up? Can I push your buttons?"

Tommy was thrilled to see Steve (#2) & Pat Decker. You'll notice Auntie Debbie and Uncle Steve (#3) in the background with Morgan.

I know the focus was on Tommy the entire night, but this photo of Mikey is perhaps my favorite photo. Ever.

One sock McGee strikes again. To infinity, Birthday #2 & beyond! Happy Birthday kiddo!!

Why was it important to point out the 3 Steve's at the party? Because Man's real name is also Steve :)

Next Up...

Tommy's 1st Birthday Party!

BLOG COMING FEB 2, 2010!!!

Who has two thumbs and knows about cars? NOT this girl!

A few days ago I was having some work done at my local garage. A blond came in and asked for a seven-hundred-ten.

We all looked at each other and another customer asked, 'What is a seven-hundred-ten?'

She replied, 'You know, the little piece in the middle of the engine, I have lost it and need a new one..'

She replied that she did not know exactly what it was, but this piece had always been there.

The mechanic gave her a piece of paper and a pen and asked her to draw what the piece looked like.

She drew a circle and in the middle of it wrote 710. He then took her over to another car which had its hood up and asked 'is there a 710 on this car?'

She pointed and said, 'Of course, its right there.'
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Last weekend, I was on my way to run errands when I looked up to the sticker on my windshield that noted my last oil change. Blinking at it a couple of times, I realized that I was 2 months and 7,000 miles over the limit of when I should have gotten one. Usually, I am pretty good about such things, but ever since moving and starting a new job in same month, I am been struggling to play catch up.

In any event, added "oil change" to my list of errands and then I called Diana to catch up.

I was still on the phone with Di when I pulled into the-- uhhhh-- Miffy Cube and asked them to change my oil. I know that I was rudely on the phone, but my experience has been that I say what I want done, and they do it and then I pay and leave. When I went to this place, I asked them to change my oil, but then they went to open my door, saying that I can wait in the waiting room. Oh no, I said, I'd like to wait in the car, please. That what a drive thru place is for, right? So, Diana and I got some quality phone time. At least, that's what I was hoping for. These men at the Miffy Cube saw a woman and decided that they needed their sales quota met or something because they would not leave me alone. Diana could hear them talking and one guy asked to look at my air filters.

Di says into my earpiece "He's going to try to sell you new filters. Don't fall for it. Say that you are going to get them next time."

Man: Ma'am you see these air filers, here? They should be bright white and you are really compromising the quality of your air with these dirty things. (Di: Bright white my @$, they are only white in the package but are dirty the moment you install them). He started walking away with them like of course I want them replaced. I said "Wait! I want to wait until the next time." Di talked in my ear again "Wow, he's really trying isn't he?"

Yeah. Ok Di, where were we? *tap tap tap* Hold on, Di, they want me again.

Man: You have high mileage and you had burned all your oil, so you should upgrade the weight on your oil.

Di: You don't need that. You only need 10-30 or 10-40.

Looks like I am just fine with the normal weight, sir.

Man: (skeptical) Ok.

Sigh, please continue Di. I'm so glad that we're able to catch up like this.

*TAP TAP TAP* Man: Ma'am, we ran a battery test and you are not running at maximum power... (Di: [interrupting] Tell him that you will get the fixed on your next tune up.)... and you really shouldn't let this go.

Sir, it's fine. I'll get this checked at my next tune up.

*rolls up window* Diana, I really don't know what I would do without you. How do you think they would react if they knew that I was getting my car advice from this woman:

?????

*TAP TAP TAP*
Man: Your power steering fluid is low. Want us to top that off?

Let me consult with the expert here.

Di: Yeah, you need that done.

Finally, finally they let me go. After taking my credit card and all my resolve. Next time I get my oil changed, I don't think I'll mind the waiting room.

Thanks Diana!!!

No Sudoku Title Today?

Oh NO! Dad has writer's block? Can anyone else out there fill my need for today's sudoku title???

Where's Sophie?

Mallory uses a classic Minnie Mouse blanket to cover her bed sometimes. Sometimes we can't find Sophie. Look for ears.

Bazooka Dog, Meet Tommy Gun

Coffee this morning was a war zone: Tommy Gun obliterated Bazooka Dog on the battlefield. Today was even more detrimental because there were two Tommy Guns to choose from: large or small caliber.