Joseph won 4 tickets to this weekend's boat show in Sacramento.

He was listening to the radio while he did his school work, and there was a trivia question. "What was the name of the guitar Eric Clapton used on the song Layla" I guess they meant what he called it. *Shrug* Anyway, this guy calls in and said it was Blackie. They told him he was right, and he won. My son looks at me and says, "MOM THAT IS WRONG!" I laughed and asked him what the correct answer is. Brownie. That is the correct answer;-)

Anyway, I told him to email the station and let them know, so he did;) The DJ emailed him back, told him he was right and that there will be 4 tickets at the ticket booth for the boat show. Pretty cool, lol. I hope we can leave early enough to go before we head up to Tahoe.


My son, the music trivia freak;-)

I love Kohls. (Not as much as I love my new Dyson, but close, lol) I especially love their clearance sales. Especially when the sale is 80-90% off regular price. I love great deals.

I went into Kohls on Friday morning to get a new griddle. I didn't get the griddle, but only because I couldn't carry it alng with the other great deals I got.

Here are the great deals:)

black leather knee high boots
black dress heels
1 wool newsboy cap that either Joseph or I can wear
pair of socks
khaki pants for me
pair of jeans for Joseph
blue pullover sweater
red cardigan
black cashmere sweater (pullover)
2 pair of knit gloves (red and black)
2 pair of earrings
set of nail polish/lip gloss

Grand total: $44.61

The boots alone were reguarly $99, and the cashmere was $78. Dayum.

There were so many great deals, I had to go back last night to pick up the griddle.....along with 2 more pair of shoes for $3.oo each. Did I mention I am a shoe whore? Imelda Marcos has nothin on my shoe closet

Sadness......

An online friend of mine lost her Dad yesterday. Cancer, that evil awful thing. He was diagnosed only a few weeks ago. Thank God she was able to be with him the few days before he passed. I'm so sorry Tiff. I have been where you are now, and it sucks. I send you hugs.

Another online friend is in need of prayers too. Actually, her daughter is the one in need. Her name is Miranda.....and she was just diagnosed with a large mass in her brain. She is only a teenager. She will undergo a biopsy on Monday to see just what is going on..........

If you are a praying person, then pray. Pray for Miranda, and pray for her family. I can't begin to imagine how scary this is for her and her family.

Hug your kids and tell them how much you love them. Call your parents (if they are still here) and tell them you love them. Thank them for all they have done for you.

Don't let another day pass without telling you friends and family how much they mean to you:)

Yes, I am feeling very melancholy after all this. I wish I could just make it all better for my friends. But. I. Can't.

Would you let your 17 year old daughter go (alone) to India? Danielle Rose's (www.daniellerose.com) parents did. We saw her at Youth Day in LA last week. She is about 23 or 24 now. (or she looks it anyway...) When she was 17 she told her parents she felt called to go to India and help at the orphanage Mother Teresa worked at. She really wanted to meet Mother Teresa and be blessed by her. Her parents let her go. To make a long story short, she never did get to meet her, but she was blessed by her. Apparently, on Mother Teresa's last birthday, Mother took a rose from her birthday cake and told one of the nuns there to give it to the girl from America named Danielle who gave so much of herself and to tell her she was blessed. Cool, huh.

Anyway, we listened to her speak (I cried) and sing (she has a magnificent, pure voice.......sounds kind of like Judy Collins)

Another group we saw there is called ApeX (www.apexministries.com) These guys are great! They are like an old time vaudeville act.....but with a message. They do juggling and magic (very well, might I add) The kids loved them. I'm sure it helped that the girls thought they were cute;) They are also very sweet. Jo and I spoke with them in the late afternoon, and they really live what they believe:)


The whole trip was fun. (Even waiting at John Wayne airport for over 2 hours waiting for our delayed flight home)

Youth Day was fun, exciting, touching and loud;) That night we piled into our bus and went to Hometown Buffet for dinner. Thank goodness we had a private room, lol. We were going to go to Huntington Beach for a bonfire, but it was raining, so we went to the mall instead;-) There, the boys went with John and Tony, and the girls with Alicia, Kathy, Jo, Charmaine and me. We did some power shopping, lol.

When we got back from the mall, we all went up to Jo's room for a retreat. She was on the excutive floor.....with a humongous 2 room suite. We had a beautiful candle ceremony, and the kids did some journaling. I also learned a fun icebreaker. You have a big bag of Skittles...and you have everyone take a handful. When everyone has a handful, you tell them what is going to happen. For each Skittle they hold, they have to give one fact about themselves. Seeing the looks on some of the faces was priceless, LOL. Some of the kids took 25-30 candies. They had to really think then;-)

After the kids finished, they decided that we parents had to tell 10 facts about ourselves as well. It was really interesting. I learned a lot about everyone else:)

Friday was a free day before we flew out. We met Deacon Ernesto for lunch (he used to be at St Mary's) then we went to Downtown Disney. Kathy and I bought crowns at the World of Disney and wore them for the rest of the day.......even on the plane home. (like the royalty we really are.....ROFLOL)

I'm A Bitch...and Proud Of It

BITCHOLOGY

When I stand up for myself and my beliefs, they call me a bitch.
When I stand up for those I love, they call me a bitch.
When I speak my mind, think my own thoughts or do things my own way, they
call me a bitch.

Being a bitch means I won't compromise what's in my heart. It means I live
my life MY way.
It means I won't allow anyone to step on me.
When I refuse to tolerate injustice and speak against it, I am defined as a
bitch.
The same thing happens when I take time for myself instead of being everyone's maid, or when I act a little selfish.
It means I have the courage and strength to allow myself to be who I truly am and won't become anyone else's idea of what they think I "should" be.
I am outspoken, opinionated and determined. I want what I want and there is
nothing wrong with that!

So try to stomp on me, try to douse my inner flame, try to squash every
ounce of beauty I hold within me. You won't succeed.
And if that makes me a bitch, so be it. I embrace the title and am proud to bear it.

B - Being
I - In
T - Total
C - Control of
H - Herself

B = Beautiful
I = Intelligent
T = Talented
C = Charming
H = Hell of a Woman

B = Beautiful
I = Individual
T = That
C = Can
H = Handle anything

We're going here today: http://www.recongress.org/

Look under Youth Day.

Joseph and I are leaving this evening and flying down to LA with some other Youth Group members.
Youth Day is tomorrow. It looks to be a really neat day. People who went last year said it is very powerful......over 15,000 teenagers. I have my Tylenol handy;-)

Tomorrow night we will go to dinner, then to Hermosa Beach for a bonfire/retreat. I hope it isn't raining, or Jo will cancel the bonfire.

Friday we are going to Downtown Disney (it is going to kill me not to be that close to Disneyland and not go in!), then we fly home Friday evening:)

The youth group did go to Disneyland last year, but Jo thinks the kids focused too much on Disneyland instead of the congress. *sigh* Kathy said it is a tradition to go to Disneyland the day after. I really think Jo is just afraid of Fr Mike and didn't want to ask for any more money. The kids raised over $4000 for the trip though. They worked their butts off. I think they deserve a day at Disneyland. Oh well.

Where has my springlike weather gone? It has been beautiful for almost 2 weeks, except for one day. Today it is cloudy and ugly. We're supposed to get rain. *Sigh* Its a good thing Joseph mowed the front lawn yesterday.

Joseph and I went up to the Galleria yesterday. Borders was having a huge sale on gift wrap......so I stocked up. All the gift wrap (paper, ribbons, bows,bags, etc) is 75% off. What a deal! I bought enough that I won't need wrapping paper all year;-)

I ran into Restoration Hardware too, but didn't buy anything. I really want one of their sofas when we buy a new one. I think we will go to outlet here in town though.

Today I have to run a couple of errands for Chris before we go to youth group. Poor guy is working so hard he doesn't have time for anything:/ I think I will be nice to him;-) He got me a beautiful necklace for our anniversary. Its a silver heart with a pink sapphire heart in the middle. ( 2 separate hearts) Gorgeous:)

I hope everyone has a good week!

31 years ago today, early in the morning, 2 teenagers got in their rented Pinto (which Chris' uncle had to rent, since Chris was underage) and drove to Reno. Their witnesses, Kathy (my best friends) and Al (his cousin), rode along.

As the car pulled into Reno, it got a flat tire...right in front of the marriage licsense building. While Al fixed the flat, we went in and got our liscense.

Since our hotel room wasn't ready yet, we changed into our wedding clothes at a gas station. Then it was off to St Thomas Aquinas Cathedral for the short ceremony. There were just the 5 of us there.....the two of us, our witnesses and the priest. In just a few minutes, we went from 2 kids barely out of high school to a married couple!

His family gave us a year, tops.

Think we've proved them wrong yet?

Its Friday:-)

The past couple of days have been 'same old same old around' here. Otherwise known as boring;-)

I've started my early spring cleaning. I have been working in the den/guest room....going through the closet and throwing a bunch of stuff out. Unfortunately, all this damn cleaning/dusting has stirred up something in the air and my allergies are back in full force. My friggin eyes are so itchy. I have rubbed them until the eyelids are swollen and I look like I have 2 black eyes:/ Time for Claritin. I can't wear makeup when I have a flareup either.....so I really look scary;)

I need to clean the filter in the heat system. That will help big time.

I went to Kohls today......80% clearance prices. I picked up 3 sweaters for me, 2 shirts for Joseph and 2 bracelets, 2 pair of earrings and a lipgloss/nail polish kit for me. Grand total....$39 and change. Not bad. I need to go back over and pick up some jeans for both Chris and Joseph.

Tonight was pizza night. Chris met us at Round Table on his way home from work......he actually got there earlier than I though he would. He got off a bit earlier than he expected, and Friday traffic wasn't horrible.

Today started the big project out at work. He will not have a day off for close to 2 months now:/ He has his alarm set for 3:45 in the morning.......I hope he manages to get through this without getting sick.

A couple of things I found while forum reading....

(from http://forums.delphiforums.com/frugality/messages)


Psalms, chapter 23
Bush is my shepherd; I dwell in want.
He maketh logs to be cut down in national forests.
He leadeth trucks into the still wilderness.
He restoreth my fears.
He leadeth me in the paths of international disgrace for his ego's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of pollution and war, I will find no exit, for thou art in office.
Thy tax cuts for the rich and thy media control, they discomfort me.
Thou preparest an agenda of deception in the presence of thy religion.
Thou anointest my head with foreign oil.
My health insurance runneth out.
Surely megalomania and false patriotism shall follow me all the days of thy term,
And my jobless child shall dwell in my basement forever.





"I pledge allegiance to the flag
Of the Corporate States of America
And to the Republicans, for which it stands,
One nation, under debt, easily divisible,
With liberty and justice for oil."

Is it Friday already?

Not much going on here today. I ran a few errands while Joseph was doing some schoolwork. I went to Target to pick up a 'couple' of things. $70 later, I walked out the door. I can not go into that store and spend less than $20. I don't know why.

Chris had another late night at work, so Joseph and I went to Round Table and got a pizza. We brought home leftovers for Chris' dinner.....but first made a stop at Big Lots. There went another $50. I can't help it....eveything is so cheap, lol. I got some Pebbles Flintstone and some Tom and Jerry underwear. So grown up, lol. I'm sure every 50 year old wears it;-) Who cares......its cute and I like it. Besides, no one but me sees it anyway.

The new season of Monk premiered tonight. I think I will like his new assistant:)

Chris has the weekend off.....probably the last one for a while. I think he wants to go to the sportsmens show in Sacramento tomorrow. I can usually find some fun brochures to read, anyway. ....and there are interesting vacation ideas.

Only The Beginning

Its going to be a LONG month and a half or so. There is a big project at work. Chris will be working long hours. He already is.

Unfortunately, he is also being a grumpy prick. Already.

He came home from work about 15 minutes ago.......and instead of eating the chili I had made, he poured a bowl of cereal. Why, I asked. Because the chili had been turned off 30 minutes before he got home, wasn't piping hot and had a 'crust' on it. Oh, but why not give it a stir and throw it in the microwave? Oh hell no, that would be too much trouble. "I worked 15 hours today and expect a decent meal when I get home, and not this disgusting mess" WTF????? He has never said shit like that in 30 years! He sounds like fucking Fred Flinstone with an attitude.

Since Joseph and I ate at 6, it is a little hard to keep food warm for another 2 hours.

I know he's tired.....but that is no reason to say shit like that. I am beyond pissed. Its going to be hard to be supportive if he keeps this crap up. I wish I was going somewhere this weekend. He can keep his shitty attitude to himself. If he doesn't like what I have for dinner, maybe he can fix his own damn meals after work, or eat dinner OUT THERE.



I have to remember that someone called me beautiful a few days ago...........

I Love Vancouver

I had the absolute best time last weekend. From the time Casey and I got on the plane in Sacramento on Thursday until the time we got off the plane in Sacramento Monday night. The drive from Seattle to Vancouver was fun. We both have such dirty minds that we would find ourselves giggling at names. Nooksack struck us as funny. There were more, but I can't remember them now. I guess you had to be there;) Roadtrips are wonderful!


Vancouver is a beautiful city. Just beautiful. The hotel I stayed at was superb. http://georgiancourt.com I was on the 11th floor, with a fantastic view of downtown Vancouver.

The hotel is directly across the street from BC Stadium, where the football team plays, and the hockey stadium was right around the corner. I was reading a bit about the next winter Olympics, which will be held in Vancouver, and the BC Stadium is where opening and closing ceremonies will be held. I will be able to say I've been there:-)

Anyway......the people are so nice. I had no fear at all of walking around alone during the day (Casey was nursing a sick boyfriend.....poor guy. The doctor came to the hotel on Sunday and gave him some throat spray.)

The shows were incredible, as always. I laugh though....since I have never seen a bad show;)
Joey told me on Friday after the show that it is so good to be able to look out in the audience and see family sitting there when they are far away from home. Aw :*)

I did a lot of eating while I was there;) I discovered that Canadian candy is to die for. Not only that, but the food that was backstage was first rate.....more like an upscale resturaunt food than backstage 'grub'. It was complete with desserts......lots and lots of desserts. Tarts and cream puffs and cheeseckake. A little bit of heaven. And now I diet;-)

Friday night we went out for 'after opening night', and Saturday night we all went out and celebrated both Casey's birthday and one of the Canadian crew members birthday. What fun!
There is a place round the corner from the hotel called the Shark Club. It was crowded and noisy, but lots of fun. I love watching the guys blow off steam.

I must say, Canadian men are such gentlemen! Every one of the crew was very nice and polite. And funny;) Not bad to look at either. (Hey, I may be married, but I'm not blind....or....I may have ordered, but still enjoy looking at the menu, LOL)

I was sad on Monday when it was time to leave. After hugs and kisses all round, and admonitions from Ralph & Joey to drive carefully, we headed back to Seattle for out flight at 6:30.

Now its back to the real world......

All my bags are packed....I'm ready to go.

I'm out of here today for a long weekend. I am so grateful that Joseph is old enough to be home alone for a few hours! I am also grateful that he is such a responsible kid. He has his schoolwork to do, then it is guitar all day;)

The neighbor is home in case of emergency, and Chris is a phone call away. He will be getting off early both today and tomorrow....and he has Monday off. I think they are planning on going to the RV show on Saturday. Chris wants to look at Airstreams. *Sigh*
We need to win the lottery to buy one of *those*, lol.

Anyway, I hope everyone has a grand weekend.

Vancouver, here I come!

Random Thoughts For Tuesday

It stopped raining today!

That is big news, believe me. I was beginning to think we should build an ark.
We have been pretty lucky around here, relatively. Our back yard is a bog, but that is the worst thing. My town was on the news today because the wind knocked over some fences and threw some patio furniture around. The people who were interviewed thought it was a tornado. Who knows? The weather has been so bizarre lately, anything is possible.

I finally remembered to make car rental reservations for Thursday. Gotta love Enterprise:)

We had CCD this afternoon. It was quite an improvement from last week. The kids all seemed receptive to the lesson, and I didn't hear one smart assed remark;)


A friend of mine is sick:( I am very worried about her. If you are a praying person, please say a prayer.


Tomorrow I have to pack. I still don't know what to take! So much for packing lists. All they are good for are the basics (undies, toiletries, makeup) I still have to decide what to wear.

One more prayer request.......not only for the victims of the tsunami, but for those in southern California.......especially those who live in the town where they had a horrible mudslide yesterday......

Roller Coaster Weekend

What a few days it has been.

I spent all Friday worried sick about brother Geoff. I thought for sure he was going to end it all. He is such a freaking baby. He actually sent me an apologetic email....to tell me goodbye, basically. Then he disappeared for a few hours. I finally got through to him, and 'talked him down' so to speak. He kept telling me that Sandra & the boys hate him and he has nothing to live for without them. What bullshit.

I tried a little tough love on him, and it seems to have worked. For one thing, I told him that his is not the first marriage to end. The end of a marriage does not mean the end of a life. When he started in about the boys, I reminded him that I have not spoken to MY older son in over 2 years.....and that yes, it hurts like hell, but that it is something you have to just deal with. Anyway, I don't know what I said that helped, but he seems to be better now. I'm glad, but I would like to kick his ass for the way he has been acting:
Saturday was a better day. First we undecorated the house. I took both trees down and took all the stuff down in the house, and Chris took down all the outside lights and decorations. My house looks so bare now.
We went up to Sacramento in the afternoon so I could go to the Scholastic Warehouse sale, then went to the Galleria so Joseph could go to Borders and use his gift cards. I ended up spending $40 myself.....mostly on magazines.

I got home Saturday night to an email from Casey telling me that the hotel everyone is staying at has been changed......so I spent time on the phone on Sunday changing my reservation. I actually like the hotel we will be staying at better than the first. www.georgiancourt.com

Sunday was youth group, choir practice for Joseph, then Mass. One of the Eucharistic Ministers didn't show up, and Kathy wanted me to EM......but I just didn't feel like it. I was still too stressed about all the crap with Geoff. At least she told me what to do next time if I am giving the wine, and I run out, like happened last weekend!

Today was errand day. I went to the grocery store, to pay a couple of bills, and to Target. I then spent the rest of the day cleaning. Now, I am tired and ready for bed.

It has been cold and foggy all day. There is supposed to be a huge rainstorm coming in late tonight/early tomorrow. Chris will probably take my car, just because he prefers it in the rain. The headlights in the 'tank' aren't as bright, and the wipers are slower. It works out ok. If I need to run to the store...(or to Kohls for their 70% off sale) I can take the tank.

Joseph still has that damn cold. Poor guy. He and Chris keep passing it back and forth. He's finally on the mend, but still has a cough at night & a bit of a stuffy nose. Luckily, no fever or anything. I don't know if it has anything to do with being a teenager, but he will NOT just rest and get over it:/

I made my room reservations for Vancouver :-D I am so excited about it. Of course, the shows will be great, but I am so looking forward to sightseeing. The guys will be busy most of the day, so Casey and I can explore. Its good having a shopping buddy;-) I hope Linda will be able to go.....I haven't heard anything though. I also wonder if Deborah and baby hubby will go.....and maybe Kim & Lori. It would be great if they all came up. We have so much fun together:) Of course, it could be really interesting if Deborah & baby hubby come;-) Why do I call him baby hubby? Well, Deborah is 49.....and he is either 28 or 29. I know he is younger than Jason (my older son). Hence....baby hubby, or as S calls him....junior hubby;-)

Well, time to check the meatloaf.....

UGH. It drives me crazy when Chris has a Monday off. Today has felt like Monday to me all day:/

Chris and I went down to see Geoff yesterday. He really is a mess. His BP is way up and they can't get it down. He just sits and cries. Part of me feels sorry for him, but a bigger part wants to tell him to grow the fuck up......that he is 47 years old and his is NOT the first marriage to fall apart. He found out where wifey went, and is trying to get in touch with her. She is no saint either. I think the way she left was shitty........sneaking away like nothing was wrong. She left that morning like she always did.....like she was going to work. Apparently, she had quit the day before though. From what he said, I have a feeling she met someone else. I don't know though. I do wish she would speak to him and tell him what is going on. He kept crying, saying he doesn't want to die alone. *Sigh* Unfortunately, they are both losers:/ I hate to say that about my own brother, but it is the truth.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Like I said before, today feels like a Monday......I almost forgot I had CCD this afternoon!

I went and got my hair trimmed (so I can colour it tomorrow......damn grey roots are screaming at me)


I had to get the lesson plan together for this afternoon......it was about freedom, and lack of it.....and about justice. Trying to teach some of these kids about compassion is all but impossible. It is really sad. I asked them if any of them had ever stood up for someone who was being treated unjustly. They looked at me like I had 2 heads. I asked them if they thought there were people around the world who didn't have what they have.....they looked at me like I had 2 heads:/ *Sigh*

We talked about things that have happened lately....like the tsunami, and what we (they) can do to help. Most of them acted like they didn't even care about that:( They were too busy making fun of the one boy in class who is different. Some of these kids are so insulated. There were only a couple who mentioned sending money (or clothes) and only one who said to pray for the victims.

I guess I am feeling frustrated. I know these kids can't be as spoiled as they act......and as uncaring....

*Sigh*

Rainy Sunday

It is pouring today. I am glad I am snug in the house instead of on the road. I feel for anyone out driving this afternoon. The freeway is probably a mess with everyone coming back from Reno/Tahoe.

There are so many things I should be doing, but I am not. Instead, I am baking cookies. Why? No one in this house needs cookies. Well, not really, anyway. Even if they are chocolate chip;)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2005. Wow. I hope it is a good year for everyone:)

Joseph played at the family Mass on Christmas Eve. They sounded really good. It is so much nicer to have music at Mass, and especially the teens. They really enjoy playing and singing. It brings a much needed shot in the arm to Mass.

Christmas was nice. It was great to go to Sheri's for dinner. It was especially nice not to have to cook Christmas dinner:-) Joseph freaked when he saw his guitar, LOL. I don't know if he really had any idea he was going to get it or not. He took it along to Sheri's and played for all:) His new amp is something else. 65 watts(?) I still don't know why we had to get such a big one;)

We rested the day after Christmas then went to R& E's on the 27th for Joseph's birthday. I can't believe my baby is 14. Where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday he was on my lap :*( I am so lucky. He is such a good boy, and still very loving. He kisses us hello/goodbye and goodnight. And gives hugs. Even in front of people.


Tuesday morning we got up early and headed to Disneyland. I am worse than any little kid there, I swear. I want to see and do everything! I told them it was Joseph's birthday, so he wore a birthday sticker all day Wednesday.......and I bought him a 'birthday bucket' that included a personal sized birthday cake and a small stuffed birthday Pooh. It was nice of him to indulge his Mom;)

New Years Eve was quiet. We drove home from Disneyland, and all of us have colds, so we were asleep by 11:30, lol. That's ok.....champagne keeps. We opened it for dinner tonight. We had our traditional New Year's dinner......ham, cabbage, potatoes and black eyed peas. Yum:-)

I have to email brother Geoff:/ He emailed while we were gone and asked if I want my mom's old secretaire. (since he is losing his house, etc) He has had it since Dad died....... I do want it. It dates from the 1930s, and I have always wanted it. I am not going to feel bad about taking it either. I feel sorry that he is going through so much crap, but he brought it on himself. Hopefully this is rock bottom, and things will look up for him. Maybe he will even get back together with his wife, if he gets the help he needs.

On a good note.....I made my plane reservations for later this month for Seattle. Casey and I are flying to Seattle then driving to Vancouver for the weekend of the 13th. It is her birthday, and we will be seeing the boys play in Vancouver. I am so looking forward to it! It will be my first trip to Canada:)

My New Years Wish

I wish for peace. I wish for health, laughter, love and happiness for all:-)

I wish you joy.