Interview with my Kid

I did this on Facebook and really laughed, so thought I’d post it here too!

Ask your child(ren) these questions and enter their answers…Quite amusing!

Kenny is 13 yrs. old

1. What is something mom always says to you?
~ “Have a good day, don’t get molested!”

2. What makes mom happy?
~ ” Being with her family”

3. What makes mom sad?
~ “when people lie to her”

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
~ ” when she moons me and when we hit each other at K1 Speed”

5. What was your mom like as a child?
~ “Athletic”

6. How old is your mom?
~ “41”

7. How tall is your mom?
~ ” 5’4 (5’6″ really)

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
~ ” Hang with her family”

9. What does your mom do when you’re not around?
~ ” Work and homework”

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
~ “Comedy”

11. What is your mom really good at?
~ ” Typing and driving fast at K1 Speed”

12. What is your mom not very good at?
~ “Surfing” (and this is totally true!)

13. What does your mom do for a job?
~ “Office Manager at Du-par’s”

14.What is your mom’s favorite food?
~ “Hibachi Steak House”

15.What makes you proud of your mom?
~ “She always makes time for me”

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
~ “Goofy”

17. What do you and your mom do together?
~ ” Race at K1 Speed”

18. How are you and your mom the same?
~”We both are awesome and like the same things – we are very much alike”

19. How are you and your mom different?
~ “I’m a boy and she’s a girl”

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
~ “She always calls me to see if I’m okay and is always there to help me and understands me”

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
~ “His biceps” (We both had a good laugh with this one!)

22. Where is your mom’s favorite place to go?
~ “Bon Jovi Concerts”

Bad Words from the Kids

The other day, Deana, Zack, and Sophia visited me at my work. Over dinner (Sophia LOVES Du-par’s chicken noodle soup!), Deana was telling me that she was shocked that The Power Puff Girls movie had several bad words in it. Here is how the conversation went:

D: Yes, it was very shocking!

G: Well, what sort of words are we talking about?

S: It was like “shut up” and “stupid” (at this point, Zack looks at Sophia with an incredulous face, as if to say “Oh my gosh, she just SAID those words)

Z: Yeah, and then they said “can of whoop ass” (seriously, I started laughing so hard at this point because I never expected him to say this)

Z: What?!?!!?!!?

G: I didn’t expect you to say “whoop ass”

Z: Well, Sophia said the other words, so I figured I could say that one.

Days later, I have used the “whoop ass” comment on many occasions – mostly to be ornery and to see how the kids would respond. My favorite response is from Sophia. Here’s an example:

G: You better watch it Sophia, don’t make me get a can of whoop ass out!

S: G, you said the b word! (She says that after ANY bad word and I find it endearingly hilarious!)

Yes, I am still alive!

True to form – I am short on time, but wanted to do a super-quick update for my 2.78 readers!

  • I moved into my very own place this past weekend.  First time ever in my life!  I am very excited and have already made it very comfortable (despite fighting a horrible cold!)  AND, it’s only 2 miles from work!
  • I still love my job at Du-par’s Restaurant in Studio City!  It keeps me busy for sure (worked 60 hours last week) but it’s truly a family place.  Kenny even worked with me one day!
  • No surprise, my “love life” has been a nightmare!  I have learned I am a very angry person, which is really funny because the person that told me this has not even seen my Italian Temper!  I guess “being real” can be construed many ways.  Yet, I feel good about my life right now…..and look forward to the future
  • Oh my word, I am WAY behind in school and for my Academy Award viewing!  Only one week left and I have TONS that I still have to see!  Dun dun dun!  I think this week is going to be frantic!
  • I have decided that I will not let my sentimental side rule me as it has most of my life.  “Best friends” (former or otherwise) do not deserve my attention when they can’t even return an email or respond to a text that informs them that I was in a motorcycle accident.  THAT has been a great revelation for me!
  • However, the Lord has truly blessed me lately with friends whom I never expect to stay!  You know who you are, but I am so so blessed and so so happy that TRUE friendships are so deep and cover my heart so completely!

Okay, gotta run!  The kids, who are also in the process of moving with Edgar, are doing fabulous.  I love them.  And Kirstie is cute.  LOL

Gina, OUT!

A Wild Weekend…..NOW WITH PIC…..

And I am so late in posting this!

Started Monday…….So, I am very, very tired right now……VERY tired! But I will try to do a recap of my weekend, beginning Thursday night, for my poor readers who haven’t had a post to read in forever!

Continued Thursday……

Thursday I was able to go to a Disturbed concert with my brothers, Eddie and David. This was actually a present David got for Christmas from his wife, and he was nice enough to turn it into a fun trip for the three of us. We went to the Palladium in Hollywood, which is a smaller venue and it was pretty cool. And even though the mosh pit – which was the first I have REALLY seen as others pale in comparison – really, REALLY freaked me out! OMG these guys looked as if they could seriously KILL each other! And I am getting old, because I was like, “How can that even be FUN?!?!!?!”

Here are my brothers before the show – Eddie on left, Dave on right

img_0258img_0256(Eddie is on the left, David on the right)

So then on Friday I worked and then Rita and I went to a lovely dinner at a beautiful neighborhood restaurant. I had Filet Mignon that was to die for! And a scrumptious chocolate mouse cake.

Okay, I know this is lame, but I have to put “to be continued”. Instead of saving this as a draft for later, I am going to post it now and either update it or create a new post. So yeah, I am lame!

What?!!?! Kirstie moved OUT?!!?!!?…..and other Amazing Stories

Well, hello! It’s been a while since I’ve written and for that I apologize. I have plenty of excuses for this lack of action here, but I won’t put you thru the boring steps of reading them……

First, some business:

  • Today is my Aunt Kay’s Birthday! Special shout out to my favorite Aunt! I pray that today is filled with myriad blessings at that 2009 turns out to be one of the best years of your life!
  • This week I had two positive experiences on the job front (but no offers) and also prepared and presented my first business proposal through my new consulting firm, Minard Services. To learn more about this step I am taking, check out my site.
  • For a few years I had an avid reader of this blog, someone who snuck to it during class and often made the best comments. Now, she has started her own blog as well! Check it out here.

Now, for the formal update!

Kirstie Has Left the Nest!

Kirstie, who turned 18 this past September, has been attending college since August. She is a nice blend of me and Edgar, being somewhat shy but outgoing at the same time. Around Christmas she mentioned she had made some friends at school who shared an apartment very close to the campus, and was considering moving in with them. I listened, as a good mother does, but I seriously didn’t take what she was saying to heart because, well, she had it made at home. So, when she brought it up again this past week, and when doing so had more details and very detailed questions, my little mother ears popped up. Suddenly, I KNEW she was serious! My first reaction was YES, she’s moving out! But as the reality of the situation manifested itself, I began to think……OMG, my baby is leaving!

I ain’t gonna lie, this has been a tad hard for me. I worry about her – not that she will be hurt or anything……more like, “Does she have all the staple items she probably takes for granted? Is she washing her clothes? Will she have enough money for rent AND food AND fun? Will she clean her room?” The list goes on. What is hilarious about this concern is that it started about 2 hours after she moved out. LOL

So, yesterday I stopped by her place to see it and hang out. It IS a nice place and her set up is cute. We went to dinner together and then went shopping. She bought a bike so that she can ride it to school, thus saving the VERY HIGH parking fee for school. I gave her a bit of money so she doesn’t have to stress and then I left. And I felt better but maybe not completely. 🙂 This whole thing is new for me so I know it will take time to adjust…..

Restoration and Peace

In the last few months, I have eluded here that I lost a very close friend. I did, and it was based in large part on my own actions. Well, actions that I knew would upset her. I think there were more factors on both sides that lead to the ending that occurred, but it is what it is.

What was hard for me, though, is that I missed her very much. She and I melded in ways hard to express here. I didn’t know how to deal with that loss and figured she hated me. I thought about contacting one of her daughters to figure if there was even a chance we could talk, but then I decided to go straight to the source. So, I sent the following text:

“Hey hope you’re doing well. Is it unreasonable for me to request dinner or meeting for a cocktail?”

A quick moment passed and I received the following response:

“Yep”

Honestly, my heart dropped as I realized the damage I had truly caused. I felt the realization of my loss yet again, then chastized myself for focusing only on my feelings. As I drove (yes, I am now breaking California law…), I responded:

“Ok sorry”

I continued to absorb the reality of the situation, envisioning the years of friendship from the past and the potential emptiness of the future, when I received the following text:

“Oops, I said it backwards! I meant I’d be open”

Wow! So, although it is fair to say that there are always consequences to our actions and relationships can be altered by things we do, we met and it went well. I was concerned about the initial interaction, but it amazed me that sitting down with her was COMFORTABLE. It’s like when you are wearing new shoes all day and they are rubbing your toes wrong or too tight around your heel, and then you get home and put on your favorite pair of shoes and go, “aaaggghhhhh!” So, at least for me, the night was much about that “aaaggghhhh!” feeling.

Wow, That is a Cool Story!

I missed much of the hoopla during the day regarding the plane crash into the Hudson River as I had an interview and then went to see Kirstie. So when I walked home and saw interviews and heard the details, I was amazed and happy that no one was killed. So, it is with this reverence and appreciation that I share this story about the pilot of the plane, Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger III. The story made me smile and I hope you enjoy it!

Okay, I have TONS of homework to get to, so GINA OUT!

Next time, I will share about my Academy Award plans!

2008 Recap

2008 was filled with LOTS of things……here are some of them:

Kirstie 2008

Kirstie with me at my MBA Orientation of Hope International University

  • Josh - First Day of School
  • Josh – First Day of School
  • The Angels Rock!
  • The Angels Rock
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    Sleepy days……

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    And the consequences of the only one falling asleep!

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    And perpetual paparazzi avoidance…….

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    New Friends

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    Amazing memories!

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    And fun activities!

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    Cool kids…….

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    And manifestations of tempers!

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    Music Production……

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    New loves…..

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    And the comfort of family!

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    New toys…..

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    and the winner’s circle!

    See, 2008 had some fun happenings!!!

    Christmas Day and other Excitement

    Yep, Christmas was filled with blessings this year.  I have been with the kids at Edgar’s house since Christmas Eve!  LOTS of fun, lots of food, and lots of love!

    Here are the Garza boys working on their MySpace faces…..

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    Here is Edgar vying for Josh’s candy, and Josh’s response……

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    Josh with his new go phone and Gracie enjoying the great outdoors…..

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    Kirstie playing Guitar Hero World Tour on Expert and KICKING IT!  Yes, she plays left handed!

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    Visiting Grandpa David and Grandma Ellie

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    Grandpa giving the Boys gun safety lessons…..

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    Kenny has been waiting for this FOREVER!!!! lol

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    It was a great Christmas and I am looking forward to the blessings God has in store for me in 2009!


    Christmas Eve Eve

    Since Rita had a ticket to leave for Chicago on the 24th, she, David, Gracie, Nike, and I opened presents on the 23rd.  It was FUN!  The most exciting part was when the “kids” (Nike and Gracie) opened their presents.  This is my first Christmas with Gracie, and she is still pretty young(1 1/2), so the odds are good that this was the first time she actually opened presents.

    Nike was the first to go…..

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    Then it was Gracie’s turn!

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    Overall it was a fun night for all!  Next, info from Christmas Eve and Christmas!

    Merry Christmas to you all!

    Sunday – aagghhh!

    It’s hard to believe that next week is Christmas!  So much has been going on in my life, that little piece of info seems to have been lost in the shuffle!  Rita and I WERE able to get a few items earlier in the week, but not much!  Today I ordered some more gifts for the boys from BestBuy.com and hope to pick them up later today.  I have a few more items to get on my list……hopefully I can knock them out today or tomorrow!

    I also spent a large amount of time yesterday and this morning finishing up my portion of the Final Project for my latest MBA class.  This included sharing my team’s business plan and results from our simulated business.  I actually enjoyed this class very much – way better than Statistics!  I have learned much to use in my career and look forward to – hopefully someday – opening a business with Rita.

    The kids are doing pretty well.  I spent the night at Edgar’s Friday – it was not planned.  I had a team meeting at 7pm on Friday and there was no way I’d get home in time for it.  I also was meeting with Edgar after my physical therapy session to take care of some other items.  The meeting with my team lasted MUCH longer than I expected, ending at around 10pm.  The boys, especially Josh, were anxious for me to spend the night, so I did.  It was fun hanging with them, and I even got to see Kirstie when she got home later that night.

    Josh woke me at 7:45 in the morning and we were able to eat some donuts together, thanks to Anita’s early outing to get them!

    Kenny, Josh, Rita and I (and maybe Kirstie if she’s interested) are taking a ski trip from the 31st through the 3rd.  We are all very excited and, fortunately, PT has been good enough for me that I can ski too!  I might be a little tentative, but it will be fun to be out there with my boys and Rita.  I can’t wait to see Kenny snowboard and Josh ski!  They took several lessons a couple years ago and they were getting pretty good….hope they remember how to do things!  It’s gonna be SO MUCH FUN and hopefully the beginning of a new tradition.  And it will be interesting if I actually STAY AWAKE for the new year instead of sleeping and getting up moments before midnight…..LOL.

    Okay, I am taking off now….have lots to do…..like watching Terms of Endearment!  Wait, where are the tissues????