Why we Relay!

It is just a few short days until the Relay for Life event in Oakdale, CA.  As most of you know I am raising money in both states.  I truly believe that the money raised should stay in the state where it can benefit each donor the most.  

This year marks the $10,000 mark for our family.  When Jeanette and I started raising money for cancer research I don't think either of us could have imagined the impact that both cancer and the events that we have participated in would have on us.  We started with the O.C. Komen Walk for the Cure as a good way to raise a little money and get some exercise.  When we lost our cousin Katie to breast cancer, we needed to do so much more.  So, the next year we trained for the 2-day Avon Walk for the Cure.  We raised money and walked our behind's off that year.  That seems like such a lifetime ago.

Today, we raise money for a cure for all cancers.  We do it through the Relay for Life events.  The American Cancer Society has given much to our family in support, friendship and guidance when we needed it the most.  We are honored to be a part of this event and hope that everyone who has donated to us past and present is as well.

So, this weekend is the first event in California, with the Nebraska event following in mid June.  Again, we thank everyone for their support and outpouring of love. Someday we will find a cure so no one every has to hear those terrible words again, "you have cancer."  

This year in Oakdale, our family donated the Survivor tent in Mom's honor.  The event chair and survivor chair have promised me some photos that I will post as soon as I get them.  If you have not had a chance to donate yet and would still like to here is the link Oakdale Relay for Life 

Much love to you all!  

Fun emails

My friend Beckie sent this to me and instead of filling it out and sending it around I decided to use it as my post today.

I could only use one word to answer the questions, I think I cheated a few times.  

1. Where is your cell phone?  desk

2. Your significant other? hunting

3. Your hair?  sassy

4. Your mother?  missed

5.  Your father? 70

6.  Your favorite thing? chocolate

7. Dream last night? scary

8. Your favorite drink?  coffee

9.  Your dream/goals? peace

10.  The room you're in?  office

11.  Your hobby?  Relay!

12.  Your fear?  failure

13.  Where do you want to be in 6 years?  Bahamas

14.  Where were you last night?  couch

15.  What you are not?  stress-free

16.  Muffins?  Yum

17.  One of your wish list items?  sunshine

18.  Where you grew up?  Lomita

19.  The last thing you did?  eat

20.  What are you wearing?  flip-flops

21.  Your tv?  Off

22.  Your pets? Adorable

23.  Your computer? iMac

24.  Your life? adventurous

25.  Missing someone?  family

26.  Your car?  Blazer

27.  Something you're not wearing?  jacket

28.  Favorite store?  Target

29.  Your summer?  fun

30.  Favorite color?  purple

31.  When you last laughed?  today

32.  Last time you cried?  Friday

Flowers and weeds too

Today is just an amazing day outside.  I don't know what it says when I am happy that it is 55 degrees and I can garden.  55 degrees in Cali is darn cold!  But today is lovely, yes lovely.  There is no wind and not a cloud in the sky.  Because it rained for the last few days the ground is perfect for planting.  We planted three new rose bushes because I desperately miss my beautiful roses in Oakdale.  We also planted a cherry tree, a blueberry bush and some wild flower shrubs.  Lastly, we pulled weeds and mowed the lawn.  It was great to be outside and feel the sun beating on my skin.  I think my cheeks are a little pink too.  

Tomorrow I am off to Walmart to get more gardening things.  I want to get the kids a humming bird feeder.  I always had one as a kid.  It was so much fun to watch from the living room as the tiny birds would come to feed.  I want the kids to be able to watch the birds and help feed them as well.  Tomorrow is also supposed to be in the 80's maybe we will take a trip to the zoo or the wildlife safari.  We miss the zoo, it's been over 6 months since our last visit.  We will see.

All is quiet

I love my kids, I love my Dad and of course I love Jeff, but I am so glad they are out of the house this week!  There is nothing like having everyone home on a vacation when you are not!  I was up until midnight many nights trying to get homework done and relax from each day so I didn't work while everyone was around.  Not having a spring break at the same time as the kids is the pits.  Well, only one more year of that and we are golden.  Yep, you heard me right, one more year.  I will graduate next May like a big girl!  I just finished registering for summer and fall classes and I couldn't be more excited.  I hope you will all join me for a Cinco de Mayo graduation party next year, we can camp out in the basement.

Back to last week, we had a great time and got to see some new things here in Nebraska.  My Dad is always game for a field trip.  This week we are back to the hectic schedule plus some added meetings.  We have two junior high meetings this week to attend for Ian.  One is for his math class and the other is about the boy and girl movie.  Man where did all that time go?  I know most of you are doing the same thing this year too.  Can't we go back to playing our first year of baseball or soccer....ah, those were the days!

Fun filled days and.....SNOW!!

We have had a great week with Dad in town.  We took him to the bowling alley - two in fact - the Ak-sar-ben (read it backwards) aquarium/game/fish office to buy a turkey tag, the Durham museum and tonight we are going to dinner to celebrate his 70th birthday.  Yes, he is 70 this year! We also drove half way across Nebraska to see two soccer games, went ice skating and ate some really good cherry pie.  We love when he comes because he is usually up for any adventure.

The snow? oh yeah we have snow on its way.  Yesterday we had a tornado warning, today it is pouring and tonight through Sunday snow is supposedly on its way.  Doesn't Mother Nature understand the meaning of SPRING!  Jeez.  What a winter.  

Well it was crazy but we have enjoyed our company, the kids being home and Dad getting to sleep in.  Even if we did have two doctor appointments and a root canal.  Again, what a week!

Haircuts and Visitors

We all got haircuts this past week and everyone looks so nice.  Ian's was a struggle, he wants to grow his hair out so he looks like one of the cool guys on TV.  We cut it anyway.  He wouldn't let me put a photo of him up.  Kayla on the other hand let me take a picture after I cut about 4 inches off it.  Actually Jeff did it, he was a tad nervous.  I told him to just cut it up to her shoulders and leave the bangs it will be fine.  I wonder if he closed his eyes while the gal did the cutting?  I cut mine too, yes I was trying to grow it out....AGAIN!  But for those of you who know me really well....well, long hair just isn't in the cards for me.  I always get frustrated and go back to it being short.  This time I bleached it too, Jeff says it matches my mouth - sassy!

The kids are on spring break starting today and my Dad is coming for a visit.  It will be nice to have him here, we haven't seen him since Christmas.  We are hoping the weather will stay nice, it has been a long cold winter and we need some warmth.  I am hoping that we will get to plant some trees and flowers while he is here, he likes to do that.  We are going to run him ragged again, the zoo, the bowling alley, a trip to York for a soccer game and the usual errands.  He loves the activities but I think he needs a vacation to rest up when he leaves here.

Hope you all have a great week!

Disaster Happens

Well, first off I like the blue better today.  The pink looked like the Easter bunny threw up all over my page!

Well, disaster happened...again!  I was at lunch today when I got a phone call from my sister, Jnet and as I was telling her I would call her back the other line rang and it was my Dad.  Oh no!  Not good.

Well, the house my parents own in Lake Havasu has just been vacated by our winter tenant and so the neighbors are keeping an eye on it for us.  They called today because they noticed water coming out the front door, so they took their key and checked it out.  A pipe busted in the ceiling in the living room and the ceiling collapsed and landed on the couch.  The couch is obviously ruined, the hole in the ceiling is large, the carpet is thrashed and there is no telling how high the water got on the walls or where the water went to right now.  

This is the second time a pipe has burst and left the house severely damaged.  In 2004 a pipe burst in the guest bathroom and ruined the wall, the carpet in the two bedrooms and the dining room/kitchen floors.  My poor Mom just about had an out of body when this happened to her beloved house, I can only imagine what would happen if she saw it today.  

What is truly worrisome is not just the house itself but the furniture and decorations that my Mom painstakingly chose for the house over 16 years ago.  She dragged Jnet and I around to every department store in two states to find everything that is in that house and now it is gone.  We only hope that some of her paintings that she acquired from friends and loved ones have not been damaged.  For now we are just glad it wasn't a fire and that someone saw it before the entire room collapsed.