CA Girl

One day when I was about 11 or 12 years old, the day started out to be a nice day. It was a spring day I believe complete with a blue sky and a slight breeze. There were some clouds in the sky floating lazily along. Then out of no where it seemed, the skies suddenly turned dark and ominus. The breeze changed from light to nearly gale force. Leaves and other things that had found places to rest on the ground were now actually spinning around. Before my friend and I could scramble inside, there was lightening, thunder and rain. That day, a tornado touched down just 7 miles from my home in the happiest place on earth! That's right. It hit Disneyland. It was surreal. Tornadoes were not supposed to strike in Southern Ca. And yet, one had. In the blink of an eye. Today, my life felt much like a tornado. It came without warning. They always do. Even with all wonderful technology they still can not predict a tornado. The clouds were already dark and looming as my day began...

There are two people in this world who you want to be happy when you are sitting in their chair. You're hair dresser and you're hygienist. Do you really want to be sitting at the mercy or your hair dresser with your crown of locks while he/she is dealing with a family crisis? Or worse, at the mercy of your hygienist after a bad break up? Now I know that they know better than put that stress on you--at least I hope they do! But come on, wouldn't you rather have them in a good mood!? I am not a good dental patient. In fact, I am a bad one. Now I don't bite or anything like that, although as a child I did. So the possibility exists that I could start that up again. In other words, don't make me angry. I take good care of my teeth. I floss, brush, and all that good for your mouth stuff. But to sit in that chair...excuse me...LIE DOWN in that chair, I am white knuckling it from start to finish. So when I went for my long overdue cleaning today, I knew it woul...

It's good to be back! The question is, where have I been? I started this blog when we moved from VA back to CA. That was almost 2 years ago. I either have a horrible memory, or I am one big procrastinator. I think it is a toss up. I digress. Life is crazy for all of us. Whether we work outside the home, run a business--by the way kudos and bows of unworthiness to my sisters who can juggle all of this--to the Mom's like me who stay at home. Life is roller coaster. There is never a dull moment. I do not have time to be bored. So how do I have time to blog? We are all given 24 hours every day. And for "24" fans, you know what Jack Bauer can do in just 24 hours! I am glad that life isn't really like that show! At least not mine anyway. No my life is filled with never ending piles of laundry, errands, school, homework, cooking, bills, cleaning, you know the drill! There is also getting woke up in the night for the occasional bad dream or sick child. ...

This was our home for the last 5 years. It was the end of a few chapters in our lives. Emily took her first steps in that house, and it was Ryan's first home. The girls went to school right on post--Kristin went to that school for 5 years, and Emily went for 2. They loved being a DOLPHIN. I enjoyed the scenery, the lush green, the history, and my wonderful ward. I was happy and sad to leave and begin our new adventure!

After 20 years and 8 months in the United States Coast Guard, Rich retired. We had a nice intimate ceremony at Headquarters in Washington DC, his last duty station. There was laughter and tears as speeches were given. Rich was honored for his service, as were our children and myself. Don't we look schnazzy. The best part was Rich's Mom surprised him by being there. She had him convinced she wouldn't be there due to the timing. His father had just had surgery on his back. Well Marsha was there, and Larry heard the ceremony over the phone from his bed. It was a wonderful ceremony, at least until Ryan through a major temper tantrum. My Mom has a picture of this. There he is laying on the floor surrounded by all the guests who really could care less. Haha. I, of course, was mortified.