ATM Nightmare

Don't ever make a mistake at the ATM. Geez, I made a $1 mistake in the amount of a deposit and by the time I realized it, the bank had canceled my debit card and the error was one dollar less than I was actually depositing. No biggie, I went down to my branch and Tami gave me a temporary one and ordered a new one. Good, then when I went to check my balance online, I was denied access. So, I called the 800 number and I was told that you can't get online access with a "temporary" card. Evi told me that she could have a new permanent card overnighted to me. GREAT, the other one wasn't going to be here until Feb. 6th. When I went to check the UPS site, the tracking number that the bank gave me was 1 that had, online, showed the delivery made Feb 7, 2007 in LA. OK, back to the 800 number, after speaking to Ricardo, Nancy and Maria (3 seperate calls), I was still in the same spot. So, I called UPS directly and they had the same tracking number for the same year old delivery. While I am on the phone UPS shows up with the new card. YEA!!!!!!!!!!! On my way back from picking up Garin from school, I stopped and used the new card at the ATM to activate it. When I came home to go online, I was denied access. TO THE 800 NUMBER!!! A very nice lady walked me thru the process to reactivate my online process. When I made the comment that the cards sure have changed because the MasterCard logo wasn't on the front, she told me that I got a banking card not a debit card that can be used as a credit card ( I order a lot of stuff online). She then told me, after putting me on hold, that I had to go to my bank branch and have them "override" the banking card so that I could get a debit card. What a freaking hassle for a $1.00 error. So, Rachel set me up with a overnight delivery of a debit card, lets just hope I don't miss the UPS man when he shows up. Notice I used brown lettering!!! On the bright side, today is Alex and Jamies annniversery. They seem to have it all, I am so happy for them. They have been married for 4 years, together for 10. It has been a wonderful 10 years for me. I know I will have the same with Tyler & Shelley and Erik & Jamie. Thank God tomorrow is Friday!!!

Not Much Happening

Well, now Alex has guitar hero. Jamie gave him a Wii for their anniversary, weeks early, that is on the 31st of this month. We WERE going to get him guitar hero for his birthday, but that is not going to happen. I guess Jamie has found her soul mate as far as not being able to wait to get or give things. Alex went out last night and bought it for himself. He is already having a blast with it. Now Aiden is going to have to fight for his DVD and TV show times. We got Jamie a sewing machine for her birthday and I know she is going to kick butt on it, she has too much creative talent bottled up inside her. Vicky had knee surgery this week and she is already up and on the go, she ALMOST drove herself home, a true pioneer woman. I want to write more, but Garin and Tristan have decided that 3 minutes to myself is way too long. Enjoy the rain!!!!!

Poor Baby

My Grandson Aiden is sick with bronchitis, poor little guy. He was really feeling bad yesterday when Alex took him to the doctors, but today he seems a little better. I talked to Alex around noon and they even made a trek to Toys R Us to get out of the house for a few minutes. It always feels good to go to a toy store or ice cream parlor when you under the weather. I have been in an organizing mood lately. I am trying to get rid of a lot of stuff that we just don't use or need anymore. The Salvation Army must think I'm are nuts with some of the stuff I have given away. On the pick-up this week, the guy came to the door and asked me if I was sure of what I was donating. I should have a garage sale, but most of the stuff is too expensive for people who go garage saleing and I hate to haggle with someone who I know is going to take it home and sell it themselves for more. We have dvd's, video cameras, 35 mm cameras, etc. I know the Salvation Army is the one charity that really puts things to use and gives it to the right people. I also have, as usual, the best ideas AFTER the holidays as to what to make for gifts. So, I am also trying to clear the computer room/material staging area to see what I have in the way of material and stuff. Don't be surprised if out of the blue you get a blanket because I am trying new designs. It seems like I can't sew fast enough lately. I still want to make baby blankets for sale, but there is no where to sell them. Ebay is a bust and so is advertising in the paper. Oh well, at least I can give them away which actually makes me feel pretty good, now that I am a little better at making them. I feel SO SORRY for people who got my first efforts. I thought they were so good, but now looking back, most of my past efforts come under the catagory of "What was I thinking?" Even as early as 2 years ago. I cringe at some of the pictures of blankets. Like the one I made for Brooke for her shower. If I had more time I would have made another one, because my minds eye was sure blind on the colors for that one. I make a lot of repeats if I don't like one I have made, which happens a lot. Poor Jamie, she got this gosh-awful purple thing that was the worst one I have ever made. Well, the Indians have discovered that the chief is not around and it sounds like it is getting crazier than normal, they are so predictable. I can tell by the way they are playing if they are up to something or not. Well, see you soon!!!!!!! I can't wait for Kim to get back from Costa Rica so I can see pictures of Christianne, Oliver and the ring!!!!

It's Official

Today the holidays are officialy over. BOOOOOO I took down the last of my decorations. I hate this time of year. The only good part of it is that the kids are back in school. Now I need to start gearing up for Easter. I hope we have a turn-out like we have had in the past few years. Aiden and his buddies are all of the age to really enjoy the bounce house and egg hunt, so it should be fun. I just need to get a Thomas the Train bounce house if they have them. Tyler is working in snow this week, Big Bear got hit hard, 67 accidents just yesterday. What did you do for New Years?? I had a blast. We had 3 other couples over for food and fun. We taught Uncle Larry how to play our version of bullshit, everybody seems to have a different version, and he of course won. That's OK, everytime I play I just contribute to everybody else anyway. My 3 sons, pardon the pun, were all up in Big Bear for New Years and according to the pictures they had fun, and LOTS to drink. Last night we met Alex, Jamie and Aiden for dinner. That baby can't get any cuter. He LOVES his cars and had a few with him. He kept telling Alex to play cars with him, even though Alex was playing already. He sang Itsy Bitsy Spider for us, I could have cried he was so damn cute. Well, I have to go and redust after taking all the stuff off of shelves. Hope you all can make it for Easter, invites will go out beginning of March. OH ALSO, we have a wedding to look forward to this year. Tom and Kim's daughter, Christianne, got engaged to Oliver this past New Years Eve. They are the cutest, nicest couple. I am so happy for them. Well, that is REALLY it, gotta go!!!!!!

The Day After

WOW Did I have the best Christmas. I got far more than I deserved and expected. Rick bought me the table and chair set I have been wanting, but never really mentioned. My house is finally starting to look like someone actually lives in it. Our day was filled with fun and family. Both Rick and I had a brother and family come for dinner and my 3 boys were here. Alex, Jamie and Aiden, Erik and Jamie, Tyler was solo because Shelley had a family commitment. Aiden was adorable and he seemed to like everything we got him. We opened gifts from each other and the last one I opened started a sob-fest on my part. Tyler, the one I always think doesn't give a rats a...... about my feelings, got the other 2 to go and get pictures taken for me for Christmas. I can't believe it, the pics are so amazing. I also got a group shot with EVERYBODY and an individual set of pictures with Tyler and Shelley, Erik and Jamie, and Alex, Jamie and Aiden. I got one with just "the boys" Alex, Tyler, Erik, and Aiden. I love all the pictures!!!!!!! I got a family tree from Alex and Jamie and have been obcessing all morning about which pictures I am going to put in it. Jamie started it with a few already. I hope everybody comes by to see all me new stuff and pictures. I am going to go to Sams club and get wallet sizes of the pictures to hand out. I was so happy with the one that I got at Shelley's party and I now have MORE to add to it. I am 1 happpy Mama and Nana today. NOW, if Rick can just get the part for the wash machine, my holidays will be complete!!

Christmas Eve

Here it is 12:30 in the afternoon on Christmas Eve. I have so much to do, but here I sit. We went to a family Christmas party on Saturday, the 22nd. Tom and Kim were the hosts and it was fabulous!!! The whole night was great. The food was good and the family atmosphere was even better. There was an ornament exchanged and I got hosed again this year. The ornaments are in bags without names, so you don't know who went to the dollar tree for their ornament. It is the thought that counts and I am lucky to be alive to gripe about it. There was a time during the festivities that people got up to tell about their most memorable Christmas. Marianne will never live down her story or the start of it. I won't print what she said, but she may have blown it for a few little people who were there. We all died laughing at her. Well, I better go and try to get more stuff done. MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!!!!!

Tyler's New Owie

Well, last night at 10:43 PM the phone rings, it is never good news when someone calls that late. I was of course in bed so Rick answers it in the living room. I can hear him say things like " Did you get him?" and stuff like that. So, I figured it wasn't something that drastic, and it really wasn't. Deputy Bengard got sucker punched in the face by a P-A-L, a parolee at large for us commoners. Thank goodness he has those caveman eyebrow bones. He has 5 stitches and was sent home from his shift. He now has a new trophy and story to tell during the holidays. His Captain is probably wondering if Tyler needs stitches every couple of months just to keep him balanced. Out of the last 2 weeks Tyler has worked 9 hours. Last weekend his girlfriend, Shelly, became Dr. Shelley Ann Burmaz. She is a Chiropractor and the poor girl has no idea what she is in for at family gatherings, so many old bones, so little time. We were at a party for her graduation on Friday and I got the picture I have beeen wating for, a family shot that everybody was in. YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jamie is going to clean it up and I am going to get several copies for the Bengard dinner that Kim and Tom are hosting this Saturday. It is kinda too late to do Christmas cards, so I am going to send out a New Years card. It is too good of a picture to wait a year to send out. Well, if I don't have anything else to write about this week, I wish eveybody a Merry Christmas and a great New Year.