Chris comes in today, and gets to stay til Sunday. (That means another 4:30 wake up for the return trip to the airport....but its ok)

Tonight is practice for tomorrow's Confirmation, then we will have a party in the classroom. I got chips/sodas, and I will pick up a cake this afternoon after we get back from the airport. I'm not going to know what to do with myself next year on Tuesdays if I don't teach, LOL. I've taught CCD for 6 years! I *may* teach again in the fall (not sure yet) but only the little kids. No more sacraments for me;-)

I made our flight reservations for next Wednesday. Jpseph is really excited. He hasn't flown since he was 2 years old. It looks like we have a 2 hour layover in Vegas.......I *think* there are slot machines in the terminal near the gates :D We're flying at night.....both ways. I hope I will be able to sleep some. I'm sure Joe will. That kid can sleep anywhere;)

I've got to mop the kitchen floor this morning......guess I should get off my ass and get started.

I got my pink boots:-) UGG knock offs, but cute anyway. They are so NOT practical, but who cares. I felt like being frivolous, and they were only $30. Besides, they are cute.......did I mention that;-)

I dropped Joseph off at youth group this afternoon then went to Trader Joes. I picked up some 2 buck Chuck and a few other things. They have the best smelling soap......I got both lemon verbena and some rose. The rose has crushed rose petals in the soap. It smells soooooo good. I stopped at the dollar store on the way back. Its amazing what you can find for a dollar.

Mass was crowded tonight. I don't know why. Lots of kids are going now. The choir is really doing well. John gave Joseph some music to look at last week. He wants Joe to play the guitar when he's ready. Pretty cool......he's only been playing for a month or so. He picks up stuff quickly though. I am going to have to tell John how much he sounds like John denver. They did a song during the second offering. John sang alone before the kids joined in, and durned if he didn't sound just like John Denver;-)

I have to renew the library books tomorrow.....we've been so busy we haven't really read them much. I also need to go buy stamps and mail bills, then go pick up stuff for Tuesday night after Confirmation practice. I figure the kids deserve a party. (me too) They have worked hard this year to get ready.

Reading is FUNdamental. I haven't seen those commercials (or PSAs) lately. I wonder if they still show them.
I'm reading a book called The Usual Rules by Joyce Maynard. Its really good so far. Its about a 13 year old girl who loses her mother in the attack on the WTC, and how she and everyone in her family deal (or don't) with it.

I've got a couple of other books to read when this one is finished. I bought Angels and Demons, and Mary Called Magdalene. Both of those look very interesting as well. I also picked up a Danielle Steel at the Book Outlet......fluff reading, but good escapism. There is also a new Nora Roberts trilogy. I can't remember the name of the first book. (damn CRS anyway) I got it at Costco, but haven't read that either.

Joseph is reading a book called The Giver, he said its good. He is also reading one of Stephen Hawking's books. I think its A Brief History of Time. He has both Animal Farm and 1984 by George Orwell and is trying to decide which one to read first. I am so thankful he enjoys reading. He always has something to read....either a book or a magazine. Getting Jason to read was like pulling teeth.

It was nice having Chris home for the weekend. We got a lot done. Chris and Joseph got the captains bed taken out front for Salvation Army to pick up. I am glad to have it out of my living room. We bought an orange tree and planted it. Yum....fresh picked oranges. I can't wait.

He flew back out on Monday morning......another 7 am flight. That meant getting up at 4 to get him to the airport early enough. Both Joseph and I were worthless for the rest of the day. We did go to Bible Study Monday night.....only to hear some lady telling Fr. Mike that he should do a homily at the teen mass about 'the proper way to dress'. Apparently she doesn't like jeans. I should have spoken up I guess, but wuss that I am, I kept my mouth shut. I would think that the church would be happy to get so many young people to even GO to church. One reason I like the teen mass so much is that it is more casual. I have seen nothing inappropriate in what the kids wear. I wish I would have told her that there are 4 other masses she can go to, if she doesn't like the teen mass. One on Saturday evening and 3 on Sunday morning/afternoon. No one is forcing her to go to that particular mass. Its people like her that just irritate the hell out of me.

Confirmation is in ONLY a week. Holy cow.....I still have so much to do around here! Panic should set in this weekend if I don't get the cleaning done before that.

Ok, I'll bite;-)

(Lifted from Snapper's blog.....)

If you call me Raingirl, you know me from the forums
If you call me Shelly, you are anyone I've introduced myself to
If you call me Punky, you are my husband
If you call me Shells, you are a high school friend
If you call me Shell Bell, you are Susan or Randy
If you call me Shellybean, you are Beatlechic;-)
If you call me Mom, you are my son Joseph
If you call me Nana, you are Kaya
If you call me Shell, you are Deborah or Joey
If you call me Karen Shelly, you are my brother Greg or my cousin Mike
If you call me Mrs. M, you are Adam

4 more bags for Goodwill....they are going to love me! If I had the time (or inclination) I would put some of the stuff on e bay, but I'm not.

I'm depressed that Ethan is gone. There is something endearing about him......


I found a great website today ! www.seeyageorge.com
It has some great tee shirts and bumperstickers. My favorites are "Save the environment, plant a Bush back in Texas", "No more Bushit", "Stop mad cowboy disease" and "We didn't elect him, we don't have to keep him" Looks like I will be doing some ordering;)


Chris flies in tomorrow evening. He gets to stay til Monday morning:-)

I can actually walk in my walk in closet now!! Yahoo and yippee:D I had so much crap in there, it was unbelievable. I filled 3 trash bags with stuff to throw away....and I have 4 huge bags so far for Goodwill. I still have to go through all the sweaters I have on the shelves in order to get rid of some. It will be such a great feeling when I have that closet ALL finished.......most likely tomorrow afternoon.

The corned beef smells so good.......its almost time to eat. Good thing, because I'm starving.


Survivor tonight........can't wait.

Yesterday I had such ambitious plans.......I was going to get SO much done. Then Sheri called & wanted us to go up and visit. Joseph finished his work earlier than usual, so we went up to Sacramento and spent the afternoon at Sheri's. Well, actually, the mall. I was really good though. The only thing I bought was at Yankee Candle, and it was on sale. Besides buying lunch, I spent less than ten dollars :D

Joseph and I left her house about 5:30......and there was a huge traffic jam on the Yolo Causeway. Traffic was totally stopped....and I had less than 1/4 tank of gas. (Dumb sh*t me forgot to gas up before we left Sac) Luckily I made it to the last offramp before the bridge, and got some gas ($2.19 for REGULAR....I almost crapped....but I had to get it:/) We decided to go into Eppies and eat, since traffic was at a standstill. After waiting 20 minutes without anyone coming to take our order, we gave up and left. Traffic was moving by then, so we went to In N Out in Davis and had burgers. Gawd, I love In N Out burgers....and fries.

Today was grocery shopping. With only the two of us here, I thought I might get by a lot cheaper. Hardly. I still spent $90. I took the boy to get a haircut after he finished his school work. The curls are intact though. He would have to shave his head to get rid of them. Luckily he doesn't want to do that. He is realising that the girls like curly hair.

Tonight was Confirmation class. Only 2 more classes, then the kids hit the big time;) I am really glad its almost over. Karla wants me to teach again next fall, but I told her if I do, I want the little kids. NO more sacraments. I don't want to do First Communion either. I want either K or first grade....or maybe 3rd. She also wants me to do Vacation Bible School again this summer. *Sigh* I guess if we are home, I'll do it. It *was* fun. I liked being the craft lady;-)

I love Sunday. I love the rituals.....reading the Sunday papers; going through all the ads; reading the comics. I love being able to stay in my jammies while I read the paper and drink coffee. I love the drive to Petaluma for lunch and thrift shopping.

I love being able to relax while Joseph is at youth group, and then going to Mass in the evening.

Its the same thing every Sunday, and it is comforting in the sameness.


I have a stack of magazines I bought at Copperfields......I think I'll fix a cup of tea and see what Oprah has to say this month:)

I was going to clean today. Notice I said *was going to*. Other than loading the dishwasher and cleaning the bathroom....nada. Joseph and I drove up to Sacramento to go to the new Kohls. I keep hearing about the place, and figured I should check it out. Its like Mervyns, I think. If they build one here, I'll go, but it really wasn't worth the drive. I guess if I am up there anyway, I'll go in but otherwise.....

I did get Joseph's black pants and red tie for Confirmation. All we need now is the white shirt. And shoes. He can't wear Vans for Confirmation;) Since I had a shopping bug, we decided to go to the Folsom outlets to see if they have any different stores than the outlets here do. They have Pac Sun and Zumiez......neither of which are here, and both of which Joseph loves. He found a Bam shirt he's been wanting. (Its some skateboarder) I wasn't impressed with Zumiez' prices at all. They were no cheaper than the mall. I *really* want a "Jesus is my homeboy" shirt, but won't spend $22 on a tee shirt....especially at an *outlet* :/

The boy needs a haircut. His hair is so curly, and its beginning to look like Ethan's, LOL (Survivor Ethan) Looks like we'll be heading to the salon this week for him. As for me.....I seriously need to get some color.....the grey roots are REALLY showing. I still can't decide whether to let my hair grow a little, or get it cut again. I've worn it short, short for years, and am ready for a change....but I don't know what kind of change;) Decisions, decisions.

Colby got voted off Survivor tonight:( *Sniff*
He is so *purty*..........I liked watching him. Oh well, at least Ethan is still there.

Boston Rob needs to not talk. He isn't awful to look at, but damn, it sounds like he has a mouth full of something when he talks. I can't stand it! As far as I'm concerned, he and big Tom both sound the same........irritating. I like to listen to a man who enunciates;-)

Went to IKEA and picked up the new Roman shades for the family room windows and the patio door. I got the one for the door put up, but will have to wait til tomorrow to get the other ones up. I was really good at IKEA, too. I only spent about $40, which is good for me there. I ALWAYS find too much stuff;)

I took Joseph to Mervyns to get a couple of pair of shorts. Thank goodness for the one day sale, LOL. I would NOT pay $28 each for shorts, but $11.99 is doable. I miss the days when I could get him a whole summers worth of shorts for $30. *Sigh*

Chris said he is going to Mikey's aunt's house for pot roast tomorrow. I guess Mikes dad drove up from Arkansas and is pissed that Chris hasn't gone out to dinner with them. I told him do NOT pass up a chance for home cooking while he's there. Its a lot better than eating in resturaunts every night.


Announcement: I hate panic attacks. I really do:/

Chris called this afternoon and said it is cold back there! Poor guy. He said the chill cuts right through you. I just had to tell him it was 80 degrees here today......we're having a warm spell. Yep, I am a bitch, LOL. I hope the weather is warmer by the time Joseph and I get out there.

The kids got list of Confirmation rules tonight. They have to go to confession the Saturday before. If Chris is home that weekend, I don't know if Joseph will be going or not. It depends on what his Dad wants to do. I hardly think Karla would NOT let a kid be confirmed if they miss that day. I know of a couple of other kids who will definitely miss it. They have rehearsal the night before Confirmation.....the sponsor is *supposed* to attend, but there is no way Eleanor will be able to come up the night before. *Sigh* Now I have to tell Karla that. I know she'll be pissed, but I really don't care. Since her husband left her, she is even more over the top than she was before.

I got the bathrooms scrubbed today, and threw out a bunch of junk from both cabinets. I also got started on the kitchen......I have to scrub the cupboards and pantry. Oh what fun;/

Chris is gone for 6 weeks. We took him to the airport yesterday morning.....we had to leave at 4:30 A.M cause he had a 7 a.m. flight. There ought to be a law about getting up that early:/ He will ba able to come home for one weekend, plus Joseph's Confirmation, and Joseph & I will fly out after Confirmation for a week.

Let the spring cleaning begin.

I'm starting in the bedroom. Since he will be gone, I can take everything out of the closet and put it on the bed. I won't have to finish in one day.....I can sleep on the couch if need be. Goodwill is going to love me. They are going to get bags and bags of clothes.

Today was the primary election. I think the voter turnout was probably low here.....its only been a few months since the stupid recall election......where the Governator was elected:/ I know Kerry has the nomination all sewn up....so I voted my concience today. Kucinich hasn't a snowball's chance in hell, but he got my vote anyway;) I'll vote Kerry in November:) I've decided I am going to be waymore active in the campaign this year. I need to get in touch with the DNC and see what I can do. Anything to get shrub out of office.

Chris came home with another bit of travel news........his name is on a list of possiblities to go to Venezuela in May....for 5 or 6 months. I honestly don't know what to think. On one hand, it would be great for him, monetarily especially. It would be a 30% bump in pay. Would it be worth it though? I don't want to go for that long. School would be no problem.....books travel well, and I would still homeschool . Its just the thought of leaving the house for that long, the animals, not to mention the plans we already have for the summer and beyond. AND the fact that we would have to live on a compound and not really be able to leave........ *Sigh* I hope it doesn't come to the "you're going" stage. Denial is a nice place to be:/ I think I will remain here for a bit.