Sunday, January 31, 2010



This is my friend Nathaniel, better known as Bumblebee. He wanted to be Michael Jackson for Halloween but he settled on bumblebee the transformer. He told us that so often that we started calling him bumblebee. He is a joy, so much fun to be around, loves to dance, sing and play. I love this kid who in this pic is covered in blue shaving cream. He insisted on coming to my office to show me. These are the moments that make me realize how lucky I am to do the work I do.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

no pic today. They say everyone has a breaking point. I found mine today. Heart sick

Thursday, January 28, 2010



As most everyone knows, my mother had a lupechtomy yesterday to remove a cancerous lump from her breast. So far the news is good, no cancer in the lymph nodes. Now we wait until next Friday to find out the stage, size, and if there were any cells surrounding the lump. God has been faithful and we are continuing to believe that there will be no cancerous cells and that it has been contained in that one lump. Our close family friend (and my nephew's mother in law) made this quilt for my mom in honor of her battle. The center square is the breast cancer ribbon with a scripture of encouragement. the squares surrounding it are t-shirts from all four of us kids. mine is on the left, the red minnie mouse and you can't really see it, but my Paula Deen shirt! The quilt turned out gorgeous and mom loves it!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010


Yum, chocolate lava cake from Chili's! My friend and employee Carmen had a birthday on Wednesday and our staff took her to lunch at onen of her favorite places. We laughed, joked, ate and enjoyed this fabulous dessert. The food was good, but the company was better. I'm so lucky to work with such amazing people who make going to work a pleasure!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010



Simply amazing. Starbucks double chocolate cupcake. A mouthful of sinfully rich chocolate cake covered in the most delicious frosting you will ever put in your mouth. It is a ball of delight, a jewel to be treasured and experience to savor. I just had to buy this one today in honor of my friend Lori. Her birthday is today and I didn't feel like I could pay her tribute without consuming this wonderful piece of joy. So, for you Lori, I sacraficed and wallowed in complete and utter satisfaction. Thank you and Happy Birthday. Oh, and I get to do it all over again for Carmen's birthday tomorrow! Bahahahahahahahaha!

Have I told you lately how much I love my job? The picture is a picture of the new website I developed for our preschool. You can check us out at www.mantecachristianpreschool.com
I have an amazing staff of women who love the kids and do the very best job possible! I'm so lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful people. We have the best parents and the world's most amazing kids! I'm one lucky girl!!!

Sunday, January 24, 2010



Behold the beauty of the pierced ear! They say the third times a charm and I'm the sucker who believes it. The first time I had my ears pierced I was eleven and my cousin stuck a needle through my ear. I'm pretty sure I made less noise then than when I felt the gun shoot this little baby into my ear today. The second time I got them pierced was in the nineties and that lasted awhile. I guess I got lazy and let them close again. Today was the day, took a trip to the mall and let them defile my ear lobe once again. I keep forgetting they are there, but I vow to keep them healthy and never let them close again!


Terri and I went to Karen and Randy Robinson's for dinner last night. After an amazing meal of home made chicken and dumplings Terri and Karen decided to play the Wii. It was pretty hysterical when Terri was bowling and her remote flew off her wrist and hit the painting above the tv. Thank God it wasn't the tv! After that debacle, they took on boxing. It was pretty funny. They were both sweating and exhausted when they finished. I stayed in the peanut gallery!

Generations. Maverick and great grandma Joyce on Friday night. Maverick is trying to "school" gma in the fine art of super mario on ds. She didn't really get it but she enjoyed the lesson!

Thursday, January 21, 2010



This is the result of what I like to call the "Great Umbrella Debacle of 2010". After watching my umbrella, broken and torn, fly through the neiborhood yesterday I was left without protection from the elements. I found myself having to brave the current downpour and go to the other side of the campus. Always looking for creative ways to protect my do, I put a very nice pink gift bag over my head and it worked very well. Of course, the kids and teachers got a kick out of it! I do what I can to provide comic relief for all of those around me.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010


I wish this had been video taped because it was one of the funniest moments in my life. The weather as most of you know was off the heazy this morning. Brilliant me decided to open my umbrella so I would be covered during my 5 foot walk to my car from the garage. Needles to say, my umbrella turned inside out and the wind was not letting me open my car door. My sister Terri was in her car next to me laughing hysterically! I was still hanging on to the umbrella after I threw myself in the front seat of my car. Terri was frantically trying to tell me through large hand gestures and sign language to let go. I didn't want to let it go for fear that it would scratch her car or my borther in laws truck. After several futile attempts to get the unbrella to turn the right side so I could get it in the car, I let it go. And...it landed on my winshield and hooked onto my wipers. I look at Terri who is now more hysterical adn turn the wipers on. It finally let go and landed on the garage. Terri pulled out and called me, laughing so hard she could barely talk. Here is my poor beaten down umbrella in the neighbor's yard ready to continue it's journey down the street. I gotta tell you, I do feel guilty that my umbrella might possibly do damage to someone elses property, but a girl has to protect her hair from the elements no matter what the cost!


My mom, Joyce. We went to the surgeon yesterday to find out what the next course of treatment will be. After being dignosed with breast cancer last week, mom will be under going a lumpechtomy followed by five weeks of daily radiation. We will not know the stage of the cancer or if it has spread until the surgery is complete. My mother is a strong woman, a fighter and she will make it through. Thank you for your prayers, your thoughts and concern. We will continue to need your support and well wishes!

Monday, January 18, 2010


finger
noun
Definition:
appendage of hand
Synonyms:
antenna, claw, digit, extremity, feeler, hook*, pinky, pointer, tactile member, tentacle
Man's first tool, you can pretty much do everything with it. Eat, pick, flick, draw, poke, rub, point, gesture etc. It is the greatest and cheapest of all tools. Enjoy and appreciate you finger!

Sunday, January 17, 2010

This is my nephew, Maverick Zepplin Bruns, yes that is his real name. He's a real cool dude who has been sporting his signature mohawk since he was two months old. He will be 5 in June and brings a lot of joy to all of us. His mohawk is flat tonight because he has been sick and it is a relaxed kinda day for him. He loves staying with "grammy" (my sister Terri) so he is here with us tonight. He is a kick and you would love his personality. His playroom here at grammy's was converted into my bedroom. He walked by when he got here and exclaimed! "Cuuute!" this is soooo Cute! Bahahahaha

Saturday, January 16, 2010


Team Work! Today was moving day. I have moved in with my sister Terri who lost her husband in December. She and Tony built this home together 27 years ago and I am happy to live in this home. Here is my new room, Cindy (our friend) and Terri are hanging my window valance. Nan, my other sister is supervising! lol. These peeps keep me laughin and are always there when I need something. So, if you need any work done around the house, give me a call, I hire them out!

Friday, January 15, 2010

No picture tonight, day 4. You think you are prepared to hear the work until it comes out of the Doctors mouth. Cancer. We were told today my 78 year old mother has breast cancer. Shock, fear, anguish, hope, are all the emotions I felt at hearing the diagnoses. I actually felt an icy chill move through my body. My prayers are for her and what she faces, the fear she feels and the mind numbing shock that is swirling around her. If you read this, pray for Joyce, my mom.

Thursday, January 14, 2010


Day 3. This is the Bible I received when I was fifteen. Do the math and you'll see that I've had it for 34 years. Time and use has frayed the edges some, but it is still the one book I can always count on. It is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. At this time in my life I find myself burdened with sorrow at the loss of my brother in law, filled with sadness for friends and family who are experiencing marital problems. I drive myself crazy trying to fix things that I have no control over. But I know one thing and that is the infallable word of God assures me that He is bigger than my troubles. That I may not be able to control the situation, but He can. He can heal the pain, He can fix people, He can open eyes and change hearts. I'm not a perfect person and don't always follow the path I should. I do know that this book will comfort me, assure me and lead me in the direction I need to go. It's not about religion, it's a manual on relationships. If I "let go and let God" then things will turn out according to His will. I will lay it at his feet, pray for those I love and be there for them no matter what. I pray that God will work in your heart today and comfort the injuries that life throws at us. Call on His name and let Him carry the load.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Venti Black Iced Tea with one sweet n low. Let me introduce you to the love of my life. The liquid in this cup is what gets me going in the mornings. I go by Starbucks everyday and pick up two on my way to work. They normally last me until about noon. If I have a busy evening ahead I may go back for one more. Some call it an addiction, I call it my lifeline. Tomato, tomahto, who cares. It makes me happy and right now I need all the happiness I can get. Just looking at the cup lifts my spirits and makes me smile. So, there you have it, day two of my 365 days of picture blogs. Behold the power of the Starbiz

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Day One of my 365 day of pictures blog. I will be taking one picture daily and then blogging about it. Wish me luck!
These two little darlings are my nice Reese and our friend Cannyon. They are best friends and love to hang out together. Cannyon is a camera ham and will pose anytime, anywhere. Reesie is in her serious stage right now, she likes to pose but only if it looks dramatic! They both bring me a lot of joy and I am thankful to have such little rays of sunshine to brighten my day!

Monday, January 11, 2010

Bogging is new to me, don't judge. I'm just starting and will see where this goes and what it means to me.