L.A. Pictures

You can't go to L.A. without going to In-N-Out Burger!

Yummy!

Justin and Jeri...how cute are they?

We love our slushies!

Me and Bre

My dad's siblings

Uncle Travis, Aunt Kathleen, Dad and Auntie Kirsti

Me, Bre and Justin

My little cousin isn't so little anymore!

Mom, Dad, Auntie Kirsti, Uncle Ernie, Aunt Aleta and Uncle Travis

Bre, Me, Erica and Matthew

Me and Linnea (with Shirrell sneaking in)

Justin, Erica, Me, Shirrell, Bre, Linnea, Jeri and Matthew

I love my cousins!

2 Years

Today marks the two year anniversary of Mimi's passing. At times, I can't believe that she has been gone for that long! My mom, sister and I are going to Mimi's Cafe tomorrow for lunch to remember and celebrate her. She loved that restaurant (and the name is fitting, as well). Boy, do I miss her terribly.

My trip to L.A. last weekend went really well. I had a blast going to Disneyland and hanging out with my relatives that I don't get to see very often. We ate a lot, played some games and spent a lot of time taking pictures and laughing. I so wish that all lived closer so that we could get together more often. We all get along so well and really enjoy each other's company. I hope that I'll get to see them again soon.

My grandpa's funeral was sad, but that's usually the case. I volunteered to read Psalm 23 during the service. I was originally asked to sing, but I had a hard time finding a song and since it has been so long since I've sang anything, it was hard finding something that I'd be comfortable with. So when I heard that they were looking for someone to read that passage, I told them that I'd do it. We had a lunch reception after the service was over. I got to meet some family on my grandpa's side that I had never met before, so that was a real treat. It turned out to be a nice farewell to my grandpa.

I'm really enjoying my week off of work. I think I really needed this break (but who doesn't, right?). I'll only have 8 1/2 more weeks of work when Spring Break is over. This school year sure seems like it has flown by. I know there are going to be a lot of changes next year and I'm hoping for the best!

As soon as I upload my pictures to the computer, I'll post them from my trip last weekend. Happy Spring!

A Busy Weekend

Weeks ago, my sister and I decided to head down to L.A. at the end of this week to spend time with relatives and to go to Disneyland. Now the plans include attending my grandpa's funeral on Saturday and we will see many, many more relatives than we originally planned on seeing. It will be nice to see everyone. It is always too bad that it takes circumstances like this to bring all of us together.

My grandpa would have been 90 years old at the end of this year. That's a pretty good, solid life if you ask me. He was cremated and as of now, I'm not quite sure what the family is going to do with his ashes. We will be having a service at a church near my aunt and uncle's house and my cousin's father-in-law will be doing the service.

I'm a bit sad that I didn't know my grandpa better. I saw him occasionally when I was growing up but since we didn't live close, he didn't make many efforts to get to know me and my sister. He would get occasional updates about us from my southern California relatives, I guess, but that was about all. I remember getting Christmas cards from him with the usual $5 bill tucked inside but that was about it. My grandpa on my mom's side passed away before I was born, so I never had a chance to know him (although many people tell me it was better that way...he was a pretty abusive alcoholic). My grandpa did, however, come to my wedding almost 6 years ago. I do feel grateful that 3 of my grandparents were able to attend my big day.

Anyway, it will be nice to spend time with all of my family. Car trips with Bre are always a laugh, too. I'll be sure to bring my camera along.

My Grandpa

My mom called just a little while ago to let me know that my Grandpa passed away last night. He is now my third relative to pass away in 5 months. I don't really have any details right now as to how he passed or what kinds of services are going to happen. I was planning a trip to L.A. during the last weekend in March, but that will probably be moved up a week now and it will be for a completely different reason.

I don't really have much else to say at the moment. I'm a little numb.

Friends

Back in high school I had a lot of friends. I have so many memories of the group I used to hang out with. We would all load up in my van and go to baseball games on the weekends or get together for volleyball games in my backyard. We were all part of the different clubs on campus and sports teams. I even had one friend in high school who declared herself the mascot of the girl's tennis team just so she could come see us play (and get out of 6th period once a week). It was a really fun time.

Then we all graduated and everyone went their separate ways. I am one of the few who stayed in the area where I grew up. It has been really hard keeping in contact with everyone since we're all so busy with our daily lives. Most people who I want to keep in contact with are in other states (and one in another country) so it has been hard to stay current.

I have to admit that it has been really hard for me to make new friends since high school. I have become much more introverted and less social. I have also made some friends since high school that have fizzled out for one reason or another, making it hard for me to want to put in the effort. It's not that I don't want relationships. I just don't want them if they're going to be one sided. I always get excited when I reconnect with someone which is, most of the time, through MySpace or Facebook. Unfortunately, it never really pans out to more than a quick "catch-up" email or an occasional "hello".

This weekend, I spent some time with someone that I consider to be one of my closest friends. She's also one of my newest friends. Looking back on it, I realize that she is the one who made the most effort to get to know me and be my friend. I feel really lucky to know that I have another person in my life that is a genuine friend. I now realize that it's not important to have lots of friends but more important to have quality friends. I'm happy to say that I have that.

To all my friends who I don't get to talk to or see often, know that I think of you all the time and hope that you're doing well. I miss all of you terribly. You all know who you are.

Budget Cuts

As I'm sure all of you have heard, the governor has proposed a budget that, if passes, will have a devastating effect on our public schools. Many people were handed pink slips this week. Too many, in fact. In my small school district, two severely handicapped teachers were given pink slips and at least 4 instructional assistants in SH....that I know of.

My job is not in jeopardy as I have been with my district long enough to have quite a bit of senority (especially with the turnover of instructional assistants...people aren't lining up for my job!). However, I'm fairly certain that my hours are going to be cut again this year. Last year, my hours were cut from 7 hours per day to 6.5 hours per day. It looks like I may be down to 6 hours per day in August. This doesn't sound like much, but one half hour per day turns into quite a lot at the end of the month. On top of this, it means that what I will pay in medical insurance will go up again, being that I pay more in medical when my hours go down. As a result, my paychecks are roughly $300 less per month just because of this and will go down another $300 a month come August.

I feel that I'm at a bit of a crossroads. I really love my job and don't want to quit. This year has been a pretty good one overall. However, I don't feel that I'm living up to my financial obligation at home if I don't bring in more money (that is my issue...Lance has never said a word about me finding another job or bringing in more money. He's very supportive and wants me to have a job where I am happy.) So, my options are to stay with my current job and possibly find a second job again or find another job altogether. Again, this is something that I'm struggling with myself and not something that I'm being pressured about by anyone else. I don't want to give anyone the impression that we're hurting for money or that we're not making ends meet. I just want to be more comfortable...especially with a little one coming.

Decisions, decisions...

My dad came over this weekend to do more work on our bathroom. Unfortunately, he didn't get as much done as he wanted after he ran into a bit of trouble once he lifted the toilet. Whoever remodeled our bathroom before we moved in did some things wrong and my dad had to fix them. Since the floor boards were damp, he couldn't put the mud down in preparation for the tile that we are using for the floor. We ended up having to run to Home Depot to buy a couple of things for the bathroom. When we got there, my dad brought me down the isle to look at the different toilets I could choose from to replace the one we had.

Now, I have NEVER given even the slightest thought to toilets before. I couldn't believe that I was standing in the middle of the isle pondering about toilets. Which one would be best for us? Do I want an almond color toilet or a white one? Do I want an elongated toilet or a round one? Do I want one that is 20 inches high or 27 inches high? Do I want a Kohler, American Standard or another brand? Do I want a 1.6 gpf or a 1.1gpf? OH MY GOD!!!!! I thought my head was going to explode....

...and we're talking about toilets here people!

I finally settled on one. I'll pick it up in a couple of weeks. Out of this whole project, this is the first thing that has stumped me. The shower? Easy. The floor? Easy. The fan and light? Easy. The wall color? Easy. The toilet? Oh man. At least my dad thought it was humerous.

Don't even get me started on toilet seats.