one of my top 5 worst days evah..............

Which I am not going to dwell on,lol. I am tired, crabby, overwhelmed and the whole 9 yards.

I am going to post about one of the most amazing acts of honesty and kindness that helped salvage the day.

I was at Super Walmart and drop dead tired. I was thinking about a problem I am having and how I should best handle said problem.

I loaded my groceries in the car and decided that I was going to head to panda express since I more than deserved a treat.

I get to panda express ( same parking lot as WM) and lo and behold I can not find my purse. I realize I left it on top of my car. DARN IT!

SO, I head back to my parking spot, after all, it had only been a minute. I searched and searched. No luck. I was devestated. I had a large amount of cash in it, plus all the stuff we carry in our purses that we do not want to lose. My ID had been stolen like 6 weeks ago and I was not looking forward to that whole thing again. Man, what a dummy I am.

I searched every sq. in of that parking lot and decide to go check at customer service. I am sure no one has turned it in, but I have to check,right?

Well, someone did turn it in. Everything is there. Every penny. Every card, every everything. I am so blessed. Good thing, since I can't be smart,lol.

I must be very boring.

Looks like I need to get involved in a love triangle or some other controversy to get readers/commenters.

LOL- ain't gonna happen here, I sorta like the boring life I have put together for myself. The less drama and controversy the better.

Todays mission, one that would bore most of you to tears, is to put two of my favorite cookbooks into sheet protectors and into a binder. They are falling apart and I am scared to loose any of the pages.

The cookbooks are "Make a Mix" and "More Make a Mix". They have wonderful recipes that help cut down time in the kitchen. Some of the mixes are similar to mixes you would buy in the store ( like a muffin mix or pancake mix) and some are just timesavers for main dishes and such. I like the time savings, the money savings and the " preservative" savings, since I know what I am putting in there. I am getting motivated to start using these books now!

This week I am looking forward to making some appointments and cropping w/ a friend.

It is hotter than heck here, so I am outside as little as possible, although we are enjoying the pool.

Have a great, non controversial day!

sweet!

Josh has been sponsored! He has been working hard for this, and it has paid off. The hard work will continue, and it is not a free ride but it does help. ( This is for paintball, lol sorry to leave that detail out)
He is still working at the pool, and is successful! He has been asked to train someone else and feels an awesome sense of pride.
Joel is doing well too, and has not caused any car accidents that I am aware of,lol.
I have next week off from babysitting, I think I am going to get to work on some pages for hire that I have going on. The guys are asking when we can get to the zoo again, so we can see the other things we missed.
It is hot here- 115 and they are saying no one should go outside. I am listening,lol. My kids work outside though so they are experts on how much water a person should drink.( I taught them well,lol)
I know I am behind the times, but I got a coluzzle today, so I could cut expert circles. I love it! Finally something I can use that works-woo hoo!
Tomorrow I am going to cut circles and get a haircut!

a day at the zoo!

We went to the zoo on Friday. We left the house really early so we would not get so hot, and to take advantage of the animals first waking up. So many animals that I had never seen doing anything but laying around, were moving and just being so entertaining.
The first picture is of the llama that Josh (in the black shirt) and his friend Chris ( green shirt- duh) befriended. They gathered leaves from outside the pen and passed them through. When there were no more leaves- the llama sort of grunted and then spit, yes SPIT all over Josh. EWWWW. That is why they are laughing though, boys are gross.
This next picture is of a new exibit where you are right in the enclosure with the monkeys. It was awesome, and I can't wait to get back to see more of their antics. We had a good breakfast ( josh had nachos,I had a hot dog,lol) and a good lunch there too, before we had to head home. 

summer and the livin is easy.................

so far,lol. I have spent almost no time in the car the last week and I have not been to town once,lol. Having a teenager w/ a drivers license is like that. I am starting to worry less than I was orignally, so that is good. He is going to drive to the city today so I am a bit nervous about that.

Josh is doing well, he likes his job at the pool.

Josh's friend tried to get him to quit but Josh stood his ground- something else to be proud of.

I am growing pumpkins and they now have their first flowers. This is pretty cool, hopefully we get lots of fun pumpkins to carve. Our tomatoes are doing great as well, they are so yummy!

It is getting hot here already, 110 this weekend. Our above ground pool is up so I might be able to start enjoying it. I am a HUGE baby about cold water( anything less than 80) and the temps are still dropping at night and the water doesn't have a chance to heat up.

Chris got his cpap machine, we are both sleeping a lot better. He wakes up bright and early now,lol- not sure that is a good thing but so glad he is not going to stop breathing or put stress on his heart with untreated apnea.

WOO HOO!

20 lbs of bazzill. That is just what got dropped off at my house! I have been saving some of the cash I have been earning providing childcare and made a big purchase from createforless. They really had awesome customer service, I liked how the site is set up. I also picked up the foam stamps of rebecca sowers handwriting- too cool!
I am on another organizing frenzy in my scrap area. I am hoping someone has iris carts on sale this week- I need two more and am almost ready to break down and buy them at full price. I don't think I could actually do that, but I am getting tempted,lol.
School is almost out here, next Tuesday. I am sure looking forward to it!
The kids seem to like working at the pool. Josh is feeling a little overwhelmed because he is also working at the paintball course and still has school going on. I think he will be fine after school lets out.
I am going to go file some bazzill. ( Insert smilie face)

what a cutie!

This is what Joel looked like 15 years ago on my second Mothers Day. That is a pudding cup and goodness knows if he got any to eat,lol.
Today, we went to brunch at L&B's, a not so local place, that has a nice Sunday Brunch. Both boys have to work today, Joel at the pool and Josh at the paintball field.
Tonight for dinner I think we are going to grill and play tripoly.
Now, I profess it is time for a nap! 

What is in...............

my fridge right now-

water
diet pepsi
sweet tea
gatorade
( we get thirsty here in az,lol)
5 dozen eggs from my chickens
can of biscuts
butter
ketchup
mustard
mayo
lunchmeat
leftovers
shredded and block cheese and american too,lol- we also love cheese here

my purse-
I don't technically carry a purse, I carry a franklin covey planner, but inside is:
checkbook, debit cards, cash
grocery store game cards
scrapbook store cards
menu planner
day to day planning sheets
coupons
phone numbers/addresses

my car-
man, this is where I "live" almost so-
4 stadium seats
4 folding chairs
ice chest
tylenol, ibuprophen
one dose each of everyone in the family's medication
air freshener
sonic drink straw wrappers
change in a film container

my eventful morning

I have started providing childcare for a neighborhood family, in the mornings from 5-7 am. This morning, the bus was late, to pick up the oldest, which made me late ( one of the things I hate the most) and Joel almost late. Whew, everyone made it on time, thanks to help from Chris, my dh.

Then, I let Joel drive to school this morning, and we have this little deal. He needs to call me when he gets to his destination, so I can stop worrying. He does it, but doesn't really like it. Today, someone met him at his car, and he ended up forgetting to call me. I text messaged him, to ask if he made it. He did not respond, and 10 mins later, while freaking out, I call the high school campus.

I get a recording. I call back, and am trying another extention, when another call comes on. I answer, and it is Officer so and so from the such and such Police Dept. I turned pale ( according to DH) and almost fainted.

He starts talking about my identity theft case and I start laughing out loud. He thinks I am a weirdo, I am sure, but I could not help it. I explained it to him, and he laughed too.
While we were OTP, Joel text'ed me back and said he is fine, and sorry for worrying me.

My identity theft case is going ok. I have recieved all my money back from the bank, they are investigating and my local PD has transferred the case to the county sherriff since all the purchases were made online and out of the city.

Just got a call from Joel, he remembered this afternoon,lol.

untitled

Joels IVP procedure found nothing abnormal. He still has to complete the other tests, but that would show minor issues, if anything. So a big WHEW there!

I started babysitting in the mornings, and it is an adjustment for the whole big family! I have to wake up at the ungodly hour of 4:30 and everyone is used to being able to count on me here. We are going to need to have a family meeting and quick!

My debit card number was stolen, and it has really messed up my life,lol. The bank is doing the investigation, and I should know something soon. The police are really helpful, they say this is a "very prosecutable" crime. Geez, I hope so, it has been really a mess.

Joel is going to be a lifeguard this summer, and Josh was hired to be a cashier. He is having second thoughts, and I just am trying to encourage him to give it a try. I am getting discouaraged!

Well, gotta run!

as the world turns

joel had a follow up visit tuesday, and here is what is next for him:
1) has to keep a food diary for 5 days- everything he ingests.
2) has to collect urine for a 24 hr period
3) has to have a IVP, a procedure that is a bit of a hassle,lol.
this weekend joel has to not eat any solid food, take laxatives. Then, monday he is going to be injected w/ a dye that will allow them to see the function of the kidneys.
Here's to hoping it is all just a big hassle and they don't find anything scary.

I have blogged about a friend that I have that can be frustrating at times. I love her still though, and the last time I was really frustrated, I decided that that is what was important, that she and I are friends, and over look our differences in parenting.
Let me back up a bit. About 4 years ago, she stopped taking my calls. She had her kids hang up on me, gave me lots of excuses about why she couldn't come to the phone, etc. I never had any idea what happened, and we had been friends for about 4 years, and I was heartbroken. I never mean to hurt anyones feelings, and if I find out that I have I apologize and try never to do it again. I felt I must have offended her, but could not for the life of me figure out why she would just stop talking to me.
Two years later, I got a letter from her. She said that she was so sorry she cut me out of her life, but that I was no fun. She was getting "bored" and all I wanted to do was stuff w/ the kids. She apologized. I went right to her house and told her it was fine and never brought it up again. We picked up right were we left off.
I was really hurt, and I never really told her that. I did not see a lot of good in going on and on about it after the fact. She apologized, I wanted to be her friend again, time to move on.
Now here we are 2 years later. She has done it again. I should not be surprised. I mean, our friendship did not mean crap to her before, why would I think it did now? Again, I have no idea if it is because I am too boring for her, if I offended her or what. This time however, I decided that it really is OK. I am not going to be heartbroken. She's nuts. She drives me crazy. I don't need that in my life anyway.
If, and that is a big IF, she does contact me in the future, it really won't matter. Like I said, she has never held our friendship in the same regard as I do apperantly. I could never trust her again. I don't need the constant take take take of our relationship anyway.
I am sad, like w/ a divorce, for the relationship that you dream of having, instead of the one that you have. I am sad that I am looking around and not seeing other friends,lol. I need to get out and make some.
Thanks for reading this big ol long thing,lol.

whats new

wellllllllllllll, lets see.
Tuesday, Joel called me from school and said I should pick him up, he is sick. He has had perfect attendance for the past 3 years, and never, I mean, never likes to miss school.
I picked him up and took him to the doc.
The doc felt he has a viral infection, blah blah blah, wait it out, get better in three days, drink water.
He went to school weds, did fine, played baseball- whole 9 yards.
Thursday at 230 am, he wakes me up, pain is horrible, he needs to go to the ER. Wow- I have never had to take joel,lol.
So, off we go. He is sleeping in the waiting room. We meet w/ the triage nurse and, I know he is in extreme pain, he is agitated and unable to concentate. He insisted to her that he has chest pains. She asked to point to where it hurts, and he pointed at his belly. She felt it was is appendix.
He gives a urine sample, and a blood sample.The urine had blood in it, and the blood test came back normal. After about an hr, we are back in a room.
They give him an IV, get him comfy, and we wait. We were now at about the end of a shift
( thank GOD!) and so we had to wait for new people.
The new doc and nurse were much improved,lol. Joel had an xray and eventually a cat scan.
They felt he had a kidney infection and another condition that looks like the appendix but is really swollen lymph nodes, and is equally painful, but benign.
We go home, and Joel, who heard no restrictions, heads back to school.
The next day, Joel's pediatrician calls, to say that the urine culture does not show infection, so there is something else going on.Could be that he passed a kidney stone, could be a kidney not functioning properly, who knows, at this point. We see Joels doc on Tuesday, for another urine test, and new plan of action.
Josh has been a busy guy, working at the paintball course. Lots of hours this week. He is also hoping for a summer job at the pool, so he can say " I have two jobs"- he thinks he is hilarious when he says that,lol.
This weekend is a fun, but busy one too.
Joel has a recertification class for lifeguarding, and Josh is going to work both days. I am going to try to squeeze some scrapping in, but this house is a wreck! I got behind while Joel was sick and I was tired from being at ER.
We are going to do something different this year, for easter, out of necessity. With Josh being gone all day, we are going to have our easter egg in the dark, with flashlights. The guys are looking forward to that!

thankful for

-Sonic drinks

-scrapbooking, and time to enjoy it

-the memories I have made so far

-my kids

-my kids' friends, and their familes, who treat my kids so well when they are there. I am so thankful for that help.

-my parents- they are still there for me, all the time, no matter what

-my health. I know, there is a lot of pain in my joints, and my meds have side effects. But all 4 of us lived through today, and prolly will tomorrow. There have been so many posts on a message board I frequent, with serious life threatening problems. I have been there, with my DH, but for today, I will be thankful for my health.

-for my oldests ds's sense of responsibility and loyalty. No one could ask for a better friend. He makes sure all of his teamates have rides home, do not need to use the phone, or need anything to eat. He makes sure everyone has equipment and uniforms. He often is too busy caring for others to care for himself.( who is that like,lol)

-for my youngest ds- that he makes sure we all have a laugh at least once a day.He does not let us forget to live our life, instead of planning the day away.

I am now, finally, getting off of the pot.

I decided today, to use the effort that I have been using to attempt to get along w/ my ex, and solve our issues w/o involving attorneys and courts, and use it to find a good attorney and take care of business.
I did not want to have money interfere with my kids relationship w/ their dad. At this time, there is no relationship, so I might as well have some money,lol.
I decided that instead of wasting time trying to talk to him, I would use that time to get my reciepts and notes in order and go to court.
I will win, I am right. It does not make it any less sad, and any more what I want. It is, however, what it is.
Joel is driving now, and every time he drives, I get so sick to my stomach with worry. I am doing a little better now, I know it takes 20 minutes to get home from town, so I only worry after 20 minutes,lol. Last night he was home before I could start really worrying, so hopefully I am on the right path.
So here I am, no kids to take anywhere, no where I have to rush off to,and I have NO clue what to do w/ myself.I better get a life.

owie

I am a native arizonan. I have heard all my life about sunburns, sun damage and skin cancer. I am a freak when it comes to my kids wearing sunscreen.
Yesterday, however, I spent 5 hrs in the sun, w/o sunscreen and have a really bad sunburn. I have a fever and I feel so sick from it.
The good news is my son's baseball team won both of those baseball games. YEAH!

q is for

quack- a happy sound I hear each day.They great me in the morning, when I come and go from the house. I know they think they need to be fed, and that is why they are quacking, but I pretend that they like me,lol.
qvc- I love to watch the kitchen and craft shows.
I suck at q even worse than P,lol.

Joel got his drivers license Thursday. Wow. I have some stuff journaled about my feelings about him walking out of the door at MVD and getting in the car w/ a stranger, and him behind the wheel. It really freaked me out. He did well (98 out of 100). I haven't let him drive anywhere else alone yet,lol. I am going to have to get over this.

Josh is working tomorrow, and has started a little business building custom paintball gun stands. I am going to have to post a picture, he is a pretty smart guy.

P is for

2peas- still like it there. not as homey as LM, but the boards move fast.
peas. I like them.
pillows- two under my head and one in between my knees.
python- we have a ball python

man, this alpha stuff is hard work,lol.

its that time of year again

Busy with baseball season!Joel had 5 games last week. That is unusual,lol so every week won't be like that- thank goodness.
We had a substantial amount of rain yesterday. Our state had gone 143 days w/o any rain, and yesterday sure made up for it. We had a lot of rain, and wind in the morning. The wind subsided in the afternoon, but it was still raining when I went to bed. I was worried about being able to get out of my drive in the afternoon but I was indeed able to.
An update on my situation w/ my sister: She is pretending like nothing happened. That has worked for her in the past. She is often annoying, and I have always let it go before. This time,she really crossed the line. I can't just pretend that she didn't say all of that stuff. I am probably going to have to clarify my position on that because she ignoring /disrespecting the fact that I don't want to talk to her,lol.
I have a small scrapping job, and I have been busy with that too, lately. I did several LO's yesterday during the storm. I have a couple left but I am going to have to hit the LSS for some materials before I do them.Since I am in the scrapping mood I am going to scrap some current pics of my own. 

a vent/whine

warning you now,lol.
My sister and I had an argument today, that was very very hateful and sad.
My sister and I fought as young girls. I am the oldest, by 3 years. I did not like fighting w/ her then, and I have always done my best to avoid it now that we are adults.
We are very different. I am ok w/that. She really has never been ok w/ that. She believes there is one right way, everything is black and white.I almost always just listen to her and just go ahead and do what I want,lol. I respect her right to have her opinions and her life the way she wants it. If she is judgmental of me, I just shrug and realize it is most likely ignorance on this issue/topic whatever. My poor parents listen to me vent, and just tell me she does not understand real life.
Anyway, today we had a really bad fight. One I am not sure I will ever get over. I can not imagine ever speaking to her again. When I have heard other people say that I always thought they were dramatic. After all, family is way too important to hold grudges.Not talking about abusive or extreme situations, but in cases where family members offend one another. I now see that maybe people are just protecting themselves.
The issue is not important. I was disappointed and concerned about something, and I called her to tell her. She fired back w/ insults, you know, not just "You ugly fat lady"lol but deep, right through the heart insults. The very things she knew would hurt the most. She hurled insult after insult at me. Then she started hurling them at one of my boys. That is when I yelled over her(we were otp) and told her I was done, that I was never going to talk to her again.
I am so sad. We have never been close. We are so different, and I do not like how she treats my parents. I have always longed for a close relationship with her. I tried for a long time, years, to build one. I know that this is not the same as loosing a dh or if we had been close, but I am oh so sad, just sad.
I do not give any merit to her insults. For one, I doubt very seriously she meant them. Two, they are just baseless and untrue. But still, she was way out of line to say them, and I do not see me being able to forget hearing those words come out of her mouth. Her DH called right after and apperantly my sister feels that my saying I never want to speak to her again is the ultimate insult that trumps all insults. Cool. Fine, think that. Maybe it is.
Maybe I can't listen to all her other insults anymore. Maybe I do not want to hear about how she is using my parents anymore. Maybe I don't want to hear how she would never allow her kids to eat what mine do. Maybe I don't want to hear that she does not want to hang around me because of my ill mannered kids. Maybe I don't want to hear how if I want a sister to check w/ my sil. Blah blah blah, sorry, if you are still awake- thanks!

worms, worms, worms

Dianna, cover your eyes now!
Everyone else can read along.
I have been getting a worm bin set up for awhile, and looking for the cheapest place to get my little guys. Today was the day. I ordered a pound of red wigglers, and will have them next week. Then they can start composting for me, to help get a great garden going!
I would actually like, in time, to build a business. Lets see if I am still saying that in a few months,lol.