Disneyland...

So, I was supposed to be going to Disneyland on October 10 to celebrate the girls' birthdays.

Well, having just started a new job, funds are really tight right now.

However, I have planned FIVE glorious days for Disneyland in December! I have told the girls they can celebrate their birthdays then, too, along with mine on the 13th.

I love Disneyland at the holidays! The weather is gorgeous. The castle is lit up and is so beautiful. The giant Christmas tree on Main Street is a sight to see! Plus, there are all kinds of fun things to do: Woody's Reindeer Roundup, Haunted Mansion Holiday, and the Christmas Parade!



So, my countdown has been changed...90 days to go. *sigh*

7 Years Ago...

Seven years ago, I was 8.5 months pregnant with Big Sis.

Seven years ago, my outlook on life changed forever.

Seven years ago, the world changed.

Seven years ago, Americans realized that we are not invincible.

Seven years ago, 2,998 people lost their lives, and are viewed as heroes.

As we all know, today is the 7th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. I remember waking up at 8am Pacific time. My (now) ex-husband was to start work at 9am, so the alarm went off at 8am. By that time, all hell had broken loose. I woke up immediately and went into the living room to watch the news. I was in shock. I was scared. I prayed the hardest I ever prayed: for the people who had already died, for those in immediate danger, for the new baby I was bringing into the world. Would she ever have a childhood as carefree as I did? Would she ever know a world free from War? Would she ever know a world free from Terrorism? The thought scares me, even today.

But, we cannot let our fear dictate our life. If we do that, then the goal of the terrorists has been achieved.

Today, let's remember those who lost their lives. Let's remember the heroes of the FDNY, NYPD, and all the civilians who may have sacrificed their lives to save those of others. Let's remember those who fought back on Flight 93.

Never forget.

Wordless Wednesday 9-10-08

Don't forget to enter my contest!

100th POST...and the CONTEST!

After my mini-blog-a-thon on Friday and Saturday, I've finally reached my *~*~*~100th post*~*~*~!!!

So, to honor the momentous occasion, I am going to use this post to start my FIRST EVER CONTEST!!!!

Now, this is not sponsored. I found this really cute and adorable Christmas Planner while I was unpacking (yes, I'm still unpacking).

Here's a little bit about the prize:

It's a small, 6-ring binder with dividers to keep all your Holiday Planning organized!

Dividers include:

• Holiday Calendar -- "My calendar of special holiday events. Pencil in parties, plays, and special shopping days." 10 blank months for you to plan. You can use it for 5 years filling in only November and December!
• Holiday Notes -- "A place for 'notes to self.' Jot down a note or two, write out a guest list, or plan a party." 10 double-sided pages!
• Holiday Card List -- "My list of family, friends, and special acquaintances. A card list for year-to-year card sending." The pages have a space for names and addresses, as well as a place to mark whether you've sent and/or received a card! The only drawback: These are dated from 2005-2009, but a little self-editing should take care of that!
• Shopping List -- "My plan for a great season of shopping. Remember family members, special friends, and gifts of appreciation." 25 double-sided pages to keep track of all the important people in your life!
• Gifts Received -- "My reminder of special gifts received...and appreciation." 3 double-sided pages to keep track of the gifts you've received and thank you notes sent!

This binder is cute inside and out! It's very appropriate for the holidays!!

So now, I bet you're wondering how you enter, right?

Well, here are the rules:

• First, leave a comment about why you NEED this, and tell me your favorite holiday memory.
• Second, blog about this contest, then come back and leave me a second comment.
• After you've blogged about it, you may come back and leave a comment on this post ONCE per DAY! That's a LOT of chances to win! (So, 2 entries the first day, then one per day until the 25th!)

This contest will end on Thursday, September 25 (3 months until Christmas!!!) at 8:00am. A winner will be pulled sometime Thursday afternoon. I will use Random.Org to pull the winner. Make sure that there is a way to contact you on your profile or blog, otherwise, I won't be able to contact you!!! You'll have until September 30 to get me your information, and it will be shipped out as soon as I get your information!!!

Happy (Early) Christmas!!!

I can't believe I forgot!

Wow..with the new job and everything, I missed the two year anniversary of my best friend's death!


Christina and I met in March 1993 (edited, since I goofed in the wee morning hours and put in 2003), after I had moved to San Pedro, CA during 7th grade. She and I became fast friends. She sat next to me on our Science Class' weekend camping trip. After that, we were inseparable until 9th grade. Christina joined Tall Flags (and at one point, even got to be in the Rose Parade!) and I started hanging out with other friends. We still talked and I still considered her my best friend.

In 10th grade, I moved to the Bay Area because my parents divorced. She and I kept in touch via snail mail (this was before email was the way to go), and would talk every once in a while on the phone. Both of us became busy with our on lives, and slowly, we drifted apart. But I still considered her one of my best friends.

In February 2006, I was on my way to Disneyland with my mom, sister, and my girls. On a whim, I called Christina and asked if she could meet us at Downtown Disney at the Rainforest Cafe for lunch. She happily did! It was so nice to meet up with her after so long and catch up. We talked about everything: her job, my marriage and divorce, people we went to school with. It was great.

Sadly, on September 2, 2006, she was in an accident and lost her life. I didn't find out until a few days later via her MySpace page. Unfortunately, her mom didn't have any contact info for me. I eventually got in touch with her mom, and gave her pictures of Christina and me from when we were kids, and when we had met that February.

I think about her a lot. I think about how sad it was that we didn't keep in touch better. I think about my other friends who I call only once in a blue moon. I think about friends I haven't seen since high school or longer. Life is something we tend to take for granted, but when I think about my friend, I remember that nothing is ever for certain. With the anniversary of 9-11 fast approaching, we all will be remembering that.

So, today, be sure to call your parents. Stop by a neighbor's house you haven't visited in a while. Write a letter (not an email!) to a friend who lives across the country...or even around the world! Let those you love know how you feel. Don't hold a grudge. And remember: for every minute you are angry, you lose 60 seconds of happiness.

Christina Jasmine Gandhi

August 10, 1980 - September 2, 2006

Just Watched: "The Other Boleyn Girl"

That was horrible.

It was NOTHING like the book. I'd hate to give it all away, and I NEVER say this, but WATCH THE MOVIE FIRST!!!

If you haven't seen the movie or read the book, seriously, watch the movie first. You won't be disappointed in the movie, then, when you read the book, you'll be even less disappointed.

Granted, if I had only watched the movie, I'm sure I would have enjoyed it. But I'm a "read-the-book-first" kind of gal! But at least the "Harry Potter" series didn't disappoint!

So, there you have it. My opinion on the movie "The Other Boleyn Girl" after having read the book first.

Friday Foto Finish Fiesta 9-5-08

I am combining my Fx4 with Flash Back Fridays for the next couple weeks! You can all thank my mom for that. She has added photos of my sister and me to her MySpace page, and I have downloaded them all to share with you! I have eight of them, so you'll be seeing Lil Me for several weeks!

This first one is when I was a baby. Don't you just love the Shag Carpet? Since I was born in December '79, this was taken sometime in early to mid 1980.

Wordless Wednesday

Big Sis, Disneyland, March 17, 2004

Just Finished: "The Five People You Meet in Heaven"

Wow, this book was very good! I actually finished it on Friday, too.

I really don't know what to say about the book, but I do know that it made me think about things. The most obvious, of course, was death, but it also made me think about how life works.

If you read it, you'll see what I mean. There were a few moments I teared up. I recommend it if you haven't read it!

(Kira: I think your dad would like it!!!!)

Next up: The Chronicles of Narnia. I decided to read this book now because I have a 7th grader who is dealing with reading comprehension issues. So, I asked her to read it. I told her I'd read it too, and we could "discuss" it. I also found some online resources for it, so I'm hoping it works! Then, maybe I can sponsor a movie night for my students!

Friday Foto Finish Fiesta (8-29)

Another first for me, is Candid Carrie's Friday Foto Finish Fiesta (or Fx4 as I've seen others use). So, without further ado, here's my first Fx4:


Little Sis enjoying a Push Pop. I love taking pics of my girls when they're eating messy foods. I have one of Big Sis, that I'll share maybe on Wednesday. If you beg.

Just Finished: The Undomestic Goddess

I finally finished "The Undomestic Goddess" by Sophie Kinsella! It took me a while to get into it, and then it was slow at times, but I did enjoy it.

The only thing that irked me a bit was the ending!!! No "5 years later" or something.

Is there a sequel?

I enjoy Sophie's books, and I recommend this one! It proves that there's hope for all of us!








Next book I'm reading?

"The Five People You Meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom. It seems like it'll be a quick read for me, and I need something right now that I can read with my increasingly short attention span! I've also considered just re-reading the Harry Potter series starting with "Order of the Phoenix." I'll probably wait until after I read "Twilight" and "The Chronicles of Narnia" though.

Big Sis' First Day of School

Yesterday was Big Sis' first day of school. She woke up excited, because I was quoting Nemo: "First day of school! First day of school!"

They were up before 6, and because I had hung up all their clothes in sets on Sunday, they were able to get dressed on their own (they've actually been doing that since Monday, when Little Sis started school). I love being organized!

My girls! So sweet!

My big 2nd grader!

So cute!

And of course, not to be forgotten, Little Sis, on her 4th day of school! I love this pic of her!

This morning, Big Sis fell after getting off the bus, and she has a very large owie just under her knee. When she got home, she was hot and red, so I had her get in the shower to cool off (it was 104° here today). She got out, got dressed, and then I re-dressed her wound. It was nasty looking. Lots of Neosporin will be needed. I also had to take some debris out of her hand. After a large glass of ice water and her Push-Up, she feels better. Honey adjusted their bikes today and filled up the tires, so we'll probably take the kids out for a ride after dinner.

We're having tacos for dinner. I boil chicken (tonight, it's thighs), and then shred it. I put it in a skillet with El Pato hot tomato sauce until heated through. I also have refried beans and shredded cheese for some variety. For the girls, I just add some pepper and some other seasonings, since the El Pato is very hot. Mmmm...then I have a Toll House ice cream sandwich in the freezer.

Awesome!

Ginny at Monkey Memories is AWESOME! She made me my new sig!!

She's very talented with her PhotoShop, and made me this to match my header.

Feel free to comment!

Little Sis' First Day & My New Job

Ok, so I had my interviews on Friday. I got a call at 7:30 this morning, asking if I could start work TODAY! YAY! I got the Special Ed Instructional Aid position. Pay level 2 (don't know how much that is, but it sounds better than the starting wage of $11-something). I go in tomorrow, taking Big Sis with me, to finish up paperwork and for a meeting (more on that later). I officially start on Wednesday (again, taking Big Sis with me), and school starts on Thursday. Which means that I have to find care for Little Sis in the morning from 7:30 to 9, and THEN find someone to take her to preschool! Starting on Wednesday! I think I may have a solution, since I have a couple of options. One of them is $245 a month, though!

In addition to the Aid position, I was offered Workability, which helps the Special Ed students in the high school prepare for jobs. Resume work, interview prep, driving them to interviews, making sure they get their time cards in on time, etc. It's not a piece of cake, but I'm getting paid for it, that's for sure! I am meeting with the coordinator tomorrow. So, because of this, I have to find care for Little Sis from 12:30 until 3:30. This will be included in the $245 a month, though.

Little Sis had a good day at school, today, too! She said she met some new friends and enjoyed her lunch. They listened to music, played outside (I bet that was comfortable -- 99° at 10am), and she chose the slide over the swings (I don't blame her -- the slide is under the awning, the
swings in the sun). I was a tiny bit late picking her up at the bus stop, but no one told me what time they'd be there. And then they told me the times will change! But if she ends up going to day care, it won't matter. I'll pick her up at 3:30 from there.

So that was my day. We had E tonight. I also made Peking Chicken. Instead of pork chops in the recipe, I sliced up some boneless, skinless chicken breast and again, I used teriyaki sauce. SO YUMMY! Big Sis put up a fuss, but Little Sis (our picky eater) ate two pieces and all her creamed corn. And 5 slices of pineapple! E also ate her mashed potatoes but only 2 slices of pineapple. Tomorrow, we'll be having peas, and no one's happy about that (except Mommy. Mommy loves her some peas!)

I'm excited to start work! Cha-ching!

Little Sis' First Day of Preschool!

Today was Little Sis' first day of Preschool at her new school. She was very nervous. She woke up excited, ate Cheerios for breakfast and watched Wonderpets and The Backyardigans. She got herself dressed, and I brushed her hair. She was rushing me at 8:30, so I didn't grab my camera (bad mommy should have been prepared with it already in my purse).

Anyway, we got to the school very quickly, since it's only a couple miles from home. When we got there, there was one other little girl with her whole family, but many other children arrived soon after that. I had gotten a call from the teacher on Friday, saying it was OK for us to get there early. I was hoping to take Little Sis in the classroom to get her used to everything. But they had us all wait outside. And it was already 90° outside!
We waited for a while, and she got more nervous. I kept reassuring her that everything would be fine, and she would have fun. She helped me make her lunch of a cheese sandwich, Cheese-Itz, and applesauce.
I did get her to smile to take a pic of me, though! This turned out better than I thought, since it was very dark on my screen.
She loves her new backpack! My grandma had actually bought this for Big Sis a couple years ago, but she didn't need it, and then wanted a different one. All that's in it is her clothes, her lunch, and a folder.
Here's Little Sis and Big Sis. Big Sis is getting excited for her first day, too!
While we were waiting, both girls decided to play with the hula hoop that was on the playground. These pics are decieving, though. She couldn't get it to stay up for more than 2 turns!
Look at her go!!
Here we are in line to go into the classroom. We were towards the end of the line, and they weren't letting parents in the classroom with the kids! Freak out time -- for kids and for this mommy! Little Sis started tearing up a bit, too. While we had been waiting, an adorable little girl, smaller than E, but who's 3, was very friendly, and went into the classroom without hesitation. So, I told Little Sis to go in and play with her. She would go in, play, listen to the teachers, have lunch, and then she'd get to ride the bus home!
So she went in all by herself! She hung up her backpack and walked in without turning back. As Big Sis and I walked away, I had to control myself because I was ready to cry! I can't wait until she gets home so I can find out all about her day!

My new haircut!

Ok. I've been getting request for a pic of my new haircut. You've seen Big Sis' dramatic change. You've seen Little Sis' trim.

Here's mine!

What do you think?
**EDIT**

Lots of people have said they didn't know what it looked like before, so I should say it was VERY VERY long. It was to the bottom of my back, or the top of my tooshy, whichever you prefer. I'll see if I can find a good before pic, but since I usually wore it up, it'll be hard.

Wordless Wednesday: Little Sis

Before:

After: 8-9-08

Just Finished: The Other Boleyn Girl

WHOO!!! I'm FINALLY finished with this book!

And WOW, was it good! Very good! I knew how Anne's fate ended...we all know if you paid attention in history class. But the rest of the ending was bittersweet.

And every part of me was excited reading this book: the history lover, the girl who used to live in England, and the woman who loves a good sappy love story.

If you haven't read this, I highly suggest it. I'm waiting now to see the movie. There's no movie rental place here, and we're saving right now, so no Netflix. I have a friend visiting this weekend from Arizona, so I'm going to see if she can stop and rent it for me.

I'm not sure what I'll be reading next. Any suggestions from my "to be read" list on my side bar? I'm thinking something light, probably "The Undomestic Goddess."