SUNSET....

This is what I get to see from my front yard. 

Sunsets are not only beautiful but have a special meaning.

Jen wrote this when she was in High School 

and was spending one weekend a month on the 

Golden Bear during her time as a Naval Sea Cadet.

Our Sunset

My first weekend at the California Maritime Academy, we had two hours of free time before lights went out. It was getting near sunset, so I decided I would go out and walk along the rocky beach and wait for the sun to say good night. The sky was painted with shades of every beautiful color that you can imagine. The colors overlapping to form newer colors, and those newer colors were overlapping to make even newer ones. 

The coldness started getting to me, and since I was only wearing a T-shirt and old sweats. I rolled myself into a ball trying to keep warmer so I could stay and watch this beautiful sight.

I couldn't take the coldness anymore, so I tried to get up and leave. My attempt to get up failed, and a warmth swept over me. I was suddenly blanketed with a fuzzy feeling, and no longer felt the desire to leave. In those few seconds my great grandpa Starich came to mind. The feeling that had all of a sudden over came me, was a great spiritual feeling.

I thought of all the good times we had had together, and thought that this one is just another memory that I will never, ever forget. This nice, comfortable feeling was given to me by him, and it abled me to stay and watch the amazing colors dance across the waves.

That night I got to share a beautiful sunset, and it will always be our sunset. I only regret not being able to see his gorgeous smile, it would've made the sunset more complete (and maybe a nibble on the ears). I am very greatful that after so long I cans have such a beautiful experience with him, even after it's been so long since he left us...though, he hasn't REALLY left us, we just can't see him.

                                                                                               Jenna Mary Jerich (Chastain)

I NEED THIS...

...TODAY, THIS WEEK...THE REST OF MY LIFE.

TO REALIZE...

To realize the value of ten years =

Ask a newly divorced couple.

To realize the value of four years =

Ask two, now single, high school sweethearts

To realize the value of one year =

Ask a student who has failed a final exam

To realize the value of nine months =

Ask a mother who gave birth to a still born child

To realize the value of one month =

Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby

To realize the value of one week =

Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize the value of one hour =

Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.

To realize the value of one minute =

Ask a person who has missed the train, bus or plane.

To realize the value of one second =

Ask a person who has survived an accident.

To realize the value of one millisecond =

ask the person who has won a silver medal

Time waits for no one.....

Treasure every moment.

THE SPOILED UNDER 40 CROWD!!

If you are 40 or older you will think this is hilarious!!!! 

When I was a kid, adults used to bore me to tears with their tedious diatribes about how hard things were. When they were growing up; what with walking Twenty-five miles to school every morning....Uphill... barefoot...BOTH ways 

Yadda, yadda, yadda 

And I remember promising myself that when I grew up, there was no way in hell I was going to lay a bunch of crap like that on my kids about how hard I had it and how easy they've got it! 

But now that.... I'm over the ripe old age of forty, I can't help but look around and notice the youth of today. 

You've got it so easy! I mean, compared to my childhood, you live in a damn Utopia! 

And I hate to say it, but you kids today, you don't know how good you've got it! 

I mean, when I was a kid we didn't have The Internet. If we wanted to know something, we had to go to the darn library and look it up ourselves, in the card catalogue!! 

There was no email!! We had to actually write somebody a letter - with a pen! Then you had to walk all the way across the street and put it in the mailbox and it would take, like, a week to get there! Stamps were 10 cents! 

Child Protective Services didn't care if our parents beat us. As a matter of fact, the parents of all my friends also had permission to kick our butts! Nowhere was safe! 

There were no MP3' s or Napsters! If you wanted to steal music, you had to hitchhike to the record store and shoplift it yourself! Or you had to wait around all day to tape it off the radio and the DJ would usually talk over the beginning and @#*% it all up! There were no CD players! We had tape decks in our car. We'd play our favorite tape and "eject" it when finished and the tape would come undone. Cause - that's how we rolled, dig? 

We didn't have fancy crap like Call Waiting! If you were on the phone and somebody else called they got a busy signal, that's it! And we didn't have fancy Caller ID either! When the phone rang, you had no idea who it was! It could be your school, your mom, your boss, your bookie, your drug dealer, a collections agent, you just didn't know!!! You had to pick it up and take your chances, mister! 

We didn't have any fancy Sony Playstation video games with high-resolution 3-D graphics! We had the Atari 2600! With games like 'Space Invaders' and 'Asteroids'. Your guy was a little square! You actually had to use your imagination!! And there were no multiple levels or screens, it was just one screen... forever! And you could never win. The game just kept getting harder and harder and faster and faster until you died! Just like LIFE! 

You had to use a little book called a TV Guide to find out what was on! You were screwed when it came t o channel surfing! You had to get off your ass and walk over to the TV to change the channel! NO REMOTES!!! 

There was no Cartoon Network either! You could only get cartoons on Saturday Morning. Do you hear what I'm saying!?! We had to wait ALL WEEK for cartoons, you spoiled little brats! 

And we didn't have microwaves, if we wanted to heat something up we had to use the stove! Imagine that! 

That's exactly what I'm talking about! You kids today have got it too easy. You're spoiled. You guys wouldn't have lasted five minutes back in the 60's or 70's! 

IT FEELS LIKE JUST YESTERDAY IT WAS THURSDAY...

I am thankful for:

Music: While commuting I think I would go nuts if I didn't have music to listen to. I listen to all kinds of music, but...I don't like rap...and country is my favorite. It just depends on what mood I am in for what I want to listen to. But thank goodness for music.

Awesome treadmill test: We are so blessed with the results from Pete's treadmill test. What a blessing to go through what he went through and be healthy now. Miracles really do happen.

Learning and retaining: Speaking of miracles...it has been a miracle that I have been able to learn what I have in training for booking. SO MUCH INFO...to remember and do. Praying that I will have a good week, retain what I learned last week and be open to learn new things this week. 

Signs: Simple little things that happen around me that bring memories of loved ones gone before. Like the smell of a certain flower,  a little humming bird fluttering around and the warm fuzzy feeling of someone near.

TREADMILL TEST

Pete went for his treadmill test yesterday.

 (the city is making him take a test every 6 months to make sure he is fit for duty). 

He was hooked up to all the little probs and monitors, 

did some walking and then some running.

 He has to do 12 mets in order to qualify, he did that and more. 

When he was finished the Dr looked and him, said 

"there is nothing wrong, you have a healthy heart" 

He also asked Pete 

"Are you sure you had a heart attack?" 

Wow, we were so excited.

Pete feels really good.

He has been eating healthy and working out.

We want him to keep his healthy heart.

Way to go!!!!

Keep up the good work!!!!

MY CELL PHONE....

...IS BROKEN

What did I ever do without a cell phone?

I have had mine for almost 20 years...YIKES!!!

My roller ball thing is broken, 

it is really hard to call, 

text or receive texts.

I called this morning for another one...

which is hopefully on its way...

BUT...

it will probably be crap...

then I will have to call again...

they will send me crap again...

which by the way,

each time they send me crap...

it costs me $50.00.

(we've been through this a few times,

that's how I know it is crap)

So after two times receiving crap, 

then they will let me purchase a new phone. 

Grrrrr, what a hassle.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

THINK GREEN...

I think this is an awesome idea and even better...

no dishes to wash after.

Thanks for informing me Matty!!!

TAKE OUT THE GARBAGE

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean he was really friendly.

So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!' This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, The Law of the Garbage Truck.'

 He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, resentments, anger, and frustration; so . . .

Love the people who treat you right.
Pray for the ones who don't.

Life is ten percent what you make it,
and ninety percent how you take it.

Have a blessed, garbage-free day!

WHY I BLOG...

You will have significant experiences. I hope that you will write them down and keep a record of them, that you will read them from time to time and refresh your memory of those meaningful and significant things. Some may be funny. Some may be significant only to you. Some of them may be sacred and quietly beautiful. Some may build one upon another until they represent a lifetime of special experience. --- Gordon B. Hinckley

JUST LIKE MOM

Driving home from work I always have my music on...really loud...I might even sing along.

On the way home the other day, I looked down and my thumbs were going to the beat of the music. I realized this is how my mom used to drive. She would have the music on, while listening to us go on and on about what was going on in our lives and her thumbs were moving to the beat of the music. Sometimes if we weren't talking she would sing along to the song. Her nails were long and always painted red. What a great memory.

Growing up you never want to be like your mom...now I am so thankful for the traits she handed down to me. Sometimes when say somthing or do something...I think oh my gosh I am turning into my mother. Now I am so happy to have those wonderful traits from a wonderful woman.

MILITARY MONDAY

STRENGTH

I had a tough week of training for booking. 

I have 3 to 4 more weeks to go.

OH MY GOSH!!!

So much to learn...So much to remember...So much to do.

I want to learn...I want to remember...I want to succeed.

A strong woman isn't afraid of anything...

but a woman of strength shows courage in the midst of her fear... 

A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey...

but a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will become strong..

I want to be a 

Woman of Strength

GIANTS BASEBALL

Last week Pete and I went to breakfast then headed to San Francisco to the Giants game. We had a great day and enjoyed a great game. Giants against the Braves...Giants won!!!
We always have a great time walking around the stadium and enjoying the scenery.

OH YEAH!!!!!

FRIDAY FUNNY

I got stopped for speeding yesterday! 

I THOUGHT I COULD TALK 

MY WAY OUT OF IT UNTIL THE OFFICER LOOKED AT 

MY DOG IN THE BACK SEAT 

(I especially like the claw marks 

in the leather seat.)

Have a great Friday!!

FOR MATTY!!!

*wink wink

HERE IT IS AGAIN...

I am thankful for:

Text messaging: I love the fact the if I have a question or want to say something but don't have time to make a phone call, I can text and usually get a reply back quickly. Pete and I stay in contact all day by texting, I can ask him to come by and see me on a break, to meet at Starbucks, that I am thinking about him, I miss him or that I love him. I love the fact that I can talk to my kids at anytime. I can also hook up with my friends by making plans by texting. Such a simple thing but so convenient.

Military men & women: So thankful and grateful for all they sacrifice, to give us so much. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, come home safely. To all the ones that gave their lives and their families who sacrificed so much...THANK YOU!!!! Let us never forget or take anything for granted.

Getting over some of my fears: I was always afraid of failing...now I realize that is how we grow and it doesn't really mean you failed at something. It was a really hard lesson to learn. I always worried about what other people would think...now I don't give a crap because they are probably struggling with the same thing. As long as you learn the lesson and can move on taking the experience with you with a positive attitude. I have come so far...places I never thought I would reach. BUT...I know I have someone by my side, who answers prayers, sometimes not the way I want them answered but turns out for the best anyway. I am so glad I have Heavenly Father on my side. 

STRESS...

Handle every stressful situation like a dog.

Pee on it and walk away.

THE HISTORY OF APRONS

     Grandma and Grandpa Fausett

I don't think our kids know what an apron is.

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, because she only had a few, it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.

And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will; replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

This is for those who would know, and love, the story about Grandma's aprons. Or it can be a good history lesson for those that have no idea how the apron played a part in our lives.

REMEMBER:

Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw. 

They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron. 

I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron, but LOVE!!!!

When grandma died I wanted something of hers, so my aunts gave me one of her old aprons. I was so honored. I will always remember grandma in her apron with a harmonica in her pocket. Grandma was always positive, loved her grandkids, loved to laugh and loved life. I hope to be half the woman she was. 

I remember sneaking down in grandma's basement with my cousin Klover, when grandma would come down to seperate the milk we used to scare her and she would jump, scream and then laugh.

Klover and I also called her one day and told her she was on "Dialing for Dollars" she was so excited and we told her she won a bunch of ground beef. She was so excited, then we felt bad when we had to tell her it was us. She was a little disappointed, but laughed when she realized that we had pulled one over on her.

Love you grandma, you were such a great lady and such a great example to all.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

SURPRISE VISIT

This little nugget and her mommy flew in last Saturday night, Pete knew and Matt picked them up at the airport and surprised Wendi...when I got home from work Sunday morning Wendi and Jen came down the hall way, Jen stood there and stared at me...I stared back...my brain was trying to figure out what the heck she was doing at my house. What a wonderful surprise.!!!
It was my 4 day off week and we had a great time.
Layla and Grandpa watching golf.

Layla has learned to drink out of a straw and wants all the BIG cups...

and she knows how to take the lid off.

Grandpa turned on the sprinkler, we dipped Layla's toes

Yea, she wasn't so sure she was liking this and started to cry

warming her toes on grandma's shirt

what a cute little bathing beauty

She wanted to set in the BIG chair like uncle Matty

but she couldn't sit still especially because the chair rocked

hanging out with uncle Matty

eating a cheese crunchy

hiding from uncle Matty

somebody likes her uncle Matty

I did Layla's hair and used a clip I used to put in my girls hair when they were little

for some reason she like the comb. The prairie dog she has in her other hand is a stuffed animal I got for my dad (family joke) when mom died dad gave it back to me and Layla loved playing with it.

Playing outside, Layla took off down the driveway

headed right for the street

she wanted to go in the street and run

but I wouldn't let her, mean grandma!!!

I put her on the mailbox, she couldn't run

she was full of energy

I gave her a little stick, she likes to carry sticks around when she is outside

she then tried to get me with her stick and then she would laugh

now she is going for grandpa

oooops back at grandma

she is full of s**t like her mommy was.

being silly

I was trying to get her to smell the gardenia> I planted this bush in memory of my mom, she loved gardenia's.

eating dinner

uuummmmmmm

gotta rub the nose Yeah, she wants to feed her self. Her mommy used to say "self"

here she goes, she is learning to feed herself

yummy!!!!

This is what I woke up to one morning...how sweet!!

She was sitting on uncle Matty's lap, drinking her bottle and watching Sesame Street

the eye lids were getting heavy she's out

bathtime

she loved splashing the water

Pete and I bought her some rubber duckies, when they touched the water they would light up...that is what is in her hand.

tired little nugget

little angel

Hangin with uncle Matty again

ready to go

look at the mischief in her eyes

Shopping...shopping...shopping. Layla got two new stuffed animals...a black dog and a pink pig.

I bought her the cute little sunglasses and she actually kept them on.

sitting with uncle Matty again...but not for very long

I think we wore aunt Wendi and Layla out

Layla had a fever on her last day here, I had fed her a blue sucker and then she was having an orange popcicle

They went home the next day. We had a great time and it was one of the greatest surprises.

Thanks Jen can't wait to see you again in June.