The Moran Clan

summer house

2010-07-17T17:55:00.000-07:00

salutations
from
portland
summer
diggs.

Traveling On

2010-01-25T22:16:00.001-08:00

We're Leaving

Raise your glasses please into a toast

For we are many hometown ghosts.
Let it spill all over the floor.
What the hell are you saving it for?

On June, July, August, September.
Let's drink 'em all, I don't want to remember.
These have been the best years of our lives.

It's a shame my dear,
There's no room for lost years.
So we're leaving, we're leaving tonight.

You look lovely lying wasted on your bed,
Staring at a photograph of you and your best friend.
They said make a cross over your hearts,
And we'll swear we'll never drift apart.

It's a shame my dear,
To be leaving you here.
But we're leaving, we're leaving tonight.

Oh my heroes, my brothers, where have you gone?
There is something in the air, something is wrong.
Where is my father, my mother, my sister, my lover?
Have you all gone over to the other side?

It's a shame my dears,
There's no room for me here.
So I'm leaving, I'm leaving tonight.

~DeVotchka~

Listen here.

Kids Are Odd.

2010-01-05T19:36:00.000-08:00

Most awesome kid quote from my 3 yr old at work today...
"My tummy is telling me I need to watch a movie."

thE YEar of the tiger.

2009-12-30T16:02:00.000-08:00

Greet the Tiger!
Have a great New Year Jan. 1
& a happy Chinese New Year on Valentines Day.

Happy Birthday Grandma Vicki!

2009-12-23T00:10:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas & Happy Birthday to pretty much my most favorite person in the universe.
I hope you are spending this holiday with your husband.
You made magic happen at Christmas.
I am reading your memoirs.
You are missed!
XOXO
aLiNa

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like...

2009-12-08T01:36:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!
XoXo

The Morans

Five Minute Craft

2009-11-14T17:47:00.000-08:00

I bought $5 sale necklaces and t-shirts at Urban Outfitters this week, and I loved the beautifully photographed price tags that were attached.

I was determined to do something with them
because their simple content made me smile
as if they were everyday quiet moments.

I just tied them together (the more knots the better) with a rainbow thread and called it good.

You could also make a Christmas mobile by cutting out birds from old Christmas cards that may be lying in a box in your office or by folding them into origami birds and hanging them.

Make Your Roses Last

2009-10-28T19:11:00.000-07:00

I had long stem roses that lasted a long time which were starting to droop. To extend their beauty without the wilted look, I cut the tops off and stuck them in a low bowl with fresh water.

I think it looks pretty on a warm night in from the blizzard.

Little (Pyro) Girls

2009-04-20T21:13:00.000-07:00

Questions I had to answer at work today:

(In reference to a flash light substitute to light the inside of our pillow/blanket fort)

Q: Can we just use this fire thingy? (lighter)

A: NO!!!
Fire is not a toy and using it with pillow forts would burn your house down.

Q2: How about this? (Lit candle)

A: No!!!
Fire is not a toy and using it with pillow forts would burn your house down.

The Sound Of Vinegar Fizz

2009-04-11T18:38:00.000-07:00

We're coloring eggs tonight from two coloring kits we had last year. We are aiming to color vibrant eggs so we only used vinegar and doubled the tablets in each cup.
I love the smell and noisy fizz that are involved.

Sprouts!

2009-04-10T14:28:00.000-07:00

Just two or three days after planting them, my radish seeds have sprouted! They remain the only ones and they may have come so early because the heater vent is right above them on the wall. In the morning, Aaron and I saw two sprouts and by late afternoon, this is how many came through the surface.

Garden Update & Palms

2009-04-08T16:23:00.000-07:00

There is a really quaint Greek family run grocery store called Pete's Fruit & Vegetables near my work, and I stopped in and grabbed some fresh palm leaves for Easter.

I ended up turning them into a temporary curtain with ladybug thumb tacks just for kicks and now our living room has a jungle feel to it.

I planted two more trays of veggie seeds and STILL have leftover seeds. These trays have a greenhouse lid so I think the seeds will be quick to sprout. I can't wait to see them come to the surface.

It's almost Easter!

2009-04-06T20:05:00.001-07:00

Have a sunny-side up & eggciting Easter everyone.
I think I can spot my dads 'stache in there.

Seedlings For The Garden

2009-04-06T16:54:00.000-07:00

I am trying an experiment with halved toilet paper rolls & a paper egg carton.

I hope they stay together through the light watering. We ran out of t.p. rolls, so I bought two bio-degradable trays for more seedlings because I still have a ton of seeds to plant.

Hopefully they do well. It has been snowing quite a bit for April, so I am keeping them inside. I wanted to log my progress as this is the second year I've had my own garden and I want to learn from the mistakes that will most likely ensue. I have learned little things throughout my life from watching my mother plant hundreds of living things over the years.

Aaron and I have started a compost bin where we deposit non-meat food waste as well as brown cardboard waste.

Wish us luck!

Annivers-er-er-sa-ry!!!

2009-04-04T13:23:00.000-07:00

We had made it two years on March 24th.
What a fun journey

In Love With These Volcano Candles

2009-03-11T19:23:00.000-07:00

So
yummy

I had been wanting one for a long time and Jonathan got me one for my birthday.
Thanks Joe!

I Heart Chanel

2009-02-27T15:42:00.001-08:00

I am anticipating this film due out in April.
Tautou is a favorite of mine & Chanel is one of my favorite designers.

Doodle In The Bath

2009-02-23T19:50:00.000-08:00

Who says they're just for kids?

Shoe Storage

2009-02-23T17:11:00.000-08:00

Why haven't I discovered this before?
Check out this site for smart shoe storage.

One Spoiled Girl! Many thanks To All Of You Sweet People In My Life.

2009-02-20T12:28:00.000-08:00

My 28th birthday has been one of my favorites. Thank you sweethearts!
I had a low key day with Aaron which involved getting a pedicure, shopping (which Aaron indulged me with) and eating burgers at the Cherry Cricket.

We went to the Wizards Chest toy store in Cherry Creek which is pretty much the best toy store around here. That's where I got the toy star fish, silly erasers & Nihilist mints. The Nihilist mints made me laugh because they reminded me of The Big Lebowski.

Thanks to Kim & Jord for the fun times when you came out and we love the big M! That was SO thoughtful-- I love handmade crafts. It was fun to have a female shopping accomplice.

Jonathan came over for some ice cream cake--there's nothing like a Bonnie Brae Ice cream cake with crushed Oreo filling.

I love my family & friends.
I love you Aaron!
I am so happy to have you all in my life.

*BIG Cyber hugs to all of you.

Curry Dinner!

2009-02-20T12:05:00.000-08:00

We thawed the curry from Christmas that was in the freezer and bought fresh condiments.
Delicious! I was so glad to have saved some.
It was serendipitous that we happened to have some rice from Chinese take-out to use.

Is The Government Getting You Down?

2009-02-16T19:20:00.000-08:00

Sadly, I agree with this article and I've felt that our privacy and liberties are being slowly taken over by way of submissive fear.

I don't even think we realize what's at stake because we are all worried about "terrorism." (PROPAGANDA)

Although it's a British article, Bush had suspended Habius Corpus which I feel should never have been done. Hopefully Obama will not further the raping of civil liberties, but he has a lot on his plate thanks in part to Bush.

Oh, Nostalgia--I miss 3-2-1 Contact!

2009-02-12T13:19:00.000-08:00

2009-02-07T18:05:00.000-08:00

I just recently found Bookslut. I am now addicted.

http://bookslut.com/

Hearts & Stuff

2009-01-21T19:41:00.000-08:00

I may throw a Valentine dinner party & I loved these glittered hearts.

Aaron and I have been drawing a lot lately and have been into crafts.

I can't stop spray-painting things like this blue candlestick.

Oatmeal Choco-Chip Cookies

2009-01-06T23:20:00.000-08:00

Life is so confusing.
I made cookies and accompanied them with a glass of milk.
Direct
and
to
the
point
although high altitude baking has its challenges.

As If I Need Another Online Network

2009-01-06T21:55:00.001-08:00

I was hesitant at first, but I have joined Twitter.
You can find me at http://twitter.com/Liners

When All Else Fails, Simplify

2009-01-06T15:47:00.001-08:00

Instead of making a long list of goals which I will inevitably break--every New Year, or often season, I try to simplify my life as well as my home.

When the Christmas decor is gone, I delight in purging old stuff that I don't need or use. I also like to reinvent my living space by switching artwork, vases etc. Everything feels shiny, new and invigorated.

A good bathroom scrub-down always helps as well.
A bath with incense or candles is most inviting with a sparkly tub.

Kids Are So Weird

2008-12-09T18:14:00.000-08:00

My four year old at work made up a "game" today which didn't involve any logical rules-- of course. To play, one must only adhere to the game makers wishes. (Typical)

The best part though, was the title. I think it would make for a great song or book title.

"Cat & Handstand"

(The game had absolutely nothing to do with either)

Desk Top As Art / Crazy Cat

2008-12-02T00:49:00.001-08:00

We haven't gotten around to framing any wedding photos so I just put one on the computer desk top. I added a Tiffany blue background to feel a bit extravagant.

These carpet squares in the kitchen usually stay together but tonight the cat catapulted himself through the house at lightning speed.
Shortly after he scattered the carpet, he leaped into the tub where he devised his attack.
2.5 minutes later, his attack was successful as he grabbed the leg of the unsuspecting Aaron.

Retro Thrift Store Christmas

2008-12-02T00:31:00.000-08:00

Most of my decorations were found at the thrift store.
The pine branches in the vase are real from the driveway. I was craving fresh greenery and wasn't in the mood to shop. (Note-Next time use gloves)

I recently bought the white side tables at IKEA for $13 each. I love them--They are so light you can move them easily.

The small lamp in the last photo was an inexpensive purchase from IKEA as well.

Hehe- I just noticed the funny article title on the 5280 cover. "Why Coloradans and Texans just can't get along."

Funny

2008-11-19T19:00:00.000-08:00

http://www.obamaartreport.com/2008/11/gum-election.html

Halloween

2008-11-09T23:48:00.000-08:00

I was Rizzo from Grease.
Notice the giant hickey tattoo and high school ring on chain.

Kid Quote

2008-10-30T18:15:00.000-07:00

Kid quote of the day from my work:

"I don't have a forehead... I have a five-head."

Denver Obama Rally 10/26/2008

2008-10-26T19:53:00.000-07:00

I opted to sleep in so I couldn't see, but it was a great speech.
My brother Jonathan got up early enough to go through the metal detectors and stand up close.
Don't forget to vote!

Practical Decor

2008-10-17T19:02:00.000-07:00

Decorate with your future delectable dinner.
I through in a pin-cushion plant which I couldn't resist from the grocery store for $4

I'm Kind Of A Big Deal

2008-10-17T18:54:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite artists did my portrait today.
By Lindsay who turned 5 on the 11th.

Scent As Memory

2008-10-01T00:35:00.000-07:00

Aaron and I had a date the other night at Belmar and we wound up in Yankee Candle much to my surprise. (Aaron despises shopping) Also, I usually bypass it because of the overwhelming smell of the store. I don't know how many people know this, but I have an unusually strong sense of smell. Aaron calls me Wolverine.

We both started frantically smelling every scent of candle. I found a Honeydew Melon candle that was being discontinued and I bought the votive. That particular candle gave me a flood of high school memories. My friend Erin and I loved that candle then. It was crazy. I love how all of your senses provoke memories. For me, scent (perfumes & colognes) and music are powerful memory enhancers.

Aaron and I have differing music and scent tastes for the most part, but we both loved the Clean Cotton scent and bought the candle. It smells like fresh laundry which brings on childhood nostalgia.

Guilty Pleasures

2008-10-01T00:21:00.000-07:00

I have been on a guilty pleasures kick this month. Today's indulgence was mindlessly browsing the celebrity play lists on Itunes. I really enjoyed Rosario Dawsons list.

Felt Art

2008-09-30T00:11:00.001-07:00

Remember these? I used colored pencils instead of markers. They are super relaxing to work on and help quiet your mind.
I feel like every hospital waiting room should be equipped with crayons and coloring books for children and especially adults.

Too much Halloween? NEVER

2008-09-28T21:34:00.000-07:00

Thrift store finds of the month

2008-09-28T21:05:00.001-07:00

(Mostly 80's finds)

Aside from my current vampire obsession, the thrift store a block away from my house is my other problem.

Items in order:

1. Weird Jello-esque napkin holder I use for new postcards and letters
2. Non-functional pear
3. Bonified 1984 rainbow mugs
4. 1982 ceramic pie mold
5. Metal key hook which I spray painted green (Jewish door frame?)
6. Ridiculously awesome tacky bowl
7. 80's heart bowl (No, it's not a Tostitos endorsement)

8. Ceramic butterfly I keep my incense in.

Photos from Monolith Festival @ Redrocks

2008-09-28T19:25:00.001-07:00

Photos from Monolith in order:

First 3 photos of my friends Chris & James as Astra Moveo

2 Avett Brothers photos (Yes Soffe, they put on a fantastic show)

My brother and I

Me & Kyra

Fuzzy photo of the Kills

The last few photos are of Tilly and the Wall. I love the clogging as percussion.
They were fun to dance to as well as CSS. (quintessential Alina music)
I had run into the drummer of Tilly while we were in line for the bathroom.

*Click on photos to enlarge

The reading frenzy.

2008-09-24T23:16:00.000-07:00

This has been my life for the past few weeks. I just finished the third book only to find a fourth I was unaware of which I had to purchase immediately... It suddenly took more precedence over buying food.

Thanks for robbing me of sleep and social life Stephenie Meyer. Also, thanks for the needless vampire obsession. I have devoured the horror section of Blockbuster. In the rare hours I haven't been reading, I have watched Blade, Interview with a vampire, Underworld, etc. etc.

I have a problem.

One of many reasons Limos are dumb.

2008-09-11T20:18:00.001-07:00

Twilight

2008-09-05T16:30:00.000-07:00

My mother sent the trilogy to us a while ago and I just read Twilight. I couldn't put it down and read it in two days. I now need to read New Moon and Eclipse. This vampire romance was probably written for high school girls, but I love it. I get high school butterflies in my stomach.

I was thinking they should make a movie-Come to find out they are. It should be out in December. The actors they chose look just like the characters in my mind.

Amusement

2008-09-01T11:17:00.000-07:00

I have been helping out one of the fathers who I nanny for.
He is an owner of Heritage Square, a theme park Aaron used to frequent when he was a child. It's in Golden which is about 15 minutes from where I live in Lakewood.
I have been operating the rides and working on my tan.
I got my face painted at work.
Pretty awesome.

Oxymoron

2008-08-23T17:47:00.000-07:00

The "Freedom Cage" is what the media was first calling the Democratic Convention protester holding area. Protesters for the Democratic Convention have been warned that they may be kept there without a phone call or lawyer for however long officials decide.

I am not a big fan of ruling through fear. Also, I think there will be an ever larger protest turn-out following all the threats. (Not a smart move if they don't want protesters in the first place)

While I am all for the convention, what about constitutional rights? Maybe I've missed something. I am confused... Suspension of habeas corpu-whatee? hehe

http://blogs.westword.com/demver/2008/08/photos_from_inside_the_dnc_pro.php

The Olympics

2008-08-21T17:21:00.001-07:00

Michael Phelps is amazing.
Aaron & I have been watching some of the Olympics on the Spanish channel as well as the regular programming because they cover a more diverse competition. You get to see competitors other than Americans and Chinese, which is a nice concept.

All in a days work

2008-08-20T21:32:00.000-07:00

I love the park.

Why I love my job

2008-08-19T20:07:00.000-07:00

Todays agenda went as follows:

1. Eat mini pancakes with the girls

2. Watch Scooby Doo

3. Picnic at Washington Park

4. Walk to the library: Check out Berenstain Bears books & more Scooby DVDs

5. Walk across the street to Bonnie Brae Ice Cream. Don't forget the gummy bear topping!

6. Walk home, help the girls clean their rooms

7.Draw with markers/paint for an hour

8. Leave happy and feel I have really impacted someone's life rather than sell them something like I used to do

Jon & Stephen

2008-08-18T00:15:00.000-07:00

"I feel your scorn and I accept it."

Jon Stewart

" If I had a quarter for every time I said I had a nickel, I would have five times as much theoretical money. ”

Stephen Colbert (Paladin of Truthiness)

I can't wait for their Democratic National Convention coverage.
I would love to run into their crew in downtown Denver.

So fresh & so clean

2008-08-17T21:56:00.000-07:00

We had an extremely cluttered desk all summer but it's time to get back to the streamlined (functional) desk for school.

Rain + rain + rain

2008-08-15T14:49:00.000-07:00

It has been raining for about two weeks now in Denver after being dry all summer. I am loving every minute of it. It reminds me of living in Portland.

My sad little car chose this week to have it's window break.

It won't roll up all the way, so we have to put a garbage bag over it until the insurance guy comes.

Because of the rain, we now have a mushroom colony developing in the front yard.

Among the mushrooms lay wet socks.

Mogley, the cat next door, is a sock monger and find socks throughout the city and delivers them to the front yard.

When the rain stops, he has a very strategic pounce for worm sniping. He pulls them out of the ground as would a bird.

He is one of the strangest yet more endearing animals we've met.

Obsession with vases

2008-08-12T15:30:00.000-07:00

Thrift store find:
Eighties style heart vase

I am growing a ton of vegetables.

I have never eaten so many.

Blaine & Dales wedding

2008-08-12T14:51:00.001-07:00

Friendship through the screen

2008-08-09T00:30:00.001-07:00

Leonidas & Mogley

Freshly polished shoes & a pin striped suit

2008-08-09T00:11:00.000-07:00

We are attending a wedding tomorrow.
Aaron got out the polish shoe box.

We bought him a pin striped Merona suit at Target
& borrowed a couple of nice Italian ties from Jonathan.
Haven't decided which one to use yet.

Front yard sparring

2008-08-09T00:02:00.001-07:00

This was the view from my window the other morning.

The neighbor boys were up to the usual shenanigans.

Thrift store find of the week

2008-08-08T01:37:00.001-07:00

The yellow peacock vase and the cat pre-jump.

Use for 102 degree heat

2008-08-01T23:13:00.000-07:00

Save energy and $
Hang your drawers.
I have started and I likes it.

Teeny Little Super Guy

2008-08-01T22:26:00.000-07:00

I mentioned this in my music blog.
I had to share it.
It was one of my favorite segments of Sesame Street.

My friends call this site bike porn

2008-07-28T11:45:00.000-07:00

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/

This site has some amazing bicycles.
Going to get one soon. I have decided to ditch my car for a while and ride.

First Fourteener

2008-07-26T19:46:00.000-07:00

At the summit of Mount Sherman attempting to get into shape.
I didn't die, so that's good.
It was about a 4.5 mile hike from the car.
It was hard to breathe at first.
Not so much oxygen up there...
At least the temperature was in the 50's

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourteener

Give a hoot

2008-07-25T20:38:00.000-07:00

Thrift store find of the day
This wise old owl has made a home for my Sharpies.
I love the glasses.
$3

Take a hike

2008-07-25T20:17:00.000-07:00

These are my pretty new boots.
I haven't had decent hiking boots for about 7 years. I am going to be hiking Mt. Sherman tomorrow with my friend Tamara and some of her friends. Unfortunately I haven't had time to break them in, so I will be bringing Band Aids.

I poured Gatorade in ice trays because drinks always get hot too fast. I am taking my camera and if the photos turn out, I'll post them.

Aaron is working an overnight shift at the hotel, so he is going to give me a wake up call at 5am. Hopefully he doesn't forget because I sleep through alarms that early in the morning.
It is going to be in the mid-nineties tomorrow.
Yikes.

Summer nights

2008-07-24T22:41:00.000-07:00

Dinner for two.
Crickets.
Simplicity at its finest.
Summer is my favorite and my best.

Something in the air

2008-07-23T20:15:00.000-07:00

It is one of those strange and ominous weather nights. I was exhausted after work today and when I got home, Aaron was heading off to work. I fell asleep on the couch with the windows open since it is the first cool night I have experienced in a while.

It's cloudy but it only rained earlier for a second. The wind is nice, yet a little mysterious. On evenings like this I always hear strange sounds. I kept drifting in and out of sleep to what seemed to be a long series of sirens. As I am writing this, I hear yet another. Directly following, the neighbors dogs bark.

A few minutes ago I heard a couple arguing on the street, the woman begging for the man to get in the car. Stubborn, he trudged on.

Excepting nights like these when the wind and weather is like this, our house and street is a very quiet place. There are much fewer sirens heard than when we lived downtown on Capitol Hill.

I had a guest speaker in one of my alternative therapies classes who said in her studies, she had read that suicide rates and self destructive behavior peak when the air is charged with a certain magnetism (as in stormy weather.) It's pretty far out there stuff, but every time the weather is how it is today, I hear a ton of sirens and strange happenings. It was just a full moon the other night as well. I am comforted by the fact that on both sides of my house live my guy friends who always have my back if I get a bit scared when Aaron works late or works his two over night shifts.

Music to my ears

2008-07-19T23:57:00.000-07:00

So I started a music blog because as Aaron said, "Music really is your drug of choice." I have become quite the nerd seeing as though I am blogging on a Saturday night. To my defense, I worked until 9pm.

http://alinasounds.blogspot.com/

(I was going to call it the very cheesy: "Listen hear" but sadly, it was taken along with most other titles.)

Thanks to the 3 of you out there who actually read my little blurbs. I used to think blogs were so silly, but they are a super creative outlet for me and they are easier than keeping a scrapbook or journal. I am definitely more consistent. I looked through an old journal that I got when I was 8 years old and it skips from 8 to 10 to 13 etc.

I also love to read about all of you in this fast paced and crazy life.

Lovies,
aLiNa

p.s. I added more of my favorite links. Check them out at work when you are tired of dealing with those awful TPS reports- you rebel you.

I grew food

2008-07-14T15:58:00.000-07:00

The plants are sort of out of control now. The three tomato plants have tons of green tomatoes hanging around. I had the first red ripe tomato and it was amazing. I feel like tomatoes are the one vegetable that taste much better when home grown. The cucumbers are also starting to grow. It has been a fun nocturnal venture taking care of my little garden. It's nice to tend to things that don't talk back or complain when you deal with that all day at work.

Benign, yet annoying

2008-07-14T15:46:00.000-07:00

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/pityriasis-rosea-topic-overview

This is what I have... Some annoyingly itchy virus induced rash which can last up to two months. Yippee. I have a poka-dotted belly.
Lacking health insurance since it is summer, I paid $130 for someone to tell me this. There is nothing you can do but lay out. It appears that sun exposure helps a bit. Sign me up! Luckily, it's not contagious.

Anyone know of any great inexpensive health care plans? Aaron gets his through his work.

Happy 4th

2008-07-05T02:06:00.000-07:00

It was a sibling day. Jonathan and I went to an amazingly good rockies game and fireworks display with his friends from work.
They let everyone in the bad seats sit on the field for the fireworks. We both forgot our cameras, so the camera phone photos will have to do.

Carnies

2008-07-03T22:33:00.000-07:00

It was an Elich Gardens day. So many roller coasters... Funnel cake + The "Spider" was a bad choice. I had to sit down a bit after that one. We caught the final ferris wheel at dusk. The view was incredible.

Moroccan style

2008-07-01T23:40:00.000-07:00

This was my vacation to Utah to visit my family. We celebrated 4 birthdays and a new baby. We had about 5 cakes! My mom thought we should dine Moroccan style, on a huge persian rug and pillows. My brother (Jordan) had a good album for it. All that was missing were a couple of belly dancers. The table was made from a piece of plywood and some cardboard boxes. My sister's new yard was perfect. All the roses I had clipped from her garden. Her house is amazing as well. We played bingo and I won some Junior Mints (You know you are jealous). Thanks everybody. The food was delicious and the seating was more cozy than chairs. Happy birthday Cancers!

p.s. Oliver, I love your Harry Potter scar- cantaloupe face. Now you just need some round glasses and a wand.

Jen's art

2008-06-26T21:34:00.000-07:00

Our amazing friend Jen who just had a beautiful baby boy, is a very talented artist and we found this lovely collage piece on our bed after the birthday barbecue. It is entitled- The Hollowmen. We are excited to hang it up. Thank you so much Jen.

"What... so I got another whale."

2008-06-25T22:04:00.001-07:00

My friend Perry showed me this printed t-shirt design from Threadless.com. It is our cat!
http://www.threadless.com/

You are 28 Aaron. xoxo

2008-06-23T23:16:00.000-07:00

Soapsicles

2008-06-17T12:09:00.000-07:00

I should probably wait until I have kids for this sort of thing, but I couldn't resist.

Popsicle toes

2008-06-16T23:04:00.000-07:00

I decided to do a dark, dark purple like Uma Thurman's fingernails in the movie Pulp Fiction. They have been fun and mischievous.

Starting to hugify

2008-06-08T15:24:00.000-07:00

The garden has grown a lot in just a few weeks. The tomato plants are blossoming. I can't wait to eat them. I have been layering mulch to our heavy clay soil with grass clippings and fruit rinds to try and loosen it up . At starbucks, they have free large bags of coffee grounds for your garden. I sprinkled that everywhere.

This next week, Aaron is going to help me build a compost heap. I found this awesome little book dedicated to composting.

R.E.M's Gardening at Night has become my summer theme song. I have been doing a lot of gardening at night around 9 when I get home from work.

Tastes like chicken

2008-06-04T19:38:00.000-07:00

So on a whim, I decided to cook dinner all by myself. I haven't really bothered cooking poultry because when you're married to a great cook, what is the point?

I am attempting cilantro chicken because I wanted to use the cilantro from the garden that I believe has mutated into a cilantro bush monster.

It is marinating in the fridge and it smells yummy. Aside from the cilantro, the marinade included lime juice, garlic, salt, pepper, olive oil and honey.

Hopefully I won't burn it!

Life as it were

2008-05-31T22:37:00.000-07:00

"Thanks cat. You sat and watched me change the sheets and then proceeded to vomit on them when I left to the shower. Need I remind you cat, that our house is a mecca of tile and wood to commence with this business? When ralphing last week, you opted for the mere two foot rug in the hallway that was engulfed in a sea of wood. Was it something I said?"

Signed: Annoyed, but how can you stay mad at a big fluffy creature

Rollin' in my 6 4

2008-05-31T19:12:00.000-07:00

How awesome is this beach wheelchair?

I heart spray paint

2008-05-31T16:50:00.000-07:00

I found this beauty at the thrift store next to my house. It was a terrible gold plastic sconce that cost a dollar. The spray paint cost 2.50 so the whole project was a bit cheap. I keep waiting until the day I am sick of this aqua blue because I feel like I abuse the privilege of its use in my home. I should have been born in Florida perhaps. I have no problem with the tacky pink flamingos.

Mi casa nueva

2008-05-27T19:49:00.001-07:00

Felt Friends

2008-05-25T11:26:00.000-07:00

Aaron and I were tired of just watching movies after work, so last night we did a puzzle of Africa and got crafty with felt. I ended up making Pacman, monsters and a slab of steak which I hand drew. I think I am going to make them all into magnets. Aaron's monster (resembles a flying squirrel a little) turned out very bizarre. He has creepy yellow ric-rac teeth.

WWF

2008-05-25T02:53:00.000-07:00

What's great about this is, as a child I often confused the two organizations.

Mostly, it is nice to work for the rich.

2008-05-01T16:14:00.001-07:00

Aaron has gotten two jobs. We are finding that the rich are nice to work for. The first job he received was valet and bell-hop at the Hotel Teatro. The second job is a serving position at the Denver Country Club on Speer Boulevard. Both jobs offer benefits which is a nice change, and he has been able to earn a substantial amount of money even during training. In one week, he has met Bill Murray and Spike Lee. He also gets to drive patrons around in a ridiculously cushy Escalade.

News Flash: Aaron has joined this century. He now has a cell phone... a novel idea right? I got a free phone with my plan, and now he has one. So yay for that archaic time to be finished.

I have been nanny-ing again. I have a Wednesday family which has two adorable boys and I am going to work full-time over the summer for a family of 3 kids. The exciting part of this equation: No diapers! There is a 5 yr old girl, and a set of 7 yr old boy/girl twins. They are very athletic, so I am hoping to get in shape playing with them. We are going to be swimming a lot.

Email me if you would like our new address in Lakewood CO. I found out today I get a discount on my car insurance now that I live in Lakewood. It's the little things, right?

Many updates to follow once we are finished with finals.

xxx

A Real Live House.

2008-04-14T21:04:00.000-07:00

Hi all,
Aaron and I are on the upswing. Exciting things are beginning to happen. We have found a house to rent which we are very happy to move into this Thursday.

We are being reintroduced to our long-lost friends: the dishwasher, garage, washing machine and the dryer. "Oh, how we've missed you over the years." Now we will be able to promote our pocket change to higher purpose over merely washing our socks, such as parking meter devotion.

We will be easy to find. Think--big pink castle. We are now going to be living a block west of Casa Bonita. Now Aaron (Cartman) may freely go whenever he desires. There will be no need to drag the wife along for childhood nostalgia which she does not share. Right?

Foreign Films

2008-04-03T21:08:00.000-07:00

For the latest update: Aaron and I are still job/apartment hunting while attending classes, but we have some very good leads. Amongst all the hustle, I have been renting a few foreign films lately. They have been making me smile. It's been a nice escape from feeling displaced.

New Beginnings

2008-03-19T19:54:00.000-07:00

Too busy to create any large posts, but this pretty much sums up how
we have been trying to see the world lately.

Sacked...

2008-03-07T23:45:00.000-08:00

Following my two week notice at the restaurant, Aaron was promptly fired for no substantial reason from the same place. Now we have to shift the focus from finding an apartment (which we had done and had to back out due to the "no employment" thing), to finding new jobs. We cannot get a place until we prove that we have jobs.

We were hoping not to stay at Aaron's family's house for more than a couple of weeks...We own a cat, they own a dog...

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. We have had a hell of a week. We are trying to remain positive under major adversity. To top it off today, we got a $250 school zone speeding ticket because we were so stressed out and preoccupied.

The best thing we have going for us right now is that we are doing well in school and have families and friends who love us. It has definitely made Aaron and I even closer.

Homeless @ Mid-terms

2008-03-05T22:21:00.000-08:00

We are out of our old apartment!
Time for change.

We are also smack-dab in the middle of heavy school work and testing.

It has been crazy busy around here trying to find a new home. Aaron and I have seen each other for about two hours in the past two days.

I happen to be searching for a new job as well.

If You Are Into Hearing Loss

2008-02-29T12:05:00.000-08:00

For a birthday present my brother took me and his friend Rachel to see The Hives, a rather over-the-top Swedish band. My ears have been ringing for three days. They all dress to the max in suits. Hilarious!

It was an exhilarating live show. The Donnas opened for them, and I was quite impressed with their petite guitarist. She rocked my socks off.

Moving Day

2008-02-27T15:25:00.000-08:00

It's moving day, and we're getting rid of junk. We think that since our cat was once abandoned by its owners, he is anxious that we will do the same. He has been acting strangely. He knows we are leaving soon.

We will be staying with Aaron's dad and family until we find a place. It has been difficult since we are in the middle of school and work. We have to leave this apartment however. There are bed bugs on the 1st floor (we live on floor 2), and we want no part of them and the chemicals that will repeatedly try to kill them.

Once you have them in your home, they are very hard to get rid of. They feed off of your blood leaving a trail of nasty, itchy bites. Also, bed bugs can survive long periods of adverse conditions. I have been informed that their population has been on the rise throughout Denver.
OOoooo, buggiiiiieeeess...

Save Trees. Dumpster Dive

2008-02-24T20:38:00.000-08:00

Aaron & I took a trip to Office Depot to see how much new boxes cost since we are moving to a new home. A sign claiming "Great Deal" turned out to be not so great. It was something like 4 rather small boxes for $20.

I don't think so! I have worked far too many retail jobs to ever justify buying new boxes. When I worked at the Pottery Barn, they recycled for a while and then stopped altogether because the new dumpsters "looked nicer." Mind you, this was behind the building!

I am no hippy however, what about the earth? It made me feel awful knowing how many hundreds of boxes were thrown out each day, and this was just for one store. Not only is this sad for the earth, it's unfortunate that so many lower class families are having to spend money on dumb old boxes to move with, when they are thrown out by the tons every day.

The U.S. is great in so many ways but it is sad how we are such a "disposable" society. I feel that many things are not produced for long lasting quality as they were more often when I was a child. Also often times, it's just more convenient to buy new things.

I also feel that we have crossed our disposable mentality from literal things to relationships, as we tend to no longer support marriage or long-term, monogamous relationships. The bigger, faster, new car upgrade, has now influenced our choices in mates. The woman in a relationship is upgraded. The face is lifted, the tummy tucked, or the woman is traded for a younger, more energetic and impressionable woman. The man can be easily written off for not making enough money to support habit or taste.

I didn't mean for this blog post to become my soap box today, but this is how I have seen the world lately from what I have noticed in observations, experience, advertisements and the media.

Needless to say, we spent 20 minutes at various business dumpsters around our apartment and got all the clean, barely used boxes we needed to pack our belongings (with plenty of green to spend on a nice lunch.)

I think it's important to remember that diversity happens in life and it's never fun, but we are stronger for learning how to cope and think critically. I have greater peace when facing problems rather than when I choose to deny them. The search for perfection is a never ending search, whether the happiness is sought from things or relationships. We've got to make the best of what we have and evolve within it. We must also strive to be mindful of the earth and fellow beings.

[END SOAP BOX]

Thanks for observing my point of view.
Alina

Alternative Therapies.

2008-02-23T01:46:00.000-08:00

I am starting to really get into alternative medicine at school, and I'm loving it. There is a great apothecary on 6th Avenue in Denver called Apothecary Tinctura.

They carry great tinctures, herbs, and aromatherapy for all types of uses. Check it out.

http://www.apothecarytinctura.com/

Also, you can find unique gifts for all ages. Woo-woo

Alina's Busy Birthday.

2008-02-18T18:08:00.000-08:00

I turn 27 tomorrow and have the privilege to celebrate my birthday in school... At least I made sure to have fun today. Although Aaron had school all day, I had a lot of fun with my brother Jonathan since he didn't have to work on President's Day.

Aaron and I will be moving to a new place in Denver by the end of the month, so Jonathan & I looked at homes for rent. We also had a delicious lunch at the creole restaurant, Lucille's. What are big brothers for? Thanks! We also stopped at Nordstrom Rack and I found these fun, red shoes for $10.

Many thanks to all of you who sent gifts! They are all lovely and they couldn't have come at a
more stressful time...so they were a very nice surprise. I opened them on this, my un-birthday.

xXx

Favorite Art for Valentine's

2008-02-12T19:48:00.000-08:00

Alina's favorite "kiss" art:

The Kiss by Gustav Klimpt

The Kiss by the Hotel de Ville by Robert Doisneau

The Last Great Romantic by Jack Vettriano

By Andy Warhol

The Kiss by Auguste Rodin

VJ Day, The Kiss by Alfred Eisenstaedt

Happy Love week and if no one else is there to do it, love and treat yourself.

Favorite Children's Books

2008-02-06T16:09:00.001-08:00

I put this list together for my friend Jen who is expecting a little Casanova.

A little bit older children:

*There are more Charlie & Lola books as well as Frances books.