Wind, Lobster, A Good Book....

As we were taking my granddaughter home this afternoon, we thought we had better feed the scrawny thing, so off to Red Lobster we went. As we go down the 15 freeway, we encounter winds like never before. I had the gas peddle floored, and we were only moving not even 10 miles per hour. That is how strong the winds were blowing today. Over the news it was stated that the winds were about 80-100mph. Look at what we drove through. I'm sorry that the pictures aren't any clearer, but my granddaughter was scared as she took the pictures because my truck was literally going all over the place. It was harder than heck to control it. At one point, the visibility as zero. You can see in the first picture, as the dust/dirt just started...and within 20 minutes, my windshield was being pelted with gravel, rocks, paper, and anything else that could be air born.

It was a strange feeling, knowing that you are in this heavy duty truck, and you can't keep it on the road. The little cars in from of me were going from one lane to another. The dust bowl effect lasted from about the Santa Ana River all the way where I got off the freeway at 4th, just one exit north of the 10 freeway. I imagine it was worse as you got closer to the Cajon Pass, which by the way, has a HUGE fire. Then we got to noticing, the sky was particularly quiet. No airplanes in/out of Ontario Airport. WOW. For some reason, I immediately thought of Sept. 11, when all planes were grounded. It was just surreal.

We made it to drop her off after we dined on lobster, shrimp and crab legs without incident. I'm so glad to be home. Now, as I sit here, I can hear the wind whip through the trees outside, and I am thankful I have my cozy blankie to curl up in.

I'm off...to make me some nice hot tea, gather my glasses and my book, and then to curl up on the sofa, while hubby rubs my feet. Awww, life is grand indeed.

He's the BEST....

How do you like the 'new look'? It still needs a bit of tweaking, but for now, this will do.


Dan is here tonight, moving the last of his stuff out. It's sad to see him leave, yet I'm so very happy for him. He and his new wife are so very happy...and that's a good thing. He deserves it. He's a good brother....one that I wouldn't change for anything.


I often think of my sister, Vicki. I miss her. She was so young when God called her home. She was only 42. She was in the prime of her life. Because of her death, and because of my dad's, I have been obsessed with my heart. I feel every little beat, every palpitation, every skipped beat. It's scary. One just never knows when their time is up.


My granddaughter is coming for the weekend. I'm always eager to have her. She's a handful, but then what 14 year old isn't? LOL I can hardly wait for Duane and I to get our RV and take all 3 grandkids traveling. You know, like grandparents should. Take them to see the sights and wonders of the United States. I love the way our grandkids love Duane. They call him grandpa and always seem to want to be around him. Look at the way Kaydence looks up at grandpa. I love that. He's the best ever grandpa around too. Just ask the grandkids, they will you.


We're going to take Alix to Oak Glen this weekend so that I can get some more pictures of her. She's so photogenic....and loves to have her picture taken. She knows that I will use them on a layout, and she gets really excited when I have entered the layout(s) in a contest. She tells me that if I win (and I have won my share) that I have to split all the winnings. LOL I usually do.

Work was rather slow today. When it's slow like this, I actually have the time to write all the 'HOW TO' manuals for the department.

It's a bit late for me....and the only reason why I am up so late is because I took a nice, long nap earlier. Sucks getting old, I guess. LOL

Take This Job.....

PARENT - Job Description

This is hysterical. If it had been presented this way, I don't believe any of us would have done it!!!!

POSITION :
Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma
Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop

JOB DESCRIPTION :

Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an, often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on r ain y weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities! Travel expenses not reimbursed.
Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES :

The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homewo rk projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must hand le assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.
Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product.
Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION :

None. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE :

None required unfortunately. On-the- j ob training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION :

Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially inde pendent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that
you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS :

While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love, and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.


Forward this on to all the PARENTS you know, in appreciation for everything they do on a daily basis, letting them know they are appreciated for the fabulous job they do... or forward with love to anyone thinking of applying for the job.


** AND A FOOTNOTE THERE IS NO RETIREMENT -- EVER!!! **

Sad day indeed

All I can say is "WOW". Lot going on over on that message board. I sit and read it with my mouth hanging open in total disbelief. I mean, I have heard rumors of this happening, but to actually SEE IT in print. WOW. Someone has a lot of explaining to do.

It is just totally sad. Will it change my view on them? Yes. Will it change my buying habits when I go to buy products? Yes. I just don't have time in my life for liars, cheats, or other negative crap like this.

Check out what I am referring to. http://www.creatingkeepsakes.com/mb/viewtopic.php?t=73414 Just a sad day on the old MB.

Personal Training Session

Dear Diary,

For my fiftieth birthday this year, my daughter Nichole(the dear)purchased a week of personal training at the local health club for me. Although I am still in great shape since being a high school football cheerleader 43 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try.

I called the club and made my reservations with a personal trainer named Belinda, who identified herself as a 26-year-old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing and swim wear. My daughter seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started! The club encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress.

MONDAY :
Started my day at 6:00 a.m. Tough to get out of bed, but found it was well worth it when I arrived at the health club to find Belinda waiting for me. She is something of a Greek goddess - with blonde hair, dancing eyes and a dazzling white smile. Woo Hoo!! Belinda gave me a tour and showed me the machines. I enjoyed watching the skillful way in which she conducted her aerobics class after my workout today.

Very inspiring! Belinda was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time she was around. This is going to be a FANTASTIC week-!!

TUESDAY :
I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door. Belinda made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air - then she put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile. Belinda's rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel GREAT-!! It's a whole new life for me.

WEDNESDAY :
The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to steer or stop. I parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot.

Belinda was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered other club members. Her voice is a little too perky for early in the morning; and when she scolds, she gets this nasally whine that is VERY annoying. My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Belinda put me on the stair 'monster'. Why the h*** would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators?

Belinda told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life. She said some other s*** too.

THURSDAY :
Belinda was waiting for me with her vampire-like teeth exposed as her thin, cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being a half an hour late, it took me that long to tie my shoes. Belinda took me to work out with dumbbells. When she was not looking, I ran and hid in the restroom. She sent another skinny b**** to find me. Then, as punishment, she put me on the rowing machine -- which I sank.

FRIDAY :
I hate that b**** Belinda more than any human being has ever hated any other human being in the history of the world. Stupid, skinny, anemic, anorexic little cheerleader. If there was a part of my body I could move without unbearable pain, I would beat her with it.

Belinda wanted me to work on my triceps. I don't have any triceps! And if you don't want dents in the floor, don't hand me the D*** barbells or anything that weighs more than a sandwich. The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition teacher. Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like the drama coach or the choir director?

SATURDAY :
Belinda left a message on my answering machine in her grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did not show up today. Just hearing her made me want to smash the machine with my planner. However, I lacked the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching eleven straight hours of the Weather Channel.

SUNDAY :
I'm having the Church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is over. I will also pray that next year my daughter Nichole(the little s***) will choose a gift for me that is fun -- like a root canal or a hysterectomy. I still say if God had wanted me to bend over, he would have sprinkled the floor with diamonds.

Jammies on a honeymoon???

WOW, I am glad that this weekend is over. Well, not quite, but for the most part.

Friday, we went to the courthouse with my brother and 'fiancee'. When we walked out, they were husband and wife. I just never thought I would see the day that he got married. It was totally awesome. She is so tiny and shy...and my brother is a bit heavy,(not much tho) and also shy. It was just awesome seeing them together. They were so happy, so full of smiles, so excited, so in love.

Funny story...I was at our Scrap For Pink crop, and he called Friday night to ask where a KMart or a WalMart was up in Big Bear. I told him, and when he called back, I asked why. They were cold and had to go buy some flannel pajamas. LOL It's the FIRST night of their honeymoon, and they go buy flannel pajamas. LOL I told him, Dan, if you're cold, you need to cuddle to canoodle. I just thought that was the funniest thing....jammies on your honeymoon. They will learn I guess.

I had the grandest time at our Scrap for Pink crop this weekend. We cropped Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I made my brother and sister-in-law a wedding album with pictures that I taken. It turned out quite nice...I am very pleased with it. I did a few page layouts, including a 2-page layout for the store's contest. I'm happy with it...so here's to hoping that I win!!

I'm tired...as it was a long weekend. I'm off to bed.

24 hours left....

Sorry...the rest of my stuff is in my laptop. I have the rest of my trip all on there. Something is wrong with it...and I had to put it in the 'shop' for repairs. I get it out tho in a few days. Then I will be able to post pictures and everything else. Woohooo!!!!

He has only 24 hours of 'freedom' left. LOL We are on the count-down for my brother. HE'S GETTING MARRIED FRIDAY MORNING!! That's tomorrow. WOW. I never thought that I would see this day. He's only 42...and the last with the our family name, and trust me, we all thought it would end with him. He assures me tho, that it won't. They want to start a family soon...say in about a year. I love to hear the words, Aunty Carol. I can hardly wait!!

My puppy is so terribly sick. She has no energy, just lays there. Duane took her to the vet yesterday....and said that it was something she ate. So now he has to take a syringe to get some pedialyte down her. The vet said to also feed her baby food...that is strained meats only. She won't eat...so we don't force her. He tries to see if she will eat every other hour, and gives her pedialyte every half hour or so. It's just so sad to see the very energetic puppy just lay there. So please just say a prayer for her... I would appreciate it.

Well, I'm off to work, just thought that I would post something here. Have a grand day y'all!!

He stepped in what????

Here we are in Juneau. This time, when we got off the ship, we were able to walk down the gangplanks to shore. We sat in the cold waiting for the shuttle for our tour, The Mendenhal Glacier and Gold Coast Salmon Bake. I have never been so cold in my life….well, a few times, but that’s another story.

Seems like everyone was going to the glacier, as there were about 20 buses. We arrive, and of course, it’s drizzling. We didn’t mind tho…knowing that when we returned home, there would be no rain.

Biggest dang chunk of ice I ever laid eyes upon. We are told that you can look at it, walk on it, walk under it, fly over it, you just can’t chip at it. We opted to look at it from a safe distance, only because I’m not walking on anything that could at any moment, melt or break up. So I kept my feet planted firmly on the cement.

As many of you know…the one thing that I want to see while in Alaska, is a bear. Well, guess what? When you get to the site of Mendenhal, there are signs EVERYWHERE warning about bear. Do not run if approached by a bear. Do not feed the bears. Do not touch the bear. Just leave the bear alone. Well, guess what walks into the parking lot? Yep, not one but three bear. A mama bear and her two cubs. Women panicked and ran, men started to through food at them, and a few others wanted to pet them. Where was I? I was up in the observatory, looking at the big chunk of ice….oblivious to what is happening outside about 50 yards from me. I didn’t find this out until we got back on the bus, and most of the other people were talking about it. If it’s any consolation, I did see a pile of bear dung, and from the looks of it…it was pretty fresh.

Next stop was the Salmon Bake and BBQ. Duane loves salmon, so he feasted like a king….while I nibbled on a few ribs. We had to eat under canopy’s, as it was pouring. We had to hurry and eat…as we had something else that needed more of our time……S H O P P I NG.

By the time we got downtown Juneau, it had stopped raining….and the sun was trying to come out. Duane bought me a most gorgeous Tanzanite ring. Gems are one of Alaska’s hot commodities, and being that this is almost the end of their season, all prices were marked down. We also shopped for the kids, and were able to get them all something. I was also able to pick something up for the girls back in the office.

We really weren’t able to spend a lot of time in Juneau, as we had to be back on board by 1:00 to go to yet another glacier. As we sailed into one of the fjords, I noticed that we were passing by chunks of ice and icebergs. It was rather unsettling as they kept playing the theme song from The Titanic movie. Some of these chunks were larger than my house. The blue ice just glistened in the water. The blue was so blue. We also saw lots of seals sitting on the ice. At first we didn’t know what they were…until they started to move and slide off the iceberg and into the water. The ship went into the middle of the fjord, and did what they call a spin on their axis. This way, it would give the whole ship a chance to view everything.

We were watching the glacier as it calved…and what a noise that made. Impressive. Seeing tons of ice falling off, and hitting the ocean, and since it was so quiet….the noise made the huge rumbling sound, much like an earthquake when it hits. These fjords and the most calmest waters around, and the most beautiful lest also. The water looks an emerald green. I’m told that the fjords are like a hundred feet deep, and hundreds of feet high. As we traveled out of the fjord, the wake of the ship caused some of the chunks of ice to roll. Now that is a sight to see.

We dined this evening in lobster and steak. We had some wine, which by the way we are not used to. If it doesn’t come with a screw cap or in a six-pack, then we’re lost. LOL. We just are not the connoisseurs of the vino like others we know, LOL

Onto Skagway….

Ketchikan....

First stop of the cruise was Ketchikan. From all weather reports that I looked at, the weather was to be horrid..raining, cloudy, and very cold. We did sail into Ketchikan under drizzly, cloudy skies, but it didn’t seem all that bad.

We woke up to the ships engine not running, and a bit of commotion outside. So Duane goes out onto the balcony in his all togethers and notice that all the lifeboats were being lowered into the water. After he frantically called the front desk, he was informed that the lifeboats were being used to ferry the people to shore as I guess NCL forgot to pay dock fees for the week. After a bit of investigative questioning, and after he found someone that spoke understandable English, it seems that the different cruise lines trade off weeks for dock space. It wasn’t our week…so we had to get into the lifeboats in order to go to shore, and let me tell you..THAT was an experience. A word to all future cruise participants…TAKE HIKING SHOES in case this happens to you. Duane got a bit excited again…thinking we were going to have to don those dang life jackets with the nipple beacon and whistle. I can tell you this…they sure do pack you into those things like sardines.

We make it to shore…and we have a few hours to kill before our excursion begins. Off we go shopping…and what is Alaska known for? Yep…diamonds, gold, and tanzanite. All of these stores offer all kinds of freebies just to get you in, and once in…they start to haggle for prices. Who can offer the best price for what gem….that depends on how bad you want it. So I look around and find the pieces that I kinda want, haggle the price, which was pretty darn good, look around for Duane, because he has the money on him…and where is he? He’s in the t-shirt shop eyeing the most hideous t-shirt you ever laid eyes on. It was of a moose and when I say it was ugly, well, that is an understatement. He ain’t gonna buy it, let alone wear it, and me admitting to knowing him if he did. After persuading him to go back to the jewelry store, we find out that plastic won’t do…they want cash. We are in Alaska. It’s Labor Day. The banks are closed, and they want cash for a $5 trinket. So Duane runs the 3 blocks to the bank, pulls out some cash, hurries back, and buys me this stupid trinket that I want, just so that I can get the free gold chain. What a man!!! LOL

We now hurry to out excursion pick up point, and after waiting for Duane again, because he found it necessary to back to the ship to drop off our purchases, we almost miss our tour, because he has the tickets. We board our bus, and head off to the Lighthouse and Eagle Excursion. In order to get on the boat that will take you on the tour, the bus has to do a bit of 4-wheeling down this dirt path through rainforest. After passing by some pretty run down boats, we came to our boat. Once on the water, we had the time of our lives.

We saw the pulp mills that are now closed, the lumberjacks homes, and then to the much awaited…eagles and their nests. What spectacular sights there were. Some of the nests were 25 feet across. We even saw eagles in flight. One young eaglet was out drying its wings…which I heard was a rare sighting. Some of the homes on the shore line were awesome. There was one house in particular, where the wife saw an article in Better Homes and Gardens about garage doors, so she had one built that was quite huge. Needless to say. The family couldn’t park any of the vehicles in it as there was no way to drive to the front of house…so instead…they have their helicopters housed in there.

We were able to cruise by Guard Island and Gravina Island. The Guard Island Lighthouse was much smaller than I thought, but it was nice none-the-less. We didn’t see any seals, but there was a spotting of an orca, which of course, I missed.

We got to see The Northern Lights last night. It was so spectacular, that words can’t even begin to describe it. I got a few pictures of the moon with its lights on the ocean, (which I will post once I get home).

Ok…off I go to play a few rounds of shuffleboard…chat later….

Out for a Cruise

The plane trip was most interesting to say the least. While we went through security to board our plane, for some stupid reason, Duane and I were singled out and brought into a special area where we were told to stand on painted footprints on the floor. We were then physically searched, a wand swept over our bodies, and our carry-ons gone through. Finding nothing, they told us we could put our shoes back on and hurry and catch our plane. As we left the area, the one dude tells us to have a nice flight. (eye roll) Of course I wanted a window seat as I like to look at what we are flying over. Needless to say..the view that I got was the engine itself Every rivet, chipped pieces of paint, and a lot of grease stains you can imagine on an engine. If you tilted your head just right…you would catch a glimpse of the sky. That is the fist and last time I will sit in the tail section.

We get to Sea-Tac airport, and if you haven’t ever walked it…wear comfy shoes. It’s long. After gathering our luggage, and getting it to cruise line’s area, we are set to go. We board the bus that will take us to the ship, and believe me, I have seen better vehicles than that. We make it safely…and we embark the ship.

Ok…so far so good. Well, with one exception. We are standing on the side deck of the ship, when we notice 3 Washington Deputy Sheriffs board. Ut oh…What did Duane do now, I thought. We have only been in the state for about an hour, I didn’t think he could do anything THAT BAD, THAT QUICK. We stood there watching the ships security escort an individual with all of his possessions to the boarding ramp where the deputies promptly read him his rights, cuffed him, patted him down, handcuffed him to a deputy on each side of him, and escort him off. I guess he did something wrong.

We have a great view of the Space Needle, the dock front, and the Edgewater Hotel, where by the way, The Beatles stayed when they played back then in Washington. Did you know that they were at one time considering tearing down the Space Needle after the World’s Fair? Glad they didn’t…it sure is interesting to look at.

Before the ship can set sail….they do a life boat drill…where everyone is REQUIRED to attend. You even had to bring your life vest from your room and wear it. I’m telling you…they are not flattering to any figure. But they do come with a nipple beacon and a whistle. Duane was highly amused.

We now set sail…and that feeling is just awesome. The view alone of Seattle’s skyline was breathtaking. The weather, the temperature, everything…was just what God had recommended for us. PERFECTION. There we were, on deck, Duane adorned with 2 camera bags and the laptop, waiting for our room which wouldn’t be ready until 5:00pm. Those things sure do get heavy fast when toting them around all day.

We went ahead and made the time count, as we traveled around the ship not once, but twice. Did you know that if you start out at one end…and go completely around the ship…you have traveled apprx. 1.3 miles? And that was just to find out room. We kinda got lost, well, not we, Duane did. But then again….he wouldn’t stop for directions. Does this sound like a typical man? So after 2.6 miles, 8 trips in an elevator, 2 flights of steps, a trip to the bar, we finally found out that our room was 50 feet from the elevator, and the 10th level, which was 6 elevator trips ago. Last time I let him have the ships map. He couldn’t find his port from his starboard if it bit him in the aft.

We get to our room…and it’s nice. We have a balcony off our room, so we can sit out there and just enjoy while listening to the sounds of the ocean. There was a bottle of sparkling wine and chocolate covered strawberries waiting for us. Duane had ordered them when he booked our cruise…as an early anniversary gift to me. And for everyone that knows him…he does enjoy spoiling me, like I love to spoil him. (He’s so awesome, I just love that man.)

Since we both like the fresh air at night, we left the door open just a tad, and let me tell you…IT GOT COLD!!!

Below are some more pictures that I hope all will enjoy. UPDATE..couldn't upload pics, will later.)

Today is now Sunday, and not much happening as we are at sea all day again. We will be arriving in Ketchican, Alaska. We are going on the Lighthouse, Eagles & Totems Excursion. I’m hoping to get a few great pictures of eagles for my brother.

Awesome sunset just over British Columbia.