Life is a Zoo

Oh My Heck! Today had better be an Uber productive day, because I sure didn't get a lot done yesterday. OK, so that's not true. I DID get a lot done yesterday, but not so much with the packing part.

I was at my friends house babysitting at 8 am ish. I DID get a new WordArt pack designed. That doesn't help me move, but it was sure fun :) It was a Words Active WordArt Pack, with 4 WordArts like the "Jump" WordArt. And, I included a layered PSD file (rasterized) so you could easily re-color the white and black parts.

I called the school, and learned that I had to come in and fill out some papers. Paperwork, paperwork, paperwork! Geesh! But, I guess it's for a good reason.

Maren came over and hung out while I babysat. We had fun. She's a GREAT friend, and I really enjoy her - Thank, my friend, for coming and keeping me company!

So I was done babysitting at 2:45, and Maren took me to pick up my truck from the shop. And who knew that the shop didn't take Discover. What's up with that? That's the only credit card I have with room on it. geesh. Not shaping up to be a good time. Luckily, my mom was there to help me out again. I should just have the army deposit our travel money in her account - LMBO!

My truck runs FABULOUSLY!!!! I'm SO happy with it. Steve (the mechanic), checked the levels of everything, the tire pressure, changed the oil, and made it all ready for the trip. Thanks, Steve!!! You're the BEST!!!

So I finally get home at 3:40 ish (stopped by the school to fill out papers), and my dad wants to know where the key to the trailer is. See, there's a spot on the trailer where the trailer tongue attaches to the hitch of the truck. There's a ... um... latch that keeps it on there. And there's a spot for a lock. Well, we put a lock on it, and I had the key. HAD. I'm not to be trusted with things like that.... Captain America should know that - LMBO! I lose everything.

So I searched the truck, and found an extra set of keys, and a little key that I thought might be for the trailer lock. I went to the backyard to look at it, and noticed that my tags EXPIRED in December '08. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!! I'm leaving on MONDAY. It's a holiday, and the DMV isn't opened. I must admit, I started to panic a little bit.

I immediately went into the house, and called the DMV. Luckily, they closed at 5:00 pm. I had about an hour to work with. So, I told them my problem, that I was moving from Oregon to Texas, and I had expired Ohio plates. I asked what I should do. They said to bring the trailer in (great!), and pay for a trailer license, registration, and title fee, totalling $150. Oh My GOSH!!!

So I search for the keys for a little while longer, and realize, I don't have time to search any more. I ask my dad what I could do. Does he having anything to cut the lock with? No, he says. Just a hack saw, and it'll take a few hours to cut through it. Well, I know that I don't have a few hours, so I hop in the truck, and drive to the hardware store.

Give me BIG BOLT CUTTERS, I say. The guys was doubtuf that it would work, but I bought the BIGGEST bolt cutters they sold. I am now the proud (or not so proud) owner of $40 bolt cutters. So, if you EVER need a bolt, lock, or anything big and metal cut, just call me. I'd be happy to help!

I drove home, and parked by my trailer. I whipped out the bolt cutters, and with one easy motion, cut through the lock. No problems at all. I got the lock off, unblocked the wheels, backed up the truck and lined up the hitch/ball (yeah, MUCH easier said that done - I hate backing up - LOL), hooked up the trailer, chains, lights, etc. (good thing I paid attention all those times Captain America did it), and was off to the DMV, with 30 minutes before it closed.

I brought in the title, and asked to get a new registration and such. No, they said, because it was only in Captain Americas name. He needed to sign it. AHHHHHH! Now I really started to panic. But I tried not to show it. I asked what other options she had for me. I needed to get my trailer to El Paso without getting pulled over every 5 miles for not being registered.

Well, she said, why don't you just get a trip permit. Those are only $20.

And I'm only hearing about this option now WHY? She could have told me that on the phone. I didn't really want Oregon plates since I'm MOVING to Texas. Goodness. All we needed to get the trip permit was the VIN #, which was on the title, which I had. I didn't even need to bring up the trailer. But at that point, I was SO relieved, that I didn't even care.

Sometimes, I just wish that things would be easy. LMBO! But I guess that's what keeps life interesting. And sometimes my life is interesting. Well, entertaining for you all, at least. I wouldn't want to disappoint. What kind of a story would "I hooked up the trailer and loaded my junk" be. LMBO!!!

After dinner, and after the little kids went to bed, my mom and I worked on packing/filing all the paper junk that was mine. For any of you who have kids, you know the vast amount of paperwork that comes home. Well, times that by 4. And then add no space to keep it. There were piles of papers all over the house. And unfiled bills. And just stuff. So, we threw away 95% of the kids school work (it killed me, but I'm not packing around all that stuff), filed all the bills into the bill box, and packed up the random junk. I have about 5 boxes packed and ready to go. I also pack our DVD collection. I went through each one, just to make sure that they're in there. I have a 3 year old. 'nough said :) LOL!

Today, I need to get everything else packed, loaded in the truck, and tarped/shrink wrapped down. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed, but I'll have lots of help. My dad, my mom, Maren, my Aunt Sue, and my Grandma Ida are all gonna help. Mostly, if the kids are entertained, I should be able to get a lot done. I"ll DEFINITELY get a pic of the final product. That should be funny - LOL. Remember what it looked like on the trip to Oregon? I bet it's higher this time.

This WordArt request is from Laurie. But you know, it really fits my life these days - LMBO! Click on the image below to go to my box.net account to download the PNG file, and leave some love if you like my work. Thanks!

FONTS:
Z - Scratch my back
oo - Yippy Skippy Alt
All rest - Seriffic Grunge

Never Fail

Well, WE GOT THE HOUSE!!!! Woohoo! My mom loaned us the $$ until our Army check comes in, and we MoneyGram'ed the money. Have you ever done that? HOLY crap, it's expensive! 85 bucks to send $2000. The way it works, I fill out paperwork on my end, say who it's to, then they put the money into the Money Gram system. I give Captain America the conformation number, and he takes it to a Money Gram location, shows ID, gives them the number, and they give him the money. But do they REALLY have to charge so much - My Goodness!

Anyway, he picked up the money, and gave it to the Rental Company. $950 deposit, and first months rent. He's moving in TODAY!!! There's nothing in there (except what was in his car - LOL), no power, and no water, but he's IN OUR HOUSE!!! That'll all be taken care of before I get there with the kids, NEXT WEEK! That's right, we're leaving on MONDAY!!! So, I have Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to pack and leave - no pressure, right!

And, I'm babysitting all day long today for one of the girls that babysat for me last week. When she asked me last Sunday, I didn't know I was leaving quite so soon. Oh well. She did it for me, so I'll do it for her. That just means that I need to pack EXTRA good on Saturday :)

And, my truck should be ready today too. The fuel pump was shot. It's gonna be about $245 for all the repairs. New fuel pump, the distributer cap (or something like that) and um, yeah, not really remembering what he was fixing. Anyway, he's fixing what was broke, and not charging me a whole lot for it. It's my moms good friends' hubby. He's such a great guy!

Can you imagine if it would have all gone south on the trip? Me, with my 5 kids, on a 1/2 cross country, all by myself, with a broken truck. Not good :) I'm glad that it broke when it did, so I had time to fix it :)

I did some packing yesterday. I packed all the kids clothes, except 5 changes. I'll put them in suit cases when it gets closer to go time (yeah, like 3 days from now -LMBO), but the others will need to go in the trailer. What else did I do? Oh yeah, I helped a lady at church finish off her family calendar. We did the 1st 1/2 on Monday, and the 2nd half Thursday. My mom, my aunt, our friend Luell, and Jimmy and I went to lunch at McDonalds. It was nice and warm in the playplace, and I was SO glad. First time I've been warm all day long :)

Since I packed so long today, and I'm usually the food cooker, we got Taco Bell for dinner. Beans are good! Then, after the little kids went to bed, we got Apple Fritters from Safeway bakery. Yeah, I'm gonna be ROUND by the time I get to Texas - LMBO! It'll feel really good to get back on track with my diet. One of these day....

We watched President Bush's farewell speech last night. Did you? Well, if you missed it, I'm "trying" to embed the video below. If there's nothing there, um, I guess I didn't do it right - LMBO!



WOW! It was wonderful. LOVE the man :) I knew the second I heard this quote that it was gonna be today's Freebie. Absolutely perfect. Click on the image below to go to my box.net account to download the PNG file, and leave some love if you like my work. Thanks!

FONTS:
Never - HARDROCK
Tire, Falter, Fail - Harting

I found this on a blog when I was searching out the exact wording of the quote. I just LOVED what he said at the bottom, tying it all up. Here is his exact quote - Mike Warren:

In the end, the government under George W. Bush succeeded in its most important role: since 2001, we have been kept safe at home, able to go about our lives. We go to school or to work, we spend time with our families and friends, we worship in peace; we go to sports games, see movies, volunteer for others, pursue our own understanding of happiness. We are the luckiest people in the world, and other people hate us for it. They are willing to kill us over it. After 9/11, George W. Bush refused to allow that to happen on our soil again. We owe so much, and I am ever grateful.

Thank you, Mr. President.

I must say, I agree! Thank you, Mr. President

My Diet Information

Hey girls :) Just thought that I'd post this info on my blog, since I get a lot of emails about it - I figured that if it was all in the same place, I could just point people there, instead of having to email them all back in detail - hehehe. Anything that gives me less work, I'm all about that - LMBO!!!

So, click HERE for the post that "All About My Diet".

Thanks!

Jump

Well, good news about the house! We were approved, but we need to pay the deposit today to get it - holy cow! We'll get a TON of money from the move, but none of it is to us yet. So, we're scrambling on how to get some money to the housing place so we can get the rental. Hopefully it all works out :)

And, sad news, our truck is having "issues". I love my Surburban. It's a 1990 GMC. I don't want a new fancy car. I don't want a mini van. I LOVE my truck. It's like my friend. But, sadly, it's been making funny noises when it idols, and hasn't been running well at all. Yeah, real nice, what with the move right around the corner. So, it's in the shop today. I SO hope that it's something easy/cheap to fix.

Yesterday, some of the girls and I took our little kids to our church parking lot to let them ride their little bikes. The kids had a BLAST! The oldest kid there was 7. There were probably 15 kids there, with bikes, or trikes, or something. It was SO cute. Too bad my camera was at home - sigh. Besides the fact that the sun had gone behind the trees and the wind was COLD, it was a perfect afternoon!

I made THE best hamburgers last night - they were DIVINE!!! Ground beef, tons of onion, worstershire sauce, garlic salt, pepper, parmesean cheese, pepper jack cheese, eggs (to hold it together), and some Montreal Steak Seasoning on the top. OMGosh! I think it may have been my first burger since doing my diet. It was AMAZING. I'm SO doing my diet today, though. I was one of those "I can't believe I ate the whole thing" moments - hehehehe.

So this is a little bit different from what I usually do, but it's workin' for me. What do ya think? Would you use this? Click on the image below to go to my box.net account to download the PNG file, and leave some love if you like my work. Thanks!

FONTS:
Main font - Hursheys
Other smaller fonts - too many to list (seriously, like 20 fonts)

This layout is from DimpleBrandy. I asked if someone would scrap a layout with this Wordart, because i was thinking that it was TOO busy, and I wouldn't know what to do with it. Well, girl, you out did yourself! It's FANTASTIC! Not too busy, but GREAT! Thanks so much for showing me what one can do with my WordArt - LOL!

Kit from Haynay's Designs- Boy-Angel Baby
Template by Pressed Petals
WordArt by ME!!!!

Color Me Happy

Captain America told me that he checked into his .. um..I dont' know what it's called. His unit? His brigade? I dont know. There's not really anything for him to do there. He training doesn't start until April. Anyway, his assignment today was to sweep the floor and wash a few windows, and that job was shared by him and 2 others. It took about 10 minutes, then they had the day off. If this is what his routine is for the next 3 months, and I can be there with him, I'm ALL ABOUT THAT!!!

Well, Captain America went rental house hunting today. He looked at one that was almost 2000 square feet, 5 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, 2 stories, 2 car garage, central air, in a nice neighborhood, new school, close-ish to post, a year old, and $1050 a month. Not bad for the area. We've never rented something that expensive before, but then, the last place we rented was a 2 bedroom 4-plex. Can't really fit 7 people in a 2 bedroom 4-plex, I guess. There doing an application thingy, so we're waiting to see if we pass. I'm not sure we will. Our credit is in the tank, and our house in Chicago is going into forclosure. That CANT look good on a credit report. So keep us in your prayers. I'd really like to have a house in Texas. If this avenue doesn't work, we'll just have to try and rent from an individual, not a company. But hopefully this will work out for us :)


So how many of you watched Idol last night? Usually, I'm not big on Idol, but my family watches it, so I decided to give it a try. I think it's fun when watched in a group. Listening to my Dad laught was half the fun :) hehehe. But I must say, as I sat there and watched it, with my mom and my 2 oldest boys, and a guy called "Sexual Chocolate" auditioned, I wondered what I was getting into. Tom, the 9 year old, said "Sexual Chocolate"? "Grandma, what does Sexual mean?". LMBO! Not a converstaion I wanted to get into with my 9 year old at this point. We told him it mean that the guy was cute, and people wanted to kiss on him. Gross, he said. And he was just mortified at the bikini girl. When I tucked him into bed, he was like "I still can't believe someone came on the show in their bikini - gross!". Good for you Tom!

Check out our CUTE new packaging at Scraporchard. Isn't it FABULOUS!!! And here's our Week 27 installment. Click HERE to go to the orchard to download the zip file, and remember, you need to be logged into the gallery to download the WordArt. And, it's only up there for a week. So get it fast - LOL! And as always, leave some love if you like my work :)

Classified Antique

Woohoo! I finally got the video of Captain America graduating uploaded. I'm slow, but I'll eventually get to it :) Just like your Christmas Card WordArt packs. I haven't forgotten about you. I"ll do it. Maybe even today. Maybe :) LMBO!

I got a chance to do some Scrapbooking today. Not my own, but it was still some layouts. There's a lady at church, Bess, who makes a calendar each year for her extended family. Her daughter (and family) has just recently moved away (I went to high school with her) and that's who usually helped her do it. So, I said that I would help. We were able to get 6 of the 12 layouts done for the Calendar yesterday. It was pretty fun scrapping, but I must say, I'm SO glad that I have a CT, because if my layouts were trying to sell my products, I wouldn't make a single sale - LMBO!

Then, I went to the Auto store to buy a part for my truck. Did I tell you it was having "issues". It was revving up really bad then trying to die. One after another. Weirdest thing. It started the day or so before Captain America left from Christmas Exodus. It drove like that too. Just what I needed. A broken Surburban, and no hubby to help.

Well, my dad said that it sounded like the fuel filter was bad. SO, I bought a new one today. It was only $4.99. He took out the old one, and put in the new one last night. I'm hoping that it fixed the problem. He drove it around a little bit, and he said that it seemed to improve the more he drove it - he said it needed to work its way through the fuel line. Whatever. As long as it works. I guess we'll find out tomorrow. It drive it around a little bit.

After the Auto parts store, I went to my Grandmas house. Hung out there till the kids were about due home, then went back to my Moms. Tom had Cub Scouts at 4:30, and I had my 5:00 Monday appointment. Picked Tom up at 6 ish after my meeting, and went home. Little kids went to bed at 7:30 ish, big kids, well, I got to talking with Captain America on the phone, and realized at 9:45 that I didn't put them to bed - oops. They got to stay up late - LOL!

Captain America said that he has a meeting today about the move. Not sure what aspect of the move it is, but it's something to do with transportation. I've come to see that the army doesn't like you to know too many steps ahead of where you are right now. Need to know basis. And I guess we don't need to know yet. Ok. I can do that. I'm a "go with the flow" person, or I can be. hehehe.

You know, I'm LOVIN' having Captain America in MST. He's only an hour ahead of us now, and it sure makes talking in the evening much more handy. The 3 hour time different was brutal. This is much more do-able.

I just thought that this saying was HILARIOUS, so I decided to WordArt it . I could see it being used for ANY page of ANYONE who had aged. Even if it was a little kid growing up. Or a teen going to an adult. Or someone truly old. MANY possibilities :) Click on the image below to go to my box.net account to download the PNG file, and leave some love if you like my work.


FONTS:
Classified - Castellar
Antique - Arcana GMM Std

I'm Too Sexy

I started off SOOO good on my diet on Sunday. But then at around 3pm, I gave up, and ate, literally, everything in site. Sigh. Not a good finish - hehehe. I'll do better today. Really, I will. My belly feels bloated, and nasty (Sunday night). I hate it when I eat things that I shouldn't. I really don't feel good afterwords. You'd think I'd learn :) But, after a PERFECT eating day on Saturday, I was down 2 lbs, so I know that it will come off when I get back on the diet. I CAN do it. I WILL do it. Today is the day, right???

Oh yeah! Captain America made it to El Paso. He called last night, and said that he'd arrived. He was looking for the temporary housing place last time we talked. But he was on base. He'd arrived safely. That's a long drive. Poor guy. It would have been better if I could have driven with him. Woudln't that have been a fun roadtrip :)

Have you guys seen "Bedtime Stories"? I'm definitely buying that one when it comes to video - SO cute! I like Adam Sandler when he's not swearing or being crude. He's a funny guy :) Good movie :)

So, I actually got this video to upload! Woohoo for blogger! This is Captain America swearing in as an Officer. SO cool! I have another on of him graduating, but that will have to wait till tomorrow :) Isn't he handsome :)

This WordArt request is from Yolanda. I was instantly reminded of the song, and Prom my Sophomore year. My boyfriend at the time was a Senior, and took me. This song was played, and it was TOO funny! Gotta love the 90's - LOL! Click on the image below to go to my box.net account to download the PNG file, and leave some love if you like my work.

FONTS:

rhino dino

God Keep You

So, since Saturday was my first day back home, I decided to jump on the ole scales, and see how much damage Christmas and vacation took on me. Yeah, it wasn't a pretty picture. 12 lbs up. That's like a WHOLE Thanksgiving turkey. Anyway, so I'm BACK on the ole diet. I know that it works. One just needs to actually DO it - hehehe. So, here's the pic of me in my new workout shirt/pants, all ready to lose 12 lbs. Woohoo for me! I only have one pair of pants that still fit. Yeah, that's not good - hehehe.


I really did good on my diet yesterday. I drank water (yeah, I need to drink more, but I actually attempted it), I ate only what was on the diet plan, and I walked at the beach for 30 minutes. My kids and I went there with Maren, her hubby, and her boy. We all had a lot of fun. We'll see what the scale says tomorrow.

Well, it was a good day back at "home". The kids were really excited to see me, and I was SO excited to see them. Captain America texted me throughout the day, giving me updates as to his progress. As of Saturday night, he's in Abilene, Texas. It's another 450 ish miles into El Paso. He should get in tomorrow sometime. "Find us a house, honey! We're ready to come to Texas, too!!!"

Hey girls! Yeah, I know it's not Friday, but I was so behind last week, I didn't even post my new stuff in the store :( But, here it is! Last weeks slightly Fresh Fruit - hehehe. And remember, it's 20% off these listed prices until Thursday night. So hurry - hehehe.

Click HERE to go to the store to get "New Year's WordArt" - $2.50

Click HERE to go to the store to buy "Year in Review WordArt" - $2.50

Click HERE to go to the store to buy "The Wedding" for $5.00

Click HERE to go to the store to buy "Birthday Ages 1-10 WordArt" - $5.00

Click HERE to go to the store to buy "Birhtday Ages 40's and 50's WordArt" - $2.50

Click HERe to go to the store to buy "Birthday Ages 20's and 30's WordArt" - $2.50

This WordArt request is from Vicki in Japan. She and her hubby are Missionaries over there right now. And yes, God will watch over you where ever he takes you :) Click on the image below to go to my box.net account to download the PNG file, and leave some love if you like my work. Thanks!

FONTS:
God's - Perpetua Titling
Keep, You - Rambler Script JF