I Do Like Mail, But....

Not this kind of mail. Ugh. The stupid red light camera got me, and let me tell you they do not mess around with the price of these tickets. Crap. I guess it was bound to happen with those things all over the place.

I have several options. I can pay the fine and get points on my license or I can take a traffic course, pay slightly less than the fine and have it magically erased from my driving record. Arizona does already have one thing going for it... I can take it online from the privacy of my own home! I think I will go with that option. 

I have a huge list of Arizona certified schools to administer my online traffic school Defensive Driving course. These names really make 'accredited' come to mind: EZ AZ Traffic School (too lazy to spell out easy?), 123 EZ Ticket Dismissal, Sir Waldorf Bentley's School for Naughty Drivers (that sounds highly official) or Safe 2 Drive. Really?! Those all sound totally legit.

After some research I think I might end up going with An Online Traffic School by the Improv Comedy Club. Over 2 million students have picked them as their number one choice, they can't all be wrong! Numerous accolades from students and national media and as seen on: CBS News, The New York Times, NBC, People Magazine, and the Los Angeles Times! Holy Cow! People say it's funny from the reviews. I mean if you have to take an online Defensive Driving Course, you might as well enjoy it right? 

I'll keep you posted. (what a way to end the year, booooo!)

St. Jude Warrior - Help Sponsor the Fight!

You may remember the Warrior Dash... I have completed two of them one in 2012 and the other in 2013. It's a crazy thing to pay money to do, you go through obstacles and jump over fire, it is tons of fun too. Here let me remind you...

I survived two Warrior Dash's and vowed to never return unless I was in shape. Because let me tell you... it's no walk in the park! I sat out the 2014 race (let's just say it's because I moved) 2015 hadn't even crossed my mind.... that is, until the ROC race. Tutu had so much fun that she ended up talking me into the 2015 Arizona Warrior Dash which just happens to be April 11th. UGH! 

This means I have some work to do in the coming months (more on that later) but also this time I have decided to run this race as a St. Jude Warrior and have a fundraising goal of $300...

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is the global leader in finding cures and saving children from cancer and other deadly diseases. This is why I am competing as a St. Jude Warrior at Warrior Dash. I am going to crawl through mud and jump through fire in order to support St. Jude patients. Will you join the fight with me?

I need your support to help me raise the funds for the kids of St. Jude.

How your donation helps:

• Thanks to donors like you, no family ever receives a bill from St. Jude.
• Every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists can use that knowledge to save thousands more children around the world.

If you would like to donate you can visit my fundraising page here. There are plenty of ways you can help me succeed if you choose not to donate monetarily.  I'm going to need lots of encouragement to keep myself accountable to get into shape and let the warrior within come out! 

Brrrr! It's Chilly in Arizona

Today was the day.... I finally had to turn my heat on. It got down to 62° in the condo. I even had to put on my slippers! The kitties are extra snuggly and trying to keep warm too! It's good soup and hot chocolate weather too! I hope the weather warms up a bit, I have visitors coming soon! A.Drama and Marvin are coming to visit for the New Year!

NiBo was just here last weekend for a few days. He is on his a way to Hawaii to continue his Army service. I can't wait to go visit! Aloha! 

We managed to squeeze in a few fun sibling adventure while he was here. We made our way east of town towards the Superstition Mountains and drove up to Tortilla Flats for lunch. We made a stop at what is left of the old Apacheland Movie Ranch, which has seen it's fair share of Western movie stars.

Superstition Mountain photo by NiBo (I'm totally in love with this picture)

NiBo got some Oliver cuddle time in too

Mom wouldn't stop bugging us for a picture, so she got this

I wish NiBo would have had a few more days to hang out, but I'm glad he made a stop here before he left for his adventure. I'm excited to have a double exciting sibling December and can't wait for A.Drama and Marvin to arrive! 

I also had a great Christmas (as I hope all you did as well)! My annual tradition continues, Christmas Eve Chinese takeout for dinner and the start of the 24 hours of A Christmas Story on TBS. It's one of my favorite traditions! I skyped home in the morning and opened my presents with the IL crew. 

I can't believe that it is the end of the year already! Check back as I count down my favorite moments of 2014! 

Christmas Time in the Valley

I've been shamed several times for not updating my blog more. I promise I will add it to the New Year's resolution list! But hey... I've been out there living life! And I'm still doing better than 2012, only 64 posts the whole year! 

But alas... it is Christmastime in the Valley! It is weird to watch a lighted Christmas parade and tree lighting in short sleeves while eating ice cream... but we won't talk about that. I'll let the pictures do the talking, I've done a lot of Christmas/Holiday related things this month! 

The 2014 Fantasy of Lights Parade in downtown Tempe...

Santa got VIP rockstar treatment, bodyguards and all!

My adorable condo and all the beautiful Christmas decorations...

Elf the musical... which was hilarious and awesome! 

The first annual Arizona crew Ugly Sweater Party! 

Tulip and I 

The Nutcracker Ballet... (photos by Tulip)

As you can see, I've had quite the Christmas Time adventures here in sunny Arizona. There is plenty to do even without the snow, and even more to do without the cold! I promise to keep you entertained these last couple weeks of 2014 with plenty of posts!