Hmmm...What to do this weekend

So, the weather has been pretty much amazing lately...it would be a shame to stay inside all weekend and waste it.

I was thinking that it would so much fun to go take pictures. There is this way awesome beat up ol' run down truck in the front yard of this house on the 178 around Onyx. We really want to get dressed up in like the moulin rouge dancing girl or Bonnie & Clyde look...I don't know if that gives a very good description for the visual, but its the best way to say it. Basically, we need to find the Can-Can dancer dress with the corset top and fishnet tights, garter, and feathers in the hair...then Matt could wear like slacks with a black top and white suspenders and his crooked pinstriped hat, hold a cigar and I could hold a whiskey flask and do some poses with the truck in that one yard...IT WOULD BE HOT! I have the picture in my head, but don't know how to describe it, which makes it that much harder to find the outfit I want for the picture...and not to mention, where do you look for something like that? Its almost like something you would have to make yourself.

The other thing we were thinking about doing this weekend is going to the wine walk on Saturday here in town...don't know if we will do that though. We were talking about going to Upper Peppermint with Matt's parents Saturday and have a picnic and explore. I think Upper Peppermint is way more exciting than the crowded and sweaty wine walk. While we are up in the mountains hanging out we can go to the trail of 100 giants. Its been a while since we were last there. I'm in a out and about kind of mood and want to take pictures and have fun hanging out with my hunny.

Snickerdoodle Cookies

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

4 Tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a mixing bowl, beat the butter on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add the 1 cup sugar, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in the egg and vanilla until well blended. Beat in as much flour as you can with the mixer, and stir in remaining flour. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour. Combine the 4 tablespoons sugar and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon. Shape the dough into 1 inch balls and roll in cinnamon sugar mixture to coat. Place balls of dough 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 11 minutes or until edges are beautifully golden.

Our Motivation...

This adorable puppy would have been ours if we could have pets in our apartment, but since we cant, he went to a friend of ours. He is boxer/pit mix, we would preffer a pure breed boxer, female, and fawn so its okay, but look how cute he is. We have been saving for a few months. We had to take out of our savings a little bit to pay bills after we made a trip up to Susanville, but since then we have put it all back. We bought new tires for the car, so all that we have left to do is keep shoving money into our savings account. We are about $4,000 shy of having the down for a house of approximately $150,000. We should have that in about 4 months. We have figured out that we are able to set aside about $1,000 per month. New home for a new puppy and baby (hopefully by then) here we come!

Still not feeling so well...

At home sick...yet again...I dont know why I cant shake this cold...really cant afford to be missing work.

Be Happy You Dont Live in Pennsylvania

Update on Shannon's sister, Cindy:

She talked to a few doctors and basically they are all giving her the run around. One is telling her that her heart is fine, its anxiety (well duh, no one can get their shit together so she is stressing out...of course a large part of her heart problem is anxiety), another is telling her that her heart is okay but the veins are clogged, and a different doctor is telling her that she needs heart surgery...

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She had the obstruction in her brain checked out and it is a small aneurysm. Its nothing to serious to worry and stress over right this moment, however it is something to monitor. Its in an awkward spot of the brain. The doctors want to check up on it...get this...annually. Are you serious?! What is wrong with these doctors...its basically a tumor and they are only going to monitor it once a year?

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That's not the worst part...Cindy is going to New York to see another doctor about her heart condition...when her regular doctor found out they told her that they couldn't see her anymore because she was basically being a trader (I'm paraphrasing of course) and because she is going to their "competition" they wouldn't be able to help her anymore. WHAT THE HELL! This isn't retail where you are watching your numbers and making sure that you are doing better that your competitors...this is the practice of medicine...your patient comes first...saving lives is priority! Ridiculous...my jaw about dropped to the floor when my dad was telling me all this. These so called "doctors" need to pull their heads out of their asses. Unacceptable. Makes California doctors look like gods. So, basically, there isnt much of an update...the only new thing we know is that the thing in her brain is an aneurysm...everything else is still unknown.

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Makes you feel better about living anywhere but Pennsylvania...

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Still thinking of you Cindy...

Fishing in Isabella

Super bummed...I didnt bring the old camera and its raining and thundering and we dont want to get the new camera wet...I sure do love this weather though!

from mobile 5/30/09 @ 2:12pm

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So, we had so much fun yesterday, we got to the lake around 1 o'clock and it was cloudy and you could hear the thunder just over the mountains. Well, by the time we left my in laws house it started pouring. There was lightening and thunder crashing...oh my goodness...my favorate kind of thunderstorm...SUMMER RAINS!

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We decided to get lunch/dinner and then come back, by then the rain would have stopped. We went to Pizza Barn (only the best pizza ever) and had an enjoyable dinner. After dinner we went straight back down to the lake. Because of the rain, the fish were biting real good...Matthew and his dad both caught 3 a piece right off the bat. I was laying on a rock, relaxing and soaking it all in. Got a few decent pictures, but mainly just played around. I started getting more and more of a cough so we packed up and went back to the house. It was about 8pm by this time. Its crazy how long the days are...it was still so bright outside at 8 o'clock.

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We watched some TV with Don and Debi for a while before heading back home. Didnt get home last night till 11pm. I feel like crap, but it was so worth it. I love spending time with the family and doing out door things.

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Here are some pictures from our day...

These small fishies are called Crappy...lol...Matt caught probably 10, some of them pretty good sized, and Don caught about 15...Im guessing cause I wasnt keeping accurate count...but thats close enough...

Our Not Too Shabby Week!

This week has been so nice & stress free.

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Monday was Memorial Day and both Matt and I worked...we figured its easy money and every little bit helps towards our new house. I basically hung out with him at the Main Gate all day, traffic was soo incredibly slow.

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Tuesday was a little rocky only because I started getting sick...damn allergies.

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Wednesday I was really sick, but I had to tough it out...need the money and it was my Friday.

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So after surviving the work week, I spent Thursday cleaning the house a bit and running errans. I had to get my CAC card replaced and of course when I got there the machine was broken...yet a second time. I had made an appointment a week before and they cancelled it because their machine stopped working, after they got the new machine, they did 6 CAC's and mine was unlucky number 7 and the reader broke again...LOL...so I couldn't get that done.

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Last night, James and Elizabeth came over and we played Texas Hold'em. It was so much fun, we all put in $5, and first place went home with $15, second place got their $5 back...James won first, but had I stayed in the game, I think I could have had him *wink*. I gave the rest of my chips to Matthew because my cold or whatever this is was driving me crazy...Matt got our $5 back by winning second. WHOO! haha. Anyway, we hung out with them and it was a blast.

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Today, when Matt is done Frolfing, we are heading up to the lake to hang out with my in laws...Matt and his daddy are going to fish. I'm so excited, I love it up there...just hanging out with the family...its so relaxing. Matt is super excited. Fishing is their thing (him and his dad) its something that they both really enjoy to do together...you know, that father/son bonding time. I think its adorable. Matt wants me to fish, but I get so much more enjoyment out of watching, just hanging out, and taking pictures...that sort of thing.

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We were going to go to Upper Peppermint, but Debi sounds like she has the same thing I have, so she wasn't feeling up to going there today. Maybe another weekend. Sadly, Matthew is coming down with this virus too...so we have decided its not allergies. We went to Whitney Portal last weekend and it was so pretty, we all decided that another day, when we have more time, we are going to head back up there and make a day out of it...we didn't stay long because we had to go to Bishop to see my brother in law (who just graduated the CHP Academy *whoo hoo*) and go to the Mule Days.

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Tomorrow, I don't think we have anything planned, so its just going to be a kick back and relax at home kind of day.

If at first you don't succeed, try try again...

♥

(source: http://www.justmommies.com/articles/how-long-to-get-pregnant.shtml#ixzz0GoCGxWj1&A )

♥

Thinking of you Aunt Cindy

My step-mom's sister is in the hospital. She was scheduled for heart surgery, but the MRI showed abnormalities in the brain. They are doing further testing to see if its calcium build up or an aneurysm. If its an aneurysm they will have to post pone the surgery, to prevent her having a stroke. My heart is with you Cindy. Sham, I know your stressing but things will be okay, your sister is strong and stubborn, I'm sure she will fight and pull through. I love you guys. Wishing and hoping for nothing but the best.

Engagement Photos

Check out James & Elizabeth's engagement session @ griswoldphotography.blogspot.com.
You do amazing work hunny, I love you. Xoxo!

Great Poem to Live by. ツ

He's Not The Only Photographer...hehe

My play date with the new addition to the Griswold home...♥Photos♥by♥Lisa♥Jean♥Griswold♥

HaPpY MoThEr'S DaY

Topic From Grey's Anatomy

Okay, so I just finished watching last nights episode, and after crying through almost the entire show, I decided to write a blog about it. This show makes me cry all the time, I know its just a TV show, but its about real life events...

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This is a very emotional topic for anyone with loved ones. The character, Izzy, is dying of cancer. She got married to the man that she loves even though she and her husband are sure that she isn't going to live...romantic yes, but very sad and eye opening...people take each day that they have on this earth for granted. Many people take the people they love for granted without even realizing it. When you hear the expression "live each day as if it were your last," its really what you should do. I tell my husband I love him every night, I kiss him before I fall asleep...you never want to regret your last encounter with someone you love...they say never go to bed angry, occasionally you might go to bed upset anyway, but its best to try not to. Tomorrow may be another day, you may want to put things off, but tomorrow may never come. Not to sound morbid or anything, but that is the truth, that is life. Not everyone dies from cancer, not everyone dies from a car accident, people die everyday for many reasons...its not something you can fore-see or prevent, so instead of working all the time because you think money is the only way to get by, instead of putting things off that may not seem that important, such as a camping trip, instead of saying that you cant afford something that you really want, live...live like its your last day. Spend time with your family and friends, they love you...work doesn't love you. Yes, we have responsibilities and have to work...by all means I'm not saying everyone needs to quit their jobs and live in a box, that's silly and unrealistic lol. I love my husband with all my heart, I couldn't imagine having cancer, like any woman I wear make up, I do my hair, I couldn't imagine losing all my hair (although I know my husband would love me just as much if I didn't wear make up or have hair to do, its a rough thing to imagine having to live with, and yet people do it with no choice in the matter), I couldn't imagine not being able to take a walk with my husband, take pictures of random things, make love with him...have children...

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I'm very bad about stressing out...I'm a girl, what can I say...but the things I stress over, really aren't that important...yes, bills need to be paid, we need to eat, I have to work...the bills will get paid, we will be able to eat, I am fortunate enough to have a job...those things are not worth stressing over. My health is important. My husband is my world and his well being is top priority. My family is worth worrying about. Those are the things in life worth focusing on.

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Each day is a gift not a given right, so live it & live it well.

Whats New?

Well, I have been posting a lot of the fun things, but whats been going on aside from the living life to the fullest?

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Well, I was considering applying for the police officer position. It is basically a promotion, however, I turned it down for now because, 1) I don't want to be in this field...its really not my kind of job, it pays the bills for sure, so I keep it, but I want to be in an office or something. I have a hard time making peoples bad day...I belong in customer services or something, and 2) Matthew really wants it...his job isn't exactly stable right now, we don't know whats going on with it, so he needs to get out of there and into something that he would enjoy and be good at. I truly believe that he would be good at this job. I feel like because of how I felt about the training being in San Diego for 2-3 months, I may have blown his chance of getting the position...BUT...Matthew is a very persistent person. When he wants something bad enough, he gets it. Even though the position has yet to open to the public again, I talked to my Sgt. and asked him what it would take for Matt to get on with them, he said have him bring me a hard copy of his resume...we will see what we can do. They like Matt...then again, who doesn't *smile*. The reason I wont apply for it before he gets on is because I don't want to hold him back due to conflict of interest...and who knows, maybe I will get a better job between now and July when they re-open the position. Besides, I'm only turning down $8,000 more a year...lol...yeah, I know, I want it too, but you have to think longevity and whats going to best for both of us and our family someday...

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Speaking of family, I had a dream the other night that I was pregnant...weird. No, still not trying yet...want to, but that trip to Susanville made us realise that if we had a baby, our spontaneous trips and driving all over taking pictures, doing whatever we want...GONE. So, until we are past this selfish stage in our marriage, we are holding off.

Matthew got his new camera, so now he is ready for this hobby of his to perhaps take off into a career. Like I said before, he has an appointment for Elizabeth and James, there are also a few other people that are interested in setting up a session with him to have family photos done, he took some pictures of me yesterday and played around with the settings so he is all ready. I tell you what, there is a huge difference in quality between this camera and his old one...its amazing the clarity of it. His talent and artistic ability shows so much more because of the better quality. I love it.

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Oh, and Allison got voted off American Idol. I was so disappointed. I know that she will pick up a record deal, but really!? She may only be 16, but the girl can sing! I'm disappointed. Lol. What was America thinking?

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I guess that's whats new in our lives...

~♥~ "Gяるªt THiñg§ Hªppéи T¤ Thღ§€ wHღ WåiT" ~♥~

Photos From Our Trip

April 27th-May 2nd 2009
Matthew & Lisa Griswold
Highway 36, Highway 44,

Burney Falls,

&

My Daddy's House

"Say Burney!"

I love Burney Falls...

An adorable couple if I do say so myself...hehe

My handsome husband

Our Famous Feet Pictures...

Me and my handsome hubby at Eagle Lake

Giant Wild Turkeys!!! lol....

Okay, this one is actually Matthew's shot, but I love the picture...BUMBLE BEE!

A chimney that grew legs and ran away from home. haha

Pathetic. haha

This is Satan, well actually my family named him Pimp, but I call him Satan...even though I love him.

Yup, my kick ass camera took this one.

These Beasts were all over Eagle Lake

Yup, this one is mine too...pretty good huh. *giggle*

Susanville Main St. Mirrals

Beautiful Trees...I love Susanville's Spring

Allison and Adam

♥OH MY GOODNESS!

I HAVE BEEN SAYING HOW I WANTED

♥ADAM AND ALLISON

TO DO A DUET ON ♥

AMERICAN IDOL AND ♥

I FINALLY GOT MY WISH AND

♥IT WAS SO WORTH IT!!!

THEY ROCKED IT, IT WAS AMAZING!!! ♥

♥LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!! ♥

LOOKING FORWARD TO AN ALBUM FROM BOTH OF THEM WITH ANOTHER DUET!!!

BE ON THE LOOK OUT

Matthew got his new camera last night, so be on the lookout for new pictures...griswoldphotography.blogspot.com...he has an engagement session schedualed for Saturday morning for Elizabeth and James. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding in less than a year *wink*

Our Mini-Vacation

We left last weekend, for Susanville, to see my daddy and the family. We had so much fun...didnt really want to come back. We were supposed to be back yesterday, but Im glad we decided to stay, we got to spend some quality time with the family. We played Cranium, Apples to Apples, Poker, Scategories, and Partini. It was so funny. When my dad, Matt, and I were playing poker we decided to play Indian Poker...basically, you take one card, dont look at it and put it on your forehead, then you bet on weather you have the highest card based on what you see everyone else holding up...its hilarious. The weather was beautiful, raining, cloudy and, 50-60 degrees. Im dreading going back to work tomorrow...stupid 80-90 degree weather. Matthew and I were on our way to Burney Falls on Wednesday, but ended up missing our turn off, we did make it to Burney but took a long detour to get there and saw lots of neat stuff. I will post pictures when we have time to go through them, right now I think I just want to relax with my hunny.

This is what wine, a few friends, and a Saturday night will do...

So, yesterday, I went to a purse party that Elizabeth threw. Then at about 6pm we went to the wine walk. I got 2 new wine glasses, one from Identity Salon and one from Kool Threads (which has the Foxx logo all over it in green...its awesome). This year it didn't seem like very many businesses participated. I got a phone call from Identity Salon saying that I won the basket they were raffling...I'm so excited, I never win things like that. After the wine walk we came to our house and BBQ'd some pork chops and had some pasta and corn...it was delicious. Danny and Sue showed up and we drank some more wine and played Apples to Apples and Cranium. When I say we drank some wine I mean we had like 5 large bottles of wine...and well....take a look for yourself....

FOR SALE!!!

I'm selling a few wedding things. Weather you are getting married or you have a friend getting married I have some great stuff for very reasonable prices. If you are interested in anything, please call me @ 760-793-6444.

I have:

8Giant Decorative Martini Glasses originally $22.00 a pc. selling for $5.00 a pc.

8Medium/Average Martini Glasses originally $2.00 a pc. selling for $1.00 a pc.

8Small Decorative Martini Glasses originally $1.00 a pc. selling for .50 a pc. or package deal price $40.00 OBO

A Rhinestone Comb Tiara, Style 4596-0142 silver, original price $99.00, selling for $20.00 OBO

An elbow length, double layer white veil with crystal beaded edges, style 530WHITE, original price $149.00, selling for $30.00 OBO

A white strapless wedding dress...it has been worn and needs to be dry cleaned, its in great condition, beautiful embroidery and bead work, very long gorgeous train, size 4, Michelangelo Style T8589 David's Bridal. Garment bag included. Original Price $699.00, Selling for $150.00 OBO

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