Wednesday, December 21, 2011

We are live!!! Download-Win an iPad2 and give us a review!

Whoa...wow...I'm exhausted! Ha! It's been a long week...and it's only Wednesday! I'm sure all of you feel the same...it is the week prior to Christmas, which always seems to be very, very busy. I know I haven't finished shopping!

Last Thursday the Marketing team helping us advertise our app for toddlers, Bedtime Bunny Tales, told us we needed to release it on Monday. I wasn't ready...after all I haven't been blogging or tweeting very much (hats off to all of you who do that everyday....you are extraordinary! )but I knew we needed to go for it...so here we are! Both links below will take you to the iTunes store...so hopefully you have an iPod, iPhone or iPad! If you don't...enter our contest to win one!! We've been working with Freebies 4 Mom...if you've read the blog before you probably remember some of our other promotions...but this one is a biggie! just click here for all the details Freebies4Mom 




After all this time, after all the trouble we had with Apple you would think I would be jumping for joy about releasing the app...but I just didn't think we were ready. I kept thinking...I need to do this...prepare that, etc., etc....but finally realized-we gotta do this thing, but right before Christmas?

Every year we go back to Ohio for vacation. We have a big Christmas eve celebration with all the extended family and it is undoubtedly my favorite time of the year but this year, I'm going to have to spend a lot of time away from my mom's house-working the web-generating support for the app! NO! You see, my parent's live in a tiny village called New Martinsburg...and they don't have cable, or internet, let alone a smart phone or iPad! Anyway...we are alive and kicking and we found a new place with wifi about 5 miles from the burg...so all is well with the world, well at least our world-hope your world is well too!! See you soon...and have a very, Merry Christmas!

Sunday, December 18, 2011

OMG-We're live TOMORROW-MONDAY!!!

Today, Sam and I are celebrating our 12 year wedding anniversary by preparing to launch our app for kids Bedtime Bunny Tales-romantic huh? Actually, there's nothing I'd rather be doing. In an hour we're going to my mom's house for dinner...then tomorrow we'll be asking all of you to help us spread the word.

Pray for us...send us good vibes, run around and shout...whatever you think would help!!

Thank you for supporting us...reading this blog, encouraging, laughing and crying with us! This has been quite the year, full of ups and downs, kinda like a roller coaster-thanks for riding it with us!

Look for our links tomorrow on FB!!

xoxo

Monday, December 12, 2011

We'll be ready...just in time for Christmas!

After three years of planning, working, arguing, praying, laughing, giving up, then taking it up again...our first full length digital book...Bedtime Bunny Tales is now finished, well at least the first installment! The picture
to the right is a screen shot of page 21. Twinkles, the bunny, and Noodle, the tortoise, are in the distance.

Several months ago I started blogging as a way to generate interest in our new venture as well as chronicle the making of an app. It seems like yesterday...but it also seems like a lifetime since we started the process. Good times, bad times...rejections from Apple-all of it, will make for a good story one day...especially if the app does really well!

As you may recall....I was helping with 
the marketing and advertising but then I got a job and I left Sam to deal with everything. I know it's been stressful for him but about a month ago we found a company that signed on to help us, so now we're just shoring up the loose ends for them, preparing for launch day.
So...drum roll please...we will release Bedtime Bunny Tales, the free version for the iPad and the iPhone along with the paid version of both, Dec. 21st...just in time for Christmas. Until then...we're spreading the word any way we can. Mark Fitzpatrick, Sam's business partner in Ohio has been talking bunnies everywhere he goes...even to a crowd that isn't the typical techie. I'm sure he made it memorable! He said the ladies loved Bunny Tales...hope you do too!!

Monday, November 28, 2011

Fun in the sun and snow...

I've been reading the many posts on Facebook that express each individuals gratitude during this Thanksgiving season...and it's been interesting. I kinda felt bad that I didn't participate in the 30 days of giving thanks (or whatever it was called), but I haven't been in the posting...writing kind of mood...I've been in the "let's get together in person" kind of mood-which in turn left me too tired to write! Last Saturday Sam and I went to Wrightwood,CA...about an hour and a half east of L.A. for a little zip lining-the video says it all...


Southern California Zipline Canopy Tour | Navitat Wrightwood from Navitat Canopy Adventures on Vimeo.
;
We met up with some friends-then hit the trail. It was amazing. The town itself is so far from what you'd think of when you think "Hollywood" that it doesn't seem possible that it could only be a hop skip and a jump from the city. It looked like a little Colorado mountain town...but no...it is definitely SoCal!
The craziest part about the trip wasn't dangling in mid air on a zip line but the thought of being on the beach just 2 days prior playing volleyball after a huge Thanksgiving potluck!
The stark difference of sunning near the ocean then freezing my booty off in the mountains is a true wonder. You know they say SoCal is the only place that you can go snow skiing and surfing in the same day...and now I know that's true. 
So...here's what I'm thankful for this year...
A great group of friends that are my family away from family...a wonderful city in which to live and a loving husband that didn't leave me to fend for myself when I fell on the ice in Wrightwood (you'd think an Ohio girl would know better)!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Thanksgiving is close...and Christmas is right around the corner.

Funny how sometimes you have so much to say, while other times you are all out of words!

At the moment I'm listening to Christmas Music and wondering if I'm just wrong? How could it be wrong when it feels so right?? ha!

Today was a weird SoCal day...foggy, no, not smoggy, foggy. I should have taken a pic...darn, I've been lazy lately...not taking any photos. Anyway...can you believe how the time has flown by...it's almost Thanksgiving for Heaven's sake! Speaking of time flying, we are still working on Bedtime Bunny Tales. I think I told all of you that we hired a marketing company and they wanted some changes...then Apple rejected our free version...so we're trying to get it up and running! Can we run into any more problems!?!? Ughghgh!!! Sam has been pulling his hair out...trying to work with some new programmers (they're better than the first set of programmers but it's still programming!)! Regardless...everything will be ready before Christmas-I promise!

Did someone mention Christmas twice already? Yep, I did and I think if you haven't "liked" us on Facebook  this would be the time to do it. We are still giving away an iPad...and as soon as BTBT's hits the iTunes Store we'll begin the contest!! So, "like" us so you can get all the info you need in order to keep from buying your pesky toddler a tablet!

Friday, November 11, 2011

Why Penn State Officials Didn't Call the Police | Yahoo!

I haven't posted in awhile...


I don't know what to say. I've been battling it out on Facebook for the last few days concerning the Tragic Penn State Scandal. I can't talk much more about it. I'm done talking and I'm still reeling from some of the comments I've heard and that stupid riot at the University. I'm going to re-post my status up date from this morning...then I'm going to move on...but first...you've got to read this article...


Why Penn State Officials Didn't Call the Police | Yahoo!


The Penn State tragedy is nothing less than disgusting but this does give us a chance to find out who and what people value and then discuss. I was thinking...Paterno stood side by side with the pervert...knowing for years that he was not only raping little boys but he had set up a foundation for kids living in dire circumstances. The man was cunning and knew that if he preyed upon those who didn't have a parental voice that he would be safe, safe from a mom or dad's suspicion, safe to manipulate, abuse and take the innocence from the innocent.

Would you turn in a co-worker if you knew he was doing such a thing? Even if it cost you your job? How much is an innocent life worth? Do you have courage...and if not...how do you find it?

Let us all forget football, the legacy...blah,blah, blah and focus on the young men whose innocence was taken at such a young age. Find the courage...even if it kills you.


Monday, October 31, 2011

Crepes-I love them so I tried making them...

 My new obsession-Crepes. Well, it's not really an obsession and it's not really new-can't believe anything I say!

Seriously....since visiting France a couple years ago, I love me a good crepe! The savory one's are ok...but my favorite of course, are the one's with lots of whip cream! Actually...I've been trying to do away with cow's milk and I'm doing pretty well but when it comes to half and half in my coffee and whipped cream...there's no substitute. Anyway...here are some pics of my first attempt at being a crepe maker.
 First...I used the traditional buckwheat flour. Buckwheat is great for gluten intolerant peeps and it's kinda good. Contrary to popular belief...it isn't wheat at all-it's an herb, kin to rhubarb. It's cultivated for it's seeds and then ground into flour. It's earthy tasting...kinda nutty.



I don't know what happened...I think I needed to pour the mixture slower or something because I got a lot of bubbles in the batter. Regardless of it's look-my first wasn't very good, so I just slathered on a lot of my very own pumpkin mixture. Cream cheese, canned pumpkin, Chai tea powder (trader joes), pumpkin spice, sugar and honey. That was good...the crepe was just a vehicle for the fattening stuff!I kept trying and finally I got one crepe that was smooth and looked good...and actually it tasted good.





Maybe practice really does make perfect?

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Saturday Morning and talking pre-teen...


Saturday morning is one of my faves...I get to sleep in, work out, hang with the dogs and listen to This American Life with Ira Glass on National Public Radio.

You gotta check out  this program. Ira...the host is amazing and this story is fascinating. I learned today that middle school is where you excel at whatever you really like. According to one of the experts interviewed, at about the age of 12 you are well equipped at retaining information.

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/
For example...if you decide you want to play the ukelele, this would be the perfect time to take it up (fine tune your skill). The expert talked about how she could still remember the dance steps to some routine she learned in middle school. Come to think about it...I can too. "Brass Monkey-that funky Monkey", well-I remember how it begins. I bet my BFF back home could do the entire dance.

Another segment close to the end of the show is about a middle school boy who had out bursts of anger when his fellow classmates would make fun of him. He smelled...kinda badly and the kids didn't like it-so they told him, and  they didn't like his reaction. Come to find out he didn't have electric. The roof on his home had caved in the week prior and he was also taking care of his ailing grandmother who would wake up in the middle of the night...walk around and then this little boy would carry her back to bed. Unbelievably sad and yes I cried, but the reason for his odor wasn't because he could help it...he didn't have warm water or the time to take a shower. After the kids found out his story they started talking him through his anger helping him to work through it. How extraordinary! What a teacher! She discussed the problem with him and then coordinated a meeting with other students. She also helped him clean up-something my BFF I mentioned above did for one of her own students. Awesome! I don't want to spoil it for ya so just take a listen...it won't be available until Monday...
http://feeds.thisamericanlife.org/talpodcast

Thursday, October 27, 2011

There's snow in Colorado and I'm hanging at the beach

I know...I know...I can't be talking about sunny SoCal so I'm just going to post some pics of my drive today.


Behind me is Malibu...to the south of me is Santa Monica. The road that lines the beach is called the Pacific Coast Highway and I take it everyday to get to work. Today...it was stunningly beautiful. The waves were lapping the beach and there were lots of surfers. I wasn't able to pull over in time to take a pic so for now you get to see me and that one lonely guy in the background! From first glance...Malibu isn't anything special. A lot of super rich and famous peeps live there but if you're driving through it doesn't look like much. Homes line the PCH and on the other side you'll find restaurants, gas stations and such. The real magic is when you step inside one of the houses. It's so peaceful...you'd never know there's a highway behind you because of the sound of the crashing waves. Now all we have to do is make several million dollars and we'll  buy a little beach shack...

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Choosing good role models...

Today my boss says to me..."oh Tim Tebow is on the radio-he's such a good man." I reply with..."ah, I don't care much about athletes." Then I watched an interview with this 23 yr. old football star and had to recant my answer. Tebow grew up a missionary kid and spent some of his childhood in the Philippines. Now he supports 6-hundred orphans at the orphanage his parents help build. Uh...ok, he's a role model. But...not many professional athletes can say the same.

I'm not trying to be a hater but I've always wondered why parent's encourage their kids to look up to athletes or/and celebrities. I know, everyone thinks they're great-but I've been around a lot of athletes and they are kids who can throw a ball. A lot of them aren't good role models and don't really want to be.It's actually unfair to make them something they never signed up to be. Celebrities...well, they're actors or they've made a sex tape or something...what the what?!?!
Anyway...I'm just saying-choose your role models wisely. Sam attends a meeting every other Saturday and the founder of Tom's Shoes was the speaker. This guy started a company that helps needy children all over the world. You buy a pair of shoes-he gives one away. Cool concept...cool guy=role model. And...for you single ladies he's not bad on the eyes.


I drove by Tom's Headquarters today...and I thought, I think this is what I'm giving for Christmas this year. Hope you like them...

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Apple sells 6 million new iPhones-can we get a couple downloads?

So...I'm at the Apple store today buying the new iPhone for my boss's daughter and while I'm standing in line to enter the store I wonder...why is there a line? I thought no one was impressed with the new 4S?? Well, that's what I read last week-things change, I guess. Once I finally made it to the front of the line I was able to ask some questions like-"how are things going", "how much are these things anyway?"

Well...the phones are 399 dollars and Apple has sold 6 million of them since releasing it last week. Six million!!?!? Whoa! That got me thinking...

If we could just get 1 million of those peeps to download our app for kids...Bedtime Bunny Tales...that would change my life and the life of a lot of other people! Really...when you look at it that way...it doesn't seem too difficult. Can you believe they sell that many iPhones? Last time I checked Mac had sold more than 15 million iPads...and that was six months ago!!

Now on to another topic. Here in L.A. it doesn't matter when you're out and about...the stores are always packed...or there will be people working out in the middle of the day. I always wonder...do any of these people have jobs? Then I remember...well, a lot of them are actors, some work in the biz on shows that end in the middle of the year, then pick back up a month or two after it wraps and others are super rich. You know...like ladies who lunch. I guess if you don't have anything better to do you go out to eat, shop or work out! hmmmm...

On that note...I better get my beauty rest. Good night.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Everyone gets old...and some wear diapers

Well, today I bought my first adult diaper. Thankfully, it wasn't for myself but regrettably it's for my aging puppy dog, Daisy. In 12 years she never had an accident in the house but about two months ago I noticed she was laying in something wet. I finally realized she wasn't able to control herself and didn't even know anything was wrong. I put her on meds...but this morning she had another accident....so, I bought her a diaper, well a pack of Depends. Who knew diapers were so expensive? Well...I'm sure all of you mom's know...but wow-it was such an eye opener. Gosh, this makes me so sad...I know Daisy isn't going to be around forever, but she's been with me, along with Suzy since I've been married so they are a very special part of our family.

So...on to better, brighter things. Today was a good day. We finally made it back to church and it was so good to hang with everyone. We're in this 20's-30's group and we have a brunch once a month. The guys who cater it are amazing. Fritatta's, amazing potato something or other, salad, cookies and mimosas! I mean really...at church? Well, it is All Saints-Beverly HIlls!
Saturday I met with an alumni group and we went to tea! That was another yummy experience. I wasn't a huge fan of the actual restaurant, but the food was pretty darn good. I'm actually not much of a tea drinker, more of a coffee gal but I really liked all of the varieties. It sounds like I did lots of eating and not much working this weekend but I did try and move some of our things back into the house. The kitchen is almost back to normal, but every time I clean something...magically the dust re-appears. I know now that if we ever...and mind you, I'm not planning anything, remodel anything ever again I will move all furniture,
kitchen ware, even the food in the cabinets because it all gets covered in dust. Even my beloved Dyson vacuum was unable to make it through this dust bowl. Remember, I was bragging about how amazing it was...but finally it just petered out. I washed the filter today and took it apart...I'm hoping that will bring it back from the dead. I love that thing!

Here's to a dust free week! Hope you have a wonderful Monday!





Wednesday, October 12, 2011

We got the word...and the word is NO!

So...there will be no before and after photos of our renovation! Sorry! I know there are some of you out there waiting to see the transformation but we heard from the producer today and we can't discuss anything about it-including pics! You'll just have to stay tuned to our blog to find out when you can see it on the boob tube!

I left work early today and got a mani-pedi. Los Angeles is THE place to get spa type services...you can get them for almost nothing! 19 dollars for both! I guess the competition just really drives down the prices...I like that. Sunday afternoon we were so sore we went for Thai massages. That's another amazing perk about living in SoCal. 45 dollars for the deepest tissue massage you'll ever receive...she even left a bruise. It's quite the experience...kinda like a yoga class-beat down session...but boy does it feel good!

Tonight we're celebrating my bday with the couple that really helped a lot with our renovation, Roshelle and Tyler. Having my favorite, tiramisu and probably a glass of champagne! I'm 38...I can take it.

Have an amazing evening...and to all of you on Facebook-Thank you soooo much for the Birthday wishes...they mean a whole-whole-lot!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Where has the time gone?

Ok...some of you are waiting to see some "after" pics of our renovation but I haven't gotten the OK from HGTV to post any yet!! So sorry! I did promise to tell you a little about the experience so here goes...

First of all I'm glad it's over! Ha! No, it was a great experience but it was quite stressful, really dirty and truly exhausting! Working on a deadline when it comes to construction is just brutal! Anyway...

The most important thing I gained from this experience is perspective. I like that word...and it is soooo important to everything and everyone. I learned that my perspective is completely different than Sam's perspective. I'm a multi-tasker and he is a linear thinker. He does one thing really well, while I juggle a bunch of things and do them, good enough! Ha! Maybe that's what makes us work?!?!

One thing I know for sure...my environment really makes me feel differently. I've always been a rolling stone...ever since I can remember I had my bags packed,
going from house to house, town to town, state to state
and if I wasn't physically moving I was day dreaming about
traveling. Tonight, I feel so comfortable staying in. I really like
what we did with the place and I think I might stay awhile. The
producers/coordinators for the show brought lots of fresh flowers
and fruit with them to "stage" the place for the final scene and left them as kind of a "housewarming-we can't use these anymore-present" and I'm still enjoying them. All of that adds to the ambiance and I'm soaking it all in.


 So...to my tagline. Where has the time gone? I have no earthly idea! When did we start this project and how did it get done!? Also...I'm going to be another year older in about three hours. What?!?! Where has the time gone?!?! Every year it seems to fly by even faster than before but for now I intend to pack it full of "stuff", no...not the physical stuff you buy at the store but lots of experiences, adventures and people-people-people-the real stuff, no more of this drywall dust, kitchen remodel hooie...just good ol' company!  Hope you fill your house with the good "stuff" too!

Monday, October 10, 2011

Hello...it's been too long!

So...I am too tired to write anything but I wanted to at least say hello! We wrapped HGTV's Professional Grade on Saturday and things went well!! I can't talk about it until I get the O.K. from the producer...but for now, I'll say it was amazing, tiresome and extremely difficult! I've never worked under a deadline like that when it comes to any kind of renovation...so it was just overwhelming! Every night of last week we were up late pounding, tearing and painting but Friday night we didn't go to bed at all. The crew got to our house at 9 am and we had to leave for the day. They called us back, the judges gave us our critique...and then the big moment...drum roll please-and commercial break.Ugh...I so wish I could tell you all about it...show you the pics, etc but not just yet.

Friday, September 30, 2011

Regardless of how your day goes...when you are driving home and you see a rainbow everything seems to be just peachy keen. It isn't often you see a rainbow here in SoCal-it doesn't ever rain! Anyway...it was nice. While I'm on the topic of pretty scenes I might as well throw another one your way. This is the Pacific Ocean...and the little guy throwing a frisbee...that's Farah Fawcet's former husband...boyfriend, whatever! I was standing on the porch in Malibu and I just had to take a photo...it was an amazing day. At this moment...this is what I'm dreaming of. Laying on the beach...soaking up some rays....you get my drift. Oh...and I also want to set up a little picnic right there where that guy is standing. It's in front of a house that sits on the beach, just off the Pacific Coast Highway. A lot of the residence think the beach is their own private property..but I'm here to inform you-there is no such thing in America! This land is your land-this land is my land and that includes the beach! There are no private beaches...including Hawaii!  


But for now...the only view I'll be taking in is that of a very messy house...but not for long. We installed the final piece of the beam that holds the ceiling. Actually it was a concrete pillar and we didn't install it! We've got one week to finish our renovation for HGTV's Professional Grade and we couldn't chance messing up such an important part of the structural integrity so we hired it out. I don't feel bad about it...we've done so much of it on our own...but we are spent!
It didn't take the men long...a couple hours to pour...a night to cure and a couple more hours the next day. Now...we are on to laying the tile. It's been quite the adventure but I'm just about ready for this little roller coaster ride to come to a halt! I must admit, I had no idea what I was getting us into. It's been a lot of work but we are almost finished!! Yeah! Just in time to start promoting Bedtime Bunny Tales. I'm going to say this a lot from now until launch...but tell all your friends...our app for toddlers is live October 15th!





 Ok...enough for tonight. I have a long day tomorrow. Until next time.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Perspective...it's all about perspective.

Today hasn't been a great day.

Yesterday we had our inspection with the city and the guy was a fill-in for the regular inspector...so I guess he didn't think he needed to do anything. He looks at everything, Sam asks him what we need to change and he mumbles, then grunts...and still no answers. "So, how does the electric look?" "Well, they'll probably ok it."....They? who's they? We thought you were the inspector?

Anyway...the vague answers didn't help any...so we are going to keep doing what we think we need to do.

I did figure out something today. This is my last home renovation project. Yes, I am hanging up my hammer for good. Well...in a couple weeks I will retire my hammer...

Now onto some more great news. For the last couple days I've been smelling something like burning rubber while driving. I thought it had something to do with my tires. Come to find out...there's a little piece of plastic near my oil receptacle...I forget what it's called, but it's leaking! Ugh! I have my oil changed and then I start to pout...and then start feeling a little overwhelmed...and just at that moment I hear a story on the radio. It's about a nurse who is taking care of a 30 year old woman who has breast cancer. The girl is dying and she's under hospice care.

Wow...that hit me like a ton of bricks. From my perspective I thought my world was ending (not really-but you know what I mean)...from the 30 year old's perspective her world-her life on this earth was ending. Sometimes I guess we need to be reminded of just how good we have it. I've heard it said...if you wake up in the morning...you're having a good day. Well...I'm awake, in good health, so what's my problem?

May we all be reminded of just how good with have it.

Until next time.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Be Interesting...

So...we just finished a long day of installing electric.
What??@?!!?!? We don't know how to install electric!
Good thing we have such a good buddy named Kal. He helped talk us through tearing down the wall that separated our living room from our kitchen and today he saved the day-again.

Yesterday we shot more video for the show...we pulled up tile and painted some cabinets but a lingering thought plagued our minds. We have an inspection on Monday and we haven't finished the electric. Actually...we strung some cable but we don't know it that will pass code?!?! I broke down and called for back-up. "Kal, we don't know what we are doing. Can you help us?, I plainly admitted our incompetence and he eagerly volunteered to come help us the next day. The next day was a Sunday...and he'd be here by 9:30. What? No way?!? Yep...even on the sabbath he felt it necessary to drop everything and come help us. Wow...this dude rocks. Come to find out...he even attended mass at 7:30 am before arriving. We skipped service! DUDE!!!!

Skip to 5pm. We're sitting outside under the gazebo...eating drinking and making merry. We finished and had time to spare! OMG!

Now...to my tagline-Be interesting. Kal...is interesting. He was born and raised here in SoCAl but he's lived in Hawaii and Oregon. He's been a driver...a store manager, a construction guy and now business owner. He's been working since he was a kid and he has the stories to prove it. Kal is a guy you want to invite to a party. He's lived and he reminds me of my dad. You don't have to be a millionaire to have led a life worth talking about. Actually...I think working folks have wayyyyyy better stories than the rich and pampered!

One of his stories involved his childhood crush, Jamie Lee Curtis. He was on a construction job and the owner ended up being the famous beauty. First of all his buddy ended up marrying the lady that was working as Curtis' children's nanny. The other thing he said that I found intriguing...was how gracious, laid back and cool she was. She made all of the crew take a break, sit down and eat a beautifully prepared meal with her! She sat with everyone...chatted and had a grand ol' time. Isn't that good to hear? I love it. She seems cool but I had no idea she was a genuinely nice person. You go Jamie!

Be interesting. Take chances-it makes for such good dinner conversation!

Oh...say a prayer for us too. The city will inspect our handy work tomorrow...

I'll let you know!