Pookie Lives

So, I'm on this facebook thing. It all started out as some mistake, but one day I decided to get on there and see what it was all about. I was hooked, and then I kinda lost interest again, but recently I have found a friend of mine that is very near and dear to my heart. We've been friends for about 15 years now--that statement makes me feel really old. I first met him at Bellflower High where he was wearing tights and entirely too much stage make-up--we went on to have a lot of laughs and a lot of fun.

There are people that we sometimes think were meant to be in our lives but for a small moment. And sometimes we wish that were not the case--that they would remain in our lives a little longer because the thought of not having them in our lives seems ludicrous. Scott was one of these friends. I don't know how or when but we lost touch. Life just happened to both of us. He has, however, resurfaced and I cannot begin to tell you the joy I feel. He has always been a wonderful friend, despite our lack of communication. I am elated to be in touch with him, and thought I would share a couple of pics so you get a sense of the wonder that is Pookie!

On a ski trip we made to Salt Lake City

I don't know how this one ended up in my hands, but it's a gem!

This had to have been when he had been recently hired at the cookie shop--still wearing braces, and the beginning of that crazy mane of his.

Halloween

Picking up on the ladies at Knotts

Scott gazing longingly at the Woolworths girl

Scott and my little brother having fun--Scott, may you never run for office, and if you do may this picture never resurface.

I had questioned whether or not I should post these pics. I showed them to my husband and he said they were pretty innocent. "If anything they will just really embarrass him." Those were his words. And then he said--"Just call it retribution for not inviting you to his wedding." He said, and I thought--"YEAH!" Love you!

Not Fun

Yesterday was a beautiful, sunny day in California. I was inspired to wash my car. I figured 6 months was long enough for Angus to go without a bath. So I pulled out this bucket with all kinds of neat car washing things they gave us at the dealers when we bought the car. I soon realized I was in WAY over my head. There was car was concentrate stuff, tire cleaner, upholstery shampoo, vinyl polish. and some kind of car wax thing along with 2 sponges--one with white netting on it, and the other without. What is the difference in said sponges? Beats the heck out of me, but I'm sure there's got to be one.

I first vacuumed my car which was a chore in and of itself. Lola loves to collect twigs and dead leaves. She also loves to carry them into my car and then continues by crushing them into a million pieces and tosses them around like confetti. I think I may have accidently clogged the vaccum with all the stuff it sucked up--pennies, candy wrappers, sticks, and who knows what other things were living in that mess.

I filled up the bucket with water and threw in some super car wash soap, and because of the warm weather the suds were drying faster than I could lather them up on the car. Not to mention that the super soap was not that super. I quickly fizzled out and decided I would rather pay my Mexican cousins to do this for me. And then to think there was also the rinsing, tire polishing, car waxing, vinyl cleaning, upholstery shampooing left to do!! Who are they kidding? This isn't fun! How is it that guys can enjoy cleaning their cars so much that they will spend all day doing it? My neighbor, no joke, spends HOURS on his car. I can leave for church and when I get back 3 hours later he is still out there working on it, and loving it. I've not found the joy in car washing. I've also learned to respect my friends at all the neighborhood car washes who do this for a living. It stinks!

There's No Place Like Home

I've been racking my brain for something witty or funny to write about the last few days cause I know it's been a while since I've updated. Then I realized that I didn't need to be so dang witty all the time. Frankly, it gets a little tiring trying to be so full of wit and humor all the time. So, this one may not make you chuckle, but will serve as a "where is Carol now" type of entry.

We moved to San Diego June 1st of 2008. Curran had been layed off from his job at eHarmony in April and we (meaning Curran) were fortunate enough to be offered a consultant job in La Jolla for 6 months. So we moved. And we loved it. I would live in San Diego forever if I could. When December came around we had not been notified if his contract would be extended. I was starting to panic, and decided to start packing--you know, expect the best, but prepare for the worst.

Finally, on December 18th we were told that his contract would be extended six more months--not exactly what we were hoping for, but a huge blessing nonetheless. The company he had been working for had recently had major layoffs, and when I found out it's like I felt our dream of permanent San Diego residency was fizzling away. Luckily, they decided to keep him on a while longer. I remember praying fervently for us to stay, and for the faith to accept whatever the decision was. I wanted just 6 more months in San Diego so Lola could finish up her first year at preschool with a teacher she absolutely adores. And yet when I was told it was a 6 month renewal I instantly started thinking "Well, why couldn't it have been permanent? Or longer?" It's like I was failing to see the blessing that was offered to us. I think this is all too common in my life, and I need to work on this a little more. Many times I receive blessings that I overlook because I am always looking for more, or something better. I asked for 6 more months and when I received 6 more months instead of saying "thank you" I said "Dang it." How ungrateful I must seem to Heavenly Father!

That same weekend we found out about the contract extension I also found out my mom was having a hard time with her vision. She is legally blind, and her eyesight has progressively gotten worse. While hanging out at my parents that weekend in preparation for Christmas I realized that she needed a lot of extra help. She was feeling her way around the house and there wasn't much she could do with her limited eyesight. I then felt a pretty strong impression that we needed to come back to live with her. Not just for her benefit, but more for ours. I wanted to save just a little more money and finally be credit card free, and I wanted to my kids to build a stronger relationship with my parents.

Moving back wasn't easy--making the decision alone was tough. But I'm grateful Curran agreed with me, and that we are back. I was able to get Lola enrolled into preschool, and she starts tomorrow. Curran still has a job that he enjoys, and we're back in a ward we love. Now that things are starting to settle down maybe I can get back to this blogging thing!