It followed me home today, seriously. His name is Winsome. Isn't he cute? I couldn't resist. I picked him up and put him down several times. I even bought a bunch of stuff and then left the store and came back *just for him*. He was made by a local So Pasadena artist.

Zinnia in Pasadena had a TON of cool things in there today...stuff like this:and stuff like this:
and more stuff like this:
and even MORE stuff like this:
and yup, this is from Zinnia too:
I *really* wanted to buy art from Joe Carrion who teaches and works at Zinnia. Joe has some of the most amazing canvases I have *ever* seen. I wanted all of them. Eeps! If you didn't know, Joe designed stamps for Stampers Anonymous. If you don't have them, you need them.

If you haven't been to Zinnia, you *need* to go. Tamara does the most amazing job not only filling the store but decorating it and making it an extremely open and welcome environment. I LOVE going there-it's one of my favorite home away from homes!! I am still kicking myself for not bringing my camera today!! The store looked SO good (as always)!!

Zinnia
1040 Mission St
South Pasadena, CA 91030
(626) 441-2181

OH! And look what else arrived:

My Jet Pen Order! WOO HOO!! I LOVE my new pens. Thank YOU Kara K. for getting me into some serious trouble. I am very very happy with the pens I ordered. I tried 'em all out. The tips are smaller then the Glaze and Souffle pens (which I *heart* extremely much). I am seriously slapping my hand to avoid it from going to their website and buying even MORE pens in colors I don't have. I hate ordering online but oh I LOVE Jet Pens. Those Pilot Latte Pens are some seriously cool kick ass pens. (Um, I ordered 3 sets). I wish they came in black.

These are the pens I bought:

	Pilot Latte Gel Ink Pen - 0.5 mm - White
	Uni-ball Signo DX UM-151 Gel Pen - 0.28 mm - Black
	Pilot Latte Gel Ink Pen - 0.5 mm - 10 Color Set
	Uni-ball Signo Angelic UM-120AC Gel Ink Pen - 0.7 mm - Pink Ink
	Uni-ball Signo DX UM-151 Gel Pen - 0.28 mm - Brown Black
	Uni-ball Signo Angelic UM-120AC Gel Ink Pen - 0.7 mm - Red Ink
	Uni-ball Signo Angelic UM-120AC Gel Ink Pen - 0.7 mm - Green Ink
	Uni-ball Signo Angelic UM-120AC Gel Ink Pen - 0.7 mm - Yellow Ink
	Uni-ball Signo Angelic UM-120AC Gel Ink Pen - 0.7 mm - White Ink

I think I am set for pens for life. I am banned from any stores until my credit card recovers from these last two adventures.

*****

In other news, Tristan's dentist appointment was today. Well, what I found out was part ONE of THREE dentist appointments. Huh? I guess this is a "new thing" 'cause I have never heard of this before. It's got to be one of the stupidest trends I have ever heard of. I take Tristan out of school early to go to the dentist. We arrive nice and early so I can fill out the appropriate paperwork. At 3 on the dot, Tristan's name is called. We go into a room and the assistant tells me they are going to take X-Rays today and starts filling out a card. She gives me the card and it says "EXAM" on it. She tells me to take the card to the front and make the appointment for next time. My reaction is "Huh?" and I wink at Tristan and walk to the front desk. I give the woman the card thinking it will be for a follow up in 6 months. She says I have two dates to pick. Um, ok. February whatever and February whatever. What?? I say. Well, she tells me that today they do the x-ray. Next time is the exam. Then there is a third appointment for cleaning or fillings. I feel my blood pressure start to boil (it's been ready to burst the last couple of days). "WHAT?" I say again. She repeats. I ask her what happened to having everything done in ONE visit. I tell her I had to pull him out of school early just for this appointment. I ask her what with kids do who have 9 to 5 jobs? *sigh* Nothing I said mattered. We are scheduled for part Two and Three next month. No dentist was seen today. Nada on the braces. Tristan's dental insurance sucks (I am thankful though that he has it-for now...He's the only one in our family of 3 that does have it.). The plan that he has-there aren't any kids' dentists...except for this one and every one we've seen I haven't been happy with. See why it's stupid things like this that just make me bang my head against the wall and pull a Nancy Kerrigan.

Off to find a happy place! Looking forward to meeting up with one of my Fort Collins buds, Venita tomorrow! I LOVE the Fort Collins Gang!!!!