Fitting Friday - Happy Birthday Maria

It is fitting that I do this special post for my friend Maria who is celebrating her big day today.  She arrived last Sunday and we have been doing a lot of different things as part of her birthday week.  If you have been following my blog, we have been to a winery and did some wine tasting.  We spent three hours at Petroglyph making our own piece of ceramic item that we painted.  It will be ready on Saturday and we can't hardly wait to see the finished product.  She managed to prepare two dinners for us (San Francisco Chicken - so fitting) and (Cannelloni - she's Italian).  Yesterday we had our spa day at Preston Wynne and had a bit of time left to walk in their downtown area to check out special shops.  This morning was breakfast with my friend Nikki which is also fitting because Maria's BFF in Canada is also named Nikki.  There's still a few more days before she returns to freezing cold temperatures. We were able to do quick manicure last night before going to bed.  She received a lot of text messages, emails and phone calls this morning.  The sweetest one is from her mother who sang her a happy birthday which I recorded on my phone.  So, happy birthday Maria.  This is your special day and today is all about you.

*Remember to look back and appreciate what you have done in your life.  Don't waste time regretting what you haven't done.*

Tasting Tuesday - Gilroy Wine Trail

On the second day of my friend's visit, we decided to take a mini road trip and check out the Gilroy Wine Trail.  Since I am not comfortable driving all the way to Napa or Sonoma, I thought it would be great to just take her to somewhere local.  It's a shorter distance and we can still do other things during her second day.  When I did some research there were so many wineries within the Gilroy Wine Trail.  Although some of them are only open on weekends, the rest were open daily from about noon to 5 pm.  The tasting fee are very similar and I guess you really have to search hard to find that are free.  Times are tough.  We had five different wines - Pinot Noir, Lila Cuvee, Zinfandel, Cabernet Blanc, and some other mix I cannot remember.  The best part about this Winery - Clos LaChance is the view.  It is overlooking the Corde Valle GC.  Maria loved the garden, the view and of course the wine. There were two other ladies sitting at the bar doing exactly what we are doing.  We all started chatting and sharing lifes stories. We also took photos outside. It was a great day.

Almost forgot.  Happy birthday to our friends Lulu and Liliana who are celebrating their birthdays today.  We send our happy wishes and our hugs.  Our apologies to the weather they are having today.  Cold, blustery, freezing temperatures.  Maria was thankful she's here with me in sunny San Jose.

Metallic Monday - Silver and Black

Before I start my post about nails, I would like to wish my favorite son in law a very Happy Happy Birthday.  I did not forget to send him a card but I did not send him a gift because I am not sure what he needs.  For now, I wish him all the best and a year filled with good times and special moments.  Happy birthday Mike.  Today is all about you so enjoy your day.

Just a quick post about metallic, silver and black.  I am talking about my new nail art for this week.  Not really sure if you are like me when it comes to nail polish, but I cannot stand chipped nails.  Lucky for me, I can reapply the same color or just do a complete manicure. This weekend we were invited to Jeff's relative who is celebrating her 24th birthday.  She had a 90's theme party and I needed to change my polish as they were a few that was chipped.  As for dressing up for the party, we tried to find something that was 90's.  Jeff actually said that it's like his day to day clothes.  Wait a minutes, I wanted to share my version of metallic nail in silver and black.

Sixties Sunday - Is 60 the new 50?

Is it really? I prefer that 60 is the new 40, this way I can still have many more years to enjoy retirement.  My friend who is visiting will be joining the 60's club.  There's a few of us that are in this group.  Most of my friends, believe it or not are still in their 50's and some are in their 40's and a few are in their 30's.  As most people says, age is just a number.  I believe that it's all about how you feel when you reach a particular age.  When we were growing up, I thought my mother looked older when she was in her 60's.  But when she was in her 70's people didn't believe her age.  My mom's sister is now in her 80's and she has still that special genes that makes her feel and look young.  I keep telling her that I want to be just like her when I get older.  Her positive attitude in life is amazing.  She still loves to sing, dance and have a great time with their friends.  This week I will try and make sure that my friend has a memorable birthday.  Since she chose to travel the long distance to spend her birthday here in sunny San Jose.  I am hoping that the weather will be warmer so she can really enjoy the warmth of the sun.  Her schedule is already getting pretty busy, although she doesn't know that yet.  Hanging out with her this week is like being on another holiday. I am very happy for her that she took the leap and decided to get away for a week because she really deserves it.  Maria welcome to the Cranberry Portage Bed and Breakfast. Do you ever have one of those moments when you look at a photo and you say "who is that?" This is one of those moment.  Who is the girl beside Maria?  

This was taken 16 years ago. Maria is the one in the middle wearing a white Tshirt.  

Steady Saturday - From left to right

Designing nail art on your own nails requires a very stead hands specially when you are not ambidextrous.  It has been a while since I have been doing nail art for my fingernails and toe nails.  One of the things that makes it easier to try out new design is having the proper tools. Lucky for me there is a really good nail supply store that I found with great prices.  Although I have not been there for a while, I still have the tools that I originally bought when I first started doing my nail art.  Last week I noticed that my brush that I use for cleaning the edges is starting to get dull.  I might have to stop by there sometime to find out if they have new tools, new colors, and latest brushes for nail art.  So here's my latest nail art.

Truthful Thursday - Annoying golf issues

Morning Drive on the golf channel is one of the shows that I watch in the morning while having my breakfast.  It was so timely that today they talk about those annoying phrases that golfers and or fans say or do when it comes to the sports of Golf.  While I agree to most of those phrases, I have my own collections of golf issues. When I am out on the course I really like to enjoy the game, the surroundings and the company of my friends.  That is why I am now making a rule that if I don't enjoy the round due to some annoying golfers, then I don't join their group again.  I am not a good golfer but I really love the time I spend on any golf course.  Following the rules of golf is very important whether you are a beginner or not. So please do not ruin it for me by being one of the following.

• The Talkers - I don't know how to block these sounds. Even if they are whispering, I could still hear them.  I'm sure they won't appreciate if I take out my phone and make a call while they are ready to strike their ball.
• The Pretend Pro aka "know it all" golfers - Unless you are a PGA pro or amateur golfer, I don't need your help.  It's going to take a lot of coaching to get me where I want to be.
• The Commentators - It's nice to hear a compliment once in a while when I get a shot but I really don't need to hear if they made a great shot over and over.  Sometimes we have moved on to another hole and I still hear them complaining or commenting.
• The Pushers - Those golfers who has no etiquette and thinks they can push you to play faster if they hit right where you are.  They don't even have the courtesy to yell "Fore!
• The Turtles - It's very simple, whether walking or driving a cart, people still have to keep the pace of play.
• The Instructors - Maybe these golfers were teachers before they retire. They seem to like telling you what to do.  "Mark your ball, go ahead and putt, you can hit first, etc."

Wasteful Wednesday - It's time to make a change

Do you find that you are spending precious time doing useless stuff?  Are you getting bored with the volunteer work you are tasked?  Is this the right time to make a change?  I am sure you know where this topic is going.  For the past two Wednesday, I have been taking out staples from the pieces of paper in a file folder.  This is my task for at least four hours.  The section I am with is trying to be paperless, so everything has to be scanned. Then why am I doing it?  Because I am still committed to helping out and giving back to the community.  I have made placed my name in some other opportunities in a different section and actually got an interview.  Unfortunately, Jeff is not too thrilled with the type of work I'll be doing, specially when it's for free.  So back to the drawing board.  Honestly, I love the section I am in and the people in that unit are so wonderful.  There are times when some other unit asks if I could work for them and the supervisor is very protective so I don't get transferred.  It has been over two years since I started at my current volunteer and technically I could end it now because I have given them the two years they require.  Maybe things will be different when I return in a couple of weeks.  For now I have some time off to think things through. What is good about this dilemma is that it's a volunteer work.  I can do whatever makes me happy.