Observations from Travel

I'm back safe and sound, very happy to be home and flush with a fabulous and fun filled vacation in Southern Oregon.

Some lessons from my travels include-

If there are toilet seat covers available, by All Means Use Them.

I need a separate piece of luggage for all the electronic chargers. I am the official keeper of the chargers, blue tooth, check, ipod, check, rechargeable batteries, check, I'm like Scotty in the minivan, in charge of all power sources.

We do live in an international city, I forget how culturally diverse even my suburban outpost is in LA County.

A husband who excels at laundry is a Very Good Thing.

Good car tunes includes "The Boss" and "Trout Fishing in America".

Dorothy said it best, "There's no place like home."

Travelogue with pictures to follow in subsequent posts.

The Pay It Forward Giveaway

(Please double click for a closer view.)

Welcome to The Pay It Forward Giveaway! I'm going on vacation to Oregon for a week so I wanted to give you something to look forward to for when I return. I mean besides my witty posts and comments of course. (Thank you to Chicken Nuggets of Wisdom for this excellent idea btw. I <3 CNOW, she always makes me feel like a Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner! Especially with her fabulous Vacation giveaways.)

I have been so, so fortunate in the giveaways I've entered lately that I definitely have a karmic debt to pay my dear bloggy friends. Either that or I should have hubby take me to Vegas. So without further ado:

The Prize Winner will Receive these goodies:

Nature's Gate Lemongrass and Clary Sage Body Lotion

Beaded women's bracelet with tiger's eye, turquoise and crystal. Bracelet will fit average to large women's wrist.

Tinkerbell Mug

Mickey The Earth Hugger Tote

Flowery paper mouse pad with tear off sheets

A suprise something or two from my hometown and/or my travels.

The Fine Print:

1. Please leave a comment telling me how you nuture yourself. Please make sure to leave a way to get in touch with you.

Additional Entries:

2. A comment about a kindness you performed or was performed for you.

3. A comment acknowledging another blogger or friend and you will win this prize and your nominee will get a special prize too.

4. If you've ever given me an award or tagged me for a Meme. (Especially if I haven't posted it yet, ack, so sorry, mea culpa.)

5. If I have ever entered or won a giveaway hosted by you.

6. Anything else? I call this blogger's choice, just please leave separate comments for each entry. (Or is it seperate? Any English Teachers or Grammarians in the house??) This can be something from if we have ever talked on the phone or exchanged snail mail to whatever you think applies.

The giveaway will conclude at 12 Midnight PST on July 12, 2009.
It is open Worldwide, if you have an address and want to win, then please enter.
The Winner will be chosen by Random.org which uses space noise or solar wind or something really cool to pick random numbers.
Thank you so much.

Got Beads? The Color Carnival

These top 3 photos were taken at my local bead shop where the customers and staff are as colorful as the beads. Like all things in Los Angeles County, there is a Hollywood connection. One of the staff there who makes incredible beaded jewelry had her necklaces featured on the most recent season of Amer.ican Id.ol. The costume designer refashioned them into belts for the singers.





This photo is a jewelry booth from the local Craft Fair a few weeks ago.


For more colorful posts, please stop by The Color Carnival. Thank you and I send my best for Colorful, Safe, and Fun Filled Fourth of July to All!

My Neighborhood Fashion Mannequin

There is a house around the corner from mine which has a fashion mannequin prominently displayed in the front picture window. (What? You don't have one of these in your neighborhood?) Community legend says that the lady of the house is a retired Costume Designer for the movie studios and she still enjoys plying her craft. Here are a few of her designs which change about every other week, including new wigs and accessories. (Please double click to for a closer view.)

This is a fun Summer look complete with pastel mini dress and long scarf. Notice the bubble hemline which is quite cute, but what is up with those sleeves!


Nothing says "Welcome Home" like a Purple Dress with Gorilla Fur Inspired Accessories. (Right, Coco?)


This leopard print is my personal favorite. Grrrrr, Meow!


Our Fashion Stylist never misses a holiday, here is Miss Mannequin to wish you a Happy Independence Day.


Please do tell if you have any interesting characters in your neighborhood who express themselves in unique or creative ways. Thanks so much.

Shrink Rap

I just conferred with a staff pyschologist about a couple of my marginally functional patients.

I learned a lot, including why I dislike this psychologist.

I won't make the mistake of talking over You, Dear Doctor, ever again.

Some folks are quite taken with themselves, aren't they?

Next time, I'm consulting the Nurse Practitioner.

A Lotus is Red, A Smart Car is Blue

A Lotus is Red,


A Smart Car is Blue,


I just got a New Car,

I was long overdue.

Organics Girls Contributing Editor

Hi, All, I'm delighted to have been chosen as a contributing editor to a new blog, Organics Girls, hosted by April Showers. The Organics Girls Blog will focus on living a more healthful life and I'm planning to share information about herbs, supplements, complementary medicine, anti aging and other bleeding edge topics. The blog will go live in the next week or two and I hope you stop over to say hello and leave any comments, questions, or tips to share on being an Organics Girl (or woman or guy, or well, never mind.) Thank you so much.


Here is my "head shot" that April demanded, I mean requested, the editors provide.