A Peanut Christmas

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Knott's Berry Farm
December 2011

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Last week my sister and her family came to visit. It was so much fun.

But let me back up a bit there first.

You probably knew, if you'd been reading this long enough, that I have a sister. Sure. I used to mention a sister pretty often. This one. Sarah. Here she is with my nephew Nathan.

Last time I mentioned her was July 2010.

Yeah, so Sarah and I do not get a long well. Oh, you figured that out.

Anyway, we never were close. She is 11 years younger than me. We have the same mom, but different dads. We have seriously different opinions on many subjects. Anyway, by her choice, she cut me out of her life. And I am pretty okay with her choice.

So anyway, back to last weeks visit.

I have a second sister. Nikki. She found me on Facebook. It's impossible to hide on Facebook. Anyways, if you will recall from this post full of embarrassing pictures... We hadn't see each other since she was 2. She is 24 now.

Needless to say, it had been a long time.

So she arrived on Wednesday with her husband, Junior, and her daughter, my 1 year old niece, Carter.

(Who is arguably the cutest baby niece any one ever had.) We hung out. We played some Dance Central. We had some spaghetti.

My brother, who is incidentally also her brother, came over and brought the family. I was finally able to give Allison her birthday present and I got to spend some time with Nathan.

Here we all are together, my brother Joe, Nikki and Me.

I tried to get a picture of all the cousins. Carter was good to go, but Nathan was not looking.

So I tried again. This time Nathan is looking but Carter was done. Also, Gibby joined this one.

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On Thursday, we all went down to Palm Springs and went to Knott's Soak City. Carolynn and Catherine went on slides all day. David got quite the sunburn. Even Carter went down a little slide.

Then we went to dinner at a cute little diner in Palm Springs.

After that, we left them there in Palm Springs so they could head back to Texas.

It was so much fun. We should seriously get together more than once every 20 years or so.

Let It Snow

Yesterday was a stormy day. It snowed off and on all day. Nothing stuck. The wind howled. The lights flickered. The Christmas lights are now falling off the house. It was so cold. It is still cold. I have to work tonight. It is going to be super cold. I know it. At least the weather is Christmas-y.

I am still having trouble getting in the Christmas spirit. My car is a piece of crap. Seriously. I hate it. If I don’t have to go to work, I am not driving it. Not until I can afford the repairs. Why do cars find the most inappropriate times to break? I still have bills to pay and Christmas presents I want to buy.

Here’s another added stress for you… Drizella has been digging out. She digs out and Gibby goes with her. She knows she is bad. When we catch her she slinks back and won’t come close to us. I don’t know what to do about her. Frankly, she isn’t a very good dog. She doesn’t listen. She steals food. She chews stuff up. She bites. And she digs. What am I supposed to do? If animal control finds her, we will get a big ticket and the added expense. Just what I needed right now…

And one more suck-fest to add to my Bah-Humbug spirit… Knott’s Berry Farm is free for me and the family until the 20th. It’s free for all law enforcement officers. I knew it was coming and we had been looking forward to it. But now, it looks like we won’t be going. Even though it is free to get in, we’d still have to pay for gas, parking, food (you have to get Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner), and maybe a souvenir or two. And with my stupid car being stupid, I wouldn’t try and drive it that far anyway until it is repaired.

Okay, sorry I am such a Scrooge. I am trying not to be. We are thinking about having a New Year’s Eve party. A long time ago, I used to throw a New Year’s Eve party every year. At the time, we had this grouchy neighbor who called the cops on us at about 10:30 PM. Every year. We were never that loud. She was just a Scrooge herself. Then for a long while, I had no one to invite to any sort of party. Now I do. And if my work schedule continues in the way it is, I will have New Year’s Eve off. So keep a look out for party e-vites. (They are cheap.)

Here is some more good news… Yesterday I talked to my friend Paula. I had not talked to her for a couple of years. She moved and lost her job and I lost contact. But thanks to Facebook (again) she found me again and we talked last night. She is going through some rough times too, but like me she is working through it. Her husband is having trouble finding a job right now. I suggested he apply where I work. At least it is something.

Well, I guess that is it. I have to get ready for work soon. I will take my Scrooge attitude to prison. I am sure the inmates will enjoy.

Merry Christmas To All.

It's Not Fair

Last weekend we went to the Renaissance Faire. It was our first visit and we liked it. We weren’t sure what to expect and truly, we were not prepared. But we had fun anyway. Next year we will return with more cash and fabulous costumes. They had so much good food. They had lots of shows. Here are a few pictures.

Carolynn and her big bread bowl of soup.

Catherine the wizard.

One of the many fine performances at the faire.

The girls watching one of the shows.



Today they had a kind of carnival/picnic at my work to celebrate correctional workers week. Carolynn was at Knott’s Berry Farm with her school band. So Catherine, David and I took Allison and went to check it out. I forgot my camera, but I got a few pictures with my camera. They had crafts, games, face painting, and bounce houses. They had pony rides, a little car ride, and laser tag. They had door prizes and great barbecue food. They had cotton candy, snow cones, popcorn, and funnel cakes. They had piñatas. Catherine gave one a good whack and candy flew everywhere. They seemed to be having a good time. We had to leave early because Catherine had a game in Barstow. They played a good game and it ended in a tie.

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day. We have no plans. I don’t have to work. That rocks. Next weekend we are thinking about going to the county fair. That could be fun.

A Bunch Of Chimpanzees

Here is a video of my Thanksgiving weekend.



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.

Knott's Merry Farm

We had a super fun time at Knott's Berry Farm. I am tired from the fun. Carolynn is already in bed. Tomorrow I have to get up to go to the Salvation Army. Instead of ringing the bell all day, like I did on Monday and Wednesday and David did it today, we will be emptying the kettles and counting.

Before I am off to bed, again, here are a couple of pictures from our day.

Grandpa enjoying his chicken dinner. I tried the rhubarb. I won't be doing that again. My mom laughed at me.

My mom and Catherine in front of a fountain. We were waiting for Carolynn and Alyssa to come back from a roller coaster.

Getting their flume on... Log Style.

Catherine riding the merry-go-round.

Everyone waiting for Carolynn and Alyssa to come off another roller coaster.

Look for a video of our complete weekend of fun on Sunday. As for tomorrow, look for a special surprise!

Christmas Dip

We are still looking for that Pixie dip. My uncle suggested Calico Dip from Calico Ghost Town might be similar. In addition, Knott’s Berry Farm has a few dip mixes and one might be similar. Excellent suggestions.

I have decided to quit MySpace. It just was not for me. I was not looking for long lost friends or relatives there and frankly, I am not sure I want any of that finding me. MySpace had too much teenage drama and bored housewives. Besides, I have this.

I was wondering, if I quit MySpace, could people still use the internet to track me down? Turned out, yes they can. Also, by googling myself, I found these.



Apparently, I am related to these people. I recognize a few of them. I have not seen any of them in years and years.



This picture is my Grandma on her 80th birthday. I did not even know she was still with us. I had thought she had passed on several years ago. The things you learn on the internet. (I would like to thank my cousin Brian for unknowingly allowing me to borrow these pictures from his website.)

Christmas Wish Day 11
If you cannot love yourself, you have no chance to love another person. -Matthew Ford

Wednesday

Wednesday I went to my friend’s house to go to Knott’s Berry Farm. The first ride I was on was a spinning and it went to the side. Then I went on a rollercoaster that went back and fourth. The Jaguar was cool. The theme was Egyptian. The Silver Bullet was my favorite ride when your feet dangle and goes up side down 5 times. A ride that starts with an X went 80 miles per hour in two seconds and its steep!!! The last ride I was on was the Screamanator it goes really high and drops you and your feet fly in the air.