Thursday, January 21, 2010

Rain, Tornadoes, and Coughs, Oh My!

So here we are in the middle of storm #3. It's raining. There's supposed to be thunderstorms later with the possibility of hail and tornadoes also.

It's 1045 and I'm awake. I say this only because I'm supposed to be asleep right now. You see, I worked the graveyard shift last night and got home at around 0745. So I'm supposed to be asleep. I normally will sleep til noon and then get up and shower and go about my day.

But not today. No, today HAD to be special.

You see, for the past few days I've been fighting a losing battle with my voice. I officially lost that battle on Tuesday, and let's just say that trying to talk on the radio was not fun. I had to repeat myself many times because the crew couldn't hear what I said.

Now my voice is a little stronger, but I have developed a wonderful cough. It's not productive. I get a stupid little tickle in my throat that forces me to either clear my throat or go about hacking for the next few seconds. And if I cough too long or hard then I run the risk of triggering that oh-so-strong gag reflex I have and that just wouldn't be pretty.

So yes, I'm awake, it's raining, I'm cold, I'm coughing, and I'm eating leftover red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting for breakfast.

Did I mention that we were under a tornado warning on Tuesday afternoon? I'd expect that from the midwest, not Orange county...Guess I should be ready for anything with 2012 right around the corner-not that the world is going to end in 2012 (I think that's just a big 'ol load of bull-honkey).

Have a fantastic day to those who took the time to read my not-so-interesting blog today!

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Today's Dream

As I sit here pondering life's greatest mysteries, i.e. what should I make for lunch, I decided my blog needed a little sprucing. So I spent the last twenty minutes or so browsing the free layouts available and finally picked one. I may still change it, who knows!

But this layout reminds me of denim and the country. Of a place I want to go back to. I would love to live out in the country in a nice country farmhouse with a yard for kids to play in. A swingset and a sandbox. Trees galore for the kids to climb. Space to run around, have a picnic on Saturday afternoons.

So that's what I'm thinking today. Nothing major. Just dreaming...

Monday, January 4, 2010

The Holidays

I'm going to preface this by warning that this post is a little long. Might make you cry too. So pull out the Kleenex and settle in!

The holidays are over. The food has been eaten. The wrapping paper has been thrown away. Resolutions have been made (and some already broken).

So now what?

I don't have the answer to that question. Sorry! But I do have the memories of one of the best Christmases I've ever had.

You see, this was the first Christmas I shared with my husband, Earl. I wanted it to be as memorable and fun as possible. So we got our little 3ft pre-lit tree from Target, decorated it with cute little ornaments, and started shopping for family members. Most of the presents were purchased and wrapped and laying under respective trees across Orange County.

Then I got pulled over while on my way to work the Saturday before Christmas. I had a tail light out, which I mentioned in my previous post. But the real kicker about the stop was that my registration was way past due. It was a neccessary thing that needed to be done months ago, but we just didn't have the cash for it.

So then the Monday before Christmas, Earl and I took a trip to our local DMV and stood in line for an hour and a half to get our little ticket to register the truck. When our number was called, the lady ran the numbers and came back with a staggering figure.

$955.00.

Yup, almost a thousand dollars to register the truck. We had the money, barely. I believe we had about twenty bucks left in the checking account after that transaction. But we still don't completely have the truck registered. We have a temporary piece of paper taped to the back window. I have to call the Utah DMV and get an original vehicle history report to turn in. THEN I will get my plates and that oh-so-expensive little colored sticker.

So back to the bank account part. I was not doing well emotionally, as one can imagine. Almost called off work that night because I felt I was on the verge of a complete breakdown. And then Earl called me while I was on my lunch.

A very kind person, dear to our hearts, came in to Earl's shop and gave him some money to put in our account so we would be able to buy groceries. You see, earlier in the day I had been thinking to myself, trying to determine which family member would have to do without a present so that we could eat. What a humbling experience this was. And heartbreaking. I was so excited for Christmas, and had put lots of time and thought into each person's gift. The thought of having to return them so that I could fill my stomach made me feel selfish. And then this angel bestowed a gift upon us.

We continued on our way. We spent very little, just paid the absolutely mandatory bills. We were feeling better. Christmas Eve came and we spent the evening with my family in Fountain Valley. We played our "Left-Right" game, Apples to Apples, and Phase 10. It was a wonderful night full of laughter, happiness, a few tears, some pain, and great food.

Christmas morning dawned a glorious day. We spent the first part of the morning with Earl's family in Newport Beach, opening presents and eating breakfast. I felt so blessed with the gifts I was given. Nothing big or extravagant, but thoughtful, needed items. We then continued on to my folks for round 2 of presents.

By the time we showed up, my sister, younger brother, and father were all asleep in the living room with paper and boxes strewn about. Mom came in from the garage and the three of us gathered around the dining room table to open presents again. Earl and I started with our stocking. While I opened the measuring scoops I needed for the sugar and flour canisters, Earl opened a flashlight for the truck. I then opened a card from my folks and immediately started crying and ran around the table to hug my mom. Without saying anything to my folks about the financial woes from our truck, our prayers had been answered by another set of angels very dear to our hearts.

This year has had its ups and downs. Earl and I have struggled and excelled. I can't think of a better way to end the year than knowing that we have a Heavenly Father who loves us and answers our prayers, even in the most unexpected way. I know that my parents, both by blood and by law, love me. I am so thankful for them all. I know that I am so blessed to have them in my life. I have never felt such an overwhelming feeling of love. What an amazing Christmas to experience. Had I known this was what was in store for me, I wouldn't have griped about the DMV costs.

So I know it's a little late, but Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my friends and family!