It's Friday

And I'm nosy...

So here's the question: We received an unexpected notice in the mail today. Unbeknownst to little sis (daughter), she got a traffic ticket back in December for speeding. She was going 58 in a 45 mile zone. Guess she got caught on camera. I hope she has $171.00 on hand and I hope Arizona has traffic school.

When was the last time you got a traffic ticket and how much did yours cost?

By the way, daughter also got another ticket while on Christmas break for zipping past a toll booth. She didn't know about the toll booth or the ticket until the mail came.

I think I'll just stop getting the mail!

I've Created A Monster...

I really have.

But how can you resist this cute face!?!


We just got home from our little trip a few hours ago, thank the good Lord, safe and sound. I'll be working the next few days and I'm kinda glad because I need a break from this little guy. He's so needy (SPOILED!)

Now I know he can't get around anymore but he's milking it for all it's worth let me tell you. And he still doesn't like his new cart. I put him in it today and made him walk around a bit. He made a beeline for the motorhome steps. No exercise for this one. He wants to be carried around all day.

He wants to sit in my lap, or right next to me, touching me, ALL THE TIME. If I put him down on a blanket on the floor, he cries, LOUDLY, to get my attention.

I put him on the floor when we got home so I could get some stuff out of the motorhome and I could hear his cries all the way in the garage.

And to top it all off, I'm so sick of smelling like urine. He dribbles. I know he can't help it.

So the break will be good. I've been cooped up with Jake for the last 6 days and truthfully, he's like having a newborn 24/7.

I've created a monster. I think it's time for this mom to get tough.

SPT - "I Resolve" - Week 4

tuesday, january 27 i resolve to take more self-portraits doing things i enjoy


Relaxing in the motorhome on the beautiful Rogue River in Oregon is something I especially enjoy...and we're parked on the Rogue right now. Perfect timing for this week's SPT wouldn't you say!

Was It Something I Said!?!

I could have sworn this followers thing on my sidebar used to say 46 and now it says 45. I sure hope I didn't say something to offend anybody.

I don't keep track of the whole followers thing and have thought about deleting it altogether but I really thought I remembered seeing the number 46 on there forever???

Maybe I'm just losing it, but if it was something I said...SORRY!

Greetings From The Road

We'll, we're in Oregon again. We finally received the financials/tax returns from the owner of a business we're interested in buying here in Oregon and decided to come check it out again to decide if we want to make an offer or not.

As of right now, we probably won't be making an offer. Whose to say what the future holds but with the economy the way it is, we're not jumping into anything, especially since we have some concerns.

The owner recently got an offer slightly less than asking price. She felt that she had been low-balled (and we were going to offer less). In this economy, we just don't see how she can expect full price. Time will tell.

Do you remember me telling you about my good friend Cindy from work who moved to Oregon a month ago? Well, I called her this morning and we were able to meet for lunch today! It was great to see her but so strange for both of us to be here in Oregon, carrying on like normal. I hated to say good-bye and have been kind of depressed ever since. I just want to bring her back "home" where she belongs. Of course, she's still adjusting to the newness of it all but is loving her 5 acres. She has horses and they are loving their space too. Truthfully, I'm very happy to see her dream come true...but best friends are hard to say good-bye to.

The weather has been rainy but not too cold and everything is green and beautiful. We'll start to head home tomorrow and will stay the night at a nice RV park right on the Rogue River. Oregon has the prettiest lakes and rivers...and hopefully one day I'll live on or near one of them.

It's Friday

And I'm nosy...

So here's the question: This week we witnessed history in the making. Did you watch the inauguration, and if so, what did you think?

I had to work on inauguration day so I didn't get to watch it. What I was able to see I watched from the patient's TVs as I walked by.

I watched our new President's speech today on the computer.

Obama wasn't my presidential hopeful, but I'm hopeful that he will bring about change. I have hope that the things he talked about in his speech will come to fruition and I have hope for the future of our nation. Our country is in dire straights. He's certainly got his work cut out for him.

Another Movie Recommendation

I've gone to the movies twice this year already, and if you know me, you know this is quite out of character. I generally don't do movies. No real reason, I'm just not a movie goer.

Some friends called us on Sunday asking us to go with them to see the new Clint Eastwood movie, Grand Torino. I'm so glad we went because we really enjoyed it. This movie is funny, it's sweet, it's intense. It will make you laugh and cry.

I normally don't enjoy movies that have alot of foul language, and this movie has plenty...but I still recommend it. Bring some tissue.

Just Say Hi!

Evidently, last week was "de-lurking" week. Who knew!?! So in honor of this event, why not "de-lurk" and leave a comment. Just say "hi!" Come on, don't be shy, I'd love to hear from you.

Oh Happy Day!

The UPS man delivered a very special package to us on Thursday...














YES, JAKE GOT HIS WHEELS!

It's a little slow going and he's not quite sure about all of it yet. It will take some time to adjust, after all, he's been immobile for almost 3 months now. We're putting him in the cart a little each day.

Right now he's outside with hubby and just walked up to the door. Something I haven't seen for a very long time...Oh Happy Day!

(I've always been one who keeps my walls and baseboards in great shape. Oh Lord, I hate to see what they're going to look like from now on!)

It's Friday

And I'm nosy...

So here's the question:




















So how many pairs of slippers do you own? Do you have a favorite style?

All of a sudden I've become a slipper lover...and no one is more surprised than me. I wear them everyday. My favorite slippers are the moccasin style ones that I ordered from Lands End (the pink and red ones). Talk about comfortable!

Only In California

The last 2 days have been extremely gorgeous outside. Not too cold, not to hot, perfect. Yesterday I had a dental appointment in the morning and I wore a zip up jacket. By the time I got out at 10:45, I had to take off the jacket because it had warmed up already.

Today was even prettier. Look what I was up to this afternoon...in the middle of January! To tell you the truth, I felt guilty. I kept thinking about how the weather is FREEZING in certain parts of the country and here I was hanging out in the backyard.


One of my favorite things to do is hose down the patio and sidewalk. Like I've said before, I love watching the dirt roll away! What can I say, the littlest things make me happy!

I also did some window cleaning and hosed down screens. Don't look at the chipped paint on the door behind the screen. That's on my to-do list for spring.


And look who was enjoying the sunshine and fresh air too...


The house gets so dusty during the winter so I took a few things outside and gave them a good washing down. It felt like spring cleaning.


Then I picked lemons. Yes, you read that right! I love putting fresh lemons around the house for decoration...and they make the rooms smell good too.


I'm proud of the productivity so far this year. I'm making good use of my time and it's paying off. Our house has been a whirlwind of activity and it feels good. It feels like old times. I knew I needed to limit my computer time!

Everyone loves California due to the great weather and beautiful people...but we do have to have some sort of consolation for living in California because all.the.nut.cases.live.here! Wonderful weather is our reward.

I Felt The Good Mail Love!

I've mentioned previously that I display all of the notes and cards that I receive from blogging buddies. I started blogging last February, and since then, I've been the lucky recipient of several pieces of good mail. Here is a picture of what my good mail collection looked like earlier today...


What a beautiful sight it has been for me to see everyday during the year and it warmed my heart today as I looked over them and read them once again. I'm amazed and thankful for the friendships that have been made through blogging and I hope you know that I count many of you as very dear friends!

So today, with a smile on my face, I bundled up my pile of 2008 good mail....all the while thanking you for each and every card, note, and gift that was sent my way. I truly felt the love!


My card holder is now ready for 2009 good mail...and we're off to a good start!

SPT - "I Resolve" - Week 2

"tuesday, january 13 i resolve to take more self-portraits with people i love"

This week's SPT assignment will be easy peasy for some, for me, not so easy...

* Hubby doesn't like to be photographed, especially for blogging purposes;
* Handsome son lives 3 hours away;
* Beautiful daughter attends college in another state!

That only leaves one other family member who can help me out. He may not fit in the "people" category but I love him just the same...


Thanks Jake! You're always such a good sport!

My The Time Does Fly

It's been 5 days already since my last post. This year is zooming right along and I've been keeping pretty busy. So far, in the first 11 days of the new year, I...

* Worked - 2 days
* Took down the Christmas tree
* Been sick - 4 days
* Bought more storage containers and packed away all of our Christmas decorations
* Cleaned house
* Sent daughter, aka little sis, back to college in AZ
* Visited with handsome son who lives 3 hours away
* Done laundry
* Spent time with friends
* Started writing my Christmas thank you notes
* Bought 4 birthday presents
* Bathed and groomed Jake
* Ordered my word of the year necklace
* Ironed
* Blogged less
* Cooked more
* Learned a new card game (I'm normally not a game player, especially cards)
* Took Jake to the vet and ordered his "wheels"
* Attended the first Camping Club Weekend of the new year

And with the exception of being sick, I've had a good time doing it! One of my goals for the new year was to spend less time on the computer in order to get more accomplished. I love blogging but last year I let it get out of hand. I needed to tone it down a bit and get my priorities back in order...I let alot of things slide last year.

This year, so far so good. I feel more in control.

SPT - "I Resolve" - Week 1

Lelly's challenge this month: i love a new year. i love the chance to start over. and i know you do, too!! so, if you've been absent from spt, or if you haven't gotten up the nerve to link up, or if you are lurking and haven't yet picked up that camera, now is the time to come along! how about you make a resolution to join in the fun?

tuesday, january 6 i resolve to take more self-portraits
tuesday, january 13 i resolve to take more self-portraits with people i love
tuesday, january 20 i resolve to take more self-portraits while trying new things
tuesday, january 27 i resolve to take more self-portraits doing things i enjoy

Yes, this is a new year and I resolve to take more self-portraits in 2009! As a matter of fact, I snapped this picture while waiting in the car on New Year's Day. My first self-portrait of the new year...


Wishing you all the best in 2009!

Felling A Tad Bit Emotional...

After being bed bound for 4 days, I'm actually on the mend. I go back to work tomorrow after being on vacation for 2 weeks and although I'm sort of anxious to get back into a routine, work will be different for me from now on. My very close friend and co-worker Cindy moved to Oregon the day after Christmas. Our last day working together was Christmas Eve. I knew it was going to be hard to say goodbye but it was much harder than I had anticipated. It felt like a sister was moving away.

Here is a picture of Cindy, another close friend Kathy, and myself at work on Christmas Eve.


Kathy (the tall one) has been my partner for the last couple of years and now she has decided to make a career change as well. She will continue to still work in the field of nursing but is choosing now to do dialysis in the hospital setting and not at our dialysis unit. I can't even explain how much I'm going to miss these 2 ladies at work. They were on the job years before I arrived and over the past 6 years they've both nurtured me, supported me, and became my best friends. I love and admire them both tremendously. Break time will never be the same.

Speaking of missing people, my beautiful daughter headed back to Arizona today. We didn't do much during her Christmas break but it was enjoyable just the same. Courtney is so easy to please and such a joy to be around. I already miss her presence in the house. The hard part of having a child go to school in another state is that each time they come home or if you go visit them, it breaks your heart to say goodbye. Maybe it's not like that for everyone but for me, this has been one tearful day.

I'm so sorry if this post is a downer...it truly wasn't meant to be. The weather is dreary, I've been sick, and I'm really missing family and friends, especially my kids. When your kids get older, you grieve for the past and although you look forward to the future, you realize your children are grown and have lives of their own. This can be a hard pill to swallow and really takes some adjusting to. On the one hand you're proud that you've raised independent young adults yet you miss them and their younger days something terrible. But life is a progression isn't it?!

There have been tears today but I have a good feeling about this new year...the year 2009. Like many of you, I'm embracing it, I'm welcoming it, and I'm committing to do my part to make it a wonderful year.


Courtney, think smart, be safe, and have a great semester at school! I love and miss you! (Boy do I look washed out in this picture. I need to 1) start taking my vitamins; 2) learn how to apply make-up!)

We're Off To A Not So Good Start

This new year is starting off with a bang at our house...we're all SICK! As a matter of fact, I hear my husband throwing up in the bathroom down the hall as I type this. Poor guy.

I woke up New Year's Day with a stuffy nose and a headache but thought it was maybe from having run the air conditioning in the hotel room all night. By the end of the day I was dragging.

I didn't get out of bed at all yesterday...too sick, and with a migraine to top it off. I did go into the kitchen at 12:05 am this morning to get some NyQuil, thinking it might lull me to sleep. Nope. I watched the sun rise.

The good news is that I only usually get good and sick once a year. Maybe this will be it for the year then huh!?!

The bad news is that I still have my Christmas tree up!

It's Friday

And I'm nosy...

So here's the question: Do you pick a "word for the year" to live by each year?

I never have done this in year's past but I feel that it's something I definitely want to do this year. I need to do this to hold myself accountable.

I've alluded to the fact that this year has been the pits. And.I.Mean.The.Pits. This year those closest to me must have felt like it was their duty to hurt me...and hurt me they did. I remember years ago my mother-in-law telling me that those you love the most hurt you the most because they know you're not going anywhere. Well, my family's lucky because there were times this year that I felt like running in the opposite direction.

F O R G I V E N E S S

That's my word for the new year. I will forgive and move on. I think I'll even get a necklace with my word on it and wear it each day as a reminder. I don't know about you but forgiveness can be so hard for me at times.

When I haven't felt like forgiving, I've tried to remind myself about how Jesus forgives me over and over again...even though I don't deserve any of his forgiveness. How can I not forgive someone else when I'm being forgiven daily. This seems to just put it all into perspective for me.

Happy New Year

We had such an enjoyable New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. We were invited to spend the evening with friends. It was low key, just the 8 of us. We had finger foods galore and yummy cheesecake for dessert. Even though we're pretty much an over the hill group, we still like to have a fun time...and we always do when were together. In fact, you can count on it! (We even stayed up until 1:30!)



My husband sums this group up perfectly. He says we all get along so well and love each other because we're all "givers." I think he's right.

Since we were out of town, we booked a room at a nearby hotel which made everything so convenient. We all met at one of our favorite deli's for lunch today then parted ways. We went on to see our son and spend a little time with him after lunch today too before heading home. It was great seeing him. I didn't want to let go of him!

Do any of you pick a word for the year each year? I never have but plan of picking one this year. I'll share my word with you tomorrow.