Happy Halloween!!!

It is halloween!!!! A couple of weeks ago Patty suggestd a great costume idea for us to do - crab fisher people from the Deadliest Catch. So we went off on a search for our orange overalls to purchase at an army surplus store in Newport Beach. We came up empty but she remembered a store and off we went on our search. She knew the general idea and knew Brother Nichols had taken there. Sometimes we remember things better than we think we do as we found Doughboys in Bellflower. We found some bright orange overalls at $69 but then found something more fitting for a Halloween costume at $20 something and they were yellow. She purchased her galoshes I opted to wait until later as I needed to go to the restroom and had no socks with me. I did come home and ordered my Time Bandit t-shirt. A few days later or maybe the next day, Patty remembered she would be out of town in Vegas for her nephews wedding. So she ordered Sharon to wear her costume for her and me to make sure we went somewhere in our costumes. Yesterday we did our last minute shoppingn errand to buy some crabs for our costume. We left the house around 9 ish and were still looking around 11:30. Our final stop was Michael's and we did find some small scrapbooking crabs but somehow Sharon spotted our amazing crabs. I think we were both discouraged by the time we found them. I am happy to say that both Sharon and I fulfilled our orders. We wore our costumes to my ward''s carnival and Trunk o Treat and later to the HB dance.

World Series!!!

I am anxious to see the World Series tomorrow with my friend Ann. So we are looking for a good sports bar to catch the game and catch up. Granted she will be cheering for the Giants and I will be cheering for the Rangers!!! I think the ironic thing about these two teams is that I saw both of these teams during Spring Training. I know cheesy but this is my world and I think not many people can say they saw the two teams during spring training...can they? I can and I think that is pretty cool!!!

Patience

is not a virtue I have. No news today - I did let my boss know that I spoke with my family and roommates and that everyone is very supportive and I will start looking at apartments soon. I sent out a mass text late last night and have been touched by the well wishes and people inviting themselves to visit me in my new home wherever that may be. I am so blessed!! As I look at the pictures on my blog I think wow you are one blessed woman. I have lived in Cypres most of my life and moving to Rossmoor was big for me. I love living here and the neighborhood is unbelievable. I have had good roommates and I will miss them. As we sat around talking tonight and I was listening to Patty and Sharon tell stories about their day I kept thinking "i am going to miss these girls". A couple of people at work said that right before I went on vacation I seemed really happy and that now that I am back I seem happier and even relaxed. I had to laugh when they asked who my new boyfriend was and why I was not telling them stories. I totally got a huge smile on my face and said no boyfriend and I am always happy. As I see people at work I think wow I am moving on and they don't know yet. One of my third party administrators that I work with on a daily basis is making plans for the coming year and possible training for me and I can't say anything yet. This is hard. I don't really know who reads this other than Perri but if you do and you do know me know that I am glad to have you in my life and thank you for the impact you have made in my life.

My BIG News

No I am not engaged nor did I runoff and get married. I however maybe driving my car down the 5 in a few weeks. I never thought the day would come; where I would be offered the opportunity for a job which would require me to live outside of the OC and I would not hesitate to say yes. Today my boss and I had an opportunity to talk about my working in the San Diego County area. It was something I have been thinking since last Thursday and wanted to get the courage to approach her about. Lucky for me she opened the discussion and I said "Yes, I am open to the opportunity and relocating". I am very excited and happy about this opportunity. I know it will be a big move for me but I know it will be good and I am ready for the challenge. Things I will leave if I relocate: Being near my hometown Cypress - I love this city and it is the place that I grew up. Enrique's - Ceviche and milanesa will be found in SD county right. Disneyland - Did I recently renew my pass oh my I can take the train here Angels Baseball - I can take the train here too and I will have the Padres too!!! Cypress Stake - I think this will be the hardest to leave. This is my family and home. They taught me well and I have been blessed to be a part of this amazing stake for this long. My friends from Cawthon, C1, C2, CHS; well if we have managed to be friends for this long we can continue with a drive up or down the 5 right? My roommates. I drive them crazy at times I am sure but they have been lifesavers and I don't think I realized that until recently. I love them they are amazing women!!! C2 YW - I have only been a part of this for a year and I love them!!! CA Auto - the mechanics I trust...will they know someone in SD to refer me to? My dr, dentist and ortho...oh my!!! I am excited but when I read this list and think of all these things I can't help but get teary eyed. So now you know my BIG news!!! Nothing is finalized but things are falling into place and feel so right. So I will say a little prayer to confirm this is the right time and the right place for this BIG move.

This song keeps popping into my head

There are places, I remember all my life Though some have changed Some forever, not for better Some have gone and some remain All these places have their moments Of lovers and friends I still can recall Some are dead and some are living In my life I loved them all And with all these friends and lovers There is no one compares with you And these memories lose their meaning When I think of love as something new And I know I'll never lose affection For people and things that went before I know I'll often stop and think about them In my life I loved you more And I know I'll never lose affection For people and things that went before I know I'll often stop and think about them In my life I loved you more In my life I loved you more l

Back to Reality

I did not fall asleep until 3 am this morning and woke up at 7. I was going to be late to work and I was. I was there by 9, started going through e-mails, voice mails and was in the process of returning a phone call when my boss appeared at my door. She was smilling and she sat down. As I got off the phone she asked how my vacation was and I proceeded to tell her and we talked about it. She then started a serious tone about having some news to tell me and that there was no easy way to say it. I was like yikes I am getting laid off. Then I heard the words that my co-worker Denise had passed away on Thursday night. I had a second of relief that I was not being laid off but I also thought are you kidding me, please say it isn't true. One thing I fear when I go on vacation is that what if I leave my desk at work a mess and people can't figure out where I was on my projects. Then I think what about my room and is it a mess and how I don't want my family to have to deal with that. I met Denise almost 4 years ago this coming March. We acquired the company she worked at shortly after I arrived at my current employer. She was the friendliest, sweetest, energetic person you can imagine. She always made sure her nails looked good as well as her clothes. She has a daughter which she had a close relationship with. She met her husband by going on walks around our offices and they dated and married. This year Denise did an amazing job as we did layoffs at her facility all the while her mom was in the hospital. I reminded her how she was intimidated by being switched into such a new role of HR and Safety with our company; and always would call me and say you have to teach me. Well I only taught her a little; she learned on her own and shone like a star.She was a true HR Professional. Earlier this year she gave me a Tim Salmon card. She knew I loved Angels baseball and she often wanted to know what was going on with my life. She worried that I was single but also encouraged me in saying that she found her husband while going on walks at work later in life and I could too. I will miss Denise but will always be glad for the example she was to me. I am glad I had a chance to meet her and call her my friend. Every morning I try to listen to the Sports Lodge on 830 AM radio around 7:30 am they play Tori Hunter's comments from the Angels Press Conference after Nick Adenhart's death. I like to hear it because it reminds me and he even says "life is fragile". "I hate that this happened but this is part of life. This is the real deal. That's why you've got to to kiss your kids, kiss your family, everyday when you get up in the morning and when you leave for work". So my blog readers...slow down look around and appreciate all that you have and don't worry about what you do not have. Let those around you know that they are important to you.

October 3, 2010

I woke up this morning and it was bittersweet. I knew my vacation was quickly coming to an end but I was glad to have had an opportunity to spend time with my friends and meet their kids. I had a lot of adventures but I was also missing my bed, my closet, my privacy, my roommates, basically I was missing my home.

Dave made a yummy breakfast of TX French Toask and TX shaped waffles. It was good.

We listened/watched the morning session of General Conference and then headed out to the airport a little bit early.

They were kind enough to take me to the Sixth Floor Museum of Dealy Plaza. It was a beautiful day in TX and there was no traffic but a lot of people in the grassy knoll has a lot of visitors who sit there look at the X on the street that marks the spot where the limousine was approximately at the time of the shooting. Very eery to be there and know what occurred there and what dreams may have never come true.

We then drove to the airport. I went thru the security check point really quick but only after having to dispose of my travel contact lense solution because it was not in a quart bag as well as the jams I purchased for my roommates. They gave the option to check in my luggage but as you may know American Airlines charges $25 or something checkin luggage and I was not about to go through the security line which had become longer than when I first started. So I said goodbye solution and jam.

I have been to DFW Airport often as this is the connection point where I meet my family to fly to Durham or Boston. This time there was no family there and I was there early. As I was there it just confirmed that Allen, TX is not the place for me.

At the end of my trip I realized that I did like downtown Dallas and would consider relocating there if the opportunity arose. Allen, TX is a good place for a family but for a single adult I think it would depress me eventually as I am a city girl. So with that said, CA is where home is. I live in a house that maybe is not as nice as I would like it to be but it is in a great neighborhoo and I have great roommates. Most important, I have a niece who wants me to be a part of her remaining 3 years high school years and be here for her until she goes to college. Not many teenagers would tell that to their aunties but N did and I can't deny that I want to be here for her too. I have a nephew who is living in La Jolla and I can build a stronger relationship while he is here. Next year he will be in law school nearby or faraway. These are opportunities that are priceless and I cannot pass up for a better life in another state. Life is short and I want to spend as much time as possible with my family. The relationships we have with our families are what matter most.

I am thankful for the hospitality the TX Anderson's showed me; I am thankful that the Bowler's and I are normal and we picked up like no time had passed; I am thankful Garth, Liz and I reconnected after 10 or 15 years. Friendships are important and we must nurture them just like the relationships with our families!!!

Saturday, October 2nd

Saturday found us at Escape for breakfast. This is a donut shop with a Friends look going as long as the board room. There was a conference table, tables for groups, and the couches. The decorating was fun. After this we went back home; the kids and I put away J's laundry and finished making our signs for the Angel game and got ready for J's soccer game. Their parents went grocery shopping. The game was fun. It is fun to watch young kids learning how to play a sport and seeing them be fearless or get totally confused as to which way they are supposed to be running to score a goal. Once again a lot of good looking men at the game. We went home changed and got back in the car to head to Arlington. On the way we stopped by to see the Dallas temple. It is in the middle of a residential home. The neighborhood had beautiful homes and I could easily live there. Our next stop was Dealey Plaza. It was eery to be on Elm Street, and drive on the same lane that John F Kennedy drove down and was assassinated on. I was not alive yet but this time of history always interested me. I think JFK was a President that got people his age and younger involved in politics and made them aware of what was happening. I think we will never know what impact he would have made if his life had not been cut short. . We finally arrived at the Ranger's Ballpark in Arlington. The stadium kind of reminded me of Petco Park at least the getting there and the parking. It is a nice stadium but I think Petco has my heart for modern stadiums and Fenway for the classic stadium. I was the lone Angel fan in our area and I did not care. I was glad to be there and enjoy the game. It was great to cheer for the Angels in another stadium and sad to see the 2010 banner there. I wish the Ranger fans luck.

We arrived home around 11ish and this was the first night where I felt exhausted and went to bed by midnight. I did not wake up until 5 am.

South Fork Texas

So today found me waking up a bit after midnight,, stayed awake a bit and then woke up again at 2ish, 4ish, 5ish and then just layed in until 7ish. Dave, Liz and I went out to breakfast at a place called Richards. It was pretty good. I had spice or ginger pancakes.

Liz and I then ventured to South Fork,,,this is where Dallas the tv show was filmed. Only the outdoor shots no inside shots. We learned that the original owners dealt a good deal where they only filmed in July and August. Then during the Super Bowl that was in Dallas one of the announcers gave the street location of the house and the next morning the street was filled with cars and people jumping the fence to give flowers and letters. Apparently this was the year that JR Ewing got shot. So the original owners decided to sell the home There was a creepy guy as part of our tour but that is another story for another day or to not be relived again.

I looked at two other homes one was just as fabulous as the one from yesterday and the other was not even a crush home.

We capped our day by eating dinner at Babe's!!! The best part was that we were able to see our dear friend Garth who we have not seen in years!!! We talked about the old days and how time has flown by. We are planning a get together next year for Garth's 40th birthday.

All in all it was a great day!!! I am truly blessed with good friends!!!!

Thursday, September 30

So Thursday found me sleeping in if you can call it that...I had a hard time falling asleep and then woke up around 4:30 my time which was 6:30 TX time. I was supposed to walk the kids with Liz to school but I opted to be lazy and lay in bed.

We ventured out and I got familiar with the surroundings of the City of Allen. We went to the shopping center but the Texas store was not open. I did find something which I can not post about that had Spencer written all over it. It will be delivered on Wednesday to him in San Diego, I hope he likes it!!!

We looked at a model home that was simply amazingly beautiful and only 450K...my dream home is only affordable in TX.

We picked the kids up from Kids Club and rested at the house for a little bit. We then headed off to J's soccer practice. I am telling you a day in the life of a working mom is BUSY!!! and we did not work we just had a day of leisure!!! At least at the park we relaxed and watched the boys practice. Personally I noticed that there were many good looking dads as coaches or just there watching their kids practice. I think I need to become a soccer coach.

After practice it was Dinner time!! We went to La Finca. It was pretty good. I had a yummy spinach quesadilla on a green tortilla.

After dinner the kids went with Dave to buy a birthday gift for Liz and she and I went home. Well actually I had her detour so I could get my nasal spray refilled at Walgreen's. The service there was fabulous!!! I even managed to buy some small diet coke

We got home and called it a night. I was exhausted....then I woke up 3 hours later and stayed awake for 2 hours. I think it is going to be interesting to see how I do going to sleep and waking up when I get home.

Visiting Cody, Celeste, Rowdy, Eza in Justin

After staying up late visiting with David and Liz on Tuesday night, we got up early to take the kids to school. They were kind enough to let me borrow their van so I could go visit Celeste and her family in Justin. I started my trek and found myself in morning commuter traffic. I can say it wasn't as bad as the lovely 405 North to Torrance.

I kept driving and my Navigator was silent. I followed the few instructions and kept checking it to make sure it was still working as it was very silent. Eventually I saw no city skylines but beautiful green fields.

I saw the Nascar Speedway and a lot of Ford F150's being test driven. I wanted to try it.

I arrived at Cody and Celeste's and Rowdy opened the door after hearing him say "Just a minute please". He is still as adorable as ever. I saw his mom and was surprised to see she was pregnant. In fact I think my first words to her were "oh my gosh you are pregnant". Ezra is the size of Rowdy when I met this amazing family.

They have a beautiful home and I am happy for them.

We ventured out to the Stock Yards where we saw cattle being herded down a main street that was quite fun!!! We played around there for a little bit before heading to lunch.

I had lunch at Wich Wich and had a chicken wing type sandwich. It had a different spicy flavor but I enjoyed it.

We then ventured to Cabela's to see the animals. This is the TX equivelent of the Sea Bass Stores. Probably same owners but I liked this one a lot better. It was fun watching the kids faces as they saw the animals. We even fed the fish and that was fun!!!!

We went home and relaxed and took a 20 minute nap and then I was introduced to Pawn Shop. It was great got to see it when I am home and go to the store when I am in Vegas.

We eventually had dinner at a local hamburger place in downtown Justin. I had a yummy mushroom burger. We just talked and got caugh up on all the different people back home in Cypress.

Celeste and I then went to YW Mutual which was 1/2 hour away. Three wards share the same building and they are all in different stakes. As I told Liz where I was the next day we realized that all of her family that lives here go to that same building!!! It is a small world!!! I was amazed that there was 20+ girls at mutual and there are 30 on sundays. These girls have to drive 1/2 hour to mutual so to see them be willing to do this was truly amazing.

We got back to the house and Cody and the boys were walking home. We could see this colors on the wagon and eventually the boys. We sat in the living room again and talked. I hated the evening to end but I had a drive to do.

I am grateful I had an opportunity to meet Cody, Celeste and Rowdy when they lived in Cypress and that "I was normal" as Cody said. Meaning we just picked up as if they had never moved!!! I am glad they are normal too!!!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

On Tuesday, I boarded an earlier flight to come to TX. We sat one person per row it was pretty cool, of course I had LOST thoughts. I wondered huhm who will be the Sawyer, Jack, HURLEY, Kate, and ugly Locke. Granted the ratio of men to women was in my favor seriously but not a whole lot near my age range. As we departed I saw familiar views of Newport Beach, Laguna and thought of everything CA has to offer. I once again felt the strong impression that CA is where I am supposed to be!!! I was excited to know that I was going on vacation but would be coming home to CA. This post should have been posted on Tuesday night but I was tired!!!