The Sunny Side of Life

I,along with most of America, was socked to learn today that Michael Jackson had passed away. I distinctly remember being at my Grandpa's house watching his big performance at the 25 year anniversary of Motown. It was where her first performed the moon walk, wore the white glove, and the next day everyone was talking about it. I had his posters on my wall and still have the "Thriller" album out in my garage. Lots of my friends in middle school had the leather jacket with the zippers and we all sat around our t.v.s as the video for "Thriller" debut on MTV.

My mom and I were talking and I was telling her that this is what it must have been like for her when Elvis died. Michael Jackson is definitely my generation's Elvis and had a huge influence on music and pop culture!!!

These are the exact posters that hung in my wall when I was 12 years old. :)

Lots of people have been asking me to post on my Graduation. It was very nice!! My family was there and Carla came to, which was a wonderful surprise. The weather was a little cold but its better than being hot!! I graduated with "highest honers," which is having a GPA over 3.50, mine was a 3.95. For those of you who knew me back in the day, high school days that is, I bet you never would have guess that I would have been top of my class. LOL For my hard work I received a medallion and everyone with highest honers was recognized and was asked to stand. After Graduation my family went to lunch, which was really nice. With my brother and I in school full time and working, my Mom at new job, my Dad always traveling, and Sam finishing up 4th grade....its been a while since we all came together to hang out.

The next weekend was a weekend I had been dreading all year. Literally the days leading up leaving I was praying for rain!! The forecast kept saying rain and thunder showers were header our way. LIARS!!! LOL The event was the U.C. Girl Scout Association's Camporee. The location that was chosen was in Sunol, so the one good thing I could say about it was it was close. :) When I went onto the website to see what it looked like the description stared out saying, "Our Rustic campground has pit toilets and no running water..." OMG!!!! If any of you have seen Troop Beverley Hills, this is how I picture camping, in a four star hotel with room service!!!!!

We left Friday and returned Sunday afternoon. The girls had fun however I was so never so happy to see my own bed. I actually slept in my car, tents are not my thing. The highlight of the trip, for the girls, was horseback riding. They have already deiced they want to use their fall product sales money to go again. However I will be suggesting we make it a day trip.

This weekend was pretty quiet. I was supposed to go to a friend's graduation party but Samantha and my mom were sick so I got stuck taking care of them. We ate at Applebees and they both had clam chowder and it must have been bad. I'm the only one who did not eat it and I did not get sick. So that was fun!! Congratulations to Satyn, who graduated with her B.A. from Cal State East Bay!

Other than that I am enjoying having two weeks off from work. The girls I watch during the day, mom is off, so that means I am too. YEAH!!!! I don't know what I'm going to do with myself. LOL

Below are some pictures. Enjoy!

Today my Simba passed away. :( Over the last week I could see he was not doing very well. He was such a fighter though, as weak as he was he would go out to the back yard every day to bask in the sunshine. Simba was the sweetest cat I have ever known and I'm truly going to miss him! I've had him for 17 years, my best friend and I rescued him from a apartment complex when he was about three months old.

Over the last two years my niece, Samantha, has grown very close to him. When I picked her up from school today I told her that I had an appointment to put him to sleep. She became very upset and said she wanted to go with me and if we could wait till tomorrow. I said I'd see how he was but if he was wasn't doing very well I'd have to take him in. She started crying, it just broke my heart. I dropped her and her sisters at her mom's and when I got home, Simba had passed away. He had crawled in to his favorite corner. I felt so bad no one was here with him!! :(

Below are just a few pictures that I'd taken since he had become sick. The one with the Christmas tree was last Christmas. We were so behind that we were almost going to skip a tree altogether. However I knew Simba would probably not be here next Christmas so I went out and got a tree. Every year he would sleep under the tree every night till we took it down. This past Christmas as soon as I put the tree up he came down and laid next too it. I'm so glad I took a few pictures!!

Today was my birthday and it was a fabulous one! :) Samantha got to stay home from school and her and I headed out for Half Moon Bay. It sort of has become a tradition to go the beach on my birthday. Last year it was overcast and drizziling, today was sunny and beautiful!

One our way to the beach we hit the Girl Scout Store so Sam could spend some of the cookie credit she earned. She got some supplies for our camping trip this weekend and then some fun stuff too. Our next stop was the beach! We reached Half Moon Bay and had lunch at my favorite sandwich deli. Its called the Garden Cafe and its awesome! Thier bread is baked daily and you can smell it as you walk up the street.

After lunch we hit San Geregero beach. We could not have asked for better weather, no fog and tons of sunshine. Samantha played in the water and we built a sand castle. Then she decided to bury herself in the sand and fill up the top of her bikini with sand so she could have "big boobs." LOL It was hysterical!!! We walked all the way down the beach and collected tons of shells and sea glass. Before we left my two best friend called me and sang "Happy Birthday." It was good to talk to both of them and catch up on things!

My day ended with dinner with my family. We ordered chinese take out and had a homemade birthday cake!! The perfect end to a perfect day.

It's been a little while since my last post. I finished all my finals yesterday, thank God!!! :) Next up is Graduation which will be on May 30th at 10 a.m. at Chabot College. I was planning on having a party afterwards but I've been so busy and just haven't had them time. So I figure when I graduate from Cal State I'll have a big blow out!! After graduation we can just all go to lunch to celebrate. So if you have no plans and want to see me walk the stage come on down. LOL

Other than school it been work and...well... that's about it. So sad I know!!! Our Girl Scout Troop did march in the U.C. 50th Anniversary Parade last weekend. The girls really enjoyed it, but it was waaaay too hot for me. Sam actually got to carry the banner in the front so she was very excited.

The weekend before that was Mother's Day. My Mom said it was the best one she has ever had. :) It started off with me cooking her breakfast. Next we went and picked up my Grandma and headed out for a nursery in Alameda. My Mom and Grandma watch a gardening show called "Playing in the Dirt." The show is actually taped at the nursery we were going to. I went online and found out where it was and decided to take them there. We were in luck the woman who hosts their favorite show was working. So of course I had to go up to her and ask if I could take a picture of her and her two biggest fans. LOL She was extremely nice and posed for several photos. I told my Mom and Grandma to pick out whatever plants they wanted, and it was on me. After that I took them to Chili's for dinner. All in all it was a great day!!

Below are some pictures from the past couple of weekends. Enjoy!!

Well its offical I will be graduating on May 30th at 10:00am. Yeah me!!!!!! :) The card came in the mail this weekend and I just dropped it by the post office. I'm so happy!!!! :)

Like the title of the post says, I am soooo tired. School has been kickin my butt this semester and I can't wait for it to be over!!!! Hopefully I am going to graduate at the end of May.

Friday I went to Administration to turn in my evaluation paper for graduation. Well the lady looks at it and says, "For your Liberal Art degree you must pick option 1, 2or three. So I ask, "What does that mean?" She replies, "I don't know, go next store and ask a counselor." So we go next store, we meaning me and one of the little girls I watch, I stand in line only to be yelled at by the secretary. :) She says, "What do you want to do with your degree?" To which I answer, "Teach elementary school." She then says," Oh God, you need to see a counselor!!" "You can buy this catalog and try to figure it out yourself but I doubt you can, go over there and make an appointment." I smile and bite my tongue and walk to the appt. desk. The lady looks on the computer says, "The next opening we have is May 6th." I tell her that the paper for graduation needs to be in by the 30th. "That's the soonest we have an opening, sorry." She then tells me that I can try for a walk-in, which means you walk in and wait for a possible opening. That would be o.k. but I have a three year old with me and can't wait in the lobby for hours. So.... I'm going to try to get in after I'm done with work and before my classes. Wish me luck!!!

Other than that drama, I've not been doing anything. I feel like all I do is work and school!! I've literally been on the computer all day studying for a big test Monday. Turned my phone off so that there would be not interruptions and of course my best friend called!! Its been FOREVER since we have had the chance to catch up!! Hopefully I can get in touch with her tomorrow, it been waaaaay too long. I'm hoping I can convince her to come out her for my graduation!!! She is the best!!!

Our family had a nice Easter. Nathan and I cooked lunch up at his house. The Easter bunny hid eggs for everyone so we had an egg hunt before lunch, it was fun! The only draw back on the day was my Dad got in a car accident on the way up to Nathan's. He was broadsided and the whole driver's side was smashed. He was o.k. so that was good. At first the shop thought they might have to total it but it looks like it will be able to get fixed. The insurance company determined it was the other drivers fault. We were just glad he was o.k.!!!

The following Sat. we had Easter at my aunt Lois' house. Had a great time catching up with everyone and meeting my cousin David's new girlfriend. I got a little, lets say, "buzzed", and for anyone who knows me that's something that doesn't happen very often. LOL My uncle makes these "Gin Fizzes" that are to die for!!!! His sister kept coming around with the pitcher filling everyone up. I swear mine was filled about 5 times!! LOL Oh well I needed it!!!

That's all for now. I'll will update as soon as I hear if I'm walkin the stage at the end of May.

Well after the long wait, Samantha, Megan, Catherine, and I went to see the new Hannah Montana movie. The girls were so excited, they were literally squealing as the movie's opening credits began to roll. The movie was very cute and the soundtrack is great. After that Megan came over for play date and the girls shot music videos of themselves lip singing to the movie's soundtrack. Too cute!!! Below is a picture of the two of them at the theatre.

Yesterday Sam had her last dress rehearsal. It actually turned out to be a full performance and her Dad and Mom were able to go and see it. They both said it was very cute!! Nathan was able to take a few pictures and I'm posting them below. She has really enjoyed being involved in this play. For those of you who don't know her part is "little girl" and the play is "Beauty and the Beast." I think the acting bug has bitten her and she will be involved with may more theatre productions!!!

One other note! I am no longer taking care of the girls I was watching, their dad has moved back in and will be watching them till he gets a job! So I've been looking on Craigslist and putting the word out to friends and family that I'm lookin for a job!!! Hopefully I find something that will work with my school schedule cuz I'm graduating on May 29th!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah ME!!!! LOL

Well its over!!! Yeah!!! My girl sold 1278 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies!! Our troop sold out yesterday but another troop had extras so my girl went out today and sold their last 34 boxes. We made a cute sign, gotta love the cricket!!

Thanks to everyone who helped her reach her goal!!!!!

I just wanted to make a quick post and thank all the family and friends who have been so great with helping Samantha reach her goal of 1000 boxes!! We had a booth tonight and Carla and Satyn came by and made second purchases, thank you!!! Paga (A.K.A. grandpa) also made additional purchases. This weekend at my cousin David birthday party all the Duncans made very big purchases. You all are awesome!!!

Again thank you so much. I am so proud of her, she has worked so hard and been a real trooper! It looks like she will reach her goal. Yeah!!!

Samantha did her first weekend of booth sales. She did awesome!!!! She mostly worked alone so that means she gets double credit, which means she is getting closer to her goal of 1000. I am so proud of her, she really worked hard and even wore the Samoa costume!!

Below are a few pictures of her in the costume. Enjoy!

So starting March 1st I will have NO life for the next three weeks. LOL My niece has decided that she want to sell 1000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies. Her first goal was 800 but when they added a *PINK* Nintendo DS to the prize list at 1000 she changed her mind. :)

So if you happen to go to Luckys in U.C. look for me because I will basically be living in front of the store. LOL She has already sold 400 in pre-sales and has signed up for 17 booths which should bring her total to about 750, so we have a ways to go!! If you read this would like to help her reach her goal leave a comment of what you would like and I will make sure you get them. For a list of cookies click here.The price of cookie is $4.00 a box.

Thank to all the family and friends who have already supported her. Special thanks to Satyn who even took a selling sheet to work and Carla who said Sam could come and sell at her school. You guys rock!!

Just a quick update. My mom came home this afternoon. Throat is still sort but fever is gone. I guess the doctor was telling us that they mainly kept her in because her white blood count was dangerously low.

Mom is glad to be home, even though I have to order her to take it easy. Thank you again to everyone for the visits!!

My mom is doing better, thank you to everyone who has stopped by to see her. The company really breaks up the long days in the hospital. She was hoping to leave tomorrow but the doctor looked at her tonight and there was still quite a bit of swelling in her throat. :( She is so ready to leave!!!!!

I am just thankful she is going to be o.k. The doctor told us that if she had waited a few more hours he would of had to perform a tracheotomy. Scary!!!! She is able to swallow food now, not that hospital food is something to look forward to. LOL Yesterday she got the craziest roommate ever!!! This lady literally will not let you visit, she is constantly trying to get your attention and have you do something for her. Crazy!!!!! Tonight though they had roommate totally sedated and we did not hear a peep out of her.

As if dealing with my mom in the hospital is not enough, Ive been taking care of two sick cats and Sat. we had a huge incident with my niece's mom. It got so bad I had to call the police. I could not believe it!!! This is not my or my family's month. Hopefully March will be calm and peaceful!!! LOL One good thing about all the stress is I've been doing really good on my diet. I'm too tired to eat. :)

I will update when Mom comes home!! Thank you to everyone for the calls, prayers, and visits!! They mean a lot!

Well I am just getting home from Kaiser after being there since 4:30pm. My mom woke up this morning and had a slight sore throat. By tonight she was in extreme pain and could not swallow. I rushed her to the ER and after and X-ray and calling in a specialist, who stuck a camera down her throat, she was diagnosed with Epiglotitis. From what the specialist said it can be very serious and she was lucky she came in when she did.

They admitted her and are going to keep her to at least Monday if she responds well to treatment. When my brother and I left her fever was 103.5 and they were covering her with ice packs to bring it down. The doctors say she should recover fine but I'm asking everyone to please say a prayer for her!! She is the rock of our family and we love her very much!!!

I will update after I visit her tomorrow.

Tonight I joined Weight Watchers with Carla and Satyn, they joined last week. I've joined several times in the past but I told myself the next time I joined that was it, I either do forever or stay fat. LOL So this is it!!!!!! Even if it takes me 5 years the weight is comin off!! Thank you Carla for gettin my but back on track!

The last couple of weeks I have been kind of in a funk. Don't know why just fellin down. Partly because my kitty Simba, who I have had for 16 years, is really sick. He has a rare disorder that is not treatable only semi-manageable. We have been taking him in every month to have fluid drained from his chest, which greatly improves his condition. However over the last month the fluid has been filling faster and faster. It so hard to make the decision to put him down when you see how much he improves after the fluid is drained, it like he is back to his old self. The problem is one we can't afford to go in every week and two the fluid that is being drained contains protein which his body needs. So in the last month he has lost 6lbs. It is going to KILL me when the time comes to put him down. Especially now he has began to associate going to the vet with feeling better. He is the sweetest cat!!

For those who don't know I found Simba with my best friend Vicki. He was found at an apartment complex next to a dumpster. We thought he was just a few weeks old but when I took him to the vet they said he was actually 3 months and was so small because he was being starved to death. I took him in, he became healthy, and slowly began to trust our family. I believe he was abused cuz if a male came in the house he would run and hide, just terrified. Over the years that fear has subsided and will even go up to Nathan and let him pet him.

Anyway that has been going on since the end of December and then I've sort of started a job that I'm kind of dreading, but I need the money and a job that works with my school schedule. For those who know the job situation you know why I'm not looking forward to it. :)

So all in all I've been kind of bummed lately. However like my title said good friends are always there to cheer you up! Sunday I scrapped all day with Carla and Satyn, had a great time. Then tonight when I joined Weight Watchers, Carla gave me a bag of scrappin goodies!! That just made my day!! I'm so lucky to have such good friends!! Going to miss you guys this Friday!

Satyn birthday was Tuesday, HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY GIRL!!!!!! You are the best!!!

Samantha went to her first school dance. This dance was the "Sweetheart Dance" and the school gym was decorated with red, white, and pinks. Her Grandpa, A.K.A. as Paga, was her chaparone. She was so excited and the minuate she came home from school was dying to put on her new dress. LOL

We did the whole girly thing. Painted nails, curled hair, and put on a little make up. By the time she was ready she looked so cute and so grown up. I could not believe she was going to a dance, time flies by too fast. It seems like yesterday she had just learned to say "Auntie." :)

She had a blast at the dance. My mom said she did not stop talking about it for an hour after she got home.

Other than that not much is going on with me. Back in school and can't wait to transfer to Cal State East Bay! I've been looking for a job that is willing to accomadate a changing schedule, since I'm not quite sure what it will be like once I transfer. My niece's mom is looking for someone to watch her kids so I might do that just till I find something else. :)

Here are some pics from her dance. Enjoy!!!!

Woke up this morning to a sense there is a "change" in the air. I got Samantha off to school in her red, white and blue, her school was going to watch the inauguration. In all my years in school we never watched an inauguration. This just goes to show how significant today is in our country’s history. Even our youngest children have become interested in politics. I think that is so awesome!

Here are my thoughts on the inauguration.... Chief Justice John Roberts flubbed up the beginning of the oath, but it was his first. :) Obama’s address was wonderful! Michelle’s dress was pretty but Aretha Franklin’s hat was ridiculous! LOL I have to say my favorite part was the Benediction by Rev. Lowery. Here is my favorite part, “Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around ... when yellow will be mellow ... when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right. That all those who do justice and love mercy say Amen." AMEN!!

I have to say I felt a little sorry of Bush, just a little. :) To leave with a 22% approval rating and then to see the 1.8 million turn out to see Obama sworn in, let’s just say that must "hurt" a little. Did you hear people singing, "Na na, Na na, Na na, Na na, Hey, Hey, GOODBYE as the helicopter took him back to Texas? Sadly he still won’t concede that he made many mistakes, Iraq and Katrina, just to name a few. Maybe in time History will not be so harsh to him.

Our country has such high hopes for Obama and I really hope that he can live up to them and bring the "change" we are all so desperately seeking.


A little trivia on inaugurations, Sam and I heard these questions on the radio this morning.

1. Which President gave the shortest Inauguration speech?.......... at 135 words it was George Washington. This was his second Inauguration speech. There is something to be said for making it "short and sweet."

2. Which President gave the longest Inauguration speech? ...........at 8445 words it was William Henry Harrison. He not only holds the record for longest Inauguration speech but he is also the president that served the shortest term in office. He died one month later from pneumonia. Some say he should have made the speech short and sweet and he would have not become sick.

Today is my Dad's birthday and I want to wish him a fabulous birthday! I also want to take this time to thank my Dad for always being there for me and supporting me in whatever I do.

I'll give an example of what kind of Dad he is. Years back I signed up to sell crafts that I made at a store in Newark. I had mentioned it to him and he said that was great. As my best friend and I arrived at the store to set up my booth, I looked through the window to see my him there. He had come down to support me, how awesome is that? It was around Christmas time and the next week when we gathered at his house to decorate the tree, I walked through the door there was one ornament on the tree. It was one I was selling at my booth. :)

That is just one example of what a great Dad I am so lucky to have!! Happy Birthday Dad, I love you very much!