A successful weekend!

My ex came down here with his mum for the weekend from Washington to see the kids, and it was a great time! We went out to breakfast to the Ohana Cafe across the street for some bombtastic food, then went to Disneyland and braved the upper 90 degree heat. We stayed until after 930pm having our rousing little adventure. We got to go on Splash Mountain twice, one immediately following the other, because our photo didnt take while going down the drop..Eric got soaked and was laughing hysterically the whole time at what a blast it was. My girls had to change clothes after eating their whopping sized waffle cones on the curb of Mainstreet. There is nothing like the sugary smells of freshly made Disneyland waffle cones. We couldnt get our family photo next to the statue of Walt like I wanted tho, thanks to a camera crew and whatever Nick Lachey was doing standing around..The best part was watching Skylars eyes light up as she was finally able to see Belle and Beast dancing on the water during the evening "Fantasia" water show and fire works display. I thought she was going to cry she was so excited. In the end we were pooped and sore but it was worth it. On sunday we ventured to the beach so Eric and Jason could boogie board and the girls could play in the sand. Then we got some awesome food at Rubys Diner on the Pier, while listening to the music acts tuning up for this coming weekend when the Pro AVP Volleyball tour comes to our beach (lots of grandstands were being assembled.) It was fabulous weather as usual in Surf City. We all got tans and some burns...Jason had more burns then any of us. Hehe. We took tons of pictures of the vacation and made sure jasons mom had a great time as well. Now I just need to walk off all that food I ate so I can continue in my weightloss quest! Huzzah!

BOOK TAG

Windy book tagged me, so I have to play..lol

here is what you do:
1. Pick up the nearest book (at least 123 pages).
2. Turn to page 123.
3. Find the 5th full sentence
4. Post the 5th sentence on your blog.
5. Tag 5 people.


The book I just got at the used bookstore across the street is the Charles Dickens classic, Great Expectations. I havent started it yet because Wuthering Heights is downstairs halfway read thru..This book was up here.

Here is my 5th full line:

"Thats a pity!" said Biddy, shaking her head with a sorrowful air.

Ok I tag SARA, BRIAN, ELIZABETH, JILL, and ERIC...

I couldnt resist!

I decided to do Lellys slogan generator and this is what came back for me! I laughed out loud because its actually true! This slogan is sooo me.

Your Slogan Should Be

Jeri - Delightfully Tacky, yet Unrefined

The Slogan Generator

Thankful Thursday

Back ontrack with Thankful Thursday! I know I had forgotten last week, so I have lots of things to be grateful for this week. I'm starting to finally feel like a whole person again, mentally and physically. Im not drowning in sorrow anymore and things actually feel like they will be ok for me. Thats HUGE right now. I've been researching colleges and found one I must take part in..The only problem is the commute and the days they offer there night classes on weekends (sundays..ugh). I will have to hash out the details later, but for now Im excited to start in the fall. Also this weekend we get to go to Disneyland and the beach with Jason and his mother. Im pretty excited, as are the kiddoes. Heres a few more things....

Im grateful for:

Great weather this weekend!
Laughing
Good music..
The bookstore up the street
DISNEYLAND
a darker tan
mental health..as much as possible
career goals
Taking walks
the Breadcrumb Cafe..the best food EVER
My disco ball hanging from my car mirror..it makes me happy
sunglasses
A car thats paid for
Child Support
Helpful parents
My Old Navy credit card

Crushin...

Ok its been a long time since I actually pulled my nose away from my husband and realised that there are a lot of sexy guys out there! Now that my divorce is in motion, this has all come to my attention! I know that my life is pretty much over, being a single mother of 3 small kids, weight issues thanks to sed kids, and 2 divorces under her belt...I have a better chance at being hijacked on a plane then to find a good lookin guy to commit his life to me with all that baggage. But I have developed a celeb crush lately which is totally not like me at all, but he puts a tingle down there. I'm in deep smitt. *Le Sigh*...Oh Jason Kay of Jamiroquai, you awesome God of Acid Funk...I just want to lead you around by your tie all day.(check out his video on my page..) Youre british, hella talented, sexy as hell in a scruffy way, and can dance the pants off me any day...He looks like he would smell good too. I have a disco ball hanging in my car that spins, and I crank up his songs while my kids groove in the backseat everyday before school. The sun sparkles rotate around the inside of my vehicle which make the kids oooh and aaaaw. Eric says its like a party in our car. AHAHA.

*Does anyone else out there have a celeb crush?
*What songs do you and your kids like to groove to in the car?

Fabulous!

Today was a great day! It started out slow and overcast outside, but by the afternoon we were packing the kids up for a day at the beach! My dad plays volleyball down there with some young hotties 3 times a week at least, so I thought I would go take some action shots of them. The kids had a blast playing in the sand. We also enjoyed some WAHOO TACOS for lunch. After everything, I gave the kids a bath, then for kids choice night, we instead went to the cheap theater and saw THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES. The children passes out easily tonight thanks to the over stimulating day of fun. I cant wait till next weekend when we hit disneyland! Here are a few pics of the day..(My father is the one in the red and black shorts.)

New haircut!

I finally was able to fix my hair and I no longer look like Prince Charming!! Wahoo! The cut is really cute, although its a little too short on the sides for my taste. I will grow them out a tooch, but the back I love! Here are a few looky-loos so you get the over all picture. Ive also posted a pic of my weightloss progress..Im a size 14 now and feelin groovy! I have small legs and such that if I got down too small it would look hella weird on my body. Could you imagine me as a size 2 like the chicks out here? uh...no. I'll stick to curves thanks. I dont think a size 14 looks half bad on me. I may get down to a 12 but thats my limit I think. What do you think?

WOE IS ME...I NEED MORE!

I just finished the third and last book (until august, that is..) of the Twilight series and Im totally bummed now cuz I dont want it to be over! Im really engrossed in this. Im actually voting for the werewolf in this story which seems a little weird since the true bond is between this human girl and the vampire...but im drawn more to Jacobs character instead, I think. I must have a thing for strong, passionate, stubborn, indian boys who "phase"..teehee. You should read the book to find out what im talking about. Its good and you'll love it. I cant wait for the next one..it will be painful waiting for it to finally get here. This is the greatest monster love story, EVER! I cant wait to see how this all ends...

Good Mail!

I recieved some good mail from my gal pal, Sara. Im very stoked. She decorated the box in Star Wars and Hello Kitty stickers, much to mine and my kids delight. Hehe. She got me a few funky pairs of earrings, knowing my forte for the weird. THANKS SARA! I would have posted this sooner , but as I said earlier in other posts..I just got batteries for the camera. I love good mail! Ive had a fun time writing to people and now everytime I go to the store I have to peruse the stationary isle. I think its going to be a new fetish of mine.

New Moon

Ive already finished the second book in the Twilight series and will be starting the third book today. I go thru them about every three days, it seems, so I am really sad that the 4th book isnt coming out until August! What shall I do? How shall I proceed?? LOL..Diving headstrong into these books has really kept my mind off of my divorce, so I am grateful for them. New Moon was a little slower for me to get into, but it did kick up a notch when werewolves were brought into the picture..You cant beat a good werewolf/vampire story. These ones are set apart from the other like stories, because it centers around Washington and its very Native American culture. Their legends and treaties and culture are what feul these monster "myths"..so it puts a new twist on the Romanian stories of old. Its pretty fresh and I like it. Plus its romantical as hell without being at all smutty. I cant wait to see what the next one offers.

Thankful...friday?

I seemed to have missed out somehow on Thankful Thursday yesterday..It must have slipped my mind as I was preoccupied with my new batteries and snapping photos of the day. Oh well..Its friday and thats more then enough reason to be thankful! Today has been a phenomenal day! Its been pretty chilly since I arrived here from even colder Washington state, but today was GORGEOUS. I did my many trips to and from the school buildings (I swear im in the car all day..) But after picking the kids up from school (and learning that my daughters cutesy young teacher is LDS after Erin sang the Popcorn song in class today..She approached me giggling after school and asked if I wanted to go to the singles ward with her..haha), I shot them over to our favorite park in the middle of a fancy neighborhood so they could play, and I could get a tan while reading the end of my book. We left when I saw Skys cheeks getting rosey. Its so hard to be in a bad mood when you have blue skies, palm trees, and the warm sun on your skin.

TODAY I AM THANKFUL FOR:

Sunshine and heat!!
Today is also my grampas 79th birthday..my mom took him to disneyland.
I have an appt next week to visit a career councilor..wahoo!
My farmers tan...I hope to even it up soon
GREAT BOOKS!
My kids loving their new schools
the Pier
Having last years shorts fall off my butt today...woot!

FINISHED!

I just finished the first book of the Twilight saga, in three days. I couldnt put it down. Aside from the fact that it takes place in my home state (so I knew all the locations of which they spoke..My friend Scott enjoys hiking where these vampires supposedly hunt in this book, which I found amusing,) its a sappy, hypnotic, overendulgence that I could get used to. I highly recommend this book to anyone. I now must get the second one before I lose my connection with the characters. I feel silly being so far behind, considering they are already shooting the movie for this, but I digress....Im on the hunt for more, now! (no pun intended.) 4 stars from me!

Self Portrait

Now that I have batteries in my camera again, I can also show you my progress in my quest for thinness! I actually have the start of a waistline! Im so excited..Hopefully by this summer I wont be so self conscious anymore and tan to boot! (Dont mind the disasterous haircut that makes me look like a gay troubador...or the gross mirror.)

My new house~

You will have to excuse that I havent posted any pics of where I currently live now. My camera was out of batteries for a good while until today, so I took the time to snap some shots, once replacing them. 6 of us live in a 900 sq ft condo, but its not as cramped as you think. Thank heavens its two story and its too sunny to sit inside all day! Its so gorgeous here and I cant wait to take my camera down to the Pier for some scenes. Enjoy!



This is my dad after hosing down his dirtbike. This is the back alley where the kids ride their bikes, too. They love the space.



Here is the view of the condo complex leading up to our front door. Ours is the one furthest to the right, with the HB flag and the umbrella.

Aaah Zen! (Thanks Amanda!)

1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead
of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty
much leave me alone.

2 The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt
or a leaky tire.

3. It's always darkest before dawn, so if you're going to steal
your neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it.

4. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't
be promoted.

5. Always remember that you're unique. Just like everyone else.

6. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.

7. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a
couple of car payments.

8. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their
shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you
have their shoes.

9. If at first you don't succeed...... skydiving is not for you.

10. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how
to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.

11. If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.

12. Some days you're the bug, some days you're the windshield.

13. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

14. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half
and put back in your pocket.

15. A closed mouth gathers no foot.

16. Duct tape is like 'The Force'. It has a light side and a
dark side, and it holds the universe together.

17. There are two theories to arguing with a woman - Neither
one works.

18. Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your lips
are moving.

19. Experience is something you don't get until just after you
need it.


20. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a
laxative on the same night.

~My new book~

My mother is hooked on a series of books that she says are so gripping, I wont want to put them down. It is called Twilight. I will be starting it tonight and Im very excited. Apparently there is a movie being made this year about the saga. Here is what IMBD had as a synopsis. Im very intrigued to say the least. Anybody care to join me in the reading?

A teenage girl-Bella- moves to Forks Washington to live with her father when her mother gets remarried. Upon arriving in Forks, Bella learns about a mysterious family of very beautiful people. When she meets one of the 5 children-Edward- she finds herself spinning into a mind boggling tale of one of the deepest and scariest loves. Even when she finds out what Edward truly is, she still takes risk after risk so that she can stay with her vampire sweetheart.

Sounds groovy...I'll give that one a try!

A new path...

Ive been thinking a lot lately about my destitute situation, and have come to the conclusion that if im going to remain destitute, I might as well go to school. Ever since I was little Ive always wanted to be a massage therapist. I would give free massages to my friends while waiting for the computer in elementary school and jr highschool. Ive been known to give my husbands great massages for the duration of an entire movie, and have been told that Im very good at what I do, having no experience at all. I figure why not go for it and actually learn the proper ways! I am well aware of the risks..I know its physically demanding, hard to learn, the kinds of bodies I might be touching, and that more then half of massage therapists end up quitting after 2 years. These things do not sway me. I am determined to start healing my mind and body thru healing others in a tranquil setting where everyone can meditate and have a soothing experience. I would love to learn the art of pregnancy massage more then anything because its important for poor swollen moms to feel pampered. Im excited for this new adventure in my life, and hope I can be successful at it. Wish me luck!

I'm on my way!

I decided to be brave and step on the scale today, after fitting into 2 size smaller of jeans. Ive lost 10 pounds since being here! Im super ecstatic right now! 10 pounds usually isnt enough for most people to see changes in their body, but for me the change is always extreme. I started noticing that my waistline...holy cow I have a waistline! And where have the luv handles gone? Normally im a tree trunk. I can see daylight between my thighs, again. Wahoo! I havent done anything extreme. Ive started using kid size plates to eat my meals on and I dont go back for seconds (very often.) As soon as my pilates video gets down here with the rest of my things, I can start toning up. Im very excited about my new transformation and hope that I can maintain my new found figure. Wish me luck on that one, because we Edwards arent naturally thin people, by any means. Thank you, thick German/Russian roots, and a healthy appetite. haha.

THANKFUL THURSDAY

Today is a better day. I go thru my ups and downs but im fairly stable at the moment. I had a blow-up with my dad last night because he doesnt understand how I can still be friends with a man who did me so dirty. I told him Im not the type to hold grudges and forgiveness feels better then bitterness of soul. He got angry with me, but I didnt care because I knew my feelings were a good thing. Today I am grateful for:

SCHOOL! and the fact that Eric is having a great time...
Im two sizes smaller in pants now!
Writing..ive gotten back to my stories again.
Caring friends
My folks for letting me crash here...
Good Mail
Laughter..
Hells Kitchen premiered tuesday night..wahoo!
and most importantly..
A NEW NEPHEW!

My nephew, Ryder, was born on sunday and he is very healthy and quite the cutie! My little sister is struggling after giving birth, but hopefully her swelling will go down soon and she will be able to function properly to take care of her baby. Isnt he a doll?

Sadness...

I cried myself to sleep last night. I feel ashamed for doing so. I cant help but feel extreme amounts of pain in my heart. I cling to lost hope. I feeled ashamed for doing that too. I miss my comfort. He was my soul mate...but I am not his. He was my world..but I was not his. He was my rock...and I was a pest. I feel alone..but I know I am not. I need to know things will be ok..yet how can they be? The love of my life is gone. He doesnt want me. Not with his whole heart. Why am I so hopeful still? I believe in the good of people...and forgiveness...and humility. I believe...but there are some things I guess even faith cant mend. So tonight I will cry again...No picture today. Its blank..like the way im feeling.

SPT

We were told to dress up today and take a picture of our best selves as a way for Lelly to remember us girls (and boys.) I dont have anything nice to wear since my clothes are still up in Washington until next week..Ive been living in jammie bottoms and teeshirts. Here is a picture of me that isnt new..but It will have to do for now since I dont have the capability of looking as nice as I could. Enjoy Lelly! And good luck with things!