Memory Tag!!

Memory Tag!
MEMORY TAG!!!I haven't done anything like this before, so I hope it works. Tag...You're it!1. Add a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

I stole this off of my sister-in-law' Amy's blog. I only ask that you stay away from any malfunctioning bodily fluid memories. Like the phrase, "I'm spilling!", some will understand and others be glad that you don't.

I know that I haven't posted much but I promise to post with new pics this weekend. And, we survived the earthquake!! Thanks, Jen

A Visitor Among Us.

This week we have a visitor. Eliza's friend has come to visit us from Illinois. She arrived last weekend and has spent the last week being shuttled from one end of the state to the other. They have spent time at the beach, the county fair, swimming and getting lost on various trips. We spent yesterday at the county fair. It was alot of fun. We were all able to do something that we wanted. We looked at exhibits, the girls cruised the fun zone and we all had some of the tasty food of the fair. It turned out to be a really nice trip and luckily it cooled off in the evening with a nice breeze but not too cold. It has been fun having Liza's friend here. We have introduced her to several of the California specific foods. Things like, Del Taco, In-N-Out and See's Candy. So far she has enjoyed all of it. I think while we were living away from here that was what came up often was the differences in food. The fair was fun but the food was better.

Oh, I must add that the theme for the fair was "Say Cheese". There seemed to be lots of suggestions toward cheese but oddly enough there was no cheese to be found other than the cheese on a stick offered at the Hotdog On A Stick stand. I just want to say, that is so wrong!!

A Theif Among Us!!!!!

I must share with you all the harrowing experience I had this past weekend. I attended a dinner to celebrate my niece's birthday at a family style italian restaurant. The food was great. It was served family style. We had these ball things, I know that sounds bad but I can't remember what they were. They were breaded with herby cheese stuffing and had a marinara sauce that they were served with. YUM!! Then we had an italian chopped salad. This is where things went bad, BAD, BAD. Just prior to the salad being served the Big One sitting on the end explained that the olives had pits in them but they were very good. So, the salad comes, remember it's family style, and I spy an olive. So I serve up my salad and snag the olive. Woo Hoo. I got it. Then a distraction from my child at the other end of the mass of family. She wants a picture taken down the length of the table. Great. But, I was going to eat my olive. I'll take the picture then get to the olive. So, I get up and end up needing to take pics. for 2 different people. I get the job done. Sit down eat my salad and forget about the olive. Dinner comes, I get lemon chicken with a side of Alfredo. It looks yummy. So, I go to hand off my salad plate to server man and guess what. MY OLIVE, WHERE'S MY OLIVE. No, No, No. I didn't eat it and the pit did I. I think about it. Honestly, I was kinda tired and I was hungry. No, I didn't eat it. Think. Think. No, I Didn't Eat It. OK people at my table. WHERE'S MY OLIVE. There's denial all around. But, the denial comes quick. So, we ask again. WHERE'S MY OLIVE. Then, little sister thinks she's funny and tries to pass off some smashed looking poo thing from the floor as my beautiful green italian olive. FAT CHANCE SISTER. OK, last time.WHERE'S MY OLIVE. Big Sister nearly busts a gut and explodes with it. I ATE YOUR OLIVE. That is just soooo wrong. They ate my olive. Is there no justice in this world. So, dinner on Saturday was great and the restaurant was alot of fun. But, Damn, SHE ATE MY OLIVE. That is just not right. Cathy I know where you live and I am coming for my olive!!!!!!

Where Did The Time Go??

Well, the girls made it home from their wild week away. They came off the plane with stories about this person and that person. About water rides in Indiana, food choices in the dorm they stayed at and how everything was wonderful. Now, my anticipated arrival of the girls was that they would come off the plane with continual reminders of how they missed us, missed the dogs and they couldn't wait to come home. FYI, Didn't Happen!! They had a great time and yes, they probably did miss us but I haven't heard it yet and it's been a week. So, they had a great time and learned to navigate airports, address ticket counters regarding flight changes and rebook after continual delays. All in all, they did great flying and had a great time.

I started my new job. It has been kind of funny, the first week there was a holiday so 1 day of orientation, 3 days of work and 1 holiday. The second week one day of orientation and 4 days of work. So, this week we are aiming for actually working 5 days. The schedule isn't great but it's a job and I am enjoying most parts of it. So far, so good. The girls are still working on adjusting to me being gone but they did OK for the most part last week. Let's just hope they can keep it up. The sad part is that since I am starting in the midst of summer there will be no summer vacation this year. This is the first time in 12 or 14 years that I didn't get a vacation but there is always next year.

I hope you all have a great week!!

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!

I hope you all have a Great Independence Day!! Since we are missing 3 of our family of 5, Mike and I decided to get up early, something I never do on a weekend if at all possible, and we rode in the parade with my parents. You see, a few months ago my parents purchased a Model A Ford. It is something that they really enjoy toying with. This was the first parade for the new car. So, I was up by 6:30 and out the door around 7 am. We got to the parade and lined up with several others from their local Model A car club and we rode the parade route, waving our flags and yelling Happy 4th of July. But, before we got started in the parade they had a judging of the the entries. Something for Most Spirited Youth Group, Best Antique Car, Most Spirited Spiritual Group, and so on. Sooo, We Won. Well, we didn't win. My parents won. They won 1st place in Antique Cars. We were escorted by 3 girls from the local high school carrying our banner stating "Best Antique Car "(see pic). Anyway, my parents got their picture taken, received a trophy, were filmed by a local TV crew and have bragging rights for Best Car until the next parade and then we'll see what happens next time. Overall, we had a great time.

If you are wondering about the girls. They are all having a great time, calling home rarely, letting me know they are having a GREAT time, and letting me know that they aren't sure if they will be ready to come home tomorrow. Well, guess what. That doesn't really matter. I will be at the airport early and then some to pick up my babies tomorrow night. I sure am ready for them to be home.

I hope you all have/had a Great 4th of July.

Thursday Pretending To Be Friday

SORRYNO PICTURE THIS TIME. It is Thursday but since tomorrow is Independence Day it is a day off for those who are working. So, our Thursday is pretending to be Friday. Anyway, a quick update on our goings on. I started my job this week and so far so good. There is tons of info to remember but nothing rocket scientist like that I can't do. I do enjoy it and it's busy so I will never have a dull moment. There are tons of people whose names I need to learn, now if only everyone would wear their name badges it would be so much easier.

The girls are gone this week. It is funny, I thought I would hear from Cate everyday and I think I have heard from her the least. Last night was the first night that I heard from all 3 of them. Liza is having a great time getting reacquainted with her friends that she has missed so dearly. Grace has a roommate that she didn't know until the day she got there and she seems to be loving the whole experience. And, then there is Cate, Mike hates it when I call her Cate (Sorry Mike). Cate is loving her time with old friends. She has been able to catch up with everyone in the old neighborhood. She has had a great time. I know this because I hardly ever hear from her.

Well, I am off to work. Not the greatest post but it will have to do. By the way, since it is Thursday. The things I am most thankful for, this Independence Day eve. My Husband, my girls, our family, my freedom, my doggies that love me even though they are spending more and more time in the backyard and CHOCOLATE. Everything is OK with chocolate.

HAVE A GREAT INDEPENDENCE DAY!!

Don't Cry, Don't Cry, Don't Cry...

Don't Cry, Don't Cry, Don't Cry. I keep telling myself that as I help my 3 little ones pack to leave me for a week. I'm not sure why this is so hard for me. I've known they were going for a while now. They are more than capable of doing this and having fun while they are gone but, but, but, but they are supposed to miss me and I just don't know if that will happen. You see Saturday morning I will put my 3 babies on a big ole airplane and let them trapse off across the countryside for the next week. Actually, 2 are going to Especially For Youth and the youngest is going to stay with a friend.But they are all flying to the same destination. I just don't think they should go, at least they should not want to leave me so easily. They seem so excited, they just can't seem to go fast enough. What if they need me while they are there, they'll be thousands, yes THOUSANDS, of miles away. I don't know maybe they should stay home. That won't happen because then my babies would morph back into 3 teenagers who would hate me forever. I just want them to be safe, have a great time, make some incredible memories and maybe, just maybe, miss mommy a little. OK so they haven't called me mommy in many years. But, it seems like they were all born yesterday. I know, I know, I am babbling so how's this. Girls I hope you have the best time. But, please, miss mom just a little while your gone.