Our new kitty

This is the new addition to our family... he meows non stop... we still haven't come up with a name for him.. have any ideas? He likes to climb in drawers and baskets and between the cushions on the couch, silly kitty! He loves to cuddle which is great but we can't hold him all the time as he would like...lol... isn't he cute!!!!

Ryans new braces

Ryan and his new braces! Thats about how he feels about them too..haha! Thought I would write in blue today since his braces are blue.. they didn't have that when I had mine back in the 80's... what a face, huh!

I was critiqued....

I was critiqued... check it out ---> http://critiquemyblog.blogspot.com/2006/09/regularhold-cream.html

Regular ...no cream... hmmmm ... what do I need to do to get cream...hehe!

Vegas, Baby!

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The Bellagio fountains from the window in our hotel room!
We got to the airport and took a shuttle to the Barbary Coast where we were staying and we were there by 11:30 am... check in was at 3 pm so we planned on just checking our bags at the front desk and taking a tour but when we got there they had a room ready for us so we went straight to our room, the staff was sooo great to us! I hadn't slept much the night before so I took a 2 hour nap and Josh went down and did a parlay bet on football for 20 bucks... he won 14 ...hehe! Then when I woke up I took a nice shower and we decided to walk up north of the strip towards Treasure Island... Saturday night in Vegas is insane I have never seen so many people or cars and limos... we checked out all the hotels along the way and the casinos... we walked through the Mirage and thier gardens (beautiful) and the Venetian is unreal... you are walking through at night yet it looks like day inside with the canals and the clouds on the ceilings etc... these hotel/casinos are HUGE! We took a shuttle from the Barbary over to the Orleans and had a great buffett dinner.... there was every kind of food you could imagine... one trip through and I was full but Josh went back 2 or 3 times.... then back to the strip to walk some more.. .We watched the dueling pianos at Harrahs for a while ... I enjoyed that ... then we threw some money in some penny and nickel slots for a while ... we actually made 40 bucks so I was happy...hehe! After all the walking and sight seeing on Saturday night and not looking at the time (time what is that in Vegas?) once we turned around to head back to our room I looked at my cell phone and it was 3:30 am ... we got to our room around 4 am and I was blown away at how many cars and people were still out , they aren't kidding when they say Vegas never sleeps!
Sunday we took a shuttle over to the RIO for brunch but the buffett was sooo packed we played the slots for a while instead, we lost but then I won about 60 bucks so I cashed out fast as I was ahead of the game...haha! We made our way to the buffett... again way way too much to choose from , they had seafood, prime rib, fried chicken, mexican, chinese, italian, my mind was mush I didn't know what to choose... so I wondered around in a daze for a while...haha! After our meal we made our way back to the Barbary for a freshen up in our room and to relax for a bit before we took off for the other end of the strip towards NY NY... loooooooong walk but we stopped at the Bellagio, Monte Carlo etc.. along the way and watched the fountains from the outside.... took pictures etc! NYNY was hoppin with live music and more dueling pianos... but cocktail waitresses were hard to find and I just wanted a coke... so I found my way to the starbucks inside instead! We walked all over NYNY then we took the walkway outside to the MGM Grande... to be honest I wasn't that impressed with the MGM....it was ok but I enjoyed Bally's more... now its something like 2 am and we are clear down at the MGM and need to get back to the Barbary... aaaack! More walking... and we were thirsty... so we bought one of those HUGE drinks with a margarita (Josh drank most, haha I just wet my whistle on the walk back)we stopped at the Aladdin for $10 free slot play on thier card so that was fun... then back to the Barbary for some well earned sleep!
Monday around 11 we hopped on another shuttle over to Sams Town (this place is really cool) off the strip but the shuttle was free... Josh was getting cards so I played nickel slots and won 80 bucks ( for not being a big gambler , I was having a blast) then we ate at thier buffett... and took a taxi for 7 bucks to Arizona Charlies... now I liked this place... they had a deal for 100 dollar free slot play , that means you can play 100 of your money but if you lose it all they give it back to you... now thats a deal! Josh proceeded to lose all of his 100 but went and got it paid back and I however won $140 on it so I cashed out I had $240 so I was happy happy happy!!! We took the taxi for another 7 bucks but we gave him the whole ten back to Sams town and grabbed the shuttle back to the Barbary Coast... took a couple hours of rest in our room and freshened up then we took a taxi to the HardRock Hotel/Casino... we bought the kids some shirts , Josh played a few hands of blackjack and came out about 20 bucks ahead then on the way out we played the nickel slots on the star wars and I hit the bonus and walked out with 60 something bucks... all in all a good trip to the HardRock! Took pics of the big guitar then grabbed a taxi to the Palms and got a free duffle bag (believe me we needed it so our suitcase wouldn't go over 50 pounds) .. Josh was all over the coupons and free gifts and buy one get one free buffetts...lol! We got 2 free t-shirts at the RIO, a free duffle bag and t-shirt at the palms and some dorky wine glasses too...hehe! We are such the tourists...haha! We walked around the Palms for a while then played some slots , at around midnight Josh said I'm hungry so we ate at this small buffett... he had them make him a killer omlette and I had chicken , and salad ... was good... then back to get some sleep!
Tuesday is still a blur... oh yeah we went to the WYNN... WOW!~ That place is something else... the seats are plush plush plush, the waterfalls are awesome... the bathrooms are not your average bathrooms... all granite and marble... and the stalls well they are not stalls you have granite walls and an actual door so you basically are in your own little room.... the sink is made of granite and more like a huge granite trough... we went and got free player cards and just got Josh and receieved two cards to play on... it only took a lil over an hour to get 250 points on it for the buffett to be free and we were only down 10 bucks... the buffett is 64 for two so not bad for a free dinner... I must say I only went through one time but the deserts were rich rich rich ... the chocolate brownie thing was sooo rich one little square is all you could handle... but sooooooo good! The rasberry tart was good too...heehehe! Josh tried sushi... he had eel I think wrapped in seaweed or something.... not my cup of tea but he said it was good... he also had duck, lamb and anything else he could try that is not the norm... All in all we loved the Wynn.... we also checked out the Ferari dealer there... Josh had to see the cars... then we jumped on the Duece bus (double decker bus $5 for 24 hours not a bad deal) we rode it down to Freemont Street and checked out the Freemont Street Experience... I enjoyed that... the light show was really cool... we walked around and got souviners for the kids... can't forget the kids ya know! I actually liked Freemont Street as everything is closer together and you are walking under a dome... we did a few slots and went to the all night Starbucks ( now that is heaven for me) then took the Duece back to the Harrahs and walked back to the Barbary ... we played at the Barbary for a while then finally made it back to our room... late or should I say early again... I packed the suitcase and grabbed a few winks... then up and downstairs to check out Wed around 11 ... Josh decided since we hadn't even spent what we brought to spend to try his hand at the blackjack table I went to Seattle's Best and grabbed a latte' and said we better go ... he was on his last hand and walked out on a blackjack... not a bad way to end the trip... we were almost 400 bucks up still so we were happy! We caught the shuttle to the airport for our trip back home and I was asleep before the plane even hit the runway... Vegas wore me out...haha! All in all we had a great time and saw a lot for my first trip to Vegas next time we are going to check out a show... we were way to busy checking out all the hotels and casinos on this trip... when we got back to Seattle we were both wiped out and decided to stay in a hotel and drive home in the morning... sleep was well needed!!!! I can't wait to do it again had a blast!!!!!

We had an absolute blast in Vegas!!! This is the view from our hotel room, we had a killer view if I do say so myself... we could see the Bellagio fountains going off right from our room and that was pretty cool !

Airport experience

Having not flown anywhere since 2000 before 9-11 our experience at the Seatac airport was a lot different then the last time I flew... we got our bags checked very quickly and followed the mass of people to the long long long lines to go through airport security, we were hoarded through the ropes like cattle for over an hour we moved very slowly. Once we got closer I noticed everyone was taking things off like shoes, belts, pullovers etc.. I thought man do we have to strip down... not quite but almost...haha! We did the same and put our stuff in the little boxes they provide and got right through, now to get our shoes on belts etc... seems funny to see all these people having to get redressed in the middle of the airport... so I made a note to myself that for our flight back home I would wear my flip flops so I could just slip on and off...haha!
We then had over an hour wait until our plane boarded so we grabbed a starbucks coffee and a bite to eat then waited... Once we boarded I felt bad for Josh... being 6'7" he couldn't put his tray down on the plane as his knees went right to the seat in front of us... and the seats are very close together... he is so tall and had nowhere to put his arm so he put it around my shoulders...wasn't that comfortable for me until I nuzzled in and went to sleep...haha! Thank Goodness the flight was only 2 and a 1/2 hours... not sure I would've wanted to do that much longer... The Las Vegas airport was a trip I am not used to getting off the plane then taking a subway like shuttle underground to get my bags but you learn very fast...now we are pro's ... but I did wear my flip flops home ...hahahaha!

Vegas, Baby..YEAH!!!

Thats where we will be for 4 nights and 5 days.... woot!

Just sittin' here in front of my computer screen pondering my day and trying to slurp down the rest of my coffee... Josh got me up at 5 am ... why why why... too early if I do say so myself... but I had to make lunches and bake the rest of the cookies since I was too tired to finish last night. I got the kids off to the school bus and headed to the office to put my credit cards through and put some things in the work computer and now I am back home on phones and yet here I sit in front my computer ... I know there are many other things I need to be doing but COFFEE comes first ....
I got my hair streaked last Saturday , usually she does it in reds but this time she added blonde highlights which to be honest I wasn't quite sure about, though Shelly said trust me it will look great... I am a brunette mind you...lol... Josh likes it so I guess it will grow on me! It's something new for my Vegas trip ...hehe!
The kids are staying with friends for the weekend and up to Grandma and Grandpa's Sunday after church... then we get home Wed night... I am looking forward to it ... its been a looooooong time since I've had a getaway and I have never ever been to Vegas ( I am not a gambler) but from what I have read and heard from all my friends there is a ton to see there... so Vegas here we come... ;)
Off to clean house (story of my life) and pack the suitcase! Love you all ... see you next week... Peace G

In remembrance.... 5 years later.... how many of us remember that day... the day our world stopped for a time and flags were flown freely... how many of us are still that patriotic? Life has a way of moving forward and people have a tendency to forget... but I hope we never forget the impact that 9-11 had on our lives... the day we hugged our children a little tighter and thought more deeply about the ones we love! The day America felt ... really felt deep in thier hearts and all came together as one... the day we all loved each other no matter our color or race cause no matter what we were all Americans and we were all touched by the impact.
On the way to school this morning I was thinking about it and thought how Mt. St. Helens had the biggest impact on my young life but 9-11 is a day my children will never forget . My daughter says it seems like yesterday not 5 years ago... a lot has changed in 5 years and a lot has stayed the same... I still remember turning on the tv to the first plane hitting the tower as my son and I looked on in disbelief ( he was 10 at the time) I remember everything stopped for a moment, I wasnt making lunches for school and they weren't getting ready we just watched in disbelief... they asked me questions ... mom what is happening are we at war? My daughter had tears in her eyes cause even at her young age of 6 she understood this was not something she had ever witnessed before nor had I .... we all had tears in our eyes come to think of it.
How blessed we really are to be living in America... and not in a war torn country but that day I think maybe we understood just a little more, maybe we had a little more compassion for our fellow man at least for a while. Why does it take such a catastrophe to bring us all together? Say a little prayer today for the families that lost loved ones and think about how lucky you really are to be free as freedom never comes free! And no matter how you feel about the war say a prayer for our soldiers over there. 9-11 we will never forget!


ALAN JACKSON LYRICS"
Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)

"Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day"
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Working on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock at the site of that black smoke rising against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger In fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry
Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones you don't know
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below
Did you burst out in pride for the red white and blue
The heroes who died just doing what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself to what really matters

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

Teaching a class full of innocent children
Driving down some cold interstate
Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her
Did you dust off that bible at home
Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Speak with some stranger on the street
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger
Stand in line and give your own blood
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love

I'm just a singer of simple songsI'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love
I'm just a singer of simple songs I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love
The greatest is love
The greatest is love
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day!?

Swollen knees and a bag of peas

Frozen peas work great on swollen knees! Beka fell hard on her knee at school yesterday and came home with it swollen and turning purple not good for upcoming basketball but finally the peas got used...haha!
My kids are not lovers of peas, how can this be I love peas and green beans the two veggies they could do without...they are more into the starchy things like corn and potatoes... I can get them or at least her to eat brocolli and carrots but not much else..
So let the chaos begin.... school has started once again... now the endless driving to this sport and that event and youth group or whatever else seems to fall into thier laps... I tell ya they keep me running! I never thought I would say this but it will be nice when Ryan is driving in October!
On other notes.. 8 days til we leave for our 5 day trip to Las Vegas! I have never been so I am kind of excited there are a lot of things I want to see and we plan on seeing a few shows too!
Rockstar SuperNova... down to the final 4... Toby, Magni, Lukas and Dilana... oh boy tough choice! They all can sing ... but who fits best with Supernova... I am glad I don't have to make the decision! I love Magni but I am leaning more toward either Toby or Dilana but we shall see next week!
The Chelan County Fair is this weekend so of course the kids want to go... but not with us...haha they want to hang with thier friends....well you know how it is....Ryan has been working 3 hours a day after school for money to buy a car and all the things that he likes to do... I am very happy about that... he came home after work and started his literature homework and I tell ya his book weighs at least 10 pounds ...I don't remember my school books weighing that much... aaack!
Well I need to get my day started... Love to all..... Peace G

Things to ponder

Why do we have a gravel driveway and yet the weeds still want to pop up...I need Brians sheep...hehe!
Why is the sunniest day the day we go back to work?
Why is it we move to the country to escape the city then complain about all the driving we have to do...haha I am bad about that and the gas prices....
Why why why... things that make me ponder!
If you try to fail and succeed, which one have you done?
Why do they put braille dots on the drive up atm machine?
Why is it when you are driving and looking for an address you turn down the volume on the radio?
Do you need a silencer if you are going to shoot a mime?
Why is abbreviated such a long word?
If a man is standing in the middle of the forest speaking and there is no woman around to hear him, is he still wrong?
Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?
If Barbie is so popular why do we have to buy her friends?
If someone with multiple personalities threatens to kill himself, is it considered a hostage situation?
How can there be self-help "groups"?
If the front of your car says 'DODGE', do you really need a horn?
Why do you wear a pair of panties and only one bra?
Is grass really greener on the other side?
Is it true that cannibals don't eat clowns because they taste funny?
Have you ever imagined a world with no hypothetical situations?
and last but not least.... .Does fuzzy logic tickle?

This morning has gotten away from me once again.... between the phone ringing for the biz and watering the yard and garden I haven't gotten much else done! AACK!
Yet here I am typing a new post on my blog... I needed a coffee break anyway!
Well today was the first day of Ryans sophmore year... as if saying it makes it feel any less surreal... I just can't believe I am the mom of a sophmore in highschool...my first born will be able to drive in 2 months...where oh where did the years go and how did they go so fast? Three years left of highschool and he will be an official grown-up ... well in relative terms.. where will his life lead him? My hopes and prayers are to a place that makes him happy to a job he actually enjoys but before that hopefully he will decide college is for him so he has a little more time to really decide what path to take ....then again do we ever REALLY know?
I mean I am 41 years young and my life path is still unwinding before my eyes....life is a series of decisions some good some bad but all of them worth living as they build our character and ultimatly make us who we are ... I just hope I have given him enough of a foundation to be strong for the sad times and wise for the hard choices life throws our way and happy for the most part ...I mostly just want my kids to have a compassionate heart for others and be kind and honest! My prayers for them are a happy life a life lived and a life loved and of being loved...
With all that is going on in our world now a days it can be scary... but I hope I have taught them the love of Jesus that no matter where we are He is there ... He never leaves our side it is us that leaves Him ... He is always there all we have to do is call on Him... if all else fails I hope and I pray that is the one thing they always remember!
So here's to life and having a hand to hold ! Peace G