“For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul.” – Judy Garland
We Have a Winner, Folks November 7, 2009
“The dance of battle is always played to the same impatient rhythm. What begins in a surge of violent motion is always reduced to the perfectly still.”-Sun Tzu
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Being with Daniel has introduced so many new things into my life, things I never would have thought I would have the opportunity to experience. One of those is Martial Arts. Daniel has a black belt in Taekwondo……. which makes me giggle a bit when I think of how much I LOVED “The Karate Kid” growing up. Perhaps it has been part of his appeal. 
Recently though, he has taken up MMA, or Mixed Martial Arts. There are those out there who think me a bit crazy for supporting him in this new adventure. In reality, I was the one who encouraged him to take it up. I sensed something in his soul that was telling me it was what he needed to do. I understand why he wants and needs to do it.
Now he doesn’t get to have an MMA fight right away. It’s a process. First, he has to fight the Jiu Jitsu tournaments. Then comes Muay Thai. THEN, he gets to fight the Mixed Martial.
Today was one of the Jiu Jitsu matches. It makes for a long day when you have over 300 competitors! But it was well worth the wait. He won 3 out of his 4 matches and placed 3rd in his division, which was very exciting!
For those who would like to see him in action, I have posted a clip for you. Beware: there’s lots of what looks like man hugging going on.
He won that last match with what is called an “arm bar”. This next match was won with a “guillotine”, quick and clean.
There once was a day I would have laughed at you if you had told me I would one day know what an “arm bar” is, or a “guillotine”, “triangle”, or ”heel hook” for that matter. Now I find myself shouting them from the sidelines. *chuckles*
Well anyways, I’m proud of you, Baby!
A Snicker and a Snort November 6, 2009
We all know how much I love tea. So imagine my delight and the giggles that ensued when I watched this video!
Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
My Other Life November 5, 2009
The life other than my life at home, that is. I thought that I would take this opportunity to show you where I work. My “second place”, if you like.
This is where I go every day at 4 o’clock…..
Come in! Let me make you a drink!
Are you chilly? Let me put you in a seat by the fire. It’s toasty there!
The dining room I often run my butt off in…..
The kitchen….. where anything can and does happen….
Have you seen this movie?
Our restaurant was named after the Father, Cosmo. Christina, one of the owners and my boss, loves this movie since it reminds her of her own sicilian family. To be truthful, working here often reminds me of what it would be like to BE a part of a sicilian family. We love and hate each other all at the same time. 
We even have a sandwich named after this scene in the movie……
So next time you’re in Port Orchard, swing on by and order the “Snap Out of It”. While you’re there, make sure to try the gelato! Or perhaps you would like to take some house made Currant Balsamic Vinegar home with you! Whatever you are there for, be prepared for some tasty and delicious food. The service ain’t half bad either.
So. Much. Fun. November 4, 2009
While rummaging through blogland this morning with my cup of coffee, I stumbled across the coolest website! Thanks to Posy Gets Cozy, I have just spent an hour playing around with it. You can customize your own outfits! Drag and drop, baby, it’s all about the drag and drop.
I call this one my “Evening in New York” outfit (Polyvore would be the website, BTW):
And this one would be the “Day at the Louvre”:
Crap, I’m supposed to be getting ready to go to the gym, and instead I’m sitting here drooling over clothes. Typical.
Quilting: The New Adventure November 3, 2009
“When life throws you scraps, make a quilt.” – Unknown
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I often have way too much time on my hands. I only work part time, usually starting around 4 in the afternoon, so there is a good part of my day freed up to do other things. There have been moments lately when I have complained to Daniel (with admittedly, a lot of guilt afterwards) that I am “bored”. And there have been days when the boredom has been almost unbearable. It’s disgusting, I’m sure, to those out there who run around like chickens with their heads off, to hear me say such absurd things. Just know that I have been one of those chickens already. This is the first time in my life I have had so much available time! What to do with myself, what to do. Sure there is knitting. One can only knit so much. Sure there is cleaning. But really now, how much cleaning can a person do before insanity certainly sets in? Which is why I don’t focus all my energy on it. Anyways! What I needed was a new project. A new hobby.
And then there was quilting. My mother in law is a quilter and was hence part of my inspiration. One of my favorite bloggers, Posie Gets Cozy’s Alicia Paulson , is a quilter, amongst other amazingly talented things.
So I thought, why not? I can do a quilt! Sure, I can do a queen size one at that! Go big or go home is always my motto. Or is it bite off more than I can chew? I can’t remember. I suppose it just depends on the day.
So I am making a quilt. It’s a lovely quilt from Alicia Paulson’s website.
The Ollalieberry Ice Cream Quilt. Although I have to say, my fabric is not quite as berry like as the ones she picked out. But lovely all the same.
All the lovely lovely fabric. I never thought fondling fabric in fabric shops could be so satisfying! Isn’t it all just so lovely?
My new handy dandy utility tool, the rotary cuter. My sweet MIL, knowing me as she does, STRONGLY cautioned me as to the sharpness of this tool. Don’t worry Cindy: I am cutting away from myself at all times!
My workshop:
All those squares to be cut!
So I shall let you know how this new adventure comes to fruition. I do believe this quilting business shall be good for me. Why, you ask? Well it requires something of me that I am often in great want of. PATIENCE. (Just ask Daniel.) So not only do I get to fondle lovely fabric every day but I get a desperately needed lesson in patience.
Yeah, I’ll let you know how that goes.
Did Somebody say NaBloPoMo? November 2, 2009
I received an email from a dear friend today. She mentioned that she was going to be participating in Nablopomo. What the heck is Nablopomo, I thought. So I went to the website. And decided that I should participate as well. Why not?
The rules are simple. Post every day for a month. That’s it. Oh sure, it may sound simple enough, but if you are a blogger, you may know otherwise. It’s not that easy really. Being inspired to post something EVER SINGLE DAY?!?!?! Yikes. It will be challenging, but I’m up for a challenge, damn it all. Thanks for the inspiration, Dani! I can’t wait to see what the next month will hold.
Oh. My. Gosh. October 27, 2009
I had to share. I stumbled across these in blog land and just had to share.
Happiness October 15, 2009
“It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.”
Laura Ingalls Wilder (Little House in the Ozarks by Hines)
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Happiness in a cup:
Happiness in a vase:
Happiness in book form:
What happens to be making you happy this fine day?
A Lap Full of Love October 13, 2009
“The cat was created when the lion sneezed” - Arabian Proverb
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This is what I had on my lap this morning for several hours…..
My color coordinated kitties…. my boys.
These boys have been with me through the thick and thin of life. 10 years of it. They have comforted me when I was sad and have kept me company when I was lonely. They have been my constant little warm and fuzzy companions.
Life with them has been rich and rewarding indeed.
Gus and Oscar, mama loves you.
