A day in MY life

October

2011-10-14T18:13:00.000-06:00

What a month! October is a hard month for me. It has been since my Mother passed away Oct. 13, 1995. I think this year with also Holly passing away it has been even more emotional. I had tried really hard to keep active at the gym. I even tried a new Zumba class on Monday's with a friend from the gym, and it is lots of fun and will continue going thru the winter since it is at Taylorsville Rec and close to home. I also got my team at work involved with Breast Cancer Awareness month. I bought them all pink wrist bands and have been coordinating a bake sale that we had today, as well as having T-shirts made for the cause.
However there is always a wrench to be thrown in somewhere right. So last Thursday morning I notice on my Facebook page a message from Brooke. (who I have not talked to in 4 years) Her message say. I now truly understand your pain. It is unbearable and I can hardly breath. I couldn't help but wonder what has happened to her. Thank goodness for blackberry and facebook I was able to call her. She answered the phone and I said Hello Brooke it's Julie. She sniffled said hang on and then came back to the phone crying. I told her I got her message on FB and what was wrong. She is crying and says I am burying my sister tomorrow. I have wanted to talk to you since Monday (hmm Monday I thought of her when I was driving past Joey's old apartment wondering what she was doing) YOU are the only person that understands what I am going through. She said, all the times when you would talk about your sister dying I truly never understood your pain, But now I do. I told her I would be there that night for the viewing. My heart was breaking for her cause next to losing my Mother losing my Little sister has been another heartbreak for me.
Jose went with me to the viewing that night, and when we pulled up I told Jose this really makes me mad at Brittany. Did she not realize how many people loved her and cared about her, how many lives she effected by taking her life.
The rooms were full with people you could hardly move. I looked around and Brook and I spotted each other at the same time. We are like magnets drawn to each other, funny we were when we met 7 years ago too. We have not seen each other since Sept 7, 2007 and we still were drawn to each other. We hugged each other so tight it was one of those hugs that you get from people that you know truly Love you. Kinda like a hug from your Mom or your Sister. She says to me I have missed you, I have wanted to call you so many times.
(we had our differences 4 years ago and I asked her not to call me again, not that I ever stopped thinking of her cause I did she probably crossed my mind at least once a week) Now we have one more thing to connect us. Both without mother's, both lost our little sisters when they were 29, both have husbands with diabetes, and she tells me Jackson has ADHD, so now both with children with that.
Reading her FB page her friends make me a little mad. Telling her to be brave be strong for sisters children, and all that crap. I texted her and told her Brooke, It's ok for you to be MAD as Hell at your sister! It's ok for you to cry, and it's ok that you are not strong for ANYBODY right now. You need to grieve in whatever way it takes you and for however long it takes you be it a month, a year or even longer.
What makes this so sad is this is the same way Brooke and Brittany's mother left she committed suicide, 25 years ago today. Brooke said she talked to her sister about it till she was blue in the face and how hard it had been on the two of them growing up without a mother. So sad that Brittany did the same thing her mom did a week sooner. This is now going to be the hardest month forever in Brooke's life. October will never be the same for her.
Brooke and I were two friends that I would be feeling down and she would call me to see what was up, Or she would think of me and I would call her. I swear we have esp with each other! Driving home from work on Wed I thought I should call her. She answers the phone crying, I say to her Brooke. She says you have impeccable timing. I ask her if she was ok and she said she was looking through pictures of her and Brittany. I told her you know it's ok for you to cry and be sad, and it's a good that you have those pictures for you to remember those times with her.
She told me the night of the viewing that she had so many things to say to me, she says you have no idea what affect you had on my life. So we have made plans to go to lunch this Sunday. It will be good to get together with my Sister from another Mother.
The other wrench- My boss tells me last Friday she got a new job and Oct 19th is her last day.
The good wrench- Today was our bake sale and we made $417.00. and people liked our shirts we had made so well that we took orders for 30 shirts! We are donating the money to the NBCF.

cake balls

In the basket was pink ribbon shaped sugar cookies. I think the pink and white animal cookis looked cool in the jar!

Prize drawings

I made 50 cupcakes that sold like Hotcakes!

Lorie-Wendy (mgr) and Kim (supervisor)

Oreo Truffle pops.

It was a very good, well organized and well priced bake sale. I came home with maybe 20 cake balls out of the 150 that I made. It was lots of fun and we discovered by doing this how many lives Breast Cancer has affected, and some people who have family going through Chemo now. Wendy and I decided we were going to do this again next year and my even plan one for Feb for Woman's Heart healt month, we made need to start looking for healthier recipes.

Holly

2011-09-17T21:11:00.000-06:00

Sunday August 7th 9am I answer a phone call to hear my brother Tom say Happy Birthday! I tell him thanks but it's not my Birthday till the 23rd. He says Oh then Happy Anniversary to me. I asked him when his Anniversary was he says yesterday. So I tell him Happy Anniversary!
Then he tells me Holly wanted to call and wish you a Happy Birthday. We had to put her in the hospital yesterday due to dehydration, and she has not been able to eat or drink because of her throat being sore from the radiaton treatments. The Dr's also did a CT scan to see how the cancer was doing and they have found that since her last scan in July there is significant growth. She has decided to go on hospice due to the pain. I cried for a minute, and that asked to talk to Holly. One thing I need to add is everything I have talked to her on the phone or texted her in the past 14 months she has always sounded optimistic about her recovery. Today not so. She told me she was tired of the pain and could not take it anymore. She had lived this past year passing every day another hurdle that her and Tom would say well we made it past this day. She had lived to see another grand baby born had hoped to see him walk but knew the time had come to tell her family and kids goodbye.
Holly started Hospice care August 10th, with the main goal to keep her pain free. I have tried to text or keep in contact with her on facebook daily. Just so she knew that she was on my mind.
This past week I had told myself if Holly is here on my birthday I am calling her this year. Aug 20, 3:55 I got a phone call from Tom. I knew the minute I saw his name on my phone it was not good but answered my phone with a happy to hear from you voice. He says... Hi I am calling to tell you Holly is dying. I said what? Holly passed away? He told me no but she is not going to make it thru the day, and I wanted to call you. I cried.. and told him can I talk to her? Can you just put the phone to her ear? He did and I told her, Holly, it's Julie. Holly I Love you, and I need you to pass on a message for me to Mom and Jacqi. When you get to Heaven will you tell them I miss them and Love them.

My brother took back the phone I could tell he was having a rough time so I told him I loved him and we hung up. I went to my facebook and posted on Holly's wall, after I sent my message and the page updated I see on her wall that Holly had passed away peacefully today. I called my brother and asked him when and he said she had passed away about 20 seconds after he took the phone from her ear. Whatever I had to tell her was what she needed to hear.

I was glad I was the last voice she heard on the phone, knowing that she took me serious and was delivering my message to Mom and Jacqi, also because Holly was the one to call me when my mother passed away and she told me that had broke her heart and she had told Tom and Valerie and Jerry that she would not be the one to call me when Dad passed away. It has always bugged me that I was not there when my Mother died and that I did not get to tell her good bye. I'm lucky to have been the last voice that Holly heard before she went on to a better place free from pain, free from broken bones, free from cancer.

It has been a month now that Holly has been gone. I have had this typed up for a month, but just wasn't able to hit post. Holly was cremated she didn't want a funeral service. My brother had a BBQ a week after she passed for her family and friends to celebrate her life. I didn't go because Tom told me he would rather come see me some day so we can just spend time together. He has had a hard time adapting to being alone. He went on a fishing trip to Seattle this month to get away from the house and work. The kids have had a hard time without their mom, so sad to see them all go thru this. Cassidy was going to take Holly's facebook page down but I told her that she may want to leave it up that it could serve as a place for people to feel close to her still. I know I have written letters for years to my mother that obviously have not been mailed, and she may find that just leaving a note on her page will make her feel close.

Rest in Peace Holly and thanks for delivering my message. Love you!

Kathleen's Bedroom Makeover part one.

2011-05-29T16:46:00.000-06:00

Kathleen turned 19 in May, when she did she told me she wanted her room made over she was tired of the teal walls that had become a chalkboard to her and her friends.

This is her room that I can't stand! Thank goodness she is tired of it too! We went to Lowe's for her to look at paint samples and this is what she came up with that she liked.

The color on the top Tea Light and the color on the bottom Hot Stone. As luck would have it since I am a paint hoarder. I had a gallon of each of these colors in the garage. I don't remember why I bought them cause neither of them had more then a inch of paint gone from the can. She hasn't decided if she is going to paint the whole room Tea Light, or paint 3 walls with Tea Light and the wall behind her bed the Hot Stone.

This weekend with people starting yard sales we were able to find a night stand $5.00 and a head board for $15.00. Kathleen was excited and got right to work sanding the night stand. The control freak in me wanted to take over but I knew this was a good project for her and hopefully will help her appreciate the hard work she put into it and keep her room kept up.

$5.00 find (Nicole from your Cousin Sidney)

Kathleen doing the sanding.

The finished project. We sprayed the drawer pull silver.

This is the $15.00 head board, not sure if it will be painted black yet or not.

So far the room make over has cost us $20.00, we will need to purchase some paint rollers, and hopefully we can find a good sale on the Bedding and new curtains.
Today she is taking the stuff off her walls and washing them. She just said, "man washing walls is hard work" I told her, "Why do you think I have told you to stop writing on them?"

Stay tuned for makeover part 2.

Amazing spray paint...

2011-05-27T15:48:00.000-06:00

After putting up the bead board in my kitchen this week I have looked the things on the top of my cupboards and found something that needed a makeover! I made these ceramic rabbits after my twins were born 19 years ago and they have sat on the top of my cupboards ever since. I take them down a couple times a year and wash them off, but in looking at them this morning I thought you two need to be updated.

Before with the 90's look.

After- A new 2011 look!

And there they are back on top of my cupboards. The light in the picture used to be brass and Jose took it down one Sunday morning and spray painted them a copper with an antique finish to match my drawer pulls.
I have used the Rustoleum hammered finish on several things in the house. My stair rails and light switch covers, and now 2 rabbits.

Spray paint really is a cheap way to spruce things up and give them an updated look for cheap. I am all about my house being up to date but decorating on a shoestring budget.

The Bead board island project!

2011-05-25T22:53:00.000-06:00

I am all about re-decorating on a dime... a few months ago I ran across this blog Thrifty Decor Chick when I was searching how to put bead board on my kitchen island/bar. I just love that bead board she put on her island. I had debated on it for months wondering what it would look like in my kitchen? I have had Jose go with me numerous times to Lowe's to look at Kitchen models and bead board and paint samples, what color to paint is the hardest decision. With my colors of my kitchen being red and green, I really debated on red.
Then we saw a display at Lowe's with bead board on the island and it was painted black. My decision was made, and Jose liked it too!!!

This week we are off from work for a much needed vacation for both of us, with no plans but to sleep in, workout and stay up late. And while we are off we might as well do some redecorating! I had gotten a $50.00 gift card from Lowe's and knew just what I wanted to do with it! The Bead board island project!
I got a sheet of bead board $19.95, $9.95 for a quart of gloss black paint, $6.98 for a paint brush, .62 for nails, $2.32 for liquid nails, $6.98 for base board. $4.99 for foam paint rollers. Total cost after taxes was $52.00. So this cost me $2.00 out of my pocket!

Before

Bead Board up!

After

I have to say I love my kitchen, I can't believe how this simple project made the room look different. I need to find something to put on my counter now. I have this big Bell Jar that a friend gave me for Christmas but I need to find something to either put under it or something new. Then I think I need to redecorate the tops of my Kitchen cupboards. I think a trip to the DI is needed tomorrow. Or to Kohl's to spend a gift card I have there.

Next project... Kathleen's bedroom she is ready to grow up and have a more adult bedroom. I have a piece of bead board left and we were just talking about we could make her a headboard out of it. Fun!!!

MY RETRO VALENTINE..

2011-02-15T18:30:00.000-07:00

Valentine's Day the day for Lovers or people in love, a happy day for people to spread love and smiles???

Then why did I grow up hating the day? I remember faking being sick so I didn't have to go to school on Valentine's Day. Let me tell you why back in the 60's and 70's valentines to me really meant something. I remember looking at the valentines that came in the box and thinking really hard who to give them to. If you gave one to a boy that you really didn't like would they think that you liked them? And if you gave one that had an elephant or hippo on them to someone overweight would they think you thought they were fat? Let me tell you that is what I thought when I would open my Valentine's cards..if I got one with an elephant or hippo I thought that is what the people thought of me, that I was a big FAT elephant or hippo. A lot of times I wouldn't open my valentine cards till I got home and could open them in the privacy of my own bedroom where nobody could see what I got but me. Sad isn't it almost brings a little tear to my eye.

See that hippo made me feel bad I look at it now and it really isn't but to a 10-12 year old over weight it was a blow to my self esteem.

Anyways where this story is heading is I was telling Jose about how cool some of the Retro Valentines were, like the ones I remember getting from my Grandma and Grandpa, the ones with the cute kittens and bunnies and cute sayings. Friday night we went to dinner to beat the crowds of people taking their mates out for dinner. Which is another thing that bugs me...people only showing affection on Valentine's day, men sending women flowers cause they thing they are supposed to. Women expecting outrageous gifts because they thing the man is supposed to. If you love someone aren't you supposed to show it every day??? Send me flowers on a day that no other woman is also expecting to get them. Okay back to my story, went to dinner yes my favorite place Cafe Rio, I went to get drinks and came back to the table to find this cute thing!

It is so cute. I love it. I love that I have a romantic husband who listens to things I rant and rave about and remembers my raves more then my rants.

Monday morning I woke up to get ready for work, took a shower and found this on the bathroom counter.

So cute, I went out to tell Jose thanks and how much I Loved the Valentine, found him sleeping and this on my pillow....

A cute bunny card and the newest book from my favorite Author Nicholas Sparks!

What a great husband to give me the cutest Retro Valentines cards. Which took some research on his part. These had to go to work with me to sit on my desk and show off to my friends.. LOL not flowers for me give me the cute cut out Retro cards!

I get to work and find an interoffice envelope on my desk and say to myself crap wonder what this is.

It's this.. LOL with a note saying Okay I promise this is the last one. I hope it's not the last one. I hope he continues to find these cute cards and gives them to me every year. Now you have to see what I found on my desk today.

The coolest shadow I have ever seen.. cast from a clock that Jose gave me about 3 years ago, one of those just because I love you gifts. Isn't that the sweetest thing!

Things that have made me smile this week!

2011-02-06T15:20:00.000-07:00

Jan. 31......

My newly redone pantry.

Since the day we moved into this house I have hated this pantry. I should have taken a before picture but didn't think of it till I had it painted already. It was just painted with primer, only had shelves on each end. I have told Jose for years that I wanted to put shelves across the back of it. So this was my project last weekend. Friday night we measured our pantry for the wood for the shelves, I emptied the contents and threw stuff out that was outdated. (and again I should have taken pictures of my kitchen in disorder. I took Jose to work at 5:30am, came home and started painting. I was lucky I had paint left from when I painted my kitchen. After picking Jose up from work we started on cutting the wood for the shelves, I painted the bottom sides so they would match the shelves on the ends, then covered the tops with shelf paper to match the others. Jose put them up for me and viola.. I have a new roomy pantry! That I love and find myself leaving the door open on it this week just so I can look at it while in the kitchen! It makes me smile :)

Feb. 2.....

Wednesday night I went to dinner with my friend Brooke Collie and some other ladies. I got to hold her new baby Nash, he is a snuggler! Austin came and I got both him and Brooke to autograph my LDS Living magazine they were on this past fall. It made me smile :)

Feb. 3.......

While at the Sports Chalet looking for boxing gloves, I spotted this bike. I fell in LOVE! I want this bike so bad. I came home and looked up the website of the company that makes it. It is an Electra Bike, made in San Diego CA, her name is Gypsy, she is a three speed bike, with a wicker basket, a bell and the grooviest paint job I have ever seen. I have talked about this bike every day since and she still makes me smile. I am going to get this bike, I will find a way to save $600.00 to get her. She will be mine! She makes me smile!

Feb. 4........

My smart child who has struggled in school since 9th grade decided 2 weeks ago she was going to take the test for her GED she just cannot set through the classes to get her diploma and it was really getting her depressed. Jose and I supported her decision to do this. The test was Friday the 4th, I took the day off so I could drop her off since she doesn't have a car. The test was scheduled for 8 hours, it started at 8am. She called me at 12:40 saying she was done. This was her face when she opened the car door, she was confident she passed. She had to get an average of 450 to pass. We checked her score online Friday night her average was 614! This look on her face and seeing her feel proud that she did it makes me SMILE.. and cry.

Feb. 5.........

Celebrating James's 25th Birthday. Seems like yesterday I was giving birth to him. He is a smart, ambitious, young man, college grad. holding 2 full time jobs, married, home owner and a good son. He makes me SMILE!

This has been a pretty darn good week, I have had lots to smile about.

Best Christmas Ever....a New Year with new Changes.

2011-01-03T21:08:00.000-07:00

I can proudly say that this Christmas was one of the best we have had in a long time. So often in the past we would get caught up in buying things our kids and each other really didn't need, but just to put more under the tree.. This year we drew names between the 6 of us and set a $25.00 limit. Jose and I paid cash for everything we bought. The gifts we did get for each other and the kids were gifts that were well thought out and things we knew each other wanted.
After we opened gifts in the morning, Kathleen said this was the best Christmas Ever! Now I realize it has never been about how many gifts I gave them. It's about that we remembered and we gave them a gift of something they really wanted. And also spent time together as a family.

look I got them to put on aprons and help bake!

homemade oreo's rolled in crushed candy cane.

vanilla cake balls dipped in mint chocolate.

Weight lifting gloves from Kathleen..LOVE EM! and have wanted some for ever!

I started a new job today as team Lead, I guess you could say it's kinda like Assistant Supervisor. My responsibilities are scheduling work, answering questions, working specialized reports. And making sure things run smoothly when my boss is gone. I have been helping her for the past month fill in since our other Lead transferred and have really enjoyed the change. I interviewed for it on December 23, and found out last Tuesday that I got the job and started it today. And let me say today I felt like a chicken with my head cut off. With it being the start of a New Year and new reports that I didn't have access too, and my PC at work being changed to Windows 7, and now I was really doing the job and people expected their schedules and assignments to work on. Thank goodness I do work with a group of wonderful people and they all found assignments to work on while I got my crap together. Tomorrow I have to remind myself I have been doing this job for a month it is nothing new and to take my breaks and lunch and to just BREATH!

CHRISTMAS PAST..CHRISTMAS MISSED ...AND CHRISTMAS PRESENT.

2010-12-18T23:17:00.000-07:00

With the Christmas just a week away it really makes me start missing my family. Not my family here but my family in Idaho. I start thinking of my childhood and the traditions we had as a family. I grew up on a farm and my parents had planted Christmas Trees on the 5 acres of land they owned. It was so convenient to just go out and cut our own tree once they got big. We would string popcorn and cranberries every year to hang around the tree, and hang candy canes and silver tinsel.
One of my fondest memories is the day the Sears catalog would come and I would lay on the floor with my sister Jacqi and we would look at the toys and circle the things we wanted and dream of Barbies and Baby dolls for weeks trying to decide which one we would pick to put on our list to Santa. Of course I would always put a Barbie! Oh how I loved finding her under the tree from Santa every year!

this is what my first Francie looked like I was 5 years old when I got her, I still have her and several other Barbies from my childhood. I still love them and have them in their special place.

Not always did I get what I wanted and one year in particular comes to mind. I was in the 7th grade, the Sears catalog had come and I was now interested in clothes, I has looked over all the pages of clothes day after day. I knew that I had to tell my mom come the first part of December what I really wanted for Christmas. I had found a red velvet house coat that I thought was beautiful, I wanted it so bad, and yes I dreamed of it..I dreamed of finding it wrapped in a big box under the tree, and also thinking maybe I would get a pair of fuzzy slippers to go with them! My sister's and I we were snoopers there was never a year that went by growing up that we hadn't already unwrapped our presents that were under the tree when our parents would leave, that year I never did find it under the tree, I thought Christmas morning it would be under the tree, my Mom was hiding it and I was going to be Surprised! Oh I was so excited that morning! We got up at the crack of dawn, made everyone else wake up cause Jacqi and I couldn't wait anymore. Of course we had to see what was left in our stockings first, then the gifts....I opened my presents and did not find the red velvet house coat. I found a red quilted nylon material house coat my Mother had hand made for me and matching ones for both of my sisters. Not what I wanted and not what I had expected. I was not happy and I remember I broke my Mother's heart. I was so rotten, I am certain now that I think back to that Christmas that my parents struggled raising 5 children and only my father worked. When I think of how unappreciative I was it makes me cry.

Christmas 1995 was the last year I got a present from my Mother, she died on October 13 and the day she died she picked out my present. My father came to visit that year and stayed for 2 weeks since he was now alone. Before I opened that gift Christmas Morning my Dad told me that on the 13th my mom and him had been at a craft show at the local mall and she saw this and told him, you make sure to come get this tomorrow for Julie for Christmas. My Mom passed away that night. My Dad and older sister went to the mall the next day and bought the gift.. A bird house. My mom knew that I would love it. And I did and still do, it is the last gift of Christmas from my Mother.

Jump to Christmas 2009 to present...this has been a ROUGH 2 years! Probably the hardest years of my life. Bad economy, no overtime, and deep in debt. Jose and I have had to make decisions that I never thought we would have to make EVER!! We tried every thing we could from a debt settlement, which they told us they couldn't help cause we had too good of credit and we were not behind on our bills, our interests rates on credit cards were better then they could offer. We tried to To cash out our 401ks on a hardship but we were not facing foreclosure so it was not an option for us. After meeting with our investments and tax counselor and an Attorney we had no choice but to file bankruptcy. This was the hardest thing I have done in my life, it was hard on my emotions and our marriage. Not something I wanted to do but had no other path to go down. Let me say it is not fun. I have no credit cards, can not buy anything on a credit card, and will probably never have credit card. This year has taught us to save money we can only pay with cash or debit cards. It has probably been harder on me then Jose as I always felt that I had to buy everyone a gift or they wouldn't have a good Christmas. We have saved money out of every pay check so that we could pay for gifts, needless to say things come up Kathleen moving to Va and back and paying for plane tickets, serious car problems this summer on 2 cars, so when the first of December arrived our savings account was not what we planned a year ago. I have cried about it and worried about if our children will be disappointed this year, and think of all the things I would love to buy for Jose and the kids. I often tell Jose this is not what I expected our lives to be like at this point in the game, and I know that this was the only thing we could do. I am still a good person even though this is not something I am proud of having to do. I'm not a deadbeat. We were just 2 people that got caught up in spending money to spoil our children and thought spending money was the way to do it.

Jose told me last Saturday you need to stop focusing on what we don't have and focus on what we do have. We have a home still, we have jobs still, we have enough money though it is tight cause we have to pay back $ on our bankruptcy, and we have each other! I haven't told any one but a close friend Nicole, I guess whoever reads this now knows. But I guess sometimes it feels good to come clean and no longer live a lie and I guess that is now.

I know that 2011 is going to be a better year for us and the Lord always provides for us in strange ways, Just today we went to Jose's moms house, she had a list of some thing she wanted us to do around the house. And then she gave us a Turkey, and a box of canned goods. We will survive!

GOD BLESS US ONE AND ALL AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I believe MIRACLES!

2010-09-18T12:25:00.000-06:00

Update on my Sister- n- law Holly.... Nothing but good news! She recently went to the Dr for a checkup, and the doctor that checked her CT scan for the clot in her lung reported her lungs look better then anyone could have believed. Her doc was thrilled out of his mind and so is the family. Holly asked him what does all this mean? How can I have lung cancer killing me and still the labs, etc, look better every time. He said this will eventually kill you, the liver cancer, but not anytime soon. Her sister also a nurse was with her at the appointment and both started crying. Holly said she thought I saw a few tears in her Dr.'s eyes too. Thanks for the prayers and good vibes.
Ok well maybe be a little bad news too... While Holly was on her 1st and 2nd rounds of Chemo, her hip that she had replaced prior to all of this, kept popping out of the socket. My brother Tom, had to call the ambulance and she was taken the Emergency room.. This has happened 6 times, and very excruciating pain. After the CT scan showing the cancer was gone in her lungs, they did another hip replacement and put in a bigger joint so it will not pop out. She was back up and walking really well in just a matter of days. Holly and Tom decided to drive to Washington so they could visit some friends since Holly was feeling better and felt up to the trip. They stopped to eat and while walking out of the cafe, Holly tripped and fell. Tom rushed her to the closest Hospital, she had fractured her arm! What else can she go through! So back to Idaho they went she met with a Orthopedic Surgeon and they had to put pins, and plates and screws to put her back together.
She is in good spirits and seems to be spending alot of time on Facebook lately keeping the family caught up with each other.

Sometimes Life Just Isn't Fair....

2010-06-26T21:26:00.000-06:00

This is my brother Tom his wife Holly and their family. My brother got married back in the 70's (I was young and don't remember the year) He has two children Sarah (the one in the purple shirt) and Patrick (the one with the NY Yankee's hat) Tom's marriage to his first wife Sharon did not last long. If I remember right they got divorced with Patrick was just an infant because I remember the 3 of them moving back in with us when I was still in school. My brother had custody of his kids and was/is a good Dad. He met and married Holly sometime in the 80's, she has 3 children, Cassidy, Matthew (in the gray), and Michael.
So that is the family... They have been through hard times just like all of us have, moving, losing jobs. Michael almost got killed in a car wreck. Sarah moving away to Arkansas, Matt to Texas, and Micheal working for the government and traveling the world. Tom and Holly actually got divorced from each other once but realized they couldn't live without each other.
Holly got injured at work as an RN and has been on disability for several years. She has always been a sister n law that has been very concerned about our health. In fact in 1985 she was the one that made my mother go to the Doctor for some symptoms that ended up being Colon Cancer. Holly, would call me when I was on bed rest through both of my pregnancies getting an update on how I was doing. When the girls were born early and Victoria was diagnosed with the Cataract and Glaucoma she would call to see how she was.
In 1995 Holly was the one to call me to tell me my Mother had passed away.
In 1998 when Jacqi was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer, she was there with my sister Valerie and I staying with her in the hospital, she was there at Jacqi's bedside when she was put on Hospice.
When Jose had his stroke in 2004, Holly would make sure to call and check to see how his recovery was going and give me words of encouragement and help me not discouraged when he would have set backs.
Now here it is... June 10 2010, Holly goes in for a Hip replacement, it goes well. On June 12, her O2 levels drop and the Doctor's do a chest X-ray to make sure she doesn't have pneumonia, The Doctor's come and tell my brother and Holly they see spots on the chest X-ray and her entire right lung is full of cancer.
Thursday she has a PET scan, the results are the Cancer is in her right lung, liver, spine, ribs and scapula.
She has been given 2-3 weeks to live.
I get this information from my Sister. I am a crier just like my dad, I tell Valerie there is no way I can call Tom I know I would cry. So I text him.. I LOVE YOU! What else do I say to him, I have no idea what to say.
Thank goodness he calls me, we have not talked in over a year. We talked on the phone for almost 2 hours.
My poor brother, he seems like he is so lost not knowing what to expect or what to do and his mind going in 50 million directions. I can't even imagine what he is going through. What would you do, think or feel after given the news your spouse has 2-3 weeks to live?
I called Holly on Thursday after I got home from work,I was afraid to call her I was afraid of crying and what do I say? She was in good spirits at the time, she knows her family and friends love her and she knows she is dying but started chemo that afternoon to try to buy some time. I told her Holly this is not fair. She said I know sometimes Life just isn't fair....But how are you? Oh my gosh that is so Holly being concerned how someone else is. She tells me she isn't in any pain now they she has been put on a patch for pain management, and we laughed at how she has finally got some sleep but Tom keeps waking her up, to ask her questions or tell her that he thinks he is going to sell the house. She got to go home today from the hospital, Cassidy, Michael, and Patrick are home now. Sarah can't come home till the end of July. My sisters girls Sonja and Makenzie will be there today or tomorrow from Oregon. They spent a lot of time at Tom and Holly's house when they were growing up. I have decided not to go see her I want to remember her they way she was the last time we saw each other. She knows I love her.

Class of 2010...the rest is still unwritten

2010-06-03T14:02:00.000-06:00

Last night was Kathleen's graduation from High School, I don't know why but graduations make me cry. I cried and my own, cried at my little sisters, cried when James graduated so wasn't surprised when I cried last night. However I started crying as soon as the graduates started walking in. Kathleen was in the 5th row from the front, I have to say I was a little sad to not see Victoria in that group of kids too, and she kept telling me all through the ceremony she was sorry.
I cry at my kid's graduation because I remember the first day I took them to kindergarten, I cried.. I hid behind the wall so they wouldn't see me cry, and last night I cried because now my children are grown and I now realize that 12 years went really fast and Kathleen is leaving on Saturday to move to the other side of the country to write the next chapter in her life.

The speakers last night all talked about events that had happened during their lives, and the memories they had made in school, and as they move on in their lives to remember the great things they had accomplished together as a class. Mostly to remember that they are each the author of their own story, and they can write whatever they want to. Remember the rest is still unwritten......

Memorial Day...

2010-05-31T19:39:00.000-06:00

In remembrance of my family that has left this earth before me.. I know you are all in a better place, all of you free from the pain you had on this Earth, and I know all of you are waiting for me in Heaven.
Mother and Jacqi, not a day goes by that I don't think of you...I wish that you could have been here with us on James's wedding, and graduation. Now Kathleen and Victoria getting ready to graduate.
Kathleen moving away to the other side of the country, Mom, I understand now why you cried when I moved. Had I of known hard hard it is to let your children go I'm sure I would have moved away. So many times I wish you were both here to talk to I guess we will have a lot to catch up on when we meet again. I love and miss you both!

If Roses Grow in Heaven

If roses grow in Heaven Lord
Please pick a bunch for me.
Place them in my Mother's arms
and tell her they're from me.
Tell her I love her and miss her,
and when she turns to smile,
Place a kiss upon her cheek
and hold her for a while.
Because remembering her is easy,
I do it everyday,
But there is an ache within my heart
That will never go away.

"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us." ~ Helen Keller

Gardening..

2010-05-31T17:11:00.000-06:00

Update on the Garden...here are some new pictures. My strawberry plants are LOADED with blooms, I hope this means that there will be Big Strawberries by the 4th of July, and my squash are sprouting!!

I have to show you some of the flowers in my yard. I love old heirloom flowers.. the Peonies and Iris are my two favorites. Any time my friends tell my the are thinning out their plants I take advantage and get some.

These I planted about two years ago, and this year they have the prettiest blooms.

My yellow Iris's are just starting to bud I can't wait for them to bloom. My red peonies are just blooming,
I really want to get some more of them. I remember my Mom and Grandma having some really pretty pink ones, I would like to find some to plant in my yard.

And another one of my favorites here the Snowball bush. I planted this about 15 years ago.. When I was growing up my Great Grandmother had one in her yard that was huge. I remember one year the snowballs were so big that my cousins and I we picked them and threw them at each other pretending they were real snowballs.. We got in so much trouble.. Little did we know that Great Grandmother really liked to look at them on the bush not thrown all over her yard.

I am hoping for a good crop of veggies that I can share with my friends.

Planting the garden.

2010-05-16T11:56:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I got all the garden planted but the green beans. I hope it produces a lot of vegetables this year. Last year we had just zucchini, tomatoes and lettuce. This year I am trying peas, green beans, banana squash, romaine lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, grape tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, celebrity tomatoes, red & white potatoes, jalapeno & Anaheim peppers, patty pan squash, and strawberries. I think that is all I planted.We also planted some pots of Oregano and Basil.
It will be fun to see how all of these plants we got from Victoria's Greenhouse class grow. We sure got a lot of plants. I still have a flat of geraniums to get planted.

The view of the garden.

Peas planted along the trellis.

Tomatoes and potatoes in the top box. peppers, flowers and zucchini in the lower one.

Look we have some Strawberry blooms!

The pots of Oregano and Basil and Belle

Birthday's-Mother's Day and Minor Accident.

2010-05-14T17:21:00.001-06:00

What a wonderful Mother's Day I had. Friday before Jose and I got off work at 10:45 to get ready for the girls 18th birthday and a BBQ with their friends, when we got done with all the grocery shopping he turned down a different road then we take and ended up in front of the gym where I have been paying $6.00 to take a Zumba class twice a week. I had told him I wanted to buy a monthly pass and see if there were other classes I was interested in.
Friday night the girls had friends over and BBQ'd burgers, and hot dogs.

Saturday morning I got up at 6:30 to go to the gym at 7:00am for a class called 30/30/30 it was 30 min of upper body strength training and 30 lower and then 30 core. After about 10 minutes I wondered what I had gotten into. I did stay for the whole class, but didn't stay for the 8:30 Zumba.

When I got home Victoria told me her green house class she had taken was giving away the plants they grew for free. We went there and I got all the plants we needed to plant our garden, and flowers for the yard. She was pretty proud that she had helped grow them, and was giving me a gift I loved.

Saturday night we took the girls to their favorite place to eat Texas Roadhouse.

I Love their bread and the garden salad there. They always get chicken fingers and for some reason that night the people behind the girls were really annoying Kathleen, she was ready to turn around and tell them to be quiet.

Sunday morning, Kathleen and I got up to go to the gym, we drove up to my work, but for some reason we couldn't get into the building. They had been having trouble with the security system during the week. So we ended up walking along the Jordan River down by Gardner Village. We saw so many birds. We ended up walking about 2 miles then came home.

Then we went to breakfast at IHop to celebrate again the girls Birthday since Sunday really was their birthday. We gave them their birthday presents while at breakfast. Kathleen cried at the card we gave her, it was a funny card but I guess what Jose and I wrote in it made her emotional. She is leaving 2 days after High School graduation to move to Virginia so we bought her as a birthday gift and Graduation her plane ticket and luggage. I hope it works out for her and she finds something to make her Happy. After breakfast we went to Gardner Village to take a picture of the girls by this huge Birthday Cake.

James and Whitney came over for dinner and we BBQ'd Chicken and corn,

took another picture with the kids, it may be the last one they are all at home at the same time. :(

The Lilac bush behind us Jose gave me on the first Mother's Day we lived in this house, and the girls first Birthday.

I Love my Family!!

The Minor Accident.....
Tuesday, Kathleen called me from school and told me she needed to go to BYU the next morning to take a test for an on line class. Jose and I took the day off to take her not knowing how long we would need to be at BYU.
Tuesday night while putting away dishes I had a bowl fall back and hit me right on one of my front teeth and chip my venner righ off the corner. So attractive! I called the dentist right away and was able to make an appointment for Wednesday afternoon. Thank goodness cause I wouldn't have wanted to walk around for long looking like this..

April Updates.

2010-04-14T19:30:00.000-06:00

It is hard to believe this month is half way over. Tomorrow is pay your Taxes day. James and Whitney have closed on their home and have been busy cleaning and painting. Last weekend Whitney's parents and Jose and I helped them paint the up stairs rooms so they could get carpet installed on Saturday. It looked really nice. Sad we didn't take before pictures of the place cause it was really messed up.
Easter this year was very different. My kids have out grown Easter egg coloring, so this year we decided to make cake ball eggs and decorate them (well Kathleen and I did at least) They turned out really cute, but I have to admit after eating a couple of cake balls I think I would rather just have a piece of cake.
Jose, Kathleen and I also went to see the movie "How to train your Dragon" very cute movie even if you don't have kids. Funny how the holidays seem so different as your kids get older now I know how my Mom must have felt when we all grew up and moved away. I think I am starting to get that empty nest feeling.

He may hold the Key to My Heart..But this is the Key to Our Marriage.

2010-03-18T21:55:00.001-06:00

On Tuesday Jose and I celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary. We had taken Monday and Tuesday off not with really any big plans to celebrate it but just to be home together. (not like we are ever very far apart from each other) It was nice to sleep in. We went to breakfast Tuesday morning at I-Hop.
Exchanged gifts, we bought each other Silver rings for our Silver Anniversary. Jose also gave me a Heart necklace with a Key. Then we went to the Outback Steakhouse for dinner and yummy dessert we shared this plate we didn't each have one, the raspberry cheesecake was worth the 3pounds I gained!

I can still remember the first day I saw him, walking down the isle at work at AT&T. I had just moved to Salt Lake City from Boise and had not dated anybody or really laid my eyes on anyone I would have wanted to date. The minute I saw Jose, I told a co-worker. "I am going to marry that guy."

I didn't even know his name, but I just knew that he was why I moved to Salt Lake.

Thank goodness my boss and his sister had the same thing in mind that we would be a cute couple, and introduced us. (my boss gave me a job to do that I had to change desks and it was by his) I found out he liked fried chicken, liked to watch basketball and was a funny guy. Our first date though didn't go so well.. He came to my apartment to pick me up we were going to go out for Pizza and play video games. When he got to the door almost instantly his eyes started watering and he asked, "do you have cats?"

He was allergic to cats... Dang! Well we still went out he bought a pitcher of beer.. oops I don't drink beer,
we had pizza and talked. Then we went to play video games. Now he didn't know this but my friends and I were always at the arcade when I lived in Boise and I loved to play Galxyan. I let him think I hadn't played it,
Then I kicked his BUTT!! LOL
Yes he won out over my 2 cats that had been my pets for a couple of years, I knew that if I wanted him to be around I had to make a choice.. I found good homes for my cats they went to a co-worker.

The first time he came to my apartment it was around this time of year and college basketball was on. I told him I would make dinner. Never fried chicken before.. Help Mom! never baked an apple pie.. Help Marie Calendar! Dinner was good.. I dropped the pie taking it out of the oven...lol cause I wanted him to think I baked it.. LOL! Oh it was a good laugh.. I guess my fried chicken must have done the trick. We have been together ever since. He proposed to me at Lagoon on the Magic Carpet Ride, he said to me, "You wouldn't want to get married would you?" I asked him well are you asking me to marry you? You see what happened.

Oh it's not all been a bed of roses, or a Magic Carpet Ride. We faced both of us being laid off of work just after getting married and buying a home. Several surgeries, 2 Pregnancies (both me on bed rest for 3 months) Deaths of a Father, a Mother and a Sister, and your normal everyday struggles of Adult life, jobs, kids, bills, loss of pets. Jose's stroke 5 years ago that altered our lives. But we survived them all.

We have had a lot of happy and fun times. The birth of our children. James on a Snowy Tuesday. The cutest 8lb baby boy with brown hair and big brown eyes I had ever seen. The first time we took James to Disneyland at age 5 was also the first time for Jose. We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel for a week. James didn't want to leave he wanted us to get jobs there and live there. It was so much fun! The pregnancy of our twins, Kathleen and Victoria, and they early delivery 8 weeks early on a Rainy Saturday. I have to honestly say I loved being a mom of twin babies. It was never a dull moment around our house while our children were younger always running from one baseball game to another with all 3 of them.

James getting married, graduating from the Uof U, the girls getting ready to graduate this year.

Out of our marriage we have 3 wonderful Children each of them with their unique personalities, talents and abilities. I guess they are a good mix of us both. We have a nice home, not a mansion, but a comfortable home. We have had 4 wonderful dogs, KC, Xena, Belle and Jack.

But I really tried to remember something my mother told me on my wedding day. Never go to bed mad at each other. It has been good advice. However we have gone to bed upset with one another, but we haven't slept. One of us will always give in and start talking. I guess that has been our key to a successful marriage. That and we are Best Friends!

Kiss me I'm Irish...

2010-03-17T16:06:00.001-06:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day!! Today is one of my favorite days....
1)Cause I LOVE the color GREEN
2)Cause the weather is getting warmer.
3)Cause my flowers are blooming.
4)Cause I still have a tradition with my kids that the Leprechaun Fred leaves them a treasure to find when they wake up. (and they still like it after 17 years)
5)Cause I am going to make Irish Soda bread.
and
6)Cause I am IRISH! The clan of McGehee!

Not that I have ever been to Ireland, but according to my grandfather he used to tell us that the McGehee family had a castle in Ireland. Who knows if true but today I can honestly say I'm Irish!

Irish Soda Bread and Shepherds Pie

Whats up this week....

2010-03-10T19:01:00.000-07:00

James and Whitney's offer they put on the house they looked at was excepted, tomorrow is the inspection, and the realtor and mortgage officer is pushing to get them closed by the end of April if not sooner. Looks like depending on how this inspection goes we will be helping them do some clean up so then can become official home owners. I am so excited for the two of them to have their own place.
I had to go back to the Dr. today this bronchitis is not going away and I had finished the antibiotics Tuesday.
I still have this wheezing in my chest and the terrible cough. I know I have kept Jose awake at night.
And my abs are killing me I feel like I have done a million sit ups. I am hoping the new medication he gave me today will kill this bug I got, and he gave me a cough medicine so I am hoping for a peaceful nights sleep.

All my Children...

2010-03-03T18:39:00.000-07:00

Kathleen got home from her trip to Norfolk Virginia on Sunday night. She had a great time, and had plenty of stories to tell on our way home from the Airport. She said one of the strangest things was amusement park rides were along the road everywhere they went. The drink of choice back there is not Coke or Pepsi, but Orange soda. When they went out to eat they would ask if they wanted Orange Soda like they ask here if we want Coke or Pepsi. But the one that got me laughing the most is I only counted 36 White people..
can you say Culture shock. LOL
She loved the beach and brought home some shells she found. She called us Saturday while she was there for us to guess where she was at. She said it was huge! She is now my only child that has been from one coast to coast.

Victoria being home without her sister for 3 days I think realized how much she really missed her. Thursday night she spent crying that she missed Kathleen, just like when she was little and Kathleen would spend the night somewhere and Victoria was home. (must be a twin thing) They can sit in their own rooms alone and text each other from, but put those miles between them and it makes a difference. Needless to say they were each happy to see each other Sunday night.

James and Whitney, looked at a house on Saturday out in West Valley. We are hoping they get it I know they really want to be out on their own and not living with Whitney's parents. It is a 4bdr home 2bath, nice yard. It needs cleaning and some fresh paint and it will turn out to be a nice home for them. Oh and they bought a new car a Kia Forte (its really nice and the front seat was comfy) Whitney's VW was having some major issues.

So that is the story for now of All my Children... for the moment they are all doing well.

Learning to let my Children grow up.

2010-02-23T19:24:00.003-07:00

One of my twins (Kathleen) is getting on a plane Thursday to fly across the country to surprise her best friend for her birthday. I know she will be fine and she will have a wonderful time on her trip. But just like the first day of Kindergarten I get teary eyed thinking about letting one of my babies out from under my wing. I guess this is just a practice run for whats coming up in a couple of months. Cause my girls will be graduating from High School, and joining the adult world. Now I know what I put my Mother through when I was this age.

I hope that I have taught them how to behave and to be productive adults. I hope they were listening to their Father and I when what they thought were lectures but just our words of wisdom.

Oh if I only knew at 17 what I know now! But I guess that is part of growing up.

Personality change?

2010-02-19T20:34:00.002-07:00

I have a question that has been bugging me for a week now. As people lose weight do they have a personality change as they are transforming their body?

I spent some time with a person who recently lost a significant amount of weight in a rather short amount of time. After spending several hours with this person I really felt that their personality had changed just as well as their body. To the point that I felt I really didn't know them any longer.

I am not sure if I am jealous of the weight they have lost now or not, because I think the lose of the weight has changed them into someone I really felt uncomfortable being with.

After being with this person really got me to thinking about my own weight loss journey, and wondering if my personality is changing as well. I don't think I treat people like I am better then they are for losing weight. I told my family if they ever felt I was acting differently to knock me in the head. I don't want to change who I am personality wise, I only want to change myself health wise. I know this is changing my lifestyle. I know workout 6 days a week I lift weights and jog. Which I wasn't doing a year ago. I look at food differently now it is a means of fuel and not a means of mouth to hand action. I know it has changed me emotionally and physically. But I sure hope this doesn't change my personality. If you know me and see this happening will you please tell me. Cause I still want to be the same person just alot thinner.

Just let me cry...

2010-01-24T19:15:00.002-07:00

Today while driving in the car with Jose, one of my songs that make me cry, came on the radio. Miley Cyrus, The climb. This song makes me cry every time I hear it. I think because one Monday night on my way to Weight Watchers probably close to a year ago it came on the radio. This song I know isn't about losing weight, but for some reason I have associated it with my weight loss journey. (and yes it has been one hell of a journey) Why have I made it such a battle and at times a steep uphill battle for myself. Comparing myself to others losing weight. Some so much that I don't even associate with her anymore. I couldn't stop beating myself up at how fast she was losing and how slow it was going for me. I find it hard to not compare myself to people I don't even know but to see them losing at a faster rate then myself really makes me beat myself up. I should be losing this faster, or why isn't it coming off of my gut. Damit I now have these Chicken Legs just like my mother did and this big Fat gut like Santa. At times I even wondering if I am ever going to get to my healthy weight, is this working out 6 days a week and writing down what I eat worth it?
Then I have to stop and remind myself of the words of this song it’s not about how fast I get there, it’s about me continuing and being persistent with what I am doing. It’s about what I am learning about myself and how to get to my healthy weight and stay there.
Next is the Hoobastank song moving forward. I put it on my ipod in October when I starting jogging to do a 5k on Thanksgiving Day. It came on at that point in my 3.10 miles that I wanted to quit my legs were so tired and I really wanted to give up. I was feeling like there is no way I complete this commitment I had made to myself and my friend Nicole.
So here comes this song and here I am moving at a slow jog and crying and I just kept singing that at least I’m moving forward. Now every time this song comes on my ipod while I am running I start crying. I start thinking not just about the mistakes I make at losing weight, but other mistakes that I have made in the last couple of years. But I am moving forward this is a New Year. It is going to by MY YEAR. I am determined to get there. I just have to enjoy this climb and keep moving forward.!
But today just let me cry...

2010-01-24T18:23:00.001-07:00

Christmas 2009 This year I didn't forget pictures!

2009-12-26T17:03:00.007-07:00

I can't believe how fast this past month has gone. Seems like it was Thanksgiving and before I knew it Christmas was here. This year we decided to draw names amongst the 6 of us and we set a $20.00 limit. The kids were all very responsive to the idea when I suggested it on Thanksgiving. We drew names that day (didn't keep them a secret). It was fun to really think about what I was going to buy for Victoria, who's name I drew. I ended up getting her a movie Baby mama one of her favorites, a key finder cause she is always misplacing her car keys, a teckdeck toy cause she is still a kid, and an electronic coin counting bank.
On Christmas Eve I got up at 7am and went to Gene Fullmer to walk/jog on the treadmill. One of my new habits (that will be a different post)
We went to breakfast at Village Inn on Christmas Eve which was fun I think we may need to start that as a new tradition. Then we opened Christmas pj's with all the kids in the evening. Yeah this year I got smaller ones !(no longer from the FAT ladies dept).

Christmas morning we got up with the girls to open gifts. For the past week Kathleen and Victoria have been going nuts over some gifts I wrapped and put in a big basket. 40 little tubes wrapped in different paper and tied at the ends, and on one for each of them marked open me first. It was funny to hear them try to guess what was in them. Kathleen was thinking maybe tickets to a concert she had wanted. (why didn't I think of that) Victoria was hoping for cash.

No none of the above.. just the traditional Christmas socks! I had to think of a creative way to wrap them so they would feel like there was more for them to open. I had written on some of the tags, "are you tired of opening yet?" and LOL and :) on them it was funny.

And Santa left this beautiful package all wrapped up in shiny red, black and silver paper to match my new pj's.... it was a George Foreman grill.. Just what I always wanted!

SWEEET! STEAKS FOR DINNER THE 26TH!

After we opened our gifts, we went to Whitney's parents for a wonderful breakfast that Diane and Whitney and Steve made, waffles, hash browns, eggs and ham and bacon.

Then we had dinner with the girls and their friend Richard in the evening.

All in all even though we didn't spend as much money as we normally do at Christmas. And we managed to use only cash. We learned that it's not about how expensive the gifts are, how much money we spend or even where we shop. It was about spending time with our family. All of us Happy and having a wonderful day together.

The Christmas Jar

2009-12-16T21:14:00.003-07:00

Last year for Christmas a close friend of mine gave me the book the Christmas Jars.
It is such a touching story about a young married couple who didn't have much money for Christmas so they saved their change and split the money for each of them to buy a present for the other. As years past and they had children they still continued to save money in their Christmas Jar. One year when while on their way to the bank to cash in their savings they came upon a young mother crying the young daughter told her father that that lady needed the Christmas jar. The family decided to give it away to help cheer the woman. On Christmas eve the little girl said to her father we gave a way Christmas. The family felt the blessings that this act had given them to give away the money they had saved. As each year passed on Dec 26th they would start saving again in a new jar and give the jar away to someone that was less fortunate then they were.

After reading the story I decided that I was going to keep a Christmas jar for 2009. At the end of each week I took the change out of my wallet and put it in a little can. Then at the end of the month I put that money into a bigger jar. I have kept it all year long, granted some months I have had more change then others, but I have always managed to put something in it every month.
At the beginning of the month I asked my friend who gave me the book if she knew anybody that I could give my jar too, and if she knew who she was going to give her jar that she kept this year to. I had seriously thought about just keeping it for myself and giving the change to my girls as part of their Christmas. Cause money is tight for us this year too.
This past week a my friend had a church member pass away and left behind a wife and 5 children. One of her daughters told her, "mom that is who we need to give our Christmas jar to"
Today while I was at work, I went to a co-workers desk to ask a question. When she turned around she was crying. I asked her what was wrong. She told me just the lack of money and Christmas. I knew her husband has been out of work since this summer, and she has 2 small children. I knew right then that she was who would be getting my Christmas jar. I still had some Christmas money left to buy presents for my own family. I told Jose I would rather know that her children have something under the tree at Christmas then to use it on my self. I didn't buy much but got them both a shirt and another gift for under the tree.
I have to say tonight I feels so good to think when she finds it tomorrow on her desk that I have helped her out a little. I counted the money in the jar it's not a lot only $40.18. But I hope that will give her enough money to at least buy something for her Christmas dinner or another gift for her children.
Now on Dec 26th I will start my next Christmas jar!

The Holidays are Upon us.

2009-12-13T18:31:00.003-07:00

Jose's sister Elma and brother n law Ron were here the first of the month to visit from Arizona.
While they were here we went to the fesitival of the trees, Jose and I hadn't been since before we got married. (almost 25 years ago) It was fun to see all the beautifully decorated trees. It just amazes me how many different ideas people can come up with.
After seeing all the trees it really put me in the mood to decorate the house, and get into the mood for Christmas.

This was my favorite tree. The I love Lucy.

Ron loves Nightmare before Christmas. This Jack Skellington was a cute place to take their picture.

HOW DOES MY GARDEN GROW?

2009-07-29T16:10:00.002-06:00

GOOD ENOUGH TO HAVE FRESH TOMATOES AND LETTUCE!

ADD A LITTLE BACON........

AND WE HAVE ONE OF THE BEST TASTING BLT'S WITH THE TOMATOES AND LETTUCE OUT OF OUR GARDEN.

AND A BIG SMILE ON KATHLEEN'S FACE!

REUNION WITH HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDS

2009-07-29T15:41:00.007-06:00

This year is my 30 year class reunion from Payette High. I really have no desire to go but there were a few girlfriends 3 to be exact that I would love to see. Annette Knight, Kim Bright, and Darla Hale. Well Luck was on my side I reconnected with Kim and Darla on Facebook.
We had chatted about it being our 30 year reunion, and I told them I only really wanted to see the 3 of them. Kim and Annette had been wanting to take a roadtrip for the summer and plans were made for them to come for a weekend. I was so excited to see them I had taken the day off work to clean house and grocery shop for a BBQ, and Vegan foods for Annette. We stayed up till almost 2am looking through my high school yearbooks and a scrapbook I had made from pictures I had kept of us after High School.

This is the four of us 1979. Love the big glasses and the feather boas.

AND THE FOUR OF US NOW! 2009
Kim and Darla in the back and me and Annette sitting. Yes we have aged some, gracefully I might add. We planned to try to get together each year, not wait another 20.

2009-05-31T16:45:00.001-06:00

The End of the road...

2009-05-31T14:30:00.002-06:00

My Uncle Frank passed away Friday May 22. He was 75 years old. He died just hours after being diagnosed with lung cancer. It's sad. Not so much for my Uncle, he is in a better place now and definately not in any pain anymore. He is with my mom, and little sister, his parents and grandparents. What is sad it that, I have not gone to Payette to see my father in 9 years, or my oldest brother in 10years. I have not seen my sister Jacqi's children, Ethan and Goldie since she passed away in 1998. I have not seen some of my cousins in 30 years. Thats sad that a family that was so close when I was a child, I have let drift away as an adult. I have become too busy to make the 6 1/2 hour drive.
At my Uncles funeral they had a collection of pictures that were taken throughout his life, pictures as a baby, with my grandparents who are now gone, and of my mother. One of the pictures they had was of the campsite my Uncle had found years ago for him and the family to go hunting in the fall. My cousin Doug, told me they call that the End of the Road, It was where they were when they got the call on Oct. 13, 1995 that my mom had passed away. It had become their favorite hunting spot because at The End of the Road you could see the most beautiful valley around Idaho.
After going to Payette for the 3 days I was there, I realize that my family is important to me and I do need to make that drive once a year to see them. It can't be just for funerals and my loved ones meeting each other on the other side at the End of the Road.

Christmas has come and gone.

2008-12-30T15:40:00.001-07:00

And.... I forgot to take any pictures... LOL!!!

I can't believe that I forgot to take pictures. I had the camera out sitting on the coffee table. After all the gifts had been opened and we had cleaned up I said to Jose. "I forgot to take pictures!"

This is the first Christmas since we have been married that we didn't take a picture of us with our Christmas socks and opening gifts.

But we had a good Christmas despite there being no pictures to prove it.

We woke up to a huge snow storm. We had at least 6 inches of snow at our house. James and Whitney were planning on being here at 8am but they didn't make it here till 9. That worked out well cause it gave me time to make breakfast. We had scrambled eggs, sausage, and hashbrowns for everyone to make breakfast burritos. And yummy french toast sticks. After we ate, we opened gifts.

Jose got his dremel tool that he wanted. I got a new Miche purse with 4 covers to go on it. It is really cool, we also got one for Whitney as she is a purse lover too

ITS BEGINNING TO LOOK ALOT LIKE CHRISTMAS!

2008-12-16T16:17:00.006-07:00

I love decorating for Christmas. It is one of my favorite holidays. I love my red and white candy trees that I put up on the pantry between the kitchen and living room. I have found some really cute ornaments at various stores. I just love how festive and fun they are. Then I have found some big jars that I fill with red and white candies and sit on the kitchen counter.

Our stockings are hung above the fire place. What will Santa fill them with this year?

And out in the lawn, enjoying the fresh fallen snow, resides our little Penguin family singing carols to all who will listen!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

2008-12-13T22:36:00.002-07:00

Today was our first snow. Jose and I were at work when it started snowing this morning. It was looking like it could be a bad snow storm so we only worked for 3 hours. Put me in the Christmas mood though. I came home put the Xm radio on the pc, turned it up loud with Christmas music, and started making treats for work on Monday. My yummy reindeer munch as we call it at Christmas time.
Then I got our neighbor gifts started. I found the cutest little bottles of hunny that look like the bee from the Bee Movie. I am putting that with a cornbred mix and a pot holder.
I got my snowmen decorations out and put them up. I really do love Christmas decorations and I am really sad when I have to take them down.
Looking at the snow out the window and the lights on the house reminds me of being a kid. My parents loved to drive us around Payette and look at the lights on the houses. Our neighborhood has lots of lights on the homes this year. Maybe lots of light to make Christmas brighter what with the bad economy. I know that we have cut back alot on Christmas this year. After having the water heater replaced last month, Victoria getting into a car accident, and the brakes going out on the Explorer. Then today the 4-wheel drive went out in it.
Maybe Santa will have the publishers clearing house prize patrol come to our house on Christmas...LOL

Our New President

2008-11-07T21:56:00.002-07:00

I am so happy at the outcome of the elections on Tuesday. I have supported Barack Obama since I heard him speak at the Democratic Convention in 2004. When I heard him then, I thought this man was so uplifting. Never in all the times I have been able to vote was I so excited about this election. Barack Obama has a way of bringing people from all walks of life together. He makes me feel hopeful for our country. I could not help but cry Tuesday night when the announcement was made the Barack Obama was our 44th President. And when I woke up Wednesday moring I still cried. Never before in my lifetime have am I aware of a time when so many people in the world at one time were happy for one person, and were supporting our country. The world, the people want him to succeed. We needed someone who could bring hope back to our country. I can say I am proud to have witnessed this Historical moment. I believe that we can do great things with this new leadership. Not that he is God and is going to make everything right in one sweep of a magic wand. But by bringing people together and so much positive energy being we can't help but do great things. And turn this country around.

2008-10-20T18:37:00.001-06:00

A MONTH OF CAKES

2008-10-20T17:41:00.004-06:00

This has been a busy month for cake baking! Which is good I almost have my mixer paid off!

I have made 9 cakes so far this month 2 dozen cupcakes. I have one more cake and a dozen cupcakes to make this weekend. It has kept me busy but it is alot of fun. Jose says I look stressed when I am baking. I told him I'm not stressed, I just want every one to be perfect.

Plus I finished another cake class this month. It was a fondant and gumpaste class. I have to say the new teacher, I was very disappointed in. I wish that Amy Flores wouldn't have quit. She was such a good teacher. This new girl... was a joke! I could have taught the class better then she did. And the 2 other ladies that took the class, one of them told Jose that they learned more from me then the teacher. It was sad!!! But here are the pic of the cakes I made this month.

I did the stamped fondant for my class, the gumpaste flowers and fondant was my finale cake for the class. I made a retirement cake for a lady at work. A boob/bikini cake for one of Victoria's friends brother's birthday. The dog bowl cake was for Nicole's son Payne's 3rd birthday. A breast cancer cake for a department at work. A cake for a 12 year old skater made to look like a cinder-block wall that had graffiti on it. Flipflops made out of carott cake with cream cheese frosting for my friend Billie's birthday. And a giant golf ball on a fondant T for Jani's brother.

My next order is a Spiderman cake with a dozen cupcakes.

2008-09-17T20:00:00.001-06:00

A NEW ADDITION TO OUR FAMILY!

2008-09-17T19:37:00.002-06:00

James and Whitney, became the proud parents of a 10 week old baby boy, PUPPY!!!!
He is the cutest thing ever. His name is Buddy.
They brought him over to play with Belle and Jack on Sunday.
We weren't quite sure what Belle would do. She isn't a mean dog but she
gets her nose out of wack sometimes. Jack has never been around other dogs besides Belle, he didn't know what to think about Buddy. However both Belle and Jack's tails were wagging 100mph. Belle tried to play with him and he snipped at her long ears.
They all did some butt sniffing and then became friends.
Buddy jumped up in James's lap and fell right to sleep.

Swiss Days!

2008-09-02T18:11:00.002-06:00

Me and my friends Nicole and Nicole, aka the 2 Nicole's.
Had a weekend getaway in Park City. We all got off work early on Friday and went to Park City. Our first stop was at the Outlet mall. Nicole Strait was the biggest shopper there she picked out some really cute clothes for herself and her kids. I found a really cute black purse. We all bought some goodies at Harry and David. Poor Nicole Saldivar she didn't get her cute black shoes she found.
After shopping we headed into Park City to find our hotel. Nicole Strait did the driving. Of course we didn't have the address, (how hard is it to find your way around a small town?) Well for us it was. Thank goodness Nicole Saldivar called her mom to look up the address. That would be easy to find now. NO.. Not in Park City. Good thing Nicole has GPS in her car... Only if it would have WORKED! LOL
Last resort call the Hotel for directions.. oh we weren't too far away after all. Silly girls!!!
We settled into our room, decided to go to dinner at the grill in the hotel, since we got a discount.
Had a wonderful dinner of Salmon Wellington, it was delicious.
The 2 Nicoles gave me a birthday gift of a really cute apron and a spatula.
We went back to our room, got into our pj's and rented Sex in the City. It was a cute movie.
We checked out of our hotel around 8:30 an headed into Midway. Thank goodness for printed driving directions this time.
Midway, Utah is a little town up in the mountains that looks like a swiss village. Every Labor day weekend they have a 2 day craft fair. It was fun to walk around and look at all the cute things that people make. Some of the pictures that some Artisians had there were absolutly beautiful, too bad the price tag was $1600.00.
It was fun and hopefully we will make this an annual event.

Swiss days/Girls getaway!

2008-09-02T18:10:00.001-06:00

GO GREEN LIVE GREEN

2008-08-26T18:45:00.003-06:00

Our attempts to help go green started in January when we changed out all of our lightbulbs to the florescent ones, and unplugging a freezer that we hadnt used in a long time. When we got our power bill in February we couldnt believe how much we had saved, it had gone down by $46.00. The nice thing is our equal payment has dropped by $34.00 a month. SWEET!!

We also purchased front loading washer and dryer, which has cut down on our gas and water bills.

We have also bought reusable shopping bags, they are so much stronger and hold so much more. No more plastic bags with just one item in them.

I also switched alot of our cleaning produtcs to Eco friendly ones. I really like the seventh generation they smell like coconut.

And we also did some yardwork and tore out some grass that is always yellow, added some arid dry plants, bark and a little stone path to the front door. We really have like the little path and have talked about next year taking it to the sidewalk.
And broke out the old push mower, that saves gas, helps the lawn by mulching the clippings, and cuts down how much water is needed.

We may not do a lot but hopefully our little bit will help make this a greener planet.

live green

2008-08-26T18:43:00.001-06:00

MY BIRTHDAY

2008-08-25T18:06:00.002-06:00

I celebrated my 47th birthday Jose and the kids. I made my own birthday cake this year. This was the second attempt. The first one I made was a total flop and the ugliest cake I had ever made. I should have taken a picture, but it was so bad... I ended up scraping off the frosting before I went to bed. When I woke up this green and pink polka dotted cake is what was in my head. It turned out pretty cute.
Saturday morning Jose took me to Ihop for pancakes, then we went to my new favorite store Michaels, to spend a gift certificate my friends, Trisha, Colleen and Lorie gave me. Halloween decorations were out so I got a couple of really cute Halloween things, along with a cake decorating kit for the 4th class I am going to start taking in Sept... Yeah!! I can't wait.
Then I got in the pool with Jose, James and Whitney. We floated around for a while in the warm sun. I had wanted to get in the pool last year on my birthday but we had green water problems. This year I made sure on my Birthday that the water was crystal clear, and wished for hot weather all week long. It was a sunny 98!
For dinner we went to the Texas roadhouse. yummy food. We were all so full when we got home we waited for a couple of hours before we had cake.
I opened my gifts. from Jose I got a $50.00 gift card to Michaels.. (yeah more cake stuff, or maybe Halloween). He also gave me the dvd Definately maybe, a cocker spainel key ring, and a nailfile with pictures of Golden Retrievers on it. (Aug 23 would have also have been Xena's Birthday) God Rest her Soul..
James and Whitney gave me a cosmetic bag full of my favorite Bath and Bodyworks products, Midnight Pomogranite, and Coconut Lime Verbena.
It was a wonderful day and a great weekend.

2008-08-25T18:04:00.001-06:00

SOME OF MY CAKES I HAVE MADE

2008-08-11T17:41:00.012-06:00

This cake I made for a friend a from work for her husbands 40th birthday. The fish was made out of red velvet cake and I filled it with tapioca pudding and swedish fish.

Grooms cake I made for James wedding. I kept it a secret from him he had no idea what it was until Sunday morning.

Mushroom cake for the girls in the Credit Union. This was an OOPS cake. It was supposed to be the baseball on a cake I was making, but I didn't put enough batter in the pans, and it didn't rise. I looked at it for awhile and saw a mushroom in it. They really liked it, and for being an OOPS, it turned out to be one of my favorites that I have made.

This is the wedding cake I had to make for the last class I took. It was inspired by my Mom. The class ended just a few days before her birthday. And her wedding dress was yellow. James got married the day after my parent's anniversary so she was already on my mind.

And last the fondant package, I have made 2 of these now and 1 more this week.

My cake decorating

2008-08-10T19:49:00.001-06:00

I have always liked to make cakes for our birthdays. This year I decided to take some classes to learn how to do more then just frost a cake. I have now completed 3 Wilton courses, and have one left to take. I have had lots of fun making cakes for family and friends.

James and Whitney's Wedding

2008-08-10T13:38:00.001-06:00

James and Whitney got married on Sunday June 15.

At the Tuscany in Salt Lake City.

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon. 100 Family members,

and friends attended the Ceremony. Then afterwards a

luncheon buffet was served with Turkey and Roast beef.

It was a long day, but turned out so beautiful.

The Minister that preformed the Ceremony, was wonderful.

There were lots of tears. (Tears of happiness)

I can't believe that my oldest is now married.. It makes me

feel really old.

After the Reception, we went to Whitney's parents home and\

watched them open gifts. They got lots of nice thing and tons

of gift cards that they had fun using to set up their home.