Do I Dare?

...try again after all of these years? Well, two years, that is. I'll have to think about this for a little bit. 

What's the Problem?

Not sure. It has been the longest stretch of not blogging that I think I have ever done. And yet I sit here, trying to stay in the seat, knowing that there are about 5 million other things I should be doing, need to be doing. But I will stick out this uncomfortable feeling and do what I need to do on this handy little laptop of mine.

Our lives have been shifted, to say the least in the past 6 months. The addition for my mom is about completed, she has been living here for about 4 months. After about 2 months I came to the conclusion that she should not be home alone all day. She is having more and more trouble getting around, or I should say, she can't get around. It is quite the process to get her to the car to go to the doctor, and frankly, is exhausting for both of us. Please don't take that as a gripe, because it's not. It's just a lot of work. So doing that, working full time, and caring for my immediate family, something had to give. Dion and I sat down for hours and hours, revamping our budget and finances, and by changing some habits and making some big changes, we have made it so that I could quit my job to try and help my mom get through what we hope to be a rough patch. Now, from what I said it sounds like it was a piece of cake, what we did, but I assure you, it has not been easy. And it won't be. But what it boiled done to was a state of mind. We explained a lot of the money parts to the girls, and they know and understand what we are doing, and why we are doing it. Not to say that there aren't days that they want to get a new toy or such, but hell, there are days when I get pissed because I want something new. But we stay the course. Some days are harder than others, but together we seem to be hanging in there.

Anyway, enough about that. I took my mom to the Spine Center in the cities. She no longer can walk further than about 10 feet. Her spinal cord is being crushed causing a lot of pain and minimal movement for her right leg. She can have surgery to fix it, however, she still has the wound from 6 years ago that just does not want to heal that last part. Thus making surgery a bit riskier, but something they are willing to work with. And so is she.

After that, they need to look at replacing both hips and a knee. I am hoping that this will help her, and understand that she will not be what she was, but at least she will be better than she is now. It's not easy watching your parents get older.

Claire will be going into 3rd grande and Nadia into 2nd next fall. However we are changing districts. The girls are very excited for this change, and after touring the school, we are too. There was not one negative things we found about the district. I am unable to say that about our current one.

This spring Nadia fell off of her bike and spilt her chin (6 stitches) and broke her jaw. The break was very minor and didn't require and surgery...thank GOD!! She was back to her normal self in no time, much to my dismay. She is a rough player and I worried for a long time that she would re-injure or make her injuries worse. She proved me wrong. That kid......

We are going on a family trip next month! Pack your bags we're heading for TEXAS! Yee haw! Why the hell would anyone go to Texas in the summer, you ask? Why, to visit our dear friends who moved there in March. Claire is besties with Alli, and Nadia is besties with Eli, and Sarah and I are Mojito Mammas, and the rest, well, they just have to put up with us. But really, it has been sad around here without our friends. They used to live at the end of our street, and now they live at the end of our country. What the hell? But we are all very excited, to say the least. I am going on record that Eli and Nadia will be married some day. Well I can wish, can't I?!?

Ok. That's it for now. I have to go hunt down one of the cats that got out of the house. SHould be fun. All part of being a mom.

What's Worse?

I think I made a bad choice. I got the flu inhaled shot 20 days ago. I have been sick for 19. What the heck? Not enough to miss work because of it, but enough to make me grumpy about it. Not much I can do about it I guess, except just say no next year. And forever after that. I am kind of wondering if my Sarcoidosis has played a part in me having such a rough time with this, but who knows? Maybe the radiation has messed up part of my lungs as well.

We are getting closer and closer in being done with the whole addition process. They are working on the little things now, and as it seems we are looking at next weekend to start the moving process with my mom. I was up in her area earlier today and was looking at the sun pouring in through the windows. It was beautiful. I know she will love her area, simply for that. That and she can watch the girls sled down the hill in the backyard just by looking out her window. Yes, this has worked out better than any of us thought it would. I am just feeling the need to get her in here sooner than later. She seems to be in a lot more pain than she has been lately, and I worry quite a but about her. In the past the back surgeon said he wanted her off all pain meds for 3 months prior to him doing surgery. I don't see how that will be possible. Today I mentioned maybe getting a second opinion just to see what another doctor thinks. The plan for now is to try and get the front wound healed, and then go for the second opinion. Something has to change here as she can't keep going in the stage she is in.

I could use a nap. Not that I will get one, I just said I could use one. That and something sweet. And maybe a large win in the lottery. And a bathroom break. Better go.....in more ways than one....hahahah!!

A Rocking Saturday Night

But not really. In fact the only ones rocking tonight would be Claire and her friend Alli who are doing Just Dance on the Wii. Interesting stuff. Nadia and her friend Eli are upstairs doing lord knows what. They are a lot alike. Almost scary alike. We are having a sleepover with Allie and Eli, who live down the street. A fun group of kids to watch. We'll see what happens at bedtime though.

My mom's carpet was put in yesterday. We are that much closer to her moving in, and she is very excited. Her part of the home looks amazing, and I am excited for her too. There's some odds and ends that need to be done and then it's moving time.

Remember how I said I was sick from the flu shot? I am just starting to lose the cough. Two weeks people. It was almost two weeks ago that this started. What the heck?

I was at Perkins the other day, and I saw the strangest sight. I tried to get a picture of this guy, just to prove what I saw, but I lost the opportunity so I will just have to explain in to you and trust that you will believe what I saw. I had a profile view of a man with a mustache and a beard. He was sitting with a woman, so keep in mind she had a head on view of this guy. As he sat, deep in conversation, I saw something dripping out of his nose which I can only assume was snot. It hung on his mustache and slowly dripped down to where I thought it was going to drip on to his plate. And he just kept talking. And she just kept looking at him, not in awe or disgust, just like a normal conversation with the added effect of snot. I know I furrowed my brow in disbelief as I fumbled for my phone. But after the drip was about an inch long, he wiped it. I didn't see her motion to her own nose in an attempt to tell him he had a little something dripping, so I can only guess he finally noticed that snot was dripping out of his nose. So that was my Perkins adventure, which I missed documenting and posting on Facebook. Sad.

Ok, now I have to do some hairstyles for the girls while the kids all try to agree on one movie to watch. This will be interesting. And probably not productive.

A New Look

I did not know how hard it would be to pick a new layout and colors and such for my blog. There's a lot to pick from but to find the right one which shows who you are or what you want to be or what you stand for, was tough. I flipped through quite a few pictures and designs and colors and found this one. A simple flower, beautiful in it's own way. Not with a lot of colors, not flashy, just a little touch of nature to remind us of how beautiful things around us really are. Perfect.

As this first month is thinking about coming to an end, I have been thinking as well. Thinking about the direction of my life, my family's lives. Thinking about things that I need to change, keeping in mind that I can not make anyone else change. Not putting so much emotion in to things that are not how I would like them to be, but rather accepting them for what they are, and moving on. I may not be surrounded by all of my friends, as they are currently located all around the world (literally), but I know no matter what I can call on them. I know that they will support me, give me advise, and just, for lack of better terms, be there. And that, my friends, is priceless. Especially when you start to doubt yourself, or things that may have happened. I can count on them to tell me what they think honestly, and they help keep me grounded. Some issues came up and I asked one of my camp friends who was visiting this weekend if I was the one who was not thinking through the situation with an open mind. How amazing to have people that I can trust and talk to openly without being judged.

Anyway, I am so exhausted as of late, and to add to that, I got the flu inhaler on Monday night and now I am sick with a gross cough and horrible headaches. This is the last time I am getting the flu shot. I always seem to get sick after it. All I want to do is sleep and in fact I have dozed off about three times doing this post. Ugh. So enjoy the simplicity of the flower and decide what it means to you. New life? Love of nature? A hint of what's to come? You decide. I already have.

The End of Another Year

I can't believe this year is almost over. And what better way to end it than with the flu. Ugh. Not so good times, but I am over the hump and will go back to work tomorrow after missing 2 days. I am still a little sore but I think it was from the actual puking process.

I have had the girls home with me today and it was manageable. There were times when I wanted to crawl under my covers in my bed to get away from them, but I didn't. Like when Nadia was bouncing against the couch, or when Claire was yelling in my ear, or when they took over the TV. But then I remember the cards they bought me and signed with their cute penmanship, and the soft teddy bears they picked out and gave to me last night, and every thing's alright. It's not easy on anyone when Mommy's sick. The world sort of comes to a screeching halt as though nothing is capable of happening until said Mommy is healthy again. Why is that? I did manage to clean the kitchen (twice) today. Once from the normal kitchen clean up stuff, then again to pick up all of the play dough gadgets left from the girls. Of course that had to include sweeping up the little bits of dough that were all over the floor. I have a headache, but I really don't want to have to go upstairs to get the pills. I'm tired and crabby and Dion just sent a text that he is running almost an hour late. Fantastic. Good day to have him come home late.

But anyway, this year was kind of up and down for me. I am looking forward to starting a new year, with new hopes and such. I am hoping that I can get some energy back and enjoy things more than I did in 2010.

I have to stop for now, as I have four extra eyes looking over me and reading everything out loud, which may or may not be exasperating my headache. But it is kind of funny listening to my eldest trying to pronounce it. Repeatedly. Can't figure out why my head hurts....

Merry Christmas Eve!

I think we are setting records in the amount of snow this year. Not too long ago we got about 20 inches, then added another 6 or so, then today added another 4 or 5. Snow snow snow! But that's ok. It is so beautiful outside, and rather peaceful. Which is good. Peaceful is good.

Work is going well. I am still exhausted by the end of the day, which I kind of hoped with even out by now. Not sure what is wrong with me, but it would be nice to be able to stay up past 9 or so again.

The kitchen is almost completed in our house, minus a few touches here and there. It's like being in a different house when we are in our kitchen. It is so nice and beautiful, and very easy to work in. The rest of the addition is coming together, but we still don't know when my mom will be able to move in. I think we are all looking forward to that day, as she hasn't been doing the best as of late. The pain meds barely take the edge off of her pain, and I will just feel safer when she is here and I am able to help her on a regular basis. I know she is looking forward to that too. She has developed an infection in her wound, and I blame the insurance company. They have messed around with getting her infusion approved, which was helping her so much before. They began by denying the medication in the infusion. Now they have approved that, but not the saline. The saline? Really?? I hope it gets straightened out soon so she can get back to the job of healing. Ugh. It's frustrating. More so for her, but frustrating to watch.

Tonight we will do the 5th annual reading of The Night Before Christmas. After the story is done, we always hear Santa's bells outside so the girls know they should get to bed so Santa will come. Works out nice....

Other than that, it has been a day of staying in our pj's, not doing a whole lot of anything. Sounds perfect to me.

By Request of Some

I have made a change. I had my blog set to private so I could write what I wanted/needed to write. I have decided to change it back to public, but have taken a bunch of posts and set them as drafts so they will be mine and mine alone. This way I can still write what I want to write, and keep them private. So, here I am with a lot to catch up on...

We put Sammie down this fall. She was 13 years old and life was getting hard for her. There was no way that I was going to wait until she was unable to get around and in a lot of pain. I held her after her sedative for a while, smelling her fur, feeling her soft ears, creating memories. Then she was gone. It was a sad day. Very sad. After a few days of being a dog empty house, I began the search for another canine friend. It was needed. Our house was empty. Then I found Jenny. She is a Blue Heeler mixed with maybe some rottie, not sure though. She is 6 years old, and in the few months we have had her, she has become our friend, protector, jester, and companion. She stays with us without having to be on a lead, she listens, she plays with all her toys, she is perfect. I couldn't ask for a better dog.

We are still working on the whole house addition for my mom. Right now the kitchen is being out together. Which is a good thing since Dion's family is coming for the faux Christmas on Thursday. As of right now, we have cabinets. By Wednesday we will have counters, a floor, and appliances. Hopefully. It has been very stressful trying to figure out if this is all going to come together in time. Keeping in mind that all of our previous kitchen stuff is located in our living room. All of it. We have a chest freezer underneath our picture window. we have our old cabinets holding up our microwave which is located right next our recliner. Convenient, really. The fridge is next to the computer, which makes for easy drinking accessibility. Wait, maybe we should keep our kitchen in our living room....

Work is going well. It is exhausting at times, but is going well. I have ten 4-5 year olds which offer entertainment daily. I have them from 7:45-3:45pm. I guess there's a reason I am so tired at night. My boss has given me many compliments, which is nice to hear, and the kids seems to have fun in class.

We got dumped on in the last couple days. About 18 inches of snow. It was so pretty to watch and I was glad we didn't have to go anywhere. Today, on the other hand, feel like we live at the South Pole. The wind chill may get to -30 today. -30!! That's not humane at all! And now the girls can't play outside in all of the fantastic snow!

My mom has been up and down with her health. A few weeks ago I had to call an ambulance for her. I got to her house and she was in so much pain that the home health care nurse suggested I take her in. I didn't feel like I could get her down the stairs by myself so I had to call for help. They gave her morphine during the ride and that helped her a lot. She now has some pain patches and those help too. I am really looking forward to her being here so I can get to her quick and help her fast if needed. I can't count how many times I have gone over to her house because I couldn't get a hold of her. Now I will just go up some stairs.

Ok, I think I have bombarded enough. More to come, at some point.

Where's a Bucket?

Just so I can vomit into it.........

The Summer is Coming to an End

Today was a reminder of the fact that summer will be over soon. The weather was so wonderful, a nice break from the horrible humidity we have been having over the last 2 weeks or so. We actually opened up the windows and filled the house with fresh air. Complete sweetness.

Today was my first paid photo shoot of a little girl named Claire. If you look at the top of my page you will see my Flickr pictures, and that is her. She is such a little doll! She was adopted by my friends, and they are anxiously awaiting bringing home Ian next month. He is 8 months younger than Claire. They will be busy busy people. But it was awesome to catch up with Vicki, it's been years since we have seen each other. Well, minus talking on Facebook. She is one of my camp friends, and there's nothing like camp friends!

School is starting next month, and all the supplies are purchased. However, I have to go back to work in 2 weeks, so unbeknownst to my kids, they will have to go back to daycare in 2 weeks as well. I'm keeping that on the down low for now. I know how that is going to play out and it is not going to be pretty. I have enjoyed most of the summer with them, but I am looking forward to having more adult time once I am back in the work force.

Next weekend is my mom's estate sale. All this week is going to be devoted to getting ready for that, starting with getting an ad in the paper tomorrow. My mom asked me to write that up, so I will do it tonight and call in the morning. These sales are a lot of work, and I hope it pays off for her.

We had the cancer walk on Friday. Our team raised $4115 for the event and the rain stayed away, and I am still waiting on the grand total, but I know it is over $140,000. What an event! Our town is one of the highest per capita money raisers for Relay for Life. We are proud. Again, thank you to those who donated to me for this wonderful event. It couldn't happen without you.

I'm thinking of my dad this week as it marks the 2nd anniversary of his death. It's a challenging time of the year as I fight back the thoughts of watching him die. I find myself looking to him for advise, missing what he would offer. We will be going up to the cemetery on Tuesday. The last time we were there the girls had colored pictures for him and we slipped them into his niche. They miss him a lot, and we often talk about death and God and heaven. But mostly we talk about the memories we have of him, and think about ways that we can remember him. It's going to be a rough week. But we will get by. We always do.

The Heat! Oh My God, the HEAT!

Do you remember that episode from Seinfeld when Elaine is talking about hell and how hot it is there? That is how it is here. It is unbearable outside, even for a few minutes. I am not sure how Kay works on the addition in this heat, but day after day, he is here, working, sweating, drinking water and sweating some more. Today he is getting the wrap around the outside with the goal of getting the windows put in this week. That man is a machine and we are so very lucky to have him. I know I say it all of the time, but it is true. I have never met someone like Kay, and most likely never will. Lucky. That's what we are.

We have the cancer walk this Friday. I'm not sure where our team is at as far as total money raised, but I think we are over $3000. I have another $60 to take in that I have gotten since bank night, and I think Dion has another $250. Sweet. Of course this year they are saying that we are going to get rain (for the 3rd straight year in a row!!), possibly some strong storms. I don't mind walking or hanging out in the rain. What bothers me is the fact that the bags with all the names on them get ruined. That is almost a heartbreak to see. But, we have to remember the goal of the night. And I am looking forward to it, rain, or no rain.

We are refinancing our house to take advantage of the lower interest rate. We had an appraiser come through yesterday, so the days prior to were spent cleaning and organizing, and dang, the house was spot on! It actually echos a little bit in the living room. And now the goal....to keep it this way. However, I can hear four kids upstairs who might make it a little bit of a challenge.

After the appraisal was over yesterday we went out on the river with our friends and docked at a beach about a half hour away, and relaxed. It was wonderful! Just wading in and out of the water, watching the kids play in the sand. It was just what I needed after a couple of stressful weeks. Next week will not be much better as we get ready for my mom's estate sale. Way too much to do.

But, on an exciting note, I am going to the cities on Sunday to take some pictures of a friend's daughter. I hope it goes ok as I am not 100% confident of my abilities. I will see if I can get permission to put them on Flickr so if you would like to see them you can.

Speaking of, I have a few that I need to add to the site while I am thinking of it.

The Shuffle...Please Help

It's that time again folks. Actually, I am running a bit behind, so you must forgive my urgency. The cancer walk is just around the corner, and like previous years, we are walking it. However, I am in need of some donations to keep our team going. It's a flat donation, nothing by the mile or hour, just whatever you may feel comfortable giving. $5, $10, $20, $100. I do have to say though, that if you are interested in purchasing a luminaria, they are $10, but that can be included in your donation. So say you wanted to honor/remember 3 people and you are donating $50. Then $30 of the donation would come out of the $50. Get it? It's kind of a tricky thing to explain at times, so I hope I did it justice.

Anyway, most of us have been touched by cancer one way or another. You have, simply by reading this blog and knowing that I was diagnosed 6 years ago with breast cancer, and 2 years ago my dad died of Lymphoma. But I am sure you could count on your hands many times over other that have been fighting the cancer battle. And how is it possible for the battle to be fought? By the American Cancer Society. AKA: The Shuffle. We have been walking The Shuffle for the past 9 years, raising money for a good cause that at the time we didn't know we would need.

Please help us help others.....write me at flaskafive@yahoo.com if you are interested in donating. I will email you my home address and together we can help those who really really need it. You guys are the best!

The Deadliest Catch

I'm not sure why I have such an obsession about the death of Phil. I watch these tough men weep at the lost of their friend, and I weep with them. I can't get enough of the show. The one we watched last night had to do with a documentary of the men who document the crabbers. Ironic sort of. But it was good. To watch Phil write when he couldn't talk that there has to be an end....ugh.....he was such a decent guy. I know that I am acting like I knew him personally, which I didn't, but I just really liked him. He worked side by side with his kids, and demanded that they worked to their highest capability. They didn't get breaks because they were his kids. But you could see how much he loved them, and they him. I wonder what the show is going to be like next season.

We miss you Phil. A lot.

I Never Could Juggle

I am finding myself getting more and more stressed as time goes on. I sat on the couch a few days ago, wondering how I was going to get everything done that needs to get done. Ironically, on my Laundry List, was laundry. It never ends. Never. It just grows and grows, until one day the laundry room explodes and I have no choice but to do 500 loads of laundry. And that's not even the worst part. Putting it away is another story. But, after tonight, I am happy to say that once again I can see the floor of the laundry room. For now.

I am feeling the pressure of getting stuff done around here and at my mom's house. My sister and I have been the ones packing things up and moving them to storage. My mom gets emotional because she is unable to help. I keep telling her that I can't do what I am doing without her there to direct me on what stays and what goes. And there's a lot of stuff. I spent time in the garage, finding all of the things my dad had stored away.....like 6 of the same screw driver set. And tools I have never seen before. And holiday decorations. Many of them. My dad loved the holidays for the simple reason that he loved to decorate. Halloween was his favorite.

Most of the plywood on the addition is on the addition. unfortunately, there is a section over the existing house that needed a tarp on it. We had strong rain today, and part of the tarp was blown off. That area is located in the laundry room. Hence the laundry getting done today. It got a little wet.

Yesterday I got the dumpster loaded with old siding and other junk ripped off of the house. It was dirty work, but here's how I feel about that. I was sweating. A lot. But I loved it. I love the feel of sweat rolling down my face. It is the sign of a honest, hard day of work. If I could have a job where I did stuff like that all day, not only would I be skinny from sweating all day, but the pain would feel so good. Odd, I know. I need to get back to the gym.

Tomorrow is the last day of the basketball camp the girls are attending. Day one was a challenge. Claire wanted to quit. I wouldn't let her. She wants to take gymnastics (again...she quit that about 2 years ago), but I told her that if she couldn't finish the commitment of basketball, she could not sign up for gymnastics (again...reminder, she quit the first time). It was a rough first day, but she stuck with it, and is actually having a good time. Today she made 8 shots in one minute. Nadia made 3....she is pretty short so the distance to the basket is so high for her. She was happy though, since she only got one yesterday. I originally thought I would take those 2 hours they were at basketball for myself. To do whatever I wanted. Go where ever I wanted. Just me. Alone. Except for the fact that I love to watch them play. I sit in the gym for the 2 hours they are there, and watch, and beam with pride. I can't help myself. It's just that I enjoy watching them play, more than having time to myself.

So that is that. I am getting tired, and to be honest, Wipeout is playing on DVR and well, that show is awesome. Good night, and big balls (if you watch Wipeout, you had to see that coming, right?).

Fran

It had been a while since I had been to Fran's blog, I am embarrassed to say. Fran was called to heaven last month. Please keep her friends and family in your thoughts and prayers.

She was a fellow breast cancer kid, and it's wrong in so many ways.

So many.

Volcanos!

Yesterday we went to a wedding of a friend of ours who works at the same company as Dion. It was beautiful. I was talking to another friend there and we discussed that after getting married, going to weddings has a whole new meaning. And it does.

We also talked about the coveted Vegas trip. When we went on our honeymoon, we stayed at the Treasure Island hotel, which was awesome, but next door to us was the Vegas Mirage Hotel. If you have never seen the volcano erupt, you certainly must, and can do so here. The way they were able to set up the lighting and water is so cool! I am so pumped to see it again, but this time take my super awesome camera to take super awesome pictures. They also play music and the water shoots in the sir to the beat. It's so neat! I can hardly wait to see it again. It's pure magic.

The Mirage is a pretty cool place to hang out and hopefully we will be able to. There's so much that I want to see and do, but have to remember that we will only be there for a few days. Being that it is a work trip, we have some things that we have to attend for Dion's work, but who could complain about that? MAN! I wish it were sooner! I have never been good at waiting.

So, while we are there, does anyone have any other suggestions of things we have to see? I know I want to go to the pawn store from Pawn Stars.....I HAVE to meet Old Man and Chumly. HAVE to!! Dion said he won't stand in line with me, so looks like I'm flying solo for that, but dude....totally worth it!

It Makes Me Giggle....

....that my mom has a Facebook account. Not sure why, but it does. So find her and ask to be her friend! She will get a kick out of it.

So on the agenda today was moving ceiling tresses from the top of our driveway to the bottom. Ugh. I am a tad sore, but we got the job done. The addition is looking pretty awesome. If you're friends with me on Facebook, go take a look in the mobile uploads.

The past few weeks have been about friends and family. I took the girls to my brother and sister-in-laws house. That was about a 6 hour endeavour, including a stop to eat. From there we went to a college friend's house and hung out for the night. It was fun to watch our kids play together for the first time. They all got along really well, which was cool. From there we went to my college roommate's house for the night. Again, a good time. We got back on a Thursday, and were supposed to head to Hayward WI for a little R & R at the company cabins. Claire had a 105 temp in the early early morning. Dion took her in. They tested for strep and mono, negative for both. It was a virus. We didn't go. We held off for a day to see if she got better, and she did enough to go. It was great. The girls went inner tubing for the first time. I sat in the back of the boat, clenching onto one child, watching the other in the water like a hawk. Nadia's saying the whole time?

"FASTER!"

She loved it. Claire liked it, but Nadia loved it. But, at 4 in the morning, the day we were to leave, Nadia was up with a 104 temp. Same thing. A virus. We went home, and shortly there after, Dion had the same thing. I have survived...so far. Fingers are crossed.

Ok, I am watching After the Catch our of the corner of my eye. I have seen this one already, but Phil dying this year has really affected me. It's almost an obsession. I love Catch, and it will never be the same again. So, instead of watching out of the corner of my eye, I will give in and turn off the puter and watch. RIP Phil.

Trying From the Phone Again....Dang it....Still Doesn't Work. Humph.

Some Fun Changes

Did you see? Did you see? I found a little time to mess around with my blog and make some changes! Unfortunately, I somehow managed to lose the tickers for the girls and my marriage. Might have to work on that to get them back. But I do like the design, and the fact that there is a link to my Flickr page. Sweet.

One more thing, a while back I wrote about how stem cells are able to be harvested from adults. One of my high school friends who has the type of cancer my dad had, recently was given a stem cell transplant from her brother. Thank God for technology....prayers that the transplant worked.

Ok, off to make more changes to the blog.

And Then it Was July

Wow....hey June.....where did you go? I can't believe that it's July already! Of course, the weather feels like July. It is hot today! My in-laws have been doing a road trip of sorts, and sent Dion a text saying that it was over 100 degrees in Vegas while they were there. Now THAT is hot. Speaking of Vegas, it will be in a mere 9 months or so that Dion and I will be going. I told him I want to take a trinket to the pawn shop featured in Pawn Stars. How awesome would that be?!?

When Dion and I were in Vegas for our honeymoon, we had a lone $10 bill after winning a little and we decided to put it in a $5 machine. We spun once...lost. We spun again, won $10. We spun again....lost. Hmmm. We spun for a last time.....won $100. Cash out. Thank you very much Vegas. Of course they are coming up with more and more online casinos if you prefer them. From what I have seen you can go to Online Casino Pedia which has all there is to know about online casinos. So if you're into that, then you may want to read up on the Top 10 online casinos just as an FYI. Always good to do some research on things before you do them.

A popular place to visit on the Online Casino Pedia is at the Casino King. I peaked around on there, but also found this video that shows some of the games available. It was pretty cool to see how the games work, and if nothing else, enjoy the music that accompanies it. I felt like I should have been in a spa, the music was so relaxing.

Anyway, I am pretty pumped about going to Vegas. I am sure it has changed a lot since we were there...it always is changing. Dion doesn't like to play the games like I do, but maybe I can talk him into slipping a $10 bill into a $5 machine again. Maybe we will cash out another $100. Or maybe not. It is called gambling after all.....