Inspiring Tales For People Who Need The Inspiring

I got these from blogs I read...

How We Met... from 30something
The Proposal... from 30something
Our Wedding... from 30something

Noah's Treats... from Cynthia Clack

Forbidden Love... from Adamswife's Weblog

Sisters... from Adamswife's Weblog

How I Met My Honey... from Adamswife's Weblog

The Best News... from Life Of The Obsessed Reader

Braden Through The Eyes Of His Mom... from Sarcastic Mom


SERIOUSLY.... THERE IS LOVE AND HOPE AND HAPPINESS IN THE WORLD. LOOK AT ALL I FOUND IN THE BLOGOSPHERE THIS MORNING!

ENJOY IT NOW PEOPLE!

And also... Happy Birthday Dear Mom...

Thursday 13- Edition 9

Thirteen Things You Should NEVER Say At A Job Interview

1. I am a heavy drinker, but I can work drunk.
2. As long as I get a little meth in the morning, I’ll have no problem being here on time.
3. When I take a smoke break, is there a limit to what I can smoke?
4. In my previous life I was a highly skilled (fill in the blank). (This one might work in India.)
5. Yes, I am a 40 year old man who still lives at home.
6. I don’t believe education proves anything.
7. I am going to need 4 hour lunch breaks.
8. Would it be okay if I brought my eight kids to work with me?
9. I think we should all wear cute little waitress outfits at the office. It would be funny.
10. I think you should hire me because, like, our karmic auras are totally the same.
11. I’d really love to work for you, but my parole officer won’t let me leave the area.
12. I learned a lot about life in prison.
13. Hire me now, I have a gun and I know where you work.

Wordless Wednesday #8

Jackie and Laura (Daughter's Of My Boss)
Walt Disney World
Christmas 2007

Cat Scratch Fever

I was doing my Wii Fit tonight. I am up to seven days and I lost 1 whole pound. I was doing some step aerobics and I was going along just fine. Then, out of no where, I stepped on a cat. The cat did not like being stepped on and screeched and bit my leg and clawed it good. Now I have three gashes in my leg. Why exactly did the cat decide that then was a good time to try and sit on the Wii Board, I am not sure. I bet she doesn't try it again.

My leg hurts.

Memorial Day

It is a stressful but exciting time here at our house. The countdown until moving day ticks on, getting closer and closer. Only a few more weeks until school is out for the girls. This weekend we cleaned and packed the girls room. It was so messy. We hauled out over five bags of stuff to take to the Goodwill and at least three bags of trash. Nevertheless, we got it all ready. I am doing laundry and next we will go through the girls’ clothes and see what they have outgrown. I already got my room done once, but the kids and everyone else have ruined my organization. It will not take me long to reclaim my area. We cleaned out the kitchen and made a donation. I cannot pack that up yet. We still need to eat.

I think that right now the most stressful part is not really being sure. Wherever we go, it will be a new adventure that is for sure. However, it is hard to get excited when you do not know what to get excited for. Should we look forward to seeing the Congress Ave Bridge Bats and camping at Dinosaur Valley State Park? Should we be excited about seeing Joshua Tree National Park or visiting Calico Ghost Town? No matter, we will be beginning on the next adventure.

It is nice to have an extra day off. We can get more done that way. I hope everyone is enjoying a fun three day weekend. It is not exactly barbecue weather here. I am making pork chops for dinner.

I am still enjoying my Wii Fit. It is very good at keeping me exercising. I have been doing 30 minutes minimum a day for 5 days in a row. Go me!

Blog of the Week # 7

This week the blog of the week is Post Secret. This is a very well known blog where people send in anonymous postcards and they are posted for the world to see. The following I took from their website…

“PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard.”

But it is so much more that that. They post them once a week and they are always captivating. Some are scary. Some are sad. Some are gross. I read them every week. It is like a window into people private thoughts. It is even more personal than a blog really. It is a blog, just a picture blog. And there are no ads. I love blogs with no ads. Check out the site at www.postsecret.blogspot.com.

You can find out exactly how it got started by clicking here.

You can find out how to send your own secret by clicking here.

The secret shown is from today’s Sunday Secrets.

They even have Post Secret books filled of postcards. I am considering buying one and checking it out.

409

Not only is that what I use to clean, but it was the price of gas at the Shell station down the street. Seriously.

Today we went and saw the new Indiana Jones movie. It was good. It was action packed and full of cool stuff. However, something was weird. If you don’t want me to spoil it for you...

Stop reading here!!!!!!



Aliens? Really? I do not know how I feel about that. I mean really, there is usually some kind of supernatural power and crazy bad guys; like in the Last Crusade, where they found the Holy Grail. However, in this one they were battling Russians (remember Indiana Jones Movies take place in the past, like the 40’s and 50’s) and then they found Aliens. Seriously. That was a little much for me. Overall, the movie was good. With Shia LeBouf as Indiana Jones the third, these movies could go on forever.



Start Reading Again Here-

After the movie we went to Cold Stone and I had cheese cake ice cream. It was fabulous. Catherine had cotton candy ice cream with M&M’s and colored sprinkles. David and Carolynn had shakes. Then we went to the Wal-Mart for some new cereal bowls. Ours keep disappearing. However, perhaps we will find them cleaning out the girls room. That is our next project this weekend. The weather is clearing up, we may just see some sun yet.

Wii Fit

My new Wii Fit is sooooo awesome. Okay so the first thing it told me was I am fat. Okay so duh. I am a chubby. Now what are you going to do about it? Make me exercise, that’s what.

The games are fun, the exercise is good and I am enjoying it. It gets me working out for 30 minutes a day. This is my third day. I am getting better and a tiny bit lighter too. David is doing it too. The girls do not need to lose weight, but it helps them stay active. Carolynn is the first of the girls to join in. Catherine has not got a chance yet because she won’t do her chores. Carolynn is almost caught up with her missing homework and cleaned out the whole kitchen. We had a lot of junk.

Yesterday Catherine had a open house at her class last night. It was fun. She had to play tour guide and walk me though her class. We did little activities. Catherine’s teacher said her behavior was improving.

I worked over time everyday this week. I was there as early as 6 and as late as 6. Our usual hours are 8-4:30. As a little treat, my boss sent us home with pay at 2 today. Woo!

I got an email from the job I applied to in Victorville thanking me for my interest and letting me know they would be finished reviewing applicants soon. I have heard from several temp agencies in Austin. I have heard from a few other places in Austin, but they have been saying I will not be there soon enough. At least I am getting the word out. I have applied for many jobs at the University of Texas in Austin too. Soon enough something will happen and off we will go.

Tomorrow we are going to see the new Indiana Jones movie. It should be fun. It has been raining here all day and it is supposed to remain cloudy and rainy through Monday. Not exactly Memorial Day weather is it?

Crazy Idea

As you my know we have Wii Fit its really cool you get to be your Mii and it tells you how much you weigh and if you over weight or under weight. Y et I think they should make a Mario Wii Fit and the pictures of Mario characters like Peach, Luigi, and Yoshi. Plus you get to decide if you want to be your Mii or a Mario character. And there is the Wii Fit games and the Mario games. I wonder how they would make a way to make up exercise games for Mario but they did come up with Wii Fit so I know they will find a way. And your Mii can be in a room and you yearn points and you can by stuff for your room.

Weird Kitty

I like this picture a lot the cat is stuck in two or one? trees but it is still a funny picture. Its a cute kitty but I wonder if its a boy or a girl kitty.

Thursday 13 Edition 8

13 Things I Saw In Nevada In 2007

1. Helen's Beagle Spectacular (Pahrump, Nevada)
2. A Bathroom/Kitchen/Closet (Pahrump, Nevada)
3. A White Castle... Not The Hamburger Kind... Called the Gentleman's Kingdom... It was funny. (Pahrump, Nevada)
4. MGM Grand Hotel and Casino (Las Vegas, Nevada)
5. The Pahrump Nugget High Tech Bowling Alley (Pahrump, Nevada)
6. Some girls boobs hanging out of a passing SUV (Las Vegas, Nevada)
7. New York, New York Hotel and Casino (Las Vegas, Nevada)
8. Excalibur Hotel and Casino (Las Vegas, Nevada)
9. The Venetian Hotel and Casino (Las Vegas, Nevada)
10. M&M World (Las Vegas, Nevada)
11. Sonic (Henderson, Nevada)
12. Coca Cola World (Las Vegas, Nevada)
13. A Bachelor Pad (No Furniture... Just a bed and a video game playing station...) (Henderson, Nevada)

Thursday 13 #4

www.thursdaythirteen.com

13 Wii Games We Have That I Could Play If I Wasn't Grounded

1. Wii Fit
2. Link's Crossbow Training
3. Wii Sport
4. Cooking Mama
5. Wii Play
6. Mario Party 8
7. Super Mario Galaxy
8. Dance Dance Revolution
9. Super Smash Bros. Brawl
10. Endless Ocean
11. Guitar Hero
12. Mario Kart
13. The Simpson's Game

Wednesday

Today I went to school... Duh! its Wednesday! Yesterday our class just finished the CST's for 6th grade but the 7th and 8th graders were still taking CST's so 'till last Tuesday to Thursday {Fridays and Mondays we don't have testing}I had to follow this...
Week One
6th period 8:55-10:41 testing
1st period 10:45-11:15 Mrs.Boian
2ond period 11:19-11:49 Mrs.Boian
3ird period 11:53-12:23 health with Mrs.Harris
5th period 12:27-1:07 lunch
6th period 1:11-1:51 Mrs.Guy
4th period 1:55-2:25 PE with Mrs.Moran
7th period 2:29-2:59 Mrs.Guy
8th period 3:03-3:33 Mrs.Guy
Week Two
I Don't want to type it but we have a longer testing period for 7th and 8th graders but our periods our now 20 minutes long.Short
Today in Mrs.Boians room Mrs.Boian put on some music from her ipod. Then while we were 6th period Mrs.Boian came in she told use someone stole her ipod, she told use she had pictures of her family and son.

Wordless Wednesday #7

San Clemente State Park Beach
San Clemente, California
May 10, 2008

Still Waiting, Still Packing

Today I worked. The End.

Well, that was the end for me. Everyone else did stuff. Carolynn is STILL doing homework. Catherine is still cleaning her room. Actually, right now she is spaced out in front of the TV eating cherries. If her room isn’t cleaned up by Friday, she is going to miss out on Indiana Jones and of course she will be missing my new Wii Fit Board. Maybe tomorrow when she sees it, she will tidy up.

Trisha got herself a job. A really cool paid internship. Now all I have to do is get me a job and we will both be cool. I sent her some congrats flowers. She liked them. I wonder what they looked like. I ordered them over the phone.

Well, that is all for today. Tomorrow we have our Wordless Wednesday. Be sure to come back and check it out.

Doll Blankets A-Plenty

This weekend Carolynn and I decided to give knitting a go. It is pretty easy. Carolynn is having trouble. She just wants to click her needles and poof! A sweater. We are practicing. It keeps me busy. I feel like I have nothing to do now that school is out.

I have been working a lot too. I have been logging in some over time. We are clearancing out a bunch of stuff. Not much fun going in early or staying late, but I could use the money. I applied for seven more jobs today.

Only two more days until David brings my new Wii Fit. Seriously, video games and exercise, what is not fun about that? It has yoga and some other stuff. Too bad the girls will not be playing until they start being good. Carolynn is still finishing all that homework. Catherine has been cleaning her room for the last decade.

This weekend I think we are seeing the new Indiana Jones film. Moreover, I get a three-day weekend! More time for packing.

My mom had a little drama on her blog this weekend. She has a "Drama Free Zone", can't anyone read that? I don't want any drama here either.

Ghost Beneath our Feet

I finished Ghost Beneath our Feet its about a girl named Katie who sees a ghost girl and she is trying to tell her house is going to fall down. My favorite part is all of it I like mysteries.the cover doesn't match the story.

Island of the Blue Dolphins

I finished Island of the Blue Dolphins it was a good book. It is about a girl named Karana who is left alone on the Island of the Blue Dolphins. It called island of the Blue Dolphins because if you go to the top mountain of the island and look it is shaped like a dolphin. My favorite part is when she gets Rontu. The sad parts are when her brother dies, Rontu dies, and I thought it was a good book.

Blog Of The Week # 6

This week’s Blog Of The Week I found last November while doing NaBloPoMo. The blog is called Sarcastic Mom and is written by… you guessed it… Sarcastic Mom aka Lotus. She has been doing this blog since September of 2007. She was doing some blogging before that too, but I only read this one.

I like it because, first, she is a mom. I happen to enjoy reading mommy blogs that are interesting. I have kids too and frankly, I feel better knowing other kids are out there doing the same junk mine are or did. Sarcastic Mom has a toddler, he has done some stuff I remember Carolynn or Catherine doing, and I laugh. Her blog is very funny, very raw, and very personal. That is why I like it. She has her own weekly meme called Weekly Winners where people post their best pictures from the week every Sunday. They have to be pictures they actually took that week. I think that is neat. I take many pictures too, but on Sundays, I do this. My blogging buddy, reading buddy, and former Blog Of The Week, Eve, does Weekly Winners.

At Sarcastic Mom, comments are plentiful, but frankly, I have been a bit of a lurker on this one. I admit it. I read it though my Google Reader. I very rarely have left comments. We are friends through NaBloPoMo, but that is the extent of that. It is still a really good blog. That is why it is this weeks Blog Of The Week. So check it out…
www.sarcasticmom.com.

Stay Tuned...

Lots of stuff has happened since Tuesday…

First, my online friend Eve/Carla from Readers Anonymous and from Adams Wife’s Weblog, lost her husband on Wednesday. My sympathy goes out to her and her family.

I hope everyone enjoyed my Wordless Wednesday and my Thursday Thirteen this week. I think next week I really will do Thirteen Things I Have Seen In Nevada.

Carolynn’s teacher got back to me on Carolynn’s F’s in Math and Science. Surprise! Carolynn hasn’t been doing her homework! I was not shocked, but I was mad. Therefore, Carolynn is super grounded. Not only did she not do her homework, she lied about it. I will be getting my new Wii Fit Board all to myself.

Catherine has been being better, not great, but better.

I applied for 30 more jobs since I last updated. One of those jobs is in Victorville. I know, Victorville is no where near Austin. But I heard about the job there from my mom and decided to give it a go. The cost of living in the High Desert (where Victorville is in California) is comparable to Austin. This job would pay more than I make now and allow us to live comfortable. The point of our move was to live comfortable. If we could stay here and live better it would be a lot cheaper to move. Of course, there are so few jobs there if I didn’t get this job, there are no others to apply for so off to Austin we go. And if I want to move to Texas later, I will have more time to save. But what are the chances of my getting the one job I applied for in Victorville over the 100’s of jobs I applied for in Austin? Who knows? Stay tuned…

Thursday 13- Edition 7

Thirteen Things I Want To See In Texas

1. The Alamo
2. Congress Avenue Bridge Bats
3. The Fort Worth Zoo
4. The Galleria Mall
5. Dinosaur Valley State Park
6. Space Center Houston
7. Lyndon Baines Johnson National Historical Park
8. Natural Bridge Caverns
9. Sea World San Antonio
10. Dallas World Aquarium
11. Six Flags Over Texas
12. Big Thicket National Preserve
13. Galveston Island

Wordless Wednesday #6

Another Day, Another Grandma Gets Older

Today is my Grandma’s birthday. She is at Disneyworld with my sister as well as various aunts, uncles, and cousins. I wish I was there instead of here at work. Oh well, another day, another dollar, and another day closer to Austin.

Catherine wasn’t too thrilled with my punishment techniques. She especially didn’t enjoy the bagging of the cows and the picking up of the neighborhood, but maybe, one day, I will break through. Carolynn is also not thrilled, but they will get over it. I e-mailed Carolynn’s teacher today, so hopefully I will know what Carolynn’s deal is by the end of today.

I have no embarrassing old pictures of my Grandma to share. I couldn’t even find any new ones. I used to have some old ones on my old computer before it met with its unfortunate end. Too bad. I will try and find some soon. I have them; I just have to find them. However, I did find this fabulous picture of my dad as a baby. Since he is my Grandma’s first born and it’s my Grandma’s birthday, I thought I would share it. I am sure she would get a kick out of it. What a chubby little baby! Is that my dad or a tiny black and white Budda? I have a picture of my sister and she looks like a fat little Budda too. I will be sure and share that for her birthday. At least we know where she got it.

Fabulous

This week started like last week. However, in order to overcome it, I am thinking positive. I am fabulous; therefore, I will get a great job. Today I applied for 24 jobs in Austin.

I do not have any idea what to do about Catherine so I am taking all her stuff. We needed to pack it up anyway. Today I came home to find out she had been filling Ziploc bags with water and launching them off the porch at neighboring hoodlums. She is grounded until we move. I am packing up her stuff. She gets no Wii time, no TV time, no computer time, and no treats until she starts being good on a daily basis. She is quite pissed off. We are getting the new Wii Fit board next week, we recently got Mario Kart Wii, and I saw a cool new bowling game at the store. (We probably would not have gotten it though because of moving anyway.) On top of all that, I am on her like white on rice…

Carolynn is spending some time on the grounded list too. She got a progress report with two F’s, one in math and one in science. I have not talked to her teacher yet. She insists that she is doing her homework, but I happen to know from previous experience, that if you are doing your homework you will not fail. Therefore, we will see tomorrow when I speak with her teacher. In addition, Carolynn has been failing at her chores too. She only has one chore and she never wants to do it. It is always a struggle. She is currently rocking the no DS, no Wii, and no Webkinz tri-fecta.

I guess David’s family is looking forward to him moving. I was so worried about my move; I almost forgot David’s family lives in Texas. They do not live in Austin, but they will certainly live a lot closer than now. David can go visit and the girls and I can have the house to ourselves to girl it up. I am sure when the girls and I are gone David walks around in his boxer shorts eating cold pizza or something.

My savings account is a bit fatter thanks to the government money. Not as fat as I’d like to see it, but it’s getting better. Moving is such a pain in the butt.

Mondays suck, but hey, I am still fabulous.

Happy Campers

We got home from camping this afternoon. We had quite an adventure.

We left here on Friday evening after I got home from work. It was not very far to San Onofre. We got there, set up camp, and roasted hot dogs. Saturday we went over to the beach. The beach at San Onofre was hosting a surf contest, so we went up the street to the beach at San Clemente State Park. It was nice and the girls had fun. David got a wicked sunburn at the beach. Look at this watch line.

I have this school project where I have to show 6 minutes of footage of people talking about and doing an activity or at a specific place. I am not allowed to use my own family, make a “How-To” video and must use original footage. I have been having so much trouble figuring out what to do. Jo Anna suggested I do it on camping. Therefore, Saturday, Carolynn and I went out to chat up campers. And you know what… people suck. Okay, not all people, but a lot of people suck. I only got 3 minutes of footage. Most people refused to be a part of it. The few people that participated were nice. I do not know why exactly people sucked, but I have a few theories;

1) People are suspicious of strangers in general.
2) They were worried I would use the video for some illicit purpose.
3) They were concerned I was scoping out their camp stuff for later thieving.
4) They wanted to make sure that if I used it for commercial purposes they could be paid. (Seriously, someone actually said that.)

I told them what it was for, but still had very few helpers. Anyway, I did not finish my project. David suggested I make it about my job. I do not know, it is not that exciting. I had better think quick.

Well, here is my video. I incorporated some of the people I met into it. They were good sports. There is no video of the beach in my movie because I ran out of room. I have some, just could not fit it, so I stuck to campers. Enjoy the movie.

Blog Of The Week #5

Happy Mother’s Day! This week’s Blog Of The Week belongs to…

My Mom!

Seriously, who didn’t see that one coming?

My mom, Arlene, started her blog very recently, on March 31. It’s called Three Baseball Fanz. She has been reading my blog since my very first one years ago. She has also been reading Trisha's blog for a good long time too. But now she has her own. And we read hers.

She tries to post something new everyday. She writes about stuff that happens to her, sports, old people… whatever she wants to that day. She has plenty of good pictures and recently learned a new photo editing program so her pictures have more interest. She joined the Thursday Thirteen and got herself some fans from that. She also joined an Over 50 Bloggers group she saw on Eve’s page. She leaves a lot of comments around too. Everyone loves comments.

It’s been fun so far and I hope she keeps it going. Blogging is fun. Happy Mother’s Day Mom and Happy Mother’s Day to all the other blogging mom’s out there too.

We Gotta Have More Cowbell

I’d like to thank all of the well wishers that left comments on my early week stress. Just so you don’t worry, a very pleasant woman named Maria from the property management office called me back the next day and assured me I wouldn’t have to pay the extra rent and there would be no late fee. I was also not required to sign anything and I will have no problems before I move on June 30. Also, the government gave me $1200 today so there is a huge help in my moving expense. After some serious research, we are going to end up renting a truck to move. It will be fine.

As for work, I am getting caught up. Yesterday, I sent a nasty e-mail to my boss, and I felt better. Luckily, he is understanding of stress and easily got over it. Besides, what is he going to do, fire me? I guess he could, but I don’t see that being very helpful to his business. Thursday marked the two year anniversary of my being at this job. Woo.

Today I applied for 30 jobs in Austin; 21 jobs on Craigslist, 7 jobs at the University of Texas, and 2 at Careerbuilder.

Finals are almost over. I took one yesterday and I have a final project due by Thursday and one more final test on Tuesday. Then WOOOOOOOO! DONE!!!!

Catherine has been doing better. Sometimes, she just needs a little kick in the butt. Or a massive kick, either way.

I sure got a lot of comments and opinions on yesterday’s Thursday 13. I love it when we have discussion. That is why I am joining the iReply Movement. Check out my new badge and their website. You comment, I reply. I am going to make more of an effort to leave comments on other blogs I frequent too. I don’t like to leave comments unless I have something specific to add. Trish was exploring this topic on her blog the other day.

Today we are going on our camping trip to the beach. I am sure there will be a video. Carolynn tried to call the video for her website, but she was denied on that one. She called pictures from her running thing on Saturday and has yet to share them. I am also going to attempt my final project at the campground. I might share that with you too.

That’s it until Sunday. Have a great weekend!

Thursday 13- 1st Edition

www.thursdaythirteen.com
Thirteen Things That Smell Gross

1. Sweaty Shirts
2. Unflushed Toilets
3. Rotten Milk
4. Farts
5. Burps
6. Skunks
7. Dog Poop
8. Cat Boxes
9. Crunchy Socks
10. Moldy Bologna
11. Barf
12. Dirty Diapers
13. Rotten Eggs

Thursday Thirteen #3

www.thursdaythirteen.com

Thirteen Really Gross Things

1. Maggots
2. Puss
3. Lumpy Milk
4. Burps
5. Roadkill
6. Cockroaches
7. People who put spaghetti up their nose then out their mouth
8. Drain Hair
9. Dog Poo
10. Crunchy Clothes
11. Undies with Skid Marks
12. Dirty Diapers
13. A Clogged Toilet

Thursday 13- Edition 6

Thirteen Things We Eat That Other People Might Find Gross

1. Peanut Butter and Egg Sandwiches- David eats this. It is so nasty. He also makes…
2. Peanut Butter and Egg Burritos- Another David creation
3. Peanut Butter, Mayonnaise, and Dill Pickle Sandwiches- My Dad came up with that not-so-tasty creation.
4. Hot Dogs in White Rice- Maybe Asian people would find this regular, but most people think I am nuts to eat this. I learned this from a babysitter I had when I was little. Her name was Hattie and she was from Indonesia.
5. Ketchup in Tacos- I have seen my Mom do this. Not authentic Mexican, I can assure you.
6. Chef Boyardee Mini Ravioli with Cottage Cheese- I learned that one from my Mom. It makes a very tasty lunch.
7. Cotton Candy Ice Cream with Butterfinger Candy Bar- Carolynn ate this for breakfast once. Luckily, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
8. Honey Maid Cinnamon Graham Crackers topped with Margarine- A delightful midnight snack I picked up from my mom.
9. Mac and Cheese Surprise- I made this tasty dinner up out of stuff I had available at the time. It is Kraft Mac and Cheese, with hamburger, tomato sauce, sandwich cheese and some spices mixed up and pitched in a crock-pot. My sister would love to know how to do it, but it takes a skill only I possess.
10. Sushi- I know many people like this one and Carolynn eats it. I do not care what anybody says, it is still raw fish.
11. Fried Pickles- We tried these in Nashville, and let me tell you, they belong on every gross list. YUCK!
12. Tapioca Pudding- I have seen my mom eat that. It looks like fish eyes in glue. Gross.
13. Ranch Dressing on Pizza- My sister does that. That is so nasty.

Wordless Wednesday #5

That is one beautiful baby.
California, 1977

The Stressful Continuation Of My Life

Catherine's teacher called. Apparently Catherine does not think classwork is important now. She also threw some flash cards, threw a fit over a raffle because she didn't win, lied and told the teacher the cat tore up her homework. She also doesn't know how to get along with other children and doesn't want to stop talking. And to top all of that off, she did not come right home after school and I had to go track her down. I found her in the parking lot, hiding with some boy in the back of his dad's pick up. Needless to say, I was super mad. Catherine says this is the most trouble she has been in in her whole life. She may be right.

With all my moving stress, adding Catherine misbehaving to it was so not helping. Then I get home and find notes from the apartment manager demanding more money. HELLO! I paid the rent on Friday. I paid it with a cashier's check and I have a receipt. They want $50 more in rent plus a $50 late fee. I looked it up. It is against the law to raise the rent before the lease is up. My lease is up May 31. And I paid it on time. Then she left me a new lease saying if I don't sign it, the police will be called because "it's against the law to stay in the apartment without a new lease". First of all, she told me a couple of month's ago that my lease would not be renewed when it was up in May because they wanted to raise the rent a lot higher and bring in more Marines. I told her the girls were finishing school and could we make arrangements to stay until June 30. She said that would be fine. I have it in writing. Now they want a six month lease. Second of all, it says in my current lease, "If resident holds over upon termination of this lease, this agreement shall continue to be binding on the parties as a month to month agreement." They can ask me nicely if I'd like a new lease. But I do not have to sign it. They can give me notice to please move then, which is fine, but they have to give me 60 days notice because I have lived her more than 18 months. I looked it up. They have given me no notice, I have given them notice that I will be moving June 30, because the apartment manager said I had to do that to avoid this crap. Didn't work, did it? And no, I can not be arrested and the police won't be here. She was just trying to intimidate me. It didn't work. All she managed to do was piss me off. So I went over her head and called the property management company.

I need a margarita and not the kind Carolynn drinks. Maybe we skip the margarita and just hand me the tequila bottle.

Stressed

There are too many things going on right now; Things to get done, things to organize, things to clean. I have way too many money worries. I always wonder if I have enough to get things done. I usually do, but that doesn’t keep me from worrying about it. Finals are upon us. I pray I can get through them. I am busy at work, and it seems like I will never catch up. My job isn’t exactly super fun times. I cam across a post I wrote when I first started this website, which is when I first started this job and it was funny to me. My house is so cluttered and it is amazing what you can live without when you realize you will have to move it. My room is ready to be packed. Last night we got the shed ready and while were out there we got our camping junk together. However, the girls’ room still looks like a tornado hit it. Our carpet is so gross; it will have to be cleaned. I have been calling around to get estimates so the apartment doesn’t try and hold us ransom over it. When I try to sleep, all this stuff is running through my mind making sleep difficult. Throw in the fact that I have been sick and you get one very cranky me.

So this is a note to apologize to all the people I have snapped at, yelled at, told them to go live somewhere else, told them I didn’t need their freaking help, told them to go to their room until they are 50, and anything else I may have done that seemed irrational to you. I am sorry. It wasn’t me. I swear. It’ll get better soon. I think the camping might help. Just imagine, a whole weekend with nothing to do but sit in the sun and relax. I can read some books and not worry about anything. It will be fabulous.

Blog Of The Week #4

This week’s Blog of the Week, I only discovered this week. I was looking over the member list for Readers Anonymous, because we have a lot of members that are not participating. I checked out the blogs of the members who had one listed and I found Pam.

Pam is a participating member of Readers Anonymous. In fact, she was one of the winners of our posting contest this week and I am sending her a new book tomorrow. She is an avid reader, has many great thoughts on books that she shares with our group and seems like a great person. She is the kind of person it would be cool to know in real life. But alas, she lives in Knoxville, Tennessee and here I am in sunny California.

Then I discovered she had a blog.

Pam’s blog is called 30 Something. After I saw it, I recognized it as one I have seen on Trisha’s blog, but I did not put the two together. Pam has been blogging since April 2005. She is married and has three cats. (Or as she says, the cats have her.) What really caught my eye were her recent posts about how she ended up meeting and marrying her husband. They were just so sweet. She writes about books she reads and the rest of her life too. She is just a regular gal, living a regular life. That is why I like it.

All of the folks in Reader’s Anonymous so far, are people I enjoy. When I win millions in the lottery I do not play, I will fly them all somewhere good, where we can meet up in person, discuss books, and have a fabulous time.

The Friendship Games

Taylor... That is Carolynn and Catherine’s second cousin. At least I think so. He is the son of their dad’s Aunt Chris, who is his dad’s sister. You figure out the technical name. Anyway, I have known him just about his whole life. He is a teenager now. 13! A teenager! Carolynn is only a year from being one her self. He will be 14 in October. Taylor is a pretty good kid, from what I understand. We do not see him nearly often as we should, but being that he is on the girls dad’s side, we sort of lost touch after the divorce. Divorce sucks for everyone. Too bad really. Anyway, as long as I can remember, Taylor has been a swimmer. I can remember him swimming when he was tiny. He could barely walk, but he wanted to swim. He has been competing with a swim team for about 8 years. Recently he was invited to compete in the Friendship Games in Holland. According to the website, the Youth Friendship Games “will get young people from all over the world together and will contribute to more knowledge and understanding for each other’s different cultures, habits and way of life. By participating in the same sports event where the same rules apply to everybody and by exchanging thoughts during all different evening activities that take place in the Friendship Village, all participants get the opportunity to learn from each other.” It sounds like an experience of a lifetime. The whole thing was begun by the People To People Sports Ambassadors program, which was created by President Eisenhower. It certainly is not something to pass up. Taylor would very much like to go. Unfortunately, his parents cannot afford the $6000 it will cost for transportation and accommodations and such. He has been trying very hard to earn the money. He and his mom set up this website to try to get some donations. You can check out his website here. My friend Jo Anna and I are sending our donations on Monday and I am certainly going to get my boss to make a donation. You can make a donation on his website, through Paypal. Even a few bucks can help him on his way toward Holland and an experience of a lifetime. Also, pass this around to all your friends, family, blogger buddies, and everyone else. The more people who see this, the more help he will get. I hope he makes it! Good luck Taylor! Please forgive me for these old pictures. I didn't have any new ones. Check out his website for some pictures of him swimming.

Taylor's Website
Dollars For Friendship

Is It Friday Yet?

It has been a very long week. Monday I called in sick. I never do that. Tuesday I went to work, but came home early sick. I am still all stuffed up. I wish this would go away. I have been so busy at work too. We received three containers of baskets from China. That is a serious amount of baskets. We had many people waiting on these baskets so we have been doing a lot of shipping. Then of course, the month ended so that added another pile of paperwork.

Carolynn’s phone was stolen on Wednesday. She reported it right away to the campus police and her friend Kina saw a boy with her phone. The school searched him today and called his mom, but it has been two days. If he had any sense, he tossed it or gave it to someone else or something by now. I turned it off right away and I already have a new phone for her coming on Monday. Luckily, I have insurance. However, I made Carolynn pay the deductible because she should not have left her phone unattended. She left it in her purse, in her backpack, in a classroom full of rowdy kids and a substitute teacher. She needs to be responsible for her things if she expects me to buy her nice things (like fancy phones).

Today was Crazy Hair Day at Catherine’s school. Carolynn made her hair all glittery and out a bunch of ribbons in it. No one got a picture though.

Check Carolynn’s blog later. She and David are at the movies and I am sure she will have a movie review when they get home. Carolynn has something going on tomorrow too, so look for that tomorrow.

Next weekend we are going camping. That should make for a fun adventure. I am sure we will have a video.

I have a cool post about the girls’ cousin Taylor for tomorrow. Be sure and check it out.

That is all for tonight. It has been a long day and I have to get up early to drive Carolynn.

Thursday Thirteen #2

www.thursdaythirteen.com

Thirteen Things About Me That Start With C

1. Cleo is the name of my cat.
2. Catherine is my sister.
3. Carolynn is my name.
4. Cold Case is one of my favorite shows.
5. Croaker is the name of one of my Webkinz.
6. I hate chores.
7. I eat a lot of chicken fried steak.
8. I like celery with peanut butter.
9. I like candy.
10. My cat is cute.
11. I like to celebrate good times.
12. My favorite holiday is Christmas.
13. I like the movie Chicago.

Thursday 13- Edition 5

13 Things About Me That Begin With J

1. Jennifer… that’s my name
2. Jenny… that’s what people call me
3. Jenna Baskets… that’s where I work
4. Jo Anna… works there with me
5. Jones… is the last name of the guy who owns Jenna Baskets
6. Junk… that is what is all over my house and is why we are going to the Goodwill tomorrow
7. Jessica… is the name of Carolynn’s friend who comes over in the morning
8. Jelly… never jam and always grape… is what I buy David every week so he can make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
9. Jam… Blueberry… I bought at Trader Joes for toast… Boysenberry is also good on my toast.
10. Jeremiah… the name of the kid who lived across the street when I was young
11. Jack Ass… that is my opinion of certain husbands… or ex-husbands as the case may be
12. Jerk… what I think of my boss sometimes
13. Jubilant… is what I will be when I get my AA in just two and half weeks