Thursday, April 26, 2007

Seaworld Revisited

This past Saturday was Carolynn's birthday. In honor of the occasion, we went on an all girl adventure to Seaworld. I did not write about it before because Carolynn said she wanted to do it first.

Anyway, on Saturday we drove down to Seaworld. By the time we got there, everyone but Jessica was asleep. We picked up Jessica and Kina's tickets and we went inside. I had given Carolynn $40 spending money. Apparently, it is not cool to be seen with your mother and your little sister, so Catherine and I were ditched. Here is a picture of those ditchers.


Catherine and I walked over, got a smoothie, and went to watch the dolphin show. Here is a picture of the stadium.


Next, we got a churro and went to see the sea lion and otter show. We found Carolynn and her friends sitting on the grass outside the show waiting so we watched it together. Here is a picture of the sea lions.


After the show, we were ditched again. Catherine and I went to see the sharks. Here is Catherine looking at sharks.


After the sharks, we saw the manatees. Here is Catherine outside the manatee exhibit.




Next, we walked over to see if we could see the girls come down from the roller coaster they were on. We did not see them. Then we walked over to the beer garden and looked at the Clydesdales and the donkey who wishes he too were a Clydesdale. Here is a picture of Catherine looking at the horses and the donkey/Clydesdale.




After that, Catherine and I watched the Pets Rule show. Here is Catherine petting one of the stars before the show.


After that, we met the girls for dinner and watched a few more shows together. Then we came home. Carolynn says it was the best birthday ever. I got a sunburn.

Email

Perhaps people thought I needed stuff like this today. Perhaps all people could use stuff like this everyday. Just a thought.
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Found in an e-mail today-

I hired a plumber to help me restore an old farmhouse, and after he had just finished a rough first day on the job: a flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric drill quit and his ancient one ton truck refused to start. While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands. When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation. His face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss. Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I
had seen him do earlier.

"Oh, that's my trouble tree," he replied. "I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one thing's for sure, those troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children, so I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home and ask God to take care of them. Then in the morning I pick them up again." "Funny thing is," he smiled," when I come out in the morning to pick 'em up, there aren't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before."

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The significant problems we have cannot be solved at the same level of thinking with which we created them.- Albert Einstein

"Love is love's reward". John Dryden (1631-1700)

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

This Is The First and Last Time… I Hope

I am about to discuss a topic that has never been brought up on this page before and I hope it will not be again. However, I am mad, this is my page and I feel it to be necessary. There will be no comments on this post and any comments on other posts referring to it will be deleted. If you feel like commenting, send me an email.

Once upon a time, not too very long ago, I was married. Unfortunately, for all involved, that did not end well. This is not a place to post such details and frankly, they are few peoples business but my own. However, these things happen and life goes on. I moved on with my life, got a good job, went back to school and I spend lots of fun times with my kids. (Anyone who reads this blog regularly knows that.)

At the end of that fiasco, I assumed that once parted, Mr. Ex-Husband would go to his family and cry about how I had been so mean. Then they, as his loyal family, would agree with him and would never speak to me again, or even worse start calling me names or something. Now, I do not know that he did or didn't do that. Nevertheless, I was wrong about his family. We aren’t friends, we don’t hang out. I certainly am not invited to their family events. But no one has called me anything horrible. I don’t hear ever that Mr. Ex-Husband ever said anything bad about me. (Though I am not stupid, I doubt many ex-husbands have a lot of wonderful things to say about ex-wives. If that were the case… they wouldn’t be ex would they?)

I do not say bad things about him either. Anyone who reads this knows this is the first time he has been mentioned. As a matter of fact, I make it a point to say very little. If he wants people to know about his life, that is his business.

Anyway, what brought all this up? Well, just as I thought his family would support him, I assumed mine would support me. I realize my family isn’t as close as his family (I don’t mean in miles), but I assumed I could count on them for some support if I needed it. I was wrong there too, just as I was wrong about his family.

I do not have a huge extended family. I have never been close to any of them really. When things changed in my life, I was advised to pack it up and head home to the town I grew up in. Instead, I chose to stay here. My kids were established here. So much had happened I did not want to uproot them and move them somewhere new. There were more job opportunities here. I love the weather here compared to there. Overall, I believe I made the right choice. I like my job, my apartment, my school, and my life here. My kids are happy.

In all that time since I chose not to take the advice given, I think I have spoken with my family perhaps three times total. I admit I am not calling them. I do not visit them. I do not like confrontation. I do not think I should have to keep arguing my points forever. Therefore, I do not talk to them and they do not talk to me. It is sad I know, but at least no one was fighting.

Unfortunately, today I found out something about at least one member of my family. Not only did they not support my decisions, they went behind my back and chose to completely ignore my feelings and act completely inappropriate in this delicate situation. Then they lied about it. I feel betrayed. It is one thing for people to disagree, but when someone who is supposed to be your family goes out and deliberately does something to hurt you, or to mock you, or just to make drama, whatever the case may be, that it just unbelievable.

My friend Trish said once, maybe on her blog or on the phone, that family is not about blood, but about who is there for you when you are at your lowest. I know who I can count on when things get tough. The rest of the world can do whatever. I am fine.

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“In the arithmetic of love, one plus one equals everything, and two minus one equals nothing." Mignon McLaughlin

There are two kinds of light--the glow that illuminates, and the glare that obscures. -James Thurber

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Happy Birthday To Me!

For my birthday I got a turtle named Little Dude. Here's a video about him.



I also got a Polly Pocket Drive-Thru, clothes from Grandma, a gift card for Target (I used it to buy Polly Pockets), a new computer, and a Hillary Duff CD.



Starting Friday, Kina and Jessica came over. They stayed until Sunday. On Friday, we went to the Round Table next to PetsMart and David met us for dinner. We had pepperoni pizza. Then we went home and my mom made us go to sleep in my room. But we had fun and played Barbies and did girly stuff.

On Saturday, we got up and had our breakfast. Then we played some more Barbies. We did more girly stuff. Then we ate some leftover pizza. Then we went to Seaworld.



My mom gave me $40 (I also had $5 from my Grandma) to go around the park with and then we left on our journey. The first thing we did was try and find the sharks. As soon as we found them we went in and Jessica was scared of the sharks that swam above us. After that we bought an ice cream. Then went to the playground for awhile. Then we went to watch the sealion and otter show. My mom found us sitting there before the show.



Then we watched the show with my mom and Catherine. We sat at the very top.



After the show, we ditched my mom and Catherine again and went to ride the wild artic ride. It was fun. After that we looked at the animals in there really fast so we could get out and get in line to ride again. Then we went to the Atlantis ride. It was so fun. We were going to go again but the line was too long.



Then we went shopping. We all got matching turtle necklaces, 32" long Pixie Sticks, and cotton candy. Then we went to meat my mom and Catherine for dinner. Then we had dinner. Jessica, Kina and me had ribs. They were good.





After dinner we rode on a water ride. It was awesome! We got totally soaked.





Then we all saw the nighttime sealion show. It was so funny. Then after that we hurried to the Shamu Rocks nightime show. It was cool. Then we went home. Then we had delicious cake with turles on it (not real ones).





Then we went to bed. In the moring my friends went home. It was super fun and really exciting. It was the best birthday ever.

Thursday, April 19, 2007

A Million Little Things

First, it was recently pointed out to me that on two occasions over the past few weeks, I had said on here that I would post pictures and information about some adventures we took. Then I did not do it. Well, EXCUSE ME! I have my reasons.

On March 30, I posted that we were going to Seaworld that night. Then nothing. Well, people, there are no pictures because it was NIGHT TIME! Shamu is black, it was dark… what can I say. We did have fun though. We went because it was passport member’s night and we got to see the sneak previews of two new night time shows they were starting for their “Spring Into Night” event. We saw a very funny show with the sea lions (that is my favorite) called “Sea Lions Tonight” and then we were the first ever audience to see the new Shamu show “Shamu Rocks”. I must say I liked it a lot more than I liked the regular Shamu show. Not that the regular Shamu show sucks or anything.

I had previously posted that we would be going camping on Easter and I did not post pictures or anything on that either. Well, the reason for that is, that camping trip was sort of a dud. First, David almost had to work so we could not go. He did not find out if he could work different times until the last minute. Then, once I had finally made the reservation (Thursday night before Easter), we found out he would have to work both Saturday morning and Sunday night. They seem a little short staffed at PetsMart. They have a sign out in front asking for applicants. If anyone knows anyone who is looking for a job in the Oceanside/Tri-City area, send him or her over or tell him or her to apply on line. Anyway, we decided that since we were not going very far to camp, we would just go late and come home early. We were camping at Lake Jennings in Lakeside. The girls and I got everything ready Friday night and Saturday morning so when David got off work we could go. We left and got a little lost on the way (Thank You MapQuest!). We made it though without too much hassle. The campground was nice. The lake was pretty and they had a playground, horseshoe pits, and hiking trails. We had already reserved our campsite, but because we reserved it so late we ended up with a terrible one. It was all gravel and had RV hook ups in the middle of it. We made do though and put up our tents and made some hot dogs. Carolynn and I took a little hike and then she and Catherine went to the playground. David was asleep in the tent most of the time. The girls and I had a nice campfire, roasted marshmallows and told ghost stories. On Sunday, we got up and had breakfast, but before we could hide eggs or anything, it started to rain. Therefore, we decided to just pack up and head home. By the time we got home, David was on his way back to work. We ended up hiding eggs in the house that evening. It was not the worst trip ever or anything, it just was not worth talking about. Nevertheless, apparently, everyone is interested anyway, so there you go.

You may have noticed that there is a new adventure listed in our Upcoming Events. On April 27, 28, and 29 we will be in Las Vegas. Before anyone asks, no, that is not the vacation we have been planning from March. In fact, the vacation we had been planning in March has now officially been postponed indefinitely. There are several reasons for that decision.

1. The timing was not working. Between everyone’s work, school, and other activities we just could not find a perfect time to go. It was getting somewhat frustrating.

2. We figured with all of our passes to various places, our camping, and all of our regular lives we’d be pretty busy anyway.

3. The money we saved for vacation we spent. Carolynn wanted her own computer and a turtle for her birthday. She got both and neither was cheap. She also wants to have a birthday weekend adventure with two of her friends to Seaworld. She gets that too.

I think I made the right decision. Carolynn is going to have a great birthday and we will still have plenty of fun.

Las Vegas should be fun. We were not planning that, it just sort of happened. The opportunity presented itself and we said “Sure, why not?” The hotel is paid for. The gas money is paid for. Viva Las Vegas! Since David is the only one of us who has never been, he is planning the fun. I hope that he will not have to work and miss out. The girls want to go to Circus Circus and Excalibur. I might do a little gambling. If I hit it big, I will think of you all… while writing this blog from my mansion.

As I mentioned before, Carolynn is having herself a birthday this weekend. She already got her presents. She has her very own computer. Well, not exactly. She actually has to share the computer with her sister. She also got a new expansion for her Zoo Tycoon game. Therefore, with her having her own computer, I think we should expect a lot more on her Ocean View site. She also got a new turtle. Anyone who knows Carolynn or has read her webpage knows about her turtle obsession. I will not tell you about the turtle though. She is planning that for her website soon. This week we are going on a birthday adventure. I am taking Carolynn, Catherine, Kina, and Jessica to Seaworld this Saturday. Friday night the girls are sleeping over at our place. Saturday we are going to Seaworld. This is looking to be an all girl adventure. David will probably have to work. (Isn’t he lucky!) The girls want to stay until it closes and see all the shows. Then the girls will be sleeping over again Saturday night. Carolynn has been planning this for months.

Speaking of birthdays being planned for months, Catherine has seen what Carolynn has gotten for her birthday and if you know anything about kids… she is looking to her birthday to be like Carolynn’s. However, I pointed out to Catherine that Carolynn is turning 11 and to be fair (as Catherine insists) she should have a similar birthday to what Carolynn had when she turned eight. When Carolynn turned eight, she had a small sleepover with about three of her friends. They made super nachos, watched movies and played games. Catherine has deemed that as un-fair. Therefore, we are working out a compromise. She wants a hamster. I am against it because I do not think she will take care of it. She is still planning… her birthday is not until September so we shall see.

On the work front, I finally finished that catalog I had been working on. (That is what is giving me the time to write this at work today.) 84 pages of baskets… it is thrilling. We went through rounds of proofs and changes and finally it is being printed as we speak. They say they will have 3000 copies to me by the end of the month. We will see. I never did anything like this before so I cannot wait to see how it turns out.

In school news, both of my classes are going fine so far. Math started out easy but I think now that we went over the basics it will begin to get harder. Math is just not my strongest subject. I have a test tonight.

Well, I think that catches us up. I will try to update more often.

Sunday, April 15, 2007

42

Everyone is talking baseball today, and with good reason. Check out this link: 42

Also here is a fun list of baseball movies for everyone to enjoy.

1. The Babe
2. A League of Their Own
3. 61*
4. Eight Men Out
5. Pride of The Yankees
6. The Rookie
7. Field of Dreams
8. Mr. 3000
9. Fever Pitch
10. Major League
11. The Bad News Bears
12. The Sandlot
13. Angels in the Outfield
14. Take Me Out To The Ball Game
15. Damn Yankees

Friday, April 13, 2007

Beware!

Being Friday the 13th, I figured it would be best to watch yourself. Do not let any black cats cross your path. Do not walk under any ladders. I do not have Paraskevidekatriaphobia, or an irrational fear of Friday the 13th. It is a good thing too, because there is a huge ladder in the warehouse I work at that I walk under all the time. Of course, the odds of any of the things people fear happening on such a day as today are very slim. Therefore, I guess if I see a black cat today, I will not have to run the other way.

Being struck by lightning
The Odds: 1 in 240,000
Only about 100 people in the United States die each year from lightning. Most strikes occur from June through August. Serious burns are actually rare. The most common injury is nervous system damage from the voltage.

Dying in a tornado
The Odds: 1 in 5 million
About 60 people are killed each year by tornados; the usual cause of death is flying or falling debris. These tips will help you stay safe during tornados:

Dying from a bee, hornet, or wasp sting
The Odds: 1 in 5.33 million
Only a few dozen people die each year from severe allergic reactions to stings.

Being bitten by a venomous snake
The Odds: 1 in 37,250
Although snakes bite roughly 45,000 Americans each year, fewer than 20 percent of those are from venomous snakes. Only 12 people a year die from a bite.

Being attacked by a shark
The Odds: 1 in 11.5 million
Only 23 people were involved in unprovoked shark attacks in 2000, and that was the record year for attacks.

Being attacked by a bear
The Odds: 1 in 36 million
Twelve people, on average, are mauled by bears each year in North America.

Sunday, April 08, 2007

Fun Spring Break

The first day of Spring Break was mom's birthday. We had carrot cake. It was delicious. We went to Seaworld. Last time, I got a little shark. We saw shows we never saw before. We went camping. I got to sleep in my own tent this time. Then there's Easter. We are going to color eggs, then egg hunt, then eat fried steak. I went to see TMNT with David. I LOVED IT!! We went to Boomers. I won three thing, a wand, a squishy thing and a Fun Dip.

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Links You Must See

I added two new links to our page today. {See Links section to the right, just under the Dried Fruit (Previous Posts) section and just above the Send Us An E-Mail section.} The two new links are to sites that I view regularly. One, I usually link from Trisha's page. It's Post Secret. It updates on Sunday. Basically, it's a page of postcards with secrets written on them that people send in. The other site updates often and is just silly. It's called ICANHASCHEEZBURGER- lolcats with tags for your convenience. I just have it listed as LOL Cats. Anyway, they are amusing. Enjoy.