Urgent Prayer Request....

I just got a call from my step-grandma (My "Nanny") and she told me that they discovered she has breast cancer. They know for sure it is cancer, but don't know if it has spread or how far.
She is going in for surgery on the 12th...
Please pray for her...and for the doctors. She is in generally good health, other than heart problems. She has been on blood thinners and some other heart medications. I just pray that the anesthesia isn't too much for her body to handle, and she can make it through the surgery.
I also pray that they are able to remove it all. Please pray for her and for our family. The whole family is coming up to be with her for the surgery.
Thanks for your prayers.

Diet Time!

Ok, so I have been needing to go on a diet for a while now. Seriously. I have gained about 30 pounds since the wedding last year. This had a little bit to do with the fact that I was working at Starbucks, and then got a job sitting at a desk all day that was so boring I would snack. Not good.
Well, now that I got a new job where I am busy all the time and eat on a regular schedule and don't have much time to snack, I decided to start trying to eat healthier. Josh even mentioned it a couple days ago... We both want to lose some weight.
Well, when I logged into my email account this morning, I had an email from Beth at Womans World magazine... Inviting me to test out a diet program for them! Yay! I signed up via email sometime last year... So anyways, they are paying me $25 a day for 7 days to follow this diet plan. It is a pretty simple menu to follow, and I have to "walk briskly" for at least a half an hour a day. I am not usually the best to follow diets, but the motivation of money is a big thing for me! I can do this for a week! and who knows, maybe it will stick for longer.
So yeah, I will update you all on my progress in the next week, and we will see how it goes!

On another note, I ordered a pair of Nurse Mates Shoes for work. I went through Shoebuy.com. Did you know if you order through them, and register on their site, you get 10% off, and if you CLICK HERE, you will get a $10 off coupon. =) (and if 5 people click that link and buy shoes, I get a gift certificate! fun!) Just thought I would share the savings!

Mojito's...

are yummy. =) I just finished one. And I'm not talking about a premade mix. I mean lime juice, run, mint leaves and sugar. Very nice. =)
Anyways, I just wanted to post some updates. Since they are random, I am just going to number them.
1. My job is going great! I got my license from the State on Monday, so the past 2 days I have been filling prescriptions, and entering prescriptions and refills, and learning even more stuff! Fun! I am really enjoying it. And I am learning a TON!
2. Our 4 favorite fish dies while we were camping. =( We didn't clean the tank before we left and the filter quit working and it got really dirty. (it really didnt look that bad when we left and we were only gone 4 days!) It sucked. We liked those fish a lot.
3. My garden is growing! I have 2 zucchini that will be ready in a couple days, about 10 tomatoes growing, and 5 bell peppers that are almost ripe. (can anyone tell me if they turn colors on the vine or after you pick them? cause they are supposed to be red and yellow and are still green even though they are pretty good sized.)
4. I have been entering giveaways like crazy all week over at Bloggy Giveaways! It is an annual blogger giveaway carnival, and there are over 900 giveaways you can enter! SO much neat stuff!
5. I decided that going off the pill sucks. I was woken up at 3am this morning to a dream that I was having massive cramps, only to wake up and realize it wasnt a dream. Hello Vicoden. I was finally able to fall back asleep with the aid of heavy duty pain killers.
6. We have decided that we are going to wait until the end of the year to start trying to have a baby. We aren't quite ready yet. (Nor do we have insurance yet.) It will give us a little more time to prepare. Though I have stopped taking the pill, and it could happen, we are trying to prevent it for now. If it happens, It was meant to be, and God will help us out. =)

Well, that is all I can think of for now. I am off to bed now. =) Have a great day!

Tomatos!

I just ate my first ever homegrown tomato from my own garden. I haven't had a good fresh homegrown tomato in years!
Let me tell you... It was heavenly juicy goodness!
Can't wait for more to ripen! =)

Oh, and I ate my first zucchini over the weekend. Super good!

Giveaway!

This post will remain at the top until the 1st of August. For recent posts, please scroll down. Thanks!

Hey everyone! I have decided it is time for another giveaway! I am going to give away a pair of earrings from my website!
All you need to do to enter is go to my website: www.katrinascreations.com, and tell me what pair of earrings you would choose if you won!

You can also get some bonus entries!

You will get an extra entry if you post a blog about this giveaway. If someone referred to this contest through your blog wins, I will send you a pair of earrings too!

You can also get another bonus entry if you put my website button in your sidebar! (upload it as a picture with it linking to my website.) Then post a comment telling me that it is in your sidebar.

**Make sure you post a new comment for each thing you do so I can get your extra entries!**



Contest ends Friday August 1st at 8:30pm pacific time. I will announce the winner on friday Evening! Good luck and Happy Blogging!

Some more contests:
http://indiependence.blogspot.com/
http://www.kindawonderful.typepad.com/
mendingherbrokenheart.blogspot.com
http://lyricandariasmom.blogspot.com
and Tons more at Bloggy Giveaway Carnival!

Christmas in July!

Well, I went to get the mail today, and a fun surprise was waiting for me! My Christmas in July swap partner, Lori's package! How fun! Thanks Lori!


love the red and green!


Here are all the goodies together!


M = something monogrammed, a cute little button keychain.
E = Something everyone should have, a pink business card holder.


R = something re-gifted, a cute cheese spread plate with a light up spreader.


R = something red and green, a cute bracelet she made.


Y = something you want for yourself, a cute green and pink luggage tag!

We're Baaack!

Well, we got home from our long weekend camping trip a few hours ago. Now we are sitting on the couch being lazy because we are so tired!
It was a fun trip! Our sites weren't the best.. we had afternoon sun, and they were on a bit of a slope, but they were close to the water, so it was nice.
We pretty much just relaxed, hung out by the fire, swam, read, roasted marshmallows and played a few games. It was nice to relax and not worry about anything else.
One thing that would have made the trip a bit better would have been showers! we were filthy by the time we got home, and I took a nice looong shower. =) I got a little bit of a sunburn on my shins, but overall, I just got a little color. (Josh says I can't say I am tan, because I am still white.") Very funny. But sadly, true.
Anyways, I will leave you with a few pictures!


Josh being a dork.


Me


Stella... notice how filthy she is! She is usually snow white!


Our friend Tom.


Another shot of how dirty Stella got.


And another one.


This is Lake Tahoe. You can usually see the mountains on the other side. But because of the smoke from the California fires, we can't see them.

Achy feet, problems solved and we're going camping!

I hate trying to think of clever titles... I am so not creative when it comes to that sort of thing. Just wanted to share. =)
Anyways, my feet hurt. I think I mentioned it in a blog last week, but these long shifts at the pharmacy are just killing my feet, and I can't wait until I have the money to buy a good pair of supportive shoes.
As for the scheduling issues I blogged about in my last post, I think we have gotten it all figured out. I am working at the airport monday from 8-5, and thursday from 12-5. Then I am at the phamracy T,W, & F from 10-7 and sat. 9-6. busy week. Then the week after that, I am just coming in for 2 hours to help make sure the advertising got done. I just got my schedule from the pharmacist, managed to get him to make a couple adjustments for her, then gave it to her and said "this is what I can do..." And she was fine with it. Should have done that in the first place. haha. So I feel a little better about that.

So as an end to this super stressful week, we are leaving tonight to go camping! yay! (the stress won't end until we are on our way of course!) I am working until 5, then I have to run home and shower real quick, pack the ice chest while josh loads the care, then we are leaving! I am super excited. we have several friends coming too. We are going to sly park (jenkinson lake - Pollock Pines, CA)I am excited to be able to go swimming and relax and roast marshmallows!

So anyways, I bid you all a happy weekend, and I will be back to the blogosphere on Sunday night!

Two jobs = no life + exaustion

Well, I have been meaning to update on the new job and stuff, so here goes!

I have decided that working two jobs sucks. And I am a pushover.

The pharmacy job is going great. I am learning more and more every day, even though my schedule has been a bit sporadic due to the other job and the weekend off. But I am liking it, the shifts go by pretty fast, and I am learning a lot. Now hopefully the state can get my license processed fast so I can start doing tech stuff.

The job at the airport is really starting to frustrate me. I wish I wouldn't have promised to help P out... instead of a 2 week notice and quitting, I have 3 weeks of trying to work 2 jobs so she can train the new girl. (Who should be able to hand things by herself after 2 weeks...I was!) Then when P goes on vacation, the new girl should be fine. Well, she doesn't think so... so I have to help her out... 3 weeks after I gave notice.
It's not a huge deal, I could sure use the extra money before we go on vacation in August, but she expects me to help out and work here, and the pharmacy I am sure is tired of having to work around my schedule, and I am just too nice to say "I can only help out for another week." The of course she breaks out the "you promised you'd help me out..." (doesn't mention that I actually said I wouldn't leave you hanging if you didn't have at least 2 weeks to train the new girl... which she has..." oh well.

It really isn't a ton of hours, I am probably barely making 40 hours a week, if that... it is more the rushing home from one job to go to the other, and not having time to get everything else in life done. I am just exausted! I don't know how people can work more than one job and still lead a normal life.

Anyways, I guess that was my rant for the day. =) We are going camping this weekend, and I am so ready for the three day weekend, relaxing in front of a campfire roasting s'mores and laying on a raft on the lake. =)

Wow! Thanks!

Miss Prep-E Girl just passed on this lovely prize to me! My first blogger award! Thanks so much!

I am passing it on to: Christy, and Lizze. Congrats! and Thanks again to all my wonderful readers!

If you have been lurking for a while, stop by and say hi and let me know how you found me! Thanks!

Win this!

Go to Eat, Drink, Sleep, Preppy to win a cute monogrammed apron!

(yours will have your initials)

Tell her Katrina sent you and if you win, we both win! Yay!

Whew! What a weekend...

So this whole past week has been pretty crazy. =) I started my new job while still working at the other one. Only a bit stressful.
Thursday was Josh's birthday, so we drove up to Reno to go to Outback Steakhouse (his birthday tradition.) After dinner we were both so tired that we just came home and crashed.
Friday morning, I got off work at 11, and my friend Sarah got here about 11:30. we went and met Josh for lunch, then we went to get pedicures! It was nice. I haven't had one in a long time, and it felt good. =) Then we did a little shopping and came home. That evening, we hung out, I baked a cake for Josh's birthday, and made lasagna. Then Josh's friends Tom and Clay got here that night.
Saturday, the guys all went to Ed's house to have a guy movie day, and Renee, Sarah and I went to virginia City for a while, then came back to our house to watch movies and have mojitos. =) Then everyone cam back here, and we had cake and watched part of Zoolander.
Today we woke up, laid around for a while, then all went to In-n-out for lunch. Then Sarah left for home, and Josh and the guys headed up to Tahoe to play disc golf. And I came home. and now I am writing this blog.
I have dishes to do and laundry.... having 3 extra people in the house isn't always conducive to cleanliness (well, at least all the dishes!)
But I wanted to update first... hope everyone has a great week! Another long one for me... 2 jobs, then a camping trip that I still have to get stuff organized for. Isn't summer supposed to be relaxing? sure, right....

Long few days...

It's been a long, busy past few days, Right now I am catching up on my "Next food network star" before the new episode airs tomorrow.
I promise I will update tomorrow after our three awesome house guests leave!
Happy Sunday!

My first day on the job...

well, my first day on the job went well! They finally got my drug test results in this morning, which cleared me to start working! So I worked at the airport from 8-12 this morning, then headed home for a quick lunch, and let the dog out, then off to CVS! I get there at 12:30, fill out some paperwork, and get to work!
It went really well... I like the people I work with, and how crazy is this... The pharmacist actually grew up in the same tiny town in California that I did! (Manteca) and for all you manteca people... His family owned the old movie theater that was burned down during the showing of the towering inferno... The one that is now Kelly Brothers Brewey. Just found that interesting
Anyways, back to work. I was able to pick up on the registers and finding prescriptions and the basic front stuff. The insurance and entering Rx's and stuff is going to take a little longer to learn. I was able to start putting away and finding drugs towards the end of my shift. (I need to start studying the drug names...) So that was cool. I can't actually do any counting or sorting until I get my license from the State. Should be 2-4 weeks, hopefully the sooner!
I got off at 8:45 and now I am sitting here nursing my super hurting feet. I am so not used to being on my feet all day. I used to be...
Anyone know of any good supportive not too expensive shoes?

Good deal of the day

So, I was supposed to start working today at CVS, but They still haven't gotten my drug test results in... bleh. So, since I was up and dressed and had nothing to do at 9am, I decided to run some errands.
First I went to Ross and Target to try and find some shirts for work. We get to wear the nice white coats, so I needed some nicer plain t-shirts that would be comfy to wear under them. I found 3 at Target in some nice bright colors for $6 each on sale. Score!
Then I went to the post office to mail My friend Sara's b-day present, and My Christmas in July Swap partners package. After that I decided to hit Savemart, because I needed to pick up a few things, and I know they mark their meat down on Tuesdays. I scored 3 1.5lb packages of ground beef for $.75 each or less! How sweet is that? So now I have an abundance of ground beef. Anyone have some good recipes to share so I can use it? =)

Anyways, hopefully they will get the drug test results in today or tommorrow morning, because I am tentatively scheduled to work 8 hours tomorrow and We can definitely use the money!

It's just life...

I haven't written a real update in a while... It's not that I have nothing to write, it's just that I have so many things floating around in my head that I don't even know what to write, or how to put it into words. But I will try.
This past weekend was a nice somewhat relaxing one. Saturday we slept in, then got up, cleaned up our bedroom, went letterboxing, and just hung out at home. Sunday we got up, went to breakfast with my Nana, went to Church (great sermon on divorce!) Then we went to best buy to look for a Wii fit, because I have been saving some money for it. No luck, but I ended up buying the Dance Dance Revolution and an extra dance pad instead. We will get the Wii Fit once the craze has died down a bit... Then we hung out at home, watched some tv, went and did another letterbox, and then watched National Treasure: Book of Secrets. We liked it, it was good!
I am starting my new job this week. This week is going to be pretty crazy... I will be working both jobs (at the airport still, and I don't know what I will be working at the pharmacy) Sarah is coming either thursday or friday night (depending on my work schedule) Thursday is Josh's Birthday, Then Clay and Tom are coming up friday night to spend the weekend with Josh.
I am a little nervous about starting this new job. I am excited, but nervous. I am always nervous starting a new job. Will I do a good job? Can I impress the people I work with? Will I get along well with the people I am working with? Will I be able to learn fast? etc. I usually have no problems, but that nervousness is still there. And I am not thrilled about the hours I will be working. I knew I would be getting a more full time job (32+ hours, compared to the 25 hrs a week now) but I will miss being off at 5. The pharmacy is open m-f 9-9 and s-s 10-6. The latest I will have to work is 8:30, which isn't bad, but Still kinda stinks. The evenings are Josh and my time together. ya know? oh well.
Then to top it off, there are family issues going on. I won't go into details or name names, but it has been a time of Frustration, hurt, & anger. Prayer in this area, for myself, but mostly Josh is greatly appreciated.
On a more fun note, I finished shopping for my Christmas in July swap. I am excited to get that sent, as well as a b-day gift for a friend. Now I just have to find time to get to the post office.
I really enjoyed the swap, and I think I am going to organize one within the next month. If you would be interested, can you let me know in the comments? Thanks!
Well, I will leave you with this video by Bo Burnham... He is hilarious! (warning: his videos aren't all that clean... this one is probably the cleanest) Hope everyone is having a great day!

Last post today, I promise!

I finally got the pictures off my other camera, and had to share this one... This was the day Josh and my dad went shopping together and then Josh decided to shave his head as the icing on the cake.
I love these 2 guys...

Peacocks!

We were driving down the road today and happened to see a peacock, and luckily I had my camera! So we pull over to take a picture, and there are like 4 of them! I have never been able to get this close to one before. They are so beautiful!

A few Bible verses...

"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. ~Luke 6:27-36

"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." ~Matthew 6:14-15

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." ~Luke 6:37-38

A public apology...

It was recently brought to my attention that my "private thoughts" blog was not private like I thought it was. I had set it to be viewable only to me, but somehow it was made public.
It was me ranting about things when I was frustrated, upset and overwhelmed. And while I am not apologizing for how I felt at the time, I am apologizing to those whom my words hurt. You know who you are, and I am sorry.
It was not my intention in the least for anyone besides myself to be able to read those words.
So again, I am sorry.

I am however, upset that this was not brought to my attention by the person I hurt, but rather someone I do not know emailed my husband calling me immature and selfish. That hurt me. Please, when you have a problem with me, email me yourself, don't go and tell everyone else.

Great news!!!!

So I went to CVS Pharmacy for my "interview" today. It wasn't really an interview... I went in, and he told me a job had come available (I posted last time that I had talked to the pharmacist on the phone for a while several weeks back...) and asked if I was still interested.
I said yes, and he said Great! Sent me for a drug test today, and I start next week!

PRAISE GOD!

I will be making just a little more than I am now, but more hours, and Benefits! Which means... no more worrying about Birth Control (well, maybe for another month or two until I know the benefits are going to kick in...) and We can let God decide when he thinks we are ready for a baby!

Thanks for all your prayers!

Country Fried....

So today I had round steak on the menu for dinner, but I had no clue what to do with it, so I went online!
I found a recipe for country fried steak with gravy that looked good, so I decided to try it! I have never made country fried steak, and I have never made a homemade gravy of any kind! The recipe called for cube steak, but I thought it would be fine with round steak. it came out good! I didn't tenderize the meat, which would have made it a little better, but overall it was good for a first attempt.
But the best part? The gravy! I made some kick-ass gravy! I was so proud of myself. SO I had to share. =)
Looks yummy, huh? and so not healthy! haha


Here is the link for the recipe:
Click Here!

Letterboxing...

So, I had my first introduction to letterboxing thanks to Katrine over at Squibs and Crackers. It is really fun! You can learn more about it at www.letterboxing.org
Josh and I decided to try it out and did our first hike today. Basically, what it is it a treasure hunt. People have posted online directions to find a "letterbox." You take the directions, a pad, and a personal stamp and set out to find the box using the directions. The one we did today was about a 1.5 mile round trip hike, mostly on a paved path. The box was hidden in a pile of rocks. It was fun, and we enjoyed the walk with something to look forward to at the end. we stamped our books with the stamp in the box, then added our stamp to the book in the box.
You should try it! There are letterboxes all over!

20 things about me...

Basic

What is your favorite color(s)? Kelly Green, Pink, Light blue, chocolate brown
“Shabby chic” vs. “straight, clean lines” – what’s more you? I dont know, but probably more shabby chic
Where’s your favorite vacation destination? Maui (I love Hawaii!)
Pick ONE: shoes, clothes, purses. Purses (Easiest to shop for!)
Describe yourself in three (3) words. easygoing, easily amused, creative

Music:

Favorite song of all time? I like so many...
What is one song you secretly really like that no one would believe you if you told them? "I like big butts and I cannot lie..."
What would you consider the “theme song” of your life? I don't know...
If you could see any concert – what would it be? maybe the Warped Tour
Name the radio station most commonly playing in your car. What’s the genre? Alice 96.5 It is a mix... alternative, pop, etc.

Holiday

What is your favorite holiday? Christmas
What food item is your holiday not complete without? Stuffing and sweet potatoes
What’s your favorite holiday memory? when I found my dad out putting together a toy on christmas eve.
Is there a holiday tradition that you cherish? If so, what is it? going and cutting down a christmas tree
Lights: colored or white? I prefer white, unless they are the old style Bug bulbed ones.

Deep Thoughts

If you could get advice from any woman (dead or alive), who would it be? my mom
Name three (3) “simple pleasures” in your life. photography, tv, cooking
What is your dream job – be honest! an Aerial Photographer
If you could play any character on TV or in the movies, which one would you pick? The girl on "the big bang theory" ... great show!
What car would you most like to be the “spokes model” for? Saturn. Haha (Hey, I really want a vue!)

I have an inverview!!!

So someone at the CVS Pharmacy left me a message yesterday, and I just called them back, and they have a position open and they want to interview me! YAY!
This CVS is the one literally a mile from the house if that. The Pharmacist there had called me several weeks back and talked to me for a while. (turns out he lived in manteca (where I grew up) when he was younger and went to UOP! Crazy!) At that time he told me they didn't have anything open, but he just wanted to call and talk to me a bit and see if I would be interested if something came available.
So I have an interview on Friday at 10! Say a prayer for me!!!

A few Pictures from the weekend...

Here are some pictures from our weekend, and a couple of my garden... it is growing! Yay! I haven't even killed anything yet! =)


Our friend Tom just had to be in the picture!


Josh's Bald head


My Zucchini plant! It is getting huge! No fruit yet though.


My tomatoes! 3 so far... none ripe yet.


Bell pepper plant... none yet, just flowers.


A bud is forming on this one... some kind of flowers, not sure.


More flowers. The only ones blooming so far. Though they look a little sad. Probably overcrowded in the pot.

Pretty Good Weekend

Well, we had a nice long, busy weekend. We got to my parents house Thursday night. Then me, my mom and sister went to Walmart, because I needed to exchange some capri's I got. Then we just hung out and watched Juno.
Friday our friends Tom and Candy came down for the day, and we all hung out in the pool and bbq'd with some of my parents friends too. Then we went to watch the fireworks at a park in town. Not the greatest view, but at least we could see them and it wasn't way crowded.
Saturday we hung out, Josh shaved his head, we swam some, he helped my dad in the backyard, and we went shopping a little.
Today we had a bunch of family come, my aunt and uncle, their 3 daughters and one of their boyfriends, my other aunt and her boyfriend and her daughter and husband and their 1 year old girl. Another day spend in the pool and eating yummy bbq.
Overall it was a good weekend, but long and tiring. It was nice to be able to swim and hang out outside without being too hot (it was hot, but we had the pool to cool off in!)
How was everyone else's weekends?

Hyperinflation

My husband just posted this, and I felt it worthy of sharing...

OK we Americans have no idea what inflation is. Yeah it's bad and getting worse but nothing near as bad as Zimbabwe. A country of billionaires who can't afford soap. Here's a link to an article that I found really informing.

We need to stop complaining about our problems and realize that it could be worse.

We should be thankful that we can even afford to put food on the table...

Hope everyone has a safe and Happy 4th of July!

Not much going on...

Sorry I haven't really blogged much lately... It's been a pretty uneventful week so far.
I sold my violin yesterday (Haven't played it in years) and now I am on the hunt for a Wii Fit. =) If anyone sees one at a store for $90 or less (Sam's club and Costco are $80 I think) and you want to buy it for me, I will send you the money and pay for you to ship it to me!
Tonight, Ed and Adam are coming over and Ed is making a Hungarian Goulash for dinner. Renee can't come because she has a meeting, so I am stuck with all the boys this week. haha. But I made a german chocolate cake... makes it all worth it!
Tommorrow night we are leaving to go to my parents house over in California. Yay! It may be hotter there, but they have a swimming pool! Our friends Tom and Candy are coming down for the 4th and we are having a bbq, then on Sunday, some of our extended family is coming out for another bbq. So much fun!
Just need to make it through work today and tommorrow...

On another note, I Really need to find a good job. I really want to get a job in a pharmacy to put this schooling to good use! I think it will be something I really enjoy that will be challenging and I will get to interact with a lot of people on a daily basis. Pray for me, please!

Man, I am sitting at my desk at work, and keep getting a whiff of something rank... It smells like when you leave something nasty in the sink for a day or two too long and it gets that gross smell... I can't figure out where it is coming from either. yuck...