Just a thought I had...

This is just a thought I had to get out of my head! But I want to re-read it later so I can make since of it...so you don't have to read further if you don't want.

At times do you feel helpless? I mean really helpless...you are given alot to deal with in life daily...and then you are just fed more. You want to help others, but you don't feel equipped to even help yourself? Do you feel like you run in a huge circle but you can't find yourself to stop? Will there ever be a time when you feel like you have tons of time on your hands and you aren't just wasting it? Is there a time that you will feel like you got everything done and you can just take a deep breath?

At times lately I feel like I have been dropped in a HUGE maze and left to run it. But there is no end just lots of corners to turn...and hoops to jump through. Nothing I do can get me to the end or jump through enough hoops to figure out where the end is. I feel sometimes someone is watching me just laughing at what I can and can't handle. I feel like I'm a puppet in some sick and twisted play.

Why do we think of silly phrases like "the darkest before the storm" or "every cloud has a silver lining"? Sometimes the storm comes and the sun is shining...and there is no warning....or when you are having a "storm" are you looking for the "silver lining"? What the heck? IS there silver lining for every dark cloud? Or are we just making ourselves crazy looking for that silly lining?


Sorry if you read this entry...just thoughts that ran through my head the last couple days and just needed an out. I'm off to Utah on Wednesday and will be back sometime in June (hopefully by the 10th of June). I'll update when I get back!

Have a GREAT Mother's Day!

Very Busy Week Ahead...

One week from yesterday---I'll be heading to Utah. I feel so unready to make this trip. But I'm totally excited to make the trip! I'm excited to be able to spend time with Don's sister (Evie), and get to know her much better. I'll be gone about 4 to 5 weeks...we are hoping (hoping it won't be longer then that). I'm taking my camera with me so I can hopefully get some great pictures while I'm out and about. Evie and I are driving from Utah to Florida in a U-hal...that scares me...she hasn't driven anything that big and I don't like driving down mountains! It should be fun...since Don was a truck driver...he has be able to help me decide the best way to drive back so I don't have major down grades to drive. I'll be able to see some areas that I haven't been to before which is exciting to me. One of those places is Gallup, New Mexico. (If Don wouldn't have let his FL Funeral Directors license lapse we could be living there.)

I forgot to say---Don passed his State Board test! He has made his boss really nervous not studying like a normal person. Don can read fast and retains a lot so he doesn't have to study (which makes me mad--I have to study twice as hard as a normal person).


I do have to share a story I read last night in the paper from where I grew up. It totally cracked me up so I thought I would share it with you! It's only part of the article but it's the funniest part believe me!

Why a woman cried so hard when her station wagon was cut in two

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Peru resident Jack Young said he'd seen several crashes in his 40 years with the C&O Railroad. Some, of course, were scarier than others.
Young remembers coming back from Chicago when he saw something on the track near North Judson. He blew the whistle, but it didn't move and by the time the train stopped a white Ford station wagon had been cut in two. Apparently, railroad employees had been working on that track and removed the ties so any vehicle crossing there would sink down and not be able to get out of the hole created.A man and woman who had been in the car had gotten out safely.
As they were making out the accident report in the caboose, the man seemed okay but the woman was crying a lot. When they asked her why she was crying, she said, "What am I going to tell my husband? "The man who was with her was her boyfriend, not her husband.

Well that's all my news...sad isn't it?! I'm hoping when I get back from Utah I'll have lots of great stuff to tell you! Enjoy your weekend...and if I don't post before I leave have a great Mother's Day too!

Busy times...

I went out on the web and looked up blogs of people I knew and I'm like "dang--no one has update but Christina". Then I was sitting here thinking "when was the last time I updated?". The answer "TOO long"! So here we are--an update!

After all my guests left I was feeling down in the dumps. Since Don and I have 3 day passes to Disney World and he had a day off...he decided to take me to Epcot to have a day of people watching. That is about my favorite pass time! So we went and saw all the changes Epcot has made since we were last here (about 6 years ago). It was a beautiful day...Sunny but cool. We took some funny pictures of us with monkey bodies...and with funky lips...and just had a good day. I will enclose a slide show to show the day.

Right now I'm working against the clock to get ready for Evie's move. Since she has decided to move here I haven't done too much...but talk about getting things done. Well--she bought me a one way ticket to Utah to come help her finish packing and have a HUGE yard sale. And then help drive a Uhal from Utah to Florida. But there is one problem...we are NOT ready on this end. I leave here May 9th so that Evie doesn't have to spend Mother's Day by herself...it's the first since her mom passed away.

I have had to repack all the boxes that are sitting in her room--since we are still living out of boxes most of the time. So--I have started our hurricane kit and repack boxes. Don will take them to a storage unit the first part of June. So that her room is some what emptied out once we make the trip back. Don laughs at me...I work so well under pressure. I have spent 3 days getting ready and I think it's about half way done. Knowing that there is only 2 weeks for me to get everything done and myself packed makes me work harder and faster. I can get a lot of things done if I have to!

Don is scheduled to take his state board test on Thursday...He will even know if he passed and what he got that day. Much better then Indiana's tests! So he is studying for that test. His boss (Mary) and I both are worried about his test...he hasn't really been studying until lately. But then again he usually crams the night before and passes so I'm hoping with a weeks study he might get a really good grade...but really all he needs is a 75%. The funeral home is down to 2 embalmers so he works 5 to 6 days a week. But I think Mary might be redoing their schedules so that they don't have to work so much...not that we are minding the extra $$.

Well I'll let you know about his test when I know! But that's all the news I have right now. But when I go on this trip I'll take pictures so that I'll do posts when I get back! Have a great week and enjoy my pictures!

Collecting Codes

Hey everyone--


I'm collecting coke rewards codes...so if you drink coke products and aren't using your codes--Please send me the official 15 digit code. Don and I have decided since we drink so much we might as well collect them. So email me if you have unwanted coke codes! Thanks!

HAPPY EASTER!!!

Last Day of Spring Break 2007

As our last day together--we decided to just hang out. Don played for hours in the pool with the kids. Kelly and I got to sit and chat...and Danny just took it easy! I'm so very glad that they got to come and visit, but time when by so fast. After spending the afternoon with them we had to say our good byes. The Zehrings left early Friday morning. I hate saying good byes...it makes me cry! I've been very sad today because I know I won't see them for a while and I'm back to square one. Don't get me wrong but I now feel all alone again. Don is a great sport and holds my hand and tries to make it all better. I'm happy that he like my friend and her family enough to spend so much time with them this week. It has been great just spending time with them...and great seeing things through the kids eyes. I hope they enjoyed their trip!

I have included ALOT of pictures from our last day--which is ALL pool/bay side. I hope you enjoy them! Have a wonderful weekend and a very HAPPY EASTER!

Springbreak 2007---Disney World/Magic Kingdom

Yesterday our day started out EARLY. We were on the road by 5:15AM. We headed out for Orlando to the happiest place on earth! The kids were so excited! We hit almost all the rides that everyone wanted to do. We had to skip some because of the hot day and long, long lines. But we hit the important ones (IE: The Tiki Room, Pirates of the Caribbean, It's a Small World, Splash Mountain, Tea Cups).

But our funniest story comes from Kelly and Don at "It's a Small World". We had been in line (for awhile) and all the sudden there was a horrid smell. Kelly went off on whatever child just S***T themselves their parents need to change them. I was laughing so hard when I saw a HUGE smile on Don's face and had to point to Don for farting. It was so HORRID, and all I could do is laugh my butt off!

I think everyone had a good time, but by 6:30pm we all had are fill of the "Happiest Place on Earth". There were SOOOO many people. (Being Easter weekend and us not thinking anything about it.) And there were TONS of Hoosiers for Elkhart...their band played in the PRE-Disney Parade. I still can't believe how many RUDE people come to Disney (besides myself). Enjoy our pictures from Disney. Today Don and I are heading to the Hotel to spend time with the Zehrings for they will be leaving tomorrow! But I'll try to get some more pictures for you to enjoy.

Springbreak 2007 having a blast

With Don working during the day the Zehring family spends time on the beach and in the pool. So when Don gets off is when all the fun happens! Yesterday the Zehrings did decide that they can spend time with just me. I'm not a real good host so here is how it went. Danny walked (by himself), and then slept. The kids watched TV while Kelly and I worked on the computer. Then the kids, Kelly, and myself played a couple card games. Then when Don was on his way home we cooked dinner. After dinner and everything was cleaned up a little we all went putt putt golfing. We played the boys against the girls...the boys won...how said is that! After that the kids with the help of the guys fed the Alligators while Kelly and I took pictures. Today we got Don to get off work at noon so we could drive to the zoo. I think we all had fun. The kids cracked me up! Then we drove all the way back and had dinner at Sonny's (bar-b-q). Then we went our to our "homes" for we have big plans for tomorrow! We are going to Disney World-The Magic Kingdom. Enjoy the pictures from yesterday and today. More to come soon!

Beach Time At Clearwater Beach

Here are some photos Kelly took while at the beach! Enjoy them more to come I promise!

Springbreak is ON!

The Zehring family finally made it here! They got in later then we were hoping but they got here! We went to IHop last night for a quick bite to eat. Today they spent a lot of time in the water! Their hotel is right on Clearwater Beach...they are so dang lucky! They have the beach and if they want more safe environment they have the hotel's pool and hot tub just off the beach! They came by today and picked me up (since Don worked) and we did lunch and then we went to Walmart. Aleesha came and hung out with me for a little while until I had to pick up Don. Then we headed back to Clearwater Beach to meet up with Kelly and family. Don was brave and swam with the kids (which they LOVED). I got to just sit back and chat with Kelly. As you can tell Danny missed all the camera shots...But I promise to get some pictures of him too! Just a for warning for all those who know Danny---he is cleanly shaved (which I have NEVER seen). Kelly says he did it yesterday morning right before they left. I think everyone is having fun...but the fun is wearing out the kids and Don. Tomorrow we are thinking about going putt putt golfing...which will be fun with all three kids! Keep checking back because I will be having updates this week! Enjoy today's pictures.

Just a few more Days!

I'm so excited for Kelly and her family to be here. There are just a few more days until they are here! They should arrive sometime Saturday. They are going to be staying on Clearwater Beach which is like 10 miles from here but with all the construction it will be like 30 minutes away. Kinda like going to Kokomo, but that's closer then I have been to them in months. I have been kinda in a funk since my mom left...but now that the time is going by I'm getting pumped for Kelly's visit. Then in the back of my mind I'm thinking how bummed I'll be when they leave. (I'm not trying to think that far ahead...I just want to enjoy their visit.) I'm hoping that they will have a great time while they are here. I'm going to make sure I give them their space I don't want to crowd their vacation and don't want them to think they have to entertain me the whole time! Kelly sounds like she is totally ready to just sit on the beach and enjoy doing nothing but soaking up the sun. I have been trying to fill my time with constructive things. And I have been working on my paper work for my cosmetology license. For Florida's license I have to take and pass an HIV/AIDS course. Don showed me when he does some of his continuing ed courses. I set up an account and it was cool because I could print off the course (before paying) and read it (plus it gave me a "pretest"). I took the pretest and then went back and paid and took the test (which was the same as the "pretest") and only missed one. So--I passed and in all the excitement of passing I called and made sure what all the Florida state board would need, and then called Indiana's state board and had them send certificate of licensure to Florida. Now all I need to do is sign all my paperwork cut them a check and pray for the best. Hopefully--soon I'll know if I can get my license here. Well--that's all on the updates for now. Have a good weekend and I'll update again soon!

This is for the official Lipizzaner Web page if you would like to go look at it!

I'm so misguided!

Don found a site and thought it was way interesting. So I'm going to share it with you. It's all about farts! And if you know about the book "The Gas We Pass" it fits. I have that book somewhere---I got it when I was a nanny from the kids. But if you click the book below it will take you to the website about farts! Enjoy!

My Mom's Visit---Take Three

I totally forgot to blog about the last place we saw when my mom was here! After we spent time seeing the Royal Stallions--we went to a really cool pizza place. It is called "Roaring 20's". This place is known for it's massive pipe organ music (which is live) and their pizza. There are 2 organist that play in this pizza place...both hail from Ohio and worked at one time or another in Indianapolis. The one we got to hear taught at Butler and Indiana University...which was cool for me! I would love to go back and take better pictures! The organist take requests and when it's break time---the organ turns and lowers. It was very loud but the music was great and so was the pizza! They are only open from 4:30 to 9pm and we got there at 4:50pm and there was a HUGE line...waiting to get in. Enjoy the pictures!

My Mom's Visit---Take two!

I really enjoyed my mom's time here (and I hope she did too). Wednesday--Don had to work so Mom and I headed to the outlet mall---she did all the shopping there. We checked out what they had and came home. We did take and bake pizza, and got some wings. Thursday Mom and I hung out around the house...and I made a pork roast for her to enjoy (using our new herbs from our small little garden). Then Friday the 3 of us headed out to see "The Original Herrmann's Royal Lipizzan Stallions of Austria". It is a lost art and very beautiful to watch. I know that it was just practice but it is worth the time to watch them. My mom got to see them in Austria when she was 8 years old and it was a little different...but I'm sure she enjoyed watching them again. If you know anyone that is coming to the Tampa area...From January to March each year...they can go out and watch them. I have included some photos from our outing. Don and I agreed we will be returning and seeing them again! Today we had to say good bye to my mom. (It's always sad for me since I'm a mama's girl.) But she had today planned...flying home and getting repacked and heading to Ohio to see Annette. I think she needs to drive a while for her to feel like she has been on vacation! But I know we all enjoy having mom come and visit. I hope you all have a great weekend and enjoy the pictures!

My Mom's visit--Take One

My Mom got to come to Florida to visit (which was exciting for me). She got to see alot and I'll try to recap for you. She flew in on Thursday evening. Then on Friday Mom and I drove to Ocala, Florida to meet up with Shari so mom could visit with her and her family. Saturday Shari got tickets for them to go to NASA's Kennedy Space Center. From the stories it sounded like they had a good time and walked all over. They didn't get to see everything (but that's okay now Mom has a reason to go back). Sunday They had a cooking party at Shari's. Then Monday Don and I drove the 3 hours to go to Jacksonville and pick mom up. While we were there we got to visit over Dinner (there are some shots from dinner at Chili's). Tuesday Don and I took mom to the orange grove, then off to John's Pass for a walk (it's nothing but shops) and lunch on the docks. And after we were home...we let mom relax and Don and I made her our perogie Thanksgiving Dinner (including pumpkin pie ones!).

That's the back of my mom's head, my nephew Jackson, my sister: Shari, my brother-in-law Robert...and my niece Lydia....

This is my nieces: Sarah, Sarah's daughter: Aubree, and there's Lydia again! Don really has missed Sarah!

Here are the girls again!

Hot and glossy Turkey Perogies

Oranges from the Grove...can't go to the grove and leave without oranges...

Somewhere between Largo and Jacksonville there is a town of Waldo...just in case you wanted to know where he was...he must live on this street in Waldo, Florida!

uploading pictures & update

I have been wanting to upload pictures...but I have been too lazy! I'm getting ready for all my company that is coming. I know-- it's no excuse not to get other things done. But with church stuff (which takes up a lot of my time), and cleaning/getting ready I'm just getting lazy when I'm online. But here are some pictures to make you laugh and to see our newer plants...

This is Don with the puppies (Tigger and Roo) in Jacksonville...this picture cracks me up and I just wanted to share it with you! The dogs didn't much like the fake hair and beard. But that's a dang good looking Christmas tree behind them!

This poor thing is what we are hoping will come up as a "Honey Tangerine" tree. We got some from the grove and loved them...so we planted some seeds to see if we could make them grow. We are still watching it! And the gate is to keep little dogs out of the dirt!

This is Don's mini Lemon tree. It started to finally sprout new leaves. I should have been taking pictures from the start of the sprouting it has been cool to watch...maybe next time...the new leaves are the small yellow/green ones!

And this poor thing is my newest herb garden. The Rosemary in the back left has died...it was sad when we bought it but I thought I could save it...I was wrong! But the other herbs are wonderful! We have even used them in some of our cooking. Don thinks he's a real chef now using fresh herbs.

The weather here is good for the plants so hopefully they will grow great! I really don't have a green thumb but I thought I would give it a try! You never know.

On other news...Evie is getting her stuff together so she can move in June! But she has posted her resume on a Education website and has had a "hit" but it's from Miami. But it's promising to see she has put up one and it's already had a hit. Poor thing still doesn't have her car fixed yet (from the accident her sister had in it around Christmas). It should be done SOON (so they say). Other than that it seems like she is moving forward and time is moving fast.

Don still likes his job, and moving up the ladder. One of the other embalmers left (or was asked to leave) yesterday. So he won't be on the bottom for long! It kinda looks like one more might be leaving soon. So up the ladder he goes! Don likes his boss and the guy he is "teamed" with so that makes a big difference!

Well--I hope to post again soon! My mom gets here Thursday and we have somethings planned so I hope I remember to take my camera so I can post some of what we did while she was here! Have a great week!

Changes...

Thank you Jackie for the help with my ticker! One day I'll learn! As you can see I added a ticker for Eternity which is Don's sister's baby. I'm trying to bridge some gaps for us with her. So I'll keep you updated there.

Don's other sister will be moving here this summer. It is in the works...so hopefully that will go smooth (a lot smoother then ours!). Her work is not a good environment any longer for her...so she is going to leave. She needs a new start and hopefully we can help her get that new start! Life here is a LOT different then Wendover, Utah. (And if you know someone that is looking to move to that area and is looking for a house--let us know--she is going to have to sell her house!) But it's a bitter sweet thing that she is moving here. I wish her life in Wendover wasn't as stressful as it is, but I'll have someone to do things with! I'm very excited about that. (Sorry Evie!)

I had to go to the dentist...and if anyone really knows me that is a horrid thing for me to do. I have let my exams go so that Don could get his teeth under control...and as result I have a tooth in the back of my mouth that I will be getting taken out. I was going to have a root canal done on it, but as the day wore on yesterday I decided that it's not worth saving. So I'll call the dentist back Monday and tell her. I have to go to a specialist because of my leaky heart, but it will be worth it in the end! But I told Don that now we have dental insurance we are both going to do better with our exams...I'm sure he's just totally excited!

I also decided that my time at home sucks...so I planted a small herb garden. I'll get a picture of it and post it. It makes my porch smell really good! Don wanted a mini Lemon tree so we got one...and over the last couple months there hasn't been much change on it. Today I was looking at it and noticed that it has a new growth starting. I'm very excited about that! We went to the grove and got some Honey Tangerines...and decided to plant some of their seeds to see if we can get them to grow. So I think I'll be living in a very self serve house. I'm scared that Don might want to try things like pineapples and bananas. It might be like a jungle in our house.

Also--I'm starting my paper work for getting my Cosmetology License here in Florida. I have had NO luck with trying to find a job. So I think once I have that it won't take long to get something. So I'm nervous that I might have to test over this stuff again!

13 days until my mom is here in Florida! I'm totally excited about that. We have found an activity to do with her before she leaves. While she is with Shari--they are planning to go to the Kennedy Space Center. But when she is here visiting ME--we are going to see the Royal Lipizzan Stallions of Austria. They spend the winter here and from Christmas until the end of March people can go watch them train for free. My mom saw them once in Austria when she was 8 years old. So when I called her last night about going she sounded excited. Just in case you don't know about these wonderful horses...here is a short story:

The stallions were saved from almost certain extinction at the end of World War II. Colonel Herrmann and his father smuggled their horses out of Europe under the protection of General George S. Patton. Other highlights about these horses: it takes 9 years for these horses to learn "the capriole," the move for which they are best known. Leaping from all four feet, they strike out with the hind legs. Once a battle maneuver of their ancestors, it is now part of this remarkable equine ballet. That's right they are ballet horses!

29 more days until my friend Kelly and her family will be here for spring break! Don and I are so very excited to see them! I'm not sure what we are going to do that week...I think one day we are going to the Magic Kingdom at Disney. Other than that I think we are going to play everything by ear. I know Don would love to take Maggie, Alesha, and Madison to the Zoo here. We will see how the week goes. Just very excited to be able to spend time with them!

Other than that nothing else is going on. Hope your weekend is full of fun and sun shine! Have a great one!

Florida's State Song in Trouble

Today on the news we found out that the state song may be changed. Florida's State Song is "Swanee River" (click to hear the music). But because of the wording of the song it may be in trouble. One must remember that this song was written in 1851 and there were no political wordings for people. The song uses words like "darkeys". But the state adopted the song in 1935 and has worked for them since. Now on the news few people knew that the state song was, but now the new Governor wants to get it changed. So that is the stink in Florida Today! Click the icon below and read the lyrics.

Just a small update

My life is so dang boring---that most of my post are not updates just me venting or pictures. And for that I'm sorry. But I have been looking for a job (which is not easy if you think about it--I have to have one that will go around Don's). I had an interview at the funeral home that Don works at...it was for a courier job, but I think the man who interviewed me only did it because Don's boss pushed. He told me that he was really leaning towards one of the employees that has courier experience. But when we sat there and talked he asked if I would be willing to do something else. I was really worried he would ask if I would be a removal driver (you know the ones that go and pick up bodies from homes--hospitals--etc.), but he didn't think that was for me. He wants Don's boss to interview me and get me in (at least part-time for now) as a "Funeral Assistant" which is those poor fools that greet you at the funeral home...stand outside and tell you where to park...arrange flowers at the grave yards...and just is a basic flunky. But he did tell me that once I was working for the company that if something full time opened up that he would get me into it. They have a lot of snow birds that work for them so I'm sure something full time could open up this summer. But we shall see!

But on my way home from that pity interview---I was buzzed by a bald eagle. It was kinda cool to see one so up close and personal. I had to take a second look to make sure that is what it was. But flew by my passenger window and then cut me off. I was really worried that if I would hit it...not only would it hurt my car that I would be in trouble to killing it! It was HUGE. Just thought you would all like to know that I got to see a bald eagle up close and personal...in the "wild".

Other than that--nothing is going on here. Just getting ready for our company next month! I'm so dang excited that I will have family and friends here. Too bad they will have to leave. I'm trying to get my life in order so that I can be a great host! Well that is all the news for now. Have a Great week! And I want to say Happy Birthday to my Grandpa!

Getting Old

Since Don and I have moved to Florida I have seen Don getting older. I know this because his hair to turning white. And so yesterday we cut his hair REAL short on the sides and made sure that his side burns were taken to the top of his ears (to hide the white hairs). I just laugh at him because I have had white hairs since I was 16 years old and now that I color my hair it doesn't matter. But Don doesn't like that his age is starting to show.

So I tease him about his age (if you all remember I'm older by 2 months), but he is taking it hard that his hair is going white (and I hate to tell him---his hair line is back farther then when I married him). So if we all could stay young it would be nice. If you find the trick let us know! (But Don is trying to stay young at heart---around age of 10.)

Tornadoes Hit Florida

This storm hit this morning between 2am and 3:30am (depends on where you lived)

I thought I would post since I have been called by some and emailed by others. We are fine! All we saw was a storm-wind, rain, thunder and lighting. The tornadoes hit north east of us. Don and I were both taught to have food storage (including water), candles, and something to warm food--We will be looking into getting a gas grill though! So we are set! Thanks for all your concerns! Our hearts go out to those who lost family members to this storm. We will keep you updated.

On other news--I have applied for a job at a funeral home. For those who really know me--this is down to the last straw. It's a courier job running paperwork, and things like clothing from Funeral Home to Funeral Home. It's that same company that Don works for so that will make things easier with having one car. I'll keep updated on that!

We love all of you! Have a great weekend.