Because I never finish anything I start! Day 37 & 38

Saturday the rain was coming down hard and it was a definite movie day! I didn't get to much done except a few loads of laundry and went to La Fuente restaurant to pick up some abondigas and pozole soup. It was pouring rain outside when I went, and cold so the soup made it a perfect night. Sunday had an amazing day at Church! The best day thus far. So many people went to the alter call and it was extremely moving to say the least. I could feel the Holy Spirit moving through that Church like I never have before. It was so emotional even Pastor Raul was crying! I can't explain it I can only tell you I FELT it. I've heard people talk about it but I never really knew the extent of how it felt. Today February 28, 2010 was a day I'll never forget. After Church we went to eat and then to Mom and Dad's house. Uncle Larry came over and we were all talking and when he was leaving he asked me to come listen to his daughter singing on a cd she made. Oh my gosh, this girl is gifted with an amazing voice! So angelic and so sweet and soothing. He made a comment and a compliment on how I looked good and there was something in my eyes that he said was different, my reply...it's God!

Because I never finish anything I start! Day 35 & 36

Yesterday went to Senior Center and helped with lunch and clean and wash tables and chairs. At 1:00p.m. went to play bunco with the people I played with last week. It was a good time! Day 36, had to be at Senior Center early because I was asked to help out as they were short handed. Arrived at Senior Center @ 7:30a.m. helped with putting the "meals on wheels" food together. Then went to Starbucks to p/u pastries for the Seniors. It was a very busy morning. Went to post office after leaving Senior Center to mail off some little gifts for my Uncle's daughters Emma & Sofia. Then off to home and now I'm ready for a nap!

Because I never finish anything I start! Day 34

It's a cat fight at the Senior Center. Seems to be a discrepancy between the kitchen and the front desk. Darlene has done and continues to do amazing things to keep those Seniors fed. She has to balance a budget and order all types of things and more. So, we planned on having our St. Patrick's Party/lunch on March 17, 2010. Now, the front desk just put out fliers saying they were having a "party" on the 17th between 11:00a.m. to 1p.m. Well that's not gonna happen because lunch is served at 11:30a.m. everyday and I don't know where they plan to have their "party" cause the lunch room will be full with the lunch crowd and the disabled come in for lunch that day too! I'm telling ya I don't get it. The Senior Center is for the Seniors. Why does it have to be a cat fight every time someone wants to do something nice? I've had Seniors come up to me and say "don't worry Tina, we're coming to the St. Patrick's Party you & Darlene are having!" Pray it all works out. I will find out tomorrow what happened with the front office & Darlene. She didn't look to happy when she left. Oh yeah, and today we gave Darlene early birthday presents! Some birthday, ruined her mood! Sad. Peace out, Tina

Because I never finish anything I start! Day 33

Well, today was another great day! Went to M.V. Senior Center this morning and had coffee and helped serve lunch. Today I even did the dishes!!! Woo Hoo! J/k, it's a lot of pans and huge cookie sheets and spoons and such. Talk about dish pan hands! I'm going to bathe my hands in lotion tonight. After kitchen was clean Darlene asked if I could make an extra car key for the Ford Focus that delivers meals to some Seniors. I said sure she said how much I said about 3.00. She gave me the 3.00 and I went to Ace Hardware. When I showed the gal the key she said she probably would not be able to do it. She stuck the key in some type of machine and it was a red light. Not good! She said the key had a chip in it and only the dealer could get the key at about 130.00!!! WHAT...hold the phone, are you telling me that this key is going to cost one hundred and thirty dollars to duplicate? Yep, she said. Darlene does not know yet. I will tell her tomorrow. Geez 130.00 for a key! Ah the humanity. :-) Peace out, Tina

Because I never finish anything I start! Day 30,31 & 32

Day 30, Had a surprise visit from my brother Tony!!! He had day jumps to do with the Air Force so he was in town. Danny & I went to San Bernardino Hilton to pick him up. He was with nine other Air Force people and they went to San Manuel Casino. So, he asked if we would like to go hang out there for a bit. We said yes and off we went to play some slots. Danny got to watch the UFC fight and Tony and I went slot hopping. I got on one machine and after a few minutes I said I was not feeling it so I said lets switch machines and on the 2nd or 3rd spin he got the bonus. (15 free spins) and during the bonus it re-triggered 15 more spins! That's when the machine went crazy and he walked away with a little over 300.00!!! OMG! That was supposed to be my money. It was funny, well not that second but after a while it was. Just kidding I was happy for him. I won 141.00 dollars. Day 31 was Sunday and I remember that day very well. My Dad was down and a few family members got together and went to MiMi's in Tustin. My Grandma was there and she's still as beautiful as I remember. We took lots of pics and had lots of laughs! When we left MiMi's we planned to go to Carmen's for dinner and she made chicken and mole and she asked if I could make potato salad. My Dad & Uncle & too cute Sofia came over to see Carmen's new home and dinner was excellent. But, before all this we went to my other Grandma's (Grandma Bea) and visited with her. Well, here's the story of my "lil" Shirley Temple doll. When I was around 12 or 13 my mom and I went Christmas shopping and this lady had like a boutique in her home. Well, being that Grandma Bea collects dolls I spotted this Shirley Temple doll. Grandma Bea has a lot of dolls and a lot of really old Shirley Temple dolls. Well back towards the kitchen of this lady's home I see this "lil" doll under a glass dome. It's Shirley Temple!!! I got my mom's attention and pulled her to the back of the house and said Grandma Bea would love this! My mom agreed and bought it. We were right she adored this "lil" S.T. doll. So, Grandma Bea always knew over the years that this was a very special doll even more special after my mom passed away. She always said that one day when she was ready she would let me have that "lil" girl cause she knew what it meant to me. Drum roll please...............SHE GAVE HER TO ME SUNDAY!!!!! She said she'd rather give her to me while she was still alive. Oh my gosh, anyone reading this needs to understand how huge of a thing this is for me. AMAZING isn't even a word to begin. I'm so happy! Really, really really happy. Shirley is about an inch and a half tall. (tiny). I am Blessed! Day 32, went to Senior Center and then left early to pick up my nephew at preschool. Then went to pick up other nephew at 2:00p.m. and then off to Dr.s appt. with my Ma-n-law. She had an Orthopedic appt. to check her foot. All is well and no more cast and in about 3 weeks, she's tip top shape again! My wonderful son watched the kids while I took my ma-n-law to the Doctors. He's a good kid<3 Whew.....now I'm caught up and here's a pic a my special "lil" doll, enjoy! peace out, Tina

Because I never finish anything I start! Day 29

Went to Senior Center and had a good time serving lunch and talking with all the people. Went around with the basket to sell more tickets for the raffle. It was another good day on sales. I went to a candle party in Mission Viejo and it was good to see my long time friend Tammy. It was a good day! Peace out, Tina

Because I never finish anything I start! Day 28

Today was the first day to start selling raffle tickets for the basket my Mother-n-law and I put together. I must say it was a good first day. I was very pleased at how many tickets were sold and I still have until March 17th to sell them! Dustin was down visiting and he went with me to the Senior Center this a.m. After lunch I went around different rooms to sell tickets and one of the rooms was setting up to play Bunco! They asked if I wanted to play and I said sure! I told Dustin to pick me up later so he didn't have to wait around. It was fun to play with all the people. They said the turn out was big this time, more people than usual. The best part was when a lady came up to me and said she had recognized me from somewhere but could not quite place where it was. I immediately recognized her too but wasn't sure where. So, we racked our brains and went over where she had worked and where I worked and the Church we go to but still nothing. Then all of the sudden it dawned on me where it was. The CROSSING GUARD!!! She was the lady that crossed the kids at my oldest daughters elementary school! We both said the school name at the same time and then screamed with joy. The room stopped and was quiet! Jefferson we said! Sure enough it was when my oldest was in kindergarten and she remembered me pregnant with the twins! Ain't that a hoot! This was in Riverside in the late 1980's. Clara is 90 years old now and she remembered me!!! Made my year. I can't tell you in words what that moment means to me. Priceless!!! After bunco I went to buy more prizes with the raffle money and bought some really great things. Peace out, Tina

Because I never finish anything I start! Day 25, 26 &27

Well, Monday was bingo with Sara at the Janet Goske Center. Of course Sara won, again! It was great to see her win. She basically played for free because she won what she paid plus 10.00 dollars. Tuesday went to Senior Center and helped serve and mingle with the Seniors. We talked about plans for the St. Patricks Day party. I went to a few different stores to purchase some decorations and prizes. I think this party will be even better than the Valentine Party. My Ma-n-law put a basket together for a raffle at the Senior Center. She does amazing baskets and knows exactly how to arrange them. She did a great job and hopefully it will sell for a decent price. All earnings go towards the party fund. It can get quite costly for each party. I went to Wal-Mart to see if they donate to Senior Centers and he said yes. I have to come up with an itemized list of things we need for about 30.00. It's kind of ridiculous. I need to know if the Senior Center is a 501 or a 503. Then, I need to have a letter on letter head stating the tax I.D. # with a list of the exact things I need to purchase. Then I need to have the person in charge okay me to purchase the items and then wait for an approval. He pretty much said "sure we donate, but you'll be a Senior yourself before you get it". I have to give them at least a two to three month advance notice. So, St. Patrick's party is not going to be helped by Wal-Mart. Maybe Thanksgiving or Christmas. I checked with a few other stores and they do not. However, when I went to Jo-Ann's the gal there told me to call Corporate and that they might donate. So I have to call and find out. Wednesday, day 27 went to the Senior Center with Dustin and we helped in the kitchen serving lunch and then helped with clean up. Dustin is so good about doing whatever they want him to do. At 1:00 p.m. bingo started and we played two cards each at .50 cents per card. Funniest part about today was when they started bingo today the announcer said that you needed to be 50 years or older to play. WELL!!! I played last week and no one said anything but I don't play for the prizes I just play for fun. I have no intention of playing for the prizes,. I just like to socialize with them. Well, we played and no one said anything. After that we went to a few more stores to pick things up for the party. Darlene is the Nutrition Director at the Senior Center and the kitchen part of the Senior Center is different from the main part of the Senior Center. The parties don't get help from the main part so we do parties on our own. We need more help and donations for these people. It's really a great place to go and hear the stories and the history behind these Seniors, very interesting to say the least! Peace out, Tina

Because I never finish anything I start! Day 23 & 24

Day 23, Went to Riverside to play bingo at the Janet Goeske Senior Center with my friend Sara. It was my first time playing bingo with a lot of people and playing for money not just for fun. It was a good time. But, I tell ya don't mess with the Seniors and their bingo or you might end up with a knot on the head from someones cane or a broken toe from a wheelchair! These people are serious when it comes to this game. Sara told me to just play two sheets which would be eight cards. Well, I did and it was a little confusing at first cause they play different patterns and such. But, the confusion really started when it was almost the last game and a lady comes around and asks if you want to buy more sheets for the last game. Well, I did because I didn't win anything so I figured I would go for broke. Big mistake! I couldn't keep up! Sara was like what are you doing I can barely keep up with my cards and I told you to stick with just the two. So I gave the lady that was with Sara my sheet to play so I could keep up with the numbers being called. It was pretty funny. The first game starts at 12:00 and the last game ends around 3:30 p.m. or so. Tomorrow Sara needs a ride to bingo and I had so much fun playing I told her I would take her. So, I have a bingo date with Sara at 10:00a.m.
Day 24, Valentines day!!! Went to Church and my Husband bought me a women Bible a few days ago and today at Church he bought me a leather case to put it in. It is very soft leather and has an eagle on it. I love it!!! After Church we went to his mom and dads and we BBQ'd. It was very nice. Before we went we stopped off to buy some flowers for my mom-n-law. For some reason flowers last and bloom at her house. When I get flowers they don't open up and they sure don't last as long. I do the same thing arranging her flowers in a vase as I do mine but hers just do better. All in all it was a great weekend.

Because I never finish anything I start! Day 21 & 22

Gosh, so much to catch up on. Where do I begin? I'll try to go in order. First I told you about going to the mountains and we went and it was extraordinary! We all had a blast and I got to see it snow in like three different ways. It snowed like rain and then it snowed like hail and then the most beautiful snow was the light flakes that gently flowed through the air to a soft landing. Amazing beauty in every phase! Although I had a great time I was worried about making it on time to the Senior Valentine Party. I had to make the cupcakes in the mountains because I knew I would not have time when I returned on Thursday. I made 74 cupcakes and then stressed about how in the heck I was going to get them home in good condition. We had a truck load with all are gear and luggage and there were four of us in the truck so I put the cupcakes in big ziplock bags and then put them into a duffle bag. I was in the back of the truck with Brandy and we had pillows between us so we propped the duffle bag with cupcakes on the top. Let me tell you I held on to that bag all the way home to make sure they didn't fall. I was all ready, showered and dressed at 5:30a.m. in the mountains so all I needed to do was get all the party items loaded in the truck and go. Long story short I made it in time and the party was a huge success! The next day was my Nephew's preschool class to make Valentines for their parents. So, that would be today February 12, 2010 which would be day 22. I don't know how else to put it but to say that it was priceless! The kids were all so excited and behaved very well and had a great time making the magnet hearts. I had extras so I was excited that they let me do them with another class of older kids. They were a hoot! I nick named one of them motor mouth cause he was just a talkin away! By the end he called himself motor mouth. Too cute!I had enough for them to make all the teachers one and it was pretty neat that they all had a different teacher in mind that they wanted to make one for. It was a perfect day at the preschool! Whew, okay there's more. At 2:00 p.m. the Senior Center was having a Valentine Dance. So, I was babysitting my nephews and I asked my Husband if he could watch them for a bit so I could go to the dance. He said sure! So off I went. This is where a perfect day gets even better. These Seniors were dancing away and line dancing and salsa dancing and even disco dancing! I had to get in on the fun and I have to admit I danced and I danced and I soaked in every minute of my surroundings. I took lots of pictures and made some new friends. After the dance I went to my nephews baseball practice and watched till they were done and brought him home till his Dad picked all three of them up. Can you say tired? Yes. But would not trade this day for all the money in the world!!! Tomorrow off to another Senior Center in Riverside to play bingo with my 89 year old friend Sara. peace out, Tina

Because I never finish anything I start! Day 18,19,20

Well since I did not blog yesterday I'm gonna make up for it right now. Yesterday was day 18 and I took my Mother-n-law to Urgent Care to have her foot x-rayed. She had quite the nasty bump from a fall. She is okay! I think the worst part is she has to be on crutches for a week! That part did not make her to happy but she's a trooper and She will manage. The worst part besides the fall is she has to fly on Thursday to San Francisco. We told her to get a wheelchair at the airport and if nothing else she will be one of the first to get on the plane. The reason I put 18,19,& 20, is because I will be out of town till Thursday and I will not have access to a computer. So, I will have to play catch up when I get back, but I will have some things to write about on Thursday. One great thing I have to look forward to is the Senior Valentine party on Thursday when I get back, and then Friday is when I go to my Nephew's preschool class to help them make their Valentine magnets!!! So pray we don't get snowed in so I can be back in time for the party. I already told my Husband I can't be late and if we have to leave the mountains at 4:00 a.m. Thursday than so be it. It's important to me not to be late. It was my idea and I can't let them down. So for now I leave you with this and when I return hopefully I will have some good news to report. Peace out, Tina

Because I never finish anything I start! Day 17

Today began with a cup of coffee and conversation with my Husband. I know I have so much to do to get the Senior Center Valentine party going and I feel like time is against me. I will be out of town Tues. -Wed not coming home till Thurs. a.m. I will have to get to the Senior center as soon as I get home, it will work out. I just have to believe it will all be okay. My son will be down so maybe he can go get things started Thurs. a.m. for me. I needed six more round tablecloths and a game to play and a prize. I still need to make 50 cupcakes and the people in the kitchen at the Senior Center are going to make the other fifty. Thanks to my Mother and sister in law I was able to get those items today! Man, I did not realize that a piece of plastic would cost 2.99, for plastic?!!! I bought these really cool playing cards from the 1950's. They're a regular pack of playing cards but they also have trivia questions from the fifty's on them. So that will be another game to play and the winner will get the cards and candy as a prize for answering the most questions. I still need ideas on what type of games to play. peace out, Tina

Because I never finish anything I start! Day 16

Went to my nephew's birthday party! He's now 5 years young and a very happy birthday boy! He loves trains, so he got a lot of train toys and about 5 new pairs of shoes. Too cut shoes! It was a good turn out. My mother-n-law offered to help with the Senior's party and my sister-n-law also donated money to help with supplies and prizes needed for the Valentines party. I am Blessed to have a supportive family. Thanks for your contribution. If people could see the faces of these Seniors light up just because your having a conversation with them. It's a Blessing to be mobile at 70, 80, and even 90 plus years old and still get around. Heck, if I make it to half that I'll be Blessed. It's just nice for them to know that someone actually cares. Thank you Family for your support! On behalf of the Senior Center, we thank you too! nite peeps, Tina

Because I never finish anything I start! Day 14 &15

On the 15th day I went to the Senior Center and helped with serving and cleaning the tables. I went and picked up balloons for the party, un-inflated because I did not know if the selection would be any good next week. My back is feeling much better. Pulling a muscle set me way back on my little quest but I'm back, and I will be writing more about my daily adventures. The Senior Center had a "yard sale" indoors and I looked around. Some of the things were very cool and then I found a gal who was selling really nice jewelery. She had a peace sign necklace that was very different and a heart ring and necklace that matched. So I bought that. Well, I guess you could say I helped someone by purchasing something? Good news I'm back and if I have to I will add the lost days at the end so I will be doing more than 60 days. I'm refusing to give up. nite peeps, Tina

Because I never finish anything I start! Day 12&13

Time out!!! Hurt back!!! Pulled muscle!!! not quitting...just a temporary set back. Dr. says I should be better in a few days. So, disappointing but it could be worse.
nite peeps, Tina

Because I never finish anything I start! Day 11

Today my son & I hung out. We went to one of the clothes and shoes drop off boxes in the Food 4 Less parking lot and dropped off some more shoes! After we did that we went to get a few more things for the Valentine party at the Senior Center. We got home and I put together some prizes for the games played on Valentines Day. I figure a balloon at every table with rose petals scattered around a balloon decorated weight. I also have little plastic hearts to put a few candies in. For games, I thought I could do some trivia from the 1940's, a raffle and I'm not sure what else. Tomorrow I will be at the Senior Center and Dustin said he wanted to go. So, more tomorrow. nite peeps, Tina