Paradise for Christmas!

I went to Paradise on the 13th of December and on my way up here I stopped at Grandma's and took pictures of across the street which has changed dramatically over the years. There used to be a huge farmers market where there are condos being built right now. There are huge state buildings in the background of that. And per a request I took pictures of the newer view of Grandma's house. These are pictures of Hailey on my left and Zoey on my right that we snapped at 6:30 am the morning that I left. It was a nice visit and to be around family goes unspoken. It was such a nice trip that I came up for Christmas to stay a week or so!

View from Grandma's House

Christmas Parade

I went to the Lemoore Christmas parade on December 6. Logan and Cameron were on the MIQ float. Cameron started screaming at me when she saw me. I couldn't find her or Logan so it was good she started screaming at me. I also got a really cool shot at the end of the parade of Santa on the fire truck. Owen sat on the sidelines and watched, he is such an animated character. Amanda and Tyler, thier parents and Bryson's dad and him also sat and watched. Mary brought hot chocolate and tons of blankets to stay warm. Karen Christensen came by and asked if we remembered being in it so long ago and we had just giggled about it to each other and how cold we were. I went to dinner afterwards with them for a yummy burger.

The weekend and the week to come

Well didn't do much. We did however get our room clean finally. We got new snowflake flannel sheets, they were warm last night. The fog is rolling in this year. We have been under law enforcement alerts. Basicly high fog alerts, they have a new name for them. Silly! I am off to Dinuba this week (today and tomorrow) and next. So I will have to leave extra early with the fog. Going to see Kim and Matt tonight and I am so excited. We might go to dinner, just depends. I have class today and none on Wed. Troy is off today and tomorrow for a well needed long weekend. So a short week for both of us. Thanksgiving will be at Troys sisters house or his moms. We are taking cranberries and plates. They wanted us to bring plates and no food. His brother in law is a chef so he does all the cooking. Well I can't go and not take anything. So I told his mom that I would bring cranberries, since nobody ever has cranberries the way I like them. I bought at farmers market some huge green raisins to make oatmeal raisin cookies and I get to make a Pumpkin Pie Cake for Troys pot luck. So I will a baking fool!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today was his birthday and I hope he had a great day.

Gas

This is how much I filled my car up for tonight! I kept thinking that when I got a tank for under $2.00 a gallon that I would take pictures some how. And I did with my cell phone! I was so excited to see it for $1.99 a gallon. I was bouncing in my seat when I pulled up to Costco!

Danell

My friend Danell is moving to Utah. She is a gypsy to the core of her being. She had been in Maui for 3 years. It was time for her to move on. She tried Montana and now she is headed for St. George. On her way down south to make her way to Las Vegas she stopped in the Valley. It was great to see her it had been 4 years, that is what we determined. Too long for sure. I meant to get a picture of us this morning and forgot to pull my camera out. I was so mad after she had left I almost called her and told her to come back. But I refrained! I worked at the High School in Exeter today and yesterday. It was interesting. The teacher put me at the table to work on reading. It was nice to put the things I had learned in Arkansas to work in another setting. I guess I impressed the teacher and told me today that I was doing a great job.

Holiday Stroll

We went to holiday stroll this weekend. It was a lot of fun. We had the kids this weekend. They even enjoyed it. We walked around to all the open shops. We even got a great bargain at the Arrow Stationers store closing. Fifty cent pen refills for the pens that Troy uses at work. That is almost Three dollars off the original price. We snagged all they had. I got my rose from Ramblin Rose who is celebrating their 20th year next year. It was not the same at the other flower shop since Peggy doesn't own it anymore. I got to see Annie, Adrianna and Megan a few times. All the Pereira's were in the jewlry store. And Karen and Mrs L'herault were out directing traffic, hearing Karen in that setting takes me back to being a kid in scouts. We went shoe shopping for Troy yesterday and decided on them today. We had chili from two weeks ago, and I made a new fancier, yummier version of my white trash lasagne. With tortellini instead of elbow macoroni, a twist off of a Rachel Ray recipe. Yum-O!

Top 3's..............

I was tagged by Kim, so here are my top 3's...
Vacations
1. Trip across the US, CA to New York
2. 6 month trip to Arkansas
3. A birthday trip to CA from TX when I had first moved there
Flowers
1. Tulips
2. Gerber Daisies
3. Roses anything but RED
Comfort foods
1. Ice Cream, cold stone sweet cream with strawberries, choc chips and white choc chips
2. Taco Salad
3. Stuffed Salmon
Favorite places to shop
1. Target
2. Pac Sun
3. Craft Fairs
Thoughts about Halloween
1. Just happened and had fun
2. Oh no Christmas will be here soon!
3. Fun............good memories
Thoughts about Thanksgiving
1. Get to see Matt, Kim and the kids
2. Yummy food
3. I love making Turkey dinner
Thoughts about Christmas
1. Magic
2. Cookies and milk
3. Presents
Things you look forward to in the week
1. The weekends
2. School
3. Cooking
Events happening this week
1. This last week was election day :)
2. What would have been a tenth anniversary
3. Next week a day off in the middle of the week for Veterans Day

I am supposed to tag someone with this, but I don't belive I have other bloggers reading this if I do then tag your it!

Fall is finally here and summer should be over.....

crossing fingers! Well the leaves are finallyl starting to change colors and fall off of the trees. We had a pumpkin stolen today out of our front yard, while we Troy was home. There were three cars in the driveway and they came into our fenced yard. I am so mad as Troy said they needed the pumpkin more than we did apparently. They stole mine I think although Troy it was his. Regardless it was the largest one we got. So sad! Thought I would share. I am working in the same adult class tomorrow as today. It is almost boring but not really. Learning lots of sign. Trying to use as much as possible, doesn't always work. Well I am off to go get tootsie roll pops. I am going to go visit the other class in Exeter tomorrow when I am done. They are having a party and I thought I would take them tootsie pop ghosts. Should be fun. Then tomorrow night I am going to Lemoore to go hang out with Cam, Logan and Owen. I am going to get a pizza from Papa Murphys its a Jack O Lantern shape pizza with pepperoni eyes nose and mouth. I am thinking about getting one for the kids on Saturday. I would like everyone who reads to let me know what I should do with our remaining pumpkins. Should I save them for Brett and Shay to carve on Saturday or should I do it tomorrow. If I do it tomorrow I had Troy get them to design a face this morning on paper of how they would do thiers. So please comment and let me know what I should do?!?!?!?! Anyhow hope all have a nice Halloween. Hope its not to ghostly!

Disclaimer and what I have been up to!

This week I have been all around. Mostly in Exeter, today I went to Hanford. I was an instructional aide for a preschool program. It was very interesting to say the least. They were all developmentaly not on task, some it was obvious and others it wasn't why they were there. I really missed my friends at Rocky Hill in Exeter. I love getting off at 3 in the afternoon to get things done. The whole point to this was a disclaimer about the blog under this. I have messed and messed with it to get it to look right and I can't get it. Well enjoy.

Pumpkin Patch

We went to the pumpkin patch on Saturday. The only time the kids were good this weekend. They were BRATS just about all weekend long. They are not being told NO at home and having a hard time with that here. Anyways. We had a lot of fun for the few hours we were there. We went to a pumpkin patch right down the street. They have a corn maze that is open til 10 at night. Would be interesting to go in the dark, but I am too chicken to go in the daytime. They also have sandboxes filled with corn, pumpkin painting, and all these cool cutouts to pose in.












Shay almost at the four feet mark, and Brett right behind her.












My Knight and Shining!









Troy and I as scarecrows, Shay couldn't figure out how to get us both in the picture. So I figured get what we could and it worked.










At the start of our hayride. Lots of fun, very peaceful. We were taken through the corn fields.









This is the pumpkin Troy ended with. Brett attempted on his own then Shay gave it a try. They both ended up doing it together. We all got pumpkins, I will post when I make them into Jack O' Lanterns.










On the hunt! The one ont right ended up being Bretts. The one below was just a pretty picture I got.

Its been a while......

I should have done this almost two weeks ago. We had a blast at the Ren Fair (pics are above). Their face paintings they were so proud of and Captain Jack Sparrow. I forgot my camera so I used my cell phone, better than nothing. The car show was nice but there was only one VW. We went to both with Troy's brother Billy and his son Zach(a year and half). We did a lot of walking that day and that just continued on Sunday. On Sunday we went to the MIQ Fall Festival. All three kids were with us. We went over to Troy's sisters house in the middle of our fun to eat. That was ok, we were all ready to go back. We pre bought tickets and bought more when we got there. We pretty much turned the girls loose with Cameron. They all three had a blast and it was really fun to see Katie as one of the kids for once. Brett and Logan bonded as well and were in all different directions and met back up at points. We had a great day, it ended with Katie remembering that she had homework to finish at 8 at night. So we headed for home and dropped her off. The other two passed out and went right to sleep when we got home. That weekend Mike was home(on his way to Iraq), he has been at training for the last 6 weeks. So he took his room back and the kids slept next to the bed both nights. On Sunday night we spread them out a little more under the bed. That sounds so bad but really just their feet were under it. They enjoyed it and had fun. I have kept busy with school and teaching. Lots of hard work. I was in a classroom in Exeter and will be there next week for a few days. I also took another proficeny test. I passed this time. I got an 88 in reading(last testing score), writing 82 and math 78. I brought the two sections I took up a lot. So I have also been getting nonstop automated calls from Kings County. So I will be busy with both Counties. This last weekend was spent cleaning and looking for shoes. I have lost all my shoes, not really just can't find the box that they are in. This weekend I think we will go the pumkin patch as I have been inspired to go. I am also planning on making some pumpkins to decorate the house up. Since I can't get to the box of stuff that has holiday decorations in storage. HMMM what else. Well I think that is all. Have a great weekend!

Friday Fall is coming Fast!

Well I worked in Dinuba yesterday and Exeter today. I will be in the class I was in today all next week. I got a call yesterday for that. Today was a wild bunch. I watched a child drag a teacher literally across the pavement today, she tripped on a ball and didn't let go of the kids hand and he just kept going. I had another child just cry out of no where. CRAZY! Mostly different forms of Autism, some MR. There is a young gentleman in this class teachers aide. He is there to sit on some of these strong boys. And we had one little boy throw a massive fit and he had to sit on him to calm down. He was deaf and not sure what else. So next week should be interesting. Yesteday and today they were impressed with me. Told me I have great patience, I don't feel very patient. I feel like I am teaching preschool all over again. That is the level that all of them are on. I have also learned some sign language this week. Please, Stop, More, No (already knew/refreshed), Yes (already new/refreshed) and I can't wait to learn more, this is truely the way to learn it while its being used. I will learn thank you next week I forgot to ask how today.

This is a wild weekend coming up. There is NDC tonight, I don't think I am going. Tomorrow is the Rennasaince Fair and The Cars in the Park. Sunday is the MIQ fall festival and we have the kids this weekend. So should be fun and a wild ride. I will take my camera and post pictures since I haven't done that in so long.

It is supposed to rain and be really windy tomorrow and be cold. Should warm up some on Sunday and no rain but a slight chance. Fall is coming for sure!

Wednesday

It was a fast day all together. I had no phone calls til late morning and got the message for yesterday too late. I also got a phone call asking for next week. I work all week next week in Exeter. So that was a nice feeling to get that booked up. I took Mary eggs from Costco before class. Went to class and watched yet another video, his way of taking a field trip. I guess it works. Then came home, watched some primetime. I watched Pushing up Daisys and Private Practice, I was just informed that Pushing up Daisys got a 9.5 rating on some website my roomate watches. Great show, very whimsical and fun like a Dr Suess book. Well good Thursday to all I am off to Dinuba today. Should be interesting, I don't think I have ever been there.

This is an after note, I also got a call for today while was finishing this........thought I would share.

First Day

Was great! I had a lot of fun. And it went by soooo fast. I had one of students from swimming lessons. He is in high school now. CRAZY. He is autistic and 4 years ago wouldn't let me touch him. He parrots alot. It was amazing to see him. He actually gives out hugs and touches and loves. I also saw a few kids that I have seen out in the community. This morning before I left I got a call for tomorrow. I said yes to 5 to 7 year old special ed. The same lady called while I was in class and wanted for Thurs. So my week is already filling up. Looking very promising. The teacher today also that as soon as people see how good I am I will be booked. So that made me feel good as I had stumbled around the room all day. Well I am almost off to class.

Phone Call

I got a phone call at 6 this morning. Bright and Early! The lady on the other end introduced herself and asked if I was wanting to work today. I said yes and got my calendar out and started writing. I was to work 8:30 to 12, she called back 30 mins later and asked if I wanted to work all day. I hemmed and hawed, said yes. She asked if I was sure. I said yes and will be in a different, better class. I am exctied and very nervous. It is at a High School down the street about 5 city blocks down. I will let you know how it went when I get home today or after my class. I know I was asked this weekend if I thought I would get woke up and I did. I thought I would let you all know. My lunch is packed and coffee made. Wish me luck!

Interview, Job

I went on a job interview today at the Tulare Office of Education. It really wasn't an interview but the gentleman wanted me to know what I would be in for. It is for substituting instructional aide for severly handicapped. I am excited for the phone to start ringing. The lady said that my name would be on the list sometime tomorrow. I will let you know what happens. I also stopped at the library to pick up my books that came in. And at the farmers market that just started so nothing was set up. I hope to remember to go back next week. But there is always one set up on Saturdays mostly the same people. So there is always that. Well really that is all that is new and that was a stretch. Hope it tides you over til next time!

Baby Boys!

Well I really haven't been up to anything. Just everyday things, nothing special. I tried posting this last night, blogspot wasn't working. I guess there truely is a reason for everything. Yesterday I got a message that Kleo had her baby a month early. His name is Keaton James he was 4 pounds 11 ounzes. He weighs 2 pounds more than his brother did when he was born. He was born last Tues at 4:10 am. He is and will be at the hospital for a while and Kleo was finally released this last weekend. I also got news today that another baby was born early last week, Robert Harrah the third. I can't remember what his middle name is, named after a grandfather and his uncle who passed away in the very early 90's. He was also a month early. He is already home and doing fine. So this all I really have to offer. Made a new meal today, Tropical pork chops. Not to bad, sort of a sweet and sour sauce with rice.

My Weekend!

I got to go to Three Rivers. We found somewhere to stay the night. It was relaxing......no cell phones. We came home yesterday and had a lazy day. The kids came over before dinner. We had hobo packs. The kids got to make their own hamburger patty. They loved it. They also got to choose what veggies they wanted in their packs. Yummy dinner. Woke up today and got them ready for school. Now I am off to work soon. Well hope all had a great weekend.

Meeting the author

That was cool! Glad we took the time to go. I was hesitant to go, but am happy that I did. The guy was very nice and friendly. We chated for a bit and talked about the book and where some things are located. Well worth going! Got my book autographed as well.

My Friday!

Horrible picture. But you can see me in the reflection...haha. Shay got her glasses yesterday. Troy took her in two weeks ago and she is farsighted(I think). Well I thought I would show you what I did yesterday before work. After I came home and took a nap. Then cleaned my bedroom, still tons more to do. We are headed for Three Rivers today to see if we can find something to do! We were going to go to Sacramento but decided to wait a few weeks and plan a little better. Well hope all have a great weekend.

Train Robber's Daughter

I read a book...........I know the shock and horror. I actually sat down and read a book, it took about two weeks to finish. It is about a young girl and her family. Her dad robbed trains and no suspected him. They lived in Visalia and he robbed the trains her in the central valley. She was a very neat lady with a cool story. I finished on Thurs and was sad to see it end. On Thurs night I was at Cosco and noticed this big sign that advertised a book signing for my book. So I will be going back to meet him. The last book I read ended up becoming a movie (Skipping Christmas/Christmas with the Kranks). So we will see what happens here......LOL.

Today

Today I took a proficency(sp?) test at the Kings County Office of Education. That was interesting in and of itself. It was sort of like the testing we did with the kids in Arkansas. It was at about a 4th grade to 7th grade level. I find out the results by Monday. I am thankful for the lessons I got on Math in Arkansas and all the lessons given to the kids on how to test. It was tricky at times but I made it through and was not the last one done. I was actually one of the first three to leave the room. I wrote a 3 paragraph story on where I would take a group of kids on a field trip. That was fun I wrote about taking them to the dairy. Not sure it was what they wanted but I enjoyed reminising about the dairy field trips we used to go on. Then I went to my babysitting gig I have been at for about a month. I only have about a week and a half left. We will see what the substituting job has in store for me. I have 2 hours before my class in Lemoore. I went to Troys mom who was not feeling well and needed a trip to the ER not breathing well, she has emphazema and the valley crud moved to her chest. Keep her in your thoughts. I also went to his sisters house and played with his neice. She is a blast! Then I went to Bill and Anita, VW friends. Only Bill was home and I got hear about his Sturgis trip. Then I went to Mary and Larry's house. Helped Mary find a few sites including this one. I also learned that Kleo is due in October, she has about a month left not a few months along like I thought. Then I went to class and learned about England and even taught my teacher about Horse Brass. Wish my stuff wasn't in storage I could share with the class. Maybe by the end of the semester. Then I went back to Bill and Anita's, their daughter and family is visiting from Virginia. So I got to see Munchies. It was fun seeing her she is more grown up everytime I get to see her. Also while I was there VW Eddie showed up and I got to see and hang out with him. So what a day its been! I thought I would share this with you. A trip is almost in order, I want to go see my Grandma in Sac and this weekend I think that we are going to make the trip. Or to the coast to camp. We'll see got a few days to decide. Chime in and tell me what you think we should do.
SSSSSHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mouth Full!!!!!!!

Dangerous Chocolate Cake

I got this as an email. It looks and sounds easy and divine, thought I would share it will you all.

This is really good. It is really quick to put together too. Use a fairly large mug. Almost everyone has the ingredients in their cupboard.

DANGEROUS CHOCOLATE CAKE~ IN ~ A ~ MUG

1 coffee mug
4 Tbsp. cake flour (plain, not self-rising)
4 Tbsp. sugar
2 Tbsp. cocoa
1 egg
3 Tbsp. milk
3 Tbsp. oil
Small splash of vanilla
3 Tbsp. chocolate chips, optional

Add dry ingredients to mug, mix well with a fork.
Add egg, mix thoroughly.
Pour in milk and oil and vanilla, mix well.
Add chips, if using.
Put mug in microwave, and cook for three minutes on 1000 watts.
Cake will rise over top of mug--do not be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little; tip onto a plate if desired.
Eat!

***And WHY is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?
Because now we are all only five minutes away from chocolate cake any time of the day or night!!!*** late-night cravings; ha, ha! add some drizzles of chocolate syrup and some Cool Whip . You could add canned frosting, too.
The batter does rise up 'way over the top of the mug, but doesn't run down the side. Fun to watch! Be careful not to overcook--some microwaves are higher than 1000 watts, and three minutes is a dab too long--dries the cakes out a little bit. Anyway, give it a try! And be sure to watch it the whole time it's baking in the microwave!!!

6th Birthday Party, New kitchen, and Icing on the cake!

This was Logan Jones' 6th birthday party. It was on a Saturday but not a weekend that we had the kids. We had fun without them although it would have been more fun with them. Here are some pictures and stay tuned to the bottom for the icing on the CAKE!

This is the only picture I got of Mary's new kitchen. I can't believe that I forgot. They just had it recently redone. It is magnificent. Next time..

This is Logan playing with his friends. This was last years present or it was Owen's big present this year. I don't remember!

This is Logan's second cousin, Regan. I had her in swim lessons this summer and no clue who she was til his party.

This is the best for last. This is and right now I can't remember his name, it has left me it starts with a B, maybe Bryce. He is Cam's best friend. She used to say it was her boyfriend. Not sure that she still does. He is budding into a handsome young man. He is the grandson of someone named Kathy and the son of someone named Kleo. So I have a few readers that now knows who should know who he is. Well I just found out that his mom is about three months pregnant! Well thats all for this post. Hope it was worth the reading. If you didn't figure it out then let me know and I will give last names.

First day of School

This was the first day of school. Sorry its been a few weeks now. Their mom stayed home to take them on the first day, we just went over to take pictures. Brett is starting first grade, Shay is starting third grade, and Katie is starting seventh grade. They all like their teachers. And are enjoying being back in school.

Got my baby back!

My bug was towed from San Diego it was down at Jen's for a bit. She towed it attached to her new Motorhome last weekend. Thanks to her and Ben!