Shopping with Joan and Jolee

We lots of places with Joan and Jolee: Trader Joe's, Last Chance clothing store, Kid to Kid, Cheesecake Factory for lunch, then a toy store.

Sunday best....

Here is Jasmine all dressed up and ready to go. Every Sunday we go to New Visions Spiritual Growth Center in Scottsdale. ...(just another reason to move back to Phoenix). They have a Montessori school for kids for an hour or so while the "big kids" do other stuff.

Well, it looks like I might be "listing" my house myself. They want $30.000 as their cut just to write up a contract, show the house... and... I don't know what. It sounds a bit excessive to me. I'm not against anyone making money, but I'm tired of being taken by contractors, etc. I went to real estate school several years ago as well as "investment classes".... not that I know anything, but at least I'll give it a try.

Moving....:(

Well, after a couple of years of thinking about it, I just listed my house for sale today. Moving has not been possible or recommended due to the adoption-- which would have created havoc with the paperwork and would have resulted in thousands of more dollars of amendments of some kind.

The sign isn't up yet, and the photos have not yet been taken, but I've pretty much made up my mind. Arizona City has been a huge disappointment. When I moved here 6 years ago, I thought it would be incorporated, we'd have stores, and maybe even a restaurant.... but that just has not happened. Casa Grande isn't much better. Sure, we now have a shopping center, but to counterbalance that, we have the worst school system in the country, the highest teen pregnancy rate right here in Pinal County, and absolutely no children's activities at all... no swimming, no gymnastics,.... nothing. On the other hand, I have loved being able to see the stars at night and not having to listen to sirens all night. The other reason to leave is that yes, I Iive in this big beautiful almost 4000 sq. foot house which has beautiful faux finishes, nice tile, very unique architecture, everything which totally reflects me and my style. I love coming home to my beautiful cozy house, but I can't even buy myself a pair of slacks or go out to eat most months due to the house payment, and God forbid... if anything goes wrong like the AC going out, the roof needing fixed, etc. which does happen quite often. I also thought I would have a partner of the male persuasion.... as well as be much busier work-wise.

So, with so much regret, it is time to leave. I hope my tears at the moment don't short out my keyboard:) My goal is to make enough money to pay cash for a little cracker box house in Chandler, then we will be able to afford dancing, gymnastics, music, a little travel here and there, maybe a college fund and wow... maybe even a savings account:) and just have more of a normal life. I hope the "new" house won't be so old and run down that it will be too embarrassing to have someone over:)


Jasmine goofing off in her own chair
Here is Jasmine eating her first popcorn ever.
Neighbor Dylan and Jasmine
Playing with her cell phone in Mom's office.

I have the goofiest camera that has about a 1.5 second delay, and I miss pretty much every picture.

Poor Spirit:)

Today we took a nap on the couch, and when I woke up, I found our dog, Spirit, covered with animal stickers:) She just looked like she was rolling her eyes:))..... like... is this what I am going to be dealing with the rest of my life? On Christmas day, Jolee gave Jasmine a pounding toy which included a wooden mallet. Jasmine hit Spirit on the head with it. Spirit squinted like she had a headache:( I made a huge deal of it, and now Jasmine hugs Spirit constantly and is very gentle with her. Wish I had a photo of the dog covered with stickers:)

Christmas photos.....

Today, Joan and Jolee came over for brunch. We had alot of fun playing with all our toys. Later, we took a nap. What a fun Christmas!

Christmas party.....

Today we attended a Christmas party in Arizona City. Sitting on Santa's lap was not very fun, but here she is with next door neighbor, Dylan.

Last week, enjoying a snack at pre-school.

First day of preschool.....

Our first day of preschool didn't go so well, but day 2 and 3 were better.
First tricycle ride.