The best Christmas Gift of 2008

Wednesday, Christmas Eve, I checked the mail at the shop- There was an envelope addressed to Helen and myself. Not odd, this time of year as sometimes customers and vendors send us good tidings in the form of Christmas Cards.
The return address was from Missouri, I dont know anyone there, nor did Helen. I opened it up ,and inside was a Tag from a Camoflage Jacket, Cardboard Santa Face, a Football Trader card of some kid, and a church handout, that clearly had been carried around in someones pocket.
Truly odd...and no note, or indication from who this was from.
As Helen and I racked our brains, and giggled at the contents, I thought I would google the address online to see what came up.
A nursing home facility came up--Again we both didnt know anyone who would be in a nursing home, so I called.
I explained to the gal who answered the phone what we had received in the mail, and there was no letter, only the name Christian at the return address.
The lady said that there was a resident there by the name Ed Christian, and she asked him if he sent us a letter.
I could hear him in the background answering her questions. Then the lady said, Ed has your business card here.
Then Ed wanted to talk to me. I got on the phone with him.
He asked me if I liked the letter, and I said yes, but we were confused because there was no note.
He asked if I remembered him. And I told him, I didnt remember and Im sorry I didnt remember. ( I truly cannot remember, how I met this person)
I thanked him for the things, and asked him if he would like us to send him some stickers, and what kind did he like. He asked for military stickers, because he had been in Korea in the military. He then asked if I was still as good -looking as when he met me. (I had to giggle at that!) I told him he was a sweetheart.
Then I told him we would mail him stickers, and Merry Christmas.


So Helen and I mailed him a bunch of stickers, a Christmas card, and a picture of us!

I have been thinking, about this man in a nursing home in Missouri, who somehow has our business card, and decided to mail us his treasures. And while we are on the brink of devistation in losing our business...next our homes- and our marriages. Ed made us laugh. And for the next while, all we could do is think of Ed and getting him some stickers.

Merry Christmas Ed!

ARRESTED!!!

*** Note she got out on a 50,000 bail. Meaning her 10% to get out was 5000, hmmm where did she get that money??? This will probably go to trial, because she is not confessing.


I got a call last night from the Detective, that she was arrested! Finally! After 6 months of this investigation, they got her! I dont have any more details than that. I don't know at this point if it will go to trial, if she denies it- I guess. I'm also hoping the local media and paper will pick the story up so we can get the mug shot!
And now that the arrest was made- I can finally tell people the facts. I was advised to not discuss the specifics of the evidence- until the arrest was made.
This woman stole from Kids. This Mother of 5,
She paid her personal utility bills with league money, wrote over 9000$ in checks to herself, took thousands in cash withdraws, proven by her signature at the bank (one specicific transaction was 9-100 billas and 5-2o's)and wrote checks to the league from her bank that bounced totalling about 4k.
As the whistleblower in this- I got some harassment from her, as well as her "friends" But at least now...The Law is on our side, and even if we never see a penny back from her, just to know she now has a criminal felony on her , is justice enough.

Am I a Super Mom?

Don't feel like it sometimes but....

According to this video I am!

SuperMOM!

PS..If you want to feel "Super" try it!

Yee Haw Cowboy...

DJ Castro- "The Fastest Draw in the West"

Wanted:

"Lil" Kennedy

For Stealing all the Choclolate Loot!

Halloween 2008--- On a Budget!

Would you believe these 2 cowboys, are ready for the Halloween festivities and I spent only about $30 bucks total! We had our Scout Halloween Party last night, and on Halloween this year, we will go to a Free event at "The Bounce Spot"

Mason decided he's too old to dress up (at 12) so sadly, it will only be the 2 boys with our annual theme.

Catch up Time....

So I feel like my life is officially a Soap Opera..Ill have to come up with a catchy title---
So Ill update my fan club as best as I can...

Update on Football embezzlement case...
We are still in an investigation status...apparently I cant discuss the details until an "arrest" has been made, but I have been made aware that its getting close..the Drama was twisted when 2 ignorant parents who have nothing to do with the case, (unless they are friends with the former treasurer, decided to get all political and protest outside my store)
The reason being was I allowed open registration nights at my shop, so they accused me of putting the money into my store.
On top of that, they felt their child didnt have a complete uniform (socks were backordered) on top of that she bounced a check to us!
Due to thier ignorance and thinking our entire board is at fault, it made the local media FOX 40, as well as "someone" posted slanderous material on Craigslist...

All we could do is bite tongues! They finally went away from my shop, but we banned them from all League events, and there was even a restraining order taken on this parent...

http://www.imascrapbookaddict.com/
The Store... The economy is not helping us at all, We have been racking our brains to figure out ways to stay in business, instead of developing classes, and ordering new product..We are researching bankrupcy, and slashing prices.
We have some ideas and an ounce of hope left for November and have officially announced to our loyals our suffering. We dont want a "pity-party" but we want to be fair. It is the public that is the driving force behind small business. You can only work so hard, and then it has to be faith and fate that will keep you in business. Believe me we are not lazy, we launched 2 additional businesses (divisions) within the shop , one being a non-profit and a promotions apparel company hoping that we could diversify and make additional revenue...but Helen and I are looking for jobs too.

Can it get worse? Oh yes...Dax got laid off! A week ago Friday, just as he was signing in for a conference call, his Office Manager told him the bad news. Apparently his company JACOBS, wants all Marketing and Creative Services positions at the So. Cal building. Since Dax was the only one who did what he did in Sacramento, he was let go. What's even more disappointing was he had just had his annual review- all good. Then BAM! But it was so nice we got 2 weeks severance (sarcastic) Ok, Glass half full moment...Dax's Freelance work has been great. He's been busy with that, and making connections right and left. Many of my close friends want to know why he dosnt Freelance full time. Well, no benefits, and no assured paycheck, thats why.

I was in the paper today!!!!

As I called our Football President today to check in , the first think out of his mouth was "Did you hear?" Hear what????

Apparently the police report I filed last Friday made todays West Sacramento newspaper front page...

let me backtrack---

I am the league treasurer, last year I was on the board as volunteer...fundrasing coordinator-I was in charge of a cookie do fundraiser, as well as a Monte Carlo night... during these events league checks started bouncing, it was strange as I had turned in all monies I collected...

The treasurer stopped showing up to meetings and just made a small appearance at the end of the monte carlo night..(so we could give her the money!)

Fast forward to May 08, as we started the new board meetings, I was asked to step in as new treasurer, and was voted in, our President suggested I call to get the laptop, and all the documents from the old treasurer, he thought that perhaps since his attemps failed, and I didn not directly work with her, that she would comply-- this is where the wierdness starts...she said on the first conversation in June that she would bring me the stuff- then no show, I even invited her to the first meeting. Then I had a legnty conversation with her, and she said she needed invoices and what nots from the President. This seemed wierd becasue these were items she as treasurer should have had in her possession. I left her a final message to drop off all the things at my store, so that she would have to deal with "me".

Also about this time, we vote her off the board, and with a paper provided by the bank we were able to boot her off the account and then access all the bank records. Unfortuanly the board made the mistake of not looking at what she was doing...after all she is a mother with 2 children in the program....trustworthy right????

Wrong...There were over 11K in cash withdraws, I would say most of that is unauthorized and unknown, 2 payments to Direct TV, and over 400 in NSF fees...

As a board we keep this quiet, and start the bank looking into these withdraws (still pending) we make 2 certified letter attempts to get our property back( laptop and paperworks)

heres where the really wierd stuff happens, or where her stupidity shows its face...

Oh yeah, I forgot, she enrolled her kid in football, the nerve!!!

So our demand letter for the property, as well as her last $25 payment must have hit her nerve, becase she shows up to the field as practice is ending, with some form she found online from the attorney general-- saying she reported us as an illegal 5013c, and emebzzlement etc...we ask her again where the property is, and she says she turned it in to the attorney generals office...(wierd!)

Now isnt that calling the kettle black!

This last Saturday she shows up to the game, and based on the fact she did not return property, she was not in good standing and we decided to not let her in...

she raised a ruckus and the police were called to escort her out...

she barged into my store Monday and threw a paper at me, telling me I could make a copy.. it was a porperty receipt from the Police Dept... dated that day and 1 hour previos..

so she in fact lied, that she turned in the stuff previos to that wed, she had just turned it in!!!!!!

sooo I tell her to step outside my store, and I make the copy...

she goes on to tell me her laywer will be contacting us...yada yada...

Helen actually has to tell her to leave, becasue she is causing a disturbance at the store...

I file an incident report for documentation...just incase she decides to come back to the shop I can call the cops on her ...

so today, apparently the press can take the police/fire logs and choose to make articles out fo them, so they choose to write about my report filed about the ALLEGED 11k embezzlled!

I attened the High School Booster meeting, so I missed her appearance tonight as she accused our president of embezzling from the vendor they got the shirts from--she is trying to accuse him if getting a 'kick back' --but I have all the records!!! I have outstanding debt to resovle becasue she didnt pay bills!

I am confiident justice will catch up with her, and what we are now doing on the board is well documented and justified to run this program.

I do this becasue I enjoy it, I want to participate in my childrens programs while giving them their space....

I like to volunteer, it takes my mind off my troubles..and gets me out of the house so I dont have to clean it....(Heheehhe)

So, I was in the paper today, not for something fantabulous,...but rather something, that some moron did, and I am a witness to it.

Ill post more as it unravels.....

The "Scrappiest" Gift Ever...

A few weekends ago, our Friday night Crop, was transformed into a Bday party for Helen, Cora, and I, who have Aug bdays. Our darling scrappy friends coordinated this Scrapbook Addict Album, and presented it to us at the Party!
All I have to say is...MASTERPIECE....although I dont think it will be getting Pub'ed in a SCrapbook Magazine...LOL!!! (Faces have been hidden to protect the innocent...or should I say, the "Scrap-Guilty"????)
Clarifications...
Layout 1- Your a cut above..using scissors
Layout 2- We're so trippin...Adhesive squared to mock acid
Layout 3-What's your pleasure..mocks undercover blackmarket products
Layout 4- I dont know karate, but I do know crazy...Mocks diagnosis...Rediculitis
Layout 5- Friends dont let friends drink primas...Mocks drinking, and being passed out
Layout 6- Scrapbook Junkie...mocks the bo-bunny flex ruler, and coluzzle blade
Layout 7- One you pop, you cant stop..mocks embellishment hoarders!
Layout 8- Stuck on adhesives..mocks huffin...
Layout 9- Crop Heads...mocks embellishment tool as pot head complete with muchines
Layout 10- Scrap Candy... "when you want to scrap all night" Mocks embossing powder and glitter as well as an acrylic stamp holder and vellum title.

100.5 Day in the Zone

A Day In The Zone: Daughtry, Lifehouse, Tristan Prettyman, Ace Young, Method Echo and guest host, Nick Lachey

What a fabulous day! I captured some great shots, and video of the concert!


Tristan Prettyman, I had heard a few of her tunes
she was very good, Im definatly getting her CD

Nick Lachey- Im not a huge fan, but he has very nice ARMS!

LifeHouse was very good! I have to get their CD now! Here are some of their songs...

Then on to Daughtry....We decided to move our way up to the front stage...we had too... And we were close! At the end of the show I caught/fought for a "DRUMSTICK" the threw out---Some lady tried grabbing it from me, and when i won, she threw water at me...hehehehe it was funny!!!

Some Video I took....

"What about now"

Ahhh and this one..... "Over you"

Forgotton Birthday=VIP

Dax forgot my birthday....need I say more...
To make up for it, he knew Helen had gotten me "Day in the ZOne 100.5" Tickets so he arranged for her and I to take the VIP experience. This is where you can go backstage, meet the band, and get a pic taken or "meet and greet". I do have to say that it was more then a greet..then a meet...HOWEVER.....it was an experience.

To Prepare for this, we decided to make Chris a Scrapbook (of course!) Although I couldnt personally hand it to him, as his manager/bodyguard/ person took it, before my turn- He said he would give it...and I let it go... Here are the pics of the pages...

This dosn't happen in our family....

I never thought this would happen in our family...
these things happen to bad people....
Why did this happen???

Shock...... Thats the only word I can use that describes my state of mind....
because when you are in shock, you dont know what to say, or do, or perhaps you get really busy to avoid actually thinking about what happened....

Yesterday, (on my sons birthday) i got a call, that my Cousin Glenda and her family were hit by a drunk driver while they were out riding their bikes...
Her 2 year old daughter was killed upon impact. Her 1 year old son, injured with a fractured skull.

Glenda

Driver plows into Rialto family riding bikes; girl killed
10:00 PM PDT on Sunday, June 29, 2008
By JOE VARGOThe Press-Enterprise
A 1-year-old Rialto girl was killed and her brother and parents seriously injured Sunday when an out-of-control vehicle apparently operated by a drunken driver slammed into them while they were on their bicycles during a family ride, authorities said.
"This is a tragedy for the entire community," said Rialto police Lt. Joe Cirilo during an interview from the crash site. "They were trying to enjoy themselves on a Sunday afternoon and were struck down. In an instant their lives were changed forever. It is a devastating tragedy."
A pair of crumpled bicycles indicated the impact of the collision.
Story continues below
Ramon Mena Owens / The Press-Enterprise
Police say Josslyn Dinoso-Brooks, 1, was killed when Jesse Rolando Astorga struck her and her family with his car Sunday. The family had been riding their bicycles on Willow Avenue in Rialto.
The seat was ripped off one, a tire from the other. Mixed in among the bike parts were a couple of shoes and pieces of the vehicle that broke apart on impact. Cirilo said the family had no chance to escape the speeding sport utility vehicle, which apparently struck them head-on.
Authorities continued working late Sunday to determine the exact speed of the 2008 Honda Pilot when it struck the family but witness statements put the vehicle's speed far above the posted 35 mph limit.
The dead child was identified by the San Bernardino County coroner's office as Josslyn Dinoso-Brooks. She was pronounced dead of her injuries at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center at 12:46 p.m. Sunday.
Cirilo identified the parents as William Dean Dinoso, 28, and Glenda Brooks, 26. He did not identify their other child but said the boy appeared to be about a year old.
Brooks and the boy were being treated at Loma Linda University Medical Center . Dinoso was undergoing treatment at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center . All had broken bones and internal injuries, Cirilo said.
The fatal accident was reported at 12:05 p.m. on Willow Avenue just south of Rialto Avenue . Cirilo said the chain of events leading up to it began several minutes earlier about three miles away.
Story continues below
Driver Jesse Rolando Astorga was held on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and driving while intoxicated and causing injuries
The suspect rear-ended a Chevrolet Impala at Foothill Boulevard and Cedar Avenue and fled the scene, with the driver of the Chevy chasing him while telephoning 911 and reporting the minor collision.
The man sped away and eventually made his way onto Willow Avenue in an area of light industrial and commercial buildings.
His vehicle, which was traveling north, slammed into a concrete median and skidded about 300 feet before striking the family.
Authorities said the mother and father were riding bicycles and the father was pulling the two youngsters in a carrier behind his bicycle. The impact threw Brooks into the vehicle's windshield before she landed on the pavement.
After striking the victims, the suspect attempted to flee the scene, but the Honda stalled and he was taken into custody.
Authorities identified him as Jesse Rolando Astorga, 27, of Phelan.
Astorga was booked into the West Valley Detention Center on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and driving while intoxicated and causing injuries.
Reach Joe Vargo at 951-368-9289 or jvargo@PE


We dont know much else at this point....
this shouldnt have happened to her or her children!

More articles as of 7/5/08
http://www.pe.com/localnews/sbcounty/stories/PE_News_Local_N_ncrash03.4a4561b.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25456498/


New Website --
www.josslyndinosobrooks.com

CKC Fort Lauderdale!

Im back from an awesome and probably the longest vacation taken- Helen and I went to CKC (Creating Keepsakes Convention) in Fort Lauderdale. It was a 2-fer trip I like to call it, maybe a 3-fer...meaning...1. To get away, get refreshed, and take classes 2. Really get away 3. Take my son on vacation to visit his relatives.

When the opportunity came up for Helen and I to take a trip, I picked the other side of the country!!! But it was great- It was Helens 1st time in Florida- Becasue of the long flight, and lack of choices for flights, we actually got to be Florida tourists, before and after the convention---Heres how it went...

Luckily we had Joan, Masons Grandma (My EX's Mother) take us to Hollywood beach the 1st day! (ignore dates on pics- my camera wasnt set!)

The next day we hit Everglades Air Boat Tours... to see alligators..yes real ones...I had done this tour 7 years ago, but it was just as thrilling to have an alligator swim up to your boat...mason wasnt too thrilled, his Cousin Christian was with him and did enjoy it ....ohhh also-- my camera WASNT on zoom....thats how close you are to the gator!

Then, as Florida weather is, it started to rain...not a sprinkle here or a sprinkle there, but think about how much water comes out of a shower head...yes! it was pouring, but it was warm rain, and beautiful....well the boat started dripping- Helen was on the edge and got SOAKED!

We got off the boat and made a run for the gift shop- we were drenched...mason really liked the rain..not the THUNDER..Never in my life have i heard such loud thunder! Did you notice the before and after pics, no rain vs. rain..thats how fast it comes!


Later that night, we went to a restaurant called the Rustic Inn, Mason and Helen wanted to try Gator and Frogs Legs... I had a kids meal burger!!! (ok i tried tha Gator!) Mason also had Crab, and they give you mallots and bibs!

We stayed at Shirleys Condo, (masons Great-Gram) and there were these HUGE slugs that come out at night!!!!

On to the convention, We took 13 classes and 3 crops-




Thursday Night Crop- We made and entire 6x6 album


Friday Classes-(reviews to come)

One, Two, Three..4x6:

Fun and Fast Tips for Journaling:



Always and Forever




Playful Pages




Not Your everyday Clipboard




Scheming Around




Stretch your Supplies




Focus on Family and Friends





Saturday Classes

Home Tour


One Day at a Time




Clearly Visable




Pushing Limits




4 Album enhancing Techniques

Our Favorite teachers by far were Megan Hoeppner from Simple Scrapbooks





And Emily Of Creating Keepsakes

The last night after the last crop, we got the giggles...we had been plotting for the days that we were at the convention center, to take some fun photos with the carpet..... Ill let the pictures tell the story....






Oh and then Helen Felt like she might want to leave her family and move to Florida and get a job at the Convention Center...here is her audition....(See, we had the giggles!)


It was back to the Dania Beach the next day...I played in the sand with the boys, feeling like a kid again, just enjoying! When it the last time I did that???? I dont know! Here was my favorite view lying on the beach...


And here was Helens favorite view when we went swimming at Shirleys Condo (Hahaha - Ill explain this pic more later!!!)

Back to the airport , on the plane, did i mention i HATE FLYING!!! And back home !!!

Stepping outside my Scrapbook Box

Today We had an AWESOME class by Prima Instructor/ Prima Donna Tricia Ladouceur from Canada. We used Glimmer mist, watercolor pencils, Prima Paintables, and prima...of course I dont get to use my flowers on layouts much becasue of all my boy pages, so it was real fun. It was a blast to be a student for once....I cant wait to take tons of classes at CKC- Ft Lauderdale in June !!!! Ill post my project here later...but want it to be a surprise as it is a gift for mom....

Mothers Day..Irony

Happy Mothers Day to me!...Just when I dreamed of lounging in bed all day, being served by my family, and having the day off..reality hit...have the day off? HA!!! Let me tell you about my day!


It did start out quite devine, I was served M(pancake) O (heart egg) M (pancake) with a latte, topped with a foam heart.

Not too bad eh???? So then it was lets decide what to do..go to the beach? the snow....ahhhh just lounge??

Well, I decided it would be fun to do a home project together as a family..we had about 1000 bricks in the backyard...lets make a fire pit!!!! Summer is coming, and we can have fun times out int he backyard...

As the boys started working....I went to wipe the dirt of Masons head..but it wasnt dirt....

IT WAS...... HEADLICE...EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!! (Photo taken from the internet)

I was horrified!!!! I have never had lice myself, nor have the boys ever had it...I ran to Target.... and talked to the pharmacist about my little Mothers Day presents...

I came home with....








Im horrified!!! So I spend the next 2 hours cutting the boys hair and treating them...










dax finished the inside of the firepit, and we clean up and head to a mothers day dinner at my FAVORITE pizza place.. PIZZA BELL!!!! YUMMMMMYYYY





















After dinner, we hit the Walmart...and get the boys new Pillows....













so now here I sit, after feeling quite itchy, with Rid X on my hair...just in case my darling boys decided to give me the critters for Mothers day.... and Im finishing up the loads of bed linens, and sheets which all had to be washed out...










AHHHHH..Happy Mothers Day 2008!!!!