TGIF

Okay, so I really suck. I did not go running today. In fact, Monday was the only day I did go running. What is wrong with me? I actually like to run, but I am just not motivated. I guess it would be good to have someone to go running with, but since most of my friends don't live anywhere near me that probably won't happen. :(

My daughter has been complaining about poor eyesight for a couple of years. I've taken her to the base eye clinic 3 times and every time they have done a thorough exam (at least I thought so) and always said she was fine. In fact, the last time the Dr. was a little unhappy that we were back again. So this time I took her to Mt. Ogden Eye Center, where I had my LASIK. Sure enough, she needs glasses, and not just a little bit. She will need to wear them all the time! We looked at a couple of different places for glasses and lucky for her COSTCO had a good sale going on so we got two pair for only $117 which is less than one pair at the other places. She got one wire rimmed frame and one plastic frame. Now she will just have to actually wear them! I think she will because her eyes have been bothering her for so long.

Chelsea's softball team lost again! This time to another school which had not won a game this season. The final score was 10-11. They gave it a good fight, but now her team is the "worst team in all of Weber County" according to Chelsea. At least she is doing very well in soccer!

And, here's where I'm really going to brag! She got an A in Math, an A in Physics, an A- in Engineering, an A+ in Band, an A in English, an A in Foods/Nutrition and an A+ in Drama! I am so proud of her. Last year she stuggled so much in Math and both of us were worried about Physics, but she has worked hard and it shows! Did I meantion I am proud of her!

Now I have to try to be sure I get at least A's and B's or she'll probably ground me. Speaking of that I need to head off to school! Bye.

I'm Lazy!

So, yesterday I set my alarm clock to get up at 5:30 to do some strength training. Somehow I didn't get out of bed until 6:15, which gave me just enough time to get ready to go to school! Today I didn't go running because I had an early morning phone call, and then needed to take Chelsea to school since her usual Wed. ride couldn't take her.

Chelsea has Confirmation tonight so I might go running this evening. The weather is perfect so that shouldn't be a problem. I got to school early today so I got some homework done that I intended to do tonight so I should have time to go running. I still have more homework to do but I think I have time for all it.

I did call the police yesterday about the vandalism in my neighborhood. After I got off the phone with them I went to take my garbage out and get the mail. I then realized they had come by when I was gone and cleaned up most of the paint from my sidewalk. However my neighborhood still has red paint on every utility cover (cable and power). I can't figure out why they would just clean up a small portion of the paint and leave the rest. I guess because I was the only one to complain. I hope the city makes them clean up the rest of the mess because it makes our neighborhood look bad.

Chelsea had a softball game yesterday and they lost, again. I feel so bad for them, but mostly for her because she doesn't get to play often. I am glad she plays soccer because she gets to play quite a bit on both her soccer teams. She has tryouts for a team that is being put together by her U-19 coach, which will be made up of girls who will play year-round together with the intention of competing at the AYSO National Championships in Hawaii in 2008. Her coach came by my house this summer and asked if she could be on this team. He told me he had asked 4 other girls from her All-Star team to be on this team. Then I hear that every girl now has to try out and he won't be one of the coaches to decide the make up of the team. I sure hope Chelsea gets to be on this team, because for the past 2 months she thought she was certainly on the team. I just told her to play like she normally plays and she'll be fine. I am thinking he's doing this because some of the girls from the All-Star team heard about this and assumed they'd be asked to be on the team as well. Who knows. She is a fantastic player and I know she'll do well. The only downside of her being on this team is the cost, but of course you don't get to go to Hawaii for free! If she goes, I'm going too! That means more money to save! Anyone know a great paying, low commitment job? :)

Well, I need to get to my math class. Bye!---Forgot to admit that I am up .4 lbs from my starting weight. That should motivate me to get moving!

It's Monday!

I got up and went for a run this morning, but my IT band started bothering me a little towards the end. I'll need to wear my IT strap on Wednesday. It was dark when I left the house, but I had my reflective vest on and my flashing red light, and also my pepper spray. It got light pretty quickly but that will end soon also. Once it gets snowy I'll run in the afternoons, mostly because the roads will be too icy and it takes that long before the city gets the walking path cleared over at the park.

My vandalizing scouts' parents did not call back today, so tomorrow I will call the city attorney and the Boy Scout Council. I'll probably have to call the police and file a small claim against the adult who signed for the paint. Of course, I might just get the city to clean it up since it was their paint to begin with.

School went well today. I found out I got a 94% on my math test, but I was bummed because it was mostly due to a stupid mistake on my part. I think I have a 98% average in that class, which is great, but also surprising because I hate math!

I did my first day of volunteer work at the Casualty office on base. It was a great day. I got to see a lot of people that I haven't seen in a long time. I also talked to an old friend who is training to be an executive/life coach. The Air Force is paying for his training so he can coach senior civilian leaders. The courses he is taking are from a civilian school, so I could take the same courses and become certified to do that as well. I still need to get my Master's Degree to get certified, but it sounds like something I would be good at. I have had a few people tell me that I have had a lot of influence on them. My friend Tammy is famous for saying every good idea she ever had was from me (which is a lie, of course, but it sure sounds good!). Executive/life coaches usually work as consultants and often times work from their homes. They usually do most of their work over the telephone, so you could be anywhere you have cell phone coverage and still work. Sounds like my kind of job. Heck, I did a lot of cell phone counseling when I was a First Sergeant, and although the pay wasn't bad, it's nothing compared to what a consultant makes.

I just finished my English assignment and I have to say, if you've never read Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Letter from Birmingham Jail you have missed one of the best pieces of writing ever. The link is below. Let me know what you think.

I'm a loser

Or at least I want to be. I lost 10 lbs about 5 months ago when I was going to Weight Watchers. After that I quit going and have pretty much been a lazy, junk food eater. Fortunately I only gained back 2 of those lbs. But now I want to lose them and a few more. So I need your help. My first goal is to lose 5 lbs. I figure if I set small, attainable goals then I might not get so discouraged. I am also setting a goal of exercising at least 5 times a week. I have been a big slacker the past week due to the rain. But that's really no excuse because I have some great exercise DVD's my friend Kelly gave me and I have two I bought myself. So I plan to run on Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat. and do some weight training with my DVD's on Tues and Thurs. If it rains I'll just do a cardio DVD rather than sit around and getting fat!

Rather than admit how much I weigh I'll just call it 5 lbs. and my goal will be to get to zero lbs. I am going to weigh myself every Tuesday and Saturday to keep me on track. I'll just list it at the bottom of my blog. Wish me luck. If you have any favorite recipes (low-fat and/or high fiber) please feel free to share. Tomorrow I am going to make up a huge batch of Taco Soup, which I love, and freeze it in single serving portions. It is delicious and only 3 WW points per serving. My only real fear right now is going to a birthday party on Saturday. The friends hosting it are well known for their great food spread. I'll have to really take it easy on Friday and all day Saturday, because I know I'll want to enjoy some of their great cooking. To be fair, they always have healthy choices available, I'm just not always that self-controlled!

I went running to day, perfect weather! And I am going to do some yard work, so that's my exercise for today! I also have a book report and a service hours placement paper to write. I am volunteering at the Family Support Center on Mon, Wed and Friday, working in the Casualty section. My duties will be to contact widows and widowers of active duty and retired members to ensure they are getting all of their benefits. This should be a rewarding job and will fulfill my requirement for 20 service hours for my Social Work class.

Okay, enough procrastinating. I am going to get started on my homework. Enjoy your Saturday!

Weight Loss Goal: 5 lbs

Update-Scrabbook USA purchases

Don't read this if you aren't interested in scrapbooking!

SBUSA was okay. Sometimes I think I have too much stuff since I have a hard time finding things I want. But here is what I did get:

AMM Herbanella stickers, All Girls, $2.00
Chipboard letters and symbols, 2 of each, $1.00 each

Clear checkbook covers, 10, $.25 each

Misc. AMM ribbon slides, $.25 each

DCWV Birthday bag kits (each contains two bags, two sheets of patterned paper, two ribbons, tags and 6 cute embellishments), $2.00 each

DCWV Accordian 6 X 6 album, $1.00

One page kit from Mind Your Memories, $5.00

And that is it! Of course, most stuff was clearance stuff or was the same price or only 10% off from store prices. I can get paper cheaper when JoAnn's or Robert's has sales so didn't buy any paper. I did see some class projects and they looked really cute. Much better than when I took classes several years ago!

Okay, now to put this stuff away, and eventually use some of it!

Paint the Town Red

Well, that's what some Boy Scouts did in my neighborhood. On Tuesday some scouts were out painting fire hydrants red, white and blue for an Eagle project. Evidently the adult wasn't paying enough attention because a little boy who was with them painted a big red stripe down my sidewalk, a small area of my driveway, a little bit of my neighbors basketball stand, the top of the cable cover and the power box down the street.

After a little detective work on my part I found the family of the scout who did it. I contacted the mother last night and told her about it and that I wanted the paint removed from my property. She said she'd "look into it". She asked me if the little boy was a blonde (he was) and then said she wasn't sure she knew who it might be. Hmmm. She acted as though she was just going to blow me off or just deny it was them, although the city public works department has them assigned to this street and the father signed for the paint. So I told her she had until Monday to get back with me or I would have to file a police report for the vandalism. I really don't want to do that since it will make the Scouts look bad, but I also don't want a big red stripe on my sidewalk. A neighbor suggested painting over it with gray paint, but I don't want gray paint either! So we'll see what happens with that.

I have a math test today that I should be studying for, but instead I'm writing this! After math I am heading down to SLC for Scrapbook USA. Hopefully the rain will stop and the roads will be dry! I'll probably update later with news of my great buys! I know you can't wait to hear all about it!

It's Thursday

Thursday is a boring day. Nothing really happens on Thursday.

I took a test for my Marriage as an Interpersonal Process class and got a 90%.

My daughter's softball game was rained out and I'm sorry to say that I was glad.

I watched the season premiere of Grey's Anatomy and loved it.

Nothing else new and exciting.

I have a Math test tomorrow and then I'm heading down to SLC for a Scrapbooking convention. Hope I don't spend too much money, since I really don't have any to spare.

I found out today that my daughter's dentist office owes me $51 so that will be my max budget for tomorrow! I would have to find some great deals in order to spend so much money. I'll probably spend that much in gas!

I rode the bus

I rode the bus to school today. It's actually the first time I've ridden the bus in Utah. When I lived in England I took public transportation all the time. First off, it was plentiful, reliable, affordable and clean. Second off, there just aren't enough parking spaces in England to accomodate everyone driving.

Anyway, the bus today was reliable, affordable (free, because I'm a college student), and clean. I plan on taking the bus on Tuesdays and Thursdays from now on, unless I have something pressing to do after school. This should save gas and wear and tear on my vehicle. It's a win/win, as far as I can see.

Last night, after I posted, I talked to my brother, Randy. My niece whose husband was killed is his step-daughter. I do have to say that she has never been a favorite in our family, however when he told me how she had to sit down and tell her 6 year old son that his daddy was dead I just started crying. I can't imagine being her age, about 23, and having to have that conversation with my young child. She has another son who is about 3 and a newborn daughter. She is really going to have to grow up fast and learn how to be the sole parent to her children. I've posted the link below to the newspaper article about the accident. The good news is that it looks as though Jesse and Ben were both killed instantly. As the article says, Jesse used his phone to text message his wife. Fortunately it was a loving message that I'm sure she will never erase.

Please pray for Jesse's wife, kids and friends. And for Ben as well. I guess he lived on his own since he was 15 and his mother is a crack addict and his father is very ill. I am not sure what they will be doing as far as a service, but I may go home for the funeral, even though I didn't know Jesse that well. We are a closenit family and I think it's important for us to be there for each other.

Well, I'm off to Bible study and them back home to do some homework. I am going to TIVO Boston Legal and hopefully watch it this weekend.

It's a bad news day

The first bad news was that my mom sprained her ankle while visiting relatives in N. Dakota. Originally I heard she broke her foot and ankle, but I spoke with her tonight and she says it's just a bad sprain.

The really bad news is that my niece's husband was killed in a vehicle vs. train accident. I don't have any details other than he was a passenger in a pickup that hit the train. I guess he and a friend (who was the former boyfriend of my other niece) were in the truck and they ran into the train that was already in the crossing. I don't know if drugs or alcohol were involved, or what. I have heard of being hit by a train, but not hitting a train. In fact, the train crew didn't even know the train had been hit.

My niece was in the middle of a very messy divorce when this happened. She has two young boys who are now without a father. Very sad. I really don't know what to do. Do I send a sympathy card? I guess I will. What a tragedy. I am really getting tired of young lives being taken. What is going on!?

Old Spice(s)!

Oh my gosh! I was reading the USA Weekend magazine that came inside my Sunday paper and saw an add for McCormick spices. It showed pictures of bottled and tinned spices that are more than 15 years old! If you McCormick bottled spices say "Baltimore, MD" on the label or if they are in a rectangle tin they are at least 15 years old! It seems that they quit putting spices (except black pepper) in those metal tins 15 years ago! So go check your spice cabinet!

I was pretty sure none of mine were that old because (at least when I was still on active duty) you couldn't ship herbs and spices overseas. I'm not sure why but I do remember whining about having to get rid of all of them every time I moved. I thought that I probably bought the spices I have now in 1999 or later, since that is when I got back to the States from Guam. I used the handy date checker on the McCormick website and sure enough, most of my spices were packaged in 1999 and 2000. Now that is sad because that means they are 6-7 years old! And of course, they really should be no more than 2-4 years old! Some of them are almost gone, but some of them are still almost full! Oh well, guess I'll make a list of the one's I use most often and then pick up one or two each time I shop. I can tell you I won't be buying thyme or basil leaves anytime soon! I have almost full bottles that are 6 years old. I think I'll probably buy fresh herbs when I need them. I might also grow my own next year. This year I grew sage, just for the heck of it and I have a huge plant! If anyone wants some I do plan on freezing some of it this year and have enough to provide more sage than you could use in a lifetime, unless you make stuffing on a regular basis!

Okay, I want you all to go to your spice racks and check out how old your spices are and let me know. If you haven't moved in the past 15 years you just may have a tin of cinnamon in there!

I need to get some more homework done. I need to take Chelsea to youth group at church and I plan on using those two hours to write a paper for my English class. When we get home she gets to mow the back yard (jungle) since all this rain we've had has really made it grow!

Snow in the Mountains!

Yes, there is snow in the mountains, and it is only mid-September! Looks like a good skiing year!

I went to Chelsea's softball game today and I nearly froze to death. It was worth it though, because she made a great goal! The first one her team made today!

Later she went to a Girl Scout meeting to plan out her year. I hope she has a great time this year. I was crazy enough to volunteer to be her troop's cookie mom this year. It shouldn't be too bad because her Cadette troop only has 8 girls. The last time I was cookie mom was two years ago and her Junior troop had over 25 girls!

We had a great time tonight visiting with our friends, Laura and Caitlyn. We had a girls night with pizza, wine and drinks for the girls (water, milk and herbal tea!). It was nice. But now it's after 11:00 and we need to get some sleep! Church comes early tomorrow!

It's Raining, It's Pouring...

My Love Life is Boring! Oh, that's another story for another day!

I was so happy today to come home and see rain pouring out of my gutter! Thanks again to Bob for cleaning them out last weekend!

My daughter told me today that she was voted 9th grade class clown! I'm not sure how I feel about that, but she is getting very good grades in school and she has never gotten in trouble for being disruptive so I guess as long as she is happy about it I should be too!

I've decided to pour myself a glass of wine to go with my chicken pot pie (I haven't had one of these for many years) and do some math tonight. That way it will be done and I won't have to think about it the rest of the weekend. On Sunday I'll write my paper for English, which is due on Tuesday. I also need to study for a test in my computer and in my marriage class. What fun!

Unfortunately tomorrow will start with a cold, rainy soccer game. One in the morning and one in the afternoon, but I have heard that the weather should be nicer in the afternoon. Fortunately I have a friend and her daughter coming over to hang out in the evening, so that will be fun!

A cool day!

I love the FALL! Today it was much cooler than normal. This afternoon I went to Chelsea's softball game and in the 4th inning it started pouring down rain! I do like rain, however I got soaked so I was glad to come home and get changed. Since we aren't going anywhere tonight (soccer practice was cancelled!) I just changed into jammies!

Lately I've shown up to school without stuff that I needed, and even once without an assignment! I can't stand that so I bought a big calendar and am just about done writing down all of my assignments/tests/projects that are due this semester! I really wish I was naturally more organized! I've taken time management courses, read organizational books, and even subscribe to some organizational newsletters, all wasted. This is of course evidenced by the fact that I sat down at my computer to download some notes, and instead I read my email, read some other blogs, checked my investments and am now writing this blog! And I haven't even logged on to the website I need!

Okay, so now I am going to get busy and get some homework done! Bye!

I'm a slacker!

I am such a slacker when it comes to this blog! I could use the excuse that I'm back in school and have lots of homework (true!). I could use the excuse that I am constantly running my daughter to softball, soccer and now Confirmation and Girl Scouts (true!). Or I could just admit that I've been lazy (the truth!).

I had my eyes checked the other day and four years after having Lasik my eyes are both 20/25. Not bad when you consider they were 20/200 and 20/400 when I got the surgery. So no tweeking required. At least for now! I would say that having Lasik was probably one of the best decisions I've made. It was definately worth every penny!

My professor for my Marriage as an Interpersonal Process is driving me crazy! She has a PhD and yet cannot pronounce ordinary English words. And she is a native English speaker so it's not as though this were her second language. She also tells the most outlandish stories for every situation. Not just something to illustrate a point, it has to be over the top! There are two older students in my class and we don't buy into much of what she tells us because it is so unbelieveable, but the young kids in the class believe every word! Oh well, as long as I get a good grade, that's all I can worry about.

I volunteered for an experiment at school yesterday. It was for the Economics department. They gave you a fictional $50 to invest in stocks and/or bonds. Participants got to keep the profit so I made $37! Wish my real investments would do so well.

I need to get to English class, but I will try harder to keep up this blog1

September 11, 2006

God bless America and those who have and continue to serve in the armed forces and emergency services.

ARRGGHH! APA Format!

I hate writing papers! Tonight I had to learn APA format for my Social work class. Well, I took the easy way and bought a program off the web to do it for me. I figure since I am a social work major I'll be using APA format for all of my papers in the future so I might as well do it the easy way! Now to learn how to use the program! I fumbled through it tonight and have my paper done, but will need to spend some more time with the program to really get to know all that it can do. Luckily it comes with a tutorial so I should be able to figure it out.

I went to Chelsea's first softball game today. She didn't get to play, but they got stomped on, 15-0 , so it was just as well.

I have to tell you that my family studies professor is weirder by the minute! She has some freaky stories, and even though I don't think she is LDS she really works hard to try to show deference to that religion. Our lectures are pretty boring since they are basically a repeat of what is in the text, however she does seem to have a story for every situation, although many of them seem to be very far fetched. And having been a First Sergeant I have heard some pretty amazing stories myself. Hers just seem way over the top!

I had to deal with the dentist's office and my dental insurance company, and if that won't give you a headache, nothing will! I paid for some sealants for Chelsea's molars the last time she was in. It seems the insurance won't pay for them (I already knew that) but they have an allowable charge that the dental office can charge me, which is $13 less per sealant than I paid. Multiply that by 6 and that's a nice little bit of cash. Now trying to get the dentist's office to reimburse me is so much fun. But according to my insurance, part of their contract with the dentist is they can't charge more than the allowable. Now I have to take in my booklet to the dental office to show them the fine print they didn't read! The biggest lesson I learned is to call the insurance company each and every time the dentist wants to do anything other than a routine cleaning and exam. That includes x-rays, which my insurance only pays for ever 12 months, but the dentist office took every months. Guess who has to pay for that? Of course, me! I guess I was spoiled when I was on Active Duty, because pretty much everything was covered and the coverage was quite a bit less. I pay $68 every month for insurance for Chelsea and me. For those of you with dental coverage, is that a good deal or not???? I just dont' know!

I am going to bed! I am so tired!

I can't think of a good title!

Okay, so I've been a blog slacker! I realized that the last time I wrote anything it was Monday, and it was all about Sunday!

Well, on Monday, I finally got some yard work done! I didn't want people to think I was related to the people living next door! They haven't mowed in a few weeks, they have a recliner, TV, some sort of cabinet, a big pile of dirt covered by a tarp and all kinds of tools in my driveway. On Sunday my friend Carol said she had white trash neighbors that would probably rival mine. Well, when she and Bob showed up on Monday Carol's first words were: You win.

Carol came to help me supervise Bob as he helped clean out my gutters. One was completely plugged with dirt, shingle dust and walnut shells from a tree that was removed last summer. He did a great job! I just can't believe how much gunk came out of that. But at least it's one less thing I need to get done! On Sunday I put out my "Honey Do" list to my friends. Bob got his done right away. The other things on my list are: cut 3 tree stumps to below ground level, possibly remove or at least trim another tree, and fix a leaking sprinkler in the back yard. Hopefully I'll get them done before winter.

Yesterday I went to dinner with my friend Wendy, who was here on business from Ohio. I've known her since I lived in Idaho, so about 7 years. She is very successful, budt is making a career change next fall. Chelsea and I are hoping she moves back here then. Her boyfriend lives in Utah, so that is a very good reason for her to move back.

I got an email from my friend Tammy who is in Iraq. It seems she has started her own blog, which will be interesting reading, I am sure. Her blog is called "The World According to Mudslide" I'm not sure where Mudslide comes in, but that is part of her MSN screen name. Anyway, the link at the bottom will take you to her blog, if you are interested. See, Carol, what you started, first you got me to start a blog, now Tammy is starting one. Before you know it Laura will start one, and where will it end???

Well, I have quite a bit of reading to do for my Marriage as an Interpersonal Process class, then some great math problems! I am going to sit on my deck with a cup of Lavendar tea and enjoy the cool night. Later

Sunday

Sunday was a great day! We started by going to church and then to the potluck afterwards. It was nice to visit with other members of my faith community, many whom I don't often take time to visit with at other times.

Sunday evening we went to Chip and Laura's for a BBQ/Birthday party for me. It was wonderful! I was surrounded by dear friends, Chip, Laura, Caitlyn, Sam, Bob and Carol, Candy, Dale, Megan, and Kim and Eric, and of course, Chelsea. I had lots of fun visiting, drinking a beer and a little wine, and eating way too much food! After dinner I got to open presents! Whoohooo! Everyone gave me 45 of something, to celebrate my 45 years! I got 45 red licorice, 45 sticks of gum, 45 granola bars and 45 Hershey's Hugs and Kisses! I also got a great framed photo of me and Laura at Easter. That was the best present of all!

After all that came the time for cake and ice cream. Chip lit all 45 candles with a propane torch! I'm not sure that was absolutely necessary! He had to do it outside to be sure that the heat from the candles wouldn't start the house on fire!

It was a wonderful night, that came to a close too early, but that's what happens when you have so many old people hanging around!

I am so thankful for such great friends. I have had a wonderful 45 years. Yes, there have been some rough spots and some times I'd rather forget, but all in all I have been blessed with a great family, good health, a good career, a wonderful faith community,the best friends a person could ever ask for, and of course, the best kid (most of the time!) in the world!

I am looking forward to another 45 years, at least!

It's my birthday and I'll smile if I want to!

I had intended to get up and go for a long run, but about 6:30 I decided to roll over and go back to sleep, sleeping in until 8:00. I got up, made a cup of tea, and went out on the deck to read the paper. Later I had a bowl of vanilla yogurt Cheerios. What a great start to the day!

After Chelsea got up we decided to go shopping for a snowboard. We went to two places that claimed to be having a "huge Labor Day blowout sale". Both had only a couple of snowboards on sale, and none were what Chelsea was looking for. We decided to go for lunch at the new TGI Fridays. I had a great salad, the pecan crusted chicken salad, which was a taste sensation! It had pecan crusted chicken (of course), candied pecans, dried cranberries, celery, bleu cheese, mandarin oranges, with balsamic viniagrette dressing, and of course, lettuce. Every mouthful tasted different. I would highly recommend it! Chelsea had a plain cheeseburger and fries--that's her idea of a gourmet meal!

When we were done we went to Sports Authority to check out the SNIAGRAB. That was a good choice. Chelsea found a snowboard she loved, with a price I loved (it was so inexpensive because it's a 2005 model). It is wood grained with birds on it, like the Partridge family birds. She also needed a pair of soccer cleats since she has outgrown her current pair. She insisted on trying out a pair in the youth section and they actually fit! They are black Nike's with pink trim. They were on clearence for $19.99, so I convinced her to get a pair of softball cleats also. She has been playing softball since 4th grade, but she has always worn her soccer cleats to play. I told her if she made her school team this year I'd buy her softball cleats since she was the only girl on her team last year without them. She did make the team again, but when I mentioned getting softball cleats she said she didn't need them. I know it's because I told her money was tight (I hadn't gotten my VA money for about 4 months). But, since her soccer cleats were so inexpensive and we got such a great deal on her snowboard, she reluctantly agreed. And of course the ones she picked out were in the youth section and on sale also! I made it out of there with a snowboard and two pair of cleats for less than I had planned on paying for the snowboard alone!

When we got home I read my Good Housekeeping magazine, then took a nap. After I got up Chelsea and I moved her twin bed into the spare room and the full size bed from the spare room into her room. She has been sleeping in the spare room for about 3 years now, and it was time for her to move back into her room. She is thrilled with having the big bed in her room and I am thrilled to have more room in the spare room so I can do my homework, even if it is late and Chelsea is in bed!

Chelsea is now at a party with friends from school. She has been looking forward to this for a few days. Unfortunately my birthday BBQ had to be rescheduled to accomodate her party, but I am glad it was, since she is such a good kid and told me several times she didn't need to go, even though I could see that she really wanted to.

Chelsea gave me exactly what I wanted for my b-day. She gave me coupons for doing extra stuff around the house, like making my bed, doing my laundry, taking the dog for a walk, going for a walk with me, washing the car, etc. The best part is she made them like punch cards and so she'll do many of them more than once. The exception is wearing her hair down for church. She only will do that once for me. Oh well, I'll take it!

I am working on making girls birthday cards for a card swap I'm doing in my Idaho Scrappers group. It works like this: I make 10 of the same cards, mail them to the person heading up the swap. There are 9 others in my group. They will make various cards, such as wedding, baby boy, adult birthday, etc. When I get them back I will have 10 handmade cards to use throughout the year. So, if you get a handmade card from me, I might not have made it myself. Sorry! Well, I need to get back to work!

TGIF

I've arranged for Chelsea to ride to school with a neighbor on Monday, Wed. and Friday which not only saves me money for gas, but also allows me time to go running. I ran this morning and it was beautiful! It was about 60 degrees which was perfect.

Last night I saw Jon Francis in a dream. He was smiling, but when I asked him were he was he didn't answer, just kept on smiling. Next to him was another young man, about his age who was also smiling. I think they were outdoors somewhere, and they weren't in any distress. Maybe this was his way of saying he's where he wants to be and is happy. I am going to take this as a message from heaven. I always think of heaven as being whatever kind of place you love, and I know Jon loved the outdoors. Maybe the other guy is a friend who passed away or maybe someone Jon met after he got there. Strange though, because I don't always have such clear dreams, and often don't remember them.

School was fine. I actually like my math class. I guess it's because I am getting the problems we are doing and although challenging they are fun. We are learning about Euler circuits. You can check out what they are on the link below.

Today was the WSU Block Party. Lots of free crap, pens, pencils, little frisbee's, etc. I got my free UTA (bus and Trax pass). I just may take the bus to school if I can find a route that works well with my schedule. I also got a free Mocha smoothie. Other than that it was pretty boring. Oh, and I joined the Social Work club and ordered a t-shirt.

I am going to chill out tonight. Tomorrow I want to go on a long run (which for me will be 5 miles) and then take Chelsea to the SNIAGRAB (Bargains spelled backwords) and get her a new snowboard. She has gotten pretty good at snowboarding so has outgrown her current one.

Tomorrow I am going to a BBQ to celebrate my 45th birthday. I can't believe I am 45 already. Thanks to Bruce, Tammy, and family for the card! Mary