Recycle = $$

Recycling is something I learned to do as a kid. My parents taught us well the value of saving cans and bottles to not only help the earth, but bring in a few extra bucks as well!

I've been saving old water bottles, plastic milk jugs, glass bottles, and soda cans for awhile now...and today I cashed in! I felt like all the recycled goods were taking up so much space in my garage that I was done saving them and wanted to take them in and get some buko bucks for them! So I hauled them to the recycling center and started unloading. I filled 3 containers, and part of a 4th. I couldn't believe how many water bottles I had and how little soda cans...I was proud! Means I'm doing better about not drinking so much soda! YAY ME!! :) So after I filled the containers, the very nice man weighed them and gave me my ticket to cash in.
I made $23.45!!
Now that's what I call EASY MONEY!!!
For those of you who don't recycle because you think its too much of a hassle...I'll gladly take your old bottles and cans! I don't mind having a few extra bucks come my way so easily!! :) Shoot, every little bit helps when you're one of the unemployed folk struggling to make it every month! Granted, I felt like I should've made more than that seeing as I'm sure they took more out in the deposits when I bought those drinks...but I'm not complaining! That is $23.45 more than I had when I woke up this morning! So I'm a happy camper! Or should I say,
I'm a happy recycler! :)

church lunch & auction

Today after church, the congregation had a Vince's Spaghetti lunch and Dessert Auction outside in the beautiful sun-shining day. A few of us ladies, who are on the Women's Ministry leadership team, served the pasta and cheese bread to all those who joined us today. As everyone was about done filling their bellies with the yummy food, the Dessert Auction started. Boy, were there lots of delicious goodies to be won! It was a hit! As you know from my previous post, I baked 2 dozen cupcakes...they brought in $25! With the donations from lunch, and the auction winnings, we earned a total of $801! The monies will go towards helping those who would like to attend the Women's Retreat but can't afford it.

A successful day indeed! Thanks to all those who donated for lunch and participated in the auction! Quite a few ladies will benefit from this and will be able to spend a weekend with other fellow women believers seeking a closer relationship with God!! If any of you ladies out there are interested in joining us on the retreat, it will be held the weekend of April 23-25th. Contact Bethany Baptist Church in Montclair for more information.

cupcakes*cupcakes*cupcakes

my obsession is...
C U P C A K E S
Not just the cutest little mouth-watering cakes that I so love to put in my mouth, but all those little trinket jars, cookie jars, ornaments, necklaces, and all cupcake decorations in general. I'm OBSESSED!!!

I actually just got done baking and decorating some cupcakes for our church dessert auction tomorrow, and I think they are pretty cute! They have little peeps on them, an Easter theme!
I also have cupcakes around my kitchen, because they're just so cute!I have even made my own cupcake ornaments, and if you love them as much as I do I am taking orders for your own custom set!
(contact me for pricing)See, its an obsession...I wasn't exagerating! LOL!
Thank you, to those who have already added to my collection!

On my mom's recent visit out here, she brought me a cute little surprise...
"Cupcake Fairy"
she's just so cute!!!Well, too bad I didn't make any extra cupcakes for tonight's dessert...maybe I'll bid on them at the auction tomorrow!! LOL :)

helping hands

This week, the youth kids from Bethany Baptist Church went out into their city and gave a helping hand. Their "Mission to Montclair" lasted four days, with four locations worked. They painted over graffiti, pulled weeds, dug up tree stumps, cleaned up an abandoned store and an old shack, and shared God's love with their city by giving of their time during spring break. Their helping hands were used by God to help clean up Montclair. You go guys! Great work this week!

flea market treasure hunt

After church on Sunday, my friend Thiam and I drove out to Long Beach to go on a treasure hunt through the LB Antique Flea Market. Oh how I love flea markets!!! I think they might be my most favorite thing in the whole world!! I get so much joy out of the hunt for something unique and special hidden amongst a million other treasures that have been discarded by others and are waiting to be found. I would much rather search through a bunch of "junk" for hours on end just to find that one special little unique item at a fraction of the price...than go to a normal store where there's something just sitting there waiting for you (there's no fun in that!).

Some of you may still think what I find is junk, but I have a crazy imagination when it comes to this type of shopping. I think you have to, in order for it to work for you. I research through magazines, books, and the internet, getting ideas of what I'm going to be looking for. If I didn't, I would want everything! lol! You've gotta narrow your search before you start the hunt! And when you find what you're looking for, it may still need a lot of work done on it. I like those kind of finds...because I like the challenge of using what I find and creating something new with it, or making it better.

As I strolled along the 20 acres of rows with dealers and bargain hunters, I found myself smiling and filled with excitement. I looked through boxes, on tables, under tables, through other people's second-hand goods hoping to find my special treasure...and I did find a couple items that I just had to have! And what a bargain of a price they were!!!

1 quilted pillow = $12
2 vintage trays = $11

Spending the day doing something I love...
= PRICELESS

After our fun day of bargain hunting, Thiam and I grabbed some dinner at one of my favorite places, El Tarasco. Because we were friendly with the owner, asking him about the business and such, he gave us a GREAT discount and asked us to come back again! Its pays to be nice to people! :)

We had a great day together, I always love spending time with sweet Thiam! Thanks chica, for coming out with me today, and for picking up the tab at dinner! You're awesome girly! Love ya!

Kiss Me, I'm Irish!

Well, we're not really Irish...
BUT
We sure are KISSABLE!!! lol :)Happy St. Patrick's Day!!
I hope you're NOT wearing green...
I've got my pinchers ready!

OLD friends in OLD town

After three years, I reunited with my sweet friend Jessica! I've so missed this girlie! We used to be inseperable, and then life happened! lol :) Somehow life took us in different directions, but I'm so glad that we were able to reconnect today!

This afternoon, I met up with Jessica and her 3 year old daughter, Derby, in Old Town Temecula. We spent the day catching up, shopping, eating, and getting our frienship back on track. We met around 11:30am and started the day off with a very delicious Starbucks! That held us off for awhile, till we decided to eat lunch. We strolled down the road through Old Town, visiting the quaint antique shops, and country stores, and then we came upon our lunch destination. We filled our bellies at 'The Bank' Mexican Restaurant. It was super tasty! We continued catching up over our burritos and tacos, and I was so excited to look through all of Jessica's wedding photos. What a beautiful bride she made! After lunch we continued strolling along, until about 5pm when it was time to part ways. I am so glad that we were able to get together and spend some time getting to know each other again. It was so great to hear what she's been up to and how God has blessed her over the last three years. I'm so glad that she is so happy! I couldn't be more pleased!! I can only hope and pray that we will continue to spend time together and grow our friendship once again.

Thank you, Jessica (and Derby), for such a fun day reconnecting! I love you, both!! Let's get together again SOON!!

HB Kite Show

After waking up too late to make it to church this morning, I got up, got ready, and headed out towards the beach. I was excited to have lunch at one of my favorite spots, but when I arrived I was sad to see it went out of business :( So sad! But I hit up another favorite instead, Rubinos pizza by the slice. When I walked in, the owner was so excited and said "JODY!!! Long time, how are you? Do you want your usual?" It was great to be remembered! I used to frequent there often when I lived on the Peninsula. Oh how I miss living out there! Anyway, lunch was very satisfying...and then I was off to have more fun.

I cruised along PCH with the windows down
and the wind in my hair!
What a beautiful day!

I just love days like this, where the sun is shining and you can feel the warmth on your skin, yet there's a cool breeze that just makes it PERFECT! Man, I LOVE Southern California!!!

After driving around HB, making a few stops at my favorite local thrift stores, I found a parking spot and walked down Main St. in HB. The place was crowded! Everyone was out enjoying the sunshine today! Down on the sand they were having a kite show! It was so cool, I don't know how they can do it without their lines getting all tangled together. Simply amazing! Check out this video of the show...

Kite Show Video


Kite Show Snapshots
Pretty cool, right?!?! I don't think I've flown a kite since I was a kid...and even then, I don't think I was able to keep it flying for very long. I may need to try it again! :) I feel inspired by the show today!

So my day was pretty great! I love days back in HB where it feels like home! I miss living out there, but am always happy to get to visit!

...exhausted

Well, I just spent two whole days shopping with Gramma. Man, its crazy how exhausting shopping can be! All the walking around for hours on end, the highs and lows of making a purchase...first the excitement of this new thing you just bought, and then the stress of knowing you spent money you know you don't have it. Boy, its a hard life! LOL! But we had a great time going to Target, Ross, Marshalls, WalMart, Pomona Antique Row, Treasures N Junk, THREE thrift stores, and a yard sale at my church. Good times with Gramma, but I'm so glad to be back on my couch, relaxing after two days of being on my feet with an 82 year old who has more energy than me!

family in town

As I mentioned in my previous blog, my mom, and my brother and his family came out for a visit. My brother was here for a little under a week, while my mom was here for two and a half weeks. Here are a few photos from their visit to SoCA...

Visiting with Grandma & Grandpa Hyde
Visiting with Gramma Vasquez
Visiting with Auntie Jo (me)
The Fam...

Mom getting to visit with her parents and siblings...
Mom getting to visit with the Vasquez ladies...

"hyde-away"

A new chapter in life has started for my Grandma and Grandpa Hyde. They moved to an independent living home this week. After 33 years living in their mobile home, they had to say goodbye and start anew.

My mom flew out to help and visit with G&G, and they were able to spend one last afternoon relaxing on their front porch watching people and cars go by. It was a great afternoon, and one I'm so glad we were able to spend with them!Before we drove away, we had them stand in front of their coach for one last picture...It wasn't the easiest transition for them, they so loved living in their mobile home. But they knew that it was time to make the move. Their new place is soooo nice! If I was old enough, I would totally move in now! First off, they have THE BEST view in the whole building! When sitting in their chairs, you look out the big windows and see the gorgeous snow tipped mountains nearby.

There were a few days that I was put to work putting together some new furniture they needed. Fist a microwave cart, and then a desk. I guess I'm not so used to doing this type of work, cuz I got a couple blisters on the palm of my hand...but it was worth it, to know that they have what they need.And Danny and his family surprised everyone and made a trip out to SoCA for a visit. Grandma and Grandpa were really happy to see them!And it was nice that all their kids were able to get together during this time too. Both my mom and Uncle Marvin were in town at the same time!!So they are all moved, and settled in their new home. They have three great meals a day provided, have lots to do around the facility if they choose to join in, and my aunt and cousin are just around the corner to visit them.

I pray God blesses them in their new home.
I KNOW He will!!!