An Evening with C3P0 . . .

Christopher and I went to Conseco Fieldhouse Saturday night to listen to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and "Star Wars in Concert"! It was fantastic!



Anthony Daniels, who played C3PO in all 6 movies, was there to narrate the movie clips, original artwork and storyboards, and outtakes from the movies.

The music was incredible and a highlight was a laser light show!

After the concert, Christopher and I wandered the halls of Conseco where many of the original costumes and props were displayed. We saw the original Darth Vader costume, Chewbacca's hairy outfit (OMG that guy was big!), a mockup of the Death Star, and a likeness of Yoda.

Being at the Concert brought back lots of happy memories including watching the movies at the cottages. Also, when Christopher was young, we went to Florida on vacation. It rained for a few days of the trip and on one of the days, Christopher, his friend Brian, and I spent the entire afternoon at the Pleasure Island movie theatre watching the Star Wars Trilogy, eating popcorn and drinking soda.

It was a wonderful evening of music, reliving old memories and making new ones.

Hope . . .

Just wanted to share this beautiful, uplifting video! Thanks, Nie!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbsU3b2srQA

Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker . . .

doctor, lawyer, indian chief. Isn't that how the nursery rhyme goes? I feel like I could write my own nursery rhyme -- Insurance Admin., Bartender, Bell Ringer, Singer, Cashier and now . . .

BARISTA! TaDa!! The Target I work for has a Starbucks inside it and I am now training to work as a Barista. At first I wasn't sure I could do it -- being 55 now, my memory isn't always as sharp as it should be -- or so it seems sometimes. Anyway, I've been at Starbucks for about a week now and I really, really like it! This sounds pretty silly to those who know me well, I'm sure, because since I have high blood pressure, coffee (well, specifically any caffeine product) is something I have to avoid at all costs. AND, before working there, I had only been a customer at any Starbucks probably a total of 5 times in my whole life. But I really enjoy it!

It's really kind of like bartending only with out booze -- lots of recipes to learn, fancy schmancy toppings to add, etc. But once you figure out the general formula, it's pretty easy and lots of fun.

I still cashier part-time and barista part-time -- it's all a part of Target's way of making me a well-rounded employee. Training in every department makes me more "workable" and able to fill in when people call in sick, vacations come up, college kids go back to school and the holiday season starts. And I really like Target -- it's a great place to work. I've made some great friends and joking, laughing and bitching with them makes every day I work there truly enjoyable.

I pretty much bloom where I'm planted, so I'm always willing to learn something new.

Next stop -- Food Avenue!

Mark Your Calendar . . .

cuz' I'm marking mine for March 5, 2010 . . .

I just watched the trailer and it is FANTASTIC!! I love, love, love the movies!!!!!

Got My Ticket . . .

and I'm ready to go!!! Wednesday morning, at 12:03 a.m., I will be in my seat at the IMAX 16 ready to watch the next installment of THE MOVIE --- the long awaited "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince"!!!
Everyone who knows me is quite aware that I am a true "Potterhead"! I love the books and the movies. For the past week, I have been furiously rereading THBP to finish it in time for the movie. Today, I don't have to work at Target until 6:30, so I got up early and have been rewatching the movies. I'm just starting "The Goblet of Fire".

I know it probably sounds childish to alot of people to be so hooked on these movies, but I truly enjoy them. It's been fun watching the characters grow and change as well as watching the actual actors grow up and refine their acting craft. Also, the set design, costumes and special effects are truely AMAZING!!!

Anyway, that's where I'll be on Tuesday nite (actually Wednesday morning before the crack of dawn) with a smile on my face and a box of Raisinettes in my hand! THEN, it's only a week until the 3-D version of the movies comes out and I will be back at my local IMAX again. I think I can actually talk Donita into going to that one with me -- as long as it's an earlier showing!

Can't wait!!!

At the Race, Race . . .

in the month of May -- come to the race! As Bob Kevoian sings, Sunday I went to the race! I took my friend Mike and my Mom -- both Indy 500 "virgins"!! (And ya know ya got a love a good virgin - ha!) We had a great time!

A friend of mine from work gave me FREE tickets and an excellent parking pass (we were one block from the track!!) -- thanks again, Pete and Dianna!!! Our seats were in the Southeast Vista which put us at the entrance to the second turn. So we could see the drivers coming into the first turn, taking the second turn, driving down the back straightaway, and going into the third turn. The pic above is of the pace car leading the pack right before the start of the race.

Looking down the back straightaway into the third turn. This photo was taken right before the start of the race -- there really were people sitting in these seats when the race began!

We were directly across from the snakepit. Unfortunately, this was the calm end of the snakepit, so we didn't see anyone getting really out of control. Just a couple of fat guys without shirts on. I didn't take any pictures of them -- no one wants to see that. You can thank me later!

This was my 7th time going to the 500, but only the third time seeing the entire race. In my earlier life, I went to the race three times -- twice it was rained out. One year I bartended at the track. Didn't see the race, but made lots of $$$$. In 2007, Christopher and I went to the race. It was rain delayed twice but that didn't stop our fun. We sat in the rain in our rain ponchos and garbage bags with our umbrellas up and ate chicken, talked and had a terrific time. Dario Franchitti won that year in a race that was eventually called because of the pouring -- and I do mean pouring -- rain!

This year was sunny, the race (although delayed by accidents I think 9 times) was completed and won by Helio! I've already checked out the date for next year and hope to be able to go again! Love it!!!

Oh Yeah . . .

Diet and Exercise . . .

Yuck!! I hate them both. If we can put a man on the moon, we can surely come up with a way to make decent junk food that tastes great and doesn't add to my always expanding hip region, don'cha think ?!?!?

With summer coming up, I've really been trying to watch what I've been eating -- damn you Easter Peeps -- and trying to increase my workout. It's always easier for me to diet once fresh fruits and veggies start appearing in the stores' produce departments. I adore fresh strawberries and bananas for breakfast, salad loaded with lots of fresh carrots, cukes, tomatoes and radishes for lunch, and then my favorite frozen diet meals for dinner.

In addition to providing a wonderful workout facility on-site for all employees to use without charge, my wonderful boss (who doesn't blog by the way or know that I have a blog or probably even know what a blog is -- so I'm not kissing butt here!!) has gifted a personal trainer to anyone at IMG who wants to work out 2 days a week after work FOR FREE!! Did I mention it was FREE?!?!? Anyway, about 30 of my fellow out-of-shape employees have signed up for exercise classes with Rob and Steve (our personal trainers) who come to our work at 5:45 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays and KICK OUR BUTTS!! We've had two classes so far and my muscles are crying out in agony!! These guys pull no punches and make us use muscles that have long ago dissolved into flab. We've been learning butt kicks, mountain climber, cherry picker, cat arch, superman, etc. I have been loving every minute of it!!

I've been on Weight Watchers for several years -- having met my goal weight several times during those years -- if ya know what I mean. I found these delicious treats from Weight Watchers that help keep me on the straight and narrow and actually make dieting not quite so hard.

These little beauties are great for breakfast. Only 4 points per sandwich and they actually taste almost like the ones from Mickey D's. The cheese even melts!!! I eat these a couple days a week with some fresh fruit and I am good to go until lunch.

The WW Key Lime Pies are a great touch of sweetness after a salad lunch. They are really smooth and creamy and have lotsa tang from the lime. I love 'em!

SO --- I have been working out everyday on my lunch hour in our workout facility and now working with a Rob and Steve two nights a week for an hour. I've dusted off my trusty bicycle so I can ride as soon as it decides to stop raining in Indy. Hopefully, I will begin to see some changes in my body SOON!! I will keep you posted.

Keep me in your prayers . . .

Time, Time, Time . . .

It seems the older I get the more I worry about time. I look at what's behind me and hope there is lots more before me. God, that sounds deep for 7 am! Sorry!

This Daylight savings crap is really beating me down. I hate getting up in the dark! It's almost 8 am and it's still *bleeping* dark outside!!! What's up with that!?! I doubt it saves that much energy and it's certainly messing with my brain.

I went to bed early last night (10:30) to try to catch up on some zzzzzzzzs, but one of my smoke alarms went off at 12:30 am. No smoke in the house, so I went to the garage, got a step ladder and changed the battery. Silence, green light, all is well. Or so I thought. 5:30 am. Same damn smoke alarm goes off -- not the constant beep, beep, beep like there is actual smoke. Just an occasional beep beep that is annoying enough I can't turn over and sleep through it. Got the step ladder again, changed the freaking battery again . . . silence, green light, all is well. RIGHT? But no. 1/2 hour later beep beeping starts again. Pulled the flipping thing out of the ceiling. That'll teach it!! Going to buy new batteries tonight and see if that will work. Otherwise it's curtains for that particular alarm.

BEWARE ALL WHO COME IN CONTACT WITH ME TODAY -- lack of sleep makes Sandy JUST A LITTLE CRANKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Must get to work.

It's Been a Long Time Coming . . .

and it will probably be a little longer, unfortunately. I have been having problems with my computer, specifically the camera part, and I haven't had enough time to sort things out and reload programs that have crashed, etc.

Anyway, I will hopefully be up and running soon!

The Boys At Lunch . . .

The twins were napping when we were making cookies on Saturday, but when they woke up, they were hungry for lunch!!

The boys play footsie when they are sitting in their chairs.

Baby toes, baby toes!

Same to you, Grant!!

Makin' Cookies . . .

Mia and Jackson and I made chocolate chip cookies Saturday morning. After we mixed up the dough, the kids used the "windshield wipers" -- cookie scoops to you and me -- to put cookie dough balls on the sheet pans.

They each had their own cookie sheet. Mia made dainty little cookies.

Jackson didn't mess around. He liked to scoop out he-man size dough balls.

In 10 minutes, the big hand will be on the 6 and the little hand will be on the 10 -- right, Nana? Then we can eat them?

Coloring helped pass the time.


At last ---- the end results were yummy!

There's nothing like a warm, fresh from the oven chocolate chip cookie! Especially one you made yourself!!

If You Haven't - You've Gotta . . .

Read This Book!!

It will change your life! 'Nuf said.

A Little More Christmas!

Since I haven't posted for awhile, you'll have to excuse me if I go back in time to Christmas Eve. We all went to Karen's house for Christmas Eve dinner and gift exchange. We had a great night!

Every year, my mom gets me the latest "Wizard of Oz" Christmas ornament. All the kids love pushing the button and listen to the music -- especially Jackson! This year's plays the scene when Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the TinMan and the Lion knock on the door at the Wizard's castle. The sign switches around to say "Bell out of Order -- Please Knock". Magic!

When Jackson and Mia were little, we looked and looked for an old-fashioned top for them and could never find one. This year, I looked on FAO Schwartz' website and lo and behold -- a top! I gave it to Grant and Liam, but everyone enjoyed playing with it.

My Mom gave Mia some magnetic paper dolls. She loved them -- so did her Mama!

Another generation lovin' Grandma's noodles!!

Mia and I reading the Ratatouille book.


Sometimes Christmas just wears a fella out . . . visions of sugarplums, Uncle Chris?

Look What Santa Brought Me . . .

Soooo sorry I haven't posted in such a long time! It seems that all I have been doing lately is working, working, working. Hopefully with the holidays behind us, I will have a little more free time to do other things like post, clean house, yard work, etc. All the really fun things!! I wanted to share what the big red guy brought me for Christmas. . .

Santa was very, very good to me this year!! I got. . .

Some really great Sock Monkey slippers to match my Nick and Nora Sock Monkey Christmas Jamamas, AND

A New Car!! I decided since Rosie (my old 2000 Pontiac Sunfire) was almost 9 years old and had over 151,000 miles on her that it was time for her to be traded. So . . . I got a new (to me anyway) PT Cruiser!!! I have always wanted a PT Cruiser and I figured since about all I've been doing is working, I deserved a treat! This one is green and I've christened him "Kermie". Hopefully we will have a long and happy relationship!!!

Isn't Santa Great?!?