Summer 2010

September 1st already!? I adore Fall and I'm thrilled it's here but boy did summer zoom by. Summer 2010 is now a memory but what a fantastic one!

As soon as I started working less hours in June, I hit the ground running and haven't slowed down since. I calculated that I've only been home 5-10 days the entire summer. It's been a blast and I've never felt so free!

This summer I visited beautiful Colorado once again, drove through Wyoming and saw parts of Utah for the first time, met my dear blogging friend Janiece in person (in SLC), spent 4 days in Grass Valley CA with my best buddy/sister Debbie, moved my beautiful daughter from one apt to another in AZ, went to Hawaii with BOTH of my kids, hubby, and long time friends, spent time at the beach with our camping club, and just finished getting my handsome son moved and settled into his new apt. It's been the busiest summer ever but what a great time!

I also lost 9 lbs this summer and have changed my whole way of eating. Jenny Craig has worked well for me, but more importantly, it got me motivated. There were a few weeks that I was unable to eat my Jenny Craig food because of traveling but I continued to lose weight. I'm making better choices on my own, eating more fruits, vegetables, and fish. I still have 6 lbs to go to reach my goal but the end is in sight.

It feels good to be back in blogland! Happy September and Happy Fall!

H-E-L-L-O

Just thought I'd say hello and let you know that I haven't dropped off the face of the earth. This has been one busy summer and in fact, I've only been home for about a week total so far. We're heading home tomorrow from AZ and let me tell you, I need to go home so I can get some rest! This AZ heat is something fierce and it just wears a person out.

My diet is going very well and I'm now seeing some results in the way my clothes are fitting. I'm still wearing the shorts that I've been wearing for the last couple of summers but at least they're not so snug anymore. Yay!! It's a slow process but I'm sticking to it!

A Little Rain and A Very Strange Dream

I woke up this morning to light drizzles and thinking about a really weird dream I was having. I love that I'm not at work today and can stay at home and enjoy the weather. We've been on the go for the last month and we're leaving again tomorrow. Being able to lounge around today is heaven. This weekend is Parents Weekend at Arizona State so we'll be leaving for AZ in the morning. Parents Weekend is always fun and we love attending the ASU football game on Saturday night. GO SUNDEVILS!


We're taking the motorhome this time and staying at an RV park that we've stayed at many times before. We're taking the RV so that Jake can go along with us. We boarded him last week while we were in Colorado and he did great but Courtney wants to see him and we're just used to taking him with us wherever we go.

This time last year we flew to AZ for Parents Weekend and boarded Jake at the kennel in the vet's office. We came home only to find out that he was having serious problems and needed surgery, or as was recommended, to be put to sleep. He had the spinal cord surgery but has been paralyzed in his hind legs since that time. The day I took him home from the doggy hospital I cried all the way home which was 3 hours away. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to express his bladder properly or care for him like he needed, and I was afraid that maybe we had done the wrong thing by him. I felt so overwhelmed. I really can't believe it's been one year already but we've all managed just fine and we absolutely did the right thing for Jake. He is one happy and loved little dog!

O.k....now about the dream. Do you ever have dreams that seem so vivid but when you wake up you can't remember them? We'll mine was vivid but I remember every detail.

I had been at work but came home, opened up the door, and found my husband on a sofa bed in the living room. I remember not thinking too much about it until the pretty, much younger, foreign speaking woman quickly jumped out of the same bed NAKED! Naked as a jay bird! I remember her beautiful figure! No cellulite on that husband stealer! I remember following my husband as he walked her to her car and knowing it was over. After 29 years it was over. Even in my dreams, adultery is a deal breaker!

I told Howard about the dream and the young, pretty foreign woman. He got a big smile on his face and said "I should be so lucky to have that kind of dream!" Yep, that's my man!

Leaving...On A Jet Plane

We're heading to Colorado tomorrow to celebrate my Mom's birthday. It's been a whirlwind of a week with getting ready for this trip and having company as well. I'm looking forward to the time away and spending time with family. Also, Colorado is gorgeous this time of year.

Brandon and his friend Melissa will be leaving early in the morning. Melissa is a doll, so sweet and personable. Actually, come to find out, Brandon has been sorta kinda dating 2 girls named Melissa. Melissa #1 was originally the one coming home with him but cancelled out for whatever reason. He then invited Melissa #2. She is from New York originally but is now living in CA, going to school full-time and working full-time. They work together in the restaurant. What a nice girl and with a great head on her shoulders too. You can tell she likes Brandon but truth be told, he likes Melissa #1 better. Either way, you can tell this Melissa is a kind, loyal friend to Brandon and vice versa. Just 2 really nice kids!


We had a nice dinner out tonight with my sister Kim and her husband then we all had to head home to pack. I know we'll be spending the next 5 days with Kim but she didn't want Brandon to leave without seeing him and giving him a great big hug.



Family is such a blessing and the older I get, the more I appreciate mine! Sure, we all have our little quirks about us, but when push comes to shove, no one is there for you like family!

Sonja, The Cleaning Lady

I hear Sonja does a fantastic job but unfortunately there's no Sonja cleaning my house. I'm Sonja! I spent all day yesterday cleaning, organizing, and doing a little Fall/Halloween decorating. Having out of town company will do that to you. Actually, maybe I need company more often!

My son is coming home for a few days but he's bringing a friend...a female friend...a female friend who we haven't met yet. We need to leave a good impression don't you think...a clean house, a tidy guest room with clean sheets, a sparkly bathroom. Yep, we've been busy but I can't wait to see my handsome son. What a sweetheart he is!

We've also been busy getting ready for a trip on Saturday. My sisters/spouses and Howard and I are going to Colorado to celebrate my mom's 70th birthday. My mom is a beautiful woman, very fit and healthy and in no way does she look or act 70. My mom and step-dad Jim are great fun and are wonderful hosts so this trip will be amazing. All of us haven't been together like this in years. I can hardly wait!

The bills have been paid and paperwork organized, Jake got his immunizations up to date so he can be boarded while we're away, the house is clean, and even somewhat decorated, plus I worked 2 days this week. Life is good!

Now I just need to pack!

Mount Shasta

Each time we travel to and from Oregon we pass by the most beautiful sight...Mount Shasta in Northern California. Mt. Shasta is not connected to any nearby mountains, it just rises up abruptly from the miles of level ground around it, and it takes my breath away every time I see it.

Mt. Shasta is a dormant volcano. It has not had an eruption in over 200 years yet it has openings on it's surface (fumaroles) which show it is alive. These fumaroles still emit smoke and gases to this day. Mt. Shasta is the fifth highest peak in California and it's majesty is evident, no matter what time of year you see it.

While driving home from Oregon this last time, I took some beautiful pictures of Mt. Shasta. At times it seemed like we were at the base of the mountain yet we were miles away. How would you like to see this view from your kitchen window each day!?!




Mount Shasta always has a humbling effect on me and the beauty of this masterpiece overtakes me. It makes me think about God. It makes me think about his greatness. For as long as I live, I will forever be amazed by the hand of God.

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.

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.

Thanksgiving Wishes...

Today I'll be busy getting two Christmas swap packages ready, cleaning up the house a bit, and preparing to leave on our trip tomorrow. Alot to do, yet I sit here feeling emotional today. For various reasons, this has been a terrible year for me, and for the rest of the world as well. Things have happened this year that have turned my life upside down and have not been caused by me, but I'm still thankful.

I have alot to be thankful for!

I'm thankful this year for being introduced to blogging and for the friends that I have made through it. Friends that I genuinely care about and for the true friendships that have been lovingly nurtured along the way. Friends, I am so thankful for you!

I truly hope that all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and an enjoyable weekend with your loved ones. If any of you are traveling like I am, I pray that traveling mercies be upon you. So until next time, be safe, and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!