res·o·lu·tion ˌrezəˈlo͞oSHən/ : noun

Definition : a firm decision to do or not to do something.

Synonyms : intention, resolve, decision, intent, aim, plan, commitment, pledge, promise.

May your 2014 Resolutions become reality and may your year be blessed abundantly with fantastical and wondrous things!

Alethea Anderson
MultiMediaMom.com

Twice as Nice - A Birthday and a BIRTHday

So when I first started dating my hubby, one of his cousins was about 6 years old.  Well hubby's cousin  is now in his 30's (OMG), and married to his beautiful wife who went into labor on 12/29.  She gave birth to a beautiful little girl early this morning on 12/30!  

Today is also hubby's sister's birthday, so we are all celebrating sister's birthday and second cousin's BIRTH day!

Twice as nice and dully blessed to have two special days to celebrate just before the new year!

Happy Happy Birthday!

Alethea Anderson
MultiMediaMom.com

Ever Have One of THOSE Days?

Where you just do nothing?

Yea, it's pretty great isn't it?

Alethea Anderson
MultiMediaMom.com

Merry Birth-uation! The Few, The Proud

Today we got to celebrate a beautiful thing, a family member turning 18, who worked hard to graduate early from high school, so he could proudly serve our country in the Marines!

All right around Christmas, so on his card I wrote "Merry Birth-uation!"

We are very proud of this young man, I've watched him grow from a small child, into an handsome young man, and he has chosen to stand proud for our country serving in our Marines!

Way to go Dom, we love you!

Alethea Anderson
MultiMediaMom.com

First Green Smoothie in the NutriBullet

Had my first 'green' smoothie today for breakfast : salad greens, spinach, orange, banana, pineapple, blueberries - was very green, and very good!  I'd never have thought to put salad greens into a smoothie before...whoulda thunk?

Alethea Anderson
MultiMediaMom.com

Relaxation

Some days we just need to RELAX!

Alethea Anderson
MultiMediaMom.com

Spirals of Flavor

Spirals of Flavor

Spiral cut ham, drizzled in glaze
Delightful and sweet, aromatic maze

Thin sliced potatoes, butter and cheese
Seasoned and browned, oh my - yes please

Brussels Sprouts - crisp, flavorful and green
A snap of delight, you know what I mean

Oven warm biscuits, with butter smoothed on top
Taste buds smile, with flavors that pop

Finally the pie - decadent, sweet, tart
Apples, sugars and spice - my flavorful art

We dine together, upon setting sun
Wishing much happiness, to each and everyone

Alethea Anderson
MultiMediaMom.com

Poem written by Alethea Anderson 2013
Copyright

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve 2013 - A Poem by Alethea Anderson

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house

Family eating and laughing, including myself and my spouse

Holiday tree, trimmed to the max

Candle light flickering, dripping with wax

Gifts being passed, with ooohs and ahhhs

Also some growls, some boos and some baaaahs

Crumpled up paper, tossed in a sack

Sparkly ribbon and bows, there was no lack

Chaos and smiles, happy and mean

So much in one day, to be heard and seen

Ripping and tearing, people amazed

As the night wore on, eyes became glazed

Ready for bed, the clock topped at one

Everyone packing, the evening was done

Another year flown, in the blink of an eye

Packing the car, a wink and a sigh

364 more days, til.we do it again

Always an adventure, I can't complain...

Alethea Anderson

MultiMediaMom.com

Written by Alethea Anderson, 2013

Christmas Eve 2013 - use only with my credits ©

Believe In The Magic of the Season

The only way to experience magic, is to believe it exists....

Alethea Anderson

MultiMediaMom.com

Solstice Beginnings - A Winter Solstice Poem

Tyrrhenian Sea and Solstice Sky Credit  : Danilo Pivato

Solstice Beginnings 

Shortest light, year's end

Wintry beginnings, times bend

One season done, another starts

Chilling air, warming hearts

Days cut short, now start to mend

The sun is born, to shine again

Reaching rays, across the land

Tending Earth, gentle hand

Be blessed today, and onward too

A celebration of life and you

Written by Alethea Anderson, 2013

Solstice Beginnings - use only with my credits ©

Why Don't People WANT to Work?

As part of my job, I hire people.  It never ceases to amaze me how people don't actually want to work.  In the past year I have had many people whom seem eager for a position, yet once they start working everything changes.

The job is not important enough to them.  They do not value the job.  They must not need the money.   I don't know what it is, but it astonishes me.  

It is frustrating when you hear the news talking about people needing jobs, yet these same people don't take them.  I've had openings for over a year straight in the Northern California Bay Area.  The media say there are no jobs, there are, thousands and thousands - right here.  On the flip side of that, I really think people don't want jobs...

These are some of the things I've dealt with:

• One person at an interview said - "I make more on unemployment."
• One person hired, then the day of training came to quit saying - "I got another job, I just took this one until a better one came along."
• One person hired worked for one week, then contacted me to quit and say - "the job is too hard".
• One person hired decided to just create their own schedule.
• One person hired logged hours when the job was not being done.
• One person hired did not show up for work and did not return any communications.

Jobs are out there, jobs are waiting, companies are looking for people whom understand that we do actually work for money.

Things have really changed, a big shift in responsibility, desire, ethics... It used to be someone worked multiple jobs, they did what they needed to do to get by.  Now someone won't take one job at all, even though it's available and waiting!

Alethea Anderson

MultiMediaMom.com

What Kind of Christmas Card Sender are You?

Tis the season; floods of colorful cards filling mail boxes with wishes of cheer, happy holidays and merry Christmas.  Notes of joy, love and happy New Year's...

Over the years I've narrowed down a few 'types' of Christmas card senders:

• Sealed With a Kiss : this is the person who finds joy in sending out cards each year.  This person selects the perfect cards at the store with the perfect holiday greeting then takes time to thoughtfully choose their list of recipients.  Hand addresses each envelope, writes a personal message and/or a summary of the last year's goings on, goes to the post office and selects the perfect holiday stamps and seals each card with love and a smile.
• Sealed With Obligation : this is the person who sends cards because they feel they 'have' to send cards.  They print a list of address labels for everyone in their address book, and sign their name quickly to each card.  Any cards and any stamps will do, once the job is done, they can move on.
• Sealed With Reciprocation : this is the person who waits until they receive a Christmas card in the mail, then they send one in response.  Playing the "I'll send cards to those who send cards to me" game.

I love sending out cards, I select a card that I feel is pretty and has a nice message within.  I hand write the envelope as well as a message inside.  The message may vary in length, i.e. people whom I'm in contact with may get a shorter message than a person whom I want to catch up with.

Do you think fewer people mail heartfelt Christmas Cards these days?  Do you think fewer people mail Christmas cards in general these days?

Alethea Anderson

MultiMediaMom.com

Negativity : It's a choice

It can be tough to see someone in a difficult spot, you don't know what to say that's the right thing to say that they won't take in the wrong way.... Yet in the same instance you do not want to feed the darkness.

We must be aware that negativity is a choice, it's a dark spiral that sucks people in.   One must choose not to accept the darkness and must make a conscious decision to move towards the light...

Treat each day as new, tune out the negativity and focus on the good in life.  The more you focus on the dark, the more darkness that surrounds you.

However, the more you focus on the light, the closer to enlightenment you become....

I always like to say face the light because that puts the darkness and shadows behind you!

Remember : No one can make you feel a certain way, you only feel how you allow yourself to feel.  This can be difficult for many to accept.  Choose happy.  The reaction is yours!


Alethea Anderson
MultiMediaMom.com

Mega Millions 12/17/13 - 8, 14, 17, 20 39 - mega 7

And the winning numbers for 12/17/13 are...

8
14
17
20
39
(7)

Did you play?

Did you win?

Alethea Anderson
MultiMediaMom.com

I love this song! Sailing by Christopher Cross

For this lovely Monday blog I wanted to share one of my favorite songs....



"Sailing"

Well, it's not far down to paradise, at least it's not for me
And if the wind is right you can sail away and find tranquility
Oh, the canvas can do miracles, just you wait and see
Believe me

It's not far to never-never land, no reason to pretend
And if the wind is right you can find the joy of innocence again
Oh, the canvas can do miracles, just you wait and see
Believe me

Sailing takes me away to where I've always heard it could be
Just a dream and the wind to carry me
And soon I will be free

Fantasy, it gets the best of me
When I'm sailing
All caught up in the reverie, every word is a symphony
Won't you believe me?

Sailing takes me away to where I've always heard it could be
Just a dream and the wind to carry me
And soon I will be free

Well it's not far back to sanity, at least it's not for me
And if the wind is right you can sail away and find serenity
Oh, the canvas can do miracles, just you wait and see
Believe me

Sailing takes me away to where I've always heard it could be
Just a dream and the wind to carry me
And soon I will be free

Alethea Anderson
MultiMediaMom.com

I Survived the Mall During the Holidays

So I thought I'd venture to the mall today, my logic was this - it will likely be busy, but not as busy as it will be next weekend...

When I got there it was not too bad, lot about half full, walking room, able to move in the stores... However two hours later one could not maneuver through a store...

Attempting to walk through the mall was a feat in itself, seriously WHY do people stop in the middle of 'traffic' to have a conversation?   Or suddenly bend over to tie a shoe?  Or squat to feed their kiddo in a stroller... Speaking of kiddos, the LINE to see Santa - OMG, no thank you.  Brave, brave parents I must say...

It seriously felt like THIS!

It got to the point that it was not joyous, like herds of cattle, struggling to get through a small gate.

Stores so crowded you could not even move if you had bags in your hands.  At this point I decided to vacate the premise.  I was amazed that the entire parking lot was full, people circling in cars, like vultures, stalking people walking in hopes of landing a parking spot...

All in perfect timing, I had my fun and I was getting loaded down and quite a work out carrying all those bags!  

I actually headed to a CVS and Rite Aid afterwards for wrapping paper, bows and the like - so nice, no crowds!

With all of this I'm not quite done yet, eek!

Alethea Anderson
MultiMediaMom.com

Pyramid Pan - Found at Rite Aid and Not "As (not) Seen on TV"

So I was at a Rite Aid the other day and noticed they had an "As Seen on TV!" section - so I browsed a bit and the Pyramid Pan caught my eye.  I, had not actually seen it on TV... As seen at Rite Aid I guess I could say!

Any-who... I am not usually one of those gimmick shoppers, the last thing I got from TV was The Magic Bullet, which I love - and I admit I am considering The NutriBullet.  But - back to the Pyramid Pan.

I looked at this oddly shaped piece of silicone, rolled up in a little box pondering why exactly it was called a 'pan'.  And, well, after reading said box, I got one...  I thought it'd be great for cooking my Chicken Parmesan as well as potato wedges and things of the like.  The food is elevated onto the raised points, and does not have to be flipped.  he heat and air circulates all around the food.  No flipping, no sticking!  In my world it seems that no matter the method I use, end up having some sticking going on... so it seemed worth the $14 or so that I spent.

Last night I wanted to make my fabulous Garlic Rosemary Potatoes with dinner so I busted out the Pyramid Pan, placed it on a cookie sheet, made my taters and put the pan to work.

Per the instructions, the oven needs to be a bit hotter, and you need to be prepared to cook the food a little longer.  Yes and yes... I turned the oven up about 25 degrees hotter, and the taters took a LOT longer...

However I did notice that they were cooking nicely, and that all the excess moisture was dripping into the 'pan' and not creating that sticking I know all to well.  The only bummer is that I did not realize how much potatoes 'sweated' and since I used a flat sided cookie sheet and not a rimmed cookie sheet I had to do a little foil intervention to prevent a dripping mess inside the oven.

When they were done cooking, they came right off, no issue, no sticks and delicious!  Though I did not get the usual crispy brown edges, they were actually the perfect amount of crisp and the family ate 'em up...

It took a little creative placement to figure out a way for the Pyramid Pan to fit in the dishwasher, poingint a way it would actually get cleaned and yet not flopping over or blocking any jets.  It cleaned nicely and is ready for its next cooking adventure.  I will indeed use this handy dandy "As Seen on TV!" (at Rite Aid) gizmo again!

Alethea Anderson
MultiMediaMom.com

A visit to Satan Claus... Why Do Parents Torture Their Kids This Time of Year?

Thinking back in time I wonder why it is that we parents are compelled to stand in a line for over an hour next to other parents with crabby, cough ridden, snot nose dripping, whiny children who all happen to be hungry and have to go to the bathroom - all while it's blatantly obvious that it is past their nap time?

WHO started this crazy tradition of taking the kid to see Satan Claus, and pay an arm and a leg, for photos  - at a shopping mall... Certainly something some mall somewhere conjured up to bring in shoppers...

From the moment our kids can start talking and walking, we tell them not to talk to strangers, not to go with them and of course, not to sit on their laps.  Then what do we do?  Take them to the stranger-in-the-red suit, tell them to sit on his lap, and smile for a picture. All while this stranger who just may or may not smell like booze and child-urine, is asking what it is he can get your child for Christmas....

On top of that you have some teen age 'elves' who are  not very Christmas-cheery any more realizing their pay is hardly enough to be dealing with crabby, coughing, dripping, whining, hungry, gotta-go-to-the-potty, tired children....

I was pretty fortunate, I didn't take my kiddo to see Mr. Claus until she was old enough to be aware of who Santa actually was - so she never developed that fear... Well, she went when she was 3 and 4, then at 5 it was a firm 'no' so I didn't push the issue (grin)

Isn't she darling?  She's 15 now so don't tell her I posted these online!!!

To those of you who have made this journey this year, my hat is off to you... to those of you who are planning on hitting the mall this weekend, I wish you the best!

But enjoy every moment with those little ones, it is all too soon that they are rapidly approaching fifteen-and-a-half and wanting to start driving!

Merry-Happy-Blessed-all-the-holidays-and-whatever-holiday-you-celebrate!

Alethea Anderson

MultiMediaMom.com

Have You Ever Noticed - Your Mood is Reflected in Those Around You?

Some believe that the things you see in others are a reflection of things that one needs to work on within....

I am a firm believer of this, though sometimes it can be a hard bite to chew.

When you go into the world, happy, it seems you are greeted by happy faces everywhere!  The moods of the people you encounter seem cheery, their actions friendly...

However when you go into the world, grumpy, it seems you are greeted by grumpy faces everywhere! The moods of he people you encounter seem grumpy, their actions not-friendly...

If you 'expect' to have a good day - you will!

If you 'expect' to have a bad day - you will!

Something to chew on... it's all about choices!  Choose happy, be happy, see happy, experience happy!

Smiling,

Alethea Anderson
MultiMediaMom.com

Do you Believe Paths Cross for a Reason?

Today I went into one of my favorite shops in Walnut Creek, a little shop I've been going to since high school with a unique collection of goodies.  I love to wander around the store, I could stay there all day!

While finishing up shopping, I started talking with the woman tending the store - do you ever just have that 'connection' with someone?   Sometimes you find an answer to a question you had been seeking, or even be led in the correct direction from a path you were lost on...  Other times you feel you can just open up and speak freely, or like you were long lost friends...

I fully believe that every interaction we have with someone has meaning, even if just an eye contact or a smile.  There is something to gain from that energy exchange!  We just need to be aware...

Grateful for my connection today!

Always be open to see 'why' you are crossing paths, don't miss the message!

Alethea Anderson
MultiMediaMom.com

Windows 8.1 Killed my Lenovo

I came home today and turned on my computer, and I got the blue screen with an error code.  I do a cold reboot and then a black screen pops up reading the words "Lenovo" with a small scrolling circle twirling around the page saying my computer is preparing to repair.  This continued for a half hour... So to Google I headed... Seems I'm not the only one with this issue, seems the only way to fix it is to do a complete restore, which  involves wiping everything off the computer, EVERYTHING that is... 

So I followed instructions, it said it was complete, so I rebooted.

Nope, same thing...

I call Lenovo customer service, computer under warranty... Agent mentioned that I had received the 'blue screen of death' and I thought that was funny as I've been using that term since Window's 98... (ahem)

He said that when the computer was doing the automatic update to 8.1, it fell asleep, basically stopping in the middle, and corrupted the computer.  It is on its way, in a lonely box, via FedEx for repair.

Even the Tech said not to have computers do automatic updates for new Windows updates, he said to wait until everyone else deals with the bugs...

So now I'm on the old Toshiba, the slow computer, the painfully slow computer,  but it works - therefore I blog!

Alethea Anderson
MultiMediaMom.com 

Ever wonder WHY we DO the things we DO for others?

Sometimes we go out of our way to do something really nice for someone, even if it takes us off course and causes a major inconvenience.  In the end to find it unappreciated.  I know it's about the doing, and not about the thank you, but sometimes you do want just a little, a smidgen, a micro, a nano bit of appreciation to confirm that we are doing the right things for the right people.

Whenever I feel this way I have to remind  myself of the following...

..it reminds me that I am me, and I do nice things because I am me... :)

Next time you feel unappreciated, remember, you did it because it felt good to do it - not because you want someone to appreciate you....

Alethea Anderson
MultiMediaMom.com

Sunday Drive: Porsche Cayman, this Mom did a quick (xxx) mph

So today I was helping hubby bring some vehicles to the auto detail shop and I drove a Porsche Cayman, notably the modern day 'poor man's Porsche', but a Porsche none the less...  It was silver, it looked sporty, and I got to take this little puppy for a spin...

Hopped on I-680 - shifting 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and whoops... I was cruising at 75 mph.... I was behind hubby who was also in a Porsche, but a black Turbo... he dropped a gear or two and gassed it, heard that Turbo kick in and I was dusted.  So I dropped a couple gears, gassed it, and romped to a quick (xxx) mph...

A little something to get the blood pumping for a second or two, exhilarating!

Then  right back to 65, because I'm a good, safe, driver :)

I've had the luxury of driving some pretty fantastic cars over the years due to hubby's ties to the auto industry and the Porsche was actually a very comfortable ride for a sports car....

A little adventure for the day, vroom, vroom... 

Alethea Anderson
MultiMediaMom.com

Do You Ever Just Sit and Think? Where AM I GOING?

Sometimes you just don't realize how fast time is passing, until almost a year has passed before your eyes.  It was January 1, 2013 when I had planned to breathe life into this blog again.  Here it is December 2013, and I've had one post between then and now...

Do you ever pause to think what exactly you've accomplished?  Do you ask yourself questions like...

•   Where AM I GOING? 
•   Where AM I HEADED?

That is where I am right now... working full time for someone else - sometimes over 50 hours a week, having quite a 'marker' of a birthday in October, time passing by, life passing by... Feeling like I am missing moments...

Something I' always thinking about... As a New Year rapidly approaches, what am I going to do to make 2014 different, fresh, exciting, new?

Thinking Out Loud...

Alethea Anderson
MultiMediaMom.com

2013 Salt Water Aquarium Project

Going all the way back in time, we've for the most part always had a fish tank (or more) - even in our very first apartment... It seemed harmless enough; some Neons with a variety of community fish.... then it became African Cichlids, a step closer to salt water, but not all the way there...a larger, more colorful yet hearty fish that could handle brackish water - tolerating crushed coral substrate and coral decor.

There was a point when we gave salt water a go - only to slay Damsels one by one... A few salt water attempts let to yet another fresh water fish tank...

Well we had successfully remained a 'fish free' zone for a number of years, until we moved to Nevada and met a new friend who lived across the street.  This friend gave my hubby a 100 gallon fish tank - and a new era consumed us.

Along with the 100 gallon fish tank, the Universe aligned us with all the right people to teach us 'how' it is done.  My husband literally went a little crazy - we literally had a room full of tanks and and a fully running "Walmart Fish Center" in our garage that people were 'shopping' from.  Really. One fish tank is nice, two can be okay.  A room FULL, really?  

It finally whittled down to one tank again, while it was a 255 gallon salt water reef aquarium, a thing of beauty, it was ONE tank.... a fully functioning, peninsula style tank that was a room divider and room centerpiece all rolled into one.

So fast forward, it was a bittersweet event to sell our 255 gallon tank and its inhabitants prior to our move to California.  We were once again fish tank free for awhile, until hubby came across a free tank, which then became two fish tanks.  Simple, fresh water tanks "I'm going to sell them honey" I was told time and time again. 

(it has been about a year)

Leave those things alone and now there are four tanks.  Two in my living room, one in my dining room and one in my family room.  One fresh, three salt... "Three are going to be gone honey...." he keeps reassuring me.  As I type this, the fresh is for sale on Craigslist and two of the salt tanks are being consolidated into the larger salt tank pictured below.  By George I think we will really have ONE tank (yay)!

The above is a 'before' - more to come!

Alethea Anderson
MultiMediamom.com

Happy New Year : 2013

Another year, another post!  WOW... I  never intended this blog to be for once-a-year posting!  Wishing you an amazing two-zero-one-three, now the time is to live happy and free!

No worries, more to come, this won't remain an annual blog lol...

See what's new <<<<

Alethea Anderson
MultiMediaMom.com