Christmas Weekend

Merry Christmas from OUR family to YOURS...

UPDATED 12/28/11
I hope everyone had a Very Merry Christmas this year. We sure did =)
I worked the morning shift at the hospital Christmas Eve and Christmas Day but I was able to enjoy the rest of the day with my family.

After I got off work Christmas Eve, we drove up to Murrietta for Christmas Eve dinner with my Aunt's family on my Dad's side. We also exchanged gifts. Michael and I received 2 giftcards, one for Chili's and one for P.F. Changs. Can't wait to do date night!

While we were there, I was working on a scarf for my sister Jessica in Idaho that I needed to finish asap to send up with Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Bill. When I finished I thought I'd try to make a beanie for Jacob, but ended up making a little bonnet for Lillyanne instead because I didn't follow a pattern. I'm not really good with following patterns so I just go with what I already know and see where it takes me...and in this case it made a bonnet. Trying to get Lilly to keep it on her head is a challenge though. She's not a big fan of anything in her hair or on her head. STINKER! It actaully would look cuter on a baby girl as a floppy hat.

I knew I had to get up early for work Christmas morning but we didn't end up leaving Murrieta until 11pm. We just had so much fun up there!

Christmas morning came and I headed off to work. This year my family decided to wait for me to open gifts. I was surprised Lilly wasn't fighting it, but she was good girl and wanted to wait for mommy too! I got a lot of goodies, we all did!

After we opened gifts we headed over to my father in law's and had dinner with him and his fiance Karen. We ate, exchanged gifts and then headed to Trevor's, Michael's best friend to give him and his family their gifts. It was a great Christmas!

Although I was sad to wake up the next day and not hear Christmas music playing on KYXY 96.5 anymore BUT that isn't going to stop me from listening. I just hooked up my pandora and listened to my Christmas station in the car. I will listen to Christmas music until the end of New Year's Day!

A Very Merry Week....

This past week has been so AMAZING.  

I had the whole week off, but EVERY DAY of the week we had something to do.

Let's reflect.....

Friday 12/16/11

Last day of work for me and boy oh boy did I enjoy the day! We had an UGLY SWEATER PARTY and our Chief Radiologist, Dr. Richman had mexican food catered for the occasion. I had Alivia model my sweater for me and she looked pretty darn cute in it! I honestly didn't think the sweater was ugly enough so the night before I had crocheted a bunch of bows and flowers with GREEN and RED yarn to embellish the sweater a little more. End result: WINNER!  I won a huge bag of Lindt's Lindor Truffles.  After the party my coworker Gladys wanted me and Alivia to open our gift from her. She got us Juicy Couture wristlets! They're so cute! My first Juicy anything! See, I'd never buy anything like that for myself so I really did appreciate it as a gift! Thanks Gladys!

Saturday 12/17/11

We celebrated Grandma Riggins 87th birthday at Por Favor's Mexican Restaurant in El Cajon. It was a great family gathering and it was great to see everyone again!

After the party we headed to another Ugly Sweater/Gingerbread House Party at Ron and Carol's house. This time I wore the sweater and the kids even got to wear some too. I really liked Michael's sweater but it was NOT ugly!  We had so much to eat that night, pizza, spaghetti and lots of homemade sweet treats! Of course it wouldn't be a Schoolcraft Christmas Party without a Gingerbread house contest! This is our 5th year celebrating with the Schoolcrafts and we always enjoy the food and fun every year. Renee and I partnered up this year. We didn't win, but that's ok because we had a lot of fun decorating our house.

Here are some photos for now...

Lilly and her new friend Tavis decorated one together. Way to go kids!



Some of the houses. Ours is the one that says "Merry X-MAS" on the roof.



Some "Awkward" Family Photos...Michael's facial expressions cracks me up!

Sunday 12/18/11

I had some family come down to San Diego from Murrieta and we went and watched the boat parade at Seaport Village. Afterwards we went to CHRISTMAS CARD LANE in Rancho Penasquitos. We've been going every year since Lilly was born. I love it there. Christmas joy all around, almost EVERY house is lit and decorated. This year we even saw Mr. and Mrs. Clause and Frosty the Snowman! Some homes were offereing hot cocoa and treats for donations. My favorite house is the one themed after the movie "A CHRISTMAS STORY." They even have the lamp leg, CLASSIC! Even though it was freezing cold walking around and watching lights NEVER gets old!



 Monday 12/19/11

I took Terri out for dinner at Barona as an early Christmas gift.  Nothing beats their all you can eat crab and oysters! Laughter and fun was included also. We really did have a blast. I love.Love.LOVE this woman! She is such an inspiration! And she has the cutest Australian accent, I could listen to her talk for hours! 

Tuesday 12/20/11

Sister Howe was kind enough to welcome us in her house for homemade lasagna for dinner after our Secret Santa gift exchange. We had a grand ol' time with one another. I love our young women and I love the leaders. So blessed for such a wonderful calling!

 Wednesday 12/21/11 

Me, Michael and the kids met up with Erika and 2 of her girls, Sarah, John and their boys for a little lunch playdate at Mcdonalds in La Mesa. It was nice to get to spend some time with them.

In the evening, we met up with our young women and the leaders at the Mormon Battalion for A HAWAIIAN CHRISTMAS presentation. It was group of young girls dancing hula to Christmas music. It was so cute! And the tree in the theatre part of the building was decorated so beautifully!

Thursday 12/22/11

I met up with Sally and baby James for lunch at Croutons in La Jolla. She used to serve in YW with me then she moved to La Jolla when she was pregnant with James. It was nice catching up with her. James her son is soooo CUTE!

After lunch I picked up Alivia from work and we hung out all day! We went thrift shopping at Goodwill and then ate dinner at CiCi's pizza buffet. Afterwards we drove around La Mesa, my favorite neighborhood in San Diego, and looked at Christmas lights and then stopped by starbucks for yummy hot apple cider. When we got home Alivia helped us wrap some presents! We had a really great day together, love her!

Friday 12/23/11

We started out the day by visiting Grandma and Grandpa Liljestrom at 11 to exchange gifts with them. Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Bill also stopped by as we were leaving to drop off gifts that Jessica had sent with them for us. It was nice being able to see them.

Later in the evening we celebrated Christmas early at Jenny (sister) and Greg's (brother in law) house in Santee. Every year they host dinner at their house and we exchange gifts with eachother and a group of our close family friends. We had turkey and rib roast for dinner. After dinner we gathered around the tree, and opened our gifts. I had a lot of fun, we all did. I was a little bummed because we couldn't take our time and relax after. We helped clean up and then had to head home so I could rise early for work at 7am Christmas Eve. Nevertheless, we had a great time spent with family and friends. Thank you Jenny and Greg for the food and presents. We love you guys. Next year, I'd like a niece or nephew okay!

PICTURES FROM THIS EVENT COMING SOON...



Joy to the World...

My JOY. My WORLD.

Michael sent me these while I was at work, nothing makes me happier than when I get his messages.

Brother and Sister bonding...he even shares his Germs...=P

Sweet as can be..



Our Father in Heaven wouldn't give us ANYTHING in this life that we couldn't handle....

Michael.Lillyanne.Jacob are my stability in this ever changing world...

I love them unconditionally...Forever and Always...

A Wiggley Wiggley Christmas...

Today Lilly's school did their Christmas program. They offer three shows in the morning during school hours which I thought was so nice since I work in the evening.

This year the second graders sang a song from the the Disney show the Wiggles. It was really cute. Lilly really got into it as you can see ....

After the program, we were able to sign Lilly out of school an hour early given the fact it was half day and they were getting out at 1230.

It was nice, The.FOUR.of.US, stopped by the fancy smancy McDonald's in La Jolla and grabbed lunch before I started work =)

It's Wednesday and so the week is halfway done, and best of all, I'll be off ALL WEEK next week and we've got lots of FUN things planned for the week! Can't wait!

I also have to say THANK YOU to Peggy and Woody, my coworkers, for my Christmas present: Dinner from P.F. Changs! My first time eating food from there and it was DELICIOUS! What a great way to end my night at work!

Oh Christmas Tree...

We got the tree up, later than I wanted to have it up, but it's UP!

Lilly's friend, Kali and Karla came over after church to help clean and put up the tree.

They were really cute, putting the toys away and they even grabbed a broom and dust pan and started sweeping...of course Jacob was helping by taking the toys out of the bin! Bad boy, but we love him!

This year we let the girls take control of the tree, they could decorate it however they wanted to and they did a BEAUTIFUL job!

Afterwards we had pizza, hot chocolate and hot apple cider, we had a wonderful time!

My coworker got me this counter last year, I love it!

Today was just a wonderful day all together. Jacob was able to stay in nursery without me there for the third hour.

I stayed with him during the second hour to see how he would do and it took him a while to get used to all the girls but he didn't cry after me when I left for Young Women. I was so proud!

Jacob and his new friend Ella =)

I taugh in Young Women today, and let me tell you my lesson topic was the answer to my prayers!

Association with Others was my lesson topic and as I reviewed it through out the week before I taught the lesson, I just felt all my frustrations lately start to discipate.

It's important to reach out to others, try not to judge others, and pray for greater love.

Everyone in my life has made an impression in my life in one way or another.

For everything I have accomplished, I did NOT do it alone. I had help from someone or something along the way and I am ever so grateful!

Away in a Manger...

Everday as Michael drives me to work we past the San Diego Temple and we noticed they put up the Nativity scene up so it's viewable when driving on the 5 freeway. It's so lovely.

I told Michael to bundle the kids up and bring them with him to pick me up after work tonight and we all headed over to the Temple to see the decorations and see the Nativity scene.

We didn't get over there til a little after 9pm and as soon as we drove in I was so excited to see all the lights up, it was just beautiful. Just being on the Temple grounds, you definitely can feel the spirit.

They had music playing too which was wonderful. The Nativity scene wasn't lit by the time we got there. Lilly kept asking to see Baby Jesus but because it was decorated to face the freeway you can't really get a good view of the scene from the dark.

The cold weather just made it feel more like the holidays, I really enjoyed ending the night with a visit to see the decorations at the Temple.

We stopped by California Pizza Kitchen for dinner and then headed home for snuggle time under the blankets and a movie before bed.

My loves...forever and always...

The view of the Temple from CPK, still gorgeous.

The most wonderful time of the YEAR indeed!

Happy December to all...

I don't have to hear all the complaining about me playing Christmas music now, YIPPEE!!!

Well there are still some bah humbuggers at work that don't like it, but don't worry, I will lighten up their hearts a little and before you know it they will be humming Christmas songs with me...haha...I'm just being hopeful....

As Mikey was driving me to work today, I wished him a Happy December. He looked at me, smiled and changed the station to KYXY...I thought it was cute.

When I got to work, I was so excited when I saw them putting up the tree in the lobby at work. The hospital hired a designer to decorate the tree, I was glad I got to see it being worked on when I got in. They also placed a ton of poinsettia plants all over the hospital, so beautiful.

And everytime I walked down the hall from the SCVC to the Hospital I see the tree lit up at the end of the hallway and I just get this feeling of pure JOY in my heart! I love it!

I think it's wonderful that the hospital decorates during the holidays, the comments I hear from the patients are just wonderful. You can tell it makes them feel better. I can't emphasize it enough, how grateful I am for a job that makes me appreciate everything I have so much more...You'll hear me say it a million times...and I'll keep on saying it. Helps me to keep my mind and my heart more open to everything around me....

Snapped this as I was leaving work...isn't is a beautiful sight?

From the Courtyard near the Cafeteria, you can see the tree inside.

I love all the days leading up to Christmas...the music, the lights, the Christmas tree, decorations, smiles...I can just go on and on and on...

 

Then Christmas day arrives and I get a little sad...because I know it's over and KYXY will stop playing Christmas music...haha..

 

I'm just being dramatic, but really I do get a little emotional Christmas day.

 

But every year we celebrate Christmas up til New Year's Day so I have a lot to look forward to...

 

We have a tradition of things to do every Christmas...

 

Keep up and you'll see....

 

Delirious...

Oh my, how I have neglected this blog....

I guess I just have too much going on right now...and just can't seem to get on a computer to type my day away...

Due to issues with my breathing this fine day, I have been encouraged to stay home...

So home I am, and quite frankly, I don't want to type my day away...

Although there is a lot of updating to do...

I think I will stay warm under my blanket and watch Christmas movies galore on Hallmark or Lifetime...

And as for my breathing problems, I feel much better than this morning...

Who would have thought having two kids could affect your breathing? Could it be? Am I allergic to my children?

Haha, just kidding...

I saw my doctor, she said I'll live, but she introduced me to a friend named INHALER, that will help with any future flare ups...

Can't wait to meet my new friend when she's ready at  RITE AID =P

Hope all is well with the very few, possibly none of you that do read my non sense! HAHAHA....

Happy Thanksgiving from the RIGGINS =)

I LOVE YOU...

It's easy to get caught up in the little things in life and in doing so, I tend to forget what really matters...

I have to admit, the littlest of things would get me all emotional and bothered...but today 2 very important events reminded me of what DO matter.....

Event 1: I had a patient come down for a scan, the doors to the scan room opened and I saw this man that was tall and thin and honestly he looked like a victim of cruel punishment in a concentration camp. Except that wasn't the case, instead the battle this patient was fighting was CANCER. He was so thin and fragile and in so much pain. He was cold so after I helped him get onto the scan table, I went over and grabbed a warm blanket from the warmer and as I did this, I don't know why but I thought what if this was my family member? Even closer, what if this was my husband? My Michael...

After I got him his blanket I looked at his arm band to confirm his name and date of birth and I realized he 

was only two years older than me and here he is fighting this horrible battle with cancer. 

I've been thinking a lot lately, compared how I was from the first day I started this job and how I am today. Yes it's true, I've kind of learned to deal with my surroundings, but I don't think someone can ever get "used" to this. It's hard seeing someone going through these struggles with cancer and certain illnesses and it's even harder seeing their family going through it with them.

Event 2: The emergency department had admitted 2 patients, an elderly couple.The wife 90 years old, the husband 88.  I thought it was cute how they put them in a shared room with their gurneys next to each other so they could be by one another.

I brought the wife over for her scans and told her husband we'd take good care of her. He replied with a smile and a thank you. She became very restless during her visit with us and started trying to get off of the scan table, we had to use restraints on her so she wouldn't get hurt but it wasn't strong enough.We eventually had to call her nurse over to give her another sedative. This patient had dementia and because she wasn't used to what we were doing she was frightened and worst of all her husband wasn't there by here side. She yelled for him and kept saying, "I wanna go home, no more."

We told her to calm down, we're almost done, do it for your husband so you can go back to see him soon...I could tell it helped her calm down a little...

So you might be wondering how did they both end up in the ED together...

The wife was laying on the couch and she fell, the husband who has COPD (chronic.obstructive.pulmonary.disease) relies on an oxygen tank that distributes oxygen to him through a nasal canula that he wears in his nose. 

When his wife fell, he tried to help her, but being weak himself, he couldn't do it on his own, so he decided to go get help from a neighbor but didn't take his tank with him. On his way to get help, he got weak and dizzy and as a result fell and hurt himself.

The neighbors called the the ambulance and they were both brought in. 

Now here's what really got to me, when we were done with his wife in the ED, I took her back to the room. I said to the husband, "She's back!"

He asked me how she did, I told her she's a fighter and fought us at first, but she did it. He smiled. I'm sure he knew that was going to happen.

He looked over to her told her "Welcome back, I missed you."

I put her gurney a little bit closer to his,  and as I was walking away I looked back and she was trying to get off to go to him, but couldn't because the rails on her gurney were up. I saw her reach for him and I saw the look in his eyes. 

I will never forget the amount of love they had for each other. I could see it in his eyes, his pain because there wasn't much he could do for her at the time.

Of course when Michael came to pick me up from work, I hugged him a little longer than usual. I love him so much and I know that when we grow old together I will love him just as much as the first day if not MORE.

I know every wife will say they have the BEST HUSBAND, but I really do have the best husband. He's also the best father to our children and I love seeing him with them.

Neither of us are PERFECT and we often get into our little disagreements. I'd be lying if I was to say every day is a perfect day because it's not, but I can say that at the end of everyday, we try to make sure we tell each other, "I LOVE YOU," and mean it. And hug and kiss before we say good night.

I feel that this is really important and without it we wouldn't be as strong as we are...

So with that said, FAMILY is what MATTERS...

Michael.Lillyanne.Jacob

 

I don't live a perfect life, I just live a BLESSED one, I can't say that enough...

Thanksgiving, SD 4th Ward YW's style...

Today I am THANKFUL for the evening that was spent with the Young Women, leaders, and our families...

We had a "THANKSGIVING" potluck...it wasn't a traditional Thanksgiving gathering, it was done differently this year.

We didn't have turkey. mashed potatoes, candied yams/sweet potatoes and all the other fixins' that come along with a traditional Thanksgiving meal

INSTEAD...

We enjoyed Chicken Adobo, Pansit, Egg rolls and steamed rice...

Sister Howe made a delicious pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting and she topped it off with chopped nuts! It was so.So.SO good! I think her dish was the closest thing to Thanksgiving ;)

And Sister McCreary made a delicious cherry cobbler, she even brought a can of whipping cream to top it off!

We ate, we talked, and we LAUGHED...what an AMAZING evening....

I am so thankful for my calling and all the spiritual blessings it has brought me and my family....so THANKFUL...

Yippee...Hooray!

Elated to hear Christmas music on KYXY 96.5 tonight on the way home…

Some people wait til AFTER Thanksgiving but NOT me…

I like to start early…

I started listening to Christmas music this year right after Halloween, thank goodness the CT folks I work with at night don't mind my CHRISTMAS SHOES station on Pandora...hehe...

Trust me, I’ve gotten a lot of crap for it from some people including my own dear Michael…

but that’s okay…I know deep down inside he knows how happy it makes me and so of course I'm sure it makes him HAPPY too (let's hope).

Christmas time brings joy to my heart and a smile to my face…

It does not take much to make me HAPPY...
 

Ohhh JOY to MY world =)

fa la la la la, LA LA LA...LAAAAAAAAAAAAAA...

*I know they're too different songs, but I'm just in that kind of mood...

11.11.11

READY TO DO SOME SHOPPING?!?!

and SAVE SOME MONEY!?!?

Check out the 11 dollar sale on 6pm.com

BIG BRANDS! LITTLE PRICES! HUGE SAVINGS!

It's the perfect opportunity for  you.me to grab some gifts for FAMILY.FRIENDS. and maybe even sneak a thing or two for yourself.myself!!

Even better, FREE SHIPPING!!!!

Come on, what are you waiting for?! I don't think it'll get better than this!

P.S. I am NOT advertising for 6pm, I am just sharing this lovely site that has saved me hundreds of dollars over the years!

HISTORY/ I believe it was about 3 years ago when I stumbled upon this amazing website, I think I got some junk mail, but something OBVIOUSLY caught my eye and so I sent it to my inbox.

The item they were featuring for the day were ASICS shoes for 19.95! It just so happened to be that I needed a new pair of shoes for work and thought why not? 

Ever since then, I've shopped this site for shoes and clothes for Michael the kids and myself. I love it! 

Even if you don't see anything on their 11 dollar sale, check out the rest of their stuff, you'll still SAVE!

And if you don't find anything you like today for 11 bucks, come back tomorrow and see what brands they're featuring for a deal.

I believe you will still get FREE SHIPPING until Christmas Eve.

 Almost forgot to mention, they've got this HOLIDAY BLITZ thing going on right now. Every day they are featuring something different. Today, CUTE PUMPS by Fergie. It's exciting to click on the box and see what's FEATURED inside.  

HAPPY SHOPPING ALL, stay safe!

Love, 

Bori

Thankful...

Thank you to all the VETERANS that have served this country to keep it the LAND OF THE FREE and the HOME OF THE BRAVE! 

Everyday I am THANKFUL for the freedoms I get to enjoy because of the brave men and women who have served and are serving our country. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

It's just a FEATHER baby...

Rain drops FALLING on my head now...

Rainy Friday = online shopping in the AM, work in the afternoon and catching a movie in the evening...love it!

UPDATED: it's not often that FRIDAYS are "slow" enough for me to FLEX OUT (leave early), but I was able to with the ok from my lead tech, Woody. My shift ends at 9pm but today I was able to leave at 8pm.

Mikey picked me up and we met up with Adam, Elisa, Trevor and Corey to watch THE THING at AMC Mission Valley.

Oh rainy days, please continue to come our way.....

Lilly spent the night at Weezy's house with Amelie and Reedee so I didn't get to see my girl when I got home.

My handsome DATE tonight...aren't I a lucky girl?!!?

I was delighted to see Jacob staying warm though when I got home...in a fairly strange yet cute/funny way...

Snuggled up in an ADULT PENGUIN ONSIE with Aunt Lin =P

3>1

Stopped by the Vans Store in Mission Valley today to see if they still had some sunglasses I had bought a few weeks ago on sale there (the ones I had originally purchased disappeared).

Last time I was there, I only saw the one pair which was ON SALE for 4.95

I found 3 today in different colors and they were still on sale so I ended up buying all 3 of them. The total came out to 15.99 including tax. Not too shabby eh?

So in the END 3 is greater than 1.

Aren't they just ADORABLE?

What could make a good day even BETTER? I walked into work today and was surprised to find a bag on my desk. I looked it and saw a card with my name on it and got SUPER excited. Inside was a tub of chocolate covered pretzels and a THANK YOU card. It was from my co worker Jeanne. The other night I was on my way out and she spotted me and asked if I could help her load a CD into the system for the ER because she got stuck and the patient needed to head to the OR ASAP. I wasn't expecting anything in return but THANK YOU Jeanne for making my day that much better and for your thoughtfulness and kindness.

The pretzels were delicious. I opened them up at work and shared them with some of my coworkers. They needed some after the hectic evening they'd been through. I love the bag too, it's reusable and has compartments on the inside. I think I have a new "LUNCH" bag for work.

Good Night...

November

Hello NOVEMBER!

Oh my, there is so much to catch up within the last week...

PICTURES from the latter days of October coming soon...

• Trunk or Treat at the Stake Center
• Pumpkin Carving at the Schoolcrafts
• Trick or Treating in La Mesa

Steal of a Deal

fun. Fun. FUN!

 Did I forget to mention FUN?

I started out the day with some thrift store shopping with my loves Melissa, Rose and Lilly at the Goodwill on Home Avenue. A good find takes a lot of patience and well, we spent about 3 hours in there but between the four of us we had a lot of FUN and found a lot of cute stuff for not a lot of money!

Afterwards, Melissa left to help Rastko babysit but Rose, Lilly and I went back home to pick up Mikey and Jake and we had lunch.

I have to admit after lunch, I was pretty exhausted from the trip to the Goodwill...a nap would have been nice..but it was time to take the kids out for some more FUN! 

We met up with Kenny and Trevor at the Pumpkin Station at Parkway Plaza. It's not as fun as the patch but the kids loved it. I think next year we need to take Lilly somewhere with bigger rides, the rides today wasn't as exciting for her because she's getting to big (sad face). She got off the swing ride and told us, "Wow, that was embarrassing." I think she didn't like the fact that her feet almost touched the ground during the whole ride. Jacob rode the same ride and the expression on his face was priceless...

So funny!

Getting too big for the rides =(

Can you spot the DIFFERENCE? hahah!

Jacob didn't care for the rides as much of course. Instead he enjoyed playing with the hay that was all over the ground. Good choice Jacob, considering it didn't cost a thing. They did sell hay there and I'm sure Jacob would have enjoyed making a Jacob MESS back home with it, but NO THANKS...

HAY Jacob!

 What's next? Another GOODWILL...heheh..this time the one in Santee.

Well this time, it was Mikey, Kenny, Trevor and Jacob(he didn't really have a choice), who accompanied Lilly and I. My favorite part of shopping at thrift stores is finding shoes. I usually always find at least one pair of really cute shoes...my rare vintage finds really gets me excited...but the last few times I've gone, I've been disappointed because all the cute shoes I do find are either too big or too small! I've even tried to convince myself that I can wear really thick socks or "STUFF" them, but who wears thick socks with a pair of pumps? I mean some girls can make it "work" I guess, but I'm not one of them. But today made up for the other times I didn't get find anything, because I actually found TWO! woohoo!

Other than shoes, I love me some sweaters. I wear sweaters year round, it's NEVER too hot for a sweater for Bori...that's what Mikey always says when someone asks me, "Aren't you hot in that sweater?" I especially love granny sweaters! Melissa and Michael like to call me Grandma Bori and honestly I'm ok with that. It's an appropriate nickname considering I like to knit and crochet during my spare time..hahah!

We all ate at SONICS for dinner afterwards. fun.Fun.FUN! is only appropriate for the title of this entry because all day today, all we had was FUN!

Good night!

*No working out until I see my doctor on Tuesday about my back pain. Maybe I'm aging rapidly to fit in with my elderly hobbies and clothing....

Yay for FRIDAY!

Nothing greater than ending the week right with a wonderful FRIDAY!

Started out with a yummy breakfast at the Mission Valley Cafe which is part of the San Diego Home Cooking family. The portions were huge and the food was great! If you are around the area, give it a try. We will have to go back to try lunch and dinner soon.

Me with my handsome hubby

It was TOO LOUD for Jacob

Italian Sausage and Eggs w/home fries and pancake 9.99, you know it doesn't get better than that!

Afterwards we made our way to TARGET. We needed to grab some things to complete the kids costumes.I love target, I could spend hours there...love their CLEARANCE sections! 

The only down side to eating and shopping in Mission Valley is getting out of there when you're done. It seems like forever especially when you are trying to get to work on time....

That's right, after that yummy breakfast and some fun errand running, Michael dropped me off at the lovely Thornton Hospital. We had two cases that made me feel like I was in an episode of ER. One when I got there and one close to the end of my shift. Experiences I will never forget. 

Now as much as I enjoy my job, I couldn't wait for my day at work to be done so I can have dinner at Phils's BBQ with Michael and the kids and my best friend forever, ROSEMARY.

My Best Friend, Always and Forever...

Let me tell you something about Rose, she may be little, but she is one STRONG woman and I love her so much! I really feel blessed because I have the greatest friends and family a girl could ask for, I couldn't ask for more...

Now we're home, going to watch some LAW & ORDER: SVU on Netflix to wind down...

GOODWILL tomorrow morning...

Good Night....

"I Dream..."

I remember when I first started working at UCSD I would come home overwhelmed almost every night. Not because the work load was too much, but because of the patients...

Today I found out that a patient we have worked with in the past years had lost her bottle to cystic fibrosis.

My prayers go out to her family during this time...I do believe she touched the hearts of all those she came in contact with. 

When a patient remembers you, you know you've done something special to make them remember. 

You don't have to work in a hospital to touch someone's life. It's as simple as a hello or a smile... You never know what someone is going through and sometimes, your warm smile or  hello, can brighten up their day.

Sometimes when you least expect it, they can touch your life and that's why YOU remember them....

Engaged!!!

Congratulations Renee and Drew on your engagement this past Sunday. We couldn't be HAPPIER for you two!!!!

 The Newly Engaged couple

Nay's beautiful ring!

*incline 10, 30min, speed 3.5 *incline 5, 5min, speed 4 *incline 0, 25min, speed 5

 *planks, 5min

calories burned: 725 (on treadmill)

total time: 1hr (on treadmill)

mood: tired but boy do I feel good!

Buyer's Remorse and Fog...

Impulse shopping tends to lead to BUYER'S REMORSE, well, at least it does for me. So what does one do when this happens? Return the things I DON'T need. In return I get my money back, and money back in my wallet/bank makes for a HAPPY HUBBY and I guess a happier ME too! With that said, ALWAYS keep your receipts!

Here's the story...on Saturday I visited Victoria's Secret and bought a gift for my friend. I also decided to spoil myself by getting some makeup from there. I bought an eyeshadow palette, 2 eyeliners and a lip gloss. At the time, I was excited about my purchase, however when I checked out I wasn't excited about the cost!

So I pondered about the things I got and how practical it was for me and of course how it would "benefit" my family. Thinking...thinking hard...head hurts(exaggerated)... So here is what I came up with...

1. How often would I use what I had purchased? Well, considering the fact that my make up staple consists of usually only mascara, in which I haven't used an ounce of in the past month, I guess not that often. Not to mention that none of what I had purchased included MASCARA.

2. How is EYESHADOW, LIP GLOSS and EYELINER useful for Michael, Lilly and Jacob? Michael and Jacob will have no use for any of it (thank goodness, or I would need to worry). Lilly could use the lip gloss occasionally, but 1/3 doesn't win this case.

3. How much money did I actually spend on these 4 items? Money I could have used for something else or saved? I didn't realize that I had spent so much on these 4 items. When I went to return them, I realized I had spent close to 62 dollars on 4 things...oh no, that was not very "thrifty" of me now, was it?

So in the end, I made the smarter choice in returning the make up. And what did I do with the money I got back? Michael, Jacob and I enjoyed lunch together. Nothing grand, just some Greek food at Daphne's in Mission Valley before he took me to work.

Tomorrow we will be taking a trip to ROSS to return a pair of ankle boots that I had purchased a week ago and have now decided, I don't need them. They're cute and all, but I'd much rather take my 14.99 + tax back. Let's just hope I don't get distracted and buy something else while I am there. But if I do, at least I'll have the satisfaction of knowing I have 30 days to return it.

Next topic... shall we discuss the weather now? I loved the weather today, Michael takes me to work every day on the 5 freeway. The drive is always lovely because you can see most of the coast on the way to my work.

There was fog transcending down the valley into the freeway as we drove, it was beautiful. It was still warm, and when I got to work I was only able to enjoy the view from the inside. The fog was thick in La Jolla. I love it, it feels so much more like FALL now...and it gives this kind of eerie feeling, which is perfect given Halloween is just weeks away.

Totally RANDOM but don't mind the little notes at the bottom of my blog. Starting today, I am going to log my work outs at the end of my day. Strictly to keep me motivated! Please share with me some of your work outs I can try so I don't get bored!

Foggy Day....

Jacob boy fell asleep on the way

Foggy Night...

*Incline 1, speed 5, 15min *incline 10, speed 3.5, 5min *incline 4.5, speed 5, 5min *incline 1, speed 5, 5min

Calories burned: 356

Total time: 30