New Year's Eve

So a year ago, I was at Disneyland to bring in 2009 with Big Sis. It was the day I activated my Premium Annual Pass.

That being said, I did renew mine and also Big Sis' annual passes!! So we have a whole 'nother year to enjoy Disneyland!

I really want to be at Disneyland tomorrow. If I don't make it, though, I will be there with Big Sis on January 3. We're going, just the two of us, because she did make it to the 100-AR-Point Club. She's hoping to get into Tiana's Showboat Jubilee. I was in it on December 5 with some of my LP friends. The girls and I saw it on my birthday, so now Big Sis wants to be in it.

She has a list for all the things she wants to do, like CA Screamin' and Indiana Jones twice each (grab Fastpasses, then hop in line). We will be there at opening at 8am, however, it's a Magic Morning, so we won't have our super-empty park when we get there.

Looking forward to it! Check back here for pics, and also my 365 Challenge blog.

Waiting for the Train with her New Year's Hat

She didn't make it to midnight.

I'm going to be an Auntie!

AGAIN!

My sister, Kimberly from Welcome to My Life, who was married December 5, 2008, is pregnant, and due May 24, 2010!

On Monday, December 28, she and her husband found out it's going to be a GIRL!! I'm so excited for her. She and my brother are so lucky...they already have nieces. But I don't! (I'm the only one with girls so far.) So, I FINALLY get a niece!!

So, congrats to my baby sister and her husband!! You can read all about it on her post, I'm going to be a Mommy!

2009: Year in Review

2009 was a year of Ups and Downs.

Big Sis and I brought in the New Year at Disneyland on December 31, 2008. She made it to 11:00pm that night, and fell asleep on the ground near it's a small world. She wasn't the only child, either. It was so very foggy that neither set of fireworks, at 9:25pm and 12:00am, were visible. We had a good time, though, dancing to Family-Friendly music at Small World Mall.

On January 4, 2009, the girls and I finally accepted my dad's invitation to go to church. We went to Crossroads Church for the 10:30 service. Both girls were sitting in the service with me, and Big Sis and I both accepted Jesus into our lives. That was the biggest decision we made all year, and the best one of our lives.

I started my full-time position at the Elementary School on January 12. It was a transfer from the Middle School. I went from working 3.75 hours a day to 6.5 hours a day. Little Sis started going to the baby-sitter after she got out of preschool at 12:30. She was not very happy about it, but she knew it was for the better. At this time, I was still commuting from Hemet to Borrego Springs, which was a 1.5 hour trip each way.

In March, the student I was working one-on-one with moved from Borrego Springs to Nevada, prompting me to fear the loss of my job. I wouldn't have lost my job completely; I would have just moved back to the Middle School working 3.75 hours a day. This was not going to be a good thing if I was commuting almost 150 miles a day. The Superintendent, however, let me stay on at the Elementary school, where I was to help out in the afternoons with the large group of third grade Special Ed students (our SDC class is only half-day, then the kids go to their General Ed class after lunch). At this time, I realized I needed to live in Borrego Springs. With God's Grace, a friend, who was also commuting, found an apartment in Borrego Springs, but decided against it, so recommended me to the landlord. I was able to move in with a small deposit and no credit check. Thankfully, I had thought to save $1000 of my tax refund, for no particular reason. So, on March 25, I moved into my apartment, where the girls and I currently live.

School ended June 12, and brought summer in all it's blazing glory. The apartment complex where I live has a large swimming pool, so the girls and I swam practically every day. They took swimming lessons at the high school, and both overcame their fear of the water. Essentially, they turned into fish. I was working during the summer, tutoring one of our SDC kids. He was also taking swimming lessons, so I was able to work some of my required hours with him in the pool, which I used as time to build his gross-motor skills and multi-action movements (kick your feet and blow bubbles). He also turned into a fish, and he still asks the instructor when it's time for swimming lessons again!

On July 15, I ended up going on a date to see Harry Potter with my ex-boyfriend. We ended up "back together" which we thought was a good idea. More on that later.....

School started again on August 21, and I had my old position back! Only this time, I was working my afternoons with a group of 4th graders. I also became a one-on-one in the morning, thanks to the new SDC teacher who saw potential for conflict with that student and his one-on-one. So she and I tag-team him. I work mostly with him during the morning, and she has him in the afternoon. His behavior has improved exponentially since school started. I love the team we have working in the classroom this year.

On September 30, my former-ex-boyfriend lost his job...and his employee housing. So, I let him move in with the girls and me in our tiny one bedroom apartment (did I mention is was a one-bedroom? The girls have a bunk bed in the bedroom and I sleep on a futon in the living room). This was the beginning of the end.

The girls, the boyfriend, and I went to Disneyland October 5-9 for the girls' birthdays. It was a good time had by all. Little Sis rode Tower of Terror for the first time, and Big Sis rode (and LOVED!) California Screamin' for the first time. It's now her favorite ride, and is bummed when we have Little Sis with us and can't Baby Swap. The girls spent their Disney Fun Card, which they received because we are Annual Passholders. Big Sis bought a Jack Skellington jacket, and Little Sis bought a Mickey Mouse sweatshirt, among other small little things that are probably lost by now.

On October 30, we went back to Disney's California Adventure for Mickey's Halloween Treat. We didn't get as much candy as we did in previous years, but because both girls had braved the bigger rides, we were able to have a little more fun. Little Sis actually chickened out of Tower of Terror, saying she had to "GO POTTY NOW!" as we were boarding the elevator. As we ran down Hollywood Blvd, we saw Handy Manny and the Little Einsteins. She loved that!!!

November brought many trials for me. The boyfriend and I were having more and more arguments over little things, and my grandma and dad finally hosted an intervention to get me to get him to move out. The girls were unhappy, and I was unhappy. So, he moved out. Things have been much better since.

Thanksgiving was yummy at my Dad's house. My brother-in-law was home from Japan, and my step-mom made her Sweet Potatoes. My sister, BIL, and I won at Pictionary Man (reigning champs!!) and we played a little Boggle. My BIL is very good at that game, yes, even better than me.

December brought in cold weather to the desert, as well as the LaughingPlace.com 10th Anniversary celebration at Disneyland. I met some great friends who I only knew through LaughingPlace.com and Facebook. I also saw some great friends I hadn't seen since July, or even since the previous December. Some friends were missed, including the one person around whom the meet had originally been planned. It was a nice kid-free weekend (well, my kids weren't there...others had their kids there), and we had a nice Girls Weekend in my friend's condo at Windham Worldmark. (And I had my first rum & Coke...OMG! Coconut rum in Coke is AMAZING!!!)

On December 13, the most dreaded day in my 20's happened....my 30th birthday. The girls and I went to Disneyland after church that day, and we had a pretty good time! Our friends, Gary and Kathy were there to help me celebrate in the morning. Kathy had a rough year; she was diagnosed with breast cancer in February, but received her clean bill of health in November! YAY! Thank the Lord for miracles...he really does answer prayers.

On December 15, I met a Christian man named Jeremy, who lives near my grandma. We made plans to meet, and we finally met on December 23.

December 18 was our last day of school before the holidays. Big Sis (who had received Student of the Month for November) reached the 100 AR Point Club for reading. So far, the only 3rd grader this year to do so! Little Sis was named Student of the Month for December for her Kindergarten class! This was one proud Mama!!! We had a sing-a-long in our jammies, and then the Kindergarteners went to have breakfast with Santa Claus at the firehouse. That night, we had our Girl Scout meeting, and made ornaments to take to the Assisted Living Facility, which we did on December 21.

On December 19, we were driving to my grandma's for the Holidays, and I turned a curve and saw a sign that said "Fresh Julian Pies." Then I saw a man holding a sign I thought said "Free pies!" Turned out it said "Free puppies!" I had stopped to get a pie, but when I saw the puppies, my heart melted. I insisted we couldn't have one, but when I picked up Midnight, she totally relaxed in my arms, and I knew she was mine. We have since changed her name to Rosy, and she's still so loving!!

That brings us to now. Christmas has come and gone. Presents have been unwrapped, turkey has been eaten, and the Starbucks card is empty (yes, already). I have two weeks left of Winter Break, but technically only one, since I have trainings all next week. I'm looking forward to what 2010 has to bring. Bring on the New Year's Eve Party....and the rum and coke! (Just kidding...I'll be driving that night!)

And I sincerely hope I didn't bore you. Really. If I did, I'll try and make 2010 more exciting.

Introducing...

On March 14, 2009, I posted a pic of a gorgeous puppy and entitled it "I Want One!"

Well.. let me introduce you to Rosy Bear.

She's a Lab/Husky Mix. We got her on December 19, and she's approximately 8 weeks old. I'm guessing her birthday is around Halloween, so we'll just celebrate her birthday on that day.

Her name was Midnight when we picked her up. The girls changed it to Princess, but I vetoed it because that's what I call them, and I'm already confused with their names being so similar. We went through a barrage of names, and finally settled on Rosy. I call her Rosy Bear, so that is her official name.

She's such a sweet baby girl. When I go outside (she's outside at my grandma's, since we're here for the holiday. At home, she'll be an inside dog), she loves seeing me. Of course, it's usually because I'm bringing food or treats or lovin'. She loves getting her belly rubbed, and will stop eating, sit on my feet, so she can get a little rub. Then she'll go back to eating. She loves to just sit in the girls' or my lap, and LOVES to be held!! She's going to be one spoiled little girl!!!

FINALLY!

Well, it seems like it's been forever, but the 2010 International LaughingPlace.com Meet is FINALLY here!!!

I got to the park about 7pm on Friday, December 4. Met up with some LP friends, and rode Space Mountain. Met up with more LP friends and watched the Fireworks from the Concierge Lounge at the Grand Californian.

Went back to Disneyland, renewed my annual passports (mine and Big Sis'. Little Sis' doesn't expire until February). Met up with MORE LP friends.

Went back to the hotel. Showered, and now it's 2am and I'm still on the computer.

HELLO??? What's wrong with me?? The park opens in SIX HOURS!

Good night!

Project Princess (The Princess Diaries #4.5)

This was a short little book about Princess Mia's Spring Break, and her trip from Manhattan to West Virginia to help build a house for a Habitat-for-Humanity-type charity.

I read it while I was eating at Sonic today. At 64 pages, it was a very quick read. Very good, though. I love Meg Cabot's writing style as Princess Mia.

I am now reading The Princess Diaries #5: Princess in Pink.

The Princess Diaries IV: Princess in Waiting

Because I joined the 2009 Young Adult Challenge, I decided this would be the time to read the Princess Diaries series. I've been working my way through them, and just finished the fourth volume, Princess in Waiting.

This one was, in my opinion, the best one so far! It starts with Mia in Genovia for the holidays, where she is pining for her new boyfriend. When she gets back to Manhattan, her Grandmother (who is NOTHING like sweet Julie Andrews from the movie version!) is trying her best to ruin Mia's life, like always. It has a great, sweet ending and I'm ready to move on to Volume IV and a half.

If you have a tween who loves drama, or are like me and has to read the book if there's a movie, this series is great. I cannot wait until Big Sis is old enough to read this series.

Things Kids Say, #2

A conversation that JUST happened with my 8 year old.

Big Sis: Besides Indian (aka Native American), what else am I?

Me: Well, your great-great-grandma is from Mexico, but she was a Mexican Indian.

Big Sis: Anything else?

Me: Also European.

Big Sis: What's a "peein'"?

Go ahead and laugh. I did.

Happy Halloween!!!

Little Sis as Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty)
and
Big Sis as Hannah Montana

October 17, 1989

On October 17, 1989, I was just 2 months shy of turning 10. My family (mom, dad, brother, sister) and I were visiting my grandparents in Fremont, California before we moved to North Dakota (my dad was Air Force, and that's where he had been stationed).

My grandfather and dad were settling down to watch Game 3 of the World Series in the living room. My mom and grandma were doing something in one of the bedrooms. My brother, who was just 3 days shy of turning 8, was around. I was sitting in the "Patio" where the kids' TV was, watching "You Can't Do That on Television" on Nickelodion.

All of a sudden, it felt as if my brother was shaking the couch. I remember realizing it was an earthquake, and running into the kitchen. As I did, I saw my mom run towards the living room, and heard the adults shouting "Where's Kimberly??" (My sister was only 4 at the time). As I was crossing the kitchen, I saw my grandma's Hen Cookie Jar fall and shatter on the floor.

I made it into the doorway leading to the living room, and stood there while the earthquake finished. My dad had run outside, looking for my sister, who was still no where to be found.

Once the shaking ended, and the adults had made sure my brother and I were OK, my mom went outside to also look for my sister. I can't remember how long it took for them to return, or who brought her in, but it turned out that she was in the front yard, holding onto a tree when the neighbor found her, and snatched her up so she would be safe. The neighbor told my parents that before she picked her up, my sister had said "I don't like the rolling grass!"

In the hours that followed, I remember being very anxious, as if it would all happen again. My grandfather continued watching the coverage of the fires and the Bay Bridge collapse. I didn't watch all that; I only caught bits and pieces as I moved through the house. I remember not wanting to go to bed that night, either.

I watched some YouTube videos today, mostly of World Series coverage before and after it happened. Not much footage is to be found of the actual earthquake, but a lot of pictures of the aftermath. I remember watching the Made-for-TV movie of the collapse of the Cypress Freeway, and the Earthquake Experience at Pier 39, where they actually simulate the 7.1 magnatude earthquake.

No earthquake I've ever been in has come close to that experience. A few summers ago, there was a swarm, and the largest was a 5-pointer, but I was driving and didn't feel it. I was in England when the 1994 Northridge Quake happened, too.

I consider us lucky that all we lost was a cookie jar. And I still feel for those who lost so much more.

Things Kids Say, #1

Today, we went to a birthday party for one of Big Sis' friends. She turns 7 on Wednesday, but since it's the day before school starts, the party was today. This is a conversation that transpired while we were all eating pizza.

Friend: "Big Sis (well, she said the real name), have you ever been baptized?"

Big Sis: "Yes."

Me: "No, you haven't."

Big Sis: "Yes I have! I was watching my fan and it was going round and round."

Me: "Honey, she said 'baptized' not 'hypnotized.'"

I had a very hard time containing my laughter. However, now, while typing it again (I did post it to Facebook), I'm laughing again!!

Because of Winn-Dixie

Last April-May, I was in charge of the 2nd grade Reading Group. We read Because of Winn-Dixie.

As the only adult in the group, I thought it was pretty good! It's about a little girl who moves to a new town with her Preacher-father. She's very lonely until she finds a stray dog. It's a very moving coming-of-age story. I have not seen the entire movie yet, but I'm sure that it's not as good as the book. (Are they ever?)

My 7-year-old, who was in the group with me says, "It's a great book. It has lots of experience. And I like the characters."

This book falls under the 100+ Reading Challenge and the Young Adult Reading Challenge.

Trying Hard

I'm trying to get my blog organized with the proper links. I am missing one book review (for Because of Winn-Dixie) and then I need to link all my reviews to the Challenge links and add the reviews to the Challenge posts.

*sigh* this is going to take some time.

The Sky Was Falling!

So, according to several news sources, the Perseid Meteor Shower was at its peak the last two nights, August 11 & 12. Tuesday night, I had the worst caffeine-withdrawal headache (that's another blog post in itself), so I ended up falling alseep pretty early. I did wake at 3am Tuesday night/Wednesday morning, so I stepped outside for about 15 minutes to see what I could see.

Now, I live in Borrego Springs, which is, according to the International Dark Sky Foundation, the second-darkest night sky in the country, behind only Flagstaff, Arizona. What this means is that we have minimal light pollution from city lights. Considering we're a valley and surrounded by mountains and our "downtown" is less than a mile long, it's pretty awesome.

However, at 3am Wednesday morning, the moon was high, so I couldn't see much. Plus, I was still half asleep, and my eyes were taking a while to adjust to the light, or lack thereof.

So last night, Wednesday night, I went out at about 9:30 pm. My boyfriend (another LONG story) brought his truck by, and we sat in the back looking at the sky. My apartment complex has a few lights on, but at 10pm, they shut off, which made looking at the meteors much easier. The moon rose at 11:15, but it didn't hinder us until about 1am.

We saw so many meteors! Some that stretched the sky with bright tails, and others that were just quick "shooting stars." Some were green, and some were red. Some tails hung around for a few seconds, and others were quick to disappear. Then there were the few that looked like fireballs heading for Earth. It was the coolest thing I'd seen in the night sky, and I've seen my fair share of lunar eclipses and even the International Space Station fly overhead (which, I missed the sighting this morning at 5am, since I didn't get to sleep until after 2am).

There is supposed to be another meteor shower in December on my birthday. I just hope that the winter weather cooperates so I can see it!

I'm back

Hi all! After taking a break from blogging, I've decided it's time to come back.

Since my last post, I've read a few more books. I finally finished the Shopaholic books: Confessions of a Shopaholic (which is in a separate post below), Shopaholic Takes Manhattan, and Shopaholic Ties the Knot. Every time I read these books, it really puts into perspective my own shopping habits. However, I really wish my life would turn out like Becky Bloomwood's -- meet a sexy, rich man who loves me despite my shopping habits and who is willing to marry me. Ahhh....if only life were like Chick Lit and/or Chick Flicks. I still have yet to see the Confessions movie, but it's on my list.

All three of these books fall under the 100+ Reading Challenge.


I also attempted to complete the Harry Potter series before Half Blood Prince hit theaters. I started with Sorcerer's Stone, then went onto Chamber of Secrets. By June 1, I was just starting Prisoner of Azkaban, and I realized that there was no way I was going to finish the next 3 as well. So I skipped the rest of PoA, as well as Goblet of Fire and Order of the Phoenix. Even though it was summer, I was just not finding the time to read like I wanted (I blame Facebook). I finished Half-Blood Prince on the Monday before the movie came out.

That being said, I was disappointed in the movie, compared to the book. So, instead of waiting to read Deathly Hallows before the 7th movie came out, I read it immediately after seeing the 6th movie. This way, the details won't be so fresh in my mind, and (I'm hoping) I won't be so disappointed.

The four Harry Potter books I read (SS, CoS, HBP, and DH) fall into the 100+ Reading Challenge and the Young Adult Reading Challenge.


I am currently reading The Lovely Bones. I read this book before, but it was back in late 2002 or early 2003 (I know this because there is a Gymboree coupon inside with the expiration date of 3/31/2003). I left it at home last week, though, when I came to visit Grandma, so I haven't been able to read much.

Sadly, I've only hit the 10 book mark by this time of the year. I was hoping to be around 50. I'll just keep on plugging away and start fresh next year. My goal is to be at least to 25 by the end of the year.

I will be working on updating my lists on the sidebar for the challenges, however, I really don't have any reviews of the books to link them to.

If you're on Facebook, I have a book group where we can discuss books. It's called The Laughing Book Nook, and it's an open group. If you're on Facebook, feel free to join!

Until next time...

Updates...

Hi everyone!

First, I wanted to let you all know that I changed my Twitter. I deleted the old one, and made a new one. It's the same name, though! So, please follow @JustAddLaughter, if you'd like. My updates are protected, so just send me a request, and I'll approve it once I get a chance.

Ok, now for the BIG HUGE NEWS!

Over on the left, at the top, you'll see a nifty little Paypal Donate Button. I have that there for a very important reason.

In June, I will be going to camp as a counselor. The camp is Royal Family Kids' Camp, and it's "a Christian camp designed specifically for foster children ages 7-11. They go for a week to receive love, attention and affirmation on how important they are to God and us especially since some of them don't receive any of this in the homes they are in." (Description given by Norma, another volunteer, on my Facebook page. I couldn't have said it better, so I'm quoting her.)

The camp's budget is huge, and it's covered by donations from loving individuals, who give money for the camp's operation and time as counselors and other staff. I am in the midst of training for my week as a counselor, and I honestly can't wait to go.

On Saturday, April 25, we are having a Walk-A-Thon to raise money for camp. I am looking for sponsors who is willing to donate something -- ANYTHING -- to the cause. Anything you donate it tax deductible. You will receive a Giving Statement at the end of the year from the director.

If you have any questions about the camp or donating, please email me by clicking the link on the right at the top (across from the Donate button).

To learn more about RFKC, go to Royal Family Kids' Camp.

The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

Whoo! Another book finished!

First, if you've seen the movie, this is NOTHING like the movie!! Queen Grandma is mean, Prince Dad is alive...

That being said, it was VERY cute!! A quick read, too. If you have older kids, 4th thru 7th, this book would be perfect. And it has Accelerated Reader points!!

I am looking forward to reading the next ones in the series.

This book falls under the 100+ Reading Challenge and the Young Adult Reading Challenge.

I want one!

Isn't she beautiful????

Confessions of a Shopaholic

FINALLY! I've finished my first book of 2009!

On Friday, I finished Confessions of a Shopaholic. I've read the book before and I LOVE it.

Becky Bloomwood is a financial journalist who cannot keep her own finances under control. In the end, everything works out, but not without a few mishaps along the way.

I have yet to see the movie, as I was waiting to finish the book. Once I see the movie, I'll be sure to post a review comparing the two. My prediction is that the book is better (it usually is).

I've now started Shopaholic Takes Manhattan. And I'm still working on the other books I've got on my currently reading list.

This book falls under the 100+ Reading Challenge.

Still reading

Hi all.

Sorry I've been so MIA lately.

With work and my commute, I just don't have time to blog anymore, let alone read. Well, and Facebook has taken over my life. Dang you, Parking Wars and Bejeweled Blitz!

Anyway, I'm still reading Confessions and the Bible Answers book. Big Sis and I are also still working on Harry Potter, but it's a slow work in progress. I think she and I will be able to finish it over Spring Break in April! HAHA

Anyway, It's already almost March and I have yet to finish ONE book. I just reorganized my bookshelves, so once I finish the Bible Answer book, I'm going to start a Young Adult book to start my Challenge for this year. I have a few small-ish books that I'm sure I could get done in a weekend, so I'll start with those!!

I'll work on a To-Be-Read list this weekend on Goodreads.com, which automatically updates my widgets on the sidebar.

Hope you all have been having a great week. It was mid-70s here today. Nice weather for sitting outside and reading. Too bad Facebook has robbed me of my desire to read. BAAAD Facebook.

Big Sis' Art Class

The 2nd graders are getting 8 art classes at school. First project was a mask. Here is Big Sis looking scary in hers.

Guess where I am?

It's raining and cold, but the rides are walk-on! Hope you're enjoying your day off!

GIVEAWAY! Amy Knapp's Family Organizer

As a mom, we know that life can get hectic. There's work, school, after school activities, doctor's appointments, birthday parties...the list goes on and on!

After I had Big Sis, I found Amy Knapp's Family Organizer. While it wasn't much help when she was a baby and I was a stay at home mom, now that I have two kids, two jobs, Brownies, my girls' after school activities, church activities, and other events thrown into the mix, I'm finding it to be a lifesaver!

Here's how I use the Family Organizer to help with my scheduling:

1. Each activities, including each girl and each job, have their own pen color. When Big Sis has a doctor's appointment, it gets written in purple. When I have a meeting with my Service Unit Manager for Brownies, it gets written in green. This way, I know at a glance what's going on that day, and can plan accordingly!


2. On the very right side is a place for you to plan menus for each day, according to your schedule. On the left page is a place for you to write your week's To-Do List and a grocery list. As I think of things I need to buy, or as I use up items in the kitchen, or as I come up with menu ideas, I jot the things I need to buy on the grocery list! This lists are really neat because they tear out, so you don't have to take your entire planner with you, just your grocery list.

3. With your planner, you get nifty little stickers, such as birthday stickers, "No School" or "Half Day" stickers, stickers for doctor's appointments and bills to pay. As you can see in this pic, I have TWO birthdays coming up on March 10, and yes, that Tena is the one and only from Punky Monkey's! She and my best friend Brooke have the same birthday -- same year, too! -- but don't know each other!


4. At the back of the planner are pages to keep everything else in your life organized. This is one of my favorites, even though I never get to use it! It's the Baby Sitter Information Page. You put your kids' information on the right side, and your house information on the left (address, phone number, emergency contacts). Then, you put a 3x3 post it pad at the bottom, so before you leave for the night, you put where you'll be and any other information (like, "Big Sis needs to read for 15 minutes for homework tonight" or "Little Sis gets a popcicle after dinner"). There's also a place to put information on your kids' organizations, parents' organizations, quick-reference contact list, and several pages for notes.

This handy planner is probably the best thing for parents since Uncrustables and Capri Suns! It keeps me organized, and it's handy to use, unlike those planners designed for people who can keep their heads on straight.

Do you want to win my extra copy??

Here's how to enter:

• Go to Amy Knapp's Family Organizer Website and take a look around. Then, come back here and tell me how it will get (or keep!) your life and family organized and on time (well, it can't find lost shoes or your car keys, sorry). That's 1 Entry

Want extra entries?

• Blog about this giveaway on your blog for an additional 2 entries. Leave two separate comments with the link to your post in each.
• Mention this giveaway on Twitter for an additional 1 entry. Leave me a comment with the link to the update.
• Follow this blog for an additional 1 entry. Leave a separate comment.
• Follow this blog using the RSS feed for an additional 1 entry. Leave a separate comment.
• That's a total of SIX entries!

This contest will run until Sunday, February 8 at 11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time. A winner will be drawn sometime on Monday, Feburary 9. Be sure to leave some kind of contact information! Are you a blogger? Learn how to leave your email address without leaving it in the comment section HERE!

Good Luck!

Lots of Posts..

coming in the next couple of days, including a GIVEAWAY! I have an extra handy dandy planner that I just LOVE (second only to my Treo!) that can be YOURS!

More details coming soon. I'll let you know by Tweet and Facebook when the contest is up!

Photo Meme!

Anita from Faith, Hope & Poop tagged me for this photo meme. I think I've done it before, but new pics are always being added, so why not do it again?

Here are the rules:
1. Go to where you store your digital photo folders & open the 4th folder.
2. Go to the 4th picture and post it.
3. Explain the picture.
4. Tag an additional 4 people.

This is a pic from Christmas (my 4th folder is Christmas, so if someone tags me for this again, change the folder number!)

This is one of Little Sis' stocking stuffers, which was a snowman-head sucker cover. She opened it only last week, and ended up not eating the sucker.

So now, I tag:

all those under my "Disney Buddies" blog roll!!

Well, what do you know?

Three and a half months after it was flagged for spam, my FIRST "My Disneyland Vacation" blog is BACK!

I imported the important posts, not including the ones that were the potential "spam."

YAY!

It's about time.

It was Warm Today!

Ya think? No joke. My dad took this pic on his back porch today.

A Book Meme

Tena over at Crazy Book Slut tagged me for this meme. This one's a bit different than any I've done on any of my blogs. Here goes:

The book that’s been on your shelves the longest: Wow, I really don't know. I would have to say that it's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book 1) I actually got the first book back in 1999 or 2000, along with Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Book 2) from my grandma. I read them both in less than a day, then went and bought Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Book 3) the very next day. Ever since, I've been in line at midnight to get the remaining books.

The one book I will keep forever is my answer to the next question
A book that reminds you of something specific in your life (a person, a place, a time, etc.): I would have to say my complete Harry Potter library, which includes 1, 2, 3 and 6 & 7 in Hardback (4 and 5 were lost after the divorce). I also have 1-6 in paperback, and the 10th anniversary edition. I would like to complete the hardback set, so I have something to pass on to the girls. The paperback set is the one I read. And they're on the list for this year!

A book you acquired in some interesting way (gift, serendipity in a used bookstore, prize, etc.): That would be Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: 10th Anniversary Edition (Harry Potter) I won this one from MomDot, too. I haven't cracked it open, because I am trying to keep it in mint condition. Of course, I say that and it's in a box somewhere, because I just moved.

A book that’s been with you to the most places: Wow, this is getting pretty pathetic. LOL Again, it would probably be one of the two Harry Potter books mentioned in the first question, because I've read them so many times. If it's not one of the two Harry Potter books, it would have to be The Da Vinci Code because I've read that one more than any other on my book shelf, after Harry Potter.

The most recent addition to your shelves: This one's easy. Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1), New Moon (The Twilight Saga, Book 2), Eclipse (The Twilight Saga, Book 3), and Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, Book 4). I had actually gotten Twilight from Paperback Swap, then I sent it back out. New Moon came from the library. I couldn't wait for Eclipse to get to the library, so I bought it. Then I bought Breaking Dawn. At that point, I couldn't have an incomplete set, so I bought the first two. I'm actually looking forward to reading them again for the Young Adult Challenge.

A bonus book that you want to talk about but doesn’t fit into the other questions: This was really an unfair meme because all my books are in storage LOL I'm really picky about the books I read. I like to stick to authors I know entertain me, but I'm always willing to pick up something new if it comes recommended by a friend. That really doesn't answer the question, does it? LOL


So now, I have to tag people. I hate tagging people, since I never know just how busy they really are. LOL So, if you're here, I'm tagging YOU. Yes, YOU. Nope. Don't hide now, it's too late!!! Have fun!

December Trip Report -- in pictures

Instead of writing it all down, I'll just post some of the pics I took when the girls and I went on December 12.

The girls in front of the Christmas Tree at Downtown Disney.

Little Sis

What a drama queen!

Not as dramatic as her sister.

Our friend Gary and Little Sis. I have no idea why she's so sad.

Big Sis and one of the birds from Rainforest Cafe.

On the balcony of our hotel room at HoJo. We had a Park View room. Fireworks were pretty cool from that spot, except for the trees.

The water area at HoJo. Next time we go, we're bringing bathing suits!!

The view from our room.

On the tram, going to Disneyland!!!

Silly girl!!

Gary doesn't have any grandkids of his own, so he's "adopted" the girls!

Big Sis and Cruella. She had to promise not to hug her. LOL

Little Sis promised, too, but she's such a stinker!

Main Street at Christmas Time.

Isn't it beautiful?

On Tarzan's Treehouse.

Happy Un-birthday to Me! (Next day *was* my birthday)

Door STILL won't open.

Little Sis' first ride on Space Mountain. She did NOT like it.

Aboard the new Monorail.

Traditional pic in front of the "A" in California (both girls' names start with A). With the sun, though, the glare was so bad, I had to get creative. See my Little Drama Queen?

The Lagoon is empty because they're setting up the new "World of Color" show, similar to Fantasmic!

Jafar: "Genie, I wish for you to make me the Sultan!"
*chiming music*
Genie: "There. You're the Sultan. But if you're last name were Pepper Shaker, you'd be Sultan Pepper Shaker."
My favorite joke...and he didn't even finish it!!

This is my favorite show at DCA. I LOVE IT!

At this point, the girls and I headed over to a "Vacation Club" presentation. For 90 minutes of my time, they gave me $100 Disney Dollars. Score, right?

Pretty snowflakes.

Waiting to ride "Winnie the Pooh"

Pretending to be asleep. Little Sis couldn't control herself! Goofy.

Waiting for Fantasmic!

Pretty New Orleans Square skyline with the full moon.

Pretty fireworks.

IT'S SNOWING!!
Just don't eat the snow. LOL

Big Sis crying because Mommy was crying. This was the first time Little Sis had seen the Holiday fireworks and the snow.

Pretending to be scared by Haunted Mansion Holiday.

"Happy Holidays Everyone!"

Maybe she really is scared.

Really great shot of the grave yard. Love the High ISO/Low Light setting on my camera!

Disneyland Dream Suite entrance. I wonder what's going to become of it now that the "Year of a Million Dreams" is over.

Waiting to ride Pirates.

OOPS...the flash went off.

it's a small world Holiday, all lit up.

Pretty castle.

Big Sis and Goofy.

Main Street all lit up.

Big Sis pushing her sister back to the parking structure.

All in all, it was a great trip. A little more crowded than we're used to at that time, but I also have to remember that it was a Friday. The weather wasn't bad, either.

Big Sis and I have our Annual Passes already, and Little Sis will get hers in February. She and I will have a "Mommy and Me" trip to Disneyland all by ourselves to celebrate her first ever AP. I can't wait to use them on a more regular basis, especially when our friends Gary and Kathy come down in March.