Xbox Live - Bringing people together...hahaha

This is my gaming friend, Becky...but she goes by "Lady is Red" in the xbox live gaming world. I got to go down to Oregon to visit her and her family last week! It was a blast! Glad I went...even if it was OR. And you'll be happy to know, I made a trip to/through OR without getting pulled over or given a ticket! SWEET!

Update

So...my computer broke a few weeks ago...actually more like a month ago. Stupid Comcast cable at my mom's. ;)

Got it back today...reason it took so long? DELL SUCKS! They took forever to send restore discs...but at least they didn't charge me right?

Work is going good...sometimes I feel like I know what I'm doing and other times I think..."Holy Cow, I know nothing!" But I'm really enjoying it! :)

This past week, I had a couple of days off! So, I decided to go down to Oregon (Still hate the state) and visit my online buddy, Becky...otherwise known as LadyisRed. It's amazing the people you meet in the oddest places. Xbox live brings people together! LOL It was so fun! She has an awesome family and it was great to lounge and get to know this fab lady in person. Neither one of us turned out to be crazy online killers...LOL A big thanks to Auntie Wes & Uncle Mike! It's been a long time since I stayed over at their house, and it was nice to visit and watch a movie!

Life went along just fine without the computer...but it's sure nice to have it back!

William Tell Overature - WICKED!

So...I'm such a blog slacker...I've been told I need to get with it.. ;)

So...Update? You got it! Got a new job at Whidbey General Hospital...it's great! Meet new people all the time, Learn something new everyday. I've actually worked some shifts all by myself with no trainer. :D

Question...Rock Band Beatles...when it comes out in September...Party? Yes, I think so! We could all cram into my little house, unless someone else has a better idea? ;)

Now to update myself on everyone else's blogs! Hasta!

Puppies

My mom got 2 new puppies Saturday... As Torri calls them "Dock-unds"...of course we got miniature Dachshunds! After some debate about names...because for some reason the 4 year old needs to be the one to name them...Here they are!

This is Jasper...isn't he handsome!














This one is Lucy Bella...originally they had another dog picked out, but somethings fell through, so when they asked Torri what she wanted the dogs named...she picked Bella (roll my eyes)...even tho' I'm a Twilight Fan...I told my mom if they named her Bella, I was gonna call her Belly. This puppy is DEFINITELY a Lucy...not a Bella. I'm sure you can get her personality from the picture. ;)










This is them playing outside...Lucy is CRAZY! She tackles Jasper every chance she gets!

The Beatles do Rock Band

So, there's a new Rock band game coming out that's all about the Beatles! There are some really cool parts to this game..

#1- The instruments!


Aren't they cool!?? You can't see it very well but even the drums have some flair on the "Shell" :)

#2 - 3 Part Harmony...that's right, I said it...three part harmony! SWEET, huh?

The only think is, to buy the starter set is $250...that only includes 1 guitar. *sad face* I might just buy a new Rock Band2 Set...that way all our really used instruments can be retired...and just get the Beatles Rock Band disc...we'll see...

Aren't you excited!! I am!

I GOT THE JOB!

Just got a call from Human Resources at Whidbey General Hospital...I got the job! I have a drug screening on Wednesday. New employee training on Monday, then I start on Tuesday!!

Oh, man...I can't even believe it! Thanks for all your prayers and words of encouragement!!

Job Interview!

I should have posted this monday...but...whatever


I have a job interview Thursday morning at 9:30am at Whidbey General...I'm really excited! I'm super nervous, but I'm totally excited.

Everyone keeps asking me..."Are you prepared for the interview?" Well...crap, I dunno...


hahaha...I'll let you all know how it goes!

"Chivaun, can you help me..."

....this is what I heard at around 11pm...

Laurie, my lovely - funny, sister...got my mom to help her put press on nails on her toes. They were actually REALLY cute. Press on nails have come a long way, I tell you.

So...tonight as she was getting things done for her trip to the coast tomorrow, she kept saying, "I'm afraid I'm gonna break one of these things..." At one point in the evening, I heard her making some ruckus...turns out she fell over her bag and face planted. But! Didn't break a nail. She stubs her toe on one of her Crocs, and it broke the end of her big toe.

She decided to try and glue it back down...here's where the "Chivaun, can you help me?" part comes in...


She glues the nail...and was laying on her bed letting it dry. She took her big toe (from the other foot) and brushed up against the broken nail to see if it was dry............she got her toe stuck to the nail!


It was hilarious...maybe it's one of those..."You had to be there moments," WHATEVER...she was laying on her bed helpless because her feet were glued together...what isn't funny about that??


Have fun on the coast, Laurie!

I've decided when I die...

I would like a big huge party! No big long drawn out service...and no graveside watching the casket go into the ground. That is too hard!

Rhoda's funeral was today. I've been really good, emotionally speaking, and only got choked up when looking around at her family's grief. I feel bad for them because some of them didn't take the time or effort to see her as much as they could have...I, on the other hand, got to be with her everyday.

I'm a part of a video game community for older gamers...and someone posted in their blog this:

"Courage is fear that said it's prayers."

I really like that. I know that Fear isn't something we want to have in our lives...and we must do what we can to keep ourselves from fearing...I think one of the best ways we do that is to say our prayers.

I have been afraid in the past couple of weeks...it's a hard thing to have/exercise faith, especially when you realize the only things you have control over aren't the things you WANT control over.

So...to all of you who are examples to me, everyday, of courage...Thank you for being you, and doing what you can with what you're given...you are incredible examples to me, and I'm grateful for you!

Bank Accounts & Job Hunting

Yes yes...bank accounts...not because mine is dwindling and not getting bigger, but because someone stole my credit card info, and started spending money. In January, I got one of those letters...you know the ones that say, "Your credit card info could have been compromised, to prevent damage, we're sending you a new one." Ok fine...I even got a phone call from my branch telling me when the old card would be canceled. Would you worry about it from that point on?

Me neither...so...I got to check my account yesterday...I haven't been spending any money, but I wanted to check and make sure before I went and got my hair cut...there were all these little $1-$7 charges from obscure places. So, I go to my bank...after a little research, they find out my old credit card had not been canceled when it should have. Compromise indeed. Got that all taken care of...good thing banks give you back money someone took by fraud. :)

-----------------------------------------------------

Job Hunting

SUCKS! For a lot of reasons...of course one of them is that you feel inadequate because you HAVE to look for a job. But mostly....well here is my list:

• Typing the same thing over and over again!
• Websites that time out and you lose info you already typed
• Applications that ask for the same info that's on your resume...which they ask for too.
• Feeling adequate enough to apply for "such & such" position
• Trying not to think about what I could have done better...think of the solution, not the problem, Chivaun!
• Worrying about application after it's been sent...sending a prayer with it hoping it will flash in NEON when someone in HR zooms past it
• hoping you have looked at all the places you could...even Craig's List

I'm sure there are more things...but that's the gist of how I feel every morning I get up and start the search over again. :)

Wish me luck!

I need to borrow a drumset

So...Joe Flowers is getting married...(CONGRATS!) He and his bride to be, Caralee, came over last night, and told me that he talked with Scott and Kevin and they think we should put a little band together for Joe & Caralee's reception.

SWEET!!


Oh, wait...I don't have a drumset anymore...I just sold it...AHHHHHHHH!!



So...if you know someone who has a set and would be willing to let me borrow it for a month and a half...let me know.


:D

Rhoda M. Haddock

I have met a lot of people in my short life. But, none so annoying, kind, spunky, cute, caring, or loving as Rhoda. She passed away May 5th, around 9:50pm.

6 1/2 years ago, her neighbors gave my name to her son, Mark. They told him I had just gotten home from a mission, and didn't know if I had found work yet, but that she would talk to me, and find out. It was supposed to be temporary. She had been through a lot in that past year...her husband passed away, and her middle son also passed away unexpectedly with in that same year. She had been through a lot.

After some dizzy spells, and a fall...her doctor determined that she needed a little supervision. Her oldest son, Mark, took care of all the finances, and whatever else he could all while living 3-ish hours away. For the past 6 1/2 years that I've been there, just about every other weekend, he would drive up, and visit and take care of paper work. Some day I hope to have a son like Mark.

I have experienced a lot with Rhoda...working for her allowed me to spend some time every day with my Nana when she needed it. If I had worked a "normal" job, that wouldn't have been possible. I learned what a priviledge, though really hard, it is to take care of someone. To come to know Christ better through that service. Really thinking...how can I do this better; what would He say?...

She loved to listen to my play my guitar as I started to teach myself how to play. She loved having my friends over, and thought everyone of them were amazing individuals. She always commented on what good friends I had. She's was right about that.

Just some random thoughts about Rhoda. I'm going to miss her smile, and chuckle at the hair brained things I did. I'm going to miss her "good mornings" everday. I'm going to miss her smile when Finley would climb up into her lap. I'm going to miss the crazy things she did, like hide food when she didn't want to eat it...I swear, I'm gonna do that someday, just to see what it feels like. But most of all I will miss her friendship and love.


I'm so grateful that the Lord saw fit to let me have so much time with her.

My Roller Coaster

For those of you who don't know...the little elderly lady I take care of hasn't been well. She was in the hospital for a week, and now she's at a nursing home.

I've received a blessing, and she's received a blessing...

One day, she's great...and looks like she's improving, and the next day, she can't hold up her own spoon.

Today was one of those such days. I came in to visit, and it looked like she was exhausted. Her roomie has a bit of dementia, and isn't very quiet. Rhoda, sleeps super light. She wakes up at the slightest noise. Mark, her son, brought her some ear plugs...but she couldn't find them last night, and didn't get any sleep. Today, she also slipped out of her chair. UGH. Also, when I got there, her hands were dirty, and her mouth/chin needed wiped off. I don't get it...what the heck are these people doing?

So, I started asking questions. The CNA that was going to be watching her tonight took my questions to the charge nurse. Who proceeded to come in and talk down to me, and inform me that they "aren't the enemy here." Just because they aren't the enemy doesn't mean they're doing all they could or should. Yes, I was upset. But, I was asking the right questions, and was getting the run around.

I'm not a child. I know Rhoda...I know what happens when she doesn't get sleep...etc. It enfuriates me to no end to be treated like I don't know what I'm doing. I'm not the nurses daughter, sure as hell ain't her employee...where the hell is the respect?

It's a roller coaster...I'm not sure I want to be on this one. It's a lot harder than I ever imagined. How is it, I'm trusted with this?

My new (to me) guitar!

Here it is!

So here's the story...a few weeks ago, I sold my Les Paul



But, shortly after that happened, Rhoda fell ill and ended up in the hospital, which left me without much of an income, so the guitar I planned to buy was no longer a reality.

I've been feeling kinda bum lately about it, and Laurie even felt bad. In here words, "Music is how you express yourself, how you get your emotions out...I felt bad you didn't have that anymore especially now with everything going on."

My mom said she wanted to help me buy the new guitar for my birthday (rhoda fell ill a few days after my birthday)...but we never really went and looked because...well...I have limited funds.

Today I woke up and thought..."I wonder if Hugo Helmer has any used guitars?" I felt really good about that hope, so I called my mom to see what she and my dad were doing today...they were planning to go to the Tulip Festival Street Fair, and so I asked if we could go to Hugo Helmer.

Seriously...we walked in looked at this wicked guitar that TUNES ITSELF! Yeah, it tunes itself...it's soooo cool! Some day! The guy helping us was just showing off new technology...I told him what I was looking for, and he showed us some stuff...and then mentioned that they had some used guitars if I was interested. AHHHHH YEAH!

COINCIDENCE? I think not!

I'm really happy with it! My left hand is more comfortable and it has a nice feel! I feel really blessed. Sometimes the Lord gives us the blessing we want, not just the ones we need. Maybe I "needed" a guitar to let stuff out...but really, I just missed playing and wanted one.
:D

P.S. - Thank you, Mom and Dad...for the guitar!

Murphy

This is Murphy...he's my dog. Well...our dog Madeline had him...we kept him, and he was always my dog. Slept with me, sat with me, followed me around the house...my dog. :) Then Torri came around...Murphy LOVES Torri...he always wants to sit by her, and take naps with her.

He's probably 12+ years old...he's not been well for a little while. We love him and are going to miss him lots!

To Murphy...the bestest Murphy ever!

It's finally gone

I sold my drum set today! YAY!

Now...I have more room, and I can start working on my grandpa's guitar.






Side note: Rhoda is in the hospital...so I might drop off the face of the planet. Don't hate me.

Happy Birthday...

TO LAURIE!

A year and a day apart!

She's my best friend and my co-hort into trouble. I'm so glad she's my sister on top of it all!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

This is my favorite picture of us...it's on the ferry to San Juan Islands

That's an assault rifle...yeah!

She's totally pinching my rear! :D

Happy Birthday

TO ME! :D

29 years ago...a most blessed day occurred! ;)


this is the only baby picture I have on my computer...wasn't I cute? YES, of course!

Dackidyls and Roof & beer

I don't have kids, so you get my niece, Torri. :)

Finley Jane

Laurie and I have a dog named, Finley Jane (Laurie and Emma gave her a middle name...she responds to it funny enough). She's a cute, black little dachshund.

My story begins with a Cedar Chest my Nana gave me. I have it at the foot of my bed, and I keep blankets in it. The other night I threw a quilt on top of the chest to put away, and when I came in to get ready for bed she had turned the quilt into her little nest...That's the foot of my bed there where she's wedged herself in...hehehe...silly dog.

I have gray hair

My friend, Emma, lives next door to where I work. She wanted to give back some books so I met her outside. And in the cloudy light, she goes, "Oh my gosh, Chivaun you have gray hair in front here. She starts running her fingers through my hair looking for gray hair.

She pulled one out of the side of my head...it's not gray...it's WHITE!

Annoyed

Annoyed...that's exactly the word I would use...

So, I put my drumset up for sale in the local paper...I put $400 on it. I have some good hardware that I could just sell separately and get a good amount...but I lack the motivation.

I got a call this weekend about it...a couple who have a 9 yr old has been bugging them to get drums for a year. They were supposed to come up earlier this week. I never heard anything, never heard anything...so today I called them back.

Turns out the husband never called me to tell me they weren't gonna get the drumset! UGH!!! There are a lot of things I'd like to say right now...but they aren't very nice, so I'll keep them to myself.

Anyone wanna buy a drumset? LOL

Memories

I'm getting ready to do a lesson in Seminary about Paul embarking on a mission, and all the things that went along with that. So, I thought..."Hey I've served a mission...I'll bring some of my stuff"...because really why read the scriptures if we aren't going to apply them to today?

Got me thinkin'...I loved my mission, and I'm so glad I got to go. Took a lot to get there...but, I feel richly blessed for those opportunities given to me from the Lord, and my family! Here's one of my absolute favorite pictures taken on my mission. The motto to my mission was : California Fresno Mission: The Lord's Vinyard.

ugh

It's snowing..




That is all...

Rock Band and Drums

Last night, my good friend, Charlie, helped me do some seminary stuff...and then came over and we played a little Rock Band2. I was playin' drums, and the chair I was in was too close to the floor, and my shin was KILLING me. So, I got my really real drum stool to use.

The next song set we did included "Troublemaker" by Weezer...I decided to play it on Expert...

I GOT THE ACHIEVEMENT FOR 100% on Expert! :D :D

Those of you who have been following my Rock band career will know how frustrating I find the drums on Rock Band because I play the drums in real life, and I used to die frequently in Rock Band...

Just had to share this one with you!

I'm not feelin' it...

Do you ever just have those moments when you just aren't feelin' it? I feel very blah. And, like I'd rather be golfing...even tho' I don't golf...you get the picture. ;)

Thanks for the chit-chat this mornin', Tara...hope you enjoy the CD!

Stray Cats

I'm going to forewarn you...this is gross...

So, I live in this little bunch of 4 cottages (small houses)...and there is a plethora of extra cats around. They're annoying...no one owns them...well maybe one or two of them have owners...but they're outdoor cats. So what if you put food down...stupid.

I digress...

Last night, I went to put my dog out to do her business...and when I went to open the door back up...there was this splotch of wetness on my door...I get close to it, sure enough it's cat pee. One of those damn strays sprayed my front porch.

Laurie called Animal control, and they said that they can't do anything and for us to call WAIF. UGH! So, she calls WAIF...and they tell her that there's a waiting list, and that all they do is Spay/neuter the cat and release them back where they came from. Now does that sound at all helpful to any of you? The problem isn't that they're pro-creating...it's that my front porch smells like cat urine! IT'S DISGUSTING! Plus they can some how get under our house, so our bathroom stinks too!

So...what do you do now? I'm just fine with "taking care" of the problem. But, I'm pretty sure that's illegal. So, do I go get cat traps (On my own at my own expense) and then drive them to Deception Pass at night and toss them over...ok...that was a joke! ;)

So, today when I got home this cat, that I don't recognize, climbs out from under my porch...*STEAMING HOT NOW*. So...I let Finley chase the stupid animal...and proceeded to take the little boulders from our Rock Garden, and tried to close up any possible way they could get under the porch. It actually kinda looks cool...but that's not the point, is it?

I hope I'm able to find some cat traps...then I'll go release them off in Skagit County somewhere. LOL! I'll keep catching them until someone complains, or until they're all gone. Is that mean? I dunno...I feel like my health is at risk here.

True Friends

I love my friends...all of them...but inevitably they leave, get married, get new jobs, start families...and life moves in different directions...so it's absolutely amazing and fantastic, when you get to touch base with one such friend, and find that you pick up where you had left off! I think that dynamic is part of the definition for a "True Friend".

What brought this on, you might ask. A family friend, Chris Ziehm. He was up here in the Navy. Laurie and I got to know him through YSA. He was Charlie's friend first, but then Laurie and I adopted him as our own. ;) He's been gone for 2-ish years, and came up to visit. It's like NOTHING has changed, and I love it! He's the handsome boy in the picture, by the way. :)

Guitars

So...I have started teaching myself how to play...I really enjoy music, and learning how to play has been rewarding! I bought an Epiphone Les Paul 100 last May, I think...and I think it was a good guitar to start learning on, but I think it's too small for me...It plays really nice, the fret board is nice and smooth...and I am constantly surprised how well it stays in tune...even with new strings. Here's a picture of it...



So back to the too small thing...I would like a guitar with a longer body...My grandpa had a Guild guitar that I know of...but had Gretsch drums...so we like Gretsch. Below is the guitar that I have my eye on.

It's a bit more expensive than the Epipone I bought, but it's a better quality guitar. I did a little more research and found out there's a dealer down in Langley. So...I'll probably sell the Epiphone...my first baby...but it'll be ok. Change is good. :)

Something that made me laugh tonight...

I'm sitting here finishing up some things for my Seminary lesson tomorrow...looking for some pictures to share with the kids, and I came across the coolest picture EVER!


I'm sure it's totally appropriate...if nothing...it'll get a laugh out of them at 6:10 in the morning. ;)

Sewing machine

We're out of staples...


So...my sister just used her sewing machine to bind some papers together...


Another amazing thing you can do with a sewing machine!

Guitarin'

So...
I have had my guitar for a little bit now. I go in spurts where I play a lot, and then I don't. Right now, I'm playing a lot...every night for an hour at least. My fingers are gettin' used to it and are all calloused pretty good. :)

I can now play a variety of songs...here's my list:

Island in the Sun - Weezer
Dreamin' - Weezer
I'm gone, I'm going - Lesley Roy (I found this song on Rock Band 2)
I don't care - Fall out Boy
Decode - Paramore
I caught myself - Paramore
Here we go again - Paramore
I'm yours - Jason Mraz (for Laurie)
Linger - The Cranberries
About a Girl - The Academy Is...
Phrase that pays - The Academy Is...

Seems like a bigger list than I thought it would. I really enjoy playing, and now that I'm getting the hang of things, I look forward to learning more songs, and more stuff! I'm truly grateful for music in my life, and I feel like I've accomplished something I should have done a long time ago. I'm my own Rhythm section - Drums, Bass (i got one), guitar!