April 21, 2014
Apple Valley, California
Showing posts with label Birthdays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Birthdays. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Wordless Wednesday
One week ago today...
September 5, 2012 4:16 PM
7 lbs and 15 oz
19 Inches
Saturday, November 05, 2011
Everyone Should Have One
Yesterday David turned 24. We didn't do much celebrating since I had to work and the girls had school and tae kwon do. Chris and Sherri took him out for pizza and bought him cupcakes. I made him spaghetti. (I'm Italian. When something happens I make spaghetti.) But we will do something extra special when we can. That's the part about being an adult is sometimes birthdays just have to wait.
David is the best. He is super great with the kids. He cheered at various soccer and softball games. He's watched countless hours of swimming and tae kwon do. He has driven to various swim meets and cross country events. He has waited outside of schools, seen every play and and every choir performance.
He keeps the house sort of tidy most of the time. The laundry is usually done and the dishes are usually clean. He helps kids with homework and still has time to do his own.
He always listens when I have a bad day. Or a good day. Or I just feel like talking to him. Though he does point out stories I have already told him. Which is not cool. But I let it slide. He gets along with my family and friends.
No matter what happens, we always have our David. I think we will keep him.
Get your own.
Thursday, November 03, 2011
The Surprise Of The Century
Tomorrow is David's birthday. He will be 24. He is getting old. Just 5 more birthdays and he will have caught up to me. We are not planning anything special. We are tight on money right this minute and we are spending our extra money on car repairs and maintenance. Having two working vehicles is a must.
Of course, that is what we told Catherine for her birthday in September. We told her we were so broke she wasn't even getting presents. Then we bought her Ginny Weasley. She was so surprised. But really, that wasn't the end of it. The Saturday after that, we threw her a surprise party. She had no idea.
We had actually been planning it for weeks. Catherine's friend Brittany helped me pick out invitations on the sly. They were tea cups and when you pulled out the tea bags the party information was on them. That was our theme, a tea party. Catherine's friend Dalia helped me with the guest list.
On the day of the party, while Catherine was at tae kwon do, Carolynn and I cleaned the house. We started the food and got the decorations ready. Catherine's dad sent her a corsage of orchids that came while she was out and we stored it in the refrigerator. When Catherine got home she saw us decorating and getting out the fancy tea set. She thought that we were just having fun. When we lived in San Diego, we often threw ourselves silly parties when we were broke just for us. It was fun. That is what Catherine thought we were doing then. So she joined right in and helped us decorate and make food.
Then she had an idea. Maybe she could invite over a friend. She wanted to invite her friend Robyn. I said sure. Robyn was on my guest list but I didn't know where she lived or how to find her so she never got the invitation. Catherine was happy to invite the one friend and was ready to go get her and start the tea party.
Then she looked out the window as our friends Adrienne and Serenity drove up. She looked confused. Then her friends Dalia and Brittney (and their little sister) came and brought cake pops. (I tried to make some but mine didn't work out to well. Luckily Dalia and Brittney's mom had it covered.) Catherine was so excited. She finally was catching on it was a party for her. She and David went to pick up Robyn. While she was gone 2 more friends showed up. She couldn't believe it when she got back. Later Chris and Sherri came too. The girls played games, ate and drank tea. Catherine got to wear her corsage. They all wore plastic tiaras. They opened presents. Catherine got a lot of cool scrapbooking stuff. It was quite the surprise.
Of course, that is what we told Catherine for her birthday in September. We told her we were so broke she wasn't even getting presents. Then we bought her Ginny Weasley. She was so surprised. But really, that wasn't the end of it. The Saturday after that, we threw her a surprise party. She had no idea.
We had actually been planning it for weeks. Catherine's friend Brittany helped me pick out invitations on the sly. They were tea cups and when you pulled out the tea bags the party information was on them. That was our theme, a tea party. Catherine's friend Dalia helped me with the guest list.
On the day of the party, while Catherine was at tae kwon do, Carolynn and I cleaned the house. We started the food and got the decorations ready. Catherine's dad sent her a corsage of orchids that came while she was out and we stored it in the refrigerator. When Catherine got home she saw us decorating and getting out the fancy tea set. She thought that we were just having fun. When we lived in San Diego, we often threw ourselves silly parties when we were broke just for us. It was fun. That is what Catherine thought we were doing then. So she joined right in and helped us decorate and make food.
Then she looked out the window as our friends Adrienne and Serenity drove up. She looked confused. Then her friends Dalia and Brittney (and their little sister) came and brought cake pops. (I tried to make some but mine didn't work out to well. Luckily Dalia and Brittney's mom had it covered.) Catherine was so excited. She finally was catching on it was a party for her. She and David went to pick up Robyn. While she was gone 2 more friends showed up. She couldn't believe it when she got back. Later Chris and Sherri came too. The girls played games, ate and drank tea. Catherine got to wear her corsage. They all wore plastic tiaras. They opened presents. Catherine got a lot of cool scrapbooking stuff. It was quite the surprise.
Saturday, October 01, 2011
How Did This Happen?
This is my cousin, Taylor. (And his girlfriend Mandy.)
Today is his 17th birthday.
Wait.
Did I say 17?
OMG!
How did this happen? Just yesterday he was a tiny baby who drooled all over me and I was 17 and I thought that was so gross.
Just yesterday I was pulling him around the yard in a wagon. Again. And again.
Just yesterday he was telling me that he couldn't do homework because parakeets hurt his ears.
Just yesterday he was trick or treating in adorable costumes.
How can he be 17?
How can he be graduating from high school this year?
How can he be driving?
How can he have a girlfriend?
I don't understand.
Happy Birthday Taylor.
Today is his 17th birthday.
Wait.
Did I say 17?
OMG!
How did this happen? Just yesterday he was a tiny baby who drooled all over me and I was 17 and I thought that was so gross.
Just yesterday I was pulling him around the yard in a wagon. Again. And again.
Just yesterday he was telling me that he couldn't do homework because parakeets hurt his ears.
Just yesterday he was trick or treating in adorable costumes.
How can he be 17?
How can he be graduating from high school this year?
How can he be driving?
How can he have a girlfriend?
I don't understand.
Happy Birthday Taylor.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Penny Pigs
When Catherine was little she loved to go to PetsMart and look at the guinea pigs and hamsters. She called them penny pigs and hammers, but we knew what she meant. Every time we went in for dog food or whatever, that's the first place she went. David used to work at a PetsMart and she would love to go there to wait for him and spend forever looking.
When she was about 7 or so, every birthday and Christmas, she began asking for one. But I just didn't think she had the amount of responsibility to really take care of one. Catherine is a really smart kid... When it come to school. When it comes to anything else... Her room was always a mess. She couldn't remember to shower. How could she take care of a guinea pig if she couldn't even take care of her own self?
Catherine turned 12 last week. And she has been getting a lot better. She showers regular. (Thank goodness!) Her room is getting better. You can actually see the floor. She has been remembering to feed the dogs. And her home school stuff she has been doing, most of the time, without too much prodding. So for her birthday, we finally got her that guinea pig.
The day before her birthday, David asked if she'd like to open her present a day early. (He was just as excited as she was.) She of course wanted to open it early. We dropped Carolynn off at school and we were eating breakfast at Jack In The Box. We said after we finished our errands and school appointments, we would give her the present.
So we did school appointments, she and David got haircuts, we picked up Carolynn and her friend for lunch. We dropped them back off. Then we went to PetsMart to buy dog food and cat food. Or so she thought. She was so excited about going home and getting a gift that she barely knew what was happening. We got the dog food, cat food and kitty litter in to the cart and we were heading out. David said he was going to find a man to help him get fish for the turtle. Catherine, as usual had wandered over to look at the guinea pigs.
I went to find her and an employee came and asked if we needed anything. It just so happened that the employee knew about the surprise. David and I had gone into the PetsMart a week earlier to scope out prices and find out what all guinea pigs needed. The same lady helped us then. So she already knew when she saw Catherine what we wanted. And when I said yes, Catherine would like a guinea pig, and the lady said she'd have someone come with the keys right away... Catherine was so shocked. And so excited.
She picked out her guinea pig. And then began getting her accessories. Guinea pigs need a cage, pine shavings for the bottom, a house, a water bottle, food, hay, toys... and with out wallets much lighter, Ginny Weasley... Catherine's birthday guinea pig was on her way home.
It took her a little time to get used to us. The cats are constantly circling her cage. The dog would really like to “play” with her. She doesn't mind. Especially not if she has fresh food in her bowl.
When she was about 7 or so, every birthday and Christmas, she began asking for one. But I just didn't think she had the amount of responsibility to really take care of one. Catherine is a really smart kid... When it come to school. When it comes to anything else... Her room was always a mess. She couldn't remember to shower. How could she take care of a guinea pig if she couldn't even take care of her own self?
Catherine turned 12 last week. And she has been getting a lot better. She showers regular. (Thank goodness!) Her room is getting better. You can actually see the floor. She has been remembering to feed the dogs. And her home school stuff she has been doing, most of the time, without too much prodding. So for her birthday, we finally got her that guinea pig.
The day before her birthday, David asked if she'd like to open her present a day early. (He was just as excited as she was.) She of course wanted to open it early. We dropped Carolynn off at school and we were eating breakfast at Jack In The Box. We said after we finished our errands and school appointments, we would give her the present.
So we did school appointments, she and David got haircuts, we picked up Carolynn and her friend for lunch. We dropped them back off. Then we went to PetsMart to buy dog food and cat food. Or so she thought. She was so excited about going home and getting a gift that she barely knew what was happening. We got the dog food, cat food and kitty litter in to the cart and we were heading out. David said he was going to find a man to help him get fish for the turtle. Catherine, as usual had wandered over to look at the guinea pigs.
I went to find her and an employee came and asked if we needed anything. It just so happened that the employee knew about the surprise. David and I had gone into the PetsMart a week earlier to scope out prices and find out what all guinea pigs needed. The same lady helped us then. So she already knew when she saw Catherine what we wanted. And when I said yes, Catherine would like a guinea pig, and the lady said she'd have someone come with the keys right away... Catherine was so shocked. And so excited.
She picked out her guinea pig. And then began getting her accessories. Guinea pigs need a cage, pine shavings for the bottom, a house, a water bottle, food, hay, toys... and with out wallets much lighter, Ginny Weasley... Catherine's birthday guinea pig was on her way home.
It took her a little time to get used to us. The cats are constantly circling her cage. The dog would really like to “play” with her. She doesn't mind. Especially not if she has fresh food in her bowl.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Happy Birthday Carolynn
Nope, you won't find a Thursday Thirteen today. Instead, you find 15. That is how old my tiny baby is today. She isn't so tiny anymore.
We did some celebrating yesterday. We had pizza and chocolate cake, at her request. I got her a new shirt from Hot Topic. Today she is on a physics field trip to Disneyland. And I had to learn science from a book... in a school. Can you believe that?
She also has plans to see a movie and do some shopping. Her dad got her a new camera. Overall, I think she is having a pretty good day.
She sure came a long way from that tiny baby I brought home from the hospital. It's kind of sad.
We did some celebrating yesterday. We had pizza and chocolate cake, at her request. I got her a new shirt from Hot Topic. Today she is on a physics field trip to Disneyland. And I had to learn science from a book... in a school. Can you believe that?
She also has plans to see a movie and do some shopping. Her dad got her a new camera. Overall, I think she is having a pretty good day.
She sure came a long way from that tiny baby I brought home from the hospital. It's kind of sad.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Thursday Thirteen
Thirteen Things That Happened On This Day In History
April 14
1. 1865- President Lincoln is shot.
2. 1912- RMS Titanic hits and iceberg.
3. 1969- Katherine Hepburn (The Lion In Winter) and Barbara Streisand (Funny Girl) tie for the Best Actress Oscar.
4. 1818- Webster's Dictionary is first printed.
5. 1935- Country star Loretta Lynn is born in Kentucky.
6. 1986- US bombs Libya.
7. 1960- Montreal Canadiens win fifth consecutive Stanley Cup.
8. 1775- First American abolition society founded in Philadelphia.
9. 1918- U.S. flyers in first dogfight over western front.
10. 1975- Operation "Baby Lift" concludes.
11. 1965- 173rd Airborne Brigade ordered to South Vietnam.
12. 1944- Explosion on cargo ship rocks Bombay, India.
13. None of Your Business- One of the best people I know was born. Happy Birthday Adrienne!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Wordless Wednesday
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Thursday Thirteen
Thirteen Random Things
1. Carolynn managed to pass the 8th grade with D’s. Except for the A in PE.
2. Catherine had her school end of the year art fair yesterday. She sure can dance.
3. Carolynn is going on her school 8th grade graduation field trip to Magic Mountain tomorrow. Perhaps she will make some friends.
4. All of our computers are being losers. David’s is dead. Catherine’s is dying. Only mine works and I am so sick of sharing.
5. Our air conditioner is not working. They will be out to fix it tomorrow.
6. Only one more episode of Glee and the season is over.
7. I have been working a lot lately. I worked 16 hours on Sunday and then 18 hours on Sunday. I was asleep for most of Monday.
8. In an attempt to save money I did my own pedicure and David detailed my car.
9. Catherine is going on her 5th grade field trip next Thursday. They are going to the skating rink.
10. I bought some berries and whipped cream on Tuesday. They are gone. I didn’t get any.
11. I want a new grill so bad, but I want to wait until after we move.
12. David gave up soda. He hasn’t killed anyone yet. I miss Dr. Pepper though.
13. Sunday is my niece’s 7th birthday. I got her a dance game for her Wii. It’s like ours and I know she likes ours.
1. Carolynn managed to pass the 8th grade with D’s. Except for the A in PE.
2. Catherine had her school end of the year art fair yesterday. She sure can dance.
3. Carolynn is going on her school 8th grade graduation field trip to Magic Mountain tomorrow. Perhaps she will make some friends.
4. All of our computers are being losers. David’s is dead. Catherine’s is dying. Only mine works and I am so sick of sharing.
5. Our air conditioner is not working. They will be out to fix it tomorrow.
6. Only one more episode of Glee and the season is over.
7. I have been working a lot lately. I worked 16 hours on Sunday and then 18 hours on Sunday. I was asleep for most of Monday.
8. In an attempt to save money I did my own pedicure and David detailed my car.
9. Catherine is going on her 5th grade field trip next Thursday. They are going to the skating rink.
10. I bought some berries and whipped cream on Tuesday. They are gone. I didn’t get any.
11. I want a new grill so bad, but I want to wait until after we move.
12. David gave up soda. He hasn’t killed anyone yet. I miss Dr. Pepper though.
13. Sunday is my niece’s 7th birthday. I got her a dance game for her Wii. It’s like ours and I know she likes ours.
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
A Moment Of Peace
Two days off is never long enough.
Both cars are fixed. Sure, it cost a fortune, but we managed. There will be no European vacations in the near future. But the bills will be payed and there will be food on the table.
Carolynn had a good birthday. I can't believe she is 14. Time flies by way to fast.
Earth Day projects were nice. Roses, jasmine and geraniums are planted. Tomato and chives too. All in the front yard because of the dogs.
Another month is almost over.
Evening Watch blows.
We finished Desperate Housewives Season 1. We watched the first 5 episodes of Season 2. It is awesome.
Our dinner was so good. I made a veggie risotto. It was so awesome, we ate the whole pan of it. We also had garlic grilled chicken and roasted asparagus. Very healthy for our Earth Day dinner.
The sky is so clear. Earlier it was cloudy and cold. Now we can see the stars. We couldn't see the stars in San Diego. Unless we were at the ocean. I do miss the ocean. The sound was comforting to me.
Good Night people of the world. May tomorrow bring peace. And prisoners, you know, to keep me employed. :)
Both cars are fixed. Sure, it cost a fortune, but we managed. There will be no European vacations in the near future. But the bills will be payed and there will be food on the table.
Carolynn had a good birthday. I can't believe she is 14. Time flies by way to fast.
Earth Day projects were nice. Roses, jasmine and geraniums are planted. Tomato and chives too. All in the front yard because of the dogs.
Another month is almost over.
Evening Watch blows.
We finished Desperate Housewives Season 1. We watched the first 5 episodes of Season 2. It is awesome.
Our dinner was so good. I made a veggie risotto. It was so awesome, we ate the whole pan of it. We also had garlic grilled chicken and roasted asparagus. Very healthy for our Earth Day dinner.
The sky is so clear. Earlier it was cloudy and cold. Now we can see the stars. We couldn't see the stars in San Diego. Unless we were at the ocean. I do miss the ocean. The sound was comforting to me.
Good Night people of the world. May tomorrow bring peace. And prisoners, you know, to keep me employed. :)
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
A Long Time Ago, In A Galaxy Far Away
Once upon a time, about 14 years ago, I had this tiny little baby. I called her Carolynn, because that was the name of a Cabbage Patch Kid I had and frankly I was hardly more than a kid when I had her. I would do anything for that kid. I walked all over Apple Valley to make sure she got food or whatever she needed. I spent three days in the hospital when she was 15 months old after she had some seizures. We traveled by bus everywhere. There were times when the only furniture I owned was for Carolynn. I slept on the floor.
Over the years things have gotten better. Carolynn got bigger. She went from being my tiny baby to my little Lamb Chop loving toddler, then to my Spice Girl loving little princess. She went off to kindergarten… she made it through elementary school. She is nearly done with junior high. She no longer loves Spice Girls and Lamb Chop. She likes Kingdom Hearts and collectible Barbies. She no longer begs to wear her favorite Barney shirt, but asks for skinny jeans in neon colors. She no longer wants to swing from the tree in my mom’s front yard, she is way too tall. She is taller than me. She wears make-up and bras. She isn’t my little princess any more.
There have been some ups and downs, that is for sure. Now she is home schooled. We have been spending more time together this way.
Today she is 14. She had big plans today. They included school, swim team, breakfast with her mom, getting fried chicken for dinner and eating chocolate cake. It didn’t turn out as planned. She slept late. We went to breakfast. She wanted a breakfast burrito from Jack In The Box. With all the car issues, I hadn’t had a chance to buy her gifts. So we went shopping. She got a Kingdom Hearts game for her new DS. She got a new book. She got a couple of necklaces and a shirt. She got a new boom-box to play her iPod. Later, we will finish schoolwork and art. Swim practice got canceled. There will be fried chicken.
Happy Birthday Carolynn.
May the next 14 years be a million times better than the first.
*********************************
Also, both cars are fixed and my checking account is much emptier… $1600 emptier. EWWWW.
Over the years things have gotten better. Carolynn got bigger. She went from being my tiny baby to my little Lamb Chop loving toddler, then to my Spice Girl loving little princess. She went off to kindergarten… she made it through elementary school. She is nearly done with junior high. She no longer loves Spice Girls and Lamb Chop. She likes Kingdom Hearts and collectible Barbies. She no longer begs to wear her favorite Barney shirt, but asks for skinny jeans in neon colors. She no longer wants to swing from the tree in my mom’s front yard, she is way too tall. She is taller than me. She wears make-up and bras. She isn’t my little princess any more.
There have been some ups and downs, that is for sure. Now she is home schooled. We have been spending more time together this way.
Today she is 14. She had big plans today. They included school, swim team, breakfast with her mom, getting fried chicken for dinner and eating chocolate cake. It didn’t turn out as planned. She slept late. We went to breakfast. She wanted a breakfast burrito from Jack In The Box. With all the car issues, I hadn’t had a chance to buy her gifts. So we went shopping. She got a Kingdom Hearts game for her new DS. She got a new book. She got a couple of necklaces and a shirt. She got a new boom-box to play her iPod. Later, we will finish schoolwork and art. Swim practice got canceled. There will be fried chicken.
Happy Birthday Carolynn.
May the next 14 years be a million times better than the first.
Also, both cars are fixed and my checking account is much emptier… $1600 emptier. EWWWW.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Happy Birthday To ME!
On this day in 1933, Hitler became dictator of Germany.
I don’t know how to take that.
Today is my 33rd birthday. That sounds so old. How about we call it Twenty-Thirteen?
I have no big plans for the day. David ran and got me some tacos for lunch. I got a whole bunch of Facebook birthday messages. I got a few text message birthday greetings. In a little bit I have to go to work. I do have the next two days off after tonight.
Last year at this time I was in Georgia. My class got me a card and sang happy birthday to me on a gun range. Then we shot stuff. This year, I did my shooting last Friday. I was sick and tired and my eyes hurt. I have to go try again when I feel better. Long distances were not my friend that day.
Well, that is all the birthday excitement I have going on today. Work and tacos. Woo Hoo!
Of course, on this day in 1998 Germany's largest bank pledged $3.1 million to Jewish foundations as restitution for Nazi looting. Also, same day Titanic won 11 Oscars.
I still don't know what to do with that.
I don’t know how to take that.
Today is my 33rd birthday. That sounds so old. How about we call it Twenty-Thirteen?
I have no big plans for the day. David ran and got me some tacos for lunch. I got a whole bunch of Facebook birthday messages. I got a few text message birthday greetings. In a little bit I have to go to work. I do have the next two days off after tonight.
Last year at this time I was in Georgia. My class got me a card and sang happy birthday to me on a gun range. Then we shot stuff. This year, I did my shooting last Friday. I was sick and tired and my eyes hurt. I have to go try again when I feel better. Long distances were not my friend that day.
Well, that is all the birthday excitement I have going on today. Work and tacos. Woo Hoo!
Of course, on this day in 1998 Germany's largest bank pledged $3.1 million to Jewish foundations as restitution for Nazi looting. Also, same day Titanic won 11 Oscars.
I still don't know what to do with that.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Another One Bites The Dust
Catherine joined the grounded crew this week. Her grades are not the problem, her room was. It was nasty. Dirty dishes, old dirty clothes, nasty old trash. It was awful. The strange part is she is willing to clean everything else. She’ll scrub the toilets, clean the kitchen, and take out the trash. But she just refuses to clean her room. So there went her shot at NaBloPoMo, since her computer has been taken. I had a parent teacher conference with Catherine’s teacher today. She made the honor roll, of course, but she is slacking off on doing her work. Apparently, she thinks she is so smart, she doesn’t need to do more work. She has also been slacking on her reading, so her teacher and I discussed upping her reading time from 30 minutes Monday through Thursday to 90 minutes every day. That way she can finish her larger books. Also, her teacher would like her to expand her selections from just Harry Potter. Overall, she is a good student. Her teacher says her social skills are getting better too. She does need to learn to match her clothes. Maybe if she could find them in that mess of hers. We are getting it cleaned out this weekend.
Carolynn’s grades improved this week. She also did all of her chores and homework. So she is being permitted to go to her friend’s birthday party tomorrow. She is still grounded from internet, her phone and going anywhere else. If her behavior continues to improve, the grades climb, and the chores get done, she could be ungrounded before Christmas.
Speaking of kids in trouble… Tabi and Kathy’s son Ethan is with us tonight. Apparently, he didn’t do some school work and was told he would not be permitted to go on a family outing this evening to his brother’s choir performance if he didn’t get it done. As you can guess, he didn’t get it done. So he spent most of the night sitting at our kitchen table reading. He read all the books he brought with him, and two we had here. He ate some macaroni and cheese and now he is helping Catherine burn old school papers in the fireplace. It’s our first fire of the season.
If you’ll remember, last year at this time I made a deal with the world… If I promised to volunteer, the world would give me a job. (Check it out here.) Anyway, I went then and volunteered at the Salvation Army. Last winter I spent many of my hours ringing a bell and collecting donations. And the world provided me with a job at a prison. All was good. Not too long ago, the prison gave me a special award for my volunteer service. That is when I realized that the world didn’t think one winter of bell ringing was worth the amazing job. So when Gary from the Salvation Army called last week, I knew I had to go. Yesterday David and I went down there to fill out the forms. So starting soon, you will find me ringing a bell in front of the Stater Bros. on Saturday nights. You will find David there on Monday and Tuesday nights. You will also find us down there several days a week, counting out the kettles for deposit. We are doing a good thing.
Our TV is broken. We just got it in March so it is still under warranty. They are very willing to fix it for free, but I have to take it to the nearest repair shop. The nearest repair shop is in Yucaipa. So it’s kind of a pain, but what can you do? I can’t afford to buy a new TV. (This is what my Grandpa would probably do. But I love him.)
Yesterday was Aunt Chris’ 60th birthday. We went over for cake and took her a present, despite the fact that she specifically said no presents. Mary and Tonya (some wonderful friends of theirs, and now of mine too) were there and their friend Connie (who I have met a couple of times). It was fun. I hope she had a nice birthday.
David is sick. I have been pumping him full of medicine and he has been asleep most of the day. I have been making him drink orange juice and take vitamins too. He has no health insurance, so he needs to stay healthy.
If you recall, I am doing a blog swap for NaBloPoMo this year. I did it last year too. (Check it out here.) So for tomorrow, look for a post from Rammi right here on Tropical Fruit. And head over to her blog and look for a post by me. There are four other sets of swappers joining us in the swap for tomorrow so check out these great blogs tomorrow and see the results.
Stacey of Say Something Stacey will be swapping with Brandi Hassouna of The Day After
Bonnie Kaplan of BK's Reviews and Reflections will be swapping with Miranda of Compost Happens: An After School Special
Aurora McBride-Moore of Tales Of A Frumpy Mocha Princess will be swapping with Roxy Adams of ...snippets...
Katie Conrad of Gnomes At Night will be swapping with Johnny Pez
Carolynn’s grades improved this week. She also did all of her chores and homework. So she is being permitted to go to her friend’s birthday party tomorrow. She is still grounded from internet, her phone and going anywhere else. If her behavior continues to improve, the grades climb, and the chores get done, she could be ungrounded before Christmas.
Speaking of kids in trouble… Tabi and Kathy’s son Ethan is with us tonight. Apparently, he didn’t do some school work and was told he would not be permitted to go on a family outing this evening to his brother’s choir performance if he didn’t get it done. As you can guess, he didn’t get it done. So he spent most of the night sitting at our kitchen table reading. He read all the books he brought with him, and two we had here. He ate some macaroni and cheese and now he is helping Catherine burn old school papers in the fireplace. It’s our first fire of the season.
If you’ll remember, last year at this time I made a deal with the world… If I promised to volunteer, the world would give me a job. (Check it out here.) Anyway, I went then and volunteered at the Salvation Army. Last winter I spent many of my hours ringing a bell and collecting donations. And the world provided me with a job at a prison. All was good. Not too long ago, the prison gave me a special award for my volunteer service. That is when I realized that the world didn’t think one winter of bell ringing was worth the amazing job. So when Gary from the Salvation Army called last week, I knew I had to go. Yesterday David and I went down there to fill out the forms. So starting soon, you will find me ringing a bell in front of the Stater Bros. on Saturday nights. You will find David there on Monday and Tuesday nights. You will also find us down there several days a week, counting out the kettles for deposit. We are doing a good thing.
Our TV is broken. We just got it in March so it is still under warranty. They are very willing to fix it for free, but I have to take it to the nearest repair shop. The nearest repair shop is in Yucaipa. So it’s kind of a pain, but what can you do? I can’t afford to buy a new TV. (This is what my Grandpa would probably do. But I love him.)
Yesterday was Aunt Chris’ 60th birthday. We went over for cake and took her a present, despite the fact that she specifically said no presents. Mary and Tonya (some wonderful friends of theirs, and now of mine too) were there and their friend Connie (who I have met a couple of times). It was fun. I hope she had a nice birthday.
David is sick. I have been pumping him full of medicine and he has been asleep most of the day. I have been making him drink orange juice and take vitamins too. He has no health insurance, so he needs to stay healthy.
If you recall, I am doing a blog swap for NaBloPoMo this year. I did it last year too. (Check it out here.) So for tomorrow, look for a post from Rammi right here on Tropical Fruit. And head over to her blog and look for a post by me. There are four other sets of swappers joining us in the swap for tomorrow so check out these great blogs tomorrow and see the results.
Stacey of Say Something Stacey will be swapping with Brandi Hassouna of The Day After
Bonnie Kaplan of BK's Reviews and Reflections will be swapping with Miranda of Compost Happens: An After School Special
Aurora McBride-Moore of Tales Of A Frumpy Mocha Princess will be swapping with Roxy Adams of ...snippets...
Katie Conrad of Gnomes At Night will be swapping with Johnny Pez
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Life and Death
Today we held a memorial at work for an officer who passed away. Officer Solis was a nice guy. I only worked with him a couple of times, when I first started there. (He has been on sick leave for some time.) He was a little rough around the edges, but he gave me plenty of helpful advice that I still have not forgotten…
Always know your keys.
Take your time and do it right.
Always keep doors secure.
Never back away from a challenge.
The whole complex stopped work and the department heads took over our posts so we could attend the memorial. It was very nice. His family was there. The chaplains spoke. We gave him a proper officer’s send off. They fired guns, sounded the bugle, and sounded the final call. It was very touching.
Good bye Officer Solis.
***************
Today is also David’s 22nd birthday. We ordered pizza and Carolynn baked a cake. It is cooling now. I want to eat it really bad.
It is Wednesday. I have already worked 50 hours this week. Tomorrow and Friday are my days off. I am tired.
Take your time and do it right.
Always keep doors secure.
Never back away from a challenge.
The whole complex stopped work and the department heads took over our posts so we could attend the memorial. It was very nice. His family was there. The chaplains spoke. We gave him a proper officer’s send off. They fired guns, sounded the bugle, and sounded the final call. It was very touching.
Today is also David’s 22nd birthday. We ordered pizza and Carolynn baked a cake. It is cooling now. I want to eat it really bad.
It is Wednesday. I have already worked 50 hours this week. Tomorrow and Friday are my days off. I am tired.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Life At 80
I hope I make it to 80. I hope when I am 80, I can be living comfortably and happy somewhere with my family nearby. By the time I am 80, I will have been retired from my current job for at least 23 years. Maybe I will have another job after that. Carolynn will be 61 and Catherine will be 59. When I am 80, it will be 2057. We will be over halfway through the century. I might have grandkids and even great grandkids.
Today my grandpa turned 80 years old. I didn’t know what to get him for his birthday. I mean really, what do you get for a man who is 80? So I am cooking spaghetti sauce. Grandpa likes food. There will be meatballs too. Later this week there will be homemade chicken noodle soup. Grandpa likes it when I make the homemade noodles. I will make him plenty of fall favorites like my “substandard” pumpkin bread or my “not as good as…” bread pudding. He likes those too.
After my sauce is done cooking we will take him some. I am sure he is out having dinner right now.
Happy birthday Grandpa. I hope 80 is amazing.
Today my grandpa turned 80 years old. I didn’t know what to get him for his birthday. I mean really, what do you get for a man who is 80? So I am cooking spaghetti sauce. Grandpa likes food. There will be meatballs too. Later this week there will be homemade chicken noodle soup. Grandpa likes it when I make the homemade noodles. I will make him plenty of fall favorites like my “substandard” pumpkin bread or my “not as good as…” bread pudding. He likes those too.
After my sauce is done cooking we will take him some. I am sure he is out having dinner right now.
Happy birthday Grandpa. I hope 80 is amazing.
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