w00t!

Laurel Canyon dog park

We've been getting kind of tired of our usual dog park, so we decided to try out a new one. There's one off Mulholland, near Laurel Canyon; seemed like that might be an interesting one to try.

First of all, it's quirky because of its location in the hills that separate Studio City and Hollywood. You know you're gonna get an interesting crowd, and we did. There was a fair amount of "industry chatter" going on around us, as well as interesting-looking dog owners. There was a guy there fingerpainting dog portraits, some of which were hung all around the park. This stuff alone made it feel more fun than our usual park in Reseda.

One interesting thing we noticed is that there was ALOT more dog poo in this park. I mean, stunningly so. It was downright gross in places. Not sure why this would be the case in Hollywood, and not in Reseda. We've heard the same is true in Runyon Canyon, which is also in the Hollywood Hills. (Undaunted, we'll try that one next.)

Still, Laurel Canyon park is a nice park, and we'll go back. There was even a little play area for kids!

Kelsey loves the new van!

There's lots of room for her 85 lb. body, and a big giant window for her puppeh noggin!

The Siegels have a new minivan!

I am now the proud owner of a 2009 Toyota Sienna! (All my Facebook peeps are saying, "No kidding!" BWHAHHAHHAHAHAHA. This is all they've heard about all day.)

Can I tell you how much I love this thing?! It is freakin' awesome! So spacious, so pretty, so clean, so many bells n' whistles. I can't believe it's mine!







Thanks, Honey, for "arranging the financing" for this little baby! Thanks, Telesis, for providing a good portion of the funding (truly, banking you just can't get at your bank! LOL); and thank you Autoland for finding the car and making the whole transaction absolutely smooth and painless.

I am a happy customer.

Revised thoughts on the diet:

No, I'm not giving up already.

But I will have to modify my original plan.

I feel as though I inadvertently set myself up to fail. And my mental health can't handle another ounce of failure.

So, I will not look at January 5th as a day when everything magically changed, and instead try to tackle this thing bit by bit.

First step: getting myself to use the new exercise bike! And trying to eat healthier in general.

Thinking I could completely change my eating habits overnight was nuts.

The Diet. ::sigh::

Between March (see Grand Canyon pic below) and October (see punkin patch photo), I managed to put on 20 lbs. Starting tomorrow, and utilizing the contraption in the previous post, I shall endeavour to lose some of those pounds. Even though the extra poundage has provided me with an awesome rack.

We shall see. I don't believe in depriving myself of stuff that brings me joy (i.e., wine, cheese, butter, ice cream, candy, McDonalds), sooo... I'm dubious. But I want to try.

New exer-cycle!

We just bought this rad exercise bike! I've never had a piece of exercise equipment before -- pretty exciting. Seems like a nice bike! Mr. Siegel and I are both hoping to get a little healthier this year and drop a few pounds... We'll see how it goes. Hopefully this thing doesn't turn into a very expensive toy/paper weight/dust collector.

Car shoppin'

We went for a test-drive today.

Looks like Mama's gonna get her some sweet new wheels!

I get a new car; the economy gets a shot in the arm; Ev gets his own A/C vents. Everybody's happy.

New Year's Day walk in Aliso Canyon

Today was such a beautiful day, we just HAD to get out into it... so we took Miss Pupps for a walk in Aliso Canyon. This is part of the burn area from the Sesnon Fire in October, and it's looking really beautiful with the blackened trees and new plant growth on the hillsides.

Aliso Canyon was once part of James Cagney's ranch here in the San Fernando Valley.

Drinking-hat Prototypes

Ev has spent a considerable amount of time over the past 2 days working on prototypes for a drinking hat. Here are just 2 of his finished designs. (They're a little leaky, but he remains undaunted, like any good engineer/scientist/comedian.)

All Good Wishes for the New Year, from The Siegels!

Thanks to all our family and friends for helping us muddle our way thru yet another year here on this mortal coil. Looking forward to MORE zany fun in '09!

Wii Music

We just rented Wii Music from GameFly. It is SUCH a cute game! Super-fun and charming.

Here, my boys jam together!

Warmest Christmas Wishes from the Cali!

Dinner with the Logelins

Matt and Maddy were nice enough to meet me and a couple of my library peeps at the Polish restaurant. It's kind of a toss-up which was more rad -- the company, or the FOOD! (And that's really saying something about the food cuz the company was STELLAR!!!)

Thanks, Matt & Maddy!

When you have a chance, check out Huell Howser's visit to Polka Restaurant!

Rad Hanukkah present!

Check out this *awesome* prezzie The Boy got from his Auntie Kathie today!

Update on Lymphoma Steve

Soooo, 'member that guy I blogged about awhile ago who needed a stem-cell transplant for his non-Hodgkin's lymphoma? Well, I have a terrific update about him! ... Awww, heck, why don't you just read HIS telling of it, here...

New Can

I'm not sure how I feel about this new caffeine-free diet pepsi can. On the one hand, it's a nice clean look. On the other, how will I ever adapt from the switch away from gold?! ::sigh:: ::shakes head in dismay::

Christmas Tree!

The tree is done!

For some close-ups of ornaments, check out my Flickr photostream.

Visiting the In-laws in Chicago

Not only did we visit the living rellies during our Thanksgiving visit to Chicago, we visited the ones who are 6-feet under, too.

The cemeteries in Chicago are VERY OLD and VERY BEAUTIFUL. Somehow, the cold weather and bare trees made it seem even prettier...

MadDog Says Goodbye

This just makes me really sad.

That's all.

Gingerbread House

The Boy has always wanted to make a gingerbread house! This weekend he got his wish. (Praise Odin his Papa does this stuff with him, cuz this sorta think ain't Mama's cup o'tea.)