April already?

I can't believe that it is April already.

That means that 3 months have passed.
One quarter of the year is already past.

I sit here and wonder where the time has gone.

Am I just getting old?
Does time really go as fast as it has?

i'm going to try out NaNoBlPoMo again.
Lets see if I can make it another whole month.
and lets see if this month goes as fast as the last have.

Chloe Girl...

So I was told that I never did proper props to my first new puppy niece. This is Chloe. The Hoffmans got this cute little thing just before Valentines Day.

The first picture of Her when they first got her. All she did was sleep.






This second picture is of the first time I met her 2 weeks later. She's just adorable. Lils doesn't seem to think so tho.







This last picture of her is this past week in Utah. She finally got to meet her Auntie Em and Uncle Kyle. She's gotten these long legs since i last saw her, and not so much of a puppy look. She is still adorably cute!

So now I have 2 puppy nieces, and both are yellow labs, and just weeks apart in age. Yeah. They are pretty cute.

another new member of the family

I'd like everyone to meet my new niece, Meli. Her name is Hawaiian for honey and is pronounced Meh-Lee.

My sister Emalee and brother in law Kyle got a new baby. She is as you can see an adorable 6 week old yellow lab.

TOTALLY ADORABLE!

New Glasses Again...

I just wanted to post the glasses that I got. The pictures aren't that great cause I took them from my laptop. but I hope you get the gist of what they look like. You can click on the picture to see a larger image.

These are the first pair I got.

The first pair with the sunglass clip

This is the second pair of glasses I got. I think they are my personal favorite. *shrugs* but that's just me. I've never had anything like them before. The frames were $10.00 more than the last pair. But that's because I needed to get this type with nose pads cause my eyelashes are so long I need my glasses to sit lower on my nose.



And the pair of sunglasses I bought.

Hope you guys enjoyed the pictures... even tho they are totally funky.

I Can See!!!

I went to the eye doctor 2 weeks ago. I have been having problems actually seeing anything with my current glasses. Also with the new arthritis medication that i'm on I have to get my eyes checked every 6 months. I will only have to have the actual eye exam once a year, but my eyes need to be dilate every 6 months and the pressures need to be checked.

ANYWAY... the reason for this blog.

Instead of paying $199.00 for glasses (the sale Target Optical was having was frames and lenses out the door) I went to Zenni Optical online and paid $21.85 (shipping included). I'm not kidding you. My frames were $8.00, an AR coat was $4.95, a sunglass clip $3.95, and shipping was $4.95. I've already put in an order for another pair of glasses and a pair of sunglasses.

Mom heard about the site from one of her talk radio shows. The guy gave 2 thumbs up for bifocals. All the reviews I had read about them were great.

I'm happy about them. I could see from the Wal-Mart customer service all the way to the sign about Butter on the back wall. I was really excited about that one. From barely being able to see what was in front of my face and getting headaches to seeing the back of the store. Yeah. I was happy about that one.

Song of the Week

This week's song we are going back to an oldie.

I LOVE Marty Robbins. When I was young i remember listening to Statler brothers, America, The Eagles, and Marty Robbins on road trips. I'm sure that there were more. But these one's really stick out in my mind.

I heard dad listening to Marty the other day in his room. Singing along with one song or another. Even putting one on repeat. lol... made me giggle.

Anyway. here is one of my favorite Marty Robbins songs. I'm kinda partial to the Gunfighter Ballads.

Big Iron
Marty Robbins

To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day
Hardly spoke to folks around him didn't have too much to say
No one dared to ask his business no one dared to make a slip
for the stranger there among them had a big iron on his hip
Big iron on his hip

It was early in the morning when he rode into the town
He came riding from the south side slowly lookin' all around
He's an outlaw loose and running came the whisper from each lip
And he's here to do some business with the big iron on his hip
big iron on his hip

In this town there lived an outlaw by the name of Texas Red
Many men had tried to take him and that many men were dead
He was vicious and a killer though a youth of twenty four
And the notches on his pistol numbered one an nineteen more
One and nineteen more

Now the stranger started talking made it plain to folks around
Was an Arizona ranger wouldn't be too long in town
He came here to take an outlaw back alive or maybe dead
And he said it didn't matter he was after Texas Red
After Texas Red

Wasn't long before the story was relayed to Texas Red
But the outlaw didn't worry men that tried before were dead
Twenty men had tried to take him twenty men had made a slip
Twenty one would be the ranger with the big iron on his hip
Big iron on his hip

The morning passed so quickly it was time for them to meet
It was twenty past eleven when they walked out in the street
Folks were watching from the windows every-body held their breath
They knew this handsome ranger was about to meet his death
About to meet his death

There was forty feet between them when they stopped to make their play
And the swiftness of the ranger is still talked about today
Texas Red had not cleared leather fore a bullet fairly ripped
And the ranger's aim was deadly with the big iron on his hip
Big iron on his hip

It was over in a moment and the folks had gathered round
There before them lay the body of the outlaw on the ground
Oh he might have went on living but he made one fatal slip
When he tried to match the ranger with the big iron on his hip
Big iron on his hip

big iron
big iron
When he tried to match the ranger with the big iron on his hip
Big iron on his hip

Dreams... and blogging.

Have you ever had a really good dream, and during that dream you think -

you know what. I need to blog about that.

and then you wake up, and you don't know what you wanted to blog about?

I've been sitting here watching Brother's and Sister's all day - yes I said all day. started at episode 2.16 and am currently on 3.09. I'm almost caught up with the season. WOOHOOO!!! - and I can't figure out what I wanted to blog about while I was dreaming. At this point I can't even remember what the dream was about.

So. I've given up. I'm just going to post this blog out into the world.

And let you know know that I really hate not remembering dreams. Let alone what I wanted to blog about in said dream.

Saturday...

Jeremy brought all the kids out to the house today. He wanted to go on a hike with dad up into the White Tanks, and Jenn is on an overnight trip to California with her mom and sisters. This meant that mom and I were in charge of the 3 kids and the puppy for about 4 hours.

They brought along a xbox 360 with lots of different games to keep them busy. The girls also broughta few barbie movies they wanted me to watch with them. So, in all actuality all we really had to do was watch the puppy.

Now you would think this would be an easy thing. Come now. She's a yellow lab puppy. Only like 14 weeks old. Yeah right. Put her together with a 4 year old dog who's spoilt rotten and it makes for a mess.

First off. Chloe is always wanting to play with Lillee. *laughs* that just makes for a joke. My dog does not want to play with this thing with long legs that just bounces around and has sharp teeth and gives her kisses constantly. secondly... did i mention the sharp teeth... and nails?

I put both the dogs into the back yard for a while. I figured they couldn't get into any trouble out there. After a while I heard lils out there barking. She doesn't usually bark unless she wants in, or there are birds or something in the back yard to chase. I went back there and she wasn't sitting at the door to be let in. So I called the dogs and lils came running. Chloe was missing.

I went into the front yard and she was sitting there by the front door.

So. I told the kids that chloe couldn't go into the back yard without someone there.

After a while Chloe needed to go outside (she had drank all of lils water and ate all her food.) Ashley offered to go out back with her. After a few minutes the blonde little 5 year old came running inside. Chloe had left the yard under the side gate.

Ashley and I went outside, and there was no chloe waiting for us. So we walked down the street and couldn't find her. We went back towards the house, and I sent ash inside to see if the dog had come back. The whole time i'm walking around in my bare feet. I get just past the driveway and i hear someone yell that she came back.

I went and put the garbage cans up against the gate and put a piece of cardboard behind it so that she couldn't get out again if we sent her back there. It was only shortly after 11 and i was pretty sure that this dog was going to need to go outside again.

She ended up getting out 1 more time before I just gave up on it all and made her stay inside. While i fed the kids pizza for lunch she laid down and decided it was nap time. I think this is my favorite time to puppysit. when she's worn out and sleeps.

a mean dad...

So.

Dad had some fun with lils tonight.

He decided to put 5 of her favorite toys on the ceiling fan.

Just to see what she would do.

she walked around crying, and looking up at the ceiling, and kissing me lots and lots. Trying to convince me that they needed to come off.

Dad turned the fan on.

they came off one by one.

She was happy...

Ramblings of the Obsessive...

Yes...

I become obsessive about quite a few thing.

I obsess about people, movies, music, celebrities, television, biggest loser, my dog, my nieces and nephew, apple, my family, my heath, gale harold, what i eat, what i don't eat, food tv, my friends, twitter, blogging, facebook, myspace, youtube, email, books, harry potter, QaF, downloading, my medications, fanfiction, ryan seacrest, sudoku, undershirts, the external hardrive, harvey, my ipod, livejournal, iPod, cycling, reality television, guys, artemis fowl, girls, kevin spacey, american idol, simon cowell, fanvids.

I get something into my head, and it doesn't leave. I just get myself in deeper and deeper and deeper.

I was just thinking about it tonight when I was watching American Idol, yes again, and I noticed how much I loved Ryan in suits with vests. He looks very nice. *shrugs* yeah. I guess I am bad.

But then you have to just laugh at yourself sometimes.

and i have nothing else to do right now. Why not obsess?

American Idol

My AI Ramblings for the day...

So... am I the only one who has noticed that so far out of the Top 12 (9 people so far) Only 3 are of the female persuasion.

It got mom and I thinking about previous years. It has gone from a show where it was mainly young single people were trying out. To every other person singing is in the 25-28 age group and is married, and/or has at least 1 child.

I'm not knocking on the show at all. It just goes to show what type of talent we have out there. And I noticed that there are a lot of guys who seem to be doing well this year.

I'm pretty happy with who they have so far. Danny Gokey is my favorite so far. and I like Alexis and Lil Rounds. Oh, and Michael is pretty cute.

I'm very excited for the Wild Card show tomorrow to see who will finish up the Top 12. I'm only excited about one of the women they have chosen, and that is Mehan Joy. but out of the guys. There's Von, and Matt, Ricky, and Anoop... And, and, and, the Drama is back. *sigh* yes. Tatiana. I'm not so happy about Jasmine or the other girl that i can't seem to remember her name. The red head I just can't seem to like. Oh well.

So yeah. Excited here about tomorrow's Wild Card show. and can't wait until the real game begins next week

Oh, and by the way. i LOVE simon. He's just adoarable. and Ryan is dressing more casual this year and I'm totally liking it! but then I totaly love Ryan in anything. *grins*

A Guest Spot...

So... I hijacked my sister's blog today.

I AM ME

It was quite fun actually. I think I'll need to do that again some day. Maybe next time as a surprise. That is until she changes the password on me. LOL

Song of the Week

This week's song is one that I just can't stop listening to. I have listened to it over, and over, and over this past week.

My friend Jo actually introduced me to the song, but I'm not new to the singer. A Fine Frenzy is the music of 22 year-old Alison Sudol. The first time I heard her was on an Apple advert. I think it was for Nano... but it could have been for Air. I don't remember really, but you would be surprised at how many people I've been introduced thru those advertisements.

Her voice is haunting and beautiful. And actually really soothing. I don't know why I have fallen in love with this song. The lyrics themselves are almost depressing. But it is just so beautiful.

So. Here is my song of the week Almost Lover

Almost Lover
A Fine Frenzy

Your fingertips across my skin
The palm trees swaying in the wind
Images
You sang me Spanish lullabies
The sweetest sadness in your eyes
Clever trick

Well, I never want to see you unhappy
I thought you'd want the same for me

Goodbye, my almost lover
Goodbye, my hopeless dream
I'm trying not to think about you
Can't you just let me be?
So long, my luckless romance
My back is turned on you
Should've known you'd bring me heartache
Almost lovers always do

We walked along a crowded street
You took my hand and danced with me
Images
And when you left, you kissed my lips
You told me you would never, never forget
These images

No

Well, I'd never want to see you unhappy
I thought you'd want the same for me

Goodbye, my almost lover
Goodbye, my hopeless dream
I'm trying not to think about you
Can't you just let me be?
So long, my luckless romance
My back is turned on you
Should've known you'd bring me heartache
Almost lovers always do

I cannot go to the ocean
I cannot drive the streets at night
I cannot wake up in the morning
Without you on my mind
So you're gone and I'm haunted
And I bet you are just fine

Did I make it that
Easy to walk right in and out
Of my life?

Goodbye, my almost lover
Goodbye, my hopeless dream
I'm trying not to think about you
Can't you just let me be?
So long, my luckless romance
My back is turned on you
Should have known you'd bring me heartache
Almost lovers always do

Ever have one of those days?

I woke up around 5 am, which for some reason is happening more and more often, thinking it was Monday.

I eventually went back to sleep and a while later heard mom start up the washing machine. I thought, oh, she's up early getting laundry done. she must not have done any this weekend.

I woke up and left my room and let the dog out shortly after 10. The house was empty. I thought dad was at work and mom must have ran an errand.

I got a bottle of water and a slice of bread, filled the dogs water and food, then went into my bedroom. I was a little excited cause there was going to be 2 hours of 24.

On my way in i saw dad's glasses sitting on the counter. I was wondering what was going on.

Then i realized.

It's Sunday... Dad's out on a bike ride. Mom must have gone to the store.

I almost missed a day. This is happening to me more often also. Oh, and where did the month of February go? I think i missed that also.

Recent Weeks

In recent weeks I've received 2 different blogging awards.

I'm not sure why I deserve them, or even if I deserve them cause there are so many more blogs out there than mine. I don't really know what I should do with them now. But I'm going to post them here and then find somewhere to put them. LOL

The first one I got was from Jenn Johansson. She's an author that I found on my sister's best friend Rachel's blog. She is currently writing her first novel and it's a Sci-Fi that I have fallen in love with and can't wait to read the whole thing. It's funny. My mother doesn't read sci-fi or really enjoy anything sci-fi, but she's read the first part of this book and wants to know what happens next. It's even got her interested. THANKS JENN!

The second one I received was from Gramee or otherwise known as my mother. I love reading her blog. She always has something interesting and funny to say. She's also a huge support in my life. Especially right now. I don't know what I would do without mom and dad helping me out. THANKS MOM!

Now I think that I'm supposed to pass them on to like specific people, however I'm not going to do that. Most of the people I read already have these awards, and if you don't, and you actually read my blog, you deserve them. So take one, or both, and post them on yours.

Thanks for reading and sharing your lives with my own!

Ashy Joy Joy

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY BLUE EYES!

Song of the Week

I have no idea where last week went to. I know that I posted about my purse, but I so didn't post a song of the week.

Whoops.

Well this week I'm kinda doing a repeat. I know i know... you want to hear something different. but I was listening to this song this morning and it got me thinking about my Dad... and it's my blog. So I'm posting it.

This week is a Kenny Chesney song called "Boats". Like i said, kinda repeat cause I did a different kenny song just 2 weeks ago, and off the same album. This is actually one of 2 songs that really remind me of him. Maybe i'll play the other one some day.

This song makes me think of my dad. He wants to just pick up and move onto a boat and sail around the world. Sometimes I laugh at him and sometimes I think I want to join him and mom.

Boats
Kenny Chesney

Ol' Joe's got a Boston whaler
he bought in Key Biscane
He swears since the day he's got her
she's been nothing but a pain
when the sun's at his back
and the winds in his face
it's just him and the wheel
he wouldn’t take a million for the
way it makes him feel

boats
vessels of freedom
harbors of heeling
boats

Newport is where John hung his hat
til he lost his wife Jo
now forty feet of sail antique
is where Ol' John calls home
he watched his life pass before his eyes
in the middle of a hurricane
came out alive on the other side
that’s where "the other side" got its name

Boats
vessels of freedom
harbors of heeling
boats

twenty years of a landlocked job
was all that tom could take
sitting at his desk
all alone and depressed
says this just cant be my fate
went home that night and told his wife
you can tell all of your friends
it's been real but it ain't been fun
gonna get us one of them

boats
vessels of freedom
harbors of heeling
boats

vessels of freedom
boats

Check Out My Bag...

Gramee over at The View From Gramee's Porch is posting this tag today!

Here are the rules for the tag.

1. Post a picture of whatever bag you are carrying as of late. No, you cannot go up to your closet and pull out that cute little purse you used back before you had kids. I want to know what you carried today or the last time you left the house. No cheating!

2. Tell us how much it costs. This is not to judge....it is for entertainment purposes only. So, spill it! And, if there is a story to go along with how you obtained it, I'd love to hear it.

3. Tag some friends....then link back to this post so people know why the heck you're showing everyone your bag.

OK ladies, show your stuff! And be HONEST!!!


So this is my lovely Coach purse. It was a gift from my sister. No she did not pay for it and give it to me. It was a gift to her from a friend, and she used it for a few weeks and then decided that it wasn't a good thing, and instead of giving it back to the friend, who would have just thrown it away or something, she gave it to me. *grins* So. My purse cost nothing and it cost my sister nothing, and i'm soooooo happy about this. I love my purse.

So... I think I get the award for the most stuff in the smallest purse. I am soooo good at putting a ton of junk in this thing, and still being able to zip it up, without ruining the zipper. I'm actually missing 2 things in this picture. For some reason my wallet isn't in my purse (it is just a small thing however) and my phone isn't in there. But then again I'm using my phone to take the pictures.

Here are the contents of my purse. I have a small notebook (with pen), 2 packages of gum (in my defense i just purchased a package and put it in my purse cause the other pack has like 2 pieces in it) a container of Godiva chocolates, Ice Breakers mints, lotion, my iPod, 2 different lip balms, small mirror, a pill bottle with nausea meds and pain pills, mini starlight mints from Macaroni Grill, a spray bottle of hanatizer (hand sanatizer a la Kinsey), a pen and a pencil. Oh, an my medicine bag that has stones and such in it. I also have a small wallet I keep in it and my phone when I go out.

So... that's my purse.

Hope you enjoyed it.

I tag anyone who wants to do it.

Song of the Week

I'm a country girl.

Okay... maybe I don't listen to purely country. But I do listen to quite a bit. along with all the other stuff i listen to. LOL

One of my favorite country artists is Kenny Chesney. He's cute. I love listening to him talk, and sing... he could sing me the phone book and I'd be happy listening to him.

I'm a bad fan. I just found out like last week that he had a new album out... It came out in October of last year. *bows head in shame* I know, i know... I should know these things. In the past i probably would have. But in my defense. I don't listen to the radio much. I listen to my iPod, and the only time I ever really listen to the radio is while i'm driving. I can tell you right now that the number of time's i've driven since October of last year. I can count the number on my hands and feet (fingers and toes *grins*). so yeah... no radio.

Not only did he have a new album released last fall, but another one of my very favorite recording artists was featured on a song with him. Dave Matthews.

I downloaded "Lucky Old Sun", the Kenny Chesney album, from Amazon... and let me tell you. One of my very favorites of his so far. My all time favorite song is still, and probably will always be, "She's From Boston", but i love the songs on this album. quite a few of them could probably make it up into my top 10... especially the one I'm sharing with you all today.

I hope you enjoy it. Two of my very favorite singers in one song, I'm Alive...

I'm Alive
Kenny Chesney Feat-Dave Matthews

So damn easy to say that life's so hard
Everybody's got their share of battle scars
As for me I'd like to thank my lucky stars that
I'm alive and well

It'd be easy to add up all the pain
And all the dreams you've sat and watch go up in flames
Dwell on the wreckage as it smolders in the rain
But not me... I'm alive

And today you know that's good enough for me
Breathing in and out's a blessing can't you see
Today's the first day of the rest of my life
And I'm alive and well
I'm alive and well

Stars are dancin' on the water here tonight
It's good for the soul when there's not a soul in sight
This motor's caught its wind and brought me back to life
Now I'm alive and well

And today you know that's good enough for me
Breathing in and out's a blessing can't you see
Today's the first day of the rest of my life
Now I'm alive and well
Yeah I'm alive and well

Song of the Week

It's MONDAY!

That means it's time for Song of the Week here in lovely Obsessive Compulsive land...

This week we are going to feature one of my favorite bands.

Barenaked Ladies

Yes, that's right. I said it. Loud and Proud. I'M A BNL FAN!!!

My uncle introduced me to this band years ago... before they were "the in thing" (were they ever the in thing? lol). I remember listening to the song "1,000,000 dollars" in the basement of the house in Riverdale, watching an adorable 5 year old dance around and sing to this song.

The first time I saw them in concert was the last concert at The Canyons. It was Ben Harper, Barenaked Ladies, and Blues Traveler. I was there with my sister, brother, and his girlfriend (who eventually became my sister-in-law). It was great. We had a lot of fun. Emalee and I driving up in her clunky old mustang. Those were the days. LOL.

The last concert of theirs I went to was here in Arizona. It was Me, Jenn, and Jeremy. Along with Jenny's Sisters, and Abers (a brother-in-law). It was AWSOME! us girls all wore matching shirts with something on the back. The front said "McDonald's Girl". The back of mine said "I Make It Easy". We even got to meet the band afterwards. We went to the back and waited in the December cold - *giggles* - for the band to come out to their busses. We had them sign things and our pictures taken with them. It was easily one of the best nights in my life.

The song I'm putting up this week is "Easy". I love this song. It has become one of my favorites that the band sings. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

<------ Remember that you can listen to the song by clicking on the little play button on the widget on my sidebar. ENJOY! EASY
Barenaked Ladies

What’s a boy to do?
When you tell your tale and it never fails
I just end up feeling bad for you
With your hang-dog eyes
You can bring me down now I’m wrapped around your whole hand stop looking so surprised

Make it easy (easy)
Make it easy (easy)

I’ve been burned before
You’re not fooling me there’s no mystery you've forgotten what you’re hiding for
Call it self-defense
You can obfuscate and manipulate but it’s only at your own expense

Make it easy (easy)
Make it easy (easy)
Make it easy (easy)
Make it easy (easy)

Easy to be with you
Easy to obey
Easy to forgive you at the end of the day
East not to judge you
Easy to betray
Easy to adore you though you want to run away

It’s easy

Look what you have done
I can do the same two can play this game you’ll no longer be the only one

Make it easy (easy)
Make it easy (easy)
Make it easy (easy)
Easy (easy)