7 stores to find 1 thing

Yesterday Tony had the day off so we decided that we wanted to go out and enjoy our time together. He spent the morning at the VA...wasn't he just so lucky! When he got home, we decided that we wanted to spend the evening out!

Before I go much further, I have to say that we are Harry Potter fanatics...okay, well, I guess I should say that I am. We are also game fanatics. We love to play games. We have a few in our collection but not nearly as many as we want.

Anyway, I'm rambling...we decided that we wanted the Scene It! Harry Potter game. We saw it at WalMart before Christmas on the clearance rack. We were all about it but didn't have any money at the time. So we got some money for christmas and decided that that was what we wanted. We went to Walmart, Target, Tuesday Mornings, Toys R Us, Borders, Slackers at the Mall, and then Slackers by Walmart in O'Fallon. By the time we made it to the last store, I was just about out of hope....when there it was in all it's glory....Scene It! Harry Potter...oh my goodness, I can't even begin to tell you how excited we were! It was like Christmas all over again!

Now some of you don't know the story of our stolen movies. We were living with this guy...who we thought was a good friend. Tony and I came home for a court date and got a phone call from our roommate that he was moving out because he couldn't afford rent anymore. So here we are with 75% of our stuff in his apartment and it's about to go bye bye. Well, to make a very long and dramatic story short, he stole all of our DVDs...which we had a huge collection of...I've been collecting movies for years. He also stole our playstation 2, all of our games for that, and our TV that was only a year and a half old. So now we are slowly building our collection back up. We had over 200 movies and we now have 13 or so. We have a long way to go and it's going to be a very slow process but we are getting there.

So when we were at Slackers....which is a place that sells new and used videos, games, and things like that....we found the first three Harry Potter movies in widescreen...which I like better than full screen...they were also the first editions. We were very excited. And on top of that, they were only $6 a piece...how sweet is that!!!

So needless to say we had a great night last night. It was a lot of fun. It was almost like a scavenger hunt. All that for just a game...but it was fun and we got to spend lots of time together....I'm all about that!

I admit it!

Okay, so have you ever looked at someone else's life and thought, wow...why can't mine be that great??? I don't know what it is about some of my family members but they just seem to have it all and it makes me jealous. I know that probably isn't the right way to be. I try not to think about it but sometimes it just slaps me in the face. I know that what appears to be on the outside isn't always how it is for real. Trust me do I ever understand that. It's like someone telling you that they have a check made out to you for a million dollars and then it turns out that that isn't true....Oh wait...I have had that happen...hhhmmm..maybe I do know something about this.

Looking back on this year...there has been some major crap happen in Tony and I's life. We started the year off rocky. Neither of us had decent jobs. I had to quit mine so that I could be home for Grandpa's funeral. I knew that it was important for me to be there. I was really close to him. I felt like he was the only constant man in my life...that is until I met Tony. I don't blame my mom for that. She's had it rough too but to lose the only man that has consistenly been there for me throughout everything...it was hard....crap...who am I kidding....it's still hard. Although it is a little easier with Tony around.

Let's see...what else happened this year...Oh yeah, we almost got evicted twice. I worked in fast food for the first time in my entire life....will NEVER do that again. I had my dream job working in a scrapbook store but then got laid off. I became homeless. The state of MO and OK took child support out of my husband's check at the same time. He literally brought home less than $200 every two weeks. Some of my family members have made life a little hellish. I was promised a whole lot of things by someone that I trusted dearly to have that thrown in my face. All of my DVD's, playstation 2 games, PS2 and my TV got stolen. Almost lost most of our stuff because our roommate bailed out on us. Yeah...this year has completely sucked. But, we did get to come home. That's something we wanted to do more than anything. Tony will be the first to tell you, the two years that we spent in Tulsa were harder than the 4 he spent in the Navy. Yeah....that's how tough it was.

I can't believe that this year is almost over. In a way I'm very glad for this new year to come...It couldn't be any worse than this year. We are now back in MO and loving every minute of it. I have some wonderful hobbies that I thoroughly enjoy. They are something that my mom and I love to do so we can spend time together working on craft projects. My mom and I have discovered the love of jewelry making...beading some would call it. A lot of fond memories are had while mom and I are working on different projects. It's been fun. I have discovered that even though things had been really hard in Tulsa, there is something to be said about coming home.

I'm glad to be back in Missouri. I am glad to be able to spend a lot of time with my Grandma...this is something that I will treasure. I have a great relationship with her...no matter what some of the family says. I love my Grandma dearly. She's got it rough...it's gotta be just horrible to not be able to remember something and not know that you can't remember it. I can't imagine what that's like. Just as I can't imagine what my life would be like if I didn't have this time to spend with her. Sure things can get a little rough...hello...does the term "alternate reality" mean anything to anyone??? But here's the thing...I know more about my grandma and have experienced more than any other family member...other than my mom and george. I can tell my kids...if i have any...what a fabulous lady their great grandma was.

So while some of my family members have a hard time with Tony and I being here....i don't really care what you think. I love my Grandmother. I would never do anything to hurt her.

Okay, off of that subject. It's like 3am and I really need to go to bed. It's going to be another long day. Thanks for letting me vent!! Sorry if my ramblings are annoying but hey, it is my blog!

Merry Christmas!!

Wow!! What a great Christmas it was this year!!! I had the most fun buying Tony his gifts. Mom's was fun and so was George's!! It's hard to believe that this year is almost over! With Christmas here it makes you think about things a little different. Tony and I went to lunch with my dad yesterday and we had a blast!!! It was a ton of fun. We went to Olive Garden and just spent time laughing and enjoying each other's company. I have to admit, I was a little nervous. I mean, I don't really know him well and that just makes me a little nervous. Luckily Tony had the day off and we went together. I have such a wonderful husband!!! Anyway, we gave my dad his present, a little stuffed dog that sings Jingle Bells and wags his tail and flops his ears...really funny and cute!! It was a great time!!!

We got mom some beads and some socks and some Bath and Body Works soaps...she likes those, and one big ugly bead. I wish we could have gotten her more but we just didn't have the money this year.

We got grandma some PJ's that are just soo soft and are going to be really cute on her!!!

We got George a really funny gift....we got a big box and put all kinds of different potatoes....He says that he could eat potatoes any day of the week....and be a happy camper so Tony and I took that to heart and got him a 10lb sack of potatoes...three really huge potatoes that we found at Dierbergs...three boxes of dehydrated potatoes...and a family size bag of Cheetos!! It was hilarious!!!

Tony got some clothes and a jacket. A whole bunch of stuff in his stocking from Santa...apparently he was a good boy!!! I gave him some US Navy fleece that we are going to make into a blanket for him...we've been looking for that for the last 2-3 years and finally found it here!! YAY!!! Oh yeah, and we can't forget the socks....he gets them every year...it's a tradition!

I got a ton of stuff this year. I got a beautiful live tree and new ornaments that I totally love. I got a beautiful new wreath that mom and I made. I got some new makeup and a supergirl keychain. I got some new beads from grandma!!! I totally love beads!!! Santa brought me all kinds of fun goodies. I got a new hoodie that is fabulous!!! It's got eeyore on it...he's my favorite! I know i got more but I can't remember what it was!!!

It was just a fun Christmas. Grandma went to Marty and Cindy's for the day so we are Grandma free but she loves going over there and the kids love to see her! It's just a fabulous day!

Hope you are having a great one as well!! We love you all!! Merry Christmas!!!!

Thanksgiving and so much more

I can honestly say that Thanksgiving was pretty fun. I really loved it. The food was fantastic if I do say so myself. Mom and I decided that we were going to do most of the cooking and baking the day before so we could have a pretty easy day on Thanksgiving. It was very nice. I should post pics...hhmmm...but I don't know where the cords are at the moment so I'm not going to worry about it.

I do have one pic that I nabbed from my cousin's blog. My cousin Robert is getting married. Very happy for him. Michaeline is absolutely awesome. I just loved her. I wish them the best of luck. Here's the pic I nabbed!! Okay...never mind....i hate this stupid computer. I can't wait to get mine set up here...My mom's is just crap!!!

Anyway, don't really have much to say. Thanksgiving was great. Congrats to my cousin! OH!!! I competely forgot!!! Tony and I get the house to ourselves next week!!! My parents are taking Grandma to Uncle Terry and Aunt Valeni's house in Georgia! Feel sorry for them!! But very excited for us!!!! Yes mom, I promise the dogs won't come in the house..good grief!! Anyway, still a major excitement!!!

Good night all!!!

A lot on my mind

I don't know what it is about this time of year. Maybe it's the Thanksgiving season where people are supposed to be thankful for everything that they have been given or have had opportunity to give. Maybe it's the commercialism of Chrismas or Thanksgiving. I don't really know what it is but it gets me depressed. Maybe it's because I feel like I haven't been given my share of something good. I feel like all I have been dealt with is crap. And it's been that way for the past 2 years. I don't know why. I have been trying to figure out what good has come out of this year and the only thing that I can think of is that we aren't in Tulsa anymore. This year was supposed to be awesome! The trust was going to go through. We should have had plenty of money to make it through the year. We should be in our new home and have new cars and be working on an adoption. I don't know why this year hasn't been all that fantastic. I have had to struggle with my Bishop in Tulsa. I have had to struggle to figure out how to take care of Tony and I. I hate the feeling of failure but that's what I feel like I am. Nothing but a failure. We are still living in my Grandma's basement trying to figure out how we are going to make Christmas happen. We were lied to and promised so many things that feel like they are never going to happen. I'm tired of having to be the breadwinner in this family. I knew it was probably going to be like this when I married Tony and I love him more than anything on this earth I just wish something good will happen soon. I just want some happiness for once.

I don't know why I feel like my world is crashing down on me but that's pretty much what it feels like. I guess you could say that I'm throwing myself my own little pity party. I know i shouldn't complain because there has been a few good things that have happened but not very many....that's for sure. My family thinks that I'm mooching off my grandma...which I'm not. It's not my fault that my mom lives with her. I know she would be thrilled to live in the Lake house and not have to worry constantly over grandma. I mean, come on, think about it. Grandma has locked herself out of the house twice this week, stolen a butter dish...not intentionally I'm sure, and got lost in WalMart...that was so much fun...NOT!! So not only does someone have to be with her every minute of every day, we don't get to have much of a life. My mom is constantly concerned with the things that Grandma does....don't get me wrong, she loves her mother very much and doesn't mind taking the responsibility, it's just that it's hard. It's interesting when her brothers and sisters come to visit, they are constantly telling her things that she needs to do with grandma, or they have suggestions for how mom needs to handle things...well, you know what, they can't even handle her for a week let alone 6 years. Yep....my mom has been taking care of her for that long.

I know I shouldn't be complaining but it just seems that life has handed me a bowl of lemons and I just can't figure out how to make lemonade....isn't that such a stupid saying...whatever! Okay, well, it's like 215 and I really should go to bed...not that I can sleep! But I should give it a shot! Goodnight!

My Dear Sweet Adorable Husband

Wow! I have never realized how lucky I am to have such a fabulous husband. Our life has totally changed a couple of days ago and my husband is completely in control of our lives. I can't believe how strong he is. It's the most amazing thing that I have ever witnessed. We were told that some fabulous things were going to happen. We were going to get a new house and a new car and an old "new" car. I was going to be able to join U Design Jewelry and a whole lot of other things were promised. Well, while I believe that these things will happen eventually, it's just not going to happen as soon as we thought. It's so frustrating. I was upset about it all and then I just became indifferent and I think it has something to do with my wonderful Husband. I can't believe how strong he has been through this whole disappointment. Thanks goodness for him!!

I also didn't blog on Veterans day and I have the most wonderful vet. My husband gave more for his country than just his time. He gave his mental health. Before Tony went into the Navy, he was perfectly fine. Yeah, he probably was predisposed to BiPolar Disorder because of his family history, but because of war, my husband has bipolar disorder. But you know what, I don't know if I would change anything. Yeah, it makes things a little hard but I know that I can handle it and that I can deal with all the crap that this life has thrown at me and him. He is the only one for me. I had never had anything really good happen to me my entire life until I fell in love with my husband. And I would never change him.

I don't know where that came from but I do love him unconditionally. He is a fabulous person and he's so funny. He's everything that I have ever wanted. Here we are living in my grandma's basement because life has given us another challenge that we have to face but maybe things will get better soon. Maybe good stuff is going to happen again! We shall just wait and see.

Has it really been a month???

Wow, so I haven't blogged in over a month. What a slacker am I!!!?? Can't believe it! Oh well, I will repent and do better!

So much has happened. since I blogged last! My nephew got married. Was an interesting thing. I have never been to a Catholic wedding so I was in for a surprise. Apparently when you have a Catholic wedding you can have a full mass service or just a half of a service. Lucky for us it was just half! I have never been to a Catholic mass before and have no intention of ever going back. Here's what I don't understand about Mass...why do you want to go to church and listen to the same thing over and over again every Sunday? To me that kind of defeats the purpose of learning more about Christ's Church. If you listen to the same thing over and over again, you don't learn anything new. At least in our Church, we have new information and things coming out all the time. Like General Conference when the Prophet speaks and gives us direction for OUR time. The problems that we have now are different than the problems that people had before or they are more prevalent now than they were before. I could bring up so many different things but that would defeat my purpose of my blog! So I will move on to more interesting things that have happened!

I am buying a new house!!! I cant wait!!! It has taken a while but hopefully we can get it under contract within the next 48 hours so that I don't lose it! NOT that the market is that fabulous! Another issue for OUR time on this earth! I am also getting a new car and possibly a new puppy! New furniture to buy and all this fun and fabulous stuff! I can't wait!!! Tony and I have been sooo looking forward to this since we moved back to Missouri. We want to grow old in this house and fix it up how we want it! It's a new house...brand new construction!!! It's a gorgeous custom built house and it totally fits our budget!!! We are very excited. The dogs with have tons of space to run and play. The house sits on three acres!!! Tons of space for them to play. Hopefully, they will teach the new puppy to behave! We aren't sure what type of dog we are going to get but it's going to be interesting! I'm hoping for an airedale! I had one growing up and jus loved it more than anything on this planet! He was the best dog!

Anyway, on to something else!! What else has happened since i wrote a month ago???? Hmmm!!! Oh, mom and i were looking for stuff for the house and came across this store called CJ Banks. It's clothing for plus size ladies! We ran into THE SWEETEST deal! Tanks fo $2.99!!! Yeah, we got one in every color!!! They are fabulous! I can't believe the most fabulous deal! it was awesome! I got 11 shirts for $52. How sweet is that!?!?!

Anyway, I guess that's enough for the day. If i think of anything else I'll write more later!!

Bye for now!

Can't sleep tonight!

So much has happened these last couple of weeks that I have just been sooo busy. We are looking for a new house. Trying to find furniture for the new house. Helping my cousin have a baby...well, help as much as someone who has never been pregnant before can help anyway. Playing rescue brigade to my cousin who had the baby. Trying to not fight with my grandmother...that's always fun. Went to the awful dentist to get my teeth worked on again...I think I've spent over 500 bucks there...good grief!! Went to a Premier jewelry party...not what I expected. I think I thought that it was going to be like a U Design party but it wasn't even close. Not only was it not the same quality as U Design...but it was a completely different thing. You don't get to design your jewelry...they are trying to sell stuff that is already made. Kind of a bummer but I did buy an anklet that is really kinda cute. Definitely not sterling silver but it's silver plated and since it's going to be on my ankle, i figure that's okay...but I will definitely not get earrings from there...besides, I like to make my own stuff...it's fun! I get to choose the design and the colors and if I don't like it I can take it apart and try again. When you buy jewelry already made, well, you don't get the options of taking it apart and putting it back together again...well, you can, but it defeats the purpose!

Oh, so I'm supposed to be teaching a class some time this month but I still don't know when. I still haven't even made the project. It's getting kinda frustrating. Do you want me to teach or not!??!?!?!?!? Oh, well, hopefully something will come of it because I'm really hoping to start getting a following and then when I get my own store....BAM!! I got some people who want to take my classes. I have talked to a few members of the church that are totally interested in having a store in the area. It's really kinda hard to get the scrapbook supplies that people want because the stores around here are so small. What needs to happen is someone, such as myself, needs to provide this town with a large scrapbook store that gives scrappers an opportunity to purchase items that they can't get at the smaller stores. Archiver's is a great store and I don't have any problems with sending customers to them because I won't be able to carry everything. Who can!!!??? Michaels and Hobby Lobby can only carry so much..well, same goes for me! Hopefully, my store won't tank within the first few years. I really want my store to be successful and a place for scrappers to go to retreat from the dulldroms of everyday life! I want it to be a haven...a home away from home! That's what I'm hopeing to achieve! Now if only the stupid economy will get better...I'll feel better about starting my own business then.

Oh, speaking about scrapbook stores...I saw the other day on ScrapHappy's website that they were hiring. How frustrating is that. I would have loved to have my old job back...if Melissa would even let me back. I really wanted to work there and I worked my little butt off but maybe I just wasn't good enough. It was fun while it lasted though! So Candice, if you ever read this, congrats on getting a very awesome job! Melissa is one of the best bosses ever!

So this is just a tidbit of what happened since I last blogged. That doesn't include the Gladys Knight performance that I went to, along with Time Out for Women...which both were absolutely fabulous! Saints Unified Voices, if you ever get a chance to go to the performance...take it without question. It was amazing. The music was just so wonderful. The spirit that was there was just so fabulous. And I got to see some people that I haven't seen in a long time! It was fun! Oh, and Time Out for Women...total life changing experience. Michael McLean, Hilary Weeks, Cherie Call, and a whole lot of other speakers just made me feel like I was someone special. It seemed like some of the presentations and talks were directed to me. Like they were only for me. It was just a total spiritual explosion. Just fabulous! They are having one for couples coming up in November I think in Phoenix or someplace like that. I'm gonna try and get tickets if the money comes in by then...which i'm desperately hoping it does...don't ask!!

Oh well, it's almost one am I guess. I think I might take some Tylenol 3 and go to bed!

Blog you later!

Another busy day

Wow! This morning was fun! I got to teach a papercrafting class today at the Warrenton Ward Relief Society Super Saturday. It was fun! The ladies there were sweet. The classes went well. No major incidents happened and I got to play with my cousin Kayden for most of the morning...ah..that baby is just too cute. I'll see if I can get some pics. I need to find my camera...it's missing since I moved...my stupid roommate better not have touched it...Anywho! This morning was a blast. Mom took Sister Munson's organizational class..apparently I should have been there too! But I got the handout and mama took notes...mental notes but notes none the less. I only had one lady in my first class..nobody in my second class...and then a whole bunch came at the end! It was fun! There are so many sweet sisters in that Ward. I just loved them. There was one lady that was soo surprised that she managed to complete the project and that it looked cute. She was such a sweetheart. Mom made some cards during the second hour when we didn't have anybody in class. And the third one we managed to work our little tail ends off. It was crazy!!! But it was fun anyway!

Well, I'm gonna take off. We gotta work on getting ready for tonights jewelry party. I think it's going to be fun!

A whole lot of Stupidity

Wow! I can't believe some of the stupidity in my life...not only with myself...yes, I just admitted that I have stupid moments BUT my stupid moments won't get me in major trouble. The stupidity that I'm talking about is some of my family members. Without going into a whole lot of detail and not naming names...which would just be awful...there are some family members that are allowing other people to control their lives and manipulate them. They do things that they know they aren't supposed to do and that will get them into trouble. I just don't understand why some people do things that they know can get them into trouble. I guess it has something to do with learning things the hard way. I do that...this I do know. I always learn things the hard way. I can never learn anything the easy way or the first time.

You know, People always ask me why I don't have kids or do you want them. I was reading something somewhere...don't remember exactly where that said that one of the rudest questions someone could ever ask a woman without children. Yes I want children...can I have them...well, at the moment it doesn't seem to be. So, why the heck do people have to ask??? Just leave me the hell alone!!!

Okay, now that that is off my chest...we can now move on! On a lighter note, I am teaching a class tomorrow for my aunt at her ward Super Saturday! I'm actually kind of excited. I have most of the kits done...I still have to cut up a couple of things but then it's done. Life can be soo hectic. I have to be there at 8:30AM...not looking forward to that. Then we come home and recoup from that only to have a jewelry party tomorrow night....ugh...such a busy day. Lucky for us we have two days to recoup from that only to have a crazy day on Tuesday...my birthday! Okay, I'm done for the day! I'll write more later! Maybe i will have some pics to post tomorrow! Who knows.

Another Day in Paradise

Oh my, what another fabulous day at my house. My mom and step dad are at it again. I swear my mom can't do anything right according to him. He won't help with the house cleaning, which is important because we are having the elders over for dinner and there is a certain way Grandma likes things. See, George is a horder. He keeps everything. My mom keeps making excuses for him but meanwhile, the house is completely full of CRAP! So annoying. Of course it doesn't help that all my scrapbooking stuff is here at the house. We just have too much stuff. Now granted, most of my stuff is contained in two rooms...My room and a corner in the unfinished part of the basement. There is some stuff scattered but that's mainly where it is. Its sooo annoying. Oh well, maybe i'm pmsing....who knows!

Anyway, on to good news. Tony gets paid on Friday and hopefully it will be close to enough to get us our own place. We are back in MO for good now...sooo happy about that. Can't believe that we actually stayed in Tulsa for 2 whole years....amazing...time really did fly by pretty quickly. Although, sometimes i think it crawled by. But all in all, we made it back like we wanted to. Oh, and if Tony wants to finish his schooling, he has a place that he can stay to finish up with his airframe portion of classes. That will only take about 6 weeks to complete so if he decides to do that...more power to him...although, i think he's done with that and is going to pursue a different avenue....he wants to go to the community college in St. Charles to get his generals done and then we shall see where he's going next. Our life is forever changing and can sometimes be sooooo frustrating! Hopefully we will be getting some money our way soon....we can only dream!

Oh, a good note...i have a group interview at PetLand on Thursday, Sept. 11...two days after my birthday thank you very much!!!! Hopefully they will like me enough to do a one on one interview later on....I really would love that job. It's to be a Pet Counselor...basically I will be a puppy salewoman!! I think I can handle that! I love puppies and I love to put them in good homes. So hopefully I can combine the two and have a fabulous job! We shall see! I will definitely keep you posted! Well, gotta run and cook dinner for the elders...it's enchilada night!! One of the days, I'll post my recipe for everyone! Talk to y'all later!

A new beginning

This isn't my first blog to ever start but hopefully it will be the blog that I keep working on.

So many things are happening and changing right now it's crazy! It's one of those things that doesn't seem normal...that happens a lot. I feel like my world is falling down around my feet again. I can't get my scrapbooking stuff from Tulsa because I can't get to tulsa. My puppies are still there and I can't get them either. I am completely broke and very frustrated. I'm trying to get a new job and would love to work at Archiver's but that doesn't seem to be a reality either. Why do I think i'm talented enough to be the one they want?? My father-in-law hates my guts and won't let me borrow their car to go and get our stuff. So blasted frustrating. I just want to be able to create! What's so wrong with that?? Oh well, don't know why I thought he would be nice to me this time.

Sorry to be so much of a downer. It must be the weather today. Rainy and yucky!!! I hate the rain. It makes me hurt and very grumpy. I have a major headache and am frustrated so I think I'm going to go and work with some type of scrap project. Don't have much to work with but I'm gonna try to put myself in a good mood! Wish me luck!