David finished his final for his animation class. It is quite awesome.
*************************
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
This is a video of Catherine supposedly cleaning. It was taken about 3 years ago. Basically, we had sent her to the room she and Carolynn shared. She had made such a mess and she didn't want to clean it up. Unknown to us, she found an old camera in there and was making this video rather than clean. We found it days later. And it is so classic. I know I have posted it several times before, but I never get tired of it. I will be showing this video to her kids.
I know it has been a few minutes since I updated. It is nice to see you missed me. I hope everyone had a nice holiday season. I hate to be a humbug, but I am glad it is over. It was so hectic and cost money I needed for other things. It was so nice to eat all that yummy food and see everyone. But all that extra work and partying wore me out.
I have been working a lot. A LOT! The paychecks will be fat. Work is good. I finally finished my probation. WOO! I made it. Not only that, but I was promoted from a 5 officer to a 6. A little more money in the paycheck. It comes with some new posts to try and new stuff to learn. This is going to be a great year of work. I don’t know why I love my job, I just do.
Christmas was good. I worked on Christmas Day. We celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve. The girls got a ton of good stuff. Carolynn got the iPod she has been wanting. Catherine got a ton of Pokémon. I got a new sweater and some chocolates. David got a Super Mario game. Carolynn also wanted a kitten. I don’t know why. We have a cat. We unfortunately lost two cats last year. We have three dogs. She still wanted a kitten. A kitten named Muffins. She had lost her mind.
Anyway, I went to the shelter last week to pick up the dogs tags and Carolynn fell in love with a little gray kitten. Muffins had arrived. The shelter said she is 6 months old. They also said she had a cold and they gave her 10 days of antibiotics. They said she was clear to take home. But after a week, she was sick again. I took her to the vet. They ran a bunch of tests and gave her some medicine. They still are not sure what exactly is wrong, but they don’t think it is fatal or major. The shelter covered part of the expense. My ex-husband is sending some money to cover it for his child.(He didn't want to see her cry and he didn't want the kitten to be sick either.) And she should be fine soon.
Our New Year’s Eve was fun. We had snacks and played games quietly at home. I had to work New Years Day.
Anyway, 2009 is gone. It went by so fast. But it was a great year. 2010 is going to be even better. To commemorate the occasion, I made this video. Enjoy peeps. Happy 2010!
The first show I can ever remember watching was The Muppet Show. I loved that show. I can still see my little brother with his Muppet Show jammies. I loved The Muppet Movie and A Muppet Christmas Carol. I love Sesame Street. Muppets are totally cool. I saw this today on Nikki's blog. I absolutely had to repost.
Three years ago today, I started this blog. At the time, I had just moved into my first apartment after my marriage ended and I had just started a new job at a basket warehouse. Things certainly have changed since then. We have had many great adventures. We have done some traveling. We’ve had ups and downs. But mostly, I have enjoyed it.
One year ago today, I began a new life. I left my job in San Diego, left my apartment and moved to my home town of Apple Valley. I rented my first house and after a long and sometimes painful period of joblessness, I began a new career in a field I don’t think anyone would have thought I would have done. Mostly, it’s pretty good. Here is an update…
Like I said, we moved to Apple Valley. I looked for jobs like a mad woman. I worked briefly as a fish tank cleaner at a pet store. I spent a lot of time stressed. But in December, I finally found just the right thing. I was hired as a federal correctional officer. Yep, me. Tiny old me. I now go to work every day in a uniform and enter a place grown men fear, and spend my day with men who have done things most of us couldn’t imagine. And I like my job. I like the feeling that I am doing something to make the world a little better. That perhaps something I might do might help these men change their ways when they exit. And for those who will never leave, I am protecting the community by keeping secure these men who cannot be part of normal society. I am happy now. I don’t spend a lot of time worrying about bills, as I know I can pay them. Plus I still have a little left over to enjoy. This March I spent 3 weeks in Georgia for training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. I learned a lot, met some great people and had a great time. While I was there, my dearest friend in the world, Trisha, and her whole entire family, came and we went to Savannah. It was so pretty and I had a great time. Since I have been back, I have been working a lot of hours and am hoping we can take a fun vacation this fall to San Francisco. Last year, we went to Las Vegas. Plus I made a few trips to Palm Springs.
Carolynn has also had a big year. She turned 13 this year. She did her first year of school in Apple Valley. She made some new friends, ditched some classes, got caught, got grounded… Made some different new friends and learned to play the saxophone. She dyed her hair, went to Hawaii, and ran cross country on her school team.
Catherine spent her year being Catherine. She is going to a school here that is geared for kids with her special needs. She is a little bit of an overachiever. Only at school though. At home, she can’t manage to wear clothes that match, clean her room or remember to brush her teeth. She also went to Hawaii this past year. She played softball in the town Little League. Her team won the city championship. At th end of the year, she won an award for perfect attendance at her school, as well as a physical fitness award. And as usual, she got all A’s.
David has had the toughest year I think. After we moved, he has had a hard time finding a job. He got a job right away at McDonald’s, but they don’t schedule him consistently. There were weeks last fall, when he got no hours at all. Then in the winter, the McDonald’s was robbed while he was there. As a matter of fact, he has to go to court for that on Monday. He still works there part time, while continually looking for something better. Unfortunately, in this current economic condition, there are just way more people looking and fewer jobs to find. He did begin going to college since we moved here. Also, in the past year, he took a trip to Texas to visit his family and he returned with a vehicle of his own. I am glad he is here. Without his help, there is no way I could have been gone for three weeks to Georgia, no way I could work the crazy hours, no way I could work midnight to 8… He may not be the tidiest person, but he is always there when I need a back up.
This year was a big year for pets. When we moved here last year, we brought our two cats, Kitty and Cleo, as well as our turtle, Little Dude. Soon after, we were joined by our dog, Elvis, who had been staying with my mom. Then there was Gibby. Gibby was a gift from my mom. He is Chihuahua and Pomeranian. He just had his first birthday and he is filled of energy. He wears clothes, follows me everywhere, and loves to ride in the car. He was the mascot for Catherine’s softball team. Then sadly, we lost out cat Cleo. She got out one night and we never saw her again. Unfortunately, we live in an area with a lot of coyotes. We did get a new cat, Betty.
But the best thing of all, this past April we welcomed a new family member. Nathan Joseph joined us on April 6. I have a nephew. He is too cute. As a matter of fact, I was playing with him earlier today and he was giggling and grinning and I wished I had a camera.
This next year of blogging is going to be great. I hope all my readers hang in there with me. We are about to embark on a great new adventure. Until then, enjoy a look back on this year in pictures.
Tonight was the city championship game for Catherine's softball team. They finished the season in first place last week, tonight they played for the city championship against the A's, who finished the season in 2nd. It was a nail biter of a game. We started of strong with a 5 to nothing lead, but they made a comeback and it was A's 7 and Dodgers 5 with two innings to go. We held them at 7 and took the lead 9 to 7. The last inning we scored 4 runs and there was no point in the A's taking their last at bat. We were ahead by more than 5 and you can only score 5 runs in an inning. The Dodgers are Apple Valley City Champions!
Here they are receiving their championship trophies. The say Softabll on them, but they don't care. They are champions!
This is Catherine with her BFF Alex. They are in the same class and Alex's mom is one of Catherine's teachers. Alex is obviously on the other team. They got #2 trophies.
Here we have Catherine and her two trophies. The smaller one is for the season and the big one is for being the city champs.
Carley's parents own a shirt shop and made these shirts as gifts. Each of the girls on the team got one, and David and I got them too.
We had a great time. This was a fun season. I can't imagine a better team and for Catherine's first sport. She is very excited about playing again. It was a great group of kids. We met a lot of very cool people, the parents were awesome. I hope we get to all play together again. Here is a video of their season. I made a similar one for the team and burned it on DVD for all the kids. Go Dodgers!
That’s pretty much it. My job is same old… I work in a prison; it is what you expect when you work with criminals. But I still go back every day. I am still working the midnight to 8 am shift. I sleep during the day a lot. But, it pays the bills.
The girls are good. They had some state testing this week. Catherine had some softball games. I didn’t make it to today’s game because I was asleep, but David said she did great and she had to slide three times and scored three runs. Carolynn had a good birthday on Tuesday and is now an official teenager. Catherine had a game Tuesday. My mom came and brought Carolynn a new collector Barbie. After the game, we went to John’s Incredible Pizza with Joe, Nicole, and the kids. They got Carolynn a cool new outfit. I got Carolynn a couple of new collectible Barbie’s. David made it back from Texas in time to join us for pizza and he brought Carolynn some new books that she had wanted. What she had really wanted was some make up and the privilege to wear it. So we made an agreement, she can wear makeup, but I get to pick it. I bought it and I showed her how to put it on. I think she was disappointed. She said she couldn’t even tell it was on. I said that was the point.
Like I said, David made it back from Texas on Tuesday night. He was gone a week. He drove back in his truck. It is a 1986 Jeep pick up. It looks like crap but it seems to run like a champ. He made it all the way from Texas in two days. We took some stuff to the Salvation Army in it early this week and we picked up some fertilizer for the garden. It has no air conditioner, but he likes it. Here is a picture. He went back to work at McDonald’s, but having his new car opens up more opportunity for him. He is more available at McDonald’s and can look for jobs further away and not have to worry about buses or limit his availability.
I have been doing some gardening. There are a lot of weeds to pull, but we are doing it a section at a time. We have some plants in the front and a bunch in the back. We are planting a veggie garden out back. Plus some herbs are growing out there. We put some bird feeders out there. We have a couple of rocking chairs and a fire pit. We are going to try and get a new barbecue soon. We have an old charcoal grill for now. It is going to be a great summer to spend out there. Last summer was pretty craptacular. We didn’t have money to do anything. Now I have a great job and David has a little bit of a job, and he will get something better soon. Plus he is going to school. He is taking a math class and a history class. He spends a lot of time on that. Things are finally looking good.
On a sad note however, Bea Arthur passed away today. I used to love her on The Golden Girls. It came on too late for me to stay up and watch, but I used to sneak down the hall and hide in the entry way of our house and watch it anyway. I watched it on reruns for years too. It is amazing how funny she was. There are no others like her.
Okay I am not a big fan of the gossip papers. I really don't care which celebrity is doing which other celebrity. Frankly, I think those tabloids take away from celebrities being able to make movies or TV shows, or music or whatever it is they are famous for doing. Except for Paris Hilton who is famous for doing nothing and if I never hear about it again that would be super...
Anyway, we all know Lindsey Lohan has had some personal issues, but at least she has a sense of humor about it. I happened across this today and it cracked me up. Enjoy.
I didn't quite make it until midnight last night. I did make it until midnight eastern and central time. 2009 is finally here. 2009 is going to kick 2008's ass. However, 2008 didn't totally blow chunks. Here is a highlight of some of the best parts. There were many more, but it's only a three and a half minute song. Anyway, enjoy a look back at 2008. Welcome 2009!
For those of you interested, I am skipping Wordless Wednesday today. I’ll make a come back next week.
I was going to give you an in depth analysis of my year gone by. I was going to give you my new resolutions. I was going to fill you with the promise of hope for a new year. Instead, I am going to give you a bit of a rant first.
I began my day in a happy little mood. In just a matter of days, I will be off to work. 2009 is almost here and all it can bring is happiness. I was expecting a check in the mail today and I planned to go to the bank this afternoon, drop off the rent check, and buy a few snacks for our celebration. I cleaned the house, read some more of my book, watched some TV and added more to my iPod. I joined the Modern Mom Challenge, I listened to the President-Elect’s Podcast, and I baked my Grandpa some Snowball Cookies.
Anyways, my mail brought me to the bank. I went to the window to deposit the goods. I then wanted to get a bank check for $995. Please note, I just deposited around $1300. I don’t see a problem with that. Part of that money came from a government funded check, but the bulk of it came from the check my ex-husband sent. He sends the same check, for the same amount at the same time every month. I have never had a problem. Today, problem city.
I bank with Wamu. Well, I used to, now I bank with J.P. Morgan Chase. I didn’t think it was a big deal. Everything pretty much works the same. Apparently, they experienced quite a few losses though recently. And much like the Chrysler people, they decided to take it out on it’s customers. They informed me that there would be a 7 day hold on the personal check. I said that was ridiculous. I have been getting that same check for over 2 years with no problem. They told me it was the new Chase system that was being more strict. There was nothing I could do. I spoke with several people. They were all just as helpful. Carolynn was with me and getting impatient. Whatever. Perhaps I need a new bank. I have been thinking about switching to Bank of America.
Usually, this is just an inconvenience. Right now, it is a problem. Without this extra money, I am just about $200 short of the rent. I had some in there already that I was holding for bills. Of course, there was no hold on my other deposit. Nevertheless, the rent is due by Monday at 4 PM. The check will be released on Tuesday evening.
The old, 2008 me, would have cried and lamented. That me would have fallen apart. The new me, henceforth known as Officer Jennifer, spoke calmly to everyone I could. I came home and called several people at the bank. I got nowhere. However, I am still calm. I will figure something out. I am a survivor. I am an officer of the law. I am tough.
That is the point of this story. 2009 brings a new and improved me. This new me comes complete with a new career and a new outlook. The new me promises to be more positive. The new me plans to be healthier, happier, and hopefully thinner. The new me has a plan.
I have made a chore chart that so far has shown some improvement. Catherine will still need to be pushed. She keeps losing her stuff. As in, I keep taking her stuff. Tonight she will be going to bed at 9:30. I made a budget and I plan to stick to it. (As soon as they start paying me) I joined several weight loss and exercise groups on-line and am hoping they will help me to eat better. I am sure my new career path will help me get the exercise.
As I start on my journey, I have friends and family supporting me as they did through the tough times. It is nice to have them.
As we say goodnight to 2008, I would like you to think of the promises of tomorrow, not the nightmares of the previous year. Tomorrow I will bring you a video of highlights of 2008. Tonight we look ahead. I know I am looking ahead at a bright future. Enjoy your evening and do not drink and drive. Finally, I leave you with this video, because, when all is said and done, all we really need is more cowbell.
Okay, so everyone knows, or should know, I am not gay. However, I do support gay rights. I have gay friends. I have gay relatives. I voted no on Prop 8.
I believe that everyone should have equal opportunity. My friend Teresa got married in August, and now her marriage, as well as many others, is in limbo. My aunts, who will have been together for 25 years in January, were going to tie the knot for their anniversary and now may not be given the opportunity. It is unfair.
So today, a week after Black Friday… I am announcing today will be Gay Friday here on my blog. Show your support. Click on the banner to the right for White Knot.org. Get the button for your website. Enjoy the video. In addition, enjoy these pictures. Remember, the word gay also means “happy and joyous”.
On Thursday, Carolynn, Catherine, and I got up and finished making our baked goods. We made pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, apple pie, pumpkin raisin muffins, chocolate chip cookies and peanut butter cookies. We also made fudge. We did most of the baking earlier in the week. We delivered a pumpkin pie and some pumpkin bread to Chris, Sherri and Taylor on Wednesday evening. Catherine made the pies herself. Then we made the turkey. It was so good. Carolynn made the mashed potatoes and the green bean casserole and Catherine “made” the cranberry sauce. While we were waiting for the food to cook, we played some games. After dinner, we packed up the baked goods and went to my mom’s house.
Aunt Paveena, Alyssa, Jonathan, and Uncle Dan were there when we got there and Joe, Nicole and Allison came shortly after. We had some pie and cookies. Aunt Paveena made a slaw salad that Carolynn loved. Jonathan told some wild stories. Uncle Dan packed away some food. It was nice to see everyone.
On Friday, the girls and I joined my parents, Grandpa and Alyssa and went to Knott’s Berry Farm. It was a county employee day and all seven of us got in for $45. You just can’t beat that. As soon as we got in the girls and Alyssa wanted to ride roller coasters. My dad took them while my mom, Grandpa and I went to get Mrs. Knott’s chicken. I tried some rhubarb while I was there, and though it wasn’t totally inedible, I had enough in the four bites I took to last me the rest of my life. My Grandpa and my mom thought it was funny. It was a food adventure. After we ate, we looked in some shops and found the others. We rode some rides and hung out. Grandpa and I went shopping while the others were riding. He sent some jelly to my sister. By then it was getting dark and cool out. So we headed home. It was fun. It is nice that Grandpa came. Sure, he moves slower, and I am sure the girls could have stayed longer, but one day they can look back and remember places they went with their great-grandpa.
On Saturday, David and I went to the Salvation Army to volunteer. There was no bell ringing for us that day. We had to empty kettles and count. We counted a lot of money. After we finished, we came home and did some house cleaning. We put the Thanksgiving decorations away. We watched some movies. Carolynn went with Taylor to see Bolt in the afternoon. She said it was very good.
Today we put up our Christmas stuff. I made this video. I am watching TV. David is at work. The girls have not gotten dressed all day. It was quite a weekend.
There were not many new jobs because of the holiday. I called the job from the interview on Friday, but their offices were closed. I have another interview tomorrow. Carolynn and her friends are playing Rock Band. I am considering moving to Timbuktu just to not have to hear them anymore.
I went out to the garage to go to the Winco and drop David off at work. The McDonald’s he works at is across the street from the Winco. I try to do as much as I can on every trip out to minimize gas usage. Today I am really conserving gas because the car would not start. I am almost positive the battery is dead. I do not know how that happened. My only guess is that Carolynn and her friends went out to the car last night to get some CD. Maybe they left the lights on or something. Whatever happened, cars do not start without the battery. David took the bus to work. I was not even sure the busses would be running since it is a holiday. We called to confirm. I called to see if my brother would help, but he is asleep. Nicole said she would come and see if we could fix it up later this afternoon. There is one good thing about living near family; someone might be available to help you with something.
I swear, with my life, if it is not one thing, it is another. I have a job interview tomorrow. How will I get there if my car is broken? Seriously, my life is a downward spiral. I should break out a Simple Plan CD, some black eyeliner, and a box of tissues. Oh wait; here is the box of tissues… I guess I am on the right track.
It's not the greatest video I ever made. Most of it is Catherine's school. There are a lot of really cute and creative costumes in there. The girls had fun and got a lot of candy. Even Gibby had fun. I hope everyone else had a fabulous Halloween.
