Girls just wanna have fun!

Well kiddos, here we go again. Another "sisters weekend" has come and gone and we are sad it is over. Maryn and Katie decided they needed some sunshine to make it through the last few months of winter so they visited sunny, warm southern Utah. Because it was a long weekend they were able to stay with Brooke for almost three whole days which was FANTASTIC. All we were missing was Holly! What did we do while we were all together? Well since you asked . . . here you go!

We did pretty much nothing! A mother of three little rascals could think of nothing better than sitting around watching movies, hanging out, shopping, sleeping in and reading. I think Katie finished an entire book the first day. Here we were at Target, one of Brooke's favorite stores. Katie had fun trying on all the hats and Maryn quickly decided to join in on the fun. We all were laughing pretty hard.

Here are the 5, yes count them, FIVE movies we watched. And what can you expect from a bunch of girls but some CHICK FLICKS!! Actually, each of these movies had not been previously viewed by at least one of us so that's why we chose them. Ah, good times! In addition to watching the movies we also became good friends with Doug Wilson. Those TLC fans out there know who I'm talking about.

He is the host of the show MOVING UP and we sat there and watched episode after episode. Katie LOVES that show and misses having that channel. We would be sitting there watching it and get through about 40 minutes of it when Katie would choose to inform us that she had already seen it! And that didn't happen once or twice. We're talking MULTIPLE times. The thing is, she loved watching them even though she knew what was going to happen. The very last one we watched she hadn't seen before. We weren't going to watch it but decided to in her honor so at least she could see a new one.

One night we went to Walmart to get things to make fruit pizza. This video might give you some sort of idea what that "quick" trip entailed.

On the last day Brooke's roommate, McKenna came back from visiting her family for the weekend. She decided to join us in our traditional trip to Chili's. Three words for you: Quesadilla Explosion Salad. Enough said.

We all knew Christmas had passed but Katie just couldn't resist this photo op. What girls do when they get together . . .

As we said goodbye we had to take one last picture. As you can see, our true thoughts and feelings were expressed. We all had a great time and wish we didn't have to go face reality. Things that stick out in our minds about this trip:
1. Everyone staying in bed until at least 10am each day.
2. Our interesting trip to Kohl's. I hear they have a nicely decorated bathroom Maryn!
3. The Crazy Taco (El Pollo Loco) - as Maryn calls it.
4. TMI
5. Maryn's excitement to squeegee Brooke's shower.
6. Katie wondering about the dip within 5 minutes of arriving (I guess it's now tradition).
7. Dad calling to tell us to keep it down "down there". . . like he can hear us!
8. Enjoying the sunshine outside.
9. SULPHUR PITS (gosh Maryn!)
10. Pumba

Thanks for visiting my sistahs. Come back again soon.

A day of infamy

I'm at a loss of words, something VERY unusual for me. Those who keep up with this blog know that while in California I saw a flash appear on Christmas morning on my drive to Craig's house. We all joked that I was going to get hauled off to jail. I waited to hear from anyone about it and in January I got the letter and pictures indicating that, indeed, I "failed" to stop completely at the red light before turning right. Failed? Did they seriously just say that? I guess the California police never got the memo about the whole "California stop" thing. I had to fill out the paper work and say that it was me driving the car. With all that paper work they said nothing about how much the ticket would be. I mailed the papers in and waited.

A few weeks later I got another letter from the San Diego Federal Court saying my court date had been set to March 2nd. That if I wanted to come fight it I would need to show up that day and if I didn't and wanted to just pay the ticket, I could do that too. Still, no amount of cost for the ticket was mentioned. All they said was that another letter would be arriving within two weeks of the court date that would say how much I owe. So, I kept waiting.

It seemed to take forever but the day finally arrived yesterday. I had just gotten back from a friendly trip to Costco when I checked the mail. I saw that the court had sent me another letter and I was hoping they would just tell me how much it is so I could get it over with. I opened it up and saw the same exact thing that I did in the two previous letters. RIDICULOUS!!! I was so annoyed. Then I flipped it over and saw what I had been waiting for all this time. After nearly two months of worrying about it and wanting to just get this thing done I saw how much I would owe the lovely state of California. How much was it you ask? $100? $200? I would have been okay with either one of those (although who really wants to pay for a ticket?). Nope, it was $436.
$436
Seriously? Was I seeing things correctly? That couldn't be right. Actually, it's true. They are charging me 436 big ones for coasting around a corner . . .with no one around . . .on Christmas morning. You've got to be kidding me. That is more than my entire trip to California cost WITH presents!! And what ticks me off is they did all this with a stupid camera so they paid nothing but for the stamps they used to mail the ticket. I mean, a cop wasn't even there to cite me or anything so the state is REALLY making bank on this one. Deep breath, Brooke. Keep breathing.

Last night dad asked what happens if I don't pay it. I quickly read him the list:
1. A warrant goes out for my arrest (dad said to just not go back to California - yeah right)
2. They suspend my license (dad says walking is good for us - double yeah right)
3. They charge me an additional $300 and refer my account to a collections agency
4. My wages could be garnished (like I have much now!)
and of course because I'm a teacher I have an additional punishment . . .
5. I GET FIRED FOR MESSING WITH THE LAW!!!

To all those out there who get tickets regularly, how do you do it? I would be broke. I already am. This is my first offense so they should be nice to me, right? I think so! Anyway, I think I'm going to start the "Help Brooke Survive Fund" so if you'd like to donate, you know where to find me.

Two more words for you . . .
THIS SUCKS!

Way to go Martin!

Well, he did it! Martin passed his New Mexico State Electricians Licensing tests!!! He worked really hard getting prepared for the three part test. For the hands on test he even went and bought some pipe to practice bending.

Holly never doubted that he would do it. In fact, she bought him a present three months ago and hid it in the vault at work until the tests were done. Martin was shocked to open it up and find a Playstation 3. He said, "You don't know what you've done." But, what he didn't know was that the other present was Guitar Hero World Tour. This was really a present for both of them!!! They had fun playing all weekend. Martin already added the AC/DC version to the collection. Rock On!

Guess who!

This is an anonymous entry and the author will never admit that he or she figured out the password and decided to post this. Talking on the phone the other day a certain family member foolishly admitted to me that they went into the kitchen to make dinner and whipped out a Manwich can. You know the brand . . . another way of saying sloppy joe. So this person opened the can and dumped it into the skillet to warm before putting it between the bun. To make a short story even shorter this chef was appauled to quickly find out that the can does NOT have the hamburger inside and that you must add it to the Manwich sauce yourself. I know, how atrocious is that?! This coming from someone who raised 6 wonderful, honest, and sarcastic kids! No worries 'Manwich Mama' . . . your secret is safe with me!!