Wednesday, after work, Kelly, her kids and I left McKinleyville about 4:00 pm and started our trip to get them to their new home in Colorado Springs. We went to Winnemucca the first night, arriving at 1:30 in the morning. We got to our room and about 30 minutes after arriving, after Kelly had nursed Tate, she suddenly got extremely flushed in the face and felt like she was going to faint. Soon after she had major gastrointestinal issues. I won't go in to major detail except to say I couldn't go to sleep until I knew she was okay. The last time I looked at the clock it was 3:30 and I thought, "We have GOT to get some sleep!" Our wake up call, Tate, came at 5:30 when he would not go back to sleep and woke up the other kids. We figured we might as well get back on the road so at 7:00 we were back on the road. I had to drive because Kelly still felt horrible and so I had to drive. I decided to try a 5 hour energy aid and it worked! I drove till about 3:00 and felt fine. We stopped in SLC and met Alex for a quick lunch at Cafe Rio and arrived at Kasey's in Fort Collins about 9:00. Today we headed to Colorado Springs and so traveled another 6 hours total. It should have just been 2 each way but we got stuck in rush hour Denver traffic at 4:30. I love Colorado though-blue skies and sunshine as far as you can see and not too hot. Both Fort Collins and Colorado Springs are amazing. Fort Collins is such a cute college town and Kasey's place is amazing. Colorado Springs surprised me how green it was with lots of trees and mountains.
The last three weeks have been horrible for me knowing that Kelly and family were moving and that that meant I had no grandchildren I could get in a car and just drive to. This of course means I see granchildren less. The last week I have cried every time I think about it. I am thrilled for them though. It will be a great move for them and I know they will love Colorado Springs and being close to Kasey. I am grateful they moved close to Kasey's family and not to another completely different place. The grandkids are having a blast together. I think Kasey and Matt's house has taken over being like Disneyland for Ammon instead of our house! I'm sure Lee and I will make Colorado the place we retire to. Can we do that sooner than 6 more years???? Probably not. So it will be a long, long 6 years with me accruing plenty of miles on United and doing a lot of whining.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Saturday, August 07, 2010
Fright NIght
Have you ever had something happen that woke you up at night and you were absolutely terrorized with fright? Last night it happened to me . The frightening thing was a mouse. Now I HATE mice-especially at night. They are actually kind of cute looking in the day. At the zoo. But I have an absolute phobia about one running across my body.
We have had signs of them at the trailer at the lake. Earlier this year, Jody saw one run in the trailer by cute little Tate, of all things. In the daylight. I bought a trap and we caught one and I thought that was it. Then we saw a dead one in the bathroom. Oh no, there were more! Must have eaten the poison I had hidden. So I've been suspicious there were more.
Well last night at the trailer I was awakened to the sound of a mouse at 4 in the morning. I sat up straight in my little bed (table that makes into a bed). I turned on the light expecting to see nothing and that it was all in my imagination. Suddenly, a small flash of brown raced from my edge of the sink to the stove area. I gasped. My heart stopped and I was paralyzed with fear. What should I do? Flee? But it was dead dark outside and I didn't want to drive home in the dark two hours away. I threw some sunglasses and chapstick in it's direction that were in reach just to scare it and thought of my options again. Finally I opted to go to the top bunk at the other end of the trailer and wait until daylight. I carefully checked the bunk for mice friends, took my lap top and jumped in. I was way too scared to sleep so I played solitaire till dawn and then went into the tent to get a couple hours of sleep. I woke up at 8:00 and went in the trailer to clean up so I could head home. Nervously, I opened the door. My heart started pounding. I had to do my dishes from last night and put away food on the counter. (Hence, my mouse problem-leaving food out). I was nervous about a mouse running over my feet (talk about heebie geebies!!) so I put my shoes and socks on and because I was scared of touching one, I got out some large tongs that I used to move things around, making sure the villian was gone. I even turned on all the burners of the stove trying to burn him out since I thought he'd headed to the stove area. After getting things ready to go home and, thankfully, seeing no mice, I headed into Weaverville to get ammunition. I got a few mousetraps and some poison and headed back to the trailer. I set out 5 traps and 4 poison boxes. I looked at what I was wearing. I had camouflage shorts on. I laughed-the war was on and I was dressed for it!!
Things I learned:
1. I can't wait to get a new trailer next year.
2. Never, ever leave food out on the counter or leave the dishes to do the next morning.
3. It is amazing how totally frightened, scared to death, a phobia can make you, even if it is super tiny and this one was definitely a baby mouse.
4. Daylight makes things better and makes you braver.
5. I'll be sleeping in the tent the rest of this year and making lots of noise when I am in the trailer.
6. There is a sonic mice repeller that you can order that emits soundwaves that people can't hear but repels the mice. I've ordered two.
Night frights. I hate them.
Mice. I hate them too.
We have had signs of them at the trailer at the lake. Earlier this year, Jody saw one run in the trailer by cute little Tate, of all things. In the daylight. I bought a trap and we caught one and I thought that was it. Then we saw a dead one in the bathroom. Oh no, there were more! Must have eaten the poison I had hidden. So I've been suspicious there were more.
Well last night at the trailer I was awakened to the sound of a mouse at 4 in the morning. I sat up straight in my little bed (table that makes into a bed). I turned on the light expecting to see nothing and that it was all in my imagination. Suddenly, a small flash of brown raced from my edge of the sink to the stove area. I gasped. My heart stopped and I was paralyzed with fear. What should I do? Flee? But it was dead dark outside and I didn't want to drive home in the dark two hours away. I threw some sunglasses and chapstick in it's direction that were in reach just to scare it and thought of my options again. Finally I opted to go to the top bunk at the other end of the trailer and wait until daylight. I carefully checked the bunk for mice friends, took my lap top and jumped in. I was way too scared to sleep so I played solitaire till dawn and then went into the tent to get a couple hours of sleep. I woke up at 8:00 and went in the trailer to clean up so I could head home. Nervously, I opened the door. My heart started pounding. I had to do my dishes from last night and put away food on the counter. (Hence, my mouse problem-leaving food out). I was nervous about a mouse running over my feet (talk about heebie geebies!!) so I put my shoes and socks on and because I was scared of touching one, I got out some large tongs that I used to move things around, making sure the villian was gone. I even turned on all the burners of the stove trying to burn him out since I thought he'd headed to the stove area. After getting things ready to go home and, thankfully, seeing no mice, I headed into Weaverville to get ammunition. I got a few mousetraps and some poison and headed back to the trailer. I set out 5 traps and 4 poison boxes. I looked at what I was wearing. I had camouflage shorts on. I laughed-the war was on and I was dressed for it!!
Things I learned:
1. I can't wait to get a new trailer next year.
2. Never, ever leave food out on the counter or leave the dishes to do the next morning.
3. It is amazing how totally frightened, scared to death, a phobia can make you, even if it is super tiny and this one was definitely a baby mouse.
4. Daylight makes things better and makes you braver.
5. I'll be sleeping in the tent the rest of this year and making lots of noise when I am in the trailer.
6. There is a sonic mice repeller that you can order that emits soundwaves that people can't hear but repels the mice. I've ordered two.
Night frights. I hate them.
Mice. I hate them too.
Friday, July 23, 2010
BFF's
When Alexa was in California in June we went to celebrate her July birthday early. We went to lunch-she chose Carl's Jr. and then Burger King. Yep, she ate two meals. Then we went to Claire's where she wanted some sparkly eyeshadow she had been talking about for days. She picked it out and then asked if she could get a necklace. She picked out a best friend's necklace and opened it up right away and gave me half. So sweet! We then went and got pedicures. What a fun day I had with that girl! But the story didn't end there. The next night the Jones' granddaughter Alexis spent the night with us too (along with the 8 grandchildren we had-we are a little crazy sometimes. She and Alexa came up to me and Alexa said Alexis had something she wanted to ask me. The conversation went something like this:
Alexis: I really like your necklace, Pam.
Pam: I like it too, Alexa gave it to me.
Alexa: Grandma, she wants you to give it to her.
Pam: Do you want me to give it to her?
Alexa: Well that is up to you, Grandma.
Pam:Well I really love this necklace because it says we are bff's.
Alexa: But grandma, we'll always be bff's and you don't need a necklace to know that. (the handwriting was on the wall at this point and I knew what I had to do. I handed it over to Alexis.)
Alexis: I really like your necklace, Pam.
Pam: I like it too, Alexa gave it to me.
Alexa: Grandma, she wants you to give it to her.
Pam: Do you want me to give it to her?
Alexa: Well that is up to you, Grandma.
Pam:Well I really love this necklace because it says we are bff's.
Alexa: But grandma, we'll always be bff's and you don't need a necklace to know that. (the handwriting was on the wall at this point and I knew what I had to do. I handed it over to Alexis.)
P.S.
I am in Colorado right now. Kasey's house is amazing. Alexa must have noticed I grudgingly handed over the necklace because she gave me a new one this trip! I better go home quickly before she wants it back!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Grandkids
I am having a great summer with the grandkids. I love having them around and love seeing the cousins play together. In June Kasey and her kids came for 2 1/2 weeks and Chris' kids came for a couple of days so one night we had 10 out of 12 grandkids sleeping over plus one of the Jone's grandkids for a total of 11! The older boys pitched a tent on the deck and the older girls opted to sleep on the wood floor - no mattress or anything. I guess they wanted to "rough it" too. Eight of them came to the lake with us and they loved camping at the trailer and playing in at the treehouse and going on the lake. We had an adorable talent show one night and the kids performed for us. We went to the beach and cooked hot dogs. We used to do this when my kids were little so in is a little deja vu experience. After looking at these pictures, one would have to admit, I have gorgeous grandchildren!! Love them all so very, very much!
Summer 2010
I have been so busy this summer that nothing is getting blogged. Kelly and family have been here all summer and although my house is messier, especially my floors, I love having Ammon, Cohen and Rylee so excited to see me every day and seeing Tate's cute smile. I just wish I didn't have to work so Kelly and I could hang out more. This weekend we took the kids up to Baywood Country Club where Lee is a member through work. We took the kids to swim in the pool and we had lunch poolside each day. It was fun and relaxing.
Last week we met Lindsey's inlaws (Alan's sister's family), the O'Hare's at Trinity Lake. We spent the week after the fourth there on a houseboat and had a blast. I always said I never wanted a houseboat even if I had the money because I liked getting off the lake and going to camp. After a week on the houseboat, I have changed my mind. It was fabulous-way cleaner and the lake was gorgeous to see at sunrise and sundown. I will never be able to afford that houseboat though so will just get a new trailer next year and hopefully just rent a houseboat here and there. The only downside to houseboating is tha ability to make tons of yummy treats all the time. I will make myself feel better about not having a houseboat by telling myself it would only cause me to gain weight. Thank you O'Hare's for a great week-we hope Linds and Alan can come next time!
Saturday, June 05, 2010
Marmaduke
Had a date with two cute boys, Ammon and Cohen, for this movie today. I don't usually recommend kids movies but I really enjoyed this one. After the movie, we hit BK for kids meals that came with toys from the movie. A good time was had by all!
Rain, rain, go away!
I have seriously not seen the sun, or much of it, for two weeks and it is June already! I may go nuts soon. We went and set up camp at Trinity in the RAIN this weekend. Last weekend we went to Chris' in Seattle and fished on Puget Sound-in the Rain!! (by the way, Madison and Kyle were adorable and I loved every minute with them. I would have pictures but my camera wouldn't work. I've decided I hate Casios and am going to find a simple Kodak this week) Back to the rain and/or gloomy days-will I ever get to barbecue, go for a nice walk, feel the sun warm me up again? Ever?? ever?? I plan to go to the lake on Wed.-Sat. If it doesn't heat up there soon, I will be booking a trip to Arizona soon. I need a summer fix soon!
Sunday, May 16, 2010
CATCH UP
Where to begin?? Why am I so behind?
#1-I have been doing CASA training. I have been on the Board of Directors of CASA for 3 years involved in decision making and fund raising but have always wanted to be a child's advocate myself. I finally decided that instead of serving another 3 year term on the board I would take the training and get my own child. So along with almost full time work, I have been going to training on Tues. and Thurs from 6-9 and studying the material in between. It is a 5 week, 30 hour training. Some boring, some interesting. Two more classes to go and it's over. Yea! CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates. A CASA is assigned an abused or neglected child who has been taken out of their home and placed in a foster home. The CASA speaks for the childs best interests in court, spends time with them, writes court reports, assures that their education and health needs are being met, etc.
#2-I went to BYU Women's Conference. It is always a blast because I get to spend tons of time with my favorite pal Toni laughing, eating, and talking. We also get to spend time with Alex and Mitch doing the same and it is just a great time. Plus I get spiritually fed and get to go to the temple.
#3-Moved Kelly and family up here. Cleaned and cleaned and came up here that night with the three oldest. Mother's Day was spent really being a mom again-wow, I forgot how exhausting it is! The first week of them being here I was a little anal about trying to keep the house clean. Crazy lady! I'm feeling much more relaxed now (I'm sure Kelly's glad) and am just enjoying the laughter, hugs and kisses. Love how every time I walk in the door, Rylee comes running up, "Grandma!" like she hasn't seen me in years.
#4-Got really sick with the flu the Monday and part of Tuesday. Just got my appetite back. One good thing I lost the weight I gained in Provo!
#1-I have been doing CASA training. I have been on the Board of Directors of CASA for 3 years involved in decision making and fund raising but have always wanted to be a child's advocate myself. I finally decided that instead of serving another 3 year term on the board I would take the training and get my own child. So along with almost full time work, I have been going to training on Tues. and Thurs from 6-9 and studying the material in between. It is a 5 week, 30 hour training. Some boring, some interesting. Two more classes to go and it's over. Yea! CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates. A CASA is assigned an abused or neglected child who has been taken out of their home and placed in a foster home. The CASA speaks for the childs best interests in court, spends time with them, writes court reports, assures that their education and health needs are being met, etc.
#2-I went to BYU Women's Conference. It is always a blast because I get to spend tons of time with my favorite pal Toni laughing, eating, and talking. We also get to spend time with Alex and Mitch doing the same and it is just a great time. Plus I get spiritually fed and get to go to the temple.
#3-Moved Kelly and family up here. Cleaned and cleaned and came up here that night with the three oldest. Mother's Day was spent really being a mom again-wow, I forgot how exhausting it is! The first week of them being here I was a little anal about trying to keep the house clean. Crazy lady! I'm feeling much more relaxed now (I'm sure Kelly's glad) and am just enjoying the laughter, hugs and kisses. Love how every time I walk in the door, Rylee comes running up, "Grandma!" like she hasn't seen me in years.
#4-Got really sick with the flu the Monday and part of Tuesday. Just got my appetite back. One good thing I lost the weight I gained in Provo!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
couponing week of 4/12
TOTAL $37 SPENT FOR MORE THAN $250 WORTH OF ITEMS
Safeway: $15
4 boxes Cocoa Pebbles
1 box Fruity Pebbles=1.50 for all five after $4 catalina
5 boxes Chex Mix Turtle Bars $7.50-$3.00 coupons = $4.50
5 boxes Chex Mix Turtle Bars $7.50-$3.00 coupons = $4.50
2 boxes Special K Chocolate Pretzel Bars $3
3 pkgs. Nut clusters - free after coupons and e-coupons
Bisquick mix-$1.50 after coupon and e-coupons
Betty Crocker warm delights-made a few cents after coupon and e-coupons
2 containers orange juice-$3.50 used buy one get one free coupon
Rite Aid: $1
4 bottles Zyrtec-each $19, used $4 off for each and (3) $5/25 Rite Aid coupons, got back $45 in Rite Aid rebates
Everpure Shampoo
Everpure Conditioner-paid $3 for both after coupons
CVS: $7
2 bottles Dove shampoo-free this week
2 Bottles Viologie shampoo-coupon for $2 off from red machine in store so paid $1 for both
2 bottles Dial body wash-free this week
3 bottles John Frieda shampoo/conditioner-$15 with $5 rebate and -$4 in coupons (thought I had another $2 one but it was expired)
Target:$13
2 bottles Scrubbing Bubbles extend clean-$16-$10 in coupons and got $5 target card so $1 paid
2 bottles refill of above-free with above
4 vitamin water-$2 after coupons
3 bottles Dove body wash for men-clearance section, paid $1 each after coupons
3 boxes Special K granola
2 boxes Special K chocolately special K-$12-$4 coupons=$8 after $5 Target gift card
2 Benadryl to go sticks-8 cents after coupon
Walgreens:$1
2 packs paper plates
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Working too much, getting old, or going crazy?
My dad called me to thank me for my birthday card but said he was surprised it had made it to him. It had no zip code and I'd addressed it to Lee Iorg. Of course this was the same day I had gone to CVS, bought two bags of items, rushed to work so I wouldn't be late, reached for the crackers I had just bought and realized I had left them in my cart. I rushed back and luckily some honest person had brought them into the store. I was late to work and concerned. I had done the same thing at Walgreen's about a month ago!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
OCD
Candles/Diffusers
Shampoos/conditioners/deodorants
Feeling sick??
More medicine
Deodorant/hair stuff still available
The guest room closet where I keep a lot of my loot.
This is the bin filled with items for the church.
A filled pantry from couponing.
I definitely have a little of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in me. Whenever I start a hobby, I do it full throttle. When my kids were little I sewed dolls and made wood folk art items. Ask them, they hated them-lots of Americana items and they were thrilled when I finally got rid of them all.
Later I started rubber stamping thanks to my food friend Toni Berry. That little OCD hobby cost me a TON of money. I was stamping like crazy-organizing card swaps and stamping item swaps. I had a couple hundred of stamps, plus paper, scissors, and multiple other things.
Next came scrapbooking. I had to have tons of paper because I might not ever find it again. If I went out of town I bought tons of stuff on sale because I was afraid I'd never find it in our area. Another OCD hobby.
Then came genealogy (a good one anyway) except I was constantly on the computer putting info into PAF that was already done.
This summer I started couponing. At least I am saving money-right? Well I do spend some money but it's always on really cheap deals to give to charitable organizations. Again though, I am OCD about it. I just can't miss a deal for free or almost free so I am in the stores a lot or on the computer checking out the couponing blogs or printing coupons. It's become a second job. No wonder I am always so tired!! I have found some incredible deals though and it is a great game. I especially love the free stuff (today I got 4 bags of Planter's Trail Mix for free and 4 Aussie Hair Items for free) and 4 containers of free deodorant. Earlier this week I paid 50 cents for 6 Dove deodorants. I got together a big bin for our church community hygiene project. It has 20 each of deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, lotion, soap or body wash, shampoo and conditioner. As you can see from my pictures I still have plenty for myself and the women's shelter and homeless shelter. Come visit and shop for free at my "store".
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Happy Birthday KellBell and Dad!
I'm on my lap top, so sadly no pictures. However, I have a tale to tell. Thirty years ago I was pregnant with my 3rd child. She was due March 1st but hadn't come yet as of the 16th. We were at Lee's parent's house and had had a big turkey dinner complete with multiple servings of pie. I wanted this baby out and ideally the next day because it was my dad's birthday-St. Patrick's Day. So Leona and I walked to the fish hatchery which was about 3 miles away. When Lee and I got home I finished off the last half of a 1/2 pound Krackle bar. A few hours later I didn't feel so good. Was it the food, the exercise or labor? I finally went to the hospital and Kelly was born on St. Paddy's Day, hence, her Irish name. She was the third child, Chris was 3 , Kasey 16 months and I remember crying all the way home when the doctor confirmed I was pregnant. She was the easiest child though and always a blessing. Now I always forget about St. Patrick's Day (forgot to wear green, again!). It's just a birthday of two special people I love!! Happy birthday dad (Patrick) and Kelly!
Friday, March 05, 2010
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