Charlie & Duncan – The 2013 Photos
From Charlie and Duncan, posted by Sarah A Hall on 5/10/2013 (19 items)
- Charlie Brown says its his bed time Mommy says its too early
- Well we broke down and got the mutt a GPS collar – now if he gets out on accident we …
- Duncan loves his daddy
- The picture describes itself
- Daddy and I r outside working on shed and the mutts are lazy and laying on the pile o…
- The Mutts playing tug of war hehe
- My new bud Chuy – don’t worry we didn’t get a new dog just watching a friends dog for…
- Charlie’s like WTF can I go back to bed too early and Duncan well he’s still buried i…
- Weirdo
- Wakey Wakey Lazy Mutt hehe He hates Daddy’s new schedule forces him up early this dog…
- Fatty here went to vet today he weighs 13 pounds and needed allergy shots poor baby
- No ur not seeing double there really is two of them
- You can’t resist the cute chubby face
- Thanks Shannon Baker for introducing us! We love him! And Duncan too
- Thanks Shannon Baker for introducing us! We love him! And Duncan too
- We call him Charlie Brown!
Generated by Facebook Photo Fetcher 2
The Cyber Security Conference: Day 3 – The Aftermath
Alright fine!! Here it is folks – the blog you all have ACTUALLY been waiting for since Thursday night (no this isn’t about the “dinner conversations” – read Part 2 of the Reunion posted later this week for that! Now THAT will be controversy and drama time 1000x).
No this is the blog about having dinner with Cory’s cousin and his wife on Thursday night and having drinks with Britney and her wife afterwords.
So I found out Wednesday that Cory’s cousin Travis lived in Omaha. It’s funny I kept asking myself besides the Conference ‘what is there for me in Omaha, Nebraska.’ Well it turns out there was a lot more for more than I even knew.
Debi informed me that Travis lived there so I facebooked him to find out if he wanted to meet up. At first it was a no go because he had school and didn’t have a ride down to the hotel where I was. He was a good 20-30 minute ride away. But he facebooked me Thursday when I got out of the conference to let me know that his class was canceled and him and his girlfriend could come down and we could go to dinner at the Asian place across the street. So we did!
I got to met his girlfriend, Carrie. She’s awesome. They were really nice people. She works insurance and he is going to ITT Tech and they have a cat. : ) Gotta love cat people! Overall it was a nice dinner.
After dinner Britt texted me and wanted to know if 830 was okay to meet for drinks with her and Tempest, her wife. I said sure!! So they stopped by the hotel a little after 8:30pm and we sat in the bar and had drinks. She bought me three sex on the beaches (yeah I know that didn’t sound right did it? Eh!). They were small glasses though don’t worry. I know me + sex on the beach = not good but hey in small doses sex on the beach is okay (yeah I know again – why do they call it sex on the beach! They are just asking for dirty aren’t they?) Anyway I have never met her wife before but she was awesome!! I got to hear the story of little baby Robbie. That baby is adorable! I hope my kid is that cute one day. I am really happy for Britt. She seems happy and she’s going back to school to be a lawyer which is something I have always pictured her doing and am so glad to hear she’s going to pursue it.
Anyway you all remember Britt right? No one has ever taken the title away from her as being my Number 1 Fan. She is the one person I know who has read my entire blog archive from front to back. Yes, it will take a lot for anyone to ever come close to beating Britney as my Number 1 Fan. My blog archive dates from 1999 to today and so far she is the only person I know who can say they have read the entire Archive.
Anyway we sat there and reminisced on old times and got caught up on what was going on in all our lives currently. I found out that my old Teen Court Couch was the one who informed Britt I was gay back in the day. I never knew and I wanna know how he knew. Was it like this big rumor that circled around Lake Havasu High School? Hmmm … whatever! :p
But it was so nice to sit down and talk to them. I miss my gay gang. You know the gang of the old days when it was Robi and everyone at coffee night. I miss that. I wish I had known Council Bluffs, Iowa was RIGHT BY Omaha. I would have gotten with them earlier. I didn’t even think Iowa … Nebraska … lol!
Anyway good times were had!!
And can you believe I sat there the entire night and said – I need a picture of you two and DID NOT get a pic!
So I am stealing one from their facebook so you can all see who I speak of. They can sue me if they want! : )
Anyway Thursday was a long ass day!! When I got back to the hotel room at like 10:30pm I got the messages saying Mr. Stevenson had posted the news story with me in it on the Folks Site.
In other words I didn’t get to bed until around midnight and was back up by 5am on Friday morning
But despite the fact, I had an awesome day on Thursday.
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Harder Times Have Fallen
Well this weekend wasn’t exactly the greatest. I found out Friday that a dear friend had passed away which didn’t make the weekend that great. We all knew the time was coming but I don’t think anyone expected it so soon. His family are in my thoughts and prayers. Life is crazy like that – one minute all is good and the next it’s just not. I’ll write more about it later but for the moment I just want to say: Doug will be deeply missed. I considered him and Linda like family. They are always there for me, and I want to be there for her if she needs it. To top that off we found out yesterday Aunt Denise is in the hospital with breathing issues and the flue I think. Not really sure what all it is – Cory will go to the hospital today to find out. So all in all – not that great of a weekend.
On a more positive note – we went Saturday to check out this place Sue just bought that she plans on renting in April. We liked it – it’s a three bedroom with a yard for the dog. So we are hoping to rent it from her in April. :) We shall see! Me and Sue could be neighbors and she’d be our landlord — hmmm …! : )
Anyway, used my fryer for the first time this weekend to make Orange Chicken and rice. Ooo! I LOVE my fryer! It was yummy!! Like it actually tasted like orange chicken. I have tried to make orange chicken before and you just cannot do it without a fryer.
Anyway, beyond that just went to the store, Cory worked, and hung around all weekend.
Anyway I’ll write more later,
26 Cents & No Good Bye
Well Happy New Year Everyone! Here’s to hoping 2013 is better than 2012. Not that 2012 was that bad of a year. 2013 thus far has started off good. Cory has a job and is getting paid time and a half today (always a good thing). I still have my job, Duncan is happy and fat and for the most part the family is healthy. So 2013 does look bright. So let’s hope it turns out as good as I predict it will.
Anyway so Kryssi left us on Sunday. She is off to new and adverntours things in Oregan. I envy her. I wish I could pack a bag or two, get on a plan and just move somewhere without a dollar to my name. Ah to be 21 again! I wish her the best and she better visit. I know we want to go visit her.
I had a fun two week vacation with her around. Here’s some highlights:
We went to BJs and sang karaoke with her friend Kalyn.
Kryssi cooked us her famous pasta and sauce with Mashed Potatoes … yeah I have never hadpasta with mashed potatoes either. Lol!
Duncan will miss her. She taught him not to bark at us while we eat. That dang dog thinks EVERY TIME somebody eats he gets to eat too and he gets to eat what we are eating. Haha! Yeah noooooo! Lol! Weird dog!
Anyway I’ll miss my girl! : ( But I am sure she will have fun times in Oregon with her man.
So Leanne, Kevin and the Kids came on the 27th. The ORIGINAL plan was for Kevin to leave the next day and go to Vegas. He had a show to play New Years Eve and the kids and Leanne were to stay at Todd’s till Tuesday when Kevin came and got them. Original plan anyway – plans tend to not stick around here.
The Cloud Christmas Eve was good times. We all gathered around, had pizza again and opened gifts. Here’s some pics!
Anyway so that was Thursday. Friday was good. I got up and met the parents down at the Casino boat to take us across the lake to go eat at the Landing. We ate, gambled, and that was that. I put in $20 and won nothing. Lol! Todd won like $200. Bah! Anyway that night we all met up at Todd’s for dinner and Pops and Leanne got into it over health food (I know I shouldn’t post family drama on my website for the whole world to read but ya know what – it’s my blog and it’s a New Year so fuck you).
Anyway so Saturday I’m riding around Kryssi to get last minute stuff done for her because she leaves for Vegas to catch her flight to Oregon the next day and I call to ask what we are doing later (I thought we were all going to dinner or something) and I find out Leanne and the kids are getting in a rental car and leaving.
I call it – family drama. Yes there is a background story I could sit here and tell you all as to why she really packed the car and kids and left but I won’t. I’ll save it for Part 3 of AOTM when the background of the “Mathews” is exposed. Yes I put EVERYTHING in my book.
So they left – no goodbye either. Do I blame her? Not really but she could have at least said goodbye.
So today is the last day of my Vacation. Back to work tomorrow. Am I sad? Hell no! I’m ready to go back besides tomorrow is the FIRST Board of Supervisors meeting with the new Supervisors. I say – bring it on. : )
Alright I have wrote too much. So talk to you all laterz!
Christmas In Pictures – Because Sometimes Words Hold No Justice
Christmas Eve like always was spent with the Markham Family and Christmas Day was spent with Cory’s side of the family. Here are pictures from Christmas. I decided to just post the pics this year because they do far more justice. Lol! Oh and yes I DID get my guitar! :)
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I’m Still Here & The World Didn’t End
Well the world did not end today. : ) I knew it wouldn’t but it’s still fun watching people actually believe it’ll happen. Haha!
Anyway I know I have been absent from here for a while and I really have no reason not to either. I’ve been on vacation almost a week now, but I have been keeping busy on my vaca.
Doing what you ask??
BAKING!!! Yeap – shopping and baking Holiday goodies!! : ) Let’s see I have made chocolate fudge, peanut butter fudge, a failed attempt at pumpkin fudge (I give up), cake mix cookies, red and green sugar cookies, peanut butter blossoms and this new hershay’s kisses cookie covered cookie. : ) Don’t worry – Im giving a good 90% of what I make away. Mostly to Cory’s work. He says it gets him kudos points. Which it must cause he was told the other day they are keeping him. YEAH! So Cory has a job! We are happy!! He loves it there too. I am glad.
So we took Duncan to get a bath for the first time the other day. We took him to Vicki’s – where my parents take Rivel and Chico. He didn’t like it and he ran around like a scared cat in the bath tub she said. Hehe! But when he came home he smelt so nice and clean clean. He’ll have to get use to them cause it’s NOW in the budget to get that dog a bath every so many weeks. We don ‘t want a smelly doggy now. 
Anyway when the doggy is not chasing the kitty – which will only be with us another week as Kryssi is moving next weekend (sad) – I take pictures of her cause she’s a pretty kitty!!
So we took Kryssi last weekend to upgrade her phone to a 4s. I took some pics of myself in the elf hat while we waited for the upgrade process to complete 
We went to JCP too and I bought this new dress and coat (Cory says it’s my early Xmas gift from him! I told him to wrap it and I’d act surprised on Xmas but whatever … lol!) 
Anyway best go get ready! I have a big day ahead of me! I have to finish Xmas shopping today, water the plants at the office, meet the parents for lunch at McDonald’s (they brought the McRib back! Yum) and …. get groceries too!
So off I go!!
Laterz!
Thanksgiving 2012 With The Halls – & Duncan Too
Well I have to admit – this was a good Thanksgiving. Different but good!
I got up Thanksgiving morning at 7am to be at Family Dollar for their toy sale at 8! I KNOW I KNOW!! Xmas shopping on Thanksgiving!! Really? Whatever! I got some good deals on the kids toys so I supposed it was worth it. I hit Family Dollar first on Palo Verde and there was NO ONE ELSE in the store for the entire 45 minutes I was in there trying to decide what toys to get the kids. Lol! It was creepy!! But whatever! I got Kevin Jr’s gift, Hope, and Ally’s gift. Then off I went to Kmart. I wanted that $4.99 automatic can opener!!
And I got it damn it! Lol! I bought Cory some under shirts for work and that was it. I decided to swing by the OTHER Family Dollar store by Smiths before heading home. I was able to snag Jr’s gift, Faith, Karli and even Ayden a birthday gift (her Bday is ON Thanksgiving this year).
Then off I went to head home to make that sweet potato casserole 
and watch what was left of the Thanksgiving Day Parade. I decided to make my orange glazed carrots last. I mean the recipe said it would only take like 25 minutes. So I took a shower and got ready and everything but those damn carrots! They took like an hour. What took so long was actually cooking the carrots. Oya! Good thing I made my apple pie Wednesday night.
We got over to the parents around 230. Pops and Todd left to go put the ham in Todd’s oven. It takes about an hour and a half to cook. I looked through the Black Friday ads and tried to convince Mem that she should go to Hastings on Black Friday and get my guitar since it was on sale. Cory has convinced me that I need an acoustic guitar first and then I upgrade to electric. So I supposed. Lol! We’ll see if my utter attempt at convincing them to go to Hastings to get the acoustic guitar worked or not. Hehe! 
Anyway we had invited Denise, Jay and the kids down for dinner so they didn’t end up going to Laughlin or Denny’s. Denise didn’t come but Jay and the kids did. It was fun! The kids played slot machines and pool and played with the dog. Poor Rivel was exhausted by dinner time.
Anyway we ended up getting home around 7:30ish.
I attempted to go to bed early but don’t think I actually went to sleep until my normal 10pm time. I had to get up at 430 to be to Staples at 5am to get a black laser printer they had on sale. Oya! Lol! But I was there in line at Staples at 550. They had a good sized line. Everyone wanted the tablets and computers they had on sale though so I didn’t have any issues getting the printer. I also got a Bluetooth while I was at it.
Then off I went to JCP. 
They had the biggest line of all (well I’m sure Walmart had the big line on Thanksgiving night but I didn’t attempt that). I got Cory some jeans, a gift, me a shirt and jeans and some makeup. All in all I spent $3.06!! Haha! Only cause I had gift card from my birthday. Hehe! Anyway after that it was off to Petsmart to get the dog his no barking Sonic Egg which I’m taking back cause it seemed to work the first day and then after that it stopped working. Lol! He likes to bark at Christmas decorates. Particularly the Santa that lights up and makes noise that we put on the patio. Ekk!
Anyway then off I went to Kmart. I had to return an under shirt I bought Cory on Thursday. I picked me up a red dress (I call it my Santa Suite! I’ll post pics later and you’ll see why). After that I went to Hastings but Hastings failed me. They didn’t have the book I wanted or a good price on calendars. I knew the parents were going down to Walmart later so I called them up and hitched a ride with them down to Walmart to pick up what Hastings failed me on.
Now going to town with the parents is an all-day thing. First off we stopped at Lowe’s. Then we went to McDonalds for lunch. Then we spent at least an hour and a half in JCP getting the kids clothes. Then we spent another hour I would say at Walmart. So a small little trip to Walmart turned into a five hour thing. Lol! But whatever – it was fun and I got all the kids gifts bought!
Anyway Cory worked late Friday. He was supposed to get off at 7 but stayed till 1030ish. So it was just Duncan and I. We cleaned the house and watched some TV.
Saturday Cory and I put up inside Xmas decorations (except the tree – we hope to do that tonight but I don’t know. Cory got called into work so we’ll see what time he gets off) and the outside lights out front. We still need to put the icicle lights on the back patio.
Sunday Cory worked again late. He was supposed to get off at six and stayed till 1030. I went over to Todd’s to look at his Computer and then dropped off Ayden her Bday gift. Then I went to the parents and picked up some Xmas decorations they had for me. Then I came home, cleaned a bit, and watched Madagascar 3.
All in all – that was my Thanksgiving! It was fun! Hope you all had a good Thanksgiving as well!
What Do You Say When Tears Are Streaming Down Your Face?
You should’ve been there,
Should’ve burst through the door,
With that ‘baby I’m right here’ smile,
And it would’ve felt like,
A million little shining stars had just aligned,
And I would’ve been so happy.
Okay so maybe the whole ‘running off to Nashville and becoming some great Country Song Writer’ can be added to Sarah’s stupid list of ideas I am sure they will compile for me one day.
While listening to the new Taylor Swift CD, I have come to the realization that I am not a song writer. I’m a story writer. I could NEVER come up with the lyrics of a song to describe my life. I’m the girl who writes her life into the pages of a story because it’s so drawn out and so dramatic. My life could never fit into a 4 minute song.
Christmas lights glisten,
I’ve got my eye on the door,
Just waiting for you to walk in,
But the time is ticking,
People ask me how I’ve been
As I come back through my memory,
How you said you’d be here,
You said you’d be here.
So in other words – we’re back to the drawing board.
What does Sarah want to do with her life? Writer, politician, actress … ?? Change the world of law and justice? Hmmm …
Maybe somebody one day will pay me to blog. Yeah – that’ll be the day. Huh?
Anyway beside the point, so this weekend was a good one. We got Windows 8 on all our PCs (I’ll write about that later) but I do love it! It was like a “what the hell is this!” moment for a while but then I got use to it.
So I took Duncan to get his nails clipped on Saturday. Oh what a nightmare that was! He was supposed to get them clipped and filed but he was a bad boy and well he DOES NOT like getting his nails done. They had two people holding him down and all they could get was the nails clipped. Ahhh!
We took Duncan to the parents’ house for a bit on Saturday. Then we took him to Aunt Denise’s for a bit with us. It was her Birthday Friday so we took her some flowers and a card.
And it was like slow motion,
Standing there in my party dress,
In red lipstick,
With no-one to impress,
And they’re all laughing,
As I’m looking around the room,
But there’s one thing missing,
And that was the moment I knew.
Then we went to the Cars & Bars Event on Mail Street Saturday night (we didn’t take the dog). It was fun! We got a huge bratwurst and soda. Lol! 
Anyway there is this new antique/rare items store on Main Street and it is awesome. I’m usually not into antiques really but they got some nice stuff in there. I even got a Christmas gift for someone while I was there. Lol! I will certainly be going back to that store.
We finally got all caught up on Homeland this week! Well except for the episode that was on last night. I <3 that show!
And the hours pass by,
Now I just wanna be alone,
But your close friends always seem to know
when there’s something really wrong,
So they follow me down the hall,
And there in the bathroom,
I try not to fall apart,
And the sinking feeling starts,
As I say hopelessly,
“He said he’d be here.”
Sunday was cleaning day!! Lol! And ‘finish the laundry day.’ We moved some bookshelves around and the pig cage.
And it was like slow motion,
Standing there in my party dress,
In red lipstick,
With no-one to impress,
And they’re all laughing,
And asking me about you,
But there’s one thing missing,
And that was the moment I knew.
You want to know how I know I’ll never be a song writer? Because I could NEVER write a song as beautiful as this one that Taylor wrote. It describes down to a tea my 23rd birthday party. I could never write a song to top that.
What do you say
When tears are streaming down your face,
In front of everyone you know?
And what do you do when the one
Who means the most to you,
is the one who didn’t show?
You should’ve been here.
And I would’ve been so happy.
So I supposed I shall stick to Affair of the Mind. One day I’ll be famous for that story. That was always the plan right? Make up a story so farfetched no one will ever believe it? Oh but Mr. Lenox if you do decide to move to Nashville and become some big huge hit – I will be your manager. 2015? : )
And it was like slow motion,
Standing there in my party dress,
In red lipstick,
With no-one to impress,
And they’re all standing around me singing,
Happy Birthday to you,
But there’s one thing missing,
And that was the moment I knew.
My favorite part of this song: it’ll fit perfectly on the AOTM Part 3 soundtrack. I don’t know what reason Taylor had to write it, but for me – it’s a chapter of my life.
Ooh, I knew.
You call me later,
And say I’m sorry I didn’t make it.
And I say I’m sorry too,
And that was the moment I knew.
Song by Taylor Swift: The Moment I Knew From Red Deluxe Version
Read MoreI Guess It Is What It Is
So my parents called me the other day and told me Grandma is in the hospital. She fell yesterday morning trying to get to the bathroom. She got dizzy and just fell face down. She didn’t break anything – thank god but her face is pretty beat up. Cory and I went and visited her last night. Poor thing!! She’ll be okay but they are keeping her until they can get her blood pressure under control.
So tonight is Cory’s mom’s last night in Havasu. Tomorrow she sets off on a new adventure! I wish her the best of luck and we shall come see her in the early months of 2013.
So we all have established the point of me being a blogger and a dramatic, in your face, over the top one at that but MAYBE just MAYBE Cory is right – maybe I should point my dramatic blogging styles towards a good use. Maybe I should write more politics blogs, more day in the life posts and more FICTIONAL stories instead of focusing on real life attacks.
It’s the year 2012 and that is something we can ALL seem to agree on. Right? There is nothing like setting a goal of proving somebody wrong …
The Newest Addition To Our Family
So Thursday Cory texts me at work and says they have a 10 month old min pin (miniature pinscher) at the Human Society and asks me to call First Choice to see if we can have a pet. Fine!! I do so! They say we can. The pet deposit is $300 and we can do monthly installments. Mmmk! But the adoption fee is $102 granted it comes with all shots, nurtured, and a free vet check up … oh and a city license. But still – $300 deposit and $102 for the dog. It was a cute dog but I said no. Too pricy.
But then for some strange reason I woke up on Friday and started looking at our money and well I found the deposit money (without having to touch savings). So at that point – Cory and I agreed to go down there on my lunch break and look at him to see if it is what we wanted. We wanted a small dog and he wanted one that wasn’t too furry cause he is allergic. And the min pin seemed to be the perfect match. We spent about fifteen minutes with him and decided to adopt him. I mean how can you resist this face!!
He’s adorable right!!!
He’s the perfect size too! He shouldn’t get much bigger.
He’s just so adorable!! So far he’s been a good dog. We have Lucy staying with us too for the moment and they are getting along well. Cory’s mom brought over the doggy door for Lucy and Duncan figured out right away how to use it and goes outside all the time now to use the bathroom. She’s leaving us the doggy door when she moves.
He sleeps with us too! He’s rather spoiled if you ask me! It started with him sleeping at the foot of the bed but within 24 hrs sleeping at the foot of the bed turned into this ..
And for the most part that’s how he sleeps at night – in between Cory and I just like a little kid. Hehe! I love our min pin! He’s so adorable!!
He loves his toys too but he doesn’t like to share. I keep telling him that he doesn’t have any toys yet except this rope we got him
And that the rest our Lucy’s toys. hehe! Silly dog!!
We took him for a walk yesterday and he did well. He is my new walking buddy.
He’s just so perfect! : )
I love him!!!
His full name is Duncan Hines Hall. He came with the name Duncan and is slowly started to learn that HE IS DUNCAN!! Lol!
He barks at his reflection though. Lol! He hasn’t quit figured out that he is looking at himself.
But yeah we love the newest addition to our family!!!
He’s adorable huh?
To See All New 2012 Photos Of Duncan Hines Hall Click Here
Read MoreWater, Birthdays & Lumpy Cake
Dear Diary:
Well this has been an interesting three days. Like all good stories let’s start at the beginning of the tale shall we.
Friday: Well Friday when I got off work I came home and attempted to make these mushroom stuffed burgers. I asked Cory “Do you want to grill them or have me put them on the George Forman?” He said go ahead and do the Forman. So I’m getting my burgers all made up and he tells me then that you can’t put ‘stuffed’ burgers on the Forman (I swear I have before). So it’s like 730 and he goes outside to grill them. They turned out ‘okay’ but nothing like they were supposed to. Me and my brilliant ideas when it comes to food sometimes. Sometimes I can make stuff real good – like the chicken meatloaf parmesan and other times well it just doesn’t turn out that good.
Anyway after that whole fiasco, Kryssi came over for a bit. We watched The Lucky One. It was a little slow at some parts, but for the most part it was a good movie. Zac Efron sure looks different from his High School Musical Days. We drank our Orange Cream Cycle Alcoholic Drink (which is yummy! It’s a pre-made drink you can buy at the store. Already has the alcohol in it!) and ate our popcorn. She went home around 11-midnight and then I went to bed.
Saturday: Cory and I got up around 930ish like normal for a Saturday. We cleaned the house a bit and I put on The New Normal which is a new sitcom on NBC. I don’t watch sitcoms much. Not since Friends and Will and Grace has there really been a sitcom that I have found worth watching. The New Normal isn’t no Will and Grace or Friends, but it’s pretty funny! Cory said some channels in Utah won’t show it because of it’s content. Pooo to them!! There is nothing wrong with watching two men lay in bed together and make out (it’s rather attractive if you ask me) so poop on you stupid NBC channels in Utah! Just for that – I’m going to watch it faithfully EVER week on Hulu!! Humph!
Anyway Cory 
suggested we go down to the lake for a bit and swim in the water. So we did. We left around 1pm. The water was actually nice. I’d say it was about 105ish out and the water wasn’t cold at all. It was nice to take a swim. 
We even visited Robi for a bit!
Saturday night Grandma and I went out to dinner at Mudsharks and got the normal – salad, bbq pork sandwich and fries. Mem and Pops went to Laughlin for her birthday to see Clay Walker. So it was just Grandma and I!
So while at the lake on Saturday, Cory and I decided Sunday we’d take the boys Jet Skiing since EVERY time we attempt to do it it either rains or is too cold and windy. Sunday the weather was perfect!!
Sunday: I got up around 8 and got ready. I had some errands to run before we could go. I went to Albertsons and Family Dollar to pick up some stuff. Then I went home and got ready. We picked up the boys around 1230. Had to wait for Alec’s swim trunks to get clean first … lol … but we left around 1. We got a good deal – 2 jet skis for an hour and a half for $150 at Adventure Center. Debbie called and helped us get that deal. Hehe! Anyway, I have NEVER drove a Jet Ski before so excuse me if it takes a while for me to get use to it.
The goal was to get to the California side. Cause on the California side of the lake Alec can drive cause he’s 15. 
On Arizona side it’s 16. So it was me and Andrew and then Cory and Alec on the other. You know riding in the channel isn’t that bad cause you can go like 1-5 mph. It’s when you get out there in the lake that it’s crazy!! So my Jet Ski we found out later on was slower than Cory’s anyway. Alec said it maxed at 65. Well I was going like 45 at the most across the lake. HEY IT WAS MY FIRST TIME AND IT WAS SCARY!! I didn’t want to flip over! Cory was driving like a mad man of course cause he’s done this before. Lol!
Well needless to say we eventually did make it to the California side. Then Alec and Andrew were on one and I was on one with Cory. Cory is crazy – he gets up to like 80mph which I supposed one is supposed to do, but still! I really have never rode on one before so it was rather scary!!
We stopped at the shore for a bit to take a dip in the water. I floated with my life jacket on! Hehe! And there were these little fish EVERYWHERE but the boys scared them off cause I refused to get in the water with these creepy little fish everywhere. 
I don’t even like to touch my own fish!!
Anyway we drove around for a bit and then we drove back to the channel! It was fun times!!
After that we were ALL hungry so we went to McDonalds for a quick bit to eat!!
Boys are boys and of course all got their chocolate milk shakes!! Silly McDonalds was out of a lot though – spicy chicken nuggets, ice cream (how can you be out of ice cream!) and Smores Pies! How rude!
Anyway then Cory and I came home and relaxed. I made (or attempted) to make banana stuffed french toast for dinner but it turned out more like banana stuffed scrambled french toast. The recipe called for so many eggs the eggs literally baked on top of the french toast making it eggs on top of french toast. Yeah weird I know! Hehe!
Monday: Well yesterday was Mem’s 73rd Birthday!! 
I made her a cake the night prior. She wanted a yellow marble cake. She wanted one from the box but I could NOT find a yellow marble cake! So I got a yellow cake mix, made my own marble and my own frosting. Now the cake would have turned out lovely had I not tilted the cake while carrying it down the stairs into the car. Lol! It kind of titled to one side making it lumpy but you know what – IT WAS STILL EATABLE!! Gess!! 
Anyway we went over there around 6 ish. Mem ordered pizza and Todd came over. The boys watched the football game. The broncos were winning that’s really all I know. Lol! We had cake and ice cream and Edward attempted to eat Cory’s head (it’s okay he does it to everyone).
Mem watched her Country Music Show and we ordered her a Clay Walker shirt since they didn’t have any in her size at the concert.
And that was that!!
Happy Birthday Mem! I love you!
And that people has been my interesting last couple of days!
Now off to get ready for work!
Laterz!
To See All The Photos From The Lake Click Here
To See All The Photos From Mem’s 73rd Birthday Click Here
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Labor Day In Las Vegas
So Cory and I took a little vacation with the parents this past Holiday Weekend. We spent the night in Vegas and saw Kevin play in the Earl Turner concert at the Sun Coast Casino.
Now when Mem first mentioned she wanted to go I laughed cause it was like a week before the day we were supposed to leave and she wanted to find a hotel room in Vegas cheap for Labor Day weekend! Haha! Impossible right? WRONG!! Kevin was playing at the Sun Coast Casino and I thought there was no way we’d find a room with such short notice and for a reasonable price, but I figured I’d look anyway. Well we got a room for under $40 with tax for this past Sunday night!! And the room we stayed in was actually rather nice.
It had two queen sized beds, a big bathroom and a even a toilet with a phone (how awesome is that!). 
I must say for $40 it was well worth the money spent. The Sun Coast Casino is in North Vegas and not near the strip which might explain why we were able to get a room at that price. But anyway – it was a fun vacation!
We left Sunday morning! We all went in the van. The parents were supposed to pick us up at 830 on the dot! They said not to be late. So I made sure I was ready, Cory was up, and Starbucks was bought. Lol! 
And guess what? The parents were late picking us up! Oya! Lol! Go figure huh? They weren’t late by that much. Maybe 10 minutes but still.
Anyway we made a pit stop in Searchlight and were in Vegas by 1130. Leanne, Kevin, Karli and Kevin Jr met us out front by valet parking. We weren’t sure we’d be able to check in as early as we did, but they had a room available so we got to check in early.
Once we got all settled in the room, Cory and I put our swim suits on and we all went down to the pool area. Now I really did have intentions on getting in the pool, but I have never in my life seen a pool that cold! It was freezing!! 
Granted it was an outdoor pool, but it was like 100 degrees out (well maybe a little under) it should have been somewhat warm but no! It was freezing! Brrr! The kids got in, Cory got in, and I got half way in! LoL! We eventually made our way up to the hot tub! Now that was warm and so much nicer! We stayed in that for a little while. Then we just sat around and chit chatted until around 130.
Leanne, Kevin and the kids went to go shower. Leanne was going to meet us after lunch for some gambling and Kevin was going to take the kids to the movies. After we went to our room and got changed into drier clothes, Mem, Pops, Cory and I went out to eat at the Cafe Siena. 
I looked all the restaurants up online before we left and they seemed to be the most reasonable in price. We all got an order or mozzarella sticks for an appetizer. Then Pops and Cory got hamburgers, Mem got an open faced Turkey thing, and I got a tuna melt. It was good.
After lunch we went gambling. Cory showed me how to play Black Jack, Craps and we played some poker. I have never played the tables before so it was an interesting experience. I lost my money! I suck and I tell you that they are jinxed! Cory went back down and played while I took a shower around 4 and won most of the money back. My parents didn’t fair to well at gambling either but I heard Leanne did okay (enough to break even anyway).
We headed to the concert around 7. I have never heard of Earl Turner, but he did play some songs that I have heard of like “Sailing” which is a song Nsync did on one of their albums. He covered a lot of older songs, but a lot of songs Cory and I have heard of before. He was entertaining and his son is in the bad with him and does some rap and dancing with him. It was an overall good concert. Mem, Cory and I ordered Pina colada. Cory didn’t like his, but I thought they were okay and Mem must have liked hers cause she drank it all which is very unlike her considering it has alcohol in it.
I wasn’t able to get very good pictures of the concert because my cameras suck! 
They never take good pictures under certain lightening anymore. They use to but not anymore! I need a new camera!! : (
Anyway after the concert we went to a late dinner at Cafe Siena again because every place else was closed. Lol! Cory ordered Thai and I ordered orange chicken. It was yummy!
After dinner we were all tired! So it was back to the room and off to bed we went!
Leanne, Kevin and the kids got up bright and early and left to head back to California. They had been there since Thursday. We got up around 8. The parents got up at like 7 or something. Sleeping in with them is like impossible. Lol! Anyway we got ready and got the bags packed and whatnot. We went down to the Breakfast Buffet around 930. Now usually Breakfast + Buffet = yummy! NOT this one! It had an odd selection of food and the food was like blah! Only thing good I really had was a donut. Lol! But yeah not the best breakfast buffet around. Good thing it was only $6.99!
Anyway we headed on the road before 11 and were back in Havasu around 130.
It was good times! I’m glad we were able to go. It’s always nice to see the family and to get to see Kevin play. I haven’t seen him play in a while so it was nice.
The Duplex Everyone Always Wanted To Leave
So this is the last week of the “Arapaho Saga” (or that’s what I’m calling it anyway). Debbie will be moved out by next weeks end, and it will end the year and a half saga. I say it like that because the apartment has gone through many tenants since January 2011 when Amber and Brooke originally rented the place.
With that said – here’s a look back at the last year and a half of the “Arapaho Saga.”
December 2010: Brooke, David, Terry and I went and looked at the new duplex Brooke and Amber rented. Their official move in date wasn’t until January, but I do believe Brooke got the keys a bit early. Amber at this point in time was in Kansas visiting family and friends for the Holidays.
The original plan was for Brooke to have the bedroom with the external bathroom and Amber was to have the master bedroom; however due to Amber having two kids under the age of 2 (Bones and MacKenzie) Amber and Brooke agreed shortly after she returned from Kansas to have it the other way around with Brooke in the master bedroom.
Some good times were had in that house between Amber, Brooke and myself. With Amber’s two lovely children there was never a dull moment -
We even jammed out to some tunes once in the kitchen on Bone Bones guitar
But the fun times came to an end around the end of March when Amber decided to move back to Kansas to be with her fiancée, Scotty. It was at this point in time that I decided to help Brooke out. Cory and I were living with his mother at this point in time and were planning to move out on our own in July. However with Amber suddenly deciding to leave and breaking the lease with Brooke, I decided my signing onto the lease in place of Amber would help her out. So we moved in with Brooke in April of 2011 to help her with rent and whatnot. The lease was good through the end of December.
At first everything started out great! Brooke got a job at the local gas station/restaurant called Neighbors. She enjoyed it and she liked it at first. Everyone got along, and well it was nice! I hadn’t lived with Brooke since 2006 when she moved out of the apartment her, Robert and I rented down in Tucson. So it was nice living with my best friend again.
Brooke ended up taking over Amber’s old room and we took the master bedroom. We finally put in a ceiling fan in the master bedroom. I hate to say it but when Amber and her lived there the apartment was kind of empty furniture wise. When Cory and I moved in, we brought and bought tons of stuff for the new place. We spent nearly our entire tax return moving in to that duplex with Brooke just by going out and buying new stuff. We really had planned on making it home at least until December.
We even went and got the pigs in April of 2011!! They were so small back then!! : )
But within 5 months, Cory and I were moving out.
Now I’m not going to sit here and point blame at anybody – it’s not what this blog post is about, but the happiness and fun I thought I would find by moving in with my best friend was not there. Maybe I had too high of expectations, but I think moving in with her was part of our downfall. She started seeing boys (which if u knew Brooke was a first and a shocker because she had never really had a boyfriend before). She was never home and she was missing more and more work.
We eventually found out that she still owed on her deposit from January, her mom was paying most of her bills and the day we moved out was the day she quit her job. Yeah – I’m not sure what happened with Brooke. If it was my fault or her own fault or maybe even this guy named Shawn’s fault who she ended up dating briefly while we lived there and somewhat while we moved out but by September of 2011 the Brooke I had grown up with, loved and cared for was gone and in her place was a girl I honestly didn’t care to know.
BUT I gave her the benefit of the doubt.
Debbie’s lease was up at the Magnolia house and she couldn’t afford really to leave on her own so she agreed to move in with Brooke and see the lease out through the end of December. Now when she made this agreement with Brooke – Brooke still had a job. It was THE DAY we moved out and THE DAY she moved in that Brooke lost that job.
Cory and I moved into a three bedroom on our own which actually was cheaper rent then the Arapaho house, but cheaper rent we would soon find out is not always the best deal!
It was a cute little apartment though but it was one of those income based places which means the neighbors and people around us were nothing but “low life’s” and I know not all income based places are like this but trust me when I say THIS ONE WAS!! It also didn’t have a washer and dryer in the unit which after Amber and Brooke moved in they went and got a washer and dryer for the Arapaho place so it did have that. Yeah we will never rent a place again without a washer and dryer cause having to holl laundry to the washer and dryer somewhere else is a pain in the ass.
We signed the lease in September for one year. We were out of there by April 2012.
As for Debbie and Brooke – it was a disaster from the get go. I think Debbie got about two months of rent out of her (actually out of her mother). Brooke was never home and if she was she was trying to sneak Shawn in (her on/off boyfriend who I honestly still think caused most of the issues she had). Brooke went from somewhat heavy set (like she was in the December 2010 video before the move in) to nothing but skin and bones within a month. We all thought she was on drugs and we still do. If she is or not is another story I cannot tell you.
Brooke moved out in December 2011 because Debbie finally kicked her out. They agreed that Debbie got to keep most of her stuff except clothes and personal items and that she would get whatever deposit back that was left at the end of the lease and/or whenever she moved out in exchange for the months of rent Brooke still owed her. At the same time, Brooke and I stopped talking but not so much because of what she did to Debbie but because she became someone I no longer cared to associate with.
Debbie renewed the lease at the Arapaho house until September 2012. It was the perfect place for Lucy with the fence and all. Lucy loved it. Debbie even got her a doggy door she could go in and out of it. It was nice, but there was something about that place that makes a person depressed. Maybe it’s the lack of windows. The only window in the entire kitchen/living room area is the patio door. There is one window in each bedroom and that is pretty much it. So despite the nice backyard, gated area – the place comes with some sort of negative/darkness to it. Which might explain why in the course of a year and a half there have been four different people on the lease.
Cory and I moved into our current place this past April and we LOVE it!!
The patio is HUGE, tons of windows, storage is huge, living room is huge, rooms are awesome, kitchen is awesome – it’s awesome! We have shared laundry with the neighbor (which the place has been empty next door since May) but it’s okay. The laundry is at least on the property. Lol!
So Debbie officially moves out August 31st from the Arapaho place thus ending the year and a half saga.
There were some good times in the place but at the end of the day I think we are all ready to pack up and move on.
A True Friend Will Always Be There
“Why do people always disappoint you?” I asked.
“That’s just life Ms. Mathews. People will always disappoint you. Always! Even with the best intentions at heart, they will always disappoint. Who are we talking about?” he asked sincerely into the other line.
“Just people in general. It’s like those who you are supposed to be able to count on, just aren’t there when you need them.”
“Yeah, trust me, I know,” he replied.
Silence.
“Except you Ann Mathews, you were always there for me. You disappointed me once, and compared to everyone else in my life that’s a perfect score,” he said breaking the silence. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you when I should have been.”
“You’re there now. That’s all that matters.”
“You going to be okay, Ms. Mathews? You seem sad. Usually you would have corrected me by now in stating your name was no longer Ms. Mathews,” he laughed.
“I love you, Justin, but you shouldn’t be that person. You shouldn’t be the person I call when my life falls apart, but here we are.”
“I know I shouldn’t be, but I am. You were always there for me, Ann, and I hope you know that I’ll always be here for you even if I shouldn’t be the one who is.”
“I saw your sister today,” I stated bluntly and out of the blue.
“Oh did you now,” he laughed. “I knew there was an ulterior motive for this phone call besides you wanting to cry to someone.”
“I did, and the baby! She’s adorable!” I exclaimed.
“Eh, ours would have been cuter.”
“You’re such an ass!” I laughed.
“So where did you see her?”
“She came by looking for the Lakeworth WIC Office,” I said. “I’m the go to girl you know. They always come to me first.”
“Mommy and Daddy don’t pay her enough that she has to use our tax dollars for WIC?” he scoffed. “Poor child! That lazy, no good husband of hers doesn’t do much either.”
“Oh stop being so mean! I didn’t mention it to start a family riff; I just was saying that I saw your sister. It was interesting.”
“I’m sure it was,” he laughed.
Silence
“You sure you’re okay?” he asked.
“I’ll live,” I replied.
“I’ll always be here for you Ms. Mathews. Always.”
“Thank you. It means a lot,” I said. “You know I never thought it’d be me and you. That we’d be the ones to still be friends after all was said and done.”
“Me either,” he sighed. “But here we are.”
“Yeap here we are!” I laughed. “Me and you! Together forever!”
“Oh now Ms. Mathews! Forever is a long time, and I do have commitment issues. So maybe we should just leave the forever out of the equation.”
“Fine! Whatever you say Mr. Lenox,” I replied mockingly back.
A Friend – The one person who is always there for you! No questions asked!
After the Affair
Coming Soon – soon meaning in 20 years because I have YET to finish An Affair of the Mind which is the series BEFORE After the Affair but whatever
Click here to read more of this series
On The Contrary
Contrary to popular belief – I really don’t like Mondays.
And ALSO contrary to others beliefs – I really DO NOT DO paper journals!
Yes I tried! I bought this REALLY CUTE journal! 
We called it my “Halton” journal because I am a mixture of Haley and Payton on One Tree Hill with a wanna be Brooke tied into it (gotta watch the show to understand). Also if u watch the show the cover is TOTALLY rocking a Halton theme! Haha! But anyway … it’s far too time consuming to WRITE!! I know – I’m lazy! I like to type!! TYPE TYPE TYPE!!! I supposed I shall write in it at some points though when I’m feeling paranoid and don’t want anyone to be able to read my thoughts and desires.
But that’s how I have felt lately – I almost went to the far extent of creating a completely different website that DID NOT have my name attached to it. I know – shocking isn’t it? But it’s how I have felt lately. I don’t know why – I just have not wanted to actually write in here. I guess I don’t feel safe if that makes sense which it shouldn’t. If I can get through 10 years of threats, having knives held to my throat and wrist, and being blackmailed for writing publicly UNDER my own name – u think I could get through anything.
So Friday as I mentioned in my prior post – Havasu got flooded!! I got home from going to the 99 cent store to pick up some supplies to make a homemade pizza for dinner and I got home just in time before the big huge storm came! However storm or no storm – I was not going to let it interfere with my plans. Kryssi, Cory and I had plans to go to the Turtle for a few drinks on Friday night. Well the Turtle is outside so that idea didn’t happen, so we went down the street to the office instead. It was fun times!! They have good Pina Calada drinks but their Margaretta’s are WAY to strong! Yuck!! 
Did you know Full Throttle has karaoke night on Fridays? : ) Yeah but their selection of songs SUCKS!!! No Taylor Swift!! What the frak! Or Adam Lambert! Yeah LAME! Gallagher’s it shall be next time. We went to Full Throttle though cause it’s by Kryssi’s.
Anyway so it was Grandma’s 94th Bday this weekend!! Cory and I took her to Mudshark’s to celebrate. 
It’s her favorite restaurant. We all ordered the pulled BBQ Pork sandwiches with fries and a side salad. I don’t know what their trick is, but they have the BEST fries EVER! Yum!! She had a little get together with all her friends on Sunday (we didn’t go though) but I did stop by for some cake on Sunday night. That’s when I was able to snap this pic of Grandma and Mem. 
Anyway, I’m sure there is more to write but maybe some stuff should be left for the Halton journal.
Laterz,
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It’s A Busy Life
Busy – that is how I shall describe this week! Utterly busy!! I have something planned EVERY single night and even though last night’s planned kind of got canceled – I still ended up having something to do. Not that I am complaining – busy is a good thing especially to take your mind off of other things.
Let’s start with Saturday: I slept in until 11! : ) I needed it. Then I got up and went over to the parents’ house to take Mem to Bashas. Todd and I have to fill Pops shoes while he’s tied up in bed for a few weeks (okay more like months). Then I went home and Cory and I rant to JcPenny’s and Walmart where we got TomTom (or Homer Simpson whichever way you want to look at it) and I picked up some stuff for Grandma. Then we went back to the parents for dinner. Mem ordered pizza for everyone. Then we went to check on his Mom to see how she was doing after her hospital stay. And then off it was back to the house where I watched Hell’s Kitchen while Cory fell asleep. He got up at 10pm and went off to ride around in a van and pick people up (cause that’s what he does) who have drank too much (that was me the Friday prior). I however stayed in bed and watched One Tree Hill.
Sunday: I had a luncheon at 1230 with three lovely ladies (and a gentleman) at Shagrue’s to discuss some website design business. It was an interesting lunch with interesting conversations focused on politics, web design and animals. : nods : Maybe one day in the very near future – I shall actually write about what was said but until then …! After that I came home and Cory and I decided we were going to go Bowling being it was $1 bowling night. 
I made chicken tacos first for dinner and then off we went. Bowling was interesting – I won 1 game (I HAVE PROOF for those who don’t believe me! 
), Cory won 2. Cory drank too many fireballs, lost his cigarettes and then we went home for desert but not until we had to come back and find lost cigarettes. Lol!
Monday: Work as usual and after work I had a re-election fundraiser to attend for my boss. It was fun! I got to great people and sign them in (oh and take their money). It was a spaghetti dinner at the Elks Lodge. They have amazing meatballs!! Yummy!! I didn’t get home till like 830. Cory and I watched Hells Kitchen and then I went to bed.
Tuesday: Mick was supposed to come over for dinner but I guess there were van issues and he had to work. I STILL cooked the stuffed shells anyway though! Lol! Then off we went to Aunt Denise’s because it was Alec’s 15th bday! 
Then we came home and watched Master Chef (I love any show with Gordon Ramsey in it) and then off to bed.
Tonight: I’m training with Cory for the weekend
Tomorrow: There’s a beer tasting pre-taste thingy over at the College Street Brewer for the Executive Board of the Woman’s Club and their husbands. So we are going.
Friday: I get to drive around in a van and take drunk people home (might want to stay home and drink that night)
Saturday: I get to drive more drunk people home in a van (again might want to stay home and drink that night).
Sunday: I think I’m free on Sunday!
And that people is a quick update on my life!!
Love ya alls,
How Can You Not Know Your Own Son Is On Heroin?
First off, the Today’s News Herald sucks! They don’t post ANY of the juicy, gossip the Kingman Daily Miner does (sometimes that’s a good thing but in this case it is not!). An article in Sunday’s edition of the miner stated that Doris Goodale’s children were arrest for heroin trafficking in Dori and her husband’s home!
Representative Goodale said “she was aware her daughter had developed an addiction to pain medication in the past but said neither she nor her husband had any idea that either of their children were involved with heroin – or that drug deals were allegedly taking place in their homes.”
How can you NOT know your own son and daughter are drugged out on heroin?! I’m sorry but you’re an idiot if you can’t see that your own children are on drugs! It’s NOT that hard to tell! Not to mention it was happening in your own home!! To all those who are saying “this is a personal matter” and to give the Goodale’s a break – I say hell no!
If you can’t tell your own children are on drugs, and you can’t pay that much attention to your own kids – there is no way in hell I am going to trust you with paying attention to what’s important to Mohave County. Take some time and focus on your family Doris because honestly only an idiot doesn’t realize their own kids are drugged out on heroin and selling it in YOUR own home UNDER your nose!
Our House Warming Party
So we had our House Warming Party the other day! Fun times were had! Cory made hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken for about 25 people. He for sure has broken in our new grill now. lol
We had a good turnout. A couple people canceled at last minute but it was all good. Let’s see – Cory’s friend Jay came, his mother, his uncle and the kids, Mem and Pops, Grandma, Easter and Raymond, Todd, Dave and Terry, and Summer and Chris. It was fun times!!
Debbie, Dave, Terry, Jay and this guy named Seth who showed up to take Jay home but ended up staying for a bit all stayed till around 10.
All in all good times. Here’s some pics from the party -
Mem and Ester
Todd and I
Chris, Jay, Raymond, Pops and Todd
The Girls up above
Terry and David
And Grandma
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Coming Soon - read and view photos, blogs, and videos from the years 1999-2010 (formally known as SarahMarkham.Com)
