10. My Nikon D60,
9. My Lenovo T400 Laptop,
8. My Trader Joe's bag filled with as many pictures/frames as it could hold,
7. My purse,
6. My Bible (but right now, it's sadly still packed in a box inside of our garage),
5. My Fresh 'N Easy bag filled with as many articles of clean clothing as I could stuff inside,
4. My Tiffany & Co pouch that carries the ring I gave myself on my 21st birthday as well as the silver bracelet and two rings that Mike has given me in our 4 years together,
3. My make-up tote (don't laugh, that crap is expensive & has been accumulated over many years of searching),
2. Books from anywhere around the house,
1. and I'm sure I'd grab something stupid like the people you see standing outside of their engulfed houses on the news. You know the kind, right? They're standing there in an old prom dress holding their cat, a box of photos, and a bottle of expensive vodka. That's right. I'd probably grab the very large bottle of Grey Goose or Kettle One that we have downstairs. I'm just stupid enough to do that.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Day 25: The nicest thing anyone has ever done for me
About 2 or 3 years ago, I wasn't feeling up to planning a birthday celebration. I thought about it and I just didn't want to do anything and I didn't want to work super hard to put anything together.
Well what are best friends for?
Two of my dearest friends stepped in and planned an awesome night out for me! Cristina and Denise are absolutely amazing people, and to call them my friends is one of my life's greatest blessings.
I was getting all dressed up and ready when my doorbell rang, standing in my doorway was Princess Rose and she was looking so cute!
From there people started pouring in from all different areas of my life!
Mike and Roger showed up.
Then Shannon and my party hostess, Cristina.
Finally, Miss Amanda arrived!
Finally we headed outside and saw a completely decorated SUV waiting for us! That's right folks! Stars and glass chalk covered the outside of a rather large vehicle and it was all to celebrate my birthday!!!
Then we headed over to Universal Citywalk to have dinner at Saddleranch. Well when we arrived I realized that there were even more people joining us!
My Zeta big sis, Lisa, was there as well as my other Zeta sisters, Marcy and one of my little sis's, Christen.
It was at this time that Amanda and I discovered that at Saddleranch you can order singles, doubles, and triples of just about any drink. The night gets a little fuzzy but I can guarantee you that it's one of my favorite memories of all times!
So thank you to everyone that came, but Cristina and Denise defintely win this round of "nicest things people have done for me!"
Well what are best friends for?
Two of my dearest friends stepped in and planned an awesome night out for me! Cristina and Denise are absolutely amazing people, and to call them my friends is one of my life's greatest blessings.
I was getting all dressed up and ready when my doorbell rang, standing in my doorway was Princess Rose and she was looking so cute!
From there people started pouring in from all different areas of my life!
Mike and Roger showed up.
Then Shannon and my party hostess, Cristina.
Finally, Miss Amanda arrived!
Finally we headed outside and saw a completely decorated SUV waiting for us! That's right folks! Stars and glass chalk covered the outside of a rather large vehicle and it was all to celebrate my birthday!!!
Then we headed over to Universal Citywalk to have dinner at Saddleranch. Well when we arrived I realized that there were even more people joining us!
My Zeta big sis, Lisa, was there as well as my other Zeta sisters, Marcy and one of my little sis's, Christen.
It was at this time that Amanda and I discovered that at Saddleranch you can order singles, doubles, and triples of just about any drink. The night gets a little fuzzy but I can guarantee you that it's one of my favorite memories of all times!
So thank you to everyone that came, but Cristina and Denise defintely win this round of "nicest things people have done for me!"
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Day 24: 4-5 relationships have had the greatest impact on my life
1. My Maternal Grandfather
Donald Kipp. Wife, Lou. Daughters, Kandi and Terri. Granddaughters, Kipp and Cierra.
That's right. I was named after my Grandfather. Not many women can say that, but at least my parents had the sense to call me Kipp and not Donald! You see, my grandfather was surrounded by women. He was raised by a single mother. He has a sister named Dorothy. He then had two daughters and two granddaughters. Even the family dogs were girls. He once said (in the heat of the moment) "I'M GOING TO DROWNED IN A SEA OF KOTEX AND PANTHOSE!!!"
To be honest, he wouldn't have had it any other way.
Everytime I saw my Grampa, I got a hug and a couple of dollars. He used to take me to his golf course and show me off to his golfing friends. Then we'd swing by McDonald's to see his retiree breakfast club and I'd get one of those free mini ice cream cones that they used to give away to children. From there we would take stale bread and go feed ducks and other farm animals in Ontario and Chino. Of course, that was when they still had farms and you could buy your eggs fresh from the farmer.
As I got older, his devotion never changed. He supported me when I thought no one else did. He didn't speak very much, but as a teenager I really appreciated that. He was hopelessly devoted to his wife, and as a subdivision of that he was devoted to his daughters as well. He helped me mentally frame what I hoped that I would one day find in a huspand.
2-3. Radar and Caitlyn
Male Welsh Corgi and Female Welsh Corgi
I know what you're thinking. Dogs having impacts on people's lives? Well these 2 did.
I am an only child, and there weren't many children around me to play with. In the summer, I would head into my back yard and I could play for eight or ten hours by myself. I would only stop to eat a quesadilla or some mac 'n cheese 'n peas. (That's why they call me a mouse.)
My only playmates were Radar and Caitlyn. They were the best friends that a little girl could ask for. I could pet them, I could play with them, or I could ride my bike around in the yard and they would leave me alone. I would play in my sand box and they'd come sit with me and lick me. Sometimes I'd take the kumquats off of my mother's tree and I'd eat the outside off and feed them the sour insides. I'd help my dad give them baths in a large cast iron bath tub we had, and they'd always love me afterwards.
4. I think this easily goes to my parents: Larry and Kandi
I'm an only child and if you've ever seen the movie "The Holiday" and remember how Cameron Diaz's character is talking about how she grew up, then you know my background: the three musketeers.
I'm a nearly 50:50 mix of my parents. I've got my mom's ability to talk and my dad's love for science. They both enjoy learning and so I guess I picked that up too. I can cook like my mom but I eat chocolate chip cookies as fast as my dad.
The downside of everything I just told you is that when people say that they don't want to end up like their parents, I already have. I'm trying to follow financial advice from my dad more and more everyday, and when it comes to my mother's passion for travel and her free spirit, well, I've been doing that for years already. It's too late not to be like either of my parents, because every day I wake up more and more like them.
And it isn't a bad thing at all.
 |
| Here I am as Grampa watches me get stuck in a plastic folding chair. He somehow always knew I'd be a smart cookie, although I'm not really sure how. |
That's right. I was named after my Grandfather. Not many women can say that, but at least my parents had the sense to call me Kipp and not Donald! You see, my grandfather was surrounded by women. He was raised by a single mother. He has a sister named Dorothy. He then had two daughters and two granddaughters. Even the family dogs were girls. He once said (in the heat of the moment) "I'M GOING TO DROWNED IN A SEA OF KOTEX AND PANTHOSE!!!"
To be honest, he wouldn't have had it any other way.
Everytime I saw my Grampa, I got a hug and a couple of dollars. He used to take me to his golf course and show me off to his golfing friends. Then we'd swing by McDonald's to see his retiree breakfast club and I'd get one of those free mini ice cream cones that they used to give away to children. From there we would take stale bread and go feed ducks and other farm animals in Ontario and Chino. Of course, that was when they still had farms and you could buy your eggs fresh from the farmer.
As I got older, his devotion never changed. He supported me when I thought no one else did. He didn't speak very much, but as a teenager I really appreciated that. He was hopelessly devoted to his wife, and as a subdivision of that he was devoted to his daughters as well. He helped me mentally frame what I hoped that I would one day find in a huspand.
2-3. Radar and Caitlyn
Male Welsh Corgi and Female Welsh Corgi
I know what you're thinking. Dogs having impacts on people's lives? Well these 2 did.
I am an only child, and there weren't many children around me to play with. In the summer, I would head into my back yard and I could play for eight or ten hours by myself. I would only stop to eat a quesadilla or some mac 'n cheese 'n peas. (That's why they call me a mouse.)
My only playmates were Radar and Caitlyn. They were the best friends that a little girl could ask for. I could pet them, I could play with them, or I could ride my bike around in the yard and they would leave me alone. I would play in my sand box and they'd come sit with me and lick me. Sometimes I'd take the kumquats off of my mother's tree and I'd eat the outside off and feed them the sour insides. I'd help my dad give them baths in a large cast iron bath tub we had, and they'd always love me afterwards.
4. I think this easily goes to my parents: Larry and Kandi
 |
| My parents, 30 years after they wed at the Queen Mary Royal Wedding Chapel. They'll celebrate 33 years in September, 2010. |
I'm an only child and if you've ever seen the movie "The Holiday" and remember how Cameron Diaz's character is talking about how she grew up, then you know my background: the three musketeers.
I'm a nearly 50:50 mix of my parents. I've got my mom's ability to talk and my dad's love for science. They both enjoy learning and so I guess I picked that up too. I can cook like my mom but I eat chocolate chip cookies as fast as my dad.
The downside of everything I just told you is that when people say that they don't want to end up like their parents, I already have. I'm trying to follow financial advice from my dad more and more everyday, and when it comes to my mother's passion for travel and her free spirit, well, I've been doing that for years already. It's too late not to be like either of my parents, because every day I wake up more and more like them.
And it isn't a bad thing at all.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Day 23: In the next year I'm going to...
Okay, so I suck at this. I never make plans. I go where life takes me. If I want something, I usually just work really, really hard until I get it and then I pick something else to go after.
But for this, I'm going to draw from Mrs. Sabater. You see, on Sunday Mike and I went down to Spring Valley to see one of his oldest friends, Jon. Jon and his wife, Trisha, have a son and on Sunday we celebrated his 1st birthday. You can read about the food here.
During the birthday party, Jon's mom came up to visit with me and we talked about how she was very knowledgeable about astrology. When Jon and Mike were younger, she even predicted that Mike should wait until he was at least 20 years old to begin any serious relationships or have a girlfriend. She told him that he should wait because the woman he meets at that time will be a very long relationship. Well, Mike and I met at 21 years old. She's good...
Well then she tells me that when Jon and his wife were dating, she warned them that something was passing through Trisha's sign that would make it very easy for her to get pregnant. I don't have to explain in depth what happened next, but Lucius came about 9 months later!
Well then she asked my birthday and the year I was born. She told me that marriage would be probably occurr in the next 2 years and that I'm in a period of change that is to last approximately 7 years. This would include housing changes, children, marriage, and job advancements or promotions. Well sign me up!
I told her that we were trying very hard not to have children, but that Mike and I had just purchased our first home and adopted a dog together. She said all that I had left was a job promotion!
Let's just say, I hope she's right! I'll keep you all posted...
But for this, I'm going to draw from Mrs. Sabater. You see, on Sunday Mike and I went down to Spring Valley to see one of his oldest friends, Jon. Jon and his wife, Trisha, have a son and on Sunday we celebrated his 1st birthday. You can read about the food here.
During the birthday party, Jon's mom came up to visit with me and we talked about how she was very knowledgeable about astrology. When Jon and Mike were younger, she even predicted that Mike should wait until he was at least 20 years old to begin any serious relationships or have a girlfriend. She told him that he should wait because the woman he meets at that time will be a very long relationship. Well, Mike and I met at 21 years old. She's good...
Well then she tells me that when Jon and his wife were dating, she warned them that something was passing through Trisha's sign that would make it very easy for her to get pregnant. I don't have to explain in depth what happened next, but Lucius came about 9 months later!
Well then she asked my birthday and the year I was born. She told me that marriage would be probably occurr in the next 2 years and that I'm in a period of change that is to last approximately 7 years. This would include housing changes, children, marriage, and job advancements or promotions. Well sign me up!
I told her that we were trying very hard not to have children, but that Mike and I had just purchased our first home and adopted a dog together. She said all that I had left was a job promotion!
Let's just say, I hope she's right! I'll keep you all posted...
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Day 22: Name life changing books I've read...
Too easy, Buster.
(Quick! Name that movie!)
Just kidding! But in all honesty, this is a really easy question for me. The Bible is the only book that changed my life.
I've read quite a few books in my lifetime, but none of those books brought my life into focus or helped me choose a path in life. They enrich my life, but when all is said and done the Bible is the only written word that has the power to help me be a better person.
So with that, I'm going to leave you with my favorite passage.
(Quick! Name that movie!)
Just kidding! But in all honesty, this is a really easy question for me. The Bible is the only book that changed my life.
I've read quite a few books in my lifetime, but none of those books brought my life into focus or helped me choose a path in life. They enrich my life, but when all is said and done the Bible is the only written word that has the power to help me be a better person.
So with that, I'm going to leave you with my favorite passage.
Philippians 2:14-15
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe."
Monday, July 26, 2010
Lucius's First Birthday
On Sunday Mike and I went down to Spring Valley to see one of his oldest friends, Jon. Jon and his wife, Trisha, have a son and on Sunday we celebrated his 1st birthday.
It was interesting to say the least. Apparently Jon's family is Phillipeno and I think I heard that Trisha's family is Portuguese-Canadian. Yah, I know. You're confused, right? The food was amazing. I'm not always a crazy food person, but I will try everything once. My parents told me that was the polite thing to do, and you never know if you're going to find something that you like.
Boy were they right! First up, noodles. Noodles like chow mein, except made with those clear and wobbly kind of noodles instead of the thick kind.
Noodles were a success.
Next up, eggroll looking things with shrimp inside. Shrimp wasn't chewy. Eggroll wrapper was crispy.
Another success.
There was carne asada and pollo asada from Mike's dad's shop which is always a hit with people. I had a bit of both (you'd think I'd get enough of it because it's in my freezer, but it's never enough!).
Then I grabbed something new. I honestly didn't know what was in it. It looked like those 1 foot eggrolls you can get at the fair...but it had what looked like crystallized sugar on the outside. Huh?
BINGO!
It was a big plantain (banana-like) eggroll with carmelized sugar on the outside. I was in heaven! Think churro+bananas foster. All I needed was some ice cream.
As if that wasn't enough, Jon had made some ceviche that was pretty good so I munched on that and I topped everything off with an oatmeal raisin cookie.
I ate my way through a one-year old's birthday party.
It was great.
I skipped the cake by the way, but only because I had a banana eggroll and a cookie already. I didn't want to look like a fat cow.
It was interesting to say the least. Apparently Jon's family is Phillipeno and I think I heard that Trisha's family is Portuguese-Canadian. Yah, I know. You're confused, right? The food was amazing. I'm not always a crazy food person, but I will try everything once. My parents told me that was the polite thing to do, and you never know if you're going to find something that you like.
Boy were they right! First up, noodles. Noodles like chow mein, except made with those clear and wobbly kind of noodles instead of the thick kind.
Noodles were a success.
Next up, eggroll looking things with shrimp inside. Shrimp wasn't chewy. Eggroll wrapper was crispy.
Another success.
There was carne asada and pollo asada from Mike's dad's shop which is always a hit with people. I had a bit of both (you'd think I'd get enough of it because it's in my freezer, but it's never enough!).
Then I grabbed something new. I honestly didn't know what was in it. It looked like those 1 foot eggrolls you can get at the fair...but it had what looked like crystallized sugar on the outside. Huh?
BINGO!
It was a big plantain (banana-like) eggroll with carmelized sugar on the outside. I was in heaven! Think churro+bananas foster. All I needed was some ice cream.
As if that wasn't enough, Jon had made some ceviche that was pretty good so I munched on that and I topped everything off with an oatmeal raisin cookie.
I ate my way through a one-year old's birthday party.
It was great.
I skipped the cake by the way, but only because I had a banana eggroll and a cookie already. I didn't want to look like a fat cow.
Day 21: I can't believe that I...
I can't believe that I...bought a house.
I wake up every morning and I stumble through this place and think, "That's my bathroom" or "This is my kitchen."
I know I share it with Mike, I'm not trying to be extremely selfish. The truth is that I do try to say "we" and "our" a lot more, but sometimes I'm amazed at everything I've accumulated (including the junk) and I have to sit back and just say "wow."
I wake up every morning and I stumble through this place and think, "That's my bathroom" or "This is my kitchen."
I know I share it with Mike, I'm not trying to be extremely selfish. The truth is that I do try to say "we" and "our" a lot more, but sometimes I'm amazed at everything I've accumulated (including the junk) and I have to sit back and just say "wow."
Here's our dog, Maddie, sitting on our painted and refinished stairwell.
Crazy, right? When stuff breaks, I still look around for my Dad.
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