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