What a weekend...

This past week has been crazy busy with work. We had a pre-construction orientation for new homeowners and then two days later we had our JD Power/homeowner appreciation party. Now we prepared for 500 since we have over 650 that live here. The evening included booze, food, table and chairs, tents, music and yes a dunk tank. If you live in the Central Valley or close to it you'd know that the weather wasn't kind to us Friday night. It was beautiful during the day but around 4 it started looking ugly. What luck...our party was from 4-7. We had about 250 people show up. Since it was free booze we actually ran out...since it was free food, they got plates and stacked the food up to take extras home with them...once again we were ready for 500. Those that just came for the food left very quickly after they filled their tummies. There were about 20 that stayed to see us get "dunked". Of course there were a few that cheated by using their cane to push the button to make us fall. May I remind you this is hose water people. When it's not 100 degrees out it's effin' COLD. They deserved to get splashed. Especially if this is how I'm spending my Friday night. We didn't get the downpour till about 8:00 and yes people were still dancing and drinking...we actually had to kick them out.

Saturday I ran 7 miles for training.

Sunday after church and a birthday part Brent called and said they had gotten guitar hero so I drove to Folsom and played till midnight. This is Brent his 2nd try...I got home late and I'm paying for it today...would I do it again, you bet your sweet ass I would!!!

Hello

This is a picture of my awesome family. Just by looking at us you know we have F-U-N every time we get together!

Some of the primary kids Easter Sunday. I got my camera out of my purse while I was looking for something and these guys ran over saying hey take a picture of us, take a picture of us. They love looking at the finished pictures. What would they do if we all had to go back to film...Horrible thought, I know!

This is a portion of the entrance to where I work. I really is a beautiful place.

With thoughts of moving, finding another job, finding homes for my two dogs, going over good faith estimates I've only had one panic attack. I would think that's doing pretty darn good! It will all work out...it ALWAYS does.

Easter Eve

This morning I got up and went for my 6 mile run. I did some house chores before I went but by the time I got out of the door it was after 10 and it was hot out there. I did very well. I always listen to my music when I run and sometimes I think it's a bad idea. There are about 10 songs that no matter how I feel at that time when one of those specific songs come on it makes me pick up the speed so much it burns my lungs. Almost to the point where I can't breathe. I know, YIKES right? I just keep reminding myself...slow down Kellie, we shouldn't be burning lungs here.

Since I was already smelly and grouse I decided to take the dogs to my job site and let them play for a spell. There's tons of almond orchards they can run in. By our construction trailer there's a ginormous mound of dirt that has been packed down hard you can now drive over it or walk. So I let the dogs out and I was walking up the mound and I'm almost to the other side where I see the dogs stop and to the left of them were two men (I think that were naked since they ducked down when they saw me) in a nook. One side of them was a huge generator, the other was the side of the dirt mound and the other was a huge stack of dead branches that have been piled up. I was curious more than fearful so I stood there and stared at them for about 45 sec before I called the dogs and walked back. So odd. They just stood there too. One had is back to me the whole time and the other tried to have a staring contest with me and if you know me you know...I always win at those! I just shrugged my shoulders and let them carry on what ever they were doing prior to my arrival.

Later I chose to spoil my Jeep with a car wash. This time I went to a do it yourself place rather than pay $30 for it (watching the pennies for that condo!). Man alive did it bring back memories of my childhood. I remember taking the car in with my mom and brother and having a speed wash. Someone would be at the machine to hit pre-soak or foam brush or power wash when needed. The other two of us were stationed on each side of the car to do trade offs. (We did that when we vacuumed the car too). I'll admit I didn't beat the clock. In fact I had to put another dollar in to finish my rinse. Brent could have used you!

I love how impromtu my family is. We're really very laid back! Today we finally talked about what we're doing for Eater and at the last minute we're all meeting at Texas Roadhouse.What a place to have pre-Easter dinner. I'll I'm going to say is YUM YUM!! Dan are you with me?

Training...

A lot of people ask what kind of training I do for the half or full marathons. I stumbled into this book, Marathoning for Mortals.

I follow the training really close and have noticed an increase in strength and endurance. The half that I did in AZ was a personal record. I was very proud of that and know that it had 90% to do with the training. (The other 10% was the weather.)

Off the topic there's a lot that's been going on the last week. Just to keep everyone up to speed. This past weekend I went up to Folsom and spent the day with my brother-in-law and looked at houses and condos. I feel in love with a condo there. I'm trying to get pre-approved so when we need to attack with an offer we'll be ready. I'm also doing some networking and looking at getting a new job in the Sacramento area because the commute would be unbearable from Folsom to Manteca. Also with the price of gas...it would put me in a poor house.

Next topic...eye exams.

Have you ever come out of a dentist office and just felt worked over? You look at yourself in the mirror and you look so jacked up that it appears you were an extra for Born on the 4th of July. I felt the same way yesterday with my eye exam. Some of the things I was told yesterday during my visit, here look at this...blink more, try not to blink, count how many dots you see, what's the smallest line you can read, which is better 1 or 2, here is 1 and here is 2, 1 again, now 2, here's some drops to dilate your eyes and while we're waiting go look at some frames and pick a pair out that you like. That one was my favorite since first, I don't have my contacts in so there's that. Then second I can hardly stand to keep my eyes open since the sunshine was so bright and my pupils were so big it looked like I just finished hot boxing it. I'm scared to see what frames that I selected really do look like.

To be continued...

Super Hero

I had to take this test to see what I would be. I wanted to be Wonder Woman but hey I'll take Flash!!
See results on lower right hand side.

Random!

Today had a chain of random events that took place. Not saying any were bad but there wasn't a smooth flow that connected each one. Usually you plan and place a certain amount of time aside to do each errand and such. Nope not today. Regular work day but at 1:30 my boss/friend Mike Moore invited me and a co-worker of ours join him at the driving range. Just to blow a little steam and "step away" for a period of time. At first I was a bit apprehensive because the last time the three of us went I couldn't even hit the ball. I was concentrating WAY too much. We went to a different place this time. The weather was beautiful and there were tons of gofers playing dodgeball and running all over the place. I wasn't so much focused on how I was hitting it but where. I will not lie, I wanted to hit a gofer. It was so much fun. (I hit two but only dazed one). We did that for about an 1 1/2 hours then back to life, back to reality...(are you singing the song in your head too?)

I came home, fed the dogs and was excited for a small nap (got to bed late last night). As soon as I snuggled in my bed and got cozy I looked at my clock and read 4:30. BAM! Holy crap I have a doctor's apt at 4:30. I got my A out of bed and safely drove to the doctor's office. Here in Manteca everything is close. This was scheduled for my after Mexico trip. I had two what he calls "skin tags" that needed to be removed. Not cancerous or anything just bothersome so he took both off lickety split! My favorite part was when he put on one of those small circle band-aids he said now it may bleed more later at home but DON'T FREAK OUT! I'm like um yeah it's going to take a lot more to FREAK me out. Then he did the 2nd one and said the exact same thing and I then said to him, I swear I won't FREAK OUT! So funny, he must have had some *hypos call him after something like this, FREAKING OUT, wondering why he made them bleed so bad. Hehehehehe. Hypos make me laugh.

Then I went and got 50 lbs of dog food across the street.

I looked at my tires and someone on Monday told me my back one was low and I saw another one that was low too so I shimmed to Chevron where air is free and dog-gone-it, out of order. No worries, I jumped in my car and drove to the next gas station down the street. Air, out of order. RATS! I got back in and drove to the next one. It cost $.75 but hey I was totally cool with that. As I'm "filling" the first tire I notice movement. I got my gage out and saw that I had lost 5 lbs of air. Opps I thought to myself I must have been day dreaming and don't have it one right. I focused and the tire got worse. My tire was down to 15lbs of air left. CRAP! (I even took a key to the pump and pressed on it and nada) No good. I went inside the store to tell the worker/and or owner. I said, I just wanted you to know your air machine runs but there is no air that comes out. He said here take some tokens and try again. No thanks I can't afford to loose any more air out of my tires. He really wanted me to try again. I said, I honestly don't care about the $.75 but thought you should have it looked at.

I then went to another gas station and yes the air was working and this time it was only $.50. JACKPOT! I filled up the first and second tire. The third one I noticed was really bald. Then the last rear tire was super flat...looking closer I had a dang nail on the side. Knowing I've had one like this before they can't patch it, you have to get a new one. With that in mind I drove straight to and bought 4 new ones. It was time any way and they still had 30 min till close... so I told the guy behind the counter, DO IT. The reason why I went there. Their customer service is amazing. I've gone in there twice in the past. Once concerning mine tire and once with someone else. Neither of us bought our tires there and they fixed both of our tires with no charge or guilt or anything. They just said, happy to do it. So you bet your sweet ass I'm going to return to buy my new tires there! I did just that. Happy to give them my business!

*hypercondriac

CEO of Pulte and a cookie

Okay, so it's that time of year when the CEO of Pulte Homes Inc. travels to all divisions to meet, brain storm, and answer questions with the employees every year. After he did his presentation as the Central Valley and Bay Area Division meet we break for lunch. Later there are about 20 of us that got invited for a return visit to meet with him for a round table. We were all sitting around a very large table waiting for him. He came in placed a half eaten cookie on the table and said I'll be right back. I looked across the table and two of our sales reps said they'd give me $50 bucks if I took a bite of his cookie. Are you kidding? Done and done! That's a no brainer. I grabbed his cookie and took a bite out of the other side that hadn't been touched and placed it back on his napkin and slid it back to the original position. I looked up and saw my boss look at me like, not the most professional thing to do Kellie. I began to squirm in my chair and ran to the room next door where they had those cookies. I grabbed the last of the chocolate chip and threw his away and placed it where he was sitting seconds before he came back in.

He came and said Wow I leave and get a fresh new cookie, how's that for excellence. And that's all that was said. He had us do a round table of introductions. When it came to me I introduced myself and after the sales rep pipped in and said, she's the one that brought you the new cookie. It's because she took a bit out of yours. He looked over at me, red faced I shrugged my shoulders and said they paid me $50 bucks to do it. He laughed and said, yeah I don't blame you I would have done it too.

I actually only got $20 out of it since I replaced with a new one but still...$20. I'm cool with that!

Spring is in the air

This past weekend I took a look at my back yard and was embarrassed that while I was in Mexico there quite a few people that were at my place to feed the dogs. It really is a site...my yard/jungle. My back yard is a field in it's self. (The dogs are so lucky!!) I decided to tackle that beast. I weed eatted and mowed for 2.5 hours on Saturday. I actually had to stop because I filled up my green waste to the rim (and packed). I'm not even a third done with it. But it felt good to get a start on it. I love this time of year when people are smiling more, wanting to be outside and soak up the sun. I got bite by the spring cleaning bug. I looked at my next door neighbor's tree and saw the beautiful blossoms.

Here in the Central Valley there are acres and acres of Almond trees. March is always an amazing month to see these trees in bloom. I do feel for those that have allergies during this time. Brent that includes you too. Don't forget to get your shot.

I made the cut!

Thursday afternoon on the superintendents told me that I had made the wall in a porta-potty on the job site. It's about freakin' time! He said it was a drawing of a girl in a swimsuit. Yesterday I asked him which one it was so I could take a picture and post it and he told me he already cleaned it up. I love that guy! Now that's respect! I'm sure it was something like this...

Last hours in Cabo

This morning I was planning on waking up at 6 and going to watch the sunrise. I did get up at 6 but I was so bummed that we were leaving. I laid in bed listening to the waves crash from our room. It's almost like I didn't want to make it harder to leave. Such a beautiful place...
We grouped our things together and were off for the day of travel.

1. A 50 minute drive to the airport.
2. Then we waited there for the next two hours, people watching. Having a contest who could find someone with the worst burn.
3. While boarding we took our last bit of Mexican sun walking up to our plane. 2 hour flight
4. We arrived at the Sky Harbor Airport and hung out for another few hours. (going through immigration they thought they may need an interpreter for Megan) hehehe
5. Good byes to Megan and Alison as they went to gate B for their flight to Salt Lake City and my gate A for Sacramento.
6. When I boarded my plane there was a woman holding her baby sitting in my assigned seat so I said no biggie where's you're seat at and I'll just sit there. It was also a window seat but the two people next to me equaled about 600 lbs. They were nice and made sure they gave me plenty of room. I thank them VERY much for that. It was a 1 1/2 hour flight. I was starting to get a little antsy. When we had to put our tray tables to the upright and locked position they also have you bring your seat up as well. When they came by they asked the man in my row to pull his seat up and he said (quote of the day) I never pushed it back, honey I didn't I really didn't and now I can't get it to come back up. Poor man!
7. My parents met me with my Jeep at the airport so I can just shimmy home. It was so nice to see two smiling faces happy of my return since it was so bummed. Thanks guys!
8. An hour drive back to Manteca!

Sorry folks no pictures today.

Good night!

Day 7 in Cabo

We had definite plans to go snorkeling today. I went for my last run in the sand. (very sad) When I got to the room Megan and Alison we're up and getting their things ready. We needed to wait till 9am to call to confirm for our taxi the next day. Afterwords we took off with snorkels in hand (that we purchased at Walmart in Mexico). We took the city transportation, autobus al Chileno Bay. The water was cold but once we got used to it, no problem. I saw a blow fish, not spiky but it was the highlight of the underwater experience for me.



After we laid in the sun for a few hours then we started getting hungry. We decided to go straight to the hotel's pool order nachos and spend our last day in the sun. To make the following hours short we all got a bit too much sun. We then headed back to the room for our last night in Cabo. We agreed not to talk about it so we didn't get the blues. We went to dinner at an amazing place on the marina called Solomon's. Great fish, fajitas, shrimp and amazing limeade. Mmmmm

After dinner we still had some last minute shopping to do but what you think we were going to enjoy such a perfect day/evening and not get yummy ice-cream. I think not!! We all had the same intention, go out to dinner, shop come back to the hotel change and go dancing one last night. During our time shopping I was in a store paying for a t-shirt. Usually when you pay with American money they give you back the change in pesos. I asked the lady in Spanish (quote of the day) Can I get my change in pain? Dollars and pain are very simular in Spanish and he giggled a bit and I realized what I had said. I quickly corrected myself and left with my tail between my legs. :0)

By the time we got back to the hotel it was around 10pm and faced the reality that we were spent, long day. We packed most of our things. It was a quiet good night.

Day 6 in Cabo

This morning we took our time getting up. I decided my legs needed a break from the morning runs on the beach so I slept in as well. We decided what a perfect day to do a little photo shoot on our way to the marina. We really were starting to get into it. Now turn your face a little more to the right and okay go back that was better.


We caught a water taxi. We jut asked him to take us to the Arches and back. There's one thing about Cabo. It has both the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean that surround it. Sea of Cortez much more calm. Our hotel is on the Pacific side and you can't even get in the water that's how violent it is. Lover's Beach is a beach that connects the Pacific to the Sea of Cortez.


On our way back to the hotel we decided to get a late lunch at Las Quesadillas, again. We met Javier who hangs at the restaurant all day and signs people up for activities. We were asking him questions about how he got to be where he is at. No lie he pulled up a chair and continued talking to us while we were snacking on our chips and salsa. Megan asked why he didn't stay in Mexico City where he was from. Which leads to the quote of the day...his reply was, there's 25 million Mexicans there. I'm sorry but that's way too many Mexicans for me.

We then headed back to the hotel to get some late sunshine in. We ran into our San Diego friends who were checking out. Wow - boys next time you may want to wear sunblock and drink some water. They were hurtin'.

It was cold at the pool. The wind was blowing and we didn't last too long out there. We called it a day. I did however enjoy a massage at the hotel. LOVED LOVED LOVED!!
Ate peanut butter and jam sandwiches for dinner and watched a movie.

Day 5 in Cabo

I'm so glad we went out dancing on Friday night. We had a blast and I was able to get the quote of the day late that night. So let me set the stage. This place is like LA for the most part, most locals speak English as well. We're walking down the marina and like everywhere else the host is talking to us and trying to have us stop by their Cantina for "free margaritas". We laugh at what he's saying and keep walking. Then he yells out, "Come on ladies don't be Mexican!" Not sure what that meant but dang it was funny.

Day 5...in the morning I went for a bit of a run and went rock climbing. Since we are at the very tail end we could walk to the arches if it was possible but there's a few rocks that get in the way. There's a mountain with a cross on the top that is the trade mark here and I thought it would be fun to climb to it. That was a work out!

We then had another day at the pool. We all came out in our black suits. We left pretty early because it was it got to be so hot outside. It was the hottest day since we got here. This picture is us doing a Charlie's Angel set up. That's all we hear as we walk by vendors. It gets old very fast.

We decided to go to the market down at the bottom of the street where our hotel is and we got some sodas. While we were doing that I was speaking to the salesman in Spanish and Megan chimed in Portuguese. While he went back to get our change two tourists that were looking at shorts sold at the same area as the sodas turned to Megan and asked here how much they were. So funny, did they really think she is a local? We laughed so hard we almost peed. At least once a day Megan gets some remark from a local or tourist that she's Mexican. :0) Later that eveing. And we wonder why they think she's a local. Could it be due to the dancing in the streets?

We then went out for the evening. I wasn't feeling that hot. Not sure it was do to the heat but I was not feeling it. We went to our friends place to say hello since they're leaving the next day.

Then we stopped at Hard Rock Cafe. We were all hungry for a burger. We asked our waiter to take a picture of us and misunderstood and before we knew it we had all the waiters and one random guy over at our table.

After dinner we stopped by 5 different dance clubs and didn't stay at any of them so we came home very early that night. That's okay, more sleep for us.