LAST DAY OF SCHOOL And They Were Happy!

I forgot to post this picture the other day! I *LOVE* Mexican vanilla but this made me laugh (taken from the side of some Mexican vanilla):

So this is a left wing bottle of vanilla?

I planned on starting to workout again this week since it's been like 2 weeks! UGH! But then next week is camp and that means no working out, so I figured I would wait until after camp to start over! I will have to build back up. You start losing muscle mass after 2 weeks. So it'll be about 4 weeks by the time I start working out again! I will just have to continue watching what I am eating and such in the meantime!

So sometime this morning Paul woke me up to tell me bye before leaving to work. Then at 6:30 AM I got the kids up and moving. We said family prayer and they got ready for school and such. LAST DAY OF SCHOOL and they were happy! At least I can sleep in somewhat now! I am sure I will be up early anyway! hehe!

I got up and moving around 7:30 to shower and such because the kids had an awards ceremony at 8:30. So I had an hour to get showered, dressed, makeup and hair did AND be at the school. I was certain I could make it! So I hurriedly got ready and such and I made it on time-ish! I was about 10 minutes late. But it worked out perfectly because I walked in right when the 4th graders were getting their awards so I totally missed 1st-3rd! Sa-weet!

So I watched Jannie get her all A's award. I did take a picture of her with the broken phone I had been using but I don't know how to get the picture off of it! ha! There is no service on it anymore and I am not sure if there is an SD card or not! I will have to check another time! Soon after Jannie's was done, I watched Meghan's grade level get awards. However she didn't get one. I don't know why. She should have at least gotten the A/B honor roll. I am sure that there was some mistake but she was in tears. I told her to go ask her teacher about it. She wouldn't. Oh well! 

The kids were helping Dawn Mc out with field day. Part of field day consisted of doing a small carnival. Meghan was almost done with her game and then she wouldn't really be doing anything so she wanted to go home, if I let her. I told her that was fine but I had to wait for Nathan's awards. So I had like 30 minutes or so before his awards started. So I texted with a few people: Teri, Jill, Rhonda and Laurie. I was hoping I didn't get anyone's texts mixed up because no one had names being that it isn't my regular phone! But it all kept me occupied and made for the time to pass quickly! 

Finally the awards started and when they got to Nathan's class and section, he didn't get an award either. And he should have at least made the A/B honor roll if not all A's. So there had to have been a glitch somewhere. He really didn't care. So he and I went back into where the carnival was taking place. Meghan still wasn't done with her game yet so I told her I had forgotten something of Jannie's at home and she needed it. So I told Meghan I was going to go home for that and then I would be back to get her. So that is what I did.

However, in the meantime, at about the same time, Teri, Lor and Jill all decided to hang with me at Sprint today. So uh, sa-weet! Was going to head over by myself (maybe with Meghan if she wanted to go) but then it looked as if I was going to have peeps. And because I was going to have Meghan at home, it would totally work out for Lori's son to stay with her. And then Jill's daughter hurt her foot and didn't go to school (which is why she was off from work) and so she could hang with Meghan too. It worked perfectly! Teri said she was going to meet us at the Sprint store. I was looking forward to heading to Sprint now! I had some of my favorite peeps going with me. Kinda like a, "Hey I brought peeps with me. Better get me a phone that works. Just saying!" hehe! 

I got home, grabbed the text book of Jannie's and headed back to the school, dropped that off and signed Meghan out. I was going to take the 3 of the kids but Dawn Mc said she really needed Nathan and Jannie for the carnival. So they stayed. Nathan reminded me of their dentist appointments today. Crap! The reason I need my Android phone! It is connected with my gmail and my calendar! So I left with Meghan and headed home.

Soon after Lori and Jill showed up. We made sure everyone was situated and such. I texted Teri because she said she was stopping at Karen's (who was still waiting on maintenance) to take her a drink. I needed to know if she was coming to my house too or still meeting us at Sprint. She never did answer, so we left. I told her I had to get some gas and then Howdys. So that is what we did. Got gas at the Shoppette and then made our way to Howdys for some DDP. 

So when I hadn't heard from her when we left Howdys, we made our way to Sprint. She texted back when we were halfway up TransMountain and said that she was gonna hang with  Karen. Karen needed some adult time so they were going to hang in Karen's hot house until maintenance came to fix her air conditioning yet again! I totally would have been there too if I didn't have to get my phone done. I felt like a bad friend. Teri told me I wasn't and that they were all good. That we were hanging out tomorrow so it was all good.

At Sprint I explained to them everything again. And I got the phone I should have gotten in the first place. The one I wanted a while ago: Samsung Epic. And I have to say it has worked perfectly since! And I really wasn't that impressed with the Echo (dual screen). I prolly would have taken it back eventually even if it didn't have problems with working here! I am much more satisfied with the Epic! 

When we were done we had about an hour-ish to kill before Jill had to be back over to get her other daughter from school and me to get the other two from school. So we made our way to downtown to the HUGE Fallas there. Simply because I haven't been to Fallas in awhile, Jill has gone once and Lori never. And I like the downtown Fallas better. So I totally missed our exit and had to go some crazy round about way to it. I told them I wanted them confused that way they couldn't find it next time should they try to go without me.

I found a parking spot right up front. Had to parallel park too. I did a pretty good job considering I don't parallel park much. Had 50 cents in my change purse and that bought us 40 minutes. That was perfect because that is about all we had! So as I was fixing to put money in the meter, a cop came up to me and handed me a paper. On it really big said STOLEN. It was warning people to keep doors locked and valuables out of vehicles in case it is STOLEN. I read the STOLEN part, looked at the cop and gasped and said, "I've been stolen! Whaaaaaat?!" He looked at me and then started laughing. I told him I was kidding. He thanked me for the laugh and told me to have a good day. 

We made our way into Fallas and had a good time looking at the clothes there. Fallas is a hit and miss kind of store. Sometimes they have some great finds there. Other times, it's all hootchie mama kind of stuff. Mainly today was hootchie mama kind of stuff! I found me a shirt that cost me a total of $1.49-ish! Woot woot! I plan to wear it tomorrow so I'll take a picture of it. It is just a tee shirt but it is a camo tee so I had to get it considering my man is Army and all! Woot!

I paid and then we left. We had 2 minutes to spare on the meter. Sa-weet! Perfect timing! We made our way home via I-10. But we made our way to downtown via I-10 too from the west si-eed! I don't particularly like driving I-10 because no one knows how to drive on it! But it was all good this time around. We got back to my house about 2:30-ish and we had about 15 minutes before any of had to head out. I looked out the back window and thought I saw a piece of charcoal on the ground. So I went to investigate and this is what I found:

Stryker wanted to bbq today apparently!

However, the bag was shredded. I guess he just wanted the rip the bag up! Thankfully he left the charcoal! So I had Meghan pick up the bag pieces and teased her to tape the bag back together so we could reuse it! hehe! She picked up the pieces and then we all, including Stryker, went back inside until it was time to leave. 

When we were fixing to leave, I put Stryker in his kennel. I was afraid he would try to eat the charcoal and I didn't want him out there by it. So I told Lori and Jill bye and Meghan and I headed out to get the kids. I texted with Teri after I got to the school. Then I texted a bit with Karen too. We planned to go to lunch tomorrow and I am excited to see them! YAY! So I got the kids and we headed up and over TransMountain once again to their dentist appointments.

Got there in plenty of time. Kids used toothbrushes provided to brush their teeth and soon they were called back. I stayed in the lobby texting with peeps. Soon they called me back to go over results of things. Both girls are good. Nathan has 2 cavities. And they'll be like $140 to fill! WHAAAAAAT?! So I said I would have to wait until Paul went to school and got TDY pay. I just don't have $140. I do, but I don't. Know what I mean?! So I said in a month-ish we could do it. I told Nathan to really brush his teeth super well from here on out!

So what do I do right when we leave the dentist?! Let them get a coke from Circle K. Yeah, that's how I roll! Remember in Texan, coke means soda! ha! I sent the 3 in and they got themselves something to drink. I planned to stop at Howdys to get me one but that never happened. 

We got home and hung out at the house until Paul got home. I had Nathan dump the ashes from the bbq pit and then put the ones that were on the patio inside for next time we bbq. He did that and then asked if he could sleep over at Sage's. So, Nathan went to Sage's to spend the night and Winter came here to spend the night. Before any kids came or left, we had leftovers from yesterday for dinner. Nathan left when Dawn Mc dropped off Winter. When Paul came home we went to Baskin Robbins for their dollar scoop night. Then back home. 

Paul had brought home a ton of Army stuff today and had to take it back tomorrow. So after we got home, I helped him load the truck up with the stuff. After we were done with that, we came inside and the girls were watching a movie. It was close to 10:00 so Paul and I got ready for bed. 

After a while, he was asleep and the girls were all giggly and such. I stayed up trying to blog and Facebook and I was failing at both. I eventually called the girls back to my room and told them they could talk quietly in their room but they had to be quiet since Paul had to work the next day. So they got ready for bed and got into bed. I could hear quiet giggles and such. Then nothing. And because I was falling asleep, I closed up the laptop and put it away. And that is that. I need to get more creative on here. Blog when I am feeling all out of focus with my ADD and such. Anyway, I hope y'all had a great night!

My Day Revolved Around My Cell...

Today I woke up around 9:00 AM. Ok, I take that back. It was a bit before 9:00, just not sure when. I do know it was after 8:00 AM! hehe. I got up and showered and got ready for the day. We needed to run to the PX and then to Howdy's and then we were just going to hang out at the house until company tonight. We had planned to have some over for a bbq tonight. So after getting showered and dressed and ready to go, I just really wasn't feeling up to having a bbq tonight. I was dragging today and so tired. And our patio is so hot outside until the sun goes down behind the neighbor's house (yes, our neighbor's house blocks the sun once it is setting and it cools the patio off quite a bit)!


Anyway, Paul and I were going to head out to the PX to cash a check and I realized that my cell phone, my brand new cell phone, did not have any service. Hmm odd. So I asked everyone else if their cell phones were working. Yep they all had service. So I restarted mine. And nothing. I restart again. Finally I get a 1x at the top versus 3G. Anyway, it won't switch back to 3G and it was very slow on the Internet side. Seriously?! So yeah, Sprint was going to be a stop today on our small list of things to do. 


We finished what we were going to the PX for then we went home to grab my old cell phone so we could get it changed to Nathan's number. Nathan and Jannie wanted to go with us to Sprint but Meghan did not. So we headed out to Sprint, stopping at Howdy's first. My phone kept going between no service to 1x and it was really bugging me. 


When we got to Sprint, they tried fixing it and couldn't figure it out. They did a manual reset. They did another manual reset. They did a hard reset. Then they did another manual reset. Nothing. She told me we could exchange it out but I didn't bring the box my phone came in so she told me to come back later or the next day and they could get it switched out. We left and went home.


We dropped the kids off at home and Paul and I headed to the commissary. I had canceled the bbq tonight but I needed a few things for dinner regardless seeing how I still had meat marinading for a bbq. I told Paul that I wanted to go back and exchange the phone because the 1x really did bug me. I was paying for 4G service and getting hardly any Internet service at all. I compare it to having a cable modem versus dial up! I was running on "dial up" it seemed with 1x. 


We had stopped to get a little bit of gas in my car before we hit the commissary. After the commissary, we made our way home. I made up the cake I had planned to make tonight and after getting it into the oven, I left to head to Sprint. I grabbed Jill and she was my battle buddy heading over there. I found the same lady that helped me before and we decided we would exchange my phone out. So when she restarted the new phone, it was only in 1x as well and wouldn't change to 3G! UGH! She told me it had to be somewhere on the network but just on the line of my phone! So she couldn't help me again! UGH! My day revolved around my cell and I wanted a phone that worked at the end of the day! She advised me to call tech support when I got home because they should be able to help me correct the problem.


We headed out and stopped at Howdy's to get a drink but they were out of DDP. I should have realized that once my phone was no longer working, my luck was going to head south right along with it. hehe. We went to another Howdy's and thankfully they had working DDP. We got our drinks and headed home. I dropped Jill off and went home.


I got Paul's phone and called Sprint's tech support and in the meantime, I got Rice-a-Roni going for the side for dinner. Paul had already started the bbq. Anyway, when all was said and done, including dinner being over and done with (which was super yummy), I had been on the phone with tech support nearly 2 hours and I was no closer to solving the issue than I was 2 hours earlier. So tech support said there was nothing they can do and that maybe getting a whole new number would help out. Whaaaaaat?! 


I was connected again to a girl named Tara from Account Services. I explained it all to Tara and she told me we could totally change my number by canceling the one I had and giving a new one without penalty. But first she wanted to try something. She had me hard restart it. I told her it was like the umpteenth time doing so. But I did it. Nothing. Then she asked me if we had a spare 3G phone lying around. Why yes we just happened to have one, with a broken screen (the screen still works, it is just cracked). So she told me to get that. 


So after all was said and done, the 3G works on the broken screen phone. She said it just must be the model phone I have that doesn't like the area or something. She told me to go back to Sprint tomorrow and tell them that she said to reset my upgrade (pretend I never got mine in the first place) and to not charge me the $35 restocking fee (which I found out that they aren't supposed to if I am returning. They only do so if I am exchanging...whatever the difference is). So she said to have them call her if they have any problems with all that. I told Tara she needed to work in tech support! ha! And if my new phone works on 3G, I am going to demand Tara get a huge promotion or at least a raise! 


We hung out at home the rest of the night. The kids tried to convince me to let them come home after awards tomorrow at school. I told them no. HA! 


I was supposed to do something with Karen and Teri tomorrow and I told them I had to go to Sprint and they were more than welcome to come along. We decided to postpone because things actually came up for both Teri and Karen. So maybe Wednesday or Thursday? Their kids have school until Friday...lucky! hehe! 


Lori texted both Jill and me and wanted to know if we wanted to do something tomorrow. I let them know I have awards to go to and then Sprint. They were more than welcome to come to Sprint with me! ha! So I basically told them to let me know where they're at, if they ended up doing something, and if I had time after Sprint to meet them, then I would. So after spending all day with Sprint, both in the store and on the phone, I hope my visit to them is short lived! I love Sprint and haven't had a problem with them before, so let's hope they don't give me one tomorrow!! I hope y'all have a great night!

Sorry It Is So Vague!

Today is Sunday and that means church. And I was on time today! I even shocked myself actually! A family has moved back that has been gone for almost a year while the husband/father is/was deployed. I am not sure when he comes back. June-ish?! July-ish?! It was cool to see them again!


Church was good. We heard from a new family today in Sacrament and their talks were good. Then in Sunday School our teacher was sick so there was a last minute replacement so we just basically talked. I am not sure about what. Then being 5th Sunday, Relief Society was combined with Priesthood. The bishopric talked and they gave good talks. 


After church I chatted a bit with Rhonda and then I made my way home. After I got home we read scriptures and caught up on all that! YAY! I like when we are caught up! And we were behind a lot too! Oops! Still planning on reaching that goal! June 26th! I will have to take my scriptures to camp so I can read with Meghan.


After we read, I took a nap as well as Nathan while Paul and the girls played a game. About 4:00-ish Paul woke me up because we were supposed to go to Lori's house for dinner. So we got ready to head out. We made our way there. Soon Jill, Brett and their girls were there. 


It was just the 3 families. They had a huge spread: steaks, burgers, hot dogs, grilled veggies (potatoes and corn - not really veggies, I know), macaroni salads, baked beans. I am sure I am missing something. I had a steak and I haven't had red meat in a long time. Usually when I do, my stomach protests. So far, so good. So we'll see if in the morning or a bit later if it decides to protest!


Oh somewhere in there we took Nathan and Meghan to a fireside and then they were picked up about an hour or so later. Anyway, we sat out back chatting and talking. Soon Lori's neighbor's came over and we played Buzz Word while the kids played inside. After we played a grueling game of that, the neighbor's left. We chatted and chatted and had a great time. Then before we knew it, it was 2:30 AM! YIKES! So I just hurriedly recapped my day! Ha! Sorry it is so vague! I hope y'all have a great night!

I Guess It Isn't Connecting To The Internet?!

Paul was up early to play hockey. I *KNEW* that Thursday wouldn't be his last time! hehe! And I am sure next week and the week after will involve hockey too! I got up at 6:00 AM and finished up my blog post from last night. Then Paul left for hockey and I finished my blog and looked at Facebook and such. Then I texted the girls who were going to the camp meeting today to wake them up and remind them. Out of 4 YCLs (youth camp leaders) only 2 were going to go today. I told them I'd pick them up in the 9:00-9:30 hour because the meeting was at 10:00. I hopped in the shower and started to get ready for the day. At 8:00-ish I texted Jill to wake her up since she wanted to head over there with me today. YAY! Gave me someone to chat with and do something with for the 2 hours I had to wait around for the girls!


I headed out a little before 9:00 to grab Jill. After I got her we headed to Howdy's because I was already needing some DDP! Then over to McD's for Jill to get her a large iced coffee. Then we grabbed Sara and then over to grab Ciana and then up and over Trans Mountain we went. We got to the Stake Center right on time and I walked in with the girls to make sure they made it to their meeting. I was told the meeting was actually 10-2. Say whaaaaaat?! She said the email had a typo and it should have been 2. I thought that maybe a new email should have been sent out with the correct information because I planned on 12 and I had the girls tell parents they would be home shortly after 12:30. 


I told the girls to participate (they don't like to always participate) and that I would be there around 12:30 to get them. Then Jill and I left and headed to the outlet mall just to window shop. Gotta say that I didn't buy one thing there! I KNOW! I'm shocked too! So we went to a few different stores. Jill found some really cute black casual boots at Hot Topic and I would have had to gone back for them *HAD* they had my size! But they didn't. We hit up a few other stores including the Jewelry Box/Eve's. Then Ciana texted and said they were done. Sigh. It was only 11:30-ish. I knew they really weren't. So we slowly made our way back, stopping to take a picture with a bear that accidentally got cut out of the picture. One thing I don't like about my new phone...no side camera button! Nope! It's only on the touch screen! WHAAAAAAT?!

Poor scary bear got cut out of the picture with me and Jill!

We got back over to the Stake Center about 12:00-ish and the girls were lying on the lawn. Sigh. Just the two of them. Maybe I should have sat *IN* their meeting to keep them there?! I think I might have to write a letter to the Stake Camp Director and apologize?! I guess I can't make the girls do anything, right?! So they got into my car and they wanted McD's for lunch. So we went thru the drive thru. Just the 3 of them got something because I refuse to eat McDs if I have other options! And the smell of it makes me so gaggy! So I had to sorta plug my nose and breathe through my mouth and it really made my stomach churn! Ha!

So we headed back over to our side of the mountain and I dropped the girls off and then Jill off. Then I headed home. We all hung out at home and turned on some movie. I had my head on Paul's arm/shoulder and ended up falling asleep until my calendar alerted me that Nathan and Meghan had to be somewhere at 3:00. They were helping with decorating for the adult prom at church tonight. 

Paul had asked me to go but we were talking about it and we decided we weren't going to go. I wasn't feeling so well (although I feel a little better now). Also he is thinking he might have gotten a small concussion while playing hockey and he has a headache. So I ran the kids up to the church and then I ran to the Commissary. We were invited to dinner tomorrow to a friend's house (Lori) and she asked me to bring a side. I decided to take baked beans because they're bbq-ing. I needed to get some things for that. After the Commissary I went home. 

I started the beans because they'll taste better tomorrow after sitting in the fridge all night long! Halfway through making them, Nathan texted that they were done. I asked Paul if he could go get them. The problem was, he didn't hear me and I thought he left! Oops! So about 20-ish minutes later, Nathan called and wanted to know if we were coming. Paul came out of the back and I sent him to get the kids. And I finished up the beans and then looked in the freezer and saw a chocolate covered strawberry La Michoacana ice cream bar. Well, it's not there anymore! hehe!

Soon everyone was back at home and we read scriptures. We are behind but are almost caught up. We read for about an hour and we should be caught up tomorrow. After we read we turned on another movie until it was time for Nathan to head to the church for the dance. He was helping with dj'ing. Oh dinner was thrown in there somewhere! I took some pictures with Paul and one of my neck. 

This morning when I got out of the shower, my neck was bleeding where it is peeling. I put on some triple antibiotic ointment and went about my day. I showed Paul my neck and he said it looked bad. So I took a picture of it. It really doesn't look as bad as it did this morning. I'm telling y'all, this burn was bad! My ears look bad too with all the peeling on them!

Not a hickey. My burn is peeling and bleeding!

Paul looks tired!

I thought the other flash on my phone was bright...this tops it!

The flash really makes me look more pale than I already am! hehe! I normally don't wear a tee under this shirt but my neck was exposed and it looked horrible! The tee was a better alternative!

So now I am caught up on the day so far. Paul ran Nathan to the church. The girls are out back playing with a light saber. I'm blogging and Paul is now home and sounds like he is getting frustrated with his laptop! I guess it isn't connecting to the Internet?! So methinks I may just get in my pajamas and call it a day?! I hope y'all have a great night!

They Don't Even Get Paid!

At 6:30 AM I got up and got the girls up and moving since they had school today (we let Nathan stay home since he finished his exams and was suppose to go to Oklahoma). We said family prayer and then they got ready for school. Paul and I stayed in bed for a bit longer. After the girls were gone to school, we stayed in bed for a tad longer until Rhonda texted and said she was on her way over to donate some items.


I got up and pulled on some workout clothes and such because I planned to sweat a little bit from taking donations to places and such. I put on contacts and then went outside when Rhonda got here. She gave me the things she had brought over and we chatted for a good while. I had forgotten my phone in the house and I had hoped the guy from the American Red Cross didn't call me back while I was chatting. I don't know how long we chatted but after a bit she left and I went inside.


I had called the A.R.C. before Rhonda got here in regards to the clothes and such that we had to donate. When I came back inside, all I had were texts from Jill and Holly. So I texted them back and then called the A.R.C. again. Unfortunately they weren't taking any donations. Say whaaaaaat?! The guy told me to call the Salvation Army. So I did. They were only taking monetary donations. Seriously?!


So I called Holly and she said that the American Red Cross in K'town was taking donations. So I told her I would get all toiletries out and the nicer containers of clothes and then Leslie could take those to K'town and donate them. She said that sounded good. So I texted Leslie about it. Then Paul and I went outside to sort through the things. 


Jill and Brett showed up and we all sat around in the garage chatting. We decided we would take the clothes and toys to the Junior Enlisted Family Center on Fort Bliss. They give items to families in need who are E5 and below. This is nice because they didn't have this when we were lower ranking! Anyway, we loaded up the truck and my car with all the rest of the things that we figured wouldn't fit in Leslie's car and we headed over to the Junior Enlisted Center. We went inside and asked if they were taking donations. They said they were and we said that we had a ton of things then. 


We started to take things inside and then sent Paul, Nathan and Brett out to get more while Jill and I chatted with the ladies who worked there. They asked why we had all this stuff. We told them why and how the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross weren't taking anything right now. They were just as disgusted as I was because I felt that they *SHOULD* be taking this stuff to send off to the areas that needed it. We said we didn't want to send it to Goodwill or Savers because they would turn around and make money off of it. We wanted to take it some place where someone could use it but didn't have to pay for it. We had discussed the women's shelter but we figured it would be hard to do especially since we had no idea where one was at!


Anyway, the ladies that worked there were super nice. And they volunteer there! They don't even get paid! I guess that is what volunteering is, eh?! Ha! They said that whatever they can't get rid of after a while, they donate to other charities. That's cool! So after everything was unloaded, we headed off. Paul needed to run to Sam's, Brett had his motorcycle and went for a ride, and Nathan went with me and Jill. We headed to Dollar Tree and got a few things there. Then over to Howdys to get refills. Then back to my house and we finally sat down to eat something for lunch. It was a late lunch as it was almost 2:00. 


Leslie texted and wanted to know if I could take him the things we had for him. So Jill and I headed over to where he is living for another month. We loaded his SUV up with what I had and off he and a coworker went for K'town. Jill and I headed off to Jr Produce because we figured we deserved a chocolate covered strawberry La Michoacana ice cream bar! We grabbed those (I got one for me, Paul and Nathan) and she got one for herself and got brave to buy a rice pudding one. I forgot to ask her how that tasted. 


Anyway, she grabbed a few other things and then we headed back to my house so she could grab some stuff she had put in the freezer after Dollar Tree and Howdys. Then I took her home. I came home and ate my ice cream bar I had thrown in the freezer when Jill grabbed stuff out of my freezer. Paul and I browsed the internet on my laptop together and then he decided to take Nathan to the school to ask about football. When they were done there, Paul dropped Nathan at Sage's and came on home. Oh girls went home with Laurie after school today so no pick ups for anyone!


I hadn't showered at all today and I really needed one. So after Paul was done showering, I got in. When I got out and was drying off my legs, I noticed blisters on the back of my legs! Whaaaaaat?! It was disgusting!

This is why my legs were so stinking sore! Those are all blisters on the back of my knee/leg! Gross, I know! SUNSCREEN next time!

The skin on the back of my legs are so dry and burned and such that it makes my skin look old! SUNSCREEN fo' sho' next time!

We got ready to head out on a date to the west si-eed. I wanted to look at phones at Sprint and Paul wanted to go to Best Buy. I ended up with a new phone (dual screen) after calling Sprint Customer Service and said how Jannie had an upgrade and I didn't have one until July and I wanted to use her upgrade without taking her cell number. They said, "Okie dokie" (well not quite that but you get the gist) and fixed it where I got the upgrade! Sa-weet! But, I'm not sure if I like it or not. I guess it is a good thing I have 30 days to return in, just in case!

At Best Buy Paul got a laptop. I hate putting things on credit but he is fixing to leave for a long time and now we can communicate and such via computer. And I like the fact that Windows based laptops are fairly cheap. I told him it was his Father's Day gift a tad early. But we'll see! We couldn't get Skype to work with sound. And Google Talk video, I couldn't see him but he could see me. We could hear each other, but I'd like to see him, especially once deployed! Soooo, I am not sure what we are going to do or use. Suggestions?!

After those two errands we went home to wait for the girls to come home from Laurie's. They got here about 20-ish minutes after we did. Jill had invited us over so after girls were settled, we went a few streets over to Jill and Brett's. We hung out for a little bit and then headed home. We got the girls into bed and then we went there ourselves. Oh, Nathan is at Sage's staying the night. Anyway, I hope y'all have a great night!

First Day Out Of Many That Will Reach Triple Digits!

Paul woke up in the 4:00-hour to use the bathroom and I have been up since. When he was done, we chatted for a long time. Really about nothing at all. Just chatting and talking. It's nice. Some parts we weren't chatting. He just rubbed my back. I am going to miss days like this soon! :-( But yeah, it has been a long day since!


He eventually got up and left for PT and at 6:30 AM I got the kids up. We said family prayer and they got ready for the day. I tried to get a little rest until I needed to get in the shower right after the kids left to school. I had people coming to the house starting around 8:15-ish. 


The kids left, I hopped in the shower and got ready for the day. I texted with Holly, Teri and Jill. Then I waited. About 9:00 someone showed up to drop off a lot of donations for the tornado relief effort. I was sending this stuff with my brother-in-law to Oklahoma. I chatted with the lady and her husband for a bit, thanked them and they left. The girl who was coming over at 8:15 texted me. It was Lori from FRG. She apologized and I teased her that *THE* only reason I got up as early as I had was for her! ha! She said she was running behind and that she would be here soon.


Teri and Karen showed up and dropped off some things that they had. We chatted for a bit and then they had to go because Teri was driving Karen to a doctor's appointment. Soon after they left, Lori showed up. She had a few bags herself and grabbed some from someone last night at the Hail and Farewell since I had left early. So nice of her to do that! So we got all that unloaded. We chatted for a bit and then I started to get phone calls. I quickly told Lori bye and I answered my phone.


A lady named Leba called me. She was suppose to come at 10:30. She, too, was running behind and wanted to know if she could come around 2:30. That sounded good to me. So we chatted for a bit and then I got her cell number. She was a nice lady. After I hung up with her, another lady named Nichole called me. She wanted to know if she could come right now. It was perfect because she was my last morning person. So she lives only a few streets down from me so she was here pretty quickly. We unloaded her van and chatted briefly. Then she headed on out.


Oh I forgot to mention that while Teri was here, I gave her an address of a lady that lives by Teri who had things to donate. Teri said she would pick up what the lady had. That saved me some time there! Thank you Teri! 


So I headed off to Sam's to get some gas in Paul's truck. He took my car today because he was low on gas and didn't have enough time to get some this morning. So he took my car. I filled up on some gas and then I was going to stop at the Howdy's down the road but across the highway and get us some drinks and then make my way to his work to trade vehicles. So I pulled in to Howdy's and a man and a woman came up to me and asked if I had $1.50 I could give them for some gas. 


They were traveling and trying to get to a town (they said the name but I can't remember the name) for a job but they ran out of money. Their car was parked at a pump and it was loaded up. I really felt the need to help them out. I typically only give money to people I feel the need to do so. I can't give everyone money that needs it! Now, if I had endless amounts of money, then yes I could! So I said I typically don't carry cash but that I would be more than happy to prepay some gas for them. They were very grateful and thanked me about a dozen times and even opened the door to Howdy's for me. 


I filled the cups up with Coke and DDP and went to pay. I told the lady I had 2 refills and to please put $5.00 on pump 13. I paid and went back outside. They were waiting at their car. So I yelled that they were good to go and would have $5.00 worth and that I was sorry I couldn't help them more. They waved and expressed their gratitude again and began to pump their gas. It is the end of a LONG pay cycle for us and we are getting low on funds. If I had the money, I would have totally filled up their car completely. I mean, I could have but then I would have strapped us! Gotta take care of my family first, ya know! I am just glad that I was able to help them. 


I got back in my truck and made my way to Paul's inconvenient place of work now! There is *NO* easy way to get to his work no matter where I am at in town! So I went the most direct way: I-10! Bum bum bum! I hate I-10 with a passion and will take it only when it seems to be the most direct and fast way. Most of the time, while it's the most direct way, it isn't always the fastest way! But traffic was flowing decent enough. I hit the loop from there and down to where he works. 


I parked by where he parked and went up to see him. He and I chatted for a bit. He was fixing to leave to a dentist appointment. While he and I chatted, Teri texted me and said that she was heading back over to my area to drop Karen off and then drop off the stuff she grabbed for me. Oh, she and I had been texted on and off the whole day. So Paul walked me to the door, we said bye and he went back to work for a little bit before his appointment and I left for home. 


While I was heading out, Nathan texted and wanted to know if I was going to go to the school about his exams. I told him I called his principal requesting that he take them today since he was going to go to Oklahoma, or wanted to. I told him to tell the principal to call me. And if he wouldn't to let me know and I would make my way over there. So on my way home, I realized it was still fairly early and I had all my morning errands done and I had 2-ish hours before Leba came. So I decided I needed a tiny break, right?!


I texted Teri and asked her to meet me at Ross and Marshall's by the Bassett Mall. I just wanted to look around. Window shop if you will. I knew I would be more apt to *NOT* buy anything there rather than heading into the Jewelry Box. So she met me there. Well, I hit Ross by myself and then left for Marshall's. So she met me at Marshall's. I found a really cute dress and I went to try it on. Showed it to Teri and decided it looked cuter on the hanger! hehe! So after that, we left. She and I chatted for a little while at the cars and it was HOT outside! 


After a bit, we headed out. I was just leaving the parking lot when Jill texted and asked if I was at home. Nope but I was heading there. Oh well she was waiting at my house. Whaaaaaat?! So I made my way home and she was still there. She and I chatted inside and then she had to leave to get her girls. I was waiting on Leba. 


I called her about 3:00 since I really needed to get over to get the kids. She told me her doctor appointment went longer than expected and wanted to know if she could come in 30 minutes. I told her I had to get my kids from school but that I would be home around 4:15. So she said she would come around there. 


I got to the school and Jannie asked if she could hang out in the computer lab instead of the car with me. Sure. It was prolly cooler inside anyway. And boy it was HOT outside. Today was the first day I saw the thermometer on my car hit triple digits. And it won't be the last!

First day out of many that will reach triple digits!

I normally sit there with the car off and the windows down but not today! Eek! Prolly a good thing I was a tad late, eh?! So I texted and played WordFeud. Then the kids were done and as I was fixing to leave, Laurie showed up. I asked her if she was taking my girls tomorrow right from school to her house for the going away party or did she want me to take them later. She said she planned on taking them right after school. And then Nathan would be gone too (he got all his exams taken today so he could go to Oklahoma)! Sa-weet! 

Oops then I remembered that I take Dawn Mc's kids home on Fridays too. So after I chatted for a brief minute with Laurie we headed out. It was getting close to 4:15 and I needed to get home. I called Dawn Mc and she said she would get her kids tomorrow. I told her I had no problem getting them if she needed me to. She said she was good. I offered to take them in the morning and she said that Willow had Kindergarten graduation tomorrow so she was going to be there early anyway. She was good with it all. I felt bad and she told me not to.

Leba called me right when I got home. She was just leaving the Commissary but had a friend with her who wanted to donate stuff too. She wanted to know if it was better today or tomorrow. I told her whatever was easier. I told her that my brother-in-law wasn't going to be able to leave before noon anyway now. So she said she was on her way with her friend so she knew where I lived and that she would bring stuff by tomorrow morning. 

Leba got here and she is a nice lady and so is her friend, Dawn. Too many Dawns, I tell ya! hehe! So we chatted for a good while and they loved all over Stryker who was eating it up. It was funny because he couldn't decide who he wanted to pet him. He'd go to Leba and then to Dawn back to Leba back to Dawn and couldn't decide. It's my ADD dog! hehe

Then we went out to unload her van. Nathan helped us. While we were unloading, Holly kept calling me. She texted. Then she called. She then called Nathan and told him to tell me to call her STAT. So Leba told me to call her. I called her and she said that they closed down the area they were going to, so no volunteers were allowed in. And her contact with the American Red Cross told her to take all donated items to her local A.R.C. center because they're getting trucks together. So she was telling me to do the same. 

Leba had given me $200 to help with renting a truck and anything else they needed along the way. She had told me that she trusted that we would spend the $200 wisely and when I mentioned renting a truck with it, she was for it. Since the trip was off, I gave her back the money since she was still here when I chatted with Holly. So her friend (Dawn) said she would take her donation to the Red Cross too. Nice ladies they were! We chatted a bit more and sweated in the garage because, remember, it was 100 degrees today and prolly more so in the garage! As they were fixing to leave, a SUV pulled up. I told Leba and Dawn thanks and bye and they left and I went to chat with the dude in the SUV. 

His wife sent him over with some stuff. I had been in contact with her via Facebook messages. Anyway, he had quite a bit of things to pass onto me as well. I let him know that I would be taking it to the local Red Cross instead of sending it to Oklahoma. He was cool with that. He said he had a bit more things at home he would like to donate and if it would be cool if he brought it by tomorrow. I told him that was fine and that I would be in and out taking things to the Red Cross since I wasn't sure how many trips I would need to make. So I told him if I wasn't home then he could just leave it here and I showed him where to leave the stuff. I thanked him and he was on his way. And I believe that was my last donation of the day. And here is what my garage looked like just on the one side:

I still have more people coming to drop things off! This is taking up one side of our 2-car garage!

Some more toiletries to donate!

Soooo after this I went inside to cool down. And to dry! Phew! I was sweaty! So I chatted with Holly a bit. My Pops texted me. I texted with Teri and Jill. Then Paul texted me that he was on his way home. We did up leftovers really quick for dinner. Then when Paul got home we read the chapters we needed to in the Book of Mormon. And we have slacked and fallen behind just a tad. So we read 4 chapters and then said family prayer because Paul was leaving for hockey. He said this would most likely be his last time playing. I don't know about that! hehe!

So he left around 7:45-ish. I was still texting on and off with Teri and Jill. I mentioned to Jill that Paul was playing hockey. She said she was fixing to put her girls to bed and make sure her hubby was good and then she came over. I started my blog in the meantime. She got here around 8:30-ish and we chatted on the patio while I blogged a bit. Then at 9:00 I got the girls into bed and she and I went to Wal Mart. Meghan reminded me that her after school Spanish class was having a party and she needed to take cookies. I didn't have any cookies. And I wasn't going to make any cookies at 9:00 PM! So we ran to Wal Mart where I bought some cookies and only 6 bananas! They didn't have 8 so I had to settle with 6! Hmph! 

Jill's daughter's birthday is today and tomorrow is her birthday party so she got a few party things for that and then we paid and left. When we got home we turned on a movie and chatted and such. Then Paul got home about 10:45-ish. After he showered he joined us. But Jill had fallen asleep so I woke her up and sent her home. She let me know she made it home safely and had only fallen asleep once...the whole way home! Ha! So Paul and I finished the movie and now he's sleeping so I better chase Nathan off to bed and head to bed myself. 

Tomorrow I gotta see a man about some donations! I hope y'all have a great night!