An Amazing Weekend……

/ Gina Marie / 1 Comment

It has been a non stop weekend! Let me start from the beginning so you can get a good sense of it.

Oh Friday Kenny ditched school and I was off of work. We started by talking about the day – a birthday pre-celebration with just me and him. Over coffee, we came up with a sketch of the day’s game plan.

  • First we went to Denny’s to have a hearty breakfast. I had my usual Moon Over My Hammy, and Kenny has Chicken Fried Steak and eggs. It was a pleasant breakfast, slow paced, and we had plenty of time of visiting.
  • Because it was only around 10am, I told Kenny that I needed to run an errand. What he DIDN’T know is that the errand was to get him a new cell phone. So we drove to the AT&T store and he was VERY excited when he realized why we were there. He picked out a cool Sony phone and we were on our way.
  • Then, the highlight! We went to K1 Speed, an indoor kart racetrack. It was SO FREAKING AMAZING! Truth be told, I was a little scared at first because the karts go up to 45 mph, way more fast than the karts at Boomer’s, etc. So the first race I was a wimp and Kenny was zipping around the track with no problem. When I FINALLY got the hang of it and began to catch up with him, the race was over. So, of course, that meant we had to race again! So we did and it was SO FUN! One time Kenny spun a little and I almost crashed into him, but ended up spinning out to avoid him. It worked out though because he spun out right after so we still were close. LOL We are now addicted to this!
  • Then, we went to see Iron Man, which worked out because we got there just in perfect time for the next showing. It is actually a good movie! We had fun and he was very sweet to me, holding my hand (but don’t tell anyone!)
  • Then, we headed to Guitar Center where we jammed on drums, bass guitars, and guitars. He loved that more than I thought he would!
  • We then headed home to hang out, play video games, etc. It was AWESOME! Here is Kirstie getting in on the fun!

Saturday continued the fun as it was Kenny’s actual birthday, he turned 13!

  • We started by having a family breakfast/lunch at Cheesecake Factory. Here they sang happy birthday to him.
  • We then hung out at home talking about Kenny when he was born, little, funny stories he has created in his life, etc.
  • We then went to Game Stop to buy him a video game and I got two games for CHEAP as well!
  • Then Kenny and I just hung out having fun. It has been COOL!

Now that it’s Mother’s Day, I am being lazy and I am enjoying it! We are going to dinner tonight as Kirstie has to work today! Doh! But to all the mothers out there, HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

Thursdays ain’t bad

/ Gina Marie / 1 Comment

So today is Thursday – what is it about Thursdays that make it seem so non-important? I mean, Mondays are tough, you know having to go to work after the weekend.  Tuesdays, well this is also another non-important day, Wednesday is hump day, and of course Fridays are exciting as it is the doorway to the weekend AND usually payday.  But Thursdays – what is the deal?

I don’t usually think about Thursdays myself.  And honestly, I am not sure what I am going to say now.  But I realized that Thursday ain’t BAD.  I mean, they are way better than Mondays and are so close to Fridays, so just by association that makes them positive.  What are YOUR thoughts?

So yeah, obviously my need to write at this present moment is huge!

American Idol AGAIN!

/ Gina Marie / 2 Comments

Okay, as before I am going to be posting this as the show is viewed by my beautiful eyes! LOL

Round 1

David C 5701 – Duran Duran rocks! This was NOT his best performance, but I think part of the problem was that the vocal volume was WAY higher than the band. And maybe he wasn’t as original as times past, but I still love him and YES I am voting him.

Syesha 5702- wow, Proud Mary? I liked the beginning better than the up part…..and apparently there was a dance move that I missed because I was typing here and I have been told that ruined the song. For me, things are getting tight so I am not sure I can vote for her.

Jason 5703 – it was a nice try bringing in the dregs with a Bob Marley song. But I have to say this – even though he’s cute, he needs to go. Go home and kiss your family, Jason. You are my new Brooke!

David A 5704 – Stand by Me???? I am nervous. I actually liked this rendition! My only critique is the fact he brought in the “beautiful girls” part, which threw me off and I didn’t like it. But his singing was very good. Have to think about voting for him…..

Round 2

David C – I didn’t know this song, even when my friend claimed he pictured me as a teen smoking pot listening to it (okay, 2.78 readers, seriously?) I am strongly supporting him and, yes, still love him!

Syesha – was a little surprised at her low cut dress – could she be going for the male votes against the other three guys? Side note: Paula? Seriously? Is she hitting the tequila again? I wasn’t overwhelmed with this rendition but it was okay. Still don’t think I will be voting for her.

Jason – I especially loved the humming parts. Maybe they were the best parts. Three words into it we called him out, but who knows? Maybe the cute factor will save him this week. Not sure……

David A – this is a difficult one for me…..this genre doesn’t resonate with me. I tried to focus on the SINGING and not the SONG.

So, admittedly this is getting much more difficult. Brooke is gone and so is Kristy – who can I beat up on? But Jason has outlived his stay. He IS cute, but he is not even close to the other three singers and really should be the one to go. We shall see what happens.

I voted for David C. My regular friend chose not to vote for anyone. My other two friends voted for David A and Jason (who was voted by a guy, who wanted to vote for the worse one!)

We shall see! Let me know your thoughts if you saw the show!

Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

/ Gina Marie / 1 Comment

More importantly, this is my Grandpa Minard’s birthday – I think he would have been 100 today!

Anyway, not much going on at this present time, except the fact that I made updates to my Mac site! I added some more pics and created a Podcast page. I feel so TALENTED!

To get to the site, you can use the link to the right or click here.

Remember, not too many margaritas today!

Adios!

There is MUCH to be happy about

/ Gina Marie / 1 Comment

Seriously, this IS Gina writing and I AM happy! And there are NO drugs involved! (LOL – seriously people, do you think I really REALLY take drugs???)

There are many reasons for me to be happy. Here are some of them:

The Angels Rock!

Kenny, my “little angel”, is too cool for words! AND he is about to turn 13!!!!

And my Josh, who has grown so much since this picture was taken in December!

And beautiful Kirstie that actually made it to her assessment testing yesterday. Cutting it to the wire, babe?

And besides my wonderful kids, I am very happy to have friends in my life that are truly caring and REAL! I have had some dreary days, but yet I am blessed beyond measure! I have reason to rejoice!

Gina OUT

Saturdays are for the LAZY

/ Gina Marie / Leave a comment

Many of you that know me, know I am a morning person. And that is a fair assessment, for it’s true. But recently I have been WAY off track! Staying up until 1am ish, sleeping in. Today, I slept in until after 11 am! ME! Weird! So today I have given up after sleeping so late and have decided TODAY IS A LAZY DAY! Not COMPLETELY lazy, as I have done some homework and assisted with some house items, but still I AM LAZY!

And you know what? That’s okay! Nothing like a day or laziness, Guitar Hero, reading a good novel, and RELAXING!

Gina OUT

Fridays Rock and Other Opinions I Hold

/ Gina Marie / Leave a comment
  • Fridays rock, no matter what
  • Living in Southern California is very, very nice
  • Teaching your kids to play the guitar is AWESOME
  • I believe I am called to love (and so are you), for Jesus says in Mark 12:29-31 when asked what the most important commandments are, “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

That’s all I got right now!  I know, me – the opinionated one – has a short list!  Wow!

American Idol Results…..Yikes I’m Nervous!

/ Gina Marie / 1 Comment

I am writing this as the show is being broadcast, so that’s why I am nervous!

Let’s see if Paula does anything as strange as last night!

Jason – he is cute and he seems really nice. But you know what? I can’t freaking believe he is safe!!! Amazing. Girls must be voting!

So does that mean Brooke is going home??? Fingers are crossed!

David A – he has to be in, don’t you think? Yeah, no surprise there.

David C – I love him I love him and he’s safe! Yeah baby!!!!

So is it Syesha or Brooke???? I hope it’s Brooke which is funny since I’ve called Syesha out many times. Hmmmm. Weird………………………

Brooke is gone! Sorry Steve, but it was time! And her sobbing at the end ALMOST made me feel bad……almost, but not quite!

American Idol – The Final Five

/ Gina Marie / Leave a comment

It’s getting more tough people! Carly is gone and there are only five people to beat up on, and I like the Davids for sure! So what can I do????? Well, at least I can do the weekly play-by-play and see what happens! Let’s do it.

NEIL DIAMOND NIGHT!!!! (I am a secret fan…..for my 14th birthday I asked and received his Jazz Singer album!)

First Songs:

Jason (5701)- I think this genre is very good for Jason. This song he did quite well, although I did get a LITTLE bored. But he looked pretty cute, even if I didn’t receive any texts about how hot he was! 🙂

David C (5702) – I like that he chose songs that are less known and hey, he gave Neil goose bumps! LOVED IT! He rocked it but it still have a ND flavor. His voice was a little rougher, and he sounded GOOD. Yep yep! Missed you David but YOU’RE BACK!

Brooke (5703) – I never realized ND wrote “I’m A Believer”! And I love this song, even in Shrek! But Brooke? She so screwed it up! Was it in the wrong key for her or something? She still had that painful, shaky voice thing that worked for last but didn’t for this week! Yuck man. Seriously, she’s actually here and Carly isn’t???? Sheesh.

David A (5704) – he took two very, very high profile songs of ND for his performances; the first being Sweet Caroline. I did a symbolic rolling of the eyes when I realized his choice. But you know what? He changed it enough to make it his own! And of course his rendition and voice was beautiful. Good job Little David!

Syesha (5705) – “Hello Again” in one of my favorite songs. A little concerned……will I like it? YES! Her voice was MUCH bigger on this song than I remember and I actually liked it, even with the Whitney-esk ending.

Side note: Paula cracks me up! Hello, there has only been ONE SONG DONE SO FAR! So where the heck are you getting “The first song was okay but the second was not so good….” etc.???? Give her some more tequila!

Second Songs:

Jason – boring, boring, boring. And I don’t think it was well executed, either. I can’t vote for him!

David C – I love this guy and am SO GLAD that he is back! I love his voice, I love his renditions of music, I love him. Even Simon loved this song!!! Vote vote vote!

Brooke – she sucks and needs to go home. Seriously. I am sick of her, although she sounded a LITTLE better during the chorus. CARLY WHERE ARE YOU????? (I am ignoring the judge comments)

David A – I wasn’t sure about this when it first started…..but he pulled it off! I liked it and I want him to do well, even though I want David C to win.

Syesha – I liked it! more than I have in the past and you know I’ve called her as going home……