Carol's random babble

I got started several years ago. I blogged as a way to keep family informed, and really just as a way to get my thoughts out there. It's my way of keeping a journal. I never really expected anyone to read my blog, and it still kind of surprises me when someone comments or tells me about something that I read. I don't have high expectations for my blog because I haven't put a lot of effort into making it make money. But here's the thing: You get out of it what you put into it. And here's another thing: You can get help getting started with your blog. I signed up for a free online class from Blogelina last year. The classes were on Tuesdays and I work Tuesdays, so I didn't get to participate much, but I did get an email with a PDF of the information that was in the class. In addition, I got a year's free hosting at GoDaddy.com. Blogelina also has video tutorials and Facebook groups where bloggers can come together to support each other. Community i...

They do. They really do. And you try to prepare and teach your child this and try to get them to be cautious and everything. But accidents happen. Tonight, Cayla experienced this and she doesn't like it. She was at an intersection and realized if she turned the way she was going, she would be going the wrong way on a one-way. So she backed up a little ... into another car. There's a crack about 8 inches long in my van's back bumper. She said the other driver said he didn't have enough damage to report. She didn't get his information, but he did get hers. I called the police non-emergency number and an officer came out to look at our van. He isn't filing a report because there's so little damage. I also called our insurance company. Cayla is still shook up. I'm just glad she's not hurt (or anybody else). And I hope this lesson is all it takes. It's so hard for a teenager to hit that balance between caution and initiative. We had ...

My niece Jessica Sanchez married Eric Tilton on Saturday, May 4, 2013 (Star Wars Day: May the Fourth be with you). Here are a few photos from the rehearsal and reception. Rehearsal on Friday night. Daniel (far right) was standing in for Eric's brother Justin, who had to work. Working out the procession order at the rehearsal. I don't have pictures of the wedding. Donna, Jessica and Cayla were late, and Cayla left my camera in Donna's car, so I didn't get it back until Donna and Cayla came to the reception. I took pictures with Jessica's camera, and she said she would share some with me. The happy couple enters the reception hall. Bridesmaid Cayla gives her toast. Cutting the cake. First dance as husband and wife.

My niece Jessica is getting married today. It was supposed to be a nice day in May, and there were supposed to be flowers in the garden at the historic church where the wedding will take place. Instead, the high will be about 54 degrees and there is currently still snow on the ground from Thursday's snowstorm. You just can't plan everything. I'll probably do a longer post later tonight, when we get home from the reception. I took pictures at the rehearsal last night and at the reception site where family members were decorating. But I need to get a little bit more sleep before getting on with the day. My schedule: Get up and dressed. Cayla get up and shower and dress, then we go to Donna's apartment, where Cayla will work on the signs and I will peel potatoes.  When the potato salad and Watergate salad are made, I go back home and wrap the gift that my friend Mara and I bought together. This is when I take my shower and take a nap, not necessarily in that o...