I Can See Clearly Now...

... the rain has gone! B-E-A-UTIFUL out now... the crazy weather has lifted and we are back in the high 60's, just in time for mom to come visit and warm up for a few weeks.

Ally's back in iceskating... I am going to try to post a few very short videos here of her jumps and spins that she is learning. Haven't posted videos before, so we will see how that works out. They were taken in pretty low resolution from my cell phone, so the quality is not great.









I've been cleaning like a mad woman getting ready for the visit. Have the girl's rooms to finish up this weekend then I'm finished. Even had the sofa steam cleaned -- here's Tigger and Cuddles enjoying the freshness!


I watched Jumping Jack Flash today on TV. I laughed so hard I was crying. Hadn't seen it in years, and I forgot how funny that scene is when she comes into the office high on truth serum. Now I wish I would've put it on the DVR for awhile.

This is my new WANT -- the up and coming IPad. But first I need a new stove and kitchen floor, Chris needs dental work, the car needs a timing belt... so maybe in May for my birthday, but I would have to save up at least half by then. Everyone who reads this, send $50 please:P


I was driving down our street, came to a stopsign, and the guy in front of me sailed a CD out the window of his car like a frisbee. He was the only one in there... maybe it was Lady Ga Ga.

Well I read in the news this week that Arnold is proposing to PAY Mexico to build prisons to house their own illegal immigrant criminals who are over here in our jails -- it would be cheaper, he said. Can you say WHAT?! Are you kidding me? I can't even start to comment on the things wrong with this picture or this blog would be a novel!

Fortunately our HOA is responsible for our roof -- with all the weather we had, Ally's ceiling is showing signs of a leak. They temporarily patched it until they find out if it's under warranty. There is a big stain kinda in the shape of a cross on her ceiling. Hopefully they will fix that, too. Otherwise, we will paint Jesus on it and it can be a reminder to us all.

I taught the ladies Bible study this week as our usual teacher's hubby had knee surgery. It went good -- don't even really have to teach... the ladies have so much good input, I always learn more than them! We are studying another Cynthia Heald book, Becoming a Woman of Freedom.

Well, it's hard to believe my dad and brother both died two years ago... my dad within just a few months of being diagnosed with ALS and my brother very unexpectedly. It seems like just last month... can we not slow down the time?! Ally will be starting driver's ed next month... that's another daughter on the road... SCARY! For me AND the other drivers! Amy's good though -- she hasn't had any accidents to speak of in the four years she's been driving out here on these crazy roads. A couple of minor dings, nothing even to go through insurance... whew!

Okay, well time to see if I can post videos in here... if you can't find them you'll know I was not successful:)

Wacky Weather!

Crazy is all I can say... this week we've had rain, floods, lightning, thunder, trees down, cars crashed all over the place, power outages, tornado warnings, an earthquake and today -- a hail storm! Is this San Diego?! I don't think so! Here's me after I ran outside at work to snap a couple pics of the hail. Last time I remember it hailing here was about 15 years ago. Amy was little, and I remember us scooping it up and throwing it all over. Then to boot, the sun came out -- although it's gone again. The rains are supposed to let up after today... we're ready! The gazebo across the street is still above water, but the water has already crept up a few feet at least.

I lost another pound... finally! Only eight more to go to goal. I have actually lost five since the first of the year, but four of those don't count to me because that's holiday weight I gained. Here's one of my favorite low cal, low point snacks. Diet orange soda and fat free cool whip... two points and delish!

I picked this up for Ally in a discount after-Christmas bin for a buck or two. I love Larry. We used to go around singing... "I have to tell you something... I have no belly button." From one of the Veggie Tales videos I think.

Tigger cracked me up again. I was home alone, and he did not like that, so he started bringing me gifts to make up for it I guess. I told him if he kept it up, I wouldn't have to bring down the laundry. Crazy cat!

I made a calendar for my friend, Thelma, in Arizona... sort of a late Christmas present with all the pics we took while we were there. Some amazing pics!

It's the end of the year at work, so I'm finalizing the books and tax things. I issued the W-2's for all the employees this week, glad to have that finished. We will file our own taxes by the end of the month hopefully!

I've had time to actually read a couple books this week. My pile by my bed is slowly shrinking! We were happy to hear about the republican win in Mass. this week -- AWESOME... now to work on California!

Nothin' But Blue Skies...

... it's been beautiful here, but rain is on the way! Supposed to be a lot of rain coming in for the weekend... just in time for the Charger's play off game. Should be interesting!

Ally's at her friends for the night, Chris is at work, Amy's out with friends and I have the night to myself. What have I done? Watched a movie, did the dishes, played on the computer, and had an awesome time of prayer and Bible reading! Even caught up a couple days of reading -- since I was a week behind with all the delays getting my new Bible.

My mom's coming in February, this weekend will be spent cleaning the downstairs. I took Monday off and plan to clean more then. Even though it's a holiday for the kids and government, I have to take it as an unpaid holiday. I get Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, 4th of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day paid, so I'm not complaining -- especially with all the other perks I have at my job. I could even work Monday and get paid if I wanted. I do work Veteran's Day and Columbus Day, oh and Ground Hog Day -- ha, just kidding there -- that's a paid holiday -- kidding again!

My back is doing fine. I played volleyball Thursday. Felt a couple twitches, but tried to take it easy. I haven't been to the gym since before Christmas! Ally's schedule now gets her out of school the same time I get off work, so I can't go to the gym before getting her. Then I run her home, and boy am I not motivated after being at home! Gotta figure something out soon though.

Today at work I had an $18,000 depost in my hot little hand. I was preparing to go to the bank, cleaning up my desk, shredding some trash, yaddah yaddah. Then I can't find the deposit. Talk about my heart stopping. As I head back to the shredder all I can do is pray "Oh, God." "Oh, God." I look through the shredder, and I see some yellow paper, which is what part of the deposit slip looks like. But then I realize it's not the deposit slip -- took awhile to see since it was cross-shredded. Anyway I retrace my steps for the last five minutes and I found the deposit in the trash can. My boss didn't really think it was funny -- go figure. HA HA. Of course, I didn't think it was funny until I found it. I could just see myself calling those customers and telling them I needed new checks because I shredded them.

So, as I was having my prayer time today, of course, I am praying for Haiti and I am praying out loud since I am by myself and I just start crying and praying that if there are people who can't be reached by the rescuers that God would reveal Himself to them somehow, so they can know Him. And if they are rescued that He would receive the glory and that others would come to know Him through this tragedy. I also realize daily just how blessed we are in this country and just how personally blessed my family is and I am. How God has placed his protection around my family and we haven't dealt with serious illness, job losses, financial strains... and the list goes on. I never want to take that for granted and I realize it could be gone in an instant... I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that I am reading in Job right now:) I love a blog where I can post whatever I want and not care what anyone thinks, because you know what, you don't HAVE to read it! Okay, back to reality -- wait, that was reality...

I'm all caught up on my scrapbooking -- did all these this week! Just have to print them and get them into my latest book. I counted my photo albums and I have 14!

Out With the Old, In With the New

All the Christmas decorations have been put away. I tweaked my back moving the last box and was out of commission for a few days. Fortunately it was the weekend. I stayed half reclined on the couch for two days. I felt good while bowling, ATVing, riding in the car for hours on end, and playing volleyball, but I guess the old muscles just couldn't take anything else. That was last weekend though, and I'm better now.

My Bible finally came in, 33 days after I ordered it. I went to pick it up and couldn't believe it, but the engraving was missing the upper part of the "C" in my name. She fixed it -- it's still not perfect, but I couldn't put up with it anymore. It's going to be in a cover anyway.

Ally had her friend Bree over for New Years and we stayed up, making all kinds of noise and playing games. Having Chris there was fun. He got up at 10 p.m. to celebrate with us.

Amy left her phone on top of the car and it's gone. That's three in a year. She has to pay for this replacement. Verizon was able to extend her contract by one year and give her a phone for about $120. I'm thinking of just giving it to her for her birthday, so she won't have to pay me back. Amy's ipod touch she got from Gabe for Christmas wouldn't work with our router. It was too old. So got a new router and spent three hours installing that. Major issues and a couple hours on the phone with Linksys then Cox. Turns out the "auto detect" for the router was turned off, Cox fixed the issue within two minutes of me calling them. Grrrrrr. Anyway the router is much better, and everyone is happy now.

Mom's coming to visit and soak in the warmer weather at the beginning of February. We are looking forward to that, she'll be here for Amy's birthday and is staying for three weeks.

I got all my photos for 2009 organized, the best ones on my digital frame, and even got some scrapbooking done in the last few days!

Does It Get Any Better Than This?!

Finally getting a chance to post post-Christmas! The kids were excited about Christmas morning. I said no getting up until after 7 a.m. I had visions of them getting up at 4 a.m. Turns out, they finally rolled out of bed about 10:30 a.m., and I was up at 6:45 a.m. to finish things up! I cooked prime rib steaks, scalloped corn, rolls, potatoes and gravy -- Ally said she thinks it was the best meal I ever made. I do better when I don't try to make 10 things! Santa was good to everyone. My Bible still hasn't arrived yet, got half my money refunded, and it should be there this week.

We went on vacation to Sedona, Arizona to visit friends Frank and Thelma. Chris and I celebrated our 25 year anniversary while we were there, and renewed our vows. I forgot how beautiful it is there... we went ATV'ing, bowling, and toured Antelope Canyon in Page. It was pretty cold, especially at the canyon, but we survived. So many pics, I tried to just select a few. Glad Ally had her new camera, most of my pics blurred in the low light at the canyon. The canyon is called a slot canyon and it started out as a crack in petrified sand. It floods and the rushing water carves the walls. It is one of the most amazing things in nature I have ever seen.

Of course, had to eat at Cracker Barrel in Yuma on the way back. Loved using our GPS to get around. I dropped my phone and busted the front screen. It still works and and the inside screen is okay, but I'll have to get it replaced. I have insurance on it.

After all those activities, plus volleyball, I injured my back lifting the last box of Christmas decorations. Well, at least they are done. Have been taking pain killers and using my hot rice bag... a lifesaver! Missed church on Sunday and stayed on the couch for the better part of two days -- I think I'm on the mend now. We were glad to get back to warmer weather, it's been almost 80 degrees for the last couple days.

Finished reading through the Bible on December 31 -- now just waiting for my new one to start again! Ally's friend Bree came over on New Year's, we played games, popped balloons, made noise, and drank Martinelli's.