Summer is upon us!

I feel so behind on blogging and need to clear my head of all the cobwebs!

So since my last entry, my Aunt died. She was found in her Vegas hotel room the day before my 30th Birthday... big bummer. She was fairly young and left us all behind puzzled and sad. My cousins are devastated and angry. One of my cousins lived with her as well as her 4 year old daughter and are now living with family as they had nowhere else to go. It's all just wrong! She texts me every day, she's so lonely and lost without her Mother.

As for turning the big 3-0, I will say it was fabulous! I was ready to close the door on my 20's and all the drama that ensued. My Husband gave me the opportunity of a lifetime and took me to CA Speedway to drive 30 laps around the track at 150 mph in a stock car ALONE, yep no one in the car but moi. It was AWESOME! I highly recommend it! Racing is in my blood and the experience confirmed my suspicions of wanting to race as a career. Looking into it, it's going to take a miracle to get the $ but I'm on a mission... NASCAR here I come!

My Grandmother has finished chemo and has no detectable cancer left in her body! The treatments did a number on her but she should be fine by the end of this year. She had the first stage of reconstruction last month and still has a positive attitude.

The kids are out for the summer... is it Aug yet? I'm ready for them to go back to school lol. We've had a very busy summer but they're all to the point of bickering and the time-outs are becoming part of our daily routine around here.

I registered for Fall classes at the local Jr. College! I haven't been to school since 1996... I'm READY! I'm majoring in photography and graphic design and will be taking night classes. I need this time away for me and I'll be doing something I love and maybe some day can get paid for it??

I created a new blog for Family updates but I think for now I'll not link them. I need my thoughts to stay separate for now.

That's all I can think of for now, I'm sure something will hit me and I'll be posting again :)

Spring has sprung!

So many things to update on:

For starters my Grandma. She did great through her 2nd operation and has her first chemo next week! Please continue to pray for her to make it through this with ease.

We went to Disneyland for my daughter's 6th Birthday in early March. We had a BLAST! I swear I turn into a kid the second we hit the parking lot every time we go. I even get that monkey with cymbals thing going ha ha! It's just such a magical place. Oh, and eating at least 2 churros per day is a law LOL! They are my biggest weakness there. We got there late on Friday night and checked in to the hotel. The kids were all tired and cranky from being in the car for 4 hours and happily got out when we pulled up at 12:04 AM! Everywhere you look in the Disneyland Hotel is Mickey Mouse and the old world charm and imagination that Walt Disney left behind. There's an entire wall filled with framed photos of Walt w/ various famous people. Some date back to the very first day the park opened in 1955, I felt honored in a way to be there to see that and that it has all been preserved for generations to see. We spent the next two days wandering the park, running between rides and watching parades. My 2 year old got the most out of this trip that she has yet. Just to see the amazement of riding the rides, meeting the characters and just having a great time through my children's eyes is so neat for us! We celebrated my daughter turning 6 at the park at their event they hold on Sunday's for anyone having Birthday that month. It was a blast! We all got little cakes to decorate and eat! It's safe to say she felt very important all weekend! I got home and uploaded all 437 pictures from my camera and starting editing right away!

So, fast forward to this weekend... I spent the last two days at a scrapbooking event. Now we all can guess what on earth I'd have to possibly work on right?? I narrowed it down to 145 pics and almost got them all done. I'm on page 17 and have about 6 to go! I get teased by a lot of my friends that have not yet succumb to the crafty addiction otherwise known as scrapbooking. Hey, it's better than being hooked on crack or something right? I got home and my hubby took all 3 kids to the grocery store (which notes mild insanity) and was fixing a big family dinner when I walked in. I thought it was so sweet. I'd be so cranky had he been gone for 2 days and left me with the kids LOL! We had a nice meal and ended the weekend on a good note.

The dreaded in-laws are coming on Tues...KILL ME NOW! I swear I'm bing punished for something I did in a past life. We are like oil and vinegar. Even typing of their impending visit makes me take deep breaths. I'm dreading every second of it! Luckily, they live in Massachusetts and only come twice a year but each 3-4 day visit feels like a year and a fight always emerges between my Hubby and I no matter what. I'm positive there will be a hefty post about it when they leave so stay tuned on that one.

Don't know if I posted or not but my Hubby got a job after 2 weeks at home driving me insane ( I love the man don't get me wrong) and it's local so we're not moving either! He seems to really enjoy it so far and I have my house back just the way I like it run! :)

Tomorrow being St. Patty's Day and all I guess I have to get cracking on a recipe for Irish Soda Bread and something else authentic Irish being Irish and all. I got the kids cute little things to wear to school and a cute sign to hang by my front door. I will be somewhat distracted running around like a chicken with it's head cut off, cramming and slamming and mopping and scrubbing things before the in-laws arrive but I will make the time to make it special at some point before bed time lol.

I think that's all for now. I'll add on if anything else comes to mind. AS always, I appreciate those that read and comment!

Here's a little something special for tomorrow-

For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way-
Good health, good luck, and happiness
For today and every day.

I have some questions...

1. How do people find me on here?

2. How do I search for people?

3. Can I move a domain name over here if I'm already paying for it?

4. Where can I get a layout other than the templates on here?

5. How come I'm not notified when someone comments on a blog?

Thanks in advance!

Ugh my life!

In some serious need of...something. I feel like all aspects of my life are falling apart.

I went to Las Vegas for the 2nd time in a year for a girl's trip. Just like the last trip there was drama with one of the girls the whole weekend. The weather was freezing cold which to me is not Vegas at all. I did have a great time though and was glad I went. As usual getting home was not easy. My flight was canceled at the last minute but my luggage went without me. So, I got to spend the night in the airport without luggage to get on a plane the next morning and take 6 hours to get home vs. the 53 minute flight it normally takes. Ugh! I did finally get home though. I woke up the next day with viral plague that I probably caught in the airport and was down for the count with Influenza for 6 LONG days! I've NEVER been so sick in my life!

My Grandma got diagnosed with breast cancer. Not good. She underwent a full mastectomy about 10 days ago and is healing nicely when she gets the call that the biopsy of her breast that hand the lump shows that they didn't get it all. So she goes to the doctor and they tell her she needs another surgery in a few weeks and that she has to have chemo for sure now. Holy hell! This is WAY more than they had original thought. She's in her 60's and one court date away from being divorced for the 2nd time and lives alone. I'm really worried about her. My Mom has been traveling back and forth to keep her company and taking her to the doctor. I REALLY hope she makes it out of this.

So, last Thursday I get a text from my Husband that he was laid off and he'll be home soon. I write him back and tell him to knock it off and he wrote back saying he's serious. Sure enough about 3 hours later he showed up. We pretty much live paycheck to paycheck most months so I'm freaking out. He got a small severance and they paid him for his vacation time but it won't last forever. His phone rang off the hook that day as the news filtered down with concerned friends and co-workers. Lots of people asked for his resume and permission to give out his number. He's talked to a few people that may actually have jobs but they aren't local. He's on this big kick to move now which I want to but am afraid to take that step. It took me a long time to make friends here and the thought of starting over and uprooting the kids scares me to death. He's got a phone interview with someone new today. I just really hope something comes along soon.

TGIF right?

Got some tunes on while I tootle around online. It was bitter cold this morning when the alarm clock went off and I almost lost my arm to frostbite reaching for the snooze button lol. Two snooze cycles later I forced myself to get up. After my usual morning bathroom break, tooth brushing, checking for emails on my way to the coffee maker I check the weather for the day to dress the kids accordingly. It was 31 outside at 8 am! That's damn cold for this CA gal. I sent my morning text to the hubby like aways and he wrote back that it was 29 this morning when he left for work. I think we're both a little shaken by this cold thing going on here haha. It was 71 degrees just 3 days ago and now the high is 50.

I'm worried for my Grandma. She's in her late 60's, getting a divorce and only on her 3rd day of accepting the news that she's got cancer. She lost a son to cancer 15 years ago and had a nervous breakdown it hit her so hard. I'm afraid she doesn't have it in her to fight. She's a very special lady and she just has to come out on top somehow, she just HAS to. She's one of those people that is a good person with a huge heart and has just been dealt one shitty hand over and over. I don't know what it will do to this family to lose another person we love like this. My Mom will travel back and forth as much as she can to be there for her and I will certainly do what I can but sometimes it's not up to us. I know she's having one breast removed but we're waiting to find out if it's spread anywhere else or in her blood. No word on chemo yet.

I got my haircut yesterday. I'm still adjusting to it. I got an a-line bob which isn't much shorter than it was but there's no hair left for a lazy pony tail day and that scares me a little. Did I mention I had to take all 3 kids with me to the salon? Yah, I was terrified that I'd walk out of there with a twitch and they surprised me. I got them all a snack and a drink at the local coffee shop and myself my favorite mango iced tea they only make there (I'm convinced they invented it, don't ruin it for me) and we went inside. There's a little corner of the shop that has a tv and kid's movies so I parked them over there and didn't hear one peep for an hour and half! That's a serious miracle, especially for Little Miss I HATE to sit in the stroller AKA Ella. DH sent me a text just as we were leaving to check on the situation and he didn't believe me when I told him we were all fine and headed home. In fact, I got 2 more texts with further questioning since my answer was we're all done and fine. He though for sure I was sugarcoating it for his benefit ha ha. Now, I'm not saying they're coming every time but in a pinch I MIGHT try it again only if absolutely necessary.

Sunday my beloved husband turns 33. He's trying to overlook it but there's no way I'm skipping out on the chance to eat chocolate cake! I'm only a wee bit selfish. I've made reservations for Saturday night at a great restaurant and we've got a sitter and as of today the company of some friends. Sunday, o holy football day and his actual Birthday we're going to my Mom's for dinner but we have to go between games so he doesn't miss anything LOL. I just roll my eyes and comply. I can't deny the man football on his Birthday. I'm making him a FABULOUS chocolate cake with rich chocolate ganache and raspberry sauce. He's going to LOVE it! And, since the man refuses to spend money on himself EVER and needs new glasses, my family collectively pitched info for a gift card to his optometrist for a heafty amount so he has no excuses left. We're giving each other a joint gift for his Birthday and Valentine's Day. There's a fabulous set of vineyards out in the Santa Ynez Valley and they're having "A Wine Fantasy In February" event. We're taking a limo there and back and spending the day wine tasting and walking around, capping it off with a romantic dinner and then heading home in style! When I pitched the idea to him for a belated Birthday gift he jumped on it and agreed only if it can be my Valentine's gift as well. He's sharp as a tack that man. Kill two birds with one stone. It should be fun, romantic and an awesome day just the two of us!

Holy crap!

My Grandma found a lump in her breast a week ago. She freaked out and called my Mom who told her not to wait on getting it checked out. She went to the doctor the next morning and he sent her to the hospital for a mammogram. She went in and they actually found 2 lumps not one and one of them is rather large. She's on fish oil for her heart so they told her she had to wait a week for it to clear her system before doing the biopsy. It's been a VERY long week of worrying. She went in today at 2 pm for the biopsy and so far no news as far as I've been told. I called my Mom a while ago and she answered very abruptly and said she'd call me back and then just hung up. Not sure if she was on the phone with someone or what but I haven't heard back from her. I told myself that I would not come unglued until I had a reason to. The more I ponder the possibilities, the longer the list gets however what sticks in my mind the most is she lost a son to cancer. That weighs heavily with me. What is it going to do to my family if it's something bad? What if like my step-dad (her son) it's not fixable? I'm just not sure what to feel or what to say but I REALLY hope somehow it's an easy fix. This is not a good way to start off this year.

How do you spell relief?

S-C-H-O-O-L! That's right, school starts up again tomorrow morning! It's been a LONG and trying 3 weeks at home with my kids. While we have had lots of fun, a fabulous Holiday and two awesome weekends out of town I am SO ready to get back on track. The kids are ready too. I think they miss their friends and are tired of staring at these walls as much as I am.

I'm gearing up for a photography class that starts Jan. 22nd and my super fun trip to Vegas for a dear friend's Birthday on the 24th! I don't feel the pressure this go around to be as in shape mainly because it's cold in Vegas this time of year and I get to bundle up! Who wouldn't love to be off the hook and guilt free after coming off a two month long Holiday eating binge? I decided to bring the fixins for cocktails this time so we can have fun in our room as well as out and about. If you want a really yummy concoction try this:

3 oz. Rose's Mango Twist Mix
3 oz. Absolut New Orleans Mango Peppar vodka
3 oz. Orange juice
Shake until COLD and enjoy!

We made these last night and even my macho hubby loved it. He made quite the point to say he'd never order it out but he'd drink them any time I whip them up at home. I just rolled my eyes and laughed.

My Mother called this morning and requested my daughter Rylee (she's almost 6) and I to meet her for a GIRLS ONLY lunch and a shopping outing later. I wasn't impressed with the last minute request but who wouldn't enjoy some time out? I need to shower, dress us both and get the little one down for a nap while hubby and son stare like apes at the tv and eat potato chips while apparently do the male bonding thing over football. Did I mention I don't watch sports?? LOL

It's the little things that get my wheels spinning!

I'm sitting here mulling over a long to-do list and trying very hard to come up with some fantastic excuse to put it off. There's a big tree outside my window that always seems to look just beautiful. There's quite a breeze out today but the sun's out. The seriously overgrown branches have a sort of rhythmic sway that always catch my eye. The best time of day for window gazing is just before sunset. The sky turns all shades of red, pink and orange and is a fabulous backdrop for said tree. If it were to be in a movie I bet it could be a stand in for the Whomping Willow in Harry Potter! OK, maybe I need to get over my obsession now and get to work! I'll try and capture the exact scene later today as the sun begins to set and add it here.

Do you play office?

My main resolution of sorts for this coming year is to be better about organizing my life. I found a cool little project online called a HMB-AKA Home Management Binder. Inside a 3-ring binder you add dividers, page protectors, pens, notbeook paper, Post-It Notes and a spiral notebook. You then divide the binder into sections based on what you care to organize ie: Schedules, Meals, Cleaning, Finances, Kids Stuff etc. You then are given the task to design and or print a cover for the outside sleeve and cover pages for each subject. I have found this VERY entertaining and fun but then in dawned on me that I have to actually implement what'd inside the book once I'm done glorifying it. I sit here now and wonder if commitment should have been on my list ahead of organization? Nevertheless, I really am going to make an honest attempt at sticking to it. Stay tuned for a new post on how much better my life is thanks to my new best friend!

Cheers!