So I took My Kid to See Katy Perry

Last summer Katy Perry tickets went on sale - I was lucky enough to grab three in the first 5 minutes.. Man - they went fast... I bought them for me and my two girls.. After I purchased them - my oldest informed me that she had no interest in going... Not her style... So I took my youngest and her friend... I was amazed how versatile the audience was.. I think everyone that came to the concert left feeling satisfied... The concert was at the Staples Center in Los Angeles two days before Thanksgiving...


My kid singing to I Kissed A Girl and I liked it... ha

Best Buy or Fry's - Who Has The Best Service?

Several years ago I bought a HP desktop computer from Fry's Electronics... I purchased the three (3) year warranty... In less than a year - my computer stopped working - I brought it down to Fry's - stood in the help line for over 15 minutes before someone bothered to look up at me... Then another 30 minutes for the "technician" to plug the unit in... look at the unit... Only to confirm that Yes - it's broken and Yes -it needs to be sent out to the manufacture and Yes - it would take up to three (3) weeks to get my computer back. After a couple of days - I received a phone call from the service department - telling me that the mother board was shot and some other major component was broken - the problems were covered in the warranty I purchased and I should get the unit back in a couple of weeks.... Well a couple of weeks went by... another week went by - finally I got the call that my computer was ready for pick up....

I was very happy to get my computer back until.... I learned that many of the drivers were missing... and many of the same problems were appearing... Took the computer back - only to find out that the mother board was never touched... In addition - something about the back up was messed up and long story short - Fry's messed up and HP would no longer honor my warranty. Fry's had their heads up their butts because apparently they had no idea what they had done wrong and had no idea on how to fix it... I spent over $1500 for this computer and I was stuck with trash.... Fry's would not offer a refund... or a comparable computer... I was screwed... I run a business and cannot work without a computer - so I had to buy another computer and I was NOT going to buy it at Fry's!

I went to Best Buy and right away - I felt a higher quality of service... So much in fact that - I have purchased several computers for my home and office - In addition to the products - the "Geek Squad" rocks... My first experience with them was when they networked my office - I had 3 computers and an assortment of printers that needed to work together - The Geek had me up in running right away and explained to me in detail on how to maintain my network.... And my most recent interaction with them was when my daughters' computer was attacked by a yucky virus... They immediately knew what virus it was - they offered to back up my computer in case anything got lost... (Fry's never offered this).. I purchased a 24/7 Tech support - that helps with anything from removing viruses to installing software to my computer is acting weird and I need you to look at it remotely... Wherever I am - I'm covered.....

I am not a computer savvy person - but I feel confident that any computer problems I have Best Buy is there for me... AND I just bought my first refrigerator in 23 years from Best Buy last month - I loved the fact that I could use their credit card and use it as the same as cash.. no finance charges... no interest.... Would you believe that this post is NOT a Best Buy paid advertisement? It's true... I've been so happy with Best Buy that I wanted to share my experiences... I am however - an approved affiliate for Best Buy but that's it....

Did you know that you can Buy Online, Pickup in Your Local Best Buy® Store. - I like this...

What I Don't Like About Being Married!

After almost 23 years of marriage I have finally figured out what I don't like about being married....  No, I have not filed for divorce... it's a little too late for that - he's stuck with me... poor guy..

So here goes....

I HATE sharing a bed.... that's it...  I want my space... I want the TV to not exist... and when I snore - I don't want to be woken up by the grumpy monster husband saying - "Kelly, You're snoring!!! KELLY, YOU"RE SNORING!!  KELLY, YOU'RE SNOORRRRRIIIIIINNNNNNNGGGGGG!!!! Last night after he woke me up- he fell back asleep and started to power snore - I'm telling you - the neighbors were yelling at us to stop the racket....  So I kicked him and asked him to politely to roll over about 20 times... "Dusty - roll over... Dusty would you please roll over... Dusstttyyyyyyyyyyy - I'm tired and you're snoring.. Pllllllllleeeeeassee roll over...." as tears of sheer frustration roll down my check..  I feel like I've hardly had any sleep at all...

So that's it - that's what I don't like about being married....  Solution?  I'm thinking of converting the "game room" into my own private suite with deep jacuzzi tub and tons and tons of closets....  Do ya think I can convince the husband????



         

My Dad Remembered This Christmas Season....

When I was in the 7th grade my school had a Christmas concert...  Back in 1977 - Christmas was still celebrated in the public schools... No one thought anything of it...  It was a different time....

My parents came to watch me and my classmates sing our hearts out... Now I have to tell you something... I am by far the worst singer I have ever heard... I'm down right awful... But I do love to sing and Christmas carols are my most favorite... So any way back to my big night performance...  My mom and dad were in the audience watching their favorite youngest daughter sing..  On the last song - all the kids circled the auditorium and we sang my dad's favorite song....  Oh Holy Night...  I remember seeing him standing there next to my mom... His eyes were glistening from the tears he shed...  After the show.... he swore he could hear me sing... and he said I sounded like an angel....  I know he was telling a tale... but it still made me feel special..

This Christmas will be the 3rd one without my dad... But he was with me today - while the radio played Oh Holy Night.....

Breakfast With My Baby...

Today my 8th grade daughter had a late start at school... So I dropped off the high schooler at her normal time and then treated my baby to a mom/daughter breakfast.... There was a time when she and I would talk and talk... laugh - tell and listen to stories... But now that she is thirteen..... We mostly had silence.... Although I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with my beautiful girl... I miss the conversations we used to share.....

Digging into her cinnamon roll french toast

Getting ready to take her first bite...

Now she's done and ready to puke... SOOO MUCH FOOOD


I was hungry for the Denver potato pancakes.... They were soo rich - had a hard time eating more than a few bites...

Destroy Your Hotel Room Keys.... Here's Why!

Ever wonder what is on your magnetic key card?
Answer:
a. Customer's name
b. Customer's partial home address
c. Hotel room number
d. Check-in date and out dates
e. Customer's credit card number and expiration date!

When you turn them in to the front desk your personal information is there for any employee to access by simply scanning the card in the hotel scanner.. An employee can take a hand full of cards home and using a scanning device, access the information onto a laptop computer and go shopping at your expense.
Simply put, hotels do not erase the information on these cards until an employee reissues the card to the next hotel guest. At that time, the new guest's information is electronically 'overwritten' on the card and the previous guest's information is erased in the overwriting process.

But until the card is rewritten for the next guest, it usually is kept in a drawer at the front desk with YOUR INFORMATION ON IT!

The bottom line is: Keep the cards, take them home with you, or destroy them. NEVER leave them behind in the room or room wastebasket, and NEVER turn them into the front desk when you check out of a room. They will not charge you for the card (it's illegal) and you'll be sure you are not leaving a lot of valuable personal information on it that could be easily lifted off with any simple scanning device card reader.

For the same reason, if you arrive at the airport and discover you still have the card key in your pocket, do not toss it in an airport trash basket. Take it home and destroy it by cutting it up, especially through the electronic information strip!

If you have a small magnet, pass it across the magnetic strip several times. Then try it in the door, it will not work. It erases everything on the card.

Information courtesy of: Metropolitan Police Service. Canada

And The Winner Is.......

Okay - The way I came up with the winner of the $25 Godiva gift card is a little strange considering all the different computer ways a entry can be pulled... I decided to Brown Bag it...

First I had my daughter cut up each comment - a total of 50..



Then I put the entries in a "you got it" - a brown paper bag...



Then I reached in and I pulled out The Winner.....



The Winner Is Dee G - I will contact you via email for your mailing address..

Congratulations!!

$25 Godiva Gift Card Giveaway!

I get to have a giveaway - yea.... And it's not just any kind of giveaway - it's chocolate... Twenty-five dollars worth of yummy yummy chocolate... So this is what you have to do....

Follow Me On Blogger/Google or whatever you want to call it....
Follow Me On Twitter.
Like Me On Facebook.
AND.....
Leave a Comment about What You Are Thankful For...

That's It - Oh and be sure to leave me your email address on one of your entries..

Winner Will Be Announced On Monday - November 14..

A Video Interview With My 13 Year Old Daughter

So last week we were in the parking lot of Trader Joe's waiting for my other daughter to finish her appointment... We had a camera... we were bored.. And here you go...


It's so different to see her with dark brown hair... she went from this two weeks ago..



To This.... I think she is beautiful either way....

Haley Has Gone Home....

Yesterday in the late afternoon -Haley went away..... She wasn't in any pain and her loving family was by her side... She fought a good fight... She was a lady to the end....

Everyone wanted a miracle.... a true healing of her body.... but that was not to be.... Today and forever more - a family will grieve the loss of their beautiful daughter.... sweet sister.

Please pray for this amazing family during this sad sad time..

Not Wanting To Let Go....

Last night Haley's parents posted on Haley's Facebook page that Haley's kidneys have stopped working and now is the time to make Haley comfortable and try to prepare themselves to say good-bye to their baby.... The update was made over 15 hours ago and I do not know if anything has changed... I do know that Haley has touched so many lives with her strength and courage during her fight... Currently there are over 100 comments on Haley's status and 36 re-shares... No one wants to give up on this precious life... We have been praying.... crying... making bargains with God... We want to believe that some how some way - She can be saved... She should live the incredible life that was in front of her a year ago... A star volleyball player at her high school.. A young girl with too many friends to count.. A girl whose beauty took your breath away.... A smile that was contagious... A girl in so many ways just like her mom... A mom I have known for over 35 years.....

Cathie and I on my wedding day

I regret that I never had a chance to "know" Haley... I remember the day she was born on April Fool's Day - I remember holding her when she was only a couple of days old... As the years went by - Cathie and I would try our best to get together for a movie or dinner. We both were working moms and it was very difficult at times for us to see each other.. But when we did - we started right where we left off... We would have little get togethers at each others' homes... I remember a particular New Year's Eve at Cathie's home and Haley and Ashley played with my two girls so that we adults could bring the New Year in.... I always enjoyed the stories about Haley... her funny and quirky ways... her amazing talent in volleyball... and I still have every Christmas card that Cathie sent out every year with her and her sister Ashley's picture... During the past year - I have seen how much Haley has meant to her friends and family.. What an amazing girl/woman she is...

No parent should ever have to say good bye to their child and I know that Haley's parents are going through the roughest time of their lives... I cannot stop crying - because I can see both of them in my mind's eye and it's so heartbreaking.... There is nothing at this moment in time that will ease their hearts.. or minds.. They are sad.. They are destroyed right now... and only time will lesson the pain..... A lot of time....

Praying For God To Say YES!

I'm mad... I'm sad... I'm wondering why God lets awful things happen... If you have been following my blog this year - you may have seen and/or read several posts about a young girl named Haley who is fighting a rare disease called Myelodyspastic syndrome (MDS).. At first - we were looking for people willing to sign up as a bone marrow donor via Be The Match. Many people signed up and after a few months a donor was found...

In August - Haley started chemotherapy to get her body ready for the donor marrow... She received the transplant... Within a week - She was not feeling well and was advised that she had a deadly fungal infection in both of her lungs... The doctors tried to prepare the family to say their goodbyes.... All of a sudden - the idea to get donor white cells to fight the infection came up... People showed up in droves to UCLA Medical center to donate their white cells - ( a long 3 day process).... Haley's lungs were clearing up - She was taken off life support and a light at the end of the tunnel was starting to be seen... The possibility of coming home by Halloween was even discussed... until...

Haley started to feel poorly again by the beginning to middle of September... October 5th - Haley learned that the transplant did not work... By October 14th she is back in ICU in need of oxygen... Every day - getting worse... Every day Haley's mom, dad, family, and friends watch Haley go further away.. Many of Haley's friends have come by to love her.. share stories with her... two of Haley's favorite bands were even allowed to serenade her in ICU this weekend.. Such an outpouring of love... prayers... compassion... and an over powering feeling of helplessness....

I know this is not about me... I get it... But I can't help but feel so mad... I can picture in my mind -my life long friend (Haley's mom) cuddling in bed with her baby girl.. Wishing like hell she could switch places with her... I can't help but wonder where is God in this... Why does it feel that He is sitting back and just waiting to take Haley home? I hate being mad at Him... But I would be a liar if I said that I wasn't... This is not fair... This sucks.... and I want to fix it!!!!

I had a daughter that passed away shortly after she was born... Many of my friends felt very uncomfortable.. not knowing what to say... feeling helpless... trying to avoid the topic of my loss... avoiding me because they to wanted to fix it.... I would hear those little sayings that people say in a time of loss - things like... "She's in Heaven visiting with her grandparents" or my personal favorite - "Heaven is this perfect place and could not be perfect without children" Well - you know what - these sayings are crap... So if you find yourself wanting to comfort a friend with these stupid little sayings.. do everyone a favor and don't - hug them instead... or just be still....

So today, November 6 - Haley is still fighting for her life... Her family and friends by her side... Today I am Praying for God to say "YES - I will heal her body" "YES - I will give Haley's family a HUGE miracle"....

Would You Consider This Bullying???

Casey is a somewhat shy high school girl - She is a nice girl.. Never likes to draw attention to herself.. She is pretty but doesn't think so... She has a hard time verbally saying what she wants to say - she gets very tongue tied... She is a day dreamer... She always wants to make people happy and is fearful of hurting others feelings..

Now Tell Me If You Think She Is Being Bullied....

Casey loves Science and would look forward to going to class everyday until.....

Eva and Ashley are two girls in her class.. Everyday before class - Eva (the ring leader) would tell Casey that she "loved her" and thought she was "hot"... Ashley would go along with whatever Eva said or did... In class - Eva sits in front of Casey and when the teacher is not looking Eva would put her arms behind her and try to grab Casey or Casey's belongings.. Once Eva grabbed something - whether it's a book or Casey's long hair - Eva would take it or pull it.. Casey would ask her to stop in an embarrassed voice - But Eva persists..

As the weeks and months pass by - Eva and Ashley are more aggressive in their pursuit to harass Casey.. They will say things like - Casey - I want to kiss you - can I meet your parents so we could go out on a date.. Oh, Caseyyyyy - Oh Caseyyyyy -(this is during group time) - Casey will ignore Eva but the other kids in the group would laugh at Casey.. (as is the case in most bullying scenarios)... Most of the harassing is of a sexual nature...

This treatment does not happen on occasion it happens everyday - so much in fact that Casey no longer wants to go this class...

Would Love to hear what you think...

Urgent - A Miracle and Hope Is Needed

I have written many posts about my friend Cathie's daughter Haley... Many of you have prayed... sent cards/letters, donated money to help the family, and have ordered donor kits (bone marrow donor) from Be The Match... I have no doubt that God is hearing our prayers and I have no doubt that Haley and her family feel blessed to know that there are so many people - friends and strangers pulling for Haley to have a full recovery...

Yesterday - Haley's Facebook page was updated... to let us know that Haley had another lung biopsy... and that she is back on a ventilator because she is having more difficulty breathing... This poor young lady must be so tired of this roller coaster ride she has been on for the past year... And to think that she has been in the hospital since August... with her incredibly brave mom by her side everyday... every night... every step....

While writing this post - Haley's Facebook page had another update...... I have copied and pasted the text below....

Haley is still very sick. Fever of about 105 and needing more oxygen on the vent. Preliminary results look like a fungal infection. Doctors are not giving us much hope at this time. Please keep your prayers coming.

You can find Haley's story on my sidebar - You can stay updated by going to Haley's Facebook page...

Thank you for your prayers and thoughts for this incredible family.. A family that if you knew them up close and personal - you could not help but love them like I do.