No excuses....

Holidays...that's my excuse....okay...maybe not...especially since I didn't make my cards...but, I did write a letter and I ordered pictures...late, so, I had to get them at Walgreens...but, most of the letters are out...I still have a scarf to finish...and I started a new project for the Athletic Association potluck...but, yeah, the Holidays...that's my excuse!

First of all...the potluck project. While I was addressing my letters...I was watching "The White House Christmas"...I think I watch it every year...anyways, they made these trees for the "Green Room"...they are made from old magazines....aren't they pretty trees?


While I was at Home Depot, I thought I would pick up some more planters. A few weeks ago, I found this planter, it was perfect...almost exactly what I wanted...bummer they did not have purple...anyways, the sign said it was $12.88...well, okay...I'll get it. When I went to self-check...it rang up for $3.00....SCORE! So, I went back to get a few more...year end teacher gifts? This time, I went to the checkout...it rang up for ONE CENT. YES, ONE PENNY!!! WHOO HOOO!!!

Aren't they cute? It's a nice size also: 15" wide x 5" depth x 5.5" tall perfect for my violets!



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E recycle event

Met with Louis Sarkis from Blue Star Electronics LLC...think we will use them for Warwick's event



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Departing Commander Leonard D. Santiago ... And family

Right now, we are in the middle of Route 46 and I am reflecting on the events from Friday.



After 22 years of service in the US Navy, one of my best friends retired. Len and I have been friends since high school...one of my best buddies who I called throughout college heart-breaks and other hard times. I am surprised he doesn't have permanent dents on the side of his head from falling asleep during some of those phone calls. His beautiful wife, Marsha, and I have been friends since SECOND GRADE!!!! As time goes on, I have come to realize that Marsh and I have always been sisters at heart. It has been very heart-warming to see our families grow and the next generation become good friends.


The Friday ceremonies were held at the Third Fleet Naval headquarters at Point Loma, in San Diego. Upon on our arrival, we were directed to a lookout overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It turned out to be a beautiful day, our friend Brian even got a little sunburnt.



Surrounded by the flags of each of the states, Commander Santiago entered the ceremonies with Rear Admiral John Hines. During the emotional program, Len was awarded with a medal, messages from President Obama, Governor Lingle of Hawaii and the Governator. Marsha and the kids also received messages of appreciation from the Navy. The Navy also presented certificates to Marsha's mother and some of Len's aunts and uncles...they were a huge support to Marsha and the family whenever Len was deployed because both of Len's parents have passed.





Rear Admiral Hines spoke of Len's leadership, dedication to the Navy and the people with whom he was responsible for, the sacrifices of not only Len, but that the whole family has made during the times that he was deployed or had to be at work early/late. But, to anyone who knows Len, this is not a surprise...as PJ said in a speech later that evening, his father loves the Navy...most people talk "story", Len talks "NAVY". During a few recent crises, (the Carnival ship that was stuck without engine power and others), I remember watching the news and thinking, Len will take care of it....and sure enough he was instrumental getting that spam to the ship. BTW: the Navy did not order the food for the ships...

Now that Len is gone, I don't know if I feel as "safe". There is something comforting knowing that he was there....

More to come....

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My Name Is Old Glory

The following poem was read during the flag presentation. Maybe it was the deep commanding voice of the MC or the presence of the so many people who have fought for our country, but, this was a moving part of the program...then again, I can cry at the sight of a flag waving in the sky....

Here are some pictures from the Flag Presentation, followed by the poem...






















------------
I am the flag of the United States of America
My name is Old Glory.

I fly atop the world's tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America's halls of justice.
I fly majestically over great institutes of learning.
I stand guard with the greatest military power in the world.
Look up! And see me!

I stand for peace, honor, truth, and justice.
I stand for freedom.
I am confident . . . I am arrogant.
I am proud.

When I am flown with my fellow banners,
my head is a little higher,
my colors a little truer.

I bow to no one.
I am recognized all over the world.
I am worshipped.
I am saluted.
I am respected.
I am revered. I am loved.
And I am feared.

I have fought every battle of every war for more than 200 years...
Gettysburg, Shilo, Appomatox, San Juan Hill, the trenches of France,
the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome, the beaches of Normandy,
the deserts of Africa, the cane fields of the Philippines,
the rice paddies and jungles of Guam, Okinawa, Japan, Korea, Vietnam,
and a score of places long forgotten by all but those who were with me.

I was there!

I led my soldiers.
I followed them.
I watched over them...
They loved me.
I was on a small hill in Iwo Jima.
I was dirty, battle-worn and tired,
but my soldiers cheered me,
and I was proud.

I have been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries
I have helped set free.
It does not hurt . . . for I am invincible.
I have been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of my country,
and when it is by those with whom I have served in battle . . . it hurts.
But I shall overcome . . . for I am strong.

I have slipped the bonds of Earth
and stand watch over the uncharted new frontiers of space
from my vantage point on the moon.

I have been a silent witness to all of America's finest hours.
But my finest hour comes
when I am torn into strips to be used for bandages
for my wounded comrades on the field of battle.
when I fly at half mast to honor my soldiers...
and when I lie in the trembling arms
of a grieving mother at the graveside of her fallen son.

I am proud.
My name is Old Glory.
Dear God . . . Long may I wave!



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Da Brothers...and family

Len is the eldest of 5 siblings....three brothers and one sister. Unfortunately, Joy was not able to make it...but, all the brothers were there, flying in from Hawaii, Sacramento and Santee (as Len refers to it, "Santucket")

Here is a pic of Da Brothers




And some of the family, David's wife (2nd from the right) just had their second and Baby Bro Neil (on the far right) is expecting his first in February



At the earlier ceremony, they took a picture with the extended family....and they came from ALL OVER, Molokai, No. Cal included...



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Don't ya love Cyber Monday?

WHOO HOO! I know, I have posted on the blog in AGES...I would make excuses, but, the only excuse I have is that I am busy in Cyber mode....cyber shopping...

I found this great leather iPad case online at HD Accessory.com. It was only $8.36 (30% off their low prices), even with S&H at $5.90 ... it was a great deal. The quality seems really good...so, let's see how long it lasts! The best thing...it still fits in my quilted case that I made to hold the iPad and all of the cables!

Other activities have kept us busy...will chat about that after the weekend. I promise...multiple post next week...we have an EXTREMELY busy weekend.

las Vegas Food!

Ok, so, I know there are some people waiting to see pictures of food..I have most of them except for Pop's Cheesesteaks because we inhaled those! They were majorly good!

So, saimin from the Cal


...then we have Korean chicken and Kalbi...yummmmmy! I didn't know I was in the picture..sorry...





Oh, we have a picture of Pops


And Robertos...once again no food...but we all know what rolled tacos look like...right?



And for dessert....Nielsens Frozen Custard...oh man, I am now an addict...any frozen custard in the Bay Area?



Jeff and I (and Neil) think his was the best...maraschino cherry cement!



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Matsuri!

On Thursday night, we went to see Matsuri at Imperial Palace. It was a small scale Variety show. All of the acrobats/ performers are from Japan. I guess the show is called "Muscle Musical".

Guess who was called onto the stage....NEIL! He played ring toss with the performers....hahaha...


He has a pouty face until the camera snapped his pictures...





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Nice day!

Although it was a short day...it was nice.

I helped out in my friend Andi's class...the combo K/1class is so cute...they greet me with a "hello Miss Sheri"!

Afterwards, Jeff and I had lunch with the Canadian...he took a few days off for some family time since the boys don't have school on Thursday or Friday. At lunch, we saw a gnome...turns out a group of guys were honoring someone's birthday...too cute...Lori said I had to take a picture and blog about it....






Afterwards, Jeff and I went to Half-Price books...when I used the restroom, there was a note on the mirror....what a nice thing to do...it brightened my day! Thank you to whoever left it there....unless...there was a camera stashed somewhere....hmmm.....






Lastly, my friend Lori gave me a new pattern for a "potato chip scarf"...so far, I really like it....of course it is purple...I'll post a picture when I am done...









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Giants and Wreaths

WHOO HOO!!! LET'S GO GIANTS!!! Today was the victory parade for the World Series Champions...the San Francisco Giants....unfortunately, I couldn't go to SF...although my friend Julie went....I was very tempted to go with her...but, I had appointments today...and Grandma....so, it's ok...the crowds looked crazy! CONGRATULATIONS GIANTS!!!

I put away the little bit of Halloween decorations that I took out last weekend and went on a search for the Thanksgiving wreath I made last year...I COULDN'T FIND IT!!! So, I made a new one...I had all the supplies...including a straw wreath so...



I think I like the grapevine wreath better...I hope I find it!

During the past few basketball practices, inhale been making the bells for the "sleigh bell" wreath....I finally decided to finish it since I had my glue gun out....


It turned out really cute! And I used a ton of things that I had laying around...yeah!

Now if only my yarn and fabric sup pies would dwindle down!

Last picture...Neil and Nori going to sleep...cute eh?


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Happy Halloween

The boys haven't wanted to dress up for the past few years...so, Nori got costume....


I had to get it...besides the fact that it was PURPLE...it was also 50% off...

Besides shopping for Nori...I have also been busy scrapping (scrap booking). My goal was to finish all of Hawaii before Neil's family birthday party next week...but, I didn't quite make it...so, most of the stuff went onto the washing machine...and it will come back out on Monday.

But, I did finally collage last year's Christmas pictures. Every year I keep the pictures people send to us, and I collage them into a poster frame...I usually don't do this until February...because I have received late cards...this year, I was a little busy...so, it didn't get up until now...can you see yourself?



Today is Neil's 10th birthday....last night his best friend Logan spent the night...


...and he opened presents from Jordan and us tonight....



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Treats and tricks

I bumped into my friend Christine @ Michaels and she told me that she has been having fun with the Mini Monsters Cricut cartridge. I decided to use the enclosed directions for the treat bags for Neil's family birthday party...here are the tags and decorations...there are little rhinestones on the tree...did I mention that Neil is turning TEN!?!


So far, no PINK cast....Jordan stayed home from practice tonight to make sure he gets to Sunday with no PINK cast....the splint comes off on Sunday...and then he has to tape his fingers all day for a week and then only for practices/games.

He says he is swearing off tetherball...we shall see...


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An Extern, Urgent Care and a PINK cast threat

This has been the month of doctor's appointments. This morning, I went to the clinic for my annual blood work. After waiting an hour, I was finally called in...I knew it was going to be bad. To start off, I was across from a little baby...secondly, the tech was an extern (dunno, is that the same as an intern?), who also happened to be an older lady. The extern was having a difficult time finding a vein, then when she found one, it felt like she was hacking off my arm....seriously, pain was shooting up my arm....oh, and of course, the baby was crying at the same time...luckily, the tech who was supervising the extern, took over immediately and was able to draw all 5 tubes in a matter of a minute or so....it took longer for the extern to look for a vein....


Two trips to Urgent Care occurred this weekend...the first was Saturday night. I called the Palo Alto Medical clinic in Fremont....to inform them that Jordan had "cracked" his cast....they gave me an 8:45 pm appt, they close at 9pm. We rushed to FREMONT Urgent only to find out that they closed at 5pm and I had been transferred to the Urgent Care in Palo Alto. We were in Redwood City when I called, I didn't know I was talking to UC in Palo Alto.

So, Sunday morning, I took Jordan to Fremont UC...the spoke to the orthopedist on call, who happened to be his doctor...taped it up and told me to make an appointment on Monday.

Since we were at the clinic on Sunday, we were able to get our flu shots. Neil was a slam dunk...he even finished before me....Jordan was another story....THREE nurses later, we walked out with a VERY grumpy boy...grrr...I should have taken a picture of that!

Monday afternoon, they removed the cast and splinted it, with the threat of re-casting with a pink cast, should Jordan not behave...

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Cupcakes and Makaela

Today was Makaela's 5th birthday! She is becoming such a big girl...



Michelle made a yummy ice cream cake with an Oreo crust topped with cookies and cream ice cream and cool whip...yummy!

Jordan had his third day of basketball practice...Thursdays with SACBC, Friday and Saturday with San Mateo JYO...this is a great time to catch up on my knitting and crochet....this is my latest project...cupcake pin cushions...fun, fun, FUN...






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Girl Scout Memories

While I was at the church Rummage Sale...jeff cleaned out the hall closet so that he could get into the attic....and he also decided it was time to clean things out...

I found my old girl scout photo album...I took some pictures out and also snapped some photos of some autographs...recognize anyone?










Good news! The countdown has started...Jordan gets his cast off on the 15th! Everything is healing well...

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Too tired to blog...

Michelle and I decided to get together and get some scrap booking done...she came over at 9 am with pastries...and we scrapped until she left at 11 to pick up Makaela...I kept going until Jeff came home....

I got 27 pages done!!!!



Around 5:45, I realized it was Monday, and since Jeff did NOT have a meeting, I was able to go to Lori Pirri's yoga class. So, yes, I am wiped...plus, I got stuck trying to beat Jeff's solitaire score....hee hee... Night!

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The picture that didn't post...

Hi! I just noticed that one of the pictures didn't post...

Here it is...a cute brag book...perfect for a new Grandmother in the class...and, it is made from 12 x 12 inch paper....too cute!




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The "cards" in the Hoops, Cards and Crafts

Yesterday, we had a card making workshop at church. Here are the cards I made. I only demo'd the ladybug popup and the purple wisteria card...Nina and Karen did the others..those ladies are so clever!

All in all a wonderful afternoon with friends...many of the regulars couldn't make it...but, maybe next time...














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