The Life of Christi

only 1 1/2 more months!

2007-05-01T20:00:00.000-07:00

I can't believe there is only a month and a half until the wedding. These past 10 or so months have gone by so fast. My first dress fitting is tomorrow after work and our tasting is this Saturday. We also finally met with our priest last Friday to go over the ceremony stuff. Lots of people have been RSVP-ing so hopefully we won't have too many people to call. However, my mom feels the need to keep inviting more people, so even though the invites went out a month ago, she just dropped of six or so more just this week. So there is a good chance we'll have more people attending than we had thought and will therefore go over the budget. I'm working on making the rehearsal dinner invitations now, and getting ready to start writing out the envelopes. Mike and I decided not to do more dance classes and just do a traditional first dance instead of the waltz that I had wanted. It just seems that there are so many things to do and dance classes aren't something I want to stress over. And since we had to put down $5000 cash for a good faith deposit for the house, we don't exactly have a lot of extra money. We also still need to make an appointment for our marriage certificate and I haven't started looking into changing my name yet either. Looks like there is still a lot of work to do.

We're Moving

2007-04-24T05:44:00.000-07:00

Well, not until December or January. But we signed a contract for a new home in Westpark in Roseville, right on the Sacramento Roseville border. It's a 2 story 3 bedroom 2 1/2 bath house with a small backyard. It's right accross from where the "town center" and large park will be. It is also within walking distance to the new elementary and jr high school. We did the paperwork last Saturday and picked out some of the features such as carpet, color of tile and granite for the countertops. So now we can register for our bathroom and kitchen stuff. I only wish we could move in sooner.

Mike's Job

2007-04-24T05:42:00.000-07:00

Did I not post that Mike got a job 2 months ago??!! Well, he's working at the California State Lands Commision and he loves it there. It a very laid back atmosphere with his very own office and a nice area outside where he can take walks during lunch.

January Update

2007-01-28T19:18:00.000-08:00

Wedding
Wedding planning is going well, the flowers have been confirmed, bridesmaids dressed picked and almost all ordered, invitations and favors have been ordered. We've met with the wedding coordinator at the cathedral and have scheduled our rehearsal time and were given the book to help put the ceremony together. We've done the cake tasting (which was really fun) and now just need to book the baker. We are meeting with the wedding coordinator at the reception place this Wednesday to go over how things will be set up and decorated as well as setting up our tasting to pick the menu. In the next month we'll need to look at tuxedos and decide which style Mike wants. Our registry is almost complete, except the stuff for the bathroom and kitchen since we don't know where we'll be moving to. I'm almost done putting our wedding website together which has everything you ever wanted to know about us and the wedding.

Mike's Job Hunt
Mike has had a total of 5 or 6 interviews with various state departments. Three of them were just last week and he hasn't heard back yet, although one went very well. Mike said he's trying not to think about it too much because he doesn't want to be disappointed if he doesn't get it. They said he'd hear back this coming week.

Down with the Sickness
Mike and I have both caught different cold/flus already this month. I had a cold/cough/flu thing for the entire first two weeks of January and now Mike has had a head cold for almost a week now. I guess there have been quite a few really bad virus' going around this winter.

Other Misc. Stuff
We had a nice low-key New Year's up in Tracy with family. We are planning on attending a Super Bowl party, but neither of us really know who's even playing. I'm doing my friend's make up for her wedding in April, so I'll be spending a lot of time with her at various make-up places to get ideas and see what she likes. My car has been taking up all of our honeymoon payment money. Just in the last month I've spent around $1000 on tires, smog, DMV renewal, clutch and brake work. I didn't gain any weight over the Christmas and Hanukkah holidays, but haven't lost any either.

2006-12-26T19:58:00.000-08:00

Everyone (but me) on Christmas morning sipping hot drinks and ready to open all the gifts piled under the tree.

Tara opening her stocking.

Lucky and Hunter with thier stockings.

The unwrapping has begun.

2006-12-26T19:54:00.000-08:00

Chucky removing the price tag from Roys gift.

Mikaela and I opening gifts.

Hunter with a big smile on his face going on a car ride to Mike's parent's house.

All of us at Mike's house Christmas evening.

2006-12-26T19:52:00.000-08:00

Me, right before lining up for my graduation ceremony on Friday, December 22nd, 2006.

2006-12-26T19:50:00.000-08:00

My friend Kim, who I met in high school, came up from San Diego to come to my graduation

2006-12-26T19:49:00.000-08:00

Everyone having a great time at Claim Jumpers Restaurant where I had my graduation lunch/party.

2006-12-26T19:48:00.000-08:00

Mike right before lining up for his graduation ceremony on Saturday, December 23rd, 2006.

2006-12-26T19:47:00.000-08:00

Look for the blue "M" on the hat, that's Mike.

2006-12-26T19:45:00.000-08:00

Mike and I after his graduation at his parents house with our graduation cake.

Progress

2006-11-20T19:30:00.001-08:00

My thesis is done!!! Horay!!!
Now I just need to wait for the verification that it was approved.

We got our engagement and graduation pictures back and will be sending them out with our holiday cards.
Here's the links
http://pechan.smugmug.com/gallery/2138986
http://pechan.smugmug.com/gallery/2135734

I finally found a dress and it has been ordered. One size down, so I need to get to the gym. I can't link it because then Mike will see it, but it is a Mary's Bridal style #S048331
We also booked our Honeymoon, seven night hawaiian cruise and three nights after on land in waikiki. It will be so nice.

Mike had his first interview and didn't get the job, but has another one scheduled for Thursday, November 30th.

I can't believe its already thanksgiving!! This past month went by so fast. That means its almost my favorite time of year, christmas tree, christmas songs, cuddling up on the couch watching christmas movies.

Major Update

2006-10-22T19:37:00.000-07:00

Thesis

All the content is done! All I have to do now is make sure all the formatting is correct. I emailed my advisor yesterday and asked if she could find anything else that needed fixing. I have double checked everything I can think to check. I'm planning on having it at the printers the week of November 6th. It has come out to just over 100 pages, and 7 pages of references. I can't wait for it to be finished.

Graduation is December 22 at 12pm at the ARCO Arena.

Wedding

Mike and I took our engagement/graduation pics this Saturday morning. We weren't planning on doing the engagement pics at all, but since we both needed to take graduation pictures, I figured we might as well do them together, since going to a portrait studio would be just as expensive (the engagement session was included in our photography package). We ended up going with the first photographer we met with: Jennifer Pechan, www.pechanphotography.com. I can't wait until we get the pics back. They will all be edited and posted on her site for everyone to see, and pick which ones they want. I'll also be getting all the edited pictures on a CD.

We finally got a contract from the DJ we picked. The main sales guy stopped returning my e-mails asking for a contract so Mike call and ended up talking to the owner. Needless to say, we got the contract in the mail. I was tempted to start looking again, but they have gotten good reviews from the people I met on wedding message boards.

Brenda's mom is going to do our flowers. I met with her a few months ago and will do some trial bouquets and centerpieces sometime in January. I have been having such a hard time finding pictures of what I want.

I still haven't found my wedding dress after going to six different stores. My mom is going to be looking into having one custom made. My co-worker's friend got hers made for $200 and from the way she described it, it sounds a lot like what I want. I'll start looking into it after my thesis is turned in. I also need to figure out what the bridesmaids are going to wear.

Mike's Job

Mike switched internships, still with the DMV, just another department. He'll be doing a lot more relevant and productive things now which is good. He also passed a test to get onto the state's employment list and has gotten three inquiries, and one request for an interview. He'd be making as much as I do, which will be very nice. Hopefully he can get something secured before the end of December when we graduate.

House

We haven't done anything to improve the house, and there really isn't much left to do. But I've been working on my thesis and Mike has tons of large group projects, so we wouldn't have had time to do anything anyways. We haven't even gotten pumpkins to carve for Halloween, or gotten out any of the decorations put away in the shed.

I think that is a quick update on what's been happening in my life right now. I can't wait until my thesis is done and I can focus on planning stuff for the wedding, much more fun.

August Update

2006-08-12T20:54:00.000-07:00

Well, I got my job. My official first day on contract is this Tuesday, August 15th. I'm acually going to be making quite a bit more. Thats between $6000 and $10,000 more per year, depending on how much summer school I work.

On to some wonderful news.... we can sell the house now without any penalties. We were under the impression that we couldn't sell or refinance for 3 years, but I guess we just couldn't refinance, so we are hoping to have the house on the market in the next six months. In that time we need to fix up the house as best we can, and Mike needs to find a real job so that we can be approved to buy a house. So far, Mike has fixed the sprinkler system and is fixing the door this weekend. We were planning on replacing it with a nice one, but we found out that our current door wasn't a standard size so we are just going to fix the door jam (which needed fixing for a while now) and going to put the old door back up. The other major things are replacing the floor in the kitchen and upstairs area and painting the outside of the hosue. It still has primer from when we bought it.
I am so excited!! I can't wait to move. Where exactly we move depends on where Mike gets his job, and where we get a good deal. I would love to move to West Roseville, but we are thinking Citrus Heights, Antelope, Roseville, Orangevale, or Lincoln. But at least somewhere closer to where I work.

Wedding Plans
Things are going pretty well. I met with a few florists and i am hoping that Brenda's mom can actually do our flowers. Mike and I met with a wonderful photographer, and we have two other photographers we will be meeing with on Monday and Tuesday. We haven't met with any DJ's yet, maybe I'll delegate that to Mike. Looking for a dress is harder than I thought it would be. I have found a few that I liked, but not exactly what I want, and more money that I'd budgeted for. My mom and I went to the House of Fashion Outlet today. Lots of stuff I liked, but the styles I liked would be very difficult to hem, since you buy off the rack. The sales person's attitude was very good too. She'll sell you the dress you want at the price you want to pay because otherwise that dress may stay on the rack for years. If I do end up getting it from there, I might have to pick a slightly different style. No matter what, it will look beautiful!

Location of ceremony

2006-07-29T22:44:00.000-07:00

A couple of pictures from the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, where we are going to have our wedding ceremony.

Our reception site

2006-07-29T22:31:00.000-07:00

Our reception will be at the General's House at Lion's Gate. It is a private two story house with a huge backyard. Most of the reception will be outside. The tables will be set up on the lawn, and dancing will be on the "brick" patio. The inside will really only be used if it is really hot on our wedding day. There are 4 bathrooms and many sitting rooms where people can hang out. I think one of the sitting rooms will be set aside as a napping room for the little ones.

The outside part of the reception site

Looking down from the balcony

some rooms inside the house

The Date is Set

2006-07-16T17:55:00.000-07:00

So we've set the date for the wedding, June 16, 2007. The ceremony is going to be at the Cathedral in downtown sacramento, the place I really wanted to have it if it was going to be in a church. The only bad thing is that they charge $2000 to have it there, so money is going to come out from somewhere else. Mike and I just booked Lions Gate for the reception this past Friday. It's exactly what I wanted, except there is no gazeebo, but everything else is perfect. It's outside with lots of plants and flowers with a private building attached to go inside if it gets too hot. Hopefully it won't though. The upstairs has two bedrooms and is included in the package as our honeymoon suite, champange and breakfast included. The next big things are the photographer, florist, and DJ. It's quite exciting.

I have been making more progress on the thesis, although I'd rather spend all my time on the wedding planning.

I had an interview for my current job and I think I did pretty well. They basically said that as long as we interviewed well that we would be reccomended for permanent employment. It sure is weird interviewing to keep your own job. I should know if I got the job Monday or Tuesday.

Guess What!!!

2006-06-27T18:23:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful time in Disneyland!!!!!

Disneyland

2006-06-20T06:56:00.000-07:00

So Mike and I have been together for three years now, it doesn't seem that long at all. So to celebrate, we are going to Disneyland and staying in the Paradise Pier Hotel!!! I'm so excited. We'll be driving down all day Wed, and using the money saved from flying to go to the hotel. I's sopposed to between 103 and 108 here in Sacramento while we are gone, good timing! I am trying to get everything watered really well before we go so it won't die from the sun.
Work is going pretty well, we are on short term contracts right now, and will be interviewing for permanent positions early July.

Job update

2006-06-09T05:24:00.000-07:00

So finally the Sac Bee put out an article about what happened with my old job and new job.
http://www.sacbee.com/content/community_news/placer/story/14265083p-15077513c.html
So far with the county things have been going great. They did get us started very quickly, unfortunately, our short-term status is going to last longer than expected, and we still don't know if we are going to work July/August or how our schedule is going to be. That is the part that is frustrating for me. And if I were a parent, I wouldn't be happy not having services over the summer. We are going to interview for the permanent positions, and I still need to Finnish my resume and get a couple letters of recommendation.

Saturday: Day 1

2006-06-05T20:38:00.000-07:00

Starting the day out right, looking in the handy Home Depot book. We want to do this right.

Removing the toilet, a view of the "old" bathroom

And look what we found underneath it all: yucky mold.

End of day 1. We remove all cabinets, flooring and the vantiy. No toilet in the house, no problem. We stayed at my mom's in Davis for the night to pee and shower.

Sunday: Day 2

2006-06-05T20:35:00.000-07:00

Starting the day with a bit of plumbing to fix the leaks

Getting out the big guns to remove all drywall containing any traces of mold.

Tara and Hunter are not doing much to help

Day 2, Part 2

2006-06-05T20:33:00.000-07:00

All the contaminated drywall has been removed.

Now let's try to fix these leaky pipes. Ooops, we broke a few more and spent most of the day trying to weld pipes. Did we finally get it right?

We finished with the leaky pipes, now to reattach new drywall

Drywall complete.

Day 2, Part 3

2006-06-05T20:26:00.000-07:00

Drinking coffee, need to keep working!

Applying the drywall joint tape

Applying the putty

Working late into the night, soon bed.

Monday: Day 3

2006-06-05T20:21:00.000-07:00

Applying texture

Working on the plumbing

Finally painting the walls

Applying the ground leveler

Day 3, Part 2

2006-06-05T20:15:00.000-07:00

Breaking for dinner

Placing the first tile

Making some progress!

Washing the toilet before re-installing it.

Tuesday: Day 4, Installing Vanity

2006-06-04T09:03:00.000-07:00

Before the Ceremony

2006-05-30T06:54:00.000-07:00

Kim and I our first morning in San Diego

Hanging out at "seal beach" on Saturday before the graduation party

2006-05-30T06:49:00.000-07:00

Chucky's Graduation

After the Ceremony

Last Day in San Diego

2006-05-30T06:46:00.000-07:00

Here's Brandon, Mike, and I bowling on our last day in San Diego. We also went to the Boardwalk and hung out a bit.

the first of many news stories of my job

2006-05-25T16:55:00.001-07:00

http://auburnjournal.com/articles/2006/05/25/news/top_stories/03theray_25.txt

Job Udate: Currently Unemployed

2006-05-23T08:03:00.000-07:00

Just got back from my brother's graduation in San Diego and Ihave a lot of news regarding my former job. So I think it is safe to give the whole story. First, back on April 5th, our Executive Director informed us that our six weeks of vacation time (that we understood as unpaid time) was being taken away and our salaries were not going to change, and did so in a very degrating, condescending way. Lets just say we weren't going to stand for that. News spread like wildfire and less than a week later the county office of education people were contacting our Executive Director wanting to know if she was going to have a staffed infant program. (Thier reaction was the same as ours: with this change the program is no longer competitive with the other infant programs in the area and staff would be looking for new jobs.) Well, she managed to push out her answer for many weeks, leaving us and the county hanging. Our director, who started this infant program 30 years ago, resigned her position at the beginning of May. So on May 10th, our financial person came and tried to convince us to stay because they were going to "try" to give us raises for this upcomming year. I think by the end of this meeting she understood that we refused to work for this current Executive Director because of who she is and how she does things, and no amount of money would change that. When the current contract was over on June 30, we would all be leaving. So finally on Wednesday, May 17th, the county informed our Executive Director that the county would not be renewing the contract, meaning the county would have to have some type of infant program up and running by the new contract date of July 1. Friday afternoon we received a fax from the county that they were going to start their own infant program to begin July 1 of earlier and we were to contact the county if we were interested. Monday morning comes around and I am out sick for the day. But I get a call saying that I need to go to the administration office Tuesday morning. Later on, a coworker calls to let me know that when they arrived at the office that Morning, the financial lady was there with everyone's lay off notices and final checks. Our families should be receiving thier letters in the mail Monday that the infant program is closed and to contact the county office with any questions. So I now have this whole week off work, and have a meeting at the county office to fill out applications for the county's infant program Thursday morning. I am still trying to figure out if our Executive Director had master planned all this and tried to close the infant program without simply closing it, or if she is really stupid and didn't realize what would be the result of her actions. So that's been the drama for the past 2 months. Hopefully good news will follow.

Our 5th "Girl's Trip" to Seattle, Wahsington.

2006-05-08T05:52:00.000-07:00

Cinco de Mayo dinner in Seattle

Me at the top of the Space Needle

The Space Needle

Expereince Music Project, an awesome art museum

Congrats Mike

2006-04-26T19:43:00.000-07:00

So Mike found a job already, his first day was today and I guess they are starting him off pretty slow. It is a student internship job with the DMV and doesn't pay much but will be good experience for him. He even got to pick his own hours, and he'll be working Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays for a total of 20 hours per week. Hopefully he'll finish off this semester well, his teachers are insane, I'm glad I'm not in his place right now. He said its the hardest semester he's ever had, even without working for the past couple of months.

As for my job...........well, when we are allowed to talk about it I'll let you know. We don't really even know exactly what is going on yet, and what we do know we aren't sopposed to talk about. All I know is that it is stressing me out big time, and having my thesis hanging over my shoulders isn't helping any either. I have been able to make some progress though.

Painting the kitchen

2006-04-19T08:56:00.000-07:00

Spring Break Update
I have spent many days over the last week and a half cleaning and painting the kitchen. I am almost done. I wanted to do the floor in the kitchen as well as the bathroom walls and floor, but it looks like I'll just be finnishing painting the kitchen. Maybe I'll do the floors during summer break. I did order a new vanity from Lowes for the bathroom. It will look really nice when it finally gets installed. I can't wait for this house to look nicer. I have also been working on writing Chapter 1 of my thesis. I thought I had the rough draft done, and when Mike was reading it, I realized that what I had written for Chapter 1 really needed to go into Chapter 2, so I really haven't gotten any of Chapter 1 written. That was my goal for my two weeks off for spring break, to have Chapter 1 finished and email to my advisor. I'm planning on tackling it today.

The sun has come out!!!
After a crazy day on Easter of hail, wind, rain, and sun, the sun has finally decided to join us this week, or so the weather report says. Yesterday was nice and sunny, in the upper 60's, today is sopposed to be in the upper 70's. I'm loving it. Yesterday I put the chair cushin on the gound outside and layed down in the sunshine. Life is good!

2006-04-19T08:55:00.001-07:00

Washing all the wallls and doors, boy were they dirty.

2006-04-19T08:55:00.000-07:00

Using the primer around the edges

2006-04-19T08:51:00.000-07:00

Making some progress

2006-04-17T08:54:00.000-07:00

Tara tried to help paint too.

Rain, Rain, Go Away!!!

2006-04-11T15:05:00.000-07:00

I am so sick of all this rain!!!!!!!!!!
I love the sun, the warmth on my skin, and I haven't been able to enjoy the warm sunshine in weeks. I can barely get to my gardening without getting soaked. It makes me so irritable.

On to better news......
I've started working on painting the kitchen. Next will be the kitchen floor and the bathroom walls and floor. I'm even going to buy a new sink vanity since ours is horrid. I wanted to get it all done over spring break but it doesn't look like that is going to happen. The primer in the kitchen is drying, and in about 30 more min I can start the actual painting. I'll upload a pic when I have it finnished.

2006-03-29T19:55:00.001-08:00

A turkey at the lake???? I guess so.

2006-03-29T19:55:00.000-08:00

Mike and the dogs playing in the lake.

2006-03-29T19:53:00.000-08:00

Tara and Hunter looking out the back window, waiting to get to the lake for our picnic.

2006-03-28T17:29:00.000-08:00

So I have been slowly making progress on the thesis, not so much fun. Mike and I did take advantage of the sunny weather this past Sunday, in between the storms, and went on a picnic to Lake Natoma. We took the dogs and walked a little on the trails. It was a very nice break from everything else going on in life. That night we came home and saw a house down a couple streets on fire! 20 feet up in the air!! Well, we checked it out like nosey neighbors do, and it was a garage fire and there were live electrical lines down. The sparks looked like fire-crackers, they were shooting all over the place. When we headed home, they still hadn't gotten the power shut down. In other news, I've found my next home, sort of. Check out WestparkRoseville.com There are 4 developers and there will be new schools, parks and trails. I'm not sure if the timing and pricing is right for us though. I really love the location

Thesis update

2006-03-03T07:11:00.000-08:00

Well, it won't be done by May. There was a mix-up in the department office, papers were lost, and the dean wouldn't let me add the extra units. Without those units I no longer qualify for the student loan that was already approved and I will most likely have to start paying back the student loans before I even finish the program. I was very irritated this past week about that.
With all this time I've been spending at my desk, behind the computer, I haven't been loosing any weight. I'm back up to 145 from the 128 I was at a little over a year ago. When I'm done I want to start going to the gym every day after work, hopefully Mike and I will have the same work hours and we can go together.

Update

2006-02-19T21:16:00.000-08:00

Well I've been meaning to update this blog for a while now, and I keep forgetting that the new years pictures are on Mike's computer. That's why they aren't up yet. Both Christmas and Hannukkah were wonderful, as well as our New Years. Valentines day was nice, although Mike had class until 9pm, so we had a little V-Day dinner the night before.

Mike and I have switched rolls from when we first moved into the house. Back then, I wasn't working and Mike was paying for most everything. Now, Mike isn't working and it's my turn to return the favor. The second day of the semester he found out that he had to take a class this semester that was only offered 12:30, twice a week. Mike works full time and gets off a 4pm, which is why he didn't originally sign up for the class. So he added it and the General Manager at work basically said "You work full time, or no time." In a way it's good, Mike was looking and interviewing for other jobs already, too bad they were all full time positions as well. Hopefully he'll be able to find something part time now and full time when the semester ends. So much for the trip to Alaska we were hoping to take this summer.

It has been a year already since I started my new job. Everything is going great there. I really have no complaints. It is amazing how much I have learned this past year as well, so many things that were not taught in class. Which reminds me of my thesis. My new advisor says I'll have it done by this May! I sure hope she is right, that is only a few months away. These past few weeks I have been spending many hours reading and compiling information, my brain has been very busy. I can't wait to be done with it. Even if I do finish in May, I won't go through the graduation ceremony until December. That is when Mike graduates too. Hopefully they'll both be on the same day so we can just have one party with everyone instead of two little ones.

Well it is time for me to sign out, and go to bed. I have another day of research and thesis writing waiting for me tomorrow.

Happy 1st night of Hannukkah

2005-12-25T20:49:00.000-08:00

Happy Hannukah.
Here's my new menorah, Mickey Mouse of course.

Merry Christmas

2005-12-25T20:47:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!!!
Hope you all had a wonderful day, here's all of us at Mike's parents' house in Wheatland.

Our Glowing Tree

2005-12-07T20:15:00.000-08:00

Mike and I picked out (and sawed down) our Christmas tree this past Saturday. Not the best picture, we'll have to work on the camera settings. Unfortunatly this year I think I have become allergic to the tree. Half way through decorating our tree my throat started hurting really bad, and by Sunday I didn't have a voice. It is now Wednesday evening and I still don't have a voice. I don't want to have to resort to buying a fake tree! It just wouldn't be the same.

There are two more weeks of class left, and in two weeks I'll start my winter break from work. I can't wait to sleep in and relax. I even have most of my shopping done.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

2005-11-30T19:06:00.000-08:00

The holiday season has arrived!!!
Some people say it came to early (before Halloween) but I love it. One of my favorite Christmas songs says it best: I Wish Everyday Was Like Christmas. You know the warm feeling you get when its nice and cold and crisp outside, everyone bundled up, sipping hot chocolate in front of the fireplace, everyone in that loving and giving spirit. There is nothing else like it (unless you go to the mall!!)
So last weekend we got most of the holiday decorations up, and I've had Christmas music playing constantly. I've even starting to write my Christmas cards. This weekend we are planning 0n cutting down our Christmas tree (not a holiday tree) and I bought my first Menorah (not a holiday candle holder) it should be arriving in a few weeks.
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We actually made it to both my family and Mike's family Thanksgiving gatherings. And once again, I stuffed myself on speghetti, I let everyone else eat the turkey.

3 Down

2005-11-18T06:02:00.000-08:00

We've got ants in the bathroom and mice in the kitchen. However, you must notice that the mice showed up now that Sneezes is gone. My reasoning: we need a new cat. Mike's reasoning: buy mouse traps. So we got the traps and so far we've caught 3 mice. What I think is interesting is that I saw a mouse twice in the kitchen, running under the fridge, but all three mice we've caught were behing the washer and dryer (one trap in each place.)

Can you believe that the holidays are practically here? Thnaksgiving is next week, one week from yesterday! One week from today I can start putting up the holiday (Christmas and Hannukah) decorations. Probably my favorite time of year. Mike and I went to the mall last Friday night, just to hang out and pass time. There were so many people, I couldn't even buy anything, the stores were so crowded and overwhelming. I can't wait for the weather to really get cold, I can start simmering the hot apple cider and curl up on the couch wrapped up in a blanket. The one thing I miss is the fireplace. The next place I live, I really want a fireplace, there is just something about a fireplace in the winter making your home really feel warm and cozy.

We were pirates this year

2005-11-09T06:50:00.000-08:00

Mindy and Robert

2005-11-09T06:49:00.000-08:00

Poison Ivy, Pirate, and Miss Marine

2005-11-09T06:48:00.001-08:00

Me gutting my pumpkin

2005-11-09T06:48:00.000-08:00

Mike working on his jack-o-lantern

2005-11-09T06:47:00.000-08:00

I will miss you sneezes

2005-11-09T06:40:00.000-08:00

On October 2nd, I came home to find Sneezes in the gutter in front of our house apparently hit by a car. Thank you Mike for taking care of cleaning her up. We burried her in our backyard behind the peach trees. I miss you big girl!

2005-07-29T07:05:00.000-07:00

We have a dishwasher!!! Here's me using it for the first time.

Silly silly Tara

2005-07-24T17:24:00.001-07:00

Ever wonder what dogs are thinking? Well here are some silly faces Tara makes and what might possibly be going through her head.

2005-07-24T17:24:00.000-07:00

Yuck!

2005-07-24T17:22:00.000-07:00

Can you roll your tongue too?

2005-07-24T17:21:00.001-07:00

What are we howling at?

2005-07-24T17:21:00.000-07:00

Wink wink!

Room #1, Carpet Installation: Complete

2005-07-17T20:53:00.000-07:00

So we finally did it! We've only had the carpet since last fall, but last weekend we finally got the padding and put in the carpet. Mike and I even put up the ceiling fan that I bought last fall as well. It's a good thing all the mess-ups are in the closet.

2005-07-17T20:50:00.000-07:00

Done!

Vacation to Hawaii

2005-07-08T20:52:00.000-07:00

Mike and I took a wonderful 7 day Hawaiian vacation. It was both fun and relaxing. It is so beautiful and laid back, I could easily pack up and move there to stay. During the trip we went to Pearl Harbor, snorkeled at Hanauma Bay, went on a fishing trip, went to the Polynesian Cultural Center, swam in the ocean and relaxed on the beach. We also went on a tour of the Maui Diver's Jewelry shop where we learned all about how they make coral into jewelry and then how they go from a design on paper to the finnished product. I think I enjoyed that tour a little more than Mike did. One thing that stood out in my mind: how horrible the Honolulu Airport is. The terminals are so far from the baggage claim, nothing is clearly marked, the place is a maze, and on the way home, we had to stand in 5 different lines before we ever got to the departure gate! I wish the vacation wouldn't ever end.

2005-07-08T20:51:00.002-07:00

Time to relax!

2005-07-08T20:51:00.001-07:00

Heading to the beach.

2005-07-08T20:51:00.000-07:00

Picture perfect. Less than an hour before heading back to the airport.

2005-07-08T20:50:00.001-07:00

Just a cute shot of us on our last full day in Hawaii

2005-07-08T20:50:00.000-07:00

Mike at the Pearl Harbor visitors center

2005-07-08T20:49:00.001-07:00

A beautiful Hawaiian sunset.

2005-07-08T20:49:00.000-07:00

After snorkeling at Hanauma Bay

2005-07-08T20:48:00.000-07:00

Sunset on the beach

Happy 50th Disneyland!

2005-07-08T20:37:00.000-07:00

I was fortunate enough to have a conference at work in Anaheim the week of Disneyland's 50th Anniversary celebration. The conference was Monday through Wednesday, and May 5th, was that Thursday, the first day of the celebration. Grandma Rella, Wayne and I were there to share the majic. There was so many people there and we were not able to see the anniversary address, which I really would have liked to, but we did get to see Julie Andrews in front of the castle. The fireworks show was absolutly fabulous, one of the best ever. I wasn't too impressed with their new parade "Parade of Dreams." It sure was fun being there for the opening day celebration.

2005-07-08T20:36:00.000-07:00

Grandma Rella, Wayne, and I with Pluto while character dining at Goofy's Kitchen.

2005-07-08T20:34:00.000-07:00

Grandma Rella and I in front of Sleeping Beauty's castle.

2005-07-08T20:32:00.000-07:00

Happy 50th Anniversary Disneyland!

2005-07-08T19:27:00.000-07:00

My favorite picture of the dogs.

Our doggies

2005-07-08T19:26:00.000-07:00

We still have Tara! Yea, she didn't bite anyone like Bailey did. She's so sweet, but quite dopey. Hunter has been sick for the past 2 months. Originally he got brochitis and then turned into pneumonia. Then he just stopped eating altogether and was extremely lethargic. He's just now starting to get better. He's thickened up on his ribs, but is still loosing weight. His diet consists of wet puppy food, dry puppy food, rice, cottage cheese, and boiled chicken. And treats as often as possible. He even stopped eating treats for a while. I sure hope he continues to keep getting better and gets back to his energetic self again.

2005-05-16T20:46:00.000-07:00

In the beginning of April, Mike, my mom, Roy, and Mikaela and I all went to Disneyland for the weekend. it was lots of fun.
entering disneyland day 1

Welcome Tara!

2005-03-14T21:09:00.000-08:00

Here is our new doggy, Tara. She's six months old and after searching endlessly on the internet, we've found out she's a Plott Hound.
So here is my new site, hopefully it should be a little easier to use.
Wellcome Tara

First post

2005-01-30T10:48:00.000-08:00

Welcome everyone.