Work In Progress

That's me.

I went to the doctor's a few days ago for refills on my blood pressure medication.

Yes, I have high blood pressure, and it sucks sometimes.

It's hereditary for me, so no matter how much weight I lose, I'll have it.

So because it's a yearly thing, I have to get blood work done to make sure everything is functioning okay inside.

Good news, my glucose levels are fabulous (which is a good thing because I had gestational diabetes with both of my girls).

My thyroid levels are great.

All the other numbers came back fabulous.

Except one.

Yes, that darned cholesterol.

It came back a little high.

I'm not on medication for it, thank goodness, but she's giving me six months to get it down with diet.

Well............I've done it before.

Granted I did have help with cholesterol medication before, but I followed that way of eating so well, I lost weight as well.

So I pulled out paperwork that I have that lists what foods I can eat that are recommended for keeping a low cholesterol diet.

I'm getting back on track, because I am choosing to do this so I can lower my cholesterol, lose the weight.......AGAIN.......and keep it off.

Last time I did this I was SOOOOOOOO good!!!

Then I went and started having panic attacks.

Oh joy.

Now that I'm through the panic attacks (for the majority of it, I still get anxiety, but with the help of therapy - which I highly recommend to anyone - I can recognize them and work through them), and healed, for the most part, in regards to my mom's death, I can work on this for me.

Yea, so that's it.

I'm a constant work in progress, I guess....................

1st Day of School

Tuesday was their first day of school.

Yea me! LOL!!!

Every single year I always take the same pictures of them going to school. Even when the oldest was just going to school.

Here is my youngest in her "Mitchie" outfit (Camp Rock movie). She LOVES this outfit and so it was fitting she picked it for her first day of school outfit.


Wow, I can't believe she's in 1st grade. She is now the age that my oldest was when I got pregnant with her. I can't believe THAT much time has already gone by!!!
And here is my oldest. Her top is from Hollister, "of course". I'm telling you, I felt like SUCH a "MOM" when I took her shopping there last week. It's one of the HIP stores to shop at (meaning expensive, of course), but she usually finds stuff in the clearance section, because even though she loves their stuff, even she thinks it's expensive.
She still loves her hair too. (Thanks Aunt!!)

Wow, time flies, huh??
After we took these pictures, we were off to school and then yea, I was free!!! LOL!!

Actually I don't get my first "me" day until Thursday. I am very much looking forward to it! :) I love my girls with all my heart, but I do enjoy my "me" time. :)

Countdown to School

Enjoying her last days of summer vacation.

I am enjoying it as well.

As much as I can't wait for them to go back to school, I have enjoyed the laid back atmosphere that is about to end.

We don't sleep in every morning, as I do still have to work, but on the days I don't and we don't have to get up, boy is it nice to sleep in until 8:30 a.m. Yes, you read it right, that's about the longest I even like sleeping in. Because too much after that I feel like my day has already gone.

Next week will start the cycle of getting lunches ready, getting everyone in bed on time, getting to school on time, picking them up from school, helping out at school, etc.

The girls already started soccer practice so we're already doing that. Although next week the oldest will start softball practice as well. I'm going to work on going to the gym more while the oldest one is at practice too, at least the softball practice, because the gym is right around the corner.

But ahhh......I will enjoy this last week.

Our "California Adventure"

Our original trip was NOT to California Adventure. We were originally going to go up to Los Osos, Morro Bay area, to help celebrate my hubby's grandma's 80th birthday. Well, plans got changed and it was no longer going to be up there, it was going to be down in the L.A. area. So once again, our plans to go somewhere got cancelled. I felt so bad for my oldest, because it always seems that plans to go somewhere keep getting cancelled. So we decided to take the girls to California Adventure on Friday, stay the night and then go up to the birthday party on Saturday.

The girls were so excited and happy to go there! Plus they were going to get to go on Toy Story Mania, which has had advertisements for it all over the place.

We got into the park around 11:00 a.m. And our first ride was the Grizzly River Run.
(Never mind the guy in the photo, we don't know him.......)

Okay, BIG mistake!! We should have NEVER gone on this ride FIRST.

Yes, it's a water ride, like going down the rapids.

Yes, we got wet.

But not only did we get wet, hubby and I got SOAKED! I mean wet to the bone! It was like someone poured a 20 gallon bucket of water over me. I felt like I had a pool of water in my pants while I was sitting there. So of course it got in our shoes (well only one, but really, what's the difference) soaking our socks, etc.

So imagine what kind of store is right next to the ride. Yes, it involves clothes. So we spent way too much money on socks and then AFTER we bought the socks, I mentioned flip flops, so he went back in and bought himself a pair of flip flops. Well, I guess that was our "souvenir" for the day.

After that, we had some lunch (of course eating outside to try and help "dry" off, which really didn't happen until midway through the day and I think my underwear was still wet by the end of the day) and then made our way through the park, hitting the rides as we wandered our way over to Toy Story Mania.

Okay, this ride is SOOOOOOO cool!!! You get your 3D glasses, but it's actually a 4D ride! You get in the car and as you make your way through the ride, you stop at various places and target shoot at the screen. And when you pop a balloon you actually feel the "whoosh" of the air from the balloon! It's soo cool!!! The oldest said she got a little wet on her leg from hitting one of the targets! And then the ride has a screen where it keeps score with your partner in the car. It was definitely one of the funnest rides we have been on!

The girls then had to go on the Carousal ride. I'm not a big fan of things that go around and around. You won't get me on the teacups at Disneyland, and even the Dumbo ride sometimes gets to me. It's the whole motion of going around and around and around. Okay, I need to stop talking about it, just thinking about it is getting me dizzy....

However!! I do like roller coasters. So after this, we made our way over to California Screamin'. The last time we came to California Adventure, I chickened out on this ride. But I really wanted to go on it this time. So hubby took the little one over to the HUGE ferris wheel (again, not a big fan of things that go around and around), while the oldest and I went to the roller coaster.

Wow.....

I absolutely LOVED it!!! It's not like a regular roller coaster where you chug along going up to the top and then speed down. You actually get shot UP the roller coaster. That was my FAVORITE part! I looked over at my eldest though and she has a PETRIFIED look on her face and is crying! Oh, my poor baby!!! I'm trying to hold her and and reassure her it's going to be alright, while I'm THOROUGHLY enjoying the ride. They have a point in the ride where they take your picture and I tried to get a good picture of it with my cell phone (hubby had the camera at that point) but I couldn't, but it was a hoot. I was sitting there, grinning from ear to ear and you could see the fear in my oldest's face. And the thing is, she's been on this ride before! I guess she's just not a big fan of certain roller coasters. She's gone on a lot of them at Magic Mountain (up in Valencia), but even there she did not like the Colossus.

After we were done we went over to the Sun Wheel and saw the hubby and the youngest on there.

My youngest loves ferris wheels. Well, as long as hubby's there to take her on it.

Then we made our way through the boardwalk, stopping to take pictures.....

Then we went over to Flik's Fun Fair, where it is all kiddy rides. The 3 of them went on Flik's Flyers (again, it goes around and around, not for me)
Then we went over to the Hollywood Studios Backlot section of the park to go on Mike & Sulley To The Rescue Ride. It's a cute little ride for the kiddies. It's nice and cool inside there, you get to sit while your car "wanders" through Monsters Inc. Very cute ride.
Again, another "photo op" after the ride.
Then we went over to Tower Of Terror. I really wanted to go on it and so did hubby, but there was no way the oldest was going to go on it. So hubby went over to it while we ran into Goofy and the girls got to have their picture taken with him. The photographer asked if I wanted to get in the picture, but with having had a shitload of water dumped on me earlier in the day via the Grizzly River Run, I was not up to having my picture taken (the above picture of me was taken so far away, it was okay...LOL!!).
By the time hubby got off Tower of Terror, the line had gotten pretty long and we were all ready to go. The girls were getting very grumpy. But it was a good day there, it wasn't too hot, it wasn't too crowded, the longest we had to wait for a ride was about a half hour or so with Toy Story Mania, all in all it was a good family day.

And that's all that matters.

?????

The other day I was driving in my car and scanning the radio stations. I came across one, a "soft rock" station and they started playing Devo's "Whip It" Huh??? "Whip It" is considered SOFT ROCK????

WTF???

A Day In L.A.

Instead of a birthday party, my youngest decided she wanted to go to the American Girl store and get an American Girl doll. It was actually going to be cheaper for me to do this, rather than have a birthday party, because the place she wanted to have her birthday party had a $200 MINIMUM there.

So we started out day at about 7:30 a.m. to get there by the time the store opened. The American Girl store was located at The Grove in Los Angeles.

My youngest was SO excited to get to the store!

We went through each "Era" of the dolls so we could see all the displays and so she could get a feel for which doll she wanted.

She had originally wanted to get a doll that looked like her. When we got to this "Era" of 1974, she immediately wanted the doll, Ivy, that she is touching here.
My oldest desperately tried to talk her out of this doll, mostly because of the clothes. Which I admit weren't the greatest looking clothes. But I told my oldest that it is the youngest's birthday and whatever doll SHE wanted, she got to get. And I told my youngest that that is why they have so many different dolls because all girls have different tastes.

In the end, she got the doll she wanted, Ivy.

But we still perused through the store looking at the displays.
These dolls behind her are the "Dolls of The Year". Each year American Girl comes out with a doll that is only available for one year. My oldest has the 2nd doll from the left.
Afterwards we walked around The Grove for a little while, going into the 3 story Abercrombie & Fitch store where there are 2 gorgeous guys at the front door welcoming you in.

There is also a pond in which the water shoots up to the beat of music that is played.

We also got another outfit for "Ivy", and once the oldest changed Ivy into this outfit, she did finally admit that she was wrong and that Ivy was a very cute doll.

We couldn't stay at The Grove for very long because my sister had a surprise for my oldest at 12:30, and my oldest had no idea what was going on, and thank goodness my youngest doesn't like to peruse the shops for very long. She got what she wanted. She was happy.

So we made our way through Hollywood to get to the surprise.

Ahhh.....Sunset Blvd. Home of the famous Whisky-A-Go-Go, The Roxy and others. I spent many a weekend watching bands here before marriage and kids.

The famous Hollywood Blvd.
Okay. So we get to the surprise. It's actually a hair salon, called Krimson. My sister is friends with the owner. We pulled up to this place and get out and my oldest is asking why we are here and I tell her that her aunt is here and we are meeting her here. She thinks NOTHING of it. We get inside and my sister gives her a hug and then tells her, "Surprise!!! You are getting your hair done!" My oldest was in SHOCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved it!! I loved that I was able to pull it off and she had NO idea what was happening. She was going to get a REAL haircut and highlights in her hair. So here is her "before" shot. (Yes, I admit it, we've been doing the Supercuts thing)

And here is her "after" shot. A BIG improvement, don't you think?? This was her birthday present from my sister. Have I told you all how much I love my sister??!!!!! She is THE BEST!!!!


And don't worry, I'm never taking her to Supercuts again. Now I just need to find a good hairdresser for her down here.

The Calmness

Ahhhhhhh........life in California.

I took this picture one day on my way up to my friend's house. I just love driving up this street with all the palm trees on either side.

Life is calm and mellow right now.

Of course soon it won't be.

Soccer practice has already started, softball practice will start soon and then throw the big thing back in there...........school.

I will actually be glad when school starts up for the girls again. I will have my routine again, working while the girls are in school. Of course I will have the added pressure of getting their lunches ready, in bed on time, schoolwork done, to name just a few.

So I will revel in the calmness of now while I still have it.

My Birthday Girl

Another birthday for her. :)

My baby is now 6 years old!

Wow, I can't believe it!

My oldest was JUST a little older than this when I got pregnant with my baby!

My how time flies...............





Happy Birthday baby. :)

I Miss It

I totally miss All-Stars.

Is that weird or what??!!!

We had to commit to every single day (sans a few here and there) and every weekend for two months.

VERY hectic.

But I miss it.

I know..........

I'm weird.............

Beach Fun

Since my oldest finally got her cast off, we decided we needed to take a trip to the beach. We go to the military beach most of the time, because it is so NOT crowded there and I can feel safe letting my girls play and not be constantly looking for them. Hubby took the day off and came with us too, so that was VERY nice.

My youngest had a BLAST in the water and playing with the boogie boards.

Enjoy your summer, we are finally starting to enjoy ours.

All Done...........For Now............

All-Stars is done.

I am a bit sad about that. I have truly enjoyed watching all the games and getting to know the parents. Even though it was such a huge committment, every single day (sans one or two here and there) I loved it. And the eldest, after complaining for the first couple of weeks, loved it just as much. It was so hard for her to sit out of playing the last two weeks.

Soccer is coming up next month, and then "Winterball" (softball in the fall), so she'll get to play both again and then we'll be back to a busy schedule again!

I just hope I get my house in order before then. :)

Giving Her Something To Do

Here's what happens when you let the little one play with the camera............

The Secret Keeper

Starting back probably in high school, and probably earlier, people have told me things.

Confidential things.

Things that no one else knows about.

And according to me, they won't know. At least not from me.

It wasn't until just recently that I realized that I have become somewhat of a "Secret Keeper". Lately people seem to feel that they can talk to me and tell me things. Or vent, or whatever.

I was talking to one person about this a few weeks ago and aloud wondered why they come to me and tell me things.

This other person, who was venting and talking about things said, "You're approachable".

See, I've never really thought of myself as approachable.

Growing up I always felt like the person in the background. Second fiddle.

Although I certainly know that back in high school and beyond, after drinking, I certainly would approach people. Alcohol seems to do that to people.

Ahhh, you know, sometimes I do miss drinking. It's been years since I had a drink.

Part of the reason is because I have high blood pressure and it's certainly not good to drink.

Also, because I remember one of my friends, who had a little one, was drinking and got quite tipsy and was around her and I swore that I would not be like that around my children.

And considering the fact that I was with them almost 24/7 in the beginning, AND breastfeeding, there certainly wasn't the opportunity to drink or the desire. Oh sure, every once in a while, like at a New Year's party, or a Tupperware party I would have a drink or two, but the last time I got drunk was the night before I got married. (Hey, it was an AFTERNOON wedding, so it was okay, and it wasn't like I was having second thoughts or anything, it was just a night out with the girls).

But now? Sure, I wouldn't mind one every now and then.

Anyway, back to present day.

Lately, with all the wonderful therapy I have gotten in helping me deal with my mom's death and how it affected me, I feel back to "ME", you know? Like I found myself again. I found my confident self again, and my "social" self again too.

Being on the softball board, I have met so many nice, good people. People that I probably wouldn't have crossed paths with, had I not get involved. And maybe it's because I don't have an "agenda" by being on the board that I can listen, without judgement to people.

And by being called "approachable", I take that as a compliment.

I take that as coming full circle and being "me" again.

I certainly feel so much more relaxed about myself and a lot of things.

So I'll be the Secret Keeper. And I'll listen. And I won't tell anyone. It's not my place to tell.

I'll be your friend.

A Bit of This, A Bit of That

My oldest is trudging along with her broken hand. As least she can still play Guitar Hero......

Hubby went and bought Guitar Hero 80's Edition the other day, so they have been having fun with that.

We also got a new toy for the whole family too........

Let me just say the Wii Fit is WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE it!! Yout get to do so much with it! The youngest one loves doing the yoga on it! I tried it out this morning and did a little running and hula-hooping. Let's hope this is the kick start to help me get back in shape! It keeps track of your weight and time spent on the Wii Fit as well! (I do do other stuff as well besides just the Wii Fit)

And THEN!, yesterday at my oldest's game (we still go watch and support the team) I brought my camera to take pictures and one of the coaches has an older daughter who went to the Brooks Institute and has this amazing lens (pictured below). Well, he saw me taking pictures last weekend and this weekend he brought up the lens for me to use! I was in HEAVEN!! Plus hubby just bought me a 4gb Compact Flash drive for my camera so I had PLENTY of space to store pictures. He said he's going to let me use it tomorrow too. Yippee!!! The quality of the pictures was SO much more amazing than the ones I took with my regular telephoto lens. It also has a hood though, so that might have helped as well. I'm going to get a hood for my lens and see if that helps too. But this is my next purchase, for sure. I am going to save up for it. While I would LOVE to have a sports lens, those are like $6,000 and I certainly don't have the money for that. I'll settle for this, thank you. :)