The Song From My Video

Some people have asked about the song in my "Friends" video and of course there is a story. Sometimes I feel bad that I will never have grandchildren to ramble on to with all my stories but I have no regrets though since I have a great relationship with all the kids and know that some of them will have kids for me to pester with my rambling. And if all else fails well then I have my blog. And now on to the story.

I was a senior in high school and the class trip was to Paris. Although none of my few school friends were going, I had taken French for 4 years and had saved up my Yum Yum Shop money and I desperately wanted to go and so I went. Although excited I was still very nervous and filled with much trepidation but it ended up being amazing. I have so many memories and stories from that trip. I was harmed often when I was younger but on that trip there was not one negative moment. Nowadays I frequently find myself standing in the grocery store desperately trying to remember exactly what I went to get - but I remember every moment of that trip. I felt so adult and everything was so foreign and I really opened up to my classmates that were there as well as the other school that was on the same tour with us. I am so starting to digress - I cannot tell you how full my head is right now with vivid and awesome memories. Oh but the song...

We got down time and so I went shopping on the Champs Elysee. I came across a record store so just had to go in. It was awesome and I spent plenty of time in there. It was 1984 so there was a huge display for a new Kim Wilde album. I was beyond the moon. I was thinking I could by the import album and import it myself. Actually I got the cassette. I loved the cover. The image was perfect and the graphics, so 80's and so cool. An odd part that happened was that they wrapped the cassette, like present almost, instead of putting it into a bag. I still have that wrapping paper - just wanted to make that point in case anyone still had doubts of my hoarder status. Well they never ended up releasing that album in the USA which I have no idea why as it was brilliant. I listened to that cassette over and over and over - and yes of course I still have the cassette, silly you. Funny because they never released it on cd - that format was still too new. When I was in England in 2006 they had re-issued some of the songs on "greatest hits" cd - so of course I bought it. That is a weird link, huh?

Anyway the album was called Catch as Catch Can and for all the great songs on it, my favorite was called "Can You Hear It". Wow what a long story and I abbreviated it greatly! I am not sure why I am smiling more right now - at all the happy thoughts I am thinking about that trip to France, about how much I love that story of buying the Kim Wilde cassette, or at how much I cannot wait to be really old and bore the piss out of my niece's or nephew's kids with my stories.

Friends

I made this video to remind myself during those times when I am most forgetful of how very lucky I am!

They Love It

I made another video. This one is for the ladies at my weight loss group. It is the same song I used in my family photos video but I just love that song. I sent it along to the ladies as a bit of encouragement and motivation. It has gotten a tremendous reaction - which pleases me greatly. All but two of the images are my own. Plus the heart that starts the video and ends the video is a Valentine that I got at the last meeting which I thought was too precious. As you can tell, I am really loving this video thing. Let me know what you think. I really hope you do not feel like it is the 60's and I am inviting you over to view slides from the family vacation to Yosemite.

A Gift and Potential Vote

Each week at my weigh loss support group someone gives a presentation and this past Monday was my turn. Since it was the day before Valentine's Day - I went on the American Heart Association's website and looked up a great article on the dangers of a lot of sodium in your diet and its connection to heart disease. Also I gave a quiz of 10 questions with items side by side where you had to guess which item had more sodium. When I was preparing that day I was trying to think up some little token or gift to give the winner. It dawned on me that since I have so much stuff I had to have some perfect trinket right in my own home and then I remembered a heart pin I had, which is in the picture above. When I lived in Chelsea I was working in Billerica and would scoot over at lunch to a secondhand shop on 3A in Burlington. I would get little trinkets and treasures that I just knew I could not live without but my ex never shared the same philosophy.

So long story short I have had this pin forever and when it popped into my mind and like the true hoarder that I am, I knew exactly in which draw and then box to go retrieve it from - although I had not looked at it in years. Everyone loved my presentation and the quiz was super fun and enlightening. Shirley was the lucky winner and of course because she is an old lady, I totally made her night and Valentine's Day. She loved the pin and immediately put it on and really worked it which pleased me greatly.

Elections are coming up in March and they totally want me to be the leader of the group. I know I could do it and and would be a great leader but get worried about some of the club politics that can tend to pop up. But my real reason for considering it so much is that as leader it would put a lot of positive pressure on me - meaning as leader I would know that I need to set the example which would obligate me in a positive way to release weight. I am not sure that is a good reason. Hmmm -- we will see. I think it would be good. And with Shirley loving her pin so much I know that I would have at least one vote in the bank.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Wow - I got four Valentine's this year! Not too shabby. I love you all and hope you have a wonderful day. I do not want to call anyone out but if you do see your Valentine below please know that I love you very much and thank you for the big smile you gave to me as well as you making the sun shine even brighter than normal out here in Southern California.

Treasure Trove

I was driving and stopped for lunch. I am not even sure what town I was in, it might have been Chula Vista, but in any case I spied a magnificent wall mural. It was enormous and all graffiti and so awesome. Of course I had my camera and could only think of how many awesome cards I could turn this into. What a treasure - what a find! Here are just a few of the results. Super bonus points to you if you can find the hidden "G". Good luck :)

Family

I made another video and signed up for a course on this program I have. I sent this video to my mother because she loves things like this and it made her cry - which means she loved it. I know they are very basic but I am so excited!

Break Through

So I have been having a bit of a writers block as of lately. I cannot explain it. I miss my blog tremendously but it is like my head has been locked up. But tonight I sat and made this video. It is not very razzle dazzle but all the pictures are ones I took - well except some of the ones with me in them but you understand. I am very excited over this and thinking of other stuff I can do. I really just kinda threw this together without too much thinking but I am pleased and excited. I miss everyone. I think I am back now. I really want to be. Please do play this video and also letting me know you thoughts is definitely welcome. I want to hear it!

Happy Birthday Benjamin

My friend Juan Carlos aka Juan Loco had a baby on 01.01.2012 -- well actually his wife did but I am sure he must have helped some how. We used to work together and now he lives a 5 minute walk from me. He is so young but I am thrilled for him. He is going to be such a good dad - even is he is loco. He loves his wife very much and they may such a cute little family. The baby's name is Benjamin and he was the first baby born in the county for the new year! Now look at him, at a month old. Time really does fly.