Author: sassysheisme

I seek to live, breathe & work creatively. Late bloomer. I survived breast cancer and so much more. I will meet each challenge w/determination, badassery & sass!
Posted in vacation

FUN TIMES IN TAHOE

Posted on by sassysheisme

Today started early, but it was well worth it. After I get back from vacation, I’ll post more of the beautiful pics I was able to take today. I took more pictures than I have ever taken in one day.

This morning was cool and we drove to Lake Tahoe with the top down on The Cruiser. Not a cloud was in the blue sky and when we got to Lake Tahoe, it was a cool 72 degrees.

We went up to Heavenly via the gondola. Sharon has an issue with heights and so does Sharon (lol) so this was an adventure.

The gondola to Heavenly:

On the way to the top of the mountain, there are two stops. The first stop gives you views like this:

And this:

Once at the top of Heavenly, there are trails and in the winter, there is skiing. Up the trails a little ways we found a patch of unmelted snow from a recent spring storm. Of course, I went a little crazy, then became inspired to create Fritz Schneitmann (Snowman).

Fritz inspired others. People were taking pictures of Fritz as we made our way back down to the gondola. He was melting fast, but in his short life, he made quite an impression. 🙂

We drove around Lake Tahoe to Emerald Bay. It was so beautiful and the name was apropos.

I also managed to get through a sunny day at high altitude without a sunburn. 🙂

Posted in vacation

GREETINGS FROM CALIFORNIA!

Posted on by sassysheisme

Well, I finally made it! I got up at 5:46 AM and we were on the road by 7:07. I was so tired, I was standing in the kitchen wondering what I was supposed to remember, and finally I caught sight of my bagel. After I ate, I was more alert. lol

We made it to the airport by 7:45 and I was through security by 8:05. I checked in by computer last night, and had my boarding pass when I got to the airport. I HIGHLY recommend this way of checking in. It was incredibly fast and efficient.

Just for your information (which would have been helpful to the family in front of me) when the TSA agent says your carry on liguids must be in a clear, plastic bag, he does not mean a cute, green bag with holes in it shaped like daisies.

I boarded the plane at 8:40, and asked God to give me nice, well behaved traveling companions. God surrounded me on all sides by teenagers fresh from a mission trip to Peru. They were so excited, telling me about the dry area they were helping to greenhouse and how they were so thrilled to help these people build this system that will help them have shade and water for years to come.

Then the talk amongst them went to how they looked forward to showers with consistent water pressure, and water that wouldn’t shut off while they still had shampoo in their hair. In fact, I heard the word, “shower,” several times during that flight.

One of the girls behind me asked the young man sitting next to me (looked like Mitchell Musso from Hannah Montana) to pass her the Pringles… and to her delight, it was a can purchased in Peru, with the label written in Spanish.

“I am going to keep this can!” she exclaimed. “It will always remind me of Peru!”

And so it went until about fifteen minutes into the flight when all the teenagers pulled out their I-Pods and went to sleep (they had a red-eye flight from Lima to Houston).

At 1:07 we landed, and Sharon was waiting for me at the bottom of the escalator, surrounded by the families of the teen mission group. Again, heard the word, “shower” many times.

Everybody, meet Sharon:

Sharon and I went to Tio Pepe’s for lunch and then came to her house and chilled. After a few hours, I felt the jet lag hit me and so we went out for dinner at China Village.

Then we went cruising in The Cruiser:

And now, we’re home chillin’ until her husband, Thomas, gets home from work. It’s almost midnight in Houston and we’re getting up early to go to Lake Tahoe, so I don’t know how long I’ll last. Fortunately, it will be nice and cool in Tahoe tomorrow!

Posted in vacation

ELEVEN AND A HALF HOURS TO GO…

Posted on by sassysheisme

I’m still packing, but there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s not a train that’s going to kill me. There’s good news.

Jene’ is very tired, and she came in to check on my progress (my goal is to be in bed by 11 – ha ha). I was putting a pair of undies in my backpack should I be separated from my luggage for more than a few hours.

I was telling her I was packing a pair of underwear in my backpack and she stared at me, then told me I could pray in whatever underwear I had on. Apparently she heard me say I was packing prayer underwear.

We haven’t had a Sprint moment like that in ages.

Back to packing.

Posted in random, vacation

PHONE

Posted on by sassysheisme

I have my new phone… trouble is I haven’t figured out how to connect to a call. lol I know it’s just a matter of finding the right setting.

The good thing is, they transferred all my numbers over so I don’t have to. YAY!

One more day of work… and then…

I’m so excited, it really it hard to contain myself…really.

UPDATE: Apparently the people at Sprint were supposed to tell me not to use the phone for an hour after activation. lol

Posted in vacation

PACKING…UPDATE

Posted on by sassysheisme

Preliminary packing shows that 2 suitcases will be needed. Thanks to Nancy Mon for the offer of a bigger suitcase, but I think I’ll be better off with the two smaller ones. When I stay with my cousin I will be taking some public transportation and one smaller suitcase will be of good use.

Jene’ may be onto something with this thinking ahead stuff.

Posted in vacation

PACKING…

Posted on by sassysheisme

Jene’, ever staying on top of things, has reminded me I wanted to be packed by tomorrow night (thus making Wednesday night as painless as possible). So, I did some laundry and pulled out my suitcase and Febreezed it (Freshness Lovers Spray On!) and realized the suitcase is much smaller than I had remembered. After seeing my rather small suitcase, Jene’ suggested this pack-it folder. I may get one, but even after seeing this nifty gadget, I’m not certain I can get it all in one suitcase. I know Jene’ can fit it all in my suitcase regardless of whether we have said gadget or not. The problem is I have to be able to replicate the packing perfection to be able to make the trip back to Houston… and let’s face it, there’s a reason she’s in charge of packing.

It doesn’t help, either, that while I was pondering said purchase (that will lead me to packing perfection) that my 2 year old cell phone started to freak out. I keep trying to add my cousin’s cell # into it and well, the phone is taking exception to me entering anything. It’s been doing this for a week now, so I know I’m on borrowed time.

I had planned on replacing the phone AFTER vacation, but it appears now that the pack-it folder may have to give way to a cell phone purchase. Of course, I have a big credit for a phone upgrade, but it’s still going to cost a little bit.

Jene’ has also reminded me I can’t spend my 3 hour 50 minute flight entering cell phone numbers in my phone. Continental would most likely frown on that.

Drat.

Tomorrow night after work, I am going to the Sprint store.

I have 61 hours until I get on a plane and a very small suitcase…

Posted in commentary, pop culture

AS THE JAIL KEYS TURN…

Posted on by sassysheisme

Over the past few days, the world has been transfixed on the plight of Paris Hilton, 26 year old heiress to the Hilton Hotels fortune. In a week’s time, she’s been in jail, out of jail, and then got dragged kicking and screaming back to jail. If you don’t pay attention to such matters, go to Google News and type in Paris Hilton and you will see what I mean.

Yes, I found myself outraged when Paris was released after serving three days of a 45 day sentence (that was shortened already to 23 days). The woman has the best lawyers money can buy, the best of everything, she is used to getting her own way and used to escaping the consequences of her actions. Those sort of people put me on edge. I deal with the consequences of my actions every day and if I had to depend on my money and status to get me out of trouble, I’d be hosed.

When I read how outraged the judge was over her early flight from jail, I knew she’d have to go back. His sentence was a clear message to Paris Hilton and other socialites like her: You had your freebie (getting caught driving on a suspended license) and then you did it again so now you must face the consequences of your actions so hopefully you won’t do this again and taken someone else down with you. When Paris was released to serve the rest of her sentence in the luxury of her mansion, I knew the backlash was coming. You can’t leave your house, but the world can and will come to you… like that was going to go over well.

I don’t want to get into the legal jargon or a discussion of who’s right or who’s wrong as far as Paris’ release and subsequent return to jail is concerned, but obviously, it’s touched a nerve. All week long, the media has been full of coverage of this crazy, mixed up Hollywood circus.

I must say, though, that I felt some pity for Ms. Hilton as she cried hysterically in the back of the police car that was hauling her back to jail. I can’t imagine what it’s like having to go to jail, much less do it in such a public and humiliating way. I do hope she learns her lesson and she emerges from this time in her life a changed woman who has found a new purpose for her life. But I digress…

All week, I tried hard not to pay attention to all the hoopla, but I found myself keeping up with it a little anyway. I’m sure Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan were thrilled to have a good portion of the spotlight taken off them for a while, even if it will probably be brief. There are countless other celebrities who will take Paris’ place in the spotlight at any moment now.

I wonder if people realize there were other events unfolding the world this week besides a socialite being sent to jail to serve time for breaking the law. Did anyone notice there was more violence in Iraq…or that many children in Africa were orphaned today because of AIDS (and are every day)? Did anyone notice our world leaders met at the G8 Summit, or that our president met with the Pope, the Shuttle Atlantis is in orbit again, and many parts of our country are dealing with a severe drought? Is anybody concerned that 5.7 million pounds of beef was recalled because of E Coli? In other news… the immigration bill was defeated and by the end of the month the bald eagle will no longer be an endangered species.

I could go on, but I won’t. A lot happened in the world that was by far and away more important than Paris Hilton’s incarceration, release, and incarceration. The media frenzy surrounding Ms. Hilton reminded me this week that I need to focus on the things that are really important and actually have a bearing on my life. Sure, making sure celebrites and regular Joes are treated the same by the judicial system has its place, but there are only so many hours in the day and so much else is going on.

Besides, I’ll be in California this time next week. Maybe we’ll take a road trip to Hollywood… not.

Posted in commentary, pet peeves

PET PEEVE OF THE MONTH: CAR ALARMS

Posted on by sassysheisme

I’m starting a new feature on my blog. Pet Peeve of the Month. I have many pet peeves, though, so this could become a weekly feature. We’ll see.

At first, I couldn’t decide between car stereo subwoofers (maybe this will be Pet Peeve Weekend) or car alarms, because both often jolt me from peaceful slumber, or prevent me falling into peaceful slumber, depending on the time of day. The deciding factor was the fact that it’s trash day and the garbage truck always sets off someone’s sensitively set car alarm.

I don’t remember when the first car alarm was made, but you can read about them here. I can understand a person’s desire to protect their property, but after a couple of decades of beep…beep…beep… woo-ooh, woo-ooh, woo-ooh…screech, screech, screech… are car alarms really effective anymore? Are they a theft deterrent? After counting the seconds or minutes it takes someone to shut off their car alarms when they’ve been triggered, I figure a thief could get in the car and drive away before the owner even discovered it was the real deal. Car alarms are set off by thunder, subwoofers, the garbage truck, or kids playing soccer in the street. It wouldn’t be so bad if alarms were set to go off if someone actually touches the car, but that would be wishful thinking.

We have a neighbor who likes to drive into the complex all hours of the night with the subwoofer cranked and his/her car sets off many car alarms. Maybe he does this for fun. Who knows?

I remember one stormy evening, a neighbor’s car alarm went off with every peal of thunder. After the alarm had gone off five times, one would think Mr. Neighbor would shut the alarm off until the storm passed. No. Not a chance.

Years ago, before Jene’ and I were roommates, she was taken hostage by someone’s car alarm. One weekend someone’s car alarm went off for over a full day until the battery died. The police couldn’t do anything about it because it was legally parked. Jene’ said there were many notes on this guy’s windshield by the time he got back. I should hope so.

Again, I understand the desire to protect personal property, but I don’t think the car alarm is the answer. I personally don’t have a car new enough or fancy enough to have a car alarm, and I haven’t missed it. Granted, if my car were to ever be stolen, I’d be greatly upset, but honestly, if my car alarm went off, what exactly could I do about it?

The car alarm no longer frightens thieves away (if it ever did). Cars now have anti-theft devices and tracking systems. My friend recently had her car stolen (don’t know if it had an alarm or not) but the thief kindly drove back past her house while the crime scene crew was still there. See? Thieves will actually do you a favor and bring the car back to the neighborhood for you.

I don’t think an alarm is a deterrent any more. I think a car alarm is an annoyance that gives car owners a false sense of security. Truthfully, how many people actually run to their windows or out their door to see if their car is indeed being stolen? Most of the time people are frantically searching for their keys so they can turn their alarm off before the neighbors complain or they yawn and pad over to the window and click their alarm off.

A car alarm may deter a teenager trying to steal a car for a joyride, but anyone seasoned in the art of grand theft wouldn’t bat an eyelash. He’d just steal your car and wake up all your neighbors.

Talk back. Car alarms – good or evil?