Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

Abby just got back from Utah so she and I are having a Mommy and me Christmas a little late. She was with Garth this Christmas, in Utah. She had a blast.
I knew she was having the BEST time Which made her time away from me a little easier. She got to see all her Utah cousins and some Aunt and Uncles.. (Lor she forgot to tell you and Rob thanks in person for the Flat Stanly pic). As you know there was a lot of snow, who doesn't love a white Christmas.. Her is a fun pic of Bac Bac and her cousins sledding. I will post more but I need to get back to Christmas!!!!!
P.S She still has rosie cheeks!!

I should have known!!

Well my bad Karma came and it went like it always has (and will)

1.Drew had surgery today all went well. He will need a long recovery but he will be fine
2. Amanda is felling better, now we deal with post nasal drip (the worst)
3. My car is in the shop we found the girl she had Farmers, so they will pay for it all.. ( I got a NEW jazzy rental car a 2009 Toyota minivan black on black !!)
4.Cookies are a bit crispy but good

So the "take home Message" is relax karma comes and go it always has always will

why why why me

Ok

Things go in three's right well that might be hitting a little low..

There is just bad Karma around me I can feel it ( OK I'm joking but seriously peeps)

1. Drew the young man I am a nanny for (OK Driver) broke his leg this weekend BAD I mean BAD he is schedule for surgery on Thursday. Drew is a very talented when it come to all kinds of sports mainly Baseball and Basketball her will be out for a while. So this is not what her asked Santa for

2. Amanda Drew's sister who has Asthma is fighting Pneumonia/ Bronchitis's so ya my poor boss is going crazy. All I can do to pick up the slack and be there.... right..

3. Tonight while leaving the mall to return my new Land End loafer I had saved for.. I got hit!!!!! and the driver RAN off. (small amount of dammage we were all fine) To file a police report I have to return to that specific city and wait for a police officer to come..OK it like 28 here I will go in the am.

4. Abby asked again "Is there really a Santa" ( YES YES YES how else do you explain all your presents I have no $$)

5. I finally get in the Christmas spirit (this morning) I go out and get the ingredients for a whole bunch-o C.C. cookie my "speciality". I try to go all Fancy and get the Giradellies kind.. No NO NO its so yucky WHY WHY did I not stay true to my Toll House..... So now that I made the double batch of the dough Abby will be eating allot of cookies for the nest few weeks

6. OH ya she will not be eating cookies for weeks Garth has her this Christmas and she will be traveling.. Oh my mom can eat them right? No not really she will be in California .. SO that being said in my whole life this is the first Christmas I will be alone really alone If you want to do something I will be around ... My Karma will be better by than I sure

I'm off to clean my kitchen and fell sick from all the cookies I had to try Why Why Why

Life is good

This is what I go to sleep and wake up looking at. Life is good

Merry Christmas Tori

This is for Tori

Abby loves you and wishes you a merry Christmas

Were going to be grate pen pals!!

Move over Betty.. Abby is here

This is the first thing we made out of our NEW pan. It the Wilton Giant cupcake pan. I have never bought a "pan" in my life. I'm trying to get more domestic and find things to do with Abby. The cupcake got a little more brown than I like but the middle needed to set up. it (looks alot more done her in the pic) It took two whole cake mixes. It heavy and bigger than it looks. It was fun to do next we will work on the frosting techniques lol She's 6 and it still is yummy!!

kitty 2008

I love this picture of Abby it really showers her sweet disposition.....

Thanks Rochelle

OK

Don't think for one minute I have gotten all "bloggie" and figured out how to do my page! Nope it's all my VERY PREGGIE super sweet, special sister in law Rochelle... she even surprise me with the lat es one !!! LOVE HER

Not to leave any S.I.L out, here a little about them

Jill: The artist of the group, she is super fun and calm. She has had a interesting life and is full of fun things to share. As an adult she has taken up the Violin.. We just love her kids to. Not to mention her home made chicken noodle "thing" she makes.

Maren: OK she has a handle on the boy thing, she have 4 full of life boys all ready to go! She is amazing cook!! What makes her cooking better is most of the time it is Gluten FREE. She is my hero when it come to food storage. Her boys are of energy and We love them for it.

Lorena: She is my hero for fitness and for Abby to enjoy sports and MATH. Lorena is a Professional bike racer for one, who wins trip to other countries and money. For her other job she is a high hootin teacher at a VERY high hootin school in D.C. She also coaches track for the school. and She will be soon living in a new country supporting her hubby. She is full of adventures.. there is always something going on. Her kids will walk when there 6 months and run at 9

Rochell: Mom of Tori, She is fun just fun!! what ever you are doing she is just fun... She enjoys cooking and the beach good thing since she lives like 50 yard from it.. She also my blog doctor who is about to deliver the newest cousin for Abby. Thank you Roch.

When is your perfection??

So the other morning I was going on my morning walk.. I have been going 6 to 7 times a week. I usually go for about 2 miles. Some days are a little shorter some are a big longer. I have to fit them into my insane busy day full of chopped up amounts of time. ( I think that is what the problem is with my day it's composed of chopped bits of time. Can I make a phone call ? sure I do, but beware I will have to let you go right in the middle of a good conversation.. Kim is the best at it. After 10 years of our busy life we can pick up at the last word in the middle of a sentences and keep it going xoxox Kim) So I never have just a chunk of time at home, work or school to do any thing real....

Back to the walking. In the mornings I try to walk for many reasons bla bla bla. On Tuesday of this week I had walking perfection Here is why:

Temp. was about 60 to 65. The sun was covers by a think blanket of clouds not gray but not white just perfect. There was a small breeze up in the hills, good to dry the sweat from my brow. I live in the Apartments area of a swanky Golf Course subdivisions. Hay at least I can pretend that I would do my yard the same way next year.. and aggg how tacky to re-plant your flowers ever other week. But when you have $$ taste can go out the window. It was just perfect. Some of the houses smelled like dinner was cooking already and the gardeners were cutting the new seeded fresh green grass. I have a say I have a soft spot for "lawn maintenance engineers" So my morning greeting are always fun lol.

It was just nice so nice I walked for 2 hours. I just played more and more music and kept my little feet going. I had a good attitudes as well not " I'm going back at the next corner"

Tonight I walked as well as this morning. It fun to walk really I never knew the fascination with it but it is fun... Now What is your walking perfection Night time with a loved one, stroller, alone ( I used to walk alone at night until SIL freaked out on me for my unsafe ways .lol.....treadmill, MALL walking only counts if you spending some ones else money. I know its hard to find time so lets just say If you had time what would it be............

Need a break from life take it, its fun

Ever need a break in Life. I sure did. It is not often that I get one, a break these days, single mom, daughter, student, room mom and oh I work!!! and running to Doctor appointments when I have a free second.

Well Last week on Monday I had a day. A day filled with appointments and activities such as this you may ask


Up at 6:15 am get us up and ready out the door at 7 SHARP (Don't forget to take out the trash to the dumpster)

Drop off Abby at bus stop at 7:10 (Wait to do the cute hand signs we do and get her safely on the bus with her buddy)

7:30 Go to work and well WORK

7:45 Get in car to drop off Amanda at school

8:15 Go back to work and WORK

8:40 Be back at my house for a 2 mile walk (well race walk on this day)

9:30 Home shower

10:00 Back to work to change laundry

Pick up Abby at school at 10:15, convincing her the wart appointment is going to be fine and she can have ice cream after..... I'm looking forward to this as well

Get mom she has a appointment at 10:40 with her retina specialist bla bla bla see you in 5 weeks

12: 15 Drive to the allergist office to get flu vaccines administered to Nana, Abby and myself. I know the flu shot is not for everybody can you imagine my life if we got the flu in this apartment. I can't ( I always get them anyway)

12:45 Drive my mom home and grab a quick lunch

1:00 Drive back to the same building were the flu shots were given to the 'wart appointment" @ 1:15. Abby had a wart that needed to be "froze" off. I took her to her dermatologist ( don't ask) Well I learned my lesson I'll try the home kit next time and save about 40$$ ( still I got some moles check on us for free. One of Abby's is now raised and growing just my luck.

2:10 Left there in one piece no tears were shed to the ICE CREAM shop (yummy highlight of my day)

2:45 Drive Abby back home so she can rest her foot.

3:00 GO to another school and pick up the kids from school and

MORE appointments this time it was for a Dentist for a 3:45 and a 4:40 ahh new smells. Sit there for 2 hrs....

Drive big kids home and listen to how hungry the are and why can't they eat for 30 min. Arrive at ( work home) to fold laundry and head HOME my HOME

When I get home I got to do the single mommy thing, help my mom with her bills, pay mine while I'm at it. Fix dinner, clean up dinner mess, go over spelling words and vocab words. Abby has a early bed time so she was off to bed at 7:15.

7:45 Walk out of the bedroom saying I WILL NOT DO THIS AGAIN AND I NEED A LIFE BREAK

Well this weekend I did it ( Garth had Abby)

I walked 4 miles on Saturday with no reason to hurry.
Took a good shower, and had time to shave and not cut off 1/2 my ankle ( you know how it is )
DRIED my hair
Watched two movie on Lifetime or was it USA. Notting Hill and Raising Helen( tissue please)
Picked up my house cooked a good dinner with my friend... Oh what could have been better..

Sunday

I walked for 2 miles no time limit.
Showered and SHAVED two days in a row with no blood!!!
Got ready with time to spare for church (never happens is this house) I got one child you know :0)

Went to church with Garth and Nana to hear Abby do her Primary program.. each of the kids wrote there OWN testimonies on specific subject Abby had chose the right.. She was perfect !!!!

I left church early ( ohhhhh I know) to come home a veggg on the sofa and eat left overs. What a great day. Abby can home at 6 tonight to a new Mommy, with shaved legs. Something she really notices You know she sleeps with me now.

Humm the night is still young what is on TLC or the Discovery channel ? I need to rest up tomorrow is a new week.... It's good to be me !!

PS: How do I get my pics off my cell phone?? And I need some one to fix my UGLY BLOG

Ok check this out Twilight fans

( My life is just to well my life, but here is something fun to brighten your day !!!
I linked it first lol)

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=44287812

School supplies !!!

OK enough already I have spent 73.00$ on school supplies what is up with that? When I went to school I was lucky to get a new backpack and a new some PeeChee's that were like .25 cents

Also the teachers are so specific on the brands, count, color its driving me nuts!!

I Put her name on EVERYTHING I do not believe in the "community" closet at the school (OK I do but still).....If I bought "Fiskers 5" scissors in RED she had better be using "Fiskers 5" in RED oh and ya I got none of the supplies from last year back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK I'm done How was your supplies list

We are alive and doing well

Opps forgot to Blogs

Just a quick update


We are doing great!! Our apartment is small and I have to be real creative about storage but its nice. When I was looking at the apartment I know all along where my stuff was going to go. The only new thing I got was a much smaller table for the dinning room..( thanks to Shannan and Health who was insistent that I get all set up the first night. ) It is a cute four chairs round black table, complements to my "favorite store"
Abby and I are sharing a room so its 1/2 me and 1/2 her but what can I do. My mom is in the other room and bathroom. So I went from a 3 bedroom house with a garage to a 1 bedroom apartment with a very small storage closet. But I do love it and its all girl around here..

Our summer is still going strong and we are baking in the heat but who isn't. OK my lovely sister in law R. is not but she lives like 1/16 of a mile from the beach and for them 85 is HOT ( Love you R.).

Speaking of sister in laws shout out to L. who survived a death defining crash that ended up destroying her bike that coast 1/2 of a nice car and cutting open her cheek. Don't worry I already gave her the talk on wound care and sunscreen. SHE is one tough cookie and seems to be doing fine.

We have enjoyed a bunch of swimming a movies this summer top of my list is "Momma Mia" its so fun.

Well that is about it we are all doing well moving forward with our new definition of "family"!!!

You have to work with what you got.

One more thing I need to say

HUMMM Private medical insurance is expensive there is a rally good chance I will not have any, what do people do. I mean there is no way I can afford 300.00 $ a month for cobra which I can for 36 months. How do people go with out it? . It freaks me out just to think of it. At my job I don't have any benefits. I do not want to leave my job (I love it, the time and the kids and I have been there for 4 years it allows me to go to school and not have to put Abby in childcare which I WILL NOT do right now!!!. First with her dad doing what he did and than her mommy not being with her all he time. NO FREAKING WAY.

I grew up and a daycare kid and a latch key kid, my mom did her best but I have such ISSUES about it till this day it would just kill me. Now maybe in the next year or two maybe I will HAVE to but I just can not do that to her. We have been through enough to make this choice would just break me!! I am putting back together my pieces slowly and I'm sure I will come up with a solution soon if you have any ideas let me know!!

Hope you have a fabulous last few weeks of summer I will try to keep you updated better...

LOVE TO ALL

Have you ever found nine lost rolls of film Look what I found

Have you ever come across a picture that brings such emotion in you. Whether it be joy, happiness's or true sorrow. While I was packing I can across 9 rolls of 35mm film. These are what I found.

I love to look at pictures of Abby from years ago and remember the moments. I remember taking this picture (above) and thinking how can life be any better than this.

It was a great life. Unfortunately people make choice that determine the path of others. I guess it is up to the others to decide what path they will take.

Abby and I will be a a different path but It will be one that were on together.

Have you ever found nine lost rolls of film Look what I found

Ready for Church
(Oh this Kills me) Such trust in her eyes
How can you not what to kiss this face
Abby's first real snow in TX

SO sweet

Have you ever found nine lost rolls of film Look what I found

I'm not ready for my close up
It is hard to walk in heels and keeps a bracelet on
Smoochy face
Rock On
Power to the 80's

Have you ever found nine lost rolls of film Look what I found

Ready to make my first Million
The first time I caught her playing in the bathroom
Yummy Chick -fil-A
How cute is this
OK mom One more picture

Straight legs??

Momma why are you packing up all my baby things for Goodwill.

Abby I'm not going to have any more babies. I got the best on already, we need to get rid of stuff we are going to a little place now.

Well that's OK. You have to have straight legs to have a baby any way!

WHAT ON EARTH

Oh the joy of Packing

Have you moved recently !!

It's hard but I have not moved since 1999 and basically I came here as a newlywed. You know how it is. We came from a little apartment in California that had 700 sq. feet. Where I still had my wedding shrine up lol

We moved to TX into 1700 sq feet. It was easy to bring everything I got a ton of new space.

Fast forward 9 years I have added

1. Child ( who has (had) the cutest room ever and TONS OF CLOTHES)
1. Guest room ( currently filled with my mom and all her stuff including a Christmas tree don't ask )
1. One play room with allot of stuff mostly craft, stuffed animals, books
1. Living room
( Garth got the den/ TV room)

1. House filled with accessories, family pics, and 9 years of things
1. Garage with a loft full
1. Kitchen fill with tones of stuff from all the Tupperware, Pampered chefs, etc parties

Well now I am going back into a little apartment not as small but small. and NO GARAGE.

I have made so many trip to goodwill here that the men keep asking how many more tips I will have. I was wondering how many I have made in the last 8 month since I found out about Garth and knew my life would change.
I went back and counted my recites for this tax year so since January 10th I have made 26 yep that's right 26 trips. Man I will love the tax deduction. In a strange way I fell good about it.

It's nice to know that I do not need all these things. Ya I mean I like my things. It's a little bitter sweet to give stuff away but I (we) want to start fresh and free!!

Free from what I can't really define that yet. I want to start a new chapter, getting rid of the old can only make room for the new.

To start new and fresh I have re defined ( OK in the process) my life and what I want out of it. We have the right to re-write or script to be the hero of out own story

I WANT TO BE THE HERO OF MY OWN STORY.

Abby is my first priority !!! As I was talking to her today about the new people we will meet at our new ward I got so sad to see the questions in her eyes about what will happen to her, today at a new ward and in the upcoming few months (years). I thought for a moment "Just trust me Abby you will be fine I will take care of you" in an instant I felt

"I will take of you too Trust me and have faith and keep holding on to your dignity and honor"

We start a new ward today I will keep going back and forth for a while. All our best friend are in The Col... but we can make new one. Probably not as good but new ones. Today we can write a new page I hope it a exciting and adventurous.

L.

I have tones of Pics to past but I have no time I will try soon

One more day to go !!!

I sold the house !!!!!

We have 1 more day of the "option" So say a big prayer for us. We are selling the house for what we paid for it 9 years ago but it is what it is.............................

We will be moving on the 21 of JUNE.

If I ever did anything nice for you or you feel like you want to be my best new buddy I would love the help. I need help unpacking just as much as packing. lol

(not really i need the help)

Abby, my mom and I will be living in Carro.... ( you locals know what I mean ) We will be in a small two bedroom but we will make do. I thought I would have a hard time getting rid of all my stuff but nope. I have made so many trips to goodwill I cannot even count well on Saturday I went 5 times with a full car.

All of Abby's cloths that I had held on to for so long Nope all to goodwill. I took some to the resale store and got nothing back from them all her Gymborree cloths I had TONS, all her really nice leather shoes from Nordi's gone for a mere 31 $$. After that I decided to just donate them and give them to peeps who need them. ( Is there a limit of donation you can claim ???)

So I am packing slowly as best I can. My mom is not doing to well, so she can not help much if at all. She is visually unable to see much and cannot walk for more than to get a glass of water and than return to her room. ( I love cable).

I will let you all know when plans firm up.

I wanted to say a big thank you for all of those who have so supportive to Abby and I. This has been a real hard time. I hope in the next few months after some of the last ties are broken I will began to see my light. Through all this I have seen the light and love of you all and your real concerns and strength. It is time I search for my light

All my love L.

Things to do this Summer

OK I need help

I need things that Abby and I can do this summer. I will have some time off. Abby and I will need some things to do. Here is the criteria:

CHEAP I mean CHEAP a little cash is fine but not to much.

Not to rustic ( she likes bugs I do not) I want to take her fishing off a pier any ideas were we can do that ?

Not to far away. It is just us two girls now so we can not be driving all over the state by ourselves.

I would like it to be fun !!! of course but if she can get something out of it that is even better. ( Chris this is were you come in)

If you have an ideas and want two girls to join in the fun Let me know !!

This has been a really hard time for Abby and I, and frankly I tired of having a CRAPPY year / life so I say "To **** with it were having fun this summer. I do not want this year to be defined as a year of turmoil, sadness, and a mom who is miserable ( she is not even a teenager yet)

OK so I am asking for help with fun ( or just ) things to do.

So far this summer ( this coming week in fact) we have only have planned for Abby and I to go see her much missed and loved Grandparents, cousins Aunts and Uncles in Utah. She has been talking of this trip for oh about 2 years. ( We will miss you Russ, Lor & Rob and Ro. Adam and baby Tori)

Abby thinks this will be the weekend the House sells ( cross your fingers and toes)

Let me know. Thanks so much for all you love and support.

What ?? your asking just call :0)

Happy Earth Day I love worms!!

She love bugs, and crawly things

( OK this grosses me out but I thinks she secretly love to gross me out. There were be hand sanitizer on her the nano-second she is in the car after school yeeekk!

Bug can paint

She is getting there

Abby wrote a story today with out ANY help

Pieesa is Good
Pieesa is ymmy
Pieesa is gate
Pieesa is hot
Pieesa is good-r
Pieesa is D -lish
Pieesa is Qsbe ( this is my favorite it is "Pizza is crispy")

When we were driving home from school today she asked how come Pizza Hut used a "z" not an "s" I said "Well Abby when you spell Pizza it really has a Z in it" She thought for a minute "Well not if you are in kindergarten"

Man I love her

Abbys first soccer practice

She loves the idea of being on a team however, Her sweet reasoning of "why is he shouting at me to run and kick" takes a few moments for her to get used to.

Abby is good at whatever she tries ( I know what Mom won't say that but it is true she is just that Girl who can do it and will do it).

I think she is felling some pressure on things she is asked to do. Represent the all the Kindergartens for the school Jump Rope a Thon. Student of the month, Honor Roll.

She begs not to do soccer but once she is out there there is a huge smile and there are giggles to be heard. When we are done I always ask well what about next week. Ya OK I will still play... The morning of practice, NO not today. She even told me she wanted to go "erase the her name off the sign up list" Well she will finish this season and decide for next year.

Oh and by the she holds her own on that field. She get her athletics from her Aunt Lorena our Women's Pro bike racer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ABBY BIRTHDAY (SHORT)

OK OK OK

I know I need to post more But I have a LAB final from LAST semester I'm taking it this week, Microbiology which is a tail kicker of a class but FUN FUN FUN, in a strange way if you want to know why and how we test for things, why test results come out the way they do. Fermentation of glucose to give end products of acetic acids, lactic acids and formic acids, nitrate to nitrites to ammonia...DNAse with methyl green and peptides oh sorry I got excited :).

It is a fun class really but It did make me more of a GERM-A-PHOBE

PEOPLE WASH YOUR HANDS

Because others don't

Bathrooms are cleaner than you think.

Sunglasses are horrible don't ever put them in your mouth to hold on to. Don't let kids play with them.. oh ya MRSA is EVERYWHERE

Our Brave girl

Abby had a Very Adventurous day today she got 4 teeth pulled...

All were perfectly health and strong that was the problem too STRONG. At her last check up, 5 months ago Dr. Tell it like it is. said "Abby has BIG teeth" (under her little perfect teeth that were (are) nicely spaced. see top photo) We knew than that when the permanent teeth did come it they we going to be big like Julia Roberts Chic lets lol. Well about 2 months ago( see post 12/24) Abby said she had her first loos tooth GREAT finally she will loos a tooth like all her class mates well...

They got loose but they were holding on for dear life. One night last week she came and said her mouth was feeling weird. I looked inside and she had "cut" two new teeth. This is what happened as a baby, she would wake up with a new tooth or two. I never one time was up at night with her teething ( sorry;0).

Well being the mom I am I made her a DDS appointment for this morning. After x-rays It was determined that the FOUR front teeth we strong as ever and were not going any were soon. SOOOOOOO DR. Tell it like it is suggested we pull them to make room for the BIG ones coming in. It looks like one of the permanent equal two+ of the baby teeth. I jumped on the phone to my dentist Dr. Calm and a young mom herself, she confirmed that this is now a common thing and in the end will save Abby discomfort and time and money in orthodontia work(which is starting at age 8 now) So with a bit of hesitation said OK.

Abby was so good not one tear Not one. She is just the kind of kid if you tell her the truth on what is going to happen and "YA the shot might hurt for a bit but you will be fine", she is good to go.

OK it took like 30 sec for him to "wiggle" them out. I was like "that is it $300 for that" (that was just my portion and we have VERY good dental insurance). Just a shot of Novocain a few "wiggles" and out came four teeth.

She wanted me to post all the pics we took even the ones when we are getting ready for the "Tooth fairy" to come. You can see in one of the pics that two of the teeth had roots still but they were just there on the X rays. We did not to "wiggle" them out in the next few weeks.
You can see in pic how in just a week or so that the others were coming in behind the baby ones.

So after a trip to Target to get an early birthday present and some soft food she is fine and very proud of herself for "not freak-en"at the DDS. She was actually impressed with the blood and the carnage (Ya she is my kid lol) If you ask her now what she thinks she thinks that she looks like a vampire and this would have been fabulous at Halloween time Look at that
Jassie is standing guard
Do do all keep the treasures ??

So sweet

I will admit it.. I am a night-stalker ! I have this odd OK weird fascination of taking pic of Abby when she is sleeping. I just think it is the "purest" part of her. You can see in this Pic how she "loves" Jassie when she is sleeping. A few times a month Abby will ask me "Did you get a good pic of me sleeping yet"? She knows I do it not by waking up with the flash but by me showing her the pics. I love her little cheeks in this one.

The love we all have for our children.. Knows no limits..even at 3 am in morning when we go to check on them...

Look who got a hair cut, purse

I did it. OFF it went. My hair looks longer in these pics than it really is but I love it.

NEW Hair do and a new PURSE............. My hair is way easy Supper curly and My new purse is SWEET and best of all it was under $20.oo thanks Sam Moon.....
Abby was the Photographer on this one

Some times a hug is all you need

This is my favorite picture of Abby and I