Chatterbox Thread-Cmon in and Jabber! Everyone is Welcome!

On my way home from work yesterday I got caught in the biggest flash flood/rain storm/wind storm I have ever seen. :scared1: I don't like driving in the rain as it is and I litterly couldn't see past the hood of my car.
 
On my way home from work yesterday I got caught in the biggest flash flood/rain storm/wind storm I have ever seen. :scared1: I don't like driving in the rain as it is and I litterly couldn't see past the hood of my car.

:scared1: That is scary, I agree. I don't like driving in the rain either. I am always afraid of hydroplaning or like your case, not being able to see too well through the heavy rain :scared: Glad you got home safely :)



 
Hello,

It started raining here awhile ago but it's still a bit humid outside. :faint:

My cousin's DD turns 9 years old next week and I sent her a b-day gift, which she should get some time today. :) I got her Mickey & Friends shaped Silly Bandz from DCA. She LOVES silly bandz and has over 300 of them. :faint: I thought the Disney ones would be cute since they are only sold in the parks. :goodvibes I added some cute headbands (the stretchy/cotton type) and a variety pack of lipgloss (she loves lipgloss). :cutie:

I also "scrapbooked" a sheet and framed it and sent it to her. I tried to incorporate pics of her when she was small and some pics that I took of her that are more recent. Here's how it came out:


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I hope she likes it :goodvibes


 
On my way home from work yesterday I got caught in the biggest flash flood/rain storm/wind storm I have ever seen. :scared1: I don't like driving in the rain as it is and I litterly couldn't see past the hood of my car.

Glad you got home okay, we've had a few of those heavy storms this month and happily watched the idiots zooming down the street on the curb side and nearly hydroplane to the stop light at the corner.. dorks, if you live here then you better know how to drive here! :rolleyes: Duh, it's raining, stay away from the curb side of the road.

I know for CA it's odd to have that type of rain.. we get that several times in a week with thunderstorms. It's just part of summer.
Last week we had a doozy of a quick storm, E and I stood on our stoop and watched leaves float down the driveway. The rain and wind were so heavy that it was causing it to splash UP like white water caps. Enjoyed it until a spooky downdraft of wind came up, cyclone action. Scrambled inside and E had to tug HARD to close the lobby door (it's heavy plate glass and metal door, it normally slams shut on it's own power.) :eek:
Just as I was worrying and wondering if we should have the boys go to the basement.. it stopped! Brightened up and sunny blue sky. Could see the storm moving off to the next area. Just about an hour later, the sidewalks were dry again. Weird even for MN.
 

Morning and happy Saturday!

Sara, glad you survived the rain without incident. That is scary! I am like you I don't like driving in heavy rain either. In fact if it is raining my fav place to be is at home. This coming from someone who used to live in Seattle LOL. I got so used to it I didn't even notice the rain anymore after living there for three years but I have been back for 12 so I am spoiled again LOL.

Anywho took the girls to the girls scout skate event and they had fun. Found out our end of year party is going to be on a Tues now but at this point I don't care as long as they HAVE one. Shelby needs her new vest and I need to get all their patches sewn on because they have an event at the end of August!!

Signed them up for a sewing class through GS so hopefully they have fun!!

Anyway shane was out doing set up so the girls and I just ran and grabbed a quick bite on the way home and then I actually went to bed fairly early but then couldn't sleep so just watched some tv.

Now we are up with the chickens, actually I don't even think THEY are up yet LOL. Shane is making our lunch and we are headed out here soon. Even though he did set up we have to get there early to get a place to park since there will be close to 1000 people there. There are 6 teams and each team has close to 200 swimmers. So then you add the parents and "others" and it gets to be a LOT.

I am pretty nervous about today for Katy. I hope she doesn't psyche herself out!! This could be a really good day or a really bad one for her. I guess it remains to be seen. And the worst part is her best stroke is tomorrow late in the afternoon so I hope she doesn't get too worn out today with the heat and all and not do well!

I am excited to watch them swim but SO not wanting to sit outside in 100 degree temps. Oh well it must be done.

Anyway that is my day for the next two days.

Next week is the fair and a relax weekend so that is a good thing. I am looking forward to next week!! :)

Have a great day all and fun weekend!!
 
Hope the swim meet is going well.

Down to one teenager at home, Noah went with my BIL, dn, and friend to my parent's to play on the lake. At first he wasn't going to go but when he found out a friend was going too.. well that changed everything. :laughing:

Justin has mandatory raffle sales for band.. argh! I detest this particular fundraiser as personally I feel it's too much $$ to ask of the community and family/ friends. If he doesn't sell all 22 of his required raffles we are stuck paying the huge final payment. At $25 each, it's just too much to ask of people for a "chance" to win $25- $100 in the current economy. Now if it was $25 for an item like an Entertainment coupon book or baked goods.. that would be more agreeable of a fundraiser. I think they ask for too much money for one very short season.
 
Tornado warning craziness. Touchdown further west of us, fast moving storm that for us meant really high winds and sheets of rain. Of course all the neighbors hung out in the lobby and we watched the storm as the sirens were blaring. :rolleyes1

Our current mormie missionaries managed to get inside just as the storm was about to unleash the worst of it. They ran bikes upstairs and hid out with us in the lobby. They had never been in a storm like that before, glad they got home okay as I noticed them ride off just an hour before the storm started and I know they come home around 9 -ish. :eek:

It's kind of an odd thing.... our landlord wasn't aware of how it would work out, a little disgruntled at first but since there hasn't been a problem it's fine. Each person is here for 5 months (or less) before being transferred to a new area. Constant change in who is living in the apartment, just as we get to know them POOF new guys! They tend to swap out one at a time in a staggered fashion. One of our current guys leaves this weekend, bummer because he was more talkative of the bunch so far. The quiet guy is staying, doldrums... hope he gets an extrovert type for his companion.

The talkative one mentioned they were short on money, had only enough left for food (mac and cheese and ramen at that- blech!) and really needed new pants as his pant legs were torn up by his bike. Eloy told him about my mad skillz with coupons and offered up a "little something".

"oh , that's okay"

They came home yesterday and found a nice box and a note to knock on our door for frozen/ fresh as well. Poor guy was overwhelmed and thanked us 100 times over.:laughing: :goodvibes
We don't mind helping out, lord knows I have TONS of extras and it's just an excuse for me to go get more freebies. :thumbsup2
We know how it is to be young and on your own.

Their purpose is to be focused on their mission work. They are not allowed to visit or call their families except for two times per year. :guilty: Can write, read emails only once per week. Biking up to 20 miles per day, early am until the evening.

Their family (or paid in FULL themselves prior to service) must pay $400 a month into a fund for the church to cover expenses, they serve for 2 years. :eek:

I've read horror stories of bad living situations and budgets that are not enough for basic comforts.
I don't agree with their beliefs.. but I also feel that we should look out for all of our neighbors.
 
/
Happy Weekend Everyone!!!:):):)

Sorry I haven't been around much, it's our busy season at work, I've been training DD and trying to not get all of my work done M-F so I don't end up bringing it all home on the weekend. So far my plan seems to be working, but unfortunately it's cutting into my DIS and FB time.:laughing:

Tomorrow we are going to my nephews wedding around 2:30. DD is housesitting for my brother this week, DH went to a card game with some co-workers, so I'm just spending a nice, quiet evening at home with DS. We played a looooooong game of Monopoly. I won!:banana:

My family is going to the Washougal MX nationals this week, they are leaving Wednesday night, DD is racing the amateur races on Thursday, watching the local pro's race on Friday, then the big pro race on Saturday. It's about 35 miles away from our home (actually close to where I work), but they take the trailer and camp. I on the other hand hate camping with thousands of other people, just not my cup of tea. So I will stay home with the dog and enjoy some nice quiet time.:thumbsup2
 
Morning and happy Sunday! Day two of crack of dawn! UGH! Last year we did this but neither girls were in the relays or made finals so once the back stroke was done we could leave around 4 or 5 but the way they do it is REALLY dumb in my opinion. Neither of my girls finaled in anything but they had the 3 indiv events and then an hour break which was like 5 by the time that all was done. THEN they had the finals and THEN the relays. We didn't get out of there till almost 8!!! 4:30 to 8 is a LONG day. Plus it was 101 and a lot of the time if we wanted to watch them swim we had to be in the direct sun. It was pretty miserable.

The 9-10 girls is the largest group with almost 150 girls so they had 19 heats in EVERY event. It took forever!!! But Katy did REALLY well in the IM. She usually never swims that and she got 1st place in her heat. She also dropped her time 10 secs but overall she still only got 55th. But I was really proud of her. Shelby got 7th in her heat and like 130th overall LOL. But she did dropped her time 8 seconds so she did good as well for her.

Then in the freestyle I don't know WHAT happened. Katy always does it in a 15 something and it appeared she was right up there with the others off the blocks but she got a 16.08 which is her worst time all year. She was 5th in her heat and 22nd overall. So she didn't make the finals. That was her one real chance so I was pretty bummed for her. In fact only 1 9-10 girl from our team made it in all 3 events. Then in the back stroke, which she DOES do well but hasn't swam it all year, she dropped her time from a 20.76 to a 19.98 and came in 4th in her heat and 15th overall so she got a LOT closer but still did not make it.

Shelby did ok in her free and back but increased her times in both and was in the 100's placewise so it def wasn't her day either.

In the relay it was SO late everyone was hot and exhausted and 1 of the girls is the one that was in all 3 of the finals so it killed it. Their good time for that is a 1.12 but yesterday they did it in 1.17. That is their worst ever time but I am not surprised. The medley is usually the first thing swam every day and today it was the last. NOT good!

They got 6th place so at least they will get a medal!

Anyway today is the 50 free or long free, breast stroke and butterfly and then AFTER all that other crap like yesterday at the VERY end of the day is the free relay! So once again we will be there till prob 8 o'clock! BLEH!

Anyway I ALREADY have a headache and my stomach is kind of queasy cuz I got WAY overheated yesterday so I hope that I can make it through today without getting really sick. I REALLY want to see the girls swim!

Anyway hope you all have a good day and rest of your weekend.
 
Have a good day at the swim meet. Wow, and I thought motocross took a long time and was an all day event, swimming has it beat!

Right now I think we are the only place in the US with cool weather, yesterday was about 75. DD went to Long Beach with her friends yesterday (yes, we have a Long Beach also!). Anyway that's where our beach lot is at and she said they were having their sand castle building competition on the beach yesterday. Wish I would have seen it, I would love to build those neat looking sand sculptures.

Kelly - I trust you got the quarterly's handled ok, because I never heard from you?:thumbsup2 I always say worst case scenario, run a payment coupon off from the IRS & state websites and send in the same amount you did for that quarter last year, plus maybe a little extra. Then go back and figure it out later. That way you have filed timely and have most likely sent in all the money. You an always file a revised report later.:thumbsup2
 
Hello,

I sewed on some appliques to a tota bag. It took a long time but I was happy with the end result. Here is a pic:

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It was so hot this weekend!
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I can't stand the summer heat! :faint: Saturday was 107 here!
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I'm glad that the temperature is supposed to go down this week.

I went to Nordstrom yesterday and bought some sunglasses ($10/EA). There are certain styles I like that they have but they sell out quickly. That's where I always buy my sunglasses from. :) Recently I lost weight and last week my friends and doctor noticed. :cutie: I needed some jeans since mine are a bit baggy on me. I found 2 pairs of slim boot jeans at AE on sale for $13/EA. :yay: I took my grandma and my little sister to a place for dumplings and also took them to a shaved ice place (similar to one I ate at in Taiwan a few years ago). It's shaved ice with almond jello and fresh fruit and a drizzle of condensed milk on top. It was really tasty. :lovestruc



Here are pics:


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Hope you all had a good weekend. :smooth:
 
Morning and happy Monday!

Well I will admit I am SO glad that this weekend is OVER!!

Man was that exhausting!

The girls did ok but neither of them finaled again so it was a bit dissapointing. Katy was pretty high up in the 50 free but then when she swam it she got last in her heat and increased her time by like 4 secs which is really weird. I looked at the clock to see her time and the clock was still running when she was at the wall so I think it was wrong but it is irrelevent. Shelby did ok on hers but again not great and neither of them was in the running for anything.

Then they did the breast and that is usually Katy's WORST stroke and she never swims it but she has been working on it and she looked REALLY good and she dropped her time from a 31 to a 26 which is good for her and she got first in her heat so I was really proud of her. Shelby also dropped her time a bit but she was in a higher heat so got like 4th I think. Neither of them were in the running for finals on that either though.

Then Katy's BEST stroke is the butterfly and for some weird reason she didn't do well on that either. I don't know if it was the heat, because it was the last stroke of the day or what. But she usually always does it in a 17 and yesterday she did almost a 19! So she didn't final and I was so bummed for her. She has done well ALL year getting all 1, 2 and 3rd and then to do so poorly in champs is really disheartening. BUT at least I don't have to worry about going to Meet of Champs LOL. It is prob for the best because 2 of the girls on our relay team had no intention of going no matter what which would have ruined Katy's chances anyway AND Shane has that soccer class on the first day and there was no WAY I was going by myself soooo it is prob good that it worked out this way.

Then we had this huge wait but finally they had the relay and it was REALLY exciting. It was SO close and Our girls took 4th and it was all REALLY close! So I was really proud of them for that!

So Katy SHOULD be getting 2 medals and 2 heat winner ribbons but we shall see. Our old champs with our old team that got a ribbon for each event and this program said each kid would get 1 participation ribbon and then the heat winners would get a ribbon and then medals for the top ten but last year all they got was the medals so who knows what will happen!

Anyway I got home and I just could NOT get cooled down. I am not sure WHAT the actual temp was as my phone said 102 but on the way home we passed a thermometer that said 108 which I would TOTALLY believe. I kept pouring water over my head and spraying myself but just could NOT get cooled down. I got home and took a cold shower and went to bed right after with a terrible migraine and then woke up in the middle of the night feeling like I could not breathe. It was REALLY weird. I don't know if it was from the heat or my headache or what.

I STILL don't feel too hot and luckily I told my mom that I am going to come in on Wed instead of today cuz I NEED to recuperate a bit. So do the girls. We are just toast!

So today we are not going to do a darn thing but stay inside and try and relax although I do have a ton of laundry as is always the case after a meet but otherwise nada!

Then tomorrow we are supposed to go to the fair so I hope I feel up to it cuz I have been known to get overheated there too. So we shall see. I also have my doc apt first so that should be interesting as well.

Then it is my dad's b-day tomorrow so we are supposedly going out to dinner.

Then Wed I will go in to work since I didn't go today and Thur night is our end of year party for swim. Fri is work again and NOTHING for the weekend!! YAY!!! I think we are just going to stay home all weekend and not get out of our pj's LOL. It will be nice for a change!!! :)

Anyway that was my weekend.

Hope you all had a good one!!

Allison thanks for asking about work. I think I did mention something in one of my posts but you prob missed it. I paid the payroll tax and there was a section that talked about forms so I just clicked on it and it brought up the forms so I just did what it said but I was a bit frustrated because I had to kind of "find" it. It didn't bring up any kind of reminder and I kind of had to know what I was looking for. But I think I got them all printed up right and we don't owe anything so when our cpa comes back at the end of the month I am going to have him check them to make sure I did it right and then they don't have to be mailed till Aug 2nd I think. But thanks so much for your help!! :)

Rochelle love the bag and glad you had fun with your grandma and sister. That food looks yum!!

Have a good day everyone and talk soon!
 
Good morning! Happy Monday!

Hope everyone had a good weekend.

On Saturday DBF and I had planned to go hiking so we drove up in the mountains and my car started overheating! :scared1: Plus it was HOT out so that didn't help at all. We would drive a little bit and have to pull over to let the car cool down. I guess my water pump gasket is leaking so water won't stay in. We finally came across a little diner and filled up my radiator. I have to go get a new gasket at lunch today so DBF can fix my car tomorrow.

Yesterday we went to a Bike Show in Long Beach, right by the Queen Mary. There were some pretty cool/custom bike there. We also got to take a tour of the Queen Mary which was neat.

I will post some pictures as soon as I get them uploaded.
 
Good morning! Happy Monday!

Hope everyone had a good weekend.

On Saturday DBF and I had planned to go hiking so we drove up in the mountains and my car started overheating! :scared1: Plus it was HOT out so that didn't help at all. We would drive a little bit and have to pull over to let the car cool down. I guess my water pump gasket is leaking so water won't stay in. We finally came across a little diner and filled up my radiator. I have to go get a new gasket at lunch today so DBF can fix my car tomorrow.

Yesterday we went to a Bike Show in Long Beach, right by the Queen Mary. There were some pretty cool/custom bike there. We also got to take a tour of the Queen Mary which was neat.

I will post some pictures as soon as I get them uploaded.

Sarah, I'm glad that your car didn't break down and that your DBF was with you. :hug: I hope that your car gets fixed. I hate having car problems and no matter how minor it is, the cost always seems to be a lot. :sad2:


Forgot to mention that on Saturday I FINALLY watched Toy Story3. It did make me cry and was a cute movie.


 
popcorn::

Hello All :goodvibes

Back to a nearly normal schedule....the grandparents took the kiddies for a week - so last weekend we had to drive them to the valley, come back up to work, and then we went to retrieve them on Sunday. We were able to get a great deal on a hotel for a night - basically we paid $100, got a $20 gas card, free BBQ (worth $35) and $75 in dining credits. The place is really nice, and we wouldn't usually spend that much on food - but I couldn't knock the deal.

Had Alec's Bday party at my least favorite mouse (Chuckee), but DD had her bday there so it seemed only fair :faint:

Alec should start football practice this week - should be interesting. Up here they do full on tackle/pads for 7 year olds!!! Not sure how the speech will do - but we try to keep him in every sport just to give him more opportunities to relate with other kids - he is really excited so we will see how he does!!!

School starts up here in about three weeks - I can't wait - these close shifts are driving me crazy!!! But, at least I have the flexibility with work that I can make arrangements when the kids are out of school.

I applied for a job a few months ago - thought I had it for sure (seriously, it was that close), and then someone from Phoenix transferred up at the last minute. I was told that a new opening should be availible in the next few weeks - so I have my fingers crossed - in this economy I would like to not work for the same company as my DH. (That and the hours/benefits/company would be great to get in with)

Wow - ok - that was long winded - hope all is well and I will check back soon!!!
 
:wave2: Hey Dizzy! Nice to see you around!

Marching band is in full swing, off he goes to mini camp today 4 to 8 pm (more like 9 before they finally release them off the field) all this week and two sectionals during the day. He mentioned they were going to start learning the choreography for the field show BUT they haven't even discussed or practiced parade music. Odd as they have two parades coming up. :confused3
Or maybe his sectional leader heard it wrong.

They typically don't start learning the first half of the show until band camp (next week) , they have to teach the newbies how to write out set books (plots out where they are to be on the field according to the line of music being played) and do basic drill routines.

I'm looking forward to when he is at band camp and can convince Noah to go to a friend's house. ;) Mini vacation without my own teens and all the "extras" laying about our living room. Now that the boys are mostly grown, our little apt seems much too small.:crowded:

I keep reminding myself.. just 4 more years.. just 4 more years.. after Noah graduates we can move anywhere. Likely they will still be under foot, but at least we can find a place that we like a bit more. Hopefully closer to the city, cheaper and more amenities. Nicer school = higher rent, darn property taxes.

Today has been a lounge about day. Tuesday we plan to walk to the store, hope it's just as nice and cool as it is today. Thursday is E's monthly doctor visit.
 
popcorn::

Hello All :goodvibes

Back to a nearly normal schedule....the grandparents took the kiddies for a week - so last weekend we had to drive them to the valley, come back up to work, and then we went to retrieve them on Sunday. We were able to get a great deal on a hotel for a night - basically we paid $100, got a $20 gas card, free BBQ (worth $35) and $75 in dining credits. The place is really nice, and we wouldn't usually spend that much on food - but I couldn't knock the deal.

Had Alec's Bday party at my least favorite mouse (Chuckee), but DD had her bday there so it seemed only fair :faint:

Alec should start football practice this week - should be interesting. Up here they do full on tackle/pads for 7 year olds!!! Not sure how the speech will do - but we try to keep him in every sport just to give him more opportunities to relate with other kids - he is really excited so we will see how he does!!!

School starts up here in about three weeks - I can't wait - these close shifts are driving me crazy!!! But, at least I have the flexibility with work that I can make arrangements when the kids are out of school.

I applied for a job a few months ago - thought I had it for sure (seriously, it was that close), and then someone from Phoenix transferred up at the last minute. I was told that a new opening should be availible in the next few weeks - so I have my fingers crossed - in this economy I would like to not work for the same company as my DH. (That and the hours/benefits/company would be great to get in with)

Wow - ok - that was long winded - hope all is well and I will check back soon!!!

Dizzy!! :hug: We miss you and especially your little blue poquitos! :sad2: :laughing:

I hope that you get the job :hug: That's cool that Alec is excited about football. :) I heard that Chuck E. Cheese rennovated and changed things around and updated their games. My little sister and her friend went to one out of boredom about a month ago. I teased them and asked: "Why??" :rotfl: They said that they have Guitar Hero and updated their games.

I remember when I was little it creeped me out when the animatronic animals would blink and turn their heads and look around the room after each show. :scared: Then they would startle everyone and come out of "sleep" and just start dancing and singing. :rotfl:



 
Argh!
Part of E's SS paperwork is to list all the hospital visits, clinic visits, tests within past year. Overwhelming amount of info to track if a person has chronic illness. :eek:


A week ago dh called his home hemodialysis clinic and asked for the dates/locations in the last year of when he was referred for surgery, his several fistulagrams, perm cath and removal of permcath. His regular nurse was out and another was covering the clinic, week goes by and the promised letter does not arrive and no messages were left.. hmm what's up??

He called today and asked what happened. Our regular nurse says "I'll see why she didn't do it" (but didn't offer to do the task- shirker!) He calls back, there are no records of his surgeries and tests :confused:

They were referred by the doc so we would have to ask him and the assorted hospitals he went to..


uhh excuse me??

It was the dialysis clinic that gave the referral, he went to the office each time and said "my fistula is not working" , they called over to the hospital to get him in for each procedure. Do they not document each visit and phone call?? :confused3

Thanks to my occasional posts on facebook, posted while sitting in recovery waiting rooms, I had a record of dates and hospitals.
Searched my memory, did some online sleuthing and had the names of the surgeon, all the hospitals and clinics he has been to in the last 12 months. Wrote it all on the reams of SS forms.. another thing done! :faint:

E is also peeved as he called his neph's office for a promised referral to an orthopedic surgeon. The referral was promised a month ago! No return call. WTH?? :headache:

We need the referral to build his case for SS. If SS denies the reinstatement, he would need to reapply. The new developments in his increasing pain level in his hips/ knees from osteonecrosis (disease that causes the bones to die and not rebuild) would be that additional edge to his case.

And really it's the pain that made it so hard this last school year.
Pain leading to fatigue, leading to depression, leading to burned out teacher.

Incredibly frustrating and lesson learned to keep better records. :sad2:
 




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