watch out for those curve balls!

Surprise, surprise .. for me and my girls, that is. Last Thursday, midway during my very enjoyable week off, came a phone call. The landlord wanting to let me know about some work that was going to be done here for a few days, oh...and by the way, your rent will is going to be raised on October 1st. Your average rent raise will not send you over the edge, this one almost knocked me out. Actually, it might knock you out too! My rent will be going up 110% in 66 days. Can he do this? Yes... I live in a city that does not have rent control. Could he have been more considerate considering the length of time we've been here, I sure thought so. On October 16th we would have been here 19 years. Lots of memories, you know?

In the midst of all the emotions we are all feeling, we are trying to be positive. Our season here is done and there is a reason we are moving on. I think A & B will be looking to find a place with a friend of A's, Chels may end up at her aunt's for a bit, and after MANY years of always having someone with me, I may actually get to be a grown up and live on my own.

Enough whining, won't change things anyways! AND, I'd much rather whine about the other thing I can NOT change...the WEATHER! lol Heat, heat and more heat! Last Saturday evening it was about 105 in the house at 9pm and it had been 115 here at 4pm. Bizaare weather.. no breaks. We always get heat, not that excessive though, but we usually get a break, if only for a day or two. I think we've been between 95-105 for the last six weeks straight. YUCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK.... I'm so over it! lol Please tell me it will be winter soon! Maybe we'll get down to the 80's...lol

Lots of prayers and good thoughts would be appreciated. A cut of the lottery if anyone of you should win would also be helpful..lol

stay safe and well

hugz O:-)

take 4.. closest and most powerful! 

take 3 ..even closer 

take 2 ..closer 

take 1.. waves hits rocks furthest away 

where have all the people gone? 

wow, time flies....

Two weeks tomorrow...I had no clue!

First week was grieving time for me. I worked, did "normal" stuff, felt sad. Each day got easier and the tears are still right there at times, but the intense sadness is gone and now I'm thinking back on the good memories and knowing all the good things he left with me.

I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO done with the hot weather. The weathermen have been saying this is one of the longest streaks of intense heat we've had. Since early June I think we've only had maybe a day or 2 anywhere close to the mid 80's. The last 10 + days have found us between 100-107 during the day and 80's in the evenings. BLECH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Better news is having been away for a couple of days. Five families, totalling about 40 people (adults and kids) went camping at the beach this week. A & B and I joined them but "camped" at a Comfort Inn. Anyone else enjoy that kind of camping? lol Amazing that we could be one hour away from home and the temperature was 25+ degrees LESS! I even had to wear a light jacket yesterday morning. Got some sun, laughed a lot, took some pictures... a good time was had by all.

To break up the week I attended a workshop for work..lol...at a fabulous private club in Newport Beach today. Enjoyed the 2 sessions I took and learned a lot..lunch was yummy and was home before traffic. Tomorrow will spend the day with a friend in from out of town and Friday will just do stuff I WANT to do! Anyone free?

Family is fine. Amanda, my white girl..lol... FRIED the front of her legs from the knees to the ankles.. she is enjoying it, blisters and all. I tell ya, ya can't tell em anything, even when they're 25! Brit turned a wonderful shade of brown...grrrrrrrrrr, we're all envious. Chels arrived home safely today from Guadalajara. She had a great time and has a nice tan and lots of pictures. Hmm, wonder who she's related to..lol

Enough for now. Hope this finds you are well and staying cool.

Til then... hugz

in loving memory...

In loving memory of Russell Wells, born December 24th, 1913, left this earth for a better place on July 3, 2006.

Thank you for being my other "dad", for loving me unconditionally, for caring for me when I didn't, for always praying for me, for wonderful memories, for setting the foundation that stayed firm, for your sense of humor, for being a great role model as a father, husband, friend and a true man of God.

You went home in the way you deserved...peacefully

Until me meet again... with all my love...

a few hours later..lol 

princesses at heart :) 

woohoo...birthday girl's name on scoreboard!

group photo at Dodger game.. 

nagging works...

Yes, I deserve it, but geez, do ya have to be so bossy? lol And yes, I already know the answer to that.

It has been a few days and for that I apologize, but I thank those of you that have kept me reading. I hear nagging to a blank screen even works with some folks..hehe.

So, let's see. Days have been busy at work..evenings busy trying to stay cool (which isn't working well), weekends just busy. Worked my last shift at the gallery this weekend and got my check for June. Was a very exciting event!

Last weekend (Friday nite) was a pj party for a group of gf's to spend time with one of them that moved out of state this weekend. Hard to see her go! Last Saturday was 18 people in my 95 degree house for pizza and birthday cake.. can I say it was AWFUL here..lol and then off we headed to the Dodger game to celebrate Amanda's 25th birthday. We had a great time and the home team won...woohoo.. Posting a couple of pictures from that evening.

This weekend was a princess birthday party (Friday night) for another one of the ladies from this group (photo's attached) starting with dinner, then dancing, then Denny's at 1am.. dressed just like you see in the photos..lol. We truly had so much fun and had so many comments/compliments from folks in each place we were. Saturday was the gallery workday and out for about an hour or so, at which point I could hardly keep my eyes open..lol Today was lunch out and a movie..woohooooo...AC!! Went to The Devil Wears Prada... enjoyed it a LOT!

Working tomorrow even though I could have taken the day off but want to save the day. Maybe I'll even use it when Peta is in town! Tuesday is our holiday..wish the temps would drop like 20 degrees by then..lol.

Okay...all for now...will send more as I think of more...

stay safe and well.. big hugz!