I am dreading the week-end’s gloomy weather. I always seem to eat more when it’s cold. I always seem to sleep more when it’s gloomy. If you don’t hear from me for a few days, it’s not because I have run off to Bora Bora to soak up the sun. Chances are I am in bed asleep, popping Bon-Bon’s each time I fluff a pillow, roll over or get up to go potty.
It has just donned on me I have not posted any new “Random Acts of Kindness” lately and I probably won’t be doing that today either.
I had not seen the couple that live in the apartment next to us in awhile. We have always been friendly, more in a neighborly way and not so much in a up in each others business way. We would say hi to each other, talk about the weather….I recently commented on their really cute, new welcome mat but that’s about it.  So to be fair, they really didn’t owe me an explanation as to where they had been or where they were going.  I really thought they had moved, Let me just cut through the chase. After 3+ weeks of not seeing them, I conveniently took over their parking space and…hijacked their really cute, new welcome mat. (For the record, I rolled it up and put it out in a storage container.) Two weeks later I came home to find someone parked in my parking space. After I found an alternate place to park, I waddled up towards my apartment only to find their lights on. After locking myself inside and closing all the blinds I paced back and forth. I practiced my “no, I don’t know what happened to your really cute, new welcome mat” face, contemplating the best way to dig myself out of this one. I will just sneak it back in the middle of the night, I will tell them how I heard the other neighbor talking about how cute it was, I will just be honest. I somehow found the courage to knock on their door, I am sure as they opened it they could see low-life, guilty thief written all over my face. I first asked if everything was o.k., explaining I was concerned because I hadn’t seen them, (good conversation starter) they explained they had changed jobs and were traveling all the time. “Oh, o.k., I thought you had moved….” *giggles* “I have been parking in your parking spot…” I confess. “That’s fine, we are never here.” No mention of the really cute, new welcome mat, should I just quit while I’m ahead? After a bit of small talk, I start to walk away and out of nowhere I spew, “I took your (really cute, new) welcome mat.” She informs me she hadn’t even noticed it missing. I assure her I will put it back….,”No problem.” I go home with a great since of relief. A few days ago as my mom and I were walking out to her car, we passed their door. Once in side the car with windows up and doors locked I confess my horrific behavior. She gave me that, you’re 40 something and I taught you better than that look. I explained how I gave it back, and even told them I stole it….I didn’t have to say anything….nobody would have known. “But you would have had to live with it.” “But, in a sense mom, it was a Random Act of Kindness.” In a heartbeat, she pulled the rug right out from under me (no pun intended) “No Heidi, if anything you broke even on this one.”
On to an important announcement; If you, or anyone you know witnessed me in a car accident in Southern California on 3-13-08, please contact me A.S.A.P. It appears I have an extreme case of amnesia and may be in need of medical attention. True story! While I  have never had even a ticket in my life, I’ve sure had my share of accidents this past year. I was involved in an accident on March 31st, and despite my previous driving record, I knew my insurance would take some sort of hit. Come time to renew my policy, I was shocked…mortified at my new premium. I couldn’t help but wonder how people with a ticket and a accident could afford insurance, or someone who had a history of tickets. (Were they stealing and selling neighbors really cute, new welcome mats to make ends meet?) So I decide to call around for some quotes elsewhere. I answer the usual questions, they will call me in the morning with the numbers. The nice lady called within an hour, she had ran my DMV report and wondered why I hadn’t mentioned the 3/13 “incident.” I had no clue what she was talking about, that was my first clue I had amnesia. There were 2 accidents showing on my report, one for March 31st I remember that, the other 3/13, I have no clue. After talking with her for a bit and kind of convincing her I wasn’t looney, she came to the conclusion either my insurance co. or the DMV had really screwed up. March 31st had some how been recorded twice, once as 3/31 and again as 3/13. Just a number or two switched around…..Hopefully it warms up by Monday so I am able to set the Bon-Bon’s aside and roll out of bed long enough clean up this mess.
With that being said, I’m going to go climb in bed, grab myself a good dictionary and look up the word KARMA!

Wow! Today was another record breaking day….
A 40% increase since my last record breaking day 5 days ago!!!
I’m loving all my new friends & visitors!
Thanks to everyone for stopping by!

This is pretty random, but I found it interesting.
Did you know that yesterday was square root day? 3/3/09, 3×3=9.
Last time it happened was  2/2/04, 2×2=4
Next time it will happen will be  4/4/2016, 4×4=16
Even at my age, I guess we can still learn something new every day!

Saving the best for last, look what has surfaced in a Louisiana lake….

The marine mammal is the world’s only known pink Bottlenose dolphin!
I ♥ dolphins!

Oliver has settled in nicely and made himself right at home. We have finally made the transition going from an outdoor to indoor kitty. He is such a good cat, lots of personality…lots of energy! Filthy is actually enjoying his company, which is surprising considering what a little priss she is. They have started sleeping together napping next to each other and run through the house with no regard to who or what might be in their path. (the blanket they are on is a big no-no. My grandma started it for me before we lost her in 1980. She had done the patchwork out of scraps she had from all the p.j.’s she had made us grand kids. I finally took it in about 7 years ago and had the batting, back and binding done. It is my snuggling/T.V. blanket, priceless to me. Damn cats!)
After having my picture printed in the paper (see a few posts down) Thursday, I thought I should stay close to the phone Friday…in case anyone called for like an interview or autograph. After half the day passed without one request, it donned on me my number is unlisted. Hindsight, this was probably a blessing in disguise. You never know, it could have actually become overwhelming for me. I think that happened when my poem was published, maybe not…I don’t really remember.
I had been having cravings all day but I couldn’t put my finger on what I wanted, I hate when that happens. I figured if I just went to the store and looked around it would come to me, and it did. Probably wasn’t the best combination and I so don’t care for White Zin anymore, but it satisfied my craving…once I got it open. I got home and realized I didn’t have a corkscrew. I was an Asst. Manager at a winery for 3 years, my house is decorated in a vintage wine motif but I have not one corkscrew left. How else will I get to know my neighbors if I don’t start borrowing things? Mmmm…loved me some wine and Reese’s Pieces! Next time I am going to try this- Reese’s Pieces Witherspoon-tini; Vanilla vodka, chocolate liqueur and a handful of Reese’s Pieces.
My oldest son was in town from Phoenix for the week-end. Saturday, he and his fiance’ came over it was the 1st time I had seen her ring in real life. Absolutely stunning. Beautiful. Gorgeous. The picture does not do it justice but you got the idea! We decide to go to lunch, Rosie suggests Marie Callendar’s, since she had heard they were closing. We agree. The conversation on the way there went something like this, Rosie: “Have you heard anything about them closing down?” Me: No, I haven’t but I’m not surprised, a lot of places are right now. How did you hear?” Rosie: “Your mom told us last night.” Me: “Oh, we should just ask them.” Rosie: “Yeah, I like Marie Callendar’s.” Me: “Me too!” Once we sat down and got settled, Rosie ask our waitress, “Are you guys closing down?” Waitress: “No….no?” Rosie: “Oh good, we heard you were.” Waitress: “No….no, not that I know of?” Poor thing walked away as if we had just put a damper on her day. Later that day, I was talking to my mom on the phone and told her Rosie had asked and Marie Callendar’s was not in fact closing their doors. Mom: “Oh I hadn’t heard they were, where did Rosie hear that?” Me: “Ah…you told her!” Mom: “I did?” Long story short, the night before, my mom was joking with my son to go get a pie from M.C’s to curb her craving. She told him, “you better hurry, they’re getting ready to close down.” She had meant for the night, not forever. So to our waitress who has probably lined up another job and notified all her co-workers, sorry! It was an honest mistake…but gave us a good laugh!
I was planning on keeping my grand-doggers, Lilee and Daisee that night while the “kids” went out. I decided to go on a quick walk before they arrived and ended up hurrying back home for my camera, there was a beautiful sunset. But by then, I had barely caught the tail end of it….you’ll have to take my word for it!
I spent the rest of the evening doing “domestic” things and playing with the puppies. They are not too familiar with Oliver yet, and between the 4 of them it was chaotic, (in a humorous kind way) and I was exhausted. Unlike my other cat, Oliver has his front claws and until they really get used to each other, I need to be careful.  I eventually ended up separating them, cats vs. doggies.
Once the animals were situated, I put my jammies on, fixed myself a snack and decided to get to bed at a reasonable hour. Just as I doze off, I am awakened by my cell phone. Was somebody finally calling for an interview or autograph? It was bound to happen sooner or later…I checked my phone, it was just a text message from BFF. I gave it a quick read and settled back into my slumber fest. It wasn’t until earlier today I remembered it. Thinking about it I had to giggle, it must have been a dream…it had to have been. As I started this post, I received another text message. My phone said the memory was full, in order to get it I needed to free up some space. As usual, I did a double check to make sure I did not delete anything important….and there it was. It was not a dream, from my BFF was this message, “do you have hair on the top of your feet?” I laughed so hard I almost peed my pants, so random yet so typical for us. So BFF, to answer your question; no, I do not have hair on the top of my feet.
Here’s to the start of another week!

Record Breaking Day!!
What’s Left Of My Head
broke an all time record today
having the most visitors ever!!
*smiling* Thank you for stopping
by, it wouldn’t have been possible
without you!!!

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Heidi Mxx of Upland took this scenic view of Ventura Beach.
"Photographing moments like this allows me to relive the serenity,
peace and calmness the ocean brings me. It's beauty never ceases
to amaze me," Mxx wrote.

Woot-woot! My picture came out in today’s paper. Although cropped from the original, (which was a little disappointing) this is how it appeared….

Don’t I have the cutest nieces?
I took this picture over the week-end,
it’s one of my favorites. Ever.

Chelsea 9
Joey 2

A big congratulations to my son and his beautiful bride-to-be on their engagement! Rocky and Rosie were high school sweethearts but went their separate ways in 2000. After 8 years they reconnected on “facebook” and started dating again, 2 days ago he proposed…and she accepted! I am so excited for them *doing the happy dance* and look forward to having Rosie as part our family! Isn’t that the most romantic story paragraph? Here’s to the future bride and groom living and loving happily ever after!!!

A few days ago I uploaded a few pictures to share on our local newspaper’s website in the “Reader Photos” category. Today I received the following email:
Heidi, (that’s me!!)
We’re featuring photos submitted via our Web site by community members, (just a few thousand!) and we’d like to print your photo (mine!!) in the newspaper. (read by millions?!) In order to do so, we need a little bit of information: (my social security # is 547….)
We need to know the name of the person who submitted the photo (I did, I did!), the city you call home, the names and cities of the people in the photo, a brief description of what’s happening in the photo and what makes this particular photo special to you. (they want me to write an article too?!?!?!)
Please get back to me at xxxxxxx as soon as possible. (because they are dying to print it!!!)
Thanks! xxxxx
I posted the picture on here a few months ago…but now that it’s going to be famous (me too!!) have another look!