Birthday plus ending

For those of you who read this, I wanted to thank you and to say that I am sorry.  I am sorry that I will no longer be keeping this blog.  I may start a new blog, eventually.  If you have any questions or comments for me send them to me via email.  I would like to keep in contact.  If you do not have my email address then go ahead and leave a message on here with your email and I will get back to you.

Sunday was my birthday, it was nice.  Savannah and Scott/Michael bought me a cake, season 3 of House, some jewelry and roses.  They made my birthday really special. I also wanted to thank the following people:

Araceli: Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to call me and wish me a Happy Birthday.  

Carilly: You not only called me but you sent me a few text messages and some messages on my myspace and a card.  You are such a fantastic person.  Thank you for remembering me on my birthday.

Dad: I know you wont read this but I wanted to Thank you for calling me on my birthday.  I love you so much! 

Mirian Planas: Even though you thought you were late in sending me a Birthday wish, you were early.  Thank you for the thought.

Jeff T.: Thank you for the phone call, Jeff I know that you are busy with your new business but I do appreciate that call.

Thank you guys for the thought, I do appreciate it.  Email me at the email address you have and we can keep in touch.

For the last time on this blog... 

Leanne

So long January

A few more days and January is gone.  I feel like it just started.  But that is not the case now is it. This past week was horrible, we were terribly sick.  It started with Savannah - Sunday and Monday.  I had it the rest of the week.  Grrr being sick.  The weather has been excellent, well for people who like the cold.  Today it has not gone above freezing level, it is 30 degrees.  We all absolutely love the weather. This week we got our new couch, it is fantastic.  

Yes I know, I need a coffee table, that is in the works.  I just need to find one that looks good.  I also need to hang more pictures.  So that is our living room.  Every room is unpacked, except for mine.  I have 5 boxes of pictures that I need to go through, I also have a few boxes of sewing material to go through.  Eventually I will have everything gone through.  I am not so worried about it now.

So other then being sick, we are doing well.  Savannah went to Sylvan Learning Center on Thursday to get her educational assessment, which means I will know where Savannah should be in August when school starts.  I feel that the work we have done, has placed her near the 1st grade but then again I am bias since I am her mom.  So I had Sylvan assess her and they will let me know where she will go when school starts up again.  Sylvan is also great for getting her ready and working on the places she needs improvement.  All in all it was a great choice.  Savannah loves her new school, she is in a Pre-K again.  She is having fun and has made a lot of new friends already.  

I am doing alright, working hard.  My book is getting done, it is really nice to be writing my book on the mac because it has a program that really helps me out.  It has a great layout for story boards, and amazingly it helps me.  Oh yeah and I got another tattoo.  I know some of you are thinking... Why?!?... And that is okay, think what you want.  The newest Tattoo was one that Savannah picked out.  She was really excited when I got it, and she has said it is her job to lotion it.  For those who don't know, after getting a tattoo it is normal to lotion the tattoo to keep it hydrated with a non smelly lotion.  So I use the same lotion on my tattoo that Savannah uses for her dry skin. So without further interruption here is the new tattoo...

Isn't it beautiful?  This is my favorite tattoo so far.   Well I hope you all have been well and I hope to hear from you all soon!!

Love, 

Leanne

Going.. Going.. Gone

January is going by very quickly.  We have bee busy with life.  This week Savannah started a new school, she has had so much fun already - it was her third day today.  Next week she is doing testing for public school to see if in August she will be put into Kindergarten or First Grade.  Let's hope for first, with all the learning she has done.  I am taking her for an assessment at Sylvan Learning Center, they apparently have some pull with the schools around here.   After her assessment we will know where she is at.  She is also going to be put into their early childhood program, to make sure she is up to and exceeding the expectations for her age.  

I started work this week, two twelve hour days.  They weren't to bad, and the people were great.  I am not taking this job as a career but more as a stepping stone to make some money and work on my book.  I am about done with not three but four books.  One is a Christmas one.  I am going to send them in after I do a bit of tweeking to them.  Just to make them the best that I can.

I did get a new computer finally.  It is a macbook.  Fantastic.  I have not had any issues, it is a little different to get use to, but it is really fun.  So the past few days when I have had time is downloading the music onto the computer.  Then I am going to put it on the external hard drive.  I can do that with the movies too.  Fantastic huh?!?  My couch has not come yet, it comes next week.  I am also getting another tattoo next week.  I am excited for it.  So is Savannah, since it is the one she picked out.  The apartment is coming along nicely, there are 6 boxes of pictures I cannot unpack until after the couch gets here.  

No new pictures yet, sorry.  I have been so busy with everything else.  So at work, I have to say was interesting, I am the only  female doing the job I do.  The guys all want me to apply for a gun permit and take the necessary training to be able to carry.  Apparently they look at me as if I am their daughter doing the job and want me to be "protected".  I have to say they are all about my dad's age.  No... I am not going to apply nor do I want a gun. 

I hope everyone is doing well and know that we are well here.  It has been cold and we have woken up a few times with snow on the ground.  Well as for me it is now time to tuck the little miss in bed and figure out the next plan of action for the evening.  I love you all and wish you all the best weekend!!

Leanne

First Week of January 2008

Hello Readers,
I have of course put some new posts up. A little late but at least I can back date, so it was like I never forgot to post! This week has been fantastic, a great start to 2008. I am planning on it getting better.

I ordered a new sofa set. It is beautiful and I should get it the third week of this month.
The set includes the couch, the love seat and the really cute chair. I am excited to have ordered this, I wish it would get here. I am just a bit curious if these are going to fit into my living room. I may have to put one of the pieces in my room, what a shame! :)

Awesome for a new couch but another awesome thing, which I ordered today was a new computer and a printer. I bought a Mac book and a canon printer. These items should come the end of this week or beginning of next week. Fantastic huh.

I have also made an appointment with a local tattoo shop, after of course I went and investigated their business and observed their practices. They are an awesome couple. They have done fantastic work. I am going to have a few pieces of ink done by them. I have the extra income, so why not spend it on something I like!

We went to the movies last night and saw the Golden Compass. I read the trilogy "His Dark Material" and decided we should see the movie. It was pretty good, of course they ripped the book apart and left out key points of the book. It was a good movie though. The ending was a happy one, even though it is was not too happy in the book. At least the beginning of the next movie will start out sad!

Happy New Year

Welcome to 2008!

I rang in the new year by falling asleep ten minutes before midnight and waking up 30 minutes afterward. Wow, apparently I was tired. Much fun though. Savannah also fell asleep, so I didn't feel alone when I woke up in the dark. I know I am such a dork but at least we went shopping today! It is awesome to shop on January 1, 2008.

This year is going to be awesome. We are going to go on vacation in California to visit family and friends. We are also going to buy a new car in March. And Savannah and I plan on living life to the fullest. I am excited to be living here in Bellingham. People are friendly and the weather is awesome.

Savannah has met a few of the kids who live in the complex. She loves playing with them, especially where the playground is. In the Spring we plan on getting a garden in the garden area and picking apples in the Orchard.

Yippy for the NEW YEAR! I hope 2008 is as wonderful to you as I plan on it being for us!

Merry Christmas

Christmas was fantastic. The gifts under the tree are from us and the gifts near the kitchen are from Santa.

Savannah woke up early but kept in the room quietly waking mommy up. When she came into the living room, she was very excited to see her new kitchen from Santa.


Savannah had a whole bunch of fun and thanks everyone for their gifts and thoughts. It was funny that during the gift opening, Savannah put her shirt on and then somehow it went missing again. She is a funny girl. Savannah had some awesome gifts too, some are: a nintendo ds, a leapster, some games for both, some new shoes, some clothes and other toys. She has had a ton of fun playing with them all (I have had fun playing with them too).

I also want to thank everyone for their gifts and thoughts.

A Nice Drive - Victoria, BC to Bellingham, WA

Magically life seemed much easier and much more realistic when I crossed over the border Sunday evening.

So the U-Haul was picked up and packed Sunday morning. After my landlord came by and looked around the place and picked up the keys, we were off with Savannah's fish (she told me to remember Ariel her Beta fish came too. Ariel was in her bowl inside a cracker box). The drive from the house to the B.C. Ferry was pretty easy. It took about 30 minutes to get down to the terminal. We were there two hours early. The ferry was delayed for four hours due to the wind or the laziness of the Captain. Yeah have I ever mentioned that this stuff happens to me all the time, things are always delayed or canceled. Do not ever travel with me.

At 5 pm (when we were suppose to leave at 1 pm) our ferry set sail. It was very rocky and I was not happy. I do not like boats. But we had a few things to do... and then it was over and I was driving on the 17 Freeway in British Columbia. The drive was really pretty, even though it was dark. It was especially pretty and I was super excited when I saw the Border Crossing and the Duty Free Shop. We had no issue going over the border, the agent actually welcomed us back and said it was good to have us. Oddly, I think he was flirting.

From the Border to Bellingham was a short little ride, it took about 30 minutes. We stayed at a hotel that is seriously in front of the apartment so Monday morning it was very easy to do all the apartment stuff. We have a cute apartment that we moved into on Tuesday. Now obviously you all know its Wednesday and we are getting our phone, cable and internet on. Since this is a public blog I cannot give out our information but you can email me and I can send you the information.

It was really amazing to change the license plates over here in Washington. There is a grocery store called Cost Cutters that has a licensing department inside. So yeah you can grab your groceries, your rental videos, your lotto tickets and license your vehicle all at the same place.
I also bought a new cellphone. It is really sweet.

I just have to change my license over to Washington, I think that is the last major thing I have to do. I have some pictures I am going to download but for now, I will leave you with some other pictures....






Savannah being a ballerina. This was from her recital, they are being like the wind... very calm and "floating".















Here is Savannah with Santa Claus. He was from Nova Scotia and a really cool Santa. He told Savannah and I to "Have a Merry Christmas, eh!" It was really funny.















And lastly for now is a picture that was taken on Tuesday which was four days after I went and had it done. **GRANDMA you might not want to look** but I hope everyone enjoys it and if they have any comments they send them. I would love to know what you guys thing!! I for one love it, and have found a shop down the street so I can get a few more.








Thats right a red maple leaf tattoo. The idea was to make it look like a stamp and when I go to Vancouver for a day or a weekend I am going to get crossing hockey sticks in the background and a hockey puck in the middle.





I plan on taking pictures around the apartment, when the rain lets up. Since we are based on a 55 acre piece of land. Our apartment offers so much more then normal apartments. The apartment has plots of land that you can plant on, an apple tree orchird, a gym, a pool, a jacuzzi and many trails to walk around the area. After the internet is hooked up (since I am borrowing the neighbors), I will be able to blog more and show some scenery.

Lots of Love,
Leanne

Sleep is overrated

Being that it is almost 4:30am PST and I am not sleeping must mean there is something on my mind. Well of course there is, since when have I been the relaxing type?

Few things going on this week. The house is going to be in escrow as of, well, as of now or a few days ago. I just received an email (that was sent about 12 hours ago), that tells me to sign. Selling for way under what the house is worth, but at this point. Whatever.

Savannah has a ballet recital today. Seriously I dont want to go after how she was acting today. But I have too. I do not know why she does some of the things that she does, but if this is the stage she is in.... she better grow out of it. Apparently she feels she is old enough to not hold a hand when crossing a street, with me thats a big negative. She has to, it's her duty to as my child. She also feels it is appropriate to throw fits when things aren't going her way. On this part, I can't blame her, I mean when dont want to do something I want to crawl on the ground and through a fit. But I just ignore that feeling. She spent 2 hours of her day in time out. She doesnt like staring at the wall anymore. Yes my time outs are more then... sit in this chair ... mine are sit in this chair with your hands grasping each other on the back of your neck and keep your knees against the wall. Sadly, I have a a child who squirms.

Meanie Mommy, was my name today and I really didnt care. Except when I try to go to sleep and I feel bad about her getting punished. Thats what I get.

Time to go surf the net and find something not so interesting to help lull me into some sort of sleep.

Always A Pleasure,
Leanne

Snow and Moving

We had our first official snow. Savannah had a blast, and I got some awesome video. I figured a lot of things out while Savannah and I were outside playing in the snow. I know that I have, and as much as I dislike shopping, really mean have to get some new shoes and pants. And that Savannah absolutely needed a snow suit. So after I had frost bite on my feet because I like to wear canvas slip on shoes in the snow and after Savannah's little butt was cold from wearing sweat pants to sit in the snow and slide down a slide, we changed and went shopping. Savannah picked out some really cute baby blue camouflage shoes that go past her ankles and a cute purple snow suit. She looks like she has layers of clothes on with her new purple snow suit. As for me, I purchased some really cute black boots that are water proof and go past the ankle. I didn't find any pants that I liked.

Of course after going and getting these snow things, it hasn't snowed. I want it to snow but after we move. The 20th of December would be good. I have given our notice, and have the utilities scheduled to be turned off on December 17. After the storms we have had (and seeing the number of blankets I have to use on my bed), I am glad about my decision to get a small apartment then to find another house.

Savannah is excited about the move now... she was quite upset because her "friend" (her name is Julia) lives next door, but as soon as I told her there was a Target, she was excited. The kid must miss Target as much as I do. She is ready to move, she even packed her toys in a box. Of course I have acquired a few things since we have been here. So I am renting a small U-Haul.

Life just seems to keep on moving. Savannah has a ballet recital on Wednesday. I will try and get some pictures. I picked up Savannah's Christmas pictures yesterday so I am spending time getting those together. I am sending the Christmas Cards after we move. And I am asking, since I have received a few emails about Christmas gifts, that if you are going to send them to either send them where they get here before the 14th or wait until after we move and get the new address. The second would probably be better because it can save you some cash keeping things sent in the States. Or just wait until after Christmas and send them. <--- Savannah wont like that one but too bad.

So things are going well, we just keep going. I always welcome comments or emails!

Love You All and Miss You All,
Leanne

The Past Month

Hello All~
I know it has been almost a whole month since I last checked in. Things are fine, they just got a little out of hand and I had to take some time to figure out our next step.

Halloween was a blast. Savannah was Ariel, the little mermaid, with sparkly shoes. She had quiet morning doing chores and getting ready for a Halloween party. There were about 30 plus kids from around the area that attended the party that was for the younger ages (up to 6 years old) which was quite nice to see. There were different activities which Savannah won a ton of prizes and a haunted house. There was also a bounce house. She spent a good 35 minutes jumping around. After the afternoon party, Savannah decided she wanted to go to a trick or treat fair at the mall. This was outrageously cute. Kids and adults alike had a blast. The kids more so at 6pm when they got a huge goodie bag. On the way home Savannah trick or treated down the block. The people on the block were in love with Savannah. I don't think I have heard so many "Your daughter should be in films". After it started to rain Savannah wanted to come home, so we did (it was about 7-ish). We ended up watching cartoons with hot cocoa and handing out candy to the kids.

Savannah's birthday was the next big event. She wanted to hang out at home and have pizza for dinner, which was perfectly fine with me. I made her a cake and gave her the gifts I purchased for her. She enjoyed herself, just her and mommy. The next weekend (November 10) was her actual party. We had it at Build-A-Bear, or as I call it get a carcass stuffed. She had 6 friends that came and they all had a great time. Everyone got a "stuffy" and played some games. Then had cupcakes. I miss Chuck E Cheese parties, which is sad to admit. Savannah received some great gifts from her friends which she is truly grateful for.

The rest of the month has been filled with running around trying to get things together and thinking. Apparently the government is taking its sweet time on getting the work visa done, so Savannah is not in kindergarten. She is in a school setting once a week but she needs to get into real school, for mommy's sake. So I have decided that since the Visa is not done we are going to move back to the states. Not California - so no getting your hopes up. We are going to rent a nice little apartment in Bellingham, Washington. Then we are close to the border for if the Visa ever gets done. The move is not only to get Savannah into school but so I can get a job. I have been so bored sitting around waiting that I have started to get unglued at the hinges. So right after Christmas and before the New Year we are going to make our way down to Bellingham. Look for updated address cards.

I know its horrible, and I feel like a lousy parent to move her again but seriously the Visa was suppose to be done and things were suppose to be on their way. I feel right now that I cannot truly live, I just dwell. Savannah argued with me a bit, since she is starting to really love the weather up here (frost the past week... and I mean frost as in 1/2 inch on the windshield). She really enjoys the cold, so I had to let her know that the storms that we see pass over us (sometimes not hitting us) go there. And yes there is frost and occasional snow.

Speaking of the weather. It has been around 32 degrees Fahrenheit and below lately, only getting into the mid 40's during the day. God I love the weather. I will take freezing temperatures over heat any day of the week. Now this house, which I have complained about, is horrible. All I have to say is at least the heater works... kinda. The oven doesn't work (landlord said it was fixed and its not), the heater has two thermostats on it (using one only gets to 70 degrees, using two gets you a sauna house) and the windows like to let some cold air in. So yeah I will be happy to get out of here into an apartment that is well taken care of according to the people in the office. These are new apartments, and they allow cats (which my landlord wont allow).

So that is the update for the past month. Today (since it is 5:30am) we are scheduled to have snow... or at least some sort of slushy rain. I will be posting pictures soon. Maybe later today if I can actually get to sleep at some point.

I miss you all and hope everyone is doing well. I have some wonderful Christmas cards so send me your address so I can send you one of them. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Hugs and Kisses,
Leanne