Hubby is Famous!

My mom discovered pictures on the web that were taken at the breakfast we went to. Here is the link: http://www.daytonausa.com/uploads/photo/76FBD292C72340878A2AE5C44D71BF00.jpg

If you look on the far left side of the picture, in the crowd, about the 3^rd or 4^th guy back is Hubby. He has a yellow shirt on, with his hat on backwards and a camera strap around his neck. That person wearing the Daytona 500 jacket with his back to you is Jeff Gordon. Next to him is his crew chief Robbie Loomis. I am also in the pictures I am sure, but apparently I am too short to see. Oh well, at least Hubby can have his 15 minutes of fame.

He is home from work again today. He is still not maneuvering the best on his knee and it is still swollen. So, he is working from home today to give it more time to rest.

I have been busy since we got back. I have been working. At least I have tomorrow off. That will be nice! My mom was kind enough to stay with us for a few days to help Hubby out. Since he was not supposed to be on his knee for 48 hours, he pretty much stayed put on the couch. I think we both appreciated the help!

That is about all that is happening out here!

Back from Daytona

We are back! Phew, what a trip it was! We left Friday and arrived in Orlando that night, with no problems! We found our hotel and after we checked in we walked across the parking lot to Cracker Barrel for dinner.

The next day we got up early and ate breakfast at the hotel. Then we took the free shuttle over to Universal Studios. We picked Islands of Adventure to go to. We rode the Hulk first, the line was only about 20 minutes. We made one circle around the park first hitting the rides we really wanted to hit. On our first trip around the park most of the lines were only 20 minutes, it was great. On our second trip around the park, the lines were getting a little longer. The wait was then up to about 45 minutes for most rides. We stayed in the park until about 7pm, and then we went and had dinner at the NASCAR café, which is right outside the park entrance. Our hotel was not far from the park, so we took a taxi back to the hotel after dinner.

The next morning was the day! We got up at 6am and we were on the road by about 7:15am. Daytona was an hour away (usually). We hit traffic half way there. It took us about 3 hours to finally get to park the car. When you finally get to the point that you can see the track, there is this magic spell that takes over. It doesn’t matter what you look like, what race you are, what social class you are in, everyone suddenly becomes a redneck. And NASCAR is one amazing sport. There are not 2 teams where you root for one team or the other. There are 43 different drivers out there, and everyone pulls for someone different. Now Dale Earnhart Jr. and Jeff Gordon have the biggest percent of fans, but there are still people pulling for different drivers. And we all come together that day and watch the race together are yelling and screaming for our drivers. There is no bickering in the crowds about who is better than whom, you just have your favorite driver and you just pull for them. The guy sitting next to me in the stands was a Junior fan, but I was yelling and screaming so hard for Jeff that he too started cheering with me. On the other side of Hubby was a Ryan Newman fan, and they had several discussions. Mostly Hubby kept him up on the news of the race because the guy didn’t have a scanner.

There of course are the annoying fans, like the ones that sat right behind us. It was a family of two boys and a mom and dad. Let’s just say they took redneck to a whole new level.

Anyway, we arrived at the track and after looking around a few minutes we headed to the Fan Zone. This is where you can go on to pit road and be in the garage area. Due to the time it took us to actually get to the track, we didn’t have much time before they shut down Fan Zone. We were out on the pit lane and I saw my high school friend, Marcus. He is the Jack Man for Casey Mears, the #41 Target car. We sat and chatted a moment. While we were chatting people kept coming up and asking for his autograph. That was odd, to me he is an old high school friend. To strangers he was someone worthy of getting an autograph from. I hate to tell those people, but I am sure Marcus signed many of my yearbooks! I probably have several of his autographs! He was always nice to me in school growing up.

Then we went and got in line to get on the tram to take us to the other side of the track where our seats were. Then we waited in line to get some lunch. We got to our seats just as Vanessa Williams was singing God Bless America. Then the race started! What a race it was! Phew, very exciting! I am sure all my screaming for Jeff is what made him win.

After that we headed off to the After Race Dinner Party. There were about 800 people there, and it was held in the Museum. The Daytona Race museum is very cool! Toyota put in a simulator that actually does a 360 flip if you hit this ramp in the simulator. It’s really neat! They also have a lot of history in there. There is a piece in the floor from the original track that was part beach part road. We enjoyed dinner there while traffic settled down. Later we headed for the hotel. That time it only took 2 hours. When we got back to the hotel we had to pack, as we were checking out early the next morning.

We got up at 5am and hit the road. We were on the way to the Induction Breakfast. This is when they induct Jeff’s car into the museum for the year, and Jeff gets his jacket. He was on all the morning shows, Good Morning America, the Today Show and such. All those interviews took place just around the corner from us! After he was done with all of the interviews, he came on to stage where we were. Hubby and I were only about 10 feet from him! He took questions from the audience, signed a few autographs and then headed out to his team breakfast. It was so cool!

After we ate and looked around a little bit more (the breakfast was held the same place the dinner was) we too hit the road! We stopped at the Kennedy Space Center on the way down to Jupiter. We didn’t have much time, so we only took the tour on the bus of the facility, it was still really neat.

After that we headed down to Jupiter, FL, where we spent our last night with Brian’s Aunt and Uncle and his cousins (the flower girls from our wedding). Brian had a blast playing with the girls and Lucy made a fantastic dinner. We spent the night there and the next morning we got up and we went to breakfast with Brian’s grandma who lives not far from Mike and Lucy in a very nice retirement community.

After breakfast Lucy took us to the beach and to a sea turtle rehabilitation center. It was a beautiful Florida day! Then we went back to the house, got all packed up and headed for the airport.

We had such beautiful weather the whole time! And we had so much fun! It has taken me two whole days to write this entry we did so much stuff! We couldn’t have had a better time!

We did end up having a photo card crash on us, so unfortunately we lost pictures from Kennedy Space Center as well as all the ones we took with the girls. But at least Hubby and I have the memories.

Hubby had his knee surgery today. All went well, he is down stairs resting in the recliner. We also have discovered that Petey is just about completely deaf. Such crazy times!

We're off!

Well, we are at the airport. We are off! We are all set for the Daytona 500! I will wave to you all from our seats! Jeff's starting 15th, I am sure he can win from there!

2 nights to go!!

Phew, 2 more nights (including tonight). Tomorrow sure will be hard to get through work! I can hardly wait! Today I did laundry and got everything in a pile that we need to take. I will work tomorrow on putting everything in a suitcase to get ready to head out Friday morning! I have to get the dog’s food ready to go. I have to make sure we have all kinds of clothing ready. WHOOHOO! Have I mentioned yet to anyone how excited I am about this?

Three nights to go!!!

Well, it’s Tuesday Night. (and I’m feeling right)…. Sorry, almost broke into song there. It happens after watching American Idol! So far, this season has been shaping up rather interestingly! For those Idol Fans out there (you know who you are, just go on and admit it), I personally like the show girl from Vegas (yes, she made it so far) and Constantine. I hope to see him go far. Oh, and the tracheotomy kid. I like him too. I think the 16 year old blond girl with the mother that keeps having problems is good, however, I have to wonder how many times we will continue to see her mother have ‘problems’. Nothing like hogging your kid’s spotlight, huh? Oh, and I like the little blond farm girl who when Ryan Seacrest asked her: have you been taking pictures of the stars here in Hollywood? She replied: no, it’s been kind of cloudy. To which Ryan had to explain he meant famous people, not the things in the sky… Ah, another season of Idol is in full swing, and I love it!

On another note, just 3 more nights at home here until we are off!! Not to see the Wizard, but something just as spectacular. We are off to the Daytona 500!! Whoo hooooooo! I can hardly wait! I am sooo excited to go and see it LIVE and IN PERSON! Jen, I will wave to Elliot Sadler for you. Kristy, when I see Tony, I will send your regards. Barb, I will send you and John’s love to DJ! Scott, if I get a hold of Jeff, he is all mine! Sorry!

We picked up a 2^nd scanner at Radio Shack tonight. Seems someone doesn’t want to share his scanner this year. So, we went to get another one so I can listen to what I want to listen to, while Hubby can listen to who he wants to listen to! We have our scanners, headphones, seat cushions, and clear backpacks. I think we are just about ready to head off. My Jeff Gordon apparel is clean and ready to go for any weather. I have my tank top, t-shirt, and fleece. Have I mentioned how excited I am about this whole thing?!

So, last night (Valentine’s Night) we went to dinner at the zoo. It was the second annual dinner there, and it was our second time. The food is always fabulous, and after dinner, over champagne and a bowl of fresh strawberries, they had ‘The Mating Game’ where they told us all about the mating habits of animals. It’s always a cute presentation. Our friends Ross and Kori joined us for dinner and it was a nice time.

This weekend was pretty busy at work. Not as busy as the weekend before, but busy. On Saturday these kids (I say kids, they were probably 20 or 21ish) brought their pit bull puppy in who was about 3 months old. She was SO cute and her name was Lily. Well, they put her in the tub and she started to scream! And I mean scream and howl like I have never heard a dog do before. I set them up in the wash, so I was right in front of her mouth when she opened it, and it was almost ear piercing! I thought it was so funny! Half the people in the store thought we were pulling out her toenails with tweezers or something the way she was making such a racket. And the more noise she made, the harder I laughed. It was the shortest wash I have ever seen! But as much as it probably annoyed some people, I thought it was one of the funniest situations I have ever heard!

It should be pretty steady at work this week with customers. There is a big dog show in Denver this weekend, so we have had lots of people bringing in their dogs for washes before the show.

It was really odd, and still is, to be at WnW during the day in the middle of the week. I think that will take some time to get used to.

So, while in Florida we also plan a stop at Universal Studios, or actually probably Islands of Adventure. Now remember Hubby is scheduled for knee surgery at 1:30pm on Thursday the 24^th. So, his knee is really hurting him, but he is bound and determined to go to Universal. AND then walk around Daytona the next day. All I have to say is: oy!

Well, I am off to sleepy land. I have tomorrow morning off, I don’t work until 1pm, so I of course will be doing laundry. That way I have a full selection of items I want to take to Daytona. Oh, and I guess that way Hubby has some clean underwear too.

My brother-in-law, Vince, called to start rattling my cage about our competition for NASCAR champ for the virtual team we play on. I think he just called to attempt to rattle my cage because he is jealous!! Oh, and Vince, while your son is sitting on the potty (which we are so proud of him for doing!), give him the paper to read so HE can make his choices this year!

Feb 14th

Just wanted to give a quick Happy Valentine's Day to Everyone! Hope your Monday and Valentine's Day is fun!

Week 1

Well, it’s been a week of only one job. Things are so much better now, so nice! I got a bread maker on Tuesday so that we can make our own bread at home. I have made one loaf so far, it’s pretty tasty!

On my last day off, Tuesday, I did lots of grocery shopping and errands. Then I worked Wednesday night. Thursday I worked during the day and I met some of my girlfriends for dinner.

Today was another day off. But today was all about the dogs. Buddy had an eye appointment, so I took both dogs to the appointment. Afterwards we went to the vet for a nail trim and then to WnW. They both got a bath. They both hate having a bath, but they also both got a treat to have in the car.

I learned how to figure out hours on timecards the other day. And after I added up my last timecard, I figured out that I had been working 30+ hours a week at WnW. That means that I had been working 70+ hours with the two jobs. Phew, no wonder I felt like I was always working and never had any free time!

So, life is much calmer now, and I am very much enjoying it!

I love fog...

It sure was strange to only go to one job yesterday. And it was strange to be at WnW in the middle of the day! But it went well, my first official day as manager.

The weather stayed pretty icky last night, so the store was pretty quiet. We had no customers in between 8pm and 9pm. Our building sits up on a hill, so I can see a little ways. The fog was so thick at times last night that I couldn’t see more than 3 street lights outside. When I was coming home from work the fog was really thick! It has been a long time since I have seen fog that thick in Colorado.

I love fog. I don’t know why, I just love it. Our neighborhood looks so nice when it’s foggy. It looks nice and cozy to me. I love the peacefulness of the fog I guess.

Well, I am off to my eye appointment!

One Job

I am down to one job now! It feels great, but I will really miss my co-workers at SH. They were a lot of fun to work with. I was doing 2 jobs just fine, but it will be nice to have some time to my self and to get things done.

So, today I work 1pm-9pm. I slept in, I have started some laundry. I have a few things I want to take care of before heading off to work. And tomorrow, I have off! I need to get to the grocery store, I have an eye appointment and tomorrow afternoon Brian and I are getting our taxes done. So, even though I have a day off, it’s all ready full of things to do!

We woke up this morning to ice all over everything. It looks like snow, but the weatherman said it’s actually cloud particles that freeze when it lands on something. Most of the schools in town were on delay and part of the highway was shut down due to an accident. And guess what, I could watch it all on TV from the comfort of my bed! AHHHH!

I worked at WnW Friday night. I found out that there was an article in the paper about the store in Wednesday paper. Fortunately, we still had the paper at home, so I brought a copy into the store for the owners to frame. We also found the article on line, it’s pretty good, and here is a link to it: http://karen.kirouac.org/ww/ArtWin.htm

So, we were expected to be busy on Saturday. Boy, were we ever! We did a record 91 washes!!! Our old record was 74. I worked 9-5 that day. It was pretty crazy busy!!

That night we were supposed to go to our neighbor’s house for dinner and Christmas. However one of the neighbors had the flu, so we didn’t meet up with them. We did go to my parent’s house for dinner to celebrate Hubby’s birthday. I gave him the set of pots and pans he has been wanting for over a year now. My parent’s gave him a new backpack that will hold his laptop. And Suzi and Zak gave him some more kitchen stuff. Suzi was able to make it down, Zak was in Chicago on grad school interviews.

After that we went to one of my SH co-worker’s house for a Mardi Gras party. We hung out there for a while and had fun. But I had to work Sunday, so we headed for home about 10:30pm or 11pm.

I got up and worked Sunday at WnW. We had a rush in the morning, but the afternoon was pretty slow due to the Super Bowl. By the time I got home, Hubby had a few people over and they were watching the Super Bowl. I got home right at half time as Hubby was putting burgers on the grill. My sister also stopped by on her way out of town to say hi!

Well, I guess I should go and get things done since I do have to work later today!

Just an update

Well, it’s been tough to update my blog this week. Since Tuesday I have been training my replacement. She’s a quick learner, which is good. I don’t care much for her personally, but then, I don’t have to work with her, so it’s okay! I hand over the keys today. I do feel a bit sad and I am still wondering how things will play out with the new job.

Let’s see, what has been happening this week? Well, I worked at WnW on Monday and Tuesday nights. Which was good, I need to get back on the proverbial horse after the incident on Sunday. I work there again tonight, tomorrow, Sunday and Monday. But Tuesday is my first day off!!! I think I will sleep! And clean, the house is just functioning at a level that we can live, but it needs a good cleaning. I will start to do a little of it on Tuesday, but I don’t want to over do it!

Hubby’s birthday was Wednesday. I asked to have that night off from WnW. However I had forgot it was Wednesday which meant that he had school. So, I was home by myself until 8pm, when he got home. When Hubby came home I gave him a card. He was a little sad that he didn’t have any gifts to open. His parents sent his gift and he had opened it as soon as he got it a few days before. I guess I should have wrapped up the box his MP3 player came in so he had something to open. He will get some gifts this weekend from my parents.

We are having Christmas this weekend! I know, sounds odd. My parent’s neighbors are very good friends of ours, after all, they have lived across the street from each other for 20+ years. So, we always get together and celebrate Christmas. Well, it has started to be after Christmas and it seems to get later every year. I don’t think we ever got together last year. So, we finally are having Christmas this weekend with them. We get together for dinner and exchange some small gifts. It’s nice to spend time with them, as they are like family to us. Suzi will be down also.

I had last night off from work as did Hubby, so we just relaxed. I did get some bills paid, and some filing done, and the Christmas presents wrapped, but after that, I just relaxed. I had tons of stuff that needed to be done, but I decided to let it go for another day, like my day off next week.

Other than that, things are pretty much the same here. I am so looking forward to only having 1 job!!! Granted my schedule will still be a little crazy, but I will actually have free time once and a while!

Oh yeah, 2 weeks from today we leave for DAYTONA!!!!!!!!!