Thursday, August 31, 2006

Continuing Up The Coast

About noon, the clouds started coming in. At first it looked like there was a fire, but then we realized it was the clouds and we stopped a few times to look at the sight. It was amazing.
At one point, we stopped and we were above the cloud line. It was like looking at a bed of cotton balls. Again, Micaela was afraid if we got too close to the edge, we would fall.
We stopped at a small motel, restaurant and gift shop. There was a nature trail that led down the mountain, but it was blocked off. We were able to walk down partway though and get into the clouds.
And of course, the sunset. I've heard people say Las Vegas has the most beautiful sunsets, because of the heat, the pollution sadly and the way the sun lights up the mountains. But this sunset put every single one to shame. As we wound our way through the mountains, and drove to Santa Cruz, we had to stop several times, just to take the pictures. It was as if the sun melted into the ocean. Breathtaking, beautiful, amazing.

Vacation Pictures Continue - Drive Up Highway 1

Terry and Nick climbed down to the water from the road to touch the water. They had to stand on the rocks, because there wasn't a dry place anywhere for them stand. And the water was cold! Or so they said.
Micaela got very scared because the second time we stopped, the rocks down to the water were just a little steep and she was afraid everyone would fall down and hurt themselves. It was a beautiful sight to see though; the waves pounding against the rocks, sending up sprays of water.

Saturday, August 26, 2006

Guitar Hero

So, since Vinnie took his with him, which is to be expected, it was his and he paid for it, I went out yesterday and bought the family Guitar Hero and placed a reservation for Guitar Hero 2, which is due out on Nov. 7. We are getting a second guitar with the second game, so the kids can duel each other.

As for me, I have completed the first set of songs on easy, cause I suck at video games. I have 3 of the second set done. No 5 stars yet, but a few 4 stars.

Yes, Vinnie, we were up until 3:30 playing with Paul and Crystal first, then just ourselves. It was fun.

Saturday, August 19, 2006

Just For Caedyn and Steve

Why did Tigger have to wash his hands?
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He'd been playing with Pooh all day.



What do you call a stinky fairy?
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Stinker Bell.

You can thank the man who will be my son's Boy Scout leader for the next year.

Thursday, August 17, 2006

Last Day At Disneyland - Part 2

The girls! Mom and Micaela. Micaela's such a ham. But we love her. Watching the enjoyment she and Derek had while we were at the park made the cost and the pain in the feet worth it.
Ok, so here's a picture of me. Now leave me alone.
Isn't this a beautiful costume? But can you imagine wearing it for the better part of two hours as you walk through Disneyland, from Main Street to It's A Small World?
The Boys! Nick really had a lot of fun. He said he rode a lot of rides with us that he had never ridden before with his friends. And Derek really bloomed into a personality we never knew he had.

Raising Boys

Another from my father:

RAISING BOYS

The following came from an anonymous Mother in Austin, Texas...

Things I've learned from my Boys (honest and not kidding):

1.) A king size water bed holds enough water to fill a 2000 sq. ft. house 4 inches deep.

2.) If you spray hair spray on dust bunnies and run over them with roller blades, they can ignite.

3.) A 3-year old boy's voice is louder than 200 adults in a crowded restaurant.

4.) If you hook a dog leash over a ceiling fan, the motor is not strong enough to rotate 42 pound boy wearing Batman underwear and a Superman cape. It is strong enough, however, if tied to a paint can, to spread paint on all four walls of a 20 x 20 ft. room.

5.) You should not throw baseballs up when the ceiling fan is on when using a ceiling fan as a bat, you have to throw the ball up a few times before you get a hit. A ceiling fan can hit a baseball a long way.

6.) The glass in windows (even double-pane) doesn't stop a baseball hit by a ceiling fan.

7.) When you hear the toilet flush and the words "uh oh", it's already too late.

8.) Brake fluid mixed with Clorox makes smoke, and lots of it.

9.) A six-year old boy can start a fire with a flint rock even though a 36-year old man says they can only do it in the movies.

10.) Certain Lego's will pass through the digestive tract of a 4-year old boy.

11.) Play dough and microwave should not be used in the same sentence.

12.) Super-glue is forever.

13.) No matter how much Jell-O you put in a swimming pool, you still can't walk on water.

14.) Pool filters do not like Jell-O.

15.) VCR's do not eject "PB&J" sandwiches even though TV commercials show they do.

16.) Garbage bags do not make good parachutes.

17.) Marbles in gas tanks make lots of noise when driving.

18.) You probably DO NOT want to know what that odor is.

19.) Always look in the oven before you turn it on; plastic toys do not like ovens.

20.) The fire department in Austin, TX has a 5-minute response time.

21.) The spin cycle on the washing machine does not make earthworms dizzy.

22) It will, however, make cats dizzy.

23.) Cats throw up twice their body weight when dizzy.

24.) 80% of Men who read this will try mixing the Clorox and brake fluid.

Those who pass this on to almost all of their friends, with or without boys do it because:

a) For those with no children - this is totally hysterical !

b) For those who already have children past this age, this is hilarious.

c) For those who have children this age, this is not funny.

d) For those who have children nearing this age, this is a warning.

e) For those who have not yet had children, this is birth control !

Happiness

In an email from my father, before he went on vacation:

From Happiness Site

What if you could be happy?
When I realized that I was happy, I felt happy and in that moment I knew that I was happy. I wondered what could come along that was more important than the way I felt now. So I watched everything to see what I would give up my happiness for! In the last 15 ½ years, I have found nothing that is more important than being happy.

What I have learned, is that being happy is the smartest way of dealing with any problem. Unhappiness only exposes you to what you don't like. When you start with one problem and you add unhappiness you have now created a second problem to deal with. I have found that being happy enables me to make the best choices, to find the best solutions, and to use my highest mental faculties to create the best outcome for myself and others.

Happiness is an inner state of well being. A state that enables you to profit from your highest thoughts, intelligence, wisdom, awareness, common sense, emotions, health, and spiritual values.

Happiness is one of the most important things in your life.
Don't give away your power by being unhappy! Practice "Premeditated Happiness," because happiness is an issue of power. We give our power to others for many reasons. We mistakenly think that doing this will make us happy. The truth is that we have given others power over ourselves. We can now consciously reclaim our power and experience happiness. Happiness does wonders for your soul. Now is the time to learn to use happiness for dealing with challenges and difficult people so you can empower your life.


Quote: "Even if you are on the right track, you are going to get run over if you just sit there." Will Rogers

Quote by Peter F. Drucker

There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Bad Joke Time

What do you call a spider that just got married?


A newly web.

*groan*

Monday, August 14, 2006

Not Going To Conform

I am so NOT going to fall into the trap of wishing Vinnie a happy birthday like everyone else. I mean, honestly, it's just another day, and there's no need to wish Vinnie happy birthday. What good will come out of wishing Vinnie happy birthday? And would it serve any purpose to remind him that he's supposed to be asking for lasagna for his birthday dinner?

So, Vinnie, I'm not wishing you a happy birthday. And I don't hope it was a good day for you. And I certainly don't hope your dad got you something nice. And for dinner, I don't hope you get your lasagna, because we know mine is the best in the country.

The kids love ya, Vin and miss ya. Terry and I do too.

Friday, August 11, 2006

Last Day At Disneyland - Part 1

Family picture in front of the 50th anniversary flowers at the entrance of the park.
I'm not real sure what these two were doing, but I lifted up the camera to take a shot and they did this. Such goofballs. Like father, like son. Derek definitely gets it from his father.
Eeyore is my most favorite Disney character, next to Belle from Beauty and the Beast. But Eeyore is #1. I love getting pictures of him.
Waiting for the parade. The kids were 'forced' to watch it because we are so very mean to them.

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Still Doing Vacation Pictures - Disney's California Adventures


The morning started with an early breakfast at Chip n' Dale's Storybook Restaurant. We were able to see Kenai and Koda, as well as Chip and Dale. Nick argued with us the entire trip about which of the chipmunks was Chip and which one was Dale. After Terry and I showed him the difference, it just became a way for him to irritate and harass his niece and nephew.

While we were waiting for entrance to the park, we were entertained by this most interesting looking woman. Her date, husband, boyfriend, whatever he was, looked 'normal', at least in regard to her dress. The shooes were canvas high tops. *shakes head* Wow, some people are stress relievers just because they make you laugh so hard.

Micaela and Derek enjoyed their day at the park. Neither of them wanted to ride the roller coaster, California Screamer, or The Tower of Terror. The tower was excellent! I really enjoyed it. From what I understand, at least for the one at Disney World, each ride is supposed to be different than any other. And Rod Sterling's voice was integrated perfectly.

While we were California Adventures, we saw Cruella DeVil, Hercules, Mulan, Sleeping Beauty, The Incredibles and Woody. Terry and I watched the Bug's Life show, which was interesting. And at the end of the night, we watched the Electric Light Parade.

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Journal Entry

Updated writing blog with journal entry for D&D session 7.29.06. I also have started a scene between Tal and Natani that will take place immediately after she finishes the journal entry. I will update the blog with that after it is done.

Father's Day At The Beach

Since we were in California for Father's Day, I tried to make sure Terry got to do what he wanted for the day. He had really been looking forward to the beach, so we went to Huntington Beach for a few hours.
The kids really enjoyed the water, and didn't mind how cold it was. It was a bright day, with a breeze, but the water was great.
Micaela just loves to pose for pictures. My dad would call her a ham, cause she's always hamming it up for the camera.

While I watched, after soaking my feet in the salt water for awhile, the family rented a few body boards, except Micaela. All three boys got sand burns on their bellies, however, Nick was talented enough to get a sand burn in other areas.

After the beach, we went to dinner and then Downtown Disney. Micaela bought herself a Hello Kitty stuffed animal from Build-A-Bear Workshop. We checked out the pins at the different stores, Derek was bought a collectors set of Star Wars Tie-Fighters (5 tie-fighters in one box) and we spent a lot of time in the Disney Store.

Even without going to Disneyland, I love Downtown Disney. You still get the feel of Disney, without having to pay for the admission.