A Day in the life of a Gringa

Time Together

2011-11-13T19:55:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for the time that I am enjoying with my husband. I think that after the first few months of him being gone, I just sort of turned off the "missing you" setting, and threw myself into school and work and whatever else I could find to keep my mind off of missing him.
I had an epiphany, yesterday, though. I really am my best self when he is by my side. That is part of what I miss, too! The "we" that we are when we are together.
But I am not going to go on and on about that right now, because today we are together, and I am thankful for that!

The best part is that he now is ready to come home and talking about how quickly he can do that . . . FOR GOOD!!! YAY!!!

Thankful for Music

2011-11-13T07:52:00.000-08:00

I have to say that I am not just thankful TODAY for music; I am thankful every day for music! Today I am thankful for the beautiful music that children make when they sing praises to our Heavenly Father!
We had our Primary program today, in church.
We had a special opportunity to have a mini orchestra (Thanks, Tiff and Sydney!) for our program; and the teachers got to sing one of the numbers with the children.
Beautiful! (and frankly, I'm thankful that the rehearsals are over, too!)

What a wonderful day for a wedding!

2011-11-12T19:47:00.000-08:00

Today I am thankful for weddings. Specifically, the wedding of my brother to a wonderful lady!
We are excited to have another sister!
She is so accepting of all of us and I think she will fit in nicely with the Bailey family quirkiness!
Thanks, Kathy, for saying yes! Hopefully you will find ALL of us easy to love, not just my brother! :)

Thankful TWICE today!

2011-11-11T11:00:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for the veterans of this country, who have served well to insure our freedom! They deserve this day of recognition and thanks from any and all of us who continue to enjoy freedoms!

Thanks for all that you have done and continue to do to protect our rights!

Road trip!

2011-11-11T07:40:00.000-08:00

Today I am thankful for rental cars and the opportunity to have a road trip with my favorite Latino! :)
We are headed to California for my brother's wedding.
Because of the way rental car companies do business these days, I didn't know if we were going to be able to rent the car. We don't have any credit cards, and they don't like to let their cars go with just a debit card.
But, thankfully, Jorge's round trip itinerary came in handy, and we drove away in a BEAUTIFUL brand new Hyundai - dark blue and all the nice accessories! CD and XM radio, electric everything and a nice air flow system. Traveling in high style, the Zapatas!

Modern Conveniences!

2011-11-10T22:15:00.000-08:00

Today I am thankful for modern technology and conveniences!
Thanks to airplanes, my husband, Jorge, could come home for a week and attend my brother's wedding with me.
And I am thankful that it worked out that he could do that!
Love him!

Another blessing!

2011-11-09T08:34:00.000-08:00

Today my great-nephew (actually great nephew #4) was born! My niece, Kayla, became a mommy today! And Mr. Lott the Third is gracing us with his presence.
I am thankful to see these little ones grow and become people. And I am thankful for any interaction that I get to have with them!
I am thankful to be an aunt and learn from each experience that this occupation brings me. Sometimes I don't even know how the parents can handle the stress, because they aren't even my children, but I stress about them all so much!
Thankfully, too, Heavenly Father watches out for all of HIS children, so that we don't have to do any of this alone.

Always Thankful

2011-11-08T14:00:00.001-08:00

I am always thankful for prayer, and the knowledge that God hears and answers them.
The true test in life is to be thankful for the answers, whether it was what we wanted to hear or not.
Prayer heals, comforts and changes hearts.
Here is a prayer going out for Kayla - she is gonna be a momma tomorrow!

I found a way!

2011-11-07T21:38:00.000-08:00

. . . to be thankful for Mondays!
Yep, I am thankful . . . that it is over and now I can get on with my CRAZY BUSY week! If ever I had a week when I wished I had a clone of myself, or 3 people to pay to help me get stuff done, it would be this week!
But I am also thankful to be busy! I find it easier to be positive when I don't have time to sit around and think negatively!
Can you say "woo hoo!!! Monday is done!"

Thanks, Heavenly Father, for my Mama!

2011-11-06T08:53:00.001-08:00

Today is my mother's 70th birthday. (even as I type this, I can hear her chastising me for not "giving a girl her privacy" about some things . . . like her age!)
My whole life my mama has told me that she is so glad that I wasn't born on her birthday. I just tell her that she got her best gift early!
She is an amazing, giving, loving person. She has shown me how to be tolerant, caring and understanding. Most of all, she taught me to be a good listener and a lover of children.
She means the world to me.
Happy Birthday, Mama!

Thankful for . . . .

2011-11-05T08:47:00.000-07:00

Birthdays - to remind us that we have survived, learned from and conquered another year!

Hobbies - to give us an escape from the grind of everyday life!

Facebook - so that people that we haven't seen in years can wish us "Happy Birthday" . . . because they have a FB reminder! Love that!

T G I F

2011-11-04T08:51:00.000-07:00

Thank Goodness for Fridays!
I am thankful for Fridays. I really like my job, but Friday means two days to focus on the other aspects of my life - nothing too exciting, mostly housework and homework - but not stress about cramming them around the work schedule for two days is a good thing.
Thankful, too, that the 10th is that much closer - Jorge's coming home that day! ♥ ♥ ♥

Thankful, Day 3

2011-11-03T10:20:00.000-07:00

I am thankful for breaks. Breaks from data entry, breaks from school, breaks from stress, and breaks from being my dog's sole caregiver! I was so thankful for the opportunity to sleep later and better, without the interuption of barking and having to take Dodger out to do his "dooty".
Aaaaaaah, indeed I am thankful for breaks.

Thankful still

2011-11-02T12:29:00.000-07:00

I am thankful for friends with listening ears and understanding hearts. I need to vent sometimes, and I don't know where I would be without friends who listen and don't judge me for my comments.
Being understood is so important to me. Understood and accepted.
And thankful! :)

November = 30 Days of Thanksgiving

2011-11-01T17:20:00.000-07:00

So, I have been a slacker blogger!
But not for lack of keeping busy! I am crankin' away at my studies and the tentative date to become a teacher is December, 2013! Yay, a goal in sight!!
Anyway - I am back with new commitment to my blog; I will post every day in November, about something that I am thankful for.

November 1, 2011
I am thankful for my job. 2 and 1/2 years as a "temporary employee" really reeks havoc on your self-assurance. I am settling in quite nicely and I am WAY excited that soon we will be moving into the new facility. By the way, the "new" facility is the same building that I worked in until 2.75 years ago! Kinda like going home; my brain can go into auto-pilot mode to get me there every morning.

Be Thankful for your Health

2011-03-16T10:36:00.000-07:00

I do try to be thankful for good health; but like most human beings, I am just a little bit forgetful when it comes to expressing gratitude to my Heavenly Father for something that is so easily taken for granted.

Then, when I feel like crap, and would maybe, just a little bit, rather die than continue feeling like crap, I begin to feel a little remorseful about NOT expressing that gratitude.

While NO, a sinus infection relapse is nothing life-threatening, it is rather energy-draining and uncomfortable and the burning up fever is . . . . well, burny! And, as some of my own dear family members have other, more serious and “not going away” ailments, I know I would be quite self-centered to expect any sort of sympathy from them.

I have chosen, instead to express gratitude daily, for my health . . . and even on itchy eyes, drippy nose allergy days like today (Yes, I was experiencing those symptoms ON TOP of the sinus infection relapse episode!) I can find a reason to be grateful for my health.

And many other things, of course . . . . . . .

The Rant I’ve Been Avoiding

2011-02-23T08:08:00.001-08:00

You know, when you want to go into a store or a place of business, many of them have two doors. One is for exiting, and one is entering – the first being on the right, and the latter on the left. With the exception of WalMart (and I don’t know why they choose to be different – that’s a WHOLE different rant!!), this should be, or used to be, a commonly understood process.

What happened? When did our society become so dumbed down, or is it just outright rudeness?? Please don’t stand on the other side of the door that I am walking in, and act all bothered, when there is another door RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU that you can open your DANG self, and walk through!!!! Your sarcastic and attitudinal “Thanks!” doesn’t make you look any less stupid, by the way!!!

Just because you think where you need to go is more important than whatever I’ve got on my agenda, doesn’t mean that I have to be an idiot and go through the wrong door, or hold my door open for you, because you are too lazy, entitled or stupid to open the other one for yourself!

It is a simple concept, actually. Which side of the street do you drive on?? Think of that concept, when you want to enter or exit a building – if someone is coming through the door on the right, then MAYBE you should consider exiting that OTHER door that ISN’T there for decorative purposes! (Kinda like a comment that I’ve heard before, when I have asked someone to fetch something for me – “What ? Are your legs painted on?” Nope, and NEITHER IS THAT OTHER DOOR!!! USE IT!!)

I know this sounds petty . . . and that is why I have been avoiding this post! But people can be so rude and inconsiderate without even trying. But, to me, that is the issue – considering others is the opposite of being Inconsiderate! Let’s just TRY to do that . . . it doesn’t have to be some huge philanthropic event. Just use your own door, and think about how others feel about your actions, at least occasionally. PLEASE????

Maybe This Time . . .

2011-01-14T09:25:00.001-08:00

we can learn!

After 9/11/2001, this country became AMAZINGLY unified! We were all ready to beat down the terrorists and the common enemy of hate, together.
Then, after a few complacent, and relatively terrorist-attack free, years, we fell back into our same old UGLY habits. I have heard before (though I can't quote when or where, or even the exact words!) the thought that if a country (group, entity, whatever) doesn't unite to fight the enemies outside their group, entity, country, etc, they will soon find enemies within - and that, it seems, is what has happened.
The huge debaucle that was the election year became a year-long fight between the parties. The dividing line between Republican, Democrat and undeclared became a brick wall. No communication or working together can happen when there is a brick wall dividing the participants, people!
Anyway, just when the changing of the guard was happening in Washington DC, another senseless act of violence had to make us all stop . . . . literally stop . . . badgering, arguing and pointing fingers (even if JUST for a few small moments!) and take note that we are ALL human.
Not one of us, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation or political party is infallible and immortal. I think the Tucson tragedy (which is frighteningly close to my home!) was a little memo from the evil powers that be: Guess what: your time on earth can be shorter than you've planned! There are PLENTY of mentally unstable people in the world who care to show their own distaste for the human race, such as it is, and end it for others!
We all, whether near to or far from the actual location of this terrible incident, have to stop and think! Your neighbor is your neighbor, or actually, your brother or sister, as children of God. Don't let petty differences keep you from appreciating the similarities that we all share. Henry B. Eyring said, "the children of God have more in common then they have differences . . ." We need to capitalize on that! We need to focus on the strengths that bind us, instead of the weaknesses that may divide.
God does and will continue to bless America - we all need to live worthy of that blessing, and act accordingly. Myself included.

Where Have Our Manners Gone?

2010-12-31T11:38:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I really wonder what goes through peoples’ minds before they make a comment, to a stranger, especially. I mean, in this day and age where certain, ahem, freedoms, are in the news every day, and many people feel the need to express themselves with bumper stickers, t-shirts and even tattoos, I have to ask myself, “Is this progress?”

I remember when it was okay to hang out with your same gender best friend and people NEVER would have thought, much less asked, about something more intimate between the two. Nowadays, thanks to Hollywood and the standards (or lack thereof!) that they set, you can’t have a same gender best friend without experimenting.

I am going to blame it on . . . . wait for it . . . TV! Not only do we have everyday common voyeurism going on in magazines and online news sites, we have “reality TV” . .. I’m sorry! How real can it be???? You have a camera in your face 24/7 – go ahead, be yourself! And if you have to squelch your values, morals and beliefs so that you can become a star . . . . SO WHAT!?!?!?!

I literally could go on for hours about this – but I won’t! I just want to be sure that all of cyberspace knows that I am a heterosexual, Christian female who spends LOTS of time with her female friends. Nope, I won’t be wearing a tattoo or T-shirt that says so, and my car isn’t my own personal billboard either. But, that’s me!

Now, you won’t have to ask, presume or ASSUME (do the break down of that word; don’t MAKE me break out my crayons and draw you a picture!) any differently! And, by the way . . . . it is none of your business! And, your personal and/or intimate life is none of mine! We are all children of God, and our choices (unless they harm another person) are OURS – to make, pursue, and answer to God for!

Please be kind to one another – we all have our own struggles and need to see a friendly face to remind us that we aren’t fighting this fight alone! Thank you!

Christmas 2010

2010-12-28T15:10:00.000-08:00

So I have decided, in the last few years or so, that I really need to try to give meaningful gifts for Christmas. And meaningful, to me, means something that is hand-made, something that will promote memory making moments (like a board game or puzzle) or some type of gift with heirloom potential.

This Christmas, I made watches for the women in my family. For my 3 sisters and my sister-in-law, I made them each a watch that was a color that they wear/like. I tried very hard to match every piece of it to their personalities and style.

For example, one sister is not about girly, blingy jewelry, so hers is cute and chunky. Another sister is simply elegant, so hers was pearls, in two colors and some accent beads. The face on hers was screaming her name, when I found it!

The hairdresser sister is all about big, blingy jewelry, so even the watch face is big and blingy! That was my first one – and what fun it was to discover that I LIKE to bead! Who knew???

My sister, DeAwna, has been beading for years, but I never had any interest in pursuing that hobby. When I told her that I had done a beading project (I didn’t give her any details, because I didn’t want to spoil the surprise!!); she said “WHO is this???” Then we both laughed!

The best part of giving gifts like this – I am just as excited to see them open the gifts as they are to open them. That is the joy of giving!

I am thankful for my savior, Jesus Christ, who gave His life for me – with just as much joy of giving.

The only sad part of Christmas is that it does end, and we have to wait 364 more days for it to come around again. Maybe I will think of some really great way to make that feeling last all year round!

The Results are in!

2010-12-17T05:01:00.000-08:00

I have conducted an in-depth study: The Benefits of Cheap Toilet Paper. The following is a list of benefits that I have discovered:

Oh, that's right - THERE ARE NONE!!!!!!

Do the math, people! Yes, you buy that 64-pack of TP that is one measly ply, and you pay 1/3 the price for it. But, when you have to buy said 64-pack 4 times in the same month, is it REALLY saving you money? Considering a person has to use HALF the roll to do the job correctly???

Obviously this is a pet peeve of mine . . .

Been on a blogger vacay . . . no, more like a strike!!

2010-11-11T15:00:00.000-08:00

It has been waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too long since I have posted on my blog. And, I have really missed the therapy that comes with venting/talking to myself/thinking out loud! I must make a point to do better with this!

Many Mighty Miracles

2010-05-14T17:07:00.000-07:00

Jorge’s sister, Ilse, had announced to us that she was to be married, in the Salt Lake Temple, on May 1, 2010. She is part of the reason that Jorge moved to the United States, and she has been here for 20 years from Colombia. Another motivating factor for attending the wedding was the fact that Jorge’s brother, Harold, and his sister, Angela, were both going to be there. They both live in Canada – on either ends of the continent, but I had not ever met either of them.

Jorge was going to Utah, for the wedding. He asked me if I wanted to go. Of course I WANTED to go, but since I have been unemployed for most of the past year, I didn’t know if I could get off of work, at the US Census Bureau to go. Also, HOW were we going to get there??? I don’t have a vehicle, and his BMW, while a “nice” car ***cough, cough, ya right! Cough, cough*** is NOT in prime working condition.

We looked into plane tickets – NOPE, too much money! We tried the car rental option, but we don’t have any major credit cards (for obvious reasons! No job to keep up payments being one of them!!) and nobody will rent with just a debit card anymore . . . well, not without promising your first-born and any functioning limbs as collateral!

So, after I had asked and been granted the time off, we climbed in Jorge’s Beemer and prayed A LOT! We both prefer to travel at night, and in the warmer months, it is a no-brainer. So, we left on Wednesday, April 28. We didn’t have any “extra” money, and were praying that we would not have any extra expenses, other than gas and food, along the way!

We arrived in Salt Lake around 3 pm on Thursday afternoon, in one piece and without ANY problems with the car! Another tender mercy of the Lord! We felt truly blessed.

And, upon arrival, we discovered that there was to be a SURPRISE Bridal shower for Ilse that evening. I had arranged for us to stay at my aunt’s home, but she lives 40 miles from Salt Lake, and I did NOT want to meet Ilse’s friends without showering first!! Especially after 18 hours in the car! (We stopped to rest a few times, along the way!)

Anyway, the shower was fun! She was so surprised and it was great to see her sooooooooooo happy! It is exciting to see people so happy in love.

It was great to meet Angela, one of Jorge’s other sisters. She made some delicious food for the shower, and had actually been working on things for the shower ALL DAY on Thursday. (She arrived on Wednesday evening)

Some friends of the Zapata family live there, in Sandy. They have known Alejandro Hernandez and his family since they were children. Anyway, they invited us to sleep at their home. It was a LOT closer, and we were so tired! So, we slept in their son’s queen size bed, and I, for one, slept like a LOG!!!

Friday morning, Angela called and let us know what the plan was for the day. Ilse and Ted had some errands to run, and then we were all to meet for lunch. Then Ilse had an appointment to get her nails done, and have a pedicure. Lucky Jorge got to hang out with the girls for the day!

It was a treat to get to know Angela and talk to her. And Ilse was just giddy and excited all day. I have never seen her smile so much! (Of course, I have never spent more than an hour at a time with her, and have spent more time on the phone with her than anything else!)

The plan for the evening was a little vague – the only thing that we knew for sure was that Harold’s flight arrived a little after 9pm and we would all be going to the airport. This truly was another of the miracles that weekend – these 4 siblings have not all been in the same country for YEARS!! 20 to be exact!! (I will mention, here, that there are 7 children in the Zapata family. I have met one other sister, Martha, when she visited from Colombia, in 2006. His sister, Judita, and his brother, Gonzalo, live in Colombia, too.)

Ilse had not seen Harold for 20 years, since she left Colombia, in 1990; Jorge had not seen Harold since 1999, when he left Colombia. So, everyone was excited, but I don’t think anyone was more excited than Ilse!! I personally was just excited to get to know one more sibling of Jorge’s. And, it is always interesting to watch one’s spouse interact with his siblings! ;)

Thank goodness Ilse had scheduled her sealing ceremony for the afternoon, on Saturday! The weather, all week, had been cloudy, cold and snowy or rainy! Ilse told me that she had been planning, for a long time, to have a party on May 1, 2010, because it was her 20 year anniversary of being in the United States. When Ted proposed, she said, “Okay! May 1 is the day!” She got her party, but now it was a double whammy!!

So, she rented a gown with SHORT sleeves, because May is usually so beautiful and springy! The next miracle was the weather . . . although at 8:30 am it was snowing, by 2 pm the sun was shining through the clouds and there was not a drop of precipitation to be felt or seen!

One thing that happened that was NOT so miraculous: I had forgotten, in AZ, my shoes that were NOT sandals or flip flops. So, Jorge and I had gone to Wal Mart to pick up some shoes that would work with my outfit and would be presentable. Anyway, after we bought them, I purposely left them in the car, so that I would not forget them for the wedding. Well, when it came time to put them on . . . my ever so helpful husband had taken them OUT of the car, at Alejo’s house! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!! So, I was the most casually-dressed wedding guest, because I had flip flops on. At least they were something other than the cheapy rubber ones. They have some bling on them . . . and I just focused on who and what was more important!

Anyway, as we were waiting, in the temple, for the ceremony to start, the officiator walked into the room. I was seated right next to Harold. I heard Harold gasp, and then he said, “That is my mission president!” The man stopped, and asked us to excuse him for a minute, he needed to greet one of his sons. He and Harold exchanged a hug, and brushed their eyes. It was so cool. Ilse told us later that the man had asked her, as he got to know she and Ted before the ceremony, if she was related to Harold, so he knew that he would find Harold there. That was a tender mercy too.

After the ceremony was the proverbial photography session! It was a great way to meet a lot of new family and old friends of both Ted and Ilse. The weather was still holding out and beautiful! A little chilly, but sun shining and bright!

The reception was really dinner at the Lion House. Wow, that was some YUMMY food! Who could say no to those rolls??? Jorge took my camera and played candid shot photographer, while the paid professional took pictures of the bride and groom and whomever they wanted to pose with. (that is one of the things that I love about Jorge – he thinks photos are just as important as I do!!)

So EXCITING!!

2010-04-01T09:57:00.000-07:00

It's a HAPPY day for the
Zap Family!!

Cough, cough, April Fools! Cough, cough

The River of Denial . .. .

2010-03-25T22:37:00.000-07:00

and me without a paddle!!! YIKES!

Yep, it is true . . . being human myself, I have taken a few trips down that grand ole river. (It must be grand, we all seem to want to spend so much time on it!!!)

Anyway! Although I have been suspecting the worst for quite a while now, today my fears were confirmed, and my hopes were dashed.

My mom - my amazing, loving, giving, caring mother - is certifiably losing her memory, most probably to Alzheimer's. Like I said, I have been afraid of that for a while, but it seems different now; a doctor, a medical professional, has verified it. They recommend that she not even be in the kitchen unsupervised. (Any of you who know what an amazing cook my mom has always been will appreciate how devastating that is for her family!)

I'm a little sad and mourning, really, the loss of her amazing memory. It still is amazing, about some things. But, since I wasn't around when she was a child, I can hardly dispute the memories that she shares!

I heard a quote . . . I actually think it was on a television program . . . the man said, "I lost my mother 12 years before she died .. . to Alzheimer's!" That is how I feel . .. I am losing her; LONG before I am ready to let her go!!

I'm gonna go, before I depress anyone else!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-14T21:52:00.000-08:00

It is so cool to have a different perspective on Valentine's Day!

For all of my single years, I had nothing but bad things to say about February 14th!! I always called it "Crapentines Day" or "Single Awareness Day".

Now that I have been married for the last three Valentine's Days . . . I have learned to relax. Well, besides the fact that I have a sweetheart to smooch on Valentine's Day!

For all the cynicism about it being a commercial holiday, it really is a nice excuse to let people know that you're thinking about them.

Anyway . . . I hope that everyone had a nice day! February is BEE-YOO-TI-FUL in Mesa, Arizona! So we spent the late afternoon at the park - with 1/2 the population of Mesa! But it was fun to people-watch and enjoy the 76 degree weather!!

The Trial Period is Over . . .

2010-01-23T13:43:00.000-08:00

. . . and we are OFFICIALLY into the year 2010! To me, that is CRAZY!! I very clearly remember 1/1/2000 like it was yesterday, and now we are here, ten years later!! YIKES!!

So, I've been a slackin' blogger, part of that being the lack of internet availability in my life! But that time has past and I am redevoted and rededicated to sharing, or at least, saying something, as often as I can!

I am now a full-time college student . . . AGAIN!! I haven't had any luck finding a permanent, full-time job, and I have ALWAYS wanted to be a teacher . . . so, here we go!

I started with a basic computer class in the winter session. 4 weeks, crammed into the winter break between semesters. I am pretty computer savvy, since I have been using them for MANY years now, so I felt pretty confident that I would be okay.
For a moment, though, I thought that I would have to drop the class, when I had a computer issue for my first assignment due date, and then went to Denver on Christmas Day and forgot my books! But, thanks to some great helpers in my family, (Thanks Dad and Jeremy!!) I made it over that first little hump.
Long story short, I got an "A"!! Woo hoo!!! Not a bad re-entry for someone who hasn't studied any type of school for 19 years . . . wow, I didn't realize, until just now, that it has been so long!
Anyway, I'm very enthusiastic about this new adventure! And, when it is all said and done, I will be helping 5 year olds learn, and learning from them.

I'm Back to Work . . .

2009-11-13T21:15:00.000-08:00

ya, I had mentioned, at least on FB, that I got a job . . . . that starts in January! And, it is a temp job, AND it is located in West Phoenix . . . I could go on, but I won't!

Then, just when I thought I was gonna be a temporary replacement employee at Fry's . . . my favorite temp agency called me up, and got me another hook up! WOO HOO!! (That same agency got me my 3.5 year gig at the job I recently was laid off from!)

So, I start Monday . . . it's in Tempe . . . apparently I don't need to work anywhere else! LOL I'm excited to go back to work, and THE BEST PART??? A Paycheck! Beats the measly unemployment check, ANY DAY!!!

So, if this new job goes permanent, I WON'T be taking that temp job in January; but with good reason!

Wish me luck! Have a great weekend!!

I Don't Care WHO You Are . . .

2009-11-07T15:32:00.001-08:00

. . . or what kind of music you prefer/hate! You gotta hear a song from George Strait's new album, TWANG. It is called "The Breath You Take" . . . It is an amazing message, and something that I need to be reminded of! (And not to mention the fact that I am sitting in the library, listening to my ipod, getting all teary, while I type this!)

Give it a go, if you dare!! ♥

What the HECK???

2009-11-06T14:14:00.000-08:00

Okay, I don't think that I have EVER gone this long between posts! I feel like a great big slacker, but that is just one of the small circumstances that comes from not having a job to earn "REAL" money, and therefore NOT having money to pay for internet service! You gotta prioritize, you know?? Ya, that's all I am gonna say about that!!

Lots going on in the ZAP family! Unfortunately, we have NOT inherited $1 million dollars, won a new car, or found the fountain of youth! Just more of everyday life stuff!
However, {and there WILL be photographic evidence provided later!} we did go to the 9/11 Peace Garden, became great-aunt and great-uncle when our niece had a baby, adopted a pup - {that topic deserves an entire entry . . . don't worry, it will eventually appear!!}, and are just living the life, dreamin' the dream, and learning what we can live without, in these days of economic famine!

I'll be back, don't worry!
♥

What A Week!!

2009-09-05T13:11:00.000-07:00

My niece, Kayla, has been living and working in Virginia, since May. So, her mom, Karalee, flew out there, last Sunday, to drive home with her.

Karalee asked me to stay at her house, with her other 2 teenagers. Okay, I don't have a "real job" right now, so my schedule is pretty open.

Well, the kids were good - that wasn't the issue! The issues were . . . .

1) I don't sleep well when I'm not in my own bed. I'm not sure why that is, but it is true! (thus clearing up any question as to why I'm not a professional house-sitter!!)

2) Brody, the family dog, was having some health issues and was wandering the house ALL NIGHT LONG

3) Every day, after the kids left for school, I would go home and take a shower and change clothes, etc. That wears on you . . . . when you don't have your own comfy clothes to change into, at any random hour of the day!

4) My sister's computer, while semi-functional, would NOT allow me to send emails from my email box. It is a little difficult to apply for jobs when you can't send an email, or are not able to access your resume! (Ya, I renamed it a "crap"top!!)

5) Jorge works nights . . . and on the days that he is scheduled, I don't see him much anyway, but this week . . . we spoke on the phone while he was at work. And, other than the fact that we spent most of the day together on Wednesday, that was all.

6) and the biggest bummer! I had to take Brody to be put down, at the vet. This poor dog - he has been such a loyal family member, friend to all (Including the little kids!!) and a big part of the family for 9 years. But, he hadn't been eating, and he had started to swell. The last 2 nights, he didn't sleep at all, because it hurt to lay down and then get up. So all night long I heard his toenails on the hardwood floors of my sister's house.

His paws were sweating, that's how sick this poor dog was! When we arrived at the vet, the Dr. said that he probably had a cardio vascular condition, and that is where all the swelling was coming from. And apparently it is common in Boxers.

So, that was VERY emotional . . . . thank goodness Jorge was with me! Thanks honey!

Anyway, all of this added up to a very stressful week . . . . adding the burden, of course, of paying the rent, since another month is upon us!

Thus, I feel that I need a vacation from my unemployment induced vacation . . . . . . I'm thinking, ". . . some beach, some where . . . "

Hqppy 29th, Tina!!

2009-09-02T21:03:00.001-07:00

Today is Tina's birthday! She's 29 .. . . again! LOL

She is a most treasured friend - we've been through a lot of muddy waters of life together! I love her and her family, and am so glad that we met on that fateful day 22 years ago, as missionaries!

We've seen a LOT of things change in this crazy world, and hopefully we will see many more good things together!

Thanks for all you do and are, Tina! Love you!

It's a wrap!

2009-08-31T22:25:00.000-07:00

, . . the month of August, I mean!

I can't BELIEVE how fast this month has flown . . . . even for the unemployed!

But, not here to talk about my lack of job, today! Nope, I'm here to brag . . . . . about my little*** nephew, Chase!

He plays on the varsity football team, for Mesa High School ... . . go Jackrabbits!! Anyway, they had their first game last Friday, and HE, apparently, was one of the stars of the show! They won, and he made some people (besides the boys he knocked over!!) stand up and take notice!

http://www.azcentral.com/video/?type=mavenfull&id=mavensingle&videoID=1231787750

And then, in Sunday's paper, we read this: http://www.azcentral.com/php-bin/clicktrack/email.php/8910399 ***Did you notice the height and weight on this man-child??? I was being TOTALLY facetious when I said "little"!!

Breakthrough!

2009-08-26T23:17:00.000-07:00

Tonight I had a breakthrough - call it emotional, spiritual, or diabolical! I went to a Professional Business Networking meeting sponsored by Employment Services of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

I didn't really want to go . . . I had been on the computer earlier, and applied for some jobs . . . wasn't that enough?? Then, upon further thought, I realized that I need to do ALL I can, to find a job, and be pro-active in any possible way that I can. So, I went!

After a brief "Me in 30 Seconds" from everyone (there were about 30 people there!), we heard from a guest, Dr. Dennis Deaton, of Quma Learning. He was AMAZING!!!! (Sorry . . . I couldn't make the link work!!) His company does workshops on thought processes, and how much control we have over our thoughts; and how people can make their thoughts positively affect their jobs, their health and their lives.

I have to say that I had no idea how much I was inhibiting my own success. And I truly needed to be reminded how much my Heavenly Father loves me, and WANTS me to be happy!

A few weeks ago, a friend from high school, (who, thanks to FaceBook, I have reconnected with!) told me about his own experience with MAKING his own success! He said, "I had $7 in my pocket, and a desire to show everyone who said I couldn't, that I could be a success!" I was inspired by his drive and sorta wished I had some of that drive. Well, tonight I discovered, or should I say, RE-discovered, that drive for myself, and I WANT to be a success at what I want to do - my job will NOT define me, and I will do what I WANT TO DO, to 1) provide for myself/family and 2) Make a difference in the lives of others.

I am the one who is in control of my attitude -- NOBODY else! So, I'm gonna be busy cleaning out the cobwebs in my thought control center . . . No more room for doom and gloom! And, I have taken some wishes and written them down . . . NOW they are goals!! AND, I have a timeline for accomplishing them! Go ME!!!

Happy Birthday and Surprise!

2009-08-17T23:01:00.000-07:00

So, Sunday was Jorge's birthday - he decided that he is going backwards, so he is now 48 . . . again! The poor man - he worked Saturday night, and then came home to try to sleep for a while, before church. Every time he would get to sleep, his phone would ring, with a call from another friend or loved one, wishing him "Happy Birthday!" But, he loved hearing from everyone!

After church, we were headed to my sister's house for dinner: Chicken enchiladas, salad, chips and salsa, and some amazing vegetable medley, with cheesecake for the birthday boys! (My brother, Jeremy, had his birthday on Saturday!)

So, we had finished dinner, and the door opens- in walks DeAwna, my sister who lives in Denver, CO! My mom's face was PRICELESS - she almost dropped her jaw on the floor!!

DeAwna had decided that she REALLY needed a vacation, and she wanted to see a comedy show with some friends, and she DROVE (the craziest part!) from Denver, to spend a week in the oven . . . er, Mesa, AZ.

It was supposed to be a surprise for ALL of us, except my sister, Karalee, and her BFF, Megan. But, she caved a couple of weeks ago, and told me about it! It is good to see her, and since I currently have no job, I will be able to spend more time with her, this visit.

Oh, and I got to give HER a surprise .... . I am making her a memorial album of her first and oldest dog, Shasta. (See my blog entry for 8/01/09) My niece, MaiCee and I spent 3 hours looking through my collection of photos and scrapbooks to come up with decent amount of photos! The coolest part is that I found photos of her with ALMOST all of my nieces and nephews! She loved the kids!

Ya, we stayed up until 2 am last night . . . . I am really starting to feel it! {YAWN!!}

WORLD - REVOLVING AROUND . . . .

2009-08-12T21:01:00.000-07:00

. . . apparently EVERYONE but me!!

I had an interesting experience today - and I say "interesting" for 2 reasons:
1. I could've gone ballistic and turned into mega-beast
2. I cannot believe people sometimes . . . it never ceases to surprise me, nonetheless!

Okay, so, I was baby-sitting my cousin's daughters today, while he met with some clients, and then he called and said that he had a job interview, and could I possibly stay? I told him that I was fine with that, but I needed to run a couple of errands, and then come back to his house.

So, I ran {really, I drove my car, but you know what I mean!!} to Wal Mart, to pick up Jorge's Rx. Silly me!! I forgot that they close for lunch, when there is only one pharmacist on duty . . . which was apparently the case today! But, there was a regular Wal Mart worker there, and I asked her when they would re-open. She replied, "2:00 o'clock!" Then she walked away.
Well, it was 1:58 pm, so I had 2 minutes to wait.

Meanwhile, I am being patient and waiting in the "pick up" line. And, this older gentleman walks up to the drop-off window . . . and of course was very disappointed to see that they were closed. Being a kind stranger, I quickly informed the gentleman and his daughter that they were about to open in 2 minutes.

So the time quickly past and the pharmacist began opening the door and windows to the pharmacy. She approached the "drop off" window, after she opened them both. And, if it were me, being the one standing at that window, I would've said, "Oh, that person over there was here first. Maybe you should help her first." But . . . . NO!! The gentleman {obviously a term used very loosely here!!} didn't say a word and proceeded to place his order with her.

Considering others seems to have become something that is lost, these days! I was in line first . . . and like I said, I could've gone ballistic about it! Instead I will file this in my "life's experiences" file, as a reminder to consider others AT ALL TIMES!

I will say that little things like this can make a huge difference in people's lives . . . . let's all consider our brothers and sisters in the world, huh???

Whew - 2 soap box sessions in a row . . . .

No one ever . . . is to blame!

2009-08-06T17:27:00.000-07:00

Ya, that IS a line from a Howard Jones song! I'm not really sure that I understand what that song is about, but to me, that line is not true!

However, I am NOT someone who sits around trying to blame someone! Yesterday, I watched the movie "Breach" . . . didn't know what the subject matter was, and really there weren't any BIG Hollywood names in it. But, it was based on a true story, and it was good - not in some "Entertain me and make me laugh" way, but informative and interesting.

Anyway, the point of bringing up that movie is this; one quote from the movie was this "At the the end of the day the "WHY??" doesn't matter! You're still who you are!" Yep, I agree WHOLEHEARTEDLY with that!!

Why did she turn to prostitution for herself and her daughters?? Doesn't matter, she still made the choice! Why did he sell drugs and have to go to jail?? Doesn't matter, he made that choice!
Why do people lie and hurt others? Doesn't matter, they make their choices.

I'm approaching the soapbox again, people, but I have to . . . . vent, if you will, for a bit! And hey, this is MY blog, so, here I go!!

I firmly believe that ALL people, regardless of religion, political party or sexual orientation, are born with a sense of right and wrong. I think that this sense gets lost in the confusion, for many of us, but I feel that it is there. Knowing my Heavenly Father the way that I do, I can say that He has given us ALL that gift, not just a few of us.

So, having said that, I must tie the two ideas together --
* Ya, your mom might be a psycho about shopping, and always spent the food money on"stuff", but that DOESN'T mean you get to blame her for your eating disorder!

*Ya, your dad might have been {or still is!!} a workaholic, but that doesn't mean that you get to play the "you should feel guilty and enable my bad habits" card for the rest of your life!

*Ya, the kids were mean to you in 4th and 5th grade, but that doesn't mean that you get to be a BEAST to the rest of the world for the rest of your life!

*Ya, your parents didn't communicate well with each other, but that doesn't mean that you get to have a husband/wife that you're not happy with, and still have a significant other on the side!

I will be the FIRST to tell you all, as I have said before, that I am FAR from perfect, but I don't sit around looking for someone to blame! At work, at home, or anywhere else! It is counter-productive, and it just creates more hate!

Let's all stop blaming others - from family members to local/national politicians, and try to work it out! We can all find the best way to be human beings together on this little planet, if we stop blaming and criticizing and start suggesting ways to make it a better place. And THEN do the work that it takes to change it!

Okay, I'm done now . . . ♥ ♥ ♥

We Love You, Shasta!

2009-08-01T00:02:00.000-07:00

Today our family, and especially Shasta's mom, DeAwna, bids farewell to this soul that has truly been part of the family! Even though she moved away 4 years ago, to Colorado, we still think about her and love her. Now we will miss her that much more!

She came to our family because DeAwna is an animal lover and rescued her from a shelter . . . I think she was at the County pound. Anyway, that was 15 years ago . . . and she walked all over our hearts from day one!

She was always so patient with all the children, from infants on up, that wanted to climb on her, pet her, pull her tail, and drag her around on a leash. Many of the Bailey family grandkids have memories of her . . .

DeAwna, I wanted to write you a poem, but these things can't be forced, you know?? So, I found this quote, and then I will recycle a poem that I wrote 18 years ago, that I think fits this situation well.

"Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace."
Milan Kundera

Picking up the pieces

Of what life used to be

A soft, yet brilliant, memory

Rushes back to me.

A moment full of laughter

And then a time of trial;

Quickly memories come

Bringing tears, and then a smile.

So many memories

To help heal the empty pain

To keep loved ones near the heart

Til we're safely together again.

Tears fall on the pictures

That I see in my mind's eye.

Can I possibly go on?

Memories give me strength to try.

- Kaelene B Zapata, 1991

We love you, Shasta! Go to your eternal rest and know that we look forward to seeing you again someday!

7%

2009-07-29T20:39:00.000-07:00

That was the title of the email that a friend sent me, that I am about to share with all of you {all 2.5 of you! LOL} I read it, and found it very profound, and LOVED it! So, instead of just mass emailing it, and proving myself to be one of the 7% of the population that would pass it on - to the joy of some and the annoyance of others - I'm postin' it on my blog!
Here goes!

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone...
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone.. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.
10.When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood.. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion, Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone and everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give it time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back. 41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

I've high-lighted a few of my favorites with green . . . I think this is one smart lady!
Enjoy!

Look Up!

2009-07-22T10:28:00.000-07:00

Many years ago I learned that looking for negative things is a no-brainer . . . there's LOTS of negatives out there! So, my challenge for myself, these last {many} days has been to LOOK, intently and seriously, for the positive! That can be a REAL challenge, when you've been laid off twice in 4 months!

Anyway . . . I am truly blessed in so many ways, and to me, money is just a necessary evil in life, so I can't make it my obsession or my primary concern! Yes, things are tight, but hey, when GREAT things happen, like getting my DirectTV service back for pennies on the dollar of what I owe, I gotta be happy! {I don't watch a LOT, but what I do watch, I was missing terribly!!}

So many people have been so supportive and helpful and prayer goes a LONG way - thank you so much! So looking up - to Heavenly Father, to see the beauty in this world His hands have made, to see hope, is what I have to remember to do!

And, like a new favorite {country} song of mine says, "Sounds like life to me, plain old destiny - Yeah the only thing for certain is uncertainty! You gotta hold on tight, just enjoy the ride! Get used to all this unpredictability! Sounds like life to me!"

Sometimes life is just another 4-letter word, but it is the greatest gift that we've got and making the best of each situation is where the challenge lies. Keep looking up, for rainbows and showers! ♥

Though Deepening Trials . . .

2009-07-11T22:20:00.000-07:00

Wow, I don't know that I have ever experienced "deepening trials" before. . . . but today I can say that I understand EXACTLY what that phrase means!

Yesterday afternoon, while at my new, gonna be permanent full-time job, my manager came into my office to talk to me. She closed the door -- NOT a good sign, but I was optimistic! Then, she proceeded to tell me that the upper management had a big budget meeting the day before, and while the Tempe location is doing fine, two others are not, and so everybody has to do what they can to cut back. So, the natural, FIRST choice -- cut all temps!

She was as surprised as I was, because I had already done the drug screen! The 20th was to be my first official day as an employee there . . .

Ya, deepening trial #1!

{And, I will say here, that we were just starting to get all the wolves at the door AWAY from the door, and were almost there, when this happened!}

Then, Jorge tells me, last evening at 6:30 pm, as I am leaving to watch Michelle's girls, while they go to a baseball game, "I think I need to go to the hospital . . . I feel very bad!" He has been feeling NOT himself for about 6 weeks, and 3 weeks ago, he went to a free health screen at one of those mini clinics that Walgreen's has. At that visit, the nurse practitioner told him that she didn't understand how he was sitting in front of her, and NOT in the hospital, because his blood sugar level was 394!!

So, when that happened, I scrambled to get the health insurance through the temporary agency that is currently my employer, so that he could go to the doctor, and get on some meds, get a diet plan, and be fine. Well, he never did go . . .

Fast forward to last night - so, we call the 24 hour nurse hotline, and ask for a nurse that speaks Spanish, to call us back. Meanwhile he tells me to go ahead and go to Michelle's. So, the nurse calls back, Jorge tells her his symptoms, {one of them being the fact that he has lost 40 lbs in 3 weeks!!} and she says, "you need to go to the Emergency room!"

So, thankfully Peter and Michelle were more than understanding, and I was off the hook for babysitting. I returned to the house, picked Jorge up, and we were off to the ER at Banner Desert.

In triage, the place where they do a quick pre-exam, they did a reading of his blood sugar; the machine doesn't read above 500. So, after waiting a few minutes, the machine, because it doesn't have a number to describe his level, gives us a "critically high" reading. You would be amazed what kind of response that gets you, in the ER!! None of this waiting 2 and 3 hours stuff, man! They took us right back to the pre-screening room.

After some initial info for the nurse, the Dr. came and spoke to Jorge; then within 20 minutes more, he was sitting in the Procedure area, with an IV drip of insulin.

So, long story short -- tonight he is spending night #2 in the hospital. We are hoping that he will be able to come home tomorrow, but his blood sugar has to be between 80 and 100 before the Dr. will consider sending him home.

I tried to stick it out, all night with him last night, {we didn't get up to a room until 2:40 am -- I guess they were busy last night!} but I couldn't get comfortable in the chair. Yes, it does recline, but still, not my bed! So, I left there at 4 am, and came home and slept for a few hours. Then, I got up, showered, and went back to the hospital, where I spend most of my day. I did leave to run a few errands, while he was asleep, but otherwise, that is where I was.

Preservation of life really is more important than a job, but shove them both together in my bucket of worries -- WOW!!

I'm looking for silver linings, though, in those storm clouds!! They gotta be there somewhere!

And, I've already sent out 8 resumes, and told my rep at the temp agency that I'll take anything, a day job, a week . . . I just can't go without $$$!

Please keep the Zapata family in your prayers! I know there is strength in numbers, especially when it comes to faith and prayer! ♥

May They Rest in Peace

2009-06-26T21:42:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Thursday, June 25, 2009, two fellow human beings left their earthly existence. It is more known and more people are affected, because of their celebrity lives.

Many people may not remember how truly pioneering Michael Jackson was, as a musician, and performer. And, as one of the DJs on the radio said this morning, " . . . anybody under 25 may not even know that he was ever anything but . . . well, wierd!" Having said that, I choose to remember the MANY MANY MANY hours that I spent listening to "Thriller" (the entire album); it was the first cassette that I ever bought with my OWN money, and I don't remember if I had to buy a second copy, because of how many times I listened to it.

He was a poet, a singer, ". . . a lover, not a fighter" and part of a family - a son, a father, a brother, and, more than once, a husband.

I feel badly that his children will only have memories (and other people's input!) to remember their father by.

But, for whatever reason, his time on this earth was done. I hope that he will be at peace, now.

And then, the lovely Farrah. She had beautiful hair . . . even being as sick as she was, in the last months of her life, her hair looked great. Obviously I never knew her personally, but she seemed very genuine, and she and the other "Angels" gave us girls hope for a "real" career, and not just the everyday, run of the mill girl stuff!

I admire her for her work as a victim's advocate for abused women. I am glad that she found a purpose, a drive, to help others, after she played roles for movies, and realized that that kind of crap happens, in real life, and that there was a need. She was a great example of looking outside herself to help others.

No matter how priviledged they both were, because of their talents and careers and wealth, they had to go when their time was up. May their friends and family find the peace that they need, because I'm pretty sure they are in a MUCH more peaceful and loving place, even though we don't understand that fully now.

Rest in peace, Angel Farrah and Little Prince Michael.

Random Saturday thoughts

2009-06-20T10:11:00.000-07:00

Okay, tomorrow's Father's Day - what shall I do for my dad??? He loves food, so maybe a gift card - hard to do with no money!!

Wanna get Jorge hooked up with Skype, so he can talk to his kids in Colombia. Does anyone have a web cam that they would like to recommend??

I don't have the urge to do housework today . . . guess I'll organize scrappy stuff instead! :)

I'm excited for my tomatoes to start showing up on my plants . . . NOTHIN' better than homegrown tomatoes! :p

I miss scrapping with my MAS friends . . . really, girls, anyone else got a hankering???

Oh well, off to get myself motivated to organize! Enjoy your Saturday!

You say it's your birthday!!

2009-06-16T11:58:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday, Wyatt!
Today Wyatt is 7 years old . . . yikes! Time has flown by so quickly since this little guy was born.
He was born on Father’s Day – what a great gift for my brother, huh?? His first ever ACTUAL Father’s Day, he gets a kid as a gift! TOP THAT, HALLMARK!!! LOL
Wyatt, I love playing games with you and watching your imagination take you away!
I hope you have a good day! ♥ And MANY more Happy Birthdays!

Sisters' Weekend - A BIT late . . . and it's a LONG story!!

2009-06-12T18:04:00.000-07:00

Sisters are friends that decided to make to best of a family situation! ♥
(These are some BEE-Yoo-tiful flowers in DeNeece's yard!)

Sisters’ Weekend, 2009
My sisters and I have decided to have a weekend, just one, once a year with no kids, pets or husbands around to bother, eavesdrop or otherwise distract. So, this was our maidenship voyage, if you will!
Ironically, the weekend was decided before any of us consulted a calendar, and it ended up being Mother’s Day weekend. (I don’t have time to go into how much grief I took from Jorge, about not spending Mother’s Day WITH my mother!!)
This year, since we didn’t have a LOT of advance planning/saving time, we stayed at DeNeece’s house, while she sent her husband, kids and dogs on a camping trip, to happen immediately after school Friday. So that’s how the arrangements were made for “Hotel Tippie” for the weekend. We made a menu and planned to eat most of our meals at DeNeece’s house.
Anyway, DeAwna flew to Ontario, CA from Denver, and Karalee and I drove to Riverside, CA from Mesa. DeAwna arrived at a decent hour of 6 pm or so, whereas Karalee and I arrived at 2:00 am. Don’t think for a minute that the late hour of our arrival deterred us from talking, laughing and {even} snoozing for a while before the official bedtime came around. {I think that bedtime may have been around 3:30 am, but I can’t be sure, as I was already sawing logs by then!}
Friday morning we slept til 8:30 or so – that IS sleeping in for all of us, on a weekday morning! DeAwna made us breakfast of fruit, yogurt and granola . . . . YUM!! Then we had to decide what exactly we were going to do – the options were limitless!
We had talked, originally, about having a spa day, but then decided that our money would be better spent shopping! We talked about the Orange County Market, (a huge swap meet style market, at the Orange County Fairgrounds) but found out that they aren’t open on Fridays.
What’s the next best thing??? Clothes, of course!! So, we headed to Ross – I ♥ ♥ ♥ that store! Nice looking, good quality clothes for less money.
2 hours later we walked out of there, heavy laden with our purchases.
We headed back to DeNeece’s house for lunch – she had made some YUMMY pork roast for burritos! After relaxing for a little bit, we headed out to the movie theater.
We had gone back and forth about what we wanted to see, but settled on “The Soloist”. It is a good movie, but not the “happily ever after” ending that one may hope for – but, it IS based on a true story, so real life isn’t {very often} about “happily ever after!!!
DeNeece’s softball team had a game, so that was what we had planned for the evening. She couldn’t miss the game, because too many people (including her husband, the camper) were going to be gone that night.
DeAwna, Karalee and I had fun, sitting in the bleachers, cat-calling the players and just people watching in general.
After the game, we went for a little more shopping, at Old Navy and Target, before we headed home with our fast-food supper and plans to watch a movie and just chill! DeNeece had prepped us for “Seven Pounds”, with Will Smith, but when movie time came around, it was nowhere to be found! So, we settled for “Hitch” {another Will Smith treat} instead! LOVE THAT MOVIE! My favorite part is the allergic reaction and the Benadryl cocktail!
Saturday morning, we were headed to the beach - Oceanside, near San Diego, to be precise. But, not before we made another stop at Ross . . . and lots of drama there!
They are remodeling and adding on to the strip mall, where Ross is located. So, they have cut a BIG chunk out of the parking lot – frustration #1. Then, the customer service situation, much to our chagrin, was LACKING, to say the least, inside the store!! One employee (I believe she was the manager – YIKES!!) even said “If people don’t pay attention {to how the lines go}that’s not my problem!” You’re right, ma’am – if none of these people are YOUR problem, then they can just shop somewhere else, and when you lose your job, because the store has to close – not THEIR problem!!
Then, after that pleasant experience, we get out to the parking lot, and some moron has parked in the part of the parking lot that has been remarked for driving through – HELLO!! We couldn’t resist leaving a not-so-nice note, so that they were sure to recognize their moronishness!! (not sure that’s a word, but hey, it’s my blog and I’ll make up words if I want too!)
By the time we were near the beach, we were hungry! So we stopped for a little Mexican food. And, the weather was . . . . I’ll say “cool”. To us Arizonans, it was COLD, but to the girl who lives in Colorado, it was nice.
It was funny to see people, on the beach, in their beach chairs, covering up with their towels! We tried to lay out for a little bit, but then the wind picked up. We did use plenty of sunblock, because those rays penetrate clouds, no matter the temperature, so we weren’t taking any chances. Actually, I think I was the only one using sunblock . . . .the other girls were using tanning oil!
Not many people were in the water, and I can tell you . . . BRRRRRR!!! I walked down to try it out, and just to get my feet wet.
Our brother, Bart, and his friend, Carolyn, and her daughter drove from Temecula, to meet us. We sat around talking for a little while, but their hunger pains got the best of them, so they left to go get lunch. But, not before we made plans to meet at DeNeece’s house for dinner.
I made stir fry for dinner – YUM! Lots of yummy vegetables and chicken . . . my sisters helped with the food prep, thank goodness! That’s a LOT of choppin’, y’all!!
After dinner we were just hangin’ out and talking and watching “What Happens in Vegas” – THAT is a funny movie!
Ashton Kucther is so cute – he is soooooooooo much an overgrown child! Or at least so he seems in the parts that he plays . . . . and plays well, I might add! Cute movie, though there is some “adult” humor that used to be rated “R”!
It was another late night – but we were all okay with that. Church wasn’t til 12:30 (right, Deece???), so we did get to sleep in a little! What woke us? The yapping of the family dogs and the children returning from their camping trip. But it was fun to watch them hug their mommy and wish her “Happy Mother’s Day” and give her their gifts.
I spent most of the morning working on our First Annual Sisters’ Weekend CD – we had previously made lists, each one of us, of some of the songs that we remember from our growing up years. We compared lists, put the ones that we ALL had listed and then a few others, on the CD.
I purchased an itunes card for the songs that I didn’t own, and brought my ENTIRE CD collection to get the rest of them. Surprisingly enough, it didn’t take that long . . . burning the 4 copies took almost as long as compiling the songs. Now we can always have those songs with us!
The compilation is kinda crazy – everything from the “Fame” theme song, to “Thriller” by Michael Jackson. Then there’s the favorite of ALL of us – “Rhinestone Cowboy”, by Glenn Campbell. Actually, DeAwna didn’t have it on her list, but the rest of us did. When we talked about it later, we were listening to it, when DeAwna was still in the womb, and by the time we were done listening to it, she was still a toddler. So, the nostalgia of that ONE song was lost on her, but the rest of us L♥VE it – mostly for nostalgic value.
A couple of weeks after our sisters’ weekend, Bart came to AZ for the weekend. Karalee had that CD in her car’s CD player, and he and I were driving in her car. As we were driving he commented, “This CD makes NO sense! Who would put all these songs together?” When I explained where it came from, he just sort of rolled his eyes and said, “OH – I get it!”
Anyway, to finish out our Sunday – we went to church – Sacrament Meeting only, and then headed back to Deece’s house for taco salad for lunch. Deece’s family was supposed to be at her mother-in-law’s by 3:00 pm, so they were out the door and gone, while we were packing up the car.
DeAwna’s flight was scheduled for 7 pm, so Karalee and I were dropping her at the airport. But, not BEFORE we had another stop at our favorite Ross store! DeAwna and I both had some things to return, so we did that, had some Baskin-Robbins ice cream, and then headed out to the airport!
It was a fun (but tiring!) weekend! But, Karalee drove all the way home, so I got to be the pampered passenger. And, it only took us 5 ½ hours to get home . . . . WITH a 45 minute stop at the Burger King in Quartzite! Go speedy Karalee!
We’re gonna have an annual sisters’ weekend . . . but we’re gonna wait a few months before we start talking about next years’ plans!

WE HAD SOME OTHER PHOTOS, BUT SOMEHOW, BETWEEN A CAMERA BEING LEFT IN CA THEN BEING MAILED TO CO AND DOWNLOADING AND TIME . . . . ANYWAY, NO BEACH PHOTOS!! DANG IT!!

Old friends in an OLD town

2009-06-09T18:22:00.000-07:00

A family from Idaho, that we have know for sooooooooooooooooooo many years, was in AZ for a graduation. Of course we couldn't let them come down here without making a plan for a visit with them!

We met them in the {former} ghost town of Jerome, AZ. {Just in case you didn't know - which I didn't, until we drove there - it is about 23 miles south of Prescott} After FINALLY finding a place to park, we found a little restaurant and had some lunch and LOTS of talk.

The amazing thing is that we just picked up like it HASN'T been 25 years since we've all spent time together! They were always like our substitute family, since all of my parents' siblings live either in Utah or Arizona, when we were growing up. We spent MANY a New Year's day together, playing "Spoons", eating yummy food, and having a White Elephant gift exchange.

And then there is the 4H program that Barbara got me started in - and I LOVEd it! And her daughters were all like sisters to me - and it was great to have them!

I l♥ve you guys - let's get together sooner than later, again, huh??

Left to right: Kim, Dianne, Marj, Denise, Barb and Kaelene (with little R in front!)

You said it first!!! {Your age, I mean!!}

2009-05-16T09:56:00.000-07:00

Michelle, I want to wish you a Happy Birthday, on the big four-OH! For this post, I will share a photo of your new favorite toy, since I haven't a new photo of you!

Remember, 40 is the new 20! And, given everything that you have been through in the last 20 years (and some pretty amazing stuff, yo!), YOU KNOW you wanna move upwards and onwards towards the best you ever! And, I know you will do it!

You rawk as a friend, scrapbooker, mom, sister, and overall daughter of God. Thanks for being you, and everything that that entails!

Love ya, girl!

Thank you, Mr. Microsoft

2009-05-15T20:39:00.000-07:00

You know, I’m afraid that the ever-so-helpful tool, known as “spell check” is completely dumbing down our society! I mean, I don’t even have time or space to GO OFF here about the improper uses of apostrophes and exclamation! points!! And, common words like there, their and they’re are commonly misused. (Case in point, as I’m typing this, Microsoft Word automatically corrected my spelling of they’re, because I am using it out of it’s normal context! See what I mean?)

But really – when you want to advertise or say something clever, whether it be in an office memo, or on your vehicle, don’t you think that you are best served to SPELL IT CORRECTLY???? That’s NOT a crazy question, right???

2 examples, that I saw today, in one ½ hour:
- a pick-up truck with the following phrase on the back window:
“Play Nakad”
I guess we could assume he is trying to be funny by declaring himself a nudist. Or, is this some new board game or intramural sport that we are unaware of?
Personally, I would have spelled it like Calvin, of Calvin and Hobbes fame, if I were at all unsure how to spell it correctly: “Play Nekkid”
But, hey, what do I know???

Then, I can only suppose that this statement was advertising a business, though WHAT TYPE OF BUSINESS may be in question:
“Barer Shop” - so, did you forget a “b”, for “barber” or do you want to give Victoria’s Secret a run for their money??? And, in this case, it was spelled incorrectly on 2 windows, one on each side, NOT JUST ONE!!

For myself, I would check, double-check, and then have 2 other people check, to make sure something as permanent as a car window gets any sort of verbage applied to it! That way, ½ of the calls that came in would NOT be mocking my intelligence! But, I am also the type of person who sometimes looks at a word so many times that it really does start to look like it is spelled incorrectly!

I confess, I’m a word nerd . . . but really, please spread the word that “spell check” is available and COMPLETELY free to anyone using ANY type of Microsoft product. And, businesses can ONLY benefit from spelling correctly! (though I confess, this will make my life a little more boring!)

Ya, I’m done with my Friday rant . . . . and I am working on my entry about our sisters’ weekend . .. it just takes time to make it say what I want it to say!

Get your CLUCKS in a row!!

2009-05-12T19:09:00.000-07:00

Yes, KFC, I AM talking to you!! Your FREAKSHOW free giveaway, on April 27th was a JOKE!!! A measly piece of chicken . . . were those cornish game hens??? And, nothing else to go with it! So, by the time my husband and I had a real meal, it cost us $10!

The next day, the joke was on you, KFC! Somebody leaked the free promo idea to El Pollo Loco (whose grilled chicken we L♥VE and eat on a regular basis!!) had a free promo . . . . 2, count 'em, 2! pieces of chicken, and the small sides were $1 each! We had a REAL meal for 1/2 the cost - $5.00! And, we already knew that we liked it, so it wasn't a stretch to go in there!!

Then, because apparently the free piece of chicken didn't go over very well, you decided to get Oprah involved . . . . HELLO!!!! Was there any planning done, before that plug was made??? Do your PR people NOT know how many people watch that show, that in most markets plays 2 times a day????

Then, to take the idiocy down the line a little further in your company -- a co-worker of mine took his coupon to our local KFC and they gave him 2, yes 2!!!! of the free meals, with his one coupon, that specifically says, "one meal per coupon, yadda, yadda, yadda!!" Then, later that SAME DAY, another co-worker was told, in the drive thru, "It will be a 30 minute wait!" but then, when she pulled up to the window, the KFC employee told her, "We don't really have that much of a wait time, but we just wanted to be sure we have enough chicken!"
WHAT????? Whose marketing philosophy is that??? What marketing firm gave out that kind of advice for great customer service???

To add more to this drama -- in my neck of the woods -- I decided to use my coupon, since I'm flat broke . But, who knew that they are no longer honoring those coupons - wish I could say that I was surprised! This whole thing has been one clustercluck after another! So, I paid {begrudgingly!!} for my meal, and left with a promise from them that I would get my raincheck in the mail.

Anyone wanna bet me that it will be expired before I receive it???? Don't worry, Pollo Loco, you've already won me over with your good food, and NO hassle!! {or idiots in the PR department!}

I'm baaaaaaaaack!!

2009-05-04T20:09:00.000-07:00

So . . .
I really HAVEN’T been hiding! Just really busy, with a new, full-time job and a new calling in church! Add that to a few technical difficulties with my computer and my camera, and that pretty much wraps up why I haven’t blogged in almost a month!

The new job is GREAT! Everyone is so nice and patient with me, while I learn the ropes. I am very grateful for the experiences that I had at my old job, to prepare me for the next stepping stone of life.

I am the Payroll/Benefits administrator, and I work in the same office as the HR Generalist. We bounce a lot of things off each other, since I worked in HR at my last
job. Besides that, she is a scrapbooker, and we have already gone to one late night crop together! It is fun to work with someone that I have a lot of things in common with, and not JUST the job!

So, I have some photos to share .. . . . I’ve been bad about that, this year, so far!! But, I was a little preoccupied with getting a job and everything! That’s my excuse, but it is also the truth!

First, a farewell photo, with friends from Jordan:

The week that I finished at Jordan, my sister and her family came to visit from California. We had a lovely afternoon in the park. {we ♥ ♥ ♥ Freestone Park in Gilbert!} These are some photos from that:

Then, baby shower photos! This was my gift . . . I won’t put EVERY page here, but just a couple to give you an idea! I’ve decided that I L♥Ve theme albums and keeping them small! Way too fun!!

Next, baby shower cupcakes! I found these on Michael’s website, and we decided to do them, instead of cake. They were a LOT of fun to make, and look how stinkin’ cute they are!!!

Ya, that was March for me . . . BUSY!! But, I’m getting back on track, and I want to keep the tradition of photos going, because my sisters and I are having a sisters’ weekend this weekend. Look for LOTS of photos from that!
TTFN

FYI

2009-04-10T22:57:00.000-07:00

Okay, I realize that the last post was a LITTLE vague about the new job opportunity, but that is because I was too freakin' excited!!

At my new place of employment, I am technically, for the first 90 days, an employee of the staffing service that found the job for me! So, I will be earning an hourly wage -- that'll be wierd to adjust to, again, since the last 18 months I have been a salaried employee. But, hey, I WILL adjust, don't worry! Then, after 90 days, the company will hire me on at as a salaried employee.

Anyway, I don't want to talk too much about specifics, because I know that MANY employers, these days, are using information from blogs and FaceBook, etc. against their employees or potential employees. So, I will just say that I will be doing more of the same . . . Human Resources tasks (as the assistant to an HR generalist!) and payroll. So, I am excited to rise to the challenge and get to know some new friends!

That's the scoop . . .

Can I Get an "Amen"?!?!?!

2009-04-08T17:48:00.000-07:00

And that "amen" would be to end the "Please help me find a job!" prayer!! The heavens have smiled on me, today, and I HAVE A JOB, as of 4:47 pm this afternoon! WOO HOO!!!

The part that is SO funny -- 2 Blocks from my former employer! BWAHAHAHAHAHA! So, not to stress about figuring out commute time, etc. Been there, done that, for 3.5 years!

I can now breathe a small sigh of relief, and focus my last two days of mandatory vacation on doing the things that didn't get done while I was online looking for a job! (too bad my wallet doesn't have the funds to celebrate in a BIG way . . . oh well!)

I wanna shout it from the rooftops -- "I GOT A JOB!!"

Find the Silver Lining!!

2009-04-01T11:31:00.000-07:00

Okay, so, having no job, and currently feeling a WEE BIT better than death warmed over, it is VERY easy to get bogged down by negative thoughts and feelings! So, my purpose here, today, is to say "out loud", if you will, a few words about my blessings, or at least a few of them! I gotta be my own personal PollyAna, and if you're here, reading this, then you can watch me pull myself up by my bootstraps, and give myself a proverbial SLAP upside the head!

Here goes - I'm calling this my "Top Ten Reasons to Be Happy, in This Season of Unemployment"

1. Hey, no need to set an alarm clock! Those applications can wait until I am dang well ready to fill them out! AND, I can fill them out at 1:00 am, if I want! Bein' my own boss . . . LOL

2. My good friend hooked us up, literally, with a washer and dryer, in exchange for some tasks . . . THAT is the kind of payment that keeps on paying! Thank you, Tina!! (We spent $16.00 on the trip to the laundrymat last week . . . that's average for us!!)

3. Nobody is going to count these sick days against my record . . . hey, I'm off work either way! LOL

4. I've got plenty of time to organize my time, my thoughts, my spare bedroom . . . and still be available to wait for phone calls about job interviews! Multi tasking at its best!

5. I can have lunch with my mom, or my niece and nephew and sister-in-law whenever I want! Even if it is just peanut butter and jelly, because that is all the budget will allow!

6. Instead of focusing on the things that I don't have, or can't afford, I can congratulate myself as my budgeting skills improve! (Needless to say, my trips to the scrapbook stores have decreased!!)

7. I get to spend more time on Facebook then EVER before! And POGO, and iTunes, and wherever I want, out in cyberspace! And nobody will be busting me for wasting time "on the clock"!

8. My appreciation for those who don't have jobs, or can't find jobs is growing, because, Hey, I am one of them! I know I'm trying, so who says they aren't trying too??

9. My DVR is being cleaned up . . . some of those CSI episodes are almost 2 months old!! SLACKER!!

10. Plenty of time to ponder and reflect on what it means to have trials and how they make better people out of all of us. Seriously, this too shall pass, and my job is to focus not on "WHEN?" but "What will I learn from all this?" instead.

So, there it is, albeit a little tongue in cheek, but hey, you gotta keep your sense of humor, you know??

Unemployment DOES NOT mean vacation . . . Did you know???

2009-03-21T21:41:00.000-07:00

This week has FLOWN by! And NOT in a good way!!!
Okay, in some ways, it was good!
Monday was a mess . . . emotionally! I don't like going through the grieving process over a job . . . but, guess what, people!! It happens, and it WILL happen to anyone who is confronted with a HUGE change such as losing a job!
Tuesday . . . started the day with baby-sitting niece and nephews . . . they are fun! I worked on revamping my resume, while they played and watched a movie. The rest of the day is kinda a blur!!
Wednesday . . . my computer, that I bought from my former employer, was ready! So, we picked it up, took it home, got it all set up, and then . . . it wouldn't boot up! AARRGH!! So, it was back to Tempe, with the computer, and the IT guy made it work. So, back to the house, set it up again, and STILL . . . NO DICE!! But, I DID get my new cell phone (number is still the same, don't worry!!) and the Broadband modem for internet at home! Woo hoo!!!
Thursday . . . took the computer BACK to the office, and Scott worked his magic (he can't explain it himself!!) and it worked! YAY!!!!
Then, I had a phone call late Thursday afternoon, and it was for a job interview for Friday morning. Early . . . oh well, not like my body has been letting me sleep in, anyway!!
I had NO time to color my hair (unfortunately, my "natural" color is now MOSTLY GREY!! EWWWWWW!) because I had to go shopping for my cousin's (Tiffany) baby shower, with her sister. But, after much heckling from Megan and DeAwna, I colored my roots myself! NO, I am NOT a hairdresser, but they looked a LOT better, and surprisingly, my attitude was more youthful, too! LOL
Friday morning, EARLY {like 1:45 am early} I woke up . . . no clue why!!! And, then couldn't sleep well for the rest of the night! But, I got to my appointment 30 minutes early, sat there for 15 minutes, and then went in. I think it went well, but they did say that they had more interviews to conduct. We'll see what happens next week . . . that would be a sweet gig!!
The rest of the day I spent making cupcakes and other food . . . just call me Betty Crocker Jr!!
Today, Saturday, was CRAZY! My internal alarm clock went off an HOUR before the actual alarm clock . . . GRRRRRRR! But, after a half an hour, I quit trying to fight it and got up to do some housework before going to my aunt's to prepare for the baby shower! {Oh, and I will mention that I was at Scrapbooks, Etc. until 11:30 pm, working on my gift . . . photos later!!}
Thank goodness for Tiffany and her daughters . . . they showed up and jumped right in to help with frosting cupcakes and cutting vegetables. We NEVER would have been ready on time! Love you girls! Actually, we wouldn't LET Tiffany help . . . she's prego, and the shower is supposed to be FOR her, not BY her!!
Anyway, it all came together nicely . . . we had REAL, home-made lemonade, a chocolate fountain, fabulous spinach dip, cheese ball and crackers and fruit and vegetables, and . . . did I mention the chocolate fountain?? LOVE chocolate!!
The weather wasn't QUITE as cooperative as we had hoped . . . It was actually 10 degrees hotter than the forecast had said, LAST week, for today! But, we didn't quite roast . . . the light breeze and the cold lemonade kept us sane.
It's funny {interesting, not "ha ha ha"} to me that EVERY year I have to be reminded how draining the heat and sun can be . . . by the end of the shower, I felt like someone had backed a Mac truck over me . . . bring on the day of rest!!!

I'm Payin' it Forward

2009-03-12T09:02:00.000-07:00

Paying it Forward . . . in a fun way!
The first 5 people to comment on this post will receive something made by me! It will be done and given to you by the end of this year! It might be anything (food, craft, clothing...the possibilities are endless and it's a big juicy secret until I hand it over to ya!)
Here's the catch. Yes, there is a catch!{you must offer this same deal on your blog!}
The first 5 people to respond to your post, will get something made by YOU!

iPod Etiquette

2009-03-05T08:43:00.000-08:00

Okay, y'all, I'm about ready to publish my own ". . . . for Dummies" book! I will call it "iPod (and other small electronic devices) Etiquette for Dummies"!

WHO, I ask, WHO, in their right mind, would think that it is okay (as in accepted by the general public!) to do the following:

1. Listen to your iPod while in church -- ya, dude, the headphones may be white, but white is NOT invisible!!!

2. Listen to your iPod while working at Wendy's, at the drive-thru window!! Ya, you THOUGHT I said a "Large" frosty, because the rap music master in your OTHER ear said "large" at the exact moment that I was ordering!

3. When someone is having a conversation with you, assume that the text conversation that you are engrossed in, on your cell phone, is MORE important than what the ACTUAL PERSON in front of you may have to say!

4. Text in church, or a board meeting, or a lecture in Biology . . . a sure bet you're going to miss something important!

5. Send photos of your bathroom activities over your cell phone . . . first, that's just disgusting!! Second, you don't know who will do what with said photo!! YOUTube, anyone??

Yes, I do feel that electronic devices are hindering our society, in some ways. Like all things in life, there are 2 sides to every story -- those same electronic devices can be extremely helpful! But, I know that I, FOR ONE, won't be putting "must be able to listen to my iPod at any given moment" on my resume . . . finding a job is already difficult enough!!

The Other Shoe . . . has dropped!

2009-02-27T11:52:00.000-08:00

So, I've been in this lovely sort of foggy, yet enjoyable, state of denial, about my job. Yes, I understand that we have closed the doors, but HEY, I am still working! And, March 31 is so far away . . . NO STRESS!

Well, ladies and gentleman . . . today the powers that be (or at least used to be!) at my place of employment have cordially invited me to enjoy 2 more weeks, and then I'm out the door.
WHAT???? What about the payment plan that I have already conveniently arranged, in my head, for my car, a new cell phone (since the current one is through work!!!) and the little trip to Utah that we had planned, for the 1st of April??? Don't you care about THOSE things?? What could you possibly MEAN that you are trying to cut costs for this now defunct business???

The hardest part is this: Out of the 60+ places that I have applied, over the last 2.5 months, 2 (yes, you read that correctly - 2) of them have called me back. Then, add to that the fun that was the job fair a few weeks ago, where 15,999 of my closest ( HA HA HA) fellow jobless Arizonans convened at the Cardinals' stadium, to wait 2 hours, to fight over 450 jobs, and I will tell you, looking for a job is on the list, right there, just above having a tooth filled! Besides that, the 2 people who responded to my application wanted me to take a 40-45% pay cut from my current salary . . . not good odds, y'all!

So, Jorge pointed out to me, as I was trying NOT to sob hysterically, that he will take care of us, - it is his turn! Okay, honey, I will share this burden with you!

And, with that I would like to say, if you know of anyone with a "Help Wanted" sign in their window, please let me know! They say networking is the best way to find a good job, so let's put that theory to the test!!!

Oh, and Happy Friday anyway!

Poor Olivia . . . no little cousins to play with!

2009-02-23T10:29:00.001-08:00

Last night we had dinner, as a family (as usual, for Sunday nights!) at my youngest brother, Jeremy's, house. His wife had told their kids that my sister and her kids would be coming over to eat, as well as my parents and I. (Jorge works Saturday nights and Sunday mornings, so he is usually sleeping the day away on Sundays!)

Anyway, Olivia heard her say "kids" and instantly interpreted that to mean "Little kids" under the age of 6, that Olivia would enjoy playing with. So, Karalee and her teenagers arrived, and Olivia was disappointed!

"Mom, where's the kids??? Who's gonna play with me??"

Diane proceeded to explain that there weren't any little kids coming over, and then Olivia wasn't happy!

She looked up at me, in frustration, and asked me, "K K, where are YOUR little kids???"

I responded, "They are still with Heavenly Father."

"Well, when are they gonna get here???"

Olivia, my sweet niece, THAT is the question of the year!! I love you, Livvy, and I hope, for both of us, that MY little kids can arrive soon! ♥

This is Olivia playing with her brother, Wyatt.

Drifting in and out . . . of consciousness that is my Reality!

2009-02-20T10:38:00.000-08:00

By that I mean that all of these hours sitting in front of a shredder, at work, with plenty of mindless shredding (I mean, come on, what 3 year old couldn't feed paper into the shredder, right???) to do, I have these random thoughts:

. . . WHY???? did Jorge have to wake me up at 5 am, this morning, to tell me that he thought he saw my brother on the news?? He ALWAYS thinks he saw my brother somewhere!

. . . How much time will it take me to find a new job? I KNOW I can't watch the news anymore; the statistics are ANYTHING but encouraging!

. . . while I always look forward to the weekend, lately I have to work harder at home then I do at work! And at home I don't have the internet available to look for a job . . . Wait!! Maybe that is a good thing!

. . . I really wish I could afford to buy the two over-stuffed chairs that were CRUCIAL for a successful convention booth, that the (now defunct) company assembled! They are pretty nice .

. . . I really need to get back into a scrapbook groove . . . I always miss it so!

. . . I'm glad that Facebook can be my new meeting place for old friends and acquaintances. Do I really have to invite EVERYONE that I ever knew before as a friend?? Is that bad manners if I don't invite them??

. . . I really wish that money grew on trees!!! I would plant an orchard of them!!!!!

. . . Family can be so fun! I'm excited to help with my cousin's baby shower!!

. . . What's for lunch?

. . . I WILL find a job, I will FIND a job, I will find a JOB!!!

. . . How much time is too much time on FaceBook??

. . . Why doesn't this shredder have a "mute" button???

If you're still awake, you can see that I have WAAAAAAAAAAAAY too much idle brain time, right now!
Happy Weekend! ♥

25 Random things . . . hijacked from my Facebook page!

2009-02-12T09:54:00.000-08:00

1. Sometimes I don't like being the oldest child. My siblings (and sometimes my parents!!) give me grief for being "in charge", but then get upset with me when I DON'T take charge and plan things! It's a double whammy that I am not sure I will ever get used to!

2. I LOVE Journey!! I have seen them twice in concert. When their latest album was released, and I first heard the first single "After all these Years", I got goose bumps, and I KNEW it was them, even though they have a new lead singer. It it amazing to me that they have been able to preserve their same sound! AWESOME!!

3. As a sophomore in high school, I had my future planned out, which included 3.5 years at the University of Idaho, with a major in English. (including summer school!!) Then, as a senior, when my family made plans to move back to Arizona, I was sooooooooooo ready to move on to bigger things! Yep, Phoenix is definitely bigger! Funny how 2 years can change your outlook so much.

4. I live for scrapbooking!! It is not just my hobby . . . it is my therapy, and my touch with reality! I can keep my memorabilia and photos in order this way, and it is a great way to come up with gifts for friends and family. Now, if I can just channel that passion to make millions! BWAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA

5. Someday, when I have my moment with God, I will ask Him WHY it is so easy for drug addicts and irresponsible teenagers to conceive, while those of us who are/would be good mothers have more difficulty. Seriously, I gotta know!!

6. I have a dream to travel to each of the United States, including Alaska, and more importantly, Hawaii. I've got the West down, now I just need to travel north, and south and east . . . .

7. Life has taught me that book learning can never replace practical application! For example, Spanish. The 4.5 years that I spent studying out of books, didn't prepare me for interacting with native Spanish speakers!! But, somewhere I would like to think that Hola is proud of me! LOL

8. New Year's Eve, 2002 - I have yet to top that night! We stayed up all night, we ate, we danced, we sang, we bonded . . . ah, memories! Thanks Julie, Rich, Cindy, Suzie and everyone else! I LOVE YOU GUYS!!

9. I have been blessed with 4 sisters (3 biological, 1 adopted) who are some of my very best friends! They are incredible women! (seems strange to call us that, since when we are all together we go right back to younger years!!) Also, I have one amazing sister-in-law, Diane. They are good for emotional support, sounding board, validation, a recipe or a hug! ♥ you all!

10. I am enthralled with invetigation/police drama TV. Medium, CSI:Miami and the original, The Closer, etc. I will DVR any and all episodes to watch at my liesure. Jorge, as a native of Colombia, has seen enough violence in the streets of his country, and cannot understand why I am entertained by these programs. Not entertained, necessarily, but . . . educated and interested.

11. I wish, as a youth, that I had tried more things . . . by that, I mean water skiing, snow skiing, etc. Now, I feel like I am too physically challenged to try them! Who knows, one day I might feel really adventurous! :)

12. I want to work as some sort of victim's advocate. I know that children, especially, need advocates for their vicitmization. Don't know when or how, but I will do it!

13. I spent 4 years in Salt Lake City, Utah. In some ways, those were the most difficult 4 years of my life, but that is where I made some lasting friendships, and I met my husband there, so how can I possibly complain!

14. I collect movies . . . and Jorge doesn't get it! He doesn't understand the appeal of watching a movie more than once. But I LOVE to revisit those old friends as many times as I would like! Jorge collects baseball caps, I collect movies!

15. Music is an important part of my life. I love all types. Given #14, it will probably come as no surprise that I like movie soundtracks! I love jazz, new age, rock, classical, country, easy listening, oldies . . . I am pretty eclectic, as long as there is SOMETHING playing on the radio, CD player or ipod!

16. My parents have been great examples to me, all my life, of keeping cousins as friends! I have some amazing cousin/friends! I am a better person because of my association with them!

17. Jorge and I have a dream of living near the ocean, someday. We aren't prejudiced, we'll take Pacific or Atlantic. He has lived near both, in his time in Colombia. There is just something so . . . soothing and relaxing about the surf hitting the sand.

18. I'm not really a competitive person . . . it is really about playing the game, to me. I enjoy winning, but don't EXPECT to, nor do I curse the winner! I just like to play! (Ask my brother about "Settlers of Cattan" . . . I've only won once, but I can still be convinced to play!) And, when friends, family members or acquaintances of mine win something, I'm happy for them, and don't want to hurt them! LOL

19. I really DO consider the lottery to be the "Idiot tax"! I think it makes just as much sense as walking over to the toilet, and flushing dollar bills down it! (My husband and I don't agree on that point!!!)

20. (See #1) It doesn't matter where I go . . . Church, a store, a sporting event . . . people always ask me if I am "in charge" or "are you the manager?" or "Could you tell me where to find . . . ?" I don't know why that is, but I do usually try to help them find what they are looking for, if I can. I have to wonder if I have an invisible "Can I help you?" tattoo on my forehead, that everyone can see, but me!

21. Given the opportunity, I wouldn't go back even 5 years in time, to start over! I have had too many learning experiences (good and bad!) since then to take any of it back! That's how I got here, from there!

22. I LOVE quotes! If someone were to ask me what my favorite quote is, I would have to respond with "Can I tell you my favorite category of quotes??" I collect them, and am always looking for good ones!

23. Words fascinate me! I love getting my "Dr. Dictionary word of the day" every day in my email inbox. Word games, lyrics, poetry . . . LOVE IT ALL! Please, oh please, don't say "exspecially" . . . there really is NO SUCH WORD!!! Ya, I can be kind of a snob about it! And please, pronounce it correctly if it is from a foreign country . . . at least if you know how it's pronounced! (As one friend put it, I'm a "word nerd"! She is too, so it is all good! )

24. As a child, my mother drilled into my head how important it is to be a good example. After all of these years, I have learned that children DO learn from examples, good or bad, so that is why it is important to be an example for good. One day, God willing, I will teach my children the importance of being a good example.

25. I am a true believer in the thinking that "If you can't do great things in a big way, do small things in a great way!" I think that we can all make a difference in other's lives, through small and simple things, even if those "others" are our family members. I don't need 15 minutes of fame anywhere but here, in my life!

Whew!!! If you're still here, thanks for reading my "Random Things"!

Life Gets in the Way!!

2009-02-10T12:07:00.000-08:00

Okay, so between moving the last week of January, the Superbowl and being sick all last week, I let a dear friend's birthday go unnoticed!

Lisa . . . I know that this is a little late, but will you PLEASE let me wish you "Happy Birthday" still?? Next time you come to the valley, I'll buy you lunch . . . how 'bout that???

Lisa is a great mom and a very creative person! And, she works at U-Haul - I believe that they call her the Queen of the Mop bucket!

Love ya, Lees! Hope you had a great day! ♥ ♥ ♥

Adrenalin Rush . . . crash and burn!

2009-02-02T07:01:00.000-08:00

So, Sunday nights are usually spent as a family . . . my sister and her kids, my brother and his wife and kids, and my parents and Jorge and I get together for dinner, and sometimes games or a puzzle.

Last night was no exception . . . with a few quirky differences! ALL 3 of Karalee's kids went elsewhere for Superbowl parties. All the food was BBQ themed, and the little kids (ages 6, 4 and 2) didn't really care to get involved in the game. Well, at least at first!

The 6-year old, Wyatt, kept begging anyone and everyone to play a card game . . . "Please?? By the time the game is over, it will be time for us to go home . . . " Poor little guy, didn't know what he was up against! Then, about 1/2 way through the 3rd quarter, he decided to pay attention, and then, as we explained the way football is played, he REALLY got into it!

By the time the Cardinals made the touchdown that we THOUGHT would win the game, with a little less than 3 minutes left in the game, Wyatt was floatin' on the adrenalin rush like the rest of us! We were screamin' and jumpin' up and down and sayin' "We can do it!!" Even Theron, the 2-year old was gettin' into it! Olivia went into automatic cheerleader mode . . . it was so cute!

Then, the Steelers decided to be selfish and take all the SuperBowl glory for themselves, and it was just like someone took a BIG straight pin and popped our balloon of enthusiasm! Poor Wyatt was crying . . . "Now they're going to have to start over!" he lamented!
Yep, Wyatt, that's what next season is for! My heart went out to the little guy . . . to be so jubilant one moment, on that wave of glory and then to crash and burn like that! That's gotta be rough on a 6-year old! But, now he understands football, and who knows? Maybe a new hard-core fan was born!

Thanks for the GREAT ride, Cardinals - next time we'll get 'em!!

God be with you until we meet . . .

2009-01-28T12:04:00.000-08:00

. . . the song follows with "again". However, since I have NEVER MET my mother-in-law, in person, I can't say that.

Judith Mercedes Hernandez de Zapata was called home to her Heavenly Father yesterday, at 8:16 am. She was an amazing woman . . . I know this because her 7 children are all responsible, loving and caring adults and parents.

My dear husband is beside himself, understandably. She has been the go-between for Jorge and his children . . . receiving the money that we send, and distributing it where it needs to go. Besides the fact that she's his mom and he hasn't seen her for 10 years.

Thank goodness for the eternal plan of salvation, and the knowledge that we have that we can all be together again someday. I look forward to that day when I can meet her and give her a big hug and thank her for all her love and caring that she gave (and taught) her son!

Consider Your Yard Tagged. . . . with $50 bills!

2009-01-24T18:37:00.000-08:00

What the heck, right Beth?? As long as you are you are imagining something in your yard!!!
Anyway, Happy Birthday to Beth . . . I believe that today is her 29th birthday! Congrats, Girl! LOL

Seriously . . . I loved being a part of the yard decorating, and YOU KNOW that if I could, I would use $50.00 bills to decorate your yard! I hope that you had a great day! Love ya!

It's a Brand New Day

2009-01-20T06:38:00.000-08:00

Download and Watch America's Song

I like this message! The tune seems a little repetitive, but the message of the lyrics is a good one!
And, I just happen to love all of these voices . . . brought together on this historic day in history.

I love this country and what the Constitution stands for. Here's to four years of change! Let's do our part to make it all work out!

An Amazing Week of Firsts . . . and it is only Monday!

2009-01-19T08:06:00.001-08:00

So, here's how this week of firsts started out:

First TIME EVER for me to watch, much less CARE about. an AZ Cardinals game! I'm not a "naysayer" as Beth would say, but I just haven't ever cared to care about the cursed, losing team that they were before! What fun is it to root for a losing team? I've been there enough times with the Suns, sad to say!! (I mean no disrespect . . . they are still MY Phoenix Suns!!)

Then, FIRST TIME EVER that the AZ Cardinals are going to the SUPERBOWL!!! WOOT WOOT!! That's exciting stuff! And, for a few minutes, yesterday, it was snowing in Glendale!! Yes, the "snow" was red and white confetti, and it WAS fed from a machine, but it was very much falling like a heavy snow in a blizzard, so humor me! ;)

Then, on Tuesday, for the FIRST TIME EVER, an Afro-American President will be sworn into that important position. He promises to bring change . . . and if it all comes about as he has promised, then that will be another FIRST TIME EVER! LOL I'm just sayin' . . . politicians embellish, regardless of party, creed, race or religion. They can't help themselves! And we MUST keep our sense of humor, people!!

Yet, I digress from the point . . . I am truly proud of the voters of this country, because it wasn't too many years ago that this miracle would have NEVER happened. Let's hope that over looking skin color can serve to unite us in purpose, God's purpose, for this country. No ONE MAN should run a country according to his heart's desire; that is why our system is set up the way it is!

I'm hoping for a LOT more "FIRST TIME EVER"s for our country! If you have any questions as to what I mean, you can check out Garth Brook's song, We Shall Be Free. (I'm sorry, but I am not net-savvy enough to look it up on YouTube, and link it!) But that is the message I am hoping that we can adapt, embrace and share!

Oh, and last little (tongue in cheek) FIRST TIME EVER . . . I actually wanted to have today off, in honor of Civil Rights Day, but it wasn't an option! Boo hoo, poor me, right??? LOL

Happy Birthday, "Manimal"!

2009-01-12T10:44:00.000-08:00

Manimal is the nickname that my "little" nephew, Chase, has earned from his football coach. He is so aptly named because he is 6'3 and weighs 210 pounds. He can eat all of us under the table, when he wants to, and if you're serving bread for dinner, you better make a loaf for him alone!
He's the one on the right, with the scary face, and was the instigator of the coloring on the face trick!!

Anyway, Friday, January 9 was his 16th birthday! He had a . . . er, small . . . get together for cake and ice cream that night. (Thanks, Marie, for the scrumptious cake!!) And of course, there were gifts!

Chase LOVES an audience . . . it doesn't matter when or where, or degree of appropriate . . . HE LOVES TO PERFORM! The little kids love him - he is, after all, a clown, without the scary make-up and big red nose! He just loves to be a goof-ball! That is what we love about him.

He is also a big snuggler and hugger - he always has been! I started getting all teary-eyed on Friday night, as I was driving to his little party, thinking of the cute little infant that we almost lost to respiratory problems a few times, and remembering his antics with Grammy's glasses and just his overall Chase-ness! We've got some great memories of him and he didn't disappoint on Friday, helping us make some more memories with his antics!

Then, on Sunday, he was ordained a Priest in the Aaronic Priesthood. He advanced, according to his age, to a higher level of responsibility in that order. He has shown, in so many ways, that he is ready to step up and be the man of the house, and he can be amazingly adult, sometimes. I guess if Heavenly Father can trust him with so many responsibilities, then we can trust him, too.

I sure do love you, Chase, and am so blessed to have you in my life!

Ringin' in the New . . . with a vengeance!

2009-01-05T08:38:00.000-08:00

GOOD-BYE and GOOD RIDDANCE to 2008 - that year seemed like one long trial of faith, patience, endurance and sanity, almost from start to finish! And, I know that I'm not the only one, but hey, it's my blog, and I can cry if I want to! LOL

Seriously, though -- How great is this year starting out, that I already know that I have to find a new job (my employer officially closed our plant on 12/29/08, and so . . . I have a job guaranteed through the end of February, but there's no telling, after that!!) and then our landlord came by on New Year's Day, cordially inviting all tenants to vacate the premises by 02/05/2009? WOW!!! I was hoping to get away from that kind of luck, for 2009, but hey, it's a new opportunity for growth, and we can NEVER turn those down, right???

I got a new attitude! I'm not stressing over the small stuff, that I used to consider big stuff, and it's ALL small stuff now! With the exception of my spiritual and physical health, and good relationships, starting with God right on down the line to my acquaintances. That's it, that's my resolution!

Hey, enjoy the year . . . you've only got 360 more days!!

Christmas Wrap up

2008-12-30T18:33:00.000-08:00

So, California . . . you know, that place is rather amazing, in some ways! I mean, we drove an hour north of Riverside, and we were in the freezing cold snow of Lake Arrowhead, in the mountains. If we had driven an hour west, instead, we could have spent a brisk Christmas day on the beach instead! Divers activities within an hour . . . I like that!

Anyway, to the point! The Tippie family invited us to join them for a Christmas getaway - and we accepted! Although we had grandious plans of playing in the snow all day every day that we spent up there, it sort of turned into a comedy of errors! (One that, hopefully, we can all laugh about later, when the wounds have all healed! LOL)

Some of our little group came ill prepared to have more than one change of clothes, much less play in the snow, get wet, and come inside to dry clothes! There was one pair of boots that AT LEAST 5 of us wore,(taking turns, of course!) and my (NOW) famous cheetah print slippers were worn by almost all of the family members, at one time or the other, over the course of 4 days! These are the things that quality memories are made of, people!

There was plenty of good food, Duraflame logs for the fireplace, card games and movies on DVD to keep us all happy, and ALMOST free of cabin fever! Although some of the work-a-holics (cough, cough, Dad, cough, Karalee, cough!) couldn't fathom, and at times even enjoy, just lounging around without a tight schedule to stick to! I had to remind them MORE THAN ONCE of the definition of the word "vacation"! HELLO!!

Without further ado, I present the Christmas photo line-up:
Chase and Richard digging a path to the front door! Yes, it DID take 4 hours to completely clear a way to go. Karalee and DeNeece took turns, also.

While the digging was going on in the front yard, the girls were on the back deck, in the 3.5 feet of snow, building a snowman! I was supervising, and, okay, taking photos! The finished product was beautiful . . . especially considering that NONE of these girls had ever made a snowman before! (It was a little disappointing that there were no carrots available for a nose! And, how 'bout olives for eyes . . . Necessity is the mother of invention, right??? LOL)

We DON'T have the tradition of decorating the Christmas Tree on Christmas Eve, but we did this year. My dad's family ALWAYS did it that way, so it was a little taste of Bailey tradition out of necessity.

Kaitlyn was the first one to go to sleep, while we watched a movie. BUT, she woke up later and was one of the last to go to bed before Santa showed up!

Various Christmas morning shots . . . Karalee SWEARS that she did shout the traditional "IT'S A SWEAT-AIR!" (Three Amigos reference!) but nobody else heard it! And, she got 3 sweaters . . . Maybe she was too caught up in the excitement!!

Richard and Chase were really wrestling in that photo, although it looks like they were cuddling. Richard pretty much had chase in a headlock! Any photo that can be captured of someone dominating Chase (His football coach has named him "Manimal" because of his 6'3, 210 lb, 15-year old body!) is worth keeping!

A cute cousins shot . . . don't they look thrilled??? (By the way - there are 10 cousins missing from this photo! Maybe next year, y'all!!)

DeNeece, Bart and Karalee all received the same hand-crafted temple picture from me. Karalee's was waiting at home in AZ - why cart around what I didn't have to, right??

And, finally, DeNeece decided that I need to start collecting teddy bears again, and gave me this mini collection to get started!

Grammy made Christmas Jello - so named because she ONLY makes it on Christmas, because it is a LOT of work! And Grammy and Grumpy with their cute matching shirts . . . Christmas dinner style!

One of our various Christmas night activities . . . we usually do graham cracker houses, but this year we decided to step up the construction with those gingerbread house kits that you can buy! They had fun . . . but the gingerbread, honestly, didn't taste that great! Kinda like those teething cookies, for infants, with a taste of ginger and cinnamon.

Snow photos - playing, working and posing!
And, hot chocolate is a MUST HAVE after playing in the snow! Matt and Daylyn were kind enough to pose for me!

Leisure time photos . . . MaiCee, Kaitlyn, Daylyn and Kayla just posing like cute girls do!

The puzzle - we've done about 6 puzzles, this past year, as a family, and this is ONE of the TWO that we didn't have the last piece missing! WOO HOO!!

Chase likes to be goofy - here he is wearing my neck pillow as a hat . . . Silly Chase!

The Miracle of the Christmas Lasagna

2008-12-23T08:36:00.000-08:00

As the Activities Committee chair for my ward, I can tell you that we had been planning for our ward's party since JULY!!! We really wanted it to be successful and fun for everyone; but as little stress for the committee as possible.

I don't remember how we came to the conclusion that we would have lasagna, salad and french bread, but that was the menu that we made (and stuck to!). We half way expected lots of complaints, since it isn't the traditional American holiday meal, but I never heard anyone complain!

Our party was scheduled for December 19th. Judging by last year's party attendance, we were planning on 150 to 180 people, and I was going to buy lasaagnas accordingly. And, we had people sign up to bring bread and salad, so that just left us with the makings for ice cream sundaes, to worry about.

As I said, 4 months worth of planning . . . it was going to go smoothly, if it killed us!! LOL So, we planned to set up on December 18th, so that all we had to do on the 19th was show up and put food on the table. * We had decided to do family style food service. I HATE waiting in a long line for food, at ward parties! Anyway, we set a time to set up tables, etc. with the Elders' Quorum, (some men in our ward) and we were all set to go.

We arrived at the church at the assigned time, only to discover that someone was using the gym for a presentation that evening. They told us that they would be finished by 8 pm, so we could set up tables at that time. Disappointed, we asked the men to come back at 8, and we set to work wrapping the plastic ware in a napkin, with a ribbon tied around them.

8 o'clock rolled around, and the other group was done with their activity. But, none of our helpers could be found! So, the men from the other group helped us instead! That was so kind of them, and we really appreciated the extra hands.

Anyway, the bishop of the other ward, who was there helping us, mentioned that they had 210 people in attendance at their Christmas party. That got me thinking, "wow, maybe we had better plan on that many, too!" I know that sometimes people don't go to any activities all year, but can be found at the Christmas party. So, in setting up tables, we set enough places for 250 people, though we thought we were setting our sights a little high! My theory is, however, "better too much than not enough" and that includes settings for dinner. Who wants to stop eating to set up more tables???

So, the next day I went to Costco and purchased 2 more lasagnas. By my calculations, we would have 216 good sized servings, and if we had to . . . well, I just didn't think about that! So, I arrived at the church at 4 pm, to get 7 lasagnas in ovens there - they take 2 hours to warm up!!

All of the other 17 lasagnas had been divided up, to lovely people in the ward, who agreed to warm them and bring them to the party. (Thanks, Nancy, for thinking of that small detail!!)

As party time arrived, all of the salads, loaves of bread and lasagnas started to arrive. We had planned on one bowl of salad per table, and one loaf of french bread and a pan of lasagna. So we started to get a little stressed about the salad . . . even though a few people brought HUGE bowls of salad, that we divided up into smaller bowls, we were worried that we wouldn't have enough. And, some people hadn't realized that they were supposed to bring their bread to us, sliced, buttered and heated. So much for all the planning for a smooth running party, huh???

15 minutes after start time, one lady came into the kitchen and announced, in a panic, "We need to set up more tables . . . there isn't enough lasagna!" I did my best NOT to panic, and, rather jokingly said, "well, we need to hope for the miracle of the loaves and fishes here, because that is ALL we have!"

After considering, for a moment, how to best deal with that dilemma, I said, "Well, we can just pass pans of lasagna on, when everyone has been dished up! We'll move it to the next table!" One committee member said, "Well, we'll leave that to you!"

At first, I was a little timid about it . . . I mean, how do you politely say, "Could you please hurry up and put some of that on your plate?? We need to move in over to another table!" Ya, crazy, right??? But, after the first 2 or 3 tables, I just jumped right in and started dishing people up. Meanwhile, we had to grab more plates and cups and plasticware for all of the new arrivals. (Let me interject here, by adding that my well-laid plan for music failed - the ipod that I borrowed from my friend, didn't work, after I had taken time to load 4 hours worth of various Christmas songs onto it. That was a bummer! But, someone else ran home, really quick, and got some CDs, so we did have some nice background music!)

Anyway, back to the lasagna! By the time I made sure that the newly arrived guests at least had access to some lasagna, I went back to the kitchen, to see what else we needed. Eventually I did get to sit down, myself, to eat. We had a sweet little nativity story program, by the primary, and then it was time to see Santa Claus and have dessert. I didn't worry about the lasagna anymore, as I felt like there wasn't anything else that I could do!

By the time the party was over, we had SCADS of salad left, and 2 full pans of lasagna left! I know that Heavenly Father truly blessed our efforts, and stretched that food to feed all of us, and then some! Miracles do happen, and I feel so blessed that He blessed our little corner of this vast world with something that He knew that we needed. This was a very humbling experience for me, because I cannot doubt that my Heavenly Father is mindful of what I need.

And, what a nice way to remember the reason for the season, even Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Merry Christmas to all!

And counting!

2008-12-17T10:53:00.001-08:00

Okay, the excitement builds . . . only 8 days left! And, usually, by this time of year, I am going a little crazy, because I still have sooooooooooooo many gifts to finish! And, while that is true this year, they ARE getting done, little by little! (And, the ONLY gift that I had to mail, to Colorado, is DONE and mailed -- WOO HOO!!!)

I have vowed to hand-make as many gifts as possible, this year, to make it more meaningful to the receiver (hopefully!) and, I'll be honest, cut down on costs! But, it has been very rewarding for me, I will say! And, it is amazing how creative you can get, if you put your mind to it! Shanna, can I get an "AMEN!"

This ornament, for example, was made for me, last year, by my darling friend, Michelle. (Yes, the same Michelle as http://www.papertherapy.com/!) We loved it last year, and we will love it as long as it decides to stay with us! LOL

Anyway, happy shopping, crafting, wrapping, hiding and enjoying . . . for 8 more days! ♥

Start your "12 Days of Christmas" NOW!!!

2008-12-14T17:41:00.000-08:00

I don't really understand, I guess, how to count without a calendar in front of me! I actually had to call my cousin, Tiffany, to ask her WHICH day that I needed to start the "12 days . . ." on! I don't know why it is so hard to calculate for me, but I apparently make it much harder than it has to be!

In past years, I have enjoyed participating in leaving gifts at others' doorsteps, for the "12 days. . . " tradition. And, it has ALWYS been a delightful experience. This year, my wallet is a little under the weather, so I don't get to play that game! But, I also have this group of stories, that I bought at a craft show a few years ago, that I am supposed to read . . . one per day . . . during the "12 days . . . "! So, I get to officially start that tonight! Yippee!! I LOVE Christmas stories!

And one last thought . . . HOW DO I STOP THIS MONTH FROM MARCHING PAST SO QUICKLY??? AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!

It's a Jolly Time with Theron . . . ALWAYS!

2008-12-07T19:20:00.000-08:00

Okay, this kid SERIOUSLY cracks me up! He always has some random comment that makes you do a double-take and think, "He is only 2, right???"

He picks up on any and every comment, and repeats it for the next five minutes. Or a comment could pop up later, and make everyone laugh their faces off!

Saturday night we were headed to the Chandler Parade of Lights. (It was closer and easier access than the Phoenix parade. But, from what I saw on TV, the Phoenix Parade of lights was worth it. No offense, Chandler.) Anyway, I rode with my brother, Jeremy, and his family, to see the parade. Theron was sitting next to me, in his card seat. He showed me his band-aid on his knee, and was telling me about his owie. He was playing with his band-aid a little, so I reached over and smoothed it down. Then, I just rested my hand on the side of his seat.

He picked up my hand, and stuck my pointer finger in HIS nose! EWWWWWWWW! I said, "Theron, don't pick your nose with my finger!", as I took my hand back. He said, "I pick my nose with my finger . . . " as he proceeded to do so.

I asked him, "Do you need a Kleenex?" He responded with a resounding, "Nope!" and then stuck his finger, newly removed from his nose, into his mouth. DOUBLE EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

I said, "Theron, DON'T eat your boogers!" to which he promptly replied, "But I wanna have a snack!"

I literally threw my head back and laughed at his response! (I believe that his maternal grandfather has said that before . . . I think I was there when he said it!) I said, "Oh my gosh, that was soooooooooooo funny!"

For the next few minutes, he said, "Oh my gosh!" At one point he even said my name, and when I said, "What, Theron?" he said "Oh my gosh!" This boy is a parrot . . . and not always in a good way!! At least he keeps us laughing!

December . . . . It's BAAAAAAACK!

2008-12-05T08:27:00.001-08:00

I don't know about anyone else, but December for me is ALWAYS about too many things to do, and not quite enough time to do it all! I wish, on a yearly basis, that I could go without sleep, for just one month of the year, so that I could get more done!

It is only the 5th of December, and I have already stayed up way too late 3 nights of this month! Not a good indicator of how the month will continue!

The only saving grace??? I started my hand-made gifts in October, so I won't be completely bogged down, on Christmas Eve, by all the gifts that I still need to make.

This year is panning out a LOT differently, for me, than years past. I don't get to participate in my own little Christmas tradition of attending "The Forgotten Carols" this year . . . no funds in the budget! And, no work Christmas lunch, this year! Not even any decorations, in the office, because nobody wants to light up a place that is closing by December 29th! I don't like Bah Humbug attitudes, but I can understand.

That's where my stress level gets cranked up, this year! Sooooooooooooooo many things to wrap up at work, but too much to do, at home, to be able to devote too many extra hours to work! But, somehow I will focus on the beauty of giving, and keep my eye on the Savior, Jesus Christ, this season, to remember why we celebrate.

And, looking forward to some family time, in the mountains in CA, for Christmas, is helping me get through! It's always good to have a goal, you know! And, there is talk of playing in the snow! Woo Hoo!!

Thanksgiving Weekend

2008-11-30T18:21:00.000-08:00

. . . and BELIEVE ME, one does need an entire weekend!!

Wednesday at work, we had a YUMMY potluck lunch, and after that MY weekend began! I have to use up all my vacation days, before December 29th, so . . . what can you do???

Anyhoo . . . my sister, Karalee and I went shopping that night, with a friend of ours (waving at you, Alex!!), and what the HECK were we thinking????? Ya, the grocery store was a madhouse, and somebody (okay, it was me!!) didn't think about getting everything else first, and then the ice cream last! That was an adventure, though, so why not??

Thanksgiving morning, after sleeping in, (delightful!!) I got to be a mechanic's helper! Ever try to make pie crust AND hold the lamp, at the same time? Okay, neither did I, but I was a little stressed about it, for a little while! I wanted my French Silk Pie to be PERFECT!!!

I made tacos for lunch . . . my brother, Bart, and his son, Matt, came over from California, so I invited them, along with Karalee and her kids, to come over for lunch. Chase was the only taker! So, the boys and I enjoyed tacos and conversation, and then it was back to work!

I made a fruit salad and green bean casserole, and the French Silk Pie. Karalee had made some comment about keeping the mash potatoes warm in the crock pot, and then I thought, "Hey, why couldn't that work for the green bean casserole???" So, I mixed the beans with the soup, garlic and milk, and put it in the crock pot. (Ask anyone . . . I LOVE my Crock pot!!!!) Then, all I had to do, once I arrived at Karalee's house was put them in the casserole dish, and distribute the onion thingys over the top. . . . YUM!

Anyway, I'm sharing some photos . . . making Maddy proud! I will list commentary, under the photos . . . I KNOW you are holding your breath with anticipation! LOL

Okay, my cute SIL, Diane, does such a good job with creative projects, to keep her 3 VERY energetic children busy! For Family Home Evening, last Monday, they made these cute turkeys, to be the centerpieces on Thanksgiving, after they had a lesson about Thanksgiving. How cute are those faces???

The name cards are also something that Diane came up with . . . the kids had a great time getting all messy with paint, while we waited for the turkey to finish up. Okay, I will admit it . . . I had fun too! I DID take photos of the actual process, but didn't want to bore you all with the details! LOL

Please notice the BEAUTIFUL relish tray! Again, Diane! Next time that girl tries to tell me that she's not creative or crafty, I will have one thing to say to her, "Relish tray!!" I did discover that day, though, that she comes by it naturally, because her dad is something of a food artist, also.

I also warned Diane that she will NEVER be without the relish tray assignment, from this day forward! And she was so generous with olives and YUMMY ranch dressing . . . she truly rocked the relish tray!!

And, finally, the photo of the beverage assortment that we had on Thanksgiving. I scored at Food City - 10 2 liter bottles of soda for $9.50! Woo hoo!

Anyway, that isn't why I am posting this photo! Instead, I want to tell you about Theron . . . he's the little guy, in the photo of the kids above. He "loves" everything right now! And, he is fascinated, and suddenly very thirsty, whenever he sees anyone with a soda. (which, regretably, in my family, someone always has one!)

So, on Thanksgiving, all the soda was assembled on the high bartop counter, at my sister's house. And Theron stops and stares up in awe, at the very colorful (and obviously plentiful!) array of beverages.

He said, "Look at dat soda!"

Then he said, with a sigh, "I LOVE soda!"

His cute little 2 year old brain . . .

Later, as we were having pie, he was eating pumpkin pie. He held his spoon in his left hand, as he scooped up his next bite with the fingers of his right hand.

He looks up at me, mouth full of pie and whipped cream and says, "I LOVE punkin' pie!"

He's just soooooooooooo cute! Before he turned 2, he couldn't formulate sentences well, and was a little hard to understand. But, then his birthday happened and suddenly you can't keep him quiet, and he is much easier to understand. And also, more inclined to temper tantrums, but that's another story! LOL

So, the holiday season is officially underway . . . Hold on to your seats!

***Edited for one more cute Theron story! We're all sitting at the tables, of course we had a kid table!, and suddenly Theron cries out, "That's di-gusting!!" Apparently he had mashed potatoes on his fingers, and didn't like that! He is VERY texture sensitive! But dang, he makes me laugh!

(You should hear him say, "That's Alicious!" . . . . instead of "delicious"!)

The Spirit of Christmas, Take 2

2008-11-25T13:37:00.000-08:00

Last year, my co-workers and I made a FABULOUS Christmas happen, for a friend and her family. It was a great experience, and it was so touching to see those happy little faces soak in the joy that Christmas is, as they watched the gifts pile up beneath their tree.

This year, all of us are a little more lean in the wallet, and we haven't made any plans to play Santa again. So, I want to appeal to my friends, family and anyone else who cares to participate, after reading this entry.

I have a friend that is a single mom. She is working hard to financially support her son, who is serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She is coming up short for her Christmas plans, for him, because she is struggling, as it is, to support him in his everyday expenses.

I told her that I would like to help. She is very humble and gracious, and said, "I think we'll be okay!" But, I don't want to settle for that answer!

I remember how it feels to be away from family at Christmas! My wish is to make this Christmas a good one for that missionary, and maybe even help his mom out! I'm thinking gift cards for WalMart - that way he can buy food or socks or gloves or batteries for his alarm clock, whatever he wants!

I am not setting any sort of limit, because my own donation will be meager but from the heart! If you would like to help this young man and his family, and feel that joy that is found this time of year, please email me. I would LOVE to be a part of another Christmas miracle, that comes when many hearts and hands pull together!

Please leave your email address in a comment, if you would like to participate! Remember that "many hands make light work", so if we all pitch in, even a little bit, we can make a BIG difference in the life of another! I look forward to hearing from you! Thank you for listening! ♥

November birthdays rock!

2008-11-24T07:02:00.000-08:00

Right, Maddy??

I hope that you had a great Birthday weekend! Happy Birthday to you!

Twilight Hits the Big Screen

2008-11-22T12:38:00.000-08:00

Don't worry, no spoilers here!!

I saw this movie "Twilight" this past weekend. It was good . . . that part wasn't a surprise! I have to say, originally, Edward was a disappointment, because apparently the gorgeous guy in my head has a lot more "wow" power than this actor. But, as the story went on, he grew on me!

I will say this - there were 2 six-year old little girls in the row in front of us, to see this movie. I don't know any six year olds who would be able to follow this story, but, whatever! The only thing about that is . . . one of the previews that they showed was SO disturbing that I was closing my eyes for most of it! My friend, Nancy, said she started praying after the first 30 seconds, because of the evil that she felt. SCARY!!! I can tell you that there probably wasn't anything nightmare-inspiring about "Twilight", but that preview was enough to give ME nightmares, and I am quite a few years older than 6!!!!

Maybe they got some complaints, because my sister said that when she went to the same theater on Saturday night, that preview wasn't shown. Who knows! I don't really get into the horror genre, so I can't be . . . appreciative, I guess is the word, of the gory, scary, violent crap that is a horror preview! Obviously not a lot of thought went into placing that preview. Yes, "Twilight" does deal with vampires, but NO!!! "Twilight" is NOT about scary, violent vampires. In my mind, NOT the same as a horror film!!

SOME IDIOT KEPT TAKING PHOTOS WITH THEIR DIGITAL CAMERA! THAT'S ANNOYING! PEOPLE, HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF THE INTERNET? THEY ACTUALLY PUT PICTURES ON THERE, THAT YOU CAN PRINT OUT, OF THE CHARACTERS FROM MOVIES!!

Anyway, it was good . . . and it was cool to see the author, Stephenie Meyer, doin' a little cameo!

Golden Birthday!!

2008-11-19T07:14:00.000-08:00

Today is Kayla's 19th Birthday, on November 19th . . . that is what it means to have a golden birthday, to have your age be the same number as the date you were born.

Happy Birthday, Lollipop! I can still remember so well the day that you were born! We were all so excited for you to arrive, even though your mom totally ditched Grammy and Grumpy's 25th anniversary party to be in labor! (The enitre time we were planning the party, I told her that she was going to have you that day . . . and I was right!)

I hope that the next 19 years of your life bring you the joys and accomplishments that you want and deserve! I love you! ♥

Part 2 about the Chu

2008-11-12T04:38:00.000-08:00

So, I finally got my photos of my cute pup loaded onto my computer. Unfortunately, she is no longer my pup! (As previously mentioned, our rental agreement says "NO PETS!")

So, we were going along, looking for her former owners. Even thought we found them, but, no. So, Jorge and I talked about keeping her, but finding a different place to live. In the meantime, if anything came up, she could live at Grammy and Grumpy's house.

But then . . . I was speaking to the landlord, about a different matter. Then he said, "your neighbors want a dog." "oh?" I replied.

"I reminded them that we don't allow pets here, " he said. "And then they said, 'Well, the Zapatas have a chihuahua!"

I quickly began to explain, "we found her . . . we're looking for her owner . . . we're trying to find her a new home . . . "
His response, "So, she doesn't live there anymore??"

"well, we are trying to find . . ."

" SHE DOESN'T LIVE THERE ANYMORE???"

"no, she doesn't live here anymore!"

Then, the search was on for a new home. Suddenly Jorge decided he wanted to GIVE her to my parents, but they aren't so much the dog grandparents. (As my dog-crazy sister reminded me more than once!) So, I started talking to people that I know.

Sure enough, Saturday morning, my visiting teacher's daughter, Deana, called me up. "Are you still trying to find a home for your puppy??"

"yes we are!"

"Are you home, can we come and see her?" And an hour later, we had no dog in our apartment. I will admit that I got choked up . . . I get attached easily! And she was my walking buddy at night. . .

But, she has moved on to a bigger and better life, and now, her name is Tizzy! It's cute, don't you think?

Life as we know it

2008-11-11T07:11:00.000-08:00

By "we" I mean employees at my job. On October 31, 2008 we were all given a letter, announcing the closing of the company. We were all told that we would be employed, should we choose to, until December 29, 2008.
Now, this was a LITTLE bit of a surprise, because while we knew that the Memphis location was closing as of November 7, 2008, we had been told that some investors were going to buy us out, and keep most of us gainfully employed. Then, on Halloween, we got that scary letter!
So then, 3 days letter, the rumor mill was rumbling again, "the buyers are back on board"; "we're gonna be a new company" and so on. I'm hearing about things that I, as the Human Resources Administrator, have not even heard from the prospective buyers, and I can't do anything to dispell the rumors.
To sum this all up, I'm a tad frustrated! If we are going to close (which after a weekend to wrap my brain around, I was almost perfectly fine with finding a new job!) then bring it on! Let me box up my endless amount of files and prepare them to ship to Memphis. I understand very well that I will probably be the last one out the door - that's the nature of my job! But this not knowing and being too busy to focus on finding something else, just in case they decide they don't want me, either, that is enough to drive me CRAZY!!!!!!
Having no information, and nothing to calm the masses with, is only throwing us all into a state of "Well, I'm not hanging around to find out!" And that, my friends, IS NO WAY TO INCREASE EMPLOYEE MORALE!
Let that be a lesson for ya! :)

And, just to end on a more cheerful note . . . scrappy things are happening in my neck of the woods! I'm lovin' that! Photos later!

Another year older . . .

2008-11-05T19:12:00.000-08:00

. . . and deeper in debt" So the song goes! Wish it weren't true for me! LOL

So, it doesn't matter HOW old I get, the world (and people in it!) never cease to amaze me! I am amazed that people have opened their minds enough to elect a man of color to be the president. For me, although he wasn't my choice, this is HUGE, because even 20 years ago, when I lived in South Carolina, there were still 2 sides of every little town, the white side and the black side, and the two DID NOT mix.

I just hope that this can help us all to look past skin color and religious differences and choice of cothes to want to unite in ideals, morals, values and support of the Constitution of the United States of America.

So, as I usually do, I took the day off for my birthday. I didn't do anything too exciting - the whole point is that I didn't HAVE to do anything! Jorge and I went to Dunkin Donuts for breakfast, because I apparently share my day with "National Doughnut Day". When I heard that on the news yesterday morning, and as the rumbly in my tumbly grew louder, we made the "snap" decision to have some for breakfast. YUMMY!! And, they have a seasonal doughnut . . . Pumpkin! Even better!

Then we ran some errands, had some lunch at Matta's Grill, and then I took a nap, when Jorge went to work. Ah, the decadance! Then my friend, Nancy, and I went to Cold Stone Creamery for my free birthday ice cream. (Yep, there's lots of stuff that you can get for free on your birthday . . . check it out online!) Then it was scrappin' time! My favorite! Woo hoo!

The only bad part? I have to go to bed early, to be at work early, tomorrow! That's the bummer of middle of the week birthdays! Oh well, next year it will be Thursday, and maybe I'll take Thursday AND Friday, and go to Disneyland!

I've Got ONE Thing to Say Today . . .

2008-11-04T11:40:00.000-08:00

VOTE!!!
It doesn't matter how popular or unpopular your favorite candidate is . . . JUST USE YOUR POWER TO VOTE! It is important to make your vote count!
And, remember, he who does NOT vote has nothing over those who CANNOT vote. In other words, if you don't vote, you can't complain about the outcome!
I'm out!

Happy Halloween

2008-10-31T07:55:00.000-07:00

So, October 31 - And the Lifted Chick is having a SPECIAL on her book today! Woo Hoo! Go here: http://michellemeisenbach.blogspot.com/ for more details! Frightfully exciting!

What is it about this day that makes people completely lose their inhibitions and do crazy things? I guess the costumes, and covering up part of a person's usual self probably contributes to that.
I was just now talking to a guy that I work with - he proceeded to tell me about what his costume was last year; a Catholic priest with some accessories that aren't appropriate to discuss on this family oriented blog. This year he is going as the King of the Spartans, from the movie "300". The most exciting part for him??? He gets to go commando all night . . .
Yes, don't worry, I immediately told him that this was WAAAAAAAY too much information! Yikes!

But, I guess part of the fun for everyone is that they get to choose who they get to be for a day. The last few years the extent of my "costume" has been an orange Old Navy t-shirt that has 2 jack-o-lanterns on it and the store name under them.
2 years ago, I tried to make my face look like a jack-o-lantern, with eye shadow, just to sort of enhance my "costume". And, two guys from work were ready to track down my abusive boyfriend . . . (I didn't have an abusive boyfriend and Jorge, my then fiance, was still in Utah, at that point!)because they thought that I had been beaten up! So, I won't try that trick again! LOL

Tonight is our Fall Festival. I am the Activities Chairperson in my ward. Thankfully we are combining our efforts with the other ward that attends in our building, so my work was cut in 1/2 . . . okay, well it maybe was cut by a 1/3! LOL Not that I am some sort of control freak, but there are always communication imperfections, and things didn't get distributed as they should have, and we can't find root beer extract ANYWHERE!! and there just wasn't enough time in everyone's busy schedules for some of the little details! Not to mention the vicious rumor that was going around the ward that this party is ONLY for little kids . . . c'mon, people, it's Halloween, LIGHTEN UP!!!!!!!

Anyway, I'm not really worried - The Bouncy house is scheduled to arrive at 5:30, the food assignments have all been distributed, and the weather (supposedly!!) will be beautiful!!! Mid 80's baby!! Woo hoo! I've decided that life is too short to sweat the small details . . . we're going for festive here!

Okay, so out with the old month and in with the new . . .

ANOTHER tag . .. be serious!

2008-10-25T15:37:00.000-07:00

10 years ago I ...
- Worked at Kinko's. . . for the 3rd (but NOT final) time!
- Thought being single was the next best thing to DEATH!
- LOVED to scrapbook, and did that MOST of the time!
- Lived in an apartment with my sister, DeAwna - love her!
- spent a LOT of time with my nieces and nephews . . .that was back when I wasn't too nerdy to hang out with! (pre-teenage years!)

5 Things on my "to do" list today ...!
- Make bread for my house and Tiff's house (8 loaves, y'all!)
- Finish Balloon dart game for my parents' ward Trunk or Treat
- Scrap . . . I need that!!
- Clean the house (not my favorite, but necessary!)
- Chill -- isn't that what Saturdays are for??

5 Snacks that I enjoy ...
- POPCORN!! Caramel, Kettle, Cheese, home-popped, you name it! YUM!
- Ice cream . . . a serving a day will keep the bikini away! LOL
- Chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate!
- Dried Mango . . . oh my, that's good stuff!
- nuts or trail mix

5 Things I would do if I were a millionaire ...
- pay off all our debts
- TRAVEL!! I need a passport, first!!
- Help my family members buy their homes
- invest in a business
- Help others in whatever way possible

Places I have lived ...
- Moscow, Idaho
- Mesa, Arizona
- Salt Lake City, Utah
- Northern California
- South Carolina

5 Jobs I have had ...
- I've mentioned Kinko's already . . . I won't cheat and list all 4 times that I worked there as seperate jobs! :)
- Scrapbooks, ETC.
- A Doctor's office (OB/GYN) All women worked there . . . even the janitorial staff! Ya, sometimes the estrogen levels were almost suffocating!!
- Wells Fargo - that job changed my life! (because my friend, who introduced me to Jorge, worked there with me!
- Toys and More - that was my first "real" job . . . LOVED it!!!

Picture Tag!

2008-10-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

Okay, 2 posts today . . . Tammy keeps taggin' me! This one is a little different, though! 3rd picture folder, 3rd photo . . .

This is my sister, DeNeece, and her eldest daughter, Daylyn. See any family resemblance, ha ha ha!!
♥ these girlies!
I tag Brooke, Aubrey, Annette (mostly so that ghastly photo of the crawdads will go away!!) and Michelle. The rules are that you upload your 3rd photo from your 3rd photo file . . . have fun!

What's New with the Chu? (short for chihuahua!)

2008-10-21T04:58:00.000-07:00

Okay, so, we took Chica to PetsMart . . . they scanned her, but she has no microchip! Jorge's theory? "She's a Mexican . . . they don't use microchips!" He's kinda cute, I'm FOR SURE keeping him! :)
Anyway, got some posters up, asking around the neighborhood, and dodging my landlord like CRAZY! (We are, officially, not allowed to have pets in our apartment! Gotta find her mama, or find her a new one!!)
And, BELIEVE ME, he will find out! He has his ways! For example, my friend, Nancy, was over again, on Saturday, and we were working on a crafty project. Her car was parked in the driveway of the apartment on the other side, oh, and she has "For Sale" on her back window.
So, she had been at my house about an hour and a half, and I needed to go to the grocery store. So, off we went. We were in the store, and my phone rings. I look at the phone and basically had a panic attack, because it was my landlord! I was mortified that he was calling about the dog!!!
But no, instead, he says, in greeting, "Are you starting a used car lot?" And, for a moment, I was completely confused! But, then I realized that he was talking about Nancy's car. "No", I replied, "that's my friend's car . . . she's just visiting, and didn't want to park on the street!"
His next question? "How long is she visiting?" Okay, dude, we can just move the &^$%#( car!!! "she'll be here just a couple of hours!" was my answer.
"Oh, well, that's okay with me! I just thought that someone might be wanting that apartment, and saw that car there . . . " In retrospect, I think he felt really silly (as well he should!!) and wished he had never called.

8 Things Tag

2008-10-15T20:17:00.000-07:00

8 current obsessions...
1. Chihuahua cuteness! And she is SOOOOOOOOO used to being carried EVERYWHERE!! But put her down, outside, and watch her GO!!
2. Organizing my scrapbook room -- If only my wallet contents could match the vision in my head! Be patient, honey, I'm trying!!
3. Fall Festival for church -- success is in the details!
4. Christmas gifts for the fam . . . what do they like? and, more importantly, what can I afford???
5. Spiritual health -- God loves me even when my efforts are weak!!
6. Jorge's sleeping issues - why won't he listen to me???
7. Digital camera - dead and gone, need a new one! Can't be family photo historian without a camera!
8. Wanna have a baby, wanna have a baby, wanna have a baby!!!!

*8 words or phrases I use often...
1. "I love you!"
2. "In Spanish or English?"
3. "Whatever!"
4. "Silly!"
5. "You can do it!"
6. "If you don't know what it means, don't say it!"
7. "wanna play Scrabble?"
8. "Okay!?!?!?!" (with a sarcastic tone!)

*8 things i want to do before i die...
1. Be a mommy
2. Make a difference in the world, to someone!
3. Scrapbook all my pictures.
4. Be sealed in the temple, to my husband!
5. Write a children's book, or two, or nine!
6. Visit another country . . . preferably European!
7. Compose a song
8. Help the world find a political happy medium . . . "Can't we all just get along??"

*8 things i have learned from my past...
1. First and Foremost -- We did the best that we could at the time!
2. There is no instruction manual for being a "perfect" anything . . . parent, sister, friend, etc.
3. DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF! In reality, it is all small stuff!!
4. Crying is not a sign of weakness!
5. Good times are worth recording, and hard times are worth counting as experience gained.
6. True love sometimes causes its own kind of turbulance!
7. If at first you don't succeed . . . that means you are human! Try it again!!!
8. For all the pain and suffering of growing up in a large family, I have that many more friends/family members to show for it!

*8 places i would love to go or see..
1. New York -- the entire state, but especially the city!
2. Colombia - I want to learn about the native country of my love!
3. Europe - anywhere, and everywhere!
4. Hawaii -- Jorge and I have a goal to go there, and SOON!!!
5. Disneyland - I DO love to go there, and as many times as possible!
6. Every temple in the continental United States! Maybe I could design some sort of map!
7. To a quiet, local, romantic hotel, with Jorge, for a few days, just to escape life!
8. To the birthplace of the Savior - Bethlehem and all of the Holy Land.

*8 things i currently need or want...
1. Money for a beatifully organized and aesthetically pleasing scrapbook space! (Aunt Deby, you're my inspiration!!)
2. A day without a head/back ache! Man, I wish I had appreciated them when I had them!
3. In reference to #2 - a good, and comfortable, chair to sit on, 8 hours a day! Who knew it could be so difficult to find one???
4. Reassurance that my choices aren't always uneducated and completely wrong!
5. New clothes! But since I don't have the best luck with ready made clothes, maybe what I really need is a personal tailor/fashion designer! :(
6. An idea for a business; or rather, a way to channel all the ideas that I have into one productive idea!
7. A massage - DAILY!!
8. An office remodel! This space is entirely too uninspiring and, at times, cage-like!
There it is, my "8" tag! I tag ALL Y'ALL! At least anybody who wants to jump on the bandwagon! ♥

PS - okay, here's the story with Chica - I still haven't heard anything from anyone about ownership. I DID call a service called "Missing Mutts", and filed a report with them, so if anyone calls there, they can pass on my information. I made flyers, and am working on distributing them. Trying NOT to get too attached, but it's not easy!

I'm Ready for Monday . . . Bring it on!

2008-10-12T23:42:00.000-07:00

Have any of you ever had such a crazy busy weekend, that you are almost relieved to go back to work, on Monday, for a little relaxing, sittin' in my chair doing busy work, time? That is how my weekend was! Go, go, go, go, go!!

I took Friday off, too, so maybe that's part of the problem! My weekend was one day longer than usual, and so I felt the need to pack it just a little more full of stuff! Ay, ay, ay!!!

Jorge worked Friday night, so I had my friend, Nancy, come over, and we worked on some crafty projects together. We made some Peanut Butter Cheesecake brownies (YUMMMY, by the way!!) and had a few laughs, and kept busy! But not before we made a trip to Wal-Mart and the little Panaderia (Spanish for "bakery") down the street from my house.

We wrapped things up about 2 am -- dang, that's late! Then, we had to start again Saturday morning, with a trip to Sam's club, to print out some photos and hunt down shoes for Jorge. But, before Nancy and I could get out the door, we were joined by a little friend! Apparently, as we were about to leave the house, and I realized that I forgot something, we turned around, and the screen door didn't get completely closed.

So, we start to head back to the front door, and I look down and see this little dog that had wandered in! She's DARLING, and the kind of dog that I have been wanting for a LONG time!

I went outside, looked around for someone to be calling for or searching for their dog, but nobody was. I asked the neighbor across the street if he had seen this dog, or anyone looking for it. The response? "No , but, finders keepers, right?!?!?!"

Nancy had a big tote bag, so we decided to take Chica (the name another friend, Megan, chose) into Sam’s Club with us. She did sooooooooo well! She did not make one peep, didn’t whine, didn’t growl, nothing! We got lots of looks and a few “cute puppy!” comments, but otherwise would’ve forgotten that she was there!

When we got home from Sam’s, I asked the neighbor, again, if anyone had been around looking for her. She has a collar, and somebody has been loving her, because her nails have been polished. But, where there once was a tag, the little loop that held it on had been stretched. In these tough economic times, it is hard to tell whether she is lost or if someone just ditched her!

So, Saturday night – working on projects for the Fall Festival, at our stake center. I needed to make posters and flyers. I had the plan to just make one flyer, enlarge it to poster size, and then make smaller flyers from the same original. I got my printer out (ya, so we’ve lived in our current apartment for 16 months, and I am just now busting out my printer . . . big deal!!!), and there were no chords! No USB chord, to connect in to the computer, and NO power chord!!! And I, being the QUEEN of procrastination that I can be, sometimes, waited until 9:30 pm to even bust open the box!

Eventually, after looking for the chords for a while, and calling around to see if anyone has my same printer, I gave up! I still had a lot of stuff to do . . . including going to Americopy before they closed at 11 pm.

And, my posters and flyers ended up being hand-written . . . maybe a little lame, but desperate times call for desperate measures! And my hand-writing isn’t terrible, so . . . I did what I had to do! My head didn’t hit the pillow before 3 am – I had to take the dog out, you know!!

Then, my alarm went off at 6:30 am for my 7 am meeting Sunday morning . . . OUCH!! After Sacrament Meeting, in which I could BARELY keep my eyes open, I went home and took a 30 minute power nap, before heading back to the church for Relief Society.

Anyway, long weekend + short sleep = VERY TIRED GIRL!!!! At least at work, I can sit in one chair and chase papers for a few hours at a time, to relax! Here’s something you won’t hear me say, very often . . .
HAPPY MONDAY!

Come Listen to a Prophet's Voice

2008-10-10T13:12:00.000-07:00

Okay, this is a LITTLE late, but better than never, right??? This week has been a crazy one, with no "personal" computer time!

Every six months, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has its General Conference. The amazing thing about this is that AT LEAST every six months, I TOTALLY need to have my spiritual bucket fill to overflowing. The speakers and topics of General Conference ALWAYS do that for me! This time was no exception.

The other amazing thing is, that in this world of turmoil, fighting, back-stabbing, mud-slinging, hate crimes and violence, the overall message is always: Hope through Jesus Christ. The most everyday disappointments, and even major heartbreaks can be healed through Him, and these conference sessions remind me that Jesus Christ is TRULY the "way, the truth and the life" (John 14:6), and how much His example and influence can calm the storms of my life.

I love to hear the prophet testify of the love that Heavenly Father has for each one of us. And, my favorite talk was probably by President Monson, when he urged and reminded us over and over again, to "Enjoy the Journey"! (Yes, I may just stitch that on a pillow!)

It was refreshing, rejuvinating and hope-filling . . . I am always sad when the Sunday afternoon rolls around (all too quickly!!) because that means it is over for 6 more months. But, hey, that's why we have DVR!! I can watch and listen to whatever talk I want to, to be reminded again and again.

Another Birthday . . . .

2008-10-03T07:26:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday, Dear Kerry!

I'm not going to sing the song, because of this:

Ever wondered why some restaurants make up their own silly birthday songs for their staff to sing to patrons? It's so they don't have to pay royalties. Every time you celebrate someone's birthday at a restaurant or other public place, you are technically committing copyright infringement by singing "Happy Birthday to You" to the birthday girl or boy.

The tune was written by sisters Mildred and Patty Hill in 1893, and copyrighted in 1934 by their sister Jessica. Although the original copyright would have expired in 1991, two intervening acts of Congress have extended it through at least 2030. The song earns about $2 million per year in royalties -- and would probably make a lot more if The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) had a representative enforcing the copyright at restaurants.

Have a good birthday, anyway, Kerry! ♥ your Kentucky-livin', horse-lovin' guts!

She's 29 today . . . AGAIN!

2008-10-02T06:49:00.000-07:00

Today is my "little" sister's birthday! And, I put little in quotes, because she has been taller than me since she was 16, so there you go!

Karalee is an amazing person! She is a very talented hairdresser, and she has a great sense humor! Her teenagers love her, because she still has a kid's heart!

You should hear her order food, in the drive-thru, with her baby talk voice! Oh my gosh, pee your pants laughing!

She is one of my best friends and she loves me all the time, even when she has a good reason to just give up and walk away! (Ah, family ties that bind . . . and gag! LOL)

Happy Birthday, my sister! Sure love you!

The More I see You!

2008-09-29T20:51:00.000-07:00

I saw this on my friend's blog ...it looked fun!
1. Put your iPod on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. You must write that song name down no matter how silly it sounds.

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
"Change for the Better"
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
"Wonderful Tonight"
HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
"What I Needed"
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
"Guilty of a Crime"
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
"I Already Do"
WHAT DO YOU OFTEN THINK ABOUT?
"I Still Miss Someone"
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LOVE?
"Want You, Miss You, Love You"
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
"Turn Down the World Tonight"
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
"Love Look What You've Done to Me"
WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LOVE?
"Stay Beautiful"
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
"Fast Cars and Freedom"
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
"You Walked In"
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
"More Than Words"
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
"Never Can Say Goodbye"
WHAT DID YOU SEE OUT YOUR WINDOW TODAY?
"Listen to the Music"
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?
"Where My Heart Finds Christmas"
WHAT DO YOU DREAM ABOUT?
"I Will Follow"
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR HIGH SCHOOL YEARS?
"That's the Way (I Like It)"
WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR THE FUTURE?
"Heartless"
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE WAY YOU LOOK?
"New Year's Day"
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF YOUR BLOG?
"I Think About You"
WHAT GOAL ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON?
"I'll Be Home for Christmas"
WHAT WILL THE TITLE OF THIS POST BE?
"The More I See You"

This Ipod tag goes out to anyone who wants to have a little fun with their playlist! :)

105th Blog Entry

2008-09-26T10:43:00.000-07:00

OOPS!!! I missed my 100th entry by a few . . . I guess I wasn't really paying attention!

I have to say that this blogging experience is truly an enriching one, for my life! Not only do I get to share, vent, praise and opine all on the internet, for the world to see, but I also get to re-connect with old friends, because of my presence here! That's pretty cool!

The last year has been a challenge -- but aren't they all, in some way, shape or form?? I only hope that I will be better equipped, next year, to deal with all the challenges that come along, because of what I have learned this year!

And, if you care to notice, this year has meant MORE blog entries than last year! I guess I am really getting the hang of this!

"Lifted" and other random scrappy thoughts. . . .

2008-09-23T19:42:00.000-07:00

My friend, Michelle, has written a book. And, not just any book -- It is titled "Lifted", and it is an incredibly inspiring collection of scrapbook pages, with lots of ideas! (http://www.papertherapy.com/ - That's her website, for more information!)

Anywho - she is doing book signings, all over the valley, at a scrapbook store near you! And, at the Paper Vineyard (http://www.papervineyard.com/ervineyard.com/) she did a Late Nighter Lift contest. It was sooooooo fun!!! Between the owner, the two sales clerks and Michelle, they couldn't pick winners, so us contestants had to actually vote on the winners.

Here is my entry:

I "lifted" a DARLING page that Michelle did of her brother and her daughter. The layout was completely inspirational for me, as I didn't know what I wanted to do with the photos from my niece's graduation night! Thanks Michelle, for being so willing to share your talents with us!

Also, I am working on Tina's Christmas cards, but have been working on other random scrapbook pages as well. I'm trying to think of a way to make money doing what I love, but my limited brainstorming time slows down the process!

Here are some other things that I have been working on:

Tina's custom Birthday card . . . just her style!

This layout has been 18 months in the making! These photos were taken 2 years ago, by Jackie Lindfors (see her blog listed to the right!!), and I have just barely pulled this together! I am going to hang this on my "A to Z" photo wall - (Their last name starts with "A" and mine starts with "Z", so it will be a wall of family . . . get it???) and is my first project for that wall!
Of course, once my mom and my sister, the mother of these cuties, saw this layout they both whined, "I WANT THIS FOR MY WALL!!"
You know what they say . . . . "Christmas is coming!!" wink, wink!

Then, this little guy turned 2 on Sept 3, 2008, and I am just getting around to scrappin' his birth! I've been slackin'!!

And, last, but certainly not least - These 2 cute nieces of mine worked at Sunsplash together, for the summer of 2007. I had to record this moment in history, one Saturday morning, when I was their taxi for the day! How cute are they???

Four Things Tag

2008-09-12T13:52:00.000-07:00

FOUR JOBS I HAVE HAD :
1. Carl's Jr 2. Toy store clerk 3. Kinko's . . . too many years!! Don't get me started! 4. Scrapbook teacher - Love that job!!!
FOUR MOVIES I HAVE WATCHED OVER AND OVER :
1. While You Were Sleeping 2. Dirty Dancing 3. Sixth Sense 4. Ever After
FOUR PLACES I HAVE LIVED :
1. Moscow, Idaho 2. Mesa, Arizona 3. Salt Lake City, Utah 4. South Carolina
FOUR TV SHOWS I LIKE TO WATCH :
1. The Closer 2. Monk 3. 24 4. Family Fued
FOUR PLACES I HAVE BEEN ON VACATION :
1. Disneyland 2. Utah 3. Disneyland 4. Montana
FOUR OF MY FAVORITE FOODS :
1. Chips and Salsa 2. CHOCOLATE!!! 3. Salad 4. Mexican - without cilantro!!
FOUR PLACES I WOULD RATHER BE RIGHT NOW :
1. On a beach in Hawaii, with Jorge 2. A 5 Star Hotel in New York, with Jorge 3. With all my sisters, laughing! 4. Disneyland!!

I tag ANYONE WHO READS THIS!!!

Lest We Forget . . .

2008-09-11T07:47:00.000-07:00

Where were you when the world stopped turning,
That September day?
-- Alan Jackson

I will never forget that day -- and I hope that one day, sooner than later, we can, as citizens of the USA, pull together again, BEFORE another tragedy strikes. Regardless of political party, religious affiliation, skin color or nationality. "One nation, under God . . ."

One Universal Truth

2008-09-09T17:45:00.000-07:00

I am so amazingly grateful for one universal truth -- regardless of our specific religious beliefs, our national origin, or our current financial status, God loves all of His children, and has given them an incredible gift. It is freedom to choose, call it free will, free agency, or right to believe, whatever terminology best fits your life. But it is truly wonderful, to have that gift!
Now, I understand that not all countries, nations and principalities allow their citizens to excersize this God-given right, but I am truly blessed to live in a nation that is based upon this gift of freedom.
I am waxing so philosophical about this for a number of reasons, but the one hot topic right now is election time. Not only are we looking for someone new to sit in the big white house in Washington DC, but there are also many issues up for vote this November.
The other night, I heard a man talk about a conversation he had had with his granddaughter, who recently turned 18. He was explaining to her that she needed to register to vote, so that she could vote on a specific issue, and, he told her, "we need your vote!"
As he explained to her both sides of the issue that he was referring to, she said, "well, that isn't the way that I would vote!" His response? "I'm not gonna talk to her, with that kind of attitude!!"
So, my understanding of his response is "I'm not going to talk to(read accept, respect, admire or even possibly love)you if you don't vote the way I do" or in other words, "My way, or no way!" Sorry to disappoint you, sir, but this country and even the belief system that I maintain in my life, allows for EACH AND EVERY PERSON to choose for themselves! That means I get to vote for who or whatever I want! I get to make choices for ME!
Which is the other side of this "free will" coin -- MY choices, I will answer for them! Nobody else will be accountable for my choices, whether the choice is who to elect as president of the United States or whether I eat some delicious, cilantro-laden salsa! Not to say that my choices won't affect others, but I will be the only one that has to answer for them!
I guess that is part of what truly maturing is all about. And, no, I'm not patting myself on the back, but I have just learned that I can't make ANYONE be what I want them to be. They have to want the best for themselves! And my job, as a human being and a daughter of a loving Father in Heaven, is to try and love others the way He loves me, and help others get through this crazy little time called "Life".
Go vote, in November! And if you wanna vote for Mickey Mouse for President, do it! Just excersize your freedom and let your voice be heard! I love the saying "Evil prevails when good men do nothing". I'm not sure who said that, but I strongly believe it! To make a difference, we have to DO SOMETHING!
Okay, putting the soapbox away . . . but, it had to be said!

Name Game

2008-09-03T09:16:00.000-07:00

This looked like fun! Thanks Michelle!
1. YOUR REAL NAME:
Kaelene Zapata
2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: {first 3 letters of real name plus izzle}
Kaeizzle
3. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME:{fav color & fav animal}
Teal Dolphin
4. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: {middle name & current street}
Bailey LeSueur
5. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: {first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name, first 3 letters of mom's maiden name}
ZapKaMca
6. YOUR SUPERHERO NAME: {2nd fav color & favorite drink}
Red Pepsi
7. YOUR WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: {mother's middle name & father's middle name}
Ann Morgan
8. YOUR GOTH NAME: {black & the name of one of your pets}
Black Rylee

now go & do it! (:

Average Joe Olympics

2008-08-26T07:31:00.000-07:00

You know, for 2 solid weeks we were inspired by the world's greatest athletes, showing us what they have endured and trained for, to represent their countries with finesse and grace. I would be lying if I said that I wasn't impressed. So many inspiring stories of endurance and sticking to a goal.

But, what about us "average" people? Couldn't we have some sort of Olympics? I would LOVE to be on the Olympic Scrabble team, or even the Olympic Spaghetti making team. I know a few people who could kick some serious butt on the Olympic Sleeping team! Oooooooh -- even better, the Olympic snoring team . . . I've got a gold medal candidate at my house!!

Of course, the OBVIOUS Olympic Scrapbooking team . . . I would SOOOOOOOOOOO be working out and practicing for that one!

The best part of all this Olympic stuff, is that we may not be able to lift 350 lbs or do a pole vault, or win 8 swimming events, but we can all be inspired to do the best at whatever we do, because we have witnessed people giving their all for their country and their personal best.

Oh, one event that would HAVE to be included in the "Average Joe" Olympics . . . the Stupid Reporter Questions team . . . For example, the guy who asked the American runner who had just been disqualified, "How do you feel?" Uh, how about YOU should feel lucky that this guy doesn't bust you in the nose, right now???? "I've been training for this moment for years, working my butt off for the past 6 months, already done a bit of a victory dance on the field, and YOU wanna know how I feel????" Ya, that kind of question does NOT requiring extensive training!!

Anyway, this may seem like its a random, disjointed post, but I just want to go on, with the inspiration that the Olympic games were, and be my best "average joe" self. I hope that we can all be the greatest us possible! ♥