Kodak One Galleries

Kodak has opened two popup retail stores called Kodak One Galleries - one in NYC and one in San Francisco. They're only open for November. Pretty cool concept. I was hoping to get a gig working the store, but alas, was not to happen.

They've been posting pictures from the stores. It's interesting to see the differences between NYC and SF - mostly in the number of dogs. I can't get over how adorable this picture is!

http://www.kodakgallery.com/onegallery-sf

http://www.kodakgallery.com/onegallery-ny

If anyone lives in NY or SF and goes to the One store, email me a picture (they have the EasyShare One cameras that let you email from the camera)! That would be so cool. Send it to tinashop @ rochester.rr.com (my other address gets TONS of spam).

International Day of Tolerance

I find it very fitting that I share my birthday with the International Day for Tolerance, as I consider myself an open-minded, tolerant person.

An excerpt from wiki:

Tolerance is respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world's cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human. It is fostered by knowledge, openness, communication, and freedom of thought, conscience and belief. Tolerance is harmony in difference...

Hooo Hoooo

Technically, it's my birthday, since it's now after midnight. Apparently I am rewarding myself by letting myself stay up really late. Here it is almost 1am and I am looking up fare sales on Jetblue even though I am going on vacation next month so not only can't afford another trip so soon, but probably won't even be able to fly in January. But that doesn't stop me from fantasies of going to Salt Lake for Sundance or Las Vegas for a gambling excursion or LA to have mac & cheese at Lola's.

Goldie Girl

Jenny has been giving me some great birthday week gifts. Today I got Goldie nail polish. It's so adorable, I'm torn between using it for my nails and using it as home decor!

Heart Beat

Heard the baby's heart beat for the second time. What a relief that is each time. Find out the sex on the 29th - if he/she/it cooperates. Then we can really kick into name figuring out mode.

So far

- no names from males from my side of the family

- no freaky names like Apple or Coco or Chanel or Prada or Nike

- but nothing too normal, like David (not that there's anything wrong with that name!)

- no Chuck Jr. (though maybe Charlie for a girl)

- Spencer? maybe

- Tucker? no, sing the name game and you'll know why

- middle name Rose? yes

- Wayland? Maybe. During our brainstorming the other day, Jenny came up with that. I actually like it alot. My Dad was a big Wayland Jennings fan. Too bad it's a boy's name or we could name a girl Wayland Jenny. Ha ha.

All name suggestions are welcome!

Lost in Ice Cream

Mya Ice Cream,
originally uploaded by tostina.

I love this pic of Mya. Her ice cream seems to have put her into a dreamlike state. Ice Cream will do that to you!

Happy Halloween!

So despite turning the clocks back an hour and despite the fact that I should be more tired, I was up until after 1am, watching, of all things, a true ghost story. About a mansion called Summerwind in Wisconsin. Of course reading about it isn't half as scary as a Discovery Channel re-enactment!

Scared out of my wits, I started thinking, "hmm, if I'm thinking about ghosts, will I inadvertantly cause one to move in with us?"

AAAggghh! It's scary just writing about thinking about it!

Buddy by a Nose

Buddy by a Nose,
originally uploaded by tostina.

I love this pic of Buddy. He's lucky he's so handsome, because Monday he not only ate a sock, he pooped it out onto the kitchen floor!

Not quite the angelic dog I thought he was, but still a very sweet, very loving, very funny friend.

Happy Birthday Daniela!!!

Bump

Yes, it's true. I am preggers and due in April.

So I am in the same boat as Katie Holmes, only I'm married... and to a sane person...

and Melania Trump, only I'm not married to a bzillionaire... and mine has good hair...

and Jennifer Garner, who'se husband, similar to mine, loves sports and strippers...

and maybe even Angelina Jolie, only Brad Pitt isn't the father, and really, I'm fine with that. I gave up that dream a long time ago.

And seeing as though we've tried on and off for about 9 of our 14 years of marriage, I didn't think it was going to happen. And I was thinking, "OK, I'll take the money and freedom and run with it", then, surprise, change of plans! Though still nervous that something could go awry, my belly is growing, as is my appetite. Bring on the pizza & donuts!

No More Bobble Head

Buddy eat frog

I got this picture and message from hubby. This used to be a bobble head frog.

Jenny provided me proof that her & Aaron are nuts, which is, of course, what I love about them.

My Hero

Jenny is my hero. She nourished my soul with Jamba Juice Sunday. On her way to Tennessee for a Storytelling Workshop, she came upon a Jamba Juice in the Charlotte airport. Once in TN, she kicked into action, buying a cooler, a lunch bag and ice packs for her trip home, and then proceeded to bring us all back a smoothie.

From now on, all of our travel plans will try to work in a layover in Charlotte!

Anniv

Today is 3 years since my Mom died. It doesn't feel so long. I can still remember the feel of her hug. The hardest part is knowing that her Grandchildren are missing out on such a wonderful influence in their life. She would be getting such a kick out of Mya (except when Mya is being bratty, which, unfortunately, happens alot these days - the terrible twos a little late)

Spray Yourself Skinny

Well, I knew it would be coming. We read way back that smells can increase your satisfaction with food, so now the Flavor Spray Diet is here. Spray angel food cake with Banana Split Spray and viola, a decadent dessert.

Now you know damn well that women (ok, me) will be carrying these sprays around in their purse and using them like breath spray. "Ooh, I think I'll have a dose of Birthday Cake Spray before my 9am meeting". I'm still not convinced, however, that it would keep me from downing half a pizza pie.

UGH

Ugh, I can't find my camera. I had it. I put it somewhere. Now I can't find it. UGH.

Thank You!

Thank you everyone for your donations! I've reached my goal and will not only be getting the t-shirt, but we will all be helping the animals!

If anyone still wants to donate, please help Sarah reach her goal too:
http://www.lollypop.org/sarahsthreads

And remember, to get an autographed photo of the doggies, send me your email to tinablog @ rochester.rr.com and make the subject line "Autographed photo".

Barktoberfest

Even though Buddy ate my elephant, I have forgiven him. He got a nice new dog bed yesterday and finds it quite comfy.

On Saturday, Buddy and I are going to join Jenny & Oscar in the Barktoberfest walk to raise money for the animals.

We'd really love to earn the "fabulous long-sleeved T-shirt" and just need another $25, so if anyone can donate - even just $5 - please do! It will be greatly appreciated.

http://www.lollypop.org/tostina

I know Jenny is offering an autographed photo of Oscar to those who donate, so I will do the same. Buddy is ready for his close up, Mr. Deville.

The Buddy Beat

My brother was sure to inform me that Buddy LOVES going for rides and LOVES double cheeseburgers, so Sunday night, I took him for a ride to BK and got him one. I got me a Bacon Double - so you can see how this can be a dangerous precedent.

How am I rewarded for this? Does he sit and stare at me lovingly? Yes, but only for a short while. Then he disappears into the other room. I wonder, but am too distracted by Desperate Housewives. When he returns, I notice fuzz sticking out of his mouth. He has nearly eaten my little stuffed elephant that inadvertantly got left on a lower shelf.

See, though Buddy is one of the most obedient dogs I've ever witnessed, he has a weakness for stuffed animals. An addiction, one might say. He wants to grab hold and carry them around in his mouth and NOT LET GO, EVER.

So in trying to get the elephant back, with distraction techniques a failure, I pried his jaws open and released the elephant... but it was too late. The trunk had been chewed off and it was covered in a slimy layer of dog saliva.

Goodbye Leetle Elefant, you were a good friend.

The Buddy Beat

waiting for cake,
originally uploaded by ljc@flickr.

Buddy had a great time yesterday meeting and celebrating Oscar's birthday. The pupcake didn't stand a chance.

He's been very good except at night. At night he decides to pace, shake, lick, make toys squeak, ask to go out, and generally keep me awake all night. I asked my brother about this and he says Buddy is a guard dog at heart and wants to make sure we are safe, which involves many perimeter checks. As for the licking, he tells me to tell Buddy, "NO LICKY" and he will stop.

Tonight I will try the discipline route, probably along with some earplugs, because as hard as I try, I can't fall asleep to "slurp, slurp, slurp, slurp, squeeeek, squeeeek, squeeeek... "