Saturday, February 24, 2007

Book Recommendation

I recently finished reading an interesting book. I am not sure how long this book has been out but I am usually last to read anything. This book definately deserves a recommendation.

90 Minutes In Heaven
by Don Piper

Here is a copy of the description on the cover:

A True Story of Death and Life

The victim of a horrendous car crash, Don Piper was pronounced dead at the scene. At least 90 minutes after the EMTs found no signs of life, Don came back to life with only the memory of inexpressible heavenly bliss. 90 Minues In Heaven shares what he experienced while in heaven and through the recovery following his accident.
*An extraordinary true story of death, heaven and a return to life on earth.

If you have ever lost someone that you have loved, and wondered what exactly goes on when you die, you must read this. And once you read it, spread the story! I believe that this guy did die and did experience Heaven. It sounds like a wonderful place. Just as I hoped it would be.

I normally do not talk about things like this, but for some reason feel compelled to share. Take it or leave it!

~K~

Thursday, February 22, 2007

The Oldest Brother turns 19!

Of all the places to go for dinner, what did N choose? Of course, HOOTERS. He had fun and I am sure the other boys did too! My friend was out of town, so we were watching her two kids as well. I hope she didn't mind that her 4-year-old went with us! (She had fun too!)



Happy Birthday N !

Moving Truck and new beds

Moving Truck arrives! Do we really have all of that stuff?? Oh yes we do!






N (asleep) in his new bed...

J 's bed. (Can you believe that he doesn't like it? too bad so sad)

A 's bed (it is HUGE) but his room has a high ceiling, so he can pull if off! Very cool

Pictures

I am having trouble adding pictures to my posts, I am going to try to post just one blog entry with just pictures...here I go..

We ARE IN!

OK, it's been a while since I have been able to post...
we just got the internet hooked up yesterday so I don't have to be "stealing" service from one of my new neighbors "Actiontec" who ever that is!

So, the escrow FINALLY closed in California on 2/8 (I have PLENTY to say about that closing, I will wait for that as it is pretty ugly and I want to get some things resolved before I talk about it) so we were able to close escrow here in Colorado on Monday 2/12 (N's 19th birthday)

We slept in the house on the 13th, right after our new mattresses were delivered! The boys got their new beds that afternoon (Mom and Dad had to wait until last Sunday to get theirs delivered)

The moving company delivered our "stuff" I mean precious things on Wednesday the 14th. That went fairly smoothly, if you don't count the dent in the brand new fridge, the broken water thingie on the brand new fridge and the missing 5 0r 6 boxes they (or we) can't account for. THANK goodness I bought the extra insurance.

Anyway, the boys are adjusting quite nicely. They all have made some friends (you know, that myspace isn't so bad when you are trying to make a new connection with new people in a new place) J started the official baseball tryouts on Tuesday and feels really confident about them. He is hanging out with some really good kids and I am happy about that!

A is still talking to all of the girls in the 8th grade, he has one good friend named Vince and he seems pretty happy. He tried out and made a travel tournament baseball team this week (the outlaws) he is very excited about that. We went for the uniform fitting last night and his first official practice is tonight. They practice in an indoor facility, it should be interesting. I am also glad to be meeting some new people.

N talks to a few people on the myspace. He hasn't really met anyone at the college yet. He has already made a quick trip to Monterey last week because his best friends Dad died unexpectantly and he wanted to be there for him. His trip was sopose to be from Thu through Sunday but had to be cut short because of a drama I will tell you about later. (Again, once it is resolved) Just put it this way, his safety was in question and I couldn't get him home to Colorado fast enough. I was so glad to see him get off of that plane, and he took it very maturely - maybe he is growing up.

All in all, things are going OK (this week) we still have A TON of things to do in the house...it is taking all of our waking hours!

Posts to come: N 's 19th birthday at HOOTERS, etc etc

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Still Waiting....

Things are warming up here in Colorado Springs, it is a whopping 40 degrees today, a darn heat wave! Woo Hoo...

Nothing more in the escrow front, still waiting for the escrow to fund for our Old house to be able to buy the New house...very frustrating and stressfull for all of us. But..what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger right?

The boys seem to be adjusting quite well (actually much better than I imagined) They all have been just as frustrated as me and Ralph have and haven't had a problem letting us know!

N is taking three classes at Pike's Peak JC, Statistics, Calculas and Accounting. We had to pay out of state fees because you have to live in the state for one year. ($4000 for one semester, 3 classes!PLUS almost $400 for books) He is filling out the paperwork for financial aid...we are homeless right now, AND his parents don't have any jobs...who knows? maybe we will qualify?!?

J (surprisingly enough) had a smile on his face yesterday after school. Baseball started yesterday, this crazy school practices at 6AM!!! (before school). It is God Awful cold at that time in the morning, thank goodness R doesn't mind driving him! J also is taking a class called Business Management, the class ordered some school spirit items and the kids are required to spend like 6 hours a month selling the items, he has met some nice kids while volunteering his time. He still misses his friends in Monterey terribly, thank goodness for myspace and text messaging...he still can keep in touch with all of them. He is bummed that he is not playing on the Varsity baseball team in Monterey with all of his buddies...I am hoping that he has a successfull year here in Co Springs and wins a championship here...time will tell!

A , my little boy...has made tons of friends at the middle school ... the GIRLS!!!!
His favorite pastime is watching the 8th grade girls basketball team play their games after school. He told me that yesterday, a girl walked past him and told him, "Oh, you smell so good!", he just said "Well, thanks!" and next thing you know, he had tons of tables at lunch asking him to sit by them! (Beats eating by himself...like he did the first couple of days)

R and I are spending our time...shopping! (R is thrilled, as you can imagine)
Hey, I have to get something out of this STRESS...and you know, shopping makes me feel "HAPPY"...oh, and so does FOOD...we have been EATING like crazy!!
We drive by our New House everyday...trying to check out the neighborhood. The neighbors, etc. I have already decided that I want to paint the trim another color (dark brown)...I can't wait to get INTO THE HOUSE! AAAAhhhhh!!!!

More later.....
~K ~

Thursday, February 01, 2007

Need I Say More?


Colorado Springs Weather:

Currently: 7 F

Hi 8 F / Lo -3

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Colorado Springs, CO


WE MADE IT!


We got on the road early this morning (right after we discovered that the toilet in the hotel didn't flush) and made our way through the rest of Wyoming and into Colorado!

What a beautiful state, we loved the drive into Colorado Springs. The mountains are so great, the snow is just sitting on them like a post card.

I am going to try to add some pictures so I will write more later.
(There are some stories to tell...like how the escrow hasn't closed yet on the Monterey house, we are staying with my friend in Colorado Springs, we can't get into our house until we close escrow here because the keys are at the Title company and we can't get them....I have to get the kids in school by Monday some how...they haven't gone to school since winter break in December.)

Good news is that the weather is pretty good here in Colorado Springs, CO! (40*) (at least it is not -5 like last week when we came!)
OK MORE LATER!
~K ~

Rawlins, Wyoming


We traveled to Rawlins, Wyoming last night, not much to say about that place. NO offense if any one who reads this lives there but...
the place we stayed at was rated 3 diamonds in the AAA tourbook but needless to say that it didn't even deserve 1 diamond!
Let's just say that I am not sure that they cleaned the bathroom since like last summer. IT WAS DISGUSTING. R complained and we got the room for 1/2 off but we still feel like we got ripped off. We couldn't get out of there fast enough!
One good thing about Wyoming (in the boys' opinion) is that Fireworks are legal there. You only have to be 16 to buy them, you have never seen such excited kids!
We got up early and made our way to Colorado, our new home!

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Wendover, UT


We spent the night in Wendover UT last night (via Winnamuca- I love that name!). It is an interesting place, we are staying in Utah and just across the street is Wendover, NV so guess where we went last night? Oh yea, the peppermill in Wendover NV, donated a few bucks to the Keno games and the slots and then went back to the hotel for sleep. Let me tell you, it is NOT FUN riding in the car with 3 teenagers, 2 angry cats and a husband with a sore back. I did my best to bite my lip and not yell at anyone but it still happened!


Those boys really know how to irritate eachother. (and me)

Thank goodness for electronics, One of them plays the playstation, one of them is listening to an ipod and one of them watches a movie on the DVD player, when all of that happens, the ride isn't too bad.

The cold medicine seems to be working on the cats, that is the amount I can get into them before they start doing this wierd foaming thing where nothing will stay in their throat. It must be some defensive device they have, it is disgusting.

Anyway, the cats seem to like riding in the car, the only time they really cry is when we are going through some mountains and I think they are popping their ears. Other than that, they pretty much sleep!

The ride is boring but beautiful at the same time, the mountains are covered in snow and you can see animal tracks (bears?coyote?) so there are things too look at if you try!

More later...we are on our way to Rawlins, Wyoming tonight! Should be interesting.
~K ~

Late Start

One last family picture in the Monterey house...















So, we were going to leave on Thursday but just when we got the house clean, the car and the little uhaul trailer packed, we couldn't find the cats!


I got a dog sized crate to put the cats in on the car ride to Colorado, (the vet told me I could give them children's cold medicine and they would sleep the whole time ) anyway, we located one of the cats, but one of them was missing in action. So, we decided to stop the search and get something to eat, get some sleep (as much as you can get while all 5 of you are on the livingroom floor) and just wait.
He finally came home at 3am (brat) and we were on the road by 7am on Friday.

Picture of Camelot (grey) and Colby (black) looking miserable in the crate included!

Of course the escrow on the Monterey house hasn't closed yet (more on that later - I am so mad) so we were on a slow trip to Colorado to make good use of our time.
We went to Grandma's house in Carson City and had a great visit. We decided to stay a couple days at her house getting some needed rest and TLC.

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Moving Truck


The Moving Truck is in front of the house...they got here at 7am and 6 hours later, they are still loading. The driver seems to be a nice guy, his route takes him to the Bay Area, then Reno for a pick up, then ours is the first drop off in Co Springs. He will leave tommorrow and arrive Monday or Tuesday. (I hope we beat him there!)





We PLAN to leave beautiful Monterey Thurs afternoon or Friday morning. We have a few loose ends to tie up here on the Peninsula before we go.
I plan to post along the way (It will give me something to do when I am not dealing with the 3 teenagers that are bound to be a bit grumpy on a LONG road trip...

More later tonight...I have a dumpster to fill!

Signing off....a tired achy gal!
~K ~

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Happy Anniversary

to me! (Oh and R )
Today is our 21st anniversary...time flies when you are having fun!

More on the "BIG MOVE" later...

for now....Happy Anniversary R !

Monday, January 01, 2007

We are On The Move!

I know, we can hardly believe it ourselves!

We are leaving beautiful California to move to...

COLORADO!

After 18 years in this house, and over 40 years in California, we are making the move!

We have sold our home here in California and have purchased a home in Colorado!
It is a new home, due to be completed on January 18th, the close of escrow date...
we are leaving a 1300 sq. ft. home and moving into a 4,935 sq. ft. home!
(I have a ton of shopping in my future!)

It will surely be an adventure, taking three teenagers, across the country to start a new life in Colorado...there will be some tears, but hopefully, in the big picture, it will be a good move for our family...

It will be a busy month...stay tuned!
~K ~

Thursday, September 28, 2006

School Pictures

School Pictures are in!


J (16) and A (13)

WOW, they grow fast!

September 28, 2006

First of all, thank you so much for the kind words about my friend. You all are very sweet. She started Chemo last Friday and has been tired but seems to be handling things quite well. I am really proud of her! She knows she has a long road ahead of her but she is in good spirits. Which sometimes makes all of the difference, I think.

I got some bad news last week. (There were rumors going around but I didn't believe them) A good friend from High School died over the summer. She was only 40 years old, and leaves a husband of 15 years and two sons. I have been told that she died after a sudden illness, I am so sad. She was one of the friendliest girls I have ever known. Everyone liked her. She will be missed.

On a brighter note, the boys are doing great. They all seem to be behaving and doing well in their perspective schools. I am really thankfull that all in all, I do have wonderful kids, although I complain, when I talk to other parents, we really have it easy!

The homecoming dance is this weekend at the high school, and J is really involved with the Powder Puff game (He is a coach, this is the football game where the Junior girls play the Senior girls for bragging rights) They have some harmless fun at the practices, he comes home covered in eggs every night...sounds fun. I didn't play in the Powder Puff game when I was in High School. I had a job after school and couldn't make the practices. (One of the things I would do different if I had to do it all over again)

A loves being in eighth grade. The king of the school! The 8th grade leadership class is his favorite, one of the things he does is tudor the kindergarten class. He loves it!

N is in love with college. He can't wait to go every day! (I know, its wierd) He has been at his new job (first job) for a little over two weeks. He loves the money. I didn't think he would last, but he has and he loves it. Go figure.

R sold another house this month. THANK GOD! So he is flying high...

My work is great. I love my job. I will be really sad to leave it.

My nephew is getting married in November. I am going to go with my sister for the weekend to Salt Lake City. Any suggestions for a hotel?

HELP!
I have Bunko next month and I need your help! I have been searching the internet for a great theme and just can't come up with one that hasn't already been done by our group! This is more than likely my last Bunko (That I am hosting) with this group that I have been with for over 12 years! I will be moving out of the area soon and will have to find a new group! SAD!
I like to have some sort of theme, starting with the invites, then the food, decorations and the gifts (we don't do money gifts anymore). So, come on....bring on the creative ideas! I am counting on you!

I will be waiting for your response!!!
~K ~

Monday, September 11, 2006

Update

My dear friend, had surgery a couple of weeks ago. She is doing much better these days. Still recovering but slowly but surely making her way back to "normal" life (whatever that is). I commend her a lot. She has a lot going on and seems to have her head on straight. I gave her a journal to write all of her thoughts down. It seemed as though her thoughts were going every which way for a while, I hope the journal will help her keep her thoughts straight. Thank you everyone who has kept her in your thoughts and prayers, I really appreciate it. I have had her son at my house for the last few weekends (which I LOVE). The other day he said: K , remember when you were mad that N (my oldest) wasn't eating with us at the table like a family?" My heart melt when I realized that he assumed he was part of the "family". Bless his heart! R (dh) is working hard in the Real Estate biz...He has one house in escrow (Thank you) and two listings he is trying his hardest to sell. The Real Estate "bug" has finally got 'em! My work is great, I can't say enough about their constant support. Big news in the family....The "middle son" turned 16 on Sept. 8th; I can't believe that I am the Mother of an 18, 16 and 13 year-old! Those of you with toddlers can only imagine what I am going through, contact me in 10 hears and give me the praise you will know (by then)I deserve! Anyway, I will post pics of J s bday as soon as I find the cable for the camera! Thanks for listening...~K ~

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

WOW. Has it been that long

since I posted? Two months is a long time!

A ton of stuff has been going on, it will take some time to catch up.
It is so ridiculous of me to not post, especially when I am checking everyone else's blog for updates and I get irritated when they haven't been! Not that anyone has been waiting with baited breath for an update from me but...

Coming soon....N survivied Hawaii, summer break is over, N started the local college yesterday *gulp*, J started 11th grade and A 8th. Back to school night is tonight.
Big move in the works, got a raise (a big one),R is back to working (Real Estate) and more!

But the real reason I came out of hiding...I need your help.

I just found out a couple of days ago that one of my dear friends has stage 3 breast cancer. It doesn't look good. She has a loving husband and four children (18,15,12& 10). Please keep her in your prayers as she undergoes surgery Thursday (tomorrow). Thanks for the help...
more soon I promise, this is all I can take at the moment..
~K~

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Teenagers...AARRGGHHH!


I do not remember ever talking to my parents the way my boys talk to me.
The oldest one is getting much better (now that he is suddenly realizing that living in this world is expensive, and he actually needs me)
But the 15-year old.....well, he needs a reality check.
What am I to do? I don't like him very much tonight.



Oh, and N is having a blast in Hawaii! Can't wait to hear all about it when he comes home next week! Lucky Kid!

Sunday, June 11, 2006

Teeth, Bruce and Hawaii

I know, strange title...but that is how my life is lately, strange.

I had a busy week this week,

Monday:
Had that pesky tooth pulled, you know the one with the root canal that wouldn't stop hurting? Well, the dentist said that it shouldn't be hurting anymore, and that if it did, we should pull it because everything else had been done. Big mistake.
Have you ever heard of a "dry socket"?. Long story short, the blood clot didn't form and the air etc was getting to the bone. Heard of PAIN?????? I am still on the pain meds, they don't take the pain away but to be honest, I don't give a crap!

Tuesday:
R and I are so happening.
We went to go see one of our favorite performers:
Bruce Springsteen!!!! Yea! BBBBRRRRUUUUCCCEEEEEE!
(you have to say that in your deepest voice, so it sounds like you are booing him)
This time he was playing with a new band the Seeger Sessions Band. Very different music, I thought of Mary Mia's husband because there were awesome tuba-players!
Here is a link: Bruce Springsteen and the Seeger Sessions Band check it out!
The concert was at the Concord "Sleep Train" Pavilion. Nice place, took forever to get there but was great, if you are going to a concert there, let me know, I will give you some great tips!

Wednesday:
Did I mention the words: Dry Socket? After getting home at 2:30am, getting 5 hours sleep and then going to work, (because I am a good employee like that) I was in bed at 6pm!

Thursday and Friday:
J had baseball games both nights, why do I insist on going to these games when I am in pain and can't "deal" with all of "those" parents? I just left irritated and disgusted, I know it is because of the constant pain, but really, some of thos parents....Don't get me started!

Saturday:
I suddenly realized that N goes to Hawaii on Monday, is he packed? no. Do I have all of the details? no. He is going with 200 or so of his closest friends (graduating seniors of Monterey High) please keep him in your thoughts, let's hope he continues to make good choices.....God help me.

Sunday:
Woke up to vibrating....what?!?
N and R went to The Home Depot and rented a sander...they are sanding the new deck that R finished yesterday....We are totally making the neighbors mad. Oh well. Looks good, I will post pictures soon!(Blogger isn't letting me this morning)
Oh and I won tickets to a prty today on Cannery Row, I guess Bubba Gump's restuarant is celebrating their 10th anniversary and a local radio station is putting on a beach party...free food, drinks and prizes! I will report back later!

That's my week, How was yours?????