Snow Day in Vegas....schools closed!

Wow! The weather outside is exciting! We have snow snow snow! We got 5" at our house and Jerry and Stephanie in Boulder City got 8" they are snowed it! The schools are closed due to not plows, same with McCarren airport! No equipment to clean the runways! CRAZY!

So my seniors have a snow day for the first and last time of their school career. Cool! This is the biggest snow storm in Las Vegas since 1979.

Las Vegas, Pahrump Schools Closed Thursday
Updated:Dec 18, 2008 05:44 AM PST

Winter Weather Hits Las Vegas

The Clark County School District closed schools for Thursday. Students and teachers do not have to report to school, but the district says all administrators, 12-month employees, and office staff should report to work as usual. In Nye County, Transportation Director Cameron McRae says schools in the town of Pahrump are also closed Thursday.
ALL CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED ON THURSDAY.
NYE COUNTY SCHOOLS IN PAHRUMP ARE CLOSED ON THURSDAY.

So this storm did get some national media, here is the link from front page of Yahoo: Las Vegas gets record snowfall, 3.6 inches

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081218/ap_on_re_us/western_weather

ARMY chicks

Well the day has come, the decision has been made and the papers have been signed. My little girls are joining the ARMY Reserves! Wow! I am so proud of them and all the accomplishments they have made in their lives.

They are flying out to MEPS in Salt Lake on Tuesday 11/25/08 to go to their physicals and swear in on Wednesday 11/26/08 as members of the ARMY Reserve. They are so excited as are Eddie and I. We couldn't wish for a better future for them right now.
I will be driving up to Utah on Wednesday for Thanksgiving by myself. Eddie has been moved to a different Casino job and is working 6 days a week 10 hours a day. Another career advancement for him.

I am sure they will post their update their own BLOG with their experience at MEPS.

17 years later

Samantha Iris Dolbee

born 11/13/1991

6 lb 5 oz 17" @ 5:10 pm

Darleen Kathrine Dolbee

born 11/13/1991

6 lb 8oz 17 1/2" @ 5:12 pm

17 years ago today was a busy day for the family in Utah. I went to the hospital at 5:00 am to be induced only to find the elevators were not operating. Just picture it, an enormously pregnant woman walking up 2 flights of stairs! Good thing I wasn't in labor!

They hooked me up with double bells and whistles for the two little babies in my engorged belly. Eddie was just a nervous wreck, he was smoking at the time and left the room every 20 - 30 minutes to go outside and smoke. Later the Dolbee clan showed up (Iris, Carol, Quinn) to be with us. About 10:00 am my wonderful Momma Marva came to sit with me and helped me through my epidural. While my sister-in-law Carol swore she was not having kids ever! Needles to say 9 months later she had her son Colby.

My fun spirited aunt Linda Howes was on duty at the hospital that day and came in to help me out until her shift was over. She was great, her and my step-mom would get the nurses for me when I was in pain. Yes, the girls labor was painful when I was awake. We went in and out of sleep and pushed and breathed and cried for what seemed hours. Then the nurse finally said we were crowning and ready for delivery!

Whew! Well if you don't know, two babies at a time take a lot of staff and stuff! There were double doctors and nurses in my delivery room. Eddie was so brave holding my hand the whole time we were delivering. The first baby came out "its a girl!" the doctors exclaimed. She was beautiful! Little smooshy face, big red lips and tons of white hair! We were excited and waiting anxious for our little boy to be born next. He was breach and they used their salad spoons to bring the baby #2 out. When out, the doctor exclaimed with a bit of stress, "It's..another girl!"

Eddie said the two doctors exchanged glances and shrugged. You see, we were assured for the last 5 months they were a boy and girl. Then I looked at the baby and at Eddie and cried, "we only have one girls name!" But #2 was rushed to NICU for the hole in her lung where amniotic fluid had seeped in. I saw her from afar and she was beautiful! long head, brown skin and black hair. WOW! two girls! What to do? What do we name them?

My dad got to the floor just as they were born, he didn't miss a thing.
Now here we are 17 years later, seniors in high school, driving cars and dad crazy! They are great girls and I couldn't have asked for better. I could continue this, but you may get bored and stop reading. They have survived 17 years! holy cow!

I love my piglets so much, and wish them the best for 17 more years! Happy birthday Dee & Sam!

girls carving pumpkins

We went to Jerry & Stephanies this last Saturday. The girls (Allie, Dee & Sam)carved pumpkins. They are so cute when they spend time together. It has been a few months, but they acted like it had only been days.

Of course Jerry & Eddie had fun too

my girls driving

Take cover! The Dolbee twins are hitting the blacktop on 4 wheels!

BTW - this is Aunt Stephanies convertable. The girls purchased their own car. 1991 Ruick Regal.

My Family

I just wanted to tell my family and friends that I love you all. I miss those of you who are near and far, and hope to see everyone next year at least once.

I feel far away sometimes, and just being able to text, bog, facebook, and myspace helps me feel connected. I know we all get busy and forget to update our internet lives, I know I do.

New Dollar Coin

This article is confirmed by Snopes. Americans are all stressed about the newer dollar coins being distributed. They do say "in God we trust" on the edge of the coin, where other coins have the ridged edges.
This just goes to show you how lazy Americans are becoming, they are not looking at the full picture, just the spam they get. It is sad and discerning to see the ignorance in our citizens. When you look at new money, you should really look at it. The entire picture should answer all your questions!

http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/dollarcoin.asp

Welcome to Las Vegas Sign

"Welcome to Las Vegas" sign to receive parking lot

49 years and millions of pictures later, the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign is finally getting the attention it deserves.
Groundbreaking is set for Wednesday on a new parking lot at the sign. No longer will we all have to stop traffic and jump the curb to park in gravel in the middle of Las Vegas Boulevard for pictures.
County officials will gather to kick-off construction of the parking lot, which will have 12 actual parking spaces and room for two busses.
The parking lot should be finished in November.

http://www.kvbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=8980435

So next time you come to visit.....we can legally park by the sign and take pictures with the other tourists!

WOW Seniors

I just can't believe my little baby girls are going to be seniors. It seems like last year they were learning to ride a bike, now they are embarking their Senior year of High School!


Amazing thing, they graduate in May 2009 . And my 20 year High School Reunion is in October 2009







Trust me in that writing this blog I will cry. So it is ok if you do also!
This is a trip in the past, and a trip in my life. There are so many stories I could share but I want to chronicle the life of my seniors, not my senior year.


I remember when they started kindergarten at Tarpey Elementry September 1995, they were so cute with their pigtail braids. I was prepared to hang out around school in case they needed me. I walked them to school, went to class to meet their teacher. Then they went immediately to the playground! I was trying not to cry while I took pictures. (will have to find in storage). Then they told me “ok mommy, you can go home now!” I cried!





Then September 2003 came Jr. High school at my rival Clark Intermediate. Big time, lockers, 4 classes a day, lunch time without a playground. The cool hang out place after school was across the street at the Public Library compound. And Boys.


Then that summer, August 2004 we packed up the U-haul and moved to fabulous Las Vegas Nevada.

Welcome the school year to a new Jr High school In Las Vegas at Silvestri Junior High School, August 2004


Then August 2005, the started High School at Liberty. Lots of changes, dress code, uniform standards. They have adapted over 3 years. Now here we are, 12 years later. They are Seniors at Liberty High School, Las Vegas Nevada. Class of 2009.


And they work together at Outlaws Backyard BBQ & Chili.



They are active and headed toward the Army Reserve as a carrer and college path in their lives. They have been talking about the "buddy system" the military has. You go through boot camp with your buddy.




Here's to our little girls, who are all grown up now.





Darleen Kathrine Dolbee

Samantha Iris Dolbee

International Disturbed Peoples Day

Today is International Disturbed People's Day

Please send anencouraging message to a disturbed friend... just as I've done. Idon't care if you lick windows,take the special bus or occasionally pee on yourself...You hang in there sunshine, you're friggin' special.
Every sixty seconds you spend angry, upset or mad, is a full minute of happiness you'll never get back.
Today's Message of the Day is: Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you smile.
Send to all the people you love and don't want to lose in 2008, even me. If you get 3 back, you are a great friend. Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we should dance.

my Jeep - 2HAPY

It seems that the life of my Jeep is over. She has taken us to Utah, Arizona and California. We have enjoyed snow, mud, rocks, mountains and lots of big wide deep water pools and puddles. Don't forget her "man weekends" with the guys. We have climbed the mountains and hills in Las Vegas, Baker and Moapa. She has driven her last mile until we buy a new/re-build a motor or replace her. So sad! I will have AAA road side service as long as I am on this earth!

She was towed on a lovely Tuesday morning 7/2/08. The first tow truck arived within 60 minutes....but was a t-bar not equiped to tow my 4WD jeep. He called for a flatbed. Tempature was 109 when the second tow truck finally got there 3 1/3 hours later. My friend Jen was great to come try and rescue me, and take the girls to work. Then Jen and Scott picked me up and took me to buy a starter for Eddie to install when he came home from work. He fixed it while I was making dinner, and got it done in time to eat! Woo hoo!
Then.......Friday 7/25/08 on my way home from work, she started to make loud noises, that only got worse as I tried to get off the busy I-15 in Las Vegas. I managed to get her off the road and into a truck stop gas station. I stopped and turned her off, then got out and saw I was in the red zone of the truck scales....No good. AAA was great to get me a truck within 30 minutes! It was 108 with 27% humidity when he arrived.


Unfortunatly, this time Eddie was unable to keep her going. We got 4 quarts of oil, 7 gallons of water, spark plugs and rotor. She was a no go. Threw a rod, and spitting oil out of the dip stick hole. So she is in a comma in front of the house. We will be carpooling and saving $$ for a few months to either replace the motor or replace my beloved Jeep. We will miss the good times and bad times. All our travels and craming teenagers in you to have fun. Good times 2HAPY, R.I.P. girl.

Bonnie's Slideshow

Stupid and selfish parents

Adding to the drama of how selfish parents are, here is a new one, that arised from the New Zeland article below.

CNN) -- When you hear the name "Indiana Jones," you think of an archaeologist carrying an idol and dodging a giant boulder. When you hear about "Dow Jones," you might wonder if it's up or down that day. However, in this case, Indiana and Dow Jones are siblings, 12 and 7 years old, respectively.

Dow and Indiana Jones participate in many sporting events. Indiana says, "announcers love to say our names."

Indiana Elizabeth Jones shared her story with the iReport community, and we spoke with her mother, Jennifer Jones. The Port Deposit, Maryland, resident says Indiana got her name simply because her husband's family is from that state.
As for Dow Joseph Jones, there was serious talk of naming him Jack Ryan Jones, to keep the Harrison Ford theme. (Jack Ryan is the character Ford played in a series of action movies.) Instead, her husband named their son Dow on a dare while Jennifer was asleep in the hospital bed after giving birth.
She said she cried when she found out and even thought about having Dow's name changed.
CNN.com asked users to share their unusual names after a 9-year-old New Zealand girl named Talula Does the Hula from Hawaii won the right to change her name. (Full story below)

How absurd! I agree with this judge. Just read this in Yahoo news. I am amazed at the stupid names people, including celebrities, are naming their children these days. But this takes the cake!
Growing up with out a middle name was pretty bad, kids made fun of me because they thought it was so horrible, I wouldn't tell anyone. No one believed a child could be born and not given a middle name. I survived, luckily, but this poor little girl has suffered.

"WELLINGTON, New Zealand - A family court judge in New Zealand has had enough with parents giving their children bizarre names here, and did something about it.

Just ask Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii. He had her renamed.
Judge Rob Murfitt made the 9-year-old girl a ward of the court so that her name could be changed, he said in a ruling made public Thursday. The girl was involved in a custody battle, he said.
The new name was not made public to protect the girl's privacy.
"The court is profoundly concerned about the very poor judgment which this child's parents have shown in choosing this name," he wrote. "It makes a fool of the child and sets her up with a social disability and handicap, unnecessarily."
The girl had been so embarrassed at the name that she had never told her closest friends what it was. She told people to call her "K" instead, the girl's lawyer, Colleen MacLeod, told the court.
In his ruling, Murfitt cited a list of the unfortunate names.
Registration officials blocked some names, including Fish and Chips, Yeah Detroit, Keenan Got Lucy and Sex Fruit, he said. But others were allowed, including Number 16 Bus Shelter "and tragically, Violence," he said.
New Zealand law does not allow names that would cause offense to a reasonable person, among other conditions, said Brian Clarke, the registrar general of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
Clarke said officials usually talked to parents who proposed unusual names to convince them about the potential for embarrassment." http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080724/ap_on_re_au_an/new_zealand_bizarre_names

New House!

So we decided to start looking for a new neighborhood. Ours has been slowly getting worse. Kids breaking into vacant houses, cops and helicopters in the hood. One of our neighbors is buying a new gun and staying put. Our other neighbors found hand prints on their sliding glass door and other windows. Not happy! We decided to do Craig's list and found 7 places to look at. We e-mailed and received some responses, and I called the next day to make appointments. We looked and 2 houses and fell in love!

It's a 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath, plus a loft! What more could you ask for? A house no one has ever lived in! Yes, that's right. Brand spanking new baby!

Kitchen complete with all new appliances (fridge is on order) Laundry room is upstairs, with new washer and dryer!
The Dream Bathroom: Soaking tub, separate shower, toilet in a closet, 2 separate vanities. That's right, on opposite sides of the bathroom!

We are so pleased to have found such a gorgeous house! And it's the same price as the one we live in now! WOW! Can't wait to move at the end of June!

This is Eddie's fathers day gift and my birthday gift all in one! Hope to see you after we move in!

New blogger here!

So I finally added a blog. Just for my niece Karissa, since she makes it look more fun than Facebook and MySpace.

Give me some time this weekend and I am sure it will be a cool thing to check out! I will add some sweet stuff from my worksite.

So hope you check back soon!