I feel like Miss Mary Ann...

Do you remember her? from Romper Room? am I dating myself? At the beginning of every show, she's look in her handheld mirror and "see' the kids that were on the show..or 'watching' the show, you were quite lucky if she mentioned your name (even if it was to all the betsey's in the world).

How does this apply to me you say? I was on linked in this weekend. Linked in is like a 'professional's' myspace. You list your past job history and recruiters look at it..old colleages..it's like an online resume..and people can even 'recommend' your work, so it's like your personal referrals are right there...anyway..i digress. I was on it this weekend because someone had requested to add me to their network..while i was there I found my old VP as well as an additional bunch of old colleauges. Luckily i requested to add them and they all agreed to be my 'friends'.
When i went on today..it said there were 50 new gymboree connections. I pretty much 'knew' all of them...at least by name. I truly felt like Miss MaryAnn...between the finding them, and that fuzzy feeling of old home week. Most all were from my first 'stint' at Gymboree (mind you i was only gone for 7 months), and all brought back that warm fuzzy feeling from our time at Camelot. I even saw 'sweater vest' listed there, should you happen to read this old Prod people!!

Slacker Scrappers

Happy New Year....I've tried to post 3 times...but I've had some serious blogger/IE issues, and each time my post got eaten...bottom line...went to Park City and Salt Lake City over New Years..had a great time tooling around Park City...made it to TLC and AMM whie Pierre was in meetings..and had a supercalafragilisticexpealidocious catch up lunch with my dear friend, Susan Russell. Had camera in purse...no picture!! What the heck!?? Too much chatting I suppose.

Pierre will have to make many more trips out there (he's one of the project manager's for his firm project for the new Hospital in Riverton,so hope to post a picture for sure next time.

My cocktail

From Rachel Hope and Michelle's blogs:

The Recipe For Betsey

3 parts Sensitivity 2 parts Inspiration 1 part Courage Splash of Cleverness Chug!

What's" the Recipe for Your Personality?

Hoopla!

Here are the rules:1. List 12 random things about yourself that have to do with Christmas2. Please refer to it as a 'hoopla' and not the dreaded 'm'-word3. You have to specifically tag people when you're done. None of this "if you're reading this, consider yourself tagged" stuff is allowed...then nobody ends up actually doing it. The number of people who you tag is really up to you -- but the more, the merrier to get this 'hoopla' circulating through the blogosphere.4. Please try and do it as quickly as possible. The Christmas season will be over before we know it and I'd like to get as many people involved as possible.I was tagged by Rachel to list the 12 random things about myself that have to do with Christmas.

1. I'm addicted to Egg Not Lattes.
2. My favorite movie, I havent seen in years..and for the life of me cant remember the name. But they had a Thanksgiving version and a Christmas version and the girls name was Addie..I think it was set in the 30's?
3. We go to Christmas Eve at my dad's cousins.
4. We used to sometime celebrate Christmas 'Day' on the 26th. My dad was a firefighter and would have to work some years..so we'd do the traditional Christmas Eve thing and then 'santa' would come on the 26th..my parents always said it was a nice break for him. Although when we were super young..Santa would come early and we'd celebrate with Santa coming on the 24th.
5. I have not put up a tree in 3 years.
6. I'm allergic to all things Christmas Tree (the real live kind..whether, pine, fir or cedar) and sneeze uncontrollably, unless I'm hopped up on allergy meds.
7. My little tree has a blue/white/silver theme to it.
8. My mom has a whole storage box of ornaments I hope to put on my 'big tree' some year, of ornaments, I've rec'd since I was a baby. She has them tagged with the year and who gave it to me. On a TINY jewelry tag.
9. One of my fondest memories is the Holiday Party my grandparents used to have. I was never old enough to attend as a 'guest' but super young, my parents would bring us and we'd say hello in our jammies and then go upstairs to my aunts room to sleep. As we were older (jr high/early high school) we'd serve hors d'ouevres. My uncle picked up the tradition this year.
10. My dad will either make Egg's St. Anne (his own concoction I'm sure) or some sort of dish with Hollandaise (either Egg's Benedict or Turkey Hash) for breakfast Christmas morning.
11. Santa fills our stockings and puts gifts under the tree!
12. I still believe!!

I am tagging: Keith, Shell & Jan and my sister & Donna can chime in on the comment sections since they're not bloggers.

Small World!

My boss took her direct reports to lunch yesterday. We went to Osha for some yummy Thai food..of course did I branch out? nope..got my normal Chicken Pad Se Yeew. Just love that dark soy sauce on those rice noodles! And while my not branching out keeps my world small..that is not the subject of my post. I sat next to, and got to know our Sales/Use Tax manager. He had mentioned on the walk over that he and his family just bought a fixer upper. While we were at lunch, I asked him where he lived..so he mentioned they just moved to Walnut Creek from San Ramon. No big deal..he then asks where I live..I told him Burlingame..he then says he grew up in San Bruno..two cities away..no big deal. He then asks if I grew up in Burlingame..and I told him..yep..all my life. Next he asks..or says..it's fuzzy at this point..did I go to Mercy..or that his sisters went to Mercy..as soon as he tells me his sisters went to Mercy..I shout out...Odessa Sebastian (his last name is Sebastian..in case you didnt know). Odessa and I were in the same graduating class together (all 98 of us)...he's her brother. Can you believe that? I dont think I've seen Odessa but maybe once since we've graduated (I didnt attend either 10 or 20 year reunion)..and here I am working with her brother. He was going to go right back and email her..and she only lives in San Mateo (one city away)....small world. Hope I can catch up with her soon, as while we werent exactly close friends, I do remember her fondly, and would love to get re-acquainted!

Photo a Day

Argh...I remember this from last year...the december Photo a Day challenge..and I'm already 2 ,about to be 3, days behind... I have a picture from the 1st..just need to upload..but not since. It's month end so i've been in close land, not seeing the light of day..nor the lights of night to take a photo. Hopefully tomorrow I should be caught up..and can get back on this...I'd love to do a scrapbook page with all of these! Does it count if i take countless photos of my nephew & niece next weekend?

Here's my picture from Decmeber 1st - the Fiskateer Nor Cal Christmas Party. It was a blast!

And so it begins...

The holiday food season that is. I guess it officially began on Thanksgiving..but today I felt it in full force. My controller took my boss and I out to lunch for our birthday (we have the same one). Our department rather than have cakes, has your boss take you out for your birthday, since my boss and I share the same birthday, the controller takes us both out at the same time. We went to the Salt House. I've been dying to go there when we've had vendor lunches but it's pretty hard to get in on the same week, unless you go super late. Our asst. controller had raved about having fries and gravy there... never did i realize she meant it was an actual menu item. They call it Poutine..it was fries, a cheese sauce and short rib gravy...can i say YUM!!! but too rich for my pour tummy. Then...tonight I had my introductory session at Dream Dinners. I go to Super Suppers all the time and buy from their grab n go freezer..but I actually made my dinners tonight, it was so quick and easy..and the dinners I selected look super yummy. Karen one of the owners, was great. I will definitely be back, I already have some items scoped out on the January menu.

The Double Babies are here!!


My friend Amber & her husband Peter welcomed a set of twins on Monday. A girl and boy, just like their older sister Princess I predicted. Congratulations all...they are adobable. they were born at just over 36 weeks and both were over 6 pounds..and of course Amber looked phenomenal up unti lthe end..other than 'the walk' looking at her from behind, you wouldnt have even known she was pregnant.


Double Babies, comes from Triple Babies...4 years ago my sisters, sister in law was expecting triplets..and my sisters youngest niece and nephew couldnt quite process triplets, so they were called the triple babies..

So Congrats , Amber & Peter, Princess I..and welcome C & G! Can't wait to meet you!

Blog Candy

Gotta love when blogs you stalk give away blog candy. Even if they're not ones you regularly stalk..it's fun to see one..add it to your list..and see all the designs people come up with. Some day...i'll be in the blog candy give away mode...some day.

Today I checked out Ericka Hall's Blog..she's got some good blog candy! She's a fellow a muse addict...one who does a splendiferous job with coming up with new card designs using A Muse stamps.

Creativity & Minestrone


This post is about 5 days late..but still in my mind..so why not post. I've been in such a paper (not that i've had time for digi either) crafting funk lately..the ideas are there..but when i go to sit down to do it..i have scrappers block. I have so much to scrap, even kits i've made up to scrap, plus a new book to start for my new niece...but nothing..not to mention birthday raks i need to start sending for my A*Muse Group....but nope..zilch out of me...until last Saturday night that is. I went down to the Scrap Lovers @ A Work of Heart Retreat in San Jose..and was immediately inspired..not only getting to help with cool Creative Cafe projects..and rubbing elbows with Danelle Thompson, Melodee Langworthy,Kristi Sikora-Blankenship and the Maya Road girls..but just being amongst creative woman. I also got to see the Tattered Angels Glimmer mists in action. My package of them is supposed to arrive today...and i will be for sure playing with them Friday night..if not tomorrow night. They're going to be perfect for our TLC chipboard. I bought some colors sight unseen..but am going to have to order some more, especially the limited edition..and think I'm going to carry it in the store as well.

And on the other unrelated side..minestrone..my grandmothers to be exact..there is none like it in the world, I rarely if ever order it anywhere because i dont want to be disappointed that it doesnt taste like hers (although i did get some with a dinner from the diner down the street when Pierre was sick..had a taste..and it was a passable 2nd!). My uncle has taken up the tradition of Sunday Family Dinner. My grandmother used to do this all the time when we were in our teens and early 20s..and my uncle has now started it up again. Mostly cooking the dinners himself...and he takes after my grandmother and my dad..and is an amazing cook.
It's just a nice night..comforting..not only with the amazing food, but spending time with family and close friends like family..eating..watching football or bullriding..maybe a game of liars dice. Something to look forward to through the long winter for sure!

Tag...You're It!

I saw this on a fellow local AMuse addicts blog..and just had to post...we used to play this type of game when I was in production whenever we had a department birthday...that and the Chinese Fortune Sticks..so in honor of my lunch tomorrow with my dear friend, David...here goes...and these are a little different than the configurations we used to play..so for any of you old Gymbo production people reading this (you too SISON!) ..do play along!

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) - Duke Passat
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fav ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) CakeBatter Chocolate Chip Angels
3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) B. Ter (why couldn't it be cool like J.Lo!)
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) - Blue Dog
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)- Roseann Daly City(in the game we used to play ..it was middle name..street you grew up on..so i was Roseann Montero (very appropos for a novela, huh?)
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) - TERBE
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink put “The”) The Blue Mojito
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)- Larry Bud
9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne, favorite candy) Happy Snickers
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names) Ann Lester

Now i'm tagging some of you

1. Kei
2. Rach
3. Jan
4. Donna!
5. Koree
6. Shell

For Sean


Last week, I was trying to quickly communicate with one of my carpool buddies about my other carpool buddy through an IM...I was trying to say she got out of her meeting really quickly with her CFO..and I told him...she's out..Myles (the CFO) is a quick meetingerer ..and quickly followed with..that's my made up word of the day...and then i laughed and said oh, I'll add that to my blog, because some of my faves put Favorite Kid quote of the day..favorite tip of the day etc. We had quite the laugh because one of his coworkers has quite the made up stories every day..I mean she is a true Penelope (SNL character played by Kristin Wiig)..nothing could happen this much to one person..not possible..and my Made up word..could go up against her stories (of course she thinks they've all happened to her)

So today..I told him I 'beat' another coworker (an annoying one at that), he said "Physically"..i replied...no Walk Fitaly..our walk fit program. I won this week..for actual steps..not for just a random you reported your totals. So Sean says...add it to the blog...so here we go...our first official MOWOTD - Walk Fitaly.

Keeping it Cr8zy!!

Shopped a little bit at Crazy8 this week..Gymboree's newest concept,a value concept. Got some hair baubles for Jessi to go with her birthday gift and jammies for Tripp...great prices (and I dont even get an employee discount!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zy5mpFN8mKo


Edited - they're only in California, Texas and New Jersey right now (or within the next few months), however the web site and shipping is launching today.

Where's Summer?

It's a cloudy, dreary day, as its been the last week...but its sunny in my world....bcause, the hillbilly's are moving. Its a bad picture..had to take it from my camera phone..and super stealth..one so they didnt see me..and two so i didnt get hit by flying objects as they threw the items they were packing over the balcony...yes they packed up in true hillbilly fashion..one, not bothering to tell us they were moving and if we needed to leave maybe to move our cars out...and then it's hard to see but they're literally just throwing things in the back of the truck..no packing properly to optimize space at all..bottom line..as long as it gets them OUT OF HERE!!

My friend Donna sent me this latest survey..and well I just love thse things!!

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? St. Elizabeth (my parents are catholic and you had to have a saint's name)..my middle name is a combination of my grandmother's middle names Rose and Ann.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? June 22...watching Paul Potts tryout on Britain's Got Talent

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING sometimes..my printing..it starts out great then my hand gets tired (thank you computer) and it goes to hell

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? mortadella or roast beef

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? no

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? probably

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM? It's a way of life, keeps me sane

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS yep..although they should have been removed a LONNNNG time ago for the amount of strep and tonsilities i've had.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Oh Hell NO!

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Cheerios (plain..Joe's O's work too), Kelloggs Raisin Bran, or Lucky Charms

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Sometimes

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? In some ways

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Dbl Rainbow Coffee Blast or Cold Stone Cake Batter or Dreyers Slow Churned Rocky Road. 31 Flavors Daiquiri Ice used to be in there too..but they've recently changed the recipe and it's now disgusting!

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Eyes and smile/teeth

15. RED OR PINK? pink

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My weight, but I'm working on it.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My Aunt Bobbie

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? please do!!

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? black & black Sandals

20 WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE yogurt with granola

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? office chatter
22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Cornflower BLUE

23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Homemade chocolate chip cookies or the Guittard Factory

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? some guy who wanted my opinion on a report for Foreign Exchange processes

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Yes I do!

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? prefer in person..but bottom line Baseball!

27. HAIR COLOR? Natural Auburn red baby!

28. EYE COLOR? BLUE or Green depending on the day and clothes

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? no..rub my eyes way too much

30. FAVORITE FOOD? Mexican food with a good margarita, or Italian

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy Endings

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? The Queen

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? A little silk number Black and White dot on top/black, pink green vertical stripe on bottom

34. SUMMER OR WINTER? SUMMER (sunny really, doesn't have to be real hot, just sunny

35. HUGS OR KISSES? Smooches for sure!

36. FAVORITE DESSERT? My moms pecan pie

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Not sure, depends on who's bored or not busy

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND ???????

39. What book are you reading now? The MacGregors - Robert and somebody,..and My Friend Leonard (at Pierre's), plus have about 3 scrapbooking magazine still to get through.

40. What is on your mousepad? Gymboree Dots

41.What did you watch on T.V. last night? Hell's Kitchen & Family Guy and News

42. What is your favorite sound? Tripp or Dominic laughing

43. Rolling Stones or Beatles? neither..but Stones if i have to choose

44.What is the farthest you've been from home? Hawaii

45. Do you have a special talent. I used to be great at remembering phone numbers and zip codes..but now it has to be a number I call regularly

46. Where were you born? Daly City California

47. Whose answers are you looking forward to getting back? Shell, Rachel & Jan…tagging you!!

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BGT FINAL -Paul Potts high quality video/sound

Sorry just have to post this, I'm sure most have seen on Jessica's blog..but I was brought to tears by seeing the clip from his Britains Got Talent tryout, and as Jessica said, LOVED that he won the competition and love that he's making his way. Not sure that I'll buy the entire album, but if songs are available to download, I'll be sure to purchase this one, if not others! Here's his final winning performance, singing one of my most favorite opera songs!

If you want to see the full length version of his tryout, click here

I could get more scrapbooking done if..
(joining Shell & Jan)

• I didnt have to work 8-5
• I wasnt so darn tired when i got home
• My house was clean & organized
• I didnt have to cook
• I didnt have other 'business' things to tend to at night.

If you're reading this...I'm tagging YOU!

Relaxing..but not..and over so soon.

We drove down to Southern California Saturday..and came back Sunday night...crazy. Our original plan was one night in Santa Barbara...the wrong thing there being one night. OUr choices were two night minimum or close to $300 for a flea bag you wouldnt pay $80 during a regular weekend...so our reservations found us further south (the Valley is only another hour)..but Sunday found us in the OC. I wish we had ended up just staying there. We had a lot of fun though..and oddly enough even with all the driving , it was very relaxing..and we were even more happy when we had yesterday to relax at home and not have to worry about driving in Holiday Traffic.