Mystery Solved

(Thank you for my beautiful gift, Bren.. OF COURSE it came from my Magnet Girl!! DUUHH!!)

Why The Twins Think Auntie Bren Rocks

*She lives at Disneyland, hangs with Princesses and has been on sleepovers in Sleeping Beauty's Castle.

*She arrived bearing gifts in the form of Minnie & Mickey (the stuffed variety) whom she is personal friends with.

*She taught them "Simon Says" and they ran around the house for a 1/2 hour.

*They now can sing (little arms a-waving), "Put your hands in the air like you don't care..." (It's hysterical).

*She laughs at their Knock Knock Jokes even though they make no sense whatsoever.

*She's very snuggly.

*She has REALLY cool shoes

*She cleaned out the fridge and helped Nantie clean out and organize the pantry (Okay, wait.. that's why I think Auntie Bren rocks).

*She can flip them upside down in one big swoop.

*She cooked ALL 10 of us an awesome lasagna dinner (HER birthday dinner, no less!).

Auntie Bren, Auntie MooMoo (Missy), the kids and I are headed to downtown Denver for the Kids Expo. Should be a total blast. From there, we head to DIA and drop Auntie B off and she flies back to LA. :o(

Happy Birthday, Bren!!

Oh darlin', you really thought you were going to go under the radar on this one, didn't you? Muwahaha..

My best friend Bren is celebrating a humongo birthday today. Being the fab-u friend I am I won't come right out and say which one it is (but it rhymes with "Morty". Oh yeah, and "Snorty" too! That's actually what I'm doing out loud over how clever I am!). I can tease because I love her dearly and almost there myself (BUT NOT YET ~ AH HA!!).

I'm over-the-moon thrilled to report that she is flying in on Tuesday night and staying until Saturday (okay, maybe not after reading this post...doh!). I know she'll be here this June for my, er, 39th-Part-Deux (full of vengeance, no doubt) but not knowing if the twins will still be here by then really makes this visit extra special. I was so hoping she could meet them no matter what the outcome of the case is.

Jack and Jill have heard all about their Auntie Brenda and are excited to meet her. They recognize her in our wedding pictures and, although grappling with the idea of her living in a far off land called California, they do understand she lives within driving distance to Disneyland.

That makes her iconic.

Happy Birthday, My Sweets! See you tomorrow (hope Griz is on your tail!!).

Attn Readers In The South Bay of So Cal ~ Totally OT!

This is a shout out for my BFF Bren (you all have had the pleasure of reading about our trials & tribs). She was caught up in the economic spiral a few months back and has been pounding the pavement for employment. If any of you in the South Bay area of Southern California know of a job or have a job to offer, leave a comment and she will gladly email her resume. She worked for 12 years as an Exec Asst and also has retail experience as a Kitchen and Bath Designer. Any and all leads would be SOOOO APPRECIATED!

We know return to our regularly scheduled blogging..

Our Plans For New Years..

Since 2000, Bren has been here for almost every New Years celebration. In 2001 a tradition of snowmobiling in WY and staying at our favorite lodge to ring in the new year began. It's a trip we look forward to all year long and really makes the holiday something special. Here's a picture I kiped off her Facebook page from a few years back:


Do we rock or what?

Bren stayed home this year. She put on her big girl panties and made the grown up decision that a trip wasn't in the budget. I'm sad tonight because she should be here right now, sitting on the couch with her comfies on, smothered in min pins and enjoying an Amstel Light. We should be chatting the night away. I miss my girl.

Unlike years past, we are heading up on the morning of the 1st and not doing the count down with our lodge friends. The motor home is getting loaded up, we're pulling the big trailer and Missy and My Kiwi are joining us! How cool is that? It can be a treacherous drive (if you are familiar with Interstate 80 across WY, you know what I'm talking about-the possibility of snow, ice and high wind). Between the rig and the snowmobile trailer we're pulling about 70' so please keep is in your prayers for safe and uneventful travels.

Nantie is staying home and tending the herd of canines. She's a saint!

2008 was a pretty dang cool year and eye opening, to say the very least. I have a great feeling that 2009 is going to be one for the record books and hopefully our little crew will have an addition like this real soon:


I wish you all a SAFE and Happy New Year!!

Final Thoughts Tonight

I posted this as a comment over at Mile High Mama's but thought I would share it here, as well..
~~~
I, too, was watching Matt and Katie on the Today Show when it started to unravel. I remember that beautiful blue sky .. then tragedy.

Tonight my husband and I sit here watching that morning unfold on the History Channel. Once again, I’m choking back tears.. it is still so raw.

Less than a month after 9/11, Bren and I went to Hawaii (the trip was planned preattack). Our little world had already changed forever. The security was unbelievable, armed military everywhere and everyone was on edge. I had more than one cocktail on my flight from Denver to Los Angeles. When I arrived at LAX (where she lives) we were bussed miles from the terminal to a highly secured parking lot. It was nighttime, massive flood lights lit the entire area and a huge crowd of people –waiting to pick up new arrivals– mingled about. For anyone that isn’t a rock star used to fans waiting for them to get off their tour bus, it was totally surreal. Our naive, safe bubble-life as we once knew it was over.

We visited Pearl Harbor while there. In a couple of months they were commemorating the 60th Anniversary of their attack. Sadly, I didn’t know much more about it than what I vaguely read in history books (or had seen in the block buster movie by the same name) but, as I stood at the memorial over the USS Arizona, I was still moved to sobbing tears. What brave souls they were. Totally blindsided.. it had an all too familiar feel.

I hope we preserve the memories of our fallen heroes, of our fellow Americans that didn’t come home and of their loved ones left behind to try to pick up the pieces. I know we will never forget.. but let’s make darn sure our children’s children don’t either.

Puttin' On My Big Girl Panties

I love my best friend, Bren. Everyone should have one just like her. She has a heart of gold, is a social butterfly extraordinaire and has no problem telling it like it is.

Years ago the Good Lord brought her back into my life just in the nick of time (imagine that.. yes, His timing is always perfect). From the turmoil that was once my life to present day, she has always been there for me. I can't even fathom how I could have done it without her. She still manages to be my support system all the while living 1080 miles away. My girl, she rocks.

So yesterday as I was sending her my tearful emails she, in all her great wisdom, knocked me back to my senses as she gently bottom lined it: "Toughen up.. there could be much more loss down the road".

Holy cow.. there's a reality check for ya.

SO, I've regrouped and stopped pouting. This placement wasn't meant to be, time to get over it and move forward. Period.

Bren, as that profound magnet you gave me says,

"You'll Always Be My Best Friend (You Know Too Much)"..

... and, once again, THANK YOU and never forget I love you dearly!!

Charity Event Reminder!

Hey All You Readers in Southern California!

Don't forget.. the Big Charity Event for the Terrill Boys is being held TOMORROW out in Rancho Cucamonga. My bestest friend Brenda will be manning our Precious Note table and there'll be wine tasting, food, music, raffles and more! It's tomorrow from 10am-2pm. I believe they will be annoucing the winner of the 1 hour phone consultation with Supernanny Jo Frost... it could be you!!

So grab a friend, hop in the car, hang out with Kadi, Cherish and Bren and give to a great cause!!