Sunday, December 31, 2006

Auld Lang Syne

As the year comes to an end, here are two things I’d like to say.

1. New Years Resolutions suck. I am not making any. Okay, so yes I could stand to lose some weight. Yes, I should eat better. Yes, I should save more and spend less. Am I going to attempt any of these things? Sure. Will I succeed? Highly doubtful.

2. One thing I am going to do for this coming year is letting things go. I am usually the kind of person who hangs on to things. But I have decided that as of right now, I am holding on to nothing. Everyone who made me mad is forgiven. It’s just too much work to hold on to things. Why should I spend my time and energy on that? However, I have also decided that I will not in turn then be a doormat. People who continually cause grief in my life do not deserve the right to continue to be part of my life, no matter who they are.

So that’s it. That is my New Year. For today though, I have no plans. I ordered a pizza earlier so it would be here at dinner. The girls are off visiting. I got The Simpson’s Season 9 on DVD yesterday so I am set. I will probably be asleep by midnight. I hope everyone has a great New Year’s Eve. Don’t drink and drive. Don’t let anyone else drink and drive. And take my friend Trish’s advice and don’t call me drunk at midnight. See you next year!

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Mr. Wiggles

We got a new cat. HIS name is MR.WIGGLES. He is orange with darker orange stripes and really cute! At first kitty didn’t like MR.WIGGLES and hissed and made weird sounds but I think their getting along.

For Christmas he got a feather on a stick. MR.WIGGLES loves feathers on sticks and he loves his catnip pillow too. He snuggles it and smashes his face against the pillow and it is so funny.

Our New Cat

The Aftermath

The wrapping is everywhere! Not only wrapping paper, but boxes, those wire ties, and plastic inserts. Then there are the toys. When did toys get so small? There are Polly Pockets and Littlest Pet Shop toys everywhere. I like the holidays, but frankly, I am glad they are over. Now we can get back to regular life. Until New Years….

Monday, December 25, 2006

Christmas!!!

Christmas was so much fun! The first thing we did was look in our stockings. I found a lollypop that was mint flavor. I also got a candy necklace, bracelet, and ring. I got a Nintendogs that I play with all the time now. And then we opened presents I got a lot of Polly Pockets and the Polly Pocket Hotel. My Polly’s can ski, ice skate, and swim. My dad got me a big fairy castle and a fairy that is blue and pretty. I also got cheerleading Brat named Cloe.

The End

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas everyone! Things here are pretty exciting. Santa came last night. He filled everyone’s stockings with goodies, even the cat’s stockings. Here are a few pictures of the girls opening their presents.


Catherine's new pants.


Carolynn playing her new Game Cube game.


Carolynn's Build-A-Bear got a new outfit.


Catherine got her very own Stitch.


Carolynn playing Nintendogs.

I am making a ham for our Christmas Feast. In addition, I will have to say I must agree with my friend Trish, ham gravy rules! I am also making green bean casserole and blueberry pie. We are having a nice quiet Christmas at home and I like it.

I would also like to say thanks to my mom and dad for the great gift cards and to my Aunt Chris and Uncle Steve who sent me a Simpson’s Uno game.

Saturday, December 23, 2006

Welcome Home

Today our house became a little fuller. We got a new cat. Yes, we still have our old cat, Kitty. But today, at the PetsMart, David saw this cat who had been there since August. The volunteer lady from the humane society told David what a nice cat he was and David played with him a bit. Then he called me and had me come pick the cat up. We named him Mr. Wiggles. Mr. Wiggles is orange and he is three years old. He is very friendly. He gets along fine with Kitty. He even likes Catherine. (Kitty and Catherine are not on the best terms. Catherine is to rough.) Kitty was a little wary of Mr. Wiggles at first, but they will be best buds in no time. Here is a picture of Mr. Wiggles.




Other than the new cat, nothing else is going on. We are all ready for Christmas. The girls can’t wait to see what Santa brought them.

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Friends Over

On Friday, my friend Kina came over. My mom was home and picked us up. Kina’s mom brought a huge piece of pizza and Kina split the pizza with me. The pizza was so good. It was a pepperoni pizza. Then we played Polly fashions for a long time. Finally, me and Kina went to church for Jesus’ birthday. All the 5th graders were there. The first thing we did was watched some guys bring in pizza and then we had pepperoni pizza. The pizza was so delicious. Then we all played games. The first game was to blow some bubble gum in a bubble and take the bubble out of your mouth and put the bubble on the tree. Our team didn’t win but that was fine. The second game was to throw a ball and one of the helpers at the church would catch it and the teams could also steal the balls from any other team. The third game was to throw the ball behind your back and make one of the helpers catch it. That game I got bored at because we had no more balls in our bag because we threw them all and another team kept stealing ours from our bag. Then the forth game was the Rudolph game. You had to balance a cup on your nose with a ball in it and go dump it in the bag and the cup had to stay your nose. Finally our team won. Then a guy talked about Jesus and he said how Christmas was about how to give and share. And he told us his life story about how he gave and shared to some other family that was poor. Then we played ping-pong. Then my mom came and picked us up.

When we got home, we watched Eight Crazy Nights and played Polly Fashions. Then we watched The Grinch when mom was going to bed. Then we fell asleep in the middle of that movie.

The next day, we played Polly Fashions until my mom let us outside. We found what channel Ren and Stimpy was on and Catherine watched it. Catherine chased us everywhere outside. Then we went back inside and played Polly Fashions. Then we started playing with my Cabbage Patch Kids. Our Cabbage Patch extravaganza was when the World War 2 was and we were running from bombs with our babies. Then we found a little club house that no one was using. It was like an attic. We played Cabbage Patch kids in the clubhouse and we were pretending like that the club house was a little shack for us to hide from the bombs and it was bomb proof. Then we came inside from playing Cabbage Patch kids for a long time, then we played more Polly Fashions. Kina had a new one that I got her for a Christmas present. So she was playing with that. It was a magnet Polly Pocket. Then we got ready for bed and we watched Josie and The Pussycats. David was making fun of it like a girl.


David making fun of Josie and the Pussycats and singing What's New Pussycat. Posted by Picasa


I took a picture of Catherine sleeping peacfully. Posted by Picasa

While we were watching Josie and the Pussycats we were having lots of fun.


Kina hiding from the camera Posted by Picasa


Kina watching the movie Posted by Picasa

After the movie, we went to sleep.

Today we played more Polly Fashions and watched TV. Around 11ish we went outside and played in our clubhouse. This time in our clubhouse we played Polly Fashions for a long time. Then we went inside because my mom had to take David to work. Then we stayed inside and watched TV. Then after my mom got home, we danced around like lunatics and spun around.

Dizzy kids


Then Kina went home. After that, I watched Medium and helped mom cook cookies. Then mom and I had swordfish for dinner and it was the best swordfish I ever had in my life. Actually, I never had swordfish before, but I like swordfish now.

Saturday, December 16, 2006

Happy Holidays

It’s been exciting around here since last week. On Sunday, we went to Disneyland. The Christmas stuff was cool. The parade was cool. Carolynn wrote a little about it. Here are a few pictures.


Goofy wearing Catherine's Stitch glove. Posted by Picasa


Holiday Haunted Mansion Posted by Picasa


Catherine enjoying her hot chocolate Posted by Picasa


It's A Small World Holiday Posted by Picasa

We did a little Christmas shopping while we were there too.


Here are our stockings, before our adventure to Disneyland. Posted by Picasa


These are our stockings after our trip to Disneyland. Posted by Picasa

We got the house all decorated. Everyone is getting into the holiday spirit. At work, I have been designing a new catalog. I should be done soon. That will be cool. David has been working hard at the PetsMart. He got to be Santa one day and spent the day getting his picture taken with lots of pets. Even Kitty is getting ready for Christmas.


Kitty is getting in the Christmas spirit. Posted by Picasa

Catherine won a new bike in a raffle at school. Carolynn has her friend Kina spending the weekend. They went to a church party on Friday night. Look for Carolynn's report on her weekend. They start their Winter Break on Wednesday.

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Disneyland

Sunday we went to Disneyland right around 12:35. The first thing we did at Disneyland was we went on the Haunted Mansion. It wasn’t as scary as it was before. There was a lot of Jack Skelington and Christmas. After that, me and my sister went on a ride that spins and goes up and down. Next we saw a Christmas parade. I saw Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse, Mrs. Claus, and SANTA CLAUS. Finally, we went to the Small World ride. The fake kids sang Christmas songs like Jingle Bells. It was cool. Then it started raining so we went home.

Disneyland Holiday Parade- Santa

Saturday, December 09, 2006

Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer

Catherine's Christmas song

This Is MY Space

I was thinking today that I know many people who use My Space to post pictures and such. However, I like this better. I have learned to do so much with this space since I first started my first one forever ago. Those of you who knew me then may recall that my first space was all one color, there were no pictures or anything. Just words. Most of them complaining about the weather in Wisconsin.

Now, several years later, here we have a fancy tropical design. We have words in many colors. We have pictures. We have video, both homemade and from other sites directly on ours. We have a running music video list on the side. We have various links. We have the Tropical Fruit Salad Trivia Challenge, though only about three people play, David and I being two of those people. We have our quiz from yesterday. All the time I am learning new things I can do with this.

Not that I really know a whole lot about My Space. I have only heard bad things about it though and the few I have seen were unimpressive. Therefore, I will stick with my current form. I hope you enjoy it.


Not too much exciting happening today. Yesterday I had the whole day off. I ran a bunch of errands. Today I am cleaning. I know, you just cannot stand the excitement. Tomorrow we are going to Disneyland so I will have many pictures. Today I have a picture of David in his PetsMart uniform.

Friday, December 08, 2006

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Wednesday Is Here

There is nothing too exciting to report. David has been working hard at his job at PetsMart. I hope that he can keep himself from bringing home all the kitties they have for adoption in there. We already have one crazy cat and we do not need more. The kids are fine. They are looking forward to Christmas. We are going to Disneyland on Sunday. We cannot wait to see the Christmas decorations.

So anyways, about the church. First, it is not like any regular church I have ever been to or heard of. They do not have that high pressure, “you believe what we say or else”, attitude that most churches have. They do not preach in a traditional sense. They give lessons. They do not guilt; they do not do any of that kind of stuff like most churches. We started going because I was looking for something the kids can get involved in that would be good for them. They could meet new people and do activities. Moreover, I was looking for something cheap. I didn’t think of church right away because I don’t think getting up early on a Sunday morning, getting all dressed up, and being called a sinner would be a fun way to spend a Sunday morning. However, my friend Dee Ann goes to this one and she recommended it. We go on Saturday night. I wear jeans and tennis shoes. The girls each go to their activities. I get a rock concert and a lesson. Then we go out for Slurpees. It is not horrible. The kids have made new friends. So that is it. No religious fanatics, nothing craziness. If you want to check it out for yourself, here is the website. North Coast Church.

Friday, I get the day off with pay. I have two float holidays because we are supposed to get New Year’s Eve and Christmas Eve as paid holidays and they fall on the weekend. Therefore, we get two other days off in December of our choice. I am taking the next two Fridays so I get four 3-day weekends in a row. How cool is that!?

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

News, Just News

After shooting video undercover in 10 Army recruiting offices in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, ABC News released in November an episode of recruiters telling a prospect that no one is going to Iraq anymore. "No, we're bringing people back," he said, and his partner followed with, "We're not at war. War ended a long time ago." In a separate on-camera interview, Col. Robert Manning, who is in charge of Army recruiting in the Northeast, generously told ABC News that he disagreed with the recruiters. "We are a nation and Army at war still." [AOL.com-ABC News, 11-4-06]

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A prison inmate named Calvin Miller, who was angry with a former partner in crime who had escaped conviction, called police in Kansas City, Mo., in 2003 with information that led them to reopen that cold case, and eventually the partner, Johnny Chapple, was convicted of murder (along with two others). However, also convicted was a fourth participant: Calvin Miller. While Chapple received a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, Miller got 17. (By the way, Miller's well-known nickname, acquired before any of this transpired, is "Cheesy Rat.") [Jefferson City News Tribune-AP, 9-26-06]

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An investigation by a state agency is under way in Revere, Mass., of a residence condemned by local officials as (according to a neighbor) "worse than any Stephen King movie" because it reeked of garbage, feces and cockroaches. It is the home of Andrea Watson, a child-rights advocate who lived there (until the condemnation) with her two children and two grandchildren. Watson's colleagues told the Boston Herald that she is a tireless activist for children who put her "heart and soul" into Parents for Residential Reform. [Boston Herald, 11-7-06]

Monday, December 04, 2006

Holiday Disney Fun

Last weekend I saw Happy Feet and I think it was cute. You people need to watch it.

Next weekend I am going to Disneyland. I am getting a stocking and going to dinner. I want a stocking maybe with Goofy or Pluto.

Yesterday my mom made 3 types of cookies- peanut butter, chocolate chip and gingersnaps- they are so good!!!

Sunday, December 03, 2006

Only 3 Weeks Until Christmas!

We have been putting up our Christmas decorations. David did the outside lights. The girls decorated the tree and I put some stuff around the house. It’s just not Christmas until there is a sexy leg lamp in the window.


Our Christmas tree Posted by Picasa


Another Christmas Story... look at that sexy leg! Woo Hoo!! Posted by Picasa


David hanging lights. Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, I did something I have never done before. I called in sick to work. I was feeling really sick. It felt weird being home from work when it was still open. It was nice knowing that though I was sick, I would not lose a days pay.

Speaking of work, guess who got a job???? Oh yes, it is David. He is now an employee of PetsMart. He started yesterday.

Yesterday, while David was enjoying his first day on his new job, the girls and I did a lot of running around. First, we dropped off David at the PetsMart. Then we went over to the Kohl’s and got some new clothes for the girls. Check out this video of Catherine in her new snowman sweats. (This video is a new technology for us and this video is just a trial thing I made, so please excuse the horribleness of it.)

Check out Catherine's new snowman sweats.

After the Kohl’s, we ate breakfast at Denny’s. Then we went to the Target to get some Christmas shopping done. After that we got gas and toy cars at the Chevron and groceries at the Albertson’s. Then we came home. We did some cleaning, put the groceries away and listened to some Christmas music. Then we went to the PetsMart to do some shopping and pick up David. On our way, we stopped at Wal-Mart to buy a jar for our Christmas candy. The girls picked out some toys there to give to the Marines collecting Toys For Tots out front. Then we shopped PetsMart. We got a box of presents for our dog, Elvis, and for his brothers and Hercules too. (His brothers and Hercules are my mom’s dogs and our dog Elvis lives with them.) We got some stuff for Kitty too. Then we got some dinner at the Mc Donald’s, or as Catherine says, “Mick-A-Dees”. Then we went to church. After that, when it was late, back to the Wal-Mart I went, without the kids, and did a little Christmas shopping of my own. I like that the Wal-Mart is open 24 hours now. That is the only way to beat the crowds there.

Today we have been cleaning and baking cookies. We have made gingersnaps, chocolate chip cookies and peanut butter cookies so far. We have plans to make snickerdoodles and sugar cookies too. Maybe we will make those next weekend. I have great cookie cutters. They belong to my grandma and my dad used to cut cookies with them when he was a little boy. Now my kids can cut cookies with them.

Finally, someone, I won’t name any names or point any fingers, but someone has mentioned that they thought I might have turned into a religious fanatic or something because we started going to church. That is not true. I am just as religious now as I ever was and I still pretty much feel the same about most organized churches. However, later this week I will explain about the one we have been going to and the reason behind it. I will not do it today though. This is long enough already.

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The Blair Witch Kitty Project


I found this video in my camera. I do not know where it came from. It's a mystery.

Friday, December 01, 2006

The Few. The Proud. The Marines.

While some places are having trouble with storms, our weather is great. Cool, but great. We have other things happening around here. At our place, this is what we have to look forward to.

Camp Pendleton Issues Noise Advisory
KNSD-TV
10:10 p.m. PST December 1, 2006

A noise advisory has been issued for people who live near Camp Pendleton. Starting Saturday, U.S. Marines will conduct training exercises using mortars and bombs. Area residents could hear loud explosions and rumbling sounds. The exercises will conclude Dec. 8.

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According to MapQuest we would have to drive 9 miles and it would take 12 minutes to get to Camp Pendleton from our house. However, if I could go in a straight line from here to there it would only be about 4 or 5 miles. Sounds like a blast, doesn’t it?

I do not really mind though. We used to live near Miramar and helicopters would go over and vibrate the whole house nearly daily. Once I went out to sea on an aircraft carrier and planes were landing and taking off right over my head. Then I went up to the part where the captain sits and he was explaining to me which planes were which. It was loud, but very cool.

Here's a picture of my favorite current Marine. Yep, I stole this picture. :)


Trisha's husband Casey. Okay so he's the only Marine I know, but he's still my favorite.