Happy Halloween!

Jake, Lusia, and I had a GREAT time TRICK OR TREATING last night. We all wore costumes: Jake was Mr T, Lusia was Violet from the Incredibles, and I was Ugly Betty. Lusia scored BIG TIME on the candy! The funniest part was all the people commenting on Jake's costume. People would yell out "I PITY THE FOOL!" from across the street.... it was hilarious. One guy even asked to take a picture with him. I was cracking up. It was a fun night. We even got a chance to take a picture with Lusia's very first friend since birth, Carson B. who stopped by to trick or treat. We're all slipping into a sugar coma now. Gotta go take a nap.....

Pumpkin Party

I've got too many pictures today so I'll have to make two posts....

We started out our Halloween celebrating with a Pumpkin Party at our friends house. Jake was working the game so Sia and I went and had a BLAST!

They decorated the outside of their house to look like a giant pirate ship. It was outta control! Then they had different stations set up for the kids to dig for buried treasure, walk the plank, sword fight, decorate pumpkins,etc. Plus BBQ. It was a blast! Thanks Tracey, Norma, and Steph!

Craving....

It's 11:30 and I've got the munchies. I have half a mind to go into the kitchen and start making the rockin recipe for Milk Chocolate Pecan Pound Cake that I found but I better resist since 20 minutes from now I am going to be dead tired and at the point of no return with the recipe so I'll resist for now. I'm also feening pumpkin waffles with apple cider syrup that a friend posted to her blog earlier this week. I am ALL over that in the morning!! Looks WAY too good! Thanks Tifani! Looking forward to a GREAT Halloween! Going to a pumpkin party/bbq at a friends with Sia tomorrow afternoon and then going Trick or Treating tomorrow night. Should be a blast! I'll post photos.

Tonight Sia and I carved a Sleeping Beauty pumpkin. They make it look SO EASY with their little instruction and the tools but don't let that fool you. It's ridiculously challenging. But mission accomplished, I have been staring at those freakin pumpkins for two weeks. Off to watch Ugly Betty on DVR... Stay tuned for Halloween pics in the next few days.

Making a list and checking it twice

DID YOU KNOW THAT CHRISTMAS IS 75 DAYS AWAY! HOLY FREAKIN CRAP!

So much to do, so little time. I am determined to be on top of things this year, unlike in years past. Our Christmas should be pretty chill since we will be laying low at home for the holidays. I will miss the snow and Christmas in Idaho in ways I don't even want to talk about... but that was the sacrifice for the Disney trip. So, we will be at home for the holidays. I am determined to make it a good one. We have a tradition in my family of having a BIG party on Christmas eve. We sing carols, we tell the Christmas story and have the kids dress up and play the parts while an adult narrates, and we eat ALOT. The evening is always topped off with a pinata. The kids take turn from youngest to oldest until it cracks and the candy comes spilling out. Don't ask me how this got started or why we do it but every year since I was 11 and we moved to Idaho it's something we always do.

I am starting to work on my Christmas list as we speak. I have already purchased what I like to call the Mr. Potato kit on steroids from costco and the Disney Potato head pieces on our recent trip. But there is still alot to do... Here's what's on the table for consideration:







Wish me luck!

Confession

I confess. I am not the uber-talented blogista that many of my amazingly talented friends and family are. Most of you are linked into my blog and so YOU, I am talking about YOU! All these amazing works of original art known as blogs and I have my lame-o template blog. But what can I say? I have nine years worth of photos waiting to scrapbook. I haven't scrapped a single photo from our wedding six and a half years ago or a single item from the life of my already three and a half year old child so I will confess... blogging just makes me feel guilty for not scrapping. It's a vicious cycle. LOL.

But none the less, for the dedicated friends who read my sporadic and often non aesthetically pleasing tid bits, this ones for you. The truly talented blog divas in my life. I love y'all. I stand in awe at your virtual greatness.

Little Known Stephanie Obsession #2

I LOVE the Pacific Northwest. If you know me well, you know I LOVE the rain, I love green, I love overcast weather, I love Seafood. I could live in the English Countryside but since that's a little too far from most of my family (other than my family in England --Love Y'all!) my dream has got to be the pacific northwest. If money was no object, I would live there in a minute. I mean what's not to love? It is SO beautiful.

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

Have I mentioned my fascination with Koi and Goldfish? I go nuts for Koi ponds and am waiting to make my millions and buy a big spread in the Pacific Northwest complete with lily pads and Koi. The goldfish obsession came from a painting at one of my designers showrooms. Something about the bright oranges and the big eyes that look almost cartoon like. Love it. Y'all already knew I was weird.

My Mom

This is my mom Edna Lou:



She is the best grandma in the whole world!



She won't admit it. But I am her favorite. (I'm the youngest! The rest of y'all can suck it! hee hee)



My mom is self-sacrificing, kind, enthusiastic, loving, supportive, thoughtful, a great listener, and most importantly a blast to hang out with. I love her to pieces. She is a GREAT mom and a ROCKSTAR Grandma. We love her SO much!

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

My Travel "Bucket List"

My travels around the world so far:



create your own visited country map
or check our Venice travel guide

My travels around the USA so far:



create your own personalized map of the USA
or check out ourCalifornia travel guide


Thanks to Chrissy for the map idea and Rachelle for getting me thinking about bucket lists. This got me thinking about all the places I've been and where I still would like to go. Here is my TRAVEL bucket list (so far):

Tahiti - This is my DREAM vacation. Specifically the islands of Moorea and Bora Bora. I want to stay in a nice resort on both islands at least a few nights on one of the islands in an over water bungalow at a high end resort. I want to cruise around and explore Moorea on mopeds (just like in the movie "Love Story"-- cheesy I know, but I gotta do it) and I gotta go scuba diving on both islands. I also want to get a couples massage on the beach in a cabana with my husband. Jake, stop rolling your eyes!!

New York City - I went once when I was a kid but didn't get to see much. I think this would make a great long "girls weekend" and I hope to go with my mom sometime in the next few years. I would love to go see a Broadway Musical, go check out the observation deck of the Empire States Bldg, stroll through Central Park, check out a ton of unique local NYC restaurants, go have a frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity's, visit ground zero, go see the statue of liberty, check out times square, go to the metropolitan museum of art, see the Brooklyn bridge, go watch a TV show taped, and SHOP!!

St. Johns - I have heard from alot of people that this Caribbean island is amazing. I would love to check it out and spend a week on the beach at an amazing resort. I am sold on the Caribbean in general now. I have had a few great trips there. The food is great, the music is great, the beaches and water are beautiful, the people are friendly, AND the best part is that it doesn't take forever to get there from Texas. I would definantly love to check out some high end all inclusives with Jake on some of the other islands in the Caribbean.

Belize, Honduras, and Bon Aire - strictly for scuba diving. I've heard from lots of people who have been that it is incredible diving!!

Alaska - I would love to go on an Alaskan cruise and check out the glaciers and wildlife.

Also on the list: Maui (gotta dive!), Rome (tons of sightseeing and great food and shopping!), Florence - shopping and the David statue, Pisa - gotta see the leaning tower, Vatican City - Sistine Chapel, and MORE Greek Isles!! Jake and I went on a Greek Isles Cruise back in 2007 and I LOVED Greece. I would definantly love to go back and spend more time on some other islands and soak up the sun, swim, shop, and eat more Greek food! I loved the people there.

When Lusia is older I want to take her to England with me to see where my side of the family comes from and let her see the places that her ancestors are from and stand where they have stood. I have been over twice now and it is an amazing feeling walking the streets that your ancestors have walked.

I also want Lusia to see Paris and eat amazing french food, see the eiffel tower, Notre Dame, and see the amazing art in the Orsay and the Louvre. I went a five years ago with my Dad to Paris and really enjoyed it minus the scary hotel in a scary neighborhood, the taxi cab driver who stole from me, and the plane that had to divert back to France after we were at least an hour into the Atlantic for someone on board who had a medical emergency. Oh and did I mention the Porn salesman who sat next to me on the last leg of my flight in the US and had to be removed before take off?! The part I spent with my Dad on that trip riding over on the chunnel and eating dinner in Paris by the Opera House was amazing but I would like to go and create some new memories minus all the other DRAMA this time.

I got the travel bug from my Mom. We love to see the world! I can't wait to see more.

Call me clueless...

Okay so today I went out with one of my dealers to a home that she was having some issues with to take a look at their Hunter Douglas products. The home was INSANE. I mean seriously amazing. I asked the dealer what the husband did and she wasn't sure. She told me that they were just living there for a year or so while they built another even more amazing house. I met the wife who was beautiful and the two kids who were totally adorable. I helped them work out some issues and was there for about an hour. The homeowners daughter colored me a picture while I was there. At one point while I was working on the blinds the wife was talking to her husband on the phone and made a comment to the Nanny that her husband was on his way home from Chick-fil-a and did she want anything? He must have arrived home right after I left.

Tonight I was talking to Jake about the house and telling him that the wife was about our age and that the little girl was the tallest three year old I had ever seen. At one point today while I was at the house I commented to the little girl how lucky she was to be tall. The dealer even commented to the wife, "Is your husband tall?"

Uh yeah... You could say that....

Read on.....

So, when I was talking to Jake tongiht about how awesome the house was and that whatever the husband did he made SERIOUS bank. I said, "I wonder if it was somebody famous?" Jake said, "I wonder if it was a Spurs player.... What if it was freakin Tim Duncan's house?" I was like, "nah". He went and jumped on the computer and googled Tim Duncan and pulled up a picture of him and his wife. He said, "Was this her?"

I said, "Uh, Yeah."

Freaking at Tim Duncan's house and didn't even know it.

Geez......



So maybe I didn't get Tim's autograph. I think it's better....

200 Things

I stole this from my best friend Rachelle's blog (who has the most freaking amazing blog I have EVER seen by the way). It's a bucket list of sorts. You're suppossed to bold all the things you've done. Here's mine:

1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby's diaper
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Swam with wild dolphins
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a tarantula
10. Said "I love you" and meant it
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Taken an ice cold bath
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Ridden a roller coaster
31. Hit a home run
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
33. Adopted an accent for fun
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
49. Sung karaoke
50. Lounged around in bed all day
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don't
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Been in a movie
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch
62. Won first prize in a costume contest
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone
67. Bounced a check
68. Read - and understood - your credit report
69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
71. Called or written your Congress person
72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
74. Helped an animal give birth
75. Been fired or laid off from a job
76. Won money
77. Broken a bone
78. Ridden a motorcycle
79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read The Bible cover to cover
86. Changed some one's mind about something you care deeply about
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions
88. Gone back to school
89. Changed your name
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes
92. Read The Iliad
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
97. Been elected to public office
98. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep
105. Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all fours
106. Raked your carpet
107. Brought out the best in people
108. Brought out the worst in people
109. Worn a mood ring
110. Ridden a horse
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe
113. Buried a child
114. Gone to a Broadway (or equivalent to your country) play
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco
118. Played in a band
119. Shot a bird
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone
122. Ridden a train
123. Brought an old fad back into style
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
127. Published a book
128. Pieced a quilt
129. Lived in an historic place
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage
131. Asked for a raise
132. Made a hole-in-one (does put put count)
133. Gone deep sea fishing
134. Gone roller skating
135. Run a marathon
136. Learned to surf
137. Invented something
138. Flown first class
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite
140. Flown in a helicopter
141. Visited Africa
142. Sang a solo
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment
145. Written a love-story
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David
147. Had your portrait painted
148. Written a fan letter
149. Spent the night in something haunted
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane
151. Ran away
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss
154. Sat on a jury
155. Lied about your weight
156. Gone on a diet
157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
158. Written a poem159. Carried your lunch in a lunchbox
160. Gotten food poisoning
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
164. Gone to the opera
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine
168. Attended the Olympics
169. Can hula or waltz
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
171. Been stuck in an elevator
172. Had a revelatory dream
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
175. Saved someone’s life
176. Eaten raw whale
177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint
178. Laughed till your side hurt
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
182. Sent a message in a bottle
183. Spent the night in a hostel
184. Been a cashier
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma
188. Built a campfire
189. Kept a blog
190. Had hives
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
194. Served at a soup kitchen
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
196. Know CPR
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible
198. Found a long lost friend
199. Helped solve a crime
200. Witnessed a miracle.

Back to blogging

I have been in blog denial thinking that Facebook could take the place of blogging... Sadly, I love my facebook... But I hate missing all y'alls blogs. So, be patient with me while I get things figured out. I might have to steal some posting ideas while I get my brain working because I know y'all don't want to hear about blinds which is what I know best. All my fabulously creative friends out there... I'm afraid if your looking for inspiration that you've come to the wrong place. With that in mind. Hold on tight. Let's see how long this ride lasts.