Dahlia

While living in San Francisco I was introduced to a lot of wonderful things. Food, wine, flowers, culture, and lifestyle (Oh and PEOPLE). Some of the things I have been able to find in Fres-yes, some I have had to create on my own. One being great flowers!!

Especially the Dahlia.

The Dahlia does happen to be San Francisco's flower and they grow like weeds there. All shapes, sizes, and colors! Always cheery and vibrant in color! After speaking to my local Clovis nurseryman, just down the road, I was informed that I too could grow Dahlias, if I planted them in Spring and PATIENTLY waited through the summer they would blossom in fall! The other tidbit of information I got was that I would need to support them.  Note I don't know what that meant to support the Dahlias. I remember thinking I will support them, I will water them, fertilize them, and give them words of encouragement...yeah not what the nurseryman was talking about. He meant they were top heavy and needed to be supported, held up. I'm a woman, I get that! Being that I am new at gardening, I was not really sure how to do that, with a bra, with some string, with a cage...I didn't know. Remember that the cobbler's children have no shoes... and well the farmer's children don't have a green thumb! That being said I attempted to tie the plants to the fence, with beautiful copper wire. And as you can imagine, that didn't really work. So tomato cages it is! And they work great, but are not beautiful!

My first flower (pictured above - the coral and white flower) came in late spring, and was a great surprise!! I was so excited!! And then came our REALLY hot summer, or as most call it a normal Valley summer, it was much too hot for me or the Dahlias to bloom. The next flower (the red flower) came only a few weeks ago...I am hoping for more...but if not...

I may just stick to purchasing them at the flower market!

The Official Macy Fan Club

The Official Macy Fan Club has requested MORE pics of this infamous pug. I have been a horrible mother this year and I did not require her to have an outfit for Halloween. Hey I could barely get myself together for a costume!! Let alone Macy!!

But we have had some really fun adventures as of late...We were fence judges at a 3-day event, RamTap, where I used to ride as a kid as part of Fresno Pony Club. (Thats the Top Pic) She has also been spending some time down in Hanford, at my parent's house, which is basically Disneyland!! Dogs to run with, Cats to chase, Kitty cigars to dine on, and a personal garden to RAID!! What more could a little pug ask for!! Friday walked to Starbucks and then we played a little Frisby Golf, by played I mean I played and she ran "on a leash" around Woodward Park with her friend Gracie a black lab. The bottom picture is of her napping in the car ashtray before going Frisby Golf! So after two days of intense fun she was the perfect companion on my sofa after a really fun Halloween!!!

I'M OLD!!

Mary my roommate is 25!! She feels her age is not an issue, however today it is an issue!! She not only beat in scrabble, and I play daily on my iPhone (read the below blog), but she out technology-ed me. UGH! I am so old!! She knows how to do everything online, and I know how to do nothing....I am sooo uncool! Also note that I didn't know what the Hoedown Throwndown was until about 4 months ago...when a 4 year old set me straight! She also went through my iPhone and asked me (the 4 year old not Mary) where HER music was.... I AM SOO OLD!! How did I get soo old and not know it?!?

PS I used to be kinda cool, but now, NUTTIN!!

A new job...

I NEED A JOB! New or Old!! I need one!! Thank god Mary (my roommate) has Wednesdays off...I would go insane otherwise. Anyone know of a job for me in Fresno?

Mean Red Mondays

Mondays are tough. I remember being employed and dreading my Monday morning. The first day of getting up early in two days, the issues that miraculously arose over the weekend, having to hit the day running. Now I have a whole new prospective on Mondays, how I wish I was headed out to a job!! I yearn to feel needed. I yearn to HAVE to have something to do. My highlights on Mondays are getting showered and coiffed (to make me feel better).

Dear Scrabble...

Dear Scrabble on my iPhone,
I really think we have become co-dependent. I am not sure it is the healthiest of relationships. I really enjoy the intelligence and honesty our relationship is built on, unlike with the NY Times Crosswords. Crossword is always playing games and trying to trick me. Although I love our banter, Scrabble, I would like to bring up some of the words you use. I am sure they are words however, I am not sure they abide by Scrabble rules...No Slang, No Abbreviations, etc. Rules are rules! And don't think ER is a word!! or UN!!
Kristi

25 Mph

I live across the street from an Educational Complex, a square mile of SCHOOLS! It really doesn't bother me unless I leave my house at PRIME pick up and drop off hours, in which I can't get out of my community, turning right is one thing, making a left hand turn is a whole other. Here is where I am little confused....the entire reason that the speed limit is 25 miles an hour is to keep the children safe. Right? Right. The people who have the most vested interest in these laws are parents. Right? Right. Well, these are the people who are BLATANTLY disreguarding these laws. I need to go back a step. The road I live off of is a 4 lane road with no divider, with a turnout in the center. So wide. I have seen parents flip a B*%#@ in the middle of the road, crossing 3-4 lanes of traffic. Really, that's safe?

Today while coming home from the grocery store (bad timing) at 3:00pm, I was making a right hand turn at a light. There were children on all corners, parents picking kids up, pulling over where ever they choose, you get the idea, chaos. So at the red light, I decide to be safe and wait for the green light. Just encase some little rug rat decides to, I don't know, run across the road to their parent or friend or whatever! So this father behind me keep honking his horn and wave his arms like "whats up! go!" Irritated that I am being rushed, and the safety of children are in my hands, I waited, well and I may have had a little satisfaction in irritating him. Just a little. During the what felt like a 20 minute light, really only 3-4 he continued to be irritated with me. After turning the corner, he sped past me. I was REALLY hoping for a little Clovis PD vindication.

I guess the safety of children only applies when your child in not in your car, and doesn't apply to other people's children. GREAT!

Free to a Good Home...

All I have to say is "Really Macy! Really!"

Macy I feed you, I walk you, I snuggle with you...and this is how you repay me, by peeing on my carpet? Really? I have discovered yet another spot, yep this makes the grand total of 6 in my living room, the only room she is allowed, with out supervision. I am out trying to find a job to support us and you are peeing my carpet...When will you stop?

Well, off to Target to by a Spot Bot, cause I can't live with knowing there is urine on my carpet. I used to be a believer in Nature's Miracle...and lately it has not been doing its job! UGH!

Dear Hardwood Floor God, I have been a really good girl (me, not Macy) please bring me Hardwood Floors! Yours Truly, K

...have a drink, have a ride, go out and see what you can find...

OMG! I love my new bike!! I mean what's not to love, its a hot little bike! Everytime I ride it I feel like "In the Summertime" by Mungo Jerry should be playing!

After a little research....

Check out the "In the Summertime" video from youtube.com (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc9wIzi96_E).

Have you ever seen Mungo Jerry? Yeah me neither!! Scary! I was thinking about changing the Soundtrack for my Summer, after seeing the chops-master, and reading the lyrics!!! But, it is SUCH a perfect melody for a summertime bike ride....

Little Indian Princess Kristi

Tonight while at a Junior League 50th Anniversary Committee meeting, I found myself in some pretty impressive company, past presidents from almost every decade. Woman who had devoted decades of time, money, and service to others. Woman, children, and families in our community have benefited from the kinds acts of these woman. I feel privileged that I am joining such an elite group of women. But all of this said, there is a reason that their are Indians in a tribe and only one Chief. Its because when you have a lot of Chiefs, nothing gets done, as there are Indians to do the work. Just call me Little Indian Princess Kristi.

the great job search

Yesterday I interviewed at a perfectly fine job. Great pay, great hours (4-10 work week), and seemingly a great company...but I find myself not that excited about it. I am sure there is a little of the "mean reds" (watch Breakfast at Tiffany's) effecting my mood. But I find myself wondering, do you go to work for a company, that is not going to have much room for career growth, and that the hours during the harvest season are going to be 7-15 (yep 15 hour days 7 days a week) just because it is a great job and a great pay check. I feel as though I am at the age where I need to include my lifestyle into my job decision...All work, No play makes for a grouchie KristiR. And really, isn't going to help me find Mr. Right or Mr. RightNow. So I find myself, still searching...

I used to tell a good friend/boyfriend (Mr. Travel the World in Search of Himself) of mine, "Its not about the destination, its about the ride." It's amazing how sometimes the advice you give is the hardest to do yourself. I will say in my defense, the ride, right now, is a little rocky, and I don't have a 4x4 BMW (even though sometimes I feel like I do)!