This morning I woke up refreshed and ready to go walking. I threw on my work out garb and turned on the TV to listen to while I put my shoes/socks on and stretch. I wasn't sure what channel it was on but there was a TV evangelist on. Now, I've never been one to watch those guys on TV. They always seen insincere and somewhat cheesy to me. For whatever reason what this guy said caught my attention.
I am a perfectionist at heart and many days I struggle with not being "good enough". I do things for others or I make things, arrange stuff etc and I always find something wrong with what I have done. Here's what I heard Joel Osteen saying:
"We don't get our value from who we are or what we do. We are valuable because of Who made us. If you keep thinkng 'I'm not good enough, Im got good-looking enough, I did this wrong' etc, That will become who you are and your faith will begine to decrease. We need to focus on what we CAN do.. we are organized, we did something for someone else, we made someone smile, we finished the dishes. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. We can do 100 things right and 1 thing wrong but satan will come in a keep that one wrong thing at the forefront of our mind. When we do something right we need to acknowledge that. You may not be where you want to be in life but at the end of the day you need to tell yourself 'I did good' . We need to get out of the critical mindset. For example, when you make dinner the bread may have been burned but don't dwell on that. You need to say 'The bread may have been burnt but the meatloaf sure turned out good'. "
" It is much easier to compliment everyone else than it is to compliment yourself. You need to treat yourself as you would treat others. We cannot rely on other people to validate us. Be secure in who God made you. Regardless of what happened during the day everyone needs to be able to find something they did right and focus on that."
Whew! talk about cutting right to the heart of things! I think everyone takes the time to put themselves down when we should be taking that time to build ourselves up. I am definitely guilty of that! So my challenge to myself and whoever else is reading: At the end of every day find something you did during the day and tell yourself (and believe it with all your heart) that "I did good".
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
OMG!!
After yesterdays experience at the cake supply store and using Ashely's Kitchen Aid, I decided I would do something for myself and get one! I have used Jessica LaTours numerous times and I love love love it! The only problem with the Kitchen Aid stand mixer is that they are super expensive. It is totally worth the cost but I just don't know if I can bring myself to fork out $300-400 for a mixer when my little hand mixer gets the job done just fine.
I woke up this morning and started looking at the Kohl's website. The mixers are usually on sale but I wasn't sure if there would be a little extra off because of Labor Day. The smaller 4.5 qt one was on sale for $215.. normally $260. Not too shabby. I would prefer the 5 qt but I can TOTALLY deal with a slightly smaller one. The 5 qt are originally $360 but were on sale for $299. I also had a 15% off coupon that works on all sale items as well.
So I make my way down to Kohl's on Scripps Poway Parkway and I start looking at my dream machine. The I see it.. the "Early Bird" sale sign.. $179.99 for the 5qt Kitchen Aid. WTF?!! REALLY??? NO WAY!! If it wasn't so busy in the store I may have done cartwheels down the aisle. The I read the ticket. It is specifically for the Grey one but the tag was hanging on the Pink one. I need a sales associate FAST! The sale only lasted until 1pm and it was already a few minutes after 12. I finally find someone and he sends another associate over to help me. I explain that the early bird sale price was listed on pink mixer but the details on the tag singled out the Grey one. She makes her way to the back and brings out a Grey mixer. Sweet! Then I look at it and it is the 500 series like the professionals use. Dang, it isn't the same one. I explain that to her and she asked me to show her which one it is.
She looks at them and says "aren't they all the same?". I explain that yes, they are the same mixer but the tag specifically says the Grey one is on sale for the $179.99. She points out the Metalic Chrome one and says "isn't that the one on the tag?". I said " No, this one is Chrome and the tag says Grey. They have different Model Numbers". She is still thinking that it is the same mixer but I keep insisting that it is a different model number. My head is saying " Shannon, shut the hell up! Just take what she is saying". But I can't. I am being honest with her that they aren't the same. She tells me that in her opinion it is the same one and she would walk me up to the register and have them ring it up at $179.99. At this point I just pick up the box and walk quickly with her to the register. She explains it to the cashier and off she went. I thanked her a lot on the walk over. The Cashier rings it up and asks what the problem was so I explain it again. She gives me the $179.99 price then I hand her my 15% off coupon. At first she wasn't sure it would work but she read it and it said " valid on all sale items". Then she talked to the acssociate that helped me and said they need to correct the signs because she just discounted it $120. I paid and practically ran to my car with my incredibly marked down mixer! Original price of Kitchen Aid (pre tax) $359.99. My final total (drum roll please) $148.36! It is Metallic Chrome but honestly.. when you get $210 off of something, who really cares what color it is. Plus, its silver.. not like lime green. I am SO excited.. you don't even know! Hope everyone is having a great Labor Day weekend. Im gonna go bake something!
I woke up this morning and started looking at the Kohl's website. The mixers are usually on sale but I wasn't sure if there would be a little extra off because of Labor Day. The smaller 4.5 qt one was on sale for $215.. normally $260. Not too shabby. I would prefer the 5 qt but I can TOTALLY deal with a slightly smaller one. The 5 qt are originally $360 but were on sale for $299. I also had a 15% off coupon that works on all sale items as well.
So I make my way down to Kohl's on Scripps Poway Parkway and I start looking at my dream machine. The I see it.. the "Early Bird" sale sign.. $179.99 for the 5qt Kitchen Aid. WTF?!! REALLY??? NO WAY!! If it wasn't so busy in the store I may have done cartwheels down the aisle. The I read the ticket. It is specifically for the Grey one but the tag was hanging on the Pink one. I need a sales associate FAST! The sale only lasted until 1pm and it was already a few minutes after 12. I finally find someone and he sends another associate over to help me. I explain that the early bird sale price was listed on pink mixer but the details on the tag singled out the Grey one. She makes her way to the back and brings out a Grey mixer. Sweet! Then I look at it and it is the 500 series like the professionals use. Dang, it isn't the same one. I explain that to her and she asked me to show her which one it is.
She looks at them and says "aren't they all the same?". I explain that yes, they are the same mixer but the tag specifically says the Grey one is on sale for the $179.99. She points out the Metalic Chrome one and says "isn't that the one on the tag?". I said " No, this one is Chrome and the tag says Grey. They have different Model Numbers". She is still thinking that it is the same mixer but I keep insisting that it is a different model number. My head is saying " Shannon, shut the hell up! Just take what she is saying". But I can't. I am being honest with her that they aren't the same. She tells me that in her opinion it is the same one and she would walk me up to the register and have them ring it up at $179.99. At this point I just pick up the box and walk quickly with her to the register. She explains it to the cashier and off she went. I thanked her a lot on the walk over. The Cashier rings it up and asks what the problem was so I explain it again. She gives me the $179.99 price then I hand her my 15% off coupon. At first she wasn't sure it would work but she read it and it said " valid on all sale items". Then she talked to the acssociate that helped me and said they need to correct the signs because she just discounted it $120. I paid and practically ran to my car with my incredibly marked down mixer! Original price of Kitchen Aid (pre tax) $359.99. My final total (drum roll please) $148.36! It is Metallic Chrome but honestly.. when you get $210 off of something, who really cares what color it is. Plus, its silver.. not like lime green. I am SO excited.. you don't even know! Hope everyone is having a great Labor Day weekend. Im gonna go bake something!
A Secret Revealed..
Today it happened. I entered heaven. Or, in my opinion heaven on earth. My friend Ashley suggested we meet up and go to a cake/baking supply store in Kearny Mesa. Now, most of you know I do a little bit of baking now and again... ok ok.. A LOT of baking... constantly. That's besides the point though. 
We pull up to this little building with a little sign that says "Do it With Icing".. hmm interesting title. I walked in and it was like angels were singing! I couldn't believe my eyes. My breath was taken away and I was instantly overwhelmed by the baking goodnesss that was laid out before me. Which way do I go? Where should I start? Right, left, supplies, decorations..I just don't know! I'm pretty sure I was speechless except for a quiet "wow" that slipped out now and again.
Then I saw them.. Sprinkles. Every kind of sprinkle you could possibly imagine and then some! Little round ones, big ones, solid colors, multi colors, flowers, hearts, stars and even the ABC's. That's just freaking cool! My BFF jessica has been on the hunt for red and blue Jimmies.. the little sprinkles that look like little lines. So far she has only seen them online and shipping was out of control expensive. I quickly grab solid blue and solid red containers. At this point I may be more excited about her cookie monster and elmo cupcakes than her and little Jack are. This auntie is ready to shove her face into some good ole Sesame Street cupcake gooey yumminess!
We pull up to this little building with a little sign that says "Do it With Icing".. hmm interesting title. I walked in and it was like angels were singing! I couldn't believe my eyes. My breath was taken away and I was instantly overwhelmed by the baking goodnesss that was laid out before me. Which way do I go? Where should I start? Right, left, supplies, decorations..I just don't know! I'm pretty sure I was speechless except for a quiet "wow" that slipped out now and again.
Then I saw them.. Sprinkles. Every kind of sprinkle you could possibly imagine and then some! Little round ones, big ones, solid colors, multi colors, flowers, hearts, stars and even the ABC's. That's just freaking cool! My BFF jessica has been on the hunt for red and blue Jimmies.. the little sprinkles that look like little lines. So far she has only seen them online and shipping was out of control expensive. I quickly grab solid blue and solid red containers. At this point I may be more excited about her cookie monster and elmo cupcakes than her and little Jack are. This auntie is ready to shove her face into some good ole Sesame Street cupcake gooey yumminess!I slowly walk up and down each aisle. They have everything! Pre-made frostings and fillings. They even have little decorations to put on top. Action figures, Disney Characters, ducks, babies, fire trucks and get this.. ALF!!!!!! Can you believe it? I was looking on the bottom shelf and there was the bag full of the furry feline eating alien from the planet Melmac. That little guys stole my heart as a youngster and my heart swelled at the sight of him. I may go back and buy one just for fun. Maybe as a mascott in my kitchen!
I made my way to the other side of the store where there were tons of different types of baking pans and such. They had some great cake making/candy making books. Most people that know me know that I have a really hard time spending money on things for myself. So, I splurged a little and got a new book. It was actually very inexpensive. Shockingly everything in the store was very reasonably priced. 1 Lb of already made filling was only $1.99. You can't beat that price! Especially when you factor in convenience and time management. I am so excited about my new book. I found SO many great ideas for gifts. The holiday season is quickly approaching which means it is almost time for the 3rd annual King Family Christmas Cookie and Candy making night. I could start baking for Christmas and be a happy camper! To top off this amazing experience, the ladies working there know their stuff and filled me with their cake decorating wisdom. I asked for some tips for the wedding cake I am making for Jimmy and jessica's wedding. I walked away refreshed and even more inspired! What a fantastic place. I think I am in love!
Friday, August 22, 2008
Flashback
Miniature Golf.. a classic game that is often forgotten when options of "things to do" are getting thrown around. A few days ago I suggested to Ashley that her, her new beau and I should go play some mini-golf. Her man couldnt make it but we went anyway! Tonight we were off to Boomers for some good old-fashioned putt putt.
We chose the "Pirates" course and started our journey through the Caribbean.. sort of. The course had treasure maps, water falls, a pirate ship, burned up castle and an anchor. Very aunthenic.. until we heard the "dead men tell no tales" coming from one of the caves. Shortly after we heard some dialog from the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at Disneyland. Lame! They could've change it up a bit. Never the less we had a blast. Personally I thought " sure, this game is tough for a kid but I am an adult now. I'm going to rock this game!". hahaha or not! the slight inclines, bumps, metal bumpers prove to be more of a challenge than I remember. Ashley kicked my butt! As if the details to the course wasn't stressful enough we had a couple behind us that were serious mini-golfers. Equipt with a pencil and scorecard, they were getting their ball in the hole before I could even get my first swing in. Talk about pressure!
I efficiently made a dork out of myself when I tripped on a "plank" in front of the group of people waiting to play our course. I heard a few snickers from the crowd but I held my head high and walked away laughing at myself. On the up side.. I was able to keep my ball from flying into the water. I believe this is a first for me.. ever! UMM it did land in the bushes once..
After our game we made our way into the arcade where Ski-Ball screamed our names! YES! off we ran to the token machine. That familiar clank clank of tokens dropping into the awaiting tray built the anticipation. The balls slid down into position and the games began. 10 points, 20 points, 50 Yes!. Dude.. Why can't I get it into the 100 slot? Is there some invisible barrier around that thing? Oh well, I still got some tickets. After a few games it was on to Air Hockey. I know I can redeem my gaming skills on this game! My brothers and I used to play Air Hockey for hours at the Boys and Girls Club. Game one.. we get the puck going and going. I slammed the puck into my goal one time after another. Ashley's face was priceless. Ending score 7 to 3. I win. Game 2 starts and again, I get the puck going. 1, 2, 3, 4 pucks in no problem. Ashley gets 2 in I think and I finish off my last 3 points. I love that game.
For kicks we played "Spider Stomp" .. an addictive little kid game that my friends and I used to play. Easy way to win tickets. Then a new game caught my attention. "Deal or No Deal". NO WAY! I'm SO in! I throw my 5 tokens in and the game starts. Same music, lights, etc. A few less cases but still a great opportunity to win... you guesses it.. tickets. In the end I won 60 tickets. Ash played a round and won a whopping 2 tickets. Knowing the prizes in the cabinet are nothing to write home about, we put our tickets through the ticket counter, got our paper that announced our winnings then handed them off to the cutest little kid we could find. It is way more fun for them to choose prizes!
What a fantastic night. Not too expensive either. $8 for miniature golf and $5 in tokens. They also have a special going until the end of September. $20 for unlimited attractions. "Attractions" include Go Karts, Minature Golf, Bumper Boats and the Kiddie Karnival. Can't remember if it includes Laser Tag or not. So, the next time you are thinking "what should we do tonight?" don't forget about the oldie but goodie : Minianture Golf!
We chose the "Pirates" course and started our journey through the Caribbean.. sort of. The course had treasure maps, water falls, a pirate ship, burned up castle and an anchor. Very aunthenic.. until we heard the "dead men tell no tales" coming from one of the caves. Shortly after we heard some dialog from the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at Disneyland. Lame! They could've change it up a bit. Never the less we had a blast. Personally I thought " sure, this game is tough for a kid but I am an adult now. I'm going to rock this game!". hahaha or not! the slight inclines, bumps, metal bumpers prove to be more of a challenge than I remember. Ashley kicked my butt! As if the details to the course wasn't stressful enough we had a couple behind us that were serious mini-golfers. Equipt with a pencil and scorecard, they were getting their ball in the hole before I could even get my first swing in. Talk about pressure!
I efficiently made a dork out of myself when I tripped on a "plank" in front of the group of people waiting to play our course. I heard a few snickers from the crowd but I held my head high and walked away laughing at myself. On the up side.. I was able to keep my ball from flying into the water. I believe this is a first for me.. ever! UMM it did land in the bushes once..
After our game we made our way into the arcade where Ski-Ball screamed our names! YES! off we ran to the token machine. That familiar clank clank of tokens dropping into the awaiting tray built the anticipation. The balls slid down into position and the games began. 10 points, 20 points, 50 Yes!. Dude.. Why can't I get it into the 100 slot? Is there some invisible barrier around that thing? Oh well, I still got some tickets. After a few games it was on to Air Hockey. I know I can redeem my gaming skills on this game! My brothers and I used to play Air Hockey for hours at the Boys and Girls Club. Game one.. we get the puck going and going. I slammed the puck into my goal one time after another. Ashley's face was priceless. Ending score 7 to 3. I win. Game 2 starts and again, I get the puck going. 1, 2, 3, 4 pucks in no problem. Ashley gets 2 in I think and I finish off my last 3 points. I love that game.
For kicks we played "Spider Stomp" .. an addictive little kid game that my friends and I used to play. Easy way to win tickets. Then a new game caught my attention. "Deal or No Deal". NO WAY! I'm SO in! I throw my 5 tokens in and the game starts. Same music, lights, etc. A few less cases but still a great opportunity to win... you guesses it.. tickets. In the end I won 60 tickets. Ash played a round and won a whopping 2 tickets. Knowing the prizes in the cabinet are nothing to write home about, we put our tickets through the ticket counter, got our paper that announced our winnings then handed them off to the cutest little kid we could find. It is way more fun for them to choose prizes!
What a fantastic night. Not too expensive either. $8 for miniature golf and $5 in tokens. They also have a special going until the end of September. $20 for unlimited attractions. "Attractions" include Go Karts, Minature Golf, Bumper Boats and the Kiddie Karnival. Can't remember if it includes Laser Tag or not. So, the next time you are thinking "what should we do tonight?" don't forget about the oldie but goodie : Minianture Golf!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Are you ready for some FFFFFOOOOOTTTBBAALLL!!??
There it was sitting in my closet.. my pink Chargers jersey. It was hung up at the end of last season and it has been itching to come out again. The days have inched closer and closer and today was the big day. Time to break out the jersey and start the season off.ITS DRAFT DAY!!! Thats right folks.. Fantasy Football! I have been waiting a whole year for this. The anticipation has been building daily. I could barely contain my excitement when Brian finally created our league. It was time to pick a name. But what name??? It has to be the right one!! I bounced ideas off of my friend Ashley and then it hit me.. The Ghostriders! One of the captains for Ramona Station 82 calls me Ghostrider. PERFECT! We are invisible and invincible! Watch out King Pigskin Teams! Ghostsriders are ready to sweep in at night and take you by surprise!
Here we were at Brian and Katie's place getting ready to pick numbers for drafting order. I pick #1 which can be both a blessing and a curse. I found myself suddenly nervous and somewhat stressed. I think my palms were even a little sweaty. Who do I pick first? Do I go with the obvious pick and choose San Diego's very own LT or do I go with the underdog.. Adrian Peterson? I just don't know!! My heart it pounding and I am feverishly texting Nick with "who do I pick??". In a shocking first round pick.. I choose Adrian Peterson. I am sure Jimmy (#2 in draft order) about did a cartwheel when I didn't choose LT. He snatched him up immediately. We have 11 teams in our league so the draft took a few hours. I feel pretty good about my team. The Ghostriders are ready for action! I am so ready for the real football season to start! i'll keep you posted on our progress.
Its amazing how into sports I am these days. I have loved every second of the 2008 Olympic games! I watched every race w/ Michael Phelps and squealed like a little girl each time he won. What an amzingly talented athlete. Women's Gymnastics have about given me a heart attack each time. I feel the US women's team have been robbed in many of their events. I absolutely love Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson. They are the dynamic duo for sure. I watched the individual balance beam routines today and was elated when Shawn Johnson FINALLY won a gold medal. I found myself in tears when they showed her parents in the audience beaming with pride and crying tears of joy for their little girl. Nastia had an amazing routine as well. She is so beautiful and elegant when she is out doing her thing. I wish they both could have won Gold. They both deserve it. It just doesnt get better than this:
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Holy Moly
I had 5 days off this week and let me tell you.. it flew by! I am generally in a fog on wednesdays due to the lack of sleep. I really have no idea what I did that day. Thursday i went to Ramona Station 80 to ride out on the fire engine.. This is probably the busiest station in San Diego that Cal Fire dispatches for but apparently this was not the case on Thursday. We went to the grocery store in the morning and just as we got to the engine, we got dispatched to a medical aid... SWEET! It is starting early! We are going to get some good calls today. Nope! We got back to the station and brian's engine was there. They did a little training on ropes then left. It was time for lunch and we still didn't have any calls. 
After lunch the crew did chainsaw training. Let me just say I am now scared to death to use a chainsaw! Captain McLaughlin was trying to explain to the new fire fighter how important proper use of a chainsaw is. He threw in stories of injuries he had seen. I think I was shaking at this point! I could tell you all the text book stuff about a chainsaw and how to ventilate a roof 
during a structure fire but please.. for the love of God.. DO NOT hand me one of those things! i would probably pass out! I have a new respect for fire fighters though. It was probably about 1o0 degrees outside and they were in full turnouts ( those yellow clothes you always seen them in on the news) with BA's (breathing apparatus.. or.. oxygen to make it easier for those that dont know the lingo), helmets, gloves etc and they were using the chainsaw. Imagine all that plus a fire raging underneath them. 
After lunch the crew did chainsaw training. Let me just say I am now scared to death to use a chainsaw! Captain McLaughlin was trying to explain to the new fire fighter how important proper use of a chainsaw is. He threw in stories of injuries he had seen. I think I was shaking at this point! I could tell you all the text book stuff about a chainsaw and how to ventilate a roof 
during a structure fire but please.. for the love of God.. DO NOT hand me one of those things! i would probably pass out! I have a new respect for fire fighters though. It was probably about 1o0 degrees outside and they were in full turnouts ( those yellow clothes you always seen them in on the news) with BA's (breathing apparatus.. or.. oxygen to make it easier for those that dont know the lingo), helmets, gloves etc and they were using the chainsaw. Imagine all that plus a fire raging underneath them. 
The highlight of the day was dinner. Yours truly cooked. I pulled out all the stops for them. At the start of the morning I brought in the groceries I bought (OH! Thats what I did on wednesday.. went to the grocery store!). First response was " are you moving in?". So.. i had a lot of stuff.. but they were not complaining at 5:15 when they were shoveling food in their faces. I made everything from scratch. BBQ Chicken Pizza, Chicken Alfredo Pizza and Baked Pasta with Italian Sausage. Don'e get me wrong. I didn't make my own alfredo or BBQ sauce or milk a cow to make my own cheese. Im not that ambitious! I did make pizza dough from scatch. that's right folks.. yeast, flour, water etc. I even make a ch
eesecake from scratch. Yum-O! Check this baby out:
eesecake from scratch. Yum-O! Check this baby out:Today was spent running around working on Bridal Shower stuff. Time is flying by. Don't we have a pause button or something? I generally love Michael's Craft store but today sent me over the edge. I just haven't been able to find what I need there. I found some good bargains @ JoAnns though. Planning is well under way. I think Katie and I are going shopping this week to buy prizes for the fabulous games we have planned. I think it is going to be a wonderful bridal shower.. I hope so anyway :)
Monday, August 11, 2008
Creative Juices
Someone please smack me in the head!
I just finished the last of the wedding invites for Jimmy and Jessica. I was on a roll so I busted out 30 Bridal Shower invites shortly after. I was an invitation making machine on Saturday night! A warning to all paper punches though... you will not survive my projects. I have broken a total of 3 now. YES! Its amazing the kind of reaction when you hear the " snap, crack... crack.. snap.. clink, clink" of a paper punch breaking. You aren't sure if you are going to scream or cry. To my astonishment I didn't do either! I just moved on.
I have been in contact with my sister in law, katie, my mom and the bride-to-be, jessica's, best friend and my BFF feverishly planning a Bridal Shower for our little bride. I can honestly say I am SOOO excited with how things are turning out. It is so hard to keep my mouth shut around her. I want so badly to share the great ideas with her but I want it all the be a surprise too. The shower is a short 4 weeks away or something like that. The invites have been mailed and most of the details are done.
On Friday I found out my BFF, jessica, is having a Baby Girl! I am beyond excited about this. Her boys are like nephews to me and I love them with all of my heart. The moment I found out it was a girl I started thinking of baby shower ideas. I have the theme and party favors already decided! I am probably a little ahead of myself at this point. OH well! I love it!
There's always something going on. I live for this stuff. I think that's why I love my job so much. I am totally an adrenaline junky. Speaking of work.. I am riding out on one of the engines this coming thursday. I am stoked! I personally feel it is important for the dispatchers to get out, do ride alongs and get to know the people in the field. The crews at the stations love asking questions about dispatch. The Captain I will be with has been asking me for well over a year to ride out on the engine. SO, Ramona E7810.. ready or not, here I come! I know it is going ton be a great time. And seriously.. what single girl wouldnt want to hang around a firehouse full of good-looking, down to earth guys? More to come on how the ride-out goes. Hopefully we get some good calls so I can take picturesl. I am also making them dinner. Homemade Pizza, Salad, Fresh Fruit and Garlic bread. MMMMM Good. More to come later..
I just finished the last of the wedding invites for Jimmy and Jessica. I was on a roll so I busted out 30 Bridal Shower invites shortly after. I was an invitation making machine on Saturday night! A warning to all paper punches though... you will not survive my projects. I have broken a total of 3 now. YES! Its amazing the kind of reaction when you hear the " snap, crack... crack.. snap.. clink, clink" of a paper punch breaking. You aren't sure if you are going to scream or cry. To my astonishment I didn't do either! I just moved on.
I have been in contact with my sister in law, katie, my mom and the bride-to-be, jessica's, best friend and my BFF feverishly planning a Bridal Shower for our little bride. I can honestly say I am SOOO excited with how things are turning out. It is so hard to keep my mouth shut around her. I want so badly to share the great ideas with her but I want it all the be a surprise too. The shower is a short 4 weeks away or something like that. The invites have been mailed and most of the details are done.
On Friday I found out my BFF, jessica, is having a Baby Girl! I am beyond excited about this. Her boys are like nephews to me and I love them with all of my heart. The moment I found out it was a girl I started thinking of baby shower ideas. I have the theme and party favors already decided! I am probably a little ahead of myself at this point. OH well! I love it!
There's always something going on. I live for this stuff. I think that's why I love my job so much. I am totally an adrenaline junky. Speaking of work.. I am riding out on one of the engines this coming thursday. I am stoked! I personally feel it is important for the dispatchers to get out, do ride alongs and get to know the people in the field. The crews at the stations love asking questions about dispatch. The Captain I will be with has been asking me for well over a year to ride out on the engine. SO, Ramona E7810.. ready or not, here I come! I know it is going ton be a great time. And seriously.. what single girl wouldnt want to hang around a firehouse full of good-looking, down to earth guys? More to come on how the ride-out goes. Hopefully we get some good calls so I can take picturesl. I am also making them dinner. Homemade Pizza, Salad, Fresh Fruit and Garlic bread. MMMMM Good. More to come later..
Saturday, August 9, 2008
DONE!!
So I took on the task of making Jimmy and Jessica's wedding invitations. At first I was thinking "piece of cake, i can't do them in no time".. hahahahahaa! Joke's on me.. here's the adventure:
I found this beautiful brown/bronze cardstock at Michael's and knew Jess would love it. Then I found this pretty cream colored cardstock w/ words about love that had a shiny tint to it. Perfect! They look amazing together! The only problem was that the one store I went to didn't have enough paper to complete the task. This started my journey to probably a total of 7 or 8 different Michael's stores. I finally got all of the paper I need. Apparently the 2 types of paper I chose just happen to be the ones that are going out of stock. Way to go shannon!
I started the first few invitations and the paper punch I was using broke. It took Jessica and I 2 hrs to make 6 invitations(no bueno). Off I went to Michael's (again) to get a new paper punch... they were out.. checked with other stores.. they were out too. So I grab a different one. I try it on the first invite.. definitely not going to work. I go back to (yet again)before work and I pick up a different punch. Yes!!! It's working. I get about 50 done when Jimmy says " umm the phone number is wrong". Before I acted on the impulse to clobber him, I explain it was no time to joke and he (for once) was being serious. Easy change.. turn a 4 into a 5. no biggie. I enlist my partners at work to help when one comes up to me sheepishly and states she changed the wrong 4. Oops! I just started laughing. It was that or cry.
I headed to Jess LaTour's the other day and she was helping me. I start using the paper punch again and guess what... it breaks.. the handle snapped off! I just sat there in silence. I wasn't sure if I was going to cry, laugh or commit myself to a mental institute because I was pretty sure I had just lost my last marble! Jess calls the Michael's in Poway and they set a new one aside for me. Last night I paper punched until I thought my hands were going to bleed. I tied endless bows and got as much glue on my hands as I did on the paper.. maybe more!
Regardless of all that, the invitations are finished! They actually are very pretty and I am happy with how they turned out. I am thankful and honored that Jimmy and Jessica allowed me to make them and appreciate the work. Experiences like this build memories. I can honestly look back and laugh about the number of Michael's shopping trips I have made in the last couple weeks. Pretty sure it is bad when a couple of the cashiers know you by name...
Friday, August 8, 2008
These are a few of my favorite things..
I woke yesterday to clouds and loud claps of thunder. For some reason rainy days make me get all sentimental. I LOVE love love summer thunderstorms! I walked outside and this is what I saw..
I decided to go walking at the high school since it was nice and cool with no rain yet. I got to the high school and did 3 laps. At the start of the 4th lap a big bolt of lightning hit overhead... at that moment I was done walking for the day! I booked it to my car. No need to get electrocuted..
I decided to go walking at the high school since it was nice and cool with no rain yet. I got to the high school and did 3 laps. At the start of the 4th lap a big bolt of lightning hit overhead... at that moment I was done walking for the day! I booked it to my car. No need to get electrocuted..
As I was walking I thought of some of my favorite things and that make me happy. .here are a
few..
* Summer Thunderstorms/Rain
* Red Roses
* Hugs from my nieces and nephews
* Peyton's new little teeth
* Coffee with my BFF
* Dinner and Game Night with my family
* Reading while it is pouring down rain outside
* Disneyland
* Friends that call me while they are on road trips
* Rainwater And Mint Candles
* Fall.. pumpkins, leaves etc
* Lunch w/my incredible sister-in-laws
I could go on forever! Sometimes when I feel down i think of these things and they bring a smile to my face. Sometimes it is hard to remember the blessings when you are going through a tough spot. Take a moment some day and remember the "little" things that bring you joy!
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