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Friday, June 30, 2006

I asked my daughter to help me out with these, and she more than happy to help.

10 Things About Me

1.) I always have a drink in my hand. Coffee, first thing in the morning.Then it's water,diet pepsi, or iced tea.

2.)My ears are pierced twice, but I only wear one set.

3.) Everyone in my family thinks this is gross, but I love Mac&Chz with plenty of mustard.

4.)I worked at RedLobster for 2yrs. It's a good thing I love seafood.

5.) I dreamed of being a travel agent. I was one for about 2yrs, but found out the owners of the company got to do all the traveling.

6.) Now when I grow up I want to be either an X-Ray or Ultrasound tech.

7.) No matter how hard I try I can't grow a garden. I find it very sad.

8.)I love the outdoors. Camping,hiking,skiing. even taking nature walks.

9.)I've started so many projects, but have only been able to finish a couple.

10.) I love to listen to Country music. I also listen to Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith,Oldies,and 80's. Another music genre I found visiting Mexico are Mexican love ballads. Very beautiful and Romantic. I can understand Spanish almost fluently, but I can only just get by speaking it.

And here's a bonus from my daughter because she loves the fact:

11.)My 12yr. old daughter is taller than me!

Everyone have a great day!

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

13 People I'd invite to Dinner!
1.) Keith Urban-Without Nicole Kidman! I'm so sad he's not available anymore.
2.)Drew Barrymore- I'd like to know how she liked growing up in the spotlight.
3.) Liv Tyler- I'd like to know what is was like growing up Steven Tyler's Daughter, and what was her favorite place in New Zealand when she made LOTR!
4.) Johnny Depp- To ask him about Pirates of the Caribbean 3. I even heard there would be 3 more....Is that right? I heard there would be more sequels, but not sure exactly how many.
5.) Robin Williams- I love to laugh, I've always enjoyed watching him from the time he was on Mork and Mindy
6.) J.K. Rowling- To find out the exact ending to her Harry Potter series.
7.)Matthew McConaughey-Another man that takes my breath away, besides my husband of course.
8.) Kate Hudson-How it was like growing up being Goldie Hawn's daughter.
9.) Bill Cosby- Again I love to laugh.
10.) Oprah- Ask her what her secret is to her success.
11.) Kate Winslet- to ask her how she liked working with Johnny Depp in Finding NeverLand.
12.) Kelly Clarkson- To ask her if she'll be doing any more movies in the future and if she'd sing at my party!
13.) Adam Sandler-Again I love to laugh!
Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
Friends Day Wednesday #9
Every Weds. I pick out 5 things that Catch My Eye or that I have in common with someone.
1.) Roses are one of my favorite flowers, and I came across these
truly beautiful pictures from Janet .
2.) You can stop by and visit Neurotic Mom, she has a couple funny posts.
3.) Summer's here and I love salads. Here's a recipe for
4.) I'll have a separate post for this on Saturday,if you haven't checked out
5.) I found at Karen some very imformative posts.

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

I'm also adding a Word of Wisdom Weds. this week, because I found this quote, and it just helped me get to sleep easier by setting my mind at peace.
So Many Dreams at first seem impossible. And then they seem improbable. And then we summon the will, they soon become inevitable. -Christopher Reeve
Everyone have a good night!

Monday, June 26, 2006

For this week, I'd thought I'd share some of my Favorite Memories of someone else I hold dear to my heart! I wish she lived closer, so I could spend more time with her. It hasn't been until recently, although there has always been a close connection between us, the past couple of years I feel I've really gotten to know this woman. She was the first person besides myself, who thought something was wrong with my son. When I talk to her, I feel like we're on the same page. She always sends homemade goodies when she comes to visit, which my husband loves.
And her hugs are always warm and comfortable. My memories this week are of my Grandmother.
*My first memory of her is when my brother was born. I was about 2. She came over to watch me, while my mom and dad were at the hospital. We spent the whole afternoon blowing bubbles.
*Her 2 favorite shows when I was probably 4, were Love Boat and Fantasy Island. I remember spending the night, and we'd watch them eating icecream together.
She always had plenty of ice cream.
*My grandparents had a swimming pool. So every summer, my brother and I would spend hours sometimes from 10 in the morning 'till the sun went down. They only lived 5 min. away.There was one day, I've never seen my grandmother get mad, but my brother and I started fighting, and she came storming out the back door, and pushed us both in the pool. You should have seen the look on her face.
*This memory is of my dad, but since we are talking about my grandmother's pool, as a reminder to Please watch your children around pools! They had BBQ's with my Aunt and Uncle and some of their neighbors. One day, I remember I was probably 3yrs. old and I was walking around the pool. I don't know if I walked off the edge, but I was in the deep end. My dad came running down the steps fully clothed and I can still hear the sound of his flip flops, before he dove in to save me!That's all I remember.
*She had a beautiful Sheltie named Princess, who was pretty spoiled!
*When they moved to AZ, my first visit out to AZ, was with my oldest daughter,when she was 4 mos. old. It was the first time,and I love this pic, but it was of the 4 generations. My grandmother, My mom, me, and my daughter!
* Did I mention she always brings homemade goodies when she comes to visit! She makes peanut brittle to die for!
*We both don't have Green Thumbs! Her plants die as fast as mine.
*I'll always remember her telling me when I was in my early 20's about when she grew up women expected to get old and accept it. Just something I remeber that helped me to embrace getting older, and see those laugh lines, and laugh to think of her telling me.
* She tried Weight Watchers, but she was never overweight in my opinion.
*Her Christmas trees were always Gorgeous, and my brother and I could never open our packages, because she always wrapped them with extremely tight ribbon.
* I'll always remember her as the only one besides my mother in law who helped me through my grieving with my dad, and how much I love her for being there!
Everyone have a great Monday!

Sunday, June 25, 2006

Cute things kids say!
Ok, my husband is walking down the hallway passing my 3yr old daughter's room! She's playing with blocks, and dumped all of the clothes out of her basket, turned the basket upside down, stacking the blocks on top. My husband asks her what she's building. You would think a fort or a castle! Oh no, she told my husbad she was building a ROCKET SHIP! She loves us to ask her name. So, my husband asked her what her name was, she replied,"Katelyn". Then my husband asked her ,"Katelyn, what?", and she would normally answer using her middle name and last name.....Not today! Today she answered,"Katelyn Astronaut!"

Saturday, June 24, 2006

This is great! I decided to Rent Some Space on The Life of a Neurotic Mom's Blog! I felt right at home. Her posts on True Friendship and Do You Suffer From AAADD? were hilarious. Not to mention she's got one of my favorite Reba songs playing and a pic of a cute Turtle. Her kids sound like my kids, having Everlasting Energy, and I liked her header for the renter space about Graduating from the University of Mean Mommies. My sister-in-law emailed me this poem about Mean Mommies, I'm going to search through my emails to find it, but it was really true. I'll be back a little later to post it, but just wanted to let you know where I'm staying this week! *UPDATED*
Ok,I found it!
"The Meanest Mother"
I had the meanest mother in the whole world. While other kids ate candy for breakfast, I had to have cereal, eggs or toast. When others had cokes and candy for lunch, I had to eat a sandwich. As you can guess, my supper was different than the other kids' also. But at least, I wasn't alone in my sufferings. My sister and two brothers had the same mean mother as I did. My mother insisted upon knowing where we were at all time. You'd think we were on a chain gang. She had to know who our friends were and where we were going. She insisted if we said we'd be gone an hour, that we be gone one hour or less--not one hour and one minute. I am nearly ashamed to admit it, but she actually struck us. Not once, but eachtime we had a mind of our own and did as we pleased. That poor belt was used more on our seats than it was to hold up Daddy's pants. Can you imagine some one actualy hitting a child just because he disobeyed? Now you can begin to see how mean she really was. We had to wear clean clothes and take a bath. The other kids always wore their clothes for days. We reached the height of insults because she made our clothes herself, just to save money. Why, oh why, did we have to have a mother who made us feel different from our friends? The worst is yet to come. We had to be in bed by nine each night and up at eight the next morning. We couldn't sleep till noon like our friends. So while they slept-my mother actually had the nerve to break the child-labor law. She made us work. We had to wash dishes, makebeds, learn to cook and all sorts of cruel things. I believe she laid awake at night thinking up mean things to do to us. She always insisted upon us telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, even if it killed us- and it nearly did. By the time we were teen-agers, she was much wiser, and our life became even more unbearable. None of this tooting the horn of a car for us to come running. She embarrassed us to no end by making our dates and friends come to the door to get us. If I spent the night with a girlfriend, can you imagine she checked on me to see if I were really there. I never had the chance to elope to Mexico. That is if I'd had aboyfriend to elope with. I forgot to mention, while my friends were dating at the mature age of 12 and 13, my old fashioned mother refused to let me date until the age of 15 and 16. Fifteen, that is, if you dated only to go to a school function. And that was maybe twice a year. Through the years, things didn't improve a bit. We could not lie in bed, "sick" like our friends did, and miss school. If our friends had a toe ache, a hang nail or serious ailment, they could stay home from school. Our marks in school had to be up to par. Our friends' report cards had beautiful colors on them, black for passing, red for failing. My mother being as different as she was, would settle for nothing less than ugly black marks. As the years rolled by, first one and then the other of us was put to shame. We were graduated from high school. With our mother behind us, talking, hitting and demanding respect, none of us was allowed the pleasure of being a drop-out. My mother was a complete failure as a mother. Out of four children, a couple of us attained some higher education. None of us have ever been arrested, divorced or beaten his mate. Each of my brothers served his time in the service of this country. And whom do we have to blame for the terrible way we turned out? You're right, our mean mother. Look at the things we missed. We never got to march in a protest parade, nor to take part in a riot, burn draft cards, and a million and one other things that our friends did. She forced us to grow up into God-fearing, educated, honest adults. Using this as a background, I am trying to raise my three children. I stand a little taller and I am filled with pride when my children call me mean. Because, you see, I thank God, He gave me the meanest mother in the whole world.
written by Bobbie Pingaro (1967)

Friday, June 23, 2006

TGIF
This week has been an emotional rollercoaster. Sunday with Father's Day, and the bittersweet day my husband had. Monday, with my feeling helpless against Diabetes sometimes. Tuesday was better, and I felt like I was getting things together. Wendsday I took the baby to the Doctor's for her 4 month shots. You know how that went, no explanation needed on how cranky she got after(she has every right, her poor little legs were so sore), not to mention I know she's teething on top of that.Thursday, was fun. My husband took the kids swimming, and my son can now swim without his floaties. YAY! Today, I'm planning on taking the kids to the library, shop for a bigger purse, and buy some frames for my daughter's awards. I'd like to go to the nursery and look for some pretty flowers and pick out some paint for our bedroom.
Everyone have a great weekend!

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Lovely Banner courtesy of YellowRose

13 Recipes for a Hawaiian Luau.

Thanks for stopping by. Help yourself to a refrshing drink and make your self comfortable. Relax by the pool, or imagine yourself relaxing on the beach. Listening to the waves and watching the sun as it sets. There's more than enough food here, so go ahead try a little bit of everything. My favorite is the Chicken Adobo. Hope you enjoy yourself.

1.) Blue Hawaiian
1 oz. Blue Curacao
1 oz. Coconut Cream
2 oz. Pineapple Juice
1 oz. Light Rum
Pineapple slice and/or cherries for garnish.
, or try a Virgin Strawberry Colada
5 oz. Pineapple Juice
2 oz. Coconut Cream
1 cup Crushed Ice
8 Strawberries
12.) Chocolate covered Macadamia Nuts and Fresh Pineapple
myspace layouts, myspace codes, glitter graphics

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
Friends Day Wednesday #8
Every Weds. I pick out 5 things that Catch My Eye or that I have in common with someone.
1.) I had fun checking this shop for cute baby clothes at Amber's.
2.)If you like Lady Bugs, this cake is cute as a bug from Glamorous Redneck.
3.)I'm a pretty good cook, and I can bake a little. I'm not too good at baking bread from scratch, but I love Ciabatta, so I'll think I might try making some. I also found this article from
View Italy interesting.
4.) This pic from Friday's Child is just hilarious. It brought Tears to my Eyes! I like the cute 'Lil flamingo too!
5.) Where in the U.S. did Lori Go?

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Ok today is going much better than yesterday! It started with, every morning when my son gets up we need to test his blood to check his glucose level. Well (it must be because it was Monday), when we went to test it the machine was out of batteries, and I needed to buy more. Off to the store to buy more. We get home, and he tested 329, which is very High. Normal is between 100-150. He's on an insulin pump which is a life saver. So I was anxious to see if it wasn't working right. In the meantime, I'm trying to get breakfast ready, and I'm pretty sure the baby is teething, because she's been a little more than cranky lately. After breakfast, I give my son his insulin to cover his breakfast and to some extra to correct his High. So an hour goes by and I need to recheck him to make sure he's still not High. Well, he tested 342. The only two reasonable explanation for these unexplained Highs are 1.) He either took some Pringles or I need to check to make sure his pump is working.....I ask him if he took some Chips without letting me know.....He answers me...." I just touched them, I didn't eat any!"LOL! Cute answer!I should have seen the crumbs on his shirt! :P Who can resist Pringles? Can you only eat one?Ok! By now it's lunchtime, and I give him his insulin to cover lunch and a little extra to get him back to normal ( probably to cover his chip consumption)...Happy to say that with an hour of swimming he tested at 124 later on in the afternoon....It's just days like these that frustrate me. I told my husband it's not that I mind the sneaking of food, he's a little guy who's growing and most kids do it anyway....I just find it hard some days to keep going dealing with the day in day out worry about what he eats, when he eats, and how much he eats! The insulin pump makes life more flexible, but the whole diabetes in general gets me sometimes, and yesterday just happened to be one of those days!

Monday, June 19, 2006

Here are our two turtles just for Haleigh Anne....I present Speedy and Turqoise. Excuse the somewhat out of focus. Speedy was the photogenic one. He kept checking me out and posing! :P
Since yesterday is but a memory now, for today I'll tell you how my husband's day went yesterday! He got to sleep in a little yesterday. He enjoyed Bacon,Egg, and Cheese Burritos with Peach and Mango Salsa. The kids got him a World's Greastest Dad T-Shirt and King Kong the movie. Maybe you'll find this funny! My husband is an extremely frugal shopper when it comes to groceries. He went to Smart and Final and got a 20lb. hunk of steak, so he could cut his own steaks. To clear the counter, he had to move the griddle I cooked the bacon and heated the tortillas. I hadn't had a chance to empty out the grease catcher under the griddle ( I had just finished eating) when he moved it (without checking first if the grease was gone) most of the grease came pouring out onto the kitchen floor! I told him not to worry about cleaning it, that I would get it, but he told me he'd clean it...When he was done, (I was going to clean all the floors), he told me that his spot was cleaner than the rest of my floor(he was kidding me), teasing him, I said since he did such a good job cleaning his mess(he thinks he can clean,better than me(some things)) he'd have to clean the rest of the floor. I was just kidding, but we both had a good laugh! We BBQd steaks and invited my Father-In-Law, Monter-In-Law, and my husband's grandmother over. Remember I said my husband was a frugal shopper, well the last time we BBQd cheap burgers with a lot of fat. So when he went to heat the grill and burn off everything, he just about started a grease fire....That's OK, my son pointed out he knew where the fire extinquisher was. The pool was clean, and the kids got to swim. We even let our black lab cool off. He loves the water...This was really cute. As our dog was swimming my son was holding onto him like a dolphin, catching a ride. All in all it was a good day! The sad part of the day for my husband his kids forgot to call him...I don't understand his Ex. She seems to live in her own little world. He works at 4:00 in the morning for construction. He stayed up until 10:30 last night waiting for them to call.No card, no email, nothing!They don't even have to get him anything. He just would like to know they care enough to call.I feel for him, because I know it hurts him. I don't like blaming his EX, but his children are 17 and 14, they're old enough not to have to be reminded. It's a situation that's hard for me not to get involved in. In the past I'd mention to him to call his kids, but WHY should he! They forget his birthday too! God forbid he forget theirs! I just stand back and try to let him know, that even though 18 yrs they live with her, they have the rest of their lives to have a relationship with him, trying to sound positive. There is no way of telling, but I just hope, it won't always be like this for him with them. I said before it's not like he's tried having a relationship with them, he calls, we buy presents for them for their birthday, and Christmas, he pays child support. God help me I just don't understand. Onto a happy thought. We had fun watching Billy Madison, and the Wedding Singer last night. Two of his favorite movies.
Everyone have a great Monday!

Sunday, June 18, 2006

To All the Fathers, DADs, and Daddys out There, Today is YOUR Day!
Have a GREAT DAY!
And to
Remember the Fathers we have loved and lost!
Hosted by SparkleTags.com Hosted by Sparkle Tags
I Love You Daddy!

Friday, June 16, 2006

These 30 Things about me will be the first 1/3 of my 100 Things. I found this list from the Cotillion 1. What time did you get up this morning? 6:00

2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds

3. What was the last film you saw at the movie house? At our house it was Nanny McPhee. Great movie. Very cute. The kids loved it.

4. What is your favorite TV show? Just one? Tough choice. CSI,Survivor,Amazing Race, DIY and Food Network.

5. What did you have for breakfast? Coffee and Honey Nut Cherrios

6. What is your middle name? Renee

7. What is your favorite cuisine? Mexican or Italian

8. What foods do you dislike? I hate cauliflower.

9. What kind of car do you drive? 2002 Ford Windstar

10. Favorite Sandwich? Turkey Club sandwich with Avocado

11. What characteristic do you despise? Dishonesty.

12. Favorite item of clothing? My jeans and my tanktops.

13. If you could go anywhere in the world for a holiday where would you go? The Bahamas or Hawaii.

14. What color is your bathroom? beige

15. Favorite brand of clothing? Levi's and TommyH

16. Where would you like to retire? Prescott,AZ, San Diego,CA or Albuquerque,NM

17. Favorite time of the day? Sunset

18. What was your most memorable birthday? I think I was 29, my Aunt made a cake with a biq ? for a candle!

19. Where were you born? Santa Ana Medical Center, on the border of Tustin,CA and Santa Ana.

20. Favorite sport to watch? I actually enjoy watching bowling.

21. What are you wearing right now? My PJ's, I get to sleep in a little in the Summer, YAY!

22. What star sign are you? Cancer

23. What fabric detergent do you use? I like the new Febreeze.

24. Pepsi or Coke? Diet Pepsi

25. Are you a morning person or a night owl? Night owl

26. What is your shoe size? Depends on the shoe, but either a 6 1/2 or 7.

27. Do you have any pets? We have 1 dog, 2 cats, 1 parakeet, and 2 Turtles.

28. Any new exciting news you'd like to share with your readers? My husband is trying to start his own business making cabinets and furniture. He did our cabinets. For our neighbor he made a King Size Captains bed with 6 drawers, a bathroom vanity, and a dresser. He's promising me to make an entertainment center, and a kitchen table.

29. What did you want to be when you were little? Travel agent

30. What are you meant to be doing today? I like to clean before the weekend, so I have free time with the family.

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Banner Courtesy of Wystful
In honor of Father's Day, this TT is 13 of my Favorite Things about my Dad!
1.) He was the baby of the family. With one brother, and one sister. My aunt and uncle were 10 and 12yrs older than him.
2.) He went to school to become an arcitect, but decided he couldn't sit at a drawing desk all day,( I get this from him, I can't sit too long either!). He dreamed of building his "Dream home" as a log cabin in Northern, CA.
3.) His prized posession, which he remodled himself after 20 yrs, was his '65 Mustang, it was beautiful. I learned to drive stick with it, but he didn't want to teach me, so my Mother did, Oh the memories!
4.)He spent most of his time reading. Authors like Louis L'Amour, Clive Cussler, and John Girsham(sp?). I remember now the book he would read to me and my brother was " Swiss Family Robinson".
5.) He taught me how to ride a bike and play chess!We played 'Spades' on Thursday nights!
6.) He could grill a mean Steak, and make the most awesome Omelettes on Sundays!
7.)He loved to listen to Donna Summer and the Theme song to 'Beverly Hills Cop', oh and the Beach Boys!
8.) He took us camping several times, he also helped me catch my first fish! There was one time, it was pouring down rain, and he had to shovel a trench around our tent to keep the water out!
9.) He was a devoted father , on several occasions I had to go to the emergency room for very urgent lacerations, I accidentally fell through our glass table top and cut my hand, and then accidentally kicked my brothers glass aquarium, anyways he stayed by my side while I got my stitches.
1o.) He loved the Rams, when they were good and were in L.A.!
12.)Dressed as the Incredible Hulk one year for Halloween!
13.)The funny thing about my father, he hated rice. He told us while he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, that he ate enough rice to last a life time, so my mom never made rice.He also taught me a few Japanese phrases.
There are so many more memories of this man. He was a gentle, kind man. He passed away at the age of 52, and I miss him very much.
Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
Friends Day Wednesday #7
Every Weds. I pick out 5 things that Catch My Eye or that I have in common with someone.
1.) My oldest daughter is decorating her room with an Ocean Theme. So she's got pics of whales and Dolphins on her wall, and her comforter is in shades of blue. So when I saw this pic from ChiLady , I just reallyliked it.
2.)Thank you to Present Storm for these refreshing and Yummy Smoothie recipes.
3.)One of these days I'd really like to go to Hawaii. Thank you to Kailani for sharing her pics of her trip to Maui.
4.)This NEW TT from Purple Giraffee. I love collectibles, and her weekend project of hers, looks like something I'd like to be able to do.
5.)This pic I think is Hilarious from Powers Twin B .

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

A few of my plans for the Summer!
A trip to Disneyland would be nice, but I'm leaning more to San Diego. I'm thinking Lego Land and the San Diego Wild Animal Park, the Zoo, or Sea World. Disneyland is just too expensive. I'd rather take them to the Beach in the morning and than late in the afternoon, go down to the Disneyland Hotel and walk around, have dinner, and watch the fireworks from the Hotel. I've also never been to Coronado Island, so my husband's Aunt said she'd meet me and the kids.
I'm thinking of going during the week, because it'll be cheaper than the weekends.
I also wanted to paint our bedroom. My husband's favorite color is purple. I was looking at DIY
Network, and found this episode . I looked at Home Depot and the Venetian Plaster is a little expensive, so I'll look for a color to match the Lt. Amethyst.
Towards the end of Summer around the end of August I really want to try and start a garden. Some of you know, I don't have a Green Thumb, but I'm really jealous and want so much to be able to have a pretty little spot in my yard...Considering the herbs I bought a month ago did not last the month. I really keep trying to keep them alive. I thinking a backup drip system would help me on the days I forget to water them. Anyways, I'm thinking I'll be safe starting something small!
Everyone have a great day! :P

Monday, June 12, 2006

In honor of Father's Day this Sunday, I'm dedicating this Monday Memories to my Father!

He was a good man. A hard working man. He was a devoted father, and husband. That old familar saying that Actions, Speak Louder Than Words, that was my Father to a T! He wasn't one to say He loved you, but you knew by his laughter and the heart to heart talks we had, he cared very deeply for his family.

My father's family was originally from Ohio, moved to Florida, and eventually made their way to Calif. He grew up in Orange County.He went off to the Vietnam war, and was stationed in Okinawa as a radio operator. After coming home, through his best friend's girlfriend met my Mother at a car rally.My mother, the smart woman that she was had a choice between some other car and my Father's '65 Mustang. She chose the Mustang and my Father. Two years later they married, and another 2 yrs. after that I was born.

He was a great photographer. He took some great black and white pictures of me as a newborn, that I cherish. He studied to be an architect, but instead worked for PacBell as a telephone repairman. He worked through the years and recieved an early retirement.

My fondest memories are of those when he took us camping. Fishing with him, hiking with him and our German Shephard. He had dreams of designing a log cabin for us to move to Northern Ca, but it was only a dream.

Other Memories are of One Halloween he dressed up like the Incredible Hulk, and scared all the kids who came to the door. I was Strawberry Shortcake, and my brother was a Vampire. Awww the Good Ol' Days!

He taught me how to ride my bike. He always seemed to keep his eye on us kids making sure we we're well taken care of. When time ever came for us to go to the Emergency room, he always rushed in to fill the position. I remember I had to have surgery on my foot and he stayed by my side. He was a gentle and kind soul.

He loved to read. I inherited that from him. My earliest memory is, I can't remember the book, I know it was a classic, I think it was Alice in Wonderland,where he would read us a chapter every night, and before he would read to us he would detail the words with definitions, so my brother and I could understand.

He was a great cook! Oooooohhh, how I loved his Omelettes and his Hotter than Hell Chili. His steaks that he grilled melted in your mouth.

Like I said he was a man of very little words, but I miss the nights when we would sit and talk about my friends, my boy friends, just my life in general.He taught me how to play chess, and some occasions would let me win! He would always make my life a little clearer with the wisdom in the advice he'd give me. Those days are long gone, but not forgotten.

My last memory before his death, is seeing the man who I knew very little about, who I did not understand his personal battles with his inner demons, seeing how alcohol robbed him of his life and took my father and my children's grand-father away from us. At the age of 52, he died an alcoholic related death. I saw him 2 mos. before he passed away, an empty shell of the man who I will always remember had so much passion in his life. More than sometimes, I wish life were different, and some of you might think me crazy, but I still talk to him, and ask his advice and opinions on what he thinks I should do.

The fondest memory I have after his death. The day my husband and I were on our way to the wedding chapel to get married, the marriage certificate flew out the car window, and mysteriously flew back in....Paranormal....my husband and I like to think that my Dad, his neighbor who loved my husband dearly Franny, and another family friend who told us we would be together Forever, lent a helping hand to make sure we got to the church on time.

Thank you Daddy for all your loving care and I know you are with me and my family now!

God bless you, and just know that I love you very much!

Saturday, June 10, 2006

The Name Game I found this meme at Karen's blog and I thought I'd play along. 1. YOUR MOVIE STAR NAME: (grandfather/grandmother on your father’s side, your favorite candy): Donna Dove 2. YOUR “FLY GIRL/GUY” NAME: (first initial of first name followed by “izzle”, first two or three letters of your [middle] name followed by “dizzle”): Chizzle Redizzle 3. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal): Turquoise Dolphin 4. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (first 3 letters of your name- last 3 letters of mother’s maiden name, first 3 letters of your [former] pet’s name repeated twice): Chr-Bul-Lay-Lay 5. SUPERHERO NAME: (“The”, your favorite color, the automobile you drive): The Emerald Windstar
How do you like the New Look!I know Summer is around the corner, but here in AZ temps. are over 100F allready, and I'm just dreaming of laying on a beach somewhere. Searching for a look to fit this I found this design. I really liked how you can almost feel the cool ocean breeze, and see the boats drifting out to sea! I just love it!

Friday, June 09, 2006

Friday's Feast #97
Appetizer About how much money did you spend on gas this week? * I spend about $60.00 a week now. I used to spend only $30.
Soup What is your favorite brand of toilet paper? * My favorite brand of toilet paper is Charmin, but my husband prefers Scott, because He's more economical than I am. Salad When was the last time you discovered something that you thought was pure genius? * I can't think of anything that would be pure genius. Just good thinking. Main Course What is the least amount of sleep you can get by on per night? * I always sleep past 11:30 pm or 12:00 midnight and wake up around 3:00 a.m., then I go back to bed and get up around 6:30!
Dessert June is a popular month for weddings. Do you know anyone who is getting married this month? * My sister-in-law's name is Kim, and her best friend Kim is getting married. She hasn't set a date yet though!

Thursday, June 08, 2006

Beautiful Banner Courtesy of Wystful
13 of my All Time Favorite Movie Quotes! 1.)Colonel Jessep (Jack Nicholson): You want answers? Kaffee (Tom Cruise): I want the truth! Jessep: You can't handle the truth! ~ "A Few Good Men" 2.)Dolly Parton-Steel Magnolias Smile, it enhances your face value! 3.)Tom Hanks-Forrest Gump "Mama always said life was like a box a chocolates, never know what you're gonna get." 4.)Paul Michael Glaser - 'Money is the world's curse.' Topol - 'Well, then may the Lord smite me with it. And may I never recover!' *Fiddler on the Roof* 5.)"It is a truth universally acknowledged that when one part of your life starts going okay, another falls spectacularly to pieces." -Renee Zellweger *Bridget Jones's Diary* 6.)It is not our abilities that tell us what we truly are. It is our choices." -Richard Harris Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 7.)I'm just your mother. You only owe me your entire existence on this planet. * Addams Family * 8.)A man may be the head of the household, but the woman is the neck... and she can turn the head any way she wants. * My Big Fat Greek Wedding* 9.)Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies. * The Shawshank Redemption * 10.)Westley: Life is pain, Highness! Anyone who says otherwise is selling something. *The Princess Bride* 11.)Male Dancer: Chewing gum helps me think. Albert: Sweetie, you're wasting your gum. *The Birdcage* 12.)Henry: I have not slept for fear I would wake and find this but a dream. *Ever After* 13.)Define irony. Irony is a bunch of idiots singing a song on plane made famous by a band that died in a plane crash. *Con Air* Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Friends Day Wednesday #6
Every Weds. I pick out 5 things that Catch My Eye or that I have in common with someone.
1.) Guess who's home from Her Trip to Egypt, Carmen's posted a few pics of her trip.
2.)If you like Chocolate Covered Strawberries, then you need to try these.
3.)I'm so jealous, take a look at Guppyman's garden. Gorgeous Cala Lilies, and Green Tomatoes.
4.) I love this post. Wystful's ABC's of Happiness.
5.) I like to go places, but I don't think I'd being going here! from Mysterious Lady posting about yesterday being 6/6/06.
A special Thank you to Sugar Mama, for stopping by to visit me. Take a look at these gorgeous Wedding Invitations she made for her sister-in-law. She also got a new design for her website.
So she's lookin' fabulous.
First I wanted to wish my Lil' brother
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Hosted by Sparkle Tags
I always knew he had a little bit of the Devil in him!LOL 6/6/06
No, he's completely the opposite, he's got a heart of Gold, and would give you the shirt off his back. He's a great guy! We were always close growing up.We've had a lot of great times! We had our drop down battles, but we've always stuck together. So I made him his favorite
German Chocolate Cake.
Here's to the next 30 years!
Love ya, Christy

Monday, June 05, 2006

I may have mentioned some of these memories before, but I always like to here stories from anyone who has had a brush with a STAR! My BEST memory is of a time when we were at Disneyland with my husband's friend and his wife, right in front of the Swiss Family Tree House. There was this woman standing in front of this restaurant. My husband's friend's wife said,"That woman looks like Olivia Newton John!" So everyone but my husband (he's a little SHY!) approached this woman, and my husband's friend asked this lady what her name was! She replied in the sweetest tone, "Olivia, what's yours!" I was almost shoulder to shoulder to her. She is so beautiful and sweet! Another one of my favorite memories is of this time my husband and I went to see "The Lion King" at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. As I sat in my seat on the end of the aisle, and my husband was just putting his down, he spied Jean- Claude VanDamnn's family (sp?) sitting directly behind us....Me and my BIG Mouth got all excited, and they moved further up. It was worth an extremely Great Look at his BUM! A few more notable memories, the restaurant where I worked I served MAC if anyone remembers 'Night Court', Pia Zadora, Bryan Gumble, and I almost ran into Diane Keaton as she was walking one of her babies around the restaurant...I can't remember the singer's name who sang 'Achy Breaky Heart', but he walked through our kitchen area to get to the Country Bar next door without being seen, so I got a glimpse of him. Anyone else have some great stories to share! Feel Free to leave a comment, and I'll post your story here!
Here's a Monday Madness from awhile back,6 things about me!
1. Sleeping in for me means sleeping until 8:00 a.m.
2. Staying up late means I don't go to bed until around 3 a.m. Why you might ask? My son has Type 1 Diabetes, so some nights I lose a little sleep to check in on him to make sure his blood sugars aren't LOW!
3. I probably spend more time driving back and forth from the kids' school than I would like.
4. And I don't spend nearly enough time cleaning.
5. I have zero tolerance for rude drivers.
6. I have a lot of patience when it comes to my family.

Sunday, June 04, 2006

1 2 3 Rock, Paper, Scissors!
How FUN is this game!! We loved playing it growing up! Spending hours, trying to read our opponents (siblings or friends,parents) minds on what move the other will make! Here's a link to a big SPIN on an old favorite!

Friday, June 02, 2006

Appetizer
On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being highest), how funny do you think you are?
I think I am around a 5, just depends how cranky the kids are, but on a really good day, give me a 8!
Soup
Name a local restaurant would you recommend to a visitor to your town or city.
One of our favorites here in our town is called “Rancho de Tia Rosa.”From the Editor: This place is a gracious four-acre village housing a colonial-style restaurant, a separate "taqueria" and a garden and greenhouse where organic vegetables are grown. With its colorful tile floors, fountains and soaring ceilings with elaborate chandeliers and hand-hewn wood beams, the huge main restaurant defines elegance. The gourmet Mexican food lives up to its surroundings, but the quality far exceeds the prices. This might sound gross, but I love their Salmon Enchiladas.
Salad
What’s a lesson you were lucky enough to learn the easy way?
When I started working in Restaurnats there was an older and much wiser woman who let me on a little secret. To ask for help when I need it! And that help goes both ways!
Main Course
Where would you like to be 5 years from now?
I'm going to look into becoming an X-Ray or Ultra Sound Tech.My husband is starting up a wood working biz for kitchen cabinets, dressers, bed frames, crown moulding, etc. He's extremely talented with his hands, when it gets going, He'll be able to work at home in his wood shop and I can spend my days as much with my kids, and him too!
Dessert
If you could see the front page of a newspaper from June 2, 2106, what would you imagine the headline might be?
It would read: “CURE found for Diabetes!”