Wow

I was just cleaning the house and heard a BOOM!
I checked outside, no explosions, so I turned on the TV.
Duh, the shuttle just landed at Edwards AFB, it was the sonic boom.
The kids and I watched the landing. We had watched the blast off 16 days ago.
E3 ran to the Christmas tree and grabbed the little Space Shuttle Hallmark Ornament and said "Rocket Ship!!"
Now he's playing with a toy astronaut. His rocket-scientist/Navy pilot grandfather would be proud :)

Black Friday...

I just returned from my Black Friday shopping trip. Coffee tastes...gooood.
I don't usually venture out before dawn to go to the store. I've shopped early on the day after Christmas, but never on the day after Thanksgiving.
I left the house without even turning on a light. I didn't want to wake anyone before I left, and it worked. The dogs didn't even wake up. My clothes were ready to go, I washed my face and brushed my hair and teeth in the dark, and headed out the door.
I didn't see another car on the road until I was almost to the freeway.
I thought that maybe the cold kept people in the house today. (it was 45 degrees!!)
Once I was close to WalMart, I saw the crowds. Cart after cart was filled with giant flat-screen TV's.
People were pleasant, and I had a fun conversation with the shopper behind me in the electronics line. We agreed that chatting the entire time sure made the hour and a half line go quickly! We figured that we could take the guy in front of us in case the Wii's ran out... but they didn't ;) The laptops and x-box's ran out, but the Wii's were safe. Yes, I finally broke down and purchased a Wii for the family. The kids and I have played it several times at friend's homes, and it is a blast. Probably not for the serious gamer, but a lot of fun for the family. You should have seen E3 boxing on it last week, hilarious.
My workload the last few weeks and the upcoming months will definitely cover todays shopping trip. Actually, I think the next 4 days will cover it... My inbox is stacked about 3 feet high, and I don't see an end. Hopefully, we can catch up after the giant hit our finances took the last year with the deployment and everything. I am so thankful that as far as we know, our jobs are safe. No matter what the economy, people still get sick.

On the drive home, I happened to pass by the mobile home park that was hit in the most recent fire. I don't know what to say. Over 500 homes were lost. The devastation just goes on and on. Two of the people that were at Thanksgiving dinner yesterday had lost their home in the park. They are getting back on their feet and have a good outlook and a new place to stay.

I'm calculating what I saved on my shopping trip today, and I'm splitting it amongst charities (one is on my sidebar).

Only one night

I hadn't realized that it had been so long since my last post. I guess the day to day excitement around here has kept me entertained. The nonstop hilarity of getting the kids to school, volunteering at the school, housework, diaper changes, cooking, cleaning and working has been keeping me away from my blog.
Tonight is the first night that Stuntman is away since he returned from deployment. He's had several late nights at work, but tonight he will not be home. He's only in San Diego, but it still hit a chord in me. As I was closing up the house for the night.... double-checking the doors, turning off the automatic sprinklers (it's raining, whoohoo!) and setting the alarm for the morning, I had the same empty feeling that I had every night when he was away at war.
I so love that man, and I wish that he was home... I don't want to wait until tomorrow.

Still burning

The fire from last night has raged due to the tremendous winds around here. Remind me again, why do we live here?!
Stuntman had to go to work for a little while today, so I'm here trying to keep the kids entertained while I go through a box of tissues. The air is so dry, but yet my nose won't stop running.
E3 now needs the computer to play a game online. Have I mentioned that my 2 year old is quite proficient with the mouse? He can't use the toilet, but he can use the computer, priorities, I guess.

*update* what a nightmare today has been for so many people. Please keep up the prayers for everyones safety.
The wind has lessened for now in this area, but I'm not sure if it is only temporary.
*update a few minutes later* the house is shaking again, !@#$%, the wind is back, !@&^%!!

Busy night

The firefighters are again having a busy night. Please keep them and those in the path in your prayers.
I'm not in the path of this one, but we are watching it from our window. I'm pretty sure our power will be going out tonight, it has been flickering due to the high winds.

TGIF

I picked up some virus from the kids... can't swallow... feel like crap, but it'll hopefully be short-lived.

It's hot, dry and WINDY today. REALLY windy.

I'm praying that everyone stays safe today.

Project Valor IT time!

The Valour-IT Veterans Day fundraiser, a friendly competition among blogs, will run through November 27, 2008 (Thanksgiving).
To donate, click the Donate button for your favorite team the Army Team. Division by service branch is for the purpose of friendly competition; all funds ultimately go into the same account.

Soda Pop Shop

We went to a soda shop today in Highland Park. We had heard about Galco's for years, but never ventured there. They carry all kinds of unique sodas, beers and wines. Stuntman was in the mood for a sugar cane soda instead of a high-fructose corn syrup blend. He acquired a taste for them when in Iraq. The people at the store were as unique as the store. We parked our mini-van between a DeLorean and a Smart Car.
As you can see from the photos, we purchased an array of sodas and beers (you can click the photo for larger). I have the LaBatts Blue chilling right now. I recall the most delicious restaurant meal that I have ever tasted. It included a LaBatts Blue. I ate at a lodge just feet from the Canadian border and was the only one not wearing flannel; I was wearing the standard business skirt, blouse and heels. My mouth waters thinking of the walleye, asparagus and Labatts that I had that evening. Mmmmm.

The Leninade label has a few catchy sayings: "A party in every bottle!" , "Our 5-year plan; drink a bottle a day for five years and become a Hero of Socialist Flavor" , " A taste worth standing in line for!" and, "get really hammered and sickled!"
On the other hand, the Pure John McCain Cola says "What this country needs is natural leadership and a great cola. At Jones Soda we use natural sweeteners, like pure cane sugar. Pure McCain Cola is also made with 100% pure patriot spirit and the love of the red, white and blue."
We purchased a few to share :)

We are sooooo moving

From the San Diego Union-Tribune:

Los Angeles County will charge shoppers 10.25 percent if the governor's plan is adopted by lawmakers. The sales tax increase would be in effect for three years.

Do they really think that we believe that this would be temporary?
....and I like the Governator.

Resistant vs Proof

Did you know that if something is marked "chip and break resistant", it can still hit the countertop just so and EXPLODE into a million pieces all over the kitchen?

To those more eloquent...

So many people have said it better than I can today...

Chuck Z., geez, I wasn't expecting him to say that he's OK with Obama, but I'm glad that he did.

Buck, he's disappointed as I am, but has a great perspective.

El Capitan, agrees that Obama is OUR President, even if we didn't vote for him.

Toy Soldier, His mother should be proud (I know that she already is).


I would love to link more, but real life, and hungry children await...

Disappointed

Yes, I am disappointed about last night's results.
I am sorry to see that yes, the presidency can be bought.

I will, however, pray that the president-elect does what is best for the country as a whole. I'm going to suck it up and move on.