2 Happy

20 Years

2011-05-06T08:12:00.000-07:00

April 27, 2011 Eddie & I marked our 20 year anniversary. It was a busy day and life kept moving forward. We went to the Annual Laughlin River Run in Laughlin, NV-AZ for an adult weekend with our friends Hutch & Lisa.

April 27, 1991

April 30, 2011

I thought the backpack would be
going into a saddle bag :p

my hubby

Ducks @ Harrah's Laughlin

Headed back home to Vegas. this was my view from Lisa's Trike

We had a really great time, and are looking forward to going again next year!

Tommy on right, bobber on left

reminded me of the old Batmobile

Hutch & Lisa

Ed's ideas, bobber future

Tres Amigos

Me and Lisa

Ed has to touch it!

They converted this Sportster into a trike with
a kit that looks like training wheels :)

Another bobber, inspiration for Ed

I entered the redneck sport of NASCAR

2011-03-10T08:47:00.000-08:00

My sis-in-laws family was in town for the weekend and stayed in the camper ring at NASCAR with the Peterson clan from Utah. They had an extra ticket for Saturday race Sam's Town 300 and invited me, i said "sure why not! I'll try it once!"

Now I have NEVER been a fan of NASCAR but I recommend everyone attends a live race at least once in their life. It was great!

Quinn, Paige & Carol Peterson

We were rooting for Danica Patrick #7

Let the race begin!

These photographers had the best places!

Final turn #4 this is the winning placing. Danica came in 4th

Then My brother told me he could get tickets for Sunday race, the Kobalt 400 and we were going to surprise John with them, Sam was working to get the day off from Army Reserves. No luck, she was there all day so I took John and he was so excited!

Sam at reserves

She was working hard!

I told him Samantha had a surprise for him and I tried so hard to drive all the way there before I told him where we were going, I just couldn't do it.

excited to be here!

This escalator that was under the track to the pits went on forever!

race beginning

view from the VIP suite

Jerry got us VIP suite tickets, so we were on the roof of the suites at the start of the race

We had VIP passes so we went looking for the Peterson camp site

from atop of the Peterson trailer at turn #2

Ran into the Thunderbird Pilots #1Commander Leader Lt. Col. Case Cunningham & #2 left wing Capt. Ryan Riley

this trailer has a pool table to the right and the guy is sitting a chair on top a ladder

it was a fun day

Dee 2 week R&R

2011-03-04T09:55:00.000-08:00

It was over almost as quickly as it began. My sweet soldier girl was here and gone. 2 weeks was just enough time to get in lots of fun things and we miss her so much already.

We waited almost 2 hours for her to arrive at the airport, due to not knowing her flight number, but the departure time from Dallas-Fort Worth. We eagerly stalked the entry by luggage carousel one, with our signs, flowers and smiles.

Got my soldier

Cousin John

Sisters reunited

Cousin Allie

Then we went to Cali for the weekend to see Karissa, Nate and baby Nora. We also visited Gma & Gayne.

Dee learning to skim board

Baby Nora's first visit to the beach

missing Samantha

Me & my Dee

Sweet girls Dee & Court

They wrestled each other into the ocean

fun times

Proud dad Nate & Karissa w/Nora

Happy cousins Courtney, Karissa & Dee

Little Lemme family

Lots of shopping while Dee was home, as well as a movie or two. Time with Dad between long hours of work. For Valentines day the girls decided to have a night out, since their boyfriends don't live here. The went to the NewYork New York and saw Zumanity.

More shopping and Dee got a tattoo

Bad ass Tinkerbell

Madame Tussaudes Wax Museum

a night out at Phantom of the Opera.

Ladies night at the Opera

This was the last night, and we took Dee to the airport at 6:00 the next day. We will see her again this summer when she comes home for good, from deployment!

One more week!!

2011-01-29T22:26:00.001-08:00

Guess who will be home for 2 weeks of needed R&R? Our Soldier girl Dee! I am dreaming about it every night.

She has been gone for about 218 days so she is half way through her deplolyment!

We miss her so much and are so proud of her!

Although she is gone to Afghanistan, we think about her every day, and everywhere we are. Here Karen bravely did a jump photo under the Hollywood sign in honor of Dee. It was fun.

While at the beach, with out Darleen there, seaweed just isn't as fun! She is afraid of it as are many others.

Missing Dee while at the ocean, having her with us in our hearts. Miss you tons! See you soon!

I'm a great auntie!

2011-01-20T07:44:00.001-08:00

Wednesday January 13, 2011 at 12:36 am I became a Great Aunt to Nora Claire Lemme

Happy Birthday Nora Claire Lemme

This is the new Grandma or should we say Glamma Karen

I am the new Great Auntie

Samantha has a new cousin

Nora has been added to the Born on the 13th club.

Samantha & Darleen November 13, Karen December 13 and Nora January 13.

Meet the Lemme Family

Nate, Karissa and Nora

Time for an update!

2010-10-20T11:12:00.001-07:00

I was talking to Dee yesterday and she said "why haven't you posted a blog in a while?" Because i've been busy with school and waiting on some pictures from Darleen & Samantha. So here we go!

On 9.11.10 Darleen and her 650th company was assigned to guard the flags. In honor of it, she recived a flag and a certificate (yet to be mailed home) and we are so proud of her.

On 10.10.10 she got to go to the shooting range and kick some butt!

Some photos of her and her friends hanging out.

Samantha has been busy with school at UNLV and is in Anniston, Alabama at Fort McClellan for two weeks of Chemical Corp training. Before she left we had a girls day at the salon then to eat at Joes Crab Shack.

Eddie has been so busy working, I have to go see him there.

She got a phone!

2010-08-15T08:17:00.000-07:00

Darleen is awesome and has tried to call her dad everyday and me every other day by borrowing Sgt Hansens phone. Yesterday/today she finally got a cell phone in Afghanistan and also should be hooked to the internet. Those where her plans for the morning before their convoy.

She is with a few comrades from home and Sgt Young is her army mom. They spend time together every day and comfort each other, laugh and have a good time. She is awesome and I can't really thank her enough, or all the others in Dee's unit that are supporting her.

Her FB post 2 days ago was "I WANT TO GO HOME" and everyone encouraged her to be strong and keep going. She is keeping her spirits up, and being able to talk to us every day is great, although the phone calls end with tears and lots of love.

Sorry there are not more pictures, but she hasn't been able to use her computer wifi. She will get them going soon! She was on a convoy today and we hope to hear from her tonight :)

She has skype and we text on it for now dee.sunflower13 she has a webcam on her laptop. Also here is her address in case you missed it on FB:

Darleen Dolbee
NTMA CSTC-A CJ4
APO AE 09356

I have ordered APO/PPO boxes from the post office and it only cost $12.50 to ship them to her. You can even pay for the shipping online and the mailman will pick up from your door. The boxes are free and with the help of my FB friends this is the site to order them from:

https://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10052&categoryId=10000036&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=10000002&top_category=10000002&WT.ac=10000036

If you have friends and family that like to send care packages to soldiers then I have some addresses for you! Also as a reminder Patriot day is 9/11 and I belong to a group that sends cards to soldiers. So send our soldier girl a card for Patriot Day to show you support her. One of her friends said:

Wish u could send a soldier a care package but not sure what to send or who to send it to. Well now u do! And it's so easy too! just throw a bunch of crap in a box and send it to me. Cuz it really sux here and getting mail is like finding gold. So....if u decide to, check my wall on my profile for my address. Thanks SPC Oblek

Joseph Oblek
CFC
Camp Black Horse
APO AE 09320

Darleen and her beu Jeremy Drake are seperated by miles and miles of desert durring this year. He send me a message that they saw each other on Friday when he did a convoy to Camp Eggers. He hasn't sent me his address yet but I will fill you in when I get it!

Before they deployed they had a 4 day off post in Texas, and Samantha and Cousin Lisa flew in to see them.

They went to Waco and saw the memorial.

Went to the Dr Pepper Museum.

Went to Austin and saw millions of bats at sunset also ran over armadillos, got lost and poor cousin Lisa got a speeding ticket for going 7 miles over the posted speed. She tried to play it off telling the officer they were lost and trying to find Austin, didn't help.

Day 353

2010-08-04T19:02:00.000-07:00

Darleen called Monday night before they flew out, to wherever. Tuesday she text me from Sgt Obleks phone to tell me she was in Frankfurt, Germany! WOW! All I got was a text saying:

"Hi mommy its Dee we're in Frankfurt Germany. I love you and miss you tell everyone hi!"

Best text ever! 353 days to go!

Samantha our UNLV Rebel

2010-07-18T20:34:00.001-07:00

Samantha went on a 2 week AT with her Army Chemical Company to Ft McCoy in Wisconsin

This is a day in the life of Samantha working at Joes NY pizza

Yesterday she went to her SOAR orientation at UNLV and was enrolled for Fall 2010! Rebel Yell!

371 days left for Dee!

2010-07-18T20:05:00.000-07:00

Our soldier girl has 371 days to go! They ship out to Afghanistan soon, they can't release the date to us yet due to military homeland security rules. But heres a little of what she's been up to so far.....
Super Army Girl! http://hipposunflower.blogspot.com/ her blog, beware!
What a bed for and Army Girl
Stabbing dummies

Drake and Dolbee at the lake with their friends

What else is there to do on a military base?
Bowling!
I love that they wear bowling

shoes and ACU's~

Samantha and Cousin Lisa are going to Ft Hood, TX for Darleens companies 4 day leave next week~ they should have LOTS of pictures when they get back! I will keep you all posted with the events and her address when we get it!

650th Regional Support Group to deploy

2010-06-22T07:33:00.000-07:00

This is from the Channel 8 news 6.21.10 as Darleen's unit prepared for the airport and deployment.

This one is from FOX 5 news 6.21.10, they did a much better cover of the story.

And this is an article from the Las Vegas Review Journal 6.22.10. She is quoted

Eighteen-year-old Pfc. Darleen Dolbee, of Las Vegas, is leaving her parents, Ed and Bonnie Dolbee, and twin sister, Samantha Dolbee, who is also an Army Reserve soldier.

“I think the main thing is that I’m going to be missing my family,” she said. “It’s going to be really hard but I can stick through it.”

So very proud of my Army girl! Her boyfriend Specialist Jeremy Drake (whom she met at work) is in her unit and is deploying as well. They may not be stationed at the same post and will keep us posted.

There is also a slide show in the RJ article online. Get out the kleenex for the slideshow.

400 days

2010-06-19T11:36:00.000-07:00

Darleen came home from her unit yesterday and told me they started 400 days. She then said its 399 days and a wake up, that's Army talk.

She leaves on Monday for Fort Hood. I hope to be able to visit her on her 4 day leave before she ships out.

She will be stationed at Camp Eggers Military base in Kabu l, Afghanistan

Thanks to all of you who came to her Dee-ployment party! Here are some photos I liked:

and our red velvet soldier cakes were a hit! Literally!

Deployment Party

2010-05-30T20:23:00.001-07:00

Here she comes! Returning from Fort Hunter Liggett CA for her party last 2 weeks at home. She has found out they are now going to Fort Hood TX instead of Fort Dix for 4 weeks. They have given them a 3 day weekend in Fort Hood prior to Afghanistan deployment July 24-27 so I shall be going to Texas to see her for one last time until she comes home to us in July 2011!

PFC Darleen Dolbee

2010-05-09T06:53:00.001-07:00

As you all know both Samantha and Darleen are in the Army Reserves. Darleen's unit has been called to Afghanistan for 400 days of service. She has been on active duty since April 28th and is getting ready for training and service!

Thursday she leaves for Ft. Hunter Ligget in Monterey County, CA for three weeks. She comes home June 2 and then she has a black out period from June 3 - June 17. Then on June 21 they leave for Ft. Dix in New Jersey for four weeks.

She is at Ft. Dix for 4 weeks of training, then they get a 3 day pass and when they return they fly to Kuwait for 7-10 days and then head to their destination in Afghanistan. Her return home eta is July 2011.

Saturday June 12, 2010 we are having a deployment party for her. It's crazy that just a year ago my little girls graduated from High School. 19 years ago today was my first mothers day, when I was just 3 months pregnant and still thought it was only one baby. We didn't find out for sure they were twins until my ultrasound in July 1991, then 4 months later they were here!

Semester ends Saturday!

2010-05-09T06:45:00.000-07:00

I didn't realize I haven't blogged since February. And Karissa thinks she is a blogger slacker! There has been so much going on, I finish my semester of online classes on Saturday! I think I got 2 A's (Nevada History & Gen. Psychology) 1 B (History 101) and maybe a C (critical thinking). I tried to get all A & B but this Critical Thinking class is like geometry! Totally don't know what I'm reading most of the time! And this poor teacher of mine has about 3 students petitioning against her for some lame reason. She posted a huge message and I commented back that I thought she did a good job, and any time I sent and email she replied! Not sure what the other students problem is.
Then June 2 - July 30 I am taking 2 summer school classes! They are 4 weeks each, one in June and one in July. They are both English classes I think (can't log into my school page on Sunday).
I am pushing myself to get done with my prerequisites in Fall 2010 so I can register at UNLV nursing program in January 2011!

Georgia in April

2010-04-29T07:34:00.000-07:00

We went to Georgia to visit Cousin Lisa and her family. She was only 3 hours away from Darleen while at Ft Jackson, SC and they became her second family. We had such a great time in 4 short days! We went looking for silly bands for Katie, went to Wal-mart, cooked, ate at an awesome Mexican restaurant, made tie-dye shirts, went shopping at Charming Charlies, drove through Atlanta, and ate at The Varsity.
We started off by going to Baby land General Hospital, home of the Cabbage patch dolls.
I found my cabbage patch twin! Katie and I adopted suprise twins. She got a boy and a girl and I got twin boys!

It was so fun, I had wanted to go there since I got my first cabbage patch dolls in 1984~ Now they have new friends!We were there for the birth of a new cabbage patch baby and the little girls got to give it his first and middle name.
We found some sweet trucks on they way back.

We had a blast looking around in Gay, Georgia for the Big Red Oak covered bridge.
Found an old cemetery on this Big Oak Plantation, we thought might take us to the covered bridge. It didn't, it was a range and we got asked "if you ladies know where you are" we told the guy "actually no! we are looking for the Big Red Oak bridge!" He told us how to get there.We went to Senoia, Georgia this cool little town they filmed Fried Green Tomatoes in amongst other movies.

We ate lunch at the Redneck Gourmet diner. Looked at some antique stores and had a blast!
We also found a sweet man's type gas station, one stop shop! It sold knives, guns, ammo, food, lottery tickets, gas and had a pool table! Hoooey! Welcome to the South!

We had a great time looking for FDR little white house, and when we finally got there, they were closed. We talked to one of the guides and told him Darleen was deploying to Afghanistan in June and so he took us in and took our picture. He told us there were no tours that day anyway, because PBS was there filming a special on the FDR house that would air in the Spring 2011~

We saw the unfinished portrait that was being painted as FDR had a heart attack, then died later that day. We also got to see the completed portrait after his death.
When the last day was done, we wanted to make souvenirs of our trip. We made tie-die sister shirts.

On our way to the airport we stopped off at The Varsity, an old hot dog joint that was featured on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives. It is the largest and oldest operating Drive in in the US

Thank you Cousin Lisa and the Carlock Family for showing us such a good time in Georgia! We will be back next summer when Dee gets home!

Back to school

2010-02-02T10:12:00.000-08:00

So I did it! I signed up online for 4 classes at CSN this semester. I am taking 12 credits all on-line from my home! Its great and I have a lot of reading to do. I am taking 1/2 semester classes so I have History of Nevada and Critical Thinking the first 1/2 (until march 15) then the second 1/2 I have Psychology and American History.

So far so good! I have a big goal in mind and I don't want to stop until I reach it! I have changed gears and will be enrolling at UNLV in a year for the Nursing program. I'm going to be an RN and maybe an RNM or Nurse Practitioner. I'm thinking of doing Oncology or looking into working at the VA hospital. We have only just begun so I have some time to research it!

home for Christmas

2010-02-02T09:40:00.000-08:00

Thank you Christmas Exodus! The twins have gone 6 months with out seeing each other. We got to the airport a bit late and Dee found us first! She was squeeling and her hair was bouncing and the sisters grabbed each other and hugged for a few minutes.
Then we took her home and dad was waiting. They hugged and cried for about 5 minutes. This was awesome and we all cried and laughed together.
She was only home for 2 weeks so we wanted to make the best of it! We hung out at home. Dee made cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning and we made tamales for New Years.
Karissa and Nate came down Christmas eve and flew out to Oklahoma on Christmas afternoon.
Dee and her dad. The best part about this picture is the fact that they are looking the same. glasses, bottle, and you cant see it but they both have on flannel plaid pj pants.

As you can see, our cats love Christmas too. Rage is tromping in all the wrapping paper, Leeloo is eating my tree.

Oh and yes, those are zip ties holding the branches that I cut off that made my tree look lame. I got kudos from Eddie and Nate for my engineering genius.

My girls will be home for Christmas!

2009-12-08T18:15:00.001-08:00

I am a Proud Army Mom and my girls will be home for Christmas!
Darleen - PFC Dolbee graduated BCT on 11/20/09 at Ft Jackson, MO and started AIT school at the same base the following monday 11/23/09. She gets 2 weeks off for Holiday Exodus and will be home Thursday 12/17! Cousin Lisa is getting her from the base on 12/16 and driving to their house in Georgia then taking her to the airport in Atlanta to fly home to Vegas~ then on 12/31 she will fly back to Atlanta and stay with Tim & Lisa until they return her to base 1/3/10. She will graduate AIT 2/3/10! Samantha - PV2 Dolbee graduated BCT on 9/10/09 at Ft Leonard Wood, Mo and began AIT school there a week later 9/21/09. She graduates from AIT this Friday 12/11 at 8:00 am and then will get her crap together, shuttle to the airport and fly to Dallas, then fly home to Vegas! She is DONE! Now she will be a full fledged weekend warrior~ HOOAH!

The new twins

2009-11-10T14:16:00.000-08:00

These are my new twins. We have had them for 3 weeks now and they are just so fun! Eddie surprised me with them to make me smile and fill my empty house and loneliness. So far, it's working! The cats are getting used to them.
!
This is Sandy
This is Danny
They spend all their time together wrestling toys from each other, pooping and peeing.

They met one of their cousins last Sunday. This is Marley Poncho Box. He is a happy humping chihuahua.

They are getting along well with the cats. Leeloo has liked them from day one.
Rage has just started letting them be around him the last 2 days.
Gimpy hisses and growls when he can see them. Kiki hates them still.

October is breast cancer awareness!!!

2009-10-07T21:49:00.000-07:00

Save the boobies! It is breast cancer awareness month! Even the NFL is getting into it!
Click the link below to give free mammograms:
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2

Samantha's BCT graduation and road trip to Missouri!

2009-09-28T15:07:00.000-07:00

So Karissa and I journeyed to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for Samantha's BCT (basic combat training) graduation from the Army on September 8th - 11th, and yes we flew on an airplane and survived on 9/11/09! woo hoo!
Karissa did a blog but couldn't get all the pictures (hyperlink below)
http://nklemme.blogspot.com/2009/09/boo t-camp-graduation.html
so here are the items she missed!

the worlds largest farmer, the worlds largest eyeball and the worlds largest mosaic cat!!! And more!

To start off, we rented a car I would now NEVER buy. Toyota Prius. It had awesome fuel economy on the 6 gallon tank, but it is noisy and you have to press too many buttons! Luckily we never locked the keys in it!

Then we went to White Castle! Neither of us had ever eaten there before! My dad says he loves it and the locals call them "rat burgers". We enjoyed ours and had extra and we couldn't find any bums or homeless people to give them to. Just as we were ready to chuck them, this lady came in and ordered coffee and two sliders and hoped it would be less than $4.00 'cuz that's all she had. Karissa and I decided to give our 2 extra burgers to this lady. She was unsure at first and I convinced her we would throw them away! So she accepted them and we got in our Prius and drove off to our 1st of many destinations!

Yup! St Louis Arch! It is such a huge structure! We finally found a place to get us and the Arch in the picture together! Karissa is in the right doing Darleen's famous Cheerleader Jump.
Then we were off to find a Giant Farmer Fred and Clyde! OMG as you can see by the pictures, we laughed so hard! They were so funny!

Then we were off to find a Giant Eyeball!

And as we were there we found the bonus Giant Blue mosaic Cat!
then we headed for another destination called Hot and Cold water towers. This is what we found!
There was one last thing we had to get a picture of and it is this sign posted along the freeway throught the state. It reads "HIT A WORKER $10,000 FINE. LOSE YOUR LICENSE"
must be pretty bad over there!

This was our sunrise as we drove to the airport to go home. It was amazing and this does not do it justice! The sun was so huge and red it looked like Mars!

My Army Girls

2009-09-14T17:05:00.000-07:00

So Darleen left on Monday 9.7.09 for Fort Jackson, SC via MEPS in Salt Lake. She was there at the Radisson Hotel for an extra day and didn't ship to Ft. Jackson until 9.9.09. Luckily Box grandparents lived nearby and visited her Monday night, and Tuesday night took her to dinner. Then Wednesday she flew to Ft Jackson to begin her BCT! She arrived and is still in reception until basic training starts Monday 9.21.09. Thankfully they have had their phones and she has been able to text and call. Some girls can't keep their mouths shut so they have been doing a lot of PT.

Samantha graduated from BCT on Thursday 9.10.09 at Ft Leondard Wood, MO. Family day was on Wednesday and we got to spend the whole day with our soldiers on base. We went to the PX, all the training sites that were open and outside her barracks. She is a true Army Girl. She loves it and it shows.
At graduation they announced the oldest and the youngest soldiers. PV2 Samantha Dolbee from Nevada was the youngest graduate at the age of 17. She stays at FLW for her AIT school, and it starts Monday 9.21.09.

So today is my first evening alone! Eddie is gone to work and Darleen is away at BCT Ft. Jackson, SC. Samantha is away at AIT school Ft. Leonard Wood, MO.

This is the first time since the girls were born 17 years and 10 months ago, that I have not worked. I was laid off in June and still looking for a new job. I am not good at being a housewife yet, as I get upset that I don't have a job. I have registered for school at CSN city college, but am awaiting my transcripts to merge so I can register for mid term classes. I feel that I cannot get a new job until I complete my college degree. I have also decided to change careers and become an RN. Once I have taken all my core classes at CSN I will transfer to UNLV and then enter the nursing program. I may just get my second college degree at the same time the girls get theirs! We shall see!

My life seems to be starting over at the age of 38! I guess it's never to late!

I am looking for work

2009-07-08T08:07:00.000-07:00

I am currently looking for a job! I have an awesome work history that is steady and consistent! I am a workaholic and an organization freak (at work that is) I have been promoted and expanded my work experience at every job I have had! I am steadily applying for jobs and filling out questionnaires and attaching and uploading my resume, cover letter, transcripts. I have a personal goal I set for myself to apply for 10 jobs a week. Some weeks, there are more, some there are less, but I still go for it!

I have my resume on Monsterjobs.com. CareerBuilder.com, USAjobs.gov, Nevada Job exchange, Lasvegasjobs.com, and I'm sure there are more! Wow!
Looking for a new job takes as much time to do as a real job! As I said in my previous blog un-frikcin-employed I spend 4 - 5 hours a day looking for a job! But I am steadfast and stick with schedule. It has been 4 1/2 weeks since i was laid off. The Fontainebleau Resort isn't doing any better than me it seems. They are still in bankruptcy court and tring to get money to finish the project. It was scheduled to open in October 2009. This link has current photos and links to the most recent news articles.
www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com/fontainebleau.htm#construction

I miss my job. I just checked the company website today for job openings, just in case. No jobs at this time. They have such an awesome portfolio. www.raymond-co.com

Just needed to take some time out of my day and blog about it. Thanks for listening!

un-frickin-employed!!!

2009-06-27T18:01:00.000-07:00

So the awesome job I have loved since January 2008 laid me off June 3, 2009. Our construction site Fontainebleau Casino in Las Vegas went bankrupt. I am now unemployed and still find myself wide awake at 4:30 every morning!! So I get up and drive Eddie to work. Come home, eat some breakfast and get on the computer and look for a new frickin job! I swear I spend 5-6 hours a day Monday - Friday (sometimes Saturday) looking at the 5 job search agents I have signed up with. I apply for and send resumes to 2-4 places a day. Going for gold here, and looking at lots of Government jobs. Those applications are like taking an SAT test!! They take about 1-2 hours to complete! There is the background, education and then 60 - 90 questions for each application! YIKES!!
I am still adapting to the homemaker lifestyle. Problem is, I wake up at 4:30 am..........stores open about 8:00 am......Target, Office Depot, etc. I have bought 3 black ink cartridges and on my 2nd ream of paper!
Last time I was off work I had two little babies to chase around. Yup I have worked from days after I turned 16 until manditory maternaty leave with the twins in September 1991. Then I didn't return to work until they were almost 2! I mean, how many times a week can I do laundry and clean the house? I haven't let my self get sucked into the couch. I have only watched 3 movies, on 3 seperate days. I have actually lost weight! Woo hoo!
I am enjoying the one on one time with Darleen, and we are doing our best to not cry every day with Samantha at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. We are coping quite well I think. Going to start our evening/morning walks on Monday!

oh saw Transformers 2 in IMAX!!! THE BOMB DUDES!!!!! We will be seeing Harry Potter in IMAX also, they cost more but they are so AWESOME to see!!!

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON trailer in HD Video by Trailer Park - MySpace Video

2009-06-02T11:43:00.001-07:00

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON trailer in HD Video by Trailer Park - MySpace Video

Shared via AddThis

Its time to graduate!

2009-05-26T12:57:00.001-07:00

So its finally that time...my little girls are going to graduate from High School and become adults!Yikes! Time has flown since my WOW seniors blog 8/8/08. These are my precious little girls in Kindergarten at Tarpey Elementary in Clovis, CA September 1995.

Their 17th birthday November 13, 2008. Seemed so far to June from there! Proud dad.

Samantha & Darleen ready for Senior Prom June 2009.

Darleen & Samantha my beautiful precious little girls ready to graduate from Liberty High School June 9, 2009. Wow, just 14 days away!

Race for the Cure

2009-04-23T06:33:00.000-07:00

I have been such a slacker with my blog this year. Maybe because there has been nothing new going on???? Well, my slacker times are coming to an end!!

Saturday May 2, 2009 we are participating in the Susan G Komen "Race for the Cure"
I wanted to be all daring and do the 5K walk, but remembered I have surgery on the Tuesday previous...so alas, we will be doing a 1K walk. My awesome employer Raymond Company has sponsered us and 10 of my co-workers to participate in the 1 Mile Fun Walk.

http://race.komensouthernnevada.org/site/TR/Race/General?team_id=22650&pg=team&fr_id=1040 click to donate on our team site.

This is an aweseme cause that I have been donating to for years! Yes I have lots of support for the women who go through this tough time and survive or not. Eddie supports it he loves boobs and wants them to be around foreverBelow is a link that donates free mamograms when you click on their site. Just by clicking on the on the link. No purchase necesary!http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2

There should be some pictures after the "Race" posted. So be sure to check back! Love you all! And remember to eat! Losts of sponsers are in things you buy. I know it seems like a comercial blog, but its just a support page! Support your boobies!

Brave Girl Dee Dee

2009-02-11T10:38:00.000-08:00

Dee is a very brave girl. Today she has to fly to MEPS in SLC to finish her Army Reserve stuff and swear in. She is brave because she has to fly there alone, stay in a hotel alone and fly home Thursday alone.

I beleive she has decided on Gloria as the hippo travel companion of choice. Wise decision as she is a safe traveler. I had a picture of her, but its gone.

Welcome to Facebook

2009-02-03T06:18:00.001-08:00

So I just wanted to say how much fun Facebook has become. Thanks Karissa for getting me started long ago at G-ma & G-Pa Gaynes house at midnight.

In the last few months I have rekindled long lost friendships and relatives. Also keeping posted with family and friends current. Still looking for others, if you are out there I will find you! I have hooked up with high school and jr high friends and some as far back as 6th grade! Crazy you say? Not I! I love it! Facebook friends are forever!

So take out that yearbook and look for a blast from the past!

Thanks for coming!

2009-01-03T22:01:00.000-08:00

They text, they joked....then they drove.....Karissa and Nate http://nklemme.blogspot.com/2009/01/it-all-went-down-like-this.html

It was awesome and we all needed it. We had been away far to long, due to money and car issues over 2008. But they did it!

Wii for hours and then PS3 after the girls went to bed.

We went to Kohls and got awesome T-shirts for our men, and bras for the girls! Serriously.

We made 10 dozen tamales and ate candy, pumpkin pie, banana bread and eggnog bread.

Snow Day in Vegas....schools closed!

2008-12-18T06:42:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-21T06:56:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-13T08:41:00.001-08:00

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

2008-10-29T09:38:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-29T09:30:00.001-07:00

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

2008-10-03T12:51:00.001-07:00

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

2008-09-10T09:04:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-09T18:53:00.000-07:00

"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

2008-08-22T13:02:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-22T12:59:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-29T15:42:00.001-07:00

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

2008-07-24T10:04:00.001-07:00

Stupid and selfish parents

2008-07-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-06-02T17:10:00.001-07:00

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!

2008-05-20T22:14:00.000-07:00

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!