Thursday, March 31, 2011

Thursday Thirteen



Thirteen Things To See I Disney's California Adventure

Since last weeks post got us thinking about Disneyland, here is a list of some of the greatness that awaits us at Disney's California Adventure

1. The Twilight Zone Tower Of Terror
2. California Screamin'
3. Soarin' Over California
4. Monsters Inc. Mike and Sulley To The Rescue
5. Turtle Talk With Crush
6. ElecTRONica
7. Grizzly River Run
8. World Of Color
9. Taste Pilot's Grill
10. Mickey's Fun Wheel
11. King Triton's Carousel
12. Toy Story Mania
13. Silly Symphony Swings

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

A Thrifty Shopper

Catherine is on Spring Break these two weeks. Unfortunately, Carolynn and David are not on Spring Break. Also, there isn't a chance this side of Hell that I will be getting any vacation time. Besides all of that, we really couldn't afford any vacations anyway.

But I didn't want to spoil her vacation. So we made a deal. She could plan some fun stuff and we would do it. However, she only had $100 to last her two weeks. I would pay for gas and any groceries that she might need. Well, Catherine is a bargain shopper. She wanted to make sure she got the most out of her $100. So here are her plans, which start today...

Tuesday, March 29- Eat lunch at Wienerschnitzel- We did it. She estimated that she might spend $15 there. But, because she opted for chili dogs (5 for $5) and some 79 cent corn dogs, she saved. She also went without soda and fries. So she only spent $9.

Wednesday, March 30- Trip to the Victor Valley Museum- Admission for her and I is less than $10. David and Carolynn will be in class.

Thursday, March 31- Dinner for two at Red Lobster. David doesn't want to go and Carolynn has swim. She estimates she will spend $30. (I am thinking that is a little low of an estimate, but we will see.)

Friday, April 1- Sleepover with friends- This is a free activity since I am buying the groceries. She is inviting 5 people. They will have chips, popcorn, ice cream and English muffin pizzas.

Saturday, April 2- Sleepover ends and clean up begins. She also plans on reading because I told her if she finishes Harry Potter and the Order Of The Phoenix by the end of Spring break that I would buy her Little Big Planet 2 for PS3.

Sunday, April 3- A trip to Calico Ghost Town I will be at work, so David is taking her and Carolynn on this adventure. Admission will cost $12. She estimates $20 total for that trip.

Monday, April 4- Nothing planned. She is going to hang around the house and read.

Tuesday, April 5- Go to the movies- She wants to see Rango. She estimates $25 to see a movie. We can see it in the daytime and if I buy the candy at the store, that counts as groceries.

Wednesday, April 6- Games and Fun Day- There will be junk food, games and lots of fun. And since I am buying the groceries, this is a free activity.

Thursday, April 7- First soccer practice. Her new team is turquoise and navy blue. She already has one friend on the team.

Friday, April 8- Take the dogs to the park- Another free activity that she can do with David during the day.

Saturday, April 9- More relaxing and reading

Sunday, April 10- Last Day! If she has money left, maybe some shopping. She has to finish her book to get her video game. We will see.

So it is going to be a busy two weeks around here. David has Spring break the week Catherine goes back to school. Carolynn has Spring break right after Easter.

I don't get a spring break.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Friend Like Me

Last week, Catherine's school put on a play, Aladdin. Catherine was a feature player in this play as a street vendor. It was absolutely the cutest thing I had ever seen in my life. They did it on Thursday night and Friday night. David and I, as well and Sherri and Taylor saw the Thursday night performance and I met our friends Serenity and Adrienne to see it Friday night.

Mrs. Collins, Catherine's teacher, as well as the other teachers and parent volunteers and Mrs. Winkle, the music teacher, did a great job. They stayed late for practice at least once a week since September or October. The last few weeks they were staying every day.

It was fun and cute and the kids all were so great. I loved it so much. I took some pictures, but there is no video, as it was not allowed. (Though that didn't stop some people...)

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Here they are lining up at the beginning of the play. Catherine is the third one down.


Here they are singing in one of the scenes. That's Catherine in the middle in pink. One of her BFF's, Brittney, is next to her in grey.


Here is Catherine after the play modeling her costume.


Brittney in her costume. She had the monkeys. Did you see the monkeys? To view them she charges no fees. She's generous, so generous...


Another of Catherine's BFF's, and Brittney's sister, Dalia. She was a belly dancer in Prince Ali's parade.


This is the main cast after the play. Catherine's friend Sierra was Jafar. She was so great. Mrs. Collin's daughter was the Genie and she too was just adorable.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Thursday Thirteen


Thirteen Classic Disneyland Rides

I really love Disneyland. Getting passes and going is something that Will Happen this year. Right now I am trying to move so, Disneyland will have to wait. But I am so excited about it. So here I bring you a list of thirteen classic Disneyland rides.

1. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
2. Space Mountain
3. Pirates of the Caribbean
4. The Haunted Mansion
5. The Mad Hatter's Tea Party
6. Dumbo The Flying Elephant
7. It's A Small World
8. Monorail
9. The Jungle Cruise
10. Matterhorn Bobsleds
11. Disneyland Railroad
12. Mark Twain Riverboat
13. Splash Mountain

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Wordless Wednesday



Happy Birthday... TO ME!!!!


My Birthday Cards- One from a hot guy, and one from two hot chicks.


My new iPad- Which is awesome and amazing.


My new car stereo, which has a place to plug my iPad or phone since no one uses CD's anymore.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Take A Deep Breath And A Leap Of Faith

"Attending church makes you no more a Christian...than standing in a garage makes you a car."

I borrowed that from the Facebook page of a guy I work with. He is a sweet guy and very funny. I have only had the pleasure of working with him a few times however.

But it got me thinking...

I don't think God planned for me to go to church. I don't.

I am almost 34. It's hard to admit I am that old, but there it is. And in my 34 years, I have learned a few things about myself and life. And after some serious consideration I have come to the conclusion that God has a specific plan for me. Oh sure, He has dealt me a few whoppers. But in the end He has always given me the tools to deal and I have always come out better than when I began.

Church is okay. Some people really need it. They need that constant reminder to be good people. They need that feeling that they gave to God that week. And that is cool for them. Really it is. I respect that.

But for me, I am sure God has a different plan.

To be a good mother.
To be a good friend.
To be a good correctional officer.

And I am.

Therefore I don't spend my Sunday's at church. I usually work. (By my working, someone who needs that church fix, can get that day off and enjoy.) I cook for my family. I deliver random treats to my Aunts. I send cards to friends for no reason other than because I was thinking of them. I invite them for dinner. I take treats to work for the other officers when we have bad days. I give inmates what they have coming. I think that is doing God's work. I am sure God would be glad I spent time with family and friends really enjoying His gifts rather than sitting in a church full of strangers being told what to believe.

I don't let things bother me. I smile. I enjoy life.

Breathe.

It's going to be alright.

Friday, March 18, 2011

A Day In The Life

Garbage Disposal

On a fine day in a special housing unit near you, I am sitting in the office, eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Actually, to be technical, it was an Uncrustable.

I see another officer bring an inmate out and put him in the holding cell. I don't know why. But there it is. The inmate looks upset. He is pacing around the holding cell and just acting crazy. So when the officer who put him there comes in, I ask him what that particular inmate's deal is.

What had happened was...

The inmate wanted something and he didn't get his way. So he began acting self destructive in an attempt to get what he wanted.

First, he swallowed a whole tube of toothpaste. Mind you, it was a travel size tube, but he put it all down anyway.

He didn't get his way.

He swallowed the toothpaste cap. It took him three tries.

He still didn't get his way.

He swallowed a toothbrush. Okay, again, it was a small travel sized toothbrush, perhaps about 4 inches. But it was still a toothbrush. And he swallowed it.

He finally decided he had enough and consented to be cuffed up and moved.

We called a doctor. And a psychologist.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Recognition

So I was in the Target with the girls and Catherine was examining a fabulous new Pokemon case for her Gameboy (Which she ended up getting in exchange for cleaning the kitchen.) I see a man shpping with his family, and I get that feeling... you know the one.. like “Hey, I know that guy!” But you can't remember where or in what context you know him from. Yep. But I am sure I know him.

Then I go down another isle. There he is again. I know that guy. I swear to it. And he sees me and there, he has that look too. But I don't say a word.

Why not?

Because if I can't remember him, what if he is a former inmate? Some drug dealer or pot grower or meth lab operator who has been recently released? Yep, I am paranoid.

Maybe he is an inmate's relative. I work visiting a lot. Perhaps I have seen him coming to visit.

Maybe he works with me. I don't think so. But maybe. A lot of people work where I work.

Do I know him from somewhere else? I don't know. I don't go many places. But I just couldn't figure it out.

So the girls and I leave that Target with our purchases. Catherine and her Pokemon case. Carolynn and her new Blue Ray movie (Burlesque). Me and my weed killer.

Then I get home, and bam, it hits me!

I totally went to high school with that guy. We were totally friends and in the choir together.

Yep. Paranoia. Thanks inmates. I appreciate that.

Wednesday, March 09, 2011