Friday, October 31, 2008

Happy Halloween



It's not the greatest video I ever made. Most of it is Catherine's school. There are a lot of really cute and creative costumes in there. The girls had fun and got a lot of candy. Even Gibby had fun. I hope everyone else had a fabulous Halloween.

The Original.... A Halloween Must Have!

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Thursday Thirteen



Thirteen Reasons I Need A Washer And Dryer

1. To wash clothes... DUH!
2. Stains set and clothes are expensive.
3. A few weeks ago when I was at the Laundromat, I accidentally left a basket full of towels I will never see again.
4. Kids are messy and I have two.
5. Towels are better for the environment than paper towels.
6. Whenever the cat gets mad, she pees on my bath mat.
7. Everyone likes clean sheets now and again.
8. There are always creepy people in the Laundromat.
9. It costs $2.75 to wash and $1.00 to dry. That is $3.75 a load.
10. The dogs like clean blankets too.
11. It takes about 2 hours and 10 loads to do about 2 weeks worth of laundry at the Laundromat.
12. If we had a washer and dryer in our house, people could do their own laundry as needed and I wouldn’t have to go to the Laundromat do it. (David did it a few times too.)
13. The laundry room seems so lonely without a washer and dryer in it.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

The Little Patient

Gibby had surgery today. Our little puppy got neutered. He also got his rabies shot. He is all set. He seems fine. He is very happy to be home. He isn't resting though. He is following me around. He was very hungry, but he was too busy begging for our dinners to eat his own. When Carolynn finishes and he doesn't get any, he'll go eat his puppy chow. He has a cone to wear at night when we go to bed so he can't lick his stitches. He has antibiotics (which David can't touch) and pain medication. He seems to like it. Anyway, there are no more worries about my Gibby. He is all set for a long time.

I didn't get a job today, just in case you were wondering. David didn't get a job either.... Not for lack of trying either.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Go Taylor!

Today we went to Taylor’s water polo match. They did not win this week either, but they played a great game. Taylor scored five goals. The games were more exciting this week even though they did not win. Next Monday will be his last home game of the season. Swimming does not start until spring and he will join that team too. He is a fast swimmer. Carolynn will be running track and field in spring too, so we will have to check out many sports in the spring.

After the match, we went to a place called The Pizza Factory. Taylor’s team was holding a fundraiser there. We went with him, Sherri and some other friends. There were many kids packed in this little pizza joint. The pizza was pretty good. They had some good breadsticks too. There were sports on plenty of TV’s… Monday night football, World Series action, American Gladiators… I cannot believe they were still playing that baseball game in that much rain. It was so muddy. I guess they stopped it eventually and will continue later. Carolynn and Taylor were making fun of the American Gladiators. I do not know what they were saying but it was apparently hilarious.

I am trying very hard to stay cheery, but as each day goes by and I am still jobless and David is still basically jobless I cannot help but sit and worry. Okay, so McDonald’s employs David but it is so erratic that you cannot count on it. Some weeks he works a lot, some weeks he does not work at all. Employers are cutting back because of the economy. They have budget cuts and hiring freezes. It is frustrating. David was supposed to start working for Verizon, but the person who hired him is not returning his calls. He took the drug test and filled out that paperwork weeks ago. I do not know what is up with that. I am just so sick of being jobless. We have been here 4 months. I am scared I will not get a job and Christmas will suck. I know, it is not the presents that make Christmas, but people who say that have money to buy presents. Adults will understand, it is the kids I worry about. I have to stop worrying. I need to try to relax.

Tomorrow I am taking Gibby to get fixed. I was supposed to take him at the beginning of the month, but they did not have room for him then. Luckily, the animal shelter does it for cheap so I do not have to worry about a huge expense. I never did figure out who sent him the Cowboys jersey. However, feel free to send anymore Gibby clothes you want. He looks so cute in them and it will be cold here soon.

I am half way through my art class and this week I started a philosophy class. It’s not very fun and I hate it, but it is a short one so I am sure I will make it.

That is all for today. Perhaps tomorrow I will have amazing news about new jobs! I can hope.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Sit On It

See more Ron Howard videos at Funny or Die


This video has been all over today. Even if you are a McCain backer, you gotta love Andy and Opie and Richie and the Fonz. Seriously, does Henry Winkler age? It's a little blast from the past. Also, many of you may have noticed the video at the top of my page. Watch it and remember to vote. Who you vote for is your business, but do it. I am leaving it up there until Election Day.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Thursday Thirteen



Ever since I moved here, I feel like I lost my life somewhere. I miss my life. I’d like it back. Here are thirteen things about my life I miss. If anyone sees my life anywhere, can you please send it back?

1. A Job
2. Money
3. Gas In My Car
4. Paid Bills
5. Netflix
6. Ability to Purchase Things
7. Fast Food
8. David’s Job
9. Living Near Civilization
10. Going Places
11. Camping
12. Relaxation
13. Being Headache Free

Monday, October 20, 2008

Stalker?

So I got a note today that someone was trying to sign into my Facebook account. That isn't the first time someone has done that. I have gotten e-mails like that before. Why would someone want to do that? There is nothing there. I don't really use Facebook. Everyone knows I do this. DUH! I assumed it must have been an accident. Someone must have made a typing error. So a little while after that, I then got a note from MySpace that basically said the same thing. Someone has been trying to log in as me. My account has been canceled for maybe a year or so. The email said that someone tried to log as me and asked if it was me and if I'd like to re-establish my account. I guess they let you try three times to log in and then they send the e-mail. Same with Facebook. That is so strange.

Go Cougars!


Today we went to see Taylor's water polo game. It was very exciting. It was kind of like watching a very brutal, underwater basketball game. They passed the ball all around, trying to make a goal and not get dunked. Taylor's team didn't win their match, but they put up a good fight. Taylor is easily the fastest swimmer on the team. He scored a goal today to help his team. His next home game will be next Monday afternoon. He is number 18 in the picture.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

A Halloween Mystery... With Lots Of Pictures

Today the girls and I went with my mom to the local pumpkin patch. It was pretty fun. Here are a few fabulous pictures of our adventure.

Carolynn in the pumpkin tent.


Catherine on a pony ride. She is just about too big for pony rides. Seriously, my kids are getting old.


The girls in the corn maze.


We got plenty of pumpkins of course. We got two really big ones for carving. David is very good at carving. The first Halloween he was with us, he carved a ghost in one and Mickey Mouse in the other. Last year he carved a turtle in one and a scary face in another. We also got two smaller ones for painting and three sugar pumpkins for cooking. I never cooked pumpkin before. We thought it would be interesting to give it a go.

First, you have to cut the pumpkin up. It was hard, so David did it. Next you have to clean out the insides. This was the messy part. It was stringy and sticky and slimy. Everyone helped clean up the pumpkin pieces. Once the pumpkin pieces are cleaned, you have to roast them in the oven. That is where they are now. We are going to make a pumpkin-fruit bread for my mom. We are going to make pumpkin-blueberry muffins, and of course pumpkin pie. Not all at once though, cooked pumpkin freezes very well. We also cleaned and saved the seeds so we could roast them up. There are two different recipes for roasting pumpkin seeds in the book of pumpkin recipes my mom bought at the pumpkin patch.

I mentioned of Friday that the girls rescued a cat. I found a bunch of pictures the girls took of this poor homeless kitty on my camera. They took over 30 pictures of this cat and she was only here overnight. They don't take pictures like this of the cats we already have. Anyway, here she is.



The girls called her Pepper. She followed Catherine home the other day. She was very hungry and thirsty. We took her to the local shelter so she could find a good home.

************************


Now for the mystery of the day... Gibby got a new shirt. It came in the mail on Friday. Here he is wearing it.



As you can see, it is a Dallas Cowboys jersey. He looks very adorable in it too. Here is the mystery in it though. It came in a package with my name on it. It came shipped right from the online store it was purchased at. I didn't purchase it. David didn't purchase it. When it came, I thought my mom had purchased it. She didn't. There was no other name on the package. I have no idea who would be so kind as to purchase a shirt for my Gibby. I am going to have to assume it is someone who reads this blog since I don't know many people in the area who could have come by and seen the dog and his fashions. I know all of you fine folks out there have seen Gibby's fashions. I really like the shirt and would love to know who sent it so I can thank them. So if it was you, let me know... and Thank You! It totally made my day. It sucks being jobless and poor. You can't do anything or buy anything fun. The few shirts Gibby has I got on clearance or with gift certificates, and that was when I was working. I can't afford to buy him something like that. It's just so nice. So help me solve this mystery!

Friday, October 17, 2008

One For The Win Column

Last Saturday, we went to the Apple Valley Town 20 Year Celebration. While we were there, Carolynn entered a drawing to win a free microchip for Gibby. Gibby won! Woo Gibby!

On Wednesday, a cat followed Catherine home. It was a very nice cat. It was very hungry. It ate three bowls of cat food in no time and drank a lot of water. It was very skinny. Yesterday I took her to the animal shelter. I hope they find her a good home. The girls wanted to keep her, but we already have two cats and two dogs. We really can't afford to add to the menagerie right now. We would have had to pay to get her fixed, her shots, more cat food, another cat box... Besides, she didn't get along well with the cats we already have.

Another Friday is upon us. I guess that would mean more if I had a job and I was looking forward to my days off. Soon I will.

Nothing else exciting is going on here. Pretty soon I will have an exciting life and have lots to say. Or maybe it will be so exciting I won't have time to write stuff. We'll have to wait and see.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Thursday Thirteen



Thirteen Things I Learned About Apple Valley

1. It takes 17,256 lbs of fertilizer to fertilize all of the parks in the Town of Apple Valley one time.
2. There are 18 traffic signals owned or maintained by the Town of Apple Valley.
3. The Town of Apple Valley is 78 square miles.
4. There are 30,000 gallons of water in the Civic Center pool.
5. Roy Rodgers and Dale Evans moved to Apple Valley in 1965 and lived here until their deaths. They are buried in Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Apple Valley.
6. Apple Valley was officially incorporated November 28, 1988.
7. In the 1920s, Yucca Loma Ranch in Apple Valley was a getaway for the rich and famous. Clark Gable and Carole Lombard were frequent guests.
8. There are 9 regular elementary schools in Apple Valley. There are 3 regular middle schools and 2 regular high schools. There are other various magnet schools, continuation schools, and adult schools in the Apple Valley School District.
9. Apple Valley is at an elevation of 3,000 feet above sea level.
10. There are 15 public parks located in the Town of Apple Valley.
11. The series Sky King was filmed here in the 1950's.
12. Part of the new movie, Eagle Eye, with Shia LaBeouf was filmed in Apple Valley.
13. Cuba Gooding Jr. went to Apple Valley High School.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Wordless Wednesday



Embarassing Picture Of My Sister In 3... 2... 1...



My Sister Sarah (And My Mom)
1988 or early 1989
Apple Valley, California

Monday, October 13, 2008

Happy Birthday Grandpa



Today my grandpa turned 79 years old. He is spending the day at one of his favorite places, Pala. This is a picture of my grandpa and his mom. My mom is working on a great video about Grandpa, but since she has taken him to Pala, you will have to wait a few days on that. We've got a ton of pictures.

The girls went back to school today. They were off for two whole weeks for their fall break. David is at work at McDonald's. He should be starting at Verizon soon. He also has another appointment at Target tomorrow. I had an interview today too. It was at a drug testing facility.

I made a cherry pie. Okay, I bought it at the store and put it in the oven. Sara Lee made the pie. It was so good. Tomorrow we are having pot roast. It should be fabulous.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Seasons Change

And I like it a lot. San Diego is famous for having the best weather in the world because it is a nice temperature all year around. You can wear sandals and capris all the time. You do not need a coat. Here, fall has arrived. It is cooler during the day and cold at night. It has been windy and chilly. We had to get out some sweatshirts and long sleeved shirts. That was when we discovered we would need more. I am looking forward to being able to use our fireplace. We don’t get a huge array of fall color here, so maybe we will have to go somewhere else one of these days to do some leaf peeping. It is apple pie weather too. I need to get some pie. We have been making many soups too. Yesterday my mom made beef noodle soup. It was good.

We are not doing too much today. It is chilly, but not as windy. My parents and Grandpa went to Pala to celebrate Grandpa’s birthday. He will be 79 on Monday. Next year, when he turns 80, we should have like a huge party. 80 is a big number and a huge milestone. I bet I will think of something. I better get planning. I only have a year…

Friday, October 10, 2008

Looking Up

My job at the pet store did not work out. It is somewhat sad really. I enjoyed learning about fish and other pets. I met many interesting people. We made a pretty fish blanket for one of the girls who works there and is expecting. If it were not for my job there, I probably would not have my Gibby dog. In addition, I made a little extra money. Therefore, it all worked out. I am trying to be more positive. Everything happens for a reason. At least I hope so…

Anyway, on more good news, it looks like David’s days working for McDonald’s are numbered. He is going to be working for Verizon. The job is full time, pays more and does not involve burger flipping. He already did the interviews and we drove to St. Bernadine’s for the drug test. We are just waiting for them to get the results. (We know he will be drug free of course.) He also has had a lot of contact with Target. They had him come in today and he has to go back again on Tuesday. (If he hasn’t already started at Verizon.)

Tomorrow is the Apple Valley 20 Year Celebration. We plan to go to check it out. I also plan to go to help my mom make her video of Grandpa. That should be good. We have a million Grandpa pictures.

Today I made chicken noodle soup for dinner. I made it with homemade noodles. It was a hit. It is the right weather for soup. It is chilly and windy.

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Monday, October 06, 2008

On The Cat Walk... Or Dog Walk

By popular demand... My fabulous little puppy, Gibby is his various fashions.

This is Gibby in his green surf shirt. It says Surf Dog on the back.


This is Gibby in his tee-shirt. It has a checklist on it that lists "Things To Do Today" and the list consists of "Eat", "Sleep", and "Poop".


This is Gibby's Hawaiian shirt. It has palm trees on it.


Here is Gibby's Halloween shirt. He is showing his bones.


This is my favorite Gibby look. Here he is as Peter Pan. This is him with the hat.


Here he is as Peter Pan again, but without the hat.

Friday, October 03, 2008

Fabulous Friday

Okay, it wasn't that fabulous, but it was Friday. I did very little today. I went to Winco. I went to PetSmart. Carolynn and I went to see Chris and Sherri. Well, Sherri wasn't there but we saw Chris and Taylor. Wednesday was Taylor's birthday, so we were taking him a present. He is playing on the water polo team for the high school so we are going to go watch him play. That should be fun. I am adding his home games to my events calendar.

Tonight for dinner we made a cheese fondue. It was yummy. We had veggies and bread and apples to dip. It was Carolynn's idea.

Tomorrow is my dad's birthday.

It's starting to feel like fall. I had a craving for some fall foods. I got the stuff for some cheese potato soup and for some chicken and noodles. Chicken and dumplings would be good too. We are going to have to get some cold weather gear for Gibby soon. He is so small, he would get very cold. He currently owns two Hawaiian tank tops, a tee shirt, a skeleton Halloween shirt and a Peter Pan costume. He is quite a fashionable guy. Elvis is not much for fashion. He would probably wear a sweater, but he would get it all dirty and gross.

That is about all I can think of for now.

Thursday, October 02, 2008

Thursday 13 #5


13 Things I Ate In Las Vegas

1. Ice Cream at the buffet at Excalibur
2. Cheesecake at the buffet at Excalibur
3. Lemon Meringue Pie at the buffet at Excalibur
4. Orange Chicken at the buffet at Excalibur
5. Donuts from the Krispy Kreame in Excalibur
6. McGriddle from the McDonald's in Excalibur
7. Egg Salad Sandwich from Greenburg's Deli in New York New York
8. Sour Flush (Sour Candy Plungers dipped in Sour Powder in a toilet shaped container) from the candy shop in Excalibur
9. Whatever Great Grandpa was having for breakfast... eggs, ham, toast and hash browns at the cafe at Mandalay Bay
10. Fruit in the middle of the night from Starbuck's in Mandalay Bay (It was the only thing open)
11. Margarita's by the Beach at Mandalay Bay
12. Club Sandwich leftover from mom's lunch from the cafe in Mandalay Bay
13. Shrimp Cocktail at the buffet at Excalibur

Thirteen things I Did In Las Vagas


www.thursdaythirteen.com

1.We went to the pool.
2.We went to the Excalibur.
3.We went to New York-New York.
4.We went to the M&M World.
5.We went to the Coca Cola Store.
6.We went to the Circus Circus.(It sucked)
7.We went to the Mandalay Bay hotel.
8.We went to The Hotel.
9.We went to Raffles.
10.We went to the buffet at Excalibur.
11.We went to the candy store in Excalibur.
12.We went to the Krispy Kream.
13.We went to Shark Reef.

Thursday Thirteen



Since we just returned from a fabulous vacation in Las Vegas, and yesterday's Wordless Wednesday featured our trip, today's Thursday Thirteen is...

Thirteen Las Vegas Hotels.

1. Excalibur Hotel and Casino
2. Luxor Hotel and Casino
3. MGM Grand Hotel and Casino
4. Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino
5. New York New York Hotel and Casino
6. The Venetian Hotel and Casino
7. The Mirage Hotel and Casino
8. Circus Circus Hotel and Casino
9. Caesar's Palace Hotel and Casino
10. The Bellagio Hotel and Casino
11. Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino
12. Paris Hotel and Casino
13. Treasure Island Hotel and Casino