CA Girl

AWOL or MIA call it what you want, but I am back. Life throws curve balls, crap storms, and all other things horrible. When it does, you just have to look for the rainbows and silver linings. Today I am playing along with my bestie Emmy and her Friday Five link up! 1.  My van started acting funny. It had no giddyup. I took it into a shop recommended to me. I thought it was the transmission. It wasn't. Instead, it turned out to be the catalytic converter. These are very expensive because they are made up of precious metals such as gold and platinum. However, it still didn't explain the $1,000 price tag on the labor. My niece's boyfriend is a mechanic he explained that they probably would have to take apart the suspension to get to the cat. He also said that the car is likely not worth saving. Oh goody. Silver lining and rainbow: he is looking at some places to fix it cheaper, and he knows a dealership that is taking any car no matter what condition for 3K. I have

I made it back! If I only blog once a week, it is a start. Of course, it is Emmy who is bringing me back.  1.  Anxiety is a terrible thing. It is very real. You cannot see it, and it is also hard to describe. I want to write about this more. I have a feeling I would either go off on a tangent or I would derail...a lot. I still want to talk about it here. 2.  School is back in session and we are finishing up week two. No major dramas so far. The hardest part is pick up because it has been so hot and there is space of about 30 minutes between the two pick up times. 3.  The Olympics are winding down, and I am still just a couch potato while they excel to the absolute extreme. I do get excited for the ones who medal for the first time.  4.  I have been in a funk lately, and I am working to turn that around.  5.  Ryan's schedule has changed at least three times in these first two weeks of school. Not really a drama, more of a bother. However, he has taken it

So it is Friday and I am playing along with my bestie, Emmy and her Friday Five where you share five thoughts and five pictures. 1. School is back in session for the kids and it feels like summer just started. My oldest is in the process of registering for BYUI (online). We have a few more steps before the process is complete. As for me, I am still trucking along to earn my degree. I want to be done so bad. The finish line is coming up. 2.  Been watching the Olympics.  I like diving, gymnastics, swimming and that is about it. What are your go to events? 3.  Finding work is hard when you haven't done it in almost ten years.  4.  We have only been to the beach once this summer. That is unusual for us.  5.  I need time to stand still for a while so that I can catch up on things like sleep. Sometimes I see weird stuff when I am out and about...this was one of the weirdest.  Now that's a roll back! Hello Darkness my old friend...(back to

I am linking up with my bestie Emmy  to share Ten Things that made me smile in July! 1.   Two zoo trips in one month! Season passes!  2.  35 pounds down and counting! 3. Walking a 5K with my church on the 4th. Look at all those steps! 4. Bittersweet as we always laughed and smiled with our hairdresser (Center) She is moving away.  5. If this doesn't make you happy, you are not living. 6. This moment from the cats.  7. This girl completing the Pathways program. Next stop: BYUI 8. This handsome devil 9. Walking and capturing this sunset. 10. A weekend getaway with my bestie--you know the one I am linking up with today. We had a blast! What made you smile this month?

     I am linking up with my bestie (again) because Emmy will get me blogging again. Today is Friday Five where we share five thoughts and five pictures. That's easy right?  Well then, let's get this rodeo started. 1.  We went to the zoo. It was for Emily's birthday. Originally she wanted Disneyland, but that was way out of our budget. Thankfully when I mentioned the zoo her eyes lit up and we bought (through the military) season passes and we can go back. It covers the regular zoo and the safari park. Good investment. 2.  I learned about a new cooking show. Worst Cooks in America. Oh my goodness this show is hilarious. For me, not knowing how to cook--and these people do not know how to cook it is sad--is a  foreign and unknown concept. How can a person not know how to cook?   One person actually sent her spouse to the ER because she didn't realize you could not leave food out all day. All right, my mom worked in a hospital so I got all kinds of food

The Peanuts Gang is quite possibly the most iconic pop culture group of kids after The Little Rascals, and I am talking about the original ones not the movie that was made. Raise your hand if you remember them! Yes, I am too young for The Little Rascals (in their original run) but I know who they are because of syndication. What a ridiculous show about the battle of the sexes between little boys and little girls. However, this post is about The Peanuts Gang.       I was thinking about good old Charlie Brown the other day. I remember how much I could relate to him as a child. He is so disregarded and yet filled with hope. I sure felt picked on. I never had my head drawn on for what a pumpkin should look like, but probably faced some similar humiliation in my time. Haven't we all at some point or another been just like Charlie Brown? I believe I even landed more than one kite in a tree.        Charlie Brown is insecure and full of anxiety, which is why I can relate

If anyone can get me blogging again, it will be Emmy ! Yes, you will. It will happen. Stop shaking your head, woman! Today is Friday Five with Emmy and that is where you share five thoughts and five pictures. Okay this could be interesting... 1.  Summer vacay so far has been mostly uneventful. No major dramas--knock wood. Ryan and Rich did Cub Camp and the weather was fantastic! The weather overall here has been HOT! He and Rich both had a good time. 2.  Rich's brother and sister-in-law and daughter came to CA for a visit. Their visit was short but we were happy to spend time with them just the same. 3. My sweet Emily turned 16! I just can't believe it. She had such a rough beginning born three weeks early and not breathing! YOu would never know it. She is a brilliant artist and incredibly sweet and funny. 4.  I am  continuing  on with college. It's hard! I will not quit. I am going for the finish! Sometimes I think about going for a Masters Degre

Yes, I know it has been far too long. It may be a long time again, but here I am linking up with my bestie, Emmy . 1. This kid and his silly ways always make me smile everyday of the year. 2. Trying on a Medium shirt and having it fit! 3. Seeing this shirt at a thrift store and finding it oddly amusing. 4. This sweet girl being abundantly pleased with her birthday cake 5. Spending time with family even if it was short. 6. An impromptu one shot "photo shoot" for Father's Day 7. When my mom and I dressed alike without even trying. It happens a lot. 8. When Ryan invited his Dad to talk at Scouts as a hero. Just look at that face! 9. In a moment of weakness, Spencer put an arm over his brother. 10. I am actually on the fence about this one. But he sure is a happy kid. That is what made me smile this month. What made you smile?