My Four Kings

Learning How To Coupon!!!

2011-01-22T21:53:00.001-07:00

Ok, so, my sister has started this coupon thing about saving $$$ and saving BIG.

So, naturally, I want in on that kind of saving too, as I am a nursing student and money can only go so far. Plus it just makes sense. It is a good thing to get products free or for cents as the price point.

I was eager to go out there and see how this thing works. My first outting with this was small. I didn't have many coupons - working on that!

Here is a synopsis of my 1st try!

Fry's Supermarket was having some great sales!
Farmer John Sausage links 33% off! Price $1.13
Hormel Chili $.93
Hot Pockets $1.49 each

So, my coupons

Farmer John $.75 off
Hormel Chili $.55 off 2
Hormel Chili Master $.75 off
Hot Pockets $1.00 off 2

Here is what I actually PAID

Farmer John breakfast links $.88
Hormel Chili $.65 each
Hormel Chili Master $.18
Hot Pockets $.99 each

For those 6 items, I paid a grand total of $4.91

So, I was majorly psych'd! Imagine shopping like this on a BIGGER purchse. Still have a lot to learn! If you are interested, see the link on the side of my page or go to http://www.krazycouponlady.com/

She is GREAT and has lots of tips on HOW TOs

The next big adventure is "The Sunday Paper" That's where the coupons are! I have printed lots of coupons off the internet - they say those are great and ez to do! The trick with the Sunday paper is to get multiple papers so that way you can get alot of coupons all at once!

I will keep you posted as I go along.

Hearts Healing. . . . A new start

2011-01-19T19:16:00.001-07:00

As we near the 2nd week of the "Tragedy in Tucson" as the local newscasts are calling it.

We have buried those that lost their lives and we try to go on. There remains 2 people in the hospital out of the shooting victims. The news is that Gabby Giffords will be discharged this coming Friday and her family having her go to a rehab clinic in Houston. Makes sense. She stood up today with assistance! That in itself is a wonderful miracle! No doubt her recovery will be a long hard earned one - but from what she has done and shown us already -- she is UP for it! Go Gabby!

As the town tries to get back to normal - school has started back up and by school, I mean that Pima Community College is back in full swing this week.

My nursing school has resumed much to everyones delight, The Young Adult has now been to all 4 of her classes and YAY! We are so thrilled that she actually likes ALL her teachers! You have to know that last semester, it was very painful - switching classes to fit and teachers that just did not jive ho with the Young Adults expectations! This semester is off to a much smoother start and for that I am truly Thankful! :o)

The Teenager is doing fine in his junior year as well - they had some excitment of their own last week. A girl had a seizure in class and he was so full of enthusiasm that he helped her! I couldn't believe it! WHAT?? how did you help? What did you do? curious was I.
HE proudly proclaimed, "I held her head" Then when the principal came, he ran to get her a pillow while they held her. Amazing! Yes, I was very proud of my teenager! Way to go!!!

So, with this week being back to school for 2 of us - life seems to be getting back to some type of normal pace. Back to studying, homework, tests, papers etc. Oh well, I am on semester 2 of 4 for my nursing!
Praying and hoping that all will continue to go well.

Another thing I am taking on is COUPONS!! I hear about people spending like some ridiculous amount of money for a load of groceries -- so YES, i am interested and starting to venture out to this arena...
This weekend, I will get 4 Sunday newspapers and take the coupons and start building my little coupon zone. I will post more as I learn more about how to do it.
So much going on .. guess that is good - being busy helps keep things going! :-)

A Week Ago Today

2011-01-15T11:12:00.000-07:00

Today it is 1 week ago exactly since the shootings at Safeway.

The week has been hard, sad and full of things that are not normal.

From having the President come, following the insane information from the shooter, hearing the details of the shootings, keeping up with the progress of the survivors, hearing about the ppl from Westboro Baptist Church, to the beginning of the funerals. So, much is going on.

The President came to Tucson. That was not without its controversies... Great.
First, they held it at the McKale Center on the campus of University of Arizona. A college campus. Many people have been offended by the tone and behavior of the people who attended or didn't understand the Indian ceremony at the beginning of the Memorial. If you have never seen one of those, then I can see where one might thing it odd.

I think that you have to live here to totally understand the mood and the tone of the city and the people who are hurting, upset and just feeling really really sad and shocked about what happened.

Just don't even get me started on the Westgate Baptist Church - how they can call themselves that, I will never get. How could they protest a little 9yr old girls funeral? What did she ever do to them? I was so happy, relieved and pleased when I saw that the "Angels" were going to be there in case they showed up to shield the family from their ugly signs. I love the "Angels" then the Bikers let us know that they would be there and in a minutes notice to help the families as well. So much love.

The TV news and the radio people were doing their best to comfort and help the people make sense of this senseless tragedy that happened in their town.

On the day of the presidential visit, the radio ppl were telling us to drive with our lights on to show support and unity in the community if you will. The City buses had a sign that read, "Together we Thrive" on their destination placards. It felt so good to see that we were all in this together.

WE, as a city, were heartbroken that one individual could come and totally disrupt everything and take lives. The life of a 9 year old little girl that we all totally fell in love with. How precious she was. The 6 people who were robbed of their earthly life was intolerable. How could anyone? How dare he! Why? Why? What was wrong with him that he felt it was ok to take human lives? Shock, stunned disbelief, pain - this unbelievable pain that someone could do this.

It was very hard hearing the country talk about how inappropriate the behavior of clapping and cheering was during a "Memorial" service. The t-shirts of support that earlier in the day were posted on all the city buses (and still today I saw the sign on a bus) was inapproapriate?

why? Is it because they were not here? They do not live here in Tucson. They do not understand what it has been like to live here during all this. Who are these people to judge our city and tell us how to act? Maybe it was - who knows? The town had been dealing with all this for just 4 days. We were thinking of the victims and their families and the deaths of the 6 people - it was all over tv - all day. the news just went on and on.

We wanted to feel united and we wanted our pain recognized. We wanted comfort. We wanted to share that and be a part of everyone. IT was a good speech, the speech was what we needed to hear. WE felt united, it was good to share this with each other, to comfort one another.

Do you know that Tucson is predomiantly Hispanic? We have a HUGE Indian population here? So, that flavors our city. IT is a part of our everyday life. We make allowances for each others beliefs all the time. We blend together - sometimes, not so well, but we all recognize that is what makes up Tucson.

So, we are on TV, everywhere.
We are a sad city, hurting and desparately wishing this did not happen.

A Sad Senseless Day In Tucson, Arizona

2011-01-08T23:30:00.000-07:00

Today started as normal as usual... but it was not to remain so.

Today, one of the Congresswomen of our city, Gabrielle Giffords was holding a "Congress on your Corner" a meet and greet if you will, at the local Safeway shopping center.

A young man came up and began shooting - shooting her in the head. In all 19 people were injured or killed. Giffords herself was critically injured. Many of the TV stations were reporting her as dead. But the hospital called the local stations to say she was ALIVE and in surgery.

The neurosurgeons are optimistic about her recovery. Time will only tell. One of her aids was also shot but he died. He was 30 yrs old and recently engaged. The other death that has touched so many people was that of a 9 year old girl. She was just elected to the student council and her neighbor invited her so that she could see some real government officials. So sad. This little girl was featured in the book, "Faces of Hope: Babies Born on 9/11". Yes, she was born on a tragic day and died on a tragic day. So horribly awful. I can't even imagine what it must be like for her parents. Heartbreaking.

The shooter.... well, a 22 yr old male. Withdrew or kicked out of the local college this past October for being disruptive and behavior issues. The college police have a record on him. What made him do it? Will we ever know? Did he act alone? He has UTube vids up out there that portray him as a Left wing extremist. a loner. typical.

It has been a very long day and a sad day for those of us living in Tucson. In the end it doesn't even really matter what party people are, we all agree that this is not the proper way for people to behave. We don't go up and just shoot people - that is not acceptable! EVER!

So sad. What a waste. Tucson is once again in center stage in a bad way.
Praying for all those involved.

http://www.kold.com/global/story.asp?s=13810013

The local news link to read more about those who lost their life on this January 8th 2011.

Good Night. My brain can not process any more.

The 1st Friday of 2011

2011-01-07T22:09:00.000-07:00

Yes, it is true...
Today is the first Friday of 2011. How exciting is that?? We all got to sing the Friday song this morning! Well, all of us except Hubby.. he doesn't get into the singing part like we do! Oh well.

So, what did you do today?
WE got our books for school today. Luckily my books "only" cost $212.68 now, that is for 2 smallish books plus a "tote" that has supplies that I will need for my 2nd semester of nursing school plus the rest of the books that I already had from last semester. Now, The Young Adults books cost $332.72 that would be for 7 books plus this little booklet on critical thinking.

hmmmm Now the interesting thing we found is that "Renting" books is becoming popular and is way WAAAAY cheaper than buying new or used books. What a GREAT idea!!! renting books.. I LOVE it! The only bad side was that it is not widely used - meaning not many books are available that way.

The other thing I saw today was digital books.. how cool is that. It must be really new because the bookstore people knew little about it other than you purchase it and are given a code to download to your computer! Again, the prob here - is that it is not widely available yet, not alot of digital books available YET...

So, that was my day. We went to the college and bummer.... the computers were down, so they could not verify our book loan amount .. sad... so we came back later and were successful!!! YAY!!! Then we had to go get the books and mine and some of hers were at a different campus, yep, we had to go to that campus as well.

The day ended up with happy smiles.. WE have all our books plus my nursing tote (that I was told NOT to open until the 1st day of class) She was told not to open her math packet until the first day of class as well. hmmmm
well ok.

So, now we can get on with the weekend.. Hubby has to work tomorrow early...Lots of rest, reading our books? hopefully, making sure the teenager gets his homework done, washing clothes and hanging with the fam.

Sound good? sound like fun? Well, that's life in the suburbs! Have a super weekend!

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

2011-01-06T19:57:00.003-07:00

2011 is here and it is already off to a busy start!
The teenager is back for his 2nd half of his junior year in high school and my young adult is starting her 2nd semester in her 1st year of college!

Time flies!

I also go back this month for my 2nd semester of nursing school! YAY!!!
Hubby is also still working on his CDL license -- all he has left is just the driving hours! So we shall see what the future holds on that end!

So, that is what we have been up to and it seems that it will continue until someone graduates from college! LOL

Truly do hope that each and every one of you had a wonderful New Years Eve!

Summer Time in August

2010-08-03T19:32:00.002-07:00

Hey Everyone!!

I found my way back to my blog...

Been a crazy, busy past several months. Nursing school started and it almost ate my brain.

We now have a high school graduate..... and future college student....

We also have a high school junior. Yeah, he's thrilled about going back to school.
Even school has had some rough bumps for them - we are "hopeful" about the upcoming new school year for the Teenager.

This August, nursing school resumes. It is a very crazy type of busy that goes along with school, work, family and just day to day living.

Work remains the same - I'm just happy to have a job at this present time and economy.

The Hubs is going back to school. His job remains "iffy" and the possibility of layoff is always hovering.

Life in Tucson

2009-09-23T09:42:00.003-07:00

Well, deciding to stay in Tucson for the next 2 years was a definite change in events for us.
We had already moved out of our house (rental) and our belongings are in storage. We have discovered the world of "Extended Stay" hotels.
It is not as bad as it first sounds.
The cost was a factor in deciding which one to choose. The other factor, for us, was our dog. One place wanted to charge a non refundable fee of $150 - broken down to $50 per night not to exceed $150. Some places allow NO dogs. The place we chose had a total fee of $50 period. Also, some of the ES do not have pools.
We have been at the Studio 6. They have a pool! The staff has been polite and they seem able to handle any situation that we have thrown at them! They are always smiles and very helpful.
I joke about it being a good thing my family likes each other! lol
The living quarters are small. But they are clean. We have a kitchenette complete with a cook top stove and a fridge with a good size freezer.
We have been able to make this work. Before school started, I would take the kids swimming and we could take the dog for walks in the early morning. All that while Dad was at work! Nice!
There is a laundry facility not too far away from our room - so I just had to get back into the habit of having quarters! Ugh. oh well. It could always be worse.
So, we have cleaning day - the day they clean our place up and then we have towel and trash day. So, at 2 times a week someone can bring/give us supplies for our room!

We have been pretty happy with this situation as; after you have been here for 1 month, they switch you from weekly rates to monthly rates! They also gave back all the taxes we paid that first month! How many places 1) give you back your taxes paid 2) lower your rate??
So maybe you can see why this place makes us smile! Oh yeah, they provide wireless service for your computer for only a one time fee of $4.95 unlimited!
So, we have been paying $300 plus utilities LESS than what we paid for our rental house. Things like that excite me.
Just wanted to share our new adventures as we count down to January - the beginning of nursing school for me.

As much as I like it here, I'm not sure that I could do this for the next 2 years. I would think that we would be needing the space to allow for my studying and give the kids back their privacy. Plus the room has an A/C unit that either freezes you out or you turn it off. I think if I could suggest anything, it would be adjoining rooms. Maybe they could offer family's that option and maybe NOT charge them for 2 rooms, possibly a discount?? Another room would make things so much better. But not 2 seperate rooms, it would just be weird to be seperated, the dog would not be able to check on his kids and us. But an adjoining room, he could have 2 rooms to wander around in and be able to check on everyone. hmmmm
So, we have some looking and deciding to do.
Next time.....
Some of the observations about the people who live here with us - it IS very interesting and it says something for what is going on in our country. Check back!

Nursing School - Here I come

2009-09-16T10:04:00.003-07:00

Well, it started out as an "invitation" to move up from Spring of 2011 to Spring of 2010.
I responded by email and said YES YES YES YES

I then waited and waited and waited.
I received my EMAIL response that said "Congratulations, you have been accepted into the Spring 2010 Nursing Program!"

My heart was beating in triple time! Can it be? Everything I had been working for these past 3 years is actually coming to the point of REAL nursing school???

So, YES! it is official and I am in the January 2010 nursing school and I am really excited and can't wait to begin the next chapter of my schooling!

Wish me luck!

Can Lightning strike twice???

2009-09-08T10:08:00.003-07:00

My poor blog is suffering from "abandonment issues"

So, I will try to be more attentive! :o)

Since last posting... we have had a couple of changes
First, we moved....well... sort of...
We are no longer living in our 4 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage house... Nooo
now we are hanging out in an extended stay type of place. Interesting and way cheaper..
The reason???

Well, we were attempting to move back home to Florida. All was green until this past Friday.

The other change was the purchase of a laptop to replace my extremely overused desktop..

So, now, I can be on more! YAY!!!

What happened Friday is the title for my post - Can Lightning strike twice?

On Friday morning, I received a call that the LPN program could start me next month! How exciting.
But, I did nothing about it.
Later in the afternoon, I received an email from the RN program inviting me to start the RN program in Jan. 2010 instead of 2011 (part of our reason to leave tucson)

So, after I quit jumping up and down in the aisle of Super Walmart! My daughter looks at me and asks me "What does this mean?"

What does this mean

Would we still move back to Florida?
Where will we live?
Will we stay here?

WOW! For the past 3 years, all my goals have been towards becoming an RN
I became really depressed when all my options for getting into the RN program dried up.
It made me doubt what I was supposed to do, where were WE really supposed to be?
The confusion, at that time, was deafening. It felt so completely hopeless. Ok, well, maybe not totally hopeless... but sad. let down.
Now, here is not 1 but 2 opportunities to do what it was that previously I had been striving towards...
So, hang on.. it might be Tucson for the next 2 years!!!

:o)

This is just peachy cool

2009-06-23T13:09:00.003-07:00

Why I love these 2 soo much - well okay, maybe Jeffery Donovan just a bit more! He is soooo...uhm aaaaaaaahhhhhh delish!

Tucson Has A Zoo

2009-05-15T16:26:00.002-07:00

Just in Case you were wondering, yes, they do in fact have a zoo. It's called the Reid Park Zoo.

Funny that we have lived here just about 4 years and have never gone before now.

This week is Hospital Week at TMC. They have had various surprises for us during the week YAY! But the one my family was most interested in was this one. Last year, it was a ballgame seeing the Diamondbacks with dinner provided!

This year it is Free admission to the zoo with dinner provided. We all went and they served us Chicken Fajitas with all the trimmings and they had a little band playing - it was great! We had fun and I even took the camera and played with it - still getting used to what it can do!

Is School Over Yet?

2009-05-11T23:57:00.008-07:00

So here we are in the month of May.

The regular schools are getting ready for that all time honored thing

SUMMER = NO SCHOOL

So, my kids, Young Adult and (now reigning) Teenager; are dreading getting up EVERY. SINGLE. MORNING.

I thought that this would pass, but as the days go on, it is harder and harder for them to WANT to get up and go to school.

Partly because they don't get out of school - for summer break - until June 18th! It is hard for them because alot of their other friends get out this month.

So, they feel like they are run hard, work hard, study hard and generally, just have no fun.

Once school is over, the Young Adult will have a college course to get into for the summer! YAY! Isn't it wonderful to be a young adult?? ;o)

The teenager will inevitably sleep and stay up way too late! I guess that's normal for teenagers!

So, I tell them, enjoy this - it ends all too soon! Isn't it great to be the bearer of such wonderful tidings? ;o)

Upward Bound

Have any of you heard of this program?

It is intended for high school students that help them prepare for college. They assist the student in courses to take, offer tutoring, they have monthly Saturday classes where they provide breakfast and snacks for the kids and then in the summer, they offer some college courses; Monday-Thursday and they feed the kids breakfast, snacks and lunch. Very cool.

Did I mention that the kids all receive a stipend to participate in this program? Even COOLER!So, the end of the year trip is a visit to Northern Arizona University up in Flagstaff!! June 30-July2nd. They transport the kids, hotel them, feed them and then they are given a tour of NAU! COOOOOOOOLLLLIIIEEEEESSSSTTT!

At the beginning of the year, they said they would take parents to chaperone! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We LOVE Flagstaff and well, that seemed too good to be true... Yep. When I inquired about it, the "staff" took all the spots. Big Time Bummer!

BUT....................................

We were told if we wanted to meet them up there, we could. Of course, we pay our own hotel and expenses... Oh yes... It is at the "Drury Inn" Family Favorite!!!

So, here we are. It would be a lovely opportunity for The Young Adult

to get a tour of a really nice university aaaaannnnnnddddd a chance for the family to sneak away to one of our FAVORITE places in Arizona! Flagstaff.... which is only about 1 hour away from the wonderful Grand Canyon!!!

More later on that developing educational experience! :o)

Happy Mother's Day!!!

2009-05-07T16:16:00.003-07:00

This is to all my wonderful MOMMY friends here in Bloggerland!
I wish a very VERY Happy Mother's Day to you one and all!
I hope that your day is full of love, joy, smiles, hugs and happiness!
You DESERVE it. Each.And.Every.One.Of.You!

It's the most demanding, tiring, limitless, never-ending, heart wrenching, smile producing, joy inducing thing a woman could ever EVER do in her life.
To me, it is still amazing that something that grows inside of you and and continues to grow into a human being is absolutely the most wonderfully amazing thing I have ever been blessed to participate in.
Sure, we all have those days where frustrations run rampant and we think that we will never get them potty trained ;o) or when they cut their shirt during "aircrafts" Seeing a little baby grow into an 18 year old young woman is still mind blowing!
Watching your little baby boy grow into a young man that shaves!!! YIKES!!!
Well, you get the idea.

Enjoy your Day all you Super Terrific Hard Working Moms!
:o)

FLASH!!!! Tucson to hit the TRIPLE digits

2009-05-05T17:20:00.003-07:00

Is it here??
Do you feel it?? The temperature is slowing climbing up to that unbearable range of 100 plus degrees!!! YIKES!!
It doesn't really matter where you are.. hot is hot and that my friends is just PLAIN HOTNESS!
The saying, "It's a dry heat" well, if you like being in an oven, then you are set. But I prefer not to have heat radiating back up thru my feet towards the rest of my body!
The one thing I can say for Tucson ~ is this....
During the summer months, when your brain is being baked.... they do offer you water ~ it seems that just about every establishment we frequented offered us bottled water!! At first that was VERY exciting to me ~ as I LOVE water, but then I realized it was the law for them not to refuse anyone during the hot summer months!
But, as someone who has lived out here in the desert for the past 4 years... I now carry my OWN water so that I won't get parched, dehydrated, and thirsted to death and pass out.
So, as those of you get some rain and have lower temps (I know some of you will have humidity) I will think about you and stay in the shade, only go out EARLY and then LATE so as not to burn, fry, become a french fry!
At least we can look forward to "Monsoon" woo hoooo Now, that is a lot of fun!!! More on that laters!

8 x 8

2009-05-01T14:49:00.008-07:00

Here is my 8 x 8 Thanks Amber

8 Things I am looking forward To:

1. The weekend
2. Spending time with my family
3. Not getting up at 4:50am tomorrow
4. Payday!!!! :o)
5. Getting outside to take some pictures
6. Having all the laundry done
7. Having a nice dinner with Hubby and our kids
8. Moving

8 Things I did yesterday

1. Took a shower
2. Got to see the sunrise while driving to work
3. Went to work
4. Got to help take care of patients
5. Was able to offer help to my fellow PCTs
6. Had dinner with my family
7. Got to talk to my sister in Chile
8. Felt like my day mattered

8 Things I Wish I could do

1. Travel around the world
2. Retire and not have to worry about money
3. Wake up when I was done sleeping
4. Go to the BEACH
5. Go and live whereever I (WE) wanted
6. Have enough money to never worry and do what we need to do
7. Live to the fullest the way God would have it!
8. Always put others first to help them with their troubles

8 Shows I watch

1. Burn Notice - it would be nice if the bad words were not at all
2. Gilmore Girls - we have all the seasons
3. CSI
4. The Discovery Channel
5. Disney Channel movies
6. ER, when it was on, now reruns
7. Meerkat Manor
8. Weather Channel - I LOVE WEATHER

8 Favorite Fruits

1. My whole kooky, crazy family! Oh! ok... :o) I LOVE all you guys!
2. Pineapple
3. Oranges
4. Kiwi
5. Bananas
6. Strawberries
7. Plums
8. Cantelope

8 Places I would like to travel

1. Spain - I was born there
2. England
3. Ireland
4. Scotland
5. Chile - my seesta is there for another year
6. Alaska
7. Maine
8. Vermont
I have been to Mexico, Jamaica, Puerto Rico already plus many of our wonderful states.

8 People to tag

hmmm, whoever wants to do this - it is fun, harder than it looked!

A day in the Life

2009-04-21T20:00:00.004-07:00

Ok, so today was supposed to be full of fun and all that.
It was Dunkin Donuts 50 cent Iced Coffee day and I ended up getting mine free... how cool!!! I was excited!!!

Then there was the PCT Conference at work - i was excited because last year, it was so much fun PLUS they feed us..like breakfast and lunch!! plus prizes!!
During all the excitement and before our table won the Jeoperdy game....
The daughter texts me that she had the scariest day in school she has ever had in her life!!!!! OMGosh!!!
I starte to text her back, but realize, this is too important, I step outside to call her.
It seems that this boy was smacking this girl... playfully, at first and got harder and harder....
Then another girl saw them and nervously laughed. She probably thought they were being stupid and childish.
So, who gets busted?
The girl who laughed. The teacher nailed her and started to go off on her and the hit girl.
THEN.....
The boy stood up and took it further. Both he and the teacher started yelling at each other and the boy wanted to "take it outside" (smart teacher - prob the best decision he ever made to NOT go out)
anyway....
It gets so bad that the other teacher/office person calls the campus police - who, by the way, take their sweet time getting there. (I'll deal with them later - I PROMISE)
So, the boy storms out of the classroom - leaving his books there.
Whew! my BP is going up just typing this.
The principal is (of course) not there that day - sick.
Well, she'll be sicker now.
I have sent her 2 emails, with some time between them to allow me to chill and think clearly.
So, now, I am wondering if I should show up and be their brand new "Room Monitor" I'm not in school right now and doing absolutely NOTHING. It could happen!
Of course I do not want to embarrass my children - but safety is the utmost concern to me.

So, yeah, that was my day.
I'm tired.
At least I do not work tomorrow. But I WILL be at that school, even if just hanging around the library all morning.

so, why did i quit homeschooling my kids???? socialization my butt.
Sorry, but I get very protective and passionate about my chillins!!
Vicki out for now!

The Story of the FAKE post office

2009-04-16T13:36:00.004-07:00

This will be my last word on the April 15, 2009 Tax Ordeal.
So, I get the taxes done, go and have hubby sign and then on the way back home, stop by the closest post office to our house. See Picture....

The first thing you should notice is that there is NO ONE there - it is 1pm in the afternoon.
But wait, let me further explain that the building is not the post office. Noooo the post office is the little white truck parked off the the left. His flap is down thus indicating that he is closed. So I thought maybe he's out to lunch. When I go back out, I'll try again, after all it is only 1pm.. I have plenty of time!

This is another shot of our "post office" We call it the FAKE post office because you don't go into the building but the truck. You buy stamps, mail stuff.. etc.

Ok, so I go out to pick up my hubby at about 4:30 pm.. I drive by and IT IS STILL CLOSED! UGH the only sign is one saying the last pick up will get the April 15th postmark. Otherwise you have to go to the Cherrybell location!!! (that is about 15 miles away)
So I am forced to go to another post office a little further down on Valencia about 9 miles away.

You guessed it closed!!! UGH!!!! There was no one there at all, just us peoples looking to mail our tax forms....
Oh yes, they too had the very same sign stating that the 4/15 postmark would only be stamped for those depositing BEFORE the last pickup on that mailbox. I look at the time label on the mailbox.... it says last pick up 5:15pm.. I look at my BB it says 5:13pm Did I make it???? Do I dare put it in the mailbox?? I look at that long line of cars behind me and decide we are all trying to do the very same thing. So, YES! I put it in there.
Whew!
My faith in reading signs is at this point, shall we say doubtful. I'm hoping it went out all right.
I remember back home in Tampa, they were all tooooooo eager to help us poor last minute folks. They would set up tents at the local movie theater and take them from you as you drove by. Yes, I do know that I'm not in Kansas anymore Toto... Uhmmm I mean, Tampa, But where is the organization???? the concern, the lets help our fellow human - customer service, RIGHT???

Ok, I promised you pictures of our FAKE post office so there you have it. Hope you enjoy our little truck! LOL it is kinda funny.

Have you ever worked 2 12's in a row???

2009-04-13T17:34:00.002-07:00

I think I may have already told yall that hubby got his hours changed from nights to days. Thus causing the problem of WHO is going to pick up our kids the 1 or 2 days I work during the week??
So, I thought that I would try to work a Saturday and Sunday to see how that felt.
Well, it felt tiring! Not to mention it was 24 hrs that I wasn't home with the family while they were home! Cait said, Great! I get to be home with the boys! lol
Now, I'm trying to decide if it is worth it to have the rest of this week off to be home, schlepp kids around and not be at work! hmmm

Well, guess I should get off computer and figure out dinner - I'm hungry!

Trying to be back in action!!!!

2009-04-10T15:36:00.004-07:00

Hey!
Hope everyone is doing fine!! I have been away and pretty much without my computer!!! UGH!!!
It is finally dead - so, I have been on twitter and facebook via my wonderful Blackberry!!!! my only internet contact and the occasional usuage of the computers at the college library!!! YAY for that.

Having said all that, with tax day being next week, it just might take a little longer to replace my computer!!!
Yes, being in Arizona we have the lovely STATE income tax as well as the federal.
Have any of you EVER had your child turn 17?? We did and we now have lost that "eligible child" discount to the tune of $1000.... boy oh boy, didn't realize that was coming. So now, we have to pay and pay big to the state of Arizona.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
For those of you who know my sister, you know that she recently left to return to Chile!
While we miss her and those darling kiddos - it is a good thing for them to be with their Daddy! I know he missed them - he's a wonderful guy!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Yes, I have found twitter!
My name is kiki2563
but I'm still not tooo sure how to find people. I have done searches on first names, last names.. hmmm
I think I like it - hopefully those of you who choose to follow me will not be tooooo bored!! I find that it is COOL
I am following Jeffery Donovan from "Burn Notice" We just LOVE that show. Maybe the fact that it is filmed in Florida has something to do with it??? Try it - the season starts in June on the USA network.
++++++++++++++++++++++++
So, I'll leave my ranting with this funny about my niece.
The weather is starting to warm up.
You have to know that when they left the 1st time, winter was winding down.
Then they arrive in Chile and it is winter.
Then when they come back to Tucson, winter is beginning. So, bless her heart - she doesn't really KNOW about summer.
As they are driving around - she tells her Mommy, I'm hot on my face and it's hot on my tummy! Turn on the air!
So glad that they got out before the 100 degree temps here in Tucson!

Natasha Richardson

2009-03-20T21:53:00.002-07:00

Many of you have probably already heard about the tragic loss of this amazing actress.
She was a wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend to many.

Her skiing accident is just another example of how quick life can be gone.
An innocent fall. A blow to the head. Any blow needs immediate attention.
We had a wonderful woman who worked here at the hospital with us. She volunteered at
the Humaine Society. A dog bumped her in the neck, innocent enough, the very same results.
But as for Natasha Richardson, my heart goes out to her family. She leaves behind a husband, Liam Neeson
and their two sons, ages 12 and 13. Things like this always make me stop and be so Thankful for the
many wonderful and loving people in my life; my husband and our two kids, Caitlin and Christopher.
We have been talking about head injuries and how important it is to wear a helmet and YES, go to the
hospital, even if you think you are fine.
Sad, sad, sad.

I think about this as tonight, I work at Hospice. It is an extra shift for me. I see the families as they deal
with impending death. Tonight a husband and father died. His family was all around him.
It really does make you appreciate the time that we have here on this planet.

So, go out and have lots of fun this weekend! Play, laugh enjoy the many wonderful people in your life ~ today!
I know I will, just as soon as I wake up! Did I mention that my shift is the 3pm to 11:30pm shift. Translation is that I will get home at about 12:15am! Yeah, sleep will be good!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Hello To My Dear Lovable Blogging Friends!!

2009-03-06T20:19:00.003-07:00

Hello Everyone!!!

Yes, I have missed all of you!

For those of you who know, my sister, has been back in Tucson since before Thanksgiving! We have been having special time together. I have been finishing my pre reqs and co reqs for nursing school ~ YAY!

And now, we have been having the kids over for more special time together! So, my days have blended into family time, working and spending some extra time with my niece and nephew, the days go one into the other!

I have also been working to find some special time just for me! That may be coming very soon!

I do hope that everyone is doing ok in these economically challenged times! It is hard to keep hearing about all the unemployment and how everyone is struggling to keep what they have.

The industry where my hubby works is one that I watch very carefully and maybe nervously. Garage Door Openers.

Ok, let's be real. When you are deciding on buying food or paying your house payment. If it's a matter of that ~ how many of you are going to go out and buy a new garage door opener?? hmmmm

Also their manufacturing plant is in Nogales, Mexico.

How many of you have been hearing about the drug lords and the massing of the Mexican Federalais????

It's only a matter of time.

Hubby is EXTREMELY concerned about us being so close to that very active border. He is so concerned, he is wondering if we need to vacate this area. We are only 45 minutes from the border. We hear the hum of the blackhawks EVERY night as they head out for patrol. The border patrol and the Wackenhut buses are always out to pick up the illegals. scary. interesting. hmmm?

That is the reality of Tucson, Arizona.

I feel really badly for El Paso, Texas. They are oh so close to that Mexican city where they are sending like 5000+ Mexican federalais...

Uhmmm Thank you no.

Anyway, Just wanted to drop back into the blogging world and tell everyone Hi!

Cars, Computers, Work and other technology

2009-02-20T16:04:00.005-07:00

Hi Everyone!!!
Sorry I haven't been around to post, but life has kept me going on and on and .. Oh well, you get the idea.

If it isn't my car, it is other life things getting in the way. Work has gone from them cutting hours to them calling me every morning at 5am. Asking "do you want to pick up an extra shift?" UGH
So, my car... where to begin.. well, we used to have 3 cars!
My 1997 Dodge Caravan is old, 192,xxx miles.. She has served us well. Keeps breaking....She is finally fixed. My hubbys 1994 Honda Passport is barely hanging with us.
So, we now are the owners of a 2002 Kia Sedona. I wasn't sure that I wanted another minivan. But she is kinda cute and growing on me quickly!!! Sunroof, Leather seats and GREAT crash test ratings. That is a good thing.
The other day, I decided, just for fun to put the Honda on Craigslist. No kidding, within 3 minutes the phone rang ~ the guy said he would be there in 30 minutes! WOW! Wasn't expecting that! Then the phone continued to ring, 11 calls. He got there and he bought it!!
Ok, before you go getting excited the blue book value was $750! Can you even believe that????
So now, hubby is driving the Caravan and I am in the Sedona. He really wants a truck or a jeep. My solution? sell the Caravan and then he can get something that he would like. But in the meantime, he can enjoy RADIO and a nicer ride!!!! lol
============================
We now have another "official" adult in the household!
Caitlin is now 18!! So hard to believe! She got her Voters Registration, and she is so happy to have that! She is mad that she didn't get to vote, but we realize that she probably wouldn't have made much difference! But next time my darling girl!

She went and registered for college!!! How exciting for her! Can you remember when you became an adult and all these exciting things started happening to you? It's like here I am world!!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The weather here is starting to warm up a bit. We have hit 70s this week and they say by Sunday, 80!!!!!
Makes me go weak at the knees to realize that the 90s and 100s are not far behind.
Oh how I don't look forward to that ~ but they say 100 days of 100 degree temps and then we are ok. Get ready, Get set... it's coming...

Today and other stuff

2009-01-12T20:49:00.002-07:00

Today is our 19th anniversary! Yes, 19 years ago I decided to say yes to this super terrific guy! It has been a very fast 19 years and in lots of ways (like looking at how long our parents' have been married) I still feel like a baby wading in this thing called marriage! lol
Hubby's parents have been married 51 years and my parents have been married 47 years.
So, we still have a long way to go to get there!

He had to work today, but we did manage to sneak away and have lunch at one of our favorite places, Los Napalos. We had the red chili plate and an extra order of Vegie tostadas! He LOVES those! I let him eat the avacados.. I don't like them!

Then we picked the kids up from school and he went to work.

So, news about the trip to Florida. . . . .
What do you say when you husband tells you he has been having dreams about not going.. That he had the feeling that he should not go??? Not to mention that he ALSO tells you that our son is having the SAME feeling?????!!!!! UGH Men!
So, it's off, yet again. hmmmm
I am not one to second guess hubby. He gets these feelings and I would never make him go against that.

So, tomorrow starts my 3 days on... I have never tried working a straight 3 as I usually only work a 2 day week. But in light that school starts next week, I thought it might be nice to only work 1 day next week. Crazy???
I don't know what to expect, EXCEPT that this will be some of the most challenging classes yet. But I know it will all be fine, just me being anxious. Need to work on not being anxious ~ as all will be fine.

If you read my sister's post ~ I was there, along with my daughter... Very fun. At one point, we kidnapped my niece and got about 3 aisles away from them and my phone rings ~ it's her... "Do you have my child?" LOL
Why no.... did you loose her??? NO, I did not say that to my sister! LOL
Miss Lacka kept telling us that she had a surprise for us... Some Hello Kitty bandaids!!! How cute. I also belive that there were some comments in there about going poop on the potty every day! lol

Ahhhhh I love kids! Why did we stop at 2??? Oh yes, I remember, sanity!
Just kidding!

Hope yall are all having a great week!!

About my Absence.....

2009-01-08T12:16:00.002-07:00

Hi Everyone!

I have been really amiss about posting. We have been having some issues with the computer, it's old. I think we purchased it back in say 2000.. WOW! Has it really been that long ago???
So, she isn't as fast as she used to be and then there is the problem with de virusing it... Just makes me tired.

Nursing school starts on January 20th!!! I'm so excited to begin this chapter.
The kids are doing wonderfully in school ~ truly, joyously happy about that!!
Hubby still has a job ~ always THANKFUL for that!

So, we have been working on something for quite some time. You see, dear friends...... Hubby is not the adventureous type. As most of you know, we lived in Tampa, Florida before relocating here to Tucson. It has been 3 years. Hubby's parents still reside in Tampa. We have tried to get back for a visit but with all us being in school, having new jobs = no vacation time... Things seem to be a little better now.

We recently found out that hubbys' dad his emphysema and is now on oxygen. Papaw is the main man there. He goes out and does everything. Ganny is pretty much committed herself to being homebound. It has really bothered me that we have not been able to return AS A FAMILY to visit.
So, after looking Southwest Airlines sale the other day. It ocurred to me to just purchase the tickets and force him to go WITHOUT ME.
I have tried to send just him previously ~ HONESTLY I have, but he just won't go without all of us.
Then the son spoke up ~ I'll go with him. Yes, I would like to go, Mom. What do you think?

hmmmmmm
Considering it.....
I'll have to pull him out of school for a couple of days, but it does seem like it would be worthwhile.... hmmmmmmmmmmmm

I LIKE IT!
So, today, hubby is checking to see if HE can get the time off. If it is YES, tomorrow I will purchase said tickets and both he and our son will travel ALONE to Tampa. A "MAN" trip!

It has so much merit ~ I have to do it!
OH!
Did I tell you that they would be gone over my b-day? It's alright, I know that with my darling daughter around and my sister and my parents and my brother and my darlingiest nephew and niece....
It won't be a problem at all! :o)

So, yes, I'm rambling. Partly because it will shut up his sister and his mother (who will die before seeing us) and it will ease his guilt.
Me and Cait will miss the whole excitment of the trip, but we will have special "GIRL" time and will enjoy that just as much!

I will catch up with all of you soon!!
Hope everything is going well!

The Last Few Days of 2008.....

2008-12-29T12:28:00.002-07:00

From reading and checking up on everyone, it seems that all had a very Merry Christmas and that is good! We have all kinda been awall from the blog and it was well and good.
I'm glad that the ones who were sick are better and happy that everyone had lots of great family time!

Now to ponder what is to come ~ 2009 . . . .
Are we ready??
There are many surprises yet to come and many other things that will bring us smiles! YAY!

So, enjoy these last few lazy, crazy days of 2008, we have a New Year to look forward to and celebrate!

Happy New Year to all
Stay safe and party well!

2009 is almost here!

Merry Christmas To All

2008-12-24T18:10:00.002-07:00

I just wanted to take a moment and wish all my wonderful new bloggy friends and their families a very Merry Christmas and hope that your day is full of excitement and happiness!!

We opened presents tonight ~ partly because we used to have to juggle our Christmas with being with my family and hubby's family. So, we would go to his parents house on Christmas Eve and while the kids were little, we would wait to open OUR gifts on Christmas morning and then go over to my parents house where we would, once again, open more presents!
But now that the kids are bigger, and we don't live in the same city as hubby's parents, we still open ours on Christmas Eve and then go to my parents for Christmas morning and cook and all the rest of the trimmings!!

But this year, it is especially different. I have got to go to work tomorrow! It is the 1st time since I have been working that they scheduled me for Christmas day, they also scheduled me for New Years Day... Lucky me.. I guess it's a good thing that I am not a party girl! lol

So, enjoy your day, have fun, take pictures, eat great food...

Don't worry about me.. After working my 12 shift, I will come home and "de germ" and then my little group will head off to Mom's for ~ yes ~ presents and maybe a snack or something to eat!!

Merry Christmas and to all a Good Night!

Christmas Week ~ The day is almost here!!!!

2008-12-22T23:22:00.003-07:00

Well, it is almost here. . . . . . . Christmas

I have been away in "Emmett" land for the past week. We forgot how busy and crazy it is having a new baby in the household. We really grew to love him in the week that we kept him. But during that time, we realized that he was not to stay and become a King. The only 2 people in the family that managed to escape "authentic battle damage" was Chris and Taylor (not too sure about Taylor).

As we watched the puppy take over our lives and house and just about everything else in our family, we sadly came to the understanding that he was too much dog for us and he was starting to terrorize Taylor, the resident dog. We could see that Taylor was not wanting to have anything to do with him. We also started to become Emmett's personal teething things. We all have bites and wounds and sores on our toes.

So, we began the search for him a new family.
Choice #1..... single guy had to ask permission from his finance, they have a baby, then he told me that he was going to SURPRISE her....

Choice #2..... A lady that had 2 acres of land, had raised this breed dog before and was in love with his picture.

Choice #3.... A lady that had a puppy and she wanted Emmett as a playmate for her pup! the next day, her puppy got out of her yard becuz her brother in law left the gate open!!!!! UPDATE::: they did find their puppy! YAY happy ending

Choice #4.... another lady who grew up with this breed and really wanted him..

And the WINNER IS.............

Choice #2... Choice #4 came in close behind..

She came to pick him and they warmed up to each other nicely. We were sad, AFTER she drove off with him...... sniff sniff...

But we wish them the happiest of lives together and maybe just maybe that's why he came down our street... for us to help him find a new Mommy.

The memories linger, but the bites on all our fingers and toes remind us ~
Whew!
and to all a good night!

To Keep "IT" or not to keep "IT"

2008-12-15T14:54:00.006-07:00

Well, ya know how something happens and you are not really sure if it is a GOOD thing or not??

Well, yesterday morning, we (Hubby, Daughter and me) were heading out to Target to do a little shopping. I stopped to notice the rain ~ rain in Arizona is something to stop and admire!!! anyway..

There was something moving around, I looked and next door was something small, black and white and climbing into their garbage can.

The weather forecast was one of rain and cold. I called to him. Hubby advises, don't do that. Of course litte fella comes right on over. Awwwww He's cold and wet. He even still has "puppy breath" those of you who know puppies know what I'm referring to!

We get a blanket and dry him off ~ I pick him up and he snuggles on my shoulder.

It just wouldn't be right to leave him out there. So there you have it.

We took him to the pet store to see if anyone could confirm our suspicion that he is an Austrailian Shepherd..... Ladies??? Anyone????

They all said he looks to be full blooded Aussy.

Funny, because I was saying how I love "Lucy" who comes to the hospital every Thursday to visit paitients.. She is beautiful.. anyway..

Now, for the hard part. What will Taylor think??? Do we REALLY need a puppy?? hmmm Taylor looks on... What is that thing with the SHARP teeth??? wof

So, after purchasing some chew toys, puppy food, kennel. We are seriously thinking about keeping him... Of course, we have puppy wounds already...

Can our house... uhmmm home really stand up to the training of another dog???

So, for now, "EMMETT" lives with us.

Hubby asked me if I had been praying for another dog ~ uhm... no, at least I don't think so! :o)

We did go knock on our neighbors doors to see if anyone lost a dog, they all saw him that morning, but no one claimed him. Yesterday and today ~ no missing dog posters... hmmmm

It's hard to believe that someone would just dump a puppy on a day like that. If starving and the weather didn't get him, the coyotes surely would have. Poor little baby, we figure him to be 12-15 weeks old. He really eats and drinks water like I have not seen. Today a kennel, tomorrow the vet.

Have You Seen These Guys???!!!!

2008-12-10T16:58:00.002-07:00

This is the best thing I have heard this season!!

Happy December

2008-12-01T13:09:00.002-07:00

Welcome To December!!!

Sounds like a game show. I love the holiday season, really I do. But it makes me smile with happiness when I think about all the shopping, cooking, wrapping, festive music, all the excited faces, the tree, the presents, Christmas baking, Ahhh
The Crinkle Cookies that my family is clamouring for. This is the only time that I bake them along with Peanut Butter Blossoms and the wonderful Gingerbread people! Both gingerbread and chocolate chip people!

I can smell the kitchen already.... :o)

What are some of your favorite Holiday things to do and bake???

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T16:46:00.003-07:00

On this day, we take time to reflect the many many wonderful things in our lives. I am so very Thankful for many many things...

1. God who loves us and forgives us
2. My wonderful, crazy, loving family
3. My sister and her children were able to make that BIG trip
from Chile to be here with us ~ although we miss dh... :o(
4. Being able to live in this great country of ours
5. Having wonderful friends and my new bloggy friends ~ I'm so happy to know
you.
6. Being able to be a Mom to my wonderful 2 children!! :o)

On the slighter nonserious side...
I'm thankful for
1. my Sammy hair mouse
2. my cell phone
3. my computer and internet
4. being able to go out black friday shopping! lol

Happy Happy Thanksgiving to all of you reading my post and THANKS for stopping by on this holiday day!

Can I add my Twilight story?

2008-11-25T14:13:00.004-07:00

Well, we made it!
We made it to the Twilight movie!!

It was a Monday and it was not crowded AT ALL!! YAY us!
So, it was Leslie, my daughter, me and our special guest
our MOM.

How fun was that? She knew nothing about the movie going in.
Just that it was about vampires! lol
After seeing the movie she says, Well, he was quite cute!
She also wants to read the books!
Yes!
We have another club to form ~ Twilight Nanas!
LOL
Gotta love family girls night out!
he he ~ NO BOYS!!!!

Video Me Monday

2008-11-23T16:03:00.005-07:00

Happiness Is.....

2008-11-22T19:00:00.003-07:00

Here is the first view we had of Leslie and the kids once they arrived
back in Tucson!

Gotta love how they put a camera in the arrival area and have TV for
the waiting passengers.

Yes, she and the kiddos are back in the US of A! They arrived EARLY
and are getting settled in at Mom's.
They are safe and happy ~ just a lot tired!

I'm sure that once she gets her eyes opened, she will post away!
Thanks for all the well wishes and Safe Travels. They helped!
They are here!
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can Anyone Say Twilight?

2008-11-19T12:21:00.004-07:00

Twilight

So, tomorrow night is the night
I'm letting the kids go WITHOUT me to see the movie.

Not only that, I'm letting them go see the MIDNIGHT showing! Even on a school night!!!
They ARE going with a friend, who is younger than me, older than them
and she is very trusted. She is bringing her sister and brother. So, it should
be lots of fun for them.
I have to work that day so, me after a 12 hr shift, the only thing I want to see is
my bed and pillow.

But I will tell you this. I am waiting for the return of my SISTER to go and see the movie!
I'll just have to wait until she is rested enough from her travels from Chile to Tucson to
see when she wants to go! Still can't believe that she is actually flying back to be with us and
to see the MOVIE!!! YAY!!!!!!!

Les ~ are ya ready????

My Try at Video Me Mondays

2008-11-17T14:50:00.006-07:00

Here is my 1st try!! Don't laugh

We just got home and the dog was absolutely crazy to go out,

so, I chose to go with him! He is the best!

Ok, so now we actually have a teenager that wants to participate

in the Video Me Mondays so, that is the next one! We just might be

getting the hang of this!

Video Me Mondays

2008-11-16T15:31:00.002-07:00

My sister thought that it could be fun to do a video blog on Mondays. She asked her daily readers to participate and I think it's a cute idea. I missed the first one and I even had an appliance picked out and everything. oh well.
Her topic for tomorrow is "What is your childs favorite toy?" I think if you didn't have kids, you could pick on your hubby or yourself? hmmmm
Having teenagers makes this task slightly more difficult but I think I have my son in agreement to allow me to video him doing his thing and my daughter is thinking about it. She has to figure out what she wants to pick! lol She is funny.
The next challenge would be to figure out how to video it, I have a camera that takes short videos, but I need batteries... so, wish me luck as I attempt to help out my sister tomorrow!
Join us, it could be fun!
See ya out in video bloggy land!

~ Food City ~

2008-11-13T20:10:00.004-07:00

So, I had the day off and hubby wanted to go to Food City, it is a grocery store here in Tucson. It is a Mexican grocery store. I think it's really cool because it is different from what we are used to. Us gringos!

He likes the produce (which is REALLY good and cheap), they have a meat counter and a seafood counter AND they have a place where you can eat authentic dishes while you are shopping or stop and eat. Today's offerings consist of a Torta. It is a bun of some type with meat, cheese, guacamole (hold for me please) and it is really yummy!! So, here for your perusal is the evidence and the wonderful atmosphere that was our grocery shopping trip! We also stopped by the meat and fish market! Pretty Cool!

Pinatas hang all around the place ~ very cool

Seafood Counter ~ interesting things

Produce anyone?

"Torta" Very Yummy

Torta = Happy Hubby! like the size of his coke?

So, that was our outing ~ he also likes that they often grill peppers outside in a round roaster... hmmm photo op for sure, anyway, they are freshly roasted and he really likes those. Me, not so much.

Hope you enjoyed your visit to a Mexican grocery store, oh yes, I forgot to tell you, they play mariachi music all the time and it really is festive and a nice experience!

The Holiday Season? Really??!!! It's here??

2008-11-08T19:28:00.009-07:00

Is It True?? Only At Target!

Really? It's 51 days until Christmas? Well, here are the trees.....

And the wrapping paper ... Caitlin LOVES Converse

Ok, so how did we spend the first Saturday that I had off since July???? I slept in and then made a big family breakfast. We were lazy (ok, so I washed a few loads of laundry) but then we loaded up and went out "marting" as well like to call it. We just hit all the stores that we like and have fun. At Target, they have this counter up and I could NOT resist the photo taking opportunity that it was.. Then were were the other stores!!!

More fun at Target ~ then we had to stop by Sports Authority for Chris to play.
Yes, it was fun. I enjoyed being lazy and then off to the stores to take in all the sites.

Of course it would not be an outing without stopping by Best Buy. So, Thanks Best Buy for the photo op!! Chris had a good time!

For those of you who don't keep up with the games.... Guitar Hero, World Tour

Then home to have dinner. Yes, it was a very nice day.

Ahhhh the holidays approach and so does the list making! Who told kids that just because they get older, so does the cost of their "toys" go up as well? hmmm.

Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

Sad and then some

2008-11-05T19:58:00.011-07:00

Here we are, the day AFTER the election. I'm wiped out ~ Numb.
I have been reading other peoples posts and they have been encouraging as other people feel the same way. I will pray and put everything in God's hands as he is in control of all anyway. There is a reason for everything. I am praying for the strength and patience to make it thru these next 4 years. Join me......

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Now, for something to make us smile ~ Happy thoughts and things.

My dog in his quilt!!!

My Hubby making dinner for us!!! He was making fried cornbread, black eye peas and pan fried potatoes and ham steak... YES.... it was high calorie meal for us, but we don't have this dish very often!! He was feeling homesick for some good ole southern food!

DID YOU VOTE TODAY?

2008-11-04T11:33:00.000-07:00

WE VOTED!!! YAY!!!!!!

After taking the kids to school, I came home to get the hubby and go out and do our thing! Of course, he wasn't ready...... ok, I'm waiting..... ok.. Are you ready yet????

So, we finally get there and there is a small line. It took us about 10 minutes of waiting. I don't know how your voting is set up, but we got to color in the dots. It's always interesting to see how the voting is handled wherever you live. In Florida we get to punch out the dots... remember the "hanging" chads????? ahhh those were the days. Now I believe that Florida has electronic voting. Can't remember.

Anyway, the job is done, I have my sticker and am a happy camper. How was your day?

The Ending of my Weekend class

2008-11-02T20:03:00.000-07:00

So, today was the last day of my Anatomy and Physiology class!! Can I hear a YAY!! It was a month long class and it was on Saturdays and Sundays (8am to 4:40pm) for this whole month! It was a sacrifice but now it is over and done with. I will be so happy not to have to get up and drive over there to that campus (20 mile one way). My gas bill will be happier too! :o)

The teacher was great, I had her for Microbiology and she is just super. She gave us an exam that had 80 questions and 14 lab practical stations, each of those had 3 questions apiece. She allowed us 2 hours to take said test, so she said. Oh yes, it was open note! How hard could that have been? Well, considering there were some questions that I had not heard of, it wasn't bad.

I was out of there at 2:30 and on the way home, I realized that I forgot to answer the extra credit bonus question!!!! UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Points are so important, how could I forget that? After being angry with myself for a few minutes, I stopped by Neighborhood Wal Mart and bought a few groceries. Yeah buddy, spending money makes me happy ~ even if it is only groceries! lol

My next big undertaking is saving up for Black Friday! I'm looking for a few items of interest for my kids and am hoping that I get lucky and find it!

How about yall? Do you guys participate in Black Friday?????

Guess what else????!!!! I just found out that I will have the wonderful company of my Sister, to go Black Friday shopping with me and my daughter! How fun!!! I'm excited! We have stories to tell about shopping escapades!

2008-10-31T20:14:00.001-07:00

I've been boo'd by my Sister !!!! Thanks so much for thinking of me!!
Happy Halloween to you as well. Please check below for more pics of Halloweens'
past and present! Love ya!

Here's the instructions on how to BOO others:
Go to as many of your blog buddies as you want and tell them they have been BOO'd! Have them pick up their treat (this picture) and add it to their blog... be sure to link the person who BOO'd you! Put the picture in your sidebar so others know you have been BOO'd! Now, go BOO your friends!

Hope everyone had a happy and SAFE Halloween out there!

Some Days......

2008-10-29T22:59:00.000-07:00

You know it's bad when even the dog won't come out.

We came home today and there was no dog to greet us.

It's always a bad feeling. What did he do this time?

As we approach our dining room table ~ aka my desk when I am taking classes, the evidence was overwhelming.

There, on the floor what is all that stuff? Pens, paper, notes, glasscase, oh no.. it's a wrapper.

What was in that?! oh quick! Remember brain. Ahhh yes, the dreaded Brach's candy bag that once held candycorn candy. Empty! Uh oh. How much was left in that bag..... Thankfully it was NOT a full bag ~ it was mostly eaten by uhmmmm me, the kids and the dog polished off the rest of the bag!

Where is he? Still he has not shown his face! This would be why. He even refused the Tums that I offered to settle his stomach ~ bet he won't eat those again! Not!

Well, I guess he was alright by dinner time, as he was back to his usual begging for chicken (his favorite food of all time) But we gave him NOTHING!

My 1st Award

2008-10-29T13:47:00.001-07:00

Thank You For The Blog Love!! You are the bestest sister! I will continue to work on my page ~ as I'm learning. lol Still trying to figure out how to make my page as fun as all the others that I trek across!

And Now for something Different ~

2008-10-28T22:05:00.001-07:00

Hi!

Welcome to my page. I thought that I would take this opportunity to introduce myself and my family for those of you who don't know us!

My name is Vicki and I am married to my hubby, Dan for the past 18 yrs. We have 2 wonderful children (ok, teenagers ~ Caitlin is 17 and Christopher is 15) that light up my life! My world rotates for them and I am happy being their Mom! We have a spoiled weiner dog ~ Taylor, whom we have had for 8 years now.

We relocated to Tucson, AZ from Tampa, Florida because, well, there are many reasons, but I'm going to go with the one that starts off like...........

My sisters' dh was stationed here at Davis Monthan AFB. There was always this maybe possibility that he could be sent overseas (without her) leaving her here alone, with their darling 2 little babies (aka Eddie and Lacka ~ they really ROCK my world as well!! :o)

So, anyway, our parents started this..... they could NOT be without the babies and their baby, so they decided to move here. Well, I thought it would be good for my Florida born hubby and kids to see more of the world ~ get them to have a new life experience. So anyway, it ended up that our brother decided he would be here with us as well!

So. That is how we all got out here to the Desert Southwest!

Have I regretted it?? Nope, not one little bit. After "my" family got over their little uneasiness about being somewhere new and different. Things settled into a nice pattern. It was hard to adjust, but adversity makes you stronger and I believe that this has been a positive experience for us all!

I have been working towards my RN for, well, ever since we got here. I have taken all my pre requistes and co reqs.. Now, I will start LPN school in January and (Good Lord Willing) graduate in November with that and again, Good Lord willing, start my 3rd semester in the RN program to get that done! Currently I work at TMC (Tucson Medical Center) and am loving it! I am nervous and excited about what is to come! I know it will be the hardest part of this whole thing, but I know it will be worth it!

As for my Sister. Her family now lives in Chile! No, we will not follow them down there ~ just miss them terribly and wait for their return!

Are we gushy? Are we close?? Did we really up and move our lives just to be with her and her little family?? The answer to that question would have to be a BIG resounding YES!

We are the usual big goofy family that drives each other crazy and still will do whatever we can to help, aid and assist the other.

For those of you who read her blog, it is what it is.. Welcome to my world!

So, come with us, follow our stories and the crazy thing that we call "Life"

REQUIREMENT....

2008-10-24T10:27:00.001-07:00

Ok, so we are still getting to know each other. I will tell you that I work at TMC, Tucson Medical Center, as a CNA/PCT. What is that you may ask, well, I will tell you. I am a Certified Nursing Assistant and a Patient Care Technician. What do I do? Well, I do everything for my patients including feeding, bringing in meal trays ~ 3x a day, bathing & cleaning, vital taking, taking out IV's, packing them up when it's time to leave and escorting them out to their waiting loved ones. Otherwise just monitoring them to make sure that they are alright. That often involves making friends, caring about them and hanging out with any family or friends that happen to visit. So, yeah, I do just about EVERYTHING for them, under the supervision of an RN. Yes, thank you very much I work very hard when I am at work. But I like it and enjoy taking care of people! I guess I must, I'm still there!! lol

I work 2 twelve hour shifts and go to school the rest of the time. Right now, I am taking a weekend class that ends Nov. 2nd... Can't come soon enough. So, that means that I work 2 days, go to school 2 days and the other 3 days I chauffeur my kids to and from school, help with homework and keep the house running smoothly.

Ok, so I digress.... Just wanted you to know something about me and what I do! Thanks for being patient!

Now, here is my ranting rambling for today. I have been thinking about this for a while.

So here we are at the beginning of flu season. I know flu is bad, I think I may have even had it once. Brought it home from a trip with my dear sister and parents when we went to OKC for a conference.

Anyway, this year, they are making it MANDATORY. Did I mention that they REALLY want us to take that shot? So, after investigating more. Yes, it is true. We either take it or we have to sign a declaration about not taking it and WHY. The why part made me smile ~ a little. Your choices were:

1) Afraid of needles

2) Afraid of getting the flu

3) Afraid of the side effects

4) Religious reasons

5) Afraid of what's in it

6) Other

Being in the health care field I can truly understand the value and usefulness of taking the shot if you are compromised in any way ~ health wise. My parents both take it. If it helps keep them out of the Emergency Room ~ it has value.

But for me, I'm reasonably healthy and I guess I just hate the part where it IS mandatory. We either take it or sign our reason away.

So, there you have it ~ either you take the shot voluntarily or you must sign your right away.

Ahhhh life today.

Jumping In....

2008-10-22T14:23:00.000-07:00

Well, it's not like I have nothing to do, Myspace, Facebook, Pleonast.... Of course reading my dear sister's blog...

Plus, school, my 2 kids, the hubby and our tenacious dachshund, Taylor. So, noo, I don't have anything going on...... NOT!!

I have been reading her blog and seeing how nice and friendly and helpful everyone is here... so it seemed like it would be fun!

So, here I am! Let's see what I can do with this.