Thursday, January 31, 2008

Morning Rituals

Today the morning went SO well. On a typical morning someone is upset or not following "procedure" and gets mommy irrirated. In our house everyone has "Jobs" in the AM. For example, Paula gets herself dressed, brushes her own teeth, brushes her own hair and gets her shoes on. She's also now semi-responsible for getting Rosie out into the backyard with her food/water bowl. If she does all her jobs and has time to spare she can watch TV downstairs until we head out the door.

Shawna gets help from me getting dressed, CAN brush her own teeth but usually refuses, CAN brush her own hair but usually doesn't want to, and CAN do her own shoes but Mommy usually has to do that too. When I'm running late due to some clothing or hair crisis of MY own I crack down on Shawna for not doing HER jobs and making us more late by making me help her.

Mommy is responsible for getting herself ready, I get Paula up and put her clothes out for her, I put the toothpaste on their toothbrushes and set them out on the bathroom counter, I get Shawna up and dressed, pack their lunches with food I'd prepared the night before, prepare their breakfast which is usually popping 2 frozen waffles in the toaster oven, get Paula's soy milk out, Shawna's water w/ice on the counter, make sure Paula's backpack is packed with her lunch, get their coats on, make sure the dog is outside with water and food and that I have everything I need to bring with me to work. I'm even packing my own lunch now. It's all very precise and leaves little room for variances. Shawna is left to do her own hair and find her shoes. Believe me, that is a lot for her since she barely can manage both.

On some mornings Paula whines that she wants me to help her get dressed. I always say no and that upsets her. Some days Shawna doesn't want to get out of bed to get dressed or spends too much time playing with the dog. Our mornings do not come with EXTRA time. We get up at the last minute and are out the door and to school on time. There is no room to vary from "procedure".

Today we were all happy! I decided to just forego a shower until after I dropped the girls off to school. Paula was happy because she got to wear her softball jersey to school. Shawna woke up happy too. Everyone got along, no fighting. We even had time to STYLE hair! I braided Paula's and put Shawna's in pony tails.

Woo Hoo! I love mornings like that.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Mother's Intuition

Yesterday at work I went to my local cities newspaper site. I do that daily at work just to see what is going on in my local community that the NBC or ABC local news doesn't report on. I said to myself, there is going to be a school lock down at Paula's school. I had nothing to go on, it just popped into my head that way. I was sort of surprised it wasn't there but relieved all the same. There was nothing remotely mentioned about anything happening in their area.

When I got home last night there was a memo from the principal explaining how there was a police involved situation not far from the school next to the train station. The officer told the school they'd be notified if a true lock down had to occur. The school decided on it's own to keep the kids inside for recess and lunch and not let them outside at all.

I was right. How is that possible? Weird.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Princess Leia's in the house

Today Paula gets to be Princess Leia for school. So are several other girls in her class. Her class decided on a Star Wars theme for "theme day" today. I braided her hair on both sides and twisted them into circles. I hope they stay. I'm just not a hair stylist. I've had the same style for years. It just varies in length once in awhile.

Tomorrow she and Shawna get to do "blow your top" day where they can wear a funny hat or funny hair. These themes force me to get out of bed earlier since I have to prep them.

Our dog Rosie has been making it known that she did not appreciated those 2 big dogs in her house Sunday. She has proceeded to mess (poop/pee) in the house since Sunday. I'm hoping she realizes soon the dogs aren't coming back. Belle will eventually come back but not for a long time I think.

Today it's snowing at my parents house! My mom called to say it was snowing and sticking. Very cool. I told her to take pics. They live in the Grass Valley, CA area around 1000 feet elevation so they don't get snow often. Yesterday we had a glorious non rainy day for the first time in awhile. I ran to the Goodwill to drop off some donations, looked inside for shoes for Paula. Didn't find any.

I have an ortho appt today. He has to push some teeth back so I'm sure tonight and tomorrow I'll be in some pain. Lovely. I also spent 2 hours today dealing with insurance for my ortho and an error in billing for Shawna's dentist appt in Nov. They billed Paula instead. Normally I wouldn't care but I just learned today that our insurance (Guardian) has a $1500 lifetime limit per person for ortho. One of the Xrays Shawna had in November was a panoramic and that gets billed thru the ortho area. Paula definitely needs braces someday so I don't want this charge going towards her limit. That and this particular office hasn't seen Paula in over 2 years. She doesn't like them. Only Shawna sees them. I take Paula to mine and Todd's dentist.

Shawna has her 5 yr check up next month. She'll get tons of shots. :0( Poor thing. I'm making Todd take her. Actually I'll probably go too since this is a new office and I want to meet the doctor. But when it comes time to do the shots I'll leave. No sense passing out in there eh?

Monday, January 28, 2008

Birthday Pics












Cakes, Dogs, Party

I decided to make Shawna's Bday cake this year. I bought a book on how to make simple bday cakes with easy ingredients. She picked out one princess cake but it was a bundt style and said it only fed 12 people so I added a 2ND cake that fed another 12 people. It turned out the bundt fed all 24 people!
On Saturday I made a huge sheet cake but dumb me forgot to spray the sides of the pan so part of it stuck and then the center split in half after I took it out of the pan. I called Todd to buy 2 more cake mix boxes. I then made the bundt first, then 2 8x8 square cakes. They came out great. That night I frosted them and decorated them. Walla! perfect. I'll have to edit later to add pics because I don't have the pics yet.
Sunday we went to school for the pancake breakfast and open house. On the way home Todd mentioned this wandering golden retriever that has been out and about since Friday. I said if we saw it again we should take it in and contact the SPCA. On my way to get appetizers I saw him around the corner so I opened my slider door of the mini van and called him. He jumped right in and put his cute huge head next to me. Definitely a missing pet. I drove him to my home. The kids were EXCITED. They thought we'd keep him. NOT. Todd gave him water and food which he gobbled up fast. Rosie was a bit nervous of him but the retriever wanted to play with her bad.

I picked him up a collar since he didn't have one and got my appetizers. Todd called the SPCA. They said no one had called him in as missing but put him down as found in case someone did call. Todd told our neighbor we had a lost dog.

A while later our neighbor came over and said a lady had driven around looking for her Retriever. Apparently around the corner and down the street a lady was moving and her dog kept getting out. Todd went down there on his way to get helium for the balloons and told her where we live. Sammy (the dog) didn't seem all that excited to see her but I did give her a bit of grief for not having a collar (she said he chewed off his last one) and been out since Friday (he just keeps getting out). Whatever. I let her keep the collar. At least he's home. If I catch him out again I might make a huge deal about it. He's the sweetest dog. She needs to take care of him.

We had 9 girls all under the age of 7 over for Shawna's Bday party. Two of Shawna's classmates came as well as my friends kids. They all had fun. I'm glad it's over though! Shawna got cool stuff and wanted it all open at once. That and she was opening presents at lightening speed!

Last night we had dinner with my parents and my brothers wife Jennifer. Jennifer brought over their new Yellow Lab named Belle. She's really sweet but way timid and scared. That's not normal for a 1.5 yr old dog. I'm wondering if she was abused by her previous owner. She did warm up to us eventually but it took a long time.

Friday, January 25, 2008

My Baby turns 5 tomorrow

Since I doubt I'll have a chance to get on here tomorrow or even Sunday I want to do this post today.
On January 26th 2003 (Super Bowl Sunday) my 2nd daughter Shawna Lynn was born. She was about 2.5 weeks early (Thank God because I was soo done being pregnant!) I had just gotten up for the umpteenth time before 5am and waddled to the bathroom. I remember feeling so miserable and uncomfortable. I was huge. I just wanted the pregnancy to be over. I laid back in bed and maybe 10 min later my water broke! Someone was listening!! I went and told Todd who was just getting up to go to work. He said something like "Good timing Hon". I jumped in the shower and he called my parents and his parents. My contractions started while in the shower and got really worse fast. I was already dilated to 2 cm from my last Dr appt so I knew this could be a fast delivery. I managed to dry my hair in pain then had to sit on the couch and direct Todd on what to take. We bundled up a sleepy Paula and drove her to Maureens (her daycare person). I was sweating like crazy and in tons of pain. I had the window down and A/C blasting on the way to the hospital. We went in thru the ER and had to wait a crazy long time before someone came to get me. All I wanted was my Epidural. Once I got into the room they changed me into my gown. I had to use the bathroom. My body was purging my intestines which sucked because I just wanted to lay down and get my epi! Finally I was done and they tried to get the leads on me but I was too sweaty and wet. They decided to wait until my epidural. They checked me and I was dilated to 6! The gal came in saying I was lucky because she was just about to go into a C-section. After my epi they checked me again. I was at 8cm! The doctor was called and in 30 minutes I was at 10 and pushing.
She arrived 2 hours & 45 minutes after my water broke. Quick!! She entered this world 8 lb 5 oz 21 inches long.

Me pregnant with her 1 mos before delivery


Shawna is 1 day old


Shawna is 6 mos old and Paula is 2 yrs old


1 years old


Shawna is 2 years old and Paula is 4


Shawna's 3


4 years old


Shawna in December and almost 5


I LOVE YOU BABY!!!

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Comments Welcomed

If you few people out there who read my posts want to comment you're welcome too!

New Pediatrician needed

Yesterday I got some surprising news. Our pediatricians office who both my girls have gone to since they were born is no longer taking anyone unless if you belong to Kaiser. They apparently sent a letter out in October alerting everyone but we didn't get it, or accidentally thru it away.

Sucky.

I liked their office and they remembered us even if we didn't go often. The nurses were really nice too. And the best thing was my girls liked going there. I've already looked on Blue Cross' website and found other pediatrcians near us. I emailed one that has lots of doctors and weekend hours. I'm thinking their parking is sucky because I've been in that complex for blood draws but we'll see. Shawna needs her 5 year check up soon.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Crab Feed Mania

Yesterday Paula got sent home from school at lunch time for coughing, heavy runny nose and laying her head on her desk. Poor thing. Once home she ate her hot lunch which consisted of a bean burrito, spanish rice, watermellon and a cookie. She ate great. Then I put her down for a nap a little after 1pm. She woke up at 4pm. She was tuckered. She had a hard time falling asleep last night but once I put her in my room with the sleeping bag at 10:30pm (which is when I finally went to bed) she crashed. Getting up was tough today but she got to wear free dress so she was happy. They turn in their map project at school. She and her dad (mostly her dad) did this project and I wanted her to be there today to turn it in. She didn't cough or have a runny nose today at all so hopefully she makes it thru the day.

Shawna woke up this morning and the first thing she said all sleepily was "3 more days till my birthday". So cute. I need to order cupcakes for her class on Friday. There are 18 kids and 6 teachers. Plus I need to bring juice. Then I need to order her cake and buy all the stuff for her party on Sunday. She's having a princess party but she's also added she'd like Hello Kitty. Her cake could say "Hello Kitty Princess Shawna" she said. haha

There are a ton of crab feeds going on now thru March for fundraising activities thru schools in the area. My neighbors went last Saturday to one and had a blast so they want to go to another one. Our school has a huge one with an auction (silent and live) every year. My first time going was last year. You have to request a full table (8 people) otherwise they just stick you anywhere. We're trying to make a table of 16 right now. I'll be working on that today since ticket sales go on sale Sunday and normally sell in 3 days!

I think that's it. I'm off to earn my keep.

Monday, January 21, 2008

Zen Sarcasm

I was reading someone else's blog and found this. I love it.

Zen Sarcasm


1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of
me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty
much leave me the hell alone.

2. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt
and leaky tire.

3. It's always darkest before dawn. So if you're going to steal
your neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it.

4. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be
promoted.

5. Always remember that you're unique. Just like everyone else.

6. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.

7. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.

8. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their
shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and
you have their shoes.

9. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.

10. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to
fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.

11. If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was robably worth it.

12. If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.

13. Some days you're the bug; some days you're the windshield.

14. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

15. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it back in your pocket.

16. A closed mouth gathers no foot.

17. There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works.

18. Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your lips are moving.

19. Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.

20. Never miss a good chance to shut up.

21. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

Mental Note - kids, food and dog

Do not allow children to eat chicken dinos and other food items in garage on small, low picnic table unsupervised, because when said children get up and leave said food on table and walk away, Dog quickly runs over and devours food. Also, do not give children a 2nd serving of food to replace what the dog just inhaled because said children will get up again and leave food unattended for dog to eat again. Then the next day Dog will throw up many times the food that she ate and kids will be scared and crying because they fear they killed dog.

Vacations

I've been planning a summer boating camping trip with some friends. Emails were going back and forth and the big question was can we do a 4 day weekend. One of the lakes we like is very far and for just Fri-Sun I don't want to do that drive. I had put in a request for a call back at another lake. Well, I received a call back from the lake this weekend. We've camped at this lake many times but never in this campground. In fact, Lake Rollins is the first lake both my girls ever camped at. Paula was 5 mos old and Shawna was 6 mos old both sleeping in tents.

They had 2 weekends available in July/August. Great campsite with group area, holds 40, we'll have our own dock. Perfect. I made a management decision to book the July weekend. I alerted everyone and 1 family came back saying they'll be in Yosemite that weekend. I think I can move it to the August one as long as no one booked it when she was doing her call backs. I left the gal at the lake a message so we'll see.

Also, I booked the date for our Cabo trip.

I need vacations to look forward to. It gets me thru the months!

Busy weekend

This weekend felt and was, very busy.
Saturday morning I signed the girls up for softball. Thankfully Shawna can participate this year. I'm a bit concerned she'll spend too much time playing with the grass and dirt. We'll hope for the best on that one. In the afternoon Paula had to cheer for 4th grade basketball. We played a team I hadn't seen yet. 4th grade basketball has a lot of falling in it. I mean a lot! And I was sitting next to a dad who thru the entire game kept saying "Anthony!, go to the middle. Anthony! Get under the basket for the rebound shot. Anthony! Why did you go over there? Anthony! Just Relax! haha Geez. After the game we got our usual 7-Eleven slurpees. We picked up one for Shawna too. Tyler was at our house so we shared with her. A bit later Todd, Todd, Tyler and Shawna went to the Peppers house while Paula and I attended a 7 yr old birthday party for a classmate.

Every kid in the class was invited. Less than half showed up. I got to meet and talk to a couple moms who I really liked. It was a huge event. Apparently in the Filipino culture, turning 7 is a big deal. There was tons of food. They sent us home with left overs. Yummy. On the way home we drove by the Peppers. I was bummed to see Todd still there with Shawna since it was already 9pm. We stopped and went inside. Long story short, the girls wanted a sleep over and it was decided to have it at our house. Tyler didn't make it 30 min before she got scared and wanted to go home. I have established some new rules that Susan agrees with as far as sleep overs go.
1. A max of 1 sleepover a month. There can be zero, but no more than 1.
2. If Tyler is going to sleep at my house, her mom or dad need to be present until she falls asleep.

Sunday I hung out with Dina and Suzie for a bit then went home and socialized. It was Todd Peppers bday (44 yrs old) so Susan made him dinner at my house with his mom (so fun and cool), mom's friend and us. Later Dina and Suzie came over for dessert and presents.

Today is Martin Luther King Jr Day. My girls are out of school today so I stayed home until noon, then Todd came home with Tyler and the girls are playing. It's slow today since many people are off.

Friday, January 18, 2008

Braces on longer

Today I had an appt with the Periodontist who is going to do my dental implants. It was a meeting to go over what the next steps are and to book the appt for the surgery. He took 4 Xrays and determined there is definitely enough root room to insert an implant in my front area spot. He wanted me to the Prosthodontist, who is in charge of the crowns to cover the implant nub. I made an appt for the implant with the understanding that I'll be getting an anesthesiologist. The cost of all this is enormous. But it's why I did the braces in the first place. The braces needed to move the roots so it all fit.

After making my Feb appt I drove to see the Prosthodontist (who I really like and respect) and he gave me news I wasn't expecting. First, my front bite is too far forward and needs to be moved back. I can agree to this now that he's made it apparent. Next, I have a small tooth next to my 2 center teeth. My moms side of the family have this condition and I inherited it in 1 tooth. The plan from teh beginning was we would move it to allow for a veneer. On the opposite side is #11 which is missing. In an attempt to move the roots, the spaces next to the 2 center teeth are 10mm...the same size as my 2 front teeth! How lame would that be if I had 4teeth on top all the same size. Bad. I know how this happened and why, (my root is tipped so to move it over the distance below got wider) but now how do we fix this issue.
1. We could put all 4 teeth the same size. NOT
2. We could do veneers on the front teeth making them larger while capping the other 2. Not my favorite idea because I hate messing with perfectly good teeth. Hence why I'm doing all this work in the first place to avoid another bridge.
3. He can add to the eye teeth using filling material and "beef" them up making them wider, filling in the space. My first choice as of now.

We can't do much more with the braces for this problem because I have a 3 part bridge on the upper right (if your me) which can't be moved using braces. AND you want all the teeth to be uniform, meaning both eye teeth s/b the same size, both front teeth s/b the same size, etc.

So I'm bummed.

Edited to say: I received a call from one of the dentists. All 3 did a conference call and the Ortho says he can lessen the space and push the upper teeth in. I have an appt for next week.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Loser Mom

I blew it yesterday. I get a ribbon for Loser Mom. Paula's cheerleading squad had pictures yesterday and I totally thought it was for today. I feel so bad. Now she won't be in group shots. :( I told her I'd take her to Penny's for an individual picture. That made her happy.

Yesterday was so busy as it is. Paula got picked up early along with Shawna; they went home where Paula did homework and did more on her Neighborhood Map, then Todd took them along with the Peppers to the Round Table Pizza near school. The Boy Scouts were doing their annual serving the community there. I had a meeting with the Grants Committee at school so I didn't attend.

On my way to the Grants Committee I stopped at the dollar store for erasers that go on the end of pencils. I found the last bag. They came 60 in a bag. Score! I put them on the nub pencils last night.

Tonight I have my hair appt to remove the greys. Tomorrow is Todd's surgery. snip snip. He's only nervous about having to shave his *nads*. haha Poor thing. I have my consult with the dentist for my implants tomorrow morning.

I'm also planning a summer boating/camping trip.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

38 Things about me for 2007

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
We got a dog. Our very own family dog. Rosie Shmosie

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I didn't make one so I didn't break one. This years is to get back on WW. I haven't done it yet.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
A neighbor's neice is the closest I have to anyone giving birth.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully No.

5. What countries did you visit?
Cabo Mexico (technically called Baja California but I'm going with Mexico)


6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
More patience

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Todd's 40th Bday in November along with the Trailer Trash party. The day we brought Rosie home. My daughters birthdays of course.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I can't say that I had one. Sad eh?


9. What was your biggest failure?
Balancing my life.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Our trailer because it really brings us close as a family and the girls
love it.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Todd is always even keel. He gets the award.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Britney Spears only not to the point of depression. She has got to get her shit together.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Let's see, house, taxes, girls tuition, trailer, food, clothes, Todd's toys

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Our trip to Disneyland and Cabo.


16. What song will always remind you of 2007?
None

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder?
About the same, I guess.


b) thinner or fatter?

fatter

c) richer or poorer?
poorer

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Played with the kids

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
EAT!

20. How did you spend Christmas?
With mine and Todd's family.

21. Did you fall in love in 2007?
I stayed in love - way harder, way more worthwhile.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Grey's Anatomy

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't hate anyone

24. What was the best book you read?
As always, my fav is "32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny". A must read for teachers and parents. I re-read it all the time just for the laughs.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I now have XM Radio in my car and I am learning the names of songs and artists!

26. What did you want and get?
I wanted my kids to be healthy and safe and they were

27. What did you want and not get?
Personal fulfillment.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Don't have one

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Spent it with my family at my parents house. 39

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? If I'd won the lottery.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Spend less but look better

32. What kept you sane?
Wine

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I fancy Oprah. She seems to really have her act together.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Price cuts in education....again!

35. Who did you miss?
All my friends who are spread out around the country.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
The Porters and Coulthards. I really got to KNOW them. They're great.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
"Where there is a will, there's a way".

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Don't have one.

1st grade project

Right now in social studies Paula is learning about neighborhoods. They have to do a school project which includes building a map using a 1'x1' foam board. They can use milk cartons, popsicle sticks, legos etc, just have a legend, NSEW and street signs and have to have 3 large items like a house, building etc. Um.......who do you think is really going to be doing this project!!!!
Todd is emailing me with tons of HO products from his hobby store. We could buy all the items like homes, train tracks, water tower for this map for about $100. LOL
We live near train country so it does actually work for us. I told him too expensive so now he thinks he'll just get the little stuff and Paula can make the rest.
This is due next Wed so we need to get moving. I just think it's funny because when I saw these maps last year at open house I thought some were way too fancy to be done by the kids. Now I now why!

Monday, January 14, 2008

Movie watching weekend

We had the best weather this weekend. Sunny each day and not too cold. After Todd came home he'd take the girls to the school so they could ride their bike and he could fly his plane. They help fly the plane too.
Friday night the Peppers came over. Saturday I sent Shawna to their house while Paula and I went to the basketball game so she could cheer. Afterwards she wanted a slurpee so we did that. Then went to Macy's to return the holiday dresses I bought but didn't choose. We home and Todd showed up so he took the girls to the school. That night we had dinner over there. Todd and Paula walked home with Rosie and I stayed longer w/Shawna. She ended up having a sleep over. Paula was sooo upset on Sunday when she woke up and leared she didn't get to do a sleep over. After she woke up she said she thought she could get her ears pierced. She's been wanting to do that for a year but keeps chickening out. We called Maureen (Their previous daycare provider) to find out where she took her dd. We headed over there but once we got inside the store she was too nervous. I think she needs to be more like 10 yrs old. We'll see.
We collected Shawna, came home and I did more laundry. Paula helped me with that.
Todd came home, steam cleaned the computer room then they all went bike riding and plane flying. I watched some really good movies on HBO this weekend.
1. We Are Marshall - Matthew McConaughey, Matthew Fox - A true story about a college football team in W. VA who crashed in a plane so everyone died.
2. Music & Lyrics - Cute story with Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore
3. (Can't remember name but I DVR'd it) A boy from L.A. gets transplaned in the snow country with cousin's family and has tons of trouble with the school kids. He's a great roller blader and surfer. It was cute. The girls liked it too.
4. A Good Year - Russell Crowe - his uncle in France dies and he learns of a cousin he never knew he had all on a wine vineyard. It's cute and he plays a fun character

My life isn't all that exciting as you can tell. :0)

Friday, January 11, 2008

TGIF

Yay! It's Friday. In just 2 more hours I plan to bail out of this office and begin my weekend. Tonight our friends our coming over. Their daughter and our girls love to play with each other constantly but they're so close now that they fight like siblings.
Todd works this weekend and Paula has to cheer at a game tomorrow at noon. I'm hoping for a low key weekend. I'm behind in laundry as usual.

Todd sent me this picture today of Shawna. He labeled it Shawna's Spirit. So true.


Here she is as a toddler. The same spirit.


Only 15 more days till she turns 5 yrs old. She asked me on the way to school today how many days. She's soo excited. I'm having a Princess Party at our house. What else would we have?! It will be a dress up party. I'm not sure how fancy I'll go but I have at least sent out the invitations.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Starting Fresh

I don't know about you all but I keep the same address book for years and years until it's so ratty it's falling apart. Half the people I no longer keep in touch or their info is invalid. I've been wanting to get a new one for years. I finally did last night! I had to hit the store for a 2008 calendar. I went to Barnes and Nobles since it's on my way home. I found the calendar I like which was awesome since they were pretty well picked thru and I got it for 50% off. I like Lang calendars because they use great color and old fashioned pictures of sorts. My January picture is of a horse drawn carriage with what appears to be 5 kids inside. There might be an adult but it's hard to tell.
I found a decent size address book that doesn't appear to be cheaply made. Key for me since I'll have it for like 10 years. I have it at work today filling in some of it but most of that work will need to be done at home. I'm starting off using pencil too. At some point I always use pen. Mostly because up until Paula began learning to write we never had pencils around. Now my house has lots of pencils, although I must say most of them are unsharpened. Not sure why we have so many new pencils but whatever.
Today is Todd's and my anniversary. 9 years. We celebrated last Friday with dinner and movie. He surprised me today by having a rose bouquet sent to my work. Very sweet. He's so good to me. He says he doesn't feel appreciated much of the time. I admit I'm bad at telling HIM I appreciate him, but if you ask my friends at work or outside of work they'll tell you I brag about him all the time with all he does for us. They wish their husbands did half as much as he does. I got a good guy.

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Stormy Skies/Trips planned

Last weekend we had some crazy storms in the Bay Area. It even hailed on us on Saturday. Many folks (I believe 300,000) were without power and Tahoe had a levee break that caused some huge flood damage. Overall we had no damage so we lucked out. Today a new storm is kicking in that should last thru Thursday. I've been hoping for some snow on the tops of our hilltops but it hasn't been cold enough. Maybe this week.

Last weekend we de-Christmas'd. Everything is down. We even de-cluttered and got rid of things we don't need/use. It feels good to purge. We had a popcorn maker that we never used, some bowls, pans and other kitchen items that just sat unused. Of course we gave much of it to our friends the Peppers but at least it's not in our house anymore! Todd wanted to sell a stairmaster we bought used in the late 1990's for $600 but when he looked it up that specific one is selling for $80. He doesn't want to sell it for that cheap so I guess it will sit in our garage some more. haha

This past weekend I also finished up Todd's 40th Bday Trailer Trash scrapbook album. It looks pretty good. I started getting burnt out at the end so I embellished less but Todd thinks it looks great so that's what matters. I am so behind in scrapbooking. I have to scrap Shawna from age 1.5 to now! She'll be 5! I do have the 2 Disneyland trips done thanks to the album purcahse feature on dotphoto. I just told them how to place them and typed in my comments. It's more like a picture book than a scrapbook but with the hundreds of pics Todd took I was not going to weed thru them all and them scrap them. I'm way too lazy for that!

As far as work goes, this week at work I'm training someone so that makes my days go by really fast. I also started back to the gym last Thursday. I went last night and I'll go tonight too. I need to lose weight! We have a fitness center downstairs so it's not like getting there is a problem. We have to do our self evaluation for review time too.

Going forward we have some trips planned. In February we're heading camping to New Brighten Beach with friends. I've never been there but I'm told it's right on the beach so the girls will be thrilled. In March after Easter my friend Jenny from childhood who lives in VA is FINALLY getting her butt out here. She and two of her girlfriends are coming out for a week. She'll need some heavy drugs to get her on the plane but I'm sure her friends will prevent her from running away. She's majorly paranoid of flying.
In May us and the Peppers are heading to our timeshare in Maui. We've never been there before since it's brand new and just opened at the end of 2007. I can't wait! My high school class is planning a mini reunion in Vegas for the end of September for our combined 40th Birthdays. That should be fun. Then in October we'll do Cabo again. In between all that will be more camping trips of course. Busy busy busy. Too bad I can't be a professional vacationer! haha

This weekend Todd works and Paula has cheerleading on Saturday. If the weather is nice maybe we'll hit the park with their bikes or scooters.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Happy New Year!

We had a blast camping at the KOA in Santa Cruz. We only had 1 wet day on Saturday and the rest were sunny. The pool at the KOA was heated to 83 degrees and the hottub was 103 so the girls played in there Sat/Sun for hours. They also rode their bikes, scooters, played in the playground, rode the train, jumped on the jumping pillow and made new friends. We also watched movies against the trailer using the projector each night.

NYE was really cold and windy so after having smoke in my face most of the night I retired to the trailer where a shower removed the smoke odor and fell asleep. I think it was about 10:30pm. Todd, Susan and Todd P only made it to midnight.

I can't believe it's 2008. It will take me a month to get used to writing/typing that number. Shawna turns 5 in 24 days. We're doing the daily countdown now. She's very excited. This week my mom is watching them since they're out of school still.
Oh, and Todd and I have our 9 year anniversay on Jan 9th so we're going to dinner on Friday while my mom is still here.

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