Thank you

In honor of Sgts. Erv Romans, Mark Dunakin, and Dan Sakai. My thoughts and prayers are with your families during this difficult time. Thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice, may you rest in peace. According to reports, (as of this morning) Sgt. Hege is on life support and has been declared brain dead. My thoughts and prayers go out to he and his family as well.

14

Today would have been my little Ricky’s 14th birthday. I still remember my parents getting the phone call that our Freddy boy’s baby’s mama had given birth to nine puppies. I couldn’t wait to get to their house and play with all of them. They were the cutest little things I had ever seen! I think my mom took my brother and I just about every day to hang out with the little guys. Rick’s poor mom was so tired of them that she had to get stitches on her tummy, from jumping the neighbors barbed wire fence. They were so big at five weeks old that my dad asked me “if I thought I was going to be able to sleep if I didn’t bring my new brother home?” I was so excited, but didn’t know what I was in for. I was going to be Rickerd’s mom, and have to sleep in the family room which is adjacent to the kitchen where my kid was to sleep. I don’t think he ever slept that night, he cried and cried and cried for his mama. I thought it was cute at first until the second, and third night came around. I programmed myself to sleep through it, while my parents got up with him. They’d ask…didn’t you hear that? Hear what, I thought? He’d sleep eventually! It got to the point that my little guy knew exactly where I was sleeping, would jump the gate my parents put up and would curl up on top of my hair or on my warm fleece Phoenix Suns blanket. Oh yeah, that reminds me…I really wanted to name him “Charles Barkley” after my favorite person behind my mom and grandpa, but my mom was on this “I Love Lucy” kick and we had to go with the shows theme. All that’s left is an Ethel!

Ricky may have sounded like the sweetest guy on earth, but that’s only because I’m telling the story. He got me in more than a couple fights with my neighbor, which taught me that I’m not as non-confrontational as I once thought I was, and gave me the ability to relax when things were in turmoil. One things for sure, and that’s that I miss my best buddy more than you could ever know! Did I mention that he liked to swallow gloves whole, bags of Ruffles potato chips (whole), would sneak over to the neighbors yard to steal her cat food, and once gave me a bloody nose?  If that isn’t love, I really don’t know what love is! lol

 

Ricky as a puppy~ He actually put that hole in his dog house, by sitting on top of it, and digging. He thought it would be cute to stick his head out of it. Needless to say, I feel this is the best picture I’ve ever taken. 

 

Happy Birthday Ricky Charles! Your sissa misses you more than you could ever know!!!!! 

Home Decor For 2009

2008 may have just concluded less than a week ago, but Interior designers are predicting big changes in 2009 in terms of home decor. See if you agree……

MISMATCHED CHAIRS

Due to the poor economy, people are tending to entertain at home. Since consumers aren’t in the market to just up and buy a new dining room set or chairs, we won’t see  as much  “matchy-matchy.”

The Color GRAY

For us blog readers, we’ve noticed that rooms have been heading in more neutral tones for some time. This year, different shades of gray are going to be everywhere. Experts are warning that this color is going to take a huge dive, just as the recent “chocolate brown/robins egg blue” combo did. Do you think it’s going to burn off or is gray here to stay?

RETRO APPLIANCES

My mom will be happy about this one, seeing as she recently purchased her vintage stove. While it may not be in working condition, many people are heading the same route and purchasing retro appliances from the 1940s- the 1980s (which doesn’t seem so retro to me.)

THE NEW GARAGE DOOR

This year fancy garage doors with wrought iron, hinges, and latches are making a statement.

CORAL

Not as in Nate Berkus favorite accessory, but as in the actual color. In years past “you’d see the color paired with teal, but in 2009 it’ll be matched with plums and grays.”

STUDIED ECLECTIC

Carmen Natscchke of “The Decorating Diva” is seeing multicultural decor taking center stage. What used to be taboo, is ringing steady in the New Year. She states your best bet when combining decor from different cultures is “a balanced look.”

All photos courtesy of MSN. If you’d like more information on these trends, and to see what is OUT for 2009, please follow this link to “New Year, New Home.”

Holla!

Other than the essentials- health, love, shelter, and money to pay the bills…I would really, really, really love to have this bag. Isn’t it so pretty?! It’s screaming my name!!!

Giant City Balenciaga Bag

Never Too Early

Based on California standards…it’s FREEZING! I know you mid-westerners think I’m a baby when it comes to this weather, and I will rightfully admit that I am…but I am so jealous of you so cal residents who get to wear sundresses and sandals all year long. With that being said, I thought today would be a perfect day to utilize the law of attraction, and “wish” warmer weather back into our jurisdiction…by showcasing the cutest sandals of ’09! I’m so mad I didn’t get my hands on the cute Sam Edelman “Ginger” gladiator sandals this past summer….that I’m not going to miss out this year!

ShopBop’s Resort ’09 Collection

Antik Batik~ Porter Tong Brass Beaded Sandal

Matt Bernson~ Barracuda Metallic Studded Sandal

Diane Von Furstenburg~ Rialto T Strap Flat Espadrille

Corso Corso~ Felicia T Strap Flat Sandal

All Photos are courtesy of Shopbop