Well February has ended and March has officially arrived!  Woohoo!  I think that means it’s the beginnings of Springtime!  I love the rainy springy weather that comes with springtime.. looking forward to the Thunderstorms!

February brought a lot of good things to Dennis and I.   On February 14, We celebrated 10 years of marriage.   Granted, we’ve been together long before that.    Our first encounter was actually on Valentines Day 1996, the day we became friends.   Who’d have thought it would turn into so much more!?  Dennis is Amazing.   He provides incredible strength and gives me shoulder to lean on.  He’s always there for me in good times and bad.   His silly quirky sayings make me smile, and make me laugh.  I love his smile and his witty personality.   Everything about him!   He’s always so supportive of everything I do.  And! He gives the best hugs EVER! What more could you ask for?   

February 14, 2004 I received one of the best gifts ever given to me.   Brady came into our home as a 12 week old little fuzzy monster for our 4th wedding anniversary.  We also celebrated the anniversary of a very treasured addition to our family in February also.   He has certainly changed our lives and brings so much love and affection with him.   You can have the worst day in the world, and Brady can make it all disappear with a few kisses and a snuggle.   Without him, we would also not have Sadie and Leo.  Because of Brady, there will always always be a Yorkshire Terrier in our home. 

Dennis was almost completely healed from his knee injury besides a little bit of tenderness.  He was riding a bike and able to bend it almost to his regular range of 118 degrees.   Unfortunately a couple days ago, he slipped and fell in the locker room at work causing a major set back.  We hadn’t been to the doctor again yet, but the swollenness and the untrusting feeling is back.   My poor guy.   He was looking forward to being completely on the mend and now he’s going to start back at square one.   He is in such pain, but he still manages to put a smile back on his face and get through it.  

February 20th brought my Grandpa’s 90th birthday.  What a remarkable milestone!  He looks amazing for 90 years old!  He has survived much in his lifetime and has experienced some pretty amazing things, some good, some bad.    Hopefully he has many years ahead of him still.    February 12th was my niece Karlee’s birthday!  Wow she is Growing up so Fast, and into such a beautiful young lady!   I can’t wait to see her continue to grow…

Lastly, Dennis and I finally joined the Gym.   We’re on the rocky road (no not the ice cream!) to fitness.   We’ve gone a couple times so far and I am totally loving it.   Dennis was too until his knee became re-injured.   I LOVE the elliptical!!  And Dennis and I enjoy "hiking" on the treadmill.   I love how it changes elevation, so awesome!   Also doing a few light upper body exercises (weight lifting, resistance training).   Haven’t really done the hard part of changing our eating habits yet, but we’ve vowed to eat less fast food and drink less soda pop and that’ll be a major major start.    Hopefully we see the pounds coming off!    If anything It’ll be nice to get some energy back instead of being lazy and tired all the time!

We spent this last Friday night in Wendover with Heather and Casey.  Had a lot of fun even though we didn’t win anything… but didn’t come home poor either so that’s a plus!   Just wish the drive out there wasn’t so long.  Was so nice to get away from everything happening around here.  Only bad thing about travelling?  I miss my fuzzy yorkie babies! 

Well that’s about all from our house!   March 1st brings Dennis back into school and so we wont be doing too many exciting things.  He’s on the Bachelors program now for his degree in Education.  He changed schools and will also be specializing in Math! Woohoo! Good Luck Dennis!

As February comes to an end and March 1st comes today, I guess I’ll go back and recap since I’m a terrible procrastinator and never get around to putting my thoughts into my blog.  Dont get me wrong, the intent is there.  I’m just too lazy to open Windows Live Writer and put thoughts down on electronic paper?  Yeah, that’s it!

What has February brought.   Well, it’s had a couple visits from the Drama Llama.   We repossessed the car that we had sold.  The individual chose to drive it with no insurance, no license and no registration.   Since we could not literally PROVE any of those things while she was driving it around, we had to wait for the dreaded day when we found out it was in County Impound.   Ah Ha!  Now we can legally repo it.   Now, it wasn’t to be totally mean to this person, it’s that this person intentionally broke a contract that stated (carry insurance and valid registration at all times).  Since that wasn’t the case, the contract became null and void when she chose to do just that, drive without license, registration and insurance.     She had also wrecked the car at least 3 times in the last year.   So needless to say, I can’t even resell it for the value it was.   Much like my house, this person destroyed something and didn’t take any responsibility for their actions.   How do you wreck a car that many times without insurance and not get caught?  Literally the last one did quite a bit of damage to the passenger side.  The left back passenger door will no longer even open.  It’s dented, scratched, and pretty much looks cosmetically awful.  But what about the inside?  Yeah, it wreaks… of mold and stale cigarettes, the latter I can deal with, but the Mold? eww!    I almost wondered if I was going to find a body in the trunk! lol.    Anyway.. so $600 later, I get the car out of impound.   Now I would have left it there, however.  Since we were the lein holders (she was making car payments to us, we own the car outright), I was informed that if no one picked it up in 30 days it would be sold at auction.  And while we’d have no obligation to the State of Utah for fees incurred from her recklessness, we could be charged the difference in auction sale and tow/storage fees from the impound yard.   Not wanting to be liable for any more $, we chose to repo the car from the impound yard. 

Still no rent from our renter in our other house.   No information what so ever.  We sent a certified signature letter to them telling them they were violating the lease by non payment of rent, too many cats (lease only allows one, they have four), unkept yard / unsightly rubbish, and unauthorized individual living in the home not on the lease.  Guess they have til March 5th to pay in full the rent and correct said issues, or they will get a 3 Day Pay or Vacate notice.   I’m telling you the last year has been such a hassle with this girl.   I’ll be relieved when she is gone.   Will have a lot of work to do, but it will be nice to get her out of there.   Honestly, I have no idea how someone can be so irresponsible and have total disregard for other people’s property/possessions.

But enough about the Drama Llama!  I should seriously just get a different blog for that story, but in February, we also decided that it’s not worth having the problems, so we’ve distanced ourselves from her.  Time to let her world crash in around her and see what it is like to try to dig back out.   Some people dont learn unless you push them into the fire and they get burnt.

Pretty much it for that.  The most hilarious thing ever though? Mama llama called the Drama Llama and informed her that people were watching her.   And I kid you not, by the time I went to pick my husband up from work that morning (at 3 am)  EVERY single window in that house was blacked out, blankets in the windows, doors shut… no visible light or way to see inside.   hahahahahaha!  so funny!  Unfortunately it now looks like they are drug dealers, so they just made themselves look 10 x worse than before I am still laughing about this one…

Anyways… it’s become more bearable lately to deal with.  Mostly cause we are being Ignored and we are Ignoring it!  Seems to work out best that way with only a couple small sad points. I can sit back and laugh at a lot of things that happen, yeah of course some still makes me angry, but there’s xanax for that!

Quote of the Day:
Sharing money is what gives it its value.
–Elvis Presley, singer

Before I head out to work for the day, I thought I’d write a quick post.    I tend to be irritated quite easily these days, and I’d like to apologize for it, but anymore, I just dont care what anyone else thinks.  and with that, my post:

This last Saturday, my Grandpa, turned 90 years old.   Amazing!  You wouldn’t even guess he’s 90.  He still does everything independently from mowing his lawn to sneaking out of the house when grandma is taking a nap and driving to Taco Time for some lunch!

Some of my most treasured childhood memories are with Grandpa.   When my mom started working I spent a lot of time with Grandma and Grandpa.   I think that’s where I gained my love for Peanut Butter toast!  NOBODY makes Peanut Butter and Honey toast like grandpa.    I remember him trying to teach me to stand on my head when I was little.  "It’ll make your hair grow" he would say… Yeah… still can’t do it!   Anyways… I hope he had a great birthday.   I’m proud to call him my grandpa.  He’s an amazing man, with an amazing life story! 

Monday afternoon Dennis and I finally did something we had been talking about for awhile.  We joined the local Gym.   Malt -O-Meal pays for nearly all of it, so long as we go at least 8 times a month.   Easy right?   Well, Monday and Tuesday night we did just that.   We had so much fun.  Not only was it something we both enjoy, but it was nice to just be together without television or Internet or something else to distract our attention.    We plan right now on going on each of our days off.  Dennis has enjoyed riding the bicycle, lifting a few weights, and walking or "hiking" on the treadmill.   I totally love the elliptical, yep, it kicks my butt, but it needs it!   Loving the treadmill also.  some of the programs are so fun, just like hiking with the inclines, etc.

hrmmm not much else to report right now… Dennis should be starting back in school in the next couple weeks.  Then our time with each other is interrupted a bit as he has tons of school work to do.   Needless to say we’re going away Friday night to wendover for the night.   Our last free weekend together until school starts, and I need to get away!  This whole deal with his sister and the stress she’s putting on us is making us both want to scream, no time to even enjoy the fun simple things in life.   Which by the way, We’re not even dealing with her anymore.   It’s unfortunate it has to come to that, but how much can you take?  It’s legal from here on out, not family helping family.  She severed that bond by the choices she continues to make.   I totally am missing my nephews, it’s been over a month since I saw them   but since i’m not feeding her with a silver spoon and giving in to her every wish, we’re being punished.   I have learned though, children understand and know who loves them and who cares for them, even when their mother pushes those people out of their lives.   I know Dennis and I have made an impact on those kids’ lives and honestly, I know they will always remember that and that we love them.  AND, if she wants to hurt them as such, they will remember that also.  I think that’s a pretty good lesson in life.   Kids are pretty observant and they’re smarter than ya think!

With that, I will end my post and go to work.    

Quote of the Day:
If you think nobody cares if you are alive, try missing a couple of car payments.
–Earl Wilson

Happy Birthday Karlee!

February 12th!

I’m too tired to even blog.   But isn’t that guy just a little too cute to be a drama llama? yeah but that’s how it pulls you into it’s trap and then spits in your face!   Sneaky lil devil!

Quote of the Day:
That’s right. ‘Tain’t yours, and ’tain’t mine.
–Mark Twain
(when friend said that a certain rich man’s money was "tainted")

It worked for today so Lets have a Drama Llama free week!!  What do ya think? 

Okay maybe you’re thinking what’s a Drama Llama.   Well… Urban Dictionary defines it as:

1. A person who randomly throws their drama on others, in the same way a llama randomly spits.   
2. A person who puts un needed drama in your life.

That being said… I wont have any of it this week.   I declared Monday (my only day off this week til the weekend), a drama llama free zone.   And you know? Somehow we made it through the day, the better part of it anyway – there’s still a bit to go! 

Granted the problems are still definitely there, they’re not gone nor are they on their way out any time soon, but I have chosen just to not deal with it right now.   There are a couple of things I have to deal with in regards to the biggest drama llama in our life, but those two things are pieces of paper and well, they’re being sent in the mail!   YAY for the postal service!

Nothing much exciting happened today, but some of the smallest things made the day nice.

• Took my husband to get a much needed haircut   Man! Does he look sharp!
• Shopko was having a sale on Board Games so we bought:
• Monopoly City
• Stratego
• Connect Four
• Clue
• My dad called!  it’s always good to hear his voice!
• It was my day off… No work. 
• Went shopping with my husband, out to dinner and just had a nice time spending the afternoon with him.

In a few days we celebrate 10 years of marriage (February 14th).   We really dont have any plans just  yet, will probably just go to Olive Garden and maybe catch a movie or something…. or we’ll pick another weekend to go do something fun together since valentines weekend is always a crazy weekend to have any kind of “date” time.

Anyway… I am working dayshift this week Tuesday through Friday… fun times.  That’s going to be tough with the insomnia issues I tend to have!   I’m on a Kaizen team working on some project though, so it shouldn’t be too rough!

I also will be busy working on a DVD scrapbook for my grandpa’s 90th birthday open house.   REALLLY need to get working on that so I have extra time to edit, etc.   Scanning the pictures is the time consuming part that I hate… but most of that is done now… about 90% complete.. the rest is Cake!

Okayyyy that’s all I have for now I guess!

Current Mood:  Ninja

This seems to be a favorite phrase for my husband to say to me when I complain or whine about something.   "Poof, Its Gone!"  Allow me to share my favorite example of a conversation that happened one night a few weeks ago.

ME:  "I have a headache, my head really hurts!"

HUSBAND:  "Poof!! It’s Gone"

ME: "My headache??!"

HUSBAND:  "No, your head."

I think that’s one reason why I love him so much… He makes me laugh, even when I have a horrible migraine!

My Current Mood:  Just Okay…

Quote of the Day:
It is a great thing to start life with a small number of really good books which are your very own.
–Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Pretty much where I am today.  Have been getting there for awhile as you can see from the looks of that rope!

I’ve had it.  I hate being lied to.   And I don’t mean small little fibs, I’m talking bold faced lies told straight to my face as if she really believes the BS flowing from her mouth.  Seriously?  What the crazy is her problem.

I know in this post I’m not saying WHO *SHE* is, but anyone who knows me knows who I’m talking about most likely, and if you dont well then… It’s really not important.   I generally wouldn’t even take the time to skip my fingers across the keyboard to bring it into my little blogosphere but I’m frustrated.  Frustrated to the point of tears.   To the point of pulling out my hair and screaming.   It’s one thing to have someone do something like this to ya when they’re a stranger, or even a friend.   But when it’s your family, it’s really tough.   You’re put between a rock and a hard place and forced to make certain decisions that you just should not ever have to. 

It’s one lie after another.   One problem after another.  and Sadly? I regret ever even allowing her into my life at this point.  I regret sharing my world with her and letting her be a part of it what I’ve worked hard to earn.   And the appreciation or thanks for sharing almost everything I have?  NOTHING .   I dont seek material things as thanks, and I dont even seek a verbal "thanks for bailing me out and trying to help me make my life better", all I ask to show appreciation?  What do I seek?   Take care of the things I have let you borrow or have.   Have a little bit of pride in yourself and above all, for the love of the flying spaghetti monster, make a better damn life for yourself.   Not many people are given the opportunity we’ve given you, and not many people can share what they have as we did.   But to keep on with a "GIMME GIMME" attitude and rock my world by turning my life upside down and back again because you can’t choose to change your life?  NO.

No more.  Unfortunately, I fear our relationship with this family member has ended.   and that makes me sad.   But it’s to the point where I dont know if I love her or hate her, when I see her I dont know whether to hug her or kick her teeth in.   It’s got to stop.  

Not only has she burned her bridges with us, she has now burned bridges with her neighbors, the community and the local church.   What a way to live a life.  I just dont understand it.

My mom always taught me that what I think is right isn’t always someone else’s idea of right.   And how I choose to spend my money and what I think is important, isn’t what someone else might think is important.   But in this situation I just dont get it.   I’m baffled.

My husband and I have worked hard the last 10 years to establish a good stable life for ourselves.  I can not sit back any longer while someone decides to ruin all that we have worked hard for.   

Even tonight I tried to be nice.  And hours later I get stabbed in the back, or she complains to someone that we are treating her unfairly.  Excuse me?   Lets talk about what you’ve been given, shall we?

• When you had no place to go….. We offered you ours, at first you declined.   Then months later you decided okay, I’ll do it. 
• You had no job.  We charged NOTHING to you in rent.   We paid your Electric bill for 7 months, the Gas bill for 10 months, and the water bill for 12 months.  And did not ask you for anything but to get a job, and get on your feet so you could take these over.   All we asked?  If something came up to repair in the house, you needed to make the repair.
• You had no reliable vehicle.  We let you borrow ours.   You wrecked it.
• We sold you the car that you wrecked, you had no money.   We let you make payments to us at a very small $50 / month.  Because you were still struggling to find work.
• You had a hard time finding a job.   We drove you from Layton, to Ogden, to Brigham City, to Logan, and all over Tremonton.   We made you a resume, and one for your dumb boyfriend at the time.   We asked for no gas money, we just did it.  Trying to help you.   On our days off, our free time from work, we spent helping YOU.    We even coached you on how to interview for jobs, following up on job leads, and filling out applications.  Did you take any of our advice? nope, what the hell do we know!
• When the water heater started leaking in May, and you showed us.   We asked you to call someone to look at it and see if it was just a seal needing replaced or the water heater.   You did not do this.   Instead, you let it leak.. and get worse and worse.   And in October decided that when it was spewing 40 gallons of water every few hours onto the floor you better do something about it.   After you’d been living the previous 3 weeks in 3" or more of water.   The church was nice enough to help ME out and put a water heater in for you because your money went to … well… where did your money go?    There again… I lose!   EVERYTHING in my basement ruined that I had stored.  all but about TEN boxes of items I just couldn’t part with.   But can I ever bring them into my home now? no, they’re moldy.  Thanks.. Thanks for destroying 30 years of memories.   Precious things I can never replace because my mother who made them is now gone forever.  and your response?  "Yeah i’ve had to throw stuff away before too." & "it’s not my fault", you selfish little wretch    But since I’m really really patient … even though I’m still upset by it, I moved past it best i could.   The rest of the damage?  my 4 bedroom home turned into a 2 bedroom home with an unfinished basement.   OH!! Your boyfriend will fix it?  Yeah, okay, he has yet to even get a job, so …. his word is as about as good as yours.
• I helped you with the situation you were in with your children.  My sisters helped in this as well, my one sister gave me a twin mattress so your kids would have a bed to sleep on.  We bought a bunk bed frame and another mattress.   My oldest sister gave you clothes her kids had grown out of to "help you out", my friend at work did the same.   Were you appreciative? Nope, not even a "Thanks"
• It’s a small town girlfriend, people know people…. and they know who you are.   Especially when you make yourself stick out like a sore thumb.   Do you not think this gets back to me?   My best friend is married to the power company shut off guy… Yeah, do you think he’s going to cut the power and not tell me cause you can’t manage your finances? Or … do you think I dont know people who shop at the same grocery store you do?  You encounter someone nearly everyday and make an impact.  YOU CHOOSE to make a good impression or a bad one.   I hear about the bad ones.   I know things that go on.  You really cant hide things from us!
• Honesty.  This is a big one for me.   I have trust in people.  But when it’s broken one time, it takes a lot to earn it back.   I’d appreciate and deal with lots better if you’d come to me and say "look I screwed up big time, I was stupid ,  I made a bad choice, and this is what’s going on".  Instead, you try to cover your tracks and hide things from me, which just makes me angry and not trust or want to help you at all.   I can’t promise I wont get mad at you telling the truth, but trust me it’s better than lies. I hate dishonest and deceitful people.  HATE THEM!
• Everything you dont want, you throw in the back yard, regardless of whether you think its something of mine or not.  Have a little respect for things that aren’t yours.   And have a little respect for the people that have to live by you. 

This is about as far as I’m gonna list.. I dont know that my web host provides enough space for me to express so much frustration and write such a long long list.   I’m sure several of your are shaking your head and saying "you let her into your life" "You let it continue, " and many of you are pointing the blame this way for us giving so much.  Well, if it was your brother, sister, mother, etc… wouldn’t you hope they’d turn their life around given the amazing opportunity they had?

Tonight was just the icing on the cake.   My spirit is broken and ruined.   I dont trust people, I’m hurt, and I’m angry.  Honestly, I never want to help anyone out again.  Family or not.  In fact, when I see someone on the street who needs help, I’m going to always wonder what the hell they did to their family & friends, that it came to point where they’re standing on the corner holding that sign.  

I will tolerate no more of the deceit, I will have no more lies.   I will not sacrifice my needs for the needs and wants of others.   I will not give what we have worked so hard for.   I’m done.   and it’s unfortunate.  There is only two very small unfortunate consequences to this choice, and some day they will come to realize that I have an unconditional love for them.   But because of the choices their mother continues to make, she’s gonna drag them down that same road.   And when she falls, and loses everything… I’ll be there for the two who didn’t have a choice.  

Quote of the Day:
Truth will always be truth, regardless of lack of understanding, disbelief or ignorance.
–W. Clement Stone

It’s February again, and this little guy saw his shadow.   Which means 6 more weeks of winter.  I hate you groundhog.   Really I do.   I need spring.   and I need it now.   I’m sick of seeing snow, I need green, I need rain and thunderstorms, I need to be able to hop in the car and drive through the mountains and see the scenery…

Who put you in charge of deciding when winter ends anyway?? Really?  Who asked you?    I know I’m a day late on this post, but this was my first day off in the last couple days when I actually had time to sit down and express my hatred for the Groundhog!  I realize we need the snow and water yadda yadda yadda, but c’mon, enough already, k?   k thanks   Bye!

My Mood:   Meh

Quote of the Day:
We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.
–Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Today’s Mood:  Baffled

Quote of the Day:
Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings.
–C. Archie Danielson