Just Add Laughter

Happy Halloween!!!

justaddlaughter@gmail.com (Jaime @ Just Add Laughter) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:34:00 +0000

Little Sis as Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty)
and
Big Sis as Hannah Montana

October 17, 1989

justaddlaughter@gmail.com (Jaime @ Just Add Laughter) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 02:34:00 +0000

On October 17, 1989, I was just 2 months shy of turning 10. My family (mom, dad, brother, sister) and I were visiting my grandparents in Fremont, California before we moved to North Dakota (my dad was Air Force, and that's where he had been stationed).

My grandfather and dad were settling down to watch Game 3 of the World Series in the living room. My mom and grandma were doing something in one of the bedrooms. My brother, who was just 3 days shy of turning 8, was around. I was sitting in the "Patio" where the kids' TV was, watching "You Can't Do That on Television" on Nickelodion.

All of a sudden, it felt as if my brother was shaking the couch. I remember realizing it was an earthquake, and running into the kitchen. As I did, I saw my mom run towards the living room, and heard the adults shouting "Where's Kimberly??" (My sister was only 4 at the time). As I was crossing the kitchen, I saw my grandma's Hen Cookie Jar fall and shatter on the floor.

I made it into the doorway leading to the living room, and stood there while the earthquake finished. My dad had run outside, looking for my sister, who was still no where to be found.

Once the shaking ended, and the adults had made sure my brother and I were OK, my mom went outside to also look for my sister. I can't remember how long it took for them to return, or who brought her in, but it turned out that she was in the front yard, holding onto a tree when the neighbor found her, and snatched her up so she would be safe. The neighbor told my parents that before she picked her up, my sister had said "I don't like the rolling grass!"

In the hours that followed, I remember being very anxious, as if it would all happen again. My grandfather continued watching the coverage of the fires and the Bay Bridge collapse. I didn't watch all that; I only caught bits and pieces as I moved through the house. I remember not wanting to go to bed that night, either.

I watched some YouTube videos today, mostly of World Series coverage before and after it happened. Not much footage is to be found of the actual earthquake, but a lot of pictures of the aftermath. I remember watching the Made-for-TV movie of the collapse of the Cypress Freeway, and the Earthquake Experience at Pier 39, where they actually simulate the 7.1 magnatude earthquake.

No earthquake I've ever been in has come close to that experience. A few summers ago, there was a swarm, and the largest was a 5-pointer, but I was driving and didn't feel it. I was in England when the 1994 Northridge Quake happened, too.

I consider us lucky that all we lost was a cookie jar. And I still feel for those who lost so much more.

Dot Com!

justaddlaughter@gmail.com (Jaime @ Just Add Laughter) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 03:01:00 +0000

Well, it's taken me a while, but I'm FINALLY a dot com!!!

You can link to me directly using http://www.justaddlaughterblog.com/!!!

Try it out!

Fall is Here!

justaddlaughter@gmail.com (Jaime @ Just Add Laughter) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 05:37:00 +0000

The new Fall TV season is now underway. I am little behind the times, and no longer have a DVR, so I'm going old-school and using a VCR. What's that? It's a device that plays VHS tapes. Remember those? I actually have 2 of them in my house. One on my living room TV as part of a DVD/VCR combo, and one in the girls' room, as part of their TV/VCR combo.

So anyway, I've been watching 90210 and Melrose Place, as well as Vampire Diaries on The CW. On CBS, I'm watching Survivor, CSI, and The Amazing Race (which I have yet to see the second half of the season premier). I also watched The Simpsons, The Cleveland Show, and Family Guy tonight on FOX. Luckily, my VCR is somewhat with the times, and I can record TAR while watching my FOX shows.

I'm just glad I have some way to record my shows, because I am so busy this school year. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, I'm teaching afterschool classes from 3-4:30. On Wednesdays, the girls and I go to The OaSis at the Methodist Church, which is a Student Ministry. My only "free" afternoons are Mondays and Fridays, and, of course, the weekend.

Let's just say that I am ready for our 5-day vacation coming up next week. I probably don't even have to say where I'm going, either. Anyone who knows me even a little bit will be able to guess (of course, you can always go HERE to find out).

Win a Pair of Ugg Boots!

justaddlaughter@gmail.com (Jaime @ Just Add Laughter) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 03:45:00 +0000

Whooga Ugg Boots is giving away a pair of Ugg Boots every month. It's very simple to enter, and since they ship internationally, it's open to those who generally don't get to enter blog contests!

To enter, go to Whooga Ugg Boots and pick one of their badges. Place it on your blog (or your MySpace page or other website!), then enter your name, email address, and site to enter. As long as you keep the badge on your site, you're entered to win!

One pair will be given away every month.

Go enter!!

Things Kids Say, #1

justaddlaughter@gmail.com (Jaime @ Just Add Laughter) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 01:36:00 +0000

Today, we went to a birthday party for one of Big Sis' friends. She turns 7 on Wednesday, but since it's the day before school starts, the party was today. This is a conversation that transpired while we were all eating pizza.

Friend: "Big Sis (well, she said the real name), have you ever been baptized?"

Big Sis: "Yes."

Me: "No, you haven't."

Big Sis: "Yes I have! I was watching my fan and it was going round and round."

Me: "Honey, she said 'baptized' not 'hypnotized.'"

I had a very hard time containing my laughter. However, now, while typing it again (I did post it to Facebook), I'm laughing again!!

The Sky Was Falling!

justaddlaughter@gmail.com (Jaime @ Just Add Laughter) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:04:00 +0000

So, according to several news sources, the Perseid Meteor Shower was at its peak the last two nights, August 11 & 12. Tuesday night, I had the worst caffeine-withdrawal headache (that's another blog post in itself), so I ended up falling alseep pretty early. I did wake at 3am Tuesday night/Wednesday morning, so I stepped outside for about 15 minutes to see what I could see.

Now, I live in Borrego Springs, which is, according to the International Dark Sky Foundation, the second-darkest night sky in the country, behind only Flagstaff, Arizona. What this means is that we have minimal light pollution from city lights. Considering we're a valley and surrounded by mountains and our "downtown" is less than a mile long, it's pretty awesome.

However, at 3am Wednesday morning, the moon was high, so I couldn't see much. Plus, I was still half asleep, and my eyes were taking a while to adjust to the light, or lack thereof.

So last night, Wednesday night, I went out at about 9:30 pm. My boyfriend (another LONG story) brought his truck by, and we sat in the back looking at the sky. My apartment complex has a few lights on, but at 10pm, they shut off, which made looking at the meteors much easier. The moon rose at 11:15, but it didn't hinder us until about 1am.

We saw so many meteors! Some that stretched the sky with bright tails, and others that were just quick "shooting stars." Some were green, and some were red. Some tails hung around for a few seconds, and others were quick to disappear. Then there were the few that looked like fireballs heading for Earth. It was the coolest thing I'd seen in the night sky, and I've seen my fair share of lunar eclipses and even the International Space Station fly overhead (which, I missed the sighting this morning at 5am, since I didn't get to sleep until after 2am).

There is supposed to be another meteor shower in December on my birthday. I just hope that the winter weather cooperates so I can see it!

I'm back....kind of

justaddlaughter@gmail.com (Jaime @ Just Add Laughter) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:06:00 +0000

Well, after a very long break after blogging burn out, I have decided to return.

I will probably start slow, but I'm hoping to get back into the swing of things. Not much is happening right now. I have one week until I go back to work, and the kids go back to school on the 20th. Big Sis will be in 3rd grade, and Little Sis will be in Kindergarten.

My biggest projects at home are getting the living room organized, the girls' clothes organized, and the girls' bunk beds set up. We moved into our house in March, and they're still sleeping on the air mattress. I'm such a horrible mom. At least it's cooler on the floor for Big Sis than on the top bunk, I'm sure.

So, I'm back.

Royal Family Kids Camp

justaddlaughter@gmail.com (Jaime @ Just Add Laughter) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 05:16:00 +0000

The Walk a Thon was yesterday.

I missed it because I was taking a First Aid/CPR training.

However, my wonderful, hard working Brownie Girl Scouts, decided to donate $200 of their hard earned Cookie Money to the kids of Royal Family Kids Camp.

Aren't they wonderful?

Updates...

justaddlaughter@gmail.com (Jaime @ Just Add Laughter) — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 02:49:00 +0000

Hi everyone!

First, I wanted to let you all know that I changed my Twitter. I deleted the old one, and made a new one. It's the same name, though! So, please follow @JustAddLaughter, if you'd like. My updates are protected, so just send me a request, and I'll approve it once I get a chance.

Ok, now for the BIG HUGE NEWS!

Over on the left, at the top, you'll see a nifty little Paypal Donate Button. I have that there for a very important reason.

In June, I will be going to camp as a counselor. The camp is Royal Family Kids' Camp, and it's "a Christian camp designed specifically for foster children ages 7-11. They go for a week to receive love, attention and affirmation on how important they are to God and us especially since some of them don't receive any of this in the homes they are in." (Description given by Norma, another volunteer, on my Facebook page. I couldn't have said it better, so I'm quoting her.)

The camp's budget is huge, and it's covered by donations from loving individuals, who give money for the camp's operation and time as counselors and other staff. I am in the midst of training for my week as a counselor, and I honestly can't wait to go.

On Saturday, April 25, we are having a Walk-A-Thon to raise money for camp. I am looking for sponsors who is willing to donate something -- ANYTHING -- to the cause. Anything you donate it tax deductible. You will receive a Giving Statement at the end of the year from the director.

If you have any questions about the camp or donating, please email me by clicking the link on the right at the top (across from the Donate button).

To learn more about RFKC, go to Royal Family Kids' Camp.

Spring Break!

justaddlaughter@gmail.com (Jaime @ Just Add Laughter) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 05:22:00 +0000

Hi everyone!

Wow, has it been a HECTIC time lately!

I am now moved back to Borrego Springs. I still have some big items to bring home, like the girls' bunk beds and dressers, but we're pretty much all settled in.

I also sold Girl Scout cookies with my troop. Our final count? 2,110 boxes!! Every girl who sold cookies ended up with at least one incentive. Big Sis ended up with 9! The girls have decided to go to Sea World with the money we raised. We just have to plan on the time with the parents.

I'm now on Spring Break. We have until April 20th off from work and school, but it's not much of a break for me! We'll be super busy!

On Tuesday, we'll be bringing the aforementioned beds and dressers to the apartment in Borrego Springs.

On Wednesday, I'm taking Big Sis, Little Sis and 2 of Big Sis' friends to Sea World.

On Thursday, I have Royal Family Kids' Camp Newbie training! For this, I am super excited! I will be a counselor when we go to camp this summer.

On Friday, I think I'll be going to Disneyland by myself. I need one day of Mommy Time, right??

On Saturday, I have all-staff RFKC training, starting at 7:45am! Perfect after a day at Disneyland, right?

Sunday will be our regularly scheduled church, and we'll go home to Borrego afterwards, and get ready for 7 more weeks of school!!!

But I'm not counting down at all. LOL

I'm hoping to be able to Blog more. I know you all miss me, right?

Oh, and did I mention that the San Jose Sharks won the President's Trophy? That means that they are the best team in the league! Bring on the playoffs!!! I will be one happy blogging mama if they end up playing the Anaheim Ducks (that means that they will be on local television)!!

Contest at Punky Monkeys -- Blog Makeover!

justaddlaughter@gmail.com (Jaime @ Just Add Laughter) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 02:47:00 +0000

Tena over at Punky Monkeys has really done a number on her blog! I've been away for so long that I didn't recognize her...she's even a DOT COM!

Anyway, she's hosting a giveaway for a complete blog makeover from Subjective Beauty. If you head on over to Tena's, you can learn how to enter. There are a LOT of opportunities to enter!! I LOVE my layout here, but I sure could use it for the Laughing Book Nook or My Disneyland Vacation! Oh, the possibilities!!

So, head on over to Punky Monkey's Giveaway Post to learn about the contest, then head on over to Subjective Beauty to take a look at the possibilites and let your imagination run wild!

Moving again!!

justaddlaughter@gmail.com (Jaime @ Just Add Laughter) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 02:33:00 +0000

And I can't wait!!

Since November, I've been commuting from Hemet to Borrego Springs, which is 72 miles ONE WAY. Let me tell you, it's not easy getting the girls up at 5 to leave by 6 to be at school by 8 so Big Sis can eat breakfast.

Well, we're moving back to Borrego! I just sent out the deposit and first month's rent, and hopefully I can move in really soon..like, next week. Even if we're living with air mattresses until I can bring down the girls' bunk beds, I don't care. It's only a one bedroom, but I need a new couch anyway, so I'll just get a futon and sleep on that.

Now, the girls can get up around 7:30, eat breakfast, and we can LEAVE at 8am, since we're about a mile and a half from school. It'll make Little Sis' life a whole lot easier, as she'll get to spend less time at the baby sitter.

Also, I'll get to get back to my blogging! YAY!

I want one!

justaddlaughter@gmail.com (Jaime @ Just Add Laughter) — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 19:51:00 +0000

Isn't she beautiful????

Big Sis' Art Class

justaddlaughter@gmail.com (Jaime @ Just Add Laughter) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:32:00 +0000

The 2nd graders are getting 8 art classes at school. First project was a mask. Here is Big Sis looking scary in hers.

Happy Valentine's Day!

justaddlaughter@gmail.com (Jaime @ Just Add Laughter) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 03:26:00 +0000

On January 20, the girls and I were driving at the crack of dawn to work and school. Big Sis looked out her window and said "Look Mom! A heart cloud!"

So I grabbed my camera out of my purse, and she snapped a pic while we were at a stop light.

I just wanted to share it with you today. The girls and I are watching Disney movies (currently we are watching "The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning") and I have the tent up for them for a "campout" tonight.

We still haven't had dinner. I'm thinking of running out to Sonic.

Hope you had a lovely day, even if you don't have a special Valentine. I'm blessed because I have TWO.

Amy Knapp Family Organizer WINNER

justaddlaughter@gmail.com (Jaime @ Just Add Laughter) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:49:00 +0000

And our winner is Ginny from Monkey Memories!!! Congrats, Ginny!!

Jump Rope for Heart

justaddlaughter@gmail.com (Jaime @ Just Add Laughter) — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 23:26:00 +0000

Big Sis is jumping on Friday, February 13 at her school. She's trying to raise $1000 for the American Heart Association. If you would like to donate, click on this link: http://tinyurl.com/BigSisJumps

I will be there during the event, and I will be taking pics!

Here's the message from her:

Hello! Did you know Jump Rope For Heart has been around for 30 years? I am so excited to be a part of this special celebration at my school. I am jumping rope and raising money to help the American Heart Association fight heart disease and stroke in Jump Rope For Heart. Can you please help me by making a donation that will help save lives?

The American Heart Association's online fundraising website has a minimum donation amount of $25.00. If you want to donate less, that's ok. You can just send the check right to me and I'll make sure the American Heart Association gets it.

Benjamin has survived two open-heart surgeries and is an active volunteer for the American Heart Association. Benjamin has been participating in events, raising awareness and raising funds since he was 2 years old. See a video interview with Benjamin at http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/flash/flash_content/Benjaminstory.wmv

The American Heart Association is a 501(c)3 organization which all donations to Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart are tax deductible. Everyone that makes an on-line contribution will instantly receive a confirmation e-mail that includes the amount donated along with the American Heart Association’s Federal Tax ID #. Thanks for your support of the American Heart Association’

Thanks for your support and helping me save lives!

Support research, education, and community programs leading the fight against America’s No. 1 killer, cardiovascular disease by donating to American Heart Association’s Jump Rope For Heart.

GIVEAWAY! Amy Knapp's Family Organizer

justaddlaughter@gmail.com (Jaime @ Just Add Laughter) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 16:25:00 +0000

As a mom, we know that life can get hectic. There's work, school, after school activities, doctor's appointments, birthday parties...the list goes on and on!

After I had Big Sis, I found Amy Knapp's Family Organizer. While it wasn't much help when she was a baby and I was a stay at home mom, now that I have two kids, two jobs, Brownies, my girls' after school activities, church activities, and other events thrown into the mix, I'm finding it to be a lifesaver!

Here's how I use the Family Organizer to help with my scheduling:

1. Each activities, including each girl and each job, have their own pen color. When Big Sis has a doctor's appointment, it gets written in purple. When I have a meeting with my Service Unit Manager for Brownies, it gets written in green. This way, I know at a glance what's going on that day, and can plan accordingly!

2. On the very right side is a place for you to plan menus for each day, according to your schedule. On the left page is a place for you to write your week's To-Do List and a grocery list. As I think of things I need to buy, or as I use up items in the kitchen, or as I come up with menu ideas, I jot the things I need to buy on the grocery list! This lists are really neat because they tear out, so you don't have to take your entire planner with you, just your grocery list.

3. With your planner, you get nifty little stickers, such as birthday stickers, "No School" or "Half Day" stickers, stickers for doctor's appointments and bills to pay. As you can see in this pic, I have TWO birthdays coming up on March 10, and yes, that Tena is the one and only from Punky Monkey's! She and my best friend Brooke have the same birthday -- same year, too! -- but don't know each other!

4. At the back of the planner are pages to keep everything else in your life organized. This is one of my favorites, even though I never get to use it! It's the Baby Sitter Information Page. You put your kids' information on the right side, and your house information on the left (address, phone number, emergency contacts). Then, you put a 3x3 post it pad at the bottom, so before you leave for the night, you put where you'll be and any other information (like, "Big Sis needs to read for 15 minutes for homework tonight" or "Little Sis gets a popcicle after dinner"). There's also a place to put information on your kids' organizations, parents' organizations, quick-reference contact list, and several pages for notes.

This handy planner is probably the best thing for parents since Uncrustables and Capri Suns! It keeps me organized, and it's handy to use, unlike those planners designed for people who can keep their heads on straight.

Do you want to win my extra copy??

Here's how to enter:

Go to Amy Knapp's Family Organizer Website and take a look around. Then, come back here and tell me how it will get (or keep!) your life and family organized and on time (well, it can't find lost shoes or your car keys, sorry). That's 1 Entry

Want extra entries?

Blog about this giveaway on your blog for an additional 2 entries. Leave two separate comments with the link to your post in each.
Mention this giveaway on Twitter for an additional 1 entry. Leave me a comment with the link to the update.
Follow this blog for an additional 1 entry. Leave a separate comment.
Follow this blog using the RSS feed for an additional 1 entry. Leave a separate comment.
That's a total of SIX entries!

This contest will run until Sunday, February 8 at 11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time. A winner will be drawn sometime on Monday, Feburary 9. Be sure to leave some kind of contact information! Are you a blogger? Learn how to leave your email address without leaving it in the comment section HERE!

Good Luck!

Lots of Posts..

justaddlaughter@gmail.com (Jaime @ Just Add Laughter) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 06:54:00 +0000

coming in the next couple of days, including a GIVEAWAY! I have an extra handy dandy planner that I just LOVE (second only to my Treo!) that can be YOURS!

More details coming soon. I'll let you know by Tweet and Facebook when the contest is up!

Photo Meme!

justaddlaughter@gmail.com (Jaime @ Just Add Laughter) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 04:19:00 +0000

Anita from Faith, Hope & Poop tagged me for this photo meme. I think I've done it before, but new pics are always being added, so why not do it again?

Here are the rules:
1. Go to where you store your digital photo folders & open the 4th folder.
2. Go to the 4th picture and post it.
3. Explain the picture.
4. Tag an additional 4 people.

This is a pic from Christmas (my 4th folder is Christmas, so if someone tags me for this again, change the folder number!)

This is one of Little Sis' stocking stuffers, which was a snowman-head sucker cover. She opened it only last week, and ended up not eating the sucker.

So now, I tag:

all those under my "Disney Buddies" blog roll!!

Wordle

justaddlaughter@gmail.com (Jaime @ Just Add Laughter) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 06:03:00 +0000

Saw this on Tena's Blog. Thought it was cool! Check out the ones from my other blogs, too: My Disneyland Vacation and The Laughing Book Nook!

Happy Birthday, Ginny!!

justaddlaughter@gmail.com (Jaime @ Just Add Laughter) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:00:00 +0000

I just wanted to wish a very good friend a very Happy Birthday!!

Ginny, aka LVBelle at LaughingPlace, is celebrating her birthday today.

Head on over to her blog, Monkey Memories, and wish her a happy birthday!!

Happy Birthday, Girlfriend! Can't wait to hang out at Disneyland again!

Contest at The Not-So-Blog Blog: Tooth Tunes Junior

justaddlaughter@gmail.com (Jaime @ Just Add Laughter) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 07:06:00 +0000

Teeth brushing in my house is always a battle. Big Sis has special mouth wash to find plaque, a Crest Spin Brush, and both girls have firefly toothbrushes that light up for 1 minute.

However, I still have to have Little Sis brush at least twice every night.

Bridgette over at The Not-So-Blog Blog is giving away TWO Tooth Tunes Juniors that play "The Bare Necessities" from The Jungle Book. Perfect for this house, right? Head on over there to enter! Contest ends January 24.

Contest at Ohana Mama - Kid Safe Ink Tattoos

justaddlaughter@gmail.com (Jaime @ Just Add Laughter) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 05:19:00 +0000

So, most of you know that I go to Disneyland quite often. I mean, a LOT. My biggest fear is that one day, when I'm there with both my girls during an exceptionally busy day, that one of them wonders off for some reason.

Now, Big Sis totally knows what to do: find a Cast Member (person with a name tag or a worker in a store), tell them she's lost, and they'll take her to Lost Children. She knows my cell number, including the area code. She also has her own cell phone that we use just in these situations, when we're out in heavily crowded areas.

However, Little Sis has always been my runner. Before she was 3, she could unbuckle her seat belt in the stroller, and slip out. Scared the CRAP out of me the first time she did it. "Hi Mommy" she said as she tugged on my shirt while I was checking out at the mall. Heart attack city!

These days, she's pretty good, but she still likes to wonder. I'm taking her to Disneyland on Valentine's Day, just the two of us, and while I know that we'll have a grand ol' time, I'm still scared that she'll wonder off. Disneyland is probably the safest place for her to wonder off, since Disneyland's Cast Members are extremely well trained, and have radios to block off entrances in a heartbeat.

Ok, now on to the contest. Over at Ohana Mama, you can win 24 temporary tattoos with your cell number. You place it on your child where it can be seen or your child can show it to someone, and you can then be called. I think this is a great idea, since (1) both my girls LOVE temporary tattoos and (2) Little Sis has a tendency to freak out a little, so she may not remember mommy's phone number.

You can head on over there to enter...there are many chances to win, and very few entries so far! If you don't think you could use these, PLEASE, go enter anyway, and give them to me. Little Sis is giving me grey hairs on her disappearing acts!!!!